The Eyes Have It (Ruskin Bond)/ WBCHSE

 

The Eyes Have It (Ruskin Bond)

1). “They seemed very anxious about her comfort” - Who were anxious? Whose comfort is referred to here? What is the context of the line? What were the suggestions given to the person spoken to?

The people who were anxious were likely the girl’s parents

The comfort being referred to here is that of the girl who is a co-passenger of the narrator.

The context of the line is that the girl’s parents were seeing her off on a train journey. They were worried about her well-being during the journey.

The suggestions given to the girl by her parents included detailed instructions on where to keep her things, when not to lean out of windows, and how to avoid speaking to strangers.

 

2). How did the girl’s entry change the consciousness of the speaker? What immediate guesses and reaction the writer made for?

The entry of the girl into the train compartment significantly changed the consciousness of the narrator in Ruskin Bond’s ‘The Eyes Have It’. The narrator, who is blind, was already aboard when the girl stepped on the train at Rohana1. He was intrigued by the sound of her slippers slapping against her heels2. Despite his blindness, he was able to form a favourable impression of her based on these sounds.

The narrator’s immediate reaction was to engage her in conversation. He found enough courage to start a conversation with her, despite initially pretending to be sighted1. He complimented her for having an interesting face3, which led to a casual conversation between them.

As for his guesses, he assumed that the couple who came to see the girl off were probably her parents4. He also had a strong desire to touch the young woman’s hair, wondering whether she kept her hair long or short and whether it was loose or tied up in a bun2. However, he was careful not to reveal his blindness to her.

 

3). Why was the girl startled Why did she show a little exclamation? 

In the short story ‘The Eyes Have It’ by Ruskin Bond, the girl was startled when the narrator spoke to her because she did not realize that there was someone else in the train compartment1. She was blind, just like the narrator, and was unaware of his presence1. This is why she gave a little exclamation

4). “Well, it, it always happens that people good eye sight fail to see what is right in front of them” - What is the context of the line? How can you connect it to everyday human living?

The line “Well, it, it always happens that people with good eyesight fail to see what is right in front of them” is a profound statement that reflects a common human tendency to overlook the obvious. In the context of the story ‘The Eyes Have It’ by Ruskin Bond, this line could be interpreted as a commentary on how people often miss what’s right in front of them, even when they have the ability to see.

 

Connecting this to everyday human living, it’s not uncommon for people to miss out on the beauty and opportunities that are right in front of them because they’re preoccupied with other things. This could be due to being distracted, focusing too much on the future or the past, or simply failing to appreciate what they have. This line serves as a reminder to be present and attentive to our surroundings, and to appreciate what we have while we have it. It’s a call for mindfulness and gratitude in our daily lives.

 

5). “I wondered if it would able to prevent her from discovering that I was blind” - Who wondered so? Why did the person refuse to disclose his identity?  What did the speaker do to prevent his disclosure?

The person who wondered if he would be able to prevent her from discovering that he was blind is the narrator of the story ‘The Eyes Have It’ by Ruskin Bond. The narrator is a blind man who shares a train compartment with a girl, also blind.

The narrator chose not to disclose his blindness for a few reasons. First, he wanted to maintain a sense of normalcy in his interaction with the girl. He didn’t want his blindness to become the focus of their conversation or to elicit sympathy. Second, he was intrigued by the girl and enjoyed their conversation, and he may have feared that revealing his blindness could change the dynamic.

To prevent his blindness from being discovered, the narrator made sure to only speak about things that were previously mentioned by the girl or her family, thus giving the impression that he could see. He also carefully listened to the sounds around him and used these auditory clues to make appropriate comments.

 

6). “I wondered if it would able to prevent her from discovering that I was blind” - Had the speaker been able to hide the fact that he was blind? How did he continue his game?

Yes, the narrator in Ruskin Bond’s ‘The Eyes Have It’ was able to hide the fact that he was blind from the girl. He did this by carefully listening to the sounds around him and making comments based on those sounds, thus giving the impression that he could see. For example, when the girl’s family mentioned the name of the upcoming station, he used that information to pretend he could see it approaching.

He continued his ‘game’ by maintaining a casual conversation with the girl, discussing common topics like face and hair, and never letting on that he was unable to see. His careful listening and thoughtful responses allowed him to successfully hide his blindness throughout their interaction.

 

7). Write about the talk the author and the girl made about the scenic beauty of Mussoorie? 

In the story ‘The Eyes Have It’ by Ruskin Bond, the author and the girl have a conversation about the scenic beauty of Mussoorie. The narrator, who is visiting Dehradun and Mussoorie, shares with the girl his fondness for the hilly tracts of Mussoorie in October.

 

He describes the beauty of the hills, rain, and flowers1. He mentions that in October, Mussoorie is quiet and the roads are mainly deserted because most of the tourists have gone. The hills are covered with wild dahlias, the sun is warm and lovely, and at night, you can drink coffee in front of a log fire.

The girl sighs as she also loves Mussoorie1. Despite their blindness, they both share a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of Mussoorie, which they remember from their past experiences4. Their conversation about Mussoorie’s scenic beauty is a poignant moment in the story.

 

8). “......she thought me a romantic fool” - Why would she think that the writer would be a romantic fool? 

In the short story ‘The Eyes Have It’ by Ruskin Bond, the narrator wonders if the girl thinks he is a romantic fool after he describes the beauty of Mussoorie in October. He tells her about the wild dahlias covering the hills, the delicious sun, and sitting in front of a log fire at night. He also mentions how the roads are quiet and almost deserted as most of the tourists have gone.

The narrator’s vivid and passionate description of Mussoorie might have made him appear as a romantic or dreamy individual. Since he was blind, his ability to describe the scenery so vividly might have seemed unusual or overly imaginative to the girl, leading her to possibly perceive him as a romantic fool.

 

9). “Then I made a mistake?” - What is the mistake here referred to? Was there really any mistake? How did the speaker get rid of his doubt?

In the short story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond, the narrator, who is blind, makes a mistake by asking the girl about the scenery outside the train window. This was considered a mistake because he was pretending to be sighted and a sighted person would not need to ask such a question.

However, whether it was truly a mistake is subjective. From the narrator’s perspective, it was a mistake because it could have revealed his blindness. But from another perspective, it could be seen as a simple question from one passenger to another.

The narrator’s doubt was cleared when the girl responded to his question by asking why he did not look out of the window himself. This response indicated to the narrator that the girl was also trying to hide her blindness.

 

10). “I faced it making a pretence of studying the landscape”- When and how did the person pretend? What did actually do instead of studying the landscape?

In the short story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond, the narrator, who is blind, pretends to study the landscape outside the train window. This happens when he is in the train compartment with a girl.

He faces the open window and makes a pretence of studying the landscape. In reality, being blind, he is not able to see the landscape. Instead, he is likely focusing on the sounds around him and the conversation with the girl.

 

11). “That always happen” - Who said this to whom? What is the context of the line? Find out the irony hidden in the line?

The line “That always happens” is said by the narrator of the story, “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond.

The context of this line is when a passenger from a running train always thinks that he is standing still while the trees outside are moving.

The irony in this line lies in the fact that the narrator, who is blind, is commenting on a visual experience that he himself cannot perceive. He is speaking from the perspective of sighted people, despite his own lack of sight. This adds a layer of complexity and irony to his observations.

 

12). “Do you find any animals?” - Who made this question to whom? What was the reply? How could the person spoken to give the answer?

In the short story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond, the girl asks to the writer if he sees any animals outside the train window. The writer replies that he does not see any animals as he knew earlier that there was hardly any animal left in the jungle of Dehra. Despite both of them being blind, they are able to carry on this conversation by pretending to see, which is a significant aspect of the story.

 

13). “I answered quite confidently” - Which question was answered to? What was then answer? How did the speaker become confident?

The question that was answered confidently by the narrator in “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond was when the girl asked if he saw any animals outside the train window. The narrator responded that he did not see any animals.

The narrator was able to answer confidently because he knew that there were hardly any animals left in the forest near Dehra. Despite his blindness, his knowledge about the environment allowed him to respond convincingly.

14). Do you think if there is any humour and irony in the conversation between the writer and the girl?  

Yes, there is both humour and irony in the conversation between the narrator and the girl in “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond.

The humour lies in the fact that both the narrator and the girl, who are blind, are pretending to see and are describing the scenery outside the train window123. They carry on a conversation as if they are both sighted, which creates a humorous situation.

The irony of the situation is that the narrator was trying to hide his blindness from a girl who was also blind4. The narrator only discovers the girl’s blindness after she has departed and another passenger has entered the compartment. This unexpected revelation at the end of the story adds an element of irony.

 

15). How did the writer try to flatter the girl? How did she receive the flattery? 

In the short story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond, the narrator tries to flatter the girl by telling her that she has an interesting face. He even praises her beauty by telling her that an interesting face could also be a pretty one. This is a clever use of language by the narrator, perhaps in an attempt to impress her.

The girl receives the flattery with a pleasant laugh. She assures the narrator that it’s nice to be told that she has an interesting face. She further mentions that she is tired of hearing people tell her that she has a pretty face. This response suggests that she appreciates the unique compliment and finds it refreshing compared to the usual comments about her looks.

 

16). “Few girls can resist flattery.” - Who thought so? What is the context of the line? Explain.

The line “Few girls can resist flattery” is a thought of the narrator in the short story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond. The context of this line is when the narrator, who is blind, is having a conversation with a girl in a train compartment.

The narrator tries to flatter the girl by telling her that she has an interesting face. He believes that flattery is something that few girls can resist. This remark was intended to engage the girl in conversation and perhaps make her feel good about herself. The girl responds to this flattery with a pleasant laugh, indicating that she appreciates the compliment.

 

17). “You have an interesting face.” - Who said this to whom How did the person spoken to react? How did the speaker mend his comment? 

In the short story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond, the narrator, who is blind, says to the girl, "You have an interesting face". The girl responds to this comment with a pleasant laugh4. She assures the narrator that it’s nice to be told that she has an interesting face.

The narrator then mends his comment by adding that an interesting face is often a pretty one. This is a clever use of language by the narrator, perhaps in an attempt to impress her.

 

18). “The thought of the laughter only made me feel troubled and lonely.” - Who experienced so? What does the statement suggest about the character? 

The line “The thought of laughter only made me feel troubled and lonely” is experienced by the narrator in the short story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond. The narrator had found the company of the girl very interesting. But he could enjoy her company only for a short while. The train was approaching Saharanpur and the girl would get off the train at Saharanpur. Once more, the narrator feared, he would be left lonely and alone. The thought made him melancholic.

This statement suggests that the narrator is a sensitive and introspective character. Despite his blindness, he is highly aware of his surroundings and his interactions with others. He cherishes the brief companionship with the girl and dreads the loneliness that will follow her departure. This reveals his longing for connection and his struggle with isolation.

 

19). “You are a very gallant young man” - Who said this and to whom? Why does the speaker make the line?

The line “You are a very gallant young man” is said by the girl to the blind man in the story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond. The girl makes this statement in response to the blind man’s comment that an interesting face can also be pretty.

 This exchange occurs during their conversation on the train, where both are trying to hide their blindness from each other. The girl appreciates the blind man’s gallantry and his ability to engage in a conversation without focusing on physical appearances.

 

20). “I was prepared to sit there almost any length of time.” - Who felt so? Why do you think the speaker felt so?

The speaker of the line “I was prepared to sit there almost any length of time” is the narrator of the story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond. The narrator is a blind man who is traveling by train. He says this line during his conversation with a girl he meets on the train.

The reason the speaker felt so could be attributed to a few factors. Firstly, as a visually impaired person, he might not have many opportunities for engaging conversations with strangers. The girl’s company could have been a pleasant change for him. Secondly, their conversation was interesting and meaningful, which might have made him willing to prolong it. Lastly, since both of them were trying to hide their blindness from each other, this added an element of intrigue to their interaction.

 

21). “She would forget our brief encounter?” - Who thought so? What is the pathos of the situation in the line?

The line “She would forget our brief encounter” is thought by the narrator in the story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond. The narrator is a blind man who has a brief but meaningful interaction with a girl on a train.

The pathos of the situation lies in the transient nature of their encounter and the unlikelihood of its recurrence. Despite the deep impression that this encounter leaves on the narrator, he is aware that it might not have the same impact on the girl. This understanding brings a sense of melancholy and unfulfilled longing to the situation. The narrator cherishes this brief encounter, but he also acknowledges the reality that the girl might soon forget about it. This poignant realization underscores the fleeting and often one-sided nature of such brief encounters.

 

22). “But it would stay with me for the rest of the journey” - Who felt so? What does ‘it’ refer to? Why does the speaker feel so?   

The line “But it would stay with me for the rest of the journey” is thought by the narrator in the story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond1. The ‘it’ in this context refers to the memory of his brief encounter with the girl on the train.

The narrator feels this way because, despite their conversation being brief and both of them being visually impaired, it was a meaningful and memorable interaction for him. The girl’s company, her voice, and their conversation left a deep impression on him2. As a blind person, such interactions might be rare for him, making this encounter all the more special. Therefore, he cherishes this memory and believes that it will stay with him for the rest of his journey.

 

23). “The voice had the sparkle of a mountain stream” - Who thinks so? Whose voice is referred to here? Why did the voice become so special? 

The line “The voice had the sparkle of a mountain stream” is thought by the narrator in the story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond. The voice referred to here is that of the girl who was the co-passenger of the narrator in the train compartment.

The voice became special to the narrator because, being blind, he could not discover the appearance of the girl, but he could feel her presence through her voice. He liked her voice so much that he metaphorically compared it to a mountain stream, which is as lively and delightful as the voice of the girl. This comparison indicates that her voice brought him joy and made their conversation enjoyable. The readers may assume that a bond of unspoken love developed between them out of inner compulsions.

 

24). Why did the writer describe the stopping of the train in detail? How does the change in the rhythm influence him? 

Ruskin Bond, the author of “The Eyes Have It”, describes the stopping of the train in detail to create a vivid sensory experience for the readers. As a visually impaired person, the narrator relies heavily on his other senses to perceive his surroundings. The detailed description of the train stopping allows readers to understand how the narrator experiences the world.

The change in rhythm influences him by signalling a change in his environment. The slowing down of the train’s rhythm indicates its arrival at a station, which brings new passengers into his compartment and changes the dynamics of his journey. This change in rhythm also builds anticipation for what’s to come next in the story.

 

25). What were the guesses of the narrator about the girl’s hair style? Was he able to know anything this thereafter?

The narrator, who is blind, makes several guesses about the girl’s hairstyle in the story “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond1. As the train approached Saharanpur and the girl began to collect her things, he wondered if she wore her hair in a bun, or if it was plaited1. He also considered the possibility that her hair was hanging loose over her shoulders or that it was cut very short.

However, he was not able to confirm his guesses. When he tried to touch her hair, he found that the girl had moved away. Later, when he asked his second fellow passenger about the girl’s hairstyle, the passenger was puzzled and could not provide an answer3. Thus, the narrator’s curiosity about the girl’s hairstyle remained unsatisfied.

 

26). How did the narrator describe the fascination for the girl? 

The narrator in “The Eyes Have It” by Ruskin Bond describes his fascination for the girl in a few ways:

 

Voice: The narrator is deeply attracted to the girl’s voice, which he describes as having the sparkle of a mountain stream. This comparison indicates that her voice brought him joy and made their conversation enjoyable.

Company: The narrator enjoys the girl’s company and wishes that their interaction could continue forever. He is disappointed when he learns that she would be getting off at Saharanpur.

Mystery: The narrator is intrigued by the mystery surrounding the girl. As a blind person, he can’t see her, so he makes guesses about her appearance, such as her hairstyle.

Connection: Despite their brief encounter, the narrator feels a deep connection with the girl. He cherishes their conversation and believes that the memory of it will stay with him for the rest of his journey.

These elements combined create a sense of fascination and longing in the narrator for the girl.

 

27). “I found the window and sat in front of it, staring into the daylight that was darkness for me” - Who says this? What was the occasion of the line? Why was daylight darkness to the speaker?

"The Eyes Have It” is written by Indian author Ruskin Bond. The speaker of this line is the protagonist, (the main character in a play) who remains unnamed throughout the story.

 

The occasion for this line is when the protagonist is traveling in a train and is sitting beside a window. The story revolves around a chance encounter between the protagonist and a fellow passenger, a young woman. The woman is blind, and the speaker does not reveal this fact to her. Instead, he engages in a playful conversation with her and describes the scenery outside the train window to her, even though she cannot see it.

The line signifies the irony in the story. While the protagonist is looking out of the window into the daylight, he sees it as "darkness" because he is keeping the truth about the woman's blindness from her. The daylight is darkness to him because he cannot be honest with her about the world outside the train. The story explores themes of perception, communication, and the way people sometimes hide the truth to spare others' feelings.

 

28). “” It could be a fascinating game, guessing what went on out there.” - Who makes the line? Name the engaging game? How could the guessing game help him to keep himself to keep himself from hard reality?

The line "It could be a fascinating game, guessing what went on out there" is made by the protagonist in the short story "The Eyes Have It" by Ruskin Bond.

The engaging game referred to in the line is the act of inventing stories and scenarios about the outside world for the blind woman sitting next to the protagonist in the train. The woman cannot see what's happening outside the window, so the protagonist describes the passing scenery to her and creates imaginative tales about the people and events he sees. He engages in this "guessing game" to keep her entertained during the journey.

 

This guessing game helps the protagonist to keep himself from confronting the hard reality of the woman's blindness and the limitations it imposes on her perception of the world. By creating these vivid descriptions and stories about the outside world, he can avoid directly acknowledging her blindness and the fact that she cannot experience the scenery herself. It's a way of protecting her feelings and avoiding a potentially uncomfortable or painful conversation about her condition, which he may feel reluctant to broach (to start talking about a particular subject).

 

29). “The man who entered the compartment broke into my reverie” - Who broke the reverie and whose reverie is referred to here? What was the reverie about? How did it come to an end? 

The line "The man who entered the compartment broke into my reverie" is from the short story "The Eyes Have It" by Ruskin Bond.

The "man who entered the compartment" refers to another passenger who comes into the train compartment where the protagonist and the blind woman are sitting.

The "reverie" mentioned in the line is that of the protagonist, the narrator of the story. His reverie likely refers to the imaginative game he was playing with the blind woman, where he was describing the passing scenery and creating fictional stories about what was happening outside the train.

The reverie comes to an end when the new passenger enters the compartment. His arrival interrupts the protagonist's storytelling and forces him to shift his attention away from the imaginative game he was engaged in. The story then takes a different turn as the new passenger initiates a conversation with the woman, which leads to a twist in the plot and a revelation about her condition. This event marks a significant turning point in the story, and the initial reverie about the outside world and the made-up stories comes to an end as the narrative evolves (Develops).

 

30). “I am not nearly as attractive a travelling companion as the one who just left?” -  Who makes the line about whom? Who had just left? What was the response of the person spoken to?

The line "I am not nearly as attractive a travelling companion as the one who just left?" is spoken by the new passenger who enters the train compartment. He is referring to the blind woman who was sitting with the protagonist before he arrived.

The person spoken to is the protagonist, who had been sitting with the blind woman and engaging in an imaginative guessing game about the outside world before the new passenger entered the compartment.

In response to the new passenger's remark, the protagonist feels a sense of relief and doesn't reveal to the new passenger that the woman was, in fact, blind. The protagonist decides to let the new passenger assume that he had been sitting with an attractive woman, keeping the secret of her blindness. This choice adds an element of irony to the story, as the protagonist continues to interact with the new passenger without correcting his assumption about the woman's appearance.

 

31). “I am not nearly as attractive a travelling companion as the one who just left?” - Why did the speaker say so? Describe the comparison between the person who just left and the speaker?  

The speaker in the line "I am not nearly as attractive a travelling companion as the one who just left?" makes this remark because they are referring to the blind woman who had been sitting with the protagonist before the new passenger entered the train compartment in the short story "The Eyes Have It" by Ruskin Bond.

The comparison between the person who just left (the blind woman) and the speaker (the new passenger) can be understood in a couple of ways:

Physical Attractiveness: The new passenger, who just entered the compartment, is implying that he does not consider himself as physically attractive as the woman who had just left. He is suggesting that the woman was an attractive companion, and he does not measure up to her in terms of physical appearance.

Alluring Company: Beyond physical appearance, the speaker may also be referring to the woman's personality and the engaging conversation that the protagonist had been having with her.

 

32). “She had beautiful eyes, but they were of no use to her” - Whose eyes are mentioned here? Why was the useless to her? Bring out the irony of the situation? 

The line "She had beautiful eyes, but they were of no use to her" refers to the eyes of the blind woman who was sitting with the protagonist in the short story "The Eyes Have It" by Ruskin Bond.

The irony in this situation lies in the fact that the woman has beautiful eyes, as described by the protagonist, but they are of no use to her because she is blind. The beauty of her eyes, a physical attribute typically associated with the ability to see and appreciate the world, is rendered useless due to her visual impairment. This creates a poignant and ironic contrast between her physical appearance and her actual condition. The irony underscores the theme of perception and misperception, as the protagonist keeps her blindness a secret and describes the outside world to her as if she can see it, while the new passenger assumes she is an attractive sighted woman.

 

33). Do you think the title of the poem “The Eyes Have It” is relevant one? Prove it. 

The title of the short story "The Eyes Have It" by Ruskin Bond is indeed a relevant and meaningful one. The title is a clever play on words, and it carries several layers of significance in the context of the story:

Irony: The title is ironic because it suggests that the story might be about the significance and power of sight or vision. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the central character, the blind woman, cannot see. This contrast between the title and the woman's condition highlights the theme of misperception and irony that runs throughout the narrative.

Misdirection: The title misdirects the reader's attention, just as the protagonist misdirects the new passenger by describing the outside world to the blind woman in vivid detail. The title leads the reader to assume the story is about the importance of vision when, in fact, it's about the misunderstandings and miscommunications that can arise from making assumptions based on appearances.

Central Theme: The title reflects the central theme of the story, which is the discrepancy between appearances and reality, the act of seeing versus truly understanding, and the way in which people often hide the truth to spare others' feelings.

In summary, the title "The Eyes Have It" is relevant. It serves as a subtle hint to the reader that appearances can be deceiving and that the story will explore the complexities of perception and misperception.

 

34). Bring out the use of irony in the story “The Eyes Have It”.

Irony is a prominent literary device in Ruskin Bond's short story "The Eyes Have It." Here are a few instances of irony in the story:

The Title: As mentioned in a previous response, the title itself is ironic. It suggests a story about the importance of sight or vision, but the central character is actually a blind woman. This creates a contrast between the title and the story's content.

The Protagonist's Deception: The protagonist engages in a playful guessing game with the blind woman, describing the outside world to her in vivid detail, even though she cannot see it. This creates dramatic irony because the reader knows the truth (that the woman is blind), while the new passenger and the protagonist's companion remain unaware. The protagonist's deception and the resultant irony drive the story's plot.

The New Passenger's Assumptions: When the new passenger enters the compartment, he assumes that the blind woman is an attractive sighted woman. This assumption is ironic because the reader knows that the woman's physical appearance is irrelevant to her, given her blindness. The new passenger's ignorance of the truth adds an element of situational irony.

The Unspoken Truth: The entire story revolves around what remains unspoken. The protagonist keeps the truth about the woman's blindness a secret, and the story's humour and irony derive from this lack of communication. The reader is aware of the truth, while the characters in the story remain in the dark.

The Ending: The story's resolution, where the new passenger shares his own story about "The Eyes Have It," adds a final layer of irony. The new passenger's story, though unrelated to the blind woman, reinforces the theme of misunderstanding and the way people make assumptions about what they see.

In "The Eyes Have It," irony serves to create humour and provoke thought about the disparities between appearance and reality, as well as the misunderstandings that can arise from failing to communicate honestly.

 

35). Write down the character of the writer of the story “The Eyes Have It” as you find here.

The character of the writer (or the protagonist, as the story is often narrated in the first person) in "The Eyes Have It" by Ruskin Bond is not given a name, and not much is revealed about their background. Here's what we can gather about the character based on the story:

Narrator/Protagonist: The character is the narrator of the story and serves as the protagonist. They are a traveller on a train, sharing a compartment with a blind woman.

Imaginative: The character is shown to be imaginative and quick-witted. They engage in an imaginative guessing game with the blind woman, describing the passing scenery to her and creating fictional stories about it.

Deceptive: The character hides the truth about the woman's blindness from the new passenger who enters the compartment. They maintain the deception to spare the woman's feelings and to keep the conversation light and entertaining.

Ironical: The character's narration is filled with irony. They make statements that are ironic, given the situation. For example, the character keeps describing the woman's beauty and attractive eyes even though she's blind, creating situational and dramatic irony.

Cautious: The character is cautious and considerate, carefully choosing their words and actions to maintain the illusion of the woman's sight. They do this out of kindness and a desire to keep the woman comfortable.

Adaptable: The character adapts to the changing dynamics in the train compartment, shifting their attention and narrative as the new passenger arrives and changes the course of the conversation.

The character is a central figure in the story, and their actions and choices drive the plot, emphasizing the themes of perception, misperception, and the complexities of human interaction.

 

36). Briefly discuss the character of the girl in the story “The Eyes Have It”.

In the short story "The Eyes Have It" by Ruskin Bond, the girl is a significant character, even though she remains unnamed. Here's a brief discussion of her character:

Blindness: The girl is blind, which is her most defining characteristic. She cannot see the world around her, and this disability shapes her experience and interaction with others.

Active Listener: Despite her blindness, the girl is portrayed as an active and engaged listener. She participates in the guessing game initiated by the protagonist, where he describes the passing scenery and creates fictional stories for her benefit. She responds to his descriptions with enthusiasm and interest.

Compassionate: The girl comes across as kind and compassionate. She appreciates the effort the protagonist is making to describe the world to her, and she enjoys the stories he invents.

Unaware of Deception: Throughout the story, the girl remains unaware of the fact that the protagonist is not being entirely truthful about her surroundings. She believes the stories he shares and seems to enjoy the experience.

Symbolic Role: The girl's character serves a symbolic role in the story, representing the theme of perception versus reality. Her blindness highlights how people often make assumptions based on appearances, and it underscores the irony and misunderstandings that can result from such assumptions.

While the girl's character is not extensively developed in the story, her presence is crucial in driving the plot and conveying the story's central themes of deception, irony, and the complexities of human communication.

 

37). “The story “The Eyes Have It” talks about the two eyes inner eyes and physical eyes” - Do you agree with the statement? State the reason.

The statement that "The Eyes Have It" talks about the two eyes, inner eyes, and physical eyes is a valid interpretation of the story. The story indeed explores the duality of perception through both inner and physical eyes. Here's why:

 

Physical Eyes: The physical eyes in the story refer to the protagonist's observations of the world outside the train, the descriptions he provides to the blind girl, and the physical appearance of the characters. The physical eyes represent the superficial or surface-level perceptions that people often rely on to make judgments and assumptions.

Inner Eyes: The inner eyes in the story symbolize the power of imagination and the ability to see beyond the physical. The blind girl may lack physical sight, but she demonstrates an inner vision and a capacity to appreciate the world through her mind's eye. The protagonist also uses his inner eyes to create imaginative stories for the girl, allowing her to "see" the world in her own way. The inner eyes emphasize the importance of understanding, empathy, and emotional perception beyond what can be seen with physical eyes.

The story's central theme revolves around the contrast between physical appearances and inner realities, as well as the irony and misperceptions that can arise when people rely solely on their physical eyes to judge others. Thus, the two types of "eyes" in the story are integral to its narrative, making the statement a valid interpretation of its content.

 

38). “All other sense organ works for in the absence of eyesight” Do you agree?

The statement "All other sense organs work for in the absence of eyesight" is a generalization that is not entirely accurate.

In the context of "The Eyes Have It" by Ruskin Bond, the story explores the idea that individuals who are blind can develop their other senses, particularly their sense of hearing, to compensate for their lack of vision. The blind girl in the story actively listens and engages in the guessing game with the protagonist, showing that her sense of hearing is highly developed.

However, the statement oversimplifies the complexities of human perception and adaptation. While individuals who are blind may rely more on their other senses, it doesn't mean that their other senses fully compensate for the loss of eyesight. Blindness is a unique and varied experience for each person, and not all blind individuals have the same sensory experiences or adaptations.

In summary, while the story "The Eyes Have It" highlights the reliance on other senses in the absence of eyesight, it's important to recognize that the relationship between the senses and blindness is more nuanced and individualized than the statement suggests.

 

Ganesh Sir 9088611116