Class 12 English: Hindi Translation of Memories of Childhood

Class 12 English: Hindi Translation of Memories of Childhood from Book Vista

कहानी का सारांश:

यह पाठ दो महिलाओं के जीवन की आत्मकथात्मक घटनाएँ प्रस्तुत करता है। पहला वर्णन अमेरिका में रह रही एक भारतीय मूल की लड़की का है । वह इस तथ्य का सामना करती है कि अमेरिका में रह रहे अन्य समुदाय के लोगों पर वहाँ की संस्कृति थोपी जा रही है । उसकी अपनी संस्कृति में केवल कायर लोग छोटे कटे बाल रखते हैं । लेकिन अमेरिका में, उसके लम्बे और भारी बाल जबरदस्ती काट दिये जाते हैं। वह बाल काटे जाने के स्थान से चुपके से भागकर और पैर पटककर व खरोंचें मारकर अपने बचकाने तरीके से विद्रोह करती है।

दूसरा वर्णन भारत में एक तथाकथित निम्न जाति की लड़की का है । वह अपनी जाति के एक बुजुर्ग को एक जमींदार के हाथों अपमानित होते हुए देखती है । उसका भाई उसे बताता है कि किस प्रकार निम्न जाति के लोग सामाजिक असमानता झेलते हैं । वह उसे प्रेरित करता है कि अपनी स्थिति ऊपर उठाने के लिए उसे बहुत परिश्रम से अध्ययन करना चाहिए । वह ऐसा ही करती है और अच्छा महसूस करती है ।। Before You Read (आपके पढ़ने से पूर्व)

यह इकाई अल्पसंख्यक समुदाय की दो महिलाओं के जीवन से आत्मकथात्मक कड़ियाँ प्रस्तुत करती है जो (महिलाएँ) अपने बचपन को याद करती हैं, और मुख्यधारा की संस्कृति के साथ अपने सम्बन्ध पर प्रकाश डालती हैं। पहला वर्णन उन्नीसवीं शताब्दी के उत्तरार्द्ध में जन्मी एक अमेरिकी भारतीय महिला द्वारा है; और दूसरा एक समकालीन तमिल दलित लेखिका द्वारा है 1876 में जन्मी Gertrude Simmons Bonnin अमेरिकी मूल की एक असाधारण रूप से प्रतिभाशाली और शिक्षित महिला थी

जिसने एक ऐसे समय में संघर्ष किया और विजय प्राप्त की जब मूल अमेरिकी संस्कृति और महिलाओं की ओर बहुत अधिक पूर्वाग्रह व्याप्त था । एक लेखिका के रूप में, उसने “Zitkala-Sa’ उपनाम अपनाया और 1900 में कार्लिसिल इण्डियन स्कूल की आलोचना करते हुए लेख प्रकाशित करने आरम्भ किये । उनकी रचनाओं में बाहरी दिखावे की आलोचना होती थी, और एक मूल अमेरिकी महिला रूप में उनका जीवन दूसरों को दबाने की बुराई विरुद्ध समर्पित था ।

‘Bama’ एक रोमन कैथोलिक परिवार की एक तमिल दलित महिला का उपनाम है । उनकी तीन मुख्य रचनाएँ प्रकाशित हुई हैं: 1992 में एक आत्मकथा ‘करुक्कु’, 1994 में एक उपन्यास ‘संगति’, और 1996 में लघु कथाओं का एक संग्रह ‘किसुम्बुक्कारन’। प्रस्तुत गद्यांश ‘करुक्कु से लिया गया है। ‘करुक्क’ का अर्थ होता है ताड़ की पत्तियाँ जो दोनों किनारों पर दाँतेदार होने से दोधारी तलवार की तरह होती हैं । शब्दों के एक चुने हुए हेर-फेर से तमिल शब्द ‘करुक्कु’, जिसमें ‘बीज’ अर्थ वाला ‘करु’ शब्द है, का अर्थ ताजगी, नयापन भी होता है ।

Word-Meanings And Hindi Translation of Memories of Childhood

(I) The Cutting of My Long Hair …… Zitkala-Sa.

The first day in the land of apples was a bitter-cold one; for the snow still covered the ground, and the trees were bare. A large bell rang for breakfast, its loud metallic voice crashing through the belfry overhead and into our sensitive ears. The annoying clatter of shoes on bare floors gave us no peace. The constant clash of harsh noises, with an undercurrent of many voices murmuring an unknown tongue, made a bedlam within which I was securely tied. And though my spirit tore itself in struggling for its lost freedom, all was useless.

Word-Meanings : bitter-cold (बिटर्-कोल्ड)= too cold, कँपकँपाने वाला ठण्डा । bare (बेअर)= naked, नंगे। crashing (क्रशिंग)= (here) cracking sound, (यहाँ) कड़कती हुई आवाज । belfry (बेल्फ्राई)= tower for a bell, घंटाघर। sensitive (सेन्सिटिव) = delicate, संवेदनशील। annoying (अनॉइंग) = causing irritation, चिढ़ पैदा करने वाली । clatter (क्लैटॅ)= loud unpleasant sound, खड़खड़ाहट । constant (कॉन्स्टण्ट)= continuous, लगातार। clash (क्लैश) = striking against one another, टकराहट | undercurrent (अन्डकरन्ट) = invisible flow, अदृश्य धारा । tongue (टंग) = (here) language, (यहाँ) भाषा । bedlam (बेड्लम) = chaos, अस्त-व्यस्तता । securely (सिक्युअर्लि) = tightly, कसकर । spirit (स्पिरिट) = soul, आत्मा ।

हिन्दी अनुवाद- सेबों के देश (अमेरिका) में पहला दिन कँपकँपाने वाला ठण्डा था; क्योंकि जमीन अब भी बर्फ से ढकी हुई थी, और पेड़ नंगे (पत्तियों से रहित) थे। नाश्ते के लिए एक बड़ी-सी घण्टी बजी, उसकी तेज खनकदार आवाज ऊपर घंटाघर से कड़कड़ाती हुई हमारे संवेदनशील कानों से आ टकराई। नंगे फर्श पर जूतों की चिढ़ पैदा करने वाली खड़खड़ाहट हमें कोई शान्ति नहीं दे रही थी (अर्थात् बेचैन कर रही थी)। कठोर (बुरी लगने वाली) आवाजों की लगातार टकराहट, कोई अज्ञात भाषा बड़बड़ाने वाली बहुत-सी आवाजों की एक अदृश्य धारा के साथ मिलकर, एक अस्त-व्यस्तता की स्थिति बना रही थी जिसके अन्दर मैं कसकर बँधी हुई थी। और यद्यपि मेरी आत्मा अपनी खोयी हुई स्वतन्त्रता के लिए संघर्ष में छटपटा रही थी, परन्तु सब कुछ व्यर्थ था

A paleface woman, with white hair, came up after us. We were placed in a line of girls who were marching into the dining room. These were Indian girls, in stiff shoes and closely clinging dresses. The small girls wore sleeved aprons and shingled hair. As I walked noiselessly in my soft moccasins, I felt like sinking to the floor, for my blanket had been stripped from my shoulders. I looked hard at the Indian girls, who seemed not to care that they were even more immodestly dressed than I, in their tightly fitting clothes. While we marched in, the boys entered at an opposite door. I watched for the three young braves who came in our party. I spied them in the rear ranks, looking as uncomfortable as I felt. A small bell was tapped, and each of the pupils drew a chair from under the table. Supposing this act meant they were to be seated, I pulled out mine and at once slipped into it from one side. But when I turned my head, I saw that I was the only one seated, and all the rest at our table remained standing. Just as I began to rise, looking shyly around to see how chairs were to be used, a second bell was sounded. All were seated at last, and I had to crawl back into my chair again. I heard a man’s voice a tone end of the hall, and I looked around to see him. But all the others hung their heads over their plates. As I glanced at the long chain of tables, I caught the eyes of a paleface woman upon me. Immediately I dropped my eyes, wondering why I was so keenly watched by the strange woman. The man ceased his mutterings, and then a third bell was tapped. Every one picked up his knife and fork and began eating. I began crying instead, for by this time I was afraid to venture anything more.

Word-Meanings : stiff (स्टिफ) = tight, तंग । closely clinging (क्लोज्लि क्लिगिंग) = holding very tightly, बहुत चिपटी हुई, तंग । shingled (शिंग्ल्ड ) = a type of small haircut, एक प्रकार के छोटे कटे हुए बाल । moccasins (मॉकसिन्स) = soft flat shoes, नर्म फ्लैट जूते । sinking (सिंकिंग) = burying, धंसना। stripped (स्ट्रिप्ट) = taken off, उतार लिया गया । immodestly (इम्मॉडेट्ल) = shamelessly, निर्लज्जता से।

spied (स्पाईड) = detected, ढूँढ लिया, पता लगा लिया । rear (रीों) = back, पिछली । ranks (रैंक्स) = lines, पंक्तियाँ। uncomfortable (अन्कम्फ टेब्ल) = uneasy, असहज । tapped (टैप्ट) = patted, थपथपाई गई। shyly (शाइलि) = feeling shy, शर्माते हुए । glanced (ग्लैन्स्ड) = saw, देखा । keenly (कीन्लि) = with interest, eagerly, उत्सुकता से । ceased (सीज्ड) = stopped, बन्द किया । venture (वेन्चर) = dare, हिम्मत करना ।

हिन्दी अनुवाद- हमारे पीछे एक पीले चेहरे और सफेद बालों वाली महिला आई। हमें लड़कियों की एक कतार में रखा गया जो भोजन-कक्ष के अन्दर जा रही थीं। ये भारतीय मूल की लड़कियाँ थीं, जो तंग जूते और बहुत चिपटी हुई पोशाकें पहने हुए थीं। छोटी लड़कियाँ पूरी बाहों के एप्रन (ओवरकोट) पहने थीं और उनके बाल छोटे कटे हुए थे।

जैसे ही मैं अपने नर्म फ्लैट जूतों में बिना शोर किये चली, मैंने स्वयं को फर्श में सता हुआ-सा महसूस किया, क्योंकि मेरे कन्धों से मेरा कम्बल उतार लिया गया था। मैंने कड़ी नजर से भारतीय लड़कियों को देखा जिन्हें इस बात की परवाह ही नहीं लगती थी कि वे मुझसे भी अधिक निर्लज्जता से कपड़े पहने हुए थीं, जो एकदम चुस्त थे । जिस समय हम अन्दर गये, सामने के एक दरवाजे से लड़कों ने प्रवेश किया।

मैंने उन तीन बहादुर लड़कों को देखने के लिए नजर दौड़ाई जो हमारी पार्टी में आये थे। मैंने उन्हें पिछली पंक्तियों में ढूँढ लिया, वे भी उतने ही असहज लग रहे थे जितना असहज मैं महसूस कर रही थी। एक छोटी घण्टी थपथपायी गई, और प्रत्येक शिष्य ने मेज के नीचे से एक कुर्सी खींच ली। यह मानते हुए कि इस क्रिया का अभिप्राय बैठने के लिए था, मैंने अपनी कुर्सी बाहर खींची और तुरन्त एक ओर से उस पर बैठ गई।

लेकिन जब मैंने अपना सिर घुमाया तो मैंने देखा कि एकमात्र मैं ही बैठी हुई थी, और हमारी मेज पर बाकी सभी खड़े हुए थे। जैसे ही मैं शर्माते हुए अपने चारों ओर देखते हुए उठने लगी, यह देखने के लिए कि उन कुर्सियों का प्रयोग किस प्रकार करना है, एक दूसरी घण्टी बजी। अन्ततः सभी बैठ गये, और मुझे पुनः रेंगकर (धीरे-से) अपनी कुर्सी पर बैठना पड़ा। मैंने हॉल के एक छोर में एक आदमी की आवाज सुनी, और मैंने उसे देखने के लिए चारों ओर नजर घुमाई।

लेकिन अन्य सभी ने अपने सिर अपनी-अपनी प्लेट के ऊपर लटकाये रखे । जिस समय मैं मेजों की लम्बी श्रृंखला को देख रही थी, मैंने देखा कि एक पीले चेहरे वाली महिला मुझ पर नजरें गड़ाये हुए थी। मैंने तुरन्त अपनी नजरें नीचे कर लीं, यह आश्चर्य करते हुए कि एक अजनबी महिला मुझे इतनी उत्सुकता से क्यों देख रही थी। उस आदमी ने अपना बुदबुदाना बन्द कर दिया, और फिर एक तीसरी घण्टी थपथपाई गई। सभी ने अपने छुरी-काँटे उठाये और खाना प्रारम्भ कर दिया। मैंने खाने की बजाय रोना आरम्भ कर दिया, क्योंकि इस समय तक मैं और कुछ हिम्मत करने से डरने लगी थी ।

But this eating by formula was not the hardest trial in that first day. Late in the morning, my friend Judewin gave me a terrible warning. Judewin knew a few words of English; and she had overheard the paleface woman talk about cutting our long, heavy hair. Our mothers had taught us that only unskilled warriors who were captured had their hair shingled by the enemy. Among our people, short hair was worn by mourners, and shingled hair by cowards!

We discussed our fate some moments, and when Judewin said, “We have to submit, because they are strong,” I rebelled.

“No, I will not submit! I will struggle first!” I answered.

I watched my chance, and when no one noticed, I disappeared. I crept up the stairs as quietly as I could in my squeaking shoes,— my moccasins had been exchanged for shoes. Along the hall I passed, without knowing whither I was going. Turning aside to an open door, I found a large room with three white beds in it. The windows were covered with dark green curtains, which made the room very dim. Thankful that no one was there, I directed my steps toward the corner farthest from the door. On my hands and knees I crawled under the bed, and huddled myself in the dark corner.

Word-Meanings : trial (ट्राइअल) = test, परीक्षा। overheard (ऑवहःड) = heard by accident, संयोगवश सुन लिया था। unskilled (अन्स्किल्ड) = untrained, अप्रशिक्षित। captured (कैप्चर्ड) = caught, पकड़े गये। shingled (शिंग्ल्ड ) = cut short, छोटे काटे गये। mourners (मो:नर्ज़) = those grieving death, मृत्यु का शोक मनाने वाले। submit (सब्मिट) = surrender, समर्पण करना, झुकना। rebelled (रेबल्ड) = revolted, विद्रोह कर दिया।

crept (क्रप्ट) = (here) climbed, (यहाँ) चढ़ गई। squeaking (स्क्वीकिंग) = चर्र-चर्र की आवाज करते हुए। whither (वि) = where, कहाँ। directed (डिरेक्टिड) = (here) moved, (यहाँ) बढ़ाये। crawled (क्रॉल्ड)= रेंगकर चली। huddled (हडल्ड) = gathered closely together, सिकोड़ लिया, सिमट गई।

हिन्दी अनवाद- लेकिन इस एक सूत्र (नियम) के अनुसार भोजन करना उस पहले दिन की सबसे कठिन परीक्षा नहीं थी। प्रातः बाद में, मेरी मित्र जुडविन ने मुझे एक भयंकर चेतावनी दी। जुडविन को कुछ अंग्रेजी शब्दों का ज्ञान था; और उसने संयोगवश उस पीले चेहरे वाली महिला को हमारे लम्बे, भारी बालों को काटने के बारे में बात करते हुए सुन लिया था। हमारी माँओं ने हमें सिखाया था कि केवल युद्ध में पकड़े गये अप्रशिक्षित योद्धाओं के ही बाल उनके शत्रुओं द्वारा छोटे-छोटे काट दिये जाते थे।

हमारे लोगों में, मृत्यु का शोक करने वाले लोग छोटे बाल रखते थे, और कायर लोग बहुत छोटे बाल! . हमने कुछ क्षण चर्चा की कि हमारे साथ क्या होने वाला था, और जब जुडविन ने कहा, “हमें झकना पडेगा, क्योंकि वे शक्तिशाली हैं”, मैंने विद्रोह कर दिया । मैंने उत्तर दिया, “नहीं, मैं नहीं झुकूँगी ! मैं पहले संघर्ष करूँगी ।” मैंने अपनी बारी पर नजर रखी, और जब किसी ने ध्यान नहीं दिया तो मैं गायब हो गई।

मैं अपने चर्र-चर्र की आवाज करते जूतों में जितना चुपचाप सम्भव था, सीढ़ियों से ऊपर चढ़ गई-मेरे नर्म फ्लैट जूतों के बदले मुझे साधारण जूते दे दिये गये थे। मैं हॉल से होकर गुजरी, बिना यह जानते हुए कि मैं कहाँ जा रही थी। एक ओर एक खुले दरवाजे की ओर मुड़ने पर मैंने वहाँ एक बड़ा-सा कमरा पाया जिसमें तीन सफेद पलंग थे। खिड़कियाँ गहरे हरे रंग के पर्दो से ढकी थीं जिसके कारण कमरे में बहुत धुंधलापन था। ईश्वर का धन्यवाद कि वहाँ कोई नहीं था, मैंने कमरे में दरवाजे से सबसे अधिक दूर वाले कोने की ओर अपने कदम बढ़ाये। अपने हाथों और घुटनों पर रेंगकर मैं पलंग के नीचे घुस गई, और उस अंधेरे कोने में सिमट गई ।

From my hiding place I peered out, shuddering with fear whenever I heard foot steps near by. Though in the hall loud voices were calling my name, and I knew that even Judewin was searching for me, I did not open my mouth to answer. Then the steps were quickened and the voices became excited. The sounds came nearer and nearer. Women and girls entered the room. I held my breath and watched them open closet doors and peep behind large trunks. Someone threw up the curtains, and the room was filled with sudden light. What caused them to stoop and look under the bed I do not know. I remember being dragged out, though I resisted by kicking and scratching wildly. Inspite of myself, I was carried downstairs and tied fast in a chair.

I cried aloud, shaking my head all the while until I felt the cold blades of the scissors against my neck, and heard them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit. Since the day I was taken from my mother I had suffered extreme indignities. People had stared at me. I had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet. And now my long hair was shingled like a coward’s! In my anguish I moaned for my mother, but no one came to comfort me. Not a soul reasoned quietly with me, as my own mother used to do; for now I was only one of many little animals driven by a herder.

Word-Meanings : peered (पिअर्ड) = peeped, झाँकती। shuddering (शडरिंग) = trembling, काँपती हुई। closet (क्लॉजिट) = almirah, अलमारी। peep (पीप) = peer, झाँकना। stoop (स्टूप) = bend, झुकना। dragged (ड्रैग्ड) = pulled forcibly, घसीटा जाना। resisted (रेजिस्टिड) = opposed, विरोध किया। scratching (स्क्रेचिंग) = rubbing with nails, खरोंचते हुए। wildly (वाइल्ड्लि ) = violently, उग्रता से। gnaw off (नॉ ऑफ)= cut off, काट देना, कुतर देना।

braids (ब्रेइड्ज़) = plaits, बालों की चोटियाँ। extreme (एक्स्ट्रीम) = too much, अत्यधिक। indignities (इन्डिग्निटीज) = insults, अपमान। stared (स्टेअर्ड) = looked fixedly, घूरते थे। tossed (टॉस्ट) = thrown up, उछाला गया। wooden puppet (वुड्न् पपिट) = a model made of wood and moved by strings, कठपुतली। anguish (एग्विश) = deep pain, पीड़ा । moaned (मोन्ड) = cried in pain, कराही। reasoned (रीज़न्ड) = convinced, समझाया । herder (ह:ड) = herdsman, चरवाहा। ।

हिन्दी अनुवाद- जब भी मैं आसपास कदमों की आवाज सुनती तो डर से काँपती हुई अपने छुपने के स्थान से बाहर झाँकती । यद्यपि हॉल में जोर-जोर की आवाजें लगाकर मेरा नाम पुकारा जा रहा था, और मैं जानती थी कि जुडविन तक भी मुझे खोज रही थी, फिर भी मैंने उत्तर देने के लिए अपना मुँह नहीं खोला । फिर कदम तेज हो गये और आवाजें उत्तेजित हो गईं । आवाजें पास, और पास, आती गईं । महिलाओं और लड़कियों ने कमरे में प्रवेश किया।

मैंने अपनी साँस रोक ली और उन्हें अलमारियों के दरवाजे खोलते हुए और बड़े-बड़े सन्दूकों के पीछे झाँकते हुए देखने लगी । किसी ने पर्दे ऊपर उठा दिये और कमरा अचानक रोशनी से भर गया । मैं नहीं जानती कि उन्होंने झुककर पलंग के नीचे किस कारण देख लिया । मुझे बाहर घसीटा जाना याद है, हालांकि मैंने उग्रता से पैर पटकते हुए और खरोंचते हुए विरोध किया था । अपनी पूरी ताकत लगा देने के बावजूद मुझे सीढ़ियों से नीचे ले जाया गया और एक कुर्सी पर कसकर बाँध दिया गया ।

मैं पूरे समय अपना सिर हिलाती हुई जोर से चिल्लाती रही जब तक कि मैंने अपनी गर्दन पर कैंची के ठण्डे ब्लेड्स को महसूस नहीं किया, और उन्हें मेरी एक मोटी चोटी कुतरते हुए नहीं सुना। फिर मेरा जोश ठण्डा पड़ गया। जिस दिन से मुझे मेरी माँ के पास से ले जाया गया था, मैंने अत्यधिक अपमान झेले थे। लोगों ने मुझे घूरकर देखा था। मुझे किसी कठपुतली की तरह हवा में उछाला गया था। और अब मेरे बाल किसी कायर की तरह छोटे-छोटे काट दिये गये थे । अपनी पीड़ा में मैं अपनी माँ के लिए कराही, लेकिन कोई भी मुझे सान्त्वना देने नहीं आया। किसी ने भी मुझे नहीं समझाया, जैसे कि मेरी अपनी माँ मुझे समझाया करती थी; क्योंकि अब मैं किसी चरवाहे द्वारा हाँके जाने वाले बहुत-से छोटे-छोटे पशुओं में से एक पशु मात्र थी ।

II. We Too are Human Beings ………… Bama

When I was studying in the third class, I hadn’t yet heard people speak openly of untouchability. But I had already seen, felt,experienced and been humiliated by what it is.

I was walking home from school one day, an old bag hanging from my shoulder. It was actually possible to walk the distance in ten minutes. But usually it would take me thirty minutes at the very least to reach home. It would take me from half an hour to an hour to dawdle along, watching all the fun and games that were going on, all the entertaining novelties and oddities is the streets, the shops and the bazaar.

Word-Meanings : untouchability (अन्टचेबिलटि) = अस्पृश्यता। humiliated (ह्यूमिलिएटिड) = insulted, अपमानित। dawdle along (डॉडल अलॉग) = walking aimlessly, भटकना। going on (गोइंग ऑन) (ph.v.) = continuing, चल रहे। novelties (नोवल्टीज़) = new things, नयी चीजें। oddities (ऑडिटीज़) = strange things, अजीब चीजें ।

हिन्दी अनुवाद- जब मैं तीसरी कक्षा में पढ़ रही थी, उस समय तक मैंने लोगों को खुलकर अस्पृश्यता के बारे में बातें करते नहीं सुना था। लेकिन मैंने पहले ही इसे देख लिया, महसूस किया, अनुभव कर लिया था और इसके द्वारा अपमानित भी हुई थी। एक दिन मैं स्कूल से पैदल घर जा रही थी, एक पुराना बैग मेरे कन्धे पर लटका हुआ था। वास्तव में पैदल चलकर वह दूरी दस मिनट में तय की जा सकती थी। परन्तु अक्सर मुझे घर पहुँचने में कम से कम आधा घण्टा लगता था। रास्ते में चल रहे सभी मजे और खेलों को देखते हुए, गली में सभी मनोरंजक नयी और अजीब चीजों को देखते हुए, दुकानों और बाजार को देखते हुए भटकते-भटकते जाने में मुझे आधा से एक घण्टा लगता था ।

The performing monkey; the snake which the snake charmer kept in its box and displayed from time to time; the cyclist who had not got off his bike for three days, and who kept pedalling as hard as he could from break of day; the rupee notes that were pinned on to his shirt to spur him on; the spinning wheels; the Maariyaata temple, the huge bell hanging there; the pongal offerings being cooked infront of the temple; the dried fish stall by the statue of Gandhi; the sweet stall, the stall selling fried snacks, and all the other shops next to each other; the street light always demonstrating how it could change from blue to violet; the narikkuravan hunter gypsy with his wild lemur in cages, selling needles, clay beads and instruments for cleaning out the ears — Oh, I could go on and on. Each thing would pull me to a stand-still and not allow me to go any further.

Word-Meanings : performing (पॅ:फॉ:मिंग)= showing tricks, करतब दिखाता हुआ | snakecharmer (स्नेकचा:मर)- सपेरा। displayed (डिस्प्लेइड) = showed, दिखाता था। time to time (टाइम टु टाइम) = at certain gaps, समय-समय पर, बार-बार। got off (गॉट ऑफ) (ph.v.) = came down, उतरा। spur on (स्परऑन)= encourage, प्रोत्साहित करना। demonstrating (डेमॉन्स्ट्रेटिंग) = showing, दिखाती हुई। huntergypsy (हण्ट:जिप्सी)= हंटर चलाने वाला जिप्सी। lemur (लीमर) = an animal like a monkey, बंदर जैसा एक जानवर।

हिन्दी अनुवाद- करतब दिखाता हुआ बन्दर; सपेरे के पिटारे में रखा साँप जिसे वह समय-समय पर दिखाता था; साइकिल सवार जो अपनी बाइक से तीन दिन से नहीं उतरा था जो सवेरे से ही जितनी जोर से हो सके, उतनी जोर से पैडल मारता रहता था। उसकी शर्ट पर टँगे रुपयों के नोट जो उसे प्रोत्साहित करते थे; घूमने वाले झूले; मारियाता मन्दिर; वहाँ टँगा बड़ा-सा घण्टा; मन्दिर के सामने पकाया जाता पोंगल का प्रसाद; गाँधी की मूर्ति के बराबर में सूखी मछली का स्टॉल;

मिठाई का स्टॉल, तले हुए स्नैक्स बेचने वाला स्टॉल, और एक-दूसरे से सटी अन्य सभी दुकानें; हमेशा यह दिखाती हुई स्ट्रीट लाइट कि यह कैसे नीले से बैंगनी में बदल सकती है; पिंजरों में बन्द अपने जंगली लेमूर के साथ नरिक्कुरवन हण्टर चलाने वाला जिप्सी जो सुईयाँ, मिट्टी के दाने और कान साफ करने के औजार बेचता रहता था- ओह, मैं आगे, और आगे बढ़ती रह सकती थी। प्रत्येक वस्तु मुझे खींचकर जड़वत् कर देती थी और मुझे आगे नहीं जाने देती थी ।

At times, people from various political parties would arrive, put up a stage and harangue us through their mikes. Then there might be a street play, or a puppet show, or a “no magic, no miracle” stunt performance. All these would happen from time to time. But almost certainly there would be some entertainment or other going on. Even otherwise, there were the coffee clubs in the bazaar: the way each waiter cooled the coffee, lifting a tumbler high up and pouring its contents into a tumbler held in his other hand. Or the way some people sat in front of the shops chopping up onion, their eyes turned elsewhere so that they would not smart. Or the almond tree growing there and its fruit which was occasionally blown down by the wind. All these sights taken together would tether my legs and stop me from going home. And then, according to the season, there would be mango, cucumber, sugar-cane, sweet-potato, palm-shoots, gram, palm syrup and palm-fruit, guavas and jack-fruit. Every day I would see people selling sweet and savoury fried snacks, payasam, halva, boiled tamarind seeds and iced lollies.

Word-Meanings : at times (एट टाइम्ज़) = sometimes, कभी-कभी। harangue (हरैंग) = persuade to do something by speech, भाषण देकर (लोगों को) कुछ करने के लिए फुसलाना। stunt (स्टंट) = a dangerous action, करतब। tumbler (टम्ब्ल र) = गिलास। contents (कन्टेन्ट्स ) = material inside, अन्दर की चीज। chopping (चॉपिंग) = cutting, काटते हुए। would not smart = would not feel prickly pain, चुभन महसूस नहीं होगी । occasionally (अकेशनलि) = now and then, कभी-कभी। tether (टेदर) = fix, बाँध लेना, जमा देना। savoury (सेवरि) = causing mouth to water, मुँह में पानी ला देने वाले ।

हिन्दी अनवाद- कभी-कभी विविध राजनीतिक दलों के लोग पहुँचते, एक स्टेज बनाते और अपने माइक पर जोर-जोर से भाषण देकर हमें कुछ करने के लिए फुसलाते। फिर कोई नुक्कड़ नाटक, या कठपुतली का खेल, या “कोई जादू नहीं, कोई चमत्कार नहीं” करतब प्रदर्शन होता। ये सब समय-समय पर होते थे। परन्तु लगभग निश्चित रूप से कोई न कोई मनोरंजक कार्य चलता रहता था ।

नहीं तो, बाजार में कॉफी क्लब तो थे: जिस तरह से प्रत्येक वेटर कॉफी ठण्डी करता था, एक गिलास को ऊपर उठा-उठाकर उसमें रखी चीज को अपने दूसरे हाथ में पकड़े हुए एक अन्य गिलास में उड़ेलते हुए। या फिर जिस तरह से लोग दुकानों के सामने प्याज काटते हुए बैठे रहते थे, उनकी आँखें दूसरी ओर होतीं ताकि उनमें टीस (चुभन) न हो। या फिर वहाँ उगा हुआ बादाम का पेड़ और उसका फल जो कभी-कभी हवा से गिर जाता था। ये सब दृश्य साथ मिलकर मेरी टाँगों को बाँध देते थे

(मेरे कदमों को रोक देते थे) और मुझे घर जाने से रोक देते थे। और फिर, मौसम के अनुसार आम, खीरा, गन्ना, शकरकन्द, ताड़ के अंकुर, चना, ताड़ का रस और ताड़ का फल, अमरूद और कटहल होते थे । प्रतिदिन मैं लोगों को मीठे और मुँह में पानी लाने वाले तले हुए स्नैक्स, पायसम (एक दक्षिण भारतीय व्यंजन), हलवा, उबले हुए इमली के बीज और बर्फ वाले लॉलीपॉप बेचते हुए देखती थी ।

Gazing at all this, one day, I came to my street, my bag slung over my shoulder. At the opposite corner, though, a threshing floor had been set up, and the landlord watched the proceedings, seated on a piece of sacking spread over a stone ledge. Our people were hard at work, driving cattle in pairs, round and round, to tread out the grain from the straw. The animals were muzzled so that they wouldn’t help themselves to the straw. I stood for a while there, watching the fun. Just then, an elder of our street came along from the direction of the bazaar. The manner in which he was walking along made me want to double up. I wanted to shriek with laughter at the sight of such a big man carrying a small packet in that fashion. I guessed there was something like vadai or green banana bhajji in the packet, because the wrapping paper was stained with oil. He came along, holding out the packet by its string, without touching it. I stood there thinking to myself, if he holds it like that, won’t the package come undone, and the vadais fall out? The elder went straight up to the landlord, bowed low and extended the packet towards him, cupping the hand that held the string with his other hand. The landlord opened the parcel and began to eat the vadais.

Word-Meanings : gazing (गेज़िंग)= looking, देखते हुए । slung (स्लंग)= suspended, लटका हुआ । threshing (थ्रेशिंग)= threshing the crop, फसल गाहना । ledge (लेज)= a narrow flat surface of rock, शिलातल, चबूतरा । tread out (ट्रेड आउट)= take out grain from the straw by crushing, कुचलकर भूसे से दाने बाहर निकालना । muzzled (मजल्ड) = with closed mouths, मुँह पर मोहरा लगाये हुए । double up (डबल अप)= share, भागी होना । stained (स्टेइण्ड) = having stains, धब्बे लगा हुआ । string (स्ट्रिंग) = डोरी । undone (अन्डन्) = open, खुल जाना । extended (एक्स्टेण्डिड) = spread out, बढ़ाया ।

हिन्दी अनुवाद- यह सब देखते हुए एक दिन मैं अपनी गली में आई, मेरा बैग मेरे कन्धे से लटका हुआ था। सामने वाले कोने में, हालांकि, फसल गाहने का एक स्थान बनाया गया था, और जमींदार क्रिया-कलाप को देख रहा था, वह एक पत्थर के चबूतरे (शिलातल) पर बिछाये हुए एक बोरी के टुकड़े पर बैठा हुआ था। हमारे लोग मेहनत से काम कर रहे थे, मवेशियों को जोड़ों में गोल-गोल चला रहे थे जिससे कि कुचलकर अनाज के दाने भूसे से निकाले जा सकें। जानवरों के (मुँह पर) मोहरे लगाये हुए थे जिससे कि वे भूसा न खा पायें। मैं इस मजे को देखती हुई कुछ देर वहाँ खड़ी रही ।

तभी हमारी गली का एक बड़ा (आयु में) व्यक्ति बाजार की ओर से आया। उसके चलने के ढंग ने मझे हँसी से दोहरा होने को बाध्य कर दिया । इतने बड़े आदमी को उस ढंग से एक छोटा-सा पैकेट लाते हुए देखकर हँसी से मेरी चीख निकलने को हुई। मैंने अनुमान लगाया कि उस पैकेट में वदाई (एक व्यंजन) या हरे केले की भाजी जैसी कोई चीज होगी, क्योंकि लपेटने वाले पेपर पर तेल के धब्बे थे । वह पैकेट को बिना छुए, उसकी डोरी से उसे पकड़े

हए आया। मैं अपने मन में यह सोचती हुई वहाँ खड़ी रही कि यदि वह उसे उस तरह पकड़ेगा तो पैकेट खुल जायेगा और वदाई बाहर गिर जायेंगी। वह बड़ा व्यक्ति सीधा जमींदार के पास गया, नीचे झुका और पैकेट उसकी ओर बढ़ा दिया, ऐसा करते समय उसने डोरी पकड़े हुए अपने हाथ को अपने दूसरे हाथ से जोड़ लिया। जमींदार ने पार्सल खोला और वदाई खाने लगा। |

After I had watched allthis, at last I went home.My elder brother was there.I told him the story in all itscomic detail. I fell about with laughter at the memory ofa big man, and an elder atthat, making such a gameout of carrying the parcel.But Annan was not amused.Annan told me the man wasn’t being funny when he carriedt he package like that. He saideverybody believed that they were upper caste and therefore mustnot touch us. If they did, they would be polluted. That’s why hehad to carry the package by its string.

When I heard this, I didn’t want to laugh any more, and I felt terribly sad. How could they believe that it was disgusting if one of us held that package in his hands, even though the vadai had been wrapped first in a banana leaf, and then parcelled in paper? I felt so provoked and angry that I wanted to touch those wretched vadais myself straight away. Why should we have to fetch and carry for these people, I wondered. Such an important elder of ours goes meekly to the shops to fetch snacks and hands them over reverently, bowing and shrinking, to this fellow who just sits there and stuffs them into his mouth. The thought of it infuriated me. How was it that these fellows thought so much of themselves? Because they had scraped four coins together, did that mean they must lose all human feelings? But we too are human beings. Our people should never run these petty errands for these fellows. We should work in their fields, take home our wages, and leave it at that.

Word-Meanings : comic (कॉमिक) = causing laughter, हास्यास्पद । amused (अम्यूज़्ड)= happy, प्रसन्न । polluted (पॉल्यूटिड) = get dirty, दूषित हो जाना । terribly (टेरिब्लि) = (here) too much, (यहाँ) अत्यधिक। disgusting (डिसगस्टिंग) = extremely unpleasant, घृणा योग्य । provoked (पॅवोक्ट) = incited, उत्तेजित, उकसाया हुआ । wretched (रेच्ट)= poor, unfortunate, अभागी । straightaway (स्ट्रेट्सवे) = direct, सीधे। fetch (फेच) = go and bring, जाकर लाना। meekly (मीक्लि ) = timidly, दब्बूपन से । hands over (हैण्ड्ज़ ओवर) (ph.v.) = entrusts, सौंप देता है |

reverently (रेवेरट्लि ) = with respect, सम्मान से। shrinking (प्रिंकिंग) = reducing in size, सिकुड़ते हुए I stuffs (स्टफ्स) = forces into his mouth, ढूँसता है। infuriated (इन्फ्यू रिएटिड) = made angry, गुस्सा दिला दिया । scraped (स्क्रप्ट) = (here) collected, (यहाँ) इकट्ठे कर लिये। petty (पेटि) = small, छोटे-मोटे | errands (इरेण्ड्ज़ ) = jobs, काम । wages (वेजिज़) = daily payment for work, दिहाड़ी (मजदूरी) । provoked (पॅवोक्ट) excited, उत्तेजित किया । wretched (रेच्ट)= unfortunate, अभागी ।

हिन्दी अनवाद- यह सब देखने के बाद, अन्ततः मैं घर गई। मेरा बड़ा भाई वहाँ था। मैंने पूरे हास्यास्पद वर्णन के साथ वह कहानी उसे सुनाई । उस बड़े आदमी, और वह भी एक बुजुर्ग, के इस ढंग से पार्सल को लाने को ऐसा खेल बना देने को याद करके मैं हँसते-हँसते लोट-पोट हो गई। लेकिन अन्ना (बड़े भाई) को इस सब वर्णन में हँसने की कोई बात नजर नहीं आई । अन्ना ने मुझे बताया कि जब वह आदमी उस पैकेट को उस तरह लाया तो वह कोई हँसने की बात नहीं कर रहा था ।

उन्होंने बताया कि सब लोग ऐसा मानते हैं कि वे ऊँची जाति के हैं और इसलिए उन्हें हमें नहीं छूना चाहिए । यदि वे हमें छुएंगे तो वे (ऊँची जाति के लोग) दूषित हो जायेंगे । इसलिए उसे उस पैकेट को उसकी डोरी से लटका कर लाना पड़ा । जब मैंने यह सुना तो मेरी और हँसने की इच्छा नहीं हुई, और मुझे अत्यधिक दुःख हुआ।

वे ऐसा कैसे मान सकते थे कि यदि हममें से कोई उस पैकेट को अपने हाथों से पकड़ ले तो यह घृणा योग्य बात है, भले ही वदाई (एक व्यंजन) पहले केले के पत्ते में लिपटी हों, और फिर पेपर में पैक हों? मैंने इतना उत्तेजित व क्रोधित महसूस किया कि मेरी सीधे जाकर स्वयं उन अभागी वदाई को छूने की इच्छा हुई।

मैंने सोचा कि हम इन लोगों के लिए (चीजें) क्यों लायें व ले जायें। हमारा एक इतना महत्त्वपूर्ण बड़ा व्यक्ति स्नैक्स लेने के लिए दब्बूपन से दुकानों पर जाता है और झुकते हुए व सिकुड़ते हुए सम्मान से उन्हें सौंप देता है, उस व्यक्ति को जो बस वहाँ बैठा-बैठा उन्हें अपने मुँह में ठूस लेता है। इस बात के विचार ने मुझे गुस्सा दिला दिया ।

ऐसा कैसे हुआ कि ये लोग स्वयं को इतना बड़ा समझने लगे ? क्योंकि उन्होंने चार सिक्के इकट्ठे कर लिये, क्या इसका यह मतलब हुआ कि वे सारी मानवीय भावनाएँ समाप्त कर दें ? लेकिन हम भी इन्सान हैं । हमारे लोगों को इन लोगों के लिए कभी ये छोटे-मोटे काम नहीं करने चाहिए । हम इनके खेतों में काम करें, अपनी दिहाड़ी (मजदूरी) लेकर घर जायें और बात को वहीं समाप्त कर दें ।।

My elder brother, who was studying at a university, had come home for the holidays. He would often go to the library in our neighbouring village in order to borrow books. He was on his way home one day, walking along the banks of the irrigation tank. One of the landlord’s men came up behind him. He thought my Annan looked unfamiliar, and so he asked, “Who are you, appa, what’s your name?” Annan told him his name. Immediately the other man asked, “Thambi, on which street do you live?” The point of this was that if he knew on which street we lived, he would know our caste too. Annan told me all these things. And he added, “Because we are born into this community, we are never given any honour or dignity or respect; we are stripped of all that. But if we study and make progress, we can throw away these indignities. So study with care, learn all you can. If you are always ahead in your lessons, people will come to you of their own accord and attach themselves to you. Work hard and learn.” The words that Annan spoke to me that day made a very deep impression on me. And I studied hard, with all my breath and being, in a frenzy almost. As Annan had urged, I stood first in my class. And because of that, many people became my friends.

Word-Meanings : irrigation tank (इरिगेशन टैंक) = pond for watering fields, सिंचाई करने का तालाब। unfamiliar (अन्फ़मिल्यर) = unknown, अनजान, अपरिचित। point (पॉइण्ट) = object, उद्देश्य। community (कम्युनिटि) = a group, समुदाय। dignity (डिग्निटि)= honour, सम्मान | stripped of (स्ट्रिप्ट ऑव)= deprived of, से वंचित कर दिया जाना | own accord (ओन अकॉ:ड) = of their own, अपने आप । with all my breath and being (idiom) = with keen interest and hard work, जी-जान से। frenzy (फ्रेन्जि)= madness, पागलपन, जुनून । urged (अज्ड) = impelled, प्रेरित किया ।

हिन्दी अनवाद- मेरे बड़े भाई जो कि एक विश्वविद्यालय में पढ़ रहे थे, छुट्टियों में घर आये हुए थे । वह अक्सर हमारे पड़ोस के गाँव के पुस्तकालय में पुस्तकें उधार लेने जाते थे । एक दिन वह सिंचाई करने के तालाब के किनारे-किनारे चलते हुए घर वापिस लौट रहे थे । जमींदार का एक आदमी उनके पीछे-पीछे आया ।

उसे मेरे अन्ना अपरिचित लगे, और इसलिए उसने पूछा, “अप्पा, तुम कौन हो, तुम्हारा नाम क्या है ?” अन्ना ने उसे अपना नाम बता दिया । उस दूसरे आदमी ने तुरन्त पूछा, “थम्बी, तुम किस गली में रहते हो ?” यह पूछने का उद्देश्य था कि यदि उसे पता चल जायेगा कि हम किस गली में रहते हैं तो उसे हमारी जाति भी पता चल जायेगी ।

अन्ना ने मुझे ये सब बातें बताईं। और उन्होंने आगे कहा, “क्योंकि हम इस समुदाय में पैदा हुए हैं, इसलिए हमें कभी किसी प्रकार का सम्मान नहीं दिया जाता है। हमें इस सब से वंचित कर दिया जाता है। लेकिन यदि हम पढ़ लिखकर उन्नति कर लें तो हम इन अपमानों को दूर फेंक सकते हैं।

इसलिए ध्यान से पढ़ाई करो; जो कुछ तुम सीख सकती हो, वह सब सीखो। यदि तुम अपनी पढ़ाई में हमेशा आगे रहोगी तो लोग अपने आप तुम्हारे पास आयेंगे और तुमसे अपना सम्बन्ध जोड़ेंगे। मेहनत करो और सीखो।” अन्ना ने उस दिन मुझसे जो शब्द कहे, उन्होंने मुझ पर एक बहुत गहरा प्रभाव छोड़ा। और मैंने मेहनत से, जी जान लगाकर, लगभग एक जुनून (एक पागलपन) से पढ़ाई की। जैसा कि अन्ना ने प्रेरित किया था, मैं अपनी कक्षा में प्रथम आई । और उसके कारण बहुत-से लोग मेरे मित्र बन गये ।

Questions from the Chapter in 2025 Board Exams

Q1. ‘I will struggle first.’ I answered. What emotion and trait of Zit-ka-la- sa is revealed in her response? (40-50 words)
Ans. Zitkala’s statement shows her determination and courage. She will not accept any atrocity meekly, rather she will retaliate.

Q2. Bama and Zit-Ka-la-Sa have proven that education is the antidote to all social evils.
Analyse their characters in terms of their struggles and their will to win. (120-150 words)
OR
Compare the characters of Zit-ka-la-sa and Bama in terms of their struggle, pain, determination, and success. (120-150 words)
Ans. Zitkala is a victim of racial discrimination while Bama is a victim of social discrimination. Both the writers face shame, victimization and subjugation. They understand that education is the only weapon that can help them overcome these evils. Both of them fought against oppression through their writings. Bama was guided by her elder brother Annan that if she wanted respect and dignity which they were stripped of, she must study and progress. Their stories inspire individuals to improve themselves and shine to gain dignity.

Questions which had come in 2024 Board Exam

Q1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :

I did not open my mouth to answer. Then the steps were quickened and the voices became excited. The sounds came nearer and nearer. Women and girls entered the room. I held my breath and watched them open closet doors and peep behind large trunks. Someone threw up the curtains, and the room was filled with sudden light. What caused them to stoop and look under the bed. I do not know. I remember being dragged out, though I resisted by kicking and scratching wildly. In spite of myself, I was carried downstairs and tied fast in a chair. (Memories of Childhood)

(i) Select the appropriate option :

………..sounds came nearer and nearer…………….

(A) describes the increase in volume.

(B) adds suspense and anxiety to readers.

(D) is a factual narrative.

Ans. (B) adds suspense and anxiety to readers.

(ii) Complete the following sentence :

‘Inspite of myself’ suggests that the speaker was _________.

Ans. ‘Inspite of myself’ suggests that the speaker was resisting.

(iii) What do you infer from the first line of the extract?

(A) It was her first day in school.

(B) She did not want to get caught.

(D) She preferred to be by herself.

Ans. (B) She did not want to get caught.

(iv) State whether the statement given below is True or False :

The speaker hoodwinked the people looking for her.

Ans. False

Q2. Zitkala-Sa says, “Eating by formula wasn’t the hardest trial in that first day.” What does she mean by ‘Eating by formula’? [40-50 Words]

Ans. ‘Eating by formula’ refers to the strict and unfamiliar eating routines imposed at the boarding school. Zitkala-Sa found it difficult to adapt to these new rules, which were part of the broader challenge of adjusting to a new and oppressive environment.

Q3. “Then I lost my spirit.” What are the incidents that led Zitkala-Sa to feel this way? [40-50 Words]

Ans. Zitkala-Sa felt she lost her spirit due to the traumatic experiences she faced at the boarding school. She was forced to conform to the white man’s ways, including cutting her hair and adopting unfamiliar customs, which led to a deep sense of alienation and loss of her cultural identity.

Q4. “I had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet” and now my long hair was shingled like a coward’s…”

What inference about the life of Zitkala-Sa can be drawn from the above statement? [40-50 Words]

Ans. We can infer that she was treated as an object. Zitkala-Sa was a young girl and away from her family. She couldn’t help herself when she was overpowered by the school authorities who cut her hair although in her community, cut hair indicated a coward.

Q5. Justify the statement, ‘It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted but the seeds of rebellion are sowed early in life. [120-150 Words]

Ans. The statement reflects the notion that while the struggle against oppression might seem prolonged and challenging, the foundation for resistance is often laid early in life. This is evident in various historical and literary contexts where early experiences of injustice and inequality foster a sense of awareness and desire for change. In “Memories of Childhood,” Zitkala-Sa’s early experiences with cultural suppression plant the seeds of her rebellion against the imposed norms. Similarly, in other contexts, childhood experiences of inequality and resistance shape individuals’ later actions and attitudes towards oppression. The formative experiences of injustice and the initial stirrings of rebellion during youth provide the critical momentum necessary for a more significant and prolonged resistance against systemic oppression in adulthood.

Q6. In the two stories of Bama and Zitkala-Sa in the lesson of “Memories of Childhood” there are certain similarities of strength in the face of social challenges. Write a diary entry sharing your observations. [120-150 Words]

Ans. Diary Entry:

29th July 2024

Dear Diary,

Today, I reflected on the stories of Bama and Zitkala-Sa from “Memories of Childhood,” and I was struck by their remarkable strength in confronting social challenges. Both faced severe discrimination—Bama due to her caste and Zitkala-Sa due to her ethnicity. Despite their young ages, they exhibited resilience and a deep sense of justice. Bama channelled her anger and frustration into academic excellence, using education as a tool to fight oppression. Zitkala-Sa, on the other hand, resisted the cultural erasure imposed by her boarding school, holding steadfast to her identity and heritage. Their stories highlight the power of inner strength and the importance of self respect in the face of adversity. It’s inspiring to see how both girls, though from different backgrounds, shared a common determination to overcome the injustices they faced and to carve out their own paths. These narratives remind me of the importance of standing up against discrimination and valuing one’s cultural identity.

Goodnight, Diary.

XYZ

Questions from the Chapter in 2023 Board Exams

Q1. What did Judewin tell the narrator? What was the effect? [40-50 Words]

Ans. Judewin told Zitkala-Sa, the narrator, that she overheard a white woman suggesting that Zitkala’s long hair will be cut. The narrator, Zitkala-Sa, became scared and apprehensive about her fate as a result of Judewin’s warning. She was especially concerned about having her hair chopped, which was an important part of her identity.

Q2. How did Zitkala-Sa try to save her long hair? [40-50 Words]

Ans. When Zitkala-Sa heard that her hair was going to be cut, she ran away to a big room with three white beds and curtains. She got under a bed and hid in a dark spot. Even though she was called, she wouldn’t come out. Even though Zitkala-Sa cried and tried to stop her mother and the other women from cutting her hair, they did it anyway.

Q3. What warning did Judewin give to Zitkala-Sa? [40-50 Words]

Ans. Judewin knew a few words of English and had overheard the paleface woman talk about cutting their long, heavy hair. Judewin shared this warning with Zitkala-Sa because in their custom, only unskilled warriors who had been captured, mourners and cowards wore shingled hair.

Q4. What does Zitkala-Sa mean by “eating by formula”? [40-50 Words]

Ans. By ‘eating by formula,’ Zitkala-Sa refers to the rigid and mechanical way in which she was forced to eat at the boarding school. The prescribed rules and lack of freedom in their daily routines made the act of eating feel unnatural and devoid of any personal choice or cultural significance.

Q5. Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa were from marginalised communities. They challenged the system to bring dignity into their lives. Justify. [120-150 Words]

Ans. Due to their backgrounds in underprivileged communities, Zitkala-Sa and Bama experienced social discrimination. As a Native American, Zitkala-Sa experienced humiliation and thought her independence had been taken from her. She had been ogled, tossed around like a puppet, had her blanket and moccasins removed from her, had to wear form-fitting clothing, and had ultimately had her hair sheared. Bama, a member of a Dalit community, experienced similar pain upon witnessing the humiliation they had to go through.

They each experienced many obstacles, yet they never gave up on their aspirations. Instead, they worked tirelessly to attain their objectives and make a positive impact on the world. As a result, they became role models who demonstrated that even those from marginalised communities could overcome adversity and achieve success. Their childhood experiences demonstrate the importance of having self-esteem and standing up for what we believe in, even in the face of adversity and opposition.

Questions from the Chapter in 2020 Board Exams

Q1. “I felt like sinking to the floor”, said Zitkala-Sa. When did she feel so and why? [30-40 words]

Ans. Zitkala’s blanket had been stripped off her shoulders which made her feel like sinking to the floor. This happened on the first day of school.

Q2. ‘‘I felt like sinking to the floor’. Why did Zitkala-Sa say so? [30-40 words]

Ans. Zitkala-Sa spent her first day at school, and she “felt like sinking to the floor.” She was marching into the dining room in a line with the other students. Her sleek and silky moccasins made no noise as she walked. She noticed she was dressed differently after a while, since the blanket had been withdrawn from her shoulders. She was in a foul mood.

Q3. How did Zitkala – Sa feel when her hair was shingled? [30-40 words]

Ans. She cried aloud, shook her head to avoid her hair from being cut. When her hair was cut, she lost all her spirit. She felt like a coward and cried for her mother. She felt like she was an animal being driven by a herder.

Q4. Why did the landlord’s man ask Bama’s brother on which street he lived? [30-40 words]

Ans. The landlord’s man wanted to determine Bama’s brother’s caste. So, when he would know his address, he could identify the caste because people of certain castes lived in certain localities.

Q5. Describe the scene at the threshing floor observed by Bama on her way back from school. [30-40 words]

Ans. Bama observed an elder man of her community was carrying a packet of vadai from the string. He bowed to a landlord and handed the packet to him. The landlord opened the pack and started eating the vadais.

Q6. When did Bama first come to know of the social discrimination faced by the people of her community? [30-40 words]

Ans. Bama was in the third standard when she came to know about untouchability and the social discrimination faced by the people of her community.

Q7. What objects/activities in the marketplace attracted Bama on her way back from school? [30-40 words]

Ans. On the way back, she would see the performing monkey, snake, the cyclist, the huge bell at the Mariyata temple, the pongal offerings being cooked outside the temple, the dired fish stall by Gandhiji’s statue, the sweet stall, the stall of fried snacks, etc.

2019 Exam Question and Answers from the Chapter

Q1. Why did Zitkala-Sa oppose tooth and nail the shingling of her long hair? [30 – 40 words]

Ans. Zitkala-Sa opposed tooth and nail the shingling of her long hair because she remembered her mother’s words. Her mother told her that shingling of the hair was done to the prisoners of the war. In their culture, only mourners and cowards kept short hair.

Q2. Why did Zitkala-Sa resist the shingling of her hair? [30 – 40 words]

Ans. Zitkala-Sa had learned from her mother that hair shingling was done only to unskilled captured warriors by the enemy. In her family, short hair was considered to be a sign of mourning and cowardice.

Q3. What light does Zitkala-Sa’s resistance to the shingling of her hair throw on her character? [30 – 40 words]

Ans. This shows her confidence and courage. Zitkala-sa was not a coward and would not accept things lying down.

Q4. What frantic efforts did Zitkala-Sa make to save her hair from being cut? [30 – 40 words]

Ans. She had been taught by her mother that cowards and unskilled warriors caught by the enemy got their hair cut. Thus, cut hair was a symbol of cowardice and thus, she rebelled. She his in a dark corner under the bed. When dragged out, she resisted by kicking and scratching. She cried and shook her head while her hair was being cut.

Q5. Why did Zitkala-Sa resist the cutting of her hair? [30 – 40 words]

Ans. Zitkala-Sa resisted the cutting of her hair because her mother had taught her that only unskilled warriors who were captured had their hair shingled by the enemy. Among their people, short hair was worn by mourners and shingled hair by cowards.

Q6. “Since the day I was taken from my mother I had suffered extreme indignities.” Elaborate with the help of the account written by Zitkala-Sa in ‘Memories of Childhood’. [120 – 150 words]

Ans. Zitkala-Sa was taken from her family and forcibly shifted to a residential school. At the dining room she saw other Indian girls wearing stiff shoes and closely clinging dresses. While eating by formula was already overwhelming for little Zitkala, her hardest trial came later on when her friend Judewin, who knew some English words, told her that their long, heavy hair was to be shingled. Her mother had told her that only the unskilled warriors who were captured by the enemy tribe or the mourners had their hair shingled. To Zitkala, this was unacceptable. But when she tried to hide from the authorities and was later found out, she was dragged out by her hair and despite the resistance her hair, the symbol of her free spirit, was gnawed off. Ever since she was taken from her mother, the little girl was stared at, tossed around like a puppet and now her long hair was shingled like a coward.

Q7. Both Hama and Zitkala-Sa face difficult situations in their lives. Describe how they face these situations. [120 – 150 words]

Ans. Bama’s experience is based on the evil ridden caste-system in India. Where the poor are exploited and the low caste people are forced to face the racial discriminations by the hands of the upper class people. The girl is deeply shocked, troubled, tensed and provoked on seeing untouchability by the people of high caste. The people of low caste bow and work for their masters. They have to carry a food packet by the thread without touching it. Her brother Annan inspires and advises her to work hard to attain quality. She acts upon his advice and people start coming to her of their own accord.

The old woman Zitkala. So faces humiliation and discrimination through the writes since they force her to follow their own culture, tradition and rituals, etc. She is overpowered to single out her hair. She severely resists and wants to maintain the dignify of her community but she is made a little animal driven by a harder. This is a very shameless act of racial discrimination, untouchability and oppression of marginalised communities. They fight and raise their voice against this social evil and get triumph.

Memories of childhood Part 2 – We Too Are Human Beings

Questions from the Chapter in 2025 Board Exams

Q1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions:

When I heard this, I didn’t want to laugh any more, and I felt terribly sad. How could they believe that it was disgusting if one of us held that package in his hands, even though the Vadai had been wrapped first in a banana leaf, and then parcelled in paper? I felt so provoked and angry that I wanted to touch those wretched Vadais myself straight away. Why should we have to fetch and carry for these people. I wondered. Such an important elder of ours goes meekly to the shops to fetch snacks and hands over reverently, bowing and shrinking, to this fellow who just sits there and stuffs them into his mouth. The thought of it infuriated me.

(i) ‘I felt terribly sad’. The reason for the speaker’s sadness is because it was an act of _________.

Ans. untouchability

(ii) Choose the correct option:
‘The thought of it infuriated me’ with reference to the above line, what do you think is the impact of the incident on the speaker?

(A) The speaker was sympathetic and helpless.

(B) The speaker was angry and condemning.

(D) The speaker was very impressed and motivated.

Ans. (B) The speaker was angry and condemning.

(iii) Complete the sentence suitably:
‘I wanted to touch those wretched Vadais myself”
The above expression indicates the speaker’s _________.

Ans. anger

(iv) Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the blank :
The incident made the speaker realize that the discrimination was ___________. (dehumanizing/elevating)

Ans. dehumanizing

Q2. How was Annan instrumental in Bama achieving success in life? (40-50 words)

Ans. When Bama was disheartened to know that they were subjected to social discrimination because they were born in a ‘low’ caste, she sought help from her elder brother. Annan told Bama that their people had been subjugated and prejudiced. He directed her that if she wanted respect and dignity, she should educate herself. That way she would get respect in the society.

Q3. Bama and Zit-Ka-la-Sa have proven that education is the antidote to all social evils.
Analyse their characters in terms of their struggles and their will to win. (120-150 words)

Compare the characters of Zit-ka-la-sa and Bama in terms of their struggle, pain, determination, and success. (120-150 words)

Ans. Zitkala is a victim of racial discrimination while Bama is a victim of social discrimination. Both the writers face shame, victimization and subjugation. They understand that education is the only weapon that can help them overcome these evils. Both of them fought against oppression through their writings. Bama was guided by her elder brother Annan that if she wanted respect and dignity which they were stripped of, she must study and progress. Their stories inspire individuals to improve themselves and shine to gain dignity.

Questions which came in 2024 Board Exam

Q1. ‘The words that Annan spoke to me that day made a deep impression on me’.

What inference do you draw about the bond between Annan and Bama? [40-50 Words]

Ans. The bond between Annan and Bama is strong and influential. Annan’s words have a profound impact on Bama, suggesting that she deeply respects and values his guidance and wisdom.

Q2. “The words that Annan spoke to me that day made a deep impression on me.” How was Annan able to inspire Bama? [40-50 Words]

Ans. Annan told Bama that they were born into a low caste and so, they were humiliated by the upper caste people. The only way to overcome this challenge was education. He guided Bama to study with care and learn all that she could. These words made a deep impact on Bama.

Q3. In the two stories of Bama and Zitkala-Sa in the lesson of “Memories of Childhood” there are certain similarities of strength in the face of social challenges. Write a diary entry sharing your observations. [120-150 Words]

Ans. Diary Entry:

29th July 2024

Dear Diary,

Goodnight, Diary.

XYZ

Questions from the Chapter in 2023 Board Exams

Q1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

When I was studying in the third class, I hadn’t yet heard people speak openly of untouchability. But I had already seen, felt, experienced and been humiliated by what it is.

I was walking home from school one day, an old bag hanging from my shoulder. It was actually possible to walk the distance in ten minutes. But usually it would take me from half an hour to an hour to dawdle along watching all the fun and games that were going on, all the entertaining novelties and oddities in the streets, the shops and the bazaar.

(i) The narrator was humiliated because

Ans. The narrator was humiliated because they were teased, called names, and physically assaulted by a group of children from a higher caste while walking home from school. The humiliation was due to their lower caste status, which was stigmatized in the society.

(ii) The narrator ‘dawdled along’ as she _____.

(a) enjoyed looking at the various sights

(b) was getting late for school

(d) she enjoyed haggling and shopping

Ans. (a) enjoyed looking at the various sights

(iii) On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below :

(I) The distance from school to home was very short.

(II) She was feeling upset and so dawdling her way home.

(a) (I) can be inferred from the extract but (II) cannot

(b) (II) can be inferred from the extract but (I) cannot

(d) Both (I) and (II) can be inferred from the extract

Ans. (c) Both (I) and (II) cannot be inferred from the extract

(iv) The word ‘novelties’ in the passage most nearly means

(a) colourful trinkets

(b) wooden toys

(d) expensive souvenirs

Ans. (c) unique and interesting items

Q2. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

“Because we are born into this community, we are never given any honour or dignity or respect; we are stripped of all that. But if we study and make progress, we can throw away these indignities. So study with care, learn all you can. If you are always ahead in your lessons, people will come to you of their own accord and attach themselves to you. Work hard and learn.”

(i) Who is the speaker? Who is he speaking to?

(a) Appa; Bama

(b) Bama; Amma

(d) Annan; Bama

Ans. (d) Annan; Bama

(ii) Select the option that best describes the speaker in the above extract :

marginalized
practical

III. idealistic

curious
aggressive

Select the most appropriate option :

(a) I and II

(b) III and IV

(d) IV and V

Ans. (a) I and II

(iii) Complete the following statement with reference to the community :

The treatment meted out to the community was _____________.

Ans. devoid of honour, dignity or respect.

(iv) Which of the following summarizes the author’s opinion about study?

(a) Childhood should be spent in experiential learning.

(b) Studying is better than playing.

(d) Studying leads to social reforms and progress.

Ans. (d) Studying leads to social reforms and progress.

Q3. Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa were from marginalised communities. They challenged the system to bring dignity into their lives. Justify. [120-150 Words]

2019 Exam Question and Answers from the Chapter

Q1. How did Annan’s advice to his sister Bama impact her? [30 – 40 words]

Ans. The bond between Annan and Bama is strong and influential. Annan’s words have a profound impact on Bama, suggesting that she deeply respects and values his guidance and wisdom.

Q2. Why did Bama stroll in the market place instead of hurrying back home? Describe the sights she enjoyed seeing there. [120 – 150 words]

Ans. Bama stopped at the market place because she was surprised and excited to watch all the fun and games that were going on, different exhibitions, entertaining novelties and oddities in the streets, the shops and the bazaar. She took thirty minutes walking home from her school when she could have covered the distance in just ten minutes. The performance by the monkey and the snake charmer; the cyclist who had not got off his bike for three days, and who kept pedaling as hard as he could from break day; the rupee notes that were pinned on to his shirt to spur him on; the spinning wheels; the Maariyaata temple, the huge bell hanging there; the Pongal offerings being cooked in front of the temple; the dried fish stall by the statue of Gandhi; the sweet stall, the stall selling fried snacks, and all the other shops next to each other; the changing colour of street lights from blue to violet, clay beads, instruments for cleaning ears-all these things attracted her and kept her standing still for long.

Read Also,

Word-Meanings And Hindi Translation of Memories of Childhood

(I) The Cutting of My Long Hair …… Zitkala-Sa.

II. We Too are Human Beings ………… Bama

Questions from the Chapter in 2025 Board Exams

Questions which had come in 2024 Board Exam

Questions from the Chapter in 2023 Board Exams

Questions from the Chapter in 2020 Board Exams

2019 Exam Question and Answers from the Chapter

Memories of childhood Part 2 – We Too Are Human Beings

Questions from the Chapter in 2025 Board Exams

Questions which came in 2024 Board Exam

Questions from the Chapter in 2023 Board Exams

2019 Exam Question and Answers from the Chapter

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