The Sermon at Benares

Introduction/ Theme:

The Sermon at Benares tells us the early life of Buddha. He was born as a prince. He was married to a princes and had a son. He was shielded from the outside world. He led a luxurious life till he was exposed to the sufferings of the world. He left his palace, all the worldly pleasures, and went in search of salvation. After attaining spiritual awakening, he gave his first sermon in the city of Benares.

The only son of a woman named Kisa Gotami was dead. In her grief, she searched for medicine to bring him back to life. She was sent to Buddha. Buddha made her realize that all men are mortal and a wise person should not grieve at what is bound to happen for it only enhances pain and suffering.

Meanings:

Sacred =  related to God and religion

Scriptures =  the sacred writings of a religion

Befitted =  be appropriate for; suited

Chanced upon =  came across by chance

Alms =  money or food given to poor people; charity

Enlightenment =  a state of high spiritual knowledge

Wandered =  to move without a fixed course

Vowed =  solemnly promise to do a specified thing

Preached =  deliver a religious address to an assembled group of people

Sermon =  a talk on religious or moral subject

Holy =  sacred, righteousness

Dipping places =  bathing areas of a river or a water body

Inscrutable =  something which cannot be understood

Kinsmen =  a man who is one of a person’s blood relations

Lamenting =  expressing regret or disappointment about something

Slaughter =  killing of animals for food

Afflicted =  affected adversely, made to happen against

Summary:

Gautama Buddha was born to a North Indian royal family as a prince and was named Siddhartha Gautama. When he was twelve years old, he was sent to a faraway place to study Hindu sacred scriptures. He returned after four years and got married to a princess. They had a son and they continued to live the royal life for about ten years. The royals were shielded from all the unpleasant experiences of the outside world.

One day, while he was on his way for hunting, Siddhartha came across a sick man, an aged man, a funeral procession, and a monk begging for alms. He was troubled by the experience and wanted to find salvation for the sufferings. He wandered for seven years in search of spiritual knowledge. He sat under a peepal tree and attained salvation. He began preaching by giving his first sermon in the city of Benares.

There was a lady named Kisa Gotami whose only son had died. Suffering with unending pain and grief, she went from house to house looking for medicine to bring her son back to life. People started thinking that the lady had lost her senses. One day, she met a man who directed her towards Buddha. Buddha asked her to bring mustard seeds. He said that the seeds must be procured from a house that had seen no death. Kisa Gotami once again went on a search from house to house. Sadly, she could not find any home in which there were no deaths.

She was disheartened and sat looking at the city’s lights being lighted and extinguished. She realized that she had been selfish. She came to know that men were mortal and no one could escape it. This was what Buddha wanted her to understand. According to Buddha, feelings of grief and sorrow only increase man’s pain and suffering thus, deteriorating the health. Therefore, a wise person should be aware of nature’s functioning and must not grieve at something bound to happen. Only then he can be free of sorrow and be blessed.

Thinking About the Text (Answers to the questions given on Page 135)

 1. When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house? What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?

After the death of her only son, Kisa Gotami was overcome with grief. She went from door to door asking for medicine. Nobody could provide any medicine. Because no medicine can bring a dead person back to life.

 2. Kisa Gotami again goes from house to house after she speaks with the Buddha. What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?

Buddha asks Kisa to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where there was no death. She went from door to door, but couldn’t find such a house. She could not get the seeds as death is inevitable and anyone is bound to die.

3. What does Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was this what Buddha wanted her to understand?

She realised that death was common to all. She failed to understand it the first time as she was being selfish in her grief. Yes, this is what Buddha wanted her to understand, that everyone who is born has to die one day.

4. Why do you think Kisa Gotami understood this only the second time? In what way did Buddha change her understanding?

Earlier, she could see only her grief. When she went from door to door the second time, she understood that everyone was dealing with the loss of a beloved one. Gautama Buddha helped her to understand all this, as he told her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where death had never knocked at the door.

5. How do you usually understand the idea of selfishness? Do you agree with Kisa Gotami that she was being selfish in her grief?

A selfish person is one who thinks only about himself or herself. Kisa Gotami was being selfish. She could not accept the death of her only son. She couldn’t realise that we are humans and it is natural for us to die. Yes. I agree that she was being selfish in her grief.

Reach for the Top - Maria Sharapova

 

Meanings to words and phrases:

disarming: likable

at odds with: in conflict with

poised: calm, elegant

pinnacle: the most successful point, the highest point of

rapid: fast, quick

ascent: growth, climb

endure: suffer patiently, withstand,

heart-wrenching: extremely sad

depress: sadden, feeling low

quitting: leaving, stopping, not going further

pursue: follow

bagging: winning

meteoric: very rapid

ambition: goal, aim

amply: plentifully

parades: displays, shows

sophisticated: fashionable

at odds with: in disagreement with

fizzy: aerated, bubbly

pigeon-holed: classified, categorized

unwavering: steady, firm

grudge: oppose, mind

Summary:

The success story of Maria Sharapova inspires us to remain determined and be ready to make sacrifices in order to fulfill our dreams. On 22 August 2005, Maria became the top-seeded player in the world women’s tennis player rankings. This lesson tells us about

At the tender age of nine, she left her home in Siberia, Russia to get training in tennis. She went to Florida in USA with her father. Maria suffered a painful separation from her mother for a period of two years. She could not see her father too as he remained busy working, arranging funds for all her needs. She was bullied by her seniors and being a foreigner, she had to suffer all that patiently. Maria did not feel depressed, rather she was prepared for greater insults too in order to achieve her aim.

Her mantra for success is to work hard and face the toughest competition. Although she was trained in the US, she considers herself to be a Russian and is willing to represent Russia at the Olympics too.

Her favourite hobbies are fashion, singing, and dancing. She loves reading novels written by Arthur Conan Doyle. Her love for fashionable evening gowns is in contrast to her liking for pancakes with chocolate spread and orange flavoured aerated drinks. The monetary gains and the fame incurred by Maria are well deserved.

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph.1. How is Maria’s personality a mix of contrasts?
The maturity, balanced mind and inner strength of Maria do not appear to be in accordance with her glamorous dress or her charming manner and ready smile. There seems to be some mismatch between her

2. What does Maria declare to be her ‘mantra for success’?
Maria works really hard to fulfill her dreams. She does not shy away from making any sacrifice. She does not allow herself to be emotional and sentimental. She is very competitive and works hard to be the best in whatever she does. She is driven by her hunger to succeed and the dream of becoming the world number one in women’s tennis. This is her mantra for success.

3. Why was Maria brought to Florida in the USA by her father? Why didn’t her mother go with her? How did Maria respond to this separation?
Maria was brought to Florida, USA, by her father, Yuri, to get trained as a professional tennis player and reach great heights of success and stardom in this sport. Her mother, Yelena, did not go with her because of visa restrictions. This two-year separation was very painful for the young girl. But Maria endured this

4. Describe Maria’s struggle to reach at the top of the world in the field of the women tennis.
Maria started working to achieve her goal at a very young age, making any sacrifices required. She had to face separation from her mother and stay in completely unfamiliar and hostile surroundings for years. She also faced humiliation but never let it affect negatively. She took it as a challenge and with her mental toughness and competitive nature; she succeeded in achieving her goal.

5. In addition to tennis, what else is Maria fond of?
Maria’s first love is tennis. Apart from this sport, she is fond of fashion, singing and dancing like any other young girl of her age. She also likes to read Arthur Canon Doyle’s novels, is fond of sophisticated evening gowns and enjoys pancakes with chocolate-spread and fizzy orange drinks.

 6. The lives of Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova have much in common to prove that determined and consistent hard work paves the way to success. Identify the points of comparison and contrast in the lives of these two great players. (Long Answer Question)

Santosh Yadav, the legendary mountaineer from India, and Maria Sharapova, Russia’s tennis sensation who trained in the USA, are living examples that single-minded determination and dedication and consistent hard work are the way to success. Both young women had to struggle against odds to reach the top. Santosh belonged to a small village in the Rewari district of Haryana while Maria came from the frozen plains of Siberia where she did not have adequate training facilities.

 

Although both girls were supported by their respective parents, Santosh, at times, had to struggle to make her conservative family agree to her decisions, while Maria’s parents were willing to make any sacrifice to help Maria succeed. However, both the young girls had to sacrifice the loving and protective environment of their homes in order to train for their passion.

Both the women had unwavering determination, physical and mental strength, and undivided focus on their goals. They both rose to the number one position in their respective areas within a short span of four years. While Sharapova moved from the frozen Siberia to the plains of Florida, Yadav moved from the plains of Rewari to the frozen Mount Everest. But both of them are devout patriots and their love for their country remains constant.

Grammar Exercises:

Working in small groups of 4–5 students, go back over the two passages on Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova and complete the table given below with relevant phrases or sentences.

Points of Comparison/Contrast	Santosh Yadav	Maria Sharapova
1. Their humble beginning	She was born in the small village of Joniyawas of Rewari District in Haryana.	She was born in the frozen plains of Siberia.
2. Their parents’ approach	Her parents disapproved of her wish to study at a school in Delhi, however, later they accepted it.	Her father worked hard to arrange funds for her training.
3. Their will power and strong desire to succeed	Then there was no looking back for this determined young girl.	When you come from nothing and you have nothing, then it makes you very hungry and determined.
4. Evidence of their mental toughness	Equipped with an iron will, physical endurance, and an amazing mental toughness, she proved herself repeatedly.	Instead of letting that depress me, I became more quietly determined and mentally tough. I learned how to take care of myself.
5. Their patriotism	I felt proud as an Indian.	Though Maria Sharapova speaks with a pronounced American accent, she proudly parades her Russian nationality.

 

The Hack Driver

Meanings:

Magnificent: glorious, majestic

Legal briefs: written legal documents

Summons: court order

Detective: investigator

Shadowy: dark, dim

Unpleasant: horrible

Rejoiced: felt happy, felt joyful

Witness: viewer, observer, who saw something happening

Eager: impatient, curious

Expectation: belief, supposition

Disappointed: upset

Agreeable: pleasing, nice

Poker game: a type of card game

Hack: A horse drawn vehicle, horse cart

Hangs out: To spend time doing nothing in particular

Affection: love and care for someone

Bargain: to negotiate the price of something

Black box on wheels: refers to the horse cart (the cart appeared like this)

Owes: be in a debt/ an obligation to pay money

Suspicious: doubtful

Hack Driver: the one drives a horse cart or hack

Confidence: trust, belief

Earnestly: sincerely

Proceed: to begin

Deceiving: cheating

Admire: praise, appreciate

Regret: to be sorry

Cheerily: happily

Hesitated: be in two minds, confused, unable to decide

Admitted: confess, agree

Lingered: waited around

Swede: a native or inhabitant of Sweden, or a person of Swedish descent

Concluded: to arrive at an opinion

Exhausted: used up, finished, tired

Poolroom: A place to play pool, a betting shop

Scarcely: hardly

Greasy meal: oily food

Pastures: grassland

Creeks: a stream, a body of flowing water

Adventures; exploit or event

Philosophy: ideology, beliefs

Meadows: fields, pastures

Resumed: restarted, continued

Cornered: forced into a place or situation

Enormous: huge

Represents: to be appointed to act on behalf of or speak for someone

Retired: Here, went inside

Seized: grabbed, snatched, got hold of

Frightened: afraid or anxious

Retreat: to pull back

Whispered: murmured

Disrespectful: rude, impolite

Examine: to look or consider a person or place, to assess

Barn: outhouse, shelter

Stable: A place where horses are kept

Shameful: disgraceful

Promising: hopeful

Hinted: suggested

Digging: tilling,

Ditch: a drain or trench

Loafing: spend time doing nothing

Hunt: search for

Begged: requested

Anxious: concerned, worried

Folks: people

Summary

The narrator of the story explains that after completing his graduation he started working with a famous law firm in the city. He was working as an assistant clerk there. He was not very happy with his job of serving summons because sometimes he had to face harsh situations while serving them. One day, he got the task of serving summons to Oliver Lutkins who was a key witness in some case. He lived in a small town named New Mullion.

The narrator was very excited to visit a small and beautiful town but his excitement ended by the dull appearance of the town. He saw a cheerful and nice deliveryman at the station. He enquired about Oliver Lutkins as he was new to the town and wanted to find him. The deliveryman told him that Oliver was a nasty man who owed debts to many people. The deliveryman, who introduced himself as Bill cunningly got to know that the lawyer came to serve summons to Lutkins relating to a court case.

The narrator made a deal with Bill. He hired Bill’s hack and went on a search for Lutkins. Bill impresses the narrator with his friendly manner and manages to trap him. They visit different places in search of Lutkins. Bill always asks the lawyer to stay behind. They go to Fritz’s to catch Lutkins while playing poker. They were told that he has gone to Gustaff for a shave. At Gustaff’s they weren’t able to meet him.  

Bill described Lutkins as a cunning man and guessed that he must have gone to Gray’s for a shave. They could not find him there. They were told that someone saw him at the pool room. Here somebody said that he left the poolroom after buying cigarettes.

In the afternoon, Bill offered him to buy lunch from his wife as it would be less costly than at the restaurant. They had lunch at Wade’s hill which was a very beautiful place. By that time the narrator was totally impressed by Bill’s nice and cheery nature. He even started comparing village people to city people. Later on, they went to search for Lutkins at his mother’s house on the basis of information derived from one of his friends.

There the lady received them horribly and they hurriedly left the place as she was about to attack them with a hot iron rod. At last, the lawyer had to leave without serving summons to Lutkins. The next day he was scolded badly by his chief and was again sent to New Mullion with a companion who knew Lutkins. Upon reaching the station, the lawyer happily pointed out that Bill was such a helpful person to him search Lutkins.

At this time, the truth was revealed by his companion from the law firm that the hack driver was none other than Lutkins himself. The clerk felt so bad and ashamed of how he had been fooled by a villager.

Read and Find Out (Answers to the questions on Page 47)

1. Why is the lawyer sent to New Mullion? What does he first think about the place?

The lawyer was sent to New Mullion to serve summons on Oliver Lutkins, who was needed as a witness in a law case.

He first thinks that the place must be a sweet and a simple country village.

2. Who befriends lawyer? Where does he take him?

A hack driver at the station, who called himself Bill Magnuson, befriends him. He told the lawyer that he knew Lutkins and would help in finding him. Bill took him to all the places where Lutkins was known to hang out. He took the lawyer to Fritz’s shop, where Lutkins played a lot of poker; to Gustaff’s barbershop and then to Gray’s barbershop; to the poolroom and several other places before finally taking him to Lutkins’ mother’s farm. However, Oliver Lutkins was not found.

3. What does Bill say about Lutkins?

Bill told the lawyer that Lutkins was a hard person to find as he was always busy in some activity or the other. He owed money to many people, including Bill, and had never paid back anybody. He also said that Lutkins played a lot of poker and was good at deceiving people.

Read and Find Out (Answers to the questions on Page 50)

1. What more does Bill say about Lutkins and his family?

Bill told the lawyer that he knew the mother of Lutkins’. He said that she was a terror. He narrated an incident when he took a trunk to her once and she almost took his skin off because he did not carry it carefully. He also said that she was very tall and bulky. She was very quick and could talk a lot. He said that Lutkins must have heard that somebody was chasing him and consequently would have gone into hiding at his mother’s place.

2. Does the narrator serve the summons that day?

No, the narrator did not serve the summons that day.

3. Who is Lutkins?

The hack driver himself is Lutkins but pretends to be Bill Magnuson. He tricks the lawyer to avoid the summons.

Think About It (Answers to the questions on Page 53)

1. When the lawyer reached New Mullion, did ‘Bill’ know that he was looking for Lutkins? When do you think ‘Bill’ came up with his plan for fooling the lawyer?

No, ‘Bill’ did not know initially that the lawyer was looking for him.

He must have made his plan for fooling the lawyer when the lawyer told him that he was looking for Lutkins, as he knew that he was required as a witness but did not want to give his testimony.

2. Lutkins openly takes the lawyer all over the village. How is that no one lets out the secret? (Hint: Notice that the hack driver asks the lawyer to keep out of sight behind him when they go into Fritz’s.) Can you find other such subtle ways in which Lutkins manipulates the tour?

Lutkins never allows the lawyer to reach the place where the imaginary Lutkins is supposed to be present at a given time. The way he weaves stories about Lutkins’ vagabond nature and the way he scares the lawyer about Lutkins’ mother are ways of fooling the lawyer devised by the hack driver. Everywhere he does not allow the lawyer to ask about Lutkins but he himself pretends to ask about him, which the villagers are knowing is a pretense. So the villagers also join in the whole drama.

3. Why do you think Lutkin’s neighbours were anxious to meet the lawyer?

Almost the entire village had enjoyed Lutkins making a fool of the lawyer. Only Lutkins’ neighbours had not seen the lawyer but had come to know what happened. They wanted to see the gullible man whom Lutkins had taken for a ride. That is why tiny wanted to meet him.

4. After his first day’s experience with the hack driver the lawyer thinks of returning to New Mullion to practice law. Do you think he would have reconsidered this idea after his second visit?

No, absolutely not. After knowing how Lutkins had made fool of him, he would never return to New Mullion to practice law.

5. Do you think the lawyer was gullible? How could he have avoided being taken for a ride?

Yes, the lawyer was gullible. He believed every word of what Oliver Lutkins alias Bill Manguson said. He should have asked about Lutkins from other villagers. Instead, he depended completely on the hack driver.

Reach for the Top - Santosh Yadav

Meanings to words and phrases:

contentment: satisfaction

affluent: wealthy, rich, well-to-do

inline with: following or in accordance with, according to, agreeing to

custom: tradition

politely: gently

urge: a strong desire

check it out: find out the truth, to know what is truth

answered in the affirmative: gave a positive reply, saying yes

no looking back: to progress without interruption or impediment, the progress continued

enrolled: took admission into, joined into

headed straight for: went towards, proceeded to

matured: developed, grown-up

resistance: the ability not to be affected by something, the capacity to endure

equipped: supplied with, having

physical endurance: strength

culmination: end, the final stage

scaled: climbed

annals: historic records

bestowed upon her: honored her with, awarded with

top honors: the highest award

Summary:

Santosh Yadav was born to wealthy landowners in Joniyawas, a village in Rewari district of Haryana. She was the youngest child, a sister to five elder brothers. She had to study in the village school as per the village traditions. Since childhood, she was opposed to the customs, preferred wearing shorts to the traditional dress.

At the age of sixteen, like other girls in the village, she was forced to get married but she resisted. She insisted on getting educated before getting married. She took admission in a school in Delhi but her parents refused to support her. She threatened them that she would work part-time to pay the school fee. Her parents accepted her desire to get higher education.

After high school, Santosh joined the Maharani college at Jaipur and lived at the Kasturba hostel. There she saw the villagers climb the Aravalli hills. She was curious and went to the hills. She found a group of mountaineers and wanted to join them in climbing the hills. They agreed and it was her first step in mountaineering.

Within four years, in 1992, she climbed Mount Everest. Her qualities of determination, physical and mental strength impressed her seniors. Her fellow climbers appreciated her concern for others and her willingness to work in a team. She saved the life of a fellow climber named Mohan Singh by sharing her oxygen cylinder with him. She joined an Indo-Nepalese woman expedition and climbed Everest twice, thus becoming the first woman in the world to climb the peak twice.

Santosh cannot describe the immense feeling of happiness and pride when she was on top of the world. As she hoisted the Indian flag, she felt proud to be an Indian. Being an environmentalist, she brought down five hundred kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

Textual Questions and Answers:

I. Answer these questions in one or two sentences each. (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answers.)

Q1. Why was the ‘holy man’ who gave Santosh’s mother his blessings surprised? (1)

The holy man who blessed Santosh’s mother was surprised because Santosh’s grandmother said that they did not want a son. As her mother already had five sons, they only wanted to be blessed with a gifted girl child. The holy man was surprised because every mother wanted to give birth to a son, contrary to Santosh’s mother.

Q2. Give an example to show that even as a young girl Santosh was not ready to accept anything unreasonable. (2)

Santosh was not always content with her place in a traditional way of life. She began living life on her own terms from the start. Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred shorts.

Q3. Why was Santosh sent to the local school? (3)

Although her parents were wealthy and could send her to a good school in the city of Delhi, they sent her to the village school because they followed the traditions.

Q4. When did she leave home for Delhi, and why? (4)

A. At the age of sixteen, Santosh left for Delhi and got admission in a school there. She wanted to get good education before getting married. Although her parents did not support her initially, they were forced by her determination and accepted her decision.

Q5. Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi? What mental qualities of Santosh are brought into light by this incident? (4)

Initially, Santosh’s parents refused to support her financially. She accepted this and decided to work part-time to pay her school fee. Then, her parents softened and consented to support her. This shows she was determined and she was ready for anything to get what was right for her.

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

Q1. How did Santosh begin to climb mountains?

When Santosh joined the Maharani college at Jaipur, she resided at the Kasturba hostel. It was located near the Aravalli hills. Every day she saw the villagers climb the hills and disappear behind them. She was curious. One day she joined a group of mountaineers. This way she started climbing mountains.

Q2. What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s concern for her team-mates?

Santosh tried to save a fellow climber but was unsuccessful at it. Later, she successfully saved the life of a fellow climber named Mohan Singh by sharing her oxygen cylinder with him.

Q3. What shows her concern for the environment?

Santosh Yadav is an environmentalist. She wanted to keep Himalayas garbage free. She brought down five hundred kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas. This shows her concern for the environment.

Q4. How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest?

A. Santosh was full of happiness and pride when she was literally on top of the world. As she unfurled the Indian flag on the summit, she felt proud of being an Indian. She said that it was a spiritual moment for her.

Q5. Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt Everest. What were the reasons for this?

The first time when Santosh climbed the Everest, she became the youngest woman to scale the Everest. When she climbed it the second time, she became the first woman in the world to have climbed the Everest twice.

Complete the following statements.

1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to _________

2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because _________

3. During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her _____________ while ___________ endeared her to fellow climbers.

 Answers.

1. From her room in Kasturba Hostel, Santosh used to watch the villagers climb the Aravalli hills.

2. When she finished college, Santosh had to write a letter of apology to her father because she had enrolled for a mountaineering course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi.

3. During the Everest expedition, her seniors in the team admired her determination while her concern for others endeared her to fellow climbers.

Pick out words from the text that mean the same as the following words or expressions. (Look in the paragraphs indicated.)

1. took to be true without proof (1): _________

2. based on reason; sensible; reasonable (2): ____________

3. the usual way of doing things (3): _______________

4. a strong desire arising from within (5): ____________

5. the power to endure, without falling ill (7): __________________

 Answers.

1. assumed

2. rational

3. custom

4. urge

5. resistance

 

The Proposal - Anton Chekhov

 Meanings to some words:

Farce: a comic dramatic work

dessiatins = a measurement of land in Russia

Pardon- forgive or excuse (a person, error or offence)

Awfully- very; extremely

Inherited- received as an heir at the death of the previous holder

Affectionate- readily feeling or showing fondness or tenderness

Oxen meadows- a land full of grass for animals to graze in

Birchwoods- a wood of birch trees

Assistance- the action of helping someone

Desire- a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something

to happen

Idiotic- very stupid; silly

Consent- agreement to do something

Egad- exclamation (expressing surprise, anger, or affirmation)

Lovesick- longing, yearning or desiring

Trembling- shaking or quivering, typically as a result of excitement, anxiety or

frailty

Hesitate- pause in indecision before saying or doing something

Housekeeper- a person who manages a household

Palpitations- a noticeably rapid, strong or irregular heartbeat due to agitation,

exertion or illness

Twitch- a sudden quick moment or feeling

Lunatic- a person who is mentally ill (not in technical use)

Neglige- form of nightgown

Gypsies- a group of nomadic people who travel from one place to another

Impudent- not showing due respect for another person

Carafe- an open-topped glass flask used for serving wine or water in a

restaurant

Hoarse- sounding rough and harsh

Restrain- prevent from doing something; keep under control or within limits

Excruciating- intensely painful; severe; acute; extreme

Palpitation- heartbeat

Hump- A rounded protuberance found as an abnormality on the back of a

person

Guzzling- greedy (here)

Gambler- a person who gambles; speculator

Intriguer- someone who tricks, deceives or cheats

Malicious-intending or intended to do harm

Numb- deprived of the power of physical sensation

Rascal- devil

Impudence- audacity

Perpetuity- the state or quality of lasting forever

Summary:

The curtain rises with Lomov entering his neighbour Chubukov’s house fully dressed up in his evening attire. Chubukov is surprised to see him well-dressed and asks him the occasion. Chubukov anticipates that he must have come to ask for money which he doesn’t intend on giving. Lomov reveals that he has come to make a request. On being revealed that Lomov had come to ask for Chubukov’s daughter, Natalya’s hand in marriage, Chubukov gets filled with excitement and leaves to call Natalya.
Lomov is a 35 year- old gentleman who suffers from palpitations, gets upset very easily. He thinks it is the best age for him to get married and he is happy that he has his mind made-up about Natalya. According to him, Natalya is average-looking and a good housekeeper. When Natalya arrives, Lomov begins the conversation about how grateful and glad he is that both their families are on good terms since the very beginning.
While continuing to talk about his land, he somehow mentions about Oxen Meadows. The property was in a dispute earlier, but it belongs to him now. Natalya believes that Oxen Meadows belong to her family. Both of them enter into a heated discussion and act childishly when Chubukov enters just to get the conversation more heated. They shout and scream while Lomov suffers from extreme pounding of the heart, a side pull, and a numb foot. They throw Lomov out of the house and continue cursing him.
While speaking ill of him, Chubukov unintentionally reveals that he had come with a marriage proposal for Natalya. Natalya is surprised and regrets sending him out. She tells her father to bring him back immediately and Chubukov curses himself on being a father of a grown-up daughter.
When Lomov returns, Natalya tries to deviate to another topic and starts talking about shooting. Soon they enter into an argument involving their dogs. Natalya feels that her Squeezer is better than Lomov’s Guess. They continue arguing when Chubukov enters the scene only to make the situation worse, once again. Everyone gets hyper and Lomov finally falls due to his palpitations. Even then, the cursing continues when suddenly Natalya notices that he is unconscious. When they fail to make him drink some water, they think that he is dead.

It is only when Lomov moves a little bit, they feed him some water and Chubukov forcefully hands over Natalya’s hands to him, gives his blessings and asks them to kiss. Lomov, still not fully conscious doesn’t understand what is going on. When he finally comes to his senses, he expresses his excitement and kisses Natalya’s hands. Natalya, being childish as she is, manipulates him into accepting that Squeezer is better than Guess but Lomov, being adamant as he is, refuses to accept it. Thus, once again, the quarreling continues.

Textual Questions and Answers

Thinking About the Play (Page 157)

1. What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says ‘And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play.

At first, Chubukov suspected that Lomov had come to borrow money as he was in his evening dress. He was not sincere when he told Lomov that he had always loved him and that he was like his own son, because he had decided to not give any money to Lomov.

2. Chubukov says of Natalya: “……. as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat……” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.

Yes, Natalya is in love. This is clear by the way she behaves when she gets to know that Lomov had come to propose to her. She starts weeping and asks her father to bring Lomov at once.

Night of the Scorpion - Nissim Ezekiel

Summary

Stanza 1

In stanza 1, the poet says that he remembers well that night when her mother was stung by a scorpion. The poet is of the opinion that the heavy rain which lasted for 10 hours made the scorpion crawl beneath a sack of rice.

Stanza 2

In stanza 2, the poet says that after biting his mother with its diabolic tail, the scorpion went back to rain outside again. The poet here shows sympathy as well as anger towards the scorpion. He is angry when he talks about its biting and sympathetic when he talks about its going to rain again.

Stanza 3

Hearing about the incident, the villagers rush to the poet’s home. He compares them with swarms of flies buzzing the name of God a hundred times to paralyze the Evil One, the scorpion.

Stanza 4

The poet then explains how the villagers searched for the scorpion. The villagers began searching for the scorpion and their shadows themselves seemed to be like a giant scorpion on the mud-baked walls.

The villagers begin searching for the scorpion because they believe that the poison spreads across the body with the movement of scorpion so if the scorpion is stopped and paralyzed, the poison effect can also be controlled.

Stanza 5

Having failed in finding the scorpion, they begin giving their own opinions about the biting of the scorpion. Some of them said that his mother’s sins which she committed in her previous birth have been forgiven.

Some others said that the pain that she is suffering from will decrease the troubles in her next birth. Some others put forward that her good deeds will be balanced against her bad deeds because of the suffering.

Stanza 6

Some others said that the poison will purify and refresh her flesh of desire and her spirit of ambition. All of them seemed to be in peace as they understood the pain and suffering of the poet’s mother

Stanza 7

More and more people come with candles and lanterns. His mother is however crying and rolling on the mat with severe pain. His father who is a sceptic, rationalist. He tries every possible cure for her pain.

His father uses powder, mixture, herb, and hybrid to help her recover from the pain. He even poured a little paraffin upon the bitten toe and then fires it up. The poet watches the flames of fire burning on the skin of his mother.

He also watches the holy man perform his rites to tame the poison with an incantation. His mother ultimately recovers from the poison after 20 hours.

Stanza 8

The last line is quite emotional and heart touching. The poet says that after recovering from the poison, his mother’s words were, ‘Thank God the scorpion picked on me and spared my children’.

Even in such a condition, his mother remains concerned about the safety and health of her children.

Answers to the textual questions:

2. Answer the following questions.

a. What did the villagers do to help the mother?

The villagers uttered prayers for the speaker’s mother. They searched for the scorpion with candles and lanterns. They spoke consoling words. They sat around her and tried to comfort her.

b. What were the steps taken by the father to save the mother? What does the speaker think about it?

The speaker’s father tried every blessing and curse. He used powders, mixtures and herbs. He even poured some paraffin over the wound and fired it. The speaker watched everything in silence. The speaker was not sure that the actions would make the mother comfortable.

c. Do you think it is odd that the speaker in the poem does nothing but stand and watch his/her mother suffer from scorpion sting? Give reasons for your answer.

No. It is no odd. The speaker may be too young at that time to participate in any action. The speaker could only observe the things that happened and hope that the mother would be well soon.

d. What kind of emotions do the last three lines of the poem convey?

The last three lines of the poem are very emotional. Despite all her suffering, the mother thought of her children. She was thankful that the scorpion had spared her children. We are moved by the motherly affection and love.

e. What is the poet trying to communicate to the reader through this poem?

The poet tells us about the innocence, superstitions, and common practices of the society. The poet tells us about how the peasants tried to help the mother. The poet communicated the love and affection of a mother at the end of the poem.

On Killing a Tree

 

About the Poet: 

Gieve Patel was born in 1940. He is an Indian poet, playwright, painter, as well as a practicing physician. He belongs to a group of writers who have subscribed themselves to the 'Green Movement' which is involved in an effort to protect the environment. His poems speak of deep concerns for nature and expose man's cruelty to it.

Introduction: 

The poem, ‘On Killing a Tree’ is written by Gieve Patel. In this poem, the poet tells us that it is not easy to kill a tree. We cannot kill a tree by cutting it off. A tree can regrow itself. We have to pluck out its roots from the earth to kill it completely.

Meanings:

Jab: sudden rough blow

Leprous hide: discoloured bark

Hack: cut roughly by striking heavy blows

Anchoring earth:  earth holding the roots of the trees securely

Snapped out: chopped out, cut off

Scorching and choking: the drying up of the tree and after being uprooted as it is exposed to the sun without nutrients, water, air

Summary:

The poet tells us not to destroy trees. He says that a plant takes sunlight, air, water, and nutrients from the earth to gradually become a huge tree. It develops a strong trunk and gets numerous leaves. Merely cutting the trunk of the tree does not kill it. When a tree is cut, the sap flows out. Once the wound heals, new leaves and tiny branches grow and the tree grows again.

In order to destroy a tree, it has to be uprooted. The roots are very important for the trees. The roots are white in colour. They are damp due to the moisture they get from the soil. These roots are the most sensitive part of the tree as they bind it to the earth. In order to kill the tree, these roots have to be detached from the soil.

Once the roots are detached, the tree starts dying, it withers dries up with the action of heat and wind, twists, hardens and finally, dies.

Question and Answers

1. Can a “simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?

A. No, a simple jab of the knife cannot kill a tree. When cut the tree bleeds out sap and as the wound heals, new leaves and branches will grow from it. Again the tree starts growing.

2. How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.

A. The tree has grown to its full size by consuming nutrients from the Earth, absorbing sunlight, air, and water. The words that suggest its life and activity are - consuming the earth, rising out of it, feeding upon its crust, absorbing years of sunlight, air, water.

3. What is the meaning of “bleeding bark”? What makes it bleed?

A. Bleeding bark refers to the oozing of sap. The sap flows out of the tree’s bark when it is cut. The tree bleeds when it is cut.

4. The poet says “No” in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?

A. ’No’ means that the tree will not die by cutting or chopping its trunk.

5. What is the meaning of “anchoring earth” and “earth cave”?

A. “Anchoring Earth” means that the Earth supports the tree firmly. “Earth cave” refers to the pit in the Earth where the roots of the tree bind it firmly.

6. What does he mean by “the strength of the tree exposed”?

A. “the strength of the tree exposed” means that upon being uprooted, the most sensitive and important part of the tree i.e. its roots will no longer remain hidden in the Earth and supported by Earth.

7. What finally kills the tree?

A. The tree dies when it is uprooted. It will not get any support from Earth. When it is detached from the Earth, it withers, hardens twists, and finally dies.

Literary Devices

1. No rhyme scheme is there in the poem. It is written in free verse. There is no rhyme or rhythm.

2. Enjambment: When one sentence continues into two or more lines.

Not a simple jab of the knife

Will do it. It has grown

Slowly consuming the earth

 

Rising out of it, feeding

Upon its crust, absorbing

Years of sunlight, air, water,

And out of its leprous hide

Sprouting leaves.

 

The most sensitive, hidden

For years inside the earth.

 

3. Metaphor: indirect comparison

Leprous hide - the uneven colour of the surface of the trunk of a tree is compared to the skin of a person suffering from leprosy.

Bleeding bark - the sap coming out of tree where it is cut is compared to the bleeding from the wound in a human’s body.

4. Alliteration: repetition of a consonant sound in 2 or more closely places words.

Bleeding bark - ‘b’ sound

White and wet - ‘w’ sound

5. Repetition: a word or sentence is repeated to lay emphasis on it.

‘Pulled out’ is repeated