A Horse And Two Goats

A Horse And Two Goats

R.K. Narayan

ASSIGNMENTS

Context Questions

I. (i) Something very small. Kritam, was probably the tiniest of the seven hundred thousand villages in India as it was a microscopic dot on the survey map.

(ii) A map gives the location of the village and the approach route to it. It serves as a guide for motorists — sources of revenue for revenue collectors — boundary of farms for farmers boundary of the village for administators.

(iii) Refer to Setting, on Page 60.

(iv) Kritam in Tamil meant "coronet" or "crown" on the brow of the Indian subcontinent. Muni lived in the last house in the fourth street in the village, beyond which stretched the fields.

(v) The Big House, unlike other houses was built with brickand cement. It was painted yellow and blue all over with carvings of

gods. The others houses were of bamboo thatch, straw, mud and other unspecified materials. The theme of Wealth and Poverty is reflected by the grandeur of the Big House versus the poor unkempt state of the other houses.

II. (i) He would take his sheep and goats everyday to the highway to graze around. He carried a crook at the end of a bamboo pole to collect foliage from the avenue trees to feed his flock.

(ii) In his prosperous days Muni had owned a flock of forty sheep and goats. Gradually, Muni's fortunes declined and his flock of forty was reduced to only two goats.

(iii) Muni's wife would give him salted millet flour in boiled water for breakfast. For midday meal, she would give him the same millet cooked into a little ball, which he could swallow with a raw onion. This shows their poverty as they could not afford anything else.

(iv) This was done so that his two goats could graze only within a set radius and not wander off and get lost. Although no one could say precisely -who owned the tree, the only claim Muni had was that he lived in its shadow.

(v) Refer to Muni, under Characterisation, Page 56 and Wealth and Poverty, under Themes, Page 59.

III. (i) He was tired of eating drumstick leaves alone. He wanted to relish drumstick with sauce for a change.

(ii) His wife agreed thinking that next year, Muni might not be alive to ask for anything. She asked him to bring a few food items including a measure of rice or millet.

(iii) To attract the attention of the shopkeeper, Muni kept clearing his throat, coughing and sneezing. Muni, responded appropriately at the shop man's jokes. This helped him win the shop man over.

(iv) Muni would go and sit outside the shop. He would make polite sounds by cleaning his throat, coughing and sneezing until he caught the attention of the shop man. He would humour the shop man by appropriately responding to his jokes and then request the food items he needed.

(v) Refer to Wealth and Poverty under Themes, Page 59 and Muni, under Characterisation, Page 56.

IV. (i)Muni had been in the habit of coming to the shop, humouring the shopman and requesting for one or two items of food with the promise of repaying later. This time the shop man was not in a good mood so he lost his temper at Muni for daring to ask for credit.

(ii) Muni said that his daughter would be sending him money soon for his fiftieth birthday. Muni was telling lies. He had no children.

(iii) According to Muni, he was fifty year old. He calculated his age from the "time of great famine" when he was as tall as the parapet around the village well.

(iv) According to the shop man, Muni was seventy years old. Muni might have been be referring to himself as fifty years old, since past few years.

(v) In this extract Muni exhibits his quick wit to come up with convincing lies. Though a liar, he is harmless. His quick wit is shown when:

(1) the shop keeper asks for money to clear his debt and he replies he'd clear his dues on the first of the next month;

(2) after this extract he says his daughter would send him money. He has an answer to all the shopkeeper's questions.

V. (i) The shop man is referred to as scoundrel. Muni was annoyed because the shop man mocked at his habit of mentioning his birthday time and again to procure things on credit.

(ii) Muni didn't argue because he knew that if he obeyed his wife she would somehow conjure up some food for him in the evening. Muni trusted her as far as his welfare was concerned. He knew by taking up occasional jobs in the Big House, she would earn some money to keep dinner ready for him in the evening.

(iii) She would go out and work — grind corn in the Big House, sweep or scrub somewhere, to earn enough money to buy foodstuff.

(iv) When Muni was passing through the village, he avoided looking at anyone. He even ignored the call of his friends. He was ashamed of his poverty and childlessness.

(v) Refer to Muni's Wife under Characterisation, Page 58.

VI. (i) The statue referred to is that of a horse. The statue was life-sized made of burnt brightly coloured clay. It stood with is head held high and its forelegs in the air.

(ii) The statue of the warrior beside that of the horse is depicted as a man of strength through his description as a warrior with "scythe-like mustachios, bulging eyes, and aquiline nose."

(iii) Nobody from the village noticed its existence. Even Muni, who spent all his day at the foot of the statue, never bothered to look up and notice the splendour of the statue.

(iv) Muni didn't go back home early because he wanted to give his wife time to cool off her temper and feel sympathetic enough to arrange some food for him.

(v) Refer to Wealth and Poverty and Materialism versus Spiritualism, under Themes, Page 57-58.

VII. (i) The red faced foreigner entered the story in a strange yellow vehicle. He stopped it, got down and went around it, poked under the vehicle because his car ran out to gas.

(ii) The foreigner was an American businessman. He looked up the at the clay _horse and cried, "Marvellous".

(iii) As soon as Muni met the foreigner his first impulse was to run away but his age did not allow him. He assumed the foreigner to be a policeman or a soldier enquiring about a rumoured murder.

(iv) The foreigner was wearing khaki clothes. It made Muni think that he was a policeman or a soldier. To put Muni at ease, the other man pressed his palms together, smiled, and said, "Namaste!"

(v) Muni said that his name was Muni and the goats belonged to him. The village was full of slanderers who would claim what was not theirs. Refer to Language Barriers under Critical Appreciation, Page 62.

VIII (i) The foreigner was a tourist in India. He was a rich American businessman who dealt in coffee.

(ii) The foreigner's polite behaviour on meeting Muni for the first time. As a courtesy he offered Muni a cigarette. Muni, being a Tamil speaking man could not understand the foreigner, and used the only English words he knew, i.e., "yes, no".

(iii) Muni remembered the cigarette the shop man had given him on credit. He recalled how good it had tasted. When the foreigner flicked the light open Muni was confused about how to act so he blew on the light and put it out.

(iv) Muni started coughing. It pained him but it felt extremely pleasant. The strong American cigarette made Muni's head reel.

(v) Muni feared that the business card was an arrest warrant and he moved back. It shows Muni's ignorance. Muni is a poor illiterate villager who distrusts anyone in a semblence of a uniform.

IX. (i) The foreigner was wearing khakis which is the colour of a policeman's uniform. Muni mistook the foreigner for a policeman. He was too old to outrun the foreigner so he spoke in a fearful tone to talk his way out of trouble.

(ii) A mutilated dead body had been found thrown under a tamarind tree at the border between Kritam and Kuppan a few weeks ago. Muni is a theist who believed that "Bhagwan is all seeing" so "Bhagwan" alone would know about the murder. Muni feared that the khaki-clad foreigner was a policeman enquiring about the murder.

(iii) Muni mistook the foreigner's khaki dress and thought the foreigner to be a policeman. It shows Muni's ignorance about the world outside his remote village.

(iv) Refer to The Title, Page 56.

(v) Refer to Clash of Cultures, under Themes, Page 58.

X. (i) The foreigner said that Tamil to him "sounds wonderful" and he got a kick out of every word Muni uttered. The foreigner assumed Muni to be engaging in sales talk and told him that he already appreciated the article and could given a better sales talk.

(ii) Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu. During Pongal Muni and father would cut the harvest. Muni would then go out and play with others at the tank.

(iii) Refer to Knowledge and Ignorance under Themes, Page 59.

(iv) Muni realised that for a continuous supply of cigarettes he needed to humour the foreigner. He began a monologue about the horse being mythological

(v) Refer to Muni's wife under Characterisation, Page 58.

Child marriage was prevalent, as in the case of Muni and his wife. Women were honoured as seen as nuturers but they needed a man to support them. Muni knew his wife would garner the raw materials and prepare his drumstick gravy. He was worried what would happen to her after his death.

XI. (1) Refer to IX, (ii) and (iii).

(ii) Refer to Notes, Page 64. At the end of Kali Yuga, this world and all other worlds will be destroyed, and the Redeemer will come in the shape of a horse called Kalki and save all good people while evil ones will perish.

(iii) Refer to Language Barrier, under Critical Appreciation, Page 62.

(iv) The living room of the foreigner has a large bookcase filled with volumes of books. There are books piled up too.

(v) Muni describes the horse as mythological `Kalki' who would save all the good people and trample upon the evil ones. The foreigner assures Muni that he would keep the statue with utmost care in his living room in his house in the USA.

XII. (i) The foreigner. Muni was reflecting on the end of the world and asked the foreigner if he had any idea when Kali Yuga would end.

(ii) Muni had heard from passers-by that there were Jkapi-hotels' opened at the Friday Markets in the next town along the highway. Muni only recognised the word "coffee" in the foreigner's conversation. He thought that the foreigner wanted to drink coffee.

(iii) At the end of the world the Redeemer would come on the horse statue which would grow bigger and be called Kalki. There would be floods in which Kalki would carry good people to safety and the evil would perish.

(iv) The foreigner claimed that he was a modest businessman dealing in coffee. However he bragged about having the best home. He was a shrewd businessman — he realised he had bragged too much about his house. He took out a hundred rupee note and started bargaining over the price of the statue.

(v) The foreigner planned to cancel his air ticket and travel by ship with the horse in his cabin. He intends to keep the horse in his living room in his house in the USA.

XIII. (i) Muni was asking the red man about his children, if any. The red man did not understand Muni. He assumed that Muni was speaking about the statue, so he offered him hundred rupees for it. The humour here arises out of each ones inability to understand the other. They seemed to be conversing, but in reality, they are talking about entirely unrelated subjects.

Chief Seattle's Speech

Chief Seattle's Speech

Dr. Henry A. Smith

ASSIGNMENTS

Context Questions

I. (i) Chief Seattle speaks these words. He says that nature (sky) has sympathised with his (Chief Seattle's) people for many centuries.

(ii) For the speaker, the days to come would be filled with darkness as the Great Chief at Washington wishes to buy and control their land. As a result his people would no longer have rights on their land.

(iii) George Washington, the First President of the USA is referred to as the "Great Chief at Washington". He has sent Seattle and his people the proposal to buy their land with words of feigned "goodwill and friendship".

(iv) Seattle's words are as reliable and certain as "the return of the sun or the seasons". His words are like the stars that never change. It shows Seattle is an honest, reliable and upright man. (v) Chief Seattle sarcastically condemns the Big Chief's act of sending them greetings of friendship and goodwill. Chief Seattle realises that Big Chief at Washington is in little need of their friendship, as his people are stronger and more powerful than the natives. The Big Chief, according to Seattle, is George Washington.

II (i) As compared to the White Chief's people, Chief Seattle's people are few. The speaker illustrates this fact by comparing his people to "the scattering trees of a storm-swept plain" while the White Chiefs people are as much as "the grass that covers vast prairies."

(ii) The White Chief sends a message that he wishes to buy the native's land and he would allow them enough to "live comfortably".

(iii) Chief Seattle says that there was a time when his people were as numerous as the waves of the sea that cover the sea floor.

(iv) Refer to answer (ii) of II Chief Seattle sarcastically says that the White Chief's 'wish' is just and generous as the natives no longer need respect nor are they "in need of an extensive country", so it would be really fair of the Whites to buy the native's ancestral land.

(v) When the white man began to push the natives westward, they turned hostile towards one another. They became cruel and relentless. No, they should not take revenge on the White men because it is not fruitful. In times of war, they lose their own lives, but the family that wants for them at home bears the loss.

III. (i) George Washington is referred to as "our father in Washington". He has become "Our father and your father", since King George has moved his boundaries further north.

(ii) The good father promises to protect the natives only if they do as he desires. "Bristling wall of strength" refers to the vigorous and energetic white people's brave men who will provide them (natives) strength and will protect them from their ancient enemies.

(iii) Refer to Notes, Pages 23. The White Chiefs brave men will provide the natives strength and his ships would fill their harbours so that Haidas and Tsimshians will cease to frighten the natives.

(iv) The God of the Whites protects only the 'paleface children' and forsakes the Red Indian children. The God of the natives, the Great Spirit has forsaken them. If they have a common God then he is partial to his European children. They are two distinct races having separate origins and separate destinies.

(v) Youth is impulsive and young men often indulge in revengeful acts considering them to be gainful. It times of war, they even lose their own lives, but the family that waits for them at home bears the loss. It reflects Seattle's anti-war attitude, for he does not glorify war but condemns it.

IV. (i) The God of the natives, the Great Spirit seems to have forsaken them, because he no longer helps them when they need help the most.

(ii) They are compared to a receding tide because once they were large in number but now they are nothing more than a mournful memory. The Great Spirit is no longer a father figure to them; "they seem to be orphans who can look nowhere for help."

(iii) (1) He has forsaken "His Red Children" and protects only the paleface children;

(2) he makes the White People stronger every day but does nothing for the well being of the natives.

(iv) Refer to Oppression, under Themes, Page 18.

(v) * They are two distinct races the natives Americans and the White colonists.

* The natives' origin is the American land that is being contested; the whites here originally belonged to Europe who came and colonized these native Americans.

* Their destinies are different the natives are receding every day while the whites are like the grass that covers vast prairies. * Moreover, refer to the differences between Tribal belief system and Western belief system, under Themes, Page 19.

V. (i) Red Man's religion is the "traditions" of his ancestors and belief in the Great Spirit that teaches them to love this "beautiful world" its "verdant valleys, its murmuring rivers and its magnificent mountains."

(ii) Refer to Red Indians' attachment to their land, under Themes, Page 18.

(iii) Seattle does not seem to support institutionalised Christianity as it forces people only to adhere to rules and does not allow them to associate sacredness and spiritualism with the nature around them.

(iv) Refer to tribal belief system and western belief system, under Themes, Page 19.

(v) (a) The ten commandments that were written on tablets of stone and brought down from Mount Sinai by Moses. They form the basis of the white man's religion.

(b) Refer to Iron finger, under Notes section, Page 24.

VI. (i) This is because they never connect with their land and their people spiritually. Their relationship with their land and their people is not sacred or holy; it is materialistic. As soon as they die, the link to their earthly life breaks and thus devoid of spiritualism they are incapable of an afterlife.

(ii) The dead of the Red Man continue to love their land and their people. They never forget the world that gave them their being and identity. Moreover the spirits of the dead keep visiting to guide, console and comfort the living.

(iii) Refer to II,

(iv) Refer to Oppression, under Themes, Page 18.

(v) Refer to Transcendence, under Themes, Page 20.

VII. (i) He feels as if not a single star of hope hovers above the natives' horizon. The winds moan and grim fate follows them. Their situation is similar to a wounded doe that is being hunted down. Moreover he feels, that in a few more years, their race will disappear. This is how he reflects his unhappiness about the fate of his people.

(ii) Every person, tribe, or culture that is risen to great glory would definitely meet its fall one day and that would surely be the day of justice. Seattle believes that time will come when the whites would also be moving towards their inevitable doom.

(iii) This is a reference to Jesus Christ who, according to Christian (White man's religion) beliefs, was God. He lived like human beings on earth walking and talking to other human beings as friends.

(iv) Chief Seattle believes that White Settlers too will have their decay one day. It would be then that the White men and Red men would share a common destiny. They would be brothers only when the whites would be able to empathise with the Red men.

(v) The common destiny of man is that his decay is inevitable. Chief Seattle believes in the common destiny he says — "tribe follows-tribe" — "nation follows nation" — "order of nature". It is through the White man's decay that Seattle foresees the unity of all beings. He says: "We may be brothers after all. We will see."

VIII. (i) This is because even after the last native has perished last native "shores will swarm with the invisible dead" of Seattle's tribe. The natives' love for their land makes them immortal. Thus, the whites will never be alone.

(ii) The shadowy spirits visit the places at nights when the streets of the Whites' cities are silent and it is falsely believed that they are deserted.

(iii) The memory of the tribe would become a myth among the White men "when the last Red man shall have prised" from the natives' land, but this would be momentary as it would then "swarm with the invisible dead of the tribe.

(iv) Native Americans even after death don't forget the world that gave them their being and identity. They keep on loving its

valleys, its rivers, its magnificent mountains, and its lakes. The dead feel one with nature and its surroundings.

(v) Refer to Transcendence and Environmental concerns, under Themes, Page 20.

image courtesy : thank you Google

Nine gold Medals

Nine gold Medals

David Roth

ASSIGNMENTS

I. (i) The athletes had "come from all over the country" to participate in a running competition in the Special Olympics. They had come to achieve their dreams of winning gold, silver and bronze medals.

(ii) The words 'gold', 'silver' and 'bronze' stand for medals made of these metals which participants would get based on their performance in the competition. Yes the participants were well prepared for the event. The following lines tell us so: Many the weeks...to these games.

(iii) (a) The hard work and strenuous training the participants had endured for this final event.

(b) The final event of the day, that was the hundred yard race, was about to begin.

(iv) The spectators gathered around the field because they were too excited and wanted to cheer the participants. These participants are referred to as "young women and men."

(v) The final event being talked about in the extract is the hundred yard race in which nine young athletes were participating. The spectators were very excited. They were aware of the hard work that the participants had put in training for this event. Their excitement is evident from the fact that they had gathered "all round the field".

II. (i) "Poised" means ready. The athletes as well as the spectators were ready for the race to begin. This word builds the tension in the poem.

(ii) The runners take their position and wait for the sound of the gun; the signal is given through the explosion of the pistol and the runners charge ahead immediately. This builds up the suspense about who will be the winner.

(iii) Exploding of the pistol is a signal for the athletes to start the race. Thus, the contestants began to run as soon as the starting pistol was fired. Examples of rhyming pattern:

0 run, gun

0 sound, ground 

(iv) The smallest of the nine athletes had bad luck as he stumbled, lost his balance and fell on the track. He was then overtaken by negative feelings. He felt disappointed and felt as if all his dreams and efforts of winning the medal had been shattered.

(v) Refer to True Spirit of Sportsmanship, under Themes, Page 147.

III (i) The athlete, who had lost his balance and fell on the track as soon as the race started, gave out a cry. He cried because he felt as if all his dreams and hopes of winning the gold were shattered.

(ii) He dreamt of winning the gold medal by winning the hundred-yard race in Special Olympics. His -act of losing his balance, stumbling, staggering and finally falling down comprises his frustration as he believed he would no longer win.

(iii) The remaining eight runners on seeing him fall, instead of continuing the race, stopped and turned back to help him. All the athletes had trained forlso long to compete and win, but each of them stopped, to help bring the young boy to his feet. Their action reflects that they were true sportsmen. They were kind, cooperative and empathetic to the athlete who had fallen down.

(iv) Refer to Themes, Page 147.

(v) The narrator calls the story 'a strange one' because it would be expected that the other athletes would continue running but they turned back one by one help the fallen one'. After the young boy was brought to his feet, all the nine athletes joined hands and walked to the finishing line together. The race that was meant for running was then reduced to a walk. The banner above read "Special Olympics", was appropriate, as the contestants' behaviour added to the uniqueness of the event.

IV. (i) The nine athletes joined hands when the young boy was brought to his feet to display togetherness. Their purpose was to help the boy, who had hurt himself by falling down. Their action of joining hands shows that there was no animosity between the participants. They were true sports-persons and this particular action revealed that they were empathetic to the boy. Since the young boy could no longer run, the other participants decided to reduce the race to a walk.

(ii) Refer to Special Olympics under Critical Remarks Page 148.

(iii) The race ended with each of the nine athletes winning a gold medal. The ending was appropriate as all of them displayed the true spirit of sportsmanship. Their behaviour was exemplary as they walked hand-in-hand to the finishing line.

(iv) The contestants were happy when they crossed the finishing line together. The spectators must have reacted by giving them standing ovation.

(v) The poem brings out a situation, where the contestants set aside their desire to win, to help another contestant who had fallen down. They empathised with him. The contestants came together as a group. They stood by each other, and walked together to the finishing line, and each of them won a gold medal. By awarding gold medals to each one of them, the authorities honoured their display of the true spirit of sportmanship and human values. Thus, the "Special Olympics" really turned out to be special. 

Abou Ben Adhem

Abou Ben Adhem

Leigh Hunt

 

I. (i) Refer to The Real Abu Ben Adhem, under Critical Remarks section Page 137. The phrase "may his tribe increase" means that there should be more people like Abou Ben Adhem in this world. The narrator admires and respects Abou Ben Adhem.

(ii) Refer to Notes Section, Page 135. He is at peace as he loves and serves his fellowmen.

(iii) The bright silvery moonlight in Abou's room on a peaceful night had a magical effect. The room appeared rich and calm.

The comparison is made to reflect the similarities between blossoming lily and the sparkling moonlight. Both the flower and the moonlight are natural, beautiful and pleasing to the eyes. They are the symbols of peace and purity.

(iv) When Abou wakes up he finds his room brightened with moonlight and an angel writing something in "a book of gold". The "book of gold" is significant as it adds to the magical and supernatural quality of the poem. Moreover gold could also be a symbol purity of the subject matter of the book.

(v) The angel visits Abou again the next night with "a great wakening light." The angel shows him the names of those who had been blessed by God, Abou Ben Adhem sees that his name appears at the top, ahead of others. Refer to True Devotion to God under Themes, Page 135.

II. (i) The presence in the above extract is referred to the angel who woke Abou from his "deep dream of peace". Abou asked the presence in his room, what was he writing.

(ii) The vision here refers to the angel, or could be Abou's supernatural vision.  The vision raises its head to answer Abou's query about what was he writing in his book of gold.

(iii) The angel tells Abou that he is writing in his book the names of all those who love the Lord.

(iv) Abou curiously asks the angel if his name was written among those who love the Lord. When the angel replied in the negative, it made Abou feel low.

(v) Abou feels a little low but only for a moment. The words "cheerly" tells us this. Abou cheerfully requests the angel to write his name as the one who loves his fellow men.

III. (i) The angel might have written Abou's name as one who loves his fellow men. Refer to Lines 15-18, under The Poem in detail, page 135.

(ii) Abou Ben Adhem was a pure and simple man. He lived on humanistic ideals. He is the epitome of the idea that when you love your fellow men, you become worthy to be loved by God.

Moreover he was a positive man. On realising that his name was not there on the list of men who love the Lord, he was not disheartened, but cheerfully asked the angel to write his name the as the one who loves his fellow-men.

(iii) (a) The line is a reference to the angel's second visit to Abou's room. His first visit filled Abou's room with moonlight and the second time his visit is accompanied by "a great wakening light."

(b) This is the last line of the poem. The angel appears the next night and with a new set of names of people who have been blessed by God with Ben Adhem's name on top of the list. The word go' adds to the climax.

(iv) The angel shows Abou the names of people loved by God. Refer to Climax, under Style, Page 137.

(v) Refer to True Devotion to God, under Themes, Page 135. 

The Patriot

The Patriot

ASSIGNMENTS

Robert Browning

I. (i) Refer to Stanza 1 under the The Poem in Detail, Page 118.

(ii) The line "A year ago on this very day" is significant because it helps the readers to grasp the speaker's glory filled past. This heroic state is then contrasted with his present disgraced state in the latter part of the poem.

(iii) Alliteration is the figure of speech used here, because there is close repetition of consonant sound I m I , at the beginning of words, "myrtle", "mixed" and "mad". Myrtle is a sweet smelling white or pink flower that was thrown on the speaker's way for a grand reception. "Myrtle" here thus symbolises the love that the public once had for the speaker.

(iv) ‘They' here refers to the fickle public, who once worshipped the speaker. This line tells us that public was so influenced by the heroism of speaker that even if he had asked for the sun they would have offered him the same.

(v) The speaker had received a grand welcome a year ago on his arrival in the town. People had thrown roses and myrtle in his path. The house-roofs were so full of people that the roofs seemed to sway. The church spires were decorated with beautiful flags. Bells rang to announce his coming, the old walls of the buildings seemed to be shaken with the crowed and their loud cries. They were so impressed by his heroic act that even if he had asked for the sun, they would have offered him the same.

II (i) The speaker, the patriot, is 'I' in the above extract. Leaping at the sun is a mythological reference to Icarus, Son of Daedalus, who dared to fly too near the sun. His waxed wings melted and Icarus plunged to his death in the sea. Similarly what led the speaker towards his downfall was his "vaulting ambition".

(ii) The speaker "leaped at the sun" for his loving friends. He wanted to do every possible thing in public's best interest. The speaker's regret is reflected though the use of word Alack.

(iii) The 'harvest' here refers to the harsh treatment that the speaker received in his unheroic present state. What he implanted was love and patriotism for his loving friends but the "harvest" made him feel dejected. Everything had changed for him in a year. He was now being taken to the scaffold to be executed.

(iv) In the beginning of the poem, it appears as if the public adulated the speaker to such an extent that even if he had asked for the sun, they would have offered it to him. But the next year showcases an entirely different scene where they hurl stones at him. It can be said that they were not really his "loving friends" but were guided by fickleness.

(v) Yes, the speaker feels sad and nostalgic about his glory-filled past. He remembers how he was welcomed by the public with roses and myrtles a year ago. He was acknowledged as God-like by the public. But now he feels sad as there is "nobody to welcome him on the house-tops now". The comparison that he draws between his heroic past and unheroic present reflects his sadness.

III. (i) A year ago on his arrival, the old walls of the building seemed to shake with the crowd and its loud cries. But now he is considered a traitor. There is nobody on the house-tops except for a few suffering from palsy.

(ii) The poem does not reveal the reason for the speaker's unheroic present. The public no longer loves or respects him. The reasons might be that the patriotic speaker might have in reality turned a traitor; or in the name of patriotism he must have done something unacceptable; or the speaker was really innocent but had become a victim of political machinations.

(iii) Refer to Contrasting Imagery, under Style, Page 123.

(iv) "The best of the sight" refers to the sight of the speaker's execution at the Shambles' Gate or by the scaffold's foot. It is an ironical reference as the people who apparently were ready to worship him are now cheering at his execution.

(v) The speaker is being taken to scaffold to be executed for his "year's misdeeds." The justification of this action cannot be fully comprehended. Refer to Ambiguity in the Poem under Critical Remarks, Page 124.

IV.( i) The speaker 'I' is going to the Shambles' Gate or by the scaffold's foot in the rain. Refer to Pathetic Fallacy, under Style, Page 123.

(ii) The speaker's hands were tied from behind with a rope. This rope cuts his wrist. The line is significant to determine the extent of the speaker's downfall. He was once loved by the public but now is imprisoned.

(iii) The speaker's forehead bleeds because the public had thrown stones at him for a year's misdoings. Earlier he was treated with love and respect. He was welcomed with roses on his way. The public was completely devoted to him, which thus acts as an antithesis for him being hit by stones later in the poem.

(iv) Refer to Public's Fickleness under Themes, Page 120.

(v) The poem runs on certain levels of ambiguity. We are never told the reason for the speaker's execution. The speaker was once a hero who "leaped at the sun" but is now reduced to an unheroic character. At one point the speaker feels dejected at his harvest, at another he himself says people flung stones at him for his "year's misdeeds." This phrase adds to the ambiguity in the poem as the speaker has been depicted as innocent by the poet. The readers tend to sympathise with him, but his own reference to his year as full of misdeeds creates ambiguity in the poem.

V. (i) The speaker enters the gates of death to 'go' to his everlasting life after death.

(ii) The speaker believes that in victory, people drop down dead but his imperfection will bring him closer to God. The figure of speech used here is alliteration because of the repetition of I d sounds in the words "dropped down dead:"

(iii) The speaker feels safe in the other world away from this earthly world. Refer to Innocent Depiction of the Speaker, under Critical Remarks, Page 125.

(iv) Refer to Faith in God, under Themes, Page 121.

(v) Refer to Rise and Fall of Glory, under Themes, Page 121. 

Old man at the bridge

 Old man at the bridge

Ernest .Hemingway

ASSIGNMENTS

Context Questions

I. (i) A bridge that is made of large hollow containers filled with air is called a Pontoon bridge.

The story is set during the Spanish civil war and people are crossing the bridge to protect themselves from the impending attack by the enemy troops.

(ii) The old man is sitting by the side of the road at a pontoon bridge. The old man was too tired to go any farther because he had already walked twelve kilometres since he left his hometown, San Carlos.

(iii) The unnamed narrator, who is an army scout is the speaker. He was on a mission to cross the bridge and find out how far the enemy had advanced.

(iv) The narrator asked the old man where did he come from. The old man replied, "from San Carlos", and he smiled because the mention of his native town gave him pleasure.

(v) The old man was the last to leave because he was taking care of his animals. The old man wore black dusty clothes and steel rimmed spectacles. His face was also grey and dusty.

II. (i) Old man is 'He'. He is in a weary condition as he has already walked twelve kilometres and too tired to move farther.

(ii) He had two goats, a cat and four pairs of pigeons.

The animals were his family; he loved them and cared for them so much that separating from them made him feel that he had lost his reason for existence.

(iii) He left the animals behind in his native town of San Carlos. The heavy firing from the enemy forced him to do so.

(iv) He had already travelled twelve kilometres, so he was too tired to go any farther.

• He was to weak.

• The old man had no family and he had left his animals behind. • He felt helpless as he couldn't save his animals; he surrendered himself to his fate.

(v) Refer to Pointlessness of War, under Themes, Page 40.

III. (i) Like other innocent civilians what matters to the old man is his home and animals rather than politics. He mentions his age along with the fact that he had already walked twelve kilometres to reflect the extent of his weariness.

(ii) The old man wore steel rimmed spectacles; his clothes were black and dusty and his face had turned grey from dust. In San Carlos, he was taking care of his animals.

(iii) The place referred to is a war zone at a pontoon bridge across the Ebro river. This place is 12 kilometres from San Carlos in Spain. It was not advisable to halt there because it was a war zone.

(iv) The narrator advised the old man to cross the bridge and catch a truck towards Barcelona. But the old man replied that he did not know anyone there. However, he thanked the narrator for his suggestion and continued to express his concern for the fate of the animals he had left behind.

(v) The old man is old, weak and tired. He has no family and has left his animals behind. It is the state of helplessness that has forced him to surrender to his fate. The old man's fate is symbolic of the fate of liberal democracy in Spain that lost out to dictators. It does not appear that the old man could have changed his fate because he was too old, too tired and too lonely to do so. He no longer had the will to live as he sat by the side of the road in the war zone.

 

IV. (i) The man was forced to flee from his native town, leaving behind his only family i.e. his animals. He was concerned for them but did not know what to do so he had a blank look. Moreover, he was a seventy-six years old man who had already travelled twelve kilometres so he was tired. The manner in which the old man engaged in a conversation with the narrator and told him about his village and animals shows that he needed someone to talk to.

(ii) The old man believed that he must watch over the cat, the goats and the pigeons in San Carlos. The man was not able to fulfill his responsibilities so was guilty and wondered what would the animals do in his absence.

(iii) Refer to Conflicts in the story, under Critical Appreciation, Page 45.

(iv) Yes, it seemed that the old man had given up on his life:

* He was not concerned for his safety — he sat by the side of the road at a pontoon bridge in the war zone.

* Despite repeated insistence from the narrator to save his life and to catch a truck to Barcelona, the old man paid no heed.

* He was preoccupied only with the fate of his animals he had left behind in San Carlos.

* Like his goats, he had no one to take care of him and thus he surrendered himself to his fate.

(v) • The narrator tries to engage in a conversation with the old man.

• He pites the old man's condition and inquires if he had left the dove cage unlocked.

• He tries to reassure him (old man) that the animals would be fine.

• At regular intervals, he reminds him to cross the bridge. The narrator becomes a friend in need for the old man but he is not able to relieve him of his worries.

• The old man surrenders to his fate and till the end he only thinks of his animals.

• The narrator thus realises that nothing can be done about him and moves on leaving him at the bridge.

V. (i) The old man had lost all hope and was filled with guilt for not being able to look after his animals. War, thus does not only cause physical destruction but also psychological destruction. (ii) Refer to IV, (v).

(iii) The old man, like his goats, had no one to take care of him and thus he surrendered to his fate. The narrator urges the man to get up and cross the bridge; but fails. Thus the story ends with the old man's concern for the goats and the soldier's concern for the man.

(iv) All the luck that he (old man) would have is that the cats could protect themselves and as the day was overcast, the Fascists would not launch their planes to attack the local people.

(v) Refer to Irony, under Style, Page 43.

MERCHANT OF VENICE ACT1 SCENE 1

MERCHANT OF VENICE

ACT I Scene 1

CONTEXT QUESTIONS

(i)              Where are Antonio and his friends? What does Antonio say about his sadness?

Antonio and his friends are in a street in Venice. Antonio says that his sadness makes him depressed and dull. He further says that he is yet to learn about the origin and nature of his sadness.

(ii)           Give the meaning of: (a) where of it is barn: how it originated

(b) a want-wit sadnees: a dull sadness.

(c) That I have much ado to myself: That I have much difficulty in recognizing myself.

(iii) What reason does Salarino give as the probable cause of Antonio's melancholy?

Salarino tells Antonio that he is sad because his mind is preoccupied with his ships filled with cargo, which are out at sea

(iii)        State in your own words the scene on the ocean as described by Salarino, when Antonio's ships were sailing.

Salarino  compares Antonio's ships sailing on the waves with the great lords and wealthy citizens, who look down on lesser men as they walk along the street. He says that compared to smaller ships. Antonio's ships move swiftly on the sea with their canvas sails and look like grand spectacles or pageants of the sea.

(iv)         The play begins in an atmosphere of melancholy. Why do you think that Antonio is presented as a melancholic and passive character?

Antonio is presented as a melancholic and passive character mainly for three reasons. Firstly, by portraying Antonio as a whimsical person, who is least bothered about the consequences of his actions, justifies his signing the bond-agreement. Secondly, Antonio's melancholy creates a tragic atmosphere suitable for the play. Thirdly, Antonio's melancholy creates a sense of mystery for the audience.

The following are the probable reasons for antonio’s melancholy:

·       He may be melancholic by nature

·       He fears losing Bassanio to Portia

·       He has no wife and children and therefore, suffers from loneliness

·       He has a foreboding of some approaching disaster.

 

(i)              Where would Salarino’s attention be if he had business ventures abroad? Why would he be 'Plucking the grass? What else would he be doing In that context?

If Salanlo had business ventures abroad, his thoughts would be fixed on the dangers to his ventures and methods of securing them. he would be plucking the blades of grass and casting them in the air to see which way the wind blew, to see if it was blowing  in the direction favourable to the course of his ships or not. Further, he would look into maps for harbours,  channels and open road-steads near to the shore where his ships could anchor in Case of need.

(ii)           What would make Salanio fear some danger to his ventures? Give two examples from the opening scene to show how some objects remind Salarino of the danger to the ships.

Every thought of Salanio would make him fearful of danger to his business ventures. Two examples which reminded Salarino of the danger to his ships were: (a) While cooling his soup by blowing on it, reminded him of the stormy winds at sea causing terrible damages to his ships. (b) The sandy hour-glass reminded him of the richly laden vessels wrecked on the sandy shore.

(iii)        Give the meaning of: (a) Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind.

Plucking of grass and casting them in the air to see which way the wind blew.

(b) Peering in maps for ports, and piers, and toads.

Looking into maps for harbours, channels and even open road-steads near the shore.

(iv)         In spite of the danger to his ships, why is Antonio not worried about his financial security?

Despite danger to his ships, Antonio is not worried about his financial security because his business is neither dependent on any one ship nor on any single location or commercial transaction of the current year.

(v)            What light does the opening scene throw light on the danger that the sea could pose to ships?

The opening scene describes the possible dangers that the sea could pose to ships such as strong winds, dangerous shallow waters, sand banks and dangerous rocks. Antonio is very confident about business venture as he says that his business enterprises are neither dependent on a single ship nor on a single business transaction of a particular year.

3. (i) Where does this scene take place? Name the people who are present there. In what mood is Salarino in this scone?

This scene takes place in a street of Venice. Antonio, Salarino and Salanio are present in the scene. Salarino is in a talkative mood and wants to know the reason for Antonio's melancholy. He says that he too would be feeling melancholic if his ships were sailing on the sea.

(ii) What would the wind cooling the broth remind Salarino of?

It would remind Salarino of the stormy winds at sea and of the terrible damages they might cause to the ships.

(ii) Give the meaning of: And see my wealthy Andrew dock'd in sand, Veiling her high-top lower than her ribs To kiss her burial.

Wealthy Andrew refers to a Spanish ship called Andrea captured by the British sailors in 1596. It ran aground when it was being brought to England. Since then Andrew refers to a big cargo ship. In the above lines Salarino imagines that his rich cargo ship is grounded in sand and her mast dipped down lower than her sides as if trying to kiss the sands that surround her.

(v)            What is the 'sandy hour-glass'? What would it remind Salarino of?

Sandy hour-glass is an apparatus used to indicate time. It would remind Salarino of the dangers from hidden banks of sand at sea. on which a ship may run aground.

(vi)         What is referred to as 'wealthy Andrew'? Why is it so referred?

When Salarino would go to church what would he see? What would the scene make him imagine?

When Salarino  would go to the church he would see the holy building made of stone. This scene would make him think of the perilous rocks of the sea and imagine that a collision of his ship with these rocks would be sufficient to break his vessel into pieces and scatter on the sea her spices and silks.

4. (i) Who has just said that Antonio was in love? What was the reaction of Antonio to that remark?

Salarino has just said that Antonio was In love. Antonio calls the remark as nonsense and completely denies that he is in love.

(ii) Antonio says that he is not sad because of love. What explanation doer Salarino give in the extract for Antonio's sadness?

Salarino concludes that Antonio is sad because he is not happy. He remarks that there are some curious creatures in the world. He swears by Janus, the two-headed Roman God that some people have merry natures and are continuously laughing whether the things they see are subject for mirth or not. Again there are others with the sourest countenance who will not laugh at any thing though the gravest old warrior Nestor himself confirms the joke as most amusing.

(iii) What is meant by the 'two-headed Janus'? Why is he referred to in the extract?

Janus is a Roman god usually depicted with two heads looking in opposite directions — one frowning and the other smiling. He had received from god Saturn the gift to see both the past and the future. He is referred to in the extract to show that there are two types of people — one happy and the other sad.

Nestor was the King of Pylos. He was one of greatest generals in the Trojan War. He was famous for his wisdom, justice, knowledge of war and profound gravity. If he laughed it meant the joke was really funny. He is referred to the extract to describe the sad and grave people.

(iv) Describe in your own words the two types of strange fellows who have been framed by nature.

Nature has framed two types of people. The first type of people have happy nature and often laugh even if the subject of laughter is too trivial. The second type of people are those with serious and grave faces, who do not laugh even at the most amusing Jokes.

(vi)         Who is Nestor? Why is he referred to in the extract? Nestor was the King of Pylos. He was one of the greatest generals in the Trojan War. He was famous for his wisdom, justice, knowledge of war and profound gravity. if he laughed, it meant the joke was really funny. He is referred to in the extract to describe the sad and grave people.

(vi) Give the meaning of: (a) And other of such vinegar aspect The second type of people who are grave and serious.

(b) Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable. Even if the wise and grave Nestor certify the joke as funny.

(vii) Why are people compared to parrots?

A class of people are compared to parrots because they laugh even at a bag-piper as foolishly as a parrot laughs at anything.

(viii)Who comes at the end of Salarino's speech? Why does he leave then?

At the end or Salarino’s Speech,  Bassaino, Gratiano, and Lorenzo come. Salarino leaves Antonio then because Antonio's friends, Bassanio, Gratiano and Lorenzo have come to give him company.

5. (i) Why is a young man compared to 'his grandsire cut in alabaster? Under what condition is he likely to be infected with jaundice?

Gratiano gives the example of a warm-blooded young man who represses his spirits and forces himself to stillness till he looks like the marble image of his grandfather. He does so to advise Antonio not to remain in melancholy. He Is likely to be infected with jaundice due to his bad temper.

(ii) Give the meaning of: (a) Do cream and mantle like a standing pond:

Some men overcast their faces with a pale expression as unchanging as the cream that forms on the surface of milk and as the scum that forms on the surface of a stagnant pool

(b) do a wilful stillness entertain:

maintain an obstinate silence not to disturb the solemnity of their faces.

(iii) What is said in the extract about the people who try to earn a reputation for wisdom?

In the extract, Gratiano speaks about people who try to obtain a reputation for wisdom, seriousness and deep thought by remaining silent. Such people mean to say that they speak with the authority of the Greek Oracle and they alone are infallible in their utterances. When they speak, other should keep quiet.

(iv) What is meant by 'I am Sir Oracle' and let no dog bark'?

'I am Sir Oracle' means 'I speak with the authority of the Greek Oracle. The Greek Oracles made known the will of Gods and were received by  all without questions.

'Let no dog bark' means 'let no one speak'. It refers to the attitude of those wise men who consider themselves as the fountain of wisdom and want that when they speak. others should remain silent.

(v) What advice does Gratiano give to Antonio at the end of his speech?

At the end of his speech, Gratiano advises Antonio not to be one of those who try to gain a reputation for wisdom by being silent. He further tells Antonio not to use melancholy as a bait to win the reputation of wisdom and cheap popularity, which is like a worthless cheap fish, a gudgeon.

6. (i) Where are Bassanio and Antonio? What has Antonio said earlier in reply to which Bassanlo speaks these words?

Bassanio and Antonio are in a street in Venice. Prior to this extract, Antonio asks Bassanio to tell him about his plans. He adds, that if Bassanio's plan is as honourable as he is, he then promises him everything that he has-. money, influence. personal help and utmost resources.

(ii) Explain the following: And thankfully rest …..

The above lines mean that at any rate Bassanio could pay the second loan and remain his grateful debtor for the first.

(iii) What confession has Bassanio made to Antonio earlier about his financial position? How can you conclude that Bassanio is a spendthrift?

Earlier, Bassanio confesses to Antonio that he has spent his wealth by having a more lordly way of living than his moderate income allowed him. Therefore, he has incurred heavy debts because of his youth and extravagance. This proves that Bassanio is a spendthrift.

(iv) What experience of his school days does Bassanio relate to Justify his plan for repaying the loan?

Bassanio says that when he was a boy at school and he lost one of his arrows while shooting, he would shoot another arrow in the same direction. Thus, by risking the second, he often regained both the arrows.

(v) How does Bassanio propose to pay back his previous loan as well as the present loan?

Bassanio proposes to pay back his previous loan as well as the present loan by carefully managing the expenditure of his second loan amount.

7.

(i) What is meant by 'fair speechless messages and 'nothing undervalued'?

'Fair speechless messages' mean glances which are silent messages of love. Bassanio wants to say that sometimes he received from Portia's eyes lovely silent messages. The words 'nothing undervalued' mean not less precious. Bassanio says that his Portia is no less precious than Cato's daughter.

(ii) Who are Cato and Brutus? Why are they referred to here?

Cato, the father of Brutes' wife Portia, was the great-grandson of the famous Cato the Censor. In the Civil War between Pompey and Caesar he supported Pompey and was defeated by Caesar. Brutus, husband of Portia, was the chief of the conspirator against Caesar and caused his assassination. They are referred to show that Portia of Belmont is as precious and great as Cato's daughter, Portia. (iii) What evidence is there in the passage to show that Portia's fame had spread throughout the world?

The passage says that Portia's fame had spread throughout the world as suitors from every part of the world come to Belmont to win her hand in marriage.

(iv) write in your own words the meaning and significance of the 'golden fleece ……’

 Jason was a Greek hero, who was sent by Pelias, his uncle who had usurped the throne, to fetch the golden fleece from Colchos. In Greek mythology, golden fleece is referred to as the direct of the winged ram Chrysomallos. It was kept at an oak tree in a grove sacred to god Ares and guarded by a dragon in Colchos. Bassanio compares Portia to the golden fleece and himself in his quest for Portia,  to Jason on his voyage to fetch the golden fleece. He refers to other suitors as Jasons.

(v) Describe briefly the …….. opening scene.

Bassanio's description of Portia in the opening scene reveals that she is paragon among women. She is rich and beautiful with golden hair. She has wonderful mental qualities and is virtuous as well. Her fame has attracted suitors from all over the world. She is in no way inferior to her namesake, Cato's daughter and Brutus' wife.

Bassanio needs money to go to Belmont to win his lady love, Portia. He asks Antonio for a loan and as Antonio has no ready cash he tells Bassanio to take a loan on his name.

8. (i) Why is Antonio unable to help Bassanio at once

Antonio is unable to help Bassanio at once since he has no money in hand as all his business ventures are at sea .

(ii) How much was this sum? ' Why was it required urgently' ?

The sum was three thousand ducats. It was requited urgently for Bassanio to go to Belmont and present himself before Portia as a worthy suitor.

(iii) What does Antonio instruct Bassanio to do in this regard?

Antonio instructs Bassanio to find out a merchant who is ready to give hint money against his name

(iv) Give the meaning of (a) That shall he hurt, torn to the uttermost. The credit shall be stretched to the utmost limit. Antonio says that he is ready to *nerd% the credit as Dr as to equip Bassani° to go to Belmont to woo Portia

(v) In the opening scene, the theme of romance and love is ……. scene linked to the bond story?

In the opening scene, Basssanio comes to Antonio to borrow money so that he can go to Belmont to win his lady love, but Antonio confesses that he has no ready cash and Instructs Bassanio to get the money against his name Thus. Shakespeare links the first scene to the Bond story which involves the loan from Shylock.

(v) …… Antonio with that of Baisanio In the opening scene.

Antonio is introduced in the scene as a rich merchant having many shipping ventures at sea. He is in a state of melancholy and not interested in love. Loyalty and generosity towards Basaanio are the major traits of his character. Compared to Antonio,  Bassanio is shown as a spendthrift young gallant,  who live of luxury beyond his means. He seems to take undue advantage of Antonio's generosity. Unlike Antonia he is a romantic  man, who wants to marry Portia, a nit and beautiful heiress from Belmont.