THINK AS YOU
READ PAGE
57-59
1. Notice these words and expressions in
the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
Answer:
• Blew Over: Make a long,
vehement critique or accusation speech.
• Was Struck Dumb: Become
mute as a result of surprise or shock.
• Catapulted Into: To
launch or send forth.
• A Coat of Mail: Chain
mail, interconnected rings, or overlapping metal plates are used to create an
armored coat.
• Played Into Their Hands:
To act or behave in a way that benefits someone else (anopponent).
• The favorite Haunt: A
popular tourist destination.
• Heard a Bell Ringing: Affecting
an often hazy memory.
2. What does the writer mean by ‘the
fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up’?
Answer:
The heat produced by the make-up room lights made the actors in the make-up
room was very uncomfortable. As a result, the author mentions this discomfort.
A state of 'flaming misery' is described as trouble.
3. What is the example of national
integration that the author refers to?
Answer:
Gemini Studios' make-up department was an example of national integration.
According to the author, this is because people from various fields and
religious groups collaborated in the same department. The department was led by
a Bengali until he was succeeded by a Maharashtrian. Other aid included a
Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese, and
local Tamils.
4. What work did the ‘office boy’ do in
the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?
Answer:
The office boy does the make-up for the actors who performed in front of the
audience. On crowd shooting days, he mixed his paint in a large pot and applied
it quickly and noisily to the players' faces. He had gone to the studios with
the hopes of becoming a well-known actor, screenwriter, director, or lyricist.
He was unhappy because he had failed and was still a 'boy.'
5. Why did the author appear to be doing
nothing at the studios?
Answer: The author's job entailed cutting out and filing newspaper clippings on a variety of topics. Many of these must be written out by hand. He was simply ripping up newspapers, as witnessed by onlookers. As a result, he appeared to be oblivious to their presence.
THINK AS YOU
READ PAGE
61
1. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who
did he show his anger on?
Answer:
Despite a promising start, the office boy was let down by the fact that he was
still only an office boy. He had a good education and planned to write poetry
as well. On the other hand, his immense writing talent was being squandered. He
took out his rage on Kothamangalam Subbu, No. 2 at Gemini Studios.
2. Who was Subbu’s principal?
Answer:
Subbu's principal was Mr. S.S Vasan, the founder of Gemini Studios.
3. Subbu is described as a many-sided
genius. List four of his special abilities.
Answer:
Subbu had four distinct abilities:
(i) Subbu
could always maintain a pleasant demeanor.
(ii) His
sense of responsibility led him to devote all of his abilities to his
principal's benefit: filmmaking was a breeze with Subbu on the job.
(iii) He
was a poet and novelist as well. He was a phenomenal performer.
(iv) He
was a kind and generous person.
4. Why was the legal adviser referred to
as the opposite by others?
Answer:
The lawyer was employed by the Story Division. He was formally referred to as
the legal adviser. On the other hand, his actions did no one any good. He'd
inadvertently put the career of a promising young actress on hold. Others
dubbed him "the polar opposite" as a result.
5. What made the lawyer stand out from
the others at Gemini Studios?
Answer: Because of his lawyer's attire, he stood out from the crowd. On occasion, he wore a coat, a tie, and a trouser suit. Others wore khadi dhotis with ill-fitting white khaki shirts, which appeared to be the uniform of the day.
THINK AS YOU
READ PAGE
64
1. Did the people at Gemini Studios have
any particular political affiliations?
Answer:
The majority of the people at Gemini Studios were Gandhiji devotees who wore
khadi. They had no political ties other than khadi and the wearing of khadi.
However, they were all opposed to communism.
2. Why was the Moral Rearmament Army
welcomed at the Studios?
Answer:
The Moral Rearmament Army was a counter-communist organisation. Mr. Vasan and
the other Madras Big Bosses merely aided and abetted them. As a result, Gemini
Studios welcomed the Moral Rearmament Army with open arms.
3. Name one example to show that Gemini
Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA.
Answer:
The Madras and Tamil drama communities were greatly influenced by the MRA's
productions. For a few years, almost every Tamil play featured a sunrise and
sunset scene in the style of 'Jotham Valley,' complete with a bare stage, white
background curtain, and flute song.
4. Who was The Boss of Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Gemini Studios' boss was Mr. S.S Vasan.
5. What caused the lack of communication
between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The majority of the 600 or so people at Gemini Studios spoke Tamil. In his
native tongue, the Englishman addressed them. He had a peculiar lilt to his
voice. As a result, the Englishman and those who couldn't understand what he
was saying had a communication gap.
6. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred
to as an unexplained mystery?
Answer: The Englishman's visit to the Gemini Studios is referred to as an unexplained enigma because no one could figure out whether he was a poet or an editor. Furthermore, no one in the studio could understand what he was trying to say because his accent was too thick.
THINK AS YOU
READ PAGE
65
1. Who was the English visitor to the
studios?
Answer:
An Englishman named Stephen Spender paid a visit to the Gemini Studios. He was
a well-known twentieth-century English poet, essayist, and novelist, as well as
the editor of The Encounter, a British periodical.
2. How did the author discover who the
English visitor to the studios was?
Answer:
The author did some research on the English periodical The Encounter before
spending money on a short story contest sponsored by the publication. He went
to the British Council Library, where he learned that Stephen Spender, the poet
who had come to the studio earlier, was the editor of that journal.
3. What does ‘The God that Failed’ refer
to?
Answer:
Six well-known writers contributed six articles to 'The God That Failed,'
including Andre Gide, Richard Wright, Ignazio Silone, Arthur Koestler, Louis
Fischer, and Stephen Spender. "Their adventures into Communism and
beyond," the authors of each piece wrote in their unique essays, "their
disillusioned return"
UNDERSTANDING
THE TEXT PAGE
66
1. The author has used gentle humour to
point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to
make the piece interesting.
Answer:
In several places, the author used gentle humour, which adds to the story's
oddity. The make-up artists and pancakes, for example, were cleverly framed by
the author. Subbu had a fantastic point of view. It's incredible how he uses
his principle to solve problems. Similarly, the author has included gentle
humour in the office boy's frustrations, Gandhi's praise, the episode of an
illegal adviser causing an actress's career to end, anti-communism hatred, and
the mystery surrounding Stephen Spender.
2. Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered
No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Kothamangalam Subbu was able to secure the position closest to The Boss by
flattery. He wasn't particularly bright, but he was a cheerful individual who
was devoted to The Boss. When The Boss was stuck, he offered advice. As a result,
he was ranked second in Gemini Studios by his coworkers.
3. How does the author describe the
incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
With a typical provincial accent, the English poet spoke to the Tamil audience
at Gemini Studios in English. He was discussing the joys and tribulations of
being an English poet to a befuddled and silent audience. Because his audience
had no idea what he was saying, this was the inconsistency.
4. What do you understand about the
author’s literary inclinations from the account?
Answer: As evidenced by his book choices, his admiration for Stephen Spender, and the account's recurring theme of prose writings, the author was frequently interested in prose.
TALKING ABOUT
THE TEXT PAGE
66
Discuss in small groups taking off from
points in the text.
1. Film-production today has come a long
way from the early days of the Gemini Studios.
Answer:
Outdoor shooting used to make up only 5% of all shootings, but it now makes up
a much larger proportion of all shootings. Cameras and other technological
advancements allow for a more diverse and accurate presentation. The quality of
make-up has improved dramatically since the days of the Gemini Studios, when
the only pancake was used. Everyone involved in the various departments is an
expert in their field, whether it's the director, producer, scriptwriter,
lyricist, or performer. The overall quality of the film is more striking and
dynamic.
2. Poetry and films.
Answer:
In India, poetry and film are inextricably linked. Gemini Studios' employees
all claimed to have poetic abilities. The main cause was their monotonous and
carefree life at the studios. These people, on the other hand, lacked the
knowledge and education required to be poets. Unlike poetry, films can be
enjoyed by those who do not have the financial means to pursue a love of poetry
or literature.
3. Humour and Criticism.
Answer:
There are a few instances of subtle humour sprinkled throughout the story. On
the other hand, the amusing incidents raise interesting and pertinent questions
about people's behavior in general. A funny story will draw in more readers,
and a funny movie will draw in more viewers. This is due to the fact that they
provide entertainment and a break from the monotony of daily life. Because
humorous criticism is more effective than scathing criticism, writers and
filmmakers frequently include both humorous and scathing elements in their
work.
10. An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum Question Answer | |
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