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
successful pickle-making business, which she starts after Pappachi’s
retirement. Despite the abuse she endures from Pappachi, Mammachi’s
entrepreneurial spirit shines, and she becomes financially independent, earning
respect in her community. Her resilience is further demonstrated by her ability
to continue her work and maintain her dignity, even when faced with Pappachi’s
attempts to undermine her achievements.
Q:
Why does John Ipe consider retirement to be a dishonour?
Ans.
John Ipe, known as Pappachi, considers retirement to be a dishonour because it
symbolizes the end of his career and, in his eyes, a loss of purpose and
status. He was denied recognition for his scientific discovery, which fuelled
his bitterness and sense of failure. Retirement, for him, is a forced acknowledgement
of his unfulfilled ambitions and the loss of his professional identity, which
he deeply resents.
Q:
What was the underlying reason for John Ipe’s disgust with the world?
Ans.
The underlying reason for John Ipe’s disgust with the world is his deep-seated
bitterness over the lack of recognition for his scientific work. He discovered
a new species of moth, but the credit was never given to him, which left him
feeling cheated and embittered. This personal failure fuels his abusive
behaviour and his overall disdain for those around him, especially as he sees
his wife succeeding where he feels he failed.
Q:
Discuss Chacko’s firmness in dealing with the irrational behaviour of his
father.
Ans.
Chacko demonstrates firmness and a protective nature when dealing with Pappachi’s
irrational behaviour. Unlike Mammachi, who passively endures the abuse, Chacko
intervenes to protect his mother, asserting his authority and physically
stopping Pappachi from beating her. This moment marks a shift in the family
dynamics, as Chacko takes on a more dominant role, effectively curbing Pappachi’s
abusive tendencies.
Q: Contrast between the
outward elegance of a person and his private behaviour.
Ans. Pappachi embodies
the contrast between outward elegance and private behaviour. To the outside
world, he presents himself as a distinguished and respected gentleman, but in
private, he is tyrannical and abusive husband. This duality highlights the
theme of hypocrisy, where societal appearances mask the true nature of individuals,
revealing the dark side of human behaviour that remains hidden behind a facade
of respectability.
Q: Which is more
important-approval from the outside world or approval withing the family?
Ans. In the story, the
approval from the outside world often contrasts sharply with the approval
withing the family. Pappachi, who is concerned with his public image and
external validation, fails to gain the respect and love of his family. In contrast,
Mammachi, who is belittled by Pappachi, earns respect withing her family, particularly
form Chacko, for her resilience and success. This contrast underscores the idea
that true approval and respect are earned through personal relationships rather
than societal recognition.
Q: How does the author
succeed in raising crucial social issues not through open criticism but through
subtle suggestion?
Ans. Arundhati Roy
raises crucial social issues such as domestic abuse, gender inequality, and the
hypocrisy of societal norms through subtle suggestion rather than open
criticism. By depicting the relationship between Pappachi and Mammachi, the
author highlights the entrenched patriarchy and the silent suffering of women
like Mammachi. The narrative does not directly criticize these issues but instead
allows reader to infer the underlying social commentary through the character’s
actions and experiences.
Q: Within a few pages the
author has packed the important events in the lives of John Ipe and his wife.
Discuss how conciseness and economy of expression can achieve effective portrayal
of entire lives?
Ans. The author’s use of
conciseness and economy of expression effectively portrays the entire lives of
John Ipe and Mammachi within a few pages. By focusing on key moments and
interactions, Roy provides a deep insight into their characters, relationships,
and the impact of their actions on the family. The brevity of the narrative enhances
its emotional impact, leaving the reader with a vivid impression of the
character’s struggles and the social issues they represent.
Q: Identify the instances
of ironical comment in the story.
Ans. Irony is prevalent
in the story, particularly in the contrast between Pappachi’s perceived status
and his actual behaviour. Despite his outward appearance of being distinguished
entomologist, his greatest discovery-the moth-is ironically the source of his
deepest disappointment, as he receives no recognition for it. Another instance
of irony is how Pappachi’s pride in his academic accomplishments is undermined
by his failure to gain respect within his own family, highlighting the futility
of his obsession with external validation.
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