Unit 1 Short Stories
Exercise
Understanding the text
Answer the following questions.
a. Describe how the young couple’s house looked like.
Answer 👉 The young couple's house was small and neat, with a little front garden and a kitchen garden at the back. The house was weatherboard and had a tin roof, and the front veranda was shaded by a frangipani tree.
b. How did the young couple recognize their neighbours in the beginning of their arrival?
Answer 👉 The young couple identified their neighbors by the sound of their voices and the sight of their clothes and movements.
c. How did the neighbours assist the young couple in the kitchen garden?
Answer 👉 The neighbors helped the young couple in the kitchen garden by bringing them manure, giving them advice on what to plant and how to care for it, and lending them tools.
d. Why were the people in the neighbourhood shocked at the role of the young man and his wife in their family?
Answer 👉 The people in the neighborhood were surprised at the role of the young man and his wife in their family because they did not conform to traditional gender roles. The young man did the cooking and housework while the woman worked in the garden and did odd jobs.
e. How did the neighbours respond when they learned about the woman’s pregnancy?
Answer 👉 The neighbors responded to the woman's pregnancy with excitement and offers of help. They gave her advice on pregnancy and childbirth, and some of the women gave her hand-me-down baby clothes.
f. Why did the young man begin to cry at the end of the story?
Answer 👉 The young man began to weep at the end of the story because he realized that he and his wife had become part of the community and had formed strong bonds with their neighbors. He was moved by the kindness and support they had received.
g. Why did the author not characterize the persons in the story with proper names?
Answer 👉 The author may have chosen not to give the characters proper names to emphasize the universality of their experiences. The story is not just about these particular people, but about the way that communities form and support each other. By leaving the characters nameless, the author makes the story more relatable to readers from different backgrounds and cultures.
Reference to the context
a. The story depicts that linguistic and cultural barriers do not create any obstacles in human relationships. Explain with some examples from this story where the neighbours have transcended such barriers.
Answer 👉 The story shows several instances where the neighbors have transcended linguistic and cultural barriers. For example, when the young couple first arrived, they did not speak the language of the neighborhood, but the neighbors were patient and kind and helped them learn. Also, when the young couple planted a pumpkin vine, the neighbors recognized it and taught them the local name for it. When the young woman became pregnant, the neighbors gave her advice on pregnancy and childbirth, even though their customs and practices may have been different.
b. The last sentence of the story says “The twentieth-century novel had not prepared him for this.” In your view, what differences did the young man find between twentieth-century novels and human relations?
Answer 👉 The young man found that twentieth-century novels did not prepare him for the depth of human relationships he experienced in his neighborhood. Unlike the characters in novels, who often have shallow or fleeting relationships, the young man and his wife formed deep and lasting bonds with their neighbors. The neighbors showed kindness, generosity, and support in a way that was unexpected and profound.
c. A Nepali proverb says “Neighbours are the companions for the wedding procession as well as for the funeral procession.” Does this proverb apply in the story? Justify.
Answer 👉 The Nepali proverb "Neighbors are companions for wedding procession as well as for funeral procession" applies to the story in a very literal sense. The neighbors in the story were present for the young couple's wedding and celebrated with them, and they were also there for the birth of their child and offered support and comfort. However, the proverb also applies in a broader sense, as the story shows that neighbors can be companions in all of life's ups and downs.
d. The author has dealt with an issue of multiculturalism in the story. Why do you think multiculturalism has become a major issue in the present world?
Answer 👉 Multiculturalism has become a major issue in the present world for several reasons. Firstly, globalization and advances in technology have made it easier for people to move around the world and for different cultures to interact. This has led to a mixing of cultures and increased diversity in many places. Secondly, issues such as immigration, refugee crises, and discrimination have brought the topic of multiculturalism to the forefront of many political and social debates. Thirdly, the recognition of the value of diversity and the importance of respecting and celebrating different cultures has become more widespread. The story "The Neighbors" shows the positive aspects of multiculturalism, where people of different cultures can come together, form relationships, and support each other. It also highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in building these relationships, and the potential for positive change when different cultures interact. However, it is important to acknowledge that multiculturalism can also present challenges and conflicts, and that it requires ongoing effort to build understanding and cooperation between cultures.
Reference beyond the text
a. Write an essay on Celebration of Childbirth in my Community.
Answer 👉 Childbirth is a momentous occasion that is celebrated in many cultures around the world. In my community, the arrival of a new baby is a cause for great celebration, and there are many customs and traditions that are observed to mark the occasion.
One of the most important rituals in my community is the naming ceremony, which usually takes place a few days after the birth. The parents choose a name for the baby, and family and friends gather to bless the child and offer gifts. In some cases, a priest or elder will perform a religious ceremony to formally welcome the baby into the community.
Another important tradition is the preparation of special foods for the new mother. In my community, it is believed that certain foods can help to nourish and strengthen the mother after childbirth. Some of these foods include soups, stews, and broths made with nutrient-rich ingredients like bone broth, vegetables, and herbs. Family and friends will often bring these foods to the new mother's home, as well as offer help with cooking, cleaning, and caring for the baby.
In addition to these traditions, there is also a strong sense of community support for new parents in my community. Friends and family members will often volunteer to help with childcare, offer advice on parenting, and provide emotional support during the early weeks and months of the baby's life. There are also many community resources available to new parents, such as parenting classes, support groups, and community centers that offer programs for young children.
Overall, the celebration of childbirth in my community is a joyous and inclusive occasion that emphasizes the importance of family, community, and tradition.
b. Do the people in your community respond with similar reactions upon the pregnancy and childbirth as depicted in the story? Give a couple of examples.
Answer 👉 Yes, the people in my community do respond with similar reactions upon pregnancy and childbirth as depicted in the story. For example, when a neighbor recently gave birth, there was a great outpouring of support from the community. Friends and family members brought food, offered to help with childcare, and visited the new mother to offer their congratulations.
Another example is when a young couple in my community announced their pregnancy. There was a lot of excitement and joy among their friends and family, who organized a baby shower and offered to help with preparing the nursery and buying baby supplies. Like in the story, there was a strong sense of community support and a recognition of the importance of welcoming new life into the world.
In both cases, the reactions of the community reflected a sense of connection and solidarity with the new parents, and a recognition of the importance of supporting families during times of transition and change. These reactions underscored the importance of community and tradition in the celebration of new life, and demonstrated the power of human relationships to bring people together in times of joy and celebration.
