Samacheer Kalvi Class 11 English Solutions Chapter 4 Tight Corners

I. Choose the most appropriate answer for the following questions:

Question a. 'Tight Corner' means a __________.
(i) difficult situation
(ii) crowded corner
(iii) tragic incident
(iv) fierce fight
Answer: (i) difficult situation
In simple words: A "tight corner" means a tough or challenging situation that someone faces in life. It's when you are in a spot where things are hard to handle.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always consider the context of the phrase in the story to determine its meaning, especially for idiomatic expressions.

Question b. Barbizon refers to a __________.
(i) kind of paint
(ii) type of architecture
(iii) region in Britain
(iv) French school of painters
Answer: (iv) French school of painters
In simple words: Barbizon is a name used for a group of French painters who liked to paint landscapes in a natural style. They often painted in the Barbizon forest area.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specific cultural or historical terms often refer to movements, places, or styles. Remember to link these terms to their correct category.

Question c. The narrator visited the sale-room as he __________.
(i) wished to see an auction
(ii) had a painting to sell
(iii) was persuaded by his friend
(iv) wanted to buy a painting
Answer: (iii) was persuaded by his friend
In simple words: The narrator went to the auction house because his friend convinced him to go. He didn't initially plan to go on his own.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the reasons behind characters' actions, as this reveals their motivations and plot drivers.

Question d. The narrator had been a safe contributor at the auction, as __________.
(i) there were bidders quoting higher prices
(ii) he had a sound financial background
(iii) his friend had lent him money
(iv) he did not make any bidding
Answer: (i) there were bidders quoting higher prices
In simple words: The narrator felt safe making bids because other people were always offering much higher amounts. He knew his bids wouldn't be the final winning ones.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the narrator's strategy at the auction; his initial bids were a form of playful participation rather than serious intent to buy.

Question e. "And I got it." Here 'it' refers to the __________.
(i) picture he wanted to buy
(ii) money he asked for
(iii) card to participate in the auction
(iv) amount he had to pay
Answer: (ii) money he asked for
In simple words: The word 'it' here means the money the narrator requested from the mediator as a payment for his trouble. This was his clever move to make money out of a difficult situation.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about pronoun references, always check the preceding sentences for the noun that the pronoun replaces. This helps clarify the meaning.

2. Answer the following questions:

Question a. What is a tight corner? What happens when one finds oneself in a tight corner?
Answer: A tight corner is a challenging or difficult situation that someone faces in their life. When a person is in a tight corner, they experience a lot of stress, which can affect them both physically and mentally. This often leads to feelings of pressure and anxiety until the situation is resolved. The pressure can make it hard to think clearly.
In simple words: A tight corner is a difficult problem in life. When someone is in one, they feel stressed and worried, both in their mind and body.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define the term clearly, then explain the consequences in detail, using simple cause-and-effect language.

Question b. What is the difference between a physical and mental tight corner?
Answer: A physical tight corner is a problem that can be seen or experienced in real life, like being stuck in a small space. People can often overcome physical challenges if they are very brave. A mental tight corner, however, affects a person's entire well-being because their mind becomes filled with worry until the problem is solved. Mental tight corners are actually more dangerous than physical ones because they impact a person's inner peace and ability to function.
In simple words: A physical tight corner is a real-life visible problem you can be brave to fix. A mental tight corner is stress in your mind that affects your whole body and is more harmful.

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing, highlight contrasting aspects for each type of tight corner and clearly state which is considered more severe and why.

Question c. Why did the narrator visit Christie's?
Answer: The narrator went to Christie's auction house because his friend convinced him to go. His friend persuaded him to visit the sale-room to see the auction. He had no initial intention of going on his own.
In simple words: The narrator visited Christie's because his friend asked him to come along and see the auction.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the direct cause mentioned in the story for the narrator's presence at the auction.

Question d. The narrator heard his own voice saying, "and fifty". What does this suggest?
Answer: When the narrator heard his own voice saying "and fifty", it suggests that he spoke without thinking or fully understanding the situation. He just added to a bid instinctively, without conscious thought about the consequences. This shows his careless and impulsive nature when participating in the auction for fun.
In simple words: The narrator saying "and fifty" shows he spoke without thinking. It means he bid by instinct, without realizing what he was doing.

🎯 Exam Tip: Analyze phrases that indicate a character's state of mind; here, "without his knowledge" and "without any understanding" are key phrases from the text.

Question e. What was the narrator's financial condition?
Answer: The narrator was in a very poor financial state. He only had sixty-three pounds in his bank account and did not even possess securities worth five hundred pounds. This limited financial capacity made his situation at the auction much more dire. He was barely able to afford small expenses, let alone a large purchase.
In simple words: The narrator was poor, with only sixty-three pounds in his bank. He had no other savings or assets.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always state the exact figures mentioned in the text to accurately describe the financial condition.

Question f. The narrator could not pretend to have made a mistake in bidding. Why?
Answer: The narrator could not pretend to have made a mistake in bidding because he had already made many bids earlier in the auction. If he claimed a mistake now, others would think he was a rich and arrogant person who was just playing around. Also, a real mistake would usually be corrected immediately, so his delay in claiming one would seem dishonest. His previous bids had established him as an active participant.
In simple words: He could not pretend he made a mistake because he had bid many times before. Others would think he was rich and rude, or that he was lying about a mistake.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain both reasons: his past behavior and the typical procedure for correcting genuine mistakes at an auction.

Question g. What could have been the best way for the narrator, to get himself out of the tight corner?
Answer: The best way for the narrator to escape his difficult situation would have been to openly admit his lack of money to one of Christie's staff members. He could then have requested that the painting be put up for auction again. This honest approach would have likely avoided further humiliation, allowing the auction to proceed fairly.
In simple words: The narrator should have told Christie's staff he was poor. He could have asked them to sell the painting again to get out of trouble.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on direct and honest solutions in such scenarios, as they are often the most effective in avoiding complications.

Question h. Why did the narrator feel he could have welcomed a firing party?
Answer: The narrator felt he could have welcomed a firing party because his casual bidding for fun had led him into a severe predicament. Facing a firing party would mean death, which he thought would be better than enduring the shame and humiliation of not being able to pay for the painting in front of everyone. The thought of public disgrace was unbearable for him.
In simple words: The narrator thought death by a firing party would be better than the shame of not being able to pay for the painting he accidentally bought.

🎯 Exam Tip: This is hyperbole; explain that it expresses the extreme degree of shame and desperation the narrator felt.

Question i. What was the bidder's offer to the narrator?
Answer: The bidder's offer to the narrator was to give him fifty guineas. This amount was offered as compensation for the narrator to step aside and let the bidder purchase the painting, effectively bailing the narrator out of his tight corner.
In simple words: The bidder offered the narrator fifty guineas so that the narrator would let him have the painting instead.

🎯 Exam Tip: State the exact offer clearly, including the amount and the currency unit used in the story.

Question j. How did the narrator take advantage of the situation?
Answer: The narrator took advantage of the situation by not immediately accepting the fifty guineas offered by the bidder. Instead, he cleverly asked for a hundred guineas, realizing he was in a strong position. The bidder, who had offered four thousand guineas for the large Daubigny painting, was keen to secure it, so he agreed to the higher demand. The narrator used his wit to increase his profit.
In simple words: The narrator was clever. He asked the bidder for one hundred guineas instead of the fifty offered, knowing the bidder wanted the painting badly.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the narrator's quick thinking and negotiation skill, noting the initial offer and his successful counter-offer.

Text Inside Questions:

Question a. Describe the activity that was going on in the saleroom at King Street.
Answer: The saleroom at King Street was very crowded and busy. People were actively selling Barbizon pictures, which were bringing in huge amounts of money. Even small items were fetching tremendous sums. The atmosphere was lively, with many people bidding and observing the sales. The event was quite popular and attracted many interested buyers.
In simple words: The saleroom was full of people. Barbizon paintings were being sold for a lot of money, even small items were expensive.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the scene by mentioning the type of items being sold, the activity of the crowd, and the general financial aspect of the sales.

Question b. What can you say about the author's attitude when he high-handedly participated in the auction?
Answer: The author's attitude when he participated in the auction was carefree and casual, almost arrogant. He saw himself as a nonchalant person who liked to enjoy life, but he also knew his limits. He high-handedly joined the bidding, not with serious intent to buy, but more for amusement, confident that his bids would always be surpassed by richer buyers. He was trying to have some fun, believing he wouldn't face any real risks.
In simple words: The author was carefree and a bit arrogant. He bid for fun, thinking he was safe because others would always bid higher, showing he knew his boundaries.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use words like "nonchalant," "high-handedly," and "for fun" to capture the author's casual and somewhat overconfident approach.

Question c. Why was the author sure he would not be caught?
Answer: The author was sure he would not be caught because his strategy was to make small, safe bids and then let the truly wealthy bidders take over. He aimed to raise the stakes just a little bit, believing that millionaires would always step in with much higher offers. He saw himself as playing a game, confident that he would not end up as the final buyer. This gave him a false sense of security.
In simple words: The author was sure he wouldn't get caught because he only made small bids. He expected rich people to always bid much higher, so he thought he was safe.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize his strategy of small bids and his expectation that wealthier individuals would always outbid him.

Question d. What made the author ignore his friend's warning?
Answer: The author ignored his friend's warning primarily because he enjoyed the thrill of bidding and wanted to have some fun. He was overconfident and firmly believed that he would not run into any risks or serious trouble. He saw the auction as a harmless game, which made him dismiss his friend's caution. He thought he had everything under control.
In simple words: The author ignored his friend's warning because he liked having fun and felt sure he wouldn't face any problems or risks.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the author's desire for fun and his overconfidence as the main reasons for dismissing the warning.

Question e. How had the author managed the auction without getting involved in the deal?
Answer: The author had managed the auction without getting deeply involved in any deal by only bidding up to three-digit figures. Even though many bids eventually reached four-digit sums, they typically started at modest prices, often between fifty and a hundred guineas. By only venturing into bids within the lower, three-digit range, he ensured that someone else would always take over at the higher, more serious bidding levels. This way, he participated for entertainment without committing to expensive purchases.
In simple words: The author avoided getting into actual deals by only bidding up to three-digit amounts. Higher bids, which reached four figures, always went to other buyers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain his specific bidding strategy (three-digit limit) and how it allowed him to stay out of actual commitments for expensive items.

Question f. What came as a shock to the author?
Answer: The shock to the author came when he made a casual bid of fifty guineas on top of a four thousand guineas offer for a painting, expecting others to bid even higher, as usual. To his surprise and dismay, no one else made any further bids after his offer. This meant that his bid was the highest, and he was now obligated to buy the painting, which he could not afford.
In simple words: The author was shocked when he made a bid of fifty guineas, and suddenly, no one else bid higher. This meant he had bought the painting.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the exact event: his bid, the expectation, and the unexpected lack of subsequent bids from others.

Question g. What did the falling of the hammer indicate?
Answer: The falling of the auctioneer's hammer indicated the official "closure of the bid." It meant that the bidding for that particular item was over, and the person who made the highest bid was legally obligated to pay for and collect their purchase. The hammer fall made the sale final.
In simple words: The falling hammer showed that the bidding was finished. It meant the person with the highest bid had to buy and take the item.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the finality and legal obligation associated with the fall of the auctioneer's hammer.

Question h. What made the friend laugh heartily?
Answer: The friend laughed heartily because the narrator was now obligated to pay four thousand and fifty guineas for the painting he had accidentally bought. In reality, the narrator only had sixty-three pounds in his bank account, making it impossible for him to cover the cost. The sheer absurdity of this situation and the narrator's predicament caused his friend to burst into hearty laughter. The friend understood the depth of the narrator's trouble.
In simple words: The friend laughed because the narrator had to pay four thousand and fifty guineas for a painting but only had sixty-three pounds. The situation was very funny and serious at the same time.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the contrast between the amount the narrator owed and the small amount of money he actually possessed.

Question i. What kind of excuses did the narrator think he could make?
Answer: The narrator considered several excuses. He thought about confessing his financial troubles to one of Christie's staff members. He also thought about asking them to put the picture up for sale again, hoping for a second chance. He was desperately trying to find any possible way to escape his embarrassing situation.
In simple words: The narrator thought about telling Christie's staff he was poor. He also thought about asking them to sell the painting again.

🎯 Exam Tip: List the specific excuses or strategies the narrator contemplated in his desperate situation.

Question j. Why did the friend desert the narrator, a second time?
Answer: The friend deserted the narrator a second time because he couldn't control his laughter after seeing the narrator's distressed face. The narrator was standing at the edge of the group of buyers, trying to figure out how to pay and get the painting. His friend, who was with him, looked at his face and found the situation so amusing that he couldn't stop laughing, and thus, left the narrator once more.
In simple words: The friend left the narrator again because he saw the narrator's worried face and could not stop laughing at his predicament.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain that the friend's uncontrollable laughter at the narrator's desperate situation was the immediate cause of him leaving.

Question k. How does the narrator describe the man who approached him?
Answer: The narrator describes the man who approached him as a "messenger of the high gods." This man wore a green baize apron, which is a type of protective clothing, and spoke in husky Cockney tones. The narrator's description highlights the man's unexpected appearance and the profound relief he brought, making him seem like a divine intervention.
In simple words: The narrator said the man who came to him was like a "messenger from the gods." He wore a green apron and spoke in a rough Cockney accent.

🎯 Exam Tip: Include both the figurative description ("messenger of the high gods") and the literal details (apron, voice) from the text.

Question l. How does the Narrator show the presence of mind in the sudden turn of events?
Answer: The narrator showed great presence of mind when the man who first bid on the picture offered him fifty guineas. Instead of immediately accepting, the narrator cleverly asked for a hundred guineas. This quick thinking, even in a moment of crisis, allowed him to negotiate a better outcome and make a profit from his sticky situation. He turned a potential disaster into a gain through his sharp wit.
In simple words: The narrator showed quick thinking by asking for one hundred guineas instead of the fifty offered by the first bidder.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the narrator's intelligent negotiation, specifically his counter-offer, as the key evidence of his presence of mind.

Question m. The narrator would not forget two things about his friend What are they?
Answer: The narrator would not forget two things about his friend. First, his friend was the one who persuaded him to go to Christie's auction in the first place, leading to all the trouble. Second, his friend was the only person who witnessed the narrator's deep mental suffering and desperation as he tried to figure out how to escape the crisis. This made the friend a unique observer of his agony.
In simple words: The narrator would remember that his friend convinced him to go to the auction. He would also remember that his friend saw his mental struggle during the crisis.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly list both memorable actions or observations related to the friend in the context of the story.

3. Form a meaningful summary of the lesson by rewriting the numbers in the correct sequence:
1. The narrator had only 63 pounds with him and did not know how to manage the situation
2. The narrator thought of all his relations from whom he could borrow
3. Unfortunately, he had made the highest bid.
4. The narrator entered Christie's as his friend persuade him to visit the sale-room.
5. Every time someone else made a higher bid and the narrator was not caught.
6. The narrator on a sudden impulse added 50 more guineas, to the amount offered.
7. His friend joined him then but left immediately unable to control his laughter.
8. He even thought of borrowing from moneylenders and confessing the truth to the staff at Christie's.
9. The picture was declared sold to the narrator.
10. After some time a picture was put up and a bid for 4000 guineas was a raise
11. A sudden stroke of luck befell the narrator when he heard that the agent who had made the bid of 4000 guineas and buy the picture.
12. The narrator kept bidding just for fun.
13. The picture was given away to the other bidder and the narrator was saved from humiliation.
14. His friend had left the place roaring with laughter at the narrator's predicament.
15. The narrator was quite happy at the offer but demanded 100 guineas instead of the 50. Now there was no need for him to make any payment.
Answer: The correct sequence of events is:
4. The narrator entered Christie's as his friend persuade him to visit the sale-room.
12. The narrator kept bidding just for fun.
10. After some time a picture was put up and a bid for 4000 guineas was a raise
6. The narrator on a sudden impulse added 50 more guineas, to the amount offered.
9. The picture was declared sold to the narrator.
1. The narrator had only 63 pounds with him and did not know how to manage the situation
3. Unfortunately, he had made the highest bid.
7. His friend joined him then but left immediately unable to control his laughter.
14. His friend had left the place roaring with laughter at the narrator's predicament.
2. The narrator thought of all his relations from whom he could borrow
8. He even thought of borrowing from moneylenders and confessing the truth to the staff at Christie's.
11. A sudden stroke of luck befell the narrator when he heard that the agent who had made the bid of 4000 guineas and buy the picture.
5. Every time someone else made a higher bid and the narrator was not caught. (This seems out of place in the given solution, but I will follow the provided sequence 5.5, so I'm placing it based on 11.5, which does not appear in the sequence from the source.) **Self-correction: The provided answer keys 5.5, not 11.5. This means event 5 follows event 5 in the original ordering, which is impossible. The provided answer sequence itself is a reordering. I need to output the *final reordered sequence* as the Answer, not interpret 5.5. The source gives a list of numbers: 1.8, 2.10, 3.6, 4.1, 5.5, 6.4, 7.12, 8.11, 9.7, 10.3, 11.13, 12.2, 13.15, 14.9, 15.14. I will use these numbers to list the events in order, then provide a simple words explanation.**

Answer: The events of the story, when put in the correct sequence, are:
1. The narrator entered Christie's as his friend persuaded him to visit the sale-room. (4)
2. The narrator kept bidding just for fun. (12)
3. After some time, a picture was put up and a bid for 4000 guineas was a raise. (10)
4. The narrator, on a sudden impulse, added 50 more guineas to the amount offered. (6)
5. The picture was declared sold to the narrator. (9)
6. Unfortunately, he had made the highest bid. (3)
7. The narrator had only 63 pounds with him and did not know how to manage the situation. (1)
8. His friend joined him then but left immediately, unable to control his laughter. (7)
9. His friend had left the place roaring with laughter at the narrator's predicament. (14)
10. He even thought of borrowing from moneylenders and confessing the truth to the staff at Christie's. (8)
11. A sudden stroke of luck befell the narrator when he heard that the agent who had made the bid of 4000 guineas and buy the picture. (11)
12. The narrator was quite happy at the offer but demanded 100 guineas instead of the 50. Now there was no need for him to make any payment. (15)
13. The picture was given away to the other bidder and the narrator was saved from humiliation. (13)
14. The narrator thought of all his relations from whom he could borrow. (2)
15. Every time someone else made a higher bid and the narrator was not caught. (5)
In simple words: The story starts with the narrator visiting an auction with his friend, bidding for fun, and accidentally winning a painting he couldn't afford. He then faced huge stress, his friend laughed at him, but then luck helped him get out of the mess by selling his winning bid for a profit.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read the entire passage first to understand the storyline. Then, identify key events and arrange them chronologically, checking for cause-and-effect relationships.

4. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 100-150 words:

Question a. Narrate the circumstances that led to the narrator getting into a tight corner, by his own folly.
Answer: The narrator, Lucas, found himself in a difficult situation due to his own foolishness at an auction. He visited Christie's with a friend, initially just to watch the fun. Despite his friend's warning, Lucas began bidding on paintings at moderate prices. His biggest mistake was ignoring his financial reality: he only had 63 pounds in his account, while bidders were expected to have at least 500 pounds. While he successfully participated in many bids by staying behind the millionaires, a specific "big Daubigny" painting was offered at 4000 guineas. On a sudden impulse, Lucas added "and fifty" to the bid, making it 4050 guineas. To his shock, no one bid higher, and the hammer fell, making him the buyer. He then realized he was trapped in a "tight corner," wishing for a firing squad rather than facing the humiliation of his inability to pay. He had no relatives or moneylenders to help him. His impulsive and carefree bidding, despite his limited funds, created this significant self-inflicted problem.
In simple words: The narrator got into trouble because he carelessly bid on a painting at an auction, even though he only had 63 pounds. He thought others would bid higher, but he ended up winning the bid for 4050 guineas. This foolish decision trapped him in a difficult situation with no money to pay.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail the narrator's actions, his financial status, his false assumptions, and the moment the bid was accepted to clearly show how his "folly" led to the tight corner.

Answer the Following Questions:

Question (i) Why was the accident at union carbide unparalleled in the word's industrial history?
Answer: The accident was unique in industrial history worldwide because it affected over 600,000 people. It caused a massive loss of life and suffering.
In simple words: This accident was special because it harmed more than 600,000 people, which was a very big number.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing unparalleled events, always highlight the unique scale or impact that makes them stand out from others.

Question (ii) How was Dastagir affected by the poisonous gas?
Answer: Dastagir developed a painful growth in his throat because he was exposed to the toxic fumes for a long time. The gas severely damaged his health.
In simple words: The bad gas caused a painful lump to grow in Dastagir's throat because he breathed it for a long time.

🎯 Exam Tip: For questions about effects or consequences, specify both the immediate result and the underlying cause mentioned in the text.

Question (iii) What was the action taken by the station superintendent?
Answer: As soon as the station superintendent heard about the deadly gas, he tried to stop all trains from moving through Bhopal. He acted quickly to prevent more harm.
In simple words: When the superintendent learned about the gas, he immediately tried to stop trains from going through Bhopal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the very first, most direct action taken by a character in response to a critical situation.

ஆசிரியரைப் பற்றி:

எ.வே.லூக்காஸ் (1868-1938) ஒரு ஆங்கில நகைச்சுவை எழுத்தாளர் மற்றும் கட்டுரையாளர் ஆவார். அவர் நாடக ஆசிரியர், வாழ்க்கை வரலாற்று எழுத்தாளர், புத்தக வெளியீட்டாளர், கவிஞர், நாவலாசிரியர், சிறுகதை எழுத்தாளர் மற்றும் பத்திரிகை ஆசிரியர் எனப் பல பொறுப்புகளை வகித்துள்ளார். லண்டனின் புறநகரில் பிறந்த அவர், தனது 16 வயதில் ஒரு புத்தகக் கடைக்காரரின் உதவியாளராகப் பணியாற்றத் தொடங்கினார். பல துறைகளில் அவர் ஒரு பன்முகத் திறமையாளராக இருந்தார்.

பின்னர், அவர் பத்திரிகை துறையில் ஆர்வம் காட்டினார். பிரிட்டனில் உள்ளூர் பத்திரிகைகளிலும், லண்டன் மாத இதழ்களிலும் பணிபுரிந்தார். பெர்னார்ட் பார்ட்டன் என்ற கவிஞரின் வாழ்க்கை வரலாற்றை எழுதும்படி அவரிடம் கேட்கப்பட்டது. இது அவருடைய எழுத்துத் திறமைக்கு ஒரு முக்கியப் படி.

அந்த வாழ்க்கை வரலாற்றை அவர் சிறப்பாக எழுதியதால், சார்லஸ் லேம்பின் புத்தகங்களைப் பற்றி எழுத அவருக்கு வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தது. பிறகு, 1904 ஆம் ஆண்டில், 'பஞ்ச்' என்ற இதழில் அவர் வாழ்நாள் முழுவதும் பணியாற்றினார். தனது சிறிய கட்டுரைகளுக்காக அவர் மிகவும் பிரபலமானார். மேலும், அவர் பல பாடல்களையும் நாடகங்களையும் எழுதியுள்ளார். அவர் தனது படைப்புகளில் நகைச்சுவையையும் வாழ்க்கைப் பாடங்களையும் சேர்த்துக் கொடுத்தார்.

பாடச் சுருக்கம்:

இப்பாடப்பகுதியில், கதாசிரியர் தான் ஒரு கடினமான சூழ்நிலையில் சிக்கிக்கொண்டு, பின்னர் தனது புத்திசாலித்தனத்தால் அதிலிருந்து எப்படித் தப்பித்தார் என்பதைத் தெளிவாக விளக்கியுள்ளார். அவர் தனது நண்பருடன் ஓவியங்களை ஏலம்விடும் இடத்திற்குச் செல்கிறார். இது ஒரு சுவாரஸ்யமான அனுபவக் கதை.

ஏலத்தின்போது, எல்லோரும் பொருட்களை ஏலம் எடுத்துக்கொண்டு படங்களை வாங்கிக் கொண்டிருந்தார்கள். அப்போது ஆசிரியர் விளையாட்டாக ஒரு ஓவியத்திற்கு ஏலம் கேட்டார். ஆனால், அவரது வங்கிக் கணக்கில் வெறும் 63 பவுண்டுகள் மட்டுமே இருந்தன. அவர் விளையாட்டாகக் கேட்ட ஏலத்தொகையோ 4050 கினியாக்கள். இது அவருக்கு ஒரு பெரிய அதிர்ச்சி.

விளையாட்டாக ஏலம் கேட்டு அவர் மாட்டிக்கொண்டார். இந்த கடினமான தருணத்திலிருந்து தனது உடனடி புத்திசாலித்தனத்தால் இந்த சிக்கலான சூழ்நிலையிலிருந்து அவர் எப்படி தன்னைக் காப்பாற்றிக் கொண்டார் என்பதை இந்தக் கட்டுரையில் விரிவாகப் பார்ப்போம். அவருடைய துணிச்சல் பாராட்டுக்குரியது.

Tight Corners Summary in Tamil

எங்கள் பேச்சு, கடினமான சூழ்நிலைகளில் சிக்கிக்கொள்வது பற்றிய நிகழ்வுகளைப் பற்றி இருந்தது. அதில், வாழத் தெரிந்தவர்கள் சாகசமானவர்களாகவும், சமரசம் செய்யத் தெரிந்தவர்களாகவும் இருப்பார்கள் என்று கருதப்பட்டது. கடினமான சூழலில் மனம் தளராதிருப்பது முக்கியம்.

ஒருவர், வடகிழக்கு பிரான்சில் கடலோரப் பகுதியில் ஒரு பெரிய அலையில் சிக்கிக்கொண்டதாகவும், பின்னர் தனது புத்திசாலித்தனத்தால் அதிலிருந்து தப்பித்ததாகவும் கூறினார். மற்றொருவர், காயமடைந்த புலியால் தாக்கப்படும்போது யானையின் மீது இருந்ததாகச் சொன்னார். ஆபத்தான தருணங்களில் உயிர் பிழைப்பது கடினம்.

மூன்றாவதாக ஒருவர், எரியும் வீட்டின் மூன்றாவது மாடியில் இருந்ததாகக் கூறினார். நான்காவதாக மற்றொருவர், போரில் ஏவுகணையால் தாக்கப்பட்டதாகச் சொன்னார். இத்தகைய கதைகள் கேட்பவர்களை சிந்திக்கத் தூண்டின.

அவர்களில் ஒருவர், "நீங்கள் எல்லோரும் உடல் ரீதியாக சிக்கிக்கொண்டவர்களைப் பற்றியே பேசுகிறீர்கள்" என்றார். உடல்நிலையை விட மனநிலை பாதிப்பு அதிகம் உள்ளவர்கள் நிச்சயம் இருப்பார்கள். நான் ஒருமுறை கிறிஸ்திஸ் ஏலக்கடையில் மிக மோசமான சிக்கலில் மாட்டிக்கொண்டேன். மன ரீதியான போராட்டங்கள் மிகவும் சவாலானவை.

"Christie's?"

ஆம். லண்டனில் பெரிய வணிகம் நடைபெறும் செயிண்ட் ஜேம்ஸ் தெருவில் இருந்த எனது பழைய வெளிநாட்டு நண்பருடன் மதிய உணவு சாப்பிட்டேன். பின்னர், கிங் ஸ்ட்ரீட்டில் உள்ள ஏல விற்பனை கூடத்தைப் பார்வையிட அவர் என்னைக் கட்டாயப்படுத்தினார். அந்த இடம் மக்கள் கூட்டத்தால் நிரம்பி வழிந்தது. ஏலக் கூடங்கள் எப்போதும் பரபரப்பாக இருக்கும்.

அவர்கள் பார்பிசன் படங்களை விற்றுக்கொண்டிருந்தனர். ஒவ்வொரு சிறிய பொருளையும், படங்களையும் இரண்டாயிரம், மூவாயிரம் என நல்ல விலைக்கு விற்றனர். அங்கு, காட்டுப் படங்கள், மாலை நேரக் குளங்கள், ஆடு மேய்க்கும் சிறுவன் போன்ற வழக்கமான தலைப்புகளின் கீழ் வரும் படங்கள் இருந்தன. இது கலை ஆர்வலர்களுக்கு ஒரு நல்ல வாய்ப்பு.

எந்த ஏலமும் மூன்று இலக்க எண்களுக்கு மேல் போகவில்லை. நான் வேடிக்கையாக ஏலம் கேட்டேன். என்னிடம் வெறும் அறுபத்தி மூன்று பவுண்டுகள் மட்டுமே வங்கியில் இருந்தன. ஆனால், ஐந்நூறு பவுண்டுகள் கடன் பெறக் கூடிய ஒரு பெரிய பணக்காரர் போல, ஏல விற்பனையாளருடன் தலையை ஆட்டினேன். இது அவரது நிதி நிலைமைக்கு முரணாக இருந்தது.

"நீ கண்டிப்பாக மாட்டிக்கொள்வாய்" என்று என் நண்பன் என்னிடம் கூறினான். அதற்கு நான், "இல்லை, நான் மாட்டிக்கொள்ள மாட்டேன். எந்த விதமான ஆபத்துகளிலும் சிக்க மாட்டேன்" என்று சொன்னேன். அவர் தனது திறமை மீது மிகுந்த நம்பிக்கை வைத்திருந்தார்.

நீண்ட நேரம் நான் எந்த சிக்கலிலும் மாட்டிக்கொள்ளவில்லை. பிறகு, ஒரு ஓவியத்தை ஏலத்திற்கு கொண்டு வந்தார்கள். ஒரு புதிய மனிதர், சிவப்பு முகத்தை கொண்ட தொப்பியை அணிந்து, ஒரு படத்தை ஏலத்திற்காக முன்வைத்தார். யாரும் கேட்க முடியாத விலையை அந்த ஓவியத்திற்காகக் கேட்டு, அனைவரையும் வியப்பில் ஆழ்த்தினார். இது அனைவரின் கவனத்தையும் ஈர்த்தது.

முந்தைய ஏலங்கள் நான்கு இலக்கங்களில் விற்கப்பட்டிருந்தாலும், ஐம்பது அல்லது நூறு கினியாக்களில் தொடங்கி, நான்கு இலக்க எண்களைத் தொட்டன. நான் அடிக்கடி, ஒரு சிறந்த முடிவை (கிட்டத்தட்ட உச்சத்தை) நோக்கி நம்பிக்கையுடன் பங்களித்தேன். ஆனால் சிறிது நேரத்தில், ஒரு புதிய படம் வைக்கப்பட்டவுடன், வியாபாரி பரபரப்புடன் ஆரம்பத் தொகையாக "நான்காயிரம் கினியாக்கள்" என்று கூறினார். ஏலங்கள் எப்போதுமே எதிர்பாராத திருப்பங்களைக் கொண்டிருக்கும்.

மிகப்பெரிய சலசலப்பான உற்சாக ஒலி எழுந்தது. முடிவில், என் குரல் "ஐம்பது!" என்று சொன்னது. அதற்குப் பிறகு ஒரு ஆழ்ந்த அமைதி நிலவியது. அப்போது ஏல விற்பனையாளர் ஏலத்தொகையைக் கேட்டவரையும், பின்னர் அங்கிருந்த அனைவரையும் பார்த்தார். இந்த அமைதி ஒரு ஆபத்தான சூழ்நிலையின் அறிகுறியாக இருந்தது.

விளையாட்டாக ஏலம் கேட்டதால், ஏலம் விடுபவர் அதிர்ச்சியுடன் சிவப்பு முகம் கொண்டவராகக் காணப்பட்டார். அவர் தனது திறமையைப் பயன்படுத்தி அதிக பணம் சம்பாதிப்பதாக நான் நினைத்தேன். ஏலத்தில் இதுபோன்ற தருணங்கள் எதிர்பாராதவை.

"நான்காயிரத்து ஐம்பது கினியாக்கள் வழங்கப்படும்" என்று கூறப்பட்டது, அதன் பிறகு ஏலம் முடிந்தது. ஏலத்தின் முடிவு ஒருவரை எதிர்பாராத சிக்கலில் சிக்க வைத்தது.

எனது இதயத்துடிப்பு நின்றுவிட்டது. இரத்தம் உறைந்து போனது போன்ற உணர்வு ஏற்பட்டது. எந்த சத்தமும் கேட்காமல், என் நண்பன் தனது சிரிப்பை அடக்கும் சத்தம் மட்டுமே எனக்குக் கேட்டது. பயமும், திகைப்பும் அவரை சூழ்ந்தன.

ஏலம் முடிந்தது. இது ஒரு முக்கிய முடிவாக அமைந்தது.

ஒரு நிமிடம் நான் மிகவும் பயந்தேன். ஆனால், என் நண்பன் தனிமையான இடத்தில் நின்று என் நிலையைக் கண்டு சிரித்தான். நெருக்கடியான சூழ்நிலையில் நண்பனின் சிரிப்பு மேலும் கவலையை ஏற்படுத்தியது.

நான் இதைப் பார்த்து அதிர்ச்சியடைந்தேன். பணம் வசூலிப்பவரிடம் எனது அட்டையைக் கொடுக்கும்போது, நான் இயல்பாக இருப்பது போலக் காட்டிக்கொண்டேன். அடுத்து வரவிருக்கும் பிரச்சனையை எப்படி சமாளிப்பது என்று யோசித்தேன். தொடர்ந்து படங்கள் ஏலத்திற்கு வந்து விற்கப்பட்டன, ஆனால் நான் எதையும் பார்க்கவில்லை. அவர் தனது கவலையை மறைக்க முயன்றார்.

நான் விரைந்து சென்று கடன் வாங்க முடியுமா என்று, என் மாமாக்களின் பெயர்கள் நினைவுக்கு வருகிறதா என்று மனதிற்குள் பார்த்தேன், ஆனால் எதுவும் வரவில்லை. இந்த படத்தை மீண்டும் ஏலம் விட முடியுமா என்று கேட்டேன். எனது வறுமையை கிறிஸ்திஸ் ஏலக்கடையில் உள்ள ஒரு பணியாளரிடம் கூறினேன். அவர் உதவிகளுக்காகக் கெஞ்சத் தயாராக இருந்தார்.

அந்தப் படத்தை மீண்டும் ஏலம் விடச் சொன்னேன். இதுதான் சிறந்த வழி என்று நான் நினைத்தேன் - அனைத்து முயற்சிகளும் செய்த பிறகு, நான் இந்த ஏலத்தை எப்படிச் சமாளிக்கப் போகிறேன் என்று யோசித்தேன். அந்த பணியாளர் பணக்காரர் போலத் தோன்றினாலும், இரக்கமற்றவராக இருந்தார். யாரும் இது ஒரு தவறு என்று நம்பவில்லை. எந்த ஒரு தவறும் சரியான நேரத்தில் சரி செய்யப்பட வேண்டும். சில சமயங்களில் நேர்மை ஒருவரின் மரியாதையைக் காப்பாற்றும்.

சரியான நேரத்தில் விற்பனை முடிவுக்கு வந்தது. நான் வியாபாரிகள் காத்திருக்கும் வெளிப்பகுதிக்குச் சென்றேன். அவர்கள் காசோலைகளை எழுதிக்கொண்டும், வழிமுறைகளைக் கூறிக்கொண்டும் இருந்தார்கள். எப்போதும் போல நான்தான் கடைசியாக இருந்தேன். அந்த நேரத்தில் என் நண்பனுடன் சேர முயன்றேன், அவன் என்னைப் பார்த்ததும் தன் கைக்குட்டையால் முகத்தை மூடிக்கொண்டு சிரித்தான். நண்பனின் சிரிப்பு அவருக்கு இன்னும் சங்கடத்தைக் கொடுத்தது.

விதியின்படி நான் தனியாக விடப்பட்டேன். என் வாழ்நாளில் நான் இப்படி ஒரு முட்டாள்தனமான சூழ்நிலையை உணர்ந்ததில்லை. இந்த நிகழ்வு அவருக்கு ஒரு பெரும் பாடமாக அமைந்தது.

இப்படி ஒரு இரக்கமில்லாத மனிதரை நான் பார்த்ததில்லை. இந்த அனுபவம் அவருக்கு மறக்க முடியாததாக இருந்தது.

நேர்மையான வாழ்க்கையில் சில நேரங்களில் நற்பண்புகளுக்கு அப்பாற்பட்ட வெகுமதிகள் கிடைப்பதை நான் உணர்ந்தேன். திடீரென்று என் காதில் ஒரு குரல், "மன்னிக்கவும் ஐயா, நீங்கள் பெரிய டேபிக்னி படத்தை வாங்கிய பெரியவர் தானே?" என்று கேட்டது. இது ஒரு எதிர்பாராத திருப்புமுனையாக இருந்தது.

நான், "ஆம், நான்தான்" என்று ஒப்புக்கொண்டேன். இது அவரது சிக்கலான நிலைமையை வெளிப்படுத்தியது.

"நன்று, நான்காயிரம் கினியாக்கள் அளித்த அந்தப் பெரியவர், உங்களது ஏலத்தை ஐம்பது கினியாக்களுக்கு வாங்கிக்கொள்ள விரும்புகிறார்" என்று அவர் கூறினார். இது அவருக்கு ஒரு பெரிய நிவாரணம்.

ஒரு பச்சை கம்பளி மேலங்கி அணிந்திருந்த உயர்ந்த கடவுளின் தூதர் போன்ற ஒருவர், ஒரு கரடுமுரடான காக்னி குரலில் பேசினார். அவரை கட்டித் தழுவி சந்தோஷத்தில் மூழ்கினேன். நான் ஐம்பது கினியாக்களைப் பெற்றுக் கொள்வேன், ஆனால் ஏன் நான் குறைவான பணத்தை எடுக்க வேண்டும்? அவரது மனதில் ஒரு புதிய திட்டம் உருவானது.

"இதுதான் கேட்கக்கூடிய அதிகபட்ச விலையா?" என்று கேட்டேன். பிறகு, "அவனிடம் சொல்லுங்கள், நான் நூறு கினியாக்கள் எடுத்துக் கொள்கிறேன்" என்று சொல்லி, நான் அதைப் பெற்றுக் கொண்டேன். அவர் தனது புத்திசாலித்தனத்தால் அதிக லாபம் ஈட்டினார்.

என் நண்பனைப் பார்த்தபோது நானும் சிரித்துக்கொண்டிருந்தேன். ஆனால், அவன் அந்தக் காசோலையைப் பார்த்தவுடன் மயங்கிவிட்டான். "எல்லாம் அதிர்ஷ்டம்தான். நல்லது, நான் தொடங்குகிறேன்" என்று அவன் சொன்னான். இந்த அனுபவம் இருவருக்கும் ஒரு பெரிய பாடம்.

"நான் உன்னைக் கூப்பிடாமல் இருந்தால் நீ கிறிஸ்திஸ் ஏலத்திற்கு வந்திருக்க முடியாது என்பதை மறந்துவிடாதே" என்று நண்பன் சொன்னான். அதற்கு நான், "நான் அதை மறக்க மாட்டேன். இது என் மனதில் அழிக்க முடியாத நெருப்பாக இருக்கும். எனது தலைமுடி வெள்ளையாக மாறாது, பார்?" என்று கூறினேன். இந்த நிகழ்வு அவர்களின் நட்பில் ஒரு வேடிக்கையான நினைவாக நிலைத்தது.