Ultimate Blogging Championship

Category: English

  • The Bishop’s Candlesticks Study Materials DRAMA Class 9th English

    THE BISHOP’S CANDLESTICKS

    By Norman McKinnell

    Background of the Drama
    ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’ by Norman McKinnell is a Dramatization of a part of Victor Hugo’s famous novel ‘Les Miserable’ (The Miserable).

    The Bishop’s Candlesticks Drama Class 9th.
    Source: Google Image

    This Drama raises a profound and thought-provoking question — Are criminals born or are they made thus by society? The Drama also deals with the issue of crime, sin, punishment and redemption. Christian beliefs of charity and forgiveness are reinforced in the Drama and many ethical questions are also answered in the context of the Drama.

     

    Content’s

    Tags: – bishop’s candlesticks drama class 9th, candlesticks drama class 9th, bishop’s candlesticks drama class, drama class 9th, bishop’s candlesticks drama

  • Long Answer Questions of The Bishop’s Candlesticks Drama Class 9th

    1. Do you think the Bishop was justified in selling the silver salt-cellars?

    Ans. To the Bishop, it was a burden to possess any material thing, and be attached to it if there was someone in deep pain, suffering because of the lack of money or any other reasons. He sold his silver salt-cellars to pay for the rent of Mere Gringoire’s house. She was sick and bedridden and not in a condition to work. If the rent was not paid, the bailiff would not wait any longer and threaten to turn her out of the house that day itself. One can imagine how miserable would it be for her then. In such a situation I think, the Bishop was justified in selling the silver salt-cellars.

    2. How does the Bishop prove that human body is the temple of the living God. Does he succeed?

    Ans. When the convict had entered the Bishop’s house, he was a criminal with no feeling for humanity — he was more of a beast than a man. But by the time he left him, the Bishop had shown him with his loving, forgiving, helping and compassionate attitude that human body is a temple of the living God. The Bishop knew well that the convict was not born that way, but certain circumstances had changed him into doing evil deeds. By helping the convict to give vent to his sufferings and by protecting him from the police, the Bishop has touched the convict’s heart to such an extent after many years that he realises that he is a ‘human being’ and not a ‘beast’ as he had started thinking himself to be. The convict understands clearly what Bishop meant by saying that human body is the temple of the living God.

    3. The Bishop is a living example of the greatest tenet of Christianity—forgiveness. Justify this statement by giving evidence from the text. [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

    Ans. It is true that the Bishop is really a living example of the greatest tenet of Christianity —
    forgiveness. This is evident from the incident of the stealing of candlesticks. Inspite of all the love and care that the Bishop had shown to the convict, when he left, he stole the Bishop’s precious candlesticks. However, he was caught by the police who brought him to the Bishop’s house. Instead of getting angry or getting the convict imprisoned, the Bishop told the police that the convict was not a thief but his friend whom he had given the candlesticks himself. He also told the police to let the convict go. Not only this, when the convict who was so touched by Bishop’s actions, decided to go to Paris to start a new life, the Bishop gave him his candlesticks, which were his mother’s gift to him and thus very precious. The Bishop blessed the convict and asked him to sell the candlesticks and start a new life in Paris. This was so touching and unbelievable for the convict that he cried and all the burden of sufferings of the past years just disappeared then and there.

    4. Why does the Bishop allow the convict to take away the candlesticks and escape to Paris?

    Ans. When the convict told the Bishop that he wanted to go to Paris as it was a big place and the police would not easily recognise him there, the Bishop supported him. He wanted the convict to sell the candlesticks and start his life all over again in Paris. He told the convict that in each person’s body, there is the temple of the living God. The Bishop did all this because he sincerely wanted the convict to be a good human being and lead a normal life by giving up all the sufferings of his past.

    5. Identify the incidents which changed the convict’s life. Do you think the convict should be treated the way the Bishop treated him to reform?

    [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

    Ans. The convict was a good man originally. Once, when he did not have any job and his wife was ill and he

    did not have any money to get even food for her, he stole some money to buy food for her. He was caught by the police and given ten years’ imprisonment for such a minor theft. A tragedy occurred in his life with the death of his wife on the day he was awarded ten years’ imprisonment. In the prison he was fed on filth, lashed and tortured if he questioned even a little bit. All this changed his life completely and he turned from a man to a wild beast. He lost faith in himself as well as others completely.

    The way Bishop treated the convict is absolutely marvellous in my opinion. This is a clear evidence to the falseness of the belief that criminals can be changed through punishment. Although it may not seem to be a very practical thing, but is undoubtedly correct that true love and compassion of the Bishop only reformed the convict, preventing him from committing crimes further, making life hell for himself as well as others. So, I’m sure that the convict should be treated the way the Bishop treated him to reform.

    6. As Bishop, write an entry in your journal regarding the change that has come about in the convict. [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

    OR

    Imagine yourself as Bishop and write a diary entry expressing your feeling after the convict has left as a free man [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

    Ans.

    8-5-20XX

    I feel extremely sorry for so much suffering in this world. A few days back, I had an encounter with a convict who had entered my house, and threatened me with a knife. He asked me for food. I fed him with all my love, and that gave me a lot of satisfaction. Anyway, he stole my candlesticks when he left but the police caught him and brought him back to me for identification. I genuinely wanted to relieve him of his sufferings and so asked the police to let him go telling them that he was actually my friend, and that I had gifted the candlesticks to him. The convict seemed to be quite shocked at this. The faith and favour, he felt I had shown in him, brought so much confidence in him that he decided to lead a normal life. I feel happy seeing that he wanted to go to Paris, a big city, where he could begin a new life without any fear of being identified by the police. Before leaving, he asked me to bless him. When I prayed for him, he literally started crying. I am so happy for the change that has come in him.

    7. Justify the title of the play ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’.

    Ans. ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’ is the most appropriate title for the drama, as it was the candlesticks which became the focal point and occupy a very important place — both for the Bishop as well as the convict. For the
    Bishop, they were very precious because they had been given to him by his mother when she was on her deathbed. The Bishop was a saintly person and was ready to give away any of his belongings for the welfare of others, except these candlesticks as his mother’s memories were associated with them.

    But when he saw that the convict had stolen away his candlesticks, he felt terribly bad. His emotions were deeply hurt. Fortunately, he got the candlesticks back when the police caught the convict and brought him to the Bishop for identification. Finally, when the convict got reformed, and decided to go to Paris to start a new life, the Bishop gave to him as a help, the most precious thing of his life— the candlesticks! The drama is deeply associated with the emotions attached with the candlesticks, and thus I feel the title ‘Bishop’s Candlesticks’ is quite appropriate.

    8. Suppose you are the convict in the play ‘The Bishop’s’ Candlesticks’. After going to Paris you sell the silver candlesticks given by the good Bishop and start a business. Very soon you begin to prosper. Write a letter in about 120 words to friend expressing your gratitude for the Bishop. [CBSE 2011 (Term II)]

    OR

    9.The Bishop heals the tormented soul and shows him the path of God and righteousness. Comment. (150 words) [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

    Dear Friend,

    You must be surprised as to how I am writing a letter to you after so many years. You already know what upheavals I have undergone in my life. Here I am going to tell you about a very special person, the Bishop, who has changed my life completely.

    His love, care and guidance has just relieved me of all my sufferings. I, who had started thinking that the whole world just consists of bad people, have a completely different viewpoint now. It so happened that one day I entered his house for food, threatened him, but instead of being afraid or angry, he not only gave me food lovingly but also a warm bed to sleep on. As was my habit, I stole his candlesticks and ran away. But when the police caught me and got me back to his place, he asked the police to let me go, telling them that I was his friend and he had gifted the candlesticks to me. Do you know how shocked I was at this? Later he gave me his candlesticks and asked me to go to Paris, sell them and start a new life. It is unbelievable that such people live on this earth! He is like God to me. The faith he has shown in me has enabled me to turn back into a normal man from the wild beast that I had become. That’s all for now. See you then.

    Your friend XYZ

    For Mor Questions And Answer Please Log On To Ask.ImperialStudy.com

    Content’s

  • Short Answer Questions of The Bishop’s Candlesticks Drama Class 9th

    1. The convict says, “I am too old a bird to be caught with a chaff’. What does he mean by this remark?

    Ans. He speaks this line when the Bishop wishes to go out to bring the keys of the cupboard to get him food. The convict is a hard-core criminal, and so he thinks that the Bishop would go out and raise an alarm to get the police to arrest him. The convict has spent ten years in jail and is well aware of all the tricks and excuses that people make to trap others. That is why he doesn’t believe the Bishop when he tries to go out to bring the cupboard keys.

    2. Who was Jeanette? What was the cause of her death?

    Ans. Jeanette was the wife of the convict. It was ten years back that a tragedy took place in his life. It was a bad year and he could not get any work. Jeanette was ill and there was no food in the house. So the convict stole to buy her food. But he was caught and given ten years imprisonment. The night he was sentenced, she died. It was the convict’s poverty that had led to her death.

    3. “…..now I’m a number 15729 ………I’ve lived in hell for ten years.” What was the background of this remark made by the convict?

    Ans. By saying that he is not a man now but number 15729, the convict reveals the tragic life he had in the prison for the last ten years. The prison was like a hell where he was chained up like a wild animal and lashed like a hound. He was fed on filth, covered with vermin, slept on boards, and if he complained, he was lashed again. This torture had taken away his soul changing him into a beast, so much so that he himself forgot that he was a human being and just remembered himself by the number given to him in the prison, i.e., 15729

    4. The Bishop was God’s representative on earth in every sense of the term. Explain. [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

    OR

    Why was Bishop loved and revered by everyone in the Parish? [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

    Ans. The Bishop is God’s representative on the earth as he has love, compassion, forgiveness etc. for others to such an extent as is not possible for any normal human being. He feels deeply pained at others’ problems and irrespective of any inconvenience he may have to face, he goes ahead to bring relief to the person concerned. Serving humanity is the only concern in his life with no consideration to the status, material benefits etc. No doubt he is loved by everyone in the parish.

    5. “There is so much suffering in the world and I can do so little.” Bring out the character of the Bishop in the light of this statement, giving examples from the text. [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

    Ans. The Bishop is an extremely compassionate person. His heart pains to see so much suffering in the world. He wants to do everything possible to help such people, and feels bad at how little he is able to do for them. He sells his silver salt-cellars to help Mere Gringoire who is bedridden. He gives his muffler to Marie, the maid, so that she can keep herself warm. The love and affection, and forgiveness that he shows to the convict reforms him completely. He even sacrifices his most precious candlesticks to help the convict settle in his life.

    6. Why is the Bishop in the habit of leaving his doors and windows unshuttered?

    Ans. The Bishop has dedicated his entire life to charity and benevolence. He is always prepared to welcome any needy and deprived person. He is a true Christian and wishes to extend all kinds of help to the ailing and the sick. To remain accessible to all, he does not lock his doors or close any windows. Moreover, he is not afraid of any evil or crime and has immense faith in God.

    7. Who is Mere Gringoire? What help does she receive from the Bishop?

    Ans. Mere Gringoire is an old sick woman, who has been bedridden for a long time. She lives at the top of the hill and she has not been able to pay her rent. The Bailiff has threatened to throw her out of the house, unless she pays the rent. The Bishop sells the silver salt-cellars to Monseigneur Gervais, who had often admired them so that he could get the money to pay the rent for Mere Gringoire.

    8. Why does Persome feel that the people pretend to be sick?

    Ans. Persome feels that the people take undue advantage of the Bishop’s generosity and exploit his goodness and charitable nature. She shouts at Marie, when she learns that the Bishop has gone to see her ailing mother in the extreme cold. She is also disgusted at Mere Gringoire who is bedridden. Persome believes that her
    brother is a simpleton who cannot see through the people who feign to be sick.

    9. Why was Bishop attached to the candlesticks and what did he do with them in the end [CBSE 2010 (Term II)]

    Ans : The silver candlesticks were a prized possession for both the Bishop and his sister. The candlesticks were a parting gift from the Bishop’s mother, when she was on her deathbed. The Bishop could never think of parting with this memento in his lifetime. In fact, the candlesticks were the only thing he was emotionally attached to. He assures Persome that he would always take care of them despite all odds. But in the end he gave the candlesticks to a convict to restart an honourable life.

    Content’s

  • Non-Multiple Choice Questions of The Bishop’s Candlesticks Drama Class 9th

    Read the following extracts and answer the questions given thereafter.

    1. You are incorrigible. You will sell your candlesticks next. [CBSE 2011 (Term III)]

    (a) Who speaks these words and to whom?

    Ans. These words have been spoken by Bishop’s sister to Bishop.

    (b) Why does the speaker consider the person incorrigible?
    Ans. She considers him incorrigible because he had sold off his estate, furniture and other valuables to help the poor and needy.

    (c) What is special about the candlesticks?

    Ans. Candlesticks were very special because they were a gift from his dying mother, whom he loved a lot.

    2. Sold! Sold! Are you mad?

    Who sold them? Why were they sold?

    [CBSE 2011 (Term II)]

    (a) Who is the speaker and who is he/she talking to?

    Ans. The speaker is Bishop’s sister, Persome. She is talking to the Bishop.

    (b) What has been sold?

    Ans. The salt cellers, made of silver, have been sold.

    (c) Who has sold them and why?

    Ans. Bishop has sold the salt cellers to help an ailing lady by paying the rent of her house.

    3. Tell you about it? Look here, I was a man once. I’m a beast now, and they made me what I am. They chained me up like a wild animal. [CBSE 2011 (Term II)]

    (a) Who speaks these lines and to whom?

    Ans. These lines have been spoken by the convict to the Bishop.

    (b) Who made him a beast? How?

    Ans. The police in the prison made him a beast by beating him and keeping him in unhealthy conditions.

    (c) Which figure of speech has been used in the last line of the above extract?
    Ans. The figure of speech used here i here i is ‘similie’.

    Content’s

  • Multiple Choice Questions of The Bishop’s Candlesticks Drama Class 9th.

    Read the following extracts and write down the most appropriate option.

    1. ‘I was a man once, I’m a beast now, and they made me what I am. ’

    (a) Who speaks these lines and to whom?

    (i) Bishop-Persome (ii) Convict-Bishop

    (iii) Convict-Persome (iv) None of the above

    (b) Who made the speaker what he is?

    (i) The Bishop (ii) Society

    (iii) Himself (iv) His wife
    (c) What is the speaker’s tragic story?

    (i) Cruelty to his family led to the change

    (ii) Poverty drove him to become a beast

    (iii) Society maltreated him

    (iv) Tortured in the prison

    Ans : (a) (ii) (b) (ii) (c) (iii)

    2. He was kind to me too—but what’s a Bishop for except to be kind to you? Here, cheer up, my hearty, you’re getting soft.

    (a) To whom is the convict talking?

    (i) Bishop (ii) Himself

    (iii) Persome (iv) None

    (b) How does he interpret the Bishop’s kindness?

    (i) Due to his selfishness

    (ii) His professional duty

    (iii) His pretentious nature

    (iv) His real nature

    (c) Why does he say ‘My hearty, you’re getting soft’?

    (i) Does not want to be kind again

    (ii) Does not want to feel obliged to the Bishop

    (iii) Has no desire to have human feelings again

    (iv) Feels nothing

    Ans : (a) (ii) (b) (ii) (c) (iii)

    3. Convict: Ah! thanks, thanks, Monseigneur. I-I, Ah, I’m a fool, a child to cry, but somehow you have made me feel that—that it is just as if something had come into me— as if I were a man again, not a wild beast.

    (a) Why does the convict cry?

    (i) Due to sudden help by Bishop

    (ii) Due to extreme compassion shown to him

    (iii) Because of humanitarian feelings

    (iv) Pain in the eyes

    (b) What did the Bishop do to make him feel a man again ?

    (i) Saved him from the police

    (ii) Gave him candlesticks

    (iii) Showed him a safe way to escape

    (iv) Gave him healthy food

    (c) Why does he thank the Bishop?

    (i) For the candlesticks

    (ii) For restoring his faith in humanity

    (iii) For giving him shelter and food

    (iv) For giving him bed to sleep

    Ans : (a) (ii) (b) (i) (c) (ii)

    4. It is hopeless, hopeless. We shall have nothing left. His estate is sold, his savings have gone. His furniture, everything. Were it not for my little dot, we should starve.
    (a) Why is Persome so upset?

    (i) Bishop does not bother for her

    (ii) He neglects his health

    (iii) He is overgenerous with total disregard for his own comfort.

    (iv) He is silly and people take undue advantage of him

    (b) What has been the only sustaining factor to save them from starvation?

    (i) Salt-cellars (ii) Candlesticks

    (iii) Her dowry (iv) Her house

    (c) Why do you think Persome is not able to influence her brother?

    (i) Bishop does not care for her

    (ii) He is most gullible and believes people easily

    (iii) He cannot think of his own welfare before the suffering of others

    (iv) None of the above

    Ans : (a) (iii) (b) (iii) (c) (iii)

    5. You see, my dear, my mother gave them to me on her deathbed just after you were born and————and she asked me to keep them in remembrance of her. 

    Who is the speaker and who is the listener?

    (i) Bishop – Convict (ii) Convict – Persome

    (iii) Bishop – Persome (iv) None of the above

    The speaker appears to be emotionally distressed. Why?

    (i) The mother is no more.

    (ii) Persome is disturbed.

    (iii) Due to the emotional attachment to candlesticks.

    (iv) Salt-cellars have been broken

    Which quality of the mother is revealed here?

    (i) Moral (ii) Realistic

    (iii) Humane (iv) Affectionate

    (a) (iii) (b) (iii) (c) (iv)

    Content’s

  • Textbook Question of The Bishop’s Candlesticks Drama Class 9th.

    Page No:128

    1. Copy and complete the following paragraph about the theme of the play in pairs:

    The play deals with a _______________and __________________Bishop who is always
    ready to lend a _________________hand to anyone in distress. A _________________
    breaks into the Bishop’s house and is ___________________________and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop somewhat _____________________the convict, but, when he
    sees the silver candlesticks, he ____________________ them, and runs away. However, he is _______________________and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a _______________________________. The convict is ___________________by this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest’s blessing.

    Answer

    The play deals with a kind and charitable Bishop who is always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in distress. A convict breaks into the Bishop’s house and is fed and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop somewhat confounds the convict, but, when he sees the silver candlesticks, he steals them, and runs away. However, he is arrested and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a gift. The convict is moved by this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest’s blessing.

    5. (a) Working in pairs give antonyms of the following words

    kind- hearted unscrupulous forgiving stern benevolent credulous
    generous pious suspicious sympathetic understanding wild
    innocent penitent clever brutal cunning caring
    sentimental trusting protective concerned honourable embittered

    Answer 

    (i) Kind-hearted − nasty, unkind, cruel
    (ii) Unscrupulous − ethical, moral, good
    (iii) Forgiving − censure, charge, punish
    (iv) Stern − cheerful, funny, lenient
    (v) Benevolent − greedy, malevolent, mean, selfish
    (vi) Credulous − skeptical, suspecting, suspicious
    (vii) Generous − greedy, mean, miserly
    (viii) Pious – atheist, impious, irreligious
    (ix) Suspicious − innocent, trustworthy, trusty
    (x) Sympathetic − callous, merciless, uncaring, unconcerned
    (xi) Understanding − misunderstanding, intolerant
    (xii) Wild − civilized, controlled, delicate, gentle
    (xiii) Innocent − bad, blamable, corrupt
    (xiv) Penitent − happy, unashamed
    (xv) Clever − awkward, foolish, idiotic, ignorant,
    (xvi) Brutal − generous, humane, kind, nice
    (xvii) Cunning − gullible, kind, naive
    (xviii) Caring − disregarding, ignoring, neglecting
    (xix) Sentimental − hard-hearted, indifferent, pragmatic, unemotional
    (xx) Trusting- disagree, dispute, reject, renounce
    (21) Protective − attacking, harmful, hurtful, injurious
    (22) Concerned − happy, undisturbed, unperturbed
    (23) Honourable − not respectful, unhonourable
    (24) Embittered − pleasant, content, genial

    Page No: 129

    (b) Select words from the above box to describe the characters in the play as revealed by the following lines from the play.

    Lines from the play Speaker Quality revealed
    1. “You told him she was feeling poorly, did you? And so my brother is to be kept out of bed, and go without his supper because you told him she was feeling poorly.”
    2. __________ “take my comforter, it will keep you warm.”
    3. “If people lie to me they are poorer, not I.”
    4. “You are like a child. I can’t trust you out of my sight. No sooner my back is turned than you get that minx Marie to sell the silver salt-cellars.”
    5. “My dear there is so much suffering in the world, and I can do so very little.”
    6. “My mother gave them to me on − on her death bed just after you were born, and − and she asked me to keep them in remembrance of her, so I would like to keep them.”
    7. “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.”
    8. “You have your soul to lose, my son.”
    9. “Give me food or I’ll stick my knife in you both and help myself.”
    10. “__________they have made me what I am, they have made me a thief. God curse them all.”
    11. “Why the devil are you kind to me? What do you want?”
    12. “I − I − didn’t believe there was any good in the world…but somehow I − I − know you’re good, and − and it’s a queer thing to ask, but could you, would you bless me before I go?”

    Answer

    Lines from the play Speaker Quality revealed
    1. “You told him she was feeling poorly, did you? And so my brother is to be kept out of bed, and go without his supper because you told him she was feeling poorly.” Persome Stern, Unsympathetic
    2. __________ “take my comforter, it will keep you warm.” Bishop Kind-hearted, caring
    3. “If people lie to me they are poorer, not I.” Bishop Pious, Understanding
    4. “You are like a child. I can’t trust you out of my sight. No sooner my back is turned than you get that minx Marie to sell the silver salt-cellars.” Persome Caring
    5. “My dear there is so much suffering in the world, and I can do so very little.” Bishop Sympathetic
    6. “My mother gave them to me on −on her death bed just after you were born, and − and she asked me to keep them in remembrance of her, so I would like to keep them.” Bishop Sentimental
    7. “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” Convict Cunning
    8. “You have your soul to lose, my son.” Bishop Pious
    9. “Give me food or I’ll stick my knife in you both and help myself.” Convict wild, brutal
    10. “__________they have made me what I am, they have made me a thief. God curse them all.” Convict pitiless, brutal
    11. “Why the devil are you kind to me? What do you want?” Convict Suspicious
    12. “I − I − didn’t believe there was any good in the world…but somehow I − I − know you’re good, and − and it’s a queer thing to ask, but could you, would you bless me before I go?” Convict repentant

    Page No: 130

    6. Answer the following questions briefly

    (a) Do you think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars? Why/why not?

    Answer 

    Yes, the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars because he was an ideal person. He could not bear the thought of an old and sick lady to be thrown out of the house due to non-payment of rent. He always helps people in times of need.

    (b) Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick?

    Answer

    Persome felt that people pretended to be sick to take undue advantage of the Bishop. She was of very protective nature and pained to see that the entire humanity is turning upon them for charity and kindness.

    (c) Who was Jeanette? What was the cause of her death?

    Answer

    Jeanette was the wife of the convict. She died due to illness and starvation.

    (d) The convict says, “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” What does he mean by this statement?

    Answer 

    The convict meant that he has is experienced so that he couldn’t be misleaded. He ordered the Bishop to stay put because he couldn’t trust anyone not to report to the police and get him arrested.

    (e) Why was the convict sent to prison? What was the punishment given to him?

    Answer

    The convict was sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread. He was sentenced to ten years in a prison hulk.

    (f) Do you think the punishment given to the convict was justified? Why/ why not? Why is the convict eager to reach Paris?

    Answer

    The punishment given to the convict was not justified. It is too inhuman for someone who was caught stealing just to feed his sick wife. He was guilty of stealing only to feed his wife who was dying of starvation. But they showed him no mercy and treated him like a beast. They chained him like a wild animal, lashed him like a hound and fed him filth. He was covered with vermin and had to sleep on boards. This kind of treatment is inhuman and not justified.

    The convict is eager to reach Paris because it was a big city and the Police would never be able to find him there.

    (g) Before leaving, the convict asks the Bishop to bless him. What brought about this change in him?

    Answer 

    The Bishop’s benevolent, kind and caring attitude had brought about a change in the convict. That is why before leaving for Paris, he asks the Bishop to bless him.


    1.  Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
      correct options.
    1. Monseigneur the Bishop is a ————ahem!’

    (a) Why does Persome not complete the sentence?
    (i) she used to stammer while speaking.
    (ii) she was about to praise the Bishop.
    (iii) she did not wish to criticise the Bishop in front of Marie.
    (iv)she had a habit of passing such remarks.

    Answer

    (iii) She did not wish to criticise the Bishop in front of Marie.

    (b) Why is she angry with the Bishop?
    (i) The Bishop has sold her salt-cellars.
    (ii) The Bishop has gone to visit Mere Gringoire.
    (iii) He showed extra concern for Marie.
    (iv) She disliked the Bishop.

    Answer

    (i) The Bishop has sold her salt-cellars.

    Page No: 131

    B. ‘She sent little Jean to Monseigneur to ask for help, and—’

    (a) Who sent little Jean to the Bishop?
    (i) Mere Gringoire
    (ii) Marie
    (iii) Persome
    (iv) Marie’s mother

    Answer

    (i) Mere Gringoire

    (b) Why did she send Jean to the Bishop?
    (i) so that he could pray for her
    (ii) as she knew that he was a generous person
    (iii) as she was a greedy woman
    (iv) as she was a poor woman

    Answer

    (ii) as she knew that he was a generous person

    C. ‘I offered to take her in here for a day or two, but she seemed to think it might distress you.”
    The Bishop wanted to take Mere Grngoire in because _________.

    (a) The Bishop wanted to take Mere Grngoire in because _________.
    (i) she was sick
    (ii) she had no money
    (iii) she was unable to pay the rent of her house
    (iv) she was a close friend of Persome

    Answer

    (iii) she was unable to pay the rent of her house

    (b) Persome would be distressed on Mere Gringoire’s being taken in because ________.
    (i) she did not want to help anyone
    (ii) she felt that Mere Gringoire was taking undue advantage of the Bishop
    (iii) she was a self-centred person
    (iv) she would be put to a great deal of inconvenience

    Answer

    (ii) she felt that Mere Gringoire was taking undue advantage of the Bishop

    Page No: 133

    9. Identify the situations which be termed as the turning points in the convict’s life?

    Answer 

    The Convict, when was caught and brought to the Bishop’s house, was asked to be released by the Bishop saying that he is a friend to him. The Bishop also gives him his mother’s only memory i.e. candle-sticks. This entire incidence makes convict believe that there still exists humanity. This is the turning point in the convict’s life.

    Content’s

  • Word Meanings of The Bishop’s Candlesticks Drama Class 9th

    Word-Meaning
    • Tended – ignited • Rebuke – scold • Nincompoop – fool • Sake – favour • Cloak – heavy gown • Shamefacedly – disgracefully • Ridiculous – foolish • Wretch – woman • Distress – in pain • Incorrigible – not to be set right • Stealthily – as a thief • Chaff – deceit • Defiantly – hatefully • Dogged – stubborn
    Word-Meaning
    • Tended – ignited • Rebuke – scold • Nincompoop – fool • Sake – favour • Cloak – heavy gown • Shamefacedly – disgracefully • Ridiculous – foolish • Wretch – woman • Distress – in pain • Incorrigible – not to be set right • Stealthily – as a thief • Chaff – deceit • Defiantly – hatefully • Dogged – stubborn
     Page No: 113

    • Substantially – adequately
    • Mantelpiece – shelf
    • Settee – seat with high back
    • Crucifix –  image of Jesus on the cross
    • Tended – kindled
    • Rude – disrespectful
    • Rebuke – scold
    • Monseigneur: My Lord
    • Imitating – copying

    Page No: 114

    • Mon Dieu – My God
    • Nincompoop – fool
    • Feeling poorly – felt unwell
    • Gratitude – gratefulness
    • Salt-cellars – containers to shake out salt and pepper kept on the dining table
    • Mere: Mother

    Page No: 115

    • Bailiff – an officer of the court.
    • Estate – landholding
    • Dot – dowry
    • Disgracefully – shameful
    • Hastened – hurried
    • Courtesy – respect
    • Presently – soon
    • Comforter – muffler

    Page No: 116

    • Dupe – a person who is easily deceived.
    • Scamp – a rascal
    • Parish – an area with its own church.
    • Ridiculous – humorous
    • Mend – fix
    • Minx – cunning
    • Pity – unfortunate thing

    Page No: 117

    • Audacity – insolence
    • Distress – discomfort
    • Gesture – a movement of the hands, arms, or head etc. to express an idea or feeling
    • Comic – funny
    • Dispose of – sell off
    • Incorrigible – a person who cannot be changed
    • Tire – drop

    Page No: 118

    • Stirs – shakes
    • Trims – makes neat
    • Shivers – trembles
    • Convict – prisoner
    • Stealthily – quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed
    • Seizes – grabs
    • Hoarsely – roughly
    • Too old a bird to be caught with chaff – too old to be tricked
    • Rouse – awaken
    • Wolf – hunger
    • Entrails – intestines

    Page No: 119

    • To be at the beck and call of – to obey.
    • Ne’er-do-well – a good for nothing.
    • Glares – stares
    • Evidently – clearly
    • Enormous – huge
    • Unshuttered – open
    • Unbarred – open

    Page No: 120

    • Voraciously – greedily
    • Virgin – Mother of Jesus
    • Chuckling – laugh quitely

    Page No: 121

    • Earnestly – seriously
    • Pleaded – begged
    • Prison hulks – ships used as a prison houses.
    • Gaoler – Jailor
    • Sobs – weeps
    • Fury – anger
    • Lashed – whipped
    • Hound – a hunting dog
    • Flith – mud
    • Vermin – worms
    • Rags – torn clothes
    • Barns – granary

    Page No: 122

    • Couch – bed
    • Molest – assault
    • Haste – hurriedly
    • Defiantly – opposing

    Page No: 123

    • Preached – instructed
    • Start me fair – enable me to get a good start in life
    • Collaring – dragging
    • Plunder – loot
    • Stows – puts

    Page No: 124

    • Temptation – desire
    • Scoundrel – rogue
    • Slinking – moving stealthily

    Page No: 125

    • Dogged –stubborn
    • Incredulously – disbelievingly
    • Benefactor – supporter
    • overwrought – agitated
    • Severity – seriousness

    Page No: 126

    • Reluctance – unwillingness

    Page No: 127

    • Prie-dieu: kneeling desk for use in prayer

    Content’s

  • Hindi Summary of The Bishop’s Candlesticks Drama Class 9th.

    Hindi Summary of The Bishop’s Candlesticks Drama Class 9th.

    Content’s

  • Summary of The Bishop’s Candlesticks Drama Class 9th

    Summary of the Play
    The play opens with a scene in the Bishop’s kitchen.
    Bishop’s younger sister Persome and maid servant Marie are busy in conversation, while soup is being cooked on the stove. Persome is worried that her brother has gone out in extreme cold. When she learns that her brother has gone to see Marie’s ailing mother, she bursts out in anger at the selfishness of the people, who went about troubling him.
    Persome’s anger is genuine because her brother has already sold off his estate, furniture and other valuables to help the poor and the needy. Persome is shocked to discover further that the Bishop has even sold off his silver salt-cellars to help another ailing lady, to pay her rent.
    The Bishop promptly arrives and dispatches Marie to tend to her mother. He gives away his comforter to her to ward off the cold outside. Persome gets very furious and says, “You’ll sell your candlesticks next.” The Bishop thanks her for giving him the idea, although he admits that the candlesticks were his proud possessions, a gift from his dying mother and he would not like to part with them.
    Persome takes leave and the Bishop settles down to read. It is already midnight. A convict enters the room stealthily, seizes the Bishop from behind and demands something to eat. He threatens to kill the Bishop if he raises an alarm. The Bishop is unflustered. He calls the convict ‘son’ and wakes his sister to serve some food and wine to the convict. He also calms down Persome who was frightened to see the knife in the convict’s hand.
    The convict pounces on the food greedily. After eating, the convict warms up to the Bishop and relates his sad story. He tells the Bishop that he was once a normal man.
    He had a wife and a home, but no work. So he stole to feed his sick wife. He was caught and sentenced to serve ten years in prison. He was chained like an animal and beaten mercilessly and fed on filth. The Bishop consoles him and arranges for him to rest there for the night.
    The next morning Persome finds that the convict and the silver candlesticks are missing. She raises an alarm and informs the Bishop about the theft. The Bishop is upset but he refuses to report to the police.
    Soon a Sergeant appears with two soldiers and the convict in chains. They had arrested the convict on the suspicion of stealing the Bishop’s candlesticks. The Bishop tells the police that the convict was his friend and he had gifted the candlesticks to him. The police free the convict and go away. The convict is thunderstruck by such kindness. He promises to reform himself and begin his life anew. The Bishop blesses him and gifts the
    candlesticks to him. He shows him a secret path to Paris, where the convict could lead a safe and respectable life.

    Content’s

  • Character Sketch of The Bishop’s Candlesticks Drama Class 9th.

    Character Sketch

    • Bishop: He is a very noble and simple person, who always ready to help anyone in distress. He has all the characteristics of a good human being. When he hears the story of the convict, he showed his sympathy for him. He comes to know that the attitude of the convict turned inhuman due to bad treatment in the prison. He treats him like a friend even after the convict stole his candlesticks. He also freed him from the Sergeant by telling a lie. He gives his candlesticks to the convict and helps him to get to Paris. These kind acts of the Bishop prove that he is really a ‘man of god’.

    • Person: She is the sister of Bishop. She was not generous and kind as her brother and very materialistic. She feels that the simplicity and nobility of the bishop have been misused by the people. She shows rude behavior against oppressed people.

    • Convict: He was leading a common life before he became a criminal. He had no faith in religion. He had given severe punishment which made him heartless and soulless, but bishop’s noble behavior changed his mind. He promised Bishop to start his life in a new way.

    Content’s