Katherine Mansfield's The Garden Party

Katherine Mansfield's The Garden Party (1922) is a celebrated short story that delves into themes of class divisions, life and death, and the innocence of youth. Through these themes, Mansfield explores the complex interplay between personal identity and societal norms.

Plot Summary

The story centers on the Sheridan family, particularly young Laura, who is helping to prepare an extravagant garden party at her family’s estate. As the preparations unfold, news arrives of a nearby neighbor’s death—Mr. Scott, a working-class man living in the cottages down the road. Laura feels troubled by the idea of celebrating while their neighbor’s family grieves, yet her family brushes off her concerns, viewing the situation through the lens of their own social standing.

Initially resistant, Laura is eventually drawn into the festive atmosphere of the party. However, after the event, her mother urges her to bring leftover food to Mr. Scott's family. At the Scotts' home, Laura confronts the stark reality of death, gazing upon Mr. Scott’s serene expression in death—a sight that leaves a lasting impression on her.

Themes

1. Class Division: A central theme of The Garden Party is the sharp social divide between the wealthy Sheridan family and their working-class neighbors. The Sheridans’ dismissive reaction to Mr. Scott's death illustrates their detachment from those of lower status. Laura’s internal conflict signals her growing awareness of this divide, though her emotions and realizations remain unresolved.

2. Innocence and Maturity: Laura is on the cusp of adulthood, grappling with the complexities of class and mortality. Her initial innocence is challenged by her encounter with death, marking a moment of growth and a deeper, if unsettling, understanding of life’s harsh realities.

3. Life and Death: The lively garden party sharply contrasts with Mr. Scott's death, symbolizing the tension between celebration and sorrow, life and mortality. Laura’s experience at the story’s end brings an unexpected calmness, as Mansfield subtly suggests that death, unlike social distinctions, is universal.

Symbolism

The Garden Party: The garden party itself symbolizes the Sheridans’ privileged world, detached from the hardships faced by others.

Laura's Hat: Laura’s hat, given by her mother, represents the family’s values and the societal expectations Laura is expected to uphold.

Death: The peacefulness of Mr. Scott’s appearance in death suggests a unity that transcends class, pointing to a shared human experience.

Mansfield's Style

Mansfield’s prose is marked by its psychological insight and refined handling of emotion. Through free indirect discourse, readers gain access to Laura’s perspective while Mansfield critiques the societal structures shaping her thoughts and feelings. The story’s language is vivid, especially in its portrayal of the natural beauty of the garden against the somber reality of death.

The Garden Party is a subtle, layered examination of class, self-awareness, and mortality. Through her delicate yet incisive style, Mansfield invites readers to ponder the intersections of personal growth and societal expectations, leaving them with a lingering sense of ambiguity.

In Katherine Mansfield's "The Garden Party," the story revolves around the Sheridan family as they prepare for a lavish garden party at their home. The weather is perfect, and the preparations are in full swing. Laura, one of the Sheridan children, is assigned the task of overseeing the setup, which includes placing a marquee in the garden. While interacting with the workers, Laura feels a connection to them, admiring their simplicity and friendliness. This moment triggers her reflection on class distinctions, as she questions the divisions between people like the workers and her own privileged life.

Amid the party preparations, news arrives that a man named Scott, a working-class carter living in the nearby cottages, has died in an accident. Laura is deeply disturbed by the tragedy and believes they should cancel the party out of respect. However, her family, especially her sister Jose and her mother, dismiss the idea. They argue that the party must go on as planned, with little regard for the deceased man and his family. Laura's initial conviction falters as she faces pressure from her family, who trivialize her concerns.

The turning point comes when Mrs. Sheridan tries to distract Laura from her distress by giving her a beautiful hat, which momentarily makes Laura feel glamorous and self-assured. Torn between her empathy for the grieving family and the allure of the social event, Laura's moral dilemma intensifies. Ultimately, the story explores themes of class inequality, the detachment of the upper class from the realities of life and death, and the struggle between social conventions and personal conscience.

At the end, Laura reluctantly participates in the party, her earlier concerns about the tragedy pushed aside. She experiences a fleeting moment of guilt but is drawn back into the superficial world of the garden party, leaving the deeper, uncomfortable realities of life unresolved.

GENERAL ENGLISH- I MCQs

MANNAR THIRUMALAI NAICKER COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS)

Question Bank- GENERAL ENGLISH- I

Q.No.

1.

Malalai of Maiwand is considered the greatest heroine of

a) Pakistan

b) Afghanistan

c) Bangladesh

d) Iran

2.

The birds and the woodpeckers loved the__________ tree.

a) guava

b) peach

c) fig

d) plum

3.

Who brought a vast family tree of the Yousafzai clan?

a) Malala’s father

b) Malala’s mother

c) Jehan Sher Khan Yousafzai

d) Alexander, the Great

4.

The most important value of the Pashtunwali is

a) status

b) literacy

c) honour

d) service

5.

Malala's mother prays ____________times a day.

a) two

b) three

c) four

d) five

6.

During his last days, Gandhi's father began reading the

a) Quran

b) Bible

c) Adi Granth

d) Gita

7.

Gandhi and his siblings waited to announce the appearance of the ___________ to their mother.

a) sun

b) moon

c) pole star

d) storm

8.

_____________ were the sole companions of Gandhi.

a) Elders

b) Friends

c) Books and lessons 

d) Birds and animals

9.

Gandhi could never learn the art________ of in his childhood.

a) copying

b) listening

c) obeying

d) talking

10.

The image of_____left an indelible impression on Gandhi's mind.

a) Harishchandra

b) Shravana

c) Thakore Saheb

d) the Agent

11.

According to Tagore, one should be

a) fearless

b) rich

c) intimidated

d) strong

12.

Tagore says that the world is divided by

a) corridors

b) narrow domestic walls

c) fences

d) boundaries

13.

Tagore wishes that the mind should be led forward by

a) the poet

b) the government

c) God

d) ego

14.

__________ are abhorred by Tagore.

a) hypocrisy and laziness

b) love and fear

c) hypocrisy and activeness

d) anxiety and worry

15.

Tagore condemns modern man's drifting from

a) customs

b) love

c) God

d) culture

16.

The poem "Love Cycle" was written by

a) Maya Angelou

b) Chinua Achebe

c) Wole Soyinka

d) Peter Abraham

17.

The poem “Love cycle” begins by describing the actions of the sun at

a) noon

b) dawn

c) dusk

d) evening

18.

The poem “Love cycle” relates the earth's ____________of the sun's scorching rays to a patient woman.

a) friendship

b) anger

c) tolerance

d) dislike

19.

In the poem "Love Cycle" the sun rays are portrayed as a man with a

a) power

b) temper

c) vigour

d) vitality

20.

The sun becomes________ at night.

a) happy

b) dark

c) yellow

d) mellow

21.

The poem "Nine Gold Medals" is based on an incident happened in the

a) Special marathon

b) Special olympics

c) Olympic games

d) World games

22.

All nine competitors in the event were awarded a ________ each.

a) gold medal

b) bronze medal

c) silver medal

d) copper medal

23.

The poem "Nine Gold Medals" deals with the __________of the day.

a) first event

b) final event

c) second event

d) third event

24.

The event mentioned in the poem "Nine Gold Medals" was

a) 100 metres race

b) high jump

c) 200 metres

d) long jump

25.

In "Nine Gold Medals", the runner who fell on his knees was the

a) tallest 

b) youngest

c) oldest

d) shortest

26.

In “Alice fell, or poverty”, the speaker meets the girl _________on the road.

a) Lucy

b) Alice

c) Dorothy

d) Miranda

27.

In “Alice fell, or poverty”, the narrator is riding in his

a) chaise

b) wagon

c) horse

d) chariot

28.

Mr. Graham heard a

a) music

b) thunder

c) strange cry

d) sound

29.

The girl's cloak had been caught by the

a) wheel

b) runner

c) poet

d) winner

30.

Alice Fell was

a) an orphan

b) Dorothy

c) the poet’s daughter

d) a princess

31.

____________looked like a comforting figure to a homesick child.

a) E. V. Lucas

b) The helper girl

c) Miss Beam

d) The author’s companion

32.

Miss Beams' is ___________school.

a) a residential

b) an elementary

c) a magnet

d) a craft

33.

E.V. Lucas says that the children in Miss Beam's school are not

a) rich

b) tall enough

c) healthy and active

d) intelligent

34.

E.V. Lucas, on seeing a girl with a crutch, declares that she must be

a) lame

b) a hopeless cripple

c) handicapped 

d) bent-legged

35.

In all enaction, the children in Miss Beam's school are expected to be

a) real

b) honest

c) humourous

d) serious

36.

On being ordered to go out of the country, Abner Snopes and his family stay in

a) camp

b) an inn

c) a wood

d) their wagon 

37.

Abner Snopes sues De Spain against the fee of _________bushels of corn.

a) thirty

b) ten

c) twenty

d) fifty

38.

Major De Spain claims that the rug cost ________ dollars

a) 100

b) 50

c) 200

d) 300

39.

Abner was a professional _________before his first son was born.

a) blacksmith

b) carpenter

c) realtor

d) horse trader

40.

The sound of ________make Sarty understand that the night of his flight is over.

a) crows

b) parrots

c) monkeys

d) whipoors- wills

41.

The poem motivates people to take

a) strength

b) confidence

c) risks

d) perseverance

42.

Guest takes the example of

a) Galileo

b) Christopher Columbus

c) Issac Newton

d) Eddison

43.

Columbus discovered

a) America

b) Japan

c) Italy

d) England

44.

A few strike out without

a) a map or chart

b) ideals

c) guidance

d) consultations

45.

Our soul cannot actually tremble from

a) strength

b) energy

c) fear

d) bravery

46.

Frost was a poet of

a) New England

b) Midland

c) Mexico

d) Atlanta

47.

The line 'And miles to go before I sleep' was liked by

a) Kamaraj

b) Mahatma Gandhi

c) Nehru

d) Tagore

48.

The woods were filling up with

a) fruits

b) snow

c) leaves

d) mosses

49.

The owner of the woods had

a) no aesthetic sense

b) much aesthetic sense

c) a lot of wealth

d) a large joint family

50.

The narrator took delight in

a) riding his little horse  

b) sleeping after travelling many miles

c) watching snow-filled woods

d) residing in his forest house

51.

The widow saw a beautiful painting of_________in the market place

a) garden

b) Sun palace

c) scenery

d) icy sea

52.

Chen was the _________son.

a) widow’s

b) Lien’s

c) Fairy’s

d) Shepherd's

53.

Chen sat near Lien at her

a) lap

b) loom

c) leg

d) thighs

54.

The young man mounted to horse and came to

a) Flame mountain

b) Sun palace

c) Icy mountain

d) Icy sea

55.

After crossing the Icy Sea, Chen and the horse came upon to the land of

a) Chen

b) Shepherd

c) Fairies

d) The woman

56.

Sideways Stories is the ____________in the Wayside School series.

a) second

b) third

c) first

d) thirtieth

57.

___________ becomes the new teacher after Mrs. Gorf is eaten.

a) Mrs. Jewls

b) Joe

c) Calvin

d) Bebe

58.

Joe is a student who ___________ properly.

a) counts

b) dies his works

c) cannot count

d) cannot do anything

59.

_______________ is the fastest drawer in school.

a) Bebe

b) Joe

c) Calvin

d) Louis

60.

Mrs.Jewls asks Joe to count to

a) ten

b) nineteen

c) thirty

d) twenty

61.

The rainbow is __________ thing of beauty.

a) the

b) an

c) a

d) some

62.

____________ book is very good.

a) the

b) an

c) a

d) some

63.

Mr. Shanker is _____________ M.P

a) the

b) an

c) a 

d) some

64.

Feminine form of : prince

a) queen

b) princess

c) woman

d) lady

65.

Plural of : Video

a) videos

b) videoes

c) videoss

d) videoses

66.

Masculine form of: Heroine

a) actor

b) man

c) boy

d) hero

67.

Identify the pronoun: This is an old fort.

a) Demonstrative

b) Distributive

c) indefinite

d) relative

68.

Identify the pronoun: Whose house is this?

a) Reflexive

b) Relative

c) Interrogative

d) Personal

69.

Mother says my brother and I ___________ to go the market

a) am

b) are

c) is

d) have

70.

A teacher along with forty students ______________ come here. 

a) have

b) here

c) how

d) has

71.

The whole class is _______________ happy. 

a) are 

b) is

c) am

d) were

72.

Identify the adverb: They ran slowly

a) they

b) ran 

c) slowly

d) none

73.

Identify the adverb: Don’t go there

a) don’t

b) go

c) there

d) none

74.

Identify the adverb: Read it carefully

a) read

b) it

c) carefully

d) none

75.

The elephant is ___________ than the bull

a) weak

b) strong

c) stronger

d) stronger

76.

This is the ___________ tunnel in the world.

a) short

b) long

c) longer

d) longest

77.

He is the _________________ person in the village. 

a) weak

b) old

c) older

d) oldest

78.

They were satisfied __________________ it.

a) between 

b) by

c) with

d) none

79.

It is very useful ___________ students.

a) of 

b) for

c) on

d) in

80.

The boys jumped ______________ the wall.

a) for

b) up

c) upon

d) into

81.

What is a paragraph?

a) A single sentence

b) A group of sentences

c) A short story

d) A poem

82.

What is the first sentence of a paragraph usually called?

a) Topic sentence

b) Conclusion

c) Supporting detail

d) Transition sentence

83.

What do supporting details do in a paragraph?

a) Summarise the main idea

b) Introduce a new idea

c) Explain and elaborate on the main idea

d) Repeat the topic sentence

84.

What is the primary function of a paragraph?

a) To tell a story

b) To describe a person

c) To develop and support one main idea

d) To list facts

85.

How should you organise your paragraph?

a) Chronological order

b) Random order

c) Logical order

d) Alphabetical order

86.

What should a concluding sentence do?

a) Introduce a new idea

b) Summarise the main idea

c) Ask a question

d) Provide unnecessary information

87.

What is the primary purpose of an essay?

a) To tell a story

b) To describe a person

c) To express and support an opinion or idea

d) To list facts

88.

What is the typical structure of an essay?

a) Introduction, body, conclusion

b) Introduction, conclusion, body

c) Body, introduction, conclusion

d) Conclusion, body, introduction

89.

What is the purpose of a thesis statement?

a) To summarise the conclusion

b) To introduce a new idea

c) To express the main argument or claim

d) To provide supporting details

90.

What should body paragraphs include?

a) Only supporting details

b) Only transitional words

c) Topic sentence, supporting details, and analysis

d) Only conclusions

91.

What is the purpose of a conclusion?

a) To introduce new information

b) To summarise the main points

c) To ask a question

d) To provide unnecessary information

92.

Why is it important to revise an essay?

a) To change the font and layout

b) To check for grammar and clarity

c) To add more pages

d) To remove all transitions

93.

What is the primary goal of reading comprehension?

a) To finish reading quickly

b) To remember every detail

c) To understand the main idea and supporting details

d) To find difficult vocabulary

94.

What type of questions require you to use prior knowledge?

a) Literal questions

b) Inference questions

c) Critical thinking questions

d) Memory recall questions

95.

What should you do when you don't understand a passage?

a) Skip it and move on

b) Read it again slowly

c) Ask someone for help

d) All of the above

96.

What is the main idea?

a) Supporting details

b) The author's opinion

c) The central idea or message

d) The title of the passage

97.

Why is it important to identify supporting details?

a) To confuse the reader

b) To summarise the main idea

c) To provide evidence for the main idea

d) To introduce a new idea

98.

What skill is needed to understand implied meaning?

a) Literal comprehension

b) Inference

c) Critical thinking

d) Vocabulary recognition

99.

How can you improve your comprehension?

a) By reading quickly

b) By reading regularly and actively

c) By only reading headlines

d) By skipping hard passages

100.

What is active reading?

a) Reading without thinking

b) Reading and understanding the material

c) Reading only headlines

d) Reading quickly

PART A

1. B. Afghanistan

2. D. Plum

3. C. Jehan Sher Khan Yousafzai

4. C. Honour

5. D. five

6. D. Gita

7. A. sun

8. C. Books and lessons

9. A. Copying

10. B. Shravana

11. A. Fearless

12. B. narrow domestic walls

13. C. god

14. A. hypocrisy and laziness

15. C. God

16. B. Chinua Achebe

17. B. Dawn

18. C. Tolerance

19. B. Temper

20. D. Mellow

21. B. Special Olympics

22. A. Gold medal

23. B. Final event

24. A. 100 meters race

25. B. youngest

26. B. Alice

27. A. Chaise

28. C. Strange cry

29. A. Wheel

30. A. An orphan

31. C. Miss Beam

32. A. A residential

33. C. Healthy and active

34. B. a hopeless cripple

35. B. honest

36. A. Camp

37. D. Fifty

38. A. 100

39. D. Horse trader

40. D. Whipoor wills

41. C. Risks

42. B. Christopher Colombus

43. A. America

44. A. Map or chart

45. C. Fear

46. A. New England

47. C. Nehru

48. B. Snow

49. A. No aesthetic sense

50. C. Watching the snow filled woods

51. B. Sun Palace

52. A. Widow’s

53. B. Loom

54. A. Flame Mountain

55. C. Fairies

56. C. first

57. A. Mrs. Jewls

58. C. cannot count

59. A. Bebe

60. A. ten

61. C. a

62. A. The

63. B. an

64. B. princess

65. A. videos

66. D. hero

67. A. Demonstrative

68. C. Interrogative

69. B. are

70. D. has

71. B. is

72. C. slowly

73. C. there

74. C. carefully

75. C. stronger

76. D. longest

77. D. oldest

78. C. with

79. B. for

80. C. upon

81. B. a group of sentences

82. A. topic sentence

83. C. explain and elaborate 

84. C. To develop and support one main idea

85. C. Logical order

86. B. Summarise the main idea

87. C. To express and support an opinion or idea

88. A. Introduction, Body, Conclusion

89. C. To express the main argument or claim

90. C. Topic sentence, supporting details and analysis

91. B. To summarise the main points

92. B. to check for grammar and clarity

93. C. To understand the main idea and supporting details

94. B. Inference questions

95. D. All of the above

96. C. The central idea or message

97. C. to provide evidence for the main idea

98. B. Inference

99. B. By reading regularly and actively

100.C. Reading and understanding the material

PART II ENGLISH III MCQs

Q.No.

1.

“In a Grove” was published in _______

a) 1912

b) 1922

c) 1932

d) 1942

2.

Masago says that she stabbed her throat with ______

a) Takehiko’s sword

b) Takehiko’s arrow

c) her small sword

d) Tajomaru’s knife

3.

The _____ stroke killed the samurai.

a) fifteenth

b) twentieth

c) twenty-third

d) twenty-fifth

4.

The samurai was _____ years old

a) twenty-three

b) twenty-four

c) twenty-five

d) twenty-six

5.

According to the policeman, ____ is the notorious brigand

a) Masago

b) Takehiko

c) Tajomaru

d) The High Police Commissioner

6.

In the story “The Gift of the Magi”, Jim and Della were _______

a) foolish 

b) hasty

c) wise

d) rich

7.

The chain that Della had bought for Jim was made of

a) silver

b) platinum

c) gold

d) copper

8.

Della said that her hair will grow ________

a) fast

b) scarcely

c) white

d) curly

9.

Madame Sofronie paid Della _______ dollars for her curls.

a) twenty

b) ten

c) thirty

d) forty

10.

Della’s hair shone link ____________

a) silver

b) cascade of brown waters

c) gold

d) platinum wires

11.

Robin Sharma emphasizes the importance of ________ in his teachings.

a) listening

b) speaking

c) reading 

d) writing

12.

Robin Sharma highlights the role of ________ in listening.

a) apathy

b) empathy

c) hatred

d) boredom

13.

According to Robin Sharma everyone has a/an _________

a) vision

b) voice

c) ego

d) insight

14.

Robin Sharma is a/an ________ author well known for his motivational and self-help books.

a) American 

b) African

c) Canadian

d) Nigerian

15.

It is a universal fact that people crave to be ______

a) watched

b) cared

c) heard

d) served

16.

Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in _______

a) 2001

b) 2002 

c) 2003

d) 2004

17.

As a child, Maathai mistook ______ for beads.

a) lotus’ seeds

b) pebbles

c) dew drops

d) frogs’ eggs

18.

According to Maathai, ____ have the energy and creativity to shape a sustainable future.

a) elderly men

b) young people

c) elderly women

d) learned persons

19.

Aung San Suu Kyi works for peace and democracy for the people of _____

a) Singapore

b) Malaysia

c) Burma

d) Sri Lanka

20.

In Africa, _____ hold significant responsibility or tilling the land and feeding their families.

a) men

b) women

c) children

d) priests

21.

In the poem “Telephone Conversation”, the white lady was offended by the African’s ________

a) thick lips

b) muscular body

c) vulgar talk about his bottom

d) big eyes

22.

The central theme of the poem “Telephone Conversation” is about ________

a) apartheid

b) euthanesia

c) nihilism

d) nepotism

23.

________ is the autobiography of Wole Soyinka

a) Eka

b) Ake

c) Kae

d) Aye

24.

The African tenant’s sepia complexion is mentioned in his _____

a) degree certificate

b) visa

c) passport

d) birth certificate

25.

Between whom do we find the telephonic conversation?

a) Between a white man and a black man

b) Between a white lady and a black lady

c) Between a white lady and a black man

d) Between a white man and a black man 

26.

“A man who takes delight in solitude must be either a beast or a god”. This is said by ________.

a) Plato

b) Aristotle

c) Shakespeare

d) Sophocles

27.

Julius Caesar elevated ______ to a high rank.

a) Brutus 

b) Antonio

c) Cassius 

d) Casca

28.

Bacon calls those people who do not have friends to share their thoughts with as _____________.

a) animals

b) cannibals

c) mad persons

d) idiots

29.

According to Bacon books are ________.

a) instructive

b) didactic

c) useful

d) dull and dead

30.

In the essay “On Friendship”, Bacon comments that the parable of _________

a) Pythagoras

b) Abacus

c) Longinus

d) Duke Charles

31.

Ulysses leaves the scepter and the isle to _____

a) Mariners

b) Penelope

c) Telemachus 

d) the people

32.

Ulysses refers to ________ as “mine own”.

a) his wife

b) his kingdom

c) his comrades

d) his son

33.

“The lights begin to twinkle from the _____” complete the lines.

a) streams

b) rocks

c) flies

d) seeds

34.

Ulysses hopes to see ________ in the Happy Isles.

a) Atlas

b) Samson

c) Achilles

d) Hercules

35.

The aim of Ulysses is to _______

a) work

b) strive

c) yield

d) laugh

36.

“You may shoot me with your _____”. Complete the line.

a) gun

b) arrow

c) camera

d) words

37.

According to Angelou, _______ is the dream and hope of the slave.

a) she, herself

b) the white woman

c) her forefather

d) her grand daughter

38.

In the poem “Still I Rise”, it is thought Angelou has _______ in her backyard.

a) oil wells 

b) coal mines 

c) gold mines

d) factories

39.

The history of the Black people is rooted in _______

a) pain

b) happiness

c) glory

d) sorrow

40.

The speaker in the poem “Still I Rise” is depicting the story of a/an _______ person.

a) free

b) oppressed

c) educated

d) elite

41.

Who wrote the poem “Leisure”?

a) Robert Frost

b) Robert Burns

c) W.H. Davies

d) W.H. Auden

42.

According to Davies, the modern man has no time to ________.

a) stand and stare

b) look and peep

c) stand and sit

d) sit and watch

43.

In the poem “Leisure”, where do squirrels hide their nuts?

a) among plants

b) within holes

c) in grass

d) in huts

44.

How many times is the phrase ‘no time’ repeated in the poem “Leisure”?

a) 5

b) 2

c) 4

d) 7

45.

Davies condemns the ________ for being busy.

a) lazy woman

b) beautiful woman

c) idle man

d) modern man

46.

Rhona McFerran is a/an ______ poet.

a) African

b) American

c) Canadian

d) Irish

47.

What action does anxiety perform according to McFerran?

a) Hovering

b) Singing

c) Sleeping 

d) Dancing

48.

Which phrase best describes McFerran’s attitude towards anxiety?

a) Fearful resignation

b) Fierce determination

c) Hopeless despair

d) Passive acceptance

49.

The poem “Anxiety Monster” highlights the negative fame of _____

a) the poet

b) anxiety

c) the monster

d) Freud

50.

Throughout the poem “Anxiety Monster”, McFerran shares her struggles with __________

a) the monster

b) her parents

c) anxiety

d) men

51.

In “Forty Fortunes”, Jamell wants Ahmed to be a/an ___________

a) thief

b) woodcutter

c) diviner

d) atheist

52.

Which of the following best describes the genre of “Forty Fortunes”?

a) Science Fiction

b) Folktales

c) Mystery

d) Romance

53.

The primary theme of “Forty Fortunes” is ______

a) love and friendship

b) adventure and exploration

c) wisdom and morality

d) conflict resolution

54.

In “Forty Fortunes”, Ahmed asks ______ days to find out the thieves.

a) twenty

b) thirty

c) forty 

d) fifty

55.

The King rewards Ahmed with ________ in “Forty Fortunes”.

a) a palace

b) a golden shovel

c) two diamond rings

d) two chests of jewels

56.

Ajit is ______ years old in “Where there is Will”.

a) 23

b) 33

c) 43

d) 53

57.

There are __________ spaces in the lavish house of Hasmukh Mehta.

a) two

b) three

c) four

d) five

58.

Hasmukh donated all his properties, finances and shares to _______ Trust.

a) The Hasmukh Mehta

b) The Hasmukh

c) The Hasmukh Mehta Charitable

d) none of these

59.

 Kiran is married to _______ officer in “Where there is Will”.

a) a military

b) a government

c) a railway

d) an Airforce

60.

In the drama “Where there is Will”, Preeti is annoyed by ______ things.

a) two

b) three

c) four

d) five

61.

Choose the correct Idiomatic Expression:

Things are in ___________ in my house

a) a big shot

b) a package deal

c) a dark house

d) apple-pie order

62.

Choose the correct option that expresses the meaning of the given Idiomatic Expression:

Bag of bones ____________

a) a bag full of bones

b) a dead person

c) a person about to die

d) an extremely weak person

63.

Choose the correct option that expresses the meaning of the given Idiomatic Expression:

To fall flat _________

a) retreat

b) unable to achieve the desired result

c) quarrel

d) meet acciedentally

64.

Choose the correct option that expresses the meaning of the given Idiomatic Expression:

To smell a rat _________

a) signs of plague epidemic

b) bad smell

c) suspect foul dealings

d) to be in a bad mood

65.

Choose the correct Idiomatic Expression:

I usually check my email before ________ at night.

a) hit the hay

b) save the day

c) odd one out

d) save the night

66.

Choose the correct Idiomatic Expression:

It has been raining ___________ since morning

a) hit the hay

b) dead in water

c) cats and dogs

d) odd one our

67.

Choose the correct Idiomatic Expression:

To beat Australia in cricket, England needed the _____

a) a labour of Hercules

b) a tall order

c) a vicious circle

d) a brain wave

68.

Choose the Correct Answer: 

We ______ go to the beach this evening.

a) shall

b) should

c) will

d) may

69.

Choose the Correct Answer: 

She ______ read a lot of books.

a) can

b) may

c) would

d) might

70.

Choose the Correct Answer: 

I don’t know. He _____ come

a) would

b) will

c) must

d) may

71.

Choose the Correct Answer: 

I _______ read Malayalam.

a) shouldn’t

b) can

c) should

d) may

72.

Choose the Correct Answer: 

I know you ______ lift it

a) may 

b) should

c) might

d) can

73.

Choose the Correct Answer: 

If she decides, who ________ stop her?

a) can

b) would

c) will

d) could

74.

Choose the Correct Answer: 

You ____ not waste our time.

a) might 

b) would

c) should

d) could

75.

Choose the Correct Answer: 

______ I come in?

a) Will

b) Would

c) May

d) Might

76.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Gerund:

Children love _____ mud castles

a) make

b) making

c) carry

d) carrying

77.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Gerund:

I hope of _____ a rank.

a) get

b) score

c) scolding

d) getting

78.

Fill in the blanks with suitable infinitive:

Here is a house to______.

a) let

b) left

c) lent

d) lit

79.

Fill in the blanks with suitable infinitive:

Sri was called to ________

a) seek

b) speak

c) see

d) sea

80.

Fill in the blanks with suitable infinitive:

Siba was told not to _____ loudly.

a) hear

b) see

c) sing

d) listen

81.

Departmental letters are written for ______, _______ etc.

a) posting, transfers

b) Birthday, wedding

c) parents, sibling

d) electricity, water

82.

A ________ is a greeting used in various forms of communication

a) salutation

b) signature

c) receiver’s address

d) date 

83.

The main and the useful part of the letter is ____.

a) date

b) body

c) receiver’s address

d) salutation

84.

Terms as “Yours truly” and “Yours faithfully” are examples of _____

a) Salutation

b) Address

c) Subscription

d) Heading

85.

Leave-taking can also be called as _______

a) Salutation

b) Address

c) Subscription

d) Heading

86.

An official letter requires _________ in the bottom.

a) Date

b) Heading

c) Body of the letter

d) Signature

87.

Terms as “Respected Sir” and “Dear Sir” are examples of _____

a) Salutation

b) Address

c) Subscription

d) Heading

88.

________ should be brief and to the point in official letters.

a) Body of the letter

b) Address on the envelope

c) Date

d) Signature

89.

One should always write the ______ below the sender’s address.

a) Body of the letter

b) Address on the envelope

c) Date

d) Signature

90.

__________ consists of the writer’s address and the date which should be written in a letter.

a) The Heading

b) The Date

c) The Bosy of the letter

d) The Signature

91.

________ form an important part of human intercourse or social dealing.

a) Dairy 

b) Stamp 

c) Letter 

d) Invitations 

92.

___________ do not include the names of the addressee.

a) Envelope

b) formal letter

c) informal letter

d) formal invitation

93.

The style or tone of the __________ is relaxed and informal.

a) informal invitations

b) formal invitations

c) official invitations

d) annual invitations

94.

Personal feelings and emotions find an expression in _________ invitations.

a) informal

b) formal

c) official

d) personal

95.

The length of formal and informal invitations should not exceed ________ words.

a) 50

b) 60

c) 40

d) 100

96.

_________ is a brochure type with three equal sections and six panels in total.

a) Tri-fold brochure

b) Bi-fold brochure

c) Z-fold brochure

d) B-fold brochure

97.

________ format is one of the popular format of all other brochure format.

a) single-fold

b) two-fold

c) tri-fold

d) four-fold

98.

The ________ involves folding the paper in a zigzag pattern.

a) Tri-fold brochure

b) Bi-fold brochure

c) Z-fold brochure

d) B-fold brochure

99.

Informal invitations’ generally take the shape and form of _______

a) personal

b) official

c) college

d) celebration

100.

___________ involves folding the paper in half to make two equal-sized panels on each side.

a) Tri-fold brochure

b) Bi-fold brochure

c) Z-fold brochure

d) B-fold brochure

Answers 

1. b) 1922

2. c) her small sword

3. c) twenty-third

4. d) twenty-six

5. c) Tajomaru

6. c) wise

7. b) platinum

8. a) fast

9. a) twenty

10. b) cascade of brown waters

11. a) listening

12. b) empathy

13. b) voice

14. c) Canadian

15. c) heard

16. d) 2004

17. b) pebbles

18. b) young people

19. c) Burma

20. b) women

21. c) vulgar talk about his bottom

22. a) apartheid

23. b) Ake

24. c) passport

25. c) Between a white lady and a black man

26. b) Aristotle

27. a) Brutus

28. b) cannibals

29. d) dull and dead

30. a) Pythagoras

31. c) Telemachus

32. d) his son

33. b) rocks

34. c) Achilles

35. b) strive

36. d) words

37. a) she, herself

38. c) gold mines

39. a) pain

40. b) oppressed

41. c) W.H. Davies

42. a) stand and stare

43. c) in grass

44. d) 7

45. d) modern man

46. b) American

47. a) Hovering

48. b) Fierce determination

49. b) anxiety

50. c) anxiety

51. c) diviner

52. b) Folktales

53. c) wisdom and morality

54. c) forty

55. d) two chests of jewels

56. a) 23

57. b) three

58. c) The Hasmukh Mehta Charitable

59. b) a government

60. a) two

61. d) apple-pie order

62. d) an extremely weak person

63. b) unable to achieve the desired result

64. c) suspect foul dealings

65. a) hit the hay

66. c) cats and dogs

67. a) a labour of Hercules

68. a) shall

69. a) can

70. d) may

71 b) can

72. d) can

73. a) can

74. c) should

75. c) May

76 b) making

77. d) getting

78. a) let

79. b) speak

80. c) sing

81. a) posting, transfers

82. a) salutation

83. b) body

84. c) Subscription

85. c) Subscription

86. d) Signature

87. a) Salutation

88. a) Body of the letter

89. c) Date

90. a) The Heading

91 d) Invitations 

92. d) formal invitation

93. a) informal invitations

94. d) personal

95. a) 50

96. a) Tri-fold brochure

97 a) single-fold

98. c) Z-fold brochure

99 a) personal

100. b) Bi-fold brochure

Sweat by Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston published her short story "Sweat" in 1926 in the literary magazine Fire!!. The story is set in a small town in Florida in the 1920s and follows the troubled marriage of Delia Jones, a hard-working, moral woman, and her husband Sykes, who is lazy, abusive, and unfaithful.

One Sunday night, as Delia prepares laundry for her job washing clothes for white families, Sykes plays a cruel trick, making her believe his bullwhip is a snake to scare her. He ridicules her work and disrupts her carefully sorted laundry, stomping on the white clothes. Delia, however, stands her ground and reminds him that she has supported him throughout their fifteen-year marriage and even bought the house they live in. Finding an unexpected strength, Delia raises a frying pan in defense, telling Sykes she knows about his affair with a woman named Bertha. Surprised by her defiance, Sykes leaves.

Delia reflects on her years of abuse at Sykes’s hands and resolves to hold onto her home, which she bought to secure her future. When Sykes returns early the next morning, he taunts her about the frying pan incident, but Delia silently resists him.

Meanwhile, the townsmen gather at Joe Clarke’s store, where they see Delia passing by in her laundry cart. Their conversation turns to Sykes, and they all agree that he mistreats Delia and doesn’t deserve her. They also discuss his affair with Bertha, with Jim Merchant sharing that Sykes once tried to charm his wife by bringing her pecans—only to be scolded for betraying Delia.

In "Sweat," Hurston captures the resilience of Delia as she faces her abusive husband and asserts her right to independence and dignity.

The Role of Religion 

Religion plays a significant role in Delia’s life and serves as a source of strength for her. Throughout the story, Delia is portrayed as a devout Christian who attends church regularly and seeks solace in prayer. Her faith helps her endure Sykes’ abuse and provides her with a moral framework. At the same time, she struggles with her desire for justice and her religious teachings of forgiveness. Hurston uses Delia’s faith to highlight her inner conflict and her reliance on divine justice, which is ultimately fulfilled when Sykes meets his end, allowing Delia to escape her suffering without compromising her faith.

A Devoted Son by Anita Desai

In “A Devoted Son” by Anita Desai, the story centers on Rakesh and his relationship with his father, Varma. Rakesh, a brilliant student, achieves great academic success, ultimately becoming a doctor and securing a position in America. His accomplishments bring pride to his family and community, especially to his father, who sees his son as the embodiment of their dreams.

Despite his success abroad, Rakesh remains deeply committed to his family. He returns to India, practices medicine locally, and marries a woman his parents approve of, fulfilling his traditional responsibilities as a son. As Varma ages, Rakesh takes on the role of caregiver, rigorously managing his father’s health, including restricting his diet. Over time, Varma begins to feel suffocated and controlled by Rakesh’s relentless care, leading to feelings of frustration and resentment.

Desai’s story delves into themes of family duty, cultural expectations, and the generational divide. It portrays how love, especially when tied to obligation, can strain relationships, showing the delicate balance between respect and independence within family life.

The central theme of The Devoted Son is the duty and devotion a child owes to his parents. Rakesh is a model of filial piety, returning from America to care for his aging parents despite his professional success. His sense of duty leads him to impose strict health measures on his father, Varma, which highlights the tension between love and control. The story explores the conflict between the ideal of devotion and the personal desires of individuals, as Varma resents Rakesh’s overbearing care. Ultimately, the story suggests that devotion can become oppressive if it fails to respect the emotional and physical needs of the cared-for individual.

Portrayal  of the Theme of Aging 

Aging is a central theme in The Devoted Son, depicted through Varma’s declining health and his struggle to maintain his dignity. Varma experiences a loss of control over his life as he becomes more dependent on Rakesh for his physical care. Rakesh’s well-intentioned but controlling behavior exacerbates Varma’s sense of helplessness. The story portrays aging as not only a physical decline but also an emotional and psychological battle for autonomy and respect. Varma’s desire to eat what he wants, despite the health risks, is symbolic of his attempt to assert control over his life in the face of old age.

The story delves into the complex nature of gratitude, particularly in familial relationships. While Rakesh’s actions toward his father are rooted in a sense of duty, he expects gratitude in return for his care. However, Varma’s feelings are far more complicated. As Rakesh becomes more controlling, Varma feels suffocated rather than grateful. Mahasweta Devi suggests that gratitude cannot be forced or expected, especially when the recipient of care feels their autonomy is being compromised. The story raises important questions about whether devotion, when rigid and overbearing, can truly be considered an act of love deserving of gratitude.

In "A Devoted Son," Rakesh begins by respectfully touching his father Varma's feet, a traditional gesture symbolizing his reverence and adherence to cultural values. This act of devotion reflects Rakesh's deep-seated respect for his father, with the narrator describing him as "the most obedient and helpful of sons, the kindest of sons, the best of sons, the most dutiful of sons" (Desai). This aligns with traditional expectations, where children honor and obey their parents, especially the father figure.

As the story unfolds, however, the meaning behind Rakesh's actions shifts. When Varma falls ill, Rakesh takes charge of his father’s health, closely monitoring his diet and behavior with an intense, almost obsessive, focus. His initial respect evolves into a controlling and authoritarian approach, with the narrator noting, “He observed his father as if he were a grim astringent doctor examining a patient critically” (Desai). Rakesh’s actions now seem less about respect and more about asserting control over his father’s well-being.

Toward the end of the story, the act of touching Varma’s feet takes on yet another layer of meaning. In a climactic moment as Varma lies on his deathbed, Rakesh touches his father’s feet one last time, but now with resentment and frustration rather than reverence. The narrator describes him as “frowning and scowling” as he touches his father's feet, even knocking them irritably with his knuckle (Desai).

This final gesture encapsulates the transformation in Rakesh’s relationship with his father. What once symbolized filial piety now reveals Rakesh’s inner turmoil and growing resentment. This evolution highlights the tension between duty and autonomy, as Rakesh struggles to uphold traditional values while contending with his own personal desires.

In summary, the act of touching Varma’s feet is a powerful symbol in "A Devoted Son." Initially, it represents Rakesh’s respect and adherence to tradition, but it eventually mirrors his internal conflict and the clash between tradition and individual aspirations. Through this evolving gesture, Desai reveals the complex dynamics of family and the impact of cultural expectations on personal identity.

A Raisin in the Sun - Essay

 

The title “A Raisin in the Sun” is derived from Langston Hughes’ poem “Harlem,” which poses the question, “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?” The poem captures the frustration of unfulfilled dreams, a central theme in the play. Each character in the Younger family has a dream: Walter dreams of financial success, Beneatha dreams of becoming a doctor, and Mama dreams of owning a house. However, their dreams are consistently delayed or threatened by economic and social barriers, particularly racism and poverty. Walter's dream is deferred by systemic inequalities that limit his opportunities as a Black man, and Beneatha's is postponed by financial constraints and societal expectations of women. The title reflects the wear and tear on these dreams, symbolizing how prolonged deferral can cause them to wither, but the play ultimately suggests that perseverance and dignity can keep those dreams alive.

In “A Raisin in the Sun”, Lorraine Hansberry explores the theme of gender roles through the contrasting characters of Ruth and Beneatha, each representing different perspectives on a woman’s place in society. Their differing outlooks on life and gender expectations reflect the broader tension between traditional and progressive views of women’s roles during the mid-20th century.

 

Ruth embodies the traditional gender roles expected of women during that era. As a wife and mother, Ruth’s primary focus is on maintaining the household and supporting her family, often at the expense of her own dreams and desires. She works tirelessly as a domestic worker and carries the weight of family responsibilities, but her contributions are often undervalued. Ruth’s emotional and physical exhaustion is palpable throughout the play, particularly when she discovers she is pregnant and contemplates having an abortion due to the family’s financial struggles. This difficult decision highlights the immense pressure placed on women like Ruth to prioritize their family’s well-being above their own aspirations.

 

Despite her weariness, Ruth’s sense of duty and self-sacrifice aligns with the traditional expectations for women to be caretakers and nurturers. She is pragmatic and realistic, focused on ensuring her family’s survival in a harsh world. When Mama buys the house in Clybourne Park, Ruth expresses relief and joy, seeing it as an opportunity for a better life for her son, Travis. For Ruth, the dream of owning a home and providing stability for her family is her ultimate goal, even if it means adhering to conventional gender roles that confine her to domestic life.

 

In contrast, Beneatha represents a more modern, progressive view of gender roles. As an educated, ambitious young woman, Beneatha rejects the idea that her identity should be defined by traditional notions of marriage and domesticity. She aspires to become a doctor, a field dominated by men, and refuses to let societal expectations dictate her choices. Beneatha’s intellectual curiosity and determination to pursue a career outside of the home reflect the growing feminist movement of the time, which advocated for women’s rights to education, professional opportunities, and personal autonomy.

 

Beneatha’s relationships with George Murchison and Joseph Asagai further illustrate her resistance to traditional gender roles. While George expects Beneatha to conform to a more conventional role as his future wife, content with wealth and social status, Beneatha rejects his shallow views and seeks deeper meaning in her life. Asagai, on the other hand, encourages Beneatha’s exploration of her cultural roots and supports her desire for self-actualization. Through these relationships, Hansberry contrasts the differing societal expectations for women: one that confines them to the roles of wife and mother, and another that promotes intellectual and personal freedom.

 

The tension between Ruth and Beneatha also reflects the generational divide between women who adhered to traditional roles and those who sought to challenge them. Ruth, though exhausted by the demands of her domestic life, finds comfort in the stability it provides, while Beneatha refuses to settle for a life limited by societal expectations. Their differing perspectives highlight the evolving roles of women in society and the broader cultural shifts occurring during the 1950s and 1960s, as women began to push against the constraints of gender norms.

 

Mama represents traditional values such as faith, family, and the pursuit of the American Dream. She is deeply religious and grounded in her belief that hard work, moral integrity, and maintaining a strong family bond are key to overcoming adversity. Throughout the play, she emphasizes the importance of dignity, reminding her family that material success should not come at the cost of their values. Mama's decision to purchase a house in Clybourne Park with the insurance money is motivated by her desire to fulfill her late husband's dream and provide a stable home for her family, symbolizing her commitment to building a better future for them. Her influence is profound, as she provides moral guidance for Walter, helping him realize the importance of family and dignity when he considers accepting Mr. Lindner’s offer. In the end, Mama’s traditional values serve as a moral anchor for the family, guiding them through their struggles.

Walter Lee Younger undergoes significant character development in “A Raisin in the Sun”. At the beginning of the play, Walter is frustrated and dissatisfied with his life as a chauffeur, yearning for a way to provide more for his family and earn the respect he believes comes with financial success. His fixation on investing in a liquor store symbolizes his desire for upward mobility, but it also blinds him to the needs of his family and the moral implications of his actions. His recklessness and desperation lead him to entrust the insurance money to Willy Harris, who betrays him, resulting in the loss of the family’s financial security.

However, Walter’s turning point occurs when he is faced with Mr. Lindner’s offer to buy them out of moving into Clybourne Park. Initially, he considers accepting the money, but ultimately, he rejects it, realizing that compromising his family’s dignity is too great a cost. This decision marks his maturation as a character. By choosing to honor his family's legacy and values, Walter emerges as a more responsible and self-aware individual, capable of leading his family with a sense of pride and integrity.

The setting of the Youngers' small, cramped apartment is integral to the themes of “A Raisin in the Sun”. The apartment symbolizes the limitations and constraints faced by the family, both economically and socially. It is overcrowded, with Ruth, Walter, Beneatha, Travis, and Mama all sharing the space, which highlights their financial struggles and inability to afford a larger home. The worn and outdated nature of the apartment reflects the weariness of the characters’ deferred dreams, as they have lived there for many years with little change in their circumstances.

 

The apartment also serves as a metaphor for the family's stagnation, their lack of mobility, and their longing for a better life. Mama’s plant, which she tends to despite the poor conditions, symbolizes her hope and resilience. The family’s decision to move to Clybourne Park represents their desire to escape the limitations imposed by their socioeconomic status and environment, and their determination to achieve upward mobility despite the obstacles they face. The setting effectively mirrors the play’s central themes of struggle, hope, and the pursuit of a better future.

In “A Raisin in the Sun”, systemic racism is a central force that shapes the lives of the Younger family and hinders their ability to achieve their dreams. The play takes place in the 1950s, a time when racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans were entrenched in American society, particularly in housing, employment, and education. The Younger family’s dreams—whether it is Walter’s desire for financial independence, Beneatha’s aspiration to become a doctor, or Mama’s dream of owning a home—are all impacted by these social and racial barriers.

 

The most overt example of racism in the play is the response the family receives when they attempt to move into the all-white neighborhood of Clybourne Park. Mr. Lindner, representing the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, offers the family money to dissuade them from moving into the neighborhood, clearly illustrating the racial prejudice that permeates even their ability to choose where they live. This attempt to block the Youngers’ upward mobility based solely on their race shows how systemic racism limits the family’s opportunities and reinforces social inequalities.

 

Moreover, Walter’s frustrations throughout the play are a direct result of the limited economic opportunities available to Black men during this time. Despite his aspirations and hard work, Walter struggles to find a way to advance in life, trapped in a job as a chauffeur for a white man. His feelings of emasculation and inadequacy are intensified by the knowledge that race prevents him from accessing the same opportunities as white men. His desperate investment in a risky liquor store deal reflects the economic desperation that many African Americans felt, being systematically excluded from more stable and legitimate paths to wealth.

 

Beneatha’s experiences also reflect how racism intersects with other societal limitations, particularly regarding gender and education. Although she aspires to be a doctor, a field dominated by men, she faces additional challenges as a Black woman seeking professional success in a racist and patriarchal society. Her struggle to define herself beyond the narrow roles available to Black women adds another layer to the family’s collective battle against systemic racism.

 

The play ultimately portrays racism not just as a personal prejudice but as a structural force that works to keep African American families like the Youngers in a state of economic and social stagnation. Yet, despite the oppressive weight of racism, the Youngers resist it by affirming their dignity and refusing to give in to the limitations imposed on them. Walter’s final decision to reject Mr. Lindner’s offer is a powerful assertion of the family’s right to define their future on their own terms, even in the face of racism. The play suggests that while systemic racism may hinder the pursuit of dreams, the strength of the family’s values and identity offers a way to push back against it.

Taatayya (My Grandpa), translated by Ranga Rao

 

Taatayya (My Grandpa), translated by Ranga Rao

The short story Taatayya (My Grandpa), translated by Ranga Rao, provides a vivid portrayal of Brahminical traditions and caste hierarchy in an Indian village through the eyes of a young narrator. The story revolves around the protagonist’s relationship with his strict, orthodox grandfather, or "Taatayya", a devout Brahmin who upholds the rigid rituals and customs of his caste. Taatayya embodies the traditional ideals of purity, avoiding interaction with lower castes and following strict dietary and religious rules.

 

The narrator contrasts Taatayya’s adherence to these customs with his father's more modern and relaxed approach, symbolizing the tension between tradition and modernity. Despite Taatayya’s harsh judgments about caste and purity, he is loved and respected by his family and the community. His eventual death is a significant moment, evoking the inevitability of change, as his passing symbolizes the fading of old customs and values in the face of a rapidly changing world.

 

Through this story, the author explores the complexity of caste, tradition, and family relationships, capturing the innocence of the narrator who grows up amidst these entrenched societal norms, while also hinting at the gradual erosion of these boundaries in a modernizing India.

Relationship between the narrator’s father and Taatayya symbolic of the tension between tradition and modernity

The narrator’s father represents modernity, while Taatayya embodies traditional values and orthodoxy. The father, although still a Brahmin, deviates from traditional norms by growing a mustache, wearing pressed clothes, and not following the rigid purity rituals Taatayya adheres to, such as applying sacred ash to his forehead or tucking up the pleated end of his dhoti. The father also knows English, which Taatayya does not, further symbolizing his connection to modern education and global influences. This tension between father and Taatayya represents the broader conflict between old customs and new ways of life in a rapidly changing society. Despite this, both father and Taatayya coexist within the same family, highlighting the gradual, yet inevitable, shift from orthodoxy to more relaxed social customs as India moves toward modernization.

Death is portrayed as a natural, yet profound event in the story, deeply intertwined with religious and cultural rituals. When Taatayya dies, there are strict rites performed, including chanting mantras and offering tulasi water, which reflects the Brahminical belief in the sanctity of death and the afterlife. However, despite being a pure Brahmin, Taatayya is still said to go to hell, as even the most righteous people accumulate some sins. This reflects the cultural belief that no one can escape punishment in the afterlife, no matter how pure they may seem in life. The fear of hell and Yama’s judgment is highlighted through the narrator’s fear of Yama’s men and the tortures awaiting sinners. The portrayal of death also underscores the inevitability of change, as Taatayya’s passing symbolizes the fading of traditional values in a modernizing world. The contrast between Taatayya’s death and Naayanamma’s (who believes an airplane has come to take her away) further illustrates how each generation grapples differently with the concept of death.

Wooden Cradles - Essay

 

Summary

"Wooden Cradles" is a nostalgic reflection on the memories of childhood, the bond between generations, and the slow disappearance of traditional ways of life. The narrator recalls a cherished family servant, Nangelipennu, who cared for the family's children for over sixty years, passing down folk tales, songs, and life lessons to each new generation. Through these stories, which blended imagination with cultural superstitions, Nangelipennu nurtured the children’s curiosity and taught them about the world.

 

As the children grew older, they outgrew their need for her, and Nangelipennu, no longer having babies to care for, left the household. Her departure marks the end of an era, symbolizing the loss of simpler traditions and relationships rooted in love and care. Years later, when the narrator becomes a mother, she finds herself yearning for the comfort and wisdom of Nangelipennu, realizing that while the tools of child-rearing may have changed, the heart of a child remains the same.

 

The story poignantly captures the intersection of childhood innocence, familial bonds, and the inevitability of change, contrasting the warmth of human connection with the gradual fading of old customs.

Storytelling is a central theme in the story, used as a means of teaching and entertaining children.

Nangelipennu’s stories blend myth, superstition, and morality, offering children not just entertainment but life lessons.

Stories about Uncle Moon, Pandi and Pandiyathi, and the kavadi man helped the children understand the world in a way that was relatable to their imagination.

These tales also fostered curiosity and kept alive the cultural heritage passed down through generations.

As the children grew, they outgrew these stories, symbolizing the transition from innocence to maturity, as well as the loss of old traditions.

The Theme of generational change and the fading of tradition

The story juxtaposes the old-world charm of traditional caretakers like Nangelipennu with modern child-rearing practices.

   Nangelipennu, who raised multiple generations with love and folk wisdom, represents a bygone era of intimate, nurturing care.

   As the family grows, children no longer need her, reflecting the inevitable passage of time and the fading of older values and traditions.

   The narrator, now a mother, searches for a wooden cradle, symbolic of her desire to preserve those traditions, but finds no one like Nangelipennu.

   The story suggests that while the tools and methods may change, the core needs of children for love and warmth remain constant

"Squirrel" by C.S. Lakshmi (translated by Lakshmi Holmstrom)

 

Summary

"Squirrel" by C.S. Lakshmi (translated by Lakshmi Holmstrom) is a story set in an old library that explores the relationship between past and present, reality and dreams, and the transient nature of history and memory. The protagonist wanders through the dim, cavernous library, encountering an enigmatic old man, dusty books, and a mysterious squirrel that seems to serve as a bridge between worlds. The library, with its decaying books and forgotten records, becomes a symbol of lost histories—particularly of women whose stories have been marginalized.

 

As the protagonist touches books and papers, they experience flashes of past lives, such as female figures from Indian history and culture, some famous, others anonymous. The books seem to hold the essence of these women's lives, emotions, and struggles. The squirrel, which appears to relish licking the paste used to repair the books, becomes a symbol of the fragility and the fading nature of history. The protagonist contemplates how memories and the legacies of these women have been reduced to dust and decay, while modernity and the bureaucratic system neglect their preservation.

 

The story explores the tension between remembering and forgetting, the physical degradation of history, and the protagonist’s emotional connection to these forgotten women. The narrative, blending reality and dream, moves towards the revelation that the library will soon burn the books deemed no longer useful, underscoring the theme of inevitable loss. The final image of the squirrel lying prostrate as if in surrender symbolizes resignation to the passage of time and the erasure of memory.

Non-attachment is a theme that is subtly woven into the narrative of Squirrel. The protagonist reflects on the concept of non-attachment, referencing Krishna’s sermon about water rolling off a lotus leaf. This idea is contrasted with her own emotional attachment to the books and the history they represent. While the workers in the library remain detached from the contents of the books, focusing instead on their daily routines and meals, the protagonist cannot help but feel connected to the past. The story suggests that while non-attachment may be a spiritual ideal, it is difficult to achieve when faced with the personal and cultural loss represented by the decaying books. The protagonist’s struggle to let go mirrors the tension between the philosophical ideal of non-attachment and the human need to preserve and remember.