INDIGO

A.      Author’s Visit to Gandhi

                                I.            In 1942 in Sevagram, in central India (Maharashtra).

                              II.            There he told how he asserted departure of British    in 1917.

B.      Gandhi at the Annual Convention of Indian National Congress

                                I.            In 1962 in Luckhnow.

                              II.            About 2,301 delegates and many other visitors attended.

                            III.            Rajkumar Shukla came to see Gandhi.

-He was a poor emaciated peasant like any other peasant.

-From Champaran. It was in the foothills of Himalaya and near Nepal.

                            IV.            He came to talk to Gandhi about the sharecroppers’ condition and complain of the injustice done by the landlord system.

C.      Rajkummar Shukla determined to take Gandhi with him

He begged Gandhi to come to his district.

                              V.            But Gandhi had other appointments to attend in Cawnpore and other parts of the country.

                            VI.            Gandhi was impressed with his tenacity (firmness). As he accompanied Gandhi everywhere and to his ashram near Ahmedabad. He remained by his side.

                          VII.            He told Shukla that he would come to Calcutta on a certain date and from there he will accompany him to Champaran.

                        VIII.            Shukla waited intently(sitting on his hunched) in Kolkata until Gandhi was free

                            IX.            Then, they boarded train to Patna

                              X.            Reaching Patna Shukla led Gandhiji to the lawyer Rajendra Prasad’s house.

[ Rajendra Prasad

                                I.            A Lawyer who was dealing with Sharecroppers issue.

                              II.            Later became president of National Congress and India.]

D.      At Rajendra Prasad’s House

                                I.            He was out of station

                              II.            Servants didn’t let them sleep in the house (let them stay on the ground)

                            III.            As they knew Shukla as poor yeoman(gentle farmer)  who pestered (harassed) his master

                            IV.            They thought Gandhi as another peasant

                              V.            Didn’t allow them to draw water from the well doubting them as untouchable.

E.       Gandhi ji’s visit to Muzzafarpur

                                I.            Gandhi decided to go to Muzzafarpur first.

                              II.            It was en route (on the way) to Champaran.

                            III.            They went there to get first-hand information on the peasants condition

                            IV.            According to the plan he sent a telegram to Prof. J. B. Kripalani, teacher at Muzzafarpur Arts College.

                              V.            Whom Gandhi met at Tagore’s Shanti Niketan School.

                            VI.            Their train reached Muzaffarpur at midnight of april 15, 1917

                          VII.             Kripalani was waiting at the station along his students.

                        VIII.            Gandhi stayed in prof. Malkani’s (a teacher in govt. school) house for two days.

                            IX.            He said, “It was an extraordinary thing in those days for a government prof. to provide shelter (harbour) to a man like Gandhi who advocates home-rule (Swaraj)”.

                              X.            As people were scared to support advocates (supporters) of home-rule.

WORKSHEET-1

1.       Who’s the speaker here? Where did he meet Gandhi for the first time?

2.       What information Gandhi passed on to author when he met him for the first time?

3.       When and where was the annual convention of the Indian National Congress? How many delegates came to the conference?

4.       Who was the peasant came to meet Gandhi? Why?

5.       Where is Champaran?

6.       How Rajkumar Shukla impressed Gandhi?

7.       Who’s Rajendra Prassad?

8.       Give an example of cast system prevailed in those days from the chapter.

9.       Why Gandhi decided to go to Muzzafarpur first? Give two reasons.

10.   How Gandhi knew J.B. Kripalani?

11.   Who came to receive Gandhi at the station?

12.   Who is Professor Malkani? Why Gandhi praised him?

13.   Why people were scared to harbour advocates of Home-rule?

F.       People came to meet Gandhi

                                I.            The news of Gandhi’s arrival and his mission spread fast through Muzzaffarpur to Champaran

                              II.            Sharecroppers from Champaran came to see their leader(champion)

                            III.            They came paddling or by conveyance (carriage, transportation)

                            IV.            Lawyers of Muzzaffarpur came to meet Gandhi

                              V.            They told that they often represented peasants in court.

                            VI.            Also told him of high fee they charge to the peasants. At this Gandhi chided (scolded) them.

                          VII.            He said taking cases to court won’t serve any purpose. As peasants were fear-stricken (fear traumatized) and crushed. So, real relief was to make them free from fear itself.

G.     Estates of Champaran & peasants problem

                                I.            All large estates of Champaran belonged to Englishman. They grew commercial crop. (Chiefly ‘Indigo’)

                              II.            Indians are just leaseholders (tenants).

                            III.            According to a long term contract between English landlords and tenants landlords forced tenants to plant indigo in 15% of land they own. And the profits made from that 15% they need to surrender landlords as rent.

                            IV.            Presently landlords learned Germany developed a synthetic Indigo.

                              V.            So, they obtain agreement from the sharecroppers to pay compensation for releasing them from the 15%.

                            VI.            The agreement was irksome (annoying) to the peasants. It displeased them.

                          VII.            Many accepted willingly many resisted and pursued help of lawyers.

                        VIII.            Illiterate farmers (who accepted) learning about it demanded their money back.

                            IX.            During this time Gandhi arrived. He visited secretary of the British Landlords Association to draw information but he rejected to leak any information to an outsider.

                              X.            Then, Gandhi met commissioner of Tirhut division even he bullied (terrorized) Gandhi and asked him to leave Champaran.  But he didn’t leave.

                            XI.            Instead proceeded to Motihari (capital of Champaran).

H.     Gandhi at Motihari

                                I.            Several lawyers accompanied him.

                              II.            Large people greeted Gandhi at the station.

                            III.            Went to a house & used it as headquarter.

                            IV.            From there he started his investigation.

I.        First act of civil disobedience

                                I.            Getting a report of a peasant maltreated (abused) in a nearby village he decided to go and see.

                              II.            But he was driven back by the police superintendent’s messenger.

                            III.            He obeyed (complied) and the messenger drove him back to his home where he served him with an official notice to quit Champaron.

                            IV.            Gandhi wrote on it that he would disobey the order.

                              V.            At this he was summoned (called) to the court.

                            VI.            He was worried and telegraphed Dr Rajendra Prassad to come along his influential friends.

                          VII.            Instructed his ashram and reported viceroy.

                        VIII.            Next morning all peasants of Motihari came to help him. Although they didn’t know of Gandhi and his past (incidents of South Africa).They just knew a Mahatma who wanted to help peasants was in trouble with the authorities.

                              V.            People in thousand crowded around court house.

                            VI.            It was the beginning of people’s liberation from fear.

                          VII.            Officials felt powerless without Gandhi’s help. He helped them to control the crowd. He was polite and friendly.

                        VIII.            He showed the British official that they may be challenged by Indians although till now (hitherto) they were feared (dreaded) and unquestioned.

                            IX.            Government was confused (baffled). Prosecutor (lawyer of accuser) requested to postpone the trial.

                              X.            Consequently (apparently) authorities wished to consult their superiors.

                            XI.            But Gandhi protested against delay.

                          XII.            He read a statement pleading him guilty.

                        XIII.            Also told the court that he didn’t want to set bad example of law breaker.

                        XIV.            But he had come to solidify the “humanitarian and national service”.

                          XV.            He disregarded the order to leave not because he wanted to disobey law but because he wanted to obey a higher law, law of conscience. 

                        XVI.            He asked for the penalty.

                      XVII.            Judge announced the judgement will be passed after recess

                    XVIII.            He directed Gandhi ji to furnish bail for those 120 minutes.

                        XIX.            Gandhi refused. But the judge had to release him without bail.

                          XX.            The judge said he won’t deliver judgement for several days. Till then Gandhi was free.

                        XXI.            Rajendra Prassad, Brij Kishor Babu, Maulana Mazharul Haq and several other prominent lawyers arrived from Bihar.

                      XXII.            They discussed what would be the consequent if he will be jailed. They won’t have anyone to guide.

                    XXIII.            But Gandhi insisted on continuing the struggle to defend sharecroppers’ interest.

                    XXIV.            Lawyers held a separate meeting.

                      XXV.            They decided to help Gandhi in his struggle.

                    XXVI.            They thought despite of being stranger Gandhi was ready to go to jail. In that case if they won’t it would be an act of shame. They too decided to follow Gandhi to jail.

                  XXVII.            Gandhi noted their names on a piece of paper.

                XXVIII.            Divided the group into pairs putting down the order in which each pairs was to be arrested.

                    XXIX.            Several days later Gandhi received an order from magistrate informing that the lieutenant governor of the province have ordered to drop the case.

                      XXX.            It set the example of the success of first civil disobedient movement.

Worksheet-2

1.       What was the reaction of people when they learnt of Gandhi’s advent?

2.       Why Gandhi chided lawyers?

3.       Why Gandhi came to the conclusion that they should stop going to law courts?

4.       What  were the terms of the indigo contract between British landlords and peasants?

5.       What new problem sharecroppers were facing?

6.       How the commissioner of Tirhut division did received Gandhi? How Gandhi responded and where did he go?

7.       Why did Gandhi tell the court that he was involved in a conflict of duties?

8.       Who were the lawyers came to help Gandhi?

J.        Formation of Commission of Inquiry

                                I.            Now lawyers proceeded to conduct an inquiry of peasants’ grievance (complaint).

                              II.            Outlook of about ten thousand peasants were noted and evidential documents were collected.

                            III.            Whole area throbbed (vibrated) with the activity of the investigators. And vehement (heated) protest of the landlords.

                            IV.            In June Gandhi was summoned to Sir Edward Gait, the lieutenant-governor.

                              V.            Before leaving Gandhi met his associates and made detailed plans for civil disobedience in case he wouldn’t return.

                            VI.            He had four lengthy interviews with governor.

                          VII.            As a result he appointed a commission of inquiry into the Indigo sharecroppers’ situation.

                        VIII.            The commission consisted of the landlords, government official and Gandhi as only representative of the peasants.

K.      Inquiry commissions’ report and its consequences

                                I.            Gandhi remained in Champaran for seven months and he made several short visits.

                              II.            The official enquiry revealed evidence against the estate planters.

                            III.            By seeing the inquiry report they agreed to refund the peasants. Gandhi demanded only 50%

                            IV.            He remained resolute. Finding him adamant (stubborn) they offered 25%.

                              V.            Gandhi at once agreed for that.

L.       Building peasants courage

                                I.            Later he explained money was less important than the fact that landlords had to surrender the money which had become their prestige issue.

                              II.            Peasants now saw they have rights and defenders. They got courage.

                            III.            Within a period planters abandoned their estates which were given back to the peasants. And indigo sharecropping disappeared.

M.    Dealing social and cultural problems

                                I.            Gandhiji never contented himself only in political and economic solutions.

                              II.            He saw social and cultural backwardness of Champaran villages and wanted to do something about it immediately.

                            III.            Several teachers like Mahadev Desai and Narahari Parikh and two young men had joined Gandhi as disciple.

                            IV.            Their wives volunteered to work.

                              V.            Several more came from other parts of the country like Poona, Bombay etc.

                            VI.            They were joined by Devdas, Gandhi’s youngest son and Mrs Gandhi.

                          VII.            Primary schools were opened in six villages.

                        VIII.            Kasturbai taught Ashram’s rule of cleanliness and community sanitation.

                            IX.            Even health condition was measurable.

                              X.            Gandhi got a doctor to volunteer to work there for six months.

                            XI.            Medicines like castor oil, quinine and sulphur ointment were made available to the people suffering from coated tongue (bacteria infected tongue that look white), Malaria and skin diseases.

                          XII.            He noticed women of the village wearing dirty cloths & asked Kasturba to talk to them.

                        XIII.            Even while living in Champaran he kept contacting Ashram and advised them through mail..

                        XIV.            Champaran episode was a turning point in his life.

                          XV.            He declared British can’t order me what should he do in his own country.

                        XVI.            Although Champaran didn’t begin as an act of disobedience.

                      XVII.            It was started as an act to remove distress of poor peasants.

N.     Building self-reliance

                                I.            Gandhi’s politics was intertwined with practical day-to-day problems of the millions.

                              II.            Through everything he tried to build a new Indian who could stand on his feet and thus could make a free India.

                            III.            Early in the Champaran episode an English pacifist (one who opposes war) came to bid him farewell before to a tour of duty to Fiji islands. Lawyers thought it as good idea if Andrew would stay in Champaran & help them.  Even Andrew was interested but Gandhi opposed thinking it would show a weakness of heart in their part. The cause was just to build self-reliance.

                            IV.            Self-reliance, Indian independence and sharecroppers were all bound together. 

Worksheet-3

1.       Who were the members of commission of inquiry?

2.       What was the decision taken?

3.       What was Gandhi’s demand? Why did Gandhi agree to 25%?

4.       How Gandhi worked for the social and cultural development of Champaran?

5.       Why did Gandhi opposed when his friend Andrew wanted to stay in Champaran and help peasants?

6.       How Gandhi tried to alleviate distressed peasants?

7.       How did he try to build poor peasants’ self-reliance?

                              

The Rattrap2

Q.1. How can we transform and clean an evil doing person? Give examples from the story ‘Rattrap’. Or

“The Rattrap” Express the universal theme highlighted by the author in the story. Or

How did the line of thought bring a change in the life of the rattrap peddler?

Ans: The author, Selma Lagerlof has highlighted a universal theme in this story. It is that we can arouse the goodness in the life of a man by love, understanding, sympathy and respect. Once upon a time there was a man who went around selling self-made small rattraps of wire. His condition was too miserable to beg and do petty things. One day he thought that the whole world around him was a big trap. It offered riches, joys , food, shelter and clothing like a bait offering cheese and pork in a rattrap for the rats. Those who were tempted to touch the bait, it closed on them bringing an end to everything. One dark evening he stayed at crofter’s cottage, he was given food and shelter. But the next morning he stole thirty kronor from there. The he kept on walking all day long on the same path in the forest. On hearing the sound of hammer strokes, he reached the iron mill and lay near the surface. The ironmaster mistook him to be his old acquaintance and invited him for Christmas cheer but he refused. He sent his daughter, Edla who persuaded him to their house. After him well dressed, the from master found that he mistook him. So he ordered him to get out at once. The young girl wanted him to stay as they promised him Christmas cheer. He was treated like real captain with food. In their absence when they were at the church he left at the church they learnt the rattrap seller had robbed the old crofter. So they became worried. When they returned they found that the stranger had taken nothing with him and left behind a Christmas gift for Edla. She found a small rattrap thirty kronor and a letter in it. The letter stated that she had taken him as if he were a captain, so he would be nice to her as a captain. It had given him power to cleanse himself.

Q.2. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament.

Ans: The author Selma Lagerlof tells a universal theme through all her stories. One can not imagine how dull and sad a vagabond might be walking slowly along the roads for his bread. The metaphor of the rattrap struck on one such occasion. He was plodding along the road, duly lost in his own meditations. The whole world about him- the whole world with its lands, seas, cities and villages was nothing but a big rattrap. The world had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people to trap them. The world offered riches, joys, food, shelter and clothing like a bait offering cheese and pork in a rattrap for the rats. As soon as anyone is tempted and he to touches the bait, it closes on him and then everything came to an end for him in life. Like the poor rattrap seller, people get tempted to the pouch baits hung on the window frame, break the window pane and steal the kronor. For self-temptation people like the peddler don’t want to undeceive others about themselves. The touching of the bait always makes people realize that they are caught in the world rattrap now. It is their turn now, they must stop cherish it as their pastime of thinking about the known who get trapped and others who are circling around the trap. They must rise above the baits and shun evil doings like Captain Von Stahle.

Short-answer questions:

Q.1.What idea suddenly struck in the mind of the rattrap peddler?

Ans: One day the peddler was moving along the road suddenly an idea struck to his mind. He viewed that the whole world was a big rattrap to trap the people in. It offered, riches, joys, shelter, food, heat and clothing like the rattrap offered cheese and pork to tempt to the rats. The world existed only to set baits for the people. Anyone who was tempted to touch the bait, the rattrap was closed in on him.

Q.2. Who was Crofter and how did he welcome the peddler?

Ans: The Crofter was an old man, who lived alone in his house. One dark evening when the peddler knocked at the door of the Crofter. He was very hospitable person and offered him supper and bed to sleep He amused him with the game of ‘mjolis’. He told the fact that he earned thirty kronor by selling the milk of his cow.

Q.3. How did the peddler rob the crofter?

Ans: The Crofter was living alone in his house. So, he needed someone to talk in his loneliness. That time the peddler reached at his house. He welcomed him. The crofter had taken out and stuffed thirty kronor in the presence of the peddler. Both left in the morning. After half an hour, the peddler returned, smashed the window pane and stole thirty kronor from the pouch and hung it on its usual place.

Q.4.Why did the peddler accept Edla’s invitation?

Ans: Earlier the ironmaster had tried his best to invite the peddler to his house for Christmas. He wanted his company but he declined his offer. So the ironmaster sent his daughter to invite him as she had better power of persuasion. She looked at the peddler compassionately. Her friendly manners aroused confidence in him. So he accepted her invitation.

Q.5. When the ironmaster threatened to call the Sherriff. How did the peddler conduct?

Ans: The peddler defended himself that he was a poor man. He said that the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. All the good things that are offered to him were just baits. The baits were set out to drag a poor man into trouble. In case the Sherriff came to lock him up, the day was not far when the ironmaster would be trapped him.

Q.6. The Rattrap is a story where a good deed or an act of kindness changes a person’s view of the world. Discuss with reference to the theme.

Ans. ‘The Rattrap’ is an entertaining and philosophical story that reveals the theme of the human tendency to redeem oneself from dishonest ways. The tramp proves the idea that the essential goodness of human beings can be awakened through understanding and love. Circumstances had forced the peddler to indulge in petty crimes. Even though he used to sell made from scrap metal, his poverty had brought out the worst in him, making him bitter and killing his conscience. The tramp’s view of the world was a cynical one: he envied those who were better off than him. He believed the world to be like a rattrap that offered temptations like shelter and food for entrapping victims. The peddler does not hesitate to steal the money from the crofter even though he enjoys his hospitality and warm welcome. Pangs of guilt trouble him when he loses his way in the forest. His bitter and hardened temperament receives a chance for repentance when he encounters the iron master and his daughter. The author brings an effective twist in the story to show that innate goodness exists in all human beings. It takes a little love, understanding and an act of friendship to bring it to the fore. The iron master’s daughter showed him sympathy, honour and respect and gave him a sense of dignity. This touched a chord in the heart of the peddler who at once felt that he was no longer the nameless tramp that he had been all his life but somebody with an identity. He redeemed himself by returning the stolen money as he had felt motivated by Edla’s kindness.

Q.7.How has the author of ‘The Rattrap’ developed the theme of the story?

Ans. The author, Selma Lagerlof has beautifully dwelt on the theme of ‘The Rattrap’ and used the rattrap as a metaphor to develop the theme. Almost all human beings find it hard to resist the temptation of material goods or benefits and consciously fall into the trap. The world is a rattrap where human beings constantly fall prey to various baits kept for them. However, the author has brought across the idea that all human beings possess an essential goodness which can be tapped through love, compassion and understanding. An individual can redeem himself from dishonest ways if he makes an effort. The peddler of rattraps calls the world a big rattrap. The material benefits like riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing are temptations that allure a person to fall into the rattrap. Once a person accepts the bait, he or she is trapped forever. The peddler gets tempted to steal the crofter’s money. He is too afraid to move about in the open, hence moves through the woods. Later, it is the kind, sympathetic and generous treatment given to him by Edla and her father that helps him get transformed and free him from the feelings of guilt and get rid of the rattrap forever. The rattrap becomes a symbol of worldly temptations and the peddler symbolizes man’s efforts to escape them.

Q.8. From where did the peddler get the idea of the world being a rattrap?  

Ans. The tramp went around selling small rattraps made of scrap wire. One day he was struck by the idea that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. It existed only to set baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing in the same manner as the rattrap offered cheese. As soon as someone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him and then everything came to an end.

Q.9. Why was he amused at this idea?

Ans. His own life was sad and monotonous. He was a vagabond, lonely and isolated from any family life. The world had treated him harshly. So it gave him some joy to think of the world this way. It becomes a pastime for him to think of people letting themselves being caught in the dangerous trap of others who are still circling around the bait.

Q.10. Did the rattrap maker expects the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?

Ans. The peddler was surprised at the kind of hospitality that he received at the crofter’s home. He was invited inside with a smile and he was made to feel quite welcome instead of the usual hostile and sour faces that he met. He was served hot porridge for supper and the crofter shared his pipe tobacco with him. They also played a game of cards. Thus the tramp was treated well by the crofter who was unexpected.

Q.11. What made the man think that he had fallen into a rattrap?

Ans. After stealing the money from the crofter, the tramp turned into the forest. He wanted to avoid walking on the road. Confused and disoriented by the trees in the forest and the narrow twisting paths made him realize that he was lost. Tired and cold, he lay down in despair feeling that the forest had transformed into a rattrap. He felt guilty as if he was caught by the bait. (Q.) Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

Ans. The peddler betrayed the trust that the crofter had on him by breaking the window pane and removing the thirty kronors from the leather pouch, he had seen the crofter keeping the money in the pouch and hanging it on a nail near the window frame.

(Q.) What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap?

Ans. After having stolen thirty kronors from the crofter, the peddler realized that he could not walk on the public highway and so he turned off the road into the woods. It was a big and confusing forest and the paths twisted back and forth, he walked without coming to the end of the wood and finally realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. Recalling his thought about the world, and the rattrap he realized that he had let himself to be fooled by a bait and had been caught.

 (students these answer i got from different sites. i uploaded it for the sake of your pre-board

)

The Rattrap

The story in short:

The peddler

The story begins in a fairy tale style. Once upon a time there was a man who went around selling small rattraps made of scrap materials that he get from stores and big farms. He could not simply live by begging and selling rattraps so the circumstances had forced the peddler to indulge in petty crimes. His life was sad and monotonous. One day while plodding along the road a thought strikes his mind that world is nothing but a big rattrap.  It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, clothing and heat just as the rattrap providing cheese and pork to attract the mouse. And ones we step into it there is no way out. Since the world had never been kind to him, he was full of bitterness and hatred against it. He experienced unusual joy at everyone else’s discomfort, pain at being ensnared by the devilish ways of the world. It gave him cruel delight to see others caught in the snare and still others circling around the bait.

The Crofter

In one dark evening when he was trudging along the road he saw a small grey cottage by the roadside. He goes to the cottage and knocked at the door. An old man opened the door and welcomed him warmly. He was alone without wife and children and happy to see a guest. He offered him food and tobacco and also played cards with him. He was generous to the peddler. In their small talk after supper he informed that in his days of prosperity he was a crofter at Ramsjo Ironworks and had lands of his own. But now he was no longer do day labour. It was his extraordinary cow which provides milk for the creamery and he receives thirty kronor in payment. He also picked out ten kronor from the pouch that he hanged on a nail in the window frame and showed it to the peddler. Then he kept it back.

Next day the crofter woke up early to milk the cow. And the peddler went on his way. But half an hour later the peddler came back and went to the window where the pouch with ten kronor was kept. He smashed the window and got the money and moved away. Even though he enjoys his hospitality and warm welcome the peddler does not hesitate to steal the money from the crofter.

The peddler lost in the forest

After having stolen thirty kronors from the crofter, the peddler realized that he could not walk on the public highway and so he turned off the road into the woods. It was a big and confusing forest and the paths twisted back and forth, he walked without coming to the end of the wood and finally realized that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. Recalling his thought about the world, and the rattrap he realized that he had let himself to be fooled by bait and had been caught. 

His gloom and despair was enhanced by the darkness. Finally he saw no way out and thought his last moment has come. He lay down on the ground. Then he heard a sound of regular thumping. And he could identify it as the sound of the strokes of a hammer coming from an iron mill nearby. He tried to walk towards the sound.

The Ramsjo Ironworks

Then he reached Ramsjo ironworks. He opened the gate of the works and went into the furnace. The master blacksmith and his apprentice were sitting there waiting for the pig-iron to be ready to put on the anvil. There was noise in the forge. So, they couldn’t notice that a man had opened the gate and entered the forge. It’s only when he stood by the furnace the blacksmith hardly took any notice of his presence. It was not unusual for a vagabond to come in for shelter and warmth. He asked permission to stay and the master smith nodded with an arrogant consent without honouring him. 

The ironmaster

The owner of the Works was very particular about the quality of the iron he produced. On one of his visits he comes into the forge while the peddler lay in front of the furnace. He looked intently at the peddler’s face. He felt sure that the peddler was one of his old regimental comrades, Captain von Stable who had fallen on evil days. He invited the peddler to go home with him for Christmas. But the peddler was alarmed. He thought it was risky for him to accept the offer. He firmly declined it. Then the ironmaster went home.

The ironmaster’s daughter Edla

Then the owner sent his daughter Edla to persuade the peddler to come home. She came in a carriage with a large fur coat. She could see that the peddler was unwilling to accept the invitation because he was afraid. Perhaps, she thought, he had stolen something or had escaped from jail. She spoke gently to him. She assured him that he would be free to leave when he pleased. They wanted his company only over Christmas Eve. The peddler felt confidence in her. He agreed to go with her. On the way he was sorry to have stolen the crofter’s money that had put him in a trap.

Ironmaster thinks he has made a mistake

The ironmaster was happy to have his old regimental comrade under his roof. He planned to feed him well and give him some respectable work. The servant cut the peddler’s hair, shaved him ad bathed him. The peddler appeared wearing one of the ironmaster’s fine suits. But when the ironmaster looked at him in daylight, he felt that he had made a mistake. The peddler was not captain von Stable. He thought that the man had deceived him. He even thought of handling him to the sheriff.

The peddler defends himself

The peddler said that he had not pretended to be what he was not. He had not been willing to go to the ironmaster’s house. Even then he was willing to put on his rags and leave. He also told the ironmaster that the world was a rattrap, and he himself might one day be tempted by a big bait and get caught in the trap. The ironmaster told him to leave at once.

Edla stops the peddler

Edla did not like her father’s asking the poor peddler to leave. She thought it was unfair to turn away the man whom they had invited. She wanted to have the joy of entertaining a homeless wanderer on Christmas Eve. She stopped the peddler and her father gave it.

Peddler given presents

Edla served food to the peddler. He was given Christmas presents which he thankfully received. Edla told him that her father’s suit that the peddler was wearing was also a Christmas present. She assured him that he would be welcomed again if he liked to spend the next Christmas Eve with them.

The peddler leaves

Next morning the ironmaster and his daughter went to church. There they learned that the peddler was a thief. He had robbed the crofter. The ironmaster was sure that the peddler must have made away with their silver. Edla was dejected. But when they reached home they learned that the peddler had left. But he had taken away nothing. On the other hand he had left a Christmas present for Edla.

The surprise

Edla opened the present. It was a tiny rattrap. Edla was happy to see that the peddler had left the crofter’s money behind. There was a letter also. It was addressed to Edla. He thanked her for her kindness. He wanted to repay her kindness. So he had left the crofter’s money and had requested her to return it to the crofter. He said he had been raised to captain. That was why he could come out of the rattrap in which he had been caught. He signed the letter Captain von Stable.

DEEP WATER

Introduction to the author

William Douglas was an American author. He served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Douglas was confirmed at the age of 40, one of the youngest justices appointed to the court. He started his career as a teacher but later in his life he changed it. This chapter is an excerpt from his “Of Man and Mountains” and based on his childhood experience of drowning in water.

Story in short

Ø  Decided to Learn to Swim.

The narrator decided to learn to swim. There was a pool at Y.M.C.A It offered him a good opportunity. Swimming in the Yakima River was quite dangerous. His mother had warned against it. But the Y.M.C.A. Pool was safe for swimming. It was 2 to 3 feet deep at the shallow end. At the deep end it was nine feet. The slope was gradual. William Douglas had an aversion to the water from the beginning. Once he stood at the beach with his father. A wave swept over him and knocked him down. He was buried in water .He was frightened. The Y.M.C.A. Pool revived those fears.

Ø  The Misadventure at Y.M.C.A pool

The narrator was alone at the pool. He didn't dare to go inside the water alone. Then, came a big bully of a boy. He cried “Hi Skinny!” Then he picked the narrator up and tossed him into the deep end. He went at once to the bottom. He was frightened but not out of his wits. He decided to make a big jump from the bottom. He would try to come to the surface. He would lie flat on the water. Finally, he would paddle to the edge of the pool.

Ø  He grew panicky

Those nine feet were more likely ninety. His lungs were ready to burst. But when he hit the bottom, he gathered all his strength. He made a great spring upwards. He came up rather slowly. He opened his eyes but saw nothing but water. He grew panicky. He was suffocating. He tried to cry but no sound came out. He swallowed water and choked. His legs were paralysed and rigid.

Ø  Stuck under Water

A great force pulled him under water. He was getting dizzy. He went down endlessly. Then stark terror seized him. His arms would not move. He tried to call for help. Nothing happened. He sucked for air but got only water. Then all efforts ceased. He felt like sleeping. He crossed t oblivion .When he woke up, he found himself lying on his stomach beside the pool. He was vomiting. The chap who threw him in said that he was 'only fooling'. But the narrator had nearly died.

Ø  Fear Constantly Haunted Him

For days he was constantly haunted by the fear. He never went back to the pool. He feared water and avoided it whenever he could. Whenever he went near water, the terror would seize him. His legs got paralyzed. Icy horror would grab his heart. The fear stayed with him as the years rolled by.

Ø  Got an Instructor and Learnt Swimming

The narrator got an instructor. He went to a pool. He practiced five days a week. The instructor put a belt round him. A rope attached to belt went through a pulley. On each trip across the pool a bit of panic seized him. It was three months before the tension began to disappear. He taught the narrator and then how to raise his nose and inhale. He repeated the exercise hundreds of times.

Ø  At Last He Conquered His Fear

Next the instructor taught him how to kick with his legs. For weeks he did just that. At first his legs refused to work. But finally he could command them. At last the instructor made him a real swimmer. But he still feared to be alone in the pool. This went on until July. So he went to Lake Wentworth and dived off a dock at Triggs Island. He swam two mile across the lake to Stamp Act Island. The fear fled and he swam on. Finally he had conquered his fear of water.

Ø  The Experience

Left a Deep Meaning It was a unique experience. It left a deep imprint on his mind. He could never forget it. It had a deep meaning for him. He had experienced the feelings, the sensation of dying and the terror that fear can produce.

• Write a critical appreciation of chapter deep water by William Douglas?

Ans. The chapter deals with two basic aspects of human nature: the creation of fear due to any particular circumstance and the ability to overcome that fear. The author of the chapter develops a deep fear for water because of a childhood incident. He is completely handicapped by this fear and is unable to enjoy any activity related to water. The fear is real and he has to face this fear alone to get rid of it. His strong willpower and his skilled trainer pull him out of this darkness of fear. The events of the chapter show us that minor incidents of childhood can have a long lasting and damaging effect on one's mind. Such effects remain active in a person's subconscious mind till the time he makes a conscious effort to wipe them from his mind. A strong determination, courage and a well thought plan can help one overcome the biggest fear of his life. Same was done by the writer in this chapter. He is helped by his coach to become a good swimmer but his quest for fearlessness doesn't end here. He has to do it alone; where his only companion is his capability, his resolve and his nerves of steel. Ultimately he is able to achieve his aim and come out of deep waters drowning all his fears forever.

•  “All we have to fear is fear itself.” Discuss.

Ans. William O. Douglas’ Deep Water justifies President Roosevelt’s assertion that all we have to fear, is fear itself. William O. Douglas’ aversion to water began with his mother’s warnings about the Yakima River and a childhood sea holiday where he first experienced the power of water. At the YMCA pool, where a boy pushed Douglas into the water nearly drowning him, turned the fear into a phobia. However, Douglas decided to challenge this and struggled hard to overcome fear of deep water. With the help of an instructor, and using a pulley connected by a belt to his waist, Douglas re-learnt how to swim in a pool. He learnt to dip his head, exhale underwater and inhale on resurfacing, holding breath. Even though, the trainer declared him as good swimmer Douglas tested himself in treacherous and unfamiliar waters till his phobia vanished completely. Thereafter, William O. Douglas realized that once the ‘fear of fear’ disappeared, true success awaited.

•  How did William Douglas overcome his fear of water?

Ans. Douglas challenged the fear itself and struggled hard to overcome it. With the help of an instructor, and using a pulley connected by a belt to his waist, he re-learnt how to swim in a pool. He learnt to dip his head, exhale underwater and inhale on resurfacing, holding breath. Even though, the trainer declared him as a good swimmer Douglas tested himself in treacherous and unfamiliar waters till his phobia vanished completely. Thereafter, William O. Douglas overcomes the fear of water.

• Describe the misadventure that made Douglas hydrophobic? 

Ans. When Douglas was of ten or eleven years old he had a desire to learn swimming. As he already had a bad experience with water so he was little scared to go to deep water. Still he goes to YMCA pool at Yakima because water in YMCA pool was not that deep. One day he was alone in the pool when he was pushed into the deep end of the YMCA pool by a bruiser boy. Gripped by paralyzing fear, in vain, Douglas tried to spring upwards to the surface twice. He almost lost consciousness before he was saved. This misadventure made Douglas hydrophobic.

EXTRA QUESTIONS

Short answer questions –

1. What was the misadventure that William Douglas speaks about?

2. What was the writer’s first reaction on being flung into the pool?

3. Why did William Douglas hate the idea of getting into the water?

4. How did the instructor build a swimmer out of William Douglas?

5. How did William Douglas make sure that he conquered the old terror? 

LONG QUESTIONS

1. It is Douglas’ will power that enabled him to overcome his fear of water. This reveals that with a strong will human beings can overcome all kinds of fear. Explain with two illustrations from real life.

2. Which experience made the writer feel terrified of water?

3. Explain in brief William Douglas’ attempt to come out of the pool.

4.  How did the instructor help the writer learn swimming?