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प्रश्न
Trace the thoughts that went on in the mind of the narrator when picture after picture was put up and sold at the auction.
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उत्तर
The author was enthusiastically participating in the bid at Christie with very little money on him. He sailed smoothly for a long time raising the stakes on many paintings and carefully staying behind other competitors. It was fun watching till he got trapped in a net, set by his own tongue. When one particular painting was offered for 4000 guineas, the bidders maintained an uncomfortable silence when the author heard himself foolishly saying “and fifty”. The auctioneer banged the hammer finalizing the deal in the narrator’s favor.
It was then the narrator realized with alarm that he had no money on him. Suddenly he lost interest in fun bidding. He started thinking fast for a way out of the tight comer he had created for himself. Many small and big paintings were offered and sold out fast. The Barbizon pictures were selling fast like hot cakes for 2000 to 3000 guineas. The author was running over the names of friends, relatives, and even money lenders who might bail him out of the tight comer. He even speculated on the possibility of confessing his poverty to the staff of Christie and request them to put up the picture again for sale. Such a genuine mistake could have been rectified at the early stages of the auction. As he had enthusiastically participated in the bid for many paintings,
the auctioneers wouldn’t buy his justification for the “genuine mistake”. As bidders stood in a queue to hand in their cheques/cash to collect their paintings, the narrator stood deliberately at the end. He never felt such a fool or had colder feet all his life.
“People do not wish to appear foolish; to avoid the appearance of foolishness, they are will to
remain actually fools but wait in patience for the right time
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संबंधित प्रश्न
In India, the number of women pursuing careers in sports is considerably less, when compared to men. What do you think are the reasons? Discuss with a partner and share the ideas with the class.
Have you ever lost or misplaced anything of value due to forgetfulness?
At times, instances of forgetfulness may land us in a tight spot or in a difficult situation. Therefore, we need to find ways to remember what we have to do or carry with us. One suchway is to make a mental checklist that we can verify before starting any activity.
Now discuss with your partner and think of some practical ideas to overcome forgetfulness, in your day-to-day activities.
| e.g. setting an alarm | |
Discuss and share your views with the class on the following.
Is forgetfulness a result of carelessness or preoccupation?
What are our memories filled with?
The list of articles lost in trains suggest that sportsmen have worse memories than their ordinary serious-minded fellows. Why does Lynd say this?
Narrate the plight of the baby on its day out.
Kahlil Gibran states ‘Forgetfulness is a form of freedom.’ Write an article for your school magazine, linking your ideas logically and giving appropriate examples.
Will you sympathize or ridicule someone who is intensely forgetful? Write an essay justifying your point of view.
What did the falling of the hammer indicate?
How does the narrator describe the man who approached him?
How does the Narrator show the presence of mind in the sudden turn of events?
What is the difference between a physical and mental tight corner?
What could have been the best way for the narrator, to get himself out of the tight corner?
What was the bidder’s offer to the narrator?
Form a meaningful summary of the lesson by rewriting the numbers in the correct sequence:
| a) The narrator had only 63 pounds with him and did not know how to manage the situation. | |
| b) The narrator thought of all his relations from whom he could borrow. | |
| c) Unfortunately he had made the highest bid. | |
| d) The narrator entered Christie’s as his friend persuaded him to visit the saleroom. | |
| e) Every time someone else made a higher bid and the narrator was not caught. | |
| f) The narrator on a sudden impulse added 50 more guineas, to the amount offered. | |
| g) His friend joined him then but left immediately unable to control his laughter. | |
| h) He even thought of borrowing from moneylenders and considered the possibility of confessing the truth to the staff at Christie’s. | |
| i) The picture was declared sold to the narrator. | |
| j) After some time a picture was put up and a bid for 4000 guineas was raised. | |
| k) A sudden stroke of luck befell the narrator when he heard that the gent who had made the bid of 4000 guineas would offer him the additional 50 guineas and buy the picture. | |
| l) The narrator kept bidding just for fun. | |
| m) The picture was given away to the other bidder and the narrator was saved from humiliation. | |
| n) His friend had left the place roaring with laughter at the narrator’s predicament. | |
| o) The narrator was quite happy at the offer but demanded 100 guineas instead of the 50. Now there was no need for him to make any payment. |
Discuss this aspect with your partner and share your views on how students can give back to society.
Why are universities necessary for a society?
Universities develop broad-mindedness. How does Dr. Radhakrishnan drive home this idea?
‘Wisdom was meant for the mansion, not for the marketplace’ -What does this statement signify?
How does Arignar Anna highlight the duties and responsibilities of graduates to the society?
Often on formal occasions, we admire friends and strangers who appear elegant, who are pleasant to converse with, and who conduct themselves gracefully. At times, we also see people who are awkward, nervous, and doubtful about their next move. Recall a few examples of awkward actions that can cause discomfort or disturbance to others like spilling a cup of a hot drink on someone nearby.
Give a few instances of Bryson’s confused acts.
What happened to Bryson when he leaned to tie his shoelace?
Why doesn’t Bryson seem to be able to do easily what others seem to? Give a few reasons.
‘To this day, I don’t know how I did it’ - What does ‘it’ refer to?
