Answer ANY TWO questions in 40-50 words each, from (A) and (B) respectively.
(A) (any two)
i. Annie writes that it was fortunate that Mr. Keesing took the joke the right way. Why does she feel so?
ii. The use of symbolism in the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ conveys the poet’s message effectively. Expand with reference to thepoem.
iii. Justify the poet’s allusion to Rapunzel in ‘Amanda’.
(B) (any two)
i. Griffin’s brilliance as a man of science fades before his darker traits. Comment.
ii. Why do you think Mr. Weiherer was pleased that Richard Ebright not only put in the nightly research hours towards butterflies, but also his other interests?
iii. What mademe Forestier exclaim in astonishment, when she saw Matilda, years after the Minister’s ball?
i. The poem which Anne had written with an aim to turn the joke around on Mr. Keesing referred to the father swan who bit his three ducks because they quacked too much, the poem could have been perceived as a joke on Mr. Keesing, whereas Anne just wanted to metaphorically convey the value of talking. Anne was fortunate that Mr. Keesing got the joke, else, the disciplinary action could have been severe.
ii. The poem discusses the way the world can end. He said that the world could either end in fire or in ice. According to the poet fire stands for greed, lust, human desires, which have the power to engulf everything whereas, ice stands for hatred, coldness and human indifference, which is equally destructible as fire or greed.
iii. The poet’s allusion is justified as Rapunzel lived with a witch who would constantly keep a check on her and had several rules to be followed. Amanda too, feels caged by the impositions of her mother. Amanda desires peace in isolation like Rapunzel had in her tower and clarifies in the poem that she will not let her hair down for anyone like Rapunzel.
(B)
i. Griffin was a brilliant scientist, who had discovered the formula to turn the human body completely transparent. Griffin consumed some rare drugs and turned invisible, he became a lawless person, who was disliked by most people. Griffin was a quick tempered man and the same can be justified by his actions such as he burnt the house of the landlord to take a revenge on him, stole money at priest’s house, stole from the store and harmed people at the inn. He could do all of this because he had turned invisible by taking undue advantage of his scientific knowledge. Thus, Griffin was undoubtedly brilliant but his brilliance was eclipsed by his negative traits.
ii. Mr. Weiherer was pleased that Ebright balanced academics as well as recreational pursuits (hobbies etc.). As a teacher, he wanted Ebright’s growth as a well-rounded personality.
iii. Madame Forestier exclaimed in astonishment. “Oh! my poor Matilda! How you have changed!” when she saw Matilda, years after the Minister’s ball because Matilda had become a strong, hard woman, the crude woman of the poor household. Her hair badly dressed, her skirts awry, her hands red and she spoke in a loud tone. She was no more the beautiful, young and petite looking woman that she used to be.
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