Maharashtra State Board Class 9 English Lesson The Past in the Present Summary, Line by Line Explanation, Theme, Poetic Devices along with difficult word meanings from English Kumarbharati Book
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The Past in the Present Maharashtra State Board Class 9 English
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- The Past in the Present Introduction
- Theme / Central Idea Lesson The Past in the Present
- The Past in the Present Summary
- The Past in the Present Summary in Hindi
- The Past in the Present Lesson Explanation
The Past in the Present Introduction
The play titled “The Past in the Present,” explores the evolution of household chores, particularly for teenage boys, through a humorous and thought-provoking narrative.
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Theme / Central Idea of the Lesson The Past in the Present
The Importance of Habits: The play emphasizes the importance of developing good habits, such as tidiness and responsibility. It suggests that these habits can have a lasting impact on one’s character and success.
The Impact of Technology: The play touches on the impact of technology on daily life. It contrasts the modern conveniences enjoyed by Neel with the laborious tasks performed by his ancestors.
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The Past in the Present Summary
The scene opens in the messy room of a modern-day teenage boy, Neel, who is reluctant to clean up after himself. His mother insists on daily tidiness, leading to a disagreement.
The play is about a teenage boy named Neel who is asked to clean his room by his mom. Neel resists, arguing that he already cleaned it. His mom explains that it’s important to maintain a clean room daily. Neel reluctantly agrees but still questions why he needs to make his bed.
To illustrate the historical context of household chores, Neel’s mom takes him on a journey through time. She shows him how boys in different historical periods had to do various chores, including farming, animal husbandry, and construction.
Through this journey, Neel learns that household chores have been a part of life for a long time, and that it’s important to contribute to the upkeep of one’s living space.
The play demonstrates that while the specific tasks may have changed over time, the underlying principle of shared responsibility has remained constant.
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The Past in the Present Summary in Hindi
दृश्य एक आधुनिक किशोर लड़के नील के गंदे कमरे में खुलता है, जो सफाई करने की इच्छा नहीं रखता। उसकी माँ रोजाना सफाई पर जोर देती है, जिससे तनाव होता है।
नाटक एक किशोर लड़के नील के बारे में है, जिसे उसकी माँ द्वारा अपना कमरा साफ करने के लिए कहा जाता है। नील विरोध करता है, यह तर्क देते हुए कि उसने पहले ही इसे साफ कर लिया है। उसकी माँ बताती है कि रोजाना एक साफ कमरा बनाए रखना महत्वपूर्ण है। नील अनिच्छा से सहमत हो जाता है लेकिन फिर भी सवाल करता है कि उसे अपना बिस्तर क्यों बनाना है।
घरेलू कामों के ऐतिहासिक संदर्भ को चित्रित करने के लिए, नील की माँ उसे समय यात्रा पर ले जाती है। वह उसे दिखाती है कि विभिन्न ऐतिहासिक काल में लड़कों को खेती, पशुपालन और निर्माण सहित विभिन्न काम करने पड़ते थे।
इस यात्रा के माध्यम से, नील को पता चलता है कि घरेलू काम लंबे समय से जीवन का हिस्सा रहे हैं, और अपने रहने की जगह के रखरखाव में योगदान देना महत्वपूर्ण है।
नाटक दर्शाता है कि समय के साथ विशिष्ट कार्यों में बदलाव आया हो सकता है, लेकिन साझा जिम्मेदारी का मूल सिद्धांत स्थिर रहा है।
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The Past in the Present Lesson Explanation
Scene – A typical teenage boy’s room, in a messed up state.
Passage: Neel : Mom, I put the dishes in the dishwasher, just as you asked me to. Now I am going out to meet my friends. (Enter Mom in a mod outfit.)
Mom : You haven’t cleaned up your room.
Neel : Awww ! I cleaned it only 2 days ago.
Mom : You have to clean it up every day.
Word Meaning
Mod outfit: A stylish or fashionable outfit, often referring to a particular style from the mid-20th century.
Explanation: Neel, a teenage boy, had a messy room. He told his mom he had already cleaned the dishes and wanted to go out with his friends. His mom, however, wanted him to clean his room. Neel argued that he had cleaned it just two days ago, but his mom insisted that he cleans it every day.
Passage: Neel : (Picking up his books, clothes, head phones, etc. from the floor and bed and putting them in their places.) Is it necessary to clean up every day? What difference does it make?
Mom : It does ! It builds up the right habits, the right attitude……..
Neel : (Cuts her short) All right! All right! I get enough of lectures when school is on.
Word Meaning
Cuts her short: Interrupts her abruptly.
Explanation: Neel was tired of cleaning up his room every day. He asked his mom if it was really necessary. He didn’t see why it mattered. His mom explained that cleaning up helps develop good habits and a positive attitude. Neel didn’t want to listen to his mom’s lecture, so he said he already heard enough when school was in session.
Passage: Mom : (After Neel finishes his chores) That looks much better now. But you forgot to make your bed. Do that and you may go out.
Neel : (Irritated) Mom! It’s getting late! The bed is going to be messed up again, when I sleep after lunch. Why do I have to make my bed? Why?
Word Meaning
Chore: A routine task, especially a household one.
Messed up: disordered or untidy.
Explanation: Mother told Neel that his room looked much cleaner after he finished his tasks. However, she noticed that he had forgotten to make his bed. She asked him to do it so he could go outside. Neel got annoyed and said it was getting late and that he would just have to make his bed again after lunch. He asked why he had to make his bed as it was going to be messed up soon.
Passage: Mom : Hmmm….. That reminds me of something I heard about your Grandpa, when he was in his teens. He had many more daily chores to finish and much tougher ones too.
Mom : On that day his mom had told him firmly ———
(A teenage boy from 1950s wearing loose trousers and shirt, enters with his mother in a silk saree.)
The Boy’s Mother : Make your bed, before going out.
1950s Boy : But Mama I have already watered the garden, brought home the groceries, dusted the living room, cleaned my bicycle. Now why do I need to make my bed?
Word Meaning
Firmly: strongly.
Explanation: Mother said that the incident reminded her of something she had heard about Grandpa when he was a teenager. She mentioned that Grandpa had many more daily chores to do, and they were much tougher than the ones he had now. Mom then recalled a conversation between Grandpa and his mother. His mother had firmly told him to make his bed before going out. Grandpa had protested, saying that he had already completed other tasks like watering the garden, bringing home groceries, dusting the living room, and cleaning his bicycle. He questioned the need to make his bed.
Passage: The Boy’s Mother : (To her son) Let me tell you about your grandfather in his teens.
(1950s boy and mother recede and stand behind and 1910 boy enters dressed in kurta-pyjamas and cap with his mother in a nine-yard saree, nose ring and jewellery)
1910 Mother : You can’t go out unless you make your bed.
1910 Boy : Mummy, I fetched water and filled up the pots, swept the terrace, collected wood for the stove, cleaned the grinding stones.
Word Meaning
Grinding stones: Stones used for grinding or crushing substances, such as spices or grains.
Explanation: The boy’s mother told her son that she would tell him about his grandfather’s teenage years. As they stepped back, a scene from the 1910s unfolded.
A young boy in traditional clothing was talking to his mother. The mother told her son that he couldn’t go out until he made his bed. The boy replied that he had already completed his chores, including fetching water, filling pots, sweeping the terrace, collecting firewood, and cleaning the grinding stones.
Passage: Neel : (To his mom) What are grinding stones? Ahhh! Yes! They didn’t have any
electric grinders in those days!
Mom : No electricity either in most towns and cities, in India, then.
Word Meaning
Electric grinders: These are modern appliances that use electricity to grind materials.
Explanation: Neel asked his mom what grinding stones were. He exclaimed that they didn’t have electric grinders in those days. His mom replied that there was no electricity in most towns and cities in India at that time.
Passage: (Neel looks surprised)
1910 Boy : I promised to go to the riverside with my friends. Why do I have to make my bed now?
The Boy’s Mother : (To her son) Let me tell you about your great-grandfather who lived in the 19th century. When he was young…
Word Meaning
19th century: The 100 years between 1801 and 1900.
Explanation: The boy expressed surprise about having to make his bed when he had promised to go to the riverside with his friends. His mother responded by telling him a story about her great-grandfather who lived in the 19th century. She explained that when her great-grandfather was young, he had always carried out his duties before engaging in leisure activities.
Passage: (1910 boy and mother recede to where the previous pair stands. 1800 boy
enters in dhoti, kurta and small turban with his mother in a nine-yard saree and
traditional jewellery)
1800 Mother : Son, make everyone’s beds.
1800 Boy : Mother dear, I have washed clothes at the river and put them up to dry. I also chopped the wood, fixed the broken fence, took the goats up the hill to graze. I want to play atya- patya with my friends. Why do I have to make the beds?
The Boy’s Mother : That’s your daily work. Your great, great grandfather did even more. Now go and make the beds.
Word Meaning
Recede: to move away from something
Atya-patya: a traditional Indian game, similar to hide-and-seek.
Explanation: The 1910 boy and his mother moved to where the previous mother and son were standing. Then, the 1800 boy arrived wearing a dhoti, kurta, and small turban. His mother was dressed in a nine-yard saree and traditional jewelry. The 1800 mother asked her son to make the beds. The boy replied that he had already washed clothes, chopped wood, fixed the fence, and taken the goats to graze. He wanted to play with his friends. The mother explained that making bed was his daily task, just like his great, great grandfather did. She told him to go and make the beds.
Passage: (1800 boy and mother recede to where the previous pairs stand. Enters 1500 boy
dressed in a loose sleeveless V-neck top and short dhoti with his mother in a nine-yard saree.)
Neel : And this forefather of mine is from-?
Mom : The 16th century.
1500 Boy : My dear mother, I have already milked the cows, taken them to graze, fetched vegetables from our farm, stacked them, swept the back yard and front yard. Now may I please go to play Ashtapada with Sampatbhau and Mahadevbhau. Why should I make my bed now?
The Boy’s Mother : Why? Don’t talk back. Think of your double great-great-great grandfather when he was about 14 years old.
Word Meaning
Stacked: Arranged things in a pile.
Ashtapada: A traditional Indian board game.
Sampatbhau and Mahadevbhau: Names of two people.
Explanation: The 1800 boy and his mother moved to where the others were standing. Then, the 1500 boy entered. He was wearing a loose, sleeveless V-neck shirt and a short dhoti. His mother was wearing a nine-yard saree.
Neel asked the 1500 boy which age he was from. The boy’s mother said he was from the 16th century. The 1500 boy told his mother that he had already done all his chores. He asked if he could go play Ashtapada with his friends. His mother told him to be patient and think about his ancestor when he was 14 years old.
Passage: (1500 boy and his mother recede. Enters 1000 boy in a flare tunic and churidar,
waist band and turban with his mother in a saree, upper garment and plenty of jewellery)
1000 Boy : Most revered mother, I have fetched water from the lake and poured it into the farm channels to water our crops, I cleared the blocked channels and pulled out weeds. At home I patched the mud walls, where there were cracks. Now I have no time for anything else. I wish to go to watch the puppet show. Why do I have to make my bed?
The Boy’s Mother : Do not grumble, dear son. Your triple great, triple great, triple great grandfather; had to do much more when he was your age.
Word Meaning
Revered: Respected and admired.
Fetched: Brought something from somewhere.
Channels: A long, narrow passage for water or other liquid.
Weeds: Wild plants that grow where they are not wanted.
Patched: To repair a hole or tear in something.
Grumble: To complain in a low, unhappy voice.
Explanation: The 1500-year-old boy and his mother left the scene. A 1000-year-old boy entered wearing a colorful tunic and loose pants, with a waistband and turban. His mother wore a saree, a long cloth garment, and many jewelry pieces.
The 1000 boy told his mother that he had done a lot of work that day. He had fetched water from the lake and used it to water their crops. He had also cleared the blocked channels and removed weeds. At home, he had repaired the cracks in the mud walls. He said that he was tired and wanted to go to the puppet show, but his mother asked him to make his bed. She reminded him that his great-great-great-great-great grandfather had to do even more work when he was young.
Passage: (1000 boy and his mother recede. Enters 1st century ce boy dressed in a dhoti
and a waist band – no shirt, and his mother in a saree and an upper garment, and beads jewellery.)
100 (CE) Boy : Matadevi, I fed the poultry, tended the sheep, kept the birds away for four hours in our field using a sling, also plastered the yard with dung. I wish to go and play Bagh-chal with my friends now. Why do you wish me to make the beds, right now?
The Boy’s Mother : Because that is what boys have to do. Let me tell you about your ancestor 3000 years ago.
Word Meaning
Matadevi: A respectful term for “mother”.
Poultry: Birds raised for meat or eggs, such as chickens, ducks, or turkeys.
Sling: A weapon used to throw stones or other objects.
Bagh-chal: A traditional Indian board game similar to checkers.
Explanation: The 1000 boy and his mother disappeared from stage.
A young 100 CE boy, dressed in a dhoti and a waist band but no shirt, and his mother, wearing a saree and an upper garment with beaded jewelry, entered the scene. The boy said to his mother that he had fed the poultry, taken care of the sheep, and scared away the birds from their field for four hours using a sling. He also mentioned plastering the yard with dung. He expressed his desire to play Bagh-chal with his friends and questioned why his mother wanted him to make the beds immediately. His mother replied that it was a task expected of boys. She then decided to tell him a story about their ancestor from 3000 years ago.
Passage: (1st Century boy and mother recede. Enter boy from 3000 bce. A cloth around the
waist held by a cord, long hair in a bun or ponytail and his mother, saree, a veil, stone and beads jewellery.)
3000 (BCE) Boy : Me bow to thee ! Me hunted down the food for our family. Me helped father to carve stone bricks for our new house. Me dusted our leather clothes, moulded mud pots for cooking and put them to dry. Me need your kind permission to go and play Chaupar with me friends. Why dost thou needs me to make me bed?
The Boy’s Mother : Because me say so! Do it now.
Word Meaning
1st Century: The 1st century refers to the first 100 years of the Common Era (CE), also known as Anno Domini (AD).
3000 BCE: This stands for “3000 Before Common Era,” meaning 3000 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Veil: A piece of cloth worn over the face or head, often for religious or cultural reasons.
Dost thou: “Do you.”
Explanation: The boy from the 1st century and his mother left the scene. Then, a boy from 3000 BCE entered. He was wearing a cloth wrapped around his waist with a cord, had long hair tied in a bun or ponytail, and his mother was dressed in a saree with a veil and adorned with stone and bead jewelry. The boy from 3000 BCE bowed to the audience and said that he had hunted food for his family, helped his father carve stone bricks for their new house, dusted their leather clothes, and made mud pots for cooking. He then asked permission to go play Chaupar with his friends. His mother responded by telling him to make his bed because she said so.
Passage: (All mothers to their sons in turn repeat, ‘Do it now’, with the boys answering ‘Yes, mother’.)
Neel : Ok, so young teenage boys have had chores to do outdoors as well as in their homes.
Mom : Very much so ! Absolutely right.
Neel : I wish I had a robot to make my bed and tidy up my room.
Mom : Nothing is impossible. If you try you can make such a robot. But even for that you need to work hard ! The bottom line is Go and make your bed.
(Curtain)
Word Meaning
Bottom line: The most important or essential point.
Explanation: All mothers repeatedly told their sons to do their chores immediately, to which the boys responded affirmatively. Neel observed that young teenage boys had to do chores both inside and outside their homes. His mother agreed, emphasizing that it was essential for boys to contribute to household tasks. Neel expressed a desire for a robot to assist him with his chores, but his mother reminded him that nothing was impossible if he was willing to put in the effort. She encouraged him to start by making his bed.