Class 11 English Unit 8: Critical Thinking

 

Critical Thinking

a.     What is the key takeaway of this essay? Do you think that this essay is satirical? Why?

The essay aims to convey the message that we are following superstition knowingly and unknowingly. Every individual, no matter how logical or rational he/she is, carries superstitions. The essayist believes that many superstitions are widespread and too old that have arisen from the depths of the human mind, which is indifferent to any race or creed.

The essay is satirical in the sense that it satirizes both educated and uneducated people who are the victims of it. Throwing salt over the left shoulder after spilling it or avoiding walking under a ladder, resolving a matAut related to university affairs by, consulting the I Ching, placing jujus, lucky coins, and other bringers of luck on the desks of the candidates in an examination hall, etc., are some of the superstitious activities he satires on.

b.  Can education bring change in the belief in superstition? Present your arguments to support your answer.

Education may or may not bring change in the belief in superstition. Education can make people less superstitious. At least educated people are more likely to send the sick to the hospital than to call priests to cast out demons to cure the sick. Education provides an understanding of the diseases, their cause, and their cure of the diseases.

Superstitions are due to fear of the unknown. Once the unknown becomes known, there is no longer any superstition. Education has the potential to change superstitious beliefs. It enhances thinking abilities and intellect. People who are educated are less prone to being superstitious, and they may educate others about it too.

Now the question is, can education eradicate superstition? It is only possible when human beings gain complete knowledge of everything, and then education is able to eradicate superstition. For the present, education has reduced a lot of superstitious beliefs around the world.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quOdF1CAPXs

***

Click for next lesson: https://limbuchandrabahadur.blogspot.com/2025/08/class-11-english-unit-8-writing-essay.html