H.

S 2ND YEAR
AJMAL SUPER40
SUBJECT - ENGLISH

LAST LESSON

Q1. Write the character sketch of M. Hamel.

⮚ M. Hamel is the central character after Franz in the story “The Last Lesson”. He is
Franz’s teacher who is cranky minded and a kind of strict man about discipline. He
was a true French man. He loves his nation and its people as well as his mother
tongue French from the bottom of his heart. He has been teaching French in a school
of Alsace for last 40 years with great dignity and honour but suddenly his heart breaks
into pieces when he comes to know that his mother tongue has changed.

He was an honest teacher. He did not blame his students alone for poor
learning. He also held himself responsible for the same. He was very patriotic as he appealed
to his countrymen to hold fast to their mother tongue to be free from the Prussians. According
to him, the French language was the most beautiful, the clearest and the most logical
language in the world. He appealed to his countrymen to guard it and never forget it. He was
emotionally attached to the school and all his students. However, he was very brave and
strong. He was really sorry for not making sincere efforts to teach French to his countrymen.

He is a man of great spirit and a true patriot. He puts a beautiful green coat, his
frilled shirt and the little black silk cap in the honour of that last lesson. M. Hamel loves
children and school , the garden that has grown under his supervision. His humble heart
wails by going far from those things that he has seen from his own eyes growing and
rearing .On the day of the last lesson, he had taught about participles , history, poems very
attentively as if the poor man wants to give the children all he knows before going away. He
told the children that French is one of the most beautiful and logical language in the world
and they must protect it .

At the end, he became so emotional that he could not speak. He rose from his chair
and wrote on the black board with a piece of chalk “ Vive La France” which means ‘Long
Live France’.

Q2. Who is the writer of the prose piece “The Last Lesson” ?

⮚ Alphonse Daudet.

Q3. Who is the narrator of the story “The Last Lesson”?

⮚ Little Franz , a school going boy is the narrator of the story.

Q4. Who was M. Hamel?

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 ⮚ M . Hamel is the French teacher of the school in Alsace.

Q5. “I started for school very late that morning”. Who is the “I” here?

⮚ Little Franz is the “I” here.

Q6. What did Franz think for a moment?

⮚ For a moment , Franz thought of running away and spending the day out of doors.

Q7. Who is Wachter?

⮚ Wachter is a blacksmith.

Q8. Which district of France did Franz belong to?

⮚ Franz belonged to the district of Alsace.

Q9. What was Franz expected to be prepared for school that day?

⮚ On the day of the last lesson, Franz was expected to be prepared for the rules of
participles.

Q10. What was written on the copies brought by M. Hamel?

⮚ “France Alsace, France Alsace” were the words written in the copies that M. Hamel
had brought for the children that day.

Q11. Where were the Prussian soldiers drilling?

⮚ The Prussian soldiers were drilling in the open fields at the back of the sawmill.

Q12. What did M. Hamel do when he wanted to go fishing?

⮚ When M. Hamel wanted to go fishing , he used to grant his students a holiday.

Q13. What kind of hat was Old Hauser wearing?

⮚ Old Hauser was wearing a three cornered hat.

Q14. What does “ Vive La France” mean ?

⮚ “Vive La France” means Long Live France.

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Q15. Name the river mentioned in “The Last Lesson”?

⮚ The Saar river.

Q16. “I thought he was making fun of me”. Who is the ‘he’ here?

⮚ Here ‘he’ refers to Wachter , the blacksmith.

Q17. “…………… and I did not know the first word about them”--- What does ‘them’ refers
to?

⮚ ‘Them’ refers to the rules of participles.

Q18. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?

⮚ On the day of the last lesson, little Franz was expected to be prepared for the rules of
participles.

Q19. What did M. Hamel write at the end of the class?

⮚ At the end the class, M .Hamel with a piece of chalk wrote on the blackboard “Vive
La France”.

Q20. What according to M. Hamel is the great trouble with Alsace?

⮚ According to M. Hamel, the great trouble with Alsace is that the people puts off
learning till the next day.

Q21. What surprised the Little Franz most?

⮚ On the day of the last lesson , the thing which surprised little Franz most was to see
that the back benches of the classroom that generally remained empty were occupied
by the elderly persons of the village. They too were sitting like the students.

Q22. From where has the order come to teach only German in the school?

⮚ The order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and
Lorraine.

Q23. How many years did M. Hamel serve in the school?

⮚ M . Hamel served in the schools for forty years.

Q24. What is the name of the blacksmith in “The Last Lesson”?

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 ⮚ Wachter.

Q25. What did Franz find so unusual at school that morning?

⮚ The unusual that Franz noticed on the day of the Last Lesson was that the whole
school was so solemn and silent like Sunday morning.

Q26. What was the order from Berlin? How did the order affect the people of Alsace,
particularly M. Hamel and his students?

⮚ The school of M. Hamel was situated in the France district of Alsace. But during the
Franco- Prussian War , the two districts of France--- Alsace and Lorraine went into
the hands of Germans. An order had come from Berlin to teach only German in the
schools of Alsace and Lorraine . The new master would come the following day.
The order brought about an epic change in the mind of people of Alsace. The
whole school seemed very strange and solemn. Everything was as quiet as Sunday
morning. When M. Hamel announced that it was the last French lesson he was going
to give , the words came like a thunder bolt to little Franz. He was very upset to know
that he would no longer be able to learn his mother tongue. Instead, he would have to
learn the German language. He also regretted for neglecting his studies and spending
the day seeking bird’s eggs or sliding on the river Saar. The very idea that M . Hamel
would leave also made him sorry. So, he attended his last French lesson very
attentively. He found everything very easy. He realized that he never listened to his
lessons so attentively before and M. Hamel too never had taught them so seriously.
On the day of Last lesson , the village people were also very sad and serious. All
the village people, the former mayor, the former postmaster , Old Hauser etc also
came and were sitting on the back benches like students. They also regretted for
neglecting their mother language. They came in honour of their country as well as
their mother tongue which was their no more. They also came to the school to show
respect to M. Hamel for his forty years of faithful service.
That day M .Hamel , the teacher was wearing his best dress which he used to wear
only on inspection and prize days. He was wearing his beautiful green coat, frilled
shirt, little black silk cap all embroidered. On the day of Last Lesson, he behaved in a
different manner. He behaved gently and did not scold Franz for his late attendance.
On the day of Last Lesson , he taught with extra patience. It seemed as if he wanted to
pull all the knowledge about France Language in one stroke. He taught lessons from
Grammar. He gave the students some lessons in writing. He gave the students some
new copies to write the words “France, Alsace, France, Alsace”. At times he was seen
turning emotional and gazing at the things seen through the window. He had been
working in that school for forty years and had planted many trees which had grown
up. He was sad with the idea of leaving them all.
Before dismissing the school, he wrote “Vive La France” which means Long Live
France. This shows Hamel’s sincere love for France language.

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Q27. “What a thunderclap these words were to me!”

a) What were the words referred to here?

⮚ M. Hamel told the students that it is the last lesson he would give them. He informed
that an order had come from Berlin to teach only German in the school of Alsace and
Lorraine . He added that the new teacher had joined to teach them German and would
come the next day. So, that was their last French lesson . Since, that was the last
lesson , M Hamel asked his students to be very attentive.
b) What did Franz call these words thunderclap?
⮚ These words were like a thunderclap to Franz, because he came to know that it was
the last French lesson in his life. He would not get any chance learn his mother
language again and he hardly knew how to write his own mother language.
c) What were the effects of these words on him?
⮚ These words of the teacher had profound effect on Franz. He now deeply lamented for
his neglect. He now realized that what mistake he had committed. He was now sorry
for not learning his lessons and for passing away his time in seeking birds eggs or in
sliding on the Sar.
The books which he neglected once were now like his old friends that he could
not give up. Franz was also very sorry that his teacher was going away after forty
years of faithful service. The very idea that he was going away made Franz forget all
about his iron ruler and how cranky he was.

Q28. Why did M. Hamel put on his Sunday clothes that day? Describe his clothes.

⮚ M. Hamel was the teacher of the school. He was going to teach the last French Lesson
to his students. It was in honour of that last lesson that he had put on his fine Sunday
clothes.
That day M. Hamel put on his very beautiful green coat, frilled shirt and a little
black silk cap all embroidered. Generally M. Hamel put on this special dress only on
inspection and prize days but that day he put on that dress in honour of the last lesson.

Q29. Describe how did M. Hamel teach his last French Lesson.

⮚ On the day of the last lesson, M Hamel told his students that it was the last French
lesson he would give them. He told that an order had come from Berlin to teach only
the German language in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. He also informed the
students that the new teacher would come the next day. So, that was their last French
lesson. Since that was the last lesson he wanted his students to be very attentive. As M
Hamel had told his students that he would ask his students questions on participles, he
first asked little Franz to recite it. Franz wished to recite them correctly but
unfortunately he got mixed up in the very first sentence. He stood holding his desk

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 and his heart was beating. He thought he would be scolded. But to his great surprise ,
M Hamel did not scold Franz.
M Hamel pointed out the faults of the students, their parents for their inability to
learn their lessons. M Hamel did not exempt himself. He frankly confessed his own
faults for neglecting his duties as a teacher. M Hamel praised the French language as
the best, the clearest and the most logical language in the world and he urged the
people to protect their language because as long an enslaved nation continued to hold
fast their mother tongue it was like a weapon to attain freedom from slavery.
After this ,M Hamel taught some lessons from Grammar. Franz was amazed to see
that he could understand his lessons very well. His lessons seemed to be very easy
that day. It seemed to him that he had not listened so carefully earlier and he felt the
teacher also had not explained everything so clearly and patiently. It seemed as if he
would teach everything in one single stroke.
After the Grammar lesson, the students had a lesson in writing. That day M Hamel
had brought new copies for his students on which were written in a beautiful round
hand “France, Alsace, France, Alsace. The whole atmosphere was completely silent.
That day everyone sat to work very attentively. The only sound heard was the
scratching of the pen over the paper. Once some beetles came flying into the
classroom but nobody paid any attention. Franz wondered whether the Germans
would compel the pigeons sing in German as they were cooing very low on the roof.
After Grammar, they had a lesson in history. The babies also chanted their
rhymes. At the back of the room Old Hauser also opened a primer that he brought
with him and tried to read it. When the church clock struck twelve , M Hamel rose
from his chair and then taking a piece of chalk he came near the blackboard and with
all his might he wrote “ Vive La France” . He leaned against the wall and with a
gesture of his hand he asked the students to leave as the class was dismissed.

LOST SPRING

Q1. Who is the author of Lost Spring?

⮚ ‘Anees Jung’ is the author of Lost Spring.

Q2. What is lost spring about?

⮚ Lost Spring is about two poor Indian children Saheb and Mukesh who held to the
poverty had to lose their childhood happiness for the sake of supporting their family.

Q3. What is the original book from which his prose piece in an excerpt?

⮚ The prose piece is an excerpt of the book , “ Lost Spring : Stories of Stolen
Childhood”.

Q4.Who is Saheb?

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 ⮚ Saheb is a young rag picker who scrounges the garbage dumps on the streets of Delhi
for his living. He was however originally from Dhaka.

Q5. Whom does the author encounter everyday in the street?

⮚ Everyday the author encounters a young rag picker , Saheb in the street.

Q6. What does Saheb do everyday?

⮚ Everyday Saheb scrounges the garbage dumps on the streets of Delhi in order to find
something valuable.

Q7. Where is the original home of Saheb?

⮚ The original name of Saheb is in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Q8. Why Saheb and his family migrated to Seemapuri?

⮚ The storm had swept away Saheb’s home and green fields in Dhaka. Hence, he and
his family had migrated to Seemapuri.

Q9. What does Saheb look for in the garbage dumps?

⮚ Saheb scrounges the garbage dumps to find something that is valuable which the
author refers to as ‘gold’.

Q10. What is Saheb’s full name?

⮚ Saheb’s full name is Saheb-e-Alam, which means ‘Lord of the Universe’

Q11. Whom did Saheb observe standing at the fenced gate of the neighbourhood club?

⮚ Saheb stood at the fenced gate of the neighbourhood club and observed two young
men dressed in white clothes , playing tennis.

Q12. What was Saheb wearing when he was at the gate of the club?

⮚ Saheb was wearing a discoloured shirt and shorts and also a pair of tennis shoes with
a hole in one of them.

Q13. Where is Seemapuri?

⮚ Seemapuri is a place in the periphery of Delhi.

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Q14. Who is Mukesh?

⮚ Mukesh is a young boy who worked in Firozabad, a small town famous for its glass
bangles.

Q15. What is Mukesh’s dream?

⮚ Mukesh’s dream is of becoming a motor mechanic.

Q16. Who is Savita?

⮚ In the chapter ‘Lost Spring’ by Anees Jung, Savita is young unmarried girl who
belongs to a family of a bangle makers in Firozabad. She does the work of soldering
pieces of glass to transform them into beautiful glass bangles . She wears a drab pink
dress.

Q17. Why is Mukesh proud to take the author to his home?

⮚ Mukesh is proud to take the author to his home because it was being rebuilt.

Q18. Who is in charge of Mukesh’s household?

⮚ The daughter in law of the house who was Mukesh’s elder brother’s wife was in
charge of the household.

Q19. What does the author of Lost Spring find Saheb doing every morning?

⮚ The author of the Lost Spring finds Saheb scrounging for gold in the garbage dumps
every morning.

Q20. What does the garbage mean for the elders of Seemapuri?

⮚ For the elders of Seemapuri garbage means the means of survival . It is their daily
bread , a roof over their heads.

Q21. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come
from?

⮚ In the garbage dumps , Saheb looks for useful items that can be sold for cash. They
are just like ‘gold’ for him. Sometimes he finds a rupee or even a ten rupee note if
luck favours.
Saheb and his family live in Seemapuri , a slum on the periphery of Delhi. Saheb
and his family had migrated from Bangladesh.

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Q22. What explanations does the author offer from the children not wearing footwear?

⮚ Some of the children simply do not care to take the trouble of taking their slippers
down from the shelf to wear them. Another explanation she receives is not wearing
footwear which is a tradition. However, she feels that it is simply an excuse to hide a
perpetual state of poverty, as many families cannot afford to buy footwear for their
children.

Q23. Is Saheb happy working at a tea stall?

⮚ Saheb got a job at a tea stall where he was paid Rs 800 and all his meals but Saheb
seems unhappy because he has lost his freedom. The steel canister seems heavier than
the plastic bag . The bag was his but the canister belongs to the owner. Saheb is no
longer his own master.

Q24. Who was Saheb? What was his full name? What was the irony about his name?

⮚ Saheb is a poor rag-picker who lives in Seemapuri. His full name is ‘Saheb – e –
Alam’, which means ‘Lord of the Universe’.
The irony lies in the meaning of his name itself. According to his name, he should
be a king and enjoy all the luxuries of life. But unfortunately, he is a barefooted
ragpicker, who lacks even the basic necessities.

Q25. Why is Mukesh realistic about his dreams?

⮚ Mukesh has his own aims and dreams and wants to be his own master. He does not
always want to remain a bangle maker. He wants to go to a garage and get the
required training. He is thus determined to achieve his goal and become a motor
mechanic.

Q26. What is Mukesh’s dream? Do you think he will be able to fulfill his dream ? Why? Why
not?

⮚ Mukesh belongs to the family of bangle makers of Firozabad where each family is
engaged in bangle making. On asking, Mukesh says , “I will be a motor mechanic . I
will learn to drive a car”. Thus he wants to be his own master. However, he is caught
up in the vicious cycle created by others, he will not be able to realize his dream and
will remain a bangle maker.

Q27. What makes the city of Firozabad famous?

⮚ Firozabad is famous for its bangle making industry. Beautiful bangles can be seen all
piled up in every corner of the city. Every other family is engaged in the business of

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 bangle making. It is the centre of India’s glass blowing industry where families have
spent generations working around furnaces.

Q28. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.

⮚ The glass bangles industry has a very hazardous working environment. People work
in the glass furnaces with high temperatures, in dingy cells with high temperatures , in
dingy cells without air and light. Most of the people end up losing their eyesight even
before they become adults. Adding to their misery, they are caught in a vicious cycle
of people who exploit them.

Q29. What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in
poverty?

⮚ The bangle makers in Firozabad are exploited at the hands of the Sahukars, the
middleman, the policeman, the law makers, the bureaucrates and the politicians. Thus,
they remained steeped in poverty. They cannot form cooperatives for their betterment.
Moreover, their children are also compelled to join the same trade at an early age ,
thus remaining in the vicious web.

Q30. What was the promise made by the narrator to Saheb? Why was she embarrassed?

⮚ The author made a promise to open a school. The writer was embarrassed because
she had not opened the school yet and Saheb kept on asking her , “Is your school
ready”. She made a promise that was not meant.

Q31. Why could the bangle makers not organize themselves into a cooperative?

⮚ The bangle makers could not organize themselves into a cooperative because they
were trapped in the vicious circle of Sahukars , middle man , police man, bureaucrats
and politicians who exploited them. If they tried to organize themselves, they would
be beaten by the police and put into jail.

Q32. Why had the ragpickers come to live in Seemapuri?

⮚ Once Saheb’s parents lived in Bangladesh , amidst the green fields of Dhaka. There
were many storms that swept away their fields and homes . That’s why they migrated
to Delhi and settled down in Seemapuri looking for an occupation.

Q33. Describe the bangle makers of Firozabad . How does the vicious circle of the sahukars
and the middleman never allow them to come out of poverty.

⮚ The bangle makers of Firozabad have spent generations working around furnaces.
Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles. They sit around

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 altogether welding the glass and making bangles for all the women in the land. These
families are caught in the web of poverty . They are burdened by the stigma of caste.
They believe that they are born to this caste and thus bangle making is a God given
lineage , out of which they can never imagine a life. They cannot organize themselves
into cooperatives for fear of the police. Individual bangle makers are caught in the
vicious circle of the middlemen and the sahukars. This vicious circle exploits them so
much that they are left with so less money that they have only enough to engage in
bangle making.

Q34. How is Mukesh’s attitude towards his situation different from that of Saheb? Why?

⮚ Mukesh belongs to a bangle making family but he is not content with his profession.
He dares to dream of becoming a motor mechanic and driving cars. He has strong will
power and wants to achieve what he dreams about, unlike other people in his family.
In contrast to this, Saheb is a rag picker who is content with his life but becomes
unhappy when he gets a job at a tea stall, even though now he is probably earning
more and on a regular basis.

INDIGO

Q1. Why did Rajkumar Shukla invite Gandhiji to Champaran? How did Gandhiji solve the
problem of the indigo farmers?
⮚ Rajkumar Shukla invited Gandhiji to Champaran to fight against the injustice meted
out to the peasants of Champaran in the hands of the British landlords. Gandhiji after
reaching Champaran scolded the lawyers for collecting big fees from the
sharecroppers. He telegraphed Dr. Rajendra Prasad to come from Bihar with his
friends who conferred with Gandhiji who asked them what they would do if he was
sentenced to prison. The senior lawyers replied that they had come to advise and help
him. Being a stranger Gandhiji was prepared to go to prison for the sake of the
peasants. They also agreed to follow Gandhiji to jail. Gandhiji and the lawyers had
written down depositions by about ten thousand peasants and notes made on other
evidences. He was served summons but he remained firm. Then he received a written
communication from the magistrate that the Lt. Governor of the province had ordered
the case to be dropped. Gandhiji agreed to a settlement of 25% refund to the farmers.

Q2. Give an account of Gandhiji’s efforts to secure justice for the poor indigo sharecroppers
of Champaran? Or Describe the difficulties faced by Gandhiji in Champaran.
⮚ Rajkumar Shukla invited Gandhiji to Champaran to fight against the injustice meted
out to the peasants of Champaran in the hands of the British landlords. Gandhiji after
reaching Champaran ,First of all, began by trying to get the facts. For this purpose he
visited the secretary of the British Landlord’s Association, but he refused to give any
information to an outsider. Next he called upon the British official commissioner of
the Tirhut division in which Champaran district lay. The commissioner bullied him
and advised him to leave Tirhut. This shows that Gandhiji was a staunch seeker and
believer of truth. But Gandhiji did not leave and rather proceeded to Motihari, the

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 capital of Champaran. He mobilized the support of the lawyers and Peasants. He got
an official notice to quit Champaran immediately. But he disobeyed the order and was
summoned to court. The spontaneous demonstration of thousands of farmers was their
liberation of fear of the British. Gandhiji just wanted the civil disobedience movement
or Satyagraha in a non-violent manner. Later on for India’s freedom struggle
Satyagraha and non-violence became the pillars of strength.

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Q3. Why did Gandhiji agree to a settlement of 25% refund to the farmers? How did it
influence the peasant-landlord relationship in Champaran?
⮚ Gandhiji fought the case on behalf of the sharecroppers and the evidence that he
collected was so overwhelming that the landlords were asked to repay. When
Gandhiji asked for 50% repayment, the landlords offered to pay only 25% as they
wanted to create a deadlock and thus prolong the dispute. To everybody’s surprise,
Gandhiji agreed to a refund of 25%. Gandhiji explained that the amount of refund was
not important. What mattered was that the landlords were obliged to surrender a part
of their money and with it, part of their prestige. The peasants saw that they had rights
and persons to support them in upholding their rights. They learned courage.
Gradually, indigo sharecropping disappeared from the area and the land came back to
the poor peasants.

Q4. Why is the Champaran episode considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for
independence?
⮚ The peasants of Champaran were in great fear of the British government because they
were forced to plant 15% of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire
produce to the landlord. When synthetic indigo came, the landlords released them
after demanding compensation from them. The innocent peasants agreed without
realising what they were doing. Later the British hired men to oppose them. When
Rajkumar Shukla told Gandhiji about it, Gandhiji visited Champaran and realised that
the peasants were greatly in fear of the British. He realised that it was necessary to rid
them of their fear. He started Satyagraha movement. The farmers shed their fear and
supported Gandhiji by reaching the place of Satyagraha. That is why Champaran
episode is considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for independence as
everyone realised that they can stand against the British who could not order them
around in their own country.

Q5. What did Gandhiji do to remove the cultural and social backwardness in the Champaran
villages?

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 After the Champaran battle was won and the land given back to the peasants, Gandhiji
continued to stay there as he saw the cultural and social backwardness of the people
of Champaran and wanted to do something about it immediately. His loyalty was,
indeed, to living human beings and he took the initiative and began the work of
eradicating their cultural and social backwardness. Primary schools were started so
that the poor peasants and their children could be educated. Gandhiji appealed to
teachers, and many of his disciples, including his wife and son, volunteer for the
work. Health conditions in the area were so miserable. Gandhiji got a doctor to
volunteer his services for six months. All this goes to prove that Gandhiji’s loyalty
was not to abstractions, but his politics was always interwined with the practical say
to day problems of the millions.

Q6. The Champaran episode was a turning point in Gandhiji’s life. Elucidate.
⮚ Gandhiji himself accepted the proposition that Champaran episode was a turning
point in his life. It was then that he decided to urge the departure of the British from
India. In fact the Champaran episode was the first experiment of Civil Disobedience
in India. When Gandhiji was on his way to Champaran, he stayed in Muzzafarpur,
where he met the lawyers who were fighting cases for the sharecroppers. The peasants
were so crushed and fear-stricken that Gandhiji concluded that law courts were
useless. the real relief for them was to be free from fear. The spontaneous
demonstration by the peasants when Gandhiji was produced in court showed that they
were instilled with a new strength and spirit. Gandhiji showed the poor peasants how
to fight the British with Satyagraha. He made them aware of their powers and the
power of ahimsa. He fought for the peasants’ concerns and stayed there (in
Champaran) to help them. This episode laid the foundation of his future movements
and served as a great source of strength and motivation for all Indians.

Q7.Why is the Champaran episode considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for
independence?

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 The Champaran episode was one of the major events in the struggle for
independence. It was in the course of this small but significant movement that
Gandhiji decided to urge the departure of the British from India.A close examination
of the problems of the Champaran peasants opened Gandhiji’s eyes to the unjust
policies of the British. He reaslied that people had to be made free from fear and only
then could they be freed from foreign oppression. The spontaneous demonstration of
the people proved that Gandhiji had the nation’s support in his fight against the
Britishers. It also aroused patriotism in the heart of the Indians. The triumph of the
civil disobedience at Champaran motivated the launching of the movement on a large
scale during the freedom struggle. Gandhiji’s winning the case of the sharecroppers
proved that the British authority could be challenged. Hence, the Champaran episode
served as a stepping stone to the Indian struggle for independence.

Q8. Describe how, according to Louis Fischer, Gandhiji succeeded in his Champaran
campaign.
⮚ The Champaran campaign was an attempt to free the poor peasants of Champaran
from the injustice and exploitation at the hands of the British landlords. Gandhiji
succeeded in this campaign using his method of satyagraha and non-violence. He
visited Muzzafarpur to obtain complete information about the actual condition of the
sharecroppers. He first appealed to the concerned authorities, but when there was no
positive response, he organised a mass civil disobedience movement, with the support
of the peasants. Gandhiji’s main objective was to remove the fear of the British
landlords from the heart of the poor peasants and mould a new free Indian, who could
participate in the freedom movement of the country. He made the peasants aware of
their rights and gave them a new-found confidence for fighting their own battles. He
also taught them to be self-reliant by refusing to take the help of CF Andrews, his
English friend.

Q9. Why did Gandhiji agree to a settlement of 25% refund to the farmers? How did it
influence the peasant-landlord relationship in Champaran?

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 Under an ancient arrangement, the peasants of Champaran were sharecroppers. The
landlords forced the Indian tenants to plant 15% of their land with indigo and
surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent. After Germany developed synthetic indigo,
the landlords wanted to dissolve the agreement, as synthetic indigo would be cheaper.
They asked the peasants for compensation to release them from this arrangement.
Most of them signed it willingly, but felt cheated after they learned about the
synthetic indigo. Gandhiji fought their case and the evidence he collected was so
overwhelming that the landlords were asked to repay. When Gandhiji asked for 50%
repayment, the landlords offered to pay only 25% as they wanted to create a deadlock,
and thus prolong the dispute. To everybody’s surprise, Gandhiji agreed to a refund of
only 25%. Gandhiji explained that the amount of refund was not important. What
mattered was that the landlords were obliged to surrender a part of their money and
with it, part of their prestige. He also wanted to end the deadlock between the
peasants and the landlords.

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Q10. Give an account of Gandhiji’s efforts to secure justice for the poor indigo sharecroppers
of Champaran.
⮚ In the course of his journey to Champaran with Rajkumar Shukla, Gandhiji stayed at
Muzzafarpur where he met the lawyers and concluded that fighting through courts
was not going to solve the problem of the poor sharecroppers of Champaran. He
declared that the real relief for them was to be free from fear. With this intention, he
arrived in Champaran and contacted the Secretary of the British Landlord’s
Association. The Secretary refused to provide any information to him. After this,
Gandhiji met the Commissioner of the Tirhut division who served a notice on him to
immediately leave Tirhut. Gandhiji accepted the notice by signing it and wrote on it
that he would not obey the order. He was even willing to court arrest for the cause of
the peasant. After four rounds of talks with the Governor, an official commission of
inquiry was appointed in which Gandhiji was made the sole representative of the
peasants. Through this commission, Gandhiji succeeded in getting 25% of the
compensation award for the poor sharecropper from the British landowners.

Q11. Why did Rajkumar Shukla invite Gandhiji to Champaran? How did Gandhiji solve the
problem of the indigo farmers?

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 ⮚ Rajkumar Shukla who was an illiterate and oppressed indigo farmer from Champaran,
invited Gandhiji to visit his district so that he could solve the problems faced by the
miserable peasants. Gandhiji’s truthfulness, sincerity of purpose and fearless efforts
enabled him to solve the problem of the indigo farmers. He began by trying to get the
facts. The British landlords as well as Commissioner of Tirhut were non-cooperative
and did not entertain Gandhiji. Lawyers from the Muzzafarpur briefed him about
court cases of these peasants. Gandhiji and lawyers collected depositions by about ten
thousand peasants. Notes were made on other evidence. Documents were collected.
The whole area throbbed with the activities of the investigators and forceful protests
of landlords. The Lieutenant Governor summoned Gandhiji. After four long
interviews between Gandhiji and Lieutenant Governor, an official commission of
inquiry was appointed to look into the indigo sharecroppers’ situation. Gandhiji was
the sole representative of the peasants. The official inquiry assembled huge quantity
of evidence against the big planters. After negotiation a settlement of 25% refund to
the farmers was agreed on. This was a moral victory for the peasants. They recognised
their rights and learned courage.
⮚

Q11. How did Gandhiji use Satyagraha and non-violence at Champaran to achieve his goal?
⮚ Gandhiji reached Champaran with a goal to alleviate the peasants’ sufferings at the
hands of the British landlords. He met the Secretary of the Landlords’ Association and
the Commissioner who told him to leave Champaran. He signed the order but also
wrote that he would disobey it and sent a full report to the Viceroy. This was followed
by spontaneous demonstrations by thousands of peasants around the court house. The
lawyers too resolved to follow Gandhi ji to jail forcing the case against him to be
dropped. This was the first victory of Civil Disobedience. Then an official enquiry
into the indigo sharecropper situation was instituted and the landlords agreed to
refund the peasants. Gandhiji accepted the 25% refund. The landlords surrendered
part of their prestige with the money. So, Gandhiji achieved the objective of removing
the fear from the minds of the poor peasants and getting justice for them through
satyagraha and non-violence.

Q12. What was the written communication Gandhi received from the magistrate?

⮚ The magistrate announced that Gandhi would be pronounced sentence after two
hours recess. So he asked Gandhi to furnish bail.

Q13. Why was Malkani's action of offering shelter to Gandhi extraordinary?

⮚ Malkani, a teacher in a government school allowed Gandhi to stay at his house for
two days when the latter was in Muzaffarpur. It was an extraordinary action in those
days for a government professor to harbour an advocate of 'home rule' like Gandhi.

Q14. What had the senior lawyers planned to do if Gandhi was sentenced to prison?

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 Or

How did Gandhi influence the lawyers?

⮚ Gandhi asked the lawyers what would they do if he was sent to prison. The senior
lawyers replied that they had come to advise and help him. If he was sent to jail, then
they would go back home. But afterwards, they thought if Gandhi being a stranger
prepared to go to jail for the peasants then it would be a shameful desertion if they go
home despite being residents of adjoining districts. So the lawyers finally decided to
follow Gandhi to jail. Thus Gandhi influenced the lawyers.

Q15. What was the result / outcome of the interview Gandhi had with the Lieutenant
Governor?

⮚ As a result of the series of interviews between Gandhi and the Lieutenant Governor
Gandhi was appointed as an official of the commission of inquiry into the indigo
sharecroppers' situation. The commission consisted of landlords, government officials
and Gandhi as the sole representative of the peasants.

Q16. Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25% refund to the farmers?

⮚ Though previously Gandhi demanded for 50% refund to the farmers. But he later
agreed to a settlement of 25% refund. Because Gandhi believed that the submission of
the British landlords was more significant than the percentage of refund. Gandhi
considered that the amount of refund was less important as with the money the
landlords had to surrender their prestige. Moreover, he wanted the poor farmers to
realise that they too had rights and defenders. The farmers finally learned courage and
how to fight for their own cause.

Q17. What did Gandhi do to improve the health condition in the villages of Champaran?

⮚ The health condition of the people of Champaran was miserable. Gandhi got a doctor
to volunteer his services for six months. For the people three medicines were
available. For a coated tongue a dose of castor oil was given. For malaria patients
received quinine plus castor oil. Patients with skin eruptions were prescribed ointment
plus castor oil. Kasturbai also taught the rules on personal cleanliness and community
sanitation. Thus Gandhi tried to improve the health condition of the villages of
Champaran.

Q18. Name the English pacifist who became a devoted follower of Gandhiji? What was the
idea the lawyers suggested about Andrews? What did Gandhi say?

⮚ Charles Freer Andrews was the English pacifist who became a devoted follower of
Gandhiji. Before going on a tour to the Fiji islands he came to bid Gandhi farewell.

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 The lawyers thought it would be a good idea for Andrews to stay in Champaran and
help them. Andrews was willing if Gandhi agreed. But Gandhi opposed the idea
saying having an English man on their side would show weakness of the Indians.
Since the cause was just so, they should rely upon themselves and should not seek a
prop in Andrews.

Q19. What was the attitude of the average Indians in smaller localities towards advocates of
'home rule'?

⮚ In smaller localities the Indians were afraid of showing sympathy to an advocate of

'home rule'.

Q20. What was the 'conflict of duties' mentioned in the chapter?

⮚ Gandhi faced a conflict of duties when he didn't want to set a bad example as a
lawbreaker and on the other hand to render the humanitarian and national service for
which he had come. But he decided to disregard the order of British to leave
Champaran not for want of respect from the authorities but due to his voice of
conscience to help his own people.

Q21. Why did Gandhi declare that the battle of Champaran is won?

⮚ The lawyers of Champaran were very professional. They rendered their duties to the
peasants only to earn fees. But Gandhi was a complete opposite. He was ready to go
to jail fighting against the injustice to the sharecroppers. At first the lawyers said they
would go back if Gandhi went to prison. Later they told Gandhi they were ready to
follow him into jail. This support made Gandhi extremely happy and confident. This
confidence led him to exclaim that the battle of Champaran was won.

Q22. When and where did Louis Fischer visit Gandhi?

⮚ Louis Fischer visited Gandhi in 1942 at his Sevagram ashram.

Q23. What did Gandhi say to the author when he visited Gandhi at his ashram?

⮚ When Louis Fischer visited Gandhi he told Fischer the whole incident of Champaran
and why in 1917 he decided to urge the departure of the British.

Q24. What did Gandhi recount during the proceedings of the annual convention of the Indian
National Congress?

⮚ During the proceedings of annual convention of the Indian National Congress Gandhi
recounted how a 'poor and emaciated' peasant called Rajkumar Shukla came to meet

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 him from Champaran and to take Gandhi to his district to witness the injustice of the
landlord system.

Q25. How did Shukla succeed in persuading Gandhi to visit Champaran?

Or

Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being resolute?

⮚ Rajkumar Shukla wanted Gandhi to witness the injustice of the landlord system. So
he came to meet Mahatma Gandhi to take him with him to Champaran. Raj Kumar
Shukla is described as being 'resolute' because even after being told about the prior
engagements of Gandhi at Cawnpore and other parts across the county, he did not lose
hope. He followed Gandhi to Cownpore and then to Ahmedabad. Gandhi was moved
by the tenacity of the poor farmer and agreed to accompany him to Champaran.

Q26. What news spread through Champaran and Muzaffarpur?

⮚ The news of Gandhi's advent and the nature of his mission spread quickly through
Muzaffarpur and Champaran.

Q27. What Gandhi told about the law court and and what according to him would be the real
relief for the peasants?

⮚ According to Gandhi courts are useless and he was of the view that taking such cases
to the court could do little good to the fear-stricken peasants. The real relief for them,
according to Gandhi, was to be free from fear.

Q28. Why did the Indigo planters obtain new agreement from the sharecroppers to pay them
compensation? Why did many sign willingly?

⮚ When the landlords learned that Germany had developed synthetic indigo and now
indigo plantation was no longer profitable, then they obtained new agreement from
the sharecroppers to pay compensation for being released from the 15% arrangements.
Many signed willingly as the sharecropping arrangements were very irksome to the
peasants.

Q29. Was the meeting of Gandhi with the British official commissioner cordial? Where did
Gandhi proceed after the meeting?

⮚ The meeting of Gandhi with the British official commissioner was not at all cordial.
He bullied Gandhi and advised him to leave Tirhut. After the meeting Gandhi
proceeded to Motihari with some lawyers.

Q30. What summon Gandhi received ? What did he do that night?

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 ⮚ Gandhi received a summon to appear in the court. That night Gandhi telegraphed
Rajendra Prasad to come from Bihar with some his influential friends. He also sent
instructions to his ashram and wrote a full report to the Viceroy.

Q31. What happened in the town of Motihari the day Gandhi was summoned?

⮚ When the peasants got to know that Gandhi who wanted to help them was in trouble
with the authorities they came to Motihari to support Gandhi.

Q32. How did Gandhi help the authorities?

⮚ The spontaneous demonstration of the peasants in thousands around the court house to
support Gandhi made the British officials powerless. Indeed, it was the beginning of
their liberation from fear of the British. Gandhi was polite and friendly and helped the
officials to control the crowd.

Q33. What was the written communication Gandhi received from the magistrate?

⮚ The magistrate announced that he would pronounce sentence after a two- hour recess.
So, he asked Gandhi to furnish bail. Q. Who was Sir Edward Gait? Ans : Sir Edward
Gait was the Lieutenant Governor of the Bihar and Orissa province in the Bengal
Presidency of British India.

Q34. Whom did Gandhi and Shukla propose to meet in Patna?

⮚ Gandhi and Shukla proposed to meet Dr. Rajendra Prasad in Patna.

Q35. Why did Gandhi visit Lucknow in 1916?

⮚ Gandhi visited Lucknow in 1916 to attend the annual convention of the Indian
National Congress party.

Q36. Who was J.Z. Hodge?

⮚ J.Z. Hodge was a British missionary.

Q37. Name the capital of Champaran.

⮚ Motihari is the capital of Champaran.

Q38. Which was en route to Champaran?

⮚ Muzzafarpur was en route to Champaran.

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Q39. Who was J.B. Kripalini?

⮚ J. B. Kripalini was the professor of the Arts college in Muzzafarpur.

Q40. Who was Malkani?

⮚ Malkani was a teacher of a government school at whose place Gandhi stayed for two
days when he was at Champaran.

Q41. What did Shukla want Gandhi to do ?

⮚ Shukla wanted Gandhi to fix a date to visit Champaran.

Q42. What was Gandhi's politics intertwined with?

⮚ Gandhi's politics was intertwined with the practical day to day problems of the
millions.

Q43. What was the name of Gandhi's youngest son?

⮚ The name of Gandhi's youngest son was Devadas.

Q44. Who were Mahadev Desai and Narahari Parikh?

⮚ Mahadev Desai and Narahari Parikh were two disciples of Gandhi who wanted to
teach the people of Champaran.

Q45. Which book of Louis Fischer has been reviewed as one of the best books written on
Gandhi by 'Times educational supplement'?

⮚ 'The Life of Mahatma Gandhi' has been reviewed as one of the best books written on
Gandhi by Times Educational Supplement.

Q46. Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in
his life?

⮚ Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life because he
declared that the British could not order him about his own country. Moreover, he
could teach the people of Champaran lessons on self reliance.

Q47. When did Gandhi decide to urge the departure of the British?

⮚ In 1917, when the Champaran episode was going on Gandhi decided to urge the
departure of the British.
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Q48. What Ashram rules did Kasturbai teach in the Champaran villages?

⮚ In the villages of Champaran Kasturbai taught the rules on personal cleanliness and
community sanitation.

Q49. 'He had read our minds correctly. "Who made the comment and who is the 'he' here?

⮚ Rajendra Prasad made the comment. Mahatma Gandhi is the 'he' here.

Q50. How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement?

⮚ The freedom movement could never have been possible without the participation of
the ordinary masses. Their role is indispensible in India attaining freedom from the
British rule. Before the advent of Gandhi, the ordinary masses were brutally exploited
by the British. It was Gandhi who for the first time organized the masses and made
them aware of their rights. It is evident from the ‘Champaran episode’, which Gandhi
himself considers as a turning point. It was for the first time that mass movement in
India was successful , resulting in the ultimate triumph of Civil Disobedience
Movement.
It was not men but women too, who actively participated in the mass movement
and boycotted foreign goods. Mass organization also resulted in the British
abandoning their estates, which reverted to the peasant. Illegal Indigo sharecropping
was stopped which in itself was a milestone and re-established the peasants not as the
‘exploited’ but as the ‘defenders’. Gandhi’s efforts along with the contribution of the
ordinary people , drove the British away, molding a new India which was Independent
and self reliant.

GOING PLACES

Q1. Who is the writer of ‘Going Places’?

⮚ A. R. Barton is the writer of ‘Going Places’.

Q2. Who are the two friends in the story, ‘Going Places’?

⮚ Sophie and Jansie are the two friends in the story.

Q3. What does Sophie want to have when she grows up?

⮚ Sophie wanted to have a boutique of her own.

Q4. Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?

⮚ The two girls would find work in the biscuit factory after school.

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 Q5. Who is Derek?

- Derek was the younger brother of Sophie.

Q6. Who is Geoff?

- Geoff was Sophie’s elder brother.

Q7. Who is Danny Casey?

- Danny Casey was an Irish football player.

Q8. Which country does he play for?

- He plays for the United.

Q9. For whom does Sophie ask Danny Casey an autograph?

- Sophie asked Danny Casey an autograph for Derek.

Q10. Does Sophie really meet Danny Casey?

Ans. Sophie doesn’t really meet Danny Casey but only imagines meeting him.

Q11. Which is the only occasion that Sophie gets to see Casey in person?

Ans. The only occasion that Sophie gets to see Danny Casey is in the field when they watch
the match every Saturday.

Q12. What does Sophie want to do after she passes out of school?

Ans. Sophie had a bundle of big dreams, she wants to have a amazing boutique the city has
ever seen. Besides, she desires to become an actress or a fashion designer. She can run
boutique as side business.

Q13. What was it most-likely that the two girls would find work after school?

Ans. Sophie and Jansie belonged to lower middle class families. Sophie dreamed of big and
beautiful things which were beyond her reach and mean. Jansie was more practical and
realistic. Jansie knew that they were both earmarked for the biscuit factory.

Q14. What job is Geoff engaged in? Does he entertain would dreams like his sister?

Ans. Geoff was engaged as an apprentice mechanic. He has to travel to his work place each
day to the far side of the city. He is not a day-dreamer like his sister. Perhaps he knows his
and his family’s limitations better than her.

Q15.How does Sophie’s father react when Geoff tells him about her meeting with Danny
Casey?

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Ans. Geoff breaks the news to his father that Sophie met the Irish prodigy Danny Casey. Her
father turns his head at her in disbelief. His expression is one of disdain. He completely
ignores the news. He goes on to talk about Tom Finny and Danny Casey. “This is another of
your wild stores,” he declares.

Q16. How does Sophie describe her imagined meeting with Danny Casey to Geoff? Does
Geoff believe her?

⮚ Sophie tells Geoff that she met Danny Casey in the arcade. They met at the Royce’s
window for the first time. It was she who spoke first and asked if he was Casey. He
looked surprised. He was certainly Danny Casey. Before going he promised to give
his autograph if she cared to meet him next week.
No, Geoff doesn’t believe her.

Q17. Why was the visit of Sophie’s father and his family to watch United equal to ‘their
weekly pilgrimage’?

⮚ Sophie’s father was a football fan. He was taking a lot of interest in the growing
career of the young Irish genius Danny Casey. Geoff too was interested in football.
Sophie was mad after Danny Casey. The celebrity was her personal hero. Watching
Casey playing for United was like a religious or holy weekly ritual for the family.

Q18. Why did Sophie Curse Geoff? Why did she say “Damn that Geoff, it was not a Jansie
thing”?

Or

Why did Sophie not want Jansie to know anything about her meeting with Danny Casey?

⮚ Sophie didn’t want Jansie to know anything about her meeting with Danny Casey.
Sophie knew that her classmate and friend Jansie was ‘nosey’. She took special
interest in knowing new things about others. She came to know of her story of
meeting with Danny Casey through Geoff. She cursed Geoff because Sophie didn’t
believe Jansie. She could spread the rumor in the whole neighbourhood.

Q19 . How did Jansie react at Sophie’s story of her meeting with Danny Casey?

⮚ Jansie was a classmate and friend of Sophie. She knew her quite well. She was also
aware of her day-dreaming habit. She exclaimed: “You never did!” But when Sophie
continued telling her how she asked him for an autograph, she relented a bit. She said,
“Jesus, I wish I’d have been there.”

Q20. Sophie would sit for hours wishing Danny would come. What made her sad and
despondent in the end?

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 ⮚ Sophie would sit down on a wooden bench beneath a solitary elm tree. She imagined
Danny Casey’s coming. She could realize the time passing. Pangs of doubt stirred
inside her. She would become sad and despondent. Danny wouldn’t come at all. She
feared that people would laugh at the story of her meeting with Casey.

Q21. “Sophie dreams and disappointments are all in her mind.” Discuss.

⮚ It is true that Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are all in her mind. She is crazy
and lets her lose in Danny Casey’s dreams. She imagines her meeting with Casey. She
hopes against hopes. Her day-dreaming leads to despondency. So Sophie’s dreams
and disappointments are not real. They are merely the products of her mind.

Q22. What theme does the story, ‘Going Places’ explore?

⮚ The story ‘going places’ explores the theme of adolescent fanaticizing and hero
worshipping. Sophie a young girl fanaticizes her meeting with a Danny Casey and
becomes responsible for her own sadness and disappointment.

Q23. What kind of a person is Geoff?

⮚ Geoff was a quiet boy and kept his views to himself. He spoke little and did not share
his views with others. He was the first person with whom Sophie shared all her
secrets. She was jealous of his silence and for her it seemed that when he was quiet he
was in those places where she had never been.

Q24. Why is Sophie ‘jealous of his silence’?

⮚ Sophie was ‘jealous of his silence’, Geoff spoke little and she envied his silence. To
her it seemed that when he was quiet, he was in those places where she had never
been.

Q25. What is incongruous about the ‘delicate bow which fastened the apron strings of
Sophie’s mother?

⮚ Sophie’s mother was wearing an apron and its strings were fastened with a delicate
bow which displayed the status of their family and the busy mother in managing the
household. This also explains the character of Sophie, why she likes to lead a
sophisticated life.

Q26.How dies Danny Casey look like?

⮚ Danny Casey was a short stature man who had green eyes. Sophie visualized his
appearance as having gentle green eyes.

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Q27. Why doesn’t her father believe her?

⮚ Sophie’s father also refused to believed his daughters’ claim. No doubt, he is crazy
and a great fan of young Danny Casey. But when Geoff tells him that Sophie met
Danny Casey his father turns his head to look at her. His expression is one of
‘disdain’. He ignores her totally. He thinks that his is another of her ‘wild story’.

Q28. Compare and contrast Sophie and Jansie highlighting their temperament and
aspirations.

Or

Compare and contrast Sophie and Jansie.

⮚ Sophie and Jansie are class-fellows and friends. They belong to lower middle class
families. Jansie understands his limitations well. She knows that both of them are
earmarked for the biscuit factory. But Sophie is totally blind to the harsh realities of
life. She dreams of big and beautiful things. She wants to have a boutique. She also
entertains the idea of becoming an actress. She loves to be nice, grand and
sophisticated. All her dreams are beyond her reach and resources.
Sophie and Jansie are poles apart in thinking and temperament. Sophie is all
lost to herself and her dreamy world. There is only one person who first shares her
secrets. He is her elder brother Geoff. Jansie is ‘nosey’ and takes interest in knowing
new things about others. Sophie knows she will spread the story in the whole
neighbourhood. Sophie is an incurable escapist. She adores the young Irish footballer
Danny Casey. She remains what she always in-a dreamer.

Q29. Who was Geoff? How did he share Sophie’s secrets though he had a temperament and
thinking different from that of his sister?

⮚ Geoff was Sophie’s elder brother. He was an apprentice mechanic. He travelled to his
work each day to the far side of the city. He spoke very little. Words had to be prized
out of him. Sophie was jealous of Geoff’s silence. Geoff never dreamt of big and
beautiful things beyond his reach or means. He was mature enough to understand his
limitations and those of his family.
Geoff was always the first to share Sophie’s secrets. He knew that Sophie’s
story of meeting with Danny Casey was not true. Still he listened to her. Sophie had
confidence in him. Like an elder brother Geoff tried to reason with Sophie. He warned
her that Danny Casey was a celebrity. He must have many girls like her running after
him. Geoff and Sophie shared a common trait. That was their fascination for the Irish
prodigy Danny Casey. But Sophie entertained romantic fascination of Casey.

Q30. Describe Sophie’s father highlighting his passion for football, his strange habits and his
attitude to Sophie.

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 ⮚ Sophie’s father is a dominating personality. He is a typical representative of the lower
middle class family. He lacks refined manners or sophistication. The way he eats the
pie exposes his rough eating habits. Watching football on the television is his favorite
pastime. He goes to the pub quite often. Sophie’s father has passion for football. He
is an old admirer of Tom Finny, a great footballer. He adores the upcoming young
footballer Casey as all his children. He is sure that one day Danny Casey may prove
even better than Finny. He wishes he would “keep his head over his shoulders”. Casey
plays for United. So he makes a ‘weekly pilgrimage’ to watch United and Casey in
action. Sophie’s father doesn’t seem to be very sympathetic towards his daughter. He
often looks at her in disdain. He ignores her completely. But he understands his
daughter will. He doesn’t believe in her meeting with Casey. He considers it another
of her “wild stories”.

Q31.Why does Sophie feel close to her brother Geoff more than anyone else in her family?
What does he symbolize to her?

⮚ No one except brother Geoff could know and understand Sophie well. Sophie likes
her brother Geoff more than any other person in the world. She can open her heart to
him. She knows that Geoff is the person who can listen to her ‘wild stories’. Her
father is too bossy and aggressive. He hates Sophie’s fantastic stories. Jansie is her
classmate and friend. But Jansie is ‘nosey’. She can’t be trusted. But Geoff can be
trusted to keep all Sophie’s secrets to himself.
Sophie likes and loves Geoff very much. She is eager to share even those areas
of his life about which she knows nothing. She is jealous of his silence. Words have to
be prized out of him. Geoff is the only one she can talk to about Danny Casey. Geoff
is always the first to share her interests. In his own way he tries to tell her that ‘Casey
must have strings of girls’. He would never show up again. But he does so in a
manner that may not break the young heart of a day-dreamer.

MEMOIRS OF
CHOTA SAHIB

Q1. Who is the author of ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’?

Ans: John Rowntree is the author of ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’.

Q2. From which book is ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’ taken?

Ans: ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’ is taken from the ‘ A Chota Sahib : Memoirs of
a Forest Officer’ by John Rowntree.

Q3. Who was John Rowntree?

Ans: John Rowntree was the last British Senior Conservator of Forests of Assam.

Q4. What unusual visitor did Rowntree have in his bungalow one night? (2018)

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 Ans: The unusual visitor that Rowntree had in his bungalow one night was a tiger
that had probably been washed up by a flood.

Q5. Where did John Rowntree go and what did he do there after leaving Shillong a
few days after India’s independence?
Ans: A few days after India’s independence, John Rowntree went to his native
country, England, where he took up work as a journalist and media commentator.

Q6. What is John Rowntree’s ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’ about?

Ans: John Rowntree’s ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’ is a light hearted account of
Guwahati and its neighbouring areas on the eve of India’s Independence. It
describes the contemporary period as seen through the eyes of a British officer
making the account local specific as well as relevant to the present time.

Q7. Who is the chota sahib in ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’? (2015, 2018)
Ans: John Rowntree, the author himself, is the chota sahib in ‘Memoirs of a Chota
Sahib’.

Q8. Where did John Rowntree and his family make their first home at Gauhati?
(2017)
Ans: At Gauhati, John Rowntree and his family made their first home on the bank
of the Brahmaputra.

Q9. What was the only animal that the author discovered on the Peacock Island?
Ans: The author discovered only monkeys on the Peacock Island.

Q10. What was the common belief regarding the dividing channel between Peacock
Island and the mainland of Guwahati? (2015)
Ans: John Rowntree narrates that the Brahmaputra used to shrink during the cold
weather so much that only a narrow dividing channel remained betweenthe
Peacock Island and the mainland. There was a common belief that if the channel
ever dried completely, it would mean the end of the British Raj in India.

Q11. What position did John Rowntree hold before leaving Shillong a few days after
independence? (2016)
Ans: Before leaving Shillong a few days after independence, John Rowntree held
the position of the Senior Conservator of Forests of Assam. He was the last British
man to hold this position.

Q12.Give a brief description of Peacock Island. (2014, 2016)

Ans: Peacock Island was in the foreground of John Rowntree’s bungalow in
Gauhati. It had a Hindu temple whose dome was visible from the bungalow
through the trees. Ironically, it had no peacock but only monkeys in it.

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 Q13. What does John Rowntree often talk of in ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’? (2014)
Ans: In ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’, John Rowntree often talk of the experience
he had gathered in Guwahati and its neighbouring areas during his stay in Assam
as the Senior Conservator of Forests of the state.

Q14. What happened to the author when he once forded a flooded river on horseback?
Ans: The author once forded a flooded river on horseback. He slipped over the
croup of the horse and hung on to its tail which he was able to use as a rudder.
When he pushed the horse to the right, it veered to the left and vice versa.
However, they could ultimately make a safe landing on the other side of the river.

Q15. What is a mar? How is it made and used for crossing a river?
Ans: A mar is a kind of boat that is made of a host of bamboos or wood planks
that are tied tight so that they cannot move or go out floating in the water. They
are either paddled across the river or connected by a running cable to another
stretched across the river, were propelled from one side to the other by the force of
the current.

Q16. In what sense was the south bank of the Brahmaputra more homely to
Rowntree?
Ans: The South Bank was a country of low hills and valleys. Trees interspersed
with villages and cultivation. The forest was similar to English woodland. The
reserved forests were mostly in one block, distances were less and the terrain
smaller. There were two comfortable bungalows for the author. These made it
more homely to Rowntree.

Q17. Why was the journey on the North Bank of the Brahmaputra hazardous as
described by Rowntree?
Ans: Most of the main roads on the North Bank were narrow and singled-tracked.
During the rainy season, they became increasingly greasy and one skid led to
another. In winter, their surface was invisible under a cloud of dust making one’s
destination uncertain. Thus, journey on the North Bank was hazardous.

Q18. What happened to the river Brahmaputra during cold weather?

Ans: The Brahmaputra used to shrink as the cold weather advanced. As a result,
the distance between the Peacock Island and the mainland grew less eventually
leading to the existence of just a narrow dividing channel in between.

Q19. What does Rowntree say about the bats in the Rajapara bungalow?
Ans: The bats used to stay in the roofs of the Rajapara forest bungalow. Their
droppings constantly reminded the author of their presence. They smelt very fusty.
There were some huge bats with a wing span of five feet. They used to stay in a
tree outside the bungalow and go out at dusk in search of food.

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 Q20. What happened to the author when he travelled with his family on the North
bank of the Brahmaputra?
Ans: When the author travelled with his family on the North bank of the
Brahmaputra, driving became dicy although the road was motorable. The road
they were using became greasy and one skid led to another. Finally, they slithered
over the edge into a paddy field some six feet below the road.

Q21. What was the delightful sight of a she sloth-bear that Rowntree had once
witnessed?
Ans: Rowntree had once witnessed the delightful sight of a she sloth-bear carrying
her cuddlesome cub on her back.

Q22. Why was the North Bank of the Brahmaputra best avoided during the rainy
season?
Ans: The North Bank of the Brahmaputra was best avoided during the rainy
season because it was a hot bed of malaria then.

Q23. What did the Public Works Department do to the bungalow of John Rowntree?
Ans: The Public Works Department had given the walls of John Rowntree’s
bungalow a coat of fresh limewash and painted the woodwork liberally with earth
oil.

Q24. What do you think is the name of the Hindu temple John Rowntree refers to?
Where is it located?
Ans: The Hindu temple John Rowntree refers to is likely to be the Umananda
temple. It is located in the Peacock Island on the river Brahmaputra.

Q25. What is ironical about the Peacock Island as narrated by Rowntree?

Ans: Although the island is called ‘Peacock Island’, John Rowntree never saw any
peacock there but only monkeys. This is ironical about the Peacock Island.

Q26. At what time of the year was the North Bank of the Brahmaputra delightful?
Ans: The North Bank of the Brahmaputra was delightful during the cold season.

Q27. How did Rowntree know that a tiger had visited the compound of his bungalow
at Gauhati?
Ans: Seeing the tiger’s pug marks in the compound of his bungalow, Rowntree
knew that the animal had visited there.

Q28. How did John Rowntree find the weather when he arrived at Gauhati? (2018)
Ans: On his arrival at Gauhati, John Rowntree found the cold weather getting
under way and the climate becoming bearable.

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 Q29. Give a description of the bungalow at Gauhati where Rowntree stayed.
Ans: Rowntree’s bungalow at Gauhatiwas on the bank of the Brahmaputra. Its
walls were given a coat of fresh limeawash and the woodwork painted with earth
oil. In front was a raised portico that served as a car port while on top, there was a
verandah from which a splendid view of the river, its shippings and the Himalayas
could be seen.

Q30. What things could be seen from John Rowntree’s bungalow at Gauhati?
Ans: Sitting in the verandah of his bungalow at Gauhati, John Rowntree could see
the splendid view of the Brahmaputra, its shipping and the Himalayas. In the
foreground, there was the Peacock Island with the dome of a Hindu temple that
were visible through the trees.

Q31. Describe the North Bank of the Brahmaputra as presented by John Rowntree.
Ans: The North Bank of the Brahmaputra was a vast, remote stretch of flat,
ageless land between the sandbanks of the river and the Himalayan foothills. It
was delightful in cold weather but became a hot bed of malaria during the rainy
season. Travelling on the Northy Bank was always hazardous.

Q32. What does Rowntree state about the bheels close to the bungalow at Rajapara?
(2015)
Ans: Rowntree says that the large bheel close to the bungalow at Rajapara came
into being as a result of an earthquake that had lowered the surface, and the land
became inundated with water. It was an eerie spot where tree skeletons still rose
out of the water.

Q33. Why, according to John Rowntree, could first class teak not be produced in
Assam?
Ans: According to John Rowntree, first class teak could not be produced in Assam
because of the rapid growth in its climate.

Q34. What does Rowntree say about the river banks in the Manas Sanctuary? (2017)
Ans: Rowntree says that the river banks in the Manas Sanctuary was a favourite
site for the Governor’s Christmas camps. Rowntree was often given the task of
building such camps.

Q35. Which family does ficus elastica belong to?

Ans: Ficus elastic belongs to the fig family.

Q36. Describe, after Rowntree, the South Bank of the Brahmaputra.

Ans: In his ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’, John Rowntree has given, like many
other things, a pen picture of the South Bank of the Brahmaputra. According to
him, the South Bank was more homely than the North Bank as the distances here

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 were less and the terrain smaller. The reserved forests were mostly in one block. It
was a country of law hills and valleys where the trees interspersed with villages
and cultivation. The forest was mostly of sal wood and was more similar to the
English woodland
There were two forest bungalows for the author’s stay. One was at Kulsi
and the other at Rajapara. The former was located on a wooded spur and the latter
in a clearing.

Q37. Give, after Rowntree, a pen picture of the North Bank of the Brahmaputra.
Ans: The North Bank of the Brahmaputra, as described by Rowntree, had some
distinct characteristics. It was a vast, remote stretch of flat, ageless land between
the sandbanks of the river and the Himalayan foothills. It was a strange place
where the rivers dried up in the hot weather or suddenly disappeared under
ground. There were numerous bheels replete with wildfowl and peafowl and a few
rhinos in the Manas Sanctuary. The rivers were full of mahseer and cheetal fish.
During the cold weather, the North Bank was delightful. In the rainy
season, it was a hot bed of malaria and hence best avoided. The rivers were
flooded and travelling was hazardous. Crossing rivers was done in a mar boat.

Q38. Describe Rowntree’s experience of crossing a flooded river on horseback.

(2016)
OR
Relate Rowntree’s experiences of floods in Assam. (2018)
Ans: In his ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’, Rowntree narrates an adventurous
journey he had undertaken across a flooded river. Once during the rainy reason,
heforded a flooded river on horseback on the North Bank of the Brahmaputra.
With difficulty, he persuaded the animal to plunge into the water. Then he slipped
over its croup and hung on to the tail which he was able to use as a rudder. But
when he pushed the horse to the right, it veered to the left and vice versa. The
author, however, was eventually able to make a safe landing on the other side of
the river.

Q39. What did the raised portico in front of Rowntree’ bungalow serve as?
Ans: The raised portico in front of Rowntree’s bungalow served as a car port.

Q40. What information does the author give us about Manas Wildlife Sanctuary?
Ans- A few rhinoceros lived in the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, which bordered the
Himalayan state of Bhutan. The rivers were full of mahseer and the Governor’s
Christmas camps were popular hangouts. The sanctuary also consists of Assam
cheetal, sloth bear and deer. An European and his wife have leased a piece of land
from the forest department to grow simul trees for the nearby match factory. To keep
the dear out, the area was surrounded by miles of electric fencing.

MY MOTHER AT SIXTY SIX

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 1. “Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin last Friday morning, I saw my
mother , beside me , doze , open mouthed, her face ashen like that of a corpse.’’
a) Where was the poet driving to?
⮚ The poet was driving to Cochin airport.
b) What was the day?
⮚ The day was Friday morning.
c) What did she notice when her mother sat beside her?
⮚ The poet noticed that her mother who was sitting beside her has become old, pale and
was doze open mouthed. She looked like a dead body at her sixty six years of age.
d) Find words from the passage that mean ‘sleep lightly’ and ‘dead body’.
⮚ Sleep lightly- Doze.
Dead body- Corpse.
e) Why her mother’s face was like that of a corpse?
⮚ The poet’s mother who was sixty six years old had become very weak , pale ,
colourless and had lost all her vitality. She was dozing with her mouth wide open.
That is why the poet says that her mother’s face was like that of a corpse.
f) What did the poet realise?
⮚ The poet realised that her mother had grown very old , pale and weak. She looked as
pale as a dead body. She also realised that her mother was not going to live long.

2. But soon put that thought away and looked out at young trees sprinting , the merry
children spilling out of their homes.
a) Who looked out at the young trees?
⮚ The poet Kamala Das looked out at the young trees.
b) Which thought did the speaker put away?
⮚ The poet Kamala Das realised that her mother has grown very old , weak and
colourless. She looked like a dead body. Seeing her mother, the poet realised that her
mother was not going to live long and she was going to lose her soon. The poet tried
to put away the very thought of losing her mother.

Q3. What did the speaker do after the security check?

⮚ The poet Kamala Das looked back her mother and with a smile she told her, “ See you
soon , Amma.”
Q4. Why did the poet compare her mother’s face to late winter’s moon?
⮚ In the poem, ‘My Mother at sixty six’ , has compared her mother’s face to a late
winter’s moon because her mother has grown old and her face has lost the youthful

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 charm and beauty and has become pale, colourless and ashen like a corpse just like
late winter’s moon becomes hazy and pale and lost its luster under fog and mist.
Q5. What was the poet’s childhood fear?
⮚ While driving to the Cochin airport, one Friday morning , the poet notices that her
mother has grown old and is dozing with her mouth wide open . Her face looked very
pale like that of a corpse. Seeing her mother’s face , the painful thought comes to her
mind that her mother will not live for long and that she is going to lose her very soon.
Q6. What is the theme of the poem?
⮚ The theme of the poem is ageing and decay.
Q7. What worried the poet when she looked her mother?
⮚ Her mother looked pale, wan and faded just like a corpse , which worried the poet.
This indicated that her mother may die very soon.
Q8. What did the poet feel in her realization?
⮚ The poet felt pain in her realization that she would not see her mother again as she
may die soon.
Q9. Why did the poet see outside of the car?
⮚ The poet saw young trees moving fast as if they were sprinting and also saw young
children merrily running out of their homes to play.
Q10. What has been compared to a late winters moon?
⮚ The narrator’s ageing mother has been compared to the late winters’ moon.
Q11. Why has the comparison been made with late winter’s moon?
⮚ The poet’s mother looked old, frail and very pale like moon in the late winter. Hence,
the comparison.
Q12. What is the ‘familiar ache’ mentioned in the poem?
⮚ The ‘familiar ache’ refers to the narrator’s childhood fear of losing her mother or fear
of losing her mother or fear of separation from her.
Q13. What kind of pain and ache does the poetess feels?
⮚ The poetess is deeply attached to her mother who is pretty aged, weak and pale. She is
troubled to think that her old mother might depart in her absence.
Q14. Why are the young trees described as ‘sprinting’ ?
⮚ The young trees running spiritedly stand in sharp contrast to the aged and pale looking
mother. The trees symbolize youth and life, whereas the old mother is slipping
towards the grave. The young trees represented life in contrast to her mother’s
approaching death.
Q15. Why has the poet brought in the image of the merry children spilling out of their
homes?

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 ⮚ The little children are full of life, hope and cheerfulness. They have just begun life
and have a long way to go. The old and weak mother of the poetess , however is fast
losing hold on life. She could breathe her last any day in near future. The image of
cheerful children makes the sight of the mother all the way more painful.
Q16. Why has the mother been compared to the ‘late winter’s moon’ ?
⮚ The old mother is pale, cheerless, old and devoid of exuberance . The moon also in
late winter loses its shine or brightness . So ,she has been compared to late winter’s
moon .
Q17 What do the parting words of the poetess and her smile signify?
⮚ The poetess is taking leave of her mother. She is going to fly to some distant place.
She is not sure of meeting the old lady again. But she hides her fears, smiles and
assures mother that they would meet again.
Q18. How does Kamala Das try to put away the thoughts of her ageing mother?
⮚ Kamala Das try to put away the thought by looking outside the car. She finds it hard
to accept the fact of her mother growing old as it brings back to her mind her
childhood fear of losing her mother. So, she makes a deliberate effort to drive away
such thoughts by looking outside the car at the sights passing by.
Q19. What was the poet’s childhood fear?
⮚ During her childhood, Kamala Das was insecure about losing her mother just as all
young children often are. The same old feelings came back to haunt her when she sees
her mother’s pale and lifeless face. She is tortured by the fact that she may not see her
alive again. She hides her feelings by smiling.
Q20. What has the poet brought in the image of the merry children spilling out of
their homes?
⮚ The poet has used this imagery to bring out the contrast between children , who are
energetic and full of life , and her mother , who is old , pale and lifeless.
Q21. What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?
⮚ The poet is pained to see her mother’s dull and colourless face. She is hurt to see that
her mother’s face looks like that of a dead body. She is afraid of the fact that she may
not see her alive next time.
Q22. “All I did was smile and smile and smile”. Why does the poetess repeat the word
smile thrice?
⮚ The repetition of the word smile thrice at the time of parting from her old and weak
mother only hides her tears. She is not certain of meeting the old woman again. The
mother is already pale and dull coloured like a corpse. The poet smiled and smiled in
an effort to reassure herself that she will meet her mother soon . Her smiles are also a
deliberate attempt to hide her inner feelings from mother. Her smile also kindled hope
and positive feelings in her mother.

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 Q23. Bring out the significance of the smile of the poet as she bad farewell to her
mother.
⮚ The poet smiles as she bids farewell to her mother and assures her that they would
meet again. As she looks at her mother, who looks pale and weak due to old age, her
heart is pained to think that her mother might not live long. She smiles, but her smile
is only an effort to cover up the hidden fear and pain in her heart.
It is a smile put on deliberately to hide her fear of losing her mother. Her
situation is quite ironical. Though she tells her mother that she will see her soon , she
doubts if she will ever see her alive again. The repetition of the word ‘smile’ shows
that it is a long and cheerful one. The smile is also significant because it must have
comforted both the mother and daughter and kindled in them the hope that the mother
would survive long enough for the two to meet again.

KEEPING QUIET

Q1. What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us to achieve?

Ans: The poet asks each one of us to count to twelve and then be quiet, silent and
motionless. This quietness will create a moment of togetherness among all; a condition
which is foremost for the survival of humanity, which is indeed an achievement. It will also
give us one to analyse our actions and their consequences .

Q2. What is the ‘sadness ‘that refers to in the poem “keeping Quiet”?

Ans: The poet refers to the sadness which surrounds man due to not having any time for
himself, the pain of not understanding what he or his fellow human beings want. They have
no time for introspection; as a result, they are unable to analyse their own actions and
understand its consequences.

Q3. What is ‘this sadness’ that Neruda talks of?

Or

What is the exotic moment the poet Pablo Neruda wishes for?

Or

What is considered to be an ‘exotic moment’ in “Keeping Quiet”?

Ans: The poet refers to the moment of stillness and quietness as an exotic moment. It
would be an exotic moment; as such tranquility will initiate peace and brotherhood. There
would be no movement, no talk, no activity and consequently, no violence.

Or

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 In the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’, the Poet Pablo Neruda by refers to a single moment of
introspection. This single moment of quietness, soul searching may help us to make peace
with ourselves and others. A moment of silent introspection will make all of us realize the
consequences of our aggressive endeavours.

Q4. Why does poet Neruda “wish to count to twelve?

Ans: In the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’, the poet Pablo Neruda wishes us ‘to count to twelve’ and
keep quiet, still for that much time only. This quietness will create a moment of
togetherness among all; a condition which is foremost for the survival of humanity, which is
indeed an achievement. It will also give us one to analyse our actions and their
consequences.

Or

The poet in the poem” Keeping Quiet “appeals all of us to count up to twelve and remain
still because this short span of time will enable everyone to come down and be ready for
introspection. According to the poet this extended counting will give us the moments of
silence to journey from conflict, impediments and devastation to solidarity, peace and
renewal.

Q5. Why does Pablo Neruda urge us to keep still?

Or

How, according to Neruda, can keeping quiet change our attitude to life?

Ans: Keeping quiet and suspending all our activities for a brief moment will give us time to
introspect and analyse our own actions. We will develop a new understanding of our
surroundings and thus change our attitude to life. We will check our destructive ways and
try to be more positive and constructive.

Q6. Neruda says “Let’s not speak any language”- what made him to utter the sentence?

Ans: The poet urges everyone not to speak any language. As we all know that there are
different languages spoken in different parts of the earth which sometimes become a
barrier in our way for peace. Language creates barrier and people indulge in unnecessary
debates and disputes. Most of these arguments lead to destructive wars. So, he asks people
not to speak. Rather he wants all of us to speak in only one language i.e. the language of
silence.

Q7. What is the significance of the phrase’ The face of the earth ‘in this poem?

Ans- On the face of the earth means on the surface of the earth where we live.

Q8. What does the poet ask the fisherman and the man collecting salt to do?

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Ans: The poet Pablo Neruda is against any kind of violence. He addresses the fishermen and
asks them not to harm whales living in the cold seas of the Polar Regions. He is also against
any kind of self torturing. The man who is gathering salt has hurt his hands. He asks this man
to look after himself and take care of his injured hands. The poet appeals to the fisherman
and man collecting salt to stop for while and think about themselves and about their
actions. This will create harmonious relation between man and nature.

Q9. Which images in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ show that the poet condemns violence?

Ans: The images of fishermen not harming the whales in the sea and wars leaving behind no
survivors to celebrate the victory show that the poet condemns violence. The poet wants
the warmongers to change their blood-stained clothes to clean ones. The poet’s refusal to
have any association or dealing with death also shows that he is not in favour of any form of
violence.

Q10. What symbol from nature does the poet use to prove that keeping quiet is not total
inactivity?

Ans: The poet uses nature as a symbol to explain his idea that there can be life under
apparent stillness. According to him, keeping quiet is not total inactivity. A seed may appear
to be dead and inactive, but one day, the same seed may turn into a fruitful tree. As the
Earth undergoes changes, in winter, everything freezes, becomes lifeless but after some
time, the season changes again, and everything comes back to life. Similarly, taking a pause
and introspecting into our lives will give it a new meaning. We will be able to understand the
purpose of our life. It will be like a re birth of the soul.

Q11. What are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem? What is Neruda’s
attitude towards these wars?

Ans: The poet has written about wars against humanity and nature. Green wars, wars with
poisonous gases and wars with fire are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem.
Wars do good to no one. Pablo Neruda feels that such wars may bring victory, but there are
no survivors left to celebrate that victory. It means that there is heavy loss on both sides.

Q12. How can suspension of activities help?

Ans: The poet believes that suspension of activities will allow man to introspect, which can
help them in analysing their own actions, and in solving many of their problems based on
caste, religion or nationality. It will help them develop a new understanding of their
surroundings, and thus make them mend their destructive ways.

Q13. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?

Ans: No, the poet clearly states that his asking for stillness should not be confused with
total inactivity or death. He perceives life to be a continuous process, where man’s activities

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should not lead to destruction of fellow human beings or nature, but should be channelized
in a resourceful way.

Q14. According to the poet, what is it that human beings can learn from nature?

Ans: Life under apparent stillness in attitude is the thing which man can learn from nature.
The Earth is never in a state of total inactivity. Nature carries on its work even where there
is stillness all around. Winter is associated with inactivity, but this is not actually true.

Q15. What does count to twelve imply?

Ans: The poet through this expression commences the session of introspection and
meditation.

Q16. Explain 'without rush, engines'.

Ans: The expressions are symbol of the Hubbub of the modern life. In the modern
competitive world of advancement, there is a rat-race to outshine others. Life can be
peaceful only if this thoughtless advancement' can be stopped.

Q17. Explain 'sudden- strangeness'.

Ans: The exotic moment of introspection will build a sudden and strange feeling of universal
brotherhood.

Q18. What is fisherman symbolic of?

Ans: The fisherman symbolizes man's indiscriminate exploitation of nature for his vested
interests.

Q19. Whom does 'Those' refer to here?

Ans: Those' refers to the politicians, the statesmen and the scientists who are involved in
initiating and aggravating wars.

Q20. Explain 'green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire'.

Ans: The expression refers to the different kinds of wars which man is waging against man
and against nature. Man's activities are polluting the nature and the chemical and nuclear
weapons created by him have brought mankind to its dead end.

Q21. What does the poet mean by 'victory with no survivors'?

Ans:- Man's activities are indeed leading him to be victorious but the war which a man is
waging will soon turn the 'living planet' into a dead one and the war may be the victory of
man's scientific knowledge but there would be no survivors to celebrate this victory.

Q22.What is life 'all about'?

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Ans: 'Life is an ongoing process and thus is all about being up and doing'. Life cannot come
to standstill under any circumstances.

Q23. Explain "I want no truck with death".

Ans: The poet does not believe inactivity. Life is an ‘ongoing process' and so he does not
want to associate it with death, or bring it to a dead end.

Q24. What does the poet mean by 'victory with no survivors'?

Ans: Man's activities are indeed heading him he is getting victorious but the war which a
man is waging will soon turn the 'living planet' into a dead one and the war may be the
victory of man's scientific knowledge but there would be no survivors to celebrate this
victory.

Q25. What does 'total inactivity' imply?

Ans: 'Total Inactivity' implies a phase of complete stagnation when no destructive activity is
taking place.

Q26. What are the different types of war mentioned in the poem “Keeping Quiet”?

Ans: The different types of war mentioned in the poem are - Green wars – cutting the trees,
war with environment; war with gas— chemical or nuclear; war with fire, and war with
ammunition. Every type of war is useless and must be given up. Whenever there is victory
after a war, there are no survivors. War is only destructive.

Q27. How will ‘Keeping quiet “protect our Environment”?

Ans: Keeping Quiet will save the environment by stopping the green wars. There will be no
bloodshed and destruction in wars. There will be no trucks loaded with dead bodies of the
soldiers. The fishermen will not harm the whales. The salt gatherers will check out their
wounded hands and realize the harm being done.

Q28. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under
apparent stillness?

Ans: The poet takes the example of earth to prove that there can be life under apparent
stillness. The earth never gets inactive. We experience the change in the seasons which
brings so many different things with it. In winters, things come to a standstill as the water
bodies freeze; the trees shed their leaves, etc. But as soon as the spring season comes, it
brings with it the lovely flowers, flowing rivers and a new life is given to the nature. So, the
poet wants to convey that we should stay calm but that doesn’t mean that it will bring total
inactivity and stillness.

Q29. “Fishermen in the cold sea

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 would not harm whales

and the man gathering salt

would look at his hurt hands”.... Explain the meaning of the lines.

Ans : The poet Pablo Neruda asks the fisherman to stop for a while and cease his activity
and stop harming the whales in the cold seas .If the fisherman in the cold sea would stop
fishing for a while they will not harm the whales for some time and they will get to live a
little more. The word Fisherman symbolizes the people who exploit the earth’s natural
resources for their own interests. A little moment of introspection will make him realize
about his heinous activity i.e ruthless killing of whales and other animals.

He also asks the man gathering salts to stop for a while and look at his hurt hands .The
man who gathers salt if for a time pauses he would observe his hurt hands from the hard
work he does during the process of extracting salt from the sea.

By giving the example of the fisherman or the man who is collecting salt the poet
wishes to convey that the desires of men for more advancements have caused a lot of
destruction rather than causing development and that has left men to not care about
anyone except themselves.

A THING OF BEAUTY

About The Poet

John Keats was a major poet of the Romantic Age. Though he was trained in the field of
medicine, he preferred to devote his time in writing poetry. He was beset by troubles like
financial woes, an unfulfilled relationship with Fanny Brawn and failing health in his family.
He died at the age of twenty-six from tuberculosis, to which he had lost both his mother and
brother. His poetry is known for its sensual imagery. Keats’ work includes some of the most
beautiful odes in English literature.

Brief Summary of the Poem “A Thing of Beauty”

The poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’ is an excerpt from Keats’ poem ‘Endymion: A Poetic
Romance’. The poem is based on a Greek legend, in which Endymion, a handsome young
shepherd and poet who lived on Mount Latmos, had a vision of Cynthia, the Moon goddess.

The enchanted youth, resolving to seek her out wandered through the forest and down
under the sea. In the excerpt, the poet dwells on the thought that a beautiful thing is a source
of eternal joy.

In the midst of the dreariness of life, a thing of beauty uplifts us and makes life worth
living. Examples of nature are given. There are natural things which are beautiful and give us
a lot of happiness. These beautiful things are like an immortal fountain from heaven above.

Critical Analysis of the Poem” A Thing Of Beauty”

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Lines 1-5:

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Its loveliness increases, it will never

Pass into nothingness; but will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

Explanation

A beautiful thing is an endless source of joy. Its loveliness only increases with time and will
never cease to exist. Bower is a pleasant shady place under trees or climbing plants in a
garden. To keep a bower means to keep a shade for us where we can relax. Beauty is like the
shade of a bower, soothing and relaxing. It will give us good sleep, full of sweet dreams.
Sound sleep translates into better health leading to peace and tranquility.

Lines 6-13:

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,

Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

From our dark spirits.

Explanation:

Each day, we wreathe a band of flowers. The flowery band of beautiful things keeps us bound
to the earth. We look forward to living life because of the presence of beautiful things.
Without beautiful things, the earth is an unpleasant place without hope and is severe towards
human beings. Lack of hope, sorrow, lack of noble nature, darkness and malice are some of
the things we face daily as human beings. Despite the burden of darkness and gloom, a thing
of beauty lifts the pall from our souls and lightens us.

Lines 13 -19:

Such the sun, the moon,

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Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon

For simple sheep; and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills

That for themselves a cooling covert make

'Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake

Explanation:

Old and young trees sprout to make a green covering, which serves as a blessing, for the
simple sheep. Daffodils bloom among the green surrounding. The small streams of clear
water make a cooling shelter for themselves against the scorching heat of the summer. Mid
forest brake means that in the middle of the forest, a dense mass of shrubs and bushes are
growing despite the hot weather. The area is rich with the presence of blooming musk roses.

Lines 20- 24:

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;

And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;

All lovely tales that we have heard or read;

An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink

Explanation:

The poet sees beauty in the death of martyrs and legends, who have died for a cause. The
stories that we have heard or read about them are also beautiful. If we look around us, there
are many beautiful things to see and appreciate. All beautiful things are like an immortal
fountain from heaven above so that humanity can savour these priceless treasures.

Q1. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem?

⮚ The things of nature that are the constant sources of beauty as mentioned in the poem
‘The Thing of Beauty’ are the sun, the moon, trees, Daffodils, mid forest brake ,
blooming musk rose , grandeur of the dooms for the mighty dead and the lovely tales
we have heard and read .

Q2. List the things that cause suffering and pain.

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 ⮚ The things that cause suffering and pain as mentioned in the poem ‘A thing of
Beauty’ are sadness, disappointment , lack of noble qualities and good manners,
unhealthy and evil ways etc they create trouble and damping our spirits. They are like
a cover of sadness over our lives. In the course of life on earth, there are a few gloomy
things which cast a spell of darkness in our lives. Despondence is the feeling of
gloomy and sorrow, a state of being without hope. This weighs us down and leaves us
with a negative outlook.

Q3. What does the line,’ Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’
suggest to you?

⮚ Keats being a romantic poet, was an ardent lover of nature and beauty as a whole .
Through his poetry , the poet has actually employed the senses of the leaders and has
established an eternal bond between man and nature . He says that an object of beauty
is a ‘joy forever’. It bind us to the world , enriching our lives day in and day out. The
beauty of a beautiful thing shall continue with its loveliness and never pass into
nothingness. , thereby wreathing a flowery band to attach human souls with beautiful
nature.

Q4. What makes human beings love life inspite of troubles and sufferings?

⮚ The appreciation of beauty and its everlasting appeal keeps sorrows and sufferings at
bay. Troubles and sufferings are parts of human life and we cannot fully get rid of
them. Beautiful things are the sources of happiness and joy. They remove the cover of
sadness from our minds and make life worth living. That is why, human beings love
life in spite of troubles and sufferings.

Q5. Who is the poet of, ‘A Thing of Beauty’?

⮚ John Keats is the poet of 'A Thing of Beauty’.

Q6. From which work of Keats is the poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’ an excerpt?

⮚ ‘A Thing of Beauty’ is an excerpt from Keats’s work ‘Endymion’ published in 1818.

Q7. What is the legend on which the poem,’ A Thing of Beauty’ is written?

⮚ The poem is based on a Greek legend in which Endymion, a handsome young

shepherd and poet who lived on mount Patmos had a vision of Cynthia, the moon
goddess. The enchanted youth, resolving to seek her out wandered through the
forest and down under the sea. In the excerpt, the poet dwells on the thought that a
beautiful thing is a source of eternal joy.

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Q8. What is seen as ‘a joy forever’?

⮚ A thing of beauty is seen as a joy forever.

Q9. What according to Keats never ‘passes into nothingness’?

⮚ A thing of beauty will never pass into nothingness.

Q10. What should we do every morning?

⮚ Every morning we should wreath a flower band to bind us to the earth.

Q11. What is the ‘green world’ according to Keats?

⮚ Nature is the 'green world' according to Keats.

Q12. What do the following expressions mean?

⮚ Bower: It is a pleasant shady place under trees or climbing plants in a garden or a

wood.
⮚ Wreathing: it means to encircle or cover. Wreath also means a circular band of
flowers and leaves.
⮚ Inhuman: Lacking qualities of sympathy and compassion

⮚ Dearth: An inadequate supply

⮚ Pall: A coffin, anything that spreads darkness or gloom

⮚ Boon: A blessing

⮚ Clear Rill: a clear small rivulet or brook or river.

Q13. ‘It’s loveliness increases....’ What is the poet talking about.

- A thing of beauty becomes more beautiful with the passage of time.

Q14. What increases continuously in, ‘A Thing of Beauty’?

Or

How a Thing of beauty a joy forever?

Or

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 What according to Keats, never passes into nothingness?

- Keats, in his poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’ says that a beautiful thing is a source of joy
forever. Its loveliness only increases with time, instead of diminishing. It grows in its
charm and continues to captivate the beholders (observer), giving them a lot of
happiness.

Q15. What ‘will keep’ for us, according to Keats?

- A thing of beauty will never fade away or pass into nothingness. A thing of beauty is a
joy forever. According to Keats, a beautiful thing will keep a bower quiet for us. A
beautiful thing has the effect of a cool and pleasant shelter in the midst of the harsh
rays of the sun, in the journey of life.

Q16. What do the ‘clear rills’ make for themselves?

- The clear rills find a way and make a cooling hiding place for themselves against the
relentless attack of the hot days of summer. Despite, the heat around, these small
rivulets (small river) and brooks are an oasis of coolness and also keep the surrounding
environment cool.

Q17. ‘A bower quiet for us, and asleep. Full of sweet dreams and health and quiet
breathing.’

a) What does bower suggest here?

- Bower suggests a cool and shady place away from the heat and the glare of the sun. Here
it implies the effect of a beautiful thing on our minds. We get peace and tranquility from
beautiful things, and recollecting those memories fills us with happiness.

b) What does ‘Sleep full of sweet dreams’ signify?

- The line signifies that a thing of beauty has an impact on our health and lifestyle also. A
thing of beauty is a source of joy forever. It gives us happiness and peace of mind. It leads
to getting sound sleep filled with sweet dreams and not troubled nightmares.

Q18. What does the poet Keats wish us to do to keep our ‘despondence’ away?

- The poet, John Keats, wishes us to entwine a band of flowers to bind us to the beauties
of nature to keep despondence away. Despite sorrows and darkness in our life and the
world we live in, a beautiful thing can uplift us and transport us from a state of despair
to a state of joy.

Q19.” A flowery band to bind us to earth.” What is a flowery band?

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- A flowery band refers to the beautiful things that keep us bound and attached to the
earth. Nature has a lot of beautiful and wondrous things to gladden our heart. The
presence and memory of beauty give us the desire to look forward to living life.

Q20. ‘Of the inhuman dearth of noble natures ‘. What does the quoted line mean?

- The quoted line is from John Keats’s poem, ’A Thing of Beauty’. The line speaks about
the lack of nobility among human beings. There is a lot of darkness and malice in human
behaviour. There is a dearth or shortage of noble nature among human beings.

Q21. How do the clear rills make for themselves a ‘cooling cover’?

- The clear rills find a way and make a cooling hiding place for themselves against the
relentless attack of the hot days of summer. Despite the heat around, these small
rivulets and brooks are an oasis of coolness and also keep the surrounding environment
cool. The clear rills surge ahead and forge a passage for themselves as they pass
through thick bushes and shrubs. This cooling covert made in this way is not for them
alone but also beneficial to the immediate atmosphere and environment around them.
It is a safeguard against the scorching heat of summer and provides a place of coolness
and comfort.

Q22. What is the meaning of ‘mid forest brake’ in Keats’ poem?

- Brake is a thicket or an area overgrown with briers or bushes. Mid forest brake means in
the middle of the forest. Nature and the bounty of nature are appreciated here. Despite
the heat of the summer season, the mid forest brake is enriched with the presence of
fragrant blooms of the musk roses. It is a beautiful sight to behold and a source of joy.

Q23. Who are the mighty dead?

- The mighty dead are our glorious forefathers and those great people who have laid
down their lives for a worthy cause and become martyrs. They lived for their countries
and served humanity. We get to know about their mighty deeds by reading or listening
to the lovely stories that relate to their sacrifices and their valour in the cause of
humanity. These stories serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for us, in the
course of our life. These stories reflect their glory and will be cherished for their beauty.

Q24. Why is grandeur associated with the mighty dead?

- Grandeur is associated with the mighty dead as stories of their lives of achievement
serve as an inspiration to those who read or hear about them. These were people who
devoted their lives for a worthy cause and were martyred for it. The grandeur of the
mighty dead lies in their noble deeds. They continue to live through their acts of valour
which continue to motivate all those who hear or read about it.

Q25. 15. ‘A Thing of Beauty is a joy forever.’ Elaborate.

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- John Keats writes,” A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever”, in the opening lines of
‘Endymion’, from which the poem is taken. Beautiful things are a source of never ending
pleasure. They give happiness throughout our lifetime. Beauty never ceases to exist and
continues to give a joy forever. It makes life worth living despite troubles and sufferings.
Beauty is like the shade of a bower, soothing and relaxing. We get peace and tranquility
from beautiful things, and recollecting those memories fills us with happiness. Beauty
does not fade away or reduce with time.

Q26. What image does the poet use to describe the bountiful bounty of nature?

- Towards the end of the poem, the poet uses the image of an endless fountain of
immortal drink to describe the bountiful bounty of nature. Keats considers nature and
the beauty of nature as an endless fountain of immortal drink. The sun, the moon, the
daffodils, the clear streams, the forests, etc., are a few beautiful images that make a
profound impact on us.

Q27. Explain the following lines:

(a)A bower quiet for us

- "A bower quiet for us” means a shade for us in the journey of life. It is a place where we
can retreat to, in order to seek shade and comfort, from the scorching heat of the sufferings
and troubles of life.

(b) are we wreathing A flowery band to bind us to the earth.

- Every morning, we wreathe a band of flowers to bind us to the beauty of earth and
nature. Despite sorrows and darkness in our life and the world we live in, a beautiful thing
can uplift us and transport us from a state of despair to a state of joy.

(c) Some shape of beauty moves away from the pall...

- Beautiful things and their memories uplift us and remove the pall of sadness from our
dark spirits.

(d) An endless fountain of immortal drink Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.

- Keats considers nature and the beauty of nature as an endless fountain of immortal drink.
All beautiful things are like an immortal fountain from heaven above for mankind to enjoy
its priceless treasure.

Q28. What is the message of the poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’?

- The poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’ leaves with the message that a thing of beauty is a joy
forever. The memories of a beautiful thing continue to gladden our hearts and inspire us
in the journey of life. A beautiful thing will never fade away, but its loveliness will

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 increase with time. Despite the burdens, troubles and sufferings in life, a thing of beauty
will uplift and inspire us to lead and love life.

Q29. How do we bind us to the earth every morning?

- Every morning, we wreathe through a band of flowers to bind us to the beauty of earth
and nature. In spite of sorrows and darkness in our life and the world we live in, a
beautiful thing can uplift us and transport us from a state of despair to a state of joy.

Q30. What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink, and why does he call
it to drink?

- Keats considers nature and the beauty of nature as an endless fountain of immortal
drink. All beautiful things are like an immortal fountain from heaven above for mankind
to enjoy its priceless treasure. He calls it immortal because a thing of beauty is a source
of joy forever. It will not fade or vanish with the passage of time.
He calls it a drink because beauty is like the elixir of life.
A ROADSIDE STAND

Q1. The city folk who drove through the countryside hardly paid any heed to the roadside
stand or to the people who ran it. If at all they did, it was to complain, which lines bring this
out? What was their complaint about?

- Lines which bring this are “The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead, or if ever
aside a moment, then out of sorts; At having the landscape marred with the artless
paint; Of signs that with N turned wrong and s turned wrong...” Their complaint was
that the wrongly made signs had spoiled the natural beauty.

Q2. What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?

- The plea of roadside stand sellers was the ignorance by the vehicles. They pleaded that
nobody stopped there to buy their products.

Q3. The government and other social service agencies appear to help the poor rural people,
but actually do them no good. Pick out the words and phrases that the poet uses to show
their double standards.

- The words/phrases expressing their double standards are :

. pitiful kin
. mercifully gathered
. they won’t have to think for themselves anymore.

Q4. What is the 'Childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it vain?

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- The 'Childish longing’ refers to here is the desire of the poor farmer who sits near the
open window all day and prays for the stopping of any car so that they can earn some
money.

It is referred as vain because the city people never bother to purchase anything
from these roadside stands.

Q5. Which lines tell us about the insufferable pain that the poet feels at the thought of the
plight of the rural people

- The lines about the insufferable pain that the poet feels are : “Sometimes I feel myself I
can hardly bear the thought of so much Childish longing in vain, the sadness that lurks
near the open window there.” "I can’t help owning the great relief it would be to put
these people at one stroke out of their pain.”

Q6. Where was a little new shed situated?

- Out of the little old house in front at the edge of the road, was the place where ‘a little
new shed’ was situated.

Q7. What is the demand of the roadside stand?

- The people who set up roadside stands pleaded not for a dole of bread but demands for
some of the money, some cash which supports cities from sinking and withering faint.

Q 8. What attitude does the polished traffic show?

- The polished traffic passes with a mind ahead and does of pay little bit attention
towards the roadside stands.

Q 9. What is sold by the roadside stand sellers?

- They sell wild berries in wooden quarts and crook- necked golden squash with silver
warts.

Q10. What is the complaint of the poet?

- The complaint of the poet is about the city’s money which he also wants to feel in hand
and to expand their life’s standard.

Q11. What is in the news?

- The news is about the settlement of the farmers mercifully near to the theatre and the
store where they won’t have to think for themselves any-more.

Q12. What is the Childish longing of the poet?

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- The poet childishly longs for the betterment and growth of those unfortunate people
but these desires and expectations would never be fulfilled by the greedy good-doers.

Q13. Who is the poet of the poem “A Roadside Stand”?

- Robert Frost is the poet of the poem A Roadside Stand”.

Q14. What is the roadside stand?

- The Roadside Stand is a shop or market which is situated by the side of the main road.
Question : Where is the little new shed built Question.

Q15. Where is the little new shed built?

- The little new shed is built in fronts at the edge of the road where traffic sped.

Q16. What is the purpose of the newly built shed?

- The purpose of the newly built shed is for some of the money or the cash from the city
people.

Q17. Why is the word ‘pathetic ‘used for the roadside stand?

- The word ‘pathetic 'used for the roadside stand. The word 'pathetic' is used to express
the miserable condition or poor situation of the roadside stand owners.

Q18. What does the Robert Frost write about in his poems.

- Robert Frost writes about characters, people and landscapes in his poems.

Q19. Name two of his well-known poems.

- Two well-known poems of Robert Frost are- Birches and Mending walls.

Q20. ‘The little old house was out with a little new shed ’

What does the poet mean by the phrase ‘old house was out with....’?

- By the phrase, ‘old house was out with’, the poet means that the little old house was
out with a little new shed’ to getting some more cash or money than before.

Q21 ‘A roadside stand that too pathetically pled ’

What is the figure of speech used?

- The figure of personification is used in this speech.

Q22. What is meant by ‘a dole of bread?

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- 'A dole of bread’ means a share of money, food, or clothing that has been charitably
(free of cost) given or donated.

Q23. Why is the traffic described as ‘polished’?

- The traffic is described as ‘polished’ because it refers the urban city-dwellers who have
insensitive attitude and gentlemanly appearances.

Q24. It’s is in the news that all these pitiful kin’ Who are the ‘pitiful kin’ mentioned here?

- The ‘pitiful kin’ are the owners of the roadside stands and the poor villagers mentioned
here.

Q25. Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass

Gist one to inquire what a farmer’s prices are.

And one did stop, but

only to plow up grass.

In using the yard to back and turn around;

And another to ask the,

way to where it was bound;

And another to ask

could they sell it a gallon of gas

a)Why did the first car stop by the roadside stand?

- The first car stopped to back and turn around his or her car by the roadside stand.

b)Why did the second car stop?

- The second car stopped to ask about the way where it was bound.

(iii)Why did the third car stop?

- The third car stopped to ask if they could sell a gallon of gas.

(iv)Why is the poet annoyed with the last car?

- The poet annoyed with the last car because they did not purchase any product from
the shop. Also, the shop or the roadside stand was not belonging to the gas type’s
things.

Q 26 “The little old house out with a little new shed

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 In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,

A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,

It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,

But for some of the money the cash whose flow supports the flower of

cities from sinking and withering faint.”

(i) Where was the shed put up?

- The shed was put up in front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped.

(ii) What was its purpose?

- Its purpose was to getting some extra money or cash.

iii) Why does the poet use the word pathetic?
- The poet uses the word ‘pathetic’ to refer the roadside stands which would not be fair
to say for a dole of bread.

(iv) Who are referred as the flower of cities?

- The best things avail in the cities is referred as the flower of cities.

Q27. “The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,

Or if ever aside a moment then out of sorts

At having the landscape marred with the artless paint

Of sings hat with N Corned wrong and S turned wrong

Offered for sale wild berries in wooden quarts,

Or crook-necked golden squash with silver warts,

Or beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene,

You have the money, but if you want to be mean,

Why keep your money (this crossly) and go along.”

(i) How did the traffic pass?

- The traffic passed with a mind ahead or without stopped there.

(ii) Why did one turn out of sorts?

- One turned out of sorts because the landscape had marred/not so well with the artless
paint. Secondly, the signs of N and S turned wrong.

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 (iii) What are the two things that were sold in that stand?

- The two things that were sold in that stand are wild berries sold in wooden quarts and
crook-necked golden squash with silver warts .

(iv) What should one do if one wants to be mean?

- One should keep one’s money and moves ahead.

Q28. ‘’It is in the news that all these pitiful kin

Are to be fought out and mercifully gathered in

To live in villagers, next to the theatre and the store,

Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore,

Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits.

That are calculated to soothe them out if their wits,

And by teaching them how to sleep all day,

Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.”

(i) Why won’t these poor people have to think about themselves anymore?
- These poor people won’t have to think about themselves anymore because they are
swarmed over their lives and enforcing benefits by the party in power and the greedy
good-doers.
(ii) How does the poet describe the good doers?
- According to the poet, the good doers are pretending to be doing good works or things.
But, they swarm over the lives of poor people and enforcing benefits.
(iii) How will the innocent rural folk be soothed out of their wits end?
- The party in power and the greedy good-doers will fool them the innocent rural folk by
their wits and power. They will teach them for their works and destroy their sleeping at
night by their works and pressures. Thus, the innocent rural folk are to be soothed out
of their wits end.

Q29. No, in country money, the country scale of gain,

The requisite lift of spirit has never been found,

Or so the voice of the country seems to complain,

I can’t help owning the great relief it would be

To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.

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 And then next day as I come back into the sane,

I wonder how I should like you to come to me

And offer to put me gently out of my pain.

(i) Where do these lines occur?

- These lines occur in the poem, “The Roadside Stand”, written by Robert Frost.

(ii)Why has the requisite sprit never been found?

- The requisite sprit has never been found for the party in power and the greedy good-doers
who swarm over the lives of poor people and enforcing benefits.

(iii) What does the voice of the country people seem to say?

- The voice of the country people seem to say about his complains of injustice and the
requisite lift of spirit.
(iv) What will be of great relief for the poet?
- The great relief for the poet will be if he would relief the poor people at one stroke out
of their pain.

Q30. Who are referred to as the ‘flower of cities’?

- The best things of the city are referred to as the ‘flower of cities’. Among the best
things, the best facilities, the best companies, the best living conditions, the best
educations, and other else are indicated as the ‘flower of cities’.

Q31.How does the traffic pass?

- The polished traffic pass with a mind ahead. They often do not stop in the roadside
stand for buying anything nor do they take attention for the foods.

Q32. Why does one turn ‘out of sorts’?

- A traffic turns 'out of sorts’ when the traffic observes/attentions the landscape that
marred with the artless paint. Also, he or she turns at signs that with N turned wrong
and S turned wrong.

Q33.What are being sold in that roadside stand?

- Wild berries in wooden quarts and crook-necked golden squash with silver warts are
being sold in that roadside stand.

Q34. Why do the people running the roadside stand ask for some city money?

Or

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Why do the people who are running the roadside stand ‘ask for some city money’?

- The people who are running the roadside stand ask for some city money’ to feel in
hand the city money and to give them the life of the moving-pictures’ promise alike.
They also expect the city money to flow supports some facilities like the city people
from their sinking and withering faint condition.

Q35.Who has betrayed the village people? How?

- The parties in power or the greedy good-doers have betrayed the village people. They
swarm over their lives enforcing benefits and soothe them out of their wits. Also, they
destroy their sleeping at night by their works and pressures.

Q36.What is 'in the news’?

Or

What was in the news as has been portrayed in the poem “The Roadside Stand”?

- It is in the news in the poem "The Roadside Stand” that all the pitiful kin or the owners
of the roadside stands or the poor village people won’t have to think for themselves
anymore. The parties in power or the greedy good-doers buy out them and swarm over
their lives for enforcing benefits and-alse-soothe them out of their-wits.

Q37. Why won’t these poor people ‘have to think for themselves anymore’?

- These poor people won’t ‘have to think for themselves anymore because the parties in
power or the greedy good-doers buy out them and swarm over their lives for enforcing
benefits. They soothe them out of their wits and destroy their sleeping at night for their
works and pressures.

Q38. What is the place of the folk who have put up the roadside stand?

- The folk have put up the roadside stand in far from the city.

Q39. What do the people wait all they long for?

- The people wait all long for the squeal of brakes and the sound of a stopping car. They
expect on all the thousand selfish cars for stop there and buy some foods from them.

Q40. What will be of great relief to the poet?

- The great relief will be to the poet to put the poor and exploited people at one stroke
out of their pain. Also, the poet wishes to put him gently out of his pain by the great
relief of the poor or exploited people.

Q41.‘And by teaching them how to sleep the all day, destroy their sleeping at night the
ancient way’. Explain in brief.

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- In this statement, the poet mentions about the parties in power or the greedy good-
doers who sleep all the day and destroy the poor or working people’s sleeping at night
by their works.

Q42. What did the roadside stand offers the customers ? Why were the city people critical
of the stand?

- The roadside stand offered the customers wild berries in wooden quarts and crook-
necked golden squash with silver warts.
The city people were critical of the stand for the landscape that marred with the
artless paint. Also, they criticised the wrong turn of N and S.

Q43. What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand ?

- The folk who had put up the roadside stand pled for some of the money, the cash from
the passers-by. They wished them to stop at that place for buying/shopping some things
from them.

Q44. Did ‘the polished traffic’ stop at the roadside stand and if at all they stopped, what
were their reactions?

- The polished traffic’ often did not stop at the roadside stand. If at all they stopped, their
reactions were against the artless paint that marred with the landscape. Also, they
criticized the signs of S and N that turned wrong.

Q45.What things irritated the passer-by who stopped at the roadside stand?

- The passers-by who stopped at the roadside stand were irritated at the artless paint
that marred with the beautiful landscape. Also, they were irritated at the signs of S and
N which were turned wrong.

Q46. Who will soothe the rural poor out of their wits and how?

- The greedy good-doers or the selfish powerful people will soothe the rural poor out of
their wits. The good doer’s are alike beneficent beasts of prey. They calculate to soothe
the poor or working people out of their wits. They swarm over the poor or working
people’s lives and enforcing benefits by their powers and works. Also, they sleep all-the
day and destroy the poor or working people’s sleeping at night by their works.

Q47. What was the complain of the poet in 'A Roadside Stand’?

- The complain of the poet in 'A Roadside Stand’ was against the greedy good-doers or
the parties in power who do not provide the requisite lift of sprit or the essential
facilities for the poor people. He also wishes to complain against the injustice and
expects a great relief for them.

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Q48. How does the poet describe the good doers?

- The poet describes that the good doers are alike beneficent beasts of prey. They swarm
over the poor or working people’s lives and enforcing benefits. They calculate to soothe
them out of their wits. They sleep all the day and destroy the poor or working people’s
sleeping at night by their works.

Q49. How will the innocent rural folk be soothed ‘out of their wits’?

- The poet describes that the good doers are alike beneficent beasts of prey. They
calculate to soothe the poor or working people out of their wits. They swarm over the
poor or working people’s lives and enforcing benefits by their powers. Also, they sleep
all the day and destroy the poor or working people’s sleeping at night by their works.

Q50. What is the poet’s childish longing? Why is it in vain?

- The poet’s childish longing is that he can hardly bear the thought of the poor people or
the roadside owners’ miserable conditions.
It is in vain for the parties in power or the greedy good-doers or the selfish
people as they do not think for the poor people or the roadside owners.

Q51. Why do cars stops by, if they do stop at all at the roadside stand?

- The first car stops to back and turn around his or her car by the roadside stand. The
second car stops to ask about the way where it was bound. The third car stops to ask if
they can sell a gallon of gas. The poet annoys with the selfish cars because they does
not purchase any product from the shop or the road side stand.

Q52.Why has the ‘requisite life of spirit never been found’?

- The ‘requisite life of spirit has never been found for the parties in power or the greedy
good-doers. They destroy the poor or working people’s sleeping and dreams of life.
They use them for their works. Also, they swarm over the poor or working people’s lives
and enforcing benefits by their powers by soothe them.

Q53. What does 'the voice of the country’ seem to complain about?

- 'The voice of the country’ seems to complain about the requisite life of spirit or the
essential things and about their rights. They also wish to complain against their
injustices by the parties in power or the greedy good-doers.

Q54. Show how the poet feels insufferable pain at the thought of the plight of the rural
poor.

- The poet Robert Frost feels himself that he can hardly bear the thought of the poor
people or the roadside owners’ miserable conditions. It is in vain for the parties in

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 power or the greedy good-doers. They destroy the poor or working people’s sleeping
and dreams of life. They use them for their works. Also, they swarm over the poor or
working people’s lives and enforcing benefits by their powers.

Q55. Who are referred to as the ‘Flower of the cities ‘ in the roadside stand?

- The rich city population are being referred to as the ‘Flower of the cities’ in the poem. It
is that category people who has the money and whose cash flow supports them and
prevents them from sinking and withering faint.

Q56. What was the plea of the folk , who had put up the roadside stand?

- The folk who had put up the roadside stand pleaded to the city dwellers to stop by their
shops and buy something from them. They didn’t beg for anything , rather wanted to
earn their livelihood by selling their products. They pleaded to the passerby to buy their
articles so that they could feel some city money in their hands that could uplift their
standard of living .

Q57. Where was the roadside stand built? How was it built?

- The roadside stand was built by the edge of the road , where the traffic usually sped.
It was built by extending the old house with a little new shed infront of it.

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