Class 9 Drama The Bishop’s Candlesticks Summary, Explanation Notes

 

 

CBSE Class 9 English Drama The Bishop’s Candlesticks Summary, Explanation and Question Answers from Literature Reader (Communicative) Book

 

The Bishop’s Candlesticks Class 9 – CBSE Class 9 English Literature Reader (Communicative) Book Drama The Bishop’s Candlesticks Summary and Detailed explanation of the Poem along with the meanings of difficult words.. All the exercises and Questions and Answers given at the back of the lesson have been covered.  

 

Class 9 English Literature Reader Drama – The Bishop’s Candlesticks

By Norman Mckinnel

 

The Bishop’s Candlesticks Introduction

The plot of the play revolves around a story that brings forth the themes of religious virtues like love and redemption. The play dramatically depicts how the love and the sympathy of the Bishop changed a convict and turned him into a good man. The Bishop was a kind-hearted man. He was ready to sacrifice everything to help the needy people.

One night, a convict enters his home and steals his only possession, the candlesticks given to him by his mother. The Bishop is upset but like a true Christian, he feels that he was responsible for the convict’s behaviour. By keeping them before him, he had led him into temptation. He told the police that the accused was his friend and that he himself had given the candlesticks to him. The convict was amazed at the kindness of the Bishop. He was sorry that he had stolen the candlesticks. Due to the Bishop, the convict was a changed man.

 

The Bishop’s Candlesticks Summary

The play is set in the kitchen of the bishop’s cottage. Persome, the bishop’s sister, is preparing supper for him and is worried about his whereabouts. The helper, Marie, tells her that he has gone to see her ailing mother, Mere Gringoire. Persome is angry that the selfish people do not think about the bishop and he is out in such extreme cold to attend to the ailing, lazy, old woman. She is concerned as her brother has sold all their possessions to help the needy people. She is shocked when she comes to know that the family’s silver salt – cellars have also been sold to pay Mere Gringoire’s rent. Just then the bishop arrives and sends Marie to attend to her sick mother. Persome is hurt and annoyed with the bishop. She says that he will also sell the candlesticks in order to help someone else. The bishop appreciates her thought of kindness but says that as the candlesticks are the only remembrance of his mother, he will not sell them. Persome retires for the night. A convict enters the bishop’s home. He seizes the bishop and threatens to kill him. He orders him for food as he is very hungry. The bishop calls out for Persome to serve him food and wine. He is not scared of the convict. He calls him ‘son’ and also tries to calm Persome who is frightened to see the convict’s knife and hungry eyes. The bishop comforts the convict. He tells his past to the bishop. The convict was a good man and once, circumstances led him to steal food for his sick, starving wife. He was caught and sentenced to prison for ten years. His wife died and the inhuman treatment in the prison made him a beast. The bishop is kind to the convict, assures him protection and asks him to sleep. The next morning Persome discovers that the convict and the candlesticks are missing. The police find the convict to be suspicious and arrest him. They arrive with the convict and the candlesticks. The bishop tells them that the man is his friend and that the candlesticks have been gifted by him to the man. They free the convict. The convict is surprised by such kindness. He promises to change himself. The Bishop blesses him and gifts the candlesticks to him. He shows him a secret path to Paris, where the convict can lead a safe and respectable life.

 

The Bishop’s Candlesticks Explanation

List of Characters
The Bishop : An ordained or appointed member of clergy.
Persome : The sister of the Bishop.
Marie : Their household helper.
Convict : A prisoner who has been proved guilty of a felony.
Sergeant of Gendarmes : Policeman

Word meaning
felony: crime
gendarmes : the police

SCENE : The kitchen of the Bishop’s cottage, it is plainly but substantially furnished. Doors R, and L and L.C. Window R.C. Fireplace with heavy mantelpiece down R. Oak settee with cushions behind door L.C. Table in window R.C. with writing materials and crucifix (wood). Eight-day clock R. of window. Kitchen dresser with cupboard to lock, down L. Oak dinner table R.C. Chairs, books, etc. Winter wood scene without. On the mantelpiece are two very handsome candlesticks which look strangely out of place with their surroundings.
[Marie and Persome discovered. Marie stirring some soup on the fire. Persome laying the cloth, etc.]

Word meaning
settee : seat with high back
crucifix : image of Jesus on the cross
mantelpiece: a structure of wood, marble, or stone above and around a fireplace
candlesticks: a holder made of metal in which a candle stands

Explanation:
The given passage portrays how the scene looks when the curtains are opened. The play takes place in the kitchen of a cottage. The cottage belongs to the Bishop. It is a plain cottage, meaning it is not fancy-looking. However, it has a sufficient amount of furniture. There are three doors, one on the left, one on the right, and one on the left centre. There is a window on the right hand centre and a fireplace with a heavy mantelpiece on the right hand. A settee made of oak with cushions is located behind the left door. In the centre is a table under the right hand centre window. There are writing materials and crucifix on the table. The crucifix is made up of wood. There is a clock right of the window which shows the time of eight days. There is a kitchen dresser with a cupboard on the left. On the right is a dinner table, chairs made of oak wood, some books. On the wooden structure above the fireplace, tw candlesticks are kept which are exceptional. Marie is seen stirring the soup and Persome is laying the table cloth.

Play:
Persome: Marie, isn’t the soup boiling yet?
Marie: Not yet, madam.
Persome: Well, it ought to be. You haven’t tended the fire properly, child.
Marie: But, madam, you yourself made the fire up.
Persome: Don’t answer me back like that. It is rude.
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Then don’t let me have to rebuke you again.
Marie: No, madam.

Word meaning:
rebuke: express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behaviour or actions

Explanation:
Persome asked the maid, Marie if the soup had started boiling. The maid answered that it was not boiling. The maid called Persome ‘madam’. Persome replied that by that time, it should have started boiling. She then told the maid that she probably had not made the fire properly. Here, Persome called Marie ‘child’. Marie told Persome that she should not blame her as it was Persome who made the fire. Persome was offended by Marie and told her not to reply like that. She added that it was rude to do so. The maid obeyed Persome and said that she would not do that again. Persome added that the maid should not let her rebuke or give her an opportunity to criticise her again. She meant to say that the maid should work properly and should not make mistakes. The maid replied that she would not give Persome any reason to scold her.

Play:
Persome: I wonder where my brother can be. (Looking at the clock.) It is after eleven o’clock and no sign of him. Marie !
Marie: Yes, madam.
Persome: Did Monseigneur the Bishop leave any message for me ?
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: Did he tell you where he was going?
Marie: Yes, madam.

Word meaning:
Monseigneur: My Lord (a title of respect given to a person of high rank)

Explanation:
Persome wondered where her brother was. She then looked at the clock and saw that it was over eleven o’clock (eleven p.m. as it was night time). She became worried that there was no sign of her brother and she called Marie. Marie came and Persome asked her if the Bishop had left any message for her. She referred to the Bishop as ‘Monseigneur’. Marie answered that the Bishop had not left any message for her. Persome then asked her if he had told her where he was going. Marie answered that the Bishop had told her where he was going.

Play:
Persome (imitating): ‘Yes, madam’. Then why haven’t you told me, stupid!
Marie: Madam didn’t ask me.
Persome: But that is no reason for you not telling me, is it ?
Marie: Madam said only this morning I was not to chatter, so I thought…
Persome: Ah, Mon Dieu! You thought! Ah! It is hopeless.
Marie: Yes, madam.

Word meaning:
Mon Dieu : (French) My God

Explanation:
Persome imitated the maid’s monotonous answers and called her stupid. She asked her why she had not told her such an important thing. Marie simply answered that the madam or Persome did not ask her. Persome further said that that was not a logical reason for her to stay quiet about such a thing. Marie replied that Persome told her that morning that she was not allowed to talk unnecessarily. Persome exclaimed with surprise that Marie was now making assumptions. She then said that it was hopeless to talk to the maid. Marie went back to her monotonous behaviour and said that yes it was indeed hopeless.

Play:
Persome: Don’t keep saying ‘Yes, Madam’ like a parrot, nincompoop!
Marie: No, madam.
Persome: Well. Where did Monseigneur say he was going?
Marie: To my mother’s, madam.
Persome: To your mother’s indeed ! And why, pray ?
Marie: Monseigneur asked me how she was, and I told him she was feeling poorly.
Persome: You told him she was feeling poorly did you? And so my brother is to be kept out of his bed, and go without his supper because you told him she was feeling poorly. There’s gratitude for you!

Word meaning:
nincompoop : idiot; fool
feeling poorly : felt unwell; was not feeling well.

Explanation:
Persome, who was annoyed by Marie, told her to stop saying ‘Yes, Madam’. She said that Marie sounded like a parrot, meaning that she was saying one thing repeatedly which was annoying her. Persome called Marie an idiot and a foolish girl. The maid said that she would not repeat the same line. Then, Persome asked her where her brother was. The maid answered that he was at her mother’s house. Persome was shocked to know that her brother was at her maid’s mother’s house. She asked the maid the reason why her brother was visiting her mother. The maid answered that he had asked her the condition of her mother and she had told the truth, which was that her mother had been ill. Persome scolded her for saying such a thing. She thought that the maid was being very ungrateful, as she asked her brother to miss supper and be out of the house so late at night even though he had been very kind to her. She thought that the maid lied about her mother’s condition.

Play:
Marie: Madam, the soup is boiling!
Persome: Then pour it out, fool, and don’t chatter. (Marie about to do so.) No, no, not like that. Here, let me do it, and did you put the salt-cellars on the table-the silver ones?
Marie: The silver ones, madam?
Persome: Yes, the silver ones. Are you deaf as well as stupid?
Marie: They are sold, madam.

Word meaning:
salt-cellars: containers to shake out salt and pepper kept on the dining table.

Explanation:
Suddenly, the maid called Persome and said that the soup was boiling. Persome told her that if that was the case, then she should pour it out instead of talking like a fool. Marie was about to do the given task when Persome interrupted her and told her that she was pouring the soup in the wrong way. She offered to do the task for her and then asked her if she had kept the salt cellars on the tables. She added that she was talking about the silver salt cellars. The maid probably did not hear the last part (the part about the containers being made of silver) and asked Persome if she was talking about the silver ones. Persome again got irritated and told her that yes, she was talking about the silver salt cellars. She then asked the maid if she was deaf too. Marie did not answer that question. Instead, she told her that the silver salt cellars had been sold to someone else.

Play:
Persome: Sold! (with horror) Sold! Are you mad? Who sold them? Why were they sold? Marie: Monseigneur the Bishop told me this afternoon, while you were out, to take them to Monseigneur Gervais, who has often admired them, and sell them for as much as I could. Persome: But you had no right to do so without asking me.
Marie (with awe): But, madam, Monseigneur the Bishop told me.

Word meaning:
awe: a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.

Explanation:
Persome was horrified and asked the maid if she was mad. She then asked the maid to whom had she sold the silver salt cellars and the reason why they had been sold. Marie answered that the Bishop had told her to sell the silver salt cellars that afternoon when she was not at home. She sold them to Lord Gervais, who had frequently admired the silver salt cellars. She was instructed to sell for the highest price of the salt cellars. Persome said that no matter what, the maid had no right to do such a thing without asking for her permission. Marie replied with a feeling of respect and fear that her brother, the Bishop, was the one who told her to do so and she did not have the authority to refuse him.

Play:
Persome: Monseigneur the Bishop is a-ahem! But-but what can he have wanted with the money!
Marie: Pardon, madam, but I think it was for Mere Gringoire.
Persome: Mere Gringoire indeed! Mere Gringoire! What, the old witch who lives at the top of the hill, and who says she is bedridden because she is too lazy to do any work? And what did Mere Gringoire want with the money, pray ?
Marie: Madam, it was for the rent. The bailiff would not wait any longer, and threatened to turn her out to-day if it were not paid, so she sent little Jean to Monseigneur to ask for help, and-

Word meaning:
Mere: Mother (pronounced mair)
Gringoire: pronounced Grin-go-ah
bedridden: confined to bed by sickness or old age.
bailiff : an officer of the court.

Explanation:
Persome was about to insult her brother but she stopped herself from doing so as her brother was the Bishop. She then asked wonderingly what he wanted to do with the money he had got from selling the silver salt cellars. Marie answered that the money was probably for her mother. Persome was shocked to know that her brother sold her silver salt cellars to get money for the old witch who lived at the top of the hill. Mother Gringoire was always too lazy to do any work, and she used her illness and oldage as an excuse to stay in bed all day. She then asked the maid why she wanted the money. Marie answered that her rent was due. The officer in charge of collecting the rent would not wait any longer and threatened to throw her out of the house that day if the rent was not paid. Mother Gringoire did not want that and so she sent a young girl named Jean to the Bishop to ask for help. The maid was about to explain even further when Persome interrupted her.

Play:
Persome: Oh, mon Dieu! It is hopeless, hopeless. We shall have nothing left. His estate is sold, his savings have gone. His furniture, everything. Were it not for my little dot we should starve ! And now my beautiful-beautiful (sobs) salt-cellars. Ah, it is too much, too much. (She breaks down crying.)
Marie: Madam, I am sorry, if I had known
Persome: Sorry, and why pray? If Monseigneur the Bishop chooses to sell his salt cellars he may do so, I suppose. Go and wash your hands, they are disgracefully dirty.
Marie: Yes, madam (going towards R.)

Word meaning:
dot: dowry

Explanation:
Persome interrupted and exclaimed with sadness that it was hopeless. She said that she and her brother would soon have nothing left for themselves. Her brother’s estate had been sold to someone else and now they were living in a cottage, he gave his saved money to a needy person, same happened to some of their furniture and so much more. She added that the reason why they were not starving was because of the money she had gotten for her dowry. However, now her beautiful salt-cellars were gone too. She said that it was too much for her to handle and started sobbing and crying. Marie apologised for causing so much pain and started saying that if she had known that selling the salt cellars would cause the madam so much pain, she would have done something else. Persome told her that there was no point in apologising. If the Bishop wished to sell his salt cellars then neither she nor the maid could do anything about it. She then asked the maid to wash her hands as they were very dirty.

Play:
[Enter the Bishop, C.]
Bishop: Ah! How nice and warm it is in here! It is worth going out in the cold for the sake of the comfort of coming in.
[Persome has hastened to help him off with his coat etc. Marie has dropped a deep courtesy.]
Bishop: Thank you, dear. (Looking at her.) Why, what is the matter ? You have been crying. Has Marie been troublesome, eh ? (shaking his finger at her) Ah !
Persome: No, it wasn’t Marie-but-but

Word meaning:
hastened: hurried
courtesy: the showing of politeness in one’s attitude and behaviour towards others

Explanation:
Suddenly the Bishop entered the kitchen through the door at the centre. He exclaimed with happiness that it was nice and warm inside the house. He said that it was worth going outside in such cold weather in order to enjoy the warmth and comfort of the house. Persome came and quickly helped him to take off the coat he was wearing. Marie bowed to show courtesy. The Bishop thanked Persome and then looked at her face. He saw that she had been crying and so, he asked her what was the matter and why she was crying. He then asked if Marie had been troubling her. The Bishop gestured to Marie to come to him but Persome told him that Mary was not the reason why she had been crying.

Play:
Bishop: Well, well, you shall tell me presently! Marie, my child, run home now; your mother is better. I have prayed with her, and the doctor has been. Run home! (Marie putting on a cloak and going.) And, Marie, let yourself in quietly in case your mother is asleep.
Marie: Oh, thanks, thanks, Monseigneur.
[She goes to door C. ; as it opens the snow drives in.]

Word meaning:
presently: shortly; soon

Explanation:
The Bishop told Persome that she should tell him the reason shortly. He then told Marie that she should go home. Her mother was now better. The Bishop had prayed to God for her well-being and had even called a doctor. Marie obeyed him and put on a cloak to protect herself from the cold weather. She was going towards the door when the Bishop stopped her and told her to enter the house quietly in case her mother was sleeping. Marie thanked the Bishop. She then opened the door and as it opened, the snow came in.

Play:
Bishop: Here, Marie, take my comforter, it will keep you warm. It is very cold to-night.
Marie: Oh, no Monseigneur! (shamefacedly).
Persome: What nonsense, brother, she is young, she won’t hurt.
Bishop: Ah, Persome, you have not been out, you don’t know how cold it has become. Here, Marie, let me put it on for you. (Does so) There! Run along little one.
[Exit Marie, C.]

Word meaning:
comforter: muffler

Explanation:
When the bishop saw the snow come in, he told the maid to take his muffler to keep herself warm. He commented that it was very cold that night. The maid was embarrassed and told the Bishop that there was no need for her to have his comforter. Persome also jumped in the conversation and told her brother the maid was young and would not get ill by the cold weather. The bishop told Persome that she had not seen how terribly cold the weather was. He then offered to put the comforter on Marie. After doing so, he told her to go home. With this, Marie exits the house.

Play:
Persome: Brother, I have no patience with you. There, sit down and take your soup, it has been waiting ever so long. And if it is spoilt, it serves you right.
Bishop: It smells delicious.
Persome: I’m sure Marie’s mother is not so ill that you need have stayed out on such a night as this. I believe those people pretend to be ill just to have the Bishop call on them. They have no thought of the Bishop!

Explanation:
Persome told her brother that she did not have enough patience to deal with him. She told him to sit down and drink his soup. She added that the soup had been prepared since a long time and if it got spoiled, it was all his fault and he deserved it. The bishop told her that soup smelled delicious. He said that to please her. Persome then told her brother that she was sure that Marie’s mother was not very ill. There was no need for him to stay out of home on such a cold night. She further said that those people did not really need his help and they took advantage of his kindness. According to her, they did not care about the bishop.

Play:
Bishop: It is kind of them to want to see me.
Persome: Well, for my part, I believe that charity begins at home.
Bishop: And so you make me this delicious soup. You are very good to me, sister.
Persome: Good to you, yes! I should think so. I should like to know where you would be without me to look after you. The dupe of every idle scamp or lying old woman in the parish! Bishop: If people lie to me they are poorer, not I.

Word meanings:
dupe: a person who is easily deceived
scamp: a rascal/vagabond
parish: an area with its own church

Explanation:
The Bishop, who had a positive point of view, said that it was kind of the people who wanted to see him. Persome argued that charity was supposed to begin at home, meaning that she wanted the Bishop to be more considerate towards her. The Bishop told Persome that charity did begin at home. She made him delicious soup and other food for him to eat. He told her that she was very good to him. Persome replied that she was obviously good to him. If she would not have been there for him, he would get deceived by every scamp or old woman lying in the parish. The Bishop returned that if people lied to him, it showed that they were poor, not him.

Play:
Persome: But it is ridiculous; you will soon have nothing left. You give away everything, everything!!!
Bishop: My dear, there is so much suffering in the world, and I can do so little (sighs), so very little.
Persome: Suffering, yes; but you never think of the suffering you cause to those who love you best, the suffering you cause to me.
Bishop (rising): You, sister dear? Have I hurt you? Ah, I remember you had been crying. Was it my fault ? I didn’t mean to hurt you. I am sorry.

Explanation:
Persome said that her brother was being ridiculous or silly. If he would continue being charitable to everyone in the Parish, soon he would be left with nothing. He would give away his each and every belonging to the needy. The bishop tried to explain to her that there was a lot of suffering in the world and what he was doing right now was very little. Persome agreed that there was a lot of suffering in the world. However, he never thought about the suffering he was causing to the people who loved him the most. She then clarified that she was talking about herself. The bishop stood up with concern and asked Persome if he had hurt her. He then remembered that she had been crying. He asked her if it was his fault. Without waiting for a response, he apologised and said that whatever he did, he did it without any intention of hurting her.

Play:
Persome: Sorry. Yes. Sorry won’t mend it. Humph ! Oh, do go on eating your soup before it gets cold.
Bishop: Very well, dear. (Sits.) But tell me –
Persome: You are like a child. I can’t trust you out of my sight. No sooner is my back turned than you get that little minx Marie to sell the silver salt-cellars.
Bishop: Ah, yes, the salt-cellars. It is a pity. You-you were proud of them ?
Persome: Proud of them. Why, they have been in our family for years.
Bishop: Yes, it is a pity. They were beautiful; but still, dear, one can eat salt out of china just as well.

Word meaning:
minx: cunning woman

Explanation:
Persome said that the word ‘sorry’ would not mend the damage caused by the bishop. She then told him to eat his soup before it got too cold. The bishop obeyed her and sat down. He was about to ask her something but she interrupted him and complained about his child-like behaviour. She said that he was like a mischievous child, who causes trouble as soon as the parent looks away from them. As soon as her back was turned towards him, he had sent the cunning girl Marie to sell the silver salt-cellars. The Bishop recalled the salt cellars and said that it was very sad that he had to sell them. He then asked with a little bit of hesitation if she liked the salt cellars and was proud of them. Persome answered that of course she was proud of them. The salt-cellars were a family heirloom and were precious to her. The Bishop said that it was sad to let them go. He said that they were beautiful but they were not that useful to them for their day-to-day life activities. He believed that they could be comfortable while eating salt out of simple china bowls.

Play:
Persome: Yes, or meat off the floor, I suppose. Oh, it’s coming to that. And as for that old wretch, Mere Gringoire, I wonder she had the audacity to send here again. The last time I saw her I gave her such a talking to that it ought to have had some effect.
Bishop: Yes! I offered to take her in here for a day or two, but she seemed to think it might distress you.
Persome: Distress me !!!

Word meaning:
audacity: rude or disrespectful behaviour; impudence

Explanation:
Persome said that if they could be comfortable while eating salt out of china, then they could be comfortable while eating meat off the floor. She meant to say that there would soon be a time when they would become so poor that they would lose all their furniture and they would be eating their food on the floor. Then she began to talk about Mother Gringoire, whom she called an old wretch. She wondered how disrespectful Mother Gringoire could be. The last time Persome saw the old woman, she scolded her a lot. Persome thought that Mere Gringoire would not contact her and the Bishop again. The Bishop then told her that he had invited Mere Gringoire to live with them for a few days but she refused. Mere Gringoire told the Bishop that staying with them would irritate and distress Persome. Persome was shocked to know that Mere Gringoire’s company would distress only her but not the Bishop. Also she was shocked at the boldness of Mere Gringoire to say such a thing.

Play:
Bishop: And the bailiff, who is a very just man, would not wait longer for the rent, so – so- you see I had to pay it.
Persome: You had to pay it. (Gesture of comic despair.)
Bishop: Yes, and you see I had no money so I had to dispose off the salt-cellars. It was
fortunate I had them, wasn’t it ? (Smiling) But I’m sorry, I have grieved you.

Explanation:
The Bishop further said that the bailiff was just a helpless man who could no longer wait for the rent. Therefore, the Bishop had no choice but to pay Mere Gringoire’s rent. Persome made a gesture showing despair in a humorous or comical way. The Bishop continued that since he had no money, he had to sell the silver salt-cellars. He smiled and said that he was lucky to have the salt-cellars or else he would have been unable to pay Mere Gringoire’s rent. He then apologised that he made her sad by selling her precious silver salt-cellars.

Play:
Persome: Oh, go on! Go on! You are incorrigible. You’ll sell your candlesticks next.
Bishop (with real concern): No, no, sister, not my candlesticks.
Persome: Oh! Why not ? They would pay somebody’s rent, I suppose.
Bishop: Ah, you are good, sister, to think of that; but-but I don’t want to sell them. You see, dear, my mother gave them to me on-on her death-bed just after you were born, and-and she asked me to keep them in remembrance of her, so I would like to keep them; but perhaps it is a sin to set such store by them?

Word meaning:
incorrigible: not able to be changed or reformed.
Deathbed: the bed where someone is dying or has died.
sin: bad deed

Explanation:
Persome told him to keep talking and talking as she believed that her words and scoldings would change nothing. He would not change no matter what she said. She then predicted that he would sell his candlesticks next. The Bishop now became even more concerned and serious and told his sister that he would not sell his candlesticks. Persome was surprised to hear this and asked him the reason why he would not sell his candlesticks. She said that the candlesticks could definitely pay another person’s rent. The Bishop commented that it was kind of her to think of that idea. However, the candlesticks were precious to him. He told his sister that his mother had given the candlesticks to him when she was dying. Persome was just born at the time and she wanted the Bishop to keep the candlesticks so that Persome would be reminded of her late mother. Therefore, the Bishop wanted to keep the candlesticks with him. He then asked Persome if it was a bad thing to do and if he should sell the candlesticks.

Play:
Persome: Brother, brother, you will break my heart (with tears in her voice). There! Don’t say anything more. Kiss me and give me your blessing. I’m going to bed. (He blesses her) [Bishop makes the sign of the Cross and murmurs a blessing. Persome locks up the cupboard door and goes R.]
Persome: Don’t sit up too long and tire your eyes.
Bishop: No, dear! Good night!
[Persome exits R.]

Explanation:
Persome got emotional and told her brother to not say anything. She was touched by the reason why her brother wanted to keep the candlesticks and the conflict within him. She asked him to kiss her on the cheek and give her a blessing. She was going to her bedroom and would sleep. The Bishop made the sign of the cross and gave her a blessing in a low voice. Persome locked the doors of the cupboard and opened the right hand door. She then told her brother not to stay up for too long and weaken his eyes. The Bishop assured her that he would take care of himself and he wished her a good night. Persome exited the kitchen through the right hand door.

Play:
Bishop: (comes to table and opens a book, then looks up at the candlesticks). They would pay somebody’s rent. It was kind of her to think of that.
[He stirs the fire, trims the lamp, arranges some books and papers, sits down, is restless, shivers slightly ; the clock outside strikes twelve and he settles down to read. Music during this. Enter a Convict stealthily ; he has a long knife and seizes the Bishop from behind]

Word meaning:
restless: unable to rest or relax as a result of anxiety or boredom

Explanation:
The Bishop came and sat down on the table. He opened a book to read and then looked at the candlesticks. He thought to himself that the candlesticks would definitely pay somebody’s rent. He said that Persome was a kind person to think of such a noble deed. After that, he stirred the fire inside the fireplace, trimmed the lamp, arranged some books and papers and sat down again. He was unable to go to sleep due to boredom. He shivered a little due to the cold weather. The clock struck twelve, and as soon as that happened, he opened the book to read again. Some background music plays. This is a suspenseful part as an escaped prisoner enters the kitchen sneakily with a long knife in his hand. He grabs the Bishop from behind.

Play:
Convict: If you call out you are a dead man !
Bishop: But, my friend, as you see, I am reading. Why should I call out? Can I help you in any way?
Convict (hoarsely): I want food. I’m starving, I haven’t eaten anything for three days. Give me food quickly, quickly, curse you!
Bishop (eagerly): But certainly, my son, you shall have food. I will ask my sister for the keys of the cupboard. [Rising.]

Word meaning:
hoarsely: in a rough or harsh voice

Explanation:
As the Convict grabbed the Bishop from behind, he told the Bishop to not shout or scream or call for help. He warned the Bishop that if he would do so, he would kill him. The Bishop told him that he was just reading and so he did not have a reason to call for help. This indicates that the Bishop was not scared of the Convict. In fact, the Bishop asked the Convict if he could help him. The convict told the Bishop in a harsh voice that he wanted food as he was starving. He had not eaten anything for three days. He asked the Bishop to quickly give him food. The Bishop was excited to see that the Convict wanted his help and he eagerly told the Convict that he would give him food. He asked the Convict to wait while he asked the sister for the keys to the cupboard, where all the food was being stored. He then stood up.

Play:
Convict: Sit down !!! (The Bishop sits smiling.) None of that, my friend! I’m too old a bird to be caught with chaff. You would ask your sister for the keys, would you ? A likely story! You would rouse the house too. Eh ? Ha! ha! A good joke truly. Come, where is the food ? I want no keys. I have a wolf inside me tearing at my entrails, tearing me; quick, tell me; where the food is?
Bishop (aside): I wish Persome would not lock the cupboard. (Aloud) Come, my friend, you have nothing to fear. My sister and I are alone here.

Word meaning:
too old a bird to be caught with chaff: too old to be duped or cheated
wolf: hunger
entrails: intestines

Explanation:
As the Bishop stood up, the Convict told him to sit down again. The Bishop sat down with a smile on his face. The Convict told the Bishop that he was too old to be deceived, meaning that he did not trust the Bishop. He did not believe that he would just ask for keys from his sister. The Convict believed that asking for keys from the sister was just a trick the Bishop would use to call his whole family and even the police to arrest the Convict. He laughed and told the Bishop that he believed that the Bishop was joking when he said that he would help him. He again asked the Bishop to tell him where the food was. He was not going to let the Bishop go to his sister or anyone else to ask for any keys. He added that he was so hungry that his intestines were in great pain due to lack of nutrition. The Bishop wished that Persome had not locked the cupboard and kept the keys to herself as he was unable to give the Convict some food. He then tried to convince the Convict that he was trustworthy. He told the Convict that there was no one in the cottage except him and his sister.

Play:
Convict: How do I know that ?
Bishop: Why, I have just told you.
[Convict looks long at the Bishop.]
Convict: Humph! I’ll risk it. (Bishop, going to door R.) But mind! Play me false and as sure as there are devils in hell, I’ll drive my knife through your heart. I have nothing to lose.
Bishop: You have your soul to lose, my son; it is of more value than my heart. (At door R., calling.) Persome! Persome!
[The Convict stands behind him, with his knife ready.]

Explanation:
The Convict asked him how he could know that they were alone. The Bishop simply answered that he just told him that they were alone. After hearing that, the Convict looked at the Bishop for a long time and declared that he was going to take the risk of trusting him. He then warned the Bishop that if he found out that he was being deceived, he would stab the Bishop’s heart. The Convict added that he would lose nothing by killing the Bishop. The Bishop said that if he would kill him, the Convict would lose his soul, which was more valuable than his heart. He then went to the right hand door and called Persome. The Convict stood behind the Bishop and he kept his knife ready so he could stab immediately.

Play:
Persome (within): Yes, brother.
Bishop: Here is a poor traveller who is hungry. If you have not settled as yet, will you come and open the cupboard and I will give him some supper.
Persome (within). What, at this time of night ? A pretty business truly. Are we to have no sleep now, but to be at the beck and call of every ne’er-do-well who happens to pass?
Bishop: But, Persome, the traveller is hungry.
Persome. Oh, very well. I am coming. (Persome enters R. She sees the knife in the Convict’s hand.) (Frightened) Brother, what is he doing with that knife?

Word meaning:
to be at the beck and call of: to obey
ne’er-do-well: a good for nothing

Explanation:
Persome replied to the Bishop from inside the right hand door. The Bishop told her that there was a poor traveller in the house who was hungry and needed some food immediately. He then asked her to come to the kitchen and open the cupboard. Persome was shocked to know that someone else was in the house even though it was past midnight. She wondered if they could even sleep anymore and if they had to obey every worthless person who came to their house. The Bishop tried to convince Persome to come to the kitchen by telling her how much the traveller was starving. Persome did not want to come but she decided to obey the Bishop and told him that she was coming. Persome then entered the kitchen through the right hand door. As soon as she came in, she saw the knife in the Convict’s hand. She got scared and asked her brother what the traveller was doing with that knife.

Play:
Bishop: The knife-oh, well, you see, dear, perhaps he may have thought that I-I had sold ours.
[Laughs gently.]
Persome: Brother, I am frightened. He glares at us like a wild beast (aside to him).
Convict: Hurry, I tell you. Give me food or I’ll stick my knife in you both and help myself. Bishop: Give me the keys, Persome (she gives the keys to him). And now, dear, you may go to bed.
[Persome going. The Convict springs in front of her. ]

Explanation:
The Bishop lied to Persome and told her that the traveller might have thought that they had sold their knife and so, he had brought his own knife. He laughed gently and lightly. Persome then said in a low voice (which only the Bishop could hear) that she was frightened of the stranger as he was staring at them like a wild beast. The Convict probably heard what she said and he told them to hurry up and bring them the food. He threatened them by saying that if they would not obey him, he would stab and kill them both and get all the food by himself. The Bishop then asked Persome to give him the keys. Persome obeyed him. Then, the Bishop asked her to go back to bed. Persome obeyed and moved towards the right hand door but the Convict stopped her by getting in her way.

Play:
Convict : Stop! Neither of you shall leave this room till I do.
[She looks at the Bishop.]
Bishop: Persome, will you favour this gentleman with your company at supper ? He evidently desires it.
Persome: Very well, brother.
[She sits down at the table staring at the two.]
Bishop: Here is some cold pie and a bottle of wine and some bread.

Explanation:
The Convict told them that neither the Bishop nor Persome could leave the kitchen before him. Persome looked at the Bishop. The Bishop asked her to accompany the gentleman while he ate the food. Persome agreed to do so and she sat down at the table while staring at the Bishop and the traveller. The Bishop opened the cupboard and took out some cold pie, a bottle of wine and some bread.

Play:
Convict: Put them on the table, and stand behind it so that I can see you.
[Bishop does so and opens drawer in table, taking out knife and fork, looking at the knife in Convict’s hand.]
Convict: My knife is sharp. (He runs his finger along the edge and looks at them meaningfully.) And as for forks…. (taking it up) (laughs) Steel! (He throws it away). We don’t use forks in prison.
Persome: Prison?

Explanation:
The Convict told the Bishop to put the food on the table and then stand behind the table (on the opposite side from him) so that he could clearly see them while eating the food. The Bishop obeyed him. On the opposite side was a drawer in the table. He opened the drawer and took out a knife and fork. He then looked at the knife in the Convict’s hand and wondered if the Convict really needed that knife. The Convict could tell what the Bishop was thinking. He said that his knife was sharp enough to cut the food. He took his finger and ran it along the edge of the blade, which indicated that he admired his knife. Then, he said that he did not need a fork as he had not used a fork in a while. That was because people in prison were not allowed to use forks. Persome was shocked to know that he had been to prison.

Play:
Convict: (Cutting off an enormous slice from the pie he tears it with his fingers like an animal. Then starts) What was that ? (He looks at the door.) Why the devil do you leave the window unshuttered and the door unbarred so that anyone can come in ? (shutting them.)
Bishop: That is why they are left open.
Convict: Well, they are shut now !
Bishop (sighs): For the first time in thirty years.
[Convict eats voraciously and throws a bone on the floor.]

Word meaning:
enormous: huge
voraciously: greedily

Explanation:
The Convict cut a huge slice of pie. He tore the slice into little pieces with his fingers like an animal. He then felt a chilled breeze and was confused to see that the window and the door were not shut or locked. He asked the Bishop if he wanted anyone to come in the house. He then shut them. The Bishop told them that he indeed wanted anyone to come in the house, meaning that everyone was welcome to enter his kitchen, even a Convict like himself. The Convict said that they were now shut and the Bishop sighed. He said it was after thirty years that all his doors and windows were completely shut. The Convict continued eating in a greedy way. He was not neat and he threw a bone on the floor.

Play:
Persome: Oh, my nice clean floor!
[Bishop picks up the bone and puts it on plate.]
Convict: You’re not afraid of thieves?
Bishop: I am sorry for them.
Convict: Sorry for them. Ha ! Ha ! Ha! (Drinks from bottle,) That’s a good one. Sorry for them. Ha! Ha! Ha! (Drinks) (suddenly) Who the devil are you ?

Explanation:
Persome was unhappy to see that the traveller was ruining the clean floor. The Bishop listened to his sister, picked up the bone and put it on a plate. The Convict asked the Bishop if he was not afraid of thieves. The Bishop replied that no he was not afraid of thieves. Instead, he felt sorry or pitied them. The Convict burst out with laughter when he heard the Bishop’s answer. He drank wine from the bottle and declared that the Bishop had just told him a good joke. Suddenly, he became very serious and asked the Bishop who he was, meaning that the Convict did not know that he was talking to a bishop.

Play:
Bishop: I am a Bishop.
Convict: Ha! Ha ! Ha ! A Bishop! Holy Virgin, a Bishop.
Bishop: I hope you may escape that, my son. Persome, you may leave us; this gentleman will excuse you.
Persome: Leave you with –
Bishop: Please! My friend and I can talk more freely then.
[By this time, owing to his starving condition, the wine has affected the Convict:]

Word meaning:
Virgin: Mary, Mother of Jesus

Explanation:
The Bishop told the Convict who he was and the Convict laughed again. He was surprised to know that he was talking to a religious person. The Bishop then asked Persome to go back to bed. Persome did not want her brother to be alone with the Convict. The Bishop requested Persome to listen to him. He wanted him and the Convict to be alone as he could talk more freely with him that way. By that time, the Convict had consumed so much wine and since he was weak due to hunger, he was completely drunk.

Play:
Convict: What’s that? Leave us. Yes, yes, leave us. Good night. I want to talk to the Bishop, The Bishop. Ha! Ha!
[Laughs as he drinks, and coughs.]
Bishop: Good night, Persome:
[He holds the door open and she goes out R., holding in her skirts as she passes the Convict:]

Explanation:
The Convict too ordered Persome to leave the kitchen as he too wanted to talk to the Bishop. He wished Persome good night. He was still laughing at the fact that he was talking to a bishop. He drank wine while laughing, which resulted in him coughing. The Bishop too wished Persome good night and opened the right hand door. Persome went out from the right hand door while holding in her skirts when she crossed the convict.

Play:
Convict (chuckling to himself): The Bishop. Ha ! Ha ! Well I’m-(Suddenly very loudly) D’you know what I am ?
Bishop: I think one who has suffered much.
Convict: Suffered ? (puzzled) Suffered? My God, yes. (Drinks) But that’s a long time ago. Ha! Ha! That was when I was a man. Now I’m not a man; now I’m a number; number 15729, and I’ve lived in Hell for ten years.
Bishop. Tell me about it-about Hell.

Word meaning:
chuckle: laugh quietly or inwardly
puzzled: confused

Explanation:
The Convict was now laughing quietly to himself at the fact that he was talking to a bishop. Then, he spoke very loudly. He asked the Bishop if he knew who he was. The Bishop answered that he believed the Convict was someone who had suffered too much. The Convict was first confused by the Bishop’s answer but then he too agreed that he had suffered a lot. He drank some more wine and told the Bishop that he had suffered a long time ago. He laughed and told him that he suffered when he was a man. However, ever since he lost his humane nature and was given a number, he had stopped suffering. He was given the number 15729. He was given this number when he was in Hell for the duration of ten years. Here, Hell represents prison. Prisoners were given numbers so that guards could recognise a specific prisoner. The Bishop asked the Convict to tell him more about his prison life.

Play:
Convict: Why? (Suspiciously) Do you want to tell the police-to set them on my track ? Bishop: No! I will not tell the police.
Convict: (looks at him earnestly). I believe you (scratching his head), but damn me if I knew why.
Bishop. (laying his hand on the Convict’s arm). Tell me about the time, the time before you went to Hell.

Word meaning:
earnestly: with sincere and intense conviction; seriously

Explanation:
The Convict again became suspicious of the Bishop’s intentions. He asked the Bishop why he wanted to know more about Hell and his prison life. He asked if the Bishop wanted to tell the police where he was and have cops chase him. The Bishop told the Convict that he would not tell the police. After hearing the Bishop’s reply, the Convict looked at him with a sincere and serious look. He was thinking whether he should trust him or not. The Convict then said that he believed the Bishop, even though he did not understand why he trusted him so much. The Bishop put his hand on the Convict’s arm and asked him to tell about his life before he went to Hell.

Play:
Convict: It’s been so long ago…. I forget; but I had a little cottage, there were vines growing on it. (Dreamily) They looked pretty with the evening sun on them, and, and…. there was a woman, she was (thinking hard), she must have been my wife-yes. (Suddenly and very rapidly). Yes, I remember! She was ill, we had no food, I could get no work, it was a bad year, and my wife, my Jeanette, was ill, dying (pause), so I stole to buy food for her. (Long pause. The Bishop gently pats his hand.) They caught me. I pleaded with them, I told them why I stole, but they laughed at me, and I was sentenced to ten years in the prison hulks (pause), ten years in Hell. The night I was sentenced, the gaoler told me-told me Jeanette was dead. (Sobs with fury) Ah, damn them, damn them. God curse them all.
[He sinks on the table, sobbing.]

Word meaning:
prison hulks: ships used as a prison houses
gaoler: a person in charge of a jail or of the prisoners in it, jailer
fury: anger

Explanation:
Convict said that it had been a long time since he had thought about his life before going to hell. He sometimes forgot everything that had happened back then. He had a little cottage with climber plants growing on it. The vines looked pretty under the sunlight in the evening. He also remembered a girl but he had to think harder to remember her. The woman was his wife who had been ill. They had no food and no money as he could get no work. He was having a bad time as his Jeanette was dying due to her illness and there was nothing that he could do to save her. Then, he did the only thing which could have saved Jeanette’s life and that was to steal food for her. He paused at this point, as it was hard and emotional for him to recollect and share his story. The Bishop, who understood what he went through and was going through at that moment, patted his head gently. The Convict was encouraged enough to continue. The police had caught him. He requested them to let him go. He even told them the reason why he stole food. He thought that they would understand his situation and let him go but instead they laughed at him. He was then sentenced to ten years of jail and was sent to the ships which were used as prison houses. The night of the day when he was sentenced, the person in charge of him told him that his wife had died due to her illness. He sobbed with anger. He hoped that God would curse the police for what they had done to him.

Play:
Bishop: Now tell me about the prison ship, about Hell.
Convict: Tell you about it ? Look here, I was a man once. I’m a beast now, and they made me what I am. They chained me up like a wild animal, they lashed me like a hound. I fed on filth, I was covered with vermin, I slept on boards, and when I complained, they lashed me again. For ten years, ten years. Oh God! They took away my name, they took away my soul, and they gave me a devil in its place. But one day they were careless, one day they forgot to chain up their wild beast, and he escaped. He was free. That was six weeks ago. I was free, free to starve.

Word meaning:
lash: strike or beat with a whip or stick

Explanation:
The Bishop then asked the Convict to tell him about the prison hulk or the prison ship, which was a place equivalent to Hell. The Convict told him that the prison ship turned him into his present self, a beast. The gaoler and the police chained him up as if he were a wild animal. They beat him as if he were a wild dog. They gave him the worst kind of food. The prison ships were not hygienic and creatures like rats roamed there. They did not provide proper beds or even a mattress and a blanket to the prisoners. When the Convict complained about the harsh conditions, the gaoler would beat him up again. The Convict went through this for ten years. They seized his name and soul and replaced it with a number and the Devil. Then came one day when they were careless and the Convict was able to escape Hell. They forgot to restrain the Convict’s movements with chains. That day was six weeks ago. Not only did the Convict gain freedom, he gained the freedom to starve to death.

Play:
Bishop: To starve ?
Convict: Yes, to starve. They feed you in Hell, but when you escape from it you starve. They were hunting me everywhere and I had no passport, no name. So I stole again. I stole these rags. I stole my food daily. I slept in the woods, in barns, anywhere. I dare not ask for work, I dare not go into a town to beg, so I stole, and they have made me what I am, they have made me a thief. God curse them all.
[Empties the bottle and throws it into the fire-place R., smashing it.]

Explanation:
The Bishop asked the Convict what he meant when he said that he was free to starve. The Convict explained that even though he was not free when he was a prisoner, he was given food. However, when he escaped from Hell, he had no one to give him food. Moreover, the police were looking for him everywhere and he had neither a passport nor a name. So, he had no choice but to steal food and clothes. He slept in the woods, in barns, and all other places. He could not ask for work nor could he go into a town to beg as every policeman was on guard. It was because of these restrictions and harsh conditions that he turned into a wild beast. The police turned him into a thief. He again hoped that God would curse them. He emptied the bottle of wine and threw it into the right hand fireplace out of anger. The bottle smashed into little bits.

Play:
Bishop: My son, you have suffered much, but there is hope for all.
Convict: Hope ! Hope ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha !
[Laughs wildly.]
Bishop: You have walked far; you are tired. Lie down and sleep on the couch there, and I will get you some coverings.
Convict: And if anyone comes ?
Bishop: No one will come; but if they do, are you not my friend ?

Explanation:
The Bishop told the Convict that even though he had suffered extremely, there was a chance for him to be a man once again. The Convict laughed loudly and wildly at that idea. The Bishop told him to lie down and sleep on the couch as he had come walking from a faraway place and was tired. The Bishop would get him some coverings or blankets. The Convict asked him what would happen if somebody else entered the kitchen and recognised him. The Bishop assured him that no one would come but even if they would, the Convict was his friend. So, the Convict was completely safe.

Play:
Convict: Your friend ? (puzzled)
Bishop: They will not molest the Bishop’s friend.
Convict: The Bishop’s friend.
[Scratching his head, utterly puzzled]
Bishop: I will get the coverings.
[Exit L.]
Convict: (looks after him, scratches his head) The Bishop’s friend! (He goes to the fire to warm himself and notices the candlesticks, He looks round to see if he is alone, and takes them down, weighing them.) Silver, by God, heavy. What a prize!

Word meaning:
molest: cause trouble to

Explanation:
The Convict was confused by the idea of him having a friend, especially a bishop as a friend. The Bishop told him that no one would cause trouble to his friend. The Convict scratched his head in confusion. The Bishop exited through the left hand door to get some blankets for the Convict. The Convict was still scratching his head in confusion. He then went to the fire-place to warm himself. He noticed the candlesticks. He looked around the room to see if he was completely alone there. Seeing that he was truly all alone, he took the candlesticks and weighed them with his hands. He saw that the candlesticks were made up of silver and were heavy, meaning that he could get plenty of money from it.

Play:
[He hears the Bishop coming, and in his haste drops one candlestick on the table.]
[Enter the Bishop]
Bishop: (sees what is going on, but goes to the settee up L. with coverings.) Ah, you are admiring my candlesticks. I am proud of them. They were a gift from my mother. A little too handsome for this poor cottage perhaps, but all I have to remind me of her. Your bed is ready. Will you lie down now ?
Convict: Yes, yes, I’ll lie down now. (puzzled) -Look here, why the devil are you kind to me? (Suspiciously). What do you want? Eh?

Explanation:
Then, he heard the Bishop coming back to the kitchen and so he quickly put the candlesticks back. He was trying to put them back so quickly that one candlestick dropped on the table. The Bishop entered the kitchen and saw that the Convict was admiring his candlesticks. He went to the left hand settee and put the coverings on it. He told the Convict that he was proud of the candlesticks as they were a gift from his late mother. He said that the candlesticks were too fancy and did not match with the overall aesthetic of the poor cottage. However, the candlesticks reminded him of his mother and so they were precious to him. He then asked the Convict if he would lie down now as his bed had been prepared. The Convict assured the Bishop that he would lie down but he was so confused by the Bishop’s kindness that he asked the Bishop why he was being kind to him. He then became suspicious again and asked if he wanted something from him.

Play:
Bishop: I want you to have a good sleep, my friend.
Convict: I believe you want to convert me; save my soul, don’t you call it? Well, it’s no good-see? I don’t want any damned religion, and as for the Church-bah! I hate the Church. Bishop: That is a pity, my son, as the Church does not hate you.

Explanation:
The Bishop answered that he only wanted his friend i.e the Convict to have a good sleep. The Convict told the Bishop that he believed that he wanted to convert him, meaning that he thought that the Bishop wanted to make the Convict a devotee. He said that the Bishop would do so to save his soul from hell. The Convict said that he did not want to be a religious person and that he hated the Church. The Bishop said that it was sad for him to hear such a thing as the Church did not hate him.

Play:
Convict: You are going to try to convert me. Oh! Ha! ha! That’s a good idea. Ha ! ha ! ha! No, no, Monseigneur the Bishop. I don’t want any of your Faith, Hope, and Charity —see? So anything you do for me you’re doing to the devil-understand? (defiantly)
Bishop: One must do a great deal for the devil in order to do a little for God.
Convict: (angrily). I don’t want any damned religion, I tell you.

Word meaning:
defiantly: in a manner that shows open resistance or bold disobedience

Explanation:
The Convict said that his suspicions turned out to be correct. He laughed and told the Bishop that he did not want any Faith, Hope, and Charity. He told him that he was the devil and resisted the idea of being a religious person. The Bishop told him that it was easier to become a devotee of God than the devil’s. The Convict became angry and again told him that he did not want to follow any religion.

Play:
Bishop: Won’t you lie down now? It is late?
Convict: (grumbling). Well, alright, but I won’t be preached at, I-I-(on the couch). You’re sure no one will come?
Bishop: I don’t think they will; but if they do-you yourself have locked the door.
Convict: Humph! I wonder if it’s safe. (He goes to the door and tries it, then turns and sees the Bishop holding the covering, annoyed) Here! you go to bed. I’ll cover myself. (The Bishop hesitates.) Go on, I tell you.
Bishop: Good night, my son.
[Exit L.]
[Convict waits till he is off, then tries the Bishop’s door.]

Word meaning:
grumbling: the action or fact of complaining in a bad-tempered way
preach: deliver a sermon or religious address to an assembled group of people, typically in church

Explanation:
The Bishop then asked if he would not lie down and if it was not the time to sleep yet. He agreed to sleep but he was in a bad temper. He again said that he did not want the Bishop to deliver a religious lecture to him. He sat down on the couch but was still too hesitant and suspicious of the Bishop to go to sleep. He asked the Bishop if he was sure no one would come to the kitchen. The Bishop assured that no one would and even if someone tried to do so, the person would not be able to as the Convict himself had locked the doors and shut the windows. The Convict got up and wondered if it was really safe. He went to the left hand door and tried to open it. The door was indeed locked. When he turned around, he saw the Bishop holding the covering. The Convict was annoyed by the Bishop’s parent-like behaviour. He opened the left hand door, which was the Bishop’s bedroom and asked the Bishop to go to bed. He said that he would cover himself. The Bishop hesitated but obeyed when the Convict insisted. The Bishop wished him good night and exited through the left hand door. The Convict waited till the Bishop was gone and then tried the Bishop’s door.

Play:
Convict: No lock, of course. Curse it. (Looks round and sees the candlesticks again.) Humph! I’ll have another look at them. (He takes them up and toys with them.) Worth hundreds, I’ll warrant. If I had these turned into money, they’d start me fair. Humph! The old boy’s fond of them too, said his mother gave him them. His mother, yes. They didn’t think of my mother when they sent me to Hell. He was kind to me too-but what’s a Bishop for except to be kind to you? Here, cheer up, my hearty, you’re getting soft. God! Wouldn’t my chain-mates laugh to see 15729 hesitating about collaring the plunder because he felt good. Good ! Ha ha! Oh, my God! Good! Ha! Ha! 15729 getting soft. That’s a good one. Ha ! ha! No, I’ll take his candlesticks and go. If I stay here he’ll preach me in the morning and I’ll get soft. Damn him and his preaching too. Here goes!

Word meaning:
toy: move or handle an object absent-mindedly
warrant: officially affirm or guarantee
start me fair: enable me to get a good start in life.
collar: seize or apprehend
plunder: loot, something which is taken illegally and/or violently

Explanation:
The Convict was not happy to know that he was not allowed to lock the Bishop’s door. He looked here and there and found the candlesticks. He decided to have another look at them. He took them and looked at it absent-mindedly. He was also thinking how much they would be worth in terms of money. He concluded that they were worth hundreds (the currency is not given). If he would sell the candlesticks, he would be able to begin a new chapter in his life in a good and financially stable way. He then thought of the Bishop, how fond he was of the candlesticks and that his mother had handed them to him. However, he decided that he would not think of the Bishop’s mother like how the police did not think of his mother when he was sent to prison. He then remembered how kind the Bishop was but then thought that being kind was a bishop’s job. He then talked to his heart and told himself to cheer up and not think about the Bishop. He then thought of how the prison inmates would have laughed at him on seeing him getting soft. He realised that he had to live up to his name of being a wild beast. He then became determined to steal the candlesticks while he had a chance. He believed that the Bishop would have given a religious lesson in the morning and he would go soft again. He did not want himself to go back to his old self, as he did not want to be deceived by other people.

Play:
[He takes the candlesticks, stows them in his coat, and cautiously exits L.C. As he does so the door slams.]
Persome (without): Who’s there ? Who’s there, I say ? Am I to get no sleep to-night ? Who’s there, I say? (Enter R, Persome) I’m sure I heard the door shut. (Looking round.) No one here? (Knocks at the Bishop’s door L. Sees the candlesticks have gone.) The candlesticks, the candlesticks. They are gone. Brother, brother, come out. Fire, murder, thieves!
[Enter Bishop L.]

Word meaning:
stow: pack or store (an object) carefully

Explanation:
The Convict took the candlesticks and put them carefully in the pockets of his coat. He cautiously exited the house through the left centre door. As he did so, he closed the door in such a way that it slammed shut, producing a loud sound. Persome called out from within the room and asked who was there and who had slammed the door. She asked wonderingly if she was not going to get any sleep that night. She repeated the question and entered the kitchen through the right hand door. She was absolutely sure that she had heard a door shut loudly. She looked all around the kitchen and was confused to see that no one was there, not even the Convict. She knocked at the Bishop’s door. She suddenly saw that the candlesticks were missing. She panicked and started shouting that the candlesticks were gone. She called her brother and said that a disaster had occurred. The Bishop entered the kitchen through the left hand door.

Play:
Bishop: What is it, dear, what is it ? What is the matter ?
Persome: He has gone. The man with the hungry eyes has gone, and he has taken your candlesticks.
Bishop: Not my candlesticks, sister, surely not those. (He looks and sighs.) Ah, that is hard, very hard, I………I-He might have left me those. They were all I had (almost breaking down). Persome: Well, but go and inform the police. He can’t have gone far. They will soon catch him, and you’ll get the candlesticks back again. You don’t deserve them, though, leaving them about with a man like that in the house.

Word meaning:
break down: lose control of one’s emotions when in a state of distress

Explanation:
The Bishop asked Persome what was the reason why she was shouting and calling for him. Persome answered that the Convict, the man with the hungry eyes, had gone away with his candlesticks. The Bishop did not want to believe his sister’s words. He looked at the mantelpiece and table and realized that his sister was telling the truth. He sighed with sadness and tiredness. He said that the loss of candlesticks was very hard for him to handle as they were his only belongings which were precious to him. He started to lose control of his emotions as he was extremely saddened by the loss of the candlesticks. Persome told him to go and inform the police of the robbery. She thought that the Convict could not have gone far. If the Bishop would inform the police immediately, he would get his candlesticks back. However, she believed that the Bishop did not deserve to have the candlesticks because of his naive and foolish nature.

Play:
Bishop: You are right,
Persome: It was my fault. I led him into temptation.
Persome: Oh, nonsense I led him into temptation indeed. The man is a thief, a common unscrupulous thief. I knew it the moment I saw him. Go and inform the police or I will.
[Going ; but he stops her.]

Word meaning:
unscrupulous: having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair

Explanation:
The Bishop told Persome that she was right. He did not deserve to have the candlesticks. Persome then said that it was her fault that the candlesticks were stolen. She said that she had led the Convict into temptation, meaning that she should have kicked him out when she had first seen him. Then, she changed her opinion, saying that the candlesticks would have gotten stolen anyway as the Convict was nothing but a common, dishonest and unfair thief. It was in his nature to steal something as precious as the candlesticks. She knew what his true nature was as soon as she saw him. She then commanded the Bishop to go and inform the police of the robbery. She threatened that if he would not go, she would. When she saw that her words had no effect on the Bishop, she went to the door but the Bishop stopped her.

Play:
Bishop: And have him sent back to prison? (very softly) Sent back to Hell. No Persome: It is a just punishment for me; I set too great store by them. It was a sin. My punishment is just; but Oh God! it is hard, It is very hard. [He buries his head in his hands.]
Persome: No, brother, you are wrong. If you won’t tell the police, I will. I will not stand by and see you robbed. I know you are my brother and my Bishop, and the best man in all France; but you are a fool, I tell you, a child, and I will not have your goodness abused, I shall go and inform the police (Going).

Explanation:
The Bishop said that if he would go and inform the police of the robbery, they would capture the Convict and put him back in prison, back in Hell. He then told his sister to not go to the authorities. The robbery was a punishment for the Bishop. He loved a materialistic object too much, which was a sin or a bad deed. However, the pain of losing the candlesticks was too much and he buried his head in his hands. Persome told the Bishop that he was wrong and if he would not go to the police, she would. She could not bear to see her brother getting robbed and then doing nothing. Her brother was the best man in the entire country. However, he was too good, which made him a fool and a child. She could not tolerate seeing his goodness and kindness getting exploited and abused. She said that she was going to the police immediately. She started going to the door.

Play:
Bishop: Stop, Persome. The candlesticks were mine. They are his now. It is better so. He has more need of them than me. My mother would have wished it so, had she been here. Persome: But-[Great knocking without.]
Sergeant (without). Monseigneur, Monseigneur, we have something for you. May we enter? Bishop: Enter, my son.
[Enter Sergeant and three Gendarmes with Convict bound. The Sergeant carries the candlesticks.]

Explanation:
The Bishop asked Persome to stop. The candlesticks belonged to him, but now they belonged to the Convict. This was better as the Convict required it more than him. His mother would have wished the Convict to have candlesticks if she would have been there with him. Persome began to argue when someone knocked their door loudly. From outside came the voice of the Sergeant. He called for the Bishop and said that they had something for them. He asked if he and his men could enter the room. The Bishop gave his permission and in came the Sergeant with three Gendarmes. The Gendarmes were carrying the Convict in a way that the Convict could not escape and the Sergeant was carrying the candlesticks.

Play:
Persome: Ah, so they have caught you, villain, have they?
Sergeant: Yes, madam, we found this scoundrel slinking along the road, and as he wouldn’t give any account of himself we arrested him on suspicion. Holy Virgin, isn’t he strong and didn’t he struggle! While we were securing him these candlesticks fell out of his pockets. (Persome seizes them, goes to the table, and brushes them with her apron lovingly.) I remembered the candlesticks of Monseigneur, the Bishop, so we brought him here so that you might identify them, and then we’ll lock him up.

Word meaning:
slinking: moving stealthily

Explanation:
Persome asked the Convict if the authorities had finally caught him. She called him a villain as the Convict was, for her, a bad person. The Sergeant answered on behalf of the Convict. He called him a scoundrel and said that he was moving stealthily along the road to get away from them. When he got caught by them, he would not tell them anything and so they arrested him. They suspected that the Convict was a bad person. The Convict struggled and fought them. While he was doing so, the candlesticks fell out of his pockets. They believed the candlesticks to be stolen. Persome took the candlesticks from the Sergeant, went to the table where the candlesticks had been kept, and brushed the dust off them in a loving and caring manner. The Sergeant continued speaking. He remembered seeing the candlesticks in the Bishop’s cottage and so he had come to him along with the Convict. They hoped that the Bishop would tell them if the Convict was the one who stole the candlesticks from them. If se, they would lock him up.

Play:
[The Bishop and the Convict have been looking at each other-the Convict with dogged defiance.]
Bishop: But – but I don’t understand, this gentleman is my very good friend.
Sergeant: Your friend, Monseigneur!! Holy Virgin ! Well!!!
Bishop: Yes, my friend. He did me the honour to sup with me tonight, and I-I have given him the candlesticks.
Sergeant: (incredulously) You gave him-him your candlesticks? Holy Virgin!
Bishop: (severely) Remember, my son, that she is holy.

Word meaning:
dogged : stubborn
Defiance: open refusal to obey somebody/something
incredulously: incredibly unbelievable
severely: strictly

Explanation:
The Bishop and the Convict had been looking at one another. The Convict had a determined, defiant look on his face, meaning that he would still not obey the Bishop or anyone. On the other hand, the Bishop was determined to be kind and helpful towards the Convict. He told the Sergeant that the person they had arrested was not a thief. Instead, he was a very good friend. The Sergeant could not believe that the Convict was the Bishop’s friend. The Bishop explained that his friend had come to his house to have supper with him and his sister that night. The Bishop himself had given him his candlesticks. The Sergeant could not believe that the Bishop had given such a suspicious-looking man his candlesticks. He swore the name of Mother Mary and the Bishop strictly reminded him to use her name respectfully as she was holy.

Play:
Sergeant: (saluting) Pardon Monseigneur.
Bishop: And now I think you may let your prisoner go.
Sergeant: But he won’t show me his papers. He won’t tell me who he is.
Bishop: I have told you he is my friend.
Sergeant: Yes, that’s all very well, but….
Bishop: He is your Bishop’s friend, surely, that is enough!
Sergeant: Well, but….
Bishop: Surely?
[A pause. The Sergeant and the Bishop look at each other,]

Explanation:
The Sergeant saluted the Bishop out of respect and asked him to excuse his disrespectful behaviour. The Bishop then asked the Sergeant to let the prisoner go. The Sergeant said that he could not do so and the Convict would not show his papers nor would he tell him who he was. The Bishop said that he had told him who the Convict was, he was his friend. The Sergeant hesitantly said that he still needed to know the man’s identity but the Bishop said that since he was his friend, that was all that mattered. There was a brief pause in which the Sergeant and the Bishop looked at each other.

Play:
Sergeant: I-I-Humph! (To his men) Loose the prisoner. (They do so). Right about turn, quick march!
[Exit Sergeant and Gendarmes. A long pause.]
Convict: (Very slowly, as if in a dream). You told them you had given me the candlesticks – given me… them. By God!
Persome: (Shaking her fist at him and hugging the candlesticks to her breast). Oh, you scoundrel, you pitiful scoundrel. You come here, and are fed and warmed, and- and you thief…. you steal…. from your benefactor. Oh, you blackguard!

Word meaning:
benefactor: the person who helps you
blackguard: a man who behaves in a dishonourable or contemptible way

Explanation:
The Sergeant finally agreed and ordered the Genderames to free the Convict. The policemen obeyed the Sergeant. Then, the Sergeant and the Gendarmes marched out of the cottage. There was a long pause. The Convict spoke very slowly, as if he were seeing a dream. He could not believe that the Bishop just lied about the candlesticks and their relation to the Sergeant. Persome, however, was mad at him. She was shaking her fist at him while hugging the candlesticks to her chest. She called the Convict a scoundrel, who stole from the person who helped him so much, who fed and warmed him up so that he could sleep soundly. She called him a blackguard as he behaved in the most dishonourable manner towards the person who thought him to be his friend.

Play:
Bishop: Persome, you are overwrought. Go to your room.
Persome: What, and leave you with him to be cheated again, perhaps murdered ? No, I will not.
Bishop: (With slight severity). Persome, leave us. I wish it.
[She looks hard at him, then turns towards her door.]

Word meaning:
overwrought: in a state of nervous excitement or anxiety

Explanation:
The Bishop told Persome that she was too tense to think logically and so he asked her to go to her room. Persome feared that her brother would get cheated again or even worse, murdered if she left him alone with the Convict. She told the Bishop that she would not go to her room. The Bishop became a little strict and told her to leave them alone as he wished to be alone with the Convict. Persome looked at the Bishop for a long time. Then, she turned towards the door.

Play:
Persome: Well, if I must go, at least I’ll take the candlesticks with me.
Bishop: (More severely) Persome, place the candlesticks on that table and leave us. Persome: (Defiantly). I will not!
Bishop: (Loudly and with great severity). I, your Bishop, commands it.
[Persome does so with great reluctance and exits R.]

Word meaning:
reluctance: unwillingness to do something

Explanation:
Persome said that she would go to her room but she would take the candlesticks with her. The Bishop became a bit more strict and told his sister to leave the candlesticks on the table and go to her room. She boldly disobeyed him. The Bishop shouted at her with the maximum amount of strictness and said that he, the Bishop commanded her to go to her room. Persome was unwilling to do so but she had to do it anyway. She went to her room without the candlesticks.

Play:
Convict: (Shamefacedly) Monseigneur, I’m glad I didn’t get away with them; curse me, I am, I’m glad.
Bishop: Now won’t you sleep here ? See, your bed is ready.
Convict: No! (Looking at the candlesticks) No ! no! I daren’t, I daren’t. Besides, I must go on, I must get to Paris; it is big, and I-I can be lost there. They won’t find me there. And I must travel at night. Do you understand?
Bishop: I see-you must travel by night.

Word meaning:
shamefacedly: in a way that expresses embarrassment or ashamed

Explanation:
The Convict was ashamed by his behaviour and he could not talk to the Bishop as he felt like he did not deserve his attention and kindness. He was glad that he did not get away with the robbery as he did not deserve to have the candlesticks. The Bishop asked if he would not sleep at the cottage. His bed was ready. The Convict said no. Even though he would like to sleep, he could not afford to sleep right now. He had to go to Paris as Paris was a big city and he could get away from the police there. He had to travel at night in order to reach Paris. He asked the Bishop if he understood what he meant to say. The Bishop did understand everything.

Play:
Convict: I-I-didn’t believe there was any good in the world; one doesn’t when one has been in Hell; but somehow I-I-know you’re good, and-and it’s a queer thing to ask, but-could you… would you…. bless me before I go ? I-I think it would help me. I….
[Hangs his head very shamefacedly.]
[Bishop makes the sign of the Cross and murmurs a blessing.]
Convict: (Tries to speak, but a sob almost chokes him). Good night.
[He hurries towards the door.]

Explanation:
The Convict said that he did not believe that there were any good-hearted people in this world. He had forgotten kindness when he had gone to Hell. However, the Bishop was a kind person and so he asked him to bless him so that he could be just as kind as him. However, he was ashamed to ask for a blessing and so he looked down and hung his head to hide the look of embarrassment he had on his face. The Bishop did not say anything. He made the sign of the Cross and blessed him in a low voice. The Convict tried to speak but he had become so emotional that a sob choked him. He wished the Bishop a good night. He then went to the door fast.

Play:
Bishop: Stay, my son, you have forgotten your property (giving him the candlesticks). Convict: You mean me-you want me to take them ?
Bishop: Please…. they may help you. (The Convict takes the candlesticks in absolute amazement.) And, my son, there is a path through the woods at the back of this cottage which leads to Paris; it is a very lonely path and I have noticed that my good friends, the gendarmes, do not like lonely paths at night. It is curious.

Explanation:
The Bishop told him to stop and stay for a moment. He had forgotten to take something with him. He gave him the candlesticks. The Convict asked if the Bishop wanted him to have the candlesticks. The Bishop requested him to have the candlesticks as they would be helpful to him. The Convict took the candlesticks while being absolutely amazed at the Bishop’s kindness and generosity. The Bishop also told him of a path through which he could get to Paris undetected by the policemen. The path was through the woods at the back of the cottage. The Bishop had noticed before that the policemen did not take that path at night as it was a lonely path. The Bishop was always curious to know the reason.

Play:
Convict: Ah, thanks, thanks, Monseigneur. I-I-(He sobs.) Ah, I’m a fool, a child to cry, but somehow you have made me feel that…. that it is just as if something had come into me as if I were a man again and not a wild beast.
[The door at the back is open, and the Convict is standing in it.]
Bishop: (Putting his hand on his shoulder). Always remember, my son, that this poor body is the Temple of the Living God.
Convict: (With great awe). The Temple of the Living God. I’ll remember.
[ExitL.C.]
[The Bishop closes the door and goes quietly to the Prie-dieu before the window R., he sinks on his knees and bows his head in prayer.]

Word meaning:
prie-dieu: kneeling desk for use in prayer

Explanation:
The Convict thanked the Bishop and finally broke down into tears. He sobbed and said he was a fool and a child to cry. However, he felt like the Bishop taught him that expressing emotions did not make him weak. In fact, it made him a man again. The door was open and the Convict was standing in the doorway. The Bishop put his hand on the Convict’s shoulder and told him that his body was the Temple of the Living God. It meant that the Convict should not ignore what he felt in heart and mind. The Convict was filled with wonder and amazement. He promised that he would remember everything the Bishop had just told him. He exited through the left centre door. The Bishop closed the door and went quietly to the kneeling desk kept in front of the right hand window. He kneeled down, bowed, and started praying for the Convict’s well-being.

Slow Curtain

The Bishop’s Candlesticks Question Answers

Exercises
Q1. Complete the following paragraph with suitable words/ phrases highlighting the theme of the play. You can do it in pairs.
The play deals with a _______ and _______ Bishop who is always ready to lend a hand to anyone in distress. A _______ breaks into the Bishop’s house and is _______ and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop somewhat _________the convict, but, when he sees the silver candlesticks, he ________ them, and runs away. However, he is _______ and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a ________ . The convict is ________by this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest’s blessing.
Ans. The play deals with a kind and charitable Bishop who is always ready to lend a hand to anyone in distress. A convict breaks into the Bishop’s house and is fed and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop somewhat puzzles the convict, but, when he sees the silver candlesticks, he steals them, and runs away. However, he is caught by the Sergeant and the Gendarmes and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a gift. The convict is touched by this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest’s blessing.

Q2. Give antonyms of the following words.

kind- hearted     unscrupulous     forgiving      stern     benevolent     credulous    generous pious     suspicious      sympathetic     understanding     wild     innocent      penitent      clever     brutal     cunning    caring    sentimental     trusting    protective    concerned honourable    embittered

 

Ans.
kind-hearted – cruel,
unscrupulous – honest,
forgiving – unforgiving,
stern – soft,
benevolent – unkind,
credulous – suspicious,
generous – greedy,
pious – irreligious,
suspicious – trustworthy,
sympathetic – apathetic,
understanding – ignorance,
wild – tame,
innocent – guilty,
penitent – impenitent,
clever – foolish,
brutal – gentle,
cunning – dumb,
caring – uncaring,
sentimental – emotionless,
trusting – suspicious,
protective – harmful,
Concerned – unconcerned,
honourable – unhonorable,
embittered – calm

Q3. Select words from the above box to describe the characters in the play as revealed by the following lines from the play.

kind- hearted     unscrupulous     forgiving      stern     benevolent     credulous    generous pious     suspicious      sympathetic     understanding     wild     innocent      penitent      clever     brutal     cunning    caring    sentimental     trusting    protective    concerned honourable    embittered

 

 

 

Q4. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct options.
(A) Monseigneur, the Bishop is a … a-hem!
(a) Why does Persome not complete the sentence?
(i) she used to stammer while speaking.
(ii) she was about to praise the Bishop.
(iii) she did not wish to criticise the Bishop in front of Marie.
(iv) she had a habit of passing such remarks.
Ans. (iii) she did not wish to criticise the Bishop in front of Marie.

(b) Why is she angry with the Bishop?
(i) the Bishop has sold the salt-cellars.
(ii) the Bishop has gone to visit Mere Gringoire.
(iii) he showed extra concern for Marie.
(iv) she disliked the Bishop.
Ans. (i) the Bishop has sold the salt-cellars.

(B) She sent little Jean to Monseigneur to ask for help.
(a) Who sent little Jean to the Bishop?
(i) Mere Gringoire
(ii) Marie
(iii) Persome
(iv) Marie’s mother
Ans. (i) Mere Gringoire

(b) Why did she send Jean to the Bishop?
(i) so that he could pray for her.
(ii) as she knew that he was a generous person.
(iii) as she was a greedy woman.
(iv) as she was a poor woman.
Ans. (ii) as she knew that he was a generous person.

(C) I offered to take her in here for a day or two, but she seemed to think it might distress you.
(a) The Bishop wanted to take Mere Grngoire in because __________.
(i) she was sick.
(ii) she had no money.
(iii) she was unable to pay the rent of her house.
(iv) she was a close friend of Persome.
Ans. (iii) she was unable to pay the rent of her house.

(b) Persome would be distressed on Mere Gringoire’s being taken in because __________ (i) she did not want to help anyone.
(ii) she felt that Mere Gringoire was taking undue advantage of the Bishop.
(iii) she was a self-centred person.
(iv) she would be put to a great deal of inconvenience.
Ans. (ii) she felt that Mere Gringoire was taking undue advantage of the Bishop.

Q5. Answer the following questions briefly.
1. Do you think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars? Why/ Why not?
Ans. Yes, the bishop was justified in selling the salt – cellars. As he was a true Christian, he was helpful towards the needy people. As Mere Gringorie did not have money to pay the rent, he helped her by selling the salt – cellars. The bishop’s kind heart forced him to do so.

2. Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick?
Ans. Persome feels that the people are greedy and selfish. They do not bother about the bishop. They adore the caring, humanitarian nature of his. So, they want him to visit and bless them. Hence, they pretend to be sick so that the bishop is concerned and visits them.

3. The convict says, “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” What does he mean by this statement?
Ans. The statement “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff” means that he is an experienced person and cannot be trapped by soft, loving words of the bishop.

4. Why was the convict sent to prison? What was the punishment given to him?
Ans. The Convict was sent to prison for stealing food for his sick, starving wife. He was sent to prison for ten years. The prison turned him into a beast. He was tied in chains like wild animals, hit like a hound, given rotten food to eat and was covered with worms and insects.

5. Do you think the punishment given to the convict was justified? Why/ Why not? Why is the convict eager to reach Paris?
Ans. I think that the punishment and inhuman treatment given to the convict was not justified. He had stolen food for his sick, starving wife. As a punishment for this he was sentenced for ten years to the prison – ships. There he was chained, hit, given rotten food and turned into a beast. The convict wants to reach Paris as it is a big city and the police will not be able to catch him there.

6. Before leaving, the convict asks the Bishop to bless him. What brought about this change in him?
Ans. The convict asks the bishop to bless him. This shows that the beast in him has died and he has again become a man. This change is because of the bishop. The bishop’s love, kindness and humanitarian nature has transformed the convict.

7. What did Persome mean by, ‘charity begins at home’?
Ans. Persome told the Bishop that charity begins at home, meaning that he was not being charitable towards Persome and Persome did not appreciate that. The Bishop had sold her salt-cellars which made her feel sad and frustrated. If he was bothered by people’s problems then first he should attend to the problems of people at his home, his sister Persome.

8. What is the reason behind the convict quoting a number as his identity?
Ans. The Convict quotes the number 15729 and tells the bishop that the number is his identity. He was in prison, and all prisoners have a number so that the guards can easily identify them. Also, he was treated like a wild beast in prison. He was beaten and chained up, and he had to feed on rotten food. Due to such harsh conditions, he forgets what it is like to be a man and a human. He becomes a wild beast who can be identified with the number 15729.

9. The role of a ‘mother hen’ aptly fits Persome. Comment.
Ans. A mother hen is the parent or the caretaker of the chicks. She looks after their well-being and provides them with love, warmth, shelter and nourishment. She teaches them how to fly, build a nest so that they can look after themselves. This protective and parent-like creature is similar to Persome, who is protective and concerned for her brother’s well-being. She is always concerned when she sees the Bishop helping those who may dupe him and also was reluctant to leave him alone with the Convict.
Therefore, the role of a ‘mother hen’ aptly fits Persome.

Q6. Answer in detail.
a) People say that the smallest change in perspective can transform a life. What facts from the play would you select to justify the above statement with reference to the Bishop?
Ans. People say that the smallest change in perspective can transform a life. This is true and we can multiple instances warranting this statement throughout the chapter. The Bishop transformed the convict’s life by letting go of his attachment to materialistic objects which was the candlesticks. He realised that his candlesticks were just another item which he could use to make the convict’s life better. There is no better deed in this world than to save the life of another person, and by giving the candlesticks to the convict, he saved the convict’s life. The Convict believed that there was no good in this world. However, the Bishop saved him from going back to Hell, regardless of the fact that he stole his precious candlesticks. He then realised that goodness can still be found, and he became human again.

b) People say that the smallest change in perspective can transform a life. What facts from the play would you select to justify the above statement with reference to the Bishop?
Ans. This statement is justified by the play. Here we see that the kind heart of the Bishop softens the wild convict. He arouses the man’a emotions and thus, the man feels guilty for cheating the kind bishop.

c) Evaluate the roles of Persome and the 12-year-old Sudha Murthy (from how I talk my grandmother to read) in the light of the given quote. “I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.” —Pablo Casals
Ans. Both these characters cared for their family. Their acts of concern towards the family brought a significant enrichment to their own character. Persome takes care of her brother, cooks for him and is concerned for his well-being. This makes her responsible, patient, caring and kind-hearted. Similarly, Sudha teaches her grandmother to read, is worried when she sees her crying and assures her that she will be able to read by herself. This enriches Sudha’s character because she becomes mature, responsible, caring, educator and kind-hearted. The trait of family bonding is developed in both of them. This enhances their characters and later, they become good human beings.

Q7. Identify the situations which can be termed as the turning points in the convict’s life?
Ans. The Convict lived a harsh and poor life. He lost his house, wife and humane nature. There are certain situations which can be termed as the turning points in the convict’s life which led to such a harsh and cruel life. The first situation is when he was caught stealing food for his wife. He was desperate for food to save his wife, Jeanette from dying from her sickness. When he explained his wife’s physical condition and his desperation to save her to the policemen, they laughed at him and sent him to one of the prison-ships. When he reached there, the gaoler told him that Jeanette had died of her illness. This caused an immense amount of pain to him. The next situation is when he escaped the prison. He realised that even though he was free to do anything, he had no food nor shelter. He had to steal food, rags and slept in woods and barns. He dare not ask for work or go to town as the police were looking for him. He realised he was free to starve to death. The next situation is when the Bishop lied about him stealing his candlesticks. The Bishop made him realise that goodness could still be found in people and he should not bottle up his emotions. He realised that he could still be a man. The Bishop even gave him the candlesticks and a secret passage to Paris, which made him grateful to the Bishop. He even asked the Bishop to give him a blessing.