Elective English Class 12

  

Direction: Even Notes would seem to be futile! Reason is that this book will have comprehension passages.

Focus on vocabulary (matching will be from it)

 

The Horse	How God would have planned to give Horse certain qualities? Neither horns nor laws. He gave him teeth to chew, but not to bite. He gave him an open field to enjoy. [But restriction: Humans. Man gave him stable.]
Warrior Against Weeds	About a weed. Idea/ Theme: Minute observation and verification of discovery, patience is portrayed related to a scientific research. Important points: Lantana Camara imported from: Latin America. Lohumi age: 63 years. Latana spread by insects. Headmaster name: Naukuchiatal. Spread of Lantana checked in Australia.
A Most forgiving Ape	Talked about African Gorilla. Sir Julian Huxley has written in London Zoo. Story talks about a 18 months old gorilla. Gorilla: Kind, gentle, most forgiving ape. Anger: Beating chest (compares ape with humans as well.) Main idea: Conserve wildlife!
A Young Turkish Catastrophe (Saki)	About an election scene. A woman won elections. Votes. Vizier said that women has neither soul nor intelligence. So it is stupid to allow her to vote. Orthodox Persian people's culture discussed. A man feeling ashamed, defeated in elections. Woman won elections.
A Tiny Sanctuary	Books library talked about as a sanctuary. Touched books respectfully, carefully, run through them.
Mano Majra	Khushwant Singh discusses about a village named Mano Majra, simple life style, bovine, villager, cluster, monotonous life, peaceful
Jamaican Fragment	Racial discrimination. White boy and black boy difference in behaviour. Who will play first? Who will dominate? Ordering each others chores---> Servant-Servant game. Intention: Stop prejudice of racial superiority.
The Heritage of India	Bhagwat Gita inspired men of action, Upanishads will continue to inspire people, Ramayana etc, Gandhi. Love stories of Dushyanta and Shakuntala and of Pururawa and Urvashi interests people.
Gold in the North	Visit in Rajasthan region by the author. Learn 4-5 details about that.
My Greatest Olympic Prize	Spirit of: :The important thing on Olympic Games as well as in life is not winning, but taking part and fighting well. Luz realised, the epitome of what Pierre de Coubertin, founder of modern Olympic Games would have thought.
The Green Revolution	Cattle, swine and poultry are fed on cereal grains. High Yield Variety, farmers and landlord relation, Mexico: 1st experimented Green Revolution. High crop yeild etc. discussed here. Optimistic future.
The Snob	Father and Son were in the same shop. However, Son was with his GF. He did not introduce GF to Father. So, he was called Snob.
Most Dear to All Muses	Tagore is against the blind imitation of the West. Imitation in his opinion is like "dressing our skeleton with another man's skin." India praised for binding opposite ideas together. Old traditions + new ideas.
The Case for the Defence	Murder or not. A trial by the jury scene is discussed here. However, the man was acquitted of murder charges due to lack of evidences in his case.
On My 70th B'day	A person on 70th b'day is not jealous of anyone. He does not think what others think of him. He don't care about who dislike him.

 

Direction: Focus on the lines of the poem. Because stanzas would come. NOT the summary or central idea type of questions.

 

Hind Ki Chadar-	Sri Guru Teg Bahadur: Background history, learn the cremation etc.
Border Guards	War and politicians are the reason of political boundaries. The sympathy of ally-soldier discussed here.
My Heart Leaps When I Behold	Unusual sensitivity to Nature. Happy to see 'Rainbow'. All age people are enthralled by looking at it. The Child is  a Father of a man. Every object of nature, its beauty and quietness is secure with a sense of thought and emotion.
The Gambling Match	Yudhistar etc gambling. Important lines: Humiliation is a better medicine, but the honest man drinks it, and keeps his head clear. You are drunk with pride and greed. Beware.
The Quality of Mercy	Mercy is like the rain drops from the Heaven. It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: Important lines.
The Fancy Dress Show	Hypocrisy, fake behaviour and so many masks. Actually: Hideous about their real selves. Excellent satire. One a politician wears, other the fake 'gurus'. 'Window dressing' by false virtues.
The Eternal Why	Curiosity of a child irks parents. They finally say: "We cannot answer your eternal 'Whys!"
What Thogh the Field be Lost	Never give up attitude. Better to rein in Hell than to serve in Heaven.
The Song of India	Nationalism, patriotism, Himalaya and Peninsula discussed here.
After Twenty Yr	I may die! LOL Read yourself :P
The Trees Fell Down	Procrastination to remove the tree blocking traffic. Satire on politicians who come at the times of votes, but do nothing.
Hatred	Hatred discussed. The World is full of Delirium of Hatred. RN Tagore wants a State free of evil, hatred and war.
Attacked by Pit Bull	You gotta keep trying to do more than you thought you ever could. Discussion about a daring fight put up and a charismatic mayor of Albama attacked by two ferocious dogs.
Slave? No Master	Humility is a great virtue. It is discussed here
The Unrest Desire	The desires of (love, anger etc.) discussed here. We suppress them temporarily but we are again instigated. We 'slap on our face'
The Boy who Broke the Bank	About a bank robbery. A businessman Seth Govind who was infamous for not paying to sweeter-boy. Nathu, a sweeper boy, was an innocent boy. Though he was poor, but he didn't dare to steal money. Cursed goondas who did robbery.
Still Life	After the breakup, the story of stillness yet not so still (yearning) emotions.
Is this the End?	Poet inspires the reader to venture forth into the unknown realms of spirituality much above the intellectual or physical bliss.
The Conjuror's Revenge	Sting in the tail type of story. A conjurer earned living by showing some tricks. However, a sharp-witted spectator ridiculed him: Oh: "He had it up his sleeve" remarks. He finally (Conjuror) succeeded in having last laugh and revenging himself full on the 'Quick Man'.
Guru	Talked about the hypocrisy and fake gurus. They loot people and have different faces while talking to foreigners (because they donate a lots of money:) Satirical remarks about their true nature.
A River Tern on the Ganga	Written by ex-PM ManMohan Singh. About the filthy and pathetic condition of River Ganga due to pollution and industrialisation. Need to balance economic growth with judicious environmental issues and concerns.
The Ant and the Grasshopper	Someone like you and me. Ant: Me. Grasshopper: You. Honest, painstaking, and disciplined people are sometimes less fortunate than those who eat, drink and make merry. The principle of poetic justice is, more than often, flouted by life."
A Psalm of Life	In the rallying depression the poet writes. However: celebration of life. Manifesto and philosophy of optimism.
Hymn of Swaraj	Invocation of full fledged swaraj is talked about. This song has been adopted as the morning prayer of Navodaya Schools by 'Navadoya Samiti'. In this there is intricate details pertaining to peninsula, Himalayas, age-old culture and heritage, temples-rock cut shrines. It touches upon the aspects of national life.

 

 

 

Direction: : Learn why the title is justified in case of One Act Play.

Focus on Character Sketch

 

 

The Bishop's Candlesticks	Bishop An ideal priest Kind and generous Loving and caring Uphold religion and church Epitome of goodness	Convict A hard coat criminal Essentially a Human Hates religion His transformation due to kindness by Bishop A new hope to his life	Persome A loving and caring sister Insensitive Possessive Proud
The Miracle Merchant	Louis Main character He depends on his relatives for $ Had a brilliant mind Selfish and greedy Clever, cunning and deceitful Tricky-man Gives his words a charm	Mrs. Beauwhistle She was an elderly lady He was charming, peace loving, so people liked to visit her Spends a lot of money for her visitors Good natures Doesn't quarrel on petty issues Fond of gardening
The King's Warrant	Robin Hood Dressed like a pedlar, famous hero of ballad Lived in forest sherwood Large no. of loyal companions Brave and generous Fought long wars Very popular person Full of wit and humour Master planner	Sheriff of Nottingshire Officer of law Magistrate appointed by king of England Black beard No control over himself Very angry and begin to curse No warm welcome	Stranger Companion of Robin Hood Mistook him to be Robin Hood Responsible for disappearance of King's Warrant
The Monkey's Paw	Sergeant Major Morris Retired soldier Honest man Face consequences told by Mr. White 3 wish fulfil	Mr. White Interested in magic Wanted to go to India Monkey Paws side-effects explained but still wanted it Rs. 200 pound as compensation Curious person	Mrs. White Loving mother Dutiful wife After tragic death of Son Herbert: tragic over death Son came back as Ghost Made 3rd wish but later regret Cry in despair	Herbert - very good at playing chess - jolly young man - wished to off his debts - friendly with father -vowed not to marry till the debts were off - Sober, refused to drink with Sergeant - Alert - Died because of entangling in  a machine
The Man who Wouldn't Go to Heaven	Richard Alton Free thinker Better critic of belief  and superstitions Rationalist and rebel He said Heaven is a sheer impossibility A rebel, hates everyone around Revolt and smash Bold, brave and courageous	Thariel Gaurding angel Gateway leading to Heaven Large boot, expensive clothes Asks everyone to climb steps to Heavens Speaks very politely Not allowed to revel secrets Doesn't discuss over petty things Source of humour in the play