Memories of Childhood

Memories of Childhood Part I and II

 

Analysis :

·      The chapter 'Memories of Childhood’ are the anecdotes from two writers' childhood. It is a compilation of two stories – ‘Cutting of My Long hair’ written by Zitkala Sa and ‘We Too are Human Beings’ written by Bama.

·      The first account is by an American Indian woman, Gertrude Simmons Bonnin. She was born in 1876. She struggled against the severe prejudice that prevailed towards Native American culture and women. She wrote under the pen-name 'Zitkala-Sa'.  She criticises dogma and oppression.

·      The second account is by a contemporary Tamil Dalit writer with the pen-name 'Bama'. She belongs to a Roman Catholic family. The second excerpt has been taken from her autobiography 'Karukku'.

·      This chapter depicts that various people in our society face harassment, bullying, ill-treatment and discrimination due their caste, colour, creed and community.

·      The story teaches us that one should not bully or harrass other people just because they are different from the rest. More importantly staying quiet and not speaking against such injustice or harrassment is even worse.

This unit presents autobiographical episodes from the lives of two women who belong to communities of secondary importance. They look back on their childhood and think about their relationship with the mainstream culture.

 

Synopsis / Summary 

Part I – The Cutting of My Long Hair by Zitkala Sa

On her first day at school Zitkala was in the dining hall. A large bell rang for breakfast. Shoes clattered on bare floors. The girls were marching in a line into the dining room. A paleface woman, with white hair also appeared. Zitkala walked noiselessly in her soft moccasins. She felt like sinking to the floor because her stoles had been removed from her shoulders. The Indian girls did not seem to care about being immodestly dressed in tight fitting clothes.

The boys entered from the opposite door. A small bell was tapped. The pupils drew a chair from under the table. The writer pulled out her chair and at once sat on it. But she was the only one seated. All the rest at their table remained standing. She began to rise. Then, second bell sounded and all were seated. She heard a man's voice at the end of the hall. She looked around to see him. All the others hung their heads over their plates. She found the paleface woman looking at her. The man stopped his mutterings. Then a third bell was tapped. Everyone picked up knife and fork and began eating. These eating norms and rules were a difficult experience.

Late, her friend, Judewin told her that she had overheard the paleface woman talk about cutting their long heavy hair. Among their people, short hair was worn by mourners and shingled hair by cowards. Judewin said that they had to submit because the school authorities were strong and they can’t fight. But, the writer decided to struggle before submitting.

When no one noticed, she disappeared and crept upstairs. She hid herself under the bed in a large room with three white beds in it. She heard loud voices in the hall calling her name. Even Judewin was searching for her. She did not open her mouth to answer. The sound of steps came nearer and nearer. Women and girls entered the room. They searched her everywhere. Someone threw up the curtains. The room was filled with sudden light. They stopped and looked under the bed. She was dragged out. She resisted by kicking and scratching wildly. She was carried downstairs and tied fast in a chair.

She cried aloud and shook her head. Then she felt the cold blade of scissors against her neck. One of her thick braids was removed. Her long hair was being shingled like a cowards. Since the day she had come here, she had suffered insults. People had stared at her. She had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet. She moaned for her mother, but no one came to comfort her. Now she was only one of many little animals driven by a herder.

 

Part II - We Too are Human Beings by Bama

When Bama was studying in the third class, she had not yet heard people speak openly of untouchability. But she had already seen, felt, experienced what it was.

One day she was walking home from school. It was possible to walk the distance in ten minutes, but it would usually take her at least thirty minutes as she witnessed all the fun and games, novelties and oddities in the streets, the shops and the bazaar. Each thing would pull her to a standstill and not allow her to go any further.

Speeches by leaders of political parties, street plays, puppet show, stunt performances and other entertaining things drew her attention on the way. She watched waiters pouring coffee, people chopping up onions, or almonds being blown down from the tree by the wind. She saw people selling snacks, payasam, halva and iced lollies.

One day she saw in her street, a threshing floor and the cattle crushing the grain from straw on the threshing floor. She saw the landlord who was seated on a piece of sack and watching the proceedings.

Just then, she saw an elder of their street coming from bazaar and holding out a packet by its string without touching it. Then he went to the landlord, bowed low and extended the packet towards him. The landlord opened the parcel and began to eat the vadais, the banana curry.

She found this whole scene funny and narrated her elder brother the story with its comic details. But, Annan was not amused. He told her that the elder was carrying the package for his upper caste landlord without touching it because these people believed that people of lower caste should not touch them. If they did, they would be polluted. She became sad on listening all this and felt angry towards the people of upper castes.

She thought that these miserly people, who had collected money somehow, had lost all human feelings. But the lower castes were also human beings. They should not do petty jobs for them.

Annan, her elder brother, was studying at a university. He had come home for the holidays. He would often go to the library in their neighbouring village in order to borrow books. One day, one of the landlord's men met him and addressed Annan respectfully. But, his manner changed on knowing his name and the street he lived in, that indicated their caste.

Annan told her that they were not given any honour, dignity or respect because they were born in a particular community. He advised her to study and make progress. Thus, she can gain respect. She studied hard and stood first in her class. Many people then became her friends.

Theme

Racial and caste discrimination is an injustice towards marginalised communities and this injustice can be erased through education and progress. Not raising voice against such injustice is even greater injustice.  

Message

The story teaches us a beautiful lesson that we should not discriminate or harrass other people just because they belong to different caste, religion or community. More importantly staying quiet and not speaking against any injustice or harrassment is even worse. Sometimes such bullying or harassment may result in grave issues such as suicides, mental trauma and psychological problems.

We must speak up and spread awareness against such injustice and educate ourselves and our children so that all become at par in the society.

On the Face of It

On the Face of It                                                                                                                                  By Susan Hill

 

Analysis :

·      The chapter ‘On The face of It’ is a one act play written by Susan Hill, an English author.

·      The story features an interesting debate between two different perspectives of life through the dialogue between Mr. Lamb who lost his leg in the world war and a boy, Derry whose face got burnt in an accident.

·      The story highlights mental condition of a boy and his viewpoint about the world which is sometime pitiful or scornful, and sometime indifferent towards the people who suffer from mental trauma due to some or the other reason, disclosing the truth that no matter how the world treats us, we need to face and accept the reality of our life bravely.

·      The story points out the pain of physical disability and its damaging impact on the young minds and their relationship with the world.

·      The plot centres on an intellectual dialogue between an old man who is mature enough to think positively about life and a 14 years old boy who is sad and disheartened enough to think bitter about the world. They are originally strangers in the beginning yet despite the difference in their perspective they develop a sweet relationship.

·  It discusses adolescent behaviour and its complexities namely escapism, irritation, misunderstanding and gloominess due to immaturity in this age. It expresses the state of a teenage boy’s mind who is constantly tormented by the world’s insensitivity and indifference.

·      It also highlights the sensibility and maturity of an old man who lost his leg in the world war despite the fact that he leads a life of loneliness, sadness and helplessness

·      The story clearly states that there are better ways to resolve struggles of life. Positive perspective can transform our life and make it more beautiful.

·      The chapter successfully gives a beautiful message of peace, love and positivity stressing upon the fact that we need to accept our reality.

 

Summary

The scene opens in the garden of Mr. Lamb where Derry walks in slowly and cautiously through Lamb who speaks to him and Derry is startled. He didn't know if there was anybody there. Mr. Lamb tries to make Derry comfortable saying that he can pick crab apples and need not go away. He doesn't mind who comes in the garden. The gate is always open. Derry did not need to climb over the wall of the garden. Derry says that he didn't come there for stealing. Mr. Lamb assures him that he need not to be afraid. Derry says that he is not afraid but people are afraid of him. They look at his face and find it terrible and ugly. Even when he himself looks at his face in the mirror, he is afraid of himself. Mr. Lamb says that he will get the ladder and a stick and pull down the crab apples. He makes jelly from them. Derry doesn't want Mr. Lamb to change the subject. He wants to talk about himself. Mr. Lamb thinks that perhaps Derry's face got burnt in a fire. Derry tells that in an accident the acid burnt up his face. Mr. Lamb says it doesn’t make them different.

Derry says that they are not similar. Mr Lamb is old. Derry is young. Derry has got a burned face. Lamb has got a tin leg. Similarly, one green plant is called a weed and another flower. It is all life. Lamb got his one leg blown off in war. Some kids call him "Lamey Lamb". But he doesn't mind it. He doesn't put on trousers to cover his leg as he accepts it. A tin leg or a burnt face are not the only things to be taken notice of or to be stared at. There are so many other things like crab apples, weeds and sunflowers. They deserve more attention. Mr Lamb enjoys life and people as much as he can.

Derry says that people have told him many fairy stories to console him saying that it is not important what "you look like". People tell these comforting lies only to console him. But Derry knows that he will not change. He will stay as a 'monstrous beast'. No one will kiss him ever. Only his mother kisses him but she too kisses on the other side of his face. He doesn't care if nobody ever kissed him. Mr Lamb asks Derry if he doesn't care to be kissed by pretty girls, girls with long hair and large eyes, and the people he loves. Derry replies that no one will ever kiss and love him. He is grieved that he won't ever look different. Even when he grows as old as Mr Lamb. He will still only have 'half a face'. Mr Lamb replies that Derry may have a 'half face' but the world has got a 'whole face'. He should look at it.

Derry is indulged in self pity and is obsessed with what people say and comment about him. People remind Derry that there are people even worse than him. He might be blind, dumb or mad by birth. Once, a woman looked at him and said to another woman, "Look at that terrible thing" telling that only a mother could love such a face. Mr Lamb advises Derry to keep his ears shut on such people and comments. Derry says that he doesn't like people passing cruel comments about him.

Mr Lamb reminds Derry that he can't lock himself up in a room and narrates the story of a man who was afraid of everything in the world. So he went into his room, locked the door and stayed there. One day, a picture fell off the wall on to his head and killed him. Mr Lamb says that he enjoys life as it comes. He sits in the sun and reads books. He is not fond of curtains. Mr Lamb motivates Derry saying that he has got two arms, eyes and ears, a tongue and also a brain. He can get on the way he wants, like rest of the world. And if he chooses, he can get on better than all the rest. Mr Lamb says that Derry can live the same way as he himself does. For him everybody is welcome. The gate is always open. Derry says that there are some people who hate him and if he comes in his garden, Mr. lamb may lose his friends. Mr Lamb says that hatred is more harmful than a bottle of acid. Derry gets up and prepares to go. He says he will come back. Mr Lamb says that generally people say so but never come back.

Derry comes home but his mother warns him not to go back there. Derry assures her that she need not fear. Only an old man with a tin leg lives there. He has a huge house and a velse has ever said. Derry runs to Mr Lamb's He is Mr Lamb. He says things nobody garden. He opens the garden gate. He cries that he has come back. Suddenly there is a sound of thud and crash. The ladder falls back, Mr Lamb also falls down with it. He dies. Derry begins to cry. He goes on crying “Lamey-Lamb ! I came back and wept bitterly.

Character Sketch of Derry

Derry is a boy of 14 years who suffers from inferiority complex. He got his face burnt in an accident. This makes him lonely and withdrawn. He avoids men and their company as he doesn't want their reactions and comments. He can't stand their cruel remarks. He comes to Mr. Lamb's garden and meets him there. It is a meeting of two minds with totally opposite view points. Derry is withdrawn. Mr. Lamb is very social.

Derry takes time to open up before Mr. Lamb. But he finds a patient listener in him. Mr. Lamb accepts life as it comes and tries to comfort others.

Mr. Lamb leaves the stamp of his personality on Derry. He shows the young boy the ways of the world. He motivates him to move forward in life and accept his reality bravely.

Character Sketch of Mr. Lamb

Mr. Lamb has a positive outlook towards life, people and things. He accepts life as it comes. He lives alone. But rarely he displays the sign of loneliness and disappointment on his face. He has a tin leg. One of his legs was blown off in the war. When Derry asks: "Does your leg hurt you?", Mr. Lamb confesses that his leg pains now and then, particularly in wet weather.

Mr. Lamb tries to overcome his loneliness by opening his heart to others. Whosoever comes in his garden, is welcome. He takes everything in his stride. He wants to have company and likes to talk to people. He has friends everywhere. Everybody knows him. Kids come for the apples, pears and toffees. There is nothing that doesn't interest him. He enjoys sitting in the sun and reading books. He doesn’t have curtain in his house. Life means growing to him. He grows apples, pears, weeds and flowers. So, such a person never feels lonely and disappointed.

Important Question Answers Flamingo

Important Question Answers for CBSE Exam

Flamingo

Q. How is the rattrap used as a metaphor in the story?

Ans. In the story, The Rattrap, the peddler used rattraps sold by him as a metaphor for the world According to him, the world was a big rattrap because it was full of temptations. Like a rattrap, it offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing to the people. When someone was tempted to touch them, it would close on him and everything came to an end. The people trying to catch the things of temptations or fufil their desires will be caught in the trap forever as the desires are never fulfilled and people spend their whole life to earn the things.

Video on The Rattrap

Q. What kind of pain and ache troubles the poet?

Ans. As a child, Kamala Das had a fear of losing her mother. She always felt sad to think that she would be separated from her mother. Her childhood fear of being separated from her mother always lingers and comes to the fore quite often. She was always scared that her mother might not be alive the next time she came back as she has become old and might die soon.

Q. The people in the story suddenly realised how precious their language is to them. What does this show to you?

Ans. The elders of the village were sitting in the classroom as they had come to know about the orders from Berlin that they would not be taught French any more. They were very sad to hear this and suddenly came to realise the importance of their language which they had neglected earlier but now, they won't be able to learn it anymore. They were sitting there to thank the teacher Mr. Hamel for his forty years of service and to show their respect for their language and the country. In the last class they wished to learn as much they could. 

Q. Why did Gandhi consider the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life?

Ans. The Champaran episode relieved poor indigo peasant from torturous burden they had to face and solved their problems due to the forced agreement. Gandhiji received immense support from the peasants and other people. They only required a strong leadership under which they all stood against cruel landlords. Gandhiji considered this episode as a turning point in his life as he could see that non violent and civil disobedience could achieve the larger objective of independence with the support of millions of agitated and motivated Indians. The victory in the battle of Champaran was a sign of freedom from fear and this freedom led him on the longer trail of India's Independence Movement.

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Q. Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German even the pigeons?” What is conveyed here?

Ans. When the writing task was given to the class by Mr. Hamel, all were engrossed and writing quietly. Beatles flew in the room and Franz felt that they also wanted to attend the class and write French. On the roof the pigeons were cooing very low, and narrator wondered if the new authorities would make the pigeons also sing in German as they were asking the people to learn German.

Q.  What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her financial status? Why does she fail to accept her reality unlike her father and brother?

Ans. Little Derek understands his unrealistic sister as well as knows that her wild dreams needs lot of money. He tells: "She thinks money grows on trees... Dad?"

Sophie belongs to a lower middle class socio-economic background which is reflected by her brother Geoff's occupation. He is an apprentice mechanic. He travels to his work each day to the far side of the city. His jacket is shapeless. Her father lacks sophistication. He grunts and tosses one of little Derek's shoes from his chair onto the sofa. The family doesn't own a servant or a car. All these confirm that belong to a lower-income group.

Q. Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey? Which was the only occasion when Sophie met Casey in person?

No, Sophie didn't really meet Danny Casey. She was so much fascinated by the young Irish footballer. She imagined his coming to meet her. She sat there waiting for Casey. She knew that he would not come. She felt sad and disappointed. She was always lost in a dreamy world where she imagined nothing but Casey.

She saw Danny in person only on one occasion. The family went to watch United on Saturday. She watched how United won two-nil. Her idol Casey drove in the second goal. She saw how he goaled beating the goalkeeper. Sophie glowed with pride.

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Q. The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances to show how this serves to make the piece interesting?

Ans. In ‘Poets and Pancakes' Asokamitran uses gentle humour to point out human weaknesses and absurdities. The humour used by the narrator is not pungent or caustic. It tickles but doesn't bite. The brand name of the make-up material is 'Pancake' and it is bought in truckloads! The make-up room is in a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive's stables. 

The description of the make-up men is quite humorous. They could turn "any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson hued monster". The narrator continues: "The chief make-up man made the chief actors and actresses ugly". Another example of gentle humour is the description of the office boy who was in his early forties..

The author's description of the lawyer is also quite humorous. The lawyer was also officially known as the legal adviser. But everybody referred to him as the opposite.' Similarly, he gently laughs at the ignorance of the MRA group about animals. His description of English poet is equally humorous. He asks “What is an English poet doing in a studio which makes Tamil films ...?” Overall treatment of the story and the characters is quite interesting and the tone is humorous through and through.

Q. Why are Aunt Jennifer’s hands ‘fluttering through the wool’? What is suggested by ‘massive weight of uncle’s wedding hand’? Why is the needle so ‘hard to pull’ for aunt Jennifer?

Ans. The poet highlights the victimisation of Aunt Jennifer in his poem. Aunt Jennifer is so terrified of her husband that her fingers tremble when she pulls out the ivory needle through wool even though the needle is very light. It depicts her physical as well as emotional weakness. The wedding ring which she is wearing symbolises responsibilities that are a great burden on her soul. The wedding ring given by the uncle seems heavy to her. She finds it difficult to go ahead as her married life has taken away all her freedom from her.

Video on Aunt Jennifer's Tigers

Q. What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?

Ans. According to the poet, counting up to twelve and keeping still would help us achieve peace, resistance and self control. It will also help us introspect on the things that we do and ponder over the reasons why we do a thing.

Q. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?

Ans. The poet uses a very beautiful example from Nature to illustrate and invoke the idea that there can be life under apparent stillness. He used earth as the symbol to justify the earth sleeps or remains inactive during the winter so that it may blossom beyond boundaries during the spring.

Video on Keeping Quiet

Q. "Little has moved with time, it seems, in Firozabad." Why does the writer say this?

   Ans. The writer, Anees Jung, tells that the traditional bangle makers in Firozabad are poor, illiterate, and exploited. They cannot fulfil their dreams. They are caught in the web of middlemen and moneylenders who are supported by the authorities. They keep living in filth and squalor for ages. The children help their parents in bangle making and people lose their eye sight due to poor management and conditions. Though such child labour is illegal, it is going on unabated in Firozabad. The author wants to convey that due to irresponsibility of authorities nothing has changed in the city and the poor have been suffering for ages.

   Q. What does Saheb look for in the garbage dumps? What are the hopes of other 10,000 ragpickers like him?

   Ans. Saheb is a poor ragpicker of Seemapuri. He roams in the streets with his friends and looks for gold and money in the garbage dumps. Sometimes, he also finds a ten rupee note. Other 10,000 ragpickers also dream to find treasure in the garbage like Saheb, especially the children. For grown ups rag picking is a way of survival but for children rag picking means money, an easy way to get rich.

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Q. What were the series of emotions and fears that Douglas experienced when he was thrown into the pool? What plans did he make to come to the surface? How did this experience affect him?

Ans. When William Douglas was thrown into the pool, he underwent a series of emotions and fears. He was frightened but he tried his best to come out of water. Soon his legs became stiff and refused to move. Horror gripped his heart and he panicked. Last time when he attempted to make a leap, his legs didn’t support him and he became unconscious.

Due to this frightening experience, he became scared of water and couldn’t think of swimming any more. Whenever he thought of water, he couldn’t fight his fear.

Q. “All we have to fear is fear itself.” Illucidate with reference to the narrator, William Douglas’ struggle to defeat his fear.

Ans. Douglas had really had a brush with death when he got nearly drowned in YMCA pool. After that episode darkness of fear engulfed his life completely. But, he didn’t want to spend his entire life under that scare because ‘all we have to fear is the fear itself’. He knew that through a determined efforts he can overcome his fear and he decided to learn swimming and started learning under an expert trainer. He challenged his fear and started practising to swim in a pool five days a week. He went down in the depth of water and told his fear that he is no more scared. He swam in lakes and from the Gilbert peak he shouted with joy that he has defeated his fear and that returned in an echo. American president, Franklin D. Roosevelt has rightly said, “All we have to fear is the fear itself.” This was well deservedly understood and lived by the narrator, William Douglas who struggled with all his might until he succeeded to defeat his fear of water.

Q. What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you? How do us bind our self to the earth every morning?
Ans. All the Romantic poets stress upon the relationship between man and nature. Keats also believes that there is an unbreakable bond which keep man connected with nature and the earth. By this line he suggests that the link of man with nature is eternal. The things of beauty are things found on our earth such as beautiful flowers, shady trees, brook, birds, literature and great heroes. We seem to weave a beautiful bond with our earth every day. It keeps us attached and connected to the beauties of this earth. The beauties of the earth fascinate us. Every object of nature is a source of beauty and happiness. Every day, we are weaving a wreath of flowers which refers to the beautiful bond that binds us to the beauties of this earth.

Q. How is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’?
Ans: Mighty heroes from history in spite of being dead keep inspiring and fascinating the generations with their glorious and grand tales. These heroes were very powerful and remarkable and their life was full of grandeur, power and bravery. Their achievements, ideologies and victories made them grand and great. Their noble works dazzle us influencing our lives. Our mighty, grand and great heroes such as Julius Caesar, Aristotle, Socrates, Ulysses, Maharana Pratap, Prithvi Raj Chauhan, etc. earned name and admiration with their noble and heroic deeds. It is hoped and believed that the coming generations will draw inspiration and joy from their noble deeds for ever.

Video on Thing of beauty

 Q. ‘Several thousand celebrities have been interviewed over the years, some of them repeatedly’, still many of them ‘despise the interview as an unwarranted intrusion in their lives'. Describe the opinions for and against the interview.

Ans. The interview has become an indispensable feature of journalism today. Several thousand celebrities have been interviewed over the years. Some of them have been interviewed repeatedly. Opinions vary on the interview. Some consider it a source of truth. Some call it a great art. It is the most effective and powerful medium of knowing important persons or celebrities.

Usually celebrities despise being interviewed. They consider it as an 'unwarranted intrusion' into their lives. Naipaul feels that people are 'wounded' by interviews. They lose a part of themselves. Lewis Carrol never consented to be interviewed. Rudyard Kipling considered it immoral and an offence against his person. H.G. Wells who interviewed Joseph Stalin considered it as 'an ordeal'. Saul Bellow considered interviews as 'thumbprints on his windpipe'. In spite of some of these drawbacks, the interview remains 'a supremely serviceable medium of communication.' .

Note Making

Note Making

Note-making caters to the need to remember the main points and the most important facts of any given subject/topic.

Note Making includes the following :

I. Making Notes

1. Title

2. Headings

3. Sub headings / sub sub headings

II. Abbreviations Key

III. Summary (80 words)

I. Making Notes 

Points to remember –

1. Read the paragraph carefully and as quickly as possible.

2. Mark the important points and key words while reading.

3. Use recognisable abbreviations / short forms.

4. Don’t write notes in complete sentences. Use key words /phrases from passage or frame your own terms or words.

5. Omit or avoid writing articles, helping verbs, determiners, connectors, etc. while making notes.

6. Avoid repetitions /explanations and descriptions.

7. Keep the notes short, precise, minimum and to the point.

8. Take care of indentation. Write headings, points and sub points with separate indent.

9. Give it the most suitable title. (after understanding the main idea of the passage)

 Video on Note Making

II. Key to Abbreviations

1. Write abbreviations and their full forms used in your notes. (5-7)

2. Keep abbreviations key in a box. (abbreviation - complete word )

3. Don’t use more than one abbreviation for one point.

4. Don’t include numbers.

5. Include commonly used abbreviations such as - BSc, MP, MLA, UP, USA, FIR, WHO, IMF, pvt., ltd., govt., Dr., imp., prog., ml., kg, min., off., e.g., i.e., etc.

6. For longer words - keep the first two or three letters and the last three or four letters of the word using apostrophe in between. such as edu'n (education), devl'ing (developing), edu'nal (educational), prog've (progressive), alti'de (altitude), comf'ble (comfortable), nut'tion (nutrition), etc.

7. For shorter words - drop vowels from the word such as cntr (centre), mngr (manager), crdt (credit), pwr (power), msg (message), spkr (speaker), etc.

8. Use symbols such as (& - and, / - or, # - number, $ - dollar,  % - percent, no. - number) etc. 

9. Use recognisable abbreviations (that can be understood)

10. Don't use abbreviation for heading.

 

III. Summary (80 words)

1. Use the points and sub points from the notes to write summary.

2. Pick out the important sentences from the passage.

3. Concise the language and the structure of sentences. 

4. Grasp the essence of the paragraphs to write summary.

5. Expand your headings and subheadings to write summary in the specified word limit.

6. Follow grammatical accuracy and sentence structure in summary.

7. No abbreviations are required.

8. Paragraph division is not required.

                        

                        Video on Direct Indirect Narration

Format for Making Notes

Title (in centre and underlined)

1. Heading (min. 4 / according to paragraphs)

    1.1 Subheadings or points 

    1.2 ………….

    1.3 ………….

          1.3.1 sub sub headings or sub points if required

          1.3.2 .................

2. Heading

     2.1 …………….

     2.2 …………….

           2.2.1 ..............

     2.3 …………….

3. Heading

     3.1 …………….

     3.2 …………….

     3.3 …………….

Video on A Photograph

Marking Scheme

Title                                1 mark

Notes                              2 marks

Indentation                     1 mark

Abbreviations Key         1 mark

Summary                        3 marks

Total                               8 marks

Video on Laburnum Top

 

 

 

The Enemy

The Enemy

                                By Pearl S. Buck

 

Analysis: 

·      The story ‘The Enemy’ is written by Pearl S. Buck, an American writer and humanitarian. It is an account of the life and experience of a doctor, Sadao Hoki with an American soldier in the backdrop of World War II.

·      The story is about a Japanese doctor who happens to find an American prisoner of war, washed ashore in a dying state and found at his doorstep. He struggles with his dilemma whether he should save him as a doctor or hand him over to the police as a patriot.

·      The story is set during the Second World War during which an American Prisoner of War gets shot at his back by the Japanese Army when he was trying to escape.

·      The story highlights mental condition and dilemma of a doctor and his viewpoint about his responsibility as a doctor and duty as a Japanese. It discloses the ironical truth that no soldier wants war still he suffers the most.

·      The story forces us to understand that a doctor suffers hugely in his life. His servants deserting him and wife and children facing the trauma leading to a life of danger, grief, anxiety and helplessness.

·      The most beautiful part of the chapter is the end of the story when a doctor takes his profession as his religion. The character of Dr. Sadao is highlighted as a true and passionate doctor who saves the prisoner by helping him escape as he can't kill anyone even if the person is his enemy.

·      The chapter successfully gives a beautiful message of love, dutifulness, righteousness, kindness and humanity stressing upon the fact that duty is of prime importance and a doctor’s first duty is to save life and he can’t take anyone’s life even if he is an enemy.

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 Summary:

‘The Enemy’ is a story set in Japan during the second world war. In this story, an injured American prisoner of war is washed ashore in a dying state and is found at the doorstep of a Japanese surgeon, Dr. Sadao Hoki. Although he has lived in America and follows a modern profession, Dr Sadao’s family lives a traditional Japanese life. He shared a beautiful relation with his father and he did everything his father said. His education was a chief concern to his father who sent him to America at the age of twenty-two to learn surgery and medicine. He had met his wife, Hana in America at his professor’s house and fell in love with her only after confirming that she was Japanese. But, he waited to get his father’s approval and the marriage got arranged in Japanese style. Later, he had two children.

Dr Sadao was in a dilemma to find an American prisoner of war at his doorstep. First, he thought to leave the American man to die, to throw him back into the sea, to hand him over to the Police or to save his life. Both Sadao and his wife weren’t happy and ready to leave the man to die. Though reluctantly they both took him home as Sadao had decided to save his life. Sadao and Hana lifted the injured man into the house. He was very light with the weight like a hen that has not been fed for a long time. He was taken to the room that belonged to his father and everything in the room was Japanese as Sadao’s father disliked foreign things.

Hana suggested Yumi’s name to wash the man and went to call her while Sadao thought to call the other servants. He checked his heart beat, it was very faint. Sadao commented that if the man was not operated upon, he would die but after that also he would die at the hands of the Japanese army. The man was very young, around twenty five years of age and at that age thus, had a lot of energy and strength. He meant to say someone else would have died. Hana turned to the children’s room and called out to Yumi. The two servants in the kitchen were scared after hearing their master’s words regarding the injured man. They felt that the master ought not to heal the wound of the white man who was thrown out by the sea and injured by the rocks. Yumi took hot water into the room and saw the man. She declined firmly to wash an American man and left the room angrily. Hana dipped the small clean towel into the steaming hot water and washed his face carefully. He must be fair when he had been a child.

Then, Sadao entered carrying his surgeon’s emergency kit and wearing his surgeon’s coat. He was prepared to operate upon the injured man. He opened a sterilized towel on the floor of the tokonoma alcove, placed his surgical instruments on it and asked Hana to fetch towels. She brought towels as well as some rough mats from the backyard to protect the fine mats from blood stains but it was useless as the blood had already ruined the mats. Sadao was engrossed in work and was not bothered who the injured man was. Sadao told Hana that she would have to give anesthesia to the man. He was working to remove the bullet which was quite deep. Hana put her hands on mouth, ran out and vomitted in the garden but he continued with his work. Dr. Sadao started operating upon him though he wasn’t sure why he was doing it. The man started moaning so he asked and guided Hana how to give anesthesia during which she looked closely at the painful face of the prisoner. She recalled the men like General Takima, who at home would beat his wife cruelly, he could also be cruel to the prisoners like the man.

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Sadao, being a good surgeon, knew human anatomy very well. Then, with the cleanest and most precise of incisions, he took the bullet out and injected the medicine into his left arm though he hates the thought of keeping him alive. Being a doctor he had to do it. The man woke and got frightened to see Hana who herself served him, as the servants had declined to enter the room. The man told her his name ‘Tom’. Third day, Sadao entered the room and the man was sitting with great difficulty. He asked him if he was going to hand him over the police. Sadao answered that he ought to give him to the police. Meanwhile, the servants didn’t like to see an American being treated in the house and felt that their masters are behaving like Americans. They discussed the possible reasons for Sadao to save an American though they were unhappy. Hana is also worried about her children’s fate if their father is condemned as a traitor.

Sadao, every day examined the wound. The last stitches had been pulled out, and the young man would be perfectly well in few days. Sadao went back to his office and carefully typed a letter to the Chief of police reporting the whole matter. After seven days the servants decided to leave the house. When Hana got up in the morning no work was done, she understood it, paid them off. They cried, but she did not. Yumi was sad for children. Hana made breakfast and Sadao looked after the children. Then, he asked Tom to get up on his feet and get back his strength as quickly as possible.

In the afternoon, a messenger came to the door in official uniform to call Sadao to the palace as the old General is in pain again. The General understand why Sadao saved the prisoner and tells him that he cannot be arrested as after that who will do his operation and he doesn’t trust anyone else. They both discussed why they can’t combine the German ruthlessness with the American sentimentality. The general considered it unfortunate that this man washed up at his doorstep. He suggested to send his own private assassins to his house and asked him keep the room’s door open to make the killing more natural. Sadao agreed. Reaching home, he saw Tom going to the garden. He thanked doctor to treat him else he wouldn’t be alive telling that if all the Japanese were like him, there wouldn’t have been a war. Sadao slept badly that night. The next morning he went in his room and saw him sleeping peacefully. Tom was getting better and healthy and every night Sadao thought it to be Tom’s last night. After three nights he told Tom to take his boat on the shore with food and clothes rowing it to the little deserted island not far from the coast and live there until he sees a Korean fishing boat pass by. Tom agreed. In the evening Sadao had dragged the stout boat down to the shore putting food, bottled water and two quilts and tied it to a post. He checked carefully the American’s temperature, his wound, heart and pulse. He realises that doctor is saving his life again. Giving him flashlight doctor asked Tom to signal with two flashes at the sun set. Tom wore Japanese clothes with his head covered with black cloth. All the servants came back but the gardener was unhappy to see chrysanthemums in his garden.

When he was called for an emergency operation, after a week he told the General that the prisoner escaped. The general apologised for forgetting to send assasins due to bad health but asked him not to consider this escape as lack of patriotism or dereliction of duty. General promised that he will be rewarded for his loyalty. Sadao was happy and  satisfied to receive his award when he felt, his prisoner was gone and safe as he couldn’t see any flashlight from the island.

Sadao recalled all the Americans he had met in his life and considered them full of prejudice. It had been a bitter experience to live in America because he was Japanese. He also thought of the American prisoner and wondered why he could not kill his enemy.

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Theme

The story emphasises the subject of prejudice and its damaging impact on interpersonal relationships. The plot centres on the connection between a Japanese doctor and an American soldier, who are originally strangers, during the second world war. Despite their difference in nationality, the Japanese has to remain loyal to his profession and thus, saves the life of the injured enemy. The narrative shows us how the Japanese doctor, Sadao balances these two duties and emphasises on the importance of humanity over everything else.

Message

The chapter renders a beautiful but powerful message of love, dutifulness, righteousness and humanity towards all irrespective of nationality, religion and community. It teaches us that duty is of prime importance and serving humanity is everyone's first duty. A doctor’s first duty is to save life thus, serve humanity. He can’t take anyone’s life even if he is an enemy.

Journey to the end of the World

Journey to the end of the World

                              By Tishani Doshi

Analysis :

The chapter ‘Journey to the end of the World’ written by Tishani Doshi, an Indian poet, writer and dancer based in Chennai.

The chapter is a beautiful and detailed description of the coldest, driest, windiest continent in the world, Antarctica.

It is a beautiful and informative account of Antarctica by the narrator, a south Indian person who went on an expedition there with a group of teenagers affiliated with ‘Students on Ice’ programme.

The story narrates the expedition describing its history, human impact on geography and walk on ocean.

The lesson gives an insight into how Antarctica is the place we should visit to have a glimpse of the past, present and future in its realistic form.

The story conveys the message that we must not ignore our environment, places and geography. Nature needs to be preserved, developed and maintained.

According to Tishani Doshi, visiting Antarctica is necessary as we can understand how world came into existence and how it can come to an end.

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Summary

The lesson revolves around the world’s most preserved place, Antarctica. Tishani Doshi, a south Indian person went on an expedition with a group of teenagers affiliated with ‘Students on Ice’ programme taking young minds to different ends of the world. The programme provides an opportunity to the young minds to sensitise them towards the realistic version of climatic changes happening in the world. According to the founder of the organisation, students are the young versions of future policymakers who can turn the situation around. 

They went there on a Russian research vessel known as the Akademik Shokalskiy. For travelling to Antarctica from Madras it takes nine time zones, six checkpoints, three water bodies and just as many ecospheres to reach there. Antarctica is one of the coldest, driest and windiest continents in the world.

The chapter gives an insight into how Antarctica is the place we should visit to have a glimpse of the past, present and future in its realist form. According to Tishani Doshi, Antarctica is the place where the world’s geological history is preserved. Six hundred and fifty million years ago, a giant amalgamated southern supercontinent, Gondwana existed, and which centred roughly around the present day Antarctica with warmer climate, and huge variety of flora. For 500 million years Gondwana thrived from the time of dinosaurs to the age of the mammals, then divisions such as countries came into being. It displays history of evolution and extinction.

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Her encounter with the ice-mysteries of this ice-region was exhilarating. As far as the eyes can see, it is completely white and its uninterrupted blue horizon gives immense relief. There, 90 per cent of the Earth’s total ice volumes are stored is a chilling prospect without any human markers such as trees and buildings, only interrupted by snow avalanches. It is shocking to believe that India and Antarctica were part of the same supercontinent Gondwana, that got segregated into countries giving rise to the globe we know today. Antarctica had a warmer climate until then. Despite human civilisation around the globe, it still remains in it pure form. 

The hottest debate of our time is whether West America ice sheets will melt entirely or not. Antartica has a simple ecosystem and lacks biodiversity. Here, we can study how small changes to the environment can have big repurcussions such as further depletion of ozone layer can affect the life of marine creatures.

The most thrilling experience for the 52 members team was to climb down the gangplank and walk on a metre thick ice sheet on the surface of ocean under which there was 180 metre of living and breathing salt water. seals were enjoying a little further. The author wished it should remain as beautiful as it is.  

It is home to a lot of evidences that can give us a glimpse of the past and at the same time, Antarctica helps us foresee the future. The place gives an awakening to threatening alarm that global warming is actually real. Antarctica may be warm again and even if it does, we will be alive to see it or not. Nobody knows it.

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Important Question Answers

Q1. ‘Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves.’ What is the relevance of this statement in the context of the Antarctic environment?

Ans. ‘Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves.’ This statement is a metaphor for our existence. The phytoplanktons, the smallest unit in food chain for marine birds and animals maintains greater ecological balance. The depletion of the ozone layer affects the phytoplanktons and the carbon cycle. This can obstruct the existence of marine life. So, if these small grasses are taken care of, the existence of bigger animals and birds will be safe. Similarly in our day to day life, our small actions such as minimising waste, avoiding plastic, etc. can bring greater and significant positive changes in our environment.

Q2. Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the earth’s present, past and future?

Ans. Antarctica is a part of earth’s history so it becomes the place to visit in order to understand the earth's past, present and future. This place gives us an idea of how the earth was millions of years ago. About 650 years ago there was one super continent, Gondwana, and India and Antarctica were the part of the same land mass which was forced to get divided into countries as we have them today. It was quite warmer earlier and now again it is getting warm. The melting of ice sheets and glaciers give us an idea what kind of future we are heading to. Thus, visiting Antarctica gives us an idea of earth’s past, present and future.

Q3. What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students in the Students on Ice expedition?

Ans. ‘Students on Ice’ programme by Geoff Green aims at providing the students with inspiring educational opportunity. Geoff Green, a Canadian took high school students on an expedition to the southern end of the Earth. He wants to make them realise the impact that human intervention could have had on nature. He perceives the students as the future policy – makers and projects them to life changing experience. He wishes them to realise how difficult it would be to sustain life with the rising global temperature. He successfully made them see the melting glaciers and collapsing ice shelves and estimate the trouble that mankind may be facing very soon so that they can do something to bring a positive change.