My Reminiscence (Prose)

Unit 4 – Prose

Lesson: My Reminiscence

Warm up

“Beauty lies in the beholder’s eyes.”

• Read the quote and observe the picture.
• Complete this graphic organiser.
• Remember to use suitable adjectives.

Elegant
waterfall

Reading

My Reminiscence
Rabindranath Tagore

When I returned home from the outset of my second voyage to England, my brother Jyotirindra and sister-in-law were living in a river-side villa at Chandernagore, and there I went to stay with them.

The Ganges again! Again those ineffable days and nights, languid with joy, sad with longing, attuned to the plaintive babbling of the river along the cool shade of its wooded banks. This Bengal sky-full of light, this south breeze, this flow of the river, this right royal laziness, this broad leisure stretching from horizon to horizon and from green earth to blue sky, all these were to me as food and drink to the hungry and thirsty. Here it felt indeed like home, and in these I recognised the ministrations of a Mother.

That was not so very long ago, and yet time has wrought many changes. Our little riverside nests, clustering under their surrounding greenery, have been replaced by mills which now, dragon-like, everywhere rear their hissing heads, belching forth black smoke. In the midday glare of modern life even our hours of mental siesta have been narrowed down to the lowest limit, and hydra-headed unrest has invaded every department of life. Maybe, this is for the better, but I, for one, cannot account it wholly to the good.

These lovely days of mine at the riverside passed by like so many dedicated lotus blossoms floating down the sacred stream. Some rainy afternoons I spent in a veritable frenzy, singing away old Vaishnava songs to my own tunes, accompanying myself on a harmonium. On other afternoons, we would drift along in a boat, my brother Jyotirindra accompanying my singing with his violin. And as, beginning with the Puravi, we went on varying the mode of our music with the declining day, we saw, on reaching the Behaga, the western sky close the doors of its factory of golden toys, and the moon on the east rise over the fringe of trees.

Then we would row back to the landing steps of the villa and seat ourselves on a quilt spread on the terrace facing the river. By then a silvery peace rested on both land and water, hardly any boats were about, the fringe of trees on the bank was reduced to a deep shadow, and the moonlight glimmered over the smooth flowing stream.

The villa we were living in was known as ‘Moran’s Garden’. A flight of stone-flagged steps led up from the water to a long, broad verandah which formed part of the house. The rooms were not regularly arranged, nor all on the same level, and some had to be reached by short flights of stairs. The big sitting room overlooking the landing steps had stained glass windows with coloured pictures.

One of the pictures was of a swing hanging from a branch half-hidden in dense foliage, and in the checkered light and shade of this bower, two persons were swinging; and there was another of a broad flight of steps leading into some castle-like palace, up and down which men and women in festive garb were going and coming. When the light fell on the windows, these pictures shone wonderfully, seeming to fill the river-side atmosphere with holiday music. Some far-away long-forgotten revelry seemed to be expressing itself in silent words of light; the love thrills of the swinging couple making alive with their eternal story the woodlands of the river bank.

The topmost room of the house was in a round tower with windows opening to every side. This I used as my room for writing poetry. Nothing could be seen from thence save the tops of the surrounding trees, and the open sky. I was then busy with the Evening Songs and of this room I wrote:

There, where in the breast of limitless space clouds are laid to sleep,
I have built my house for thee, O Poesy!

About the Author

Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941), Nobel prize-winning Bengali poet, author, philosopher, artist, and educator wrote Gitanjali (1912).
My Reminiscences was written and published in his fiftieth year, shortly before he started on a trip to Europe and America for his failing health in 1912. It was in the course of this trip that he wrote for the first time in the English language for publication.

Glossary

Word	Meaning
ineffable	beyond expression in words, unspeakable
languid	moving slowly
plaintive	sounding sad
ministrations	the act of helping or caring
wrought	caused
clustering	forming a group
belching	to let air come up
veritable	more exciting
garb	clothes

Read and Understand

A. Fill in the blanks

1. The author speaks about the river Ganges.
2. The author’s brother’s name is Jyotirindra.
3. The moonlight glimmered over the smooth flowing stream.
4. The topmost room of the house was in a round tower with windows opening to every side.

B. Answer in one or two sentences

1. He feels a deep sense of homecoming and spiritual nourishment.
2. Mills have replaced green nests and black smoke now pollutes the scene.
3. The rooms were irregular, on different levels, linked by short stairs.

C. Answer in a paragraph

1. Afternoons: singing Vaishnava songs to his own harmonium tunes; boating while his brother played the violin; varying ragas with the setting sun.
2. Return scene: silvery peace, few boats, tree-fringe reduced to shadow, moonlight glimmering on the smooth stream.

Vocabulary

Clipped Words

Full Form	Clipped
advertisement	ad
luncheon	lunch
automobile	auto
mathematics	math
cabriolet	cab
memorandum	memo
examination	exam
moving picture	movie
fanatic	fan
pantaloons	pants
gasoline	gas
photograph	photo
gymnasium	gym
university	varsity
hamburger	burger
zoological park	zoo
influenza	flu
telephone	phone

a. Find clipped words

1. aeroplane – plane
2. microphone – mic
3. refrigerator – fridge
4. kilogram – kilo
5. cafeteria – café

b. Use in sentences

1. I clicked a photo of the sunset.
2. I work out at the gym every evening.
3. We had lunch by the riverside.
4. The ad appeared in today’s paper.
5. We visited the zoo last Sunday.

Blends

Parts	Blend
binary + digit	bit
breakfast + lunch	brunch
camera + recorder	camcorder
electro + execute	electrocute
electronic + mail	email
mechanics + electronics	mechatronics
motor + pedals	moped
motor + hotel	motel
news + broadcast	newscast
smoke + fog	smog
Spanish + English	Spanglish
vital + amine	vitamin

a. Find blends

1. international + police – interpol
2. helicopter + pad – helipad
3. motor + hotel – motel
4. education + satellite – edusat
5. electronic + commerce – e-commerce

b. Use in sentences

1. The thief was electrocuted while tampering with wires.
2. She speaks Spanglish with her cousins.
3. He rode a moped to college.
4. We had a lavish brunch at the new café.
5. Smog covered the city skyline.

Idioms

Food Idioms

• Bad egg – a dishonest or ill-behaved person.
• A piece of cake – a very easy task.
• Couch potato – an idle person.
• Smart cookie – a clever person.
• Bread and butter – necessities.
• Big cheese – an important person.

Sport Idioms

• The ball is in your court – your turn to decide.
• Saved by the bell – rescued at the last moment.
• Strike out – to fail.
• On the ball – fully alert.
• Jump for joy – extremely happy.
• Front runner – expected winner.

Number Idioms

• On cloud nine – blissfully happy.
• At sixes and sevens – confused/disordered.
• One-horse town – very small town.
• Seventh heaven – very happy.
• Take five – take a short break.
• Perfect ten – completely perfect.

Colour Idioms

• Caught red-handed – caught in the act.
• Black sheep – the odd one out.
• Out of the blue – suddenly.
• Gray area – unclear.
• Once in a blue moon – very rarely.
• Golden opportunity – a valuable chance.

Animal Idioms

• At a snail’s pace – very slowly.
• Let the cat out of the bag – reveal a secret.
• Lion’s share – the biggest part.
• Fish out of water – very uncomfortable.
• Watch like a hawk – watch carefully.
• Mad as a hornet – extremely angry.

Match meanings

1. A piece of cake – easy task
2. On cloud nine – blissfully happy
3. Perfect ten – completely perfect
4. At a snail’s pace – moving very slowly
5. Apple of my eye – someone cherished above all

Fill blanks with meanings

1. Take five – take a short break
2. Pieces of eight – old Spanish coins
3. Black and blue – bruised
4. Wild goose chase – futile pursuit
5. Seventh heaven – very happy
6. Couch potato – idle person
7. Lion’s share – biggest portion
8. In black and white – in writing
9. Drop the ball – make a mistake
10. Cat’s meow – something excellent

Listening

(Passage on page 228)

1. The Nobel Committee has been called conservative because (a) it is conservative in the choice of subjects.
2. It ignored advances in theoretical physics because (c) the Committee felt they did not benefit mankind.
3. The Nobel Prize would not be given to (c) a composer who composed a symphony.
4. Alfred Nobel left his fortune to human knowledge because (c) he felt guilty for inventing destructive things.

Speaking

Two-Minute Speech

Good morning to all,
We have gathered for the inauguration of our English Literary Association. I extend a special welcome to our chief guest, Dr. Velavan, who will inaugurate the association.
With gratitude, I welcome the Headmaster and teachers, without whose support this event is impossible.
I also welcome my friends, eager to be enlightened by the speakers.
Once again, I welcome you all on behalf of our school.
Thank you.

Writing

Notice Writing

What? A formal announcement displayed on boards.
Why? To inform many people about an event or information.
Language? Simple, formal, no flowery words, no personal pronouns.

Contents:
- Name of issuing agency
- Date
- Title/Subject
- Body – what, when, where
- Signature & contact

Sample

GOVT HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL, Tiruttani.
NOTICE
30 October 2023
INTERSCHOOL SINGING COMPETITION
The school is hosting an Inter-School Singing Competition for classes 6–12 on 14 Nov. in the auditorium. Auditions on 5 Nov. at 9 a.m. before a famous singer.
For details, contact:
Sharmila
Secretary (Cultural in-charge)

Exercises

1. Draft a notice for an inter-school dance competition.
2. As Santhosh, Secretary, Housing Board, Officers’ Colony, Thiruvarur, write a 50-word notice about water suspension on 5 Oct., 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
3. As Head girl/boy, issue a notice inviting write-ups for the annual magazine.

Grammar

Conjunctions / Connectors

Connector = word/phrase joining sentences/clauses.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

Join equal elements: and, but, or, therefore, so, yet, for, etc.
Example: She ran fast and won the race.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

Join dependent to independent clause: after, because, if, though, when, etc.
Example: The bus had left before he came.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

Work in pairs: either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, both…and, etc.
Example: I am not only a singer but also a musician.

Practice

a. Underline conjunctions

1. Revathy and Rohini are friends.
2. If you say so, I will believe it.
3. Shekar is intelligent but careless.
4. The bus was overcrowded so Arun avoided it.
5. Though Vinay is ill, he doesn’t skip classes.

b. Fill blanks

1. I returned home after the bus had started.
2. I respect him though he is very strict.
3. Sudharshan will succeed if he works hard.
4. Aravinth and Arun are classmates.
5. You can’t have these fruits till they are ripe.

c. Choose correct conjunction

1. Everyone likes him because he is helpful.
2. As it was cloudy, we took an umbrella.
3. Rathi found her watch where she had left it.
4. I don’t know whether I can afford a new dress.
5. As he was ill, he went to the doctor.

Sentence Pattern

Pattern	Example
SV	Child laughs.
SVO	I play hockey.
SVC	He is smart.
SVOC	I painted the car blue.
SVIODO	My father presented me a watch.
SVDOIO	She gave money to the poor.

Practice

a. Choose pattern

1. The wall collapsed. – A. SV
2. During the war, many people lost their homes. – A. SVO
3. I promised the children a trip to the zoo. – C. SVIODO
4. In 1998, Frank moved to London. – B. ASVO
5. Pooja hired a bicycle. – B. SVO

b. Write two sentences each

SV – Birds fly. / Dogs bark.
SVO – She reads novels. / We planted trees.
SVC – They are doctors. / The sky is clear.
SVA – He sleeps here. / She left early.
SVOC – They elected him captain. / We found the room empty.
SVIODO – Mom gave me a gift. / He sent her a letter.
ASV – Yesterday, the bell rang. / At dawn, the birds chirped.
SVAA – She goes to school daily by bus. / They played happily in the park.

Practice Practice Exercises

1. Revathy and Rohini are friends.

2. If you say so, I will believe it.

3. Shekar is intelligent but careless.

4. The bus was overcrowded so, Arun avoided travelling on it.

5. Though Vinay is ill, he doesn't skip classes.

1. I returned home the bus had started.

2. I respect him he is very strict.

3. Sudharshan will succeed he works hard.

4. Aravinth Arun are classmates from their childhood.

5. You can’t have these fruits they are ripe.

1. Everyone likes him he is very helpful. (because / for)

2. it was cloudy, we decided to take an umbrella. (so / as)

3. Rathi found her watch she had left it. (wherever / where)

4. I don’t know I can afford to buy a new dress or not. (whether / why)

5. he was ill, he went to the doctor. (as / though)

A. S V

B. S V O

C. S-V- I O - D O

A. S V O

B. S-V- I O - D O

C. A S V O

B. S-V - D O - I O

A. A S V A

B. A S V O

C. S- V - I O - D O

C. S V A

1. The author speaks about the river .

2. The author’s brother’s name is .

3. The glimmered over the smooth flowing stream.

4. The room of the house was in a round tower with windows opening to .

1. How does the author feel when he sees the Ganges again?

2. In what ways the river and its bank have changed?

3. How were the rooms arranged in author’s house?

1. Explain in detail how the author spends his afternoon?

2. Describe how the river looks when he rows back.

1. aero plane -

2. microphone -

3. refrigerator -

4. kilogram -

5. cafeteria -

1. photograph -

2. gymnasium -

3. luncheon -

4. advertisement -

5. zoological park-

1. international + police -

2. helicopter + pad -

3. motor + hotel -

4. education + satellite -

5. electronic + commerce -

1. electrocute -

2. spanglish -

3. moped -

4. brunch -

5. smog -

1. A piece of cake - Moving very slowly

2. On cloud nine - easy task

3. Perfect ten - Blissfully happy

4. At a snail’s pace - someone who is cherished above all others

5. Apple of my eye - completely perfect

1. Take five

2. Pieces of eight

3. Black and blue

4. Wild goose chase

5. Seventh heaven

6. A couch potato

7. The lion’s share

8. In black and white

9. Drop the ball

10. Cat's meow

(a) it is conservative in the choice of subjects.

(b) its members believe in conservative ideology.

(c) its members are old fashioned.

(d) awards prizes only to those people who adopt a conservative approach.

(a) they were different from other branches of physics.

(b) they were concerned with the theory and did not suggest its application.

(c) the Committee felt that the discovery and invention in the field did not contribute to the benefit of mankind.

(d) they proved to be merchants of death and hence dangerous to mankind.

(a) a diplomat who negotiated a peace settlement

(b) a doctor who discovered a vaccine

(c) a composer who composed a symphony

(d) an author who wrote a novel

(a) was ‘Europe’s richest vagabond’

(b) were a chemist, engineer and an aspiring poet

(c) felt guilty for having invented highly destructive things

(d) felt guilty for having earned so much money