Prose 1 – Indigo

LONG ANSWER

Describe the difficulties faced by Gandhi at Champaran. (Comptt. Delhi 2010)

Answer:
Gandhiji came to Champaran to fight against the injustice of the landlord system there.
Most of the land in Champaran was divided into large estates owned by Englishmen
who hired Indian tenants to grow indigo there. The Indian peasants were sharecroppers
and had to surrender 15 per cent of the indigo harvest as rent to the British. After
synthetic indigo was developed the Englishmen obtained fresh agreements from
sharecroppers to pay them compensation. Many refused to sign and others wanted their
money back. At this point Gandhiji arrived in Champaran with an aim to free the
peasants from fear. He collected all the facts and met the commissioner who tried to
bully him and advised him to leave the place. Gandhiji did not leave. In the course of
securing justice for the oppressed farmers of Champaran, Gandhiji had to clash with the
British authorities several times before he could persuade them to agree to his
viewpoint.

Question 23.
How was a solution to the problem of indigo sharecroppers of Champaran found?
(Comptt. Delhi 2010)
Answer:
The entire harvest of indigo, the chief commercial crop produced by the peasants in the
15 per cent of their land had to be paid as rent to the British landlords. After Germany
developed synthetic indigo, it brought a steep fall in indigo prices. Now the landlords
very cleverly wished to give up this arrangement and get compensation for releasing the
farmers land. Gandhiji at this time appeared in Champaran and fought a year long battle
to get the poor peasants justice. Gandhiji decided to accept a settlement of 25 per cent
of the compensation money to break the deadlock between the landlords and their
tenants. The moral victory of the farmers to make the landlords own-up their dishonesty
and surrender their money and prestige mattered more to Gandhiji. So he was
successful in defeating the nefarious designs of the British landlords and also made the
farmers courageous and conscious of their rights.

Question 24.
Why and how did Raj Kumar Shukla persu-ade Gandhiji to visit Champaran? (Comptt.
AI 2010)
Answer:
Raj Kumar Shukla was an illiterate and oppressed indigo farmer from Champaran who
came to invite Gandhiji to visit his district where injustice and oppression was rampant.
He wished Gandhiji to accompany him to Champaran and sort out the problems of the
miserable peasants. Gandhiji mentioned about his prior engagements to Shukla but he
did not give up and followed Gandhiji everywhere. He kept urging Gandhiji to visit
Champaran. Finally his persistent and patience bore fruits and Gandhiji agreed to
accompany him to Champaran immediately after his Calcutta visit. Gandhiji’s
truthfulness, sincerity of purpose and undeterred efforts spelled the triumph of the
campaign against the unjust British rulers. What began as an attempt to fight for justice
against the hapless peasants later turned out to be a clear proclamation that the Indians
would not submit to British tyranny meekly.

Question 25.
How was the Champaran incident a turning point in Gandhiji’s life? (Comptt. All India
2010)
Answer:
Gandhiji came to Champaran to fight against the injustice of the landlord system there.
Most of the land in Champaran was divided into large estates owned by Englishmen
who hired Indian tenants to grow indigo there. The Indian peasants were sharecroppers
and had to surrender 15 per cent of the indigo harvest as rent to the British. After
synthetic indigo was developed the Englishmen obtained fresh agreements from
sharecroppers to pay them compensation. Many refused to sign and others wanted their
money back. At this point Gandhiji arrived in Champaran with an aim to free the
peasants from fear. He collected all the facts and met the commissioner who tried to
bully him and advised him to leave the place. Gandhiji did not leave. In the course of
securing justice for the oppressed farmers of Champaran, Gandhiji had to clash with the
British authorities several times before he could persuade them to agree to his
viewpoint.

The Champaran episode turned out to be Gandhiji’s loud pronouncement that the
Britishes could not order him about in his own country. It established the effectiveness
of non- cooperation as a means of fighting for justice. The Champaran episode revealed
Gandhiji’s principles in the political field. Even after winning the peasants’ battle against
the English landlords Gandhiji stayed in Champaran for the cultural and social
upliftment of the poor and the backward of the villages of Champaran.

Question 31.
Exploitation is a universal phenomenon. The poor indigo farmers were exploited by the
British landlords to which Gandhiji objected. Even after our independence we find
exploitation of unorganized labour. What values do we learn from Gandhiji campaign to
counter the present day problems of exploitation?(Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Gandhiji’s campaign in Champaran is relevant even in the present day to counter the
problems of exploitation. What we must keep in mind is to teach the downtrodden to be
courageous. Unless the labour class overcomes the fear within them, they will never be
able to fight for their rights. Therefore, priority has to be given to empowering and
making the labour class bold and fearless and to give them the courage to oppose
injustice and exploitation. Another thing we must remember is to focus not on the
problems of the labour class but on the solution of their problems. We must possess a
humanitarian approach and should be ready to brave hardships with non-violence,
patience and perseverance. Only then can we overcome the present-day problems of
exploitation.

Question 32.
Why did Gandhiji agree to a settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers? How did it
influence the peasant-landlord relationship in Champaran? (All India 2013)
Answer:
Gandhiji had demanded the indigo planters for a 50 per cent refund to the farmers but
they offered only 25 per cent. But Gandhiji agreed to their offer because for him the
amount of the refund was of less importance. More important was the fact that the
planters had been forced to surrender part of their rights. It was a moral victory for the
farmers. Gandhiji’s main aim was to break the deadlock between the landlords and their
tenants and to enable the peasants to recognise their legal rights. Within a few years
the British planters abandoned their estates, which reverted to the peasants and finally
indigo sharecropping disappeared.

Question 35.
Gandhiji’s was not a loyalty to abstractions; it was a loyalty to living human beings. Why
did Gandhiji continue his stay in Champaran even after indigo sharecropping
disappeared? (All India 2014)
Answer:
Gandhiji never contented himself with large political and economic solutions. He saw
the cultural and social backwardness in the villages of Champaran and wanted to do
something about it immediately. So he continued his stay in Champaran even after
indigo sharecropping disappeared. He appealed to two young men, who were teachers
and their wives to engage volunteers for improving conditions of health and hygiene.
Since the health conditions were miserable in Champaran, Gandhiji got a doctor to
volunteer his services for six months. He noticed the filthy state of women’s clothes and
asked his wife, Kasturba to talk to them about it. During his long stay in Champaran
Gandhiji also kept a long distance watch on the ashram. In everything Gandhiji did, he
tried to mould a new free India that could stand on its own feet.

Question 36.
Describe how, according to Louis Fischer, Gandhiji succeeded in his Champaran
campaign? (Comptt. Delhi 2014)
Answer:
According to Louis Fischer, the Champaran campaign began as an attempt to fight
against the injustice towards the helpless peasants to alleviate their sufferings. It later
turned out to be Gandhiji’s loud pronouncement that the Britishers could not order him
about in his own country. Gandhiji took up the cause of the indigo sharecroppers at
Champaran. He fought against the injustice of the cruel British landlords who extorted
money from the poor sharecroppers. Gandhiji collected all the facts and met the
Commissioner. He tried to threaten Gandhiji and advised him to leave from there. But
Gandhiji was undeterred. He decided to launch a peaceful ‘satyagraha’ and non-violent
movement. This led to spontaneous demonstrations in Motihari. Thousands of peasants
challenged the Britishers and the government was baffled. Despite earlier hesitations
the prominent lawyers declared their unconditional support to Gandhiji. Finally
Gandhiji’s peaceful and non-violent civil disobedience bore the desired results. The
indigo sharecroppers at Champaran secured justice and the landlords agreed to refund
25 percent of the compensation money.

Question 37.
What did Gandhiji do to remove the cultural and social backwardness in the Champaran
villages? (Comptt. Delhi 2015)
Answer:
Gandhiji never contented himself with large political and economic solutions. He saw
the cultural and social backwardness in the villages of Champaran and wanted to do
something about it immediately. So he continued his stay in Champaran even after
indigo sharecropping disappeared. He appealed to two young men, who were teachers
and their wives to engage volunteers for improving conditions of health and hygiene.
Since the health conditions were miserable in Champaran, Gandhiji got a doctor to
volunteer his services for six months. He noticed the filthy state of women’s clothes and
asked his wife, Kasturba to talk to them about it. During his long stay in Champaran
Gandhiji also kept a long distance watch on the ashram. In everything Gandhiji did, he
tried to mould a new free India that could stand on its own feet.

Also add: Gandhiji was different from other politicians. His politics was concerned with
the day to day problems of the people. His aim was to mould the Indians who could
stand on their own feet and make India free. The purpose of
Gandhiji’s visit to Champaran was to bring justice to the sharecroppers. But after that
was achieved he stayed on to alleviate the sufferings of the people in Champaran. He
started schools and clinics. His friends, wife and sons volunteered to help him. Gandhiji
stayed nearly for a year in Champaran.

Question 40.
Gandhiji, Father of our nation, is a great leader whose values have been admired by
one and all. Describe at least three characteristics of Gandhiji you get to know from
‘Indigo’, which you wish to adopt into your own life quoting suitable instances from the
story. (Comptt. Delhi 2017)
Answer:
There is no denying the fact that Gandhiji’s values and ideologies have been admired
by one and all. In the lesson ‘Indigo’ we get a glimpse of his certain traits that we should
adopt in our own life. When Gandhiji reached Champaran, his main aim was to solve
the problem of the sharecroppers and he worked towards that cause relentlessly. This
quality enabled him to overcome all obstacles. Despite his unassuming and simple
personality Gandhiji did not get intimidated by the British. He dared to face each
situation fearlessly and nothing could deter him from his path. After having resolved the
issue of compensation of the sharecroppers he focussed his attention on the social and
cultural problems of the people of Champaran. Here too he displayed an extreme sense
of sincerity towards this mammoth task. If we adopt these characteristics of Gandhiji in
our life we too are bound to achieve success in our endeavours.

Question 41.
Leadership is all about a strong concern for others. What light does Champaran episode
throw on Gandhiji’s leadership? (Comptt. All India 2017)
Answer:
There is no doubt about the fact that a good leader is one who has a strong concern for
others. Not only does he have a mass appeal but he even rises from the masses. He is
a man of principles and his life is an open book. Gandhiji’s sincere efforts to get justice
for the Champaran sharecroppers and his conscientious endeavours to uplift the people
there are proof enough of the true leadership qualities that he possessed. His primary
concern was the welfare of the common man because Gandhiji never contented himself
with large political or economic solutions. Seeing the cultural and social backwardness
in the Champaran village he wanted to do something about it immediately. His politics
was always intertwined with the practical day-to-day problems of the millions and
through his selfless actions he displayed what true leadership was all.

Prose 2 - Poets and Pancakes

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.

Prose 3 – The Interview

Question 10.
What made the American publisher think that the novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ won’t
sell in America? What actually happened? What was the secret of its success? (2013
Delhi)
Or
What is the reason for the huge success of the novel “The Name of the Rose” according
to Umberto Eco? (2002 Delhi)
Answer:
The American publisher believed that people like trash whereas ‘The Name of the Rose’
delved into metaphysics, theology and medieval history and people do not like these
difficult reading experiences. Through his novel, which sold between 10 to 15 million
copies, Umberto Eco reached only a small percentage of readers. But, according to
him, it is those kind of readers who do not want easy experiences, or at least, do not
always want this. Umberto Eco cannot categorically state the reason for the huge
success of the novel, ‘The Name of the Rose’. He himself refers to its success as a
mystery. He feels this detective story that delved into metaphysics, theology and
medieval history interested the readers as it was written at the most appropriate time.
Had it been written a decade earlier or later, it would not have been so successful. The
way the book stormed the literary world, once it was out, surprised everyone. Even
though it contained somewhat heavy reading, the book attracted a mass audience and
Eco became famous as a novelist, rather than an academic scholar the world over.

Question 11.
What do you think about Umberto Eco? Does he like being interviewed? Give reasons
in support of your answer from the text ‘The Interview’. (2006 Delhi)
Answer:
Unlike various other celebrities who express a strong dislike for interviews and consider
it an encroachment upon their privacy, Umberto Eco seems to kind of enjoy giving
interviews considering the spirited manner in which he answers the questions put forth
to him by the interviewer, Mukund Padmanabhan. Eco readily and truthfully answers all
the questions in the most humble and sincere manner, delving into details, thus
revealing the fact that he actually does not mind sharing his experiences with others. At
no point does he display any kind of haste to wind up the interview. In fact, he explicitly
answers all the questions that Padmanabhan asks him giving the interviewer a feeling
of warmth and being welcome.

Question 12.
Why did Umberto Eco start writing novels and when? What does Eco say about the
huge success of his novel, ‘The Name of the Rose’ in spite of it being a difficult and very
serious novel? (2008 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
Umberto Eco was essentially an academician who pursued his scholarly pursuits
through academic writings. He wrote about forty non¬fictions and as he himself says,
‘he became a novelist by accident’. That was the reason he started writing novels at the
age of almost fifty. Eco considers himself ‘a university professor who writes novels
(only) on Sundays’. He is not even very sure about any one single reason for the huge
success of his novel ‘The Name of the Rose’. He feels perhaps the timing of the novel’s
publication was the most important factor of its success. The fact that at one level it
appears to be a detective yarn but also delves into metaphysics, theology and medieval
history also adds to its appeal. Though the novel is quite a heavy reading experience, it
attracted a mass audience and made Eco popular more as a novelist rather than an
academic scholar.

Question 13.
What impression do you form about Umberto Eco as a scholar and writer on the basis
of ‘The Interview’? (2010 Outside Delhi)
Or
What was distinctive about Eco’s academic writing style? (2011 Delhi)
Answer:
Umberto Eco’s style is narrative, written in the manner of a story. This is in contrast to a
regular academic style which is invariably depersonalised, dry and boring. His scholarly
work has a certain playful and personal quality to it. He pursued his philosophical
interests through his academic work and novels. He also wrote books for children on
non-violence and peace.

Umberto Eco, a professor at the University of Bologna, in Italy, is an authority on

Semeiotics, the study of signs. He is also a well known novelist. His scholarly works
include academic texts, essays, childrens’ books and newspaper articles. He pursues
his philosophical interests through his academic writings and novels. In spite of having
reached the zeniths of intellectuality, Eco is a humble and modest scholar. He brushes
aside compliments and never boasts about his achievements. He is keen to share his
experiences with others and shares the secret of accomplishing so much work by
revealing the facts that he makes use of time- gaps between different pieces of work.
Eco follows an informal and playful style of writing with a narrative aspect. Even his
research work has a quality of creative writing and makes informative as well as
interesting reading.

Question 14.
Eco’s academic work has certain playful and personal quality about it. Comment. (2013
Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Answer:
Eco presents his arguments very logically and with a subtle wit and playfulness to it. He
himself says that he started writing novels by accident. He essentially considers himself
a university professor who wrote novels on Sunday. This non-fictional writing is a
marked departive from the regular depersonalised style which is often dry and boring.
Even his research work has the quality of creative writing and makes not only
information but also interesting reading. In his doctoral dissertation, Eco tells the story of
his research including his trials and errors. His: essays too always have a narrative
aspect.

Question 15.
Umberto Eco is an academic as well as a famous novelist. Comment. (2013 Comptt.
Delhi)
Answer:
Despite getting famous as a novelist, Umberto Eco always associated himself with the
academic community. He has written only five novels as compared to the forty scholarly
works of non-fiction. He considers himself as a university professor who writes novels
on Sundays. When he presented his first Doctoral dissertation in Italy, one of the
professors was impressed by the way he told the story of his research, including his
trials and errors. His essays always have a narrative aspect. He started writing novels
quite late, at the age of 50, by accident to satisfy his taste for narration.
Question 16.
Why do some celebrity writers not like being interviewed?
Answer:
Some celebrities see themselves as victims, and despise the interview as an
unwarranted intrusion into their lives. They feel that it somehow diminishes them, just as
in some primitive cultures it is believed that ‘if one takes a photographic portrait of
somebody then one is stealing that person’s soul’. V.S. Naipaul feels that ‘some people
are wounded by interviews and lose a part of themselves’. Lewis Carroll says that he
has ‘just a horror for the interviewer’ and he never consented to be interviewed.
Rudyard Kipling expressed an even more condemnatory attitude towards the
interviewer. His wife reports her husband as saying that he considered an interview as a
crime and immoral and thus it merits punishment.

Prose 4 – The Going Places

The story ‘Going Places’ draws a beautiful contrast between fact and
fiction. Comment.
Ans. Barton’s story ‘Going Places’ takes us into the world of fantasy which
offers an escape from reality. Sophie’s character is a vivid portrayal and
beautifully brings out the contrast between fact and fiction. In reality, this
young girl belongs to a lower middle-class family that is struggling for survival.
In her dreams and fantasy, she becomes a part of a ‘glamorous world’.
Sophie is basically a dreamer who finds an escape route in her fantasies.
She dreams of buying a boutique one day and shares the thought with her
friend Jansie. Jansie is practical and realistic. She tries to make her see reality
but Sophie refuses to accept it and thinks that it would be easy for her to earn
a lot of money. She dreams of becoming a manager or an actress or a fashion
designer. In her dreams and fantasy world, Sophie dates Danny Casey, an
upcoming Irish football player. She tells her family about her imaginary
meeting with Danny making it seem so realistic and true. So much so, she
even makes them believe that she would be meeting him again.
In her dream world, she forgets her humble background, her small house;
Sophie ‘goes places’ only in her dreams that are far removed from reality. She
is a symbol for all adolescents who undertake a journey to the world of
dreams.

Q2. Compare and contrast Sophie and Jansie highlighting their

temperament and aspirations.
Ans. Sophie and Jansie are good friends. They also study together in school.
Both the girls belong to very humble and not very ‘well-off families. Both
aspire to become something in life. They are earmarked for work in a biscuit
factory as soon as they finish school. But both the girls are in sharp contrast
as far as their thoughts and temperament are concerned. While Sophie
dreams of big and beautiful things, Jansie has her feet firmly planted on the
ground. She advises Sophie to be sensible and not try to think beyond reality,
but Sophie does not listen. She wants to be a boutique owner, a fashion
designer, an actress and a manager, all in the same breath. She is a romantic
dreamer who fantasizes about the young Irish footballer Danny Casey.
Sophie in her dreams hero-worships Danny and describes her imaginary
meeting with him very vividly and looks forward to another meeting with him
shortly. She shares her secret with her brother Geoff, whom she is close with.
Jansie is a sharp contrast. She is practical and a realist. She has no far-
fetched dreams and remains close to reality. In the end, it is Sophie who gets
a jolt but that does not make her wiser. She becomes a victim of her own
dreams and disappointments.

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 dream?
Ans. Sophie represents a teenager who is lost in the world of imagination.
She was fond of daydreaming and, as a result, she lost her touch with the
reality of life.
She dreams to own a boutique, whereas she has no financial background.
She doesn’t accept the reality that she came from a poor background. There
is no harm in aiming high. One should be ambitious in life. But along with
aspirations, we must have clear planning to achieve that goal. Sophie needs
to be practical in her life and analyse her situation. She should be hardworking
and determined to achieve what she wants in life. But only dreaming doesn’t
help. To succeed in life, actions are required. Sincere and continuous efforts,
along with a proper action plan, bring the desired result. Sophie needs to be
practical and patient to have her dreams materialised.

6. It is normal for adolescents to fantasise and indulge in hero-worship.

How far is it true of Sophie?
Ans. Teenage is the time of hero-worship and fantasising. When one finds a
celebrity one starts admiring that person so much that the celebrity becomes
one’s hero and one starts fantasising about him/her. A similar thing happened
with Sophie. She liked Danny Casey, the Irish football star. She used to go
with her family to see his match and was attracted by his personality. She
liked Danny Casey to the extent, she started fantasising about him. Her wild
imagination got converted into hallucination and she started imagining to meet
Danny Casey in person. She enjoyed this fantasy so much that she went to
the extent of going for a date with Danny, who was her hero.
Sophie, in fact, represents an adolescent lost in the world of fantasies and
hero-worship.

7. Sophie lives in a world full of dreams which she does not know she
cannot realise. Comment.
Ans. No doubt Sophie lives in a world of dreams which she cannot realise.
She dreams of opening a boutique which requires a lot of money. But the kind
of family background she has, it is not possible for her to have that many
finances. Moreover, she has high aspirations and very high esteem about
herself. Despite her poor socio-economic background, she doesn’t accept the
idea of working in a biscuit factory which is obvious for a girl of her
qualifications and background. Rather she believes that she would get a job
not less than that of a manager or would become an actress.
Sophie, like any adolescent, indulges in daydreaming and fantasy to the
extent that she completely ignores the reality of her life.

9.”There was the sound of applause as the world rose to greet them.”
What is the world that Sophie is dreaming about?
Why?

Ans. Sophie always dreamt of a life of sophistication and elegance. Her

brother Geoff was very close to her and she used to confide in him. Geoff
used to speak less and Sophie believed that he had his own world in which he
was moving and which was far away. She wanted to be part of that world. She
imagined being introduced to that glorious world by her brother as she
believed her to be most suited for that. She believed that one day she would
accompany Geoff to the world which was waiting for her. Geoff in his black
leather and she in her elegant yellow dress would be welcomed by the people
in that world with a standing ovation and applause.
Sophie, as per her habit, is dreaming of a world of elegance and
sophistication for which she believed herself to be most suitable.

11. ‘I can see the future and now I will have to live with this burden’, says
Sophie. What is the burden being referred to? What light does it throw
on Sophie’s life?
Ans. Sophie lives in her world of imagination. She tells her brother that she
met football star Danny Cassey in the arcade outside Royce and would be
going for a date with him. Her father does not believe that she has met Danny
Casey. Geoff though believes in her meeting, warns her that Danny Casey is
a popular star and has many girlfriends.
Sophie has probably meet Danny Cassey and exchanged a few words and
asked for an autograph. It is just the imagination that Sophie fantasises to
have a date with Danny Cassey. When Danny Dag does not show up for the
date, Sophie faced a dilemma of having to uphold the fact that she has really
met Danny Casey. She is aware that nobody would believe her. She is deeply
sad at the realisation that her life was not going to change. Her life of poverty
would not change into the glamorous world of her dreams. This is a heavy
burden for her. She finds it very difficult to cope with her reality.