GSEB Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 8 Memories of Childhood Solutions

Reading With Insight

Answer the following questions in about six to seven sentences each:

Question 1. The two accounts that you read above are based in two distant cultures. What is the commonality of theme found in both of them?
Answer: The life stories found in 'Memories of Childhood' are from two women who were from less important groups in two different parts of the world. One shows the bad custom of judging people by race, and the other discusses the graded Indian caste system and untouchability. The first section explains how the Native American author was hurt by the European workers at her boarding school. The second story offers a view of the difficulties and insults that Indian 'Dalits' experienced, as seen by a third-grade student. Even though they happen in various cultures, both tales have a common idea. They reveal the pain and harsh treatment their groups went through. Both writers criticize the habit of dividing people into social levels. Zitkala-Sa's hair was 'shingled' because Europeans, who thought they were better than Native Americans, ordered it. However, Bama saw untouchability happening clearly, where 'lower caste' people were seen as unclean and could not even touch those from 'upper castes'. Even when very young, both Zitkala-Sa and Bama began opposing and fighting back in their own methods.
In simple words: Both stories, from different cultures, share the theme of suffering and unfair treatment faced by marginalized communities. Both Zitkala-Sa and Bama resisted the injustice of racial bias and untouchability in their own ways.

Exam Tip: When discussing common themes, identify the core idea, provide evidence from both parts of the text, and explain how each part demonstrates that theme.

Question 2. It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted, but the seeds of rebellion are sowed early in life. Do you agree that injustice in any form cannot escape being noticed even by children?
Answer: The world is caught in a network of social layers, unfair treatment, and unfairness in many forms. While grown-ups have become accustomed to this, children's innocence cannot grasp hatred and bias. Yet, their sharp, watchful eyes are able to see any kind of unfairness and bias. When these bad actions happen to them, their delicate minds, confused, often fight back in their simple methods. In this story, the two girls share their experiences with unfairness. Zitkala-Sa, right at the start, tells us that her initial day at school felt 'bitter-cold'. To her, it doesn't just talk about the weather but also shows the mood of the boarding school. The school's very strict students and European staff were distant or 'cold' to her, and her useless fight against her hair being cut short was a 'harsh event' for her. However, Bama followed her brother's example to object to untouchability using learning. She learned with all her heart to get to a point where others would disregard her 'caste' and be glad to become her friend.
In simple words: Yes, children often notice injustice due to their innocent and observant nature. They react to unfair treatment in their own ways, as seen in the girls' struggles against racial bias and untouchability.

Exam Tip: To answer 'Do you agree' questions effectively, start with a clear 'Yes' or 'No,' then provide specific examples from the text to support your stance.

Question 3. Bama's experience is that of a victim of the caste system. What kind of discrimination does Zitkala-Sa's experience depict? What are their responses to their respective situations?
Answer: While Bama suffered from caste bias and untouchability, Zitkala-Sa was harmed by racial bias. Zitkala-Sa was sent away to a European mission school where, as a native tribal, she was treated badly. Her valuable, lengthy, and thick hair, which she felt proud of, was cut short. She attempted to fight back with all her power, but finally, she had to stop her fight. However, Bama, who saw the wrong practice of untouchability, chose to lessen caste differences through learning. With her older brother's help and oversight, she wisely used her anger and rebellious feelings to learn diligently and overcome any bias. She realized that societal change could happen only if these groups, called 'lower castes', tried to learn and, in that way, improve. It is simple to see that even though both main characters tried to oppose the unfairness they met, their chosen ways were notably unlike. During this act of defiance, Zitkala-Sa had to surrender; however, Bama successfully applied her brother's counsel to finally be the best in her class. While Zitkala-Sa kept fighting back by speaking against the bad parts of racial bias in her writings, Bama picked a softer method to continue her quiet but strong display.
In simple words: Bama faced caste prejudice, while Zitkala-Sa experienced racial discrimination. Zitkala-Sa resisted but was forced to yield, while Bama fought back by excelling in education, inspired by her brother.

Exam Tip: When comparing characters' experiences, clearly state the type of discrimination each faced and then contrast their reactions and methods of resistance.

Memories Of Childhood Summary In English

Memories Of Childhood Summary:

1. The Cutting Of My Long Hair – Zitkala-Sa:

'The Cutting of My Long Hair' by Zitkala-Sa is a brief tale about unfairness based on race. The account comes from real things that occurred to the writer at a certain moment. The storyteller remembers her hard times at a boarding school somewhere in Europe. The storyteller is a little girl who comes from Native American origins. She appears distinct there, and she doesn't grasp their tongue, English. She recalls that her initial day there felt very chilly, with snow covering the entire ground. She is in a eating area where she becomes bothered by the unending whispering and foot noise of students. Pupils' tasks in the boarding school are directed by bells ringing. The storyteller feels uneasy with this whole method, as she gets confused about when to sit, eat, or stand. Because of fright, she starts weeping. She isn't by herself in that place. She observes a row of boys entering the eating area through the door across from her, and among them, she spots three boys from her own group, Native Indian. The boys also feel uneasy and not belonging in this strange country. Amidst all this disorder, there is an older woman, likely the supervisor; she is a light-skinned woman with an unusual manner. She keeps a steady look on this new girl. The next day, later in the morning, her friend Judewin approaches her and tells her that the light-skinned woman was discussing cutting her long, thick hair. At this news, the storyteller grows sad, because her mother had told her that short, cut hair was for defeated fighters and timid people. At this point, she recalls her mother and the lessons her mother had given her. The storyteller chooses to offer some fight before giving in to having her hair cut. When people start calling her name, she goes up to a dim room and conceals herself under a bed, but it doesn't help. Folks come looking for her, pull her out, and eventually, her hair is trimmed short. Therefore, in this tale, we observe racial bias; the storyteller was brown, a Native American, and the school she attended was in Europe, where mostly white individuals resided and managed the area according to their customs. Hence, she had no option but to follow their guidelines and laws.

2. We Too Are Human Beings – Bama:

'We Too Are Human Beings' by Bama is a tale about untouchability, which has continued in India for numerous centuries. The storyteller of this tale is an untouchable individual. She recalls her youth when she was not conscious of the social unfairness present globally, but one day she notices something strange that shifts her view of the world outside her small sight. The storyteller is a third-grade pupil and generally, after class, she arrives home rather late because she is charmed by the hues of the outside world found between her house and school. She walks across an entire market and several roads which are always packed with different vibrant doings. One day as she is going back home, she notices an older, tall man from her street holding a package with string, and he's also moving with great carefulness and attention. On her street, the pounding of crops is occurring, and the landowner sits on a rock shelf. The tall man hands that package to the landowner, who then opens the package and eats Vadai from it. The storyteller believes that it is a humorous deed. She, when she gets home, tells the story to her older brother Annan. He explains to her that this occurs due to social distinctions. Individuals from higher castes dislike any lower-caste person touching them, believing it makes them unclean. The storyteller becomes upset after learning about this awful distinction, and she shows her anger by stating that her community should not serve these higher caste individuals. Annan is the one who inspires her to learn diligently, so she always stays above all this societal commotion and complaint. Annan helps her grasp that proper learning will assist them in moving past the divided community, which then helps them conquer social obstacles. Heeding Annan's counsel very carefully, the storyteller learns diligently and achieves top rank in her class, so many of her schoolmates ask her for assistance and also admire her intelligence. This tale happens in Tamil Nadu and it portrays the condition of India's untouchables, showing how they strive to live or move freely wherever they desire. It is likewise accurate that learning removes the gloom brought on by old beliefs and societal obstacles. Hence, the storyteller is quite right in stating that learning holds the ability to raise individuals above their troubles and other limits.