2022
2021
- Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
- Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov
2020
Q1: In what two ways the theme of motherhood is introduced in Hedda Gabler?
The theme of motherhood is signified through the characters of Thea and Hedda. Thea has been presented as a mother who can reconstruct her burnt child while Hedda has been depicted as a force to destroy children of others (manuscript) and of her own. Because she does not want any responsibilities. View Source
Q2: Why is Hedda so cruel towards other female characters in the play?
Hedda is cruel towards other female characters because of her inability to do man like activities and she is jealous at the success accomplished by other female characters, especially Thea for successfully shaping a man's destiny. View Source
Q3: From what class struggle does Louka pass?
The problem of Louka is that she wants to climb the social ladder from the working class to the elite class. Louka does not want to remain a servant throughout her life. Thus her struggle is to get out of the servant class into the respectable upper class. View Source
Q4: What is primarily anti-romantic in "Arms and the Man"?
War is primarily an anti-romantic theme in "Arms and the Man". Shaw debunks the romantic ideas about war through the mouthpiece of Bluntschli that every soldier is afraid of death and he can go to extremes to save his life.
Q5: Compare the thematic and structural unity in "Waiting for Godot".
Thematic unity in "Waiting for Godot", well, lies in waiting for Godot. While the structural unity of this play has been demonstrated through the pair of characters and the choices they have been given. For instance, the pair of Tramps is given the choice to eat a turnip or a carrot. View Source
Q6: How is a carrot used as a symbol in "Waiting for Godot"?
Carrot has been used as a symbol of life as Estragon puts it: "The more you eat the more worse it gets. " View Source
Q7: What does falling of axe signify in Cherry Orchard?
Striking of the axe in Act IV serves as a symbolic significance for the fall of aristocratic class in Russia and an end of the Cherry Orchard in literal sense. More Short Questions
Q8: Define Naturalism
Naturalism is a literary movement that sprang out of another literary movement, realism. Naturalists believed that humans were fighting a constant battle of survival against their social customs, society and the environment in which they had been living. View Source
Q9: Briefly introduce Epic Theatre.
Epic Theatre was also a dramatic movement that took place in the 20th century. Epic Theatre does not relate to the scale of a play but it rather emphasizes the presentation of a world that is identical to the actual political and social world of the audience.
Q10: Mention the major fears of Mrs. Rafi.
The major fear of Mrs. Rafi is losing her authority as soon as she grows old.
2019
Q1: What is the importance of home in Hedda Gabler?
The importance of home in "Hedda Gabler" is felt differently by different characters. Hedda feels as if she is trapped forever and she does not like the house Tesman has bought for her. While Tesman thinks that it is their "dream house". View Source
Q2: Why does Judge Brack never marry?
Judge Brack does not marry in the play because he does not want to encage himself in responsibilities that would eliminate his freedom. The second reason might be his inclination to be a good "trusted friend" of the ones who are married. View Source
Q3: What is Naturalism?
Already answered in 2020.
Q4: Why does Raina prefer Bluntschli over Sergius?
Raina prefers Bluntschli over Sergius because of his practical thoughts about war and love. Unlike Sergius, Bluntschli does not change his centre of love. That is what impresses Raina regarding Bluntschli.
Q5: What is the importance of tree in "Waiting for Godot"?
The importance of the tree in this play may vary from person to person. The tree serves as an identification mark for Estragon and Viladmir to wait for Godot. While the tree also serves as a symbol of peace but its growth is not noticed by the tramps so it is difficult to interpret tree as a symbol of hope in this play. Source1 Source2
Q6: Why is there no climax in "Waiting for Godot"?
There is no climax in Waiting for Godot because the main action is yet to be performed by Godot who does not arrive. Another reason behind this might be Beckett's intention to assert that life has no climax. Source
Q7: Who can be called the spokesman of Chekov in "Cherry Orchard" and why?
Trofimov is the spokesman of Chekov in his "Cherry Orchard" because he alludes to the significance of the changes taking place in the Cherry Orchard or in Russia symbolically. Source
Q8: What is the main character flaw in Trofimov in "Cherry Orchard"?
Trofimov's noticeable flaw in his personality is his lack of sensitive feelings. Under the strong intoxication of new ideology emerging in Russia, he cannot sense from what grief Madame Ranevsky will go through after losing access to her orchard. Source
Q9: How do Willy and Rose create their personal maturity?
Both the couple create their personal maturity by learning solutions to the problems that are being faced by their society. Recommended Reading
Q10: Briefly describe Bond's concept of violence.
Bond suggests that violence is necessary for humans to shape their society. Without violence, they have no future. Source
2018
Q1: Describe the physical features of Hedda Gabler.
The physical appearance of Hedda Gabler adds up to her personality as a cold-hearted woman. Hedda is a woman of "face and figure show refinement and distinction. Her complexion is pale and opaque. Her steel-grey eyes express a cold, unruffled repose. Her hair is of an agreeable brown, but not particularly abundant". View Other Short Questions regarding Hedda Gabler
Q2: From where do Hedda and George return when the play opens?
Hedda and George return from their six months long but boring honeymoon when the play opens.
Q3: Why is G. B. Shaw call[ed] an iconoclast?
Bernard Shaw is called an iconoclast because he questioned old set traditions and customs and criticized certain beliefs.
Q4: Who says this dialogue in Arms and the Man? "Soldiering, my dear madam, is the coward’s art of attacking mercilessly when you are strong, and keeping out of harm’s way when you are weak. "
Sergius in Act II
Q5: Why is "Waiting for Godot" written in only two acts?
"Waiting for Godot" is only written in two acts because everything in this play is divided into two: Two tramps, a pair of Lucky and Pozzo, arrival of Messenger boy for two times. Source
Q6: Why do Viladmir and Estragon want to commit suicide?
Estragon and Viladmir want to commit suicide in order to "pass the time" and as a means of recreation.
Q7: What are the major themes of Bond's plays?
The major themes in Bond's plays are man's ability to survive the worst as well as the uphill task of changing the world. Source
Q8: What does sea in "The Sea" symbolize?
Already answered in 2015.
Q9: Give a brief estimate of Yasha.
Yasha is the male servant of Madame Ranevsky and grandson of Firs. He travels to France but returns back to Russia with Madame Ranevsky. He is drawn towards physical pleasures and cigar. View Source
Q10: Who does purchase "Cherry Orchard"? What does it signify?
Lopakhin purchases the "Cherry Orchard". His purchasing signifies the rise of middle-class workers after the revolution while the fall of the aristocratic class. Source
2017
Q1: Mention Hedda’s life before and after marriage.
Hedda's life before marriage was an adventurous affair of time. She and Loevborg used to chat with each other when General Gabler was reading a newspaper. Her life after marriage was marked with boredom as she could not enjoy the bookish company of her husband.
Q2: Why is Hedda called “a female Hamlet” in ‘Hedda Gabler’?
Hedda Gabler is called the "Female Hamlet" because she is caught in almost the same circumstances as the Danish Prince. She cannot lead a life of independence because her society prohibits doing manly work. She is forced to marry a person out of her own necessity. Source
Q3: How does Act 1 of ‘Arms and the Man’ introduce the themes of the play?
Act 1 of 'Arms and the Man' mainly introduces us to the theme of war and its true nature through the defeat of the Serbian army and a fugitive hurling in Raina's bedroom to save his life.
Q4: Who says in ‘Arms and the Man’: “Act as if you expected to have your own way, not as if you expected to be ordered about”?
Nikola.
Q5: What does Lucky’s “Dance in a Net’ symbolize?
When Lucky dances on the command of his master Pozzo in Act 1, Pozzo says that Lucky dances as "if he is entangled in a net". Thus, Lucky's dance symbolizes the entanglement in life caused by some circumstances. View Source
Q6: What benefit does Pozzo get from his blindness?
Pozzo hears life from a new angle and sees how meaningless life repeats its cycle every day. Source
Q7: Who says in “The Cherry Orchard”: “Well, good-bye, old man. It’s time to get. Here we stand pulling one another’s noses, but life goes its own way all the time”.
LOPAKHIN
Q8: What did Anya do in Paris?
This question shall be answered after a thorough reading of the play.
Q9: Differentiate between theme and motif.
A theme is the prominent message of a literary piece of writing while a motif is the idea or a repeating pattern of certain ideas or images to illustrate the certain theme. Source
Q10: Give a pen-picture of Rose with reference to ‘The Sea’.
In the play, Rose is "pale and tired".
2016
Q1: Describe the physical appearance of Hedda
Already answered in 2018
Q2: Why is Hedda so cruel to other females in “Hedda Gabler”?
Already answered in 2020
Q3: What is Raina’s nickname for Bluntschli?
Raina calls Bluntschli with the nickname of "Chocolate Cream Soldier".
Q4: In what ways is Captain Bluntschli an Anti-hero?
Bluntschli is an anti-hero because of his anti-heroic traits in his character. Typical heroes are usually portrayed as brave, courageous and of higher rank. But Captain Bluntschli is an outwardly coward person and belongs to a noticeably lower class.
Q5: Discuss Beckett’s attitude toward hope in “Waiting for Godot”.
Beckett's attitude towards hope is like hope against hope. To simply put, he is not hoping for hope. This play is about consistent waiting, waiting for someone who will not come.
Q6: What is the function of the boy in “Waiting for Godot”?
The function of the boy in "Waiting for Godot" is to give a glimpse of hope for Estragon and Viladmir concerning the arrival of Godot. The boy serves as a messenger in between Godot and the pair of tramps.
Q7: What is Varya’s relation to Mrs. Ranavksy?
Varya is the adopted daughter of Mrs. Ranavksy. Source
Q8: Why does Trophimov not accept Lopakhin’s money?
Trophimov does not accept money from Lopakhin to retain his freedom as according to him, it is money that enslaves people to people.
Q9: What are the Vicar’s views about Colin?
Vicar thought that he was being summoned by Gabriel.
Q10: How does Bond criticize religion with regard to the aristocratic class?
Bond criticises religion through the character of Mrs. Rafi who attache an ostentative importance to religious rites but does not care about the ones who are in need (of money like Mr. Hatch).
2015
Q1: For what physical feature does Hedda not like Thea?
Hedda does not like Thea because of her abundant hair. Hedda often shows her desire to burn Thea's hair.
Q2: In what extraordinary way does Hedda greet Judge Brack. When he comes to tell about the purchase of a villa?
Hedda points her pistol at Brack and shoots at the sky, scaring Brack.
Q3: How does Shaw employ irony in the opening lines of “Arms and The Man’?
Shaw opens the play with a line from Virgil's epic "The Aeneid.", "Of Arms and Man I Sing". While Virgil is glorifying war, Shaw is using this mono-stich to ridicule romantic ideas about war in his "pleasant play. " Source
Q4: How did Petkoff become a major?
Petkoff became major on account of the wealth he possessed. Not because he was good at warfare. Source
Q5: Why is “Waiting for Godot” in two acts?
Already answered.
Q6: Explain the idea of pairing throughout “Waiting for Godot’.
Already answered in 2020.
Q7: What is the metaphoric significance of sea in “The Sea”?
Sea in "The Sea" has been used as a metaphor of destruction and as a challenge of human survival in the very play. Source
Q8: Why does Mrs. Rafi arrange a play?
Mrs. Rafi arranges a play in order to satisfy her aristocratic feeling as well as to collect charity for the coast guards.
Q9: What does Charlotta’s character represent in “The Cherry Orchard”?
The character of Charlotta represents the free thinking of common people who holds a firm belief in "the whole Russia is our orchard". Source
Q10: How is Dunyasha an especially Ironic Character?
Dunyasha is ironic in a way she longs for becoming a member of an aristocratic class and the way she powders herself to look alike an aristocratic lady.
