Short and Long Questions & Answers - Memories of Childhood | English Class 12 PDF Download

Short Answer Questions with Sample Answers

Q1: What were the indignities that the new girls were subjected to at Carlisle Indian School?
Ans: The girls were scrutinized thoroughly and supervised by a grey-haired woman. They were made to wear tight fitting immodest clothes and stiff shoes. During breakfast a  systematic and regimental discipline was observed. The girls with long hair had to get them shingled and they had to submit to the authorities who were strong, unfeeling and cruel.

Q2: On learning that her long hair would be cut the author decided to struggle first. What does this tell us about the author?
Ans: The author knows that she could never prevail against the authorities, yet she struggles against the injustice. Her mother had told her that only cowards had their hair shingled and she firmly believed that she was not one. To prove her point as well as raise her voice against the indignity, she struggles.

Q3: Why did Bama take half hour to an hour to cover the distance to her home that would normally take only ten minutes?
Ans: Bama would dawdle along, watching all the entertaining novelties and oddities in the streets. She would gaze at the shops and the bazaar enjoying the street scenes and so she would take at least an hour to reach home.

Q4: What was the incident that made Bama laugh as well as feel so provoked and angry?
Ans: Bama saw an elderly man of her street carrying a packet of ‘Vadais’ by the strings and wal king gingerly, holding the parcel away from his body. Bama found his manner of carrying the parcel very funny. But her brother explains to her the higher caste people believed that if the lower caste people touched the parcel it would be polluted. That’s why the elder was carrying it in that manner. This provokes and angers Bama.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Had Bama not been guided properly by her elder brother regarding untouchability, she would have grown up into a complex-torn woman. Do you agree? Justify.
Ans: Annan an understanding and considerate elder brother 

• guides her properly 
• explains the social stigma of untouchability 
• Elder carrying Vadai not comical but pathetic 
• victim of social prejudice
• Bama angry and provoked 
• Frustration might have lead to open and futile revolt 
• Timely advice of Annan guides her in right direction 
• He believe that people of their community should study and outshine others to earn respect of society. 
• Bama follows his timely advice and grows up to be a balanced and well respected individual of the society.