How to Prepare for UGC-NET- English Literature

A Roadside Stand Summary Class 12 English

Summary-The Merchant of Venice-William Shakespeare-Act IV

 Day 13: Summary-The Merchant of Venice-William Shakespeare-Act IV

The Duke invites Portia, who is disguised as a law doctor, to dine with him at his residence. But, Portia very humbly says that she has to go back to Padua immediately. So, she won’t be able to dine with him.

Bassanio and Antonio express their gratitude to Portia for the service she rendered in the court. Bassanio offers Portia three thousand ducats, but she does not accept that and says that whenever they meet again, they should remember him(Portia).

But, Bassanio still insists Portia accept money as a gift. Then Portia demands two things: the gloves from Antonio and the ring worn by Bassanio; but the latter (Bassanio ) says that he would get the most precious ring made for him (Portia), but he was unable to give the ring that he desires to have from him.

Bassanio says:

´Good Sir, this ring was given me by my wife/ And when she put it on, she made me vow that I should neither give nor lose it.’

Portia again makes an attempt to get the ring from Bassanio. But Bassanio is not ready to part from that ring. Then they leave the place with a blessing of peace to him.

Portia and Nerissa exist on the stage.

Then Antonio advises Bassanio to send the rings to the lawyer and convinces him to do that. Gratiano is sent to deliver the ring to Portia. After that, Antonio and Gratiano also leave the stage.

Act IV Scene (ii)

Portia [as a lawyer] and Nerissa are left on the stage. Portia tells Nerrisa to find out the Jew’s house and get the document signed by him. Then Gratiano also enters there. He gives the ring to Portia. He also invites them (Portia and Nerissa) on behalf of Antonio to dine with them at his home. Portia accepts the ring thankfully, but she shows an inability to dine with them.

She also asks Gratiano to help Nerrisa (clerk) to reach Shylock’s house to get the documents signed. Gratiano is ready to do that also.

Now Nerrisa talks to Portia about something aside from her desire to get the ring from her husband Gratiano. Portia allows her to do so. She tells Nerissa that later on, they would tease their husbands saying that they have given their rings to some other women and have fun. All exist. 

Act V Scene (i)  Setting: Belmont: Avenue to Portia’s house

Lorenzo and Portia are conversing together in the most romantic manner. Both of them refer to ancient Greek mythology in a very poetic manner.

The moonlit starry night adds much to the romantic atmosphere created by the dramatist. Shakespeare refers to an ancient tale of Troy. Troilus, who loved Cressida, mounted the Trojan walls and made his way to the Grecian tents, where Cressida was present there.

 

We also have another reference here about Pyramus and Thisbe, who were lovers in ancient Babylon.

 

They had promised to meet each other at night, which was similarly beautiful as it is now when Lorenzo and Jessica are talking together  on a moonlit starry night.

First, Thisbe reached the place, but she found a lion there. She at once ran away from there in fear. While running, her cloak got stuck there. It was picked up by the lion and thus, some blood stains were left on it.

When Pyramus arrived there, he found Thisbe’s cloak lying there. He noticed some bloodstains on it and concluded that his beloved must have been killed by some wild animal. so he killed himself. After some time, Thisbe also came back. She saw her lover’s dead body lying there. So, she killed herself in dismay.

 

Now, Lorenzo refers to Dido, who stood on the same type of night with a willow stick in her hand. Dido was the queen of Carthage, who had fallen in love with Aeneas, a great Trojan warrior who had founded the city of Rome.

After staying with her for a few months, he left her broken-hearted and sailed away to his native place. But love-torn Dido kept hoping against hope that her lover would one day come back. But he did not turn up. One night while walking on the seashore, she killed herself in frustration. Shakespeare writes that it was also the same type of starry, calm, and moonlit night as it was there when Lorenzo and Jessica were talking together.

One more reference we find here is about the classical hero Jason. His wife Medea practised enchantment. Here, Shakespeare says that it would have been the same type of starry, moonlit, and calm night when she gathered herbs of magical properties to be administered to her old father-in-law in order to bring back his lost youth.

It was the same type of night when Jessica stole valuables from her father's house and fled away with a Christian boy, Lorenzo.

Now they start teasing each other by blaming for infidelity. Jessica says that on such a night, Lorenzo swore to her that he loved her and promised to be true to his words forever; thus, he had stolen her heart.

At this Lorenzo also says that on such a night his beloved Jessica, like a quarrelsome woman, had slandered her lover and he had forgiven her.

After that, a messenger, named Stepheno, enters there and informs them that Portia is about to reach her mansion before daybreak. Then Lorenzo and Jessica start going back inside the house to make a presentation for giving a warm welcome to her.

 

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God Sees the Truth, But Waits

"God Sees the Truth, But Waits" is a famous short story written by Leo Tolstoy. It's a tale about justice, forgiveness, and the enduring power of truth. Here's a step-by-step summary of the story:

1. Introduction of the Protagonist:

The story begins by introducing a merchant named Ivan Dmitrievich Aksionov. He is a well-respected and honest man in a small town in Russia. He has a loving wife and children, and his life seems peaceful and content.

2. A Fateful Journey:

One day, Aksionov decides to travel to a distant town to attend a fair. He bids farewell to his family and sets out on his journey, not knowing that his life is about to take a tragic turn.

3. Encounter with a Stranger:

On the way, Aksionov meets a fellow traveler, a young merchant named Makar Semyonich. They decide to travel together to keep each other company on the long and lonely road.

4. A Fateful Night:

As evening falls, Aksionov and Makar decide to stop at an inn for the night. Aksionov is carrying a large sum of money from the sale of his goods, and he is careful to keep it hidden.

5. Betrayal and False Accusation:

That night, Aksionov falls asleep, and when he wakes up in the morning, he discovers that his money is gone, and Makar is nowhere to be found. He realizes that he has been robbed and immediately reports the theft to the police.

6. Unjust Conviction:

 Despite Aksionov's pleas of innocence, the police arrest him on suspicion of murder and theft. The money he was carrying is found in his bag, and the authorities believe he murdered Makar in his sleep.

7. Life in Prison:

Aksionov is sentenced to hard labor in Siberia for his alleged crimes. He endures many years of suffering and hardship in the harsh Siberian prison, all the while maintaining his innocence and hoping for justice.

8. Transformation and Revelation:

 Over the years, Aksionov changes from a strong and healthy man into an old and frail one. He reflects on his past and begins to accept his fate. He also finds solace in religion, praying and reading the Bible regularly.

9. Meeting the Real Culprit:

One day, after many years of imprisonment, Aksionov encounters a new prisoner who admits to the crime for which Aksionov was falsely accused. The man had been living a life of crime and finally confessed his guilt, revealing that he had killed Makar Semyonich and stolen the money.

10. Death and Redemption:

 Aksionov forgives the man who had caused him so much suffering and dies with a sense of peace and forgiveness in his heart. The real culprit's confession is eventually confirmed, and Aksionov's name is cleared posthumously.

11. The Theme of Divine Justice:

The story ends with the message that "God sees the truth, but waits." It highlights the idea that ultimate justice may not be delivered in this world but will be meted out by a higher power.

"God Sees the Truth, But Waits" is a powerful story that explores themes of innocence, guilt, redemption, and the belief in divine justice. It reminds us that, even in the face of injustice, forgiveness, and faith can bring solace and ultimate redemption.

Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda-Explanation

The Importance of Introspection:

Keeping Quiet: A Poem by Pablo Neruda

The Importance of Inward Self:

Introspection can only be achieved when we are completely

 still.

What is the Inward Self?

Introspection is the mental activity in which we reflect on our thoughts, feelings, and how we act towards others. Introspection helps us to correct our errors and change our behaviour. We become better people by doing introspection on a daily basis.

How to achieve the state of introspection?

1.    The poet says that we need to count up to twelve only in order to reach the state of mind when introspection becomes possible. It is possible when we are quiet.

2.    So by counting up to twelve we are able to examine our inner self. The poet says that we will count up to twelve and remain motionless. We will not do any physical activity during that time.

3.    The poet seems to suggest that people of the whole world should remain quiet together and should not speak any word in any of their languages. They should neither speak nor do any physical activity even for a single second.

4.    If they do so, they would have strange and wonderful experience in which there would be no hurry to finish any activity.

5.    When the people of the whole world would remain quiet at the same time, the people doing different activities in different parts of the world would stop their activities. It would be so strange and wonderful experience on this earth.

6.    The workers working at machines would stop their engines. The fishermen catching fish would stop catching fish and whales. They would stop harming whales for some seconds. After introspection, their thought would be purified of all cruelty and unsympathetic attitude. They would catch as much fish as they require for their survival.

7.    The man who is gathering salt, would also feel changed after introspection. He would get rid of his greed and stop collecting salt. The line ‘… would see his hurt hands’ suggests his sudden awareness about his mistake of collecting salt more than his need.

8.    The people who prepare fatal weapons for wars would also be made sober by the process of introspection. They would evaluate their activities and realise their mistake of being cruel to human beings. They would no longer use chemical gas, gun powder and even they may stop wars. They would no longer rejoice in the victory that is the result of bloodshed.

9.    They would put on clean clothes means their mind and conscience would be guiltless and clean. Since they would be without any feeling of enmity towards others, they would consider themselves their brothers and walk together with them enjoying the shade of the trees. The shade of trees may suggest the feeling of universal brotherhood.

Lines 21 to36

‘What I want should not be confused

With total inactivity…..

And you keep quiet and I will go

10.                       The poet says that we should not get confused with the word ‘total in activity’. It does not mean that we would stop all activities while doing introspection by remaining quiet. Of course, we would stop physical activities, but mental activity will continue in introspection. Activity is the very synonym of life and inactivity is the very synonym of death. If we are active, we are full of life, and inactivity makes us passive. The poet does not want any relation with death.

11.                       In the next lines ‘If we were not single minded…’ the poet stresses the need to be focused on our tasks of life to keep our life progressing and moving forward.

12.                       If we become passive, lazy, and inactive in life, we will cause trouble for ourselves. We would be sad and may not come out of the vicious circle of poverty and deficiency of all we need for our survival. When we are sad, we would not be able to introspect properly. Consequently, we would not be able to understand our own thoughts and feelings. That situation would be like that of death.

13.                       Only introspection may take us out of such a critical situation.

“Perhaps the earth can teach us…….

The poet’s contention (argument) is that we should not take the word

 ‘total inactivity’ in a limited sense finds more clarification here.

 When

 the person is sitting motionless in introspection, he seems to be

 doing no activity.

14.                       The truth is that several thoughts are running in his mind and he is analysing them in a rational way. Similar is the case with the earth. In the winter season, the surface of the earth seems to do nothing. We see no sprouting from seeds, no new leaves, and no flowering. But after the winter season, the surface of the earth is full of so many activities. It is again full of life.

15.                       Similarly, after introspection, we can restart our all

 activities with a freshness of mind.

Explanation of Pablo Neruda's poem "Keeping Quiet"

Explanation of Pablo Neruda's poem "Keeping Quiet":

Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still. For once on the face of the earth let's not speak in any language, let's stop for one second, and not move our arms so much.

The poem begins with an invitation to count to twelve and remain silent. The speaker suggests that, for a moment, everyone should refrain from speaking. The intention is to create a rare occurrence where people set aside their differences and unify in silence. By not speaking in any language, they transcend linguistic barriers and communicate through their shared act of stillness. The mention of not moving their arms too much can be seen as a metaphor for not engaging in excessive actions or gestures, but rather finding a calm and peaceful state.

It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines, we would all be together in a sudden strangeness.

The poet describes this moment as "exotic" because it is out of the ordinary. In this moment of stillness, there would be no rush, no noisy engines, and people would find themselves united in a sudden sense of unfamiliarity. The aim is to break away from the usual hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience a new kind of togetherness.

Fishermen in the cold sea would not harm whales and the man gathering salt would not look at his hurt hands.

The poem presents examples of how this silence and stillness can bring about positive changes. It suggests that in this moment of collective quiet, fishermen would not harm whales, symbolizing a cessation of destructive actions. Similarly, the person gathering salt, who might normally be preoccupied with their injured hands, would be relieved of their pain as they pause from their work. These examples illustrate the potential for empathy (understanding/sympathy) and the avoidance of harm when people come together in stillness.

Those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire, victories with no survivors, would put on clean clothes and walk about with their brothers in the shade, doing nothing.

The poem continues by highlighting the impact of stillness on those involved in preparing for wars and conflicts. These individuals, who plan destructive battles using weapons such as gas and fire, would momentarily abandon their plans. They would wear clean clothes, symbolizing a temporary purification or cleansing of their intentions, and peacefully walk alongside their fellow humans in the shade. This imagery depicts a temporary cessation of violence and the opportunity for unity among all people.

What I want should not be confused with total inactivity. Life is what it is about; I want no truck with death.

The speaker clarifies that their call for stillness and silence should not be mistaken for total inactivity or a desire for death. Life, according to the poet, is about taking action and being engaged. The intention is not to withdraw from life but rather to take a momentary pause from the chaos and reflect on our actions and their consequences. It is a plea for peace and understanding, rather than a renunciation of life's responsibilities.

If we were not so single-minded about keeping our lives moving, and for once could do nothing, perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness of never understanding ourselves and of threatening ourselves with death.

The poet suggests that if humans were not so consumed by their constant pursuit of progress and self-interest, and if they could collectively embrace stillness and inaction, a profound silence might emerge. This silence, he believes, has the power to interrupt the pervasive sadness and lack of self-understanding that plague humanity. By momentarily setting aside our relentless activities, we can create space for introspection, and self-reflection, and ultimately find a path away from self-destructive tendencies

 

CBSE 11th Class Question Paper 2024- Style and Marking Scheme for 2024

A Thing of Beauty-John Keats-Explanation-Summary

  A THING OF BEAUTY    BY JOHN KEATS

  Born: October 31, 1795 
London, England 
Died: February 23, 1821 
Rome, Italy A Romantic poet

   The last to be born and the first to   die of the Five Great Romantic Poets :

  William Wordsworth, S.T. Coleridge, P.B. Shelly, Lord Byron, John Keats

       A Thing Of Beauty Is A Joy For Ever

   An extract from his longer poem ‘Endymion’

‘A thing of beauty is a joy for ever

 Its loveliness increases, it will never

 Pass into nothingness, but will keep

   A bower quiet for us…’

The poet begins the poem with a beautiful line that has become a quotable quote:

   ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’

John Keats was a lover of beauty. He wrote all of his poetry in search of a permanent beauty that always keeps on soothing a suffering human heart, that keeps on increasing the joyful experience of us for a prolonged period of time.  

•          According to the poet, a beautiful object is always a source of joy to us.

•         It is a permanent  joy for all.

•         Its loveliness increases with every view of it. The more we watch it, the more beautiful it becomes for us.

•         With the help of our imagination we keep on adding something new and more beautiful to it every time we watch it.

•         It will never prove useless to us as other material things lose their attraction very soon. We become fed up with watching those material things.

•         But we never feel bored watching the thing that is really beautiful for us

“ A bower quiet for us, and a sleep…

   Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing....”

•          Nature is a treasure of beautiful objects. It always keeps something new for us to offer.

•         For example, in the scorching heat of the sun, people need some shade to relax.

•         Nature always keeps a bower (group of shady trees) ready to offer shade and shelter to us from the scorching heat of the sun

•         If someone, who needs rest, may sleep under such a bower and enjoy a sound and peaceful sleep in which he could enjoy sweet dreams and feel relaxed, more energetic, and healthier with quiet breathing. It gives him peace of mind and shade from the heat of the sun.

•         In the same way, a thing of beauty makes us peaceful, quiet, and healthy.

•         When we are tired of the worries and tensions of life, we can remember any beautiful object of nature and forget about any bitter reality.

•         The beautiful object makes us feel comfortable and we may have a sound sleep.

•         In this way it also makes us healthy.

 “Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

        A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

        Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

        Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

        Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways, made for our  

        searching…”

Word-meanings:  wreathing: surrounding,  band: some rope type

 the thing to tie something; Spite: in spite of, despondence: state of

 hopelessness, inhuman: Here it means terrible, dearth: lack,

 deficiency, gloomy: full of sadness, over darkened: mysterious

•         Our life is not smooth. At one time, a person is happy, at another time he or she may be full of hopelessness and sadness.

•         There is a terrible shortage of good nature.

•         We do not know at what time a tragic event may take place.

•         Mysterious are the ways of God!

•         We have to bear all the bitter realities of life.

•         In spite of the worries and tensions of life, we have to begin our life anew every morning with full energy and power.

•         This is possible if we keep ourselves bound to this beautiful planet, i.e. the Earth by the beauties of nature.

•         Therefore,  we create a chain of attachments to the beautiful objects of nature.

•          It seems to be like that of a beautiful cover or garland worn around our necks.

•         It keeps us bound to the world that is full of all types of oddities enough to make our life miserable!

“. .. yes in spite of all,

    Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

    From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,

   Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon…”

Word-meanings: dark spirits: the hearts full of sadness, sprouting: growing, shady boon: providing shade that becomes helpful, pall: a cover that is spread on a dead person, here it symbolises the cover of sadness.

For simple sheep; and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills

That for themselves a cooling covert make

‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk- rose blooms;

Word-meanings: 1. sprouting: producing, coming out 2. rich with full

 of but here it means looking beautiful 3. boon: a blessing, 4.

 daffodils: flowers, 5. rills: small streams, brooks or streams 7.

 covert: hidden areas in the jungle such as bushes, 8. brake:

 hindrances like marshy land in a jungle 9.  sprinkling: less

 number,10.  fair musk-rose: a kind of white rose, 11.  blooms: flowers

•         The poet further says that in spite of all the bitter realities of the world, the beauty of Nature removes the pall (cover) of sadness from human hearts.

•         Then he gives examples of such beautiful objects that help human beings to come out of their state of depression and sadness.

•         These are the sun, the moon, the trees old as well as the young that provide shade to various animals of the jungle in the hot summer.

•           These provide shelter to animals like sheep and also to so many other animals of the jungle under their green shade.

•         There are beautiful springs (rills) full of clear water, which make a shadow of bushes and many small trees and plants over themselves to keep their water cool for the creatures to drink.

•         They do so to save themselves from the scorching heat of the sun in this way.

•         There is undergrowth or bushes that protect many flowers like beautiful musk roses from the heat of the sun.

•         Usually such bushes are found in the marshy land of a jungle.

And such too is the grandeur of the dooms 
We have imagined for the mighty dead; 
An endless fountain of immortal drink, 
Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink. 

Word-meanings: doom: God’s final judgment on human beings, mighty: powerful; immortal drink: a drink called nectar (‘Amrit’ drunk by gods); heaven’s brink: the edge of heaven

•         Sometimes we pray to God for great rewards to be given to the souls of the great men who are dead now. We feel immense happiness while praying to God for them.

•         Then the poet says that there are tales of the old times that we have heard or read These also make us happy.

•         The poet calls them the fountain… the very source of immortal drink that pours from heaven.

•         Immortal drink is said to be the favourite drink of gods in Hindu mythology. It is a source of permanent life and joy.

•         Here it signifies that God creates all beautiful objects for all the creatures including human beings on the earth.

•         It is a source of permanent joy to the distressed souls on the earth.

Thanks!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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       2. The Thief’s Story (Book: Supplementary)

       Short Answer-type Qs (30-40 words each)

Q1. Why was the thief grateful to Anil?

Ans. The thief was grateful to Anil because he gave him work. He taught him how to cook. He also taught him to write his name. He was also going to teach him to write full sentences.

Q2. What does the thief say about the reactions of the different people when they were robbed?

Ans. The thief told Anil that people react differently when they are robbed. A greedy man shows fear. A rich man shows anger and the poor person shows acceptance.

Q3. What was Anil’s job? What did he usually do with the money he earned?

Ans. Anil had no regular job for earning his livelihood. He wrote for some magazines to earn money. He used to celebrate whenever he got money.

Q4. Why did the thief want to become an educated man?

Ans. The thief also wanted to become an educated man. He had a dream to earn money like an educated person.

Q5.How did the thief realise that Anil knew that the money had been stolen?

Ans. The thief realised that Anil knew about his act of theft. Anil gave him a fifty rupee note. It was still wet. It meant that Anil had come to know that the notes were taken out by Hari Singh (the thief) and then put back under the mattress.

Q6.Why did the thief smile without any effort towards the end of the story?

Ans. Hari Singh (the thief) smiled at the end of the story. It was because Anil seemed to forgive him. In the beginning, the thief was guilty of his wrong act. But later, he felt sure that his master (Anil) had forgiven him.

Q7.Why, according to Hari Singh, is it difficult to rob a careless man? (2014)

Ans. The thief (Hari Singh) says that it is difficult to rob a careless man. It is because a careless person usually does not care about the theft done to him.

    

   Q8.What did Hari Singh smile in his most appealing way? (2014) )   ( Notes prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan)

 Ans. Hari Singh (the thief) wanted to impress Anil. So he smiled in his most appealing way. Hari Singh (the thief) wanted to work for him so that he could rob Anil later on of his money.

Q9. Why did Hari Singh consider friends to be more trouble than help? (2012)

Ans. Hari Singh had no friends because he was a professional thief. He did not want to tell anyone about his secrecy. So he considered friends troublesome in this way.

Q10.  Did Hari Singh know how to cook? What was his purpose?

Ans. Hari Singh did not know how to cook. But he wanted to live with Anil to rob him later on. So he told a lie to Anil. He knew that Anil was a kind person. So he would believe him easily.

Q11. Why was the thief boy happy to work for Anil?

Ans. First, he could befool Anil easily. Second, he taught him to cook and write his name. Third, he was making a profit of one rupee daily from the daily supplies. Fourth, Anil had promised to teach him to make full sentences.

Q12. Why did Hari Singh choose Anil as his victim?

Ans. Hari Singh chose Anil. He seemed to him a simple, kind, and easy-going man. It was clear that he could easily be befooled.

Q13. What forced the thief boy to go back to Anil even though he had reached the station to catch a train?

Ans. Anil was a kind and gentle person. Hari Singh robbed him of his money. He was about to board the train. His conscience pricked him. He realised his mistake. He wanted to be educated and make his future bright. So he came back.

Long Answer-type Questions

Q1.Write the Character sketch of the thief (Hari Singh)

Ans. Hari Singh was a fifteen-year-old thief. He befooled people easily. He could study people’s faces easily. He found Anil watching a wrestling match. He studied his face. He found him a kind and gentle person. Very soon he impressed him with his broad smile. Anil gave him work cooking at his house.

Hari Singh made a profit of one rupee daily. Anil taught him to write his name. He also promised Hari Singh to teach him to make sentences. But one day, Hari Singh robbed Anil of his money. He went to catch the train to leave Anil forever. But his conscience pricked him. So he came back to Anil and secretly put the money back in its place. Thus Anil’s love and good behavior changed a thief into a good person.

Q2. How did Hari Singh rob Anil of his six hundred rupees? What stopped him to run away?

Ans. Hari Singh wanted to rob Anil from the very beginning. But he could not proper chance. Anil had no regular way of making money. He earned money by fits and starts. Whenever he got any payment for his work, he would go out to enjoy himself. He used to spend money quickly. One day, Hari Singh noticed (saw) Anil placing (putting) six hundred rupees under the mattress of his bed. At night, Hari Singh stole the bundle of rupees. He also reached the railway station to catch a train. But he did not sit inside the train. He remembered Anil’s face and his kindness to him. He felt guilty about robbing a gentleman like Anil. He also wanted to be an educated person. So he came back home. Then he put that money in the same place.

Q3. Character sketch of Anil.

Anil was a tall, lean fellow of about 25 years. He looked easy-going, kind, and simple. Anil had no regular way of making money. He earned money by fits and starts. He used to spend money quickly. Then he would wait for the next cheque.

He trusted a boy of fifteen. He gave him food and shelter. He forgave him for his lies. He taught him to write his name. He also promised to teach him to write sentences. Anil gave him a fifty rupee note. He knew that Hari Singh had stolen his money. In spite of that, he promised to pay money in the future. He did not say anything to Hari Singh about the theft. Thus we can say that Anil was a thorough gentleman.

NCERT Solutions For Class 10 English Chapter 2-Nelson Mandela

 NCERT Solutions For Class 10 English Chapter 2-Nelson Mandela

Book: First Flight: Lesson 2. Nelson Mandela [ notes by Shish Pal Chauhan]

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela            

A.   Very Short Answer-type Questions (In Single Sentences)

1.   Mandela became the first black President of a new nation.

2.   Zenani was the daughter of Nelson Mandela.

3.  100,000 South African men, women, and children of all races sang and danced with joy.

4.    The inauguration ceremony took place on 10^th May 1994.

5.  Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy president.

6.  The formation of a democratic government in South Africa has been called a common victory for justice, peace, and human dignity.

7.  Nelson Mandela takes the pledge to remove the bondage of poverty, hunger, and all kinds of discrimination.

8.    The smoke that trailed in the sky by Impala jets symbolized the new South African flag.

9.  The old system in South Africa was based on hatred.

10. The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in South Africa to its people.

11. The people of South Africa are its greatest wealth.

12.  Obligations to his family, his people, and the country are the twin obligations for Mandela.

13.  The twin obligations are filled only in civil and humane societies.

14.  Hatred towards each other robs humanity.

15. Inauguration ceremony took place in Pretoria South Africa.

16. Mandela talks about the inauguration of the formation of the new government in South Africa in this lesson

17. Nelson Mandela feels hungry for the freedom of his countrymen.

Q1.Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?

Ans. The ceremonies took place in the campus of the Union Building of Pretoria. The Parliament House in New Delhi, the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the Supreme Court of India, etc. are some examples.

Q2.Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?

Ans: The tenth of May is an ‘Autumn Day’ in South Africa. It is because there was a large gathering of guests from across the world on that day there.

Q3. At the beginning of his speech, Mandela mentions “an extraordinary human disaster”. What does he mean by this? What is the “glorious … human achievement” he speaks of at the end?

Ans. The coloured people in South Africa had to suffer torture of all types. They suffered it for about three centuries. It was called ‘an extraordinary human disaster’.

Q4. What does Mandela talk of as a ‘glorious human achievement’?

Ans. Mandela talks of a ‘glorious human achievement’ because a black person became the president of South Africa. It was the country where the whites did all types of cruelties on them for about three hundred years.

Q5. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Ans. Nelson Mandela thanks the international leaders because they came to South Africa to attend the function. It was of forming the first nonracial and democratic government there.

Q5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?

Ans. Mandela set out the ideals of removing poverty and discrimination of all types and the sufferings of people. He wanted to make his people proud of their democracy.

Q6. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?

Answer 

The military generals saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty.
Their attitude towards the blacks had changed a lot. In the past, they would have arrested Nelson Mandela. But, at present, they were saluting him.

Q7. Why were two national anthems sung?

Ans. The two national anthems were sung. It was done to create a balance between two races, the white and the black. It showed the new government’s vision of equality also.

Q8. What does courage mean to Mandela?

Ans. Mandela thinks that courage is not the absence of fear in the mind. It is the victory over it. Fear is present in every person. But the brave person is one who conquers fear.

Q9. Mandela talks of twin obligations. What are these?

Ans. According to Mandela, every person has twin obligations in life. One is towards his family, to his wife and children. The other is towards his people and the country.

Q10.  In this lesson, Mandela talks of the oppressor. Is the oppressor free in any sense or Is he also a slave of something?

Ans. Madela says that the oppressor is also a slave of hatred. He is imprisoned behind bars of prejudices and narrow-mindedness. He has made the other person slave.

Q11. What does Mandela mean when he says that he is “the sum of all those African patriots”, who had made struggle for freedom in South Africa before him?

Ans. By saying so, he pays a glowing tribute to the patriots of South Africa who had struggled for freedom so far. He succeeded in his great mission of getting freedom to South Africa. So he finds their blessings in himself.

Long Answer-type Qs (About 100 words)

Q1. What twin obligations does Mandela talk about in this lesson?

Ans. Nelson Mandela says that everyone has twin obligations. One obligation is towards one’s family, children, and parents. Another obligation is towards his people and the country. People fulfil these obligations towards their families and the country in their own ways. But in South Africa, it was not possible to do so. The white-skinned people had put several restrictions on the black coloured people under the policy of apartheid. The person doing his duty for his people was punished and sent behind bars. Mandela was also sent to prison for fulfilling his obligation towards his people. Thus he was not allowed to fulfil his twin obligations.

Q2. How did the meaning of the word ‘freedom’ change with the passage of time for Mandela?

Ans. Mandela said that freedom had different meanings for him according to the stages in his age. In the days of his boyhood, it was just running into his fields near his mother’s hut and swimming in the clear water of a stream. He was free to do the small things that a child could do. A he grew in age, that freedom turned into an illusion for him. He began to understand that his freedom was already snatched. As a student, he desired for freedom only just for himself. It was the freedom to stay out at night, read what he pleased and go where he chose. Later as a young man, he yearned (wished) for a real kind of freedom. It was the freedom to fulfil his twin obligations. But it was not there.

Q3. What does Mandela say about the policy of apartheid? How did it affect people of South Africa?

Ans. The white-skinned peoples of South Africa patched up their differences and erected (set up) a system of racial domination (जातीय शाशन) against the dark-skinned peoples of their own land. The policy of apartheid /əˈpɑː.taɪt/ created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people. The people of South Africa would take a long time to recover from the deep wound created by the policy of apartheid. But the continuous oppression and cruelty of the South Africans produced great men like Oliver  Tambos, Walter Sisulus, Chief Luthulis, etc. They were men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom, and generosity (kindness) that their like may never be known again.