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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate10 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
Chapter 2, 'Lost Spring,' from the Class 12 English Flamingo textbook, highlights the plight of street children who are forced into labor early in life, depriving them of the opportunity for education. Anees Jung explores the systemic issues of child labor, poverty, and societal neglect through stories of children like Saheb and Mukesh, who work in hazardous conditions instead of going to school. The chapter underscores the socio-economic disparity and the harsh realities faced by these children due to societal and political callousness.
Key Topics
- •Child labor and exploitation
- •Poverty and socio-economic disparity
- •Education and lost opportunities
- •Cultural traditions and identity
- •Hope and resilience
- •Systemic neglect and societal apathy
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the socio-economic challenges faced by marginalized children.
- ✓Analyze the role of cultural and systemic factors in perpetuating poverty.
- ✓Reflect on personal and societal responsibility towards child rights.
- ✓Identify and appreciate the resilience of children in the face of adversity.
- ✓Explore literary devices used to enhance the narrative on social issues.
Questions in Chapter
What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities?
Page 19
Would you agree that promises made to poor children are rarely kept? Why do you think this happens in the incidents narrated in the text?
Page 19
What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?
Page 19
How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realise his dream?
Page 19
Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
Page 19
Why should child labour be eliminated and how?
Page 19
Additional Practice Questions
What is the significance of the title 'Lost Spring' in relation to the lives of the children described in the chapter?
mediumAnswer: The title 'Lost Spring' symbolizes the lost childhood and potential of street children forced into labor. 'Spring' here represents childhood, a time of growth and blossoming opportunities, which is lost to hardship and exploitation as depicted in the stories of Saheb and Mukesh.
Discuss the use of metaphors in 'Lost Spring' and their impact on the narrative.
hardAnswer: Metaphors in 'Lost Spring' are effectively used to highlight the stark realities faced by the children. For instance, describing garbage as 'gold' for ragpickers illustrates the irony of their existence where trash becomes a treasure for survival. These literary devices enhance the emotional depth of the narrative.
Compare and contrast the experiences of Saheb and Mukesh in the chapter.
mediumAnswer: Saheb, a ragpicker, dreams fleetingly of a better life but remains trapped in poverty, underscoring the inescapability of his situation. In contrast, Mukesh aspires actively to become a motor mechanic, portraying a glimmer of hope and determination against the backdrop of Firozabad's oppressive bangle industry.
Why do Saheb and his friends work instead of attending school? Provide examples from the text to support your answer.
easyAnswer: Saheb and his friends work because of socio-economic constraints and the lack of educational infrastructure. As seen in the text, Saheb once mentions, 'There is no school in my neighborhood,' reflecting the chronic lack of access to basic education, forcing children into labor.
Analyze the role of societal and political systems in maintaining the status quo of children's lives in 'Lost Spring'.
hardAnswer: Societal and political systems play a crucial role in perpetuating the cycle of poverty and labor among children. The chapter highlights the neglect of these systems in providing education and opportunities, while corrupt practices and apathy towards the marginalized sustain their hardships.