Indigo

Indigo (Exercise Answers)

1. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being 'resolute'?

Rajkumar Shukla is described as being 'resolute' because he did not quit from bringing Gandhi to Champaran even after being told about the prior engagements of Gandhi. He accompanies Gandhi everywhere. Moreover, he continuously requests Gandhi to fix a date for his visit to Champaran. His determination and grit finally affects Gandhi and he complies with his request.

2. Why do you think Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?

The servants of Rajendra Prasad thought Gandhi to be another peasant due to his ordinary attire. Moreover, Gandhi had gone to the house of Rajendra Prasad with Rajkumar Shukla whom they knew to be a poor peasant who pestered their master.

3. List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.

Answer :  After his first meeting with Shukla, Gandhi visited Cawnpore, his ashram near Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Patna and Muzzafarpur before he reached Champaran.

4. What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent? What did the British now want instead and why? What would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural indigo?

The peasants were forced to plant fifteen percent of their land with indigo and pay the entire harvest as rent. Now, when they heard that synthetic indigo is developed in Germany, they did not want indigo from these plantations. So, the clever landlords decided to release the peasants of Champaran from the fifteen percent arrangement on the payment of a compensation.

5.The events in this part of the text illustrate Gandhi's method of working. Can you identify some instances of this method and link them to his ideas of satyagraha and non-violence?

There are many instances in the text that can be linked to Gandhi's idea of non-violence and satyagraha. When the British faced an uncontrollable mob in Motihari, Gandhi helped them to control them. Furthermore, Gandhi does not hesitate to plead guilty in front of the court. For him, truth is above everything and, thus, he decides to follow the voice of conscience and obey the "higher law of our being".

6. Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers?

Gandhi believed that the very fact that the British landlords surrendered was of more significance than the percentage of refund. He wanted the poor farmers to realise that they too had rights and that they need not really live in fear of the British landlords. Therefore,  Gandhi agreed to a settlement of 25 percent refund to the farmers.  

7. How did the episode change the plight of the peasants?

The  Champaran episode changed the plight of the peasants in many ways. The peasants gained confidence which was evident in their demonstration in the morning of Gandhi's trial. For the first time, theyrealised their own rights and were liberated from the fear.

This episode brought an end to the fifteen percent arrangement of sharecropping. However, the most fundamental change that the episode brought about was in their social and cultural standard. Gandhi opened schools in six villages. Kasturba Gandhi made the peasants aware of the importance of general sanitation and personal hygiene. He even appointed a doctor.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q 1 Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life?

Ans. The Champaran episode began as an attempt to alleviate the distress of a large number of poor peasants. But it became a turning point in Gandhi’ life. It build up Gandhi confidence that the British rulers could be made to bend and concede a popular demand. He declared that British could not order him in his own country. His readiness to go to jail for the sake of seeking justice instilled courage among ordinary people and motivated the lawyers for court arrest . Civil disobedience triumphed for the first time when the case for disregarding the official order against him was dropped. Britisher’s agreement to pay 25 percent of the compensation made him and the peasants confident. It made the peasants realise that they had rights and defenders and he established that the authority of the British could be challenged. He taught the lawyers a lesson of self-reliance by dissuading them from seeking the assistance from an English man, Charles Andrews.

Q2- How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers? Give instances.

Ans. Gandhi asked the lawyers about their course of action if he was sentenced to jail. They answered that they would return back. He then asked them about the plight of the peasants. This made them realize their duty towards the social issue and they decided to go to jail with Gandhi.

 Q3- What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of ‘home rule’?

Ans. The average Indians in smaller localities did not support the advocates of Home Rule as they feared to go against the British government.

Q4.How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement?

Ans. The author mentions several ordinary people who contributed to the freedom movement. Rajkumar Shukla was instrumental in arranging Gandhi’s visit to Champaran. Proffesssor Malkani , despite being a government servant, provided shelter to Gandhi when he arrived at Muzzafarpur. When the news of Gandhi’s advent spread through Muzzafarpur and Champaran , peasants from Champaran began arriving on foot to see their champion. Their gathering in huge number at Motihari was the beginning of their freedom from the fear of the British. The lawyers also agreed to court arrest in case Gandhi went to Jail.

Moreover the masses volunteered to help in bringing cultural and social reforms in the village. The two young men ,Mahadev Desai and Narihari Parikh volunteered to work. Several people came from Bombay, Poona and other distant parts of the land along with their families.

NOTICE

ABC PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTICE 29 July XXXX CULTURAL EVENING The school is organizing a Cultural Evening to collect funds for the slum children in the neighborhood, on 10 August 2019 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the school playground. Dr. K. G. Maran Vice-Chancellor, Madaras University has consented to be the chief guest on the occasion. All are invited and requested to give wide publicity to the event. For more details, kindly contact the undersigned. XYZ (XYZ) Cultural Secretary

ABC PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTICE 29 July XXXX Science Exhibition This is to inform students from VIII to XII classes that our school is going to organize Inter-Schools Science Exhibition on July 10 XXXX from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 3D and working models, charts, computer  programs, and many more will be exhibited. Students from the above mentioned classes are invited to make innovative models for the same. The best 10 models will be selected for the National Level Science Exhibition to be held in Bengaluru on  20 August XXXX. XYZ (XYZ)  Secretary, Science Club

ABC PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTICE 29 July XXXX Articles for School Magazine This is to inform all the students that the school is going to publish the tenth issue of the vidyalaya patrika  'Building Blocks' this year. You are requested to contribute your writings in the form of poems, articles, travelogues, etc. Submit your articles to your class teachers latest by 31 October. For more information, kindly contact the undersigned. XYZ (XYZ) Student Editor

THE RAT TRAP

THE RAT TRAP

1. From where did the peddler get the idea of this world being a rattrap?

While the peddler was plodding along the road, left to his own meditations, he was struck by the idea that this world around him with its lands and cities is a big rattrap. It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for its people. As soon as someone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him and everything came to an end.

2 Why was he amused by this idea?

The life of peddler was sad and monotonous. The world had never been kind to him. He was full of bitterness and malice against it. He peddler experienced unwonted joy at everyone else’s discomfort. It gave him sadistic delight to see some are caught in the snare and others are circling around the bait.

3 Did the peddler expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?

No, the peddler never expected that kind of hospitality. He was accustomed to being greeted by sour faces or better still be refused help of any kind if he approached someone. The crofter, on the contrary, was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. The crofter served him with porridge for supper and tobacco. He also played a game of cards with him.

4 Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?

The crofter was an old man without a wife or child. He was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. He valued the presence of the peddler so much that he shared his confidences generously with him. It was probably a way for the crofter to infuse a sense of joy in his otherwise dreary life.

5 Why did he show the thirty kronor notes to the peddler?

The crofter told the peddler that he had earned a reasonable sum of money from his cow every day and had earned thirty kronor last month. The peddler seemed incredulous to acknowledge this piece of information.

So, in order to assure his guest of the truth, he showed thirty kronor to him.

6 Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

·         No, the peddler didn’t respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter who offered him hospitability and shared his secrets. he  showed him the money that he had earned from his cow, and the next morning the peddler smashed window panes and stole the notes.

7 What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?

When the peddler realized that he had been walking around in circles in the forest, he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. He felt that now his own time had come and the forest was like an impenetrable prison, a rattrap. Since he had taken the bait, the thirty kronor, he was caught and escape may not be possible.

8Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?

The ironmaster mistook the peddler for his old acquaintance, the regimental comrade, Captain von Stahle. He was shocked to see that his old comrade had fallen on bad days. So, he invited him to his own house to give him company at Christmas and to make his future secure.

9 Why did the peddler decline the invitation?

The peddler declined the invitation as he was afraid of being detected as a thief. He felt that by accepting the invitation to go to the ironmaster’s house, he was voluntarily walking into lion’s den. He only wished to sleep in the forge and sneak away as inconspicuously as possible.

10 What made the peddler accept Edla’s invitation?

Edla’s kindness, persuasive nature, friendly and compassionate manner allowed the peddler to have confidence in her. Her assurance that he would be just as free to leave as he came left him with no option but to accept the invitation.

11What doubts did Edla have about the peddler?

When Edla approached him and lifted his hat the man jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened. She noticed that the man was afraid as if he had either stolen something or escaped from jail. Next morning she went on to express her reservations about the man and told her father that he did not seem educated at all.

12 When did the ironmaster realize his mistake?

When the stranger had been bathed, shaved and had his hair cut by the valet, he appeared truly clean and well dressed. The ironmaster looked at him with puckered brow, and it was easy for him to understand that when he had seen the strange fellow in the uncertain reflection from the furnace he might have made a mistake.

13 What did the peddler say in his defence when it was clear that he was not the person the ironmaster had thought that he was?

The peddler insisted that it had not been his fault for he never pretended to be anything but a poor trader, and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge. He offered to put on his rags and go away.

14. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?

Edla did not think it proper to chase away a human being whom they had invited to their house and had promised him Christmas cheer. She also felt pity for the peddler, who she felt had no place to rest without the fear of being chased away. She wanted him to have a day of peace and rest with them. She wanted the peddler to enjoy the Christmas festivities with them. Hence she still entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth about him.

15Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?

Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler. Her father didn’t have a regard for him. At the church they heard that the crofter had been robbed by a rat trap seller. When the peddler had left the thirty kronor to be returned to the crofter, she felt that she was able to convert a soul into good ways.

16 Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle?

The peddler signed the letter as Captain Von Stahle to vindicate his stand and prove that it was Edla’s kindness and compassion which enabled him to behave in a manner worthy of her trust. Signing his name as Captain Von Stahle was an acceptance of the exalted stature of the captain that the peddler had been placed at.

17 How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?

Answer: Legerlof's first scene of compassion is from the old man's hospitality. Despite the fact that he did not know the peddler, the old man still opened his arms and acted charitable by providing food and shelter. Showing scant regard to the crofter’s generosity and violating the trust the old man reposed in him, he stole thirty kronors from his house. Feeling no regret about robbing him of his hard earned money, the peddler thought he had acted very smartly.

As the peddler pondered on the road of guilt, he soon received a second action of care from the ironmaster’s hospitality which also did not touch the peddler’s heart. When the iron master mistook him as an old acquaintance he did not clear his doubt in hope of getting a couple of kronor notes. When he was invited by the ironmaster to his house to celebrate Christmas, he felt a sense of entrapment and thus, declined the invitation. On realizing his real identity when the ironmaster showed him the door, the ungrateful vagabond retorted rudely that he too might be ensnared in the rattrap of theworld.

However Edla’s warmth, friendliness and hospitality touched him. When the girl treated him like a Captain, he spontaneously behaved like a real Captain. He left a rattrap as a Christmas gift for Edla and enclosed a letter of thanks and confession in it. Leaving behind the stolen money to be restored to the owner, he redeemed himself from his dishonest ways and emerged an altogether transformed person.

18 What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many ways?

Answer: The ironmaster misunderstood the peddler for an old acquaintance, whereas his daughter could make out that the man was afraid, which was suggestive of him having stolen something. Though the father and the daughter express compassion for the vagabond both do so for different reasons .The ironmaster was sure to help the vagabond get over his tramp manners because he had mistaken the latter for his old comrade. The daughter however wishes to feed him and welcome him inspite of knowing that he was not Captain Von Stahle. The father acts impulsively and casually and invites him without confirming the stranger’s identity. On realizing his mistake he recklessly wants to hand him over to the sheriff. Edla on the other hand shows a strong sense of observation. She rightly judges him to be a tramp without any education. She persuades her father to let him stay because they had promised him Christmas cheer. When the ironmaster’s daughter infects the protagonist with her true altruism the peddler's inner soul experiences a rapid transformation form an ugly rat to gentle captain.

19 The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.

Answer: The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others. Used to being greeted by sour faces the crofter seems taken aback at the peddler’s request for accommodation for the night. Then the peddler’s act of stealing does not match the reader’s expectations. The breach of trust comes as a bit of a shock. Then the ironmaster’s sudden invitation to the tramp comes as the next surprise. The peddler’s vehement refusal to accompany him and later on accepting the invitation at Edla’s insistence all generate surprise. Edla’s readiness to entertain the peddler even after knowing his reality was quite unexpected.The most unexpected of gestures is when the peddler leaves for Edla a Christmas gift, a letter of thanks and the stolen money to be returned to the old crofter. His transformation is that which completes the chain of unexpected reactions.

20 The story “The Rattrap” focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Comment.

‘The Rattrap’ tells us the story of a lonely peddler who has nothing and no one to call his own. He wanders from place to place mistreated and mistrusted by the world.

Then we come across the old crofter who leads a solitary life and hungers for company. He accords a warm reception to the peddler as he views him as someone to talk to and pass a few lonely hours with. It is his need to bond that makes him trust the peddler and show him his money.

Similarly, the ironmaster shows his eagerness for the peddler’s company mistaking him for an old aquaintance. His wife is no more, his sons are abroad, and he has no one but his eldest daughter at home. He offers his hospitality to the peddler wanting some suitable company to ward off his loneliness. Even his daughter, a shy and modest girl, persuades the peddler to stay with them on Christmas Eve as she has no one to look after and make comfortable except her father. She looks forward to some company to make the occasion more festive. Finally the peddler is also enticed by the kindness of the ironmaster’s daughter and the proposition of peace, rest, good food and excellent company for a change. The theme of loneliness and the need to bond is projected strongly in all the characters in the story.

23. What made the peddler finally change his ways?

The peddler had been living a despicable life of poverty, despair and frustration without ever coming across any soul to understand, sympathize, love and guide him. Neither the crofter’s hospitality nor the ironmaster’s invitation to the manor house made any impact on him. In fact he repaid the crofter by stealing his earnings and the ironmaster by giving a piece of his mind when the latter talked of taking the matter to the sheriff.

However , the meeting with the ironmaster’s daughter was the turning point in his life. The kindness , the concern and the understanding that she showed him touched the core of his heart and transformed his way of thinking. The ironmaster’s daughter understood that he needed security and succor and convinced her father to allow him to stay on in their house to share the Christmas cheer. She restored his dignity and self-worth. She treated him like a captain of the army though she was aware that he was a common tramp.

When the girl treated him like a Captain, he spontaneously behaved like a real Captain. He left a rattrap as a Christmas gift for Edla and enclosed a letter of thanks and confession in it. Leaving behind the stolen money to be restored to the owner, he redeemed himself from his dishonest ways and emerged an altogether transformed person.

24. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?

The author Selma Lagerlof tells a universal theme through all her stories. One cannot imagine how dull and sad a vagabond might be walking slowly along the roads for his bread. The metaphor of the rattrap struck on one such occasion. He was plodding along the road, duly lost in his own meditations. The whole world about him- the whole world with its lands, seas, cities and villages was nothing but a big rattrap. The world had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people to trap them. The world offered riches, joys, food, shelter and clothing like a bait offering cheese and pork in a rattrap for the rats. As soon as anyone is tempted and he to touches the bait, it closes on him and then everything came to an end for him in life.

The peddler remembered his thoughts about the world and the rattrap when he was lost in a huge , confusing forest , with the stolen money in his pocket. He felt now his turn had come. He had let himself befooled by bait. Now he had been caught and there was no escape. Once again the metaphor of rattrap gets relevant in connection with the peddler’s encounter with the ironmaster. The ironmaster invited the peddler to his house. He refused to go there thinking that going up there would mean throwing himself into the lion’s den.

Whenever a person finds himself at the crossroads of temptation and righteousness, the mirage of materialism fools him and he gets entrapped in the world’s dangerous snare. This is where human predicament follows suit.

The metaphor of a rattrap reveals man’s helplessness in pursuit of life’s ambitions. The world thus becomes a huge rattrap. Though one can’t see the bars and wires yet one gets firmly entrenched in the quagmire of situations and circumstances. The pettiness and triviality of life’s situations pull an individual deeper into the abyss of loss with no scope for deliverance. 

JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH (NOTES)

JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH

Tishani Doshi

Questions and Answers

1. ‘The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica: How is the study of this region useful to us?

Ans: The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica. In the past, around 650 million years ago, India and Antarctica were part of a supercontinent named Gondwana. The climate was favourable for the huge variety of flora and fauna to thrive. Later several land masses drifted away from it to form some of the continents that exist today. A cold circumpolar current was created. It made Antarctica frigid. All these events of history are embedded in the age old carbon records of Antarctica.

2. What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students in the Students on Ice expedition?

Ans: Students on Ice is a  programme that aims at taking high school students to the ends of the world and providing them with inspiring educational opportunities which will help them foster a new  understanding for our planet. It’s been in operation for six years. This programme is headed by Canadian Geoff Green.  Geoff thinks that taking students to Antarctica is more fruitful than carting celebrities and rich. He wants to give the future generation of policy-makers a life-changing experience at an age when they’re ready to absorb, learn, and act. He wants to give them a first-hand experience of ice shelves melting and collapsing which may offer them a clue to the stark future of life on earth.

3. ‘Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves.’ What is the relevance of this statement in the context of the Antarctic?

Ans: Antarctica has a special ecosystem which gives a big scope to study the delicate nature of our environment. The author exemplifies this through very small single celled plants called phytoplankton which feed and sustain the entire southern ocean’s food chain. These phytoplanktons absorb carbon and synthesise various organic compounds through photosynthesis. These micro-organisms can survive only in low degree of temperature. But, depletion of ozone layer and rise of global warming are giving alarming treats to the very existence of these organisms. Extinction of phytoplanktons will have far reaching consequences in our ecosystem.

So, human beings are expected to take care of all living beings including the tiny forms of flora and fauna to prevent the depletion of ozone layer by reducing carbon emissions. If we take care of small things big things will automatically fall into place

3. Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the Earth’s present, past and future?

Ans: For those who study and examine the Earth’s present, past and future, Antarctica is the ideal place to go.

To visit Antarctica is to be a part of the earth’s past history. We come to know that about 650 million years ago there was a giant super-continent in the south. It was called Gondwana. India and Antarctica were parts of the same landmass-Gondwana. Things were quite different then. Human had not arrived on the earth. The climate of Antarctica was much warmer. Dinosaurs became extinct. The age of mammals started. The landmass was forced in to be separated into countries as they exist today. Geological history is trapped inside the ice layers in Antarctica.

Present unfurls in front of our eyes when we see glaciers melting and ice-caps falling. We can relate them to the results of global warming.

Antarctica also warns us for the future. It tells us how little changes in the environment can have big repercussions. Phytoplanktons nourish and sustain the entire Southern Ocean’s food chain. Further depletion in the ozone layer would affect the lives of all the marine animals and birds of the region and the global carbon cycle. It could also lead to the end of the world. In this way it suggests future possibilities about our planet.

There is no place in the Earth except Antarctica where we can find the records of present, past and future. Thus, Antarctica is the perfect place to go to, to understand the earth’s present, past and the future.