Class 8 Exam  >  Class 8 Notes  >  Gul Mohar Class 8  >  Chapter Notes: The Night the Ghost Got In

The Night the Ghost Got In Chapter Notes | Gul Mohar Class 8 PDF Download

About the Author

James Thurber (1894–1961) was an American writer, cartoonist, and humorist. He is best known for his witty short stories and cartoons published in The New Yorker. His works often combine humor with everyday confusion and family life. Famous pieces include My Life and Hard Times and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Key Points of the Story

  • The story takes place on the night of November 17, 1915.
  • The narrator, just out of his bath, hears footsteps circling the dining room.
  • He wakes his brother Herman, who gets scared and hides in his room.
  • Their mother wakes up, assumes there are burglars, and throws a shoe through the neighbor Bodwell’s window to call for help.
  • Bodwell, after confusion, finally calls the police.
  • Soon, many policemen and reporters arrive, break the front door, and search the whole house noisily.
  • They question the narrator, who is embarrassed because he is still in a towel.
  • A policeman finds an old zither, adding to the comic confusion.
  • In the attic, Grandfather mistakes the policemen for Civil War deserters and attacks them.
  • He even fires a gun, injuring one officer slightly.
  • The police retreat in panic, feeling embarrassed by the situation.
  • By morning, everything is calm again.
  • At breakfast, Grandfather asks why so many policemen were “tarryhootin’” around the house.
  • No ghost is ever found—the whole chaos was caused by fear and misunderstanding.

Question for Chapter Notes: The Night the Ghost Got In
Try yourself:
What does Grandfather mistake the policemen for?
View Solution

Detailed Summary

“The Night the Ghost Got In” by James Thurber is a humorous story from his autobiographical book My Life and Hard Times. It narrates a chaotic and comical incident that happened one night in 1915.

The story begins when the narrator, just out of his bath, hears strange footsteps going around the dining room table at about quarter past one o'clock in the morning. At first, he thinks it might be his father or brother Roy returning home, then suspects a burglar, and finally even considers it might be a ghost. Curious and a little afraid, he wakes his brother Herman, who is timid and nervous. They both hear the steps, which suddenly rush up the stairs. Terrified, Herman runs back to his room, and the narrator shuts the door tightly.

The noise wakes their mother, who assumes there are burglars in the house. Since the telephone is downstairs, she quickly throws a shoe through a neighbor’s window to get attention. Mr. Bodwell, their neighbor, misunderstands at first but then calls the police.The Night the Ghost Got In Chapter Notes | Gul Mohar Class 8

Soon, policemen and reporters arrive in large numbers, breaking down the front door to get inside. They search the entire house noisily, opening drawers, scattering furniture, and even questioning the narrator, who is embarrassed to be standing in only a towel.

The funniest part occurs when they go up to the attic and disturb Grandfather. Living in his Civil War memories, he mistakes the policemen for deserters from General Meade’s army. Angrily, he attacks them, even slapping one officer and firing a gun. The frightened police retreat in panic.The Night the Ghost Got In Chapter Notes | Gul Mohar Class 8

By morning, everything has calmed down. Grandfather joins breakfast as usual, acting fresh and cheerful, though he still demands to know why so many policemen were “tarryhootin” around the house. The night ends with confusion, but no ghost is ever found.

Question for Chapter Notes: The Night the Ghost Got In
Try yourself:
What does the narrator hear that causes panic in the house?
View Solution

Theme

The main theme of the story is fear, imagination, and confusion in everyday life. A simple sound of footsteps grows into a night of chaos because of misunderstandings and overreactions. The story also highlights family quirks, humor, and eccentric behavior, showing how ordinary events can turn into comical adventures.

Message

The message of the story is that fear and imagination can exaggerate simple events into big problems. It also shows that misunderstandings can create unnecessary panic. James Thurber teaches us to look at life’s confusion with humor and light-heartedness, instead of always taking things seriously. Laughter is often the best way to deal with stressful or strange situations.

Vocabulary 

  • Hullabaloo – A noisy disturbance or fuss.
  • Advent – The arrival of something.
  • Quick-cadenced – Fast, rhythmic movement or sound.
  • Despondent – Very sad or hopeless.
  • Intuitively – By instinct, without thinking.
  • Commendably – Deserving praise; done well.
  • Bevelled – Having a sloping edge or surface.
  • Tromping – Walking heavily and noisily.
  • Ransack – To search roughly and messily.
  • Hysterical – Too emotional or excited.
  • Blaspheming – Speaking disrespectfully about God.
  • Eccentric – Strange or unusual in behavior.
  • Deserter – A soldier who leaves duty without permission.
  • Lily-livered – Cowardly.
  • Lowdown – The true facts about something.

The document The Night the Ghost Got In Chapter Notes | Gul Mohar Class 8 is a part of the Class 8 Course Gul Mohar Class 8.
All you need of Class 8 at this link: Class 8
13 docs|2 tests

FAQs on The Night the Ghost Got In Chapter Notes - Gul Mohar Class 8

1. What is the main theme of "The Night the Ghost Got In"?
Ans. The main theme of "The Night the Ghost Got In" revolves around fear, misunderstanding, and the humorous aspects of family dynamics during a spooky situation. It highlights how a simple misunderstanding can lead to chaos and laughter within a family.
2. Who are the key characters in "The Night the Ghost Got In," and what roles do they play?
Ans. The key characters include the narrator, who provides a humorous perspective on the events, and family members who react to the strange happenings in their home. Each character contributes to the comedic tension and the overall chaos of the story, showcasing different reactions to fear and the supernatural.
3. How does the author use humor to convey the message in the story?
Ans. The author uses situational irony and exaggerated reactions to create humor. The characters' over-the-top fears and misunderstandings about the "ghost" lead to amusing scenarios that ultimately highlight the absurdity of their situation, making the story both entertaining and insightful.
4. What moral lesson can be derived from "The Night the Ghost Got In"?
Ans. The moral lesson from the story is that fear can often be irrational and based on misunderstandings. It encourages readers to confront their fears with a sense of humor and to appreciate the support of family during confusing or frightening times.
5. In what ways does "The Night the Ghost Got In" reflect the author's style or literary techniques?
Ans. The author employs a conversational tone, vivid imagery, and a blend of suspense and comedy. These literary techniques create an engaging narrative that captures the reader's attention while exploring themes of family, fear, and the supernatural in a light-hearted manner.
Related Searches

Exam

,

Semester Notes

,

past year papers

,

mock tests for examination

,

The Night the Ghost Got In Chapter Notes | Gul Mohar Class 8

,

Viva Questions

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

The Night the Ghost Got In Chapter Notes | Gul Mohar Class 8

,

Summary

,

Objective type Questions

,

The Night the Ghost Got In Chapter Notes | Gul Mohar Class 8

,

pdf

,

practice quizzes

,

Important questions

,

video lectures

,

Sample Paper

,

Extra Questions

,

MCQs

,

study material

,

ppt

,

Free

,

shortcuts and tricks

;