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Showing posts from August, 2024

A Wedding in Brownsville By Isaac Bashevis Singer

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A Wedding in Brownsville By Isaac Bashevis Singer Isaac Bashevis Singer (1903-1991) was a Polish-American writer and Nobel Prize-winning author known for his Yiddish-language stories that explore Jewish life, folklore, and themes of spirituality, identity, and morality. His works often delve into the complexities of human nature, blending realism with mysticism. In his story, “A Wedding in Brownsville,” Singer tells the tale of a man named Dr. Margolin, who returns to Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood for a wedding after many years. As he reconnects with familiar faces, he is haunted by memories of his past, including lost love and the horrors of the Holocaust. The story explores themes of memory, guilt, and the enduring impact of trauma on personal identity and relationships. Q: Who were the Senciminers? Ans. Sencimineers were Jewish villagers from the town of Sencimin, where Dr. Margolin once lived. They are now dispersed due to the devastation of WW II, and some of them attend th
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Glory at Midnight By Bhabani Bhattacharya

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                                                                                Glory at Midnight By Bhabani Bhattacharya   Q: Give reasons for the following:   a.         Satyajit attending the village wedding:   Ans. Satyajit attends the village wedding to reconnect with his roots and escape the pressure of his crumbling financial situation in the city. The invitation from his uncle, Srinath, provides an opportunity for him to find solace among familiar faces and settings, hoping to find comfort away from the life that is slipping away from his grasp.   b.       Satyajit’s recollection of the forgerer when he was on the train:   Ans. While on the train, Satyajit recollects the memory of the forger he encountered during his career in the bank. This recollection reflects his growing anxiety about his own deceitful state of hiding his financial ruin and the sense of guilt and shame he feels for not understanding the plight of the forger. Now, he fears that the sam
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The third and the final continent By Jhumpa Lahiri

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    The third and the final continent By Jhumpa Lahiri   Q: Indicate the details that tell us that the narrator was not very financially comfortable during his stay in London.   Ans. The narrator’s financial discomfort in London is highlighted by his frugal lifestyle. He lived in a small, shared flat with other Bengali immigrants and survived on simple meals like cornflakes and bananas. His financial constraints are further emphasized by his decision to save money by walking to work instead of using public transportation, reflecting his need to be economical.   Q: How did the narrator adjust to the ways of life first in London and then in Cambridge, U.S.A.?   Ans. In London, the narrator adjusted by maintaining a disciplined and frugal lifestyle, adapting to a communal living arrangement, and managing his finances carefully. He embraced the routines of a new immigrant, focusing on work and saving money.   When he moved to Cambridge, U.S.A., the narrator initia
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Pappachi’s Moth By Arundhati Roy

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                                                                                  Pappachi’s Moth By Arundhati Roy   Q: Comment on the relationship shared by Mammachi and Pappachi?   Ans. Mammachi and Pappachi share a complex and troubled relationship. Pappachi, whose pride is wounded by his lack of recognition in his career, often takes out his frustrations on Mammachi. He is physically and emotionally abusive, beating her regularly. Despite this, Mammachi endures the abuse with resilience, continuing to play her role as a devoted wife. The relationship is marked by Pappachi’s insecurity and jealousy, especially when Mammachi becomes successful in her pickle-making business. Mammachi’s silent endurance of Pappachi’s cruelty reflects the deep-seated patriarchal norms and gender inequalities in their society.   Q: How does Mammachi stand out as an independent and resilient woman in the text?   Ans. Mammachi stands out as an independent and resilient woman through her s
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The Adventures of three Garridebs By Arthur Conan Doyle

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  The Adventures of three Garridebs By Arthur Conan Doyle   Q: What clues did Sherlock Holmes work upon to get at the fact that the story of the three Garridebs was a ruse?   Ans. Sherlock Holmes was suspicious from the start, particularly because of the improbability of three people with such a rare surname being involved in such a convenient situation. The first clue was the unusual nature of the advertisement placed in the newspaper, which appeared too contrived. Holmes also noticed that the supposed legal documents regarding the inheritance were not authentic. His visit to Nathan Garridebb revealed more inconsistencies; Nathan’s complete lack of scepticism and blind trust in John Garrideb seemed unusual. Holme’s inquiries into John Garrideb’s background, which led to the discovery that he was actually the notorious criminal killer Evans, further confirmed that the story was a ruse.   Q: What was John Garrideb’s objective in inventing the story of Alexander Hamilton Ga
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The Rocking-Horse Winner By D.H. Lawrance (Questions and Answers)

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       The Rocking-Horse Winner By D.H. Lawrance   Q: What was the reason for young Paul’s restlessness at the beginning of the story? How did it find expression?   Ans. Paul’s restlessness stemmed from the constant tension in his household over the lack of money. His mother, despite having all the appearances of wealth, was never satisfied and believed herself to be unlucky, which created a haunting sense of insufficiency and dissatisfaction in the home. Paul internalized this anxiety and became obsessed with finding a way to bring luck and money to his family. This restlessness found expression in his frenzied rides on his rocking-horse, during which he believed he could determine the winners of upcoming horse races, thus securing the money his mother so desperately desired.   Q: Why do you think Paul’s mother was not satisfied with the yearly birthday gift of 1000 pounds for five years.   Ans. Paul’s mother was not satisfied with the yearly gift of 1000 pounds beca
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