Character Sketch from ICSE Class 9 English Home-Coming of Phatik, Makhan, Phatik’s Mother, Bishamber and the Aunt
A character sketch defines what the character is like and how he/she evolves or develops throughout the story. In this post you can find the Character Sketch of Phatik, Makhan, Phatik’s Mother, Bishamber and the Aunt from ICSE Class 9 English Short Story Home-Coming from Treasure Chest book.
- Character Sketch of Phatik
- Questions related to the Character of Phatik
- Character Sketch of Makhan
- Questions related to the Character of Makhan
- Character Sketch of Phatik’s Mother
- Questions related to the Character of Phatik’s Mother
- Character Sketch of Bishamber
- Questions related to the Character of Bishamber
- Character Sketch of the Aunt
- Questions related to the Character of the Aunt
Related:
Character Sketch of Phatik
Phatik, the protagonist of the story, is a fourteen year old boy. Like any other teenager of his age, he is mischievous and fun loving. He was continuously trying to do something that would provide fun and enjoyment to him and his friends. When he found a heavy log lying on the bank of a river, he decided to shift it to another place. This was an enjoyment for him and his friends. But his younger brother Makhan spoiled his game when he sat on the log and refused to move away from there. Phatik was the ringleader among the boys of his village. They not only agreed to what he said but also did as he commanded them to do. When he asked them to remove the heavy log, they immediately agreed to his proposal and carried on the task all together. When his brother Makhan refused to get down the log, he ordered his friends to roll the log along with Makhan. His order was their command and they rolled the log with all their might and threw off Makhan.
Phatik’s mother always had the fear that he would either drown Makhan in the river or break his head in a fight or run him into some danger or the other. But Phatik never did anything of that sort.
When Phatik was about to leave for Calcutta with his uncle, he gave his fishing-rod, his kite and marbles to his younger brother, Makhan.
Phatik thought in Calcutta, his uncle and aunt would bring him up with love and care. But, he was an unwelcome guest there. Being a teenager, he longed for acceptance from his peers at school and his cousins at home.
Throughout the story, Phatik longed for his mother’s love and care. The mother regarded Phatik as lazy,disobedient and wild as compared to his brother who was regarded as good as gold.
Phatik ran away from his uncle’s house and got drenched on the way and fell ill. In his state of delirium, he begged his mother not to beat him. Finally, when he was on his deathbed, his mother showed motherly love to him, but it was too late then.
Questions related to the Character of Phatik
Q1. Describe Phatik’s character.
Q2. What was the main cause for Phatik’s death?
Character Sketch of Makhan
Makhan is the younger brother of Phatik. He is described by his mother as good as gold, as quiet as a lamb and very fond of reading. But all these characteristics appear to be a mother’s prejudice.
He never joins Phatik and his friends. He even spoils his brother’s plan of rolling the heavy log and getting enjoyment out of it. He scratched his brother’s face, beat him and went home crying. He tells lies to his mother and tries to spoil Phatik’s image.
Although Phatik gives him all his belongings, Makhan remains indifferent.
Questions related to the Character of Makhan
Q1. How does Makhan make Phatik’s life challenging?
Q2. Describe the relation between Makhan and his mother.
Character Sketch of Phatik’s Mother
Phatik’s mother is a village lady. She has two sons to bring up single-handedly as she is a widow. The mother is prejudiced against Phatik because she thinks that he is lazy, disobedient and wild. She prefers Makhan as he is less mischievous and more studious. She appears to be an irresponsible mother because she trusts Makhan and believes whatever Makhan tells her and does not bother to find out the truth.
When her brother Bishamber offers to take the two boys to Calcutta, the mother chooses Phatik to go along with her brother Bishamber. She cannot hear the voice of her child’s heart that aches for her love and affection.
Upon hearing of Phatik’s illness, she reaches Calcutta and hysterically runs towards him. She realises her mistake in sending her son to Calcutta and also understands Phatik’s longing for her love and affection but it was too late.
Questions related to the Character of Phatik’s Mother
Q1. Why does the mother scold Phatik?
Q2. Why does the mother send Phatik away?
Character Sketch of Bishamber
Bishamber is the brother of Phatik’s mother. He is a grey-haired middle-aged man who lives with his wife and children in Calcutta. He is a considerate man devoted to his family.
He is a loving brother and a kind and compassionate man. He goes against his family to help his sister and offers to take Phatik to Calcutta. This shows that he is concerned about the welfare of his nephews.
When Phatik goes missing from the house, Bishamber takes help from the police. And when policemen bring back Phatik, he carries him in his arms and takes him inside. He understands Phatik’s frustration and is teary-eyed seeing him in such a state. When Phatik fell ill, he sat beside him through the night taking Phatik’s lean and burning hands in his own. He calls the doctor when Phatik has a fever. Bishamber understands Phatik’s longing for his mother and calls her to visit Calcutta.
Questions related to the Character of Bishamber
Q1. Who is Bishamber and how does he behave with Phatik?
Q2. Is Bishamber able to help Phatik?
Character Sketch of the Aunt
Phatik’s maternal uncle’s wife is a rude woman who keeps insulting Phatik regardless of the fact that Phatik keeps trying to win her over and make efforts to make her accept him. He gets beaten by the teachers, suffers shivering and finally runs away, all not to be a nuisance to his aunt.
The aunt never treats Phatik as a member of her family. Though Phatik is on his best behaviour he is still not loved by her.
Questions related to the Character of the Aunt
Q1. Why does the aunt insult Phatik?
Q2. How does the aunt’s behaviour mar Phatik’s life?