CBSE Class 9

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror

TEXTBOOK EXERCISES
(Page 60)

THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT

I. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30-40 words).
1. “The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear ? What did he think it was ? How many times did he hear it ? (Find the places in the text.) When and why did the sounds stop ?
Or
“The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear and when did it stop ? (CBSE)
2. What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror ?
Or
What were the two important decisions that the narrator took while looking into the mirror ? (CBSE)
3. “I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when (i) he first smiles, and (ii) he smiles again ? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why ?

Answers
1. The doctor heard a chirping sound. It was the sound of the rats. The doctor heard the sound four times. The phrases are : ‘Again I heard that sound from above’. ‘Again came that noise from above’; ‘Suddenly there came a dull thud as if a rubber tube had fallen…’.
The sounds stopped after the rats saw a snake as they got afraid of him.

2. One, he would shave daily. Second, he would grow a thin moustache to look more handsome. Third, he would always keep that attractive smile on his face.

3. The doctor’s opinion about himself was good that he had an attractive smile when he first smiled. But when he smiled a little later, he pitied himself. It was because he saw his death quite near when the snake was so near his face. His feeble smile indicated his nervousness.
His thoughts changed in between. When he smiled first, there was no danger to his life. But when he saw the snake coiling his arm and very near his face, his thoughts changed. Both of joy and happiness changed into fear and death.

II. This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous ? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below).
1. (i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)
2. (i) The person he wants to marry (ii) The person he actually marries
3. (i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror
(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm

Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer.
Answers
1. (i) The doctor is a poor person. He has hardly any money. He lives in an unelectrified
house. It is a small rented room with plenty of rats living in it. He has just started his medical practice. He had about sixty rupees in his suitcase. He had only one black coat. Besides, he had some shirts and dhotis. So he is not a man of possessions or money.
(ii) The doctor wants to be rich. He also would like to have a good appearance. That’s why he decides to grow a thin moustache.

2. (i) The doctor wants to marry a woman doctor. He wants that she should have a good medical practice and a lot of money. She should be fat as not to run after him and catch him.
(ii) He marries a thin reedy woman. She has the gift of a sprinter.

3. (i) His thoughts are full of joy and satisfaction. He decides to grow a thin moustache and keep smiling always. He finds his smile attractive.
(ii) He turned to stone. He sat like a stone image in the flesh. However, his mind was very active. He felt the great presence of the Creator. He decided to write the words ‘O God’ outside his little heart.

THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE
I. Here are some sentences from the text. Say which of them tell you, that the author :
(а) was afraid of the snake,
(b) was proud of his appearance,
(c) had a sense of humour,
(d) was no longer afraid of the snake.

1. I was turned to stone.
2. I was no mere image cut in granite.
3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.
4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.
5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.
6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.
7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.
8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!
9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness … ! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.
10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead ?

Answers
The following sentences tell that the author (a) was afraid of the snake :
(1), (3), (4), (5)
The following sentences tell that he (b) was proud of his appearance :
(б), (8)
The following sentences tell that (c) he had a sense of humour :
(9), (10)
The following sentences tell that (d) he was no longer afraid of the snake :
(2), (7)

II. Expressions used to show fear
Can you find the expressions in the story that tell you that the author was frightened ? Read the story and complete the following sentences.

1. I was turned ……….. .
2. I sat there holding ……. .
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like …….. .

Answers

1. I was turned to stone.
2. I sat there holding my breath.
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like a stone image in the flesh.

III. In the sentences given below some words and expressions are italicised. They are variously mean that one

• is very frightened.
• is too scared to move.
• is frightened by something that happens suddenly.
• makes another feel frightened.

Match the meanings with the words/expressions in italics, and write the appropriate meaning next to the sentence. The first one has been done for you.

1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits, (very frightened)
2. I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge.
3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him.
4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that.
5. Wait until I tell his story – it will make your hair stand on end.
6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors.
7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.

Answers

1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits, (very frightened)
2. I got a fright when I realized how close I was to the cliff edge, (too scared to move).
3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him. (frightened by something that happens suddenly)
4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that, (make another feel frightened)
5. Wait until I tell his story – it will make your hair stand on end. (too scared to move)
6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors, (very frightened)
7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle, (too scared to moire)

IV. Reported questions
Report these questions, using if!whether or why/when/where!how/which/what. Remember the italicised verbs change into the past tense.

1. Meena asked her friend, “Do you think your teacher will come today ?”
2. David asked his colleague, “Where will you go this summer ?”
3. He asked the little boy, “Why are you studying English ?”
4. She asked me, “When are we going to leave ?”
5. Pran asked me, “Have you finished reading the newspaper ?”
6. Seema asked her, “How long have you lived here ?”
7. Sheila asked the children, “Are you ready to do the work ?”

Answers

1. Meena asked her friend if he (she) thought his (her) teacher would come that day.
2. David asked his colleague where he would go that summer.
3. He asked the little boy why he was studying English.
4. She asked me when they were going to leave.
5. Pran asked me if I had finished reading the newspaper.
6. Seema asked her how long she had lived there.
7. Sheila asked the children if they were ready to do the work.

DICTATION
The following paragraph is about the Indian cobra. Read it twice and close your book. Your teacher will then dictate the paragraph to you. Write it down with appropriate punctuation marks.
The Indian cobra is the common name for members of the family of venomous snakes, known for their intimidating looks and deadly bite. Cobras are recognized by the hoods that they flare when angry or disturbed ; the hoods are created by the extension of the ribs behind the cobras’ heads. Obviously the best prevention is to avoid getting bitten. This is facilitated by the fact that humans are not the natural prey of any venomous snake. We are a bit large for them to swallow whole and they have no means of chopping us up into bite-size pieces. Nearly all snakebites in humans are the result of a snake defending itself when it feels threatened. In general snakes are shy and will simply leave if you give them a chance.

Answer
The Indian Cobra is the common name for members of the family of venomous snakes, known for their intimidating looks and deadly bite. Cobras are recognized by the hoods that they flare when angry or disturbed ; the hoods are created by the extension of the ribs behind the cobra’s heads. Obviously the best prevention is to avoid getting bitten. This is facilitated by the fact that humans are not the natural prey of any venomous snake. We are a bit large for them to swallow whole and they have no means of chopping us up into bite-size pieces. Nearly all snakebites in humans are the result of a snake defending itself when it feels threatened. In general, snakes are shy and will simply leave if you give them a chance.

WRITING
1. Try to rewrite the story without its humour, merely as a frightening incident. What details or parts of the story would you leave out ?

Answer

The Most Frightening Incident

It was a hot summer night. I had been living in a shed made of straw. There was an old table. On it there was a mirror. I was looking in the mirror. Then a snake fell on my shoulder. Before I could do anything, the snake had coiled around my left arm. It was
above the elbow. Its hood was spread out. Its head was hardly three or four inches from my face.

I almost froze with fear. My breath stopped. I was like a stone. I knew if I moved even one centimetre, the snake would sting me. I couldn’t move even a centimetre. I started praying to God. By chance the snake’s eyes fell on its reflection in the mirror. It slowly fell down on my lap.

It then moved on to the table. It started looking at its own reflection in the mirror. I saw that I was breathing. I, at once, jumped off and ran like a mad man. I felt that I was safe. I thanked God greatly.

2. Read the description given alongside this sketch from a photograph in a newspaper (Times of India, 4 September 1999). Make up a story about what the monkey is thinking, or why it is looking into a mirror. Write a paragraph about it.

Answer

When a Monkey Got a Mirror

Last month I saw a strange incident about a monkey. Our colony has a lot of them. I saw once that a monkey had got a piece of looking mirror. He was looking into it. He was seeing his own face. But he never thought that it was his. He grinned, chuckled and showed teeth. His reflection also did the same. He thought that there was another monkey around. He searched for him all around. He turned his face around him. Or perhaps he was thinking how beautiful he looked ! He also saw the reflection of other things. He grew more and more interested in the mirror. We also were enjoying his actions of looking at the mirror.

After sometime, another big monkey came. There were two more monkeys. They started fighting. In that the monkey threw the mirror at one of them. It broke into pieces. Each monkey got one piece each. They started repeating the actions of the monkey with a mirror.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Main Course Book Unit 1 Chapter 2 A Burglary Attempt are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Main Course Book Unit 1 Chapter 2 A Burglary Attempt.

CBSE Class 9 English Main Course Book Unit 1 People Chapter 2 A Burglary Attempt

Question 1.
We notice lots of details about people and their appearance, but to describe them accurately and vividly, we need to be specific. Working in pairs, look carefully at the pictures given and complete the table with appropriate words from the box given on the next page. You may add words of your own to describe people.


Answer :

The other words that describe the four people are :

Question 2
When we meet people, we notice their faces more than anything else. The box below contains words which describe the features of a face. Work in pairs and list them under the appropriate headings, then add more words of your own.

Answer :

My Own Words

Question 3.
Read the newspaper clipping.
BURGLAR ESCAPES WITH JEWELLERY :


Answer :

Question 4.
Taking hints from,

write a paragraph describing the burglar.
Answer :
Description of the burglar
The burglar had a well-built body which looked a bit plumpy. He was 6 ft tall. He wore old and faded clothes. His shirt was faded black. The colour of his trousers was dark which could be either black or blue. As regards the face of the burglar, it was oval-, shaped. His eyes were grey and he wore spectacles of a plastic frame. His complexion was dark. As regards his hair he had straight black hair. His nose was sharp and lips quite thick. Nothing can be said about his teeth. He had a special feature in his having six fingers on his right hand.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Main Course Book Unit 1 Chapter 2 A Burglary Attempt help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Main Course Book Unit 1 Chapter 2 A Burglary Attempt, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Poem Chapter 9 The Snake Trying are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Poem Chapter 9 The Snake Trying.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Poem Chapter 9 The Snake Trying

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow each :

The snake trying
to escape the pursuing stick,
with sudden curvings of thin
long body. How beautiful
and graceful are his shapes !
He glides through the water away
from the stroke. (Page 125) (Imp)

Questions

(a) How does the snake escape the stick ?
(b) How does its body look ?
(c) How does the snake look when he escapes ?
(d) In what way does the snake move in water ?

Answers

(a) He escapes by sudden curvings in its body.
(b) It (Its body) looks long and thin and beautiful.
(c) He looks beautiful and graceful.
(d) He glides through the water.

2. O let him go
over the water
into the reeds to hide
without hurt. Small and green
he is harmless even to children. (Page 125)

Questions

(a) Who is Trim’ in the first line ?
(b) Where will the snake be without being hurt ?
(c) How will the snake be to the children ?
(d) Where does the snake hide ?

Answers

(a) ‘Him’ is the snake.
(b) He will be so in the reeds.
(c) He will be harmless to them.
(d) The snake hides among the reeds.

3. Along the sand
he lay until observed
and chased away, and now
he vanishes in the ripples
among the green slim reeds. (Page 125) (V. Imp.)

Questions

(a) Where does the snake lie ?
(b) What does the snake do in the ripples ?
(c) How do the reeds look ?
(d) Give the meaning of ‘vanishes’.

Answers

(a) The snake lies along the sand.
(b) The snake vanishes in the ripples.
(c) The reeds look green and slim.
(d) It is ‘disappears’.

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS
(Page 125)

Thinking About the Poem

I.

1. What is the snake trying to escape from ?
2. Is it a harmful snake ? What is its colour ?
3. The poet finds the snake beautiful. Find the words he uses to convey its beauty.
4. What does the poet wish for the snake ?
5. Where was the snake before anyone saw it and chased it away ? Where does the snake disappear ? (CBSE 2016)

Answers

1. The snake tries to escape from the pursuing stick.
2. The snake is harmless. It is green in colour.
3. The poet uses these words for conveying beauty : “beautiful and graceful, glides, small and green’.
4. The poet wishes safety for the snake.
5. The snake was far from the water and reeds. It disappears in the reeds.

II.
1. Find out as much as you can about different kinds of snakes (from books in the library, or from the Internet). Are they all poisonous ? Find out the names of some poisonous snakes.

2. Look for information on how to find out whether a snake is harmful.

3. As you know, from the previous lesson you have just read, there are people in our country who have traditional knowledge about snakes, who even catch poisonous snakes with practically bare hands. Can you find out something more about them ?

Answers

1. Students can find out this information from books in the library, or from the internet. Not all the snakes are poisonous. Some of the poisonous snakes are : King Cobra, Russell’s Viper, Krait, etc.

2. This information may be obtained from the books in the library or from the Internet. This may also be got from a snake charmer.

3. They are snake charmers. They live mainly in forests. They are wandering tribes. They catch various snakes. They earn their livelihood by showing them to the public. They are a great source of information on snakes.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Poem Chapter 9 The Snake Trying help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Poem Chapter 9 The Snake Trying, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 14 The Bishop’s Candlesticks are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 14 The Bishop’s Candlesticks.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 14 The Bishop’s Candlesticks

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 112)

Discuss in groups :
Question 1.
What would you do in the following situations ? Give reasons for your answer

• If you were travelling by bus and you saw someone pick another passenger’s pocket.
• If you found a wallet on the road.
• If you ‘were in a shop and you saw a well-dressed lady shoplifting.
• If your best friend is getting involved with an undesirable set of friends.
• If you were in school and you saw one of your class-mates steal another child’s pen.

Answer
For discussion. Various answers. One viewpoint is given below :

• I would raise a cry so that the thief is arrested.
• I would return it to whom it belongs.
• I will first go to her. I will ask her why she is doing all that instead of informing the police.
• I will advise my friend against what he is doing.
• I shall snub the thief and tell him to be a good boy.

Question 2.
Imagine a child has been caught stealing in school. In groups of eight play the roles of

• The child caught stealing
• The child she/he stole from
• The teacher
• The headmaster
• The witnesses

Try to find the reason why the child stole and the possible advice you can give her/him. Should the child be punished ? Or should she/he be counselled ?
Answer
Mainly for role play at the class level under the guidance of the class teacher. Some basic help in the form of the following hints/points would be of immense assistance.

• The basic aim should be on the reformation of the thief.
• We should hate the theft, not the thief.
• We should help the convict to be a reformed person.
• Conditions to sustain his reformed status must be maintained.
• Love has no substitute. It can work wonders even on hard-core criminals. But it is not practised. The iron rules of law must not be for increasing more criminals. But these should be to convert them into more gentlemen. True human values like mercy, pity, love, compassion, sympathy etc, should be practised and relied on for change of heart for the better.
• Basic needs or compulsions turn gentlemen into thieves or convicts or criminals. These must be looked into afresh. Also their bad aspects must be dropped. Fairness must prevail at any cost, though it is difficult.

Question 3.
Read the play as a whole class with different children reading different parts.
Answer
Please read the play yourself.

Question 4.
Copy and complete the following paragraph about the theme of the play in pairs.
The play deals with a _____ and _____ Bishop who is always ready to lend a _____ hand to anyone in distress. A _____ breaks into the Bishop’s house and is _____ and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop some what _____ the convict, but, when he sees the silver candlesticks, he _____ them, and runs away. However, he is _____ and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a _____ The convict is _____ by this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest’s blessing.
Answer
The play deals with a convict and a Bishop who is always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in distress. A convict/thief breaks into the Bishop’s house and is given food and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop somewhat changes the heart of the convict, but, when he sees the silver candlesticks, he steals them, and runs away. However, he is caught and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a gift given to him. The convict is converted by this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest’s blessing.

Question 5.
(a) Working in pairs give antonyms of the following words

Answer

• kind-hearted = cruel, unkind
• suspicious = unsuspicious
• cunning = simple-hearted, clever
• unscrupulous = scrupulous
• sympathetic = unsympathetic
• caring = careless
• forgiving = unforgiving
• understanding = inconsiderate
• sentimental = stern
• benevolent = hard-hearted
• innocent = guilty
• protective = unprotective
• credulous = incredulous
• penitent = unrepentant
• concerned = unconcerned
• generous = miserly
• clever = innocent, cunning
• honourable = dishonourable
• stern = sentimental
• pious = impious
• wild = civilized
• brutal = kind-hearted
• trusting = untrusting
• embittered = sweet

(b) Select words from the above box to describe the characters in the play as revealed by the following lines from the play.



Question 6.
Answer the following questions briefly

1. Do you think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars ? Why / Why not ?
2. Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick ?
3. Who was Jeanette ? What was the cause of her death ? (V. Imp.)
4. The convict says, “Iam too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” What does he mean by this statement ?
5. Why was the convict sent to prison ? What was the punishment given to him ? (V. Imp.)
6. Do you think the punishment given to the convict was justified ? Why /Why not ? Why is the convict eager to reach Paris ?
7. Before leaving, the convict asks the Bishop to bless him. What brought about this change in him ? (V. Imp.)

Answer
(Varied answers). One version is given below :
1. I think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars because he was an ideal Bishop. An ideal Bishop is a man of God. He keeps the interests of his parishioners above his own. Secondly, real help is that help when it is rendered to a really needy person.

2. Persome is made of a different mind. She feels that the people pretend to be sick so that the Bishop may be near them.
3. Jeanette was the wife of the convict. She fell ill as she did not have food to eat. Her husband did not get any work. She died due to starvation.
4. By this he means to say that he has spent a long period of ten years in prison. So he has learnt a lot of tricks of the convicts. He can’t be cheated by any kind of softness of the heart.

5. The convict was sent to prison because he had stolen the food. He was beaten like a hound while in jail. He slept on the boards. He was given a number after taking his name. He was made to eat filth. He had had vermin on his body. He had turned into a wild beast. It is due to the ill-treatment by the police in jail.

6. I think the punishment was not at all justified. Such a horrible punishment is given to murderers or killers. The convict had stolen food. At the most he should have been fined or imprisoned for a brief spell and treated like a human being.
The convict is eager to reach Paris. It is because there he won’t be easily traced by the police. The police would be after him to arrest him again. It is because he has not yet completed his sentence. He has run away from jail.

7. The Bishop’s large-heartedness and kindness brought this change in him. He is now a gentleman and not a wild beast. So he asks the Bishop to bless him.

Question 7.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct options.
(A) Monseigneur, the Bishop is a … ahem !
(a) Why does Persome not complete the sentence ?

1. she used to stammer while speaking.
2. she was about to praise the Bishop.
3. she did not wish to criticise the Bishop in front of Marie.
4. she had a habit of passing such remarks.

(b) Why is she angry with the Bishop ?

1. the Bishop has sold her salt-cellars.
2. the Bishop has gone to visit Mere Gringoire.
3. he showed extra concern for Marie.
4. she disliked the Bishop.

(B) She sent little Jean to Monseigneur to ask for help.
(a) Who sent little Jean to the Bishop ?

1. Mere Gringoire
2. Marie
3. Persome
4. Marie’s mother.

(b) Why did she send Jean to the Bishop ?

1. so that he could pray for her.
2. as she knew that he was a generous person.
3. as she was a greedy woman.
4. as she was a poor woman.

(C) I offered to take her in here for a day or two, but she seemed to think it might distress you.
(a) The Bishop wanted to take Mere Gringoire in because ____.

1. she was sick.
2. she had no money.
3. she was unable to pay the rent of her house.
4. she was a close friend of Persome.

(b) Persome would be distressed on Mere Gringoire’s being taken in because____.

1. she did not want to help anyone.
2. she felt that Mere Gringoire was taking undue advantage of the Bishop.
3. she was a self-centred person.
4. she would be put to a great deal of inconvenience.

Answer
(A) (a) 3
(b) 1
(B) (a) 1
(b) 2
(C) (a) 3
(b) 2

Question 8.
The term irony refers to a discrepancy, or disagreement, of some sort. The discrepancy can he between what someone says and what he or she really means or verbal irony. The discrepancy can be between a situation that one would logically anticipate or that would seem appropriate and the situation that actually develops or situational irony. The discrepancy can even be between the facts known to a character and the facts known to us, the readers or audience or dramatic irony.
Working in groups of four complete the following table. Find instances of irony from the play and justify them.

Answer
Students should understand very well the three kinds of irony described here in these pages. They should also find more on their own from the text.
It is ironic as in the beginning the convict was against the Bishop’s using kindly and conciliatory words. But now he himself asks him to bless him before he goes. This means, he himself means these words, though in the beginning he had not meant these.

Answer
First, the convict is against leaving the window or the door unshuttered. It is because he fears that he may be found out. But if the door has been barred, he could not have entered the house.

Answer
It is ironic because the Bishop doesn’t want to sell the candlesticks. For him they are a symbol of his mother’s love for him. But later he himself offers them to the convict.

Question 9.
Identify the situations which can he termed as the turning points in the convict’s life.
Answer
These situations are as follows :

1. Convict’s stealing to buy his wife food.
2. His being caught by the police and inhuman treatment meted out by the jail authorities.
3. His escape from the jail and meeting the Bishop.
4. His stealing the Bishop’s candlesticks.
5. His being caught and brought before the Bishop and the Bishop’s getting him free from the police sergeant.
6. Bishop’s advice and telling him the way to Paris.

Question 10.
The convict is the product of the society he lived in, both in terms of the suffering that led him to steal a loaf of bread, as well as the excessive sentence he received as punishment for his “crime”. He was imprisoned for stealing money to buy food for his sick wife, this filled him with despair, hopelessness, bitterness and anger at the injustice of it all.
Conduct a debate in the class (in groups) on the following topic. Instruction for conducting a debate (and the use of appropriate language) are given in the unit ‘Children’ of the Main Course Book.
‘Criminals are wicked and deserve punishment’
Answer
Meant for debate at class level. Some points for and against the motion given below may be helpful.

Question 11.
The convict goes to Paris, sells the silver candlesticks and starts a business. The business prospers and he starts a reformatory for ex-convicts. He writes a letter to the Bishop telling him of this reformatory and seeks his blessings.
As the convict, Jean Valjean, write the letter to the Bishop.
Answer
Jean Valjean Reformatory Paris
23 April, 20 …
Venerable father

You’ll be amazed to receive this letter from an ex-convict. It was a turning point in my life when I met you. You are the noblest soul I have met so far. I lack words to express my overwhelming sense of gratitude to you. You have rightly helped me with your cherished candlesticks.

I sold the candlesticks and started a reformatory for ex-convicts. I introduced various trades in it. It was to make the ex-convicts work and earn money for their needs. They would then live with dignity. The focus of this reformatory is to make the ex-convicts real human beings. So we focused on real Christian or human virtues. These are mercy, pity, peace, fellow¬feeling, cooperation, genuine sympathy etc. We also intended to make them earn money through various trades. We arranged for weekly moral preachings. These lectures were delivered by great men. The reformatory has now become famous all over the world for its values.

I am glad to say that we have maintained an alumni of this reformatory. The Govt, has also sanctioned a huge grant for the rehabilitation of the ex-convicts.

We would really be glad to honour you on the reformatory’s annual function. I shall write next time more about it.
Seeking your blessings
I remain
Yours sincerely
Jean Valjean

Question 12.
The play is based on an incident in novelist victor Hugo’s ‘Les Miserables.’ You may want to read the novel to get a better idea of the socio-economic conditions of the times and how people lived. Another novel that may interest you is Charles Dickens ‘A Tale of Two Cities.’
Divide yourselves into two groups in the class and read a book each. Later you may want to share your views of the book each group selected. Select an incident from the novel to dramatise and present before the class.
Answer
Mainly meant for discussion at class level. One group may cover Victor Hugo’s ‘Les Miserables’. The other group should cover Charles Dickens’s ‘A Tale of Two Cities’.

Of A Tale of Two Cities

The socio-economic conditions are almost the same as given in ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’. In ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ the theme centres on Manette’s spiritual renewal after 18 months’ imprisonment. It comes through Lucy’s love that enables Manette’s ‘rebirth’. This shows that sacrifice is necessary to achieve happiness. Likewise, Carton’s transformation into a man of moral worth is a kind of commentary. It is on the bitter aspects of life. These are revealed in the convict’s treatment meted out to him in jail in ‘The Bishop’s’Candlesticks’.

Thus the socio-economic conditions are: grim poverty, inequality, unequal opportunities, rule of the thumb and the stick, loss of freedom and autocracy, unfair trial, maladministration of police, etc.

An incident from the novel to be dramatised

The year is now 1780. Charles Darnay stands accused of treason against the English crown. A lawyer named Stryver using long and difficult words pleads Darnay’s case. But it is not until his drunk, good-for-nothing colleague, Syden Carton, assists him that the court acquits Darnay. Carton clinches his argument by pointing out that he himself bears a strange resemblance to the defendant. It weakens the prosecution’s case for unmistakably identifying Darnay as the spy, the authorities spotted.
This Scene can be enacted by the students with proper props and directions.

Of Les Miserables

After 19 years on the chain gang, Jean Valjean finds that the ticket of leave he must display condemns him to be an outcast. Only the Bishop of Digne treats him kindly. Valjean is embittered by years of hardship. He repays him by stealing some silver. Valjean is caught and brought back by the police. He is astonished when the Bishop lies to the police to save him. Valjean decides to start his new life anew.

An incident from the novel that can be dramatised

Jean Valjean spends nineteen years in jail for stealing a loaf of bread and for several attempts to escape. He is finally released. But his past keeps haunting him. At Digne, he is refused shelter for the night. Only the saintly Bishop, Monseigneur Myriel, welcomes him. Valjean repays his host’s hospitality by stealing his silverware. When the police brings him back, the Bishop protects him by pretending that the silverware is a gift to him. With a pious lie, he convinces him that the convict has promised to reform. After one more theft, Jean Valjean does indeed repent. Under the name of M. Madeleine he starts a factory. Thereof, he brings prosperity to the town of Montrevil.

Students as two different groups :
Group A
Students who have read ‘A Tale of Two Cities’
Group B
Students who have read ‘Les Miserables’
Some points for sharing common or different views

• Socio-economic conditions grim
• Wide gaps between the rulers and the ruled
• Grim poverty, especially at the lower level of the society
• Maladministration
• Corruption
• Nepotism
• Autocratic tendencies of the rulers
• Unfair treatment meted out to the undertrials
• Voice of Truth quelled
• General well-being of people ignored

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 14 The Bishop’s Candlesticks help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Chapter 14 The Bishop’s Candlesticks, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 3 Iswaran the Storyteller are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 3 Iswaran the Storyteller.

NCERT Solutions For Class 9 English Moments Chapter 3 will help you to score more marks in your CBSE board Examination.

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 3 Iswaran the Storyteller

TEXTUAL EXERCISES
(Page 18)

Think About It

Question 1.
In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra ? (CBSE)
Or
What was Mahendra’s most valued asset ? (CBSE)
Or
In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra ? (CBSE 2017)
Answer:
Iswaran works for Mahendra. He cooks his food and washes his clothes. He packs food for him also. He is a good entertainer. He chats with him. He thus provides him a good entertainment. So he is an asset to him. However, the most valued asset of Mahendra is to entertain by inventing imaginary stories.

Question 2.
How does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway ? What effect does he want to create in his listeners ?
Or
How did Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway ? (CBSE)
Answer:
Iswaran describes the uprooted tree with dramatic effects. He raises his hands and eyebrows. He builds up suspense by his description. Then he says that he saw something huge like a bushy beast. It lay spreading across the road. It affects his listeners emotionally. They are easily Affected.

Question 3.
How does he narrate the story of the tusker ? Does it appear to be plausible ?
Answer:
He narrates the story of the tusker with great confidence. First he builds up a sound background for it. With these the story seems convincing. It is because there is some supernatural in the incident.

Question 4.
Why does the author say that Iswaran seemed to more than make up for the absence of a TV in Mahendra’s living quarters ?
Answer:
Iswaran is a good narrator. He is also an entertainer like TV. Iswaran builds up suspense slowly. This affects Mahendra. Then he starts taking interest in his stories. This is all like the TV. So Mahendra does not need it.

Question 5.
Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment of the imagination. What happens to him on a full-moon night ?
Answer:
Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment of the imagination. But on a full moon night, Mahendra sees a cloudy form. It had a bundle. He thinks it the female ghost. She is clutching a foetus. Iswaran has told of it to Mahendra earlier. So he sees it. He then breaks into a cold sweat.

Question 6.
Can you think of some other ending of the story ?
Answer:
The story can end like this : Mahendra now decides to take Iswaran to task. He tells Iswaran that there are no ghosts : What one thinks remains in the subconscious mind for long. When such situations arise, one starts fancying the things. These are of one’s subconscious level. There are no ghosts worth the name.

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 3 Iswaran the Storyteller help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 3 Iswaran the Storyteller, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.