VOCATIONAL -XI -2ND SEM - 2024-25 LALAJEE

 

LALJEE (J.CORBETT)  BIJAN SIR

Answer these questions:

Q. 1. Name the disease Lalajee was suffering from.
Answer: Lalajee was suffering from cholera. The doctor checked and identified that there is no hope for him to get cured. 

Q. 2. Why could the author not spare time to nurse Lalajee?
Answer: The author was unable to nurse Lalajee since he was already caring for three cholera patients and could not rely on his servants for assistance.

Q. 3. What did the author make clear to Lalajee?
Answer: The author made it abundantly clear to Lalajee that he had not brought him (Lalajee) into his compound to die, but to heal him.

Q.4. What was Lalajee’ s Profession?
Answer: Lalajee was a merchant. He was the owner of a thriving grain business.

Q. 5. Why was Lalajee no longer a merchant?
Answer: Lalajee made a blunder by choosing an unknown man to be his business partner. During a business trip, Lalajee’s partner stole all he had in his shop, which is why Lalajee was no longer a merchant at the time he encountered the author.

Q. 6. Why was it difficult for him to start a business once again?
Answer: It was difficult for Lalajee to restart his business since he believed that no one could trust him and that no worker could work for him for only seven rupees per month, and he only had five hundred rupees in his possession.

Q. 7. What surprise was in store for Lalajee before he left Mokameh Ghat?
Answer: Before Lalajee could leave Mokameh Ghat, he was surprised to find a ticket for Gaya as well as five one-hundred-rupee notes, which the author placed in his hand.

Q. 8. How did Lalajee react when he got the money and the ticket?
Answer: When Lalajee received the money and ticket, he kept his head on his (Author’s) feet and vowed to repay the money.

Q. 9. What promise did Lalajee make?
Answer: Lalajee promised to return his (Author’s) money within one year.

 

 

Q. 10. How did Lalajee pay back the author’s courtesy?

Answer: For the author’s esteem and assistance, Lalajee reciprocated by bringing him a large basket of the finest mangoes from his garden on an annual basis for the next eleven years.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What did Lalajee do on leaving the steamer? 
Answer:  Lalajee is sick. He moves towards the bank of the river Ganges. He stoops to wash his face.

2. What did the author conclude that Lalajee had no intention of catching the train?
Answer: Lalajee gets down from the steamer and spreads the sheet on the bank of the river Ganges.

3. Why did Jim Corbett take Lalajee to his house?
Answer: Lalajee is affected by Cholera. Jim Corbett takes him to take his house to cure him of that disease.

4. How does the author bring out the foul nature of cholera?
Answer: Jim Corbett gives him treatment. He instils confidence in the mind of the sick man. It helps to regain his health and strength.

5. What made lots of people die of cholera?
Answer: The fear of Cholera made lots of people die of Cholera. People die mainly of the fear of disease, not by the actual disease.

6. What did Lalajee’s survival depend on?
Answer: Lalajee’s survival depended on Jim Corbett’s treatment and helping attitude.

7. Why was Corbett not able to spend much time to nurse Lalajee?
Answer: Corbett was not able to spend much time nursing Lalajee because he has three more cholera patients with him.

8. Why could he not expect any help from his servants?
Answer: The servants do not like to live near the Cholera affected person. As it is an epidemic, they also may become fatalists.

9. ‘At the end of a week, he was able to give me his story.’ What was his story?
Answer: Lala was doing a successful grain business. His partnership with a stranger deserted him, as he ran away with Lala’s money. He began to work for ten rupees a month. On his business way to Gaya from Muzaffarpur, he became very ill of cholera, he got down to die on the banks of the sacred Ganges.

10. Why did not Lalajee think of being a merchant again?
Answer: Lalajee needed five hundred rupees for being a merchant again. So he felt he could not become a merchant.

11. What promise did Lalajee make before leaving Mokameh Ghat?
Answer: Lalajee made a promise before leaving Mokameh Ghat, “Within one year your slave will return you this money.”

12. What did Lalajee accomplish within a year of leaving Mokameh Ghat?
Answer: Lalajee has gradually made a progress in his business. His son studies in a good school. He marries again with the daughter of the rich merchant of Patna.

13. On his second visit to Mokameh Ghat, Lalajee made a promise. What was that?
Answer: Lalajee promises to help Corbett at the time of misery, as he has heard the narrator was reduced to one chapati and a little dal, once in his life. He promises to give everything to Corbett in such times of misery.

14. How did Lalajee show his gratitude to Corbett?
Answer: Lalajee shows his gratitude to Corbett, by sending Corbett,  a big basket of the best mangoes from his garden.

15. Why was Lalajee tongue-tied before his first departure from Corbett?
Answer: When Corbett hands Lalajee over five one-hundred rupee note, Lalajee was tongue-tied.

 

Q. 1. Describe the circumstances under which Corbett met Lalajee.
Answer: Corbett observes a man exiting the broad-gauge passenger train. The physical characteristics of that man are described in depth. He is quite frail, his eyes have receded into their sockets. He is dressed entirely in patched garments; he used to be white. He is carrying a tiny parcel that is tied with a brightly coloured handkerchief. It is obvious from his walking style that he is terribly sick. The sick man makes his way towards the Ganges riverbank with his faltering steps. He kneads his face in order to wash it. He then lays the sheet out along the Ganges riverbank. The narrator recognises that this sick man does not wish to continue on the same train. When he opens his eyes, he notices the narrator standing nearby.

Q. 2. Corbett had faith in the innate goodness of the poor in India. Was his faith justified? How?
Answer: Corbett’s belief in the kindness of India’s poor was vindicated by Lalajee’s actions. Lalajee chose to return to Corbett’s place after being cured by Corbett’s treatment and given confidence. He desired to revert to his previous profession of merchant. Corbett handed Lalajee the money he had been saving for years in order for him to rise in life. Lalajee stated that she will reimburse the funds within a year. He refunded Corbett’s money, as he had promised. As a result, the poor’s inherent goodness was validated.

Theme of Lalajee

Life is characterised by ups and downs. Lalajee was an affluent merchant. He abruptly becomes a loser. He also loses his wife. He is obligated to work for the merchant with whom he has conducted business. Additionally, he is infected with the lethal disease Cholera. He becomes aware of his near-death state. Hope is provided by the narrator. He assists him in regaining his health. He has contributed his personal savings to this Lalajee, which he uses to establish and grow his firm. He also reclaims his financial standing.

One should never give up hope. Even if one encounters adversities on a consistent basis throughout one’s life, one should not lose hope. He should recognise that God is enhancing his life. His confidence is what enables him to regain his health. He continues his life with this assurance. It is as a result of his hope that he returns as a prosperous trader, a man in good health, and a man with his own family. Because of his hope, everything becomes feasible.

One should have an inclination toward assistance. As with the narrator, one must come forward to assist the man in regaining his health, despite the fact that he is afflicted by an epidemic disease. As with the narrator, one should come forward to offer financial support using the money he has been saving for years.

One should not believe the stranger, making him a partner in his firm and entrusting him with complete control of his fortune. Given that man’s natural nature is to succumb to temptation, it is improper for the man who tempts.

Additionally, one should express thankfulness. It is entirely humane to repay assistance rendered. It is expected to repay any money lent to it by others.