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ICSE-X ENGLISH-II 2012
(Two Hours)
Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.
You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.
This time is to be spent in reading the Question Paper.
The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.
Attempt five questions in all.
You must attempt one question from each of the Sections A, B and C and any two other
questions.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
SECTION A—DRAMA
As You Like It—Shakespeare
Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Duke Senior :
Here feel we but the penalty of Adam,
The season's difference, as, the icy fang
And churlish chiding of the winter's wind;
Which, when it bites and blows upon my body,
Even till I shrink with cold, I smile and say
'This is no flattery : these are counsellors
That feelingly persuade me what I am.'
Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which like a toad, ugly and venomous,
(i)
Where does this scene take place ? Why is Duke Senior here ? To whom is
he talking ?
[3]
(ii)
How does he address his listeners at the beginning of his speech ? Why is
the present location more free from danger than the court ?
[3]
(iii) What do you understand by the line –
“Here feel we but the penalty of Adam/The seasons' difference..." ?
What was the old belief about the toad ?
[3]
(iv) In what way does the Duke find good in everything that he sees about him ?
What does it reveal about his character ?
[3]
(v)
Jacques moralises on the wounded deer by comparing it to the actions of
human beings. What does he say in this regard ?
[4]
Answer 1.
(i)
This scene takes place in the forest of Arden. The Duke Senior is here
because he has been deposed and banished by his younger brother, Duke
Frederick. Duke Senior was living here in exile alongwith many of his loyal
followers, who had left the comforts of the court and joined him in
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voluntary exile. Duke Senior speaks the above quoted lines to Amiens and
the other lords present there.
(ii)
At the beginning of the speech the Duke addresses his listeners as his comates and brothers in exile. According to the Duke the present location is
more free from danger than court because it is devoid of the flattery,
sycophancy and politics of the court life. The piercing wind of the forest is
much better than all that. These adversities provide him with the most
valuable experiences of life.
(iii) The lines "Here feel we …………… difference …………. mean that there
in the forest the Duke and his companions feel the hardships due to the
change of seasons which occurred because it was a punishment given to our
ancestor, Adam, when he disobeyed God and was expelled from the Garden
of Eden and sent to the earth. In the Elizabethan times it was believed that
though toads are ugly and poisonous, yet they had a precious stone in their
heads which acted like an antidote to poison. It had a medicinal value
which was highly beneficial to human beings.
(iv) The Duke finds good in everything that he sees about him because he does
not complain about the hardships he has to suffer in the forest and neither
does he criticize his brother for the treachery shown by him. Infact he tells
his loyal lords that their life in the forest is a much more honest and happy
one than the artificial splendour of the court which was full of sycophants
and jealous people. Like a philosopher, the duke says that the icy winds of
the winter, though bite through a person, yet they have a valuable lesson to
teach about the realities of life. He says that since they were away from the
disturbances of the court, they had the leisure and peace to learn from
nature. The duke feels that every tree speaks and imparts knowledge.
Running brooks have whole books of knowledge in them and even moral
lessons can be gained from the stones in the forest. All this reveals that he
is a very positive and content man who sees positive and good in
everything even in his adversity or misfortune.
(v)
Jaques, just like the duke, is a philosophical man who finds a lesson in
everything he sees. He moralises over the spectacle of the wounded deer
who is wasting his tears in a stream which is already full of water and
compares it to the way rich people who leave their wealth to those who are
already rich and do not need any more.
Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Adam
:
Know you not, master, to some kind of men
Their graces serve them but as enemies ?
No more do yours : your virtues, gentle master,
Are sanctified and holy traitors to you.
O, what a world is this, when what is comely
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Envenoms him that bears it!
Orlando
:
Why, what's the matter ?
Adam
:
O unhappy, youth !
(i)
Who is Adam ? Where are Adam and Orlando now ? Who is the enemy of
Orlando's graces ?
[3]
(ii)
Explain in your own words the meaning of
"O, what a world is this, when what is comely
What warning does Adam go on to give Orlando immediately after the
extract ?
[3]
(iii) What does Adam say and do to show his love and affection for
Orlando ?
[3]
(iv) What comment does Orlando make on Adam's sense of devotion to
duty ?
[3]
(v)
How does Orlando act on the advice given by Adam ? What are your
feelings for Adam ? Give a reason to justify your feelings for Adam.
[4]
Answer 2.
(i)
Adam is the old, faithful servant to Orlando. Adam and Orlando are
standing before oliver's house. According to Adam, for some people their
grace i.e., their virtues become their enemies. This is exactly what has
happened in the case of Orlando because his virtues and good qualities have
made his brother Oliver jealous and caused enmity between them.
(ii)
The lines 'O, what ………. bears it!' means that Adam bemoans the fact
that they live in a time when virtue evoke not admiration but jealously. He
says that in the present world beauty and virtue poison the person who
possesses them because they arouse hatred in others. This is particularly
true of Orlando because his beauty, virtues and popularity have poisoned
his brother against him. Adam warns Orlando because Oliver is jealous of
him and plans to kill him.
(iii) Adam shows his love and affection for Orlando by telling him about the
plots that oliver has hatched against him and tells him to leave that house.
He also offers him the 500 crowns that he had saved over the years while
serving Orlando's father. He liked Orlando because he was virtuous and
kind and wanted to save his life yet did not want him to beg.
(iv) Orlando told Adam that in him he could see the reflection of faithful
service of the ancient world when people worked from a sense of duty and
not for rewards or wages. He also commented that Adam did not belong to
the fashionable world i.e., the present time when people do not work if they
do not get a promotion and stop providing their services once the payment
has been made.
(v)
On Adam's insistence, Orlando accepts both his offer of money and service.
They decide to leave Oliver's house immediately and set out for the forest
of Arden. Adam is an ideal servant who serves his master and his family
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with love and devotion. He witnessed Orlando's hardship. He offers not
only to accompany his young master into exile but to fund their journey
with the whole of his modest life savings. He is a model of loyalty and
devoted service.
Loyalties: John Galsworthy
Question 3.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Margaret
:
Here's the wind !
Winsor
:
What's the move now, General ?
Canynge
:
You and I had better see the Inspector in
De Levis's room, Winsor. [To the others] If you'll
all be handy, in case he wants to put questions
for himself.
Margaret
:
I hope he'll want me; it's just too thrilling.
Dancy
:
I hope he won't want me; I am dog-tired. Come on
Mabel. [He puts his arm in his wife's.]
Canynge
:
Just a minute, Charles.
(i)
Who is Winsor ? What does Margaret mean by 'here's the wind!' ? Where is
the scene taking place ?
[3]
(ii)
What does Canynge say to Winsor immediately after the extract ? What
reply does Winsor give to Canynge ?
[3]
(iii) Who enters soon after ? What two things had he been asked to do
earlier ?
[3]
(iv) Who is De Levis ? Whom does he suspect for the theft of his money ?
Canynge also suspects this same person later on. What is the basis of his
suspicions ?
[3]
(v)
How did De Levis have such a large amount of money on him that day ? [4]
Answer 3.
(i)
Charles Winsor was the owner of Meldon court near Newmarket. Margaret
says 'here's the wind' by which she means that they now have a clue as
winsor had said that if there is rain there should be footprints and just then
they heard the splutter of a motor cycle. The scene is taking place in the
dressing room of Charles Winsor.
(ii)
Canynge tells Winsor to be careful of the inspector lest he might pitch
himself hastily on somebody in the house which would be very
disagreeable. Winsor agrees to what Canynge says.
(iii) Treisure enters the room and announces inspectors Dede who comes in
after this. He had been asked to check if the stable ladder had been moved
and to get Robert.
(iv) De Levis is a young Jew who has come to stay at the Meldon court. De
Levis suspects Ronny Dancy and later on Canynge also suspects him
because on the night of the theft he had found Dancy's coat wet.
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(v)
De Levis had a large amount of money on him that day, about a thousand
pounds, nine hundred and seventy to be exact which was stolen. He got the
money in exchange of Rosemary filly a horse, which Ronny gifted him
earlier. He sold the horse to a Bookie who paid him in cash.
Question 4.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Graviter : No. I suppose not. [A pause] By Jove, I don't like losing this
case. I don't like the admission we backed such a wrong' un.
Twisden : Impossible to go on.
(i)
Who are Graviter and Twisden ? What 'case' are they discussing ? Why
does Graviter feel that he will lose the case ?
[3]
(ii)
What was the latest evidence put forward which convinced them of the
thief s identity ?
[3]
(iii) How can you say that Twisden is loyal to his profession ? What does
Twisden ask Graviter to do immediately after this ?
[3]
(iv) What does Twisden advise Dancy to do ? Later, in the play, De Levis calls
on Twisden. Briefly state what is the purpose of this visit.
[3]
(v)
How does Mabel show loyalty to her husband ? Mention any one
character trait of Ronald Dancy that appeals to you. What happens to him in
the end ?
[4]
Answer 4.
(i)
Graviter and Twisden are the partners of the law firm Twisden and Graviter
Mr. Jacob Twisden is the senior partner of the firm. They are discussing
about the case of the stolen money of Mr. De Levis in which Dancy was
accused. Graviter felt that they would lose the case when he came to know
that Dancy's coat was wet.
(ii)
The latest evidence that they had got was the note which was stolen from
De Levis. Graviter had got it from an Italian wine merchant Paolio
Ricardos who said he got it from Dancy when he paid his daughter, who
was Dancy's mistress, before he left her to get married to Mabel.
(iii) Twisden decides not to proceed with the case as he feels his profession is a
fine calling. He cannot go against the truth and argue for a person who is
actually guilty. Twisden asked Graviter to connect him to Dancy. He tells
him to connect him to Sir Frederic’s Chamber. When that could not be done
he told him that he would visit the counsel in Brighton and asks Graviter to
find out if Ricardos had a daughter.
(iv) Twisden advises Dancy to leave England and go to Morocco because two
of the stolen notes had been found which would prove beyond doubt that
Dancy was the culprit. He told him to leave before the warrant was issued.
Since he had a passport he could go to France as a visa won't be required
and form there find a means to step over.
De Levis visits Twisden to tell him that he had not got a warrant issued
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against Dancy just because he was a jew and Dancy a Christian. He said
that he didn't even want the money and would give it to a charity.
(v)
Mabel is an epitome of loyalty and she stays loyal to him till the end and is
ready to fight a case to prove her loyalty. One characteristic of Dancy
which is very appealing is the fact that he upholds her honour till the end
and doesn't want to be disgraced by getting arrested. He shoots himself with
his pistol.
SECTION B—POETRY
The Golden Lyre
Question 5.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
He did not feel the driver's whip,
Nor the burning heat of day;
For Death had illumined the Land of Sleep,
And his lifeless body lay
A worn-out fetter, that the soul
Had broken and thrown away !
(The Slave's Dream : H. W. Longfellow)
(i)
Explain in your own words the meaning of "A worn-out fetter, that the soul
Had broken and thrown away !"
[3]
(ii)
Where does 'he' lie in the beginning of the poem ? In what condition does
he lie there ?
[3]
(iii) Whom does 'he' see once more ? What do they do to him ?
[3]
(iv) What does 'he' hear at night ? How does it pass ?
[3]
(v)
In the poem it is said that 'he started in his sleep and smiled'.
Why does he start and smile ? How has the poem appealed to you ?
Give a reason to justify your answer.
[4]
Answer 5.
(i)
The lines "a worn-out fetter ………… thrown away !" mean that the soul of
the African slave had finally got freedom from the body to which it was
chained. His dead body was a useless chain from which the soul got
freedom. The slave's body has acted like a chain for his soul. His body has
been called "worn out" because over the years it has suffered abuse as a
slave. Only the body can be enslaved a soul is always free once it leaves the
body, the body becomes lifeless and is thus of no use to anyone.
(ii)
'He' i.e. the African prince slave lies sleeping on a heap of ungathered rice.
His sickle was in his hand. His breast was bare as he wore no shirt. His
matted hair were sunk in the sand. He lay there dreaming of his native land
and while sleeping the slave died and was freed from bondage.
(iii) The slave once again dreamt of his past life when he was a tribal king in his
native land of Africa. He saw his dark eyed queen and children. The
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children were clasping his neck and kissing him on his cheek. They held
him by his hand. This scene makes him sentimental and a tear dropped
from his eyelid and dropped into the sand where he is lying in his exhausted
sleep.
(iv) At night he heard the lion roar and the hyenas scream. He also heard the
crushing of the reeds in an invisible stream by the river. He even heard the
beating of drums. All these scenes that he saw in his dream triumph over
his present miserable condition and take him back to the days of his glory
when he was a king. Thus, the mind triumphed over the body.
(v)
A large part of Africa is covered by deserts like the Sahara and the
Kalahari. While dreaming of his native land and his family he was suddenly
startled in his sleep because he saw his homeland vividly in his dreams with
all its sights and sounds. The storm in the desert seemed to be the wind and
free shouting of an exuberant child. The slave felt as if the desert was
wildly exhorting him to be free. He heard a clarion call 'Liberty'. The voices
were so loud and free that he startled in sleep and smiled at the call of
freedom proclaimed by the forest.
The poem is very touching and appealing because it clearly drives home the
point of unfettered freedom of the soul which breaks free from the bondage
of this body and the slavery to which it is subjected.
Question 6.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
I remember the night my mother
was stung by a scorpion. Ten hours
of steady rain had driven him
to crawl beneath a sack of rice.
Parting with his poison – flash
of diabolic tail in the dark room –
he risked the rain again.
(Night of the Scorpion : Nissim Ezekiel)
(i)
Explain in your own words the meaning of,
'Parting with his poison-flash
of diabolic tail in the dark room –
he risked the rain again.'
(ii)
Who comes immediately after this extract ? What do they do and why ?
(iii) What is said about the previous birth and the next birth by those who have
come ?
(iv) What is said about the father '! What does the father do ?
[
(v)
How long did it take for the poison to lose its sting ? What does the mother
say at the end ? What is your opinion about what the mother says ?
Answer 6.
(i)
The lines "Parting with ………. rain again." mean that the Scorpion parted
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with his poison quickly by stinging the poet's mother and quickly
disappeared in the rain. The scorpion's tail is black and contains the deadly
poison. It stings with its tail and causes excruciating pain. Hence, the poet
calls it diabolical and the flash of the tail conveys the rapidity of the wicked
action of the Scorpion.
(ii)
After this extract the peasants came to the poet's house in large numbers
just like swrams of flies to know the reason of his mother's cries and to help
her. They come in clicking their tongues and expressing their horror. They
chanted God's name continuously so as to ward off the evil Scorpion. They
franatically looked for the Scorpion because they believed that with the
movement of the Scorpion the poison would move in the woman's body and
thus intensify the pain. So, they should kill it immediately. However, the
Scorpion had disappeared and they couldn't find it anywhere.
(iii) The peasant's who had come to the poet's house when his mother was stung
by the Scorpion said that this happened to her because of some sins
committed in her previous life and the sufferings of the present moment
may reduce her sufferings of the next life.
(iv) The poet's father is a non believer scientific in temperament rationalist. He
also tries to ease his wife's pain through a combination of medicines, herbs,
mixtures and ointments. He even poured paraffin on the stung toe and burnt
i! to purify the wound. However, in the end he forgets all his rational and
scientific outlook and finally seeks the help of a holy man to tame the
poison,
(v)
The poison lose its sting automatically after twenty hours as it was
supposed to. When the pain subsided, the mother felt relieved. The mother
thanked God that the Scorpion had stung her and her children were spared.
This remark by her is the epitome of motherhood. Even after her painful
sufferings she is grateful to God that her children are unharmed by the
Scorpion. This reveals that how an Indian mother is loving. caring and self
sacrificing than any mother in the world.
SECTION C—PROSE
A Treasure Trove of Short Stories
Question 7.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
'You go up to bed,' I said. 'You're sick.'
'I'm all right,1 he said.
When the doctor came he took the boy's temperature.
'What is it?'I asked him.
'One hundred and two.’
Downstairs, the doctor left three different medicines in different coloured
capsules with instructions for giving them.
(i)
When the boy came into the room to shut the window what did his father
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notice about him ?
[3]
ii)
After the doctor left the room, the father wished to read to the boy stories
about pirates. Why did he choose such stories ? What showed that the boy
was not interested in what he was reading ?
[3]
(iii) Why didn't the boy want his father to stay with him in the room ? When the
father returned a little later, what was the boy's reaction '! How did the
father find him?
[3]
(iv) Why did the boy fear that he was going to die ? How was this fear removed
?
[3]
(v)
How does the story end ? In what way does the boy in the story represent
children in general ?
[4]
Answer 7.
(i)
When the boy came into the room to shut the window his father noticed that
he looked ill. He was shivering, his face was white and he walked slowly as
though it ached to move.
(ii)
The father read aloud from Howard Pyle's Book of pirates. He thought that
if he read out to him it would give him company and he might go off to
sleep. But the boy was not following what he was reading because he did
not go off to sleep, as would have been natural, and was gazing at the foot
of the bed with a very strange expression.
(iii) The boy did not want his father to stay with him because he thought it was
going to bother him. The boy believed that he was going to die and thought
that it would trouble his father to stay and watch him dying. When the
father returned to the room a little while later he found him in exactly the
same position as he had left him. He was white faced with the tops of his
cheeks flushed by fever, still staring at the foot of the bed. He had not
allowed anyone to enter the room. He asked his father that according to him
at what time he would die.
(iv) The boy feared that he was going to die because the boys at his boarding
schools in France had told him that no one could live with a temperature of
44 degrees and his temperature was 102 degrees which was much higher.
So, he thought that he would surely die. When his father came to know of
this he explained the difference between the Celsius and Fahrenheit
thermometers. He told him that the one in which temperature is normal at
37 degrees is french thermometers and the other with normal temperature at
98 degrees is used in their country. He used the example of distance
measurement in miles and kilometers in different countries to remove his
fear.
(v)
The boy was reassured by his father's explanation. His control over himself
relaxed and he realizes that he is not going to die. He cried easily and
behaved like a sick nine year old. His gaze at the foot of the bed also
relaxed slowly. The boy in the story represents a brave child of nine year at
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the same time he is like any other child misunderstanding certain things and
believes them to be true and does not want to clarify it with anyone.
Question 8.
In the story “The Case for the Defence”, the author says that it was the
strangest murder trial he had ever attended. Give details from the story to bring
out the truth of this statement.
[16]
Answer 8.
The element of surprise is the most important ingredient of good story
telling. Graham Greene, is one of those writers who excel in surprise or a twist in
the tale. 'The Case For The Defence’ is a very good example of this.
The story begins with the mention of the Peckham murder case, and we
find ourselves in the Central Criminal Court in London, where the trial of this ease
is being held.
Mrs. Salmon testifies against the defendant Mr. Adams. She was
considered an ideal witness. She had no doubt whatsoever in her verification of the
accused. But here comes the first surprise. The case that appeared to be an open
and shut case takes an unusual turn. The counsel for the defence produced a look
alike of Adams, ll seems Adams had a twin brother who looked exactly like him.
So now the witnesses, including Mrs. Salmon are confused as to which one of
them did they see ? When we are all prepared for a judgement against Adams he is
acquitted? although one of them committed the murder. This is not all, there is
more surprise waiting for us. As both the brothers walked out of the courtroom in
a victorious mood, just then one of them is pushed by the crowd and is hit by a
speeding bus. He lays dead with his skull smashed just as that of Mrs. Parkers had
been smashed. Mrs. Salmon and the readers are left wondering as to who is left
alive the murderer or the innocent one.
The element of surprise makes this story one of the best short stories.
Animal Farm : George Orwell
Question 9.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
One day in early summer Squealer ordered the sheep to
follow him and led them out to a piece of waste ground at
the other end of the farm, which had become overgrown
with birch saplings. The sheep spent the whole day there
browsing at the leaves under Squealer's supervision.
(i)
Who is Squealer ? What are we told immediately after the extract ?
[3]
(ii)
What happens on a pleasant evening when the animals, after completion of
their work, are returning to the farm ?
[3]
(iii) Narrate briefly the sight that is seen by the animals in the yard.
[3]
(iv) What is the effect of what they see on the animals ? What do the sheep
suddenly bleat oat ?
[3]
(v)
'That evening loud laughter and bursts of singing came from the
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farmhouse.' Describe briefly the scene that was seen by the wonder-struck
animals.
[4]
Answer 9.
(i)
Squealer is one of the pigs at the animal farm. He belongs to Napoleon's
group and spreads Napoleon's propaganda among the other animals in the
farm. Immediately after the extract we are told that Squealer himself
returned to the farmhouse in the evening but, as it was warm he told the
sheeps to stay where they were.
(ii)
On a pleasant evening when the animals were returning to the farm after
completion of their work they heard this terrified neighing of a horse from
the yard. The animals were startled and immediately stopped in their track's
as it was Clover's voice. All the animals broke into gallop and rushed into
the yard when they heard her neigh again, and saw what clover had seen.
(iii) The sight seen by the animals in the yard was that of a pig walking on his
hind legs The pig was Squealer. He walked a little awkwardly but he did it
with perfect balance. After sometime a file of pigs came out from the
farmhouse all walking on their hind legs. Finally, Napoleon also came out
walking on his hind legs carrying a whip in his trotter and his dogs
gambolling round him.
(iv) When the animals saw the pigs walking on their hind legs and Napoleon
carrying a whip too there was a deadly silence. The animals were amazed,
terrified and they huddled together and watched the pigs march slowly.
Their whole world had turned upside down but out of habit they never
complained. The sheep suddenly bleat out four legs good, two legs better.
(v)
The animals were wonderstruck to see the humans from neighbouring
farms mixing with the animals i.e. the pigs. They saw the pigs sitting on a
table with the men. They were enjoying a game of cards and drinking beer.
They raised toast to the well being of animal farm which they had not
expected to do. They made fun of the fact that the animal called each other
comrades. And finally they heard Napoleon rechrisien animal farm as
manor farm.
Question 10.
How do the pigs, under the leadership of Napoleon, cleverly deceive the
other animals of 'Animals Farm' and slowly but surely, take over its ownership,
living royally and luxuriously, while the others sweat it out. Give examples from
the text to substantiate your answer.
[16]
Answer 10.
The pigs very comfortably deceive the other animals and lead a royal and
luxurious life. Initially under the leadership of Snowball, Napoleon and Squealer
they drive, the owner Mr. Jones and his workers from the farm. They christen the
farm as the 'Animal farm' and come up with seven commandments which form the
basis of Animalism. They stick to the tenets of Animalism and the first harvest is a
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huge success. After that Napoleon and snowball start opposing each other and
finally Napoleon proves snowball to be traitor and drives him away.
Gradually Napoleon, Squealer and other pigs started bossing over the
animals by using comforts like sleeping in beds, drinking alcohol and interacting
with human beings. The pigs, especially Napoleon, distract gullible animals from
inequality and hardship. They started taking more and more benefits for the pigs
and gradually transforms the pigs life to that of royalty and comforts. It becomes a
tradition lo award more and more privileges to the pigs like getting a telephone,
wireless, John Bull and daily subscription. They dress themselves in breeches and
leather leggings and even learn to walk on their hind legs.
Thus, the scheming and coniving Napoleon alongwith Squealer turns the
life of the pigs and removes all the commandments and replaces them with a
single commandment. "All animals are equal", but some animals are more equal
than others. They also announces that the farm will be called "Manor farm" and
the colour of farm's flag will be plain green, devoid of any rebellion symbol. The
privileged pigs started leading the lives of rich landlords. They also interacted and
partied with humans and as the animals peer through the windows to watch the
humans and pigs play poker, they were not able to distinguish between them.
To Sir, With Love : E.R. Braithwaite
Question 11.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
"Has he been in any previous trouble ?" the Chairman of
Magistrates asked.
A probation officer rose and stepped forward.
“'No previous record, Sir. The other boy. the victim of the
attack, appeared in this court last month before you; that case of
the boy who burnt his mother with the hot poker. He's under a
supervision order for one calendar year."
(i)
Who is 'he' in the passage ? Where is the incident taking place ? Who is the
'other boy' mentioned in the extract ?
[3]
(ii)
What are the charges that have been brought against the accused ?
[3]
(iii) What does the Chairman of Magistrates say to the accused ? What is the
condition of the accused ?
[3]
(iv) Narrate the story told by the father of the accused to the teachers about the
incident.
[3]
(v)
What judgment is passed by the Chairman of Magistrates regarding the
accused ?
[4]
Answer 11.
(i)
'He' in the passage is Patrick Fernman. The incident is taking place in the
juvenile courts. The "other boy" mentioned in the extract is Bobby Ellis, a
rugged thirteen year old boy.
(ii)
The charges that were brought against the accused, Patrick Fernman, were.
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(1) Being in possession of an offensive weapon, to wield an 8-inch knife.
(2) Wounding with intent to commit bodily harm.
(3) Malicious wounding.
(iii) The chairman of the Magistrates told the accused that it was only his good
luck that the charge was not more serious because if he had pushed the
knife a little more the charge would have been of murder. The accused is
very scared of being there. He was visibly shaking because of fear.
(iv) The father, Mr. Fernman told the teachers that the knife which was used
was actually Grandma Fernman's knife which she used to cut the silk knots.
The knife was always kept razor sharp and it was Patrick's responsibility to
take it to the Barber at Shadwell. Patrick had showed the knife to Bobby
but bad not allowed him to touch it. Bobby tried to take it forcefully and
Patrick resisted him. In the struggle the case was smashed and Patrick cut
his own hand deeply in the process of seizing it. In this process Bobby got
wounded. Patrick ran away from there on seeing the blood and hearing the
screams.
(v)
The chairman of Magistrates warned Patrick that he should be careful in
future that such incidents should not occur. He did not punish him because
he had come to know from the statements of the parents and the boy that he
had not armed himself with the weapon but was going only to get it
sharpened. The chairman also said that his own guilt and repentance would
prevent him in future from doing such things. The chairman also accused
the school of Patrick for not being strict in disciplining the students.
Question 12.
With close reference to a few incidents from the story, show how the class,
slowly but surely gels rid of their prejudice against their new teacher.
[16]
Answer 12.
The class did not accepted the teacher, Mr. Braithwaite's authority initially,
because of no particular feeling of antipathy but merely to maintain a kind of
established convention of resistance to a new teacher. The children came from a
very low socio-economic strata and were a group of rebellious teenagers. They
were not very sharp, lacked sustained interest in studies. The principal had advised
him that punishment was unlikely to bring the best out of them.
Mr. Braithwaite did not adopt the traditional method of punishment and
scolding. Instead he treated them as equals and made them understand the
meaning of respect and dignity. He made education fun for them as he started
relating it to everyday things so that understanding became easier. He involved
them in discussions and debates about history so that it became an enriching
experience. He clearly won the respect of the class when he defeated Denham in a
boxing match. Defeating Denham was definitely very important because he had
the reputation of boxing champion in the class. He also took the class for a visit to
the museum. This was very important for the class to get close to him. It was easy
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for them to shake off their prejudice against the teacher as it was just the resistance
of a group of rebellious teenage students against a new teacher and nothing more
than that.
Mr. Bratthwaite was successful in winning over the confidence and love of
his students just by following the principle of equality.
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