Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6 Memories of Childhood question answer

Memories of Childhood questions and answers: Ncert Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6 Memories of Childhood

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Memories of Childhood Reading with Insight question answer

Question 1: The two accounts that you read above are based in two distant cultures. What is the commonality of theme found in both of them?

Answer 1: The autobiographical accounts in “Memories of Childhood” are written by two women from socially excluded groups in two different civilizations. The one emphasizes racial discrimination, while the other discusses the hierarchical Indian caste structure and untouchability. The first section details how the author, a Native American, was victimized by her boarding school’s European staff.

The second tale depicts the struggles and humiliations endured by a third-grade youngster from India’s “Dalit” community. Even though they are set in distinct countries, both stories have a common subject. They depict the misery and injustice that their particular communities are subjected to. Both authors condemn the practice of social stratification. At the request of Europeans who thought themselves superior to the Native Americans, Zitkala-hair Sa’s was “shingled.

” Untouchability was openly practiced in Bama, where people from the “lower castes” were considered impious and were not even allowed to touch people from the “upper castes.” Both Zitkala-Sa and Bama began protesting and opposing in their ways at a young age. They did not give in but instead chose to demonstrate against injustice and discrimination.

Question 2: It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted, but the seeds of rebellion are sowed early in life. Do you agree that injustice in any form cannot escape being noticed even by children?

Answer 2: Children are more sensitive and observant than the adults. They see, hear, feel and experience whatever happens around them. They are quick to note any deviation from the normal or any aberration.

Bama at first, thinks the behaviour of the elder of her community is quite funny. He is holding the packet by string and running with it awkwardly. But when she learns the reason of his behaviour in that particular manner her ire is aroused against the cruel, rich people of upper castes who shamelessly exploit them and heap humiliations on them. She is ready to rebel against the oppression by snatching the packet of vadai from the landlord and eating them herself. Her elder brother channelises her anger. He tells her to study with care and make progress. We see the seeds of rebellion in her.

Zitkala-Sa too shows that she has the seeds of rebellion in her even at an early age. Her friend Judewin tells her that the authorities are going to cut their long, heavy hair. She says that they have to submit, because they (authorities) are strong. But Zitkala-Sa rebels. She declares that she will not submit. She will struggle first. And, she does carry out her resolution. She hides herself to foil their attempt. When she is detected hiding under the bed and dragged out, she resists by kicking and scratching wildly. She is overpowered and tied fast in a chair, but she does not take things lying down. The spark of rebellion in her is not put out by oppression.

Question 3: Bama’s experience is that of a victim of the caste system. What kind of discrimination does Zitkala-Sa’s experience depict? What are their responses to their respective situations?

Answer 3: While Bama was subjected to caste discrimination and untouchability, Zitkala-Sa was a victim of racial prejudice. Zitkala-Sa was packed off to a European missionary school where, being a local tribal, she was looked down upon. Her precious, long and heavy hair, which was her pride, was shingled. She tried to resist with all her might but, ultimately, she was forced to give up her struggle.

On the contrary, Bama, who witnessed the malpractice of untouchability, decided to blur the difference of castes with the light of education. Under the guidance and supervision of her elder brother, she judiciously utilized her anger and sense of rebellion to study hard and outwit any form of prejudice. She understood that a social change would be possible only if these so-called lower castes make an effort to study and, thus, make progress.

It can easily be noticed that though both the protagonists tried to protest against the injustice they faced, the paths they chose are remarkably different. Through this journey of rebellion, Zitkala-Sa is forced to give in; on the contrary, Bama successfully implemented her brother’s advice to finally top in her class. While Zitkala-Sa continued to rebel by criticizing the evils of racial prejudice through her works, Bama opted for a more subtle way to carry forth her silent yet effective remonstration.