NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Chapter 14 The Bishops Candlesticks

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Communicative Chapter 14 The Bishops Candlesticks

1. Copy and complete the following paragraph about the theme of the play in pairs:

Answer 

The play deals with a kind and charitable Bishop who is always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in distress. A convict breaks into the Bishop’s house and is fed and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop somewhat confounds the convict, but, when he sees the silver candlesticks, he steals them, and runs away. However, he is arrested and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a gift. The convict is movedby this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest’s blessing.

5. (a) Working in pairs give antonyms of the following words

Answer 

(i) Kind-hearted − nasty, unkind, cruel
(ii) Unscrupulous − ethical, moral, good
(iii) Forgiving − censure, charge, punish
(iv) Stern − cheerful, funny, lenient
(v) Benevolent − greedy, malevolent, mean, selfish
(vi) Credulous − skeptical, suspecting, suspicious
(vii) Generous − greedy, mean, miserly
(viii) Pious - atheist, impious, irreligious
(ix) Suspicious − innocent, trustworthy, trusty
(x) Sympathetic − callous, merciless, uncaring, unconcerned
(xi) Understanding − misunderstanding, intolerant
(xii) Wild − civilized, controlled, delicate, gentle
(xiii) Innocent − bad, blamable, corrupt
(xiv) Penitent − happy, unashamed
(xv) Clever − awkward, foolish, idiotic, ignorant,
(xvi) Brutal − generous, humane, kind, nice
(xvii) Cunning − gullible, kind, naive
(xviii) Caring − disregarding, ignoring, neglecting
(xix) Sentimental − hard-hearted, indifferent, pragmatic, unemotional
(xx) Trusting- disagree, dispute, reject, renounce
(21) Protective − attacking, harmful, hurtful, injurious
(22) Concerned − happy, undisturbed, unperturbed
(23) Honourable − not respectful, unhonourable
(24) Embittered − pleasant, content, genial

(b) Select words from the above box to describe the characters in the play as revealed by the following lines from the play.

 Answer

6. Answer the following questions briefly

(a) Do you think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars? Why/why not?

Answer 

Yes, the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars because he was an ideal person. He could not bear the thought of an old and sick lady to be thrown out of the house due to non-payment of rent. He always helps people in times of need.

(b) Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick?

Answer 

Persome felt that people pretended to be sick to take undue advantage of the Bishop. She was of very protective nature and pained to see that the entire humanity is turning upon them for charity and kindness.

(c) Who was Jeanette? What was the cause of her death?

Answer 

Jeanette was the wife of the convict. She died due to illness and starvation.

(d) The convict says, “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” What does he mean by this statement?

Answer 

The convict meant that he has is experienced so that he couldn't be misleaded. He ordered the Bishop to stay put because he couldn’t trust anyone not to report to the police and get him arrested.

(e) Why was the convict sent to prison? What was the punishment given to him?

Answer

The convict was sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread. He was sentenced to ten years in a prison hulk.

(f) Do you think the punishment given to the convict was justified? Why/ why not? Why is the convict eager to reach Paris?

Answer 

The punishment given to the convict was not justified. It is too inhuman for someone who was caught stealing just to feed his sick wife. He was guilty of stealing only to feed his wife who was dying of starvation. But they showed him no mercy and treated him like a beast. They chained him like a wild animal, lashed him like a hound and fed him filth. He was covered with vermin and had to sleep on boards. This kind of treatment is inhuman and not justified.

(b) Why is she angry with the Bishop?
(i) The Bishop has sold her salt-cellars.
(ii) The Bishop has gone to visit Mere Gringoire.
(iii) He showed extra concern for Marie.
(iv) She disliked the Bishop.

Answer 

(i) The Bishop has sold her salt-cellars.

B. ‘She sent little Jean to Monseigneur to ask for help, and—’

(a) Who sent little Jean to the Bishop?
(i) Mere Gringoire
(ii) Marie
(iii) Persome
(iv) Marie's mother

Answer 

(i) Mere Gringoire

(b) Why did she send Jean to the Bishop? 
(i) so that he could pray for her
(ii) as she knew that he was a generous person
(iii) as she was a greedy woman
(iv) as she was a poor woman

Answer 

(ii) as she knew that he was a generous person

C. ‘I offered to take her in here for a day or two, but she seemed to think it might distress you.” The Bishop wanted to take Mere Grngoire in because _________.

(a) The Bishop wanted to take Mere Grngoire in because _________.
(i) she was sick
(ii) she had no money
(iii) she was unable to pay the rent of her house
(iv) she was a close friend of Persome

Answer 

(iii) she was unable to pay the rent of her house

(b) Persome would be distressed on Mere Gringoire's being taken in because ________. 
(i) she did not want to help anyone
(ii) she felt that Mere Gringoire was taking undue advantage of the Bishop
(iii) she was a self-centred person
(iv) she would be put to a great deal of inconvenience

Answer 

(ii) she felt that Mere Gringoire was taking undue advantage of the Bishop

9. Identify the situations which be termed as the turning points in the convict's life?

Answer 

The Convict, when was caught and brought to the Bishop’s house, was asked to be released by the Bishop saying that he is a friend to him. The Bishop also gives him his mother’s only memory i.e. candle-sticks. This entire incidence makes convict believe that there still exists humanity. This is the turning point in the convict’s life.