English Literature ( 2PU )

Romeo and Juliet ( William Shakespeare )

I. Multiple choice questions
i) Romeo belonged to the noble family of The Montagues
ii) Juliet belonged to the noble family of The Capulets
iii) The Rival families resided in Verona
iv) Who hosted a grand supper - Old Lord Capulet
v) Romeo attended the supper in disguise in order to see Roseline
vi) Romeo first sees Juliet on the dance floor
vii) Who is Juliet’s father? Lord Capulet
vii) what will Romeo do after the dance has ended? He will watch Juliet's place of stand
viii) from which act and scene is romeo's extract taken? Act I, Scene - V
ix) when does Juliet want Romeo to come? At night
x) who's love is more passionate and intense? Juliet

II. Long Answers

Introduction: This question has been taken from the play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William
Shakespeare.
1. How does Romeo describe Juliet's beauty?
In an extract from Act I, Scene V, Romeo describes Juliet's beauty by saying that she teaches
the torches to burn bright. This suggests that her beauty surpasses the brightness of light.
Romeo tells that Juliet is like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear ( simile ) who hangs upon the
cheek of night. He says that she is a beauty too rich for use and for Earth too dear, suggesting
that she is like an angel. He tells that Juliet is like a snowy dove trooping with the other ladies
who are like crows. He feels that his rude and roughly formed hand would be blessed if she
touches it. He asks himself whether his heart had loved till now. He feels that he had never seen
true beauty till that night, when he saw Juliet on the dance floor. He describes Juliet as a gentle,
graceful and elegant damsel.

2. How does Romeo compare Juliet with her fellow ladies?

Romeo compares Juliet with the other ladies at the dance floor by saying that she looks like a
snowy dove ( simile ) trooping with crows. Romeo considers Juliet as a snowy dove, who is fair
and beautiful while the other ladies, her fellows, are like ugly crows when compared to her.

3. How does Juliet describe her love for him?

In an extract from Act III, Scene II, Juliet says that she wants Romeo to come to her at night
because he is like the day in night. She says that Romeo will lie upon the wings of night whiter
than new snow on a black raven's back. She asks the gentle, loving and black-browed night to
come and give Romeo to her. This suggests that she can meet Romeo at night time only.
When she dies, Juliet wishes that Romeo be cut into little stars as he will make the face of
heaven, the sky, so fine and beautiful that all the world would be in love with night and pay no
worship to the lurid, bright, garish sun. This suggests that Romeo was a fair, charming and
loving young man, who was like day in the night. These extracts attempt to depict the intensity
of love and passion of the young souls for one another. Romeo and Juliet's love is intense and
immediate, defying their families' feud and societal expectations.

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 English Literature ( 2PU )

Too Dear! ( Count Leo Tolstoy )

I. Multiple choice questions
i) who was a brother monarch? The King of Italy
ii) the French government was Republican and had no proper respect for the king.

II. Long Answers

Introduction: This question has been taken from the chapter ‘Too Dear!’ by Count Leo Tolstoy.
Conclusion: The story shows how government and legal systems can be very wasteful and silly,
often spending too much money and making things more complicated than they need to be.

1. Describe the Kingdom of Monaco.

Monaco is a tiny little kingdom on the shore of the Mediterranean sea, bordering France and
Italy. There are only about 7000 inhabitants. If all the land of the kingdom were to be divided
there would not be an acre for each inhabitant. In this toy Kingdom there was a real Kinglet. He
has a palace, courtiers, ministers, bishop, general and an army. There were 60 men in the army.
There were taxes on tobacco, wine, spirits and a poll tax.

2. What prompted the King to find a special source of revenue? What was it? OR
‘You can't earn stone palaces by honest labor’ explains.
Even though there were taxes levied on drink and tobacco, there were very few people who
consumed them. This meant very less collection of revenue. The King of Monaco had to live,
have his coronation, his levees. He had to reward, sentence, pardon and pay salaries to his
courtiers, ministers, generals. He had his reviews, councils, laws and courts of justice like other
kings but on a smaller scale. In order to fund these, he had to find a special source of revenue.
This special revenue came from a gaming house where people played roulette. People played,
and whether they won or lost, the keeper always got a percentage on the turnover and out of his
profits he paid a large sum to the prince. That was the only gambling establishment left in
Europe.

3. How was the King of Monaco left with a monopoly of the Gaming house business?
There was a gaming house established in the tiny Kingdom of Monaco, where people played
roulette. German Sovereigns used to keep gaming houses but we're forbidden to do so after
some years because these gaming houses did so much harm. A man would come and try his
luck, then he would risk all he had and lose it after which he would risk even the money that did
not belong to him and lose that too. Then in despair, he would drown or shoot himself. So the
Germans forbade their rulers to make money in this way; but there was no one to stop the
prince of Monaco and so he remained with a Monopoly of the business. Everyone who wanted
to gamble went to Monaco and whether he won or lost the prince gained by it.

4. What unexpected thing happened a few years ago? What was the hitch?
A few years ago, a murder was committed in this Kingdom. The people of that Kingdom were
peaceful and such a thing had never happened before. The judges assembled with much
ceremony and tried the case in the most judicial manner. They argued and judged and at last

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they condemned the criminal to have his head cut off as the law directs. The Prince also
approved their judgment and said ‘If the fellow must be executed, execute him.’
There was only one hitch in the matter and that was that they had neither a guillotine for cutting
heads off, nor an executioner.

5. What help was asked from the French and Italian Governments? How did it help?
At first, the ministers sent a letter to the French government asking them if they could lend them
a machine and an expert to cut off the criminal’s head and what it would cost. The French sent a
letter in reply a week later stating that a machine and an expert could be supplied and it would
cost the kingdom of Monaco 16000 Francs. The king thought it over and concluded that the
criminal was not worth the money and it may cause a riot as the people would not stand it.
Then, The council decided to send a similar inquiry to the king of Italy, who was a brother
monarch. The Italian government sent a letter in reply promptly, stating that both a machine and
an expert could be supplied with a total cost of 12000 Francs including traveling expenses. This
was also considered expensive as the rascal was really not worth the money.

6. Why was no soldier ready to perform the execution? What was decided at last?
The council sought to find a way in which the execution could be performed with less expense.
The general was called and asked if he could find a soldier who would cut the man's head off in
a rough and homely fashion. In war they don't mind killing people and they are trained for this. It
was found that none of the soldiers were willing to do the job as they did not know how to do it
as it was not a thing they had been taught.
After rigorous considerations, it was finally decided that the best thing would be to alter The
death sentence to one of imprisonment for life. This would enable the Prince to show his mercy
and it would apparently be cheaper. The Prince agreed to this. The only hitch now was that
there was no suitable prison for a man sentenced for life.

7. Where was the criminal imprisoned? What was found after a year of his imprisonment?
The criminal was imprisoned at a place and a guard was placed over him. The guard had to
watch the criminal fetch his food from the palace kitchen. After a year, the Kinglet while looking
over the account of his income and expenditure one day noticed that the expenditure for
keeping the criminal came to more than 600 francs a year as there was a special guard placed
over him and also the criminal's food. The worst thing was that the fellow was still young and
healthy and might live for fifty years. This would mean even more expense to the King.

8. What method tried to decrease the expenditure on the criminal?

As it was expensive to maintain the criminal in prison, the King wanted to find a cheaper way of
dealing with him. One of the ministers suggested that the guard must be dismissed and if the
criminal tries to run away, he could be hanged. The Prince agreed to this. The guard was
dismissed. Despite this, the criminal did not try to run away but instead went to The Palace
kitchen to fetch his food, took what was given to him, returned to the prison, shut the door on
himself and stayed inside. He did not try to run away even on the next day.

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9. Why did the prisoner not want to run away?

The minister of justice asked the prisoner why he did not run away. He was told that he could go
where he liked and the Prince would not mind. The prisoner replied by saying that he had
nowhere to go. They had ruined his character by their sentence and people would turn their
backs on him. He had gotten out of the way of working. He told them that they had treated him
badly and that was not fair. When they sentenced him to death, they ought to execute him but
they did not do that. The criminal did not complain. Then they sentenced him to imprisonment
for life and put a guard to bring him food. After a time they took him away and he had to fetch
his own food. He did not complain again. Then they want him to go away, to which he could not
agree.

10. What was the only way to get rid of him? What was agreed then?
After considering, the council and the Prince agreed that the only way to get rid of the man was
to offer him a pension. The sum was fixed to 600 francs and this was announced to the prisoner.
He said that he would be willing to go only on the condition that they undertake to pay the sum
regularly.

11. How was the matter between the Ministry and the Criminal settled? How did the Criminal
lead his life thereafter?
The criminal was set free and given a regular pension of 600 francs a year. He received
one-third of his Annuity in advance and left the king's dominions. The criminal emigrated from
that place and settled just across the frontier, where he bought a bit of land. He started
market-gardening and lived comfortably. He always went to draw his pension at the proper time
and after receiving his pension, he went to the gaming tables, staked two or three francs,
sometimes he won and sometimes he lost, and then he returned home. He lived peaceably and
well.

Summarized Question
12. ‘It is a good thing that he did not commit his crime in a country where they do not grudge
expense to cut a man's head off or to keep him in prison for life.’ Explain.

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 English Literature ( 2PU )

On Children ( Kahlil Gibran )

I. Multiple Choice Questions
i) Woman held a babe against her bosom

II. Long Answers

Introduction: This question has been taken from the poem ‘On Children’ by Kahlil Gibran
Conclusion: It emphasizes that children are independent beings with their own paths. Parents
can guide and love them, but they cannot control their destinies.

1. What does the prophet say to the parents about their relationship with their children?
The prophet says to the parents that their children are not their children only. They are the sons
and daughters of life's longing for itself. Even though they come through them, they do not
belong to them.

2. What can the parents give to their children and what not?
The prophet says that parents may give their children their love but not their thoughts as they
have their own thoughts. Parents may give them a house and shelter but cannot trap their souls,
as their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, the uncertain future, which the parents cannot visit
even in their dreams.

3. What can the parents strive to be?

According to the prophet, parents may strive to be like their children but should not seek to
make their children like them because life neither goes backward nor tarries with yesterday.

4. How does the prophet depict the relationship between God, parents and the children?
The prophet says that the parents are like bows from which their children, who are like living
arrows, are sent forth. The archer, who is God, sees the mark upon the path of infinite and
bends the bow with his might that his arrows, their children, may go swift and far. The prophet
suggests that the bending of the parents in the archer’s hand should be for gladness, for even
as he loves the arrow that flies, he also loves the bow that is stable.

5. Describe the nature of God according to the prophecy of the prophet.

God is like the archer, who sees the mark, or purpose of the children, upon the path of infinite
and bends the parents in such a manner that their children, the arrows, travel swift and go far.

6. Describe the nature of Parents according to the prophecy of the prophet.

Parents are like the stable bows, who should give their children their love and shelter and strive
to be like them. They should not think of their children as their possession but rather as their
responsibility. They should have qualities of stability, flexibility and supportive care.

7. Describe the nature of the children according to the prophecy of the prophet.
Children are like the living arrows, who are the bows of the future. They are swift and strive to
go far upon the path of infinite. They are ever moving, have their own thoughts and opinions and
are prepared for the future by their stable and loving parents.

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 English Literature ( 2PU )

Everything I Need To Know I Learned From The Forest ( Vandana Shiva )

I. Multiple Choice Questions

i) the ecological journey of Vandana Shiva started in the forests of the Himalayas
ii) Vandana Shiva's father was a forest conservator
iii) The songs and poems that her mother composed were about trees, forests, and
India's forest civilizations
iv) Vandana Shiva did her PhD in Canada
v) What do you mean by Padyatras - walking pilgrimages
vi) the answer to food and nutrition crisis is - biodiversity
vii) Biodiversity has been her teacher of abundance, freedom, cooperation and mutual
giving.
viii) The UN secretary general’s report was ‘Harmony with Nature’ which elaborated on
the importance of reconnecting with nature
ix) separatism is at the root of disharmony with nature and violence against nature.
x) Rabindranath Tagore started a learning center in Shantiniketan, West Bengal. He
started it as a forest school to take inspiration from nature and to create an Indian
cultural Renaissance.
xii) The end of consumerism and accumulation is the beginning of the joy of living.
xiii) the conflict between greed and compassion, conquest and cooperation, violence and
harmony continues today. It is the forest that can show us the way beyond this conflict.

II. Long Answers

1. When did Vandana Shiva's ecological journey begin? Describe her family.
Vandana Shiva's ecological journey started in the forests of the Himalaya. Her father was a
forest conservator and her mother became a farmer after fleeing from the partition of India and
Pakistan. She learnt most of what she knew from the Himalayan forests and ecosystems.

2. What was the Chipko movement about? What was the involvement of women in this
movement? What was the real value of forests?
Chipko was a nonviolent response to the large-scale deforestation that was taking place in the
Himalayan region. In the 1970s, peasant women from a region in the Garhwal Himalayas had
come out in defense of the forests.
Logging had led to landslides and floods, and scarcity of water,.fodder and fuel. Since women
provided these basic needs, the scarcity of water meant longer walks for collecting water and
firewood and a heavier burden. Women knew that the real value of forests was not the timber
from the dead tree, but springs and streams, food for their cattle and fuel for their hearths.
The women declared that they would hug the trees and the loggers would have to kill them
before killing the trees.

3. What was the folk song of the Chipko period about?

The folk song of the Chipko period sang that these beautiful oaks and rhododendrons give them
cool water. These should not be cut and they had to keep them alive.

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4. What did Vandana Shiva decide to do?

When Vandana Shiva went to her favorite forests to swim in her favorite stream, she saw that
the forests were gone, and the stream was reduced to a trickle.
She decided to become a volunteer for the Chipko movement. She spent every vacation doing
padyatras, documenting the deforestation and the work of the forest activists, and spreading the
message of Chipko.

5. What was the dramatic Chipko action that took place?

A dramatic chipko action took place in the Himalayan village of Adwani in 1977. A village
woman named Bachni Devi led resistance against her husband, who had obtained a contract to
cut trees. When the officials arrived at the forest, the women held up lighted lanterns although it
was broad daylight. When the forester asked them to explain, they replied by saying that they
had come to teach them forestry. The forester told the women that they were foolish and how
they could prevent the felling of trees by those who knew the value of the forest. The forests
produce profit, resin and timber.

6. What was the real value of the forest? OR what did the forests bear?
The forests bear soil, water and fresh pure air. We must sustain the earth and all that she bears.

7. What was the mission of Vandana Shiva's life? What was the book written by Vandana
Shiva?
From the Chipko movement Vandana Shiva learned about biodiversity and biodiversity based
living economies. The protection of both had become her life's mission.
In her book ‘Monocultures of the Mind’ she described that the failure to understand biodiversity
and its many functions is at the root of the impoverishment of nature and culture.

8. What was the farm started by Vandana Shiva? Explain the achievements. OR Explain
the Importance of Navdanya Movement.
Vandana Shiva started a farm in 1994 in the Doon valley located in the lower elevation
Himalayan region of Uttarakhand province. The name of the farm was Navdanya Farm.
She had started this farm to demonstrate and train people on the lessons she had learnt about
diversity in the Himalayan forests. People at Navdanya Farm grow and conserve 630 varieties
of rice, 150 varieties of wheat and hundreds of other species. They practice and promote a
biodiversity-intensive form of farming that produces more food and nutrition per acre.
Biodiversity is the answer to the food and nutrition crisis.
Navdanya was the movement for biodiversity conservation and organic farming which was
started in 1987 by Vandana Shiva. They have worked with farmers to set up more than 100
community seed banks across India. They have saved more than 3000 rice varieties. They also
help farmers to make a transition from fossil fuel and chemical based monocultures to biodivers
ecological systems nourished by the sun and the soil.
9. What prompted the UN to initiate a discussion on the rights of mother Earth? What was
the aim of the conference organized by the UN general assembly?
The recognition of the “rights of nature” by Ecuador in its constitution and the universal
declaration of the rights of mother Earth initiated by Bolivia inspired the United Nations general

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assembly to organize a conference on harmony with nature as a part of Earth day celebrations
in April 2011. This discussion was centered on the ways to transform systems based on the
domination of people over nature, of men over women, and of the rich over poor into new
systems based on partnership. The UN secretary general’s report ‘Harmony with Nature’
elaborated on the importance of reconnecting with nature. Environmentally destructive behavior
is the result of a failure to recognise that human beings are an inseparable part of nature and
that we cannot damage it without severely damaging ourselves.

10. What do you mean by apartheid?

Cormac Cullinan, a South African environmentalist pointed out that apartheid means
separateness. The world joined the anti apartheid movement to end the violent separation of
people on the basis of color in South Africa. Now, we need to overcome the wider and deeper
apartheid- An eco-apartheid based on the illusion of separateness of humans from nature in our
minds and lives.

11. How did the war against the earth begin?

The war against the earth began with this idea of separateness, when the living earth was
transformed into dead matter to facilitate industrial revolution. Monocultures replaced diversity.
“Raw materials” and “dead matter” replaced a vibrant Earth. Terra Nullius: an empty land ready
for occupation regardless of the presence of indigenous people, replaced Terra Madre: Mother
Earth. Francis Bacon, called the father of modern science, said that science and the inventions
that do not merely exert a gentle guidance over nature’s course have the power to conquer and
subdue her and to shake her to her foundations. The domination images created by Bacon and
other leaders of the scientific revolution replaced those of the nurturing Earth, removing a
cultural constraint on the exploitation of nature.
Carolyn Merchant, a philosopher and historian, pointed out that the shift of perspective from
nature as a living, nurturing mother into inert, dead and manipulable matter was well suited to
the activities that would lead to capitalism. She wrote that one does not readily slay a mother,
dig into her entails for gold, or mutilate her body.

12. Describe Earth University. Whom is it inspired by?

Earth University is located at Navdanya, a biodiversity farm. It is a University where participants,
which include farmers, school children and people from across the world, learn to work with
living seeds, living soil and the web of life. The Earth University teaches Earth democracy. Earth
democracy is the freedom for all species to evolve within the web of life, and the freedom and
responsibility of humans as members of the earth family, to recognise, protect and respect the
rights of other species. Earth democracy is a shift from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism. Earth
democracy translates into human rights to food and water, to freedom from hunger and thirst.
Earth University is inspired by Rabindranath Tagore, India's national poet and a Nobel prize
laureate.

13. What does Rabindranath Tagore write in his essay Tapovan?

Tapovan means Forest of Purity. In this essay Tagore writes that Indian civilization has been
distinctive in locating its source of regeneration, material and intellectual, in the forest and not

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the city. India's best ideas have come from where man was in communication with the trees and
rivers and lakes, away from the crowds. The peace of the forest has fueled the culture of Indian
society. The unifying principle of life in diversity and of democratic pluralism became the
principle of Indian civilization. In his writings, forest was not just the source of knowledge and
freedom. It was the source of beauty, joy, art, aesthetics, harmony and perfection. Forest
symbolized the universe.

14. Describe the relationship between unity and diversity.

The principle of unity in diversity is the basis for both ecological sustainability and democracy.
Diversity without unity becomes the source of conflict and contest. Unity without diversity
becomes the ground for external control. This is true of both nature and culture. The forest is a
unity in its diversity and we are united with nature through our relationship with the forest.

15. What does the forest teach us?

The forest is a symbol of the universe. It teaches us union and compassion. It also teaches us
enoughness as a principle of equity. It teaches us how to enjoy the gifts of nature without
exploitation and accumulation.

16. What did Tagore quote from the ancient texts written in the forest?
“Know all that moves in this moving world as enveloped by God; and find enjoyment through
renunciation, not through greed of possession.'' This explains that no species in a forest
appropriates the share of another species. Every species sustains itself in cooperation with
others. The end of consumerism and accumulation is the beginning of the joy of living.

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A Sunny Morning ( Serafin and Joaquin Alvarez Quintero )

I. One Mark and Two Mark Questions

1. Where was the scene set?
The scene was set on a sunny morning in a retired corner of a park in Madrid. It was Autumn.

2. Who was Petra?

Petra was the maid of Dona Laura. She was twenty years old. She was in love with the guard of
the park.

3. Who was Juanito?

Juanito was the servant of Don Gonzalo. He played havoc with the nursemaids.

4. What act of Gonzalo made Laura criticize it?

Gonzalo brushed the dust from his shoes with his handkerchief. This made Laura disgusted.
She asked him if he used a shoe brush as a handkerchief. She told him that she had a
neighbor's right to criticize his actions.

5. Which city is Gonzalo a native of?

Valencia. He met Campoamor there. He is his great friend. Gonzalo was brought up there and
spent his early youth there.

II. Three Mark and Four Mark Questions

1. Give a short note on the appearance of Dona Laura.
Dona Laura was a pretty, white-haired old lady. She was about seventy years old. She was
refined in appearance. She had bright eyes. She was well mannered. Despite her age, her
mental facilities were unimpaired. In her free hand, she carried a parasol. It served also as a
cane. She generally said what she thought.

2. Why does Dona Laura bring breadcrumbs to the park?

Dona Laura brings breadcrumbs to the park. She throws these for the pigeons at the park.
Some of them are the spryest, some are the gluttons while the little ones are the most
persistent. The pigeon with a big head is always the first. The little fellow is the least timid, who,
she believes, would eat from her hand. One pigeon takes its piece and flies up to the branch
alone. He is a philosopher.

3. Give a short note on the appearance of Don Gonzalo.

Don Gonzalo is a gouty and impatient seventy-year-old gentleman who leans on Juanito's arm
as he walks, dragging his feet somewhat. He wanted a bench for himself and did not want to sit
next to Dona Laura. He scared away the birds that were feeding on the breadcrumbs thrown by
Laura. He told Dona Laura that he did not care about the birds. His feet raised more dust than a
carriage while he walked. All of this made Dona Laura presume that Don Gonzalo was an ill
natured old man.

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4. What does Don Gonzalo think of Laura when he sits next to her?
Dona Laura tells him that the benches were public property. When Gonzalo found that none of
the other benches were empty, he came and sat next to Laura on the extreme end of her bench.
Laura tells him that he should have asked permission to sit on her bench. Then Gonzalo
contradicts himself by saying that the benches there were public property. He thinks to himself
that Laura is a senile old lady. She ought to be at home knitting and counting her beads.

5. What makes Laura criticize Gonzalos eyesight?

Gonzalo asked Juanito to give him the book. Don Gonzalo put on an enormous pair of glasses
and a reading-glass. Laura thought that he was taking out a telescope. Laura taunted him by
saying that his eyesight must be keen. Gonzalo said that he hunted hares and partridges. Every
Sunday, he would go to one of his estates near Aravaca with his gun and dog and kill time. He
told Laura that he could show her a wild boar's head in his study. Laura replied that she could
show him a tiger's skin in my boudoir. She further added that this proved nothing.

6. What makes peace between Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo?

The snuff is what made peace between Dona Laura and Don Gonzalo. When Gonzalo offers it
to her, she agrees to try it, saying it will be good if it clears her head. They both take a pinch of
snuff and anxiously wait for the sneezes, laughing when they sneeze three times each. This
shared moment brings them closer, and Dona Laura even thinks to herself, “The snuff has made
peace between us.” The humor and relief that comes from sharing the snuff turns their earlier
tension into a light-hearted connection, making them both feel better.

7. What book was Gonzalo Reading? What were the two lines from the book told by
Gonzalo to Laura?
Gonzalo was reading a book of poems. He read out from one of the poems by Campoamor and
said the lines: "All love is sad, but sad as it is, it is the best thing that we know." and "The
daughters of the mothers I once loved kiss me now as they would a graven image."

8. What poem was Gonzalo asked to recite to prove his eyesight? How did Laura perform?
Dona Laura expresses her concern about Don Gonzalo wearing so many glasses, saying it
affects her to see him reading with them. Gonzalo asks if she can read without glasses, and she
confidently replies that she can. He is surprised that she can do so at her age and playfully
accuses her of joking. Dona Laura then asks him to pass the book to her, and she reads aloud
from it, saying "Twenty years pass. He returns." After reading, she hands the book back to
Gonzalo, who expresses envy over her good eyesight, while she thinks to herself that she
knows every word by heart.

9. What does Gonzalo speak about his fondness of good verses?

Don Gonzalo mentions his fondness for good verses and admits that he has even composed
some in his youth. When Dona Laura asks if they were good, he responds that he wrote all
kinds of verses and that he was a great friend of poets like Espronceda, Zorrilla, and Becquer.
He shares that he first met Zorrilla in America, which leads Dona Laura to inquire about his
travels to America. Gonzalo explains that he has been there several times, recalling that he was

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only six years old during his first visit. She jokes about his travels, teasingly asking if he
accompanied Columbus to America.

10. What does Laura tell about Valencia?

Laura tells Don Gonzalo that Maricela is a villa near Valencia where she spent several seasons
during her youth. She describes it as a beautiful place, near the sea, hidden among lemon and
orange trees, and recalls it fondly as a location filled with memories. Laura connects Maricela to
her best friend, Laura Llorente, who lived there and was known as "The Silver Maiden." This
villa holds significant emotional value for both characters, serving as a reminder of their past
and the beauty associated with it.

11. What does Gonzalo speak about Laura Llorente?

Don Gonzalo describes The Silver Maiden, Laura Llorente, as an ideal woman with striking
features. He notes that she was "fair as a lily," with "jet black hair and black eyes," and
possessed an "uncommonly sweet expression." He emphasizes her beauty by saying she
seemed to radiate light wherever she was and describes her figure as "beautiful" and "perfect."
He marvels at the beauty crafted by God in human form, calling her a "dream," which highlights
his deep admiration and idealization of her character. She spent many hours at the window of
Maricela, the villa.

12. Who was the gallant lover?

The love exchanges between the gallant lover and The Silver Maiden, Laura Llorente, are
characterized by a romantic routine. The gallant lover was, as told by Gonzalo, his cousin.
Every morning, the gallant lover would ride past her window on his horse along a rose path and
toss a bouquet of flowers up to her balcony, which she would catch. In the afternoon, Laura
would throw the bouquet back down to him as he returned by the same path. However, their
love was complicated by the pressures of arranged marriage, as Laura was being forced to
marry a merchant she did not want.

13. Describe the duel and why did it happen?

The duel took place between Don Gonzalo's cousin and a merchant who had insulted him.
Laura's parents wanted her to marry the merchant against her will. The conflict escalated when
the gallant lover, who was in love with The Silver Maiden (Laura Llorente), confronted the
merchant, leading to a quarrel. The insult prompted the duel to be arranged at sunrise on the
beach.During the duel, the merchant was badly wounded. After the fight, Don Gonzalo's cousin
had to hide for a few days to avoid the repercussions of the duel and eventually fled to escape
further trouble.

14. How did Gonzalo lie about the gallant lover's death?
Don Gonzalo reveals the fate of his cousin following the duel. He explains that after the duel,
the young man took refuge in Gonzalo's house out of fear of the consequences, as he had
dueled against a highly regarded individual. From Gonzalo's home, the cousin fled to Seville
and then to Madrid. He wrote many letters to Laura, including some in verse, but she never
responded, as her parents likely intercepted the letters. In despair over losing Laura's love, the

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cousin joined the army and went to Africa, where he met a heroic death in battle while grasping
the Spanish flag and whispering Laura's name. However, Laura did not believe the description.
Gonzalo feels that he could not have killed himself more gloriously.

15. What according to Laura happened to The Silver Maiden?

Gonzalo assumed that Laura, after her lover's death, would have quickly moved on, “chasing
butterflies in the garden,” indicating his belief that she would be indifferent to the tragedy.After
being separated from her gallant lover, The Silver Maiden, Laura Llorente, experienced
profound sorrow. She waited anxiously for days, months, and even a year for news from him,
but no letters arrived, likely intercepted by her parents. One evening, as the sun was setting and
the first stars appeared, Laura left her home and walked towards the beach where her lover had
fought bravely. There, she wrote his name in the sand, symbolizing her enduring love and
longing for him. After writing his name, she sat on a rock, gazing at the horizon, lost in her
thoughts. As the tide rose, it swept her out to sea, marking her tragic end. This act highlights her
deep emotional connection to her lover and her inability to cope with the loss, culminating in a
poignant and sorrowful farewell.

16. What had actually happened to both of them?

After separation, both of them had actually moved on from their unintended breakup. In reality,
Laura Llorente married two years after the events surrounding her lover's death, which she kept
a secret from Don Gonzalo during their conversation. Her life took a new direction as she
moved on from her past love, despite the emotional weight of that relationship. Her marriage
indicates that she found a way to cope with her grief and build a new life. Gonzalo on the other
hand, ran off to Paris with a ballet dancer after a short time, indicating that he also moved on
from his past and sought new experiences.

17. How did Gonzalo apologize for his previous conduct?

Don Gonzalo indirectly apologizes for his earlier behavior by acknowledging that he may have
scared away the birds and admitting that he was unreasonable. This acknowledgment reflects
his understanding that his initial approach may have been off-putting. Regarding his intention to
return, Gonzalo expresses a willingness to come back, stating that he would certainly visit again
if it were a sunny morning. He reassures Dona Laura that he would not only avoid scaring the
birds this time but would also bring crumbs for them. Laura taunts him indirectly by saying that
birds are grateful and repay attention. This may refer to her not being appreciated for giving him
attention previously.

18. Why did they not reveal their identities?

Gonzalo thinks to himself that he will not reveal his identity because he feels "grotesque now,"
preferring that Laura remember him as the gallant horseman who tossed flowers beneath her
window. He believes it is better for her to recall the idealized version of him rather than confront
the reality of who he has become. Laura feels she is "too sadly changed" and thinks it is better
for Gonzalo to remember her as the black-eyed girl who tossed flowers rather than the woman
she has become. This desire to maintain their past identities prevents them from revealing their
true selves.

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19. What did Gonzalo do to assure Laura of his real identity?

As they prepare to leave, Laura accidentally drops some violets given to her by her maid, Petra.
Petra had received the violets from the guard. Gonzalo bends down to pick them up, which
shows his care for her. At that moment, Laura turns around and realizes who he is, thinking to
herself, “Yes, it is he!” Meanwhile, Gonzalo recognizes her as well and thinks, “It is she, and no
mistake.” They share a smile, recalling their past when Laura was at her window, and Gonzalo
was below in the rose garden. They wave goodbye and leave with their servants, hinting at the
excitement and uncertainty of their relationship as they part ways.

When You Are Old ( W.B. Yeats )

I. One Mark and Two Mark Questions

1. The poet loved the pilgrim soul in her.
2. The fire is also referred to as the glowing bars
3. What would the beloved murmur sadly - how love fled

II. Three Mark and Four Mark Questions

1. What does the poet tell to his beloved?
W.B. Yeats' "When You Are Old" is a reflective poem. The speaker asks the woman to imagine
herself in her old age, with gray hair and feeling tired. He asks her to sit by the fire, take out a
book, and read it slowly, thinking about the softness and depth her eyes once had in her youth.
He reflects on how many people admired her beauty and charm during her younger years,
though their love might have been shallow or temporary. However, the speaker emphasizes that
only one man truly loved her inner self—her "pilgrim soul"—and even appreciated the sorrow
and changes that came with aging. The speaker then envisions her sitting by the fire, sadly
murmuring how Love eventually left her, drifting far away to the mountains and hiding its face
among the stars, symbolizing the distance and loss of this deep, true love. Here, Love is
personified by the poet.

To The Foot From Its Child ( Pablo Neruda Translated by Alastair Reid )

I. One Mark and Two Mark Questions

1. The child's foot would like to be a butterfly or an apple
2. The child's foot is condemned to live in a shoe
3. The foot in a shoe, feels out life as a blind man.

II. Three Mark and Four Mark Questions

1. What does the child want to be? What does he learn as he grows older?
The poet conveys the child’s innocent foot as unaware of its true nature, dreaming of being free
like a butterfly or as desirable as an apple. However, as the child grows and encounters the
harsh realities of life—represented by stones, glass, streets, and rough paths—the foot learns
its limitations. It cannot fly or become a fruit bulging on the branch. The foot, symbolic of the
child’s spirit, is metaphorically defeated in the battle and trapped as a prisoner in the confines of
a shoe, symbolizing the restrictions imposed by society and life itself. Within the darkness of the

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shoe, the foot gradually adapts, growing tough and hardened, isolated from its fellow foot. It
feels like life as a blind man.

2. How does the foot change from childhood to adulthood?

The poet describes the transformation of a child's soft toes as they grow up. The soft nails of
quartz, bunched together, initially delicate, grow hard and change themselves into opaque
substance, hard as horn. As the child matures, the tiny, petaled toes become bunched and out
of trim, taking on the form of eyeless reptiles with triangular heads, like worms. This imagery
symbolizes a loss of innocence and beauty. Later, the toes grow callused and are covered with
the faint volcanoes of death, representing the painful and inevitable hardening of the foot due to
life's experiences. This coarsening process is hard to accept, illustrating the harsh reality of
growing up and the physical changes that accompany it.

3. How does the child's innocent foot become a blind thing?

The poet presents a vivid image of a foot that embodies the relentless journey of life. This blind
thing walks without respite, never stopping for hour after hour, alternating between the man's
and woman's foot. The foot navigates various terrains, including fields, mines, markets, and
ministries, moving backward, forward, and inward, tirelessly toiling in its shoe. It scarcely takes
time to bear itself in love or sleep, emphasizing the constant labor and struggle inherent in
existence. The repetitive motion symbolizes the way life pushes individuals forward, often at the
expense of rest and introspection.

4. How does the life of the foot come to a stop?

The last part of the poem explores themes of death and rebirth through the imagery of the foot
descending underground into darkness. The lines describe how this blind thing walks without
respite, tirelessly navigating various terrains until it eventually descends underground, unaware.
Here, everything is dark, and the foot does not realize it has ceased to be a foot or if it is being
buried so that it could fly or become an apple. This descent symbolizes death, representing the
end of the foot's journey and the cessation of its identity. The ambiguity of whether the burial
signifies an end or a new beginning reflects the complexities of life and death. It suggests that
death may not be a definitive conclusion but rather a transition to another form of existence. The
imagery of flying and becoming an apple evokes a sense of potential and transformation, hinting
at the possibility of rebirth. Thus, these lines convey the idea that while death marks the end of
one journey, it may also pave the way for new possibilities and experiences, intertwining the
cycles of life, death, and renewal.

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The Gardener ( P. Lankesh )

I. One Mark and Two Mark Questions

1. Elaboration would make the account of the gardener less authentic.
2. The old man offered tender coconuts to the owner's wife.
3. The trees that grew in the plantation were of tender coconuts, mangoes and jackfruit
4. The actual name of Tamannas rival was Sangoji
5. The most important possession of Tamanna was his rival Sangoji
6. Tammanna’s sickness was Basavaiah’s health
7. The Gardener wanted to visit a young child of Lokya who paints well. He was
bedridden with fever

II. Three Mark and Four Mark Questions

1. Describe the old man.
The old man was standing in a coconut grove near Channarayapatna. The old man is described
as having eyes suffused with strange memories and native intelligence. He is a tall figure with
gray hair, a long beak-like nose, and strong muscular arms. He carries a spade used to tend
coconut trees in one hand, while a newspaper is tucked under his arm. He is depicted as a
laborer, overseer, and philosopher, all rolled into one.

2. Why did the old man come to the garden? How did his arrival change the life of the
owner? Why did it worry his wife?
The old man came to the garden after walking hundreds of miles, as the owner of the plantation
needed someone with his skills and knowledge. His arrival had a significant positive impact on
the owner's life: he was useful in managing the plantation, well-versed in agriculture, and
effectively understood the workers' problems. As a result, the petty thefts in the garden ceased,
and the income from the plantation dramatically improved, leading to a perceptible change in
the owner's lifestyle. However, this change worried the owner's wife. While her husband’s wealth
and social prestige rose, he became lethargic and shied away from hard work. His life became
crowded with colorful events, and his wife grew apprehensive about his potential infidelity and
other vices that seemed to emerge due to his newfound status. She found it difficult to
determine whether the old man’s presence was beneficial or detrimental to their lives.

3. Who was Tamanna?

The old man began narrating the story of Tammanna, a man who once had everything he could
desire. Tammanna owned ten acres of wetland and had a comfortable house. People respected
him, and he had a lot of friends. The most important among all his possessions was his rival
Sangoji, who was later lied by the old man to be Basavaiah.

4. Describe the healthy rivalry between Tamanna and Basavaiah.

Tammanna and Basavaiah's rivalry began with healthy competition—if Tammanna bought four
acres, Basavaiah did too, and if one had ten friends, the other had fifteen admirers. However, as
their rivalry intensified, they ended up owning all the land in the village: Tammanna had one
thousand acres and Basavaiah eight hundred. Unable to tolerate Tammanna's dominance,

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Basavaiah asked him to sell two hundred acres, but Tammanna was prepared to buy all of
Basavaiah's land instead. In a fit of rage, Basavaiah forcibly took two hundred acres of
Tammanna's land and built a fence around it, prompting Tammanna to see this as an invasion.
5. What were the solutions suggested by Tammanna’s friends to counter Basavaiah?
Tammanna's supporters advised him on various ways to reclaim his land, including taking legal
action by going to the court of law or involving the police. If he preferred, there were many
willing to attack Basavaiah. War seemed inevitable.

6. What method did Tammanna adopt to annihilate Basavaiah?

Tammanna sought a method to completely annihilate his rival. He decided to compose ballads
about his experiences and sing them, shifting their rivalry from tangible actions to an invisible,
abstract realm. Basavaiah had no answer to Tammanna's ballads and attempted to sing but
failed. Instead, he focused on his agricultural work, which did not resolve the conflict.
Tammanna's reputation grew as his songs highlighted Basavaiah's cruelty and meanness.
Scholars of folklore pursued him, and critics analyzed and translated his work, gaining fame in
the process. Meanwhile, Basavaiah, consumed by anger, increasingly encroached on
Tammanna's land, but Tammanna remained oblivious to these actions. For him, art became the
purpose of his life, and he was celebrated as the best poet of his time.

7. What did Basavaiah do to overcome his humiliation?

Basavaiah felt humiliated but began to surround himself with material wealth. He built a grand
mansion and hired many people to praise him, adorning himself with gold, diamonds, and other
precious stones. However, his home felt dull and empty without Tammanna's books, as noted by
his visitors. To add value to his life, Basavaiah started inviting scholars, poets, and musicians to
his home, hoping to fill it with meaning and culture.

8. What event in Tamanna's life made him change his perspective on life?
One day, Basavaiah learned that Tammanna was ill, which he saw as an opportunity to surpass
him. He believed that if Tammanna's health declined, his own spirits would rise, as health is
wealth. Basavaiah thought that Tammanna’s sickness could be his chance to gain the upper
hand. Tammanna’s disease was Basavaiah’s health. However, Tammanna had devised another
way to punish Basavaiah: through death. He realized that If he continued at the level of the
body, Basavaiah would go on offering a stiff competition. By severing the connection between
his songs and his body, Tammanna believed he could eliminate the competition entirely. This
insight led Tammanna to understand the complexities of human nature, a realization he began
sharing with the owner’s wife.

9. What does the old man tell about rivalry and vengeance?
The old man reflects on human nature, saying that while people seek wealth, education, and art,
they are often driven by a deep need for revenge. He suggests that this desire for vengeance
can overshadow more positive pursuits, raising the question of whether such motivations give
life meaning. Essentially, he argues that without some form of conflict or rivalry, life might feel
empty, as if the urge for revenge is a fundamental part of being human. The old man reflects
that as people grow older, their names become less significant, and age takes precedence. He

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identifies himself as just an old man in the garden, serving as both a caretaker and someone
who reads the newspaper. This highlights how, with age, individual identity can fade, reducing a
person to their role or function in life rather than their unique identity.
10. How did The gardener come up with this story?
The old man reflects on how he conceived the story of Tammanna and Basavaiah during a
moment when he imagined Russia declaring to America, "I am not your enemy. I shall not wage
a war against you." He speculates about America's reaction, pondering the agony and boredom
that would arise from the loss of a long-standing enmity. Unlike nations, which can endure such
shifts, individual humans cannot. He shares his own struggle, believing that only his death could
truly defeat Basavaiah.

11. What happened to Basavaiah after Tamanna had left?

After Tamanna left everything behind, Basavaiah eventually passed away, having lost his
purpose for living. This reflects the deep and often destructive nature of human rivalry and the
burdens of vengeance. The old man reveals his true identity as Tammanna. He explains that
after Basavaiah's death, he forgot all his songs and ballads that once brought him fame. Once a
celebrated figure, he now feels like a non-entity, erased from the public consciousness. In this
loss of identity and purpose, he finds a sense of revenge, suggesting that the rivalry and the
quest for vengeance consumed him completely, leading to his own metaphorical death as an
artist. This emphasizes the emptiness that can accompany victory in a long-standing feud.

12. At the end, what does the old man tell the owner's wife?
The old man observes that the woman's husband is thriving as a wealthy man but is resistant to
advice, highlighting the complexity of human nature. He suggests that individuals often live for
revenge or face challenges throughout their lives. He addresses her affectionately, urging her
not to take his words too seriously, almost as if to dismiss the heavy themes of rivalry and
vengeance. He tells her to assume that he did not tell her any of this, or to think all this
happened in a dream.

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I Believe That Books Will Never Disappear ( Interview of Jorge Luis Borges by Roberto
Alifano )

I. One Mark and Two Mark Questions

1. Borges’ first literary reading was : Grimm's Fairy tales in an English Version.
2. Alifano would like to talk about the theme of : books

II. Three Mark and Four Mark Questions

1. Who was Borges’ mother? What does he say about her?
Borges' mother, Doña Leonor, was an extraordinary, intelligent, and gracious woman who, he
believed, had no enemies. He admired her kindness toward him but felt guilty for not being a
happier man to give her the happiness she deserved. Borges reflected on how children often
take their mothers for granted, comparing them to the moon, the sun, or the seasons, only
realizing their value after their death. He admitted he might have been more understanding of
her and felt a sense of abuse toward her, which dawned on him only after her passing.

2. What was Blindness to Borges?

To Borges, blindness was a way of life that was not entirely unhappy. He saw it as a resource,
believing that everything that happens to a person, including misfortunes and humiliations, is
given for a purpose. For an artist, these experiences serve as raw material to shape into art.
Borges likened blindness to life’s transience, quoting Homer’s idea that ruin inspires songs for
future generations and Goethe’s verse, “All that is near becomes far.” In his view, blindness was
a deprivation transformed into a gift, enabling creativity and the aspiration for eternal works. The
visible world had moved away from his eyes, surely forever, but it was replaced by other things,
which he felt it was his duty to accept and enjoy. Despite his blindness, Borges continued
pretending he was not blind—buying books and filling his house with them.

3. What dream did Borges have?

Borges dreamed of the burning of a great library, which he believed might have been the Library
of Alexandria. The dream featured countless volumes being consumed by flames, symbolizing a
profound loss of knowledge and culture.

4. What does Borges have to tell about him writing a book on History of Books?
Borges found the idea of writing a book on the history of books wonderful but doubted if he
could undertake such a project at the age of eighty-three. He acknowledged that Oswald
Spengler, in *The Decline of the West*, had already written remarkable comments on books,
which might predate his attempt. Though intrigued by the idea, he seemed uncertain about
pursuing it.

5. Why does Borges feel “Every book worth being re-read has been written by the spirit”?
Borges believes that "Every book worth being re-read has been written by the spirit" because a
truly great book goes beyond the author's limited intentions. The author’s intentions are
"meager" and "fallible," whereas in every book, there is something more, something mysterious.
This deeper quality, which Borges calls the "spirit," gives the book a timeless, universal

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essence. When we read an ancient book, it is as though we are reading all the time that has
passed since it was written. Even if a book is full of errors or if we disagree with its author, it
retains something sacred, something mortal, something magical, which brings happiness,
making it worth re-reading.

6. How does Borges define poetry?

Borges defines poetry as something so intimate and essential that it cannot be easily defined
without oversimplification. He compares it to attempting to define the color yellow, love, or the
fall of leaves in autumn. Poetry, in his view, is not just the poem itself, which may be a mere
series of symbols, but the aesthetic act that occurs when the poet writes and the reader
engages with it. This act is magical, mysterious, and unexplainable, yet not incomprehensible. If
the reader doesn't feel the poetic event, the poet has failed.

7. What does Borges have to say about the importance of precise words?
Regarding the importance of precise words in poetry, Borges agrees that they are crucial. He
recalls Emily Dickinson's line, "This quiet dust was gentlemen and Ladies," as an example.
While the idea of dust and death is a cliché, the phrase "gentlemen and ladies" adds the magic
and poetic quality, making it far more profound than simply saying "men and women," which
would have been trivial. The power of poetry lies in finding the exact words that elicit emotion
and give the work its uniqueness.

8. What does Borges have to say about metaphors?

Borges believes that metaphors, if they are truly metaphors, have existed since the beginning of
time. However, we express them in different ways across cultures and eras. He has occasionally
thought about reducing all metaphors to a few essential ones, which he considers fundamental
and present in all the literatures. These essential metaphors are: time and a river, life and
dreams, death and sleep, stars and eyes, and flowers and women. Borges views the poet’s task
as discovering these metaphors, even if they already exist, as they are the timeless, universal
symbols that shape our understanding of the world.

9. Why does Borges feel that ‘Books will never Disappear’?

Borges rejects the idea that books will disappear due to modern developments in
communication. He believes that books are irreplaceable, as they are the most astounding
invention of humankind. Unlike other inventions that are extensions of our physical
bodies—such as the telephone (voice), telescope (sight), or sword (arms)—the book is an
extension of our imagination and memory.

10. Why does Borges call Literature ‘a dream’?

Regarding literature, Borges agrees that it is a controlled dream. He believes that literature
shapes who we are, what we have been, and even what we will become. Our past is a
sequence of dreams, and books serve as the great memory of all centuries. If books were to
disappear, history and humanity itself would be in jeopardy. For Borges, books hold an
irreplaceable function in preserving knowledge, identity, and continuity.

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Heaven If You Are Not Here On Earth ( Kuvempu )

1. Why does the poet feel that heaven is nowhere else but on earth?
The poet questions where heaven could be if it is not here on earth. He suggests that if humans
cannot be gods, then gods cannot exist. He believes that if humans are not heavenly nymphs,
then the nymphs are not elsewhere. The roaring stream rushes, with surf at the edge of the
waves, and the tender sunshine leans on the verdant gardens. The poet says that the gentle
sun makes the earth heaven. In the splendor of harvest and moonlight, heaven lies all around.
According to the poet, a poet imbibes and spills the song of nectar, the heavenly drink of gods,
creating heaven on earth.

Japan And Brazil Through A Traveller's Eye ( George Mikes )

I. One Mark and Two Mark Questions

1. How much time in Japan will convince you about the mannerisms of their people?
Quarter of an Hour
2. Courtesy has a double function, of courtesy and a substitute for privacy
3. In Japan, a man's telephone receiver is his castle
4. What law did one of the American States have? A traffic law stating that if two cars
met at an intersection, neither was to move before the other had gone.
5. When do the Japanese forget their mannerisms?
The Japanese forget their mannerisms when they are boarding a bus. As soon as the bus
arrives, the bowing gentlemen are transformed into savages, pushing each other aside, treading
on each other's toes, and shoving their elbows into each other's stomachs.
6. These are extremely expensive in Brazil: Motor Vehicles.
7. The worst place in Brazil is Avenida Presidente Vargas.

II. Three Mark and Four Mark Questions

1. Write a Note on Travel Writing.
Travel writing narrates personal experiences of visiting unfamiliar places. It dates back to the
2nd century, with Greek travelers recording their journeys. The 9th and 10th centuries saw its
rise due to advancements in navigation, enabling more explorations. Royal patronage and
commissioned voyages added political significance to travel narratives. Despite the world being
extensively explored, travel writing remains popular, thriving in modern media like TV and the
internet. In the past 50 years, it has become a subject of scholarly study and part of cultural
studies. Travel writing is no longer seen as neutral curiosity but as a reflection of how one
culture represents another, often implying the superiority of certain cultural values.

2. How do the Japanese respect privacy and show respect to elders?

The Japanese are extremely well-mannered, shaped by the need to respect privacy on a
crowded island where actual privacy is scarce. Courtesy acts as both politeness and a
substitute for privacy. For instance, red telephones are placed in open spaces without booths,
yet people conduct confidential conversations without fear of being overheard, as others never
listen in. Bowing, a hallmark of Japanese culture, reflects their grace and respect for hierarchy. It

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is practiced with precision, with even subtle differences in rank influencing its depth and
duration, highlighting their cultural emphasis on respect and order.

3. Write a note on the complicated nature of Bowing in Japan.

Bowing is neither less nor more silly than shaking hands or kissing the cheek, but it is quainter;
more formal, more oriental; it is also infectious. Bowing in Japan can be complicated for
foreigners due to its intricate hierarchy and strict rules. The depth, duration, and timing of the
bow depend on factors like age, social standing, and rank. For instance, when two people bow,
neither is supposed to straighten up before the other, and even the smallest difference in rank
can affect the bow's length. The correct posture and hand placement add another layer of
complexity, as bowing with clasped hands is considered bad, while not clasping them is worse.
Foreigners often struggle with these details, like bowing too deeply or at the wrong time, and
understanding who bows to whom. In Japanese culture, these nuances are important, and the
smallest mistake can lead to embarrassment.

4. ‘Bowing in Japan has a complicated hierarchy’ Elaborate.

The basic rules inside the family were that the wife bowed to her husband, the child bowed to
his father, younger brothers bowed to elder brothers, and the sister bowed to all brothers,
regardless of age. The speaker had seen babies carried in the Japanese style on their mothers'
backs in clever little saddles, and whenever the mother bowed, the baby also bowed, somewhat
condescending, from his majestic height. Japanese stores employed bowing girls who stood at
the top of escalators, with their only duty being to bow deeply and differentially to all and sundry,
which was the Japanese equivalent of page-boys who turned revolving doors. On the famous
and fast Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Osaka, two conductors entered the carriage in a
slightly theatrical scene. They marched to the middle of the coach, bowed ceremoniously in both
directions, and then began checking the tickets.

5. What did a deer in Japan do to have the author mesmerized?

In one part of Nara, he had met a deer. He bought a pack of food for the deer, who came up to
him, looked into his eyes, and bowed deeply. It had not been a chance gesture; it had been a
proper and courteous bow. He speculated that perhaps deer were more imitative than he had
known, or perhaps if they saw people bowing all the time, they got into the habit too, or maybe it
was something genetic, in the blood of Japanese deer. He did not know for certain, but he did
know that the deer had bowed to him, then jumped at him and snatched the little food-bag from
his hand. In this, too, the deer had been a true Japanese.

6. How is Eating Soup in Japan complicated?

Eating soup is complicated because it involves a delicate balance of manners. If you don't make
a fearful noise while eating soup, which is a sign of appreciation, your hostess will think you are
an ill-mannered lout. However, if you do make the noise, she will think that no reasonably
well-mannered European would do such a thing, and thus, you must also be an ill-mannered
lout. The situation presents a no-win scenario.

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7. Write a note on the people of Brazil.

The people of Brazil are known for their relaxed and leisurely attitude towards life. They do not
rush, and it often doesn't matter when they reach their destination, whether it's on time or
delayed. This easy-going nature is reflected in the beautiful mosaics that decorate the
pavements of places like Copacabana, showcasing their appreciation for beauty in their
surroundings. Despite their calm demeanor on foot, Brazilians become far more impatient when
behind the wheel. Once they have a steering wheel in hand, speed becomes a priority, and they
often drive aggressively, as if gaining a fraction of a second is crucial. While motor cars are
expensive due to high import duties, the number of motor vehicles is growing by leaps and
bounds, almost as if cars were distributed free of charge to all and sundry, making life more
hazardous for pedestrians.

8. Describe the relationship between drivers and pedestrians.

The relationship between drivers and pedestrians in Brazil is likened to that of hunter and prey.
Drivers do care about pedestrians. They are on the lookout for them. As soon as a driver
notices a pedestrian step off the pavement, the driver sees them as fair game, accelerating
towards them. The pedestrian, in turn, has to jump, leap, and run for dear life. However, neither
party resents the interaction; instead, they smile at each other, understanding it as a friendly
competition — "I win today, you will win tomorrow."

9. Describe the relationship between the drivers themselves.

The relationship between drivers is also described as a war which is murderous yet
good-tempered. Drivers cut in, overtake on both sides, and force each other to brake violently,
committing all sorts of road violations. Despite the intensity of these maneuvers, there is no
anger, hostility, or mad hooting. Instead, drivers smile at each other, acknowledging the chaotic
nature of their actions without animosity.

10. Describe the crossing at the Avenida Presidente Vargas.

The Avenida Presidente Vargas is described as the most chaotic and dangerous place to cross
the road. As pedestrians try to navigate through the crawling traffic, they are left contemplating
how such slow-moving vehicles can still seem to proceed at terrifying speeds. Hours pass
without any hope of crossing. In one scenario, a man on one side of the Avenida suddenly spots
a friend on the other side and waves to him, shouting, "How on earth did you get over there?"
His friend, equally mystified, replies, "How? I was born on this side!”

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The Voter ( Chinua Achebe )

I. One Markers and Two Markers
1. What was the name of the village: Umuofia
2. Which party was in majority? Who was its leader? People's Alliance Party - Marcus Ibe
3. Opposition to Marcus Ibe was like a proverbial fly trying to move a dunghill.
4. What is iyi? The iyi is a fearsome object contained in a clay pot, with feathers stuck into
it. It was covered with a red cloth, and when revealed, it looked intimidating.

II. Three Markers and Four Markers

1. Who was Roof?
Rufus Okeke, known as Roof, was a very popular man in his village. Unlike most of his fellows,
he had not abandoned the village to seek work in towns. Roof had spent two years as a bicycle
repairer’s apprentice in Port Harcourt but gave up a bright future to return and guide his people
in difficult times. Roof worked in the service of the Honourable Marcus Ibe, becoming an expert
in election campaigning and understanding the mood of the electorate.

2. What had the villagers seen in the last five years of Marcus’ rule?
In the five years, the villagers saw how quickly and abundantly politics brought wealth,
chieftaincy titles, doctorate degrees, and other honors, some of which still had to be explained
satisfactorily to them. Despite these rewards, the villagers, in their naivety, still expected a
doctor to heal the sick. These honors and benefits came readily to Marcus Ibe, whom they had
supported without charge in the past elections. However, after witnessing his rise, they began to
think that they had underrated the power of the ballot paper and decided they were ready to try
a different way in the upcoming elections.

3. Why did Marcus Ibe join politics and how did it help him?
Marcus Ibe had once been a not-too-successful mission school teacher, but when politics came
to the village, he wisely joined, some even saying just in time to avoid being dismissed after a
female teacher’s complaint. Today, he was Chief the Honourable, with two long cars and the
biggest house anyone had seen in the area. Despite these successes, none of it went to his
head. He remained devoted to his people, often leaving the comforts of the capital to return to
his village, which lacked running water and electricity. However, he had installed a private
electricity plant for his new house, "Umuofia Mansions," in honor of his village. To celebrate, he
slaughtered five bulls and countless goats to entertain the villagers when the Archbishop
opened his house.

4. How was Marcus Ibe prepared for the next election?

Everyone praised Marcus Ibe, with one old man saying, "Our son is a good man; he is not like
the mortar which, as soon as food comes its way, turns its back on the ground." However, after
the feasting, the villagers reflected that they had underestimated the power of the ballot paper
before and should not make the same mistake again. Marcus Ibe was prepared for the next
election. He had drawn five months' salary in advance, exchanged a few hundred pounds into
shining shillings, and supplied his campaign boys with small jute bags. During the day, he made
speeches, while at night, his loyal supporters conducted a whispering campaign.

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5. How did Roof campaign for Ibe at the house of Ogbuefi Ezenwa?
Roof was the most trusted campaigner for Marcus Ibe. He spoke to a group of elders in Ogbuefi
Ezenwa's house, emphasizing that having a Minister from their village was a great honor.
The scene at Ogbuefi Ezenwa's house was set in a dimly lit room with an old hurricane lamp
that had a cracked, sooty glass chimney, casting a yellowish light. The elders sat on very low
stools, with two shilling pieces in front of each of them. The door to the house was fastened, and
outside, the moon was visible but did not affect the room. The atmosphere was serious, with the
elders gathered in quiet discussion, their focus on the campaign matters at hand. He convinced
them that their village was favored by the leaders of the PAP, and whether they supported
Marcus or not, the PAP would rule. Roof also promised the pipe-borne water they had been
promised. The elders agreed to support Marcus but complained that two shillings was a
shameful amount. Ezenwa pointed out that if Marcus were poor, he would give his vote freely,
but since Marcus was now a great man, they expected more. Roof, understanding their
concerns, agreed and added another shilling to each man’s offering. However, the elders
refused to take the money from the floor, showing their reluctance to accept it in such a manner.
Roof, pretending not to care, urged them to cast their votes for the enemy if they wished, but
they quickly calmed him down, knowing how to maintain decorum. In the end, the elders
reluctantly accepted the money from the floor, and Roof’s task was completed.

6. How did Roof agree to give another shilling to each person? What was firewood?
Roof agreed to give the extra shilling because he understood the elders' demands, as he had
recently benefited from Marcus Ibe’s generosity. Roof had asked Marcus for one of his many
rich robes and received it. Additionally, Marcus’s wife had publicly rebuked him when he took a
fifth bottle of beer from their refrigerator, but Marcus had sided with Roof. To top it off, Roof had
won a land case, partly because Marcus had chauffeur-driven him to the disputed site. These
experiences made Roof sympathetic to the elders' desire for more "firewood," or benefits.

7. Who was the “enemy” referred to by Roof?

The "enemy" Roof referred to was the Progressive Organization Party (POP), formed by tribes
down the coast to protect themselves from what its founders called "total political, cultural,
social, and religious annihilation." Though it was clear that POP had no real chance in the
region, it foolishly engaged in a direct battle with PAP. POP provided cars and loudspeakers to
local rascals and thugs to stir up noise and confusion. While the exact amount of money POP
spent in Umuofia was unknown, it was believed to be significant. Local campaigners for POP
were expected to become very rich from the funds.

8. Who was the leader of POP? What happened when a familiar face visited Roof?
Up until the previous night, everything had been going according to Roof's plans. Then, he
received a strange visit from the leader of the POP campaign team, a man he knew well, though
their meeting was business-like and cold. The man placed five pounds on the floor and
demanded Roof's vote. After carefully closing the door, Roof weighed the offer while staring at
the money. Despite his initial hesitation, Roof, feeling the pressure, agreed to vote for Maduka,
explaining that his vote would be secret. The man then revealed an "iyi," a fearsome object from
Mbanta, warning Roof that if he didn't keep his promise, the iyi would take note. Though Roof

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was startled by the iyi, he quickly decided that one secret vote for Maduka wouldn't hurt
Marcus’s victory. He agreed to the deal, understanding that the future of Maduka's support could
grow if people saw that he gave out pounds, not shillings.

9. What was the scene like on election day?

On election day, the village was bustling with energy. Weather-beaten posters for the People's
Alliance Party (PAP) and the Progressive Organization Party (POP) were seen on walls, tree
trunks, and telegraph poles. Some were torn, but the message was still clear. Chief the
Honourable Marcus Ibe was conducting his campaign in grand style, with a highlife band hired
from Umuru stationed near the voting booths, providing music for the voters. Many villagers
danced joyfully, holding their ballot papers aloft before heading to vote.
Marcus sat confidently in his green car, greeting hundreds of admirers who came up to shake
his hand and offer congratulations in advance, setting a celebratory mood. Roof and the other
campaign organizers were running around, offering last-minute advice to voters, especially
illiterate ones, reminding them to vote for the car symbol associated with Marcus. The mood
was lively, filled with laughter and excitement, as the band played and Roof enthusiastically
urged voters to support Marcus.

10. What was Roof explaining to the illiterate voters?

On election day, Roof and the other organizers were very active, rushing around and giving
last-minute advice to the voters, who were filled with enthusiasm. Roof reminded a group of
illiterate women that the symbol for Marcus's party was the motor-car, like the one Marcus was
sitting in. He emphasized that they should vote for the box with the car symbol and not the one
with the man's head, as that represented the opposing party, it is for those whose heads are not
correct. The women laughed at his comment, and Roof continued to encourage them to vote for
the car, saying, "Vote for the car, and you will ride in it!" One woman added that if they didn't,
their children would.

11. What did Marcus Ibe instruct his campaign team? What dilemma did Rufus face?
On election day, despite his outward calm and confidence, Chief Marcus Ibe was very
meticulous about ensuring every vote was cast in his favor. Even though he was certain of a
landslide victory, he didn't want to risk losing a single vote. After the initial rush of voters, he
instructed his campaign team to vote one at a time.
Roof was asked to go first, which caused his spirits to drop, but he masked his anxiety with
outward energy as he moved towards the voting booths.Upon entering the booth, Roof was
faced with a dilemma. He had pledged his vote to Marcus but had also secretly agreed to vote
for the opposing candidate, Maduka, after being bribed with five pounds and threatened with a
curse from the iyi. He realized that returning the money and betraying his oath to Marcus was
impossible. In a flash of quick thinking, Roof folded his ballot paper, tore it in half, and put one
half in each box. He placed the first half in Maduka's box and verbally declared, "I vote for
Maduka," ensuring his actions were recorded. After having his thumb inked to prevent him from
voting again, Roof exited the booth, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.

Where there is a Wheel & Water ( Skip ) ( Only Reading )

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