8. MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD BY ZITKALA-SA AND BAMA

COMPLETE SOLUTION OF "MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD"

Q1. Name the authors and the story.

Ans:- The authors are Zitkala-Sa and Bama, the story is ‘Memories of Childhood’.

Q2. Who is Zitkala-Sa in the story?

Ans:- Zitkala-Sa is an author and native American women.

Q3. Who is Bama?

Ans:- Bama is an author and a Tamil Dalit woman from a Roman Catholic family.

Q4. What made Zitkala-Sa weep in the dining hall?

Ans:- Even first day, Zitkala was feeling uncomfortable in her new dress when she entered the dining hall. A small bell was rang, Zitkala thought bell was for sitting, so she pulled out a chair and sat on it. But to her surprise everybody kept standing. She was getting up when the second bell rang and finally all were seated. Even Zitkala couldn’t use her knife and fork for eating while she started weeping bitterly to her embarrassment.

Q5. Why was Zitkala-Sa terrified when Judewin told her that her hair would be cut short?

Ans:- Zitkala-Sa was afraid having heard about her hair cutting. Because in Zitkala’s community shingled hair was worn by unskilled warriors who were captured by the enemy and their hair was cut. So, it was a sign of coward. Zitkala decided that she would not go down without fight.

Q6. What impact did Annan’s advice have on Bama?

Ans:- Bama’s brother Annan told Bama that only education could help them earn some respect and dignity in society. These words of Annan left a deep impression in the heart of Bama. She studied very hard from the bottom of her heart. She always stood first in her class. Now everybody respected and wanted to be her friend.

Q7. When did Bama first come to know of the social discrimination (Bhed bhaw) faced by the people of her community?

Ans:- Bama came to know of the social discrimination faced by the people of her community when she was the student of standard three. She saw an important elder man of her community serve Vadais to a landlord without touching them. It was a bitter truth for Bama and a quite new experience for her.

Q8. What made Zitkala lose her spirit?

Ans:- Zitkala didn’t want to get her hair to be cut, so she hid herself under the bed. But very soon she was found. She was dragged out from the bed and carried downstairs, tied her to a chair. Though she cried so much but none cared her. Her long hair was cut mercilessly that she loved so much. This cutting of Zitkala hair made her lose her spirit.

Q9. What was the advice that Annan gave to Bama?

Ans:- Annan made understand Bama that they were born into a community which was considered low caste. They have no respect, honour and dignity but if they would study and would progress, then they also would be respected and honoured and all more indignities would be thrown outside from the society for ever. And Bama followed her brother’s advice; she always stood first in her class.

Q10. What sort of shows or entertainment attracted Bama?

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Q.   Which activities of the people would Bama watch keenly in the bazaar?

Ans:- Bama amused much while coming home from school by watching some weird activities in the bazaar. The snake charmer, street plays, puppet shows (kathputli play) and stunt performance etc. Bama loved these all more activities.