1.

THE LAST LESSON

- Alphonse Daudet
INTRODUCTION: The last lesson stresses on the importance of education and the necessity to respect and
learn one's own language. This story draws our attention to the unfair practice of linguistic chauvinism. It refers
to an unreasonable pride in one's own language while disregarding all the other languages as inferior.
BACKGROUND OF THE STORY: The story, ‗The Last Lesson has been set in the background of the Franco-
Prussian war that was fought in 1870- 71 between Prussia and France. The Prussians captured the districts of
Alsace and Lorraine. New orders were issued according to which German language was to be taught in place of
French in these two districts.
MAIN POINTS: The story covers the times when French districts of Alsace and Lorraine were taken over by
Prussia. The language German was imposed on French people. People were deeply shattered. They realized what
they had lost.
Franz notices the changes around him and in the school:
• It was a bright day; birds were chirping and the Prussian soldiers were drilling , • A crowd was gathered around
the bulletin board • School was unusually quiet- No sound of desks opening No Sound of lessons repeated
No Sound of rapping of teacher‘s ruler • Mr. Hamel didn‘t scold him • Mr. Hamel was wearing his Sunday
dress -green coat, frilled shirt and black silk hat • The backbenches were occupied by the adults of the village-
Hauser, postmaster and others • Mr. Hamel announced about that being the last lesson in French
Franz’s reaction to the last lesson in French: • He was shocked. • He realized his deficiency in the language
and wished that he had not wasted his time. • He repented wasting his time in fruitless activities (chasing bird‘s
eggs, sliding on the saar) • He appreciated the efforts of Mr. Hamel and accepted him with all his faults • He
suddenly wanted to impress Mr. Hamel with his knowledge in French
• He understood why the villagers had come to the school- • To thank the Master for his services
• To show solidarity for the country that no longer was theirs • To express their repentance for not attending
school and making themselves proficient in their language
Mr. Hamel laments and reflects upon the reasons for the students’ deficiency in the language
• The Germans will laugh at their inability to speak their language
• This is all because of their habit of postponing learning to tomorrow
• It‘s too late to make amends that is there is no time to makeup for the lost time
• They are all to blame for the situation
• Parents preferred sending them to work at farms than to school
• He himself sent them to water the plants whenever he wanted to go fishing, he declared a holiday.
Theme
• The story beautifully highlights the human tendency to postpone learning of things for one feels that there is
plenty of time to do so. One never knows when the doomsday will dawn and bring an end to all our plans, hopes
and aspirations.
• The natives of Alsace realize their folly of not giving importance to the study of French in their school days. So,
they become victims of Linguistic Chauvinism with the acquisition of their districts by Prussia.
• The story also brings to light the brutality of war which makes man insensitive to human feelings and
sentiments.

LOST SPRING
– Anees Jung
Gist
Anees Jung, a famous story writer utters destitution of ragpickers of Seemapuri and bangle makers of Firozabad.
It sensitises the readers to step forward to save the spring (childhood) of beautiful human life so that many
children would be able to avail the opportunities to realize their dreams.
Points to Remember
Saheb-e-Alam
• name means – lord of the universe ,• but earns living by rag-picking , • lives in Seemapuri ,• walks barefoot
Living conditions in Seema Puri • on the outskirts of Delhi, yet miles away from it, home of 10,000 rag
pickers
• make their living by rag-picking, • food and survival more important than an identity • garbage to them is gold
because it is a means of survival .
Mukesh :- • the bangle maker of Firozabad , • high temperature ,• dreams of being a motor mechanic, wants to
break the lineage

Hazards of Working in Glass Bangle Factory

• work place – small and dingy , • long working hours in front of hot furnaces ,• boys and girls assist parents in
the dim light of flickering oil lamps. • eyes more adjusted to dark than light. • dust from polishing bangles affect
their eyes, skin and health • exploited by money lenders, police, bureaucrats, politicians. • fear of being ill-
treated by police. • live in a state of intense poverty.
• live in stinky lanes • over crowded place with humans and animals.
3. DEEP WATER -William Douglas
Deep water opens the way for all to achieve the impossible. Focusing the target, staying determined and
consistent efforts can help to fight the challenges and tough situations of life. Challenges in life are inevitable but
we need to accept them and make our course/run clear so these do not become hindrance for our lives.
Lesson at a Glance

Selma Lagerlof talks about the universality of human goodness that can be awakened through understanding
love, compassion and belief. Experience is the best of school masters and the peddler was able to get a vital
lesson after his encounter with situation and people both. Finally his goodness surfaces and temporary phase of
his bad practices ends. The world turns to be a good place to live.
Gist of the lesson: 1] the peddler was a vagabond who sold rattraps with a little thievery. On the side to make
both ends meet. Had no worldly possession to call his own, not even a name. It amused him to think of the world
as a rattrap and all the material possessions as bait as the world, he felt was never kind to him. Moreover, he
prided himself in the fact that he was out of it.
2] takes shelter at crofter’s cottage, the crofter welcomed him. Gave him dinner shared his pipe, played mjolis
with him also confided in him about his income and showed him where he put it. Next morning, the Peddler
steals the money and takes the back roads to keep away from people and gets lost in the jungle at night. While he
wanders in the forest he realizes that he has also got caught in the rattrap and that the money was the bait.
3] finally reachers ramsjo ironworks where he takes shelter for the night. the blacksmith and his assistant ignore
him but the master mistakes him to be an old acquaintance and invites him home. Though the Peddler does not
correct the ironmaster, hoping to get some money out of him, he declines his invitation. The ironmaster then
sends his daughter who persuades him to go home with her. She notices his uncouth appearance and thinks that
either he has stolen something or he has escaped from jail.
4] the peddler is scrubbed bathed , given a haircut a shave and a suit of ironmaster. In the morning light, the iron
master realizes he is mistaken and that he is not the Captain. He wants to call the Sheriff. The peddler is agitated
and breaks out that the world is rattrap and he too is sure to be caught in it. The ironmaster is amused but orders
him out. The compassionate Edla convinces her father that he should spend the Christmas day with him.
5] the peddler spends the whole Christmas eve eating and sleeping. The next day at church, Edla and her father
come to know that the Peddler is a thief who stole thirty kroners from the poor crofter. Back home, they found a
letter addressed to Edla, signed as Captain Von Stahl and a rattrap as a gift from the crofter. In the rattrap were
the three ten kroner notes.

5-INDIGO -Louis Fischer

Louis Fischer reviews 'The Life of Mahatama' observing closely 'The Champaran episode'. A simple peasant's
entreaty brings the historical change to learn courage and self reliance to protest against the wrong doers for their
rights.
Theme
The chapter displays the importance of effective leadership in improving the lives of people. The author tells us a few
reasons which made Mahatma Gandhiji famous and loved by the masses. He was concerned about the plight of the
poor and fought for their rights. He also made efforts to uplift them and taught them self-reliance.
The lesson gives us a message that leadership along with empathy are vital for someone to become a people’s
person.

Summary– Louis Fischer met Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram. Gandhi told him how he initiated the
departure of the British from India. He recalled that it in 1917 at the request of Rajkumar Shukla, a sharecropper from
Champaran, he visited the place. Gandhi had gone to Lucknow to attend the annual meeting of the Indian National
Congress in the year 1916. Shukla told him that he had come from Champaran to seek his help in order to safeguard
the interests of the sharecroppers. Gandhi told him that he was busy so Shukla accompanied him to various places till
he consented to visit Champaran. His firm decision impressed Gandhiji and he promised him that he would visit
Calcutta at a particular date and then Shukla could come and take him along to Champaran.
Shukla met him at Calcutta and they took a train to Patna. Gandhi went to lawyer Rajendra Prasad’s house and they
waited for him. In order to grab complete knowledge of the situation, he reached Muzzafarpur on 15th April 1917. He
was welcomed by Prof. J.B Kriplani and his students. Gandhi was surprised to see the immense support for an
advocate of home rule like him. He also met some lawyers who were already handling cases of sharecroppers.
As per the contract, 15 percent of the peasant’s landholding was to be reserved for the cultivation of indigo, the crop
of which was given to the landlord as rent. This system was very oppressive. Gandhi wanted to help the
sharecroppers. So he visited the British landlord association but he was not given any information because he was an
outsider. He then went to the commissioner of the Tirhut division who threatened Gandhi and ask him to leave Tirhut.
Instead of returning, he went to Motihari. Here he started gathering complete information about the indigo contract. He
was accompanied by many lawyers. One day as he was on his way to meet a peasant, who was maltreated by the
indigo planters, he was stopped by the police superintendent’s messenger who served him a notice asking him to
leave. Gandhi received the notice but disobeyed the order. A case was filed against him. Many lawyers came to
advise him but when he stressed, they all joined his struggle and even consented to go to jail in order to help the poor
peasants.
On the day of trial, a large crowd gathered near the court. It became impossible to handle them. Gandhi helped the
officers to control the crowd. Gandhi gave his statement that he was not a lawbreaker but he disobeyed so that he
could help the peasants. He was granted bail and later on, the case against him was dropped. Gandhi and his
associates started gathering all sorts of information related to the indigo contract and its misuse. Later, a commission
was set up to look into the matter.
After the inquiry was conducted, the planters were found guilty and were asked to pay back to the peasants.
Expecting refusal, they offered to pay only 25 percent of the amount. Gandhi accepted this too because he wanted to
free the sharecroppers from the binding of the indigo contract.
He opened six schools in Champaran villages and volunteers like Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parikh, and his son,
Devdas taught them. Kasturbai, the wife of Gandhi used to teach personal hygiene. Later on, with the help of a
volunteer doctor, he provided medical facilities to the natives of Champaran, thus making their life a bit better. A
peacemaker, Andrews wanted to volunteer at Champaran ashram. But Gandhi refused as he wanted Indians to learn
the lesson of self-reliance so that they would not depend on others. Gandhi told the writer that it was Champaran’s
incident that made him think that he did not need the Britisher’s advice while he was in his own country.

6-POETS AND PANCAKES -Asoka Mitran

Gemini Studios of Madras (Chennai) and its founder, S.S. Vasan lent substance and quality to the a fragile and
unpredictable movie business. Poet and Pancakes, an excerpt from the book*M Years with Boss brings to life,
the leading members, their talents and roles, their frustrations and ambitions. It gives a panoramic view of the
impact and affiliations of those parts of Gemini Studios with regard to Independent India in its infancy,
communism and its counter productive anti- communism.
 7- THE INTERVIEW -Christopher Silvester
The Interview, written by Christopher Sylvester throws light on various aspects of interview in the field of
journalism. Interview that was invented over 130 years have become a commonplace journalism. However,
opinions of interview- of its functions, methods and merits vary considerably. Part Il is an extract from an
interview of Umberto Eco, author of the popular novel,‘ Name of the Rose‘ by Mukund Padmanabhan from ‗The
Hindu‘. This interview helps us know many aspects of his writing style and ideas. Though he gives the
impression of doing many things at a time, he says he is doing the same thing, pursuing his philosophical
interests through his writings and his novels. Through his modest answers, he tells the secret of his success. He
utilizes the ‗Interstices‘ - empty spaces to his advantage
PART I
• Interview has become a commonplace of journalism. Opinions on the functions, methods and merits of
Interview vary considerably.
• Some claim it to be the highest form, a source of truth and in its practice, an art.
• Some despise the interview as an unwarranted intrusion into lives, which diminishes their personality.
• S. Naipaul feels that ‗some people are wounded by interviews and lose a part of themselves.‘
• Lewis Carroll never consented to be interviewed for he believed it to be ‗a just horror of the interviewer‘.
Rudyard Kipling considered it ‗immoral, a crime, an assault that merits punishment‘.
• G. Wells referred interviewing to be an ‗ordeal‘,
• Saul Bellow describes it ‗like thumbprints on his windpipe‘.
• Despite the drawbacks interview is a supremely serviceable medium of communication. Interviews are the most
vivid impression of our contemporaries and the interviewer holds a position of unprecedented power and
influence.
PART II
• An extract from an interview of Umberto Eco interviewed by Mukund Padmanabhan.
• Umberto Eco was a professor with a formidable reputation as a scholar for his ideas on Semiotics, literary
interpretation and medieval aesthetics before he turned into writing literary fiction. He attained intellectual
superstardom with his publication -The Name of the Rose‘.
• In the interview Eco shares his idea of empty spaces in our lives just as they exist in an atom, which he calls
‗Interstices‘. He says that he makes use of these empty spaces to work.
• Eco‘s essays were scholarly and narrative. He likes to be identified more as a university professor who writes
novels. • Eco‘s ‗The Name of the Rose, a serious novel, which delves into metaphysics, theology and medieval
history, enjoyed a mass audience. It dealt with medieval past. He feels that the novel wouldn't have been so well
received had it been written ten years earlier or later. • In the interview Eco shares his idea of empty spaces in
our lives just as they exist in an atom, which he calls ‗Interstices‘. He says that he makes use of these empty
spaces to work. • Eco‘s essays were scholarly and narrative. He likes to be identified more as a university
professor who writes novels. • Eco‘s ‗The Name of the Rose, a serious novel, which delves into metaphysics,
theology and medieval history, enjoyed a mass audience. It dealt with medieval past. He feels that the novel
wouldn't have been so well received had it been written ten years earlier or later.
8- GOING PLACES ----A.R.Barton
Hero worship is the natural phenomenon of adolescent stage but needs guidance and monitoring. Life is to realize
our dreams with our potential, possibility and limitation. Since, when reality hits, it may shatter the dreams.
Points to Remember
Sophie's ambition and unrealistic dreams wants to start a boutique, wants to earn money by becoming a
manager, an actress or even ,a fashion designer , she comes from a weak socio-economic background
her friend Jansie - simply wants Sophie to be happy. Jansie – realistic can't keep information or secrets to
herself.
Sophie's Dad :- is strong, sweaty and hardworking, loves to watch football matches, does not believe in Sophie's
imaginary stories
Sophie's brother – Geoff is an apprentice mechanic speaks less, Sophie trusts him, shares her secrets with him
Sophie lives in 'a world of her own fantasy :- Sophie is fond of hero worshipping and fantisizing.
Sophie's hero is an Irish player, Danny Casey , dreams of meeting him, obsessed about meeting him, makes up
stories about her meeting , with him starts believing her imagination as real. nobody believes her, feels
disappointed
still believes that she has met Danny Casey.
Going Places summary will help you get a better understanding of the story written by A.R. Barton. It revolves
around fantasies and daydreams. The story tells us about the teenage period where people are often found
dreaming which is far from reality. This period is all about desires and achieving the impossible. In addition,
teens usually have a hero they look up to or adore in this age. However, the main background of the story is
indeed a reality. It tells us about a girl, Sophie, who belongs to a lower-middle-class family. She dreams of
owning the best boutique in the whole town. However, she lacks money and means. Sophie looks up to a young
football player, Danny Casey. She dreams about him so much, she believes she has actually met him. Finally,
these fantasies are what cause her disappointment.

Going Places Summary

The story begins by telling the reader about a teenage girl, Sophie. Being a normal teenager, she has also got
many fantasies and dreams. Sophie belongs to a lower-middle-class family that struggles with finances.
However, she dreams to own a boutique one day. Further, she also dreams of becoming an actress of a fashion
designer. Similarly, Jansie, her friend, is more practical and level-headed. She knows that they do not have a
strong financial background, thus they have to work in a biscuit factory. Jansie does not have any unachievable
fantasies. She tries her best to help Sophie stay in touch with reality, but all that goes in vain as Sophie does not
listen.
Sophie has got two brothers and lives with her parents in a small house. She does not shy away from expressing
her desires and fantasies. However, her parents do not pay much heed to it as they are far more mature than her.
They are already facing the harsh realities of life, thus, they do not believe in her fantasies. Sophie’s elder
brother is Geoff who is tall, strong, and handsome and remains reserved. She is sort of fascinated by her elder
brother. It is so because his silence makes her jealous and wonders what he keeps thinking about.
Further, we learn that Sophie is always fantasizing about a young Irish football player, Danny Casey. She has
seen him play in a number of matches and thus starts liking him. As she is always living in her fantasy world,
she makes up stories about him. In one made-up story, she tells her elder brother, Geoff, that they met one day
in the streets. Being more sensible, Geoff does not believe her story. He feels it is highly unlikely that she just
met such a sensation in the streets just like that.
However, as Sophie is so good at immersing herself in fantasy land, she starts describing life-like details. Thus,
upon hearing these details, even Geoff wishes that what she was saying turns out to be true. She even goes on to
say that they will meet again as Danny has promised her. Thus, Sophie immerses herself so much in the make-
believe story that she starts thinking of it as true.  She keeps waiting for Danny to arrives, but alas he does not.
Thus, on the way back, she is thinking about how Danny’s not turning up will disappoint Geoff. Nonetheless,
she still keeps fantasizing about him and believes they will definitely meet.
Conclusion of Going Places
To sum up, Going Places summary, we learn about the naïve fantasies of teenagers and how reality may hit us
harder as the world in full of compromises and costs a lot of dreams.
First level for the trains of 20
Second level for suburban trains
century

Mushrooming with subways, staircases and corridors like a tree

Charley 's description of the Third Level (imaginary)
Smaller rooms, fewer ticket windows, wooden old styled information booths
Derby hat and gold pocket watches
Men with beards, sideburns and moustaches Women with skirts, high buttoned shoes and legs of buttoned
sleeves
Brass spittoons on the floor,open flamed gas lights, Old styled locomotives with funnel shaped stack ,
Newspaper ‗The World‘, 11th June 1894 , Charley wishes to buy two tickets to Galesburg
Presidents of Newyork swear on the existence of two level , Clerk stares at him since the currency is different
Moves from past to present ( in reality) runs from there ,Charley shares his experience
Psychiatrist friend Sam refuses to believe, Considers waking dream wish fulfillment
Wife Louisa gets worried, disbelieves too Sam disappears Charley gets note from Sam of dated 18July 1894
Sam suggests to keep on searching for the Third Level Reaches Third Level (Galesburg)world of peace
Starts new business of hay ,grain and cattle Enjoys happy and peaceful life
First Day Cover
Stamp collectors buy stamps on the day of release Mail the envelopes , blank paper in it with the postmark of the
date to themselves Covers remain unopened, Charley inherited stamp collection from his grandfather About
Charley- 31 years old ordinary person Takes temporary refuge from reality Wife Louisa worries Imagines
himself at Galesburg in 1894 to stay back at the Third level ― Wants security and peace.
Hobby stamp collection.
Question Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why? (2015; 2018 Delhi)
Answer: The fears, anxieties and insecurities of the modem world are taking a toll on man’s mind. He feels
helpless and frustrated and seeks temporary respite from life’s harsh realities. Charley too was unable to cope
up with his fastpaced and stressful life so his flight to the third level was undoubtedly a medium of escape for
him. It is nothing but a creation of Charley’s own mind. He wants to escape from the modern world’s insecurity,
fear, worries and stress and so seeks an exit, a medium to get away into the world of dreams and fancies.
Question . What made Charley believe that the was actually standing at the third level? (2020 Comptt. Delhi)
Answer: One night Charley worked late at the office. He was in a hurry to get to his apartment. So he decided to
take the subway from Grand Central. He ducked into an arched doorway and then he got lost. He walked down
the steps to the second level, turned left and kept on walking. He came out on the third level at the Grand
Central Station. This was a different, old and romantic world. So he was convinced that he was actually standing
at the third level. There were fewer ticket windows there which were made of wood and were old-looking. There
were open flame gaslights. He saw people with beards, sideburns and fancy moustaches. Then he caught a
glimpse of an old locomotive and also saw an 1894 issue of ‘The World’ newspaper. Perhaps Charley is under
pressure to escape from the harsh world of realities. He would like to escape to the peaceful world of 1894.

2. The Tiger King----By Kalki

The story 'The Tiger King' is a satire on the conceit of those in power. The writer tries to tell us how kings, not
interested in the welfare of the people, circumvented all laws to suit their own selfish interests.
The story is about the Maharaja of Pratibandhpuram about whom the chief astrologer had predicted that the cause
of his death would be a tiger. In order to prove the prophecies of the astrologer wrong, the Maharaja killed ninety
nine tigers, but the hundredth tiger escaped his bullet. Later, one of the hunters killed it by shooting at it from a
close range.The King thought that the hundredth tiger had been killed by him. However, an inanimate wooden
tiger became the hundredth tiger that ultimately caused his death. The prophecy of the astrologer proved to be
true, despite the king's best efforts to prove it wrong.
Points to Remember
Maharaja Pratibandhpuram born as an extra-ordinary child, Prediction about his death due to a tiger the child was
born under bull star bull and tiger are the enemies. Ten day old child surprised all by his intelligent questions.
The child was brought up like an English child. The Prince grew up and became a great king.
The king decided to kill a tiger killed the first tiger successfully. But the chief astrologer warned him that he will
be killed by the hundredth tiger. King became the sole hunter, banned hunting in his estate.
He started killing tigers and thus killed seventy tigers. At times the bullet missed, king fought the beast with his
bare hands and won. He married a princess whose kingdom boasted of tigers.He killed ninety nine tigers.
But he was unable to find one more tiger. The king had one thought during the day and the same dream at night.
The Dewan brought an old and feeble tiger from the zoo. The tiger king aimed at it but it fainted. The king
thought that he had killed the hundred tigers. After the king went away the tiger opened its eyes in bafflement.
One of the hunters killed it. The tiger was honoured and taken in a procession. The king purchased a wooden
tiger for his son to give him some special gift on his birthday. Its sliver pierced the hand of the king.
Infection flared and developed into suppurating sore. Three surgeons from Madras operated on the tiger king.
Announced ‗The operation was successful. The Maharaja is dead.

Question Why did the Tiger King wish to hunt hundred tigers? How far was he able to fulfill his wish? (Comp All
India 2019)
Answer: At the Tiger King’s birth the astrologer had predicted that the death of the new born future king would
come through a tiger and he must specially beware of the hundredth tiger. Amazingly the new-born prince
growled “Let tigers beware!”. He meant that he would not be afraid of tigers, instead tigers would be afraid of him
and he would wipe them out to disprove the astrologers prediction. So when he came of age he wreaked havoc
on the tiger population in an attempt to hunt a hundred tigers as soon as it was possible. The tiger king was able
to kill ninety nine tigers successfully and he was under the impression that he had also killed the hundredth tiger.
But the hundredth tiger had survived his bullet shot. Ironically the death of the Tiger King was brought about by a
toy, a wooden tiger. Which he had bought as a special birthday gift for his son.

Question . The astrologer’s prediction about the death of the Tiger King came to be true. Do you agree with this
statement? Explain why or why not. (CBSE Delhi 2017)
Answer: The chief-astrologer had forewarned the king that a tiger would be responsible for his death and he
should be particularly beware of the hundredth tiger. After killing the hundredth tiger the king was relaxed and
became careless. He did not know that the hundredth tiger had actually survived because the bullet had missed
its mark. Finally it was a tiger that was responsible for the king’s death though it was a toy-tiger which he had
bought as a birthday gift for his son. The carved toy tiger had a rough surface with sharp wooden splinters. One
of these sharp splinters pierced the king’s right hand and caused a deadly infection that spread all over his arm.
Three surgeons tried their level best but they could not save the king and so the astrologer’s prediction did
indeed come true. Despite the fact that the king took every measure to avoid the circumstance of his death the
hundredth tiger took its final revenge upon the king as predicted by the astrologer.

JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH

------BY TISHANI DOSHI
Journey to the End of the Earth by Tishani Doshi is a unique experience of an expedition to the coldest, the driest
and deserted continent in the world. Antarctica Author with a team of High school students wandered in serenity
and enjoyed the whiteness of the place. Mystery of present, past and future is trapped to be explored. 'Students on
Ice' programme was initiated by Geoff Green (Canadian) to provide education an opportunity to the future policy
makers. They got a chance to understand and to respect our planet Earth. Geological and geographical history of
the world is hidden there. This is the time to contemplate on the burning issue of global warming to take care of
our Mother Earth.
A team of 52 members returned back with lots of questions in mind, but with a single solution "take care of the
small things and the big things will fall into the place"
Students on Ice Programme
Set voyage in Russian vessel "Akademik Shokalskiy" Begin 13.09 degree north of the equator in Madras
(Chennai) Travelled over 100 hours by car, aeroplane and ship Crossed nine time zones, six check points, three
oceans and many I ecospheres Filled with relief setting foot on Antarctica, wondered its immensity and
isolation
History of Antarctica
650 years ago part of Gondwana. A giant amalgamated southern subcontinent Climate much warmer, huge
variety offlora & fauna Antarctica and India part of same landmass huge landmass separated into countries
Present datAntarctica
No human population. No tress, no billboards and buildings Blue whales and Icebergs as big as a country
Midges and mites, ubiquitous silence
Human Impact Man‘s dominance on nature results-villeges, cities and megacities Climate change, global
warming, deplation in ozone layer etc. Polar Ice caps melting, lacks in bio-diversity. Effect on marine animals
and birds, phytoplankton activities affected.
Need of the Hour
Sustainable development acknowledging the importance of the planet with its metabolic needs.
Consumption of resources justifiably. ― A small step towards the planet with consistancy will bring the positive
change

Question . The world’s geological history is trapped in the Antarctica. How is the study of this region useful to
us? (2016 Delhi)
Answer: The Antarctic landmass dates back to 650 million years. It was an amalgamated southern
supercontinent called Gondwana. This landmass centered around the present-day Antarctica. Human beings did
not exist as their civilization is only 12,000 years old. The climate at that time was warm and landmass flourished
with a vast variety of flora and fauna. The study of this region shows that Gondwana prospered for 500 million
years. But then the dinosaurs got wiped out and mammals began to appear. The landmass disintegrated into
countries and India, the Himalayas and South America was formed. This left Antarctica frigid at the bottom of the
earth. Today, it stores the key to the significance of coridelleran folds and pre- Cambrian granite shields, ozone
and carbon layers as well as a study of the evolution and extinction. This can help us to understand in a better
way the formation of continents and mountains like the Himalayas as we find them in the modem world. Its ice-
folds hold over half-million-year-old carbon records that are so crucial for the study of the Earth’s past, present
and future, thus trapping the world’s geological history in Antarctica.

Question . How the programme, ‘Students on Ice’ was an attempt to equip future generation with knowledge to
save Earth? (2019 Delhi)
Answer: The objective of the ‘Students on Ice’ programme was to take the High School students to the limits of
the world and provide them with inspiring opportunities in education to enable them to understand and respect
our planet. According to Geoff Green, the High School students are the future policy-makers and through this
programme they would be able to save this planet from the ecological hazards and the harmful effects of global
warming. Antarctica, with its simple ecosystem and lack of biodiversity, is the perfect place to study how little
changes in the environment can have major repercussions. The school students’ impressionable minds can
study and examine the Earth’s past, present and future by their voyage to Antarctica

The Enemy
By Pearl S. Buck
Japan and America are at war during World War II. Dr. Sadao is a Japanese surgeon trained in America. One day
he and his wife, Hana, find a wounded American soldier, perhaps an escaped prisoner, on the beach near his
house. Sadao and Hana are apprehensive about the idea of the soldier being taken care of in their house at the
time of war. Yet, they take him in and Sadao risks his honour, career and life by treating the sailor, operating on
him, and saving the life of the enemy.
However, being a loyal Japanese, he reports about the soldier to the General of the Japanese military. The
General assures Sadao that he would arrange for assassins to eliminate the American soldier. The General was
sick and needed Sadao as he was the best surgeon in Japan. The assassination doesn't take place, and with a sigh
of relief, Sadao helps the soldier escape.
Points to Remember
Dr. Sadao Hoki's house was near the coast in Japan. His father was a great patriot. His only concern was Sadao‘s
education. Dr. Sadao was sent to America to learn surgery and medicine Dr. Sadao was not sent along with the
troopes because the General was under his treatment and needed his services. One day Dr. Sadao saw an injured
young soldier staggering and crawling. Dr. Sadao brought the white soldier inside his house and started treating
him which offended the servants and they decided to leave his house. Dr. Sadao and his wife decided to treat the
soldier in spite of the opposition from the servants. Dr. Sadao's wife Hana was tensed about the presence of an
enemy in her house. Dr. Sadao informed the General about his patient who promised to send his assassins to kill
him.
Dr. Sadao was tensed about the assassination of his patient, had restless night. Assassins didn‘t turn up so he
decided to help the American soldier by providing him with a boat, food and other necessary articles. He
promised to provide him more food in case he was not able to go back beyond the island. The next day when Dr.
Sadao went to treat the General he told him that the man had escaped.
Question .To choose between professional loyalty and patriotism was a dilemma for Dr. Sadao. How did he succeed in
betraying neither? (All India 2017 & 2019)
Answer:Dr. Sadao is not only a good doctor but also a patriot. As a citizen of Japan Dr. Sadao was expected to be loyal to
his country but as a doctor it was his foremost duty to save a life. Dr. Sadao was indeed a patriotic Japanese as well as a
dedicated surgeon. An American run away prisoner in a badly wounded condition is washed ashore on Japanese doctor
Sadao’s doorstep. The doctor is initially a little hesitant to save the prisoner’s life when he discovers the latter’s real
identity. But being a dedicated surgeon he decides to treat the enemy soldier. He is able to save the prisoner’s life but being
a patriotic Japanese he informs a superior Japanese Army General about the prisoner’s presence in his house and even
agrees to have him killed by the General’s assassins. He waits for the assassins to carry out their job but when they do not
arrive, he gives the prisoner his boat and helps him to escape safely thus honouring both the values that he was a patriotic
Japanese as well as a dedicated surgeon.
Question.
Draw a character sketch of the old General in the lesson, ‘The Enemy’. (All India 2011)
Answer: The old General is a man whose personal considerations overweighted all other considerations. Even though the
Second World War was in progress and a doctor of the calibre of Dr. Sadao would have proved to be a blessing for the
wounded soldiers on the front, he was retained in Japan because he was indispensable to the General’s health and well
being. Despite knowing about the presence of the American soldier at Dr. Sadao’s house he refrains from sending his
private assassins to kill the enemy soldier. He understands Dr. Sadao’s importance for his own survival and so does not
want to take a chance in case the assassins accidently harm Dr. Sadao or his wife. The General, therefore, comes across as a
strange and selfish person who is actually too preoccupied with his own self. He being a General, his illness and his fear of
death outweigh all his other considerations, even those towards his country.

On the Face of it
-----By Susan Hill
The play is about an old man with a tin leg and a young boy with a burnt face. The play starts with Derry, the
young boy stealthily entering into Mr. Lamb's garden by jumping over the wall. A dialogue starts between the
two and Mr. Lamb realizes that Derry is bitter, lonely and depressed. He avoids people as he feels they do not
behave normally with him due to his burnt face. Mr. Lamb understands Derry and his anguish and doesn't get
angry with him even though Derry is rude towards him. He makes Derry realize that being handicapped is not a
drawback. He himself had a tin leg, but he had learnt to cope with the indifference and cruelty of others. Mr
Lamb opens the world to Derry by telling him to wait, watch and listen. Initially Derry was very suspicious of
Mr. Lamb, but towards the end, Derry has love and admiration for him. He is ready to face the world and finds
courage and strength to get what he wants. Derry goes back to Mr. Lamb against his mother's advice.
Unfortunately, he finds that Mr. Lamb is no more. He has fallen off a ladder while picking apples.
–By Susan Hill
Point to Remember
Mr. Lamb is sitting all alone in his garden. Suddenly Derry entered the garden thinking no one was inside the
house. Although the gate of the garden was open. Derry entered by jumping over the wall. Derry is scared to see
Mr. Lamb sitting in the garden. Mr. Lamb told him that his gates were always open for all people. Mr. Lamb
assured him, that he could stay there if he wanted to sit there. Derry told him that people were afraid of his burnt
face and hated him.
Mr. Lamb convinced him that both of them were similar as both of them faced a disability. Mr. Lamb also told
him that he should not bother about what others say. Derry was impressed by the positive thoughts of Mr. Lamb.
Gradually Derry was able to realise that he too was better than people . He decided to go home informed his
mother and came back to help Mr. Lamb. Derry fascinated by Mr Lamb‘s talk, motivated and drawn towards
Lamb.
When Derry came back he was shocked to see that Mr. Lamb had fallen from the ladder and had bled to death.
Derry cried, turned emotional but gained confidence to face the world.
Question . Who was Mr. Lamb? How did he make Derry gain confidence and come out of his shell? (Comptt.
Delhi 2017)
Answer: Mr. Lamb is an elderly gentleman who suffers from a physical handicap. He has a tin leg because his
leg had been blown off in the war. The children tease him by calling him “Lamey Lamb” but he does not mind it.
Derry suffers from an acute sense of self-hatred and rejection because of his burnt face. He feels he is very ugly
and so no one will love him. Mr. Lamb too has heard Derry only complain and bemoan about himself. He feels
very sad to see a fourteen year old boy giving up on life just because of his physical disability. Mr. Lamb at first
startles Derry with his strange talk. He tells Derry he is interested in everything created by God. His encouraging
words have a magical effect on Derry. Mr. Lamb’s conversation that everyone and everything is essentially the
same, the notion of beauty is relative and his concept of the world and friendship baffle but appeal to Derry and
he is fascinated by the old man. Mr. Lamb inspires Derry by telling him not to focus on the shortcomings of life
and his handicap and instead he should try to enjoy the blessings of life. He tells him to be thankful to God for
two arms, two legs, two eyes and ears, a tongue and a brain and advises him to be friendly with everyone
around him. Derry’s long conversation with Mr. Lamb helps him overcome his inferiority complex and poor self-
esteem.

Question. Derry sneaked into Mr. Lamb’s garden and it became a turning point in his life. Comment. (Delhi
2016)
Answer: Derry, a complex-stricken lad of fourteen, is a victim of inferiority complex which is borne out of a
misinterpretation of himself and the world. He suffers from an acute sense of self-hatred and rejection due to his
burnt face and this leads him to total alienation. Mr. Lamb too has a disability, a tin leg, but he never allows his
handicap to interfere with the pace and pleasure of his life. Mr. Lamb’s meeting with Derry brings a turning point
in the latter’s life. He gives Derry confidence and persuades him to develop a positive attitude towards life. His
message to Derry is very clear. Alienation and withdrawal is not the solution. Derry believes in running away
from people but Mr. Lamb lives among people. Derry’s brief association with Mr. Lamb proves to be quite
rewarding. Mr. Lamb teaches him a new perspective of looking at life, people and things. Derry decides never to
get back to his old seclusion. His burnt face will no longer interfere with his self-respect, poise and confidence.
He will gradually learn to find his place in the mainstream of life. Mr. Lamb helps Derry rediscover himself and
gives a new meaning to his life. Now Derry wants to leave his handicap behind, forge ahead in life and live life to
the fullest.
MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD
–By Zitkala Sa and Bama
PART-1
THE CUTTING OF MY LONG HAIR
–By Zitkala Sa
Zitkala Sa was a native American Indian who penned down her experiences at the Carlisle Indian School. Her
first day at the School was a bitter-cold one. The customs and rules of the place were strange and new to her. She
was forced to wear clothes that she considered undignified. She felt uncomfortable because she did not know the
table manners at breakfast. Her worst nightmare was when her friend told her that her hair would be cut. She
tried to resist by hiding under the bed, but was dragged out, tied to a chair and her long hair chopped off. The
forced cutting of her hair made her suffer tremendous agony and she lost all spirit.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
1. First day of the narrator in a new school in the land of apples. 2. A large bell to call the children for breakfast.
3. Zitkala-Sa felt humiliated as her dress was very tight and her blanket was removed. 4. A small bell tapped to
draw the chairs from under the tables. 5. Another bell to make them take their seats. 6. Narrator new to the
system, sat down at the first bell only. 7. Nnoticed by the higher authorities, which frightened her a lot. 8. Late
in the evening her friend Judewin told her that they were going to cut her hair. 9. The narrator decided to
struggle before submitting. 10. Crept up stairs. 11. Hid herself under the bed in a large room. Heard people
searching for her.
12. Scared but was not ready to surrender. 13. Resisted by scratching wildly. 14. Ultimately she was dragged
from there and her hair was shingled. She wept and remembered her mother. 15. Beginning of her miseries as
she was treated like an animal.
PART –2
WE TOO ARE HUMAN BEINGS
–By Bama
Bama is a Tamil Dalit woman. She experienced untouchability very early in her life. One day she saw an elderly
person carrying food packet with the help of strings as he was not supposed to touch the food because of his
caste. She found the whole incident funny, but when she narrated it to her brother, he told her that the man held
the packet by its strings because he was an untouchable. He also added that they too belonged to a lower caste.
He told Bama to work hard in order to win honour and dignity for herself. Bama was inspired to fight back the
injustices through education and sheer hard work. She studied hard and stood first in her class.
Question .What kind of discrimination did Bama and Zitkala experience? How did they respond to their
respective situations? (Delhi 2009)
Answer: Bama and Zitkala belonged to marginalised communities. Zitkala was an American Indian woman who
was ill-treated by the whites who adopted force and oppression to compel the natives to shed their age old
customs and traditions. The worst indignity she suffered was the cutting of her long hair. Her long and beautiful
hair were cut after she was dragged out. She cried and resisted by kicking and scratching wildly as she was tied
fast in a chair but still she did not submit. No one came to help her or to console her. Bama, who belonged to a
Dalit community was a victim of the caste system. She was upset by the inhuman attitude of the people
belonging to the ‘higher’ caste towards the ‘lower’ caste. She had experienced the evils of untouchability when
she was studying in the third standard. Both these women fought and struggled against exploitation and
oppression. Zitkala does not submit but struggles when her hair is being shingled. She fights till she is
overpowered. Bama fights against the evils of untouchability in her own way. She works hard and stands first in
her class. People then come to her of their own accord.
Question .Describe how Zitkala-Sa tried in vain to save her hair from being cut. Why did she want to save her
hair? (All India 2009)
Answer: Zitkala-Sa’s friend Judewin warned her that her hair was going to be cut. Judewin knew a few English
words and had overheard the ‘paleface woman’ talking about cutting the native Indian girl’s long hair. This news
shocked Zitkala. Her friend told her to accept her fate but she was not ready to submit and decided to fight
against this oppression. She disappeared unnoticed and went into a room where she crawled and hid under a
bed, cuddling herself in a dark comer. But she was caught and dragged out. She then resisted by kicking and
scratching wildly as she was carried down and tied fast to a chair. As they gnawed at her long hair, she kept
shaking her head. No one came to her aid. Zitkala was desperate to save her hair because among her people
short hair was kept by mourners and shingled hair was a sign of cowardice. So she did not want her long hair to
be cut.

Question What activities did Bama witness on her way back home from school? (Comptt. All India 2014)
Answer: On her way back home from school Bama would take thirty minutes to cover a ten minute distance.
This was because she would witness various activities on her way back home. The performing monkey, the
snake charmer, the cyclist who had not got off his bike for three days. She also watched the Pongal offerings
being cooked in front of the Maariyaata temple. At times people from various political parties would arrive, put up
a stage and harangue the public through their mikes. She would watch a street play, or a puppet show or a
magic stunt performance. All these would happen from time to time. But almost certainly there would be some
entertainment or other going on, that would delay Bama.
Question How did the scene she saw in the market place change Bama’s life? (Comptt. Delhi 2015)
Answer: Bama usually reaches home late from school. She walks along leisurely watching and enjoying the
sights on her way home. One day on her way back, she saw the harvest being threshed. The landlord stood
watching the work being done. It was then that Bama saw one of the elders coming down the street holding a
packet by a string. The packet contained vadais for the landlord. At first Bama thought that the elder man was
being funny. But later her brother told her that the elder man was of a low caste so he was not allowed to touch
the vadais brought for the landlord. This scene infuriated Bama and brought about a ‘ change in her life wherein
she decided to study well, make a position for herself in life and rebel against caste inequalities.