A.M.

Jain College Shift-II Department of English; II year; III semester

Notes Prepared by Professors: Maaran, Vairavan,Balamurugan, Rekhabanu& Sheeba
REFLECTION

Prose
1.Dress in Communication
Summary & Question and Answer

1. What you wear in this world can make you or break you in many situations. “Do you
agree with this view”? Give reasons.

2. Discuss how a person’s clothing can be a “self-fulfilling self-portrait”. To what extent

do you agree or disagree

In the contemporary world, most of the people agree with the view that what
people wear in this world can make or break a person in many situations. Before one
opens his/her mouth to speak, their dress can tell people a lot. Many psychologists
unanimously agree to the fact that what people remember about an encounter is related
to non-verbal communication, a large portion of that being ones overall appearance and
the way of looking. In most of the first encounters people make judgment about each
other based on appearance and it takes only a fraction of seconds. If one fails to impress
in that moment it will be very hard to make up in the next one. This is especially true in
the job interview setting. The dress conveys non-verbal clues about personality,
education, back ground, financial status and credibility. These clues can break down
barriers and launch careers or create barriers and spoil careers. For years many, it is
believed that a person with a dingy, sloppy appearance and untidy clothes conveys the
message that he is a careless person. On the other hand a person who is well groomed
conveys credibility, competence and self-confidence.

One has to agree to the fact that in most of the situations clothes are the only
visible clues to people’s personalities. Even when other indicators fail to give a clue,
clothes continues to make a statement. The way one dresses may reveal anger,
aggressiveness, uncertainty or depression. The revelations will be useful not only in
gaining some initial understanding of people, but also in interacting with them on a
daily basis. Even the minor change may signal the mood of the respective people. Those
signals not only give knowledge about others but also enlighten about themselves.
Hence, it is important to give a thought about dressing and grooming, which can
increase confidence in ones abilities and judgment as well as lift self-esteem. Thus,
clothing can be a ‘self-fulfilling self-portrait’.

2. Fusion Music

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Summary & Question and Answer

1. Although George did not become great Sitar player, how did his talent show in
RaviShankar’s project and they worked on together.

2. Comment on the three facets of George’s personality- human, religious and

professional as seen through Panditji’s memoir.

In the speech entitled “Fusion Music” Pt. Ravi Shankar recollects his
reminiscence about George Harrison, who achieved fame as the lead guitarist of the
rock music band “The Beatles”. The speech was given on the death of George Harrison,
who died on 29th November 2001. The sudden demise of George shattered Panditji to
the core. Panditji and George became very close when he came to learn sitar from him
in the summer and autumn of 1966. Though George did not learn sitar fully, he
understood the nuances of Indian music and showed a great love towards it.

As a human, George was very down to earth and anyone can enjoy the company
of George. He used to laugh out loud for Panditji’s jokes always and had a childlike
quality. Panditji recollects his humaneness with an incident. Once George with his wife
Olivia and son Dhani, came to India and spent few weeks. During then Panditji had a
nice outing with George’s family to the places like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and etc. In
Bombay and Delhi people recognized George and created a stampede whereas in
Rajasthan in a market place people identified Panditji and created a big mess, then
George acted as his body guard and moved the crowd till they reached the car. George
had a magnanimous mind and always cared so much. Panditji’s daughter Anouska and
his wife Sukanya were also attached to him.

When it comes to divinity, George is more religious that many Indians. He had a
quest for religious knowledge. He was well acquainted with the old Vedic Hindu
tradition. Once, Panditji presented him the book “Autobiography of a Yogi” by Swami
Yogananda and Panditji’s brother presented him a book by ‘Swami Vivekananda’. He
had such thirst for the knowledge and wisdom of Indian traditions. In many ways he
was more Indian than many Indians.

In his profession he inspired many top personalities like Bob Dylan, Eric
Clapton, Leon Russel and many eminent musicians. He suggested Panditji to do some
recording of his performances. As a result Panditji’s first recording held at A&M studio
for his Dark Horse Label. In the summer of 1974 the second album entitled “Festival
India” was recorded. During these recordings George created a very good atmosphere
filled with love and regard. In that music season Panditji travelled along with George

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and gave more than thirty performances. George went on to help Panditji in the albums
like “In Celebration” and “Chants of India”. Part of the album was recorded in the
southern part of India, Kerala and Madras.

3. About ‘An Inconvenient Truth’

Summary & Question and Answer

1. An inconvenient Truth –What is the truth and for whom is it inconvenient? Why?

2. Why might have Al Gore made this film? Is this film for the good of any one country
or is it good for the world at large? Why do you say so?

3. Is it important for people to reinvent themselves from time to time? Why?

“An inconvenient Truth” is a documentary movie produced by former American

Vice president Al Gore and directed by Davis Guggenheim. The film is part
documentary and part biography. Its biographical pieces are meant to illustrate Al
Gore’s presentation on Global Warming by connecting global issues to personal stories.
The title “An inconvenient Truth”, suggests many ideas. One among the ideas is about a
problem of Global Warming which most of the people do not want to believe. For many
the truths about the Global Warming and Carbon-di-oxide emission are inconvenient to
accept because by accepting they have to change their life style in order to save the
earth. In addition, global warming is an inconvenient truth to certain powerful people
and companies that profit from not changing their current environmental practices.

Al Gore’s main intention behind making this documentary is to tell the truth
about Carbon-di-oxide emission and climate change without sounding alarmist. This
film is a wakeup call to the reality of what is happening in the world. Al Gore presents a
wide arrangement of facts and information in a logical way. This film talks about the
disastrous consequences which the world will face in the future, yet he is not dogmatic
but lets the audience to draw their own conclusion. The problems like melting of
glaciers, heat waves, hurricanes, flooding and drought does not confine to any one
country but the world at large. Melting of glaciers is one of the main reasons for rising
sea levels worldwide, the drastic melting of Antarctica and Green land could cause sea
levels to rise between 18 to 20 feet, which will also result in Global Climate change.

Hence, it is important for people to reinvent themselves. Al Gore in his movie

asks the government and people to change their bad habits. Al Gore convinces us that
there is still time to make a difference for defending our planet. Al Gore says that we
can no longer afford to view global warming as a political issue and we should know

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that it is the biggest challenge facing our global civilization. Also the movie talks about
the hottest 10 years and it is almost the last 10 years so that is not good for people and
planet. Finally, we should all be aware about this threat because it will harm us and the
governments should find ways to decrease their carbon foot print.

4.A Speech by N. R. Narayana Murthy

N.R. Narayana Murthy

Summary

Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy (born 20 August 1946), commonly referred to as

Narayana Murthy, is an Indian IT industrialist and the co-founder of Infosys, a
multinational corporation providing business consulting, technology, engineering, and
outsourcing services. He started Infosys in 1981 and served as its CEO from 1981 to
2002 and as chairman from 2002 to 2011. He has been described as Father of Indian IT
sector by Time magazine due to his contribution to outsourcing in India. Murthy has
also been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Shri awards. He says it is
less important where we start. It is more important how and what we learn.. Narayana
murthy believes the Infosys story is living proof of this. Learning from experience,
however, can be complicated for an ordinary. It can be much more difficult to learn
from success than from failure.

Murthy’s Life

Narayana Murthy was a graduate student in Control Theory at IIT, Kanpur in

India. He had a chance to see a famous computer scientist from a US University. The
scientist was discussing about a new development in the field of computer science with
a large group of students and how such development would change our future. Murthy
was keenly observed everything and he directly went to the library, read four or five
articles he has suggested, and left the library decided to study computer science. The
scientist speech changed Murthy’s life. Murthy says that scientist who gave lecture on
computer science is Murthy’s source of inspiration.

Narayana Murthy’s Infosys Setup

He started a company name Infosys in 1981.He thanks the Bulgarian guards for
transforming him from a confused Leftist into a determined, compassionate capitalist!
From this negative experience in Bulgaria, he thought positively and who has decided
that creates a large-scale job opportunity. It was the only viable mechanism for
eradicating poverty in society.

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Failure from Success

Murthy started Infosys at small Mumbai apartment in 1981 after 9 years later five
founders of Infosys planned to sell this company sum of $1 million. After nine year
hard work Murthy did not like the idea of selling the company. He then decided to buy
out all his colleagues share though he did not have a cent in his pocket. There was
stunned silence room. His colleagues wondered aloud about his foolishness. The
colleagues changed their minds to his way of thinking.

Based on his life experiences, he can assert that it is this belief in learning from
experience, a growth mindset, the power of chance events, and self-reflection that have
helped him grow to the present.

Answer the Following

1. What are the qualities that distinguish a visionary from an ordinary person? Describe
with reference to Narayana Murthy’s life.

Narayana Murthy was a graduate student in Control Theory at IIT, Kanpur in

India. He had a chance to see a famous computer scientist on vacation from a well-
known US University. The scientist was discussing about a new development in the
field of computer science with a large group of students and how such development
would change our future. Murthy was keenly observed everything and he directly went
to the library, read four or five articles he has suggested, and left the library decided to
study computer science. The scientist speech changed Murthy’s life. Murthy had a good
capability of listening other speech at the same time applied in his life this what
changed his entire life. When he look back today at the critical meeting, I marvel at how
one role model can change for the better the future of a young student.

2. What were Narayana Murthy’s political convictions and how did they change after
the incident in Bulgaria?

Narayana Murthy got a lift from Paris back to Mysore, India his own home town.
The driver dropped him at Nis railway station at 9 p.m. on a Saturday night, the
restaurant was closed. He slept on the railway station platform until 8.30 pm in the
night when the Sofia Expressed pulled in. Murthy has boarded the train in his
compartment were a girl and a boy, had a conversation in French. It was casual talk. But
the young man thought that we were criticizing the communist government of
Bulgaria. The girl was led away. Murthy was dragged along the platform into a small
8x8 foot room. He was held in that bitterly cold room without food or water for over 72

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hours. He had lost all hope of ever seeing the outside world again, when the door
opened. The guard’s final words still ring in his ears. “You are from a friendly country
called India and that is why we are letting you go!” That long, lonely, cold journey
forced him to deeply rethink his convictions about communism. He planned to create
job opportunity after this conviction and it is the only viable mechanism for eradicating
poverty in societies. He started a company name Infosys in 1981.

3. How did Narayana Murthy convert the negative experience in Bulgaria into
something positive?

Murthy’s journey was affected in his heart; he thought that how people are
behaving strangely. He thanks the Bulgarian guards for transforming him from a
confused Leftist into a determined, compassionate capitalist. From this negative
experience in Bulgaria, he thought positively decided to create a large-scale job
opportunity. It was the only viable mechanism for eradicating poverty in society.

5.A Speech by Barack Obama

Summary & Question and Answer

1. What is Obama’s perception of change?

2. What is his central message? What kind of arguments does the speaker use?

3. What was the main purpose of the speech?

______________________________________________________________________________

Introduction
Barack Obama is the 44th and current President of the United States. It was
during his campaign for the United States Senate that he first made a speech that
received nationwide attention. Obama won election to the presidency in 2008 and was
reelected in 2012.
Obama’s perception of Change
Obama aim is to bring a change in his country in a positive way so he gave this
speech to the audience at Minnesota. He was pointing out in his speech former
President of the United States, Bill Clinton and George Bush and their Secretaries
Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Hillary Clinton has done her great job with the
Children’s Defense Fund. Her desire is to improve the lives of ordinary Americans, no
matter how difficult the fight may be. She finally won the battle for universal health

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care in America. Obama says that Hillary Clinton will be central to that victory. John
McCain, a man who has served this country heroically. He honors that service, and he
respects his many accomplishments. George Bush and his Senate member of John
McCain planned to introduce many things in the United States. They offered four more
years of Bush economic policies that have failed to create well-paying jobs, or insure
our workers. Bush and McCain introduced many plans but everything failed
Obama’s Change
He wants to change in military and give their veterans the care they need and
the benefits they deserve when they come home. Then he says it’s time to refocus their
efforts on al Qaeda’s leadership and Afghanistan, and rally the world against the
common threats of the 21st century terrorism and nuclear weapons; climate change
and poverty; genocide and disease. That’s what change is.
Central message

Obama wants to change in health care and medical plan that guarantees
insurance to every American who wants it and brings down premiums for every family
who needs it. He wants change in oil and Corporation Company. Finally he wants
change in childhood education and new teachers and give them better pay more
support; to decide that in this global economy, the chance to get a college education
should not be a privilege for the wealthy few, but the birthright of every American.
That’s the change he wishes he need in America. That’s why He is running for
President.
Obama’s plea to the Audience
The speaker said to the audience in this 21 st Century America, this is our
moment. This is our time .He says, “Our time to turn the page on the policies of the
past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our
time to offer a new direction for the country we love. The journey will be difficult.
The road will be long.” He says he faces the challenge with limitless faith in the
capacity of the American people
Purpose of the speech

Obama’s main purpose of the speech is to bring changes his own country in
various sectors.
6. Unity of Minds

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Introduction

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A.M. Jain College Shift-II Department of English; II year; III semester
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Dr. A.P. J. Abdul Kalam, born on October 15, 1931, was the 11th President of India
and remained in office from 2002-2007. Popularly referred to as the People’s President,
Kalam was awarded the Bharath Ratna in 1997. He is also known as the Missile Man of
India for his contribution to India’s missile programme. This is a speech given by
Abdul Kalam on the eve of Independence day-2002

Vision and its benefit

The second vision will integrate people from all walks of our society towards a
common purpose. He says that the vision is to transform it from the present developing
status to a developed nation by integrated actions simultaneously in the areas of
agriculture and food processing, education and healthcare, infrastructure development
including power, information and communication technologies, and critical
technologies. This greater vision will aim to alleviate poverty, illiteracy and
unemployment. Our country will alleviate poverty, illiteracy and unemployment, when
the minds of people of our country are unified and fused towards this vision, the
dormant potential will manifest as a mammoth power leading to a happy and
prosperous life of a billion people. This vision of the nation will also remove the
conflicts arising out of differences and small thinking.

Problems and its Solution

Kalam also stresses the problems of India.one of them is Jammu and Kashmir. It
is an integral part of India. It is not an international issue. Our nation is tried to talk
with two-sided once the cross-border terrorism is brought to complete end. Our nation
is tried to conduct an election process for the both side. It is essential to ensure its
successful completion and dawn of peace in Jammu and Kashmir. We have many
challenges in front of us. We have to find a solution to the repeated droughts and
floods; we have to eradicate communal and other divisive clashes sprouting in certain
parts and remove the pains of our people whether it is in Jammu and Kashmir or in any
other part of our country; we also have to find a permanent solution to combat
terrorism.

Problems: Common man in solving problems in India

Kalam brings in the problems which could be solved by common man, Water is a
main problem in India. It is paradoxical to see floods in one part of our country while
some other parts face drought. This drought-flood phenomenon is a recurring feature.
The need of the hour is to have a water mission which will enable availability of water
to the fields, villages, town and industries throughout the year, even while maintaining

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environment purity. He emphasizes that we have to solve this problem through

technology and long term planning and proper investment.

The Pre-Independence and the Post-Independence vision

Kalam demonstrates the two visions make a right position to reach a place in the
global world. After Independence, India has achieved greatest achievements in
agriculture and food production, energy, healthcare, education and various fields of
science and technology. Particularly we have made our mark in the international arena
in the fields of pharmaceuticals, information technology, mass media and
communication, space, defence and nuclear science. Kalam linked his two visions after
the Pre-Independence and the post-Independence. The first vision created a movement
to achieve freedom with unity of minds of our people and the unity of purpose in
actions, the second vision, which will integrate people from all walks of our society
towards a common purpose.

Conclusion

Kalam’s ‘Unity of minds’ aims to alleviate poverty, illiteracy and unemployment.

When the minds of the people of our country are unified and fused towards this vision,
the dormant potential will manifest as a mammoth power leading to a happy
prosperous life of a billion people. This Unity of Mind will also remove the conflicts
arising out of differences and small thinking. Kalam is sure, that our leadership and our
people can achieve the second vision of the development India.

Question and Answers

1. Abdul Kalam recognizes two aspects of the freedom struggle. What are these aspects?

Kalam mentioned two aspects of freedom fighter. First, the military who is
fought for us each and every one of them was the live force for our freedom movement.
Second, the great leaders were in jail and their sufferings got transformed into freedom
movement, with national ethos under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. These aspects
have come out: as a result of supreme sacrifices and dedicated and focused efforts, we
got our Independence. The second aspect is that the vision-driven movement itself
created many leaders in different spheres of politics, economics, industry, science, arts
and culture.

2. What, according to him, is the second vision?

The second vision will integrate people from all walks of our society towards a
common purpose. The vision is to transform it from the present developing status to a

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developed nation by integrated actions simultaneously in the areas of agriculture and

food processing, education and healthcare, infrastructure development including
power, information and communication technologies, and critical technologies. This
greater vision will aim to alleviate poverty, illiteracy and unemployment.

3. How will the fusing of minds lead to the benefit of our country?

The second vision will alleviate poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. When the
minds of people of our country are unified and fused towards this vision, the dormant
potential will manifest as a mammoth power leading to a happy and prosperous life of
a billion people. This vision of the nation will also remove the conflicts arising out of
differences and small thinking.

4. What is the paradoxical problem that Indians have to face? What are the solutions to
this problem?

The problems of Indian’s are Jammu and Kashmir. It is an integral part of India.
It is not an international issue. It is essential to ensure its successful dawn of peace in
Jammu and Kashmir. we have to eradicate communal and other divisive clashes
sprouting in certain parts and remove the pains of our people whether it is in Jammu
and Kashmir or in any other part of our country; we also have to find a permanent
solution to combat terrorism.

5. Who can help solve the regular water problems in India? What does this tell you
about the role of the common man in solving problems in India?

Common man can can solve the regular water problem in India. It is paradoxical to see
floods in one part of our country while some other parts face drought. This drought-
flood phenomenon is a recurring feature. The need of the hour is to have a water
mission which will enable availability of water to the fields, villages, town and
industries throughout the year, even while maintaining environment purity. He
emphasizes that we have to solve this problem through technology and long term
planning and proper investment.

7. Who are the people best suited to being role models?

Abdul Kalam suggests that members of our Parliament and Legislatures should
be good role model of our Children

9. How can a unity of minds help in building India as country without any problems?

Kalam’s ‘Unity of minds’ aims to alleviate poverty, illiteracy and unemployment.

When the minds of the people of our country are unified and fused towards this vision,

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the dormant potential will manifest as a mammoth power leading to a happy

prosperous life of a billion people. This Unity of Mind will also remove the conflicts
arising out of differences and small thinking. Kalam is sure, that our leadership and our
people can achieve the second vision of the development India.

Poetry
I Love you Mom
- Joanna Fuchs

Ms. Joanna Fuchs is a public speaker, novelist, poet, humorist, and she is a true
new beginning woman who exudes confidence, goodwill, and good business sense.
Joanna Fuchs’ biography, one sees a person who has created a cornerstone and built
from the foundation a personal and financial success. Joanna Fuchs “Everything Mom”
is expressed about feelings of mother. Mother is the most precious person in the world.
When the poet is a kid, her mother played as a role of teacher, nurse, counselor,
chauffeur, cook friend and everything. She has shown her value at any time. The poet
cannot explain love of her mother. The poet always felt about her mother’s endless love
and thanks her mother for all.

2.The Justice of the Peace

Hillary Belloc

In the poem The Justice of the Peace Hillary Belloc presents a conversation
between a state official and a small estate owner. The Justice of the Peace refers to a
judicial officer or magistrate of a lower court appointed to maintain the peace. The irony
in the poem is the person who meant to keep the peace threatens the small estate owner
in an authoritative tone and destroys his inner peace. Using his power he tries to seize
the land of a small estate owner. The magistrate tells that only the shoe, the shirt, a brim
less hat, and half a coat belongs to the small estate owner whereas his land belongs to
him. The property belongs to him because he is a government official and the lay people
are not supposed to speak against the government officials. They are supposed to be
calm and abide by the law failing which they have to face the government’s “Goad”.

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The small estate owner humbly responds to the atrocity of authority. He tells the
official that you have power, you have everything to satisfy you, and then “Why should
you envy me my small estate?” For this once again the government official responds in
an arrogant manner stating “it is illogical of you to fight with economic force and fate”,
besides “I have got the upper hand”

Through this poem Hillary Belloc suggest his idea of Distributism. According to
Distributism, the ownership of property should be spread as widely as possible among
the general public, rather than being centralized under the control of few state officials.
In this poem, the state official is trying to seize the land of small estate owner for which
he is revolting against. Throughout the poem one can see the poet’s contempt for the
government official. The government official is portrayed as a tyrant who grabs lands of
innocent people using his power.

3. A Different History

Sujatha Bhatt

In the poem ‘A Different History’ Sujatha Bhatt presents the conflict between her
Indian heritage and her life in English speaking world. In the first stanza she talks about
the way of living of Indian people, which was even admired by Greek God Great Pan
and as a result he simply immigrated to India. People back in Greek believe that Great
Pan is dead. The Indian people see God everywhere, in animals as well as in trees. In
India each and every book is considered to be sacred and it is a sin to be rude to a book.
It is sin to stamp a book with feet, and to toss it carelessly across a room. Indians give
such a respect to a book because it is considered as Saraswathi (Goddess of Wisdom).
Hence, even while turning a pages or while reading one should handle it with care.
These are all the important aspects of Indian way of living. The poet seems to be
longing for the heritage and way of living of Indians in the first stanza.

In the second stanza she laments about being a part of an English speaking
culture, and also for the future generation people. As a result of globalization the future
generation may not get the essence of the Indian way of living and thinking. She
laments for accepting the language of the oppressor. The lament is in English, though
irony it may sound but actually uses the oppressor’s language as a weapon to curse
their rudeness. The oppressor’s language truly meant to murder the roots of India
heritage, this they did with violence. Further she expresses her deep concern for current
generation people who adopted to live in English speaking world forgetting their roots.
It is because of the current generation people the future generation will take up the
oppressor’s language without hesitation and they will start to love the language

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without question. The poet initially longs for her past and concludes with the
lamentation about the present and future.

4. Digging

Seamus Heaney

SUMMARY

Seamus Heaney was a playwright, translator and a lecturer who was born in Northern
Ireland. He was famous for poetry. One of his famous poems is Digging.

The poet compares his life with his ancestors’ life. The poet was holding the pen who
heard the sound of digging through the window. He saw his father digging the ground
and buried the bright edge of the seed deeply. He compared his father with grandfather
in handling the spade. His father like his grandfather worked hard in the field. The poet
remembered an incident. Once he carried milk in a bottle to his grandfather. His
grandfather took no time in drinking the milk and again he started concentrating in his
work. This shows how his grandfather worked hard in the field.

His ancestors spent their whole life time in digging the ground and farming.
Contradictorily, the poet has no spade in his hand but a pen to dig with it.

1. Why does the poet say that his father, who is digging the flowerbed, “ comes up
twenty years away”?
The poet through the line “comes up twenty years away”, expresses the
memories of twenty years ago which had happened. The poet hearing the sound
of digging is reminded of his father who was digging twenty years before.
2. “ By God, the old man could handle a spade.” Who is the poet talking about?
What does this tell you about his feelings for the old man?
The poet refers his father in the line “By God, the old man could handle a spade.”
The poet admires his fathers’ capability of farming the field.
3. The poet says of his grandfather, “then fell to right away.” What kind of a man
was his grandfather?
The line “then fell to right away” portrays the grandfather as a concentrative
man who never gets diverted until he completes his allotted work.
4. The poem is a man’s reaction to a family tradition of doing a certain job. Do you
agree? Give reasons to support your answer.

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Yes, I agree that the poem is a man’s reaction to a family tradition of doing a
certain job. The poet explores how his father followed his grandfathers’ footsteps
choosing the profession.
5. The poet’s father and grandfather are similar men. In what way does the poet
differ from them? What are his feelings about this difference?
Unlike his father and grandfather, the poet picks the writing profession instead
of handling a spade.
6. Repetition is a literary device that uses a word or phrase more than once in a
poem or story. Repetition is often used to create a sense of order in the work or to
convey something specific. Can you spot the repetition in this poem? Why does
the poet employ this device?
“Between my finger and my thumb” is the line which is repetitive in the poem. It
explains that the poet has chosen his profession to write using a pen with his
hand. The poet employs this device in order to show the importance of his
transition.
7. Read the last line of the poem. What does the poet mean by this?
The last line of the poem “I’ll dig with it” refers that the poet does not use a
spade; instead he uses a pen to dig out his memories of the past. The poet is
ready to do his digging through writing.
8. The entire poem can be read as the poet’s attempts to come to terms with his
chosen profession. Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
Yes I agree. The poet attempts to unfold the idea of choosing his profession
unlike his father and grandfather.

5. OZYMANDIAS OF EGYPT

PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY

SUMMARY

Ozymandias is a sonnet composed by the romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. The poet
presents the reader with a stunning vision of the tomb of ozymandias, another name for
Ramses II, King of Egypt during the 13th century B.C. Shelley emphasizes that to a
modern viewer this tomb tells quite a different tale than that which Ozymandias had
hoped it would. The king evidently commissioned a sculptor to create an enormous
sphinx to represent his enduring power, but the traveller comes across only a broken
heap of stones ravaged by time.

The poem tries to convey two important aspects of life. One of the aspects is short
life ,span of power and glory of a human being and another aspect is the sheer
vastness of the mother nature. The poem highlights predominantly the fragility of

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humans which is aptly mimicked by the broken statue. The huge stone legs are
standing on the pedestal, a look as lifeless as a leg would be without the body. The
head is lying half sunk in the sand as if sinking on the sands of time. The permanent
sneer on the face of the dust shows that sculptor was quite successful in carving the
human emotion on stone.

The poet says that the remnants of the statue are gigantic in proportions but they are
nevertheless dwarfed by the vastness of the desert.

Answer the Following

1. Why does the poet specify that the traveller is from an antique land? What does
this tell you about the sights he describes?

Ozymandias ruled the terrains of Egypt about 4000 years ago. Hence this tells the
term ‘antique land’ which refers to the old Egyptian civilization.

2. Read the description of the face of the statue. What does this tell you about
Ozymandias?

‘Visage’ means face. Near the broken parts of his huge statue of the king, lay
shattered face, which had a frown and a wrinkled expression on his face. The
face also held a hostile expression of cold command.

3. What does, “Nothing beside remains”, tell you about the place where the
traveller saw the statue?

When the narrator expresses these words, he emphasis on the fact that human
life is time bound. The power and popularity of the ruler descends with the
descent of the ruler. Nothing is immortal in this world.

4. Write a short character sketch of Ozymandias, based on your reading of the

poem.

Ozymandias was a great powerful king as he had defeated almost every king in
his empire. His achievements could be seen throughout the empire .But his
boastful nature, his arrogance, and his nature of showing himself greater than
others makes him a feeble person.

6. Leave this chanting

SUMMARY

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Leave this chanting and singing and telling of Beads is the Eleventh poem in the
collection of Gitanjali composed by the Bengali Poet Rabindranath Tagore. His songs
and music covers many aspects of human feelings. He won the noble prize in literature.
In this poem the poet, urges the reader they should leave chanting, singing and telling
of beads. He questions the religious people “Whom do you worship in this lovely dark
corner of temple?” He states that open your eyes God is not before you and he is not to
be search in this way. God will be in the tillers of the land and path makers those who
are working hard. The poet conveys one can see the God in sun and in shower, and
even like him come down on the dusty soil. The poet questioned where is deliverance
to be found? God is the creator and master of everything he created this world joyfully,
bonds with us. Why people are meditating and chanting. Come out of the meditation
leave aside flowers incense. Even when your clothes become tattered and stained there
is no harm one is going to see the creator.

Answer the Following

1 .Who do you think the poet is addressing? From the poem pick out the phrases
and words which reveal the identity of the person addressed.

The poet is addressing the priests/devotees. Dark corner, put off, comedown, come
out. Whom does thou worship in this lonely dark corner of a temple with doors all
shut.

2 .What does the poet argue the priest /devotee to do at the beginning of the poem?

The poet argues the priest/devotee to leave this chanting and singing and telling of
beads. And urges them to stop the worship of god the lonely corner of temple.

3 .The poet creates an image of ‘man’ and also of God. What kind of man and God
does Tagore create?

According to the poet man cannot find God in the temple. God is the creator .He
lives with the humble down trodden like the tillers of the path makers who work
hard and break stones.

4 .Where can God be found?

God can be found in those who toil in the sun and shower and whose clothes are
soiled with dust.

5 .Do you think the poet approves of rituals and blind worship?

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No he does not.

Short Stories
1. The Happy Prince

-Oscar Wilde

Summary

Oscar Wilde was a well-known and famous writer in Irish literature who wrote a
number of novels, poems, plays, and short stories. He has written this short story using
fairy tales features. This story is being narrated by a mathematical teacher to the
students. A happy Prince and a Swallow are the two main characters of the story. After
the death of the Happy Prince, the Mayor and two councillors decided to keep a statue
of him in the midst of the city. The statue was fully ornamented by gold. Swallow, a
bird came in search of home near the statue one night. It noticed that the prince was
crying at the moment. Immediately the bird asked the prince the reason behind his
sorrow and the prince began narrating.

The Prince told swallow that he lived a very happy life and never knew what pain
or sorrow was. But when he became a statue, he could witness pain and sorrow in the
life of poor humans, which disturbed him a lot. The prince asked swallow to help the
poor by picking out gold from the statue and giving it to the needy. The Swallow
picked off ruby, sapphires, and gold from the statue and gave it to the poor and needy.
The prince felt very happy about it. Unable to bear the cold swallow died falling over
the feet of the prince.

Next day when the mayor and councillor crossed the area, they saw the statue in a
ruined condition. The statue collapsed at the place where the Swallow laid dead. They
both were discussing if they should rebuild the statue of the prince or a have a statue of
their own at the very same place. On seeing these incidents God sent for his Angel to
bring the bird to Paradise. God made it a heavenly bird by making it sing in the
Paradise so that its song would be heard always in paradise. Because of its good deeds,
it was rewarded by God. Thus the story of the happy Prince ends.

1. How does Oscar Wilde make creative use of the fairy tale to discuss a tragic
modern problem?

Generally Fairy tales discuss about unreal characteristics and happenings.

Likewise Oscar Wilde uses fairy tale features such as a talking statue and bird. The

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statue’s love for the poor in the modern period and the love of the bird for the statue
reveal the tragic modern problem.

2. Who is the more important character in the story, the prince or the Swallow?

By reading and understanding of this Happy Prince story, we cannot judge the
most important character. Without Swallow, the prince would have not fulfilled his
wish of helping the poor people. Without fulfilling the ideas of the prince in helping
the poor, the Swallow would have not gained the heavenly status.

3. How do both the swallow and the prince progress from a condition of ‘lack’ in
the beginning to a position of ‘fulfilment’ in the end?

In the beginning the prince was unhappy as he was not able to help the poor.
Finally it got fulfilled because of Swallow. At the same Swallow too was wandering
in search of a home, but finally reached Heaven where it was given a Heavenly
status.

4. Discuss how the story is not just a fairy tale but an explicit social commentary?

The story talks about the vagaries of modern society. The mayor and councillors
who are at power and supposed to take care of the people fail in their actions.
Ironically a statue feels sorry for the state of the poor people and it induces a bird to
help them. It reveals how mankind fails to help the people in need.

5. “There is an equation between good deeds and heavenly rewards.” Comment on

the saying with reference to the story?

Swallow did good deeds in helping poor in different causes. After Swallow died,
god sent his Angel to bring the bird to Paradise. It thereafter remained in the
Paradise singing songs, which gave it a heavenly status.

6. Fairy tales are conventionally meant for children. Is this true of ‘The Happy
Prince’?

Fairy tales themes are generally written for children’s enjoyment. They have a
message in it. This short story is also one such fairy tale. It has a deep social
message. It talks about the need to help poor and the needy. But fairy tales also
teach adults the most forgotten values.

7. How does the character of the Swallow grow and develop?

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In the beginning of this story Swallow came to stay in the statue of the happy
prince. Knowing the story and feelings of the Prince, it decides to help him. Slowly,
it grows and reforms itself for the betterment of mankind.

8. Does the world recognise the selfless deeds of the Prince? Is the ending fair to the
Prince or is this what he deserves?

The Prince told swallow that he lived a very happy life and never knew what
pain or sorrow was. But when he became a statue, he could witness pain and sorrow
in the life of poor humans, which disturbed him a lot. His love for the mankind
would have not been recognised by the world, but he attained happiness in helping
the poor. Unfortunately he faced an unfair ending, since he felt that his messenger,
the bird lost its life without proper shelter and food.

9. Identify the elements of a fairy tale in ‘The Happy Prince’?

Firstly the Prince’s statue speaks of its sadness to the bird. Secondly the bird
listens to his ideas and helps the poor. Thirdly, the statue gives all its stones and
gold to the poor. Fourth the bird declares its love for the Prince and dies an unhappy
death at the feet of the prince’s statue. Finally, the statue gets collapsed the very next
day of the Bird’s death.

10. In what ways is the happy prince different from the conventional fairy tale?

Fairy tales characters are in unrealistic manner perform in the story of any
theme. It gives the predominant contribution to the role of imagination and unreal.
Fairy tales theme should be treated with happy ending. In order to find out this
happy prince story is treated with fairy tale elements, except the end of this story is
not concluded with happy. Instead of happy ending this story is ended with pathetic
situation.

2.The Story of Stanford

Summary
The story of Stanford is a short story which is written in a realistic manner. The
story starts with an introduction of a lady and her husband who travel all the way to
Boston to meet the President of Harvard University. Without having any prior
appointment they enter the university, besides feeling very nervous and shy. On her
way into the office, the secretary notices them and she thinks that they almost
resembled people from the remote country side.
She questions them and tells them that you have nothing to do within the
university. The man tells the secretary that they have come to meet the President. On

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hearing this, the secretary gets angry. She thinks about the various means to send them
out of the university. But to her surprise the couple were too stubborn and were not
ready to move unless they meet the President.
Since the couple were stubborn, the secretary forced herself to inform about their
entry to the president and pleased the president to meet them. The president admits to
meet the couple who came on a specific purpose. He asked them if he could help them
in any way. The lady explained to him that their son studied in Harvard for a year and
he loved it very much. He led a very happy life in Harvard but unfortunately he was
accidentally killed. Hence they requested the President that they wanted to built a
Memorial in remembrance of their son, somewhere within the campus and had come to
seek his permission. If he grants them permission to build a memorial, very soon the
university would become a cemetery as everyone would wish for the same. The lady
immediately replied that they have come to donate money for the building and not for
building a statue.
The president got upset and was not able to react to their explanations. Moreover
he was irritated by their appearance and felt that they need more understanding. With a
very soft tone he questioned them if they knew how much a building would cost at
Harvard. He told them that it somewhere came around seven and a half million dollars.
After listening patiently to the president, the lady told her husband that the amount
demanded by the president was the total money one would require to start a university.
In the end the couple, Mr. and Mrs Leland Stanford travelled to Palo Alto, California
and started a university under their name. But they always felt hard that they were
unable to build a statue in memory of their son at Harvard.

Answer the Following

1.What do you gather about the lady and the man from their initial description? Did
you have the same impression about them at the end of the story? Why or why not?
In the beginning, the couple were pictured as people from a remote background
and uneducated. They were very nervous and shy. But in the end of the story they
surprised everyone as they felt that the amount demanded by the president to build a
memorial inside Harvard was the total money required to start a university and they
started a university of their own. Thus the story clearly proves that “Appearances are
often deceptive”. The couple were measured in terms of their appearance.

2. How were the couple different from most rich people?

Generally the rich lead a highly sophisticated life and possess the power to do
things as they wish, unmindful of anyone around them. They appear to be highly
educated and civilised.
But the couple portrayed in the story are ordinary people from the village, who
speaks out their views from the heart and showcases their love for their son, unmindful
of power and social status of the person to whom they were talking to.

3. What were the various difficulties that the couple faced in fulfilling their mission of
building a memorial to their son?
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First of all, the couple felt that their appearance was not pleasing. This is because
they were uneducated, poor and wore torn clothes. Secondly, the couple were not
respected by the secretary. She insults them for not taking prior permission to meet the
president. In the end, the answer given by the President was also not satisfactory. Thus,
these were the various difficulties the couple faced in fulfilling their mission of building
a memorial for their son.

4. There is a clear power equation at work in this story. Can you identify how this
equation shifts and changes? What are the reasons for these shifts?
The shift and changes in the power equation can be identified when; the
President tells the couple the total amount that would cost to build a memorial
within the university, considering them to be poor. When the couple decided to start
a university of their own, rather than building a memorial for their son, the
President understood that even the poor possess ability and power.
5. Did you think the president of Harvard University behaved appropriately towards
the couple? Give reasons to justify your answer.
In the beginning, the President judged the couple by their mere appearance and
told them the total amount that would take to build a memorial within the campus.
But he is surprised when he comes to know that the couple possessed money to start
a university. He understood the true love of the couple for their son. He felt bad for
underestimating the couple based on their appearance. According to the president
of Harvard University and his position, he never failed to do his duty of answering
to the couple, though he got different opinions about them.

3.Engine trouble
-R.K.Narayan
Summary
Engine trouble is a short story written by R.K.Narayan. Generally, he uses simple
language in his writings. In this short story, there is a narrator, who narrates the various
problems that he faced in owning a road engine which he got by luck in a game show at
Gymkhana Grounds.
The story begins with the narrator illustrating a problem that took place in his
life a few years earlier. A showman conducted a game show in the Gymkhana grounds,
after getting permission from the municipality. He ran the game show with several
events like fun games, gambling and side-shows. The narrator went to the show and
participated in a game by taking a ticket of eight annas. The showman announced that
the narrator becomes a lucky winner to own a road engine. He felt very happy and he
was congratulated by everyone who participated in the game show. But soon he
suffered from a problem of how to take the road engine from the Gymkhana Grounds.
He requested the municipality office and the showman to help him remove the road
engine from that ground. But no one helped him.

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There were strict orders from the municipality office to remove the road engine
immediately. If not he was ordered to pay a rent of rupees ten every month. He
somehow made up his mind to pay the money. Meanwhile he thought of compensating
the paid rent by selling the engine later. After a few months he realised that he had
problems in paying the rent and requested the municipality chairman to help him as he
was poor and lived with his wife in a rented house for four rupees per month but paid
ten rupees for the road engine. He also made it clear that he had not fulfilled even the
promises of getting jewels or belongings to his wife. He requested the chairman to
thereby show sympathy on him and relieve him from paying the rent.
He tried to sell the road engine in good offer prices, but no one came forward.
Any how he had to remove the engine from that place. So he planned with help of his
friend Joseph who was a dismissed bus driver in that town to remove the engine with
the help of a temple elephant and fifty men who would be paid wages. He went to
Gymkhana Grounds with all of them and executed the narrator’s plan. People were
watching with much excitement and the narrator felt very happy to see the Engine
move. Unfortunately due to heavy weight the driver lost control over the wheels, while
the elephant lost control over the rope and stepped out screaming. The wagers too
couldn’t control and the engine finally dashed a compound wall and damaged it very
badly. The narrator got slapped by the compound wall owner and he called for the
police. The police arrived and prisoned the narrator.
When the narrator was in jail he thought of how to settle money to his friend,
temple priest, the fifty wagers and the owner of compound wall. He was kept in lock-
up. After the policemen let him free and he went home. His wife got to know
everything from the village people. And he earns disrespect from both his wife and the
villagers. So he decided to disappear from the town and encouraged his wife to write a
letter to her father to take her with him and to give an end to everything.
The next day he came to know about Swamiji’s entry into the Gymkhana
Grounds for his magical show. The narrator felt very happy about magic show. Swamiji
performed several magic and got appreciation from audience. For his next magic, he
demanded a road engine from the municipality. He planned to make the road engine
run over his chest and impress the audience. But the municipality chairman did not
have a road engine and he demanded the narrator to help him. The narrator accepted
his request. But the policemen suddenly arrived and restricted Swamiji in performing
the magic, since as per jurisdiction order, running an engine over a person’s body was
to be prohibited. Swamiji left the place angrily and the narrator’s plan to move the
engine once again got shattered.
In the end the narrator decided to leave the town the next day. At that night
there was an earthquake which destroyed several properties. The narrator heard of the
news and decided to have one last look of the engine before he left the town. To his
surprise the engine was found stuck exactly like a cork in a disused well which had
muddiest water., and the compound wall owner approached him with much happiness
and told him that he would withdraw the case for the broken wall by himself and also
accepted to pay the expenses that the narrator spent for the road engine. The
earthquake moved the engine to a safe area and the compound owner got relieved from

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the municipality’s charge of stagnant water due to the engine. Finally the narrator did
not gain anything with the road engine. It appeared as it was.

1. How did the narrator come to own a road engine?

A showman conducted a game show in the Gymkhana grounds, after getting
permission from the municipality. He ran the game show with several events like fun
games, gambling and side-shows. The narrator went to the show and participated in a
game by taking a ticket of eight annas. That ticket won the lucky draw and won the
narrator a road engine.

2. The narrator had hoped that he would be able to earn some money from the engine.
Was his hope justified? Why not?
After the narrator won the road engine, he got a hope that he will earn some
money with help of the road engine. But his fate was that he was pushed into a bad
situation and he could not remove the engine from Gymkhana Grounds. Because of
owning the road engine and keeping the engine at Gymkhana Grounds, he was asked
to pay rent from the municipality office. Though he aimed to earn with help of the road
engine, he lost his own money .
3.Why does the narrator repeat the statement, “I am a poor man”? What is the effect
of this stament on the readers and listeners?
“I am a poor man” is a statement often used by the narrator in this story. This is
because he was unable to pay the rent to the municipality for keeping his owned road
engine at Gymkhana Grounds. He tried to remove that engine from that place but all
was turned vain. Even when he was arrested by the police, he tells the very same
statement. Readers and listeners come to know about his pitiable situation where his
expenses over the engine exceeded income.
4Why does the Swamiji leave the town in such anger?
Swamiji has performed magic in front of many people at Gymkhana Grounds.
While he was doing his magic, police men came and prohibited him from performing as
per jurisdiction. He was restricted from moving the engine over his chest and
swallowing potassium cyanide. Listening to these, entire he left the town with much
anger.
5.What plan does the narrator come up with, in order to escape the consequence of the
engine?
In order to escape from the consequence, the narrator, decided to run away from
the village. He encouraged his wife to write a letter to her father to take her with him
and to give put an end to everything.
Does he succeed in this attempt? Why or why not?
He did not succeed his attempts because he went to Swamiji’s magic show at the
Gymkhana Grounds. He thought that with the help of Swamiji’s show, he could be able
to remove the road engine and use it for earning money in future. But it did not happen
at all.
1. Discuss the significance of the title?

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Engine trouble is the title of this short story. The title indicates to the readers
about the trouble created by the engine. As the title suggests, the engine is the reason
behind all troubles in this story.
2. Despite all the trouble caused by the engine, the narrator is fond of it. Do you
agree? Give instances from the story to support your answer?
It is true that the narrator was so fond of the road engine, even though it was
giving trouble to the narrator in this story. In order to elaborate the narrator’s trouble as
well as his fond of earning money by the road engine, we could find some instance in
this story.
At first he paid ten annas as a rental amount for keeping the engine at
Gymkhana Grounds, though he and his wife were living in a rental house for four
rupees. Secondly, though he was into trouble of paying the rent to the municipality
office, he was ready to spent money for removing the road engine from that ground
with help of his friend driver, providing Wages for fifty men, and temple elephant.
Thirdly, He found that Swamiji would help him to remove the engine from that place
and he would earn more money.

4.After twenty years

Summary
‘After twenty years’ is a short story written by O.Henry, a prolific
American short story writer. His stories are mostly treated with suspense and
twist in the theme. This short story begins with the entry of a policeman who
walks on the street with a swinging movement looking for someone. He does his
patrol duty at 10’o clock in the night, when the people seem to be very few on the
streets. Presently, the climatic condition is too snowy with strong wind. It was as
if people cannot survive without a coat or a sweater. Even the policeman wore a
sweater to be protected from the bitter cold. As usual he walked with his natural
movement, when suddenly he met a person near a darkened hardware store
without lighting his cigarette in his mouth.
He starts to explain to the policeman why he was there and was waiting
for whom. He tells the policeman that he was waiting to meet his friend Jimmy
Wells. He tells the policeman that they initially met each other in New York
when he was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty. Both of them parted from this
very same place which was once a restaurant at 10 o clock in the night and
decided to meet in the very same place after twenty years.
He says that this was the reason behind his appearance in front of the
hardware shop, which was once a restaurant. While explaining, he lights up his
cigar and his face reflects a pale look. He says to himself that his friend would
surely come to meet him, had he not been dead. He starts talking about the
characteristic features of his friend Jimmy. He says that Jimmy is a kind hearted
person and a perfect gentleman. He is the most generous person in the world he
has ever seen. Suddenly he looks at his watch and the time is around 10 o clock.
His eagerness to meet his friend doubles up. The policeman wished him and left
the place immediately.

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In the end he waits for half an hour. He talks to himself that he is pretty
sure of his friend’s arrival. He sees a man approaching him and enquiring him
whether his name was Bob. Immediately he felt very happy, that his friend has
come to see him after twenty years of time. Bob tells Jimmy that twenty years of
time has totally changed his appearance. Both of them decide to walk on the
street and remember their past experiences. While they were walking on the
street, Bob comes to an understanding that the person next to him is not his
friend, as there was a sudden flash of light from the street on Jimmy’s face.
Bob stops his walk and asks him if he is Jimmy. Presently he understands
that the person next to him is a policeman and Bob could listen to him telling
him that he is under arrest. The policeman tells him that he is wanted by Chicago
and handovers a letter to him which the patrolman Wells asked to give him. He
understands that the patrolman was his friend Jimmy and started reading the
letter. He wrote
Bob: I was at the appointed place on time. When you struck the match to
light your cigar I saw it was the face of the man wanted in Chicago. Somehow I
could not do it myself, so I went around and got a plain clothes man to do the job

5.Two Gentlemen of Verona

- A.J.Cronin
Summary
The author of this short story, A.J.Cronin had great interest in writing and wrote
many books in different genres. This play begins with the introduction of the narrator
and his companion who travelled to Verona. While they were nearing Verona, their car
was stopped by two young boys who requested them to buy them strawberries. But the
driver restricted them from buying it. He said that they could buy fresh berries in
Verona. Both the boys felt unhappy as they were not able to sell their strawberries.
Through their conversations, the narrator came to know their names. Nicola was
thirteen while Jacopo was near to twelve. Both of them were brothers and wore torn
clothes. But their looks were very confident. Looking at them and their condition, the
narrator bought a big basket of strawberries and moved from there.
Next morning, the narrator found the same brothers doing shoe polishing job on
the streets. The narrator approached them and spoke with them. He asked them why
they did not eat and dress properly while they were working very hard. The boys told
with a smile that they had their own aims. The next few days when the narrator was in
the city, he was helped by the boys. The narrator felt happy about their genuine works
and their hopeful involvement in any work they undertook.
Since the narrator had plans to leave on Monday, he approached the brothers
and wished to do something for them. Jacopo asked the narrator, if he could send his
car and driver along with them to Poleta which was thirty kilometres from Verona.
Every Sunday they went to Poleta by bicycles, but this time they felt very happy to go
in a car. The narrator told them that he wished to take them, as the driver was on leave.

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On Sunday afternoon, they went to Poleta and the brothers were seen to run in
happiness on seeing a home. There was a hospital inside and the brothers requested the
narrator to wait for an hour.
The narrator could not understand anything and hence followed them. He came
to know that the brothers came to see their sister Lucia, who was twenty. She was badly
injured because of the war. He also came to know from the nurse that they all led a
happy life with their father who was a singer. As their father died due to a dangerous
war in their living place, they could not find a shelter for themselves. The sister also got
badly injured and was admitted in a hospital for treatment. Both the brothers lived on
the streets and spent whatever they earned, on their sister’s treatment.
Very soon the brothers came out of the home and asked the narrator to drop
them in the very same place, they came from. The narrator did not reveal or ask them
anything but took them back to their place.

Answer the Following

1. What were the different ways in which Nicola and Jacopo earned money? Do
you think all these were jobs suitable for young boys of their age? Give your
reasons.

Nicola was thirteen while Jacopo was near to twelve. Normally at this young age
they should study and play along with their friends, but their fate was to earn money.
They did petty jobs like selling strawberries, polishing shoes, guiding tourists, and
selling newspapers. These jobs are not suitable for them at this age.

2. Do you think the boys had ambition about their own lives? What gives you the
idea?

The boys did not have any ambition in their own life. Instead of having ambition
in their own life, they had vision to protect the people in the society against the war.
They wanted to save their sister and the society from disaster. They did not mind about
their happiness.

3. How did the family of Nicola and Jacopo live before the war?
Nicola and Jacopo lived their life with their father and their sister Lucia, before
the war. They enjoyed living with their father who was a singer and owned a home of
their own. Unfortunately they lost everything because of war.

4. How did the boys conduct themselves during the war?

After the war intervened in Verona, it came under the control of the German
Elite Guard and ruled in an inappropriate manner for nearly three years. People in
Verona could not do anything against the ruthless power. But these young boys joined
in the resistance movement and secretly helped to bring back calm in city of Verona.

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A.M. Jain College Shift-II Department of English; II year; III semester
Notes Prepared by Professors: Maaran, Vairavan,Balamurugan, Rekhabanu& Sheeba
REFLECTION

5. What you think is the central theme of the story? Support your answer with
details from the story?
The central theme of this short story is serving humanity in the society. The love,
the young boys had for their sister and nation. It also depicts how the boys managed to
live their life in Verona after the death of their father. Though the boys strained a lot in
earning money for their survival, they never cheated anybody. They exhibited their love
and humanity for their country by joining the resistance movement in order to save the
nation.

6.The Avenger

Summary
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a well-known Russian short story writer. His theme
mostly revolves around the lives of ordinary people. In this story he has tried to portray
the theme of marital affair. He talks about this particular issue in the story after he came
to know about his unfaithful wife.
The story begins with the introduction of Fedor Sigaev who is the central
character. When he found that his wife was unfaithful to him, he decided to avenge his
wife and her lover. So he went to buy a revolver from a nearby shop. There he enquired
to the salesman regarding the price and condition of the revolver. The salesman
questioned him whether he was buying the revolver to kill his unfaithful wife and her
lover. Though he was surprised by the salesman’s question, he was not happy in telling
him the truth. The salesman had seen many a men in Russia, buying revolver to kill
their unfaithful wives and their lovers. That is why he intended to ask the very same
question to Sigaev.
Sigaev thought of various ways and means to kill his wife. He brought in his dreams
four different decisions which are detailed below in the table:
Decision Decided Reason for the decision
First decision To kill his wife, her He wants to show to his
lover and finally himself relatives and the public
that his wife was
unfaithful
Second decision To kill himself and She has to live her life
wife’s lover and spare with so much suffering
her and she should realise
her mistakes when
others come to her
reassuring her mistakes.
Third decision To kill his wife’s lover, After getting arrested, he
get arrested and leave and his wife have to
her all alone present themselves in
front of judge and
public. He wishes to

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A.M. Jain College Shift-II Department of English; II year; III semester
Notes Prepared by Professors: Maaran, Vairavan,Balamurugan, Rekhabanu& Sheeba
REFLECTION

explain there about his

unfaithful wife, so that
she may not escape from
the truth and would be
ashamed of herself.
Forth decision Will not kill both of If he kills him, he will
them as well as himelf get arrested and she will
marry another person.
Then she will cheat her
second husband. So he
goes for divorce.

While the salesman was narrating about how he sold several revolvers on
various occasions, there was a shift in the thoughts of Sigaev to avenge his wife. At this
point the salesman gives him an example about Smith-Wesson’s modal of revolvers
which are generally considered to be the best ones, to buy and kill anyone without
much risk. In order to make him buy the revolver, the salesman highlighted an incident
from the newspaper wherein an army man fired his wife’s seducer. The bullet went
through his chest and then it hurted his wife. The man was caught by police and
charged to be in the penal servitude in Siberia. He said that it was the condition of
many married men in Russia.
The salesman also pointed out that in Russia, jury and law support women with
extra marital affairs. Suppose a husband takes revenge on his unfaithful wife and her
lover, the husband will be punished by the law and will be put in prison. After
listening to the salesman’s real experiences, Sigaev decided not to kill his wife or her
lover but preferred to go for divorce.
The story ends when Sigaev does not buy any revolver but gets a net instead. He
purchased the net only for the sake of the salesman who spoke much about firearms to
him.

Answer the Following

1. In which country is the story set? How do you know?

The story is set in Russia because the word ‘Roubles ‘in the story denotes the
Russian currency. Moreover the writer Anton Chekov hails from Russia.
2. Do you think the shopkeeper knew why Sigaev wanted to buy a revolver?
The shopkeeper does not exactly know the reason for his purchase of the
revolver. But the shopkeeper with his experience assumes that Sigaev wanted to buy a
revolver in order to kill his unfaithful wife as many men came to his shop to buy a
revolver and kill their unfaithful wives.
3. Why did Sigaev lie to the shopkeeper about wanting to buy a revolver?

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A.M. Jain College Shift-II Department of English; II year; III semester
Notes Prepared by Professors: Maaran, Vairavan,Balamurugan, Rekhabanu& Sheeba
REFLECTION

Human nature is that they will share good things to anyone rather sharing their
bad deeds to others. As this is an immoral to kill his unfaithful wife, Sigaev may
not have informed the purpose of buying a revolver to the shopkeeper.
4. Why didn’t Sigaev want to call his wife’s lover out for a duel?
Sigaev did not like to call his wife’s lover for a duel because he felt that it was not
only the mistake committed by his wife’s lover but also his wife. He also felt that
in case they challenge for an open duel, it would spoil both of their reputation in
the society.
5. Sigaev kept changing his decision throughout the story. Can you summarize
them in this table?
Decision Decided Reason for the decision
First decision To kill his wife, her He wants to show to his
lover and finally himself relatives and the public
that his wife was
unfaithful
Second decision To kill himself and his She has to live her life
wife’s lover and spare with so much suffering
her and she should realise
her mistakes when
others come to her for
reassuring her mistakes.
Third decision To kill wife’s lover, get After getting arrested, he
arrested and leave her and his wife have to
all alone present themselves in
front of judge and
public. He wishes to
explain there about his
unfaithful wife, so that
she may not escape from
the truth and would be
ashamed of herself.
Forth decision Will not kill both of If he kill himself, he will
them as well as himself get arrested and she will
marry another person.
Then she will cheat her
second husband. So he
goes for divorce.

6. What do you understand about the stability of married life in the country where
the story takes place? How do you come to know of it?
In Russia, the jury and law support women living with their second husband.
Suppose a husband takes revenge on his unfaithful wife or her lover, the husband will
be punished by the law and will be put in the prison. The salesman highlighted an
incident from the news paper wherein an army man fired his wife’s seducer. The bullet

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A.M. Jain College Shift-II Department of English; II year; III semester
Notes Prepared by Professors: Maaran, Vairavan,Balamurugan, Rekhabanu& Sheeba
REFLECTION

went through his chest and also hurt his wife. The man was caught by police and
charged to be in the penal servitude in Siberia. He said that this was the condition of
many married men in Russia.
7. Why did Sigaeve buy the net before he walked out of the shop?
Sigaev did not buy any revolver from the shop but gets a net instead. He
purchased the net only for the sake of the salesman who spoke much about firearms
to him. Had he not purchased anything from the shop, the salesman would have
shouted at him for wasting his time and energy.
8. How important is the role of the shopkeeper in bringing about the change in
Sigaev?
The salesman played a predominant role in changing the mindset of Sigaev.
Without his proper depiction of various incidents that took place in Russia, Sigaev
would have not changed his mind. The salesman reveals that it is the plight of many
of the men in Russia, as the jury and law supports only unfaithful women.

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