Snapshots

CH5 ALBERT EINSTEIN

1. What do you understand of Einsteins nature from his conversations with his history
teacher, his mathematics teacher and the head teacher?
Answer
Einsteins behavior seemed to be extremely unruly. He didn't believe in the then prevailing
system of education. His nature was a spontaneous one. He found memorising facts and
dates quite useless. Ideas lured him more than facts because of which he had a heated
argument on education with his history teacher. He was so restless and indifferent to the
importance of attending school that he didn't mind not attending it at all. From his
conversation with the Maths teacher, we come to know that he was a student who actually
had some interest in mathematics, that being the only class in which he paid a lot of
attention and never wasted his time. He wasn't open and outright in front of his Mathematics
teacher. His behavior had turned mild before his teacher which showed his level of respect
and obediance for elders. Later, when he confronts the headmaster, we find him defensive
at the beginning and carefree at the end of the meeting.
2. The school system often curbs individual talents. Discuss.
Answer
School nowadays is about memorizing a bunch of facts and spitting them back out on a test
or exam. There is no learning involved, just memorization. Students should be taught things
of importance. The grading system is messed up too. How can you grade something on
creativity? You can't. Albert Einstein said "Everyone's a genius, but if you judge a fish by its
ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid"

3. How do you distinguish between information gathering and insight formation?

Answer
Information gathering refers to collection of data and facts. It means knowledge of specific
events or situations that has been gathered or received by communication. Insight

formation, on the other hand, refers to the perception one has of things through his deep
understanding of a subject. Insight refers to the capacity to discern the true nature of a
situation. Thus, it might differ from person to person, depending on everyone's ideas and
concepts.

MOTHERS DAY
Reading with Insight

1.This play, written in the 1950s, is a humorous and satirical depiction of the status of the
mother in the family.
(i) What are the issues it raises?
(ii) Do you think it caricatures these issues or do you think that the problems it raises are
genuine? How does the play resolve the issues? Do you agree with the resolution?
Answer
(i) Mother's Day is a comical satire. The story is a simple one, yet it strongly condemns the
position of women in society. Our mothers and wives work hard daily, turning our houses
into homes. They receive no wages and have no weekends off and work all day long, round
the clock. Little do we realise the hard work they put in to make it all perfect. We take them
for granted and never appreciate them or stop by to drop a word of 'thanks'. The story very
clearly states that our mothers and wives have equal right to relax, enjoy their lives and
deserve acknowledgement and appreciation. They sacrifice their whole lives building ours'.
Husbands stay busy at work and kids are occupied in their own lives. Amidst all this women
lose their self trying to contain our world.
(ii) The problems that play raises are serious. The treatment is of course comic. In the story
the major complaint of Mrs. Pearson is that her family does not spend time with her. The
author has tried to highlight the fact that how lonely can a woman feel when all the members
of her family leave early morning to work and then return in the evening just to get the
supper and then leave again to socialise outside home. They pay her no time or attention.

She selflessly makes the home and asks nothing in return. However, little do we realise that
they also yearn for company and wish to spend time with their loved ones.
In the play, Mrs. Fitzgerald, a determined lady who lives in the neighbourhood and a fortune
teller, helped Mrs. Pearson by exchanging body with her and dealt with Mrs. Pearson's
family. She made the Pearsons understand that Mrs. Pearson is a human after all and that
even after working 24x7 she receives no acknowledgement and appreciation from her family
members. She did not prepare the supper and did not iron the clothes and made George,
Doris and Cyril realise that how dependent they are actually on Mrs. Pearson. She is the
sole pillar who keeps their lives in place and keeps everything ready for them before even
they have asked for it. Finally when the three receive such harsh treatment and see Annie
sitting back and not doing household chores, they feel helpless and find it all difficult to
manage on their own. They realise that their lives are absolutely incomplete without Mrs.
Pearson.
The resolution was perfect and very well decided. The Pearsons needed the harsh
treatment after all else they would have never realised the blunder they were going on
committing. After what all happened and when Mrs. Fitzgerald and Mrs. Pearson exchanged
the bodies back to the original ones, Annie tells George, Doris and Cyril to stay back and
play cards with her and proposed that kids would do cooking while she could sit back and
relax while talking to her husband, to which the three approved merrily.

2. If you were to write about these issues today what are some of the incidents, examples
and problems that you would think of as relevant?
Answer
No matter that time has changed and women in today's society have become confident and
aware about their rights. However, they still continue to be dominated in conservative
societies like ours. Even in western world, one may find many such families, like Pearsons,
where the lady of the house alone manages all for the rest of the members. They work
round the clock, doing the house hold chores all by themselves without complaining and do
not even receive appreciation. Our mothers take little liberty to enjoy or have their own
leisure time. A woman is accepted only in the avtar of a home maker, we never can accept
our mothers or wives going out with her friends. We all stereotype a woman as a lady who is
going to cook food for us, iron our clothes, sit back at home all day cleaning our room and
anxiously waiting for us to return in the evening. We behave as if she can not have a life and
is liable for our our work. We must always keep it in mind that that woman in our house
needs our attention and appreciation and we must be greatful to her.

Page No: 53
1. Is drama a good medium for conveying a social message? Discuss.
Answer
Drama or theatre is a perfect media to deliver social messages to the society. Now
that we are in the digital era, we have various kinds of media, print, electronic and
cyber. However, in the times when there were no TVs, the only media was theatre.
Media not just reflects the society but also revolutionises the society. Jean Genet has
made it very clear from his plays that the society dwells on images. Hence, what we
show affects the society largely. So, in Drama or Theatre, when the characters come
alive and equivocally make their point in front of the whole society, they raise
questions, very strong and vital issues are highlighted, which otherwise remain
ignored. People heed to what is displayed and learn and not just relate and get
emotional.
BIRTH

Page No: 70

1. I have done something; oh, God! I've done something real at last. Why does Andrew
say this? What does it mean?
Answer
Andrew, the protagonist of the story Birth, utters these words as he is able to bring a still
born child back to life which seemed impossible in the beginning. The child is born still to
the wife of Joe Morgan. But after feverish efforts Andrew is able to bring the child back to
the life. He utters these words out of deep satisfaction on achieving the seemingly
impossible task. It means that Andrew has been able to do something wonderful. He has
been able to apply whatever he learnt in the medical textbooks and even beyond that. It is
really a great achievement for Andrew. The above words mean that a doctor is a medium
through which God or Almighty grants life to the patients. Andrew acknowledges this fact in
the above quoted words.
2. There lies a great difference between text book medicine and the world of practising

physician. Discuss.
Answer

There lies a great difference between text book medicine and the world of practising
physician. Text book medicine is purely a Science whereas treating a patient is an art. The
world of practising physician requires a different set of skills and knowledge. Text book
medicine no doubt provides the conceptual framework for treatment but no doctor can treat
a patient without the use of his or her intuitive practices. In the story Birth the way Andrew
brings back life in the still born child is a testimony to this fact. The nurse at first dumps the
child thinking it to be dead. But Andrews takes a chance and the miracle happens. He in the
beginning applies his text book knowledge but the child does not recover. He doesnt lose
heart. He applies his own method and the miracle then happened. Treatment is Science and
beyond. It is both a science and an art. The story Birth is a realistic fiction. In other words,
the elements of the story has been taken from real life experiences and woven in the fabric
of fiction.

THE BROWNING VERSION

The Browning VersionObjectives

Character of Crocker Harris

Character of Taplow
2 marksWhere did Taplow meet Frank?
Taplow had been given an extra work to do by Mr. Crocker Harris. He was waitingfor the master
in the school. Frank also came there and met Taplow.
What subjects does Taplow want to opt for? Why?

Taplow feels if his grades are good he would opt for science. He feels science is
moreinteresting than the study of classics.
What do you learn about Taplow from the initial conversation between him andMr.
Frank?

Taplow is a boy of sixteen. He is still in the lower fifth. Mr. Crocker- Harris has nottold
him the result so he will have to wait till the next day to learn about his fate.
What is Taplows opinion about the Greek tragedy Agamemnon?
Taplow calls the Greek tragedy Agamemnon as muck. He is annoyed at the way itwas
taught to them, just a lot of Greek words strung together. However he feels thatthe plot
of the play is good.
What does Frank call bad luck?
The weather was fine and Taplow wanted to go and play golf but he dared not defyMr.
Crocker-Harris. Frank considers Taplows situation bad luck for him.
Why would Taplow not get any comfort as mentioned by Mr. Frank?
Mr. Crocker-Harris gave no benefit to his students for being good boys in taking upextra
work. He gave marks as per the performance and not for doing any extra work.
Which rule did Mr. Crocker Harris follow strictly which many teachers flouted?
The rule was that form results should only be announced by the headmaster on the
lastday of the term. No one but Mr. Crocker- Harris paid attention to this rule.
What does Mr. Frank suggest Taplow to do because Mr. Crocker Harris is tenminutes late?
Frank asked Taplow not to wait for Mr. Crocker Harris and play golf but Taplow isreally
shocked and is afraid that Mr. Crocker Harris may follow him home or dosomething
else.
Why does Mr. Frank envy Mr. Crocker Harris?
Mr. Frank envies Mr. Crocker Harris for the effect he has on the boys in the form.
Mr.Crocker Harris does not tell the results before they are officially announced. And
inspite of making students take extra work they still like Mr. Crocker Harris.
How does Mr. Crocker Harris differ from other masters in his reactions towardsothers?
Mr. Crocker Harris did not get pleasure out of giving pain. He was not a sadist. In facthe
had no feelings. He was all dry like a nut. He seemed to hate the idea of peopleliking
him.
Who is a sadist? Why is Taplow afraid of Mr. Crocker Harris even though thelatter is not
a sadist?
A sadist is a person who gets pleasure while inflicting pain on others. Taplow saysthat
he would not be so frightened of Mr. Crocker Harris if he were a sadist. He wouldat least
show his feelings. Mr. Crocker Harris was indifferent and was like a nut.
Which incident does Taplow narrate to prove the fact that Crocker Harris doesnot like
being liked?
Taplow narrates the incident about one day when Mr. Crocker Harris made one of
hisclassical jokes in the class which no one understood. Taplow laughed out
of politeness. Instead of feeling thankful, Mr. Crocker Harris asked Taplow to explainthe
joke to the class. This incident proved that Mr. Crocker Harris did not like beingliked.
What is Taplows attitude towards Mr. Crocker Harris?
Taplow is respectful towards Mr. Crocker Harris and likes him even though he isafraid of
him and dare not cut the extra work even on the last day of the term.
Does Frank seem to encourage Taplows comments on Crocker Harris?
Frank encourages Taplow to comment on Mr. Crocker Harris by cleverly askingTaplow
several questions. He appreciated Taplows imitation of Mr. Crocker Harrisand also asks
him to repeat it.

Who was Millie Crocker Harris? What was she like?

Millie Crocker Harris was the young wife of Mr. Crocker Harris. She was a thinwoman in
her late 30s. She was more smartly dressed than the other school masterswives.
How does Millie Crocker Harris send Taplow away?
On seeing Taplow, Millie Crocker Harris points out that her husband was at theBursars
so he could go away for a quarter of an hour. But Taplow does not move.Millie assures
him that she would take the blame. She takes out a prescription andrequests him to
bring some medicines from the chemist for her.
How does Taplow react to Millies arrival?
Taplow is nervous. He is unable to control his emotions and whispers to Frank if
hethinks she has heard their conversation. Taplow feels that if she tells Mr.
Crocker Harris, he would lose his form.
What is the meaning of Cut? Why is Taplow unable to Cut?
Cut means to run away and play truant from the extra class. Taplow is unable toplay
truant because he feels Mr. Crocker Harris would follow him home or dosomething
more.
What do you gather about Mr. Frank from the play?
Mr. Frank is a young science teacher. He does not like the subject he teaches. He
alsoadmits that he tells the result to the students before it is officially announced by
thehead master. He feels envious of Crocker Harris because Taplow likes him.
10 marks
The humorous piece is an extract from a play. What according to you makes theplay
humorous?
The play The Browning Version depicts an extraordinary and interesting
situation.Frank, a young science teacher finds 16 year old Taplow waiting for his
senior teacher, Mr. Crocker Harris. The lower fifth form students have been asked to
doextra assignments on the last day of the term. Mr. Harris is leaving the school
for good the next day. Being quite busy in organizing his own affairs, he has not
yetarrived there. Taplow fears about adverse remarks on his results. This makes us
smile.The interaction between Frank and Taplow is quite amusing and entertaining.
Mr.Frank encourages Taplow to comment on Crocker Harris. The manner in
whichTaplow imitates his teachers voice, mannerisms and diction, is a source of
humour.The sudden arrival of Mrs. Crocker Harris in the midst of an imitation of
jokesurprises Frank and makes Taplow nervous. Their reactions are quite funny.
Taplowsreluctance to leave the place and his fears of consequences of his masters
return seemamusing. He feels relieved only when Mrs. Harris offers to take the blame.
All thecomments on the eccentricities of the characters of the play evoke humour in the
play

THE TALE OF THE MELON CITY

Page No: 76

Reading with Insight

1. Narrate 'The Tale of Melon City' in your own words.

Answer
The Tale of Melon City runs like a folk tale. The city is called Melon City because its ruler is
a melon. There is a curious tale about it. Once a fair and easygoing king ruled over a state.
He got an arch built across the thoroughfare. As he passed under the low arch it struck his
head and he lost his crown. He thought it a disgrace and ordered the chief of builders to be
hanged. The chief lay the blame on the workmen. The workmen were surprised. They said
that the bricks were made of wrong size. So the masons were thought guilty. The masons
shifted the blame on the architect. The architect put the blame at the kings door as he
amended his original plan. The king sought a wise mans counsel. He held the arch guilty
and ordered it to be hanged. A councillor objected to it as it had touched the kings head.
The people became restless. They wanted to see someone hanging. Only the kings head
could fit the noose. So he was hanged. It was now announced that the next man who
passed. The city gate would choose the king. An idiot happened to pass the City Gate. He
suggested A Melon. The ministers crowned a melon and placed their Melon King reverently
at the throne.
2. What impression would you form of a state where the King was 'just and placid'?
Answer
A state where the king was Just and placid enjoyed peace, liberty and justice. The king was
titular and symbolic. The citizens enjoyed freedom of all kinds. The real governance of the
country was in the hands of the citizens. In the poem 'The Tale of a Melon City' the king had
to be hanged as the citizens ultimately wanted someone to be hung. The king could not
defend himself. Even though the wisest man gave the verdict that the arch was the real
culprit but the citizens wanted someone to be hanged. Ultimately, the king was hanged. This
shows that in such a state where the king was just and placid the citizens influenced the fate
of a king.

3. How, according to you, can peace and liberty be maintained in a state?

Answer
(Answers vary with person own opinion.) Peace and liberty can be maintained in a state by
good governance. Whatever is well administered is most fruitful for the citizens as well as
rulers. There should be a happy balance between state interference and citizens rights.
Narrow consideration based on religion, region caste etc. should be discouraged becuase
these are potent threat to internal security. Only then one can expect peace and liberty to be
maintained in a state.
4. Suggest a few instances in the poem which highlight humour and irony.
Answers
The poem is full of humour and irony. The decision of the king to hang the chief of the
builders for constructing a low arch when his crown struck against it evokes laughter among
the readers. It is an example of humour. The way the king got convinced that actually the
labourers who constructed the arch were responsible is also humourous. The king wanted
to hang the labourers but the labourers were able to defend themselves. This situation is
humorous as it evokes laughter among the readers and ironic as the readers find that the
labourers are able to shift the responsibility to the architect. Ironically, the architect is able to
shift the responsibility to the king himself. The selection of the wisest man who would give
the verdict as to who was the real culprit evokes laughter and is, therefore, humorous. The
old man ultimately blamed the arch and declared that the arch must be hanged. Ironically,
one of the ministers pointed out that the gathering wanted a man to be hanged. As the
noose fitted the king's neck, so, he was hanged.'
The choice of a successor is humorous as an idiot is consulted in selecting the successor.
The idiot chose a melon who became the symbolic head of the state.