Class 6 English Skylark Chapter 3 Question Answers - The Selfish Giant

Short Answer Questions

The main character is a selfish giant.

Q.2. Why does the giant build a wall around his garden?

The giant builds a wall around his garden to keep the children out.

Q.3. What happens to the garden after the giant builds the wall?

The garden falls into an eternal winter with no birds or blossoms.

Q.4. How do the children get back into the garden?

The children get back into the garden through a hole in the wall.

Q.5.  Why is the little boy crying in the garden?

The little boy is crying because he is too small to reach the branches of a tree still covered in snow.

Q.6. What does the giant do when he sees the little boy crying?

The giant helps the boy onto the tree.

Q.7. What does the giant realize after helping the little boy onto the tree?

The giant realizes how selfish he has been.

Q.8. What does the giant do after realizing how selfish he has been?

The giant knocks down the wall.

Q.9. What happens to the garden after the giant knocks down the wall?

The garden blooms and the birds sing once more.

Q.10. What is the main lesson of "The Selfish Giant"?

The main lesson of "The Selfish Giant" is the importance of kindness and selflessness.

Long Answer Questions

The central theme of "The Selfish Giant" is the importance of kindness and selflessness. The story shows how the giant's selfishness and greed cause him to isolate himself from the world around him, leading to a winter that never ends in his garden. However, when he learns to put the needs of others before his own, he is able to break down the walls that he has built and create a welcoming space for the children to play. Through this transformation, the story highlights the power of small acts of kindness and selflessness to bring about positive change in the world.

Q.2. What is the significance of the giant's initial reaction to the children playing in his garden, and how does his attitude change over the course of the story?

At the beginning of the story, the giant is selfish and possessive of his garden, and he drives the children away by building a wall and putting up a sign that says "trespassers will be prosecuted." This reaction symbolizes his isolation from the world and his inability to see the value of sharing and cooperation. However, over the course of the story, the giant's attitude changes as he begins to see the positive impact that his actions can have on others. He helps the boy onto the tree and breaks down the wall, realizing the error of his ways and learning the value of kindness and selflessness.

Q.3. How does the story of "The Selfish Giant" relate to larger themes of morality and ethics?

The story of "The Selfish Giant" is a moral tale that teaches important lessons about the nature of good and evil. Through the character of the giant, the story explores the consequences of selfishness and greed and the transformative power of kindness and selflessness. The story emphasizes the importance of treating others with compassion and respect and encourages readers to think critically about their own moral choices and values.

Q.4. What is the role of the children in the story, and how do they contribute to the larger themes of the narrative?

The children in "The Selfish Giant" are a symbol of innocence and joy, representing the positive impact that selflessness and generosity can have on the world. By playing in the garden and helping the giant to see the beauty and wonder of nature, they inspire him to break down the walls that he has built and open himself up to the world. The children also serve as a reminder of the importance of nurturing and protecting the next generation, highlighting the idea that our actions today can have a lasting impact on the future.

Q.5. How does "The Selfish Giant" reflect the values and beliefs of Oscar Wilde, and what message does the story convey about society as a whole?

"The Selfish Giant" reflects many of the values and beliefs that Oscar Wilde held dear, including the importance of beauty, art, and human connection. The story also reflects Wilde's critique of society's focus on material wealth and power, emphasizing the idea that true happiness comes not from possessions but from the relationships and connections that we form with others. Overall, the story conveys a message of hope and optimism, suggesting that even the most selfish and closed-off individuals can learn to open themselves up to the world and make a positive difference in the lives of others.