Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

“What is it now?” he asked the houses, noticing his wrist watch? Eight-thirty P.M.? Time for a dozen assorted murders? A quiz? A review? A comedian falling off the stage?”

1. Who is ‘he’ in this extract? Who are the listeners? (Understanding)
2. Are the murders so frequent? Why does ‘he’ ask about the murders? (Analysis)
3. What is a revue? Where would the revue take place? (Understanding)
4. What makes ‘he’ ask these questions? Is he satisfied with their answers? (Understanding and Analysis)
5. What kind of life is lived by people in the city? Does the Pedestrian appreciate this life? (Analysis)

Answer 1

1. ‘He’ refers to Leonard Mead. The “listeners” are the houses and the people inside them, who are watching television rather than interacting with the outside world.
2. No, the murders are not necessarily happening that frequently. Mead asks this sarcastically, referring to the violent programmes shown on television and mocking the repetitive entertainment people watch.
3. A revue is a theatrical entertainment show consisting of short performances such as songs, dances and comedy sketches. In the story, it would be watched on television inside the houses.
4. Mead asks these questions because everyone is indoors watching television, while the streets remain empty. He does not receive any actual answers, so he is not satisfied; his questions are mainly sarcastic and rhetorical.
5. People live a passive, isolated and technology-dependent life, spending their time indoors watching television. Mead does not appreciate this lifestyle because he values walking, fresh air and real-world experiences.