Class 12 English Important Questions
1. Sketch the character of Monsieur Duran.
Answer:
Monsieur Duran is the main character of the play "Facing Death." He is the protagonist of the play. He is a widower, the lodge owner, and a former railway worker. He is financially ruined and has three daughters who live with him in the lodge. The relationship between Duran and his daughters is not good. He is a loving, caring, and protective father. Due to his bankruptcy, he spends his miserable life along with his three daughters. His daughters often hate and blame him, but he continually thinks about their well-being. He sacrifices his life for his daughters’ welfare. He is also a patriot who loves France, although he is forced to live in Switzerland. He is a tragic hero who faces financial difficulties and eventually ends his life tragically by committing suicide for the welfare of his daughters.
2. Discuss "Facing Death" as a modern tragedy.
Answer:
Modern tragedy is a play that deals with tragic circumstances and has an unfortunate ending, particularly involving the demise of the main character. "Facing Death" is a modern tragedy because it concludes with the sad death of the protagonist, Monsieur Duran. Modern tragedy deals with socio-economic conditions, mental health, or destruction, and addresses common problems of people. Two main factors of modern tragedy are realism and naturalism. In this one-act play, Monsieur Duran is the protagonist who represents a common man. He is a father of three daughters and suffers financial crises. Despite loving his daughters, they dislike him. He turns his house into a lodge to survive and ultimately commits suicide, even burning his house to secure insurance for his daughters. This sequence of downfall demonstrates "Facing Death" as a modern tragedy.
3. Discuss the late 18th-century Nepali society in terms of the relation between the King and his subjects as portrayed in the play.
Answer:
During the late eighteenth century, Nepal was ruled by the Shah dynasty and the monarchy system was prevalent. Society was rigid, and people lived under the domination of the king. "The Bull" portrays a harsh society where ordinary citizens were badly treated. King Rana Bahadur Shah could threaten, punish, or even kill citizens at will. Laxminarayan, representing the citizens, faced extreme threats over the death of the king’s bull. The play shows that ordinary citizens had no fundamental rights. Patriarchal norms prevailed, and women lived under male domination. Thus, life in late 18th-century Nepalese society was under the mercy of kings and lords, and the play satirizes this harsh system.
4. How does Russell describe knowledge and wisdom in the essay?
Answer:
According to Bertrand Russell, knowledge and wisdom are different. Knowledge is the acquisition of data and information, while wisdom is the practical application of knowledge to create value. Wisdom is gained through learning and experience, not memorization. A sense of proportion is necessary for wisdom. For example, scientific inventions can save lives but may also create unintended consequences, such as population growth or weapons development. Knowledge without wisdom can be harmful. Russell emphasizes combining knowledge with feelings to make wise decisions in public and private life.
5. Explain the poem "Every Morning I Wake" as a prayer poem.
Answer:
The poem "Every Morning I Wake," from Dylan Thomas's radio play "Under the Milkwood," is a prayer poem. The speaker prays to God for mercy and grace on humans represented by a small village. The poem emphasizes human vulnerability and dependence on God, the supreme creator. The speaker prays not only for personal benefit but for the well-being of all creatures. The poem highlights God’s omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient qualities, making it highly religious in nature.
6. Sketch the character of Laxminarayan.
Answer:
Laxminarayan Dahal is a major character in the one-act play. He is a forty-year-old legal officer and bull doctor of King Rana Bahadur Shah. He has seven wives but is dissatisfied and intends to marry an eighth. On the death of the king’s bull, he cleverly uses flattery and tact to save himself and the cowherds from the king’s punishment. Laxminarayan’s cleverness and humor make the play entertaining, and he successfully outsmarts the king.
7. Explain the summary of the poem "The Awakening Age".
Answer:
"The Awakening Age" by Nigerian poet Ben Okri portrays the hardships, poverty, hunger, and unemployment faced by African people. The poet calls for unity, peace, and solidarity among people fragmented by civil war. He hopes for a bright future where African people can achieve prosperity, knowledge, and creativity. The poem is a sonnet with 7 stanzas, each containing 2 lines (14 lines in total) and follows the rhyme scheme aa, bb, cc, dd, ee, ff, gg. The poet urges readers to strive for progress in their own land rather than seeking opportunities abroad.