Home Life and Family Relationship (The Tattered Blanket)

Ways with words

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word given below

irritation, huddled up, awkwardly, futile, grating, mumbling, feebly

a. All my efforts to convince her for the tour were futile.
b. The lost traveler huddled up under a shelter made of branches and leaves.
c. Her rude behaviour was the main cause of irritation for him.
d. She moved awkwardly in the room, thinking that I was watching.
e. She is mumbling something, but I can’t hear her.
f. When I met my sister after a long time, she talked to me in a feeble voice.

Tick (√) the correct words that are similar in meaning to the underlined words.

Rupa studied Science reluctantly due to her father’s pressure.
i. eagerly ii. unwillingly (√) iii. willingly iv. enthusiastically
She moved her fingers exasperatedly through her hair.
i. pleasingly ii. calmingly iii. patiently iv. annoyingly (√)
My grandmother is over eighty. She lifted her hands feebly.
i. strongly ii. robustly iii. weakly (√) iv. firmly
She is wearing a tattered shawl.
i. old ii. torn (√) ii. dirty iv. branded
I have to work at two jobs to make ends meet in this expensive city.
i. earn much money ii. spend much money iii. live on money iv. earn just enough money (√)

Spell the following words correctly, adding the suffixes given against each root.

Syllable

The following words have two syllables. Underline their syllables and pronounce them:

beauty = beau-ty
sleepy = slee-py
survive = sur-vive
current = cur-rent
woman = wom-an
hotel = ho-tel

Consult an English dictionary and find the number of syllables in the following words. Underline and pronounce them.

bury → bur-y: 2 syllables
development → de-vel-op-ment: 3 syllables
syllabic → syl-lab-ic: 3 syllables
vowel → vow-el: 2 syllables
education → ed-u-ca-tion: 4 syllables
discipline → dis-ci-pline: 3 syllables
examination → ex-am-i-na-tion: 5 syllables
children → chil-dren: 2 syllables
separately → sep-a-rate-ly: 4 syllables
pronunciation → pro-nun-ci-a-tion: 5 syllables

Comprehension

Answer the following questions.

a. Why didn’t the mother recognise her son Gopi?

The mother didn't recognize her son Gopi because she is suffering from memory loss and has difficulty recognizing people.

b. Why didn’t the mother recognise her son Gopi?

The sister is living with her mother because she is widow and there is no one else to take care of her mother.

c. What is the sister’s attitude towards her brother?

The sister's attitude towards her brother is one of frustration and irritation. She seems to resent him for not visiting or writing more often, and for not taking care of their mother's needs.

d. Does the son love his mother very much? How do you know that?

The son loves his mother very much. He shows this by bending down and bringing his face close to her wrinkled cheeks.

e. What does the mother actually need: a blanket or the warmth of her son’s love?

The mother actually needs the warmth of her son's love. Despite being cold and needing a blanket, her primary concern is being recognized and loved by her son.

f. What does the phrase the ‘tattered blanket’ mean? Is it only the blanket that is tattered?

The phrase "tattered blanket" can be seen as a metaphor to describe the mother's overall condition. It means the hurt feelings of the mother.

g. The son says, ‘Amma can't remember who I am’. Do you think that he remembered his mother? Why didn’t he answer when his sister asked, ‘Do you remember your Amma?’

He didn't answer her question because he couldn't do so as it had been a year since he wrote to his mother and more than five years since he last saw her.

Critical thinking

What can be the expectations of the parents from their offspring at the old age?

It is generally expected that parents will be taken care of by their children in their old age. This can include providing them with physical and emotional support, assisting them with daily tasks, and making sure that they have access to healthcare and other necessities. This is often seen as a natural part of the parent-child relationship, as parents often devote a significant portion of their lives to caring for and raising their children.

In many cultures, it is also common for parents to expect their children to show them respect and affection as they age. This can involve regularly visiting and checking in on them, taking them out and spending time with them, and simply being there for them when they need support or companionship. Many parents also appreciate having their children with them, as it can provide them with a sense of security and comfort.

While it is natural for parents to have certain expectations of their children as they age, it is also important for parents and children to communicate openly and honestly about their needs and expectations. This can help to ensure that the relationship remains healthy and that both parties feel fulfilled and satisfied. It is also important for parents and children to be understanding and flexible, as the needs and circumstances of both parties can change over time. Ultimately, it is up to the individual family to decide what is appropriate and desired in terms of care and support for aging parents.

Some children who live in a distance tend to be indifferent to the feelings of their parents. Why do you think they are like that? Discuss.

There can be a variety of reasons why some children who live a distance away from their parents may be indifferent to their feelings. One potential reason is that they may feel overwhelmed by the demands of their own lives, and may not have the time or energy to devote to maintaining a close relationship with their parents. They may also feel that their parents are self-sufficient and do not need the same level of support or attention that they did when they were younger.

Another reason may be a lack of understanding or appreciation for the challenges that aging parents face. Some children may not fully realize the extent to which their parents' physical or cognitive abilities may have diminished, and may not understand the difficulties they may be facing on a daily basis. This can lead to a lack of empathy and a failure to show the necessary care and concern for their parents' well-being.

In some cases, a lack of interest in their parents may be due to a lack of communication or a disconnect in the relationship. If children and parents have not had regular opportunities to connect and share their thoughts and feelings, it can be harder for them to maintain a sense of connection and understanding. This can lead to a feeling of distance and disconnection, which can further erode the relationship.

Overall, it is important for children to make an effort to maintain a close and supportive relationship with their parents, even if they live a distance away. This can involve regular communication, visits, and showing concern and care for their well-being. It is also important for parents to make an effort to stay connected with their children and to communicate their needs and feelings openly.

A mother's love is everlasting and indispensable. Justify.

A mother's love is often referred to as unconditional and enduring. From the moment a child is born, a mother's love begins to grow and evolve. It is a love that is not based on the child's actions or behaviors, but rather it is a love that is present no matter what. A mother's love is not conditional, it does not depend on the child meeting certain expectations or achieving certain milestones. It is a love that is constant and ever-present, no matter the circumstances.

The role of a mother is crucial in a child's life. From the moment of birth, a mother is responsible for the care and well-being of her child. She provides for their physical needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter, but also for their emotional needs. A mother's love and support helps a child to feel safe and loved, which is essential for their overall development and well-being.

A mother's love is also unique in that it is not just limited to her own children. It extends to others as well, including friends and family. A mother's love is selfless and caring, and she will often go above and beyond to ensure that those around her are happy and well taken care of.

In conclusion, a mother's love is everlasting and indispensable. It is a love that is unconditional, enduring, and selfless. It is a love that is essential for the care and well-being of a child, and it is a love that extends beyond just her own children.

Writing

Suppose a child who lived in a city with his/her parents accompanied his/her father to visit an elderly grandmother in the village. The grandmother was waiting for her son to come back to the village and look after her, but her son was not willing to do so. Write a diary on behalf of the elderly grandmother describing her feeling of not living with her children and grandchildren.

Thursday, December 22nd, 2022

It's been a long time since I've had the chance to sit down and write my feelings. I'm an elderly grandmother, living in a small village far away from my children and grandchildren. It's been a difficult adjustment, being alone and not being able to see my loved ones as often as I'd like.

I remember the days when my house was always filled with the laughter and chatter of my children and their families. It was such a joy to watch my grandchildren grow and learn new things. But now, it's just me and the silence.

I understand that my children have their own lives and families to take care of, but it's hard not to feel abandoned and forgotten. I miss them so much and wish they could be here with me.

I try to keep myself busy with hobbies and tasks around the house, but it's not the same as being surrounded by the love and energy of my family. Sometimes, I feel like I'm just waiting for the day that my son will come back and take care of me, just like I took care of him when he was young. But he doesn't seem to be willing to make that sacrifice, and it breaks my heart.

I try not to dwell on the sadness too much, and instead focus on the memories of the happy times we had together. But it's hard not to feel lonely and longing for their presence.

I hope one day my children and grandchildren will be able to visit me more often and we can create new memories together. Until then, I'll hold onto the love we shared and continue to hope for the best.

Shova

Grammar

Complete the following sentences with however, although or in spite of.

In spite of the fact that he is an octogenarian; he still leads an active life.
I still enjoyed the week although the weather was bad.
He has passed MA. However, he hasn’t got a job.
Although I had a headache, I enjoyed the movie.
Ramila didn’t get the job in spite of the fact that she had all the necessary qualifications.
In spite of the fact that he had no money, he bought the car anyway.
We can go to the park for lunch although, the weather report says it's going to rain.
However, I speak English well, my first language is actually Maithili.

Combine the following sentences using the words given in brackets.

He was annoyed. He didn’t say anything. (although) → Although he was annoyed, he didn't say anything.
Playing the stock market is exciting. It can be risky. (however) → Playing the stock market is exciting; however, it can be risky.
He works slowly. He never makes a mistake. (even though) → Even though he works slowly, he never makes a mistake.
It was raining. We still went to the park. (in spite of) → In spite of the rain, we still went to the park.
Hark bought the watch. It was expensive. (despite) → Despite the watch being expensive, Hark bought it.
He is very poor. He wears expensive clothes. (but) → He is very poor but wears expensive clothes.

Rewrite the following sentences using (a) although and (b) in spite of.

a. He had very little time, but he offered to help us. → Although he had very little time, he offered to help us.
b. She is very poor, but she still wears expensive clothes. → Although she is very poor, she still wears expensive clothes.
c. He's a millionaire, but he lives in a very small flat. → Although he's a millionaire, he lives in a very small flat.
d. They have a lot of money, but they are still not happy. → Although they have a lot of money, they are still not happy.
e. The traffic was heavy, but we got there in time. → In spite of the heavy traffic, we got there in time.