Poetry 1 - My Mother At Sixty Six
1. What did the mother look like? What made the poet feel so?
2. What did she realize with pain?
3. How did she take her mind off the thought?
4. What does ‘sprinting of trees’ and ‘spilling of children’ refer to’?
5. Bring out the contrast portrayed by the scene outside with the state of the poet’s mother.
6. Why is the mother compared to ‘a late winter’s moon’?
7. What is the childhood fear of the poet
8. Though filled with negative thoughts in her mind, outwardly what did the poet reflect? Substantiate your point from the words /phrases from the poem.
2. An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum.
1. The poem begins on a very potent simile about the children’s faces. Explain.
2. Bring out the powerful imagery presented in the first stanza depicting despair and disease
3. Why does the poet use ‘rat’s eye’ for the ‘paper seeming boy’?
4. Describe the powerfully telescopic image drawn by the picturisation of a sick boy.
5. Why is the class described referred to as ‘dim’?
6. Do you agree that the poet has dealt with a universal theme? How far has he succeeded in depicting the role of every individual towards development of the underprivileged?
7. Where does the sweet and young boys’ mind wander? What does it show?
8. What are the things that adorn the walls of the classroom? Why does it have no significance to the children?
9. Why is the ‘window’ depicted as the world of the children?
10. Why is their world far from river capes and star of words?
11. Why is Shakespeare wicked and maps a bad example?
12. What picture comes to your mind with the phrases ‘slag heap’ and ‘skin peeped through by bones’?
13. Why is the mended glass referred to as ‘bottle bits of stones’?
14. Explain: “so blot their map with slums”
15. Why is the slum referred to as ‘catacombs’?
16. What is the significance of the white and green leaves?
17. What can create history?
18. Bring out the various poetic devices used by the poet to drive home the point
19. How far does he succeed in presenting an allegorical representation of haves and have-nots?
3. A Thing Of Beauty
1. In what way is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
2. Even though life is filled with sufferings what gives us the urge to go on and how?
3. What are the different sufferings drawn by out by the poet?
4. Name the objects of beauty
5. How does art and Literature inspire man?
6. What is picturised as an immortal drink? What makes it outstanding?
7. Nature acts as a buffer against all the pain and sufferings .In what manner has God provided it to man?
4. Keeping Quiet
1. What does the poet mean by keeping still?
2. In order to achieve stillness what are we to do?
3. The period of stillness would provide a peaceful world. Explain with reference to the text?
4. Why does the poet not want any ‘truck with death’? How is inactivity and death different from stillness he is advocating?
5. Why do we threaten ourselves with death and what is the solution for this threat?
6. Nature is a great teacher. Discuss.
5. A Road Side Stand
1. What was the purpose of the stand?
2. What phrase shows the pride of the villagers? Explain.
3. What protects the cities from being faded in ignominy
4. What are the complaints made by the polished city dwellers?
5. What are the things that are kept for sale?
6. What is the complaint of the poet?
7. Why do the villagers ask for the city money in their hands?
8. What is the false promise made to the villagers?
9. Why are the city dwellers called ‘greedy good doers and beneficent beasts of prey’?
10. What is the significance of the grim picture drawn by economy and statistics?
11. What does non-responsiveness to issues bring forth in the life of villagers?
12. Bring out what the poet envisages for the village folk?
13. Bring out the different poetic devices used by the poet?
14. How does the poet bring out the imbalance in society through this poem?
6. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
1. Justify the title `Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers`
2. Why is uncle’s wedding band heavy on Jennifer’s hand?
3. What are the characteristics of the tiger depicted in the poem?
4. How does the poet imply the point that art survives the artist?
5. Though aunt Jennifer is a representative of women fighting against masculine authority and power what is the implication of creating a tiger that is extremely masculine and authoritative?
Supplementary Text-Vistas
Lesson 1.The Third Level
1. What was the obvious step taken by Charley?
2. What according to the psychiatrist was a ‘waking dream wish fulfillment’?
3. Why did the psychiatrist feel that Charley wanted to escape from this world?
4. What was Charley’s temporary refuge from reality? What does the author mean by this?
5. What logic was put forward byCharley to prove that he did not need any refuge?
6. How did charley discover the third level?
7. Why does Charley feel that Grand Central is growing like a tree?
8. Why did Charley feel that Grand Central was an ‘exit’ a means of escape? Does this thought have any relevance to his escapade?
9. Why did Charley hide his thoughts that the Grand Central station had always been an exit ---a means of escape from his psychiatrist friend?
10. How did Charley feel that he was neither on the first level nor on the second level but on the third level?
11. What differences did charley find on the third level?
12. What made charley say, ‘and then I knew’?
13. Why do you feel the summer evening of 1894 in
14. What kind of life did the people lead in 1894 in
15. Why did the man at the counter say, “That ain’t money”?
16. Why was Charley not bothered about the premium that he had to pay to get old currency?
17. What is a first day cover?
18. What did Sam’s note read?
19. What did Charley find about Sam?
20. How can you explain that Sam had sent a letter from the third Level?
21. Why has 1894 been repeated throughout the chapter?
22. Why does Charley think that Sam would not find a job in
Long Questions
1. Do you feel that Charley really had been on the third level or was it just a medium of escape?
2. The writer has mentioned time and again about Charley’s tendency to seek temporary refuge in the world of stamps as well as his dissatisfaction with the world around him. Is this the reason for charley to discover the third level or was it sheer chance that made him discover the third level?
3. Charley seeks temporary refuge in his imagination of the third level. Discuss.
4. Discuss the importance of the presence of the psychiatrist in the lesson.
Chapter 2. The Tiger King
1. What do you understand by “threat of a Stuka bomber”?
2. What was the secret the astrologers had to reveal? How did they behave when compelled to speak the truth?
3. When did everyone stand transfixed in stupefaction’?
4. What incredible matter took place in the court? Why has this been compared to bulletins issued by the war office?
5. How was the tiger king brought up? Does the author suggest anything through this?
6. What justification did the tiger king give before he started out on tiger hunt?
7. Why did the astrologer say that he would cut off his hair?
8. Why does he mention of becoming an insurance agent in particular?
9. Did the maharaja relent to the demands of the English officer? What did he do?
10. Why did tiger population become extinct in his kingdom?
11. Why did the king decide to get married? How far was the marriage successful?
12. What was the important factor that was considered for his marriage?
13. Once the maharaja decided to exempt a village from paying taxes, which he changed later on, and levied double tax on the village. What does this speak about the king?
14. “I have killed the hundredth tiger. My vow have been fulfilled”-was the Tiger King’s vow really fulfilled? What happened on that day?
15. Why was the Maharaja not in a position to gift a real tiger to his son?
16. How did the craftsman fool the king?
17. How did the death of the Tiger King take place?
18. Why does the author say the hundredth tiger took its final revenge?
Long Questions
1. The story` Tiger King` reflects `the whims and fancies of people in power’ Elucidate.
2. Tiger king shows the general behaviour of people towards animals. People like the tiger king are responsible for making some of creatures’ endangered species. Express your views
3. A person like the Tiger King does not believe that in this universe there is equal place for all living creatures. It is a world created by the rich and the powerful to live the way they want. The author brings out this simple truth through this political satire “Tiger King” Elucidate.
Chapter 3. Journey to the End of the Earth
1. How does the author describe the
2. What do you mean by Ecosphere?
3. How did the author feel on reaching the
4. How was the world different six hundred million years ago?
5. “To visit
6. Why do people lose all earthy sense of perspective and time in the
7. Why does the writer say that the prognosis for human beings is not good?
8. How has man managed to increase global warming?
9. Why should one go to
10. How has
11. What is the aim of the programme students on ice?
12. What are the reasons behind the programmer’s success?
13.
14. What are phytoplanktons? What implication does it have on the sustenance of the creatures on this earth?
15. What experience did the author have near the
16. “it was nothing short of a revelation everything does indeed connect”-what does the author refer to?
Long Questions.
1. The earth teaches us that if we take care of the small things big things will be taken care of. Explain this with reference to the “
2. We have been successful in increasing the global temperature. What are the consequences?
3. Why is
4. Why does Tishani Doshi say that the youth have the idealism and strength to do a lot to save the earth?
5. Justify the title` Journey to the End of the Earth’
Chapter 4 -The Enemy
1. What did Dr. Sadao’s father tell him showing the islands visible from seashore?
2. What was his father’s chief concern?
3. Why was Sadao not sent abroad with the troops?
4. Why didn’t Dr. Sadao show his interest in Hanna before knowing that she was a Japanese?
5. Why did Dr. Sadao hesitate to go to the American professor’s house?
6. Why did Dr. Sadao &his wife discover on the seashore.
7. Though, a doctor why did Dr. Sadao & his wife hesitate a moment to help the bleeding & seriously injured man?
8. What did they think would be the best & the kindest thing to do for the injured man?
9. What made the doctor concerned that he was an American soldier?
10. What was the final decision taken by the doctor?
11. Why did they think of handing over the man to the police?
12. . Why did Hanna hesitate to put the injured soldier on his deceased father in law’s bed?
13. What made Dr Sadao attend to the injured soldier
14. Why did Dr Sadao decide to operate on the prisoner of war?
15. “What was the reaction of the servants?Can it be justified?
16. What thoughts came to Hanna’s mind when she was washing the wounds of the soldier?
17. This man” he thought there is no reason under heaven why he should live.” What prompted Dr. Sadao to say this? What does he do after this?
18. What impression do you form of General Takima?
19. What happened on the seventh day, after the doctor and his wife saved the wounded man?
20. What did General Takima tell Dr. Sadao when he heard about the prisoner war?
21. Why did the general assure Dr. Sadao that he would not be arrested?
22. What did general decide to do with enemy?
23. Why do you think Sadao could not sleep properly after his meeting with the General?
24. Why did Sadao stop Hanna from going to the prisoner’s room?
25. How did Sadao help the prisoner to escape?
26. What did Sadao reply when the prisoner thanked him for saving his life?
27. Why do you think Dr. Sadao was unable to kill the American?
28. General Takima forgot what he had assured Dr. Sadao. What does it say about his character?
29. What impression do you form of the prisoner?
30. What are the twomoral implications on which the whole story is built upon ?
Long Questions
1. Dr. Sadao proves himself to be a good human being. He rises above the demarcation made by man. Elucidate
2. The enemy brings out that human qualities are more important in lives than our social obligations .It is in fact the victory of humanity in the moment of crisis. Discuss.
3. Dr Sadao was a true patriot –discuss.
4. Hanna proved to be a real support to Dr Sadao-explain
5. Justify the title The Enemy.`
Chapter 5. Should Wizard Hit Mommy
1. What was the regular routine of Jack in the evening and for saturdays?
2. What were the special features of the stories created by Jack?
3. Why did the ‘rite’ seem futile?
4. Why didn’t other animals play with Roger Skunk?
5. Is there any autobiographical element in the story created by Jack?
6. What was the observation made by Jo about God? What does it speak about her?
7. Why didn’t Jack like to be interrupted by Jo?
8. What did the wizard tell Roger Skunk to do?
9. Why did Roger Skunk`s mother dislike the new smell? What does it reveal about mothers` in general?
10. What did Roger’s mother ask him to do?
11. How did Jo want the story to end?
12. There is difference in opinion about the ending of the story of Roger Skunk. What does John Updike want to say through this story?
13. Why did Jack feel trapped?
14. What picture of Jack do you form from this story?
Long Questions
1. The story “Should wizard hit mommy?” deals with a problem, which is very relevant today. Elucidate.
2. Jack though gave time to his children does not prove himself to be an ideal father. –Discuss
3. Jo though very young voices her own opinion. What impression do you form of the children of today?
4. Justify the significance of the title Should wizard hit mommy`
Chapter 6. On The Face Of It
Short Questions
1. What impression did
2. Why does
3. What did
4. What does
5. What opinion do you form of Mr. Lamb when he says “why is one green growing plant called a weed and another a flower”?
6. What similarity does Mr. Lamb find between him and
7. Why Mr. Lamb is called `lamey lamb? `
8. “It’s not what you look like it’s what you are inside”- what do you understand from this statement?
9. “It was so cruel”. What does
10. Why does Mr. Lamb tell
11. How did Mr. Lamb lose his leg?
12. What does Mr. Lamb tell
13. Why does
14. What did
Long Questions
1. “Its not what you look like that matters but its what you are inside” how does the author bring out the truth of this statement through the play On The Face Of It?
2. `On the face of it` highlights the pains and conflicts on one hand and on the other it also shows that physically challenged people can cope with their disability. Elucidate
3. Mr. Lamb is successful in changing
4. Society is indifferent to the needs of the physically challenged; rather people are cruel to them. Express your views with reference to “On the face of it”.
5. Justify the significance of the title `On the face of it.’
Chapter 7. Memories of Childhood
1. What gave no peace to Zitkala Sa?
2. What does the writer mean by “my spirit tore itself in struggling for its freedom”?
3. How were the Indian girls dressed?
4. Why did the author feel embarrassed in the dining room?
5. Why did the author start to cry when the others were busy eating in the dining room?
6. What was the warning given to the author by her friend?
7. Why did the author object to get her hair cropped?
8. What did Zikala do to avoid cutting her hair short?
9. How did the author feel when her hair was cut short?
Long Question
1. “No, I will not submit! I will struggle first! I answered” what does the author want to say through these words?
2. Zitkala Sa indeed fought before falling a prey to exploitation. How did she put up a brave fight?
3. “For now I was only one of many little animals driven by a herder” when did Zitkala Sa say this and why?
We Too Are Human Beings
Short Questions
1. What does Bama say about untouchability at the onset of the story?
2. What are the things, which did not allow Bama to reach home early?
3. When Bama saw the old man carrying a parcel in a peculiar manner she found it comical. Was it really something comical?
4. How did Bama feel when her brother told her the actual reason for the old man to carry the parcel in a special manner?
5. Which thought infuriated Bama?
6. What did Bama feel would be the right thing for them to do?
7. What had a deep impression on Bama?
8. What did she do when she came to know the reality of casteism?
Long Question
1. How did Bama come to know that casteism existed in society?
2. When Bama understood and realized that being born into a particular caste could bring with it untouchability, how did she react and what did she resolve to do?
Chapter 8. Evans Tries an O Level
Short Questions
1. What was the unusual request received from the
2. Why they decide to help Evans?
3. What kind of track record did Evans have?
4. Why did Mr. Jackson call Evans ‘scruffy and what did that remind them to do?
5. Why did Evans want to keep his hat?
6. How was Reverend Stuart Mcleery dressed when he came to the jail to invigilate? What did Mcleery carry with him?
7. Why did the governor bug Evans’s cell?
8. Which object in Mcleery’s suitcase puzzled
9. How does the coyness of Evans help the governor remove the guards from the room?
10. What had actually happened to the real Mcleery?
11. Why does the governor say that Evans would not be with them the next September?
12. Who has the last laugh in the lesson? Justify.
13. According to you who all might have helped Evans in his escape?
Long Questions
1. The whole government machinery is used by Evans to escape. Discuss the corrupt system used by Evans to succeed in his mission.
Or
How did Evans manage to take the whole machinery for a ride?
2. Justify the title “Evans tries an O` level”
3. The governor, who looked into the intrinsic details and went to the extent of bugging the exam room, is literally taken for a ride what could be the reason and how could he have stopped this escape?
4. In spite of Evans being a prisoner the readers have their sympathy with him rather than with the governor. Discuss.
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its really helpful sir!! thnx
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