EnglishNEB 2083
Write long answers to the following questions in about 150 words each. [2×5=10] a. What was the reaction of the community to the old man with enormous wings and what does it show about humanity and…
10Write long answers to the following questions in about 150 words each. [2×5=10]
- a. What was the reaction of the community to the old man with enormous wings and what does it show about humanity and compassion? (A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings) OR What are Nock’s ideas about marriage in society? Do you agree or disagree with him? Why? (Marriage as a Social Institution)
- b. Explain the following lines of the poem, ‘A Day’ with reference to the context The hills untied their bonnets, The bobolinks begun. Then I said softly to myself, That must have been the sun!
Answer
a. Community’s reaction to the old man with enormous wings
The villagers in A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings react with a mixture of curiosity, fear, and opportunism.
- Curiosity & superstition – The first visitors treat the man as a miracle, hoping for blessings or cures.
- Fear & suspicion – Others view him as a threat, fearing that his wings might bring misfortune.
- Exploitation – The innkeeper and the priest turn his appearance into a spectacle, charging admission and demanding prayers for money.
- Neglect & abandonment – When the man’s condition worsens, the community abandons him, leaving him to die in a corner of the house.
These reactions reveal two facets of humanity:
| Aspect | Illustration | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Compassion | The few who offer food and shelter | A minority of empathy exists, but it is limited and conditional. |
| Self‑interest | The priest’s sermons, the innkeeper’s ticket sales | The community prioritises personal gain over genuine care. |
The story thus critiques the tendency of societies to commodify the vulnerable, turning compassion into a performative act that serves economic or religious agendas. It shows that true humanity requires consistent empathy, not merely a reaction when it is convenient.
b. Explanation of the lines from the poem A Day
The hills untied their bonnets, The bobolinks begun. Then I said softly to myself, That must have been the sun!
“The hills untied their bonnets”
- Metaphor: The hills, usually silent and stoic, “untie” their “bonnets” (a metaphor for the clouds or mist that cover them).
- Context: At dawn, the first light peels away the night’s veil, revealing the hills’ true form.
“The bobolinks begun”
- Imagery: Bobolinks, a species of songbird, start their morning chorus.
- Symbolism: Their singing marks the official start of the day, a natural alarm clock.
“Then I said softly to myself, That must have been the sun!”
- Realisation: The speaker interprets the unfolding scene as the sunrise itself.
- Tone: The gentle self‑dialogue reflects awe and a personal connection to nature’s rhythm.
In the broader context of the poem, these lines capture the transition from night to day, illustrating how nature’s subtle cues—unveiling hills, birdsong—signal the arrival of light. The speaker’s internal monologue underscores a theme of mindfulness: noticing and appreciating the small, often overlooked moments that compose a day.
Discussion
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