Father’s Help Summary

 

West Bengal Board Class 10 English Father’s Help Summary, Lesson Explanation with difficult word meanings from Bliss Book

 

Father’s Help– Are you looking for Summary and Lesson Explanation for West Bengal  Board Class 10 English Lesson 1 Father’s Help from Bliss Book. Get notes, summary of the Lesson followed by line by line explanation of the lesson along with the meanings of difficult words.

 

Father’s Help West Bengal Board Board Class 10 English 

R.K. Narayan  
 

 

 
 

Father’s Help Introduction

The lesson “Father’s Help” by R.K. Narayan tells us about Swami, a young boy who finds himself caught between the pressures of school and the expectations of his father. Swami wakes up on a Monday morning, dreading the thought of going to school. He tries to avoid it by faking illness, but his father insists he goes.His father, not easily fooled, insists that Swami must attend school and writes a letter to the headmaster, criticising Swami’s teacher, Samuel. Swami, feeling conflicted, decides to deliver the letter at the end of the day. However, upon witnessing Samuel’s kindness and understanding, Swami begins to question the accusations made against him. When he finally decides to deliver the letter, he finds the headmaster gone. Swami’s father’s reaction shows that there is more going on between them than just the letter. It suggests that there are deeper feelings and issues between them that affect how they interact. 
 

 
 

Theme of the Lesson Father’s Help 

The theme of  “Father’s Help” by R.K. Narayan revolves around family dynamics, impulsive actions, and moral dilemmas. It depicts the complexities of relationships between Swami and his father, revealing misunderstandings and their consequences. The lesson emphasizes the significance of honesty and integrity as Swami navigates ethical challenges. Moreover, it explores the theme of perception versus reality as Swami’s initial judgments about his teacher are questioned. 
 

 
 

Father’s Help Summary

The chapter “Father’s Help” by R.K. Narayan talks about Swami, a young boy who wakes up feeling worried because it is Monday, and he does not want to go to school. He pretends to have a headache to avoid going, but his father insists he attends. Swami’s father is strict and expects him to follow the rules. When Swami’s father decides to send a letter to Swami’s headmaster complaining about his teacher, Samuel, Swami feels conflicted. He’s not sure if his complaints about Samuel are true or if he’s just making things up. Swami worries about the consequences of delivering the letter and struggles with his conscience.

Throughout the day, Swami reflects on his relationship with Samuel. He remembers moments when Samuel was kind to him, which makes him question whether his complaints are justified. Swami feels torn between wanting to please his father and doing what he feels is right.

When Swami finally decides to deliver the letter to the headmaster, he discovers that the headmaster is away. This unexpected turn of events leaves Swami feeling confused and unsure of what to do next.

When Swami returns home, his father tears up the letter and scolds him. Swami learns that his father’s actions have consequences and that it is important to think carefully before making decisions. He also learns the importance of honesty and integrity in maintaining healthy relationships. 
 

 
 

Father’s Help Summary in Hindi

अध्याय “पिता की मदद” आर.के. नारायण द्वारा लिखा गया है ।एक युवा लड़के स्वामी के बारे में बात करते हैं जो सोमवार होने के कारण चिंतित होकर उठता है और वह स्कूल नहीं जाना चाहता। वह जाने से बचने के लिए सिरदर्द का बहाना करता है, लेकिन उसके पिता जोर देकर कहते हैं कि वह जाए। स्वामी के पिता सख्त हैं और उनसे नियमों का पालन करने की अपेक्षा करते हैं। जब स्वामी के पिता ने स्वामी के प्रधानाध्यापक को उनके शिक्षक सैमुअल के बारे में शिकायत करते हुए एक पत्र भेजने का फैसला किया, तो स्वामी को विरोधाभास महसूस हुआ। वह निश्चित नहीं है कि सैमुअल के बारे में उसकी शिकायतें सच हैं या वह सिर्फ बातें बना रहा है। स्वामी पत्र देने के परिणामों के बारे में चिंतित हैं और अपने विवेक से संघर्ष करता है।

पूरे दिन, स्वामी सैमुअल के साथ अपने संबंधों पर विचार करता है। वह उन क्षणों को याद करता है जब सैमुअल उसके प्रति दयालु था, जिससे उसे सवाल उठता है कि क्या उसकी शिकायतें उचित हैं। स्वामी अपने पिता को खुश करने की चाहत और जो उन्हें सही लगता है उसे करने के बीच फंसा हुआ महसूस करता है।

जब स्वामी अंततः प्रधानाध्यापक को पत्र देने का फैसला करता है, तो उसे पता चलता है कि प्रधानाध्यापक दूर है। घटनाओं के इस अप्रत्याशित मोड़ से स्वामी भ्रमित हो जाता है और अनिश्चित हो जाते हैं कि आगे क्या करें।

जब स्वामी घर लौटता है, तो उसके पिता पत्र फाड़ देते हैं और उसे डांटते हैं। स्वामी को पता चला कि उसके पिता के कार्यों के परिणाम होंगे और निर्णय लेने से पहले सावधानी से सोचना महत्वपूर्ण है। वह स्वस्थ संबंधों को बनाए रखने में ईमानदारी और सत्यनिष्ठा के महत्व को भी सीखता है।
 

 
 

Father’s Help Lesson Explanation

 

Unit 1

 

Passage: 

Lying in bed, Swami realised with a shudder that it was Monday morning. It looked as though only a moment ago it was Friday. Already Monday was here. He hoped he didn’t have to go to school. 

At nine o’ clock, Swaminathan wailed, “I have a headache.”

Mother generously suggested that Swami might stay at home. At 9.30, when he ought to have been in the school prayer hall, Swami was lying on the bench in Mother’s room.

Father asked him, “Have you no school today?”

“Headache,” Swami replied.

“Nonsense! Dress up and go.”

“Headache!”

“Loaf about less on Sundays and you will be without a headache on Monday.” 

 

Word Meanings:

generously (adj.): in a way that shows a willingness to give money, help, kindness, etc., especially more than is usual or expected

shudder (v): shaking of body caused by fear

loaf (n): move around in an idle manner 

wailed (v): to utter a high- pitched cry of grief 

 

Explanation: Swami wakes up on a Monday morning feeling worried because he does not want to go to school. He pretends to have a headache to avoid going. His mother suggests he stay home, but his father insists he goes to school. Swami continues to complain about having a headache, but his father does not believe him and tells him to get ready for school. His father also scolds him for not resting enough on Sundays, saying that this might be the reason for his headache. 

Passage: 

Swami knew how strict his father could be. So he changed his tactics. “I can’t go so late to the class.”

“You’ll have to. It is your own fault.”

“What will the teacher think if I go so late?”

“Tell him you had a headache and so are late.”

“He will scold me if I say so.”

“Will he? Let us see. What is his name?”

“Samuel.”

“Does he always scold the students?”

“He is a very angry man. He is especially angry with boys who come in late. I wouldn’t like to go late to Samuel’s class.”

” If he is so angry, why not tell your headmaster about it?”

“They say that even the headmaster is afraid of him.”

Word Meanings:

tactics (n): a planned way of doing something  

 

Explanation: Swami tries to convince his father not to make him go to school late. He knows his father is strict, so he changes his ways and tries to reason with him. Swami expresses concern about being scolded by his teacher, Samuel, for being late. He describes Samuel as a very angry man who is strict with students who come to class late. Swami even suggests telling the headmaster about Samuel’s behavior, but he hesitates because he has heard that even the headmaster is afraid of Samuel. 

Unit 2

 

Passage

Swami hoped that with this his father would be made to see why he must avoid school for the day. But Father’s behavior took an unexpected turn. He proposed to send a letter with Swami to the headmaster. No amount of protest from Swami would make him change his mind.

By the time Swami was ready to leave for school, Father had composed a long letter to the headmaster. He put it in an envelope and sealed it. 

“What have you written, Father?” Swami asked apprehensively. 

‘Nothing for you. Give it to your headmaster and go to your class.”

“Have you written anything about our teacher Samuel?”

“Yes. Plenty of things.”

“What has he done, Father?”

“Everything is there in the letter. Give it to your headmaster.”

 

Word Meanings:

apprehensively (adverb): in a manner which expresses worry that something unpleasant may happen

unexpected (adverb): in a way that is not expected

 

Explanation: Swami hopes that his father will understand why he wants to avoid school for the day, but his father surprises him by deciding to send a letter to the headmaster instead. Despite Swami’s protests, his father remains firm in his decision. By the time Swami is ready to leave for school, his father has already written a long letter to the headmaster, addressing different  issues, including concerns about Swami’s teacher, Samuel. Swami is anxious and asks his father about what he has written, but his father brushes off his concerns and asks him to deliver it to the headmaster. 

Passage

Swami went to school feeling that he was the worst boy on earth. His conscience bothered him. He wasn’t at all sure if his description of Samuel had been accurate. He felt he had mixed up the real and the imagined.

Swami stopped on the roadside to make up his mind about Samuel. Samuel was not such a bad man after all. Personally he was much more friendly than the other teachers. Swami also felt Samuel had a special regard for him.

Swami’s head was dizzy with confusion. He could not decide if Samuel really deserved the allegations made against him in the letter. The more he thought of Samuel, the more Swami grieved for him. To recall Samuel’s dark face, his thin mustache, unshaven cheek and yellow coat filled Swaminathan with sorrow. 

 

Word Meanings:

allegations (n): a statement made without proof

conscience (n): the sense of right or wrong that governs a person’s thoughts and actions 

dizzy (adj.): imbalanced and undecided state of mind

grieved (v): to feel or express sadness

sorrow (n): a feeling of great sadness

 

Explanation: Swami heads to school feeling guilty and troubled by his actions. He questions whether his portrayal and image of Samuel is correct or not, realizing that he may have misunderstood the situation. Swami stops on the roadside to think more on Samuel’s character, realizing that Samuel is not as bad as he initially thought. He remembers Samuel’s friendly nature and believes that Samuel holds a special place for him. However, Swami is still confused and in doubt. Swami finds it difficult to make sense of his mixed feelings about Samuel and feels sad when he remembers what Samuel looks like.

Unit 3

 

Passage

As he entered the school gate, an idea occurred to him. He would deliver the letter to the headmaster at the end of the day. There was a chance Samuel might do something during the course of the day to justify the letter.

Swami stood at the entrance to his class. Samuel was teaching arithmetic. He looked at Swami. Swami hoped Samuel would scold him severely.

“You are half an hour late,” Samuel said. 

“I have a headache, sir.” Swami said.

“Then why did you come at all?”

This was an unexpected question from Samuel.

Swami said, “My father said I shouldn’t miss school, sir.”

Samuel looked impressed. “Your father is quite right. We want more parents like him.”

“Oh, you poor man!” Swami thought, “you don’t know what my father has done to you.” 

“All right, go to your seat.”

Swami sat down, feeling sad. He had never met anyone as good as Samuel.

 

Word Meanings:

arithmetic (n): the part of mathematics that involves the adding and multiplying etc. of numbers

snatched (adj.): to take away forcibly 

severely (adverb): very seriously

 

Explanation: As Swami entered the school gate, he decided to wait until the end of the day to give the letter to the headmaster, hoping that Samuel might come up with some excuses to save himself. Swami stood outside his classroom, where Samuel was teaching arithmetic. Swami expects Samuel to scold him for being late, but instead, Samuel surprises him by asking why he came to school at all. Swami explains that his father insisted he attend. Samuel is impressed by Swami’s father and allows him to go to his seat. Swami feels bad for Samuel, thinking his father’s actions might cause problems for him. He thinks about how kind Samuel is and realizes he hasn’t met anyone as nice as him.

Passage

The teacher was inspecting the home lessons. To Swami’s thinking, this was the time when Samuel got most angry. But today Samuel appeared very gentle.

“Swaminathan, where is your homework?”

“I have not done my homework, sir,” Swami said.

“Why— headache?” asked Samuel.

“Yes, sir.”

“All right, sit down,” Samuel said.

When the bell rang for the last period at 4.30, Swami picked up his books and ran to the headmaster’s room. He found the room locked. The peon told him the headmaster had gone on a week’s leave. Swaminathan ran away from the place.

As soon as he entered home with the letter, Father said, “I knew you wouldn’t deliver it.”

“But the headmaster is on leave,” Swami said.

Father snatched the letter away from Swami and tore it up.

“Don’t ever come to me for help if Samuel scolds you again. You deserve your Samuel,” he said.

 

Word Meanings:

inspecting (v): to look at something carefully in order to discover information

peon (n): someone whose job is to work in an office doing jobs that do not need any particular skill

 

Explanation: In class, Samuel checked the students’ homework, which was usually a time when Swami expected Samuel to be angry. However, on that particular day, Samuel’s behaviour was gentle which caught Swami off guard. When Samuel asked Swami about his homework, Swami admitted he hadn’t done it due to his headache. Surprisingly, Samuel didn’t scold him and simply told him to sit down. Later, when the bell rang for the last period, Swami rushed to deliver the letter to the headmaster, but found the office locked as the headmaster was on leave. Feeling disappointed, Swami went home with the letter. However, his father quickly realised that Swami hadn’t delivered it. Even though Swami explained that the headmaster was absent, his father angrily tore up the letter. He told Swami not to come to him for help if Samuel scolded him again, suggesting that Swami deserved any punishment he got from Samuel.