Access comprehensive NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter 7, offering in-depth answers to the questions presented in the chapter. These solutions provide a clear understanding of the content, aiding students in their learning journey. Covering various themes and literary aspects, these meticulously crafted solutions assist students in grasping the nuances of the chapter effectively. Enhance your comprehension and excel in your studies with these meticulously crafted NCERT Solutions.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter 7 The Necklace Questions and Answers
Read and Find Out (Page : 39)
Q1. What kind of a person is Mme Loisel-why is she always unhappy?
Ans: Mrs. Loisel, a youthful and attractive lady, lived a modest but discontented existence. Despite her humble origins, she harbored aspirations for opulence and extravagance. Her perpetual unhappiness stemmed from the realization that her modest means could never meet her lavish yearnings, fueling her discontent and frustration with her circumstances.
Q2. What kind of a person is her husband?
Ans: Matilda’s spouse, Monsieur Loisel, was an unassuming and kind-hearted young gentleman. Employed as a minor clerk at the Board of Education, he found contentment in his work. Brimming with enthusiasm, he presented his wife with an invitation to an extravagant soirée. Despite their financial limitations, he demonstrated his affectionate nature by gifting his beloved wife four hundred francs, enabling her to purchase an elegant gown for the event.
Read and Find Out (Page : 41)
Q1. What fresh problem now disturbs Mme Loisel?
Ans: Having invested a considerable sum in an exquisite gown, Madame Loisel encounters yet another misfortune. She becomes distressed by the absence of a splendid jewel to complement her attire. Consequently, she implores her husband to offer the invitation to someone else.
Q2. How is the problem solved?
Ans: Matilda Loisel’s spouse, M. Loisel, steps in to assist her. Initially, he proposes the notion of adorning herself with fresh blossoms, which Matilda dismisses with a derisive tone. Subsequently, he recommends that she borrow jewelry from her affluent acquaintance, Mme Forestier. This predicament finds resolution as Mme Forestier graciously lends her a splendid diamond necklace.
Read and Find Out (Page : 42)
Q1. What do Mr and Mme Loisel do next?
Ans: The Loisels spare no effort. M. Loisel retraces his steps in an attempt to locate the misplaced necklace. He proceeds to visit both the police and the taxi companies. Furthermore, they place an advertisement in the newspapers, promising a reward for the recovery of the necklace. Regrettably, all their endeavors prove fruitless.
Q2. How do they replace the necklace?
Ans: In the wake of unsuccessful attempts, the Loisels make the decision to acquire a new necklace identical to the one that was lost. M. Loisel gathers eighteen thousand francs from his inheritance and procures the remaining sum through borrowing. As a result, the couple successfully purchases the replacement necklace for thirty-six thousand francs and promptly returns it to its rightful owner.
Think About It (Page : 46)
Q1. The course of the Loisel’s life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
Ans: The Loisels spent ten years repaying the money they had borrowed to purchase the necklace, which had a transformative impact on their lives. They were compelled to relocate to the most impoverished area of the city. Stripped of any household help, Matilda took on the responsibilities of cooking, cleaning, repairing, sewing, and negotiating with the grocer and butcher, all in a bid to scrape together every penny for basic survival. Meanwhile, her husband had to take on evening and nocturnal employment to settle their debt. Thus, the necklace effectively altered the trajectory of the Loisels’ existence.
Q2. What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
Ans: Matilda’s hubris and her materialistic desires, along with her lack of honesty, become the catalysts for her downfall. She could have averted this fate by embracing her present circumstances and finding contentment in what she already possessed.
Q3. What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?
Ans: Genuine truth and honesty could have acted as Matilda’s saviors, preventing her from facing her tragic fate. If she had mustered the courage to admit the reality of the necklace to her friend, she would have discovered that it was, in fact, a mere imitation worth five hundred francs. Consequently, she wouldn’t have depleted her husband’s entire inheritance or taken out a loan of eighteen thousand francs to replace it. Indeed, she could have rescued herself and her husband from enduring a decade of overwhelming destitution, anguish, and exhausting toil.
Q4. If you were caught in a situation like this, how would you have dealt with it?
Ans: Above all else, my primary endeavor would have been to evade falling prey to my own hubris and ambitions. Should I have found myself entangled in such circumstances, I would have opted to reveal the truth and confront the aftermath. Honesty, without a doubt, would have been my path to escape.
Talk About It
Q1. The characters in this story speak in English. Do you think this is their language? What clues are there in the story about the language its characters must be speaking in?
Ans: While the characters in the narrative use English, it appears that English is not their native tongue. I am inclined to believe that their actual language is French. There are indications that subtly suggest this, such as the use of titles like M. (Monsieur), Mme (Madame), and the currency denomination ‘sou.’ All of these terms are rooted in the French language. Moreover, the inclusion of references to antiquated carriages seen in Paris during the night further solidifies the notion that their language is indeed French.
Q2. Honesty is the best policy.
Ans: I concur with the validity of the assertion, as it aligns with the teachings imparted by our predecessors. Opting for honesty is inherently simpler compared to crafting fabrications or resorting to falsehoods. Whenever an individual deviates from honesty, an underlying sense of guilt often emerges. While the outcomes of honesty might occasionally yield undesired or discomforting results, the allure of dishonesty is typically short-lived.
In the context of Matilda’s predicament, honesty could have been her salvation. If she had confided in her friend about the misplaced necklace, her ordeal might have been averted, sparing her from enduring ceaseless suffering.
Q3. We should be content with what life gives us.
Ans: While the notion of being content with life’s offerings is often lauded and advocated, it remains a challenging reality for the majority. What holds true for one person may not necessarily hold true for another. Distinct individuals harbor diverse aspirations, necessities, and objectives. If everyone universally embraced and adhered to this concept, the impetus for personal growth would wane. There would be a lack of impetus to pursue one’s desires ardently.
However, this doesn’t mean that desires should steer individuals towards the path of deceit. Unfortunately, some resort to unethical means to fulfill their wishes, a course that must be avoided. This is precisely why our elders emphasize the importance of finding contentment in life’s provisions. While it might not always be feasible to genuinely feel content, making an attempt to cultivate contentment remains valuable.