SNAPSHOTS
The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse.
Ans: When Aram looked through the window, he saw his cousin Mourad with a beautiful white horse and it was a sight which was very difficult for him to believe for two reasons:
First, the whole of the Garoghlonian family to which the two boys belonged were extremely poor and therefore it was not possible for Mourad to buy that horse.
Secondly, in that case, it would mean that Mourad had stolen that horse. But that was also not possible, because the Garoghlonian family was also very much famous for their honesty and therefore Mourad could not steal that horse either.
2. Where had Mourad been hiding the horse?
Answer: Mourad had been hiding the horse in the barn of a deserted vineyard which was owned by a farmer named Fetvajian.
3. What did the farmer John Byro tell the two boys when one day they accidentally met him with his horse in their custody?
Answer: The farmer examined the horse when one morning he found it with the two boys and he told them that he could swear that the horse was his very horse which had been stolen from him many weeks before if he did not know about their parents. He added that the fame of their family for honesty was very well known to him and therefore he liked to say that the horse could be the twin of his stolen horse.
4. What did John Byro tell Aram’s mother and Uncle Khosrove when he got his horse back?
Answer: After John Byro got his horse back mysteriously one day, he came to Aram’s house and told Aram’s mother and Uncle Khosrove that he did not know what to think about the whole matter. It was because the horse was stronger than ever and was better tempered too and therefore he thanked God.
5. What were the two things for which the Garoghlonian family was famous?
Answer: The Garoghlonian family was famous for the following two things:
1. Their poverty
2. Their honesty
6. What points were put forward by Aram in defense of Mourad’s act of stealing the horse?
Answer: Aram argued to himself that stealing a horse for a ride was not the same thing as stealing something else, such as money. And then he went a little ahead by saying that if one was so much crazy about horses the way Mourad and he himself were, it was not stealing at all. It would not become stealing until they offered to sell the horse and he was sure that was the last thing they would never be doing.
7. Which excuses were given by Aram to himself for taking a ride on the horse despite knowing fully the truth about the theft of the horse by Mourad?
Ans: Aram dismissed stealing a horse is not as much grave a crime as stealing money. Secondly, he believed that if it was something like a horse for which both he and his cousin were crazy then it couldn’t be stealing. Additionally, it was not going to become stealing until they offered to sell the horse.
8. Why was Aram unwilling to return the horse so soon?
Ans: Aram was crazy for the horse and he wanted to learn horse riding at all costs. The horse would not let him to ride over it and hence he was unwilling to return the horse at least till he would learn to ride it.
Long Answer Questions
1. Why did the two boys ultimately return the horse all of a sudden although they had planned to keep it at least for six months?
Answer: Although the two boys had planned to keep the horse for at least six months, they returned it all of a sudden the morning after they accidentally met the farmer John Byro from whom Mourad had stolen the horse. The farmer examined the horse and told them that he could swear that the horse was his very horse which had been stolen from him many weeks before if he did not know about their parents. He added that the fame of their family for honesty was very well known to him and therefore he liked to say that the horse could be the twin of his stolen horse. What John Byro told them served as an eye opener for the two boys especially Mourad and they became conscious how precious and strong their family’s fame for honesty was and therefore they did not want to tarnish that name and prestige and immediately returned the horse.
2. Mourad was the natural descendant of the crazy streak of uncle Khosrove. Explain the statement giving instances from the story, ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’.
Ans: Uncle Khosrove was considered in the Garoghlanian tribe as one of the craziest persons. It was also believed that the tribe that Mourad was the natural descendant of the crazy streak in their tribe. Uncle Khosrove’s craziness was out of the world. He had the largest moustache in the surrounding. His talk was not less than roaring, which was but natural for him. Once when his son came running to tell him about his house on fire, he simply said, ‘It is no harm; pay no attention to it’. The barber who reminded him that it was his own house also got rebukes. Khosrove also asked John Byro not to worry about the horse or the loss of money or even for his paining legs and answered in the same way.
Mourad was considered the natural descendant of this man though not a biological descendant mainly because of the crazy acts he was involved in. The act of stealing a horse because he was crazy about it is an example to prove the same. Like the punch line of uncle khosrove i.e. ‘It is no harm; pay no attention to it’ Mourad used to say that he had a way with the things, animals and even people. Thus Mourad said that he had a way with the horse, with the dogs and with the farmers too.
3. ‘I knew my cousin Mourad enjoyed being alive more than anyone else who had ever fallen into the world by mistake.’ Explain the statement with help of the instances from the story.
Answer:
Value Points:
-Mourad’s nature
-His crazy deeds
-Having a way with the things
-Considerate towards animals
-A true member of the tribe
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE
Answer these questions in 30-40 words.
1. When and why did Mourad come to Aram’s house?
2. How does Aram justify Mourad’s act of stealing the horse?
3. Where did the boys hide the horse everyday?
4. What do you learn about uncle Khosrove’s temperament after reading this story?
5. Who is John Byro? Why did he not accuse the boys of stealing his White Horse?
6. What happened when Aram rode the horse alone?
7. Why was Mourad considered the natural descendant of uncle khosrove?
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS :
1. Aram and Mourad belong the Gargholanian tribe. What are the hallmarks of their tribe?
2. Did the boys return the horse because they were conscience - Stricken or because they were afraid? Support your answer with suitable arguments.
3. Do you agree with Aram’s remark that Mourad was considered the natural descendant of Uncle Khosrove? Explain.
The Address
1. “I was in a room I knew and did not know.” Why does the narrator say that she was in a room which she knew and yet she did not know? Answer: The second time the narrator went to Mrs. Dorling’s house she was taken inside the house by Mrs. Dorling’s daughter. When the door of the living room was opened to her, she went inside and she was immediately horrified by whatever she saw inside the room. The room was full of all their belongings which had been taken away by Mrs. Dorling at the beginning of the war. She felt she ‘knew’ the room because it was full of all her belongings and as the room was not theirs but was a different room and the things were kept in a different manner she felt she
‘did not’ know the room.
2. Why does the narrator come back without claiming her belongings?
Answer: The narrator came back without claiming her belongings. She says that the objects which are linked in our memory immediately lose their value when those objects are seen after some time in strange surroundings. All her belongings, the silver cutlery, the clothes etc. had lost their charm when they were seen in Mrs. Dorling’s house. She knew that if taken back they would again seem strange in her new small rented room.
What change did the narrator notice in her rooms when she was home for a few days?
She noticed that various things were missing. – Mother was surprised that she noticed so quickly
– told that Mrs. Dorling would keep things safely.
3. Why did the narrator resolve to forget the address, No 46, Marconi Street?
Narrator turns up to collect the belongings – they aroused nostalgic feeling – true owner no more
– the ‘stored’ things reminded the uncharitable Mrs. Dorling and her own tragic past – better to forget.
4. Justification of the title
Short story revolved around the No 46, Marconi Street – starts with the address where the Jewish family suffer – ends with the narrator forgetting the address.
Long Answer Questions
‘Have you come back?’ said the woman. ‘I thought that no one had come back.’ Does this statement give some clue about the story? If yes, what is it?
Answer: The sentence uttered by the cruel woman Mrs. Dorling gives us clinching clues about the story.
The story has been set on the aftermath of the destructive Second World War. By the end of the war in 1945, some 60 lac Jews who were staying in Germany and other territories occupied by the German Nazi forces, had been killed systematically by the German Nazi forces led by Adolph Hitler, something which is known as the Holocaust. Hitler and the other likeminded Germans had considered the Jews along with some other races of people as people of inferior racial quality and as enemies and threats to the German society and nation and that is why they targeted the Jews and robbed them of all human rights and first put them in confinement centers known as ghettoes and from the ghettoes they took them to the concentration camps which were built in many places in Germany and other occupied territories and killed them in millions by putting them in gas chambers and also by other all types of cruel methods. When the war ended in the year 1945, some of the Jews got liberated from the concentration camps by the Allied Armies.
The narrator in the story is unmistakably such a survivor of the concentration camps. While others from her family had died she survived the war and came back in search of her belongings which had been taken away by Mrs. Dorling from her mother at the start of the war. By the quoted sentence Mrs. Dorling refers to the holocaust saying that she had thought that none of the narrator’s family members had been lucky enough to come back.
The story “The Address” is divided into Pre-War and Post-War times. What hardships do you think the girl underwent during these times?
Answer:
Value Points:
-War affects the fortunes of many
– Mrs. S and her family left their town for safety purpose
– she died – the daughter returned
– told the tragic story.
-Before the War the narrator returns home
– finds things missing
– Mrs. Dorling takes things away
– – the narrator doubts Mrs. Dorling. After War narrator returns to take her belongings
– – the uncharitable Mrs. Dorling’s behaviour and ‘stored’ things unsettles her – things reminds her mother’s memories
– – Becomes nostalgic – wants to forget tragic past – resolves to forget the address and does not take things.
3. “The Address” is a story of human predicament that follows war. Comment.
Answer:
Value Points:
-Wars always bring death and destruction. Wars cannot end conflict.
- In Holland a Jew family suffered
– disrupted the life of Mrs. S and her
family -before War left town for safety
– Mrs. Dorling took chance
– grabbed her costly things.
-Mrs. S died – the daughter returns – visits Mrs. Dorling, No. 46, Marconi Street
– she shows her uncharitable character – denies recognition
– in her second visit the narrator found the daughter of Mrs. Dorling
– found her belongings – became nostalgic – recalled mother – felt sorry for her tragic death
– – ‘things’ reminded the tragedy she had to undergo – resolved to leave things and forgot the address –
– War changed narrator’s life – lost mother and costly things.
Questions for Practice
1. Highlight the pain of loss and frustrations and helplessness in the mind of the narrator.
2. Is the story able to paint the horrible pictures of the inhuman Nazi atrocities on the European Jews during the Second World War?
3. You find out that the narrator managed to come back from somewhere. Where has she managed to come back from? (From the Nazi concentration camps, the death camps, gas chambers, from the jaws of death)
4. Why does the narrator say she knew and did not know the things? What does that mean?
5. What changes of normalcy does the story speak about? (bread of a lighter colour, which was of a darker colour for Jews during the War etc.)
6.Who is Mrs. Dorling? What opinion do you form about Mrs. Dorling on the basis of the Lesson “The Address”.
7. How was the narrator received by Mrs. Dorling when she visited her for the first time?
8. What arguments were given by Mrs. Dorling for taking away things from narrator’s house?
9. The narrator visited Mrs. Dorling many years after the War. Why did she wait so long?
10. Describe the narrator’s feelings when she found herself in the midst of her mother’s belongings?
11.Why did the narrator resolve to forget ‘the address’?
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS :
In what respect was the narrator’s second visit different from her first visit to Mrs. Dorling?
2. ‘The Address’ is a story of human predicament that follows war. Comment.
3. Justify the title of the story ‘The Address’?
Ranga’s Marriage
Ans. It was because the village accountant was the first one who had enough courage to send his son to Bangalore to study. English was a priceless commodity to the villagers. That was why his home coming was a great event to them.
3. Do you think that Ratna is a victim of the arranged marriage system? Give reasons.
Ans. When the narrator arranged the marriage of Ranga with Ratna, we have a conversation of Ranga and the narrator about their views on the marriage in our society but Ratna was not asked for it once. It shows that she got married without her consent or opinion about her independent thinking at the age of just 11.
Long Answer Questions:
Answer the following question in 100 to 120 words
Q.1. Do you think that Indian marriage system keeps Indian social fabric alive? How?
Ans. Indian social fabric is based on the caste system. It has its own social hierarchy that is strictly maintained by one and all for their own convenience. The people like the narrator are ever ready to take initiatives to get the bachelors like Ranga married by arranging and compromising on traditions and rituals by virtue of their status in society and sometimes with the help of so-called customs i.e. seeking help from the Astrologers and Shastri.
In the present story, when Ranga returned to his village from the city, his ideas about marriage were then quite different. He wanted to bring about changes in the marriage system as a sole right of the individual. But the narrator moulded his point of view to follow the beaten track of society that is marriage is a social institute not the individual’s choice. That’s why I think that
Indian arranged marriage system has been keeping Indian social structure alive for the century.
Q.2. English integrates India as a nation or it belittles/ dwarfs the expression of native speakers. Elucidate.
Ans. The story Ranga’s Marriage’s raises very important moral issues of a mode of communication in India and its consequences. In India English is playing a role of lingua franca without any doubt. It holds a composite dialogue among all Indians. It has brought all Indians together. It has opened the window of the world. India poses itself as a nation because of its integrity. Another side of it is the excessive use and making it a matter of dignity confuses the mind of common man. The middle class mentality thinks that English is the matter of dignity. For the sake of it they discriminate the expression of the native speakers. Common man’s expression in their mother tongue is being dwarfed because of the excessive value of English in upper class society. In the present story Ranga was sent to pursue his education in city because of the mode of communication that provides plenty of opportunities and gets dignity in society. On the other hand it is a priceless commodity for the villagers. It should have been a mode of communication only that bridges the gap between two social strata.
1. Why did people rush to Ranga’s house?
2.What were Ranga’s views about marriage?
3. Who is Ratna? Why does the author consider her the most suitable bride for Ranga?
4. What did the writer tutor Shastri to do?
5. How has the author made fun of English Language in the story ‘Ranga’s marriage’?
6. Why did Ranga name his son as ‘Shyama’?
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS :
1. Describe the role played by the narrator in arranging Ranga’s marriage?
2. What kind of a person do you think the narrator is?
3. Do you think astrologers manipulate things in arranging marriages in modern times? Discuss.
4. Is the story an indirect comment on the worthlessness of Horoscopes and Kundlies which can be managed to serve individual purpose? Discuss. 5. What social atmosphere does the story portray?
6. What is the tone of the narration of the story? Is it ironical and satirical, sarcastically humorous or tragic? Discussion
Albert Einstein at School
1. Why did Albert feel his medical certificate was burning a hole in his pocket? Answer: Before Albert could get an appointment with the head teacher to show him the medical certificate which certified him that he needed to be away from the school at least for six months because of nervous breakdown, the head teacher himself summoned him to his room and informed that he was being expelled from the school. Albert felt the certificate burning in his pocket as it was rendered worthless.
2. What according to the head teacher were Albert’s faults?
Answer: According to the head teacher, Albert was guilty of refusing to learn and not allowing others learn and of being in constant rebellion at school with his teachers.
3. What was the atmosphere in Albert’s place of lodging which used to trouble him so much?
Answer: The atmosphere was one of slum violence. His landlady used to beat her children regularly and every Saturday her husband came drunk and beat her.
4. Why did Albert need a medical certificate so badly?
Answer: Albert wanted to get rid of the school where he was studying and wanted to go to Milan to get admission in an Italian college or institute on the merit of his acknowledge expertise in Mathematics. However it was his father’s wish that Albert get a diploma in that school. He felt that his father would send him back to school if he left it that way. A medical certificate certifying that he could not continue in school because of health reasons could convince his father.
5. What was the doctor’s reaction when Albert visited him?
Answer: The doctor received Albert cordially and listened to his problem in a friendly manner. He even agreed that Albert was really in a state of nervous breakdown otherwise he would not have come to him for a certificate in that line.
Long Answer Questions:
1. Describe the exchanges between Albert Einstein and the history teacher. What characteristics of Einstein’s nature are highlighted by this exchange?
Answer: This biographical piece first presents Albert in confrontation with his history teacher. When the teacher asks him in what year the Prussians had defeated the French at Waterloo, Albert flatly replies that he did not know and this leads to a heated exchange between them. When he is further asked why he did not try to learn them, he again replies honestly that there is no point in learning dates which could be checked in a book by anyone. This reply angers his teacher greatly who responds asking him again whether he saw no point in learning facts which forms the basis of school education at that time. To this again Albert honestly replies that he did not see any point in learning facts. Now his teacher becomes sarcastic and asks him to tell the class the Einstein theory of Education. Ultimately Albert opines that he did not see any point in learning dates of battles or which army killed more men but he would be rather interested to know why those soldiers were trying to kill each other. This made his teacher go mad with anger and he scolded Albert viciously and asked him to stay back after school for an extra period.
This exchange brings out the unthinking honesty of Albert as a child. He of course lacked tactfulness and was very straightforward. He spoke whatever was in his mind. Of course, he used to feel miserable in classes like that of history. His mind was a great mind of science which used to be in search of the true working of the universe and time and other dimensions.
2. Describe the circumstances leading to Albert getting a medical certificate issued declaring him unfit to continue school.
Answer:
Value Points:
-Albert used to feel miserable at school which basically taught arts
subjects. -had regular confrontations with his teachers because of his
honest replies. -The environment of his lodging place was also miserable.
-Wanted to get rid of his school where he was because of his father’s wish
-So wanted to have a medical certificate certifying that he needed to stay away from school because of nervous breakdown.
-His friend Yuri helps him.
-Albert is sent to a friend of Yuri who had freshly become a doctor.
-He gets a certificate as suffering from nervous breakdown.
-His medical certificate becomes useless as the school itself expels him.
3. Describe the events leading to Albert’s expulsion from his school.
Answer:
Value Points:
-Albert was disinterested with his school which basically taught arts subjects like History.
Used to come into confrontation with teachers because of his unthinking honesty
-Felt miserable at school and in his place of lodging which was full of chaos and domestic violence.
-Wanted to go to Milan for studying in an Italian School or college on the merit of his acknowledged superior Mathematical expertise
-Needed a medical certificate certifying him unfit to continue in school
Manages such a certificate from a doctor referred by his friend Yuri -However
the head teacher summons him before he gets an interview with him -He is
informed that he has been expelled from school
-Reasons- refusal to learn, constant rebellion against teachers.
-Albert feels hurt in spite of the fact that he himself wanted to get rid of the school.
QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE
1. Why did Einstein refuse to learn dates and facts?
2. Why did Albert feel miserable. When he left school after having an argument with the history teacher?
3. Why was Einstein not happy in his lodgings?
4. What did Mathematics teacher think of Einstein?
5. Who is Elsa? What advice does she give to Eintein to pass the examination?
6. What were the reasons given by the head teacher for expelling Einstein?
7. What was Einstein’s future plan for further education after leaving school at Munich?
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS :
The school system often curbs individual talents. Discuss this statement with reference to the lesson ‘Albert Einstein at School’.?
2. What do you learn about Einstein’s nature from his conversation with his history teacher, mathematics teacher and Yuri?
3. What was Einstein’s plan to get away from the school? How did Yuri help him?
4. What changes have been incorporated in the present education system? Describe in short.
Mother’s Day
The job of a mother in a family is actually a twenty four hour job and the mother does not have the luxury of even enjoying any weekend, any holiday. The popular conception is that only those who are in service have to work hard. The mother who stays at home has a leisurely life.
The other members in the family always take the work that the mother does at home for granted and gives no credit for that.
The children in a family go on to believe that the job of the mother is to keep herself in the beck and call of her children and so is the thinking of the husband of the family towards his wife.
The mother needs to be harsh and assertive every now and then with her children and husband, reminding them that the work she does is a round the clock work and is valued much more than theirs.
If the mother of the family turns out to be too soft with her attitude towards her children and husband, then the children are bound to be led astray and spoilt as is the case with Cyril and Doris Pearson.
Always a little bit of caution, cold looks, strong words and body language from the mother help the atmosphere of the family ordered and the health wholesome.
Short Answer Questions
1. What is Mrs. Fitzgerald’s opinion about Charley Spence?
Answer: Mrs. Pearson opines that Charlie Spence is buck-toothed and half-witted and she would not like to be seen dead with a fellow like Charlie Spence.
2. What is Doris’ idea what might have happened that made their mother behave so strangely?
Answer: Doris suggested to her brother Cyril that their mother could have hit her head against something and got a concussion and therefore she behaved in a strange way.
3. What does Mrs. Pearson tell George Pearson what people’s conception about him in the Club is?
Answer: Mrs. Pearson, who is actually Mrs. Fitzgerald, tell her husband that he is a standing joke for the other club members and they call him Pompy-ompy Pearson as they think he is very slow and pompous.
4. What is Cyril’s prime fault as expressed by Mrs. Pearson?
Answer: According to Mrs. Pearson, Cyril spends too much time and money at greyhound races and dirt tracks and ice shows.
5. What is Mrs. Fitzgerald’s suggestion to Mrs. Pearson how she could maintain that atmosphere of discipline and realization that she created?
Answer: Mrs. Fitzgerald suggested that Mrs. Pearson was not to start any explaining or apologizing or it would spoil the good work that was done. She was asked to just give her children and husband a look, or a tone of voice off and on to suggest that she might be tough with them if she wanted to be.
Long Questions:
1. What are the issues that the play, ‘Mother’s Day’ highlights?
Answer: The play ‘Mother’s Day’ basically highlights the different real aspects related to the status of the mother in a family. In most families the mother is a house wife who stays at home while the father and in some cases the children go out for works. The popular concept is that only those who are in service have to work hard and therefore they need weekends and holidays for taking rest and after coming from work they need to be waited upon by the mother who is seen as living a life of leisure. The reality is that the job of mother in a family is a twenty four hour harsh job for which she cannot have the luxury of even enjoying any weekend and holidays.
That is the case with Mrs. Pearson in this play. Her two grown-up children Cyril and Doris Pearson and her husband George Pearson always take the work that Mrs. Pearson does at home for granted and gives absolutely no credit to her for that and they want her to be at their beck and call. However it is Mrs. Pearson whose love and care and concern and soft attitude and lack of any assertion at all towards those three members of her family that has created trouble for her and has spoilt them perfectly.
The mother needs to be harsh and assertive every now and then with her children and husband, reminding them that the work she does is a round the clock work and is valued much more than theirs. If the mother of the family turns out to be too soft with her attitude towards her children and husband, then the children are bound to be led astray and spoilt as is the case with
Cyril and Doris Pearson. Ultimately Mrs. Fitzgerald’s idea of changing bodies and personality with Mrs. Pearson brings reform to the errant family members.
2. How does Mrs. Pearson reform her spoilt family members?
Answer:
Value Points:
-Mrs. Fitzgerald is Mrs. Pearson’s neighbour.
-She is domineering, practical, quite opposite to the character of Mrs. Pearson.
-Mrs. Pearson is soft, unassertive, too fond of her children and husband.
-She knows about their mistakes but cannot be harsh with them.
-Mrs. Fitzgerald compels her friend to agree to change body with her with magic to straighten her family members.
-So they change bodies.
-Mrs. Pearson first takes on her daughter Doris whom she scolds for her erratic behaviour.
-Next she takes on her son Cyril whom she scolds scathingly for preparing to go out for late night parties.
-Ultimately, she attends to her husband who has acquired very bad name in his club where he spends most of his time/
-Mrs. Pearson’s behaviour is puzzling for the three confused family members.
-They promise to reform themselves.
- Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald change back their bodies.
Make character sketches of Doris, Cyril and George Pearson.
-Doris is perfectly spoilt./ wants to be waited upon by her mother/takes no permission for
going out with her boyfriend who according to her mother is worthless/ Weeps in every possible opportunity/highly immature.
-Cyris is equally pampered and immature/ wants to be waited upon by his mother/engrossed in outdoor life/ late night partying and betting on horse racing/
-George Pearson is haughty, pompous, arrogant and self important and uncivil/ careless of domestic duties/ unconcerned about his wife’s wishes and pain/ engrossed in an outdoor life/ spends his time in the club where he has got a bad impression unknown to him/ ultimately is brought to the reality of his actual social situation.
4. What is Magic Realism? How has the dramatist used the device of Magic Realism in making the plot of the play believable for the reader?
Answer:
Value Points:
Magic realism is a modern method used in fiction where magical elements are intermixed with the realistic description of everyday affair in such a way that the magical elements are taken as realistic description which help in emphasizing some basic aspect where the writer wants to give focus.
Popularized by writers such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Salman Rushdie, Milan Kundera etc.
In this play, Mrs. Fitzgerald changes her body with Mrs. Pearson, something which is impossible in real life.
However, the reader does not object to this fantastic aspect in the plot line because this element has been used in such a way in the plot line that the reader overlooks the impossibility as his real focus is the real issues of the play which is highlighted by the dramatist.
5. Discuss some of the humourous situations of the play.
Answer:
Value Points:
-First is the scene where Doris is scolded for preparing to go out with Charley Spence.
-Mrs. Pearson’s comments on Charley Spence and Doris’ reaction to them/ Her weeping
-Doris and Cyril’s hushed discussion between them as to the possible cause of -her mother’s strange behaviour
-The scene where Mr. Person finds his wife drinking wine for the first time in his life and Mrs. Pearson’s answers to his questions.
-Mrs. Peasron’s comments about what others think about George in the club and George’s reaction to them.
-Mrs. Pearson’s threatening to beat up her husband as reaction to her husband’s uncivil behaviour towards Mrs. Fitzgerald.
Value Points
BIRTH BY A. J. CRONIN
People’s sense of responsibility towards work.
A doctor’s sense of duty, dedication, and humanistic approach towards his patients.
The supreme joy of motherhood.
The real sense of fulfilment and peace and joy that a piece of good work done brings to human mind.
The real piece of work in human life lies in bringing joy in other people’s life.
The tremendous sense of expectation and anxiety that is caused in other family member’s heart when a baby is on the way.
The technical aspects of the resuscitation method as regards a new-born.
Short Question Answers:
1. What was the dilemma that Andrew faced after the baby was born?
Answer: After the baby was born, Andrew was faced with the dilemma whether to attend to the baby which was still-born in order to try to resuscitate it or to turn his attention rather to the mother, Susan Morgan, who was in a desperate state of health because of loss of blood and labour pain.
2.Why was Joe and Susan Morgan’s case special for Andrew?
Answer: Joe and Susan Morgan’s case was special for Andrew because Joe and Susan were expecting their first child although they had been married for twenty years.
3. What was Susan Morgan’s suggestion to Andrew which she informed through her mother-inlaw?
Answer: Susan Morgan wished that she was not to be given the chloroform if it would harm the baby.
4. What did Andrew guess could be cause of the baby being still born?
Answer: Andrew found out that the baby had turned white and it could mean only one thing: asphyxia which is suffocation or unconscious condition caused by lack of oxygen and excess of
carbon dioxide in the blood, accompanied by paleness of the skin, weak pulse, and loss of reflexes.
5. What is your impression about Dr. Andrew as a doctor and a human being?
Answer: The story ‘Birth’ is a comment on what a doctor should really be as a doctor and a human being. Dr. Andrew is an exceptionally dutiful and kind and passionate human being. Not only he sets aside mental and bodily fatigue to visit Joe Morgan’s house dead at night, but also he almost rebels against nature’s laws to keep trying to bring breath back to the still born baby wherein he succeeds.
Long Questions with answer and hints
1. Describe the efforts that Andrew made in order to bring the still born baby back to life.
Answer: After pulling the still born baby out from beneath the bed, Andrew could guess why the baby had lost its breath. The cause was asphyxia which is a condition in which insufficient or no oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged on a ventilator basis caused by choking or drowning.
Therefore, he realized that there was point in trying to resuscitate the baby with the help of the traditional resuscitation methods applied in such cases. So he first laid the baby upon a blanket and began the special methods of respiration. Thus he poured hot and cold water in two basins and frantically went on pushing the baby into the water of both the basins alternately for almost half an hour. But no breath emerged from the baby and a sense of desperation and defeat set in his mind. Still he wanted to put in another last effort. So this time, he rubbed the baby with a rough towel and then he crushed and released the little chest with both his hands, trying to get breath into that lax body. And after this, the miracle happened and the tiny chest of the baby gave a heave and then another and then another and Andrew was victorious as the baby was finally revived.
2. Why was Andrew so emotionally attached to his efforts to bring the lifeless baby back to life?
Answer: Hints:
-Joe Morgan and Susan Morgan were expecting the birth of their first
birth -They were married for twenty years.
-It was Dr. Andrew who had been handling the case.
-Andrew had assured the couple of no complication and safe delivery of the
baby. -All others in Morgan’s family were anxious
-Susan Morgan feels labour pain before due date
-Susan’s mother-in-law informs Andrew about Susan’s wish to go through labour pain without anesthesia in case the same would hurt the baby.
-Andrew goes on with
anesthesia -A still baby is born
-Andrew has to do something to revive the baby because he had held a promise.
3. Why does Andrew comment that he had done something ‘real at last’ in Blaenelly?
Answer: Value Points:
-Andrew Manson is a young doctor just out of medical school.
-The place where he works is a small mining town named Blaenelly.
-He had been handling the case of Joe and Susan Morgan who were expecting their first child after twenty years of marriage.
-Andrew had assured the couple of no complication and safe delivery of the baby.
-He visits Joe Morgan’s house dead at night as Susan Morgan has premature labour pain
-In an atmosphere of anxiety and expectation, he works for the safe delivery of the baby
-A lifeless baby is born and Susan is on the verge of death too
-Andrew is crushed
-He first helps Susan’s condition improve
-Then he works massively for resuscitating the breathless baby
-After half an hour’s harsh struggle, the baby breaths
-At last Andrew can be true to the promise he had held.
-Saving the lives of two this way and guaranteeing joy to a whole family is thus ‘ something real’
QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE
1. Give any two instances from the Lesson to show that Mrs. Pearson was treated like a servant by her family?
2. How does Mrs. Fitzgerald help Mrs. pearson to get back her lost respect in her family?
3. What shocks Cyril when he comes back home?
4. Who is Charlie Spencer? How does Mrs. Pearson show her dislike for him?
5. What advice does Mrs. Fitzgerald give to Mrs. Pearson after they change back their personalities?
6. At the end of the play how does Mrs. Pearson plan to spend evening with her family?
7. Who was Andrew Manson? Why was Joe Morgan waiting for him?
8. What was the conflict in Andrew’s mind regarding marriage?
9. How did the child appear when it was born?
10. What last effort was made by Andrew to revive the child?
11.“I have done something ; Oh, Good! I’ve done something real at last.” Why does Andrew think so?
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS :
1.‘Mother’s Day’ is a humorous and satirical depiction of the status of the mother in the family? What are the important issues it raises? How does the play resolve the issues?
2.. What difference do you find in the attitude and personalities of Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Fitzgerald? 3 What change do you observe in the behaviour of Doris, Cyril and Mr. George?
4. What problems are being faced by mothers these days? Have they become stronger and more independent than earlier?
5. Compare and contrast Dr. Andrew’s contrasting emotional status at the beginning of the story and in the end. 6. What does the story highlight about the essence of true happiness and joy and sense of fulfilment through Dr. Andrew’s experience.
7. Is there any supernatural element about the baby being brought back to life from being dead? Or the writer has presented the phenomenon as natural in the story?
8.Give an account of efforts made by Dr. Andrew Manson to revive the still born child?
9. There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of a practising physician? Discuss this statement with reference to the story ‘Birth’?
Do you feel that modern day doctors are rather mechanical medical machines without human emotions? Or it is rather a prejudiced opinion about these professionals who are also considered human gods?
The Tale of Melon City
Short-Answer Questions:
1. How do you think a just and placid king would be after reading the first two lines?
Ans: The qualities of justness and placidity fits a king. After reading the first two lines of the poem we feel that the king would be truth loving and serious about his administration.
2. How did the king react when the people responsible for tumbling the king’s crown started blaming each other?
Ans: The king started immediately accepting the other one’s statement and declaring punishment for them.
3. Ultimately, who was held responsible in the matter of fixing the charges for insulting the crown?
Ans: The king himself was held responsible for insulting the crown as no one was of the height to fit the rope.
4. The Tale of Melon City is an irony. Describe giving instances from the poem.
Ans: The instance of deciding the issue of the wisest man and the next king is an irony on the decision making process in modern government while the King’s getting executed by his own order is an irony on the nature of so called just laws.
Long Answer Questions:
1. Sometimes stressing too much on rules and regulations is also difficult for smooth functioning and may lead to chaos and anarchy. Explain in wake of the theme of the poem ‘Tale of Melon City’.
Value points:
-Rules are made for systematizing working
-Following all rules in all conditions not possible
-Need of change in rules as per circumstances
-King’s stress on his just and placid nature
-The disastrous result.
Questions for Practice: Long Questions:
1. Describe the different twists and turns of the story.
2. What larger picture of politics does the story in the poem paint?
3. Describe the exercise undertaken by the king and his men to frame charges for the crown’s insult. What was its final result?
4. How has the poet made fun of governance system by using the phrase ‘Just and placid’.
Short Questions:
1. Where and why did the King order the construction of an arch?
1. How do you think a just and placid king would be after reading the first two lines?
Ans: The qualities of justness and placidity fits a king. After reading the first two lines of the poem we feel that the king would be truth loving and serious about his administration.
2. How did the king react when the people responsible for tumbling the king’s crown started blaming each other?
Ans: The king started immediately accepting the other one’s statement and declaring punishment for them.
3. Ultimately, who was held responsible in the matter of fixing the charges for insulting the crown?
Ans: The king himself was held responsible for insulting the crown as no one was of the height to fit the rope.
4. The Tale of Melon City is an irony. Describe giving instances from the poem.
Ans: The instance of deciding the issue of the wisest man and the next king is an irony on the decision making process in modern government while the King’s getting executed by his own order is an irony on the nature of so called just laws.
Long Answer Questions:
1. Sometimes stressing too much on rules and regulations is also difficult for smooth functioning and may lead to chaos and anarchy. Explain in wake of the theme of the poem ‘Tale of Melon City’.
Value points:
-Rules are made for systematizing working
-Following all rules in all conditions not possible
-Need of change in rules as per circumstances
-King’s stress on his just and placid nature
-The disastrous result.
Questions for Practice: Long Questions:
1. Describe the different twists and turns of the story.
2. What larger picture of politics does the story in the poem paint?
3. Describe the exercise undertaken by the king and his men to frame charges for the crown’s insult. What was its final result?
4. How has the poet made fun of governance system by using the phrase ‘Just and placid’.
Short Questions:
1. Where and why did the King order the construction of an arch?
2. What happened when the king went down the thoroughfare?
3. Who was the wisest man? What was his verdict?
4. Why did the King order to hang someone immediately?
5. What was the criteria for choosing a person to be hanged? Who was found fit finally?
6. What do you learn about the ministers from their behaviour?
7. How was a melon crowned to be the new King of the country?
8. What does the melon being a King signify ?
