Forgetting summary

Forgetting by Robert Lynd and his analysis of the fundamental reasons for forgetfulness in humans. The
author was at the London station where a list of articles lost by railway travelers was on sale. He reflects,
“Is it the efficiency, rather than the deficiency, of human memory that compels my wonder?” The author
notes that modern man remembers telephone numbers, friends' addresses, dates of good vintages, and
appointments for lunch and dinner. He also recalls names of actors, actresses, cricketers, footballers,
and even murderers. The author mentions that he can recall the weather in August and the name of the
hotel where he had a meal many days ago. However, he observes that when memory operates below its
usual standard, people may forget to take their medicine, which is surprising given that medicine should
be one of the easiest things to remember. It is supposed to be taken before or after a meal, so he thinks
that meals should serve as a reminder. Psychologists suggest that we forget things because we wish to
forget them, often due to antipathy toward the medicine. He believes that "chemists make a fortune
from the medicine people forget to take."The author feels that forgetting to post letters is a common
issue. He is unwilling to trust a departing visitor to post a letter and regards anyone who asks him to do
so as a poor judge of character. He admits that even if he passes a post box, he sometimes forgets to
post his letters. He can remember almost anything except books, walking sticks, and umbrellas. He
suggests that sportspeople have worse memories than ordinary people because they forget items like
cricket balls and footballs due to preoccupation with their recent performance on the field. “Their heads
are among the stars or in their boots.” As they recall their actions and errors, these memories prevent
them from taking their ball or bat.Similarly, anglers are often thought to be highly imaginative, and their
absent-mindedness, such as forgetting their fishing rods, can be attributed to their deep engagement
with their fantasies and experiences. This forgetfulness is seen as a sign of their intense enjoyment and
preoccupation with fishing, similar to how a poet might forget to mail a letter while immersed in
creative thoughts.The author questions whether having a perfect memory is truly beneficial. Some argue
that individuals with flawless memories are often less intelligent, citing examples of people with
impressive recall but limited intellect. However, the author suggests that, generally, exceptional
memory is a trait of great writers and composers, indicating that strong memory skills can contribute to
significant achievements in these fields. When two statesmen recall the same event, they frequently
contradict each other, leading to accusations of either faulty memory or dishonesty. This tendency for
inconsistent recollections in autobiographies and speeches highlights that ideal statesmen who possess
both excellent memory and intellect are still yet to be found.Good memory is so common that people
view those who lack it as unusual. For example, a father who took his baby out in a pram got distracted
by a sunny day and went into a pub for a beer, leaving the pram outside. Later, his wife found the baby
still asleep in the pram outside the pub while shopping nearby. Angered by her husband's negligence,
she took the pram to teach him a lesson, anticipating his distress when he discovered the baby was
missing. To her surprise, he came home cheerfully and had completely forgotten about the baby,
highlighting a rare level of absent-mindedness. This episode underscores that most people have fairly
reliable memories, which are essential for maintaining everyday responsibilities and family life.
You have borrowed a branded cricket bat from your reluctant
friend for an outstation match. After returning home you
realize you have absent-mindedly left it in the hotel room.
Write a letter of apology and regret to your friend.
Ans

Dear [Friend's Name],

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my sincere apologies for a matter that has been
weighing on my mind since I returned from the outstation match.I am deeply regretful to inform you
that, in my absent-mindedness, I left your branded cricket bat in the hotel room where we stayed. I fully
understand the value of the bat, both sentimentally and financially, and I am truly sorry for my
oversight.I have already contacted the hotel staff and they have confirmed that the bat was found in the
room. I am currently arranging to have it shipped back to you as soon as possible, and I will ensure that
it reaches you in perfect condition. Please let me know if there are any specific instructions or
arrangements you would prefer regarding its return.

I realize that borrowing something as valuable as your cricket bat was a significant favor, and I am
sincerely sorry for not taking better care of it. I assure you that this lapse in responsibility was entirely
unintentional and not a reflection of my appreciation for your kindness.Once again, I apologize for any
inconvenience this may have caused you. Please let me know if there is anything further I can do to
make amends. I greatly value our friendship and hope to restore your trust.

Thank you for your understanding.

Warm regards,

[Your Name]
Kahlil Gibran states ‘Forgetfulness is a form of
freedom.’ Write an article for your school
magazine, linking your ideas logically and
giving appropriate examples.

Forgetfulness: A Pathway to Freedom

Kahlil Gibran’s statement, "Forgetfulness is a form of freedom," challenges us to rethink the role of
forgetfulness in our lives. Although it may seem counterintuitive, forgetfulness can offer significant
liberation and renewal.

Relieving Mental Overload

Modern life bombards us with constant information and tasks, leading to stress and anxiety. For
instance, a student managing numerous assignments and activities may find that forgetfulness provides
a mental break, reducing the pressure and allowing for increased focus and productivity.

Emotional Healing

Forgetfulness can also aid emotional well-being. Holding onto past regrets or painful memories can
hinder personal growth. For example, someone recovering from a breakup might find that forgetting
past hurts enables them to heal and embrace new experiences, facilitating emotional liberation.

Boosting Creativity

Creativity often flourishes when we let go of old constraints. An artist who forgets specific details of
previous works might find new inspiration and develop innovative styles. Forgetfulness in this context
can lead to greater artistic freedom and originality

Embracing the Present

Finally, forgetfulness can help us live more fully in the present. Constantly documenting every detail can
detract from enjoying our experiences. By embracing forgetfulness, such as during a vacation, we can
immerse ourselves more deeply in the moment, enhancing our overall satisfaction
Conclusion

Gibran’s insight into forgetfulness reveals its potential as a source of freedom. By alleviating mental
burdens, aiding emotional recovery, fostering creativity, and promoting mindfulness, forgetfulness can
indeed offer a unique form of liberation.

Will you sympathise or ridicule someone who

is intensely forgetful? Write an essay
justifying your point of view.

Sympathizing with the Intensely Forgetful

In a society that values precision and sharp memory, encountering someone who is intensely forgetful
can be challenging. However, approaching them with sympathy rather than ridicule is crucial.
Forgetfulness, especially when severe and persistent, often signals deeper issues that require
compassion and understanding.Intense forgetfulness can be a sign of underlying health conditions like
stress, anxiety, or neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Ridiculing someone for their
memory lapses ignores these potential factors and undermines their dignity, potentially worsening their
emotional state and cognitive function. Additionally, forgetfulness often reflects the strain of managing
multiple responsibilities. A person under significant pressure may struggle with details not due to
negligence but because their mental resources are stretched thin. Offering empathy and practical
support, such as reminders or organizational tools, is far more beneficial than judgment. Sympathy
fosters a supportive environment, encouraging individuals to seek help and discuss their struggles
without fear of scorn. This compassionate approach benefits both the individual and the community by
promoting a culture of understanding and respect. In conclusion, sympathizing with those who are
forgetful acknowledges the complexities of memory and cognition. By offering empathy rather than
ridicule, we support their well-being and contribute to a more compassionate and respectful society.

SHORT ANSWERS
1. Based on your understanding of the essay, answer the following questions
in one or two sentences each.

a) What does Lynd actually wonder at?

 Robert Lynd wonders at the efficiency of human memory.he is amazed athe ordinary man’s
capacity to remember phone numbers, addresses of friend , and leading players in popular
games .

b) Name a few things that a person remembers easily.

A person remembers telephone numbers, addresses of his friends, dates of good vintages ,
appointement for lunch and dinner,etc.

c) How do psychologists interpret forgetfulness?

Psychologists believe that humans forget what they don’t want to remember like taking pills

d) What is the commonest type of forgetfulness, according to Lynd?

The commonest type of forgetfulness occurs in the matter of posting letters. The author himself
has forgotten to post his own letters many times

e) What does the author mean when he says the letter in his pocket leads an unadventurous life?

The poet forgets the letters kept in his pocket . whenever the friend enquires about the unposted
letters,it emabarrasses him . then he is forced to produce the evidence of his guilt the unposted
letters. This awkward humiliation is said to be unadventurous

F] What are the articles the writer forgets most often?

The writer forgets books , umbrellas , and walking sticks most often.

g) Who are the citizens of ‘dreamland’? Why?

Boys who return from cricket and football matches tend to to forget bats and balls . their minds are
filled with a vision of the playing field their heads are amoung the stars . they are said to be the citizens
of dreamland.

h) What is common about the ‘angler’ and the ‘poet’?

the anglers enjoys his sports of fishing rod . likewise, the poet who often roams in his own world of
imagination ,may forget to poet a letter. Both the angler’s and the poet’s loss of memory is a tribute to
the intensity of their enjoyment .

2. Based on your reading, answer the following questions in two to four

sentences each.
 a) What made people wonder about the absentmindedness of their fellow-beings?
The publication of articles lost by train travelers astonished many readers old people did not
forget much in fact young men have forgotten bats and ball on their return from matches

b) What are our memories filled with?

Our memories are filled with names of cricketers , footballers , murderers, , actor, and
actresses . our memories are filled with many routine activity.

c) When does human memory work with less than its usual capacity?
Human memory works less than its usual capacity in matters like taking medicine the author
explains that human memory represents the willingness to remember certain things it forgets
what it does not wish to remember . Human are blessed with ‘selective amnesia ‘

d) Why, according to Lynd, should taking medicines be one of the easiest actions to remember?

Taking medicine should be one of the easiest action to remember because the doctor has prescribed
the medicine to recover from illness besides there is a need to take it before or after meals. Every time
one takes meals , one should easily remember medicine

e)How do the chemists make fortunes out of the medicines people forget to take?

The forgotten medicine tend to aggravate the illness . as a vicious cycle , again they are forced to
buy costlier medicines . thus people who forget to take medicines contribute to the fortunes of
the chemists

f)The list of articles lost in trains suggest that sportsmen have worse memories than their ordinary
serious-minded fellows. Why does Lynd say this?

A considerable number of footballs and cricket bats were forgotten by young sports men . serious
minded ordinary citizen forget less . the author lynd infers that the sportsman’s forgetfulness is
justified as their minds are full of the vision of playing field their heads are in the stars and among
the clouds keeping their hearts in boots , young sportsmen rush home to talk about their exploits
and are naturally more absent minded than serious minded ordinary folks

g) What kind of absent-mindedness is regarded as a virtue by Lynd?

Scientist , poets , anglers and philosophers forget prosaic things . their minds are absorbed in lofty
thoughts and glorious imagination that they forget ordinary things Socrates , Tagore and Einstein had
the virtue of absent mindedness .Einstein usually forgot to change his socks once he even forgot his
own house address the absent mindedness of such great personalities is a virtue as they make the best
of their lfe they have no time to remember the mediocre.

h) Narrate the plight of the baby on its day out.

A father offered to take the baby out in a perambulator. On a sunny morning, he was tempted to have
glass of beer. He entered a pub leaving the perambulator in the street opposite the pub. A little later, his
wife found the baby asleep in the perambulator. Her husband was not found anywhere. She took the
perambulator home anticipating her husband's remorse over the stolen baby. But to her obvious
dismay, he walked in cheerfully and asked her what was the lunch. He had completely forgotten the
baby on its day out.