MRS. PACKLETIDE’S TIGER

(a) Why did Mrs. Packletide wish to kill a tiger?

Mrs. Packletide was jealous of her rival, Loona Bimberton, who had recently travelled 11 kilometres in an airplane operated by an Algerian aviator. In order to outclass her, Mrs. Packletide decided to hunt a tiger and gain media coverage through her pictures.

 (b) What made her decide to give a party in Loona Bimberton's honour? What did she intend to give Loona on her birthday?

Mrs.Packletide decided that once she shot a tiger, she would invite Loona Bimberton for a luncheon party. At the party she would display the newly-acquired tiger skin. The party would be an appropriate time to show off the tiger skin and talk about her tiger-shooting experience to Loona Bimberton. She intended to give a tiger-claw brooch to Loona Bimberton on her birthday.

(c) How was the tiger shooting arranged? What kind of a tiger was chosen for the purpose?

The tiger shooting was arranged in neigbouring village. The villagers had seen an old tiger who used to hunt domestic animals on the outskirts of the local jungle. A platform or Machaan was built in a comfortable and conviniently placed tree for Mrs. Packletide and her paid companion Miss Louisa Mebbin. A noisy goat was tethered at the correct distance to attract the tiger.
The tiger chosen for this purpose was weak, diseased tiger who could not hunt wild animals due to old age.

(d) In what way did the villagers help Mrs. Packletide shoot the tiger?

The villagers made many arrangements for the hunting game.Children were posted night and day on the outskirts so that the tiger would not leave his domain. Goats were left in the forest in order to satisfy the animal. Women took care not to make noise while passing by, so that the tiger would not be disturbed. Last but not the least, the villagers offered support and assistance at night of hunt. A platform had been constructed on a comfortable and convenient place on a tree for Mrs. Packletide and her paid companion. They remained there throughout the night.

(e) Who was Miss Mebbin? Was she really devoted to Mrs. Packletide? How did she behave during the tiger shooting?

Miss Mebbin was a paid companion. Mrs. Packletide had acquired her so that she could witness the shooting of the tiger. She was very materialistic. She didn't want to do more than she was paid for. In fact she also instigated Mrs. Packletide not to pay for the goat if the tiger did not eat it. She was not at all devoted to Mrs. Packletide. She was there only for the money.

(f) Mrs. Packletide was a good shot. Discuss.

Mrs. Packletide was daring and bold enough to go for hunting a tiger which was old and weak. She was not a good shot at all. Inspite of all the arrangements, she was not able to shoot the old tiger who was walking slowly. Instead, she shot the goat as she had missed her aim.

(g) What comment did Miss Mebbin make after Mrs Packletide had fired the shot?
Why did Miss Mebbin make this comment? How did Mrs Packletide react to this comment? 

Miss Mebbin commented that the bullet had shot the goat not the tiger. The tiger had died due to heart failure caused by the sound of firing accelerated by senile decay.
She made this comment to take advantage of the fact that the tiger was not killed by Mrs. Packletide. In fact, she wanted to exploit the situation. Mrs. Packletide was annoyed at the discovery.

(h) How did the villagers react to the tiger's death?

The villagers were anxious for their thousand rupees. They did not pay any heed to Miss Mebbin’s revelation that Mrs. Packletide had not killed a tiger but a goat. They readily believed that Mrs. Packletide had shot the beast lest they lose their money.

(i) Do you think Mrs. Packletide was able to achieve her heart's desire? Give reasons for your answer.

Yes, I think Mrs. Packletide was able to achieve her heart's desire of killing a tiger and to show off that she was the possessor of a dead tiger. She wanted her photographs to be published in the newspapers. Her desire was accomplished positively. She was able to outdo Loona Bimberton and she sent her a gift of a tiger-claw brooch.

(j) How did Miss Mebbin manage to get her week-end cottage? Why did she plant so many tiger lilies in her garden?

Louisa Mebbin blackmailed Mrs. Packletide into buying her the weekend cottage or else she would have told Loona Bimberton that it was not the tiger but a mere goat that Mrs. Packletide had shot. The tiger lilies would always remind of how she had procured the cottage.

(k) "The incidental expenses are so heavy," she confides to inquiring friends. Who is the speaker? What is she referring to here?

Mrs. Packletide is the speaker. The lines are said in response to questions regarding why she did not hunt anymore. Mrs. Packletide is referrering to the expenses that she incurred when she hunted for the first time, she paid the villagers, she paid Louisa Mebbin and even had to buy her a cottage.

Page No: 17

5. Discuss the following questions in detail and write the answers in your notebooks:

(a) Do you think the tiger shooting organized by the villagers was a serious affair? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer
The tiger shooting organised by the villagers was not a serious affair at all. They knew it was an old senile tiger. It could not run or escape due to its weakness. So, it would be easy to kill it instantaneously. They posted their children to keep the tiger in the outskirts of the jungle so that it might not roam away to fresh hunting grounds. They left cheap goats to keep him satisfied with the present quarters lest he should die of old age before the appointed lady. In this way, they provided the favourable opportunity of shooting a tiger without over-much risk.

(b) Do you think the writer is trying to make fun of the main characters in the story i.e. Mrs. Packletide, Miss Mebbin and Loona Bimberton? Pick out instances from the story that point to this fact.

Yes, the writer is trying to make fun of the main characters in the story. Mrs. Packletide wanted to kill a tiger because of her jealousy and a desire to outshine Loona. Loona was a lady of boastful nature. She also grew jealous when she saw Mrs. Packletide's photo in the newspaper. She refused to attend the lunch party arranged in her honour by Mrs. Packletide. Miss Mebbin was very manipulative, shrewd and materialistic lady. She adopted a protective elder-sister attitude towards money. Moreover, the shooting of an old and weak tiger, who has lost his strength and ferociousness is also very humourous. Its death due to heart failure instead of a bullet arouses laughter.

(c) A person who is vain is full of self importance and can only think of himself/herself and can go to great lengths to prove his/her superiority. Do you think Mrs Packletide is vain? Give reasons in support of your answer.

The story begins with Mrs. Packletide’s obsession to procure a tiger skin so that she can show it off to Loona Bimberton. To obtain the tiger skin Mrs.Packletide goes to extreme lengths; she offers a thousand rupees to the villagers to shoot a tiger without much risk or exertion. She acquires a paid companion, Louisa Mebbin, a witness to her extraordinary feat. She makes sure her pictures appear in international newspapers. Finally, she buys a weekend cottage for Louisa Mebbin to prevent her from telling anybody that it was not the tiger but a goat she had shot because the tiger merely died of a heart attack. All this proves that Mrs. Packletide was a vain woman.

(d) Sometimes writers highlight certain negative aspects in society or human beings by making fun of it. This is called satire. In your groups discuss whether you would classify this story as a satire. Give reasons to support your answer
The story is excellent example of satire. The writer, Saki, has satirized the jealousy and vanity of the women. They want to to show off their self importance and think of themselves only. To prove their superiority, they can go to any length. The author not only makes fun of the situation but also of the characters. Mrs. Packeltide’s actions were largely directed by dislike of Loona Bimberton. The motive behind tiger hunt was to show off to her. Loona Bimberton did not look at Mrs. Packletide’s pictures in the newspapers. Her letter of thanks for the tiger-claw brooch was a model of repressed emotions. She declined to attend the luncheon party because she wouldn't be able to see people praising Mrs. Packletide. Both Louisa Mebbin and the villagers are only concerned about their remuneration. Louisa Mebbin even blackmailed Mrs. Packletide into buying her a cottage. The villagers happily believed that Mrs. Packletide had shot the tiger and not the goat lest they lose their fee. The whole situation of the tiger hunt is also laced with satire. An old tiger who had given up hunting was chosen for the purpose. The tiger dies of a heart-failure than a gun shot. The author paints a picture of a society that is essentially governed by wealth and mutual dislike for each other.

(e) How does the writer create humor in this story?

The author makes fun of each character and situation. The characters of Loona Bimberton, Mrs. Packletide, Louisa Mebbin and the villagers are all ridiculed for their peculiar character traits.The tiger hunt is mocked a; an old, infirm tiger is chosen for the hunt making it the least dangerous expedition. The power of money is so strong that the villagers agree that it was not a goat but a tiger that was shot. Louisa Mebbin agrees to keep this a secret in return of money. Thus the author creates humour in the story by highlighting the negative aspects in society or human beings.

The Rhyme of  theAncient Mariner -II

Q.11) Answer the following questions :

Question: 1 - In which direction did the ship start moving? How can you say?

Answer: The ship began to move towards north because the sun now rose’upon the right’ and set on the left.

Question: 2 - Why does the mariner say that ‘no sweet bird did follow’?

Answer: The mariner sounds remorseful as he makes this statement.He means to saythat as he had killed the albatross,it did not follow the ship any longer.

Question: 3 - How did the other mariners behave towards the Ancient Mariner at first? How many times did they change their mind about the Ancient Mariner? What does this tell us about their character?

Answer: The other mariners changed their opinions as per the changing weather. When the weather was favourable, they hailed the Ancient Mariner for killing the albatross. But when the weather was not favourable, they cursed the Ancient Mariner. This shows that the other mariners were fickle-minded..

Question: 4 - How did the sailing conditions change after the ship had moved out of the land of mist and snow? What or who did the mariners blame for this change?

Answer: Once the ship came out of the land of mist and snow, it had to withstand a condition of complete lull. The wind was still and the ship could not move an inch. The mariners blamed the killing of the albatross for this change.

Question: 5 - What is indicated by the line ‘The bloody sun, at noon, /Right up above the mast did stand, /No bigger than the moon’?

Answer: The sun was blazing red and scorchingly hot.The sailors think that the hot weather is the result of the ‘sin’ of killing the Albatross

Question: 6 - How does the mariner describe the fact that they were completely motionless in the middle of the sea?

Answer: The ship was so still that it appeared as a painted ship on the painted ocean. This sentence aptly describes the motionless ship in the middle of the sea.

Question: 7 - What is the irony in the ninth stanza? Explain it in your own words.

Answer: The biggest irony is that inspite of being in the midst of the ocean of water, the sailors don’t have a single drop to drink. We know that saline water is not fit for human consumption. Hence, if a person is caught in the middle of the sea and he does not have drinking water; only God can save his life.

Question: 8 - What is the narrator trying to convey through the description of the situation in the tenth and eleventh stanza?

Answer: The narrator conveys through this dismal description that the wrongful killing of the Albatross subjected them all to a state of uncertainty where they all helplessly awaited their impending death.

Question: 9 - What or who did the mariners feel was responsible for their suffering?

Answer: The mariners felt that the ancient Mariner was responsible for their misfortune and suffering .They felt that the wrongful killing of the Albatross subjected them to such an agony.

Question: 10 - Describe the condition of the mariners as expressed in the thirteenth stanza.

Answer: With not a single drop of drinking water to quench their thirst, all the sailors yearned for water. The mariners were unable to speak as their tongues were parched due to acute thirst.

Question: 11 - Why did the mariners hand the albatross around the neck of the Ancient Mariner?

Answer: Albatross around the neck is used in the proverbial sense as if a heavy burden is thrust upon you. The mariners probably tied the albatross around the neck of the Ancient Mariner to symbolize the burden of guilt because of killing the albatross

Poetic devices

Alliteration

By thy long grey beard and glittering eye (line 3)

He holds him with his skinny hand (line 9)

The Wedding-Guest here beat his breast, 
For he heard the loud bassoon. (lines 31-32)

The merry minstrelsy (line 36)

The furrow followed free (line 104) 

Repetition

The ice was here, the ice was there, 
The ice was all around. (line 59-60)

Personification

The Sun came up upon the left, 
Out of the sea came he ! 
And he shone bright, and on the right 
Went down into the sea. (lines 25-28) 
Comparison of the sun to a person

Simile

The bride hath paced into the hall,................. 
Red as a rose is she (lines 33-34) 
Comparison of the bride to a rose

The water, like a witch's oils, 
Burnt green, and blue and white. (lines 129-130) 
Comparison of water to witch's oils

Day after day, day after day, 
We stuck, nor breath nor motion; 
As idle as a painted ship 
Upon a painted ocean. (lines 115-118) 
Comparison of the motionless ship and ocean to paintings

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

SUMMARY

In the poem's first line, we meet its protagonist,(main character) "an ancient Mariner." He stops one of three people on their way to a wedding celebration. The leader of the group, the Wedding Guest, tries to resist being stopped by the strange old man with the "long grey beard and glittering eye." He explains that he is on his way to enjoy the wedding merriment; he is the closest living relative to the groom, and the festivities have already begun. Still, the Ancient Mariner takes his hand and begins his story. The Wedding Guest has no choice but to sit down on a rock to listen.

The Ancient Mariner explains that one clear and bright day, he set out sail on a ship full of happy seamen. They sailed along smoothly until they reached the equator. Suddenly, the sounds of the wedding interrupt the Ancient Mariner's story. The Wedding Guest beats his chest impatiently as the blushing bride enters the reception hall and music plays. However, he is compelled to continue listening to the Ancient Mariner, who goes on with his tale. As soon as the ship reached the equator, a terrible storm hit and forced the ship southwards. The wind blew with such force that the ship pitched down in the surf as though it were fleeing an enemy. Then the sailors reached a calm patch of sea that was "wondrous cold", full of snow and glistening green icebergs as tall as the ship's mast. The sailors were the only living things in this frightening, enclosed world where the ice made terrible groaning sounds that echoed all around. Finally, an Albatross emerged from the mist, and the sailors revered it as a sign of good luck, as though it were a "Christian soul" sent by God to save them. No sooner than the sailors fed the Albatross did the ice break apart, allowing the captain to steer out of the freezing world. The wind picked up again, and continued for nine days. All the while, the Albatross followed the ship, ate the food the sailors gave it, and played with them. At this point, the Wedding Guest notices that the Ancient Mariner looks at once grave and crazed. He exclaims: "God save thee, ancient Mariner! / From the fiends that plague thee thus!- / Why lookst thou so?" The Ancient Mariner responds that he shot the Albatross with his crossbow.

Part-2

The ship sailed northward into the Pacific Ocean, and although the sun shone during the day and the wind remained strong, the mist held fast. The other sailors were angry with the Ancient Mariner for killing the Albatross, which they believed had saved them from the icy world by summoning the wind: "Ah wretch! Said they, the bird to slay / That made the breeze to blow!" Then the mist disappeared and the sun shone particularly brightly, "like God's own head." The sailors suddenly changed their opinion. They decided that the Albatross must have brought the mist, and praised the Ancient Mariner for having killed it and rid them of the mist: "Twas right, said they, such birds to slay, / That bring the fog and mist."

The ship sailed along merrily until it entered an uncharted part of the ocean, and the wind disappeared. The ship could not move, and sat "As idle as a painted ship / Upon a painted ocean." Then the sun became unbearably hot just as the sailors ran out of water, leading up to the most famous lines in the poem: "Water, water, every where, / And all the boards did shrink; / Water, water, every where, / Nor any drop to drink." The ocean became a horrifying place; the water churned with "slimy" creatures, and at night, eerie fires seemed to burn on the ocean's surface. Some of the sailors dreamed that an evil spirit had followed them from the icy world, and they all suffered from a thirst so terrible that they could not speak. To brand the Ancient Mariner for his crime and place the guilt on him and him alone, the sailors hung the Albatross's dead carcass around his neck.

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Questions and Answer - part -I

Answer the following questions briefly

Question: 1 - How did the ancient mariner stop the wedding guest?

Answer: The ancient mariner used the hypnotic effect of his gleaming eyes to stop the wedding guest.

Question: 2 - Was the wedding guest happy to be stopped? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer: The wedding guest was not happy to be stopped. He has come to attend the wedding ceremony where his presence is necessary as he is closely related to the bridegroom.

Question: 3 - Describe the ancient mariner.

Answer: The Ancient Mariner is an old man. He is quite thin and frail. He has a long grey beard and there is a magnetic effect in the glitter in his eyes.

Question: 4 - How does the mariner describe the movement of the ship as it sails away from the land?

Answer: The mariner describes that the ship was waved off on harbor among loud cheers.. All the sailors were in high spirits. The ship left the harbor leaving behind the church, the hill and the lighthouse.

Question: 5 - What kind of weather did the sailors enjoy at the beginning of their journey? How has it been expressed in the poem?

Answer: The weather was pleasant and sunny. The sun seemed to rise out of the sea and set into the sea. The sun was bright during the initial phase of the journey.

Question: 6 - How did the sailors reach the land of mist and snow?

Answer: The fierce storm forced the ship to drift towards the south and reach the land of mist and snow.

Question: 7 - How does the mariner express the fact that the ship was completely surrounded by icebergs?

Answer: The mariner describes how emerald coloured blocks of ice as high as the mast of the ship floated around the ship blocking all view.The repetition of ‘ the ice was here, the ice was there, the ice was all around’ makes the description very vivid.

Question: 8 - How do we know that the albatross was not afraid of the humans? Why did the sailors hail it in God’s name?

Answer: The way albatross came to eat the food offered by thesailors and played with them shows that it was not afraid of the humans. The sailors hailed it in God’s name asthey were pleased with this diversion that took away their gloom and depression.

Question: 9 - What was the terrible deed done by the Mariner? Why do you think he did it?

Answer The ancient Mariner killed the albatross with his crossbow. It was a thoughtless act, as the mariner had no reason to kill it. Later on he was remorseful about his action and had to pay a heavy price for his foolish action

Lesson-5  Patol Babu

 Answer the following questions briefly(a) What was the news that Nishikanto Ghosh gave Patol Babu?

Ans.   Nishikanto Babu told Patol Babu that his brother-in law, who was in the film business, was looking for an actor for a film they were shooting. The character he described reminded Nishikanto Babu of Patol Babu so he gave him his address and asked him to get in touch with him.

(b) How did Patol Babu react? Why?

 Ans.  Patol Babu was taken aback by the acting offer. He was surprised as it seemed unbelievable to him that a 52-year old nobody like him was getting a chance to act in a film.

(c) Why had Patol Babu lost his first job in Calcutta?

 Ans   The Second World War had resulted in Patol Babu being retrenched from his nine-year-old clerical job at Hudson and Kimberley.

(d) How does Patol Babu reconcile to the dialogue given to him?
Ans. Initially Patol Babu was very dejected to know that he was required to speak just one word ‘Oh!’, but later he accepted it because the director told him that he was the only one who had the speaking part that day. Even the lead actor had no dialogues to speak that day.

(e) Who was Mr. Pakrashi? How do his words help Patol Babu in enacting his role?

Ans.  Mr. Pakrashi was Patol Babu's mentor. He was a wonderful actor, without a tract of vanity in him. He remembered that he had said that however small a part he was offered, never  to consider it beneath his dignity,to accept it. These words influenced Patol Babu a lot and they helped him enact his role with confidence and determination. From these words, Patol Babu drew spirit, energy, inspiration and dignity to enact such a small role. He no more felt his role in the movie to be condescending.

(f) How do we know that Patol Babu was a meticulous man?
Ans.  Patol Babu was indeed a meticulous man. When he got his dialogue, monosyllabic exclamation 'Oh!', he tried his best to give his best. First he tried to understand different inflections of 'Oh!' when spoken in different tones carrying different meanings in various ways. Along with that he worked out how he would react physically when the collision took place, how his features would be twisted in pain, how he would express pain and surprise. When his turn came, he even suggested for a rehersal. He calculated his steps and timed it excellently well. All these things shows his hard-work and pain taking attitude.

(g) Why did Mr. Mullick turn down Patol Babu's request for a rehearsal?
Ans. Mr Mullick was a very busy and preoccupied director. He had no patience to grant rehearsal for an insignificant role. Moreover, the scene had to be shot in sunlight and as the clouds were seen approaching, he had to take the shot quickly. So he declined Patol Babu’s request for a rehearsal.

(h) What were the special touches that Patol Babu gave to his role to make it more authentic?
Ans.  Patol Babu was given the role of an absent-minded pedestrian who collided with the hero Chanchal Kumar on his way from his car to office. First of all, he himself rehearsed his own bit. He worked out his steps, his reactions and his facial expressions. When the shot was ready, he suggested to Barren Mullick if he had a newspaper open in his hand then it would be more natural and realistic. then, he calculated his speed and distance of the spot where the collision was to take place and expressed his feelings of anguish, surprise and irritation in proper ratio and proportion. In this way, he timed it very well.

4.(a)  'I hope the part calls for some dialogue?' Who says this? Why does he /she ask this question?
Ans. Patol babu says  this. He asked Naresh Dutt, the producer of the film to know about this role and the dialogue so as to be very clear in mind, what he has to do exactly because Naresh Dutt has not told him anything about it till now.
(b) 'Were these people pulling his legs? Was the whole thing a gigantic hoax?
A meek, harmless man like him, and they had to drag him into the middle of the city to make a laughing stock out of him. How could anyone be so cruel?' Why does Patol Babu have these thoughts?
Ans. Patol babu has all these thoughts as soon as he gets the dialogue from Jyoti. It is a single exclamatory word 'Oh!'. He feels upset and displeased at this dialogue. He has spoiled his day. He has come all the way into the middle of the city for such a small dialogue.
(c) Patol Babu is an amateur actor for whom walk-on part in a movie turns into an ultimate challenge. Discuss.

Ans. Patol Babu is initially very disappointed because of the small role he had been given. Then he is reminded of his mentor’s words that “however small a part, never consider it beneath your dignity to accept it”. Motivated by these words, Patol Babu decides to rehearse his part before the final shoot. He chooses a reclusive spot to practice. As he practices, he realises that a monosyllabic exclamation could be said in different ways and carried different meanings. He also rehearsed how he would react physically when the collision took place - he would twist his face in pain, fling his arms, and crouch to show pain and surprise. He really worked hard at his part and performed it to perfection.

(d) Do you agree with the statement that Patol Babu is a practical man who comes to terms with whatever life has to offer? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans. Yes, I do agree with this statement. Patol Babu has to struggle hard to earn his livelihood. But he does not lose heart. He tries many jobs, every means of earning a livelihood. He is an iron-willed man, undeterred by hardships of life.

As soon  as he gets an offer to play a walk on part in a movie, he accepted it. He performs it to his own utmost satisfaction. He puts all the labour and imagination into one shot. It is true that he needs money but he does not run after it. He performs his act with perfection, dedication and experience intense satisfaction of true actor.

(e) Why does Patol Babu walk away before he can be paid for his role? What does this reveal about his character?
Ans. Patol Babu executed his part to perfection. However, he wondered whether the immense effort he had put in to enact a small role would be appreciated by everybody or not. The film unit usually got hold of some people, made them do their parts and paid them a small amount. They were not bothered about the quality of performance.
Although Patol Babu performed a small role, he felt that taking money for it would be trivialising his performance. He was a true actor for whom creative satisfaction was foremost and not money.

(f) Do you think making a movie is an easy job? Discuss with reference to the story

Ans. The story, Patol Babu, Film Star, describes a film shoot. Filmmaking is a long and tedious process. Every scene has to be rehearsed many times before it is finally shot. Plenty of heavy equipments and expensive cameras are used. Film actors have to shoot in extreme weather conditions, sometimes in front of large crowds. The noise and extreme weather can, at times, distract an actor. The production unit has to see minor details, arrange for actors for small roles, and arrange for props. In short making a film is a combined effort of many people.

Writing Task 

9. Patol Babu writes a letter to Nishikanto Ghosh to thank him for being instrumental in his getting a role in a film. He also shares his experience at the film shoot including the excitement and deep satisfaction that he derived from the same. Write the letter in about 200 words.

Examination Hall
New Delhi.

8th Dec.2014

Dear Nishikanto Babu,
How are you? Hope you are doing fine. It was indeed a pleasure meeting you the other day. I wanted to thank you for recommending me for that role.

At first, I was surprised that an acting offer would come my way after so many years. However, as you know how passionate I am about acting that I just couldn’t refuse. When I reached the shooting site, I realised how different acting in a film was than acting on stage. I saw so many new things—cameras, lights, make up artists, production people, etc. It was a completely new experience for me. I must confess something—I was initially disappointed with my role and dialogue. It was a very small part with almost no dialogue. however, my mentor’s advice motivated me and I rehearsed and performed my part to perfection. In fact I can say that it was my finest performance till date.

I am very grateful to you as it was because of you that I had this fantastic experience at the first place.

I must also add that your brother-in-law is a thorough gentleman. He took good care of me. Thanks again.

Yours truly,
Patol Babu

Ozymandias
ozymandias

Summary :                            

The Narrator: The narrator starts the poem with the
introduction as to how the traveller had narrated his
trip to the ancient land.
The Traveler: Two huge yet without the upper part of
the body sculptures stood in the desert. Near them lay
a shattered face, which had a frown and a wrinkled
expression on his face. The face also held a hostile
expression of cold command. The expression could be
read very well on these lifeless things because of the
sculptor’s artistry. On the pedestal appeared the words
of the king himself. It read that his name was
Ozymandias, king of kings, who commanded the
forthcoming rulers to look up to him, and be saddened
by the fact that they can never beat the glory he had
achieved.
Ozymandias: I am Ozymandias, king of all kings: look
upon my work and be despaired by my might, which
you can never surpass.

5. a) “The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed”. Whose hand and heart has poet referred to in this line?

The expression ‘the hand that mocked’ refers to the sculptor’s skill in reproducing king Ozymandias’s facial expressions in stone and ‘the heart that fed’ refers to the arrogance of the conceited king Ozymandias who considered himself to be the mightiest of the mighty.

b) “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings.” Why does Ozymandias refer to himself as king of kings? What quality of the king is revealed through this statement?

Answer- The king Ozymandias described himself as the king of kings because he was very proud of his power, position and glory, he thought himself to be the greatest of all kings 

It shows the vanity and pretentiousness of the arrogant king. 

c) “Look on my works, ye mighty and despair!” Who is Ozymandias referring to when he speaks of “ye mighty”? Why should they despair?

He is referring to his fellow kings who consider themselves to be   very powerful,mighty and great.

 He feels that his greatness is unparalleled, for nobody can overpass the greatness and strength of him,it would pale their achievements into insignificance and give them reasons to be ashamed and dejected.

d) ‘Bring out the irony in the poem.

Answer: The once powerful king who glorified himself  through a grand statue with the thought of immortalizing himself,  is no more  Time devoured all his grandeur and magnificence and his statue is shattered into pieces; lying neglected and half-buried in the sand.Today his challenge to all fellow kings sounds hollow  and the inscription on the pedestal with the trunkless legs ironically mocks at Ozymandias’s claim to power and might.

e) ‘Nothing beside remains’. What does the narrator mean when he says these words?

Answer: Apart from the trunkless legs on the pedestal and a shattered visage, no remains of the once grand statue can be seen in the vast desert. By saying this, the narrator tries to highlight that even Ozymandias had not realized that time will wipe out everything and fragments of the broken statue will lie neglected in the sand.

f) What is your impression of Ozymandias as a king?

Answer-Ozymandias like many other kings is proud, arrogant and  a conceited king. He considered himself incomparable in regard to his greatness and achievements. He was a shortsighted person with a condescending attitude who never could realize that everything in the world is subject to decay, decline and destruction with no exception.

g) What message is conveyed through the poem.

Answer-The Might and majesty of a king do not last. Only great art endures for a period of time. The statue symbolizing the glory of pharaoh has crumbled. Now except some fine pieces of work by the sculptor nothing else remained. The poem compels us to realize that ‘time plays its final hand on every living and non-living creation and a proud king like Ozymandias is of no exception’. 

Question 7:

Shelley's sonnet follows the traditional structure of thefourteen-line Italian sonnet, featuring an openingoctave, or set of eight lines, that presents a conflict ordilemma, followed by a sestet, or set of six lines, thatoffers some resolution or commentary upon theproposition introduced in the octave.

Poetic Device Lines from the poem Alliteration ...and sneer of cold command Synecdoche (substitution of a part to stand for the whole, or the whole to stand for a part) the hand that mock'd themRepitition King of Kings Personification
the hand that mocked them