Class 9 English Chapter 3 Question Answers - The Little Girl

Q1. How did the little girl start understanding her father?

The Little Girl wondered why god made fathers

Ans: Kezia was a little girl who was very afraid of her father. To her, he seemed like a giant, and his loud voice made her want to avoid him. One day, she accidentally tore up an important speech he had written, which made him very angry. He punished her, and in her distress, she wondered why God had made fathers.

When her mother fell ill and had to go to the hospital, Kezia was left alone at home. That night, she had a bad dream and cried out in fear. Her father comforted her by taking her to his bed. As she lay beside him, she began to see that he was not a bad person. She realised he worked hard and had little time to play with her. Kezia understood that tearing up the speech was her mistake, and she felt that her father was large-hearted.

Q2. Kezia slept one night with her father and changed her opinion about him. What was her opinion about her father before? What change did take place?

Ans: Initially, Kezia viewed her father as a cruel man. She often avoided him and compared him unfavourably to her neighbour, Mr. Macdonald, who showed affection to his children. When her mother was taken to the hospital, Kezia was left alone and had a nightmare that night. In her fear, her father comforted her by inviting her to sleep beside him. As she lay there, he asked her to rub her feet against his legs for warmth. This moment made her feel sympathy for him, as she realised he worked hard and was too tired to play. She recognised her mistake in tearing up his speech and began to see her father as a human being rather than a hard-hearted figure.

Little girl saw through a gap Macdonalds playing "Tag" in the evening 

Q3. Relate in your own words the pin-cushion incident.

Ans: The little girl wanted to surprise her father with a pin-cushion for his birthday. She carefully stitched three sides of a piece of yellow silk, leaving one side open for filling. Unsure of what to use, she found some sheets of paper and tore them into pieces to stuff the cushion. Unfortunately, these papers contained an important speech her father had written.

When her father discovered the torn papers, he became very angry and struck her hands with a ruler. Despite her intentions to create a thoughtful gift, Kezia's actions led to a painful consequence, highlighting the misunderstandings between her and her father.

Q4. Write a short character-sketch of Kezia’s father.

Little girl's father stretched out and mother reading

Ans: Kezia's father was a large man with big hands, a thick neck, and a loud voice. Initially, he seemed very strict and unkind, rarely speaking gently to Kezia or engaging in play with her. When Kezia accidentally tore his important speech, he reacted by punishing her harshly. Despite this, he was not truly cruel at heart. One night, after Kezia had a nightmare, he comforted her by carrying her to his room and allowing her to sleep beside him. This moment revealed to Kezia the depth of her father's love for her. Although he often appeared tired from his hard work and did not play with her, he cared for her deeply, and eventually, she came to understand his affection.

Q5. Write a short note on the relationship between Kezia and her father.

Ans: Kezia had a strained relationship with her strict and authoritative father. His scolding and punishments, like hitting her for tearing his important papers, made her fearful and distant. She dreaded his presence and felt at ease only when he was away, viewing him as a towering, unapproachable figure.

However, one night, after a frightening nightmare, her father showed unexpected warmth. He comforted her, carried her to his room, and stayed by her side until she felt safe. This tender act revealed a loving and protective side to him that Kezia had never seen before. It helped her realize that beneath his stern exterior, her father deeply cared for her, changing the way she viewed him.

Q6. How did Kezia once earn her father’s wrath? What punishment did she get for her mistake? Was it justified? What light does this incident throw on her father’s character?

Ans: Kezia once earned her father's wrath when she tore up his important speech for the Port Authority. She did this to use the paper for a pin-cushion she was making as a birthday present for him. Upon discovering the damage, her father punished her by beating her little pink palms with a ruler, insisting she learn not to touch what did not belong to her.

This punishment seems excessively harsh for what was an innocent mistake by a loving daughter. Although the papers were crucial for him and their loss likely caused him inconvenience, he should have recognised Kezia's intentions. A gentle reprimand would have been more appropriate to teach her about respecting others' belongings. Instead, he chose to inflict physical pain, which was unnecessarily cruel.

This incident reveals that he was a strict and insensitive father, who imposed a high standard of discipline on his daughter and could not tolerate any form of disobedience.

Q7. How do you interpret the behavior of Kezia’s mother towards her?

Ans: The behaviour of Kezia's mother towards her is not what one would typically expect from a mother. It seems that her husband's strict nature limits her ability to give Kezia the attention she needs. Their relationship appears to be quite distant, as she often treats Kezia according to her husband's expectations. For instance, she instructs Kezia to remove her father's shoes and place them outside, which she sees as a sign of obedience.

On Sunday afternoons, instead of engaging with her daughter, she is absorbed in a newspaper while sitting with her husband. When Kezia accidentally tears her father's papers, her mother harshly drags her downstairs to face his anger. Rather than comforting Kezia during this distressing moment, she does not defend or protect her. This lack of maternal support leads Kezia to seek affection and care from her grandmother instead.

Q8. Why did Kezia feel drawn towards her grandmother?

Ans: Kezia feels drawn to her grandmother because she lacks affection from her parents, particularly her father. In her search for love and protection, she turns to her grandmother, who responds with abundant warmth and care. The grandmother encourages Kezia to connect with her parents, suggesting she speak to them on Sunday afternoons when they are relaxed. She also advises Kezia to create a pin-cushion for her father's birthday as a thoughtful gift.

When Kezia is upset, especially after being punished by her father, it is her grandmother who comforts her. She wraps Kezia in her shawl and allows her to cling to her, providing a sense of security. Additionally, whenever Kezia has nightmares, her grandmother brings her into her bed, reinforcing the bond between them. This consistent support and affection from her grandmother make Kezia look up to her for everything she needs.

Q9. Kezia decides that there are “different kinds of fathers.” What kind of father was Mr. Macdonald and how was he different from Kezia’s father?

Ans:  Mr. Macdonald, Kezia’s cheerful next-door neighbor, was the father of five children. One evening, Kezia watched through a gap in the fence as he played joyfully with his children after returning from work. With baby Mao on his shoulders and his daughters hanging onto his coat, he ran around the garden, laughing and enjoying their company.

This lively scene made Kezia realize that not all fathers were like hers. Mr. Macdonald was warm and approachable, unlike her strict and often irritable father. Kezia feared her father, who rarely showed affection and seemed preoccupied with work. His stern demeanor and harsh discipline made her feel uneasy, leaving her to wonder why fathers were so different.

Q10. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?

Ans: Kezia was accustomed to being scolded by her father and often faced punishment for her minor mistakes. She viewed him with a sense of awe, as he frequently criticized her manners, behaviour, and speech, which made her feel timid and clumsy around him. It was no surprise that she would tremble and stutter in his presence, often appearing wretched as if she were on the verge of despair.

However, one night, a nightmare led Kezia to discover a different side of her father. In that moment, she began to see him as a human being who also needed her sympathy and understanding, rather than just a figure to fear.

Q11. Every father has a love for his child whether he expresses his love or not. Comment on the basis of the story “The Little Girl”.

Ans: Fathers are not the same; they express their love in different ways. Some fathers play with their children, while others show their affection through hard work and providing for their families. Kezia's father falls into the latter category. He does not openly display his feelings but believes in securing his daughter's future. When Kezia accidentally tore his papers, he reacted by punishing her harshly. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that he is a deeply caring father. This illustrates that while every father loves his child, the expression of that love varies. Many fathers live their dreams through their children, and their strictness can also be a form of love.

Q12. Father who seems hard from outside is not so from within. Comment on this statement with reference to Kezia’s father in ‘The Little Girl’.

Ans: Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's lives. They instil values, courage, and virtues during the delicate early years, which can significantly influence a child's future. To nurture good qualities and help their children become better individuals, parents may need to be strict or scold them. However, this strictness often hides a deep spring of love.

In Katherine Mansfield's story, 'The Little Girl', Kezia perceives her father as a strict and hard-hearted figure. Initially, she feels fear and distance from him. Yet, as the story unfolds, she begins to recognise the warmth of his love. This transformation in her understanding highlights that beneath a seemingly tough exterior, there can be profound affection.

Q13. How can you say that punishments given by parents hold love for you?

Ans: Parents have a deep affection for their children and always want them to succeed. When they punish their children, it is not out of a desire to hurt them. For example, Kezia caused her father great distress by tearing up important papers for his speech. When her father punished her, he aimed to teach her the value of important things in life. His punishment was meant to impart a lesson, encouraging Kezia to think carefully before acting. This experience helped her understand the significance of her actions and the need to consider whether they were right or wrong.

Q14. “That night there was a hue and cry in the house.” Why did her father get agitated?

Ans: One day, while recovering from a cold, Kezia's grandmother suggested she make a pin-cushion for her father. After sewing three sides, Kezia searched for stuffing and found sheets of paper on her mother’s bed-table. Unaware of their importance, she tore them up to fill the cushion.

That evening, chaos ensued when her father realized the papers—containing an important speech—were missing. Upon learning what Kezia had done, her furious mother took her to her father. Despite her tearful explanation that it was meant as a birthday surprise, her father, agitated and stern, struck her hands with a ruler, teaching her a harsh lesson about touching things that weren’t hers.

Q15. Do you think Kezia deserved the beating she received for her mistake? What does this incident reveal about her father's character?

Ans: Kezia accidentally used her father's important speech papers to create a pin-cushion for his birthday gift. When her father found out, he punished her by hitting her hands with a ruler, aiming to teach her not to touch what wasn't hers. I believe this punishment was too harsh for a mistake made by a loving daughter who only wanted to please her father. Although the papers were vital to him and their loss likely caused him trouble, he could have listened to Kezia's explanation and recognised her good intentions. A gentle reprimand would have sufficed to teach sensitive Kezia about respecting others' belongings.

This incident highlights that Kezia's father was insensitive and strict, expecting high levels of discipline from her and showing little tolerance for disobedience.