CLASS 12 CBSE LITERATURE with suggested responses LONG QUESTIONS ....LETTER AND SPEECH related to POEMS

 Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words. 5

A   Imagine you are Pablo Neruda, the poet of Keeping Quiet. 

What advice might you offer to Robert Frost, the poet of A Roadside Stand, in the context of his conflicted emotions, as displayed in the given lines

The requisite lift of spirit has never been found,

Or so the voice of the country seems to complain,

I can’t help owning the great relief it would be

To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.

Pen down your advice, in a letter to Frost. 

You may begin this way:

Dear Robert

I recently read your poem, "A Roadside Stand," and...

You may end this way:

I hope this advice is helpful to you. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to support you.

Warmly

Pablo Neruda

OR

The different portrayals of women in the texts 'Aunt Jennifer's Tigers', 'Going Places', 'Lost Spring', and 'My Mother at Sixty-six' , offer insights into the experiences of women in society. 

You have been asked to address your peers and share-

→ the ways these portrayals highlight the diversity of the female experience.

→ the importance of understanding each individual woman's challenges and experiences.

Compose this draft, with reference to any three of these prescribed texts. listed above.

You may begin this way:

Good morning, everyone. 

As I analysed the allotted texts...

You may end this way.

To conclude, I’d like to say that ...

  Suggested response :

Dear Robert

I recently read your poem, "A Roadside Stand," and was struck by the conflicting emotions 

that you expressed towards the end. I understand that it can be difficult to make decisions 

when we are overwhelmed by our emotions.

In my own experience, I have found that taking a moment of stillness and reflection can be 

very helpful in gaining a deeper understanding of the situation and connecting with our own 

humanity and that of others. This is the message that I try to convey in my poem, "Keeping 

Quiet."

I would advise you to take a moment to be still and contemplative before making any 

decisions about the fate of the people at the roadside stand. By quieting your mind and being 

present in the moment, you may be able to understand their struggles and pain objectively, 

and gain a new perspective about your own place in the world too. I also feel that by breaking 

from your routine and taking a moment of stillness and reflection, you might gain a deeper 

understanding of the situation and make a more functional decision.

I believe that this moment of reflection could help you to see beyond your conflicting 

emotions. We are all human, after all, and before connecting with others, and resolving their 

issues, we must try to connect with our own selves to advice from a place of balance and 

calm.

I hope this advice is helpful to you. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to 

support you.

Warmly

Pablo Neruda

B. Suggested response :

Good morning, everyone.

As I analysed the allotted texts , I noticed that though each portrayal of women was unique, 

they all offered varied insights into the experiences of women in society. 

To begin with, Aunt Jennifer was portrayed as a victim of patriarchy, living in a world where 

women were expected to conform to societal norms and expectations and was unable to 

attain freedom and strength she desired, due to the limitations imposed upon her by society.

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In contrast, Sophie was portrayed as ambitious and determined to break free from societal 

norms. She refused to be limited by her gender and sought to challenge the restrictions 

placed upon her. Sophie's mother, on the other hand, from a generation prior, had chosen to 

conform and sacrifice her individuality to societal expectations.

Similarly in "Lost Spring," the grandmother and daughter-in-law, in Firozabad, were portrayed 

as resilient in the face of poverty and the societal constraints of their caste. However, unlike 

Sophie’s and Aunt Jennifer’s need to find an outlet, they found ways to make the best of their 

situation, despite the limitations placed upon them.

When we analyse the portrayal of the aged mother, in "My Mother at Sixty-six,", she is 

presented as vulnerable and in need of protection. Sadly, it does make one wonder about the 

unaddressed vulnerability of Sophie’s mother and the grandmother in “Lost Spring”. A point 

worth considering is that Kamala Das’ mother’s acceptance of her circumstances comes 

across as a voluntary decision, whereas that of the women in “Lost Spring” is a akin to 

resignation. 

These portrayals of women offer valuable insights into the experiences of women in our 

society -from victimization to the resilience in the face of poverty - and offer us important 

lessons about strength, vulnerability, and the need for empathy and respect. 

To conclude, I’d like to say that as readers, we can learn from their experiences and strive 

towards a more equitable and just society. These characters, stress that it is important to 

recognise the complexities of each woman’s experiences, and refrain from passing sweeping 

judgements as women are not a uniform group, but rather unique individuals.