Chapter 6: Poets and Pancakes – Class 12 English Flamingo NCERT Solutions
Chapter 6: Poets and Pancakes – Summary and Key Insights
Author: Shashi Tharoor
Genre: Non-fiction, Autobiographical essay
Theme: Indian cinema, society, satire, and self-reflection
Chapter Summary
\”Poets and Pancakes\” by Shashi Tharoor is an autobiographical essay that reflects on the world of cinema, its creators, and the society that consumes it. The chapter is set in the context of Tharoor’s experience at All India Radio, where he had a unique perspective on the interplay between politics, art, and culture. Through a satirical lens, Tharoor explores the glamour and hypocrisy of the film industry, along with the emotional and artistic conflicts that filmmakers experience.
The narrative is centered on an incident involving a visit to the famous film studio in Chennai, where he observes the disconnect between the world of the poets and the world of the pancake makers, representing the idealistic world of art and the pragmatic world of commercialism. Tharoor illustrates how the poets of the industry were struggling with their craft while being surrounded by the commercial side of film-making. The satire extends to explore how cinema was used to propagate ideas, while the artistic integrity was often sacrificed in favor of mass appeal.
Tharoor’s reflection on the importance of art, especially poetry, in a society that values superficiality provides a nuanced look at the challenges faced by intellectuals and artists in a world that seems increasingly commercialized. Through humor and irony, the chapter critiques the clash between ideals and reality, the personal versus the professional, and the conflict between art and commerce.
Key Themes
Art vs. Commerce: The tension between artistic integrity and the commercialization of art, especially in the world of cinema, is a key theme. Tharoor criticizes how the film industry, in particular, often prioritizes profit over meaningful art.
Satire and Critique: The essay uses satire to highlight the hypocrisy and contradictions within the film industry and society as a whole. It presents a humorous yet critical look at how society values superficial fame over meaningful work.
The Intellectual Struggle: Tharoor explores the difficulties intellectuals face when their work doesn\’t conform to mainstream ideals. The poets in the essay represent those artists whose work is seen as less commercially viable or appreciated.
Societal Reflections: The essay reflects on the role of cinema as a cultural tool that shapes and reflects societal values, while often ignoring the deeper, more meaningful aspects of art and human experience.
Character Sketches
Shashi Tharoor: The narrator and central figure in the essay. Tharoor presents himself as an observer and critic of the world of cinema, offering a mix of humor, insight, and reflection. He is portrayed as an intellectual grappling with the commercialization of art.
Poets: Representing the intellectual and artistic side of the film industry, the poets are depicted as individuals struggling to reconcile their craft with the demands of commercial success.
Film Industry Professionals: The film directors, actors, and producers are shown as pragmatic individuals who often sacrifice artistic value for the sake of mass appeal and financial gain.
The Pancake Makers: This term is used metaphorically in the chapter to describe the people who cater to the popular taste in cinema and entertainment, focusing on commercial success rather than artistic integrity.
Important Points
The All India Radio Experience: Tharoor\’s experience at All India Radio provides him with a unique view of the world of cinema and its creators, where he observes the inner workings of both the intellectual and commercial sides of the industry.
The Metaphor of Poets and Pancakes: The distinction between poets (idealistic, intellectuals) and pancake makers (commercial, mass appeal) is central to the essay, symbolizing the divide between high art and commercial entertainment.
The Influence of Cinema: Tharoor discusses how cinema, while often seen as a trivial pursuit by intellectuals, plays a significant role in shaping societal values and cultural identity.
Humor and Irony: Tharoor uses humor and irony throughout the essay to expose the contradictions of the film industry, poking fun at the superficiality of fame and the sometimes hollow pursuit of artistic achievement.
Reflection on Societal Values: The essay serves as a critique of the way in which society elevates commercial success over intellectual or artistic achievement, especially in the world of entertainment.
Important Questions
How does Shashi Tharoor use satire in \”Poets and Pancakes\” to critique the film industry?
What does the metaphor of poets and pancake makers represent in the chapter?
How does the chapter reflect the conflict between art and commerce?
What role does cinema play in shaping societal values, according to Tharoor?
How does Tharoor portray the intellectuals and artists in the essay?
How does Tharoor’s experience at All India Radio help him understand the world of cinema?
In what ways does the essay critique the commercialization of art?
Answers
A1.
Shashi Tharoor uses satire in \”Poets and Pancakes\” to expose the contradictions and hypocrisies within the film industry. Through humor, he highlights the superficial nature of fame and success in the industry, and the disconnect between the artistic ambitions of filmmakers and the commercial demands of the market.
A2.
The metaphor of poets and pancake makers represents the dichotomy between intellectual or artistic pursuits (the poets) and the commercial, profit-driven side of cinema (the pancake makers). The poets are depicted as idealistic artists, while the pancake makers are concerned with mass appeal and financial success.
A3.
The chapter reflects the conflict between art and commerce by showcasing how filmmakers and artists struggle to maintain their creative integrity while also catering to the demands of the commercial market. Tharoor criticizes the way the film industry often prioritizes profit over meaningful artistic work.
A4.
Tharoor suggests that cinema plays a crucial role in shaping and reflecting societal values. It is both a cultural tool that influences the public’s perception of reality and a mirror to the values and ideals of the society. However, it often reflects the shallow and materialistic aspects of society.
A5.
Tharoor portrays intellectuals and artists as individuals who are often marginalized or misunderstood in a society that values commercial success over intellectual achievement. The poets in the chapter are depicted as struggling to have their work appreciated in a world focused on commercial entertainment.
A6.
Tharoor’s experience at All India Radio gives him a unique perspective on the film industry. It allows him to observe the clash between the intellectuals who value artistic integrity and the professionals who are focused on commercial success. His position enables him to reflect on the broader cultural and societal issues at play in the entertainment industry.
A7.
The essay critiques the commercialization of art by showing how the film industry, while capable of creating powerful cultural narratives, often sacrifices artistic valu
e for profit. Tharoor calls attention to the tension between the artistic and the commercial aspects of cinema, illustrating how the two are often in conflict.
Preparation Tips for Students
Focus on understanding the metaphor of poets and pancake makers and how it represents the conflict between art and commerce.
Study Tharoor’s use of satire and irony to critique the film industry and society.
Reflect on the role of cinema in shaping societal values and how it both reflects and influences culture.
Practice writing detailed answers on the challenges intellectuals and artists face in a commercialized world.
Be prepared to discuss themes such as the commercialization of art, the role of the intellectual, and the impact of cinema on society.
Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes
Q1. Why did the “Sunday morning” seem to be the best time for the narrator?
The “Sunday morning” seemed to be the best time for the narrator because it was the day when the film industry was quieter. Film stars, directors, and other unit members didn’t have to rush, and the pace of life slowed down. The entire unit would gather for poetry reading sessions, making it a peaceful and intellectually stimulating time for the narrator.
Q2. Why does the narrator describe the makeup room of the studio as a place full of “poets and pancakes”?
The narrator calls the makeup room a place full of “poets and pancakes” because of the ironic contrast between the creativity of poets and the artificiality of heavy makeup (“pancake”) used in the film industry. The phrase reflects the presence of thoughtful individuals like poets in an environment dominated by superficial glamour.
Q3. What was the role of the “makeup man”? How did he contribute to the studio atmosphere?
The makeup man was responsible for applying makeup to the actors and actresses, making them look flawless for the camera. He also contributed to the studio atmosphere by sharing gossip and personal stories about film stars, blending artistry with behind-the-scenes entertainment. His role symbolized the illusionary aspect of cinema.
Q4. Why was the cinema studio considered a place of paradoxes?
The studio was a place of paradoxes because it mixed glamour with drudgery, creativity with artificiality, and truth with illusion. Intellectual discussions on poetry happened alongside the application of makeup. Stars were idolized but remained insecure. The studio reflected the conflicting nature of showbiz—where appearances mattered more than reality.
Q5. What is the significance of the line “The pancake was already on my face”?
This line signifies the narrator’s own immersion in the film world’s illusion. Just like actors who wore makeup to transform themselves, the narrator too was drawn into the superficiality. It symbolizes how he became part of the industry’s manufactured reality.
Q6. How did the studio atmosphere affect the narrator’s perceptions of the film world?
The studio atmosphere gave the narrator mixed feelings. He was fascinated by the creativity and people he met but also disillusioned by the industry’s artificiality. The contrast between intellectual pursuits and cosmetic appearances helped him understand the contradictions and complexities of the film world.
Q7. How does the narrator use humor to highlight the absurdities of the film world?
The narrator uses humor through irony, witty phrases like “poets and pancakes,” and playful descriptions of people and situations. His tone is light and mocking, but not harsh. This humor reveals the eccentricities and contradictions of the industry in an engaging way that exposes its superficialities.
Q8. Do you think the narrator is critical of the film industry, or does he appreciate it?
The narrator presents a balanced view. He is critical of the industry’s superficiality, yet appreciates the intellectual and creative aspects. His tone is observational, not judgmental. He highlights both the absurdity and brilliance of the film world, suggesting a fond but realistic perspective.