Class 12 Flamingo English Chapter 2 Lost Spring
Class 12 English – Flamingo
Chapter 2: Lost Spring
Summary and Key Insights
Lost Spring is a heart-wrenching story written by Anees Jung that highlights the stark contrast between the lives of children from impoverished backgrounds and the privileged sections of society. The story focuses on two main themes: the exploitation of child labor and the loss of childhood. Through the experiences of Saeeda, a rag-picker, and the boy in the second part of the story, readers are introduced to the harsh realities of poverty and how it robs children of their childhood and dreams.
What You Will Learn in Chapter 2
In this chapter, students will explore the grim realities faced by children forced into labor to survive. The chapter emphasizes the importance of childhood as a time for learning, growth, and exploration, which is denied to these children due to their socio-economic conditions. The chapter also reflects on the need for social reform and action to alleviate poverty and child exploitation.
Key Themes
Child Exploitation and Poverty: The central theme of the story is child labor and the exploitation of young children in poor working conditions.
Loss of Childhood: The story highlights how poverty steals the innocence of children, forcing them to work instead of going to school and enjoying a carefree childhood.
Social Injustice: It explores the deep-rooted social issues of inequality and injustice, where underprivileged children are deprived of opportunities for a better life.
Dreams and Aspirations: The story also conveys the dreams and hopes of children, particularly Saeeda, who aspires to change her life but is trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Plot Summary
The story is divided into two parts. In the first part, the narrator focuses on Saeeda, a rag-picker, who spends her days collecting rags and waste from the streets of Seemapuri. Saeeda\’s life is filled with hardship, as she and her family live in extreme poverty, with no access to basic needs like food and education. Saeeda, like many other children, is forced to work to support her family instead of enjoying the pleasures of childhood.
In the second part of the story, the focus shifts to a boy named Saeeq, who works in the glass-blowing industry in Firozabad. Saeeq is also denied his childhood, as he spends his days working long hours in hazardous conditions, blowing glass to make bangles. Despite his desires to attend school and improve his life, Saeeq, like many other children in Firozabad, is stuck in the vicious cycle of poverty and labor. The story emphasizes how social and economic conditions trap these children, leaving them without hope for a better future.
The narrative of Lost Spring is a call for awareness and change in society, urging readers to reflect on the plight of these children and the need for reform.
Important Points
Saeeq\’s Hardship: The boy\’s life in Firozabad serves as a poignant example of the cycle of poverty, where generations are condemned to follow the same path of hardship and exploitation.
The Glass-Blowing Industry: The story sheds light on the glass-blowing industry of Firozabad, where children are forced to work in unsafe conditions, depriving them of their education and childhood.
Saeeda\’s Struggle: Saeeda’s struggle as a rag-picker demonstrates how children are denied their basic rights to a proper childhood, education, and a future full of opportunities.
The Cycle of Poverty: The chapter emphasizes that poverty often traps children in a vicious cycle, where they are forced to work for survival and are denied the chance to break free from their socio-economic conditions.
Sample Questions
1. What are the two distinct stories presented in the chapter ‘Lost Spring’?
The chapter presents two distinct stories: the first focuses on Saeeda, a rag-picker in Seemapuri, and the second is about Saeeq, a boy working in the glass-blowing industry in Firozabad. Both stories illustrate the exploitation of children due to poverty.
2. How does the writer bring out the difference between the lives of the rich and the poor in the chapter?
The writer contrasts the lives of privileged children, who enjoy their childhood and education, with the lives of impoverished children, who are forced to work to survive. This stark difference highlights the social inequality and the loss of childhood experienced by poor children.
3. What is the main reason behind Saeeq’s situation in Firozabad?
Saeeq’s situation in Firozabad is due to the glass-blowing industry, which exploits children for cheap labor. The cycle of poverty and the inability of the authorities to address child labor issues in Firozabad keep children like Saeeq trapped in harsh working conditions.
4. What is the significance of the title ‘Lost Spring’?
The title ‘Lost Spring’ symbolizes the lost childhood of children who are forced into labor instead of enjoying the carefree days of spring. The term ‘spring’ also represents the time of growth and new beginnings, which is denied to these children.
Answers
1. What are the two distinct stories presented in the chapter ‘Lost Spring’?
The first story is about Saeeda, a rag-picker in Seemapuri, who is forced
to work to help her family survive. The second story is about Saeeq, a boy working in the glass-blowing industry in Firozabad, where children are exploited to create bangles. Both stories highlight the exploitation of children due to poverty.
2. How does the writer bring out the difference between the lives of the rich and the poor in the chapter?
The writer contrasts the lives of privileged children who go to school, play, and have a future filled with opportunities, with the lives of underprivileged children who are forced into labor for survival. These children have no access to education or any hope of a better life, underlining the stark inequality between the rich and the poor.
3. What is the main reason behind Saeeq’s situation in Firozabad?
Saeeq’s situation is primarily due to the glass-blowing industry in Firozabad, which exploits children as cheap labor. The poverty in the region and the failure of the authorities to enforce laws against child labor force children to work in unsafe conditions, preventing them from attending school and improving their lives.
4. What is the significance of the title ‘Lost Spring’?
The title represents the childhood that is ‘lost’ to children like Saeeq and Saeeda, who are forced to work instead of experiencing the carefree joy and opportunities that come with childhood. It also symbolizes the lost potential of these children who are denied education and a chance for a better life.
Preparation Tips for Chapter 2
Understand the Themes: Reflect on the themes of poverty, child labor, and the loss of childhood. Analyze how these themes affect the characters and the message the author conveys.
Character Analysis: Understand the characters of Saeeda and Saeeq. Focus on their lives, struggles, and how their childhood has been stolen from them due to socio-economic factors.
Historical and Social Context: Recognize the socio-economic conditions in India that lead to child labor, particularly in industries like glass-blowing and rag-picking.
Essays and Discussions: Write essays on topics like \”The Exploitation of Children\” or \”The Impact of Poverty on Education.\” Discuss the need for social reform to end child labor.
Quotes and Analysis: Focus on significant quotes in the story and analyze their deeper meanings, such as the reference to the \”lost spring.\”
Conclusion
Lost Spring is a powerful commentary on the plight of children who are denied their basic rights due to poverty. It emphasizes the need for social reforms to end child labor and provide children with the opportunities they deserve. Through the stories of Saeeda and Saeeq, the chapter urges readers to reflect on the importance of education, childhood, and the fight for social justice. This chapter serves as a reminder of the stark reality faced by millions of children around the world, and the need for collective action to ensure every child has a fair chance at a bright future.
Class 12 Flamingo English Chapter 2 Lost Spring
Lost Spring NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers
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Question 1:
What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?
Answer:
Saheb is searching for valuable items or money among the garbage dumps. He lives in Seemapuri, a place on the outskirts of Delhi, and has migrated from Bangladesh in search of a better life.
Question 2:
What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?
Answer:
The author provides two explanations for the children’s bare feet. First, it is suggested that the children are not without shoes because of poverty but rather due to a tradition of going barefoot. However, the author also implies that this is a convenient excuse for the ongoing cycle of poverty that these children live in, where they are unable to afford footwear due to their financial circumstances.
Question 3:
Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain.
Answer:
Saheb is not happy working at the tea-stall. Despite earning a regular income, he has lost the carefree expression he once had, and he is no longer his own master. Unlike before, when he had the freedom to roam and make his own choices, Saheb is now bound to a daily routine. This shift indicates that he is not content with his current situation.
Lost Spring Think as you read (Page 20)
Question 1:
What makes the city of Firozabad famous?
Answer:
The city of Firozabad is renowned for its bangle-making industry. Almost every family in Firozabad is involved in the production of glass bangles, making it a hub for this craft.
Question 2:
Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry?
Answer:
Working in the glass bangles industry is both physically demanding and harmful to health. The workers, particularly children, endure the extreme heat from the glass furnaces and work in poorly lit, stuffy environments with no proper ventilation. The continuous exposure to such harsh conditions can severely damage their eyesight, leading to the loss of vision in many cases.
Question 3:
How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?
Answer:
Mukesh has a different outlook on his future compared to his family. While his family has been involved in bangle-making for generations, he dreams of breaking free from this cycle. Mukesh aspires to become a motor mechanic, which reflects his desire to escape the traditional bangle-making work and pursue a new path.
Lost Spring Understanding the text
Question 1:
What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities?
Answer:
Many people migrate from villages to cities in search of better livelihood opportunities. In villages, agricultural land is often limited, and as families grow, they cannot sustain all members within the agricultural profession. As a result, they move to cities to find work. Additionally, frequent natural disasters, such as storms that destroy their fields and homes, force them to migrate to urban areas. Moreover, the allure of the facilities and opportunities provided by city life, such as the presence of large industries offering employment, attracts many villagers. Some individuals also move to cities to work in sectors like rickshaw pulling, auto rickshaw driving, or dairy farming, which provide a better income.
Question 2:
Would you agree that promises made to poor children are rarely kept? Why do you think this happens in the incidents narrated in the text?
Answer:
It is often the case that promises made to poor children are not kept. In the text, for example, the author promises Saheb that he could attend school. However, when Saheb points out that there is no school in his neighborhood, the author jokingly says that if she starts a school, he could come. Such promises are not made with seriousness and are often \”half-jokingly\” made. Saheb, like many other poor children, takes these promises seriously, asking if the school is ready. This illustrates the recurring issue where promises made to poor children are seldom fulfilled, either due to a lack of sincerity or because of excuses like insufficient resources. Similarly, the promises made by governments or agencies to improve the lives of poor children are rarely realized, leading to continued hardship.
Question 3:
What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?
Answer:
Firozabad is renowned for its bangle industry, where generations of families have worked making glass bangles. Despite the large number of workers, including around 20,000 children, the workers in this industry are trapped in a cycle of poverty. These workers struggle to provide adequate food for their families or send their children to school, with many never experiencing a full meal in their lifetime. A significant factor keeping them in poverty is the exploitative system of middlemen who take away most of their earnings. The workers are ensnared in a \”web of poverty\” created by the collaboration of moneylenders, middlemen, law enforcement, bureaucrats, and politicians. This cycle of exploitation is passed down from one generation to the next, ensuring that the workers remain trapped in their impoverished conditions.
Lost Spring Talking about the text
Question 1:
How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realise his dream?
Answer:
Mukesh hails from Firozabad, where every other family is involved in the bangle-making industry. His family has been in this profession for generations, but Mukesh has a different dream. He aspires to become a motor mechanic instead of continuing the family trade. Mukesh\’s desire is understandable, given that despite working tirelessly in unhealthy and dangerous conditions, his family remains in poverty, struggling even to meet basic needs.
In my opinion, Mukesh can achieve his dream due to his strong determination and willpower. Though his family may oppose his decision to leave the bangle-making profession, I believe Mukesh will overcome their resistance. He has valid reasons to convince them that his dream will benefit both himself and his family. Apart from the economic benefits, becoming a motor mechanic would also improve his health, as he would avoid the risks of eye problems that come with working in the bangle industry.
Question 2:
Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
Answer:
Working in the glass bangles industry is physically demanding and hazardous to health. Workers labor in extreme heat near furnaces, in poorly ventilated spaces that lack light and air. They also inhale harmful particles from the materials used to make the bangles. The continuous, grueling work in such unhealthy conditions takes a toll on their health, particularly affecting their lungs and eyes. Many children working in the industry lose the brightness in their eyes, as they are exposed to these risks from a young age.
Question 3:
Why should child labour be eliminated and how?
Answer:
Child labour is a serious issue that hinders human progress and dignity. Unfortunately, it has been widespread across both developed and developing nations for centuries. Even countries like England, in the past, had child labour issues. Today, many countries, including India, have passed laws to eliminate this problem, but child labour still persists in some industries.
Child labour thrives in industries like carpet making, bangle production, and beedi-making, where children are exploited to perform unskilled tasks. While laws banning child labour are in place, enforcement remains a challenge in many sectors.
To completely eliminate child labour, it is not enough to impose legal restrictions alone. We must also foster awareness about its harmful effects on society. Children should have the opportunity to attend school and develop into well-rounded, productive individuals. Addressing the root cause of child labour, which is poverty, is essential. Thus, in addition to free education, children should be provided with stipends, scholarships, and other support to ensure that they can attend school without the need to work. By taking these steps, we can help children escape the cycle of poverty and prepare them for a better future.
Lost Spring – Things to Do
The beauty of the glass bangles of Firozabad contrasts with the misery of people who produce them. This paradox is also found in some other situations, for example, those who work in gold and diamond mines, carpet weaving factories, and the products of their labor, the lives of construction workers, or the buildings they build.
Look around and find examples of such paradoxes. Write a paragraph of about 200 to 250 words on any one of them. You can start by making notes.
Here is an example of how one such paragraph may begin: \”You never see the poor in this town. By day they toil, working cranes and earthmovers, squirreling deep into the hot sand to lay the foundations of chrome. By night they are banished to bleak labour camps at the outskirts of the city…\”
Answer:
Note-Making
Question 1.
Paradox in Nature
- (i) Contrast presented in nature.
- (ii) There are roses, lilies, and lotuses.
- (iii) Paradoxically, there are thorns and cacti.
Question 2.
Human-made Paradoxes
- (i) Miserable life of carpet weavers, who produce beautiful carpets.
- (ii) Poor bangle makers.
- (iii) Miserable and poor construction laborers, who build beautiful buildings and houses.
Question 3.
Miserable Plight of Construction Labor
- (i) Work laboriously day and night.
- (ii) In all seasons—very hot and very cold.
- (iii) Risk their lives.
- (iv) To enable rich people to live comfortably.
Question 4.
Where They Live?
- (i) Those who make splendid buildings.
- (ii) Where others live.
- (iii) They themselves live in shabby houses.
Lost Spring Extra Questions and Answers
Lost Spring Extra Questions Short Answer Type
Question 1:
What did garbage mean to the children of Seemapuri and to their parents?
Or
In what sense is garbage gold to the rag pickers?
Or
‘Garbage to them is gold.’ Why does the author say so about the rag pickers?
Answer:
Garbage means ‘gold’ to the poor rag pickers because some of it can be sold for cash, thus becoming a means of survival for the children of Seemapuri and for their parents. It is providing them their daily bread and a roof over their heads.
Question 2:
What does Saheb look for in the garbage dumps?
Or
What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?
Answer:
In the garbage dumps, Saheb looks for useful items which can be sold for cash. As these items can be traded for money, they are just like ‘gold’ for him. Saheb and his family live in Seemapuri, a slum on the periphery of Delhi. His family had migrated from Bangladesh.
Question 3:
“It is his karam, his destiny.” What is Mukesh’s family’s attitude towards their situation?
Or
How is Mukesh different from the other bangle-makers of Firozabad?
Or
How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?
Answer:
Mukesh’s grandmother says this, as she believes in destiny, meaning that their family cannot escape from their God-given lineage of bangle-makers and will remain bangle-makers, continuing to suffer. But Mukesh has the courage to dream of becoming a motor mechanic, thus breaking free from destiny.
Question 4:
How was Saheb’s life at the tea stall?
Or
What job did Saheb take up? Was he happy?
Or
Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? Explain.
Answer:
Saheb took up the job of performing odd jobs at a tea stall, but was unhappy because he was tied down by the work he had to do, thus losing his independence, which he had earlier as a rag picker.
Question 5:
Describe Mukesh as an ambitious person.
Answer:
Mukesh is an ambitious person because he wants to become a motor mechanic by breaking free from the vicious web of generations of families being involved in bangle-making. He has the courage to dream of becoming a motor mechanic, thus breaking free from destiny.
Question 6:
What kind of gold did the people of Seemapuri look for in the garbage? (Lost Spring)
Answer:
The people of Seemapuri look for items in the garbage which can be traded for money, meaning ‘gold’, as it helps them earn their daily bread and have a roof over their heads. For a child, garbage may mean something wrapped in wonder, whereas for the elders it is a means of survival.
Question 7:
Why had the ragpickers come to live in Seemapuri?
Or
To which country did Saheb’s parents originally belong? Why did they come to India?
Or
Why did Saheb’s parents leave Dhaka and migrate to India?
Answer:
Once Saheb’s parents lived in Bangladesh, amidst the green fields of Dhaka. There were many storms that swept away their fields and homes. That’s why they migrated to Delhi and settled down in Seemapuri looking for an occupation.
Question 8:
Whom does Anees Jung blame for the sorry plight of the bangle-makers?
Answer:
Anees Jung blames the vicious circle of the sahukars (moneylenders), middlemen, policemen, bureaucrats and politicians for the sorry plight of the bangle-makers. They don’t allow the bangle-makers to organise themselves into a cooperative.
Question 9:
What is Mukesh’s dream? Do you think he will be able to fulfil his dream? Why? Why not?
Or
Who is Mukesh? What is his dream?
Or
Is it possible for Mukesh to realise his dream? Justify your answer.
Or
What was Mukesh’s dream? In your opinion, did he achieve his dream?
Or
Why is Mukesh’s dream of learning to drive a car a mirage?
Answer:
Mukesh belongs to the bangle-makers of Firozabad where each family is engaged in bangle-making. On asking, Mukesh says, “I will be a motor mechanic. I will learn to drive a car.” Thus, he wants to be his own master. However, because he is caught up in the vicious cycle created by others, he will not be able to realize his dream and will remain a bangle-maker.
Question 10:
In spite of despair and disease pervading the lives of the slum children, they are not devoid of hope. How far do you agree?
Answer:
In spite of growing up amidst despair and disease, children who live in slums have the desire to achieve something big in life. This shows that they are not devoid of hope. Saheb, a ragpicker, is eager to go to a school and learn. Mukesh, who works in dark, dingy cells making bangles, dreams of becoming a motor-mechanic, against his family tradition.
Question 11:
Why could the bangle-makers not organise themselves into a cooperative?
Answer:
The bangle-makers could not organize themselves into a cooperative because they were trapped in the vicious circle of sahukars, middlemen, policemen, bureaucrats and politicians, who exploited them. If they tried to organize themselves, they would be beaten by the police and put in jail.
Question 12:
Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
Answer:
The glass bangles industry has a very hazardous working environment. People work in the glass furnaces with high temperatures, in dingy cells without air and light. Most end up losing their eyesight even before they become adults. Adding to their misery, they are caught in a vicious circle of people who exploit them.
Question 13:
Why does the author say that the bangle-makers are caught in a vicious web?
Or
What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?
Answer:
The bangle-makers in Firozabad are exploited at the hands of the sahukars, the middlemen, the policemen, the law makers, the bureaucrats and the politicians. Thus they remain steeped in poverty. They cannot form cooperatives for their betterment. Moreover, their children are also compelled to join the same trade at an early age, thus remaining in the vicious web.
Question 14:
What does the title ‘Lost Spring’ convey?
Answer:
Spring is associated with childhood. Just as spring is the season when flowers bloom, similarly, childhood is the period when an individual blooms and grows. Anees Jung here presents the horrific truth about the life of children in India who are victims of child labor and are not allowed to grow and bloom freely. Their childhood or springtime is lost.
Question 15:
What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?
Answer:
Some of the children simply do not care to take the trouble of taking their slippers down from the shelf to wear them. Another explanation she receives is that not wearing footwear is a tradition. However, she feels that it is simply an excuse for not going to the school as they are deprived of proper education.
Question 16:
Why do the rag-pickers of Seemapuri continue to search for gold in the garbage?
Answer:
The rag-pickers of Seemapuri continue searching for gold in the garbage because they have no other means of survival. For them, the garbage is a source of income that provides food, shelter, and basic necessities. Their difficult circumstances force them to dig through the trash, hoping to find something valuable, which they can sell to make a living.
Question 17:
What is the significance of the statement, “Saheb is happy not because he has found gold, but because he has freedom.”?
Answer:
The statement signifies that Saheb’s happiness lies in his freedom rather than in material wealth. As a rag-picker, he is free to roam around and search for valuable items at his own pace. Unlike those bound by rigid jobs or traditional expectations, Saheb values his autonomy, which gives him a sense of liberation, even though it does not translate into wealth.
Question 18:
What does Saheb’s changing role in the tea stall symbolize in the story?
Answer:
Saheb’s changing role in the tea stall symbolizes the loss of his freedom and independence. By working at the tea stall, Saheb becomes like the other children in the city, constrained by the demands of an employer. This job removes the spontaneity of his earlier life as a rag-picker and forces him into a structured, less liberated existence.
Question 19:
Why does the author compare the bangle-makers of Firozabad to prisoners?
Answer:
The bangle-makers of Firozabad are compared to prisoners because they are trapped in a cycle of exploitation and poverty. Despite their efforts, they are unable to break free from their hereditary profession. They are bound by societal norms, legal restrictions, and economic factors that prevent them from improving their conditions. Their lives are controlled by others, much like prisoners in captivity.
Question 20:
What role do the politicians and middlemen play in the lives of the bangle-makers?
Answer:
The politicians and middlemen play a significant role in the oppression and exploitation of the bangle-makers. The politicians turn a blind eye to their suffering, while the middlemen extract the profits from the work done by the bangle-makers. This exploitation prevents the bangle-makers from organizing themselves and improving their situation, ensuring that they remain trapped in their current state of poverty.
Lost Spring Extra Questions Long Answer Type
Question 1:
Describe the difficulties the bangle makers of Firozabad have to face in their lives.
Or
Describe the circumstances which keep the workers in the bangle industry in poverty.
Answer:
The bangle makers of Firozabad endure severe health risks while working. Many are children who are exposed to extreme heat from furnaces, often leading to permanent blindness by the time they reach adulthood. Years of backbreaking labor have drained them of any hope of pursuing a different profession.
They cannot form a cooperative to improve their conditions due to continuous exploitation by politicians, authorities, moneylenders, and middlemen. Their homes are situated in filthy lanes filled with garbage, and their houses are dilapidated, with shaky doors and no windows. The families live in overcrowded conditions, often with both humans and animals living together. Their extreme poverty means they have rarely, if ever, had a proper meal in their lives.
Question 2:
How is Mukesh’s attitude towards his situation different from that of Saheb? Why?
Answer:
Mukesh, born into a family of bangle makers, is determined not to accept the fate that has been passed down through generations. He dares to dream of becoming a motor mechanic and driving cars, showing a strong desire to break free from his family’s traditional occupation. Unlike others in his family, he is determined to achieve this goal.
On the other hand, Saheb, who works as a rag picker, initially accepts his life as it is, finding some measure of satisfaction in his independence. However, he becomes unhappy when he takes up a job at a tea stall. Despite earning more, Saheb feels the loss of his freedom, and though he accepts his new job, he cannot find joy in it. Mukesh is more courageous and ambitious than Saheb, which explains why he is willing to pursue his dreams while Saheb remains resigned to his circumstances.
Question 3:
Give a brief account of life and activities of the people like Saheb-e-Alam settled in Seemapuri.
Answer:
Seemapuri is a slum located on the outskirts of Delhi, home to a large population of refugees from Bangladesh, including Saheb’s family. The area is composed of makeshift homes made of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin. There is no proper infrastructure, such as sewage, drainage, or running water. The residents, who number around 10,000, make a living by scavenging through garbage to find saleable items.
For them, the garbage is a valuable resource, as it is the only means of survival. Despite living in Seemapuri for over thirty years, these people have no legal identity and lack the privileges of citizens, although some have ration cards, which allow them to buy food at subsidized rates thanks to political manipulation. Their lives are defined by poverty, but they hold onto their hope of finding something valuable in the trash every day.
Question 4:
‘Lost Spring’ explains the grinding poverty and traditions that condemn thousands of people to a life of abject poverty. Do you agree? Why/why not?
Answer:
Yes, I agree that ‘Lost Spring’ portrays the harsh reality of poverty and the traditions that trap thousands of people in a cycle of suffering. The story highlights the plight of poor children who are forced to live in slums and work in degrading conditions. The first part of the narrative describes the life of rag-pickers from Bangladesh who have settled in Seemapuri, Delhi, and their struggle for survival through garbage collection.
The second part of the story focuses on the bangle makers of Firozabad, whose hard work in the glass industry does not lift them out of poverty. Despite their tireless efforts, they are unable to break free from the cycle of exploitation and financial hardship. Traditional beliefs prevent the children from seeking better-paying jobs, ensuring that the poverty they inherit remains unchallenged. Thus, the story portrays how societal and economic structures trap the poor in perpetual misery.
Question 5:
The bangle-makers of Firozabad make beautiful bangles and make everyone happy but they live and die in squalor. Elaborate.
Answer:
Firozabad is known as the center of India’s glass-blowing industry, where generations of families work tirelessly to create beautiful bangles. However, despite producing exquisite products that bring joy to many, the workers’ lives are filled with misery. These families work in poorly ventilated and dimly lit rooms near hot furnaces, where they are constantly exposed to dangerous fumes and intense heat, resulting in severe health risks, including blindness.
The workers’ efforts to form cooperatives to improve their situation are crushed by political interference and exploitation by middlemen and moneylenders. They live in overcrowded, filthy conditions, with their homes situated in narrow lanes filled with garbage. Their lives are characterized by poverty, lack of education, and a sense of helplessness. Despite their valuable contribution to the industry, they remain trapped in the cycle of poverty, unable to break free from the squalor they live in.
Question 6:
“Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi, yet miles away from it, metaphorically.” Explain.
Answer:
Seemapuri is a slum on the outskirts of Delhi, home to thousands of ragpickers and their families. The living conditions in Seemapuri are a stark contrast to the affluence and opportunities available in central Delhi. The residents of Seemapuri live in mud houses with no proper sanitation, while the main city boasts of luxury and modern facilities.
Metaphorically, Seemapuri is miles away from Delhi because, despite being physically close, it is disconnected from the benefits and opportunities of the capital. The inhabitants of Seemapuri are trapped in a world of poverty and despair, far removed from the prosperity that the city offers. This stark division between the rich and poor highlights the deep social and economic inequality that exists in the city.
Question 7:
Would you agree that promises made to poor children are rarely kept? Why do you think this happens in the incidents narrated in the text?
Answer:
Yes, promises made to poor children are often not fulfilled. In many cases, affluent people make promises to gain favor or alleviate their conscience, but these promises rarely translate into action. Children from poor families often encounter false hopes from well-meaning individuals who offer them opportunities that are never realized.
In the text, when the author suggests building a school for Saheb, she makes a promise out of goodwill, but it is never fulfilled. Saheb, who takes the promise seriously, is left disillusioned when it is not followed through. Such promises are made with good intentions but are often ignored or forgotten due to societal indifference, lack of resources, or the unwillingness to challenge the deep-rooted problems that keep children like Saheb in poverty.
Question 8:
‘Saheb is no longer his own master.’ Comment.
Answer:
Saheb’s freedom is lost when he takes up a job at the tea stall. As a ragpicker, he was independent, free to roam the streets and search for valuable items in the garbage. This independence gave him a sense of autonomy, despite his difficult circumstances. However, when he starts working at the tea stall, he is bound by the expectations of his employer and the constraints of a regular job.
The job robs him of his freedom and forces him into a life of servitude. Although he is now earning more, his new role keeps him tied to someone else’s rules and schedules. In this sense, he is no longer his own master, and his independence is replaced by the rigid structure of a job, which ultimately enslaves him in a different way.
Question 9:
How in your opinion, can Mukesh realize his dream?
Answer:
Mukesh has big dreams of becoming a motor mechanic and learning to drive a car, which is a break from the tradition of bangle-making in his family. He is determined and has the willpower to pursue his dreams, unlike others who are resigned to their fate.
To realize his dream, Mukesh must seek out opportunities to learn. He could start by visiting a garage and asking the owner for any available work, even if it is menial. Through hard work, perseverance, and learning from the mechanic, he could eventually acquire the skills needed to become a motor mechanic and possibly learn to drive. Mukesh’s determination, along with his strong will to succeed, can help him achieve his goal and break free from the limitations imposed by his family’s tradition.
Lost Spring Extra Questions Value Based Type
Question 1:
Carefully read the following phrases and sentences taken from the text. Can you identify the literary device in each example?
- Saheb-e-Alam, which means the lord of the universe, is directly in contrast to what Saheb is in reality.
Literary Device: Irony / Contrast - Drowned in an air of desolation.
Literary Device: Metaphor - Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it, metaphorically.
Literary Device: Metaphor / Contrast - For the children it is wrapped in wonder; for the elders it is a means of survival.
Literary Device: Contrast - As her hands move mechanically like the tongs of a machine, I wonder if she knows the sanctity of the bangles she helps make.
Literary Device: Simile - She still has bangles on her wrist, but not light in her eyes.
Literary Device: Contrast / Symbolism - Few airplanes fly over Firozabad.
Literary Device: Contrast (implying isolation from the rest of the world) - Web of poverty.
Literary Device: Metaphor - Scrounging for gold.
Literary Device: Hyperbole / Metaphor - And survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking. Through the years, it has acquired the proportions of a fine art.
Literary Device: Hyperbole / Irony - The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so lightly over his shoulders.
Literary Device: Contrast / Symbolism