Answer any four of the following questions in 30 – 40 words each:

(a) What are the two most admirable qualities in Mukesh?

(b) What is wrong with Jansie’s outlook on life?

(c) What does Neruda wish fishermen and warmongers to do?

(d) How is the Derry we meet at the beginning different from the Derry at the end?

(e) Why was the General apologetic when Sadao told him that the prisoner had escaped?

(f) Why did Zitkala-Sa oppose tooth and nail the shingling of her long hair?

(a) Mukesh belonged to the family of bangle makers. He knew their economic and social conditions and very well understood them. But he was reluctant to become a bangle maker like his father and grandfather. He had decided to challenge his destiny the moment he dared to dream. He remained focus on his endeavour to break the vicious circle of sahukars or middlemen and decided to do a job. He used to walk a long distance to reach the garage to learn the work of a motor mechanic because he wished to become one someday.

(b) Jansie had a realistic approach to life and perceives things in a practical manner. She has accepted her life as it is and does not think of being in a better position someday. This shows a lack of motivation and a lethargic attitude towards life. She tries to keep Sophie grounded to the reality all the time and told her about what their reality was and advised her to accept it. But at the same time, though Sophie was a daydreamer but she thought of bigger things and also found ways of fulfilling it even if it was just through her dreams. In some way or the other, dreaming big filled Sophie with motivation to do better and imagine a standard of living that Jansie lacked.

(c) Neruda through his poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ wishes to spread the message of peace and harmony among its readers. He expects everyone to observe a moment of silence that binds everyone. This will help everyone to come out of the rat race and not hurt anyone. He wants that at this time, no fishermen hurt whales, wounded salt gatherers take some time to look at their cuts, they wish that the warmongers observe brotherhood and wear cleans clothes and walk together in the shade of trees.

(d) At the beginning of the story ‘On the Face of it’ we see that Derry had a very negative approach to life. He was only capable of finding flaws in everything around him just because he thought that all the people who knew him would only discuss his disfigured face. He opposes Mr. Lamb on everything that he tells him and also mentions that acid had eaten his face and also eaten him up. Mr. Lamb changed Derry’s outlook towards life and explained to him that everything in the world is beautiful in its own way but it depends on the eyes of the viewer to notice a particular aspect. By the end, Derry undergoes a complete transformation and becomes more optimistic.

(e) Sadao was in a dilemma whether to treat the enemy or throw him back into the sea. He was initially opposed by his wife as well as all his servants who left their jobs in protest. He decided to answer the call of his duty and operated the prisoner. At the same time, he decided to inform the General on whom he was treating about the whole situation. The General was dependent on Sadao for his treatment and knew that he would soon require an operation and only trusted Sadao for his life. So he told him that he didn’t have to do anything about the enemy and that he would send assassins to kill the enemy who would also clear his body so he must leave the back gate of their house open. But he was so consumed in his own self and health reasons that he forgot to send the assassins as planned so Sadao planned an escape for the soldier and told the General that he had fled. On this the General was apologetic to Sadao.

(f) The story ‘Memories of Childhood’ show sufferings and oppression faced by people from marginalized community. Both the authors Bama and Zitkala-Sa had to face social stratification. Zitkala-Sa opposed tooth and nail the shingling of her long hair as she was reminded of her mother’s word. At her boarding school, she had been stared at, her blanket and moccasins had been taken from her; she had to wear tight fitting clothes and all of this humiliated her. Zitkala-Sa resisted the shingling of her hair because from the place she came from short hair was worn by mourners and shingled hair by unskilled warriors who were captured by the enemies. It was a symbol of cowards.