Chapter 4: Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory & The Last Bargain
English - Honeydew • Class 8
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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate17 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
In 'Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory', Bepin Babu faces a peculiar situation where he is convinced that he has never been to Ranchi, despite everyone insisting otherwise. This leads him to question his sanity. Meanwhile, 'The Last Bargain' by Rabindranath Tagore tells of a man who is searching for meaningful employment but finds true freedom and happiness in a child's innocent companionship.
Key Topics
- •Memory and its reliability
- •Friendship and obligations
- •Psychological effects of stress
- •Value of innocence and simplicity
- •Consequences of negligence
- •Reality vs perception
- •Life's true rewards
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the importance of memory in forming identity.
- ✓Analyze character motivations and their consequences.
- ✓Explore the juxtaposition of innocence and experience.
- ✓Discuss the role of power, money, and happiness in life.
- ✓Reflect on moral lessons regarding empathy and responsibility.
Questions in Chapter
Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief?
Page 5
Where did Bepin Babu say he went in October '58?
Page 5
Mention any three (or more) things that Parimal Ghose knew about Bepin Babu.
Page 5
What do you think happened after Bepin Babu came to know the truth? Was he angry with this friend for playing such a trick on him? Or do you think he decided to help a friend in need?
Page 10
A prank is a childish trick. Do you remember any incident when someone played a prank on you or your friends? Describe the prank in a paragraph.
Page 10
Who is the speaker in the poem?
Page 11
The old man offered the speaker a lot of money. Why did he turn down the offer?
Page 11
How did the speaker feel after talking to the child on the beach?
Page 11
Additional Practice Questions
What led Bepin Babu to believe that he had never been to Ranchi despite others insisting he had?
mediumAnswer: Bepin Babu relied on his strong memory and his recollection of spending the Pujas in 1958 in Kanpur with a friend, which led him to dismiss the claims about his trip to Ranchi.
Discuss the significance of Chunilal's role in Bepin Babu's story.
hardAnswer: Chunilal played a crucial role in the story as he orchestrated the entire memory fiasco as a means of retribution for Bepin's lack of support during his tough times. His actions trigger the central conflict of the narrative.
Why did the speaker in 'The Last Bargain' find fulfillment in a child's company?
easyAnswer: The speaker found genuine happiness and freedom in the child’s innocence and play, which required no worldly exchanges of power or wealth, symbolizing true fulfillment.
Analyze the psychological aspect of Bepin Babu’s condition. Could it be considered a form of escapism?
hardAnswer: Bepin Babu's condition could be analyzed as a form of psychological escapism, where his mind possibly blocks out a distasteful memory to protect his self-image, albeit unintentionally.
What lessons can be learned from Bepin Babu’s encounter with his memory lapse?
mediumAnswer: Bepin Babu’s experience teaches important lessons about human vulnerability and the fallibility of memory, as well as the value of empathy and supporting friends in times of need.