BOYHOOD DAYS

I. Glossary.
1. induced – pursued
2. devour – here, read quickly and eagerly
3. Negro – member of a race with dark skin; after some political movements in
the 1960s, the word is now considered out of date and offensive

II. Answer the following questions.

1. What were the two issues that the coloured people discussed after gaining
freedom?
Ans: The two issues on which all coloured people agreed after attaining freedom
were about their name and their old plantations. It was decided that they must
change their last names to new ones and that they would leave their old
plantations for at least a few days to feel free.

2. Where did the narrator travel to? Why? What were the difficulties that they
faced during their travel?
Ans: The narrator and his mother travelled to the Kanawha Valley in West
Virginia from their plantation in Virginia. After the declaration of freedom, the
narrator’s father had asked them to come over. The journey was painful as the
children had to walk several hundred miles for many weeks. They slept in the
open air and cooked over a log fire.

3. ‘Our new house was worse than the one we had left on the old plantation in
Virginia.’ How was the new house worse? What was the culture in the new
surroundings?
Ans: Their new cabin in Malden was in the midst of a cluster of cabins without
hygiene. The cabins were dirty and the stench unbearable. Quarrels and fights
frequently broke out.

4. What were the difficulties that the coloured race faced in their desire to educate
their children?
Ans: As there were no schools for coloured children, the establishment was
fraught with difficulties. It was tough to find a teacher for the school. Paying for
the teacher and finding a residence was troublesome too.
5. The narrator’s mother was not schooled, yet was a very wise woman. Give
two reasons to justify this statement.
Ans: The narrator’s mother was wise as she appreciated the importance of
education in spite of being illiterate. She procured a spelling book for her son.
At school, when the narrator wanted a hat, she sewed one for him instead of
borrowing money to buy one. Her strength of character inspired the narrator.

6. ‘I think there are not many men in our country who have had the privilege of
naming themselves in the way that I have.’ Why would the teacher demand two
names? What is the privilege the narrator is talking about? How did the narrator
name himself?
Ans: The teacher demanded two names because the attendance register required
a first and a last name for every student. The narrator is talking about the privilege
of naming oneself.
The narrator named himself Booker Washington. As soon as he learnt that his
mother had named him Taliaferro, he made his full name Booker Taliaferro
Washington.

7. Washington’s family became free but that was not the end of his troubles.
Explain.
Ans: The freedom of coloured people lifted them out of their former misery. The
road to a better life was still full of obstacles, discouragements and temptations.
The introduction of education was a step in the direction of advancement.

8. As a member of the coloured race, how were the narrator’s experiences while
growing up different from other boys of his age?
Ans: The narrator felt that the experiences of white boys were different from the
experiences of black boys. While the white boy was expected to succeed in a
task, the black boy’s success came as a surprise. The black youth had to face
many obstacles in their path to succeed. Prejudice and presumptions about the
black community were a major setback.

9. This experience of a whole race beginning to go to school for the first time,
presents one of the most interesting studies in the development of any race. Do
you think education builds cultural bridges? How?
Ans: Education is the first step towards the development of any culture. The
advancement of a race is facilitated by education as it opens the doors to the
future. Culture is the social behavior of any society which focusses on the
knowledge of ethics, norms and traditions. Education helps in the establishment
of schools, colleges and universities. Education prepares the students to deal with
cultural ethics and norms and facilitates a better future.

III. Extra Questions.

1. What was Booker T. Washington’s childhood like?
Ans: Being the son of a newly freed slave, Booker T. Washington’s childhood
was filled with a lot of difficulties and obstacles. However, his determination to
excel and unconditional support from his loving mother, made him overcome the
privileges he lacked in his childhood.
2. Why did Booker T. Washington want to learn to read and write?
Ans: Booker T. Washington wanted to learn to read and write as he had an intense
longing to learn to read and he at least wanted to get enough education to enable
him to read newspapers.
3. Did the narrator’s mother play an important role in his life? Explain.
Ans: The narrator’s mother indeed played an important role in his life. This is
evident in her unconditional support extended to son when he made known his
desire to learn to read and write. She was quick to procure Webster’s book of
spellings which enabled the narrator learn alphabets. She was also wise enough
to make a cap for him. She was a woman of strength of character which inspired
the narrator.