PROSE

The Eyes Have It

Question – What  instruction were  given to the  girl by  her  parents  before she  started her  journey ?  Do you think the narrator started to like the girl from the very beginning?

Question – “It would take me sometime to discover something about her looks…” who is speaker? Who is ‘her’? How did the quoted line end? Why? What did the speaker like about ‘her’?

Question – “Are you going all the way to Dehra?”`- Who is the speaker? Who is the person spoken to When did the speaker ask this?  How did the person spoken to reply?

Question – “L didn’t see you either,’’ l said. ‘But l heard you come in.” – Was it not a hint for the girl to understand that the narrator was blind? What did the narrator think before stating this?

Question – What was the destination of the narrator in the story ‘The Eyes Have It’? What description of his destinations is given by the narrator? How could he give such a description in spite of being blind?

Question – “Oh, how lucky you are.”- Who is the speaker here? Who is “you” referred to? Why is the person spoken to being called “lucky”?

Question – .“Yes, October is the best time.”- Who is the speaker? On what occasion is the remark made and to whome? Why is October the Best time?

Question – “…she thought me a romantic fool.”- Who might be thought a ‘romantic fool’? When and why did the speaker doubt so?

Question – “Then I made a mistake.”- What ‘mistake’ did the speaker make? Why was it a ‘mistake’? What removed the speaker’s doubts?  What did the speaker do then?

Question –  “Why don’t you look out of the window?”- Who said this words to whom? Why? Describe the action of the listener.

Question – “Do you see any animals?” –  who asked this and to whom ?  what was the reply? how could the person give the answer?

Question – “You have an interesting face,” –  Who said this?  to whom was  it spoken? When did the speaker make This remark?  what was the reaction of the person spoken to?

Question – “I was becoming  quit daring, But it was a safe remark.”- What was the remark?  what was so daring about it?  why was it safe?

Question – “Few girls can resist flattery.” – Who said the line?  why did the speaker say so? what reaction did he get from the listener?

 Question – “I’m Tired of people telling me I have a pretty face” –   Who said this, To whom and when? What did the person spoken to reply?

Question – How does the girl describe the narrator?  what is the narrator’s reaction to this description?

Question – “But the thought of laughter only  made me feel troubled and lonely. “- When did the  narrator feel so? 

Question – “Thank goodness it’s a short journey.  I cannot bear to sit in a train for more than two-or- three hours.” – Who is the speaker?  Did the narrators view match with that of the speaker? Why?

Question – ‘Her voice had the Sparkle Of a mountain stream.” – Who thought so?  Whose voice is referred to here? Why was the voice so special?

Question – “She would forget our brief encounter;” – Who said this and about whom? What is the brief encounter referred to here? Why did the speaker things so?

Question – “…The girl got up and began to collect her things.”  – Who is the girl? When did she get up?  Why did she get up to collect her things?  What had the speaker thought about the brief encounter he had with the girl? 

Question – She was standing very close to me,”- whom does ‘she’ refer to? When and why was ‘she’ standing very close to the narrator? What was the effect of her proximity to the narrator?

Question – “So many things were happening outside the window, it could be a fascinating game.”- What could be a fascinating game?  When did the narrator think so? What things did the narrator perceive as the train reached and left Saharanpur?

Question – “The man who had entered the compartment broke into my reverie.” – Whose reverie is referred to here? What was the reverie about? How was the reverie broken?

Question – “I’m not nearly as attractive a travelling companion as the one who just left.” – Who is the speaker?  Who left?  What did the speaker mean by this statement?

Question – “She was an interesting girl,” – Who said this to whom and when? What else did the person say?  What reply did he get?

Question – “She was completely blind. You notice?” Didn’t you notice?”- Who said this whom? When was this said? Explain the irony in the line. 

Question – Give a brief sketch of the conversation between the narrator and the girl.

Question – What attempts did the narrator make to prevent the girl from discovering that he was blind

Question – How did the narrator try to prevent the girl from discovering that he was blind?

Question – Is the narrator somewhat cautious about not revealing too much about himself? Support your point with instances from the text.

Question –Describe the parting of the girl from the network in the train.

Question –What were the chain of thoughts that ran through the narrator’s mind when the train approached the station?  How was it affected by the men’s conversation?

Question –Describe the exchanges between Ruskin Bond and his last fellow passenger in the train.

Question –How was a game of deception played  between the narrator and the girl?

Question –Does the author help us anticipate the ironical twist in the end during the course of the narrative?  If yes, give examples from the text to support your argument.

Question –Would you agree that this story is a comment on ‘seeing’?  support your point with instances from the text.

Question –With the help of this text,  how does the author prove that the ‘mind’s eye’ is more powerful than our ‘natural eyes’?

Question –Discuss the character of the narrator in brief.

Question –Comment on the ending of the story ‘The Eyes Have It’.

Strong Roots

Question – Write how Abdul kalam presents his father in his autobiographical writing strong roots?

Question – How does the narrator remember his mother in steong roots?

Question – )”we lived in our ancestral house,” –who is the speaker? When was the house biit? What kind of house was it? How did the inmates of the house lead their lives in the house?

Question – What kind of a childhood did APJ Abdul kalam have? OR, describe the childhood of Abdul kalam? OR, why does kalam feel that he had a secured childhood?

Question – ”l normally ate with my mother – who ate with his mother? Name his mother. Where did he eat with the mother? What did he eat with his mother?

Question – Our locality easy predominantly Muslim who is the speaker? How does the speaker describe the locality? What picture puff communal harmony do you find in this description? OR, describe the locality where APJ Abdul kalam lived in his childhood.

Question – “People of different religions would be sitting outside, waiting for him.”-who is referred to as ‘him’.where did the people wait? Why did they wait there? What would happen thereafter?

Question – Who was pasha lakshmana satyr? How was he related to kalam’s father? What vision of his father and pasha lakshmana satyr lingered in his memory? Why did kalam mention his name?

Question – What was kalam’s father’s response to his son’s query about prayer and spirituality? OR, what did kalam’s father tell him about the relevance of prayers?

Question – Every human being is a specific element within the manifest divine being? Who is the apeaker? What did he want to convey?

Question – ”adversity always presents opportunities for introspection”-how does APJ Abdul kalam’s father explain he line? OR, how did his father’s attitude to adversity influence the young kalam?

Question – ”why don’t you say this to the people who Nome to you…?”Who says this and to whom? What is referred to by the word ‘this’? Why do the people cine it the person spoken to?

Question – “His answer filled me with a strange energy and enthusiasm.”-who is the speaker? Where answer is being referred to here? What was the answer? Why did it fill DR kalam’s energy and enthusiasm?

Question – “This is not a correct approach at all…”- who said this, what is the ‘approach’? Wily the approach not correct?

Question – “One must understand the difference between a feat tide vision of destiny and the vision that enables us to seek the enemy of fulfilment within ourselves.”-what do you mean by “…fear ridden vision of destiny”? That is the other vision? Which is to be preferred and why?

Question – Why was kalam’s father revered by the residents of his hometown?

Question – What had remained the routine for Abdul kalam’s father even when he was in his sixties? What does Abdul kalam say about his emulation of his father?

Question – I have endeavoured to understand the fundamental truths”- who is referred to as? Who are being referred to as the fundamental truths? Who revealed the truths to the name?

Question – How did kalam’s father influence kalam’s perception and interpretation of divine power? How, According to Abdul kalam, Can an individual achieve freedom, Happiness and peace of mind?

Question – What do you learn from APJ Abdul kalam’s autobiography? OR, what sing of great innate wisdom and true generosity of spirit do we find in ‘strong roots’?

Question – How does Abdul kalam express his gratitude towards his father?

Thank You Ma’am

Question – What features of the character of Mrs Luella Bates are exposed in the short story “Thank You Ma’am”?

Question – Sketch the character of Roger.

Question – “…and Vied to snatch her purse”-Why did the boy want to snatch the purse? What did the purse contain? How did the boy fell down? How did the lady get hold of the boy?

Question – “… and shook him until his teeth rattled.” – Who is mentioned as “him”? Who shook him? Why was he shaken?

Question – “Now ain’t you ashamed of yourself?” Who said this and to whom? What had the person spoken to done to feel ashamed of? What did the speaker tell the person to do before asking this?

Question –I’m very sorry, lady, I’m sorry”-Who said this to whom? Was he forgivenns ?

Question –“I’m very sorry, lady, I’m sorry,” -Who said this to whom? Was the speaker really sorry? Why did he apologise?

Question –“Then it will get washed this evening”-Who said this to whom? What was going to get washed? Where? Why?

Question –“You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong.”-Who speaks to whom? Did the speaker manage to teach what he/she claimed to teach ? Give reasons for your answer.?

Question –“But you put yourself in contact with me, …”-Who is the speaker? Who is being spoken to? What was the ultimate effect of this ‘contact’?

Question –“Sweat popped out on the boy’s face and he began to struggle.”-When did sweat pop out on the boy’s face? Why did he struggle? What next happened to the boy?

Question –

Question –Retrace the course of action from the moment Mrs Jones caught the boy to the time they reached the middle of the room. ?

Question –“You gonna take me to jail?”-Who asked this question and to whom? When did the speaker ask this question ? What reply did the speaker get?

Question –

Question –“You gonna take me to jail?”-Who said this? Why did the speaker think so? Was the speaker eventually taken to jail ? If not, why?

Question –What had Mrs Jones guessed to be the real reason behind Roger’s action? What was the real reason? What did Mrs Jones do so that Roger could fulfil his wish ? What did she tell him then?

Question –“then we’ll eat,” said the woman, -Who said this and to whom? Why did the speaker say these words? What food did the speaker offer to the other person?

Question –“I wanted a pair of…..shoes.” -What reply did the speaker get and how did he react?

Question –“You could of asked me.”-Who said the quoted words? When did the speaker say this? What was its impact upon the person spoken to?

Question –“You could of asked me.”-What did the speaker expect to be asked? What light does it throw upon the character of the speaker?

Question –” There was a long pause. A very long pause.”-Bring out the significance of “ pause”.?

Question –He could make a dash for it down the hall. He could run, run, run, run, run!”-Where do these lines occur? Who is the speaker? Who is ‘he’? Why did he not run

Question –Why did Roger not try to run away later although he had an opportunity to do so?  Or, Why did the boy in ‘Thank You Ma’am’ not run away though he found the door open ?

Question –“I were young once and I wanted things I could not get.” -Who is the speaker? What detail about her youth does she confess to the listener? What lesson from her experience did she want to teach the listener?

Question –“I were young once and I wanted things I could not get.”- How does the utterance bridge the gap between the two characters?

Question –“There was another long pause.”-What was the reason for this long pause? Was there any other pause previously? If yes, state the reason for that pause.?

Question –“i have done things, too,”-Who said this to whom? What do you think the speaker has done? Why did the speaker say this to the listener?

Question –“The woman did not watch the boy to see if he was going to run now.”-Why didn’t the woman watch the boy anymore?

Question –“And he did not want to be mistrusted now.” – Who is referred to as ‘he’ here? Whose Arust did he want to win? Why did he not want to be mistrusted?

Question –“Do you need somebody to go to the store, …. ?”-Who is the speaker? To whom did the speaker say this? Why did the speaker want to go to the store? What did they have in supper ?

Question –What was Roger offered to eat? What did Mrs Jones and Roger talk about while eating supper? What did Mrs Jones not ask Roger and why? What amount was offered by Mrs Jones to Roger? What did the lady say after finishing the meal?

Question –What do you know about Mrs Luella’s home?

Question –What was Roger offered to eat? What did Mrs Jones and Roger talk about while eating supper? What did Mrs Jones not ask Roger and why? What amount was offered by Mrs Jones to Roger? What did the lady say after finishing the meal?

Question –“Eat some more, son,” -Who is the speaker? What is offered by the speaker to the listener? What picture of the speaker’s character is revealed in this line?

Question –“Now, here, take this ten dollars…”- Who said this? Why did the speaker offer ten dollars? How did the speaker advise the person spoken to? What was the reaction of the person spoken to?

Question –“…. because shoes come by devilish like that will burn your feet.”-Who is the speaker 038 “.. here? Whom was it spoken to ? When did the speaker say this? What attitude of the speaker has been enlightened here?

Question –Bring forward the discussion that Mrs Jones had with Roger in her house. ?

Question –“Goodnight! Behave yourself, boy!”-Who said this and to whom? What did the speaker mean by saying “Behave yourself”? How did the boy react at last?

Question –The boy wanted to say something else other than “Thank you, ma’am” to Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones’-Who was the boy? Whom did he want to say? What were his parting words? Why did he want to say something else other than “Thank You, Ma’am” to the woman

Question –Why couldn’t the boy say anything else other than “Thank You, Ma’am” to Mrs Jones

Question – ‘He barely managed to say “Thank you” before she shut the door-How does the ending appear to be in contrast to the way in which the story begins?

Question –How did Mrs Jones transform Roger?  Or, What made Roger’s transformation possible?) Or, Do you think Roger will try to steal again? Give reasons and use details from the story to support your answer.

Question –At the end of the story, it says that the boy wanted to say something else other than ‘Thank You’ to Mrs Jones, but he could not-What were the circumstances that led him to thank Mrs Jones?

Question –Who do you think is the central character of the story-Mrs Jones or Roger? Give reasons for your analysis?

Question –Do you think a chance encounter between people can sometimes change their lives?

Question – What lessons can we learn from the story “Thank You Ma’am”?

Three Question

Question – Analyse the character of the Tsar.

Question – Draw a character sketch of the hermit in the story ‘Three Questions’.

Question – What role did the bearded man play in ‘Three Questions’?

Question – What was the first question? How did the learned men give answers to this question?

Question – What was the second question? What answers did the learned men give to that question?

Question – What was the third question? How did the learned men answer the question?

Question –What answers did the learned men give to the three questions? Or, How did the learned men answer the Tsar’s questions?

Question –“All the answers being different, the Tsar agreed with none of them.” What were the questions to which the Tsar got different answers? Whom did the Tsar decide to consult when he was not satisfied? Where did the person live whom the Tsar decided to consult? What was he famous for?

Question –What were the three questions the Tsar wanted to be answered ? Why did he need the answers? Why was he dissatisfied with the answers given by the scholars and the learned men?

Question –What were the questions that had occurred to the Tsar? Why did he need correct answers to those questions? What did he do when he was not satisfied with the answers of the learned men?

Question –Why did the Tsar visit the hermit? How was he dressed? Why was he dressed so? What was the hermit doing at that time? What did the Tsar say to the hermit?

Question –Why did the Tsar not agree with the answers of the learned men? Who did the Tsar decide to consult again? What was this person famous for? How did the Tsar go to visit this person?

Question –Why did the Tsar decide to meet the hermit? After meeting him, how did the Tsar assist him in his work?

Question –Describe the meeting of Tsar with the hermit.

Question –“You are tired,”-Who said this and to whom? Why did the speaker come to thel listener? Why did the speaker offer to help? How was he benefitted by this?

Question –“Now rest awhile-and let me work a bit.”-Explain with reference to the context.

Question –“Here comes someone running”-Who is the speaker ? Who was coming? Why did he come running? What happened to him? Describe his condition. How was he received at the hermit’s cottage?

Question –How did the Tsar nurse the wounded man?

Question –How was the wounded man revived and nursed? Why did he ask forgiveness of the Tsar? What did the Tsar do when he had gained the man for a friend?

Question –“Forgive me! said the bearded man”-To whom did the bearded man ask for forgiveness? Why did he ask for forgiveness?

Question –Why had the bearded man requested the Tsar to forgive him?

Question –“You do not know me, but I know you” – Who said this to whom? What else did the speaker say? How did the other person react to these words?

Question –“I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you.” – Who was the speaker? To whom was it spoken? How did he become an enemy of the person spoken to? Why did he confess so before him?

Question –Why did the bearded man become an enemy of the Tsar? What did the man swear and resolve to do? Why did he ask for forgiveness of the Tsar and what did he promise him?

Question –resolved to kill you…”-Who was the bearded man? Why did the speaker want to kill the Tsar? How was the man wounded? Was he successful in his mission? What did he resolve instead? How did the Tsar react to his words?

Question –Why do you think the Tsar forgive the bearded man inspite of his attempt to kill the Tsar?

Question –“For the last time, I pray you to answer my questions.”-Who was the speaker? Whom did he speak to ? What were the questions? Why did the speaker ask for the last time?

Question –The hermit spoke only to common people, so the Tsar ‘put on simple clothes’ -Do you think the Tsar hoped to be mistaken for a common man? Do you think that the hermit knew the person to be the Tsar? Justify your answer.

Question – How did the enemy of the king become friend with the king in Leo Tolstoy’s ‘Three Questions’?

Question – “You have already been answered” – Who said this and to whom? How had the person referred to been answered?

Question – Why do you think that the hermit did not give the Tsar answers to the Tsar’s questions till the end?

Question – Do you agree with the hermit’s answers to the Tsar’s three questions? If yes, state why giving examples from the text to support your argument. If not, state three reasons why you do not agree.

Question – “Remember then!….”-Who is the speaker? Who is the person spoken to? What did the speaker advise to remember?

Question – Though the hermit did not say anything to the king for some time, he did not ignore the king, or treat him rudely in anyway’- Do you agree? What evidences of his politeness can you point out in the text?

Question – . How could you apply the answers to the three questions in your life? Or, “The hermit’s answers are not only useful for the Tsar but also for each and every human being.” – Justify this statement.

Question – . What is the moral message embedded in the short story ‘Three Questions’?

Question – Choose any one of the three characters of the story and write a diary entry of about 300 words explaining the day’s events from the perspective of that character.

Question – Imagine that you were present at that time of that event and write a blog post explaining the lessons you indirectly learned or were taught, using details from the story.

POEME

On Killing a Tree

Question – “It takes much time to kill a tree, / Not a simple jab of the knife / Will do it.”-What does the phrase, ‘a simple jab of the knife’, mean? Why can’t ‘a simple jab of the knife’ kill a tree?

Question – How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity. Why does it take much time to kill a tree?

Question – “And out of its leprous hide/Sprouting leaves.”-What does the expression ‘leprous hide’ refer to? What does ‘its leprous hide’ bear? What is the significance of the expression? Bring out the irony suggested here.

Question – Describe in detail the growth of a tree, as stated in the first stanza of the poem, ‘On Killing a Tree.

Question – “So hack and chop/But this alone won’t do it.”-What does ‘it’ refer to? Why won’t hacking and chopping do it?

Question – How does the tree in ‘On Killing a Tree’ heal itself?

Question – “But this alone won’t do it.”-What does this’ refer to? Why won’t this be able to do it? What is to be done to do’it completely?

Question – “No, / The root is to be pulled out—”—What does the word “No’ suggest? What are the methods used by man to completely destroy a tree?

Question – “The source, white and wet, /The most sensitive, hidden” What does the word ‘source’ refer to here? How does the poet describe the root and its function?

Question – Explain: “And the it is done”.

Question – How does the poet describe the killing of a tree in the poem, ‘On Killing a Tree’?

Question – Why does the poet describe the killing of a tree in such graphie detail?

Question – What is the message of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ according to you? Explain.

Question – ‘On Killing a Tree’ is an ironical poem.- Justify.

Question – Give the central idea of the poem, ‘On Killing a Tree’.

Question – Justify the appropriateness of the title of the poem, ‘On Killing a Tree’.

Question – The poem, ‘On Killing a Tree’, describes man’s cruelty and violence to nature.-Discuss.

Question – How does a tree offer resistance to its destruction? How does its resistance fail?

Question – Substance of the Poem ‘On Killing a Tree’

Question – Justify the title of the poem “On Killing a Tree.”

Question – Give the central idea of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree.’

Question – “Not a simple jab of the knife/Will do it.”—What does the phrase ‘a simple jab of the knife’ mean? Why can’t a simple jab of the knife ‘do it’?

Question – “It has grown / Slowly consuming the earth,”—Bring out the significance of this line.

Question – “But this alone won’t do it.” What is ‘it’? What alone won’t do it? Why?

Question – “And out of its leprous hide/ Sprouting leaves.”—What does the expression ‘leprous hide refer to? What does ‘its leprous hide’ bear? Bring out the irony suggested here.

Question – “And the strength of the tree exposed.”—Where does this line occur? What is described as the strength of the tree’? How is it exposed?

Question – “No, The root is to be pulled out.” – Why has the word ‘No’ been used? How is the pulling out of the root related to the killing of the tree?

Question – “And then it is done.”-Explain how it is done.

Question – “The source, white and wet,/The most sensitive, hidden/ For years inside the earth.”—How does the poet describe the source and its functions?

Question – “Why it is not quite easy to kill a tree?

Question – How does a tree grow? What are the different stages to kill it?

Question – Describe in detail the growth of the tree in the first stanza.

Question – How does the tree heal itself?

Question – What does the killing of a tree symbolise?

Question – Why does it take “much time to kill a tree”? How is the tree finally killed?

Question – “It takes much time to kill a tree, “—Why doe it take much time to kill a tree? According to the poet, how is the tree finally killed?

Question – How does a tree offer resistance to its destruction? How does its resistance fail?

Question – The poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ describes man’s cruelty and violence to nature. Discuss.

Question – How does the poet criticise the action of human beings in the poem?

Question – How does the poet evoke lyricism in nature’s resilience in the first two stanzas?

Question – is the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ a study of ‘environment and tree”?

Question – How has the tree been given human attributes in the poem?

Question – Gieve Patel brings out the eternal relationship of a tree with the earth in a poetic way Discuss.

Question – What is an image? Comment on the use of imagery in the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’.

Question – What do you think is the purpose of the poet in the poem? Is it fulfilled?

Question – ‘On Killing a Tree’ Is this poem a commentary on major environmental issues?

Question – How is the life-force of the tree described in the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’?

Question – How does Gieve Patel present contradictory images of life and death in the poem?

Question – The poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ seems to be a protest. Who does the poem protest against and why?

Question – “Modern man, out of his indiscriminate greed and selfishness uproot nature and its very soul.”-Evaluate this statement with reference to the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’.

Asleep in the Valley

Question – Discuss ‘Asleep in the Valley’ as an anti-war poem.

Question – “….they fill the hollow full of light.”- What is the ‘hollow’ referred to in the line? How the hollow look? Who is lying in the hollow? How is he lying there?

Question – “A soldier, very young, lies open-mouthed,” -Who is the ‘soldier’ referred to here? Narrate in your own words how the soldier lies in the valley.

Question – “Asleep; stretched in the heavy undergrowth,”-In what sense is the person asleep? How do you know? Describe the bed where the person is lying asleep.

Question – “His feet among the flowers, he sleeps. “Where does this line occur? Who is the poem referred to here? Where is the person sleeping? Describe the nature of his sleep.

Question –“His smile… without guile.” – Mention the figure of speech used here. What does th want to mean here?

Question –“His smile / Is like an infant’s…”-Whose ‘smile’ is being referred to here? Why is compared to the smile of an infant ? How does Nature take care of him?

Question –“Ah, Nature, keep him warm; he may catch cold.”-Who is ‘he’? Why may he catch cold? Why does the poet ask Nature to keep him warm?

Question –“The humming Insects don’t disturb his rest;”-Who rests and where ? Why is his rest nodisturbed by the insects?

Question –“He sleeps in sunlight…”-Who is the person referred to here? Where does he sleep how? What does the word ‘sleep’ indicate in this poem? Or, Is he really sleeping peacefully?

Question –“In his side there are two red holes.”-Who is the person referred to here? What do th ‘wo red holes’ signify ? What attitude of the poet to war is reflected here?

Question –Give a brief description of the valley as found in Rimbaud’s poem ‘Asleep in the Valley.

Question –The word ‘sun’ is repeatedly used in the poem-explain the significance of it.

Question –How does the poet express the futility of war through his poem ‘Asleep in the Valley’ ? What message does he want to convey ?

Question –How does this picture of the soldier describe the tragedy of war? Explain.

Question –Bring out the irony of the poem ‘Asleep in the Valley’.

Question –Look at the word ‘asleep’. What do we normally associate with the word? When does the reader recognise that the soldier is asleep in a different sense? Or, Do you agree that the word ‘asleep’ has been used in an ironical way in the poem ‘Asleep In the Valley’? Discuss with reference to the text.

Question –Comment on Rimbaud’s treatment of symbol and imagery in the poem ‘Asleep in the Valley’.

Question –Nature plays an important role in the poem ‘Asleep in the Valley’ by Arthur Rimbaud Justify. Or, ‘Man kills but Nature heals.-Justify with reference to the poem.

Question –The poem ends a little abruptly but leaves the reader with utter surprise and shock- Discuss. Or, Why do you think the poet chooses to hold back the truth for the end, in the poem ‘Asleep in the Valley’?

Question –The poem ‘Asleep in the Valley’ rests on two contrasting pictures. Discuss the use of contrasting pictures in the poem.

Question –there any details in the poem ‘Asleep in the Valley’ which make the reader anticipate the truth spoken in the last line? Give reasons for your answer.

Shall I compare Thee to a summer’s day

Question –“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”-Whom does the poet compare his friend to? What are the qualities that make the person superior to summer?

Question – “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May And summer’s lease hath all too short a date. “How does the poet focus on the theme of ‘time and love’ in the above lines?

Question – What do the rough winds do ? What does the poet mean by ‘summer’s lease? How is the Mend’s beauty superior to the summer’s day?

Question – What is referred to as the ‘eye of heaven’ by Shakespeare? How does the ‘eye of heaven’ appear during summer? What qualities of summer is highlighted through the image of the ‘eye of heaven’?

Question – “And every fair from fair sometime declines”-From which poem is the line quoted ? Who is the poet? Briefly explain the meaning of the quoted line. How does the poet promise to immortalize his friend’s beauty?

Question –How does ‘nature’s changing course’ affect anything beautiful? Why does it fail to affect the poet’s friend’s “eternal summer”?

Question –“But thy eternal summer shall not fade.” -Who is the poet? What is meant by ‘thy eternal summer? How does the poet suggest that ‘thy eternal summer’ shall never end?

Question –‘’ Nor shall death brag thou wand’ rest in his shade,”-Why does the poet say this about his friend?

Question –“When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st”-Whom does the poet address in this line? What will grow in ‘eternal lines’? What things will be unable to hinder the growth?

Question –“… and this gives life to thee.” -What does ‘this’ refer to? Who is referred to by thee? How does ‘this’ give life?

Question –Why do you think the poet chooses to assert the truth in the last lines of the poem “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”

Question –What does the poet say about summer in the Sonnet ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? How is the poet’s young friend different from a summer’s day?

Question –What type of poem is ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Who is the poet? Whom does the poet speak of? What does the poet say about ‘n parson spoken of?

Question –What does summer stand for in Sonnet 18 ? What prompts the poet to remark ‘And every fair from fair sometime declines,’?

Question –In the opening stanza how does the poet celebrate the superiority of the youth’s beauty through similes?

Question –How does Shakespeare compare the beauty of his friend to that of a summer’s day in Sonnet 18?

Question –How does Shakespeare immortalise his friend’s beauty?

Question –What is Time’s effect on Beauty according to Shakespeare? How can these be resisted?

Question –How has Shakespeare celebrated masculine beauty, in the poem, shall I compare these is a summery day?

Question –Consider “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” as a Sonnet.

Question –Comment on the last two lines of the Sonnet.

Question –Do you find a note of irony in the interrogation ‘Shall I compare thee…?

Question –“The theme of mutability is a well marked aspect of the Shakespearean Sonnets.” Discuss with reference to the Sonnet No. 18.

Question –How does Shakespeare present the triumph of poetry over mortality in ‘Sonnet No. 18’?

Question –Do you agree that ‘Shall I compare thee’ is a typical Petrarchan Sonnet? Defend your answer.

Question –How many summers does the poet refer to in the poem ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Which summer does the poet highlight? Give the reasons he cites justifying his choice.

The Poetry of Earth

Question – ‘When all the birds are faint’-Why do all the birds faint? Who plays the role of birds and how? What other insect plays the nature’s tune and how?

Question – ‘A voice will run …’ – Whose voice is referred to here? Where will the voice run? What is the significance of the voice?

Question – “That is the Grasshopper”-What is referred to by ‘that’? What does the poet mean to say? Why does the poet use capital letter in Grasshopper?

Question – “… he takes the lead / in summer luxury,” – he has never Gone/with his delights;” -Who is ‘he’? When does ‘he’ take the lead? Explain the phrase ‘he takes the lead’.

Question –…he has never done / with his delights’-Who is ‘he’ referred to? How does he delight? What does he finally do?

Question –“He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.” -Who is the here? Where does her rest? How does he enliven nature?

Question –How does winter transform Nature? How does the poetry of earth continue even in winter? Or, “On a lone winter evening” How does the poet describe the loneliness and silence of winter? How is the music continued in the depths of winter?

Question –“And seems to one half lost / The Grasshopper’s among some grassy hills.” Who is ‘one’? What vision is referred to here? Why does the ‘one’ have such a vision?

Question –How does Keats describe the poetry of summer season in this poem?

Question –Show, after Keats, that the poetry of earth never comes to an end. Or, how does Keats show that the ‘poetry of earth’ never cease?

Question –What picture of summer is presented in ‘The Poetry of Earth? How has it been carried onto the picture of winter?

Question –Describe the picture of winter as presented in the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’. How is warmth instilled in the cold atmosphere of winter? How does the cricket continue the song of the grasshopper in winter?

Question –How can we infer that the Grasshopper enjoys performing his duties in summer? Who steps in his shoes to carry on the poetry of earth? What effect do the latter create on a human being?

Question –What concept do you get about Keats’ notion of beauty as revealed in the sonnet ‘The Poetry of Earth?’

Question –What does the poet assert in his poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’ and How?

  Question – Comment on the use of ‘symbolism’ in this poem.

Question –Why does keats feel that the poetry of earth is never dead?

Question –What pictures of the two seasons does Keats draw in ‘The Poetry of Earth’? How are the two pictures related?

Question –Why does the poet choose the sonnet form for this poem? Give reasons.

Question –what idea do you get about Keats as a Romantic poet or Nature poet in the poem The Poetry of Earth’?

Question –Keats’ ‘The Poetry of Earth’ is a poem that depicts “the continuous celebration through the style of seasons”. Justify the above statement. Or, “Music of the earth is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons” – Discuss how does Keats express it in the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’.

Question –Do you think ‘The Poetry of Earth’ is a romantic poem? Explain.

Question –What do the Grasshopper and the Cricket metaphorically stand for in this poem? How do they contribute to the earth’s poetry?

Question –Name the poet who composed ‘The Poetry of Earth’. What is meant by ‘The Poetry of Earth’? How does the poet read ‘The Poetry of Earth’?

Question –Keats has used sensuous imagery to describe the natural world with care and precision. -How far do you agree with this statement?

Question –Identify the voices of the ‘Poetry of Earth’. How does Keats establish its continuity through these voices?

Question –What does Keats mean by ‘the poetry of earth’? Why does he say that this poetry never ceases?

DRAMA

The Proposal

Question – Discuss Chekhov’s ‘The Proposal’ as a supreme example of one-act play.

Question – Describe the character of Chubukov as a sensible father.

Question – Give a brief sketch of the character of Lomov in the play ‘The Proposal’. Or, Describe Lomov.

Question – Sketch the character of Natalya.

Question – “Now, you know, you shouldn’t forget all about your neighbours, my darling.”-Who said this and to whom? Why was the speaker surprised? Comment on the approach of the speaker.

Question –“Why are you so formal in your get-up?”-Who is the speaker? Who is being spoken to ? What led the speaker to make this comment ?

Question –“My dear fellow, why are you so formal in your get-up?” Who is the speaker and whom does he call ‘dear fellow’? Describe the ‘formal get-up’ the other person has appeared in. Is the other person really dear to the speaker? How do you know?

Question –“I have come to you….to trouble you with a request, “-Who is the speaker? Who is he speaking to? What is the request? How did the person spoken to react to the request?

Question –“He’s come to borrow money! Shan’t give him any….”-Who is the speaker? What makes him say this? What features of this character are revealed here?

Question –‘Oh, don’t go round and round it, darling!’ – Who is addressed as ‘darling’? What is ‘it’? Who is the speaker? Why does he make this comment?

Question –“I’ve been hoping for it for a long time.” Who is the speaker? What does ‘It’ refer to ? How did the speaker come to know about ‘It’? What more did the speaker say in this context ?

Question –“….. do you think I may count on her consent?”-Why is the speaker so uncertain ? How does the speaker ultimately get the consent?

Question –“She’s like a love-sick cat,”-Who said this and about whom? character of the person, Analyse the character of the person, referred to here, under the light of the comment above.

Question –“I’m trembling all over, just as if I’d got an examination before me.”-To what situation does the speaker compare getting an examination? Why did he come to such a conclusion? Whom does he find appropriate? Why?

Question –“If I give myself time to think, to hesitate, to talk a lot for an ideal, or for real love, there I’ll never get married.”-who thinks so? When does he think so? Why does the speaker think it?

Question –“Go; there’s a merchant come for his goods.”-Who said this and to whom? Who is the merchant’? What is referred to as ‘goods’? In what way does it bring out the attitude of the person and the society at that time?

Question –“You must excuse my apron and negligee….” – Identify the prose piece from which the above mentioned line has been extracted. Who is the speaker of the quoted line? What is a negligee ? What was the speaker engaged in before arrival? What did the speaker offer the person addressed as ‘you’?

Question –“You will remember my Oxen Meadows touch your Birchwoods”-Who is the speaker? Who is he speaking to? What else did the speaker say along with the above quoted line? What followed after the speaker said the above quoted line?

Question –“We’ve had the land for nearly three hundred years…”-Who is the speaker? Who is spoken to? What is referred to as ‘the land’ ? What do you know of ‘the land’ from their conversation?

Question –don’t want anything of yours and I don’t want to give up anything of mine.” Who says this? To whom does the speaker say this? What to give up of mine who says irony latent in it.

Question –“If you like, I’ll make you a present of them.”-Who is the speaker? Who is the person spoken to? What would the speaker make a present of? Why did the speaker say so ?

Question –“It means that you haven’t seen the plan…”-Who is the speaker? Whom is he speaking to? In what context does the speaker say this?

Question –“How have you the right to give away somebody else’s property?” – Who is the speaker? What property is referred to here? Why does the speaker ask this question?

Question –“And that blind hen, yes, that turnip-ghost has the confounded cheek to make a proposal. and so on!”-Who is the speaker? About whom is the above line said? Why? How does Natalya react when she comes to know about the proposal?

Question –“You’re not a neighbour, you’re a grabber!”-Who said this and to whom? Why is this said?

Question –“I know you; you’re just on the look-out for a chance to go to court and all that…you pettifogger!”-Who said this and to whom? What is the matter of dispute? What does the speaker mean to say by the term ‘pettifogger’?

Question –“Bring him back! Back! Ah! Bring him here.” -Who says this and to whom? When is this said? What impression of the speaker can be formed from this remark?

Question –“Oh, unhappy man that I am! I’ll shoot myself! I’ll hang myself!”-Who is unhappy? Why does the speaker wish to die?

Question –“I’m dying! fetch him!”-Who is dying? Why is the speaker dying? What was to be done, prevent the speaker’s death?

Question –“What have they done to me! Fetch him back!”-Who is the speaker? Who is ‘him’? What is ironic about the speaker’s request to bring ‘him’ back?

Question –“Oh, what a burden, Lord to be the father of a grown-up daughter!”-Who is the ‘father’? Who is the ‘daughter’? Why is the daughter a burden to the father?

Question –“Forgive us, Ivan Vassilevitch, we were all a little heated…” – Who is the speaker? Who are referred to by ‘us’? Why were the persons referred to ‘a little heated’ ? Why does the speaker ask for forgiveness?

Question –“My land is worth little to me, but the principle….”-Who is the speaker ? Which land is he referring to ? What ‘principle’ does he mean? What made him utter such a statement?

Question –“Just think, what a misfortune I’ve had”-Who is the speaker? What is the misfortune that is being referred to? How does this statement trigger another argument?

Question –“Must have got twisted, or bitten by some other dog…My very best dog, to say nothing of the expense.”-Which dog is spoken about? Whom does it belong to? From Whom and for how much was it bought?

Question –“…but you forget that he is overshot…”-What is spoken about? Whom does it belong? For how much was it bought? What is the meaning of ‘overshot’? What does its owner consider it to be?

Question –“There’s some demon of contradiction in you today…”-Who is the speaker? Who is spoken with? What contradictions are referred to?

Question –“I’ve noticed that those hunters argue most who know least.”-State context and explain the content.

Question –“He got left behind because the Count’s whipper-in hit him with his whip.”-Who is spoken about in the above quoted line? Which incident is referred to? Why? Why was ‘he’ hit by the Count’s whipper?

Question –“What sort of a hunter are you anyway?”-To whom does Natalya Stepanovna say the above quoted line? Why? Who agrees with her? What else does he say?

Question –“My heart’s bursting!” -Who is the speaker? What happens immediately after the above comment?

Question –“I give you my blessing and so on. Only leave me in peace!”-Who is the speaker ? Why did the speaker say so?

Question –“I…. I’m happy too……”- Who says this and when? Why is the speaker ‘happy’?

Question –“What a weight off my shoulders…..” -What aspect of social condition is revealed by Chubukov through this comment?

Question –But… still you will admit now that Guess is worse than Squeezer.”-Who is the speaker? Whom is the speaker addressing? Describe the incident involving Guess and Squeezer.

Question –“… that’s a way to start your family bliss!”-Who is the speaker? What way has been referred to here? Give your view on what the speaker says. “.

Question –Describe briefly the fight regarding Oxen Meadows.

Question –Discuss ‘The Proposal’ as a farcical satire.

Question –Comment on the theme of marriage in this play. How do Lomov and Natalya contribute to this theme?

Question –How did Chubukov welcome Lomov when he paid them a visit? Or, Brief the meeting of Lomov and Chubukov as it took place in the beginning of the play.

Question –“And it’s impossible for me not to marry…”-Why is the speaker so interested to marry? Whom does he want to marry? Why? Or, Why did Lomov think about taking a decision about getting married? Whom did he want to marry? Why? Or, Lomov came with a proposal to marry Natalya Stepanovna. What logic his decision?

Question –On what issues did Lomov and Natalya quarrel at first? How did their argument come to an end? Or, What is the first argument about in the play? Does the argument come to a successful conclusion?

Question –Describe the episode where Lomov and Chubukov engage themselves in an argument regarding the past incidents of each others’ families.

Question –Why did Natalya and Lomov quarrel over dogs? Or, Describe the episode of the second argument regarding the hunting dogs.

Question –How did the second argument come to an end?

Question –Narrate in brief what happened at Marusinsky hunt.

Question –Describe the reaction of Natalya and her father thinking that Lomov is dead.

Question –Is Lomov really ill or is he hypochondriac? Give reasons for your answer

Question –Do you think Chubukov and Lomov are good neighbours? Give reasons with reference from the play.

Question –What is Chubukov’s role in bringing about the engagement of Lomov and Natalaya?

Question –What change of behaviour and tone do you notice in Natalya as she heard that Lomov’s actual intention was to propose to her for marriage?

Question –What is ironic about Natalya’s request to bring Lomov back?

Question –Do you think Natalya and Lomov will lead a blissful married life? Discuss with reference to the text.

Question –Comment on the father-daughter relationship as depicted in the play.

Question –Describe the physical problems that Lomov thinks he has.

Question –Why does Lomov think Natalya will make an acceptable wife? Explain your answer.

Question –Why did not Lomov directly ask Natalya to marry him?

Question –Why did Lomov leave Chubukov’s house?

Question –How did Lomov regained his senses finally by Chubukov? How was the marriage between Lomov and Natalya accomplished?

Question –Who made the proposal and to whom? What was the proposal? How was the proposal realised?

Question –“I’m the most unhappy of men!”-Who said this? Why did he say so? How did the speaker get rid of his unhappiness?

Question –Do you find the play funny? Support your answer with illustrations from the text.

Question –Chekhov’s characters in the play ‘The Proposal’ are rounded. Comment.

Question –Make a brief sketch of social life as you see in the play.

Question –Comment on the improbability in the play ‘The Proposal’

Question –Write a brief note on Chekhov’s depiction of aristocratic society in ‘The Proposal’.

Question –What is the focus in the play? Is it character? Is it action? Is it the unpredictability of the people? Explain your answer.

Question –What role does Chubukov play in the arguments involving Lomov and Natalya?

Question –Why does Chekhov choose only three characters to deliver his message to us?

Question –What aspects of the human condition and society does the play make fun of?

Question –How would you best describe the personalities of each of the characters in the play?

Question –What is Anton Chekhov trying to say about the manner in which neighbours interact /behave? Support your answer with evidence from the play.

Question –How does Chekhov alternate the actual proposal and the arguments ? Explain your answer.

Question –What is the effect of thus alternating the proposal and the arguments ? Explain your answer.

Question –Discuss the reasons why the marriage proposal is important to all the characters.

Question –Comment on the setting of the play with reference to costume, customs and mannerism. Does it relate to the socio-economic background of that period?