What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
In normal days, school begins with a lot of notice and cheerful faces of children. The environment of school and noises can be heard from the near streets. But that day was very unusual as there was all quiet and still. It was the day like that it seems on sunday. Mr.Hamel and students in the class was very sad and with worried faces.
Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What could this mean?
(There could be more than one answer.)
The people in this story suddenly realise how precious their language is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?
What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?
How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school change?
What had been put up on the bulletin-board?
What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?
What is the “misadventure” that William Douglas speaks about?
From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Strike out what is not true in the following.
a. Rajkumar Shukla was
(i) a sharecropper.
(ii) a politician.
(iii) delegate.
(iv) a landlord.
b. Rajkumar Shukla was
(i) poor.
(ii) physically strong.
(iii) illiterate.
What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up’?
What are some of the positive views on interviews?
Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?
What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?
What were the series of emotions and fears that Douglas experienced when he was thrown into the pool? What plans did he make to come to the surface?
Why was he amused by this idea?
How did the instructor “build a swimmer” out of Douglas?
Why did he show the thirty kroner to the peddler?
Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?
What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities?
How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s father?
Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain.
Who was the English visitor to the studios?
Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting.
What does The God that Failed refer to?