PROSE 6 - POETS AND PANCAKES

- ASOKAMITRAN
SUMMARY
In this lesson, Asokamitran talks about Gemini Studios and all that helps in keeping it
in the spotlight. He starts by making a mention about ‘Pancakes’, the famous make-up
brand which Gemini Studios ordered in truckloads. He then talks about the plight of
actors and actresses who have to bear too many lights on their face while getting
ready in the make-up room. The make-up department, according to him, used heaps
of make-up to turn them into ugly-looking creatures. Shockingly, he talks about the
office boy of the make-up department whose task is to slap paint onto the faces of
players at the time of crowd-shooting. He was a poet and had joined the Studio in the
hope of becoming an actor, screenwriter, director or a lyricst. In those days, the
author used to work inside a cubicle and had the task of collecting newspaper cuttings
which, according to others was insignificant. Thus, office boy would come in time
again, to bother him with his complaints. He was well-convinced that the reason
behind his misery was Subbu. He thought Subbu had an advantage because he was
born a Brahmin. Subbu was a resourceful man whose loyalty made him stand out. He
was tailor-made for films and it was difficult to imagine film-making without him. He
was very welcoming and was known for his hospitality. Just like many others at the
Gemini Studios, he also did poetry. He worked for the story department which also
consisted of a lawyer. People generally called him the opposite of a legal practitioner.
He was a logical and neutral man amidst a room full of dreamers. Asokamitran then
describes how Gemini Studios got a chance to host a group of international
performers called Moral Rearmament Army. Though the plots and messages were not
complex, their sets and costumes were near to perfection so much so that for many
years, Tamil plays displayed sunset and sunrise in a way inherited from ‘Jotham
Valley’. Then another guest, Stephen Spender comes to visit Gemini Studios. People
had hardly heard of him and they couldn’t even connect with him due to linguistic
barriers. It was not until a few years later that Asokamitran saw his name in a book
and realised who he actually was.
 POEM 5 - AUNT’S JENNIFER’S TIGERS
- ADRIENNE RICH
SUMMARY:
The poet expresses the inner feelings of a woman – Aunt Jennifer. The aunt is
embroidering a motif comprising of energetic, fearless tigers moving freely around
the bright greenery. She is living a life of submissiveness to her husband’s command.
Her acts are dominated by him and she fears him constantly. This pattern of the free
and fearless tigers reflects her inner desire to live a free and fearless life. The tigers
are graceful, elegant and bright.
Aunt Jennifer’s fingers tremble as she embroiders. She is old but still fears her
husband. She does not enjoy the freedom to do anything as per her wish. She is scared
doing the embroidery too and fears his wrath. Since the day she got married, she has
been fulfilling the demands of her husband. The wedding ring on her hand is a
constant reminder that she belongs to her husband. The burden of the demanding
marriage has exhausted her. The torment will not end until her death.
Even after her death, the ring will remain on her hand and she will never be free. On
the other hand, the tigers that she is embroidering will continue to move around
freely forever. Her desire of freedom and fearlessness will live on through her tigers.
THEME:
The battle for a woman’s individuality and self-expression in a patriarchal culture is
the theme of the poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” from the Class 12 English Flamingo
textbook. The poem depicts Jennifer, the speaker’s aunt, and the motif of tigers that
she embroiders on a tapestry. The tiger motif is used to represent Aunt Jennifer’s
ferocious personality and her need for freedom and self-expression. The poem also
considers the limitations and restraints placed on women by society, especially in
terms of gender roles and expectations. The speaker implies that although Aunt
Jennifer struggles to fully express herself in her daily life, she is able to do so only
through her embroidered art.
 S.R. 5 - ON THE FACE OF IT
- SUSAN HILL
SUMMARY
On the Face of it Summary – The story begins with a teenage boy entering a garden.
His face is burnt on one side due to an accident when acid fell on half of his face. He
has gone there to hide as he is afraid of facing people. He fears being teased by others
for having such a face. But when he enters, he finds someone already presents there.
He tries to leave the place but he is stopped by the old man, Mr. Lamb, the owner of
the garden. Derry feels guilty for entering the garden without permission. Mr. Lamb
welcomes him and tells him not to leave just because of his presence. Derry wants to
leave as he thinks people don’t like his face and moreover, they get afraid of his looks.
But Mr. Lamb insists he stay there. They enter into a conversation that how Derry is
not liked by anyone and how he hates people behaving like this with him. Mr. Lamb
tries to console him. He tells him that he has a tin leg and kids make fun of him. Still,
he is not depressed and enjoys his life. They both talk about various things and this
leads to the revelation of Derry’s fear, depression, and hatred about his being in such
a condition. But Mr. Lamb keeps on telling him to think of the positive things. Soon
they become friends and Mr. Lamb asks him to help him in plucking the crab apples
of his garden. Derry tells him that he had come too far from his home and hadn’t told
anything about this to his mother. Mr. Lamb tells him to take permission from his
mother. Derry finds it difficult and this leads to a small quarrel between both of them.
At last, Derry tells him that he would come back after taking his mother’s permission.
His mother does not want him to go back but he comes back again to fulfill his
promise. Meanwhile, Mr. Lamb climbs the ladder on his own to pluck the crab apples
as he was sure that Derry would not return. He was disabled and it was difficult for
him to climb. Mr. Lamb falls from his ladder and dies. Derry, on the other hand,
returns to the garden to help him. When he enters the garden, he sees Mr. Lamb lying
on the ground. Derry tries hard to make him move but did not get any response from
him. Finally, he comes to know that he is dead and starts crying.
THEME OF THE LESSON
Susan Hill’s short tale “On the Face of It” addresses the subject of identity and the
constraints that society places on people. We see two characters – Derry and Mr
Lamb. Both are handicapped but still have different views about life. The writer wants
to highlight that even though the characters are in similar physical condition, yet they
have opposing views towards life which indicates the difference in their attitude.
The battle to discover and claim one’s own identity in the face of society expectations
and constraints is the overall theme of “On the Face of It.”