Lost Spring: Important Questions and Answers
Garbage as Gold for Ragpickers
Q.6: In what sense is garbage gold to the ragpickers?
Ans: Garbage is gold to the ragpickers of Seemapuri because they can sell some of it for cash. This, in turn, helps them buy food and sustain themselves. Moreover, it is also gold for them because the ragpickers at times find stray coins and currency notes in it.
The Plight of Bangle Makers
Q.7: Whom does Anees Jung blame for the sorry plight of the bangle makers?
Ans: Anees Jung blames the middlemen, the policemen, the lawmakers, the bureaucrats, and the politicians for the sorry plight of the bangle makers. These people plot against and exploit the poor bangle makers.
Mukesh’s Dream
Q.8: What is Mukesh’s dream? Do you think he will be able to fulfil his dream? Why/Why not?
Ans: Mukesh’s dream is to become a motor mechanic. It is difficult for Mukesh to achieve his dream, as he is forced to follow his family tradition, which he may or may not be able to break free from. However, his will to work hard and his strong determination could make him achieve his dream.
Mukesh vs. Other Bangle Makers
Q.9: How is Mukesh different from the other bangle makers of Firozabad?
Ans: Mukesh had the courage to dream big in spite of all adversity, whereas his family members and the other bangle makers of Firozabad had resigned to their fate and had suppressed all their hopes and desires to follow the ‘God-given lineage’ of bangle making.
Saheb’s Job and Happiness
Q.10: What job did Saheb take up? Was he happy?
Ans: Saheb took up work at a tea-stall, where he had to perform several odd jobs, including getting milk from the milk booth. He was not happy, as he had lost his independence and hence he was no longer his own master.
Hope Among Slum Children
Q.11: In spite of despair and disease pervading the lives of the slum children, they are not devoid of hope. How far do you agree?
Ans: I agree that the slum children are not devoid of hope as Saheb, a ragpicker, is eager to go to school and learn, and Mukesh, who makes bangles, dreams of becoming a motor mechanic.
Sprinting Trees
4. Why are the young trees described as sprinting?
Ans: They have been described as sprinting because the car was moving fast, and from the moving car, the stationary trees appeared to be sprinting.
Poet’s Feelings at the Airport
5. What were the poet’s feelings at the airport? How did she hide them?
Answer: The poet, Kamala Das, was quite sad at the airport. She had come to see her old mother. While driving to the airport, she saw her old mother, who was dozing beside her. The mother was looking quite weak. The poet felt the fear of her mother’s imminent death.
At the airport also, she felt the same fear. However, she hid her fear with a fake smile on her face and said goodbye to her mother saying, “See you soon, Amma.”
Significance of Parting Words
6. What is the significance of the parting words of the poet and her smile?
Ans: The parting words were spoken to hide the poet’s fear and pain. The poet did not want to betray any feelings and thoughts going on in her mind.
Images of Sprinting Trees and Merry Children
9. What is the significance of the images ‘sprinting trees’ and ‘merry children spilling out of their homes’?
Ans: ‘Sprinting trees’ and ‘merry children’ represent life and happiness. The poet had grown very sad after seeing her mother’s weak face; in order to divert her mind from the sad thoughts, she looked outside.
Kamala Das’ Thoughts at the Airport
11. What thoughts do you think Kamala Das had at the airport?
Ans: At the airport, the poet was thinking sad thoughts about her mother’s old age and imminent demise. She feared she might not be able to see her in the future.