Section A : Drama Chapter - 1 : The Merchant of Venice About the Author William Shakespeare was born on 26th April, 1564. He was the son of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. He was born and brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway and they had three children. William Shakespeare was an English poet and a playwright. He is regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. He wrote 37 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems. His plays are divided into four main categories: comedies, tragedies, histories and romances. His characters were always fresh and life-like. About the Play “The Merchant of Venice” written by the great Elizabethan dramatist, William Shakespeare, between 1596 and 1598, is a comedy exploring the themes of love, money, prejudice and social injustice. The play is classified as the comedy, because it shares the basic elements typical of all Shakespeare’s comedies. However, in words of Nicholas Rose, “There appears in [The Merchant of Venice] such a deadly spirit of revenge, such a savage fierceness and fellness, and such a bloody designation of cruelty and mischief, as cannot agree either with the style or characters of comedy.” Bassanio, a noble but penniless Venetian, asks his wealthy merchant friend Antonio for a loan so that Bassanio can undertake a journey to woo the heiress, Portia. Antonio, whose money is invested in foreign ventures, borrows the sum from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, on the condition that, if the loan cannot be repaid in time, Antonio will forfeit a pound of flesh. Antonio is reluctant to do business with Shylock, whom he despises for lending money at interest unlike Antonio himself, who lends money without charging any interest; Antonio considers that lending at interest violates the very spirit of Christianity. Nevertheless, he needs Shylock’s money in order to be able to assist Bassanio. Bassanio goes to Belmont and is able to successfully fulfil the terms of Portia’s father’s will’ by selecting from three caskets the one that contains her portrait. Two previous wooers, the Princes of Morocco and Arragon, have failed the casket test by choosing “what many men desire” or “what the chooser thinks he deserves”; Bassanio knows that he must paradoxically “give and hazard all he hath” to win the lady. Bassanio and Portia marry; news arrives that Antonio’s ships have been lost at sea. Unable to collect all his loan, Shylock attempts to use the signed bond to enforce a terrible, murderous revenge on Antonio: he demands his pound of flesh. Part of Shylock’s desire for vengeance is motivated by the way in which the Christians of the play have conspired together to enable his daughter Jessica to elope from his house, taking with her a substantial portion of his wealth, in order to become the bride of the Christian Lorenzo. Shylock’s revengeful plan is foiled by Portia, who disguised as a lawyer, turns the tables on Shylock by a legal quibble: he must take flesh only, and Shylock must die if any blood is spilled. Thus, the contract is cancelled, and Shylock is ordered to give half of his estate to Antonio, who agrees not to take the money if Shylock converts to Christianity and restores his disinherited daughter to his will. Shylock has little choice but to agree. The play ends with the news that some of Antonio’s ships have arrived safely. The character of Shylock has been the subject of modern scholarly debate over whether the playwright displays anti-Semitism or religious tolerance in his characterization, for, despite his stereotypical depiction as a shrewd and greedy moneylender, Shylock is depicted as understandably full of hate, having been both verbally and physically abused by Christians, and he is given one of Shakespeare’s most eloquent speeches (“Hath not a Jew eyes?…”). Shylock is the embodiment of justice. His nature knows no mercy as none is ever shown to him. In business and religion, Shylock is under a ban. The object of centuries of injustice and abuse, he is the very incarnation of hatred. He holds rigidly to the law, for the reason that it is all the protection he has, and for the further reason that his religion is one of stern obedience to form. He would murder Antonio, legally, because Antonio stands for all that he hates, and personally, because of Antonio’s ill-treatment of himself. Shylock is no stupid, brutal, miserly thief. Shakespeare has made him the mouthpiece for rallying against the anti-christian traits of those who proclaim themselves to be Christians. Meanwhile, Shakespeare seems in Portia to have realized his best conception of womankind. There is in her a sweetness and dignity and tenderness that characterizes her as belonging to the highest type of womanhood. Wherever she moves there emanates, the grace of one “to the manor born,” the embodiment of wealth and [2 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

luxurious elegance. Added to these is a fine intelligence. Self-reliance, wit, clear judgment, penetration, firmness, hopefulness and mercy, combine in her to form a superior character. Because she typifies the true wife, all Bassanio’s interests are hers, and she undertakes the most daring and difficult task to liberate Antonio. Summary of the Play Antonio, a leading merchant of Venice, is a wealthy, respected, and popular man. Among his many friends is a young man named Bassanio, who owes Antonio a good deal of money. Bassanio would like to repay his friend, but so far he has been unable to do so. However, he now feels that he may have find a way — but he will again need a loan from Antonio. In Belmont, Bassanio tells Antonio, there lives a beautiful, young and wealthy heiress. Bassanio feels sure that he can win her hand in marriage, but he cannot go courting “hands-hanging.” If he is to make a good impression, he has to appear at least as well off as her other wealthy suitors. Antonio tells his young friend that he would gladly lend him whatever amount of money he needs, but at the present time he himself is short of cash. All of his money is tied up in his merchant ships, which are still at sea. However, Antonio will not disappoint Bassanio. He knows of a moneylender who will probably lend him the necessary amount, and Bassanio can use Antonio’s good name as security for the loan. At Belmont, Portia speaks to Nerissa, her confidante, telling her how tired she is of the constant stream of suitors, and how she wishes to be free of the perverse obligation of her father’s will: Portia cannot choose her own husband; she can marry only the man who chooses the correct one of three caskets — one gold, one silver, and one lead; one contains her portrait and that one is the lucky casket. So far, none of her suitors has decided to risk choosing one of the caskets, which is all for the good, because Portia has no liking for anyone of them. However, when Nerissa mentions the name of Bassanio, a possible suitor, Portia’s mood brightens. He, one once met a visitor at Belmont, and Portia, was impressed with him. Meanwhile in Venice, Shylock, a rich Jewish moneylender who harbours a secret hatred for Antonio, has agreed to lend Bassanio three thousand ducats for three months, on Antonio’s bond. Foregoing his usual high interest rate, Shylock demands instead, that if the day for payment falls due and the money is not returned, he may cut off one pound of flesh from Antonio’s body. Antonio agrees, because all of his ships are due back in Venice a full month before the bond falls due. A romantic subplot develops when Lorenzo, a close friend of Antonio and Bassanio, falls in love with Shylock’s daughter, Jessica. He manages to elope with her by disguising as a boy, and she manages to take with her a goodly amount of her father’s ducats. Of course, this infuriates Shylock, and he vows revenge. Shortly thereafter, Bassanio and Gratiano leave for Belmont, where the “fair Portia” has just sent away the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon, two more disappointed, unsuccessful suitors. When Bassanio asks to choose one of the caskets, Portia falls immediately in love with him, and she begs him to wait a few days before choosing one of the caskets. He has fallen in love with Portia and insists on taking his chances. He rejects the gold one, then the silver one; he chooses, finally, the lead casket, and on opening it, he finds a portrait of Portia. Both, he and Portia, are overjoyed, and they make plans to be married at once, along with Nerissa and Gratiano, who have also fallen in love. Happiness reigns in Belmont until Bassanio is brought a letter from Antonio bidding him farewell since his ships have been lost at sea and, since it is impossible that he will live after Shylock collects his pound of flesh. Horrified, Bassanio leaves instantly for Venice with money which Portia gives him to pay the bond. In Venice, Shylock is no longer interested in the mere payment of the money due to him. He wants revenge. A Christian stole his daughter (and she took his money), and nothing will satisfy Shylock except the legal fulfilment of the bond. In the court of justice, presided over by the Duke of Venice, Shylock faces his enemy, Antonio. Antonio is surrounded by his friends and is quietly resigned to death. On all sides, Shylock is surrounded by enemies. Bassanio pleads with Shylock to accept double the money due to him, but Shylock refuses. At this point, Portia, disguised as a lawyer, and Nerissa, dressed as her law clerk, enter the court and tell the Duke that they have been sent from Padua by a learned attorney, Doctor Bellario, to plead the defendant’s case. Portia entreats Shylock to be merciful, but he will not listen. She offers the moneylender triple the amount owed to him, but again Shylock will have none of it. She then solemnly informs the court that Shylock is entirely within his lawful rights. She then informs Shylock that he must be very careful. He must cutoff exactly one pound of flesh, and he must not spill one drop of Antonio’s blood. If he fails, all of Shylock’s lands and goods will be confiscated. Shylock hastily decides that he will accept the triple payment of the bond, but Portia says no; Shylock then offers to take only the original three thousand ducats, but again Portia refuses, reminding him that it was he himself who demanded the strict interpretation of the law. Furthermore, she says, the law has another hold on him. Since he is an alien in Venice and since he tried to “seek the life” of a Venetian citizen, all his wealth can be divided between the citizen whom he attempted to destroy and the public treasury; in addition, Shylock’s own life is in peril because of what he attempted to do. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 3]

The Duke decides to spare Shylock’s life, but he does give half of Shylock’s money to Antonio, and he gives the rest of it to the State. Antonio says that he will not accept the money if Shylock will agree to become a Christian and if, in his will, he will agree to leave his money to his daughter, Jessica, and her new husband, Lorenzo. Shylock, broken and defeated, agrees to all these conditions and leaves the court. Overjoyed, Antonio and his friends offer to pay the young lawyer whatever they can, but, oddly enough, the lawyer wishes only a certain ring which Bassanio is wearing. Bassanio is embarrassed because his wife gave this ring to him and asked him to wear it always. But the lawyer insists and, finally, Bassanio reluctantly gives away Portia’s ring. Nerissa likewise, cleverly manages to get from Gratiano a ring she gave him. The two ladies then hasten back to Belmont to tease their husbands about the rings. When Bassanio and Gratiano, along with Antonio, return to Belmont, their wives inquire about the missing rings. Portia and Nerissa insist that the men, no doubt gave the rings away to two other women. The husbands swear that it is not true, and it is not until Portia and Nerissa have put their husbands through some long, comically agonizing moments of discomfort that they confess that they themselves were the “learned doctor” and the “clerk” to whom the rings were given. Thus, all ends happily, as Portia gives Antonio a letter informing him that three of his ships have arrived safely in port. Major Characters Shylock Shylock is a Jewish moneylender in Venice who has been embittered by years of abuse at the hands of Venetian Christians and Antonio, the merchant, in particular. Shylock’s anger and bitterness lead him to sign a contract with Antonio, in which Antonio puts up a pound of his own flesh as collateral for a loan. When Antonio can’t cover his loan, Shylock refuses to show any mercy and insists that the law be upheld and that he get to take his pound of flesh. The other characters, including Shylock’s own daughter, Jessica, consider him to be inhuman— bestial or demonic. However, their treatment of Shylock helps illuminate the prejudice and hypocrisy that lies behind many of their stated ideals of human brotherhood and Christian fellowship. Antonio Antonio is a prosperous Venetian merchant, liked and admired by his fellow citizens. To help his friend Bassanio woo Portia, Antonio signs a contract with Shylock, guaranteeing a loan with one pound of his own flesh as collateral. Many critics argue that Antonio harbours an unrequited erotic desire for Bassanio. In contrast to the benevolence that he shows others, Antonio expresses an intense hatred for Shylock and the Jews, though at the end of the play he does agree that Shylock should be shown mercy and not be condemned to death. Portia Portia is a beautiful, clever, and wealthy noble woman who lives at a country estate in Belmont, outside Venice. Portia is bound by a clause in her father’s will, which obligates her to marry whoever solves the so-called riddle of the caskets, by choosing the correct chest from, one of gold, one of silver, and one of lead. After despairing over a parade of suitors whom she finds distasteful, Portia does get to marry her true love, Bassanio, who happily makes the correct choice. She also saves Antonio’s life, during his trial with Shylock, dressed up as a lawyer named Balthazar. For centuries, Portia was admired as an ideal of feminine virtue. However, many modern critics have pointed out that Portia, though seemingly a genius and a perfect wife, regularly displays a vicious prejudice toward non-Christians and foreigners. Bassanio Bassanio is a nobleman from Venice, who is a kinsman, close friend, and long-time debtor of the merchant, Antonio. Because he wants to woo the noble Portia, but cannot afford to do so, Bassanio borrows 3000 ducats from Shylock, with Antonio as his guarantor. His status as Portia’s suitor and, later, her husband, makes Bassanio the romantic hero of the play. However, his character is deeply flawed. At best clueless, and at worst consciously selfish and manipulative, he always manages to avoid earning his own way : first, he exploits the generosity of his friend Antonio, and then he freely passes on the money and gifts that Portia gives him. Minor Characters Gratiano – is a notoriously vulgar Venetian and friend of Bassanio. While Bassanio courts Portia, Gratiano falls in love with Nerissa and eventually marries her. Jessica – is Shylock’s daughter, who moves from merely disdaining her father to actually robbing him, eloping with a Christian Venetian, Lorenzo, and converting to Christianity. Lorenzo – is a Venetian and friend of Bassanio and Antonio, who is in love with Shylock’s daughter Jessica. Lorenzo elopes with Jessica, taking money and precious items that she has stolen from her father. Nerissa – is Portia’s servant and confidante, Nerissa ultimately marries Bassanio’s companion, Gratiano. [4 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

Launcelot Gobbo – is a clownish servant, who leaves Shylock in order to work for Bassanio. Salerio – is a Venetian nobleman, friendly with Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Solanio – is a Venetian nobleman and who is also a good friend of Salerio. Prince of Morocco – is a Moorish prince who comes to woo Portia at Belmont. He asks Portia not to judge him by the colour of his skin, but incorrectly picks the gold casket. Prince of Arragon – is a Spanish nobleman who woos Portia at Belmont. He incorrectly picks the silver casket. Duke of Venice – presides over the trial of Antonio. Though the Duke attempts to persuade Shylock to show Antonio mercy, he knows that Venice’s commercial interests depend on a consistent application of its laws, so he can’t make an exception to help Antonio. Old Gobbo – is Launcelot’s blind father. Tubal – is a Jew in Venice, and Shylock’s sole friend and confidante during the course of the play. Doctor Bellario – is Portia’s cousin and a well-respected lawyer in Padua. He never appears on stage. Balthazar – is the servant Portia sends to obtain her letters of introduction and costume from Bellario. Balthazar is also the name Portia takes when she impersonates a lawyer at court. Act Wise Summary of the Play

ACT I, Scene I. Venue — Venice Characters — Antonio, Salerio, Solanio, Bassanio, Lorenzo, Gratiano Antonio, a Merchant of Venice, talks of his sadness with his friends Salerio and Solanio, who believe that his heavy investments at sea must cause him worry. When he says that it doesn’t bother him, since his wealth isn’t invested in just one ship, they claim he must be in love. Antonio shrugs this off as well. When Bassanio enters, he tells Antonio of Portia, a rich and beautiful woman he has fallen in love with, and, although he has borrowed money from Antonio before and hasn’t paid it back, asks to borrow money again so that he may court her, and thus, have enough money to pay Antonio back completely. Even though Antonio’s money is tied up in the ships, he allows Bassanio to see what kind of loan he can secure with Antonio’s credit.

Word Meanings :

1. Owe : Commitment to pay or repay in return 2. Wearies : Fatigue 3. Argosies : Large merchant ships 4. Broth : Soup 5. Shallows : Not very deep 6. Edifice : Building 7. Vinegar aspect : Sour look, negative attitude 8. Kinsman : Relative 9. Leisure : Free time 10. Mortifying : Humiliating 11. Exhortation : Communication urging someone to do something 12. Moan : Complaint 13. Quest : Search

ACT I, Scene II. Venue — Belmont Characters — Portia, Nerissa In Belmont, Portia complains to her servant Nerissa that she cannot choose her own husband; her dead father has stipulated in his will that Portia’s suitors must pass a test in which they must choose among three caskets—one lead, one silver, and one gold, to find which one contains her portrait. The one who chooses correctly will become Portia’s husband and inherit her fortune, but if the suitors fail, they may never marry. Portia and Nerissa discuss the faults of suitors who have come and gone, and remembered Bassanio as one who might be worthy to be her husband.

Word Meanings : Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 5]

1. Aught : Anything 2. Surfeit : In excess 3. Decree : Law 4. Colt : Wild young horse 5. Afeard : Afraid 6. Requite : Return love 7. Acquainted : Familiar 8. Imposition : Condition 9. Thy : Your 10. Seek : Wish to meet 11. Shrive : Give spiritual consolation ACT I, Scene III. Venue — Venice Characters — Bassanio, Shylock, Antonio Shylock agrees to lend Bassanio three thousand ducats for three months based on Antonio’s credit but is skeptical, since all of Antonio’s assets are tied up at sea. He confesses in an aside that he hates Antonio, because he is a Christian who lends money without interest, which makes Shylock’s profession as a moneylender difficult. Shylock has also been offended by Antonio’s public, physical and verbal assaults against him for usury, which is considered a sin by Christians. When Shylock points out Antonio’s hypocrisy, Antonio points out he makes the exception for Bassanio, not for himself. Word Meanings :

1. Stead : Help 2. Argosy : Merchant ship 3. Peril : Risk, hazard 4. Bethink : Think seriously 5. Fawning : Submissive 6. Publican : Tax collector 7. Wrought : Planned 8. Inserted : Mentioned 9. Doit : A copper coin 10. Merry sport : A joke 11. Dismay : Fear 12. Before the day : Before the expiry of the bond ACT II, Scene I. Venue — Belmont Characters — Portia, the Prince of Morocco Prince of Morocco has come to take the casket challenge to win Portia’s hand, but she tells him that if he fails, he may never marry. Word Meanings :

1. Mislike : Misunderstand 2. Livery : Uniform(skin) 3. Thaws : Melts 4. Incision : Blood-letting 5. Hedged : Confined 6. Scimitar : Sword 7. Outstare : Look more defiant 8. Hazard : Tough choice

ACT II, Scene II. [6 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

Venue — Venice Characters — Launcelot, the Old Gobbo, Bassanio, Lorenzo, Gratiano Launcelot Gobbo, Shylock’s servant, ponders running away from Shylock to serve another master. He encounters his father, Old Gobbo, who is nearly blind and doesn’t recognize his son. Launcelot plays a trick on his father, misdirecting him and pretending that Launcelot is dead, but soon reveals himself and asks for his father’s blessings. During their reunion, Launcelot begs Bassanio to have him as a servant. Bassanio then sees Gratiano, who asks to go to Belmont with Bassanio. Bassanio allows Gratiano to accompany him, making clear, however, that Gratiano needs to be at his best behaviour, since he has a reputation for being a wild man. Gratiano agrees, but asks that his behaviour not be judged on the basis of partying they plan to do that night. Word Meanings :

1. Heed : Care 2. Budge : Move 3. Sand-blind : Half blind 4. Beseech : Request 5. Cudgel : Staff/stick 6. Alack : Alas 7. Liveries : Uniforms 8. Anon : Soon 9. Frutify : Certify 10. Preferment : Promotion 11. Trifle : Line 12. Wench : Lady 13. Misconstrued : Misunderstood 14. Gauge : Judge

ACT II, Scene III. Venue — Venice Characters — Jessica, Launcelot Jessica tells Launcelot that she too, plans to run away from her father’s house with Bassanio’s friend Lorenzo.

Word Meanings :

1. Merry : Amusing 2. Rob : Take away 3. Taste of : A little 4. Heinous : Deadly

ACT II, Scene IV.

Venue — Venice

Characters — Lorenzo, Gratiano, Salerio, Solario, Launcelot Lorenzo, Gratiano, Salerio and Salanio make plans for the masquerade, a Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) celebration, discussing whether or not they should arrange for torchbearers. Launcelot, on his way to invite Shylock to dine with Bassanio, arrives with Jessica’s letter detailing her plans for escape, which includes taking her father’s gold and jewels. Lorenzo tells Gratiano that Jessica will be disguised as a page and will serve as a torchbearer during the night’s festivities. Word Meanings : 1. Quaintly : Prettily 2. Break : Break the seal Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 7]

3. Provided of : Provided with 4. Directed : Asked 5. Persue : Read 6. Faithless : Non-believer ACT II, Scene V. Venue — Venice Characters — Shylock, Jessica, Launcelot Shylock reacts angrily to Launcelot’s leaving him, but accepts the invitation to eat with Bassanio despite some nagging premonitions. Launcelot hints to Shylock that there will be a Shrove Tuesday masquerade that night, and Shylock orders Jessica to lock up the house so as to avoid getting robbed by the revellers. Launcelot tells Jessica that Lorenzo will go through with their plans. Word Meanings :

1. Pen-house : Shelter 2. Holds : Applies 3. Untread : Retrace 4. Baggard : Mad poor 5. Abode : Wait 6. Beshrew : Curse 7. Presently : Soon ACT II, Scene VI. Venue — Venice Characters — Gratiano, Salerio, Lorenzo, Jessica Gratiano and Salerio meet Lorenzo outside Shylock’s house, in order to help Jessica, now dressed as a young man, escape with a casket of Shylock’s gold and jewels. As Gratiano is about to leave for the revelries, Antonio catches him, saying that Bassanio’s ship is about to depart, so he’d better skip the festivities. Word Meanings :

1. Yonker : Smart boy 2. Scarfed : With flags 3. Strumpet : Harlot 4. Cupid : God of love 5. Garnish : Dress 6. Beshrew : Curse 7. Fie : Shame ACT II, Scene VII.

Venue — Belmont Characters — Portia, the Prince of Morocco In Belmont, Morocco enters the lottery to win Portia’s hand in marriage. He reads the inscriptions on each of the casket and selects the gold one, whose inscription reads, “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire”. Since the gold casket is made of such a valuable material, he reasons, it is the only one fit to contain Portia’s image. When he opens the casket, he finds a skull with a scroll in the eye socket. When he leaves, Portia declares that she hopes that all “men of his complexion” choose the same way.

Word Meanings : 1. Discover : Reveal 2. Blunt : Plain 3. Withal : With that [8 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

4. Graved : Engraved 5. Cerecloth : A type of shroud 6. Insulp’d : Stamped 7. Frost : Cold disappointment ACT II, Scene VIII. Venue — Venice Characters — Salerio, Solanio In one of the most racially charged scenes in the play, Solanio, recounts for Salerio, Shylock’s reaction to Jessica’s theft and elopement. Solanio hopes Antonio is able to pay his debt, but Salerio has heard a rumour that Antonio’s ships have capsized. Salerio remembers how hard it was for Bassanio to leave Antonio, and the two decide to tell Antonio what they’ve heard, but to try to break the news to him gently. Word Meanings :

1. Outcries : Cries 2. Amorous : Loving 3. Outrageous : Shocking 4. Reason’d : Discussed 5. Fraught : Loaded 6. Slubber : Spoil

ACT II, Scene IX. Venue — Belmont Characters — Portia, The Prince of Arragon Arragon undergoes the casket test and selects the silver casket, which reveals a portrait of a “blinking idiot.” As soon as Arragon leaves, word comes that Bassanio has arrived to try the test.

Word Meanings :

1. Injunctions : Conditions 2. Multitude : Majority 3. Martlet : A bird 4. Chaff : Rubbish 5. Blinking : Winking 6. Amiss : Wrong 7. Wroth : Anger 8. Heresy : Rumour

ACT III, Scene I. Venue — Venice Characters — Salerio, Solanio, Shylock, Salerio, Tubal Solanio and Salerio have heard reports that confirm that Antonio’s ships have indeed wrecked, and they are concerned about his bond with Shylock. Shylock, still reeling from his daughter’s escape, hears from Salerio about Antonio’s bad fortune, and his grief turns to anger. Salerio questions whether Shylock will really take his pound of flesh from Antonio, and Shylock responds that he will take it in revenge, just as a Christian would (“Hath not a Jew” speech, ll.50-69). Tubal, another Jew, confirms Antonio’s shipwrecks and tells Shylock that he hasn’t found Jessica, but has heard that she has spent 80 ducats in one night and has traded her mother’s ring for a monkey. Enraged, Shylock gets an officer to arrest Antonio in order to collect his bond.

Word Meanings :

1. Rialto : Stock exchange 2. Knapped : Nibbled Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 9]

3. Betimes : In good times 4. Jet and Ivory : Black and White 5. Rhenish : White wine. 6. Thwarted : Obstructed 7. Hearsed : Put in coffin 8. Argosy : Merchant ship

ACT III, Scene II. Venue — Belmont Characters — Portia, Bassanio, Nerissa, Gratiano. Bassanio arrives in Belmont to vie for Portia’s hand, and she tries to delay his choice so as to spend more time with him in case he chooses incorrectly. She wishes she could teach him how to choose, and in fact gives him clues in her song, but will not defy the letter of the law of her father’s will. When Bassanio chooses correctly, Gratiano reveals that he is in love with Nerissa, completing the third romantic couple of the play. Lorenzo, Jessica, Salerio, and a messenger arrive from Venice, and Bassanio receives the news that Antonio has been arrested. Portia offers to repay the debt even twenty times over, and Bassanio makes plans to return to Venice to try to rescue his friend. Word Meanings :

1. Tarry : Wait 2. Besnrew : Curse 3. Peize : Retard 4. Deliverance : Liberation 5. Flourish : Notes of triumph 6. Alcides : Heracles, a great Greek warrior 7. Visages : Faces 8. Excrement : Appearance 9. Counterfeit : Likeness 10. Mansion : Big building 11. Solemnize : Celebrate 12. Fleece : Golden Fleece 13. Despatch : Expedite 14. Twain : Two ACT III, Scene III. Venue — Venice Characters — Shylock, Antonio, Solanio Shylock takes Antonio to jail, with Antonio pleading for mercy in vain. Solanio and Antonio discuss whether the Duke will dismiss the case, but Antonio believes the law will hold.

Word Meanings : 1. Look to him : Keep a watch on him 2. Fangs : Teeth 3. Impenetrable : Which cannot be satisfied 4. Forfeitures : Penalties 5. Impeach : Deny ACT III, Scene IV. Venue — Belmont Characters — Portia, Lorenzo, Nerissa Portia leaves her estate in the hands of Lorenzo while pretending to stay at a monastery a few miles away during [10 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

their husbands’ absence. Instead, she gets documents and legal clothing from her lawyer cousin so she and Nerissa may go to Venice. Portia promises that she will divulge her plan on the way to Venice. Word Meanings :

1. Conceit : Idea 2. Amity : Friendship 3. Semblance : Likeness 4. Imposition : Task 5. Traject : Ferry 6. Mincing : Short, quick ACT III, Scene V. Venue — Belmont Characters — Launcelot, Jessica, Lorenzo In a scriptural debate, Launcelot tells Jessica that he believes that she is damned for her father’s sins, but she asserts that because of her husband, she will not be. Launcelot complains about the conversion of the Jews, which, since they will not be forbidden to eat pork, will raise the price of bacon. Lorenzo enters and berates Launcelot for getting a Moorish servant pregnant. He suddenly turns to Jessica then and asks her, “How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio’s wife?” Jessica praises Portia as being without equal on earth. Lorenzo jokingly responds, “Even such a husband / Hast thou of me as she is for a wife.” Jessica is ready to comment to his teasing when he urges her to save her comments “for table-talk.” So with loving jests, they go in to dinner. Word Meanings :

1. Agitation : Thought 2. Rasher : Piece of bacon 3. Flatly : Plainly 4. Wit-snapper : A witty person 5. Trickry : Tricky 6. Pawn’d : Pledged ACT IV, Scene I. Venue — Venice Characters — Shylock, The Duke, Portia, Nerissa, Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano Shylock refuses to dismiss the bond, even for repayment of twice the original loan. The Duke tries to reason with Shylock, asking him to have mercy in order to gain mercy, but Shylock argues that, since he has purchased his pound of flesh, it is his to do with as he likes. Portia and Nerissa show up disguised, respectively as a young lawyer and a clerk, just as the Duke is ready to allow Shylock to claim his bond. Portia acknowledges the bond, but appeals to Shylock with her “quality of mercy is not strained” speech. When he refuses, Portia says the law must be upheld, but asks him to reconsider mercy. Still, he demands his bond. As Shylock prepares his knife and the scales on which to weigh the flesh, Antonio bids a passion-filled farewell to Bassanio, who declares that he would give up his wife to keep Antonio alive, to Portia and Nerissa’s chagrin. As the sentence comes down, Portia reveals the loopholes in the law: not a drop of blood may be spilled with the taking of the pound of flesh; and precisely a pound of flesh may be taken, no more or less. Otherwise, all his possessions will be confiscated by the state of Venice. When Shylock backpedals, trying to take the payment rather than the bond, Portia shows no mercy. Furthermore, since Shylock has essentially plotted murder, his property will be split between Antonio and the State, and he is subject to the death penalty. The Duke allows him to live but requires that not only should Shylock’s property be willed to Lorenzo and Jessica, but that Shylock become a Christian as well. Shylock assents, saying, “I am not well”. Antonio and Bassanio offer to pay the disguised Portia and Nerissa for their help. They refuse, but Portia agrees to take Antonio’s gloves, asking Bassanio for his wedding ring. Bassanio initially refuses, but recants, sending Gratiano to deliver the ring. Word Meanings : 1. Stony : Cruel 2. Obdurate : Obstinate Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 11]

3. Moiety : Part 4. Commiseration : Pity 5. Gaping : With open mouth 6. Loathes : Hates 7. Abject : Degrading 8. Viands : Rich food 9. Importunity : Request 10. Impugn : Attack

ACT IV, Scene II. Venue — Venice Characters — Portia, Nerissa, Gratiano Portia and Nerissa deliver the deed for Shylock to sign. Gratiano catches up to deliver Bassanio’s ring to them. Nerissa decides to get Gratiano to give up his ring, and both plot to make the men sorry for what they ever did. Word Meanings : 1. Deed : Document 2. Swear : Promise 3. Warrant : Assure 4. Old : Hard 5. Tarry : Wait ACT V, Scene I. Venue — Belmont Characters — Portia, Lorenzo, Jessica, Nerissa, Antonio, Bassanio, Gratiano In Portia’s garden, Lorenzo and Jessica compare themselves to famous romantic couples of myth and literature. When servants inform them of their masters’ arrivals, Lorenzo asks for music with which to greet Portia, noting its power to charm. Portia and Nerissa arrive, warning the servants not to mention their absence. Upon his return, Bassanio introduces the women to Antonio. Portia and Nerissa quarrel with Bassanio and Gratiano respectively, about their missing rings, withholding their husbands’ marital privileges until they have their rings back. In fact, both women confess they slept with the lawyer and his clerk to retrieve their rings. Before the men are too shocked at their wives’ “unfaithfulness,” Portia shows them a letter from her lawyer cousin explaining their roles in saving Antonio’s life. In true romantic form, Antonio’s ships miraculously return, Lorenzo and Jessica learn they will inherit Shylock’s fortune, and everyone retires to bed as morning comes.

Word Meanings : 1. Soul : Signs of love 2. Unthrift : Thriftless 3. Hark : Listen 4. Hermit : Priest 5. Orb : Star 6. Feign : Imagine 7. Speed : Prosper 8. Bound : Obliged 9. Scant : Cease to express 10. Riveted : Fastened 11. Void : Empty 12. Mending : Repairing 13. Starved : Hungry 14. Sore : Acutely qq [12 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X Chapter - 2 : The Mousetrap About the Author Agatha Christie, was born in Torquay, Devon 1890 to Clarissa Margaret Boehmer and a wealthy American stockbroker. She was brought up by both, her mother and sister. In the First World War, she trained and worked as a nurse helping to treat wounded soldiers. She also took education in the field of pharmacy. She recalled her time as a nurse with great fondness, saying, it was one of the most rewarding jobs she ever undertook. Agatha Christie married an aviator in the Royal Flying Corps - Archibald Christie, in December 1914. The marriage was somewhat turbulent and ended in, divorce in 1928, two years after Archibald had begun an affair. In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days. The circumstances were never really resolved and it created widespread media interest in the disappearance of this famous novelist. She was eventually discovered in Harrogate Hotel eleven days later. Though Agatha Christie never said why, it was probably a combination of shock over her mother’s death and the discovery of her husband’s affair. In 1930, she married her second husband, Max Mallowan. This marriage was happier, though her only child, Rosalind Hicks, came from her first marriage. Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, was an English writer of crime and romantic novels. She is known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, Christie also wrote the world’s longest- running play, a murder mystery, ‘The Mousetrap’, and six romances under the name ‘Mary Westmacott’. In 1971, she was appointed as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contribution to literature. Agatha Christie went on to write over 40 novels featuring the proud and immaculate Hercule Poirot. Like Conan Doyle, Christie had no great love for her own creation - Poirot seemed to be admired by the public more than the writer herself. The plot of Agatha Christie’s novels could be described as formulaic. Murders were committed through ingenious methods - often involving poison, of which Agatha Christie had great knowledge. After interrogating all the main suspects, the detective would bring all the participants into some drawing room before explaining who was the murderer. The psychological suspense of the novels and the fact that, the readers feel they have a good chance of solving the crime, undoubtedly added to the popularity of her books. During the Second World War, Christie worked in the pharmacy of the University College London, which gave her ideas for some methods of her murders. After the war, her books continued to grow in international popularity. In 1952, her play, The Mousetrap, was debuted at the Ambassador’s Theatre in London and has been performed without a break ever since. Her success led to her being honoured in the New Year’s honour list. In 1971 she was appointed as Dame Commander of the British Empire. Dame Agatha Christie died on 12 January 1976, at age 85 from natural causes at her home in Winterbrook, Cholsey, Oxfordshire. She is buried in the nearby churchyard of St Mary’s, Cholsey, having chosen the plot for their final resting place with her husband Sir Max, some ten years before she died. The simple funeral service was attended by about 20 newspaper and TV reporters, some having travelled from as far away as South America. Thirty wreaths adorned Dame Agatha’s grave, including one from the cast of her long-running play, The Mousetrap, and one sent ‘on behalf of the multitude of grateful readers’ by the Ulverscroft Large Print Book Publishers. She was survived by her only child, Rosalind Hicks, and only grandson, Mathew Prichard. Her husband, Max, died in 1978, aged 74. About the Play The Mousetrap, is a murder mystery play by Agatha Christie. It was initially performed as a radio play in 1952 and was broadcasted by the BBC with the title ‘Three Blind Mice’. Queen Mary who was a fan of Agatha, commissioned the radio play in 1947. The forty-five minute play was based on a short story. The reaction of the audience was very positive, so Agatha elaborated the script with its first performance on October 6, 1952. The Mousetrap, became a stage play. The play opened in London, at ‘The Ambassadors Theatre’, on November 25, 1952. Later the play was transferred to St. Martin’s Theatre in London, on March 23, 1974 and is still running there. Since the play has broken several records for its continuous theatrical run, it is estimated that more than four million people had seen the play by the time its twenty-fifth anniversary was celebrated in 1977. It is safe to speculate that an additional three to four million people have probably sat in the dark and tried to puzzle out the identity of the murderer. After another twenty years, ‘The Mousetrap’ continues to benefit from tourists, both, for its artistic merits and for the joy of being part of a theatrical tradition. Christie signed over the royalties from the play to her grandson at its opening in 1952. It is believed that he has become a multimillionaire from the royalties of this one property alone. The play is known for its twist ending, which the audience are traditionally asked not to reveal after leaving the theatre. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 13] Summary of the Play The play begins in England, at the Great Hall of Monkswell Manor. Early one winter afternoon, a brutal murder occurs on Culver Street in Paddington. Witnesses heard someone whistling the nursery rhyme, “Three Blind Mice”, just before the victim had screamed. Later that afternoon, in the Great Hall of Monkswell Manor, Mollie and Giles Ralston prepare for the opening of their guest house, worrying about the effects of the severe snowstorm outside and their own inexperience of their new venture. Eventually, their four guests arrive. First to enter is Christopher Wren. He is hyperactive and unkempt. Giles instantly dislikes Christopher, whereas Mollie has the opposite reaction. Mrs. Boyle and Major Metcalf arrive next, together in a cab from the station. Mrs. Boyle is a complainer, and Metcalf is a friendly, former military- man. Miss Casewell arrives next, described as a mannish woman.She’s the last of the expected guests, but a fifth person arrives unannounced. In a foreign accent, he introduces himself as Mr. Paravicini. His car, he explains, is trapped in a snow drift, and the storm has the added effect of trapping all the characters in the house as the roads are now unpassable. Mollie is uncomfortable with Mr. Paravicini, but she prepares the house’s final room. The next afternoon the storm continues to keep the guests trapped at the house. Superintendent Hogben of the Berkshire Police calls and tells Mollie that he’s sending Sergeant Trotter to the house, and that the Ralstons need to listen carefully to what he has to say.Trotter arrives on a pair of skis, and Metcalf discovers that the phone is no longer working. Trotter is there in regard to the murder. Lyon and her husband had mistreated their three foster children, resulting in the death of the youngest child. Sentenced for the crime, the husband died in jail and Maureen served her sentence. Upon her release, she was strangled to death.Trotter explains that police suspect the oldest boy of the abused children, who would now be twenty-two years old, of being the killer. He further explains that, a notebook found at the scene contained the Manor’s address, along with the words: “Three Blind Mice”. A note reading, “This is the First”, was pinned to the woman’s body. Trotter is there to investigate the connection, and ensure that the people there are safe. When Trotter asks all the guests about their connections to the case, they all deny any knowledge or connections. The first Act draws to its conclusion as the evening continues. Giles and Mollie become distrusting of each other, and the guests get increasingly short-tempered. Trotter follows the phone wire to find out if it has been cut. Meanwhile, Mrs. Boyle listens to the radio, alone in a room. Someone unseen whistles the opening notes of “Three Blind Mice.” Mrs. Boyle responds without fear, conversing with the person only she can see. Suddenly, the lights go out. The audience can hear a struggle in the darkness. Just then, Mollie walks into the room and turns on the lights. She finds Mrs. Boyle, dead on the floor. In Act II, Mrs. Boyle has been strangled. Trotter has taken over the house, and he tries to understand what’s happened as the rest of the cast sits together in one room. Mollie is so badly shaken she offers little help, remembering only a radio playing loudly. Trotter is frustrated, and reminds the cast that everyone’s lives are still very much in danger. Each character explains his/her whereabouts at the time of the murder, and Trotter concludes that, any of them could have committed the crime. But, though everyone had opportunity, only one man matches the police description of the suspect: Christopher Wren. Wren denies involvement immediately, claiming to be the victim of a frame-up. Mollie and Trotter later have a private conversation, which reveals that any of the characters possibly could have committed the crime. Mollie even admits to knowing very little about Giles’s past. Then Mollie speaks privately with Wren, who reveals he’s an army deserter on the run, using a false name. Mollie, too, is running from something in her past. Giles and Wren then become suspicious of each other. Trotter sits for a moment before calling out for Mollie. He explains that he knows Mollie once worked as a schoolteacher for the deceased foster children. She failed to answer a letter from the youngest boy begging for help. Mollie claims she was sick and unable to read the letter before it was too late. She is still haunted by the kids’ death. Trotter reveals a gun, and points it at Mollie. Trotter, is not a policeman, but the oldest of the foster children. He’d faked the phone call himself. He reverts to a childlike state, drops his gun, and begins strangling Mollie. Miss Casewell arrives and calls him by name, revealing that she is his long-lost sister, here to take him to some safe place. Major Metcalf, who’s arrived with Miss Casewell, then reveals that he’s a policeman himself, working undercover as a result of the “Three Blind Mice” note, and that he’s known all along that Trotter is an imposter. The Mousetrap received lukewarm responses from critics upon its debut. The play, however, achieved massive popularity with audiences, and has been staged, without stop, for over sixty years, making it the longest-running show of any kind in history. It’s a prime example of a twist ending, and members of the audience are asked to not reveal the killer to the awaiting audiences on their way out. [14 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X Major Characters Mollie Ralston Mollie Ralston is the wife of Giles Ralston. She is a tall, pretty woman in her late twenties. Mollie is the young owner of Monkswell Manor, a Victorian era estate that has recently been converted into a guest house. In earlier years, she had taught at the school that the Corrigan children attended. Jimmy Corrigan Jimmy Corrigan sent her a letter and pleaded with her to help. She fell ill with pneumonia on the very day the letter arrived, she could not see it until weeks later, by the time Jimmy was dead. She is also a suspect in the killing of the other two women who were involved in the tragedy. She went to London secretly, on the day Mrs. Stanning was killed and she is the first one to find the body of Mrs. Boyle. Giles Ralston Giles Ralston is Mollie’s husband. Giles, is the co-host of Monkswell Manor. After three weeks of meeting they both married. Giles past remains a mystery. He wears a coat, scarf, and hat like those seen on the killer. He, made a clandestine trip to London on the day of Mrs. Stanning’s death. Mrs. Boyle Mrs. Boyle is a large, middle-aged, stern and generally unpleasant woman. She is a guest at Monkswell Manor. She was a former magistrate and unwittingly sent the Corrigan children to Longridge Farm. At the end of the first act she is strangled. Major Metcalf Major Metcalf is a middle-aged, square-shouldered, military in manner and bearing person. He is a typical retired British military officer. He is a guest at Monkswell Manor. Miss Casewell Miss Casewell is a young woman who is masculine in appearance and has a masculine voice. She is another guest at Monkswell Manor. She remains mysteriously aloof from the other guests. Mr. Paravicini Mr. Paravicini is a foreign, dark, elderly man with a small flamboyant moustache. He is an unexpected guest at Monkswell Manor. He is there only because his car got stuck in snowbank during a terrible blizzard. Detective Sergeant Trotter Detective Sergeant Trotter is a cheerful, young man posing as a police officer. He is a late arriving guest at Monkswell Manor. He is trying to establish a relationship between any of the guests and a murder already committed at another location. Act Wise Summary of the Play ACT I, Scene I. The play opens with a radio account of a woman murdered in London. The scene opens with darkness and the sounds of someone whistling the tune of ‘’Three Blind Mice.’’ Shouts in the darkness indicate something is amiss, and then we hear police whistles. After that, the lights come up and we hear radio announcer reporting on a recent murder. The scene is the great hall at Monkswell Manor, an old home with a large window in the centre of the stage. There is a fireplace on one side and several doors leading to other parts of the house. The first character to appear on stage is Mollie Ralston. She turns on the lights, turns off the radio and removes her coat Next Giles Ralston, her husband enters. The first guest to arrive is Christopher Wren. He praises both the style and décor of the house and is enthusiastic. The second guest to arrive is Mrs. Boyle. She is complaining that a taxi did not meet her at the train., Major Metcalf is the third guest to arrive. He is carrying his luggage when he enters the hall. Mrs. Boyle’s complaints about everything, including the lack of servants. Miss Casewell is the last of the booked guests to arrive. Mr Paravicini tells the Ralstons his car has overturned in a snowdrift. He remarks that the snow has blocked the roads and that the denizens of the house are trapped. Mobile places him in the last remaining room. Uneasy about Paravicini’s manner. The next afternoon the guest house proves to be snowed in, and the residents are restless. Mollie answers the telephone to Superintendent Hogben. Hogben tells her that he is dispatching Sergeant Trotter to the guest house, and that the Ralstons must listen carefully to what Trotter has to tell them. The Ralstons wonder what they could have done to garner police attention. Trotter appears at the door on a pair of skis and Major Metcalf discovers that the phone has stopped working. Trotter explains he has been sent in regard to the murder of Maureen Lyon. The dead woman and her husband had mistreated their three foster children resulting in the death of the youngest. Both adults were imprisoned for their actions; the husband died in gaol, while the wife served her sentence and had been released, only to be found strangled. Police suspect the elder boy of the abused children, who would now be twenty-two, of being the killer. Trotter reveals that a notebook found at the murder scene contained the address of Monkswell Manor and the words ‘’Three Blind Mice’’. A note reading ‘’This is the First’’ was pinned to the woman’s body. The Police have Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 15]

sent Trotter to find out how the Ralstons’ guesthouse is connected to the murder, and whether the residents are in danger. Both Giles and Mollie deny a connection to the case, though Mollie is not comfortable answering Trotter’s questions and quickly excuses herself. Trotter asks each of the guest to explain why they are at Monkswell Manor and any personal Knowledge of the case. Word Meanings : 1. Alcove : A recess in the wall of a room 2. Skidding : An unexpected sliding 3. Complacently : Confidently 4. Neurotic : Mentally disturbed 5. Mahogany : Hard reddish brown timber 6. Prolific : Plentiful 7. Assorted : Mixed; varied 8. Baptized : Administer or enrol to Christianity 9. Absurd : Illogical 10. Indignantly : Anger or annoyance 11. Blizzard : A severe snowstorm with high winds 12. Amenities : A desirable facility of a place 13. Equipped : Having the necessary tools etc. 14. Misapprehension : A failure to understand something 15. Straddles : Sit or stand with one leg either side off 16. Stridently : Loud and harsh sound 17. Exploration : Observation 18. Four-poster : A bed with a post at each corner supporting a canopy 19. Twerp : A silly or annoying person 20. Grins : Smile broadly ACT I, Scene II. It is now the next day, and the guests are settling in, having decided what they think of each other. Things get really interesting when Monkswell Manor receives a phone call from the Berkshire Police Department. They are sending over a sergeant, although the phone call ends before Mollie can find out why. While they’re waiting for the sergeant to arrive, Mollie and Mrs. Boyle have a conversation in which we find out that Mrs. Boyle was once a magistrate, or courtroom judge. Paravicini warns Mollie that she should not be too trusting—that people seem to be fine but turn out to be robbers, and even murderers. Mollie announces that the police are coming, which elicits strong reactions from both Major Metcalf and Mr. Paravicini. While Trotter and Giles tour the house, Major Metcalf confronts Mrs. Boyle, revealing that she was one of the magistrates who had assigned the children to the foster parents. Mrs. Boyle acknowledge this but denies that she has any responsibility for what eventually happened to the children there. As the evening wears on, Giles and Mollie become suspicious of each other while the guests snipe at one another. Sergeant Trotter traces the phone wire to find out if it has been cut. Mrs. Boyle wanders back into the now-empty room and listens to the radio. The opening notes of ‘’Three Blind Mice’’ are heard whistled by an unknown party, and Mrs. Boyle responds without alarm, speaking to the person only she can see. Suddenly, the lights go out and a scuffle is heard. Moments later, Mollie walks into the room and turns on the lights, only to find Mrs. Boyle dead on the floor. Word Meanings : 1. Scrambled eggs : A dish of eggs prepared by beating them, then cooking and stirring gently 2. Marmalade : A preserve made by citrus fruits 3. Amateurish : Done in an unskillful way 4. Stubs : Remains of a cigarette 5. Chilblains : An inflammatory smelling 6. Refectory : A room used for communal meals 7. Bonafide : In good faith, real, genuine 8. Snowdrift : A bank of deep snow driven by wind 9. In credulous : Unwilling or unable to believe something 10. Acquainted : To know or be familiar with something 11. Whereabouts : The place where a person or thing is 12. Bygone : A thing dating from an earlier time 13. Melodramatic : Showing much stronger emotions than are necessary or usual for a situation 14. Strangled : To kill someone by squeezing the throat [16 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

ACT II The act opens with Trotter questioning everyone as to how and when Mrs. Boyle was murdered. As each one replies in turn, Trotter has some sort of doubts and suspicion. Ten minutes after Mollie found Mrs. Boyle dead, Sergeant Trotter has taken charge of the household. All the remaining residents are gathered in one room as he attempts to sort out the events of the evening. Mollie Ralston cannot provide him with any useful clues. As each person recounts his or her whereabouts, Trotter takes them to account for weaknesses in their stories. Finally, he declares that everyone in the house had the opportunity to commit the murder, since each of them was alone at the time. Giles counters that only one person fits the description of the man the police suspect to be the murderer: Christopher Wren. Wren insists that it is all a frame- up, and Trotter acknowledges that he lacks any evidence pointing to Wren in particular. Trotter says that while the police suspect the elder boy to be the killer, the relatives, the children’s father, the dead boy’s sister, are suspected to be involved in the murder. Mollie soon finds that Christopher Wren is actually an Army deserter hiding from his past under a false name. Mollie acknowledges that she, too, is running away from her past. Trotter again calls all the guests, declaring that he now intends to check the details everyone provided him with after Mrs. Boyle’s murder. Trotter’s hope is that while most of the alibis will be verified, one will be proved impossible. Each person is to go to his or her assigned position and stay there until summoned back by Trotter. The household obediently disperses, leaving Trotter alone on the stage. Word Meanings : 1. Numbed : Deprived of the power of physical sensation 2. Cathay : Instantly appealing 3. Gesturing : A movement usually of the limbs 4. Antiquarian : A person who studies or collects antiques 5. Persecution : Hostility and ill treatment 6. Desertion : The action of illegally leaving the Armed forces. 7. Homicidal : A crazed killer running around stabbing everyone 8. Night mare : A frightening or unpleasant dream 9. Thimble : A small metal tube 10. Whacking : To hit someone or something noisily 11. Foie gras : The liver of a specially fattened goose 12. Concoct : Make a dish by combining various ingredients 13. Incoherently : Expressed in a confusing way 14. Predicament : A difficult or embarrassing situation 15. Inquisition : A period of prolonged and intensive questioning 16. Impertinently : In appropriate qq

Section B : Treasure Trove A Collection of poems Chapter - 1 : Heart of a Tree About the Poet Henry Cuyler Bunner (born August 3, 1855, New York–died May 11, 1896, New Jersey) was a poet, novelist and editor. His verse and stories provided vivid descriptions of the place where he lived and the people that he observed around him. He was a prolific writer. In 1893, he had a book published called “Made in France”: “French Tales Retold” with a United States Twist’. Earlier titles included- “The Midge (1886)” and “The Story of a New York House” which came out the following year. Bunner produced a number of poetry collection including ‘Airs from a ready and Elsewhere’ (1884), Rowen (1892) and Poems (1896). One of his short stories “The Tower of Babel” was staged in 1883. Another one, ‘Zenobia’s Infidelity’ was made into a Hollywood movie. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 17] Summary Man has been causing an immense destruction to nature by cutting down trees for his greed for agricultural land, timber and fuel, which is causing a big threat to our environment. ‘The Heart of a Tree’ is based on the universal concern and it discusses the various advantages we gain by planting a tree. The poet has praised the act showing that, it not only helps life on earth but also plays a major role in the nation’s growth. The refrain of the poem before every stanza, ‘What does he plant who plants a tree?’ is a rhetorical question which is answered by the poet himself, explaining the worthiness and significance of planting a tree. He has highlighted the achievement of the planter in three different stanzas, every stanza shedding light on various reasons as to, why the planter’s work should be considered divine and noble. Explanation of the Poem Stanza 1. “What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants a friend of sun and sky; He plants the flag of breezes free; The shaft of beauty, towering high; He plants a home to heaven anigh; For son and mother-croon of bird In hushed and happy twilight heard The treble of heaven’s harmony These things he plants who plants a tree.” Explanation: In the first stanza, the poet explains the value of planting a tree by telling that, the one who plants a tree is planting a friend of sun and sky. A plant grows upwards as if aiming to touch the sky and the sun and they all become friends. The tree requires sunlight from the sun and carbon-dioxide from air to survive. Thus, it absorbs the sun’s heat and saves the earth from the scorching sun and releases oxygen, making the air pure. Then, the poet compares the leafy branches to a flag which flutter with the cool and free wind. While the trunk of the tree acts as the pole of the flag standing high, it also redefines beauty. The tree, which one plants, becomes the shelter for many mellifluous mother birds which sing to their little ones. She sings a gentle tone during twilight which creates an atmosphere of serenity and bliss. Her song (with a rising pitch) mingles with the melody of heaven, in perfect harmony. Thus, who plants a tree, indirectly plants all these things.

Word Meanings :

1. Flag of breezes — Flag that flutters freely in the mild wind. 2. Shaft — Pole, bar 3. High — Near 4. Croon — To sing in a low soft voice, (a lullaby) 5. Hushed — Calm, peaceful 6. Treble — The highest range of sounds used in music, high pitched tone or sound. Stanza 2. “What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants a friend of sun and sky; He plants the flag of breezes free; The shaft of beauty, towering high; He plants a home to heaven anigh; For son and mother-croon of bird In hushed and happy twilight heard The treble of heaven’s harmony These things he plants who plants a tree.” Explanation: In the second stanza, the poet further discusses by repeating the question and trying to answer it himself. The tree provides shade to man and animals. It binds the soil by retaining moisture. It is proved that trees help in bringing rain. Plants transpire, which leads to formation of clouds due to condensation, leading to rains. Now, the poet talks about the benefit that the future generation will reap from the trees that one plants now. The tree contains the ‘seed and bud’, which would years later, bloom into new trees and forests, [18 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

after the present one withers away. Thus, planting a tree now will bear fruits for the next generation, who would be joyous to receive this blessing and heritage. Trees are responsible for the ‘fade & flush’ of years i.e. the seasonal cycle. The trees make the otherwise very dull plains, beautiful. Thus, a person who plants a tree now, is making way for provision of many gifts for generations to come in the form of food, timber, rain, shade and natural beauty, consequently paving way for the prosperity of human race. Word Meanings : 1. Cool shade — Shelter from the blazing heat of the sun. 2. Seed and bud of days to be — Seeds and buds that will bloom into flowers and trees in future. 3. Years that fade and flush again — Refers to seasonal cycle 4. Glory of the plain — Greenery 5. Heritage — Legacy 6. Harvest — Yield; productive result 7. Unborn eyes — Future generation Stanza 3. “What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants a friend of sun and sky; He plants the flag of breezes free; The shaft of beauty, towering high; He plants a home to heaven anigh; For son and mother-croon of bird In hushed and happy twilight heard The treble of heaven’s harmony These things he plants who plants a tree.” Explanation: In the third stanza, the poet says that a man who plants a tree which is made of ‘sap’, leaf and wood,’ tends to show his love and sense of duty towards the society he lives in. He is full of obligation towards his neighbours and, in fact, the entire humanity. ‘His’ in capital gives a divine place to the planter of the tree because he is at a higher position of ‘giving’ his blessing to the society, which is a Godlike action. He carries the sapling to be planted in his folded hands, in the same manner as God carries the power to elate mankind in his benevolent hands. This generous act from the one who plants a tree could lead to the progress of a nation from sea to sea, i.e., it would lead to the economic growth of a country through import and export within the countries. Thus, we can see that the poet has made an attempt throughout the entire poem, to highlight the greatness of the man who plants a tree. Firstly, he aids in maintaining the ecological balance. Secondly, he passes on the beautiful heritage to his future generation to live a happy life. And thirdly, he shows man’s contribution towards his fellow beings as well as his nation. Altogether, a tree is a boom for mankind. Word Meanings :

1. Sap — The fluid part of a plant 2. Civic good — Benefit of society, public welfare 3. Neighbourhood — Fellow beings

qq Chapter- 2: The Cold Within

About the Poet James Patrick Kinney (16 March 1923 – 29 May 1974) was an Irish American poet. He dropped out in High School due to the financial problem in his family. He received recognition posthumously. He is best known for his inspiring poem, ‘The Cold Within’. He was a man of integrity and created poems that spoke his heart. Initially, he was rejected for being controversial, but soon gained popularity. Summary The poem highlights the rigidity of spirit based on discrimination of race, religion and caste, portrayed by the six individuals who became their own agents of death. Their reluctance to help each other made their hands stiff, Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 19]

refusing to share their log of wood, which was a sufficient proof of sin committed by humans. Thus, it was not the cold outside, but the cold ‘within’ – the coldness of feelings, the lack of the spark of humanity – that froze them all to death. Explanation of the Poem Stanza 1 & 2. “Six humans trapped by happenstance In bleak and bitter cold. Each one possessed a stick of wood Or so the story’s told. Their dying fire in need of logs, But the first one held hers back, For, of the faces round the fire, She noticed one was black.” Explanation: The narrator tells us that the six people are ‘trapped’ in a very cold and dark place, as a coincidence, and each person is holding a stick of wood. These people are gathered around a fire but this fire is about to die. It would continue only if some wood is added to it. The first woman looks around the group and decides to keep back her stick as she finds a black man around the fire. She finds it unacceptable to help a black person, which highlights the ‘colour’ prejudice in human societies. Thus, her discriminatory attitude prevents her from saving herself and others from cold. Word Meanings : 1. Happenstance — Accident, co-incidence 2. Bleak and bitter — Chilling, extreme (here) 3. Possessed — Had or owned 4. Logs — Pieces of wood Stanza 3 & 4. “The next man looking ‘cross the way Saw one not of his church, And could not bring himself to give The fire his stick of birch. The third one sat in tattered clothes. He gave his coat a hitch. Why should his log he put to use To warm the idle rich?” Explanation: The next man held his feelings for people of other religious faith, different from his. He finds that none around the fire belonged to his church and decides not to spend his stick to warm others. Thus, he propagates ‘religious intolerance’ – that he did not wish to support one from another religion. The third one was a poor man, which was evident from his old and torn clothes. He shook his coat to make himself comfortable, but it was not adequate enough to keep him warm. According to him, the rich were a Lazy Lot, so it was not worth sharing his log of wood to save them. His attitude lays emphasis on the prejudice based on ‘social status’. Word Meanings : 1. Birch — A type of hardwood tree, whose outer bark can be pulled off easily 2. Tattered — Old and torn 3. Idle — Lazy Stanza 5 & 6. “The rich man just sat back and thought Of the wealth he had in store, And how to keep what he had earned From the lazy, shiftless poor. The black man’s face bespoke revenge As the fire passed from his sight. For all he saw in his stick of wood Was a chance to spite the white.” Explanation: The next in line was the wealthy man who goes blind with the thought to save his riches, putting his own life at stake. He wishes to keep away his stick than to put it in fire, as that would mean helping the poor who according to him, were useless and aimless. This reflects his biased attitude of class. [20 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

Then, there was the black man, who was filled with anguish and revengeful feelings for the white men, which was the result of the scornful attitude of the white towards the black; so he took it as an opportunity to avenge himself against the white, although he could have behaved rationally otherwise. Word Meanings : 1. In store — In his possession 2. Shiftless — Aimless; lacking ambition and energy 3. Bespoke — Produced 4. Spite — A desire to harm or defeat another person because you have Been wrongly treated Stanza 7 & 8. “The last man of this forlorn group Did naught except for gain. Giving only to those who gave Was how he played the game? Their logs held tight in death’s still hands Was proof of human sin? They did not die from the cold without They died from the cold within.” Explanation: The last man belonging to this hopeless group, though not prejudiced, was an opportunist and a selfish person. He did not favour anyone without gaining anything in exchange. The last stanza summarizes the result of narrow – mindedness, biased attitude and selfishness of humans. All of the six people froze to death with the log of wood in their hands. Thus, it was not the cold weather which was responsible for their death, as they could have easily fought against it together, but it was the absence of warmth in their hearts that brought their doom. Word Meanings : 1. Forlorn — Desolate, hopeless 2. Nought — Nothing qq Chapter- 3: Bangle Sellers

About the Poet Sarojini Naidu (13 February 1879 – 2 March 1949), a child prodigy, is also known by the sobriquet, ‘The Nightingale of India.’ She was a prominent Indian poet and a politician. She was a gifted artist, proficient in many languages. She was also the first woman governor of ‘Free India’. Her poetry presents a Kaleidoscope of Indian feelings, music and imagery. She has basically written on the life of Indian people, beauty of nature, women empowerment and patriotism. Her language is crystal clear. Sarojini Naidu’s famous works are—The Golden Threshold (1905), The Bird of Time (1912), The Broken Wing (1917), The Sceptred Flute : Songs of India (1937). The Feather of the Dawn (1961), was published posthumously. Summary ‘The Bangle Sellers’ was published in her collection, ‘The Bird of Time’. It describes a group of bangle sellers who wander from town to town selling their inventory. The narrator of the poem is a bangle seller, talking about the various kinds of bangles he carries, and about the women of different age groups who buy them. He has beautifully presented the Indian culture, through different shades of the bangles.

Explanation of the Poem Stanza 1. “Bangle sellers are we who bear Our shining loads to the temple fair … Who will buy these delicate, bright? Rainbow-tinted circles of light? Lustrous tokens of radiant lives, For happy daughters and happy wives.” Explanation: The first stanza simply states that, a group of bangle sellers are on their way to a temple fair where they expect to get sufficient number of/enough customers for their bangles. They invite the people to buy their Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 21]

‘shining loads’ i.e., the bangles, which they describe as delicate, bright and multicoloured. They also refer to them as symbols of delight for happy daughters and happy wives. The deep rooted Indian traditions are highlighted through an insight, into the spiritual and symbolic importance of the bangles they carry. Word Meanings : 1. Shining loads — (Here) bangles 2. Fair — An event where people gather to sell their products 3. Rainbow tinted — Multicoloured 4. Lustrous — Bright and shining 5. Radiant — Delightful, happy Stanza 2. “Some are meet for a maiden’s writs. Silver and blue as the mountain mist, Some are flushed like the buds that dream On the tranquil brow of a woodland stream, Some are aglow with the bloom that cleaves To the limpid glory of new born leaves.” Explanation: In the second stanza, the bangle seller gives a vivid picture of the colours of the bangles which will suit a maiden. He describes the beauty of the bangles through the imagery of lush greenery and blooming flowers. He compares the mist in the mountains with the blue and silver bangles. Some colours are like the rosy buds growing on top of a plant along a stream in a forest. Some bangles shine like the clear dew drops on the baby leaves. Word Meanings :

1. Mist — Thin fog 2. Flushed — (Here) pink or light red colour 3. Tranquil — Quiet; calm; peaceful 4. Brow — Slope 5. Woodland — A small forest 6. Aglow — Shining 7. Cleaves — Sticks; to adhere firmly 8. Limpid — Clear and transparent 9. Glory — Quality of being beautiful Stanza 3. “Some are like fields of sunlit corn, Meet for a bride on her bridal morn, Or, rich with the hue of her heart’s desire, Tinkling, luminous, tender, and clear, Like her bridal laughter and bridal tear.” Explanation: Next, the poet explains that, some of the bangles he is selling are, yellow in colour, like the corn fields brightened by sunlight. These are fit to be worn by a bride on her wedding morning. Some bangles are orangish-red in colour, the shade of the wedding holy fire. The others are deep red in colour, expressing the passion of her heart. They tinkle along when the bride moves. The bride laughs happily as she is getting married and entering into a life of her dreams, but weeps as she is going to leave her parental abode. Here, the poet talks about the emotional feelings of a bride and a transition of life, from a maiden to a wife. Word Meanings :

1. Sunlit — Lighted with sunrays 2. Bridal morn — Wedding morning 3. Flame of her of marriage fire — Orangish red colour 4. Hue — A particular shade of a colour 5. Tinkling — Ringing sound 6. Luminous — Bright 7. Tender — Fragile, delicate [22 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

Stanza 4. “Some are purple and gold flecked grey For she who has journeyed through life midway, Whose hands have cherished, whose love has blest? And cradled fair sons on her faithful breast, And serves her household in fruitful pride, And worships the gods at her husband’s side.” Explanation: The last stanza talks about that phase of a woman’s life, when, she as a maiden turned bride, becomes a proud mother and a responsible wife, full of experience and wisdom. These are the middle-aged women who have successfully reached the mid-way of their lives and are now reaping the rewards of their efforts. The bangles of these women are purple and grey, dotted with golden colour, which symbolize maturity. They have reared up their children with utmost love and care and fulfilled all their house-hold duties, and with honour have sit beside their husbands during the religious ceremonies. They have always remained faithful and devoted to their husbands and families.

Word Meanings : 1. Flecked — Dotted 2. Cherish — Care tenderly 3. Cradle — To hold somebody gently qq Chapter- 4: After Blenheim

About the Poet Robert Southey (12 August, 1774 – 21 March, 1843) was a prolific writer of verse and histories and an accomplished biographer. After meeting Samuel Taylor Coleridge, he published his first collection of poems in 1794. Though contemporary with Coleridge and Wordsworth, he is one of the less celebrated poets, and he wrote one of the first anti-war poems, ‘After Blenheim’. His other famous work being ‘The Inchcape Rock.’ Summary

Robert Southey’s poem ‘After Blenheim’ illustrates the theme that war, though being pointless and brutal, affects everyone. The poem is set at the site of the ‘Battle of Blenheim (1704)’. It is narrated in the form of questions of small children and about a skull one of them has found. An old man tells his grandchildren about the burnt homes, civil causalities and rotting corpses, while repeatedly referring to the poem as a ‘famous victory.’ Explanation of the Poem Stanza 1 & 2 “It was a summer evening, Old Kaspar’s work was done, And he before is cottage door Was sitting in the sun, And by him sported on the green His little grandchild Wilhelmine. She saw her brother Peterkin Roll something large and round, Which he beside the rivulet In playing there had found; He came to ask what he had found, That was so large, and smooth, and round.” Explanation: Old Kaspar has finished his work and was sitting in the sun in front of the cottage, watching his little granddaughter play. Peterkin, his grandson, has been rolling a large round object he found near the stream. Out of curiosity he brings it to the old man. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 23]

Word Meanings : 1. Sported — Played 2. Rivulet — A small stream Stanza 3 & 4 “Old Kaspar took it from the boy, Who stood expectant by? And then the old man shook his head, And, with a natural sigh, “T is some poor fellow’s skull,’ said he, ‘Who fell in the great victory? ‘I find them in the garden, For there’s many here about; And often when I go to plough, The ploughshare turns them out! For many thousand men,’ said he ‘Were slain in that great victory.” Explanation: Kaspar took the object from the boy – who waited anxiously. The old man examines it and tells that he has found many such objects while ploughing the fields or in their garden, and it is the skull of a soldier who died in the Battle of Blenheim, which was a ‘great victory,’ as many men were killed in that battle and were not given a decent burial. Word Meanings : 1. Expectant — Curious 2. Slain — Killed Stanza 5 & 6 “Now tell us what ‘twas all about,’ Young peterkin, he cries; And little wilhelmine looks up With wonder-waiting eyes; ‘Now tell us about the war, And what they fought each other for.’ ‘It was the English,’ Kaspar cried, ‘Who put the French to rout? But what they fought each other for, I could not well make out; But everybody said,’ guoth he, ‘That ‘twas a famous victory.” Explanation: Peterkin and Wilhenmine are interested to know more about it and urge their grandfather to tell them about the war and why it was fought. They anticipated a thrilling and exciting story which they waited to hear with a gleam in their eyes. Old Kaspar recollects that, in this ‘famous battle’, as what people called it, the English defeated the French. But he himself had no clue of the reason behind the war. It shows a common man’s ignorance about the cause and purpose of war. Word Meanings : 1. Wonder-waiting — Anxious 2. To rout — Defeat 3. Quoth — Said Stanza 7, 8 & 9 “My father lived at Blenheim then, Yon little steam hard by; They burnt his dwelling to the ground, And he was forced to fly; So with his wife and child he fled, Nor had he where to rest his head. [24 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

‘With fire and sword the country round Was wasted far and wide, And many a chiding mother then, And new-born baby died; But things like that, you know, must be At every famous victory.” Explanation: The old grandfather tells the children that, during the war his father lived by a stream at Blenheim. As a consequence of the war, his father’s house was burnt down and he was forced to flee with his wife and child, Kaspar. They were, thus, rendered homeless. In this stanza, the poet highlights the fact that, wars and battles are a massive source of misery and pain. It shows the destruction caused by them. Kaspar tells that, when the war was over, it was a shocking sight to see. Houses were burnt, innocent people were killed, many pregnant women and new-born babies lost their lives. There was death and horror everywhere. Thousands of dead bodies of soldiers lay rotting in the field. But Kaspar talks about those killings casually and thinks that such terrible consequences are part of such a famous war. Word Meanings : 1. Dwelling — House 2. Childing — Expecting, pregnant

Stanza 10 & 11 “Great praise the Duke of Marlbro’s won And our good Prince Eugene.’ ‘Why, ‘twas a very wicked thing!’ Said little Wilhelmine. ‘Nay …. nay….. my little girl,’ quoth he, ‘It was a famous victory. ‘And everybody praised the Duke Who this great fight did win.’ ‘But what good came of it at last?’ Quoth little Peterkin. ‘Why that I cannot tell,’ said he, ‘But‘t was a famous victory” Explanation: An English General, Duke of Marlborough along with Prince Eugene, an Austrian General, led the war against the French and defeated them in the famous ‘Battle of Blenheim’ and thus, brought glory to their country. Little Wilhenmine was confused and asks her grandfather, how could he praise such a bloody affair. She terms the killing of innocent people as wicked. But he contradicts her. According to him, it was a great victory. Peterkin raises an important question about what good came out of the fighting. To this Kaspar replies that, he had no reply but he just knows that it was a famous victory. Thus, the poet ironically states the fact that, the wars are seen as a glorifying act and the war-heroes are held in high esteem, without understanding what good they have brought to mankind and why such victory becomes great or famous. Word Meaning : 1. Duke — A man of very high rank in the British nobility qq Chapter- 5: Television

About the Poet Born in Wales, to Norwegian immigrant parents, Roald Dahl (13 September, 1916 – 23 Nov., 1990) was a novelist, short story writer, poet and screen writer. He also served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, as a fighter pilot. His works for both, children and adults, rose to prominence and became popular as one of the greatest story tellers. His first children’s book, ‘The Gremlins’, was published in 1943. The other famous stories being, ‘Charlie & the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Matilda’, ‘The Witches’ etc. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 25] Summary

Television is one of the best known poems of Roald Dahl. It highlights the adverse effects of television on the children’s mind, and instead inspires them to develop passion for reading. In a very humorous manner, the poet brings to light the vitality of books and makes an appeal to the parents to replace the idiot box with good books to enhance the growth of their children’s brain, so that they can come up with creative and imaginative skills. Explanation of the Poem “The most important thing we’ve learned, So far as children are concerned, Is never, Never, Never let Them near your television set- Or better still, just don’t install The idiotic thing at all. In almost every house we’ve been, We’ve watched them gaping at the screen. They loll and slop and lounge about, And stare until their eyes pop out. (Last week in women one’s place we saw A dozen eyeballs on the floor.).” Explanation: The poet begins the poem by requesting the parents to keep their children away from the monster called ‘Television’, and he also suggests that it will be far better an option to be completely away from this idiotic thing in the first place. Sharing his personal experience, the poet says that, almost every house that he has visited, he has found children sitting hypnotized in front of the television sets. They incessantly stare at it and lie lazily without indulging into any productive task. He adds a funny exaggeration saying that, sometimes they stare so hard that their eyeballs pop out of their eyes, and once he saw a dozen eyeballs rolling on the floor in a house he visited. Word Meanings :

1. Gaping — (Here) watching with wide open eyes 2. Loll — To lie or sit in a relaxed or lazy manner 3. Slop — To eat or drink greedily or noisily 4. Lounge — To spend time resting or relaxing

“They sit and stare and stare and side Until they’re hypnotized by it, Until they’re absolutely drunk With all that shocking ghastly junk. Oh yes, we know it keeps them still, They don’t climb out the window still, They never fight or kick or punch, They leave you free to cook the lunch And wash the dishes in the sink.” Explanation: The poet further says that, it is observed that the children get deeply enthralled by the horrible and senseless programmes that are displayed on the television. They seem to forget about everything in the world. They forget to play or have fun. This hampers their physical ability and growth. For the parents it may be a bliss, as the television keeps the naughty children calm. They neither climb the windows nor fight with each other. The mother too can cook or wash peacefully. Television can be the most convenient way of keeping the children occupied. Word Meanings :

1. Hypnotized — Enthralled, bedazzled 2. Ghastly — Very shocking or horrible 3. Junk — Trash [26 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

“But did you ever stop to think, To wonder just exactly what This does to your beloved tot? It rots the sense in the head! It kills imagination dead! It clogs and clutters up the mind! It makes a child so dull and blind He can no longer understand A fantasy, A fairyland! His Brain becomes as soft as cheese! His powers of thinking rust and freeze! He cannot think-he only sees!.” Explanation: But then the poet raises an important question for the parents, whether they have ever tried to consider what effect is this idiot box is casting on the soft minds of their beloved ones. Then he moves on to answer it in a clear cut manner, which he writes in capital letters, so as to lay stress on it. The poet says that watching too much television destroys the senses of the children. They are not able to imagine or visualize things because their minds get choked with unnecessary facts. They lose their power of judgement and imagination. They stop thinking innovatively. They only depend on the television for learning things. The childhood fantasies and fairyland stories lose their beauty. The thought process seems to get jammed or rusted. Word Meanings :

1. Clogs — Block, hinder 2. Clutters — To fill or cover with many things

“All right!” you‘ll cry. ‘All right!’ you‘ll say, ‘But if we take the set away, What shall we do to entertain? Our darling children? Please explain!’ We’ll answer this by asking you, ‘What used the darling ones to do? ‘How used they keep themselves contented Before this monster was invented?’ Have you forgotten? Don’t you know?” Explanation: Now the poet discusses the dilemma the parents would face. They will question the kind of substitute of entertainment they should provide to their dear children if they take the TV sets away from them. The poet answers the parents with a reverse question, about what they used to do before the invention of the television, and how did they keep themselves occupied and entertained. Word Meaning :

1. Contended — Satisfied, occupied

“We’ll say it very loud and slow : They ... USED ... TO... READ! They‘d READ and READ. AND READ and READ, and then proceed To READ some more. Great Scott! Cadzooks! One half their lives were reading books! The nursery shelves held books galore! Books cluttered up the nursery floor! And in the bedroom, by the bed, More boos were waiting to be read!” Explanation: Very calmly the poet recommends the parents to install a lovely bookshelf in place of the modern monster i.e., the television, ignoring all objections. He recollects the times when the children were fond of reading. They indulged in incessant reading. Their life was surrounded with books. The nursery shelves and floors were full of books scattered here and there. There were books waiting to be read in the bedroom. The children too, took keen interest in reading them. Word Meaning :

1. Galore — In large numbers or amounts Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 27]

“Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales Of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales And treasures isles, and distant shores Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars, And pirates wearing purple pants, And sailing ships and elephants, And cannibals crouching ‘round the pot, Stirring away at something hot. (it smells so good, what can it be? Good gracious, it’s Penelope.) The younger ones had Beatrix Potter With Mr. Tod, the dirty rotter, And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland, And Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and- Just How the Camel Got His Hump, And How the Monkey Lost his Rump, And Mr. Toad and bless my soul, There’s Mr. Rat and Mr. Mole Oh, books, what books they used to know, Those children living long ago!” Explanation: Here, the poet talks about the popular adventurous books and their interesting characters that the children admired in those days. They enjoyed the story of dragons, gypsies, queens, whales, treasure islands, smugglers, elephants, cannibals etc. The poet gets nostalgic speaking about the fantasy characters like, Beatrix Potter, Mr. Tod, Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle, Mr. Camel, Mr. Rat, etc. Word Meanings : 1. Tales — Stories 2. Gypsies — Wanderers 3. Isles — Islands 4. Muffled — Quietened sound 5. Crouching — Bending or bowing with servility

“So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install A lovely bookshelf on the wall. Then fill the shelves with lots of books, Ignoring all the dirty looks, The screams and yells, the bites and kicks, And children hitting you with sticks- Fear not, because we promise you That, in about a week or two Of having nothing else to do, They’ll now begin to feel the need Of having something to read.” Explanation: The poet ardently pleads to the parents to discard their television sets; replacing them with book shelves. Initially, the children will protest. They will frown, shout and kick in frustration – but the parents need to be patient and soon they will observe that, when the children will have nothing else to busy themselves with they will gradually get closer to books. Word Meaning :

1. Yells — Screams “And once they start-oh boy, oh boy! You watch the slowly growing joy That fills their hearts. They’ll grow so keen They’ll wonder what they’d ever seen In that ridiculous machine, [28 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

That nauseating, foul, unclean, Repulsive television screen! And later, each and every kid Will love you more for what you did.” Explanation: The poet gets fills with ecstasy to think about the result. He says that once the children begin to read, they will get so accustomed to the habit that they will take pleasure in reading. They would feel aroused when they will realise that there was nothing fun coming out of the filthy and disgusting television. And when they will grow up, they will appreciate and will be grateful for saving them from the clutches of the idiotic box and introducing them to the world of books. They will discover the real joy of reading books. Word Meaning :

1. Ridiculous — Absurd qq Chapter- 6 : Daffodils

About the Poet

William Wordsworth (7 April, 1770 – 23 April, 1850) was a British poet who was associated with the Romantic movement of the 19th Century along with Robert Southey and Samuel Coleridge, the group referred as the ‘Lakeland Poets’. Wordsworth was a keen observer of nature and had an excellent skill to pen down the beauty of nature artistically, yet in a simple and straight forward manner. He began publishing at the age of 23 with a collection of poetries like ‘Descriptive Sketches’. In 1798, he published ‘Lyrical Ballads’ along with Coleridge, followed by ‘Elegiac Stanzas’ and ‘Poems, in Two Volumes’ in 1803 and 1805 respectively. He was considered as ‘Britain’s Poet Laureate’. For Wordsworth, poetry was “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” Summary Wordsworth considered nature, a place representing the ultimate source of joy and knowledge. The poem ‘Daffodils’ appreciates the beauty of nature. The poet states that the recollection of the wonderful sight of thousands of daffodils, dancing joyfully, cleans the soul and uplifts the spirit of the speaker when he later finds himself feeling empty and gloomy. Explanation of the Poem Stanza 1. “I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” Explanation: In the first stanza we find the poet roaming aimlessly like a cloud over valleys and hills. Here, we find a touch of melancholy in his tone. Suddenly, he happens to come across a large number of daffodils growing under the trees near the lake. By comparing himself to a cloud, the poet signifies his closeness with nature that surrounds him. The daffodils were dancing and inviting the poet to join and enjoy the breeze flowing in the fields. Word Meanings : 1. Vales — Valleys 2. Host — Group, a large number 3. Fluttering — Moving in quick succession, flapping rapidly Stanza 2. “Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.” Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 29]

Explanation: Here, the poet compares the daffodils along the bay with the stars stretched in a continuous line in the galaxy, like the Milky Way. Their shine is contrasted to the twinkling of the stars. The poet seems to be profoundly charmed by the swaying movement of the flowers due to the breeze and he remarks that the flowers seem to dance in exuberance. Word Meanings :

1. Never-ending — Unlimited, continuous 2. Glance — Look 3. Tossing — Moving back and forth or sideways 4. Sprightly — Lively, cheerful

Stanza 3. “The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought.” Explanation: The poet personifies the waves in the bay and says that they too were happily dancing along with the daffodils, but the daffodils outshone the waves by showing joy and cheerfulness. The poet cannot prevent himself from being elated in such a happy company. The sight of the dazzling daffodils seems to enrich the life of the poet with joy and tranquility, so he could not take his eyes off them. Word Meanings :

1. Out-did — Defeated 2. Sparkling — Glittering 3. Jocund — Merry 4. Gazed — Stared Stanza 4. “For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.” Explanation: The last stanza clarifies why the poet was so enthralled by the daffodils. The sight of the dancing daffodils remains dormant in the poet’s sub-conscious mind and, whenever he was in a vacant or lonely mood, lying on his couch, the memory of the daffodils raised his low spirits, filling his mind with immense pleasure and thus, he feels elated. Daffodils have left an everlasting precious memory in the poet’s mind. They become a ‘bliss of solitude’ i.e., ‘the blessing of being alone’, for him. Word Meanings :

1. Vacant — Unoccupied 2. Pensive — Quietly sad or thoughtful 3. Bliss — Complete happiness 4. Solitude — Loneliness; seclusion qq Chapter- 7 : I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

About the Poet Maya Angelou (4 April, 1928 – 28 May, 2014) was an American poet, story teller, actress and an important figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. Her memoir, ‘I know Why the Caged Bird Sings’, made a literary history as the first non-fiction best-seller by an African-American woman. Her volume of poetry, ‘Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water’ fore I Die’ (1971), was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. She had gone through a lot of roughness and disparity in her life, which is reflected in her writings. [30 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X Summary Angelou, with the metaphor of a caged bird, represents the social differences of her time, between the African- American community and the White-Americans. She illustrates truthfully, both, the feeling of freedom and of captivity through a bird that is free and a bird struggling to fight against adverse surroundings. The free bird is referred to the free White people and the caged bird whose wings are cut off and feet entangled, refers to the Black community. Explanation of the Poem Stanza 1. A free bird leaps On the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky. Explanation: The opening lines of the poem describe the actions of a free bird. He takes a jump and hovers himself over the wind and travels along with the current, relishing in the sea of orange sunlight and proclaiming its freedom. Here, the ‘free bird’ refers to the people who enjoy the right to take their decision in life independently and enjoy the bliss of freedom. Word Meanings : 1. Leap — Jump 2. Downstream — In the direction of the flow 3. Dares — Show sufficient courage 4. Claim — Require Stanza 2. “But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.” Explanation: The second stanza highlights the plight of the caged bird for whom freedom is a mere dream. He has lost the hope of flying freely in the sky with his wings wide open because his wings are clipped and feet are tied. He is forced to live in a confined space and peep between the bars to have a glimpse of the outside world. He is deprived of the joy of freedom. The only thing he can do is open his mouth and sing. Here, Maya Angelou shares her frustration of being restricted to enjoy the freedom which should have been her right as a human being. Word Meanings : 1. Stalks — Keep a continuous watch by moving slowly and quietly 2. Seldom — Rarely 3. Rage — Anger Stanza 3. “The caged bird sings with fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.” Explanation: The caged bird lacks confidence and enthusiasm. Although he sings, his voice is full of pain, anger and fear. He sings about the unknown surroundings; about his liberty. He dreams of a better life; dreams which cannot be fulfilled. His voice is heard far and wide, but none comes to his rescue. This stanza reflects Maya’s frustration and helplessness. Word Meanings :

1. Trill — A quick high sound that is repeated 2. Longed for — Desired

Stanza 4. “The free bird thinks of another breeze and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn and he names the sky his own.” Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 31]

Explanation: The focus of the poem again shifts to the free bird which is cherishing his ride in the sky. The lovely breeze caress his body and he longs for yet another breeze, which make the trees sigh while passing through them. The free bird has ample food to feed on, the big fat worms in the lawn which they can prey on any time. Here, the poet again emphasis that the free people have the entire world to claim as their own and wander about. Word Meaning :

1. Sighing — To utter a mourning sound

Stanza 5. “But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.” Explanation: On the inverse side, the caged bird, who is a captive, knows that his desire of flying free is futile. His dreams culminate into a nightmare. He feels that the agony he’s going through will make his shadow also scream. This reveals that the poet had her own dreams which got crushed due to lack of freedom to achieve them. The poet restates the idea that the bird opens its mouth to sing, to voice his desire for freedom and expression. Word Meanings : 1. Nightmare — A frightening dream 2. Scream — A sudden laud cry qq Chapter- 8 : The Patriot

About the Poet

Robert Browning (7 May, 1812 – 12 Dec., 1889), an eminent Victorian era poet and playwright, was considered to be the master of dramatic monologues. Browning’s masterpieces include, ‘Porphyria’s Lover’, ‘Andrea del Sarto’, My Last Duchess’, ‘The Last Right Together’ etc. Preoccupation with the inward, psychological drama of his characters is what makes Browning famous for his characterization as a poet as well as a playwright. He was married to poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Summary

This poem is about a man, a political leader, who was once regarded and glorified as a hero by the people but later misunderstood and killed by the same people considering him a criminal. But the poet also shows the man’s deep hope and faith in God. He believes that, though the people considered him wrong, God will surely give appropriate judgement and he shall be much safer in heaven. Explanation of the Poem Stanza 1. “It was roses, roses, all the way, With myrtle mixed in my path like mad: The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway, The church-spires flamed, such flags they had, A year ago on this very day.” Explanation: In the first stanza, the poet says that just a year ago when he had entered the city, people welcomed him joyfully and decorated his path with roses and myrtles. They crowded on their roof-tops to have his glimpse. The minarets and domes of the churches shone with fiery coloured flags. The political leader thus, received a grand public welcome when he came into power a year ago. Word Meanings : 1. Myrtle — Shrub with sweet smelling white or pink flowers 2. Heave — To swell or rise [32 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

3. Sway — Move back and forth 4. Church-spires — Church tower Stanza 2. “The air broke into a mist with bells, The old walls rocked with the crowd and cries. Had I said, “Good folk, mere noise repels. But give me your sun from younger skies!” They had answered, “And afterward, what else?” Explanation: The poet further describes the festive environment. The air was filled with the resounding of the bells and the old walls swayed due to the loud cries of the people who had gathered to watch their great leader who had brought laurels to their nation. The patriot tells the people that instead of the noise that seems to be repelling and also temporary, if they loved him, they should get the sun from the skies for him, which was the symbol of permanence and power. At that time, the crowd that was extremely zealous, asks him what else would he require, other than the sun. They were ready to fulfill any of his demand. Word Meanings : 1. Mist — Light fog 2. Rocked — Shook 3. Repels — Repulse, discourage 4. Yonder — Over there Stanza 3. “Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun To give it my loving friends to keep! Nought man could do, have I left undone: And you see my harvest, what I reap This very day, now a year is run.” Explanation: This stanza illustrates a sudden transition of the man from a leader to a traitor in the eyes of the same people. He realizes that he had been over-ambitious and over-confident as he tried to get the sun to gift to his loving people. He tried to accomplish the impossible for them. But he is disappointed and regretful to see the result presently just after a lapse of one year. Word Meanings :

1. Alack — Used to express sorrow or regret 2. Leaped — To jump over, to move quickly 3. Nought — None Stanza 4. “This very day, now a year is run. There’s nobody on the house-tops now Just a palsied few at the windows set; For the best of the sight is, all allow, At the Shambles’ Gate.. or, better yet, By the very scaffold’s foot, I trow.” Explanation: Here the poet remarks that the same patriot who was once welcomed with open hearts and hands, is branded as a traitor by the same people and is being taken for execution. The house-tops which were once over-crowded with overwhelming excitement to watch him, are now empty. Only a few paralysed ones are standing at the windows watching him march towards death. The rest are assembled at the slaughter- house, for the best sight will be there, where this man will be hanged to death. Word Meanings :

1. Palsied — Paralysed 2. Shambles gate — Slaughter house 3. Scaffold — A platform on which criminals are killed by being hanged or beheaded. Stanza 5. “I go in the rain, more than needs, A rope cuts both my wrists behind; And I think, by the feel, my forehead bleeds, Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 33]

For they fling, whoever has a mind, Stones at me for my year’s misdeeds.” Explanation: Here the poet draws the imagery of the patriot, now a convict, walking in the rain towards the scaffold. His hands are tied at the back, the tight rope making wounds in his wrists. He suffers injuries as the people hit him with stones. He can feel the blood dripping down his forehead. It is highly ironical that the hands which welcomed him once with roses are now pelting stones at him. And more interestingly he says that, these were people with brains, who judged him for his year’s misdeeds. Word Meanings :

1. Fling — To throw or push forcefully 2. Misdeeds — A morally wrong or illegal act. Stanza 6. “Thus I entered, and thus I go! In triumphs, people have dropped down dead. Paid by the world, what dost thou owe “Me?”—God might question; now instead, ‘Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.” Explanation: The concluding stanza ends on an optimistic note. The leader says that he traveled the same path when he entered the town and when he is leaving the town as well as the world. A public hero, once upheld with great pomp and shows, now suffers utter humiliation and his life approaches an unexpected climax. The speaker discusses his religious belief, his meeting with God after death. He says that he will tell God that he did the best possible for his people, yet they misunderstood him and treated him shamefully. He believes in God’s justice. God will understand that he has already been punished on the earth for his misdeeds, and he will give the man the best reward in his world for his services. Thus, he will completely surrender to God and feel content and safe with Him ever after. Word Meaning :

1. Triumphs — A great success or achievement qq Chapter- 9 : Abu Ben Adheim

About the Poet Leigh Hunt (19 October, 1784 – 28 August, 1859) was a religious man who was educated in a Christian hospital. His first poems were published in 1801 under the title of “Juvenilia”, and introduced him into a literary and theatrical society. In 1808, he became the editor of ‘The Examiner’, a newspaper founded by his brother. He was a friend and critic to other famous writers like, Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. He is known today for only a handful of delightful, short lyrics and poems like, The Story of Remine (1816), Foliage (1819, a collection of poem) etc. Summary ‘Abu Ben Adheim’ describes the spiritual experience of a religious man ‘Abu’. Through this poem, the poet wishes to express to the readers the importance of kindness and love that we need to show towards our fellow beings. Explanation of the Poem “Abu Ben Adheim (may his tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw, within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich, and like in lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold.” Explanation: Abu was a gentle and caring man. He did good to everyone. One night he was enjoying a sound and peaceful sleep in his room. Suddenly he woke up and saw his room flooded with moonlight. The room was brightened by the presence of an angel, who looked like a lily in full bloom. The angel was writing something in a golden book. [34 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

Word Meanings :

1. Dream of peace — Peaceful dream 2. Rich — Brightened “Exceeding peace had made Ben Adheim bold, And to the presence in the room he said, “What wriest thou?- The vision raised its head, And with a look made of all sweet accord, Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.” “And is mine one?” said Abu. “Nay, not so,” Replied the angel. Abu spoke more low, But cheerly still; and said, “I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow men.” Explanation: The extremely peaceful atmosphere of the room made Abu bold enough to ask the angel what was it writing. The angel rose its head and looked at him sweetly. Then it told him that it was making the list of all those who loved the Lord. Abu curiously enquired if his name too was mentioned in it. The angel denied in a subdued yet cheerful voice. Abu requested the angel to add his name among those who loved other fellow beings. Word Meanings :

1. Exceeding — Increasing 2. Presence — (here) Angel 3. Vision — (here) Angel 4. Sweet accord — Harmony

“The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night It came again with a great wakening light, And showed the names whom love of God had blest, And lo! Ben Adheim’s name led all the rest.” Explanation: The angel granted his request, wrote his name and vanished. The next night the angel came again into his room and showed him the names of those who were lucky enough to be blessed by God’s love. And to Abu’s joy, his name was at the top of the list.

Word Meanings :

1. Vanished — Disappeared 2. Blest — Blessed Explanation: Thus, Abu was nearer to God because he loved his fellowmen. This poem propagates the idea that we should love humanity and this is the best worship. qq Chapter- 10 : Nine Gold Medals

About the Poet David Roth (10 October, 1954 – Present) is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author and former radio personality. He is an artist who conveys a wealth of stories, anecdotes and scenes with a physically felt intensity. He is best known as the lead singer of the Southern California based hard rock band, ‘Van Halen’. Summary The poem deals with an incident which happened at a special Olympic race. ‘Nine Gold Medals’ is a beautiful poem that illustrates that sports is not only about competing, and about winning awards and medals, but also a complete institution that teaches you values like, sportsmanship, compassion and empathy. In this poem we see that how racers help a young injured competitor, to finish the race without caring about the competition. They all were rewarded with a gold medal for their outstanding display of co-operation and human kindness. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 35] Explanation of the Poem Stanza 1. “The athletes had come from so many countries To run for the gold, for the silver and bronze Many weeks and months in training All building up to the games.” Explanation: Olympics are held after every four years. Participating in Olympics and wining an award is a deeply cherished dream of every athlete. This poem describes the scene at Special Olympics where special sportsmen, i.e., who have some problem in a particular part of their body, had gathered to participate in one hundred metres race. They had come from different countries with the dream to win gold, silver or bronze medal. They had spent hours of vigorous training. Their hopes were quite high. Word Meanings :

1. Athletes — Sportsmen 2. Building up — Developing strength and stamina Stanza 2. “All round the field spectators were gathered Cheering on all the young women and men Then the final event of the day was approaching The last race about to being.” Explanation: The spectators had gathered around and were cheering the contestants of all the events. They had been encouraging them all throughout. It was now time for the last event to begin. All were anxious about it. Word Meanings :

1. Spectators — Onlookers, audience 2. Cheering — Shouting encouragement Stanza 3. “The loudspeakers called out the names of the runners The one hundred metres the race to be run And nine young athletes stood there determined And poised for the sound of the gun.” Explanation: The next and the final event is the hundred metres race. The names of the participants are announced. The nine young athletes come and take their positions behind the starting point. They are fully determined and ready, and wait for the pistol to be fired in order to begin the race. Word Meanings : 1. Exploded — Fired 2. Poised — Ready or prepared for something

Stanza 4. “The signal was given, the pistol exploded And so did the runners on hearing the sound But the youngest among them stumbled and staggered And he fell on his knees to the ground.” Explanation: The signal came indicated by the pistol shot, the runners began the race immediately but, unfortunately, the youngest of the athlete stumbled and lost his balance and fell with his knees on the ground. Word Meanings : 1. Sumbled — Tripped 2. Staggered — To move unsteadily Stanza 5. “He gave out a cry of frustration and anguish His dreams and his efforts clashed in the dirt But as sure as I’m standing here telling the story Now it’s a strange one, but here’s what occurred.” Explanation: After hours of training and hard efforts, all the dreams and hopes of the differently abled man seemed to turn to dust. He cries with pain and helplessness. He had trained hard but missed the opportunity to show his talent. But the speaker says that, something unusual yet true, happened following his fall. [36 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X Word Meanings : 1. Anguish — Extreme suffering, grief or pain 2. Dashed — Broke or destroyed Stanza 6. “The eight other athletes stopped in their tracks The ones who had trained for so long to compete One by one they turned round and came back to help him And lifted the lad to his feet.” Explanation: The other eight athletes who had already begun their race, stopped in their tracks. To everyone’s surprise, one by one, turning around, they returned to help the fallen boy and lifted him up. This sudden change of mind was quite unexpected. After all they had been preparing for this day from a long time. Word Meanings :

1. Tracks — Paths, trails 2. Lad — Young boy Stanza 7. “Then all nine runners joined hands and continued The one hundred metres reduced to a walk And the banner above that said “Special Olympics” Could not have been nearer the mark.” Explanation: All the eight runners then held each other’s hand and resumed the competition, but this turned out to be a special one because all the participants were now walking together and the hundred metre race changed into a walk. Thus, the title on the banner matched with their act and could not have been a better one. Word Meaning : 1. Joined hands — Held each other’s hands. Stanza 8. “That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals They came to the finish line holding hands still And the banner above and nine smiling faces Said more than these words ever will Said more than these words ever will.” Explanation: The nine athletes reached the finishing line together hand in hand. They stood beneath the banner with smiling faces. No words would suffice to praise this act. Their act of co-operation towards their competitor actually won them nine gold medals. The poet repeats the last line to emphasize on their greatness. Word Meaning : 1. Banner — A large strip of cloth with a design, picture or writing on it. qq Section C : PROSE : A Collection of Short stories

Chapter - 1 : Chief Seattle’s Speech

About the Author Chief Seattle (1780 – 7 June, 1866), a famous 19th century American Indian Chief of Duwamish and Suquamish tribe. He was a prominent leader of his time, much respected for his Native American wisdom and commitment towards maintaining the ecological balance of the ancestral lands that fell under his tribes’ ownership. He was a brave and courageous warrior chief. Seattle’s speech gave him wide popularity. The speech favoured ecological responsibility of Native Americans. However, the actual content of the speech is uncertain and much has been lost through translation and rewriting. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 37] Summary Chief Seattle was an important figure in the early American History. He was the chief of the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes, fighting for the rights of his native people in the face of American Colonists. This famous speech was given by him when the American Colonists aggressively offered to buy the native land of his tribe and in return offered them the right to live there. His speech has been described as one of the most beautiful and moralistic words on the environment’s value. In his speech, he stresses upon the importance of Nature and the need to respect it. He makes use of satire while describing the offer from the Great Chief of Washington. He says, that it is the benevolence of the Great Chief to offer their friendship, as the Americans are much powerful than the Red Indians who were once great, but now reduced to a handful. He reminds that the wars are destructive and they harm both, humans and nature. So they should be avoided. He also mentions that the God of the Whites is partial and He only protects them and not the Red Indians. He also points out at the difference of origin of both the races. Seattle very emotionally emphasizes on the holiness of the ashes of their ancestors, thus their land is very precious to them. Therefore, accepting the proposal of acquisition of land from the Governor of Washington, he makes a request to grant them permission to visit the land which contains the ashes of their forefathers. Concluding his speech he says that, the Red Indians have such a strong attachment with their land that even after the death of the Red Indians, their spirits will never leave the land and thus, makes an appeal to the Whites to treat their land sympathetically as the dead people have the power to change the world. Word Meanings :

1. Yonder : Over there 2. Compassion : Sympathy 3. Prairies : Large grasslands of North America 4. Ruffled : Disturbed 5. Reproach : Disgrace 6. Relentless : Strict 7. Bristling : Brimming 8. Forsaken : Given up or left (someone or something) entirely 9. Prosperity : Success 10. Teeming multitude : A great number of people 11. Verdant : Green with growing plants 12. Sequestered : Withdrawn; secluded 13. Remnant : The left over part 14. Stolidly : Unemotionally 15. Proposition : Proposal 16. Swelter : To be very hot and uncomfortable 17. Sombre : Dull or dark 18. Solitude : Lonely places qq Chapter - 2 : The Old Man at The Bridge

About the Author Ernest Hemingway( 21 July 1899 – 2 July 1961), started his career as a journalist at the age of seventeen. During the First World War, he joined a volunteer ambulance unit in the Italian army. After being wounded and spending much time in hospitals, he returned back, and devoted himself to fiction writing. His first important work being ‘The Sun Also Rises’ (1926). Then equally successful was, ‘A Farewell to Arms’ (1929). His other famous novels [38 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

being ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ (1940) and ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ (1952). He received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for the latter. In this work, Hemingway usually portrays people like soldiers, hunters etc. whose courage and honesty are set against the hardships of the modern society. His fiction mostly contains gloominess and pessimism . Summary The plot of the story is set at a pontoon bridge near the Ebro Delta, on an Easter Sunday, during the Spanish Civil War. The enemy attack is anticipated. The area is being evacuated. All civilians are crossing the bridge to save themselves. The narrator, who was a young army officer, had the duty to watch the advancement of the enemy, notices an old man, the protagonist of the story, sitting by the side of the road. He wore steel framed spectacles and very dusty clothes. The officer is constantly keeping a watch across the bridge. He observes that the people and the cart on the bridge were reducing. He finally approaches the old man and questions him. The old man tells him that he had just travelled two kilometers from his village of San Carlos and cannot walk further as he is extremely tired. He adds that he was the last man to leave the village. There his duty was to take care of his animals which consisted of a cat, two goats and four pairs of pigeons. They were his family and he was very anxious about them. He says that the cat will be fine because cats can look after themselves, but he doesn’t know what will happen to the other animals. The narrator who was nervously awaiting the advent of the enemy is concerned about the old man’s safety and tells him to walk up the road and catch a ride on a truck to Barcelona. But the old man states that he is seventy six years old, had already travelled much and will not be able to go any further. All the more, the safety of his animals was disturbing him. But the narrator assures him that his animals will be fine. The pigeons will fly away, but the old man still worries about the goats. The narrator consoles him saying it is better not to think about it. The old man makes an effort to get up and walk but he is too exhausted and is unable to proceed. The story ends with the narrator thinking that the old man’s only luck is that the cats can look after themselves and that the day is overcast so the fascists aren’t able to launch the planes.

Word Meanings :

1. Steel rimmed : Steel framed 2. Pontoon bridge : Bridge made of flat bottomed boats 3. Staggered : Moved unsteadily 4. Plodded : Walked slowly and usually heavily 5. Shepherd : A person who tends sheep 6. Artillery : A part of an army that uses large guns 7. Politics : Political view 8. Forks : A place where something (like a road or river) divides into two. 9. Urged : Persuaded 10. Swayed : To swing slowly 11. Easter Sunday : The Sunday on which the Christians celebrate the return of Jesus Christ to life following his death 12. Fascists : Believers of fascism which is an ideology that supports dictatorship. 13. Overcast : Darkened by clouds qq Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 39] Chapter - 3 : A Horse & Two Goats

About the Author

R.K. Narayan (10 October 1906 - 13 May 2001), holds his place among the best known and most widely read Indian novelists who wrote in English. Most of his stories are set in the fictional territory of Malgudi. His first novel ‘Swami and Friends’, was published in 1935. Besides novels, he wrote short stories, travelogues, condensed versions of Indian epics in English, and his memoir. He received numerous awards and adulations during his life time. These include the ‘Sahitya Akademi Award’ in 1958, the Padma Bhushan in 1964, and Padma Vibhushan in 2000. He was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1989. His other important works include ‘Malgudi Days’, ‘The English Teacher’, etc. Summary In, ‘A Horse & Two Goats’, Muni is a poor resident of Kritam, one of the thousands of unobtrusive villages situated in India. There are around thirty houses in the village but only one, the Big House, is built of bricks. The others are made of mud with bamboo thatch. The village has neither running water nor electricity. Muni was once a proud owner of a large flock of sheep and goats, but with time he lost most of the things and now he is the owner of just two scrawny goats. He and his wife have grown quite old now, without any offspring to depend on. They are forced to live in poverty and with insensitive remarks from fellow villagers. Muni has to run through his credit at all shops in the village. So when he asks his wife to cook drumsticks in a sauce, she asks him to get the ingredients from the shop failing to which she sends him away telling him to fast till the evening. He hopes that she will earn enough money somewhere for an evening meal. Muni then takes his goats to their usual place, a grass spot near the highway. Here Muni sits all day in the shade of the life-sized statue – a horse, rearing next to a fierce warrior – and Muni watches his goats and occasional passing vehicles. As Muni waits for the time to return home, a yellow station wagon comes down the road and pulls over. A well dressed American in Khaki steps out and asks Muni about the nearest gas station. He looks at the statue and instantly gets attracted to it. Muni takes him for a policeman or soldier. The two begin to converse – two people talking to each other in separate languages, neither understanding the other. The American is a New York based businessman. He lights a cigarette and offers one to Muni also, then presents his business card which Muni thinks is a warrant and gives a long explanation to prove himself innocent. The American thinks that Muni is the owner of the statue and being highly fascinated with it, shows his desire to buy it. Muni understands that something is being discussed about the statue, so he carries on to explain the myths behind it. Finally, the American shoves one hundred rupees into Muni’s hand confirming the deal, leaving Muni to wrongly think that he has purchased the goats. He rushes home to give the money to his wife while the American stops a truck, with some help, removes the horse from the pedestal and drives away with his purchase. On the other hand, Muni’s wife does not believe in Muni’s story about how he got such a big amount and her doubts grew even more when the goats return home following Muni. Word Meanings :

1. Flourish : Thrive, to grow well 2. Revenue : Tax 3. Sprawled : To spread unevenly 4. Hooped : Bound in a circular manner 5. Grandiose : Impressive 6. Gargoyles : Strangely carved animal 7. Balustrade : Railing 8. Sallied : Set out, depart 9. Snapped : Broken 10. Miller : One who works in a mill 11. Tethered : Fastened, tied 12. Craving : Longing [40 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

13. Imp : A small devil 14. Eloped : Ran away secretly 15. Itinerant : Travelling from place to place 16. Impelled : Urged, forced 17. Mumbled : Muttered 18. Sneered : Smile with dislike 19. Parapet : A low wall 20. Unobtrusively : Discreetly, unnoticeably 21. Scoundrel : A disreputable person 22. Recoup : To get back 23. Accosted : To approach and speak angrily 24. Cronies : Close friends 25. Lounging : Relaxing 26. Lorded over : Showed power or authority 27. Gawky : Awkward and clumsy 28. Shearing : Cutting hair or wool 29. Elated : Very happy and excited 30. Pestilence : A contagious epidemic disease 31. Scraggy : Being lean and long 32. Progeny : Children, offspring 33. Spurn : To refuse to accept 34. Downcast : Sad and unconfident 35. Meandered : Curved 36. Pedestal : The base of a column or other tall object 37. Reared : Nourished, raised qq

Chapter - 4 : Hearts and Hands

About the Author O. Henry (11 September 1862 - 5 June 1910), was born under the name of, William Sydney Porter. During his early age he was imprisoned with a charge of embezzlement of bank funds. There he started writing to support his daughter and when he emerged from the prison, W. S. Porter had become O. Henry. This American short story writer has a good collection of stories which are well-known throughout the world for their clever word play and surprise endings. His first book was, ‘Cabbages and Kings’ (1904). His other famous works being, ‘The Four Million’ (1906), ‘The Trimmed Lamp’ (1907), ‘Heart of the West’ (1907), ‘Voice of the City’ and ‘Whirligigs’ (1910) etc. Summary ‘Hearts and Hands’, like many of O. Henry’s short stories, have an unexpected twist. It is a story about two acquaintances who coincidentally, meet on a train. A woman, Miss Fairchild, spots an old friend Mr. Easton on a train B. & M. Express in Denver. Miss Fairchild, an elegantly dressed woman, was travelling with all rich comforts. When Mr. Easton, a handsome young man with a bold look, entered the coach with a grumpy, strong and roughly dressed man. They sat down on the seat facing the lady. Miss Fairchild blushed on seeing Mr. Easton, she started talking about their old friendship but is suddenly surprised to discover that her friend was handcuffed to the other man seated beside him. The other man, comprehending the situation, comes up with an explanation. He tells that Easton is a Marshal and is taking him to the prison at Leavenworth as he had been charged with seven years of imprisonment for counterfeiting. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 41]

As the conversation advances, the lady feels amazed to know that Mr. Easton has discarded his life in Washington to become a Marshal in the West. Though she continues to chat but is little uneasy with the handcuffs. Sensing her discomfort, the other man again interrupts and tells her that she need not worry, smart Marshal like Easton, handcuffed themselves to their prisoners to stop them from escaping. Suddenly making an excuse of smoking, the man requests Mr. Easton to take him to the smoking room. Then we get to know the special twist of the story from the two passengers who were eves dropping to their chats. One of them remarks on Mr. Easton’s appearance, saying he is too young to be a marshal, while the other corrects him saying that, it’s Easton who is the counterfeiter while the other one is the Marshal because Marshal’s never handcuff a man with their right hand.

Word Meanings :

1. Influx : The arrival of a large number of people 2. Elegant : Graceful and attractive 3. Countenance : A person’s expression 4. Ruffled : Irritated 5. Glum-faced : Sad or depressed 6. Aisle : A passage between sections of seats 7. Tingeing : Giving small amount of colour to 8. Bewildered : Confused 9. Forestalled : Stopped, prevented 10. Counterfeiting : Forgery 11. Irrelevantly : Unimportantly qq Chapter - 5 : A Face in The Dark

About the Author Ruskin Bond (19 May 1934 - Present), is a famous Indian author of British descent. He is an icon among Indian writers. His wide array of short stories, novels, essays, poems, travelogues and articles in newspapers and magazines have inspired many aspiring writers. He has presented a variety in his writing, ranging from ‘ghost stories’ to ‘odes to nature’ to ‘love stories’. He wrote his first novel, ‘The Room on the Roof’, at the age of seventeen. His other very famous novel being ‘The Blue Umbrella’. In 1992 he received the Sahitya Akademi award for his short stories collection, ‘Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra’. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 for his contributions to Children’s Literature and Padma Bhushan in 2014. He now lives with his adopted family, near Mussoorie. Summary In the story, Mr. Oliver, the protagonist, is an Anglo Indian teacher in the English Public School at Shimla, which is three miles distance from the Shimla Bazaar. The school is often referred as ‘Eton of the East’, because its name is synonymous with quality elite education. Mr. Oliver is a rational and mentally strong person. He does not easily give away to nervousness and imagination. He usually goes out after school to the Shimla market and returns back in the evening. One day while, Mr. Oliver was returning from Shimla, it got quite late and he decides to take a short cut through the pine forests. Carrying his torch he moves on briskly. Suddenly he comes across a weeping boy who was sitting with his hands covering his face. As per his duty as a teacher, he asked the child the reason for crying. Getting closer, he repeats the question. The boy lifted his face and the teacher fills with horror to find that the boy had no features, no eyes, no mouth. Terror-stricken, Mr. Oliver runs towards his school. On the way he encounters a watchman swinging a lantern. On seeing him running, the watchman asks him what the reason was. Mr. Oliver tells him that he saw a boy with no face. The watchman then asks him if the boy looked like his and he raises his lantern to his face. To Mr. Oliver’s horror, the watchman too had no face, no eyes, no ears and no features. That moment the wind blew and the lamp went out. The story ends with a sense of ambiguity, leaving the readers to think whether it were actually ghosts or some prank played upon the teacher by his students. [42 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

Word Meanings :

1. Outskirts : Border of a city or town 2. Eerie : Strange and mysterious 3. Strolled : To walk slowly and relaxingly 4. Imaginative : Having the ability to think of new and interesting ideas 5. Fitfully : Not regular or steady 6. Flickering : To burn or glow unsteadily 7. Miscreant : A person who does something illegal or morally wrong 8. Convulsively : Fitfully; causing the entire body to shake 9. Distinctly : Noticeably 10. Scrambled : Moved with urgency or panic 11. Stumbled : To trip in walking or running 12. Gasping : Breathing with difficulty qq Chapter - 6 : Angel in Disguise

About the Author T.S. Arthur (6 June 1809-6 March 1885), was a popular 19th century American author. He had a distinguished writing career during which he wrote more than 150 novels. His work was basically moralistic in nature. His most famous work is his essay, ‘The Nights in a Bar-Room and What I Saw There’ (1854). He was a strong proponent of temperance. Summary ‘An Angel in disguise’ is an emotional story which highlights the theme of love and kindness. It takes place in a small village. A pauper woman dies at the threshold of her house due to excessive alcoholism. Her three children are left orphaned. The lady was despised by the villagers and so had no family or friend. But after her death, pity replaced anger. The villagers take up a collection and put together a modest funeral. As for the children, farmer Jones adopts John, a stout 12 year old boy, because he would help him in fieldwork. The second born child, 10 year old Kate, a bright and active girl, was taken by Mrs. Ellis, who has looking for a bound girl. Then there was Maggie, the youngest and paralyzed one. She had fallen from the window and seriously injured her spine. She was bedridden so no one wanted to take her. They think of sending her to the poorhouse. Mr. Joe Thompson, who worked as a wheelwright, takes pity on her. He likes children, though he is childless. His heart melts when the helpless child pleads with him. He knew his strict wife will be angry still he carries her home. He tells her that he would take her to the poorhouse the next day, somehow he manages to keep her despite of her hard hearted attitude. Mr. Thompson requests his wife to think of Maggie’s dead mother, her loneliness, helplessness and sufferings in her life. Mrs. Thompson tried to hide her hostility while communicating with Maggie. But gradually the feeling of love and compassion emerged in her heart. She became kinder with the sweet sick girl. Maggie becomes a speck of happiness in the life of childless Thompson couple. She is a little girl with a pure, clear and light soul. They never discuss to take her to the poorhouse again. She turns out to be an angel in disguise for them. Word Meanings :

1. Intemperance : Excessive drinking 2. Wretched : Very unhappy 3. Threshold : Door 4. Despised : Disliked Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 43]

5. Scoffed at : Scorned, shown contempt 6. Denounced : Criticized harshly and publicly 7. Tumble-down : Collapsed 8. Interment : Burial 9. Stout : Brave and strong 10. Wan : Looking sick or pale 11. Soiled : Unclean, dirty 12. Hovel : A small, poorly built and often dirty house 13. Pauper : Poor 14. Ere : Before 15. Wheelwright : A maker and repairer of wheels 16. Vague : Unclear 17. Penetrated : To pass into or through 18. Brat : An ill-mannered annoying child 19. Countenance : A person’s expression 20. Indignation : Anger 21. Irrepressible : Uncontrolled 22. Unwonted : Unwanted qq

Chapter - 7 : The Little Match Girl

About the Author Hans Christian Anderson (2nd April, 1805 – 4th August, 1875), was a Danish writer, who enjoyed fame as a novelist, dramatist and poet, but fairy tales are his greatest contribution to world literature. Many of his stories include, ‘The Ugly Duckling’ and ‘The Princess and the Pea’, remain classics of the genre. His stories have been adapted for stage and screen, including a popular animated version of ‘The Little Mermaid’. He suffered a serious injury after falling from bed. His last publication, a collection of stories, appeased the same year. Signs of Liver Cancer started showing up and finally he died in Copenhagen. Summary ‘The Little Match Girl’ is a sad story about a miserable young girl. The story begins on a rough cold winter evening, the wind was swirling, the sky was darkening and the snow was coming down. It was the last evening before New Year and it seems that the people were preparing to spend a nice evening in their homes with a lavish celebration. In this chill and darkness, a poor little girl strolled, who was bareheaded and bare feet. She was wearing her mother’s slippers but they were bigger than her size, so while crossing the road in a hurry, she lost one of them and the other one was stolen by a boy. Her feet were red and frozen due to the cold. This little girl is out in the streets to sell matches as ordered by her strict father. She could not manage to sell any since morning but could not return home, firstly, because her father would beat her and secondly, her poor home could not provide her any shelter from the cold winds. She was lured by the appetizing smells of food, spreading from a house. The low temperature made it impossible for her to carry on further so she curled herself up in a corner between two buildings and tucked her feet underneath herself. To keep herself warm she decided to light up one match. The lightning of the match carries her into a world of imagination. She imagines a large iron stove and tries to feel the warmth coming from it. But suddenly it disappears with the match. The little girl’s next vision, which she sees on lighting the next match, is of a beautiful stuffed goose dinner. Suddenly, the goose hopped out from the dish with the knife and fork still in its breast and reached upto the little girl. But again the match goes out and the scene disappears. In the next vision she finds herself sitting under the most beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Then the girl sees the falling star and thinks to herself that someone is dying because once her grandmother had told that a falling [44 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

star meant that someone was going to heaven. She finally visualizes her beloved grandmother and continues to light matches, one after the other, to keep her in sight. The next day, she was found dead and frozen with a smiling face. Everyone talked about her attempts to keep herself warm but no one knew that she died a peaceful death while having happy visions and about her joining her beloved grandmother in heaven. Word Meanings :

1. Hitherto : Until now 2. Scuffled away : Moved quickly with short steps 3. Dreadfully : Very bad or unpleasant 4. Urchin : A usually poor and dirty child 5. Farthing : A former British coin with a value equal to one quarter of a penny 6. Gleaming : Shining 7. Cowered : Moved back or crouched especially for shelter 8. Venture : To risk 9. Numbed : Without sensation 10. Burnished : Polished 11. Porcelain : A hard, white substance made by baking clay, used for making utensils 12. Reeled : Whirled, moved round and round 13. Trail : A path through a forest, field 14. Lustre : Gleam, shine qq Chapter - 8 : The Blue Bead

About the Author Norah Aileen Burke (2nd August, 1907-1976), was a celebrated English novelist and non-fiction writer famous for her descriptions of life in India during the early 20th century. Her father was a forest officer in India during her early childhood. Thus, she got an ample chance to interact with the wildlife in India, which inspired her to include them in her works, the famous among them being ‘Jungle Child’ (1956), ‘Eleven Leopards’ (1965) and ‘Midnight Forests’ (1966). Summary This story starts with a mugger crocodile lying motionless waiting for food. Beside him lay a small blue bead. In the village above the river lived a little girl, Sibia. Being poor she never owned anything but a rag. Her family could not even afford her a new needle or a handful of beads to make a necklace. She worked with her mother and other women collecting paper grass from above the river. After a good collection was made, they would take it down to the bullock cart and sell it to the agent who would arrange for it to be sent to the paper mills. On the way lived some Gujar people, the nomadic graziers, who stayed there till their animals finished grazing at that spot. One day when the women returned back after toiling for the entire day, Sibia decided to rest on the way. While she was resting, a Gujar woman came down to fill two pots and when she was filling them a huge crocodile attacked her, biting down on the woman’s leg, blood spreading everywhere. Quickly Sibia, who was watching this attack, ran over and stabbed the crocodile in the eyes, the only vulnerable area, with her hayfork. The crocodile swam away convulsively in pain. After having being rescued Sibia she brought her to the shore, applied sand on her wound, tied it with a rag and helped her home. When she came back to pick her things, she saw the blue bead laying in the river. She picked it up and brought it home happily and told her mom about the bead that she had found for her necklace. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 45]

Word Meanings :

1. Whirlpool : An area of water in a river, stream, etc. that moves very fast in a circle 2. Dislodge : To forcefully remove 3. Jostle : To push against while moving forward in a crowd 4. Rippled : Moved in small waves 5. Trilling : Twirl, revolve 6. Mugger : A freshwater crocodile found in India 7. Antediluvian : Very old or old-fashioned 8. Formidable : Very powerful or strong 9. Fend : Defend, guard 10. Putrid : Rotten, very ugly or unpleasant 11. Tepid : Not hot and not cold; lukewarm 12. Armoured hide : Thick skin which acts as a armour 13. Gharials : Crocodiles 14. Ford : A shallow part of a river etc. that may be crossed by walking 15. Perforated : Having holes 16. Starveling : Very thin due to lack of food; malnourished 17. Rancid : Having strong and unpleasant smell 18. Goosey-cold : Extreme cold that causes goosebumps 19. One anna : 1/16th of a rupee 20. Gaunt : Plain and unpleasant in appearance 21. Forebears : Forefathers 22. Swooping : To fly down through the air suddenly 23. Dawdle : To spend time idly 24. Hayfork : A long handed fork used for moving hay 25. Boulder : A very large and rounded rock 26. Lunge : A sudden forward movement 27. Darkling : In the dark 28. Heaved : Lifted or pulled with effort 29. Threshing : Striking repeatedly 30. Flail : To strike or hit in a wild and uncontrolled way 31. Prong : A long point of a fork 32. Convulsion : An uncontrolled fit 33. Wobbling : Moving unsteadily from side to side 34. Smudged : Made unclear 35. Morose : Very sad or unhappy 36. Makna elephant : Tuskless, dangerous elephant qq [46 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X Chapter - 9 : My Greatest Olympic Prize

About the Author Jesse Owens also known by name of James Cleveland Owens, (12 September 1913 – 31 March 1980), was an American track and field athlete who set a world record in the running broad jump which stood for 25 years and who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. It is the four Olympic victories that were a blow to Adolf Hitler’s intention to use the games to demonstrate Aryan superiority. Hitler refused to shake hands with Owens because he was an African American. Summary ‘My Greatest Olympic Prize’ is a famous memoir by the well-known American Athlete, Jesse Owens. He was a member of the American team that went to Berlin for the 1936 Olympic Games. In this story, he shares his unforgettable experience during the games. Adolf Hitler was then the ruler of Germany. He was an ardent racist. He believed in the supremacy of the ‘Aryan race’. He thought that his German athletes belonged to a master race and they would perform better than the others. Jesse Owens was a Negro. He nurtured a belief to disapprove Hitler’s theory and with this determination he went to Berlin. He trained himself for six years for these Olympics. The previous year he had already made a record in long jump. So he was pretty confident to win the medal. An angry athlete commits mistakes. So did Jesse. He put a very bad performance during the trials. But the German athlete Luz Long, performed well and qualified for the finals. This made Jesse all the more upset. Though Luz is his opponent player but surprisingly he helps Jesse to qualify for the finals. He suggests to draw a line behind the take off board and then to jump. In the finals, though Luz managed to break his own record but it was Jesse who won the gold medal by jumping 26 feet 5-5/16 inches. Despite Hitler’s glaring at them, Luz shook hands with Jesse and congratulated him. Jesse recollects what Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of Olympic Games, said that the true spirit of Olympic is not winning but taking part and fighting well. Luz did not win but set up a good Olympic spirit. Thus, for Jesse Owens, the greatest Olympic prize is not the gold medal but his true and noble friendship with Luz Long. Word Meanings :

1. Sophomore : A student in the second year of high school or college 2. Startled : Surprised 3. Leaped : Jumped 4. Disgustedly : Distastefully 5. Slang : Language peculiar to a particular group of people 6. Chiseled : Having an attractive well formed shape 7. Ebb out : Decline 8. Glared : To look angrily at someone 9. Epitome : A perfect example qq

Chapter - 10 : All Summer in a Day

About the Author Ray Bradbury (22 August 1920 - 5 June 2012), was an American science fiction writer who works were translated in more than 40 languages. His works created a world of new technical and intellectual ideas. He is best known for his dystopian novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’ (1953) and short story collections ‘The Martian Chronicles’, and ‘The Illustrated Man’. ‘All Summer in a Day’ a short story, was first published in 1954 in the magazine of fantasy and science fiction. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 47] Summary The concept of the story ‘All Summer in a Day’, is built on Venus – a planet where it rains continuously, all the time. The people live in underground tunnels to escape the cold hard rain. The story begins with school children crowding around a window in their classroom, waiting for the heavy rain to stop and for a rare occurrence i.e., the sun, to come out for an hour after seven years of non-stop rain, as per prediction. They had seen the sun only when they were two years old.

Margot is a nine year old girl whose family moved from Earth to Venus when she was four. Only she remembers the warmth of the sun and how beautiful the sunshine can be. She explains to other children that sun is round like a penny and hot like fire but they consider her a liar, despise her and mock at her. She has been in a state of depression ever since she arrived on Venus and her parents were planning to take her back on Earth.

As Margot stands alone waiting for the rain to subside and the long awaited sun to appear, the other children plan a terrible trick on her. They forcefully carry her to the closet and lock her inside. Wickedly pleased with themselves, they return and move along with the teacher to experience the event they were waiting for.

When the Venus rain finally stops and sun comes out, a bronze flame spreads throughout the forests of Venus. The children exit the tunnels and run around excitedly. But soon the rain clouds move in. The sun hides and heavy showers replace it. All the children reflect on the wonderful experience they had with the sun and then re-enter the tunnels. Suddenly, one of the children remembers that they had locked Margot inside the closet. Slowly she is taken out, but its too late for her, she will have to wait yet another seven years to see the sun which she had been so earnestly waiting for. Word Meanings :

1. Intermixed : Mixed together 2. Peering : Looking narrowly or curiously 3. Compounded : Combined 4. Concussions : Impact, agitation 5. Stunned : Shocked, surprised 6. Slackening : Becoming slower or lesser 7. Feverish : Agitated, heated 8. Frail : Weak 9. Shove : A strong, forceful push 10. Drenched : Completely wet 11. Clutched : Held onto tightly 12. Savagely : Fiercely, rudely 13. Muffled : Suppressed 14. Repercussions : Reverberations 15. Tumultuously : Loudly & excitedly 16. Squeak : Short, high-pitched cry 17. Resilient : Flexible, bouncy 18. Squinted : Looked with eyes partly closed 19. Savoured : Tasted and smelled 20. Avalanche : A great amount 21. Stakes : Pointed sticks or posts 22. Solemn : Sad and serious qq [48 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

Novels

Chapter - 1 : Animal Farm

About the Author Animal Farm is an allegorical novella written by George Orwell, first published in England on 17th August, 1945. According to Orwell, the book reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then on into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union. Orwell was a democratic socialist, he was a critic of Joseph Stalin and hostile to Moscow – directed Stalinism. He had an attitude that was critically shaped by his experiences during the Spanish Civil War. He believed that the Soviet Union, had become a brutal dictatorship built upon a cult of personality and enforced by a reign of terror. In a letter to Yvonne Davet, Orwell described Animal Farm as a satirical tale against Stalin (“Un Conte Satirique Contre Staline,”), and in his essay “Why I write” (1946), he wrote that, Animal Farm was the first book in which he tried, with full consciousness of what he was doing, “to fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole”. The original title was ‘Animal Farm’ : A Fairy story; U.S. Publishers dropped the subtitle when it was published in 1946, and only one of the translations during Orwell’s lifetime was kept. Orwell wrote the book between November 1943 and February 1944, when the UK was in its wartime alliance with the Soviet Union and the British people, and intelligentsia held Stalin in high esteem; it was a phenomenon Orwell hated. The manuscript was initially rejected by a number of British and American Publishers, including one of Orwell’s own, Victor Gollancz, which delayed publication. It became a great commercial success when it did appear partly, because international relations were transformed as the wartime alliance gave way to the cold war. Time magazine chose the book ‘Animal Farm’ as one of the best 100 English language novels (1923 to 2005), it also featured at number 31 on the Modern Library List of Best 20th century novels. It won a Retrospective Hugo Award in 1996, and is included in the great books of the western world selection. Introduction of the Novel

Old Major, the old boar on the Manor Farm, summons the animals on the farm together for a meeting, during which he refers to humans as “enemies” and teaches the animals a revolutionary song called “Beasts of England”. When Major dies, two young pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, assume command and consider it a duty to prepare for the Rebellion. The animals revolt and drive the drunken and irresponsible farmer, Mr. Jones, from the farm, renaming it as “Animal Farm”. They adopt the Seven Commandments of Animalism, the most important of which is, “All animals are equal.” Snowball teaches the animals to read and write, while Napoleon educates young puppies on the principles of Animalism. Food is plentiful, and the farm runs smoothly. The pigs elevate themselves to positions of leadership and set aside special food items, ostensibly for their personal health. Some time later, several men attack Animal Farm. Jones and his men are making an attempt to recapture the farm, aided by several other farmers who are terrified of similar animal revolts. Snowball and the animals, who are hiding in ambush, defeat the men by launching a surprise attack as soon as they enter the farmyard. Snowball’s popularity soars, and this event is proclaimed, “The Battle of the Cowshed”. It is celebrated annually with the firing of a gun, on the anniversary of the Revolution. Napoleon and Snowball vie for pre-eminence. When Snowball announces his plans to modernize the farm by building a windmill, Napoleon has his dogs chase Snowball away and declares himself leader. Napoleon enacts changes to the governance structure of the farm, replacing meetings with a committee of pigs who will run the farm. Through a young pig named Squealer, Napoleon claims credit for the windmill idea. The animals work harder with the promise of easier lives with the windmill. When the animals find the windmill collapsed after a violent storm, Napoleon and Squealer convince the animals that Snowball is trying to sabotage their project. Once Snowball becomes a scapegoat, Napoleon begins to purge the farm with his dogs, killing animals he accuses of consorting with his old rival. When some animals recall the Battle of the Cowshed, Napoleon (who was nowhere to be found during the battle) frequently smears Snowball as a ‘collaborator of Jones’, while falsely representing himself as the ‘hero of the battle’. “Beasts of England” is replaced with an anthem glorifying Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 49]

Napoleon, who appears to be adopting the lifestyle of a man. The animals remain convinced that they are better off under Napoleon, than they were under Mr. Jones. Mr Frederick, one of the neighbouring farmers, attacks the farm, using blasting powder to blow up the restored windmill. Though the animals win the battle, they do so at great cost, as many, including Boxer the workhorse, are wounded. Despite his injuries, Boxer continues working harder and harder, until he collapses while working on the windmill. Napoleon sends for a van to take Boxer to the veterinary surgeon, explaining that better care can be given there. Benjamin, the cynical donkey who “could read as well as any pig”, notices that the van belongs to a knacker and attempts a futile rescue. Squealer quickly assures the animals that the van had been purchased from the knacker by an animal hospital, and the previous owner’s signboard had not been repainted. In a subsequent report, Squealer reports sadly to the animals that Boxer died peacefully at the animal hospital; the pigs hold a festival one day after Boxer’s death to further praise the glories of Animal Farm and have the animals work harder by taking on Boxer’s ways. However, the truth was that Napoleon had engineered the sale of Boxer to the knacker, allowing him and his inner circle to acquire money to buy whiskey for themselves. (In 1940s England, one way for farms to make money was to sell large animals to a knacker, who would kill the animal and boil its remains into animal glue.) Years pass by, and the windmill is rebuilt along with construction of another windmill, which makes the farm a good amount of income. However, the ideals which Snowball discussed, including stalls with electric lighting, heating and running water, are forgotten, with Napoleon advocating that the happiest animals live simple lives. In addition to Boxer, many of the animals who participated in the Revolution are dead, as is Farmer Jones, who died in another part of England. The pigs start resembling humans, as they walk upright, carry whips and wear clothes. The Seven Commandments are abridged to a single phrase. “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.” Napoleon holds a dinner party for the pigs and local farmers, with whom he celebrates a new alliance. He abolishes the practice of the revolutionary traditions and restores the name, “The Manor Farm”. As the animals look from pigs to humans, they realise they can no longer distinguish between the two. Important Characters

Pigs l Old Major : He was an aged prize Middle white boar, who was about to die soon. He provides the inspiration that fuels the rebellion. He is an allegorical combination of Karl Marx, one of the creator of Communism, and Lenin the communist leader of the Russian Revolution and the early Soviet nation, in that he draws up the principles of the revolution. Major died, leaving Snowball and Napoleon to struggle for control of legacy. l Napoleon : A large, rather fierce-looking Berkshire. He was the only Berkshire on the farm, who was not a much talker, but with a reputation for getting his own way. He emerged as the leader of ‘Animal Farm’ after the Rebellion. He overthrew Snowball. Napoleon is the main villain of ‘Animal Farm’ who is called Cesar. Based on Joseph Stalin, Napoleon used his nine loyal attack dogs as his military force to intimidate the other animals and consolidate his power. l Snowball : Napoleon’s rival and original head of the farm after Jones was overthrown. He is mainly based on Leon Trotsky but he also combines elements from Lenin as well. He was a clever pig, who won the loyalty of the other animals by his decisions for the betterment of the farm. He failed to see the sinister thoughts of Napoleon who easily chased him away from the farm. l Squealer : He was a small, white, fat porker who served as Napoleon’s second-in-command and minister to spread propaganda among the other animals. He was holding a position similar to that of Vyacheslav Molotov. Squealer justified the Pigs’ monopolisation of resources and spread false statistics pointing to the farm’s success. l Minimus : The poet pig who wrote verses about Napoleon. He also wrote second and third National Anthems of ‘Animal Farm’ after the singing of “Beasts of England” was banned. l The piglets - Hinted to be the children of Napoleon and they were the first generation of animals subjugated to his idea of animal inequality. l The young pigs : The four pigs who complain about Napoleon’s take over of the farm but are quickly silenced and later executed, the first animals killed in Napoleon farm. l Pinkeye : A minor pig who is mentioned once in the novel, he is the pig who tastes Napoleon’s food to make sure it is not poisoned, in response to rumours about assassination attempt on Napoleon. [50 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X Humans l Mr. Jones : He was the original owner of the Manor Farm before the Rebellion. He drank heavily. His farm was in disrepair without farm hands who often looked on the job. He was an unkind master who indulged in heavy alcohol while his animals lacked food. He tried to gain the power of the farm once again, but failed. He is an allegory of Russian Tsar Nicholas II, who was murdered along with the rest of his family on 17th July, 1918 by the Bolsheviks. l Mr. Frederick : The shrewd owner of neighbouring Pinchfield Farm, who briefly enters into an alliance with Napoleon. Animal farm shares land boundaries with Pinchfield on one side and Foxward on another, making Animal Farm a “Buffer Zone” between the two bickering farmers. The animals of Animal Farm were terrified of Frederick, because he had a secret motive of capturing the Animal Farm and he even destroyed their windmill. Napoleon entered into an alliance with Frederick in order to sell surplus timber. However, the animals were able to turn Frederick away after much loss. l Mr. Pilkington : The easy - going but crafty and well-to-do owner of Foxword, a large neighbouring farm overgrown with weed. Unlike Frederick, Pilkington is rich and owns more land, but his farm is in need of care as opposed to Frederick’s smaller but more efficiently - run farm. Although on bad terms with Frederick, Pilkington is also concerned about the animal revolution that deposed Jones, and worried him, that this could happen to him also. l Mr Whymper : The human solicitor hired by Napoleon to represent Animal Farm in human society. At first, he is used to acquire necessities that cannot be produced on the farm, such as, dog biscuits and Paraffin wax, but later he procures luxuries like, alcohol for the pigs. Horses and Donkeys l Boxer : was a loyal, kind, dedicated, extremely strong, hard-working and respectable cart – horse, although quite naive and gullible. He played a key role in the early prosperity of Animal Farm and the later completion of the windmill. Quick to help others but he was rather slow-witted. Boxer showed much devotion to Animal Farm’s ideals but he had little ability to think about them independently. He naively trusted the pigs to make all his decisions for him. But he held the belief that ‘Napoleon is always right’. When boxer is injured, Napoleon sells him to a local knocker to buy himself whisky, and Squealer gives a moving account falsifying Boxer’s death. l Mollie : A self – centred, self – indulgent and vain young mare who pulled Mr. Jones carriage. Mollie craved the attention of human beings and loved being groomed and pampered. She had a difficult time with her new life on Animal Farm, as she missed wearing ribbons in her mane and eating sugar cubes. She quickly leaves for another farm after the revolution. She is only once mentioned again, in a manner similar to those who left Russia after the fall of Tsar. l Clover : A female cart-horse and Boxer’s close friend. She is gentle and caring who shows concern especially for Boxer, who often pushes himself too hard. Clover can read all the letters of the alphabet, but cannot “put words together.“ She seems to catch on the sly tricks and schemes set up by Napoleon and Squealer. She often suspected the pigs of violating one or another of the Seven Commandments, but she repeatedly blamed herself for misremembering the commandments. l Benjamin : He was a donkey, who was one of the oldest, wisest animal on the farm. And also one of the few who can read properly. The donkey was indifferent to any of the happenings on the farm. Benjamin firmly believed that life would remain unpleasant no matter who was in charge. Of all the animals on the farm, he alone comprehended the changes that took place, but he seemed either unwilling or unable to oppose the pigs. Other Animals l Muriel : A wise, white, old goat who was friendly with all the animals on the farm. She, like Benjamin and Snowball, is one of the few animals on the farm who could read. She read the Seven Commandments to Clover, whenever Clover suspected the pigs of violating their prohibitions. l Jessie and Bluebell : Two dogs, each of whom gave birth to nine puppies early in the novel. Napoleon took the puppies in order to “educate” them. He reared them to become savage beasts who served him. l The puppies : They were offsprings of Jessie and Bluebell, they were taken away at birth by Napoleon and reared by him to be his security force. l Moses : was the raven who was a special pet of Mr. Jones. He was a spy and a tale – bearer, but he was a clever talker. He had spread stories of Sugarcandy Mountain, the paradise to which animals supposedly go when they die. Moses played only a small role in Animal Farm. l The sheep : They show limited understanding of the Animalism and the political atmosphere of the farm. They blindly support Napoleon’s ideals with vocal jingles during his speeches and meetings with Snowball. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 51]

l The hens : The hens are promised at the start of the revolution that they get to keep their eggs, which are stolen from them under Mr. Jones. However, their eggs are soon taken from them under the promise of buying goods from outside Animal Farm. The hens are among the first to rebel against Napoleon. l The cows : The cows are enticed into revolution by promises that their milk will not be stolen, but can be used to raise their own calves. Their milk is then stolen by the pigs, who learn to milk them. The milk is stored into the pig’s mash everyday, while the other animals are denied such luxuries. l The cat : was never seen to carry out any work, it was absent for long periods and is forgiven, because her excuses are so convincing and she “purred so affectionately” that it was impossible not to believe in her good intentions. She has no interest in the politics of the farm, and the only time she is recorded having participated in an election, she is found to have actually “voted on both sides”. CHAPTER-1 Summary Freedom is the birth right of every living being, whether it is a human being or any animal. Nobody wants to lead a slavery life. Someone has to rebel for the cause. Here are the animals of the Manor Farm, who are ill-treated, starved to death by their owner Mr. Jones, and they start to rebel against him. One night Mr. Jones stumbles drunkenly up to bed as the farm animals were waiting in the still silence. The moment he goes to sleep, all animals bustle around. They all were preparing themselves for the big meeting that is to take place that night. Old Major has called the meeting to discuss a strange dream he had the previous night. He is waiting for his fellow animals in the big barn. The first animals to arrive are the three dogs, Bluebell, Jessie and Pincher, followed by the pigs, hens, pigeons, sheep and cows, as well as the horses : Boxer, Clover and Muriel, the white goat, and the donkey, Benjamin, followed them. A group of motherless ducklings were wandering in and Clover, being the motherly type, forms a safe place for them to sit with her leg. Mollie, the young mare, arrives just before the cat, who settles in between Boxer and Clover. Everybody attends the meeting except Moses, the raven, who is sleeping on his perch behind the barn door. Old Major addresses the animals, calling them, “Comrades”. He explains that, since he is getting old and may die soon, he wishes to impart his wisdom. Over his lifetime, he has come to the conclusions that, “No animal in England is free “ and “ The life of an animal is full of misery and slavery.” Old Major states that animals’ domination by man is the sole reason they cannot be free, happy and fulfilled. Man is “ the only creature that consumes without producing”. His only job is to be “lord of all the animals,‘‘ which makes him “the only real enemy “animals have. Man overworks animals only to rob them of the fruits of their labour, and treat them only well enough to survive and provide more labour. When man is done with an animal, he slaughters it cruelly. According to Old Major, Rebellion is the path to freedom. Overthrowing the human race would make animals “rich and free” almost instantly. Old Major begs the other animals to devote the rest of their lives to the cause of Rebellion and to reject the idea that they have codependency with man. Furthermore, the animals must be united in order to overthrow man : “All men are enemies. All animals are comrades,‘‘ Despite saying this, he is not sure whether wild animals count on them or not. Old Major holds a vote to decide whether domesticated animals should unite with wild animals. Only the dogs and the cat voted for the “No”, although the cat is not paying attention and votes twice. After the vote, Old Major crystallizes his point, stating : “Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.” He adds the additional point that, once they have achieved victory, animals must not emulate man. They must not wear clothing, live in houses, or copy any of man’s other ‘evil’ habits. Finally, Old Major relates his dream to the animals. His dream was about the state of happiness that will exist once man is eliminated. In the dream, a tune his mother and the other sons sang to him in his childhood returned to him, and new words accompanied the tune. Old Major is sure that he has uncovered an old animal anthem in his dream life, that has been dormant for generations. It is called ‘Beasts of England’, and he sings it to the other animals. Orwell describes the song as “a stirring tune”. The song glorifies the freedom and joy that will follow “ Tyrant man’s overthrow”, and he urges all animals to “toil for freedom’s sake,” even if they die before the cause is won. The song rouses the animals, even the dullest of animals learn it in minutes. In fact, the animals are so taken with the song that they sing it five times in unison. The ruckus awakes Mr. Jones, who fires several bullets from his shotgun into the barn wall. Because of the fear of Mr. Jones, everyone fled to their own original places and the whole farm was asleep in a moment. [52 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

Word Meanings :

1. Dissentient : Refusing to attend service of the church in England 2. Resolution : A decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner 3. Tyrant : A cruel and oppressive dictator 4. Tyranny : Government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator 5. Tread : Put down or press the foot, place the foot 6. Rebellion : Organized opposition to authority 7. Tidings : Information about recent and important events 8. Knacker : Someone who buys up old horse for slaughter 9. Cynical : Believing the worst of human nature and motives 10. Majestic : Having or displaying great dignity or nobility 11. Lurch : Walk as if unable to control one's movements 12. Confinement : The state of being enclosed

qq CHAPTER-2 Summary Soon after the meeting, something unusual happened at Manor Farm. Old Major died peacefully in his sleep, three days after the meeting took place. The animals buried him in the farm’s orchard. In the three months that followed, the most intelligent of the animals began meeting regularly. Even though they didn’t know when the Rebellion would happen, yet, they organized for it. The work of organizing and teaching fell upon the pigs, who were considered to be the cleverest of all animals. The two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, took the responsibility upon themselves. Snowball was a vivacious pig, whereas Napoleon was a large, rather fierce pig who was not much of a talker. Another pig named Squealer, joined Napoleon and Snowball, as he was well known for his powers of speech and persuasion. The three pigs worked together to formalize old Major’s ideas into a system of ideas called ‘Animalism’. They held several secret meetings to expound the principles of Animalism to others. The pigs faced difficulty to convince other animals about the need for Rebellion. Some wondered why they should work for the Rebellion that might not happen in their life times. Among them was Moses, the raven, who promised them that they would go to a land of plenty called ‘Sugarcandy Mountain’, when they died. Boxer and Clover proved helpful in winning the animals over to the cause, because the animals believed the horses to be trustworthy. Soon the animals got the opportunity to rebel against Mr. Jones who had lately fallen into evil ways. He lost a lawsuit and therefore, continued to neglect the farm and drank too much. His men were dishonest who also neglected the farm and, thus the farm kept deteriorating and the animals were kept underfed. One Saturday night, Mr. Jones got drunk in the Red Lion and forgot to feed the animals. The cows broke in the door of the store shed and, thus all animals helped themselves to food. When Mr Jones tried to stop and whip the animals, they fought back. Jones, his family and his men ran out of the farm. The animals, seeing what they had accomplished and realizing that they were free, destroyed the farmer’s tools and the symbols of their bondage, such as bits, nose rings and halters. They burned everything that reminded them of their oppressor. After that, they all sang ‘Beasts of England’ seven times before they could go to sleep. The next morning the animals hurled themselves into the air with leaps of excitement and gazed around in the morning light. They all agreed on the point that no animal must ever live there. In the meantime, the pigs had taught themselves to read and write and renamed Manor Farm as Animal Farm. On the barn wall they wrote the basic tenets of Animalism as Seven Commandments : 1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. 2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend. 3. No animal shall wear clothes. 4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. 5. No animal shall drink alcohol. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 53]

6. No animal shall kill any other animal. 7. All animals are equal. All animals agreed to them. Just before the animals moved out to the hay field to harvest, they realized that the cows needed milking, so the pigs decided to do the job. When the animals wondered about what would be done with the buckets of milk, Napoleon told them not to worry. Soon after when the animals returned from the hay field, they noticed that the milk in the buckets had disappeared. Word Meanings : 1. Squealer : One who reveals confidential information in return for money. 2. Unalterable : Not capable of being changed. 3. Rebellion : Organized opposition to authority 4. Manor : The land estate of a lord, including the house on it. 5. Nimble : Moving quickly and lightly 6. Vivacious : Vigorous and animated 7. Apathy : An absence of emotion or enthusiasm 8. Expound : Add details, as to an account or idea. 9. Ecstasy : A state of elated bliss 10. Persuasive : Intended or having the power to induce action or belief. qq 1 CHAPTER-3 Summary The animals had to work very hard to get the hay in. But, the harvest was more of a success than Mr. Jones and his men ever accomplished, despite the fact that the tools were not well suited for animals to use. The pigs supervised the others but did not participate in the manual labour. With their superior knowledge, they assumed leadership for themselves. All animals worked day and night and finished the harvest in two days less than it had taken Mr. Jones and his men. The horses, ducks and hens, played their role in the harvest. With the ‘parasitical human beings’ out of the way, the animals enjoyed a feeling of abundance for the first time. They had more leisure and their food tasted all the better as it was not doled out to them by a grudging master. However, they had to face many difficulties. They had a hard time harvesting the corn. Boxer was invigorated and pushed himself to work harder than ever, because he was strong and big, thus he contributed to the most strenuous labour. In contrast, the hens and ducks worked together gathering small bits of corn that the bigger animals were not able to do. The system of Animalism on Animal Farm worked well : Every animal was satisfied with his share of the labour and its fruits. No one stole or argued, and very few shirked their responsibilities, with the exception of frivolous Mollie and the cat. Mollie was not good at getting up in the mornings, and had a way of leaving work early on the ground that there was a stone in her hoof. And the cat could never be found, where there was work for her to do. Old Benjamin, the donkey, seemed unchanged and worked in the same slow obstinate way. Every Sunday was a day of rest on the Animal Farm. The animals held an hour-long ceremony, which was conducted every week without fail. The flag was hoisted which was green, to represent the green field of England, as explained by Snowball. The hoof and the horn signified the future Republic of the Animals, which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown. A gathering called meeting followed the flag raising, in which the animals planned the coming week and the pigs represented resolutions for debate. Snowball and Napoleon debated the most and took the opposite sides. The animals ended each ‘meeting’ by singing “Beasts of England.” The pigs had set up a study centre for themselves in the harness : room, where they studied trades using Mr. Jones’ books. Snowball began organizing the animals into Animal Committees, including, the Egg Production Committee, the Clean Tails League, the Wild Comrades’ Re-education Committee, to tame rats and rabbits and the Whiter Wool Movements. Snowball succeeded in teaching some of the animals to read, although most of them lacked the intelligence needed for literacy. In fact, many of the animals lacked the intelligence needed to memorize the Seven Commandments, so Snowball reduced Animalism’s tenets (Commandments) to one simple saying : “Four legs good, two legs bad.” [54 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

As time passed, the pigs began to increase their control over the other animals. For example, when Jessie and Bluebell gave birth to puppies, Napoleon took them to an isolated loft where he could teach them. The loft could only be reached by a ladder from the harness room. Soon everyone forgot their existence. Napoleon believed that educating young, impressionable animals was more important than trying to re-educate older ones. It turned out that pigs started mixing the cow’s milk with their food. When the wind knocked ripe apples out of the orchard trees, the pigs claimed the right to take them all, as well as the bulk of the apple harvest. The pigs claimed that they needed milk and apples in order to power their “brainwork”. Squealer explained that if, the pigs would stop drinking milk and eating apples, they could lose their powers of organization and Mr. Jones would come back. The threat of Mr. Jones’s return was enough to quell the other animals’ doubts and questions. Word Meanings :

1. Shirk : Avoid one's assigned duties. 2. Cryptic : Having a secret or hidden meaning 3. Grudging : Petty or reluctant in giving or spending 4. Wean : Gradually deprive of mother's milk 5. Chaff : Material consisting of seed covering and pieces of stem. 6. Signified : The meaning of a word or expression 7. Obstinate : Marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield 8. Acute : Ending in a sharp point 9. Conceive : Have the idea for 10. Welfare : Something that aids or promotes well being. qq CHAPTER-4 Summary The news of Animal Farm Rebellion has spread to the surrounding country. Snowball and Napoleon are sending pigeons to the neighbouring farms and beyond, to tell the animals about the rebellion, and to teach them the tune of “Beasts of England”. Mr. Jones had spent a lot of time at the Red Lion complaining to everyone about the “Monstrous injustice he had suffered from a pack of good-for-nothing animals.” The owners of the two adjoining farms, Foxwood and Mr. Pilkington, started spreading rumours about the Animal Farms that, animals there practised cannibalism and tortured one another with red horseshoes. These stories were never fully believed and caused a wave of rebelliousness throughout the countryside. The tune and words of “Beasts of England” were heard everywhere and started spreading at a remarkable speed. Early one day in October, a flight of pigeons came and gave news that Jones, all his men, and half a dozen men from the neighbouring farms, had entered the five barred gate and were carrying sticks and Jones was carrying gun in his hand. They had come to recapture the farm. The animals, however were well prepared. Snowball had studied an old book of Julius Caesar and had a strategy in his mind. Even though Jones was armed with a gun, the humans were no match for the forces of the Animal Farm. Jones was able to kill one of the sheep but the humans were brutally beaten up and fled. Boxer had nearly killed a man but it was later found out that he was merely stunned and left the place in their absence. After the war, Mollie was found missing and everyone feared that the men might have harmed her in some way. But in the end, they found her hiding in the stall with her head buried among the hay in the manger. She fled the battle as soon as the gun went off. The animals assembled with the wildest excitement to celebrate their victory. The flag is raised, “Beasts of England” is sung. A medal for “Animal Hero First class” is created and awarded to Snowball. And a medal for “Animal Hero, Second Class” is created, and awarded to a sheep that died when Jones fired his gun. The dead sheep was given a solemn funeral. After much discussion the battle was named as the “Battle of the Cowshed”, and it was decided that Jones’ gun should be placed at the bottom of the flagstaff, to be fired twice a year, one on the anniversary of the Battle of Cowshed and other on the anniversary of the Rebellion. Word Meanings : 1. Cannibalism : The practice of eating the flesh of one's own species 2. Flogging : Beating someone with a whip or stick as a punishment Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 55]

3. Elm : A tall deciduous tree which typically has rough leaves and propagates from root suckers 4. Ignominious : Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame 5. Gored : Pierce or stab with a horn or tusk 6. Hawthorn : A thorny shrub or tree of the rose family, with white or red blossom and small red fruits 7. Impromptu : Done without being planned or rehearsed 8. Posthumously : After the death of the originator qq CHAPTER-5 Summary As the winter drew on, Mollie becomes an increasing burden on Animal Farm. She arrives late for work every morning and gives excuses of oversleeping etc. Clover went to her stall and found lumps of sugar and several bunches of ribbons of different colours. She accepts treats from men associated with nearby farms, and generally behaves contrary to the tenets of Animalism. Eventually she disappears, lured away by a fat, red-faced man who stroked her coat and fed her sugar; now she pulls his carriage. None of the other animals ever mention her name again. In January, the weather was cold and bitter and nothing could be done in the fields. The pigs were busy planning out the work for the coming season. Meetings were held in the big barn. Snowball and Napoleon’s constant disagreements continued to dominate the proceedings. Snowball proves himself a better speaker and debater, but Napoleon can better canvass for support in between meetings. Snowball brims with ideas for improving the farm. He studies Mr. Jones books and eventually concocts a scheme to build a windmill, with which the animals could generate electricity and automate many farming tasks, bringing new comforts to the animals’ lives. But building the windmill would entail much hard work and difficulty, and Napoleon contents that the animals should attend to their current needs rather than plan for a distant future. The question deeply divides the animals. Napoleon surveys Snowball’s plans and expresses his contempt by urinating on them. Then there was difference of opinion relating to the defence of the farm. Snowball wanted to spread Rebellion and Napoleon wanted to procure firearms and train themselves. The days of voting for the windmill came. Napoleon was not at all excited but Snowball impressed everybody with his speech. Napoleon gives a strange whimper, and nine enormous dogs wearing brass : studded collars charge into the barn, attack Snowball, and chase him off the farm. They return to Napoleons’ side, and with the dogs growling menacingly, Napoleon announces that, from now on, meetings will be held only for ceremonial purposes. He states that all important decisions will fall to the pigs alone. Afterwards, many of the animals felt confused and disturbed. Squealer explains to them that Napoleon is making a great sacrifice in taking the leadership responsibilities upon himself and that as the cleverest animal, he serves the best interest of all by making the decisions. These statements placate the animals, though they still question the expulsion of Snowball. Squealer explains that Snowball was a traitor and a criminal. Eventually, the animals come to accept this version of events, and Boxer adds greatly to Napoleon’s prestige by adopting the maxims “I will work harder” and “Napoleon is always right”. These two maxims soon reinforce each other when, three weeks after the banishment of Snowball, the animals learn that Napoleon supports the Windmill Project. Squealer explains that their leader never really opposed the proposal, he simply used his apparent opposition as a manoeuvre to oust the wicked Snowball. These tactics he claims, served to advance the collective best interest. Squealers’ words proved so appealing, and the growls of his three dogs entourage so threatening, that the animals accept his explanation without question.

Word Meanings : 1. Blithely : In a way that shows a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper 2. Manifestly : In a way that is clear or obvious to the eye or mind 3. Acreage : An area of land, typically when used for agricultural purposes, but not necessarily measured in acres [56 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

4. Silage : Grass or other green fodder compacted and stored in airtight conditions 5. Advocate : A person who pleads for a person, cause or idea 6. Eloquence : Powerful and effective language 7. Pretext : Something serving to conceal plans 8. Procure : Get by special effort 9. Sordid : Foul and Repulsive 10. Spurt : Move with a sudden burst of speed qq CHAPTER-6 Summary Another year passes. The animals worked like slaves. They all believed that they were doing it for their own benefit and that’s why no one complained. The animals are asked to work Sunday afternoons as well. If anyone did not come then their ration would be reduced by half. The harvest was not so good and it was easy to predict that the winter would be a hard one. Progress on the windmill is laborious and slow. The stones with which it is to be built have to be hauled to the top of the quarry and thrown from there to the bottom, so that the stones can be broken into the appropriate sizes. It takes until the end of the summer to accumulate enough stone to begin building the windmill work which depends almost entirely on the tremendous efforts of Boxer, who works himself harder than ever before. As the work on the harvest and the windmill proceeds, the animals find themselves running out of supplies. Items such as paraffin, seeds, manure and machinery, could not be produced on the farm. This problem is resolved when Napoleon announces one day that Animal Farm will, henceforth, enter into trading arrangements with some of the surrounding farms. Hay and wheat from the farm will be sold, and the hens are told that they will have to give up some of their eggs, a sacrifice that they should be proud to make. Some of the animals are doubtful about this move, seeming to remember an agreement in the early days after the Rebellion never to have anything to do with the humans. Again, Squealer puts any doubts to rest in the following days, informing them that such a resolution was never written down. After this, Napoleon announced that no animal but he himself, will come in contact of the humans and would take the burden upon himself. Mr. Whymper, a solicitor living in Willingdon was appointed for this purpose. Squealer assured the animals that the resolution against engaging in trade and using money was a lie circulated by Snowball. The Solicitor comes every Monday, and his presence makes the other animals very uneasy, but their doubts are eased by their pride in seeing Napoleon giving orders to a human. Shortly afterwards, the pigs move into the farmhouse. They eat in the kitchen, relax in the drawing room, and even sleep in the beds. Some of the animals are very doubtful about this. Clover consults the Seven Commandments on the gable wall, and asks Muriel to read out the fourth commandment, which states, “No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets”. Muriel cannot remember sheets being mentioned before. However, helped by the smooth words of Squealer, she assumes that she must have been wrong. She and the other animals accept his argument that the pigs, as the leaders, must have as much comfort as possible to facilitate their brain work. The pigs even started to sleep an extra hour. The work on the windmill continues. The animals are all extremely proud of their progress, except for Benjamin, who expresses no opinion for or against the windmill. By November, the windmill is half finished. However, disaster strikes when a night time storm destroys it. The animals all gather around the ruin. Napoleon is silent for a long time, before making the sudden and dramatic announcement that the windmill was destroyed by Snowball. Some pig footprints leading away from the farm are discovered, and Napoleon confirms that they belong to Snowball. The other animals are shocked that their former leader could do such a thing. Napoleon announces that work on rebuilding the windmill will commence immediately. Word Meanings : 1. Indignation : A feeling of righteous anger 2. Intermediary : A negotiator who acts as a link between parties 3. Scapegoat : Someone who is punished for the errors of others Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 57]

4. Vague : Lacking clarity or distinctness 5. Accentuate : Stress or single out as important 6. Malignity : The act of being evil in nature or effect 7. Plod : Walk slowly with heavy steps 8. Quarry : A place, typically a large deep pit, from which stone or other materials are extracted 9. Boulder : A large rock 10. Timidly : In a manner that shows a lack of courage or confidence qq CHAPTER-7 Summary

The winter had arrived and it was bitter and stormy weather. The work continues on the windmill through the bitter winter because the animals want to prove themselves to the humans outside the farm, who doubt them. These same humans say the windmill collapsed because the walls were too thin, but the animals continue to believe that Snowball is responsible. However, they also decide to rebuild the windmill with thicker walls, which means they need more stones. Collecting the stone in winter weather is slow and difficult, impeding their progress. Only Boxer and Clover, with their unshakable work ethic, keep up the animals spirits. Other problems also abound. In January an improperly planted crop fails, leaving the farm with a severe food shortage from the outside world. Napoleon and the animals work frantically to conceal the shortage from the outside world. Rumours of famine are already circulating among the humans, so confirming these rumours would put the farm in danger. The animals are instructed to talk about increased rations when Mr. Whymper is around. Still, Napoleon makes arrangements to sell more of the hen’s eggs so the farm can buy grain to make up for the shortfall in their stores.

Wanting their eggs to become chicks, the hens rebel, laying their eggs in the hen house rafters so they fall to the floor and break. Napoleon responds by withholding the hen’s rations, but their resistance still lasts for five days. Nine hens die of starvation, but Napoleon makes sure the other animals are told they died of disease.

It was heard that Snowball was hiding in one of the adjoining farms. There was a pile of timber and Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Frederick, were interested in it. However, whenever the deal took shape, Snowball was noticed to be in that particular farm. Everything bad that happened in the farm was put on Snowball’s head. Even broken windows and blocked drains were put on his name. All the bad things that happened were blamed on Snowball, even if the true causes became apparent later. Eventually, Squealer announces Snowball has sold himself to Frederick and says Snowball was always in league with the humans, even fighting for Jones at the Battle of Cowshed.

Later, Napoleon uses the threat of Snowball to eliminate some of his enemies. During a meeting, he sends his dogs after the four pigs who question his trade plans, the hens that have rebelled over the eggs, and a few other animals who confess to working with Snowball. All of these animals are executed immediately. This violence stuns the other animals, especially Clover. After the executions, she and other animals got there on the knoll where the windmill stood. In an attempt to comfort themselves, the animals try to sing ‘Beasts of England ‘but Squealer tells them the song in now banned, replaced with a new song swearing allegiance to Animal Farm. Minimus, the poet, had composed it but somehow neither the words nor the tune was as appealing as ‘Beasts of England’. WordMeanings : 1. Emboldened : Give someone the courage or confidence to do something 2. Pullets : A young hen, especially less than one year old 3. Lurking : Be or remain hidden so as to wait in ambush for someone or something 4. Frisking : Skip or leap joyfully, frolic 5. Tumult : A state of confusion or disorder [58 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

6. Knoll : A small hill or mound. 7. Swishing : Move with a hissing round 8. Spinney : A small area of trees and bushes. 9. Whinny : A gentle, high pitched neigh 10. Lumbering : Moving in a slow, heavy, awkward way. qq CHAPTER-8 Summary After the executions, the animals question (away from the pigs and dogs) whether these events fall in line with the Seven Commandments; they think they remember, Sixth Commandment stating that, No animal shall kill another animal’. Clover asked Muriel to read to her the Six Commandment. It read, “No animal should kill other animal without cause”. Somehow, the last two words were not in their memory. Like the previous case, another commandment had been altered and the animals thought that the killings were justified. The general conditions of the animals continue to be harsh, as the workload of rebuilding the windmill and regular form of duties require additional effort. Although, the animals believe that they are getting no more food than they did under Mr. Jones, Squealer presents weekly numbers that seem to prove they are actually getting more food and are better off. At this point, Squealer is doing most of Napoleon’s public speaking. Napoleon has isolated himself in the farmhouse, away from even the other pigs, and rarely appears in public. When three hens confess to plotting to assassinate Napoleon in summer, he becomes even more isolated, adds more guard dogs, and gets a food taster. The four dogs guarded his bed at night and a pig, Pinkeye, was given the task to taste his food lest it should be poisoned. The hens were executed. The pigs circulated poems and songs praising Napoleon as the saviour and protector of all the animals. The pile of timber remained still unsold though negotiations were on. Frederick was more anxious to get hold of it but never offered a reasonable price. Then there were also stories of him plotting an attack against the Animal Farm. Snowball was also rumoured to be in his farm. Napoleon made arrangements to sell the pile of timber to Pilkington and he was to enter in a regular agreement of trade between Animal Farm and Foxwood. Windmill was nearing its completion and with it the rumours of impending attacks were also coming. There were many stories like, Frederick bribing the officials to get away with the law and torturing animals in his farm. After all of these rumours and stories, the animals were shocked to learn that Napoleon had sold the timber to Frederick and had been negotiating with Frederick in secret all along. He spread the stories about selling to Pilkington only to get Frederick to meet his price. The rumours about Frederick’s farm likely came from Snowball, who apparently is actually hiding on Pilkington’s farm. Once they hear the whole story, the animals are proud of Napoleon’s negotiating powers and were also impressed that he is savvy enough to demand cash payment instead of cheque. With the windmill finished and the timber sold, the machinery for the windmill can be purchased, and all their dreams come true. However, three days after the sale, Mr. Whymper tells Napoleon that Frederick’s money has been counterfeited and he has cheated them all. Napoleon pronounces a death sentence to Frederick and prepares for an attack the next morning. The animals are outmatched and men have guns. The animals send a message to Pilkington, who refuses to help. The battle culminates when Frederick and his men blow up the finished windmill. The animals, who have retreated, are outraged by this act and counter attack vigorously, suffering casualties but driving the humans from the farm. The pigs declare a victory and hold a ceremony celebrating what they call, “the battle of the windmill”. The animals, however, are crushed by the loss of the windmill and don’t understand why the pigs want to celebrate? Squealer convinces them that the battle is a triumph because the animals held on to the farm, but they are not fully convinced until Napoleon speaks to them. The fallen animals are given a funeral, and the rest of the animals receive extra rations. A few days after the battle, the pigs discover whisky in the farmhouse and drink it. That night many surprising sounds came from the farm house. The pigs were drunk ! However, the morning brought bad news with it. Squealer, who was not his usual self, announced that Napoleon was dying . The atmosphere at once grew grave. The rumour made its way that Snowball had eventually been successful in poisoning Napoleons’ food. But his condition improved by evening and by next day he was back to work. It was learned that Whymper had Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 59]

been asked to buy booklets on brewing and distilling. A week later, Napoleon ordered that the grazing-ground for the retired animals would be ploughed up and soon it was realized that Napoleon wanted to sow it with barley. One night, at about twelve O’clock, there was a loud crash in the yard. All animals rushed to the spot. At the foot of the fall, upon which the Seven Commandment were written, lay a broken ladder and near it, Squealer in deep pain. There was a paint - brush and a pot of white paint also. The dogs escorted him back to the farmhouse. Benjamin seemed to understand everything but would say nothing. Muriel, after a few days, noticed that there was another commandment that the animals had remembered wrong. The Fifth Commandment did not read “No animal shall drink alcohol” as she had thought, but instead it read “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.” Word Meanings :

1. Meddle : Interfere in something that is not one's concern. 2. Cockerel : A young domestic cock. 3. Skulking : Keep out of sight, typically with a cowardly motive 4. Clamoured : Shout loudly and insistently 5. Gander : A male goose 6. Conciliatory : Intended or likely to pacify. 7. Pellets : A small, rounded, compressed mass of a substance. 8. Contrived : Deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously. 9. Muzzle : The projecting part of the face, including the nose and mouth, of an animal such as a dog or horse 10. Brewing : Make beer by soaking, boiling and fermentation. qq CHAPTER-9 Summary Rebuilding of the windmill begins immediately after the celebration. Boxer had been hurt in the battle of the windmill and was nursing a split hoof. Boxer refused to take even a day off work and did not show any trouble. Boxer works harder than ever. His thoughts are now turning to retirement, for which, under the laws of Animal Farm, he is due next year. In the meantime, another cold winter with little food must be endured. The rations of all the animals except that of the pigs and the dogs, were reduced- Squealer was still making a fool of all the animals by giving them figures. He informed them that they had been doing much better than the days of Jones and the animals believed him. However, by now they have forgotten life under Jones. Squealer never failed to point out that now they were not slaves. The strain of the resources of the farm grows. The four sows had given birth to thirty-one piglets between them. It was easy to understand that they were Napoleon’s kids. Napoleon announced that he would teach the piglets himself and that a new classroom must be built for the piglets, who are instructed to remain aloof from the other animals. The schoolroom is in addition to the requirement to rebuild the windmill and the need to keep the farm supplied with various other requirements. Potatoes are sold, and practically every egg laid by the hens is sold to earn the money required for these supplies. There was a shortage of money. The exploitation of the animals had long begun without their realising it. The other animals were suffering but somehow the pigs were comfortable enough. They were actually putting on weight when others were starving. In February, the barley was prepared into beer and it was announced that all barley would be reserved for the pigs. Napoleon was having the largest share of the beer daily. Napoleon now introduces a weekly event called, the spontaneous demonstration, where every animal would leave its work to march in military procession around the farm, so as to instil pride in the animals in the achievements of the farm since the Rebellion. It comforts the animals to know that, no matter how hard their lives are, at least they have the benefit of being their own masters. In April, Animal Farm was proclaimed a Republic and Napoleon was made the President. Later, more news about Snowball’s treachery were revealed. [60 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

Another consolation around this time is the reappearance of Moses, the raven and his tales of Sugar Candy mountains. He returned after many years. The animals failed to understand why he was being allowed to live on the farm when the pigs called him a liar. They were tolerating him, giving him an allowance of beer everyday. The building work around the farm continues through the summer, heavily dependent on the extraordinary efforts of Boxer. He was famished and a bit old now but never faltered. He is showing some signs at this stage that his strength is failing. He himself is hoping to get as much work done as possible before he retires. Then one summer evening, he collapses. All the animals rush to his side, unable to bear the thought that anything might happen to him. He was getting weak day after day but only his will kept him going. He did not pay heed to Clover and Benjamin’s working, and one day his lungs gave away. He was lying near the quarry unable to get up. The pigs were informed at once, but Squealer came about a quarter of an hour later. Squealer promised to send him to the town so that the veterinary surgeon can treat him. Clover and Benjamin spend as much time as they can over the next few days nursing him. Then, while all the animals are all at work, the van comes to take Boxer away. They would not have noticed, except Benjamin, who gallops across the farm to tell them that Boxer is being taken away. No one has ever seen Benjamin gallop before. The animals rush to the yard in time to see the van begin to pull away. They start to wave goodbye to Boxer, but Benjamin is very agitated, and tells them to read the letters on the van. Muriel reads out the sign on the van, which describes the van as belonging to the local horse-slaughter. The animals try to warn Boxer, who tries to kick his way out of the van, but he has no strength and the kicking from the van soon dies away. Three days later Boxers’ death was announced. Squealer informed everyday that he was with him at his death bed. He makes a moving speech in praise of Boxer. He explains the sign on the van by saying that the veterinary surgeon brought the van from the horse slaughter, and had not yet replaced the sign. The animals are relieved to hear this, and are greatly consoled by Squealer’s further descriptions of the wonderful care and treatment that Boxer received in his final hours. Napoleon pays his respects to Boxer at the meeting on the following Sunday. He tells them that it was not possible to return Boxer’s remains for burial on the farm, but that he will be commemorated with a wreath instead. Napoleon announces a memorable banquet for Boxer, which takes place in the farmhouse shortly afterwards, attended only by the pigs. Then one night, there were strange sounds from the farmhouse and no one stirred out of it before noon the following day. It was learnt that the pigs had acquired money to buy themselves whisky. Word Meanings : 1. Poulitics : A soft mass of material consisting of flour, herbs etc, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation 2. Rations : A fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to a person during a time of shortage. 3. Flanked : Be on each or on one side of. 4. Stratagem : A plan or scheme to outwit an opponent 5. Faltered : Lose strength or momentum. 6. Interment : The burial of a corpse in a grave or tomb, typically with funeral rites. 7. Oration : A formal speech given on a ceremonial occasion. 8. Laurels : Any number of shrubs and other plants with dark green glossy leaves. qq CHAPTER-10 Summary Several years passed by, many animals attained age and died and few recall the days before the Rebellion. The animals completed a new windmill, which is used not only for generating electricity but for milling corn, a far more profitable endeavour. The farm seems to have grown richer, but only the pigs and dogs live comfortable lives. Squealer explains that the pigs and dogs do very important work-filling out farms. The other animals largely accept this explanation, and their lives go on very much as before. They never lose their sense of pride in Animal Farm or their feeling that they have differentiated themselves from animals on the other farms. The inhabitants of Animals Farm still fervently believed in the goals of the Rebellion:a world free from humans, with equality for all animals. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 61]

One day, Squealer takes the sheep off to a remote spot to teach them a new chant. He informed others that he was teaching them to sing a new song. Not long afterward, the animals have just finished their day’s work when they hear the terrified neighing of a horse. It is Clover, and she summons the others hastily to the yard. There, the animals gaze in amazement at Squealer walking towards them on his hind legs. Napoleon soon appears as well, walking, upright, worse, he carries a whip. Before the other animals have a chance to react to the change, the sheep began to chant as if on cue : “ Four legs good, two legs better!” Clover whose eyes are foiling in her old age, asks Benjamin to read the writing on the barn wall where the Seven Commandments were originally inscribed. Only the last Commandment remains : “All animals are equal”. However, it now carries an addition : “But some animals are more equal than others.” In the days to follow, Napoleon openly begins smoking a pipe of Jones in his mouth and wears his clothes. His favourite show was dressed in Mrs. Jones clothes, and the other pigs subscribe to human magazines, listen to the radio, and begin to install a telephone, also wearing human clothes that they have salvaged from Mr. Jones’ wardrobe. One day, the pigs invite neighbouring human farmers over to inspect Animal Farm. The farmers praise the pigs and express, in diplomatic language, their regret for past “misunderstandings”. The other animals, led by Clover, watch through a window as Mr. Pilkington and Napoleon toast each other, and Mr Pilkington declares that the farmers share a problem with pigs : “If you have your lower animals to contend with,” he says, “We have our lower classes!”. Mr. Pilkington notes with appreciation that the pigs have found ways to make Animal Farm’s animals work harder and on less food than any other group of farm animals in the county. He adds that he looks forward to introducing these advances on his own farm. Napoleon replies by reassuring his human guests that the pigs never wanted anything other than to conduct business peacefully with their human neighbours and that they have taken steps further to that goal. Animals on Animal Farm will no longer address one another as “Comrade”, he says, or pay homage to Old Major, nor will they salute a flag with a horn and hoof upon it. All of these customs have been changed recently by decree, he assures the men. Napoleon even announces that Animal Farm will now be known as the Manor Farm, which is, he believes, its “Correct and original name”. The pigs and farmers return to their amiable card game, and the other animals creep away from the window. Soon the sounds of a quarrel draw them back to listening. Napoleon and Pilkington have played the ace of spades simultaneously, and each accuses the other of cheating. The animals, watching through the window, realize with a start that, as they look around the room of the farmhouse, they can no longer distinguish which of the card players are pigs and which are human beings. Word Meanings : 1. Rheumy : Watery 2. Frugally : Economical in use or expenditure, not wasteful 3. Taciturn : Reserved or uncommunicative in speech. 4. Morose : Sullen and ill tempered. 5. Stone : 14 pounds (= 6.35 Kg) 6. Haughty : Arrogant 7. Inebriated : Drunk 8. Invariably : Always 9. Stroll : To walk in a slow relaxed manner. 10. To cease : To stop qq

Chapter - 2 : Call of the Wild

About the Author Born : John Griffith Chaney January 12, 1876 San Francisco, California, U.S. Occupation : Novelist, Journalist, short storywriter and essayist Literary movement : Realism, Naturalism Died : November 22, 1916 (aged 40) Glen Ellen, California, (U.S.) [62 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

John Griffith “Jack” London was born on January 12, 1876. Jack London was an American novelist, journalist, social-activist and short-story writer, whose works deal romantically with elemental struggles for survival. He was the highest paid and the most popular of all living writers. Because of early financial difficulties, he was largely self educated past grammar school. London spent time in the Klondike during the Gold Rush. His first work was published in 1898. From there he went on to write such American classics as Call of the Wild, Sea Wolf, and White Fang. London was a boxing fan and an avid amateur boxer. “A Piece of Steak” is a tale about a match between older and younger boxers. It contrasts the differing experiences of youth and age but also raises the social question of the treatment of aging workers. Several of London’s stories would today be classified as science fiction. “The Unparalleled Invasion” describes germ warfare against China; “Goliath” is about an irresistible energy weapon; “The Shadow and the Flash” is a tale about two brothers who take different routes to achieving invisibility; “A Relic of the Pliocene” is a tale about an encounter of a modern-day man with a mammoth. “The Red One” is a late story from a period when London was intrigued by the theories of the psychiatrist and writer, Jung. It tells of an island tribe held in thrall by an extraterrestrial object. Some nineteen original collections of short stories were published during London’s brief life or shortly after his death. There have been several posthumous anthologies drawn from this pool of stories. Many of these stories were located in the Klondike and the Pacific. A collection of Jack London’s San Francisco Stories was published in October 2010, by Sydney Samizdat Press. London’s “strength of utterance” is at its height in his stories, and they are painstakingly well-constructed. “To Build a Fire” is the best known of all his stories. In The Youth’s Companion in 1902, London offered a second, more severe take on the man’s predicament in “The Century Magazine” in 1908. Reading both, provides in illustration of London’s growth and maturation as a writer. As Labor (1994) observes. “To compare the two versions is itself an instructive lesson in what distinguished a great work of literary art from a good children’s story”. London’s most famous novels are “The Call of the Wild”, “White Fang”, “The Sea-Wolf”, “The Iron Heel”, and “Martin Eden”. In a letter dated Dec 27, 1901, London’s Macmillan publisher George Platt Brett Sr. said, “He believed Jack’s fiction, represented ‘the very best kind of work’, done in America.” Jack London was an uncomfortable novelist, who forms too long for his natural impatience and the quickness of his mind. His novels, even the best of them, are hugely flawed. Some critics have said that his novels are episodic and resemble linked short stories. “The Star Rover”, the magnificent experiment, is actually a series of short stories connected by a unifying device. London died on November 22, 1916, sleeping in the porch in a cottage on his arch. London had been a robust man but had suffered several serious illnesses. At the time of his death, he suffered from dysentery, late-stage alcoholism, and uremia; he was in extreme pain and taking morphine. London’s ashes were buried on his property not far from the Wolf House. London’s funeral took place on November 26, 1916, attended only by close friends, relatives, and workers of the property. In accordance with his wishes, he was cremated and buried next to some pioneer children, under a rock that belonged to the Wolf House. After Chairman’s death in 1955, she was also cremated and then buried with her husband in the same simple spot that her husband chose. The grave is marked by a mossy boulder and the property was later preserved as Jack London State Historic Park, in Glen Ellen, California. Introduction of the Novel

The Call of the Wild is a short adventure novel by Jack London, published in 1903, and set in Yukon, Canada, during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush, when strong sled dogs were in high demand. The central character of the novel is a dog named Buck. The story opens at a ranch in Santa Clara Valley, California, when Buck is stolen from his home and sold into service as a sled dog in Alaska. He becomes progressively feral in the harsh environment, where he is forced to fight to survive and dominate other dogs. By the end, he sheds the veneer of civilization, and relies on primordial instinct and learned experience to emerge as a leader in the wild. London spent almost a year in the Yukon, and his observations form much of the material for the/his book. The story was serialized in the Saturday Evening Post, in the summer of 1903, and was published a month later in book form. The book’s great popularity and success made a reputation for London. As early as 1935, the story was adapted to film, and there has since been several more cinematic adaptations. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 63] Important Characters

Buck : The protagonist of our story, Buck is part St. Bernard, part Scotch shepherd. At the beginning of the story, Buck is a domesticated, but a typical dog who lives in the home of Judge Miller in California. After being kidnapped and taken to Alaska to become a sled-dog, Buck’s wild nature is reawakened, and he slowly returns to the ways of his ancestors. Spitz : An experienced and clever Husky, Spitz is the original lead dog of Buck’s dogsled team. He fears and hates Buck, whom he sees as a rival. He is eventually killed by Buck in a fight for leadership. Curly : A sweet Newfoundland dog, one of Buck’s first companions after he has been kidnapped. She is unexpectedly killed for trying to make friendly advances towards another dog. Dave : Another one of Buck’s first companions, he is one of the most knowledgeable dogs on the team. Mostly aloof, new life springs into him the moment he is placed in harshness. Not only does he help teach Buck the procedures, he also embodies pride in his work. Sol-leks : Another member of the team. Like Dave, he is aloof until attached to sled. At first only wary of being approached on his blind-slide, poor treatment makes Sol-Leks more and more unfriendly. Billie : Another member of the team. He is good-natured and sweet, and shows Buck how to make a bed in snow. He is killed by Hal. Joe : Another member of the team, Billie’s brother. Unlike Billie, Joe is always snarling and defensive. Pike : Another member of the team, referred to as “He rarely gets up on time, and he will steal food and undermine the expedition”. When Buck becomes the leader, he forces Pike to shape up and become member of the team. Dub : Another member of the team. He is an awkward blunderer who gets blamed for Buck’s thievery. Dolly : Another member of the team, Dolly goes mad after being bitten by wild huskies, tries to attack Buck, and is killed by Francois. Skeet : A motherly Irish setter who belongs to John Thornton. She nurses Buck through his recovery and engages him in play. Nig : A huge black dog who belongs to John Thornton. He has laughing eyes and a good nature. Lone Wolf : The “wild brother” that Buck meets in the forest. He understands Buck’s wild nature. Judge Miller : Buck’s original owner. He is presumably a sedate and prosperous man with a large family. Manuel : The gardener’s helper on Judge Miller’s estate. He kidnaps and sells Buck to fund his gambling habit. Red sweater : Also known as the man with the club. He metes out discipline to all dogs that will be sold for sledding. Ruthless in his repeated beatings of unruly creatures such as Buck, he maintains composure and control. He does not beat out of cruelty, it seems. Rather, he looks to teach these dogs the lessons that will allow them to survive in his harsh environment. Buck never forgets the law of the club. Francois : A Canadian Frenchman, the original dogsled driver. He is knowledgeable and has understanding of his dogs, but still very strict. Perrault : Francois’ superior and an agent of the Canadian government. He is admired by Buck for his fearlessness in blazing their trail, disregarding the threat of ice that might break. Hal : A young man of nineteen or twenty who purchases Buck and his team once they have used up their usefulness to the government. He has ambitions to find gold, but his incompetence and laziness are out of place in the harsh environment. He has no understanding of the dogs, and mistreats them terribly. Charles : Hal’s brother-in-law, a weak figure who does not say much. He basically follows Hal around and does what he is told. Mercedes : Sister of Hal, wife of Charles. She is exceedingly self-centered, and spends most of her time crying and complaining. John Thornton : The man who rescues Buck from Hal’s cruelty. He is by far the most admirable human character in the story, kind but full of the uncompromising strength that is necessary to survive on the trail. John is the ideal master because his nature is so dog-like. Pete : One of John Thornton’s partners. Hans : One of John Thornton’s partners. “Black” Burton : A notorious troublemaker, he picks a fight in a bar and John Thornton steps in. Matthewson : The man who bets John that Buck cannot pull a ton of weight. Jim O’Brien : The man who loans John the money to make the bet against Mathewson. Yeehats : The group of Valley Indians that raids the camp of John Thornton and his companions and kills them. They are terrorized when Buck returns and kills most of them. From then on, they speak of a dog inhabited by the devil that roams the forest. [64 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X CHAPTER-1 INTO THE PRIMITIVE Summary The story begins in the fall of 1897, at the time of the Klondike Gold Rush. Buck is a large, four year old, one- hundred and forty pound dog, who lives on a ranch owned by Judge Miller in Santa Clara, California, some forty miles south of San Fransciso. Buck, is part St. Bernard and part Scotch Shepherd. Unlike the other smaller dogs on the ranch, Buck is allowed to roam over the entire property. He goes into the swimming tank, hunts with the Judge’s sons, and escorts the Judge’s daughters on their morning walks. In winter he lies at the feet of Judge in front of the fire in the library. He is like a king who lords it over all the other creatures, and is treated with respect by everyone. One night, when no one is around, a gardner takes Buck on a walk with a rope on his neck and sells him to a strange man. Buck growls, and is surprised when the man tightens the rope and chokes him. This is the first time Buck has ever been treated badly. He bites the man’s hand, but can’t get away. Buck is put on a train to Seattle with nothing to eat or drink. He’s angry about how he’s being treated. In the morning, four men come to pick up the crate. They amuse themselves by poking sticks at him. Buck is conveyed to a railway depot, where he is placed in an express car. He stays there for two days and nights, during which he neither eats nor drinks. He is bundled off the train at Seattle, where a man in a red sweater takes charge of him. The man lets Buck out the cage, and Buck attacks him in fury, but the man brutally beats him into submission with a club. Buck is beaten but his spirit is not broken. In the days that follow, more dogs arrive. One day a man named Perrault buys Buck for $300. He can see that Buck is special. He also buys another dog, Curly, and they all travel by boat with a man named Francois, and two other dogs. The dogs are turned over to Francois, a swarthy French-Canadian. Buck learns to respect both men, since they are calm and fair. There are two other dogs on the ship, a big dog from Spitzbergen, and a gloomy one named Dave. Buck encounters snow for the first time. Word Meanings :

1. Demesne : Domain 2. Populous : With many people, populated 3. Imperiously : Like a king 4. Sated : Filled up, full 5. Insular : Protected, inexperienced 6. Progeny : Children, offspring 7. Deft : Skilled 8. Futilely : Unsuccessfully 9. Vilely : Rudely 10. Hydrophobia : Rabies 11. Impending : Soon to happen 12. Calamity : Disaster 13. Surcharged : Charged over normal price 14. Primitive : Not sophisticated, uncivilized 15. Dormant : Hidden, buried qq Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 65] CHAPTER-2 THE LAW OF CLUB AND FANG Summary On Buck’s first day on the Dyea beach, he understands that he has been taken from civilization into a wild, primitive place. Buck’s travelling companion, named Curly, is killed simply for trying to make friendly advances towards a husky dog only half her size. The rest of the dogs in the camp attack and kill Curly when she does not rise. Buck realizes that to survive in this world, he should never go down in a fight. Buck hates Spitz as the latter is a dominating dog. Francois ties Buck into a harness and sets him to work. Buck has seen horses performing such labour before. He tries his best, responding to Francois’s whip and the nips of Dave. Buck learns quickly and makes good progress. He learns to stop at “ho” and to move at “mush,” and how to turn and move downhill. Two more dogs, Billie and Joe, are added to the team. They are both huskies and are brothers. Billie is excessively good-natured, while Joe is sour. Soon another husky, Sol-leks, arrives. He is an old husky with one eye, and he does not like to be approached from his blind side. Buck accidently approaches him from that side once and gets his shoulder slashed. He learns quickly not to repeat the mistake. That night, Buck had trouble finding a place to sleep. After wandering around the camp, he comes across Billie buried in the snow and proceeds to make his own hole and fall asleep instantly. When he awakes, he forces his way out of the snow. Perrault and Francois are very glad to have Buck. Every night in the camp, Buck is exhausted. He is bigger than the other dogs, and though he receives a larger ration, he never feels satisfied. He imitates Pike, a new dog, by stealing a whole chunk of bacon and another weaker dog is punished in his place. Buck is placed between Dave and Sol-leks to receive instruction from them. He also learns to steal; his old morals, learned in Judge Miller’s sunny home, gradually slip away. Old urges and instincts, which belonged to his wild ancestors, begin to assert themselves. Word Meanings :

1. Peril : A state of danger involving risk 2. Imperative : Requiring attention or action 3. Vicarious : Experienced at secondhand 4. Intent : An anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions 5. Antagonist : Someone who offers opposition 6. Reproof : An act or expression of criticism and censure 7. Introspective : Given to examining own sensory and perceptual experiences. 8. Perpetual : Continuing forever or indefinitely 9. Malignant : Dangerous to health 10. Appeasement : The act of acceding to demands 11. Writhe : Move in a twisting or contorted motion 12. Belligerent : Characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight 13. Forego : Do without or cease to hold or adhere to 14. Gaunt : Very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold 15. Indiscretion : The trait of being injudicious 16. Consternation : Sudden shock or dismay that causes confusion 17. Forlorn : Marked by or showing hopelessness 18. Arduous : Characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion qq [66 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X CHAPTER-3 THE DOMINANT PRIMORDIAL BEAST Summary At the beginning of Chapter 3, Buck is tough but quiet and does not start fights. One night, Buck settles down under the shelter of a rock, but when he goes to get his food, he finds the space occupied by Spitz. To everyone’s surprise, Buck becomes furious and he fights Spitz. Just then, they hear Perrault shouting and see almost 80-100 starving huskies charging into the camp. Perrault and Francois fight them off with clubs, and some of Buck’s teammates get hurt. Buck is attacked by three huskies at once, and his head and shoulder are slashed; Spitz continues to nip at him. Some of the dogs fall through the ice but get pulled out. Dolly, one of the dogs, goes mad one morning and begins chasing Buck. Francois kills the mad dog with an axe, and Buck is left exhausted from running. Spitz jumps at Buck. Francois punishes Spitz, but from then on, Spitz and Buck are at war. Francois and Perrault realize it, with Francois betting on Buck and Perrault on Spitz. It happens one day when a rabbit runs by the camp. The whole team of dogs and fifty other dogs from a nearby camp start chasing the rabbit, with Buck in the lead. Spitz finds a shortcut and kills the rabbit, and Buck attacks Spitz. The other dogs wait to see who falls first. Spitz was an experienced and smart fighter, but Buck uses imagination, instinct, and his head. In the end Buck kills Spitz. Word Meanings : 1. Poise : Hold 2. Prone : Having a tendency 3. Shun : Avoid 4. Bleak : Unpleasantly cold 5. Grope : Feel about uncertainly 6. Pandemonium : A state of extreme confusion and disorder 7. Skulk : Lurk, hide 8. Famished : Extremely hungry 9. Warily : In a manner marked by keen caution 10. Contemplation : A calm, lengthy, intent consideration 11. Dubiously : In a doubtful manner 12. Exertion : Hard work 13. Sullen : Showing a brooding ill humor 14. Eeries : Suggestive of the supernatural mysterious qq

CHAPTER-4 WHO HAS WON TO MASTERSHIP Summary The next morning, Francois discovers Spitz missing and Buck covered with wounds. As the dogs are about to be harnessed, Buck trots up to spot that Spitz occupied. Francois brings Sol-leks to the position of leader instead. Buck is furious and springs upon him. He will not let Francois harness the team. But Francois drags Buck away by the scruff of the neck. Sol-leks does not mind giving up the position, but Francois comes back with the club. Buck retreats but then refuses to take his old position. Francois realizes, that he thinks that he has earned the lead position and will be satisfied with nothing less. Buck trots to the lead position and is harnessed in. Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 67]

Buck forces Pike to carry his share of the load, and he soundly punishes Joe for his bad behaviour. After receiving their orders, Francois and Perrault leave the team in the care of officials, a “Scotch half-breed,” and pass out of Buck’s life for good. The dogs are tired when they reach Dawson, but they are allowed little rest and are soon on their way out with another load. They are treated well, attended to even before the men. Dave, one of the dogs, becomes terribly ill, but refuses to stop pulling behind the sled. The driver puts sole in his place, meaning to allow him to run easily behind the sled. Dave cannot stand to see another dog doing his work. He runs into the soft snow beside Sol-leks, trying to resume his usual place, is yelping and again attemptsto resume his place. Finally, the driver decides it is kinder to allow Dave to pull, for he will die either way. During his final pull, he often falls and is caught in the traces of the sled. The next morning, Dave is too weak to rise. The team is driven ahead some ways, but they cannot ignore the gunshot that rings out. Buck and everyone else know what the shot means. Word Meanings :

1. Coveted : Greatly desired 2. Obdurate : Stubbornly persistent in wrong doing 3. Displace : Cause to move 4. Comply : Act in accordance with someone’s rules 5. Celerity : A rate that is rapid 6. Deluge : A heavy rain 7. Aspire : Having an ambitious plan 8. Monotonous : Sounded 9. Bough : Larger branches of a tree 10. Potent : Authority 11. Resiliency : Ability of a material to return to its original shape 12. Prod : Push against gently 13. Flounder : Walk with great difficulty 14. Remnant : A small part remaining 15. Yearning : Prolonged unfulfilled desire qq CHAPTER-5 THE TOIL OF TRACE AND TRAIL Summary After arriving at Skagway from Dawson for the second time, the dogs are in a wretched state. The journey took one month. Buck has lost twenty-five pounds in weight. Within four days, Buck and his mates are sold to Charles, a middle-aged man, and Hal, a man of about nineteen. Travelling with the men is Mercedes, who is Charles’s wife and Hal’s sister. Buck’s new owners are incompetent, and overload the sled. The dogs are unable to move it. Hal calls them lazy and whips them, although Mercedes tries to persuade him not to. An onlooker suggests that Hal help the dogs by freeing the runners of the sled that are frozen in the snow. When this is done, the dogs are able to pull the sled, but it is so badly loaded, it overturns. The owners reluctantly cut the load in half, and acquire six more dogs, making a total of fourteen. The newcomers, are not of much use, however, and nor does Buck have his heart in the work. He knows he cannot depend on his new masters, because they do not know how to do anything. They are barely travelling ten miles a day, and it is inevitable they will run short on dog food. One of the dogs, Dub, is injured, and Hal shoots him. Six dogs die of starvation. As the going gets tougher, the three travellers fall to quarrelling. Mercedes insists on riding on the sled, which adds intolerably to the load pulled by the weak and starving dogs. Hal, Charles and Mercedes are insensitive to the suffering of the animals. But the seven remaining [68 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

dogs continue to pull the sled, despite their ill-treatment. One day Billie falls and cannot get up. Hal kills him with an axe and cuts him out of the traces. The team knows this fate approaches. The next day Koona goes, but the five remaining struggle on, despite their serious pains. The spring weather is beautiful, but no one can take notice of it. The ice on the river is beginning to break up, but they manage to reach the camp of John Thornton at the mouth of White River. Thornton tells them to take no more chances on the melting ice. Hal refuses to take his advice and wants to continue. But he cannot persuade his exhausted dogs to get up, so he whips them until they begin to move. But Buck refuses. Hal takes up the club, but Buck will not move. He is too numb. Thornton intervenes, striking Hal, and telling Hal he will kill him if he hits the dog again. Hal draws a knife, but Thornton knocks it out of his hand. Hal decides to make off without Buck. They pull out from the bank and start off down the river. After a quarter of a mile, the ice break up and the men and dogs are all drowned. Word Meanings :

1. Totter : Move without being stable 2. Congested : Overfull as with blood 3. Remonstrance : The act of expressing earnest opposition 4. Unwieldy : Difficult to us because of size or weight 5. Aver : Declare 6. Computation : The procedure of calculating 7. Cajole : Influence or flattering 8. Squaw : An American Indian woman 9. Innocuous : Not causing disapproval 10. Terse : Brief 11. Inarticulate : Deprived of the use of speech 12. Convulse : Stir about violently 13. Evince : Give expression to 14. Wretched : Characterized by physical misery qq CHAPTER-6 FOR THE LOVE OF A MAN Summary Having frozen his feet that past December, John Thornton walks a slight limp. Staying with Thornton during the spring, Buck’s strength is also restored. Buck’s muscles swell, and flesh returns to cover his bones. He makes friends with John Thornton’s other dogs, Skeet and Nig. They await the raft that will carry them to Dawson. Skeet is motherly and nurses Buck’s wounds during his convalescence. Nig is also quite friendly. The dogs manifest no jealously towards Buck. The kindness of John Thornton arises for them as well. Buck adores him, and goes wild with happiness when Thornton touches him or speaks to him. He does not even like to lose sight of Thornton, however, Buck retains the wildness that has been growing in him since he was first kidnapped. If a strange dog appears, he fights fiercely, and always prevails. He never shows any mercy. He also hears the call of his wild nature, and apart from Thornton, he no longer has any ties to the human world. Later that year, a man named “Black” Burton, picks a quarrel with Thornton at a bar. Burton hits him, and is immediately attacked by Buck. He barely escapes with his life, and as a result of his defense of his master, Buck gets a reputation through all the camps in Alaska. Again when John falls into the rapids of a river, Buck aids Hans and Pete in rescuing him and breaks three ribs. That winter, Buck’s fame spreads even farther throughout Alaska, when he wins a bet that Thornton makes in a bar. The bet is that Buck can start a sled that weighs a thousand pounds. The test takes place in the street outside Oswaal CBSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE)), Class-X [ 69]

the bar, and Buck succeeds in his task, breaking the sled out of the ice and pulling it for one hundred yards. This feat of Buck wins sixteen hundred dollars for his master. A man then offers to Buck for twelve hundred dollars, but Thornton is not interested in selling Buck. Word Meanings :

1. Entice : Provoke someone to do something through persuasion 2. Convalescence : Gradual healing through rest after sickness or injury 3. Pompous : Puffed up with vanity 4. Expediency : The quality of being suited to the end in view 5. Eloquent : Expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively 6. Transient : Lasting a very short time 7. Beckon : Summon with a wave, nod, or some other geture 8. Chasm : A deep opening in the earth’s surface 9. Uncanny : Surpassing the ordinary or normal 10. Hankering : A yearning for something 11. Impede : Be a hindrance or obstacle to 12. Jagged : Having a sharply uneven surface or outline 13. Veer : Turn sharply; change direction abruptly 14. Appalled : Struck with fear, dread or consternation 15. Quibble : Evade the truth of a point by raising irrelevant objections. 16. Jubilant : Full of high-spirited delight 17. Ebb : Flow back or recede 18. Lurch : Move suddenly or as if unable to control one’s movements qq CHAPTER-7 THE SOUNDING OF THE CALL Summary The money Buck wins for him enables Thornton to pay off some debts and journey with his partners in search of a fabled lost gold mine that no living man has ever found. They travel east on an unknown trail. Buck leads a team of six dogs 70 miles up the Yukon. Buck is very happy as they trek through the wilderness, fishing, hunting and unthinking of time. For two years they wander, seeking an ancient cabin and a mythical mine. They never find the mine, but in the spring of the second year they find a “shallow place in a broad valley where the gold showed like yellow butter across the bottom of the washing-pan.” With little work to do, Buck spends his days by the fire, dreaming once more of that ancient man. In his mind he wanders in this early, undefined world. Buck rightly hears an ancient call deep in the forest. Sometimes he searches for it, sometimes he hears it, springs from his place and runs wild through the forest. One night he hears it more clearly than ever before. He goes into the forest and sees a timber wolf. Wishing to make friends, Buck approaches; but the wolf is afraid of this beast three times his size and flees. Several times this meeting is repeated, until finally the wolf understands Buck’s intentions, and they sniff noses. For two days he does not leave, but then he hears once more the call of the forest. He starts to wander in the woods, and stays away from the camp for days at a time, hunting and fishing for his food. He exhibits a wild, wolf-like cunning. As a fearsome hunter, he kills a moose by separating it from the herd and remorselessly pursuing and attacking it. He shows great patience and ferocity. It takes him four days to pull the moose down. When he returns to Thornton’s camp, he finds it has been overrun by Yeehat Indians. The Yeehats are gleefully [70 ] Oswaal ICSE Section-wise Notes & Summary, ENGLISH PAPER-II (LITERATURE), Class-X

dancing. Three miles out he sees a fresh trail, and he becomes more cautious. Suddenly he comes across the body of Nig, an arrow sticking from his head. He passes the dog almost dead, and then he passes the body of Hans. He sees Yeehat Indians dancing around the wreckage of the camp. Buck leaps at the Indians, ripping open the throat of the chief, and keeps killing until the rest of the tribe runs away in terror. For a few moments, Buck pursues them, killing a few more as they attempt to flee. Buck sees Pete’s body, and then he follows the scent to the lake, where he knows John Thornton’s body lies. Skeet, loyal to the end, lies dead just by the lake. Buck sits and contemplates the ache in his heart. He feels a bit better only when he looks at the bodies of the men he has killed. He realizes that men are no match for dogs without their arrows, clubs and spears. For years Buck runs in the wild as a wolf. The Yeehats say a Ghost Dog that runs at the head of the pack, and they are afraid of him. They know he continues on occasion to kill human hunters. They do not enter the valley where he lives. Word Meanings :

1. Abiding : Unceasing 2. Asunder : Into parts or pieces 3. Certitude : Complete assurance or confidence 4. Cessation : A stopping 5. Desolate : Providing no shelter or sustenance 6. Flank : The side between ribs and hipbone 7. Frenzy : State of violent, mental agitation 8. Gorge : A deep ravine, usually with a river running through it. 9. Incarnate : Possessing or existing in bodily form 10. Infinitesimal : Immeasurably small 11. Intent : An anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions 12. Melancholy : A constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed 13. Obliterated : Reduced to nothingness 14. Overture : Orchestral music at the beginning of an opera 15. Prowess : A superior skill learned by study and practice qq