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प्रश्न
Read the following extract from Ray Bradbury's short story, 'All Summer in a Day' and answer the questions that follow:
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"Margot" They stood as if someone had driven them like so many stakes into the floor. They looked at each other and then looked away. They glanced out at the world that was raining now and raining and raining steadily. They could not meet each other's glances. Their faces were solemn and pale. They looked at their hands and feet, their faces down. |
- Who is Margot?
How does the author describe her? [3] - Who are 'They'?
Where do they live?
Mention any one reality of the planet on which they live. [3] - What two words would you use to describe what the children were experiencing in the above extract?
Why does the mention of Margot's name affect them in this way? [3] - What event had the children awaited eagerly that day?
What made this event special?
Why did this event mean so much to Margot in particular? [3] - What is the central theme of Bradbury's story, 'All Summer in a Day'?
What important lesson have the children learnt from this experience?
Why do you suppose the story is said to end on a note of hope? [4]
उत्तर
- Margot, a fragile and pale child, possessed features of almost ethereal delicacy. She spent her early years in Ohio before relocating to Venus with her parents at the age of four. Inclined towards introversion, Margot preferred solitude over engaging in activities with her peers. Unfortunately, her distinctiveness from the Venus-born children resulted in her being both despised and excluded. She appeared as if the enduring rain on Venus had washed away the vibrancy of her features, rendering her seemingly lost and isolated. Margot's sorrow deepened due to the relentless rain, serving as a constant reminder of the sunny days she once enjoyed on Earth. Her profound depression made it challenging for her to establish connections with anyone on Venus.
- "They" denotes a collective of children native to Venus, where they have spent their entire lives. The distinctive environmental characteristics of Venus involve incessant rainfall, with occasional interruptions occurring only once every seven years, providing brief periods of sunlight. Consequently, these children have not encountered sunshine for seven years and have adapted to the planet's climate, considering it the standard norm.
- A profound sense of guilt and shame engulfed the children as they comprehended that Margot could not partake in the rare and much-anticipated occurrence of sunlight on Venus, which occurred only once every seven years. The gravity of their deeds was evident in their sombre and pale countenances, indicating the sincerity of their regret. Previously, the other children had harboured envy towards Margot's vivid descriptions of the sun and had subjected her to bullying due to their own jealousy. The mere mention of Margot's name now stirred a deep response within them as they realized that their unkind actions had deprived her of a long-awaited chance to revel in the warmth and splendour of the sun.
- The children on Venus were eagerly awaiting the rare and fleeting appearance of the sun in the sky. This event held great significance for them, as they had never witnessed the sun before, and the scientists' prediction of its occurrence filled them with excitement. Margot, who had spent her early years on Earth before relocating to Venus, shared the same eagerness to see the sunlight. She longed to feel the sun's warmth once more, but the other kids made fun of her for it.
- The primary focus of Ray Bradbury's narrative, "All Summer in a Day", revolves around the detrimental effects of bullying on the emotional state of individuals, emphasizing the profound emotional suffering and trauma experienced by those who are perceived as different or vulnerable. Additionally, the narrative delves into the significance of empathy. The children in the story come to recognize their wrongdoing and experience deep guilt and shame for their mistreatment of Margot. On that day, they grasped the importance of empathy, gaining an understanding of the value of treating others with kindness and respect.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
Answer these question in one or two sentences . (The paragraph numbers within brackets provide clues to the answer.)
Why did Santosh’s parents agree to pay for her schooling in Delhi? What mental qualities of Santosh are brought into light by this incident?
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- the influence of others
- the decisions/actions taken
- the immediate and future consequences of the decision.
To us the ashes of our ancestors are sacred and their resting place is hallowed ground. You wander far from the graves of your ancestors and seemingly without regret. Your religion was written upon tablets of stone by the iron finger of your God so that you could not forget. The Red Man could never comprehend or remember it. Our religion is the traditions of our ancestors — the dreams of our old men, given them in solemn hours of the night by the Great Spirit; and the visions of our sachems, and is written in the hearts of our people.
Day and night cannot dwell together. The Red Man has ever fled the approach of the White Man, as the morning mist flees before the morning sun. However, your proposition seems fair and I think that my people will accept it and will retire to the reservation you offer them. Then we will dwell apart in peace, for the words of the Great White Chief seem to be the words of nature speaking to my people out of dense darkness.
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What does Mr Easton mean by the phrase, “My butterfly days are over, I fear.”
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What did she imagine when she lighted the first match?
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1. Do you have a separate room for sleep and study? Yes/No
2. Would you prefer to live in a joint family? Yes/No
3. Do you get on with people? Yes/No
4. Do you like the area you live in? Yes/No
5. Do you find the place overcrowded? Yes/No
6. Do you use public transport? Yes/No
7. Would you like a vehicle of our own? Yes/No
8. Do you like reading? Yes/No
9. Would you like to be a teacher/doctor/engineer/architect? Yes/No
