The Bishop's Candlesticks
The Bishop's Candlesticks

6. Answer the following questions briefly

(a) Do you think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars? Why/why not?

Ans  Yes, the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars because he was an ideal person. He could not bear the thought of an old and sick lady to be thrown out of the house due to non-payment of rent. He always helps people in times of need.

(b) Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick?

Ans. Persome felt people pretended to be sick so that the Bishop may be near them. She is pained to see that the entire humanity is turning upon them for charity and benevolence. She felt that people pretended to be sick and take undue advantage of the Bishop.

(c) Who was Jeanette? What was the cause of her death?

Ans. Jeanette was the convict’s wife. She died due to illness and starvation.

(d) The convict says, “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” What does he mean by this statement?

Ans. The convict has suffered, he is embittered, he is experienced. So he couldn’t be tricked. He ordered the Bishop to stay put because he couldn’t trust anyone not to report to the police and get him arrested.

(e) Why was the convict sent to prison? What was the punishment given to him?

Ans.The convict was sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread. He was sentenced to ten years in a prison hulk.

(f) Do you think the punishment given to the convict was justified? Why/ why not? Why is the convict eager to reach Paris?

Ans. The punishment given to the convict was not justified. It is too inhuman for someone who was caught stealing just to feed his sick wife. He was guilty of stealing only to feed his wife who was dying of starvation. But they showed him no mercy and treated him like a beast. They chained him like a wild animal, lashed him like a hound and fed him filth. He was covered with vermin and had to sleep on boards. This kind of treatment is inhuman and not justified.

The convict is eager to reach Paris because it was a big city and the Police would never be able to find him there. 

(g) Before leaving, the convict asks the Bishop to bless him. What brought about this change in him?

Ans. The Bishop’s benevolent, kind and caring attitude had brought about a change in the convict. That is why before leaving for Paris, he asks the Bishop to bless him.

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9. Identify the situations which be termed as the turning points in the convict's life?

Ans The Convict, when was caught and brought to the Bishop’s house, was asked to be released by the Bishop saying that he is a friend of him. The Bishop also gives him his mother’s only memory i.e. candle-sticks. This entire incidence makes convict believe that there still exists humanity. This is the turning point in the conv

Song Of The Rain

Song of the Rain

a) Why is the rain divine?
Ans. The rain appears to be divine because it comes down from heaven. The shimmering drops of rain look like silver threads dropped from heaven from the gods. Moreover, it is a life-giving force that elates and makes all flowers, fields and valleys smile.

(b) In this universe, rain performs many functions. What are those?
Ans. The functions which are performed by rain are:
→ Rain quenches the thirst of fields.
→ It fills fields and valleys with a new life.
→ It produces sweet music as it beats against windows and the leaves of trees.
→ It fills every heart with joy.

(c) "When I cry the hills laugh;
When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;
When I bow, all things are elated."
Cry, humble and bow indicate different intensity with which the rain falls. Explain the three in context.
Ans.  ‘Cry’ indicates that rain falls heavily on the hills.
'Humble' indicates that rain falls gently and softly
'Bow' indicates sprinkle of rain.

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(d) How do you think the rain quenches the thirst of the fields and cures clouds ailment?

Ans. When the rain falls it quenches the thirst of fields. The parched fields only wait for the rain. The rain cures the aliment of clouds. It means the clouds become heavy and want to burst. But when it rains, they empty themselves into showers and become light again to float in the sky.

(e) Think about million little ways in which the rain embraces the trees. Mention a few of them. a) Why is the rain divine?

Answer

The rain appears to be divine because it comes down from heaven. The shimmering drops of rain look like silver threads dropped from heaven from the gods. Moreover, it is a life-giving force that elates and smiles all flowers, fields and valleys.
(b) In this universe, rain performs many functions. What are those?

Answer

The functions which are performed by rain are:
→ Rain quenches the thirst of fields.
→ It fills fields and valleys with a new life.
→ It produces sweet music as it beats against windows and the leaves of trees.
→ It fills every heart with joy.

(c) "When I cry the hills laugh;
When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;
When I bow, all things are elated."
Cry, humble and bow indicate different intensity with which the rain falls. Explain the three in context.

Answer 

‘Cry’ indicates that rain falls heavily on the hills.
'Humble' indicates that rain falls gently and softly
'Bow' indicates sprinkle of rain.

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(d) How do you think the rain quenches the thirst of the fields and cures clouds ailment?

Answer 

Naturally, when the rain falls it quenches the thirst of fields. The parched fields only wait for the rain. The rain cures the aliment of clouds. It means the clouds become heavy and want to burst. But when it rains, they empty themselves into showers and become light again to float in the sky.

(e) Think about million little ways in which the rain embraces the trees. Mention a few of them.

Answer

The poet says that the rain falls embraces the trees in about million little ways. It is just a hyperbolic expression. The rain embraces the trees when the showers or drops of rain fall on them. The showers fall on the trees and go deep into their roots. Even, rivers, lakes and drains carry rain water that reaches plants and trees.

(f) "...All can hear, but only
The sensitive can understand”
What does the poet want to convey?

Answer 

According to the poet, everyone can hear its sound. But very few can sense or understand its blessed nature.Only a few like the poet are sensitive to the rain and are inspired by its every mood.

The poet, for example, appreciates its beauty and uses expressions like 'the sigh of the sea', 'the laughter of the field' and 'the tears from heaven' to describe the rain. 

(g) (i) Notice the imagery built around 'sigh of the sea', 'laughter of the field' and 'tears of heaven'. Explain the three expressions in context of rain.

Answer 

The poet has used vivid imagery throughout the poem to express the moods and nature of the Rain.

► When the poet calls the Rain “sigh of the sea”, there is a relief expressed in the lines. The sea is relieved and sighs that now that it has rained there will be fresh water brought to it by the rivers that run down the hills and mountains.
► The poet calls the Rain “a laughter of the field” because when it rains the fields are nourished and it is a sign that there will be fertility. So, it brings greenery and prosperity and raises the productivity. So, the fields are happy and they laugh and make merry.
► The Rain is also called “tears of heaven” as when those silver threads pour down from the sky’s tomb, it feels as if the heaven is crying, and those drops are delivered to the nature on the Earth by the hands of God.

(ii) How would you express rain as − an agent of floods?
− a source of water for dams?

Answer 

► an agent of floods- When there are heavy rains, especially during rainy season, the rivers overflow and break leaves, there is water logging and the areas below the sea level are submerged causing floods.
 ► a source of water for dams- Rains cause the gullies in the mountains to fill with the water, these act as tributaries to a river. Thus, the more tributaries a river has, the more water it will carry. Thus, the dam on the river will have a healthy amount of water in its reservoir. So, there will be a healthy output of electricity.

(h) "I am like earthly life … "
Why does the poet call rain as earthly life?

Answer 

Just like everything on earth is born and dies, so does rain. It is referred to as earthly life because it has beginning and comes to an end too. It begins at the bottom of the mad elements and ends under the lofted wings of death.

(i) Explain the ending of the song.

Answer 

At the end of the poem, the rain declares affectionately that it is the sigh of the deep sea, the laughter of the colourful fields and the tears of the sky. When the rain falls in the sea, it (the sea) sighs. When the rain falls on the fields and quenches their thirst, the fields rejoice, become colourful and feel happy. When the cloud bursts, it becomes rain. The cloud dies and the drops of rain (tears of the heaven) fall on the earth.

Answer The poet says that the rain falls embraces the trees in about million little ways. It is just a hyperbolic expression. The rain embraces the trees when the showers or drops of rain fall on them. The showers fall on the trees and go deep into their roots. Even, rivers, lakes and drains carry rain water that reaches plants and trees.

(f) "...All can hear, but only
The sensitive can understand”
What does the poet want to convey?
Ans.According to the poet, everyone can hear its sound. But very few can sense or understand its blessed nature .Only a few like the poet are sensitive to the rain and are inspired by its every mood.

The poet, for example, appreciates its beauty and uses expressions like 'the sigh of the sea', 'the laughter of the field' and 'the tears from heaven' to describe the rain. 

(g)  (i) Notice the imagery built around 'sigh of the sea', 'laughter of the field' and 'tears of heaven'. Explain the three expressions in context of rain.

Answer 

The poet has used vivid imagery throughout the poem to express the moods and nature of the Rain.

► When the poet calls the Rain “sigh of the sea”, there is a relief expressed in the lines. The sea is relieved and sighs that now that it has rained there will be fresh water brought to it by the rivers that run down the hills and mountains.
► The poet calls the Rain “a laughter of the field” because when it rains the fields are nourished and it is a sign that there will be fertility. So, it brings greenery and prosperity and raises the productivity. So, the fields are happy and they laugh and make merry.
► The Rain is also called “tears of heaven” as when those silver threads pour down from the sky it feels as if the heaven is crying, and those drops are delivered to the nature or the Earth by the hands of God.

(ii) How would you express rain as − an agent of floods?
− a source of water for dams?
Ans 
► an agent of floods- When there are heavy rains, especially during rainy season, the rivers overflow, there is water logging and the areas below the sea level are submerged causing floods.
 ► a source of water for dams- Rains cause the gullies in the mountains to fill with the water, these act as tributaries to a river. Thus, the more tributaries a river has, the more water it will carry. Thus, the dam on the river will have a healthy amount of water in its reservoir. So, there will be a healthy output of electricity.
(h) "I am like earthly life … "
Why does the poet call rain as earthly life?
Ans. Life is created by the coming together of five elements-air, earth, heat, water and wind. Similarly the rain is created when the earth and water are heated. Just like everything on earth is born and dies, so does rain. It begins at the bottom of the mad elements (stormy sky and wind) and ends under the lifted wings of death
.
(i) Explain the ending of the song.
Ans   At the end of the poem, the rain is filled with emotion as it remembers the endless memories that it has experienced like the sigh of the deep sea, the laughter of the fields and the tears of the sky.

Class 9 Bestselller

Summary of the Chapter

One day, the narrator was on his way to Pittsburgh for business purpose by the chair-car. He was sitting on the chair No. 7. After a while, he noticed someone on the chair No. 9 When he saw him, remembered him at once. They both were old acquaintances and met after two years. His name was John A Pescud. He was reading the Best Seller ‘The Rose Lady and Trevelyan’. Pescud was a travelling salesman for a plate-glass company. He also believed that plate-glass was the most important commodity in the world.
Pointing towards the book he was reading, Pescud said that the novel dealt with an American hero who falls in love with a royal princess from Europe. He believed that such romances only happened in novels because in real life, any sensible fellow will pick out a girl from the same kind of status and family.
After mocking the imaginative content of the novel, Pescud informs the writer that professionally, he was prospering and he had also invested in real estate. On being asked regarding his love-interest, Pescud relates his personal experience. He was going to Cincinnati, when he came across a very beautiful girl, whom he wished to marry. He chased her wherever she went, crossing many stations and finally reached Virginia. She was escorted to a palatial mansion by a tall old man. Pescud stayed back in the village and discovered that she was the daughter of Colonel Allyn, who was the biggest and finest man in Virginia. He met the beautiful girl next day and tried to converse with her. He discovers that her name was Jessie and her father was the royal descendant of a renowned British family. She had been aware all along that Pescud was following her and warned him that her father would feed him to the hounds, if Pescud ever thought of a proposal. Nevertheless, nothing seemed to deter Pescud and with due ceremony, he arrives at the mansion. He was surprised to see that the inside of the palace was very impoverished with very old furniture. Colonel Allyn arrived in great style, despite his shabby clothes. Amidst talking of anecdotes and humorous occurrences, Pescud frankly put forth his proposal, giving all details of his business and family. He is accepted by Jessie and her family and the marriage had taken place a year ago. 
Pescud had built a house in East End and the Colonel was also residing with him. He waited daily at the gate for Pescud to hear a new story. By this time, the train was nearing Coketown. It appeared to be a dull and dreary place and the writer questioned Pescud regarding his purpose of getting down at Coketown. Pescud told the writer that he was halting there to get some Petunias which Jessie had seen in one of the houses. Pescud invites the writer to pay a visit and gets down at the station. The train moves forward and the writer discovers that Pescud had left his bestseller behind. He picked it up and smiled to himself because Pescud’s own story was no less than a bestseller.

4. Answer the following questions briefly.

(a) One day last summer the author was travelling to Pittsburg by chair car. What does he say about his co-passengers?

Ans. The compartment was full of affluent people, men and women, sitting in their chair-cars. Women were fashionably dressed in brown silk dresses with laces and veils. Men appeared to be travelling on account of business.

(b) Who was the passenger of chair No.9? What did he suddenly do?

Ans. The passenger of Chair No. 9 was a man from Pittsburgh named John, an old friend of writer. 

He suddenly threw his book between his chair and window. The name of book was the 'The Rose Lady and Trevelyan', one of the bestselling novels of the present day.

 (c) What was John A. Pescud's opinion about best sellers? Why?
 Ans. Pescud believed that the stories about best-sellers were not realistic. The themes revolved around romances between royals and commoners, fencing, imaginative encounters and all the stuff that never happens in real life. In real life, one would always select a prospective bride from a similar background.

(d) What does John say about himself since his last meeting with the author?

Ans .John, since his last meeting with the author was on the line of general prosperity. He had his salary doubled twice and had bought “a neat slice of real estate.” His company was to sell him some shares of stock the coming year. Much settled in life, he had even taken some time off to experience some romance of which he tells the author next.

(e) How did John's first meeting with Jessie's father go? What did the author tell him?

Ans. John’s first meeting with Jessie’s father was successful, since it set the tone for a possible alliance infuture. John not only made his proposal, stated his intentions in clear terms, but also made Jessie’s father laugh with his anecdotes and stories.

(f) Why did John get off at Coketown?
Ans  Jessie had fancied some petunias in one of the windows and she wanted to plant them in her new house. So Pescud thought of dropping at Coketown to dig or get some cuttings of flowers for her.

(g) John is a hypocrite. Do you agree with this statement? Substantiate your answer.

Ans.Yes, I believe that John is a hypocrite. The word hypocrite means the person tries to shows what he is not. John is such type of man. He said that he did not believe in the romance portrayed in best sellers. He believed the stories too good to be true. However, his own story was fantastical. His wife, the only daughter of the oldest family in Virginia, met him, an ordinary travel salesman of a plate glass company, in a journey where he would have least expected to find his life partner. Their courtship also was too fantastical, and even after all the episode, the fashion in which Pescud criticised love stories of best sellers proves him to be a hypocrite.

(h) Describe John A. Pescud with reference to the following points:

Physical appearance ............................................................................................

His philosophy on behaviour ...............................................................................

His profession ......................................................................................................

His first impression of his wife ...........................................................................

His success ..........................................................................................................

Answer

Physical appearance: John was not particularly good looking

His philosophy on behaviour: A man should be decent and law abiding in her/his hometown

His profession: A travelling salesman for a plate glass company

His first impression of his wife: A very fine girl, whose job was to make this world prettier just by residing in it

His success: Much successful John had had his salary raised twice in the previous year and his company was to give him a few shares as well.

5. Complete the flow chart in the correct sequence as it happens in the story.

Hint: it begins from the time John Pescud first saw Jessie till the time they marry.

(1)	Jessie takes a sleeper to Louisville.

(2)	Pescud sees a girl (Jessie) reading a book in the train.
(3)	Pescud speaks to the girl (Jessie) for the first time.
(4)	Pescud follows her but finds it difficult to keep up.
(5)	Pescud goes to the village to find out about the mansion.
(6)	Jessie arrives at Virginia.
(7)	Pescud meets Jessie's father.
(8)	They get married a year later.
(9)	Pescud instantly gets attracted to the girl (Jessie)
(10)	Jessie informs Pescud that her father would not approve of them meeting.
(11)	They meet alone two days later.

Answer

(2)	Pescud sees a girl (Jessie) reading a book in the train.
(9)	Pescud instantly gets attracted to the girl (Jessie)
(1)	Jessie takes a sleeper to Louisville.
(4)	Pescud follows her but finds it difficult to keep up.
(6)	Jessie arrives at Virginia.
(5)	Pescud goes to the village to find out about the mansion
(3)	Pescud speaks to the girl (Jessie) for the first time.
(10)	Jessie informs Pescud that her father would not approve of them meeting.
(7)	Pescud meets Jessie's father.
(11)	They meet alone two days later
(8)	They get married a year later.

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6. Irony refers to the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of their literal meaning. Working in pairs, bring out the irony in the following:

(a) The title of the story, “The Best seller”. 

Answer
The Best Seller is supposed to be most popular and likeable. But John Pescud throws the best seller “The Rose Lady and Trevelyan” to the floor of the chair car. He later says that all bestsellers have the same unrealistic romantic stories.

(b) Pescud's claim, “When people in real life marry, they generally hunt up somebody in their own station. A fellow usually picks out a girl who went to the same high-school and belonged to the same singing-society that he did.”

Answer 
Pescud told the author that unlike the stories of the bestsellers, in real life people marry somebody in their own place. Someone who has been educated in a similar type of school and has grown up in a similar background. Yet the irony behind his claim is seen in his own life history. The moment he saw the unknown girl on the train, he fell in love with her, without much knowledge about her. He followed her to her destination and even after finding out that she lived in Elmcroft, Virginia, in a 50 room mansion, belonged to the oldest family in the state and her father was a descendent of the belted Earls he did not give up his pursuit. In spite of coming from totally different walks of life-he being an ordinary travelling salesman, their paths met and he went on to marry her.

(c) The name Trevelyan.

Answer  Trevelyan is the hero of the bestseller novel “The Rose Lady and Trevelyan.” Pescud condemns such best sellers and makes fun of its unrealistic characters. But at the end of the story, the author calls Pescud a Trevelyan because he had behaved almost like the hero of the bestseller.