Category: English Summary

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The Comet 1 Summary in English by Jayant Narlikar

The Comet 1 Summary in English

Duttada was not a scientist or astronomer. But star-gazing was his pastime. He used to spend long nights studying the stars. His one ambition in life was to discover a new comet. He longed for enough money to buy a good telescope and also free time to study the stars. He got them both after retirement. He bought an eight-inch telescope to fulfil his secret ambition. He knew that comets come from the solar system. Like other planets they too go round the sun. But their movement is unusual. They could disappear for ages.

Indrani Debi, his wife, cursed the telescope. She called it Dibya or Dibya Chakshu i.e. Divine Eye. She thought that the telescope was another woman who had trapped her husband. It made him careless about his own well-being and the practical problems of living. He did not take precautions against cold.

The professional astronomers used big telescopes. Duttada’s eight-inch Dibya stood very little chance of spotting a new comet. Still Duttada was hopeful. He knew that the great scientists looked chiefly at faint stars. They missed such an insignificant thing as comet.

One night Duttada noticed a new comet. Two days later the news appeared in the paper that a Calcutta man Manoj Dutta had seen a comet and it was reported at Indian Institute of Astrophysics. This comet was heading towards the earth, and it would be seen with naked eyes in the next few months. It was named ‘Comet Dutta.’ He became famous, a celebrity.

There were felicitations for Duttada. But he didn’t like functions organised in his honour. He wished he had not discovered the new comet. His wife agreed but for a different reason. She was highly educated, still supertitious. She feared that comets brought ill-luck and calamities on the earth.

At Cambridge University, Dr James Forsyth got a message to see John Macpherson, Defence Science Advisor to the British Government. Sir John handed him an article which James had written and sent for publication to Nature’. It was very important because James had forewarned that Comet Dutta would hit the Earth and destroy it.

The collision could be avoided if it got broken into pieces while coming near the sun or it might collide with some other comet. The tragedy could occur in just ten months.

It was decided to call an urgent meeting of experts to find out ways to save the Earth. They had to do something to push the deadly comet out of the way.

The Comet 1 Summary in Hindi

दत्तादा कोई वैज्ञानिक या खगोलविद् नहीं थे। पर तारों को देखना समझना उनका शौक था। वे लम्बी रातें तारों का अध्ययन करने में बिताया करते थे। उनके जीवन में एक महत्वाकांक्षा थी कि एक नये धूमकेतु को खोज ले। उनकी तम्मन्ना थी कि उनके पास इतना पैसा हो जाये कि वह एक अच्छी दूरबीन खरीद ले तथा सितारों का अध्ययन करने के लिये उनके पास अवकाश हो। ये दोनों चीजें उन्हें नौकरी से अवकाश के बाद मिल गई। उन्होंने एक आठ इंच वाली दूरबीन अपनी गुप्त इच्छा की पूर्ति के लिये खरीद ली। वह जानते थे कि धूमकेतू सौरमण्डल से आते हैं। अन्य ग्रहों की भाँति वे भी सूर्य की परिक्रमा करते हैं। पर उनकी परिक्रमा असामान्य तरीके की होती है। वे युगों तक दृष्टि से ओझल हो जाते हैं।

उनकी पत्नी इन्द्राणी देवी उस दूरबीन को कोसती रहती थी। वह उसे दिव्या या दिव्य चक्षु कहती थी। उनके विचार से दूरबीन उनकी सौतन थी जिसने उनके पति को फाँस रखा था। दूरबीन उन्हें अपनी ही खोजखबर नहीं रखने देती, न ही वह जीने की व्यावहारिक समस्याओं की ओर ध्यान देते थे। वह ठण्ड से अपना बचाव भी नहीं करते थे।

पेशेवर खगोल शास्त्री बड़ी दूरबीनों का इस्तेमाल करते थे। उनके सामने भला आठ इंच दूरबीन से किस प्रकार नये-नये पुच्छल तारों को देख पाना संभव था। फिर भी दत्तादा को आशा थी। वह जानते थे कि बड़े वैज्ञानिक तो प्रमुख रुप से मद्धिम तारों पर दृष्टि रखते हैं। वे धूमकेतु जैसी तुच्छ चीजों को अनदेखा कर देते हैं।

एक रात को एक नया धूमकेतू दिख गया। दो दिन बाद यह समाचार अखबार में छपा कि एक कलकत्तावासी मनोज दत्ता ने एक नया धूमकेतु खोज लिया है और उसकी सूचना बैंगलौर स्थित भारतीय खगोल भौतिकी संस्थान को दे दी है। उनकी खोज की पुष्टि हो गई। वह धूमकेतु पृथ्वी की ओर आ रहा है और कुछेक माह में नंगी आँखों से देखा जा सकेगा। इसका नाम रखा गया ‘दत्ता धूमकेतु’। वह विख्यात हस्ती हो गये।

दत्तादा को बधाईयाँ दी गईं। परन्तु अपने सम्मान में आयोजित समारोह उसे पसन्द नहीं थे। उनकी इच्छा थी कि उन्हें वह धमकेतु, नहीं खोजना चाहिए था। उनकी पत्नी भी उनसे सहमत हो गयी परन्तु उसका कारण अलग था। वह अत्यधिक शिक्षित थी, परन्तु अन्धविश्वासी थी। उसे भय था कि धूमकेतु पृथ्वी पर दुर्भाग्य तथा आपदाएँ लाते हैं।

केम्ब्रिज विश्वविद्यालय में Dr. James Forsyth को संदेश मिला कि वह अंग्रेजी सरकार के सुरक्षा सलाहकार John Macpherrson से आकर मिले। सर जॉन ने एक लेख उन्हें दिखाया जिसे James ने ही लिखकर ‘Nature’ पत्रिका में छपने के लिए भेजा था। यह बहुत महत्त्वपूर्ण था क्योंकि जेम्स ने भविष्यवाणी की थी कि दत्ता-कॉमेट पृथ्वी से टकरायेगा तथा पृथ्वी को नष्ट कर देगा।

इस टकराव को टाला जा सकता है यदि वह सूर्य के निकट आने पर चूर-चूर हो जाये अथवा वह किसी अन्य धूमकेतु से टकरा कर नष्ट हो जाये। यह त्रासदी दस माह में घट सकती है।

यह निर्णय लिया गया कि पृथ्वी को बचाने के लिये विशेषज्ञों की एक सभा बुलाई जाये। उन्हें घातक धूमकेतु को अपने रास्ते से हटाने के लिये कोई न कोई उपाय करना जरुरी था।

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Summary of Gulliver’s Travels Part 1 Chapter 1

Summary of Gulliver’s Travels Part 1 Chapter 1

The narrator gives some account of himself and his family. He recounts how he first began his travels. He is shipwrecked, swims for his life and gets himself safely to the shore of the country of Lilliput. He is made a prisoner and is carried up the country.

The novel begins with Lemuel Gulliver recounting the story of his life, beginning with his family history.

Lemuel Gulliver was born to a family in Nottinghamshire, the third of five sons. Although he studied in Cambridge as a teenager, his family was too poor to keep him there. So, he was sent to London to be an apprentice under a surgeon named James Bates. Gulliver’s father sent him small sums of money now and then, which he used for learning mathematics and navigation, with the hope of travelling. When his apprenticeship with Mr Bates ended, he went to study physics at Leyden for two years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long voyages.

Soon after he returned from Leyden, Gulliver, on a recommendation from Mr Bates, became a surgeon aboard a ship called ‘The Swallow’, for three years, and travelled to various parts of the world. Later, he settled in London, working as a doctor. He got married to a woman named Mary Burton. His business began to fail when his patron, Mr Bates, died. So he decided to go to sea again and travelled for six years. The last of these voyages did not prove very fortunate and Gulliver grew tired of the sea deciding to settle down with his wife and family. However, his practice did not match his expectations and he decided to accept one last job on a ship called ‘The Antelope’.

In the East Indies, ‘The Antelope’ encountered a violent storm in which twelve crewmen died of excessive hard work and a poor diet; the rest were in a very weak condition. On the 5th of November, which was the beginning of summer in those parts, the seamen spied a rock within half a cable’s length of the ship; but the wind was so strong, that the ship was driven directly upon it, and immediately split. Six of the crew members, including Gulliver, boarded a small rowboat to escape. The seamen rowed till they were able to work no longer, as they were already tired with the labour they had put in while on the ship. They, therefore, trusted themselves to the mercy of the waves. Shortly, the rowboat capsized due to a sudden storm from the north and Gulliver lost track of his companions. They were never seen again. Gulliver, however, swam safely to the shore.

Gulliver walked nearly half a mile inland but could not discover any sign of houses or inhabitants. Tired, he lay down on the grass to rest, and soon fell asleep. When he woke up, he found that his arms, legs, and long hair had been tied to the ground with pieces of thread. He could only look up, and the bright sun hurt his eyes, preventing him from seeing anything. He felt something move across his leg and over his chest. He looked down and saw, to his surprise, a six-inch-fall human, carrying a bow and arrow. At least forty more little people climbed onto his body. He was surprised and shouted loudly, frightening the little people away. They returned, however, and one of the little men who ventured so far as to get a full sight of Gulliver’s face, cried out, ‘Hekinah DeguT in admiration. The others also repeated the same words several times.

Gulliver struggled to get loose and finally succeeded in breaking the strings binding his left arm. He loosened the ropes tying his hair so he could turn to the left. In response, with a shrill cry ‘Tolgo Phonac’ the little people fired a volley of arrows into his hand and violently attacked his body and face. When this shower of arrows was over, Gulliver was left groaning in grief and pain. He once again tried to loosen his bonds and the little men attacked him with arrows and spears. He decided that the safest thing to do was to lie still until nightfall. The noise increased as the little people build a stage next to Gulliver about a foot and a half off the ground. One of them, a person who from his appearance Gulliver decided was a person of quality, climbed onto it and made a speech in a language that Gulliver did not understand. But before he began his oration, the man cried out three times, Langro Dehul San, whereupon about fifty of the inhabitants immediately came and cut the strings that fastened the left side of Gulliver’s head, thus giving him the freedom of turning to the right, and of observing the person who spoke.

Gulliver was starving and he indicated that he was hungry by putting his finger frequently to his mouth, and the little people brought him baskets of meat. He devoured it all and then made another sign, to show that he was thirsty, so they brought him two large barrels of wine. Seeing him eat and drink such large quantities, they shouted for joy, and danced upon his breast, shouting, Hekinah Degul. Gulliver was tempted to pick up forty or fifty of the little people and throw them against the ground, but he decided that he had made them a promise of goodwill and was grateful for their hospitality. He was also struck by their bravery, since they had climbed onto his body despite his great size.

An official climbed onto Gulliver’s body and informed him that he was to be carried to the capital city. Gulliver wanted to walk, but they told him that that would not be permitted. Instead, they brought a frame of wood, raised three inches off the ground and carried by twenty-two wheels. Nine hundred men pulled this cart about half a mile to the city. Gulliver’s left leg was then padlocked to a large temple, giving him only enough freedom to walk around the building in a semicircle and lie down inside the temple.

 

We have decided to create the most comprehensive English Summary that will help students with learning and understanding.

Three Men in a Boat Summary Jerome K. Jerome

Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) was first published in 1889. It is a humorous account of a boating holiday on the Thames, undertaken by the author and his two friends, between Kingston and Oxford and back. This was a boating holiday typical at the time when commercial boating traffic had died out and boating, as an activity of leisure, was popular.

The book was intended to be a serious travel guide and, to that end, has several passages about the local history of the places along the route. However, the light, humorous tone of writing and the author’s combination of the serious and the comical, served to increase the scope of the book beyond a mere travelogue. The direct, conversational style of writing and the flawed and multifaceted characters make it easy for a reader to identify with the protagonists, and their varied experiences, even today.

The three men of the book were based upon the author himself, and two of his actual friends, George Wingrave and Carl Hentschel (Harris in the book). The dog Montmorency was entirely made up, but the description of his antics is as real and believable as the other parts of the book.

Although most of the book takes place on the river, the expedition begins in central London, with a train journey from the Waterloo station to Kingston-upon-Thames. It begins with the narrator, J and his friends, sitting at home, tired of their dull lives. They decide they need a break, not just to have fun, but to rid themselves of the chronic case of hypochondria that they seem to have contracted. Eventually, they decide to go boating on the Thames. After much discussion, the three friends (who are, incidentally, all terrible boatmen) pack their supplies amidst great confusion and embark on their holiday, along with J’s hurricane of a dog, Montmorency. Along the journey, the writer adds different amusing incidents and stories from his memory, without straying from the main plot.

The story is an entertaining narrative of the incidents that occur during the trip; anecdotes on various topics such as the unreliability of weather forecasts; loosely connected digressions as that of J’s uncle’s inability to hang pictures; descriptive pieces on the places that they pass and stop at, along the memorable journey.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter Wise Summary

• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 1 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 2 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 3 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 4 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 5 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 6 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 7 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 8 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 9 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 10 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 11 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 12 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 13 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 14 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 15 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 16 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 17 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 18 Summary
• Three Men in a Boat Chapter 19 Summary

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 1 Summary

Three friends, George, Harris and the author—referred to as ‘J’—decide that they are overworked and agree upon a week’s holiday. They decide to go on a boating trip, down the river Thames.

The narrative opens with the author discussing his imagined ailments with his friends George and William Samuel Harris. While George and Harris both claimed to have spells of giddiness, the author believed that his liver was out of order. He then shared a humorous anecdote, describing his visit to the British Museum, where he read a medical text and came to the conclusion that he had the symptoms of all known diseases, except ‘Housemaid’s Knee’. His doctor advised him to eat and drink well, walk every morning and sleep early every night. The author then described how similar symptoms had been termed as laziness when he was a child which, rather than with medicines, was treated most successfully by beatings. The three friends discussed their respective diseases until supper. Further discussion on the matter made them decide that their conditions were caused by overwork. They agreed that they needed rest and a change of scene.

When Harris suggested a sea trip, the author objected. He cited several stories of people who, once aboard a ship, were seasick for almost a week. By the time they managed to overcome their seasickness, it was time to return to land. He also examined the strange manner in which people who were seasick seemed to completely forget this fact when they reached dry land. In the end, George suggested going up the river in a boat. The author and Harris were in favour of this plan, but Montmorency, the author’s dog, did not seem to like the plan much.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 2 Summary

The pros and cons of camping are discussed by the three, and more is told about the author’s dog, Montmorency, who is to accompany them on this trip.

The three friends studied maps to plan their trip and decided to set out on their holiday the following Saturday. The author and Harris would take the boat from Kingston to Chertsey, where George, who worked in a bank, would meet them in the afternoon. They then discussed the relative benefits of camping out versus sleeping at inns. Just as the author painted an ideal picture of camping out, Harris interrupted him by asking what they would do if it rained. This led the author to paint a picture of the miseries of camping out in the rain, from the difficulties of setting up a tent in the rain, to having rain soak into all the camping supplies.

It was finally decided that they would camp out on fine nights and sleep in inns or hotels on rainy nights. Montmorency, the dog seemed to be pleased with this arrangement as well. Montmorency was a small fox terrier. When the author had first found the dog, he did not think it would survive long. However, the dog proved the author wrong and turned out to be an adventurous and lively creature, shoehorning himself into hustle and bustle.

Once the matter of camping was decided upon, the three began to argue about the things to be taken along on the trip. However, Harris suggested that they should discuss it the next day and all three went out for a drink.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 3 Summary

Discussions on what they required for their trip. Reaching the common consensus to list only things they could not do without. The next morning, the three friends continued to plan their trip. The author described Harris’ idea of ‘working’ as that of taking a burden and putting it on other people’s backs. He then likened Harris’ style of working to that of his Uncle Podger trying to put up a picture on the wall. He would get the entire household involved in the simple task of hammering a nail in the wall to hang up a picture and still not manage to do a good job.

When they finally began to make a list, they considered so many things to be essential that it would be impossible to fit them all on the boat. The author briefly commented on the common tendency to overload a boat (or indeed, their lives) with unnecessary things. Then, George suggested that instead of listing everything they could use, they should instead make a list of all the things they could not do without.

George suggested taking a boat with a cover instead of a tent. They then listed a few essentials including tooth powder, rugs and towels. The author then remarked that no matter how many arrangements people make for bathing at the river, they never really bathe much when they are there. He also shared his experience of a morning dip at the seaside, which he suffered through but had to pretend that he enjoyed it, later. George also suggested taking only two suits of clothes each, along with plenty of socks and handkerchiefs.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 4 Summary

Further discussion on provisions to be taken along, especially food and the repercussions of the wrong kind ofprovisions. Packing of their luggage with Montmorency hampering the process in umpteen ways.

The next subject raised was that of food. It was decided that no paraffin oil was to be taken to cook the meals. An earlier trip with an oil stove had taught the three friends that the oil could easily leak and soak into everything on the boat. Therefore, for this trip, it was decided that methylated spirit would be used.

Another article that the friends decided not to take was cheese, for its odour was too strong. The author related an amusing incident when he agreed to carry two types of cheese from Liverpool to London, for his friend. As a result of the smell of the cheeses, no one else boarded the train carriage in which he was sitting. When he delivered the cheeses to his friend’s wife, she left the house as she could not bear the smell either!

The next morning, which was Friday, they began to pack. The author first offered to pack, and was surprised when instead of helping him, his friends let him do so without protest. However, he had to pack the clothes hamper several times, as once the boots were left out, then the author did not remember if he had packed his toothbrush, and so on. Harris and George offered to do the rest of the packing. They packed the food in the worst manner possible, putting heavy things on fragile ones, sitting
on the butter and spilling salt over everything. Montmorency helped in this process by making them stumble over him, sitting down on things they were looking for, and jumping into the hamper.

By 12:50, the packing was done and the three friends retired to bed. George inquired of the others at what time he should wake them, but by the time the author and Harris agreed upon 6.30 after much argument, George had fallen asleep.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 5 Summary

Departure from London amidst much confusion and hilarity. Arrival at Kingston and finally setting off on the boat.

The next morning, Mrs Poppets awoke the author at nine o’clock. Realising that George was still asleep, the author and Harris woke him up by pulling off his covers, hitting him with a slipper and shouting in his ear. They began to get dressed and then realized that they had packed their toothbrushes in the luggage. Having taken them out and having finally dressed, they all sat down to breakfast.

While they ate, George read out the weather forecast from the newspaper. This caused the author to reflect that in his experience, the weather forecast was a fraud. He related an incident where they stayed at home on a bright sunny day, because the forecast was for rain and, the next day, when it was forecast to be sunny, they were caught in a storm and fell ill. The author also expressed his doubts about the usefulness of barometers. Instead, he said that he preferred the opinions of old men, who even if they were wrong about the weather, could at least be appreciated for trying.

After George went to work, Harris and the author took out the entire luggage and waited for a cab. While they waited, all the young boys of the neighbourhood crowded around them, each offering his own opinion about why they stood in the street with the luggage. When an empty cab finally came up, they loaded in the luggage and Montmorency, and made their way to Waterloo station.

There, they spent some time rushing from one platform to another, as no one seemed to have any idea where the train to Kingston would leave from. Finally on reaching Kingston, they loaded their boat with their luggage and provisions, forced an unhappy Montmorency into the boat and set sail.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 6 Summary

Some remarks on early English history and observations on life in general. The author gives his views on the contradictory nature of people who always want what they don’t have and never realize the value of what they do have. Harris narrates an incident when he acted as a guide in the maze at Hampton Court.

Harris rowed the boat down the river, as the author sat back and thought about the beauty of the day and the history of Kingston. The author then commented that Queen Elizabeth had stopped over at many places around the river, as she was especially fond of public inns. According to him, if Harris were to ever become the Prime Minister, he should never allow the innkeepers to place boards outside their inns proclaiming that he had stopped there.

There were many houses in the area, built during the Tudor era. The author commented on one such house which had been converted to a shop and which had a marvellous oak staircase. The owner of the house also had an entire room which was panelled in oak, which he had covered up with bright blue wallpaper, as he found the oak rather gloomy.

Based on this incident, the author observed that people usually have what they do not want and want what they do not have. As an example, the author narrated the case of a boy named Stiwings, in his school, who loved studying, but who fell ill very often and had to miss school. On the other hand, every other boy in school wished that they could fall sick and miss school, but they could not.

The author also raised the question of what was valued as antique in those days. While he was thinking of these matters, Harris suddenly stopped rowing and lay down with his legs in the air. Montmorency jumped up, upsetting one of the hampers and spilling its contents into the boat. It turned out that the author should have been steering, but had forgotten to do so, and the boat had landed onto the bank.

As they were near Hampton Court at that time, Harris and the author got into a discussion about the maze there. Harris had once visited the maze with a cousin, and thought it would be simple to get out of it. He had collected all the people within the maze who were lost, and led them all confidently through it, only to find that he was as lost as the rest of them. Therefore, Harris now thought it was a very fine maze and they decided to visit it as soon as George joined them.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 7 Summary

Their passage through Moulsey locks. The author’s comments on fashion and the dressing sense of people and the apparent lack of it in most people, including his friends. Harris ’ wish to visit a tomb and the events leading to him falling in the food hamper.

As the author and Harris passed through Moulsey Lock, they were surprised to see that there were hardly any other boats on the river at that point. On Sundays, according to the author, there were so many boats on the river that it became hard to see the water at all. It seemed as though all the inhabitants of the nearby areas would descend on the river, in their boating clothes, to enjoy their Sunday.

The author then commented on the dressing sense of the people. He shared his opinion that both Harris and George did not seem to have much sense of what colour suited them the best. He also related an incident when two ladies went boating with them, wearing boating dresses inspired by a Parisian fashion magazine. Throughout the trip, the girls were so concerned about saving their dresses from the dirt and the water that they were unable to enjoy the outing.

The author’s stories were interrupted by Harris, who wanted to visit a nearby tomb, of a lady he knew nothing about. The author commented on the strangeness of the fact that many people seemed to like visiting tombs and graves. He tried to distract Harris from his desire to see the tomb by reminding him that they had to meet George at five o’clock.

Harris then declared that George did not really do any work at all and that his job was just to sit behind a glass window in the bank all day. He also declared that he wanted a drink. The author reminded him that they had lemonade in the hamper. When Harris went to get it, he forgot that he still had the steering lines in his hand, and the boat landed on the river bank. The impact made Harris fall straight into the hamper, with his legs in the air.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 8 Summary

Lunch near Kempton Park and trespassing by the trio. The stance, of the author and Harris, on landowners. The author’s views on Harris ’ terrible singing. George joins them at Weybridge with a banjo!

The author and Harris stopped for lunch near Kempton Park, when they were interrupted by a man who claimed that they were trespassing. The friends thanked him for the information and offered him some bread and jam, but the man seemed upset by the gesture and went away. The author then shared his belief that the man had been hoping to get some money by blackmailing them and that there were many such people all along the river. The correct way of dealing with them was to not give in, but to ask to have the owner of the property get in touch with you.

The author then commented that many landowners by the river had become so selfish that they put in posts and chains with notice boards to prevent people from going up the backwaters and tributaries. This made both the author and Harris very angry. While the author was content to kill the owners and put the notice boards over their graves, Harris wanted to additionally kill their family and friends, bum their houses and sing comic songs on the mins. The author succeeded in convincing Harris to lessen his harsh punishment.

The author then discussed how terrible it was to hear Harris sing a comic song. He also shared how even a high-class party was once mined because of confusion over a German song that Harris had sung. It had all happened because two shameless young men told the party that the song in question was a comedy, whereas it actually was a tragedy.

They reached Sunbury Lock by half past three and the author advised everyone not to try to row up the’ backwaters against the current. Passing by Walton a little later, he commented on how fortunate it was that only a small part of the town could be seen from the river, as the banks were mostly covered with woods and fields. Apparently, Walton was another place which had been visited by both Caesar and Queen Elizabeth. They also passed Oakland Park, where the Duchess of York had lived with several dogs.

They finally reached Weybridge, where they saw George at the Lock. Seeing him, the author and Harris let out shouts and screams, while Montmorency barked, making the Lock-keeper think someone had drowned. George had brought a banjo with him, even though he did not know how to play one.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 9 Summary

George put to work. The problems of tow-lines and incidents relating to them described. Reaching Penton Hook and decision to travel till Runnymeade as their next halting point.

The author and Harris decided to make George do the work now. However, when they passed him the tow-line, it was very tangled. According to the author, it is a characteristic’ of tow-lines in general that no matter how neatly they are coiled to begin with, they always find ways to get tangled.

The author was reminded of a time when one windy morning, two men managed to untangle their tow-line, only to find that their boat had drifted away. George had a similar amusing incident to share, where a boy and a girl were pulling the tow line, without realizing that there was no boat behind them anymore. Instead, George and his friends hitched their boat to the line and it was quite some time later when the boy and the girl realized that they had lost their boat and were pulling along strangers.

In another incident, the author and George saw a boat with five men relaxing onboard, being towed by a boy on a horse.
The man who was steering, accidentally pulled the wrong line, and the boat ran onto the bank, making most of the men fall overboard. The author felt this was a good thing, for boats being towed at such a speed tended to tangle their tow-lines over other boats’ masts, besides not giving any other boat time to get out of their way. The author also related his opinion about having one’s boat towed by women. He claimed that it was an adventure because they would chatter among themselves, stop towing suddenly and then remember something or the other that they needed from the boat.

The friends reached Penton Hook and since it was too early to sleep, they decided to keep going till Runnymead. The author recalled an instance when he and a female cousin were boating and it was getting late. They had mapped their course so that they would pass by Wallingford, but however much they rowed, they did not reach it. The river had then seemed to take on a dreamlike, haunting, ghostly aspect and they had been most relieved when they heard the sound of badly sung songs, signalling another boating party.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 10 Summary

Their attempts to cover the boat with canvas. The making of tea and eating supper. The appeal of a deserted island.
Narration of a funny incident by George. Restless night for the author.

By the time the friends decided to stop for the night, all they wanted was to eat and sleep. They drew up in a pleasant spot, but rather than eat immediately, George suggested that they put up the canvas covering on the boat. However, this turned out to be a more difficult task than they had thought. After trying for a long time they managed to get the hoops up, but when it came to putting the canvas cover over them, Harris and George got rolled up in it and could not free themselves.

Finally, after half an hour’s hard labour, the canvas was up and the friends put the tea to boil, while they got supper ready. According to the author, the best way to get the tea ready, while on a boat, was to put the kettle on the stove and ignore it, talking loudly about how one doesn’t actually want any tea. This supposedly inspires the kettle to boil faster.

For more than half an hour, they ate steadily, inspiring the author to discuss the importance of food and how it was the surest path to virtue and contentment. Smoking their pipes afterwards, the friends discussed how nice it would be to live on a deserted island, more so since George assured Harris that it would not be damp if it was well-drained.

George was reminded of a funny incident where his father and his friend stopped at an inn. When they went up to bed, both the friends got into the same bed, one the right way and the other with his feet on the pillow. They both thought there was someone else in their bed and tried to throw the other off, resulting in both of them landing on the floor, with no idea of what had actually happened.

Soon the three friends went to bed, but although he was very tired, the author was not able to sleep. He found the boat a very hard bed to sleep in and seemed to have something digging into his back. Finally, he got up and went out onto the bank, admiring the star-lit night.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 11 Summary

The problems of getting up too early. The aversion of the three friends, and Montmorency, to cold water and the author’s fall in the water. Harris attempt to scramble eggs for breakfast. A historical insight on the signing of the Magna Charta.

The next morning, both the author and George woke up at six, and both found it impossible to go back to sleep. George related a story of how the same thing had happened to him some months ago, on a foggy day. He had forgotten to wind his watch, and had woken up thinking it was a quarter past eight in the morning. He got ready and dashed off to work, only to find that the entire town seemed to be asleep. He finally asked a policeman for the time and realized that it was just three a.m. After that, he returned home but could not sleep. He went for a walk, but the policemen found it suspicious that someone would be out at that time of the morning and he had to return home. He had made it a point never to wake up early ever since.

When George had finished his story, the author poked Harris with the oar to wake him up, causing Montmorency, who had been sleeping on Harris’ chest, to jump across the boat. They had thought that they would all take a morning dip in the river, but when it came to it, no one wanted to. Finally, the author went to the bank, intending to splash some water on himself, but the branch on which he was sitting snapped and he fell into the cold water. However, even though he pretended that it was lovely in the water, his friends did not join him.

While dressing, the author’s shirt fell into the water, which George found very funny. However, when the author realized that it was actually George’s shirt, George seemed to lose his sense of humour. For breakfast, Harris suggested making scrambled eggs, implying that he was very good at the job. However, he did not seem to be any good at it as he had trouble breaking eggs into the pan, then burnt himself time and again whereupon he would dance around in pain.

After breakfast, the author was moved by the peaceful beauty of the scene which led him to vividly imagine the same scene, as it must have been, on the day when the historic Magna Charta was signed, in 1215.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 12 Summary

A visit to the Magna Charta Island and talk of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. George reminds them of another trip and the predicament that they hadfaced upon reaching Dachet. Tea at Cookham and ramming of the boat into another, with three elderly fishermen aboard. Stopping at Marlow for the night.

The friends then visited the Magna Charta Island, where the document was rumoured to have been signed. Near the picnic point where their boat was moored, were the ruins of an old priory, one of the places where Henry VIII was said to meet
Anne Boleyn. He pointed out that being in the same house as a pair of lovers is very uncomfortable, as they may be found in any of the rooms you enter, or even if you go out for a walk. He thought the situation of the English around the time of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn must have been similar.

The friends continued to sail up the river and when they were passing by Dachet, George reminded his friends of their first boat trip, when they had reached Dachet at ten in the night. They had been unable to find any room at the two inns and, for half the night, kept going from one place to another, till, at last, Harris was exhausted and pronounced himself ready to die.

It was then that a young child had passed by and told them that his mother could rent out a room for the night. They had viewed the child as an angel, falling upon his neck in joy. Harris had nearly fainted with joy, and had to be revived with half a mug of beer. The rest of the night had then passed happily, as the boy’s mother had fed them a good supper with jam tart afterwards.

Returning to the current boat trip, it was time for lunch, but just as they sat down to eat, they realized that they had no mustard. Usually, neither of them was fond of mustard, but for some reason they all craved it then. After lunch, they enjoyed an apple pie, but when they tried to open a can of pineapples, they found that they had no can opener. After trying a knife, a pair of scissors and a rock, and injuring each other in the process, Harris threw the can into the river.

They reached Maidenhead soon after, but passed through, travelling on to Cookham for tea. They then found that a stiff breeze had sprung up and unfurled the sail. The boat now went along at a quicker pace, steered by the author. Unfortunately, they sailed right into the boat of three old men who were fishing, who got very angry and cursed the three friends very comprehensively. After that, George steered, and they landed at Marlow, where they went to an inn for the night.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 13 Summary

Description of Marlow and Bisham Abbey. The antics of Montmorency and nature offox terriers in general. Shopping for provisions and their dislike of using river water explained. Harris falls into a ditch and blames George and the author for his fall.

The author described the beauties of the area around Marlow. He also described the attractions of the Bisham Abbey, which came to the right bank of the river. The next morning, they woke up early and went for a bath before breakfast.

On their way back to the inn, Montmorency saw a cat crossing the road and sprang after it. Instead of running, the cat sat down in the middle of the street and stared back at Montmorency. This seemed to confuse him and he returned to the author quietly.

The author also explained that the innate nature of fox terriers was to make trouble, and cited an incident where a young lady had brought her fox terrier to the store and had tied it up near the other dogs who were sitting there peacefully. Within minutes the terrier had started a war among the dogs.

The friends spent the morning shopping for food and other necessities and were followed by an impressive procession of shop boys carrying various packages, as they made their way to the boat. The author also explained why he disliked steam launches and how they managed to annoy such boats throughout the trip.

When the three were near Hambledon Lock, they found that their store of water was low, so they asked for water at a house nearby. However, the man simply asked them to take some river water, which they were not keen on doing. The author related an incident later, where they had tried river water to make their tea once, but just as the tea was ready, however, they had seen a peaceful looking dead dog floating down the river and had to throw away the tea.

A while later, they stopped for lunch halfway up the backwater near Wargrave. They were just getting ready to carve a pie, when George and the author looked away briefly. When they looked back, Harris and the pie seemed to have disappeared! Just as they were considering the possibilities of him having been swallowed by the earth, his head became visible. He had fallen into a ditch just behind where he had been sitting. He was convinced that it had all been planned by the author and George, no matter how much they protested their innocence.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 14 Summary

Wargrave, Shiplake and Sonning. George cooks stew for supper. Montmorency’s dislike of the tea kettle. George attempts to play the banjo but is discouraged by all. George and the author take a walk and lose their way. Harris feels unwell.

The three friends now moved past Wargrave and Shiplake. The author shared some local information about the beautiful towns. They went on shore at Sonning and took a walk around the pretty village. Later, they decided to go back to one of the Shiplake islands, instead of heading for Reading that night.

Once they were settled, George volunteered to cook an Irish stew for supper. The author and Harris sat down to peel potatoes for it, but found that it was a very tough job. In the end, they just added unpeeled potatoes. They also put in all the leftovers that they had found in the hamper. Montmorency brought a dead water rat for the stew, but they were not sure whether or not it was in a sarcastic spirit.

After they ate, the kettle was put on for tea. Montmorency did not trust the kettle and every day, when it began to boil and sputter, he would growl at it. Now, he sprang at it, burnt his nose and ran away howling in pain. He never attacked the kettle again.

After supper, George took out the banjo, but had to put it away as Harris said he had a headache. Montmorency also never cooperated when George tried to play the banjo. In fact, George never did learn to play, as everyone around seemed very discouraging. The author was reminded of the story of a fellow who faced great discouragement when he tried to play the bagpipes.

Harris was not feeling very well after supper, so the other two left him in the boat and went for a walk. It was almost eleven when they returned, and a light rain had started to fall. However, they could not remember where exactly their boat was moored and did not find it till past midnight, when they had all but given up hope.

When they finally got into the boat, they saw that Harris seemed strange and sad. When the others asked him about it, he explained that they had moored near a swan’s nest. Harris had to fight off the swans, but he was not very clear about the details. He had no recollection of any swans the next morning. George and the author slept well, but Harris had a disturbed night, as he constantly woke up looking for different articles of clothing.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 15 Summary

Household work, duties and their general aversion to work. Observations on the changed attitudes of the younger generation. Sharing of their earlier boating experiences.

Waking up early the next morning, the author and his friends had a quick breakfast and then started cleaning up and tidying things. This gave them an insight into how a housewife is kept constantly occupied. By ten o’clock they were ready to continue on their journey. However, upon the question of who should row, the three friends could not agree. Each felt that the other two had not been doing enough work. According to the author, while he loved work and always kept around it, he was not too keen on actually doing more than observing it.

Finally it was decided that George and Harris would row and then later on the author would tow the boat past Reading. The author then discussed the strange change in the attitudes of the younger generation. According to him, the old experienced sailors always relaxed and made the new ones do all the work, all the while telling them mostly fictitious stories about how they had once rowed in far worse conditions. The author had noticed a change in the younger generation, however, as once, when he and his friends were trying out this strategy with a new sailor, instead of listening to them, he refused to believe their stories.

As the three friends rowed along, they shared their early boating experiences. The author recalled rafting in the backwaters, with the owner of the planks chasing him for stealing them. George recalled his first outing on the river-at the age of sixteen, when he and his friends hired a racing boat and had a terrible time trying to row it. Harris on the other hand, was more used to the sea than to river boating.

The author then discussed the temperament and method of the old boatman, who calmly allows all other boats to overtake him without the slightest objection. He then commented on the funny sight of two novices rowing together, as neither can keep pace with the other and they end up blaming the oars and the man who rented the boat out to them.

When George mentioned that he would like to try punting, the author related the story of a friend who went punting and sadly got stuck in the middle of the river, clinging onto his pole like a monkey. The author was now alone on the punt with no form of oars on board. He was saved by a fishing punt.

However, the author’s first experience of punting was amusing, because his friends saw another fellow on the water who they thought was him, and in their friendly manner had mocked him. They had felt very foolish later on. The author had shared his first sailing trip with a friend, when he was a boy. According to him, they did everything wrong and it was surprising that they had not fallen into the water and drowned!

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 16 Summary

The friends enjoy being towed by a steam boat from Reading till Pangbourne. The author’s turn to row and his attempt to argue his way out of it. The discovery of the dead body of a woman and her story.

They reached Reading at about eleven in the morning. The author explained that while it was not a pretty sight, it was, historically, an important place. At Reading Lock, the three friends came upon a steam launch belonging to one of their friends, which towed their boat till Streatley. The author and his friends enjoyed being towed. Contradictory to his early views on steam launches and his usual practice of not getting out of their way, the author now expressed his annoyance with small boats which did not get out of the way of the steam launches.

A little above Mapledurham, they passed by the neighbourhood of Pangbourne, where the steam launch left them. The author tried to reason that the area where he was to row the boat had already passed, but George and Harris refused to agree, which the author thought was proof that they were shirking their work again. To keep peace, the author began rowing. However, they soon stopped when they discovered the dead body of a woman floating on the river. The body was taken to shore by some men on the bank. The friends later found out the woman’s story, where she had been deceived in love, left homeless with a small child and finally had drowned herself.

The author and his friends had intended to reach Wallingford that day, but the area of Streatley and Goring was so beautiful that they decided to spend some more time there.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 17 Summary

Stay at Streatley and its popularity as a fishing area. The author’s story of his lack of success at fishing and stories of other successful fishermen. George takes a tumble in an inn at Streatley.

The author and his friends stayed at Streatley for two days and got their clothes washed. They had tried to wash their clothes in the river earlier, but it seemed as though all the dirt of the river had collected onto their clothes instead.

The author shared that the area around Streatley and Goring was known to be a fishing centre. The river was supposed to be full of pikes, eels, gudgeons and other fish and people could sit and fish all day long. However, the author felt that actually catching any fish was a different matter altogether.

He had once tried fishing, but the experienced fishers had told him that he didn’t have enough imagination to be successful at it. According to them, a successful angler is one who can not only make up good stories, but can add incidental detail to it, to make it appear authentic. Not only would he spin out a fine tale about the actual process of fishing, but would add details of what they said at home, and so on.

The author once knew a fellow who took to fly-fishing and decided never to exaggerate his stories by more than twenty-five per cent, as it was sinful to lie. Within a few months he revised his strategy and decided to exaggerate by doubling, but even this was not satisfactory. He finally decided to count each fish as ten, and had been going along very happily, ever since.

In fact, the author advises one to take the opportunity to drop in at one of the little village inns and listen to the fishy stories the anglers always share. On their second evening at Streatley, George and the author went into a little inn, and saw a large trout framed in a glass case above the chimney. One by one, four different men came into the inn, and each one claimed to have caught the trout. Finally the inn keeper himself came and told the two friends his version of the story. Fascinated by the fish, George climbed onto a chair to get a better view, slipped and crashed down along with the trout case. It shattered into thousands of pieces, for the trout was made of plaster-of-Paris.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 18 Summary

The author’s fondness for locks on the river. The story of George and the author being photographed on the boat ‘Nuneham’—a good place to drown. The ill-effect of the river air on the most tranquil people.

They left Streatley the next morning and slept the next night in the boat, near Culham. The absence of any locks for a stretch of six and a half miles was appreciated by the rowing men, but the author himself was fond of locks. He was fond of the variation they created in the process of boating and liked chatting with the lock-keepers and their families. It was also a good place to meet other boaters and share some river-gossip.

The author shared an incident when he and George had been boating near Hampton Court. A photographer had set up his equipment and immediately everyone in their respective boats took up whatever poses they thought suited them the best. In the process, the author’s boat nearly got stuck in the woodwork of the lock and nearly tipped over. They managed to save the boat, but their poses, for the photograph, were ruined.

The author then shared some of the history of Wallingford. From Wallingford to Dorchester, the area became hillier. Dorchester, again, was a town with a lot of history, having been the capital of Wessex in Saxon times.

The next morning, the three sailors were up early and headed out towards Oxford. At Abingdon, the river passed by the streets of the little town. There was a monument in St. Helen’s Church there, recording a Mr Lee, who had had a family of one hundred and ninety seven. The author hoped that there were not many like him in this crowded, modem world.

Near the lock at Nuneham, according to the author, was a pool which was very good to drown in because of the strong undercurrents. After they crossed over Iffley, the author came to what he called the most difficult part of the river, until Oxford. This was because of the strong cross-currents in the water, which made it difficult to row in a straight line.

As a result, the author also noticed how being on a boat can make one ill-tempered. He thought that it was because the air around the river that had a negative effect on even the most sweet-tempered people.

Three Men in a Boat Chapter 19 Summary

Stay at Oxford. Montmorency’s idea of heaven. The pros and cons of rowing upstream. The start of the journey back home. Swapping of stories between the friends. George plays the banjo. Wet days on the boat and flight back, to solid ground. The end of the boat trip.

The three friends stayed at Oxford for two days. During that time, Montmorency fought with several dogs, which seemed to be his idea of heaven.

The author also commented on the practice of some people of taking a boat from Oxford and travelling downstream with the current. However, he was of the opinion that it was far more satisfying to row upstream, especially when George and Harris were rowing and he was steering. The author recommended taking one’s own boat for this stretch. According to him, one may also hire boats above Marlow, as they were quite unlikely to sink, but were plain and unomamented. As a result, people were not too keen to be seen in them and travelled only early in the morning or late at night. He shared his experience of hiring one such boat, called the ‘Pride of the Thames’, which actually looked more like a roman relic.

On the third day at Oxford, the weather changed and they began their home-ward journey amidst a drizzle. The author mused that as beautiful as the river looked on a sunlit day, it was equally dismal when it rained. The three friends first tried to pretend to like it, so much so that Harris and the author even tried singing songs about a gypsy’s life. George however, stayed stuck under the umbrella.

They pulled up that evening at a place called Day’s Lock and had quite a dismal evening. The rain continued, everything was clammy and damp, and their dinner was unappetizing, as they each wished to eat something they could not have. Afterwards, they played cards and George won four pence from the others.

They then mixed up some toddy and shared dismal tales. George spoke of a young man who caught a chill in a damp boat and died, Harris shared a story of a friend who slept out on such a night and was crippled for life. This led to a lively discussion of several dangerous diseases. Finally the author, in a weak moment, asked George to play them a comic song on his banjo.

He immediately played a merry tune, but made it sound so sad that the other two wanted to cry. Finally they went to bed, sleeping fitfully till about five a.m. The second day was just like the first, but the three were determined not to give up just yet. By the time they neared Pangboume, they were discussing how nice it would be to stop at a nice warm inn and restaurant, except that they had made up their minds to stay with the boat.

Twenty minutes later, the three men and the dog crept stealthily towards the railway station. They reached the Paddington station at seven, drove to a restaurant and ate heartily. Finally well fed and happy, Harris proposed a toast to the three men who were well out of a boat! Montmorency seemed to approve.

 

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Online Education for Tea From Assam Summary in English by Arup Kumar Datta

Tea From Assam Summary in English

Tea from Assam’ is an interesting and informative lesson about tea plantation, its history and its significance. The writer has tried to make it interesting by using a dialogue method. Two young boys Pranjol and Rajvir are going to Assam. Rajvir is excited as he passes through tea gardens and wants to share his knowledge with Pranjol. They talk about various Indian and Chinese legends behind tea. Rajvir tells Pranjol a very interesting story of a Chinese emperor who discovered tea by chance.

He also tells Pranjol another story which is very strange and illogical. This story tells us about the growing up of tea leaves out of the eyelids of a monk. Thus, through these interesting dialogues, the writer has attempted to develop a sense of curiosity among the young readers.

Tea From Assam Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
What excited Rajvir? Why did Pranjol not share his excitement?
Answer:
The sight of the vast sea of lush green tea bushes coupled with tall sturdy trees excited Rajvir. Pranjol did not share Rajvir’s excitement as he had been born and brought up on a tea plantation.

Question 2.
What legends are associated with the origin of tea?
Answer:
(a) There was one Chinese emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water, which gave it a delicious flavour. It is said that they were tree leaves.
(b) Bodhidharma, an ancient ‘Budhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during ‘ meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water drunk vanished sleep.

Question 3.
Why did Rajvir feel that the view outside the window was magnificent?
Answer:
Rajvir had never seen such beautiful greenery in his life. He was fascinated to see the tea gardens and the wooded hills so he called it a magnificent view. The tea pluckers looked like dolls to him.

Question 4.
Why does Rajvir call the workers doll-like figures?
Answer:
The tea pluckers were the local women. They had covered themselves with clothes from top to bottom. They looked like moving dolls. Rajvir called them doll-like figures. They really looked very pretty.

Question 5.
Why was Pranjol not excited on seeing the tea garden?
Answer:
Pranjol was born and brought up in Assam. He had been watching the tea gardens since his childhood. There was nothing new for him. So he was not excited on seeing the tea gardens.

Question 6.
What is the Chinese legend about the discovery of tea?
Answer:
According to the Chinese legend, a Chinese emperor discovered tea accidentally. He used to boil water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of some twigs burning under the pot fell into the water giving it a delicious flavour. It is said that they were tea leaves.

Question 7.
What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?
Answer:
According to Indian legend, Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he -felt very sleepy during meditation. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put into hot water and drunk vanished sleep.

Question 8.
How are tea pluckers different from other farmers or labourers on the farms?
Answer:
The tea pluckers were different from other workers on the farm. They had bamboo baskets on their back. They were wearing plastic clothes. They looked like moving dolls.

Question 9.
Which tea is considered the best tea? Why?
Answer:
The tea prepared from the second flush on sprouting period which begins in the month of May and lasts till the end of July is considered the best tea. It is the best one because it is prepared from the new leaves.

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Online Education for Mother’s Day Summary in English by J.B Priestley

Writer Name	J.B Priestley
Born	13 September 1894, Manningham, Bradford, United Kingdom
Died	14 August 1984, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
Spouse	Jacquetta Hawkes (m. 1953–1984)
Movies	Dangerous Corner, An Inspector Calls

Mother’s Day Summary in English

When the play opens, Mrs Anne Pearson, in her forties, is talking to her friend Mrs Fitzgerald. Mrs Fitzgerald has been predicting Mrs Pearson’s fate, as the play opens. Mrs Pearson is a pleasant but worried-looking woman while Mrs Fitzgerald is older, heavier and a strong and intimidating personality. Mrs Fitzgerald tells Mrs Pearson to assert herself as the head of the family. She adds that it is high time Mrs Pearson let her family know how important she is to them.

Mrs Pearson tells her friend, apologetically, that it was not as easy as it seemed, because although her family was very thoughtless and selfish, she loved them. She felt that they didn’t mean to be as terrible as they were. However, Mrs Fitzgerald insists that they ought to learn to treat her appropriately. She tells her not to run after them all time and take their orders as if she were the servant in the house. She stayed at home every night while they went out enjoying themselves. She feels that this situation was harmful for all of them.

Mrs Pearson agrees with Mrs Fitzgerald, but is uncertain whether it would have any effect on them. She does not want to create any unpleasantness in the family. Moreover, she has thought of it often but does not know how to begin. She glances at her watch and jumps up to cook for her children and her husband, as they would be home any minute. Mrs Fitzgerald holds her back and tells her to begin asserting herself immediately. Mrs Pearson is a little hesitant as she is not sure of herself. Mrs Fitzgerald offers to help her but Mrs Pearson is reluctant as her family would hate an outsider’s interference. But Mrs Fitzgerald has an idea.

She tells Mrs Pearson that they could exchange their bodies, i.e., instead of looking like themselves they would look like the other. Mrs Fitzgerald then holds her hand and asks her to keep quiet for a minute. They stare at each other and Mrs Fitzgerald mumbles ‘‘Arshtatta dum—arshtatta lam—arshtatta lamdumbona…” and they assume each other’s personality. The roles are now reversed. Mrs Pearson becomes bold and dominating and Mrs Fitzgerald is nervous and trembling.

The first evident change is that Mrs Pearson notices the cigarette in Mrs Fitzgerald’s mouth, snatches it and puts it in her own. Mrs Fitzgerald, now with Mrs Pearson’s personality, looks down at herself and sees that her body has changed and screams out of fright. Now, Mrs Fitzgerald is nervous and Mrs Pearson, confident. Mrs Fitzgerald is afraid what would happen if they could not change back to their original forms but Mrs Pearson jokes that she would enjoy herself more as Mrs Fitzgerald. She then assures her friend that they would change back easily. Mrs Pearson, who is Mrs Fitzgerald in reality, goes out leaving the actual Mrs Fitzgerald in Mrs Pearson’s body behind.

Mrs Pearson is playing patience and smoking when her daughter Doris Pearson, a pretty girl in her early twenties, enters. She tells her mother to iron her yellow silk dress as she had to wear it that night. She notices her mother, sitting at the table playing ‘patience’ and smoking, to her amazement. She asks her what she is doing. Mrs Pearson, answers her complacently that she was not whitewashing the ceiling. She adds that there is no law against smoking. She also tells her that she had not made her tea and would have her meal at the Clarendon.

Doris cannot believe her ears. She is angry and insists that her mother make tea and iron her dress. However, Mrs Pearson firmly tells her not to talk rubbish as she was working twice as hard and getting no wages or thanks for it. She then asks Doris where she wanted to wear her yellow dress to. Doris tells her that she was going out with Charlie Spence. Mrs Pearson tells her to find someone better than the buck-toothed, half-witted man.

Doris is offended and runs out. Mrs Pearson laughs and starts putting the cards together when her son Cyril walks in and asks for tea. She behaves nonchalantly, but he insists on her getting the tea and his clothes ready.

He reminds her of the promise she had made that morning, to mend his clothes. He is surprised to hear that she doesn’t “like mending”. She goes on to tell him that when he does not want to do something, he does not do it. She planned to do the same. Cyril could not believe his ears.

Just then, Doris enters and Mrs Pearson, seeing that Doris has been crying, says that she wouldn’t look so pale and red-eyed even for Charlie Spence. Doris accuses her mother of making her cry. Doris and Cyril are even more surprised when their mother asks for strong beer.

When Mrs Pearson walks out, Doris and Cyril discuss that there is something wrong. Doris tells Cyril that she was smoking and playing cards when she came in. Doris feels that she looks a little different but Cyril has not noticed that. They try to fathom what the problem with her is, whether she had gone crazy or had a concussion. They laugh at the idea of her having gone crazy and decide to wait till their father returns.

Mrs Pearson returns, carrying a bottle of beer and a half-filled glass. She tells them to tell her the reason for their amusement. Doris retorts that she had never understood their jokes. Mrs Pearson rudely tells her that she was bored at their jokes even before they were bom. Doris is tearful and Mrs Pearson tells her that all they do is come in, ask for something, go out again, and return when there is nowhere else to go. Cyril again asks for tea, telling her that he had been working for an eight-hour day. Mrs Pearson says that she had done her eight hours and henceforth she would work only for forty-hours a week. At the weekend she would have her two days off. Both the children are surprised. Doris tries to re-confirm if the mother would not do anything on Saturday and Sunday.

Mrs Pearson replies that she might make a bed or two and do a bit of cooking “as a favour” but that would be conditional to the fact that she is asked very nicely and thanked for everything and generally made a fuss of. Mrs Pearson tells her daughter that in case they do not like the arrangement, she would go elsewhere for the weekend. When Doris questions her, Mrs Pearson tells her they had no right to question her as to where she would go and with whom she should go. These were the replies that she had got from them, and she was certainly a lot older and better able to look after herself. When Doris breaks into tears, she tells her not to be a baby. If she was old enough to go out with Charlie Spence, she ought to be old enough to behave properly.

Soon Mr George Pearson, Mrs Pearson’s husband, enters. He notices Doris crying and he wants to know the cause. She tells him that he would soon know the cause. George then notices Mrs Pearson sipping beer and is shocked. He expresses his surprise and tells her that “it doesn’t look right”. Mrs Pearson replies that it is “a nice change” and it had been quite some time since he was surprised at her.

When he tells her that he did not want tea as he was going for a special snooker match night at the club, she tells him the tea is not ready, in the first place. He is angry and she reminds him that he was annoyed because he didn’t get the tea that he did not event want. She adds that if he did that at the bar—did not ask for beer but showed irritation since it had not been poured out for him—they would laugh at him even more than they did. George was indignant and she added that he was one of their standing jokes and that he was called “Pompy-ompy Pearson” because they thought that he was slow and pompous.

She was surprised that he spent so much time at a place where people always ridiculed him, leaving his wife at home.

Just then, Cyril enters and George tries to confirm these facts with him. Cyril is embarrassed and reluctant but admits to it. George is shocked and Cyril accuses his mother of not being fair and sensitive. She says that sometimes it does people good to have their feelings hurt. The truth ought not to hurt anybody for long. If George didn’t go to the club so often, perhaps people there would stop laughing at him. When Cyril disagrees with her, she tells him that his opinion was irrelevant as he knows nothing, and spends too much time and money at greyhound races, dirt tracks and ice shows.

There is a knock on the door. Cyril tells his mother that the silly old Mrs Fitzgerald from next door is there. She informs her son that Mrs Fitzgerald was a very nice woman, with a lot more sense than he would ever have.

She invites Mrs Fitzgerald in. Mrs Fitzgerald has come to inquire if all was well. Cyril said it was not, but Mrs Pearson insists that all was well. When Mrs Pearson shouts at Cyril, Mrs Fitzgerald protests but Mrs Pearson tells her not to interfere. When Cyril goes to the kitchen, Mrs Pearson assures her that she had only done what was required—putting them back in their place.

Mrs Pearson tells Mrs Fitzgerald that she had told George what they thought of him at the club and assures her that all would turn out well. George enters and uneasily asks Mrs Fitzgerald if she had just dropped in Mrs Fitzgerald, in her nervousness, calls him George (She is in reality his wife, Mrs Pearson, who is in Mrs Fitzgerald’s body). George is surprised but Mrs Pearson covers up for Mrs Fitzgerald saying that his name was George, and not the Duke of Edinburgh. George is angry and he lists all that she had done since evening. Mrs Fitzgerald is upset but George tells her to stay out. Mrs Pearson defends Mrs Fitzgerald, saying that George had no manners as he had just marched in and sat down without even wishing her. She asks George to go to the club. George loses his temper and asks Mrs Pearson what was wrong with her. Mrs Pearson jumps up savagely to slap, his face. Mrs Fitzgerald tries to stop her, calling her Mrs Fitzgerald and this confuses George.

Just then, Doris enters and Mrs Fitzgerald asks her why she is not out with Charlie Spence. Doris tells her to mind her own business but Mrs Pearson cuts her short. She says that she would not have her daughter talking to anybody like that. Doris looks at her father for help but he expresses his helplessness. Mrs Pearson asks Doris to answer Mrs Fitzgerald politely. Doris tells her that she has cancelled her going out with Charlie Spence as her mother had said that he had buckteeth and was half-witted. When Mrs Fitzgerald protests, Mrs Pearson tells her that she could manage her family. George expresses his surprise when he sees Mrs Pearson insulting her friend, Mrs Fitzgerald, but Mrs Pearson snaps back at him telling him to go to the club.

This was too much for the real Mrs Pearson to bear. She protests, telling the real Mrs Fitzgerald that it was quite enough. George and Doris are confused. Mrs Fitzgerald tells them that she wants to have a private talk with Mrs Pearson, and would be obliged if they left them alone for a few minutes. George and Doris go out. The real Mrs Pearson (now Mrs Fitzgerald) wants to change back as she could see a great difference already. Mrs Fitzgerald chants the same words and they revert to their original personalities.

While Mrs Fitzgerald had enjoyed the change, Mrs Pearson had not. Mrs Fitzgerald advises Mrs Pearson not to be soft and waste all these efforts. Mrs Pearson feels that her family would behave better but is not sure how she would explain her behaviour. Mrs Fitzgerald tells her not to be soft and make sure that they behave well. She asks Mrs Pearson if she would not enjoy them staying at home, at times, or helping out whether they enjoyed or not. Mrs Pearson admits that she too would enjoy her leisure at times and spend that time playing cards.

When Mrs Fitzgerald leaves, the three—George, Doris, and Cyril—look anxiously at Mrs Pearson, who smiles. They are much relieved, and smile back at her. Mrs Pearson tells them that since they have decided to stay at home, they would have a nice family game of rummy—and then the children could get the supper ready while she talked with their father.

All of them agree. Mrs Pearson wishes Mrs Fitzgerald goodbye and the family comes together around Mrs Pearson.

Mother’s Day Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Who is Mrs Fitzgerald? What does she advise Mrs Pearson?
Answer:
Mrs Fitzgerald is Mrs Pearson’s neighbour and friend. A fortune teller, who had learnt the art from the East, she tells Mrs Pearson that her fortune could turn either way. With effort and counsel, the situation would swing in her favour. She advised her to assert herself as the boss of the house.

Question 2.
What was Mrs Pearson’s reaction to Mrs Fitzgerald’s advice?
Answer:
Mrs Pearson said that it would not be easy to put her family members in place as she was very fond of them. She knew that they were thoughtless and selfish but felt, perhaps, they did not mean to be so.

Question 3.
What was Mrs Fitzgerald’s opinion of Mrs Pearson’s attitude?
Answer:
Mrs Fitzgerald said that Mrs Pearson’s family was undoubtedly spoilt. She felt that it was Mrs Pearson’s attitude that did them no good, tending to their needs, taking their orders, and staying at home every night while they went out enjoying themselves.

Question 4.
What does Mrs Fitzgerald offer to do for her?
Answer:
Mrs Fitzgerald sensed that Mrs Pearson was far too gentle, submissive and generous to tackle her family.

Mrs Fitzgerald offered to make them realize the error of their ways not as Mrs Fitzgerald but as Mrs Pearson. She offered to change their bodies and change back again.

Question 5.
How did the two women react after their bodies were changed?
Answer:
When Mrs Pearson looked down at herself in Mrs Fitzgerald’s body, she gave a scream of fright. On the other hand, Mrs Fitzgerald is rather pleased and feels that the transition was so neat that she did not even know that she had it in her.

Question 6.
What is Doris’s first reaction on seeing her mother? Why?
Answer:
Doris was taken aback to see her mother smoking and playing cards. When Doris asks her what she was doing, she is startled to get her answer ‘whitewashing the ceiling.’ Moreover, her conduct was not nervous and apologetic but cool and incisive.

Question 7.
What did Doris want her mother to do? How did the mother react?
Answer:
Doris wanted her to iron her yellow silk dress that she ‘must wear’ that night. She also wanted her mother to make tea for her. She refused to get her tea and iron her dress, telling her that she put in twice the hours Doris did but got neither wages, nor thanks for it.

Question 8.
What does Mrs Pearson say to Doris that really bothered her?
Answer:
Mrs Pearson asked where Doris would wear her yellow silk dress. She said that she planned to go out with Charlie Spence. Mrs Pearson told her to find somebody better, and insulted Charlie Spence by calling her buck-toothed and was half-witted.

Question 9.
What does Mrs Pearson have to say to Cyril that shocks him?
Answer:
When Cyril walk in and insists on her getting the tea and his clothes ready, he is stunned to hear that she doesn’t ‘like mending’. She goes on to tell him that when he does not want to do something, he does not do it. She planned to do the same. Cyril could not believe his ears.

Question 10.
What do Doris and Cyril feel about Mrs Pearson’s changed behaviour?
Answer:
Doris and Cyril discuss that there is something wrong with their mother as she is not behaving in character. They discuss how Mrs Pearson behaved oddly with each of them. They try to fathom if she had gone crazy or had a concussion.

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Online Education for Albert Einstein At School Summary in English by Patrick Pringle

Albert Einstein At School by Patrick Pringle About the Author

Author Name	Patrick Pringle
Born	1917 (age 103 years), London, United Kingdom
Books	Jolly Roger: The Story of the Great Age of Piracy
Nominations	Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime

Albert Einstein At School Summary in English

Young Albert Einstein was studying for his diploma in a school in Munich, Germany. He hated learning dates and facts by heart. This forever displeased Mr Braun, his history teacher. Despite his teacher telling him the date of the year that the Prussians had defeated the French at Waterloo, Albert failed to recall them. He candidly confessed that he did not see any point in learning dates as they could be looked up in books.

The teacher was infuriated and said that it applied to most of the facts taught at school. He also taunted him calling his views the “Einstein theory of education”. Albert argued that it was ideas that were important. He was not interested in knowing when the battles were fought but why they were fought.

Mr Braun was shocked and furious. He believed that Albert had no desire to learn and was wasting his father’s money. He punished him by detaining him for an extra period at school. Albert was miserable when he went to his lodging. His father, being poor, had got him a room in an area that was ugly. Albert had no comfort there and did not like the food there. The atmosphere was bad as his landlady kept beating her children and her husband came drunk and beat her. All this made him miserable and what was worse, he had to go to a school that he hated.

Albert was interested in reading books on science. He read about geology that was not taught in school. His cousin Elsa pointed out to him that it would not help him pass his diploma but he said that he did so because he liked reading. He also liked playing the violin and played it till the landlady stopped him. Also, the wailing and howling of the children irritated him.

He had only two friends—Elsa and Yuri. Elsa lived in Berlin, where her father had his business. She visited him occasionally. She encouraged him in his studies and tried to assure him that it was not difficult to pass his examination. All he had to do was learn like a parrot, like stupid boys who did that and passed.

Yuri was a student, who shared his accommodation with the others, and felt Einstein was fortunate to have one to himself. Yuri also told him about the uncivilised students who studied with him, who fought with one another. The authorities did not take action and merely told them not to engage in these fights.

Albert told Yuri, he was convinced that he did not want to continue school but if he went back to Milan he would be sent back. He had a plan. If a doctor certified that he had a nervous breakdown and it would be bad for him to go back there, he could get away from it.

Yuri knew of no doctors but referred him to his friend, a medical student, Ernst Weil. He asked Albert to tell him of his problem honestly. Albert was a sensitive boy and worry made him nervous. By the time, he went to the doctor, Yuri had told him everything. The doctor had been a student till recently and understood his problem. He said that had Albert not been close to a nervous breakdown he would not have gone to a doctor. So he certified that Albert keep away from school for six months.

Albert took Yuri to supper for this favour but Yuri informed him that eventually he would have to go back to school. But Albert decided to meet the head teacher and said that he hoped to get a recommendation from his teacher of mathematics, Mr Koch. On Yuri’s advice he went to Mr Koch first. Mr Koch admired Albert and confessed that he could not teach Albert anymore, rather he could leam from him. Albert got a recommendation from him that said, he was fit to join an institute for higher education in mathematics.

However, before he could go to the head teacher, he was summoned. The teacher informed him that he was not prepared to keep him in school, as his work was horrible, he was a rebel and hindered teaching work in class. Albert did not have to use his medical certificate as he was expelled from school. He was happy leaving the place where he had spent five miserable years.

He just wanted to meet Yuri before leaving as Elsa was in Berlin. Yuri hoped that he would be happy in Milan.

Albert Einstein At School Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
“I think it’s not facts that matter, but ideas.” To whom did Einstein say this and why?
Answer:
Einstein said it to Mr Braun, the history teacher, in his Munich school. He hated learning dates and facts by heart. He argued that ideas were more important than rote learning. He was not interested in knowing when the battles were fought but why they were fought.

Question 2.
Do you think Albert is being impolite while answering the history teacher’s questions? Give your reasons.
Answer:
Though Albert addresses his history teacher politely, he is being impudent. If he did have a problem, he should have spoken to the teacher separately. Questioning the teacher’s views on education in a class was impolite and rude.
OR
Albert addresses his history teacher politely. His answers are straightforward and blunt but his opinions are strong. A firm conviction cannot be termed as rudeness.

Question 3.
What characteristic of Einstein’s nature is highlighted by the exchanges between him and the teacher?
Answer:
The exchanges between Einstein and the teacher show him to be a person with firm convictions; he is frank and straightforward. Even at the cost of punishment he is not willing to compromise on his views. He comes across as one who will chart his own course rather than follow the beaten track.

Question 4.
Why did Albert see no point in learning dates and facts?
Answer:
Einstein told Mr Braun, the history teacher, “I think it’s not facts that matter, but ideas.” He hated learning dates and facts by heart. He argued that ideas were more important than learning by rote. He was not interested in knowing when the battles were fought but why they were fought.

Question 5.
What was Einstein’s reaction to the history teacher’s sarcasm?
Answer:
Mr Braun, his history teacher, was unhappy with Albert unwilling to leam facts or dates. When he admitted that he did not see any point in learning dates, the teacher taunted him by calling his views the ‘Einstein theory of education’. Albert argued that it was ideas that were important but nevertheless, felt miserable.

Question 6.
Why did Albert feel miserable when he left school that day?
Answer:
When he left school that day, Albert felt miserable because his day at school, like most other days, had been bad and he had gotten into an argument with his teacher for which he had been punished. Secondly, he had to go back to the same school the next day. Moreover, the idea of going back to his lodgings with the atmosphere of domestic violence did not cheer him up.

Question 7.
Why and what did his history teacher report to the head teacher?
Answer:
Mr Braun was shocked and furious with Albert’s candid reply. He believed that Albert had no desire to learn and was wasting his father’s money. He punished Albert by detaining him after school. He also reported to the head teacher that his work was horrible; he was a rebel and hindered teaching work in class.

Question 8.
Albert was equally unhappy at his lodging. Why?
Answer:
Albert was miserable at his lodging. His father was a man of modest means, had got him a room in an ugly area. Albert.had no comfort and did not like the food there. The atmosphere was bad as his landlady kept beating her children and her husband came drunk and beat her.

Question 9.
What did Yuri say to him about violence in the hostel?
Answer:
Yuri told Einstein that he was fortunate to have an accommodation to himself. The people around him were poor but not uncivilized like the ones with whom he shared his accommodation. Yuri also told him about the uncivilized students, sharing his accommodation, who fought. The authorities did not take action but merely told them not to do so.

Question 10.
Who was Elsa? What was her advice to Albert?
Answer:
Elsa was Einstein’s cousin who lived in Berlin. She visited him of and on. She encouraged him in his studies and tried to assure him that it was not difficult to pass his examination. All he had to do was learn like a parrot, like the stupid boys who did that and passed.

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Online Education for The Heart of a Tree Poem Summary by Henry Cuyler Bunner

The Heart of a Tree by Henry Cuyler Bunner About the Poet

Henry Cuyler Bunner (1855-1896) was an American poet, novelist, and editor. He wrote verses and fictions that depict the scenes and people of New York City where he spent a greater part of his life. He began his short but prolific career as a staff reporter with the Arcadian. Subsequently, he joined Puck as assistant editor and became its editor until his untimely death.

He played a pioneering role in developing Puck from a new, struggling comic weekly into a powerful social and political organ. As a poet, his best-known anthology was titled Airs from A ready and Elsewhere {1884), which contained one of his popular early poems. The Way to Arcady, Rowen and Poems were his two other collections that were published when he was alive.

The latter, edited by his friend Brander Matthews, displays the pleasantly comical side of his imaginative brilliance and deftness of his fine yet largely underrated poetic craft. He also wrote clever vers de societe and parodies. Bunner’s fiction, particularly Made in France; French Tales Retold with a United States Twist, reflects the influence of the French master Guy de Maupassant and other French writers. As a playwright he is known chiefly for Tower of Babel. His short story Zenobia’s Infidelity was made into a feature film called Zenobia starring Harry Langdon and Oliver Hardy by the Hal Roach Studio in 1939.

The Heart of a Tree Summary About the Poem

“The Heart of the Tree” is a poem by Henry Cuyler Bunner, brought out ‘ in 1893. It was published in the Century Magazine, a reputed magazine of the 19th century. Immediately after its publication, the poem started receiving rave reviews for its refreshing approach to nature, earthy ecological sensitivity and brilliant depiction of humanist spirit.

As many people observe, the poem is not so much about trees or forests as about the art or skill of plantation, involving the amazing work of human hands that make life better, richer and healthier for us without asking for much in lieu. The poem clearly celebrates it for the pioneering contribution it makes to our lives on all counts.

As readers, what strikes us no less is its great relevance today, when we are experiencing disasters in all parts of the world due precisely to the callous and insensitive attitude of some of us towards natural resources.

The Heart of a Tree Summary of the Poem

The poem ‘The Heart of the Tree’ is poem about the beauty of planting a tree or the satisfaction derived from this practice. In this poem, the poet beautifully describes the actual essence of what a person plants when he plants a tree. The poet aptly says that when somebody plants a tree, he plants not only what we call a tree, but something that serves as a friend of sun, sky, and breeze.

Here, the poet wants to say that the sky’s brightness, sun’s warmth and the touch of breeze make them a friend of a plant. He further observes that the stems are like beauty shafts which keep growing. The dense branches of the plant act as a true shelter or home to different types of birds, with their colourful presence as messengers of Nature’s beauty, diversity and bounteousness.

They tweet, chirp and croon in their fascinating voices thus making the surroundings pleasant. In a way, as the poet feels, the person who plants a tree also plants a future. This is because the tree will bring rain and coolness to the environment, and will thus become an identity of the habitat.

This will play a major role in producing food for future generation. Furthermore, the person who plants trees also acts as a good citizen of his country because, by planting a tree, he brings joy and blessings to the neighbourhood. As a result of all he does, the land becomes fertile, and thus a boon to the humankind.

The Heart of a Tree Summary Critical Analysis

The poem ‘The Heart of the Tree’ comprises three stanzas of 9 lines each. The rhyming pattern for the three stanzas is slightly uneven, and it can be indicated as ababbccaa. The poem begins with a refrain ‘What does he plant who plants a tree?’ that is repeated at the beginning of each stanza highlighting the thought that how beneficial it is to plant a tree.

In the first stanza the poet explains that one who plants a tree plants a friend of sun and sky, flag of free breezes and home to countless birds whose song we hear in the twilight that denotes heaven’s harmony. In the second stanza the poet emphasizes that he plants shade and rain, seeds and buds of tomorrow which would raise the glory of earth in plains and strengthen the forests to benefit generations ahead, in the third stanza he concludes one who plants a tree germinates the far-cast thought that would bring blessings resulting in growth of the nation.

The poem discusses the usefulness of a tree elaborating on how a tree that is planted benefits not only the«nature, a nation, but also contributes to the growth of humankind. One who plants a tree aspires for his nation’s growth. Trees stand straight and steady, giving an impression as if they are touching the sun and the sky. They sway with the breeze and beautify the surrounding.

They are home to chirruping birds which sing sweetly and display heaven’s harmony on this earth. Trees give us shade and bring rain. They pave a way for many more seeds to grow and buds to bloom in future. Trees contribute to forest wealth of our nation arid they ensure plenty harvest in the days to come. The one who plants a tree has a noble thought of a common good that would be a boon for man in general and the nation in particular. He has a dream of the growth of all his land when he plants a tree.

The Heart of a Tree Summary Word Meanings

1. breezes – soft cold winds
2. shaft – gleam; streak
3. towering high – growing as tall as a tower
4. anigh – close; near
5. mother – croon of bird – the soft song that mother bird sings to her young ones;
6. tender – soft; mellow
7. fade – wither
8. flush – wash out
9. heritage – legacy
10. unborn eyes – reference to future generations yet to born
11. sap – juice; liquid
12. far – cast – foresee
13. civic – public
14. hollow – empty space; void
15. stirs – stimulates

 

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Online Education for Villa for Sale Summary in English by Sacha Guitry

Villa for Sale Summary in English

This one-act play is set in France. The cast consists of five characters. The action takes place during the course of an evening and revolves around the sale of a villa. The owner of the villa, Juliette, is anxious to sell it as she needs the money. She stays alone with her maid. As the play starts, Juliette is expecting a customer, the agency people are sending. As she and her maid discuss the prospective sale of the villa, her maid discloses that she has got a role in a film, like many other local people and suggests Juliette try for a film role, too, as it will help ease her financial problems. Juliette is not very keen to act in films and angrily tells her maid that she is ‘not quite so hard up as that yet! ’

While the two are talking, Jeanne comes in with her husband Gaston. From the moment they enter, Gaston expresses his displeasure about the villa and finds a number of faults with it. In fact he shows no desire in buying a house at all as he feels Jeanne’s parents and nieces and nephews will spend summers with them. On the other hand, Jeanne finds the villa excellent and tries to persuade Gaston to buy the villa for her.

Juliette counts the many advantages the house possesses to please the customers. The house has electricity, gas, water, telephone, and drainage. The bathroom is beautifully fitted and the roof was entirely repaired the previous year. She says she will sell the villa entirely furnished with all the fixtures, just as it is, with the exception of one little picture signed by the famous painter, Corot. While Juliette asks for two hundred and fifty thousand francs, and quotes two hundred thousand francs as her last price, Gaston bargains for the house with Juliette and quotes the ridiculously low price of sixty thousand francs, knowing it will not get accepted. Juliette rejects the offer but Jeanne expresses a desire to see the upper floor before she leaves and Juliette eagerly takes her upstairs.

While Gaston waits for the two women to return, the actual customer Juliette was waiting for, an American lady, Mrs Al Smith, comes in. Her hurry to buy the villa without even looking at it, at whatever the price asked for, is exploited by Gaston. This episode is the most entertaining part of the play. In a moment, the reluctant buyer is transformed into a skillful seller. Gaston shows himself to be ingenious and totally unscrupulous. He counts the plus points of the villa. But all his salesmanship is not needed as Mrs Al Smith has already made up her mind to buy the villa. She is a big star and wants the villa as it is near Paramount Studios, where she is going to shoot some films.

Gaston is able to sell the villa to her for three hundred thousand francs. When Jeanne returns she expresses her opinion about the unsuitability of the house. But now Gaston, who has already sold the house to Mrs A1 Smith, coxes Juliette to talk about the additional facilities the villa offers and buys the villa, including the Corot, for two hundred thousand pounds. Thus, Gaston makes a profit of a hundred thousand francs and a painting by Corot with his resourcefulness.

Villa for Sale Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Copy and complete the following paragraph about the theme of the play using the clues given in the box below. Remember that there are more clues than required.
Answer:
Juliette, the owner of a Villa wants to sell it as she is in need of money. Moreover, she is not in favour of the house. Jeanne and Gaston, a couple, visit her with the aim of buying the Villa. While Jeanne is enthusiastic about buying, Gaston detests the idea as he does not want his in laws in that house. Also, he finds the asking price of 300 thousand francs to be expensive. When Jeanne and Juliette go around the house, another customer walks in and starts talking to Gaston taking him to be Juliette’s husband. Gaston strikes a deal with the customer by which he is able to give 200 thousand francs to the owner and keep one hundred thousand francs for himself.

Question 2.
Answer the following questions briefly.

a. Why does Jeanne want to buy a villa?
Answer:
Jeanne wants to buy a villa for her parents. Buying a villa will ensure that her parents and her sister’s children can live with them.

b. Why is Gaston not interested in buying the villa in the beginning?
Answer:
Gaston is not interested in buying the villa in the beginning because he does not want his parents-in-law and sister- in-law’s children to live with them. He also feels that the asking price of the villa is too high for its size.

c. Mrs. Al.Smith makes many statements about the French. Pick out any two and explain them.
Answer:
Mrs Al Smith has typically American prejudices against the French. She says ‘You French people have a cute way – of doing business! ’ This reflects her distrust for the French way of doing business. She is extremely judgmental about it because the price of the villa has not been written on the signboard and she is astute enough to realize that the buyer may, thus, be exploited.

She also says ‘Frenchmen usually have to consult about ten people before they get a move on.’ This, again is a generalized and prejudiced judgement against all French people wherein Mrs A1 Smith feels that French people cannot conduct business quickly and efficiently because they talk to a lot of people before making a decision.

d. Juliette says “…………. now I have only one thought that is to get the wretched place off my hands. I would sacrifice it at any price”. Does she stick to her words? Why/Why not?
Answer:
No, Juliette does not stick to her words. She says that she will sacrifice the villa at any price, but refuses to go below 200 thousand francs as the selling price.

e. Who is better in business – Juliette or Gaston? Why?
Answer:
Gaston is a much better businessman because not only does he sell a house that is not even his yet, but he makes a profit of 100 thousand francs and a painting by Corot, from the deal.

f. Do you like/dislike Gaston? Give your reasons.
Answer:
Encourage the students to come up with their own answers.

Yes, I like Gaston because of his intelligence and ingenuity. He is smart and quick, and can remain cool under pressure. This is an admirable characteristic in any human being and I like him for it.

No, I don’t like Gaston because while he is sharp, he is unscrupulous and lack of scruples is not something that can be pardoned in any human being.

Question 3.
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct options.

A. But the sign has been hanging on the gate for over a month now and I am beginning to be afraid that the day I bought it was when I was the real fool.

a. Why is Juliette disappointed?
Answer:
She is unable to find a suitable buyer for her villa.

b. Why does she call herself a fool?
Answer:
She had bought the villa for more than it was worth.

B. ‘But your parents would take possession of it, every year from the beginning of spring until the end of September. What’s more they would bring the whole tribe of your sister’s children with them.’

a. What does Gaston mean by ‘take possession’?
Answer:
Her parents would stay with them for a long time.

C. ‘While you were upstairs, I have been thinking a lot about your Papa and Mamma.

a. What is the discrepancy between what Gaston said earlier and what he says now?
Answer:
Earlier he did not want Juliette’s parents to stay with them but now he is showing concern for them.

b. What does the above statement reveal about Gaston’s character?
Answer:
He is an opportunist.

Question 4.
Select words from the box to describe the characters in the play as revealed by the following lines. You may take the words from the box given on the next page.
Answer:

	Lines from the play	Speaker	Quality revealed
a.	One hundred thousand francs if necessary and that’s only twice what it cost me.	Juliette	greedy
b.	If you don’t want the house, tell me so at once and we’ll say no more about it.	Jean	Overbearing
c.	No! Iam very fond of your family, but not quite so fond as that.	Gaston	Haughty and Disapproving
d.	Quite so. I have, but you haven’t.	Gaston	Boastful
e.	I have never cared such a damned little about anybody’s opinion	Gaston	Haughty and Boastful
f.	On the principle of people who like children and haven’t any can always go and live near a school.	Gaston	Witty
g.	The garden is not very large, but you see. it is surrounded by other gardens.	Juliette	Clever and Materialistic
h.	I will be philanthropic and let you have it for two hundred thousand.	Juliette	Cunning
i.	I have been thinking a lot about your Papa and Mamma. You see, I am really unselfish.	Gaston	Clever

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Online Education for The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 5 Summary Workbook Answers

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 5 Summary

The scene takes place on a street outside Shylock’s house. This enables us to know more about Shylock and his thought processes. Shylock is about to go to Bassanio’s party. Launcelot meets him. Shylock tells him that he should not revel in eating and sleeping in his new employment as he had done in his house.

After repeated calls, Jessica appears. Her father tells her that he’s going to attend Bassanio’s party and gives her the keys of the house. He is not happy to go to the party but is doing so out of spite. He’ll feed on the prodigal Christian. He is reluctant, as he had dreamt of money bags, which is a bad sign.

Launcelot informs Shylock that there is a masquerade arranged. This makes Shylock tell Jessica that she should close all the doors and windows of the house, as he does not want the house to be contaminated by the noise of revelry coming from the masque. She also should keep inside and not gaze on ‘Christian fools with varnished faces’.

Launcelot gives Jessica, the message from Lorenzo. When he leaves, Shylock says that he is happy to see the clown go, as he’ll be joining Bassanio’s service and help wasting his borrowed money. After her father’s departure, Jessica thinks of her elopement and bids farewell to her father in his absence saying that ‘I have a father, you a daughter lost’.

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 5 Summary Word Meanings

1. gormndize – overeat
2. rend apparel out – over-grow the dress
3. wont – accustomed
4. bid forth — invited out
5. prodigal – spendthrift
6. look to – look after
7. loath – reluctant
8. ill a brewing towards my rest – something being plotted against my peace of mind
9. reproach – meaning approach
10. conspired together – arranged for-but there is dramatic irony here as the audience already knows the plan for the elopement.
11. Black Monday – Monday following Easter
12. Ash Wednesday – the first Wednesday after Lent
13. squealing – sharp sound
14. wry- necked – crooked necked
15. clamber – climb up
16. varnished – painted
17. ears – windows
18. shallow foppery – superficial and stupid showing off
19. sirrah – fellow
20. Hagar – slave woman who is referred to as Launcelot’s ancestor
21. patch – fool, drone – a male bee that doesn’t search for honey
22. borrowed purse – borrowed money
23. fast And – a proverb saying that if you are careful, you’ll not lose anything.

The Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 5 Summary Questions and Answers

1. Shylock :
Well, thou shalt see, thy eyes shall be thy judge
The difference of old Shylock and Bassanlo—
What, Jessica l -thou shalt not gormandize
As thou hast done with me—What, Jessica !—
And sleep and snore, and rend apparel out—
Why, Jessica, I say !

Question 1.
Whom is Shylock talking to? Explain, ‘Thy eyes shall be thy judge.’ Bring out the humor of this line.
Answer:
Shylock Is talking to Launcelot, the clown who used to be with him, till recently. Shylock is telling the clown that he’ll see with his own eyes that how different it will be to work with him and the new master. Only actual experience will help him to make the correct judgments. The humor is that the audience is aware of how Launcelot felt working for the Jew but Shylock says as though, he was very comfortable in his house.

Question 2.
Give the meaning of: ‘gormandize’ and ‘rend apparel out’. What contrast do these remarks give as opposed to what Launcelot had said earlier?
Answer:
Gormandize means overeat. Rend apparel out means, overgrow his dress or have holes in clothes. Launcelot has already expressed that he has become so thin that his ribs can be counted. Also he was very happy that he would get new uniform under Bassanio and he would be able to get rid of his old clothes. This is contrary to what Shylock is saying.

Question 3.
Why does the speaker say, ‘Why Jessica, I say!’ Why does he admonish Launcelot just after this speech? How does Launcelot respond to this?
Answer:
Shylock has called out for Jessica a number of times while talking to Launcelot; so he gets irritated and says sharply, ‘Why Jessica, I say’. Launcelot imitates Shylock and calls Jessica by her name and Shylock admonishes him and says that no one ordered him to do that. Launcelot responds by saying that Shylock used to complain that he doesn’t do any work without being told, hence this time he has done something without being asked and the Jew is yet scolding him.

Question 4.
What information does Shylock share with Jessica soon after this? What instructions are given?
Answer:
Shylock informs Jessica that he has been invited to attend a dinner party. He also tells her that he is reluctant to go as he feels that he has been invited not out of love but for a desire to flatter ; also he dreamt of money bags lately and there is a vague feeling that something is plotted against the peace of his mind. But he will go out of hatred, to make Bassanio the spend thrift, poorer by eating his food. He gives her the keys of the house and tells her to look after it in his absence.

Question 5.
What do you know about Jessica, at this stage?
Answer:
We know Jessica is the sweet daughter of Shylock, who is in love with Lorenzo, a Christian and is planning to elope with him on that very night during the masque, dressed as a page boy. Her mind is torn between loyalty to her father and her love for Lorenzo, whom she wants to marry. She is even willing to adopt Christianity.

2. Launcelot:
And they have conspired together : I will not say you shall see
a masque; but if you do, then it was not for nothing that my nose
fell a-bleeding on Black Monday last, at six o’clock’ the morning,
falling out that year on Ash Wednesday was four year in the
afternoon.
Shylock : What, are there masques ?

Question 1.
Who are ‘they’? What have they conspired? Why is the masque important here?
Answer:
They are Bassanio. Lorenzo and their friends like Salerio and Solanio. They have planned to hold a masque. The masque is important as it is during the masquerade, Jessica will elope with Lorenzo in the disguise of a page, bearing the torch for the masque.

Question 2.
According to the speaker what does his nose bleeding suggest? Explain the reference to Black Monday and Ash Wednesday. What’s the incongruity in Launcelot’s statements?
Answer:
Launcelot says that his nose bleeding on Black Monday and Ash Wednesday was a sign of that something good or bad will happen. Shakespeare is here making fun of superstitions or prophesying by omens, as they are vague and inconsistent. Black Monday is the Monday following Easter. Launcelot plays on the superstitious nature of Shylock by referring to Easter Monday in 1360, when Edward Ill’s army was caught in a black fog and many soldiers froze to death.

On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, people put ashes on their foreheads, to remind themselves that man is made of mud and will return to mud. The incongruity is that there is a forty day gap between the two events mentioned but Launcelot is talking as the two fall in the same week.

Question 3.
Bring out the dramatic irony crafted in the first line of the extract?
Answer:
Launcelot says that the Christians have conspired or arranged a masque as a surprise for the guests. The dramatic irony is in the word ‘conspire’, the audiences know that there is a plot of elopement. It is a conspiracy against Shylock. Neither Launcelot nor Shylock knows the significance of this word at this time.

Question 4.
How does Shylock respond to the information and what does he tell Jessica to do?
Answer:
Shylock is surprised and shocked at this information. He tells Jessica to lock up all the doors and windows as he does not want the music and revelation contaminate the sober atmosphere of his house. He orders his daughter not to climb up the casements and look at the varnished faces of the foolish Christians who waste their time in rivalry.

Question 5.
What does Launcelot tell Jessica before he leaves with Shylock? Why does Shylock call the clown Hagar’s offspring?
Answer:
Launcelot tells Jessica that she should look out of the window despite what her father has said, a Christian pay pass that is worthy to be looked upon by a Jewess. Shylock is calling Launcelot the offspring of Hagar, a slave woman, maid to Abraham’s wife Sarah. Servants are considered the offspring of the slave woman.

3. Shylock :
The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder;
Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day
More than the wild cat: drones hive not with me;
Therefore I part with him, and part with him
To one that I would have him help to waste
His borrow’d purse. Well, Jessica, go in
Perhaps I will return immediately
Do as I bid you; shut doors after you :
‘Fast bind, fast find’,
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.

Question 1.
Who is the patch? What does it mean?
Answer:
The clown is the patch or fool who wears the traditional multicolored patched costume. He calls Launcelot the clown, a patch.

Question 2.
How does Shylock refer to the character of the patch in the extract?
Answer:
Shylock says that the clown is good at heart, but eats a lot of food. He is as slow as a snail and sleeps throughout the day without doing any profitable work. He is like a drone, a male bee who doesn’t work to collect honey.

Question 3.
Why is Shylock ready to part with the patch? What does it show of his character?
Answer:
He is happy to let the patch go and take employment with Bassanio. He will help the prodigal Christian to squander the borrowed money. This shows that Shylock hates Christian’s and the way they spent money on enjoyment.

Question 4.
What does Shylock tell Jessica to do? What is the dramatic irony in this speech?
Answer:
Shylock tells Jessica to go inside the house and shut all the doors. The dramatic irony is that Jessica is not going to shut the door. In fact, she is going to leave the house and run away with a Christian.

Question 5.
What is the proverb quoted by Shylock? What does it mean?
Answer:
The proverb ‘Fast bind, fast find’ is quoted here because Shylock imposes all kinds of restriction upon Jessica. He disallows her even to look at a procession of Christmas, from the windows and doors of his house, and wants them to be locked from inside when he goes out.

Question 6.
What does Jessica say at the close of the scene? What does it mean?
Answer:
Jessica says farewell to her father and says that unless she is having bad luck, she has lost a father and he, his daughter. It means that she is running away and if she is lucky, she’ll escape from her unkind father.