The Tiger king by Kalki

When Maharaja Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur was born, the astrologers had foretold that one
day the king would actually have to die. The ten day old Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur started
speaking; he told them that all those who were born would have to die one day, he asked
them to tell the manner of his death. Everyone stood stunned. An infant born just ten days
ago was talking in such a manner .The chief astrologer told the Prince that he was born in
hour of the bull. As bull and tiger were enemies therefore his death would come from tiger.
The Maharaja grew stronger and took to tiger hunting. He was overjoyed when he killed the
first tiger. When he told the chief astrologer about that, the chief astrologer told him that he
may kill 99 tigers but he must be careful with the hundredth one. In ten years he killed 70
tigers .He banned the killing of tigers in Pratibandhpuram. The tiger population had become
extinct at Pratibandhpuram. So the maharaja married to a royal family in a state where tiger
population was rich. Thus thereby he killed 99 tigers but one was still left. There was no sign
of tigers anywhere. Maharaja could not bear any more. He raised the land tax and also
dismissed some of his men. There was a tiger brought later for Maharaja. Maharaja took his
men for hunt. He shot the tiger but it missed the tiger .Maharaja did not notice that
Maharajas men knew it but they feared that if they tell it to Maharaja, then they may lose
their job, so they killed the tiger. But maharaja did not know that he still has one tiger left to
be killed.
Maharaja had to attend his 3 year old sons birthday. He gifted him a wooden tiger. The
tiger was made by an unskilled man. Its surface was rough, as a result its sharp edge pierced
into Maharajas hand. Next day the infection spread into his whole hand and Maharaja at
last died.
Thus the fateful hundredth tiger though a wooden one was the cause of the Maharajas
death and proved the prediction of the astrologer correct.
Glossary

imperative vital; absolutely necessary

strategic forming a plan to achieve a

specific purpose or to gain an advantage

Indomitable something that cannot be

suppressed or defeated

Adobe place where somebody lives

Foretold predicted

Stupefaction state of being surprised,

shocked or stupefied

Enunciated said or pronounced

Squeaky making a short, high sound

The Bull Taurus, the second sign of

zodiac represented by the lion/tiger

Quake tremble

Rife widespread

Hindsight understanding of a situation

or an event only after it has occurred

Drawled spoke slowly

Tuft bunch of hair

Incoherent not clear and hard to

understand; unintelligible

Confiscated seized; officially taken

away, especially as a punishment

Durai in Tamil means lord or god, but in

the story it refers to the British lords

Duraisani goddess in Tamil; in the story

it refers to the wife of the British officer

Carcass dead body

Relented gave in

Deliberations process of careful

considering or discussing something

Brandishing holding or waving

Hara-kiri act of self killing by cutting

ones stomach with a sword. Such a
killing was especially performed by the
samurai(formerly, the military class in
Japan) as an honorable way of escaping
disgrace
Shuddering trembling

Babble talk in a confused or silly way

Fever pitch a very high level of

excitement

Wary cautious; watchful

Dispelled removed or put away

Wantonly causing harm or damage

deliberately

Rage anger

Shoved pushed in a rough manner

Haul to pull with a lot effort

Crumpled fell down in an uncontrolled

way; collapsed

Supplication humble request or prayer

Elation great happiness

Bafflement complete confusion

Silver thin or narrow piece of

something cut or broken off from a larger
piece

Quills spines

Suppurating pus oozing wound

Characters
The King The maharaja of Pratibandapuram deserves to be called a maharaja in every
case. He was strong enough to kill the wild tigers with his bare hands. He was brave enough
to think about killing not one, but hundred tigers. He was bold enough to stand against a
British officer by refusing him permission to hunt in his forest. He was wise enough to please
the officer by pleasing his wife and was rich enough to send fifty diamond rings to the good
lady of the officer. He was even cunning enough to arrange his marriage with a princess
whose fathers forest had the maximum number of tigers. Yet he appears to be the opposite
of what he had done and what he was because this powerful king was finally killed by the
sliver of a worthless wooden tiger! His death brought him great shame. His boldness,
cunningness, strength and bravery failed miserably at the hands of an insignificant wooden
tiger. He can also be laughed at for his blindly believing the astrologers, for the dereliction of
duty as a king, for imposing tax on the villagers out of rage, for forgetting the sanctity and
meaning of marriage and for dismissing his officers for no official reason.
The First Astrologer A great astrologer (or very much fake!). He had deep knowledge in
astrology and was a master at that. Logical but a little foolish at predicting peoples fate.

The Second Astrologer Probably the son of the late astrologer. Equally great or fake as his
ancestor was. He accepted a bet from the king and agreed to abandon his profession to
become the most infamous insurance agent a weird parallel for astrology.
Devan or Prime Minister The Diwan, kings chief minister, is the comedian in the story. He
was a man of tactics and availed the benefits of his brain only under emergency such as the
loss of his office. He was well aware of the kings fury. While standing in front of the kings
brandished gun, the old man imagined a bullet piercing his heart and out of this fear he was
thrown into a state of imbecility.

The Tiger King by Kalki

INTRODUCTION
Kalki takes his readers to the days of autocratic and eccentric kings. These kings lived under
the thumb rule of Britishers, hence they fear them. In order to make the story mysterious
Kalki has added supernatural element in the story. The haughty king disapproved the
prophecy made by the astrologer about his death, but his death from the wooden
tiger(100th tiger) approved it.
The story The Tiger King is satire on the conceit of those in power. Most of the time the
rulers are not interested in serving the people or work for the welfare of the public; instead
they spend their time foolish pursuits. Even the coteries who surround these power centers
are interested in taking advantage of the proximity for their own welfare. This is a story
about transience-of life, of power and reverberates the maxim: Too many slips between a
cup and a lip.
Justification of Title
The Tiger King is a very appropriate title for the story for several reasons. First of all, the
king is crazy about tiger hunting so much that he marries a princess whose fathers kingdom
has a sizeable tiger population. He kills one hundred tigers just to fulfill his vow. Secondly,
the king with all his frenzy, anger and ruthlessness is as ferocious as a tiger. Thirdly, he dies
of a silver prick received from a wooden toy tiger. Finally, the prediction that a tiger would
cause the kings death also comes true. Since the story revolves round the king and the
hundred tigers that he kills, it could not be better titled than The Tiger King.

Irony and Satire in The Tiger King

The Tiger King is replete with irony that reveals the follies of autocratic and willful rulers
who flout all laws and bend them to suit their selfish interests. The dramatic irony in the
story is sharp when the Tiger King alone is unaware that his bullet had not killed the
hundredth tiger. The other characters and the readers anticipate his doom as he celebrates
his triumph over his destiny. We realize how misplaced the Kings pride at killing the first
tiger was. The astrologers had prophesied, You may kill ninety nine tigers like this, but your
death will be brought on by the hundredth tiger. The King wanted to prove the astrologer
wrong and to save his life. Ironically, to avert death he actually invites it. The lofty titles used
to introduce the Tiger King, suggesting an invincible ferocity are indeed ironic for he is finally
killed by a cheap, crudely made wooden toy tiger which became the tool of Natures
revenge. He had killed a hundred tigers in vain and must be punished for it. Irony is indeed
sharp when the surgeons announce the operation successful and declare the king dead.

Instances of Satire
Satire employs irony, sarcasm, ridicule, etc. in exposing and criticizing follies and vices in
men. The story uses humour to criticize self-seeking Kings who willfully exploit both nature
and their subjects for sefish interests.

When the Maharaja of Pratibandhpuram was told that he would be killed by a tiger,
he could never imagine the twist in fate where a toy tiger could be fatal. Because of
his conceit, he was unprepared for such surprises flung by life at him.

The grandeur associated with a kings life proves a mockery. The news of the kings
ailment invited not one, but three surgeons. They got so tied up in technicalities that
they declared the operation successful even though the king died.

The story also satirizes the corrupting influence of power. Just because the Tiger King
had power, he felt he could browbeat his subjects and even defeat fate. He
neglected his responsibility as a ruler. He neglected the welfare of his subjects, his
family, increased and reduced taxes at will and sacked his officers. They feared him
or else he would have learnt the truth.

When we see the king gloating over his bravery after killing the hundredth old, weak
tiger, we notice that Kalki is satirizing the notions of cowardice and bravery. There is
no heroism in fighting an unequal battle. The Kings cowardice was obvious when he
justifies that one may kill even a cow in self defense.

Kalki is also criticizing the Kings men and subjects who pander to his whims out of
fear or like the shopkeeper manipulate and fool him.

Light humour in the Tiger King

The instance of the Stuka bomber

The kings offer of mouse hunt etc

The incoherent blabbering by the Dewan and the Chief Astrologer

The Dewan procuring an old tiger from peoples park and its stubborn refusal to get
off the car and the description of its waiting in humble supplication to be shot.

The shopkeeper quoting three hundred rupees for a cheap two annas and a quarter
toy tiger

What is the authors indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals to the wilfulness
of human beings?
Ans. Through this satirical story the author has rightly portrayed how human beings have
subjected innocent animals to untold torture and death, merely to fulfill their own whims
and fancies. The maharajas indiscriminate killing of tigers led to their extinction in some
states, but the maharaja was oblivious to the grave consequences his action was leading to.
In order to prove an astrologer wrong the maharaja went on a killing spree proving his
dominance over the hapless animals.
How would you describe the behaviour of the Maharajas minions towards him? Do you
find them truly sincere towards him or are they driven by fear when they obey him? Do
we find a similarity in todays political order?
Ans. Maharajas minions were subservient and sycophantic. Most of them were scared of
Maharaja and tried to keep him in good humour by obeying his orders. They did not dare to
disobey him as his displeasure could mean loss of their job or even loss of their lives.
The astrologer was afraid of predicting his death , till Maharaja told him to speak without
fear. Dewan who should have advised the king not to kill the tigers did not dare to go

against his wishes and aided his marriage to a princess whose fathers kingdom possessed a
large number of tigers. Being afraid of losing his job, he presented an old tiger to satisfy the
whims of his Maharaja. Likewise , the hunters chose not to inform him of the survival of the
100th tiger and instead killed it themselves fearing that they might lose their jobs. Even the
shopkeeper, who sold the king a cheap wooden toy tiger, quoted a higher price lest he
should be punished under the rules of emergency.
So ,it is evident that the kings minions were driven by fear rather than any feelings of
sincerity towards their ruler.
Todays political order is no different we know too well that many of the people in power
are not there because of their ability but because of their influence and power. Moreover,
others pander to them for their own vested interests rather than for the good of the
country.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Q1 Why do you think, the author goes into detailed identification of the Tiger King
through a variety of titles ? Does he really mean to humour him ?
Answer : Kalki, the author of the story , has no intention of praising the king. In fact,
immediately after addressing him with a variety of titles, he brings an anticlimax by telling
his readers that his name is shortened to Tiger King .
Q2 How did the tiger king acquire his name? (2009)
Ans. The Tiger King was Maharaja of Pratibandapuram. He came to be known as tiger king
as at his birth it was predicted by the royal astrologer that he would be killed by a tiger .And
to disprove this prediction he started killing the tigers indiscriminately and killed 99 tigers..
Moreover , he was ferocious like a tiger.
Q3.What do you understand by threat of a Stuka bomber?
Ans. Stuka Bomber was a German ground attack aircraft which was known for its high
accuracy in hitting its target and terrorizing sound it emitted.
Through the reference of Stuka Bomber , the author wants to convey that he intends to tell
why Maharaja of Pratibandapuram came to be known as Tiger King and nothing ,not even
horrifying Stuka Bomber could compel him to digress from the topic.
Q4 What was the miracle that took place in the royal palace?

Ans. When the Maharaja was a 10 day old infant, he spoke and asked intelligent questions
about his death. After knowing that he would be killed by a tiger he uttered saying Let
tigers beware.
Q5 What predictions did the astrologers make at the birth of the tiger king?
Ans: The astrologers predicted that the newly born prince will grow up to become the hero
of heroes, brave of the bravest and a great warrior. He also predicted that the baby was
born in the hour of the bull. The bull and tiger were enemies. Therefore, he would die
because of the tiger.
Q6 What did the State astrologer say he would do if the hundredth tiger were also killed?
Ans. The State astrologer was so sure of his prediction that he announced that he would cut
off his ceremonial tuft, crop his hair short and become an insurance agent in case the king
was able to kill the 100th tiger, too. He was sure that the Maharajas death would be caused
by the 100th tiger.
Q7. What did the high-ranking British officer wish to do? Was his wish fulfilled?
Ans. The high-ranking British officer wanted to kill a tiger. When he was denied the
permission for hunting, he sent a word to the king that he would be happy if he was allowed
to get photographed with the dead body of a tiger killed by the king. However, his wish
remained unfulfilled.

Q10 How did the Maharaja manage to save his throne?

Ans. The Maharaja had annoyed the visiting senior British officer over the issue of tigerhunting and stood in danger of losing his kingdom itself. So, the Maharaja and the Dewan
decided to placate and pacify the officer through bribe by sending gifts of expensive
diamond rings to the duraisani, the wife of the British officer. Thus he managed to save his
throne.

Q11 How did the duraisani behave on receiving the gifts?

Ans. Some fifty samples of expensive diamond rings were sent to the duraisani and it was
expected that she would select one or two and return the rest. But the lady proved to be
greedy as she retained all of them and merely sent a letter of thanks.

Q12. What unforeseen hurdle brought the tiger hunt to a standstill?

Ans. Within ten years Maharajas tiger hunting had resulted in the killing of seventy tigers.
However his tiger killing mission came to a sudden standstill because the tiger population
became extinct in the forest of Pratibandapuram.

Q13 Why did the Maharaja suddenly decide to marry? Whom did he wish to marry?
Ans. The Maharaja suddenly decided to marry because firstly, he was of marriageable age
and secondly, he wanted to kill thirty more tigers in his father-in-laws state in order to
complete the tally of hundred tigers .For this reason he wished to marry a girl in the royal
family of a state with a large tiger population.
Q14 Why did Maharaja order the dewan to double the tax?
Ans. The Maharaja called the dewan and ordered him to immediately double the tax of the
villagers who had informed him of a tiger in the forest because despite his best efforts he
was unable to locate the beast. This infuriated the Maharaja.

Q15.Why did the Dewan decide to give up his own tiger to be killed by the Maharaja?
Answer : The dewan had hidden in his house an old tiger which had been brought from the
Peoples Park in Madras . He feared that if the Maharaja did not get a tiger to hunt, the
result would be catastrophic and he would lose his job.
Q16 What was Dewans tiger like? How did he take it into the forest?

weak, senile

Dewan arranged the tiger from The Peoples Park

at midnight dragged the tiger and shoved him into the car, went to the forest, hauled
the beast out of the car, and pushed him to the ground near Maharajas camp.

Q17 How the 100th tiger was finally found & killed?
Ans. The Dewan took the 100th tiger which he had brought from peoples park in Madras.
The tiger wondered into Maharajas presence. The king shot it but it was not killed; the
hunters killed to escape from kings anger.

Q18 Why was the Maharaja overcome with elation when he thought he had killed the
hundredth tiger?
Answer : The Maharaja was overcome with elation on having killed the hundredth tiger
because his vow had been fulfilled. By killing the hundredth tiger, he thought the prophecy
about his death had been disproved. On his command , the dead body of the hundredth
tiger was taken in grand a procession through the town and buried . A tomb was erected
over it.

Q19 What did the Maharaja buy as a birthday gift for his son?
Ans. The Maharaja wished to give his son a very special gift on his birthday and he bought a
wooden toy tiger as a perfect birthday gift for his son.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. How did the Tiger King meet his end? What is ironical about his death?

The wooden toy tiger the king had got as a birthday present for his son had been carved by
an unskilled carpenter. It had a rough surface with tiny slivers of wood standing up like quills
all over it. One of those slivers pierced the Maharajas right hand and although the king
pulled it, his arm got infected. In four days, it developed into a suppurating sore and spread
all over the arm. The king died while being operated upon.
The kings death is ironical but not surprising for the reader who is, in fact, looking forward
to it. Having killed the 100th tiger, the king is jubilant for he has fulfilled his vow and
disproved the prediction of the royal astrologer. He is now at ease for he thinks he cannot
die of a tigers attack. No wonder, he orders the dead tiger to be taken in a procession
through the town and gets a tomb erected over it. All this while he does not know that the
100th victim was not killed by him but by other hunters. That is indeed quite ironical. Death
is lurking around him and the king is unaware of it. Again, it is ironical that a king who has
killed 99 tigers and is bold and fearless dies of a mere sliver on the body of a wooden tiger.
Thus, ironically death does come to him from a tiger.

Q2 The operation is successful. The maharaja is dead. comment on the irony of the
situation.

The three famous surgeons were called from Madras to treat the Maharaja.

The whole incident is a satire on the life of rich and people in power.

Everything in their life should be grand be it a disease, purchases or treatment.

So when the Maharaja got hurt by a wooden splinter, specialist from Madras were
called

The surgeons discussed and debated for some time and decided to operate

At the end of the operation they said the operation was successful but the
Maharaja was dead.

As if the procedure was important to them but life had no meaning for them.

The job of doctors is to save people and not highlight the technicalities of the
treatment.

But here it was just that, poor Maharaja was relegated to a nonentity whose life was
not of much consequences to them.

3. Discuss the title of the story The Tiger King.

Ans. The Tiger King is an appropriate title for the story for several reasons. First of all, the
king is very involved with tiger hunting so much so that he marries a princess whose fathers
kingdom has a sizable population. He kills hundred tigers just to fulfill his vows. Secondly,the
king with all his frenzy, anger and ruthlessness is as ferocious as a tiger. Thirdly, he
dies of a silver prick received from a wooden tiger toy. Finally the prediction that a tiger
would cause the kings death also comes true. Since the story revolves round the king and
the hundred tigers he kills, the title could not be more apt.
Q Bring out satire in the chapter.
1. Satire on young princes and maharajas of native Indian states having long names
and descriptive titles
2. satirizes the upbringing and education of crown princes of Indian States. Ridicules
the attitude of Indian princes who emulate Britishers

3. Criticizes Indian who considered Britishers as Gods and Goddesses (durai

,duraisani)
4. Satirises the conceit and whims of those in power
Who is the Tiger King? Why does he get that name?
Answer :
Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, the king of Pratibandapuram, is known as the Tiger King. Ten days
after his birth, a renowned astrologer prophesised that his "death comes from the Tiger."
After he became the king of Pratibandapuram and got to know of the prediction about his
death, he went on a tiger killing spree. He killed about seventy tigers within ten years. He
was so caught up with reaching his target of killing one hundred tigers, to disprove the
prophecy, that all other matters took a back-seat. This was how he got to be known as the
Tiger King.
Q2 :
What is the general attitude of human beings towards wild animals?
Answer :
Generally, people fear the wild animals because of their ferociousness and tendency to
harm humans. But some people exploit them by caging or hunting them for the sadistic
pleasure they derive from their 'feats', or kill them to earn money from their hides etc. Yet,
there are people who understand the importance of sustaining ecological balance,
preserving the beauty of nature and believe in every creature's right to its existence. They
spread awareness about the importance of wild-life and the necessity of saving them from
extinction.

THE ENEMY BY PEARL S BUCK

GIST OF THE LESSON:
Dr. Sadao, a Japanese surgeon finds a wounded American soldier on the beach
near his house.
He is unable to throw him back though he was his enemy as he was a doctor and
his first duty was to save a life.

 Hana, his wife, though initially reluctant because it was dangerous for all
including the children to keep the enemy in the house, joins her husband in
operating and nursing the enemy soldier back to health, even though the servants
desert the house.
Hana assists Dr. Sadao in operating the soldier in spite of her physical discomfort
and hesitation.
Though it was war time and all hands were needed at the front, the General did
not send Sadao with the troops as he is an expert surgeon and the General needed
him.
Sadao tells him about the enemy soldier but he does not take any action as he is
selfabsorbed and forgets his promise that he would send his private assassins to
kill the enemy and remove his body.
Taking advantage of the generals selfabsorption Sadao decides to save the
soldiers life. After the soldier is out of danger Dr. Sadao helps him to escape from
his house to safety.
SOLVED QUESTIONS
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1 Why did the General overlook the matter of the enemy soldier?
The General had an attack and according to Dr. Sadao he could not survive the
second attack. So if Dr. Sadao was arrested, no other doctor was capable of
performing the operation. So for furthering his selfish needs he overlooked the
matter and promises to send his assassins. But he was so selfabsorbed, he forgot
about it.
2. Why was Dr. Sadao not sent with the troops?
The General thought that Dr. Sadao is indispensable to his life and can save anyone
as he is very skilled. He also does not trust anyone except Dr. Sadao. So he was not
sent with troops.
3. How was the plan of the prisoners escape executed in the story?

The prisoner was successful in his escape only because of the right guidance and
help from Dr. Sadao. He provided him his boat, gave his food, made him wear
Japanese clothes and also helped him in comfortable sail to a nearby island.
4. Why did the servants leave Dr. Sadaos house?
They were not in favour of keeping the American prisoner hidden in the house.
They also did not want Dr. Sadao to save his life as he was the enemy. Also, if the
police come to know of it, all their lives would be in danger. So they left the house.
5. Who was the white man whom Dr. Sadao and Hana found?
The white man was an American soldier as evident from his clothes. They guess
that he was a prisoner of war from his cap that said Navy Seals.
6. But Sadao searching the spot of black in the twilight sea that night, had
his reward. What was the reward?
The reward was the escape of the enemy. Dr. Sadao searched the spot of black in
the twilight sea that night to see if the man was still there but there was no light.
Obviously the man had gone. The escape of the prisoner was his reward.
7 What message does The Enemy give?
This is a great lesson in humanism. Dr. Sadao by nursing his countrys enemy
proves true to his professional ethics.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How did Dr. Sadao rise above narrow prejudices of race & country to
human being in need?
Dr. Sadao a renowned Japanese surgeon believed in professional loyalty &
human kindness saw an American wounded soldier in a terrible condition on
beach in front of his house

took him his house with the help of his wife Hanasuccessfully removed the bullet
nursed him back to his lifethus rose above racialism.
As a patriot, reported the prisoners presence at his house to the Army General.
The general decided to have him killed he grew vestless to see him & finally
decided to help him to escape form his house gave him boats & instructed him how
he could safely escape.
2. Do you think the doctors final solution to the problem was the best possible
one in the circumstances?
It is the best possible optiongeneral had promised him that he would get the
soldier quietly killed through his private assassins but he forgot to get rid of Dr.
Sadao could do nothing he wanted to get rid of the wounded soldieras the servants
had left the house andnews could be spread
so he devised his own plan to get the soldier off to the nearby island
managed his boat for the soldier and instructed him. The white soldier
took leave of him and followed his instruction and managed to escape safely. Thus
all this proves that that was the only way out for Dr. Sadao to the problem.
3. There are moments in life when we have to make hard choice between our
role asprivate individuals and as citizens with a sense of national loyalty.
Discuss with reference to the Enemy.
Suggested Answer / Value Points
Dr. Sadao encounters with the dilemma
to live as private individual whose and moral
ethical responsibility is to save the soldier. So as a doctor and as an individual his
first job is to save the man
takes ethical responsibility, he risks his life, fame and social
status takes him to his house and makes efforts to save him.
But his other side sense of patriotism and nationalism also involves a report to
police, takes the general in confidence, and plans to get the enemy soldier killed
but later on

helps the soldier in escaping. Thus Dr. Sadaos personality is displayed as patriotic
citizen.

SHOULD WIZARD HIT MOMMY? By

JOHN UPDIKE
Gist of the Lesson
The chapter captures a very sensitive reaction of a small girl to an
important aspect of the story that her father narrates to her.
The story reveals the worldview of a little child to a difficult moral question
that shows her mental or psychological richness.
Jo is a little girl of four years. She is engaged in a story session with her father.
Jack, the father used to tell her a story every evening and especially for
Saturday naps.
Jo feels herself involved with the characters and the happenings.
The story always had an animal with a problem. The old owl advises him to
visit the wizard who would solve the problem.
Skunks problem he smelt bad, visited the wizard who changed it to the smell
of roses.
Skunks mother was unhappy with it and took him back to the wizard. She hit
the wizard and asked him to restore the original smell. She wanted her son to
keep his identity of a skunk and wanted his friends to accept him for himself. So
the wizard changes him back to smell like a skunk.
After hearing the story of Roger Skunk Jo was not happy with the ending.
She wants her father to change the ending. She wants the wizard to hit the mother
back and let Roger be which her father was not ready to do to establish his
authority. This raises a difficult moral question whether parents possess the right to
impose their will on their children.
Her father finds it difficult to answer her question.
SOLVED QUESTIONS
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. How did the wizard help Roger Skunk?

The wizard was moved by Roger Skunks story. On finding his magic wand
chanted some magic words & granted that Roger should smell like roses.
2. How did Roger Skunks Mommy react when he went home smelling of
roses?
Roger Skunk began to smell like roses. Mommy asked about the smell Roger
Skunk replied that the wizard had made him smell like that mother did not like that
and asked Roger to come with her.
3. How did the Skunks mother get him his old smell back?
Mother was furious to learn about the wizard who changed the original smell.
She immediately visited the wizard and hit him on his head and asked him to
restore the original smell.
4. Who is Jo? How has she changed in the past two years? How did Jo behave
in reality phase?
Jo is Jacks 4 year old daughter. She was no more a patient listener. She did not
take things for granted and tried to see things in her own way.
5. How does Jo want the story to end and why?
Jo understood Roger Skunks need to enjoy the company of his friends;
therefore wanted that the wizard should take Rogers side.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. Why an adults perspective of life is different from that of a childs as given
in the story?
Suggested Value points
An adults perceptive on life is always different maturity of a person becomes
his barometer to judge right & wrong. For him/her everything that occurs has a
message. In the story, Jack at no level accepts Jos worldview that wizard should
hit Mommy.
On the other hand a childs perceptive is limited to his activities childs
perceptive completely different they love action more than thought so does Jo

in the story she would delight in hearing the story of Roger Skunks Mommy
being hit by the wizard.
(Q.) What is the moral issue that the story raises?
(Ans) The story shows the conflict between two generations. It tells us about the
belief, of the older generation, in customs and traditions and constantly questioning
attitude of the younger generation, hence contributing to a generation gap. Not
understanding her sons pain of loneliness and dejection, mother Skunk gets his
smell changed to his original foul smell and loves him the way he is, raising the
moral issue of whether parents should always decide what the children should do
or let the children do what they like to do. There is an evident contrast between an
adults perspective on life and the world view of a little child. Jo wants the wizard
to hit Mommy and not vice versa because she represents the new generation and
does not agree with her fathers view. Jack sums up the issue in one sentence- She
knew what was right. Jack also says that the little Skunk agreed to the mothers
proposal because he loved his mother more than the other animals. Little Jo feels
that the Skunks mother should not have robbed her little son of the pleasure he
derived when playing with the other animals when he smelt of roses. She insists
that the wizard hit the Mommy on the head and calls little Skunks mother a
Stupid Mommy. Keeping to her view point, she insisted that her father should tell
her the story the next day in a different manner. So we see that the story deals with
moral issues dependent on the different levels of maturity of Jack and Jo.
(Q.) How does Jo want the story to end? Why? What light does it throw on
Jos character?
(Ans) Jo wanted the story to end with Roger being accepted by the other animals.
In Jacks version, the wizard was hit by mommy. Jo did not relish this. The wizard
was the person who fulfilled everyones wishes. He had rid Roger Skunk of the
bad odour. So she wanted her father to end the story with Roger skunk having a
new and pleasant smell and wizard spanking the stupid mommy.Jo would get
totally involved in the story. She even shed a tear or so, when woodland creatures

spurned Roger. She could not bear injustice to the wizard by mommy skunk. She
wanted the end of the story to change in which the benevolent Wizard hits mommy
for being inconsiderate to Rogers need for acceptance by friends. She was
independent in her thinking. Jo remains unconvinced by the fathers argument that
mothers are always right.
(Q.) Character Sketch of Jack.
(Ans) Jack is the protagonist of the story Should Wizard Hit Mommy? which
examines the issue of parenting, the adult tendency to quell the questioning mind
of a child and the belief that the view point of the adult represents the only
valid one.Jack is conscious of his duties as a father and husband. He has been
telling stories to his daughter Jo since she was two years old, before her Saturday
and evening naps, but now two and a half years later he is fatigued and confused
by her constant questioning, pointing errors (roger fish instead of skunk), asking
for clarifications and suggesting alternatives. He has the typical parental attitude
and opinion that parents know what is best for their children and stifles her
objections and amendments shown by his defending the skunks mother (and
indirectly his own).Jack feels caught in an ugly middle position physically,
emotionally and mentally. He did not like women to take anything for granted, to
the extent that he extends the story, changing the ending, giving it the face that he
wants to. This despite the fact that he knows that he should be helping his pregnant
wife paint the woodwork.Jack is someone who is not used to his authority being
questioned and so is confused by Jos questioning. Though a loving parent he finds
it hard to accept the fact that Jo now has a mind of her own. His insensitivity and
impatience comes across in his dealings with his daughter, and the fact that an
adults viewpoint is biased by personal experiences.
(Q.) Do you think Jack and Jo could identify with Roger skunk as a victim of
the hatred of other creatures?
(Ans) Jack brought the story to life when he narrated the tale remembering certain

humiliations of his own childhood. The corners of Jos mouth drooped down and
her lower lip bent forward. A tear flowed along the side of the nose. This shows
that even Jo could identify with Roger skunk.
(Q.) Which two opposite forces acted on Jack while he was telling Jo the
story?
(Ans) Jack was telling Jo something she must know and had no wish to hurry on.
On the other hand he heard a chair scrapping. He realized that he must help his
pregnant wife Clare to paint the wood work down stairs. These were the opposite
forces acting on Jack while he was telling Jo the story.
(Q.) Why did Jo not approve of skunks mother scolding him for his new
smell?
(Ans) Jo was very happy that skunk smelt like roses. He was accepted by the
woodland creatures and was happy. Jo did not approve of skunks mother scolding
him for something that made him acceptable among his friends and brought him
happiness.
(Q.) What do you learn about Jos new reality phase?
(Ans) Earlier Jo used to accept her fathers word about magic etc. now she had
started asking if magic spells were real. She had become curious since a month.
She was growing up and wished to check the reality of all that was told to her.
Q. What is the ugly middle position where jack finds himself trapped?
Ans The ugly middle position refers to jacks helplessness and dilemma. Its ugly
because jack is not used to the women questioning his authority and jo constant
interruptions, clarifications, pointing out mistakes , disagreements, questioning the
end of the story and suggesting an alternate end makes jack uncomfortable. It is a
middle position because jack is as if coerced by the tradition (recalls his own
mother) and society to inculcate certain moral lessons in jo but at the same time he

is at loss. He is unable to satisfy jos lingering anxiety as he fails to understand her

perspective (her fear of abandonment), as a result he finds himself trapped in a
cage along with his wife which brings him no solace.

On the Face of it by Susan Hill

Bit/Bits

Derry was a teenager, highly pessimistic and withdrawn from the

mainstream society.

He developed this attitude after one side of his face was disfigured by acid.
He avoided company of others and remained lonely lest he be noticed by
other people.

He believed that no one loved him and his mother loved him because she
was supposed to.

Well, Derry cannot be completely blamed for his pessimistic and aggressive
attitude towards the world around him.

Once he heard two women commenting about his monstrous

appearance. They said only a mother could love a face like his.

On another day Derry heard his parents conversing that he would not
survive after their death because he was deformed.

The shock he received from these words was big.

On another occasion Derry heard his relatives saying that his being put in
the hospital where he had been treated after the accident was good for him.
In their opinion a deformed boy like Derry could accommodate himself with
other deformed boys and girls.

Derry had his ears always open for such comments and used to respond to
them in his silent way.

He concluded that the world altogether didnt need a boy like him.

One day Derry accidently met a man called Mr. Lamb.

Mr. Lamb was an old man with a lame leg. After he became lame, Mr.
Lamb began to develop a positive attitude with his deformity.

He worked hard to defeat this impairment and learnt to walk and climb
ladders.

He was happy to be alive and ignored his lameness.

He made everyone his friend and had a house with no curtains and open
doors. He welcomed anyone who came to him.

While Mr. Lamb took his impairment as a challenge and tried to overcome
it, Derry believed that he was unwanted and lost.

His pain was physical and mental. Being a child he was not as strong as Mr.
Lamb about suffering.

He couldnt take the sneering and sympathizing world as taken by Mr.

Lamb.

Mr. Lamb was able to sit smart and unaffected as long as he wore trousers
and sat but Derry had no way to hide his face.

After meeting Mr. Lamb Derry realized how foolish he had been to believe
his parents.

For him Lamb was a man who opened the doors of his closed world in an
hours time the same of which were shut on him by his parents and therefore
believed that his company with Lamb would make him a perfect person.

At the end Derry goes back to his house where his mother cross questioned
him. She had instructed him not to step out of the house.

Derry tried to convince his mother that Mr. Lamb was an extremely good
man but she was not ready to listen.

Ignoring his mothers thoughtless restrictions, Derry left his home and ran to
Mr. Lambs garden.

On reaching, Derry found a motionless Mr. Lamb fallen from the ladder.

He had fallen while pulling the crab apples down from the tree.

ON THE FACE OF IT
Justification of Title
According to the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, On the Face of it is an
informal expression used to say that something seems to be good, true etc. but this
opinion may need to be changed when you know more about it.
This definition of the expression should leave us in no doubt about the
appropriateness of the title. An individual may be quite different from what we
think of him or what he or she may apparently appear to be at first glance. There is
the imperative need for us to view others by removing our glasses of prejudice,
hatred, hearsay and dislike.
On the face of it, Mr. Lamb appears to be mysterious, lonely, lame old fellow who
lives in a neighbourhood house with a huge garden, but in reality he is very kind,
generous, loving and altruistic. Similarly, although Derek has an ugly looking
scary face, he is fine lad of fourteen with a deep longing for love. There is nothing
wrong with Mr. Lamb and Derek. What is wrong is the way people in their lives
and around them view and treat them.
On the face of it, there is so much of diversity, so many differences and divides
between the people and other species of the world but underneath is a oneness, a
sameness all of them are created by God and all of them need to live and grow
together with love and mutual acceptance/ As the play progresses the characters
views about each other and our impression of them changes for the better.
Thus, Susan Hill has quite appropriately entitled her play On the Face of it
Theme
People who suffer from disabilities must always look at the bright side of things
and adapt reality of life bravely. At the same time the actual pain or inconvenience
caused by a physical impairment is often much less than the sense of alienation felt
by the person. The disabled need support and acceptance and not our pity. The title

On the Face of it is used to mean that something seems to be good, true etc. but
that needs to be changed when you know more about it.
Appearances are deceptive and most often, we go on dealing with impressions and
prejudices about other without caring to know about them actually.People know
Mr. Lamb as a lonely eccentric lame old man but in reality he is a very kind and
generous man who longs for company and he loves his fellow human beings along
with all the other creations of God. Similarly Derek appears to be an abominable
ugly boy with a huge scar on his face whom no one loves or likes or befriends. He
is the object of other peoples hateful stares ridicules and neglect. Even his mother
does not dare to kiss him on the cheek with the scar. Yet this boy who is suffering
from an acute inferiority complex has a tender and sensitive heart. He wants to
love and be loved. Fortunately he eets Mr. Lamb who transforms him with his
healing touch.

Q1. Who is Derry? What self-opinion does he hold?

Derek, also called Derry was a young boy of 14. He was a quiet, shy and defiant
boy. One side of his face was totally burnt by acid. He was a victim of an
inferiority complex.
Q2. I am not afraid, people are afraid of me, why does Derry say so?
Derry lives in a cocoon of complexes due to his burnt face isolated himself
dont mix up considers his burnt face an unpleasant
</strong><strong>sight</strong> people are afraid of.

Q3. Mr. Lamb says to Derry; its all relative, beauty and the beast, what
essentially does he mean by that?
Mr. Lamb means to say that different people have different view pints to look at
the same thing. Some find one thing beautiful, others find it ugly. It all depends

onoutlook and attitude. It is, therefore, important to adopt a positive attitude

towards everything just like the Princess Beauty who loved the monstrous Beast in
the fairy tale. The point is that what you look like, but what you are inside.
Q4 What does Derry know about the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast? Why
is he not convinced by its moral?
-Derry had heard the tale; Beauty liked the monstrous Beast; when she kissed he
turned into a handsome prince; moral was not how you look outside but how you
look inside is important; Derry was not convinced as even if someone kissed he
would never change and his mother always kissed him only on the other cheek
Q5Mr. Lamb has successfully learned to cope with his loneliness. How?
keeps busy by gardening, rearing bees, making apple jam etc. Also
keeps windows and doors open, welcomes all companies.
Q6. What did Derrys mothers think of Mr. Lamb?
OR
Why did Derrys mother stop him, going to Mr. Lamb?
Derrys mother does not hold a good opinion about Mr. Lamb. She had heard
many things about the old man, therefore stops Derry to visit Mr. Lamb.
Q7. How does Lamb try to remove the baseless fears of Derry?
Mr. Lamb influences Derry his optimistic philosophy advised him not to give
attentionon others comments try to be internally pure and strong eliminate the
negativity of life.
Q8. Comment on the moral value of the play
The moral of the play is very loud and clear. The physically disabled should focus
on the brighter side of life and not to brood over the shortcomings. The society
should accept them as they are and expand their social interactions .In this way
they can fight out the loneliness, depression and disappointment.
Q9When I look in the mirrorIm afraid of me. Why does Derry say so?

*burn scar on his face, curious looks by people make him conscious,
avoids meeting others, sour experiences have made him bitter.
Q10What is ironical about his mothers behaviour towards Derry?
*her over-protective attitude stops Derry from meeting new people, discourages
him, instead of making him brave makes him timid.
Q11 Its got nothing to do with my face and what I look like. What
attitudinal change do Derrys words to his mother indicate?
*Derry attitude is now positive & he looks forward to a better life, no longer hiding
from others
Q12Though the play ends with Mr. Lambs death there is still an element of
hope. Explain.
*positive change in Derrys attitude by Mr. Lamb will be permanent,
his life will get better. Mr. Lamb has passed his knowledge and philosophy to
younger generation. Though Mr. Lamb is physically dead, but his ideas will remain
alive in Derrys heart.
Q13. What is it that draws Derry towards Mr. Lamb?
*Lamb makes Derry feel comfortable, doesnt question him about his disability,
instills confidence in him, is a good friend to him
Q14Why does Mr. Lamb leave his gate always open?
(a) happy to have visitors / children to come there for apples, pears and
toffees / to overcome his feeling of loneliness
Long answer questions
Q1 How did Mr. Lambs meeting with Derry become a turning point in
Derrys life?
Both Lamb and Derry handicapped
Derry in the beginning withdrawn and defiant
couldnt stand people staring at him

 Lamb open-minded and generous.

kept garden gate open and welcomed all
had a positive attitude, taught Derry not to indulge in self pity/love life
taught him the ways of dealing with people
Derry confessed to his mother that Lamb talked of things that nobody had ever
talked of things that gave him an optimistic outlook.
Even defied his mother.
Derrys return to Lambs garden shows his appreciation for Lamb/ restored
confidence.
.Q2 How did Mr. Lamb try to give courage and confidence to Derry?
Mr. Lamb welcomed him and accepted him as he was. He told him its important to
see how you are on the inside than how you look on the outside. One cannot go
through life being scares and alienated shouldnt brood over limitations but count
on his blessings-he had brain legs tongue arms and thus was totally functional-this
was a blessing. Enjoy simple joys of everyday living with people around and
nature, ignoring the unpleasant-see beauty in humming-weeds growing-flowers
blooming ones attitude that matters. Individuals make a difference to the problem
Extended unconditional love inspired him with love for life and instilled
confidence in him to look at life in an optimistic way. Embrace his burnt face and
rise above it.
Q3. The lesson, On The Face of It, is an apt depiction of the loneliness and
sense of alienation experienced by people on account of a disability. Explain.
loneliness and sense of alienation experienced by Derry and Mr Lamb
Derry
loner / pessimistic / suffered from severe negative complexes / anger and
frustration / withdrawn and introverted / low confidence / indulged in self pity
/ suspicious of the intent of others

(any two)
Mr Lamb
inwardly lonely, craved for company and acceptance
outwardly jovial, optimistic, lover of nature, social, outgoing, tolerant (didnt
mind children calling him Lamey Lamb or picking the Crab apples)
helpful, sensitive, independent
Q4 Mr. Lamb inspite of his bravado is a lonely man. Comment.

He lived alone in a huge house with a sprawling garden. He left his gate
open, hoping that people would just walk in. He pretends to have hundreds
of friends but in reality has none. Welcomes Derry in his garden and keeps
him engaged in conversation. He puts Derrys fears to rest. Doesnt curtain
his windows as he doesnt want to be shut away from the world. The open
window gives him the feeling of space and part of the world. When he
narrates his routine to Derry he creates an image of the house being full of
people. He visualizes people walking and sitting in front of fire sharing food
and time.

In the end he says they never come back. Indicating the sadness he
feels on alienation
One almost can see through his bravado of being very busy with lots of
friends

Q5. The actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment is

often much less than the sense of alienation felt by the person with disabilities.
What is the kind of behavior that the person expects from others?
Actual pain or inconvenience caused by physical impairment is often less than the
sense of alienation felt by the person with disabilities
Physical disabilities caused pain once in life time like during war when Mr.
Lamb got hurt and sometimes when its rainy.

 But after it this physical disability set chain for other actions caused mental
agony called Lamely lamb, mothers were afraid of sending the children because
of his tin leg.
-Derry burnt face everyone pities him-only a mother could love that face
-Both Mr. Lamb and Derry have been the victims of verbal atrocities
-Mr. Lamb takes comments lightly
-But Derry does not have the attitude like Mr. Lamb Attitude of the people needs
to be changed
Do not want sympathy but accept them as they are
-Wounds get healed but bitter comments never forgotten leaves a scar
Q6Acidate my face up. It ate me up. Describe the miseries suffered by
Derry after the unfortunate incident he refers to.
*Ignored by others or has to face curious looks, glances and questions, feels
awkward and abnormal, sense of isolation, unkind comments, over-protective
attitude of mother, no true friends.
Q7 Various factors can lead to psychological changes in ones personality.
Discuss with reference to Derrys experiences in On the face of it.
*Burn scars and unkind attitude of others make him negative, encouraging,
positive and kind attitude of Mr. Lamb changes his attitude.
Q8 Physically challenged people dont want sympathy, they just need
acceptance. Comment with illustrations from On the face of it.
Need for acceptance by fellow beings, pain of being ignored dont want to be
reminded of disabilities again and again, emotional scars deeper than physical
one, sympathy weakens them, need to be inspired
and encouraged..
Q.9.Explain: Derry is a victim of his own complex. How does there come a
change in his thinking?

Ans: Derry is a young boy of fourteen years. One side of his face is badly burnt
due to falling of the acid. He thinks it the ugliest thing in the world. When he sees
his face in the mirror, he gets afraid of himself. He has heard ladies saying What a
terrible face! None will like him. He becomes dejected, withdrawn and defiant. He
is unable to face the world. He avoids the general public. All these facts turn Derry
a victim of his own inferiority complex and negative attitude. By chance he sneaks
into the garden of Mr. lamb thinking it to be a secluded place. But Mr. Lamb
interrupts him and tells that his door is always open. People can come and he has
got so many friends. Consequently a surge of relief starts flowing in the mind of
Derry. He is drawn towards him. Mr. Lamb tells that children tease and call
him Lamey Lamb but he never minds. He plays with them and gives them
toffees. His viewpoint brings a great change in Derry. He becomes free from
inferiority complex and decides to face the realities of life.
Q10. Both Mr. Lamb and Derry represent two serious aspects of life, though
their origin can be called the same. Explain the statement.
Suggested Answer / Value PointsBoth Mr. Lamb & Derry are physically handicapped but have a different
perspective on life Derry an escapist intentionally distances himself from
people likes solitude considers his burnt face as the most ugliest thing
believes none even his mother will never love him.
On the other hand Mr. Lamb an open hearted & broad minded does not let his
disability affect his life being an optimistic takes life as it comes

enjoys sitting in the sun reading books growing flower & weeds with
his positivism enlightens Derry who then follows his foot step
Here are other short questions for testing yourself.

OTHER SHORT QUESTIONS

1. How does Derry enter the garden? What had he thought about it?
2. . How did Derrys face get disfigured?

3. How does Mr. Lamb differentiate between weeds and flowers? What
does it tell about Mr. Lamb?
4. What did Mr. Lamb tell Derry about his handicap?
5. Why isnt Mr. Lamb troubled by the poeple who stare at him?
6. What cruel things did the woman at the bus stop say about Derry?
7. It was so cruel. What does Derry refer to?
7. Which peculiar things does Derry notice about Mr. Lamb? (2008)
8. How do people react to Derrys burnt face?
9. How does Mr. Lamb convince Derry of the uselessness of being a
recluse?
10. * Why were there no curtains in Mr. Lambs house?
11. How does Mr. Lamb spend his time?
12. What did Derry overhear his parents talking about his future?
13. How is Mr. Lambs concept of a friend different from that of
Derrys?
14. Why does Mr. Lamb advise Derry to stop having feelings of hatred
towards the people?
15. How do Derrrys parents add to his feelings of insecurity?
16. How does Mr. Lamb treat the people who visit his house?
17. What according to Derry, would happen if Mr. Lamb continued his
friendship with him?
18. What has Derry been told by people who stare at him?
19. Why does Mr. Lamb tell Derry that if he went back he would never
return?
20. Why does Derrys mother object to his going to Mr. Lambs house? or
What did Derrys mother think of Mr. Lamb ?(2009)
2. Why does Derry say if I dont go back there Ill never go anywhere in
this world?

3. * Do you think Derry is a changed person at the end of the play? Give
reasons.

Evans tries an O Level

GIST OF THE LESSON
Evans a kleptomaniac was imprisoned thrice and all the time escaped from
the prison. Now he was in the prison for the fourth time and all of a sudden
developed to appear in Olevel German Examination which also was an effort
to break the prison.
The Governor takes utmost care to see that he would not be fooled. Every
care was taken to make Evans prepare for the exam.
He was tutored by a German tutor for 6 months. The day before the exam
the tutor wishes good luck but makes it clear that he had hardly any chance
of getting through. But Evans gives an ironical twist to the tutors observation
by saying I may surprise everybody.
On the day of the exam Jackson and Stephens visited Evans cell and took
away everything that may help him injure himself. Evans was insisted to take away
the hat but he refused saying that it was lucky charm.
Evans cell was bugged so that the Governor could himself listen to each
and every conversation in the cell. The invigilator Rev. S. McLeery too was
searched and left him to complete the task. Stephen sitting outside the cell every
now and then peeped into the cell.
The exam went on smoothly. Stephen escorted the invigilator to the main
gate and looked into Evans cell and found the invigilator (actually
Evans) wounded, informed the Governor. The latter was to be hospitalized
but informed that he was alright and asked them to follow Evans. Thus he
escaped the prison.

 When the invigilator was not found in the hospital they went to the residence
of Rev. S. McLeery only to find him bound and gagged in his study in Broad
Street. He has been there, since 8.15 a.m. Now everything was clear to the
Governor.
Evan escaped the prison the fourth time. But by taking the hint from the
question paper the Governor reached the hotel where Evans was and captured him
and came to know how he planned his escape and said that his game was over.
Evans surrenders himself to the Governor.
The Governor tells Evan they would meet soon.
The moment they are rid of the Governor, the so called prison officera friend
of Evansunlocks the handcuffs and asks the driver to move fast and Evans tells
him to turn to Newbury. Evans, thus, has the last laugh.
SOLVED QUESTIONS
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. What kind of a person was Evans?
Evans was a Kleptomaniac and had broken jail thrice. He was a master planner
and was very sociable. He knew how to keep intimate contacts with people. In the
words of the Governor, he was a pleasant sort of chap with no record of violence.
2. Do you think Evans statement, I may surprise everybody, has some
special significance?
Evans seems to be telling his teacher that he may surprise everybody by doing well
in the exam, but in reality it is a forewarning that he is going to jolt everybody by
his masterminded perfect escapeplan.
3. Who were the two visitors Evans received in the morning of the day of his
exam?
The two visitors Mr. Jackson, the senior prison officer of the prisons D Wing
man called Stephens, who had been only recently recruited.
4. Why did the Governor instruct Jackson to search McLeery?

The Governor asked Jackson to search McLeery, the invigilator, just in case he
has brought something unwittingly which might prove to be a weapon that Evans
could use and try escaping from prison.
5 .Why did Evans drape a blanket round his shoulder? What did Stephens
think about it?
In between intervals of Stephens peeping into the cell, Evans was changing into
the Parsons dress to look like McLeery. So, in order to conceal his effort to keep
them in place, Evans draped a blanket round his shoulder. Stephens was misled
into believing that Evans was feeling cold.
7. In spite of strict vigilance, how did Evans friend manage to give the
material for disguise in the cell?
Despite all vigilance, Evans friend disguised as McLeery, the invigilator, managed
to smuggle the disguised material into the cell. He came wearing two parsons
dresses with black fronts and collars. Apart from it he also brought an extra pair of
spectacles.
All this was passed on to Evans when Stephens vigilant eyes were away from the
peephole.
LONG ANSWER QUESTION
1. What were the precautions taken for the smooth conduct of the
examination?
Since Evans had already escaped from the jail on three earlier occasions, there
was always a lurking fear that he might make another attempt to escape. Therefore
all possible precautions were taken to see that the Olevel German examination
arranged
in the prison did not provide him with any means of escape. The Governor
personally monitored all security arrangements and heavily guarded the Recreation
Block from where he expected the prisoner to make another break. Evans cell was
thoroughly checked by Jackson to ward off the possibility of the presence of an
incriminating material which might hamper the smooth conduct of the
examination. His nailscissors, nailfile and razor were taken away; and to keep a

strict watch on the activities of the cell during the examination, the Governor got it
bugged. A police officer Stephens was posted to keep a constant vigil on his
activities. The invigilator, too was frisked to make sure that he carried no
objectionable material with him.
(Q.) Attempt a brief character sketch of Evans the Break.
(Ans) Evans the Break comes across to us as a highly clever, manipulative and
shrewd individual. A non-violent kleptomaniac by birth, he was a jail-bird having
being put in prison several times and escaping as many as three times. He was an
amusing chap, good at imitations and a star at the Christmas concert. He had an
unkempt physical appearance but a cheerful smile which he used for the prison
officers.A cunning and resourceful person, Evans is able to use his presence of
mind time and again, to his utmost advantage. He makes a request to Mr. Jackson
to allow him to put on his bobble hat, but complains to the invigilator against
Stephens whose presence disturbs his concentration. He is polite when he makes
special requests to shut his convenience or rather when he plans to put his plan into
action. He is quick to disguise himself as parson McLeery and spill blood on
himself to appear injured. He is a clever manipulator and uses this quality to win
the confidence of the police officers. Evans enjoys the faith, support and active
cooperation of his team of dedicated comrades. They are meticulous in their
planning and work out the minutest details in order to carry out their plans without
any mishap. Even in the worst circumstances, Evans does not lose his cool. He has
the last laugh when he is able to fool the police officers and the Governor and
escapes for the fourth time.
(Q.) Who, do you think, has the last laugh- The Governor or Evans? How?

(Ans) It is Evans who has the last laugh in the story. The two persons, i.e. driver
and the silent prison officer turn out to be the accomplices of Evans. The Governor

became complacent as he thought he had nabbed the prisoner and will soon put
him in prison. But Evans escapes once again.
(Q.) What did Stephens see, when he peeped through the hole of the cell of
Evans after leaving McLeery at the main gate of the prison?
(Ans) Stephens thought of looking at Evans once again after leaving McLeery at
the main gate. He saw a terrible sight. He saw a man with short hair presumably
McLeery in a pool of blood sprawling back in Evans chair.
(Q.) How did McLerry want to help the police?
(Ans) The injured McLeery said that he knew where Evans was. He wanted to
accompany the police in finding Evans. He insisted that he did not need to be
hospitalized as he was all right. He showed the question paper to the Governor to
impress upon him that Evans had befooled everybody.
Q.) What important clues were hidden in the German Question paper?
(Ans) There was a photocopied sheet hidden in the German question paper. It was
very cleverly pasted on the last blank sheet of the question paper. It had
instructions written in German. It read: follow the plan. The vital point in time was
three minutes before the end of the examination. He was not to hit the person hard
and overdo the scot accent. He was to move the Headington round about and then
make way to Newbury.
(Q.) Where was the real McLeery?
(Ans) The real Rev. McLeery was gagged and tied in his room since 8:15 am. The
two men visited McLeery in the morning. They gagged him and tied him in his
study. Since 8:15 in the morning, the real McLeery had been in his own house. It
was Evans accomplice who had come as McLeery to the examination centre.
(Q.) What was the significance of the two phone calls the Governor received
after a quarter of an hour of the start of the examination?
(Ans) The first phone call was made by the Assistant Secretary of the Examination
Board. It was regarding a correction slip for the German paper that Evans was

writing. The word Golden Lion was to be used in place of Golden Lowe. The
second call came from the Magistrates Court. They needed a prison van and a
couple of prison officers for a remand case
(Q.) How did the prison machinery swing into action? What did they
overlook?
(Ans) Prison officers started shouting orders as soon as they discovered that Evans
had escaped. Sirens were blown. Puzzled prisoners pushed their way along and
doors were banged and bolted. Phones were ringing everywhere. Jackson and
Stephens supported McLeery on either side and brought him to the prison yard.
The identity of the injured McLeery remained unchecked.
(Q.) What did the Governor think of Evans and his plan after ringing up
Detective Chief Inspector Bell?
(Ans) The Governor admired clever Evans and his beautifully laid plan. He also
commented on Evans carelessness in leaving behind the question paper. He said
that all criminals got caught because they left important clues behind. He was sure
that they would soon be able to catch Evans and put him in prison once again.
Q.) What two purposes did the correction slip serve? Which of them did
Evans consider more important?
(Ans) The correction slip revealed the name of the hotel and its location. He had to
go to Golden Lion. It also contained the exact time the exam started. For Evans,
it was an important thing that the phone rang just before the exam finished. Thus
he was able to get the prison officers out of the way for a couple of minutes.
(Q.) What did Evans own hair look like? How then did he impersonate
McLeery?
(Ans) Evans hair was long and wavy while McLeery had closely clipped hair,
almost next to the scalp. Jackson had removed Evans scissors, so he had to
remove his hair off with razor. After that he kept his head covered with a bobble
hat to prevent being noticed.
(Q.) How did the Governor of Oxford Prison locate the hiding place of Evans?
(Ans) The Governor told Evans that he had used the same method as Evans had

done. The six figure reference 313/271 was formed by two hints- Index number
313 and centre number 271. If one takes an Ordinance Survey Map for Oxfords
hire, this number lands are bang in the middle of Chipping Norton.
(Q.) What request did the Secretary of the Examination Board receive from
the Governor of Oxford Prison?
(Ans) The Governor of Oxford Prisons request was to create an examination
centre in the prison for one candidate named James Roderick Evans who wanted to
appear in O Level German Examination to be held on June 8.
(Q.) What enquiry did the Secretary of the Examination Board make about
Evans?
(Ans) The Secretary of the Examination wanted cursory details about the examinee
regarding his nature. He wanted to know if Evans was a violent sort of a person.
He was told that there was no record of violence.
(Q.) Who met Evans on the eve of the examination? What does this brief
interview reveal?
(Ans) Mr. Jackson and Mr. Stephens visited Evans on the morning of the
Examination. They visited him to ensure that he did not have any weapon with
him. Evans was called Evans the Break as he had escaped from Prison three times.
(Q.) What puzzled Mr. Jackson about the contents in McLeerys suitcase?
(Ans) Jackson saw a smallish semi-inflated rubber ring. Even a young child might
have to struggle into it. Jackson questioned McLeery about it. He replied that he
suffered from piles.
(Q.) Why did the Governor doubt the phone call from the Examination board
for the correction in the paper? What did he do?
(Ans) The Governor doubted the phone call from the Examination board for the
correction in the paper because he thought it might be a fake call. He tried to verify
the call. He held the incoming call and from the other line called the Examination
Board. Since the number was busy he assumed the call was a genuine one.
Q.) How did Stephens keep an eye on Evans? What did he notice on looking
through the peep-hole in Evans cell?

(Ans) Stephens peeped after every one minute. He found Evans sitting with his pen
between his lips. He sat staring straight in front at the door. McLeery sat on his
chair reading the Church Times. His right index finger was hooked beneath the
narrow clerical collar. The fingers of the left hand were slowly stroking the short
black board.
(Q.) What request did Evans make about half an hour before the end of the
examination? What did Stephens think about it?
(Ans) Evans requested to have a blanket put round his shoulders. A minute later,
Stephens was surprised to see a grey blanket draped round Evans shoulders.
Stephens was misled into believing that Evans was feeling cold.
(Q.) How did Evans manage his final escape?
(Ans) Evans was handcuffed and made to sit in the prison van. But the Governor
was complacent and it was Evans accomplices inside the van. As the van turned to
the Oxford Road, the silent prison officer who was Evans friend unlocked the
handcuffs. Evan suggested that they go towards Newbury. Evans had his final
escape.
(Q.) Give an account of the blunders committed by the prison authorities
which helped Evans in escaping from the prison.
(Ans) Prison authorities made many blunders. It was only because of these
mistakes that Evans could escape from the prison. The hatching of the escape plan
started with the German tutors entry. The German teacher who had been coming
to take Evans classes was Evans accomplice. Everyone assumed that he was a
teacher from the technical college. The invigilators identify was also not verified.
On the Examination day, Jacksons not getting Evans bobble-hat removed was a
blunder. If Stephens had not shifted from the cell, the escape would not have been
possible. Jackson should have searched McLeery thoroughly and seen the rubber
ring closely. The prison staff blindly believed that the injured was the invigilator,
though it was Evans playing a trick on them. When Evans was arrested, the
Governor was complacent and sent him in a prison van, leaving Evans in the hands
of his own accomplices. He thus, lost Evans who made his final escape

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. What different queries does the Secretary of the Examinations Board make
from the Governor before conducting the examination for Evans and why?
2. Who do you think made a call regarding a correction in the question paper?
What did it really want to convey?
3. Who is Carter? What does the Governor want him to go and why?
4. How did the Governor manage to reach Evans in the hotel?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. What impression do you form of Evans?
2. Comment on the ending of the play Evan Tries An OLevel.
3. How far do you agree with the observation: He was just another
goodforagiggle, gullible governor that was all?
4. Do you think the title Evans Tries an OLevel is appropriate? Give
reasons in support of your answer.

MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD
GIST OF THE LESSON
I Part -The first part deals with the account of Simmons, An American Indian,
who fought against the prejudices of the society against American Indians.

She describes her experiences on her first day at the Carlisle Indian School.

The customs and rules of the place were strange and new to her.

She was forced to wear clothes that were considered undignified in her
culture

At breakfast, she was embarrassed as she did not know the routine of the
place.

When she comes to know that they were planning to cut her hair, she
protests by hiding under the bed, even though she knew it was futile. In her
culture, it was the cowards whose hair was shingled.

She felt like an animal driven by a herder.

PART II

The second part is an excerpt from the autobiography Karukku by Bama

a Tamil Dalit.

She was in her third grade when she becomes aware of the indignities that
the lower caste people face.

She happens to see an elderly person from her community abase himself in
front of a higher caste person as he was not supposed to touch the food that
he was ordered to fetch for the landlord.

Later, her brother explains to her that the incident was not at all funny as she
initially thought, but very pathetic. The people from the lower caste were
treated as untouchables.

She was deeply saddened and decided to study hard to overcome discrimination

NCERT QUESTIONS
Q.1. The two accounts that you read above are based in two distant cultures.
What is the commonality of theme found in both of them?
The unit presents autobiographical episodes of the lives of two women from
marginalized communities who look back on their childhood, and reflect on their
relationship with the mainstream culture. Both-victims of prejudice oppression
experienced indignation, sadness and outrage. Affected by their unpleasant

experience of childhood Fought against the injustice. Both use the power of pen to
fight oppression.
Q3. Bamas experience is that of a victim of the caste system. What kind of
discrimination does Zitkala-sas experience depict? What are their responses
to their respective situations?
Ans. Zitkala Sa : victim of racial discrimination / cultural invasion
The lesson presents a good account of two different girls living at distant places.
Both the women belong to the marginalized communities. Zitkala-Sa was a Native
American. She was taken away from her mother forcibly because the white people
wanted the native Indians to adopt their culture. Zitkala revolted the way the Indian
girls were forced to wear dresses in an immodest way. She was shocked to know
that that the school authorities were going to cut her long hair because in her
community shingled hair were worn only by cowards. She hid herself under a bed
in a large room. But when she was caught , she resisted by kicking and scratching..
But she could do nothing when they took her bravely, tied in a chair and cut off her
hair. But her spirit could not be suppressed.

On the other hand, Bama was a low caste girl. She saw the upper caste people
showing discrimination against lower caste people. They could not touch food and
other items of the upper caste people. They had to work for them and bow their
heads. Her spirit too revolted against this injustice. She felt terribly sad and
agitated. She could not understand this human treatment since all are human
beings. She wanted honour for all. Her brother Annan told her that she could do
away with these indignities if she worked hard. Bama studied hard and stood first
in her class. Many people became her friends.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q.1. I felt like sinking to the floor ! Who felt so and why?
Ans. Zitkala-sa felt so when on her first day in Carlisle Indian School her blanket
was rudely stripped off her shoulders. She felt exposed, as if her very identity had
been snatched away so cruelly

Q2 How were the Indian girls dressed?(p-94,2nd para These were

Indianhair)

Q3 What embarrassing situation arose when Zitkala-sa sat on hearing the

first bell?

Q4.What information did Judewin give Zitkala-sa? (p-95 ,para-2 ,But this
eating)

Q5What were the indignities that the new girls were subjected to at Carlisle
Indian School?
(The girls were scrutinized thoroughly and supervised by a grey-haired woman.
They were made to wear tight fitting immodest clothes and stiff shoes. During
breakfast a systematic and regimental discipline was observed. The girls with long
hair had to get them shingled and they had to submit to the authorities who were
strong, unfeeling and cruel)

Q6 Why was Zitkala-Sa terrified when Judewin told her that her hair would
be cut short?

Q7 Why does the author feel that she has been deprived of freedom in the
hostel?
(Moccasins not allowed in the hostel, strict discipline ,long hair- cut, loss of
freedom)
Q8..Interpret Judewins personality on the basis of her comment We have to
submit, because they are strong .
(Hints : Judewins character submissive , cowardly, realistic)

Q9. Why was the girl, Zitkala tied to a chair in Memories of Childhood?
Ans: Zitkala Sa tells about her first day in school. She had long hair. According to
the culture of the whites they wanted to cut her long hair. But she refused to obey
their decision. She was dragged out and tied fast with a chair for cutting her hair.
She resisted but all in vain.

Q10. What did Zitkala-Sa feel when her long hair was cut?
( felt indignant / anguished / lost her spirit / looked for comforting / felt
like an animal driven by a herder / felt helpless like a puppet 2 marks)
Q11*. What indignities did Zitkala-sa have to suffer after she was separated
from her mother? (p-96 ,2nd para)

Q12.What does Bama say about untouchability at the onset of the story? (p-96
,3rd para When i was studying)

Q13.What was the incident that made Bama laugh as well as feel so provoked
and angry?

Ans. Bama saw an elderly man of her street carrying a packet of Vadais by the
strings and walking gingerly, holding the parcel away from his body. Bama found
his manner of carrying the parcel very funny. But her brother explains to her the
higher caste people believed that if the lower caste people touched the parcel it
would be polluted. Thats why the elder was carrying it in that manner. This
provokes and angers Bama.
Q.14. Who was Annan? Why was he not amused by Bamas story?
Ans. Annan was Bamas elder brother. Bamas story didnt amuse him because he
knew the elderly man of their street was carrying a packet of food in the odd
manner because they were untouchables and if the food came in contact with their
body it would become polluted and unfit for consumption by his upper caste
master.
Q15How did Bama react when she came to know why the elderly man was
carrying the packet? (p-99 ,1st &2nd para)
Q16 What did the author (Bama) think of upper caste people in? Why they
didnt treat them human beings?
( Bama thought that upper class people thought so much of themselves they had
wealth-didnt mean lose all human feelings)

Q17 Why did Landlords man asked Bamas brother ,on which street id he
live? What was the significance?
Q18. What advice did Annan offer Bama?
( advised her to work hard / study with care and make progress to throw
away indignities / if you are ahead in your lesson, people will come to you 2
marks)
Q19What impact did Annans advice have on Bama and with what effect? (p99 ,last para,p-100 )

LONG QUESTIONS
Q1 Seeds of rebellion are sown early in life injustice even cant escape the eyes
of child. Justify the statement with reference to the lesson and Memories of
childhood.
Ans. The lesson Memories of Childhood is an amalgamation of two
autobiographical episodes. One by American Indian woman and second by a Tamil
Dalit writer. Both stories highlight the womens oppression, class barriers,
racialism, discrimination and exploitation that tend to pull them down. Both the
stories advocate the statement that seeds of rebellion are sown early in life.
In The Cutting of my long hair the feeling of breaking free and gaining freedom
are seen in the girl. Zitkala-Sa, in the very first line reports that her first day in
school was bitter-cold. For her, it not only describes the weather, but also
represents the atmosphere of the boarding school. Though she was a child but she
could observe the overly disciplined students of the school and and its unfriendly
staff. She faced indignity & oppression since she had left her mother. She is not
ready to get her hair cut, to lose her & identity. She fights till the end but is
helpless as she overpowered.

Also in We Too Are Human Beings, when Bama was in class 3rd, no had talked to
her about untouchability but still she had experienced it and could notice the
difference between landlords and Dalits.The little girl was amused to see how the
old man was holding the packet but when she came to discover the truth, she is
extremely upset & citizens the way of the rich. Through her struggle & hard work
she stands first & wins many friends. Thus we can see that though the children are
small & innocent but they cannot tolerate injustice if they are taught early in their
life.

Q2 Describe Zitkala-Sas ordeal in school on her first day.

(Hints : explanation of two incidents , first in the dining room and second the hair
cutting episode)

Q3 It took almost an hour for Bama to reach back home from school. Why?
OR
What were the novelties and oddities in the bazaar which entertained Bama?
Ans. Bama was a young playful girl studying in class three. Her school was at a
distance of ten minutes from her home but she normally took at least thirty minutes
to traverse this distance.
The bazaar on the way was full of novelties and oddities for her-the performing
monkey, the snake kept by the snake charmer in its box, the cyclist who had not
got off his bike for three days, the spinning wheels, the Maariyaata temple, the
pongal offerings being cooked in front of the temple; the various food stalls in
front of the temple, the different hues of the street light and the narikkuravan
hunter gypsy with its wild lemur in cages. A different kind of performance on stage
such as a street play, a puppet show, a magic show or speeches by budding

politicians also caught her attention. Even the way the waiters cooled the coffee at
the coffee clubs or the way people cut onions held the little girl spell-bound. The
fruit growing on a tree as well as the seasonal fruits being sold held her captive.
Hence we see that before Bama was rudely oriented to the unfortunate reality of
her caste she was an innocent child buoyed by the simple sights of life.

Q4 How does Memories of Childhood. Bring out the plight of marginalized

communities in India?
HINTS: the text experiences of two small girls from marginalized
communitiesforced to accept the rules laid by people of so called high caste
both humiliated and tortured for being from low castethrows light on how they
had to sacrifice their self right to self esteem and were subjected to unbearable
humiliationcharacters symbolize communitiespersonal experiences
universalized compels the reader to think how humane is the human world.

Q5 Zitkala-sa did not tamely surrender but put up a brave fight. How did she
show her resistance to the cutting of her hair?

Q6 The cutting of my hair shows insensitivity of the mainstream culture

towards marginalized communities. Discuss

Q7. What was Bamas initial reaction to the incident on the street? How did
her reaction change later on?