Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Is Baldwin really honest or does he maintain his honesty fearing criticism? Why do you say so?
Solution
Baldwin lived the life of an upright and honest man. Though he was paid just 60 dollars a week in the private bank of Gresham, he never complained. The small increments he had been given were not because he had asked but because Gresham had given them. He was frugal and he was worshipped as a hero by his family members (i.e.) wife Martha, son John Gresham Baldwin and daughter Evie.
Baldwin deeply believed that he had been a role model to his children that is more valuable than money. He admitted to his son that he was disturbed that he would lose the respect of his own family members if he stooped even once in his life even if the bait is one hundred thousand dollars. No doubt he was upright. The three words “I don’t remember” would choke him. Only during the momentary explosion of frustration, it appears that he feared criticism. But his natural reflex on the offer was denial. His agony on the contradictory expectation of worldly-wise family members is obvious. He did not even have to articulate his feelings to Gresham who intuitively understood that his uprightness can’t be purchased with even one hundred thousand dollars.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
If you are punished for a prank your classmate played, how would you react to the situation?
Why did Aksionov’s wife stop him from going to the fair?
Pick out the clues that convey that Makar Semyonich recognized Aksionov.
Forgiveness is the best form of revenge. Substantiate the statement with reference to the story
Imagine you are going on a trek or an adventure. It requires grit and a strong will to survive the odds and emerge unscathed. Most importantly, you should carry an emergency kit.
Choose the ten most essential items from the box below and complete the table.
| First–Aid Kit | ||||
Share your list with your friend.
How did the presence of Richard Parker influence the attitude of Pi?
If you were lost at sea for as long as Pi was, what is the one item you would want with you? Write a diary entry in which you identify the item and explain why it is the one thing you would want with you.
We judge people around us, based on their qualities and actions. We brand some people as good and some bad. What qualities, do you think, characterise a gentleman? Some of them may be merely external and some others internal
Rearrange the following sentences in a meaningful sequence and write the summary of the play.
| a) Baldwin who returned home after meeting Gresham, informed his family that Gresham had offered a hundred thousand, if he would utter the words ‘I don’t remember’ in court, during the trial. |
| b) The family members tried to justify Gresham’s act and enticed Baldwin into accepting the money. |
| c) Thus ‘The Hour of Truth’ had dawned relieving Baldwin of the heavy burden and guilt. |
| d) Baldwin was an honest and upright man, working under John Gresham, in a bank. |
| e) To save Baldwin, Mr. Marshall, President of the Third National, visited him and informed him that Gresham had confessed his crime, in order to free him from betraying his trusted friend and testifying painfully against him. |
| f) Gresham and Baldwin had been thick friends for over 30 years and Baldwin had even named his son after Gresham. |
| g) Baldwin felt disgusted with himself and the attitude of his family members. |
| h) Gresham had been arrested for misappropriation of money at the bank and Baldwin was to testify against him. |
| i) Mr. Marshall also offered Baldwin a job in his Bank, to reward him for his honesty and integrity. |
| j) The family members who were initially against Gresham, changed their mind on hearing the huge sum offered by him. |
What was Baldwin’s advice to Gresham?
When would Baldwin part company with Gresham?
How was Baldwin’s honesty rewarded?
Trace the bond of friendship between Baldwin and Gresham. Explain why Baldwin wished to attribute some credit to his friend.
Let us try to picturise people in a few interesting professions (based on common perception there can be exceptions).
Mention two features of Ausable that were uncharacteristic of a detective.
How did Ausable describe the balcony and the manner in which one could get into his room, through it?
Who was Fowler? Why did he meet Ausable?
How, according to Ausable, had Max entered the room?
How did the three men react to the knocking at the door?
Sketch the character of Ausable.
Based on your understanding of the story, complete the Graphic Organiser (GO) suitably.
What do children get ready for at the beginning of the story?
What does Margot like the most - the sun or the rain?
How did the children react when the sun came out after seven years?
Who reminded Lord Weston about Mr. Caesar?
Bring out the irony in the message “Remember Caesar”
Based on your understanding of the play, complete the Graphic Organiser (GO) suitably.
Group Work
The play revolves around a ‘perceived threat’ and how Lord Weston and Lady Weston react to it. Let’s reverse their roles. Imagine a panic-stricken Lady Weston and a frivolous Lord Weston. Read the following piece of dialogue from the play and rewrite it to suit the changed roles.
| WESTON | My dear, your husband’s life is in grave danger. |
| LADY WESTON | The last time it was in danger you had been eating game pie. What is it this time? |
| WESTON (annihilating her flippancy with one broadside) | Assassination! |
| LADY WESTON | Well, well! You always wanted to be a great man and now you have got your wish! |
| WESTON | What do you mean? |
| LADY WESTON | They don’t assassinate anybody. |
