Write short answers to the following questions in about 75 words each. [5×2=10] a) Why hadn't Mrs. Baroda met Gouvernail so far though she had heard quite a lot about him ? (The Respectable Woman)…

a) Why hadn't Mrs. Baroda met Gouvernail so far though she had heard quite a lot about him? (The Respectable Woman)

Mrs. Baroda had heard much about Gouvernail due to her husband’s frequent discussions about him, praising his intelligence and charm. However, she had never met him because she was a socially conservative woman who valued her reputation and privacy. She lived in a small, close-knit community where gossip spread quickly, and she feared that associating with Gouvernail—a man of unconventional manners and intellectual depth—would invite unwanted attention and criticism. Additionally, her husband, Monsieur Baroda, kept her isolated from Gouvernail to protect her from any potential scandal, as he suspected Gouvernail’s influence might challenge her rigid social norms. Thus, her fear of judgment, societal expectations, and her husband’s control prevented their meeting until circumstances forced it.

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b) What are some contributing factors that made Runtu like a lifeless wooden figure? (My Old Home)

Runtu’s emotional numbness and mechanical existence stemmed from several factors:

1. Childhood Trauma: As a child, Runtu witnessed his father’s violent death at the hands of a rival, which left him psychologically scarred and unable to process grief.
2. Lack of Love and Affection: His mother, though kind, was emotionally distant, and his stepfather, Uncle Thomas, ignored or mistreated him, reinforcing his sense of isolation and worthlessness.
3. Forced Labor: Runtu was exploited as a servant from a young age, performing menial tasks without recognition, which stifled his humanity and reduced him to a mindless worker.
4. Suppression of Emotions: The household discouraged emotional expression, teaching him that feelings were a weakness. His stoic, unfeeling demeanor became a survival mechanism.
5. Loss of Identity: After his mother’s death, he was renamed "Runtu" (a derogatory term meaning "useless"), further eroding his self-worth and individuality, making him resemble a lifeless object.

These factors combined to drain his soul, leaving him emotionally hollow and mechanically obedient.

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OR

How was the weather like when the old man landed at Pelayo's house? (A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings)

When the old man with enormous wings landed at Pelayo’s house, the weather was unseasonably stormy and chaotic:

• Heavy Rain: The sky was dark and overcast, with torrent-like rain that made the ground muddy and slippery.
• Strong Winds: A violent storm was brewing, with howling winds that tore at the roof and whipped the trees.
• Thunder and Lightning: The air was filled with crackling thunder and blinding flashes of lightning, creating an eerie, dramatic atmosphere.
• Unnatural Timing: The storm occurred out of season, making it seem supernatural, as if the weather itself was unsettled by the old man’s arrival.

The harsh, turbulent conditions mirrored the disruption and unease the old man brought to Pelayo’s life, reinforcing the story’s mysterious and ominous tone.

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c) Why do you think that the poet knows better about the sunrise but not much about the sunset? (A Day)

The poet’s greater familiarity with sunrise and limited understanding of sunset symbolize humanity’s bias toward beginnings and endings:

1. Optimism and Hope: Sunrise represents new beginnings, renewal, and possibility, which humans romanticize and celebrate. The poet, like many, finds comfort in the unknown potential of dawn.
2. Fear of the Unknown: Sunset, however, signifies decay, mortality, and the inevitable end of life. The poet may avoid contemplating it due to fear of confronting life’s fragility.
3. Cultural and Emotional Conditioning: Society glorifies dawn (e.g., "new day, new opportunities") but ignores or dreads dusk (e.g., "twilight of life"). The poet reflects this collective avoidance.
4. Personal Experience: The poet may have witnessed more sunrises (e.g., through travel, work, or daily routines) than sunsets, making the former more tangible in memory.

Thus, the poem suggests that humans prefer to dwell on hope rather than face reality’s darker truths.

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d) Explain how 'sense of proportion' contributes to wisdom.

A sense of proportion acts as the foundation of wisdom by grounding knowledge in reality, preventing extremes of arrogance or despair, and ensuring decisions are measured, ethical, and effective.

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e) Who does Ernest Young woman blame for the love affair? And why? (A Matter of Husbands)

The Ernest Young woman (Mrs. Arbuthnot) blames her husband, Ernest, for the love affair between her friend, Mrs. Cheveley, and Lord Goring. She argues:

1. His Indifference: Ernest ignored societal norms and prioritized personal freedom over marital fidelity, setting a bad example for others.
2. His Influence: His carefree, aristocratic lifestyle may have encouraged Mrs. Cheveley’s reckless behavior, as she sought excitement and power.
3. His Silence: Instead of addressing the affair openly, Ernest downplayed it, allowing the scandal to fester and spread gossip.
4. His Hypocrisy: He judged others harshly (e.g., criticizing Mrs. Cheveley’s actions) while excusing his own flaws, which deepened the moral conflict.

Ultimately, she believes his lack of accountability and self-centeredness enabled the affair, making him indirectly responsible.

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OR

What are the indicators that the bull is dead? (The Bull)

The bull’s death in Hemingway’s story is signaled by several subtle yet unmistakable clues:

1. Loss of Vitality:

   • His eyes lose their spark; they become "dim and dull" instead of fierce.
   • His breathing slows, and his flanks heave weakly, unlike his usual powerful, rhythmic movements.

2. Physical Weakness:

   • His legs tremble, and he stumbles when trying to stand, showing exhaustion.
   • His horns, once sharp and intimidating, now hang limply, symbolizing defeated strength.

3. Mental Surrender:

   • He stops resisting the matador, accepting his fate without struggle.
   • His ears droop, and his head hangs low, indicating resignation.

4. Final Collapse:

   • He collapses to his knees, then falls onto his side, unable to rise.
   • His body stiffens, and his breath stops, confirming death.

These signs progress from physical decline to spiritual surrender, illustrating the inevitability of death in the face of overwhelming force.