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God Sees the Truth, But Waits by Leo Tolstoy-Questions-Answers

 "God Sees the Truth, But Waits" by Leo Tolstoy:

 Type One Short Answer Qs based on the Story of the Text

Q1. What dream did Aksionov’s wife have one day before he set out to go to a fair? How did he interpret the dream?

Ans. Aksionov’s wife had a very bad dream about her husband. She saw that her husband’s hair had turned white when he returned from his journey. So she did not want him to go on his journey. But Aksionov said that it was a good omen. She had seen his hair turn grey. It meant he would live a long life.

Q2.  What bad habits did Aksionov have before his marriage?

Ans. Aksionov had a very attractive personality and he was a very jovial type of person. But he had the habit of drinking alcohol. When he drank in excess, he used to become riotous and start fighting with people.

Q3. Why did Aksionov think of killing himself?

Ans. At one occasion, Aksionov wanted to kill himself because he was wrongly convicted and he had to face all tortures for the crime that he had never committed. He recalled all the bitter realities of his life. That made him depressed and, so, he wanted to kill himself.

Q4. Why did Makar disclose that he had killed the merchant?

Ans. One dday, the governor of the jail came to investigate about the real culprit who had dug a hole into the jail, All the convicts stood in front of the officer. Makar was afraid that Aksionov would surely tell his name to the governor. But he did not tell Makar’s name and thus he was saved. All that changed Makar’s heart. He felt guilty and revealed to the jail authorities that he had killed the merchant.

 Type 2: Qs Based on the theme and incidents

Q1: What is the central theme of "God Sees the Truth, But Waits"?

Ans. The central theme is the concept of divine justice and forgiveness. Tolstoy explores how humans often face unjust suffering but ultimately, true justice is revealed by God, encouraging patience and moral integrity.

Q2: How does Aksionov change after his imprisonment?

Ans. Aksionov transforms from a carefree, prosperous merchant into a deeply spiritual and humble man. Imprisonment forces him to confront his suffering and seek solace in faith, eventually leading him to forgive the man who trapped him.

Q3: What role does forgiveness play in the story?

Ans. Forgiveness is a central theme. Aksionov, despite being wronged, forgives Makar Semyonich for trapping him. His ability to forgive demonstrates moral growth and the power of inner peace, rising above worldly injustices.

 

Q4: How does Makar Semyonich’s confession affect the ending?

Ans. Makar’s confession doesn’t save Aksionov’s life, as he dies before justice is reached. However, it brings spiritual change in Aksionov, showing that while earthly justice may be delayed, moral redemption and divine justice is never denied.

Q5: What does the title "God Sees the Truth, But Waits" signify?

Ans. The title suggests that while humans may suffer from injustice, God's truth will eventually be revealed, although after a long wait. It shows the story’s focus on trusting in God's timing and the belief that true justice will eventually be served.

Q6: How does Aksionov’s faith influence his actions in prison?

Ans. Aksionov’s faith makes him strong and full of patience during his imprisonment. He becomes a respected person among other prisoners. He is known for his humility and faith, which helped him endure years of wrongful imprisonment with strength.

Q7: How does Tolstoy depict the theme of fate in the story?

Ans. Tolstoy portrays fate as uncontrollable and often unjust in the short term. Aksionov's wrongful imprisonment shows how one's life can be altered unexpectedly. However, his spiritual awakening suggests that fate is connected to personal moral growth.

Q8: What message does Tolstoy convey about human suffering in "God Sees the Truth, But Waits"?

Ans. Tolstoy suggests that human suffering, though often unjust and painful, serves a purpose in the development of personal virtue and spiritual understanding. Aksionov’s suffering leads him to faith, forgiveness, and ultimately, peace.

 

Q9: What does Aksionov’s family’s reaction to his arrest signify?

Ans. Aksionov’s family abandons him, believing he is guilty. This reaction signifies how easily people can be swayed by appearances and the unreliability of human judgment, further emphasizing the story’s theme of divine justice being the ultimate truth.

Q10: Why does Aksionov not seek revenge on Makar Semyonich?

Ans. Aksionov chooses not to seek revenge because his faith has taught him the value of forgiveness and patience. He believes that vengeance belongs to God, and he prioritizes spiritual peace over earthly justice or retribution.

Q11: How does Aksionov find peace?

Ans. Aksionov finds peace through faith, forgiveness, and acceptance of his fate. Despite being wrongfully imprisoned for most of his life, he turns to God, abandoning bitterness and resentment. His ability to forgive Makar Semyonich, the man responsible for his suffering, grants him inner peace and spiritual fulfillment.

Q12: What does Aksionov learn?

Ans. Aksionov learns the power of patience, faith, and forgiveness. Through years of wrongful imprisonment, he discovers that true peace comes from accepting one’s fate and trusting in divine justice rather than seeking earthly retribution. He learns that forgiveness liberates the soul, even in deep suffering.

Q13: What is divine justice in ‘God Sees the Truth But Waits’?

Ans. Divine justice refers to the belief that God or a higher power ultimately ensures fairness and moral rightness, even when human justice fails. It suggests that while people may suffer or face injustice, God sees the truth and will deliver justice in His own time, rewarding virtue and correcting wrongs.

 Q14: Why did Aksionov forgive Makar?

Ans. Aksionov forgave Makar because his years of suffering had taught him the value of inner peace and spiritual growth over revenge. His deep faith led him to believe that only God could judge and deliver true justice. By forgiving Makar, Aksionov freed himself from hatred and resentment, finding solace in forgiveness rather than vengeance.

Q15: What happens to Makar?

Ans. Makar Semyonich, burdened by guilt, eventually confesses to framing Aksionov for the murder. Overcome with remorse, he begs for Aksionov’s forgiveness. Although Aksionov forgives him, Makar’s confession comes too late to change Aksionov’s fate. Makar, however, is deeply affected by Aksionov’s forgiveness, likely leading to his own moral and spiritual awakening.

Q17: How does Makar change?

Ans. Makar changes from a deceitful and hardened criminal into a remorseful and guilt-ridden man. After years of hiding the truth, witnessing Aksionov's suffering and patience deeply affects him. His growing guilt leads him to confess his crime and seek Aksionov's forgiveness, reflecting his moral transformation and newfound awareness of justice and repentance.

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Life & Works of Geoffrey Chaucer

 Life & Works of Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343–1400) is widely regarded as the "Father of English Literature" and one of the greatest poets of the Middle Ages. His major contribution to English letters is The Canterbury Tales, but his life and works span much more, reflecting the complexity of the 14th century and Chaucer’s own multifaceted career.

Early Life and Background

Geoffrey Chaucer was born into a middle-class family in London around 1343. His father, John Chaucer, was a wine merchant, and the family had connections to the royal court, which would later play a crucial role in Chaucer’s career. His education is largely undocumented, but it’s likely that Chaucer was fluent in French and Latin, as was common for educated men at the time. Chaucer's early exposure to the aristocratic and mercantile classes helped shape his understanding of the social hierarchy, a theme that would become central to his works.

 

Chaucer’s first documented role in public service came in the 1350s when he served as a page in the household of Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster. During the 1360s, he also saw military service, participating in the Hundred Years' War, where he was captured by the French in 1360 and ransomed (released) with the help of King Edward III.

Career and Royal Connections

Chaucer’s career as a civil servant and diplomat was substantial, and it placed him in positions of responsibility throughout his life. He held various posts, including controller of customs for the port of London, and later, clerk of the king's works, overseeing royal building projects. His service under three kings—Edward III, Richard II, and Henry IV—gave him a close-up view of the workings of the court, which he often criticised in subtle ways in his writing.

He travelled extensively (widely) across Europe for diplomatic missions, which influenced his literary work, exposing him to the works of Italian authors like Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio. These writers, especially Boccaccio, influenced The Canterbury Tales, and shaped Chaucer’s literary voice.

Literary Works

Early Poetry

Chaucer’s early works are often shaped by the conventions of French courtly love poetry and classical influences. One of his earliest known works, The Book of the Duchess (c. 1368-1372), is an elegy for Blanche of Lancaster, the first wife of John of Gaunt, a major patron of Chaucer. The poem, written in a dream-vision format, reflects the French influence of courtly love poetry and is a sensitive meditation on loss.

 

Troilus and Criseyde

One of Chaucer’s major works before The Canterbury Tales is Troilus and Criseyde (1380s), which is considered one of the finest long poems in the English language. It retells the tragic love story set during the Trojan War, drawing from Boccaccio's Il Filostrato. Chaucer’s version explores themes of fate, love, and human weakness, and it exhibits his skill in character psychology and narrative complexity. The poem also marks a shift from his early influences toward a more original voice.

The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer's magnum opus (masterpiece), The Canterbury Tales, was written during the latter part of his life, likely in the 1380s and 1390s. It is an unfinished collection of stories, framed by the pilgrimage of 30 individuals from various social classes to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The pilgrims decide to pass the time by telling stories, and Chaucer’s work details these tales and the interactions among the pilgrims.

 

The tales vary in genre and style, from chivalric romances to comic and often bawdy (humorously indecent) tales, to religious allegory and didactic stories. The diversity of the tales and the vividness of the characters reflect Chaucer’s deep understanding of human nature, as well as his insights into the social hierarchy and tensions of 14th-century England.

The Canterbury Tales is notable for its use of Middle English, helping to legitimize English as a language of literary merit, distinct from Latin and French, which were often considered superior in Chaucer’s time.

The Knight’s Tale is a romance that explores themes of chivalry and fate.

The Miller’s Tale is a bawdy, humorous story about a carpenter and his cheating wife, contrasting with the Knight’s high-minded tale.

The Wife of Bath’s Tale presents one of Chaucer’s most famous characters, a strong, independent woman who challenges traditional notions of gender and marriage.

The Pardoner’s Tale is a moral fable about the dangers of greed.

Chaucer’s work in The Canterbury Tales reflects a cross-section of medieval society and has been praised for its humour, realism, and biting social commentary. Through the pilgrims, Chaucer gives a voice to a wide range of social perspectives, from the nobility to commoners.

Other Works

Chaucer also wrote several other notable works. The House of Fame (1379-1380) and The Parliament of Fowls (1380-1382) are dream-vision poems that explore themes of fame, fortune, and love. The Legend of Good Women (1380s) is a poem that presents a series of tragic stories about women wronged by men, again reflecting his interest in the dynamics of love and relationships. Chaucer’s wide-ranging works reflect a profound engagement with the human condition, from the humorous and ribald to the deeply philosophical.

Late Life and Death

Despite the depth and breadth of his literary output, Chaucer’s final years were marked by financial difficulty. He continued to hold various positions, but the political upheavals of the late 14th century—including the deposition of Richard II—may have reduced his influence at court. He died in 1400, likely in London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, in what is now known as Poet's Corner, a testament to his lasting impact on English literature.

 Legacy

Chaucer’s legacy is vast. He was the first major poet to write in English, at a time when Latin and French were the dominant languages of literature. By choosing to write in Middle English, Chaucer not only helped to elevate the status of the language but also laid the foundation for future English poets, including Shakespeare.

 His use of characterization, narrative complexity, and his ability to depict a wide range of human experiences have earned him a central place in literary history. His keen observations of social class, gender relations, and human folly are still relevant, making him a writer whose works continue to be studied and enjoyed centuries after his death.

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Untouchability and its social relevance as Portrayed in Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand

The problem of untouchability and its social relevance as Portrayed in Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand

Mulk Raj Anand's novel Untouchable is a powerful exploration of the deeply entrenched social evil of untouchability in India. Set in the 1930s, the novel provides a poignant portrayal of the life of Bakha, a young sweeper who belongs to the lowest rung of the caste hierarchy. Through Bakha's experiences, Anand exposes the harsh realities and indignities faced by those deemed "untouchable" by society.

The problem of untouchability, as depicted in the novel, is not just a matter of social discrimination but also a profound psychological and emotional burden on the individuals affected. Bakha is subjected to constant humiliation, isolation, and dehumanization solely because of his caste. He is denied basic human dignity, forced to live on the outskirts of society, and treated as polluted and impure by higher-caste individuals. This systemic oppression is deeply ingrained in the social fabric, perpetuated by religious and cultural beliefs.

Anand's portrayal of untouchability in the novel serves as a critique of the rigid caste system that devalues human life based on birth. The novel highlights the internalization of inferiority by the oppressed, as seen in Bakha's initial acceptance of his fate and his longing to be like the upper castes. However, it also shows the seeds of rebellion and the desire for change, as Bakha becomes aware of the injustices he faces and contemplates the possibility of escaping his caste-imposed destiny.

The social relevance of Untouchable extends beyond its immediate historical context. While the novel is set in pre-independence India, the issues it raises about caste discrimination and social inequality continue to resonate in contemporary society. Despite legal measures to abolish untouchability, caste-based discrimination and prejudice persist in various forms, affecting the lives of millions. The novel underscores the need for a deeper societal change, one that goes beyond legal reforms to address the underlying attitudes and structures that sustain caste oppression.

In conclusion, Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand is a seminal work that sheds light on the inhuman practice of untouchability and its devastating impact on individuals and society. Through the character of Bakha, Anand not only evokes empathy and outrage but also challenges readers to confront the continuing legacy of caste-based discrimination in modern times.