Class 11 English (Elective) Chapter 1 – The Lament Important Question Answers from Woven Words Book
Class 11 English (Elective) The Lament Important Question Answers – Looking for questions and answers for CBSE Class 11 English (Elective) Short Stories Chapter 1 – The Lament? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 11 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Chapter 1 – The Lament now. The questions listed below are based on the latest CBSE exam pattern, wherein we have given NCERT solutions to the chapter’s extract-based questions, multiple choice questions and Extra Question Answers
Also, practising with different kinds of questions can help students learn new ways to solve problems that they may not have seen before. This can ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and better performance on exams.
- The Lament NCERT Solutions
- The Lament Grammar Exercises
- The Lament Extract Based Questions
- The Lament Multiple Choice Questions
- The Lament Extra Question Answers
Related:
The Lament Textbook Questions (NCERT Solutions)
Guess the meaning of these expressions from the context-
- gingerbread horse
- slough
- Snuffle
- as if he were on needles
Ans.
- gingerbread horse: a small, inexpensive gingerbread cookie shaped like a horse. A “kopek” is a small Russian coin, indicating something of very little value.
- slough: a swamp, bog, or marsh; a situation characterized by lack of progress or activity.
- snuffle: breathe audibly through the nose, especially because of a blocked nose.
- as if he were on needles: extremely agitated, restless, anxious, or uncomfortable.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. Comment on the indifference that meets Iona’s attempts to share his grief with his fellow human beings.
Ans. In Anton Chekhov’s The Lament, the stark indifference to Iona’s grief underscores the profound isolation and lack of empathy in human interactions. Each attempt he makes to share his sorrow is met with indifference. When Iona informs an officer of his son’s death, the response is blunt and dismissive, showcasing a selfish focus on personal matters. This pattern continues with three drunken young men who mock and insult him, showing no genuine concern for his loss. Their preoccupation with revelry highlights a disconnect from Iona’s suffering. Even the hall porter, a fellow worker, brusquely tells Iona to move on, prioritizing convenience over compassion. The young cab driver falls asleep before Iona can convey his grief. This consistent indifference reflects a broader societal failing, where individuals are so absorbed in their own lives that they ignore the pain of those around them. Chekhov illustrates a world where Iona’s immense grief goes unnoticed and unacknowledged, amplifying his isolation. Ultimately, he finds solace only in the silent companionship of his horse, the sole witness to his suffering. ‘The Lament’ thus embodies the tragedy of Iona’s loss intertwined with the crushing indifference of society.
2. What impression of the character of Iona do you get from this story?
Ans. In ‘The Lament’, Iona Potapov is portrayed as a profoundly tragic figure, bearing the crushing weight of grief after losing his son, Kuzma Ionitch. He appears isolated and lonely, emotionally adrift in a bustling city, where his attempts to share his sorrow are met with indifference. Iona is also powerless and marginalized, as a poor cab driver dismissed and overlooked by those around him. The rudeness he faces underscores his lack of agency and societal disregard. His expression of grief is marked by a childlike sincerity, using simple analogies that make his need for empathy all the more poignant. Despite repeated rejections, he shows persistence in seeking connection, driven by a fundamental human need to be heard. Iona evokes immense pathos and sympathy, as his quiet suffering and reliance on his horse for solace resonate deeply, illustrating a vulnerable man overwhelmed by loss in an uncaring world.
3. How does the horse serve as a true friend and companion to Iona?
Ans. In Anton Chekhov’s The Lament, the little horse serves as Iona’s only true companion amid his overwhelming grief. While it cannot offer words of comfort, it provides a vital non-judgmental presence. Firstly, the horse’s unwavering physical presence stands in stark contrast to the dismissive humans Iona encounters. It remains by his side, sharing his stillness and pulling the sleigh through the indifferent city, alleviating his sense of loneliness. Secondly, the horse acts as a passive but attentive listener. When Iona expresses his pain, the horse “munches, listens and breathes over its master’s hand”, offering a quiet outlet for his emotions without interruption or judgment. Thirdly, the horse becomes a symbolic recipient of Iona’s grief. Iona projects his feelings onto the animal, using the analogy of a mare losing her foal to convey his profound loss and longing for connection. Finally, the horse provides unconditional acceptance, disregarding Iona’s social status or awkwardness. In a world that ignores him, its presence offers the companionship he desperately needs, highlighting the tragedy that it is an animal, rather than a human, fulfilling this deep need for connection.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Discuss the following in pairs
1. Empathy and understanding are going out of modern society. The individual experiences intense alienation from the society around him or her.
Ans. Iona’s experience highlights a troubling societal trend where his deep grief is met with indifference from those around him. The officer, young revelers, and a cab driver are too absorbed in their own lives to notice Iona’s sorrow. This self-absorption creates an isolating void, amplifying his pain. This reflects broader concerns about modern society, where the fast pace and superficial connections can lead to a decline in empathy. People become so focused on their own issues that they overlook the emotional needs of others, fostering a sense of detachment. Iona’s alienation is striking; he is physically present in Petersburg but emotionally invisible, repeatedly rebuffed in his attempts to connect. This feeling of intense loneliness amid a crowd exemplifies alienation, where meaningful connections diminish. Chekhov’s The Lament serves as a timeless reminder of the need for empathy in society. Iona’s tragic journey illustrates the consequences of its absence, leaving him to find solace only in his animal companion.
2. Behind the public face of the people in various occupations is a whole saga of personal suffering and joy which they wish to share with others.
Ans. Chekhov hints at the hidden “sagas of personal suffering and joy” behind the public faces of characters in The Lament. The officer, though impatient, may have personal concerns beneath his authoritative exterior. The Three Young Men, especially the lanky one and the humpback, display drunken cruelty masking feelings of youth and a desire for belonging. The Hall Porter, focused on duty, dismisses Iona, possibly due to his own weariness from the pressures of his role. The Young Cab Driver, self-absorbed and sleepy, reflects a hidden struggle behind his exhaustion. The narrator observes the “unceasing noise and hurrying people”, emphasizing that these individuals are lost in their own journeys, each with unseen joys and sorrows. Iona’s desperate need to share his grief highlights the potential depths in others; their failure to connect is less about malice and more about their own preoccupations. Chekhov illustrates that behind every public face lies a complex inner world yearning for connection and understanding.
APPRECIATION
1. The story begins with a description of the setting. How does this serve as a fitting prelude to the events described in the story?
Ans. The opening description in Anton Chekhov’s The Lament sets a symbolic mood that reflects Iona’s emotional state and foreshadows the indifference he will face.
The ‘twilight’ signifies a transition from light to darkness, mirroring Iona’s grief as a fading hope caught between life and despair. The ‘thick, wet snow’ represents the weight of his sorrow, clinging to everything like his profound burden. The contrast between ‘newly lighted street lamps’ and the overall dimness highlights the superficial nature of Iona’s interactions, offering no warmth to his inner darkness. His description as ‘quite white’, a ‘phantom’, and ‘bent double’ establishes his emotional paralysis, making him a ghost in his own life, disconnected from the world around him. Lastly, the ‘motionless horse’, likened to a cheap ‘gingerbread horse’, reinforces stillness and a sense of being undervalued, similar to Iona’s own suffering. The environment underscores his deep emotional isolation and foreshadows his tragic attempts to share his lament. The setting acts as an atmospheric reflection of Iona’s internal struggles and the indifferent world he inhabits, revealing how Chekhov uses the physical landscape to evoke the story’s emotional depth.
2. Comment on the graphic detail with which the various passengers who took Iona’s cab are described.
Ans. In Anton Chekhov’s The Lament, the graphic detail with which Iona’s passengers are portrayed serves important thematic purposes related to isolation, indifference, and the complexity of humanity. First, the visual specificity of these characters makes them memorable, often in unflattering ways. The officer’s ‘greatcoat’ establishes authority, while the three young men, two tall and one short, hint at their varying personalities even before they speak. The humpback’s ‘cracked voice’ and uncomfortable physical actions provide a vivid and unpleasant impression. Second, these details convey the passengers’ social standing and attitudes toward Iona. The officer’s attire reflects his rank and dismissive demeanour, while the young men’s loudness and crude behaviour suggest a lack of respect for Iona’s working-class status. Third, engaging sensory details such as the ‘cracked voice’ and ‘breathing in Iona’s neck’, enhance the reader’s immersion in his uncomfortable experiences. Although harshly drawn, the young men are depicted as fully realized individuals, hinting at their vulnerabilities. Their rudeness contrasts sharply with Iona’s struggles, emphasizing his marginalization. Chekhov’s detailed characterizations illuminate social dynamics, underscore Iona’s alienation and reveal the tragedy of missed connections in a society where personal concerns overshadow others’ suffering.
3. This short story revolves around a single important event. Discuss how the narrative is woven around this central fact.
Ans. In Anton Chekhov’s The Lament, the central event is the recent death of Iona Potapov’s son, which shapes the entire narrative. Iona’s grief is the main motivation for his attempts to communicate. He seeks not casual conversation but a connection that acknowledges his sorrow. Each interaction, whether with the officer, the young men, or the cab driver, reflects his desperate need to share his loss. The story’s structure revolves around Iona’s failed attempts to convey his tragedy. His encounters highlight the indifference of those around him, emphasizing the isolating nature of grief. The narrative remains focused on Iona’s preoccupation without diversions. He appears as a ‘phantom’, emotionally drained by grief, his silence echoing his internal turmoil. Other characters’ reactions contrast sharply with Iona’s suffering, as they remain absorbed in their own concerns, underscoring the loneliness of individual grief. Finally, Iona turning to his horse to share his story symbolises his ultimate isolation, as the horse becomes the only listener to his lament. The Lament is profoundly shaped by the death of Iona’s son, with the narrative highlighting the loneliness of unexpressed grief and the human need for connection.
4. The story begins and ends with Iona and his horse. Comment on the significance of this to the plot of the story.
Ans. The framing of The Lament with Iona and his horse at both the beginning and end highlights themes of isolation and the failure of human connection. This circular structure illustrates Iona’s cyclical grief and need for a listener. Initially, Iona and his horse are depicted as a single unit in snowy twilight, emphasizing their isolation. The horse’s immobility mirrors Iona’s emotional paralysis, contrasting with his failed attempts to connect with others. By the end, Iona returns to his horse in the stable, which starkly contrasts with his interactions with humans. The horse becomes a silent listener, providing the companionship he cannot find in people. This structure underscores his isolation, revealing that in the absence of human empathy, Iona finds solace in his connection with his horse, marking it as his most attentive listener in an uncaring world.
The Lament Grammar Exercises
LANGUAGE WORK ________________________________________________________
1. Look at the following set of words and mention what is common to them both in form and meaning
| snuffle | snort | sniffle | snore | |
Ans. The commonality among the words snuffle, snort, sniffle, and snore is that they all relate to breathing through the nose, often in a noisy or noticeable way. All four words start with the consonant cluster “sn”. This shared phonetic beginning creates a sonic link between them. Each word describes an action or sound associated with the passage of air through the nose.
- Snuffle: To breathe audibly through the nose, often when the nose is blocked or when smelling something.
- Snort: To expel air noisily through the nostrils, often expressing indignation, amusement, or as a reflex.
- Sniffle: To repeatedly sniff slightly, typically because of a cold or suppressed crying.
- Snore: To breathe with a loud rumbling or snorting sound in one’s sleep.
2. Look at the words given in the box below.
| snigger | wriggle | sneak | squeak |
| squawk | titter | pant | chuckle |
| giggle | jeer | chortle | guffaw |
| sigh | sidle | boo | shriek |
| scramble | croak | straggle | plod |
| gasp |
Now classify them according to their closeness in meaning to the words given below
| A | B | C | D | E |
| snigger | wriggle | squeak | jeer | sigh |
Ans.
A.
- snigger: A suppressed or mocking laugh
- titter: A short, quiet laugh, often nervous or suppressed.
- chuckle: A soft, partly suppressed laugh of amusement.
- giggle: A light, silly laugh, often repeated.
- chortle: A noisy, gleeful chuckle.
- guffaw: A loud, boisterous burst of laughter.
B.
- wriggle: To twist and turn with quick, sinuous movements
- sidle: To move sideways in a stealthy or unobtrusive manner.
- scramble: To move hurriedly or clumsily, often using hands and knees.
- straggle: To move along slowly or irregularly, falling behind the main group.
- sneak: To move or go in a furtive way.
C.
- squeak: A short, high-pitched sound
- croak: A low, hoarse sound, like that of a frog. (While a sound, it’s a different pitch and quality, so less close)
D.
- jeer: To make rude and mocking remarks, typically in a loud voice
- boo: To express disapproval or scorn by shouting “boo.”
- squawk: To make a loud, harsh noise like a bird. (Can be used to express protest or annoyance, but less directly mocking)
E.
- sigh: To emit a long, deep audible breath expressing sadness, relief, tiredness, or a similar emotion
- pant: To breathe with short, quick breaths, typically from exertion or excitement. (Related to breath, but usually indicates effort, not emotion)
- gasp: To inhale suddenly with the mouth open, often due to surprise, shock, or difficulty in breathing. (Related to breath, often indicates surprise or distress)
- plod: To walk heavily or laboriously. (Not related to sound or emotion in the same way)
- shriek: To utter a loud, piercing cry, typically of pain, fear, or excitement. (A vocal expression, but of a different strong emotion)
3. Explain the associations that the colour ‘white’ has in the story.
Ans. In Anton Chekhov’s The Lament, the colour white plays a significant role, contributing to the story’s mood and themes. Firstly, white symbolizes death and coldness. The ‘thick wet snow’ blankets the city, mirroring Iona’s grief and creating a bleak atmosphere that reflects his emotional state. The coldness of the snow emphasizes Iona’s isolation. Secondly, white relates to Iona’s appearance, suggesting depletion and sorrow. He appears ‘quite white’, resembling a ‘phantom’, signifying his detachment from life and the world around him. Thirdly, the horse’s whiteness highlights a shared stillness, described as a ‘gingerbread horse worth a kopek’, the horse mirrors Iona’s own marginalized existence, amplifying their quiet suffering. Fourthly, white represents emptiness. In the context of Iona’s grief, it symbolizes the void left by his son’s death, emphasizing his solitude. Finally, the repetition of ‘white’ unifies the story’s opening, creating a chilling atmosphere that enhances the themes of loss and emotional coldness. It serves as a stark reminder of Iona’s isolation and sorrow.
4. What does the phrase ‘as if he were on needles’ mean? Can you think of another phrase with a similar meaning substituting the word ‘needles’?
Ans. The phrase ‘as if he were on needles’ means extremely agitated, restless, anxious, or uncomfortable. It conveys a feeling of being physically and mentally unable to stay still or relaxed, as if pricked by many sharp points. A phrase with a similar meaning, substituting ‘needles’, could be ‘as if he were on thorns’. The imagery is very similar: thorns, like needles, are sharp and would cause discomfort and a constant urge to move and avoid the unpleasant sensation. Both phrases effectively convey a state of extreme agitation and restlessness.
CBSE Class 11 English (Elective) Chapter 1 The Lament Extract-Based Questions
Answer the following extract-based questions.
A.
It is twilight. A thick wet snow is slowly twirling around the newly lighted street lamps and lying in soft thin layers on roofs, on horses’ backs, on people’s shoulders and hats. The cabdriver, Iona Potapov, is quite white and looks like a phantom: he is bent double as far as a human body can bend double; he is seated on his box; he never makes a move. If a whole snowdrift fell on him, it seems as if he would not find it necessary to shake it off. His little horse is also quite white, and remains motionless; its immobility, its angularity and its straight wooden-looking legs, even close by, give it the appearance of a gingerbread horse worth a kopek. It is, no doubt, plunged in deep thought. If you were snatched from the plough, from your usual gray surroundings, and were thrown into this slough full of monstrous lights, unceasing noise and hurrying people, you too would find it difficult not to think.
Q1. What kind of weather is described at the beginning of the passage?
Ans. The weather is snowy, with a thick, wet snow falling.
Q2. What does the cabdriver, Iona Potapov, look like?
Ans. He looks quite white, like a phantom, and is bent double.
Q3. What is the little horse doing?
Ans. The little horse is also quite white and remains motionless.
Q4. What does the narrator compare the little horse to?
Ans. The narrator compares the little horse to a gingerbread horse worth a kopek.
Q5. According to the narrator, what might happen to someone suddenly placed in the noisy city?
Ans. According to the narrator, someone suddenly placed in a noisy city would find it difficult not to think.
B.
Iona and his little horse have not moved from their place for a long while. They left their yard before dinner and, up to now, not a fare. The evening mist is descending over the town, the white lights of the lamps are replacing brighter rays, and the hubbub of the street is getting louder. ‘Cabby for Viborg Way!’ suddenly hears Iona. ‘Cabby!’
Iona jumps and, through his snow-covered eyelashes, sees an officer in a greatcoat, with his hood over his head.
‘Viborg way!’ the officer repeats. ‘Are you asleep, eh? Viborg way!’
Q1. How long have Iona and his horse been waiting in their spot?
Ans. Iona and his little horse have not moved from their place for a long while. They left before dinner and haven’t had a fare yet.
Q2. What change is occurring in the town as the evening progresses?
Ans. The evening mist is descending, the bright daylight is fading and being replaced by the white lights of the lamps, and the noise of the street is getting louder.
Q3. What does Iona suddenly hear that makes him react?
Ans. Iona suddenly hears someone calling “Cabby for Viborg Way!” and then just “Cabby!”. It shows that Iona was deeply engulfed in the grief of his son’s death.
Q4. Who does Iona see after he jumps up?
Ans. Iona sees an officer in a greatcoat with his hood over his head, looking through his snow-covered eyelashes.
Q5. Where does the officer want to go?
Ans. The officer asks Iona to go to Viborg Way.
C.
‘Cabby, to the Police Bridge!’ in a cracked voice calls the humpback. ‘The three of us for two griveniks.’
Iona picks up his reins and smacks his lips. Two griveniks is not a fair price, but he does not mind whether it is a rouble or five kopeks—to him it is all the same now, so long as they are fares. The young men, jostling each other and using bad language, approach the sleigh and all three at once try to get onto the seat; then begins a discussion as to which two shall sit and who shall be the one to stand. After wrangling, abusing each other and much petulance, it is at last decided that the humpback shall stand as he is the smallest.
‘Now then, hurry up!’ says the humpback in a twanging voice, as he takes his place and breathes in Iona’s neck. ‘Old furry! Here, mate, what a cap you have! There is not a worse one to be found in all Petersburg! …’
‘He-he—he-he’, giggles Iona. ‘Such a …’
‘Now you, ‘such a’, hurry up, are you going the whole way at this pace? Are you…Do you want it in the neck?’
‘My head feels like bursting,’ says one of the lanky ones. ‘Last night at the Donkmasoves, Vaska and I drank the whole of four bottles of cognac.’
Q1. Who hails Iona’s cab and what is their destination and offered fare?
Ans. A humpback calls Iona’s cab, asking to go to the Police Bridge, and offers two griveniks for the three of them.
Q2. How does Iona react to the offered fare, and what does this reveal about his current state of mind?
Ans. Iona picks up his reins and smacks his lips, indicating he accepts the fare. The narrator states that the price isn’t fair, but Iona doesn’t mind the amount, suggesting he is indifferent as long as he gets a fare, likely due to his emotional distress.
Q3. Describe the behaviour of the young men as they approach and try to get into Iona’s sleigh.
Ans. The young men are jostling each other and using bad language as they approach the sleigh. All three try to get onto the seat at once, leading to an argument about who will sit and who will stand.
Q4. What is finally decided regarding the seating arrangement, and what prompts this decision?
Ans. It is decided that the humpback will stand because he is the smallest, which likely resolves the space issue in the sleigh.
Q5. What are some of the rude remarks made by the humpback towards Iona once they start their journey?
Ans. The humpback tells Iona to hurry up, calls him “Old furry,” and insults his cap, saying there isn’t a worse one in all of Petersburg. He also threatens him with violence, for instance, “Do you want it in the neck?”.
D.
Iona is silent for a moment, then continues:
‘That’s how it is, my old horse. There’s no more Kuzma Ionitch. He has left us to live, and he went off pop. Now let’s say you had a foal, you were the foal’s mother and, suddenly, let’s say, that foal went and left you to live after him. It would be sad, wouldn’t it?’
The little horse munches, listens and breathes over its master’s hand…
Iona’s feelings are too much for him and he tells the little horse the whole story.
Q1. Who is Kuzma Ionitch?
Ans. Kuzma Ionitch is Iona’s son.
Q2. What happened to Kuzma Ionitch?
Ans. Kuzma Ionitch has died; Iona says he ‘went off pop’.
Q3. To whom is Iona speaking in this passage?
Ans. Iona is speaking to his old horse.
Q4. What analogy does Iona use to explain his sadness?
Ans. Iona uses the analogy of a mother horse losing her foal.
Q5. What does Iona end up doing with his feelings?
Ans. Iona tells the little horse the whole story because his feelings are too much for him.
Class 11 The Lament Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the name of the cabdriver in ‘The Lament’?
A. Iona potapov
B. Dmitri potapov
C. Ivan potapov
D. Andrei potapov
Ans. A. Iona potapov
2. What is the setting of the story at the beginning?
A. A quiet countryside village
B. A bustling marketplace
C. A snowy twilight city street
D. A warm and crowded tavern
Ans. C. A snowy twilight city street
3. What does Iona’s horse look like?
A. Large and powerful
B. White and like a gingerbread horse
C. Small and frightened
D. Brown and well-groomed
Ans. B. White and like a gingerbread horse
4. How long have Iona and his horse been waiting for a fare at the start of the story?
A. A few minutes
B. Since morning
C. Since before dinner
D. All day and night
Ans. C. Since before dinner
5. Who is the first person to hire Iona’s cab?
A. A group of merry merchants
B. An officer in a greatcoat
C. A lone, hurried woman
D. Three rowdy students
Ans. B. An officer in a greatcoat
6. Where does the first passenger ask to be taken?
A. To the railway station
B. To the market square
C. To the hospital
D. To Viborg way
Ans. D. To Viborg way
7. What news does Iona try to share with the officer?
A. That he is tired and cold
B. That his horse is sick
C. That his son has died
D. That he has not had a fare all day
Ans. C. That his son has died
8. How does the officer react to Iona’s news?
A. He offers words of sympathy
B. He asks for more details
C. He shares his own sad story
D. He ignores Iona and tells him to hurry
Ans. D. He ignores Iona and tells him to hurry
9. After dropping off the officer, where does Iona stop?
A. At a restaurant
B. By the river
C. By the tavern
D. At the police station
Ans. C. By the tavern
10. Who are the next passengers Iona picks up after the officer?
A. A family with children
B. Three young men
C. A doctor and his patient
D. A group of singers
Ans. B. Three young men
11. What do these passengers argue about?
A. The price of the fare
B. The best route to take
C. Who will sit where in the sleigh
D. Whether it will snow more
Ans. C. Who will sit where in the sleigh
12. What is the physical characteristic of the third young man?
A. He is very tall
B. He is blind
C. He is short and humpbacked
D. He has a limp
Ans. C. He is short and humpbacked
13. What does the humpbacked young man do to Iona?
A. He breathes on his neck and insults him
B. He offers him a drink
C. He compliments his driving
D. He tells him a funny story
Ans. A. He breathes on his neck and insults him
14. What does Iona repeatedly try to tell these passengers?
A. That he is hungry
B. That he needs to rest
C. That his son has died
D. That the weather is getting worse
Ans. C. That his son has died
15. How do the young men react to Iona’s attempts to share his grief?
A. They listen with great sympathy
B. They offer him words of comfort
C. They share their own stories of loss
D. They are inattentive and rude
Ans. D. They are inattentive and rude
16. Where do the three young men want to go?
A. To the Viborg way
B. To the railway station
C. To the Police bridge
D. To the hospital
Ans. C. To the Police bridge
17. After dropping off the young men, where does Iona go?
A. Back home
B. To another part of the city
C. To a coffee shop
D. To the stables
Ans. D. To the stables
18. What does Iona see by the large dirty stove at the lodging house?
A. People were dancing and singing
B. People were snoring and sleeping
C. People were quietly reading
D. People were playing cards
Ans. B. People were snoring and sleeping
19. What does Iona regret upon returning to the lodging house?
A. Spending too much time waiting for fares
B. Not earning enough money
C. Returning so early
D. Drinking too much tea
Ans. C. Returning so early
20. What does Iona try to tell the young cabdriver by the stove?
A. That he is looking for work
B. That he is cold and tired
C. That he needs directions
D. That his son has died
Ans. D. That his son has died
CBSE Class 11 English (Elective) Chapter 1 – The Lament Extra Question and Answers
Answer the following questions and answers.
Q1. What did the initial imagery of snowfall in the beginning of the story ‘The Lament’ symbolize about Iona’s emotional state?
Ans. The thick, wet snow that slowly twirls and lies heavily on everything, including Iona, mirrors the oppressive weight of his grief. His stillness and bent posture suggest a man burdened and emotionally paralyzed by his loss. He is so consumed by sorrow that he seems oblivious to the physical discomfort of the snow, much like his grief isolates him from the world around him.
Q2. How does the officer’s reaction to the news of Iona son’s death highlights the theme of isolation in the story?
Ans. The officer’s dismissive “Hm! What did he die of?” followed immediately by an impatient demand to hurry up demonstrates a profound lack of empathy and disinterest in Iona’s personal tragedy. This brief response underscores Iona’s isolation, as the first person he attempts to confide in is completely absorbed in their own concerns and unwilling to acknowledge his grief.
Q3. Why do you think Iona persists in trying to share his grief with an emotionally unreceptive people?
Ans. Iona’s repeated attempts to share his loss, even with the boorish young men, reveal his desperate need for connection and validation of his grief. His sorrow is so immense that he instinctively seeks an outlet, hoping for some form of human sympathy or understanding, no matter how unlikely the source. It highlights the fundamental human desire to share burdens, even when faced with indifference.
Q4. What does Iona’s telling story about his son to his horse suggest about his perception of human empathy versus the companionship of his animal?
Ans. Iona’s decision to confide in his horse after being repeatedly turned down by people suggests that he has come to believe that humans are incapable or unwilling to truly listen and empathize with his pain. The horse, though unable to verbally respond, offers a silent, non-judgmental presence, providing a sense of companionship and perhaps a feeling of being heard in a way that the people he encountered did not.
Q 5. What is the significance of Iona telling his horse the ‘whole story’?
Ans. The act of Iona finally sharing his ‘whole story’ with his horse is the peak of his desperate search for someone to listen. It underscores the profound isolation he experiences in the human world. While the horse cannot offer verbal comfort, it serves as a silent recipient of his grief, providing a release for his pent-up emotions. This highlights the tragic irony that the only being who lends an ear to Iona’s lament is an animal, emphasizing the lack of human connection and empathy he encounters.