Class 12 English Lesson 1: Story: Neighbors 'Reference to the Context & Reference beyond the Text' Literature Section

 

Reference to the Context

a.   The story shows that linguistic and cultural barriers do not create any obstacles in human relationship. Cite some examples from the story where the neighbours have transcended such barriers.

We find many examples stated by the author in the story about linguistic and cultural barriers that do not create any obstacles in human relationships. Some examples extracted from the story are mentioned below:

·       Their neighbours suggested the young couple for their kitchen garden.

·      The Old Polish man helped them to make the henhouse which is his unselfish work.

·     All the members of that society helped, supported, cared and advised them for a safe pregnancy.

b.     The last sentence of the story reads “The twentieth-century novel had not prepared him for this.” In your view, what differences did the young man find between twentieth-century novels and human relations?

The Twentieth-century Novel had not Prepared him for This The young man found vast differences between the twentieth-century novel and human relations because he was writing his thesis on the twentieth-century novel based on his feelings towards the European migrants. When he arrived at first in that society, he had a negative attitude toward his neighbours because of his experiences. Moreover, he found his concept of the twentieth-century novel wrong when his neighbours supported him in his time of need. Because their help and care made him cry so he learned the humanity and its importance. He knew that human relationship is inevitable for survival in society. Additionally, he found a wide gap between practical life and written things because he got his neighbours to share happiness when he has become a father. Therefore, all these in his life are possible due to the good relationship with his neighbours but not because of the twentieth-century novel. So, he was not prepared for his life.

c.      A Nepali proverb says “Neighbors are companions for wedding procession as well as for funeral procession.” Does this proverb apply to the story? Justify.

Neighbours are companions for wedding processions as well as funeral processions Yes, this proverb seems to be applied in the story. Because neighbours are also parts of our life with whom we share every moment of our life in different situations. Moreover, we share our joy as well as sorrow with them so they are our friends in the time of our need. However, we find many situations in the story in which the young couple is helped and supported by other members of their society for their needs. The story also reveals the basic traits of life in society such as sharing, caring, and helping because the young couple is helped and suggested by other neighbours in their vegetable gardening and at the time of pregnancy. They also share their joy in the birth of the baby. The young man weeps when he finds himself sharing happiness with his neighbours. Therefore, the story proves that our neighbours are our best friends as mentioned in the proverb.

d.     The author has dealt with an issue of multiculturalism in the story. Why do you think multiculturalism has become a major issue in the present world?

Multiculturalism refers to a society that has many cultures, especially with the culture of ethnic groups as culture refers to human activities performed by a human being before his death. The author has dealt with the issue of multiculturalism in the story. I think multiculturalism has become a major issue in the present society because mono-culturalism in any society is not possible at this present time. If a society is multicultural, there will be certainly a misunderstanding among the people who live there. There is hatred and suppression of each other in the name of the cultures. Moreover, such cultural discrimination divides society into two different parts creating a gap between them. If there is a gap in society in the name of culture, harmony, peace, and dignity cannot be expected. Additionally, violence, murder, rape, treachery, and exploitation are the consequences of cultural discrimination in society. Therefore, multiculturalism has become a major challenge in the present world.

Reference beyond the Text

a.      Write an essay on the Celebration of Childbirth in my Community.

Celebration of Childbirth in my Community

Childbirth is one of the stages of human development that is also a natural phenomenon. The celebration of childbirth has a great effect on every society and culture in the world. Because every culture has a different way of childbirth celebration which is a kind of inevitable ritual. In my community, childbirth is celebrated by every family member and relative. Similarly, all the family members are very happy with the birth of a baby. Even it becomes proud of the family if they get a baby after a long period. So, the birth of the child creates a new kinship in the family and society. The mother and the baby are cared for and treated well in the family. On that day, a baby is given a new name so it is also called a naming ceremony in my society. During this celebration, all the relatives are invited to celebrate this occasion. Relatives also enjoy and give blessings and wish the mother and the baby better health. There is a great party or feast at home with singing and dancing till late at night. Therefore, the celebration of the birth of the baby has occupied a space in my community.

b.     Do the people in your community respond with similar reactions to the pregnancy and childbirth as depicted in the story? Give a couple of examples.

Yes, the people in my society respond with similar reactions to pregnancy and childbirth as shown in the story. We find different concepts regarding pregnancy and childbirth in eastern society and western societies. In our eastern societies, pregnancy, and childbirth are celebrated in a certain way based on the culture the family has. Moreover, all the family members, relatives, and neighbours participate to celebrate this occasion.

In my community, a pregnant woman is treated both positively and negatively. Some person support, suggest and provide care to her whereas others may criticize her during that time if she is unable to fulfill the wish of the family. The family members care for the pregnant women in my community.

Regarding childbirth, the mother and the baby are cared for and treated well in the family. On that day, a baby is given a new name so it is also called a naming ceremony in my society. During this celebration, all the relatives are invited to celebrate this occasion. Relatives also enjoy and give blessings and wish the mother and the baby better health. There is a great party or feast at home with singing and dancing till late at night. Therefore, the celebration of the birth of the baby has occupied a space in my community.

 

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