The Medicine Bag Question Answers (Important) | ISC Class 12 English Prism Book

by | Sep 3, 2025 | General | 0 comments

The Medicine Bag-ImpQns

 

ISC Class 12 English Chapter The Medicine Bag Important Question Answers from Prism book

 

ISC Class 12 English The Medicine Bag  Question Answers – Looking for questions and answers for ISC Class 12 English Prism Book Chapter The Medicine Bag? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 12 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring ISC Class 12 English Chapter The Medicine Bag now. The questions listed below are based on the latest ISC exam pattern. All the Questions Answers given at the back of the lesson have also been covered. 

 

 

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ISC Class 12 English Chapter The Medicine Bag Textbook Questions 

 

ASSIGNMENT

QUESTION 1

Choose the correct options for the following questions:

1. What did Martin and his sister Cheryl brag about?
(a) Their ancestral home
(b) Their maternal grandfather
(c) The Medicine Bag
(d) All of the above
Ans. (b) Their maternal grandfather

2. Why did Martin never show Grandpa’s picture to his friends?
(a) He was not good looking
(b) He was shabbily dressed
(c) He was a Native American
(d) He was not tall and stately like TV Indians.
Ans. (d) He was not tall and stately like TV Indians.

3. How did Martin feel on seeing Grandpa, who had come unexpectedly?
(a) Excited
(b) Happy
(c) Embarrassed
(d) Sad
Ans. (c) Embarrassed

4. How did Cheryl react on seeing Grandpa?
(a) Glad
(b) Nervous
(c) Embarrassed
(d) Shocked
Ans. (a) Glad

5. Why did Grandpa’s shoes fit so tight?
(a) They were old and worn
(b) They were small in size
(c) They were stuffed with money
(d) They were stuffed with medicines
Ans. (c) They were stuffed with money

6. Why did Grandpa decide to visit lowa?
(a) He wanted to see where his descendants lived
(b) He was feeling lonely when they left him after their yearly visit
(c) He wanted to die in his descendants’ house
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Ans. (d) Both (a) and (b)

7. Why had Grandpa saved money?
(a) For his grandson
(b) For his funeral
(c) For buying a new medicine bag
(d) For travelling to the city
Ans. (b) For his funeral

8. Martin felt proud of Grandpa for
(a) his courage to travel to the city all alone
(b) adhering to his customs and traditions
(c) carrying the medicine bag around his neck
(d) All of the above
Ans. (d) All of the above

9. Joe’s father made a vision quest to find a
(a) medicine bag
(b) spirit guide
(c) sacred sage
(d) secret message
Ans. (b) spirit guide

10. What did Martin’s great-great-grandfather receive in his sacred dream?
(a) White man’s iron
(b) Sacred sage
(c) Iron kettle
(d) Medicine bag
Ans. (a) White man’s iron

QUESTION 2
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief:

1. Martin always bragged about Grandpa because ………………
Ans. Martin always bragged about Grandpa because his friends, who were unfamiliar with Native American culture, were impressed by the glamorous stories he told about him and the reservation. He would also show them authentic Sioux articles like moccasins or a drum to add to the mystique.

2. Martin felt so ashamed and embarrassed when Grandpa made a sudden visit to their house because ………………
Ans. Martin felt so ashamed and embarrassed when Grandpa made a sudden visit to their house because his grandpa didn’t fit the stereotypical image of an Indian that Martin had created for his friends. His grandpa was old, dressed in rumpled clothes, and was not tall and stately like TV Indians.

3. Martin’s mother moved forward to embrace Grandpa but checked herself from doing so because ………………
Ans. Martin’s mother moved forward to embrace Grandpa but checked herself from doing so because she remembered that such a public display of affection is considered unseemly and would embarrass a Sioux man like Grandpa. She greeted him instead by shaking his hand.

4. The scuffed old cowboy boots that Grandpa was wearing were tight because ………………
Ans. The scuffed old cowboy boots that Grandpa was wearing were tight because he had stuffed them with the money he had saved for his funeral. This practical but unusual method of carrying his savings made the boots fit very snugly.

5. Soon after Martin and his family’s visit, Grandpa decided to visit their house in Iowa because ………………
Ans. Soon after Martin and his family’s visit, Grandpa decided to visit their house in Iowa because he had become lonesome after they left and wanted to see where his only living descendants lived and what their home was like.

6. Martin felt proud of Grandpa because …………………
Ans. Martin felt proud of Grandpa because he realized the courage it took for an eighty-six-year-old man who had never been away from the reservation to travel so far alone. This newfound appreciation replaced his earlier shame.

7. Grandpa gave the hundred dollars he had saved for his funeral to Martin’s mother because ………………………
Ans. Grandpa gave the hundred dollars he had saved for his funeral to Martin’s mother because he didn’t want to be a financial burden to the family while he was staying with them.

8. Grandpa said that he would not have come with them earlier because …………………
Ans. Grandpa said that he would not have come with them earlier because he believed it was not the right time. To him and the Sioux people, a significant event like this had to happen when it was meant to, not according to a human schedule.

9. Martin and his family felt guilty when Grandpa travelled all by himself for two days to meet them because ………………
Ans. Martin and his family felt guilty when Grandpa travelled all by himself for two days to meet them because they realized how old and weak he had become and were sorry they hadn’t thought to bring him home with them earlier, saving him the difficult journey.

10. Martin’s mother ensured that every summer Martin and his sister spent a week with their great-grandfather on the reservation because ………………
Ans. Martin’s mother ensured that every summer Martin and his sister spent a week with their great-grandfather on the reservation because she was Grandpa’s only living child, and she wanted to maintain their connection to him and their heritage, even after marrying a white man and moving away.

11. Grandpa gave the money he had saved for his funeral to Martin’s mother because ……………
Ans. Grandpa gave the money he had saved for his funeral to Martin’s mother because he didn’t want to be a financial burden to the family while he was staying with them.

12. Martin made excuses to his friends so that they would not visit Grandpa not fearing they would laugh at Grandpa but because ………………
Ans. Martin made excuses to his friends so that they would not visit Grandpa not fearing they would laugh at Grandpa but because he was afraid they would laugh at him, as his embarrassment was rooted in his own struggle with his identity and not a reflection of his grandpa’s character.

13. The first Iron Shell kept the piece of iron with him at all times because ……………………
Ans. The first Iron Shell kept the piece of iron with him at all times because he believed it was a powerful spiritual sign that reinforced his vision quest dream and would provide him protection from the evils of those unhappy days.

14. Iron Shell’s son did not take the medicine bag with him in the battle because ……………
Ans. Iron Shell’s son did not take the medicine bag with him in the battle because he was afraid that he would lose it. This shows a break in the tradition and a misunderstanding of the bag’s spiritual importance as a protective charm.

15. Iron Shell realised the significance of seeing a White Man’s iron in his sacred dream because ………………
Ans. Iron Shell realised the significance of seeing a White Man’s iron in his sacred dream because his medicine led him to work in the school’s blacksmith shop. This fulfilled his vision and showed him that he was meant to learn and work with the white man’s ways while still honoring his own traditions.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Answer the questions briefly in about 100-150 words.

1. How did the narrator describe his Grandpa to his friends? Why?
Ans. The narrator, Martin, and his sister, Cheryl, bragged about their Sioux grandpa by telling stories that made him and their reservation sound glamorous. They relied on popular stereotypes of Native Americans from movies and TV, describing their Grandpa and his life with exaggerated details. They did this because their friends, who lived in the city and knew nothing about Native American culture except from media, were impressed by these tales. To add to the mystique, they would bring back authentic items like moccasins and drums to show their friends, reinforcing the romanticized image they had created.

2. Why did the narrator never show Grandpa’s picture to his friends?
Ans.  The narrator never showed his friends a picture of his grandpa because he feared it would destroy the glamorous image he had built. In his stories, Grandpa was a majestic, tall and stately figure like a TV Indian. However, the real Grandpa was old, with ‘stringy gray strands’ of hair, and his clothes were rumpled. Martin knew his friends would have laughed at the reality, because it didn’t match their expectations. His reluctance to show the photo highlights his own shame and embarrassment about his heritage and the clash between his two worlds.

3. How did the narrator initially react on seeing Grandpa walking in the middle of the street outside his house?
Ans. When Martin first saw his grandpa walking down the street, he felt a mixture of shock, panic, and embarrassment. He recognized the old man from a distance and felt cold and hot at the same time. His first instinct was to run and hide because he was mortified by the thought of his neighborhood and friends seeing his grandpa dressed in his traditional, rumpled clothes, followed by a group of dogs and kids. He felt ashamed that his secret about his real heritage was being exposed in such a public and embarrassing way.

4. How did Martin’s mother and sister Cheryl react on seeing Grandpa?
Ans.  Martin’s mother and sister, Cheryl, reacted very differently from him. Cheryl’s reaction was one of pure joy and excitement. She burst out of the house with all smiles and yelled happily, ‘Grandpa! You came to see us!’ She was unashamed and openly glad to see him, even hugging him. Martin’s mother was also surprised, but her reaction was more reserved and respectful. While she gasped in disbelief and wanted to embrace him, she checked herself because such a public display of affection is considered unseemly to the Sioux. She greeted him formally by shaking his hand and showed her love through her actions, like taking his arm to help him.

5. Compare and contrast Martin’s behaviour with that of his sister Cheryl’s when Grandpa unexpectedly visited their house.
Ans.  When Grandpa unexpectedly arrived, Martin’s behavior was marked by shame and embarrassment, while Cheryl’s was characterized by joy and acceptance. Martin initially wanted to hide, whispering, ‘Oh, no! It’s Grandpa!’ and feeling mortified by his appearance. He was more concerned with what his friends and neighbors would think. In contrast, Cheryl was completely unconcerned with appearances. She was openly excited and happy, running to greet and hug her Grandpa without any hesitation. This contrast highlights Martin’s struggle with his dual identity and his fear of being different, while Cheryl’s innocence allows her to accept and appreciate her heritage without prejudice.

6. What reason did Grandpa give for his unexpected visit to Iowa?
Ans.  Grandpa explained that he came to visit them for two main reasons. First, he admitted that he was lonely after Martin, Cheryl, and their mother had left at the end of their summer visit. Second, and more importantly, he felt that it was the right time for him to travel and see where his only living descendants lived. He knew that his time was coming to an end and he had to pass on the medicine bag to Martin, which was a vital family tradition. His journey was therefore not just a personal visit but a purposeful act to fulfill his duty to his heritage.

7. How did Martin’s friends react after meeting Grandpa? How did it bring about a change in Martin’s feelings about Grandpa?
Ans. When Martin’s friends finally met Grandpa, their reaction was completely respectful and impressed. They were polite, listened in awed silence to his stories, and afterwards told Martin, ‘he’s really great!’ and ‘Don’t blame you for keeping him to yourself.’ This positive reaction brought about a significant change in Martin’s feelings. He realized that his shame was unfounded and that his friends were not laughing at Grandpa, but were genuinely fascinated by him. This experience helped Martin to finally feel proud of his Grandpa and his heritage, paving the way for him to accept the medicine bag.

8. What sort of feelings did Martin have Grandpa told him that time had come for him to hand over the medicine bag to him?
Ans.  When Grandpa announced it was time to pass on the medicine bag, Martin felt a mixture of fear, anxiety, and a sense of duty. He had the same hot and cold feeling as when he first saw his Grandpa in the street. He looked at the dirty leather pouch and immediately worried about what his friends would say if they saw him with it, imagining their mocking remarks. He felt scared and overwhelmed by the responsibility. Despite his initial reluctance and fear of being different, he knew that he would have to take it, showing an underlying sense of honor and respect for his family’s tradition.

9. What did Grandpa tell Martin about the connection between the white man’s iron which the first Iron Shell saw in his dream and its role later on his life?
Ans. Grandpa explained that his father, the first Iron Shell, saw the white man’s iron in a sacred vision quest dream, but he didn’t understand its meaning at the time. Later, he was taken to a white man’s boarding school where he was forced to work in the blacksmith shop. It was there that he realized the vision’s true meaning: his medicine had brought him there to learn to work with the white man’s iron. This experience allowed him to become a blacksmith when he returned to the reservation, showing how he could honor his heritage while also adapting to the changing world and the ways of the white man.

10. Explain briefly the significance Martin’s act of accepting the medicine bag from Grandpa.
Ans. Martin’s act of accepting the medicine bag from his grandpa is the climax of his journey toward self-acceptance and cultural pride. Initially, the bag represented everything he feared and was ashamed of. However, by accepting it, he is not just taking an object; he is accepting his identity as a Sioux man and embracing the history and traditions of his ancestors. The bag symbolizes the passing of heritage from one generation to the next, a link that Martin is now responsible for preserving. His final act of placing the sacred sage in the bag on the reservation signifies his full commitment to his heritage and his promise to carry on his family’s legacy.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
Answer the questions briefly in about 200-250 words.

1. Explain Martin’s fear when his grandfather unexpectedly visited them in Iowa. Was he able to dispel those fears later in the story? How?
Ans.  Martin’s fear stemmed from the clash between his two worlds: his Native American heritage and his urban, white American life. He had created a romanticized image of his Grandpa for his friends, one that didn’t match reality. When his Grandpa arrived unannounced, Martin was terrified that his friends would see the real thing, an old man in rumpled clothes who didn’t fit the tall and stately like TV Indians stereotype. His fear was not so much that his friends would laugh at Grandpa, but that they would laugh at him for being so different and for the lies he had told. He was deeply embarrassed and wanted to hide. Yes, he was able to dispel his fears later in the story. This happened when his friends finally met Grandpa. Instead of laughing, they were impressed and respectful. They listened to his stories in ‘awed silence’ and afterwards told Martin how great his Grandpa was. This experience was a turning point for Martin. He realized his fears were unfounded and self-imposed. This realization allowed him to feel proud of his Grandpa and his heritage, and it ultimately prepared him to accept the responsibility of the medicine bag, a symbol of the culture he had once been ashamed of.

2. Describe Martin’s relationship with his Grandpa. How did it change over the course of the story?
Ans.  Initially, Martin’s relationship with his Grandpa was based on surface-level pride and shame. He was proud of his Native American heritage in a way that he could exaggerate and show off to his friends. However, he was deeply ashamed of the real, unglamorous aspects of his Grandpa’s life and appearance. This is evident in his desire to hide from his Grandpa when he first arrived, and his reluctance to show his picture to friends. His relationship was distant, not based on a deep, personal connection. Over the course of the story, their relationship transforms into one of deep respect and understanding. Martin’s shame is replaced by pride after he sees how his friends admire Grandpa. More importantly, when Grandpa reveals the history of the medicine bag, Martin gains a new appreciation for the struggles and traditions of his ancestors. He learns to see his Grandpa not just as an old man, but as a living link to his heritage. The ultimate sign of this change is when Martin accepts the medicine bag, taking on the responsibility of carrying on his family’s legacy. By the end, their bond is no longer about appearances but about a shared identity and history.

3. Do you consider The Medicine Bag’ as an appropriate title for the story by Virginia Drive Hawk Sneve? Give reasons to support your answer.
Ans.   Yes, The Medicine Bag is an extremely appropriate title for the story. The medicine bag is not just a physical object; it is the central symbol around which all the story’s themes revolve. First, it represents the passing of tradition and heritage. The bag contains sacred items from past generations and is meant to be passed down through the male line, showing the continuity of the Sioux way of life. Second, it is a symbol of identity. Martin’s initial reluctance to accept the bag mirrors his shame about his heritage. His eventual acceptance of the bag signifies his acceptance of his identity and his place in his family’s history. The bag embodies the journey from shame to pride. Finally, the bag is the catalyst for the story’s main events. Grandpa’s entire journey from the reservation to Iowa was undertaken specifically to pass on the bag to Martin, highlighting its immense importance. Without the medicine bag, there would be no reason for the unexpected visit, no conflict, and no resolution for Martin’s internal struggle. Therefore, the title perfectly encapsulates the core themes and purpose of the narrative.

4. Explain with reference to the text of the story, The Medicine Bag’, the central theme of the story.
Ans.   The central theme of The Medicine Bag is the journey from cultural shame to pride and acceptance of one’s heritage. This theme is primarily explored through the character of Martin, who represents the struggle of modern Native Americans to balance their traditional identity with a dominant white culture. At the beginning, Martin’s shame is palpable. He exaggerates his grandfather’s image and is terrified when the real Grandpa arrives, thinking, ‘I was so ashamed and embarrassed I could’ve died’. He makes excuses to his friends, not wanting them to see the truth. The medicine bag itself, a dirty leather pouch, is something he thinks he could never wear. The transformation occurs through interactions with his Grandpa and his friends. When his friends show respect and admiration for Grandpa, Martin’s fears are dispelled. He realizes the value of his heritage. This shift culminates in the final scenes where Grandpa explains the history of the bag, connecting Martin to his ancestors. Martin’s decision to accept the bag is a powerful act of embracing his heritage. He learns that his identity is not something to be ashamed of but a source of strength and pride.

5. Describe in your own words the characteristic traits of Grandpa.
Ans.   Grandpa Joe Iron Shell is an extraordinary character with several key traits. He is determined and resolute, as shown by his incredible two-and-a-half-day journey to Iowa at the age of eighty-six. His purpose was clear: to pass on the medicine bag before he died, and he was not deterred by the distance or his own failing health. He is also a man of dignity and tradition. He maintains his formal Sioux greetings and is unashamed of his clothing, even in an unfamiliar urban setting. He understands the importance of his family’s history and takes his role as its keeper seriously, a trait he passes on to Martin. Furthermore, he is wise and perceptive. He recognizes the right time for things to happen, whether it’s his journey or the giving of the bag. He also sees through Martin’s fear and shame, subtly helping him overcome it by dressing in his good clothes when he knew Martin’s friends were coming. He is gentle and kind, patiently answering the children’s questions and telling them stories. Ultimately, Grandpa is a symbol of strength, cultural pride, and unwavering spiritual connection.

ISC Class 12 English Chapter The Medicine Bag Extra Question and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1. Martin’s grandpa, Joe Iron Shell, came from the ________ Reservation in South Dakota.
A. Rosebud
B. Pine Ridge
C. Standing Rock
D. Oglala
Ans. A. Rosebud

Q2. Martin’s friends were impressed by his stories of Grandpa because they only knew about Native Americans from ________.
A. books
B. school
C. movies and TV
D. news reports
Ans. C. movies and TV

Q3. Martin felt ashamed when Grandpa arrived because he wasn’t tall and stately like a ________.
A. Hollywood cowboy
B. TV Indian
C. brave warrior
D. wise chief
Ans. B. TV Indian

Q4. Grandpa came to Iowa by traveling for two and a half days on a ________.
A. horse
B. bus
C. train
D. car
Ans. B. bus

Q5. Martin and his mother carried Grandpa into the sewing room after he ________.
A. fainted
B. stumbled
C. collapsed
D. was attacked by dogs
Ans. A. fainted

Q6. Grandpa’s old cowboy boots were tight because they were stuffed with ________.
A. newspapers
B. medicine
C. rocks
D. money
Ans. D. money

Q7. The money Grandpa had saved was for his ________.
A. funeral
B. grandchildren
C. old age
D. medical bills
Ans. A. funeral

Q8. The first Iron Shell found the white man’s iron after he completed his ________.
A. vision quest
B. long journey
C. military service
D. blacksmith training
Ans. A. vision quest

Q9. The medicine bag was made of ________ skin.
A. deer
B. buffalo
C. elk
D. coyote
Ans. C. elk

Q10. The short story, The Medicine Bag, captures the theme of ________. (2025)
A. Embracing one’s cultural roots.
B. Disrespect for the older generation.
C. The fruits of modernisation.
D. Peer pressure in adolescents.
Ans. A. Embracing one’s cultural roots

Extract-Based Questions

Answer the following extract-based questions.
A.
My kid sister Cheryl and I always bragged about our Sioux grandpa, Joe Iron Shell. Our friends, who had always lived in the city and only knew about Indians from movies and TV, were impressed by our stories. Maybe we exaggerated and made Grandpa and the reservation sound glamorous, but when we’d return home to Iowa after our yearly summer visit to Grandpa, we always had some exciting tale to tell.
We always had some authentic Sioux article to show our listeners. One year Cheryl had new moccasins that Grandpa had made. On another visit he gave me a small, round, flat rawhide drum which was decorated with a painting of a warrior riding a horse. He taught me a real Sioux chant to sing while I beat the drum with a leather-covered stick that had a feather on the end. Man, that really made an impression.

Q1. Who did the narrator and his sister brag about?
Ans. They bragged about their Sioux grandpa, Joe Iron Shell.

Q2. Why were their city friends impressed by their stories?
Ans. Their friends were impressed because they only knew about Native Americans from movies and TV, and the stories sounded glamorous.

Q3. What did Grandpa make for Cheryl one year?
Ans. He made her a new pair of moccasins.

Q4. What did Grandpa give the narrator on another visit?
Ans. He gave him a small, round, flat rawhide drum decorated with a painting.

Q5. What did the narrator learn to do with the drum?
Ans. He learned a real Sioux chant to sing while he beat the drum.

B.
We never showed our friends Grandpa’s picture. Not that we were ashamed of him, but because we knew that the glamorous tales we told didn’t go with the real thing. Our friends would have laughed at the picture, because Grandpa wasn’t tall and stately like TV Indians. His hair wasn’t in braids but hung in stringy gray strands on his neck, and he was old. He was our great-grandfather, and he didn’t live in a tepee, but all by himself in a part log, part tar-paper shack on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. So when Grandpa came to visit us, I was so ashamed and embarrassed I could’ve died.
There are a lot of yippy poodles and other fancy little dogs in our neighborhood, but they usually barked singly at the mailman from the safety of their own yards. Now it sounded as if a whole pack of mutts were barking together in one place.
I got up and walked to the curb to see what the commotion was. About a block away I saw a crowd of little kids yelling, with the dogs yipping and growling around someone who was walking down the middle of the street.

Q1. Why did the narrator and his sister not show their friends a picture of Grandpa?
Ans. They didn’t show the picture because Grandpa didn’t look like the glamorous, stately TV Indians from their stories.

Q2. What did Grandpa’s hair look like in the picture?
Ans. His hair was not in braids; it hung in stringy gray strands on his neck.

Q3. Where did Grandpa live?
Ans. He lived by himself in a part log, part tar-paper shack on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.

Q4. What did the narrator hear that made him go outside?
Ans. He heard a lot of dogs barking together, like a whole pack of mutts.

Q5. Who was walking down the middle of the street?
Ans. The narrator’s Grandpa was walking down the middle of the street, surrounded by kids and dogs.

Extra Questions

SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1. The Medicine Bag traces the narrator’s attitude to his Sioux Grandfather, from mild embarrassment to appreciation. Summarise the reasons for this embarrassment and change. Write your answer in 100-150 words incorporating the following details. (2025)
(a) Reasons for embarrassment
(b) Specific reasons for the change in attitude
Ans. (a) Martin’s initial embarrassment stemmed from the stark contrast between the glamorous image of his Sioux grandpa he created for his friends and the reality of Grandpa’s appearance. He had bragged about a tall and stately Indian from movies, but the real Grandpa was old, with ‘stringy gray hair’ and a ‘rumpled black suit’, not fitting the stereotype. Martin feared his friends would laugh at this discrepancy and at him for being different, leading him to want to run and hide.

(b) The change in Martin’s attitude was gradual but significant. It began when he saw his little sister, Cheryl, embrace Grandpa without shame. Crucially, when his friends finally met Grandpa, they were not mocking but impressed and respectful, listening intently to his stories. This positive reception from his peers dispelled Martin’s fear of judgment. Later, hearing the sacred history of the medicine bag from Grandpa deepened his appreciation. These experiences allowed Martin to shed his embarrassment and embrace his heritage with pride, culminating in his acceptance of the medicine bag.

Q2. What is the significance of the medicine bag in the story?
Ans. The medicine bag is a central symbol of heritage and tradition. It represents the spiritual and cultural legacy passed down through three generations of Sioux men in Martin’s family. The bag contains sacred items like a piece of iron and a pebble from a vision quest site, each holding a deep story about the family’s history and their connection to the Great Spirit. By accepting the bag, Martin doesn’t just receive an object; he takes on the responsibility of honoring his ancestors’ experiences and preserving his cultural identity. The bag’s physical presence and history are what motivate Grandpa’s entire journey, highlighting its immense importance.

Q3. How did Martin’s perspective on his Grandpa change throughout the story?
Ans. Initially, Martin viewed his Grandpa with shame and embarrassment. He had created a fictional, glamorous image of a TV Indian for his friends and was mortified when the real, old, and frail Grandpa arrived. He feared his friends would laugh at him for his family’s traditional ways. However, this perspective shifts dramatically. When his friends meet Grandpa, they are respectful and impressed, not mocking. This experience helps Martin realize his fears were unfounded. By the end, after hearing the sacred history of the medicine bag, Martin’s shame is replaced by deep pride and reverence for his Grandpa and his heritage, leading him to fully accept his cultural identity.

Q4. Why was Grandpa’s long journey from the reservation so important?
Ans. Grandpa’s journey was more than a simple visit; it was a final, purposeful act driven by duty and tradition. He knew he was nearing the end of his life and that it was the right time to pass the medicine bag to the next male in the family, as was the custom. This journey, made alone and with great difficulty, demonstrates his determination and courage. He traveled to ensure the spiritual and historical link of his ancestors was not broken. The journey itself highlights his commitment to his heritage and his profound love for his great-grandson, to whom he was entrusting the family’s most sacred legacy.

Q5. What is the main conflict of The Medicine Bag?
Ans. The main conflict in The Medicine Bag is internal, taking place within the narrator, Martin. It is a struggle between his desire to fit into a modern, white American culture and his connection to his Sioux heritage. Martin is caught between two worlds. He feels pressure from his peers and is embarrassed by his Grandpa’s traditional appearance and way of life, which doesn’t conform to the stereotypes he has used to impress his friends. This conflict is resolved when Martin learns to appreciate his heritage, moving past his shame to ultimately embrace his identity and the responsibility that comes with it.

LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q1. How does the setting of the story, the city versus the reservation, contribute to the central conflict and themes of The Medicine Bag?
Ans. The setting is crucial to the central conflict of identity and cultural clash. The story is primarily set in the narrator’s Iowa neighborhood, a modern, suburban environment filled with fancy little dogs and friends who only know about Native Americans from media stereotypes. This setting represents the white, mainstream American culture that Martin is trying to fit into. The reservation in South Dakota, by contrast, is a place of tradition, family, and spiritual connection. Martin’s yearly visits there are a temporary return to his roots, but his urban life is his reality. The conflict arises when these two worlds collide with Grandpa’s unexpected visit. His traditional appearance and behavior are completely out of place in the city, triggering Martin’s shame. The story’s resolution occurs when Martin returns to the reservation to properly honor his ancestors, showing that the physical setting is a powerful symbol of the internal struggle between his two identities.

Q2. Explain the symbolism of the medicine bag itself. What does it represent in the story, and how does its meaning evolve for Martin?
Ans. The medicine bag is the most significant symbol in the story, representing heritage, tradition, and spiritual identity. Initially, for Martin, the bag is just a dirty leather pouch and a source of potential embarrassment. He can’t imagine wearing such a thing in front of his friends in gym class or at the swimming pool. In this sense, it symbolizes everything he wants to hide about his background. However, as Grandpa reveals the bag’s history, its meaning transforms. It becomes a living record of his family’s legacy, holding a piece of iron from the first Iron Shell’s vision quest and other sacred items. The bag’s story of adapting to change, from a tool for a vision quest to a protective charm for a blacksmith, shows Martin that his heritage is not static. By the end, the medicine bag represents responsibility and pride. When Martin accepts it, he is not just taking an object; he is accepting his role as the next keeper of his family’s history. It becomes a bridge connecting him to his past and a guide for his future.

Q3. How do the different generations in the story i.e. Grandpa, Martin’s parents, and Martin himself each approach their Sioux heritage? What does this reveal about cultural continuity?
Ans. The story presents three distinct approaches to Sioux heritage, highlighting the challenges of cultural continuity across generations. Grandpa embodies the traditionalist approach. He lives on the reservation, adheres to old customs, and believes in the spiritual significance of the medicine bag. His primary concern is ensuring the legacy is passed on correctly. Martin’s parents, particularly his mother, represent a blended approach. She lives in the city and has married a white man, but she actively maintains a connection to her culture by ensuring her children visit Grandpa every summer. She respects Sioux customs, as seen when she refrains from embracing Grandpa. She acts as a vital link between the traditional and modern worlds.Martin initially represents a distant, conflicted approach. He sees his heritage as something to be romanticized or hidden, depending on the audience. His journey is about moving from this superficial view to a genuine understanding and acceptance of his cultural roots. The story suggests that for a culture to survive, each generation must find its own way to connect with its past. While the method may change, the core values and traditions must be willingly embraced.

Q4. Discuss the role of stereotypes in the story. How do they influence Martin’s behavior, and how does the story challenge them?
Ans. Stereotypes play a significant role in The Medicine Bag, serving as a barrier to Martin’s self-acceptance. Martin and his sister initially feed their friends’ stereotypical ideas of Native Americans from movies and TV, which portray them as exotic and glamorous figures. This fantasy allows Martin to feel a superficial pride. However, when his Grandpa arrives, the real man was old, frail, and dressed in rumpled clothes that don’t fit this image. Martin’s immediate reaction is embarrassment and a desire to hide, because the reality of his heritage doesn’t match the stereotype. He fears his friends will mock the authentic person, not just the image. The story powerfully challenges these stereotypes in two ways. First, Grandpa’s character dismantles them. He is not a one-dimensional figure; he is a complex individual who is determined, dignified, and kind. He embodies wisdom and a deep spiritual connection, traits that far exceed any shallow stereotype. Second, Martin’s friends, when they finally meet Grandpa, do not laugh. Instead, they are genuinely impressed and respectful, showing that they are capable of appreciating the authentic person beyond their preconceived notions. This experience helps Martin realize that his own shame was based on a flawed premise, allowing him to see his grandfather for who he truly is.

Q5. What does the story teach us about the importance of family and the passing of knowledge between generations?
Ans. The Medicine Bag is a poignant narrative about the crucial role of intergenerational connection and the passing of knowledge. The story highlights that family is not just about a shared last name or genetics, but about the bonds of history, tradition, and shared experience. Grandpa’s long, difficult journey to see his great-grandchildren is driven by a profound sense of duty and love. He knows his life is ending and that he must fulfill his role as the family’s elder by transferring the medicine bag and its history to Martin. The story emphasizes that knowledge, especially cultural and historical knowledge, is passed down not just in books but through oral tradition and personal artifacts. Grandpa’s long narrative about his father’s vision quest and his own life is a powerful lesson for Martin, teaching him about his roots and the strength of his ancestors. The medicine bag itself is a physical repository of this knowledge. By accepting it, Martin acknowledges his place in this long line of family history. The story teaches that it is the responsibility of each generation to listen, learn, and carry on the wisdom and traditions of those who came before them, ensuring that the family’s legacy and identity endure.

 

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