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English_Literature_Assignments

The document contains English literature assignments focusing on themes from various literary works, including 'A Letter to God,' 'Dust of Snow,' 'Fire and Ice,' and a section on Nelson Mandela. It includes short and long answer questions that explore characters' emotions, the impact of nature, and the significance of freedom and oppression. The assignments emphasize the importance of gratitude, positivity, and understanding in both personal and societal contexts.

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7 views8 pages

English_Literature_Assignments

The document contains English literature assignments focusing on themes from various literary works, including 'A Letter to God,' 'Dust of Snow,' 'Fire and Ice,' and a section on Nelson Mandela. It includes short and long answer questions that explore characters' emotions, the impact of nature, and the significance of freedom and oppression. The assignments emphasize the importance of gratitude, positivity, and understanding in both personal and societal contexts.

Uploaded by

welogs3
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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English Literature Assignments

Assignment 1 – A Letter to God


Q.1 Short Answer (30-40 words):

1. Lencho’s feelings after receiving the letter:


Lencho was not surprised to receive a letter from God. However, upon finding less money
than he had asked for, he became angry. He believed that the post office employees had
stolen the rest.

2. Positivity in adverse situations:


Positivity helps people remain hopeful even in the toughest times. Like Lencho, who had
complete faith in God despite losing his crops, positivity can give people strength to
overcome difficulties.

3. Impression of the postmaster:


The postmaster was kind, compassionate, and generous. He was touched by Lencho’s faith
in God and tried to help him by collecting money and replying to his letter.

5. Did the letter reach God? Why did the postmaster reply?
The letter didn’t reach God directly. The postmaster, moved by Lencho’s faith, wanted to
preserve it. He replied to the letter by sending money, pretending it came from God.

6. “A bunch of crooks” — analysis:


(i) No, they were not crooks.
(ii) They were kind-hearted and generous people who helped Lencho by collecting money
for him out of goodwill.

Q.2 Long Answer (100–120 words):

1. Lencho’s lack of gratitude:


Lencho received the money but was unhappy as it was less than what he had asked for. He
failed to appreciate the efforts made to help him. Gratitude is a vital quality that allows us to
acknowledge others’ help. Lencho’s lack of thankfulness reflects a narrow view of
generosity. To lead a happy life, one must value kindness, remain humble, and acknowledge
others' contributions. Being thankful not only strengthens relationships but also brings
inner peace.

2. Postmaster’s values:
The postmaster represents kindness, empathy, and selflessness. He went out of his way to
keep Lencho’s faith alive by collecting money and replying as “God.” He showed that
humanity still exists. I would like to emulate his compassion, sense of duty, and desire to
help others without expecting anything in return. These values help build a caring and
empathetic society.

Q.3 Extract-Based Questions:

1. “Now we’re really going to get some water woman.”


The speaker, Lencho, is hopeful, not certain. He sees dark clouds and assumes it will rain.

2. “They are the new coins.”


Raindrops are compared to coins because they are seen as a blessing for a good harvest,
which would bring money.

3. “A plague of locusts would have left more than this.”


It refers to the destruction of Lencho’s crops by hail. He feels that even locusts would have
done less damage.

4. “If you don’t help me…”


Lencho is asking for financial help from God because the hailstorm destroyed his crops.
'You' refers to God.
Assignment 2 – Dust of Snow
STANZA 1 Questions:

(a) The crow shook the hemlock tree.


(b) There was dust of snow on the tree.
(c) The poet was under or near the tree.
(d) The poem is Dust of Snow.
(e) The poet is Robert Frost.
(f) Rhyming words: me, tree.

STANZA 2 Questions:

(a) The falling dust of snow changed the poet’s mood.


(b) He thought it was a bad day.
(c) The small incident lifted his mood and made part of his day better.
(d) Poem: Dust of Snow
(e) Poet: Robert Frost
(f) Rhyme scheme: abab

Short Questions:

1. Nature’s observation in the poem:


The poet notices even small elements like a crow or falling snow can change a person’s
mood and day.

2. Message in hectic life:


Even small moments in nature can bring peace and joy, teaching us to appreciate life’s
simple gifts.

3. Crow and hemlock’s representation:


Both are associated with gloom or negativity, yet they bring a positive change, showing
contrast.

4. Role of the crow:


The crow’s simple act of shaking snow off the tree helped lift the poet’s mood, showing how
small actions can have big impacts.

5. Poet’s mood and reflection:


The poet was in a gloomy mood, but a small event changed his outlook, showing how
moments in nature can be uplifting.
Long Questions:

1. Positive attitude improves life:


Yes, the poem shows that a positive attitude can help us find joy even in gloomy situations.
The poet’s day, which he thought was wasted, became worthwhile because of a small act of
nature. Values: gratitude, mindfulness.

2. Positive vs negative response:


Our reactions shape our experiences. The poet could have ignored the moment, but he
allowed it to affect him positively. This teaches us to find beauty and hope even in
unpleasant situations.
Assignment 3 – Fire and Ice
STANZA 1 Questions:

(a) People think the world will end in fire or ice.


(b) The poet supports the idea of fire.
(c) Desire means intense longing or passion.
(d) Rhyme scheme: abaab
(e) Poem: Fire and Ice by Robert Frost

STANZA 2 Questions:

(a) ‘It’ refers to the world.


(b) Ice is a metaphor for hate, which is also destructive.
(c) Both desire and hate can lead to the end of the world.
(d) Ice symbolizes hatred and coldness.
(e) Rhyme scheme: cdcdc

Short Questions:

a. Both desire (fire) and hate (ice) are enough to destroy the world.
b. The two ideas are fire (desire) and ice (hatred). The poet supports fire more.
c. Fire = desire, Ice = hatred. Yes, both emotions are capable of destruction.
d. People think the world will end in fire or ice. The poet prefers fire based on his
experiences.

Long Question:

1. Contrasting ideas—fire and ice:


Fire stands for desire, greed, and passion; ice stands for hatred, indifference. Both emotions
can destroy relationships, societies, and even the world. To make the world better, we must
nurture love, kindness, and understanding.

2. Rhyme scheme’s role:


The rhyme scheme (abaab / cdcdc) emphasizes the contrast between fire and ice. It helps
separate the two destructive emotions and builds a rhythm that highlights their individual
threats.
Assignment 4 – Nelson Mandela
Extract-Based Questions:

Q1.
(a) Dignitaries and leaders were coming to attend Mandela’s inauguration.
(b) South Africa’s first democratic government was installed.
(c) Word: inauguration
(d) Word: amphitheatre

Q2.
(a) ‘We’ refers to black South Africans who were once outlaws.
(b) They achieved political freedom.
(c) Word: bondage
(d) Synonym: freedom

Q3.
(a) They saluted Mandela and pledged loyalty.
(b) The smoke trail symbolized the new South African flag.
(c) Word: bedecked
(d) V-pattern = chevron

Q4.
(a) White South Africans created racial domination.
(b) Based on equality and freedom for all.
(c) Word: submerged = overwhelmed
(d) Means: To settle disagreements.

Q5.
(a) A lasting wound on people and country.
(b) The people of South Africa.
(c) Word: generosity
(d) Word: oppress

Q6.
(a) Obligations to family and to society.
(b) Because of racial discrimination.
(c) Word: obligations
(d) Word: inclinations

Short Questions:
1. Mandela’s promise:
To liberate his people from poverty, suffering, and all forms of discrimination.

2. Freedom in childhood:
Mandela thought freedom meant being able to run and play without restriction.

3. Meaning of Apartheid:
A political system of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa.

4. Courage and bravery:


Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.

5. Mandela’s realization:
His people were not truly free, even if they appeared to be.

Long Questions:

1. Extraordinary human disaster:


Mandela refers to apartheid as a disaster that caused immense suffering.

2. Oppressor and oppressed:


Oppression dehumanizes both parties — the oppressed lose freedom, the oppressor loses
compassion.

3. Twin obligations:
Every man has obligations to his family and to his country. Mandela couldn’t fulfill both due
to apartheid.

4. Value of freedom:
Freedom is essential for dignity and growth. Mandela emphasizes that true freedom means
equality for all. It helps develop civilization based on humanism and justice.

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