Class 12 English Lesson 5: Story: My Old Home: Reference to Context and Reference beyond Text Literautre Section

 

Reference to the context

a.      While reading about the friendship between the narrator and Runtu, Hindu readers remember the friendship between Krishna and Sudama. Which particular description reminds you of the mythological example?

Both of the stories involve that "A friend in need is a true friend". Wealth status and economic level cannot obstruct the hearty relationship of two intimate friends if the friendship is rational. The story's plot is relatable to the story of Krishna and Sudhama in the Mahabharat epic. Sudama was a low-caste Brahmin living in miserable poverty. As a King, Lord Krishna reigned supreme. Similarly, Lu Xun and Runtu have the same situation but Lu Xun is from an upper-class family whereas Runtu is from a very humble background. Moreover, Krishna assisted Sudama at the end while Lu Xun supported Runtu by supplying various cooking necessities towards the end. Same as Runtu felt ashamed and uncomfortable when he saw his playmate and teacher Lu Xun whereas Sudama felt shy when he visited Krishna. Sudama was a close friend of Lord Krishna and a fellow student at his school. The relationship between the narrator and Runtu brings back memories for Hindu readers of Krishna and Sudama in the epic Ramayan.

b.     How does the story support the proposition (plan) that the relationships of childhood are innocent, impartial, and disinterested?

Childhood is the first phase of life. Everything we do is a memory for our entire life until we die. The same is with childhood friendships, they are always very pure, innocent, and unforgettable. As the narrative progresses, we learn that the narrator, Lu Xun, and Runtu had a childhood bond back when they didn't have any social distinctions. The narrator wants to witness the same kind of relationship between his nephew and Runtu's child. As youngsters, they would kill badgers and porcupines to pass the time. They didn't behave selfishly at all. They had a genuine, unbiased, and dispassionate friendship and relationship. Children's simplicity, ignorance, and purity have not yet been spoiled as minor matters are all examples of innocence. A master-and-servant relationship existed between Lu Shun and Runtu. They had pleasant memories of playing in the watermelon field. As shown by the story "My Old Home," childhood connections are complete, unprejudiced, and pure like crystal.

c.      After reading the story, what inferences (interpretations) can you make about the contemporary Chinese economic and social system?

After reading "My Old Home," we may draw the following conclusions regarding the current economic and social structure of China. According to the story, the poor smallholder or agricultural labourers of low social status communities in ancient China had many complicated connections with each other.

The setting of the story clarifies that people from various social classes are unable to connect and form mutually beneficial relationships. Runtu is a memorable and sad character who suffered much as a result of his hard labour and sub-marginal living conditions. Though Lu Shun and Runtu are very close and intimate friends. Society shows that they are not allowed to be friends. There is the use of three different kinds of servants in Chinese society. This tale illustrates China's class system, slavery system, and overall hierarchy: the three types of servants are: workers who work for a single-family year-round known as Yearlong. On the other hand, workers who only work during the day are Short-timers. Finally, the landowners who also work for a single family during the holidays or when they are renting out their property are called busy mothers.

It reveals how unhappy the peasants' mindset was after feudal (a type of social and political system in which landholders provide land to residents in exchange for their loyalty and service) ideologies were imposed in the society. They are required to carry out their responsibilities in certain jobs. It draws attention to the actual physical sufferings of peasants as a consequence of economic exploitation, and it identifies the underlying reasons for their miserable conditions of existence.

d. What does the story indicate about the geographical features of the narrator’s hometown?

The narrator's hometown has a special place in his heart. While looking out the window, the narrator notices little towns and villages spread over a wide and greying landscape. Most likely, his homeland was nothing more than what he saw in front of him. In contrast to what the narrator recalled, the present-day location was a lot more beautiful. A blue-black sky, sandy terrain, and soft green melons as far as the eye could see were all described by the narrator during his visit to his farm. Next, he speaks about New Year's Eve celebrations. There are other stories of him and his father capturing birds and stabbing creatures like bears and hedgehogs at night while on their family property. They would also go to the seaside to gather shells. The story especially indicates the middle of the winter, with a cloudy sky and a cold wind.

Reference beyond the text

a.   Human beings are on the road from time immemorial, always migrating to new places. Write an essay on The Trend of Migration in Nepal in about 300 words.

The Trend of Migration in Nepal

Migration is the act of relocating from one place (origin) to another (destination). Demographic migration is the movement of people from one geographical region to another through time. Globalization has made migration a natural human preference. The status of migration in Nepal may be divided into two parts: national and international. Among internal, let's first talk about Rural to urban migration. The rural population was 86.1% while the urban population was 13.9% in 2058. B.S. In the 2068 census, this proportion was 82.89% rural and 17.1% urban. In ten years, the village population has decreased while the city population has increased owing to migration.

People from the Himalayas have historically moved to the Terai, especially along the E-W Highway. In 2058 BS, mountainous and hilly areas had 7.3% and 44% of the population respectively. In 2068, the ratio decreases to 6.7% and 43.1%. It implies a 2.1 million Terai population growth in 10 years. Taplejung, Solukhumbu, Manang, Mustang, Panchthar, and Palpa have all experienced negative annual population growth. This indicates that a huge number of mountain and hill people have migrated to the Terai. Globalization and the free market boosted global migration in the 1990s. As of 1968, 1.921 million Nepalese lived abroad. The number of Nepalis working temporarily or informally abroad has almost doubled. The positive side of migration is that it may create demand for development, maintain proportional consumption of development benefits, and sustain development land productivity increased. As a result of the new place's living skills and style, people will be industrious and competitive.

Migrating to new places has also technological opportunities and services which have helped human development along with inclusive development via community diversity, culture, and value exchange. Remittances and skills have helped impoverished countries mobilise resources and skills for development. Unmanaged migration, on the other hand, has created sewage and waste management problems. Unemployment has squeezed the job market. Inconsistencies in society, rising crime, and security concerns have slowed social progress. Sovereign wealth disparities have grown, and development benefits have not been evenly distributed. Even loyal government staff is insufficient. Conversely, unchecked urbanisation, education, health, and security have hindered infrastructure growth.

Thus, both local and foreign migrants are present in Nepal. Unorganized migration leads to unbalanced development. While periodic and temporary migration, primarily for foreign workers, has aided Nepal's growth financially. The lack of general coordination between development and migration may have far-reaching negative effects. 

 

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b.     Find one of your relatives or friends, who has migrated to a new place leaving his/her old home. Talk to him/her and prepare a report on what he/she felt while leaving the old home.

My childhood friend, Arun, along with his father and mother, just moved to Birtamode from our village because they had bought land and a house there. Before leaving the house, his father gathered the necessities, sold the furniture, and gave something to his neighbours as a result of their efforts to help the family collect the items. He bade them all farewell and departed from his old abode. He remembered the days of his youth spent with his pals and the locations where he played with those closest. At the time of his departure, he discovered that his relatives were waiting outside his gate. He also gave out a few cooking essentials to several of his close neighbours. When they saw him and his family, they couldn't stop staring. They all bid him goodbye by saying "farewell." They seemed to be unhappy and nervous. He missed his home and the people who were helpful and cooperative.

 

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