ICSE MADE EASY: Line-by-line analysis of poems, stories and drama

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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 Fearby 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 then and there. We get to know about the
place in the last line of the poem. The place is described as a place 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. He was credited for having 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, the examples of alliteration are as 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
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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 and dreary desert sand 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 Prarthana meaning
prayer. The poem is a prayer to God. The poem is a form of a prayer to
the universal father-figure, presumably God. 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 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
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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 poets 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 attain 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 youll 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 ones
freedom. According to Rabindranath Tagore, the first essential
prerequisite for people to enjoy their freedom is a fearless 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
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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 mans 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
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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 traditions.
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
peoples 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 Indias 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.
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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 ones 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 pursue knowledge according to
their wish.
Q12. Is the dream of the poet realized? Is so, how? It not, why not?
No, the poets dream is not realized as 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 story. 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, walkd his deck
And he fixd 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:
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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. Example 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 Abotts 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 proves the principle that crime 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
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
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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 The 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?
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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 wont 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 wont 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 Scotlands 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.
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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 Scotlands shore.
The weather is grim as it is dark with thick haze.
Ralph is optimistic that soon the moon will rise and provide 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 sailors 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.
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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
ones 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?
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The dreadful sound is the sound of the devil ringing ones 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 havent!
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.
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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 sarangi and the drums. Also the chanting of the magical spells
by the magicians produces an auditory image in the 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 produced
by the bells made for the 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-flys 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 Naidus
poetry. In The Bazaars of Hyderabad deals with one such theme, the
loveliness and vibrancy of a traditional Indian bazaar in the city of
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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 peoples 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 movement and was an ardent 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 markets which she has
beautifully depicted in her poem In The Bazaars of Hyderabad.
Q1. What is the poet describing? Why?
Sarojini Naidu is describing a bazaar of Hyderabad.
Being a poet and a national freedom fighter, Sarojini Naidu not
only thought about fighting against the colonial British, but at the same
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time tried to champion Indian culture and traditions to regain the selfrespect of Indians 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, mirrors with panels of amber, 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 to possess luxurious and 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? What
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?
The words chessman and ivory dice suggest the Indian
fascination for games, especially board games, chess and dice.
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Q6. What purpose does the poet serve by portraying these

people?
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
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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 poets intention in the passage.
Sarojini Naidus 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 musicians melody and the magicians spell provide for bazaar
a charm of its own, which is a typical feature of an Indian bazaar.
People from different backgrounds, 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
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that the dead people enter into.

Q18. What image does the poet try to point out in the above
passage?
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 as 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.
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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
soldiers 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.
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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.
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. The 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?
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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
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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 are 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 poets 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 Ill get a little rest ......

The sentence Ill get a little rest...... suggest reality of war.
War is a grim and gory affair and 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 narrators would in the heart and the soldiers 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 conversational 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 anything 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.
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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 professors
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 sonsBy Gods 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.
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The poet has ridiculed the typical Indian mentality which

measures a persons 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 wont believe but I have eleven grandchildren.
How many issues you have? Three?
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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.
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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 houses backside
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, starts 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 Pr ofessor of Geogr aphy 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 ones 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
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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 speakers 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 childrens 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 Sheths 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 hasnt done
so well in life in materialistic terms and therefore he terms him as a
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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 hasnt 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 also 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 Professors 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.
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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 speakers opinion about family planning? What is
the humorous element in the speakers 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.
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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 Sheth 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 Sheths 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 speakers use of language?
The speakers 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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INDIAS 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 peoples
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
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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 Singhs 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
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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 brothers 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
Q.
Critically comment on the interview of Kasim by Rizwan. Do
you think Rizwans situation is any different from Kasims?
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 elses house. Nasira Sharma
portrays how for generations, Kasims 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
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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.
Rizwans 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 authors (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)
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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.
Premchands 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
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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.
Shakespeares 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 from 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
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explanation for Antonios 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.
Salarinos cxplanation for Antonios 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),
Salanios cxplanation for Antonios 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 ports, 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
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would turn down, bringing the top portion lower than the 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.
Gratianos explanation for Antonios 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
Gratianos sarcastic comments about Antonios 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 profound conceit (great
pride). Such people also make others think that whatever they say
should be taken as Gods 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. The moment
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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 state.
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 speaks in favour of Portias father and explains that
Portias 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 Portias 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
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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 Portias 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
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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.)
Englishmans 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 Frenchman 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
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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 Shylocks gabardine (his robe).
Emptied is rheum upon Shylocks beard.
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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 Antonios
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. The first one being Abraham and the second
Isaac. Jacob should not have been the third heir as Esau was elder
to Jacob. But Jacobs mother played a trick to have Jacob as Isaacs
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 ones 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
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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],
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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 reason 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 prince
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 Shylocks 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. Shylocks image of a miserly
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and cruel person is furthered by Launcelots hatred of him.

The scene can be divided into three parts. In the first part
Launcelot debates with himself whether he should leave Shylocks
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 fathers house, adds to Shylocks
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 Shylocks 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 ofMorocco is coming in
the scene and deliberates over the three caskets and ends up choosing
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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 ones right evaluation may not be sufficient
enough to get the lady [Portia]. But the Prince thought that he should
not be afraid 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]
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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
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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.
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ICSE MADE EASY
ICSE IX ENGLISH
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.
TIWARI TUTORIALS*
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ICSE MADE EASY
ICSE IX ENGLISH
NOTES
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applied to an object or action that does not literally denote in order to

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