TELEPHONE CONVERSATION

Q. Write a note on the theme of the poem “Telephone Conversation”

Ans: “Telephone Conversation” is a poem that satirizes racism. The speaker, who is black,
makes fun of a white landlady who won’t rent to the speaker until she knows whether the
speaker’s skin is “dark” or “light.” In contrast to the landlady’s simple, reductive ideas about
race, the speaker suggests that race and identity are complicated and multi-faceted.
Judging a person based on their skin color, the poem argues, is thus ignorant, illogical, and
dehumanizing.At first, the landlady seems ready to move forward with renting to the
speaker. But when the speaker makes a “self-confession” about being “African,” the
conversation abruptly shifts to a discussion of skin tone.
Clearly, the speaker understands how black people’s housing prospects are unfairly limited
by a racist society.Indeed, in response to this “confession” the landlady asks whether the
speaker’s skin is “light” or dark”—a question so absurd that the speaker briefly wonders if he
or she has “misheard.” The key thing that matters to her, then, is how black the speaker
looks. Instead of asking what the speaker does professionally, what the speaker's habits
are—that is, instead of treating the speaker like an actual human being and potential
tenant—the landlady reduces the speaker to a single attribute: skin color.
Racism, the poem thus makes clear, is inherently reductive and dehumanizing.As such, the
speaker refuses to answer the landlady’s question directly, instead offering a series of clever
replies that reveal the landlady’s question to be not just offensive but also utterly illogical.
The speaker also notes that the human body isn’t just one color: the speaker's face is
“brunette,” but the speaker's palms and foot soles are “peroxide blonde.” The speaker is
being deliberately tongue-in-cheek in the comparisons here, but the point is that race and
identity are far too complex to be reduced to a simple.
To sum up, the speaker doesn’t just criticize the landlady’s blatant racism, then, but also
critiques the way she thinks about race itself. In doing so, the speaker refuses to let the
complexity of human identity be reduced by the ignorant choice that the landlady offers. For
all the speaker’s ingenuity, however, the poem does not end on a triumphant note. As the
poem closes, the landlady is about to hang up on the speaker—suggesting that, as a white
person, she still holds the power in society to effectively silence the black speaker.
Q. Write a critical appreciation of the poem "Telephone Conversation".
Ans. "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka is a poignant poem that delves into themes
of racism, prejudice, and the power dynamics inherent in interpersonal communication. Set
against the backdrop of apartheid-era South Africa, the poem follows the speaker's
experience during a telephone conversation with a potential landlord as he attempts to
secure accommodation. Through vivid imagery and sharp wit, Soyinka masterfully captures
the absurdity and injustice of racial discrimination.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of irony to highlight the absurdity of
racism. The speaker, who is seeking accommodation, is met with initial enthusiasm from the
potential landlord over the phone. However, when the landlord learns of the speaker's race,
his tone changes abruptly, revealing his prejudiced attitudes. This sudden shift from
cordiality to hostility underscores the irrationality of judging someone based solely on their
skin color, exposing the inherent hypocrisy of racial discrimination.
Soyinka employs vivid imagery to evoke the speaker's emotions and experiences during the
conversation. The speaker describes himself as "an African" and "very dark" with a "West
African accent," highlighting the physical characteristics that make him a target of
discrimination. Additionally, the use of phrases such as "sepia" and "brash colonial pink" to
describe the landlord's face emphasizes the stark contrast between the speaker's blackness
and the landlord's whiteness, further underscoring the racial divide that exists in society.
Furthermore, the power dynamics at play in the poem are palpable. Despite the speaker's
attempts to assert his humanity and reason with the landlord, he is ultimately powerless in
the face of entrenched prejudice. The landlord's refusal to rent to him based solely on his
race serves as a stark reminder of the systemic inequalities that pervade society, where
individuals are judged not by their character or qualifications but by the color of their skin.
In conclusion, "Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka is a thought-provoking exploration
of racism and prejudice. Through its use of irony, vivid imagery, and keen insight into power
dynamics, the poem sheds light on the absurdity and injustice of racial discrimination,
forcing readers to confront the harsh realities of inequality in society.
Q. How is colour highlighted in the poem and why? List all the words in the poem that
suggest colour.
Ans. The different colours highlighted in the poem point to the difference between the poet
and the landlady in terms of the colour of their skin. The red colour describes the different
things which contain the red colour, like the double-tiered bus, the telephone booth and the
pillar box. It depicts the dark-skinned colour of the poet, who is not fair like the landlady. The
expression ‘gold-rolled’ explains the class to which the ‘fair-skinned’ people belong. The
different colours used in the poem are – Black, Red, Milk Chocolate, Gold, Blonde and
Brunette.
Q. What would ‘hide-and-speak’ mean?
Ans. The phrase ‘hide and speak’ is a clever pun on the name of the popular game ‘hide-and-
seek’. In the poem, the phrase refers to the awkward situation that the poet encounters
during the telephonic conversation. As the landlady obliquely inquires the racial identity of
the author by asking about the colour of his skin, the two are caught exchanging racially
loaded comments and blunt replies. The landlady tries to somewhat hide her true intention,
whereas the poet gives openly aggressive replies intended to condemn her racial prejudice.
The duo, thus, engage in a game of ‘hide’ and ‘speak’.
Q. There are intervals of silence in the interaction between the landlady and the prospective
tenant. What are the reasons for this?
Ans. The speaker tells the white landlady that he is a black man. She becomes silent after
this and then asks absurdly about the degree of blackness. The situation reveals the
hypocritical nature of people who have racially prejudiced minds. The white landlady wants
to appear decent and supportive towards the black person, but unfortunately, she harbours
feelings of bias against the race of black people. However, the speaker counters the
situation by confusing her about the colour of his skin. The white landlady is perplexed and
feels inferior to the intellect of the black person. The entire poem satirises the hypocritical
nature of the white landlady towards the black tenant looking for a room to rent.
Q. What happens at the end of the telephone conversation?
Ans. The entire time, the landlady tries to confirm the race of the black person. When she
finally knows about it, she decides to end the conversation. The black man tells the landlady
that some of his parts are not black, although he belongs to the African race. However, the
lady’s mind is clouded with prejudiced ideas about black people, so she refuses to listen to
anything else in the telephone conversation. The man could not convince her to meet him
and rent a room for him.

ATITHI
Q. What made Tarapada an almost ascetic who was totally detached from worldly affairs?
Discuss.
Answer: Tarapada’s not shown any intrest from worldly affairs and his sage-like life from his
innate restlessness and will for freedom. From a early young age, Tarapada exhibits a
unique dis-like in family bonds, This detachment is not due to disenchantment or negative
experiences; rather, it seems to be an intrinsic part of his nature.
His has left his family, despite their love and affection, and his unwillingness to settle down o,
suggest a deep-seated yearning for something beyond the ordinary experiences of domestic
life. He was a free mind man without any type boundation. Tarapada’s life is almost spiritual,
seeking a deeper understanding, sage like life or experience that cannot be found in general
living. This spiritual quest and his pursuit of freedom and new experiences lend him an
religious quality, making him away from regular worldly love.
Q. Sketch the character of Tarapado in the story "Atithi".
Ans. Tarapada, a central character in Rabindranath Tagore's "Atithi," embodies a complex
blend of traditional values, hospitality, and human frailties. His character is depicted with
depth and nuance, reflecting the author's keen insight into human nature.
At the outset, Tarapada appears as a typical householder, deeply entrenched in his daily
routine and familial responsibilities. He is portrayed as a devoted husband and a caring
father, diligently tending to his household chores and maintaining a harmonious family life.
His adherence to traditional customs and rituals underscores his rootedness in his cultural
heritage. Hospitality is a defining trait of Tarapada's character. When the unexpected guest,
Bhola, arrives at his doorstep, Tarapada extends a warm welcome, embodying the age-old
Indian tradition of 'atithi devo bhava' (the guest is equivalent to god). Despite his initial
apprehensions about Bhola's intentions, Tarapada graciously offers him shelter and food,
demonstrating his generosity and compassion.
However, beneath his outward façade of hospitality lies a sense of insecurity and
vulnerability. Tarapada's interactions with Bhola reveal his underlying fears of being
deceived or taken advantage of. His suspicion and mistrust reflect the anxieties of a man
struggling to safeguard his family's well-being in an uncertain world. As the narrative unfolds,
Tarapada's character undergoes a transformation, shaped by his encounters with Bhola.
Through their exchanges, Tarapada confronts his own biases and prejudices, gradually
overcoming his distrust to develop a deeper understanding of human nature. His journey of
self-discovery leads him to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every individual,
regardless of their social standing.
In the denouement of the story, Tarapada's character emerges as a symbol of resilience and
enlightenment. His willingness to embrace change and transcend his limitations epitomizes
the human capacity for growth and transformation. Ultimately, Tarapada's character
embodies Tagore's timeless message of universal love, compassion, and the triumph of the
human spirit over adversity.