Class 12 English Vistas
Chapter 1 – The Third
Level
Number: 7
Page Reading
with Insight
1. Do you think that
the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why?
Answer: Yes, I think that the third level was a
medium of escape for Charley. The third level is an escape for Charley from the
modern setting of worry and insecurity. It is an escape from the unhappy
contemporary world that is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry. He had always
desired to live his life peacefully as he did in Galesburg. Charlie was so
upset and frustrated with modern life and the way of living that he wanted to
move back into the past. Thus, in his mind, he has forever wanted to go back in
time, so he found the third level as a realization of his dream.
2. What do you infer
from Sam’s letter to Charley?
Answer: Sam’s letter is a consequence of Charley’s
thoughts. Sam’s letter was full of mystery when Charley came across it. This
can be understood from the truth that the letter was enclosed in the oldest
first-day cover and directed to his grandfather. Usually, the first-day covers
have blank papers in them, but this one included a letter. This is made so that
the envelope is stamped along with the date and it remains as a remembrance
always. So these kinds of envelopes c
arry just blank letters and should not be
opened. In this letter, Sam had notified Charley that he was living on the
third level. He had also stated that Charley and his wife keep waiting for the
third level. This confirms that Sam’s letter is an outcome of Charley’s
complete imagination.
3. ‘The modern world
is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress.’ What are the ways in which
we attempt to overcome them?
Answer: The contemporary world is full of illusion,
insecurity, war, fear, worry, tension, and stress. This is because the world is
full of competition and people need to pull each other downward. People can
overcome this unrealness, anxieties, and insecurities bred by our certain
existence in the advanced world by getting involved in useful and practical
activities. To overcome such uncertainties, firstly we must believe that both
good and bad come our way. Hence, we the people want to create equilibrium
among professional, creative, personal, and economic provinces of life. People
need to spend a good time with friends and family, be productive in art,
poetry, prose, or in enhancing their hobbies.
4. Do you see an
intersection of time and space in the story?
Answer: Yes, some situations in the story show an
interaction of time and space. Firstly, the first two levels of Grand Central
Station were found in the present time while the third level survived. Charley
tries to buy for Galesburg but finds that he has current-day currency. The
stairs that guide Charley to the third level are also seen to be the pattern of
the 19th-century. Charley opens up the first-day cover from his grandfather’s
collection of stamps and assumes it to be Sam’s letter which is supposed to be
blank. In certain situations, Charley is brought to a parallel world of thought
where everything results according to his desires. This instance makes him
completely fulfilled. However, when he experiences the modern world, he becomes
tangled.
5. Apparent
illogicality sometimes turns out to be a futuristic projection? Discuss.
Answer: Indeed, apparent illogicality sometimes turns
out to be a futuristic prediction. Sometimes what appears to be illogical today
or at a point in time often turns out to be a reality tomorrow or in the
future. This has usually been the trend with scientific discoveries. No one
could have tried to accept that man could fly before the Wright Brothers
invented the airplane. It was an illogical thought. It later rolled out to be
an actuality in the form of planes and parachutes. Likewise, the baseless
thought of communicating to people over long distances by Graham Bell made him
invent the telephone. Another example of this is the mobile phone which is
another version of taking the telephone to its next level. All these
discoveries were seeded in absurd thoughts. Illogical thoughts converted to
real-time inventions are possible due to time, effort, patience, hard work, and
resources.
6. Philately helps
keep the past alive. Discuss other ways in which this is done. What do you
think of the human tendency to constantly move between the past, the present
and the future?
Answer: Besides philately, there are many other ways
to help keep the past alive. Holding on to the past alive also means protecting
the memories, which can be preserved in numerous ways. Philately is collecting
the stamps that transport us into our actual past. In the past, people would
maintain a diary to keep incidents recorded. Some people would also safely
preserve letters, souvenirs, gifts, and coins that they got from others. In the
modern world, as time flies and technology gets developed in people’s lives,
they make videos or take photographs to capture the moments.
The ability to
fluctuate between the past, present, and future is a great intellectual gift.
It is good to make mistakes in our past. We can take beautiful lessons from it
and can make today and tomorrow wonderful. Human beings have a good ability to
keep events recorded in mind. This enables them to continually go back to any
situation in the past and revive it. Hence, we as humans have the power to
probe deep into the past, think about the present, and also imagine the future.
7. You have read
‘Adventure’ by Jayant Narlikar in Hornbill Class XI. Compare the interweaving
of fantasy and reality in the two stories.
Answer: In both stories, reality and fantasies are
interwoven. Jayant Narlikar’s ‘Adventure’ is a complete narration of what
happens to a person when his life is stuck between two worlds that is
imagination and presence. Professor Gaitonde and Charley both have reached a
situation where they are helpless to differentiate between the world of actuality
and fantasy. Professor Gaitonde is so engrossed in concepts of the battle of
Panipat that he visualizes it happening in front of him during the accident. He
rather imagines it to be the chaotic battle of Panipat and molds it in a way
that he wished.
In the same way,
Charley in the third level completely indulges himself in the thoughts of
Galesburg. So, he assumes the presence of the Third Level which could help him
reach the land of his fantasies – Galesburg. They were extremely unsatisfied
with the present scenario and desperately wanted to change it. Thus both
stories present fantasy as well as reality.
Page Number: 17
Reading with Insight
1. The story is a satire on the conceit of those in power. How
does the author employ the literary device of dramatic irony in the story?
Answer.
The story “The Tiger King” is a satire on the self-admiration of those in
power. It is also the best instance of dramatic irony in a situation where the
entire significance of a character’s talks is transparent to the readers but is
not known to the characters present in it. The Maharaja, because of the
prediction that he would meet his death from the hundredth tiger that he
killed, screamed a warning to all the tigers. He explained the act of killing
tigers as ‘self-defence’. The state banned the hunting of tigers by anyone in
the state except the Maharaja. The Maharaja tried his utmost best to distort
the prediction of the astrologers since his kingdom astrologer had foretold the
Maharaja’s death by a tiger. He was to beware and be more careful from the
hundredth tiger. Instead, the courtiers spent their time, living luxuriously
and comfortably off the taxes of the people and in foolish pursuits. Even the
courtiers took extreme advantage of their power. The story is full of
situations of irony that expose the foolishness of dictatorial rulers who
neglected nature and bent laws to suit their selfish wishes. The author manipulates
dramatic irony in the story by a twist of fortune when the bullet of the
Maharaja failed to kill the hundredth tiger and he remains unaware of it. The
irony lies in the point that the tiger which caused the death of the Tiger King
was a wooden tiger. One of its tiny slivers pierced into the right hand of the
king. Infection flared and a suppurating sore spread all over the arm. In vain
struggles to prove the astrologer wrong, the Maharaja had killed 100 tigers but
by failing to kill the last tiger and celebrating his ‘triumph’ over his fate,
Maharaja had invited death as he was ironically killed by a little wooden toy
tiger.
2. What is the author’s indirect comment on subjecting innocent
animals to the willfulness of human beings?
Answer.
Through this satirical story, the author incorporated some humour in the story
and also explained how humans kill innocent creatures or animals just to show
their supremacy and desires to fulfill their whims and fancies. The Maharaja’s
wild killing of 99 tigers had led to their destruction in many forests, but he
was unaware of the severe results his foolish actions would lead to. To save
his life and lead a satisfactory one, the Maharaja mercilessly killed helpless
animals to extinction just to show his power and legacy and to prove the
astrologer wrong. He wished to show his superiority as a human being, strength
over nature and his destiny and exercised his power to kill hundred luckless
tigers.
3. How would you describe the behaviour of the Maharaja’s
minions towards him? Do you find them truly sincere towards him or are they
driven by fear when they obey him? Do we find a similarity in today’s political
order?
Answer.
The Maharaja’s minions or his servants were remarkably subservient and loyal to
his every order and command. Most of them were terrified of the Maharaja and
decided to keep him in good humour by following his rules and orders. They did
not dare to resist him as his anger could mean the loss of their jobs or even
the loss of their lives. The astrologer was afraid of predicting his death but
Maharaja had asked him to talk without any fear. Dewan, who was his close
advisor could not stop him from killing tigers, fearing his anger, and he
arranged Maharaja’s marriage to a princess as per his wishes. Since he was
scared of losing his post, he even planted an old tiger to pacify the King’s
anger and please him. Likewise, the hunters chose not to notify him of the
survival of the 100th tiger and instead killed it themselves fearing that they
might lose their jobs. Finally, the shopkeeper, who sold the wooden tiger to
the King, quoted a higher price to avoid a penalty. So it is obvious that the
king’s servants were driven by fear rather than by any feelings of justice
towards their king.
Yes, today’s political order is very similar to that of the
Maharaja’s story. It means there’s no difference. Most of the people these days
are occupying various positions of political power based individually on their
influence and power.
4. Can you relate instances of game-hunting among the rich and
the powerful in the present times that illustrate the callousness of human
beings towards wildlife?
Answer.
Even in the present time, one can see that game-hunting is as popular as it was
in the past among the rich and powerful people across the world. India banned
and condemned poaching, hunting, and selling animal body parts across the
country. But these laws are not executed properly so hunters and poachers hunt
illegally, and trade animal parts across the border to get crores of cash. As a
consequence, many species have become extinct and others are endangered. Strict
penalties and punishment must be set on the offenders of the laws passed to
preserve wildlife. We must join hands to protect those animals and also should
spread awareness of crimes inflicted on helpless animals.
Chapter 3 – Journey To The End Of The Earth
Page number: 23
Reading with Insight
1. ‘The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica.’
How is the study of this region useful to us?
Answer.
The world’s geological history is indeed trapped in Antarctica. The study of
the region of Antarctica gives us insight into the world’s geological history.
This is because the current world is battling with the growing population and
the extreme burning of fossil fuels has formed a blanket of carbon dioxide
around the earth, which is the main cause of global temperature or
warming. Antarctica is a crucial element in the debate on climate change
because it is relatively ‘pristine’. It is because 650 million years ago
Gondwana land existed in the south part of the earth where Antarctica is
currently situated. It contains a rich variety of flora and fauna. For 500
million years Gondwana flourished, later landmass was forced to separate into
countries, shaping the globe, much as we know it today. All secrets are
embedded in the layers of the ice in the form of 500-million-year-old carbon
records. Hence, to study about earth’s past Antarctica is the best place.
2. What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school
students in the Students on Ice expedition?
Answer.
Geoff Green took the high school students to one end of the world, to give them
the chance to develop respect and knowledge for the earth. He included high
school students in the ice expedition because with students on the ice
expedition he offered the future policymakers to experience how difficult it
would have been for the earth to sustain life by raising its warmth. At a younger
age when the process of good values develops in their life, it will also assist
them in knowing more about their planet.
3. ‘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?
Answer.
‘Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of
themselves.’ is a relevant statement to the Antarctic environment. A small
environmental change can give rise to dramatic developments. Because of the
small biodiversity and simple ecosystem, Antarctica is the best place to study
the small changes in the environment that give big consequences. For example,
consider the microscopic phytoplankton — these grasses of the sea that feed and
support the entire Southern Ocean’s food chain. These single-celled plants use
the sun’s energy to absorb carbon dioxide and manufacture organic compounds and
the most important of processes is called photosynthesis. Scientists caution
that more depletion in the ozone layer will affect the activities of
phytoplankton, which in turn affect the marine life’s food chain. From this
example of the phytoplankton, there is a great metaphor for existence: take
care of the small things and the big things will fall into place.
4. Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the
earth’s present, past and future?
Answer.
Antarctica is the best place to understand the earth’s present, past, future
because it holds in its ice cores, half a million-year-old carbon records trapped
in its layers of ice. Antarctica gives an idea of how the earth would have been
like millions of years ago and how it formed into different masses of earth.
Antarctica has a vibrant diversity of flora and fauna is a rich heritage of the
past. Therefore, Antarctica is a place to understand the earth’s present, past
and future.
Class
12 English Vistas Chapter 4 – The Enemy
Page Number: 47
Reading With Insight
1. There are moments in life when we have to make hard choices
between our roles as private individuals and as citizens with a sense of
national loyalty. Discuss with reference to the story you have just read.
Answer.
The story revolves around human values that propel a Japanese doctor, the
protagonist, to help an enemy during war. The story is about a doctor who
encounters a severely wounded enemy soldier. Being a doctor and as a human
being, he observes the white man in critical condition who badly requires the
doctor’s help. However, he is afraid of assisting him as the man belonged to
the rival country. If he treats the white man, it makes him feel dishonest
towards his land. But when he decides to hand over the man to the cops, he
feels he is not capable of keeping up his job professionally.
2. Dr Sadao was compelled by his duty as a doctor to help the
enemy soldier. What made Hana, his wife, sympathetic to him in the face of open
defiance from the domestic staff?
Answer.
Dr. Sadao and his wife Hana knew that everyone would question their decision to
save the enemy soldier. Hana felt sympathetic to him because she completely
understood what Sadao was feeling at that time, as she had known Dr. Sadao for
a long period of time. She was aware that his duty compelled Dr. Sadao as a
doctor but simultaneously felt it might be considered a lack of patriotism on
his part. He was hiding the foe in his home, and their domestic staff had also
left the job, making the condition even worse. This helpless situation of her
husband made her feel sympathy towards him.
3. How would you explain the reluctance of the soldier to leave
the shelter of the doctor’s home even when he knew he couldn’t stay there
without risk to the doctor and himself?
Answer.
The story says that the white man named Tom was very young, nearly seventeen
years old and he was admitted into the army. When the American war prisoner
came to consciousness and understood that he was rescued by a Japanese family,
he worried that he would soon be handed over to their army. When he walked
inside the doctor’s home, the treatment which he got from them made him feel
affectionate towards them. He knew that although he was a threat to Dr.Sadao’s
family, his life might be saved there. Overwhelmed with thankfulness towards
them, he finally decided to comply with what the doctor planned for him to
escape.
4. What explains the attitude of the General in the matter of
the enemy soldier? Was it human consideration, lack of national loyalty, dereliction
of duty or simply self-absorption?
Answer.
The general was governed by total self-absorption. He was a patient of Dr.
Sadao and when it came to his health, he trusted no one else but him. He
couldn’t risk going unprotected if the doctor was executed for treason. He had
personal assassins whom he vowed to use to eliminate the wounded soldier. But
he sadly ‘forgot’ about his promise to help the doctor. Humans were not his
thing. Humans were not his cup of tea.
5. While hatred against a member of the enemy race is
justifiable, especially during wartime, what makes a human being rise above
narrow prejudices?
Answer.
It is very natural to hate your enemy but more challenging is to accept them
and to show love towards them. While hatred against the enemy is logical,
particularly during wartime, the sense of humanity makes a human being rise
above narrow preconceptions. It is obvious that the countries at war are
enemies and hatred is a part of this enmity. It becomes very essential to break
the chains and stand aside from the crowd. Here in this story, when the doctor
observed the injured enemy he was unable to resist himself to help the man. It
is the best example to describe the situation that makes a human being rise
above conventional biases.
6. Do you think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was
the best possible one in the circumstances?
Answer.
The doctor attempted his best to save the injured soldier as a part of his
service. But the final question was what to do next. It cannot be said that he
betrayed his land as he told the truth to the General. The final decision he
made was advantageous to both the white man and the doctor’s family as he
treated him very finely. He also presented him with attire and food and asked
him to leave for his home place. By doing this he saved himself too. However,
when the general remarked that the injured soldier was to be killed not for the
advantage of the country but only to save the doctor’s life, he decided to help
him flee. In such a condition, the doctor’s final solution to the problem was
the best possible one.
7. Does the story remind you of ‘Birth’ by A. J. Cronin that you
read in Snapshots last year? What are the similarities?
Answer.
Yes, the story reminds me of “BIRTH” by A.J. Cronin. There are many striking
similarities between BIRTH and THE ENEMY. Both stories show the gentle
character of the doctors towards their patients, irrespective of other
circumstances. “BIRTH” describes the very practical nature of the doctor when
Morgan calls him for his child. In ”THE ENEMY” the doctor helps the white man
because of his injury although he is his enemy. ”BIRTH” shows the patient
nature of a doctor when though a baby after birth is lifeless, but the doctor
continues to hope to save him/her. And in “THE ENEMY” the doctor has taken care
of white sailors for many days till the white man securely goes through the
boat. In both the stories the doctors treated their patients with devotion
towards their job, whatever the difficulty. For Dr. Sadao, the risk was to give
a stay to the white man and for that, they could get arrested while Dr. Andrew
risked giving a new life to the ‘stillborn’ baby. Consequently, both the
stories deal with humanity’s love, affection, selflessness, and a strong sense
of duty.
Chapter 5 – Should Wizard Hit Mommy
Page Number: 55
Reading With Insight
1. What is the moral issue that the story raises?
Answer.
The story explores ethical issues dependent on various levels of maturity. It
also discusses the issue of the relationship of the child-parent relationship
deeply. There is a sharp contrast between an adult’s aspect of life and the
worldview of a little child. Though Roger Skunk didn’t like the thought of
smelling foul again, he agrees with his mom because he loves his mom more than
all the other animals. It also shows the kind of trust that Roger had in her
mother. This is the kind of trust that Jack had Jo to have in him so that later
in life Jo understands how valuable this lesson was for her. Thus, the story
proposes the question of whether parents should always be followed blindly.
2. How does Jo want the story to end and why?
Answer.
Jo was not satisfied with the ending of the story and persuaded her father to
retell the story the next day presenting the story in a predetermined way that
she had set. According to Jo, neither Roger skunk nor the Wizard was wrong in
the story. She wants this to happen because she cannot see Roger Skunk being
left alone by his friends. According to her, Roger is great at smelling like
roses and that his friends won’t run away from him anymore. She wanted the
story to end with the wizard hitting back the mother skunk with his magic wand
on her head.
3. Why does Jack insist that it was the wizard that was hit and
not the mother?
Answer. Jack insisted that it was the wizard that was hit and not the
mother since he wanted Jo to realize that whatever parents do for their kids is
for their good. He wanted to make Jo understand that there’s no wizard in
practical life. Also, his notable defense for Mommy Skunk made Jo aware that
Jack was defending his mother or something really important.
4. What makes Jack feel caught in an ugly middle position?
Answer. Jack believes that he has been caught in an ugly middle
position physically, emotionally as well as mentally since both his spouse and
his daughter are in his presence. He was aware of his responsibilities as a husband
and as a father. But he is incapable to choose between the two. Clare is six
months pregnant. She’s painting the furniture alone and expects Jack to help
her. She also says “That was a long story” when Jack comes downstairs. Her
explanation makes Jack feel guilty because he couldn’t come to help his wife on
time. On the other hand, all his struggles to make Jo fall asleep have gone in
vain. Moreover, he couldn’t make Jo understand Mommy Skunk was indeed doing what
was best for little Roger. Everything that Jack was required to do was left
incomplete. He found himself to be in an ugly middle position as he could not
wipe out the gap between the old and the modern generation.
5. What is your stance regarding the two endings to the Roger
Skunk story?
Answer.
Recognizing the young age of Jo, both the endings look a little illogical. Jo
will certainly be learning from whatever she listens and visualizes at this
age. However, Jo’s preference for how the story should look is very beautiful.
If the story ends according to Jack, Jo will never be capable of questioning
anything she considers wrong in life since this ending emphasizes that elders
are always correct in whatever they do. But I agree with the end that Jack
decides. This is because it gives the story a touch of Jack’s personal life and
makes us see how Jack was supported by his mother. It becomes a story with a
lesson wherein Jo knows how much Jack loves his mother by his way of defending
Mommy Skunk.
6. Why is an adult’s perspective on life different from that of
a child’s?
Answer. An adult’s perspective on life is different from that of a
child’s. This is because a grown-up or adult is an experienced personality. He
has more knowledge of life since he has existed for a long time and has seen
the harsh facts of life. A child’s mind is real, simple, and without any fraud
or double-mindedness. So, an adult’s perspective is always separate from that
of a child’s.
Chapter 6 – On The Face Of It
1. What is it that draws Derry towards Mr Lamb in spite of
himself?
Answer.
Derry notices Mr. Lamb is different from others. Mr. Lamb shows fearlessness on
seeing Derry’s burned face. Rather he lovingly talks to him. Derry was thinking
that his problem is big enough to make him the saddest person in the world. But
later hearing from Mr. Lamb, he finds his problem to be a small one and starts
managing Mr. Lamb. I believe that the unusual conversation between Mr. Lamb and
Derry has pulled him towards Mr. Lamb notwithstanding himself.
2. In which section of the play does Mr Lamb display signs of
loneliness and disappointment? What are the ways in which Mr Lamb tries to
overcome these feelings?
Answer. It is midway in the first scene of the story that Mr. Lamb exhibits
signs of loneliness and disappointment. Although the solitude of Derry controls
the play, there are evident shades of Mr. Lamb’s loneliness during the first
view of the play. Mr. Lamb shows signs of separation when Derry says that he
had listened to a lot of passive things about Mr. Lamb. Mr. Lamb decides to
overcome those emotions by listening to the song of the bees in the beehive on
the tree in his garden. These are the ways in which Mr. Lamb tries to overcome
his loneliness.
3. The actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical
impairment is often much less than the sense of alienation felt by the person
with disabilities. What is the kind of behaviour that the person expects from
others?
Answer. A person with physical impairment can live life with honour and
respect if he is not exposed and punished with ruthless pity. He expects
compassion rather than sympathy. Being with a weakness doesn’t mean one is not
human. It is an individual with just a tiny defect. There is no necessity for
the alienation of disabled people. Helping them in improving their skills,
notwithstanding their inabilities, by acting ordinarily with them would be a
great thing to do. That is something they would expect from us.
4. Will Derry get back to his old seclusion or will Mr Lamb’s
brief association effect a change in the kind of life he will lead in the
future?
Answer. No, Derry will not get back to his privacy. The small association of Derry with Mr. Lamb raised his self-assurance and encouraged him to respect himself. I think Mr. Lamb’s brief association would bring a difference in the life of Derry that he is going to lead in his future. It’s because within a short period Mr. Lamb made him satisfied and comfortable. He has also taught Derry the wish to work for something rather than thinking about his broken face. This will definitely change Derry’s approach towards other people and will surely have an impact on the life that he is going to lead in the future.
Chapter 7 – Evans Tries An O-Level
Page Number: 92
1. Reflecting on the story, what did you feel about Evans’
having the last laugh?
Answer.
Evans smartly devised and executed the plan of his escape. He managed to fool
everyone till the end of the story. It was Evan who had the last laugh. He gave
false clues to misguide the officials following him. The story describes how
criminals are one step ahead of prison officials. As earlier said, Evan smartly
executed the plan of release after all, providing strict care for the smooth
handling of the Examination. Evan made all the arrangements to escape by just
sitting in jail. His friends joined and Mc Leery helped him in escaping by
deceiving the governor. They arranged the car where Evan could change his
makeup and clothes. With his victorious escape, Evans definitely had a
well-earned last laugh.
2. When Stephens comes back to the cell he jumps to a conclusion
and the whole machinery blindly goes by his assumption without even checking
the identity of the injured ‘McLeery’. Does this show how hasty conjectures can
prevent one from seeing the obvious? How is the criminal able to predict such
negligence?
Answer. Evans was a perceptive and smart criminal. He had evaluated the
vulnerabilities of the prison staff successfully. Stephen was a new recruit to
the prison setup. When he noticed the wounded McCleery in the cell he was so
overcome that he did not verify who he was and neither did anyone else. It did
not happen to anyone to ask how there could be two persons, one of them in the
cell and the another who had been accompanied out by Stephens. It was for this
reason that buddies of Evans, who, acting as the Governor on the telephone,
addressed Stephens that he should accompany the person done with his exams. The
Governor and his officers lead Evans out of the jail. The question paper was
left behind to deceive the Governor. This proves that Evans the convict had
sufficient time to analyze the behaviour of the jail officers and prepare their
strategy well.
3. What could the Governor have done to securely bring back
Evans to prison when he caught him at the Golden Lion? Does that final act of
foolishness really prove that “he was just another good-for-a-giggle, gullible
governor, that was all”?
Answer.
The Governor took all the forethought to assure that Evans should not have any
risk to escape from the prison. He even traced and caught him at the Golden
Lion after his magnificent release from jail. His cocksureness once again
showed that he was no equal to the smart and cunning Evans. The Governor, after
getting proof from the question paper, traced Evans at the Golden Lion. When he
entered the room he was stunned to see the Governor. Evans gave no action and
was imprisoned. The innocent Governor rejoiced over his victory and said
goodbye to him. Evans was made to sit in the police van. The Governor did not
check the identity of the driver, the officer, and the van. A little more
diligence could have avoided the escape of the sinner. If the Governor had
taken Evans to the jail cell with the arrangement of police the criminal would
not have disappeared. Their carelessness showed that he was “just another
good-for-a-giggle gullible governor”.
4. While we condemn the crime, we are sympathetic to the
criminal. Is this the reason why prison staff often develop a soft corner for
those in custody?
Answer.
The reason why the jail officer develops a soft corner for those in
imprisonment is that regular communication brings people closer. There is
increased perception between them. They may not be in a position to justify the
action but can explain it. Our opinions change when we see a criminal accepting
his punishment. This is what happens with the jail officer. By seeing the
criminal suffering in the jail, they accidentally generate a soft corner for
him in their hearts. They gaze at him as a human being and not as an illegal
character. They start seeing and appreciating their mental skills rather than
just retrieving their sin. In this story, it is said that buried somewhere in
Jackson, the senior police officer, beneath all the bluster, was a tiny core of
kindness and Evans knew it. Evans knew of the sensitive side of Jackson and so
hit it straight through his talk about “lucky charm”, and managed to fool the
strict and efficient staff. Even the Governor could not help seeing his brain
power when he found him in the hotel. Thus, he was not bitter or stern with
Evans, and regrettably, carried off with him leniently.
5. Do you agree that between crime and punishment it is mainly a
battle of wits?
Answer.
In every fight, the more powerful side wins, and this power could be mental or
physical. However, after seeing the story we can terminate that punishment and
crime, it is chiefly a battle of wits. The side which defeats the other
successes. It is not always that a culprit gets punished. Here in the story,
the police officers, though well-trained, were easily deceived by the smart
Evans who tried to escape from right under their nose. The Governor and Evans,
both tried to outwit each other. The Governor took all the forethought like
bugging the cell during the exam. He sent Stephen to accompany Mc Leery and got
the hotel exactly. Evans was also taken aback when he got to know that the
receptionist in the hotel was an informer. These are examples of the battle of
wits between crime and punishment.
Page Number: 92
Reading With Insight
1. Reflecting on the story, what did you feel about Evans’
having the last laugh?
Answer.
Evans smartly devised and executed the plan of his escape. He managed to fool
everyone till the end of the story. It was Evan who had the last laugh. He gave
false clues to misguide the officials following him. The story describes how
criminals are one step ahead of prison officials. As earlier said, Evan smartly
executed the plan of release after all, providing strict care for the smooth
handling of the Examination. Evan made all the arrangements to escape by just sitting
in jail. His friends joined and Mc Leery helped him in escaping by deceiving
the governor. They arranged the car where Evan could change his makeup and
clothes. With his victorious escape, Evans definitely had a well-earned last
laugh.
2. When Stephens comes back to the cell he jumps to a conclusion
and the whole machinery blindly goes by his assumption without even checking
the identity of the injured ‘McLeery’. Does this show how hasty conjectures can
prevent one from seeing the obvious? How is the criminal able to predict such
negligence?
Answer. Evans was a perceptive and smart criminal. He had evaluated the
vulnerabilities of the prison staff successfully. Stephen was a new recruit to
the prison setup. When he noticed the wounded McCleery in the cell he was so
overcome that he did not verify who he was and neither did anyone else. It did
not happen to anyone to ask how there could be two persons, one of them in the
cell and the another who had been accompanied out by Stephens. It was for this
reason that buddies of Evans, who, acting as the Governor on the telephone,
addressed Stephens that he should accompany the person done with his exams. The
Governor and his officers lead Evans out of the jail. The question paper was
left behind to deceive the Governor. This proves that Evans the convict had
sufficient time to analyze the behaviour of the jail officers and prepare their
strategy well.
3. What could the Governor have done to securely bring back
Evans to prison when he caught him at the Golden Lion? Does that final act of
foolishness really prove that “he was just another good-for-a-giggle, gullible
governor, that was all”?
Answer.
The Governor took all the forethought to assure that Evans should not have any
risk to escape from the prison. He even traced and caught him at the Golden
Lion after his magnificent release from jail. His cocksureness once again
showed that he was no equal to the smart and cunning Evans. The Governor, after
getting proof from the question paper, traced Evans at the Golden Lion. When he
entered the room he was stunned to see the Governor. Evans gave no action and
was imprisoned. The innocent Governor rejoiced over his victory and said
goodbye to him. Evans was made to sit in the police van. The Governor did not
check the identity of the driver, the officer, and the van. A little more
diligence could have avoided the escape of the sinner. If the Governor had
taken Evans to the jail cell with the arrangement of police the criminal would
not have disappeared. Their carelessness showed that he was “just another
good-for-a-giggle gullible governor”.
4. While we condemn the crime, we are sympathetic to the
criminal. Is this the reason why prison staff often develop a soft corner for
those in custody?
Answer.
The reason why the jail officer develops a soft corner for those in
imprisonment is that regular communication brings people closer. There is
increased perception between them. They may not be in a position to justify the
action but can explain it. Our opinions change when we see a criminal accepting
his punishment. This is what happens with the jail officer. By seeing the
criminal suffering in the jail, they accidentally generate a soft corner for
him in their hearts. They gaze at him as a human being and not as an illegal
character. They start seeing and appreciating their mental skills rather than
just retrieving their sin. In this story, it is said that buried somewhere in
Jackson, the senior police officer, beneath all the bluster, was a tiny core of
kindness and Evans knew it. Evans knew of the sensitive side of Jackson and so
hit it straight through his talk about “lucky charm”, and managed to fool the
strict and efficient staff. Even the Governor could not help seeing his brain
power when he found him in the hotel. Thus, he was not bitter or stern with
Evans, and regrettably, carried off with him leniently.
5. Do you agree that between crime and punishment it is mainly a
battle of wits?
Answer.
In every fight, the more powerful side wins, and this power could be mental or
physical. However, after seeing the story we can terminate that punishment and
crime, it is chiefly a battle of wits. The side which defeats the other
successes. It is not always that a culprit gets punished. Here in the story,
the police officers, though well-trained, were easily deceived by the smart
Evans who tried to escape from right under their nose. The Governor and Evans,
both tried to outwit each other. The Governor took all the forethought like
bugging the cell during the exam. He sent Stephen to accompany Mc Leery and got
the hotel exactly. Evans was also taken aback when he got to know that the
receptionist in the hotel was an informer. These are examples of the battle of
wits between crime and punishment.
Page Number: 100
Reading With Insight
1. The two accounts that you read above are based in two distant
cultures. What is the commonality of theme found in both of them?
Answer.
Both the autobiographical passages, based upon two different cultures,
represent the lives of two ladies from marginalized communities who look back
at their childhood and think about their relationship with mainstream culture.
‘Memories of childhood’ plays autobiographical scenes by two women from
culturally marginalized regions in two separate cultures of the world. The
thread of commonality that appears in both stories is the feeling of sadness
and insult felt by both the women of marginalized societies. One highlights the
evil practice of racial prejudice while the other talks about the hierarchical
Indian caste system and untouchability. The first account is by an American
Indian woman. The second account is characterized by a contemporary Tamil Dalit
writer. The mentioned women relate to two different cultures. Pain and sorrow
are experienced by both women in their early life. Native Indians don’t get
importance and respect for dignity in America. They are obliged to follow their
tradition, whims, and trades. The poor Indian lady was pulled out and tied to a
chair and her long and dark hair was shingled. Bama, on the other hand,
awakened early to the dehumanization of having been born in a community of
untouchables and hence directed all her power into fighting the prejudice of
such a system. Both of them fight and protest against injustice and
discrimination.
2. It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted, but
the seeds of rebellion are sowed early in life. Do you agree that injustice in
any form cannot escape being noticed even by children?
Answer.
Yes, indeed, injustice in any form can’t escape being noticed even by children.
The world is full of inequality. While the adults have grown used to this, the
innocence of childhood does not understand hate and prejudice. Innocent-looking
children have their knowledge of the world and its people. In the case of the
two extracts given in Memories of Childhood, this is evident.
Zitkala-Sa understood as soon as she entered the school run by
the whites that they meant to transform her into a distinct person than what
she had been before. In the story ‘The Cutting of my Long Hair’ the author
describes the emotional torture she has to go through because she is
discriminated against based on her race. She wants to have long and heavy hair,
it is the culture of a society. Only cowards have shingled hair among them. She
struggles and says she is defeated.
In the other extract “We too are human beings”, the writer
addresses how she and her community is neglected by society under the
appearance of untouchability. Bama has a first-hand experience of
untouchability in India. The people of high castes don’t think of the low
castes even as human beings. She had seen an elder conquered by a landlord on a
street and she observed how even the elders in her society are disrespected and
despised.
3. Bama’s experience is that of a victim of the caste system.
What kind of discrimination does Zitkala-Sa’s experience depict? What are their
responses to their respective situations?
Answer.
While Bama was subjected to untouchability and caste discrimination, Zitkala-Sa
was a victim of racial prejudice. Zitkala-Sa was packed off to a European
missionary school where, being a local tribal, she was looked down upon. Bama
and Zitkala-Sa highlight the humiliation and exploitation of the defeated
people. They write about women from marginalized societies. Zitkala-Sa belongs
to the community of native Americans and she is expelled from her community and
separated from its culture. She feels robbed of her name and dignity. The poor
girl struggles till she is defeated.
On the other hand, Bama, who saw the violation of
untouchability, decided to blur the difference of castes with the knowledge of
education. The people who belong to a low caste have to fight against the
higher caste. She is motivated by the terms of her elder sibling, now works
hard, and stands first in the class. Both Zitkala-Sa and Bama fought with
courage against the humiliation they were subjected to.
