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This blog is for the NCERT solutions for class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 1: The Lament. It offers clear and simple answers to the exercise questions for students. These solutions are to help students understand the themes of grief, isolation and human connection in this short story. By exploring its emotional depth, the solutions help in effective exam preparation and better understanding. You can also download the free PDF of these solutions for easy revision.
Contents
Explore Notes of Class 11 English Woven Words
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NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 1: The Lament
Here are the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 1: The Lament, designed to support effective revision and understanding of the story’s themes and characters.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. Comment on the indifference that meets Iona’s attempts to share his grief with his fellow human beings.
Solution: In “The Lament,” Iona Potapov, a cab driver, is overwhelmed by the grief of losing his son. His attempts to share this sorrow with his passengers are met with indifference, highlighting the lack of empathy in human interactions. For instance, when Iona tries to tell the military officer about his son’s death, the officer responds curtly, showing no interest. Similarly, the three young men are either dismissive or mocking, and the house porter brushes him off, telling him to move on. This indifference reflects a broader societal disconnect, where people are too preoccupied with their own concerns to offer compassion. Chekhov uses these interactions to underscore the isolation of the individual in a bustling, impersonal urban setting, where genuine human connection is scarce.
2. What impression of the character of Iona do you get from this story?
Solution: Iona Potapov emerges as a deeply sympathetic and tragic figure in “The Lament.” He is a grieving father, consumed by sorrow over his son’s recent death, yet unable to find solace due to the indifference of those around him. His persistence in attempting to share his grief, despite repeated rejections, reveals his desperate need for human connection and empathy. Iona’s gentle and unassuming nature is evident in his interactions, as he does not retaliate against the rudeness of his passengers. His poverty and loneliness are further highlighted by his simple life as a cab driver and his eventual confiding in his horse, portraying him as a humble, isolated individual yearning for understanding in a callous world.
3. How does the horse serve as a true friend and companion to Iona?
Solution: In “The Lament,” Iona’s horse serves as his only true friend and companion, offering the silent, non-judgmental presence that humans deny him. Unable to share his grief with his passengers, Iona turns to his horse at the story’s end, pouring out his sorrow in a heartfelt monologue. The horse, though incapable of responding, listens quietly as Iona recounts his son’s death, providing a sense of comfort that no human offers. This act of confiding in the horse underscores its role as a loyal companion, contrasting sharply with the indifference of society. The horse’s quiet presence symbolises unconditional acceptance, making it a poignant symbol of solace in Iona’s lonely existence.
Also Reads: NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill Poem 3: The Voice of the Rain Solutions (Free PDF)
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Discuss the following in pairs
1. Empathy and understanding are going out of modern society. The individual experiences intense alienation from the society around him or her.
Solution: “The Lament” vividly illustrates the decline of empathy in modern society, as seen in Iona’s futile attempts to share his grief. Each passenger he encounters, the officer, the young men, and the porter, dismisses his pain, reflecting a society preoccupied with personal concerns and lacking compassion. This indifference alienates Iona, intensifying his isolation as he navigates his grief alone in a crowded city. The story suggests that modern urban life, with its fast pace and self-centeredness, erodes human connection, leaving individuals like Iona emotionally stranded. In pairs, students can discuss how this theme resonates in today’s world, where technology and busy lifestyles often hinder genuine empathy, leading to widespread alienation.
2. Behind the public face of the people in various occupations is a whole saga of personal suffering and joy which they wish to share with others.
Solution: In “The Lament,” Iona’s role as a cab driver masks his deep personal suffering, which he desperately wishes to share but is unable to due to societal indifference. This reflects a broader truth: people in various occupations often hide their personal joys and sorrows behind a professional facade. For example, the military officer or the young men in the story may also have their own unspoken struggles, but the urban environment stifles such sharing. Chekhov’s story suggests that genuine human connection is vital for emotional well-being, yet societal norms often prevent it. Students can discuss in pairs how this applies to professions today, such as teachers or healthcare workers, who may conceal personal emotions while yearning for understanding.
APPRECIATION
1. The story begins with a description of the setting. How does this serve as a fitting prelude to the events described in the story?
Solution: The opening description of the snowy, cold, and dreary setting in “The Lament” sets a sombre and oppressive tone that mirrors Iona’s emotional state. The “wet snow” and “twilight” create an atmosphere of gloom and isolation, foreshadowing Iona’s loneliness and the indifference he will face. This bleak urban landscape reflects the emotional coldness of the society around him, where human warmth is absent. The setting also emphasises Iona’s physical and emotional vulnerability as a cab driver exposed to the elements, preparing readers for the narrative’s focus on his unheeded grief and the lack of compassion in his interactions.
2. Comment on the graphic detail with which the various passengers who took Iona’s cab are described.
Solution: Chekhov uses vivid, graphic detail to describe Iona’s passengers, enhancing the story’s realism and highlighting their indifference. The military officer is depicted as impatient, “showing his vexation,” which underscores his dismissive attitude. The three young men are described with specific traits, one with a hunchback, another loud and abusive, making their mockery of Iona more tangible and cruel. The house porter’s curt command to “drive on” adds to the sense of rejection. These details not only bring the characters to life but also emphasise the diversity of people Iona encounters, all unified in their lack of empathy, reinforcing the story’s theme of societal disconnection.
3. This short story revolves around a single important event. Discuss how the narrative is woven around this central fact.
Solution: The central event in “The Lament” is the death of Iona’s son, which drives the narrative and shapes Iona’s actions and emotions. The story revolves around Iona’s repeated, futile attempts to share his grief with others, each interaction building toward the climax where he confides in his horse. Chekhov weaves the narrative by contrasting Iona’s inner turmoil with the external indifference of his passengers, using their brief encounters to illustrate the depth of his isolation. The narrative’s focus on this single event, his son’s death, creates a tight, poignant structure that underscores the human need for connection and the tragedy of its absence.
4. The story begins and ends with Iona and his horse. Comment on the significance of this to the plot of the story.
Solution: The story’s structure, beginning and ending with Iona and his horse, frames the narrative and underscores its central themes of loneliness and companionship. At the start, Iona is introduced with his horse in the cold, snowy setting, establishing his isolated existence. The story concludes with Iona confiding in his horse, the only entity that “listens” to his grief. This circular structure highlights the failure of human connections and the horse’s role as Iona’s sole source of comfort. The horse’s presence at both ends emphasises the tragedy of Iona’s alienation from society and the poignant solace he finds in a non-human companion, reinforcing the story’s emotional impact.
Also Read: NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1: The Portrait of a Lady (Free PDF)
Download NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 1: The Lament
You can download the free PDF of NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 1: The Lament from here.
Download more NCERT Solutions of Class 11 English ‘Snapshots’ here!
| Chapter 1: The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse Solution |
| Chapter 2: The Address Solution |
| Chapter 3: Mother’s Day Solutions |
| Chapter 5: The Tale of Melon City Solution |
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