The Blanket

Q: How significant is the title of the story “The blanket”?

Ans: The title of the story is very significant as the whole story revolves around it. In the very
beginning we come to know about the blanket through Peter whose thoughts are fixed on it. To
see this blanket, Peter gets disturbed and comes to know that his Dad is sending Granddad to an
old age home finally. Here we come to know about the purpose of this blanket. Then, when the
girl becomes discourteous towards granddad on the cost of blanket, it shows that she values
money over relationship. At the end, Peter teaches lesson to his father in a very respectable and
sensible way by telling him to cut the blanket in two halves. In this way he achieves his purpose
of making his father realize about his mistake.
Q: Analyze the conflict in the story “The blanket”? How is it resolved?
Ans: There is the conflict in the story from the beginning and that is about the departure of
Granddad from home. It has disturbed Peter and Granddad and they are confused about the
future life. Peter is worried how he will spend these fine evenings without Granddad. He is
feeling sorry at his father’s decision of sending Granddad away from home while Granddad
consoles him and try to cope with the situation. This conflict is finally resolved when Peter asks
his father to cut the blanket into two halves and reveals his intention to do the same in future
with his own father. His father feels embarrassment for his conduct.
Q: Analyze the tone of the story “the Blanket”. Is it joyous or sorrowful?
Ans: The tone of the story is solemn, uneasy, sad and passionate. It is definitely sorrowful. The
author has used the sad tone to deliver facts which appeals the reader emotionally. It has created
a level of suspense with in the readers and they become sympathetic with the characters of Peter
and Granddad. In this way the author successfully teaches the value of relationship as our parents
make great sacrifices in our upbringing, therefore, when they grow old, they deserve our respect,
care and company.
Q: What attitude does Peter show about his Dad and Granddad?
Ans: Peter is very sensible and obedient child who shows his respect to his granddad and enjoys
in his company. He knows the value of blood relations and never wants to lose them. He wants to
spend more time with his Granddad and, therefore, he becomes sad on his leaving home. While
his feelings are not good towards his Dad because he can never believe that his Dad could send
his own father away from home when he need the care of his son and grandson. But he never
misbehaves even with his father, rather makes him realize his mistake in a sensible way.
Q: How is the theme of “ The Blanket” the theme of our disintegration of society as well?
Ans: The preservation of the family and relationships is very essential as it has far reaching
consequences. There is no pure happiness apart from what we get from being in a family and
with our close relations. This is the matter of cause and effect. The children who grow in
tradition and family values, they are more educated and prosperous. It also gives strength to
society at large. The society is disintegrated when our selfish interests overpower our values,
traditions and importance of blood relations. Our society needs to be reformed and it is only
possible when we give top priority to our family life, culture and civilization.
Q: If Peter had been exposed to the mass media, social media and internet would he have
developed the same intimacy with the grandfather as he did in the story? Elaborate.
Ans: The love for family and blood relations is something natural to man. Man can never ignore
his near relationships especially his parents, grandparents and siblings. It Peter had been living in
the age of social media still he would need the company of his grandfather as media can never
replace our near and dear one. We need the company of human beings around to help, cooperate
and console us in time of need. Even in this age of social media our children need us and take
guidance from their family values and relationships.
Q: Why does Peter’s dad get angry with the girl he is going to marry?
Ans: Peter’s Dad gets angry with the girl he is going to marry because she is distasteful about the
idea of giving such a marvelous gift to an old man. She values money over relationship and
becomes discourteous towards the Granddad when she sees such a fine blanket as a going away
gift. She repeatedly says that it must have cost pretty penny and such an old man does not need a
double blanket. On her rude behavior and cold remarks, Peter’s Dad gets angry at her.

The White Lamb

Q1: What arrangements were made by Navasard for the coming home of Arshak?

Ans: When Navasard heard that Arshak had come to village, he cleaned the yard with zeal, swept the
floor, terrace and the yard. He brought some kindling wood and stacked it by the outdoor fireplace. He
got his lamb ready to be slaughtered for Arshak’s meal. On the way back home, he picked watermelon
thinking that Arshak loved watermelons. Then he picked figs and packed them into a bright woven
basket. He borrowed the new tablecloth from the neighbours, covered the table, shook out the rug,
covered the couch and put a pillow on it. When it was sunset, he lit a good fire in the fireplace and clean
the skewers for shashlik. Then he went into the house, sat at the table and waited eagerly for Arshak.

Q: Why was Navasard so excited at the arrival of Arshak?

Ans: Navasard was so excited at the arrival of Arshak because Arshak was his whole world. He had no
living relatives left in the village. He did not have his own children and his wife had died many years
before.Arshak was the only son of his brother. His brother and sisiter in law had lost their life due to
hunger in the World War II. He brought up Arshak and loved him like his own son. Hi fulfilled all his
desires and even sold necessary things for his education and bright future. Now he was excited to see
him as an influential man who is socially and financially strong.
Q: Describe the plight of Navasard after the departure of Arshak without meeting him.

Ans: When the neighbouring woman told Navasard that his son Arshak was leaving, it seemed to him as
if the roof had come down on his head. He ran over to the low shed and climb to the roof. When he saw
his car speeding along the road, he broke from inside. When he walked down the path to the orchards,
his gait became unsteady. His eyes that stared at the ground seemed to sink and his back seemed more
stooped than ever.

Q: What is the central idea of the story ‘The White Lamb’ is this theme relevant to our culture as well?

Ans: The theme of the story is universal. It teaches us the value of relationships and tells us that parents
always treat us with patience and understanding. They give us proper time and enjoy in our company.
They make sure we have the best and sometimes they go beyond their limits to educate their children in
the best possible way. They provide unconditional love to their children but when the same parents
grow old they definitely need our care, love and company. It is natural that they do have some
expectations from us. After all sacrifices if parents do not get such love care, they suffer with mental
agony. The real education must teach us the value of relationships and how to respect our elders. This
theme is quite relevant to our culture as cultural conformity and family bonds are very strong in the
community. The parents contribute greatly to rising children and support them both financially and
emotionally throughout their life. Then in return they attach so many hopes with them too. They expect
to be kept in high esteem by their children.

OR

The central idea of this lesson is selfishness and thankless behavior of children towards their old parents.
When the children get higher posts and are perceived as successful persons, they start considering their
parents less important, unworthy of due respect and they often ignore them. Unfortunately, this is
becoming a prevailing trend in our cultures and societies that our children have no filial affection
towards their parents. However, we are far better than other societies in terms of respecting the old
members of the family.

Q: write down the plot of the story ‘The White Lamb’

Ans: The plot of the story is not complex but simple. In the beginning, we come to know about Navasard
and Arshak, The main characters. There is a conflict of meeting between Navasard and Arshak from the
very beginning. One starts expecting their meeting when Navasard goes back to village to see his son.
But climax occurs when the neighboring woman tells him that his son is meeting the chairman in his
house instead of coming home. This puts Navasard in a fix. There is a falling action when the same
neighboring woman wakes him and tells that his son is leaving the village. Then resolution comes where
we find Navasard going back to his routine work more dejected and disappointed.

Q: Compare and contrast the character of Navasard and Arshak.

Ans: Navasard is a very humble and simple man. He brings up his brother’s son, Arshak, like his own son.
He provides him with every facility of life and suffered for his prosperity. For the better education and
good life of Arshak he sends him to the city for university education. While on the other hand, Arshak is
selfish and takes everything for granted. He forgets the sacrifices of his father-like-uncle after getting
high social position in the society. He is so hard hearted that he does not bother to visit him and stays at
chairman’s house. He does not end the misery and poverty stricken life of his uncle which shows that he
is thankless and ungrateful man.

OR

Navasard is an old man while Arshak is young. Navasard is emotional and caring whereas Arshak is
ruthless and unconcerned. Navasard remembers even the minor details of the relationships. On the
other hand, Arshak has forgotten the bonds between Navasard and him. They both represent two
different social classes and the emerging trends of modernism where material benefits are more
important than relationships.

Q: ‘How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child’ Critically evaluate this
statement.

Ans: This statement by Shakespeare completely addresses the plot of this story. This story, ‘The white
Lamb’, revolves around the selfishness of a thankless child, Arshak. His father like uncle sacrifices every
comfort for his pleasure, dedicates his whole life for Arshak’s bright future. But Arshak, after becoming
an influential and rich man, does not even want to meet him. The old Navasard feels very dejected and
painful to face the ruthless behavior and thanklessness of Arshak. It is true that a thankless child is more
painful than the bite of a venomous snake.