*ENGLISH LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

REVISION NOTES
ACT ONE: SCENE 1
Extract – 1
ANTONIO: ANTONIO:
In sooth, I know not why I am so sad. The truth is that, I don't know why I am
It wearies me; you say it wearies you. so sad. I'm tired of being sad, and you
But how I caught it, found it, or came by say you're tired of it, too. But I don't
it, know how I caught, found it, or came by
What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is this sadness and what is its origin. And
born, I am to learn. since I do not know anything about this
And such a want-wit sadness makes of sadness, maybe I don’t
me, understand myself very well.
That I have much ado to know myself.

i) Where are Antonio and his friends? What does Antonio say about his sadness?
(i) Antonio and his friends are in a street in Venice. Antonio says that his sadness
makes him depressed and dull. He further says that he is yet to learn about
the origin and nature of his sadness.
ii) Give the meaning of:
(a) whereof it is born: how it originated / what is its source.
(b) a want-wit sadness: a dull and absent-minded sadness whose reason is
unknown.
(c) That I have much ado to know myself: That I have much difficulty in
recognising myself.
iii) What reason does Salarino give as the probable cause of Antonio's
melancholy?
(iii) Salarino tells Antonio that he is sad because his mind is preoccupied with
his ships filled with cargo, which are out at sea.
iv) State in your own words the scene on the ocean as described by Salarino,
when Antonio’s ship was sailing.
(iv) Salarino compares Antonio's ships sailing on the waves with the great lords
and wealthy citizens, who look down on lesser men as they walk along the street.
According to him Antonio's ships move swiftly on the sea with their canvas
sails and look like grand spectacles or pageants of sea.

v) The play begins with an atmosphere of melancholy. Why do you think that
Antonio is presented as a melancholic and passive character?
(v) Antonio is presented as a melancholic and passive character mainly for three
reasons.
1. By portraying Antonio as a whimsical person, who is least bothered about
the consequences of his actions, justifies his signing the bond-agreement.
2. Antonio's melancholy creates a tragic atmosphere suitable for
a comedy which floats on brink of tragedy.
3. Antonio's melancholy creates a sense of mystery for the audience.
Extract - 2.
SALANIO: SALANIO:
Believe me, sir had I such venture Believe me, sir, if I had such risky
forth, business ventures like yours, I would
The better part of my affections would always think about my ships at the
Be with my hopes abroad. I should be sea. I'd be pulling up the grass in order
still to check in which direction the wind
Plucking the grass to know where sits flows, and looking at maps of ports
the wind, and piers and roads. And any little
Peering in maps for ports and piers thing that might make me worry that
and roads. something bad would happen to my
And every object that might make me ships would make me sad, without a
fear doubt.
Misfortune to my ventures out of
doubt
Would make me sad.

i) Where would Salanio’s attention be if he had business ventures abroad? Why

would he be plucking the grass?What else he would be doing in that context?
(i) If Salanio had business ventures abroad, his thoughts would be fixed on
the dangers to his ventures and methods of securing them. He would be plucking
the blades of grass and casting them in the air to know the direction of the wind,
to see if it was blowing in a direction favourable to the course of his ships or not.
Further, he would look into maps for harbours, channels and open road-
steads near to the shore where his ships could anchor in case of need.
ii) What would make Salanio fear some dangers in his ventures ? Give two
examples.
(ii) Every thought of Salanio would make him fearful of danger to his business
ventures. Two examples which reminded Salarino of the danger to his ships were:
1. While cooling his soup by blowing on it, reminded him of the stormy winds
at sea causing terrible damages to his ships.
2. The sandy hour-glass reminded him of the richly laden vessels wrecked on
the sandy shore.
iii) Give the meaning of :
(a) Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind: Plucking of grass and casting
them in the air to see which way the wind blew.
(b) Peering in maps for ports, and piers, and roads: Looking into maps for
harbours, channels and even open road- steads near the shore.
iv) In spite of the danger to his ships, why Antonio is not worried about his
financial security?
(iv) Despite the danger to his ships, Antonio is not worried about his financial
security because his business is neither dependent on anyone ship nor on any
single location or commercial transactions of the current year.
v) What light does the opening scene throw on the danger that the sea could pose
to ships?
(v) The opening scene describes the possible dangers that the sea could pose to
ships such as strong winds, dangerous shallow waters, sandbanks and dangerous
rocks.

Extract - 3.
SALERNO SALERNO
 My wind cooling my broth
Would blow me to an ague when I
thought
What harm a wind too great at sea
might do.
I should not see the sandy hourglass
run,
But I should think of shallows and of
flats
And see my wealthy Andrew dockedin
the sand,
Vailing her high top lower than her ribs
To kiss her burial.
I would get sad while blowing on my
hot soup because it would make me
think of what a strong wind at sea
could do to my ships. If I would see the
sands running in an hourglass, I would
think of flat shallows where my ship,
"The Andrew," run aground with all its
riches flipped over.

i) Where does the scene take place? Name the people who are present there. In
what mood Salarino is in this scene?
(i) This scene takes place in a street in Venice. Antonio, Salarino and Salanio are
present in the scene. Salarino is in a talkative mood and wants to know the
reason for Antonio's melancholy. He says that he too would be feeling
melancholic if his ships were sailing on the sea.
ii) What would the wind cooling the broth reminds Salarino of?
(ii) It would remind Salarino of the stormy winds at sea and of the terrible
damages they might cause to the ships.
iii) Give the meaning of :
“And see my wealthy Andrew docked in the sand, Vailing her high top lower than
her ribs To kiss her burial. “
(iii) Wealthy Andrew refers to a Spanish ship called Andrea captured by the
British sailors in 1596. It ran aground when it was being brought to England. Since
then Andrew refers to a big cargo ship. In the above lines, Salarino imagines that
his rich cargo ship is grounded in the sand and her mast dipped down lower than
her sides as if trying to kiss the sands that surround her.
iv) What is sandy hourglass? What would it remind Salarino of?
(iv) Sandy hour-glass is an apparatus used to indicate time. It would remind
Salarino of the dangers from hidden banks of sand at sea, on which a ship may
run aground.
v) What is referred to as wealth Andrew? Why it is referred so?
(v) Salarino refers to his richly laden ship as wealthy Andrew. It is so referred
because Salarino feels that likethe Spanish ship Andrea captured by the British in
1596, his ship to is majestic and rich with cargo.
vi) When Salarino would goto church what would he see? What would the scene
make himimagine?
(vi) When Salarino would go to the church he would see the holy building made
of stone. This scene would make him think of the dangerous rocks of the sea and
imagine that a collision of his ship with these rocks would be sufficient to break
his vessel into pieces and scatter all her spices and silks on the sea.
Extract - 4.
SALANIO SALANIO
Not in love neither? Then let us say you You're not in love either? Then let's
are sad just say you are sad because you are
Because you are not merry— and not happy. It would be just as easy for
’twere as easy you to laugh and jump around and just
For you to laugh and leap and say you say you are happy because you are not
are merry sad. I swear, by two-headed Janus (a
Because you are not sad. Now, by two- roman god) , nature has made all kinds
headed Janus, of different people. Some people are
Nature hath framed strange fellows in always happy and could even laugh at
her time. a funeral, while others are so sour
Some that will evermore peep through they don't even crack a smile at
their eyes anything, not even at a joke that
And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper, Nestor called the funniest.
And other of such vinegar aspect
That they’ll not show their teeth in
way of smile
 Though Nestor swears the
jest be laughable.

i) Who has just said that Antonio was in love? What was the reaction of Antonio?
(i) Salarino has just said that Antonio was in love. Antonio calls the remark as
nonsense and completely denies that he is in love.
ii) What explanation does Salarino give in extract for Antonio’s Sadness?
(ii) Salarino concludes that Antonio is sad because he is not happy. He remarks
that there are some curious creatures in the world. He swears by Janus, the two-
headed Roman God that some people have merry natures and are continuously
laughing whether the things they see are subject for mirth or not. Again there are
others with the sourest countenance who will not laugh at anything though the
gravest old warrior Nestor himself confirms the joke as most amusing.
iii) What is meant by two-headed Janus? Why is he referred to in the extract?
(iii) Janus is a Roman god usually depicted with two heads looking in opposite
directions — one frowning and the other smiling. He had received from god
Saturn, the gift to see both the past and the future. He is referred to in the extract
to show that there are two types of people — one happy and the other sad.
iv) Describe the stange fellows framed by nature?
(iv) Nature has two types of people. The first type of people have happy natures
and often laugh even if the subject of laughter is too trivial. The second type of
people is those with serious and grave faces, who do not laugh even at the most
amusing jokes.
v) Who was Nestor? Why is he referred?
(v) Nestor was the King of Pylos. He was one of the greatest generals in the Trojan
War. He was famous for his wisdom, justice, knowledge of war and profound
gravity. If he laughed, it meant the joke was really funny. He is referred to in the
extract to describe the sad and grave people.
vi) Give the meaning of
(a) And other of such vinegar aspect: The second type of people who are grave
and serious.
(b) Though Nestor swears the jest be laughable: Even if the wise and grave
Nestor certify the joke as funny.
vii) Why are a class of people are compared to parrots?
(vii) A class of people are compared to parrots because they laugh even at a bag-
piper as foolishly as a parrot laughs at anything.
viii) Who comes at the end of Salarino’s speech? Why does Salarino leave then?
(viii) At the end of Salarino's speech, Bassanio, Gratiano and Lorenzo come.
Salarino leaves Antonio then because Antonio's friends, Bassanio, Gratiano and
Lorenzo have come to give him company.

Extract - 5.
Why should a man whose blood is
warm within
Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster,
Sleep when he wakes, and creep into
the jaundice
By being peevish? I tell thee what,
Antonio—
I love thee, and ’tis my love that
speaks—
There are a sort of men whose visages
Do cream and mantle like a standing
pond,
And do a willful stillness entertain
Witha purpose to be dressed in an
opinion
Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit,
As who should say, “I am Sir Oracle,
And when I ope my lips, let no dog
bark!”
Why should a man be so inactive that
he is practically asleep while awake,
and start to get jaundice due to his
cheerlessness? I tell you what,
Antonio,—I love you, and I'm speaking
out of love—there are some people
whose faces are so unmoving that they
grow scum like a still pond, and they
try hard to maintain a still expression
so that they can seem to be wise,
serious, and profound, like someone
who could say, "I am Sir Oracle, and
when I open my lips to speak, let no
dog bark!"

(i) Gratiano gives the example of a warm-blooded young man who represses his
spirits and forces himself to stillness until he looks like the marble image of his
grandfather. He does so to advise Antonio not to remain in melancholy. He is
likely to be infected with jaundice due to his bad temper.

(ii) (a) Some men overcast their faces with a pale expression as still as the cream
that forms on the surface of the milk and as the scum that forms on the surface
of a stagnant pool.
(b) maintain an obstinate silence not to disturb the solemnity of their faces.

(iii) In the extract, Gratiano speaks about people who try to obtain a reputation
for wisdom, seriousness and deep thought by remaining silent. Such people
mean to say that they speak with the authority of the Greek Oracle and they alone
are infallible in their utterances. When they speak, others should keep quiet.

(iv) 'I am Sir Oracle' means 'I speak with the authority of the Greek Oracle'. The
Greek Oracles made known the will of Gods and were received by all without
questions. 'Let no dog bark' means 'let no one speak'. It refers to the attitude of
those wise men who consider themselves as the fountain of wisdom and want
that when they speak, others should remain silent.
(v) At the end of his speech, Gratiano advises Antonio not to be one of those who
try to gain a reputation for wisdom by being silent. He further tells Antonio not
to use melancholy as a bait to win the reputation of wisdom and cheap
popularity. which is like a worthless cheap fish, a gudgeon.

Extract - 6
BASSANIO : BASSANIO :
I urge this childhood proof With this example from my childhood
Because what follows is pure in mind, listen to my plan, which is
innocence. completely innocent. I owe you a lot,
I owe you much, and, like a willful and like a rash young man, I have lost
youth, the money I owe you. But if you shoot
That which I owe is lost. But if you another arrow the same way you shot
please the first, by lending me money again, I
 To shoot another arrow that self way
Which you did shoot the first, I do not
doubt,
As I will watch the aim, or find both
Or bring your latter hazard back again
And thankfully rest debtor for the first.
have no doubt that I will bring both
arrows back to you, because I'll watch
the second one more carefully. Or at
least I'll bring back the latter loan, and
remain in your debt for the original
sum.

(i) Bassanio and Antonio are in a street in Venice. Prior to this extract, Antonio
asks Bassanio to tell him about his plans. He adds, that if Bassanio's plan is as
honourable as he is, he then promises him everything that he has— money,
influence, personal help and utmost resources.

(ii) The above lines mean that at any rate Bassanio could pay the latter loan and
remain his grateful debtor for the first.

(iii) Earlier, Bassanio confesses to Antonio that he has spent his wealth by having
a more lordly way of living than his moderate-income allowed him. Therefore, he
has incurred heavy debts because Of his youth and extravagance. This proves that
Bassanio is a spendthrift.

(iv) Bassanio says that when he was a boy at school and he lost one of his arrows
while shooting, he would shoot another arrow in the same direction. Thus, by
risking the second, he often regained both the arrows.

(v) Bassanio proposes to pay back his previous loan as well as the present loan by
carefully managing the expenditure of his second loan amount.

Extract - 7.
BASSANIO : BASSANIO:
Sometimes from her eyes I think she likes me. Sometimes the
I did receive fair speechless messages. expression on her face tells me she
 Her name is Portia, nothing
undervalued
To Cato’s daughter, Brutus' Portia.
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her
worth,
For the four winds blow in from every
coast
Renownèd suitors, and her sunny locks
Hang on her temples like a golden
fleece,
Which makes her seat of Belmont
Colchos' strand,
And many Jasons come in quest of her.
likes me. Her name is Portia. She’s as
rich as that famous Roman heroine
Portia, the daughter of Cato and wife
of Brutus. Her wealth is world-famous.
Famous and important men have
come in from all over the world to try
to marry her. The hair that hangs
down on her forehead is like gold,
calling every adventurer to Belmont
like a gold rush. Antonio, if I only had
enough money to hold my own against
those suitors, I know I could win her!

(i) 'Fair speechless messages' mean glances which are silent messages of love.
Bassanio wants to say that sometimes he received from Portia's eyes lovely silent
messages. The words 'nothing undervalued' mean ‘not less precious’ or ‘no way
inferior to’. Bassanio says that his Portia is no less precious than Cato's daughter.

(ii) Cato, the father of Brutus' wife Portia, was the great-grandson of the famous
Cato, the Censor. In the Civil War between Pompey and Caesar, he supported
Pompey and was defeated by Caesar. Brutus,the husband of Portia, was the chief
of the conspirators against Caesar and caused his assassination. They are referred
to show that Portia of Belmont is as precious and great as Cato's daughter, Portia.

(iii) The passage says that Portia's fame had spread throughout the world as
suitors from every part of the world come to Belmont to win her hand in
marriage.

(iv) Jason was a Greek hero, who was sent by Pelias, his uncle who had usurped
the throne, to fetch the golden fleece from Colchos. In Greek mythology, golden
fleece is referred to as the fleece of the winged ram Chrysomallos. It was kept at
an oak tree in a grove sacred to god Ares and guarded by a dragon in Colchos.
Bassanio compares Portia to the golden fleece and himself in his quest for Portia,
to Jason on his voyage to fetch the golden fleece. He refers to Other suitors as
Jasons.

(v) Bassanio's description of Portia in the opening scene reveals that she is a
paragon among women. She is rich and beautiful with golden hair. She has
wonderful mental qualities and is virtuous as well. Her fame has attracted suitors
from all over the world. She is in no way inferior to her namesake, Cato's daughter
and Brutus' wife.
Extract - 8.
(i) Antonio is unable to help Bassanio at once since he has no money in hand as
all his business ventures are at sea.
(ii) The sum was three thousand ducats. It was required urgently for Bassanio to
go to Belmont and present himself before Portia as a worthy suitor.
(iii) Antonio instructs Bassanio to find out a merchant who is ready to give him
money against his name.
(iv)
(a) The credit shall be stretched to the utmost limit. Antonio says that he is ready
to stretch the credit as far as to equip Bassanio to go to Belmont to woo Portia.
(b) Either on the security of my name or from feelings of personal friendship.
(v) In the opening scene, Bassanio comes to Antonio to borrow money so that he
can go to Belmont to win his lady love. But Antonio confesses that he has no ready
cash and instructs Bassanio to borrow money from a merchant against his
security or name. Thus, Shakespeare links the first scene to the Bond story which
involves the loan from Shylock
(vi) Antonio is introduced in the scene as a rich merchant having many shipping
ventures at sea. He is in a state Ofmelancholy and not interested in love. Loyalty
and generosity towards Bassanio are the major traits of his character. Compared
to Antonio, Bassanio is shown as a spendthrift young gallant, who lives a life of
luxury beyond his means. He seems to take undue advantage of Antonio's
generosity. Unlike Antonio, he is a romantic man, who wants to marry Portia, a
rich and beautiful heiress from Belmont.
SCENE 2
Extract I
1. What has Portia just said in response to which Nerissa speaks these words?
Portia has just said that she can neither choose the one she likes nor refuse the
one she dislikes because the choice of her husband depends on the lottery of
caskets devised according to her late father’s will.

2. Describe the lottery referred to in the extract.

The lottery refers to the choice of the right casket containing Portia’s portrait
from among the three caskets of gold, silver and lead. The suitor who will make
the right choice as per the will of Portia’s father will win her in marriage.

3. Give the reaction of Portia as well as of Nerissa to the lottery.

Initially, Portia appears to be anxious over the prospect of choosing her husband
through a lottery devised according to her father’s will. She feels sad as she can
neither choose the one she likes nor refuse the one she dislikes as her husband.
But later on, she accepts her father’s will. Nerissa’s reaction to the lottery was
positive. She calls Portia’s father pious and asserts that good men do have
inspirations at the time of death. She consoles Portia by saying that she will be
chosen correctly by a person whom she truly loves.

4. Give the meaning of “never be chosen by any rightly, but one who you shall
rightly love.”
These lines mean that Portia will be chosen correctly by a person whom she truly
loves.

5. Portia is melancholic at the beginning of the scene as it was the case with
Antonio in the previous scene. What is the difference between Antonio’s
melancholy and that Portia?
Portia’s melancholy is the result of her anxiety over the prospect of her future
husband while the cause of Antonio’s melancholy is unknown.

6. How does this scene show a mood of melancholy, anxiety and suspense?
The scene shows a mood of melancholy, anxiety and suspense. The mood of
melancholy and anxiety is due to the prospect of Portia’s future husband to be
decided by the lottery designed according to her deceased father’s will. This also
creates an atmosphere of suspense. The conversation between Nerissa and
Portia, Portia’s comments on the suitors and Nerissa’s reference to Bassanio as
‘the best deserving a fair lady’ increase the elements of anxiety and suspense in
the scene.
Extract 2
Portia:
He doth nothing………………God defend me from these two!
1. Where are Portia and Nerissa? What are they generally discussing about? In
what mood is Portia in the scene?
Portia and Nerissa are in a room in Portia’s house at Belmont. They are discussing
the lottery of caskets and about the suitors who have already come to try their
luck. In this scene, Portia is in a mood of melancholy and anxiety.

2. Who is County Palatine? Why has he come to Belmont?

County Palatine was the Count from Palatinate, the region on the west bank of
the Rhine in Germany. He was a powerful lord who came to Belmont to win
Portia’s hand.

3. Who is the first prince described by Portia? What does she say about him?
The first prince described by Portia is the Neapolitan Prince from Naples, Italy.
Portia describes him as a dashing youngster and as wild as a young horse. He does
nothing but talks of his horse. He further considers his ability to shoe a horse
himself as a great accomplishment.

4. Who is the weeping philosopher? In which context is he referred to in the

extract?
The weeping philosopher refers to Heraclitus of Ephesus. He was a Greek
philosopher who lamented the stupidity and folly of mankind and wept at
everything in the world. Portia refers to him to describe County Palatine. She feels
that since County Palatine is usually gloomy in his young age, he will become a
sad philosopher like Heraclitus when he grows old.

5. Give the meaning of:

A) An you will not have me, choose
If you do not want me, choose anyone you wish
B) A death’s-head with a bone in his mouth
A skull with a bone in its mouth. The emblem of a skull with two bones crossed
underneath was usually known as ‘death’s head.’

6. Give a character-sketch of the County Palatine.

County Palatine is described as a gloomy and self-conceited person. He is always
frowning as if to say that if Portia will not marry him, she may choose someone
else. He is morose and sullen that even jovial stories don’t make him laugh. He
has an abrupt manner of speech and may become a sad philosopher like
Heraclitus when he grows old.
Extract III
Portia:
God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man…….I shall never requite him.
1. What has Portia said earlier about Neapolitan prince and his horse? Which
characteristic is common betweenMonsieur Le Bon and the Count Palatine?
Earlier Portia described the Neapolitan Prince as wild as a young horse and so
attached to his horse that he always spoke about the horse only. Count-Palatine
and Le Bon share the common characteristic of frowning.

2. Give the meaning of:

A) He is every man in no man: He has every man’s characteristic but no
personality of his own
B) He falls straight a -capering: He starts to jump about. Monsieur Le Bon is so
fickle-minded that if he hears a thrush sing, he starts to jump about.

3. How does the French lord react to the singing of a thrush?

When he hears the singing of a thrush, the French Lord starts jumping
immediately.

4. What would happen:

a) If Portia were to marry the Count?
It would be as if she were married to twenty husbands as he is never one man
but twenty men by turns.
b) If he were to despise Portia?
If he were to despise Portia, Portia would not be in least angry and would forgive
him.
c) If he were to love Portia passionately?
Portia could never return his love since she could never possibly love twenty
husbands.

5. Give any three negative qualities of the French Lord, as described by Portia.
Portia says that the French Lord is more attached to his horse than the Neapolitan
Prince and excels Count Palatine in frowning. If he hears a thrush singing, he starts
jumping immediately. Further, if he does not have anybody to fence with, he will
take his own shadow as an adversary.

Extract IV
Portia

You know I say nothing……………………and his behaviour everywhere.

1. How is the young baron’s external appearance described in the passage?
What light does it throw on the national pattern of clothes of Englishmen?
The baron’s external appearance is described as odd and strange. He is oddly
dressed and very odd in behaviour too. He wears an Italian jacket and breeches
in the French fashion. He seems to have got his hat from Germany and his
manners from everywhere. Englishmen of Shakespeare’s days had a fondness for
the manners and clothes of foreigners.
2. What shows that the English Lord has poor knowledge of the European
languages? Why does Portia find it difficult to interact with him?
Portia’s sentiment that the Englishman did not know Latin, French or Italian
shows that he had very poor knowledge of European Languages. Portia found it
difficult to converse with him as he did not know Latin, French or Italian and
Portia’s knowledge of English was very poor.

3. Give the meaning of:

a) He is a proper man’s picture
He is handsome and fine-looking
b) How oddly he suited: He is dressed very strangely

4. What is referred to as a ‘dumb show’? why is the baron said to be a dumb

show?
The word dumb-show refers to a play in which all characters act without
speaking, that is by gestures. A pantomime is a dumb show. Here it means that
the Englishman is unable to speak foreign languages and had to converse by
means of signs as in a dumb show.

5. Give a brief description of the Scottish Lord

The Scottish Lord is not impressive. Portia speaks about his cowardice in a
sarcastic way by calling him kind-hearted as he did not return the Englishman’s
blow immediately.

6. What type of contemporary relationship among England, Scotland and

France is reflected in the description of the Scottish Lord?
The description of the Scottish Lord is a reference to the frequent alliances
between the Scots and the French again England when Scotland was at war with
England.
Extract V
Portia
Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober………………..ere I will be married to a
sponge.
1. How does the young German behave when he is sober and when he is drunk?
If the worse happens to Portia which would compel her to marry him, what would
she do?
When sober, the young German is less than a man in behaviour and when drunk
he is no better than a beast. If the worse happens to Portia, she will manage todo
without him.
2. Give the meaning of:
a) When he is worst, he is little better than a beast
When is drunk, he is no better than a beast
b) Set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket
Place a tall goblet of Rhenish wine on the wrong casket

3. What plan does Portia make to prevent the young German from choosing the
right casket?
To prevent the young German from choosing the right casket, Portia instructed
Nerissa to place a tall goblet of Rhenish wine on the wrong casket. Portia was
sure that the German suitor will not be able to resist the temptation of his
national drink even if the picture of the devil himself was within.

4. Why is the young German referred to as a ‘sponge’?

A sponge constantly absorbs water. Similarly, a drunkard, who constantly take
liquor is called a sponge. Since the young German is a drunkard, Portia calls him
a sponge.

5. After Portia’s speech, what does Nerissa say to console her about the
suitors?
Nerissa tells Portia to set aside her fears concerning the suitors. She says that they
have informed her of their decision to go back home and not to press their
courtship further unless Portia’s father’s decree concerning the caskets can be set
aside and they may woo her in an ordinary way.

Extract VI
Portia
If I live to be as old as Sibylla…………………..a fair departure.
1. What was Portia’s father’s will as far as Portia’s marriage is concerned?
Portia’s father’s will was that her marriage will be decided by the lottery of the
three caskets. The suitor, who chooses the right casket containing Portia’s picture
will be her husband.

2. Who is Sibylla and who is Diana? Why are they referred to in the extract?
In Ovid’s metamorphoses, Sibyl was a prophetess. She was granted a wish by god
Apollo that she would live for as many years as the grains of sand she held in her
hand. She was the ageless old woman.
Diana was the goddess of moon and hunting. She is known as the virgin goddess.
They are referred to here to explain Portia’s resolve to remain a virgin like Diana
even if she lives to be as old as Sibyl of Cumae unless she is won in marriage by
some suitor in the lottery ofthe casket.
3. What does Nerissa say to introduce Bassanio? What were the feelings of
Portia for Bassanio in this scene?
To introduce Bassanio, Nerissa recalls the visit of a young Venetian along with the
Marquis of Montferrat, when Portia’s father was alive. He was a scholar and a
soldier. In this scene, Portia’s feelings for Bassanio are quite positive. She recalls
his name and tells Nerissa that he fully deserves her praise. Her simple reply
shows that she is already in love with Bassanio.

4. In what scene can we say that the opening of the first two scenes of Act I give
the plots of the play?
The opening of the first two scenes of Act I gives the plot of the paly. The two
main plots of the play are the bond-story and the casket -story. The bond-story is
initiated in Scene I while the casket-story is initiated in Scene 2 of Act I.

5. Name the six suitors given in this scene. Give two characteristics of each
suitor described by Portia.
i) The Neapolitan Prince from Naples, Italy, was a dashing youngster, as
wild as a horse. He always talked about his horse.
ii) The County Palatine was always frowning and unusually gloomy.

iii) Le Bon is from France, who had the characteristic of every man and had
no personality of his own.

iv) Falconbridge from England, though handsome was strangely and

unmannerly dressed and did not know Latin, French or Italian.

v) The Scottish Lord was a coward and did not repay the Englishman who
gave him a blow.

vi) The Duke of Saxony was a drunkard. He in his sober moments behaved
less than a man and when drunk no better than a beast.

SCENE 3
Extract 1
Bassanio:
For which, as I told you…………………
Bassanio:
Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?
1. Give the conditions to which Antonio is bound. How wise was Antonio to bind
himself to such conditions?
Antonio is bound to a bond according to which if he fails to repay the amount in
due time, Shylock will be entitled to take an exact pound of flesh from any part
of Antonio’s body that he may wish. It was very unwise of Antonio to misjudge
Shylock’s intentions and sign such a fatal bond.

2. Give the meaning of:

May you stead me? Will you pleasure me?
Can you help me and will you do me this favour?
3. Shylock says that Antonio is a good man. What does Shylock mean with the
connotation ‘good’?
When Shylock says the above words, he means that Antonio is a reliable man,
whose surety is sufficient to give a loan.

4. Enumerate the possible threats to Antonio’s business ventures as stated by

Shylock, after the above extract.
Shylock enumerates the possible dangers to Antonio’s merchandise-ships being
only planks of wood are apt to be broken; the mariners being merely human
beings, are liable to be drowned; there are pirates on the waters; and there are
all the dangers of the ocean from the gales, tempests and dangerous rocks.

5. How can it be proved that Antonio is a prudent businessman but he is

overconfident?
Antonio can be considered as a prudent businessman as his wealth is distributed
over the whole world. one of Antonio’s ship is on its journey to Tripolis, another
is bound for the Indies, a third is voyaging to Mexico, fourth to England and others
to various other distant places. He is so overconfident of his riches that he agrees
to an unreasonable and dangerous bond.
Extract II
Shylock:
How like a fawning publican……….most do congregate
1. What is meant by ‘a fawning publican’? Give three reasons why Shylock
hates Antonio.
Publicans were tax collectors for the Romans and were generally oppressive.
They were hated by the Jews because they were the agents of Rome, who
collected taxes also from the Jews. Publican is a natural term of contempt and
loathing in the mouth of a Jew. Shylock hates Antonio because he is a Christian,
lends money without interest and hurls abuses on him.

2. Give the meaning of the following:

a) Low simplicity: Childish foolishness
b) Gratis: Free of interest
c) Rate of usance: rate of interest

3. Write the meaning of the following in your own words:

I can catch him once upon the hip,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him
The above words mean that if Shylock could get hold of Antonio at a disadvantage
or in a weak spot, he will satisfy fully the long-standing hatred he has against
him.

4. What old grudge does Shylock have against Antonio?

Shylock had a long-standing grudge against Antonio because Antonio was a
Christian and looked upon the holy Jewish race with contempt. He used to lend
money without interest. He even spat on Shylock, kicked him and called a ‘cut-
throat dog.’

5. What does the ‘sacred nation’ refer to? What insults has Antonio heaped
upon Shylock?
‘The Sacred Nation’ is a reference to the holy Jewish race. Antonio insults Shylock
for his business deals and for earning profit by lending money on interest.

6. How does Shylock plan to get the money immediately? What light does this
extract throw on Shylock’s character?
Shylock plans to get money immediately from a wealthy fellow-Jew, Tubal. It
shows that Shylock wants to execute the bond as soon as possible and use the
chance to take his revenge on Antonio.
Extract III
Shylock:
When Jacob grazed……….
Shylock:
Should fall as Jacob’s hire.

1. What topic is referred to in the extract? Who were Jacob and Abraham?
The topic referred to in the extract is lending money for interest. Jacob was the
second son of Issac who became the third successor to Abraham. Abraham was
the founder of the Hebrew nation and Jacob’s grandfather.

2. Give the story of Jacob who got his share as his payment from Laban.
Laban was Jacob’s uncle. Jacob and Laban entered into an agreement that Jacob
would receive as his wages the lambs which were born with spots or stripes.
During the breeding season, Jacob arranged the wooden rods in such a way that
the shadows of the rods should fall on the sheep. Consequently, most of the
lambs were born spotted or stripped, and thus, they became Jacob’s property.

3. What is the difference between taking interest and receiving payment for one’s
labour?.
Taking interest means to charge specific amounts on the money given as loan for
a specified period. Receiving payment for one’s labour means to take
remuneration for one’s service rendered. This is legitimate while taking interest
is not in order.

4. What role did Jacob’s wise mother play to make him the third possessor?
Esau and Jacob were Issac’s sons. Issac wanted to bless his elder son Esau but
would do so after he brought him some savoury meant. Jacob’s mother Rebecca
overheard this conversation. She wanted to get this blessing for Jacob. She told
Jacob to fetch two goats to make a savoury dish. Rebecca then asked Jacob to go
to his blind father with the savoury meat. In this way, Jacob, through the crafty
assistance of his mother, got the blessing of his father.

5. How does Antonio interpret Jacob’s success after this extract?

After this extract, Antonio tells Shylock that it was purely a matter of chance in
Jacob’s case. He had no control over it himself, but providence guided and
governed the event. It was not a matter in the hands of men, like the taking of
interest.
Extract IV
Antonio:
 Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?
….for all use of that which is mine own.
1. What is meant by ‘shall we be beholding to you’? What is Rialto?
‘Shall we be beholding to you’-this statement was made by Antonio and he wants
to say to Shylock, “Are you going to lend us money?”
Rialto was the Venetian Stock Exchange where the merchants met for the
transaction of business.

2. Give some examples to show that Shylock was ill-treated by Antonio. How
did Shylock react to Antonio’s insults?
Shylock speaks of his ill-treatment at the hands of Antonio. He says that Antonio
had spat upon his Jewish robe in contempt and called him an unbeliever and a
cur. He had also spat upon his beard. On another day, he had pushed him aside
with his foot as if he were a stray dog being kicked out of his house. Shylock
reacted to Antonio’s insults patiently.

3. Why did Shylock bear Antonio’s insults patiently?

Shylock bore Antonio’s insults patiently since, as a shrewd Jew, he was waiting
for an opportune time to take revenge on Antonio. Earlier, in the scene, Shylock
admits that patience is the badge of his race.

4. Give the causes, financial and racial, for Shylock’s hatred for Antonio.
Financially Antonio is a threat to Shylock’s money lending business because he
lends money without charging interest and thus brings down the rate of interest
charged by money lenders. Besides, he hates Antonio since he is a Christian, who
despises the Jewish race.

5. What is the need for Antonio to borrow money from his enemy?
Antonio needs to borrow money from his enemy Shylock to give it to Bassanio,
his friend so that he can go to Belmont to woo the rich lady Portia.

6. Which trait of Shylock’s character emerges in this scene?

In this scene, Shylock is presented as shrewd, cunning and crafty. However, the
most evident trait of his character is that of revenge- to take revenge on Antonio
for all the insults heaped on him by Antonio. He is eager to execute the bond-
document for this purpose.
Extract V
Shylock:
Why, look you, how you scorn!
…..kind I offer.
1. What were the ‘shames’ which stained Shylock?
Shylock is referring to the insults hurled on him by Antonio such as speaking
abusively of him and his money-lending, spitting on him, kicking him, calling him
a dog and ridiculing the Jews.

2. What is meant by ‘the present wants’? On what terms is the speaker willing
to supply the wants?
‘The present wants’ refer to the immediate need of Antonio-three thousand
ducats to provide for Bassanio’s trip to Belmont to woo Portia. The speaker is
ready to supply the wants provided Antonio signs with a bond, according to which
if Antonio is unable to pay him the money on the specified date, the penalty to
be paid will be an exact pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.

3. How does Antonio storm Shylock? Why was Shylock willing to lend money
without interest?
Antonio storms Shylock by saying that in future too he is likely to abuse and
disgrace him and that he should lend the money as to an enemy rather than a
friend. He challenges him to exact the penalty if he fails to repay on time. Shylock
is willing to lend the money without interest because he wants to trap Antonio in
a fatal bond and take his revenge.

4. What did the speaker propose to do immediately after this?

Immediately after this, the speaker proposes to Antonio to accompany him to a
lawyer and execute a bond with his signature wherein the forfeit to be paid will
be an exact pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.
5. What is meant by Shylock when he says: “This is kind I offer’?
‘This is kind I offer you’ means this is the kindness that I offer you. This refers to
his lending of money without charging any interest on it.

6. Who is the third person, present at the scene? Why is he reluctant to agree
to Shylock’s terms?
The third person present at the scene is Bassanio. He is reluctant to agree to
Shylock’s terms because he did not trust the kind words uttered by Shylock. He
tells Antonio that he will not have him make such an agreement on his account.
He would rather remain as poor as he is now and do without his wants supplied
at such a price.

Extract VI
Shylock;
Go with me to a notary…….pleaseth me.
1. Who is a notary? Whom does Shylock want to take to the notary? Why?
A notary is a lawyer who has the authority to execute official and legal dealings
and agreements. Shylock wants to take Antonio to the notary to sign the bond
document which stipulates that the forfeit to be paid will be a pound of flesh from
any part of Antonio’s body.

2. Give the meaning of:

a) Single bond: an agreement in which Antonio will be the only signatory
b) Merry sport: for a pleasant joke.
3. What does Bassanio say to prevent Antonio from signing the bond?
Bassanio tells Antonio that he will not have him make such an agreement on his
account. He adds that he would rather remain as poor as he is now and do
without his wants supplied at such a price.

4. Why is Antonio confident that there is no danger in signing the bond? What
aspect of Antonio’s character is shown in this incident?
Antonio is confident that there is no danger in signing the bond because he is
confident that one month before the date of payment, his ships will have brought
nine times the amount they are borrowing and they will not have to pay the
penalty. This incident shows Antonio’s overconfidence and generosity towards
Bassanio.

5. Why does Shylock insist on a pound of Antonio’s flesh in the bond? Which
aspect of his character is shown in his absurd demand?
Shylock insists on a pound of Antonio’s flesh to take revenge on him and to put
him completely at his mercy. Shylock’s hatred for Antonio and Christians is shown
in his absurd demand. Taking advantage of the situation, he wants to take
revenge on Antonio and all Christians, who persecuted him and his race.

ACT II: SCENE 1

1. Where does this scene take place? Who are present in the scene? What
explanation does Morocco give for his dark complexion?

This scene takes place in a room in Portia’s house at Belmont. People present are
Prince of Morocco and his attendants, Portia, Nerissa and her attendants.
Morocco says that he got his dark colour because of the fierce sun. He was born
and brought up in a country where the sun is very close to the earth.
2. What qualities does a creature born in the north have? Why?
People born in north are fair-skinned. This is because the sun’s rays are so faint
in the north that they are hardly able to melt the frost, snow and icicles.
3. Who is Phoebus and what is meant by Phoebus’ fire? What test does the
speaker propose, to prove ‘whose blood is reddest’?
Phoebus in Greek mythology is one of the names of the Sun God, Appollo.
Phoebus’ fire means the rays of the sun. Morocco proposes that he should be
matched with any fair-skinned man born in the north. They should open their
veins to see whose blood is redder. Red blood was considered to be a sign of
courage.
4. What effect does the physical appearance of Morocco have on the brave
men and the prettiest women of his country?
Morocco’s physical appearance frightened the brave men whereas the prettiest
women admired and loved it.
5. On what condition is the speaker prepared to change his dark complexion?

The speaker is prepared to change his dark complexion only to win over Portia’s
favour.
6. What idea do you get about the character of the Prince of Morocco from the
extract?
From the extract, we know that the prince of Morocco is a warrior and self-
assured man. He has a large imposing physical appearance and is proud of his
dark complexion. He is an egoist who thinks that he is better than other people.
He boasts of his red blood and the admiration and affection he enjoys in his land
from the nobles and the best maidens.
1. What is the lottery of Portia’s destiny? How does it prevent her from the
right of voluntary choosing?
The lottery of Portia’s destiny refers to the lottery devised according to her
deceased father’s will. According to the lottery, each suitor has to choose from
amongst the three caskets of gold, silver and lead the one containing Portia’s
portrait. The suitor who will choose the correct casket will win Portia’s hand in
marriage. The lottery of caskets designed by her father thus prevents Portia from
exercising her freedom of choice. The suitor, whowill make the right choice will
win her as a wife.
2. Give the meaning of:
But if my father had not scanted me,
And hedged me by his wit, to yield myself
His wife who wins me by that means I told you,
These lines mean: “ If I had not been limited and restricted by my father’s wisdom
and obliged to accept for a husband the one who will succeed in winning me by
the means I have told you.”
3. How prudent was Portia’s father to have arranged her marriage through a
lottery? Give a reason for your answer.
Portia’s father was prudent to have arranged for her marriage through a lottery.
We see that at the end the wisdom of her father prevails and she is won as a wife
by Bassanio whom she loves and admires.
4. Give the brief character sketch of the Prince of Morocco in this scene.
Form the extract we know that the Prince of Morocco is a warrior and self-assured
man. He has a large imposing physical appearance and is proud of his dark
complexion. He is an egoist who thinks that he is better than other people. He
boasts of his red blood and the admiration and affection he enjoys in his land
from the nobles and the best of maidens. He admits that the lottery of the caskets
has no consideration for heroism and can be won by anyone, even an undeserving
candidate. He harps on the idea of chance-choice, lottery, destiny, choosing,
fortune and hazards.
5. Do you agree with Portia’s statement that the Prince of Morocco stands as
fair a chance as the other suitors? Give a reason to justify your opinion.
Portia does not really mean that Morocco had a good chance of winning her love,
because in Act I, Scene 2 she holds her former suitors in contempt. She thinks the
same in Morocco because he is boastful. Portia treats him with perfect courtesy
and tact and speaks as if she holds him in high esteem.
Extract III
1. What is meant by a ‘scimitar’? What conquests did Morocco make by using
his scimitar?
‘Scimitar’ means sword. By using his sword, Morocco had slain the Emperor of
Persia and a Persian Prince, who had defeated Sultan Solyman of Turkey thrice.
2. State two of the brave deeds Morocco is prepared to carry out in order to
win Portia.
The brave deeds Morocco is prepared to perform in order to win Portia are:
a) To challenge the bravest warrior on earth
b) Snatch away the young sucking cubs from the mother bear and dare her
wrath
3. Who are Hercules and Lichas? What could happen if they were to play a
game of dice? In what way is this example applicable to Morocco?
In Greek Mythology, Hercules was renowned for his manliness, strength and
exploits. Lichas was his servant. According to the legend, once Hercules and Lichas
were playing a game of dice. By chance, the winning throw came from Lichas. This
example is applicable to Morocco since his fame, wealth and achievements are
of no help to him to win Portia. He is forced to take his chance against any inferior
rival.
4. Why is the fortune said to be blind? What does Morocco fear since the blind
fortune is leading him to choose the casket?
The goddess Fortune is usually represented blindfolded. Fortune is said to be
blind due to the unaccountable variations in her dispensation of favours to
mankind. He fears that as the blind fortune is leading him to choose the right
casket, the outcome depends only on chance as in a game of dice.
5. What final instruction does Portia give to Morocco before he is led to make
the choice?
Before he is led to make the choice, Portia tells Morocco that he must take a
chance. He must either leave the matter altogether and not make the attempt or
swear in the Chapel before choosing, that if he makes the wrong choice, he will
never again speak to any lady on the subject of marriage.
6. Why does Portia ask Morocco to go to the temple before he makes the
choice of the casket?
Before he makes the choice of the casket, Portia asks Morocco to go to the temple
to swear on oath that if he makes the wrong choice, he will never again speak to
any lady on the subject of marriage.

SCENE 2
Extract I
Launcelot:
Well, my conscience says, “ Launcelot, budge not……..is the devil himself.
1. Who is Launcelot Gobbo? What inner struggle is going on in his conscience?
What does his struggle show aboutcontemporary Christian practice?
Launcelot Gobbo is Shylock’s servant. An inner struggle is going on in his mind
between his conscience advising him to be a faithful servant and the devil
tempting him to leave Shylock’s service and take up service with Bassanio.
Launcelot’s inner struggle shows the contemporary Christian practice of
struggling with the temptation to yield to it or not.
2. Why does Launcelot want to run away from the Jew? What does his conscience
advise him to do?
Launcelot wants to run away from the Jew because his master, Shylock is the
very devil in human form. According to Launcelot, Shylock is a miserly man under
whose service he remains famished. Besides, he fears that he would become a
Jew if he served Shylock any longer. Initially, his conscience tells him not to run
away from Shylock’s household and to be careful. However, when the devil
persuades him to flee, his conscience tells him that as he is the child of a good
father or at least a good mother and so, he should stay where he is and not move.
3. Launcelot’s speech provides some comic relief in the play? Why was such a
relief need in the context of the play?
In this scene, Launcelot provides some comic relief in the play. In the context
of the play, such relief was needed because the previous scene related to the
bond story, depicted a serious mood where Antonio agrees to sign a treacherous
bond that stipulates a pound his flesh in case he forfeits the agreement.
4. Enumerate the reasons given by Launcelot’s conscience to stay on with the
master.
Launcelot’s conscience advises him not to run away as such an act of fleeing
is a matter of contempt. It adds that he is the child of a good father or at least a
good mother and hence he should stay on with the master.
5. Finally,who does Launcelot obey-the devil or his conscience? How is the
theme of racial discrimination brought out in Launcelot’s decision to run away?
Finally, Launcelot obeys the devil. The theme of racial discrimination is brought
out in Launcelot’s decision to run away because he runs away from his master,
Shylock, who was a Jew and takes up service with Bassanio, a Christian.
6. How is the theme of conflict between the good and the evil shown in this
scene?
The theme of conflict between the good and evil is shown in this scene.
Launcelot’s conscience advises him to stay on with his master while the devil
advises him to flee. He feels the devil’s advice as good and that of the conscience
as rigid. He follows the good advice of the devil.
Extract II
Launcelot:
O heavens, this is my true begotten father!.........turn of no hand but turn down
indirectly to the Jew’s house.
1. Where are Launcelot and old Gobbo? What is meant by ‘true-begotten
father’? Why can’t old Gobbo recognize his son?
Launcelot and old Gobbo are in a street in Venice. ‘True begotten father’ means
my father who begot me. Old Gobbo cannot recognize his son as he is more than
half-blind.
2. Why is old Gobbo looking for the way to Master Jew’s house? How does
Launcelot confuse the old man while giving directions to him to reach the Jew’s
house?
Old Gobbo is looking for the way to the Jew’s house to go there to find out if his
son Launcelot, who was working as a servant in Shylock’s household is still there.
Launcelot confuses Gobbo by giving him the wrong directions to Shylock’s house.
3. What was Gobbo’s reaction to the directions given to him by Launcelot?
Gobbo says that by the saints, it was a difficult direction to follow.
4. What present has Gobbo brought to give to the Jew? What does Launcelot
say to his father about it?
Gobo has brought a dish of cooked doves to give to the Jew. Launcelot tells his
father to give Shylock a rope to hang himself with rather than any present
because he has half-starved him.
5. Launcelot plays a comic role in this scene. Give two examples of comedy
provided by him.
When Gobbo asks Launcelot the way to Shylock’s house, the wrong directions
which Launcelot gives him provide real comedy in the scene. The directions are
too confusing for Old Gobbo to follow. The second example is Launcelot’s asking
his father’s blessing. He kneels before his father. Being blind, his father touches
Launcelot’s face and says that Launcelot has more hair on his face that Dobbin,
his cart horse.
Extract III
Launcelot:
Ergo, master Launcelot…….a staff or a prop? Do you know me, father?
1. Why does Launcelot use high-sounding words in his conversation with
Gobbo? What does Shakespeare want to convey to the audience in this context
aboutthe habit of some people in his time?
Launcelot uses high-sounding words in his conversation with Gobbo to impress
him that he possesses classical learning and is a gentleman. Shakespeare wants
to convey to the audience that habit of some vain people of his time who
pretended to be whatwas not.
2. Why does Launcelot call old Gobbo ‘father’ in the first line of the extract?
Give the meaning of :
According to Fates and Destinies, and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such
branches of learning,
Launcelot calls Old Gobbo ‘father’ in the first line of the extract as he plans to
reveal his identity gradually to him. In the given lines Launcelot tells Gobbo that
according to his Fate or Destiny or the Three Sisters of the ancient Greeks and
such other branches of learning the young man is dead.
3. How does Gobbo react to the news of the apparent loss of his son?
Old Gobbo is stunned on hearing that his son is dead. He states that his son was
his only support in his old age.
4. How does Launcelot show dramatically that he is Gobbo’s son? Why does the
former refer to his mother’s name in the context?
When Gobbo asks Launcelot to tell him whether his son is really dead or not,
Launcelot dramatically confesses that he is Gobbo’s son. But Gobbo does not
believe him. Then Launcelot mentions the name of his mother, Margery, as a
proof to show that he is really Gobbo’s son.
5. How does Gobbo show by words and actions that he is fond of his son?
Gobbo is fond of his son. When Launcelot tells him that his son is dead, Gobbo is
shocked to hear it and laments that his son was his only support in his old age.
Further, Gobbo does not believe Launcelot’s confession until he mentions the
name of his mother. When Launcelot tells him that he is his son, Gobbo, being
blind, feels Launcelot’s face to ascertain that he is actually his son.
6. Give any two humorous situations from this scene.
One humorous situation is when Launcelot gives Gobbo directions to go to
Shylock’s house. The directions are so confusing that Gobbodoes do not follow
it. Another humorous situation is the scene of Launcelotasking his father’s
blessing. He kneels in front of his father. His father feels his beard and says that
Launcelot has more hair on his face than their cart-horse has on his tail.
Extract IV
Gobbo:
Lord, how art thou changed!...........for I am a Je if I serve the Jew any longer.
1. What has just happened that makes Gobbo say that Launcelot has changed?
What present did Gobbo bring? To whom does he want to give it?
When Gobbo remarked that Launcelot has more hair on his face than Dobbin,
their shaft-horse has on his tail, Launcelot responded that Dobbin’s tail is growing
less because when he last saw him, he had more hair on his tail than he had on
his face. At this Gobbo remarked that Launcelot has changed. Gobbo has brought
a dish of cooked doves to be given to Shylock.
2. Give the meaning of:
a) My master’s a very Jew: My master is a typical Jew, i.e., he is a miserly man.
b) Give him a halter: give him a rope to hang himself with.
3. How can we conclude from the extract that Launcelot has been suffering in
the Jew’s service?
In the extract, Launcelot tells his father that under Shylock’s service he has grown
so thin for want of proper food that his ribs and bones are standing our
prominently and can be counted with the finger. This shows that Launcelot has
been suffering in the Jew’s service.
4. What do you find strange in the expression: You may tell every finger I have
with my ribs?
Launcelot means to say that anyone can count all his ribs by feeling them with a
finger. But Launcelot reverses the order, thus achieving a comic effect.
5. What special privilege would Launcelot have if he serves Bassanio? What
would happen if Launcelot were to serve the Jew ‘any longer’?
If Launcelot serves Bassanio, he will have the privilege of having new uniforms.
According to Launcelot if he works any longer for the Jew, he may become a Jew
himself. He means that it is impossible for him to remain in Shylock’s service any
further.
6. What kind of attitude against the Jews is shown in this scene?
The miserly nature of the Jews is shown in this scene. Launcelot says that his is
half-famished under Shylock’s service and adds that he has grown so thin for
want of food that his bones and ribs are standing our prominently and can be
counted with a finger.
Extract V
Launcelot:
Father, in. ……………….I’ll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye.
1. How has Launcelot shown that he could speak for himself to be employed by
Bassanio?
When old Gobbo delays in asking Bassanio to accept his son, Launcelot in his
service, Launcelot cuts him short and tells Bassanio that he wants to serve him.
2. What impact is the palm-reading by Launcelot likely to make on the
audience?
The palm-reading by Launcelot provides the audience with a comic relief and
foretells the good fortune that may happen in the life of Launcelot.
3. What does Launcelot predict about his wives and his escape from dangers to
his life?
After reading his palm, Launcelot foretells that he will have a long life. he will
marry a large number of wives(eleven widows and nine maids in all). He will
escape thrice from drowning and will have a hair-breadth escape once from
falling ours from a feather bed.
4. What instructions did Bassanio give to the Gobbos and to his servants after
employing Launcelot?
After employing Launcelot, Bassanio tells the Gobbos to go to Shylock and bid
him farewell and then reach his house. He tells his servants to get a uniform for
Launcelot withmore decorations or ornamental stripes than those of his other
servants.
5. Before this extract, Launcelot referred to a proverb which is applicable both
to Shylock and to Bassanio. What was the proverb and how is it applicable to both
of them?
The old proverb that Launcelot mentions is: ‘The grace of God is wealth enough.’
He says that this proverb is equally applicable to Shylock and Bassanio. Bassanio
is a good man and has the grace of God. Shylock does not have the grace of God.
But he has ‘wealth enough.’
Extract VI
Bassanio:
Why then you must. I be misconstrued in the place I go to and lose my hopes.

1. Give thecontext in which Bassanio speaks these words.

Bassanio speaks these words to Gratiano when the latter makes a request to him
topermit to accompany him on his trip to Belmont.
2. Give the meaning of:
To allay with some cold drops of modesty
Thys skipping spirit,
To tone down your lively spirits by exercising a little moderation.
3. Briefly summarise the advice given by Bassanio to Gratiano in the extract.
Bassanio tells Gratiano that he is uncontrollable, blunt and rough. These faults of
his are acceptable to Bassanio and his friends as qualities of his nature. But his
wild behaviour may be misunderstood at Belmont. Hence, Bassanio advice him
to control his wild behaviour and tone down his lively spirit by exercising
moderation.
4. Why does Bassanio ask Gratiano to behave properly in Belmont?
Bassanio asks Gratiano to behave properly in Belmont because he fears that for
people who don’t know Gratiano, his behaviour will appear as faulty. His wild
behaviour will be misunderstood at Belmont and Bassanio may lose all chances
of marrying Portia.
5. What assurance does Gratiano give to Bassanio about the latter’s advice?
Gratiano promises to behave in a proper manner. He says that he will converse
gravely and will seldom use an oath. He will carry prayer books in his pockets and
look most sedate. During the grace before meals, he will veil his eyes with his hat
and solemnly say ‘Amen’. He will do everything that politeness demands and
follow all the customs of good manners, as though he trying to please his
grandmother by showingquiet and serious behaviour.
6. What exception to Gratiano’s behaviour is accepted for the particular night?
Why?
Bassanio tells Gratiano that his rude behaviour will be tolerated for the
night because of the party. This is because Bassanio wants that night to be one
offun and mirth. He will be sorry to see Gratiano in a sad mood. Bassanio would
prefer to see him in his wildest spirits

SCENE 3
Extract I
Jessica:
I am sorry thou wilt leave my ………see me in talk with thee.
1. Give reasons for Launcelot’s leaving Jessica’s house.
Launcelot left Jessica’s house since her father Shylock was a miserly Jew and is
stay as hisservant has half-famished him. He felt that any further stay with him
would make him like the Jew. Besides, Bassanio has accepted him in his service
and Launcelot feels that Bassanio is a better master.
2. Give the meaning of:
Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil,
Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness.
In the above lines, Jessica says that her house is hell because of her father’s
avarice. Launcelot with his jolly nature and with his antics and nonsensical
capering has relieved it of much boredom and dullness.
3. How does Jessica show in words and action that she liked Launcelot’s
presence in her house?
Jessica shows in words and actions that she liked Launcelot’s presence in the
house. He calls him a merry devil and thank to him for reducing the boredom and
dullness in her house. She offers him a ducat too.
4. What errand does Jessica give to Launcelot? What precautions does she ask
him to take while doing the errand?
Jessica gives to Launcelot the errand of delivering a letter to Lorenzo at supper in
Bassanio’s house that night. She advises him to deliver the letter to Lorenzo
secretly.
5. How does Jessica show herself as ascheming but prudent young lady? In what
way is her character different from that of Portia?
Jessica shows herself as a scheming lady when she plans to elope with a Christian
boy, Lorenzo without the knowledge of her father. She proves herself to be
prudent when she instructs Launcelot to deliver her letter to Lorenzo at
Bassanio’s party secretly. Her character is entirely different from that of Portia.
While Portia obeys her deceased father’s will to marry the one who wins the
lottery of caskets, Jessica betrays her father and religion to marry Lorenzo.
Extract II
Launcelot:
But, adieu: these foolish…….become a Christian, and they loving wife!

1. How does Launcelot bid farewell to Jessica? In this context, what are your
feelings for Launcelot, Jessica and Shylock?
Launcelot bids farewell to Jessica calling her ‘most beautiful pagan’ and later
‘most sweet Jew’. He says that tears prevent his tongue from uttering his feelings.
We feel happy for Launcelot and Jessica. Launcelot is leaving his miserly master
and is undertakingBassanio’s service where he will be happier. Jessica too will
soon escape from the ‘hell’ and marry Lorenzo. We feel sorry for Shylock as he is
still obstinate, miserly and with evil intentions. Further, he shall lose his daughter
as well as money.
2. Why does Jessica regret being the daughter of Shylock? What is the ‘heinous
sin’ referred to in the extract? Is it really a sin? Give reasons to justify your
answer.
Jessica regrets being the daughter of Shylock due to his behaviour, his being a bad
father to her and for making her home ‘hell’. Jessica describes her feeling ofbeing
ashamed of being her father’s daughter as a heinous sin. It is not really a sin
because even if she is Shylock’s daughter by birth, she does not actually detest
her father but detests his miserliness and tyrannical nature.
3. Give the meaning of :
But though I am a daughter to his blood,
I am not to his manners.
The above lines mean that although I am his daughter by birth, I don’t have his
habits.
4. Which promise has Lorenzo to keep? Describe the strife that Jessica is going
to end.
Lorenzo has to keep the promise of eloping with Jessica that night. Jessica will
end the struggle between her desire to marry Lorenzo and her duty to her father,
Shylock.
5. Explain Jessica’s relationship with her father which is shown in the scene.
Jessica is a lively young girl who rebels against the oppression of her father and
the joylessness of her life at home. She calls her home ‘hell’. She cannot get along
with her father. She detests her father’s miserliness and tyrannical nature. She
affirms that though she is Shylock’s daughter by birth, she does not share his
disposition. Besides, she is influenced by the Venetians around her to form a
different attitude to life than her father’s. she is ready to leave her father and
elope with Lorenzo, a Christian.

SCENE 4
Extract I
Lorenzo:
Nay, we will slink………we have two hours to furnish us.

1. Why do Lorenzo and his friends plan to disguise themselves at dinners time?
How well are they prepared for the disguise?
Lorenzo and his friends plan to disguise themselves at dinner time since they
were organizing a masquerade for Bassanio’s dinner party. During Elizabethan
times the masque was an amateur dramatic practice usually performed in private
houses. The players wore masks and costumes and took part in a torch
procession, playing musical instruments. They were not fully prepared for the
disguise.

2. Who is supposed to be the torch-bearer? What is the actual purpose of having

a torch-bearer in the scene?
Jessica, disguised as a boy, is supposed to be the torch-bearer. The actual purpose
of having a torch-bearer in the scene is to facilitate the elopement of Jessica with
Lorenzo.

3. Whose letter does Lancelot bring? Why is it an important confidential letter?

How does Lorenzo guess whose letter it is?Does Launcelot bring the letter of
Jessica? It is an important confidential letter as it contained Jessica’s plan to elope
with Lorenzo. On receiving the letter Lorenzo guesses whose letter it is after
looking at the handwriting. He declares that the handwriting is familiar to him
and the letter is written by a lovely, fair and beautiful hand.

4. Who is giving the dinner party? Whom does Launcelot invite for dinner?
Bassanio is giving the dinner party. Launcelot invites Shylock for the dinner party.

5. Describe briefly how the dinner party facilitates the elopement of Jessica with
Lorenzo.
The dinner party facilitates the elopement of Jessica with Lorenzo. Jessica is free
to leave her house as her father is away at Bassanio’s dinner party. Lorenzo and
his friends organize a masquerade for Bassanio’s dinner party. Jessica joins them
as a torch-bearer dressed as a boy and elopes with Lorenzo.

Extract II

Lorenzo:
I must need tell thee all……..shall be my torch-bearer.

1. What information has Jessica given to Lorenzo regarding her elopement?

Jessica informs Lorenzo about the arrangements she had made to elope with him.
She will leave her father’s house with money and jewellery, disguised in the
uniform of a page-boy.
2. According to Lorenzo, how could the Jew go to heaven? How can you conclude
that Lorenzo has a high opinion of Jessica?
According to Lorenzo, the Jew, Shylock could go to heaven only because of his
sweet and gentle daughter. We can conclude that Lorenzo has a high opinion of
Jessica since he feels that if at all Shylock ever goes to heaven it will be because
of her. He prays that no misfortune ever comes to her except for being Shylock’s
daughter.

3. What does Lorenzo wish for Jessica? According to him, how could misfortune
come to Jessica?
Lorenzo wishes that no misfortune ever happens to Jessica, for being the
daughter of a non-believing Jew. She has no stain of sin in her unless her birth is
regarded as a sin.

4. Give an example of racial discrimination hinted at in the extract.

Reference to Shylock as a ‘faithless Jew’ is an example of racial discrimination
hinted at in the extract. Christians believed that faithless Jews won’t go to
heaven.

5. Describe the atmosphere of activity and pre-occupation prevailing in this

short scene.
An atmosphere of activity and pre-occupation prevails in this scene. Activities
include preparations for the masquerade and Jessica’s elopement. Pre-
occupation regarding the dinner party dominates the scene. Even Shylock
is invited to the party. Launcelot acts as a messenger in this scene. He delivers
Jessica’s letter to Lorenzo and Lorenzo’s reply to Jessica. He invites Shylock for
Bassanio’s party on Bassanio’s behalf.

Act II: Scene 5

Extract I
Shylock:
I am bid forth to supper, Jessica…….dream of money-bags tonight.
1. Why does Shylock accept the invitation to dinner? On what grounds did
Shylock refuse to accept an invitation to dinner earlier in the play?
Shylock accepts the invitation to dinner out of hatred and to eat the food of the
extravagant Christian, Bassanio. In act I, Scene 3 when Bassanio invites him for
dinner he refuses to dine with Christians since they were pork-eaters. He asserted
then that he would never eat, drink or pray with Christians although he is ready
to do business with them.
2. Why is Shylock unhappy to accept the invitation this time too? Who is the
prodigal Christian? Give the significance of a word: prodigal.
Shylock is unhappy to accept the invitation this time too as he feelsa premonition
of some misfortune about to take place. The previous night he had a dream about
money-bags which was considered as a bad omen.
Bassanio is referred to as the prodigal Christian because he is wasteful, who
spends money extravagantly which he has borrowed from Shylock. Prodigal is a
reference to the prodigal son described in the Bible who wasted his share of
wealth by lavish and careless living.
3. Give the meaning of:
a) I am not bid for love: I am not invited our of love.
b) I am right loath to go: I hate to accept the invitation to dinner.
4. How do Jessica and Lorenzo take advantage of Shylock’s absence from home
during dinner?
Jessica and Lorenzo taking advantage of Shylock’s absence from home make a
plan to elope. Jessica uses the occasion to leave home with her father’s money
and jewellery. Lorenzo uses the occasion to arrange the masquerade in which
Jessica will be the torch-bearer and thus easily elope with him.
5. What sort of a bad omen did Shylock have which made him think that there
is some evil being plotted against him?
Shylock had a dream about money bags on the previous night. To dream about
money and all kinds of coins was considered as a bad omen. This made Shylock
think that there was some evil being plotted against him.

Extract II
Lock my doors; and when you……feasting forth to-night.

1. Who is the speaker of the above lines? To whom is he giving his advice? Why
should the doors be locked?
Shylock is the speaker of the above lines. He is giving this advice to his daughter,
Jessica. When Launcelot tells him about the masquerade, he is alarmed for fear
that such revelry may become unruly. He hates their frivolity. Hence, he asks
Jessica to lock the doors of the house so that no sound of foolish displays may
enter his serious house.
2. Where is the speaker going? What reason does he give for his going out? Who
was Jacob? Why does the speaker swear by Jacob’s staff?
The speaker is going to Bassanio’s dinner party. He is going out for dinner out of
hatred for the Christian and to eat the food of the extravagant, Bassanio. Jacob
was the grandson of Abraham, the founder of the Jewish race. According to the
Bible, Jacob, the ancestor of Shylock had a staff that proved a blessing to him. In
Genesis 32:12, Jacob boasts that he had crossed river Jordan only with a staff yet
returned with companies of men.
3. Give the meaning of:
a) Clamber not you up to the casements
Do not climb up to see from the windows.
b) Sound of shallow foppery
Shrill notes of the fife
4. Who are the ‘Christian fools with varnished faces’? What were they planning
against the speaker? What warning did the speaker have of it earlier?
Christian fools with varnished faces refer to the Christians taking part in the
masquerade at Bassanio’s dinner party. They were planning to make the
speaker’s daughter elope with a Christian, Lorenzo with the speaker’s money and
jewellery. The speaker had warned of this in the form of a ‘dream where he saw
money bags and coins.’
5. Does the person to whom the advice is given, follow the speaker’s advice?
Why?
The advice was given to Jessica by her father, Shylock. She did not follow the
advice and used the occasion of masquerade to elope with Lorenzo.
6. Summarize the advice of the speaker in your own words.
The speakeradvice his daughter, Jessica to lock up the doors. He tells her not to
go up to the windows when she hears the drums ad the shrill notes of the fife. He
tells her not to stretch her neck out to gaze over the public street to look at
Christian fools with painted faces. he instructs her to close all the windows of his
house so that no sound of the foolish display enters his sober house.

Extract III
Shylock:
The patch is kind enough, but a huge………stale in thrifty mind.

1. What is meant by the ‘patch’ in the extract? What reasons does Shylock give
to Jessica for parting with Launcelot?
The word ‘patch’ in the extract means the clown or the fool or the jester. In olden
days, the professional fools or jesters used to wear multicoloured patched
costumes. So the word patch is used in the extract for Launcelot. Shylock says
that he is sending Launcelot to Bassanio as he would assist Bassanio in his
spendthrift habits and waste his borrowed money.
2. Whom does Shylock wish to be ruined? Why?
Shylock wishes Bassanio to be ruined because he wants to take revenge upon
Antonio and can do so ifBassanio and Antonio fail to repay the loan on a
stipulated date.
3. What does Shylock mean by saying, ‘drones hive not with me’?
By the above words, Shylock means that lazy people cannot live with him. Shylock
says that Launcelot is lazy and cannot be his servant, so he allows him to join
Bassanio’s service.
4. What is meant by the ‘borrowed purse’? For what purpose was it borrowed?
‘Borrowed purse’ refers to the three thousand ducats borrowed by Bassanio from
Shylock on the basis of the bond signed by Antonio. The money was borrowed to
enable Bassanio to go to Belmont and win Portia in marriage after participating
in the lottery of caskets.
5. Why does Shylock ask Jessica to shut doors? Give the meaning of Fast bind,
fast find.
Shylock asks Jessica to shut the doors to make his house safe from revellers taking
part in the masquerade. He quotes an old proverb ‘fast bind, fast find,’ which
means that if you lock a thing up, you will find it safe. (leave secure and you will
find all secure)
6. Describe briefly how Shylock becomes an instrument of fate in this scene.
In this scene, Shylock becomes an instrument of fate to further the action in the
plot. On the one hand, his desire for revenge upon Antonio is revealed because
he goes to thesupper to help to consume Bassanio’s borrowed money. He
overlooks his religious principles which forbade him dining with Christians. He
even ignores the premonitions of impending evil because of his revengeful
nature. This provided Jessica with an occasion to flee from home with money and
jewellery and to elope with Lorenzo, a Christian. Thus, fate has used Shylock to
further its plans.

SCENE 6
Extract I
Gratiano: And it is marvel he out-dwells……..are with more spirit chased than
enjoyed.
1. Where does this scene take place? Who has out-dwelt his hour? Normally
what do the lovers do as far as the appointed time is concerned?
This scene takes place in the street outside Shylock’s house. Lorenzo has out-
dwelt his hour to meet Gratiano and Salarino for the masque. Lovers generally
rush to the meeting place long before the appointed hour.
2. Who is Venus? How do the Venu’s pigeons behave as far as love is
concerned?
In Greek mythology, Venus is the goddess of love. Salarino comments that the
doves that draw the chariot of Venus, the goddess of love, fly ten times faster
when they are journeying to bind new love more firmly than they do when love
is already pledged and certain.
3. How does Gratiano explain in the extract the state of people in love?
According to Gratiano, people in love are anxious to meet each other. They rush
to their meeting places much before the appointed time. Thus, people in love
keep punctuality in their meetings and never delay.
4. Give the meaning of:
a) He out dwells his hour
He overstays the time fixed by him to meet.
b) To seal love’s bonds new-made
To bind new love more firmly
5. Explain the meaning of:
Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unabated fire
The above lines mean that you will not find even house travel again over the same
road on its return journey with the same energy and animation with which it set
out.
6. All things that are,
Are with more spirit chased than enjoyed
How far is this statement brought out by giving the example of a ship?
It means that the pursuit of any desired object is more enjoyable a task and gives
more joy compared to the pleasure one gets on its attainment. The truth of the
statement is brought about by the example of a ship. A ship with its sails spread
and flags flying, sails out from the harbour like a high-spirited spendthrift youth
in search of pleasure. But after being tossed about and hugged by the rough wind,
it comes back to the port with broken planks and torn sails. It looks like the
returning of the prodigal son, ruined by the faithless gales.
Extract II
Lorenzo:
Sweet friends, your patience for my long abode…..who’s within?
1. Where is Lorenzo and who are his sweet friends?
Lorenzo is in the street outside Shylock’s house. His sweet friends are Salarino
and Gratiano.
2. What did his friends say about the anxiety of those in love?
His friends said that lovers generally rush to meet each other before the
appointed time. Salarino commented that the doves that draw the chariot
of Goddess of love, fly ten times faster, when they are journeying to findnew love
than they do when love is once pledged and certain.
3. What were the affairs that kept the speaker away so long?
The speaker was kept away so long due to his business affairs. Also, he had to
plan for the masquerade, in which he would elope with his lady-love, Jessica.
4. What is meant by ‘to play the thieves for wives’? How apt are these remarks
in the context?
‘To play the thieves for wives’ means if ever any of them wishes to do what he is
doing that night and steal away a fair lady to be his wife, he will wait as long as
they have done to help him on the occasion. These remarks are quite relevant
because Lorenzo wants to give the reason for his delay as well as thank his
friends, whom he has kept waiting for a long time.
5. What does Lorenzo ask Jessica to do later in the scene? What is Jessica’s
reaction to his request?
Later in the scene, Lorenzo tells Jessica to come down in the street quickly and
that she has to play the part of his torch-bearer in the masque that night. Jessica
is shocked and embarrassed at the suggestion. She asks Lorenzo whether she
must hold a light to show up her shameful acts-her elopement, theft and male
dress.
6. Who appears on the stage after the extract? In what condition does the
person appear?
After this extract, Jessica appears on the stage. She appears on the stage dressed
in a boy’s clothes, as a page-boy.
Extract III
Jessica:
Here, catch this casket…..thus transformed to a boy.
1. What do you think is sent down in the casket? How can you conclude that
the contents in the casket are valuable?
The casket must have valuables like jewellery which Jessica has stolen from her
house. We can conclude that the contents in the casket are valuables since
Jessica's hands over the casket only after making sure that the person to whom
she is giving the casket is her love, Lorenzo. Besides, she tells Lorenzo that it is
worth carrying the casket.
2. What is meant by ‘I am much ashamed of my exchange.’? Why is the
exchange needed?
The above words mean that Jessica is much ashamed that she has to change her
dress to that of a page boy. This exchange was needed for her to elope with
Lorenzo.
3. In what way is love blind in the context? Who is referred to as Cupid? Why
would he blush?
Love is blind in the context since it makes Jessica dress like a page boy, steal
jewellery and money from her house and be ready to elope with Lorenzo, a
Christian. Cupid is the classical God of love who is always represented as a blind
boy with bows and arrows. Jessica says that Cupid, the little blind God of love
himself would be shocked and blush if he saw her dressed like a boy.
4. What is meant by a torchbearer? In what way Jessica would hold a candle to
her shames if she were a torchbearer?
Masquerades were dramatic performances where players wore masks and
costumes and took part in a torch-like procession playing drums and fife. Jessica
was to carry the torchlight or candle. If she carries the candle, she will show up
her shameful acts- her male attire, the casket containing her theft and the fact of
her elopement.
5. Give the meaning of:
Why it’s an office of discovery, love;
And I should be obscured
These lines mean: ‘The duty of a torchbearer would expose me to all when I
should be concealed.’ Jessica means that her shameful disguise of a pageboy’s
dress is too frivolous and Lorenzo should not light them further by having her as
a torchbearer.
6. How is Jessica’s feminine nature is highlighted in the extract?

Jessica’s feminine nature is highlighted in the extract. Her shyness at her male
clothes shows her feminine modesty as in Elizabethan times women never wore
men’s clothes. Also, she comes down from her house after making sure that the
person who has come to take her is Lorenzo, her lover.

SCENE 7
Extract I
Portia:
Go draw aside the curtains…..make your choice
1. Who is asked to draw aside the curtains? Who is asked to make his choice?
Portia asks one of her attendants to pull apart the curtains so that the different
caskets are made visible. The prince Morocco is asked to make the choice.
2. What does Portia say later to the prince regarding the right casket?
After reading the inscription on the three caskets, Morocco asks Portia how he
will know if he chooses the right casket. Portia replies that her portrait will be in
the right casket. If he selects that one, then she will be his wife.
3. Which casket does the Prince of Morocco finally choose? What are the
reasons for his choice?
The Prince of Morocco finally chooses the golden casket. Morocco argues that
base lead cannot contain such a saintly person like Portia. Silver which is ten
times inferior to gold also cannot hold Portia as he is such a rich gem. So he
concludes that Portia, whom many men desire and are most precious must be
contained in the golden casket. Besides, the English have a gold coin which with
the figure of an angel engraved on it. Portia is an angel and hence her portrait
may be in the golden casket.
4. For what reasons does the prince reject the other two caskets?
He rejects the base lead arguing that it cannot contain such a noble person
likePortia and silver which is ten times inferior to gold cannot contain Portia as
she is such a rich gem.
5. What does the prince find when he opens the casket?
When the prince opens the casket he finds a skull and in its eyeless socket a scroll.

6. How does the prince bid farewell to Portia? What does Portia say when the
prince leaves the place?
Morocco bids farewell to Portia with the warm-heartedness of a lover and says
he must accept the cold comfort of the rejected. He says that his sorrow is too
great for many words. Those who have lost their hearts’ desire depart thus sadly.
When the prince leaves the place, Portia calls it good riddance and wishes that
every suitor like him should make a similar choice.
Extract II
Morocco
Who chooseth me shall……in love I do deserve.
1. On which casket do the words, who chooses me shall get as much as he
deserves?
On the silver casket
2. Why does Morocco initially doubt his worth to deserve the lady?
Morocco initially doubts his worth to deserve the lady because he thinks that
though by his own standard, his merits may be very high, yet those merits may
not be sufficient enough to deserve Portia, as her reputation is greater than his.
3. Why does he change his mind and say that he deserves the lady?
Morocco, after having doubts about his worth to win Portia, later o, changes his
mind. He feels that he deserves Portia because of his royal birth, his wealth, his
virtues and his upbringing. Above all, he is worthy of her because of his deep
affection for her.
4. Give the meaning of:
A) And weigh thy value with an even hand
And compare your personal worth impartially.
B) A weak disabling of myself
A sign of weakness which would bringdiscredit on me.
5. Why does Morocco think that Portia’s picture is not in the lead casket?
Morocco read the inscription on the lead casket which stated that whosoever
selects it must be prepared to give all and to risk everything. Morocco declares
that no one except a fool will be prepared to risk everything for the sake of dull
lead. He argues that lead cannot contain such a noble person like Portia.
Extract III
Fromthe four corners of the earth…..to see fair Portia.
1. Who speaks these words? Where is he? What has he said about his courage
in an earlier scene?
The prince Morocco speaks these words. He is in a room in Portia’s house getting
ready to make his choice of caskets. In an earlier scene, Morocco said that with
his sword he had slain the emperor of Persia and a Persian Prince, who had
defeated Solyman of Turkey thrice. He boasted that he was courageous enough
toconfront a hungry lion, defy the most valiant warrior on earth and faces the
wrath of a mother-bear by separating its young ones from her.
2. What is the significance of the words Shrine and Saint in the context?

A shrine is a place where any sacred relic of aholy person or the image of a saint
is kept. In this context, the saint is Portia and the shrine is Belmont. The breathing
saint is a reference to Portia. Morocco says that people came from every part of
the globe to worship at the holy place which enshrines this living object of
adoration-Portia.
3. What warning is given by Portia to the speaker before he makes the choice?
Before he makes the choice, the speaker is told by Portia that the correct casket
contains her picture and if he chooses it, she will be his wife.
4. Who are ‘they’ that are referred to in the extract? What difficulties do they
face while coming?
‘They’ refers to the many suitors who come to Belmont from all parts of the globe
to woo Portia. While coming they travel through Persian deserts, the wilderness
of Arabia and even cross the ocean.
5. Give the meaning of:
a) Hyrcanian deserts
Hyrcania was a province of the ancient Persian empire. Hyrcanian deserts were
deserts lying in the South of Caspian sea.
b) Watery kingdom: The oceans and its fierce waves do not stop suitors
6. Why does the speaker reject the lead casket?
The speaker rejects the lead casket since on it was written that whoever selects
it must be prepared to give all and to risk everything for the dull lead. He thinks
the lead is too crude a metal even to enclose thewinding-sheet when she is buried
in the grave. He asserts that the lead casket cannot hold Portia’s picture and so
he rejects it.
Because silver is ten times inferior to gold and such a rich gem can never be set
in anything less than gold.
Extract IV
Or shall I think in silver she’s immured…….and thrive I as I may.
1. Why does the prince think that Portia’s picture not in the silver casket?
Sinful thought is the thought that Portia is contained in the silver casket because
silver has only a tenth of the value of gold and a rich gem-like Portia can never be
set in anything less than gold.
2. What is the sinful thought, why is it so?
Sinful thought is the thought that Portia is contained in the silver casket because
silver has only a tenth of the value of gold and a richgem-like Portia can never be
set in anything less than gold.
3. Describe the coin referred to in the extract. What is the difference between an
angel on the coin and the angel in the casket?
The coin referred to in the extract is the gold coin in England on which the figure
of Archangel Michael standing and piercing a dragon was engraved on one side.
The coin was called an angel and its value was about ten shillings.
Morocco says that the figure of the angel on the coin is engraved on the surface
of the coin. It is outside, whereas Portia is an angel, who lies on a golden bed
within the casket entirely hidden from view.
4. After opening the casket, the Prince finds a dead skull and a scroll. Explain what
is written on the scroll?
On the scroll, it is written that things which make the most brilliant show are not
always the truest metal. For the sake of mere gold, hundreds have risked and
sacrificed their lives. Costly gold plated tombs may be erected, but they have no
real value. Decay and death are all they contain.
5. Explain how the theme of appearance and reality is shown in the choice made
by the prince.
Write your own opinion.

Act II, Scene Eight

Salerio and Solanio meet in the street and discuss the hasty departure of Bassanio
and Graziano for Belmont. They further tell the audience that Shylock returned
home and discovered his daughter had run away with Lorenzo. Shylock then woke
up the Duke of Venice and tried to stop Bassanio's ship, which had already set sail.
Antonio assured Shylock that Jessica was not on board the ship but rather had been
seen in a gondola with Lorenzo. However, Shylock continues to blame Antonio for
the loss of his daughter and his money.

Solanio informs Salerio that Shylock was later seen in the streets crying,

BLOCKQUOTE"My daughter! O, my ducats! O, my daughter!

Fled with a Christian! O, my Christian ducats!

Justice! The law! My ducats and my daughter!

A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats,"]

Solanio is worried about Antonio, whom he says had better repay his bond with
Shylock on time because Shylock is furious about losing his daughter and his money
and blames Antonio for it. Salerio indicates that a Frenchman mentioned a
Venetian vessel had sunk in the English Channel the day before. Both men hope
that it is not Antonio's ship.

Act II, Scene Nine

The Prince of Aragon arrives in Belmont and decides to choose from among the
three caskets. Portia takes him into the room and makes him recite the oath never
to reveal which casket he chooses, and further to promise never to marry should
he choose the incorrect casket. The Prince of Aragon agrees and starts to read the
inscriptions.

He rejects lead because of the ominous warning and thinks that gold refers to the
foolish populace. Instead, he chooses silver which indicates he will receive what he
deserves. The Prince takes the key and opens the casket to reveal a "blinking idiot"
(2.9.53). The scroll indicates that those who are self-loving deserve to be called
idiots, and would not make good husbands for Portia. The Prince is upset by his
choice but is forced to leave.

Portia is happy that the Prince has chosen the wrong casket. Her messenger comes
into the room at that moment and informs her that a young Venetian has just
arrived. Portia goes to see who it is, while Nerissa secretly wishes that it might be
Bassanio.
Analysis

The virtue of marriage is very important for Shakespeare, who often ends his
comedies with multiple marriages to signify a happy solution to many of the
problems the characters have faced. Marriage is thus a way of achieving inclusion
for Shakespeare, and it is notable that the characters which remain unmarried are
often isolated and removed from the society, specifically Antonio and Shylock
within this play. Marriage also represents a way to overcome difficulties; for
Bassanio, it will remove his debt, for Portia, it will free her from her father's will
and for Jessica is will allow her to escape her father.

Given this view of marriage, the choice of the caskets presents a horrifying risk for
many of the participants, namely the threat that if they choosethe wrong casket
they must swear to never propose marriage to a woman afterwards. In a sense, the
failure to marry is as good as being castrated. In fact, Shakespeare creates this very
analogy throughout The Merchant of Venice and ties it to the ability to make
money breed. Thus in the first act, Shylock mentions that he makes his money
breed as fast as ewes and lambs. Antonio will further this metaphor in the final act,
when he remarks that he is like wethe or a castrated lamb, and thus unable to
breed. For the suitors to Portia, then, swearing to never wed puts them on the same
level as Antonio. By agreeing to not marry, they themselves become castrated.

Lancelot the clown is one of the more interesting characters. His treatment of his
father is awful, considering that his father is mostly blind and has brought a present
to his son. The entire scene mimics the biblical story of Jacob and Esau, though. The
Bible tells how Jacob tricked his father into giving him the inheritance by wearing
wool so his father would think he was Esau. Lancelot does the same thing, by
bending down and making his father "know" him by feeling his head.

Shylock's character starts to emerge very strongly within this act. We see him now
not only as a moneylender demanding interest but also as a villain. He shows a
marked aversion to fun, demanding that Jessica lock the door and close the
windows when he finds out there will be a masque that night. However, contrary
to his statement in the first act, Shylock leaves his house to enjoy a dinner with
Bassanio. Much of this ac, therefore, develops the negative aspects of Shylock
character.

However, the Christian faults are also exposed to this act. The faithlessness of
Jessica has been an issue of discussion for many centuries, with the debate raging
over whether she is justified in leaving her father. The crucial difficulty is that she
does not merely run away, but she insists on stealing large amounts of her father's
jewels and gold. Thus when Graziano remarks, "Now, by my hood, a gentile, and no
Jew" (2.6.51), we can only see it as ironic. Ironic because she is stealing her father's
money, so he is essentially implying Christians are thieves.

Jessica's actions also leave unanswered the question of why she is locked up in her
father's home. The answer to this comes from an understanding of the relationship
between money and breeding. Whereas in the beginnin, Antonio is impotent in the
sense that his money does not breed, Shylock is not. Shylock further has the
advantage of having a daughter. Since the Jewish lineage is passed down via the
maternal line, Jessica represents a way for Shylock's family line to continue. Thus,
hoarding Jessica and his gold is Shylock's way of guaranteeing his successful
breeding. In fact, Solanio makes this connection between daughter and money
abundantly clear when he tells us that Shylock ran through the street of Venice
crying:

"My daughter! O, my ducats! O, my daughter!

Fled with a Christian! O, my Christian ducats!

Justice! The law! My ducats and my daughter!

A sealed bag, two sealed bags of ducats,"

Thus for Shylock, the simultaneous loss of his daughter and his money is in a sense
the loss of his fertility.

Not only does her conversion to Christianity destroy Shylock's family line, it also
makes him impotent in a metaphorical sense. Jessica takes two stones with her,
which represent the "testicles" of Shylock since the stone was often used to mean
testicle. Thus after her theft, Shylock joins Antonio in impotence, having lost his
ability to breed. Indeed, the escape of Jessica marks the turning point of Shylock's
fortunes, which will lead to his eventual destruction.

It is important that Jessica escapes not dressed as herself but like a man. In fact,
there is never a scene on the Venetian streets in which a woman is present. The
only way a woman can walk through the street of Venice is to dress as a man, a fact
that willbe reinforced when Portia pretends to be Balthasar and dresses as a man
before entering Venice. This is one of the primary differences between the worlds
of Venice and Belmont.

The three caskets each bear inscriptions that tell us about the personalities of the
characters who pick them. Gold reads: "Who chooseth me shall gain what many
men desire" (2.7.5). The silver casket has, "Who chooseth I shall get as much as he
deserves" (2.7.7). Finally, the dull lead casket bears the inscription, "Who chooseth
me must give and hazard all he hath" (2.7.9). The Prince of Morocco first chooses
gold and gets a death skull. The Prince of Aragon receives the picture of an idiot.
This is symbolic, for he is an old man and hence is an idiot for thinking himself
deserving of a young woman.

One of the most debated lines is when Portia sends the Prince of Morocco away by
saying, "A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains, go. / Let all of hiscomplexions choose
me so" (2.7.78-79). This provincial comment stands in contrast with her upbringing
and nobility. However, what soon becomes clear is that Portia is a very narrow
character in her sense of friends. She chooses Bassanio over the more
cosmopolitan suitors because he represents her Christian and Venetian world.
Bassanio wins her because of the same thing, namely he alone of the suitors
possesses the local characteristics necessary to interpret which casket to choose.

Unlike Portia and Bassanio, Jessica never has to be chosen by a casket. Instead, she
tosses her casket out of the window for Lorenzo to catch. Thus her relationship,
unlike that of Portia and Bassanio, has no test to make sure it is a good relationship.
This lack of a test will create problems later, foreshadowed by Shakespeare when
Lorenzo and Jessica compare themselves to many famous failed romances.
The Merchant of Venice is largely a play about interpretation. The suitors to Portia
are condemned to sterility because they misread the caskets. Shylock's
interpretation of the contract in 1.3 takes the "pound of flesh" seriously and
literally, whereas Antonio thinks Shylock is being "kind." Later in the final scene,
the outcome of the play - whether it becomes a comedic ending or a tragic one, will
rest on Portia's interpretation of the law. Thus the play creates its drama and its
plot through the constant interpretation of events and words. This crucial aspect is
frequently used by Shakespeare in his remaining comedies, and it forms a crucial
part of the plot in Much Ado About Nothing.

Act III, Scene One

Solanio and Salerio discuss the rumour that Antonio has lost yet a second
ship. Shylock enters and complains that both Solanio and Salerio had something to
do with his daughter's flight. They do not deny it but instead ask Shylock if he has
heard about Antonio's losses.

Shylock tells them that Antonio should "look to his bond" and make sure he repays
the money, or else Shylock is planning on taking his pound of flesh. Shylock is
furious with Antonio, whom he blames for the loss of Jessica, and also bears an
older grudge against the man. He then delivers his famous soliloquy, "Hath not a
Jew eye? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions..."
(3.1.49-50). The speech concludes with Shylock saying that he will be revenged for
all the times he has been treated badly by Christians.

One of Antonio's servants arrives and bids Solanio and Salerio go to Antonio's
house. They leave, and Tubal, another Jew, arrives to speak with Shylock. Tubal has
been in Genoa, where he tried to locate Jessica. He tells Shylock that Jessica had
been in the city, and had spent over eighty ducats while there. She had also traded
a turquoise ring for a monkey, a ring which Shylock regrets losing because he had
received it from his wife Leah. However, Tubal also brings Shylock news that
Antonio has lost yet a third ship, and is almost certain to go bankrupt in the near
future. Shylock is excited by this news since he has decided that he would rather
exact revenge on Antonio than receive his three thousand ducats back.
Act III, Scene Two

Portia tells Bassanio that she wants him to wait a month or two before choosing
from the caskets so that she may be guaranteed his company for a while longer.
Bassanio tells her that he is desperate to choose, and feels like he is being tortured
the longer he waits. Portia finally agrees to take him into the room with the caskets.

Portia orders music to be played for Bassanio, and one of her servants starts to sing
a song in which the rhymes all rhyme with lead. Bassanio speaks directly to the
audience and tells them that too many things are gilded and coated with
ornaments. He, therefore, decides to do away with gold, comparing it to Midas'
greed. The silver casket he also ignores, saying it resembles money and is therefore
too common. He thus chooses the lead casket and finds Portia's picture inside.

Bassanio is overjoyed by the picture and remarks that it is a beautiful "counterfeit".

He then takes the scroll and reads it: "You that choose not by the view / Chance as
fair and choose as true" (3.2.131-132). Bassanio goes over to Portia with the note,
and she offers him everything she owns, including herself. Portia then hands
Bassanio a ring as a token of her love and commitment and tells him never to lose
it. He promises, telling her that if he ever stops wearing the ring it will be because
he is dead.

Graziano then informs them that he would like to be married as well. He tells
Bassanio and Portia that he and Nerissa (the chambermaid to Portia) are in love.
Bassanio is thrilled for his friend and agrees to let them get married as well.

Jessica, Lorenzo and Salerio arrive at Belmont. Bassanio is happy to see all of them,
but Salerio then hands him a letter from Antonio. Bassanio turns pale at the news
that Antonio has lost his fortune and his ships, and he asks Salerio if it is true that
all of Antonio's ventures have failed. Salerio tells him it is true, and that Shylock is
so excited about getting his pound of flesh that even if Antonio could repay him he
would likely refuse it.

Portia asks what amount of money Antonio owes to Shylock, and then orders
Bassanio to return to Venice and offer Shylock six thousand ducats to destroy the
contract. She informs Bassanio and Graziano that she and Nerissa will live like
widows in their absence. They all agree to get married first and then go straight to
Venice to rescue Antonio.

Act III, Scene Three

Shylock has come to watch Antonio be taken away by a jailer. Antonio pleads with
Shylock to listen to him, but Shylock says, "I have sworn an oath that I will have my
bond," (3.3.4) and refuses to listen to any of the pleas for mercy. After Shylock
departs, Antonio tells Solanio that Shylock hates him because he used to loan
money to men who were in debt to Shylock, thus preventing Shylock from
collecting the forfeiture. Antonio is prepared to pay his "bloody creditor" the next
day in court but prays that Bassanio will arrive in time to watch him die.

Act III, Scene Four

Portia and Nerissa, worried about their new husbands, tell Lorenzo that they are
going to stay at a local monastery for a few days in order to pray. After Lorenzo and
Jessica leave, Portia sends her servant Balthasar to her cousin Doctor Bellario with
instructions that Balthasar should bring anything Bellario gives him to Venice.
Portia then informs Nerissa that they are going to dress up as men and go to Venice
in order to help their husbands.

Act III, Scene Five

Lancelot and Jessica are in an argument over whether she can be saved by God
since she was born a Jew. Lancelot tells her that since both her parents are Jews,
she is damned. She protests that she can be saved once she becomes a Christian
because her husband Lorenzo is a Christian. Lancelot then makes a joke and says
that Lorenzo is a bad man because by converting all the Jews he is raising the price
of pork (since Jews do not eat pork, but Christians do). Lorenzo then arrives and
orders Lancelot to go inside and prepare the table for dinner. He and Jessica praise
Portia for being such a wonderful hostess before entering the house to get their
dinner.

Analysis
By far the most interpreted and critiqued section of this act is Shylock's famous
speech:

"Hath not a Jew's eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses,
affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject
to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same
winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle
us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we
not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a
Jewwrongs a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew,
what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you
teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction."

This passage has been interpreted in many ways, from comedic to villainous to
tragic. In the twentieth century, it has almost always taken on a tragic character as
a result of WWII. Shylock speaks the lines to defend his resolution to take a pound
of Antonio's flesh. However, the passage is difficult to interpret because of
Shylock's position in society. As a Jew, he could not have been on the street
screaming for revenge, since this would only lead to more persecution. Thus, one
interpretation has taken the lines to be comic, in the sense of using comedy as a
mask to hide fear. Like a child who makes jokes out of insecurity, Shylock tries to
defend his right to exact the pound of flesh.

Bassanio's choosing from the caskets has also generated controversy. Portia first
begs Bassanio to wait at least a month, hoping to spend time with him before he
chooses among the caskets. When he refuses to wait, she plays music for him.
Some scholars have noted that each of the rhymes of the song rhyme with lead,
thus providing a subconscious hint. What is interesting is that Bassanio differs from
the other suitors in not reading the inscriptions. Thus he is forced to choose with
his eyes alone, saying, "Therefore, thou gaudy gold, / hard food for Midas, I will
none of thee. / Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge / Tween man and
man" (3.2.100-103). He refers to the fact that gold denotes greed, and thus is
worthless as it was for Midas who could not even eat his food because it turned to
gold on him. Silver represents money, or coins, passing between men and therefore
Bassanio rejects it as well. The lead casket symbolizes his penchant for risk-taking,
and indeed the scroll reads as much, "must hazard all he has." Bassanio is an insider,
a risk-taker who likes the threat that leads poses, and a man who espouses the
Christian ideal of "the last shall be first."

The fact that Bassanio is able to choose the casket without reading the inscription
is in some sense born out by the scroll. The scroll says, "You that choose not by the
view / Chance as fair and choose as true" (3.2.131-132). However, there is a
converse to Bassanio's risk-taking, namely Portia. Portia takes her own risk each
time suitor chooses and is forced to give Bassanio all that she has. "Myself and what
is mine is now to you and what is yours converted" (3.2.166). She does not have a
choice in this matter since it is ordained by her dead father's will.

Portia further gives Bassanio a ring, making him promise to wear it forever. This is
an inversion of the marriage ceremony and is her way of testing Bassanio's fidelity
and love. In Shakespeare's time, it was more often the women who were accused
of infidelity, tricking their husbands. Portia cleverly reverses this by making
Bassanio swear to keep the faith with her.

The imagery of sheep emerges again in this act, this time in a Christian setting
rather than a Jewish one. Graziano says, "We are the Jasons; we have won the
fleece" (3.2.240). This Christian take on the sheep imagery is interesting because it
is so different from Shylock's interpretation. Rather than make money breed, the
Christians prefer to risk everything in search of gaining everything.

Bassanio requires this interpretation, he i, after all, a gentleman, and therefore

considers monetary issues to be beneath him. This is in opposition even to Antonio,
who still regards money as a necessity. Bassanio prefers instead to rely on his
breeding for success. He tells Portia, "I freely told you all the wealth I had / Ran in
my veins: I was a gentleman;" (3.2.253-254).

There has been a great deal of scholarly interest in the relationship between
Bassanio and Antonio. Antonio's comments and undeniable willingness to support
Bassanio have led many to conclude that there is a homoerotic undercurrent to
their relationship. Indeed, Antonio's desire at the end is not to keep his life but
rather that, "Pray God Bassanio to come / To see me pay his debt, and then I care
not" (3.3.35-36). Although it may stretch the plot to argue for a homosexual
relationship between the two men, what cannot be disregarded is the way in which
Portia carefully removes Antonio from the plot at the end. This will be seen later in
the play, where she is the one to free him from the contrac and is later the person
to inform him about his ships. Thus any relationship between Antonio and Bassanio
is trumped by the marriage with Portia, who will further draw Bassanio to her by
playing a ring trick on him (see acts four and five).

The fact that women never explicitly appear in Venice is reinforced in this act as
well. Portia and Nerissa must first pretend to go to a monastery in order to escape
from Belmont, where Lorenzo and Jessica are staying. Portia also contrives to dress
them as men in order to go to Venice. She further uses her kinship with Doctor
Bellario to give her credibility and allow her to control the actions in the upcoming
scenes. However, what can never be denied is the fact that Portia still relies on a
man for her credibility, and requires a man's dress in order to alter events in the
play.

Act IV, Scene One

Antonio is brought before the Duke and the magnificoes of Venice to stand trial for
failing to pay off his obligation to Shylock. The Duke is upset about the penalty, a
pound of Antonio's flesh, but cannot find any lawful way of freeing Antonio from
his bond. Shylock enters the court and the Duke tells him that all of the men
gathered there expect him to pardon Antonio and forgive the debt.

Shylock replies that he has already sworn by his Sabbath that he will take his pound
of flesh from Antonio. He is unable to provide a good reason for wanting to punish
Antonio in this manner, other than to say, "So can I give no reason, nor I will not, /
More than a lodged hate and a certain loathing / I bear Antonio" (4.1.58-60).

Bassanio then comes forward and offers Shylock the six thousand ducats as
repayment for the loan. Shylock tells him that even if there were six times as much
money offered to him, he would not take it. The Duke asks Shylock, "How shalt thou
hope for mercy, rend'ring none?" (4.1.87). Shylock responds that he is doing
nothing wrong, and compares his contract with Antonio to the Christian slave
trade. He tells the Duke that he does not demand that the Christians should free
their slaves, and therefore the Christians should not demand that he free Antonio.

The Duke threatens to dismiss the court without settling the suit brought by
Shylock if Doctor Bellario fails to arrive. Salerio tells him that a messenger has just
come from Bellario, and Nerissaenters dressed as a man and informs the Duke that
Bellario has sent a letter to him. Shylock whets his knife on his shoe, confident that
he will receive his pound of flesh.

The letter from Bellario recommends a young and educated doctor to arbitrate the
case. The Duke asks where the young doctor is, and Nerissa tells him that he is
waiting outside to be admitted into the court. The Duke orders him to be brought
in, and Portia enters dressed as a man, pretending to be a doctor named Balthasar.

Portia tells the Duke that she has thoroughly studied the case and then asks,
"Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?" (4.1.169). Antonio and Shylock
both step forward, and Portia ask Antonio if he confesses to signing the contract.
He does, and Portia then says that Shyloc, therefore, must be merciful. She delivers
a short speech on mercy, but Shylock ignores it and demands the contract be
fulfilled. Portia then asks if no one has been able to repay the amount, but since
Shylock has refused the money there is nothing she can do to make him take it. She
comments that she mus, therefore, side with Shylock.

Shylock, impressed that Portia is supporting his case, says, "A Daniel come to
judgment, yea, a Daniel!" (4.1.218). Portia rules that Shylock has the right to claim
a pound of flesh from next to Antonio's heart according to the bond. Antonio's
bosom is laid bare and Shylock gets ready to cut. Portia asks him if he has a surgeon
ready to stop the bleeding once he has taken his pound of flesh. Shylock says, "I
cannot find it. 'Tis not in the bond" (4.1.257).

Just as Shylock is about to start cutting again, Portia says that the bond does not
give him permission to shed Antonio's blood. The laws of Venice are such that if
any Venetian's blood is shed, all the goods and lands of the perpetrator may be
confiscated by the state. Shylock realizes that he cannot cut the flesh without
drawing blood, and instead agrees to take the money instead. However, Portia is
not willing to back down and instead only gives him the pound of flesh, further
saying that if he takes a tiny bit more or less he will be put to death himself. Shylock,
unable to comply with this stipulation, decides to withdraw his case.

Portia tells Shylock to remain in the court. She says that Venice has a further law
which says that if any foreigner tries to kill a Venetian, the foreigner will have half
of his property go to the Venetian against whom he plotted, and the state will
receive the other half. In addition, the life of the foreigner will be in the hands of
the Duke, who may decide to do whatever he wants to. Shylock is forced to kneel
on the ground before the court, but the Duke pardons his life before he can beg for
mercy.

Shylock instead asks the Duke to kill him, saying, "Nay, take my life and all, pardon
not that. / You take my house when you do take the prop / That doth sustain my
house; you take my life /When you do take the means whereby I live" (4.1.369-
373). Antonio intervenes on Shylock's behalf and asks the Duke to allow Shylock to
keep half of his wealth. He further offers to take care of the half he was awarded
as a form of inheritance for Jessica and Lorenzo. The only requirements Antonio
puts on his offer are that Shylock must convert and become a Christian, and further
that he must give everything he owns to Lorenzo upon his death.

Shylock, wretched and having lost everything he owns, tells the court that he is
content to accept these conditions. The Duke leaves and tells Antonio to thank the
young doctor who has saved his life. Bassanio and Graziano go to Portia and thank
her profusely, and Bassanio offers the young doctor anything he wants. Portia
decides to test her husband's trustworthines and asks him for the engagement ring,
the ring which she made him vow never to part with. He refuses, and Portia and
Nerissa leave. However, at Antonio's urging, Bassanio takes off the ring and gives it
to Graziano, telling him to take it to Portia and invite her to dinner that night at
Antonio's.

Act IV, Scene Two

Portia gives Nerissa the deed by which Shylock will pass his inheritance to Lorenzo.
She tells Nerissa to take it to Shylock's house and make him sign it. At the moment
Graziano catches up with the two women and gives the ring to Portia. She is
surprised that Bassanio parted with it after all, and Nerissa decides to test Graziano
in the same way. Nerissa takes the deed and asks Graziano to show her the way to
Shylock's house.

Analysis

Shylock's reasons for wanting to kill Antonio come across as very arbitrary and
obscure. He compares his desire to kill Antonio with "Some men there are love not
a gaping pig, / Some that are mad if they behold a cat" (4.1.46-47). He follows this
with the statement, "So can I give no reason, nor I will not, / More than a lodged
hate and a certain loathing / I bear Antonio" (4.1.58-60). This inability on Shylocks's
part to give a concrete answer as to why he wants to kill Antonio can only be
explained by understanding the doubling between Shylock and Antonio.

This doubling of Shylock and Antonio takes place through the way they use money
and family. Antonio starts the play unable to make his money breed because he
takes no interest. He further has no wife or children and therefore emerges as an
impotent character. Antonio reveals in Act Four what sort of person he represents:
"I am a tainted wether of the flock" (4.1.113). The "wether" is a castrated male
sheep, thus directly stating the fact that Antonio is unable to breed. Shylock starts
the play on the opposite extreme, able to make his money breed with interest and
his family breed through Jessica. However, it is Antonio who convinces him to not
take interestin this particular bond, and it is later Antonio whom Shylock accuses
of allowing Jessica to escape. Thus for Shylock, Antonio represents the man who
made him impotent as well. His hatred towards Antonio can thereby be explained.
It isa further irony that in this act Antonio makes Shylock convert to Christianity,
thus removing even that distinction between the two men. In essence, the
destroyed Shylock at the end of the play is very similar to the melancholy Antonio
in the beginning.

Portia adds to this sense of doubling when she arrives in court. She asks, "Which is
the merchant here, and which the Jew?" (4.1.169). Indeed, given the confusion so
many people have with the title, it is often this very question which is asked.
Scholars have tried to attribute her question to blind justice, arguing that Portia
does not want to show any favourites. However, on an Elizabethan stag, she would
be able to recognize Shylock immediately from his distinctive dress.

The essence of doubling is reinforced even more with the double exclusion of the
two men at the end of the play. Antonio, having received half of Shylock's wealth,
essentially takes over for Shylock by using Shylock's money. Scholars have debated
the nature of the "merry bond" between Shylock and Antonio. Some have
suggested Shylock meant to circumcise Antonio, others think he meant to make
Antonio take over his place. The fact that Shylock accepts a Christian condition of
taking no interest is supposedly offset by the fact that if Shylock wins, Antonio must
act Jewish.

Another interesting interpretation deals with why Antonio must stand trial at all. In
the Bible, Paul said that Jewishness is an internal condition, not external. This
implies that Shylock is Jewish not because he was born that way, but because he
acts that way. Thus Antonio's mistreatment of Shylock violates this explanation of
Jewishness by despising Shylock because of his external features. It is this sin for
which Antonio is judged.

Throughout this play, there is also the concept of the scapegoat. The scapegoat was
used as a way of purging a town of its sins by heaping them onto the unfortunate
animal instead. The town would drive one goat out of town and sacrifice another.
Both men fit this description in The Merchant of Venice, with Shylock clearly driven
out of society and Antonio representing the goat about to be sacrificed.

One of the great ironies of this play is where Shylock calls Portia, "A Daniel come to
judgment, yea, a Daniel!" (4.1.218). Daniel was the biblical judge of Susanna, a
woman accused of unchastity by the Elders. The story is famous because Daniel
rules in Susanna'sfavour, thus rescuing her. In addition to freeing her, he then
further convicts the Elders. Shylock's mistake is that he is premature in calling Portia
a Daniel, because he is the one who represents the Elders, and Antonio signifies
Susanna. This inversion comes only a few lines later, when Portia not only frees
Antonio but convicts Shylock of attempted murder.
The relationship between Antonio and Bassanio comes to the forefront in this
section. Antonio can literally be seen as a lover of Bassanio, willing to die for him
(4.1.260-274). This creates the conflict between Portia and Antonio, a conflict she
is willing to test by demanding that Bassanio give her his ring. The fact that Bassanio
parts with the ring for Antonio's sake, as does Graziano, implies that Bassanio
chooses Antonio over Portia. This, of course, is unacceptable, as is seen in the next
act where Portia severally chastises Bassanio for loving a man more than he loves
her.

The rings have a further meaning though. They are given by Bassanio and Graziano
as a token of respect and friendship to people they deem to be men. Thus the
ultimate symbolism is that the rings are given to friends who are also their wives.
This fusion of friendship and marriage is an unusual one and serves to strengthen
the relationship between the couples.

Act V, Scene One

Lorenzo and Jessica, still at Belmont, sit outside and enjoy the night. They compare
the night to the stories of Troilus and Cressida, Pyramus and Thisbe, and Dido and
Aeneus, and then extend the analogy to their own love affair. They are interrupted
by Stefano, who tells them that Portia is returning home
with Nerissa. Lancelot then arrives and informs Lorenzo that Bassanio will also be
back by morning. Both Lorenzo and Jessica return to the house and listen to music.

Portia and Nerissa, dressed as themselves again, return home and enter the
building. Lorenzo recognizes Portia's voice and comes to greet her. She orders the
servants to pretend as if she had never left and asks Lorenzo and Jessica to do the
same. Soon thereafter Bassanio, Graziano and Antonio arrive.

Nerissa demands that Graziano show her the ring he gave away to Portia's "clerk"
in Venice. They start to argue over it, with Graziano defending his action as a form
of kindness for Antonio. Portia overhears them and pretends to "discover" what
happened. She then demands that Bassanio show her his ring, which he, of course,
cannot do. Portia and Nerissa then berate their husbands for giving away the ring
and even tell them that they would prefer to sleep with the doctor and his clerk
rather than with their unfaithful husbands.

Antonio offers his assurance that neither Bassanio nor Graziano will ever give away
their wives' gifts again. Portia thanks him and asks him to give Bassanio another
ring to keep. Bassanio looks at the ring and recognizes it as being the same ring he
gave away. Portia then tells him that the doctor came back to Belmont and slept
with her. Bassanio is amazed and does not know how to respond.

Portia finally clears up the confusion by informing Bassanio that she and Nerissa
were the doctor and the clerk. She further has good news for Antonio, namely a
letter that indicates that three of his ships arrived in port safely. Nerissa then hands
Lorenzo the deed from Shylock in which he inherits everything after Shylock dies.
The play ends with Graziano promising to forever keep Nerissa's ring safe.

Analysis

One of the most ridiculous moments in this act involves Lorenzo and Jessica, who
compare their love with the three disastrous love stories. They invoke Troilus and
Cressida, Pyramus and Thisbe, and Dido and Aeneus as their models. This is ironic
in the highest degree because all the invoked lovers are failures. For example,
Pyramus and Thisbe commit suicide, and Dido kills herself when Aeneus leaves her.
This hearkens back to the ease with which Jessica handed over the casket in the
previous acts. Their love never underwent any form of test, either with the casket
or with the rings, which Jessica apparently trades for a monkey (3.1). Thus they in
a sense condemn their love to failure like those of the failed lovers.

Much of this scene involves Portia and Nerissa teaching their husbands the value
of the marriage. The gifts of the rings serve to represent the sanctity and holy
promise of the marriage. Thus, for Bassanio and Graziano to give away the rings is
a violation of their marriage contract, a sign that they love Antonio more than their
wives. Since this cannot be allowed, Portia uses her ring trick to force Bassanio to
give up Antonio. The joke that Portia creates is when she says, "I'll have that doctor
for my bedfellow" (5.1.232), thus implying that Bassanio needs to realize the ring
is given to him alone, and that giving it away violates the relationship implicit in
their marriage contract.

The twinning and oppositeness of Antonio and Shylock were remarked on earlier
in the analysis. This same twinning and oppositeness exist between Belmont and
Venice. Belmont represents music and leisure, Venice signifies money and laws.
However, as Belmont is of course built upon the money from Venice, it depends on
gold and inheritance. This is seen most clearly when the deed from Shylock is
handed to Lorenzo, which is similar to the way Portia derives her wealth in Belmont
from a dead father's will. However, the luxury of Belmont is not necessarily
considered positive. Venice produces merchants such as Antonio, whereas Belmont
produces Lorenzo, a lazy beggar.

The three pairs of lovers represent the comic ending. But what should be a happy
ending is violated and broken by Antonio and Shylock. Both men remain outsiders
at the end of the play, alone and removed from the happy luxury of Belmont. Both
outsiders also have been emasculated by the end. Shylock via the loss of his money
and his daughter, Antonio by losing Bassanio to Portia. The lowest level of Antonio's
defeat is when Portia hands him his money and ships at the end, essentially telling
him to return to Venice and forget about Bassanio.

POETRY

THE HEART OF THE TREE

EXTRACT – 1
(i)The poet does not put this question to anybody in particular. It is a rhetorical
question to draw the reader's attention to the importance of planting trees. He
himself answers the question.According to the extract the man who plants tree
plants 'a friend of sun and sky, and home for birds and animals near heaven. '
(ii) A tree is a friend of the sun and the sky. The sun and the sky help a tree to
grow up and spread its branches. The tree, in turn, keeps the air clean. A tree
flutters like a flag in the breeze and makes the breeze cool and fresh. The tree
is beautiful, tall as a tower. A tree is a home for birds and animals. They make
their nests high up in the sky.
(iii) Trees need the light Of the sun to make their food by the process of
photosynthesis. It needs sky (space) to spread its branches. Trees clean and
purify the air, and cool the breezes. In this way trees, sun and sky help each
otheras friends.
(iv) A tree grows. Its trunk looks the shaft of a flag. The tree is beautiful and
compared to the shaft Of beauty.
(v)Beginning the poem with a question draws the reader's attention to an
important topic: 'Why we should plant trees!' The figure of speech used here is
'rhetorical question'.

Passage - 2
(i) The soft sweet song mother bird sings to her chicks in the evening is
described as mother-croon of birds. The song is sung in the quiet, and happy
twilight when the mother birds return to her little ones for the night. It is a sort
of lullaby.
(ii) Twilight is the faint light at the end of the day when the sun goes down. It is
a happy twilight because the mother bird has returned to her nest and she is
with her chicks. It is like a happy home.
(iii) Treble is high tone in music, In the evening there is peace and harmony in
nature. The treble note of the mother bird is like pleasant music to a quiet
atmosphere.

(iv) Metonymy is a figure of speech in which a thing or concept is called not by

its own name but rather by another name associated with that thing or concept.
In this poem, a tree is called by various names associated with it. For example, a
tree is called 'the flag of breezes free' and 'a shaft of beauty towering high'.

A tree provides cool shade.

A tree takes up carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.
A tree causes rain to fall.
A tree provides shelter to birds and beasts.

Passage – 3

(i) Plants provide cool shade and gentle rain. They provide seeds and buds which
grow into trees. Over a period of time trees multiply and turn into a forest. Plants
obstruct the rays of the sun and provide cool shade.
(ii) Water evaporates. To condense and fall as rain they need to be cooled down.
Trees are cool and help the vapours to condense and fall as rain.
(iii) Trees produce seeds and buds. These seeds dry up but they do not die. They
lie in the soil. When they get proper conditions to grow, they sprout and grow up
into trees again. They become forests and provide benefits to the coming
generations.
(iv) Trees are a source of hundreds of useful things. They provide us with fruit
and medicines. They provide us with material for building homes and huts. They
provide us with material for clothing. In fact, our survival depends on them.
The benefits thatcome from trees we plant now is the harvest of the following
years.
(v) The expression 'unborn eyes' is used for the children yet to be born. If we
plant trees now, those children will be happy to see the beautiful trees. They will
rejoice because trees are not only beautiful to look at, but also provide u with
shade, rain, fruit, flowers, medicines and hundreds of other things and clean the
atmosphere.
Passage - 4
(i) Metonymy is the figure of speech used here 'sap', 'leaf' and 'wood' here stand
for a tree. The other example of metonymy is 'the forest's heritage' 'a flag of
breezes free'. (ii) A 'far-cast thought' means foresight. A person who plants a
tree can foresee how the tree he plants will do good to society. It is a blessing to
the neighbourhood because it will provide cool shade, fruit, flowers etc to them.
Moreover, a tree is beautiful to look. It will be a pleasing sight.
(iii) A person who plants a tree holds a little sapling or a seed in the palm of his
hand. But this seed is the seed of prosperity of his nation. A seed or a sapling
grows into a big tree and trees multiply into forests which are so beneficial for
a nation's growth and development.
(iv) Trees are essential for the maintenance of ecological balance. They not only
give shelter to birds and beasts but also produce oxygen which is essential for life
on earth. Trees cause rain to fall and provide us with food and material for
shelter and clothing. Without trees the world will turn into a desert and life will
become impossible. Trees provide so many useful things that the growth of
a nation depends on them.

(v) When you speak of one's heart, you refer to one's generosity and kindness. In
this sense, The Heart of The Tree' is an apt title. A tree is generous and kind to all
without discrimination. It lives and dies for the good of others. It provides shade
and shelter. It provides fruit and food. It provides material for building homes,
ships and other useful things. Every part of a tree is beneficial What a heart a
tree has!

THE COLD WITHIN

Analysis: Personally, it is my favourite poem in a whole treasure trove. The very
metaphorical title of ‘The Cold Within’ by James Patrick Kinney suggests the poet’s
plea to the humankind to realize the real values of human life that help the
mankind to unite in the interest of life. This poem serves to accomplish the agenda
of re-awakening the human souls. In fact, this humanity lies hidden under the thick
layer of cold selfishness.
Passage - 1
 (i) Alliteration is used 'in the bleak and bitter cold'.Consonant sound - 'b' is
repeated. Adjectives 'bleak and bitter' describe the situation in which the six men
were trapped. It was a gloomy,sad, frustrating and hopeless situation.
(ii) There are six human beings referred to in the above extract. They represent
the whole human race. They trapped in an atmosphere of bitter cold from which
there is no escape. There is a fire to keep them warm. But it is dying. They can keep
the fire alive by feeding it with the logs of wood they have.
(iii) The fire is dying but it can be kept burning. All of them had a log each. It was
within their power to keep the fire burning and survive. But due to greed, hatred,
the prejudice they do not part with their logs and perish/die. It was not the cold
from outside but it was the cold in their hearts that killed them.
(iv) Obviously, firstmanwasawhiteman. He was prejudiced against the black man.
So out of his racial prejudice, he holds back his log though the fire is dying out. The
first man was a white man. Just because of the white colour of his skin, he thought
he was superior to theblack-skinned man. It was his arrogance. The second man
had a narrow outlook. He liked the only people who belonged to his own religion.
He was a bigot.

Passage – 2
(i) Tattered clothes mean old, worn-out clothes. This signifies that the man in
tattered clothes was a poor man. He gave his coat a hitch to cover himself more
closely and keep himself warm. He wanted to keep what little he had to himself.
(ii) The third man is poor. He finds that one of the group is a rich man. He hates
the rich. He thinks they are lazy and never help the poor. So, he too would not give
his log to warm a rich man. He keeps his log to himself.
(iii) The rich man thinks that whatever he has, he has earned by dint of hard work.
He considered the poor undeserving because they never try to improve their lot.
He was not willing to spend his precious log to warm the undeserving

(iv) As the white man has a prejudice against the black man, so does the Blackman
has a prejudice against the white man. He thinks the white people have oppressed
his race, and it is a chance to take revenge. So, out of a feeling for revenge, the
black man does not give his log to feed the fire.

(v) The black man has been oppressed and hated by the White man. Now the
black man finds the white man trapped in cold. Blackman has a log of wood. He
thinks that by withholding his log he will be able to teach the white man a lesson.
So out of hatred for the white man, he does
not part with his log of wood.

Passage - 3

(i) Meaning of forlorn is cheerless and hopeless. The other meaning is lonely. In
this sense, there is a contradiction. A man in a group cannot be lonely. But, though
there were six men, they were still alone. They had no truck with each other. In
that sense oxymoron is the figure of speech used here.

(ii) The last man's game was given and take. He helped only those who helped him.
It was a sort of barter that he practised. He was a selfish man who only thinks of
gain. Since no one in the group helped him, so he does not give his stick to help
them.
iii) Human beings are expected to have a fellow feeling. They should have
warmth and sympathy for each other. But the six men have no warmth of human
relations. They suffer from prejudice, bigotry, greed, hate, revenge
and selfishness. These are deadly sins that lead to their death
and destruction.

(iv) No doubt the six men are trapped in bleak and bitter cold from which they
can have no escape. They were sure to die. But they did not die from the cold
weather. There was
a fire that could keep them alive. Though each of them had a stick to keep the
fire burning, they withheld theirs. sticks and died. It was the lack of warmth in
their hearts that actually killed them. Their hearts were cold.

(v) The human race has two options. It can survive if people have love, sympathy
and co-operation. We hathe ve means to survive even in the direst situation.
Another option is to perish. The human race is sure to perish if people don't have
sympathy and love for each other.

THE BANGLE SELLERS

Analysis: The bangle seller is trying to convince the purchasing public of the
spiritual and symbolic importance of these bangles. In this process, the speaker
makes strong connections between the bangles and their role in providing "happy
daughters and happy wives." The subsequent stanzas describe through lush and
natural imagery the beauty of the bangles and their representation of these ideals
help to increase their precious value. Some of these descriptions invoke the
passion of "marriage's fire" and, in the last stanza, help to bring to light the socially
accepted role of women in this setting. The purple and grey flecked bangle is
meant to symbolize a woman who "serves her household in fruitful pride,/And
worships the gods at her husband's side." It is not very clear in the poem if the
bangle seller is a man or a woman, and perhaps, some level of meaning might
change if one plays with the gender of the speaker.

PASSAGE-1

i) Bundles of bright bangles carried by bangle sellers are referred to as - 'shining

loads'. Happy wives and happy daughters are the prospective buyers of the
bangles.

ii) In India, the fair is held near temples and shrines. Women in large numbers
from far and near visit those fairs. Bangle sellers have a good chance to sell their
bangles just sitting at one place.

iii) A metaphor has been used to describe bangles as 'Rainbow-tinted circles of

light'. BangIes are considered of happiness. They were worn by maidens and
married women. Widows do not wear bangles.

iv) Bangles are round, bright and multi-coloured. The poet beautifully describes
them as rainbow-tinted circles of tight. Bangles are bright transparent and
delicate and make a tinkling sound like that of a belt. The poet appropriately
describes them as tinkling, luminous, tender and clear.

v) Traditionally bangles are considered a symbol of happy lives of Indian

womanhood. The bangle-sellers bring the tokens of happiness to them. They carry
the loads of temple fairs where the women can easily buy those shining multi-
coloured bangles to adorn their wrists.

PASSAGE-2
(i) Silver and blue bangles are befitting for the wrist of a maiden. Silver and blue
colours like mountain mist are symbols of purity and virginity of women.

(ii) The buds are set to dream on the peaceful bank of the stream flowing through
a wood. They represent the dreams of a maiden about her future. The poet has
used a simile to compare bangles to buds.

(iii) Some bangles are bright like the buds that grow on the edge of a peaceful
stream passing through a wood. Some bangle that are suitable for a maiden is like
newborn leaves which are transparent, clear and fresh. They are like the innocence
of a maiden.

(iv) Silver and blue bangles as the mountain mist, bangles flushed like buds, and
bangles transparent and fresh like new-born leaves are meant for a maiden. They
symbolize her purity, innocence, and freshness of her maidenhood

PASSAGE-3

i) Golden or yellow coloured bangles, suitable for a bride are compared to fields of
sunlight corn. The cornfields- a proof of Mother Nature’s fertility are symbolic of
the fertility of a young girl getting married.

ii) A bride is happy on the day of her marriage because she is going to meet her
husband. But at the same time, she is sad to part from her parents. So she sheds
tears. These two emotions signify bridal laughter and bridal tear.

iii) Some bangles are golden yellow like the flame of a bride's marriage fire,
whereas some are rich, red and bright like the passion of her heart. The poet has
used two similes in order to compare the colour of the bride's bangles to the
intensity of her passion.

iv) A bride feels the warmth of love and fire of passion in her heart at the time of
her marriage. Her bangles, like the flame of her marriage fire, are suitable for her
because they symbolize these emotions.
v) The poet associates bangles with a bride's love and passion. The golden yellow
bangles are like the rich desire in her heart at the time of her marriage. There are
also bangles clear and tinkling that symbolize her laughter and her tears.

PASSAGE-4

i) For a woman ‘who has journeyed through life midway’ and has gained
experience and wisdom. These bangles symbolise that phase when the maiden
turned bride becomes a proud mother and responsible wife. She has
experienced all the aspects of being a woman.

ii) The purple colour of the bangles is a symbol of pride, grey is a symbol
of maturity and wisdom, gold-fleck symbolise authority and honour.

iii) When the poet is lonely sad and in a thoughtful mood he lies on his couch. But
suddenly, the memory of the scene of the dancing daffodils flashes in his
imagination. He feels he is in the company of the gay daffodils. His
loneliness, sadness, melancholy, all vanish. He is happy again. His heart is filled,
with joy.

iv) A Married woman, by the time she reaches the middle of her life, has born
sons. She has served her family and her husband faithfully. She had loved, nursed
and taken proper care to bring up her children.

v) Rainbow-tinted bangles are symbolic of different shades of womanhood. The

blue and silver coloured bangles like the blue and silver mist of mountains;
shades of pink of yet to blossom flowers or the clear dew drops on newborn
leaves are suitable for young maidens. The golden coloured like the holy fire
around which the bride takes marriage vows and the golden coloured bangles,
compared to yellow sunlit cornfields are suitable for a bride.

AFTER BLENHEIM
Analysis: ‘After Blenheim’ by Robert Southey is an anti-war poem that centres
around one of the major battles ofeighteenth-century – the Battle of Blenheim.
Written in 1796 in the form of a ballad, it offers deep insights on war and its
consequences. The 1704 War of Spanish Succession, in which a coalition of forces
including the English, defeated the Franco-Bavarian army on the land of Blenheim,
a small village in Southern Germany, supplies its ingredients.

Extract I
And the old man shook his head……..great victory.

i) Who was the old man? Who else was with him? Where were they?
Kasper wasan old man. His grandchildren Peterkin and Wilhelmine were with
him. They were sitting in the sun before their cottage door.

ii) Why did the old man shake his head and had a natural sigh? Who found the
skull?
Kasper shook his head with a sigh to reflect his disappointment at the war that
took place years ago only to devour innocent lives.

iii) Where was the skull found? Why does the speaker say that the skull was some
‘poor’ fellow?
The skull was found beside the small stream where Peterkin was playing. The
skull belonged to one of the many innocent people who lost their lives in the
tragic war. The poor fellow became a victim of the war.

iv) How common were the skulls there? At which place many of them could be
found?
The skulls were a common sight there. Many of them could be found in the
garden or in the field that Kasper used to plough.

v) What victory is referred to in the extract? Who was responsible for the
victory?

The victory of England in the war of the Spanish Succession (1702-1715) is

referred to here. Duke of Marlborough and Savoy’s Prince Eugene were
responsible for this victory.
Extract II
Now you tell us what ‘twas…….what they fought each other for

1. Which topic is being discussed in the extract? Who were Peterkin and
Wilhelmine? Whom was Peterkin questioning?
The cause of the war in which many innocent people were killed is being
discussed here. Peterkin and Wilhelmine were innocent grandchildren of old
Kasper. Peterkin was questioning his grandfather, Kasper.

2. In the context of the poem, what special significance do the adjectives young
and little have?
The adjectives ‘young’ and ‘little’ are important to highlight the innocence and
purity of Peterkin and Wilhelmine. It is through their innocence that the poet, has
condemned the war.

3. What is meant by ‘wonder-waiting eyes’? Which figure of speech is used

here? Why did Wilhelmine look up with such eyes?
‘wonder-waiting eyes’ is used for Wilhelmine, who was expecting to know
thecause of the war from her grandfather. The figure of speech used here is
alliteration.
She looked up with such eyes because she could not comprehend the cause of
the war. It filled her with wonder. She anticipated getting a favourable answer
from Kasper.

4. Who fought the battle? Was Peterkin given a satisfactory reply? What does
the reply show about a common man’s attitude towards war?
The battle was fought between the English and the French forces. Peterkin was
not given a satisfactory reply. Kasper did not know the cause of the war but still
referred to the victory as great. It shows that a common man’s ignorance and
complacency about the cause and purpose of war.

5. Give a brief character sketch of Kaspar.

Kasper was a farmer. He was a loving grandfather as he spent time with his
grandchildren and tried to answer their queries. Kasper was an old man, who was
disappointed with the outcome of the war. However, he was complacent about
the cause of war and had accepted the loss of innocent lives as the inevitable
price of victory in the war.

Extract III
With fire and sword the country……at every famous country.

1. Which country is referred to in the extract? What is meant by ‘was wasted

far and wide’?
The country referred to is Blenheim, which is the English name for the German
village of Blindheim, situated on the left bank of the Danube River in Bavaria in
Southern Germany. It refers to the death and destruction caused by the war.

2. What did the speaker say about the effects of the battle on his own family?
The speaker tells that during the war his father lived by a stream at Blenheim. As
a result of the war, his father’s house was burnt which forced him to flee with
his wife and child, Kasper. They were thus rendered homeless.

3. What is meant by ‘a childing mother’? Why do you think the poet specifically
points out that ‘many a childing mother….newborn baby died’?
‘Childing mother’ is a phrase used for a mother expecting a baby. The poet
specifically refers to the deaths of childing mothers and newborn babies to
underline not only the horrors of war but also the irony of a famous victory.

4. What do the last two lines in the extract tell you about the attitude of the
speaker towards the events that he is narrating? What are your feelings for the
speaker?
The speaker has been conditioned by theperpetrators of war in such a way that
he readily accepted the loss of innocent lives as the price for victory in the war. I
pity for the speaker as he sighed at the sight of a poor fellows skull but his
conditioning was such that he justified war.

5. By referring to the incidents in the poem, state how After Blenheim can be
said to be an anti-war poem?
After Blenheim has a scathing criticism of the horrors of war. it shows that
international diplomacy, politics and war are matters which are cut off from the
lives of common men. In an outburst of praise for the heroes who won the war,
Old Kasper reveals the typical inability of an ordinary citizen to grasp the reason
why the war took place.

Extract IV
They say it was a shocking…..a famous victory.

1. To whom does ‘they’ in the extract refer?

They refer to those who must have reported the entire battle scene and its after-
effects to Kasper.

2. Why do you think the sight was shocking even when the battle was won?
The sight was shocking because the war was won at the price of thousands of
lives. The sight of many thousand bodies lie rotting in the sun was gruesome.

3. What is the tone of the last two lines of the extract? What, according to you,
the poet wants to convey in these lines?
The tone is ironical and sarcastic. The poet wants to question the utility of waging
a war, which causes the destruction of both human lives and property.

4. What was the occupation of the speaker of these lines? How do you know
about his occupation?
Old Kasper appears to be a farmer by profession. He lived in a cottage in the
countryside, where there was a stream nearby and he mentioned that he used to
find many skulls while ploughing the field. This indicates his profession.

5. State clearly how the poet creates an atmosphere ofthe devastation caused
by the war in the poem.
The devastation caused by war is reflected through the following:
The presence of skulls all over the field,
Kasper’s family rendered homeless when Kasper’s father’s dwelling was burnt,
The deaths of expecting mothers and newborn babies,
The gruesome sight of dead bodies lying on the battlefield and rotting.

Extract V
Great praise the Duke….famous victory
1. Who was Duke of Marlboro? Why did he win great praise?
Duke of Marlboro was an English General. He was the Commander of British
forces in the War of the Spanish Succession. He was prised because he defeated
the French forces.

2. Who was Prince Eugene? Why does the poet refer to him as ‘our good Prince
Eugene?
Prince Eugene was an Austrian General, born in France. He is referred to as ‘our
good Prince Eugene’ because, with Marlborough, he defeated the French at
Blenheim.

3. What ‘thing’ according to Wilhelmine was wicked? Do you agree with her
comment? Givea reason to support your answer.

Wilhelmine did not approve the praise that Duke and Prince Eugene received
because she considered their act of killing innocent people in the name of victory
was wicked.
Yes, her comment is appropriate as it is the common man who has to suffer where
the politicians and the rulers escape and idly boast of wars.

4. State briefly the moral of the poem, After Blenheim.

The poem disapproves of any war as it brings with itself death, devastation, loss
and grief. The poet conveys that great victories are rendered useless when
everything else is lost.

5. What according to you is the relevance of the poem in contemporary times?

Give reasons to support your answer.
The poem is relevant as it has a universal appeal. The poem is timeless and can
be read irrespective of the time it was written. It is the common man and
innocent children who suffer in a war. Modern politicians dismiss the deaths of
innocent people in war by referring to them with the impersonal phrase:
collateral damage.

TELEVISION
 Extract 1
1. What is the most important thing that the poet has learned as far aschildren
are concerned?
The most important thing that the poet has learned as far as children are
concerned is that children should never be allowed to watch television as it fills
their minds with junk and kills their imagination. The better solution to this
problem would be not to install the television set intheir homes at all.
2. What is referred to as an idiotic thing in the above extract? Why do you think
the poet advises not to install it?
Television is referred to as ‘idiotic’ thing. The poet advice not to install it
because kills the imagination, clogs and freezes the brain.
3. Describe what the poet sees at every house with television. Why is he upset
with what he has seen?
In almost every house with television, children are staring at the television screen
without doing any productive work. It upsets him because he considers television
as a monster that kills children’s imagination.
4. Explain the figure of speech used in the lines:
“Last week in someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor.”
The figure of speech used here is Hyperbole, which uses exaggeration for
emphasis or effect. To put emphasis on the hypnotic effect of television, the poet
says that previous week at someone’s place he had seen half a dozen eyeballs
rolling about on the floor.
5. What purpose do the repetitions serve in the extract?
Repetitions are used to emphasise that children should never be allowed to
watch television as they just sit and stare at it without doing anything productive.
a). Give two types of repetition:
· Is never NEVER NEVER, Let
Them near your television set-
They sit and stare and stare and sit
b) What type of rhyme scheme is followed in the extract?
The rhyme scheme followed throughout the poem is aa bb cc dd

Extract 2
1. The poet says “ it keeps them still” what keeps the children still? How?
The television set keeps the children still / occupied / quite / hypnotised as they
watch all the junk that it telecasts.
2. How does the television prove to be useful and convenient for the parents?
Television proves to be useful for the parents because it keeps their children still
and occupied. The children then do not indulge in any kind of fights. It allows the
parents to do their household chores peacefully.
3. According to the poet, what ill effects does Television have on children?
· It produces dullness in their mind.
· It kills their imagination and thinking ability.
· It hypnotises them and fills them with junk.
4. How does the television kill the imagination of children? Name and explain the
figure of speech used.
The ability to think of new ideas diminishes when child passively engages in
watching television. Watching too much television destroys children’s ability to
understand the world of fantasy. Their thinking power rusts and freezes.
Personification is the figure of speech used here. It is used to express a thing or
idea as a person.
Dahl(poet) uses personification in the line:
It kills their imagination dead!
Hegives television the ability to kill and gives imagination ability to die at its hand.
5. Do you think Dahl is critical of television? Give reasons for your answer.
Yes, Dahl seems to be critical of television because he seems to highlight only the
negative effects of television on children, such as: It rots their senses, kills their
imagination, clogs their mind, makes them dull, and incapable of understanding
the world of fantasy. It feezes their thinking power.
Extract 3
1. Whose and what question is the poet answering in the above extract? What
does he say in his answer?
The poet here answers the parents’ query that if they take the television set
away, what type of entertainment they would give to make their children
occupied.
The poet replies by asking parents to recall how the children kept themselves
entertained by reading books before television was invented.
2. What monster is the poet referring to in the above extract?
The poet refers to the television as a monster that kills children’s imagination.
Before television was invented, children would actively engage themselves only
in reading. Books could be found everywhere – on the nursery shelves on the
nursery floor, in the bedroom or by the children’s bed.
3.THEY ....USED ...TO... READ! One-half of their lives was reading books!
The following lines use repetition to create a smooth flow and to put emphasis
on the fact that children used to read only books before monstrous television was
invented. Moreover, the emphasis on the word READ implying the importance of
reading books.
4. This is done to catch the readers attention and emphasise that instead of
watching television, children should engage themselves in reading as they used
to do before television was invented The use of capital letters is equivalent to
shouting.
5. Oncechildren start reading, they get so involved in reading that there would be
books everywhere. The last four lines describe such a scenario. The nursery
shelves would be filled with books. Books would be scattered on the floor and by
the children’s bed.
Extract IV
1. Synecdoche. It is a figure of speech in which a part is put for the whole or the
whole for a part. In the poem, theexample is: The younger ones had
Beatrix Potter.
Here the name of the author Beatrix Potter is used to represent the whole gamut
of her works such as ‘The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin’, ‘The Tale of Mr Tod’, and ‘The
Tale of Piling Bland.’
Example of a rhyming scheme is: Potter, Rotter
2. The poet remembers the time when the children used to only read books. They
used to read books filled with tales of treasure islands, voyages, smugglers,
pirates, ships, elephants and cannibals. It was a time when young children
travelled to an all-new adventurous world of animals with Mr Tod, Squirrel
Nutkin, and Pigling Bland.
3. The reference is important because it transports the readers to a time before
the television was invented when children used to read.
4. The poet suggests that TV sets should be thrown out and should be replaced
with bookshelves.
His suggestion does not seem to be practical as television is also a medium of
education. Children can be guided to watch educational programmes and
newscasts.
5. TV sets should not be thrown out of the houses. Dahl mentions only the
negative aspects of television. Television has educational benefits as it is an
audio-visual medium and can help children learn by watching. However, there is
a need tomaintain a balance between watching television and other activities.
Extract V
1. He gave this advice in continuation of his suggestion of throwing TV sets away.
According to the poet replacing TV sets with bookshelves would be best as far as
children are concerned.
2. Children will give dirty looks to their parents when their TV sets would be
replaced with bookshelves filled with books. Children would then scream and yell
andfight with their parents.
3. The parents are advised to ‘fear not’ because their children’s tantrums would
be temporary; what would be permanent is their love for books which would
soon follow.
4. Yes. Watching television for hours makes the children dull and passive. It kills
their imagination; on the other hand, reading books will help them to travel to
new and exciting worlds of ‘dragons, gipsies, queens and whales.” Dahl
remembers his days when television was not invented and children would spend
their time reading; a time when nursery floor and the side of their beds were
filled only with books; a time when young children travelled to an all
adventurous world of animals with Tod, Squirrel Nutkin and Pigling Bland.
5. To develop a habit of reading books is important advice that the poet gives.
Reading transfers one to a beautiful world of imagination and fantasy. Reading
fills one’s heart with true joy and happiness.
Extract VI
1. It refers to children’s act of starting to read books once the television is
uninstalled from their houses. The poet feels very excited about it as he employs
an easy, delightful and cheering tone while talking about books. His excitement
is reflected through: “Oh boy, Oh boy!”
2. Yes. Watching television for hour makes the children dull and passive. It kills
their imagination; on the other hand, reading books will help them to travel to
new and exciting worlds of ‘dragon, gipsies, queens and whales.”
3. He has a strong dislike for television and he describes it as nauseating, foul,
unclean, monstrous and idiotic. However, he firmly believes that reading is a
powerful tool for learning and considers books as lovely, wondrous, fine, fantastic
4. Yes. Watching television for hours makes the children dull and passive. It kills
their imagination; on the other hand, reading books will help them to travel to
new and exciting worlds of ‘dragons, gipsies, queens and whales.” Dahl
remembers his days when television was not invented and children would spend
their time reading; a time when nursery floor and the side of their beds were
filled only with books; a time when young children travelled to an
alladventurous world of animals with Tod, Squirrel Nutkin and Pigling Bland.

5. The television is a silly invention of modern science that does not have any
positive effect. It is ‘nauseating’ and disgusting to watch. It is ‘foul’, morally bad
and offensive. It telecasts only ‘junk’. The television screen thus is repulsive.

DAFFODILS
PASSAGE-1

i. Who has been referred to as ‘I’ in the first line of the extract? Where do you think
was he wandering?
i) The poet William Worthsword isreferred to as 'l' in the first line of theextract.He
was wandering all alone in the woods of the Lake District.
ii. What does the poet encounter while wandering? Where does he encounter
them?
ii)The poet encountered a large number of golden daffodils. They grew beneath the
trees along the edge of a lake.
iii. Why do you think the poet refers to the daffodils as golden?
iii) The daffodils were yellow and they were shining in the sun like gold.
iv. Discuss the importance of the following lines with reference to the poem:
“Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”
iv ) These lines personify the beautiful daffodils. The poet sees the daffodils
growing along the margin of a bay, and they appear to be dancing and fluttering in
the breeze. These lines are important as it was the daffodils’ lively appearance that
captivated the poet.
v. Which figure of speech is used in the following lines? How many daffodils do you
think the poet saw? Give a reason foryour answer.
“When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils,”
v) The poet has used hyperbole. He saw a host of daffodils, which means there were
nearly ten thousand of them. It is exaggeration/hyperbolic expression. He might
have seen a few hundred of them.
PASSAGE-2

i. How are the daffodils compared to the stars?

(i) The poet uses a simile to compare the daffodils to thestars on the milky way.
Asan infinite number of stars shine on the milky way, so a multitude of golden
daffodils grew along the edge of the lake.
ii. What is the milky way? Why is it referred to in the extract?
(ii) Milky way is a galaxy of stars that stretches like a band across the sky. It is
referred to in the extract to compare the infinite number of stars to the infinite
number of daffodils.
iii. What is meant by the margin of the bay?
(iii) The margin of the bay means the edge of the lake.
iv. State how the technique of using exaggeration heightens the poetic effect in
the extract?
(iv) The poet has exaggerated the number of daffodils by calling them a crowd, a
host and continuous as the stars on the milky way. It gives us a picture of infinite
stars growing along the bank of the lake as far as the poet could see. The use of
such exaggeration thus heightens the poetic effect.
v. Briefly describe the musical quality of the extract.
v) Daffodil is a lyric poem. Each line consist of eight syllables and the rhyme scheme
is ababcc . Soft consonants have been used which gives a musical effect when
reading aloud.

PASSAGE-3
i. How did the daffodils outdo the waves?
i) The daffodils were more vibrant than the waves. The daffodils danced and
fluttered and tossed their heads while the waves just rippled and sparkled.
ii. What is meant by a jocund company? Which jocund company is the poet
referring to? Why does the poet find it jocund?
ii) A jocund company means a happy and gay party. The poet found himself in the
jocund company of golden daffodils and dancing waves. They all were jocund
because they danced merrily without a pause.

iii. Which wealth referred toby the poet? Explain how the wealth was brought to
the poet?
iii) The happy and beautiful scenery made the poet happy. But this joy was not
momentary. It was a joy forever. The memory of the scene made him happy again
and again later. It was the wealth the scene had brought to the poet. The wealth
was brought to the poet when he encountered the golden daffodilssurpassing the
beauty of dancing waves.
iv. What is the mood of the poet in the above extract? Which lines tell you so? Why
is he in such a mood?
iv) The poet is in a happy mood. The lines 'A poet could not but be gay, In such a
jocund company' tells us that he was very happy. The daffodils and the waves were
happy and their happiness was infectious. It made him happy too.
v. With reference to the above extract, state why Wordsworth can be called nature
poet.
v) Wordsworth loved nature. He liked to wander in woods, valleys and over the
hills. He loved and admired the scenes of nature. and described them beautifully in
his poems. So we can say ……..

PASSAGE-4
i. What happens to the poet when he lies on his couch in a pensive mood?
i) When the poet lies down on his couch in a pensive mood, the memory of the
scene of dancing daffodils flashes on his mind. He feels he is again in the company
of happy daffodils and it makes his heart dance with them again.
ii. What is the ‘bliss of solitude’ referred to in the extract? How does the bliss of
solitude take place?
ii) The bliss of solitude is referred to the paradise the poet finds himselfin as soon
as the image of golden daffodils flashes before his eye. The bliss comes to him in
the form of the memory of dancing daffodils when he is alone, sad and in a
thoughtful mood.

iii. Explain the transition from poet’s pensive mood to his heart filled with joy.
iii) When the poet is lonely sad and in a thoughtful mood, he lies on his couch. But
suddenly, the memory of the scene of the dancing daffodils flashes in his
imagination. He feels he is in the company of the gay daffodils. His
loneliness, sadness and melancholy, all vanishes. He is happy again. His heart
isfilled, with joy.
iv. With reference to the last two lines of the extract, state the influence that nature
can have over an individual’s mind.
iv) Nature is a healer. It is like a nurse. It gives comfort and solace. It removes sad
and unhappy thoughts and fills our hearts with hope and joy.
 v. Wordsworth says that poetry is “ the overflow of feelings arising from emotions
recollected in tranquillity.’ In this context, state how the poem shows the truth of
his statement.
v) Wordsworth idea of poetry is that it originates from the overflow of feelings,
recollected in tranquillity. This means that the poet observes some object. It sets
off powerful emotions in his mind. The poets let them sink into his mind. At a later
moment, he recollects those emotions in tranquillity and produces a poem. The
poem Daffodils clearly explains this definition of poetry. The poet saw a beautiful
scene of dancing daffodils. He was filled with joy. At a later moment when he was
alone (in tranquillity) he recollected that scene. He felt the bliss again and the result
is this poem.

I KNOW WHY A CAGED BIRD SINGS

Passage - 1

(i) The white race in America is referred to as a free bird in the poem. The people
of the white race enjoyed every type of luxuries whereas the caged bird which is
referred to blacks could hardly move about.

(ii) In the first two lines, the free bird is compared to who has favourable
circumstances in life. The free bird floats effortlessly on the downstream current
of the wind and enjoy himself in the glow of orange rays of the sun.

(iii) The implied comparison in these lines is that circumstances are favourable to
the free bird, and he easily and effortlesslyenjoys the comforts and luxuries of
life

(iv) Orange sun rays symbolize happiness, and freedom, comforts and luxuries of
life.

(v) The free bird is the only bird to fly in the sky. The other the bird is caged. The
free bird can fly wherever and whenever
it wants to fly as if he is the sole owner of the sky.

Passage - 2
(i) This stanza begins with 'But' because it presents a contrast to the first stanza.
The first stanza describes a happy free bird. This stanza describes an unhappy bird
in captivity.

(ii) The cage is narrow because the caged bird's movements are restricted. The
African-Americans were to stay in restricted areas. The bars and rage mean that
the caged bird is angry, and his vision is restricted because of his anger.

(iii) The caged bird is in captivity. His feet are tied and his wings are clipped. His
movement in the narrow cage is restricted. He is angry about his imprisonment
but he is also helpless. In his anger, he cannot thinkabout anything except about
his helplessness.

iv) The caged bird is miserable and helpless. His wings are pared and his feet are
bound. He can hardly move in his narrow cage. He is helpless. Now, in
this situation, he can do nothing but give expression to his feelings in a song.

(v) The poet writes about a free bird and a caged bird without a hint who the two
represent. The poet is an African- American. In America, the black race was
enslaved by the white people. From the context, it is obvious that the
African- American is represented by the caged bird and the white
race by the free bird.

Passage - 3

(i) The caged bird is not only imprisoned in a cage, but its wings are also clipped
and its feet are tied too. It is utterly helpless. Instinctively, it wants to fly free. But
it does not know what it means. It can do nothing but opens his beak to sing
about his plight and aspirations.

(ii) The caged bird has never known freedom. He was born in enslaved. Though
he does not know what freedom is, he feels he was not born to be kept in a cage.
There is an instinctive urge about those 'things unknown' that makes him open
his beak and sing.
(iii) Fearful trill is the song sung by the caged bird. The caged bird sings it despite
his physical enslavement. His spirit can not be enslaved. It is a song of revolt,
and it' causes fear, so it is called 'fearful trill'

(iv) He is singing a song of freedom. It is a song of resentment against his slavery.

He sings because there is no way to give expression to his feelings.

(v) The spirit of the caged birds cannot be suppressed. His song is a song that
causes fear and needs to be taken notice of. So the songs are heard far and near.

Passage - 4

(i) Another breeze refers to another opportunity that may help the greedy and
lazy free bird to enjoy life without making any effort. The free bird thinks of
another breeze because he is used to leading a life of ease.

(ii) The caged bird had aspirations and desires to achieve something. But on
account of his captivity, he was helpless. His dreams were sniffed and stifled.
He remained imprisoned in his cage which has turned into the grave of his
dreams.

(iii) The caged bird represents the African-American race metaphorically. The
African-Americans were enslaved by the white people. Every sort of restrictions
was imposed on them. They were banned from walking in areas dominated by
white people. They could not use public transport
reserved for white people. Thus they enjoyed neither freedom nor equality. This
metaphorically is presented as clipped wings and bound feet and narrow cage.

(iv) The free birds have not to look for his livelihood. Fat worms are there on a
lawn which are within easy reach of the free bird. He can eat them to his fill
without having to make any effort to search for his food.

(v) The poem writes about two birds—a free bird and a caged bird. The two birds
are poles apart. The free bird is free in every way. He claims the sky his own
because the other bird is caged, and restrained from competing with the free
bird. The free bird finds .favourable breezes that will 'lift' and carry him without
effort. But on the other hand, the caged birds cannot even think of flying. His
wings are clipped, his feet are bound, he is imprisoned in a cage. He is hungry and
angry and helpless.

THE PATRIOT
Passage - 1

1. It was roses, roses,................"...."and afterword, what else?"

i) The speaker of the above lines is a national hero. He is looked upon as a patriot.
He is given a rousing welcome when he comes Roses are strewn all over his path
in his honour.

ii) This line tells us that the speaker is talking of a past event-an event that
happened exactly a year ago.

iii) Alliteration is the figure of speech used, 'm' sound is repeated thrice-'myrtle",
mixed and 'mad'.

iv) 'They' in the line given above refer: to the crowd of people who had gathered
to welcome the speaker. This line indicates hero worship. People are so
intoxicated with enthusiasm that they are willing to go any extent to serve their
hero.

v) The speaker was given the most astonishing reception. Almost everybody came
to welcome him. Roses mixed with martial were showered on him The flags were
erected on the top of the church, and bells run to his arrival.

Passage - 2

i) The speaker is 'I' in the above extract. The sun implies the most difficult object
to attain. Leaping at the sun alludes to the mythical story of Icarus. He glued wings
with wax and tried to reach the sun. But the heat of the sun melted the wax and
Icarus fell to his death.

ii) The speaker was over-ambitious. He wanted power. He tried to over-reach his
objective. He did something impossible for the people. But the people proved
ungrateful. They turned against him. He is being treated as a traitor. So the
speaker regrets having helped them. The word 'Alack!' tells us this.
iii) The speaker is referring to the reward he got for serving his people. He is
dishonoured and is being led to the gallows like a criminal.

iv) The speaker trusted people. He calls them loving friends. But his friends turned
their backs on him in the hour of his adversity. Nobody is there to comfort and
console him. They cannot be considered 'Ioving'.

v) The poet feels sad about the past. He recalls the events of the year past with a
heavy heart. He regrets having served people who loved him a years ago but hate
him. Despite his sadness, he is optimistic. He hopes he will be rewarded for his
service in heaven.

Passage - 3

i) A year ago the housetops were crowded with people. Almost everybody was
there to have a glimpse of him. But everything has changed over a year's time.
The housetops are empty. People have gone to the scaffold to watch him being
hanged.

ii) The speaker was everybody's darling hero a year ago. They showered roses on
him when he arrived. But the speaker has done something so bad that everybody
hates him. Instead of roses stones are pelted on him.

iii) People hero-worshipped the speaker a year ago. They looked upon him as a
patriot and their saviour. Now they look upon him as a traitor. They hate him and
want to see him hanged soon.

iv) The scene at the gallows is referred to as the best of the sight. People are not
eager to see him led through the streets. They are eager to see him dragged to on
the streets and hanged at the gallows.

v) The speaker's hands are tied behind his back and he is being dragged through
the streets of gallows. Probably he has committed something grave. But the poet
does not tell about the misdeed the speaker didSo, it cannot be determined that
the punishment is justified. But the speaker thinks it is unjust.

Passage - 4

i) "I" , the speaker is being led to gallows because he is going to be hanged. 'Rain'
symbolises misery and misfortune here. The speaker is drenched to a bone and
looks very miserable.

ii) The speaker is treated in the most inhuman way. He is treated like a most
hateful traitor. His hands are tied so tightly that ropes are cutting his skin.
iii) The speaker's forehead is bleeding because someone has flung a stone on him.
His hands are tied so tightly that he can not move his hand. So, he cannot touch
his blood but feel it flowing down. Earlier, a year ago, roses not stones were
showered.

iv) The mood of the people changes like the wind. Just a year ago people game
his hero's welcome and loved him. But in a short period of time, the tied has
turned. The speaker has fallen from their favour andbeing led to gallows.

v) The speaker says that he is being punished for his year's misdeed. But he does
not clarify the misdeeds. He says that he is unjustly punished. It appears he didn't
think he has done any wrong.

Passage - 5

i) A year ago the speaker entered the town to a hero's welcome. Now he is going
out of the town to be hanged.

ii) The speaker means to say that some people died while they were still glorified.
Thus they were rewarded by the world. The poet has used alliteration.The' sound
in 'dropped down dead' is repeated.
iii) The speaker says that he has served the people, but the people did not reward
him. Rather, they are going to hang him. Now he is safer. God is indebted to him.
He will reward him. Had he been reward here below, he could not hope to get
any reward in heaven.

iv) Browning could see light even in the darkest situation. The speaker is going to
be hanged still he is not gloomy. He is full of hope. He hopes God will reward him
in "heaven.

v) There are hundreds of examples in history to show how people rose from a
scratch to glory and power, and how most popular and powerful people sank into
oblivion. The speaker was the hero of the people but in year's tim, he fell from
people's favour.

ABOU BEN ADHEM

PASSAGE - 1

i) Abou Ben Adham was a ruler of Balkh. He lived a noble life. He dedicated his
life to the service of his humanity. By 'may his tribe increase' the poet prays to
God that men like Abou may increase. The narrator holds Abou in high esteem.

ii) Abou was a man of clean conscious. He had no enemies. He had no worries. He
was a saintly man, and so he always had a peaceful, and undisturbed sleep.

iii) Abou's room looked bright in the moonlight night. The angel looked like a lily
that was going to bloom because in the moonlight the radiant angel looked
brighter and more beautiful.
iv) Abou saw an angel in his room. The angel was writing in a golden book. The
book of gold refers to the heavenly book in which good deeds of mortals are
recorded.

v) The next night the angel came again with dangling light which awakened Abou
from his peaceful sleep. He showed Abou the list of men whom God loved. To
Abou's surprise, he found his name on the top of the list.

PASSAGE – 2

i) The angel is referred to as 'the presence' in this extract. Abou asks the presenc
of what he is writing in the golden book.

ii) The angel is referred to as 'the vision' here. He raised his head to answer Abou's
question.

iii) The angel tells Abou that he was writing the names of those men who loved
God.

iv) Abou is curious to know if his name is also there among those who love God.
Abou is not dishearted. But he is more humble and polite. The angel's reply does
not dishearten Abou. The words 'But cheerily still' tell us that he was not
disheartened. Very politely and cheerfully he requests the angel towrite his
name among those who love their fellow humans.

PASSAGE – 3

i) The angel conceded to Abou's request and wrote his name as one who loved
his fellow men. Then the angel vanished. He appeared again the next night. He
showed Abou that his name was on the top of thelist whom God loved.

ii) Abou Ben Adhem was not strictly a religious man. He did not worship God. He
just served every human who needed any help. But God was pleased with him.
God loved him because he loved his creation.

iii)

(a) The angel appeared again with such a dazzling light that awakened Abou.
(b) It came to Abou as a great surprise that his name was on the top of those men
whom God had blessed with his love.

iv) The angel showed Abou a list of those men whom God loved. It was absolutely
surprising that the man who was not one among those who loved God led the list
of those men whom God loved.

v) The theme of the poem is simple. Service to humanityis the true worship of
God. God loves those who love their fellow human beings.

NINE GOLD MEDALS

Passage - 1

(i) The athletes came from all over the country to the stadium where Special
Olympics was held. They came there to take part in the games, and to win
medals.

(ii) The words 'gold' and 'bronze' and 'silver' stand for medals that were
awarded to the winning contestants. The gold medal was awarded to the best
contestant. The contestant was well-prepared for they had trained for months
and each of them aspired to win a gold medal.

(iii)
(a) All the contestants came down to the stadium aspiring to win the gold
medal.
(b) As the contest for theone-hundred-yard race was about to begin, excitement
among the spectators began to grow high.

(iv) Spectators gathered around the field because they wanted to watch the
games, and cheer the contestants. Athletes that had come to the contest are
referred to as 'Young women and men'.

(v) The prestigious one-hundred-yard race is being talked about as the final
event. The spectators were greatly excited. They cheered and encouraged the
athletes.
Passage - 2

(i) The blocks were lined up for the contestants to push them the race started,
'Those' is referred to the contestants of the hundred-yard dash.

(ii) Poet gradually builds up the suspense, First, he tells the excitement among
the spectators, then he tells the start of the event, and finally the stumbling
of the youngest athletes.It is the climax of the suspense, and the
reader wonders what is going to happen next.

(iii) The exploding of the pistol signified the start of the game The pattern in the
first four lines is a b c d. In
the next four lines the rhyming pattern is a b a b.

(iv) The youngest athlete had bad luck. Just as he started to run, he tripped,
staggered and hit the asphalt. He had trained hard and hoped to win the gold
medal, but now he disappointed He despaired. He thought all his hope to win
was lost forever.

(v) True sportsman spirit does not consist of winning medals. It involves playing
fair and helping one another, even at the cost of losing. The eight athletes gave
up trying to win. They stopped running and rushed to help the fallen athlete.

Passage - 3

(i) The youngest athlete, who fell down, gave out a cry. He cried not so much
because he was physically hurt, but because he was anguished at heart. He was
desperate that his hope to win the gold medal was lost forever.

(ii) The youngest athlete had trained for months and dreamed of winning the
gold medal. But, as ill-luck would have it, he stumbled and fell. His dream of
winning was shattered forever.

(iii) The other eight runners were running with the best of their strength. One of
them was sure to win the gold medal. But all of them stopped and came back to
help the fallen contestant to his feet. Their attitude shows they valued fellow
feelings above winning a medal.

(iv) These lines bring out what true sportsmanship means. Winning medal is
important, but it is not the most important thing. Sports should teach us human
values. This is the main theme the poem brings out.

(v) The other eight athletes came back and helped the youngest athlete to his
feet. Then they all held their hands and walked to the finish line together. Now
all nine of them were the winners. Each got a gold medal. The spectators, as
well as the authorities, gave them a standing ovation.

Passage - 4

(i) Now, the race began anew. The eight athletes did want to the gold medal
individually. They joined hands because they wanted to win it as a team. Now
they did not run but walked with the ninth athlete to the finish line.

(ii) "Special Olympics'' is meant for persons who have some problems in their
body. They are not normal athletes that is why it is called Special Olympics. But
the 'Special Olympics' became truly special because it was the first-ever event in
which nine gold medals were awarded in a single event.

(iii) The race ended with the victory of sportsmanship. The eight athletes did not
care for winning medals. They helped their fallen fellow sportsman. But they all
won a gold medal each and applause of the spectators.

iv) All the contestants were happy when they crossed the finish line together.
Their faces beamed with delight. The spectators were Impressed by their act of
sportsmanship and gave them a standing ovation.

v) Special Olympics was named so because it was not meant for normal athletes
but for those that were physically challenged. But it became all the more special
the athletes showedunprecedented sportsmanship and it was for the first time
that all the nine contestants won a gold medal each.
PROSE
CHIEF SEATTLE’S SPEECH
Passage - 1

(i) These words are spoken by Chief Seattle. Meaning of the above line is that
nature has been sympathetic towards the Red Indian for many years.

(ii) The speaker wants to tell that the future of the Red Indians is dark because
the whites are over-powering them.

(iii) President George Washington, who was the president of America is the
'Great Chief at Washington'. He had sent the greeting of friendship and goodwill
to the Red Indians.

(iv) Chief Seattle's words are like the stars that never change. The Great Chief at
Washington can rely upon his words with as much certainty as he can upon the
return of the sun or the seasons.

(v) Chief Seattle says that it is kind of the Great Chief of Washington (George
Washington) to send the greeting to him. According to him, the whites have
very little need of Red Indians and they are also more powerful than them.

Passage - 2

(i) The whites are more in numbers as compared to the Red Indians. Chief
Seattle compares the whites to the grass of vast prairies and the Red Indians
with scattering trees of a storm-swept plain.

(ii) The White Chief informs that they must get ready for land settlement treaty
between the US government and Native American tribe. According to the
treaty, the Native Americans should surrender their land to the whites and
move farther from their ancestors’ land.

(iii) Chief Seattle says that there was a time when his peoples covered the land
as waves of wind ruffled sea covers its shell-paved floor.

(iv) The White Chief sent words that he wishes to buy the land of Red Indians but
he will also provide enough land for them to live in comfort. Seattle says that the
proposition seems to be just, kind and generous s the Redman no longer has
rights. The offer appears to be wise since the Native Americans are less in number
and don’t require a vast territory.

(v) The young Red Indians turned violent and indulged in revengeful acts when
the white men pushed the westward. According to Chief Seattle, there is no use
in taking revenge on the White men because they are large in number as well as
more powerful. In times of war, they notonly lose their own lives, but also the
family that wants them at home also bears the loss.

Passage - 3

(i) George Washington has been referred to the 'father in Washington'.Since King
George has moved his boundaries further north, he has become the father the
Native Americans.

(ii) Youth is
Youth is impulsive because they grow angry at real or imaginary wrong and they
often become cruel and relentless. They become hostile and lose their lives in
violent acts. Seattle discourages such kind of behaviour from the youth and it
indicates his love for peace and friendly relationship. He is against war and he
does not glorify war but condemns it.

(iii) If the Native Americans (Red Indians) sell their land to whites then whites will
protect them from foreign enemies like Haidas and Tsimshians.

(iv) They are two tribes who constantly at the Suquamish tribe. Haidas are
indigenous people of North America. Tsimshian are North American Indians of
the North-west Coast. The White Chief’s brave men will provide thenative's
strength and his ships would fill their harbours so that Hidas and Tsimshians cease
to frighten the natives.

(v) The God of the White man loves his people and hates Seattle’s people. He
protects them lovingly and leads them like a father leads his infant son. But he
has forsaken Seattle and his people.
Passage - 4

i). The Great Spirit is referred to as the God of the natives. The Great Spirit has
forgotten his people becausethe Suquamish tribe has almost become extinct and
their number is declining rapidly. The Great Spirit is no longer a father figure to
them; “they seem to be orphans who can look nowhere for help.”
ii). Their population is rapidly reducing and they have almost become extinct.
They are called orphans because their God, the Great Spirit has forgotten them.
iii). Because he came to the help of His paleface children and nevercame to the
help of Red Man. He gave them laws to be followed but none to his Red children.
They have a separate origin and separate destinies. He makes the White people
stronger every day but does nothing for the well being of the natives.
iv.) They are two distinct races-the native Americans and the White colonists. The
natives’ origin is the American land that is being contested; the Whites here
originally belonged to Europe who came and colonized these native Americans
Their destinies are different-the natives are receding every day while the Whites
are like the grass that covers vast prairies.
v). The Whites unjustly exercising authority over the Native Americans. It is the
natives’ land that the Big Chief in Washington ‘wishes’ to buy but ‘wish’ is a word
sarcastically used by Chief Seattle. The Whites are so powerful in terms of their
army and navy that the Red Indians need to bow down. Chief Seattle says that
Whites are willing to allow them enough land to live comfortably which is
symbolic of their master-slave relationship.

Passage - 5

Your religion was written upon tablets…….is written in the hearts of our people.
i). Give the meaning of :
a) Tablet of stone - Refers to the words written on to stone tablets that later
were brought down from Mount Sinai by Moses. The tablets were also known as
the Ten Commandments.
b) Iron finger - Biblical phrase which means Finger of God.
ii). The religion of the Red Man is the traditions of their ancestors-the dreams of
their old men, given them in solemn hours of the night by the Great Spirit; and
the visions of their sachems, and is written in the hearts of their people.
iii). The religion of the Red Man is the traditions of their ancestors-the dreams
of their old men, given them in solemn hours of the night by the Great Spirit; and
the visions of their sachems, and is written in the hearts of their people. The
White men followed Christianity and it was written by the iron finger of their God,
symbolising strict adherence to rules and principles. The God of this religion is
partial and has forsaken His Red children. Seattle says that this God loves only his
paleface children and not the natives.
iv). Seattle says that the ashes of his ancestors are sacred and their resting place
is hallowed ground. They love to stay in the land where their ancestors’ memories
are alive. Whereas the Whites wander far from their ancestors’ graves. The
Whites once they are dead, forget their native land and never return. The dead
of the Redmen will never forget their native land and year to visit this beautiful
land.
v). The White men followed Christianity and it was written by the iron finger of
their God, symbolising strict adherence to rules and principles. The God of this
religion is partial and has forsaken His Red children. Seattle says that this God
loves only his paleface children and not the natives.
Passage - 6

i) This is because they never connect with their land their people spiritually. Their
relationship with their land and their people is not sacred or holy; it is
materialistic. As soon as they die, the link to their earthly life breaks and devoid
of spiritualism they are incapable of an afterlife.

ii). The dead of the Redman never forgets their native land where they lived.
They still love its verdant valleys, its murmuring rivers, its magnificent mountains,
sequestered valleys and verdant lined lakes and bays, and ever yearn to visit this
place again. Moreover, the spirits of the dead keep visiting to guide, console and
comfort the living.

iii). The Redmen should surrender their native land to the Whites. In return of
this, the Whites will protect them foreign attack from the Haidas and Tsimshians.
The Whites are willing to allow them to enough land to live comfortably.
iv). The Native Americans will have to leave their native land where their
ancestors are resting in eternal peace. They lose their land which is full of
memories. The land that they have been asked to sell is sacred for them. The
Whites unjustly exercising authority over them. The Whites are powerful in terms
of their army and navy that the Red Indians need to bow down. The Whites are
willing to allow them enough land to live comfortably which is symbolic of their
master-slave relationship.
v). The Native Americans would be transported to a reality beyond what is felt
by the senses. The ‘shores’, ‘the pathless woods’, ‘the field’ would never be
empty of their spirits. This land will make them eternal. “In all the earth there is
no place dedicated to solitude,’ and hence they will be a part of land forever.
Their spirits would still love ‘this beautiful land’ and its ‘magnificent mountains’
and ‘sequestered vales.’ Their death here would not be death but only a gateway
to the eternal world.
Passage - 7
i). He feels as if not a single star of hope hovers above the natives’ horizon. The
winds moan and grim fate follow them. Their situation is similar to a wounded
doe that is being hunted down. Moreover, he feels that in a few more years, their
race will disappear. This is how he reflects his unhappiness about the fate of his
people.

ii). Every person, tribe, or culture that is risen to great glory would definitely
meet its fall one day and that would surely be the day of justice. Seattle believes
that time will come when the Whites would also bemoving towards their
inevitable doom.

iii). This is a reference to the Biblical God and his ten commandments that always
supported and guided the White men.

iv) ‘We may be brothers after all.’ -Seattle believes that White settlers too will
have their decay one day. It would be then that the White men and Redmen
would share a common destiny. They would be brothers only when the Whites
would be able to empathise the Redmen.

v). The common destiny of man is that his decay is inevitable. It is through the
White man’s decay the Seattle foresees the unity of all beings. He says: ‘we may
be brothers after all. We will see.’

Extract - 8
i). This is because even after the last native has perished ‘shores will swarm with
the invisible dead’ of Seattle’s tribe. The natives’ love for their land makes them
immortal. Thus, Whites will never be alone.
ii). The shadowy spirits visit the places at nights when the streets of the Whites’
cities are silent and it is falsely believed that they are deserted.
iii). The memory of the tribe would become a myth among the White men when
the last Red man shall have perished from the natives’ land, but this would be
momentary as it would the ‘swarm with the invisible dead of the tribe.’
iv). Native Americans even after death don’t forget the world that gave them
their being and identity. They keep on loving its valleys, its rivers, its magnificent
mountains, and its lakes. The dead feel one with nature and its surroundings.
v). The Native Americans would be transported to a reality beyond what is
feltby the senses. The ‘shores’, ‘the pathless woods’, ‘the field’ would never be
empty of their spirits. This land will make them eternal. “In all the earth there is
no place dedicated to solitude,’ and hence they will be a part of land forever.
Their spirits would still love ‘this beautiful land’ and its ‘magnificent mountains’
and ‘sequestered vales.’ Their death here would not be death but only a
gateway to the eternal world. They will only change their world and hence will
become immortal. He ends his speech with the assertion that ‘there is no death,
only a change of worlds.’

OLD MAN AT THE BRIDGE

PASSAGE-1
(i) Pontoon bridge is a floating bridge. Many people are crossing the bridge to
protect themselves from the attack of enemy troops.

(ii) The old man is sitting on the side of the road on the bridge. Unlike others, he
doesn't move because he was tired as he had already walked twelve kilometres
since he had left his hometown.

(iii) The unnamed narrator who is the army scout is the speaker in the above lines.
He is there because it is his mission to cross the bridge and find out how far the
enemy had advanced.
(iv) The narrator asked the old man where he came from. The old man replied, “
San Carlos”, and he smiled because of the mention of his native town gave him
pleasure.

(v) The old man was the last one to leave his town because he was taking care of
his animals. The old man wore dusty clothes and steel-rimmed spectacles. His
face was grey and dusty.

PASSAGE-2

(i) The Old man is referred to as 'He'. He is in a weary condition as he has already
walked twelve kilometres and too tired to move further. Furthermore his clothes
are dusty and his face has turned grey.

(ii) The old man had two goats, a cat and four pairs of pigeon. Those animals were
his family; he loved them and cared for them so much that separating from them
made him feel that he had lost his reason for existence.

(iii) He had left the animals behind in his native town of San Carlos. The heavy
firing from the enemy forced him to do so.

(iv) He had already travelled twelve kilometres, so he was too tired to go any
further. He was weak, the old man had no family and he had left his animals
behind, he felt helpless as he couldn’t save his animals; he surrendered himself
to his fate.

(v)The Spanish civil war forms the background to the story and Hemingway
depicts how in times of war man acts inhumanly to his own race. War causes and
death and destruction, and this is highlighted through the condition of the old
man who represents the civilians who are victims of war. The old man gives
meaning to his life by taking care of his animals, but the war takes away
everything from him. He sits alone by the side of the road; he is as helpless as his
goats; he cannot escape and is too old and tired to save himself.

PASSAGE-3
(i) Like other innocent citizens, what matters to the old man is his home and
animals whom he loved as his family rather than politics. He mentions his age
along with the fact that he had already walked twelvekilometres to reflect the
extent of his weariness.

(ii) The old man wore steel-rimmed spectacles, his clothes were black and dusty
and his face had turned grey from dust. He was taking care of his animals at San
Carlos.

(iii) The place referred to is a war zone at a pontoon bridge across the Ebro river.
The place is 12 kilometres from San Carlos in Spain.

(iv) The narrator (army scout) advised the old man to cross the bridge and catch
a truck towards Barcelona.The old man replied that he didnot know anyone at
Barcelona. However, he thanked the narrator for his suggestion and continued to
express his concern for the fate of the animals he had left behind

(v) The Spanish civil war forms the background to the story and Hemingway
depicts how in times of war man acts inhumanly to his own race. War causes and
death and destruction, and this is highlighted through the condition of the old
man who can be seen as the symbol of civilian victims of war. The old man gives
meaning to his life by taking care of his animals, but the war takes away
everything from him. He sits alone by the side of the road; he is as helpless as his
goats; he cannot escape and is too old and tired to save himself. Forced to flee
his town the old man sits near the Ebro river; he surrenders to his fate and waits
for his impending death. { Add points according to your view }

PASSAGE-4

(i) The man was forced to flee from his native town, leaving behind his only family
i.e. his animals. He was concerned for them but did not know what to do. It made
him blank. Moreover, he was 76 years old man who had already
travelled twelve kilometres so he was tired. The manner in which the old man
engaged in a conversation with the narrator and told him about his village and
animals shows that he needed someone to talk to
(ii) The old man was worriedabout his animals. He was worried about what his
animals will do in his absence He was feeling guilty because according to him he
was unable to fulfil his duty.

(iii) The author beautifully brings out the two levels of conflicts between the inner
self and outter self of the Old man. The old man was forced to leave his animals
in order to save himself. Man against man is the other conflict in the story. In the
time of war, man kills his own race for his own benefit.

(iv) Yes, I agree that the old man gives up on his life. He was not concerned for his
safety. He sat by the side of the road at a pontoon bridge in the war zone. Despite
repeated insistence from the narrator to save his life and to catch a truck to
Barcelona, the old man paid no heed. He was preoccupied only with the fate of
his animals he had left behind in San Carlos.

(v) The Narrator tries to engage in a conversation and inquires if he had left the
dove cage unlocked. He tries to reassure him that the animals would be fine. At
regular intervals, he reminds him to cross the bridge. The narrator becomes a
friend in need for the old man but he is not able to relieve him of his worries. The
old man surrenders to his fate and till the end, he only thinks of his animals. The
narrator thus realizes that nothing can be done about him and moves on leaving
him at the bridge.

PASSAGE-5

(i) The old man had lost all hope and he is also feeling guilty because according to
him he was unable to fulfil his duty towards his animals. He was wondering what
his animals were doing in his absence. Thus war din not only causes physical but
also psychological destruction.
(ii) The Narrator tries to engage in a conversation and inquires if he had left the
dove cage unlocked. He tries to reassure him that the animals would be fine. At
regular intervals, he reminds him to cross the bridge. The narrator becomes a
friend in need for the old man but he is not able to relieve him of his worries. The
old man surrenders to his fate and till the end, he only thinks of his animals. The
narrator thus realizes that nothing can be done about him and moves on leaving
him at the bridge.
(iii) The old man loved his animals so much that separating from them made him
feel that he had lost his reason for existence. The old man, like his goats, cats and
pigeons and had no one to take care of him and thus he surrendered to his fate.
The narrator lends a kind ear to the old man and urges the man to get up and
cross the bridge; the man tries but fails. The soldier feels sorry for him. Thus the
story ends with the old man’s concern for his animals and the soldier’s concern
for the old man.

(iv) All the luck that he would have is that the cats could protect themselves and
as the day was overcast, the Fascists would not launch their planes to attack the
local people.

(v) The action of the story is set on Easter Sunday, the day when Jesus Christ rose
from the dead on the third day after he was crucified. Thus, Easter is symbolically
viewed as a welcome time of rebirth, renewal and possible change. However, for
the old man at the bridge, this day meant inevitable death and the destruction of
that was meaningful to him. The image of resurrected Christ is like the image of
the old man’s doves being released from their cage, both being symbols of hope
and peace. The soldier, however, is not hopeful about the old man’s fate-he
bitterly remarks that ‘all the good luck that old man would ever have’ was the
fact that the artillery planes of the enemy could not fly that day.
A HORSE AND THE TWO GOATS
Extract I

1. What is meant by microscopic dot? What is said about Kritam in the

extract?
Something very small.
Kristen was probably the tiniest of the seven hundred villages in India as it was
a microscopic dot on the survey map.

2. Give a brief description of the village Kritam. (Change in question).

It is ‘probably the tiniest’ of India’s seven hundred villages. It is a village that
consists of ‘fewer than thirty houses, only one of them built from brick and
cement.’ There are four streets in the village, with a shop for foodstuff and
other items in the third street.
3. Give the meaning of Kritam in Tamil. Where did Muni live in the village?
Kritam in Tamil meant ‘ coronet’ or ‘crown’ on the brow of the Indian
subcontinent. Muni lived in the last house in the fourth street in the village,
beyond which stretched the fields.

4. How did the Big House differ from other houses?

The Big House, unlike other houses, was built withbrick and cement. It was
painted yellow and blue all over with carvings of gods. The other houses were of
bamboo thatch, straw, mud andother unspecified materials.

Extract II
1. How did Muni care for his sheep and goats? Why did he carry a cook at the
end of a bamboo pole?
He would take his sheep and goats every day to the highway to graze around.
He carried a crook at the end of a bamboo pole to collect foliage from the
avenue trees to feed his flock.

2. In his prosperous days, how many sheep and goats did Muni have? What
happened to most of them later?
In his prosperous days, Muni had owned a flock of forty sheep and goats.
Gradually, Muni’s fortunes declined and his flock of forty was reduced to only
two goats.

3. What did Muni’s wife give him for breakfast and midday meal? What does it
show about his economic condition?
Muni’s wife would give him salted millet flour in boiled water for breakfast. For
the midday meal, she would give him the same raw onion. This shows their
poverty as they could not afford anything else.

4. Why did Muni tether his two goats to the trunks of the drumstick tree?
What claim does he have over the tree?
This was done so that his two goats could graze only within a set radius and not
wander off and get lost. Although no one could say precisely who owned the
tree, the only claim Muni had was that he lived in its shadow.

5. Compare and contrast Muni’s prosperous days with his present living
conditions.
He once lived a prosperous life and reared a flock of forty, but now he was left
with two goats. Muni wanted to enjoy life, but now he had lost his riches, he
had no option but to remember his past with regret. He remembered the time
when hesmoked cigarette, chewed betel leaves and bhang in a hut in the
coconut grove with the famous butcher from the town. Even today, he craved to
chew the drumstick out of sauce but failed to obtain the food items prepare it,
on credit from the shopkeeper.

Extract III

1. What was Muni craving for? Why?

He was tired of eating drumstick leaves alone. He wanted to relish them with
sauce for a change.

2. Why did his wife agree to supply him with what he was craving for? Under
what condition would she oblige him?
His wife agreed thinking that next year, Muni might not be alive to ask for
anything. She asked him to bring a few food items including a measure of rice or
millet.

3. How did Muni attract the attention of the shopkeeper and win over his
goodwill?
To attract the attention of the shopkeeper, Muni kept clearing his throat,
coughing and sneezing. Muniresponded appropriately at the shop man’s jokes.
This helped him win the shop man over.

4. How could Mini get some raw food items from the shop?
Muni would go and sit outside the shop. He would make polite sounds by
cleaning his throat, coughing and sneezing until he caught the attention of the
shopman. He would humour the shopman by appropriately responding to his
jokes and then request the food items he needed.

Extract IV
Muni felt impelled to rise and flee…….. whom do you expect to rob by then?
1. Change the question. Explain what has happened earlier because of which
the shopkeeper is reluctant to give on credit.
Muni had been in the habit of coming to the shop, humouring the shopman and
requesting for one or two items of food with the promise of repaying later. This
time the shopman was not in a good mood so he lost his temper at Muni for
daring to ask for credit.

2. Finally, from where did Muni say that he would get the money?
Muni said that his daughter would be sending him money soon for his fiftieth
birthday.

3. According to Muni, how old was he? How did he calculate his age?
According to Muni, he was fifty years old. He calculated his age from the time of
great famine.

4. What did the shop man say about Muni’s age? How could he guess that?
According to the shopman, Muni was seventy years old. Muni might be referring
to himself as fifty years old since the past few years.

5. What did Muni say just before he left the shop?

Muni had told the shopman that his daughter had sent word that she would be
sending him money for his fiftieth birthday.
Extract V
1. Who is referred to as scoundrel? Why was Muni annoyed with the
scoundrel?
The shopman is referred to as scoundrel. Muni was annoyed because the shop
man mocked at his habit of mentioning his birthday time and again to procure
things on credit.

2. Why doesn’t Muni argue against what she says? How can you conclude that
he trusts her as far as his welfare is concerned?
Muni did not argue because he knew that if he obeyed his wife she would
somehow conjure up some food for him in the evening. Muni trusted her as far
as his welfare was concerned. He knew by taking up occasional jobs in the big
house, she would earn some money to keep dinner ready for him in the
evening.

3. How would Muni’s wife get money to buy foodstuff?

She would go out and work-grind corn in the Big House, sweep or scrub
somewhere, to earn enough money to buy foodstuff.

4. When Muni was passing through the village what was his and onlookers
attitude to each other? Why?
When Muni was passing through the village, he avoided looking at anyone. He
even ignored the call of his friends.

5. Change the question. What was Mini thinking as he led his goats to the
highway?
Muni was worried about his wife as he was seventy years old and might die
soon. He also was pondering about the absence of progeny.

Extract VI

1. Describe the statue of the horse.

The statue was life-sized made of burnt brightly coloured clay. It stood with its
head held high and its forelegs in the air.

2. How did the statue of the warrior look? How did the image-makers depict
him as a man of strength?
The warrior beside the statue is depicted as a man of strength through his
description as a warrior with ‘scythe-like mustachios, bulging eyes, and aquiline
nose.”

3. Why didn’t Muni, the villagers or the vandals notice the splendour of the
statue of the horse?
Nobody from the village noticed its existence. Even Muni, who spent all his days
at the foot of the statue, never bothered to look up.

4. Why didn’t Muni go back home early?

Muni didn’t go back home early because he wanted to give his wife time to cool
off her temper and feel sympathetic enoughto arrange some food for him.

5. Briefly give the difference between Muni and the visiting American.
Muni was an old man residing in the Kritam village. He once lived a prosperous
life and reared a flock of forty, but now he was left with two goats. Muni
wanted to enjoy life, but now he had lost his riches, he had no option but to
remember his past with regret. He was a man who lived more in the past, than
in the present.
The red-faced man represents a typically wealthy American. He is polite and
courteous as he offered Muni a cigarette and though he did not understand
Muni, he listened to him attentively. He was a typical American tourist who
wished to take back home the statue as a souvenir.

Extract VII
1. Describe the arrival of the red-faced foreigner.
The red-faced foreigner entered the story in a strange yellow vehicle. He
stopped it, got down and went around it, poked under the vehicle because his
car ran out of gas.

2. What did the foreigner say looking at the clay horse?

He looked up at the clay horse and cried, “ Marvellous.”

3. State the feelings of Muni after meeting the foreigner. Why did he have
such feelings?
As soon as Muni met the foreigner his first impulse was to run away but his age
did not allow him. He assumed the foreigner to be a policeman or a soldier
enquiring about the rumoured murder.

4. Looking at the clothes of the foreigner what did Muni think? How did the
foreigner put him at ease?
The foreigner was wearing khaki clothes. it made Muni think that he was a
policeman or a soldier. To put Muni at ease, the other man pressed his palms
together, smiled, and said, “ Namaste!”

5. Having exhausted his English vocabulary, what did Muni say in Tamil?
Muni said that hisname wasMuni and the goats belonged to him. The village
was full of slanderers who would claim what was not theirs.

Extract VIII
1. Who was the foreigner? What was his background?
The foreigner was a tourist in India. He was a rich American businessman who
dealt in coffee.
2. What is referred to as the courtesies of the seasons? Why did Muni answer
‘Yes, no”?
The foreigner’s polite behaviour on meeting Muni for the first time. As a
courtesy, he offered Muni a cigarette. Muni, being a Tamil speaking man could
not understand the foreigner, and used the only English words he knew, i.e.,
“yes, no.”

3. Change thequestion.State earlier experience of Muni of smoking a cigarette.

When the foreigner flicked the light open and offered a light to Muni what were
the latter’s feelings?
Muni remembered the cigarette the shopman had given him on credit. He
recalled how good it had tasted. When the foreigner flicked the light open
Muniwas confused about how to act so he blew on the light and put it out.

4. What were the consequences of smoking an American cigarette on Muni?

Muni started coughing. It pained him yet he felt it was extremely pleasant.

5. Describe Muni’s fears and anxieties when he was given the card by the
visitor.
Muni feared that the business card was an arrest warrant and he moved back.

Extract IX
1. What did Muni speak in a fearful tone in the extract?
A mutilated dead body had been found thrown under a tamarind tree at the
border between Kritam and Kuppam a few weeks ago. Mini feared that the
khaki-clad foreigner was a policemanenquiring about the murder. The man
spoke to Muni and offered him a cigarette. Muni realised he could not run and
spoke in a fearful tone to talk his way out of trouble.

2. The foreigner said, “ I am sure you know when this horse was made. “ When
was the horse made?
The horse was made long before Muni was born i.e., it was made sometime
when Muni’s grandfather’s grandfather was a young boy.

3. Explain why Muni spoke of a murder with the foreigner.

Muni mistook the foreigner’s khaki dress and thought the foreigner was a
policeman who was investigating the case of a ’mutilated body thrown under a
tamarind tree a few weeks before.”

4. State how the title of the story, ‘A Horse and Two Goats’ is relevant.
It is an apt title. Though the hero of the story is Muni who drives the story
forward, the major part of the story is a dialogue between the American and
Muni concerning the house statue. From the beginning of the story, it is
observed that Muni is left with two goats. It is only when the goats are being
taken to graze near the highway, that Muni’s chance encounter with the
American takes place. Muni who is sitting on the pedestal of the statue is
assumed to be its owner by the American. Muni, on the other hand, does not
understand what the foreigner says. When the American gives Muni a hundred
rupee note as the price for the statue, Muni gets confused. He assumes it to be
the price of his two goats.

5. How is the clash of cultures brought about in the story?

On one hand, Muni is the representative of typical Indian native; who is poor,
rural and uneducated. He doesn’t know English and is striving to make a living.
On the other hand, we have the American who knows no Tamil but expects Mini
to understand English. He is wealthy, urban and educated and is only interested
in a business deal with Muni.

Extract X
1. What has the foreigner just said about Tamil and Muni’s sales talk?
The foreigner said that Tamil to him ‘sounds wonderful’ and he got a kick out of
every word Muni uttered. The foreigner assumed Muni to be engaging in sales
talk and told him that he already appreciated the article and was ready for a
better sales talk.

2. What is Pongal? What does Muni do on Pongal in his village?

Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu. During Pongal
Muni and father would cut the harvest. Muni would then go out and play with
others at the tank.

3. State what Muni hints at the caste and class distinction between the rich
and the poor in Kritam.
Muni had no formal education. He grew up as a member of a lower caste when
only the Brahmins, the highest caste, could attend school. he has not travelled
beyond his village and he likes to watch trucks and buses go by on highway a
few miles away so that he can have ‘a sense of belonging to a larger world.’
He has some knowledge of the two major religious texts the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata, which he has learned by acting in plays and by listening to
preachers at the temple.

4. Wrong question. What is the Parangi language referred to in the extract?

Who are the people who know the language?
English. Learned people and officers in Muni’s country know Parangi language.
But children in the foreigner’s country know it.

4. State briefly the position of women in villages as seen in the story, A Horse
and Two Goats?
Child marriage was prevalent as in the case of Muni and his wife. Women were
honoured as seen as nurturers but they needed a man to support them. Muni
knew his wife would garner the raw materials and prepare his drumstick gravy.
He was worried about what would happen to her after his death.

Extract IX

1. Which dead body is referred to in the extract? Why was Muni afraid of the
dead body earlier?
Muni mistook the foreigner’s khaki dress and thought the foreigner was a
policeman who was investigating the case of a ’mutilated body thrown under a
tamarind tree a few weeks before.”

2. What is Kali Yuga? What is said to happen in Kali Yuga?

Kali Yuga is the last of the four stages the world goes through as part of the
cycle of the ages.
At the end of kali yuga, this world and all other worlds will be destroyed, and
the Redeemer will come in the shape of a horse called Kalki and save all good
people while evil ones will perish.

3. Wrong question. How does the language barrier in the conversation

between the American and Muni provides humour?
Their different languages do not let them understand each other. They
converse, though, in reality, they are both speaking on entirely unrelated
subjects. The foreigner is concerned about the price of the statue, Muni when
through gestures realises that he is beingasked for the statue, rumbles on about
its religious value, and how it has stood for generations. The foreigner, owing to
the language barrier, assumes Muni as a salesman and offers him a hundred
rupee note in exchange for the statue. Since Muni could not understand English,
he assumes that the money offered is the exchange price for his goats.

4. Describe the living room in America of the foreigner as stated by him.

The living room of the foreigner has a large bookcase filled with volumes of
books. There are books piled up too.

5. How would the horse be accommodated in the foreigner’s house?

The foreigner assures Muni that he would keep the statue withthe utmost care
in his living room in his house in the USA.

Extract XII

1. Who speaks these words? In what context does he speak them?

The foreigner. Muni was reflecting on the end of the world and asked the
foreigner if he had any idea when Kali Yuga would end.

2. What does Muni say about the coffee hotel in the locality? Why does he say
about the coffee hotel?
Muni had heard from passers-by that there were ‘Kapi-hotels’ opened at the
Friday Markets in the next town along the highway. Muni only recognized the
word ‘coffee’ in the foreigner’s conversation. He thought that the foreigner
wanted to drink coffee.

3. What has Muni said about the end of the world?

At the end of the world, the Redeemer would come on the horse statue which
would grow bigger and be called Kalki. There would be floods in which Kalki
would carry good people to safety and the evil would perish.

4. Explain what kind of businessman was the foreigner.

The foreigner claimed that he was a modest businessman dealing in coffee.
However, he bragged about having the best home. He was a shrewd
businessman-he realised he had bragged too much about his house. He took out
a hundred rupee note and started bargaining over the price of the statue.

5. How does the foreigner plan to transport the horse to America?

The foreigner planned to cancel his air ticket and travel by ship with the horse in
his cabin.

Extract XIII

1. Muni asked the red man, “ How many children do you have? The red man
replied, “ I said a hundred. “ What was each one talking about? Explain the
humour in this conversation.
Muni was asking the red man about his children if any. The red man did not
understand Muni. He assumed that Muni was the owner of the statue, so he
offered him a hundred rupees for it.
The humour here arises out of each one's inability to understand the other.
They seemed to be conversing, but in reality, they are talking about entirely
unrelated subjects.

2. Give two examples to show that Muni was curious about the red man.
Muni asks how many children does the man have.
He even asks how many of them are boys and how many girls.

3. Looking at the hundred rupees note, how did Muni react? What did he think
was the purpose of giving him that money?
Muni peered closely at the hundred rupees note. He was amazed as he had
never seen it before. Muni thought that the red man wanted him to exchange
the note for a change. Muni laughed at this idea.

4. How did Muni describe the village headman?

The village headman was a moneylender who disguised himself in rags just to
mislead the public. According to Muni, in reality, the headman had so much
money that he could even have changed a lakh of rupees in gold sovereigns.
5. Why did the red man show some interest in Muni’s goats? Briefly describe
the intentions of Muni for rearing the goats. Why couldn’t his plan be carried
out?
The foreigner showed interest in Muni’s goats merely out of courtesy. Muni had
reared the goats in the hope of selling them someday and, with the profit,
opening a small shop on that very spot.

Extract XIV
1. What food did Muni normally take? Explain why he is expecting miracle
food at his occasion.
Muni would eat salted millet cooked into a little ball along with raw onion. He
was expecting a miracle food because he craved to chew drumsticks out of
sauce the same morning. He knew that if he obeyed his wife she would
somehow conjure food for him by evening.

2. How did Muni’s wife react when she saw the cash?
Muni’s wife was furious on seeing the hundred rupees note and accused Muni
of stealing it.

3. As soon as Muni completed his speech what did Muni’s wife conclude from
the scene?
Muni and his wife heard bleating outside. On opening the door, she saw the two
goats and thus concluded Muni has stolen the money.

4. How can you conclude that Muni was annoyed by seeing the goats?
Muni’s annoyance was revealed when he questioned the goats, “Where is that
man? Don’t you know you are his? Why did you come back?

5. How does the story end? What has appealed to you in the story?
The story ends with a misunderstanding between Muni and his wife. The latter
accuses him of stealing since the goats follow Mini back home. R K Narayan is
known for using ironic humour in his stories. It is in no way insulting but is
enjoyable. It lets the readers laugh at the characters and their situation gently.
There are various situations in the story which creates a comic effect.
Muni craves to ‘chew the drumstick out of sauce’, to which his wife replies, “
You have only four teeth in your jaw, but your craving is for big things.”
When the shopkeeper doesn’t pay any attention to Muni sitting below the
platform of the shop, Muni keeps coughing and sneezing to attract his
attention.
In a humorous way, Muni’s poverty is commented upon when shopkeeper says
to Muni, “ You also forget that you mentioned a birthday five weeks ago when
you wanted Castor oil for your holy bath.

A FACE IN THE DARK

Extract I

1. Mr Oliver was an Anglo-Indian teacher, who was teaching in a school which

was located on the outskirts of the hill station of Shimla. He would usually walk
down to the Shimla Bazar and would return after dark by taking a shortcut
through the pine forest.

2. The all-boys school in Shimla, in which Mr Oliver was a teacher has been
called ‘Eaton of the East. Eton College is one of the most reputable and expensive
English boarding school for boys in Eton, Berkshire, near Windsor(UK). Mr Olvier’s
school was called ‘Eton of the East’ because the school had been run on English
public school lines and the boys, were mostly from wealthy Indian families.

3. That night strong wind was blowing through the pine forest which created
sad, eerie sounds. The supernatural atmosphere is created by the elements like
eerie sounds of the pine trees, batteries of the torch running down, flickering
light, silent sobbing, and lantern swinging in the middle of the path. All these
things prepare us for some mysterious or uncanny happenings. running down,
creating an atmosphere of fear and suspense.
4. While walking back to school one night, he saw a boy sitting alone on a rock
whose head was hung down and whose face was held in his own hands.

After seeing the boy, Oliver stopped near the boy and asked him what he was
doing there and why he was crying.

Extract II

1. Mr Oliver was walking through the pine forest late in night when he
happened to spot a boy sitting on a rock. He noticed that the boy was crying with
his head hung down and his face held in his hands.

2. A miscreant is a person who has done some mischief. Boyswere not supposed
to be out after dark. Thus the boy sitting alone on the rock in the night forced the
author to call him a miscreant.

3. Mr Oliver asked him boy that what he was doing there and why he was crying.
The boy did not respond to Mr Oliver’s call and continued to sob. Oliver again
enquired what was troubling him and asked him to look up.

4. The boy’s strange, soundless weeping that Oliver heard could be explained
on the basis that Oliver was a lonely man caught in psychological fears who was
imagining frightening and scary things. Thus all Oliver encountered was
‘soundless weeping’ and ‘faceless’ faces.

5. When the boy finally looked up at Oliver, it was revealed that the boy had no
face. It was without eyes, ears, nose or mouth. It was just a round headwith a
school cap on it.
Extract III

1. Oliver’s ‘trembling hand’ is referred to here. It was trembling, as Oliver was

horrified to see that the boy’s face was featureless, without eyes, ears, nose or
mouth.

2. The ‘faceless’ boy terrified Oliver so much so that he immediately turned and
in panic ran blindly through the forest to call for help.

3. Oliver told the watchman that hehad encountered something horrible that
night-a ‘faceless’ boy weeping in the forest.

4. Yes, I agree that the story ends with a thrilling climax. Oliver ran away from
the faceless boy and called for help. He saw a lantern swinging in the middle of
the path. What followed next was a thrilling climax as Oliver while running
stumbled up to a watchman only to find that he too was faceless, with no features
or even eyebrows. The climax is reached when the wind blew out the lamp,
leaving the readers to imagine what might have happened to Oliver.

5. The title A Face in the Dark is suitable as it describes a strange experience of

Mr Oliver, the protagonist of the story. Oliver, on his way back at night, meets a
boy in an isolated place sitting on a rock. A close look at the boy horrifies him as
he has no face-no eyes, ears, nose or mouth. As he runs horrified by the strange
experience, he meets the watchman who is also without a face. Thus, the boy and
the watchman, who appeared to be having a face in the dark, did not have a face
when seen in light.

AN ANGEL IN DISGUISE

Extract-1
i) Which women are referred here? How did she die?

(i) The woman was the mother of John, Kate and Maggie. She fell on a threshold
while she was drunk.
ii) What kind of relations did the woman have with others? Why do you think it
was so?

(ii) The woman did not have good relationships with others. She was not liked by
anyone in the village due to her bad behaviour and habits. She had been despised,
scoffed at, and angrily denounced.

iii) What did the neighbours take to the old hut?

(iii) The neighbours took grave-clothes for the decent interment of the body and
food for the motherless starving children.

iv) What kind of living condition were the woman and her children subjected
to?

(iv) The woman and her children were subjected to pathetic living
conditions. They lived in an old tumbled down hut. It was more than a place of
shelter from summer & winter cold. The woman did not even have decent clothes
of her own to be used for her burial.

v) What was the prospective future of the children after the death of their
mother?

(v) John the oldest boy was adopted by farmer Jones. Kate, a girl between ten
and eleven years was adopted by Mrs Ellis. Maggie who had injured herself two
years ago was crippled for life and was not adopted by anyone.

Extract-2

i) Who was glanced at with pity? Why?

(i) Maggie was glanced at with pity. She was a boon like an angel but was not
adopted by anyone as she was disabled. Nobody wanted to take her as she was
crippled for life.

ii) Give the meaning of:

a) Her wan and wasted form

a) Maggie, the youngest child of dead mother looked pale and thin.

b) Even knocked at them for entrance

b) Maggie's innocence and sadness attracted everyone to take her with them.

iii) Which incident made the child bedridden?

(iii) Two years ago, Maggie had fallen from the window and had injured her spine
which made her bedridden.

iv) Which shelter was suggested by one of the neighbours for the bed-ridden
child? Why?

(iv) It was suggested that Maggie should be taken to the poor-house because for
her it would be a blessed change where she will be kept clean, have healthy food,
and be doctored.

v) a ) What role does the child play in the life, Joe Thompson?

a) Joe Thompson - Because of Maggie Joe Thompson dared to argue with his wife
which he usually didn't do. Later on, Maggie filled his life with love, happiness
and joy.

b) What role does the child play in the life of Jane Thompson?

b) Jane Thompson -The child proved to be an angel in disguise. Due to her, the
bitterness which Mrs.Thompson had was gone. Maggie's nature, sweetness and
gratitude brought a change of heart in Mrs Thompson and she whole-heartedly
accepted maggie as her child.

Extract-3

i) Who is having a conversation in the above extract? What is the main topic of
their conversation?
(i) Joe Thompson and Blacksmith's wife were having a conversation in the above
extract. They were discussingwhere Maggie should be sent after her mother had
passed away.

ii) Why was Maggie’s effort to raise herself painful?

(ii) Maggie's effort to raise herself was painful because she was a crippled child
as she had injured her spine two years ago by falling from the window.

iii) What thought terrified Maggie? What did she exclaim to Mr Thompson?

(iii) The thought of being left all alone terrified Maggie. She cried out to Mr
Thomson to not to leave her alone.

iv) Why do you think the man stood with a puzzled air? What did he do when he
went into the hovel?

(iv) He was puzzled because he did not know what to do. Neither did he want to
leave Maggie alone, nor did he wish to send her to the poor house. When he went
into the hovel, he supported Maggie and told her she would not beleft there
alone. He wrapped her with his hands and bore her out into the air across the
field.

v) What kind of man was Joe Thompson? How can you say so?

(v) Mr Thompson was a rough and tough man. But unlike his external
appearance, he was a kind-hearted man. He was only one person inthe whole
village who helped maggie and cared for her.

Extract-4

i) Whom did Mrs Thompson see approaching? What precious burden was he
carrying? Why is the burden precious?

(i) Mrs Thompson saw Joe Thompson approaching. He was carrying Maggie, who
is regarded as a 'precious burden’. She was referred to be 'precious' because she
turned to an angel in disguise, who filled Thompson's home and heart with love.
ii) What did Mrs Thompson ask her husband? How did Joe Thompson react to it?

(ii) Seeing the child in her husband’s arm,Mrs Joe Thompson sharply questioned:
“What have you there?”. Joe did not reply immediately but pleaded and
cautioned his wife with his looks, that asked her to be gentle. Joe spoke to angry
wife only after comfortably placing Maggie on a bed.

iii) Describe Joe Thompson’s behaviour since the day he brought the sick child
home?

(iii) Joe formed a bond with the child as soon as he lifted her in his arms. Usually,
Joe Thompson kept rigidly silent in front of his wife but that day he displayed a
firmly-set countenance and a resolute pair of eyes.

He also answered his wife with real indignation forMaggie, something which he
never did before.

iv) What reason did Joe Thompson give his wife for bringing the child home?

(iv) Joe Thompson told his wife that he had brought Maggie home because she
herself can't walk to the poorhouse. He would take her there the next day
speaking to the guardians of the poor house regarding it.

v) He would take her there the next day speaking to the guardians of the poor
house regarding it.

(v) Joe Thompson became furious when the sick child was brought in. She was
seething with anger and could not utter a word. Later, she not only gave Maggie
supper but as a mother sat throughout with her while she was relishing it. She
gave up the thought of sending Maggie to the poorhouse and began to take care
of her. Maggie's nature brought a change in the heart of Mrs Thompson and she
whole-heartedly accepted Maggie as her child.

Extract-5

i) What made Mrs Thompson move towards Maggie in the little chamber?
(i) Joe asked Mrs Thompson to be kind by giving the views of Christ on little
children. He also reminded her of Maggie's dead mother and loneliness, pain and
sorrow, which Maggie was undergoing at the movement. This brought a change
in the heart ofMrs Thompson and she went to see Maggie.

ii) Why did Joe consider light shining through the windows a good omen?

(ii) Joe considered the light shining through the window a good omen because it
was a sign of hope that revealed the change in Mrs Thompson's attitude towards
the girl. he lights symbolized to him the sunshine of love that would now fall upon
their home.

iii) What did Joe see when he came back home from his shop?

(iii) He saw a light shining in Maggie's room. He saw Maggie's face through the
window and also observed that his wife was talking to Maggie.

iv) What did Joe gather from Maggie’s facial expression? To what extent, did it
relieve him?

(iv) From Maggie's facial expression Mr Thompson could make out that she was
not in pain. Joe saw that her expression was sad and tendered but there was no
bitterness or pain.

v) How did Joe behave on coming back home from his shop? What did he ask his
wife?

(v) Mr Thompson did not show any concern for Maggie and was ignorant; as if he
does not know of the love fostering between Maggie and his wife. He also didn't
referred to the child. Joe asked her wife how soon the supper would be ready.

THE LITTLE MATCH GIRLPassage -1

i. What was special about the particular evening in the story? What kind of
weather was there in the evening?
i) It was New Year’s Eve and the weather was bitterly cold. The snow was falling
and darkness was gathering.

ii. The girl had slippers on, but they were of no use. Why?

ii) The slippers that the girl was wearing belonged to her dead mother. They were
too big for her and hence were of no use.

iii. How can you conclude from the story that the girl was poor and dejected?

iii) The girl was dejected and poor in a very sense because she was bare feet and
was sent out on a cold night to sell matches, which was another form of begging
at that time. No one bought matches from her so she was unable to earn a single
penny. She was shivering and hungry.

iv. Why was the girl out in the cold? What prevented her from going back home?

iv) The girl was out in the cold to earn some money. The girl did not dare to go
home as she was unable to earn a single penny. Her father would surely beat her
if she returned empty hand; moreove, it was so cold at home because there was
nothing but a roof above them.

v. How appropriate is the title of the story?

v) The appropriation of the title of the story is judged by how well it reflects the
content of the story. [This line can be used for any chapter’s answer]. The title
‘Little Match Girl’ is quite apt as it revolves around a little girl who sells matches.
She had not given a name as she represents one of Th many poor children
belonging to lower class in the Victorian Era, who had to face hardship because
of poverty.

Passage – 2

i. Who is referred to an as little maiden in the extract? How did she lose her
shoes?
i) ‘The Little Match Girl’ or the protagonist of the story is referred to as ‘little
maiden’ in the extract. She lost her slippers when she was escaping from two
carriages that were running very fast. One could not be found and other was
taken by a boy.

ii. Why was the girl carrying matches with her?

ii) The little girl is trying to sell matches to earn. It was another form of begging
in the Victorian Era.

iii. What does the author describe the girl as a very picture of sorrow?

iii) The girl has been described as 'a very picture of sorrow' because every aspect
of her has a sorrow to explain.

The child is poor and motherless.

She does not get any affection form her father but is sent out in the biting cold to
sell matches.

The child spends her entire night by huddling herself against a wall.

She dies of cold, hunger and abuse.

iv. What tells you that the girl was not only trembling with cold but also with
hunger?

iv) Her hallucination reflects the need and desire of a poor, hungry child. In her
second vision, she saw a feast laid on a table. This vision addresses how hungry
the small girl was, and if she did not freeze, she would surelyhave died of
starvation.

v. Explain how the story is interspersed with didactic elements..

v) A didactic story is the one which is intended to teach people a moral

lesson..The story is meant to teach, especially the wealthy, to show empathy for
those, who do not have the basic necessities of life. It reminds them not to
overlook the needs of the less fortunate, especially innocent children. It teaches
them to be charitable and help the poor during the festivals and throughout the
year, to alleviate their suffering. The purpose of this story is very meaningful
because it is an issue that is not only limited to those times but relevant to today

Passage – 3

i. Where was the girl sitting? How did she try to warm her fingers?

i) The girl huddled down in a heap in a corner formed by two houses, one of which
projected further out into the street than the other. Her thin hands were almost
numb with a cold which she tried to warm up by lighting match sticks.

ii. When did the girl feel as if she were sitting before a large iron stove? Why did
she feel this way?

ii) It was a hallucination which depicted the girl’s longing for warmth as well as a
love of her family.

iii. Explain what kind of relationship the girl shared with her father.

iii) The girl had an affectionless relation with her father. Her father was ruthless
who sent her out to earn money in such cold. She was a victim of child abuse and
was not fed and clothed properly. She was scared to go home for the fear of being
beaten by her father. The warmth of love which she should have got from her
father was substituted by her lighting matches.

iv. With reference to the story bring out the theme of class differentiation.

iv) During the Victorian Era, the middle class emerged and took over an important
percentage of workplaces. It is at this time, there appeared an underclass, which
remained unemployed and lived in abject poverty. This class resented both the
aristocracy and the middle class. There existed a huge gap between the financial
condition of this class and the wealthy.

v. The children in Victorian society were not only orphaned but also deserted,
neglected and abused. Give evidence from the story to prove this statement.
The children were regarded as miniature adults who were used for cheap labour.
In this story, the child is poor and motherless. She does not get any affection or
love form her father but is sent out in the biting cold to sell matches. She became
a victim of child labour and of physical abuse at the hands of her father.

Passage-4.

i. What happened when the girl lit the first match?

i) When she lit the first match, she had a vision of a large iron stove and felt its
warmth and safety which she longed for. It reminded her of the love and affection
which she got from her grandmother.

ii. What did the girl see in the window when she lit the second match?

ii) When the girl lit the second matchstick she saw a roast goose stuffed with
apple and dried plums, which hopped down from the dish and came up to her,
seeing the goose come to her symbolises her hunger pangs.

iii. Explain how the girl’s visions are symbolic of her undying hope.

iii) The little small and poor girl, who is suffering from cold and hunger and
apathy of the people around her imagined about certain things which she
desperately longed for and which made her feet better, including an iron stove,
a huge Christmas tree and a table laden with delicious food. The girl imagines her
deceased grandmother's face just because, she had faith and hope.

iv. What does the light from the matches symbolise in the story?

iv) The light from the matches symbolise the light of God and hope. They are
symbolic of the warmth which the little girl was longing for.

v. Explain why the girl lighted the whole bundle of matches at the end?

v) When the little girl lit the match stick for the third time she saw her old
grandmother. She was delighted to see her and sai to her to take her along. She
did not want her to vanish. As the rest of her visions had vanished so she lit up the
entire bundle of matches to keep her grandmother visible.

Passage-5.

i. Which girl is referred to in the extract? Why does she have rosy cheeks and a
smiling mouth?

i) The little match girl who died of cold and hunger is referred to here. Her cheeks
had turned rosy because of the extreme cold. Moreover, she has a smiling mouth
because her wish to be with her loving grandmother comes true through her
death. Her smile indicates that the girl is relieved of her pain through divine
redemption.

ii. What is referred to as “beautiful things” in the extract above? How does the
girl encounter these “beautiful things”?

ii) Her vision of an iron stove, a sumptuous feast, a twinkling Christmas tree and
her late grandmother are referred to as beautiful things. It is by lighting the
matches that she gets to encounter these beautiful things.

iii. What kind of relationship existed between the girl and her deceased
grandmother?

iii) The Little girl's grandmother was dead but was the only person, whom she
remembered fondly. She has been described as the only one who loved the little
girl. It seems that the little girl used to hear stories from her grandmother as she
remembered her grandmother's view about the stars falling from the sky. The
memory of her grandmother's helped her keep warm while others ignored her.

iv) How does the extract bring out the hope for a better life after death?

The girl pleaded with her grandmother to take her to heaven and both of them
flew in brightness and in joy to be with God. The girl’s smiling face after her death
thus symbolizes a better afterlife.
THE BLUE BEAD

Extract - 1

i) What are sleepers? What made the timber float down the river?

Sleepers are rectangular pieces of timber, stone or steel which are specifically cut
for construction of building and railway tracks.

Timber is less dense than water. So it floats. British used rivers for transportation
of timber, not by boats, but by directly floating them till they reach their
destination.

ii) What is meant by dislodging? How can the sleepers be dislodged?

Dislodge is an act of forcefully removing something from its position.

Sleepers that are lying stuck in the stones can be dislodged by delivering sufficient
force, manually or mechanically, to the sleepers using a lever like a contrivance.
Also, floods can lift them and jostle them along.

iii) From where did the crocodile come? Why did he come? What was he doing in
the shallow waters?

The crocodile had come from deep black. the water of the river where the flowing
streams produced whirlpools.

He had come to glassy shallows of the river to rest.

He balanced his body on tiptoe on the rippled sand so that only his eyes and
nostrils were visible above the

water. He lay in the water motionless breathing clean sunny air.

iv) Why did the crocodile raise his eyes and nostrils out of water?
The crocodile raised his eyes to get a clear sight of the area around the stepping
stones and raised his nostrils to breath easily, this enabled him to lay motionless
and concealed, in ambush, for a prolonged duration.

v); The author says, "Now nothing could pierce the inch-thick armoured hide".
What does she mean by the sentence given above? Why does she say so?

Over the years, the crocodile had grown, from a baby crocodile vulnerable to
birds of prey and carnivorous fishes, into a juggernaut so ferocious and
formidable that nothing could pierce his inch-thick armoured hide- The author is
suggesting that the crocodile is invincible as he is covered with thick-armour
likehiding which even a bullet cannot pierce.

Extract - 2

i) What is a mugger crocodile?

A mugger crocodile is a species ofa freshwater crocodile with a short snout found
throughout the Indian subcontinent.

ii) Give Meaning of –

a) antediluvian saurian

It means a large reptile which is very old as if it belonged to the times before the
biblical flood-

b) Prehistoric juggernaut:

something which has been in existence from very old times and isunstoppable

iii) Describe the appearance of the crocodile. What made him move?

The crocodile with a huge tail was twice the length of a tall man.

His colour was blackish-brown on above and yellowy white on the underside.

A throb in his throat and his mouth was closed and fixed in evil bony.

His hide was one inch thick and nothing could pierce it.
The crocodile used unimaginable and irresistible power of his huge tail to move
in the water.

iv) How can you conclude from the extract that the crocodile was a strong and
dangerous animal?

The crocodile is described as "an antediluvian saurian, a prehistoric juggernaut,

ferocious and formidable, a vast force in the water, propelled bythe unimaginable
and irresistible power of the huge tail", suggests that he was a strong and
dangerous animal.

v) How did the crocodile rest in the shallows?

The crocodile balanced on tiptoe on the rippled sand of the shallows with only
his eyes and nostrils raised out of the water so that he could see and breathe
easily.

Extract - 3

i) What is said about the birth of the crocodile? How can you say that the crocodile
was very active even before he was fully hatched?

The crocodile hatched from an egg, probably a hundred years ago, in a sandbank.
The crocodile was very active because as soon as he managed to get his head out
of his shell he was looking around ready to snap at anything even before he was
fully hatched.

ii) What is meant by brainless craft and ferocity?

It means making use of one's craft and ferocity guided purely by natural instinct.
The young crocodile could escape from predators by instinctively using his skills
and fierceness.

iii) What were the dangers facing young crocodile?

The young crocodile faced the dangers of getting eaten by birds of prey and great
carnivorous fishes who fed on baby crocodiles.
iv)How did the young crocodile get the food and stored it? What did the big
crocodile feed on?

The young crocodile caught the food and stored it in holes in the river bank.

The big crocodile fed mostly on fish but had also caught deer, monkeys, and
ducks. He had also sometimes fed on pi-dog full of parasites and a skeleton cow.
Sometimes he went down to the burning ghats and fed on half-burned bodies of
Indians cast into the stream.

v) How is the body of the crocodile strong enough to protect him? How was he
vulnerable to an attack?

The body of the crocodile is protected with one inch thick. a layer of armoured
hide on the above-

Nothing can pierce it, even rifle bullets would bounce off.

His eyes and the soft underarms made him vulnerable to an attack.

Extract 4

i) Describe the strange object found near the crocodile.

There was a sand worn glass that had been rolling about in the river for a long
time. It was perforated right through the neck of a bottle perhaps it was a blue
bead.

ii) From where did the little girl come? What did she wear? What was she eating?

The girl came from a mud house, in a shrill noisy village above the ford. She was
dressed in an earthed coloured rag. She was eating a chapati.

iii) Describe the physical appearance of a little girl.

The little girl was dark coloured, thin and was dressed in earth-coloured rag and
was barefoot. She was a happy immature child-woman about twelve years old.
iv) Give evidence to prove that the girl was from a poor household.

The girl was dressed in earth-coloured rag.

The girl divided the chapati into parts to make chapati seem more.

She had never owned anything but a rag.

She had divided the rag in two to make it skirt and saari which shows that she
was not having money even to buy clothes.

From the above evidence we can conclude that the girl was from a poor
household.

v) Why was the little girl known as child-woman and born to toil?

The little girl was known as child-woman and born to toil because the
circumstances had made the girl to sacrifice all her wishes and to tolerate the
conditions likemature women. She was born to toil as she was poor and had to
earn for her livelihood.

Extract – 5

i) Where was the bazaar? How did the girl know about it?

The bazaar was in the little town at the railhead.

ii) What had she seen and heard while passing through bazaar?

She saw the milling people, and dogs and monkeys full of fleas, the idling
gossiping bargaining humanity spitting betel juice, heard the bell of a sacred bull
clonking as he lumped along through the dust and hubbub.

iii) What was her experience at the sweetmeat stall?

She hadpaused, amazed, before the sweetmeat stall, to gaze at the brilliant
honey confection, abuzz with dust and flies. They smelled wonderful, above the
smell of drains and humanity and cheap cigarettes.

iv) What did she sometimes taste at home?

At home, she sometimes tasted wild honey, or crunched the syrup out of a stalk
of sugarcane.

v) Describe what Sibia saw at the cloth stall. Did she like the stall? Why?

She saw a cloth stall stacked with great rolls of new cotton cloth stamped at the
edge with the maker’s sign of a tiger’s head. Yes, she liked the stall as it was
smelling very wonderful of dressing, straight front from the mills. The smell was
so nice that she could have stood there all day.

Extract – 6

i) Mention any two of the wonders Sibia had seen in the bazaar.

The wonders Sibia had seen in the bazaar were the satin sewn with real silver
thread and tin trays from Birmingham.

ii) What did the Kashmiri merchant sell?

The Kashmiri merchant was selling dawn-coloured silks that poured ice cream, a
little locked chest with turquoises and opals in it, and a box which when pressed
tinkles out a bell and a yellow woollen chicken jumped out from the box.

iii) Describe the box having the best of merchant’s goods.

The best of all was a box which, when pressed tinkles a bell and a yellow woolen
chicken jumps out.

iv) How was Sibia spending her time since her childhood?

Sibia worked to earn for her livelihood since her childhood. She had husked corn,
and gathered sticks, and put dunk to dry, and cooked and weeded, and carried,
and fetched water, and cut grass from the fodder.

v) What did Sibia life show about her family status?

Life of Sibia shows that the status of her family was too low to even feed their
children properly and send them to school. Not only the parents but also the
children had to work hard in order to earn their livelihood.
Extract – 7

i) What thoughts did not trouble Sibia?

The thought of being toiled whole day and working hard to earn her livelihood
did not trouble Sibia.

ii) Where was the Sibia going? Why?

Sibia was going to get paper grass from the cliffs above the river.

iii) Who was with Sibia during her journey? Why couldn’t Sibia skip during her
return journey?

Sibia was going with her mother and other women of the village. Sibia could not
skip work, when she was on her way back from the cliffs since at that point, her
body would always ache with tiredness, and there was also a great load to carry
on her back as well.

iv) Describe the necklace worn by women. Why did they want to wear several
necklaces?

Some of the women were wearing necklaces made out of lal-lal-beeges, the shiny
scarlet seeds, black one end, that grew everywhere in the jungle. The wanted to
wear several necklaces as they like to hear rattling swish around their neck

v) What type of ornaments did Sibia wish to wear?

Sibia wished to wear ornaments which would make rattling swish around her
neck, as she rushed along with lots ofnecklaces.

Extract – 8

i) Why were the women going to the river?

Women were going to the river in order to get paper grass which they would sell
to the agent who arranges and dispatch it for paper mills.
ii) What is meant by ‘nomadic grazers’? How long do these people stay in one
place?

Nomadic grazers are the people who roam around place to place, frequently, or
without a fixed pattern of movement. Their occupation is battling (here). They
stay in one place until their animals had perhaps finished all the easy grazing
within reach, or they were not able to sell enough of their butter and white milk
in the district, or there was no one to buy the young male buffaloes for tiger bait.

iii) Describe the appearance of Gujar women as seen by Sibia?

The Gujar women wore trousers, tight and wrinkled at the ankles, and In the ear,
they would wear large silver rings, made out of melted rupees; and one of them
was clinking a stick against the big brass gurrahs in which they fetched water from
the river for the camp, to see which one were empty.

iv) Where were the men and boys from the camp?

The men and boys were out of the camp just now with the herd or gone to the
bazaar.

v) Explain why the Gujars are called the “men in the wandering Pastoral Age”.

Extract – 9

i) How was Sibia compared to the bird in the passage?

The author compared Sibia with the bird as she looked down the cliff, the same
way the bird looks down from height when they fly.

ii) What did she keep in the cave?Why?

She had stored some little bowls moulded of clay while they hardened.

iii) Why was the mother angry with her? How did Sibia react to the situation?
The mother was angry with Sibia because she stopped worked and went to see
the little bowls moulded of clay in the cave.

iv) Why did the women carrying the load go?

The women carrying the load went to see their animals and to have an evening
meal.

v) At the end of the day, how did Sibia feel?

Sibia hung back. She would just dawdle a bit as she was tired. She was heavily
weighted, her muscles stretched and aching.

Extract – 10

i) What happened when the Gujar woman walked on to the stepping stones?

When the Gujar woman walked on to the stepping stones, the crocodile lunged
at her and lashed at her leg.

ii) When the crocodile attacked women, how did she react?

The woman screamed, dropped both brass pots with a clatter on the boulder. The
Gujar woman recoiled from crocodile but at the same time, she fell on a bone-
breaking stone. She clutched one of the timber logs to save herself. (if the
elaborated answer is asked)

iii) Describe the struggle between the woman and the crocodile?

The Gujar women recoiled from the crocodile, but his jaws closed on her leg at
the same moment as she slipped and fell on the bone-breaking stone, and
clutched one of the timber logs to save herself.

iv) Show how Sibia came to help the woman immediately?

Sibia came leaping like a rock goat in order to help the woman. She came on wings
choosing her footing in midair without even thinking about it, and in one
movement she was beside the shrieking woman.
v) Briefly state the theme of conflict between human beings and wild nature as
shown in the story?

While nature is beneficial to human beings, it can also be wild, awful and savage

Blue Bead presents both aspects.

Extract – 11

i) Why did crocodile go into convulsion? What happened during his convulsion?

The crocodile went into convulsion because his one eye was poked by Sibia using
a hayfork. He reared up in convulsion, till half his lizard body was out of the river,
the tail and nose nearly meeting over his stony back. Then he crashed back,
exploding the water, and in an uproar of bloody foam, he disappeared.

ii) How did Sibia attend to the Gujar woman?

Sibia got her arms round the fainting woman and somehow dragged her from the
water. She stopped her wounds with sand, and bound them with a rag, and
helped her home to the Gujar encampment where the men mad a litter to carry
her to someone for treatment.

iii) Where were Sibia’s sickle and fork? What strange object did she see in the
water?

The fork was lying in the rive, not carried away by water. The strange object
that Sibia saw in the water was a blue bead whose shape was wobbling in the
movement of the stream.

iv) How did she take possession of the strange object? Describe the object.

Sibia reached her arm down into a yard of the cold silk water to get it. Missing it
first of all, because of refraction. The object was perfect, white- blue and even
pierced ready for use, with the sunset shuffled about inside it like gold-dust.

v) State why Sibia was not excited at saving the Gurjar woman but she was
thrilled at finding the blue bead
Sibia was not excited at saving the Gurjar women as ‘daily heroism’ has become
a part of her life while what is of worth in her povertystricken life is the glittering
blue bead.

MY GREATEST OLYMPIC PRIZE

Extract I
i) The games mentioned in the above extract are the Olympic Games which
were held in Berlin in 1936. The author who is Jesse Owens wasn’t too worried
about them.
ii) The nationalistic feelings were high during these games because of Hitler’s
childish theory of Aryan-Superiority according to which Aryans were the master
race and superior to any other race.
iii) The speaker expected to win a gold medal in the long jump. He expected to
win a gold medal because he trained himself and practised hard for six years to
win a medal at the Olympics.
iv) The speaker saw a tall boy, who was a German athlete named Luz Long.
Owens was told that Hitler had kept him under wraps. According tothe speaker
if Luz Long won, it would add some new support to Nazi’s Aryan-Supiririty
theory.
v) Owens trained himself and practised hard for six years in order to succeed in
the competition (Olympics).

Extract II
i) The speaker of the above lines is Jesse Owens. Feeling of hatred and anger for
german athlete occupied Owens’ mind due to which he did not perform well. He
thought that if Luz Long won than it would add some new support to Aryan-
Superiority theory. So he became angry as he wanted to prove Hitler wrong.
ii) a) Being Angry
b) The political title given to Adolf Hitler
iii) Speaker was determined to go out in the field where long jump trials were
held. He intended to prove Hitler’s Aryan-Superiority theory wrong.
iv) The speaker’s performance at the trials was faulty. Feeling of hatred and
anger for german athlete occupied Owens’ mind due to which he did
notperform well. He thought that if Luz Long won than it would add some new
support to Aryan-Superiority theory. So he became angry as he wanted to prove
Hitler wrong.
v) Nazis believed in the theory of racial hierarchy, identifying Germans as a
part of Aryan on Nordic master race. They believed that Germans are superior
than any other race in the world.
Extract III
i) Feeling of hatred and anger for german athlete Luz Long occupied Owens’
mind due to which he fouled on his first two attempts. He thought that if Luz
Long won than it would add some new support to Aryan-Superiority theory. He
became angry as he wanted to prove Hitler wrong and fouled in his first to
attempts and ended up fouling in his first two attempts.
ii) The speaker walked a few yards from the pit and kicked disgust at the
dirt. Luz Long who was a German athlete offered him a firm handshake and
comforted him and gave him friendy advice which vanished Owens anger.
iii) Luz Long, who comforted and guided the speaker, was a tall and strikingly
handsome, chiselled face boy with blue eyes and blonde hairs. He had a lean
muscular frame. His accent was German.
iv) It was said by Luz Long who was a german athlete. He said the above lines in
order to comfort Jesse Owens.
v) Luz advised Owens to play safe and jump a few inches before the usual take-
off spot. Yes, the advice proved to be successful as Owens qualified for finals.

Extract 4
i) Owens fouled on his first two attempts and was completely tensed at the
thought of not being able to qualify for the final round if he would give similar
performance in the third attempt. The humble and friendly advice of Luz Long
released his tension.
ii) Jesse walked over to Luz Long’s room in the Olympic village to thank him. He
sat together with Luz and talked for two hours.
iii) Yes, I agree that if it hadn’t been for Luz Long, Owens probably wouldn’t
have qualified for the finals. Luz Long was the man who encouraged Owens
when he was undergoing frustration and mental agony. Luz helped him qualify
for the finals by giving him valuable tips.
iv) In the finals, Luz broke his own past record. In doing so he pushed Jesse to
peak performance. Jesse won a gold medal and Olympic record of 26 feet 5-5/16
inches.
v) Luz Long was a true sportsman. Fair play and love of Games were more
important for him than winning. Hence he wanted Owens to do his best even if
that meant his own defeat.
Extract 5
i) Carat is a term used to measure gold content or purity. 24 carat gold is also
called pure gold, i.e. gold without traces of any other metal. Therefore 24-carat
friendship signifies the true and pure friendship Owens felt for Luz Long, which
was free of traces ofhate, anger and malice.
ii) [Answer according to your understanding]
iii) As soon as Owens won, Luz Long congratulated him heartily. He was not
disappointed for himself but happy for Owens. Despite the fact that Hitler
glared at them, Luz did not hesitate and shook his hand hard.
iv) According to Coubertin the important thing in the Olympic Games is not
winning but taking part and the essential thing in life is not conquering but
fighting well.
v) The pure friendship of German athlete Luz Long is considered as the greatest
Olympic prize.
Though Jesse won four gold medals in the Berlin Olympics 1936, Luz Long was
the man who encouraged Jesse when he was undergoing frustration and mental
agony. Luz helped him qualify for the finals by giving him valuable tips. They
shared their thoughts and became good friends. And what was most striking,
Luz Long showed genuine happiness when Jesse won the gold medal. Luz Long
was an epitome of the true sportsmanship and true friendship. That is why Jesse
felt that Luz’s friendship was the greatest Olympic prize he had won.

HEARTS AND HANDS

Extract I
i)The coach of the eastbound train, B & M Express. The only vacant seat left was
a ‘reversed one facing the attractive young woman.’ This tells us that the coach
was crowded.

ii)Miss Fairchild. She is described as an elegantly dressed, pretty young woman

who had all the luxuries and who loved travelling.
iii)The linked couples were Mr Easton and the marshal because they were
handcuffed together.
iv)At first, she saw them indifferently with a ‘distant, swift disinterest.’ As soon
as she recognized Mr Easton, she smiled at them and started conversing.
v)They were old acquaintances.

Extract II
i) Mr Easton. His right hand was engaged as it was handcuffed to the left hand of
the marshal.
ii)As soon as the lady saw Mr Easton being handcuffed, her look changed to a
bewildered horror. She was no longer glad; ‘the glow faded from her cheeks’ and
‘her lips parted in a vague, relaxing distress.’
iii)The glum-faced man spoke as if Mr Easton was the marshal. The glum-faced
man was a convict being taken to Leavenworth prison for counterfeiting.
iv)In reality, the glum-faced man was the marshal who was taking the convict Mr
Easton to the prison. The marshal, to save Mr Easton from embarrassment in
front of Miss Fairchild, presented himself as the convict.
v)The story begins with two people, Mr Easton and the glum-faced man hand-
cuffed together. It is the handcuffing that lends to the ‘Hands’ part of the title. In
fact, it is the hands which are significant for revealing the true identities of the
two men. Miss Fairchild was misled by the unnamed man about the identity of
Mr Easton as he wanted to save Mr Easton from an embarrassing situation by
revealing that he was a convict and was being taken by him to the prison. It was
an astute passenger in the coach, who discoveredthat a marshal would not
handcuff his own right hand with that of a convict, as was the case with Mr Easton
and the marshal.

Extract III
i)She called Easton, a marshal because she was told so by the real marshal.
Moreover, her own fantasies did not allow her to suspect the real marshal’s
revelation about Mr Easton.
Easton, in reality, was a convict being taken to a prison on charges of
counterfeiting.
ii)He was going to be imprisoned at Leavenworth prison for counterfeiting.
iii) Give the meaning of :
A)Money has a way of taking wings unto itself: Money has the ability to make
one feel respected and dignified. Money can make one fly and soar high.
b)To keep step with our crowd: To compete with the crowd or to feel one with
thehigh-class society in Washington.

iv)Easton said he was making money but he needed more in order to fit in high
society so he took up the position of a marshal in the west.
v)She was not likely to see Easton in Washington soon, because he was to be
confined in Leavenworth prison. Miss Fairchild, assumed that he would be
extremely busy in his new job as the marshal.

Extract IV
i)The girl was fascinated with the handcuffs. Easton was handcuffed to the
marsha because he was being taken to the Leavenworth prison for counterfeiting.
ii)Miss Fairchild was glaring at the handcuffs. The glum-faced man asked her not
to worry as it was Mr Easton’s business as a marshal to handcuff the convict to
keep from getting away.
iii)The word ‘Hearts’ in the title is indicative as relationship something more
than friendship between Miss Fairchild and Mr Easton. When she saw Mr
Easton, there appeared a lovely smile on her face and her cheeks turned pink.
She even told him that she loved the West, suggesting that she would settle
down with him in the West.

iv)Mr Easton would be imprisoned in Leavenworth prison on the charges of

counterfeiting. “ My butterfly days are over’ signifies that Easton’sgood and
adventurous days of making money by deceiving people are over.

Extract V
i) The glum-faced man interrupted the conversation between Easton and Miss
Fairchild and requested Easton that he should be taken to the smoker room.
To prevent Mr Easton from revealing that he is a convict the glum-faced fellow
did so.
ii)The glum-faced man said he was in need of a drink and a smoke. He asked Mr
Easton to accompany him to the smoker car as he was ‘half-dead for a pipe.’
iii)Generally, an officer’s left hand is handcuffed to the right hand of the convict.
The information is necessary to end the story as it reveals that in reality, Mr
Easton was the convict, and the glum-faced man was the marshal.
It is the ‘hearts’ part of the title that explains the theme. It is because of having a
compassionate heart that the marshal told a lie to Miss Fairchild. He did this to
save Mr Easton from the humiliation of being identified as a convict in front of an
old friend. He told Miss Fairchild that Mr Easton was the marshal and he was the
convict, who was being taken to the prison by Mr Easton. The glum-faced man
had a golden heart. The effect of the lie was immediate in the response of Miss
Fairchild. She showed relief that Mr Easton was not convicted. She was shocked
and horrified before the marshal told the lie to her.

ALL SUMMER IN A DAY

Ray Bradbury: Short Stories Summary and Analysis of "All Summer in a

Day"
Summary
In "All Summer in a Day," a group of schoolchildren live on the planet Venus with
their families. They are nine years old, and they are eagerly awaiting a
momentous occasion. After 5 years of continuous rain, the scientists on Venus
have predicted that the sun will come out today for a brief period of time. The
children have only seen the sun once in their lives, but they were two years old
and they don't remember how it looks or feels. To prepare for the day, they have
constantly read about the sun and completed classroom activities, such as writing
a poem, about the sun.

This is true for all but one of the children. Margot, a thin, pale girl that the rest of
the children resent for various reasons, lived in Ohio until she was five. She still
has many memories of the sun, and the sun continues to fascinate her. Marot
refuses to participate in any classroom activity that doesn't include the sun. In
fact, she has been in a depressed state for most of her time on Venus. Rumours
have it that her parents are strongly considering taking her away from the
underground colony on Venus and back to her home on Earth.
Margot looks out of the window, waiting silently for the rain to stop and the sun
to come out. The other children become upset with her and begin to push and
taunt her. One of the boys jokes with her, "It was all a joke, wasn't it? Nothing's
happening today" (3.) Suddenly, the children seize Margot and conceive of the
idea to hide Margot in a closet while their teacher is gone. Margot resists but they
overpower her and lock her in a faraway closet.

The teacher returns and they all go to the tunnel's exit, as she thinks everyone is
present and accounted for from her class. Then, moments later, the rain stops
and the sun appears. All of the children exit the tunnels and begin to run around
and enjoy the sun. It is unlike anything they could imagine. They exult, "It's better
than the sun lamps, isn't it?" as they run around the jungles of Venus.
After lying out, playing, and enjoying the weather, one of the girls cries out
because she is cradling a big, fat raindrop in her hand. Everyone stopped. They
stood for a moment, thinking about how wonderful the sun felt on their skins.
While they do this, the rain clouds move in. The sun retreats; the rain falls harder.
All of the children stop for a moment before re-entering the tunnels, reflecting
on how wonderful the past hour was.

As they re-entered the hallway, they asked their teacher questions. "Will it really
be seven more years?" (5.) Once again, another student gave a muffled cry. She
remembered that Margot was still in the closet. She had been there for the entire
time that they were outside enjoying the sun-soaked weather. They slowly
walked towards the closet where they had left Margot, and they were all nervous
to approach it. They slowly walked to the closet door, and no noises were emitted
from behind the closet door. They unlocked the door and Margot slowly
emerged.

Analysis
Bradbury uses a variety of metaphors to depict an image of life on Venus, an idea
that is foreign to us yet familiar through Bradbury's language. Not only does his
language bring us a clear image of Venus, but it also creates a tangible feeling of
discovering the pleasures of the sun. Venus "was the colour of rubber and ash,
this jungle, from the many years without the sun. It was the colour of stones and
white cheeses and ink, and it was the colour of the moon" (4.) The reader is
instantly able to picture Bradbury's Venus landscape with his illustrative
language.

The power of the sun over the children living on Venus is notable. They are pale
and colourless, not just physically but also emotionally. The lack of the sun has
not only washed away the colour on their skin but also their compassion and
empathy for other people. They do not gain this until they've spent time under
the sun's rays. The sun is life-giving for the landscape as well as the inhabitants
of Venus.

Margot's initial exclusion from the group may speak to the difficulties of
integrating immigrants into a community. Margot struggles to fit in every day of
her time on Venus, and she does not get along with the other children. They
resent her for her past experiences on Earth with the sun, and they are also angry
and jealous that she has the opportunity to travel back to Earth regardless of the
financial costs. Though abstract, Margot represents one version of an immigrant
story.

At the conclusion of the story, the children who were once hypercritical of Margot
begin to arrive at an understanding of what she has been feeling since arriving in
Venus. They did not understand her depression or refusal to participate in certain
activities, primarily because they did not understand how Margot was so
enraptured by the sun. It is not until they spend time outside, basking in the
sunlight, that they begin to comprehend how much Margot sacrificed when she
moved from Ohio to Venus.

This development in the story highlights a broader theme of ignorance and its
presence and absence throughout the story. When the children only knew "sun
lamps" and could not remember the last time the sun had shone, the daily
monotony of rain was not a major concern in their lives. They were ignorant of
the possible benefits of the sun. Now that they have experienced the sun and
their ignorance has lifted, it will be a difficult shift back to the constant rain. As
the rain begins to fall once again, they are disheartened when they ask their
teacher, "Will it be seven more years?" (6.) They finally comprehend the gravity
of their teacher's answer.

GRAMMAR
Fill in the blanks with suitable articles:
At one point we were all babbling babies, our brains producing sounds no more
complicated than adorable "ahs" and "coos." But during our early explorations,
we began internalizing words and they soon began to have meaning.
Now, ------ new study suggests that learning ----- language between birth and age
18 is not as effortless as it may seem. An average English-speaking adult will likely
have learned about 12.5 million bits of information related to language, ------
group of researchers reported March 27 in -------- journal.
"Bits" refer to information that's stored in 0's and 1's, ------ typical format used in
digital devices like computers. ------ human brain encodes information in ------
different format, but bits can be used as ------ comparison. ----researchers'
estimates are based on ------ number of calculations and computational models.
"It may seem surprising but, in terms of digital media storage, our knowledge of
language almost fits compactly on -------floppy disk," ----- authors wrote in ------
study. In this case, that would be ------- floppy disk that holds about 1.5 megabytes
of information or ------- equivalent of about ------- minute-long song as an Mp3
file.
----- researchers estimate that in ------ best-case scenario, in ------ single day, ------
adult remembers 1,000 to 2,000 bits of their native language. In ------ worst-case
scenario, we remember around 120 bits per day.
Much of this 12.5 million bits of language information stored in ----- brain is not
related to grammar and syntax, but rather is about word meaning, according to -
----- study.
"A lot of research on language learning focuses on syntax, like word order," co-
author Steven Piantadosi, -----assistant professor of psychology at UC Berkeley,
said in ------ statement. "But our study shows that syntax represents just ------ tiny
piece of language learning, and that ------ main difficulty has got to be in learning
what so many words mean."
This is also what differentiates human learners from robot learners, he added.
"Machines know what words go together and where they go in sentences, but
know very little about ------ meaning of words."
Because word meanings can be very similar across languages, Piantadosi added
that bilingual people likely don't have to store twice as many bits of information.
------ world's most precise clocks run at ------ steady pace, messing up by only
about 1 second every 300 million years.
But ------ brain takes those rhythmic seconds and makes its own sense of time —
stretching ------ ticks and scrunching ----- tocks. But why can't ----- brain keep time
like ----- regular clock? In other words, why does time fly when you're having fun,
and why does it plod along when you're bored?
How ------ brain percieves time depends on its expectations. ------- brain can
represent ----- probability that something is going to occur, given that it hasn't
happened yet, said Dr. Michael Shadlen, a neuroscientist at Columbia University
Irving Medical Center in New York City.
Do you know how much time has passed since you started reading this mystery?
. Rewrite the following sentences according to instructions given after each.

1. He really likes correcting her English. ( use pleasure)

2. It's not necessary to take a lot of luggage when going on holiday. (use Much)
3. Perhaps he hasn't received the doctor's results yet ( use may)
4. All I want you to do is to look after my dog. ( use care)
5. She was not certain about the trip ( use decide)
6. He locked the gate so that the dog wouldn't escape. ( use prevent)
7. They did not like to pay extra taxes. ( use objected)
8. The day was so nice that we went on a picnic. ( use such)
9. The only person I didn't see was Jane. ( use except)
10. She decided to visit her friend and tell her the news. ( use drop)
11. It wasn't necessary to meet me at the airport yesterday. ( use needn't )
12. It was unkind of you to talk to her like that. ( use not)
13. I saw the film although I strongly dislike thrillers ( use spite)
14. It's not possible to play tennis because of the rain. ( use makes)
15. I've never tasted such good food before. ( use ever)
16. Do your parents allow you to watch TV late at night? ( use let)
17. "Did you write a note for Anna?" I asked my mother. ( use she)
18. He gave me the money first, and then he left. ( use after )
19. I don't find it difficult to get up early any more. ( use used)
20. We have to reduce our expenses. ( use cut )
21. "Can you please explain this to me?" she asked the teacher. ( use if)
22. Perhaps he's working late. ( use may)
23. Nobody ever told me about it. ( use never)
24. "I'll pick him up from the airport," she said. ( use offered)
25. I was so shocked that I couldn't react. ( use wasn't)
26. People say Greek is a difficult language to learn. ( use said)
27. The police have investigated the crime. ( use by)
28. Without your help, I would never have managed. ( use you )
29. The manager made the employees stay late. ( use made)
30. When can their glory fade? ( use never)

Q. 2. Complete with the suitable prepositions:

1. The people are____the table____the dining room.

2. The stairs are____the bathroom____the second floor.
3. The bedroom is____the attic(room in roof) ____the third floor.
4. The washing machine is____the dryer.
5. The steps are in____ of the door.
6. The tools are____the peg(wooden nail) board.
7. The peg board is____the basement.
8. The basement is____ the house.
9. The cupboards are____ the counter.
10. The roof is____ the house.
11. The books are____the book case.
12. The woman is putting something____the oven.
13. The dresser is____the mirror.
14. The shelf is____the washing machine and table.
15. The box is____the table____the basement.
16. The dishes are____the china cabinet____the dining room.
17. The kitchen is____the first floor____the house.
18. The computer is____the room____the third floor____the attic
19. The play is____ Monday, ____ 9:30____ night
20. I study____ the morni8ng and work____ the afternoon.

Rewrite the given sentences.

1. I have never seen such a mess. (Begin with never)
2. He had hardly sat down to rest when someone knocked on the door. (Begin
with hardly)
3. It is not compulsory that you should attempt all questions. (Rewrite using need
not)
4. You are obliged to obey your parents. (Rewrite using ‘ought to’)
5. It is necessary for him to attend the meeting. (Rewrite using must.)
6. We are interested in your offer, and we would be glad to have prices as soon as
possible. (Insert indeed)
7. Gandhi is one of the greatest men of the world. (Insert indeed)
8. As soon as she heard the news she fainted. (Rewrite using ‘No sooner …than’)
9. I had hardly closed my eyes when the telephone rang. (Begin with hardly.)

Que-1- Rewrite into indirect speech

A) He said to me, “Bring me a book.”

B) He said “You’re not working hard enough.”
C) “Did you see the woman yesterday?” said the girl to her mother.
D) He said, “Don’t do it.
E) “What a terrible noise!” she said
F)He said , “which is your bicycle”
G) She said , “I am going to Kolhapur tomorrow”
h) They said "We can’t do it now”
I)They said “It is not at all true”
J) “The oracle”, he said , “chose me as the wisest Athenian because I am the only
one who knows that he doesn’t know anything”

Que-2- Change the voice.

a) They are inspired by ideas.
b) They must be protected.
c) They are lifting the bodies.
d) He has outlasted them all.
e) Look at the condition of woman.

Que-3 Rewrite the following sentences into Assertive

1) How amazing it is!
2) What a foolish job he has done!
3) Who knows nature’s secret?
4) Is it fair to neglect woman’s plight
5) is there any room for secrecy under Bapuji’s leadership?

Que-4 Change the Degree

1) Mrs. Grantley is one of my best friends.
2) Bangalore is the biggest electronic city in India
3) No other civil or military mobilization in human history is as large as it
4) Socrates was the wisest Athenian.
5) The food is one of the most essential factors in building and maintaining health

Que -5- Do as directed

1)Unless you take heed, you will again put to shame (Use if……..not)
2)If the patient is not operated immediately, he will die. (Use unless)

3) No Admission Without permission (Turn in Conditional Clause using “If……not”)

4) Stray cattle should be rounded up and auctioned by police so that cattle
owners will understand the seriousness of the problem (Use if…..not)
5) He will not pass the exam (Complete the Sentence using “if…..not”)
6) you must have another watch. (Rewrite the sentence with a model auxiliary
showing ‘advice’)
7) I________ have my money back. (Use a suitable modal auxiliary expressing
obligation)
8) we cannot forget this truth (Use ‘able to’)
9) I used to watch people coming back from fields. (Remove ‘used to’)
10) I went to villages. (Use a modal auxiliary indicating repeated occurrence)
11) Her mother does not understand her. (Rewrite as affirmative)
12) When they stopped for a drink of water, Guymon heard a noise. (Use No
Sooner)
13) Authorities planned to seal the mine off as soon as the rescue effort was
abandoned. (Use No sooner……than)
14) An egg fell. It broke in to pieces (Join the sentence using Hardly-when)
15) There was a noticeable odour of burning cloth. (Rewrite as complex)
16) Madhav was too tired to go any further. (Rewrite as Complex)
17) I had published short stories in London.
(Frame a ‘wh’ question to get underlined part as an answer)
18)Identify the noun, adjective and verb from the list beautify, personal, hatred
19)Match the antonyms
a)increase 1)export
b)rarely 2)decrease
c)import 3)frequently
20)Match the words with their meaning
a)plentiful 1)vanish
b)defective 2)abundant
c)difference 3)faulty
d)disappear 4)distinction
21)It is a one sided affair. (Add a question tag)
22) The moment Sachin scored a century, he was greeted by Rahul. (use
Hardly….When)
23) But he refused to do so (Rewrite using gerund)
24) I will be rescued (Rewrite in future perfect tense)
25)The snow has accumulated into thick layers. (Rewrite in present perfect
continuous)
26) They compete for space in which to live as well as for light and air. (Use not
only …..but also)
27) It is convenient (Rewrite as negative)
28) punctuate the following
the old man asked what are you doing there my child
29) Rustomji got the paper framed and hung it up in his office. (Rewrite as simple
sentence)
30)Great leaders inspire a whole people to do great deeds (Use noun form of the
underlined word)
31)They made a big hole in the wall (Rewrite as an exclamatory)
32)At night the runners were accompanied torch bearers ( Begin the sentence
with ‘Torch bearers’)
33)Television can be quicker than any other means of reaching people (Begin with
‘No other…….)
34)They made a big hole in the wall. They entered the house. (use ‘by+ing’ form
of the verb and join)
35) Uses of television are many. (Begin with ‘There………)
Key
Que-1- Rewrite into indirect speech
A) He asked me to bring him a book.
B) He said that she was not working hard enough.
C) The girl asked her mother if she had seen the woman the day before.
D) He asked not to do it.
E) She exclaimed that it was a terrible noise.
F) He asked which bicycle was his.
G) She said that she was going to Kolhapur next day.
h) They said that they couldn’t do it then.
I) They said that it was not at all true.
J) He said that the Oracle had chosen him as the wisest Athenian because he was
the only who knew that he didn’t know anything.

Que-2- Change the voice.

a) Ideas inspire them.
b) We must protect them.
c) The bodies are being lifted by them.
d) All of them have been outlasted.by him.
e) Le the condition of woman be looked at.
Que-3 Rewrite the following sentences into Assertive
1) It is really amazing.
2) He has done a very foolish job.
3) No one knows nature’s secret.( Rhetorical into assertive)
4It is not fair to neglect woman’s plight.
5) There is no room for secrecy under Bapuji’s leadership.

Que-4 Change the Degree

1) Posi: Very few of my friends are as good as Mrs. Grantley.
Comp : Mrs Grantley is better than many other my friends.
2) Posi : No other electronic city in India is as big as Bangalore.
Comp : Bangalore is bigger than any other electronic city in India
3) Super: It is the largest civil or military mobilization in human history.
Comp: It is larger than any other civil or military mobilization in human history

4)Posi : No other Athenian was as wise as Soctates.

Socrates was the wiser than any other Athenian.
4) Posi: Very few factors in building and maintaining health are as essential as
food.
Comp: The food is more essential than most other factors in building and
maintaining health.

Que -5- Do as directed

1)If you do not take heed, you will again put to shame.
2)Unless the patient is operated immediately, he will die.

3)If you do not have permission, you cannot get admission.

4) If Stray cattle are not rounded up and auctioned by police, cattle owners will
understand the seriousness of the problem.
5) He will not pass the exam, if he does not study and appear the exam.
6) You should have another watch.
7) I must have my money back.
8) We are not able to forget this truth.
9) I would watch people coming back from fields.
10) I used to go to villages.
11) Her mother fails to understand her. (Rewrite as affirmative)
12) No sooner did they stop for a drink of water than Guymon heard a noise.
13 No sooner was the rescue effort abandoned than authorities planned to seal
the mine off.
14) Hardly had an egg fallen when it broke in to pieces.
15) There was a noticeable odour of cloth which was burning.
16) Madhav was so tired that he could not go any further.
17) What had I published in London?
18) beautify - verb, personal - adjective, hatred - noun
19)Match the antonyms
a)increase X decrease
b)export X import
c)rarely X frequently
20)Match the words with their meaning
a)plentiful - - 2)abundant
b)defective 3)faulty
c)difference - 4)distinction
d)disappear - 1)vanish
21)It is a one sided affair , isn’t it? (Add a question tag)
22) Hardly had Sachin scored a century when he was greeted by Rahul.
23) But he refused doing so.
24) I will have been rescued.
25) The snow has been accumulating into thick layers.
26) They compete not only for space in which to live but also for light and air.
27) It is not inconvenient (Rewrite as negative)
28) punctuate the following
The old man asked, “ What are you doing there, my child?”
29) Getting the paper framed Rustomji hung it up in his office.
30)Great leaders give inspiration to a whole people to do great deeds.
31)What a big hole in the wall they made!
32)Torch bearers accompanied the runners at night.
33) No other means of reaching people can be as quick as television.
34) By making a big hole in the wall they entered the house
35) There are many uses of television

(a) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in
the brackets. Do not copy the passage, but write in correct serial order the word or
phrase appropriate to the blank space: Example:(0): We were not-------(allow) to
talk during the lecture. Ans. allowed The children(1)-------(sit) in a neat circle(2)-----
-(begin)(3)-------(copy) their multiplication tables. Most(4)-------(scratch) in the dirt
with sticks they had(5)-------(bring) for that purpose. The more fortunate(6)-------
(has) slate boards that they(7)------(write) on with sticks(8)------(dip) in a mixture of
mud and water. Answers: 1. sat; 2. began; 3. copying; 4. scratched; 5. brought; 6.
had; 7. wrote; 8. dipping

(b) Fill in the blanks with more appropriate words:

(i) He congratulated me ------ my great achievement.
(ii) The poor man afflicted---------arthritis.
(iii) She is blind-------the faults of her husband.
(iv) The boss had many complaints-------Shyam.
(v) You must prepare well------ the examinations.
(vi) She is not aware-------the danger.
(vii) Ravi was accurate--------his calculations.
(viii) They hid the money-------the carpet.
Answers: (i) on; (ii) with; (iii) to; (iv) against; (v) for; (vi) of; (vii) with; (viii) under
(c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and,
but or so.
(i) The minister was wise. The king did not trust him.
Ans. Though the minister was wise, the king did not trust him.
(ii) We reached the port. The storm came on.
Ans. When we reached the port, the storm came on.
(iii) One should not borrow money. One should not lend money.
Ans. One should neither borrow or lend money.
(iv) She will win the prize. She deserves it.
Ans. She will win the prize as she deserves it.
(d) Rewrite the following sentences according to instructions given after each.
Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of each
sentence.
(i) This horse is better trained than yours. (Begin:Your........)
Ans. Your horse is not well trained as this.
(ii) The children will sit out in the garden, if the weather is cool.
(Begin: The children won't................)
Ans: The children won't sit out in the garden, if the weather is hot.
(iii) The thief ran so fast that the police could not catch him. (Rewrite using:too.)
Ans: The thief ran too fast to be caught by the police.
(iv) Her attitude often annoys me. (Rewrite using:annoyance)
Ans: Her attitude is often the cause of my annoyance.
(v) The child disappeared as soon as the bus stopped. (Begin:Hardly......)
Ans: Hardly had the bus stopped when the child disappeared.
(vi) There is no success without effort. (Begin:Whenever........)
Ans: Whenever there is effort, there is success.
(vii) "Please teach me to cycle"she asked her brother.(Rewrite in indirect
form.........)
Ans: She requested her brother to teach her to cycle.
(viii) The peasants regarded him as a thief and called him a villain.(End:.........the
peasants)
Ans:He was regarded as the thief and called a villain by the peasants.