TEXTUAL NOTES LITERATURE READER Franz's scare while going to school started for school very late dreaded a scolding from his teacher had not learnt his lesson on participles thought of running away from school wanted to spend the day out of doors attracted by the chirping of the birds outside tempted to watch the Prussian soldiers drilling resisted all temptations and hurried off to school Scene at the Town Hall ‘a crowd in front of the bulletin board conveyed all bad news like the lost battles, the draft, the orders of the commanding officer Franz worried at the gathering of the people thought what the matter could be astonished when the _ blacksmith remarked that there was plenty of time to reach the school Usual bustle at school Usual bustle mi Tula ee noise of the opening and closing of desks lessons repeated loudly in unison sound of the teacher's ruler rapping on the table ing at school that day everything still and quiet 2 (Literature Reader) PROSE Z Ace Acavemy fork The Last Lesson Alphonse Daudet looked like a Sunday morning all classmates already in their places M. Hamel, the teacher, walking up and down with his terrible iron ruler under his arm Franz frightened to enter the classroom Franz surprised at M. Hamel’s kindness M. Hamel very kind to Franz asked him kindly to occupy his seat ‘M. Hamel in his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt, and the little black silk cap which he wore on inspection days and prize days the whole school looked strange and solemn Franz surprised to see the back benches being occupied by the village people M. Hamel's surprising remarks M. Hamel announced in a grave and gentle tone that it was their last lesson in French order had come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine new teacher to join the school the next day Franz realises the grim situation felt sorry for not learning his lessons regretted for wasting time and wandering hither and thither regretted that he considered his books of grammar and history a nuisance now regarded his books as his friends sad at the idea that M. Hamel was going away 301forgot all about M. Hamel’s ruler and his cranky nature — tealised that M. Hamel had put on his fine Sunday clothes in honour of the last lesson An affectionate tribute by the villagers — villagers present in the classroom — regretted for not going to school very often — came to thank M. Hamel for his forty years of faithful service — full of respect for the country that was theirs no more Franz’s failure to learn the rules for participles — could not recite rules for participles — wished that he could recite the rules without even one mistake — mixed up everything — felt sorry and dared not to look up M. Hamel’s reaction — M. Hamel did not scold Franz — commented upon man’s nature of putting off things to tomorrow — remarked that it was sad that they were Frenchmen and yet could neither speak nor write French M. Hamel’s general view about learning — parents not anxious for their children to learn —_ preferred to put their children to work on a farm or at the mills — wanted them to earn money — also blamed himself for sending them to do his errands — regretted that he gave them a holiday when he wanted to go fishing M. Hamel’ views about French language — French language the most beautiful language in the world — called it the clearest and the most logical language — exhorted them to guard it and never forget it — gave a lesson in grammar — explained it in an easy way ETA — Franz understood it easily — seemed that he wanted to teach them at one stroke —_ then he gave a lesson in writing — that day M. Hamel gave new copies to them with ‘France Alsace’ written in a beautiful round hand on them Students displayed rare attention —_ everyone was quiet and did his work — there was complete silence — the only sound heard was the scratching of the pens over the paper — the little ones were busy tracing their fish-hooks —_ nobody paid attention to beetles who flew in Franz’s remarks about Hamel as a de teacher — M. Hamel had served the school for forty years —_ nothing had changed — the garden outside the window and his class remained the same — but the desks and benches had worn smooth — the walnut trees in the garden became taller; the hopvine that he had planted twined about the windows to the roof M. Hamel displayed his courage —_ heard every lesson to the last — delivered his last lesson in history — everyone present in the class became emotional — they even shed tears M. Hamel grew emotional and patriotic — the church-clock struck twelve; the trumpets of the Prussians sounded under the windows — grew emotional — took a piece of chalk and wrote ‘Vive La France’ on the blackboard — made a gesture to them with his hand and said, “School is dismissed—you may Bo". cated aaa re)TEXTUAL NOTES Author's meeting with Saheb, a ragpicker meets Saheb, a ragpicker, who scrounges for gold in the garbage dumps Saheb belongs to a refugee family from Bangladesh author advises him to go to school Saheb tells him that there is no school in his neighbourhood author gives him a hope by promising to open a schoo! in his neighbourhood feels embarrassed at having made 2 promise that she cannot keep Irony in Saheb’s name and existence Saheb's full name is ‘Saheb-e-Alam’ which means ‘lord of the universe’ but he is a ragpicker; hence the irony ironical that he roams the streets with other ragpickers all ragpickers are barefoot lead a poor and miserable life author observes that being barefoot has been a tradition in the poverty-stricken India author expresses wonder at this excuse Author's observation on the past and the present remembers a priest's barefoot son from a town named Udipi thirty years ago longed for a pair of shoes thirty years later, the author observes a conspicuous change present day priest's son is dressed in grey uniform and wears socks and shoes Lost Spring Anees Jung — but many still like other ragpickers remain shoeless Ragpickers’ dwelling — Seemapuri ‘most refugees migrated from Bangladesh in 1971 — dwell in Seemapuri—a place on the periphery of Delhi their dwelling—a structure of mud with roofs of tin and tarpaulin, devoid of sewage, drainage or running water — lived here without an identity but with ration cards that enable them to buy grain — food more important than identity — happy to live here where they get grain than in their own country where they get no grain — ragpicking for their survival — garbage to them is gold — earn their daily bread and shelter by picking rags — a chance rupee or a coin in garbage sustains their hope and they keep scrounging in the hope of finding more Saheb’s yearning —_ yearns to play tennis, to wear shoes — but the game is out of his reach Saheb as an employee — gets a job in a tea-stall, earns % 800/- per month — meets the author while fetching milk in a steel canister for his employer — his face loses the carefree looksteel canister appears heavier than the plastic bag — appears burdened and unhappy — no longer a master of his own self — an employee with no freedom Mukesh's desire — a child labourer in a glass factory in Firozabad —_ wishes to become a motor mechanic — desires to learn to drive a car — Mukesh and his family engaged in making bangles — his family unaware that child labour is illegal Hazardous conditions in glass furnaces — high temperatures — dingy cell without air and light —_ poorly ventilated children often lose the brightness of their eyes Living conditions of bangle makers in Firozabad — stinking lanes choked with garbage houses with crumbling walls, wobbly doors, and without windows — both humans and animals live together in these houses Author's visit to Mukesh’s house — Mukesh’s house, a half-built shack thatched with dead grass firewood stove, aluminium utensils — Mukesh, his father, his grandmother, his elder brother and wife of his elder brother live in the house Wife of Mukesh’s elder brother — a frail young woman — cooking evening meal for the whole family —_ her eyes filled with smoke Mukesh’s father — poor bangle maker — could not give education to his two sobs — only taught them the art of bangle making Mukesh’s grandmother's philosophy of life —_ believes in theory of Karma or destiny — her husband has become blind with the dust of glass bangles —_ his blindness the result of his Karma or destiny Birth in the caste of bangle makers : their Karma — poverty-stricken, join profession of bangle making —_ their eyes more adjusted to the dark than to the light outside — they often lose their eyesight before they become adults Savita — a young girl — sits along with an elderly woman and solders pieces of glass — makes bangles but unaware of the sanctity of bangles — unaware that bangles symbolise Indian woman's suhaag (husband’s long life) Nothing has changed in Firozabad — no progress, no development — mind-numbing toil has killed bangle maker's initiative — lost the ability to dream Sufferings of the children — suffer because born in a poor family — burdened by the stigma of caste — suffer because exploited by middlemen, the policemen, the bureaucrats and the politicians») 5) TeXTUAL NOTES Author's plan to learn to swim chose Y.M.C.A. pool to learn swimming — pool safe, only nine feet deep and two or three feet at the shallow ends — Yakima river not chosen because it was treacherous, claimed many lives author got a pair of water wings hated to walk into it with skinny legs overcame his pride Aversion to water resurfaces aversion to water the result of childhood experience his father took him to the beach in California when he was three or four the waves knocked him down terror in his heart years later unpleasant memories revived at Y.M.C.A. pool childish fear of water stirred once again Began to gather confidence — paddled with his new water wings tried to learn by aping other boys — practised twice or thrice on different days gathered confidence Douglas’ misadventure in the Y.M.C.A, pool one day, all alone at the pool — lacked courage to go in alone — _ waited for others to come — soon an eighteen years old boy arrived had thick hair on chest, bulging muscles and strong physique that boy tossed the author inside the pool — Douglas fell into the water in a sitting position Deep Water William Douglas Douglas’ plan to save himself went at once to the bottom frightened but not frightened out of wits planned to make a big jump upward and come to the surface — and paddle to the edge of the pool and save himself Douglas’ experience of the fall went down to the bottom nine fect appeared like ninety feet —_ his lungs were ready to burst hit the bottom summoned up all his strength made a great spring upward — thought of coming to the surface like a cork contrary happened, came up slowly opened his eyes and saw only water Effort to survive — grew panicky — effort to grab a rope —_ but his hands clutched only water — felt suffocated eyes and nose came out of water but not his mouth — swallowed water and felt choked his legs stiff and rigid like lifeless objects — started his journey back to the bottom Downward journey —_ struck at the water lost his breath, lungs ached, head throbbed, felt dizzy — still remembered the strategy to jump up Completely terrified water all around —_ stark terror seized him— unable to scream —_ felt as if paralysed — his heart and pounding in his head made him feel that he was alive Another effort to survive terrified but did not lose reason — jumped up with all strength — did not succeed —_ trembled with fright — his arms and legs did not move —_ nothing happened and went down for the third time Lost all hope — gave up all efforts to survive — felt relaxed — fear and terror wiped out — no panic, felt quiet and peaceful — felt drowsy and passed into oblivion Regained consciousness — lay on his stomach beside the pool vomiting — the big bully said that he was simply fooling — was taken to the locker room escaped death Effects of this unpleasant experience walked home, but weak and trembling — shook and cried on the bed — could not eat that night —_ haunted by fear for days together — slightest exertion upset him — felt wobbly in the knees and sick to his stomach —_ feared water and avoided it A few years later — fear of water seized him — unpleasant experience of the pool terrorised him — joy of fishing, canoeing, boating, swimming marred by fear —_ haunting fear of the water followed him —_ every way to overcome the fear failed Decided to overcome this fear —_ engaged an instructor in October to learn to swim — arrope attached to a belt put around him —_ the rope went through a pulley that ran on an overhead cable — with the help of the pulley, went to and fro in the pool — practised for weeks together Douglas became a swimmer after three months’ practice, fear started fading — learnt to keep his face under and exhale and to raise his nose and inhale — gradually shed part of the panic ~ — initially legs were stiff but gradually they relaxed — in April, the instructor told him that he could swim — could dive off and swim the length of the pool — gradually became a swimmer Efforts still continued — tried to swim while alone in the pool — shed off fear — went to Lake Wentworth — swam; two miles across the lake, successfully tried crawl. breast stroke, side stroke and back stroke — only once terror did return but he overcame it, Went to Warm Lake to test his confidence — dived and swam across the Warm Lake — back from the other shore — succeeded in his experiment — conquered his fear of water a — terror only in the fear of death — experienced both the sensation of dying and the terror that fear of it could produce — this increased his will to live |TEXTUAL NOTES A poor peddier sells rattraps of wire resorts to both begging and petty thievery to make both ends meet a victim of want and hunger A peddier's line of thought a = thinking of rattraps suddenly struck by an idea that the whole world is a big rattrap Comes across a generous host one dark evening he seeks a shelter in a little gray cottage by the roadside ‘the owner, an old man without wife or child, offers him shelter and food gives him porridge and treats him kindly ‘both smoke and play cards together The host confides in the peddler ‘The host (the old man). formerly a crofter the old man locks the house and goes to milk the cow half an hour later, the peddler comes back amashes the window pane steals thirty kronor (money) and runs away ‘The peddier lost in the forest the peddler walks along with the money scared of being caught enters a confusing forest Tired and dejected darkness descends on the forest ‘summons all his strength. and moves in the direction of the sound reaches Ramsj6 Ironworks work going on in the mill, very noisy place The peddler enters the mill unnoticed opens the gate and enters the forge stands close to the furnace asks permission from the master blacksmith to stay overnight the master blacksmith gives a haughty consent Ironmaster's (the owner's) nightly visit and inspection owner's ambition to make good iron makes nightly round of inspection presence of the peddler near the furnace catches his attention mistakes him for captain, Nils Olof. an old regimental comrade the peddler does not deny his identity in the hope of getting some money from the ironmaster the ironmaster invites him to his manor house The peddier deciines his invitabon afraid of being caught with the stolen money (thirty kronor) vehemently declines the invitation assures him that his presence won't be ‘again invites him to celebrate Christmas with ]aa Sts tote o porveote bien — the daughter approaches him > mae edaler jumps up abruptly and is — the daughter introduces herself as Edla Willmansson — invites him again to her manor house — requests him to stay with them over Christmas Eve and then leave The peddier agrees to go with Edla — accepts the furcoat from the lady's valet — covers himself with furcoat and follows the young Indy to the carriage —_ touched by young Iady’s sympathy and friendliness pedir 25-12 about his regimental = ans to flesh on meme — plans to get him to do something better than selling rattrap —_ the daughter expresses sympathy for the captain — says that he showed no signs of education Ironmaster 's pian about the Captain — hopes to change his tramp manners — tells his daughter to have patience — plans to get him cleaned — expects to find a change — the guest's appearance on getting clean The guest's entry upsets the ironmaster — the guest is truly clean and well dressed — the valet bathed him, cut his hair and shaved him — appears before the ironmaster in broad daylight — the ironmaster gets upset because he does not resemble an old acquaintance — shouts at the guest and demands explanation — the guest defends himself by saying that he never pretended to be anything but a poor trader — tells him that he pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge — offers to put on his rags and go away Ironmaster's threat insists that his conduét.was not quite honest threatens to report the matter to the sheriff ‘The tramp gives his arguments the tramp gets angry strikes the table with his fist argues that the whole world is a rattrap and all offers are nothing but baits to trap Ironmaster accepts his argument affected by tramp's argument drops the idea of reporting the matter to the sheriff But asks him to leave his house immediately Ironmaster's daughter intervenes takes the stranger by the hand and leads him to the table asks him to sit down and eat the stranger eats food but wonders about Edla’s motive The stranger sleeps for long hours — after sharing the Christmas fare, the stranger sleeps the whole afternoon — wakes up to eat Christmas delicacies — goes to sleep again After the Christmas feast — the stranger goes round to each one present, thanks and wishes good night — approaches the girl to thank her — the girl tells him to keep her father’s suit as a Christmas present — invites him for the Christmas next year Edla opens the package — badly done up package — contains a small rattrap and three wrinkled ten kronor notes the request to return the money to the old crofter Behaves like a Captain the guest expresses gratitude to her for being very nice and hospitable to him thanks her for treating him like a captain weTEXTUAL NOTES Rajkumar Shukla’s request to Gandhiji to visit Champaran — a poor peasant from Champaran approached him. he requested Gandhiji to visit Champaran ~~ sit — urged him to solve poor peasants’ problems Exploitation of Champaran peasants — Rajkumar Shukla, the poor peasant, recounted the miseries of Champaran — the Champaran peasants were share-croppers — came there to complain about the injustice of the landlord system in Bihar — wanted Gandhiji to help them Shukla’s efforts succeed — Shukla was resolute —_ followed Gandhiji wherever he went . oS — Gandhiji visited Cawnpore and a few i other places A visit to Rajendra Prasad’s house ! — Rajendra Prasad was a lawyer at Patna, later became the President of Congress party and India — they could not meet him as he was out of town — Rajkumar Shukla and Gandhiji stayed at Rajendra Prasad’s home Gandhiji’s “ecision to visit Muzzafarpur —_ visited Muzzafarpurtoobtain information about peasants — sent a telegram to Prof. J.B. Kripalani and his students received Gandhiji at station — lawyers briefed Gandhiji — reported the fee that they charged — Gandhi chided them for charging heavy fee from peasants conclusion — decided to stop going to courts nts were fear-stricken, — pei — got no help from courts — peasants should free themselves from fear Exploitation of peasants — large estates owned by Englishmen — compelled Indian peasants to plant 15% of their holdings with indigo — peasants surrendered the entire harvest as rent Effect of German synthetic indigo — sharecroppers to pay compensation to landlords for being released from 15% arrangement — this arrangement irksome to peasants — some peasants signed the agreement willingly —_ some engaged lawyers to oppose it Gandhiji’s arrival at Champaran — tried to get facts — visited secretary of British landlords association — secretary refused information to Gandhiji as he was an outsider — Gandhiji answered that he was not an outsiderGandhiji contacted British official Commissioner of Tirhut — Commissioner refused to co-operate — tried to bully him — advised him to leave Tirhut ii refused to leave — did not leave, instead went to Motihari, the capital of Champaran — several lawyers accompanied him — greeted at station by vast multitude — stayed in a house and continued investigations — went to a nearby village to see maltreated peasants Gandhiji served with official notice — Gandhi stopped from meeting the maltreated peasants — driven back home — served with official Champaran A thoughtful and busy night — Gandhiji remained awake — telegraphed Rajendra Prasad to come from Bihar with influential friends — sent instructions to ashram — wired full report to the Viceroy Spontaneous demonstration — peasants came to know that Mahatma ‘was in trouble peasants came in thousands around the court house beginning of their liberation from fear of the Britishers, held demonstration Bafflement of authorities government thought of postponing the trial Gandhiji protested against the delay read out a statement — told the court that he disobeyed not to break law but to render the humanitarian and national service — disregarded the order to leave not as disrespect to law but respect for his conscience A two-hour recess at court — Gandhiji asked to furnish bail for two- hours — Gandhiji refused — the judge released him without bail The court reconvened after two-hours — judge withheld judgement for several days — Gandhiji allowed to remain at liberty — prominent lawyers conferred with Gandhiji influence on lawyers — lawyers told Gandhiji that they would go back in case Gandhiji was arrested — Gandhijiasked, “What about the injustice to the sharecroppers” —_ this question forced them to rethink Victory of civil disobedience — Licutenant-Governor dropped case against Gandhi — civil disobedience triumphed Gandhiji summoned by Lt. Governor, Sir Edward Gait — Gandhiji_ met discussions — made detailed plans for civil disobedience in case of his arrest — Gandhi had four protracted interviews with Lt. Governor — Lt. Governor appointed commission of enquiry into sharecroppers’ problems associates and held an_ official indigo aPlanters agreed to refund the money evidence collected against the planters planters left with no choice planters agreed in principle to refund the money to peasants Amount of refund decided Events justified Gand! planters asked Gandhiji to quote the amount they expected Gandhiji to demand full amount. Gandhiji demanded 50% planters suggested 25% Gandhiji approved the settlement at 25% ‘s position amount of refund less important landlords surrendered a part of their prestige vietory of peasants instilled courage in them —_ British planters abandoned estates —_ land reverted to the peasants for good —_ indigo sharecropping disappeared Champaran episode — a turning point — Champaran not the result of defiance of authorities — buta result of an attempt to alleviate the sufferings of the peasants — Gandhi proved that he could not be ordered about in his own country Gandhiji’s politics — his politics comprised day-to-day problems of the common people — his loyalty was to living human beings — tried to mould free Indians who would liberate India Gandhi taught a lesson in self-reliance — Charles Freer Andrews, a devoted follower of Gandhi, came to bid farewell to Gandhi— é ele Poets and Pancakes -Asokamitran — make-up room, an example of national — make-up turned any decent looking person TEXTUAL NOTES : into a crimson-hued monster Parca y mad eT Make-up department of Gemini Studios Lien ig ee ee rei lotions used for make-up — department situated in Robert Clive’s — _ boys and girls made to look ugly in order to erstwhile stables look presentable in the movie = make-up material with brand name 4; ee kano Pancakes used in plenty ke ial bought in truck-loads és teri l —_ a on ae — chief make-up man did make-up of chief — actresses of yesteryears like Miss Gohar, Se Greta Garbo, Vyjayantimala used it 5 — his senior assistant did make-up of second — actresses of modern times might not have Tecan cane used it — junior assistant did makeup of main Robert Clive—his varied interests eerie) — stayed in number of residences in Madras _— the office boy did make-up of the crowd during his iclel stay. The office boy at the Gemini Studios — must have shifted frequently en ee — the office boy wasn’t exactly a ‘boy’, he was — fought some impossible battles oa Seal Seas — even got married in St. Mary's Church se eae Sitalee roses hack ‘The Make-up Room — aspired to become a star actor or a top screen — looked like a hair-cutting salon writer, a director or a lyricist — contained lights and large mirrors — had a flair for writing poetry — those subjected to make-up felt miserable Narrator’s job at the studios “Make-up department - — worked in a cubicle — first headed by a Bengali — tore up newspaper clippings and stored — succeeded by a Maharashtrian who was them in files assisted by Dharwar Kannadiga — everyone thought he did nothing — then men from different states served it — continually delivered lectures by othersO ee meSERRR STR REE TSE ~ office boy gave expression to his frustration The Story Department of the Gemini Studios innarrator’s cubicle ~ Narrator prayed for crowd-shooting in order to get rid of him Characteristics of Kothamangalam Subbu — Subbu was No. 2. at the Gemini Studios — undeserving and lacked formal education ~ Being a Brahmin got opportunities — had the ability to look cheerful — even having a hand in flop film — could never do things on his own — always needed someone to help him — possessed a sense of loyalty to his chief — when the producer faced a problem, he offered several solutions — film-making was so easy with a man like Subbu Subbu’s identity as a poet — capable of writing on complex subjects but wrote for the masses — his success in films overshadowed his literary achievements — composed truly original ‘story poems’ — alsowroteanovel titled Thillana Mohanambal — vivid description of the Devadasis Subbu as an actor — an amazing actor; but did subsidiary roles — believed that he acted better than the main actors — hospitable to friends and relatives, — always said nice things about everybody and everything Subbu as a sycophant — very close and intimate with the boss — always flattered the boss — earned him enemies and its lawyer — story department comprised of a lawyer, a group of writers and poets and Subbu — the lawyer officially known as a legal adviser — but referred to by everyone as ‘illegal adviser’ — the lawyer ruined the career of an actress by recording her outburst against the producer — while others wore khadi dhoti, the lawyer wore a pant, and a tie = was a man of cold logic in a crowd of dreamers — was close to the boss — allowed to produce a film which flopped — the story department closed; the lawyer lost his job Gemini Studios — a busy place — the favourite haunt of poets — ithad an excellent mess which served coffee almost round the clock — congress rule meant prohibition — so meeting over a cup of coffee was a satisfying entertainment — everyone at the studios had leisure Political leanings of the Gemini family — most of the writers wore Khadi and worshipped Gandhi — all of them were averse to Communism — thought that a Communist was a godless man; he was heartless with no fellow feelings — considered him a violent man with no warmth Visit of Frank Buchman’s M.RA (Moral Re- Armament Army) to Gemini Studios — MRA : a kind of counter movement to international communism— comprised of 200 persons — visited Madras in 1952 — Gemini Studios gave a warm reception — someone ridiculed it as an international circus — presented two plays named ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ — Gemini family of six hundred saw the plays over and over again — sets and costumes wonderful Success of the plays — Madras and Tamil drama community highly impressed — all Tamil plays included a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner of ‘Jotham Valley’ — the staff of Gemini Studios had a nice time Another visitor in the Gemini Studios — it was said that he was an English poet = the visitor was none of the familiar poets of England — may be he was an editor — Boss gave him a big reception, read out a long speech — speech was in general terms — the guest's speech unintelligible because of his accent — nota word understood in an hour's speech it remained a mystery = his vi About a short-story contest — a short story contest organised by periodical “The Encounter’ — writer wanted to participate in it wanted to know the credentials of the periodical before spending on postage — visited British Council Library to know about the journal — came to know that Stephen Spender was its editor — recalled that Stephen Spender had visited the Gemini Studios as a guest — felt that he had found a long lost brother yy a British. — sent his manuscript immediately Writer bought a low-priced book — writer bought a low-priced book titled ‘The God That Failed’ released on 50th Anniversary of the Russian Revolution — book contained six essays by eminent writers = Stephen Spender was one of the writers — the mystery of Stephen Spender’s visit to Gemini Studios solved ~ 3d Headamuy for Emahih iTEXTUAL NOTES : Part-I The importance of Interview — interview - a common feature of modern times = very common place — different opinions about interview — source of truth and art — some become victims of interviewers — akind of unwarranted intrusion Opinion of critics — people are wounded by interviews — horror of the interviewer —condemnatory attitude towards the interviewers — the interviewing ordeal — also described as being thumbprints on his windpipe Medium of communication — helps in getting vivid impressions = useful material available — asking questions at the interview a good tool — the interviewer holds a position of power and influence The Interview Christopher Silvester Part-I Interview helps in knowing a number of things — Umberto speaks about his philosophical interests — pursued them doing academic work — his novels highlight his philosophical interests Empty Spaces — Umberto speaks about empty spaces to the interviewer — makes use of empty spaces in his works — calls empty spaces as ‘interstices’. Umberto’s confession — Umberto tells his interviewer that he is known to his people as a novelist — did not become a novelist by an accident — always indentified with the academic community — substantiates what he says — written a number of works of fiction and non-fiction Success of the novel — ‘The Name of the Rose’ a great success — medieval and historical background — the success remains a mystery — right timing is very importantTEXTUAL NOTES Sophie's dreams Sophie coming home from school tells Jansie about her dream of opening a boutique after school Jansie tells her that it requires a lot of money Sophie insists that she will manage money Jansie expresses her apprehension that it will take a long time to save so much money Sophie still lives in her dream and tells her that she will save money while working as a manager Jansie tells her that she would not become a manager straight away Sophie still dreams of opening the most amazing boutique in the city Family's reaction to Sophie's dreams Sophie's father wishes that she may get that much money and build a decent house for the family Derek, Sophie's younger _ brother, remarks that money does not grow on trees: mother heaves a sigh at her dream Sophie's family and its status father is a manual labourer mother is back-crooked due to household work all live ina small house - suffocated with steam from the stove and dirty washing piled up in a corner Sophie feels choked in the house Sophie and her brother Geoff Sophie Casey Geoff, her brother, has been three years out of school now Geoff an apprentice mechanic tinkering with a part of his motorcycle travels to his work each day to the far side of the city speaks very little; lives in his own world Sophie jealous of his silence feels that he has his own world which she has never visited fascinated by his world because it is unknown to her and her dream world yearns to meet exotic and interesting people who belong to his brother's world wishes to be admitted more deeply into her brother's affections her father forbids her, thinks she is too young Sophie is impatient to explore this world feels at home in this romantic world imagines herself riding into this world with Geoff dreams that the whole world is waiting to greet her fantasizes her meeting with Danny informs Geoff about her meeting with Danny Casey in an arcade Geoff disbelieves her Sophie asserts that she met him at the Royce’s— Concocts the details of Danny Casey's — Sophie feels embarrassed physical appearance to make Geoff — she had concocted this story only for believe her story. Geoff and not for Jansie Sophie tries to convince her brother — knows that Jansie will spread it in the — tells him how she met Danny Casey neighbourhood — describes it a chance meeting at the — tells Jansie to keep it a secret Royce’s: Sophie tries to live her dream — She was the first to speak to him — asked him for an autograph for her little brother Derek — waits for Danny near the canal away from the noise of the city — thinks it a perfect place for a date Family goes to see the match — Inher dream, she imagines Danny Casey — Sophie, her father and Derek sit down coming | ® near the goal —_ imagines her consequent excitement — Geoff sts higher with his friends to see ster come time begins to think that he the match may not come Casey plays extremely well — starts balancing the idea of his coming and the idea of his not coming — her thoughts make her sad Sophie's dream is shattered — Someone on the bus says, “I wish he was Dany ra 4 Are saatagitahmad® — Danny does not come; her dream gets . — Casey drives in the second goal for United — United finishes the match with two-nil victory Geoff, Derek and their father extremel sietiered — Geoff, 0 go Date eed thelr thee Seca es Oe Gace a inser happy her family — Sophie glows with pride — still believes in her dream —_ they celebrate the victory — refuses to accept reality @ __22rs8e's meeting with Sophie — sad, but not ready to give up her dream — Jansie questions Sophie's meeting with Danny Casey — Sophie is startled to know that Jansie Sophie goes back to her dreamworld — dreams of meeting Danny Casey again at knows about it the Royce's Sophie Atel pee LO baver bal Sails — tells Danny that she and her family are his big fans — Sophie admits that she met the star . footballer Danny Casey — imagines of asking him to sign an autograph once again — _ dansie disbelieves her because she knows her romantic nature — imagines that he is present before her arses) ear) TIJAce Acaemy For Enotrst SUPPLEMENTARY READER Textuat Notes : Three levels at Grand Central Station — Infact, there are only two levels — the narrator _tells his_psychiatrist_friend about the third level — his psychiatrist friend tells him that it is a ‘dream for wish fulfilment — tells him that modern man is full of insecurity, fear, and worry — he wants to escape Narrator’s hobby of stamp collection itisa temporary — the psychiatrist thinks tha refuge from reality = the narrator disbelieves it — says that his grandfather didn’t need any refuge from reality — led a peaceful life, yet he pursued philately — no insecurity in those times Charley loses his way at the station — works late at the office one summer night — wants to reach his apartment — ina hurry to board a train to reach home he goes down to the second level — crosses an arched doorway heading for the subway ; he gets lost The Third Level Jack Finney He thinks the Grand Central is growing like a tree and pushes out new corridors and staircases like roots the narrator enters a corridor keeps walking hears the empty sound of his own footsteps he comes out on the third level at the Grand Central Station finds smaller rooms, fewer ticket windows and train gates, and open-flame gaslights sees brass spittoons on the floor ‘everybody at the station was dressed in the 19th century dresses sees so many beards, sideburns and fancy mustache finds lead story about President Cleveland in Paper “The World’ dated June 11, 1894 goes to ticket window to buy two tickets for Galesburg, Ilinois he wants to go there with his wife Louisa imagines the town in 1894 it is a wonderful town with big old frame houses and huge lawns in 1894, summer evenings were long people sat out on their lawns ‘men smoking cigars and talking quietly it is a peaceful world his currency notes not accepted by the clerk runs away to escape jail Charley buys old currency to get tickets — takes out three hundred dollars from the bank. anbuys old style currency ~ his psychiatrist friend becomes worried = pays three hundred dollars to buy two hundred in old style bills still wants to go back to the third level to go to Galesburg, Illinois Charley's another attempt to find third level = the narrator tries to find the corridor that leads to the third level, but fails = tells everything to his wife ;she gets worried — she wants him not to look for the third level anymore — he stops search for the third level % — goes back to his hobby of stamp collections — gets a proof that the third level is there ; his friend Sam Weiner had disappeared — both husband and wife look for the third level on every weekend = narrator used to tell Sam about Galesburg — narrator went to schoo! there ~ the narrator believes that his friend Sam is in Galesburg, in the year 1894 1 What is a first day cover ? — stamp collectors buy some new stamps and affix them on an envelope — mail the envelope to themselves on the very first day of sale — the post mark gives proof of the date — the envelope is called a first day cover Narrator finds a strange first day cover in his collection = someone had mailed a strange cover at his grandfather's address in Galesburg — it was there since July 18, 1894 = the six cent stamp bears a picture of President Garfield the envelope contains a letter for Charley from his friend Sam — Sam writes that the third level exists — Sam advises Charley to keep looking for the third level How did Sam disappear ? — Sam bought eight hundred dollars worth of old style currency — narrator informed that Sam had set up his business of hay, feed and grain at Galesburg in 1894 = Samean‘tgo back to his old business because psychiatrists had no business in Galesburg in 1894Textuat Notts : Journey to Antarctica = Tishani Doshi heads towards Antarctica aboard a Russian vessel named Akademik Shokalskiy in the company of high school children. — Antarcticacoldest, driest, windiest continent in the world — starts her journey from Madras — crosses nine time zones, six checkpoints, three bodies of water and many ecospheres in order to reach there — travels for one hundred hours to reach Antarctica — struck with wonder Historical data — Six hundred and fifty millions years ago, Antarctica was a giant amalgamated landmass (Gondwana) — Southern super continent surrounded — human life didn’t exist then, climate ‘warmer, flora and fauna flourished — Gondwana thrived for 500 million years — landmass detached from Antarctica and forced to separate into countries — part of landmass pushed northward ; formed India and Himalaya — South America formed ; drifted off to join North America — Antarctica is frigid and desolate Astonishing Antarctica — the author surprised to see huge volume of ice Journey to the End of the Earth -Tishani Doshi — feels she is walking into a giant ping-pong ball Antarctica devoid of human life — author finds midges, mites, blue whales and huge icebergs — finds surreal 24-hour austral summer light Human impact — human life merely 12000 years old on the geological clock — man has achieved dominance over nature — created villages, cities and megacities — increasing human population is depleting resources — average global temperature is increasing Change in Climate — climate change is hotly debated — this raises many questions — will the West Antarctic ice sheet melt entirely? — will the Gulf Stream Ocean current be disrupted ? — will it be the end of the world ? — the answer is : May be or May be not — But Antarctica is the crucial element in this debate because it contains half-million- year old carbon records — Antarctica is the place to study earth’s past, present and future “Students On Ice’ programme — programme aims at studying and understanding Antarctica — the author works on this project on board “Akademik Shokalskiy’— takes high school students to Antarctica — their visit helps them understand our planet better — Geoff Green, a Canadian, carted celebrities and retired people to Antarctica for money — those visitors gave back nothing to the planet after their visit — decided to take high school students to Antarctica — Geoff thought that the students are quick to absorb, learn and act = programme successful because children saw glaciers retreating and ice shelves collapsing — students realised that the threat of global warming was very real Lessons to learn — a place to study how little environmental changes can have big repercussions — come to know the importance of photosynthesis — scientists warn that depletion in the ozone layer will affect plants and animals — big things will be saved by taking care of small things Walk on the Ocean — visit a memorable experience — At65.55 degrees south of equator, the author and the students instructed to get down — they put on ice shoes (Gore-Tex) and glares (sunglasses) — walked on one metre-thick ice over 180 metres of living breathing salt-water — they saw Crabeater seals sitting in the periphery, Author's Comments — the author wonders about the beauty of balance in play on our planet — she wonders what would happen if Antarctica were to become the warm place that it once used to be. — will it mean the extinction of human beings? — the students have the idealism to save the worldTEXTUAL NOTES Dr Sadao Hoki and his early life — his house built on Japanese coast — often played there when he was a small — house set upon rocks above a narrow beach — as a boy, climbed the pine trees — supported himself on his bare feet — visited South Sea Island with his father — his father remarked that the islands were the stepping stones to the future for Japan Sadao returns to Japan at thirty — an expert surgeon and a scientist — famous during his father’s life-time — perfecting a discovery which would render wounds clean Sadao and his wife Hana — Sadao watched mists around island near the shore — the door opened and Hana wearing a dark- blue haori over her kimono appea: — sheputherarm through Sadac’saffectionately Sadao recollects his stay at America — met Hana in America — liked her at the first meeting — waited to fall in love with her till he was sure that she was a Japanese — his father would not have accepted her unless she was a Japanese —in America, Sadao lived in Professor Harley's house — they were good persons but Sadao disliked his wife because she was voluble — disliked food and hated the small room Sadao’s marriage with Hana — returned to Japan — his father gave approval — marriage solemnised in the old Japanese way — led a very happy married life ‘A wounded man washed ashore — Sadao and Hana leaned over the railing of the veranda The Enemy Pearl S.Buck — saw something black come out of the mists — it was a man who was crawling on his hands and knees — thought him to be a fisherman — they ran down to the beach — they noticed a wounded man, who was unconscious A close look at the wounded man — they turned the man’s head and saw his face — he was a white man, an American P.O.W. — he was wounded and was bleeding profusely — had suffered a gun wound Sadao's dilemma — if they sheltered a white man, they would be arrested, and if they handed him aver as a prisoner, he would die — they were in a dilemma — thought of putting him back into the sea but neither of them moved — could not do it because he was wounded — afraid of the servants — decided to assure the servants that they would hand him over to the police — Dr Sadao’s commitment to professional duty and their humaneness forced them to bring him home —kept the wounded man in a bedroom which belonged to Sadao’s late father — everything in the room had been Japanese — the wounded man covered with silken quilt Hana washes whiteman’s wounds — did not like the white man — ela him and cleansed his upper — did not turn him over for fear of hurting his wound Dr Sadao operates upon the wounded man — Dr Sadao brought surgeon's emergency bag and put on surgeon's coat ‘ — unfolded a sterilized towel upon the floor and put his instruments out upon it— Hana assisted him — Dr Sadao told her that she would have to give the anaesthesia if he needed it — took out the packing, the blood began to flow quickly — the bullet was still there — Dr Sadao continued with the operation — the wounded man in pain Dr Sadao recollects American Professor's words — surgeon must have full knowledge about patient's body, — ignorance of the human body is the surgeon's cardinal sin — operating without complete knowledge of the body a murder The youngman wakes up but very weak oy —Hana served him because none of the servants entered the room — she informed him that she could speak English because she stayed in America — disliked the white man, yet she comforted him — P.0.W’s condition improved ; sat up after third day of operation — Dr Sadao advised him to lie down —the wounded soldier worried about his future — asked, “What are you going to do with me?” — asked if they would hand him over to the police — Dr Sadao did not answer Servants leave them — servants disapproved their act of kindness to the white soldier —alleged that their stay in America responsible for their kindness — failed to understand doctor’s commitment to his profession — became indifferent and cold The patient (Tom) improves — Dr Sadao examined Tom's wound — the last stitches pulled out — Dr Sadao typed a letter to the Chief of Police reporting the whole matter — put the unfinished letter in his secret The General's message Hana saw a messenger in an official uniform at the door a — was frightened ; thought that the servants must have informed the police — she was wrong — in fact, the General was in pain and he had summoned the doctor — Hana felt relieved — the doctor told everything to the General about the wounded soldier The General makes a promise — promised to send his private assassins to kill the P.O.W. —assured that his body too would be removed — decided not to tell anything about it to Hana — thought that such assassins were essential in an absolute state like Japan Sadao’s restlessness — Sadao restless, slept badly that night — woke up again and again — imagined rustling sound of assassins’ footsteps —found Tom present in the room in the morning — spent two more restless nights — assassins did not appear Dr Sadao helps the enemy (Tom) escape — Dr Sadao advised him to escape — gave him his own boat — put food, extra clothing and water in it — advised to take the help of only the Korean boat to go away — gave him flash light with instructions — did not receive any signal from Tom — escaped safely — doctor saved his life again Sadao’s meeting with the General — General informed about Tom's escape — General had undergone an emergency operation a week before — informed Dr Sadao that he forgot about the assassins Dr Sadao thinks why he couldn't kill the American soldier — Sadao stood for a moment on the veranda — gazed out to the sea from where the young man had come — recollected his days in America — wondered why he could not kill TomTEXTUAL NOTES Derry meets Lamb in his garden — Derry, a young boy, jumps over the wall and enters Lamb's garden. — Lamb notices his presence and warns him to walk carefully over the apples, — Derry assures Lamb that he has not come to steal anything. Derry makes revelation about himself 1 — Slowly Derry opens up and tells the old | man how people stare at him. — Derry tells Lamb that he is not afraid of anybody, but it is the people who are afraid of his ugly face. — Lamb understands the disgust in Derry. —He does not show any interest in his anxiety and shifts the course of conversation. — He talks about his apples and the garden. He also explains how he prepares jelly and candies from the wild apples. — Derry feels agitated by the old man's comments and conversation. — Lamb tries to know what might have spoiled Derry’s face. — Derry tells him that it was the acid that spoiled his face. Lamb offers to help Derry — Derry is worried about the scar on his face. — Lamb tells him not to worry about the scar and what people talk about him. On the Face of It ~Susan Hill — He tells him to understand the uniqueness of everything on this earth. — Lamb talks about his own handicap. — Lamb tells Derry to accept things as they are. He talks about his own handicap. — Kids call him ‘Lamey—Lamb’, but he does not mind about his handicap. — Derry disagrees with Lamb's argument. He says Lamb can cover his leg, but he cannot cover his face. — Lamb, however, assures him that people will get tired of staring at his burnt face. They will get used to it with the passage of time. Derry compares the physical pain with the emotional hurt — Derry is deeply touched. He is emotionally hurt and says nobody will kiss him. — even his mother kisses him on the other side of his face. —He does not want to gain people's sympathy. — Lamb tells Derry the story of a man who was afraid of death, and in fact everything in the world, — The man locked himself into the room and went into his bed. — a picture fell off the wall on his head and killed him. Derry shares his desires and feelings with Lamb — Derry talks about his disability and failures in life. — Lamb advises him to face his physical or mental abilities bravely. rtUv — Derry again disagrees and opposes the idea of being friendly with any one. Lamb explains the philosophy of his life —Lamb points out that the people are basically the same and unique everywhere. — Derry shares Lamb's philosophy and expresses his desire to live freely. — He is afraid that his company with Lamb might turn away his friends. —Lamb assures him that nothing will happen. Derry’s mother asks Derry not to make friendship with Lamb — The mother tells Derry not to visit Lamb's garden. — Derry tells her that she should not worry about anything. — He tells his mother that he will go back to oe Lamb because the old man tells him about those things which no one has ever told him, and they matter very much — He expresses the desire to help the man with the crab apples. — This shows his desire to gain from Lamb's company. Derry keeps his promise — In the last scene we find Lamb on the ladder. He wants to get the crab apples down. — Suddenly the ladder falls back taking the old man with it. — Just then Derry enters the garden and shouts that he has come back. — But the old man is dead. He begins to weep and cries : “Lamey-Lamb ! I did .. come back.”Tue Cummnc or My Lone Hair TexTUAL NoTES The First of Zitkala-Sa in the Carlisle School a bitter cold day snow : ground covered with — a large bell rang for breakfast annoying clatter of shoes on bare floors harsh noises all around — the narrator missed her freedom Immodestly dressed girls — the girls marching into the dining room along with Indian girls —a paleface woman, with white hair, supervised the girls — the girls wore tightly fitting and immodest looking clothes and stiff shoes — the small girls wore sleeved aprons and shingled hair — the narrator felt embarrassed as her blanket strips from her shoulders —Indian girls did not care about their dresses — three native boys entered from the opposite door — the narrator felt uncomfortable The breakfast rules — first bell for drawing chairs from under the table — the narrator pulled out the chair and sat down as she did not know the rules — the others remained standing — all sat down at the ringing of the second bell Memories of Childhood ~Zitkala-Sa’ and ‘Bama’ — the narrator crawled back into the chair again — a man’s voice muttered prayers children hung their heads over the plates paleface woman watched the narrator keenly the third bell indicated the start of the breakfast Atrocities on the narrator eating by formula was not the hardest trial narrator's friend Judewin knew a few words of English overheard the paleface woman talk about cutting narrator's long hair narrator's mother had told her that the hair of the captured soldier was cut by the captors ; short hair worn by mourners, and shingled hair by cowards Judewin and the narrator discussed their fate narrator refused to submit ; decided to resist Narrator’s attempt against hair-cutting — In order to escape hair-cutting, she crept upstairs unnoticed — entered a large room with three white beds — crawled under the bed and huddled herself in the dark corner — heard loud calls for her and sound of approaching feet — the narrator dragged out from under the bed — cried and scratched wildly — carried downstairs and tied fast toa chairNarrator’s hair cut off — resisted, cried and shook her head — her attempts to resist bore no fruit, — felt blades of scissors on her neck — her hair gnawed off — lost her spirit — suffered extreme indignities — she moaned for her mother — felt like an animal driven by a herder WE TOO ARE HUMAN BEINGS The narrator and untouchability — narrator describes her experience when she was a student of third class — hadn'theardpeoplespeak ofuntouchability — but she had already experienced and was humiliated by what it was The narrator walks back home from school — walked home from school with an old bag hanging from her shoulder — covered a distance of ten minutes in half an hour to one hour — watched all the fun, games and novelties ® on the way —enjoyed the performing monkey, saw a snake shown by a snake charmer and a cyclist who had not gone off the bike for three days — saw variety of seasonal fruits, vegetables and savoury fried snacks — all these things and activities delayed her arrival at home A landlord seated on a stone ledge — one day she saw a landlord seated on a stone ledge — saw him supervising proceedings \ \ — people were driving cattle round and round to tread out the grain from the straw — the animals were muzzled — enjoyed this activity Astrange sight — saw an elder of their street — carried a small packet of vadai or green banana bhajji, holding it by a string — he walked in a strange manner — the narrator felt like laughing — he held the packet by its string, without touching it — the elder bowed low and extended the packet to the landlord — the landlord opened the packet and ate the vadais Relates the incident to her brother — the narrator told her brother about it in a comic detail — Annan (her elder brother) told her that the landlord belonged to the upper caste —so he would not touch the lower caste people, and if he did, he would be polluted — the narrator felt sad on hearing it — she wondered how the vadai would be polluted when it was wrapped first in a banana leaf and then parcelled in paper Annan’‘s advice to ister — Annan, a university student, came back home for the holidays — advised his sister to study hard and make progress in life, and shed indignities — Annan’s words had a very deep impression on her — she studied hard and stood first in her class —As a result, many people became her friends