The Little Girl | C7H7U1
Table of Contents
Thinking about the Text
I. Match the emotions in Column A with the items in Column B.
Column A (Emotions) | Column B (Events) |
---|---|
1. fear or terror | (iv) speaking to father |
2. glad sense of relief | (ii) noise of the carriage grows fainter |
3. a “funny” feeling, perhaps of understanding | (iv) speaking to the father |
II. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.
- Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Kezia was afraid of her father because he was strict, had a loud voice, and always scolded her, making her feel uncomfortable in his presence. - Who were the people in Kezia’s family?
The people in Kezia’s family were her father, mother, grandmother, and herself. - What was Kezia’s father’s routine:
- (i) before going to his office?
Before going to his office, Kezia’s father would give her a casual kiss and leave. - (ii) after coming back from his office?
After returning home, Kezia’s father would ask for tea, his slippers, and the newspaper, and then rest on the sofa. - (iii) on Sundays?
On Sundays, he would stretch out on the sofa, snoring loudly while sleeping.
- In what ways did Kezia’s grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better?
Kezia’s grandmother encouraged her to talk to her father by asking her to prepare a gift for him on his birthday and suggested that she stitch a pincushion for him.
III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each.
- Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen?
Kezia wanted to please her father by making a pincushion for his birthday. She stuffed it with bits of paper that she found in her father’s room. Unfortunately, those papers were important office documents, and her father became very angry with her. He punished her severely, despite her good intentions, because of the loss of important papers. - Kezia decides that there are “different kinds of fathers.” What kind of father was Mr Macdonald, and how was he different from Kezia’s father?
Mr. Macdonald was a kind, loving, and playful father who enjoyed spending time with his children. He played with them and made them feel comfortable around him. This was in stark contrast to Kezia’s father, who was strict, authoritative, and did not spend time playing with her. Kezia saw Mr. Macdonald as an ideal father, who was very different from her own. - How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?
Kezia started to see her father differently after an incident when she was afraid at night, and her father came to comfort her. She realized that beneath his strict exterior, he was caring and needed her love and understanding. When she saw him sleeping beside her, tired and vulnerable, she understood that he worked hard and had his own struggles, which made her feel sympathy for him.
Thinking about Language
I. Synonyms for Happiness
Look at the following sentence:
There was a glad sense of relief when she heard the noise of the carriage growing fainter…
Here, “glad” means happy. Some synonyms of “glad” are:
- happy
- pleased
- delighted
- thrilled
- overjoyed
These words indicate various degrees of happiness or excitement.
Thinking about Language
I. Use an appropriate word from the synonyms in the following sentences.
- (i) She was
delighted by the news of her brother’s wedding. (very pleased) - (ii) I was
thrilled to be invited to the party. (extremely pleased and excited) - (iii) She was
overjoyed at the birth of her granddaughter. (extremely happy) - (iv) The coach was
pleased with his performance. (satisfied about) - (v) She was very
happy with her results. (happy about something that has happened)
II. Study the use of the word “big” in the following sentences.
Let’s now interpret the meanings of “big” from the given sentences using dictionary meanings.
- (i) You are a big girl now.
Meaning: Older, grown-up. - (ii) Today you are going to make the biggest decision of your career.
Meaning: Most important. - (iii) Their project is full of big ideas.
Meaning: Ambitious or important ideas. - (iv) Cricket is a big game in our country.
Meaning: Popular, highly regarded. - (v) I am a big fan of Lata Mangeshkar.
Meaning: Greatly devoted, strong supporter. - (vi) You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater.
Meaning: Someone who eats a lot. - (vii) What a big heart you’ve got, Father dear.
Meaning: Kind and generous.
II. Verbs of Reporting
Verbs of reporting are used when quoting or paraphrasing what someone has said or thought. Let’s explore the examples you provided:
- “What!” screamed Mother.
(In this sentence, “screamed” is the reporting verb that shows how Mother expressed her words.) - “N-n-no,” she whispered.
(Here, “whispered” indicates how she spoke.) - “Sit up,” he ordered.
(In this case, “ordered” tells us how the command was given.)
Explanation of Reporting Verbs
Reporting verbs help us describe the tone, mood, or manner in which the speaker said something. Examples include words like asked, said, whispered, shouted, screamed, promised, and ordered. Each reporting verb can provide additional information on the emotional state of the speaker or the formality of the speech.
Example:
- He promised to help in my project.
(The reporting verb “promised” shows commitment or assurance.) - “How are you doing?” Seema asked.
(The reporting verb “asked” indicates that a question was being posed.)
Verbs of Reporting:
1. Underline the verbs of reporting in the following sentences:
(i) says
(ii) mentioned
(iii) told
(iv) answered
(v) wondered
(vi) told
(vii) apologised
2. Fill in the blanks using appropriate verbs of reporting:
(i) “I am not afraid,” remarked the woman.
(ii) “Leave me alone,” shouted my mother.
(iii) The children were complaining that the roads were crowded and noisy.
(iv) “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of chap after all,” replied the master.
(v) “Let’s go and look at the school ground,” suggested the sports teacher.
(vi) The traffic police ordered all the passers-by to keep off the road.
Speaking and Writing Discussion:
Discussion Questions:
- This story is not an Indian story. But do you think there are fathers, mothers, and grandmothers like the ones portrayed in the story in our own country?
Yes, there are certainly parents and grandparents in India who resemble the characters in “The Little Girl.” Fathers can be strict or disciplinarian, similar to Kezia’s father, who expects discipline and formality from his children. Mothers and grandmothers in India, like in the story, tend to provide emotional warmth and often act as mediators between children and strict fathers. Indian families place a strong emphasis on respect and authority within the household, which can sometimes create similar situations where children feel distanced from their parents, only to later realize the love and care beneath that strictness.
- Was Kezia’s father right to punish her? What kind of a person was he?
Kezia’s father was a strict disciplinarian, short-tempered, and undemonstrative in showing affection. He punished her because he was upset by the damage she had unknowingly caused to his important papers. While his punishment may seem harsh, it also reflected his misunderstanding of Kezia’s intentions. Despite his outward strictness, he did care for Kezia, which becomes evident when he comforts her during the storm, showing that he has a loving side as well. He was a responsible, hard-working man but struggled to express his emotions effectively.
Writing:
Has your life been different from or similar to Kezia’s when you were a child? How has your perception of your parents changed over time?
As a child, my life was somewhat similar to Kezia’s in certain aspects. My parents, like Kezia’s father, were strict and held high expectations for me, especially in terms of academics and discipline. As a child, I often found it difficult to communicate with my father, and I feared his disapproval just as Kezia did. However, over time, I began to understand that his strictness came from a place of care, just like Kezia realized later in the story.
As I grew older, my perception of my parents changed significantly. I began to see the challenges they faced, especially in balancing work, family, and personal sacrifices. I now understand that their actions were driven by a deep sense of responsibility, and though they might not have expressed their love overtly, their care was always present in the decisions they made for me. My relationship with them became more open, and we both became more understanding toward each other.
In my experience, the key to building a relationship based on understanding is communication. Taking the time to talk and listen to each other’s perspectives has helped bridge the gap between my parents and me. Today, I value their guidance even more and strive to maintain a relationship that is grounded in mutual respect and empathy.
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