Neighbors by Tim Winton
Summary:
"Neighbors" by Tim Winton is a
heartwarming short story that explores the development of understanding and
acceptance between people of different backgrounds. The story is set in a
multicultural Australian suburb and focuses on a newly married young couple who
move into a working-class neighborhood largely populated by immigrants from
Europe and the Middle East.
At first, the couple—he is a writer, and she is a
student—feel out of place and uncomfortable among their neighbors. The area is
noisy and unfamiliar, and the neighbors speak different languages, have
different customs, and live closely with extended families. The couple are
initially suspicious and judgmental, perceiving the neighbors' behavior as
intrusive or strange.
However, as time passes, small gestures of goodwill
begin to build trust and break down the walls of cultural differences. The
neighbors begin to offer advice, food, and help, especially when they notice
the woman is pregnant. These kind, genuine actions gradually soften the
couple’s attitude.
By the end of the story, the couple undergoes a
transformation. They begin to enjoy the sense of community and realize how much
they’ve come to rely on their neighbors. When their baby is born, the whole
neighborhood celebrates, showing how deeply they have connected. The couple is
surprised at how emotional they feel and how much they have changed—not just in
behavior but in mindset.
Characters:
- The Young
Couple: The unnamed main characters. Initially
isolated and judgmental, they grow to appreciate and embrace their diverse
neighbors.
- The
Neighbors: A multicultural mix—Macedonian, Polish,
Middle Eastern—who are warm, helpful, and supportive, especially during
the woman’s pregnancy.
Main Message:
The story emphasizes that human connection
transcends cultural and language barriers. It celebrates multicultural
harmony, empathy, and the evolution of identity in a diverse community. Tim
Winton shows that fear and prejudice can be replaced with love and acceptance
when people live closely, share experiences, and open their hearts.
Understanding
the text
Answer
the following questions.
a.
Describe how the young couple’s house looked like.
Ans.
The young couple’s house looked like a small cottage with its high ceiling and
paned windows which provided them with the feeling of an elegant cottage.
b.
How did the young couple identify their neighbors at the beginning of their
arrival?
Ans.
The young couple identified their neighbors as the way which made them feel
like sojourners in a foreign land at the beginning of their arrival.
c.
How did the neighbors help the young couple in the kitchen garden?
Ans.
The neighbors helped the young couple in the kitchen garden by advising them in
spacing, hilling, mulching etc. The polish widower helped him to rebuild the
henhouse. Also, the big woman with black eyes and butchers’ arms gave her a
bagful of garlic cloves to plant.
d.
Why were the people in the neighborhood surprised at the role of the young man
and his wife in their family?
Ans.
The people in the neighborhood surprised to know that the young couple has made
pregnancy so early as their friends didn’t have children until several years
after being married.
e.
How did the neighbors respond to the woman’s pregnancy?
Ans.
The neighbors were very happy after knowing about the woman’s pregnancy. They
responded positively and offered them small presents.
f.
Why did the young man begin to weep at the end of the story?
Ans.
The young man began to weep at the end of the story as he looked “a small queue
of bleary faces looked up, cheering” at the back fence with their elevating
(joy) at the birth of his baby.
g.
Why do you think the author did not characterize the people in the story with
proper names?
Ans.
I think the author didn’t characterize the persons in the story with proper
names to represent them as the social role models.
Reference
to the context
a.
The story shows that linguistic and cultural barriers do not create any
obstacle in human relationships. Cite some examples from the story where the
neighbors have transcended such barriers.
Ans.
Generally, beliefs and cultural differences can be regarded as behavior and
personality differences, live thinking communication, manners, expression,
social norms and values etc. which leads to miscommunication and
misunderstanding. The story” Neighbors” shows that the linguistic and cultural
barriers do not create any obstacle in happy relationship.
In
the beginning of the story the young couple moved into a new multicultural
society but later they gradually got familiar with the different circumstances
and cultures of their new neighbors. We can find several examples where the
neighbors have raised above the barriers. We can list them as follows:
- During
autumn, while the young couple were planting vegetables and fruits in
their kitchen garden, they advised spacing, hilling and mulching. Even the
big woman with black eyes and butcher’s arms gave her a bagful garlic
cloves to plant.
- They offered
heads of cabbage and got gifts of grappa and firewood.
- In the
spring the Macedonian family showed them how to slaughter, pluck and
dress.
- The polish
widower rebuilt the hen house for them without any invitation of the young
couple.
- The whole
neighbors offered presents to the young woman when they heard about
pregnancy and celebrated the birth of the baby.
b.
The last sentence of the story reads “The twentieth-century novel had not
prepared him for this.” In your view, what differences did the young man find
between twentieth-century novels and human relations?
Ans.
The last sentence of the story” Neighbors” reads” The twentieth century novel
had not prepared him for this.” By the sentence we mean that the young man had
not expected such type of co-operation and helpful behavior from his neighbors
live helping and advising in kitchen garden, helping to rebuild the henhouse
and their support in his wife’s pregnancy in different aspects. They expected
that his neighbors may not be such helpful and supportive as they had moved
into a new multicultural neighborhood where a lot of European immigrants lived.
The young couple lived in an expensive outer suburb of Australia before they
moved where people were selfish and were busy in their own private tasks. He
found the same thing in a twentieth century novel.
The
young man learned a new lesson that intolerance, discrimination and prejudice
are the basis of ignorance, and he found the remedies of all these through
human relation in his newly migrated Australian land. The community helped make
the couple understand such things in human societies.
c. A
Nepali proverb says, “Neighbors are companions for wedding procession as well
as for funeral procession.” Does this proverb apply in the story? Justify.
Ans.
Obviously, the Nepali proverb,” Neighbors are companions for wedding procession
as well as for funeral procession” is applicable in this story. This statement
says that neighbors are the true family members who help one other in
difficulties, celebrations, each other’s joy (like cultural and family
functions) and adds them happiness.
As we
live in society, we all are complimentary to each other. Our small happy
moments become much more beautiful when we share among the neighbors. Also,
their good advice or consolence gives us big comfort when there is a calamity
or problem of any kind.
For
example:
His
neighbors managed everything for him and his wife. So, these problems became
simple for them. Otherwise, the man would have felt alone in need. They
(neighbors) also advised them in kitchen garden too. They added more happiness
in the wife’s pregnancy and childbirth. Thus, Neighbors are often capable of
bringing happiness all around and they are companions in both wedding
procession as well as funeral procession.
d.
The author has dealt with an issue of multiculturalism in the story. Why do you
think multiculturalism has become a major issue in the present world?
Ans.
Yes, I think multiculturalism has become a significant issue in the present
world because it reflects the changing views about cultures in general. This
phenomenon is popular in these cities or countries where there is a coexistence
of different cultures which continue to cultivate their own identity and
uniqueness.
Multiculturalism
Is a diversity of two or more than two cultures in a specific region or
country.
Especially,
due to the development of internet and wireless communication technology, the
distance from country to country and people to people is reduced and the whole
world has become a global village. Multiculturalism Helps to share different
socioeconomic and socio-cultural, ideas beliefs and other different knowledge
or experiences from different parts of the world. Thus, it can be good for
society and people where there is understanding and respect of other cultures.
So, we need to enhance and develop the concept of multiculturalism in our life
society, nation and in the world, which may help in the rise of new socio and
economic standards.
Multiculturalism
Refers to the cultural pluralism. It may also help to compensate (reduce) the
cultural discrimination and oppression. The concept of multiculturalism was
used by the UK in the second half of the twentieth century. America and
Australia are the main immigrant welcoming countries in the sense that groups
belonging to different languages, educational backgrounds, customs, values and
religions are living there developing a unique multicultural and multilingual
social environment.
Reference
beyond the text
a.
Write an essay on Celebration of Childbirth in my Community.
Ans.
Pregnancy and childbirth are socio-cultural events that carry significant
meaning in different societies and cultures. Moreover, in the country like
Nepal it holds much more importance. Nepalese society is full of customs,
rituals and superstitions. All these rules are followed by the pregnant woman,
and these provide her the sense of security and freedom from the physique
burden of managing childbirth. Pregnant woman is taken care by all family
members from every aspect’s live food, clothing etc. Nepalese women believe the
whole birth process as a part of life and of God’s plan. After childbirth,
there are different ways of celebration according to the social norms and
values. Among Them, holding a baby shower, naming ceremony or religious
ceremonies. are familiar.
Childbearing
and caring (rearing) is easier in traditional societies, mainly in joint
families. The whole family helps her to raise the child. But in some of the
rural societies, the woman is not considered as a member of a family until she
gives birth to a baby, which results bad news sometimes the mother of the first
child. Her Identity and hold over family matters becomes stronger. In this way,
the child provides both security and power to his or her mother in our society.
Finally,
every society has its own features. But there should be humanity in every
society. Without social help and cordiality, no one can live a real life.
Taking help and giving help is a must.
b. Do
the people in your community respond with similar reactions upon pregnancy and
childbirth as depicted in the story? Give a couple of examples.
Ans.
In the story” Neighborhood”, all the neighbors become happy and respond
positively when they heard about woman’s pregnancy, though the couple has not
planned for. At that time, she was not only provided mild suggestions from her
neighbors but also huge gifts. They also helped in the period of delivery. All
the neighbors got excited and wished their best. They celebrated it joyfully.
Especially
in the city area
But
in our society, people don’t respond with similar reactions upon the pregnancy
and childbirth as depicted in the story” Neighborhood”. People are busy with
their private jobs. They have no time to think about other activities and
cultural practices. The feeling of responsibility and respect towards humanity
is reduced to the bottom as compared to the story. Only very close neighbors
and relatives take Partin such celebrations. Almost all the people are
self-centered and don’t take care of others who are in difficulty. They don’t
have any time to get rid of that difficulty. They only become active to help
others by their name or fame
Generally,
in the village area
As in
the story, people also respond politely and sincerely to pregnancy and
childbirth as depicted in the story” Neighborhood”. In our society also, people
provide suggestions and care for the woman in case of pregnancy whether it was
planned or not. They think it all as god’s plan. They also help in the duration
of labor and delivery. All the family members and neighbors celebrate it very
joyfully. They organize some ceremony like chhait, name giving ceremony, baby
shower etc. and enjoy the birth of a child in society. Anyway, such new births
make our society vital and long-lasting.
A
Devoted Son by Anita Desai
a. How did the morning papers bring an ambience of celebration
to the Varma family?
The headline revealed that Rakesh had
achieved the highest rank in the national medical exam—an extraordinary feat
for their humble, uneducated family, instantly transforming their home into one
of joy and pride as neighbors gathered to congratulate them.
b. How did the community celebrate Rakesh’s success?
Neighbors and friends visited the Varma
household to offer heartfelt congratulations, bringing gifts such as fountain
pens and watches, and joining in their celebrations.
Dr. Rakesh is torn between being a doctor and a son. As a son,
he loves his father, yet as a doctor, he is rigid about his father’s diet and
medication. In your view, what else could Rakesh have done to make his father’s
final years more comfortable?
Besides enforcing strict medical care,
Rakesh could have:
1. Spoken more gently and respectfully with
his father
2. Shared cherished memories or stories
about his mother
3. Organized regular family gatherings
(playing simple games, engaging conversation)
4. Allowed occasional treats, like one
sweet, to brighten his Father’s Day
d. What does the story say about the relationship between
grandfather and grandchildren?
Their relationship is sweet, warm, and
mischievous. They share little secrets, and Mr. Varma charmed them into
fetching forbidden sweets, showing trust and affection between them.
e. Do you call Rakesh a devoted son? Give reasons.
Yes—with nuance. He sacrifices his career
abroad, returns home to honor his parents' wishes, marries the bride chosen for
him, supports them financially, and tends to his mother's final days and
father's declining health. However, his unwavering devotion becomes
controlling, as his strict medical oversight creates emotional distance and
resentment.
A Day by Emily Dickinson
Summary of
"A Day" by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson’s poem “A Day” is a symbolic
and philosophical reflection on the journey of life and the mystery of
death. The poet presents this profound idea through the simple imagery
of a sunrise and sunset, representing the cycle of human life—from
birth to death.
The poem begins with the description of a beautiful sunrise.
The rising sun paints the church steeples red, and its light spreads quickly
across the world like the lively running of squirrels. This imagery
captures the freshness and excitement of morning, which symbolizes childhood
or the beginning of life.
As the sun rises higher, nature wakes up, the
hills are bathed in golden light, birds start singing, and the dark shadows
disappear. This part of the day represents the liveliness, beauty, and
innocence of life. Dickinson uses gentle and joyful images to portray life
as a divine and natural process, full of light and wonder.
However, in the latter part of the poem, the tone
shifts. The poet describes the sunset using symbolic language: a "dominie
in gray" (a schoolteacher-like figure dressed in gray) leads children
over a stile (a small gate or step). This change suggests the end of the
day—and metaphorically, the end of life.
The line “But how he set, I know not” reveals
the poet’s uncertainty about death and the afterlife. While she clearly
observes and describes the sunrise (birth) and the daytime (life), she
confesses that she doesn’t understand what comes after sunset (death). This
shows Dickinson's acceptance of the mystery of death, which even the
wisest cannot fully explain.
Intentions of the
Poet:
- To portray
life and death through natural imagery (sunrise =
birth, sunset = death).
- To reflect
on the beauty and innocence of life.
- To express
the mystery and uncertainty of death and the afterlife.
- To suggest
that life is full of light and joy, while death is a silent passage to an
unknown realm.
Conclusion:
Through simple yet powerful images of a day’s
journey, Emily Dickinson presents a deep philosophical message: Life
begins brightly and ends silently, and while we enjoy and understand life, death
remains a mystery. The poem reflects Dickinson’s fascination with
nature, life, and the unknown, making A Day a beautiful meditation
on human existence.
Understanding the Text – Answers
1. What does the speaker describe in the poem?
The speaker describes the events of a
beautiful morning and the transition of the day from sunrise to sunset. She
uses imagery to portray how the sun rises, lights up the world, and finally
sets, symbolizing the journey of life from birth to death.
2. What are the two different phases of the day
mentioned in the poem?
The two phases mentioned are morning
(sunrise) and evening (sunset). The morning is bright and cheerful,
representing the beginning of life, while the evening is quiet and mysterious,
symbolizing the end or death.
3. What does the
line “The news like squirrels ran” mean?
This line uses metaphor to describe how quickly
and excitedly the news of the sunrise spreads, just like squirrels run
around energetically. It symbolizes the lively response of nature and people to
the arrival of a new day.
4. What do the
expressions ‘a domini in gray’ and ‘the children slowly climbed the stile’
mean?
‘A domini in gray’ refers to the
setting sun personified as a teacher (domini) dressed in gray robes,
symbolizing the end of the day.
‘The children slowly climbed the
stile’ symbolizes people crossing from life to death, as stile refers to a
step or gate, suggesting a passage to another world.
5. What is the
central idea of the poem?
The central idea of the poem is the cycle
of life. Through the metaphor of a single day, the poem explores birth
(sunrise), life (daytime), and death (sunset). Emily Dickinson uses vivid
imagery to convey how life begins with brightness and ends with mystery.
Reference to the
Context – Answers
1. What does the poet describe in the poem "A
Day"?
In the poem A Day, the poet Emily Dickinson describes the journey of the
sun from sunrise to sunset. She uses symbolic and metaphorical language to
portray the cycle of life—from birth to death. The sunrise represents
the beginning of life, and the sunset symbolizes the end or death. The poet
uses vivid natural imagery to reflect on the mysterious transition from life to
afterlife.
2. What purpose does the sunrise and sunset imagery
serve in the poem?
The imagery of sunrise and sunset
serves to represent life and death. The sunrise symbolizes the
beginning of life, hope, and innocence, while the sunset suggests the
unknown world beyond life—possibly death or the afterlife. This contrast helps
the poet reflect on the beauty of life and the mystery of what lies after
death.
3. What does the line “But how he set, I know not”
mean?
This line shows the speaker's
uncertainty about death. While she confidently describes the sunrise and
the events of the day (life), she admits she doesn't know what happens after
sunset (death). It highlights the mystery and uncertainty of the afterlife,
a common theme in Dickinson’s poetry.
4. Emily Dickinson is known as a poet of death.
Discuss this poem with reference to this statement.
Emily Dickinson is often referred to as
a poet of death because many of her poems explore death, immortality,
and the afterlife. In A Day, she symbolically presents life and death
through the metaphor of a day. The cheerful beginning of the day (sunrise)
represents birth and childhood, while the end of the day (sunset)
suggests death or transition to another world. The speaker accepts the
beauty of life but expresses uncertainty about what comes after death. This
thoughtful, symbolic reflection is typical of Dickinson’s treatment of death.
5. How does Dickinson present the philosophical
concept of life and death in the poem?
Dickinson presents life and death as a natural and inevitable cycle
using the metaphor of a day. Life begins with sunrise (birth), is full of light
and activity (living), and ends with sunset (death). While life is described
vividly, death remains a mystery. This shows her philosophical view
that life is beautiful and visible, while death is uncertain but natural.
She presents this serious theme in a calm and accepting tone.
Comments
Post a Comment