Samacheer Kalvi Class 6 English Solutions Term 3 Poem 2 A Tragic Story

Warm Up (Text Book Page No. 106)

Pin the tail on the donkey.

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Textual Exercises (Text Book Page No. 107)

A. Answer the following:

Question 1. What made the sage upset?
Answer: The sage became upset because his pigtail always hung behind him. He found it strange that he couldn't see his own pigtail despite his wisdom.
In simple words: The sage was sad because his pigtail was always at the back of his head.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a character's emotions, always state the feeling and then explain the reason clearly.

Question 2. Why did the sage spin all day?
Answer: The sage spun around all day trying to make his pigtail move from the back to the front. He hoped that by turning, he could trick the pigtail into changing its position. This shows his dedication to solving the 'mystery' of its placement.
In simple words: The sage spun all day to try and change where his pigtail hung.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the character's motivation when explaining their actions, even if those actions seem illogical.

Question 3. What solution did he arrive at for the mystery that he found?
Answer: He thought that if he turned his body around, he could change the position of his pigtail. He believed that by twisting and twirling, he could force the pigtail to hang in front instead of behind him. This was his simple but mistaken idea.
In simple words: He decided that if he turned himself around, his pigtail would also change its position.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the direct cause-and-effect the character perceives, even if it's based on a flawed understanding.

Question 4. Was he finally succeeded in changing his pigtail's position? Support your answer with a line from the poem.
Answer: No, he was not successful in changing his pigtail's position in the end. The poem clearly states, 'The Pigtail hangs behind him', showing that all his efforts were in vain. This emphasizes the unchanging nature of the pigtail's placement.
In simple words: No, he never managed to change his pigtail's position. The poem says it always hung behind him.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to support an answer with a line from the poem, quote the line exactly and put it in single quotes.

Question 5. Did something dreadful happens? How would you describe the events in the Poem- comedy or tragedy?
Answer: No, nothing dreadful happened in the poem. The events are humorous because the sage acts illogically, trying to change something that cannot be changed. His funny actions create comedy throughout the poem, making it a lighthearted story. The poem uses this simple situation to create a humorous effect.
In simple words: Nothing bad happened. The poem is a comedy because the sage's silly attempts to move his pigtail are funny.

🎯 Exam Tip: To decide if a story is a comedy or tragedy, look at the outcome and the overall feeling it creates – funny events lead to comedy, sad ones to tragedy.

B. Read the poem lines and answer the questions given below: (Text Book Page No. 107)

Question 1. But wondered much and sorrowed more Because it hung behind him.
a) What was he wondering about?
Answer: He was wondering about his pigtail. He was confused and sad because it always hung behind him, no matter what he did. His main concern was its fixed position.
In simple words: He was wondering about why his pigtail always stayed behind him.

🎯 Exam Tip: For simple comprehension questions, identify the main subject of the character's thought or feeling directly from the text.

b) What does the word 'it' refer to here?
Answer: Here, the word 'it' refers to the pigtail. The pigtail is the main object of the sage's concern and the central theme of the poem. Pronouns like 'it' are often used to refer back to a previously mentioned noun.
In simple words: 'It' means the pigtail.

🎯 Exam Tip: To find what a pronoun refers to, look at the noun it replaces in the sentences just before it.

Question 2. And though his efforts never slack And though he twist, and twirl, and tack, Alas! Still faithful to his back The pigtail hangs behind him.
a) Pick out the rhyming words from the above lines and give the rhyme scheme for the same?
Answer:
Rhyming words: slack – tack – back
Rhyme scheme: a a a b (The word 'him' does not rhyme with the others). The consistent 'a' sound creates a strong rhythm.
In simple words: The words 'slack', 'tack', and 'back' rhyme. The rhyme pattern is 'a a a b'.

🎯 Exam Tip: To find rhyming words, listen to the end sounds of words. For rhyme scheme, assign a letter to each new end sound in a stanza.

b) Did he quit his trying? How can you say?
Answer: No, he did not quit his trying. The lines 'And though his efforts never slack. And though he twists and twirls and tacks' clearly show that he kept trying without stopping. His persistence, despite the lack of success, is a key part of the poem's humor.
In simple words: No, he never stopped trying. The poem says he kept twisting, twirling, and tacking, meaning he kept working hard.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always refer back to specific phrases or lines from the text when asked to explain "how you can say" something.

Question 3. 'He mused upon this curious case'
what is the figure of speech used in this line?
Answer: The figure of speech used in this line is Personification. Personification is when you give human qualities or actions to something that is not human, like a pigtail. The sage is treating the pigtail as if it has a mind of its own and is choosing to hang behind him. The pigtail, being an inanimate object, cannot 'muse' or decide.
In simple words: This line uses Personification. It makes the pigtail seem like it can think, which only people can do.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that personification gives human traits to non-human things, while simile and metaphor make comparisons.

Question 4. Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning. It may also be a situation that ends up quite different from the actual meaning. It may also be a situation that ends up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple words, it is a difference between appearance and reality.
Can this poem be called an ironic poem? Justify your answer.
Answer: Yes, this poem can definitely be called an ironic poem. The word 'sage' is used ironically because it refers to a person who is actually dull-witted or foolish in his actions, despite being called wise. The irony lies in the fact that a 'wise man' is spending all his energy trying to solve a simple, non-existent problem. The poem shows that learned people sometimes lack practical sense in everyday situations.
This poem is ironic because it highlights the difference between what we expect from a wise man and his foolish behavior. The character is a wise man with a handsome pigtail, which naturally hangs behind him. The humor comes from his obsession with trying to change this natural position. The poet uses this situation to point out that even very learned men can sometimes be impractical. It makes us smile at the simple truth.
In simple words: Yes, this poem is ironic. It calls the main character a 'sage' (wise man) but shows him acting very foolishly about his pigtail. This difference between calling him wise and his silly actions makes it ironic.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify irony, look for a contrast between what is said and what is meant, or between what is expected to happen and what actually happens.

C. Fill in the table with the appropriate poem lines. A few lines may be used more than one time. (Text Book Page No. 108)

🎯 Exam Tip: When filling tables with poem lines, choose lines that best demonstrate the characteristic described, even if multiple lines fit.

D. The summary of the poem is given. But there are some words missing. Fill in the blanks with the help of the box given below. (Text Book Page No. 108)
faithfully, change, pigtail, round,
sage, down, slack, out, hung,
place, behind, vain, face
Answer:
Once upon a time, there lived a sage. He had a handsome pigtail. He was worried and pondered over his pigtail's place. He wanted to change its place. He wanted it hanging on his face. He didn't like it hanging there behind him. So he turned right and left and roundabout, up and down and in and out but it still hung behind him. However he tried, his efforts were in vain. But he didn't slack in his efforts. Nevertheless, his pigtail hung faithfully behind him.
In simple words: The missing words in the summary are filled in to complete the story about the sage and his pigtail.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read the full summary carefully after filling the blanks to ensure the words make sense and flow correctly in the context of the poem.

6th English Guide A Tragic Story Additional Appreciation Questions

Question 1. He mused upon this curious case And swore he'd change the pigtail's place
a) What did he think upon?
Answer: He thought upon 'this curious case'. The sage was deeply thinking about the strange situation of his pigtail always being behind him. He found it to be a puzzle that needed solving. This line means he was puzzling over the pigtail's constant position.
In simple words: He thought about the odd problem of his pigtail.

🎯 Exam Tip: When quoting a phrase from the poem, make sure to use quotation marks to show it's a direct quote.

b) What did he swear?
Answer: He swore that he would change the pigtail's place. He made a strong promise to himself to alter where his pigtail hung. This shows his determination and firm belief that he could achieve his goal. He was very serious about this task.
In simple words: He promised he would change the pigtail's position.

🎯 Exam Tip: To understand what someone swore, look for the action or outcome they committed to doing.

Question 2. And swore he'd change the pigtail's place, And have it hanging at his face Not dangling there behind him.
Pick out the alliterated words.
Answer:
Alliterated words:
Pigtail's – place
have – hanging – his
Alliteration is when words that are close together start with the same sound. This poetic device adds rhythm and musicality to the lines. For example, 'p' sound in 'Pigtail's place'.
In simple words: The words 'Pigtail's place' both start with 'p' sound. The words 'have', 'hanging', and 'his' all start with 'h' sound. These are alliterated words.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for words that are near each other and begin with the same consonant sound, not just the same letter, to find alliteration.

Question 3. Says he, " The mystery I've found- Says he, " The mystery I've found.
a) Who speaks here?
Answer: The sage speaks here. These are the words of the main character, the wise man, as he expresses his supposed discovery. It's his personal declaration about the pigtail's unchanging position. The poem is telling us what the sage says directly.
In simple words: The sage is the one speaking these lines.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always identify the speaker by considering whose thoughts or words are being conveyed in the poem or story.

b) What was the mystery he had found?
Answer: The mystery he had found was how to change the pigtail's place. He considered it a puzzling problem that his pigtail stubbornly remained behind him. He genuinely believed that its fixed position was a profound enigma he needed to solve. This "mystery" was about finding a way to make it hang in front.
In simple words: He thought the mystery was how to make his pigtail hang in a different place, like in front of him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that the "mystery" here is seen from the character's perspective, even if it seems simple to an outsider.

Question 4. Then round and round, and out and in, All-day the puzzled sage did spin; In vain.
a) What did the sage do?
Answer: The sage spun round and round and out and in all day. He constantly moved and turned his body in various directions, tirelessly trying to alter his pigtail's position. He believed this physical activity would change where the pigtail hung.
In simple words: The sage spun around and around, moving in and out, all day long.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about actions, describe them using verbs and adverbs that capture the movement and manner presented in the text.

b) Did he succeed in his trying?
Answer: No, he did not succeed in his trying. The poem clearly states "In vain," meaning all his efforts were useless and he failed to achieve his goal. Despite his continuous attempts, the pigtail stayed in its original position, showing his lack of success. It highlights the futility of his actions.
In simple words: No, he did not succeed. His efforts were useless, and the pigtail stayed where it was.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for keywords like "in vain" or phrases that indicate the outcome of the character's efforts to determine success or failure.

Question 5. 'Alas! still faithful to his back, The pigtail hangs behind him.'
a) Who does hang behind him?
Answer: The pigtail hangs behind him. The pigtail is the object that faithfully remains in its original position despite the sage's attempts to change it. This is the central humorous point of the poem, as the sage is obsessed with its placement.
In simple words: His pigtail hangs behind him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read the question carefully to identify exactly what or who is being asked about, then find the direct answer in the text.

b) Who is faithful?
Answer: The pigtail remains faithful to his back. The poem personifies the pigtail by calling it 'faithful', implying it is loyal to its natural position behind the sage. This playful description adds to the humor, as an inanimate object is given human-like qualities of loyalty. It shows the pigtail "sticks" to the sage's back.
In simple words: The pigtail is faithful because it always stays behind the sage, never moving.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a non-human thing is described with a human quality like 'faithful', recognize it as personification and explain the meaning of that quality in context.

A Tragic Story Summary in English

A sage lived a long time ago. He had a handsome pigtail. He felt sad and happy because it hung behind him, so he could not see it. He wanted to change the pigtail's place from the back to the front of his face. So he tried to change it by turning round and round, and in and out, but it was all in vain. The pigtail hung behind him. But he did not give up. Alas! The pigtail still hung behind him.

A Tragic Story Summary in Tamil

ஒரு முனிவர் முன்பு வாழ்ந்தார். அவருக்கு ஒரு அழகான சடை இருந்தது. அவருக்கு சோகமாகவும் | மகிழ்ச்சியாகவும் இருப்பதாக உணர்ந்தார். ஏனென்றால் அவருக்குப் பின்னால் தொங்கியதால் அவரால் அதைப் பார்க்க முடியவில்லை. அவர் சடையில் இடத்தை பின்புறத்தை தனது முகத்தின் முன்னால் மாற்ற விரும்பினார். எனவே அவர் அதை சுற்றினர் உள்ளே, வெளியே ஆட்டினர். ஆனால் அவரது முயற்சி பலனளிக்கவில்லை. சடை அவருக்குப் பின்னால் தொங்கியது. ஆனால் அவர் விடவில்லை. ஐயோ! சடை அவருக்குப் பின்னால் தொங்குகிறது.

A Tragic Story About the Author in English

William Makepeace Thackeray (18 July 1811 – 24 December 1863) was an English novelist of the 19th century. He was famous for his satirical works, particularly, Vanity Fair, a panoramic portrait of English society.

A Tragic Story About the Author in Tamil

வில்லியம் மேக்பிஸ் தாக்கரே (18, ஜூலை 1811-24 டிசம்பர் 1863) 19ஆம் நூற்றாண்டின் ஆங்கில நாவலாசிரியர் ஆவார். அவர் தனது நையாண்டி படைப்புகளுக்கு குறிப்பாக பிரபலமானவர். வேனிட்டி ஃபேர் ஆங்கில சமுதாயத்தின் பரந்த உருவப்படம்.