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प्रश्न
Do you think physical appearance matters most for a secret agent? Answer giving reasons in the context of the story ‘The Midnight Visitor.
उत्तर
Physical appearance is important for heroes like James Bond who act in movies or plays. They need sophisticated cars, a royal lifestyle to flaunt about. But in reality, a detective or a secret agent is not much different from an ordinary citizen at least in appearance. He is an ordinary person who thinks and acts with extraordinary intelligence. When it comes to the question of survival, sharpness of wit and handsome looks would help a person, the disappointment of Fowler, the journalist is very obvious. The young and romantic writer envisioned mysterious figures in the night, the crack of pistols, etc.
The writer must have cherished the idea of beauties with dark eyes passing on secret notes. But he has witnessed nothing but dull music in a French hotel with a sloppy man who made a prosaic appointment only in a prosaic telephone call. Ausable raises the expectations of both the readers and Fowler when he mentions the important paper he waited which many men and women had risked their lives to possess. The drama that ensues in the room testifies the fact that there is no correlation whatsoever between the sharpness of wit and the physical appearance of a person. Only after Fowler witnesses how Ausable had outwitted Max to choose his own death without moving from his armchair, he realizes the truth.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
Why did Aksionov’s wife stop him from going to the fair?
Compare and contrast the main characters, Aksionov and Makar Semyonich, in the story
Why did Aksionov decide not to reveal the truth about Makar Semyonich?
Discuss the meaning and importance of the saying “God sees the truth but waits”.
Forgiveness is the best form of revenge. Substantiate the statement with reference to the story
Using the mind map given below, write a brief summary of the story in your own words.
Who was Richard Parker?
Why was the great beast not behaving naturally?
What saved Pi’s life?
Did Pi want Richard Parker to die? Answer, giving reasons.
What made Martha withdraw her money from the bank?
What was Baldwin’s advice to Gresham?
Trace the bond of friendship between Baldwin and Gresham. Explain why Baldwin wished to attribute some credit to his friend.
How did Martha and John react when they came to know that Baldwin had rejected the generous offer made by Gresham?
Is Baldwin really honest or does he maintain his honesty fearing criticism? Why do you say so?
Sketch the character of:
i) Robert Baldwin
ii) John Gresham.
How did Ausable describe the balcony and the manner in which one could get into his room, through it?
How, according to Ausable, had Max entered the room?
Why did the children lock Margot in a closet?
How did Margot describe the sun to others?
Study the title of the play “Remember Caesar”. Who is Caesar? What is he remembered for? Let us go through the pages of history succinctly to answer the above questions.
- Julius Caesar was a brilliant military general and great Roman monarch.
- He was born on the 13th of July in 100 BC (BCE).
- He created the Julian calendar which is the basis for today’s calendar.
- He was assassinated by a group of Roman senators in 44 BC(BCE).
- The day that Julius Caesar was murdered, 15th March was called the Ides of March in ancient Rome.
Complete the summary of the play, choosing the appropriate words from the list given below the passage.
Lord Weston was a (1)______ judge in England. Being pompous and vain, he told his secretary Roger that he had attained glory by hard work and (2)______. He expressed his displeasure over Roger’s request for a half-holiday. Suddenly, he discovered a piece of paper with the words (3)______ in his pocket, and he feared that the message was a warning conveyed by his enemies who had received legal punishments from him. As the message was sent on the 15th of March, (the day Julius Caesar was assassinated), he was (4)______ that someone affected by his fair judgement was plotting his murder. Sensing the definite attack, Lord Weston ordered his secretary to (5)______ all the doors and windows. But his wife remained (6)______ by the threat. So, Lord Weston was angered by her (7)______ reaction. He ordered Roger to send the cook and the (8)______ away. Both Weston and Roger took elaborate precautionary measures to thwart the (9)______ attempt. Finally, Weston was able to recollect that he had written the message “Remember Caesar” himself as a (10)______. Caesar was actually a gardener who had an appointment to visit Weston’s garden. The play revolves around Weston’s absent-mindedness which is the crux of the play.
| callous | unperturbed |
| well-known | gardener |
| reminder | zealous service |
| Remember Caesar | assassination |
| shut | convinced |
Mention the immediate steps taken by Lord Weston to protect himself from his assassin.
Do you think that Lady Weston did not care about the threat to her husband? State reasons.
Whose life was of ‘great value’ to England? In what way?
Who reminded Lord Weston about Mr. Caesar?
Bring out the irony in the message “Remember Caesar”
