The Secret of Work - Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda

The Secret of Work

A. Answer the following questions in about 100 words each.

1. What is the most direct method of curing the miseries of the world, according to Swami Vivekananda?

According to Swami Vivekananda, physical help alone cannot cure the miseries of the world. Even if we convert every house in the country into a charitable asylum and fill the land with hospitals, we cannot eradicate human misery. Ignorance is the cause of human misery and evil. Man has to change his character and become pure. He has to be enlightened, educated and become spiritually strong to get relief from the miseries of the world. Otherwise, his needs will go on increasing, which leads to more miseries. Man must work incessantly without attachment. (93 words)

2. What is the nature of work? How should work be performed?

The Bhagavad-Gita says that we must all work incessantly. The nature of work is such that every work must necessarily be a combination of good and evil. Good and evil actions will have their consequences. Good actions bring good and bad actions lead to bad. We have to work continuously without any attachments. Then only, our soul can be free of bondage. Every work we do leaves an impression on the subconscious region of the mind. The sum total of such impressions makes our character. We have do good work without expecting result to build a good character. (98 words)

3. Explain ‘Samskara’. How good and bad actions influence one’s ‘Samskara’?

The rippling effect of the work done by us is called ‘Samskara’. Good and evil actions will have their consequences. Good actions bring good and bad actions lead to bad. We have to work continuously without any attachments. Then only, our soul can be free of bondage. Every work we do leaves an impression on the subconscious region of the mind. The sum total of such impressions makes our character. We have do good work without expecting result to build a good character. If our ‘Samskara’ is good our character will be good. (93 words)

4. How is good character said to be established?

The rippling effect of the work done by us is called ‘Samskara’. Good and evil actions will have their consequences. Good actions bring good and bad actions lead to bad. We have to work continuously without any attachments. Then only, our soul can be free of bondage. Every work we do leaves an impression on the subconscious region of the mind. The sum total of such impressions makes our character. We have do good work without expecting result to build a good character. Thus, according to Swami Vivekananda good character can be established. (93 words)

5.  In paragraph 4, Swami Vivekananda explains the idea of ‘un-attachment’. How have you understood it? Discuss Swami Vivekananda’s idea of ‘attachment’.

By continuous good thought and good deeds, good impressions will be made on subconscious mind. Then we are inclined to do good deeds only. Thus, we will be able to control our sense-organs and build character. Then, we have to aim for liberation, full freedom. We mush counter bad deeds with good deeds till no evil is left in us. We must be ‘attached’ to doing good in this phase. We have to nullify impressions of bad deeds with good deeds. We have to detach ourselves from good deeds also to achieve total liberation. This is the idea of ‘attachment’ of Swami Vivekananda. (103 words)

6. Explain what is meant by working ‘like a master’ and not as a slave.      

We have to work continuously without being ‘attached’ to it. Our work should not affect our mind. When we work like stranger to the land without bonding ourselves to it. If we are able to work like that, we are working like masters. If we are bound by our work, we are doing our work as slaves. We have to work with love and without attachment. We must not be selfish while working. Selfish work is slave’s work. Every act of love brings happiness, peace and blessedness. Real love makes us ‘unattached’. We have to look upon work as ‘worship’, dedicating the result of our work to God. (108 words)

B. Answer the following questions in about 200 words each.

1. Explain the idea of work as worship, according to Swami Vivekananda.

Man has to change his character and become pure. He has to be educated and become spiritually strong to get relief from the miseries of the world. The Bhagavad-Gita says that we must all work incessantly. The nature of work is such that every work must necessarily be a combination of good and evil. Good and evil actions will have their consequences. Good actions bring good and bad actions lead to bad. We have to work continuously without any attachments.  By continuous good thought and good deeds, good impressions will be made on subconscious mind. Then we are inclined to do good deeds only. Thus, we will be able to control our sense-organs and build character. 

       

Our work should not affect our mind. When we work like stranger to the land without bonding ourselves to it. If we are able to work like that, we are working like masters. If we are bound by our work, we are doing our work as slaves. We have to work with love and without attachment. We must not be selfish while working. Selfish work is slave’s work. Every act of love brings happiness, peace and blessedness. Real love makes us ‘unattached’. We have to look upon work as ‘worship’, dedicating the result of our work to God. (214 words)

2. What is true liberation? How can this be achieved? Trace the course of Swami Vivekananda’s argument to prove the truth of this statement.

By continuous good thought and good deeds, good impressions will be made on subconscious mind. Then we are inclined to do good deeds only. Thus, we will be able to control our sense-organs and build character. After attaining good character, we have to aim for liberation, full freedom. We mush counter bad deeds with good deeds till no evil is left in us. We must be ‘attached’ to doing good in this phase. Just as we remove a thorn with another thorn, we have to nullify impressions of bad deeds with good deeds. Then we have to detach ourselves from good deeds also to achieve total liberation. This is the idea of true liberation.

Our work should not affect our mind. When we work like stranger to the land without bonding ourselves to it. If we are able to work like that, we are working like masters. If we are bound by our work, we are doing our work as slaves. We have to work with love and without attachment. We must not be selfish while working. Selfish work is slave’s work. Every act of love brings happiness, peace and blessedness. Real love makes us ‘unattached’. We have to look upon work as ‘worship’, dedicating the result of our work to God. (212 words)

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Brief Summery

According to Swami Vivekananda, physical help alone cannot cure the miseries of the world. Man has to be educated and become spiritually strong to get relief from the miseries of the world. The Bhagavad-Gita says that we must all work incessantly.The nature of work is such that every work must necessarily be a combination of good and evil. Good and evil actions will have their consequences.The rippling effect of the work done by us is called ‘Samskara’. Every work we do leaves an impression on the subconscious region of the mind. The sum total of such impressions makes our character.Real love makes us ‘unattached’. We have to look upon work as ‘worship’, dedicating the result of our work to God. (120 words)

Money – Ranganayakamma

Money – Ranganayakamma

Answer the following questions in about 100 words each.

1. What did the prospective son-in-law in the story desire?

Muppala Ranganayakamma wrote a story on the social evil of dowry in Telugu. It is called ‘Dabbu’. It was translated as ‘Money’ in English. In this story, the prospective son-in-law desires an amount of one crore rupees as dowry from the bride’s father. He thinks that though taking a share in property fetches him 10 rupees more value, he should opt for taking money as his wife would inherit the property. He reasons that the dowry as money would belong to him. Finally he settles for the value of the property, rupees one crore and ten rupees. (97 words)

2. How did he go about discussing this desire with the elders whom he consulted?

In ‘Money’, a story on dowry, the prospective son-in-law desires an amount of one crore rupees as dowry from the bride’s father. He seeks the opinion of his elders on which option would be better for him – taking one crore rupees cash or taking a share in the property. He asks his would be father-in-law which one would be of more value. Knowing that taking property would be of ten rupees more value, he decides to take the value of the property in cash. He reasons that his wife would inherit the property. He reasons that the dowry as money would belong to him. (104 words)

3. What was the final deal with the father-in-law?

In ‘Money’, a story on dowry, the prospective son-in-law desires an amount of one crore rupees as dowry from the bride’s father. He has to choose between taking cash and taking a share in the property. Knowing that taking property would be of ten rupees more value, he decides to take the value of the property in cash. He reasons that his wife would inherit the property. His wife may not be under his control. He reasons that the dowry as money would belong to him. Finally he settles for the value of the property, rupees one crore and ten rupees. (101 words)

4. What did he do after the wedding and what did he miss of the world outside?

In ‘Money’, a story on dowry, the prospective son-in-law finally settles for the value of the property, rupees one crore and ten rupees, as dowry. His father-in-law wants the satisfaction of giving money. Bride’s father pays him the amount in ten paisa coins. Coins worth one crore and ten rupees are stored in bags in s shed. Soon after the wedding, the son-in-law begins counting the coins. His counting goes on for twenty four years. Meanwhile, his father-in-law passes away, his wife marries another person, and his wife’s daughter grows to be a young woman. He misses all this of the outside world. (104 words)

5. Describe briefly his meeting with his wife and his wife’s daughter?

The son-in-law receives a shed full of bagged coins. To make sure that he gets his demand fulfilled, he begins counting the coins. After counting for twenty four years, he finds that the amount is less by forty paisa. He finds two women in front of him. He realizes that the elder woman is his wife and the younger one is her daughter. He refuses to live with her. Then she tells him that while he is engaged in counting the money, much has happened in the outside world.  Meanwhile, his father-in-law passes away, his wife marries another person, and his wife’s daughter grows to be a young woman. (109 words)

2. Answer the following questions in about 200 words each.

1. Explain the theme of money versus relationship as evident in the story.

Muppala Ranganayakamma wrote a story on the social evil of dowry in Telugu. It is called ‘Dabbu’. It was translated as ‘Money’ in English. The writer deals with the theme of money versus relationship in this story. She proves that money is more important than relationship. The son-in-law in the story insists on an amount of one crore rupees as dowry from the bride’s father. He thinks that though taking a share in property fetches him 10 rupees more value, he should opt for taking money as his wife would inherit the property. He reasons that the dowry as money would belong to him. Finally he settles for the value of the property, rupees one crore and ten rupees.

Bride’s father pays him the amount in ten paisa coins. Coins worth one crore and ten rupees are stored in bags in s shed. Soon after the wedding, the son-in-law begins counting the coins. His counting goes on for twenty four years. Meanwhile, his father-in-law passes away, his wife marries another person, and his wife’s daughter grows to be a young woman. He misses all this of the outside world. Thus the writes says that money is more important than any relationship. (202 words)

2. Discus the story as an example of the evil of social customs and how these customs can destroy moral values.

Muppala Ranganayakamma wrote a story on the social evil of dowry in Telugu. It is called ‘Dabbu’. It was translated as ‘Money’ in English. This story is a good example of the evil of social customs. The writer proves that dowry system is the reason for falling moral values as the system gives more importance to money than relationship.

The son-in-law in the story insists on an amount of one crore rupees as dowry from the bride’s father. He thinks that though taking a share in property fetches him 10 rupees more value, he should opt for taking money as his wife would inherit the property. He reasons that the dowry as money would belong to him. Finally he settles for the value of the property, rupees one crore and ten rupees.

Bride’s father pays him the amount in ten paisa coins. Coins worth one crore and ten rupees are stored in bags in s shed. Soon after the wedding, the son-in-law begins counting the coins. His counting goes on for twenty four years. Meanwhile, his father-in-law passes away, his wife marries another person, and his wife’s daughter grows to be a young woman. He misses all this of the outside world. (202 words)

The Thakur’s Well - Premchand

Answer the following questions in about 100 words each.

1. Why was Gangi unable to get water from anywhere when the story opens?

Premechand’s story “The Thakur’s Well’ tells us about those days when feudal customs of caste hierarchies are observed in our villages. He writes about inhuman landlords and heartless money lenders. Gangi and Jokhu live a village. The couple belongs to an untouchable caste. The village has only three wells. The water of the well from which they usually draw water is contaminated. The well is far away. They are not allowed to draw water from the other two wells, Thakur’s well and the Sahuji’s well because of their caste. That is why Gangi was unable to get water from anywhere when the story opens. (104 words)

2. What did she plan to do, in order to assuage Jokhu’s thirst?

Premechand’s story “The Thakur’s Well’ tells us about those days when feudal customs of caste hierarchies are observed in our villages. Gangi and Jokhu live a village. The couple belongs to an untouchable caste. Jokhu is ill. He is thirsty and the water is contaminated. So, he could not drink the water. She plans to bring water from the Thakur’ well at night. She knows that it is risky as they are not allowed to draw water from the well because of their caste. Jokhu warns her that the villagers would punish her if they find that she is drawing water from their wells. (104 words)

3. What were some of Gangi’s thoughts, as she waited near the Thakur’s well in order to get some water?

Gangi plans to bring water from the Thakur’ well at night. She knows that it is risky as they are not allowed to draw water from the well because of their caste. She reaches the well at about 9 o’ clock in the night. While waiting for an opportunity to draw water, she thinks that the untouchable are not allowed to drink water from the well even though everybody drinks from it. She is against traditional society’s restrictions.  She thinks that the high caste people cheat, steal, gamble and adulterate. She wonders how such people can be called as high. (100 words)

4. What were the two women who came to the well taking about? What does this show?

Gangi plans to bring water from the Thakur’s well at night. While waiting for an opportunity to draw water at the well, she listens to a conversation between two women. The women talk about the men. The men have come in to eat and they order the women to bring water. They would not like the women to rest even for awhile. They do not have the decency to draw water themselves. They give orders as if the women are slaves. The conversation reflects the society of those days. Women are treated like slaves and men exploited the women.  Women have no rights then. (104 words)

5. What happened when the Thakur’s door opened suddenly?

Gangi plans to bring water from the Thakur’ well at night. She knows that it is risky as they are not allowed to draw water from the well because of their caste. In the darkness, she prays God and lowers her pitcher into the well. She pulls up the pitcher very quickly. But before she could catch the pitcher, the Thakur’s door opened suddenly. Gangi is terrified and the rope slips from her hands. The pitcher goes down into the well making a big noise. Thakur comes near the well shouting to catch the intruder. Gangi runs away from the well. (101 words)

Answer the following questions in about 200 words each.

1. Show how this is a tale of social injustice and cruelty. Use examples from the story to elaborate your points?

Premechand’s story “The Thakur’s Well’ tells us about those days when feudal customs of caste hierarchies are observed in our villages. He writes about inhuman landlords and heartless money lenders.  This is a tale of social injustice and cruelty.

Gangi and Jokhu live a village. The couple belongs to an untouchable caste. The village has only three wells. The water of the well from which they usually draw water is contaminated. The well is far away. They are not allowed to draw water from the other two wells, Thakur’s well and the Sahuji’s well because of their caste. Gangi, like other lower caste people is a victim of social injustice and cruelty.

While waiting for an opportunity to draw water at the well, she listens to a conversation between two women. The women talk about the men. The men have come in to eat and they order the women to bring water. They would not like the women to rest even for awhile. They do not have the decency to draw water themselves. They give orders as if the women are slaves. The conversation reflects the society of those days. Women are treated like slaves and men exploited the women.  Women have no rights then. (205)

2. Why does Premchand use the title, ‘The Thakur’s Well’ for his story, and how is this the best title he could have employed?

Premchand is the pen-name of Dhanpat Rai Srivastav. Premechand’s story “The Thakur’s Well’ tells us about those days when feudal customs of caste hierarchies are observed in our villages. He writes about inhuman landlords and heartless money lenders.  

The story revolves around a well belonging to Thakur. Thakur represents the higher castes and Gangi represents the lower castes of the society in those days. The well is a symbol of natural resources and communal wealth. The water of the well represents the necessities and aspirations of oppressed classes.

Gangi and Jokhu live a village. The couple belongs to an untouchable caste. The village has only three wells. They are not allowed to draw water from the other two wells, Thakur’s well and the Sahuji’s well because of their caste. Gangi, like other lower caste people is a victim of social injustice and cruelty.

Lower caste people are not allowed to use necessary facilities of the village because of their caste. Upper caste people enjoy all these facilities even though they cheat, steal, gamble and adulterate. The story is about the prevailing social conditions of those days. Thus the title is very appropriate and Premchand could not have employed a better title to the story. (204 words)

The Sea – Robert Lynd

The Sea – Robert Lynd

Answer the following questions in about 100 words each.

1. Mention some of the evidence that goes to show that humankind has become quite comfortable with the sea.

Robert Lynd in his essay, ‘The Sea’ says that we have grown comfortably intimate with the sea. He says that we use it as a highway of business and pleasure. According to him, for most of us, the sea is a domesticated wonder. We walk on its shores without any nervousness; we take pleasure trips on sea and swim in its waters as a luxury. We travel on the Pacific to visit remote and exquisite locations. We sit happily in lounge chairs of a cruise reading news papers with little worry about our safety. He says that we have lost both our fears and wonders of the sea. (108 words)

2. How was the sea perceived in the ancient history of humankind? Why?

According to Robert Lynd, originally man seems to have dreaded all water including the sea as a dragon’s pasture. There are several myths of beasts of sea which demand one or the other kind of sacrifice. Lynd tells us about Perseus saving Andromeda from a water beast and about St. George as a slayer of such a beast. Ancient people regard sea as half-divine and half-monster. The sea blesses men once its passion for sacrifice is satisfied.  Lynd mentions of a magical marriage in Matthew Arnold’s ‘Forsaken Merman’. There are several superstitions related to sea in olden days. These myths originated from the sea’s sense of insecurity. (107 words)

3. Why should every voyage be literally a ‘voyage into the unknown?  What do poets such as Shakespeare and Kipling say about the sea?

As per Robert Lynd, every imaginative man should treat every voyage into the unknown ‘where tall ships founder and deep death waits. He says that there are several risks and treacheries lurk under the sea. It is evident that we have not yet mastered the sea as our great ships like Titanic and Empress of Ireland sunk killing hundreds of people. Mentioning the perils of sea, Shakespeare says, ‘Full fathom five thy father lies’ in one of his poems about the sea. Kipling writes of the sea as a strange world of fearful things. Kipling writes of ‘blind white sea-snakes’ and level plains of ooze’. (105 words)

4. How does the human being view the encounter with the sea? Why is every encounter an attempt to master the sea?

Robert Lynd says that man recovers his ancient dread of the sea and has grown comfortably intimate with it. We walk on its shores without any nervousness; we take pleasure trips on sea and swim in its waters as a luxury. There are several myths of beasts of sea which demand one or the other kind of sacrifice. Ancient people regard sea as half-divine and half-monster. He says that there are several risks and treacheries lurk under the sea. We need to treat every encounter as an attempt to master the sea as our great ships like Titanic and Empress of Ireland sunk killing hundreds of people. (107 words)

5. What is Lynd’s final note on the human attempt to master the elements of nature?

According to Lynd, we must go on dreaming to master elements of nature such as the water, the air and the fire. We have to master nature by machines which are in our control. We must not feel satisfied with our attempts. We should not be boastful of our achievements. He says that, ‘we use them, but it is at our peril’. We need to be careful or else our ships would sink, we would be flooded by waters, fire would destroy us and lightening would kill us. He says that there is no victory that man has yet been able to achieve over matter. (106 words)

Answer the following questions in about 200 words each.

1. How does this essay bring out certain observations about the sea which had been taken granted until this essay was written?

Robert Lynd in his essay, ‘The Sea’ says that we have grown comfortably intimate with the sea. He says that we use it as a highway of business and pleasure. According to him, for most of us, the sea is a domesticated wonder. We walk on its shores without any nervousness; we take pleasure trips on sea and swim in its waters as a luxury. We travel on the Pacific to visit remote and exquisite locations. We sit happily in lounge chairs of a cruise reading news papers with little worry about our safety. He says that we have lost both our fears and wonders of the sea.

He further says that great disasters like the sinking or Empress Ireland jolts us into reality of our false sense of security. Originally man seems to have dreaded all water including the sea as a dragon’s pasture. There are several myths of beasts of sea which demand one or the other kind of sacrifice. We should treat every voyage into the unknown ‘where tall ships founder and deep death waits’. There are several risks and treacheries lurk under the sea. It is evident that we have not yet mastered the sea as our great ships like Titanic and Empress of Ireland sunk killing hundreds of people. (214 words)

2. The sea is both a monster and a comforter. How does this sentence hold good in the light of this essay?

Robert Lynd concludes that the sea is both a monster and a comforter in his essay, ‘The Sea’. Robert Lynd in his essay, ‘The Sea’ says that we have grown comfortably intimate with the sea. He says that we use it as a highway of business and pleasure. The sea is a domesticated wonder. We walk on its shores without any nervousness; we take pleasure trips on sea and swim in its waters as a luxury. We travel on the Pacific to visit remote and exquisite locations.

There are several myths of beasts of sea which demand one or the other kind of sacrifice. Ancient people regard sea as half-divine and half-monster. He says that there are several risks and treacheries lurk under the sea. We need to treat every encounter as an attempt to master the sea. It is evident that we have not yet mastered the sea as our great ships like Titanic and Empress of Ireland sunk killing hundreds of people. He says that we have to use sea being aware of the risks. Thus, the sea is both a monster and a comforter. He says that we have lost both our fears and wonders of the sea.  (201 words)

The Death Trap

The Death Trap

Q. Describe how Prince Dimitri turned the tables on his disloyal guards.

Q. How do you justify the title of the play?

Q. Do feel the title of the play, The Death Trap, appropriate? If so, why?

Q. Discuss the significance of the title ‘The Death Trap’?

Prince Dimitri, the young ruler of Kedaria, has rivalry with Karl dynasty. Dimitri’s enemies hatch a plan to assassinate him. They are ready for the right moment. Of his three regiments of guards, the Kranitzki regiment is loyal to the enemy. Three officers of the regiment, Colonel Girnitza, Major Vontieff and Captain Shultz are all set to murder Prince Dimitri as soon as his loyal Andrieff regiment leaves the guard.

Dr Stronetz, a dear friend and personal physician of Prince offers him a drug so that he can die. The prince refuses and says that he would meet death on his own terms. The doctor tries to save him by telling the conspirators that the prince would die of a heart disease within six days. The murderers, fooled by the doctor’s words decide to wait.

The doctor reveals the prince that he really has a terminal heart condition, Dimitri decides to use the drug. At the last moment, he turns the tables on his would be killers by offering them drugged wine. All of them die in a tragic climax. Prince Dimitri could never escape the death-trap, but he successful lays a death-trap for his would be assassins. Thus the title of is play is very opt/ appropriate/ justified. Hence, the title is very significant.

What kind of a person is Prince Dimitri? Analyze and comment on his character.

Prince Dimitri is the protagonist in the one act play, ‘The Death Trap’, written by Saki, H.H. Munro. He is the ruler of Kedaria. His dynasty has a long standing rivalry with Karl dynasty. Dimitri is the last surviving member ruling the kingdom. His enemies conspire to kill him. He bravely faces the situation and utilizes the circumstances to eliminate his would be assassins.

He knows that he is helpless as his loyal regimental guards would be away. He has no weapons to defend himself. No one is allowed to see him except his friend and physician Dr Stronetz. The prince is a practical man. Though he is quite young, he is mature and accepts the fate. He tells his position to the doctor. He denies the drug offered by the doctor saying that he would meet death on his own terms. This shows the courage of Dimitri. 

When the doctor reveals that he has a terminal heart disease, he decides to end his life with the drug. He tells the doctor that he is a monarch and he doesn’t like to be kept waiting by death. This shows that he is imperious and proud. He is quick witted. He offers his disloyal officers drugged wine and kills them.

Q. Analyze the character of Dr Stronetz.

Ans: Dr Stronetz is a close friend and personal physician of Prince Dimitri. Dimitri’s enemies hatch a plan to assassinate him and they are ready for the right moment. When Dr Stronetz knows of the conspiracy, he offers a drug to Dimitri as he could do nothing. He reasons that the prince should not be allowed to be butchered in cold blood. He takes pity on the prince. He is quick witted. When the assassins arrive to murder Dimitri, he saves him by telling them that the prince would not live more than six days because of a heart problem. The murderers are fooled by the doctor’s words decide to wait.

As a doctor, he is quite efficient. He is sure of Dimitri’s heart problem as soon as he examines him. He is instrumental in making the prince kill his would-be killers. Though the prince dies as he drinks the drugged wine, his wish is fulfilled as he could kill the conspirators. After all, the drug given by him saved the prince as it killed his enemies. It also saved the prince from dying a miserable death by a weak heart. Thus, Dr Stronetz is compassionate, loyal and friendly to Dimitri. He is a quick witted, efficient physician. 

The Boy Who Broke the Bank డిగ్రీ ఇంగ్లీష్ మొదటి సంవత్సరం Q&A

The Boy Who Broke The Bank

Brief summary:

"The Boy Who Broke the Bank" is a short story by Ruskin Bond. It is about a boy who was working at a bank by sweeping up. The bank manager was way overdue in paying him for the job. Soon that bank collapsed and rumor had it that it was because of the unpaid boy. Because word got around that the boy didn't get paid, people assumed that the bank had no money. The people who dealt with the bank were worried about their money. This story is basically about how rumors and lack of communication can cause many problems and be destructive.

Question and Answers:

Q1. How did the story traveled from Mrs. Bhushan to the elderly gentleman who was getting a haircut? How did the facts of the news change as it traveled?

Mrs. Bhushan told the news to her husband, Mr. Bhushan who was talking to Kamal Kishore. Kamal Kishore, who owned a photographic shop, passed on the news to his neighbor, a barber. At the time the barber was giving a haircut to an elderly gentleman. The fact was that the bank did not pay the sweeper till 20^th of the current month. But as it travelled, the news coloured the facts in such a way that people thought that the bank was about to collapse.

Q2. What did the elderly gentleman do to ascertain the veracity of the news? What did he find out? What conclusion did he reach?

Hearing the news, the elderly gentleman ran across the road to a general merchant’s store and made a phone call to Seth Govindaram, the owner of the bank. He learned that the Seth was away to Kashmir on a pleasure trip. He concluded that the owner of the bank ran away from the town to escape as the bank was about to collapse. He informed the same to Dev Chand, the barber. Then he hurried to his home to get his cheque book to withdraw money from the bank.

Q3. How did the people react to the rumor of the imminent collapse of the bank? What did they tell each other? What new rumors started to spread?

The news of the bank’s imminent collapse spread in the town like a wildfire. At the general merchant’s shop, it circulated in customers. Soon everybody started talking about the news . A new rumor started to spread that the Seth had left the state. Some others said that he left the country.  Some people said that he was hiding somewhere in the town. Some even said that he had hanged himself to a tamarind tree.

Q4. Enumerate the steps taken by the bank manager to resolve the crisis.

As every customer of the bank started withdrawing money, the small bank had gone through all its ready cash reserves by noon. The bank manager was in a dilemma. He could not get any emergency funds immediately from another bank, which was some thirty miles away. Nor could he contact the owner of the bank, who was beyond his reach, on a house-boat in Kashmir. He tried in vain to convince the people that the bank had plenty of money. He urged them to come on the next day.

Q5. Describe the scene in front of the bank and the incidents that follow.

As people the rumor that the bank was about to collapse, they gathered in front of the bank in large numbers demanding the repayment of their deposits. By noon, the small bank had gone through all its ready cash reserves. The manager could neither get emergency funds nor contact the owner. He tried in vain to convince the people that the bank had plenty of money. He urged them to come on the next day. But customers demanded their cash on the spot. Several mischief makers joined the crowd. Somebody hurled a brick on the glass window and broke it. That was the end of the Pipalnagar Bank.

Plyaing the English Gentleman

PLAYING THE ENGLISH GENTLEMAN

Summary:

Playing the English Gentleman is an account of Gandhi’s efforts to mingle in English society. For being the English Gentleman, Gandhi does several things such as wearing all things like, he wears a new suit and also tries to learn dancing, violin, and elocution but all in vain. After some days he realized that he was a student and he ought to go on with his studies. This realization made him be aware of his studies. He stops trying to become the English Gentleman and begins to concentrate on his studies.

Questions and Answers:

Q1. What were the initial reasons because of which Gandhi took to vegetarianism?

In Playing the English Gentleman, Gandhi explained his love for vegetarianism. Gandhi read some books and vegetarianism and did experiments with his diet. Health was his principal consideration for taking up vegetarianism.  He was convinced that vegetarianism is healthy by reading books and doing experiments on vegetarianism.

Q2. Gandhi’s friend was worried about his vegetarianism. What were the reasons for his worry?

Gandhi’s friend was worried about his vegetarianism because of two important reasons. He thought that if Gandhi objected to eating meat, he would not grow strong. Eventually, Gandhi would become weak as he was eating only vegetarian food. His friend loved his so much that he wanted Gandhi to mingle in English society. He was sure that a man who did not eat meat could be an outcast in English society. He also worried that Gandhi would become a crank by reading books on vegetarianism.

Q3. Describe the episode at Holborn Restaurant.

Gandhi’s friend was determined to put a stop to his vegetarianism.  One day, Gandhi’s friend invited him to the theatre. Before going to the theatre they had to dine in a high-class restaurant. He thought Gandhi would not ask any questions in the palatial hotel. As the soup was served, Gandhi called the waiter to know whether it was vegetarian or not. Before the waiter could answer, his friend said that Gandhi was too clumsy for a decent society and allowed him to eat at some other restaurant.

 Q4. How did Gandhi change his style of dressing, and why?

Gandhi wanted to please his friend and assure him that he would no longer be clumsy and unsuitable for English society. He got new clothes at the Army and Navy Stores as his Bombay cut clothes were unsuitable. He bought a top hat for nineteen shillings. He also paid ten pounds for an evening suit made in Bond Street. He asked his brother to send him a watch with a gold chain. He learned the art of wear a tie and started spending time before a mirror to arrange his hair.

Q. Why did Gandhi decide to give up dancing classes? Was his decision justified?

Gandhi changed his style of dressing and started taking dance lessons, learning French and attended classes to learn French and elocution. He did all this to behave like an English gentleman. He found out that he could not achieve rhythmic motion and follow the piano. So, he wanted to learn violin to understand Western music. After some days he realized that he was a student and he ought to go on with his studies. His decision was justified as he stopped trying to become the English Gentleman and began to concentrate on his studies.

Q6. Explain the meaning of the like, ‘Mr. Bell rang the bell of alarm in my ear and I awoke.’

Gandhi changed his style of dressing and started taking dance lessons, learning French and attended classes to learn French and elocution. He did all this to behave like an English gentleman. He paid a preliminary fee of a guinea to a teacher to teach him elocution. The teacher suggested Gandhi buy Bell’s Standard Elocutionist as the textbook. As he began to read a speech of Pitt, he realized that he was a student and he ought to go on with his studies. Gandhi described the realization as ‘Mr. Bell rang the bell of alarm in my ear and awoke’.

Q7. What were the steps Gandhi took in a new direction after he had decided on concentration on his career?

As he began to read a speech of Pitt from Bell’s Standard Elocutionist, he realized that he was a student and he ought to go on with his studies. He should qualify himself to join the Inns of Court. He also realized that his character should make a gentleman of him. He wrote letters to his teachers to excuse him from further classes. He met his violin teacher personally and explained his position. She encouraged him in his determination to make a complete change.  He stopped trying to become the English Gentleman and began to concentrate on his studies.

Potrait of a Lady, డిగ్రీ మొదటి సంవత్సరం ప్రశ్నలూ, జవాబులు

Portrait of a Lady

Q1. Why the essay is called “Portrait of a Lady”?

In this story, Khushwant Singh describe s his grandmother. He tells us how he had spent his childhood with her in the village. He also describes the change that came in the relationship in the city. Ultimately, he describes the moving scene of her death. As he paints the picture of his grandmother vividly, the story is called as “Portrait of a Lady”.

Q2. What does Singh say about the beauty of his grandmother? What kind of beauty was hers?

Khushwant Singh says that his grandmother was tender, loving and deeply religious old lady.  She was so old that her face was wrinkled. It was difficult to believe she would ever been young and pretty. Her hair was white as snow. She had a little stoop in her back. She could be seeing reciting her rosary all the time.  The author says that “yet she was beautiful” and adds that "she was like the winter landscape in the mountains and expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment."

Q3. Why did the writer’s grandmother accompany him to school?

The writer’s grandmother accompanied his to school as Singh was the only child at that time, and his parents had gone to live in the city leaving him behind the village under the care of his grandmother. She would get him ready for school. She would also feed him with Chappathi. The School was attached with a temple. All the children sat in the verandah reciting alphabets while his grandmother is engaged reading holy scriptures. Finally in the evening, the author and the grandmother would walk back home feeding the dogs.

Q4. What was the turning point in the relationship of the grandmother and the grandson?

After a friendly relationship with his grandmother, the author went to city to join his parents. He had to adopt a new life. This was a turning point for the grandmother and the grandson. Both of them were made to settle down in the city. The author went to an English school but the grandmother never liked the way he was taught. Though Singh and his grandmother shared the same room, she was unable to help him. Apart from this, she was also disappointed that he was learning music, which she considered not suitable for gentlefolks.

Q5. Who were the grandmother’s friends in the absence of the writer?

In due course, Singh went up to a University. He was given a separate room in the house. This indeed snapped the common link of the relationship between the grandmother and the grandson.  The grandmother agreed the fact and adjusted her life accordingly. She used to spin the wheel from sunrise to sunset. Only during the afternoon she would relax by feeding the sparrows with little pieces of bread. They were her best friends and the sparrows also liked her company.

Q6. How did the grandmother react when the writer returned from studying abroad? What does this relation show of her character?

Singh went up abroad for higher studies for five years. He had a doubt in his mind that his grandmother may not survive or not until his return. His also taught that it might be the last physical contact between them when she came in the railway station to see him off. When he came back after five years, he was welcomed by his grandmother who was not grown a single day older. She celebrated the return of her grandson by collecting some women of neighbourhood and beating drum for several hours. The incident shows that she was tender, loving and deeply religious.

Q7. What kind of a relationship did the grandmother have with animals?

The grandmother had a special relationship animals like sparrows and dogs. When the author was going to school in his village, the grandmother would walk back home with him, feeding the dogs. When she came to city she would relax by feeding the sparrows with little pieces of bread in the afternoon. They were her best friends and the sparrows also liked her company. Singh says that his grandmother's happiest moments were with her sparrows.