With the Photographer by Stephen Leacock-Questions-Answers

 

With the Photographer by Stephen Leacock
Short Answer Type Questions (40–45 Words Each)
 

1. Why did the narrator feel insecure while waiting in the photographer's studio?

 

Answer: While waiting in the studio, the narrator looked through magazines containing photographs of attractive and perfectly groomed people. Comparing himself with them made him conscious of his ordinary appearance and created a feeling of insecurity, although there was no real reason for him to feel inferior.

 

2. How did the photographer react when he first saw the narrator?

 

Answer: The photographer examined the narrator critically and immediately found faults with his appearance. Instead of treating him as a customer, he behaved as though the narrator's face needed correction and improvement, showing dissatisfaction with several of his natural features.

 

3. Why does the photographer ask the narrator to change his position repeatedly?

 

Answer: The photographer wanted to create an image that matched his own standards of beauty. He repeatedly instructed the narrator to move his head and change his posture because he was not interested in capturing the narrator's natural appearance.

 

4. What does the photographer's attitude reveal about his character?

 

Answer: The photographer appears arrogant, controlling, and self-important. He believes his artistic judgment is superior to the wishes of his customers and tries to impose his own ideas of perfection instead of respecting the individuality of others.

 

5. Why does the narrator initially obey all the photographer's instructions?

 

Answer: The narrator obeys because he lacks confidence and assumes that the photographer, being a professional, knows what he is doing. He trusts the photographer's expertise and does not immediately question the strange and unreasonable instructions.

 

6. What changes did the photographer make to the narrator's photograph?

 

Answer: The photographer extensively retouched the photograph by altering the narrator's facial features, including his eyes, mouth, ears, and expression. As a result, the final photograph looked like a different person rather than a true likeness of the narrator.

 

7. Why was the narrator shocked when he saw the finished photograph?

 

Answer: The narrator was shocked because the photograph no longer resembled him. The photographer had made so many alterations that the image failed to represent his real appearance, making it impossible for him to recognize himself.

 

8. Why did the narrator become angry with the photographer?

 

Answer: The narrator became angry because he had wanted a simple photograph showing his true likeness. Instead, the photographer changed his appearance according to his own preferences, ignoring the narrator's wishes and individuality.

 

9. What message does Stephen Leacock convey through the photographer's behaviour?

 

Answer: Through the photographer's behaviour, Leacock criticizes society's obsession with artificial beauty and perfection. He shows how people are often judged by appearance and how individuality is sacrificed to fit unrealistic standards.

 

10. Why does the narrator refuse to take the photograph home?

 

Answer: The narrator refuses to take the photograph because it does not represent him. He feels insulted by the unnecessary alterations and rejects the image, preferring his real appearance to the artificial version created by the photographer.

 

Long Answer Type Questions (150 Words Each)

 

1. Describe the narrator's experience with the photographer.

 

Answer: The narrator visits a photographer's studio hoping to get a simple photograph of himself. While waiting, he becomes slightly self-conscious after looking at magazine photographs of attractive people. When the photographer arrives, he begins criticizing the narrator's appearance and finds faults with his facial features. He repeatedly instructs him to change positions and expressions, making the session uncomfortable and absurd. The narrator initially obeys because he trusts the photographer's professional judgment. However, when he returns a week later to collect the photograph, he is shocked to discover that it has been heavily retouched. The photographer has altered his eyes, ears, mouth, and expression so much that the photograph no longer resembles him. The narrator becomes angry because he wanted an accurate likeness, not an improved version. He finally rejects the photograph and leaves it behind. Through this humorous experience, Leacock highlights the importance of individuality and self-acceptance.

 

2. Discuss the theme of appearance and self-acceptance in With the Photographer.

 

Answer: The story explores the themes of appearance and self-acceptance through the narrator's encounter with the photographer. At first, the narrator feels slightly insecure after comparing himself with the idealized images in magazines. The photographer strengthens this insecurity by criticizing his physical features and treating them as defects. However, the narrator gradually realizes that there is nothing wrong with his appearance. The real problem lies in the photographer's unrealistic standards of beauty. By heavily retouching the photograph, the photographer attempts to replace reality with an artificial image. The narrator rejects this false version of himself because he values authenticity over perfection. His reaction demonstrates self-respect and self-acceptance. Through humour and satire, Stephen Leacock criticizes society's tendency to judge people by their looks and encourages readers to appreciate their natural appearance. The story teaches that individuality is more valuable than conforming to someone else's idea of beauty.

 

3. How does Stephen Leacock use humour and satire in With the Photographer?

 

Answer: Stephen Leacock effectively uses humour and satire to criticize society's obsession with physical appearance. The humour arises from the photographer's absurd behaviour. Instead of taking a straightforward photograph, he treats the narrator's face as a problem that requires correction. His constant criticism of the narrator's features and his ridiculous instructions create comic situations. The photographer's exaggerated confidence and belief in his own artistic abilities make his actions even funnier. At the same time, the story is satirical because it mocks people who impose unrealistic standards of beauty on others. The photographer represents individuals who value artificial perfection more than reality. By showing how the narrator's photograph is altered beyond recognition, Leacock exposes the foolishness of such attitudes. The narrator's anger and disappointment highlight the importance of individuality and authenticity. Thus, humour entertains the reader, while satire conveys a deeper message about self-respect and human dignity.