Unit - 1 Short Stories
Chapter - 5. My Old Home
Lu XunQuestion Answer.....
Understanding the text
Summary
"My Old Home" is a short story written by Lu Xun, one of the most influential modern Chinese writers. The story is set in a small town in China and follows the protagonist, Shen Fu, as he returns to his hometown after many years of living abroad.
As Shen Fu walks through the town, he is struck by how everything has changed. The town that he remembers is gone, replaced by a modern city with tall buildings and busy streets. Despite the changes, Shen Fu tries to find the places that he remembers from his childhood. He visits the old temple where he used to play as a child and the river where he used to fish.
While walking along the river, Shen Fu sees a woman washing clothes in the water. He realizes that she is his childhood friend, Xiaoxuan, who he used to play with when he was a child. Shen Fu is struck by how beautiful Xiaoxuan has become, and he decides to visit her.
When Shen Fu arrives at Xiaoxuan's home, he is surprised to find that she is now married and has a child. Xiaoxuan is happy to see Shen Fu, but she is also sad because her husband is sick and she cannot afford to buy medicine for him. Shen Fu offers to help, and he gives Xiaoxuan some money to buy medicine.
After leaving Xiaoxuan's home, Shen Fu feels sad about the changes that have taken place in his hometown. He realizes that he no longer belongs there and that he has become a stranger in his own land. He decides to leave and return to the city where he now lives.
As Shen Fu is leaving the town, he sees a beggar on the side of the road. The beggar is one of his old schoolmates, and he is surprised to see Shen Fu. The beggar tells Shen Fu that he has been living on the streets for many years and that he has lost touch with all of his old friends. Shen Fu is moved by the beggar's story, and he gives him some money before leaving.
The story ends with Shen Fu on a train, reflecting on his trip back to his hometown. He realizes that he can never go back to the way things were and that he must accept the changes that have taken place. He also realizes that he must try to help the people who are still living in his old home and that he must never forget where he came from.
Answer the following questions.
a. How does the narrator describe his feeling at the arrival of his old home?
Answer 👉 The narrator in "My Old Home" describes his feeling at the arrival of his old home as one of both excitement and sadness. He is excited to see the place where he grew up, but he is also sad to see that so much has changed. He realizes that the town is no longer the same as he remembers it, and he feels like a stranger in his own hometown.
b. What were the three kinds of servants in China then? What does it indicate about contemporary Chinese society?
Answer 👉 In the story, Lu Xun describes the three kinds of servants in China at the time: those who worked for the rich, those who worked for the government, and those who worked for the common people. This indicates that there was a clear class system in contemporary Chinese society, with the rich and the government officials at the top and the common people at the bottom.
c. What makes the narrator nostalgic? What did he do with Runtu in his teenage years?
Answer 👉 The narrator in "My Old Home" is nostalgic for his childhood and the memories he has of growing up in his hometown. He remembers spending time with his friend Runtu, playing by the river and hunting for animals. The memories of his teenage years with Runtu evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time.
d. How did Runtu hunt a Zha in his young age?
Answer 👉 The narrator recalls how Runtu hunted a Zha in his young age. Runtu was a skilled hunter, and he used his knowledge of the animal's behavior and habitat to track it down. The Zha was a particularly elusive animal, and Runtu's success in catching it was seen as a great accomplishment.
e. How does the narrator make a humorous picture of Mrs. Yang?
Answer 👉 The narrator in "My Old Home" makes a humorous picture of Mrs. Yang by describing her as having a "tiger's waist and a bear's paw." This description is both humorous and exaggerated, and it helps to create a vivid image of Mrs. Yang in the reader's mind.
f. According to the narrator, what were different factors that made Runtu a poor man throughout his life?
Answer 👉According to the narrator, Runtu was a poor man throughout his life for several reasons. He was not well-educated, and he was often taken advantage of by those who were more powerful than he was. He also had a habit of drinking, which often got him into trouble and prevented him from being successful.
g. How does the narrator help Runtu before leaving the old home?
Answer 👉 Before leaving his old home, the narrator in "My Old Home" helps Runtu by giving him some money. This money is meant to help Runtu's family, who are struggling to make ends meet. The narrator's act of kindness shows that he has not forgotten where he came from and that he is still connected to the people who live in his old home.
h. How does the author differentiate two kinds of idols?
Answer 👉 In "My Old Home," Lu Xun differentiates between two kinds of idols: those that are worshipped by the people and those that are created by the people themselves. The idols that are worshipped by the people are often powerful figures like emperors or gods, while the idols that are created by the people themselves are often flawed and imperfect. The author suggests that the latter type of idol is more honest and more true to life, and that it reflects the struggles and imperfections of the human condition.
Reference to the context
a. While reading the friendship between the narrator and Runtu, Hindu readers remember the friendship between Krishna and Sudama. Which particular description reminds you of the mythological example?
Answer 👉 In "My Old Home," the friendship between the narrator and Runtu may remind Hindu readers of the friendship between Krishna and Sudama. One particular description that may bring this mythological example to mind is when the narrator describes how Runtu hunted a Zha in his young age. This description of Runtu's hunting skills and his bravery in the face of danger may remind readers of Krishna's heroic deeds.
b. How does the story support the proposition that the relationships of childhood are innocent, impartial and disinterested?
The story "My Old Home" supports the proposition that the relationships of childhood are innocent, impartial, and disinterested in several ways. Firstly, the narrator's nostalgic memories of his childhood with Runtu evoke a sense of innocence and purity. The two friends spent their time playing by the river and hunting animals, which are innocent activities that do not involve any ulterior motives. Additionally, the fact that the narrator helps Runtu before leaving his old home demonstrates the disinterested nature of their relationship. The narrator gives Runtu money to help his family, even though he has no personal gain or motive for doing so.
c. After reading the story, what inferences can you make about the contemporary Chinese economic and social system?
"My Old Home" offers several inferences about contemporary Chinese economic and social systems. Firstly, the story suggests that there was a clear class system in China at the time, with the rich and the government officials at the top and the common people at the bottom. Runtu's poverty and struggles to make ends meet are a reflection of this economic and social hierarchy. Additionally, the fact that Runtu had to work as a servant for the wealthy Yang family suggests that there were limited economic opportunities for common people in China at the time.
d. What does the story indicate about the geographical features of the narrator’s hometown?
The story "My Old Home" offers some insights into the geographical features of the narrator's hometown. The fact that the town is located near a river is an important aspect of the story. The river is a central location where the narrator and Runtu spent much of their time as children. The river is also important for hunting, as many animals come to the river to drink. Additionally, the fact that the narrator refers to the town as being in a "remote" location suggests that it may have been isolated from other parts of China and that life there was somewhat cut off from the rest of the world.
Reference beyond the text
a. Human beings are on the road from time immemorial, always migrating to new places. Write an essay on The Trend of Migration in Nepal in about 300 words.
The Trend of Migration in Nepal
The trend of migration is not new in Nepal. People in Nepal have been migrating from one place to another for various reasons, including economic, social, political, and environmental factors. Migration within Nepal is called internal migration, and migration outside Nepal is referred to as international migration.
Economic factors such as poverty, lack of job opportunities, and better wages and employment opportunities in urban areas have driven many Nepalese to migrate from rural to urban areas. Social factors such as marriage, education, and family reasons have also played a significant role in migration. Many people move to cities for better education and marriage prospects. Political factors such as conflict and unrest have also caused many Nepalese to migrate to other countries in search of safety and security.
Environmental factors such as natural disasters and climate change have also contributed to migration in Nepal. The country is prone to natural disasters such as landslides, floods, and earthquakes. The increasing frequency of natural disasters and their impact on livelihoods has forced many people to leave their homes in search of safety and stability.
Migration has both positive and negative impacts on society. It can lead to economic development, cultural exchange, and the transfer of knowledge and skills. However, migration can also lead to social and cultural disruptions and can result in a loss of skilled labor and brain drain.
b. Find one of your relatives or friends, who has migrated to a new place leaving his/her old home. Talk to him/her and prepare a report on what he/she felt while leaving the old home.
I spoke to my friend who had to leave his old home and migrate to a new city due to work reasons. He shared that leaving his old home was one of the hardest things he had to do. He had spent his entire life in his hometown and had formed strong bonds with his family, friends, and community.
Leaving his old home meant leaving behind all those relationships and starting anew in an unfamiliar place. He felt a sense of loss and disorientation at first, but he soon realized that the move was necessary for his career growth and personal development.
He shared that the process of adjusting to a new environment was not easy, and it took some time for him to feel at home in his new city. He had to learn new customs, make new friends, and adjust to a new work culture. However, he was able to adapt and embrace the new experiences and opportunities that came with the move.
Overall, my friend's experience highlights the challenges and opportunities that come with migration. Leaving an old home can be difficult, but it can also lead to personal and professional growth and new opportunities for the future.
All Class 12 English Book Solution Link Unitwise
Section I : Language Development
Section II : Literature
Unit - 1 Short Stories
Unit - 2 Poems
Unit - 3 Essays
Unit - 4 One Act Plays
