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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 7 The Frog and the Nightingale are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 7 The Frog and the Nightingale.

All questions and answers from the NCERT Book of class 10 English Chapter 7 are provided here for you for free.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 7 The Frog and the Nightingale

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Pages 85 & 91)

Question 1.
Listed below are a few character traits of people. Some are positive qualities, while others are not. Tick mark the ones you feel are desirable qualities in a person.

Answer:

Question 2.
Have you come across people who are not what they seem to be-like someone who is extremely friendly and helpful yet you are not very comfortable with him/her as you feel it is a put-on ? Have a class discussion about such people and why you feel as you do.
Answer:
Meant for classroom activity. The following may help the students in their discussion.

Yes I have come across such persons. They, at first, are and can be successful in impressing others. But when the reality about them comes out they become the laughing stock. Also they lose something in their popularity and what they have shown earlier. We tend to develop distance between them as they stop being men of integrity.

A man with natural good human qualities and having integrity, honesty, large-heartedness, etc, is always respected in society. Such qualities defy time as they are basically human. Such persons always are the sources of inspiration for others.

Question 3.
Before you read the poem complete the word-web with the words that we associate with a Frog and a Nightingale.

Answer:

Question 4.
The following is a summary of the poem but it is jumbled up. Write out the events in their correct order to form a continuous paragraph.

(a) As a result, her voice lost its beauty, and the other creatures stopped coming to hear her sing.
(b) Soon the nightingale became famous, and creatures from miles around came to hear her sing.
(c) All the creatures in the bog cheered and clapped at her beautiful song.
(d) He offered to train the nightingale, so that she could sing even more beautifully.
(e) So the frog could sing unrivalled in the bog once more.
(f) The next night the frog introduced himself.
(g) The frog charged an admission fee, and earned a lot of money from these concerts.
(h) A frog croaked all night in a bog, in an unpleasant voice.
(i) But the frog made the nightingale rehearse continuously in the rain.
(j) One night a nightingale began to sing in a melodious voice.
(k) Finally, the nightingale burst a vein and died.

Answer:
The correct order is :

1. (h)
2. (j)
3. (c)
4. (f)
5. (d)
6. (b)
7. (g)
8. (i)
9. (a)
10. (k)
11. (e)

Question 5.
Now that you have read the poem, add more personality traits to the word- web of the frog and the nightingale as depicted in the poem. Then complete the table given below. (Some of the words in the box below may help you. You may also use the words given in Q.1.)


Answer:

Question 6.
Divide yourselves into groups of four or five and brainstorm on any one of the given situations in order to create an imaginary dialogue or a comic strip. Keep in mind the characters and situations while doing so. Representatives from each group could then present the dialogues/read them to the class.

Answer:

Mainly for classroom activity. The following information for different situations shall help greatly in this sort of discussion :

The points to be discussed in group activity together with characters and situations in each case are :

(a) Other creatures hate the croaking of the frog. They throw stone at him, pray to him to stop croaking and use sticks. But the frog refuses to budge. They also insult him publicly, complain against him or throw stones at him. But everything is useless to silence him. He is such a shameless person that these do not have any effect on him. Students to focus on the efforts of the creatures to stop the croaking of the frog.

(b) When the nightingale sings for the first time, the frog gapes with amazement. Other creatures stare towards the sumac tree fully charmed by the melodious song of the nightingale. Ducks swim to her and herons wade to her to hear her sing. When she stops singing they clap in admiration. Toads, teals and tiddlers call it ‘Bravo !’
‘Too divine’, and demand her to sing more.

(c) The nightingale is awestruck when the frog introduces himself. It is because she had never anticipated such a diversionary view about her song. Strangely, the frog introduces himself in a detailed manner. In doing so he shows an authoritative attitude. Strangely, he does so in a gentle tone. He tells her that he edits the Bog Trumpet and writes songs for it also. Thus he poses to be an intellectual.

Shallow persons always succeed in showing off their hollowness through hyperbolic overtones. But the reality about them is soon out.

(d) The nightingale offers herself to be trained by this Mozart. It is the morning and it is raining. Her ‘training’ starts. But she says she can’t sing in such a weather. The frog offers to sing with her. His training lasts for six hours. He makes her sing from this tree to that tree physically exhausting her in the name of training. The nightingale shivers due to cold and her voice gets hoarse and quivering.

(e) The nightingale becomes a huge sensation. Creatures from far crowd the place to hear her sing. The frog charges admission fee and earns a huge money. A large number of titled gentry crowds the place. But such a thing doesn’t last long.

Soon the nightingale fails to earn money for the frog. He calls her to give the audience ‘something sharper, snappier’ and add some frills. But the nightingale can’t continue singing for long. Due to continuous singing and over-exertion she gets very weak and tired. Her voice zips and trills and the ticket office gross crashes.

The frog gets very angry and calls the nightingale ‘brainless’. He asks her to puff her lungs with passion. But he has drained her energies. Weeping and trembling she puffs up to sing but dies due to the bursting of her vein.

The reaction of the frog : He calls her stupid, too prone to influence. He leaves no alibi to be responsible for her death—a crafty and wicked being.

Question 7.
On the basis of your understanding of the poem, complete the sentences given below by choosing the appropriate option.

1. The frog’s aim was to

(a) make the nightingale a sensation
(b) make the nightingale as good a singer as him
(c) maintain his supremacy in the bog
(d) make a lot of money.

2. The animals reacted to the nightingale’s song with

(a) hatred
(b) admiration
(c) indifference
(d) suggestions for improvement

3. The nightingale accepted the frog’s tutelage as she

(a) was not confident of herself
(b) wanted to become as good a singer as the frog
(c) wanted to become a professional singer
(d) was not a resident of Bingle Bog

Answer:

1. (c) maintain his supremacy in the bog
2. (b) admiration
3. (c) wanted to become a professional singer

Question 8.
Read the stanza given below and complete the sentences by choosing the appropriate option.

Day by day the nightingale
Grew more sorrowful and pale
Night on night her tired song
Zipped and trilled and bounced along,
Till the birds and beasts grew tired
At a voice so uninspired
And the ticket office gross
Crashed, and she grew more morose
For her ears were now addicted
To applause quite unrestricted,
And to sing into the night
All alone gave no delight.

(i) The nightingale was sorrowful and pale because

1. she had been practicing in the rain
2. she had been performing all night
3. she was losing confidence in herself
4. she was falling ill.

(ii) The audience was tired of her song because

1. they had heard it many times
2. it had become mechanical
3. she looked tired
4. she had added trill to her song.

(iii) She no longer enjoyed singing alone as

1. she wanted to sing only for titled crowd
2. she was now used to the appreciation she got
3. the frog was no longer with her
4. she had become proud of herself.

Answer:

(i) 2. she had been performing all night
(ii) 2. it had become mechanical
(iii) 2. she was now used to the appreciation she got.

Question 9.
Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) How did the creatures of Single bog react to the nightingale’s singing ? (V. Imp.) (CBSE 2014, 2015)

(b) Which are the different ways in which the frog asserts his importance ? (V. Imp.)

(c) Why is the frog’s joy both sweet and bitter ? (V. Imp.)

(d) Why was the frog angry ?

(e) How did the frog become the unrivalled king of the bog again ? (V. Imp.) (CBSE 2015)

Answer:

(a) The creatures of Bingle Bog reacted firstly to the nightingale’s singing very favourably. They, in fact, crowded the places where they could hear the nightingale sing so sweetly. Animals and birds came from long distances to hear her sweet and melodious song.

(b) The frog asserts his importance as a musician and an art critic. He also shows his importance that he owns the Bingle Bog and reigns supreme in it. He also tells her that if she gets training from him, she would scale new heights in singing.

(c) The frog’s joy is sweet because he is earning a lot of money from the nightingale’s singing. Secondly, he is getting success in tiring the nightingale out and killing her. His joy is bitter because the revenue is getting less and less. Obviously, the nightingale is not attracting a large crowd of animals and birds as expected by the frog.

(d) The frog was angry because the nightingale didn’t sing sweetly to enable him to earn more. Secondly, her voice was becoming ‘uninspired’. Her song now zipped, trilled and bounced along.

(e) The frog became the unrivalled king of the bog again after the death of the nightingale. Now no bird or animal could rival him in singing. Secondly, all of them over there were greatly scared of him.

Question 10.
Discuss the following questions and write the answers in your note-books.

(a) Bring out the irony in the frog’s statement—‘Your song must be your own’.

(b) Do you think the end is justified ? (V. Imp.)

(c) Do you think the nightingale is ‘brainless’ ? Give reasons for your answer. (V. Imp.) (CBSE 2014)

(d) In spite of having a melodious voice and being a crowd puller, the nightingale turns out to be a loser and dies. How far is she responsible for her own downfall ?

(e) Do you agree with the Frog’s inference of the Nightingale’s character ? Give reasons for your answer. (V. Imp.)

Answer:

Discussion at class level. The answers are given below :

(a) The irony here is that the frog means that the nightingale’s song is not hers but it has been stolen. Indirectly, he means to say that the nightingale steals others’ songs and that’s why her song is so melodious.

(b) The end seems to be appropriate as it justifies the truth that evil people at first have the upper hand over the innocent ones. Here the nightingale is alone ; so it is natural ‘innocence’ symbolised by her. This is crushed by the ‘cruel and crafty designs’ of evil frog.

(c) Yes, to a greater extent, the nightingale is ‘brainless’ because she doesn’t see into the things. She is innocent and credulous to the extent that whatever the frog says is accepted by her. She must have been worldly-wise, careful and alert. Also she should have seen beyond what the frog tells her. In a way she should not have followed what the frog told her to do.

(d) The nightingale herself is responsible for her own downfall as such men are bound to fail before the crafty and deceitful persons. She has no capacity to judge and evaluate the persons from their sweet tongues. That’s why, she is killed by the evil designs of the frog. He simply ploys her to her death.

(e) Yes, I agree with the Frog’s inference of the Nightingale’s character. She must have seen through the evil designs of the Frog and acted accordingly. But being innocent and simple-hearted, she didn’t evaluate the Frog’s tricks to liquidate her out of Bingle Bog. Being flattering and submissive she paid the price in her death.

Question 11.
The Frog and the nightingale’ is a spoof on the present society. Study the Mind Map given below. Divide yourselves into groups, select a box and discuss the statement given. Then present your views to the class

Answer:

Classroom activity. The following information shall help the students in their discussion :

1. Shallow thinking patterns are basically those patterns which dwell mainly on one’s selfishness and self-interests. These selfishness and self-interests are basically materialistic and harmful. Since these are born merely out of jealousy and ill-will, these produce fickle-mindedness in the people. Fickle-minded people have no backbone and can simply be harmful. They have no human virtues like fidelity, honesty and integrity.

2. Fickle-minded people have no locus standi of their own. They are simply those persons who pose to show that they are something. But in reality they are a group of brainless persons with a limited thinking. These persons are very dangerous as their sole aim is to cause damage to the progressive ones.

3. Materialistic society or materialism is the by-product of fickle-minded people and of those people who have a shallow thinking. People loving materialism are always showy and pompous. They have nothing to do with aesthetic or human virtues. They know only the mathematics of amassing materialistic things and looking at things in the name of buying and purchasing. The virtues that lie at the roots of a good person or a good thing are unknown to them.

4. Such materialistic persons have their eyes on successes by hook or by crook. They do succeed temporarily but in between face the music of their limited values. For instance, the frog aims to remove the nightingale and earn money. He earns money but for how long ? His clever plans succeed but partially. So materialistic persons succeed initially but not always.

5. If such persons are behind the art, art tends to be commercialized. The frog commercializes the art of singing of the nightingale. He treats the nightingale as a hen that lays golden eggs. But for how long ? So if art is in the hands of the people like the sly and wicked frog, God save us ! True art lies not in material terms but it is deeply connected with the aesthetic qualities of men. If it is balanced with materialism it ceases to be true Art.

CLASS DISCUSSION
How a person tries to put down another when that person is succeeding in his or her life.

Our self-image is often based on what others make us believe we are. A poor self-image can do irreparable damage to us. Do you agree with this statement ? Elaborate with suitable reasons and examples.

Answer:

Mainly for discussion at class level. The following shall help the students in their discussion :

Yes, I agree with this that our poor self-image can do irreparable damage to us. A poor self-image means loss of self-confidence or low self-confidence. This, too, is very bad as it never lets a person face the harsh and bitter realities of life. Low self-confidence or over self-confidence are both bad. There are many persons around us who may not digest our progress. So they may try to derail us by sweet talks. But their sole aim is to show that they are our well-wishers. But in reality their jealousy and ill-will damage us in one way or the other. Obviously, we should not take them on their face value or by their sly and clever talks. In fact, we should judge or evaluate their hypocritical advice or interpretation objectively. Flattery is another tool to damage us. In fact, we should always keep in mind that all that glitters can never be gold. If the nightingale had understood and evaluated the frog’s ‘sweet’ talks, she shouldn’t have died.

WRITING TASK
Question 12.
The nightingale has scaled the heights of success. But now the audience is dwindling, the frog is unhappy and reprimands her all the time. She is mentally and physically exhausted and fears failure. As the nightingale, write a diary entry highlighting her fears and analyzing the reasons for her failure.
Answer:
Sunday, 17th September, 20 – 9 pm

I can’t forget when the frog came to me for the first time and spoke sweet words. Those words were never sweet. But my foolishness and too much submissive nature made me feel so. Now I clearly visualize the crafty nature of the frog. He has really duped me and I, being foolish, believed in him !

I see now that I can’t sing melodiously as I did earlier. When I sang with my own choice and will, I sang melodiously. The sly frog charged fees and earned a lot. He compelled me to sing with trills and frills and change the style. He said that it was all in the name of training. But now I realize it was not training but killing me slowly due to overwork and exertion.

At this point of my life I see myself defeated at the hands of this sly frog. I feel physically exhausted. I can’t sing non-stop. I find myself physically exhausted. Truly he took full advantage of my innocence and simple-heartedness. Very cleverly he led me to my own death without any alibi. I want to leave a message that we must not believe in what others say about ourselves.

Nightingale

Question 13.
Write an obituary for the nightingale. You may begin like this : May the kind soul (or you may make use of your own beginning).
Answer:

An Obituary for the Nightingale

May the kind and innocent soul of the Nightingale rest in peace ! The Nightingale was really innocent, simple-hearted, cooperative and compassionate. In her death she has left a vacuum which is difficult to fill up. She had malice towards none but had to pay the price of being innocent, submissive, simple-hearted and credulous. But strangely she herself became a victim of the modern evils like craftiness, selfishness, and the power of place. One must be vigilant, alert and suspicious of others, especially of the sweet-tongued. One must be conscious that all that glitters is not gold. We must shun the people having the qualities of the frog. Being credulous is always harmful.

LISTENING TASK
Question 14.
Listen to a poem on a similar theme by Mary Howitt and compare the Fly to Vikram Seth’s Nightingale.
Answer:

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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 4 A Shady Plot are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 4 A Shady Plot.

All questions and answers from the NCERT Book of class 10 English Chapter 4 are provided here for you for free.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 4 A Shady Plot

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Pages 33 and 46)

Question 1.
Given below is a list of words related to ghosts and ghost stories with their jumbled up meanings against them. Match the words/expressions with their correct meanings :


Answer:

(a) – (vii)
(b) – (xiv)
(c) – (ix)
(d) – (xi)
(e) – (viii)
(f) – (x)
(g) – (xii)
(h) – (xiii)
(i) – (iv)
(j) – (iii)
(k) – (i)
(l) – (v)
(m) – (vi)
(n) – (ii)

Question 2.
The title of the story is A Shady Plot. The dictionary defines the words as:

shady adjective
(а) Full of shade ; shaded.
(b) Casting shade : a shady grove.
(c) Quiet, dark, or concealed ; hidden.
(d) Of dubious character or of questionable honesty,

plot noun
(a) (i) a small piece of ground, generally used for a specific purpose: a garden plot.
(ii) a measured area of land.
(b) a ground plan, as for a building; a diagram.
(c) storyline-the plan, scheme, or main story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story.
(d) a secret plan to accomplish a hostile or illegal purpose; a scheme.

Based on the definitions above can you predict what the story will be about? Make a brief note of your prediction in your notebook.

Answer:

Seeing the definition given in the dictionary (as also given here), I can predict to some extent about the story. I think that it may be about some quiet, dark or concealed, or hidden matter that is not seen on the surface. Secondly, the matter may be covered up in a plot (storyline) as to be understood clearly. Thirdly, it may be possible that the story may relate to some sort of conspiracy for an attempted murder.

Or the story may be about some supernatural events that have been a part of literature. Ghosts may appear in human form, do some damage and trouble the innocent human beings for long. Ghosts, I presume, are associated mostly with evil.

The title does indicate these possibilities. What the story is all about will be clear after it is gone through.

Question 3.
Read the story given below. Your teacher will use a variety of techniques for different parts of the story. For example :

• Silent reading
• One student reading aloud to the whole class
• Students reading in small groups
• Dramatised reading in small groups

Answer:
Activity meant for class level.

Question 4.
Based on your reading of the story above, answer the following questions by ticking the correct options.

1. The narrator earns his living by ……

(а) writing ghost stories
(b) working as a reader for a magazine
(c) working as a stenographer
(d) working as an accountant in a lumber company

2. The writer was overconfident about his ability to write ghost stories because ……

(a) whenever magazines wanted a ghost story, they got in touch with him
(b) he was always able to write a ghost story whenever he had to write one
(c) the readers appreciated his ghost stories
(d) he knew the ghost lady would help him write a good ghost story

3. The sight of the ghost materialising in his room filled the narrator with ……

(a) fear
(b) excitement
(c) joy
(d) anticipation

4. The ghost wanted John to

(a) stop his wife from using the Ouija board
(b) stop using the Ouija board himself
(c) stop his guests from using the Ouija board
(d) stop people from using the Ouija board

5. John wants the ghost to disappear before his wife enters the room and waves his arms at the ghost with something of the motion of a beginner when learning to swim. His movement shows his ………

(a) fear
(b) amusement
(c) desperation
(d) anxiety

6. When the narrator says his wife is never so pretty as when she’s doing something she knows he disapproves of, his tone is ……….

(а) amused
(b) ironic
(c) angry
(d) irritated

7. The ghost says “It’s all your fault”. ‘It’ here refers to ………

(a) the narrator’s wife’s anger
(b) the ghost’s anger
(c) the narrator’s wife leaving him
(d) the ghost materialising in sections

8. Gladolia wishes to leave the narrator’s house as ……….

(a) she does not like the Ouija boards
(b) she is afraid of the ghost
(c) she is afraid of magic and hoodoo
(d) she likes Ouija boards and hoodoo

Answer:

1. (d) working as an accountant
2. (b) he was always able to write a ghost in a lumber company story whenever he had to write one
3. (d) anticipation
4. (d) stop people from using the Ouija board
5. (c) desperation
6. (b) ironic
7. (a) the narrator’s wife’s anger
8. (c) she is afraid of magic and hoodoo

Question 5.
Answer the following questions briefly :
(a) What genre of stories does Jenkins want the narrator to write ? Why ?

(b) Does the narrator like writing ghost stories ? Support your answer with evidence from the story.

(c) What makes Helen, the ghost, and her other co-ghosts organize The Writer’s Inspiration Bureau ? (V. Imp.) (CBSE 2016)

(d) Why had Helen, the ghost been helping the narrator write ghost stories ? Why was she going on strike ? What condition did she place for providing continued help ? (V. Imp.)

(e) How does the ghost undermine the narrator’s faith in his ability to write ghost stories ?

(f) Why does John want the ghost to disappear before his wife appears on the scene ? What impression of his wife’s character do you form from his words ? (V. Imp.)

(g) Why does the narrator hesitate to be a partner to Laura Hinkle during the Ouija Board Party ? (V. Imp.)
Or
Why didn’t John want to partner Laura Hinkle at the Ouija Board party ? (CBSE 2016)

(h) What message does the ghost convey to the group that had assembled in the narrator’s house ? What is their reaction to the message ?

(i) Do you agree with the narrator calling the assembly of women “manipulators” ? Give reasons.

(j) Why is John’s wife angry ? What does she decide to do ? (V. Imp.)
Or
Why did John’s wife get angry with him ? What did she decide to do ? (CBSE 2016)
Or
Why is John’s wife angry and what does she decide to do ? (CBSE 2016)

(k) Why does John wish he were dead ? (CBSE 2016)

(l) When confronted by Lavinia about his flirtations over the Ouija Board, John insists that ‘the affair was quite above-board, I assure you, my love’. Bring out the pun in John’s statement.

(m) John’s apprehensions about his wife’s reaction to her encounter with the ghost are unfounded. Justify. (V. Imp.)

Answer:

(a) Jenkins wants the narrator (Hallock) to write the ghost stories, that is, supernatural stories involving ghosts etc. The public wants to read horrors and the narrator’s supernatural stories have got that stuff. His ghosts look like real ones and his stories are popular.

(b) The narrator likes to write ghost stories or we can say he has no choice except to write such ones. He himself says that he is in no position to contradict Jenkins who wants ghost stories from him. Then his magazine is the only one magazine that prints his stuff.

(c) Helen, the ghost, tells Hallock the narrator that she used to write in the other life. She went to work as a reader on a magazine. But those were terrible days as their memory made her mistake purgatory for paradise. When she attained her present state of being she decided to do something. Since she and other ghosts suffered, they organized ‘The Writer’s Inspiration Bureau’.

(d) Helen, the ghost, had been helping the narrator write ghost stories because he had been without ideas for his stories. She went on strike because as a reader on a magazine she had had terrible days. She placed a condition that she would help him if he got all his friends and acquaintances stop using the Ouija boards.

(e) The ghost undermines the narrator’s faith in his ability to write ghost stories by putting a condition. She tells him that if he stops his friends and acquaintances from using Ouija boards, she will help him. Otherwise not. But Hallock couldn’t stop them from using these boards.

(f) John wants the ghost to disappear before his wife appears on the scene. It is because he is afraid that she wouldn’t tolerate his talking to another woman. His talking to ‘her’ might create problems for their married life. His wife is jealous like all other women placed in such a situation.

(g) The narrator hesitates to be a partner to Laura Hinkle because he doesn’t want to use Ouija board. Secondly, he doesn’t like Laura Hinkle as she is like a flirtatious crocodile and is a cheat.

(h) The group had been using Ouija boards despite the ghost’s not wanting it. So she called ‘John’ through them blaming him for cheating on her (Helen). The women’s reaction was that of being in trouble as they, too, were calling John’s name together.

(i) I agree with the narrator calling the assembly of women as ‘manipulators’. It is because they work through shortcuts and through dubious methods. Helen, the ghost, doesn’t want them to use Ouija boards but they do. So they all are ‘manipulators’.

(j) John’s wife is angry because she is jealous that her husband should talk to another woman. So she is like all women in this. She decides to leave John Hallock, her husband, getting angry over it.

(k) John wishes he were dead after he received a kind of threat from his wife on a slip of paper. It is that she is leaving him with a threat. Her lawyer will communicate with f him later about this all.

(l) The pun is on ‘the affair was quite above-board’. John admits flirting with Hinkle but he was compelled by his wife to couple with her. He himself didn’t want to couple with her on his own.

(m) John’s apprehensions about his wife’s reaction to her encounter with the ghost are unfounded. He thinks that Lavinia, his wife, would be jealous of her and would leave him. But it is never so. She looks at the ghost and should swoon due to fright. But she stands strong and faces her boldly.

Question 6.
Answer the following questions in detail :
(a) After her reconciliation with her husband, John Hallock, Lavinia writes a letter to her friend expressing how her relationship with him had almost been on the verge of breaking and what saved it. Write her letter. (V. Imp.)

(b) John Hallock reflects upon his experience with Helen’s ghost and in retrospect he finds it quite amusing. All the same he is relieved that he is no longer plagued by it. r Ironically, the self same ghost inspires his creativity and he writes a diary entry reflecting upon the comical aspect of his experience. Write his diary entry. (V. Imp.)

Answer:

(a) 18, East End Road
Louiseville
15 September, 20 –
My dear Shermon
I hope you are feeling fine. I thank God that my household life is now safe. At one point it had nearly broken. I found my husband flirting with Miss Laura Hinkle on the Ouija board, though I myself had asked Hallock to couple with her. Seeing him thus I got out of control and wrote him a slip of paper. I wrote that I was going to leave him and my lawyer would talk to him. Earlier also, I had seen Hallock talking loudly while sitting in the dark. When I asked him why he was sitting in the dark, he didn’t give a suitable reply. He also told a lie that he was not talking though I had heard him talking to someone. You know, all men are alike. They can’t be trusted when they interact with other women.

The other day Gladolia, our cook, threatened that she won’t stay with us as we dealt with hoodooing and magic. I went straight to Hallock and asked him what he had been trying to conceal from me. Then I saw Helen, the ghost. I must have almost – fainted at seeing the ghost. But I faced her with all my strength. I asked her if she was Helen of Troy as we had heard this name the previous night while being at Ouija boards. She replied that she used to be Helen of Troy, New York. Then I understood what had been going on with Hallock in my absence. I regret having doubted Hallock. I begged forgiveness of Hallock. Now everything is alright.
With best wishes
Yours sincerely
Lavinia

(b) 13th September, 20 – 9.30 pm
It was really an amusing experience that a ghost named Helen visited me last night. I was sitting on the desk to write a ghost story and looking at the ceiling for inspiration. Helen materialized in parts before me. She told me some funny things which are hard to find in ghosts. First, she told me that she had been a writer herself, then a reader. They were overworked and formed ‘The Writer’s Inspiration Bureau’. They would visit the writers like me to inspire them. She then asked me to get my friends and acquaintances stop using the Ouija boards. Meanwhile, my wife had bought one such board and had organized a party of my wife’s Book Club. I tried that all women should stop using these boards but it didn’t happen. All the women heard the names of‘Helen’ from these boards. I stood transfixed at it. I felt nervous that my name was being called from these boards as ‘Traitor’.

I didn’t treat Helen as a ghost at all as she had all the attributes of a real human being. On the other hand, I cut jokes with her like what would happen if her parts got mixed up as she would appear in parts. Then she looked like an applicant for my advertisement. Finally, my wife told her that she thought she was Helen of Troy. But she told that she was Helen of Troy, New York. Truly, I never treated Helen as a ghost. I wish she would come again to me !

Hallock

Question 7.
The narrator and his wife reveal something about their character in their words and actions. We also learn about them from what other people say. Can you pick out the words that describe them from the box given below ? Also, pick out lines and instances from the story to illustrate your choice.



Answer:
John Hallock
1. Overconfident, creative, loves novelty and thrills
Extract: Jenkins said “Hallock,” …“give us another on the supernatural this time…. live propositions.”

4. Extract: And somehow I’d always been able to dig one up for him, so I’d begun to get a bit cocky as to my faculty, (overconfident, creative)

5. Extract : Well, I was in no position to contract Jenkins, for as yet, his magazine had been the only one to print my stuff. So I had said “Precisely!” in the deepest voice I was capable of, and had gone out. (protective)

Lavinia Hallock
Extracts :

1. “You know I bought the loveliest thing this afternoon.
Everybody’s wild over them !” (loves novelty and thrills)

2. It’s the duckiest, darlingest Ouija board, and so cheap, (spendthrift)

3. Lavinia cast a cold eye upon me. “You are acting very queerly”, she sniffed. “You are concealing something from me.” (suspicious, jealous)

4. Then my Lavinia turned waspishly to me again. “John, there’s not a bit of use trying to deceive me. What is you are trying to conceal from me ?” (jealous, suspicious)

Question 8.
Gladolia, the narrator’s cook, is an African. The language she speaks is different from that of the others. This is known as Dialect. A diqlect consists of words or phrases that reflect the regional variety of a language. An author often uses a regional dialect to make the dialogue more authentic. Initially a dialogue may seem a little difficult to understand. However, as you continue reading, the language will become more comprehensible

Working in groups, write what Gladolia’s words mean as shown.

(b) (The) Mrs.Answer:

(c) she thinks you have (been) lost
(d) she phoned you this morning
(e) for (the) God’s (Lord’s) sake
(f) not to argue now
(g) I am going to quit
(h) I don’t like (black) magic, hoodoo etc.
(i) I have left this place
(j) I am.

Question 9.
Read and understand the following ghost phrases and expressions :

(a) To give up the ghost — to die or to stop trying
(b) A ghost of a chance — a poor chance, not likely to happen
(c) The ghost at the feast — something or someone that spoils your enjoyment by reminding you of something unpleasant
(d) Ghost town — a town where most people have left-abandoned and deserted
(e) Ghost-write — to write for someone else
(f) Lay the ghost of something/somebody (to rest) — to finally stop being worried or upset by something or someone that has worried or upset you for a long time
(g) Ghost image — secondary image, esp. one appearing on a television screen as a white shadow, caused by poor or double reception or by a defect in the receiver
(h) the ghost of a smile — faint trace of a smile
(i) As white as a ghost — very pale or white in the face

Now complete the following story by using the appropriate phrases in the blanks given below :

I was alone in a place that bore a deserted look like that of a (a) _____ I increased the pace of my footsteps as I walked through the dark forest. I felt someone walking behind me. I turned immediately and spotted the contour of a figure in the form of a (b) _____ It smiled at me wickedly. I started shaking with fear and perspiring profusely when I felt its skeletal hand upon my neck. I woke up with a start, relieved that it was only a nightmare.

This was not the first time I had had one. It had all started when I had watched the horrendous horror film with an eerie ghost character that had a scary ghost of a smile on its face. It had been almost a month. The strange thing was that I saw a similar face at the station the next morning. That was uncanny.

I was to attend a dinner at my friend’s at Northanger Abbey that night. I had decided to narrate my experience to the group that would assemble there although I knew there was (c) _____ that they would be convinced.

After everyone had finished pouring their drinks to themselves, I cleared my throat and started narrating my spooky experience. However, every one of the group started accusing me of being (d) _____ and held me responsible for spoiling the spirit of revelry. I gave up the ghost and sat quietly waiting for the party to be over. Back at home, the fears returned. I knew I had to talk about my experience to somebody to feel better. I have now decided to (e) _____ and publish my experience under a pseudonym. Only then can I (f) _____

Answer:

(a) ghost town
(b) ghost image
(c) a ghost of a chance
(d) the ghost at the feast
(e) ghost-write
(f) lay the ghost of something

Question 10.
SPEAKING

Ghosts and haunting have fascinated the public for centuries. Although many doubt the existence of ghosts or other paranormal entities, many people dedicate their lives to searching and recording paranormal activity. Ghost tours, support groups, and research societies, to name just a few, permeate our society and seek to answer questions about paranormal activity.

Interview your friends, relatives and people in your neighbourhood about whether they believe in the existence of ghosts. Ask them to tell you of any specific experiences they might have had in this context. In your groups identify the most fascinating anecdote you gathered on the basis of your interactions. Narrate it to the class.

Answer:

For students’ self-attempt. One sample Answer is given below :

A group of four young boys developed a desire to see a ghost. They had heard that one could see a ghost at or around midnight near Shiela cinema. They deliberately bought the tickets for the night show. After the show was over they walked out in a romantic mood hoping to encounter a beautiful damsel. Their wish somehow materialized and they saw a really beautiful damsel. She beckoned one of them as they were scattered at some distance from one another. It was around 1 : 30 am. By chance the boy beckoned by her had heard that ghosts have their feet (toe and fingers) to their back side. He happened to see her feet this way. A chill settled at once down his spine. He concluded that the damsel was, indeed, a ghost. He panicked and shouting ran and ran. Meanwhile, his friends, too, had taken to their heels. (As narrated to the author by one of his friends)

Note : Students can add a spicy kind of language and hot dialogues for narrating to the class or acting before it. They may add some blood-curdling signs and sounds. These should look like those of the ghosts. Strange cries in between could make the show realistic and thrilling.

Question 11.
WRITING
Do you think a story has an atmosphere ? Complete the following blanks to make up your ghost story by choosing the correct options.

Answer:

(a) door of the castle
(b) fearfully
(c) terrifying
(d) apparition
(e) knife
(f) ghoulish

Now that you have shared a ghost story / anecdote as well as completed a guided story in the class, create your own Ghost story on the basis of the starters given below:

(a) Stephen knew he would never sleep. The noises, those horrid sounds, would keep him awake…
(b) Tap, tap, tap. Was it the branches of the nearby tree, or fingernails against the window ?
(c) People often say, ‘There’s no such thing as ghosts…

You are familiar with the key elements of a short story viz setting, plot, conflict, character and point of view. Given below are specifics to be kept in mind while writing a Ghost story. Also make use of the vocabulary that you have learnt from the story A Shady Plot.

• Colours, sounds, feeling words
• Strong definite characters
• Creating suspense
• Setting the scene and the atmosphere
• Describing the weather
• Clear opening line
• Personal feelings
• Clear ending
• Describing the sounds
• Adding a dramatic element
• Mystery

Answer:
Students to attempt on their own. Such questions are never asked in the examinations.

SPEAKING TASK
Question 12.
While conventional Ghost stories are scary and gruesome, several modern versions are humorous. The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde, is one of the best ghost stories written in the vein of laughing satire. The story that you just read is another example in case. Humour arises out of the narrator’s ability to laugh at himself, clever use of language as well as comic situations. Discuss within your groups what makes the Shady Plot humorous. Share your views during a whole class discussion.

Answer:

Meant for discussion at class level. Some information given below will help the students greatly in their discussion :

‘A Shady Plot’ is not actually a ghost story as per the genre. It is like ‘The Canterville Ghost’ by Oscar Wilde, a laughing satire. The ghost Helen is a ghostly figure but is more a human than a ghost. The author has drawn her character and role humorously and with a colour of satire on ghosts. There are valid points for it. First, the humorous ones :

→ ‘Helen’ wears spectacles—no ghosts will do that
→ Hallock’s asking her that she comes in sections and if these got mixed up what would happen
→ Hallock isn’t scared of the ghost but he must, instead cuts jokes and puts strange questions
→ Treats her as if she were an applicant for his advertisement
→ Ghost’s going on strike, forming a Union
→ Finally, she calls herself‘Helen of Troy, New York’

Satirical aspects :

→ Helen’s character as a ghost a full-fledged satire on ghosts
→ Hallock’s talks to her satirical
→ Forming of a Union, going on strike too funny
→ Helen’s behaving like a human being and Hallock like a lord of the ghosts underpinning the existence of ghosts
→ Helen a character of a ghost – making her an object of pity.

LISTENING TASK
Question 13.
Listen to the extract from The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde and complete the following tasks as directed.

1. Answer the following questions :

1. The Ghost loved the stormy weather because ….. (Complete the statement by ticking the correct option)

(а) he liked the rain
(b) he liked the strong wind that shook and rattled all the windows and doors in the old house
(c) his plan would fail otherwise
(d) such weather was ideal for frightening the people in the house.

2. The Ghost was particularly angry with Washington and wished to frighten him because ….. (Complete the statement)

3. The Ghost did not wish to frighten Virginia because ….. (Complete the statement)

4. The Ghost was most angry with ….. (Complete the statement by ticking the correct option)

(a) Mr and Mrs Otis
(b) Virginia
(c) Washington
(d) The Twins

5.
Write two striking qualities of the Ghost as are revealed in this extract.

(a) _______________
(b) _______________

Answer:

1. (d) such weather was ideal for frightening the people in the house.

2. he kept on removing the famous Canterville blood-stain by using his Pinkerton’s Paragon Detergent

3. she had never insulted him in any way, and was pretty and gentle

4. (d) The Twins

5. (a) determined, (b) resolute, (c) unrelenting, (d) revengeful, (e) humane (Choose any two)

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 4 A Shady Plot help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 4 A Shady Plot, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 3 The Letter are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 3 The Letter.

All questions and answers from the NCERT Book of class 10 English Chapter 3 are provided here for you for free.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 3 The Letter

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Pages 22 & 29)

Question 1.
Look at the picture of the old man given below :
Working with your partner, note down the feelings of the old man.
• ………………………………………..
Answer:
Various answers as given below :

Question 2.
Can you think of reasons for these feelings ? Discuss with your partner and note down possible reasons.
• ………………………………………..
Answer:

• when things of life do not move as anticipated.
• when there is illness in the family.
• when the family feels insecure and helpless due to reasons beyond control. These may be like murder, dacoity, scandal, straying from the path of righteousness, rectitude etc.
• when deaths occur.
• when the person has been deserted and is feeling neglected.

Note: There can be numerous other feelings and reasons thereof. These vary from persons to persons as they face life and look at it differently. Then their conditions are always different. The common aspects of life have been given above in relation to ‘feelings’ and ‘reasons’.

Question 3.
Answer the following questions by ticking the correct options :

(a) Ali’s walking to the Post Office daily even in biting cold weather shows his _______

1. courage
2. optimism
3. foolishness
4. strength of will

(b) The Post Office is referred to as Ali’s “place of pilgrimage” as he _______

1. visited it daily
2. came there to pray for a letter from his daughter
3. went there with faith and hope
4. believed God would bless him if he went there

(c) The Post Master’s rudeness to Ali reveals his _______

1. lack of empathy
2. preoccupation with his work
3. preconceived notions
4. sensitivity

(d) Ali did not come to the Post Office for several days as _______

1. he had given up hope
2. he was upset by the Post Master’s rebuke
3. he was unwell and not able to walk to the Post Office
4. he was busy hunting

(e) “Tortured by doubt and remorse, he sat down in the glow of the charcoal sigri to wait. ” The Post Master was waiting for _______

1. a letter from Miriam
2. a letter from his own daughter
3. a letter from Ali
4. Ali to deliver Miriam’s letter to him.

Answer:

(a) → (ii) optimism
(b) → (iii) went there with faith and hope
(c) → (i) lack of empathy
(d) → (iii) he was unwell and not able to walk to the Post Office
(e) → (ii) a letter from his own daughter

Question 4.
Answer the following questions briefly :

(a) Who was Ali ? Where did he go daily ? (CBSE 2015)

(b) “Ali displays qualities of love and patience.” Give evidence from the story to support the statement. (V. Imp.)

(c) How do you know Ali was a familiar figure at the post office ? (CBSE 2015)

(d) Why did Ali give up hunting ? (CBSE 2015)

(e) What impression do you form of the postmaster after reading the story, ‘The Letter’ ? (V. Imp.)

(f) The postmaster says to Ali, “What a pest you are, brother !” Do you agree with the statement ? Give reasons for your answer.

(g) “Ali came out very slowly, turning after every few steps to gaze at the post office. His eyes were filled with tears of helplessness, for his patience was exhausted, even though he still had faith.” Why were Ali’s eyes filled with tears of helplessness ? What had exhausted his patience but not his faith ?

(h) “Tortured by doubt and remorse, he sat down in the glow of the charcoal sigri to wait.” Who is tortured by doubt and remorse ? Why ? What is he waiting for ? (V. Imp.) (CBSE 2015)

Answer:

(a) Ali was an old coachman. He went to the post office daily.

(b)
(i) His love for his only daughter Miriam in his loneliness is clear when he hopes for a touch of love through it.
(ii) His going regularly to the post office for over five years to get a letter and waiting patiently for it shows his infinite patience.

(c) Ali was now a familiar figure at the post office since every one there knew him well. He had been coming to it regularly for over five years.

(d) Ali gave up hunting because now he was getting old and inching towards death.

(e) The postmaster in the beginning is ill-tempered, selfish and impatient. He is casual, indifferent, unfeeling and inconsiderate also. But when he faces a situation similar to that of Ali, he changes. He becomes caring, worrying, concerned, patient, helpful, sympathetic and selfless. He also develops the virtue of understanding.

(f) I do not agree with it. But given the temperament of the postmaster at this point of the story, he behaves as he should. This speaks of the irresponsible and indifferent attitude of those in power towards the common people. In fact, the postmaster must have shown sympathy to Coachman Ali. Ali had been coming steadily to the post office for some solace from his own daughter Miriam.

(g) Ali’s eyes were filled with tears of helplessness. It was because he could do nothing except to leave the postmaster in his rough and uncivilized behaviour. His not receiving any letter from Miriam for over a period of five years and the old age had exhausted his patience. But somehow he had still faith that he would receive a letter from Miriam. And he did receive that, though after his death.

(h) The postmaster is now tortured by doubt caused by his daughter’s illness. It is due to what he had seen in Ali’s coming to the post office. Ali had = been dead for over three months. But the postmaster had seen him (in the form of a ghost) that early morning.

The postmaster is bitten by remorse also. It is because of his rash and casual attitude towards Ali. He now feels that he should not have ill-treated Ali earlier. He now realises the real and genuine love which Ah had had earlier for his daughter. The postmaster now is, obviously, waiting for news from his own daughter.

Question 5.
The writer carefully builds up an atmosphere of loneliness and grief in the story. Working in groups, pick out words/ phrases from the story that build up the atmosphere. Copy the following table in your notebook and complete it.

Answer:

Question 6.
Complete the table by explaining the following phrases/sentences in your own words :

Answer:

(а) Happy memories of one’s past life come up when one is dying.

(b) The people had woken up at that time in the morning. They were busy with their daily routine. These helped him to walk his lonely way to the post office.

(c) Sleep is the last refuge for men or women to soothe one during cold which makes them its prey.

(d) When he was going to die soon, he let go his old memories (of the past) and took a new turn in life.

(e) The whole of the world has love and grief like the two sides of the same coin. Both love and separation are inescapable.

(f) The postmaster was an unfeeling man. He had a wooden face, sad and round one. He would keep sitting on his chair.

(g) It means that the clerk was bewildered due to some supernatural development. He was a worshipper of Lord Vishnu. So he repeated his customary thousand names to seek his protection against the supernatural mishap. (It is like we chant ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ when we are terrified greatly.)

(h) The postmaster shed his sorrow and anxiety. In that moment he saw the real human heart (when he put himself in Ali’s place, though for a moment).

Question 7.
LISTENING TASK
Now you are going to listen to an article about the break-up of the Joint Family system in India.

As you listen to the passage complete the boxes given below.

Answer:

Question 8.
WRITING TASK

Tortured by doubt and remorse, the postmaster sits in the glow of a charcoal sigri that night, waiting for news of his daughter. As he sits, he writes his diary.

As the postmaster, write a diary entry in about 150 words outlining your feelings about the day’s events.

Answer:

10 January, 20 – 1.50 am

1 am overburdened with the feelings of doubt and remorse at what happened today. I saw Ali coming and knocking at the door in his same dress. I duly asked him to come in. He was leaning on his stick and had tears on his face. However, his features were unearthly. I tried to guess what that could be. But I could not. This made me shrink in fear. I talked about it with Lakshmi Das, and asked more about him. He told me that Ali had died three months ago. This left me in a troubled state of mind. I searched my mind to know who was that who had come to me in the early morning in the post office. Then I understood everything. It was Ali’s ghost which had visited me. I had insulted him while he was alive. I now started feeling guilty. I went to his grave and offered his letter from Miriam. This was my repentance.

I am feeling remorse now. In the beginning, I insulted Ali. I laughed at his genuine feelings of love for Miriam when he used to wait for a letter from her. I overlooked the human side of his emotions then. But very soon I found myself in the same predicament. I realised my foolishness towards Ali. I really regret that I should not have been harsh to Ali.

Question 9.
SPEAKING TASK
(a) The postmaster believes that he saw Ali. What do you think ? Discuss with your partner and present your views in front of the class.
(b) The postmaster was anxiously waiting for his ailing daughter’s news. On not getting any news he visits his daughter’s town. Now construct a dialogue between the postmaster and his daughter and enact it.

Answer:

(a) I think the postmaster is right in his believing that he saw Ali’s ghost. The text clearly shows it. The postmaster sitting in the office at night asks Ali’s ghost by saying “Come in, brother Ali.” He then ‘handed’ the letter to him. The narrator describes Ali leaning on a stick and wet tears appear on his face. However, his features are ‘hard’ but got softened after getting the letter. Secondly, the postmaster shrinks back in fear and astonishment at unearthly light in the eyes of Ali’s ghost. Lakshmi Das hears the postmaster speak to Ali’s ghost. He even asks the postmaster about who it was that came to him.

(b) A dialogue between the postmaster and his daughter

Postmaster : Hello, daughter ! How are you now ? I was greatly worried about you as I couldn’t get the latest news about your condition.

Daughter : Hello, papa !I am now a bit well. I fell ill at once and no one could know what to do. My husband took me to hospital as I had gone into a coma. So all were worried and no one could inform you.

Postmaster : It is now ok. In fact I lay awake all night due to worry as I wanted to know about your condition. I couldn’t come to you at night as there was no transport. Your illness had almost killed me.

Daughter : Papa, you’re right. But I never knew I would have to undergo such a horrible situation, You know the abdominal pain nearly killed me.

PostrTuister : What thd the doctors tell of your illness?

Daughter : They say it is something related to the brain. They are doing tests. The real thing shall be out after the reports of the tests.

Postmaster : Ah ! it is really very sad that you being so young should have some brain problem !! am really scared. I feel as if my own body is being ripped apart.

Daughter : I’m very sorry, papa. But what can I do ? You know, who wants to be ill ? We must bear things as they come the natural way and shouldn’t complain.

Postmaster : Yes, daughter. You are right. But how can I make my heart understand ? My heart is always with you.

Daughter : I understand, papa …………

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 3 The Letter help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 3 The Letter, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 2 Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 2 Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger.

All our solutions for Chapter 2 – Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger are prepared considering the latest CBSE syllabus, and they are amended from time to time. Our free NCERT Textbook Solutions for CBSE Class 10 English will strengthen your fundamentals in this chapter and can help you to score more marks in the examination. Refer to our Textbook Solutions any time, while doing your homework or while preparing for the exam.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Literature Chapter 2 Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 12 & 16)

Question 1.
Why do people hunt ? Complete the web chart giving various reasons for the same :

Answer:

Question 2.
Read these lines and guess the answers to the questions given below :
It was Mrs. Packletide’s pleasure and intention that she should shoot a tiger … The compelling motive … was the fact that Loona Bimberton had recently … personally procured tiger-skin and a heavy harvest of Press photographs could successfully counter that sort of thing.

(a) Why did Mrs. Packletide want to kill a tiger ? (V. Imp.)
(b) What does it tell you about her ?
(c) What is the tone of the storywriter ?
(d) Do you think she was successful in her mission ?
(e) What do you think the story is all about ?

Answer:

(a) Mrs. Packletide wanted to kill a tiger to counter the fame and prestige of Loona Bimberton. She had acquired these in flying in an aeroplane. She couldn’t tolerate her increased social prestige than hers. So out of jealousy she decided to kill a tiger.

(b) This all tells us that Mrs. Packletide is a woman full of jealousy for other women. She can’t tolerate the idea that other women should outweigh her in any thing.

(c) The tone of the storywriter is humorous and taunting. At every available point Mrs. Packletide is derided and made fun of.

(d) Mrs. Packletide was not successful in her mission. She had decided publicly to belittle Loona Bimberton in organizing a luncheon party in her honour and offering her a tiger-claw brooch. But Loona Bimberton had declined to attend this party. However, she accepted the tiger-claw brooch unwillingly. Mrs. Packletide was, however, successful in ‘hunting’ the tiger though she had to pre-arrange it.

(e) The story is all about her feeling jealous of Loona Bimberton and hunting the tiger.

Question 3.
Answer the following questions in your own words :

(a) Why did Mrs. Packletide wish to kill a tiger ? (V. Imp.) (CBSE 2015)
Or
Why does Mrs. Packletide want to kill a tiger ? (CBSE 2012)
Or
Why does Mrs. Packletide want to kill a tiger ? How does she realise her ambition ? (CBSE 2015)

(b) What made her decide to give a party in Loona Bimberton’s honour ? What did she intend to give Loona on her birthday ? (V. Imp.)
Or
Why did Mrs. Packletide decide to give a party in the honour of Loona Bimberton ? What did she plan to present Loona on her birthday ? (CBSE 2012)

(c) How was the tiger shooting arranged ? What kind of a tiger was chosen for the purpose ? (CBSE 2015)

(d) In what way did the villagers help Mrs. Packletide shoot the tiger ?

(e) Who was Miss Mebbin ? Was she really devoted to Mrs. Packletide ? How did she behave during the tiger shooting ? (V. Imp.)

(f) Mrs. Packletide was a good shot. Discuss.

(g) What comment did Miss Mebbin make after Mrs. Packletide had fired the shot ? Why did Miss Mebbin make this comment ? How did Mrs. Packletide react to this comment ? (V. Imp.)

(h) How did the villagers react to the tiger’s death ?

(i) Do you think Mrs. Packletide was able to achieve her heart’s desire ? Give reasons for your answer.

(j) How did Miss Mebbin manage to get her week-end cottage 1 Why did she plant so many tiger lilies in her garden ? (V. Imp.)
Or
How did Mrs. Louisa Mebbin manage to acquire a week-end cottage for herself ? (CBSE 2015)

(k) “The incidental expenses are so heavy”, she confides to inquiring friends. Who is the speaker ? What is she referring to here ? (V. Imp.)

Answer:

(a) Mrs. Packletide wished to kill a tiger to counter the fame of Loona Bimberton who had flown in an aeroplane. She couldn’t tolerate her increased social prestige than hers. So to counter it she thought a tiger hunt would put her above her in social circles. So she decided to hunt a tiger to achieve that status. She arranged for the kill through payment and with the help of the villagers and Miss Mebbin.

(b) The feeling of belittling Loona Bimberton by hunting a tiger made her decide to give a party. She intended to offer Loona Bimberton a tiger-claw brooch on her birthday.

(c) Mrs. Packletide offered ? one thousand to the villagers to arrange an old tiger for hunting. She took Louisa Mebbin with her as her hunting companion and paid her for this work. A very old tiger who couldn’t even kill for his food was chosen for the purpose.

(d) The villagers helped Mrs. Packletide a lot in shooting the tiger. They arranged for an old tiger. Then they posted the children to see that the tiger didn’t stray in other hunting grounds. They also asked women crossing the forest not to sing loudly. This was to avoid that the tiger was not disturbed in his sleep.

(e) Miss Louisa Mebbin was Mrs. Packletide’s paid companion. She charged money for sitting with Mrs. Packletide while she hunted the tiger. She was not devoted to Mrs. Packletide at all. She behaved very arrogantly during the tiger hunting. She said that Mrs. Packletide shouldn’t pay if the tiger didn’t touch the goat. Then she pointed out that the shot of Mrs. Packletide killed the goat and the tiger died due to heart failure. She threatened to tell all this to Loona Bimberton to extract money from her.

(f) Mrs. Packletide was not a good shot as her shot killed the goat and not the tiger who was the target.

(g) Miss Mebbin said that Mrs. Packletide’s shot had killed the goat while there was no trace of shot on the tiger’s body. The tiger had died due to heart-failure caused by the sudden report of the rifle. Miss Mebbin made this comment just to blackmail Mrs. Packletide for more and more money. Mrs. Packletide was annoyed at this discovery.

(h) The villagers celebrated the hunt of the tiger by Mrs. Packletide. They started beating the tom-toms. This made Mrs. Packletide very glad and excited.

(i) No, Mrs. Packletide was not able to achieve her heart’s desire because Loona Bimberton declined to attend the luncheon party. Mrs. Packletide had decided to arrange it in her honour. Also she had decided to belittle her in offering her a tiger-claw brooch.

(j) Miss Mebbin blackmailed Mrs. Packletide. She threatened her that unless she bought her the week end cottage, she would tell Loona Bimberton the secret of her tiger hunt. Mrs. Packletide gave in for fear of being exposed and humiliated. She paid the money and Miss Mebbin managed to get the cottage. Miss Mebbin planted many tiger-lilies in her garden as the tiger was behind her acquiring this cottage. Tiger-lilies were synonymous for the tiger.

(k) The speaker of these lines is Mrs. Packletide. She refers to the ‘expenses’ that she met in buying Louisa Mebbin a cottage. These ‘expenses’ also include the money that she paid to the villagers for arranging a tiger.

Question 4.
Discuss the following questions in detail and write the answers in your notebooks :

(a) Do you think the tiger shooting organized by the villagers was a serious affair ? Give f reasons for your answer.

(b) Do you think the writer is trying to make fun of the main characters in the story i.e. Mrs. Packletide, Miss Mebbin and Loona Bimberton ? Pick out instances from the story that point to this fact.

(c) A person who is vain is full of self importance and can only think of himself / herself and can go to great lengths to prove his / her superiority. Do you think Mrs. Packletide is vain ? Give reasons in support of your answer.

(d) Sometimes writers highlight certain negative aspects in society or human beings by making fun of it. This is called satire. In your groups discuss whether you would classify this story as a satire. Give reasons to support your answer.

(e) How does the writer create humour in this story ?
Or
How does the writer create humour in the story Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger’ ? (CBSE 2015)

Answer:

(a) Yes, I think the tiger shooting organized by the villagers was a serious affair because tiger hunting is illegal. Doing anything to help in illegal deeds is also criminal. So the villagers can be challaned in helping in arranging the tiger for hunt illegally. Secondly, tigers are on the extinction list. The hunt becomes a serious criminal act on the part of Mrs. Packletide and the villagers.

(b) I think the writer is trying to make fun of these main characters. The language and tone used for this suggests taunt, derision and fun in an implied manner. The instances are :

For Mrs. Packletide : “Not that the lust to kill had suddenly descended … could successfully counter that sort of thing,” “her movements and motives were … Loona Bimberton.”

For Miss Mebbin : “If it’s an old tiger … money”, “Her energetic intervention had saved many a rouble … sympathetic hands,” “How you shot the goat … pleasant laugh”, “Loona Bimberton would,” said Miss Mebbin,” “I have seen a week-end cottage … have the money.”

For Loona Bimberton : “… that Loona Bimberton had recently been carried eleven miles … of nothing else,” “As for Loona Bimberton, she refused to look … repressed emotions,” “The luncheon party she declined … dangerous.”

(c) Mrs. Packletide is very vain and jealous by nature. She can never tolerate the growing social prestige of Loona Bimberton being carried in an aeroplane. So Mrs. Packletide is so much full of self-importance that she thinks of herself only. She can’t give the No. 1 place to any other woman and at any cost at social level. So she spends so much money. She is forced also to buy Louisa Mebbin a cottage just to keep (up) her foolish sense of social superiority.

(d) Meant for discussion at class level.

The story is essentially a satire on womanhood. The hollowness of Mrs. Packletide, the hypocrisy of Loona Bimberton and their giving more importance to false notions are ridiculed by the author. The doings of Louisa Mebbin and how she blackmails Mrs. Packletide also satirise these traits in women. In fact, all the three women have been satirised humorously in such a way that their hypocrisy and affectation are clearly understood.

(e) The author creates humour through the use of satirical language and creating undertones (through phrases) in description of various aspects of the story. The phrases are: ‘It was Mrs. Packletide’s pleasure and intention’; ‘her sudden deviation’; ‘stimulated the sporting and commercial instinct of the villagers’ ; ‘The one great anxiety was lest he should die of old age’.

Humour is also created through situations. These are : Mrs. Packletide and Louisa Mebbin are on the hunting platform. But they have small sized playing cards to play ‘solitaire’; women asked to hush up their singing lest the tiger should get disturbed in sleep ; villagers’ celebrating the hunting through thumping of tom-toms ; Mrs. Packletide’s hiding the facts of the case calling through ‘incidental expenses’.

This humour is also created through satirical and ironical treatment by the author.

Question 5.
Choose extracts from the story that illustrate the character of the people listed in the table given below. There are some words given to help you. You may add words of your own. One has been done as an example :

vain jealous competitive shrewd manipulative stingy materialistic spiteful



Answer:

(a) shrewd, manipulative, opportunistic, cunning planner
(b) vain, stingy, spiteful, proud, self-willed
(c) competitive, shrewd, materialistic, calculative Cd) competitive, shrewd, materialistic, vain
(e) shrewd, spiteful, exploitative, manipulative.
(f) shrewd, manipulative, opportunistic, materialistic
(g) vain, jealous, shrewd, stingy, spiteful, haughty
(h) revengeful, stingy, spiteful, vain, haughty

Question 6.
There are many amusing lines in the story. Here are a few of them. Rewrite each one in ordinary prose so that the meaning is retained. One has been done for you as an example :

(a) It was Mrs. Packletide’s pleasure and intention that she should shoot a tiger.
Mrs. Packletide wanted to shoot a tiger
……………………………………………………………………………………..

(b) Mrs. Packletide had already arranged in her mind the lunch she would give at her house in Curzon Street, ostensibly in Loona Bimberton’s honour, with a tiger-skin rug occupying most of the foreground and all of the conversation.
……………………………………………………………………………………..

(c) Mothers carrying their babies home through the jungle after the day’s work in the fields hushed their singing lest they might curtail the restful sleep of the venerable herd-robber.
……………………………………………………………………………………..

(d) Louisa Mebbin adopted a protective elder-sister attitude towards money in general, irrespective of nationality or denomination.
……………………………………………………………………………………..

(e) Evidently the wrong animal had been hit, and the beast of prey had succumbed to heart-failure, caused by the sudden report of the rifle, accelerated by senile decay.
……………………………………………………………………………………..

(f) As for Loona Bimberton, she refused to look at an illustrated paper for weeks, and her letter of thanks for the gift of a tiger-claw brooch was a model of repressed emotions.
……………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:

(b) Mrs. Packletide would arrange a luncheon party in her house to honour Loona Bimberton with a tiger-skin rug and conversation about it.

(c) Mothers were asked to come home through the jungle silently so that the tiger was not disturbed in his sleep.

(d) Louisa Mebbin behaved like an elder sister about money.

(e) Clearly the goat had been killed and the tiger died due to heart failure caused by the noise of the rifle shot and old age.

(f) Loona Bimberton refused to look at the illustrated magazines for weeks. Her letter of thanks for the gift of a tiger-claw brooch showed her repressed emotions.

Question 7.
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines normally-contradictory terms. The most common form of oxymoron involves an adjective-noun combination of two words like—failed success.

Writers often use an oxymoron to call attention to an apparent contradiction. For example, Wilfred Owen’s poem The Send-off refers to soldiers leaving for the front line, who “lined the train with faces grimly gay.” The oxymoron ‘grimly gay’ highlights the contradiction between how the soldiers feel and how they act: though they put on a brave face and act cheerful, they feel grim. Some examples of oxymorons are—dark sunshine, cold sun, living dead, dark light, almost exactly etc.

The story ‘Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger’ has a number of oxymorons. Can you identify them and write them down in your notebooks ?

Answer:

The following are some oxymorons in the story :

over-much, elaborate carelessness, grand attack, venerable herd-robber, disagreeably pleasant.

Students on their own can find more oxymorons in the story.

Question 8.
WRITING TASK
(a) Years later Mrs. Packletide writes her autobiography. As Mrs. Packletide, write about the tiger episode with the help of the clues given below.

(b) In groups of four construct the dialogues and enact the following situations from the story :

1. Mrs. Packletide and the headman of the village/other villagers discussing the details of the tiger shooting.
2. Miss Mebbin blackmailing Mrs. Packletide into gifting her a cottage.
3. Loona Bimberton and a lady-friend discussing Mrs. Packletide’s hunting success.

Answer:

(a) Loona Bimberton’s being carried in an aeroplane was the talk of the town. She had become very famous due to it and her social prestige had gone onto the top. I couldn’t digest it as her applause had created jealousy in me. Day and night I felt how to counter it. So I thought that a tiger hunt would take me on a higher social pedestal than Loona. I lost no time in arranging a tiger hunt with the help of the villagers who were just thirsty for money.

I paid ₹ one thousand to the villagers for getting an aged tiger in the village forest. A goat with a loud bleat was tied at a convenient place to attract the tiger.

A suitable platform was built in a tree. On the night of the hunt I sat with Louisa Mebbin, my paid companion.

As per pre-arranged plan the tiger came near the goat. He lay flat to regain his strength before attacking his prey. I lost no time in firing the shot. I saw that both the goat and the tiger had been killed. ‘I am on the top’, I simply felt it in my blood.

It was Louisa Mebbin who told me that I had killed the goat with my shot and not the tiger. The tiger had died due to heart failure caused by the rifle shot and old age. She proved herself very cunning and crafty. She blackmailed me that she would tell this fact to Loona Bimberton. This hit my self-esteem. I had no choice except to bow down to her indirect demand. I had to buy a week-end cottage in Dorking for her to shut her mouth to give out the secret of the tiger hunt.

(b) Students to construct the dialogues on their own and enact the same on the given situations. One sample dialogue construction is given below which can be enacted by them at class level :

Mrs. Packletide and the headman of the village/other villagers discussing the details of the tiger shooting.

A (Mrs. Packletide) : Well, gentlemen, I have decided to hunt a tiger in your village. For that I shall be needing your help. Don’t worry about money. What do you say?

B (village headman) : Yes, madam. When you have talked of money, we shall do whatever you say. I think my village people shall fully cooperate.

C (other villagers) : Yes, madam. We are with the headman. Whatever you decide, we shall do.

A (Mrs. Packletide) : For this I shall pay you one thousand. You shall have to arrange for a very weak tiger. You all will direct it on the hunting night to come to his bait. For bait you’ll arrange a goat with a good bleating sound and tie it at a point near the platform in a tree.

B (village headman) : Excuse me, madam. Where shall the platform be built?

A (Mrs. Packletide) : It should be near the place where the goat is to be tied. I and another madam shall sit on this platform in a tree. You all will direct the tiger towards the goat. When I see the tiger coming near the goat, I shall shoot at once.

C (other villagers) : What’ll happen in case the tiger strays out before the date of hunting?

A (Mrs. Packletide) : That’s your responsibility. But one thing. You’re never to disclose whatever we decide now to anybody, come what may.

B (village headman) : You needn’t worry, madam. I am asking the children to see that the tiger doesn’t stray out. Equally all the women have been asked not to sing loudly while coming home through the jungle. It is not to disturb the tiger in his sleep.

A (Mrs. Packletide) : That would be very nice. Please see that whatever we decide actually occurs. If there gets any lapse, you know the consequences…

C (All the villagers) : Yes, madam. You needn’t worry. We shall celebrate the tiger hunt with playing tom-toms.

A (Mrs. Packletide) : Good bye.

Question 9.
LISTENING TASK
Listen to the passage on lion hunting and answer the questions given below :

1. The Maasai tribe in Africa hunt lions because

1. they live near the forests of Africa
2. they view it as a sign of bravery and personal achievement
3. they are a hunting tribe
4. they adorn their bodies with body parts of the lion.

2. Solo hunting has been banned because

1. it is dangerous –
2. of the declining lion population
3. too many hunters have been killed
4. it creates pride in the minds of the successful hunters.

3. The hunting of lionesses is discouraged because

1. they bear the cubs
2. they run much faster
3. they are more fierce
4. they cannot be spotted easily.

4. The Maasai warriors chase a lion with rattle bells to

1. awaken it
2. make it run faster
3. make it angry
4. frighten it.

5. The Maasai use three parts of the lion. They are

1. the mane, tail and claws
2. the mane, nails and claws
3. the mane, tail and nails
4. the whiskers, tail and claws.

6. The tail is given to

1. the strongest warrior
2. the fastest warrior
3. the youngest warrior
4. the bravest warrior.

Answer:

1. 2. they view it as a sign of bravery and personal achievement
2. 2. of the declining lion population
3. 1. they bear the cubs
4. 3. make it angry
5. 3. the mane, tail and nails
6. 1. the strongest warrior

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