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प्रश्न
Discuss the absence of human characters in the story, There Will Come Soft Rains. How does this absence contribute to the overall tone and message of the narrative? Answer in 200-250 words.
उत्तर
In Ray Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains," the complete absence of human characters is a central element that profoundly contributes to the story's dystopian, post-apocalyptic tone. The setting is a futuristic house that continues its daily routines despite the extinction of its human occupants, creating a chilling and poignant atmosphere.
The story portrays a dystopian world where technology has outlasted humanity, emphasizing the mechanical efficiency of the house and its robotic inhabitants. The house performs its tasks with precision—cooking, cleaning, and even reading poetry—yet these actions are devoid of purpose without humans to benefit from them. The robotic mice scurry around cleaning the house, further highlighting the cold, mechanical nature of this world.
The absence of human presence starkly contrasts with the house's sophisticated technology. This lack of warmth and human fallibility underscores the emptiness and futility of a world driven solely by machines. The house's preoccupation with time, adhering strictly to schedules, is particularly ironic given that time is a human construct. Without humans, the meticulous routines become meaningless, accentuating the story's somber message about the consequences of technological advancement devoid of human touch.
Ultimately, nature prevails over technology as the house succumbs to a fire and is destroyed. This conclusion serves as a powerful reminder of nature's enduring strength and the transient nature of human achievements. The story suggests that despite technological advancements, humanity's creations are ultimately ephemeral, and nature will reclaim its dominion.
In summary, the absence of human characters in "There Will Come Soft Rains" amplifies the story's dystopian tone and reinforces its themes. The automated routines of the house, the chilling absence of human warmth, and the eventual triumph of nature over technology collectively convey a poignant commentary on the fragility of human existence and the potential hubris of overreliance on technology.
APPEARS IN
संबंधित प्रश्न
Thinking about the Text
Answer these question.
At last a sympathetic audience.”
(i) Who says this?
(ii) Why does he say it?
(iii) Is he sarcastic or serious?
What is the single major memory that comes to the poet? Who are the “darling
dreamers” he refers to?
Answer the following question in one or two sentences.
Who were Abdul Kalam’s school friends? What did they later become?
Imagine a child has been caught stealing in school. In groups of eight play the
roles of
- The child caught stealing
- The child she/he stole from
- The teacher
- The headmaster
- The witnesses
Try to find the reason why the child stole and the possible advice you can give her/him.
Should the child be punished? Or should she/he be counselled?
CHARACTERS
The Bishop : An ordained or appointed member of clergy.
Persome : The sister of the Bishop.
Marie : Their house hold helper.
Convict : A prisoner who has been proved guilty of a felony.
Sergeant of Gendarmes : Policeman
Some are meet for a maiden's wrist,
Silver and blue as the mountain mist,
Some are flushed like the buds that dream
On the tranquil brow of a woodland stream,
Some are aglow with the bloom that cleaves
To the limpid glory of new born leaves
Read the lines given above and answer the question that follow.
Explain ‘silver and blue as the mountain mist’
Some are meet for a maiden's wrist,
Silver and blue as the mountain mist,
Some are flushed like the buds that dream
On the tranquil brow of a woodland stream,
Some are aglow with the bloom that cleaves
To the limpid glory of new born leaves
Read the lines given above and answer the question that follow.
Explain :
Some are aglow with the bloom that cleaves
To the limpid glory of new born leaves.
I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden Daffodils;
Beside the Lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Read the lines given above and answer the question that follow.
Where were the daffodils and what where they doing ?
“If you are rested I would go,” I urged. “Get up and try to walk now.”
“Thank you,” he said and got to his feet, swayed from side to side and then sat down backwards in the dust.
“I was taking care of animals,” he said dully, but no longer to me. “I was only taking care of animals.”
There was nothing to do about him. It was Easter Sunday and the Fascists were advancing toward the Ebro. It was a grey overcast day with a low ceiling so their planes were not up. That and the fact that cats know how to look after themselves was all the good luck that the old man would ever have.
Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
Why might the old man need good luck at the end of the story?
This woman had been despised, scoffed at, and angrily denounced by nearly every man, woman, and child in the village; but now, as the fact of, her death was passed from lip to lip, in subdued tones, pity took the place of anger, and sorrow of denunciation.
Neighbours went hastily to the old tumble-down hut, in which she had secured little more than a place of shelter from summer heats and winter cold: some with grave-clothes for a decent interment of the body; and some with food for the half-starving children, three in number. Of these, John, the oldest, a boy of twelve, was a stout lad, able to earn his living with any farmer. Kate, between ten and eleven, was bright, active girl, out of whom something clever might be made, if in good hands; but poor little Maggie, the youngest, was hopelessly diseased. Two years before a fall from a window had injured her spine, and she had not been able to leave her bed since, except when lifted in the arms of her mother.
“What is to be done with the children?” That was the chief question now. The dead mother would go underground, and be forever beyond all care or concern of the villagers. But the children must not be left to starve.
Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
What did the neighbours do to help?
It was the summer of 1936. The Olympic Games were being held in Berlin. Because Adolf Hitler childishly insisted that his performers were members of a “master race,” nationalistic feelings were at an all-time high.
I wasn’t too worried about all this. I’d trained, sweated and disciplined myself for six years, with the Games in mind. While I was going over on the boat, all I could think about was taking home one or two of those gold medals. I had my eyes especially on the running broad jump. A year before, as a sophomore at the Ohio State, I’d set the world’s record of 26 feet 8 1/4 inches. Nearly everyone expected me to win this event.
Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
Why were nationalistic feelings running high during the 1936 Berlin Olympics?
Analyze the character of Luz Long.
Who is Canynge? What scandal is being referred to? Why will it be a scandal?
What does the poet mean by 'tireless striving'? What does 'clear stream' refer to? Explain.
Who was the General Manager of the Taj Hotel ' What role did he play?
Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of the following.
(i)Soapy stole a man’s umbrella. ______
(ii) The owner of the umbrella offered to give it to Soapy. _______
(iii) The man had stolen the umbrella that was now Soapy’s. ________
(iv) Soapy threw away the umbrella. ______
Discuss the following topic in groups.
Freedom is life. Discuss this with reference to ‘Chandni’ and ‘I Want Something in a Cage’.
Why did he ask for the king’s forgiveness?
Notice how in a comic book, there are no speech marks when characters talk. Instead what they say is put in a speech ‘bubble’. However, if we wish to repeat or ‘report’ what they say, we must put it into reported speech
Change the following sentences in the story to reported speech.
(i) Why is your face half-shaven?Gopal’s wife asked him______________________.
Notice how in a comic book, there are no speech marks when characters talk. Instead what they say is put in a speech ‘bubble’. However, if we wish to repeat or ‘report’ what they say, we must put it into reported speech.
Change the following sentences in the story to reported speech. The first one has been done for you.
I accept the challenge, Your Majesty. Gopal told the king_____________________
Why did Soapy like to go to the prison?
How was Timothy’s companionship with the puppy?
The cat was very happy to be on the ground. Pick out the phrase used to express this idea.
What surprises do the meadows have to offer you?
How did Taro manage to meet the demand of his father?
What happens when the kite gets entangled on the top of a tree?
Why does the rebel demand for the rain when everybody is praising the sun?
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
| Portia: Away then! I am lock'd in one of them: If you do love me, you will find me out. Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof. Let music sound while he doth make his choice; Then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end, Fading in music: |
- Where does the scene take place?
What does Portia mean when she says, If you do love me, you will find me out? [3] - What TWO words would you use to describe Portia's feelings at this point? Give a reason for your answer. [3]
- Explain Portia’s reference to ‘swan-like end'. [3]
- Later in the scene, Portia gives Bassanio gift.
What does she give him? What does this gift symbolise? [3] - What is the theme of the song sung in the background when Bassanio makes his choice?
How is the theme reflected in the choice he makes?
What does Bassanio find in the casket that he chooses? [4]
Which of the following words does H. W. Longfellow use to describe the movement of the phantoms in his poem, ‘Haunted Houses’?
Choose the option that lists the sequence of events from Alphonse Daudet’s short story ‘The Last Lesson’ in the correct order.
- But, when he arrived at school, Franz was dismayed to find his classmates already seated quietly and solemnly in their places ... and shocked when M. Hamel simply urged him to take his place.
- Franz hurried to school that morning he was very late and dreaded being scolded by M. Hamel, the teacher.
- After he had settled at his desk, he noticed something really odd: the back benches of the classroom were occupied by adults from the village!
- He hoped to slip into the classroom unnoticed, under cover of the bustle and noise of a typical school day morning.
Ray Bradbury’s short story ‘The Pedestrian’, can be best described as ______.
