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Question
Bring out the traits in Mrs. Slater's personality quoting evidence from the play.
| Trait | Evidence from the play |
| Greedy | |
| Overpowering/ dominating | |
| Blunt/ straight talking | |
| Impolite | |
| Insensitive |
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Solution
| Trait | Evidence from the play |
| Greedy | Henry, I’ve been thinking about that bureau of grandfaher’s that’s in his bedroom. You know I always wanted to have it after he died. |
| Overpowering/ dominating | I’ll fasten the front door. Get your coat off. Henry; we’ll change it. |
| Blunt/ straight talking | Promised to your Jimmy/I never heard of that. |
| Impolite | After all I’ve done for him, having to put up with him in the house these years, it’s nothing short of swindling. |
| Insensitive | Well, will you go up and look at him now or shall we have tea? |
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Read the news story given below.
|
India's elderly face growing neglect Traditionally older people have been revered in India, signified by the touching |
Discuss in groups:
a) What are the reasons for the old people being "abused, harassed and
abandoned" in India?
b) What are the problems faced by the old people as a result?

Answer the following question briefly.
How does Mrs. Slater plan to outshine the Jordans? What does it reveal about her character?
Answer the following question briefly.
Why does Mrs. Slater decide to shift the bureau from grandfather's room before the arrival of the Jordans? How does Henry react to the suggestion?
Answer the following question briefly.
What is the reason for the Jordans taking a long time to get to the house of the Slaters? What does it show about the two sisters' attitude towards each other?
Answer the following question briefly
What does Mrs. Jordan describe as 'a fatal mistake'? What is the irony in the comment she makes on Mrs. Slater's defense?
Answer the following question briefly.
Ben appreciates grandfather saying 'its' a good thing he did'. Later he calls him a 'drunken old beggar'. Why does he change his opinion about grandfather?
Answer the following question briefly.
What are the three things that grandfather plans to do on Monday next?
Answer the following in detail:
Bring out the irony in the title of the play.
Answer the following in detail:
How does the spat between his daughters lead to grandfather discovering the truth?
Answer the following in detail:
Compare and contrast Henry's character with that of his wife. Support your answer with evidence from the play.
Answer the following with reference to the context.
"Are we pinching it before Aunt Elizabeth comes?"
a) What does 'it' refer to here?
b) How does Vicky conclude that her parents are 'pinching it'?
c) Mention the two reasons that Mrs. Slater gives for her action.
d) What does it reveal about the difference between the attitude of the elders and that of Vicky?
Answer the following with reference to the context.
"I don't call that delicate stepping into a dead man's shoes in such haste."
a) Who makes this comment?
b) What prompts the speaker to say this?
c) Bring out the significance of this statement.
Answer the following with reference to the context.
"Now, Amelia, you mustn't give way. We've all got to die some time or other. It might have been worse."
b) Who is the speaker of these lines?
c) What prompts the speaker to say these words?
d) What does he mean when he says 'It might have been worse'?
e) What does it reveal about the speaker's character?
Writing
Victoria Slater is truly attached to her Grandpa. As she sees the elders in her family quarrel over the inheritance, she is bewildered and upset by their attitude. As Victoria, write a diary entry outlining the incident and your feelings. (150 words)
Grandfather says, "It seems to me that neither of you has any cause to feel proud about
the way you've treated me.'' While it is true that the daughters disregard modesty,
decency and filial obligation, grandfather cannot be fully justified in practically
disowning his family. Besides, Victoria loves him and he seems to have spared no
thought for her feelings.
Divide yourselves into groups of four or five and discuss the statement: Grandfather is not entirely right in moving away from his daughters.
After the discussion, a representative from each group will present the views of her/ his group to the class in about 3 minutes.
