Unit – V

Glimpses of India

“Glimpses of India” is a chapter in a 10th standard English textbook that provides a snapshot of life in three different regions of India. Here’s a summary:

• Structure: The chapter consists of three short stories:
  • A Baker from Goa: This story, set during Portuguese rule, describes the importance of bakers and the daily routine of bread delivery in a Goan village.
  • Coorg: This story focuses on the natural beauty, wildlife, and unique culture of the Coorg region in Karnataka.
  • Tea from Assam:  This story follows two friends exploring tea estates in Assam, learning about the history and process of tea production.
• Theme: The overall theme is the diversity and richness of Indian culture. Each story showcases a different aspect of Indian life, from historical traditions to breathtaking landscapes and economic activities.
• Focus: The chapter doesn’t delve into deep historical or social analysis.  Instead, it offers a glimpse into the everyday lives, customs, and geographical variations within India.
• Purpose: The chapter aims to introduce students to the diverse tapestry of Indian experiences and spark their interest in learning more about the country.

Oral Comprehension Check 

1. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?

Ans : 

The elders in Goa, as depicted in the story “A Baker from Goa” from the chapter “Glimpses of India,” are nostalgic about the  good old Portuguese days and their famous bread loaves.

2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?

Ans : Yes, bread making is still popular in Goa. This is evident from the narrator’s statement that the eaters have gone away, leaving the makers behind. There are still mixers, moulders, and bakers who prepare the loaves, and the time-tested furnaces are still in use.

3. What is the baker called?

Ans : In the story “A Baker from Goa” from the chapter “Glimpses of India,” the baker is referred to as a “pader.” This is the traditional term used for bakers in Goa, particularly during the time period the story describes.

4. When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him?

Ans :The baker wasn’t just a morning visitor. He returned after selling out his bread, and the children eagerly awaited him both times – not for the loaves themselves, but for the special treats he carried, like bread bangles.

Oral Comprehension Check

1. Match the following. What is a must

1. as marriage gifts? – cakes and bolinhas

2. for a party or a feast? – sweet bread called bol

3. for a daughter’s engagement? – bread

4. for Christmas? – sandwiches

Ans :

1. as marriage gifts – sweet bread called bol

2. for a party or a feast – bread

3. for a daughter’s engagement – sandwiches

4. for Christmas – cakes and bolinhas

2. What did the bakers wear :

1. In the Portuguese days

2. When the author was young

Ans : 

1. In the Portuguese days: The bakers wore a unique outfit called a kabai. This was a single-piece long frock reaching down to their knees.
2. When the author was young: The description doesn’t mention a specific name for their clothing. It simply says they wore shirts and trousers, which were shorter than full-length pants but longer than half pants. This suggests a more modern and less distinctive outfit compared to the kabai worn during the Portuguese era.

3. Who invites the comment – “he is dressed like a pader” Why?

Ans : In the story “A Baker from Goa,” the comment “he is dressed like a pader” wouldn’t be directed at the baker himself  because a pader is the baker.

4. Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?

Ans :In the story “A Baker from Goa,” the baker recorded his monthly accounts in a rather unique way: on a wall in pencil.

5. What does a ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ mean?

Ans : The phrase “jackfruit-like appearance” is used to describe the baker’s physique.

Thinking About the Text 

Which of these statements are correct?

1. The pader was an important person in the village in old times.

2. Paders still exist in Goan villages.

3. The paders went away with the Portuguese.

4. The paders continue to wear a single-piece long frock.

5. Bread and cakes were an integral part of Goan life in the old days.

6. Traditional bread-baking is still a very profitable business.

7. Paders and their families starve in the present times.

Ans : 

1. Correct

2. Correct

3. Incorrect

4. Incorrect

5. Correct

6. Correct

7. Incorrect

2. Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?

Ans : Yes, bread is likely a staple in Goa. The story focuses on the baker, a key figure in the community, and his daily bread delivery route. This highlights bread’s importance in Goan diets. Even the children’s excitement for the baker suggests bread isn’t just sustenance, but potentially tied to happy memories and traditions.

3. Tick the right answer. What is the tone of the author when he says the following?

1. The thud and the jingle of the traditional baker ‘s bamboo can still be heard in some places, (nostalgic, hopeful, sad)

2. Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession, (nostalgic, hopeful, sad)

3. I still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves, (nostalgic, hopeful, naughty)

4. The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all. (naughty, angry, funny)

5. Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals, (sad, hopeful, matter-of-fact)

6. The baker dnd his family never starved. They always looked happy and prosperous, (matter-of-fact, hopeful, sad)

Ans : 

1. Nostalgic

2. Hopeful

3. Nostalgic

4. Funny

5. Matter-of-fact

6. Matter-of-fact

Thinking About The Text

1. Where is Coorg?

Ans : Coorg, also known by its administrative district name Kodagu, is located in the southwestern part of India. 

2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?

Ans : The origin of the Kodava people is a mystery. Theories suggest descent from Alexander’s army (Greek) or Arab traders. However, these lack strong evidence and might be fueled by cultural similarities. With limited written history, the Kodavas’ rich oral traditions leave space for such stories. Regardless, they have a unique culture shaped by their Coorg home.

3. What are some of the things you now know about?

1. the people of Coorg?

2. the main crop of Coorg?

3. the sports it offers to a tourists?

4. the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?

5. its distance from Bangalore and how to get there?

Ans : 

1. The people of Coorg: The people of Coorg are called Kodavas. Their exact origin is unclear, with stories suggesting descent from Greeks or Arabs, but there’s no strong evidence. They have a rich oral tradition and a unique culture shaped by their life in Coorg.
2. The main crop of Coorg: Coffee is the main crop of Coorg. The region is famous for its coffee estates and the high quality of coffee beans grown there.
3. Sports for tourists: Coorg offers a variety of adventure sports for tourists, including:
   • River rafting
   • Canoeing
   • Rappelling
   • Rock climbing
   • Mountain biking
   • Trekking
4. Animals you might see: Coorg is known for its wildlife. Here are some animals you might encounter:
   • Macaques
   • Malabar squirrels
   • Langurs
   • Slender lorises
   • Elephants
   • A variety of birds, bees, and butterflies
5. Distance from Bangalore and how to get there: Coorg is located around 250-260 kilometers from Bangalore.

4. Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)

1. During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (Para 2)

2. Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. (Para 3)

3. The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their son’s and father’s valour. (Para 4)

4. Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high energy adventure sports of Coorg. (Para 6)

5. The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (Para 3)

6. Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy. (Para 7)

Ans : 

1. to keep visitors away

2. As one story goes

3. are more than willing to recount

4. The most laidback individuals become converts to

5. draws support from

6. keep a watchful eye

Thinking About Language

Certain words ‘go together’. Such ‘word friends’ are called collocations. The collocation of a word is ‘the company it keeps’. For example, look at the paired sentences and phrases below. Which is a common collocation, and which one is odd? Strike out the odd sentence or phrase.

Questions.

1. ‘How old are you?’

‘How young are you?’

2. a pleasant person a pleasant pillow

Ans : 

1. How young are you?

2 .a pleasant pillow

1. Here are some nouns from the text,

‘culture’ ‘monks’ ‘surprise’ ‘experience’ ‘weather’ ‘tradition’

Work with a partner and discuss which of the nouns can collocate with which of the adjectives given below. The first one has been done for you.

‘unique’ ‘terrible’ ‘unforgettable’ ‘serious’ ‘ancient’ ‘wide’ ‘sudden’

Questions.

1. culture : unique culture, ancient culture

2. monks : _____________

3. surprise: ___________

4. experience: __________

5. weather: ___________

6. tradition: ___________

Ans : 

1. culture (already done): unique culture, ancient culture
2. monks: serious monks, ancient monks (depending on the context)
3. surprise: sudden surprise, unforgettable surprise
4. experience: unforgettable experience, unique experience, wide experience (depending on the context)
5. weather: terrible weather, sudden weather change
6. tradition: ancient tradition, unique tradition

2. Complete the following phrases from the text. For each phrase, can you find at least one other word that would fit into the blank?

                                            Missing                 Alternate word

1.  tales of                         __________         ___________

2.  coastal                         __________         ___________

3. a piece of                      __________         ___________

4.  evergreen                    __________        ___________

5. plantations                   __________         ___________

6. bridge                           __________        ___________

7.  wild                              ___________       ___________

Ans : 

Missing	Alternate Word
1. tales of valour	history, folklore
2. coastal town	village, city
3. a piece of heaven	paradise, sanctuary
4. evergreen rainforests	forests, jungles
5. plantations**	farms, fields
6. rope bridge	wooden, suspension
7. wild elephants	animals, beasts

Part III Tea from Assam

Thinking About Language   

Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a preposition (up, down, under, out, in). Use these words appropriately in the sentences below. You may consult a dictionary.

1. A heavy _____ has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.

2. Rakesh will _____ major surgery tomorrow morning.

3. My brother is responsible for the ____ of our family property.

4. The ____ rate for this accountancy course is very high.

5. She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a _____ interview.

Ans : 

1. A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal. (downpour = heavy rain)
2. Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning. (undergo = experience)
3. My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property. (upkeep = maintenance)
4. The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high. (dropout = someone who leaves a course)
5. She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview. (walk-in = an interview where no appointment is needed)

2. Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb given in brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.

‘over’ ‘by’ ‘through’ ‘out’ ‘up’ ‘down’

1. The Army attempted unsuccessfully to ____ the Government, (throw)

2. Scientists are on the brink of a major _____ in cancer research, (break)

3. The State Government plans to build a ____ for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway, (pass)

4.Gautama’s ____ on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow, (look)

5. Rakesh seemed unusually _____ after the game, (cast)

Ans : 

1. The Army attempted unsuccessfully to overthrow the Government. (throw) – Overthrow implies a complete takeover.
2. Scientists are on the brink of a major breakthrough in cancer research. (break) – Breakthrough suggests a significant advancement.
3. The State Government plans to build a bypass for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass) – Bypass indicates an alternative route around the city.
4. Gautama’s outlook on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow. (look) – Outlook refers to one’s perspective.
5. Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game. (cast) – Downcast means depressed or dejected.

Q. Think of suitable -ing or -ed adjectives to answer the following questions. You may also use words from those given above.

How would you describe

1. a good detective serial on television? ____

2. a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’? ____

3. how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? ____

4. how you feel when you open a present? ____

5. how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television? ____

6. the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue? ____

7. how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest? _____

8. the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen? _____

Ans : 

1. A good detective serial on television: gripping, suspenseful, intriguing (keeps you on the edge of your seat)
2. A debate on your favorite topic “Homework Should Be Banned”: heated, passionate, animated (shows strong feelings and arguments)
3. How you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain: restless, cooped-up, bored (lack of ability to go outside)
4. How you feel when you open a present: excited, surprised, delighted (positive emotions from receiving a gift)
5. How you feel when you watch your favorite program on television: entertained, relaxed, engrossed (enjoying the program fully)
6. The look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue: exasperated, patient, hopeful (depending on the length of the line and her personality)
7. How you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest: thrilled, cautious, alert (mixture of excitement and awareness of danger)
8. The story you have recently read or a film you have seen: thought-provoking, moving, captivating (depending on the story’s impact)

The Trees

The poem “The Trees” by Adrienne Rich, explores the themes of freedom and confinement, often using metaphors to depict the human desire for autonomy. Here’s a summary:

Setting and Characters:

• The poem describes trees trapped inside a house, possibly a greenhouse.
• The speaker observes the trees’ struggle to escape their confinement.

Key Events and Symbols:

• The trees’ “roots work all night” to break free from the floor.
• Their leaves yearn for the “glass,” their only connection to the outside world.
• The poem ends with a powerful image: the trees breaking the glass and escaping “into the night.” (This escape could be literal or symbolic.)

Possible Interpretations:

• The trees symbolize people or groups yearning for freedom. Their confinement could represent oppression, societal expectations, or any force that restricts their growth and expression.
• The poem can be seen as a feminist critique, with the trees representing women trapped in a patriarchal society.
• The ending suggests a potential for liberation and a return to nature, a place of belonging and growth.

Overall Tone:

The poem evokes a sense of yearning, frustration, and ultimately, hope for freedom.

Thinking about the Poem

I

1. Find, in the first stanza, three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest.

Ans : The three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest are a bird sitting on trees, insects hiding, and the sun burying its feet in the forest’s shadow.

2. What picture do these words create in your mind: “….. sun bury its feet in shadow…..1′? What could the poet mean by the sun’s ‘feet’?

Ans : 

Sun’s Feet: This is a personification, meaning the sun is given human qualities. Here, “feet” symbolize the sun’s rays that reach the ground.

Bury in Shadow: This phrase suggests that the sun’s rays are blocked by the cool shadows cast by the trees.

II

1. Where are the trees in the poem? What do their roots, their leaves and their twigs do?

Ans : In the poem, the trees are confined within the poet’s house. Their roots toil all night to free themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor. The leaves strive to reach the glass, pressing against it with great force in an attempt to break it, while the small twigs become rigid with effort.

2. What does the poet compare their branches to?

Ans : The poet compares the branches to newly discharged hospital patients. The large branches, cramped under the roof, rush stumblingly to the outside world once freed. In doing so, they appear half-shocked, much like patients who have waited a long time to leave the hospital.

III

1. How does the poet describe the moon:

(a) at the beginning of the third stanza, and

(b) at its end? What causes this change?

Ans : 

(a) Beginning of the Third Stanza:

The moon is described as “whole and bright,” “shining in the open sky on a fresh night.”

(b) End of the Third Stanza:

The moon is described as “a broken mirror, a shower of small fragments,” with the light “flashing at the top of the tallest oak tree.

2. What happens to the house when the trees move out of it?

Ans : The trees’ escape likely damages the house (broken floors, glass) and alters its atmosphere . The house might even lose its purpose without the trees.

3. Why do you think the poet does not mention “the departure of the forest from the house” in her letters? (Could it be that we are often silent about important happenings that are so unexpected that they embarrass us? Think about this again when you answer the next set of questions.)

Ans : The poet scarcely mentions “the departure of the forest from the house” in her letters because humans initially showed little concern for nature. She probably believes that no one would be interested in the trees’ efforts to free themselves. If people cared about the trees, they wouldn’t have destroyed them. It appears that only the poet can truly see and appreciate the beauty of the trees returning to the forest.

IV

Now that you have read the poem in detail, we can begin to ask what the poem might mean. Here are two suggestions. Can you think of others?

1. Does the poem present a conflict between man and nature? Compare it with A Tiger in the Zoo. Is the poet suggesting that plants and trees, used for ‘interior decoration’ in cities while forests are cut down, are ‘imprisoned1, and need to ‘break out’?

2. On the other hand, Adrienne Rich has been known to use trees as a metaphor for human beings: this is a recurrent image in her poetry. What new meanings emerge from the poem if you take its trees to be symbolic of this particular meaning?

Ans : 

1. Yes, the poem depicts a conflict between man and nature. Humans have continually harmed nature, often without realizing that this ultimately harms themselves. By cutting down forests for resources, much natural beauty has been destroyed. Keeping trees confined within walls denies them their natural habitat and freedom, which is why the trees strive to break free. Similarly, in the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo,” the poet illustrates that animals feel trapped in cages and long to be free and roam wild in the open.

2. If trees are used as a metaphor for human beings, the poem suggests that, like the trees, humans also desire to break free from the constraints imposed on them by life. Modern living, despite its physical comforts, has led to significant moral decline. Our lives have become busy, selfish, and greedy. Humans, too, yearn to enjoy the beauty of nature, to go out into the open, and experience true freedom, just like the trees.