2. Write short answers to the following questions in about 75 words each. [5×2=10] a) How does the young man understand the value of neighbours at the end of the story ? (Neighbours) [2] b) Why was…

a) How does the young man understand the value of neighbours at the end of the story? (Neighbours)

At the end of the story "Neighbours" by Saki (H.H. Munro), the young man, Mr. Nuttel, finally realizes the true value of neighbours through his interaction with Mrs. Swithin. Initially, he had come to the countryside seeking peace and solitude, but his nervous disposition and lack of social skills made him isolated. His attempts to befriend Mrs. Swithin were met with indifference and even hostility due to his awkwardness.

However, when Mrs. Swithin’s husband, Mr. Swithin, returns unexpectedly and reveals that his wife had been pretending to be deaf to avoid his company, Mr. Nuttel understands a crucial lesson: neighbours are not just people who live nearby but those who can provide emotional support, understanding, and companionship. Mrs. Swithin’s act of kindness—pretending to be deaf to spare her husband’s company—shows that neighbours can be unseen protectors who care for each other in subtle ways. This realization makes Mr. Nuttel appreciate the hidden bonds of community and the importance of empathy and patience in human relationships.

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b) Why was there a change in the perception of Mrs. Baroda towards Gouvernail? (A Respectable Woman)

In "A Respectable Woman" by Katherine Mansfield, Mrs. Baroda initially perceives Gouvernail as a naïve, harmless young man who is emotionally detached and indifferent to her advances. She finds him cold and unfeeling, assuming that his politeness and restraint are signs of disinterest in her romantic or physical desires.

However, her perception changes when she misinterprets Gouvernail’s true nature. She believes that his calm demeanour is a mask for deep passion, and she starts to idealize him as a mysterious, sophisticated man who is suppressing his true feelings for her. This shift occurs because:

1. Her own loneliness and desire make her project her fantasies onto Gouvernail.
2. She misreads his indifference as hidden intensity, leading her to romanticize him.
3. The contrast between her own emotional vulnerability and his composed exterior makes her obsess over him.

Ultimately, her insecurity and longing distort her judgment, making her see Gouvernail not as he truly is, but as a figure of her own imagination.

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OR

Briefly describe the character of Rakesh as an 'anti-hero'. (A Devoted Son)

In "A Devoted Son" by Rabindranath Tagore, Rakesh is a classic example of an anti-hero—a protagonist who is morally ambiguous, flawed, and often self-serving, yet compelling due to his human weaknesses.

1. Selfishness & Lack of Empathy

   • Rakesh is self-absorbed, prioritizing his own comfort and desires over his father’s suffering.
   • He ignores his father’s illness and refuses to visit him until it is too late, showing emotional detachment.

2. Hypocrisy & False Devotion

   • He pretends to be a devoted son when it suits him (e.g., when his father is alive and he can manipulate him for money).
   • His love is conditional—he only shows genuine care when his father is dying, but this is too little, too late.

3. Greed & Materialism

   • He exploits his father’s wealth while alive but abandons him when he becomes a burden.
   • His motives are selfish, not selfless, making him an unreliable hero.

4. Irony of His Name

   • His name (Rakesh, meaning "one who burns") symbolizes his destructive nature—he burns bridges with his father through neglect and betrayal.

Despite his faults, Rakesh is relatable because his failures stem from human nature—fear of responsibility, greed, and emotional cowardice. This makes him an anti-hero, a tragic figure who fails to live up to societal expectations of a "devoted son."

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c) How does the poet compare the beauty of sunrise with childhood? (A Day)

In "A Day" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the poet draws a parallel between the beauty of a sunrise and the innocence of childhood through vivid imagery and emotional resonance.

1. Freshness & Purity

   • The sunrise is described as golden, soft, and gentle, symbolizing new beginnings and hope.
   • Similarly, childhood is pure, unspoiled, and full of wonder, free from the burdens of adulthood.

2. Transience & Fleeting Nature

   • The sunrise briefly illuminates the world before giving way to the harshness of daylight, just as childhood is short-lived.
   • The poem suggests that both are fleeting moments of beauty that fade too quickly, leaving behind memories and longing.

3. Emotional Warmth & Comfort

   • The warm glow of dawn brings comfort and tranquillity, much like the simple joys of childhood—play, innocence, and security.
   • The poet nostalgically recalls childhood as a time of unconditional love and happiness, much like the serene beauty of a sunrise.

4. Contrast with the Harshness of Life

   • Just as the **sunrise is followed by the rigours of the day, childhood is followed by the responsibilities of adulthood.
   • The poem lament the loss of innocence, comparing the ephemeral beauty of dawn to the irreplaceable charm of childhood.

Thus, the poet uses the sunrise as a metaphor to highlight the fragility and beauty of childhood, suggesting that both are precious, fleeting, and worth cherishing.

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d) Is marriage different from other networks of relation? Give a reason. (Marriage as a Social Institution)

Yes, marriage is fundamentally different from other social relationships (such as friendships, familial bonds, or professional networks) due to its legal, economic, emotional, and biological dimensions. The key differences can be summarized in the following table:

Reason: Marriage is unique because it combines legal, economic, emotional, and biological dimensions into a structured, lifelong institution that governs not just personal but also societal and legal frameworks. Unlike other relationships, it creates obligations that extend beyond the individuals involved, affecting families, economies, and even national policies (e.g., population control, inheritance laws).

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OR

How do the Hindu nativists oppose the claim of Chinese nationalists about human history and civilization? (Humility)

In "Humility" by Rabindranath Tagore, the Hindu nativists (represented by the Indian philosopher) **challenge the Chinese nationalists’ (represented by the Chinese scholar) arrogant claims about the superiority of Chinese civilization by emphasizing humility, self-reflection, and the interconnectedness of human history.

1. Rejection of Nationalistic Pride

   • The Chinese scholar boasts about China’s ancient civilization, great walls, and historical achievements, presenting them as unmatched in human history.
   • The Indian philosopher rejects this narrow nationalism, arguing that no single civilization can claim absolute superiority—all cultures contribute to global progress.

2. Emphasis on Humility & Learning from Others

   • The Indian philosopher advocates for humility, suggesting that true wisdom comes from acknowledging one’s limitations and learning from other cultures.
   • He questions the Chinese scholar’s arrogance, asking:

     "Do you think your civilization is the only one that has contributed to human progress?"

   • He highlights that India (Hindu civilization) has its own rich history (e.g., Vedic literature, mathematics, philosophy) that should not be overshadowed by Chinese claims.

3. Critique of Historical Revisionism

   • The Chinese scholar tries to rewrite history, suggesting that China was the sole center of civilization while other cultures were backward or derivative.
   • The Indian philosopher opposes this view, arguing that civilizations evolve together—India’s contributions (like the decimal system, yoga, and spiritual thought) are as valuable as China’s.

4. Call for Global Cooperation Over Competition

   • Instead of nationalistic rivalry, the Indian philosopher promotes a vision of shared human heritage.
   • He urges the Chinese scholar to recognize that:
     • No single nation "invented" civilization—it is a collective achievement.
     • Humility in acknowledging other cultures’ strengths leads to true progress.

5. Philosophical & Spiritual Counterargument

   • The Indian perspective roots civilization in spiritual and ethical growth, not just material achievements (like walls or armies).
   • He **suggests that China’s focus on physical grandeur (e.g., the Great Wall) is superficial compared to India’s emphasis on inner development (e.g., meditation, moral philosophy).

Conclusion: The Hindu nativists oppose Chinese nationalist claims by:

• Rejecting cultural arrogance in favour of humility and mutual respect.
• Affirming that all civilizations are interconnected and equally valuable.
• Encouraging a global, cooperative view of history rather than competitive nationalism.

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e) Why is the play A Matter of Husbands a play of split personality?

George Bernard Shaw’s "A Matter of Husbands" is a play of split personality because it **explores the duality of human nature through the character of Violet Portman, who manipulates her own identity to deceive her husband, Arthur, and her lover, Henry. The play **revolves around the theme of duality—public vs. private self, truth vs. deception, and morality vs. pragmatism—making it a psychological and satirical examination of split personalities.

1. Violet’s Dual Role as Wife and Lover

   • Violet pretends to be a devoted wife to Arthur, while secretly maintaining a romantic relationship with Henry.
   • She switches between two personas:
     • The submissive, moral wife (to Arthur).
     • The passionate, independent lover (to Henry).
   • This **duality creates a split personality, where she lives two lives simultaneously, each with contradictory values.

2. The Deception as a Form of Psychological Splitting

   • Violet’s lies and manipulations reflect a fragmented self, where she suppresses her true desires to conform to societal expectations (as a wife) while secretly indulging in her passions (with Henry).
   • Her split personality is not pathological but strategic—she uses deception as a tool for personal freedom, showing how society forces women to adopt multiple identities.

3. Arthur’s Naivety vs. Henry’s Cynicism

   • Arthur represents the idealized, gullible husband who believes in Violet’s innocence.
   • Henry is the skeptical, worldly lover who sees through her lies.
   • The contrast between their perceptions **highlights the duality of Violet’s character—she is both the angel (to Arthur) and the seductress (to Henry).

4. Thematic Exploration of Hypocrisy in Society

   • Shaw critiques Victorian morality, where women were expected to be pure and obedient, but men had the freedom to indulge in affairs.
   • Violet’s **split personality exposes the hypocrisy of a society that judges women harshly for the same sins it tolerates in men.
   • Her dual nature forces the audience to question: Is she a villain or a victim of societal constraints?

5. The Final Revelation: A Twist on Split Identity

   • The play’s shocking ending—where Arthur discovers Violet’s affair but chooses to forgive her—further complicates the idea of split personality.
   • Shaw **suggests that both men and women are capable of duplicity, and **forgiveness is not about truth but about maintaining the illusion of a perfect marriage.
   • This reinforces the play’s central idea: **human beings are not single entities but complex, contradictory beings who adopt different masks depending on the situation.

Conclusion: A Matter of Husbands is a play of split personality because:

• Violet Portman embodies two conflicting identities (wife vs. lover).
• The play **exposes the duality of human nature—how people perform different roles to survive societal expectations.
• Shaw uses satire to critique the hypocrisy of Victorian morality, where women are punished for the same sins men commit.
• The themes of deception, forgiveness, and identity fragmentation make it a psychological study of split personalities in a moral and social context.