NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English - The Bishop’s Candlesticks

Q1: Copy and complete the following paragraph about the theme of the play in pairs:
The play deals with a _______and _______ Bishop who is always
ready to lend a ________hand to anyone in distress. A _______
breaks into the Bishop’s house and is ________ and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop somewhat
_______the convict, but, when he
sees the silver candlesticks, he _______ them, and runs away. However, he is _______ and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a _______. The convict is _______ by this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest’s blessing.
Ans: The play deals with a kind and charitable Bishop who is always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in distress. A convict breaks into the Bishop’s house and is fed and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop somewhat confounds the convict, but, when he sees the silver candlesticks, he steals them, and runs away. However, he is arrested and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a gift. The convict is moved by this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest’s blessing.

Q2:  (a) Working in pairs give antonyms of the following words:

Ans:
(i) Kind-hearted − nasty, unkind, cruel
(ii) Unscrupulous −ethical, moral, good
(iii) Forgiving − censure, charge, punish
(iv) Stern − cheerful, funny, lenient
(v) Benevolent −greedy, malevolent, mean, selfish
(vi) Credulous −skeptical, suspecting, suspicious
(vii) Generous − greedy, mean, miserly
(viii) Pious -atheist, impious, irreligious
(ix) Suspicious −innocent, trustworthy, trusty
(x) Sympathetic −callous, merciless, uncaring, unconcerned
(xi) Understanding − misunderstanding, intolerant
(xii) Wild − civilized, controlled, delicate, gentle
(xiii) Innocent − bad, blamable, corrupt
(xiv) Penitent − happy, unashamed
(xv) Clever − awkward, foolish, idiotic, ignorant,
(xvi) Brutal −generous, humane, kind, nice
(xvii) Cunning −gullible, kind, naive
(xviii) Caring −disregarding, ignoring, neglecting
(xix) Sentimental − hard-hearted, indifferent, pragmatic, unemotional
(xx) Trusting-disagree, dispute, reject, renounce
(xxi) Protective −attacking, harmful, hurtful, injurious
(xxii) Concerned −happy, undisturbed, unperturbed
(xxiii) Honourable − not respectful, unhonourable
(xiv) Embittered −pleasant, content, genial

(b) Select words from the above box to describe the characters in the play as revealed by the following lines from the play.

Ans:

Q3: Answer the following questions briefly
(a) Do you think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars? Why/why not?
Ans: Yes, the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars because he was an ideal person. He could not bear the thought of an old and sick lady to be thrown out of the house due to non-payment of rent. He always helps people in times of need.

(b) Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick?
Ans: Persome felt that people pretended to be sick to take undue advantage of the Bishop. She was of very protective nature and pained to see that the entire humanity is turning upon them for charity and kindness.

(c) Who was Jeanette? What was the cause of her death?
Ans: Jeanette was the wife of the convict. She died due to illness and starvation.

(d) The convict says, “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” What does he mean by this statement?
Ans: The convict meant that he has is experienced so that he couldn't be misleaded. He ordered the Bishop to stay put because he couldn’t trust anyone not to report to the police and get him arrested.

(e) Why was the convict sent to prison? What was the punishment given to him?
Ans: The convict was sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread. He was sentenced to ten years in a prison hulk.

(f) Do you think the punishment given to the convict was justified? Why/ why not? Why is the convict eager to reach Paris?
Ans: The punishment given to the convict was not justified. It is too inhuman for someone who was caught stealing just to feed his sick wife. He was guilty of stealing only to feed his wife who was dying of starvation. But they showed him no mercy and treated him like a beast. They chained him like a wild animal, lashed him like a hound and fed him filth. He was covered with vermin and had to sleep on boards. This kind of treatment is inhuman and not justified.
The convict is eager to reach Paris because it was a big city and the Police would never be able to find him there. 

(g) Before leaving, the convict asks the Bishop to bless him. What brought about this change in him?
Ans: The Bishop’s benevolent, kind and caring attitude had brought about a change in the convict. That is why before leaving for Paris, he asks the Bishop to bless him.