NCERT Solutions Class 11, English, Woven Words (Short Stories), Chapter- 2, A Pair of Mustachios
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. What do you understand of the natures of Ramanand and Azam Khan from the episode described?
Solution:
Ramanand, the grocer and the money lender, is quiet cunning and possess a servile nature that is fit for his business of selling groceries and money lending. He never gets angry but prevails on his customers like Azam Khan with cleverness and by provoking the so called pride. It is also evident that Ramanand regards his customers as always right at least in principle. So he always keeps his business first and pride secondary.
Azam Khan on the other hand is a victim of so called pride. He is still lost in the past glory of his forefathers. He is arrogant, full of anger and short sighted. He is ready to sell all his property for the sake of keeping Ramanand's moustaches down, which was suitable to his(Ramanand) class. Obviously Azam Khan is living in his past. He is impractical, short tempered and doesn't know what is good or bad for him.
2. Identify instances in the story that show the business acumen of Ramanand.
Solution:
Ramanand is a good businessman. His business acumen is evident from the fact that he readily agrees to lower his moustache on Azam Khan'request. But he lowers only one tip of his moustache just to cleverly provoke Khan to bring in more of his property for mortgage. Unlike Khan he never gets angry and keeps his business interests above all his priorities.
3. Both Ramanand and Azam Khan seem to have very fixed views. How does Ramanand score over Azam Khan towards the end of the story?
Solution:
Ramanand was a money-minded man who would agree to his customer. Was not this how he had built all his money? However, Azam was a man who lived by his worn-out pride, tracing his lineage that his father was a Sultan. He was proud in vain. He was determined that only a man who is the successor of a warrior or is associated with a royal house can have a Tiger moustache. And a money lender is supposed to have a goat moustache. Ramanand did agree to Azam every time and turned the tip of his moustache down to keep his customer happy while raising the other end to tempt him to return with another possession to bargain. Stubborn they both were in their trading and pride. It helped Ramanand to gain possessions while Azam became a pauper bargaining all that he possessed to feed his false pride.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Discuss the following in groups of three or four
1. The episode has been narrated in a light vein. What social mores does the author seem to ridicule?
Solution:
The author has mocked the society and its people who live in false pride of their community or lineage. How a fool who knows not of the practical matters and just to feed their image they go ahead auctioning their actual possessions. And such people are fooled by the smarter ones like Ramanand who bend but do not break. They alter their values according to the need of the situation but do not compromise entirely on their pride. They are the cunning ones who take advantage of fools who are stuffed with their worn out social status and forsake the present to protect the past. The author has ridiculed such people who weave their fall with their insensibilities.
2. What do you think are the reasons for the references made to the English people and the British monarchy?
Solution:
Indian society, unfortunately, is the one that takes pride in the language and culture of their rulers and not in their own rich and vibrant history. The nabobs and babus that were in British Raj are still looked up and are respected. Though the truth is that these are the people that ensured English Queen's authority on our land. The reference in the story of Mulk Raj Anand makes it clear. He cites an example of how the nabobs and generals in English army are to wear the prestigious lion moustache, which is worn by resplendent rajas and maharajas of our land. This makes clear how we Indians take pride in being slaves of Britishers.
3. What do you think is the message that the author seems to convey through the story?
Solution:
The author has tried to make a point that how people living by age old impractical values weave their own fall and create unnecessary disturbance in the society. One should evolve as the time advances and the society grows. Sticking to false pride is not what will bring prosperity to one. One must be cautious and keep a wide eye to see if one is taking advantage of their virtues.
APPRECIATION
1. Comment on the way in which the theme of the story has been introduced.
Solution:
The theme of the story-mustachios has been introduced in a scientific but light manner. In the beginning, it seems that it might be an essay on how Indians take pride on their style of moustaches. It is only later the reader realises the significance of the introduction. The author wisely served the reader with the detail description of the object around which the whole story will revolve. How men rise and fall by altering and sticking to their status symbols, such as moustachios.
2. How does the insertion of dialogue in the story contribute to its interest?
Solution:
It is rather incorrect to say that there is any insertion of dialogue in the story. The story is in the dialogue form in itself. However,, in the beginning, it is a little descriptive and the author alone goes on narrating the significance of the moustachios and the pride of different classes associated with their particular style of mustaches. However, it serves as an introduction to the actual story giving a picture to the reader of what values will because of various turns in events in the story.
LANGUAGE WORK
1. Nouveau riche and bourgeoise are French words. Collect from newspapers, magazines and other sources some more French words or expressions that are commonly used in English.
Solution:
T?e-t?e, entrepreneur, envelope, enclave are some French words in English.
2. Locate expressions in the text which reflect the Indian idiom, for example, the pride of the generations of his ancestors.
Solution:
Here are a few Indian idioms reflected in the text.
Seed of a donkey
To become a mere worm
Oily lentil-eaters
3. We ‘draw up a deed’. Complete the following phrases with appropriate words
a. ................ one's word
b. ................ one's will
c. ................ ends meet
d. ................ a loan
e. ................ a deaf ear to
Solution:
a. To give one's word
b. Carry out one's will
c. To make ends meet
d. To owe a loan
e. Give a deaf ear to
