NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Literature Reader Chapter 4 - A Shady Plot

Q.1. Given below is a list of words related to ghost and ghost stories with their jumbled up meanings against them. Match the words/expressions with their correct meanings:

Ans.

Apparition - a supernatural appearance of a person or thing, a ghost, specter or phantom.

Poltergeist - German word, meaning ‘‘noisy ghost’’— a troublesome spirit that announces its presence with unexplainable sounds and the creation of disorder.

Clairvoyance - the supposed power to see objects or events that cannot be perceived by the senses.

Crystal Ball - a globe of quartz crystal in which images, believed to portend the future, are supposedly visible to fortune tellers

Eerie - so mysterious, strange, or unexpected as to send a chill up the spine

Medium - a person through whom the spirits of the dead are alleged to be able to contact the living

Transmigration - to pass into another body after death: going from one state of existence or place to another.

Psychic - capable of extraordinary mental processes, such as extrasensory perception and mental telepathy

Ouija Board - a spelling board device intended to communicate with and through the spirit world, obtaining answers to questions

Exorcist - a conjurer who expels evil spirits by conjuration

Premonition -  a feeling of anticipation of or anxiety over a future event

Paranormal - beyond the range of normal experience or scientific explanation

Tarot Card - a set of 22 playing cards bearing allegorical representations, used for fortune-telling

Vampire - a reanimated corpse that is believed to rise from the grave at night to suck the blood of sleeping people

5. Answer the following questions briefly.

(a) What genre of stories does Jenkins want the narrator to write? Why?

Ans. The narrator is requested by Jenkins to write ghost stories with supernatural elements. The public demanded such horrors and thrills and these kind of stories were a sure hit with the people.

(b) Does the narrator like writing ghost stories? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Ans. The writer did not specialize in ghost stories. In fact he was surprised how the plot and other details occurred to him. The first story he had ever written had been a ghost story and it made him popular. So he starts liking the idea of writing ghost stories and says, ‘‘This writing business is delightful.’’

(c) What makes Helen, the ghost and other ghosts organize, ‘The Writers’ Inspiration Bureau’?

Ans. Helen had been a writer in her other life. In her present state, she had been working as a reader in a magazine. When she became a ghost, she found others, like her, who had suffered and they formed a Writers’ Inspiration Bureau. Now they searched for a writer who was without ideas with a mind susceptible enough to accept these ideas.

(d) Why had Helen, the ghost been helping the narrator write ghost stories? Why was she going on strike? What condition does she place for providing continued help?             [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)]

Ans. Helen had helped the narrator because he was keen to write ghost stories but had no ideas and his mind was impressionable. But now the ghosts were fed up of being called too often from their beds. They had given up haunting and had taken up answering questions on the Ouija board but people had started pestering them too often. Helen promised to help the narrator if he would get his friends and acquaintances to stop using the Ouija board.

(e) How does the ghost undermine the narrator’s faith in his ability to write ghost stories?

Ans. The narrator refused to believe that Helen had helped him to write all the earlier stories. He protested and said that he had never summoned her. But Helen said that she had come on her own, sat on his shoulder when he was thinking hard and provided him good plots.

(f) Why does John want the ghost to disappear before his wife appears on the scene? What impression of his wife’s character do you form from his words? [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)]

Ans. Lavinia, John’s wife, is a jealous lady. John does not want Helen to be seen by his wife for fear of complications in his married life. His wife is over sensitive and the sight of a ghost in her house will affect her badly. Lavinia is basically a lady, who is a spendthrift and socialite, spending her time at parties and friends.

(g) Why does the narrator hesitate to be a partner to Laura Hinkle during Ouija Board party?  [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)]

Ans. Helen, the ghost, had asked the narrator to exert his influence in getting all his friends to stop using the Ouija board. Helen had told the narrator that all the ghosts were fed up of being summoned by the Ouija board players, at all hours and now they were going on strike. Helen had promised to help the narrator in his story, if he did the needful. So he was reluctant to get involved in something which he had been strongly forbidden to do.

(h) What message does the ghost convey to the group that had assembled in the narrator’s house? What is their reaction to the message?

Ans. The ghost conveys to Miss Hinkle that Mr. Hallock is a traitor and a woman by the name of Helen was calling for him. Immediately all the women along with the narrator’s wife gather around him and start staring at him accusingly. They behave as if he has been very sly, keeping relations with another woman, behind his wife’s back.

(i) Do you agree with the narrator calling the assembly of women ‘manipulators’. Give reasons.

Ans. The narrator’s state of mind, or his problem, was not known to either his wife or the other women. So psychologically he felt that they were trying to trap him or malign him needlessly. What the women were saying had been indicated on the Ouija board, they were just finding the connection so the narrator is not justified in calling them ‘manipulators’ for they were not doing it deliberately. It is intrinsic to women’s nature to see more than what really exists so they cannot be blamed for this.

(j) Why is John’s wife angry? What does she decide to do? [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)]

Ans. John’s wife blames her husband of infidelity, carrying on with Helen behind her back. She decides to leave him and go back to her grandmother. Rest of the details will be chalked out by the lawyer.

(k) Why does John wish he were dead?

Ans. John’s marital life had reached a dead end. He hated being accused of deceiving his wife, whereas no such thing had ever happened. His wife had threatened to quit and he hated all the accusations that had been hurled at him.

(l) When confronted by Lavinia about his flirtations over the Ouija Board, John insists that ‘‘The affair was quite over-board, I assure you.’’ Bring out the pun in this statement.

Ans. John’s answer was quite intelligent and double-edged, the real meaning only he knew. His affair was rightly over-board, since it was over the Ouija Board all the problem had begun. Helen, the ghost had forced him to influence his friends to do away with the boards and she was the one who had maligned him in front of his wife and her friends.

(m) John’s apprehensions about his wife’s reaction to her encounter with the ghost are unfounded. Justify.

Ans. John believed that his wife was a sensitive little woman who was too scared of even a mouse. A real heart attack would happen to her if she saw a ghost in her living room. But his doubts were unfounded. Lavinia did not tremble for a moment and patiently observed and listened to Helen, the ghost. She never swooned and there was a satisfied smile on her face instead.

6. Answer the following questions in detail : 

(a) After her reconciliation with her husband, John Hallock, Lavinia writes a letter to her friend expressing how her relationship with him had almost been on the verge of breaking and what saved it. Write her letter.

Ans.

Post Street
10 September, 20 xx
Dear Anne,

I am extremely sorry for not responding earlier. My life had taken a strong turn and I was left grappling with some apprehensions. Believe me, you were uppermost in my mind but I wanted to sort out my domestic problems and then write to you with a clear frame of mind.

Last month I underwent a very bad phase of my life. You know how proud I am of John and his creative abilities. I have always appreciated his skill in churning out excellent stories along with being a considerate husband. He has always supported me in my endeavors, but sometimes even honesty is also put to test. Once during the Book Club game with my friends, the Ouija board hinted that John was having an affair with someone called Helen. I was dumbfounded and I threatened to quit. You know, I am impatient I can never tolerate infidelity. I had packed my suitcase and was on the verge of deserting John, when I discovered to my surprise, it was an apparition, a ghost, named Helen who was haunting him. Who would believe that ghosts are found in today’s world? Nevertheless, I’m happy that I discovered the truth eventually. Now all is well and there is no reason to worry.

However, I blame myself for all this ruckus. I never gave him a chance to explain, nor did I show faith in him. I should have remained unflinching in my trust. So the famous quote proved true in my case ‘‘Jealousy, thy name is woman’’. I have learned my lesson now.

Please write to me about yourself also.
Your friend,
Lavinia.

(b) Discuss the significance of the title of the lesson, ‘‘A Shady Plot.’’

Ans. The title ‘A Shady Plot’ is most appropriate because most of the situations and characters remain unclear and foggy. At first instance the writer is plagued by doubts regarding the plot of the story. He tries really hard and it appears he is chasing the shadows in search of a ghost story. The appearance of the ghost is open to interpretation. Is it there, or is it not there? There is doubt regarding the existence of Helen, she is spooky and gives rise to apprehensions. The existence of Helen is questionable, no one else will believe it, it is beyond the realm of reality. Moreover, doubts are cast over John’s character, his honesty is questioned, his relationship with Helen is hidden, concealed and he alone knows it. The appearance of Helen upsets John’s life. His wife and cook threaten to quit and shadows of divorce loom large over his relationship with his wife. The plot for a new story remained ‘‘unclear’’ for a long time. It is only in the end, that John can visualize an excellent plot in its perfection.  Moreover, the ghost and apparitions are always believed to remain concealed, relegated to shady and dark areas. The appearance of Helen from darkness and retreat to darkness highlights the relevance of the title.

7. The narrator and his wife reveal something about their character in their words and actions. We also learn about them from what other people say. Can you pick out the words that describe them from the box given below? Also, pick out lines and instances from the story to illustrate your choice. 

shy, arrogant, loyal, clever, overconfident, manipulative, protective, self- disparaging, suspicious, skeptical, jealous, fearless, firm, shrewd, strong, gullible, sly, creative, loves novelty and thrills

Ans. 

8. Gladiola, the narrator’s cook, is an African. The language she speaks is different from that of the others. This is known as Dialect. A dialect consists of words or phrases that reflect the regional variety of a language. An author often uses a regional dialect to make the dialogue more authentic. Initially a dialogue may seem a little difficult to understand. However, as you continue reading, the language will become more comprehensible.

Working in groups, write what Gladolia’s words mean as shown.

Ans.

9. Now complete the following story by using the appropriate phrases in the blanks given below:

I was alone in a place that bore a deserted look like that of a ________________. I increased the pace of my footsteps as I walked through the dark forest. I felt someone walking behind me. I turned immediately and spotted the contour of a figure in the form of a ___________________ .It smiled at me wickedly. I started shaking with fear and perspiring profusely when I felt its skeletal hand upon my neck. I woke up with a start, relieved that it was only a nightmare.

This was not the first time I had had one. It had all started when I had watched the horrendous horror film with an eerie ghost character that had a scary ghost of a smile on its face. It had been almost a month. The strange thing was that I saw a similar face at the station the next morning. That was uncanny.

I was to attend a dinner at my friend's at Northanger Abbey that night. I had decided to narrate my experience to the group that would assemble there although I knew there was _________________________ that they would be convinced. After everyone had finished pouring their drinks to themselves, I cleared my throat and started narrating my spooky experience. However, every one of the groups started accusing me of being _______________________ and held me responsible for spoiling the spirit of revelry. I gave up the ghost and sat quietly waiting for the party to be over. Back at home, the fears returned. I knew I had to talk about my experience for somebody to feel better. I have now decided to ______________ and publish my experience under a pseudonym. Only then can I ____________________.
Ans.

I was alone in a place that bore a deserted look like that of a graveyard. I increased the pace of my footsteps as I walked through the dark forest. I felt someone walking behind me. I turned immediately and spotted the contour of a figure in the form of a spirit. It smiled at me wickedly. I started shaking with fear and perspiring profusely when I felt its skeletal hand upon my neck. I woke up with a start, relieved that it was only a nightmare.

This was not the first time I had one. It had all started when I watched the horrendous horror film with an eerie ghost character that had a scary ghost of a smile on its face. It had been almost a month. The strange thing was that I saw a similar face at the station the next morning. That was uncanny.

I was to attend a dinner at my friend’s at Northanger Abbey that night. I had decided to narrate my experience to the group that would assemble there although I knew there was no proof so that they would be convinced.

After everyone had finished pouring their drinks to themselves, I cleared my throat and started narrating my spooky experience. However, every one of the groups started accusing me of being terrifying and held me responsible for spoiling the spirit of revelry. I gave up the ghost and sat quietly waiting for the party to be over. Back at home, the fears returned. I knew I had to talk about my experience for somebody to feel better. I have now decided to write and publish my experience under a pseudonym. Only then can I breathe in peace.

Q11. Do you think a story has an atmosphere? Complete the following blanks to make up your ghost story by choosing the correct options.

A Ghost Story

She opened the _________________ (secret door/ spaceship's hatch/ door of the cottage/ cemetery gate/ door of the castle/ cockpit) _________________ (brashly/ loudly/ silently/ stupidly/ fearfully/ joyously). Standing in front of her was a ________________ (terrifying/ handsome/ smelly/ anonymous/ tiny/ huge/ bossy) ___________ (policeman/ spy/ apparition/ witch/ prince/ wizard) with a _________________ (wand/ rose/ rod/ knife/ scythe/ coded message) in his/ her (its) _________________ (ghoulish/ bony/ beautiful/ fair/ manly/ gloved/ magical) hand.

Answer - 

She opened the cemetery-gate (secret door/ spaceship’s hatch/ door of the cottage/ cemetery gate/ door of the castle/ cockpit) silently (brashly/ loudly/ silently/stupidly/ fearfully/ joyously). Standing in front of her was a terrifying (terrifying/ handsome/smelly/ anonymous/ tiny/ huge/ bossy) apparition (policeman/ spy) apparition/ which/ prince/ wizard) with a rod (wand/ rose/ rod/ knife/ scythe/ coded message) in his/ her (its) her ghoulish (ghoulish/ bony/ beautiful/ fair/ manly/ gloved/ magical) hand.