Class 11 English Snapshot Chapter 2 – The Address (Margo Minco) Long Question Answers

 

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.