Access NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6 “Poets and Pancakes” Q&A effortlessly. Explore the chapter’s insights into the world of creativity and media through well-crafted answers. These solutions are crucial for comprehensive exam preparation, providing a deep understanding of the themes, personalities, and literary techniques discussed. Immerse yourself in the realm of “Poets and Pancakes” through expertly curated solutions, refining your analytical and interpretive skills along the way.
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter – 6 Poets and Pancakes Questions and Answers
THINK AS YOU READ ➤➤➤
1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?
Answer: In the room, six sizable mirrors surrounded the area, and bright lights were strategically positioned from all angles. As a result, the individuals undergoing makeup found themselves contending with the intense glare, leading the writer to aptly describe the experience as ‘fiery misery’ for those involved.
2. What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
Answer: The makeup division of Gemini Studios stood as a testament to national integration. The author notes that this was evident in the harmonious collaboration of individuals hailing from diverse regions and religious backgrounds working together within the same department. Initially, a Bengali headed the department, followed by a Maharashtrian who succeeded him. Among the other team members were a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra resident, an Indian Christian from Madras, an Anglo-Burmese individual, and several local Tamils.
3. What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why was he disappointed?
Answer: During the performances in front of the audience, the office boy took on the role of a makeup artist, applying paint to the actors’ faces. On days when there were crowded shooting schedules, he swiftly and loudly mixed his paint in a large pot to get everyone ready. His original aspirations were to achieve fame as an actor, screenwriter, director, or lyricist, which had brought him to the studios. However, he felt discontented as those dreams eluded him, and he remained relegated to the position of an ‘office boy.’
4. Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
Answer: Seated in a cubicle, the writer spent his days and nights tearing up newspapers at his desk. However, this repetitive activity led people to assume that he was idle and doing nothing.
THINK AS YOU READ ➤➤➤
1. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
Answer: At the Gemini Studio, there was a man named Kothamangalam Subbu, who held the second position. The office boy firmly believed that he possessed more talent than Subbu but suspected that Subbu’s Brahmin background played a significant role in him getting opportunities. Consequently, he held Subbu responsible for his own sense of neglect and channeled his frustration towards the writer, expressing his anger through his interactions.
2. Who was Subbu’s principal?
Answer: Subbu’s superior and the hero of the film he worked on were one and the same. He was fiercely loyal to the principal, who held a prominent role in the movie.
3. Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.
Answer: Subbu was portrayed as a multi-faceted genius, with four distinct special abilities:
(i) Perpetual Cheerfulness: Regardless of being involved in a flop film or facing setbacks, Subbu possessed the remarkable ability to maintain a cheerful disposition.
(ii) Creativity: His mind brimmed with creativity, making him highly innovative and imaginative in his work.
(iii) Expertise in Film Making: Subbu had an exceptional talent for providing precise directions and definitions in the field of film making, showcasing his deep knowledge and understanding of the craft.
(iv) Poetic Aptitude: Alongside his film-related talents, Subbu was also gifted as a poet, showcasing his artistic prowess in the world of words and emotions.
4. Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?
Answer: The legal adviser, who was part of the story department, had played a significant role in bringing about a tragic conclusion to a heroine’s career. In the midst of a sea of dreamers, he appeared isolated and vulnerable. His approach was grounded in cold logic, setting him apart from the idealistic crowd, leading others to label him as the antithesis of their romantic aspirations.
5. What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?
Answer: Clad in attire that contrasted with the rest, he presented a somber appearance. Amidst a crowd of dreamers, he stood out as a man of cold logic at Gemini Studios, setting himself apart from the prevailing atmosphere of idealism and imagination.
THINK AS YOU READ ➤➤➤
1. Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
Answer: My apologies for the confusion in my previous response. Thank you for providing clarity. At Gemini Studios, the people did not have any specific political affiliations. Instead, they shared a common practice of wearing Khadi clothing and expressing reverence for Mahatma Gandhi.
2. Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?
Answer: The Moral Rearmament Army received a warm welcome at the studios due to their reputation as an international circus. Though they might not have excelled in trapeze acts, and their interaction with animals was limited to dinner table encounters, they impressively showcased their theatrical abilities by professionally presenting two plays.
3. Name one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA.
Answer: The plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor,’ staged by the Moral Rearmament Army (MRA), enjoyed multiple showings in Madras, captivating the city’s residents, including the Gemini family of six hundred. The repeated viewings by the studio’s staff and their appreciation of these plays exemplify the profound influence MRA’s productions had on Gemini Studios.
4. Who was The Boss of Gemini Studios?
Answer: Mr. Vasan was The Boss of Gemini Studios.
5. What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
Answer: Mr. Vasan did not hold the editorship of any prominent British publications in Madras, including those known at Gemini Studios. The leadership at The Hindu newspaper took the lead in communications with esteemed publications like the Manchester Guardian and the London Times. The distinct ways of speaking English, with peculiar accents and usage of words, contributed to the communication gap between the English individuals and the people at Gemini Studios.
6. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as an unexplained mystery?
Answer: The arrival of the Englishman became an enigmatic event as nobody could comprehend what he was talking about, and his accent made it nearly impossible to grasp his words. Even the poet appeared puzzled, as he must have sensed the utter incongruity of the Englishman discussing the excitements and challenges faced by an English poet. The situation left everyone perplexed and added an air of mystery to the encounter.
THINK AS YOU READ➤➤➤
1. Who was the English visitor to the studios?
Answer: The English visitor to the studios was the English poet Stephen Spender.
2. How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?
Answer: The author stumbled upon the identity of the English visitor to the Studios through a stroke of luck. He came across a tiny announcement in The Hindu about a short story contest organized by a British periodical called The Encounter. Intrigued by the contest, the author wanted to participate, but before sending his story to England, he decided to gather some information about The Encounter. Considering the significant cost involved in sending the manuscript overseas, it was a wise decision.
To acquire insights into the publication, he visited the British Council Library, where he came across several copies of The Encounter. As he perused the magazines, he was pleasantly surprised to find the name of the Editor – Stephen Spender, the very same English poet who had visited the Studios. With this fortunate discovery, the author finally revealed the identity of the mysterious English visitor.
3. What does ‘The God that Failed’ refer to?
Answer: The God that Failed’ refers to communism and the communist rule in Russia.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT ➤➤➤
1. The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of his to show how this serves to make the piece interesting?
Answer: The author’s humor shines through in the following excerpts:
i. “This merry gang of nationally integrated make-up maestros possessed the uncanny ability to transform any decent-looking individual into a hideous crimson-hued monster, welding truck-loads of pancake and an array of locally brewed potions and lotions.”
ii. “As I sat at my desk, diligently tearing up newspapers day in and day out, most people assumed I was up to no good. Even the boss likely thought the same. Anyone who believed I needed a task would storm into my cubicle, launching into extended lectures. The ‘boy’ from the make-up department was particularly determined to enlighten me about how exceptional literary talent was squandered in a department seemingly reserved for barbers and perverts. Soon, I found myself praying for crowd shootings to escape his epic sermons.”
iii. “The lawyer officially bore the title of the legal adviser, but to everyone else, he was the embodiment of the contrary.”
iv. “Then, in a curious twist, The Boss shuttered the story department, creating a historical anomaly where a lawyer lost his job because poets were sent home.”
v. “Naturally, they all harbored an aversion to the term ‘Communism.’ To them, a communist was a godless soul, bereft of filial or conjugal love, unflinching in the face of harming even their own parents or children. Forever on the prowl to sow unrest and violence among innocent and unknowing hearts.”
vi. “As the poet took the stage, he couldn’t have found a more dazed and hushed audience – a sea of bewildered faces struggling to decipher his accent and understand his musings. An hour passed in a haze of confusion, and as the poet departed, we dispersed, grappling with the question: what on earth had just happened?”
vii. “The great wordsmiths of our world may not readily concede, yet with each passing day, my conviction solidifies – prose writing is not and cannot be the sole pursuit of genius. It belongs to the patient and persistent toilers, whose hearts are so fortified that rejection slips barely leave a scratch. They resolutely embark on crafting fresh copies of their long prose pieces, sending them to editor after editor, even enclosing postage for the manuscript’s return.”
viii. “I felt like I had unearthed a long-lost sibling, and as I sealed the envelope and penned his address, I imagined he, too, might be humming the same tune at the same moment – like kindred spirits in Indian films, finding each other through shared melodies, from the first reel to the final one. Stephen Spender! Stephen Stephen Stephen – that was the name.”
2. Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No.2 in Gemini Studios?
Answer: Kothamangalam Subbu occupied the esteemed position of No. 2 in Gemini Studios due to his exceptional qualities, which he wholeheartedly employed for the betterment of The Boss and the entire studio. One of his remarkable traits was his ability to exude cheerfulness even in the aftermath of a flop film, making him perfectly suited for the world of cinema. Subbu found his inspiration in the directives given to him, and his presence eased the filmmaking process at the studios. With his guidance and vision, Gemini Studios experienced its golden years, and he played a significant role in shaping its direction.
Besides his cinematic prowess, Subbu was a talented poet, capable of crafting intricate and profound verses. However, he chose not to address his poetry to the masses, focusing his creative energy entirely on benefiting his principal. While his achievements in the film industry overshadowed his literary endeavors, he remained content dedicating his creativity to serve The Boss’s interests. This close and intimate collaboration with The Boss elevated Subbu to the position of the most important person in the Studios after him.
3. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
Answer: The author perceived that the English poet’s message remained entirely obscure to his audience at the Studios. As the lecture concluded, the listeners dispersed in a state of utter bafflement, unable to comprehend the purpose of the gathering and the poet’s discourse. They found it puzzling to have an English poet present in a film studio, which primarily produced movies for a simple-minded audience. The idea of appreciating English poetry seemed far-fetched to them; it was not something they had ever considered cultivating.
The poet himself appeared equally confounded by the situation. He must have realized the stark incongruity of discussing the thrills and tribulations of an English poet with an audience whose interests and experiences were entirely disconnected from such themes. Clearly, the poet’s subject matter was not relatable to the people at the Studios, leading to mutual bewilderment and an undeniable sense of disconnect.
4. What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?
Answer: Indeed, the account implies that the author is not only a proficient prose writer but also a competent story writer. The fact that he decided to participate in the story-writing competition organized by The Encounter, a British periodical, suggests his confidence in his storytelling abilities. By submitting his story for the competition to be judged in England, he demonstrates his belief in the quality of his narrative skills and his aspiration to be recognized beyond the confines of Gemini Studios.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT ➤➤➤
Discuss in small groups taking off from points in the text.
1. Film-production today has come a long way from the early days of the Gemini Studios.
2. Poetry and films.
3. Humor and criticism.
Answer: Please attempt these questions yourself. They have not much to do with the lesson.
NOTICING TRANSITIONS ➤➤➤
• This piece is an example of a chatty, rambling style. One thought leads to another which is then dwelt upon at length.
• Read the text again and mark the transitions from one idea to another. The first one is indicated below.
| make-up | department | Office-boy | Subbu |
Answer: The presence of Subbu, the legal adviser, was intertwined with the closure of the Story Department. During this time, notable poets like Harindranath Chattopadhyaya were part of the studio. The atmosphere at Gemini Studios carried an air of leisure, with influences of Khadi, Gandhi, and Congress Communism.
The appearance of the Moral Rearmament Army left an impression, and the visit of an English poet to the Studios puzzled the audience, as they struggled to comprehend his talk and its relevance to their world. This encounter culminated in mutual bafflement, both on the part of the audience and the poet.
Amidst these events, the author participated in the short-story contest titled “The God that Failed,” signifying his confidence in his storytelling skills and his desire to venture beyond the confines of Gemini Studios.
WRITING ➤➤➤
You must have met some interesting characters in your neighbourhood or among your distant relatives. Write a homourous piece about their idiosyncrasies. Try to adopt the author’s rambling style, if you can.
Answer: Please attempt it yourself.
THINGS TO DO ➤➤➤
Collect about twenty cartoons from newspapers and magazines in any language to discuss how important people or events have been satirized. Comment on the interplay of the words and the pictures used.
Answer: Please attempt it yourself.
➤ ABOUT THE UNIT
THEME
An account of the events and personalities in a film company in the early days of Indian cinema.
SUB-THEME
Poets and writers in a film company environment.
COMPREHENSION
• Understanding humor and satire.
• Following a rambling, chatty style and making inferences.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Discuss :
• Today’s film technology compared with that of the early days of Indian cinema (comparing and contrasting)
• Poetry and films; criticism and humor.
NOTICING TRANSITIONS
Focus on devices for achieving thematic coherence.
WRITING
Practice writing in a humorous style.
THINGS TO DO
Extension activity on cartoons as a vehicle of satirical comment on human foibles.