1.

THE THIRD LEVEL :- JACK FINNEY

Theme

‘The Third Level’ is a story that weaves together a psychological journey of the narrator caught in
the cycle of time. When people in the present time want to escape the problems and stress of life,
they feel that life, fifty or sixty years ago, was relaxed and they wanted to go back to that time for
peace and happiness.

2.The Tiger King:- KALKI

Theme

The story ‘The Tiger King’ is a satire on those in power. Most of the time the rulers are not interested
in serving the people or work for the welfare of the public; instead they spend their time in foolish
pursuits. This is a story about transience of life. The story is about crime and punishment. Kalki has
used humour, irony and conversational narrative style to bring out the theme

3.Journey to the End of the Earth:- TISHANI DOSHI

Theme

The Journey to the end of the Earth from Vistas book for Class 12 is an enlightening account of the
author’s visit to the coolest, windiest and driest continent in the world. Tishani Doshi holds the
opinion that in order to understand the Earth’s present, past and future, one must go to Antarctica.
The study of this region is useful to us because the world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica.
She accompanied a team of students visiting the continent. She had a thrilling experience of the ice-
mysteries of this ice-region.

4.The Enemy:- PEARL S. BUCK

Theme

The Enemy deals with the conflict between Man’s humane feelings and the prejudices created by
nations at war. It deals with the universal human values which must take precedence over narrow
considerations like nationalism. The bond uniting all human beings must transcend the difference
between nations.

5.On the Face of It:- SUSAN HILL

Theme

The play deals with the sense of loss, a sense of isolation and how to overcome it. The actual pain
caused by a physical impairment is often much less than the sense of alienation felt by the person.
The title ‘On the Face of it’ is used to mean that something seems to be good, true etc. but that
needs to be changed when you know more about it. Appearances are deceptive and most often, we
go on dealing with impressions and prejudices about others without bothering to know them.
People know Mr Lamb as a lonely, eccentric lame old man but in reality he is a very kind and
generous man who longs for company and he loves his fellow human beings along with all the other
creations of God. Similarly Derek appears to be an abominable ugly boy with a huge scar on his face
whom no one loves or likes or befriends. He is the object of other people’s hateful stares, ridicules
and neglect. Even his mother does not dare to kiss him on the cheek with the scar. Yet this boy who
is suffering from an acute inferiority complex has a tender and sensitive heart. He wants to love and
be loved. Fortunately he meets Mr Lamb who transforms him with his healing touch.
6.Memories of Childhood:- Zitkala-Sa and Bama

Theme

The lesson ‘Memories of Childhood’ is a portrayal of two autobiographical accounts. One by

American Indian woman and the second by a Tamil Dalit writer. Both stories highlight the women’s
oppression, class barriers, racialism, discrimination and exploitation that tend to pull them down.
Both the stories advocate the statement that seeds of rebellion are sown early in life. Children may
be young and innocent but they cannot tolerate injustice if they are determined.

7.The Last Lesson:- ALPHONSE DAUDET

Theme

Dominant Theme raised in the text: Linguistic Chauvinism

‘‘Chauvinism’’ is a devotion for or against something, just based on what you feel (not necessarily
what you may know). So, linguistic chauvinism is the idea that one’s language is superior to that of
others. This happens generally when the language is that of the ruling class. Linguistic chauvinism
refers to the imposition of one language on others. Language is considered to be the cultural identity
of the people who use it. Language is the pride of the country as it defines the cultural history. The
Last Lesson raises the burning question very innocently through the words of little Franz that ‘‘Will
they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?’’ This raises the question of imposing a language
on others. The child questions that when even the birds and animals can’t be forced to abandon
their language, then what forces a man to enforce a language on others.

8.Lost Spring:- ANEES JUNG

Theme

Spring is the season of bloom. Spring is a metaphor of childhood, associated with the beginning of a
bright future. Childhood is associated with innocence, physical stamina and vitality. It is also the time
for gaining knowledge, learning and going to school. ‘Lost Spring’ by Anees Jung is a description of
children who are condemned to poverty and a life of exploitation. The two protagonists of the story,
Saheb-e-Alam and Mukesh, lose their childhood to the burden of poverty and illiteracy. In their bleak
stories of exploitation, however, the author finds glimpses of resilience and hope.

9.Deep Water:- WILLIAM DAUGLAS

Theme

The author, William Douglas, talks about his fear of water and how he finally overcame it. He
narrates an autobiographical incident that occurred when he was ten or eleven years old and almost
drowned in the Y.M.C.A swimming pool. As a result, he developed a fear of water, which he was able
to conquer after several years, by sheer determination.

10.The Rattrap:- Selma Lagerlöf

Theme

‘‘The Rattrap’’ written by Selma Lagerlof is a short story about an old, disillusioned peddler and thief
who is taken in and shown generosity by a young woman. Her kindness changes his bitter attitude
about life.
11.Indigo:-LOUIS FISCHER

Theme

The leadership shown by Mahatma Gandhi to secure justice for oppressed people through
convincing argumentation and negotiation.

12. Poets and Pancakes:- ASHOKAMITRAN

Theme

An account of the events and personalities in a film company in the early days of Indian cinema.

13. The Interview:- CHRISTOPHER SILVESTER

Theme

‘The Interview’ written by Christopher Silvester briefs the new invention ‘Interview’ in the field of
journalism. Interview that was invented over 130 years has become a commonplace journalism.
Today, every literate or illiterate will have to experience interview at some points of their life. It is
surprising to notice that as an interviewer, each one is comfortable, whereas as an interviewee, they
feel it much disturbing and diminishing.

14. Going Places:- A.R. BARTON

Theme

The whole story is about unrealistic dreams that have little possibility of coming true. This is when
disappointment makes its entrance into life. The story seem to hint that it is okay to dream, but
dream with limits.

15. My Mother at Sixty-Six:- KAMALA DAS

Theme

‘My Mother at Sixty Six’ captures the fear of the narrator of losing her mother due to declining
health and loss of energy which accompanies old age. The poet accepts this reality and is disturbed
by her mother’s need for her on one hand, and her own duties and responsibilities on the other
hand. This helplessness is poignantly brought out in this poem. The emotions experienced by the
poet are essentially universal in nature. The fear of losing a loved one is a theme the reader can
identify with.

16. Keeping Quiet:- PABLO NERUDA

Theme

The poet, Pablo Neruda, urges mankind to cease all activity for a little while. During these few
moments of silence and inactivity, all human beings would be one, united, and in harmony with each
other and nature. This togetherness and oneness is most desirable for the survival of the Earth and
of human beings. Neruda believes that the soul housed within the human body is capable of
performing this feat if given a chance to shine out through introspection, for which absolute silence
and stillness is essential.
17. A Thing of Beauty:- JOHN KEATS

Theme

A thing of beauty is a source of constant joy. Beauty can be found everywhere. It is something that
has the ability to transform life. It also highlights the fact that beauty has a therapeutic quality, i.e.
the ability to remove negativity. It can be any object, nature, tales or even noble deeds of our
ancestors.

18. A Roadside Stand:-ROBERT FROST

Theme

The poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ revolves around the lives of low-income individuals. Besides, the
writer differentiates the battling lives of the field individuals with the inhumane existence of the city
tenants. The city inhabitants don’t try to contemplate on the brutal state of the roadside. The city
occupants don’t consider the battles of the roadside stand individuals need to experience to sell
their treats. These needy individuals have nothing to do except believing that the passing vehicles
will stop and buy their items. If at all, a vehicle stops by, it is to think about bearings or to gripe
about something. The artist profoundly identifies with these devastated individuals and feels
empathy for them. This compassion is evident in the depiction of the roadside stand in a powerful
way.

19. Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers:- ADRIENNE RICH

Theme

The theme of the poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” by Adrienne Rich is how the power of the patriarchy
controls women’s forms but not their minds. The poem makes this point by presenting the wild,
interesting, powerful tigers embroidered by Aunt Jennifer and contrasting them with Aunt Jennifer,
the oppressed.