NCERT Solutions For Class 11 English
Snapshot
Chapter 2 – The
Address (Margo Minco)
Long Question Answers
Question 1:
The woman asked, "Have you come
back? I thought that no one had come back." Does this statement provide
insight into the story? If so, what is it?
Answer:
Yes, this statement does offer a
clue about the story. In the early stages of the war, Mrs. Dorling had
relocated valuable belongings of her acquaintance, Mrs. S., to 46, Marconi
Street. These items included table silverware, antique plates, and other
valuables such as the iron Hanukkah candle-holder, a woolen tablecloth, and a
green knitted cardigan with wooden buttons. Since Mrs. S. had passed away
during the war, Mrs. Dorling did not anticipate anyone returning to claim these
possessions, assuming that no one else knew the address.
This statement reveals the greedy
and possessive nature of Mrs. Dorling. She did not recognize or acknowledge the
daughter of her former acquaintance, refusing to open the door or allow her
inside. Despite the narrator's specific purpose of visiting—to see her mother's
belongings—Mrs. Dorling showed no signs of recognition, indicating a clash of
interests.
Question 2:
The narrative is divided into
pre-war and post-war periods. What challenges do you think the girl faced
during these times?
Answer:
During the pre-war era, the narrator
lived in a different city, far from home, and only visited her mother for a few
days. In the first half of the war, the narrator's mother lived in constant
fear of having to evacuate and potentially losing all valuable belongings. The
narrator resided in the city in a small rented room with windows covered in
blackout paper, unable to appreciate the beauty of nature outside due to the
looming threat of death.
After liberation, normalcy returned.
Bread became lighter in color, the fear of death diminished, and the narrator
could sleep in her bed without worry. She could now glance out of the window
each day. However, her curiosity about her mother's possessions stored at 46,
Marconi Street led her to visit the address. Mrs. Dorling's lack of recognition
and reluctance to admit her fueled the narrator's disappointment and prompted a
second visit.
Question 3:
Why did the narrator of the story
want to forget the address?
Answer:
The narrator recalled the address,
Number 46, Marconi Street, only once when her mother mentioned it. Mrs.
Dorling, an old acquaintance of her mother, lived there and had stored the
valuable belongings of the narrator's mother. After her mother's death, the
narrator felt compelled to visit the place, wanting to see, touch, and remember
those possessions. Despite two visits to the address, she succeeded in entering
the living room only during the second attempt.
However, the strange atmosphere,
tasteless arrangement of objects, and the realization that these belongings had
lost their value since being separated from her mother prompted a change in the
narrator's perspective. She no longer desired to see, touch, or remember these
items and decided to forget the address, symbolizing her determination to leave
the past behind and move forward.
Question 4:
'The Address' is a story of human
predicament that follows war. Comment.
Answer:
The story illustrates the
challenging and unpleasant situations that arise for individuals in the
aftermath of war. The human predicament following war is vividly depicted
through the narrator's experiences. The war not only brought physical
difficulties but also emotional suffering, particularly with the loss of the
narrator's dear mother. The visit to 46, Marconi Street to retrieve her
mother's valuable possessions reveals the greed and callousness of Mrs.
Dorling, who stored these belongings but refused to recognize the narrator,
denying her access.
The presence of her mother's
possessions in a strange atmosphere adds to the narrator's emotional pain, as
these valuables lose their significance when separated from her mother. The
story reflects on how war disrupts lives and relationships, leaving individuals
grappling with the challenges of loss and indifference.
Question 5:
How did the narrator become aware of
Mrs. Dorling and the location of her residence?
Answer:
Several years ago, during the
initial half of the war, the narrator returned home for a brief visit with her
mother. After spending a couple of days there, she noticed changes in the rooms
and the absence of various items. It was then that her mother shared details
about Mrs. Dorling—an old acquaintance who had reappeared after many years.
Mrs. Dorling would regularly visit, taking something with her each time. She
proposed the idea of safeguarding precious belongings by storing them at her
place. The narrator's mother disclosed the address, Number 46, Marconi Street.
When the narrator inquired if her mother had agreed to let Mrs. Dorling keep
everything, her mother disapproved, considering it an insult, and expressed
concern about the risks Mrs. Dorling faced while carrying a full suitcase or
bag.
Question 6:
Provide a concise account of the
narrator’s initial visit to 46, Marconi Street. What impression does Mrs.
Dorling leave?
Answer:
In the post-war period, as life
returned to normal, the narrator's curiosity about her mother's stored
possessions at Mrs. Dorling's house led her to take a train to 46, Marconi
Street. Mrs. Dorling opened the door slightly, and as the narrator approached
and inquired if she still recognized her, Mrs. Dorling claimed not to know her.
Despite the narrator's identification as the daughter of Mrs. S., Mrs. Dorling
remained silent and showed no sign of recognition. The narrator observed Mrs.
Dorling wearing her mother's green knitted cardigan and noticed the lack of
acknowledgment. Mrs. Dorling, with a surprised expression, declined to see or
assist the narrator.
Question 7:
How did the second visit of the
narrator to 46, Marconi Street differ from the first one? Did she truly
accomplish her mission? Provide a reason for your answer.
Answer:
The second visit of the narrator to
46, Marconi Street differed from the first one in one aspect. During the
initial visit, the narrator was denied entry to the house, while during the
second visit, she was guided to the living room where she could see and touch
some of the items she had eagerly desired. The visit had a specific purpose—to
view her mother's belongings. The sensory experience of familiar things
triggered memories of her past life. However, the realization that these
objects had lost their genuine value since being separated from their original
context led the narrator to decide to forget these possessions and move
forward. This is evident in her resolution to forget the address.
Question 8:
What impression do you form of the
narrator?
Answer:
The narrator leaves a favorable
impression, portraying herself as an intelligent and devoted daughter. While
she loves and respects her mother, she disapproves of her mother's soft
behavior towards Mrs. Dorling. The narrator poses pointed questions that her
mother considers impolite. Demonstrating keen powers of observation, the
narrator notices missing items during her brief stay at home. Her sharp
judgment is evident in sizing up Mrs. Dorling. The narrator's persistent
efforts to remind Mrs. Dorling of their relationship and her indomitable spirit
are revealed through her visits to 46, Marconi Street. She embraces realism,
refusing to be tethered to the past, and her decision to forget the address
showcases her resilience and forward-looking nature, indicative of a
progressive personality.
Question 9:
Comment on the significance of the
title of the story, "The Address."
Answer:
The title "The Address" is
highly fitting, serving as the central element around which the entire
narrative revolves. It is prominently featured at the story's beginning,
middle, and end. Marga Minco skillfully directs the reader's focus to it
through the narrator's initial doubt and subsequent self-assurance regarding
the correctness of the address.
The middle part of the story elucidates
how the narrator learned about the address, with her mother providing the
crucial information about Mrs. Dorling's residence. The story concludes
dramatically with the narrator's determined resolve to forget the address. This
cyclical progression emphasizes the evolving significance of the address—once
held in memory for years, only to be rendered irrelevant as the belongings
stored there lose their utility.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please keep your views respectful and not include any promotional comments. Such comments will be removed and your IP will be blocked for future purpose.