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प्रश्न
Do you think physical appearance matters most for a secret agent? Answer giving reasons in the context of the story ‘The Midnight Visitor.
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उत्तर
Physical appearance is important for heroes like James Bond who act in movies or plays. They need sophisticated cars, a royal lifestyle to flaunt about. But in reality, a detective or a secret agent is not much different from an ordinary citizen at least in appearance. He is an ordinary person who thinks and acts with extraordinary intelligence. When it comes to the question of survival, sharpness of wit and handsome looks would help a person, the disappointment of Fowler, the journalist is very obvious. The young and romantic writer envisioned mysterious figures in the night, the crack of pistols, etc.
The writer must have cherished the idea of beauties with dark eyes passing on secret notes. But he has witnessed nothing but dull music in a French hotel with a sloppy man who made a prosaic appointment only in a prosaic telephone call. Ausable raises the expectations of both the readers and Fowler when he mentions the important paper he waited which many men and women had risked their lives to possess. The drama that ensues in the room testifies the fact that there is no correlation whatsoever between the sharpness of wit and the physical appearance of a person. Only after Fowler witnesses how Ausable had outwitted Max to choose his own death without moving from his armchair, he realizes the truth.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
Did the police officer have sufficient evidence to convict Aksionov?
How did Aksionov react when his wife suspected him?
Why was the great beast not behaving naturally?
Why was Pi not afraid of the hyena?
Did Pi want Richard Parker to die? Answer, giving reasons.
Why did Baldwin meet Gresham?
What was Baldwin’s advice to Gresham?
How did Martha and John react when they came to know that Baldwin had rejected the generous offer made by Gresham?
Is Baldwin really honest or does he maintain his honesty fearing criticism? Why do you say so?
Sketch the character of:
i) Robert Baldwin
ii) John Gresham.
Who do you think exhibits true friendship–Baldwin or Gresham? Justify your answer.
Mention two features of Ausable that were uncharacteristic of a detective.
Did Max’s presence alarm Ausable?
How did Ausable outwit Max?
Look at the following expressions used in the story. Match them with their meanings.
| let down | to complain or scold |
| chuckled to himself | try one’s luck/take a risk |
| take cheer | become enraged |
| raise the devil | disappointed |
| black with anger | laughed softly to himself |
| take chances | to be encouraged |
Based on your understanding of the story, complete the Graphic Organiser (GO) suitably.
Do you enjoy watching movies? What type of movies do you like to watch? Here are the pictures of a few blockbuster movies.
What was Margot waiting for? Why did William say that it was a joke?
Why does Margot wish to return to the earth?
Why did the children lock Margot in a closet?
How did Margot describe the sun to others?
How did the children react when the sun came out after seven years?
Now read the sentence below. Complete them appropriately with the word you identified from the grid.
The children ______Margot as she ______the Sun.
Now read the sentence below. Complete them appropriately with the word you identified from the grid.
The children are _______ of Margot and ______the door and let her out.
Study the title of the play “Remember Caesar”. Who is Caesar? What is he remembered for? Let us go through the pages of history succinctly to answer the above questions.
- Julius Caesar was a brilliant military general and great Roman monarch.
- He was born on the 13th of July in 100 BC (BCE).
- He created the Julian calendar which is the basis for today’s calendar.
- He was assassinated by a group of Roman senators in 44 BC(BCE).
- The day that Julius Caesar was murdered, 15th March was called the Ides of March in ancient Rome.
Complete the summary of the play, choosing the appropriate words from the list given below the passage.
Lord Weston was a (1)______ judge in England. Being pompous and vain, he told his secretary Roger that he had attained glory by hard work and (2)______. He expressed his displeasure over Roger’s request for a half-holiday. Suddenly, he discovered a piece of paper with the words (3)______ in his pocket, and he feared that the message was a warning conveyed by his enemies who had received legal punishments from him. As the message was sent on the 15th of March, (the day Julius Caesar was assassinated), he was (4)______ that someone affected by his fair judgement was plotting his murder. Sensing the definite attack, Lord Weston ordered his secretary to (5)______ all the doors and windows. But his wife remained (6)______ by the threat. So, Lord Weston was angered by her (7)______ reaction. He ordered Roger to send the cook and the (8)______ away. Both Weston and Roger took elaborate precautionary measures to thwart the (9)______ attempt. Finally, Weston was able to recollect that he had written the message “Remember Caesar” himself as a (10)______. Caesar was actually a gardener who had an appointment to visit Weston’s garden. The play revolves around Weston’s absent-mindedness which is the crux of the play.
| callous | unperturbed |
| well-known | gardener |
| reminder | zealous service |
| Remember Caesar | assassination |
| shut | convinced |
Compare the character traits of Lord Weston and his wife.
