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Poets And Pancakes for Class 12 English (Flamingo), CBSE (Summary, word meaning, literary devices and extract based question-answer)



POETS AND PANCAKES

By Asokamitran


Detailed summary, extract-based questions with their answer, vocabulary, and very short questions and their answer





About the author


Asokamitran, born Thiagarajan in 1931 in Secunderabad, was a renowned Tamil writer. He continued to rule the literary world for almost six decades. He started his career in Chennai's film industry, which deeply influenced his writings. Ashokamitran's works deal with ordinary people’s struggles and aspirations. His acclaimed novel "Thanneer" (Water) highlights the impact of urbanisation. He is also known for his short stories, essays, and autobiographical works. He got many awards including the Sahitya Akademi Award. This literary giant passed away in 2017.


INTRODUCTION

The story Poets and Pancakas is an excerpt from the book “My Years With Boss”.This story is about a well-known film production company called Gemini Studios. It started in 1940 in Chennai and was famous in the early days of Indian cinema. S.S. Vasan, who started it, was a renowned personality in the film industry. The story is all about how movies have influenced the lives of Indians.


WORD-MEANING OF THE CHAPTER "POETS AND PANCAKES


  • Stables– a building set apart and adapted for keeping horses

  • Maiden– a young woman or an unmarried girl

  • Incandescent – emitting light as a result of being heated

  • Fiery – red-hot

  • Misery – a state or feeling of great physical or mental discomfort

  • Hideous– extremely ugly

  • Crimson hue– deep red colour

  • Potions– a liquid mixture

  • Hierarchy– A system in which members of an organisation are ranked according to relative status 

  • Cubicle– a small partitioned area of a room

  • Barge in– to walk into a room without being invited

  • Epics– an exceptionally long  film, poem, or book

  • Perverts– a person whose sexual behaviour is regarded as abnormal and unacceptable.

  • Covertly– secretly

  • Woes– distress

  • Ignominy– public shame or disgrace

  • Affluent– wealthy

  • Overshadowed–to cause someone or something to seem less important or less happy 

  • Dwarfed– make small

  • Refrain– lines repeated in poetry

  • Diction– how words are pronounced

  • Sprawling– spreading over a large area/detailed

  • Deftly– in a skilful, clever, or quick way

  • Etched– to cut/shape a pattern, picture, etc.

  • Improvident- spending money in an unwise way 

  • Demeanour– behaviour/attitude

  • Sycophant - someone who praises powerful or rich people in a way that is not sincere, usually to get some advantage from them

  • Direst- terrible

  • Blow over– to move strongly and upset someone

  • Temperamental – someone whose mood changes very suddenly 

  • Incriminating- to show that somebody has done something wrong or illegal

  • Foul – bad

  • Tirade – a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation

  • Struck dumb – shocked

  • Countryside: from village

  • Sophistication – having a good understanding of the way people behave

  • Catapulted – move suddenly or at great speed

  • Unwittingly– unknowingly

  • Coat of mail – a protective garment 

  • Haunt – frequently visited by

  • Mess– a building or room providing meals

  • Prohibition– the act of forbidding something

  • Prerequisite- a thing that is required 

  • Averse- strong dislike 

  • Communism– a social and political system based on the belief that production is owned and controlled by all its members,

  • Conjugal– related to marriage 

  • Compunction- slight guilty feeling about something done

  • Forthcoming– about to happen

  • Trapeze– a short bar hanging high up in the air from two ropes that acrobats use to perform special movements

  • Homilies- advice about how someone should behave

  • Surmise– guess something

  • Bafflement– confusion

  • Pursuit – activity

  • Persevering– quality to continue to do something, even when difficult or takes a long time

  • Drudge –menial or tedious labour

  • Manuscript–  written or typewritten composition 

  • Literati- well-educated people who are interested in literature.

  • Sneaking into– doing something in a secretive or stealthy way

  • Forbidden– banned/prohibited


SUMMARY/EXPLANATION AND EXTRACT-BASED QUESTION-ANSWER OF "POETS AND PANCAKES"


Pancake was the brand name of a make-up material that Gemini Studios bought in truck-loads …………………. may not have even heard of it.

  • According to the author Pancake, the brand name of a make-up material, was used by actresses like Greta Garbo, Miss Gohar, Vyjayantimala, and many more in the past. But modern-day actresses like Rati Agnihotri might not even have heard the name Pancake.


Q. What was pancake?

Ans. The brand name of a make-up material.

Q. Who was Greta Garbo?

Ans. A Swedish actress.

Q. How can you say that Pancake was very popular in the past?

Ans. Top actresses like Greta Garbo, Vyjayantimala, Miss Gohar, etc used it.

Q. Which figure of speech has been used in the expression “bought in truck-loads”?

Ans. Hyperbole



The make-up department of the Gemini Studios was in the upstairs……………… Fort St George in Madras.


  • The building of the makeup department of the Gemini Studios was believed to be Robert Clive's stables.

  • Apart from this, many other buildings were also associated with Robert Clive.

  • Robert Clive had been associated with Madras in many ways. In St Mary's Church in Fort Saint George in Madras, he married a maiden.


Q. Where was the make-up department of the Gemini Studios?

Ans. In the upstairs of a building believed to be Robert Clive's stables.

Q. How was Robert Clive associated with Madras?

Ans.  Many buildings in Madras were associated with Robert Clive. He also married a maiden at Saint Mary's Church in Fort Saint George in Madras.


The make-up room looked like a hair-cutting salon …………….. in the hope of becoming a star actor or a top screenwriter, director or lyrics writer. He was a bit of a poet.


  • The make-up room of the Gemini Studios looked like a salon as there were so many mirrors on both sides. Also, there were bright lights. As a result, those who went through the makeup had to suffer a lot.

  • In the Gemini Studios, national integration was well maintained. People from different regions and religions worked together in the Gemini Studios. It was headed by a Maharashtrian. He had so many assistants including an Andhra, a Kannadiga, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo Burmese and local Tamils.

  • In the make-up department of the Gemini Studios hierarchy was maintained. The chief makeup man used to do the makeup of the main actors and actresses, senior assistants used to make second-rate heroes and heroines presentable, junior assistants did the makeup of comedians and crowd players were the responsibility of the office boy.

  •  The office boy was not a boy but a man in his early forties. He came to Gemini Studios to become a star actor, director, or lyrics writer, but his dreams were shattered. As a result, he got frustrated.


Q. What did the makeup room look like?

Ans. The make-up room looked like a hair-cutting salon. 

Q. What has been termed "fiery misery”?

Ans. The suffering of those who went through make-up due to the incandescent light and large mirrors. The light seemed to be piercing.

Q. What did light create? 

Ans. The light created a heated atmosphere. 

Q. Who was the head of the make-up department? 

Ans. A Maharashtrian was in charge. 

Q. How was national integration maintained in the make-up department of the Gemini Studios?

Ans.  The people from different regions and religions worked together in the Gemini Studios.

Q. How was hierarchy maintained in the make-up department?

Ans. The make-up men used to do the make-up according to their position.

Q. Who did the makeup of the crowd players?

Ans. The office boy.

Q. How does the author describe the office boy?

Ans. According to the author, the office boy was not a boy but a man in his early forties. He came to Gemini Studios to become a star actor, a director, or a lyrics writer. But his dreams were shattered.


In those days, I worked in a cubicle, two whole sides of which………….. Nothing short of it could save me from his epics.


  • Cutting out newspaper clippings on various topics and filing them was the author's job at Gemini Studios. He had been provided with a cubicle. It had French windows. Everyone, including the boss, thought his work was second to nothing. Therefore, many entered his cubicles to let out their emotions and give him lectures. 

  • The author got so irritated because of the lengthy lectures delivered by the office boy. He often said how a great talent was going to waste in the make-up department, which according to him, was suitable only for perverts and barbers. The narrator used to get so fed up that he prayed for crowd shooting. 


Q. What was the author's job in the Gemini Studios?

Ans. He used to cut out newspaper clippings on various topics and file them.

Q. What is a cubicle?

Ans. A small enclosed space.

Q. What are French windows?

Ans. A pair of glass windows that reaches to the floor, opens in the middle and is placed in an exterior wall.

Q. What did the office boy think about the makeup department of the Gemini studios?

Ans. According to the office boy, the makeup department was fit for perverts and barbers.

Q. What is the irony in the statement by the office boy?

Ans. He held the lowest post in the makeup department, but still, he considered it suitable for barbers and perverts.

Q. Why did the author pray for crowd player shooting?

Ans. He used to be fed up with the long and useless lectures by the office boy.

Q. What does “his epics” refer to?

Ans. It refers to the lectures by the office boy.


In all instances of frustration, you will always the anger ……………… he must have had exposure to more affluent situations and people.

  • The office boy was certain that Kothamangalam Subbu, the man having the number 2 position in the Gemini Studios,  was the cause of all of his problems and humiliation. 

  • According to the office boy Kothamangalam Subbu could not have had a more positive opening than him (the office boy) if he (Subbu) had begun his career when the office boy did. The office boy had to deal with more challenging circumstances because, at the start of his career, there were no well-established studios or film production companies. 

  • Even in the field of education, particularly formal education, the office boy was going to have a small advantage over  Subbu. But Subbu was a Brahmin, which was itself a virtue. Therefore, Subbu got better opportunities.


Q. Who did the office boy hold responsible for all his woes and miseries?

Ans. Kothamanglam Subu.

Q. What, according to the office boy, was the advantage of Subbu?

Ans. He was a Brahmin and thus he got more opportunities compared to the office boy.

Q. Why was the office boy not successful?

Ans. According to the office boy, he could not succeed because he had to face a lot of challenges as there were few studios and film production houses when he started his career.


He had the ability to look cheerful all the time ………………. Who gave direction and definition to Gemini Studios during its golden years.

  • Subbu was a very resourceful person, who always had work for everyone. He had been a man who never did any work himself. But his loyalty had made him close to the boss. 

  • His creativity was very well known and everybody thought that he was perfect for the film industry. If the producer said he was confused about how to do a particular scene, Subbu would come up with many different ways of doing it. If the producer said it would not work, he had plenty of different ways to do that.


Q. What was the special quality of Subbu?

Ans. Subbu rarely did any work himself. Instead, he got the same done by someone else.

Q. What made Subbu close to the boss?

Ans. His loyalty and creativity.

Q. How did Subbu display his creativity?

Ans. By offering suggestions in difficult situations.


Film making must have been and was so easy with a man like Subbu ………………….. there was this man in the make-up department who would wish the direst things for Subbu. 


  • Subbu was a very creative and resourceful person, and his presence made filmmaking so much easier. He played a significant role in giving Gemini Studios its unique character. 

  • At the same time,  he was a talented poet. He used to address the common people. Some critics believed his success in film-making overshadowed his literary talent. 

  • Subbu composed several folk "story poems" and wrote a novel Thillana Mohanambal, which featured well-developed characters. The novel recreated the tone and manner of the 20th-century Devadasis.

  • Subbu was an exceptional actor. He never wished for the main role. He excelled even when in supporting roles. 

  • He had a genuine love for everyone he knew, and his home was a shelter for numerous close and distant family members and friends. 

  • It is surprising that Subbu, who was so generous, had so many enemies. It might be because he was a sycophant or because he was close to the boss or because he always remained cheerful and said nice things.  


Q. What qualities of Subbu have been highlighted in this extract?

Ans. He was an amazing actor, a gifted writer and poet, kind and helpful, and cheerful, but had the qualities of a sycophant.

Q. Why was Subbu not recognised as a literary genius?

Ans. His success in films overshadowed his literary achievements.

Q. What was the novel Thillana Mohanambal about? 

Ans. The novel was about the Devdasis of the early 20th century.

Q. What does the expression,” deftly etched characters” highlight about Subbu?

Ans. He was skilful in characterisation.

Q. Give an example to show that Subbu was generous.

Ans. His house was a permanent residence of many of his acquaintances and relatives. He not only sheltered them but also fed them.

Q. Why did Subbu have so many enemies?

Ans. It might be because of his closeness with the boss, his sycophancy and his cheerfulness.


You saw Subbu always with The Boss but in the attendance rolls, he was grouped under a department called the Story Department …………….. 


  • Subbu used to hang around with the boss, but in the attendance records, he was placed in a group called the Story Department. This department included a lawyer and a bunch of writers and poets.                                                                                                                          

  • The lawyer was called the "legal adviser," although he was better known for the opposite. 

  • Once a very talented but quite temperamental actress burst out on the set. Everyone was shocked. On the other hand, the lawyer turned on a recording device. When the actress stopped, the lawyer played back the recording. 

  • What the actress said about the producer was not foul. However, when she heard her voice through the recording equipment, she was speechless.

  • She came from the countryside. So, she had no experience of all the ups and downs that usually come. As a result, she never recovered from the shock she felt that day. 

  • It was the end of her short but brilliant acting career. It was all because of the legal adviser who unknowingly brought an end to the career of a talented actress.

  • In fact, the lawyer was not fit for the filmmaking industry. Like others, he was not a dreamer. On the contrary, he was a man with cold logic.

  • Moreover, he used to wear coat and pant while others wore khadi dhoti and khadi shirts.


Q. Which department was Subbu enrolled with?
Ans. The Story Department
Q. What kind of person was the legal advisor or the lawyer?
Ans. He was a unique person. He was a legal advisor, but he was called just the opposite. He was not fit for the film industry.
Q. How did the lawyer bring an end to the career of the talented actress?
Ans. The lawyer brought an end to the career of the talented actress because of his stupidity. When the actress lost her cool on the set, all were shocked. But the legal adviser switched on the recording machine. When the actress paused, he played back the recording machine. When the actress heard her voice, she was dumbstruck. She never recovered from the shock. In this way, her career came to an end.          
Q. How can you say that the legal adviser was a misfit?
Ans. In the Story Department, everybody used to wear a kind of uniform — khadi dhoti and khadi shirt. But the legal advisor wore a coat, pants, and even a tie. While others were dreamers, the legal advisor was a neutral man with cold logic. 
Q. How did the legal advisor lose his job? 
Ans. The boss closed down the Story Department. As the legal advisor was part of it, he lost his job

Gemini Studios was the favourite haunt of poets like S.D.S Yogiar ……………………..  The evidence of it was soon forthcoming.  

  

  • Gemini Studios was a popular spot for poets like S.D.S. Yogiar, Sangu Subramanyam, Krishna Sastry, and Harindranath Chattopadhyaya. People loved hanging out there because they had a great café that served delicious coffee all day and night. 

  • During those times, the government, led by Congress, enforced Prohibition, making it illegal to drink alcohol. So, meeting friends over a cup of coffee became a satisfying way to socialise.

  • At Gemini Studios, most people, except for the office boy and a few clerks, radiated leisure, a pre-requisite for poetry. Many of them wore khadi and admired Gandhiji, but their interest in politics was quite limited. 

  • They didn't understand or appreciate political ideas. They strongly disliked the term 'Communism.' To them, a Communist was a man without any religious belief. He didn't care for family ties. They thought Communists were violent and responsible for creating unrest on this planet. These misconceptions were common not just at Gemini Studios but also in other parts of South India during that time.  

Q. Name the poet who frequently visited Gemini Studios?

Ans. The poets like S.D.S Yogiar, Sangu Subramaniam, Krishna Sastry and Harindranath Chattopadhyaya frequently visited Gemini Studios.

Q. Why do you think leisure is a prerequisite for poetry?

Ans. Leisure is a prerequisite for poetry because a poet requires free time to write it (poetry)
Q. What was satisfying entertainment?
Ans. Meeting over a cup of coffee was satisfying entertainment.
Q. Whom did the people in the Gemini Studios follow?
Ans. The people in Gemini studios followed Gandhiji and thus, they used to wear khadi.
Q. What did the people think about a communist in South India?
Ans. The people in general thought that a communist was a non-believer and had love neither for his wife nor for children. He was so cruel that he would not hesitate to kill his parents and children.
Q. Who, according to the people, was responsible for the unrest and violence?
Ans. According to the people, communists were responsible for causing unrest and violence.

When Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament army, some two hundred strong, visited Madras sometime in 1952, ……………………Tamil plays had a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner of ‘Jotham Valley’ with a bare stage, a white background curtain and a tune played on the flute.  

                                 

  • In 1952, a group called Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament army, consisting of about 200 people, came to Madras. They were welcomed warmly by the Gemini Studios. 

  • Some people called them an international circus although they weren't skilled acrobats, and their knowledge about animals was limited. They performed two plays very professionally.

  • The plays 'Jotham Valley' and 'The Forgotten Factor,' which they presented became quite popular in Madras. People in the city, including the 600 members of the Gemini Studios family, watched these plays multiple times. The messages in the plays were simple life lessons, but the stage settings and costumes were excellent.

  • These plays left a lasting impression on  Madras and the Tamil drama community. For many years, almost all Tamil plays included a scene of sunrise and sunset, just like 'Jotham Valley,' with a simple stage, a white background curtain, and a flute playing in the background.


Q. What was Frank Bushman's Moral Re-Armament Army?

Ans. Frank Bushman's Moral  Re-Armament Army was a theatre group.

Q. What did the people think about the Moral Rearmament army?

Ans. In general, the people thought of Frank Bushman's Moral Re-Armament army as an international circus because there were people from different regions, countries, and races. 

Q. Which two plays were presented by Frank Bushman's Moral Re-Armament Army?

Ans. Jotham Valley and The Forgotten Factor.

Q. What was the message of the two plays presented by Frank Bushman's Moral Re-Armament Army?

Ans. The messages in the plays were simple life lessons. 

Q. Which scene impressed the people?

Ans. The scene of sunrise and sunset in “Jotham Valley” impressed Madras and the Tamil drama community so much that for many years the same scene was presented by them. 

Q. Give a description of the scene of sunrise and sunset in Jotham Valley.

Ans. There was a bare stage, a white background curtain, and a flute being played in the background. 


 It was some years later that I learnt that the MRA was a kind of countermovement to international Communism ………………………  It was such a change from the usual collection of crowd players waiting to be slapped with thick layers of make-up by the office boy in the make-up department.


  • A few years later the narrator found out that the Moral Re-Armament (MRA) was created to counter international Communism. Some influential people in Madras, like Mr. Vasan, seemed to support them.

  • At Gemini Studios, everybody had a good time hosting around 200 people from different backgrounds and nationalities. It was a change from their usual routine of dealing with actors waiting to get their makeup done by the office boy. Everyone, regardless of their colour or nationality, came together, and it was quite a unique experience for all of them.


Q. What was Frank Bushman's Moral Re-Armament army about? 

Ans. It was a kind of counter-movement to international communism?

Q. Who played in the hands of those who opposed international communism?
Ans. Big bosses of Madras like Mr Wasan. 
Q. How was the people's experience at Gemini Studios with the MRA? 
Ans. It was a nice time for the people at Gemini Studios. They had to interact with two hundred people from twenty nationalities.

A few months later, the telephone lines of the big bosses of Madras buzzed and once again we at Gemini Studios cleared a whole shooting stage to welcome another visitor. ………………… Who was the poet visiting the Gemini Studios now?


  • A little later a foreigner arrived at Gemini Studios The people were informed that the visitor was a poet from England. The people at Gemini Studios had heard of poets like Wordsworth and Tennyson, and some of the more educated ones knew about Keats, Shelley, and Byron. 

  • A few might have heard of someone named Eliot. So, everybody was curious about who the poet from England visiting Gemini Studios was.

  • There was total confusion about the visitor. Some said that he was a poet, while others expressed that he was an editor. 

  • Many thought that the Boss, Mr Wasan was giving a warm welcome to the visitor because he was also the editor of a popular Tamil magazine “Ananda Vikatan”. 

  • The visitor from England wasn't the editor of any famous British magazines or newspapers like “The Manchester Guardian” or “The London Times”.


Q. Why did the phones of the big bosses of Madras start ringing?
Ans. It was because a big literary genius from England was coming.
Q. Who was the poet from England?
Ans. Stephen Spender.
Q. How does the author describe the knowledge of Gemini people about English poets?
Ans. Their knowledge of English poets was limited to Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley, Byron, and Eliot. 
Q. What did the people think was the reason behind Mr Wasan hosting the poet or the editor?  
Ans. The people thought that Mr Wasan hosted the poet or the editor because he was also the editor of a Tamil magazine. 
Q. What is “The Hindu”?
Ans. A newspaper.
Q. Who was Stephen Spender?
Ans. Stephen Spender was a poet and the editor of a British periodical

 


At last, around four in the afternoon, the poet (or the editor ………………………….. His visit remained an unexplained mystery.


  • Finally, at around 4 p.m., the poet or the editor arrived. He was a tall man who appeared to be very English, and very serious. 

  • The boss, Mr Wasan, delivered a long welcome speech. In his speech, Mr Wasan mentioned words like freedom and democracy.

  • Then the poet or the editor delivered his speech. Nobody had any idea what he was talking about. Moreover, his accent made it even more difficult to understand. This whole event lasted about an hour. Everyone was feeling very confused.

  • The people at Gemini Studios were wondering what an English poet was doing in a film studio that made Tamil movies for very simple people. So, his visit remained a big mystery for all of them.

Q. Who arrived at 4 PM?
Ans. The poet or the editor(Stephen Spender)
Q. How does the author describe the English poet? 

 Ans. According to the author, the English poet was a tall man who seemed to be very English and very serious.  

Q. Who delivered the welcome speech? What did the speech contain?

Ans. The speech was delivered by Mr Wasan, the boss of the Gemini Studios. It appeared that Mr Wasan also did not know much about Stephen Spender. In his speech,  he used words like freedom, democracy etc.

Q. Why were the people unable to understand what the poet or the editor spoke? 

Ans. First of all the people did not know what he was saying. Moreover, his British accent became a hurdle.


The great prose writers of the world may not admit it, but my conviction grows stronger day after day that prose writing is not and cannot be the true pursuit of geniuses…………………….. Encounter wasn’t a known commodity among the Gemini literati. 

  • According to the author, the world's famous writers may not openly accept that prose writing is not a true pursuit of geniuses. Instead, it is for those who are patient, persistent and have strong hearts so that nothing can easily hurt them. If they get rejected it mustn't bother them. They simply make a new copy and send it to another editor.

  • “The Hindu”  put up a small notice in the corner of an unimportant page about a short story contest being organised by a British magazine named “The Encounter”. But the people in Gemini Studios knew little about “The Encounter”.The narrator wanted to participate in the contest. Therefore, he decided to learn more about the magazine before spending a lot of money on postage.


Q. What does the author say about the prose writing and prose writers?  

Ans. According to the author, prose writing is not a pursuit of geniuses. It requires patience, perseverance and a strong heart.

 Q. How do the prose writers display their patience and perseverance?                                                     Ans. When their writing is rejected, the prose writers make a new copy and send it to another publication. 

 Q. Why should a prose writer have a shrunken heart? 

Ans. This is because rejection slips are common in their life.

Q. How do you know that the author was a prose writer?

Ans. He decided to participate in a story-writing competition.

Q. What was “The Encounter”?

Ans. It was a British periodical.


In those days, the British Council Library had an entrance with no long-winded signboards and notices…………………   long lost brothers of Indian films discover each other by singing the same song in the first reel and in the final reel of the film. Stephen Spender.


  • To get more information about “The Encounter”, the narrator visited the British Council Library. There the narrator found copies of “The Encounter” which were kept untouched. When the narrator saw the name of the editor, it felt like a bell ringing in his strong heart. He was the same poet who had visited the Gemini Studios. 

  • The narrator felt like he had found a long-lost brother. He was so happy when he sealed the envelope and wrote his address. He thought the poet or the editor might have the same feeling—  like finding long-lost brothers in Indian films by singing the same song at the beginning and end of the movie. His name was Stephen Spender.


Q. Why did the author visit the British Council Library?
  Ans. The author visited the British Council Library to collect more information about the British periodical “The Encounter”

Q. How does the author describe the British Council Library?

Ans. According to the author, now the British Council Library appears to be a prohibited place.

Q. What did the narrator discover at the British Council Library?

Ans. The narrator found out that the editor of “The Encounter” was Stephen Spender,  who had visited the Gemini Studios.

Q. How did the author feel to see the name of the editor of “The Encounter”? 

Ans. The author was very excited to know that the editor was the same person who had visited Gemini Studios a little earlier. He started singing the song usually sung in Indian films by the two brothers before they get separated and when they meet after a long time.



And years later, when I was out of Gemini Studios and I had much time but not much money, anything at a reduced price attracted my attention……………… The Boss of the Gemini Studios may not have much to do with Spender’s poetry. But not with his god that failed.


  • Many years passed. The narrator left the Gemini Studios. Now he had a lot of free time but very little money. Therefore, he liked to buy low-price books. One day, he found a book being sold on the footpath near the post office on Madras Mount Road. The book cost just 50 paise. It was being sold at a special low price to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution.

  • He bought one copy of the book The book was titled "The God That Failed," and it contained six essays written by six famous writers.  In their essays, they mentioned their attraction towards communism and disillusioned return. These writers were Andre Gide, Richard Wright, Ignazio Silone, Arthur Koestler, Louis Fischer, and Stephen Spender.

  •  When he saw Stephen Spender's name, the book became more important to him because he had visited Gemini Studios. The mystery about Stephen Spender’s visit to the Gemini Studios was solved. 


Q. Which book did the author purchase? What was it about?  

 Ans. The author bought the book titled “The God That Failed”. It consisted of six essays written by prominent writers including Louis Fischer, and Stephen Spender. It was about their journey to communism and their disillusioned return.                                            

Q. When was the mystery about the visit of Stephen Spender solved?         

Ans. The mystery about Stephen Spender’s visit to the Gemini Studios was solved when the narrator read the book “The God That Failed”. 


Also Read:

Class 12 English CBSE
Literature

Flamingo Prose


Lost Spring                                        
Deep Water                                                                          
Indigo                                                  
The Interview                                                                              


Flamingo Poetry

My Mother At Sixty Six .

Keeping Quiet 

Vistas


Writing Portion

Invitations & Their Replies

Application For Job 

Article Writing
Letter To The Editor

                                                                                                    


 

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  INVITATIONS & THEIR REPLIES Formal Invitations For family function For official function Q. On behalf of Mrs & Mr Sharma, draft an invitation card to be sent on the occasion of their wedding anniversary. Mr. & Mrs. Sharma  seek your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion of their WEDDING ANNIVERSARY on Monday, January 28, 2024 at 7:30 pm at Hotel Park International (Parliament Street, New Delhi) Programmes Cake Ceremony: 7:45 pm Cultural Programme: 8:15 pm Dinner: 9:15 pm RSVP Arun Neha 9999432165 On behalf of the principal and the staff of DAV Public School, sector-14, Faridabad. Write a formal invitation to be sent on the occasion of the Annual Day Celebration of the school. The Principal & The Staff DAV Public School (Sector-14, Faridabad)  Seek your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion of  ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATION On Sunday, January 27, 2024 at 4:30 pm in the school premises Mr Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana has conse...

The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet, class 12 English CBSE ( Summary, explanation, question-answer, word meaning and literary devices)

  THE LAST LESSON By Alphonse Daudet (13 May 1840 - 16 December 1897) Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897) was a French writer known for his realistic and often autobiographical works. He started his career as a journalist before publishing his first collection of short stories, "Lettres de mon moulin" (Letters from My Windmill), which became a critical and popular success. His other notable works include "Tartarin de Tarascon," a humorous novel, and "Le Petit Chose," a semi-autobiographical novel about his childhood. Daudet also wrote plays and poetry and was a member of the Académie Goncourt. Despite suffering from syphilis and losing his hearing later in life, he continued to write until he died in 1897. INTRODUCTION “The Last Lesson” by Alphonse Daudet is about linguistic chauvinism. At the same time, the lesson highlights the ill effects of procrastination and the fact that we realise the importance of anything when it is not with us. The story is set in the 1...

My Mother At Sixty Six By Kamala Das for Class 12 English CBSE (Summary, poetic devices, word meaning and stanza based question-answer)

  MY MOTHER AT SIXTY By Kamala Das (31 March 1934 - 31 May 2009) DETAILED SUMMARY, EXPLANATION, EXTRACT-BASED QUESTIONS, AND THEIR ANSWER, WORD MEANINGS, AND POETIC DEVICES USED IN “MY MOTHER AT SIXTY SIX”. About the poet Kamala Das, also known as Madhavikutty, was an Indian poet and writer. She was born in 1934 in Kerala. Her poetry mainly deals with the intricacies of human relationships. She wrote both in English and Malayalam, her native language. Her works include "The Descendants," "Summer in Calcutta," and "My Story," an autobiography.  The poem "My Mother at Sixty Six"  highlights ageing problems. Here the experience is personal but the theme is universal.  Poetic Devices used. SIMILE. Her face ashen like that of a corpse. The poetess has expressed that her mother's face lacks energy and vitality. Her face is pale and greyish. Wan, pale as a late winter's moon. The words pale and wan indicate lifelessness.       2. REPETITION Smi...

The Third Level by Jack Finney for class 12 English, CBSE (Summary, literary devices, vocabulary and extract based question-answer)

  THE THIRD LEVEL By Jack Finney (2 October 1911-14 November 1995)   SUMMARY, DETAILED EXPLANATION, EXTRACT-BASED QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWER, SHORT QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWER AND WORD-MEANING  OF THE THIRD LEVEL About the author Jack Finney was an American author who wrote science fiction and thrillers. He gained popularity with the publication of his novel "The Body Snatchers," In his writings, Finney has explored themes like time travel, alternate realities, and mysterious happenings. His stories are full of suspense, making readers eager to turn the next page. Finney's imaginative storytelling continues to draw the attention of readers worldwide. INTRODUCTION   The story "The Third Level" by Jack Finney is about time travel. Here we find the fantasy world which has been connected with the real world. The main character in the story is Charley who wants to escape from the real world because of tension, worry, fear of war, and the feeling of insecurity. Theref...

A Thing Of Beauty By John Keats for class 12 English CBSE (Detailed summary, poetic devices, vocabulary and stanza based question-answer)

    A  THING OF BEAUTY By John Keats (31 October 1795 – 23 February 1821) DETAILED SUMMARY, EXPLANATION, EXTRACT-BASED QUESTIONS, AND THEIR ANSWER, VERY SHORT QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWER, WORD MEANINGS AND POETIC DEVICES USED IN “A THING OF BEAUTY”. "A Thing of Beauty" revolves around the idea that beauty can uplift and provide solace amid life's trials and tribulations. Keats suggests that beauty can be a source of joy and inspiration even in a world filled with suffering and sorrow. He considers beauty eternal and divine. About the poet John Keats, a famous English poet of the Romantic Age,  lived in the early 19th century. His writing often explores the themes of beauty, love, and nature. Even though he died young at just 25, his poetry has left a lasting impact on literature, making him one of the most beloved poets in English literature. DIFFICULT WORDS AND THEIR MEANING Bower - A shady place under the tree Morrow - morning Wreathing - weaving/ encircling/ arrang...

Journey To The End Of The Earth by Tishani Doshi for class 12 English(Vistas) CBSE (Summary, literary devices, vocabulary and extract based question-answer)

  JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH By Tishani Doshi SUMMARY, DETAILED EXPLANATION, DIFFICULT WORDS, AND THEIR MEANING, AND VERY SHORT QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWER (JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH) INTRODUCTION “Journey to the End of the Earth”  by Tishani Doshi describes her journey to Antarctica. The lesson explores themes of isolation, self-discovery, and the beauty of the natural world. Here we learn a lot about climate change and how it's affecting us and other living things. It suggests us to start doing things to make the Earth a better place to live. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tishani Doshi is an Indian writer, poet, and dancer. Her literary works include poetry, novels, and essays. Tishani often explores themes like identity, love, and the human condition in her work.  DIFFICULT WORDS AND THEIR MEANING USED IN "THE JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH" Amalgamated - joined together Thrive- grow/ flourish Cordilleran folds- an extensive chain of mountains or mountain ranges Precambr...

Report Writing 12 English CBSE , How To Write A Report, Format, Solved Examples of Writing Reports For Shool Magazine And Reports For Newspaper

  How to Write a Report Writing a report may appear difficult, but once you know how to write it, you will not face problems. It ought to be accurate and comprise all necessary details. Whether you are writing about an event, a project, an accident, a happening, or an experience, here’s an easy-to-follow guide to help you. Reports are put in two categories Reports for school magazine Reports for newspaper How to Write a Report for a School Magazine Format for a School Magazine Report Headline Reporter’s name Designation/Class&Section 1. Title of the Report The title should be simple and clear. It must tell the reader what the report is about. It should be precise and must contain complete information. Example: Report on the School Science Fair 2024 2. Introduction It is necessary to state the purpose of the report in the introduction. The report's purpose, the date and location of the incident or occurrence, and the people involved should all be included. Example :  On Aug...

A Roadside Stand by Robert Frost, 12 English CBSE (Summary, poetic devices, vocabulary and stanza based question-answer)

   A ROADSIDE STAND BY Robert Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963) DETAILED SUMMARY, POETIC DEVICES, DIFFICULT WORDS, AND THEIR MEANING, AND VERY SHORT QUESTION-ANSWER OF A ROADSIDE STAND INTRODUCTION The poem “A Roadside Stand” is about the rural-urban divide. The poet has presented the grim picture of the rural folk. According to the poet, rustics are the victims of injustice and apathy. DIFFICULT WORDS AND THEIR MEANINGS  Sped- move fast  Pathetically- very bad condition  Pled- requested  Dole of bread- bread given in alms or charity Withering- drying Marred- destroyed Quart- a unit of volume/measuring unit Wart- outer covering Crossly: angrily Kin- One’s family and relations Beast of Prey- a wild animal killing another animal Beneficent- generous/kind Soothe- relieve Longing- desire In vain- without success or a result Lurk- to wait somewhere secretly Marred- Spoilt Plow: cut/turn up Requisite- required Sane- sensible POETIC DEVICES USED IN THE POE...

The Voice of the Rain for class 11 English CBSE (Summary, Detailed Explanation, NCERT Solution, Question-Answer, Poetic Devices & Word-Meaning )

  THE VOICE OF THE RAIN By Walt Whitman Summary, Line by Line Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings and Literary Devices of the Poem “The Voice of the Rain” ABOUT THE POET Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and journalist. He is best known for his “Leaves of Grass”, which is about the beauty of the natural world and the human spirit. Whitman's poetry is famous for its free verse style. He wrote about themes like democracy, individualism, and the interconnectedness of all life.  INTRODUCTION OF THE POEM “THE VOICE OF THE RAIN” In the poem, “The Voice of the Rain”, Walt Whitman treats rain as a human being and personifies it. At the same time, the cyclic movement of rain has been explained. The poet has also compared rain to music. THEME OF THE POEM “THE VOICE OF THE RAIN” The poem emphasises the cyclical nature of rain, illustrating how it rises, transforms, and returns to Earth. This cycle symbolises continuity and renewal. By describing the rain as a "Poem ...