Lost Spring- Anees Jung: Guide notes and answers |CBSE Class 12

Q1)Write a short note on 'Life at Seemapuri'

Answer:- Although Seemapuri was a place on the ' periphery of Delhi' still metaphorically it was miles away from it. This was because of the poor living conditions available at Seemapuri which were far apart from the high class standard for living in Delhi. Delhi provide people with skyscraper, high-class lifestyle, furnished flat, proper drainage facilities and many more. On the contrary Seemapuri, the dwelling place for "squatter" from Bangladesh is a "wilderness" with structure of mud with roofs of tin and tarpaulin,devoid of sewage, drainage or running water facilities. They live without identity, without permits,only with ration card to get them into voter's list and enable to buy grains. Temporary house, demolished by storm and tattered clothes and sarees have been the fate of Seemapuri folk. Children grow up becoming partners of survival with destiny being rag-picking.

Q2) Justify the title "Lost spring".

Answer:-. The story "Lost spring" has a tinge of irony . Spring ,the best season and being full of colour, fragrance and freshness,it is also a season of renewal and growth . The childhood of human life is often likened to spring as it marks the beginning of human life and has a tremendous scope for growth. It is full of tenderness,joy, pleasure and plays. Children anywhere in the world are a source of great joy. But ironically millions of children like Saheb and Mukesh experience no spring in their lives for their childhood is consumed in making a living. Education,play and pleasure are not for them to enjoy. They must work to support themselves and their families. Thus the title brings out the depravity of child labour in a very telling way. So the title is justified.

Q3) What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?

Answer:-  Saheb, the rag-picker and one of the protagonist of the story is 'scrounging' for a rupee in the garbage which seems to be gold to them " wrapped in wonder". They have a hope to find more coin or sometimes even a ten rupees note.
           Saheb- e- alam resides in Seemapuri in the periphery of Delhi which is a 'wilderness' 'deviod of sewage or drainage',  etc.and without even identity.
            Saheb has come from Bangladesh and was a refugee.

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Two gentlemen of Verona - A.J.Cronin : Questions and answer| CBSE CLASS-X NCERT QUESTIONS

Q) Why didn't Luigi the driver approve of the two boys?

Answer: The driver didn't approve the narrator's decision to buy wild strawberries from the two boys because they were untidy and poorly dressed. Moreover they would get better strawberries in the city of Verona.

Q) Why were the narrator and his companion impressed by the two boys?

Answer: The narrator and his companion were impressed by the earnest appeal in the dark eyes of Nicola and Jacopo.

Q) Why was the author surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoe-shine boys?

Answer: The author was surprised to see Nicola and Jacopo working as shoe-shine boys, the previous day when he met them he thought they were fruit sellers.

Q) How were the boys useful to the author?

Answer: Nicola and Jacopo were extremely useful to the author. They were ready to buy him a pack of American cigarettes,book seats for the opera or find him the name of a good restaurant. They also helped the author as a tourist guide.

Q) Why were the boys in the square at night? What character traits are manifested?

Answer: Nicola and Jacopo were in that deserted square at night because they were waiting to sell the unsold newspaper to the passengers returning from Padua.
   The characters traits exhibited through this act are that the boys were diligent, determined and honest.

Q) What do you learn from "We are not complaining Sir"?

Answer: The two brothers Nicola and Jacopo were sincerely and honestly working hard to earn sufficient money for the medical expenses of their ailing sister, Lucia who was suffering from tuberculosis of spine. Since they were determined and diligent,they did not expect sympathy or help from anyone. They had no grievance about their I'll fate. So the boys replied rather humbly.

Q) Why didn't the boys disclose their problems?

Answer: The brothers, Nicola and Jacopo did not expect sympathy or help from anybody. They were brave enough to struggle against all odds, in order to fulfil their purpose of accumulating money for their sister Lucia's medical expenses. They proved to be quite matured and so they were evasive their plans.

Q) Justify the  title ' Two gentlemen of Verona' .

Answer: The two brothers Nicola and Jacopo braved the obstacles of life with utmost sincerity, diligence and honesty. They were rather precocious. These are true qualities of a gentleman. So the title is justified.