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 not met Gouvernail despite hearing much about him because she was a socially isolated, proud, and conventional woman who lived under the strict control of her husband, Mr. Baroda. Her life was confined to her home, where she followed rigid social norms and avoided unnecessary interactions, especially with strangers or those who did not fit her narrow social circle. Gouvernail, being a quiet, unassuming, and somewhat mysterious American, did not fit the image of the polished, well-connected acquaintances she usually encountered. Additionally, Mrs. Baroda’s vanity and fear of gossip made her avoid meeting anyone who might challenge her self-image or expose her hidden desires. Her husband’s dominance further restricted her movements, ensuring she remained in a controlled environment where she could not meet Gouvernail without raising suspicion.

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

Runtu’s lifeless, wooden-like appearance in My Old Home is shaped by several key factors:

1. Physical Neglect and Illness: Runtu was chronically ill, suffering from a mysterious ailment that left him weak and emaciated. His body was wasted and frail, resembling a hollow figure rather than a living person.

2. Emotional Detachment: His indifference to life and lack of emotional expression made him seem detached. He spoke little, showed no enthusiasm, and appeared apathetic, as if his spirit had been drained.

3. Social Isolation: Runtu was ignored by his family, especially his father, who saw him as a burden. His siblings and parents treated him with disdain or indifference, reinforcing his sense of being an unwanted, lifeless object.

4. Cultural and Religious Beliefs: His father’s superstitious fears about Runtu’s illness (believing it was a curse) led to his neglect and abandonment. The family’s lack of care further contributed to his deteriorating physical and mental state.

5. Lack of Love and Affection: Unlike other children in the household, Runtu never received warmth or attention, making him appear emotionally dead, much like a wooden figure with no soul.

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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 unusually stormy and chaotic. Gabriel García Márquez describes it as follows:

• Heavy Rain and Wind: The storm was violent, with torrential rain and howling winds that made the roof of Pelayo’s house creak and groan. The dark, turbulent sky suggested a natural disaster rather than ordinary weather.

• Unnatural Atmosphere: The storm was unnerving and supernatural, creating an eerie, almost apocalyptic mood. The lightning flashes illuminated the old man’s angelic yet grotesque appearance, making him seem like a divine omen in the midst of chaos.

• Sudden and Unexpected: The storm hit abruptly, forcing Pelayo and his wife to take shelter under the mango tree in their courtyard. The old man’s arrival coincided with the peak of the storm, reinforcing the idea that his presence was inexplicable and possibly supernatural.

The contrasting elements—the raging storm and the peaceful, almost sacred figure of the old man—created a symbolic tension between human suffering and divine intervention.

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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 than sunset in A Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow reflects human psychology, cultural symbolism, and personal experience:

1. Symbolism of New Beginnings: Sunrise represents hope, renewal, and fresh starts, themes that resonate deeply with human emotions. The poet may understand sunrise better because it aligns with optimism, aspiration, and the unknown possibilities of a new day.

2. Emotional Attachment to Morning: Most people experience sunrise as a time of awakening, productivity, and clarity, making it easier to describe and appreciate. The poet may have observed sunrises more closely, associating them with personal rituals (like morning walks, prayers, or work).

3. Sunset as a Transition to Darkness: Sunset symbolizes endings, melancholy, and the unknown, which can be harder to articulate. The poet may lack the same emotional connection to sunset because it often brings fatigue, nostalgia, or fear of night, making it less vivid in memory.

4. Cultural and Literary Influence: In many cultures, sunrise is celebrated (e.g., dawn prayers, new beginnings), while sunset is less emphasized. The poet may have internalized these cultural narratives, making sunrise more familiar and easier to describe.

5. Personal Experience and Memory: The poet may have witnessed more sunrises in their life—perhaps due to early morning routines, travel, or nature observations—while sunsets might have blended into the background of daily life.

Ultimately, the poet’s deeper understanding of sunrise stems from its emotional and symbolic richness, while sunset remains mysterious, bittersweet, and harder to define.

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d) Explain how 'sense of proportion' contributes to wisdom. (Knowledge and Wisdom)

A sense of proportion is a fundamental aspect of wisdom because it allows an individual to evaluate situations, ideas, and emotions with balance, perspective, and rationality. Here’s how it contributes to wisdom:

A lack of sense of proportion leads to extremism, irrationality, and poor judgment, while cultivating it fosters maturity, resilience, and true wisdom. Wisdom, therefore, depends on the ability to see things in their proper context, neither overestimating nor underestimating their significance.

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

In A Matter of Husbands by Henry James, the Ernest Young woman (Mrs. Arbuthnot) blames her husband, Ernest, for the love affair—not directly, but through indirect accusations and passive-aggressive behavior. Here’s why:

1. Ernest’s Neglect and Infidelity: Ernest had cheated on her with another woman (Mrs. Arbuthnot’s friend, Mrs. Longman), and his lack of remorse or accountability made her feel betrayed and powerless. She believed he deserved blame for ignoring their marriage and prioritizing his own desires.

2. Social Double Standards: In Victorian society, men were often forgiven for infidelity, while women were shamed. Mrs. Arbuthnot resented this injustice and held Ernest responsible for exploiting societal norms to his advantage.

3. Ernest’s Hypocrisy: Ernest pretended to be a model husband in public while secretly engaging in affairs. His duplicity made Mrs. Arbuthnot angry and disillusioned, reinforcing her belief that he was the root cause of their marital problems.

4. Her Own Vulnerability: Mrs. Arbuthnot felt trapped in her marriage and blamed Ernest for her unhappiness, even though she also contributed to the breakdown of trust. Her bitterness stemmed from feeling abandoned and unimportant to him.

5. Indirect Accusations: Instead of directly confronting Ernest, Mrs. Arbuthnot used sarcasm, hints, and third-party discussions (like with Mrs. Longman) to express her blame, making him feel guilty without outright confession.

Ultimately, Ernest’s actions—his infidelity, neglect, and hypocrisy—were the primary reasons Mrs. Arbuthnot held him responsible for the love affair and their marital strife.

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OR

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

In The Bull by D.H. Lawrence, several subtle and symbolic indicators suggest that the bull is spiritually and emotionally dead, even before his physical death. These include:

1. Lack of Vitality and Passion:

   • The bull no longer fights with energy in the arena, showing weakness and apathy.
   • His lust for the woman is mechanical and uninspired, lacking the ferocity of youth.

2. Physical Decay:

   • His body is worn out, with sagging muscles and dull eyes, symbolizing old age and exhaustion.
   • The scars and wounds from past battles suggest a life of suffering without renewal.

3. Emotional Detachment:

   • He does not react strongly to the woman’s advances, indicating emotional numbness.
   • His silence and stillness in the presence of the woman contrasts with his past aggressiveness, showing loss of spirit.

4. Symbolic Death Before Physical Death:

   • The woman’s indifference toward him (she does not truly love him) mirrors his internal death—his purpose has been lost.
   • The setting (a decaying, barren landscape) reinforces the theme of death and stagnation.

5. Final Collapse:

   • When the bull suddenly drops dead after the woman’s rejection, it is the culmination of his spiritual decay.
   • His last moments are marked by stillness, not struggle, confirming his lifeless state.

The bull’s death is not just physical but symbolic—a metaphor for the loss of vitality, passion, and meaning in life.