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English Literature LINE / STANZA / SCENE WISE ANALYSIS OF POEMS, STORIES & DRAMA

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WHERE THE MIND IS WITHOUT FEAR ANALYSIS

Here, we attempt a crucial analysis of Where the Mind is without Fear by Rabindranath Tagore. Where the Mind is without Fear consists of eleven lines and somewhat resembles the style of a sonnet. In a sonnet, the first eight lines usually present an idea, are argumentative, put a proposal or a problem. If we look at the first eight lines of Where the Mind is without Fear, we find that the lines are a form of a prayer and it does present an idea. The first few lines have the repetition of the word ‘where’ which denotes a particular place but it not revealed revealed then and there. We We get to know about the place in in the last line line of the the poem. poem. The place is described described as a place full full of positive qualities, such as, fearlessness, knowledge, unity, truth, reason, perfection etc. in the last line the poet reveals the place as ‘that heaven of freedom’ and asks God to allow his country to reach there. FORM:

The verse form of the poem is free verse, having no metrical patterns or rhymes. rhymes. He was credited credited for having having discovered discovered this new form of composing poems, called prose poems. ALLITERATION in Where the Mind is Without Fear: Tagore has used alliteration in his poem, Where the Mind in without Fear. Alliteration is the repeated use of the same consonant sound at the beginning of each word in a line of verse. Here, in this poem, poem, the examples of alliteration are a s follows,‘head held high’, ‘where the world’, ‘dreary desert sand of dead habit’ and ‘where words.’ METAPHOR:

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is 2

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WHERE THE MIND IS WITHOUT FEAR ANALYSIS

Here, we attempt a crucial analysis of Where the Mind is without Fear by Rabindranath Tagore. Where the Mind is without Fear consists of eleven lines and somewhat resembles the style of a sonnet. In a sonnet, the first eight lines usually present an idea, are argumentative, put a proposal or a problem. If we look at the first eight lines of Where the Mind is without Fear, we find that the lines are a form of a prayer and it does present an idea. The first few lines have the repetition of the word ‘where’ which denotes a particular place but it not revealed revealed then and there. We We get to know about the place in in the last line line of the the poem. poem. The place is described described as a place full full of positive qualities, such as, fearlessness, knowledge, unity, truth, reason, perfection etc. in the last line the poet reveals the place as ‘that heaven of freedom’ and asks God to allow his country to reach there. FORM:

The verse form of the poem is free verse, having no metrical patterns or rhymes. rhymes. He was credited credited for having having discovered discovered this new form of composing poems, called prose poems. ALLITERATION in Where the Mind is Without Fear: Tagore has used alliteration in his poem, Where the Mind in without Fear. Alliteration is the repeated use of the same consonant sound at the beginning of each word in a line of verse. Here, in this poem, poem, the examples of alliteration are a s follows,‘head held high’, ‘where the world’, ‘dreary desert sand of dead habit’ and ‘where words.’ METAPHOR:

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is 2

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applied to an object or action that does not literally denote in order to imply a resemblance. In simpler words, comparing two words but not clearly stating. Examples of metaphor in the poem,‘clear stream of reason r eason’’ and ‘dreary desert desert sand sa nd of dead habit’. PERSONIFICATION:

“a tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection” is an example of fine personification in the poem. Personification refers to attribution of human qualities to inanimate ideas. Here the ‘tireless striving’ has been personified like a human being stretching his arms to reach his goal through perfection. STYLE:

Where The Mind Is Without Fear was included in the volume called ‘Naibedya’, the original poem bears the title ‘Prar thana’ meaning prayer. The poem is a prayer to God. The poem poem is a form of a prayer to the universal father-figure, presumably pr esumably God. Tagore Tagore prays to the fatherfigure for a country where the people should be free from fears, where knowledge would be free to all individuals and the people from all religions should be united. He wants India to t o awake in such a heavenly state. Portrayal of the British Rule:

Through the poem, the poet has revealed subtlety the miserable condition of India during the British Rule. The state of India can be understood by the opposites of the phrases used in the poem. Following few are the examples of the phrases used,* Mind without fear implies a mind full of fear * Head held high implies head bowed down (no dignity) * Perfection implies imperfection * Truth implies lies TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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*Knowledge for free implies restricted knowledge The above opposites implies the state of the country under the British Rule and therefore the poet’s earnest prayer to the Lord to reverse the current condition of the state. FREEDOM expressed in Where the Mind is Without Fear Where the Mind is without Fear was written when India was under the British Rule. Tagore wanted his motherland to at tain freedom from all levels- religious, political, moral and intellectual. The following are the kind of freedom Tagore insisted upon. *Freedom from oppression * Freedom of thought and expression *Freedom to acquire knowledge *Freedom to speak truth *Freedom of mind *Freedom to attain perfection The title of the poem is very significant and appropriate to convey the expressions and thoughts in the poem. Hope you’ll share this analysis of Where the Mind is Without Fear by Rabindranath Tagore. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1. What hapens when the mind is without fear? Is ‘fearless’ society a just society? Why? When the mind is without fear, one can truely enjoy one’s freedom. According to Rabindranath Tagore, the first essential prerequisite for people to enjoy their freedom is a fear less state. Yes, a ‘fearless’ society is a just society as only if nation is bult where people have nothing to fear, then the people will be able to 4

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fully appreciate their freedom. Q2. What are narrow domestic walls? What are the results of constructing narrow domestic walls? The poet uses the phrase “narrow domestic walls” to suggest the community divisions based on caste, creed, religious bigotry, gender, etc. It is called ‘narrow’ as it is a result of narrow-mindedness of people. The result of constructing such ‘narrow domestic walls’ is more oppression and suppression by the advantageous people on the less advantageous. Q3.

What is broken up in fragments and how?

The world, that is the humanity is broken up in fragments by the ‘narrow domestic walls’ such as gender discrimination, casteist oppression, communal hatred and violence and terrorist attacks happening all around us. Q4. Do you think that we still live in a world which is broken up in fragments by narrow domestic walls? Why do you think so? Yes, we still live in a world broken up in fragments by ‘narrow domestic walls” as we still have casteist oppression, gender discrimination and violence and communal harred and riots, and terrorist attacks happening all around us. Q5. What is the truth that the poet is referring to? Who is the poet? What is his claim to fame? The poet is referring to man’s conscience when he talks about truth. Rabindranath Tagore is the poet. Rabindranath Tagore is a poet, novelist, dramatist, short story writer, essayist, painter, lyricist and musician. He composed about 2,230 songs, did numerous paintings, wrote eight novels (The Home TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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and the World, Gora, Four Chapters) and four novellas, many volumes of short stories, non-fictional essays, and many plays. He won Nobel Prize for ‘Gitanjali’. Q6. What do you understand by ‘clear stream of reason”? What is reason? The phrase “clear stream of reason” signifies pure reason. Reason is being rational and not tied by superstition and unreasonable tr aditions. Q7. What is the “dead habit” according to the poet? What should happen to dead habits? Why or why not? By the phrase “dead habits”, Rabindranath Tagore refers to old customs. The poet is of the view that the dead habits should not bind people’s mind. People should think and act rationally and not blindly follow old customs. If people do not have rational mind and merely follow old customs then it would be determental for the nation as the nation would not progress. Q8. How does dead habits obstruct the realization of freedom? Dead habits or old customs make a nation as arid as desert and make man slave to irrational beliefs and thoughts which according to the poet obstructs true realization of India’s freedom. Q9. Who is ‘thee’? What significance does ‘thee’ has in the works of the poet? Rabindranath Tagore refers to God by saying ‘thee’. Tagore being a spiritual person and mystic poet tries to locate the ultimate truth in God and therefore in his works God and spirituality has a special significance. 6

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Q10. What does the poet mean by “ever widening thought and action”? Rabindranath Tagore thinks that one should always try to progress, develop and upgrade oneself with one’s thoughts and actioins which are being referred to as ‘ever-widening”. If one thinks and acts accordingly then one is always thinking of developing, that is ‘widening’ and yearning for more. Q11. What is “Heaven of freedom” according to the poet? “Heaven of Freedom” is freedom in its ideal state when people are fearless and rational to think and do whatever they feel like, when people can live with self-respect and pur sue knowledge according to their wish. Q12. Is the dream of the poet realized? Is so, how? It not, why not? No, the poet’s dream is not realized a s well have not got the kind of freedom that Rabidranath Tagore envisioned in the poem. It is true that we have achieved freedom; but we still live in a society where various manmade discriminations are dividing the society, where ‘fear’ grips our mind still, where violence is still prevalent in various aspects of social and cultural life, where everyone is not in a situation to pursue knowlede as they want to and where we are still victims of old customs.

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THE INCHCAPE ROCK ANALYSIS STYLE:

The Inchcape Rock is written in the form of a ballad interwoven with a number of poetical devices to convey a moral lesson- ‘As you sow, so shall you reap.’ A ballad is a long, narrative poem that tells a stor y. The Inchcape Rock tells the story of a wicked pirate who cuts off the bell on the Inchcape Rock, which was put there by an abbot. He did so out of selfish motive and envy. In the end his own ship crashes against the Rock and is drowned in the sea. The moral of the poem goes like this that ‘he who digs a pit for others, falls into it.’ Thus the ballad has adventure, heroism, jealousy and a moral. RHYMING SCHEME:

A ballad is traditionally sung by a wandering musician. Here, each stanza of the first line rhymes with the second and the third with the fourth. An example is given below: “The buoy of the Inchcape Bell was seen A darker speck on the ocean green; Sir Ralph the Rover, walk’d his deck And he fix’d his eye on the darker speck.”

ALLITERATION:

Alliteration is the close repetition of the consonant sounds at the beginning of words to facilitate narration. Examples of alliteration in the poem are,a. The ship was as still as she could be b. Without either sign or sound of their shock PERSONIFICATION: 8

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Personification is a figure of speech in which inanimate objects or abstract ideas are given human attributes or feelings. An example of Personification in the poem is: “The Ship was as still as she could be Her sails from heaven received no motion, Her keel was steady in the ocean.”

METAPHOR:

A metaphor is that figure of speech where comparison of two different things are implied but not clearly stated. Exa mple of metaphor in the poem is given below,“A sound as if with the Inchcape Bell The Devil below was ringing his knell.”

DESCRIPTIVE TECHNIQUES:

The poet has used descriptive and narrative techniques to enhance the effect of the poem. The poem, The Inchcape Rock, provides a fine verbal image of the calm atmosphere of the sea. Then the Inchcape Rock is introduced, the old Abott’s plan of putting a bell. This way the ballad glides from one incident to another very smoothly, providing a vividly picture into the readers minds.


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Example of Visual images in the poem: 1. The sun in heaven was shining gay. 2. The waves flowed over the Inchcape Rock. Examples of Sound images in the poem: 1. And over the waves its warning rung. 2. The sea birds screamed as they wheeled round, And there was joyance in their sound. DIDACTIC POEM:

The poem, The Inchcape Rock, teaches a moral lesson- As you sow, so shall you reap. A poem with a moral theme is called a didactic poem. The poem pr oves the pr inciple tha t cr ime gets its own punishment. The Rover, cuts off the bell to peeve the good Abbot and the other helpless sailors but in the end he falls into his own laid trap. Remorse and regrets later overtake him but it was too late already. “Sir Ralph the Rover tore his hair, He cursed himself in despair”

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1. Who had placed the Inchcape Bell on the Rock? Why did he do that? What can you conclude from this action about his character? The abbot of Aberbrothok placed the Inchcape Bell on the Rock. He did it so that no ship hits the rock and perishes. From this action, one can conclude that the Abbot of Aberbrothok was a kind man who thought about others (altruistic) and did things to help others. Q2. How did the Inchcape Bell work? What was the outcome of its operation? The Inchcape Bell was placed on the rock in such a manner that 10

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it would float and swing over the waves whenever there is a storm. The bell would thus provide a warning to the mariners that there is the Inchcape Rock and would help them in locating it so that the ship does not hit the rock and perish. Q3. What is meant by “T he buoy of the Inchcape Bell”? Why did it look like a darker speck? What does the ocean green suggest to you? The phrase “The buoy of the Inchcape Bell” means “the anchored float” (showing navigable) above the Inchcape Rock where the bell was placed. It looked like “a darker speck” amidst the wide sea; it was like a darker patch. The term “the ocean green” suggests the wide ocean which seems to be green in colour. Q4. Who was Sir Ralph the Rover? After seeing the buoy of the bell, what thought, in regard to the bell, entered his mind? Sir Ralph the Rover as the term ‘rover’ suggests is a sea pirate. After seeing the buoy of the bell, Sir Ralph the Rover thinks of cutting of the bell of the Inchcape Rock so that it drowns and the sailors would not anymore bless the Abbot of Aberbrothok. Q5. What type of character was the Rover? Compare his character to that of the Abbot. The Rover is a jealous and villainous man. Whereas the Rover is jealous of the Abbot of Aberbrothok (who is altruistic and thinks about others’ good) as mariners bless him for placing the bell on Inchcape Rock, Sir Ralph the Rover is villainous and selfish as he plans to cut off the bell. Q6. When and why did the mariners bless the Abbot? What lesson do you learn from the life of Abbot? What are your feelings for him? TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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Whenever the mariners reached near the Inchcape Rock, they could hear the warning bell from the Inchcape Rock which the Abbot had placed and they would bless the Abbot. From the life of the Abbot we can learn that we should always think of doing good to others. One feels that he is a great man and thinks about others. Q7. What bell is referred to in the extract? Who is indicated by the word ‘next’? Why won’t the next who comes bless the Abbot of Aberbrothok? The bell tht the Abbot of the Aberbrothok placed on the Inchcape Rock is referred to in the extract. The word “next” refers to the mariners who reach the Inchcape bell after Sir Ralph the Rover placed the bell there. The “next’ who comes to the Inchcape Rock will not bless the Abbot of berbrothok as the bell won’t be there anymore to remind of the altruistic deed of the Abbot. Q8. After the incident referred to in the extract, where does Ralph go? Why? What degree of success does he have in his mission? After cutting off the bell, Ralph went off to faraway places on the sea. He went away to plunder and grow rich. He was successful in his mission of plundering and amassed great wealth, but to be drowned when he again reached the Inchcape Rock. Q9. Where does Ralph finally wish to go? What does he suddenly see in the sky? What is the condition of the weather that day? Ralph finally wishes to go to Scotland’s shore. He sees that the sky is covered with a thick haze and he cannot see the sun anymore. It is so dark that no one was able to see anything. 12

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Q10. Where does he wish to go? What kind of weather does he face? How is Sir Ralph optimistic about the weather? Ralph wishes to go to Scotland’s shore. The weather is grim as it is dark with thick haze. Ralph is optimistic that soon the moon will rise and pr ovide some light on the sea. Q11. What does one sailor complain and say? What does the second sailor say? What does the speech of the second sailor indicate? What emotion is aroused in the second sailor? One of the sailors complained that he could not hear anything because the breakers were making a deafening sound. The second sailor said that he could not tell where they were and wished he could hear the Inchcape Bell. The speech of the second sailor indicates that Sir Ralph the Rover was wrong in cutting off the bell. The emotion of Ralph being wrong and villainous is aroused in the second sailor’s mind. Q12. Why could not the sailor hear anything? What would they have liked to hear? Where did they drift? What happened to them then? The sailor could not hear anything as the breakers were making a deafening sound. They would have liked to hear the Inchcape Bell. They drifted towards the Inchcape Rock. They were hit against the Inchcape Rock and drowned. Q13. Do you like the way the poem ends? Give two reasons to justify your answer. Yes, one likes the way the poem ends as (i) the Rover was punished by his evil act and (ii) the providence did justice. TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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Q14. Why does Sir Ralph tear his hair? What despair is referred to in the extract? Sir Ralph tore his hair as he is about to be drowned with his ship for his own evil act of cutting of the bell. The despair is that he, being jealous, cuts off the bell and his ship is now hit against the rock to be drowned. Q15. What makes the ship sink? Why does Sir Ralph curse himself? The ship sinks as it has hit the Inchcape Rock. He curses himself as he has cut off the bell from the Inchcape Rock which warned mariners about the rock. Q16. To what does Sir Ralph compare the sound of the bell? Why? Sir Ralph compares the sound of the bell with the Devil ringing the death knell. He does so as he knows that with the drowning ship he is about to be drowned. Q17. What was the cause of his ‘dying fear ’? What good purpose did the Inchcape Bell serve? For what purpose is the Bell in the extract now referred to by the poet? His “dying fear” is that his ship is about to sink and he is going to die. The Inchcape Bell served the function of warning the mariners of the dangerous rock. The bell in the extract refers to the bell that the Devil rings at one’s death. Q18. Explain the meaning and significance of the “dreadful sound”. Earlier the Rover had cut off the Bell. What was the comment when he did that? In what way was his comment after cutting the bell a prophecy of his own doom? 14

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The dreadful sound is the sound of the devil ringing one’s death knell. Earlier when the Rover cut off the bell he said that the next who would come to the Inchcape Rock would not bless the Abbot of Aberbrothok anymore. It was a prophecy of his own doom as when he himself was drifted to the Inchcape Rock, there was no bell to warn him about the rock and thus his ship hit against the rock and sank. Q19. What are your feelings at the end of the poem? What do you learn from the poem? At the end of the poem the readers’ feelings were that one who digs a pit for others, falls into it himself. One learns that when one intends to harm others by doing a wrong deed one becomes a victim of the deed himself.


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IN THE BAZAARS OF HYDERABAD ANALYSIS

Sarojini Naidu is a poet of Indian thought and culture and her poems described Indian flora and fauna, Indian customs and traditions, festivals, men and women, places legends of kings and queens etc. In her poem, In The Bazaars of Hyderabad, she has sketched the image of a typical Indian bazaar in Hyderabad. Please go through the summary of in the bazaars of Hyderabad if you haven’t! STYLE:

The general style of the poem is in the form of question and answers. Each stanza begins with a question and ends with an answer. The poet enquires the sellers and vendors of the bazaar about what they are selling which brings out the grandeur of the traditional Indian bazaars. It also adds a special charm to the lyrics of the poem. The poet has used vibrant rhymes to describe the magnificence of the bazaars and the products sold. It also adds life to her descriptions. Examples of the rhyming words are, ‘brocade-jade’; ‘rice-spice-dice’; ring-wing-king’; ‘red-beddead’ and many more. LYRICAL POEM:

Lyrical poetry is a form of poetry that expresses personal and emotional feelings of the poet. In The Bazaars of Hyderabad is a lyrical poem. It celebrates the life depicted in the bazaars of Hyderabad, the occupation of the common folk, their joys and sorrows of everyday life. IMAGERY:

The poet has touched upon all the five senses of the human body to describe the splendor of the Indian traditional bazaar. 16

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Visual imagery is depicted by the use of vibrant colors- silver, crimson, purple, amber, blue, azure, red and white. Olfactory senses are stimulated by the use of the fragrancessandalwood, henna and the smell of flowers. Auditory imagery is created through the music played by the sitar, the t he sarangi sara ngi and the drums. Also Also the chanting of the magical sp ells by the magicians produces an auditory image in the minds minds of the readers. Gustatory imagery that is the sense of taste is created through the portrayal of the fruits like lemons, pomegranates and plums, staple Indian food lentils and rice. Finally, the tactile imagery which is the sense of touch produc ed by the bells made for the pigeons. pigeons. POETICAL DEVICES:

Simile: A simile is a figure of speech in which two dissimilar objects are compared and the comparison is made clear by the use of terms like ‘like’, ‘such as’ and so on. Here, in In The Bazaars of Hyderabad, ‘frail as a dragon-fly’s wing’ is a fine example of simile. The bells of made for the feet of the pigeons are compared with the delicate wings of a dragon-fly. Repetition: Sarojini Naidu has repeatedly asked questions in every stanza about the different kinds of goods sold in the bazaar. What do you sell, o ye merchants? What do you weigh, o ye vendors? THEMES:

Folk theme is one of the dominant themes in Sarojini Naidu’s poetry. poetry. In The Bazaa rs of Hyderabad Hyderabad deals with one such theme, theme, the loveliness and vibrancy of a traditional Indian bazaar in the city of TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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Hyderabad. The poet has vividly described the bazaar with vendors selling different kind of wares. Sarojini Naidu visits the stalls given by merchants, maidens, pedlars, goldsmiths, fruit sellers, musicians and flower girls. She questions them about what they are selling about what they are selling and who in turn politely answer. Through the poem, we see the bazaar witnesses both sorrows and joys of life. They witness happy moments such as wedding when the bazaar is crowded with people buying garlands, jewelry etc and also during the festive occasions like Holi, Diwali, Eid etc. The bazaars also witness occasions of sadness like death when kings and soldiers die and the flower girls are seen weaving sheets of white flowers to be used for the dead people’s grave. Another theme in the poem is the Swadeshi Movement. Though this theme is not explicitly mentioned in the poem but it can be deduced from the time period when the poem was composed. As we all know, Sarojini Naidu was a freedom fighter and she actively took part in the freedom move movemen mentt and was an ardent follower follower of Gandhiji and his ideals. . During this time, publication of Indian newspapers was banned so she might have thought the best way to spread the message to people was through her poems. In this poem, she is asking the people of India to boycott the foreign goods and buy products from the typical Indian Indian markets which she she has beautifully beautifully depicted in in her poem In The Bazaars of Hyderabad. Hyderabad. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1.

What is the poet describing? Why?

Sarojini Naidu is describing describing a bazaar ba zaar of Hyderabad. Being a poet and a national freedom fighter, Sarojini Naidu not only thought thought about fighting against the t he colonial colonial British, but at a t the same 18

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time tried to champion Indian culture and traditions to regain the selfrespect of Indians I ndians which was lost due to colonial rule. By championing Indian bazaar, the poet is trying to present the rich colourful bazaar of India. Q2.

What are displayed richly? Why are they called ‘richly”?

In the bazaar of Hyderabad, the merchants have richly displayed expensive products such as turbans of chrimson and silver, tunics of purple brocade, br ocade, mirrors with panels of amber, amber, daggers daggers with handles of jade. The merchants are rich men and what they are selling is also for the rich as the common people cannot afford to buy these products. Therefore the poet uses the term ‘richly”. Q3. What aspect of Indian society is reflected by what the merchants are selling? The poet, Sarojini Naidu, is pointing out India to be a land of the rich where people like like to possess luxurious and a nd expensive products. If the British try to portray India as a poor, impoverished country then that is a false image. It has a culture of its own, a rich culture, which can be easily made out by the things that the merchants sell in the market. Q4. Why do the maiden grind sandalwood, henna and spice? W hat aspect of the Indian society is presented through these items? The maidens grind sandalwood, henna and spice to be sold in the market. Grinding of spices, sandalwood, henna by women shows that in India women also take part in the activities of the market. Q5.

What does the words “chessman and ivory dice” suggest? sugg est?

The words ‘chessman and ivory dice” suggest the Indian fascination for games, especially board games, chess and dice. TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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Q6. What purpose does the poet serve by portraying these peopl e? In this stanza, the Indian bazaar is shown to be a place where essential commodities like ‘saffron, rice, lentils” are sold. The commoners come to market to buy these. Grinding of spices, sandalwood and henna by woman shows that in India women also take part in the activities of the market. The Indian fascination for games, especially board games, chess and dice, is also evident from the passage. Q7.

Who are ‘pedlars”? What do they do in market?

Pedlars are people who travel about selling wares. Pedlars sells pieces of chess, ivory dice and other such wares in the market. Q8. Who are goldsmiths? Are goldsmiths of any special significance in the poem? Goldsmiths are workmen who make gold jewelry. The golden jewelry that the goldsmiths are making shows the kind of richness Indian culture represents, as luxury items like bells are made for the feet of the pigeons, etc. which shows that Indians are luxurious in their living and not merely a poor nation as the West would like to believe. Q9. What picture does the poet portray through the images in the passage? The poet, Sarojini Naidu, wants to portray the rich culture of India. Therefore, she shows how in the Indian markets goldsmiths are busy not only making common jewelry but also luxurious delicate items like bells for the feet of the pigeons, coverings for cases for kings, etc.

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Q10. By the list of things that goldsmiths are making, what do you have to say about the Indian Culture? The goldsmiths are busy making wristlets and anklets and rings, bells for the feet of blue pigeons, girdles of gold for the dancers, scabbards of gold for the king. By the list of things that Sarojini Naidu presents, we can easily guess that the poet wanted to present the rich and luxurious culture of India. The luxury of the Indians can be perceived from the fact that the rich make golden coverings, cases and bands. The height of luxury is presented by the poet when bells are shown to be made for the feet of the pigeons. The bells are as frail as the wing of a dragon fly, which points out the craftsmanship of the goldsmiths. Q11. What is Citron? What does the poet try to achieve by mentioning different fruits? Citron is a large fruit which is similar to lemons. Through different things that are being sold in the Indian bazaar, the poet, Sarojini Naidu wanted to appeal to all the five senses of the readers. The colourful fruits and their smell appeal to the readers and show how colourful the Indian market is. Q12. Why are the musicians playing the instruments in the marketplace? Musicians also play their music in the marketplace as Indian market or bazaar is not only a place for buying and selling; but also a meeting place for people having multifarious interests. The music in the market makes the place a charming one. Q13. What is the need of the magician in the marketplace? Does the existence of magicians serve any special purpose in the poem? Apparently there is no need of a magician in a marketplace, but magicians in the marketplace provide a particular charm to the market TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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which according to the poet is not just a place for commercial transactions and for buying and selling everyday items and luxury stuff, but also a place for people having differennt interests to meet. The magician serve the purpose of showing how Indian market is a charming place which has a beauty and fascination of its own. Q14. What is “aeons”? “Aeons” may meen (i) a divine power or nature emanating from the Supreme Being and playing various roles in the operation of the universe; or (ii)

an immeasurably long period of time

Sarojini Naidu used the word here to suggest how the magicians cast their charming spells for long period of time. Q15. Comment on the poet’s intention in the passage. Sarojini Naidu’s intention in the passage is to create a picture of Indian bazaar which is unique for its beauty and charm and not merely a place of buying and selling and business transactions. It is also a place for various other purposes, such as entertainment. The musician’s melody and the magicians spell provide for bazaa r a charm of its own, which is a typical feature of an Indian bazaar. People from different bac kgrounds, with divergent interests gather there for different purposes and the gathering has a charm of its own. Q16. What does the phrase “tassels of azure and red” mean? The phrase “tassels of azure and red” means “braids or edgings of blue/sapphire and red colour.” Q17. What does the phrase “the sleep of the dead” mean? The phrase “the sleep of the dead” means the perpetual sleep 22

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that the dead people enter into. Q18. What image does the poet try to point out in the above passa ge? The image presented in the above passage is that of the beauty of the bazaar which is similar to that of assorted flowers available in the market; but is also significant in terms of its diverse colours which signify the diversity of Indian culture. Q19. Comment on the colours in the passage? Is it a picture of beauty to the eye? Different colours – red, sapphire, blue, white etc are presented in the poem through the colours of flowers. It is truly a colourful image of an Indian Bazaar being presented by the poet as its diverse colours would represented the diversity of the Indian culture.


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SMALL PAIN IN MY CHEST ANALYSIS

Small Pain in My Chest by Michael Mack was read over to 5000 people, at the funeral of the first Blackhawk helicopter pilot, who was shot down in Iraq. It is also read at the Vietnam Veterans meetings. The poem shows the pain suffered by the soldiers in a war. It also portrays the human spirits in times of war and crisis. STYLE: BALLAD:

Small Pain in My Chest is written in a form of ballad. A ballad is a short story in verse originally meant to be sung. It is a long narrative poem that tells a story. It comprises of small stanzas and has a refrain. It provides the poem a musical quality. The poetical devices used in this ballad are a s follows,Narration:

In this poem, Small Pain in My Chest, the poet has told the agony of a dying soldier on the battlefield. The poem does not describe his action but the consequences of a war and the effects on the lives of the soldiers. The poem has beautifully described the thoughts going in the mind of a dying soldier. The soldier is shown to be smiling in order to hide his pain. Rhyming Scheme:

The poem is consists of nine stanzas of four lines each with the rhyming scheme aabb. The first lines rhyme with the second and the third rhymes with the fourth. This pattern is designed to show the reader the flow of emotions in a poem. Refrain:

A refrain is a phrase, verse or group of verses repeated at intervals throughout the poem, especially at the end of each stanza. 24

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‘Small pain in my chest’ is repeated with little variations throughout the poem. It has been used to focus on the pain and suffering that the soldier is going through. Alliteration:

Alliteration is the close repetition of the consonant sounds at the beginning of words to facilitate narration. The examples of alliteration in the poem Small Pain in My Chest, are, *myself more lucky *see the sun is shining *smiled a smile *seems silly *what would my wife

SYMBOLIC POEM:

Small Pain in My Chest is a symbolic poem. Symbolism refers to the use of symbols to represent ideas or facts. A small pain in the soldier’s chest is a big conscience of humanity. The soldier asks for a sip of water which symbolizes that he is asking for some understanding and concern for the human being who is suffering for no fault o his. The soldier looks around for some help but he finds nothing other than craters in the earth, symbolizing the relics of destruction. He has been fighting for day and night without cause. He is fatigued and then goes for his eternal rest. As the soldier is approaching death the sun for him is becoming dim and everything around him becomes darker. The darkness symbolizes his death that is slowly entering his life. At the end of the poem, when the narrator holds the soldier near to him, their wounds get pressed. The narrator has the larger wound. The larger wound symbolizes the greater guilt on the part of humanity at not being able to give up wars. TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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Background of the Poem:

Small Pain in My Chest is based on the Vietnam War, a prolonged struggle which began in 1955 and ended in 1975. The war started as an insurgency in South Vietnam sponsored by the North Vietnamese government. It resulted in direct military intervention in the South Vietnam by North Vietnam. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1. What does “scores of figures” mean? What image comes to your mind when you come across the phrase “scores of figures”? The phrase “scores of figures” refers to the dead bodies of soldiers. The image of battle field where many people have wasted their lives comes to mind with the phrase “scores of figures”. Q2. Who is asking for help and why? To whom is he asking for help? What help could the person provide? Was it enough? The soldier boy is asking for help as he is in immense pain. He is asking for help to the narrator of the peom. The soldier boy asked for some water. The help that the narrator provided to the wounded soldier boy was not enough, as he could not save the wounded soldier from his death. Q3.

What is the importance of “a small pain in my chest”?

The phrase “a small pain in my chest” is significant as it is the pain caused by the bullet that has wounded the soldier in his chest and would be the reason of his death. T he pain is not small, but it connotes the ‘smallness’ or ‘puniness’ of vision of those people who perpetrate war. Q4. What stain is being referred to in the poem? Is it merely a stain? 26

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The blood stain from the wound of the soldier in his chest caused by being hit by a bullet is referred to in the poem. It is not merely a stain; but a symbol of bloodshed that warfare is all about and the pain and suffering the soldiers go through. Q5. What does “Asian dirt” suggest? Is it of any special significance in the poem? Can one use other phrases instead of “Asian dirt”? Why? The phrase “Asian dirt” refers to the Vietnam War as Michael Mack was a Vietnam War veteran. Yes, instead of the word “Asian” we can use any other word which refers to any war. We can do so as the peom is universal and talks about the state and suffering of soldiers which is true of every war throughout the world. Q6. Why does he consider himself luckier? Is he really lucky? Who are the rest? What happened to them? The soldier boy considers himself luckier as all the other soldiers of his troop are dead, whereas he has just survived with a pain in his chest. No, he is not lucky at all. He is not lucky as he eventually succumbs to death because of the bullet that has hit his chest. The rest are the other soldiers of his troop, his companions. The rest of the soldiers are hit by bullets and are dead. Q7.

Why was he looking for aid? What aid was he asking for?

He was looking for aid as he was unable to move because of the pain caused by the bullet that has hit him in his chest. Q8. What are ‘deep craters”? How are they created? What is the importance of the craters is the context of the poem? “Deep craters” are depressions on the ground. These depressions, as described in the poem, are created by the TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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bomb shelling. The significance of the craters is that it shows the horror of warfare and the waste it is. The deep craters symbolically also suggest how warfare is a big depression for humanity at large. Q9. What made him sit down at last? For how long was he sitting? Could he stand upon his own? Why or why not? The pain in his chest and fatigue made him sit down. He was sitting throughout the night. He could not stand up on his own as he has a pain in his chest for being hit by a bullet. Q10. What would his wife think? Is it sinificant in any way? The soldier boy thinks what his wife would think when she sees that he is too weak to stand alone. Traditionally soldiers ar e known for their bravery, tolerance of pain and heroism - but all these are constructs which seem only good in books - not in reality. In reality, war is all gory. Therefore what the wife thinks is no way significant. Q11. What would his mother opine? What image does the poem want to evoke through this passage? The mother of the soldier would not have imagined that her son would sit like this with a pain in his chest. The poet wants to evoke the notion of how people still have heroic notions about war. Q12. Comment on the poet’s intention of humanizing soldiers in the war front. What purpose does it serve? The poet Michael Mack humanizes soldiers as they are also human beings and suffer pain in warfront as against the heroic notions which are usually portrayed about war. This kind of portrayal serves the purpose of portraying the reality about war.

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Q13. Comment on the sentence “I’ll get a little rest ......” The sentence “I’ll get a little rest......” suggest reality of war. War is a grim and gory affair a nd all the notions of heroism associated with war is nothing but sham. The sentence suggests the pain of the soldier who is willing to rest. Q14. Who cannot recall? What he cannot reacall? Why? The narrator of the poem cannot recall what happened immediately after the soldier boy died. He cannot do so as he is dumbfounded by suffering and consequent death of the soldier boy. Q15. What wound does the speaker have? Whereas the soldier boy was wounded by a bullet in his chest, the narrator was moved by the suffering and death of the soldier boy. It shows how war is an inhuman activity and a meaningless waste. The suffering and the inhuman aspect of war wounded the narrator and it was a big blow to his “heart”; that is, his human self. Q16. How are the wounds pressed? As the soldier boy died, the narrator pulled the soldier to himself, and the narrator could feel that their wounds were pressed against each other - the narrator’s would in the heart and the soldier’s pain in his chest. Q17. Critically comment on the last line of the passage. The last line of the passage is significant it is exactly the opposite to what is portrayed in the poem. Whereas the poem represents the inhuman aspect of humanity at large when they get into wars; the last line shows how the narrator feels compassionate for the dying soldier. The death of the soldier is a blow to humanity and to the heart of the narrator.


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THE PROFESSOR ANALYSIS

The Professor is noted for its expression of the Indian attitude. Indians are proud of their proficiency in English but they are never bothered about the fact that their Indian English is far from the Native English. STYLE AND FORM:

The Professor is both a conversational poem as well as a satirical poem. The Professor is in a conversationa l form, it is about a conversation between two people, a professor and his former student. The professor is the narrator in this poem and he talks about himself, his family and children. The poem is in free verse style without having any regular metrical form. This form helps the poet to freely describe the thoughts and feelings of a retired professor. He speaks about his sons and daughters, his health, changing times and changing values, talks that are typical of a middle aged man. Thus, we can say the poet Nissim Ezekiel has used a informal style to convey the thoughts of the old man. A satire is a way of criticizing a person, an idea or a nything else. In a satire, the human follies are attacked by using humour, irony and exaggeration. The Professor is a satirical poem where the professor is the object of satire and is ridiculed by the poet. Through the character of the professor, Ezekiel has satirized the educated class, living in the cities. Like an old father-figure, the professor speaks about his eleven grandchildren and then boasts about the material wealth of his sons. Moreover, the poem is a blow to the Indians who use English language, making mistakes of syntax, grammar, tense etc but still they would speak in English(they find it prestigious) rather than in their mother tongue. Use of Hyperbole: Hyperbole means exaggerating something. 30

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Ezekiel has shown that Indians have the habit of exaggerating for emphasis. The use of hyperbole is quite apparent in the professor’s speech. The examples are listed below*Our progress is progressing. *Everything is happening with leaps and bounds. *This year I am sixty nine *You were so thin, like stick. Use of Irony: The narrator being a professor should have a well command not only over the subject he teaches but also the language he uses. But the poem is full of grammatical errors. He talks like a boastful father, as he speaks of his sons“By God’s grace, all my children Are well settled in life One is Sales Manager, One is Bank Manager, Both have cars.”

THEME:

Urban Thinking Pattern: The Professor revolves around the typical urban mentality of people in India. The speaker here is a professor whose academic excellence is far above from that of a common man. Instead of having a broad thinking, the professor has a narrow, stereotyped thinking. His views are confined to his family, children and their material achievements in life. He talks about his daughters who are happily married and about his two sons who are sales and bank managers respectively. Like a typical urban mentality, he thinks women should be happily married and confined to their homes only. TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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The poet has ridiculed the typical Indian mentality which measures a person’s success based on monetary gains. Ezekiel has intertwined satire, irony, humor with Indianism, urbanity and academic excellence to draw the picture of a bereaved professor who meets one of his former students. This satirical poem can be aptly termed as a monologue, as the professor speaks and the listener does not say a word. It caricatures the Geography professor, Mr.Sheth, as he converses in English with one of his former students. A professor is the one who teaches, and should be in proper command of the medium he utilizes. Therefore, it is indeed ironical. Far from pertaining to any academic subject, the Professor showcases his family achievements. He is indeed boastful as he poses his sons as social trophies to be displayed, as he asserts: Are well settled in life. One is Sales Manager, One is Bank Manager, Both have cars

He states that though he is healthy, he is retired. Therefore he projects retirement (generally) not as personal choice but something born of compulsion. He shows himself to be an exception. The poet also mocks the Indian tradition of having rhyming names for their kids. ‘Sarala and Tarala,’ he says, are married. He puts this forth with an air of satisfaction. In Indian society, the end-point for girls is (considered) to get married. Boys, on the other hand, are meant to have (or rather project) high-paying jobs. Thus both the sexes are victims of society. The poet yet again jibes at Indian English when he says: You won’t believe but I have eleven grandchildren. How many issues you have? Three? 32

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He makes a string of mistakes in grammar and usage as he states:

Other also doing well, though not so well. Every family must have black sheep.

Though he advocates family planning, he does not seem to adopt it. Indians are also obsessed with the use of the present continuous tense instead of simple present tense: We are keeping up. Our progress is progressing. Old values are going, new values are coming. Everything is happening with leaps and bounds. I am going out rarely, now and then

His choice of words is quite humorous. It appears to be a direct translation of the native language, with the same structure and tone. At the same time the poem is stuffed with cliches and insipidity. The tone is serious, though subject is trivial as with the mock-heroic style. Indian English does have its stock usages as the speaker earlier asks: “No issues?” Their conversation does not even verge on academic topics. Though the poet utilizes a number of figures of speech, the language is ineffectual, ungrammatical and unidiomatic. The professor that he professes to be neither proves to be a good one academically, nor a morally supportive one, as he is incorrigibly egocentric, obsessed with his own matters. The tendency of Indians to exaggerate (or use hyperbole) idiomatically for emphasis is also apparent: -Now you are man of weight and consequence. -Everything is happening with leaps and bounds. -Our progress is progressing. -This year I am sixty-nine.” -You were so thin, like stick. TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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He resorts to the Indian mania of comparing people to objects: You were so thin, like stick, Now you are man of weight and consequence. That is good joke.

And of course, it is a good joke. Indians resort to vulgarisms unknowingly in their endeavor to sound sophisticated: If you are coming again this side by chance, Visit please my humble residence also. I am living just on opposite house’s backside

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1. Why does the speaker start with the phrase “Remember me?” Is it a usual way of beginning a speech? What was his profession? The speaker, professor Sheeth, sta rts with the phrase “Remember me” as he has met one of his erstwhile students whom he has recognized and he wants the student to recognize him. No, it is not an usual way of beginning a speech in English language; but in many Indian languages people talk in this manner. Professor Sheth is speaking as an average Indian speaks English when he/she thinks in his/her mother tongue, but translates is literally into English. The speaker was a Professor of Geography who has superannuated. Q2. What do you learn about the speaker from the sentence “Now I am retired, though my health is good.”? Superannuation is a phase of one’s life when one gets over with the boring everyday routine work of the office to enjoy the bliss of the old age. But like most Indians, the speaker, Professor Sheth is not 34

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happy with his retirement and therefore though he says that he is still in good health after retirement, what he means is that he could have carried on working. Q3. What does the speaker mean when he says that his children are well settled in life? Descrie the speaker’s notion of being “wellsettled”? The speaker, Professor Sheth, means that his children are materialistically successful in life. Professor Sheth, like most Indians, especially the middle class Indians, believe that being well-settled in life means one has a good job which gives him enough salary to own a house (or a flat), a small car, to run a family (probably with two children). Professor Seth, while mentioning his two sons who are well-settled, reiterates the same notion. Q4. Is there gender discrimination in the way the speaker describes about his children’s settling down in life? Yes, Professor Sheth is biased towards his sons as he wanted them to be materialistically successful while for his daughters, Sarala and Tarala, being sell-settled means that they are married to nice men. Professor Sheth’s mentality is very typical of the Indian society, where the end point of girls is to get married to men who earn well. Q5. What is the speaker talking about? What does the speaker mean when he says “Other also doing well, though not so well”? The speaker, Professor Sheth, is talking about his children and their success in life which he measures in terms of their materialistic accomplishments. He says that his sons who are Sales Manager and Bank Manager and who own cars are well-settled; but there is a son who hasn’t done so well in life in materialistic terms and therefore he terms him as a TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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“black sheep”. Q6. What does the term ‘black sheep’ mean here? Who are black sheep? Why? The idiom “black sheep” is used to describe an odd or disreputable member of a group, especially within a family. The son of Professor Sheth who hasn’t done very well in life in terms of materialistic prospects is being termed as “black sheep”. He is being termed so as in a family where two brothers are sales manager and bank manager; he could not achieve any money earning post like these. Q7. Is there something awkward about the use of language in the sentences? If so, give examples. Yes, the language of the extract seems awkward as Professor Seth is thinking in his mother tongue and directly translating to English, thus providig English language an Indian role. Moreover, it a lso shows his fascination for using idioms such as “black sheep”. Q8.

What purpose does the poet serve by using such language?

By using this kind of English, the poet serve multiple purposes - (i) mocking an Indian professor for his English (ii) bring out the flavor of Indian English (iii) making a path for distinctiveness of Indian English. Q9. Who are Sarla and Tarla? What are their significance in the poem? Sarla and Tarla are two daughters of Professor Sheth. Professor sheth says that they are married to nice boys, from which we can figure out Professor’s mentality towards women, that their only objective in life should be to get married to well settled men. Their names also suggest Indian fascination for rhyming names for siblings. 36

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Q10. What does the word “issues” mean? What opinion do you form about the speaker when he used the word ‘issues’? The word “issues” is used in the poem to mean the number of sons and daughters a person has. The way Professor Sheth speaks about “issues’ suggest that he tries to gauge life in terms of how one has fared financially and how many sons and daughters one has. Q11. What is the speaker’s opinion about family planning? What is the humorous element in the speaker’s notioin on the subject? Professor Sheth says that he is not against family planning; but the way he boasts about his children and eleven grand children shows that he does not believe in family planning in practice. It is the humorous element. Q12. Comment on the idioms “leaps and bounds” and “now and then”? Indians when they speak English, they have the habit of using idioms as they think it is erudite to do so. Thus professor Sheth uses the idiom “leaps and bounds” to mean “in fast pace” and “Now and then” is used to mean “seldom”. Q13. “Old values are going new values are coming”. Do you agree with this statement? Give reasons. Yes, in every society during all times, this is the law of nature that the old get replaced by the newer ones. This is a sign of progress. As people interact with other cultures, they adopt certain things from other culture and progress by modifying certain values of the present culture. Q14. What does “sound habit” signify? Who has sound habits? What is its consequence according to the speaker? “Sound habit” signifies “good habits”. Professor Sheth had sound habits during his youth because of which he thinks he is still leading a healthy life even after superannuation. TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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Q15. Comment on “you were so thin, like stick.” Who is referred here? Give his introduction. The erstwhile student of Professor Sheth, now the silent listener in the poem, is referred. He was a student of the professor and is now a successful person as he holds a significant place in society and therefore he is being referred to as a “man of consequence.” In his student-life he was very thin; but now he has become a heavy man. Q16. What is a good joke? Is it really a joke? Did you enjoy the joke? The use of phrase “man of weight and consequence” is being referred to by Professor Sheth as a good joke. It is a silly joke. Not really, as the way Professor S heth speaks English, we are made to look down upon him. Q17. Who is “you” in these lines? What opinion do you form about the person from the peom? “You” in these liens is the erstwhle student of Professor Sheth, the silent listener in the peom. It can be assumed that the silent listener of the poem is a man who has achieved much in life and is a successful man. His silence suggests that even if he is bored by Professor Sheth’s non-sense, yet he prefers to remain a quiet intent listener out of respect for a teacher. Q18. Comment on the last line? The last line of the peom sounds funny as it is a direct translation of an expression in Indian language into English. Q19. What do you think about the speaker’s use of language? The speaker’s English is funny as (a) it is sometimes a direct translation of Indian language. (b) stock phrases and idioms are used.

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INDIA’S HEROES

Q. Do you agree with the author that the people who fought against the terrorists and helped the innocent and the injured on 26th November 2008 in Mumbai are true heroes of India? Give a reasoned answer. Yes, the people who fought against the terrorists and helped the innocent and the injured on 26th November 2008 in Mumbai are true heroes of India. One should remember that a true hero is the one who can rise to the occasion and deliver his/her best for the mankind without hesitating about his or her own life or about the lives of his/her near and dear ones. Heroism is not in accepting any injustice and in the courage to fight it. It is not about achieving extraordinary things; but to act extraordinarily in the difficult and hard times. It is being able to stand up to the moment of crisis and help others fight the crisis. All the people who fought against the terrorists on 26th November 2008 in Mumbai, all the people who helped the injured and saved people’s lives are heroic as they stood against terror boldly by reacting to the adverse situation. They did not think about themselves, about their personal security, about the safety of their near and dear ones, but they felt that at the hour of crisis it was their human duty to fight the terrorists, they protect the innocent and so save the wounded, to take the injured to the hospital. Whether Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a National Security Guard Commando, or Vishnu Dattaram Zende, a railway announcer is in the CST Platform of Mumbai or Karambir Singh Kang the General Manager of the Taj Hotel, Mumbai, or the Anti-Terrorism squad Chief Hemant Karkare or DIG Asok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar or Mohammed Taufeeq Sheikh (Chottu Chaiwala) a young boy who ran tea stall outside CST staton - all of them showed their courage to fight against the terrorists - some by attacking the terrorists, some by saving and protecting the innocent people, some by helping the injured reach the hospitals. They are the true heroes of India as they did not do anything for name and fame, but did what they TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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throught to be their human duty. They are the ones who make India proud as a nation. They are the ones who can be the role models for the youth of India. JOURNEY BY NIGHT

Q. Describe in detail Sher Singh’s courageous journey through the forest in your own words. Sher Singh began his courageous journey in the evening - first the had to cross the village, then the jungle started - scrub at first, rough grass dotted with thorn trees, and then with sal. As he was going through the jungle, an unknown jungle sense made him hesitate between one step and the next, and there was a cobra sunning itself on the path in the last of the daylight. As Sher Singh slowlymoved away, the cobra too swayed back. As night fell, he quickened his steps through the forest as fear was gripping his mind and the weight of his brother was too much for him. As he came near the river bed, he was sure that he could go no further without rest. As he put Kunwar on the ground, he heard the jostle and squaeal of elephants. As he saw the herd of elephants, Sher Singh was frightened, but he could do nothing. With Kunwar to carry, he could neither climb nor run. If he shouted, it would bring the catastrophe upon them. But soon the herd disappeared. He picked up Kunwar with great difficulty and stepped into the shallow river. The water was colder than usual, as snow-water was already coming down. As he swashed up on to the shore, he noticed fresh foot prints of a tiger, but with great courage, he moved forward. Around midnight, the second river was ahead of him. The river was full as snow had melted and the kutcha bridge, that he hoped to find, was not there. It was submerged. There was great current of the water, and underneath boulders moved, as if the river was grinding its teeth. Sher Singh gathered some grass and plaited it into a rope. He tied the rope found his brother and himself so they would keep together. Then he 40

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entered the water just above the bridge. The river seized them and he could not move, but then he began to move forward holding on to this and that. With great struggle he carried on keeping his brother’s head above water, fighting a mortal struggle. At last he succeeded in crossing the river with great difficulty with bruises everywhere on his body. Then he came to the road. Next they were in a bullock cart then a truck. At last they were at the hospital. HUNGER Critically comment on the interview of Kasim by Rizwan. Do Q. you think Rizwan’s situation is any different from Kasim’s?

The interview of Kasim by Rizwan is significant as it portrays the state of poor Indians and how they live in poverty without the basic needs. The interview points out how people like Kasim because of poverty are forced to leave their village and come to town to do petty jobs, like rag selling as Kasim does, and lives on the streets of the towns and cities so that their families can barely survive. Through the interview we come to know about the poverty laden family of Kasim and how Kasim earns five hundred rupees a month to support his family in village. His father was a labourer and his grandfather used to work in somebody else’s house. Nasira Sharma portrays how for generations, Kasim’s family has been living in abject poverty and has found no way out. Kasim wants his five year old son to join his profession. When Rizwan tells him if he wants to take a bank loan, he says that he is already in debt. And when Rizwan says him that the government can help, he merely says that last time when he went to a political procession, he had to sleep hungry that night. Kasim has understood the fact that he is already in debt. And when Rizwan says him that the government can help, he merely says that last time when he went to a political procession, he had to sleep hungry that night. Kasim has understood the fact that the rhetoric of the TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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politicians is no good and that there is no way he or his people can come out of their poverty-laden existence. Therefore he thinks that hard work is the only way by which he can earn enough to meet his basic reqirement of food. The generatons of oppression have made him a staunch non-believer in all the government policies for the poor and the destitute as he knows that the poor will never reap benefit from them. Therefore instead of wasting his time giving interview to Rizwan, he goes to sell the old clothes to the labourers near the ditch. Rizwan’s situation is no different at his father is dead, his mother is ill, his brothers have dropped out of school because of financial crisis and he is now forced to take up a job as an amateur journalist. He is offered the job on the conditon that he will bring interviews of five people in the next five days and then the employers will decide whether he is apt for the job. On his first day in the crowded market place, he catches hold of a rag seller and tries to interview him, with very little success. Rizwan is famished and exhausted at the end of the day, he is worried about the next day, but he has hope that the future holds something brighter for him. MY LOST DOLLAR

Q. Relate briefly the efforts made by the author to recover the loaned dollar. Why do you think he was unsuccessful? The author’s (Stephen Leacock) friend, Major Todd, was on his way to Bermuda, and needed a dollar in change to pay his taxi. The author, who was seeing him off, lent him the dollar. However, the thought that Todd had borrowed the dollar, remained with the author and he expected Todd to return it. In fact, he actually made several attempts to get back the dollar, but failed. The author made the following attempts to get back his dollar(a) 42

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from Bermuda (b) Suggested that they take a taxi to the club to remind him that he has paid him taxi earlier (c) Asked him in the club what currency it was it Bermuda and whether it was of the same value as dollar. (d)

Asked him if he kept accounts of his trip.

(e)

Asked him if he felt settled down after the trip.

But none of these attempts were successful as when one friend lends a small amount to another, he or she usually does not remember that as it is too little an amount. GOD LIVES IN THE PANCH

Q. “The Panch rises above worldly relatiois when he sits as a judge”. Sow how this has been illustrated in the story “God Lives in the Panch”. Premchand’s short story “God Lives in the Panch” is written when the colonial British were ruling India. Premchand, through the story is criticizing the judicial system of the British saying that Indians already have a rural judicial system (Panchayat) where impartial enquiry and judgements are already prevalent. When one is placed as a Panch or as the head of the Panch, he forgets about his earthly ties and give judgment only accordiing to the norms of morality, legality and ethics. Panchayat is a system of administration of the rural India where the elected or selected representatives of the village take decisions for the development and day to day running of the village. Even while there are disputes in the villages, the villagers approach the Panchayat for immediate remedial measures. Both Jumman and Alagu went to the Panchayat with their problems/disputes, both of them also served as the head-panch. When they were head-panch they TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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decided in favour of the right/the righteous/the good as at that moment, while one is the head-panch doing justice, one is like a God delivering judgments with impartiality. Thus Premchand tries to show through the short story how both the frieds did not let any relathionship matter to them when they sat as the head-panch. The role of Panchayat is to deliver justice and one needs to be god-like in delivering justice.

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Merchant of Venice The play has in the background the hatred that existed between the Jews and the christians. In the play the main component of the hatred relates to the fact that Christians were forbidden by Church to lend money for profit (interest). Jews, on the other hand. did not have any such restrictions and money lending was one of their main activities. Jews, in general, during medieval period. were presented as wicked and comic character and the Elizabethans took them as cruel, dogs. Shakespeare’s characterization of Jews seems to be little bit different. Shylock (the Jew), In the play, has been shown carrying the hatred for Christians, but his role is, to a little externt, away fr om the bloodthirsty, mindless avenger and a move towards the humanization of the persecuted Jews. The play also highlights the great friendship between Antonio and Bassanio; the three love angles between Bassanio and Portia; that between Jessica and Lorenzo and that between Nerissa and Gratiano. (Nerissa is the maid of Portia. whereas Jessica is the Daughter of the money lender Shylock.) The negative role of Shylock is further highlighted when his own daughter also desserts him for her love Lorenzo, a Christian. The story of the play takes place in Venice (Italy). In earlier times it was considered a place of power and wealth, when the merchant ships of different countries of the; world thronged its ports. The other place mentioned in the play, Belmont is the imaginary creation of shakespeare.

Act-I Scene - I The play opens wilh the merchant Antonio in a strange melancholy or sadness, which is not explained in the play. He is in a street in Venice along with his two friends Salarino and Salanio, The friends try to explain the reason for his sad state, though Antonio himself does not get convinced, Later two more of his friends, Gratiano and Lorenzo also come along with Bassanio. Gratiano also tries to give his own TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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explanation for Antonio’s sadness and is little bit sarcastic in his comments. Antonio takes the comments lightly. and when they go away. starts a serious discussion with Bassanio, inquiring about his trip to meet Portia. The very first scene of the play makes us understand how friendly and close Bassanio and Antonio are to each other. Salarino’s cxplanation for Antonio’s sadness- Antonio is sad because he (being a rich shipping merchant) is concerned about (the safety) of his ships which are presently in the ocean (coming to Venice), Salanio’s cxplanation for Antonio’s sadness- He says that if he (Salanio) had such business abroad (in the ocean), as Antonio has his mind would definitely have remained concerned with such business. Indirectly he meant to say that it was not surprising if Antonio was sad presently. Salanio himself would have remained • plucking grass in order to find the direction of the wind: • he would be looking at the maps to find out the port s, harbours and the roads (directions) through which the ships would move: • anything, which could make him fear misfortune to his venture, would have made him sad. He meant to say that something similar was happening with Antonio presently, Salarinos examples to explain his fears, if he happened to be in place of Antonio - Salarino explains that: If he happened to blow wind in order to cool his broth, it would remind him of the harm (or destruction) that great wind would do to his ships at sea, and this thought, in turn, would make him suffer from ague (a fever). He would not prefer to see the sandy hour-glass because the sand of the hour glass would remind him of the shallow water and the flat plateau of the ocean surface where his ship would get stuck and 46

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would turn down, bringing the top portion lower than t he sides to touch the sand of the sea. • wealthy Andrew - refers to a ship with goods • ribs - the side of the ship • kiss - touch; burial the sand bed If he happens to go to a church and see its stony structure. it would remind him of the dangerous rocks. which, if they touch the sides of his ships, would break the ship and would scatter the cargo of spices on the sea-water and would also cover the waves with the silk from the ship. Salarino added that such misfortune would mean that one moment he was rich and the next moment he was worth nothing Anybody who thinks all these would also think thai such thing may actually happen and this thought would definitely make the person (Antonio presently) sad. Janus - Roman God of doors and gates. Also the protector of state in the time of war, He is always depicted with two heads, looking in the opposite directions, Nestor - Old king of Pylos (ancient Greece), famous for his wisdom and long age. A person, who was considered serious and grave. Gratiano’s explanation for Antonio’s sadness - Antonio remains too much worried about worldly matters. He adds that a person loses his happiness if he tries to get it by showing too much concern about worldly matters Gratiano’s sarcastic comments about Antonio’s sad state He said that they were people who try to cover their faces intentionally with stillness (seriousness) so that others would think of them as persons of wisdom gravity and pr ofound conceit (great pride). Such people also make others think tha t whatever they say should be taken as God’s voice and when they speak, no one else should speak. He became more sarcastic by adding that such peopleremain wise till the time they do not open their mouths. T he moment TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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they open their mouths, the listener would call them fools and thus get cursed. (In Bible, calling ones brother a fool was like getting cursed) He gave a parting advice to Antonio by saying that he should not try to catch this opinion of being wise by remaining (intentionally) in a sad s tate. • melancholy bait - using sadness as a bait • gudgeon - an ordinary fish, which gets caught very easily

Act-I Scene - II The scene introduces Portia, who is in her home in Belmont. Her father is dead and has left behind huge fortune for her and this has created great problems for her. Suitors from around the world are coming to win her. The other great problem that she faces is that, in his will, her father had set a condition that who so ever chooses the right casket from the three, (the three caskets are mae of gold, silver and lead; one of the three contains the portrait of Portia, the right casket is the casket containing the portrait of Portia), will marry Portia. Portia did not have any other option but to marry that person, even if she did not like him or failed to love him. In the scene, Portia is discussing her problems with her attendant, Nerrisa. Nerrisa s peaks in favour of Portia’s father and explains that Portia’s father was a virtuous person and all virtuous persons get good inspirations at the time of their death; meanjng that Portia need not worry about her suitors, as a person who rightly, loved Portia, would be the person, who will choose the right casket. Already six suitors have come to win Portia and it seems that Portia has already met them, Nerrisa wants to know what Portia feels about the six suitors. Portia gives her own explanation but adds that she would be very happy if all of them returned home saving Portia from marrying one of them. To Portia’s luck, all six decide not to take part in the lottery in order to win Portia. They said that they would like to win and marry Portia, but not by lottery. Portia is relieved and happy, but then 48

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the message comes that the Prince of Morocco is now coming for the same purpose. The scene is also making the readers understand that Portia and Bassanio have met earlier, probably once, and Portia [and even Nerrisa] carry a good opinion of Bassanio. The way Portia describes the various suitors, gives the image of Portia, She has great charm, intelligence, wit, imagination and knowledge. Different suitors and their description (and Portia’s comment on them) as given by Portia :• Neapolitan prince- The Prince of Naples (a place in Italy) - he is just like a horse (colt); he does nothing but talk about his horse; he thinks that it is one of his great qualities that he can fix the shoe-horse to his horse, himself; Portia feared that his mother was not faithful and had a wrong relationship with a blacksmith. • County Palatine- The Count from Palatinate (a place in Germany) - the only thing that he does is to frown; he seems to be a person who probably does not care whether Portia chooses him or not; even when he hears merry tales he does not smile; since he is so full of sadness in his youth , when he grows old he will be like a philosopher who always weeps; Portia would prefer marrying a skull (a skull with a bone in its mouth) than any of the two suitors. She prayed to God to protect her from these two suitors. • Monsieur Le Bon- The Lord from France - Since God has made him a man for that reason only he can be called a man (he does not have any manly qualities). Portia says that it is a sin to mock at somebody, but she cannot help mocking at the French Lord; he talks about a horse more than the Prince of Naples; he frowns more than the Count of Palatinate: he is not a proper man as he has the bad qualities of every man; even if a throstle (the bird - thrush, a small British bird) sings, he starts jumping and dancing: he does fencing with his own shadow. If Portia marries him, it would he like marrying twenty TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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husbands. She adds that if the Lord hates her, she would still forgive him, but if he loves her greatly. she would not be able to return his love. • Falconbridge - The young Baron of England - Portia did not say anything to him; this is because the English man did not understand Latin, French or Italian; Portia on the other hand did not know English well; though the English man was a proper man, but Portia would not love to marry a person with whom she would have to converse in sign language: he was very oddly dressed - his doubllet was from Italy, his hose was from France. and his hat was from Germany and he showed behaviour of many countries. (Remember the Pun here – ‘suit’ means that he was not suited for Portia; the second meaning was that he was not properly dressed.) • Englishman’s neighbour. The Lord from Scotland - He has love for his neighbour (an English man); he received one blow from him; he promised that he would repay him [return the blow] when he is in a position to do this; a Fr enchman had given a sealed guarantee to help. (Here Shakespeare has made a sarcastic comment on the troubles between Scotland and England in general, when France gave an open support to Scotland, that in case of an English attack, they would help Scotland.) , • The young German – the nephew of Duke of Saxon - she liked him very badly in the morning when he was not drunk; in the afternoon he was worse as he used to be drunk then; when he was at his best, he was miserable man and when he was at his worst, he was hardly better than a beast; even if the worst thing happens (that is the German happens to choose the right casket, and becomes eligible to marry Portia), Portia would manage to avoid marrying him. • good council the cripple - good advice is like a lame person which moves slowly • Sibylla - Sibyl- a traditional old woman of ancient Rome, whom Apollo had promised that she would live as many years as there were 50

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grains of sand in a handful; here it means a very old lady. • Diana - Goddess of moon and hunting. She symbolizes virtue, chastity and virginity. • Marquis -:- Is an Italian noble title.

• Montferrat - Is the name of a place in Italy in around fifteenth century. Act-I Scene - III The present scene again shifts to Venice, but the more significant aspect of the scene is the introduction of Shylock, the rich Jew money lender. When Antonio told Bassanio to arrange for the money (which Bassanio required for his trip to visit Portia), from the money market of Venice in his name, Shakespeare has made Bassanio come in contact with Shylock, in spite of all the hatred that Christians and Jews had for each other. The scene makes it clear to what extent Antonio and Shylock hate each other. Shylock clearly mentions the injustices Antonio has heaped upon him. In the present play the major aspect of the hatred relates to the system in which Christians lend money without charging interest where as the Jews lend money on interest. Shylock plays his role better by adjusting his mood as per the situation.When Antonio shows his anger, Shylock does not react and probably, follows his own statement that sufferance is the characteristic of the Jews. Finally it is Shylock who shows his shrewd mind by adding a condition in ‘merry sport’, Antonio, probably being very sure of his ability to repay the loan, overlooks the hidden danger, though Bassanio is not very happy. The way Antonio used to insult Shylocks• Antonio used to abuse Shylock at Rialto about his money business and the interest he charged on his money that he lent. • He called Shylock a misbeliever.

• He called him a cut throat dog. • Spit upon Shylock’s gabardine (his robe). • Emptied is rheum upon Shylock’s beard. TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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• Kicked Shylock as one kicks a dog which tries to enter the house. The kindness that Shylock showed and the condition that he puts as ‘merry sport’ When Antonio told Shylock angrily that he need not lend money as a friend, Shylock showed his cool shrewd mind by remaining calm and even telling Antonio that he would give him money without charging any interest. But in ‘merry sport’ would add a condition that if Antonio fails to repay the fixed amount at the fixed date and fixed place, Shylock would, as penalty, extract a pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body that Shylock pleases. The reference of Jacob Abraham is considered as the patriarch from whom all Jews trace their decent. Isaac is the son of Abraham and father of Jacob and Esau (his twin but elder brother). Jacob was the third in the line of heirs to family estates. T he first one being Abraham and the second Isaac. Jacob should not have been the third heir as Esau was elder to Jacob. But Jacob’s mother played a trick to have Jacob as Isaac’s heir. Jacob had gone to serve for a time under his uncle Laban. An agreement was made between Jacob and Laban that Jacob should receive for his services the lambs which were born with spots and stripes. During the breeding season Jacob placed wooden rods in such a position that the shadows of the rods fell on the sheep. By this means Jacob is said to have influenced the sheep so much that almost all the lambs were born spotted or striped, and thus became the property of Jacob. Shylock gave this example to explain that even the holy books state that one should get some profit for one’s work. Therefore charging interest on the money that he lent was not wrong. Why shylock refuses to dine with Antonio Antonio being a Christian, eats pork, whereas Shylock being a 52

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Jew does not eat pork as the Jews consider Pigs as dirty. This refers to the story from the Bible where it is mentioned that once there was a mad man who was possessed by devils. He had pleaded Jesus to free him of the devils. Jesus had ordered the devils to leave the man. There happened to be a herd of pigs feeding by the hillside nearby. The evil spirits begged that they should be send into the pigs. So Jesus gave them the permission and the spirits entered the pigs. For this reason pigs are considered as dirty by the Jews. Reference of tax-collector ‘Publican’ word is used for tax-collector. Even in bible the reference of tax-collector has been used in a derogatory manner. Publican is a natural term of contempt for the Jews. In order to curse Antonio, Shylock addresses him as a fawning [servile] taxcollector.

Act-II Scene - I The scene starts with the arrival of the Prince of Morocco, another suitor coming to win Portia, We understand that Pieria does not want to marry the Prince who is of ‘dark skin’. But the tragic thing is that her father had put such a condition that if the prince chooses the right casket, Portia would not have the choice to refuse to marry him. The different things, the prince of Morocco says in defence of himself:It can be assumed at the beginning of the scene itself that the prince, who is from a country in Africa, a person with a very dark complexion, will not prove to be a person for whom Portia will develop a feeling of love or any sort of liking. The price seems to be aware of it and on his own starts giving an explanation that he should not be disliked merely for his dark skin. The things he says to defend his dark complexion• his dark complexion is because he is more exposed to sun [his country being the ‘neighbour’ of the sun], TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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• if a person very fair, is brought from a country from the northern part of the world, a cold country, where the sun (Phoebus) fails to melt the icicles and a cut is made on the skin, then his blood will not prove to be less redder than the other person. Meaning that the prince has more feelings of love than the fairer person, • his dark appearance frightens the bravest person,

• the most beautiful ladies of his country have loved him for his dark complexion, • he would not like to change his complexion: the only reaso n he would do it. is to seek her love and to attract her attention. The things he says in praise of himself • with the help of his sword he has killed the king and the pr ince of Persia. • he has won three battles against the Sultan of Turkey

• he can out stare the boldest man on the earth. • he is braver than the most daring man on earth • he can take away the young sucking cubs from the mother bear

• he can mock [challenge] the lion who is roaring in search of his prey. Act-II Scene - II The scene introduces the comic character of the play, Launcelot. He is presently working as a servant to Shylock. The conversation between himself and his father makes the readers understand that he has decided to leave the work at Shylock’s house and wants to work for Bassanio. The dialogue which takes place between the father and the son is not serious in nature and does not carry much serious meaning.The humour consists in ridiculous mistakes and wrong uses of words which Launcelot introduces in his speeches. Shylock’s image of a miserly 54

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and cruel person is furthered by Launcelot’s hatred of him. The scene can be divided into three parts. In the first part Launcelot debates with himself whether he should leave Shylock’s work and take up the service of Bassanio. In the second part, Shakespeare has brought Bassanio together with Launcelot and Bassanio readily agrees to take Launcelot into his service. The third part of the scene shows Gratiano requesting Bassanio to take him to Belmont, where he assures that he would behave in proper manner.

Act-II Scene - III This scene introduces Jessica, the daughter of Shylock. A struggle is going on in her heart between her loyalty to her father and her love for Lorenzo, a Christian whom she intendes to marry. The eagerness with which she wants to leave her father’s house, adds to Shylock’s image of a mean person. She gives a message to Launcelot to be delivered to Lorenzo.

Act-II Scene - IV This scene devolops the subject of Jessica running away with Lorenzo. Lornezo receives the letter of Jessica and is happy to know that Jessica has finally made her plan to run away with him. Act-II Scene - VI This scene tells us of the development of Jessica with Lorenzo. Jessica does this, carrying all the gold, jewels and the ducats of her father. Gratiano and Salarino, wearing masks, are waiting for Lorenzo in front of Shylock’s house for Lorenzo. He is late. Lorenzo and others finally do not participate in the masque celebration as Antonio tells them that the wind is favourable and Bassanio has to move by ship to Belmont.

Act-II Scene - VII This is the first of the three scenes, where a separate suitor will be coming to choose the right casket. Prince of’Morocco is coming in the scene and deliberates over the three caskets and ends up choosing TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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the wrong casket. Shakespeare has made the prince speak – • separately about lead, silver and gold caskets;

• the reson why the prince chooses the gold caskets and • what truth is revealed in the caskets. The prince proves to be materialistic man. How the Prince of Moracco tries to find out the right casket – • the inscription on the gold casket- ‘Who chooseth shall gain what many men desire’. • the inscription on the silver casket - ‘Who cooseth me shall get as much as he deserves’ • the inscription on the lead casket - ‘Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath’ • after reading the inscriptions, he asked Portia how he would know the right casket, she explained that the right casket contains her picture. • The prince started with the lead casket. He thinks why anybody would give and risk everything for lead. A golden mind would not stoop to get something worthless [like lead]. He decides not to choose lead casket. For silver casket, he thought that since it said that one would get as much as one deserved, one should evaluate oneself impartially. But one’s right evaluation may not be sufficient enough to get the lady [Portia]. But the Pr ince thought that he should not be afra id of thinking what he actually deserved - it was definitely Portia. • He said that he deserved Portia –because of his noble birth, – becuusc of his great fortune – because of his natural qualities [graces] – because of his breeding [upbringing] 56

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– because of his love for Portia • But before he almost decides for Silver casket, he moves to see the golden casket. The casket says that one may get what many men desire. He thinks that everybody desires for Portia as suitors are coming from all parts of the earth. • He finally thinks of deciding and says that it would be damnation to think of so base a metal as lead; and silver was ten times undervalued to gold. A gem, as rich as Portia, cannot be set in silver. So it has to be Golden casket only. He finally chooss the golden casket. The poem written on the scroll One has often heard that all that glitters is not gold Many people have given their lives just to see the gold which covers the casket. Gold plated tombs also have worms inside them. If you had been as wise as you are bold, as sound [experienced) in judgement as you are strong in body; then youwould not have been given the answer that is written on the scroll. You are bid farewell as your effort has failed.

Act-II Scene - VIII The two important developments or this scene are – – Shylock discovers • that his daughter Jessica has run away with a Christian

• she has also stolen all the jewels, gold and ducats from his house. This increases his hatred for Christians and his desire to take revenge. The scene also starts giving indications that all may not be well with Antonio, as rumours that he may have lost his ship starts coming up. As Bassanio had set sail the very night Jessica had run away, Shylock suspects that Jessica and Loreze must be on the ship. Shylock gets into a confused state of outrage and uncontrollabel passion. In their conversation Salanio and Salarino bring out the great TIWARI TUTORIALS* ULTIMATE FOR ICSE, ISC & CBSE

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love Antonio has for his friend Bassanio.

Act-II Scene - IX In this scene the second suitor, the prince of Arragon is coming to choose the right casket in order to win Portia. Fortunately for Portia, this prince also chooses the wrong casket. He chooses the silver casket. The conditions repeated by the prince :• he will not be disclosing to anyone which casket he chose

• if thefails to choose the right casket, never in his life he will woo a lady for marriage • if he fails to choose the right casket, straight away he will leave the place and go away. How the prince tries to choose the right casket : • for the lead casket he say the following : by ‘many men’, the prince meant the foolish masses. such people, choose those things which look good outwardly such people do not learn more than what their sight can make them understand; they do not look inside or look for the inner meaning, they are like the martlet, which builds nest on the outer wall, which is exposed to the nature, where disaster can be forced and which is on the path of danger. the prince thought that he would not go with what the common people desire. he does not want to go along with the common people and rank himself among the ignorant and foolish. • for the silver casket, which said that one shall get as much as one deserves, the prince thought that it was quite right. the prince thought that a person cannot cheat fate by trying to be honourable without having own merit. 58

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one should got pretend to have the dignity that one does not deserve if only estates degrees, and offices were not obtained in a dishonest manner and real honour was obtained through merit only if this was done, many who stand bare-head [without honour] would have actually stood with their head covered [with honour] and many who are giving command today, would have been commanded [obeyed orders] by others. how many low peasantry [people without merit, not really noble] would then have been separated (gleaned) from the present noble group. conversely, how many noble people would then have been separated from the group which presently lies in rain, and given fresh honour. In this manner he rejects the lead and the gold casket, and finally choose the silver casket. What is written on the scroll found inside the silver casket• The silver casket was refined in the fire seven times

• a correct judgement that does not go wrong is also tested seven times • there are many people who believe in what is not [illusion]; such people get only illusion of happiness. • there are foolish people, whose foolishness is covered just because they themselves are covered with white [silvery’ hair and this was the case with this casket.. • no matter whom you will take as your wife, you will remain a foolish person. • so go away, your chance is over.


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