Class 12 Neighbours Summary and Exercise
Understanding the text
a. Describe how the young couple’s house looked like.
➜The specific details of the young couple's house in "Neighbours" by Tim Winton are not provided in the story. The author focuses more on the emotional and interpersonal aspects of the narrative rather than providing detailed descriptions of the physical surroundings. Consequently, there may not be a comprehensive description of the house itself, its architecture, or its interior in the text.
If you have a specific excerpt or details you would like me to elaborate on, or if you're looking for information from a specific part of the story, please provide more context, and I'll do my best to assist you.
➜In Tim Winton's short story "Neighbours," the young couple identified their neighbors by referring to them as "the old people." This simple and somewhat impersonal label reflects a lack of familiarity and connection with the neighbors. The characterization as "the old people" suggests a certain distance or unfamiliarity between the two couples. As the story progresses, this initial characterization becomes significant, especially when one couple decides to move away, leaving a void and impacting the remaining couple and the neighborhood dynamics. The story explores themes of connection, change, and the consequences of relationships in a suburban setting.
c. How did the neighbours help the young couple in the kitchen garden?
➜In "Neighbours" by Tim Winton, the story describes a scene where the young couple decides to create a kitchen garden. The neighbors, initially referred to as "the old people," offer their assistance and advice to the young couple in setting up the garden. The older couple helps by sharing their knowledge of gardening, providing seeds, and giving guidance on how to nurture and cultivate the plants.
This moment of neighborly interaction reflects a sense of community and shared knowledge, highlighting the initial positive and helpful relationship between the two couples. However, as the story progresses, the dynamics shift when the young couple decides to abruptly move away, leaving a void in the neighborhood and affecting the relationships between neighbors.
d. Why were the people in the neighbourhood surprised at the role of the young man and his wife in their family?
➜The surprise was rooted in the sudden disruption of the established norm within the community. The young couple had seemingly been an integral part of the neighborhood, engaging with their neighbors and even participating in communal activities such as setting up a kitchen garden. The decision to leave caught the neighbors off guard, challenging their assumptions about the stability of relationships within the community. The unexpected departure of the young couple created a sense of astonishment and prompted the neighbors to reevaluate their understanding of the couple's role in the neighborhood.
e. How did the neighbours respond to the woman’s pregnancy?
➜There is no explicit mention of the woman's pregnancy or the neighbors' response to it in the available information. It's possible that the details you are referring to are not part of the specific content I have been trained on or might be from a different work by Tim Winton. If you have more context or specific details from the story, I would be happy to try and provide more information or insights based on that.
f. Why did the young man begin to weep at the end of the story?
➜The young man's beginning to cry at the end of the story is a sign of the young couple's realization after the baby was born.
It enables the couple to emotionally seek the support of their neighbors. Additionally, critical events like the introduction of a kid offer the capacity to acknowledge shared mankind. The child had recharged new discernments with respect to the neighbors, similarly as depicted in the endorsed text.g. Why do you think the author did not characterize the persons in the story with proper names?
➜Tim Winton's decision to eschew proper names in "Neighbours" amplifies its universal themes. By referring to characters as "the young couple" and "the old people," Winton shifts the focus from individual identities to broader explorations of human relationships and community dynamics. This lack of specificity invites readers to project their own experiences onto the characters, enhancing the story's emotional resonance and timelessness. The narrative's strength lies in its ability to capture the essence of shared human experiences without being constrained by particular names.
a. The story shows that linguistic and cultural barriers do not create any obstacle in human relationship. Cite some examples from the story where the neighbours have transcended such barriers.
➜They didn't communicate in another's dialects and offer a comparable culture, in this manner language and culture didn't appear to assume a part in their correspondence, yet the youthful couple seemed to have figured out how to yell like their neighbors. After a time of change, the couple sorted out some way to mix in. For sure, the text demonstrates that the semantic and social obstructions make no hindrance in human connections.
The young couple's garden inspired their neighbors to approach the fence and offer advice on spacing, hilling, and mulching, according to the story. The couple chose to fabricate a hen house, which they finished with the help of one of their neighbors, and they were at last equivalent to every other person. Even at dinner parties, they started inviting one another. These are some of the story's best examples of neighbors breaking through such barriers.
b. The last sentence of the story reads “The twentieth-century novel had not prepared him for this.” In your view, what differences did the young man find between twentieth-century novels and human relations?
➜They didn't communicate in another's dialects and offer a comparable culture, in this manner language and culture didn't appear to assume a part in their correspondence, yet the youthful couple seemed to have figured out how to yell like their neighbors. After a time of change, the couple sorted out some way to mix in. For sure, the text demonstrates that the semantic and social obstructions make no hindrance in human connections.
c. A Nepali proverb says “Neighbors are companions for wedding procession as well as for funeral procession.” Does this proverb apply in the story? Justify.
➜"Neighbors are allies for wedding parade as well with respect to burial service parade." Yes, the story makes use of this proverb as well.
They welcomed each other to supper and shared a ton of data. Additionally, the energy of the young lady's pregnancy was shared by everybody in the area.
d. The author has dealt with an issue of multiculturalism in the story. Why do you think multiculturalism has become a major issue in the present world?
➜The presence of a variety of cultures in a community is referred to as multiculturalism, also known as ethnic diversity. It is for the most part applied to the segment make-up of a specific spot, in some cases at the hierarchical level, like schools, organizations, neighborhoods, urban communities, or countries, as an engaging expression.
Reference beyond the text
a. Write an essay on Celebration of Childbirth in my Community.
➜The celebration of childbirth in the Nepali community is a rich tapestry of cultural and religious traditions that reflect the importance and joy associated with the arrival of a new member. In Nepali culture, the event is marked by a series of rituals and ceremonies that begin before the birth and continue well into the postpartum period.
The main event following childbirth is the "Nwaran" or naming ceremony, typically performed on the eleventh day for boys and the twelfth day for girls. During this ceremony, the baby is given its formal name by a senior family member, usually the grandfather. The chosen name is often significant, carrying cultural and familial meaning.
Religious rituals also play a crucial role in the Nepali childbirth celebration, with families adhering to Hindu traditions. Pujas (prayer ceremonies) are conducted to seek blessings from deities for the health and prosperity of the newborn. Additionally, astrology and the alignment of stars are considered when determining auspicious timings for these ceremonies.
The community actively engages in collective support for new parents. Elders, relatives, and neighbors come together to assist with household chores, provide guidance, and offer emotional support during the postpartum period. This communal approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of families and the wider community.
Food is a central element of Nepali celebrations, and special dishes are prepared to mark the occasion. Sweets and traditional delicacies are shared among neighbors and relatives, fostering a sense of joy and unity.
In conclusion, the celebration of childbirth in the Nepali community is a vibrant tapestry woven with cultural, religious, and communal threads. It emphasizes the significance of family, the spiritual dimension of life, and the collective responsibility of the community to welcome and nurture new life. The rituals and ceremonies not only celebrate the birth of a child but also strengthen the bonds that tie the community together, creating a lasting and meaningful tapestry of traditions.
b. Do the people in your community respond with similar reactions upon the pregnancy and childbirth as depicted in the story? Give a couple of examples.
➜The presence of a variety of cultures in a community is referred to as multiculturalism, also known as ethnic diversity. It is for the most part applied to the segment make-up of a specific spot, in some cases at the hierarchical level, like schools, organizations, neighborhoods, urban communities, or countries, as an engaging expression.