Class 11 english chapter 1 "animals in prison" Summary and Q&A solution

Class 11 english chapter 1 " animals in prison" Summary and all questions answer

🥏 Summary of Chapter 1: Animals in Prison by Jawaharlal Nehru 

This chapter narrates Jawaharlal Nehru's experiences and observations, primarily during his fourteen-and-a-half months in the Dehra Dun Gaol. Confined to a small cell, he became deeply familiar with his surroundings and the life teeming within them.

Prison Setting and Psychological Value

Nehru's cell was small but his location outside the main gaol walls allowed a precious privilege: morning and evening walks that offered a view of the mountains, fields, and a public road. He emphasizes the "extraordinary psychological value" of these outings and open views for a long-term prisoner. The sight of the towering Himalayas was an "added joy", providing comfort and mocking his "varying moods".

Seasonal Changes

Nehru describes the distinct seasons:

 * Spring was a pleasant, longer season in Dehra Dun, marked by the sudden stirring of life and the rapid appearance of leaves on previously "naked and bare" trees.

 * Monsoon rains were initially welcome for ending the summer heat, but Dehra Dun received so much rain that it was unpleasant to be "cooped up" trying to avoid water dripping from the ceiling.

 * Autumn and Winter were generally pleasant, though rain brought "thunder and rain and piercing cold winds". A particularly miserable day in December 1932 was redeemed by the sudden sight of the surrounding mountains covered with a thick mantle of snow.

Observations of Animals and Insects

Prevented from normal activities, Nehru and other prisoners became "more observant of nature's ways". He grew to realize his yard was "teeming with life".

 * Tolerance and Coexistence: He tolerated hundreds of wasps and hornets in his cell and eventually established a pact of mutual respect after an initial conflict. He also observed ants, white ants, and lizards, refusing to interfere with any insect that didn't interfere with him.

 * Aversions: He disliked bats and, especially, centipedes, which horrified him more than snakes, provoking an "instinctive repulsion". He was also at "continuous war" with bed-bugs, mosquitoes, and flies.

 * Friendly Creatures: He grew fond of squirrels, one of which would climb his leg in Lucknow Gaol. He regularly fed a pair of mainas nesting over his cell door in Dehra Dun, which became quite tame.

 * The Monkey Incident: He recounts an impressive incident in Bareilly Gaol where a huge parent monkey charged a crowd of armed warders and prisoners to rescue its baby, an act of "reckless courage" that succeeded.

 * The Pangolin: Nehru also describes seeing an unfamiliar animal, called a 'Bo' by its owner, which he later identified as a Pangolin.

Emotional Connection and Reflection

Nehru notes that long-term prisoners suffer from "emotional starvation" and often seek satisfaction by keeping pets.

 * He became attached to and nursed a stray puppy back to health in Dehra Dun, finding great gratitude in the animals' company.

 * He reflects on the general treatment of animals by Indians, noting the contradiction that despite the philosophy of non-violence, they are "often singularly careless and unkind". He uses the cow as an example, stating, "Worship and kindness do not always go together".

 * Finally, he muses on national patron animals (e.g., the eagle, lion, cow) and suggests they may "mould national character," correlating aggressive symbols with aggressive national attitudes.

🏀 Here is a list of objective (multiple-choice) questions based on the provided chapter, "Chapter 1: ANIMALS IN PRISON," along with the correct answers.

1. For how long did Nehru live in his cell in the Dehra Dun Gaol?

A. Twelve months

B. Fourteen and a half months

C. Two years

D. Six months

2. What 'privilege' did Nehru value most in Dehra Dun Gaol, which allowed him a view of the mountains and fields?

A. Being allowed to read all day

B. Access to the European Lock-up

C. Being allowed to walk up and down in front of the gate

D. Having a separate kitchen

3. What was the "added joy" that went a long way to removing the weariness of prison for Nehru?

A. The sight of a public road

B. The sight of the towering Himalayas nearby

C. The company of other prisoners

D. The plentiful rain

4. What was the unexpected sight Nehru witnessed regarding the magnificent peepal trees in front of the gaol gate?

A. They bore fruit all winter

B. They dropped nearly all their leaves

C. They were surrounded by parrots

D. They grew very quickly

5. What is the color of fresh mango leaves, as Nehru noticed for the first time?

A. Bright green

B. Russet-coloured (reddish-brown)

C. Pale yellow

D. Dark purple

6. What natural phenomenon, sometimes with hailstones "bigger than marbles," did Nehru compare to an "artillery bombardment"?

A. A fierce monsoon wind

B. A thunderstorm

C. An earthquake

D. A flock of flying-foxes

7. When did the mountains and hills surrounding the gaol become covered with a thick mantle of snow, ending a miserable day for Nehru?

A. Christmas Day, 1932

B. The 24th of December, 1932

C. The first day of spring

D. The last day of the monsoon

8. Which creatures in Nehru's cell lived behind the rafters and emerged in the evenings in search of prey?

A. Bats

B. Lizards

C. Scorpions

D. Centipedes

9. Which three creatures was Nehru in a "continuous war" with?

A. Wasps, hornets, and bats

B. Ants, lizards, and squirrels

C. Bed-bugs, mosquitoes, and flies

D. Pigeons, mainas, and parrots

10. What creature did Nehru have an "instinctive repulsion" for, causing him to vault out of bed?

A. Snakes

B. Bats

C. Centipedes

D. Scorpions

11. What animal was caught, tied up with a string, and then rescued by a huge parent in Bareilly Gaol?

A. A baby squirrel

B. A young goat

C. A baby monkey

D. A small bat

12. What two types of pets were common among convict overseers, according to Nehru?

A. Cats and dogs

B. Mongooses and dogs

C. Squirrels and mongooses

D. Parrots and pigeons

13. What animal did Nehru nurse with great care after it fell ill with a "violent distemper"?

A. A baby squirrel

B. A little kitten

C. A puppy

D. A lost pigeon

14. What bird, known for its persistence in repeating the same notes, visited Dehra Dun during the monsoon?

A. The koel

B. The maina

C. The Brain-Fever bird

D. The parrot

15. What was the name given by the forest-dweller to the animal (later identified as a Pangolin) that he intended to make bhujji (curry) out of?

A. Bo

B. Croco

C. Lizard

D. Bhujji

Section 3: Reflection and Philosophy

16. What does Nehru say that prisoners, especially long-term convicts, suffer most from?

A. Physical abuse

B. Emotional starvation

C. Lack of books

D. Poor food quality

17. What characteristic does Nehru attribute to the Hindu due to the cow being their patron animal?

A. Fierce and territorial

B. Mild and non-violent

C. Strong and enduring

D. Loyal and steadfast

18. What does Nehru suggest regarding the general Indian philosophy of non-violence to animals?

A. They are usually very kind to them.

B. They are often singularly careless and unkind to them.

C. They keep many as household pets.

D. They enforce it strictly through law.

Answers Key to Objective Questions

| Question Number | Correct Option |

| 1 | B |

| 2 | C |

| 3 | B |

| 4 | B |

| 5 | B |

| 6 | B |

| 7 | B |

| 8 | B |

| 9 | C |

| 10 | C |

| 11 | C |

| 12 | C |

| 13 | C |

| 14 | C |

| 15 | A |

| 16 | B |

| 17 | B |

| 18 | B |

Chapter 1: Animals in Prison - Long Answer Questions (Q&A)

1. Pick out instances that show Nehru's love for small animals.

Nehru showed his affection and tolerance for small animals in several ways:

• He demonstrated **coexistence with hundreds of wasps and hornets** in his cell for over a year, deciding to "leave them in peace" after they bravely fought to defend their home, establishing mutual respect.
• He became a caregiver for birds, regularly **feeding a pair of mainas** that nested over his cell door in Dehra Dun, which became quite tame and would loudly "demand their food".
• He showed great kindness by **nursing an ill puppy** with distemper back to health, getting up "a dozen times in the course of the night to look after her".
• He developed an appreciation for all the insects (creeping, crawling, or flying) in his little yard, realizing it was "teeming with life" and consciously choosing **not to interfere with them**.
• He detailed the ingenious way he and a companion **fed tiny baby squirrels** using a fountain pen filler with cotton wool, showing his concern for their welfare.

2. How did the parent monkey rescue its baby? Why does Nehru call its courage 'reckless'? 

The parent monkey, a huge one, rescued its baby in an act of extraordinary bravery:

• The baby monkey was caught by a warder and other prisoners and had a bit of string tied around its neck.
• The parents saw this from the high wall, and their anger grew.
• Suddenly, the huge monkey **"jumped down and charged almost right into the crowd"** of humans.
• This **"reckless courage triumphed,"** and the crowd of humans, who had sticks and *lathis*, fled terrified, leaving their weapons behind. The little monkey was then rescued.

Nehru calls the courage **'reckless'** because the monkey was alone, yet it charged directly at a crowd of humans who were armed with sticks and *lathis*. It was an act of seemingly foolhardy courage against superior numbers and weapons.

3. Does the parent monkey's behaviour in saving its baby tell anything about human nature? +

Yes, the monkey's behavior highlights that the **instinctive, protective, and powerful bond of parental love** is a fundamental emotional drive shared across species. The willingness of the parent monkey to risk its own life against a crowd to save its offspring demonstrates a capacity for self-sacrifice and courage—traits often admired and celebrated as noble human characteristics—are also found in the animal kingdom.

4. What are the advantages and the disadvantages of the monsoon? How did it affect Nehru's life in jail? +

The monsoon presented a mix of welcome relief and significant discomfort:

• **Advantage:** The monsoon rains were always **welcome** because they **"ended the summer heat"**.
• **Disadvantage:** Dehra Dun is a "favoured haunt of the rain god," receiving a heavy amount of rain (fifty or sixty inches in the first few weeks), leading to the sense that one "could have too much of a good thing".

In jail, it affected Nehru's life by making him unpleasantly **"cooped up in a little narrow place"** while he tried to avoid water dripping from the ceiling or rushing in from the windows. Despite the discomfort, he valued his precious privilege of an outside walk and **did not give it up**, even when the rain came down in torrents and he had to **walk in "ankle-deep of water"**.

5. Why does Nehru say that worship and kindness do not always go together? How does he show it? +

Nehru makes this statement to point out a **contradiction or hypocrisy** in the way Indians treat animals, despite their national philosophy.

He shows it by referencing the general Indian philosophy of non-violence, but noting that Indians are **"often singularly careless and unkind"** to animals. His main example is the **cow**:

• The cow is a "favoured animal," "looked up to and almost worshipped by many Hindus".
• Despite this reverence, he observes that the cow **"is not treated kindly"**.

This contrast between the high level of spiritual regard (**worship**) and the low level of practical care (**unkindness**) demonstrates his point.

6. What does Nehru say about people and their patron animals? +

Nehru suggests that the patron animal a country adopts as a symbol can influence or **"mould national character"**.

• He notes that the patron animals of many Western countries (e.g., the eagle, lion, bulldog) are **"aggressive, fighting animals, beasts of prey"**.
• He finds it **"not surprising"** that people growing up with these symbols "should mould themselves consciously after them and strike up **aggressive attitudes, and roar, and prey on others**".
• Conversely, he suggests it's **"not surprising that the Hindu should be mild and non-violent"** because his patron animal is the **cow**.

7. "We could not see most of these birds; we could only hear them as a rule, as there were no trees in our little yards." What light does it throw on the relation between the birds and plants? +

This statement emphasizes the **fundamental relationship between birds and trees (plants)**, which is one of dependency for **habitat, shelter, and security**.

The lack of trees in the yard meant that the birds had no place to perch, rest, or build nests, forcing them to remain outside the immediate area. Consequently, Nehru and the other prisoners could only perceive them through sound, highlighting the critical role that vegetation plays in providing the **physical environment necessary** for most birds to thrive and be visible.

8. All animals, howsoever small they might be, deserve respect. Pick out instances from the lesson in favour of this statement. +

Nehru's actions and reflections show a deep-seated respect for small creatures:

• **Mutual Respect with Wasps:** After a conflict, he allowed the hundreds of wasps and hornets to live in his cell, resulting in a year of peaceful coexistence where they "never attacked" him and they **"respected each other"**.
• **Non-Interference with Insects:** He realized his yard was "teeming with life" (insects) and concluded, **"I saw no reason why I should interfere with them,"** as long as they didn't interfere with him.
• **Observational Value:** He spent hours watching insects and small animals like the **lizards** as they hunted, showing he valued their existence and natural behavior.
• **Nursing a Puppy:** His dedicated care in nursing a tiny, ill puppy back to health demonstrates that he saw the life of even a stray animal as valuable and worthy of saving.

9. A good autobiography is honest. In what ways do you think Pandit Nehru is honest in writing about his life in jail? Use specific references from the lesson as examples. 

Nehru demonstrates honesty by including aspects of his prison life that are not flattering or heroic, focusing on personal discomfort and emotional truth:

• **Admitting Human Weakness (Anger):** He is honest about his immediate reaction to being stung by a wasp, confessing, **"In my anger I tried to exterminate the lot,"** before correcting his impulse.
• **Revealing Physical Misery:** He gives an unromanticized account of the hardships, calling one cold, rainy day **"one of the most miserable days, from the bodily point of view, that I have spent in gaol"**.
• **Admitting Past Neglect:** He is self-critical about his life outside prison, admitting that while he loved dogs, he **"could never look after them properly as other matters claimed my attention,"** implying a failure of responsibility.
• **Acknowledging Emotional Weariness:** He admits that unlike the poet Li T’ai Po, he could not always say he **"never grew weary, even of the mountain,"** showing he was not immune to the weariness of prison.

10. A good autobiography is also very self aware. How self aware do you think the author has been in the personal statements contained in the work? Use examples from the work to support your opinions. +

Nehru is highly **self-aware**, constantly analyzing his own mind, emotions, and psychological state in response to confinement:

• **Psychological Reflection on Environment:** He notes how he had "began to feel as if I was almost a part of" his cell and muses that the very air must be **"thick with"** his thoughts and emotions.
• **Analyzing Psychological Need:** He recognizes that only a long-term prisoner can appreciate the **"extraordinary psychological value"** of the outside walks and open views.
• **Intellectual Self-Diagnosis:** When a centipede made him instinctively vault off his bed, he immediately realized **"fully then what Pavlov's reflexes were,"** showing a detached, intellectual analysis of his own non-rational reaction.
• **Consciousness of Inner Change:** He observes that being prevented from "normal activities" made him and others **"more observant of nature's ways,"** recognizing how the prison environment altered his focus.