Long Answers - Chapter - 3, Three Men in a Boat | English Class 9 PDF Download

Long Answers Type Questions - 

Q1. Narrate the humour in the episode of Uncle Podger in your own words.

Ans. The episode shows Uncle Podger trying to hang a picture on the wall. He wants all the family members to help him in the task. He entrusts everybody with some duty and when everything has been arranged, he lifts up the picture but drops it accidentally and in an attempt to save it, cuts his hand and then runs around the whole house to find his handkerchief which he kept in the pocket of his coat. He forgets that the coat was put on the chair and he himself was sitting on it. In his second attempt to hang the picture he falls down on the piano; and smashes his thumb rather than the nail with the hammer in his third attempt. Now he drops the nail, forgets where the hammer is then he loses the sight of the mark he had made on the wall, cries for the children to help and then he rebukes them all for being careless and boasts he is more intelligent than others.

Q2. Why was the first list discarded? At this time, which opinion of George     surprised Jim and why?

Ans. The first list, prepared by George and Jim was too long, so it was discarded. George suggested that instead of thinking of those things which they would like to have, they should think only those things which they cannot do without. This opinion, a sensible opinion of George, surprised Jim.

Q3. As per Jim what do we actually need in life?

Ans. Jim (the writer) suggests us that we need more less than we pile in our  houses. We should store only what we need– a homely home and simple pleasures, one or two friends, someone to love and someone to love you, a cat, a dog, and a pipe or two, enough to eat and enough to wear, and a little more than enough to drink, for thirst (drinking too much) is a dangerous thing. According to him, excessive pilling of luxuries is nothing more than a ‘lumber’.

Q4. Explain how does Jim compare boat of life with a “loaded boat”?

Ans. Jim compares man’s life with a boat. It is easy to row it if it is light. So we should not overload it with luxuries. We starve for things that give us comfort and we hoard them without need. These unnecessary things make it so cumbersome and dangerous to manage that we never know a moment’s freedom from anxiety and care. The writer suggests that we should not store the boat of our life with foolish things which we think to be essential for our pleasure and comfort, but which are really only useless lumber.

Q1. Analyse the character of Uncle Podger in your own words.

Ans. Uncle Podger’s episode evokes both irritation as well as humour. He seems to have a superiority complex and looks down upon other’s abilities. He claims to be the only person who knows how to do a job with a perfect finish. But he seems to be unable to do anything independently as he employs every member of his family in the task and delegates different duties to all of them. He keeps them on their toes but unfortunately drops the picture himself and cut his hand when everything was arranged. He is forgetful also and does not remember where he put the hammer. He forgets where he left his coat but expects others that they must remember it. He drops the nail and forgets the mark where it was to be fixed and makes a fool of himself. However his deeds amuse the readers but his arrogance irritates them.

The episode shows Uncle Podger trying to hang a picture on the wall. He wants all the family members to help him in the task. He entrusts everybody with some duty and when everything has been arranged, he lifts up the picture but drops it accidentally and in an attempt to save it, cuts his hand and then runs around the whole house to find his handkerchief which he kept in the pocket of his coat. He forgets that the coat was put on the chair and he himself was sitting on it. In his second attempt to hang the picture he falls down on the piano; and smashes his thumb rather than the nail with the hammer in his third attempt. Now he drops the nail, forgets where the hammer is then he loses the sight of the mark he had made on the wall, cries for the children to help and then he rebukes them all for being careless and boasts he is more intelligent than others.

Q2. What philosophy of life do you get in the chapter?

Ans. In this chapter the writer turns a philosopher when he discusses how people load their boat of life with unnecessary stuff. They hoard things and fill up their houses just to show off. He compares the boat to life and says if we keep our life-boat lighter and free of clutter and if we load it with things necessary to sustain our lives, it would be quite easy to steer it ahead. The reader fully agrees with this philosophy. It is we who disrupt the smooth sailing of our boat of life by overloading it with unimportant and void things. The writer suggests to be contented with what we have and not to hoard unnecessary things which bring difficulties and uneasiness in our lives.

Q3. Some new traits of George and Harris’ character have emerged in this chapter. What are they?

Ans. With the development of the plot we come to know about some more traits of both these characters. Harris, so far, appeared to be more practical and less poetic. Now he seems good at nothing but instructs others how and what to do. He takes the burden of everything on himself but virtually shifts it to others. He begins to command others. He also reveals that a swim before breakfast increases his appetite. George emerges quite sensible. The writer himself praises him for his suggestion of focusing on those things which they cannot do without while making the lists. He also suggests to take a boat with a cover instead of a tent. He gives his friends a handful of wise ideas and recommends to take plenty of shocks, handkerchiefs and leather boots which would prove to be helpful in case their boat gets upset.