Understanding
the text : Main ideas
1 What has the protagonist’s husband
been hiding from her?
A : He has been hiding the nature of his
duties and the background of the award he has received.
2 Who opposes her marriage and why?
A :The protagonist’s brother opposes the
marriage. He doubted that a military officer, and a woman who is against the military rule, wouldn’t make a perfect match.
3 Why do the protagonist’s friends stop
interacting with her?
A :They were stifled and didn’t trust
her. Moreover, they regarded her as a Trojan horse.
4 What is the impact of her friend’s
sudden death on the protagonist?
A: She was so upset and wept for many
days.
5 Why do you think she compares her
husband and his friends to wolves?
A: Because they are so cruel and have
wild thoughts. They seemed fierceful.
6 What is the impact of the revelation
on the protagonist?
A: It is hard for her to believe. She
couldn’t digest the true colour of her husband.
Looking
at language : Writing style
Read the following phrases and write the
associations/images they create for you.
- Darkness had spread itself over the trees[para 1]
It indirectly
says that something bad has occurred and it is unavoidable.
- All the shreds of lights were over and our shrieks filled all the dark corners [para 3]
Succeeding in
one’s attempts gives joy and fulfillment. It drives away negativity.
- Darkness would swallow up all the fragments of light [para 9]
The misery and
misfortune in life have taken away all the cheerful moments.
- I stand in the semi-dark arch of the drawing room door[para 26]
The thought
process is going on and she is ready to face the situation, whatever the
consequences may be.
Looking
at Language : Vocabulary by Theme
Rooted to spot = unable to move
Legs gave way = unable to stand
Retreated within myself = consoled
myself, moved away from something
Trance = have no conscious control
Dead foetus = not alive, ended relation
Literary concept : Theme
1 Would you consider ‘To be or Not to
Be’ a political story?
A: It is a story of personal life with a
political backdrop. It depicts the role of politics in a
woman’s family.
2 Does the author………. Carried out around
them?
A: The author blames everyone in the
society that is involved in violating the human rights, that is ignorant of their rights and that is oppressing those rights. She
criticizes the insensitive human tendency.
3 What do you think is the intent of the
author in writing such a story?
A: The author intends to reveal the true
colours of the military government and the impact it has on a normal family. She wanted to put forth the struggle faced by a wife
in such a situation.
4 What is the tone the narrator has
adopted?
A The narrator has adopted a tone of
depressive yet powerful, gloomy but realistic, empathetic and suggestive.
Culture
point:
1: How does the writer depict the
military establishment in the story?
A :The military establishment was
considered frightening, terrific, wild, Hippocratic, cruel and
merciless.Major
part of her life is associated with its regime and oppression. Military power
was so
strong that no one could stand or fight against it. It was like a strong
oak tree rooted deep into earth and rose to the clouds. Its sprawling branches covered the entire
livelihood in the country.
2 Does the absence of names make the
story more universal and impactful?
A Yes, of course. Absence of names make
the story more universal and impactful. Everyone
could identify themselves or their friends or family in the characters
and the scenes. The impact would be more because the plot is not diluted by personalizing
the characters.
3 In what terms does she describe the
victims of the torture?
A The victims of the torture are the
narrator herself, her friend and her friend’s wife.The
terms used to describe these victims are — unknown soldier, lamenting wife, a
genious, brilliant mind and a noble soul. The victims of the torture
were so gentle, noble, good at heart, generous, ambitious and courageous but were suppressed,
oppressed and deceived by the power.
Literary
concept
It’s not a tale of personal betrayal
alone. It includes political and ethical betrayal, too.
She
was ashamed of her husband’s nature and behavior. She expresses her
dissatisfaction and resentment upon his personal and ethical betrayal. She also
includes the government and authorities for their betrayal of signing on the
articles and brushing them aside.
Literary
concept : Imagery
She compared the cruelty and wild nature
of human beings with that of the wild animals. She represented the inhuman
behavior by comparing them and their actions to the wild life. She says that
they were like snarling wolves and growling wolves, crowding with their bloody
jaws.
In
her point of view, the men that torture other men and the men who find pleasure
in it are no less than the wild animals.
Reading
Journal
1 Read the lines……………end them
A :The essence of the story is clearly
conveyed in the title itself. The narrator is in a dilemma.
She struggles over the decision she has to make: whether to continue
with the sufferings or to
oppose and stand against them.
2 Do you think……………………. To its citizens?
A: The author is critical of any form of
governance that denies rights to its citizens. She fights for
the rights of a common man.
3 Have you ever…………… author’s story?
A: It is a non-governmental organization
that works to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights and to demand justice for these whose rights have been violated.The
reports show that the communities, most affected by human rights abuses are the
real driving force behind the human rights struggle. Their courage,
determination and perseverance have inspired millions to fight for justice.The narrator
in the story has suffered to the extent and hence would lead the movement with strong and firm determination, and courage until she reaches her
determined goal.
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