FLAMINGO

LESSON 1 THE LAST LESSON

1. Who did M. Hamel blame when Franz was unable to answer a question on French
participles?

M. Hamel blames

 people of Alsace for postponing learning.

 parents who preferred to send their children to work in fields and mills instead of
sending them to school.
 himself for not fulfilling his duty as a teacher sincerely - by sending the children to
water the plants in the garden & declaring a holiday whenever he wanted to go for
fishing.

2.“We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with” said M. Hamel. Refer to the
context and explain what he wanted to convey to his students.

M. Hamel said it to Franz when he felt embarrassed at not being able to answer - he
consoles Franz by saying everyone in Alsace is to be blamed for them not learning
their mother tongue/parents, teacher and children all are to be blamed /Alsace puts off
learning for tomorrow.

3. Why did Hauser and the other villagers come to attend the last lesson? / Comment on
the significance of the villagers sitting at the back in M. Hamel’s classroom.

They wanted to express their repentance for their casual approach to their own
schooling
• They wanted to thank M. Hamel for his 40 years of dedicated service
• They wanted to show respect to their country which was no longer theirs (any two)

4. What words did M. Hamel write on the board before dismissing the last class? What
did they mean?
M Hamel wrote 'Vive La France! ’on the backboard to show his love for his country as
well as for the French language. In addition, he was displaying his resistance to the
German occupation of France. Indicates his patriotic fervor

5. How and why was M. Hamel dressed differently that day?

 wearing green coat, frilled shirt, black silk cap
 announced last lesson in French, German to be taught
 Proud of being French
 upset by occupation of Alsace by Germans
 attached to town, school, people.

LESSON 2
LOST SPRING- STORIES OF STOLEN CHILDHOOD

1. Why does Anees Jung say that the bangle makers are caught in a vicious web?

The bangle makers are caught in a vicious web because they

 are compelled by family and traditions to follow the same lineage as their forefathers
that too at an early age.
 are exploited at the hands of the Sahukars, middlemen, policemen, law makers,
bureaucrats and politicians
 toil day and night, but are not paid appropriate wages
 cannot form cooperatives for their betterment.  cannot dare to dream.

2. ‘Little has moved with time, it seems, in Firozabad.’ State any one reason why the
writer says this.

No progress or development despite years of mind-numbing toil - poverty, illiteracy,

dissatisfaction prevails - all labourers victims of middle men and touts.

3.What changes do you find in Saheb’s life when he stops rag picking and starts
working at a tea-stall?
Saheb got eight hundred rupees and all his meals, but he was not happy. He was
carrying a steel canister which was heavier than the plastic bag he used to carry earlier.
Saheb felt burdened, as he was no longer his own master. The canister belonged to the
tea–stall owner, whereas the plastic bags were his own. His face had lost his earlier
carefree look, for he had lost his freedom.

4. Mukesh is not like the others. “His dreams loom like a mirage amidst the dust of
streets that fill his town Firozabad‟. Justify the statement in the light of contrast in the
mindsets of Mukesh and the people of Firozabad.
Firozabad- dominated by bangle industry, most families engaged in making bangles,
work around furnaces, physically and mentally hazardous but no one dares to do
anything else - Mukesh - aspires to be a mechanic, unlike his peers, dares to dream,
determined to walk to a garage and learn to drive, his passion would help him break
away from tradition and achieve his goal.

5.Do the poor have the right to dream? Why then does the author call Mukesh's dream
'a mirage'?

Everyone has the right to dream-even Mukesh in spite of the challenges of his life • But
his dream is like a mirage • Mukesh belonged to marginalized family • disliked the
profession of bangle making • wanted to become a motor mechanic • he lives in such
poor conditions that it is impossible for him to learn to drive a car • Bound by the
tradition family of working in the bangle industry • working for years in those bangle
making mills will make him blind. • Not equipped to break out of the vicious circle of
politicians middlemen etc • so the dream is compared to a mirage/hallucination.

6.How is the bangle industry of Firozabad a curse for the bangle makers?

 high temperatures, lack of proper ventilation and light

 long working hours in front of hot furnace
 eyes are more adjusted to dark than light
 dust from polishing bangles affects their eyes
 exploited by moneylenders, police, bureaucrats, politicians
 fear of being ill treated by police
 lack of a leader who can organize them
 live in state of intense poverty
 sleep on empty stomach, live in stinky lanes overcrowded with humans and animals.

LESSON 3 DEEP WATER

1.The story Deep Water talks about Douglas’ attempts to overcome his fear of water.
The story can also be viewed as a figurative manifestation of life’s many challenges.
Elaborate with reference to the text.

Douglas’ struggle – determination to face fear—overcome it - Accept any relevant

examples from the text as a link to life’s challenges/ setbacks/ obstacles - symbolism-
deep water not just restricted to water but is a metaphor for human
fears/phobias/anxieties - significance- the struggle and journey of overcoming one’s
fears. (important to develop a connection between Douglas’ journey / determination to
face fear with life’s challenges)
2.The childhood experience of terror of Douglas made him stronger and more
determined. Elucidate the above statement supporting it with evidences from the text.
- Experience at California beach developed an aversion of water in Douglas -
Misadventure at YMCA pool because of a eighteen year old, developed fear and terror
of water in him - Swallowed water, legs paralyzed, head throbbed, felt terror that knew
no understanding - Could not go need water for years - But, gathered courage again, as
was deprived of canoeing, fishing, swimming - Hired an instructor and learnt swimming -
Terror returned every time he put his head in water but did not give up - After learning
from instructor, tested himself alone in pool, then went to fresh waters to do away with
residual doubts - Fought with his terror all through with determination and strength.

3.How did the near drowning experience at the pool affect Douglas?

Felt weak and trembling as he walked back home • Shook and cried as he lay on the
bed • Couldn’t eat that night • Haunting fear gripped him for days • Slightest exertion
tired him • Knees felt wobbly • Felt sick in the stomach • suffered from hydrophobia for
years

4. Which factors led Douglas to decide in favour of Y M C A pool?

When Douglas decided to overcome his childhood fear of water he preferred to go to
YMCA swimming pool to learn swimming because it was safe. It was only two or three
feet deep at the shallow end, and although it was nine feet at the other end, the drop
was quite gradual.
5. Mention any two long term consequences of the drowning incident on Douglas.
felt terrified near water/  feared water,  spoiled holidays,  couldn’t go swimming,
fishing or canoeing

LESSON 4 THE RATTRAP

1. What was the content of the letter written by the peddler to Edla?

The peddler had written that

 since Edla had treated him like a captain, he wanted to be nice to her in return.
 did not want her to be embarrassed at Christmas by a thief.
 had requested her to return back the crofter’s money that he had stolen
 the rattrap was a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in the
world’s rattrap, if he had not been raised to the status of captain, which motivated him to
reform himself.
 2. Explain the metaphor of the rattrap in context of the story by Selma Lagerlöf.
Use of the metaphor of rattrap to highlight story of a character getting trapped in his
avarice.- extreme greed for wealth

3.How does the story, 'Rattrap' highlight the importance of community over isolation?
Support your rationale with textual evidence.

The rattrap seller undergoes change in his personality as he experiences the shift from
isolation to community. - Rattrap seller is devoid of family and friends, he is depicted as a
loner - Instances that depict his engagement with community- hospitality of the old man,
the Christmas episode - His experience of friendship leading to a change in his persona.

4.Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?
it showed that Elda’s trust was not broken by peddler -her goodness had paid off and
peddler had transformed -she will not have to suffer criticism for trying to help a thief

5. Edla’s empathetic and compassionate behaviour changed the life of the rattrap
seller .Do you think that an act of kindness can change a person's view of the world?

The peddler had been living a despicable life of poverty, despair and frustration • he
repaid the crofter’s hospitality by stealing his earnings • he repaid the ironmaster’s
invitation to the manor house by giving a piece of his mind when the latter talked of
taking the matter to the sheriff. • the meeting with the ironmaster’s daughter was a
turning point in his life. • the kindness , the concern and the understanding that she
showed him touched the core of his heart and transformed his way of thinking. • the
ironmaster’s daughter understood that he needed security and succor • she convinced
her father to allow him to stay on in their house to share the Christmas cheer. • she
restored his dignity and self worth • she treated him like a captain of the army though
she was aware that he was a common tramp. • when the girl treated him like a Captain,
he spontaneously behaved like a real Captain. • he left a rattrap as a Christmas gift for
her and enclosed a letter of thanks and confession in it. • leaving behind the stolen
money to be restored to the owner, he redeemed himself from his dishonest ways • he
emerged as an altogether transformed person.

6.How did Edla persuade her father to let the peddler stay in their home till Christmas ?
Walks the whole year long, chased away, no home that makes him feel welcome/afraid
of being arrested/wants him to enjoy at least one day of peace/morally they ought not to
turn away a human whom they have invited for Christmas and promised Christmas
cheer.

7.A person with weaknesses is provoked by worldly pleasures and he falls prey to such
flaws in him. The real personality, according to the author, is that remains unflinching in
all sorts of provocations. It is equanimity. Explain and highlight the message inherent in
the lesson, ‘The Rattrap.’

The message inherent in the story

A person’s poor circumstances compels him to do negative things in life, but if the world
treats him with love and affection
, he can transform into a good human being.

lived an unpleasant life as a vagabond, governed by dishonesty for years

– only aim to keep body and soul together by hook or by crook
– society indifferent towards him
– developed a defiant attitude and flouted the social norms
– never came across any angelic soul 
– was never understood, sympathized, loved, or guided 
– that is why neither the crofter’s hospitality nor the iron master’s friendliness made any
impact on him
in the face of difficult situations that pursuit of joys and luxuries land him in.
inherent goodness in each one of us
– a latent spark of values can be inflamed back through love, understanding, and
compassion
– weak moments make us succumb to temptations
– greed makes us weak enough to touch the tempting bait
– urge to survive traps us all as was the peddler
– got changed by kind-hearted treatment
– passive values got revived.

8.What did the gift of the rattrap signify?

small rattrap with thirty kronors and a note  wishes money to be returned to crofter 
confesses that he had made a mistake  got caught in his own rat trap  thanks for
treating him like a real captain  turns over a new leaf  Life is one big rattrap, one gets
trapped by own deeds  everyone should get a second chance to improve oneself.
9. Edla is able to bring about a change of heart in the Peddler. Justify this with reference
to the story, ‘The Rattrap’. What qualities helped her bring about this transformation?

Edla’s kindness and hospitality awakens his conscience  The ironmaster’s daughter
treats him with respect and shows compassion and understanding towards his
condition.  She does not force herself upon him but tries to persuade him to spend
Christmas eve with them.  He reposes trust in her due to her friendliness.  Later she
persuades her father not to send the man away when his identity is revealed as they
had invited him and promised him Christmas cheer.  She also tells him that he is
welcome again next year if he wishes so.  This brings about a change in the man and
he is reformed.  Realizes that there is a way out of the trap  Returns the money
through Edla.

LESSON 5 INDIGO

1. How did Gandhiji succeed in getting justice for the Indigo sharecroppers?

Value points:  Gandhiji stayed at Muzaffarpur where he met the lawyers and concluded
that fighting through courts was not going to solve the problem of the poor
sharecroppers of Champaran.  He declared that the real relief for them was to be free
from fear. With this intention, he arrived in Champaran and contacted the Secretary of
the British Landlord’s association. The Secretary refused to provide him any
information.  After this, Gandhiji met the Commissioner of the Tirhut division who
served a notice on him to immediately leave Tirhut. Gandhiji accepted the notice by
signing it and wrote on it that he would not obey the order.  He was even willing to
court arrest for the cause of the peasants.  After four rounds of talks with the Governor,
an official commission of inquiry was appointed in which Gandhiji was made the sole
representative of the peasants.  Through this commission Gandhiji succeeded in
getting 25% of the compensation award for the poor sharecroppers from the British
landowners.  The peasants realised that they had rights and defenders. They learnt
courage.

2. When Gandhi got the whole hearted support of the lawyers, he said, “The battle
of Champaran is won‟. What was the essence behind his statement?
 Gandhi made lawyers realise their duty towards the peasants -it would be
shameful desertion on their part if they left the peasants if Gandhi was arrested -
lawyers understood, approached Gandhi and said they would accompany him to
jail -getting support of educated Indians like lawyers, Gandhi gained confidence
that now they would win against the British.

3. As the host of a talk show, introduce Rajkumar Shukla to the audience by stating
his defining qualities.
You may begin your answer like this:
Meet Rajkumar Shukla, the man who played a pivotal role in the Champaran
Movement. He ……
The question requires characteristics of Rajkumar Shukla, as inferred from the text
written as introductory lines to be spoken.
Though Rajkumar Shukla was an illiterate peasant, he was resolute and was able to
bring a change in the lives of the people of Champaran.
• Determined/ Resolute • Persevering • Dedicated • Any other valid quality.

4. ‘‘It was an extraordinary thing ‘in those days,’’ Gandhi commented, “for a government
professor to harbour a man like me”. In smaller localities, the Indians were afraid to
show sympathy for advocates of home-rule.
I. What was an extraordinary thing ‘in those days’?
Ans. A government professor to harbour a man like Gandhi who was working for Indians
when India was under the British rule/ sheltering advocates of home rule.
II. What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of
‘home rule’?
Ans. The Indians were afraid to show sympathy for advocates of home-rule
III. What does ‘home-rule’ mean?

Ans. Home rule is government of a colony, dependent country, or region by its own
citizens/ If a country or region has home rule, it has its own independent government
and laws.

4. How did Mahatma Gandhi uplift the peasants of Champaran?

Got them economic relief from the landlords/taught them courage and gave them
freedom from fear/ provided solutions for their cultural and social
backwardness/improved personal cleanliness, community sanitation and health
conditions.
 5. ‘Dialogue and not violence can resolve situations of conflict and injustice. Prove
the statement with reference to the lesson Indigo.

Gandhiji’s meeting with Shukla/Problems of Peasants/ Gandhiji arrived at Champaran/ 

wanted to meet secretary of British Landlord’s Association/was refused/tried to meet
Commissioner of Tirhut/was bullied and ordered to leave Champaran/Defied order/ 
Prevented from meeting peasant/Disobeyed notice to leave Champaran/was
summoned at court/worked whole night to get the support/peasants gathered in large
number to show support to him/  Gandhiji proved that British power was no longer
unchangeable/authorities got afraid and postponed the case/Gandhiji released on
bail/lawyers decided to follow Gandhiji/  First Triumph of Civil Disobedience/Case
dropped against Gandhiji/he planned Civil Disobedience/ commission of enquiry
appointed by governor/evidence against landlords found/  Gandhi agreed for 25%
refund as was agreed by landlords/  indigo share cropping abandoned and land given
to peasants
6. Why did Gandhiji consider freedom from fear more important than legal justice
for the poor peasants of Champaran?

Exploitation of indigo farmers by British Landlords.  Farmers resorted to legal help to

fight cases against the landlords  Not too many got encouraging results and also, this
could only get them short term benefits  Farmers terrorized and crushed under the
exploitation by landlords.  Gandhiji-practical and farsighted approach-felt that if the
downtrodden farmers could be released from fear, rest everything would fall into place.
 Started an exercise in empowering the farmers and giving them lessons in courage
through his own example.  Dealt with all the clever moves of the Britishers fearlessly
and boldly without getting intimidated by their orders.  Felt that lessons in courage
would remain with the farmers all their lives and would never be taken advantage of/
exploited.

LESSON 6 POETS AND PANCAKES

1. Author has used gentle and subtle humour to point out human foibles (weak point,
weakness) and idiosyncrasies (peculiar behaviour) in the lesson ' Poets and
Pancakes'. Elucidate.

Exposes Robert Clive’s ambitions and his restless nature.  Office boy’s boasting and
bragging about his talent is brought out.  Legal adviser is known as the opposite.  Use
of pancake –ostensibly to cover the pores.  Team of makeup artists is referred to as
‘gang of nationally integrated make up men' who could turn any decent looking person
into a hideous crimson hued monster.  Strict hierarchy.  Commenting on Subbu’s
exposure to affluent situations. He ridicules his virtue- the virtue of being a Brahmin. His
inefficiency is pointed out subtly with a comment ' he always had work for somebody' .
The rapidity with which Subbu offered his Boss alternatives when he got stuck up is
very amusing. Pokes fun at the ignorance of all the people .People did not know who
was Stephen Spenders and why had he arrived.

2. ‘In a moment I felt a dark chamber of my mind lit up by a hazy illumination.’

Which incident is being referred to by the author, Asokamitran? What conclusion does
he arrive at?

Value points- An English poet visited Gemini Studios. Addressed the audience- his
accent defeated to understand what he was saying. The audience felt baffled. His visit
remained a mystery. Years later the author read the name of the author on the
magazine. The Encounter. He also came across the copies of ‘The God that Failed’ –a
collection of six essays. One of the six contributors was Stephen Spender. He was the
poet that came to Gemini Studios. Suddenly the book assumed tremendous
significance. The dark chambers of his mind were illuminated. The reaction to Stephen
spender at Gemini Studios was no longer a mystery.

3. Why was the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery?

The Englishman was a poet whose name was not familiar. In his speech he talked
about the thrills and travails of an English poet, which made no sense for the simple
people at Gemini Studios who had had no exposure other than films and so they were
not interested. These simple people had neither taste for English poetry nor political
interests. Hence, his visit is referred to as an unexplained mystery.
4. What does The God That Failed refer to?

The God That Failed refers to a book that was a compilation of six essays by six
eminent men. It was a low priced student edition released to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of the Russian Revolution. It dealt with the author’s disillusionment with
communism.

5. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the
audience at Gemini Studios?

The Gemini Studios witnessed a surprising visit by a tall Englishman who was
proclaimed to be a poet. The welcome speech by the Boss was delivered in the most
general terms, which only showed that even the Boss did not know much about him.
The poet talked about the thrill and travails of an English poet which made no sense to
the simple people at Gemini Studios. They had no exposure other than films and so,
they were not interested. Also, words like democracy and freedom that featured in his
speech held no interest for them as they had no political thought or interests. Moreover,
the Englishman’s accent was difficult to understand, because of which all
communications failed. He was basically a poet and that made no sense to the people
whose life centred round a film studio. Therefore, his visit remained an unexplained
mystery for much time.

6. ‘Prose writing is not and cannot be the true pursuit of a genius’, says the author.
Explain the statement.

In this statement, the author says that prose writing can’t be the true pursuit of a genius
because it is always rejected. A genius is not that is accepted everywhere. The author
states all this with criticism that prose writing is actually meant for rejection. Prose
writers are patient, persistent and persevering drudges. They can’t be down played by
rejection slips. Every time he gets a rejection slip for his manuscript, he starts making a
fresh copy and sends it to another publisher with return postage.
 LESSON 7 THE INTERVIEW

1. Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed?

Celebrity writers believe that interviews unduly interfere in their private lives. They
regard themselves as victims of interviews. They claim that the interview in some way
'diminishes' them, just like some ancient cultures believed that a portrait of a person
takes away his soul.

2. How does Eco find the time to write so much?

Eco is a university professor who attends academic conferences all week. He finds so
much time to write in the empty spaces that we all have in our lives, just like the
structure of atoms and Universe. He terms these empty spaces as ‘interstices’. If he is
waiting for someone coming to his house via the escalator, he would use that time to
write an essay rather than sit idle. Therefore, he considers himself a scholar who writes
novels on Sundays.

3. What was distinctive about Eco’s academic writing style?

Generally, academic scholars write false hypothesis, rectify them and then give
conclusions. On the other hand, Umberto takes the readers through the journey of his
research, quoting all the trials and errors to reach the conclusion. His narrative style of
writing made him distinctive.

4. Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar?

Umberto Eco identifies himself with the academic community. According to him, he is a
university professor who attends academic conferences all week and writes novels on
Sundays.

5. What is the reason for the huge success of the novel, The Name of the Rose?

The novel, The Name of the Rose is a hard-read, differentiating it from other novels. It is
a detective narrative that contains metaphysics, theology and medieval history. Thus, it
targeted the audience that is not interested in an easy reading experience, probably not
all the time. However, the success of the novel still remains a mystery. According to
Umberto, had the novel been written ten years earlier or later, it would have not
attracted the same proportion of audience.

6. What are some of the positive views on interviews?

Interview, in the 130 years of its existence, has become an inherent part of
journalism. It is a useful means of communication that is, at times, considered to
be an art, serving as a source of truth. Denis Brian has stated that in today’s
world we get to know “our contemporaries” through their interviews.

LESSON 8 GOING PLACES

1. Unrealistic dreams often lead to a great deal of unhappiness. Justify the statement
on the basis of the story “Going Places‟.

Sophie belongs to lower middle class but dreams of opening a boutique, become an
actress or fashion designer; no financial support in fact father expecting her to buy a
decent house for the family when she gets some money -also fantasizes of meeting the
football sensation, Danny Casey -She has started living her dreams and has got
disconnected with the reality -this causes her great disappointment and sorrow in life-
when Danny did not come to meet her near the canal, Sophie was heartbroken and
worried about how she would convince Geoff about Danny -sadness was hard burden
to carry.

2. Sophie was a dreamer. The lesson ‘Going Places’ reminds us that mere dreams
will not help us to accomplish anything. What qualities, do you think, would help
Sophie to realise her dreams? 

Sophie is shown as a girl who remains in the world of dreams. She always wants to gain
name and fame. She wants to open a boutique or she wants to become a manager to
begin with. She also wants to be an actress. But Sophie doesn’t have any means to fulfil
her dreams. She belongs to a low middle class family. To realise her dreams she has to
work very hard. She has to start from a very humble position and then with constant
hard work she can accomplish her dreams. But for that she must have a lot of patience
and practical approach. By day-dreaming and unrealistic fantasies she cannot
accomplish dreams.

3. Maintaining a balance between one’s fantasies and the real world is the key to the
survival. Give your opinion on Sophie’s character in the light of the above
statement.

Sophie's real world • Sophie the protagonist- a teenager belongs to the poor socio
economic background • she doesn’t own a decent house. • her brother Geoff is an
apprentice mechanic • her father worked hard for a living • her mother had a crooked
back due to the house-hold burden • both her parents as well as her brother lacked
sophistication • she is earmarked for working in a biscuit factory
Sophie's fantasies • Sophie lives in a world of her own • she wants to start a boutique •
she wants to earn money by becoming a manager, an actress or even a fashion
designer • 'areas of Geoff’s life’ which are unknown to her hold a special fascination for
her • she fantasizes and goes to places in her imagination • she is fond of hero worship
and fantasizing • her hero is an Irish player Danny Casey • dreams of meeting him and
taking his autograph • is so much obsessed with meeting him • starts believing her
imaginations as real • she crosses the border of normalcy when she tells her family that
she actually met him and that he wants to take her on a date • nobody believes her •
then she actually goes to the place and literally waits for him to appear • feels
disappointed • she still believes that she had met him.

4. In what way was Sophie's hero worship and fantasizing at odds with her socio-
economic background? Was she justified in dreaming the 'impossible?
Sophie’s ambition and dreams are unrealistic • wants to start a boutique • to earn
money by becoming a manager, an actress or even a fashion designer • she belongs to
weak socio-economic background • doesn’t have decent house • will have to work in a
biscuit factory • yet dreams of a glamorous life • fantasizes about her hero who is an
Irish player Danny Casey • dreams of meeting him.

5.” Sophie’s dream world clashes with the world of her family and friends”. Bring out the
stark difference between the two worlds.

Sophie was a girl given to imagination and day dreaming  thought of having a boutique
 Jansie was very much aware about their financial conditions and family background 
She knew that both were earmarked for the biscuit factory after passing school  Sophie
wanted to have a boutique  She imagined herself to be like Mary Quant and would
have the most amazing shop this city had ever seen  But Jansie asked Sophie to be
sensible because her dad would never allow it.  She had another option of becoming
actress along with her boutique.  She also thought of becoming a fashion designer. 
But Jansie discouraged her because she knew that both were earmarked for the biscuit
factory.  Both belonged to a lower middle class family and their families were not well
off financially.