CBSE Class 12 English Notes, Summary, Explanation

My Mother at Sixty Six

                                                                   - Kamala Das

1. "My Mother at Sixty Six" is a poem by Kamala Das
2. The poem describes an unfailing relationship between a daughter and her mother.
3. Nostalgia (Old Memories) and pain of separation is the background of the poem.
4. The poet has visited her mother in Cochin
5. She is returning in a car to the airport.
6. Her mother is by her side.
7. She is half-sleep and pale as a dead body.
8. The poet feels that soon her mother will die.
9. She tries to divert her mind.
10. She looks outside the car.
11. here is activity outside. Trees and children are running fast.
12. They reach the airport.
13. The poet again looks at her mother.
14. She is pale and cold
15. The poet promises to meet her mother again.
16. However, she feels guilt and pain inside.
17. Perhaps it may be her last meeting.

Short Question:

1. What is the name of the poet?
   
   The name of the poet is Kamala Das.
   
   
2. What is one word to mean lady poet?
   
   Poetess
   
   
3. What is the pen name of Kamala das?
   
   Mathavikutti
   
   
4. What does the poem express?
   
   The poem expresses the unfailing relationship between the author.
   
   
5. What is the setting or backdrop of the poem?
   
   Nostalgia and pain of separation
   
   
6. Why does the poet feel pain or ache?
   
   The Poet feel pain or ache because she thinks that her mother will die soon.
   
   
7. Where are mother and daughter proceeding to?
   
   Mother and Daughter are proceeding to Airport.
   
   
8. How does the poet's mother look like?
   
   The Poetess mother looks half asleep and pale as a dead body.
   
   
9. How does contrast the life inside the car with life outside
   
   Poet describes that mother is inactive. but the outside world active and youthful.
   
   
10. Tree sprinting - what is the poetic device used?
    
    Personification is the poetic device used.
    
    
11. Why is the poet's mother compared to "late winter moon"?
    
    The late winters moon will look like sull and surrounded by clouds like that the poetess mother dull and pale.
    
    
12. What do the parting words "see you Amma" mean?
    
    The parting word describes that it is an empty promise. The poet thinks it may be the last meeting.

The Interview

                                                                    - Christopher Silvester

Introduction:-

1. The essay is an extract from "Introduction to the Penguin Books Of Interviews".
2. It discusses the positive and negative side of Interviews.
3. Part 1, Discuss the Two different opinion about interviews.
4. It also discuss function, merits, and methods.
5. Part 2 is an extract from an interview of Umberto Eco.

Part 1

1. Interview is an new invention
2. It is invented 130 years ago.
3. Now, It is used in the field of journalism.
4. It has become an integral part of journalism.
5. Today everyone has to experience interview.
6. However, opinions about interviews differ.
7. Some claim it to be a source of truth.
8. Some say it is an Art.
9. However, some hate interviews.
10. They say it is an attack on privacy.
11. It diminishes their Personality.
12. Peoples are wounded by Interviews says, Naipaul.
13. Lewis says he was horrified by interviews.
14. Kipling considered it crime and immoral.
15. Wells thought it an ordeal.
16. Saul Bellow describes its like Thumbprints on his windpipe.
17. Yet interview occupies a place of pride and influence.

Part 2

1. Part II is an extract from n interview of Umberto Eco by Mukund Padmanaban of The Hindu.
2. He is the author of the popular novel "Name of the Rose".
3. It looks he is doing many things at a time.
4. But he says he is doing the same things.
5. Mostly his writing is philosophical.
6. He uses the empty space well.
7. That is the secret of his success.
8. Eco wants to be called an academician.
9. Mukund asks the reason for the success of "The name of the Rose".
10. Eco honestly replies it is a mystery even to him.
11. Perhaps the timing is the reason.
12. Hail it be written 10 years later or earlier would not have been a success.
13. Eco answers properly and modestly.
14. Hence he seems not against interview.

Short Question:

1. What is the lesson about?
   
   The lesson discusses the positive and negative ideas about Interviews. It also discuss a function and method of interview. Part 2 is an interview of Umberto Eco to Hindu reported Mukund Padmanaban it reveals the many side personality of Eco.
   
   
2. What are some of the positive views about interviews?
   
   • Interview is 130 years old invention.
   • It has become an integral part of Journalism.
   • It is considered an art. It is a source of truth and Information.
   
   
3. Why do some celebrities not like interviews?
   
   The celebrities think interview is an attack of their privacy they think they are victims of interviews. They Think interview decrease their personality. Naipaul Lewis, Kipling, Wells, and Saul bellow all these grad, great writers interview.
   
   
4. What are the belive in some primitive culture about viewing photographed?
   
   People from primitive Culture did not want to be photography. They taught it to be stealing their soun Again the thought it demonize them.

An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum

                                                                    - Stephen Spender

Stanza - I

1. The poet presents the pathetic picture of the elementary school classroom in a slum.
2. These children have pale faces.
3. Some are even diseased.
4. They are like uncarved weeds.
5. Their hair is in disorder.
6. They are burdened with poverty.
7. They have stunted growth.
8. A young boy is sitting in a dim classroom.
9. But he is drawing of squirrel's game.

Stanza - II

1. The school Walls are dirty.
2. Donation Pictures are hanging on the wall
3. The world map is meaningless to them.
4. Only the rich can go to other places.
5. But they are continued to slum.
6. What they see outside the window is their world.

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