Class 8 English Question Answers - The Eagle and the Beetle

Short Type Questions

Q1: Who is Vikram Seth and what are his notable works?
Ans: Vikram Seth is an Indian poet, novelist, and travel writer known for his verse novel The Golden Gate (1986) and his epic novel A Suitable Boy. He has also published five volumes of poetry.

Q2: What tragedy befalls the hare in the story?
Ans: The hare is tragically captured and killed by an eagle.

Q3: How does the beetle react to the hare's death?
Ans: The beetle is devastated by the hare's death and wishes to avenge it.

Q4: How does the beetle take revenge on the eagle?
Ans: The beetle takes revenge on the eagle by destroying her eggs, causing her great distress and fear.

Q5: What is the significance of Zeus in the story?
Ans: Zeus is depicted as a powerful god in the story, representing ultimate authority and protection.

Long Type Questions

Q1: Describe the relationship between the hare and the beetle. How does the author portray their friendship? Provide examples from the text to support your answer.
Ans: The relationship between the hare and the beetle is depicted as a close friendship. They spend time together, attend events, and engage in conversations about the past and future. The text portrays their companionship as pleasant and based on living in the present. For example, they "took walks in any kind of weather" and enjoyed each other's company. Their bond is characterized by mutual trust and enjoyment of each other's presence.

Q2: Analyze the character of the eagle in the story. What traits does the eagle exhibit, and how do they contribute to the overall conflict? Discuss the dialogue between the eagle and the beetle to illustrate the power dynamics.
Ans: The eagle is portrayed as arrogant, cruel, and dismissive of the beetle's concerns. The eagle's pride is evident in the way she belittles the beetle and asserts her superiority. The dialogue between the eagle and the beetle showcases the power dynamics, with the eagle asserting her dominance and the beetle pleading for mercy. The eagle's actions ultimately lead to her downfall, as her arrogance blinds her to the beetle's revenge.
Q3: Discuss the theme of revenge in the story. How does the beetle seek revenge for the hare's death? Analyze the beetle's actions and motivations, and evaluate the consequences of her revenge.
Ans: The theme of revenge is prominent in the story. The beetle seeks revenge for the hare's death by targeting the eagle's eggs. The beetle's actions are driven by grief and a desire for justice. However, the consequences of the revenge are severe, as the eagle loses her offspring and ultimately dies of grief. This highlights the destructive nature of revenge and the cycle of violence it can perpetuate.

Q4: Examine the role of Zeus in the story. How does the author use Zeus as a symbol of power and authority? Discuss the significance of Zeus offering his lap as a safe place for the eagle's eggs.
Ans: Zeus symbolizes power and authority in the story. When the eagle seeks a safe place to lay her eggs, Zeus offers his lap as the ultimate sanctuary. This portrays Zeus as a protector, implying that nothing could be safer than being under his care. However, the beetle's act of flinging dung at Zeus inadvertently leads to the eggs being destroyed. This highlights the irony of relying solely on external sources of protection and the vulnerability of even the mightiest when faced with unexpected challenges.

Q5: Explore the moral lesson conveyed in the story. What message does the author want to convey through the actions and fate of the characters? Discuss the concept of strength versus weakness and the consequences of oppressive behavior.
Ans: The story conveys a moral lesson about the consequences of oppressive behavior and the imbalance of power. It suggests that those who oppress the weak may face unforeseen consequences. The fate of the characters serves as a reminder that strength and power should be used responsibly, and that actions have repercussions. The story implies that empathy, compassion, and fairness should guide our interactions with others, as the strong may not always be immune to the consequences of their actions.