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Question
A character arc is the transformation or development of a character throughout a story and refers to the changes a character undergoes as a result of their experiences, challenges, and interactions with other characters.
In the light of the above information, trace the character arc of the thief in Ruskin Bond’s The Thief’s Story, in about 120 words.
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Solution
The thief's character arc in the story shows a transformation from a career criminal to a person who learns to trust and work hard for a living.
- At the story's beginning, the thief is portrayed as an experienced criminal focused on staying ahead of the law.
- He is initially attracted to Anil because he believes he can exploit the young man's trusting nature.
- As the story progresses, the thief develops a friendship with Anil, who teaches him how to cook, write and read.
- This transformation of the thief's character reaches a climax when he is presented with an opportunity to steal money from Anil. Instead, he chooses to resist the temptation and considers the consequences of his actions.
- This is a significant change from the story's beginning when the thief was only interested in self-gain.
- Although the thief has not completely abandoned his criminal ways, the fact that he hesitated to jump on the train to escape with the stolen money shows that he has developed a moral conscience.
The story implies that the thief has realized that a life of crime is not fulfilling and is now open to exploring new opportunities for a better life.
Notes
- Content - 3
- Expression - 2
- Accuracy - 1
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
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Answer the following question in 30-40 words:
What made Hari Singh come back to Anil?
Complete the web diagram.
Pick out from the story 3 or 4 examples of Code-mixing (Indian words used in English).
Complete the given sentence.
Anil kept Hari as a cook because ____________
Complete the given sentence.
Hari was grateful ____________
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Hari continued making money ____________
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What tact had Anil used to change Hari’s dishonest ways?
Think and write in your own words, in your notebook.
‘And the smile came by itself without any effort.’ Say why. When do people give fake smiles?
Read the following passage and do the activities.
A1. Relate the following qualities with the two characters of the story:
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Narrator | Anil | |
| (1) | ||
| (2) |
| He took to his room over the Jumna Sweet shop and told me I could sleep on the balcony. But the meal I cooked that night must have been terrible because Anil gave it to a stray dog and told me to be off. But I just hung around, smiling in my most appealing way, and he couldn't help laughing. Later, he patted me on the head and said never mind, he'd teach me to cook. He also taught me to write my name and said he would soon teach me to write whole sentences and add numbers. I was grateful. I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve. It was quite pleasant working for Anil. I made the tea in the morning and then would take my time buying the day's supplies, usually making a profit of about a rupee a day. I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind. Anil made money by fits and starts. He would borrow one week, and lend the next. He kept worrying about his next cheque, but as soon as it arrived he would go out and celebrate. It seems he wrote for magazines a queer way to make a living! One evening he came home with a small bundle of notes, saying he had just sold a book to a publisher. At night, I saw him tuck the money under the mattress. |
A2. State whether true or false:
- Anil liked what the narrator cooked.
- Anil taught the narrator to write his name.
- Anil was a wealthy person.
- Anil made money by fits and starts.
A3. Match the words to their meanings.
| (1) Pleasant | Strange |
| (2) Fits and starts | Satisfactory |
| (3) Queer | Give |
| (4) Lend | Irregular bursts of activities |
A4. Do as directed:
Frame 'Wh' questions with reference to the phrases underlined below. (Change the first person pronouns to second person)
- He taught me to write my name.
- I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind.
A5. Give a brief description of Anil and the narrator's characters.
Answer the following in about 100-120 words:
Trust and compassion can reform a person. Justify this statement in the light of the lesson 'The Thief's Story'.
