Question 1.

Why did the legal adviser lose his job in the Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The legal adviser worked in the story department of the Gemini Studios which
was later closed by the boss. So, in this way, the legal adviser lost his job.

Question 2.
What do you understand by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make up?
Answer:
The makeup room was glowed by many incandescent lights which produced very
fiery heat. Artists had to face that extreme heat as they had to sit there for
makeup. They were pitiful and could not do anything in this regard.

Question 3.
What was the poet’s preconceived idea about communism?
Answer:
The poet opined that the communists were heart-less and godless persons. They
did not love their wife, children as well as relatives. They were always ready for
violence and to tease the innocent people.

Question 4.
Who was Greta Garbo?
Answer:
Greta Garbo was a Swedish actress who received honorary Oscar for her
unforgettable screen performances. Guiness Book of World Records named her
the most beautiful woman who ever lived and she was also voted Best Silent
Actress of the country.

What do you infer of Robert Clive from the text?

Answer:
Robert Clive was Commander-in-Chief of British India who owned many buildings
in Madras and fought many battles and married a maiden in St. Mary’s Church in
Fort St. George in Madras.

Question 6.
What do you understand by national integration?
Answer:
The national integration is a combination which consists of each and every, many
castes, tribes and communities in it. National Integration is above than any of the
religion or thinking and it unites various people from various places and cultures.

Question 7.
What is a hierarchy?
Answer:
Hierarchy is a process in which members of any of the organigation or society are
ranked according to relatives their, their status and authorities.

Question 8.
What is the designation‘a office boy’ signify?
Answer:
The office boy is a person of no age limit who works in various offices and
departments. He simply does the ordinary or menial tasks as fetching the coffee
or drinks, filing, introducing visitors to the office etc.

Question 9.
What happened with Subbu’s literary achieve-ments? ‘
Answer:
Though, Subbu was a tailor made for films but he had a talent of poetry and
writing novels. Later, as his filmy career grew higher, his literary talent and
achievements were overshadowed and dwarfed by his own success.

Question 10.
What could be the reason of the shut of the story department?
Answer:
The story department was comprised of many poets and writers and also a lawyer
with them. But later, it was closed. The possible reason for the shutting down of
the story department may be its uselessness or unbearable expenses or regular
salary of the members and less output in return.

Question 11.
Which poets from England were known to the Gemini Studios’ staff ?
Answer:
The ordinary staff of the Gemini Studios knew or heard about Wordsworth and
Tennyson; and the more literate ones knew of Keats, Shelly and Byron or about
Eliot. But they didn’t know about Stephen Spender, who was invited at the
Gemini Studios.

Question 12.
‘The God That Failed’ was the composition of six eminent men of letters.
Describe.
Answer:
The God That Failed’ contained six separate essays of six renowned essayists
about their journeys into communism and their disillusioned return. Those six
distinguished writers were : Andre Gide, Richard Wright, Ignazio Silone, Arthur
Koestler, Louis Fischer and Stephen Spender.

Question 13.
What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?
Answer:
The writer means that the artists who were subjected to make-up had to bear
very intense heat due to the multiple incandescent lights and reflecting big
mirrors.

Question 14.
What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
Answer:
Make-up department is the fine example of national integration that the author
refers to as people from various and distinct parts of India used to work there
together.

Question 15.
What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the
studios? Why was he disappointed?
Answer:
During the crowd shooting in the Gemini Studios, the office boy used to paint
their faces slapping with heavy paint. Thinking that he would become a top star,
screen writer or a director or lyrics writer; he joined the Gemini Studios. He
couldn’t succeed and was disappointed due to his faliure and thought that his
talent was going to be wasted.
Question 16.
Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
Answer:
The author’s duty was to cut the newspaper clip-pings for the subject, arrange
them in a file and some-times writing by hand and this work appeared to be
^useless or valueless in others’ view.

Question 17.
Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
Answer:
The office boy was frustrated because he assumed that his talent was being
wasted working in a department that was suitable only for barbers and perverts.
He showed his anger on Kothamangalam Subbu for his negligence and
dishonour.

Question 18.
Who was Subbu’s principal?
Answer:
Mr. S.S. Vasan, the owner of the Gemini Studios, was the principal of Subbu.

Question 19.
Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.
Answer:
Though Subbu was a versatile character having many qualities, nevertheless his
main four abilites can be counted as following: he was tailor-made for films,
could solve any of the problem; he, being a poet could write any type of poetry;
he was always joyful and having very sound relationship with his relatives and
acquaintances; and lastly he was also having a talent of writing novels.

Question 20.
Why was the legal advisor referred to as the opposite by others?
Answer:
Instead of solving the legal problems of the people, the legal advisor himself
used to create problems for them. Once, when a talented heroine heard her own
voice, she was disappointed and her growth and career became steady and
unfruitful.
Question 21.
What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The lawyer, in comparision with other members of story department, used to
wear trousers, shirts and tie whereas others wore dhotis and especially khadi. So,
sometimes wearing a coat also, the lawyer stood out different from others.

Question 22.
Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
Answer:
No, the people at Gemini Studios had no political affiliations. They wore khadi
and were devotees of Gandhiji. They didn’t have any opinion about any political
party or even with communism.

Question 23.
Why was the Moral Re-armament Army welcomed at the Studios?
Answer:
The Moral Rearmement Army was welcomed at the Gemini Studios as they
staged two successful plays many a times and the army was invited by the owner
of the Gemini Studios. They were also appreciated for their sense of costumes
and arrangements.

Question 24.
Give one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays
staged by MRA.
Answer:
The Gemini Studios was actually influenced by the sunset and sunrise scenes
presented by MRA through their play ‘Jotham Valley’, The scene seemed to be
unique with white background and a tune played on the flute.

Question 25.
Who was the boss of Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Mr. S.S. Vasan was the boss of Gemini Studios.

Question 26.
What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people
at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
People at the Gemini Studios were totally unknown about the strange accent of
the Englishman and couldn’t understand his wordings so this was the cause of
lack of communication.

Question 27.
Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery?
Answer:
Englishman’s visit is referred to as unexplained mystery because nobody could
understand the purpose of his visit as studio’s people made Tamil films for the
simplest sort of people and they had no taste for English poetry.

Question 28.
Who was the English visitor to the studios?
Answer:
Stephen Spender, an English poet and editor was the English visitor to the Gemini
Studios.

Question 29.
How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studio was?
Answer:
The author was interested in a contest organised by a British periodical ‘The
Encounter’. So for periodicals, he went to British council library where he saw the
prints of ‘The Encounter’. He discovered the editor’s name which was ‘Stephen
Spender’ an Englishman who visited the Gemini Studios

What does ‘The God That Failed’ refer to?

Answer:
‘The God That Failed’ refers to a collection of six essays by six eminent men of
letters. It was their journey to enter into the communism and their dis-illusioned
return.

Question 32.
Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No.2 in Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Kothammangalam Subbu, a Brahmin was a multi-talented personality. He used to
solve each and every problem of Gemini Studios. He was very close to the boss
and was always seemed with him. He commanded all the activities of all the
persons related to the Gemini Studios. So we can say that Subbu was the next
boss of the Gemini Studios.

Poets and Pancakes Extra Questions and

Answers Long Answer Type
Question 1.
Write a brief note on what you have learnt about Subbu’s Character?
Answer:
Subbu, Kothamangalam Subbu was a Brahmin by caste and placed at no. 2
position at the Gemini Studios. He always remained cheerful and satisfied.
Though he was very generous to all people of the Gemini Studios as well as all
the relatives and acquaintances, yet he too was having his woes. People disliked
him because of his closeness to the boss. He was very loyal to his boss.

At Gemini Studios, he had the solution of all problems at one place. He seemed
to be indulged in every important affair of the company. He also had the artistic
talent as he was a poet and novelist also. He used to write in a simple way for
common mass as he composed several folk dictions and deftly created characters
for novel. He was an amazing actor though never acted for a lead role but got
more praise than the main character. He was a tailor-made actor with
unmatchable capacities.

Question 2.
What was Moral Re-armament Army? Describe about their journey to the Gemini
Studios?
Answer:
Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-armament Army came to the Gemini Studios in 1952.
It was a drama company with 200 strong and expert artists named as
international cricus. All those persons belonged to twenty different countries.
They performed two different plays successfully representing simple homilies
with fine dressings and an effective set.
Plays played by the players were ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ which
were widely appreciated by the members of the studios. The scenes of sunrise
and sunset were hugely copied by the audience for many years. Those scenes
were played on a bare stage with a white background and a tune was played on
the flute. Thus MRA influenced the spectators in a very impressive manner.

Question 3.
Describe the make-up department of Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The make-up department of the Gemini Studios was established on the upstairs
of a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s stables. The make-up
room had the look of a hair-cutting salon with lights at all angles. The lights were
incandescent which produced the extreme heat and about half dozen big mirrors
reflected the light, that was totally unbearable for the artists to be made-up.

The make-up department was first headed by a Bengali who when left, a
Maharashtrian headed it with an assistant Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a
Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the usual local Tamils. In this
way, there was a great deal of national integration. A strict hierarchy could be
noticed at make-up department. The chief make-up man attended to the chief
actors and actresses. His senior assistant looked to the ‘second’ hero and heroine,
the junior assistant the main comedian and so forth.

The players who played the crowd were the responsibility of the office boy. He
used to mix his paint in a giant vessel and slap it on the crowd players. So, the
gang of nationally integrated make-up men could turn any decent-looking
person into a hideous crimson hued monster with the help of truck-loads of
Pancake and a number of other locally made potions and lotions. Thus, the
make-up room was not less than a torcher room for the artists who were to be
prepared for the shoot.

Question 4.
How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the
audience at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Only Tamil films were made in the Gemini Studios and the peoples of the Gemini
Studios had nothing to do with the English poetry. Not any of the English visitor
could generate any point of interest among Gemini Studios’ peoples regarding
English poetry and they were also unable to understand the strange and different
accent of the Englishmen. So it was surely the incongruity of an English poet ad-
dressing the audience at Gemini Studios and the anthor found no productivity of
any talent or knowledge through the visits of Englishmen.

Question 5.
What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the
account?
Answer:
Author, though had a work of newspaper cutting collection in the Gemini Studios
but undoubtedly this belonged to his literary taste which also required the sound
knowledge of literature.

He needed be aware about different papers and periodicals also. After his
retirement, he continued reading habit so once when he found a low priced
edition of‘The God That Failed’, he immediately bought it. This account reveals
his literary taste that made him a successful writer also.

Question 6.
The author has used gentle humour to point out human problems. Pick out
instances of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting.
Answer:
Many instances of humour are used by the author in this piece. Scenes of
makeup department and usage of Pancakes is very humorous. It was more a hair
cutting saloon than the makeup room containing too much lights and mirrors.
Makeup team could easily convert an ordinary man into a hideous crimson hued
monster.

According to the strict hierarchy, people were fixed for various levels artists. A
office boy, though a 40 years man he was, joined the Gemini Studios to become a
star actor, a writer or a lyricist but failed and started to motivate others though he
himself had as failed to achieve his aim.

Question 1.
Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to us as unexplained mystery? (2002 Delhi)
Answer:
The visit of the Englishman raised many queries and doubts in the minds of those who
were working in Gemini Studios. The Englishman’s name was unfamiliar and his
credentials too were unconfirmed. No one could understand his speech so everyone
wondered why he had come to a film studio that made Tamil films for simple people
who had no interest in English poetry.

Question 2.
Who was the English visitor to the studios and what was the purpose of his visit? (2004
Delhi; 2011 Comptt. Delhi)
Answer:
The Englishman who visited the studios was Stephen Spender. He was an English poet
and the editor of a British periodical, ‘The Encounter’. He visited the studio to deliver a
speech at the invitation of Mr. Vasan who was the boss of Gemini Studios. He was
unable to establish a rapport with his dazed audience. No one really understood the
purpose of his visit. Even his identity was discovered by Asokamitran years later, that
too by sheer chance.

Question 3.
What was MRA and why it was welcomed at the Gemini Studios? (2005 Delhi)
Answer:
The MRA, the Moral Rearmament Army, was a kind of counter movement to
international communism. They were welcomed at the Gemini Studios due to their
political affiliations. The big boss of the studio, Mr. Vasan literally played into their
hands. Also, people at the Gemini Studios were averse to communism. So the Moral
Rearmament Army could not have found a better host in India than the Gemini Studios,
who welcomed them warmly.

Question 4.
How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the
audience at Gemini Studios? (2006 Delhi)
Answer:
The English poet’s address was a complete misfit in the midst of the Tamil knowing
audience at Gemini Studios. His speech was incongruous and his accent so indistinct
that no one actually understood a word of what he said. He was talking about the thrills
and travails of an English poet to a dazed audience. Finally, neither the Englishman
himself nor his audience understood why they were going through the entire ordeal.

Question 5.
Why did everybody in the studio think of giving the author some work to do? (2008
Delhi)
Answer:
The author’s job was to cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and
store them in files. Most people saw him doing this and considered it as useless work
as they felt he was doing next to nothing. So everyone in the studio thought of giving the
author some work to do.

Question 6.
Why did the ‘boy’ in the makeup department come to the author? Why was the author
praying for crowd shooting all the time? (2008 Outside Delhi)

Answer:
The ‘boy’ in the makeup department thought that he had a great literary talent and he wanted to
enlighten the author how this talent was being allowed to go waste and that the department
was fit for barbers and perverts. The author was very eager to avoid his epical narrations so he
prayed for crowd-shooting all the time to keep the ‘boyv’ busy.

Question 7.
Who was Subbu’s enemy? Why? (2008 Delhi)
Answer:
Subbu’s enemy was the ‘boy’ at the make-up department. All his anger and frustration
were directed against him. The boy was convinced that Subbu was the cause of his
woes and miseries. This ‘boy’ was jealous of Subbu’s rising stars, his success and his
intimacy with the boss.

Question 8.
What were the positive qualities of Subbu that the writer admired? (2009 Delhi; 2011
Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The writer admired Subbu as he was a multi¬faceted genius and gave a new direction
and . definition to Gemini Studios. Subbu knew the technicalities and details of film-
making and was a good actor and writer. He was civil, friendly and completely devoted
to his boss, Mr. Vasan.

Question 9.
Account for Subbu’s importance in Gemini Studios. (2009 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
Subbu was a multi-faceted genius. He was a poet, a writer and a great actor. He gave a
new meaning and direction not only to Gemini Studios but also to the art of film-making
by using all his energy and creativity to the company’s advantage. Moreover, because of
his noble and charitable nature he was loved by almost everyone.

How did the people of Madras and those at Gemini Studios respond to the plays staged by the
Moral Re-Armament Army? (2010 Outside Delhi )
Answer:
The Moral Re-Armament Army presented two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’
in a very professional manner. The people at Gemini Studios saw the plays over and over again.
Though the message was plain, the costumes and sets were first rate. These plays ran several
shows in Madras and left a great impact on the studios and on Madras in general. For some
years almost all Tamil plays imitated the scenes of sunrise and sunset of ‘Jotham Valley’.

Why was the Moral Re-armament Army welcomed at the Gemini Studios? (2010 Outside
Delhi; 2011 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The Moral Re-armament Army was a kind of counter movement to International
Communism. The big boss of Gemini Studios, Mr. Vasan literally played into their
hands. People at the Gemini Studios had an aversion to communism. So the Moral Re-
armament Army could not have found a better host in India than the Gemini Studios
who welcomed them warmly.

Question 13.
Give one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by
MRA. (2010 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The MRA staged two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’. These were
presented in the most professional manner. The six hundred strong Gemini family saw
these plays numerous times because of their fabulous sets and costumes. For years
the Gemini Studios copied the sets and costumes in the manner of ‘Jotham Valley’. Also
for some years almost all Tamil plays had a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner
of ‘Jotham Valley’.

Question 14.
Which example of national integration in Gemini Studios is given in ‘Poets and
Pancakes’? (2010 Comptt. Delhi)
Answer:
The make-up department of the Gemini Studios gave a rare example of national
integration. The department was first headed by a Bengali who was succeeded by a
Maharashtrian. He was assisted by a Kannadiga from Dharwar, an Andhra, a Madras
Indian Christian and an Anglo-Burmese. Then there were the usual local Tamils. All this
gave ample proof of national integration.

Question 15.
Why did Asokamirtan pray for crowd¬shooting all the time? (2010 Comptt. Outside
Delhi)
Answer:
Asokamirtan was wrongly believed to have nothing to do so the office-boy often came
to his cubicle to give an outlet to his frustrations and stress the fact that a great talent
was being wasted. The author was bored with the office boy’s never-ending babble and
prayed for crowd-shooting all the time so that the boy remained busy and did not pester
him.
Question 16.
Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at Gemini studios? (2011 Delhi; 2012
Delhi)
Answer:
The author’s job was to sit at his desk and tear up newspapers all day. He used to cut
newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and stored them in files. His job was
not directly related to film making at the studio. So he appeared to be doing nothing at
Gemini Studios.

Question 17.
How did the author discover who the English visitor to the Studios was? (2012 Delhi)
Or
How did Asokamitran come to know that the English visitor to the Gemini Studios was
Stephen Spender? (2012 Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Answer:
Years later, when Asokamitran was out of Gemini Studios he bought a pile of brand new
books at a reduced price from a footpath in front of Madras Mount Road Post Office. In
a book ‘The God That Failed’ six eminent writers had described their journeys into
communism. It was in this book that he came across the name of Stephen Spender and
finally discovered the identity of the English visitor to the Studios.

Question 18.
What made the lawyer lose his job? What does the writer find so funny about the
situation? (2012 Delhi; 2013 Delhi)
Answer:
The lawyer was the legal adviser of an assembly of writers of the Gemini Studio’s Story
Department. One day, the Boss terminated the services of the poets and writers as he
found their contribution to the Studio negligible. With the closure of the Story
Department the lawyer too lost his job. The writer found this situation funny because
the lawyer lost his job as the poets and writers were told to go.

Question 19.
Why was the office boy disappointed with his job in the Gemini Studios? (2012 Outside
Delhi)
Answer:
The office boy had come to work in the Gemini Studios in the hope of becoming a star
or a renowned screen writer, director or lyricist. But he felt disappointed because in
spite of having crossed the age of forty he had not been able to fulfil any of his dreams.
Poets and Pancakes Important
Questions Class 12 English
December 7, 2019 by Bhagya

Poets and Pancakes Important Questions

CBSE Class 12 English
1. Answer each of the following questions in about 30-40 words:

Question 1.
Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to us as unexplained mystery? (2002 Delhi)
Answer:
The visit of the Englishman raised many queries and doubts in the minds of those who
were working in Gemini Studios. The Englishman’s name was unfamiliar and his
credentials too were unconfirmed. No one could understand his speech so everyone
wondered why he had come to a film studio that made Tamil films for simple people
who had no interest in English poetry.

Question 2.
Who was the English visitor to the studios and what was the purpose of his visit? (2004
Delhi; 2011 Comptt. Delhi)
Answer:
The Englishman who visited the studios was Stephen Spender. He was an English poet
and the editor of a British periodical, ‘The Encounter’. He visited the studio to deliver a
speech at the invitation of Mr. Vasan who was the boss of Gemini Studios. He was
unable to establish a rapport with his dazed audience. No one really understood the
purpose of his visit. Even his identity was discovered by Asokamitran years later, that
too by sheer chance.

Question 3.
What was MRA and why it was welcomed at the Gemini Studios? (2005 Delhi)
Answer:
The MRA, the Moral Rearmament Army, was a kind of counter movement to
international communism. They were welcomed at the Gemini Studios due to their
political affiliations. The big boss of the studio, Mr. Vasan literally played into their
hands. Also, people at the Gemini Studios were averse to communism. So the Moral
Rearmament Army could not have found a better host in India than the Gemini Studios,
who welcomed them warmly.
Question 4.
How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the
audience at Gemini Studios? (2006 Delhi)
Answer:
The English poet’s address was a complete misfit in the midst of the Tamil knowing
audience at Gemini Studios. His speech was incongruous and his accent so indistinct
that no one actually understood a word of what he said. He was talking about the thrills
and travails of an English poet to a dazed audience. Finally, neither the Englishman
himself nor his audience understood why they were going through the entire ordeal.

Question 5.
Why did everybody in the studio think of giving the author some work to do? (2008
Delhi)
Answer:
The author’s job was to cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and
store them in files. Most people saw him doing this and considered it as useless work
as they felt he was doing next to nothing. So everyone in the studio thought of giving the
author some work to do.

Question 6.
Why did the ‘boy’ in the makeup department come to the author? Why was the author
praying for crowd shooting all the time? (2008 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The ‘boy’ in the makeup department thought that he had a great literary talent and he
wanted to enlighten the author how this talent was being allowed to go waste and that
the department was fit for barbers and perverts. The author was very eager to avoid his
epical narrations so he prayed for crowd-shooting all the time to keep the ‘boy’ busy.

Question 7.
Who was Subbu’s enemy? Why? (2008 Delhi)
Answer:
Subbu’s enemy was the ‘boy’ at the make-up department. All his anger and frustration
were directed against him. The boy was convinced that Subbu was the cause of his
woes and miseries. This ‘boy’ was jealous of Subbu’s rising stars, his success and his
intimacy with the boss.

Question 8.
What were the positive qualities of Subbu that the writer admired? (2009 Delhi; 2011
Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The writer admired Subbu as he was a multi¬faceted genius and gave a new direction
and . definition to Gemini Studios. Subbu knew the technicalities and details of film-
making and was a good actor and writer. He was civil, friendly and completely devoted
to his boss, Mr. Vasan.

Question 9.
Account for Subbu’s importance in Gemini Studios. (2009 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
Subbu was a multi-faceted genius. He was a poet, a writer and a great actor. He gave a
new meaning and direction not only to Gemini Studios but also to the art of film-making
by using all his energy and creativity to the company’s advantage. Moreover, because of
his noble and charitable nature he was loved by almost everyone.

Question 10.
Why was Subbu considered number two at Gemini Studios? (2009 Outside Delhi; 2012
Comptt. Delhi)
Answer:
Subbu was a go-getter and made a position for himself in the studios by pushing his
way to the forefront with flattery. Mr. Vasan was the boss at Gemini Studios and Subbu,
his right-hand man, became the number two at Gemini Studios. Subbu used his entire
creativity to his boss’s advantage. He was a multi-faceted genius and if a producer was
not satisfied Subbu would come up with fourteen alternatives. With Subbu around, film-
making became a sheer pleasure. Moreover Subbu gave direction and definition to
Gemini Studios during its golden years.

Question 11.
How did the people of Madras and those at Gemini Studios respond to the plays staged
by the Moral Re-Armament Army? (2010 Outside Delhi )
Answer:
The Moral Re-Armament Army presented two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten
Factor’ in a very professional manner. The people at Gemini Studios saw the plays over
and over again. Though the message was plain, the costumes and sets were first rate.
These plays ran several shows in Madras and left a great impact on the studios and on
Madras in general. For some years almost all Tamil plays imitated the scenes of sunrise
and sunset of ‘Jotham Valley’.

Question 12.
Why was the Moral Re-armament Army welcomed at the Gemini Studios? (2010 Outside
Delhi; 2011 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The Moral Re-armament Army was a kind of counter movement to International
Communism. The big boss of Gemini Studios, Mr. Vasan literally played into their
hands. People at the Gemini Studios had an aversion to communism. So the Moral Re-
armament Army could not have found a better host in India than the Gemini Studios
who welcomed them warmly.
Question 13.
Give one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by
MRA. (2010 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The MRA staged two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’. These were
presented in the most professional manner. The six hundred strong Gemini family saw
these plays numerous times because of their fabulous sets and costumes. For years
the Gemini Studios copied the sets and costumes in the manner of ‘Jotham Valley’. Also
for some years almost all Tamil plays had a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner
of ‘Jotham Valley’.

Question 14.
Which example of national integration in Gemini Studios is given in ‘Poets and
Pancakes’? (2010 Comptt. Delhi)
Answer:
The make-up department of the Gemini Studios gave a rare example of national
integration. The department was first headed by a Bengali who was succeeded by a
Maharashtrian. He was assisted by a Kannadiga from Dharwar, an Andhra, a Madras
Indian Christian and an Anglo-Burmese. Then there were the usual local Tamils. All this
gave ample proof of national integration.

Question 15.
Why did Asokamirtan pray for crowd¬shooting all the time? (2010 Comptt. Outside
Delhi)
Answer:
Asokamirtan was wrongly believed to have nothing to do so the office-boy often came
to his cubicle to give an outlet to his frustrations and stress the fact that a great talent
was being wasted. The author was bored with the office boy’s never-ending babble and
prayed for crowd-shooting all the time so that the boy remained busy and did not pester
him.

Question 16.
Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at Gemini studios? (2011 Delhi; 2012
Delhi)
Answer:
The author’s job was to sit at his desk and tear up newspapers all day. He used to cut
newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and stored them in files. His job was
not directly related to film making at the studio. So he appeared to be doing nothing at
Gemini Studios.

Question 17.
How did the author discover who the English visitor to the Studios was? (2012 Delhi)
Or
How did Asokamitran come to know that the English visitor to the Gemini Studios was
Stephen Spender? (2012 Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Answer:
Years later, when Asokamitran was out of Gemini Studios he bought a pile of brand new
books at a reduced price from a footpath in front of Madras Mount Road Post Office. In
a book ‘The God That Failed’ six eminent writers had described their journeys into
communism. It was in this book that he came across the name of Stephen Spender and
finally discovered the identity of the English visitor to the Studios.

Question 18.
What made the lawyer lose his job? What does the writer find so funny about the
situation? (2012 Delhi; 2013 Delhi)
Answer:
The lawyer was the legal adviser of an assembly of writers of the Gemini Studio’s Story
Department. One day, the Boss terminated the services of the poets and writers as he
found their contribution to the Studio negligible. With the closure of the Story
Department the lawyer too lost his job. The writer found this situation funny because
the lawyer lost his job as the poets and writers were told to go.

Question 19.
Why was the office boy disappointed with his job in the Gemini Studios? (2012 Outside
Delhi)
Answer:
The office boy had come to work in the Gemini Studios in the hope of becoming a star
or a renowned screen writer, director or lyricist. But he felt disappointed because in
spite of having crossed the age of forty he had not been able to fulfil any of his dreams.

Poets and Pancakes Important

Questions Class 12 English
December 7, 2019 by Bhagya

Poets and Pancakes Important Questions

CBSE Class 12 English
1. Answer each of the following questions in about 30-40 words:
Question 1.
Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to us as unexplained mystery? (2002 Delhi)
Answer:
The visit of the Englishman raised many queries and doubts in the minds of those who
were working in Gemini Studios. The Englishman’s name was unfamiliar and his
credentials too were unconfirmed. No one could understand his speech so everyone
wondered why he had come to a film studio that made Tamil films for simple people
who had no interest in English poetry.

Question 2.
Who was the English visitor to the studios and what was the purpose of his visit? (2004
Delhi; 2011 Comptt. Delhi)
Answer:
The Englishman who visited the studios was Stephen Spender. He was an English poet
and the editor of a British periodical, ‘The Encounter’. He visited the studio to deliver a
speech at the invitation of Mr. Vasan who was the boss of Gemini Studios. He was
unable to establish a rapport with his dazed audience. No one really understood the
purpose of his visit. Even his identity was discovered by Asokamitran years later, that
too by sheer chance.

Question 3.
What was MRA and why it was welcomed at the Gemini Studios? (2005 Delhi)
Answer:
The MRA, the Moral Rearmament Army, was a kind of counter movement to
international communism. They were welcomed at the Gemini Studios due to their
political affiliations. The big boss of the studio, Mr. Vasan literally played into their
hands. Also, people at the Gemini Studios were averse to communism. So the Moral
Rearmament Army could not have found a better host in India than the Gemini Studios,
who welcomed them warmly.

Question 4.
How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the
audience at Gemini Studios? (2006 Delhi)
Answer:
The English poet’s address was a complete misfit in the midst of the Tamil knowing
audience at Gemini Studios. His speech was incongruous and his accent so indistinct
that no one actually understood a word of what he said. He was talking about the thrills
and travails of an English poet to a dazed audience. Finally, neither the Englishman
himself nor his audience understood why they were going through the entire ordeal.

Question 5.
Why did everybody in the studio think of giving the author some work to do? (2008
Delhi)
Answer:
The author’s job was to cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and
store them in files. Most people saw him doing this and considered it as useless work
as they felt he was doing next to nothing. So everyone in the studio thought of giving the
author some work to do.

Question 6.
Why did the ‘boy’ in the makeup department come to the author? Why was the author
praying for crowd shooting all the time? (2008 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The ‘boy’ in the makeup department thought that he had a great literary talent and he
wanted to enlighten the author how this talent was being allowed to go waste and that
the department was fit for barbers and perverts. The author was very eager to avoid his
epical narrations so he prayed for crowd-shooting all the time to keep the ‘boy’ busy.

Question 7.
Who was Subbu’s enemy? Why? (2008 Delhi)
Answer:
Subbu’s enemy was the ‘boy’ at the make-up department. All his anger and frustration
were directed against him. The boy was convinced that Subbu was the cause of his
woes and miseries. This ‘boy’ was jealous of Subbu’s rising stars, his success and his
intimacy with the boss.

Question 8.
What were the positive qualities of Subbu that the writer admired? (2009 Delhi; 2011
Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The writer admired Subbu as he was a multi¬faceted genius and gave a new direction
and . definition to Gemini Studios. Subbu knew the technicalities and details of film-
making and was a good actor and writer. He was civil, friendly and completely devoted
to his boss, Mr. Vasan.

Question 9.
Account for Subbu’s importance in Gemini Studios. (2009 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
Subbu was a multi-faceted genius. He was a poet, a writer and a great actor. He gave a
new meaning and direction not only to Gemini Studios but also to the art of film-making
by using all his energy and creativity to the company’s advantage. Moreover, because of
his noble and charitable nature he was loved by almost everyone.

Question 10.
Why was Subbu considered number two at Gemini Studios? (2009 Outside Delhi; 2012
Comptt. Delhi)
Answer:
Subbu was a go-getter and made a position for himself in the studios by pushing his
way to the forefront with flattery. Mr. Vasan was the boss at Gemini Studios and Subbu,
his right-hand man, became the number two at Gemini Studios. Subbu used his entire
creativity to his boss’s advantage. He was a multi-faceted genius and if a producer was
not satisfied Subbu would come up with fourteen alternatives. With Subbu around, film-
making became a sheer pleasure. Moreover Subbu gave direction and definition to
Gemini Studios during its golden years.

Question 11.
How did the people of Madras and those at Gemini Studios respond to the plays staged
by the Moral Re-Armament Army? (2010 Outside Delhi )
Answer:
The Moral Re-Armament Army presented two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten
Factor’ in a very professional manner. The people at Gemini Studios saw the plays over
and over again. Though the message was plain, the costumes and sets were first rate.
These plays ran several shows in Madras and left a great impact on the studios and on
Madras in general. For some years almost all Tamil plays imitated the scenes of sunrise
and sunset of ‘Jotham Valley’.

Question 12.
Why was the Moral Re-armament Army welcomed at the Gemini Studios? (2010 Outside
Delhi; 2011 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The Moral Re-armament Army was a kind of counter movement to International
Communism. The big boss of Gemini Studios, Mr. Vasan literally played into their
hands. People at the Gemini Studios had an aversion to communism. So the Moral Re-
armament Army could not have found a better host in India than the Gemini Studios
who welcomed them warmly.

Question 13.
Give one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by
MRA. (2010 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The MRA staged two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’. These were
presented in the most professional manner. The six hundred strong Gemini family saw
these plays numerous times because of their fabulous sets and costumes. For years
the Gemini Studios copied the sets and costumes in the manner of ‘Jotham Valley’. Also
for some years almost all Tamil plays had a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner
of ‘Jotham Valley’.

Question 14.
Which example of national integration in Gemini Studios is given in ‘Poets and
Pancakes’? (2010 Comptt. Delhi)
Answer:
The make-up department of the Gemini Studios gave a rare example of national
integration. The department was first headed by a Bengali who was succeeded by a
Maharashtrian. He was assisted by a Kannadiga from Dharwar, an Andhra, a Madras
Indian Christian and an Anglo-Burmese. Then there were the usual local Tamils. All this
gave ample proof of national integration.

Question 15.
Why did Asokamirtan pray for crowd¬shooting all the time? (2010 Comptt. Outside
Delhi)
Answer:
Asokamirtan was wrongly believed to have nothing to do so the office-boy often came
to his cubicle to give an outlet to his frustrations and stress the fact that a great talent
was being wasted. The author was bored with the office boy’s never-ending babble and
prayed for crowd-shooting all the time so that the boy remained busy and did not pester
him.

Question 16.
Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at Gemini studios? (2011 Delhi; 2012
Delhi)
Answer:
The author’s job was to sit at his desk and tear up newspapers all day. He used to cut
newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and stored them in files. His job was
not directly related to film making at the studio. So he appeared to be doing nothing at
Gemini Studios.

Question 17.
How did the author discover who the English visitor to the Studios was? (2012 Delhi)
Or
How did Asokamitran come to know that the English visitor to the Gemini Studios was
Stephen Spender? (2012 Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Answer:
Years later, when Asokamitran was out of Gemini Studios he bought a pile of brand new
books at a reduced price from a footpath in front of Madras Mount Road Post Office. In
a book ‘The God That Failed’ six eminent writers had described their journeys into
communism. It was in this book that he came across the name of Stephen Spender and
finally discovered the identity of the English visitor to the Studios.

Question 18.
What made the lawyer lose his job? What does the writer find so funny about the
situation? (2012 Delhi; 2013 Delhi)
Answer:
The lawyer was the legal adviser of an assembly of writers of the Gemini Studio’s Story
Department. One day, the Boss terminated the services of the poets and writers as he
found their contribution to the Studio negligible. With the closure of the Story
Department the lawyer too lost his job. The writer found this situation funny because
the lawyer lost his job as the poets and writers were told to go.

Question 19.
Why was the office boy disappointed with his job in the Gemini Studios? (2012 Outside
Delhi)
Answer:
The office boy had come to work in the Gemini Studios in the hope of becoming a star
or a renowned screen writer, director or lyricist. But he felt disappointed because in
spite of having crossed the age of forty he had not been able to fulfil any of his dreams.

Kothamangalam Subbu was treated with regard in the Gemini Studios. Why? (2012
Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Answer:
Kothamangalam Subbu was treated with regard at Gemini Studios. He held the No. 2
position there. His sense of loyalty made him turn his entire creativity to his Boss’
advantage. Moreover, he had the ability to inspire when commanded and he made the
art of film¬making appear very easy. He was a most charitable and improvident man.

Question 21.
Why is the Englishman’s visit to the Gemini Studios referred to as an unexplained
mystery? (2012 Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The Englishman addressed a dazed and silent audience at Gemini Studios. No one
knew who he was and what he was talking about. His accent also defeated any attempt
to understand what he was saying. The Englishman himself looked equally baffled due
to the incongruity of his talk. So his visit is referred to as an unexplained mystery.

Question 22.
Why did Asokamitran pray for crowd¬shooting all the time?
Answer:
Asokamitran was wrongly believed to have nothing to do so the office-boy often came
to his cubicle to give an outlet to his frustrations and stress the fact that a great talent
was being wasted. The author was bored with the office boy’s never-ending babble and
prayed for crowd-shooting all the time so that the boy remained busy and did not pester
him.

2. Answer each of the following questions in about 125-150 words.

Question 23.
Kothamangalam Subbu was a ‘many-sided genius’. Elaborate. (2000 Delhi)
Or
Why is Subbu described as a many-sided genius? Give a reasoned answer. (2013
Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Answer:
It is through the character of Kothamangalam Subbu, that the author depicts a
caricature of the so-called ‘go-getters’ who are not really talented but manage to create
an aura of talent around themselves. Though officially on the rolls of the Story
Department at Gemini Studios, he was always with the boss. Subbu directs all his
energies and creativity to his boss’ advantage. He delves into the various spheres of
film-making successfully giving the impression of being a brilliant story-writer, a
talented actor and a man who is always ready with many solutions for any problem. He
makes the art of film-making appear rather easy for his boss. Thus Subbu with his
scheming nature takes advantage of his boss’ gullibility and passes off himself as a
multi-sided genius with multi-faceted abilities.

Question 24.
Asokamitran has used humour and satire effectively in ‘Poets and Pancakes’. Discuss.
(2001 Delhi)
Or
How does humour and satire enliven the account of the events and personalities at
Gemini Studios as portrayed by Asokamitran in ‘Poets and Pancakes’? (2013 Outside
Delhi)
Answer:
In the chapter, ‘Poets and Pancakes’, Asokamitran uses a lot of subtle humour and
satire to highlight human foibles. Petty professional differences and inconsequential
differences not only keep our minds occupied but also bring out a subtle humour that is
spontaneous without being superfluous. The characterisation of the office boy, Subbu
and the legal advisor, have subtle touches of humour. Asokamitran’s chatty style
changes from one thought to the other rather quickly. For example, he makes fun of the
makeup applied to artists which can change any decent looking person into a hideous
crimson hued monster. Such references invoke laughter. The purpose of the visits of
the Moral Rearmament Army and the English poet also baffles everyone. Satire is also
directed towards people who are against communism and can go to any length to
oppose it. The writer’s tone of ridicule is devoid of the slightest trace of mockery, which
is most commendable.

Question 25.
Subbu was ‘tailor-made for films’. How did he use his genius in various activities in the
Gemini Studios? (2008 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The author portrays Subbu as a man of versatile abilities who could delve into various
aspects of film-making successfully. Subbu had mastered all the arts related to film-
making ranging from story-writing to poetry and characterisation. He was in fact ‘tailor-
made’ for film-making. Film-making seemed rather easy with an expert like Subbu
walking around as he understood all the trivialities and technicalities of film-making.
Subbu was the one who gave ‘a new direction and definition’ to the Gemini Studios
during its golden years. Subbu directed his entire energies and creativity to his boss, Mr.
Vasan’s advantage. If his boss was dissatisfied with one scene Subbu would offer him
many alternatives. He understood all the complications of film-making and could
showcase his talent in every artistic arena.

Question 26.
Why and how was the Moral Re-Armament Army welcomed at the Gemini Studios?
(2008 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament Army comprising of a group of two hundred
people belonging to twenty nationalities visited Madras in 1952. The MRA was seen to
be a counter movement to international communism and people at the Gemini Studios
did not think highly of communism and communists. But Mr. Vasan, the boss at Gemini
Studios was fascinated by the MRA, so they could not have found a ‘warmer’ host than
Gemini Studios in India. The MRA presented two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The
Forgotten Factor’ in the most professional manner. Six hundred people of the Gemini
Studios saw the plays many times. These plays conveyed simple messages but their
sets and costumes were ‘first rate’. They impressed both the Tamil drama community
and the Gemini Studios. The sunrise and sunset scenes of ‘Jotham Valley’ continued to
be copied for years to come.

Question 27.
‘Subbu was a troubleshooter.’ Do you agree with this statement? Give an account of
Subbu’s qualities of head and heart. (2012 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
Subbu was a perfectly selfish go-getter whose obsequiousness brought him close to his
boss and shot him to number two position at Gemini Studios. He was a very conniving
person who took advantage of his boss’ gullibility and portrayed himself as a rather
competent and able person. Though he was undeserving and lacked talent, he always
remained cheerful and did not let anything dampen his spirits. He always had
something good to say about everyone. Film-making appeared easy with an expert like
Subbu around. He used all his energy and creativity to his boss’ advantage. Subbu was
also a great poet and an amazing actor. He wrote truly original poems for the masses
and as an actor he played secondary roles better than the main actors. His sycophancy
to his boss earned him enemies. Also he angered many such people who considered
themselves much more talented and deserving than him.

Question 28.
What political significance does Gemini Studios’ invitation to Moral Re-Armament army
and Stephen Spender show? (2012 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
The Moral Re-Armament army was a kind of counter movement to Communism and the
people at the Gemini Studios had a natural aversion towards Communists and
Communism. They considered that the aim of Communists was to spread unrest and
violence. So by being a ‘warm host’ to the Moral Re¬Armament army the people at the
Gemini Studios actually displayed a counter movement to the ideas of Communism. By
inviting Stephen Spender, once again the purpose of the Gemini Studios was to highlight
how a renowned English poet, who was once attracted to Communism, was later
completely disillusioned by it. This further strengthened their aversion to Communism
and they were able to publicly display this aversion.