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Question
Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each:
(a) How could the peddler enter the forge without being noticed by the blacksmith?
(b) At Champaran what did the British landlords want from the sharecroppers?
(c) How does the poet show the futility of Aunt Jennifer's efforts?
(d) Stephen Spender in his poem, 'An elementary School Classroom in a Slum' paints a dismal picture of poverty. Comment.
(e) How did Evans have the last laugh at the Governor?
(f) How did the General plan to get rid of the American POW?
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Solution
(a) The master blacksmith was busy working with his helper when the peddler, who was tired to death, entered the forge. The master and the worker missed the entry of the peddler inside the forge because of the heavy sounds of the iron bar hammering on the anvil and the heavy storm outside.
(b) The British landlords learnt that Germany had developed synthetic indigo, which will lead to the decrease in the price and demand of natural indigo. So, they did not want the poor peasants of Champaran to grow natural indigo on their land and wanted compensation for the same.
(c) The trembling hands of Aunt Jennifer because of the weight of the 'wedding ring' shows that she still is a victim of male chauvinism. Even her death won't free her from her ordeal as she will still be wearing the ring that symbolizes her failed marriage.
(d) The poet describes the dismal and impoverished world of the slum through the images of the pale and undernourished children. The little homes of these children have been equated with cramped holes. The dilapidated school building and its tarnished walls have limited the vision of the world to the children.
(e) Evans had his last laugh at the Governor as the latter thought that he had nabbed the prisoner and will soon put him in prison. But Evans outwitted him as the driver and the silent prison officer, to whom the Governor handed over the prisoner, turned out to be the accomplices of Evans and helped him in his final escape.
(f) When the General got to know about the American POW in Dr. Sadao's home, he offered help to the doctor in getting rid of him. He shared his secret plan of sending his private assassins in the night to kill the wounded soldier who will also remove the dead body from the house.
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