One app for all your study abroad needs
This blog on NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chapter 6: The Third and Final Continent offers clear and concise answers to the questions. It helps students to understand the themes of adaptation, human connections and personal growth through this short story. These solutions help students with exam preparation by exploring the narrator’s experiences through his journey. You can also download the free PDF for quick revision.
Contents
Explore Notes of Class 11 English Woven Words
NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 6: The Third and Final Continent
Here are the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 6: The Third and Final Continent, crafted to enhance understanding of the story’s themes, characters, and cultural nuances for effective revision.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
- Indicate the details that tell us that the narrator was not very financially comfortable during his stay in London.
Solution: The narrator’s financial constraints in London are evident through several details. He lived in a shared house in Finsbury Park with other Bengali bachelors, indicating a modest, cost-sharing arrangement. The house lacked proper heating, forcing him to wear multiple layers of clothing indoors to stay warm. He also mentions eating frugally, relying on inexpensive meals like cornflakes and tea, and occasionally treating himself to a cheap restaurant meal. His job as a library clerk provided a meagre income, barely sufficient for basic needs, underscoring his struggle to afford a comfortable lifestyle in an expensive city.
- How did the narrator adjust to the ways of life first in London and then in Cambridge, U.S.A.?
Solution: In London, the narrator adapted to a frugal lifestyle, sharing a house with other Bengalis and managing with minimal resources. He learned to navigate the city’s public transport and adopted simple habits, like eating basic meals and enduring cold living conditions, to cope with his limited finances. His social life revolved around his Bengali roommates, providing a sense of familiarity. In Cambridge, U.S.A., he initially stayed at the YMCA, adjusting to a new environment by maintaining a low-cost lifestyle. After renting a room from Mrs. Croft, he embraced solitude, cooking simple Indian meals and walking to work to save money. His adjustment deepened with his wife Mala’s arrival, as they gradually built a life together, adopting American conveniences like grocery shopping while retaining Indian traditions. His interactions with Mrs. Croft and her acceptance of him helped him feel rooted in America, marking a gradual integration into its society.
- What do you understand of the character of Mrs. Croft from the story?
Solution: Mrs. Croft is a complex character, embodying resilience, independence, and a blend of old-world dignity and eccentricity. At 103 years old, she lives alone in her Cambridge home, managing her affairs with pride despite her frailty. Her strict demeanour, seen in her insistence on proper conduct and her admiration for the American moon landing, reflects her strong sense of tradition and national pride. Yet, her warmth emerges in her acceptance of the narrator, whom she deems a “gentleman,” and her subtle curiosity about his life. Her frugality, charging low rent, and her nostalgic references to her past as a piano teacher reveal a life of self-reliance and adaptation to loss, making her a poignant symbol of enduring strength.
- What kind of a relationship did Mrs. Croft share with her daughter Helen?
Solution: Mrs. Croft and her daughter, Helen, share a relationship marked by mutual care but also a degree of emotional distance, typical of their cultural context. Helen, who lives separately, regularly checks on her mother, bringing groceries and ensuring her well-being, indicating a sense of duty and affection. However, Mrs. Croft’s independent spirit is evident in her reluctance to rely heavily on Helen, as she prefers to manage her home alone. Their interactions, as observed by the narrator, are practical rather than overtly warm, with Helen treating her mother’s eccentricities, like her fixation on the moon landing, with mild exasperation. This suggests a bond rooted in familial obligation, tempered by Mrs. Croft’s pride and Helen’s acceptance of her mother’s quirks.
- How does the narrator bring out the contrast between the Indian way of life and American society? Do you think his wife Mala adjusted comfortably to the new way of life?
Solution: The narrator highlights contrasts between Indian and American ways of life through his experiences. In India, family ties and arranged marriages dominate, as seen in his traditional wedding to Mala, whereas in America, he observes individualism and independence, exemplified by Mrs. Croft living alone at 103. Indian social life is communal, with shared meals and extended families, while American life, as in Cambridge, appears solitary, with the narrator initially dining alone. Materially, America offers conveniences like supermarkets, contrasting with India’s simpler markets. Mala’s adjustment to American life is gradual but successful. Initially hesitant and unfamiliar, she adapts by learning to cook American-style meals, wearing Western clothes, and accompanying the narrator to explore their new city. Her growing ease, seen in their shared routines and eventual parenthood, indicates a comfortable integration, supported by the narrator’s encouragement and their mutual reliance.
- How does the bond of affection between Mrs. Croft and the narrator evolve?
Solution: The bond between Mrs. Croft and the narrator evolves from formal landlord-tenant interactions to a subtle, affectionate connection rooted in mutual respect. Initially, Mrs. Croft’s stern demeanour intimidates the narrator, but her declaration that he is a “gentleman” and her low rent offer establish trust. Their nightly ritual of sharing tea and biscuits and her insistence that he exclaim “Splendid!” about the moon landing fosters familiarity. The narrator’s concern for her safety, checking her door at night, and his sadness upon her death reveal his growing attachment. Mrs. Croft’s acceptance of Mala, despite cultural differences, further deepens this bond. Her death marks a significant loss for the narrator, as she becomes the first person whose life he admires in America, symbolising a profound, understated connection.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Discuss the following in pairs or in small groups
- Living abroad is challenging in many ways.
Solution: Living abroad, as depicted in the story, presents challenges like financial strain, cultural alienation, and emotional isolation. The narrator’s frugal life in London, sharing a cold house and eating simple meals, highlights economic difficulties. In America, he faces cultural adjustments, navigating unfamiliar social norms and living alone at the YMCA. Language barriers and homesickness, hinted at in his initial solitude, add emotional strain. Yet, these challenges foster resilience, as seen in his gradual adaptation to American life and his wife Mala’s integration. In pairs, students can discuss how these challenges reflect real-life experiences of immigrants, exploring themes of identity, adaptation, and the balance between retaining one’s culture and embracing a new one.
- The Indian family system offers more security to the aged than what is found in the West.
Solution: The story contrasts the Indian family system, where the elderly often live with extended families, with Western independence, as seen in Mrs. Croft’s solitary life at 103. In India, the narrator’s parents likely rely on familial support, reflecting a cultural norm of collective care. In America, Mrs. Croft’s daughter, Helen, visits but does not live with her, emphasising individual autonomy. This suggests that Indian systems provide more emotional and physical security for the aged, though Western independence allows personal freedom. In groups, students can debate the merits of each system, discussing how cultural values shape elderly care and whether security outweighs independence, using examples from the story and personal observations.
- The eccentricities of the old are often endearing.
Solution: Mrs. Croft’s eccentricities, such as her fixation on the American moon landing and her nightly command to say “Splendid!,” are portrayed as endearing in the story. These quirks humanise her, revealing her pride in her nation’s achievements and her lively spirit despite her age. Her formal speech and insistence on propriety add charm, making her memorable to the narrator. These traits evoke affection rather than irritation, as seen in the narrator’s fond recollection of her. In pairs, students can discuss how such eccentricities in the elderly, like those of Mrs. Croft, reflect personality and life experiences, exploring why they are often cherished and how they enrich relationships.
Also Read: NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1: The Portrait of a Lady (Free PDF)
APPRECIATION
- Discuss the manner in which the author interweaves details of the narrator’s family with the flow of the main narrative.
Solution: Jhumpa Lahiri skillfully interweaves the narrator’s family details with the main narrative to enrich the story’s emotional depth and thematic resonance. The narrative primarily follows the narrator’s journey from India to London and America, but references to his family, his parents in Calcutta, his arranged marriage to Mala, and their eventual son, anchor his personal growth. For instance, his brief mention of leaving his widowed mother in India contrasts with his new life, highlighting themes of duty and displacement. Mala’s arrival in America shifts the narrative to their evolving relationship, seamlessly blending domestic details, like cooking Indian meals, with his interactions with Mrs. Croft. These family elements, introduced sparingly, provide context for his cultural identity and emotional stakes, creating a cohesive narrative that balances personal and universal experiences.
- ‘Mrs Croft’s was the first death I mourned in America, for, hers was the first life I had admired; she had left this world at last, ancient and alone, never to return’, how do these lines encapsulate the bond that is possible between two strangers?
Solution: These lines poignantly capture the deep, unexpected bond between the narrator and Mrs. Croft, two strangers from vastly different backgrounds. The narrator’s mourning of Mrs. Croft’s death reflects the profound impact of her life on his own, marking her as a symbol of his American journey. His admiration for her resilience, independence, and quirks, calling him a “gentleman” and celebrating the moon landing, transcends cultural and generational divides. The phrase “ancient and alone” underscores her solitary dignity, mirroring the narrator’s own initial isolation in America. This bond, built on small, shared moments like tea and conversation, illustrates how mutual respect and empathy can forge meaningful connections, transforming strangers into figures of lasting significance.
- Examine the pieces of conversation in the story. How do they reflect the worldview of each of the speakers?
Solution: The conversations in the story reveal distinct worldviews shaped by culture, age, and experience. Mrs. Croft’s dialogues, like her exclamation “Splendid!” about the moon landing, reflect her patriotic pride and nostalgia for a time of American triumph, coupled with her formal, old-world propriety. The narrator’s reserved responses, such as agreeing to her commands, show his deference and cultural humility as an immigrant navigating a new society. Helen’s practical, slightly exasperated tone when discussing her mother’s habits suggests a modern, independent American perspective, tempered by familial duty. Mala’s minimal dialogue, evolving from silence to quiet engagement, mirrors her gradual adaptation to America. These exchanges highlight themes of cultural contrast, generational differences, and personal growth, enriching the story’s exploration of identity and connection.
- There are many instances of gentle humour in the story. Point out some of these and state how this contributes to the interest of the narration.
Solution: The story features gentle humour that enhances its warmth and relatability:- Mrs. Croft’s “Splendid!” ritual: Her nightly insistence that the narrator exclaim “Splendid!” about the moon landing is humorous due to its repetitive absurdity, yet it endears her to readers, highlighting her quirky patriotism.
- The narrator’s awkwardness: His initial discomfort with Mrs. Croft’s formalities, like sitting silently during inspections, adds subtle humour, reflecting his immigrant anxieties in a light-hearted way.
- Mala’s cultural missteps: The narrator’s amusement at Mala’s initial struggles with American life, like her surprise at supermarket abundance, injects quiet humour, softening the challenges of adaptation.
This gentle humour humanises the characters, balances the story’s serious themes of displacement and loneliness, and engages readers by offering moments of levity. It underscores the universality of human quirks, making the narrative more compelling and emotionally resonant.
Download NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 6: The Third and Final Continent
You can download the free PDF of NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 6: The Third and Final Continent for effective revision.
Download more NCERT Solutions of Class 11 English ‘Woven Words’ here!
| Chapter 1: The Lament Solution |
| Chapter 2: A Pair of Mustachios Solutions |
| Chapter 3: The Rocking-horse Winner Solution |
| Chapter 4: The Adventure of the Three Garridebs Solution |
For more topics, follow LeverageEdu NCERT Study Material today!
