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प्रश्न
Miss Meadows’ need for societal acceptance makes her overlook Basil’s insensitivity and shortcomings. Discuss with reference to the short story. The Singing Lesson is about 200-250 words.
उत्तर
In Katherine Mansfield's short story "The Singing Lesson," Miss Meadows, a music teacher dealing with the emotional pain of a broken engagement, demonstrates how the need for societal acceptance can cause someone to ignore substantial personal failures and relational defects. This issue is sensitively handled through her connection with Basil, her fiancé, who initially sends her a letter cancelling their engagement, citing financial insecurity. This letter drives Miss Meadows into a deep state of depression, which has a significant impact on her interactions with her students and outlook on life.
Despite Basil's obvious contempt for her sentiments and the suddenness of his decision, Miss Meadows' reaction demonstrates her sensitivity and need on this connection for social standing and personal affirmation. An unmarried woman, particularly a teacher, was frequently considered with pity and disgust. Miss Meadows' work adds another degree of complexity because her emotional stability is supposed to remain consistent despite personal difficulties.
Later in the novel, Basil sends a telegram withdrawing the morning message and briefly resuming their engagement. This fast transition from despair to a veneer of joy prevents any meaningful settlement of the underlying concerns. Miss Meadows soon forgets her prior anguish and accepts the reconciliation without addressing the emotional harm Basil's actions caused. Her fast return to planning and looking forward to their wedding reveals that her need for societal acceptance and the fear of being alone override her awareness of Basil's insensitivity and the possible instability of their future marriage.
This behaviour serves as a poignant critique of society expectations and the personal sacrifices required to adapt to them, which are frequently at the expense of genuine happiness and emotional well-being. Miss Meadows' willingness to overlook Basil's flaws exemplifies the complicated interplay between society conventions and personal fulfilment.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
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(B) On ........................................................................................
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Lying in bed, Swami realized with a shudder that it was Monday morning. It looked as though only a moment ago, it had been the last period on Friday; already, Monday was here. He hoped that an earthquake would reduce the school building to dust but that my good building, Albert Mission School, had withstood similar prayers for over a hundred years now.
At nine o'clock, Swaminathan wailed, “I have a headache.”
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“So that I may be completely dead at the other end? Have you any idea what it means to be jolted in a cart?”
“Have you any important lessons today?”
“Important! Bah! That geography teacher has been teaching the same lesson for over a year now. And we have arithmetic, which means for a whole period we are going to be beaten by the teacher............ Important lessons!”
And Mother generously suggested that Swami might stay at home.
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Father asked him, “Have you no school today?”
“Headache,” Swami replied,
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“Headache.”
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Swami knew how stubborn his father could be and changed his tactics.
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“What will the teacher think if I go so late?”
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“They say that even the headmaster is afraid of him. He is such a violent man.”
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The result was that he proposed to send Swami late to his class as a kind of challenge. He was also going to send a letter with Swami to the headmaster. No amount of protest from Swami was of any avail: Swami had to go to school.
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“Nothing for you. Give it to your headmaster and go to your class.”
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One-word answers or short phrases will be accepted.
- jolted
- stubborn
- avail
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- In what way was Swami’s mother’s response different from his father’s? (2)
- Why did Swami give a colourful account of Mr. Samuel to his father? (2)
- In what way did Father’s behaviour take an unexpected turn? (2)
- What was Swami finally ordered to do by his father? (2)
(c)
(i) In not more than 60 words, describe how Swami tries to prove that Mr. Samuel is a violent man. (8)
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Sender’s address: 15, Beach Road Salutation: Dear Rosy, Body of the letter: How are you? I am fine. I couldn’t write earlier, because I was very busy. I like my new home. It is a lovely house. I have a big bedroom looking over the garden. I helped Mummy paint the bedroom walls yesterday. We chose a pretty yellow. A boy called Sundar lives next door. He likes animals not just like we do but even more. He says he is going to be a Vet when he grows up. I am still thinking about being a writer. Do you want me to send the story I am writing. It is all about Ooty – the Queen of Hill Stations. Write soon. I am looking forward to hear all your news. Subscription: Yours lovingly Signature: Mangai |
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| Sender’s Address | |
| Date | |
| Salutation | |
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