Answer any one of the following in 120-150 words:

(i) “Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it, metaphorically.” Explain.

(ii) ‘The Rattrap’ focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Comment.

(iii) Attempt a character sketch of Sophie as a girl who lives in her dreams.

(i) By the statement "Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it, metaphorically" Author meant that although Seemapuri existed at the periphery of a well - developed city, Delhi was indeed very underdeveloped. Delhi, being the capital of the country offered all the basic necessities and privileges to its residents whereas, Seemapuri lacked in providing the basic necessities to its residents. It was a settlement of rag pickers. Those who live here are squatters who came from Bangladesh back in 1971. Seemapuri was occupied by 10,000 rag pickers who lived in structures of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin, devoid of sewage, drainage or running water.

(ii) The story ‘Rattrap’ focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. All the characters which are described in the story are shown to be living a lonely life and seek some kind of companionship. As described in the story, the peddler himself led a very sad, monotonous and lonely life. He used to wander around the woods all by himself with no one else present whom he could talk to. The old crofter was also alone in his old cottage with no wife or child. He welcomes the peddler with all enthusiasm and happiness so that he can talk to somebody. The ironmaster and his daughter Edla also invites the peddler to celebrate Christmas Eve at his home so that they could have a guest in their home with whom they can create some kind of bond.

(iii) Sophie has been portrayed as the central character in the story ‘Going Places’. She perfectly represents the girls of her age who live in poor families. Sophie always lives in a dream world, dreaming impossible things. Instead of accepting the harsh reality of her family’s financial condition, she still dreams of having a boutique of her own. She also makes up the story of meeting Danny Casey, a charming and upcoming footballer. Neither her family nor her friends believe her and tell her that it might be just one of her stupid dreams. She gets so immersed in her imagination that in order to convince other people that she had actually met a renowned footballer she makes up another story that she has fixed a date with him. She is so lost in her dreams that she actually goes to the canal and waits for him. She becomes extremely sad when he doesn’t show up.