Class 11 English Ranga's Marriage by Masti Venkatesha Iyengar । SEBA Question Answer HS 1st Year
Textual Questions' Answers:
1. Comment on the influence of English— the language and the way of life— on Indian life as reflected in the story. What is the narrator’s attitude to English?
Ans:- The narrator doesn't seem to be satisfied with the growing influence of the English language and English way of life on the village people. During holidays, people talking in English are seen everywhere on the streets. What the narrator finds most unacceptable, is the use of English words while talking in Kannada. He cites the example of Rama Rao's son using the word "change" in conversation with a woman who has sold a bundle of firewood to him. Rama Rao’s son asks the woman how much he will have to pay. When she says“Four pice”, the boy tells her that he does not have any “change” and asks her to come the next day. The woman fails to understand the English word “change” and goes away muttering to herself. Thus, some people used English where it was not necessary.
The influence of English way of life is seen in Ranga's attitude to marriage. Like them he wants to marry a mature girl who is able to understand him. He is against the system of arranged marriages. Again, Ranga's act of naming his child after a favourite person is also an English custom.The narrator criticizes this practice through humour.
2. Astrologers’ perceptions are based more on hearsay and conjecture than what they learn from the study of the stars. Comment with reference to the story.
Ans:- Astrologers, the backbone of the system of arranged marriages are presented in the story as persons lacking in wisdom and honesty. The narrator makes an arrangement with an astrologer to realise his plan of getting Ranga married to Ratna. He tutors him in all that he wants him to say. Both the narrator and Ranga visit the astrologer together. The astrologer takes out a paraphernalia of two sheets of paper, some cowries and a book of palmyra leaves. Then he initiates the process of calculations moving his lips and counting on his fingers. After sometime he comes to a conclusion that Ranga is busy with the thoughts of a girl whose name is related to something found in the ocean. The Shastri gives him an assurance that their negotiations will surely bear fruit. Ranga is awestruck by the science of astrology. That evening the narrator congratulates Shastri for repeating everything he taught without giving rise to any suspicion. He criticizes astrology calling it "a marvellous shastra". This hurts the sentiments of the Shastri because he thinks he could have made those predictions without his help. This shows that astrologers’ perceptions are based more on hearsay and conjecture them what they learn from the study of the stars.
3. Indian society has moved a long way from the way the marriage is arranged in the story. Discuss.
Ans:- Marriages in India were primarily arranged marriages in the past. The story ‘Ranga’s Marriage’ shows how an educated youth unwilling to marry early according to conventional system, ultimately lets himself be guided by the narrator and an astrologer. Certain changes in the marriage system have been brought about by women education and empowerment. People have begun to realise that a girl or a woman should not be a prisoner within the four walls of a house. Women have become aware of their rights and duties after getting access to jobs. A girl is now considered as a partner in marriage for her worth or qualities rather than dowry. Now-a-days, parents have also become supportive and liberal in allowing their sons and daughters to choose life-partners. Child marriage has been abolished and a minimum age for marriage has become legally binding. Marriage is now a matter of choice, freedom, emotional and physical maturity. So, it is clear that Indian society has certainly moved a long way from the way marriage is arranged in the story.
4. What kind of a person do you think the narrator is?
Ans:- The narrator, Shyama, is an elderly gentleman, dark in colour or ‘a dark piece of oil-cake’ in his own words. There is hardly anything in people and manners, that escapes his keen observation.He takes a keen interest in the conversation on the streets, mainly because of the influence of the English language.He seems to be a nationalist who is not happy with the way English words have started polluting the Kannada language. He finds it difficult to accept the English custom of love marriage or naming a baby after a person of choice. However he is a person very good at heart. He is exceptionally good at studying human behaviour and the strengths and weaknesses of people. This is evident in his relationship with Ranga, Ratna and the Shastri. It is really amazing to see how skillfully he has managed to bring Ranga and Ratna closer to each other before arranging the marriage. However he arranges the marriage only when he comes to know that Ranga is really interested in Ratna.
The narrator's ability to make readers laugh at will, speaks volumes of his sense of humour and fun. His use of similes and metaphors makes the description vivid and lively.
Extra Questions and Answers.
1. What does the narrator say about Hosahalli?
Ans:- The narrator says that there is no mention of his village "Hosahalli" in geography books written by the sahibs in England or Indian writers. No cartographer has put it on the map. The narrator compares it to the filling of the karigadubu—a festival meal.
2. What are the two special produce of Hosahalli and in what respect?
Ans:- First is the raw mango. The sourness of its bite is sure to get straight to the brahmarandhra, i.e. the soft part in child’s head where skull bones join later. Second specialty is a creeper growing in the water of the village pond. Its flowers are a feast to behold. One can serve the afternoon meal to the whole family on its two leaves.
3. What happened when Ranga returned to his village from the city of Bangalore?
Ans:- When Ranga returned to his village from the city of Bangalore, a crowd of people gathered around his house to see whether he had changed or not. People were quite excited because it was an extraordinary event in those days, to study in a city. Everyone was surprised to see that Ranga was the same as he had been six months ago, when he had first left the village.
4. How did the old lady satisfy herself about Ranga?
Ans:- The old lady ran her hand over Ranga’s chest to enquire if the sacred thread was safe at its place. She looked into his eyes. She was satisfied when she knew that he had not lost his caste.
5. “What has happened is disgraceful, believe me” says the narrator. What does he refer to? How does he illustrate his point of view?
Ans:- The narrator refers to the young persons' practice of talking in English or bringing in English words while talking in Kannada. This process of polluting a language with words from another language is ‘disgraceful’. He illustrates his point of view by giving the example of Rama Rao's son who used the word "change" in a conversation with an illiterate woman selling firewood. The woman was unable to understand the meaning of the word and went away muttering to herself.
6. Why does the narrator refer to the Black Hole of Calcutta?
Ans:- During the British rule, the Black hole of Calcutta was a small room where many people were held captive. Most of the people died due to suffocation. The narrator uses the expression ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’ to refer to the huge gathering of people who came to see Ranga.
7. What steps did the narrator take to get Ranga married to Ratna?
Ans:- The narrator was in good rapport with Rama Rao’s family. He knew that his niece Ratna would be a suitable bride for Ranga. After making some calculations, he devised a plan to bring Ranga and Ratna nearer to each other. He created a situation which allowed Ranga to have a glimpse of her while she was singing a melodious song. Everything proceeded according to his expectations. Ratna felt shy at the sudden arrival of a stranger and Ranga began to take interest in her. The writer, however, did not stop at bringing them together. He also made sure that Ranga had genuine interest in Ratna. Thereafter, the narrator tutored an astrologer and took Ranga to him. The interaction with the astrologer made Ranga confess his love for Ratna.
While returning from the Shastri’s house, they saw Ratna standing alone in her uncle’s house. The narrator stopped to meet her and came back with the news that Ratna was not married. The marriage was settled after making sure that Ranga was committed in his desire to marry her.
Ranga's Marriage- Important Questions' Answers:-
1. What is Rangas views about marriage at the beginning of the story?
(OR) What are Ranga's views on marriage? HS-2017 Marks-2
(OR) What did Ranga think about marriage? HS-2016
Ans:- Ranga believes that he has to find a proper girl. The boy and girl have to be both physically and mentally fit for the marriage. He wishes to marry a girl whom he admires.
2. How did the villagers welcome Ranga? HS-2011 Marks-2/3
Ans:- The villagers welcomed Ranga with curiosity to see whether he had change or not. At that time it was not possible for everybody to send to their son to city.
3. Why was the narrator distressed knowing Ranga's views about his marriage? HS-2012 Marks-2/3
Ans:-The narrator came to know about Ranga's views about his marriage only when he visited to narrator's house with the gift of a couple of oranges. He was distressed knowing that Ranga had no plan to get married in near future. To him, Both the boy and girl have to be both physically and mentally fit for the marriage.
4. Was Ratna a victim of the arranged marriage system? HS-2015 Marks-2
Ans:- Yes, Ratna was a victim of the arranged marriage system. Her marriage had been fixed without taking her consents and wishes. The narrator tried to convinced Ratna to marry Ranga without thinking. She could not know Ranga properly because she was too young.
5. How did Ranga and Ratna react when they saw each other? HS-2016, 2018 Marks-2
Ans:- Ranga first saw Ratna when she was singing in the narrator's house. He was impressed by Ratna's singing. But she stopped because she felt shy. She felt shocking when Ranga entered and suddenly ran inside.
6. Describe the quality of the mangoes of Hosahali village. HS-2015 Marks-2
Ans:- The mangoes of Hosahali village are said to be very good looking one but sour enough to cause a migraine and a cough. One can only take a bite to realize the sourness of mango that goes straight to brahmanandhra.
7. English integrates India as a nation or it belittles the expression of native speakers, Elucidate with examples from the lessons 'Ranga's marriage.' HS 2015
(OR) 'English integrates India as a nation.' Discuss with examples from the story ‘Ranga's Marriage'. HS-2017 Marks-6
(OR) Comment on the influence of English, the language and the way of life- On Indian society as reflected in Iyengar's story “Ranga's Marriage'. HS-2016, 2018 Marks-6
Ans:- The story 'Ranga's Marriage' dates back to the time of British Rule in India. In those days, village people hardly knew English. For example Rama Rao's son bought a bundle of firewood and he told a woman that he did not have any 'change'. But the woman did not understand the word 'change' and went way. They did not even like to use any English words in their everyday talking. The village accountant was the first one who had courage to send his son Ranga to Bangalore for study. It was a bold decision. But the village people thought that one who received education in English lost his caste and culture. But Ranga seemed to be an exception. The author's attitude towards English was positive and considered English to be a 'priceless commodity'.
8. What was the narrator's plan to get Ranga married? What did Ranga think about marriage? HS-2011 Marks-6
Ans:- The narrator decided to himself to get Ranga married. He found Ratna, an orphaned niece of one of his friend as a suitable bridegroom for Ranga. She possessed the quality of a wife what Ranga sought. According to the narrator both Ranga and Ratna were made for each other. He arranged the meeting so that Ranga could get impressed by her virtues with the help of singing. He called Ratna to his house and asked her to sing a song and sent Ranga while singing. Ranga was impressed by her singing. It was seen that Ranga seemed to be interested in Ratna.
Then the narrator persuaded Ranga accompanying him to Shastri where he already instructed the Shastri to ascertain Ranga's marriage. Shastri informed that a girl was the matter of Ranga's trouble. on being requested to anticipate the name of the girl Shastri told that he told that she could be named after something found in the ocean. When narrator advocated Ratna, Shastri gaged that those proposals might be a fruitful to you. In this way the narrator got successful in bringing them together and got them married.
Ranga believed that he had to find a proper girl. The boy and girl had
to be both physically and mentally fit for the marriage. He wished to
marry a girl whom he admired.
9. Narrate the events leading to Ranga's marriage. HS-2019 Marks-6
Ans:-
1. The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh
2. Landscape of the soul
3. The Ailing Planet
4. My impression of Assam
Poem
5. A Photograph by Shirley Toulson
6. The Voice of the Rain by Walt Whitman
7. Childhood
8. Father to son
Supplimentary - Short Stories
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