SSLC KARNATAKA
Subject – English (3rd Language)
Textbook Solution
SUPPLEMENTARY READING
2C. THE PEON NOVELIST
Summary:
The lesson “THE PEON NOVELIST” tells the inspiring story of Uttam Tupe, a prolific writer and social reformer from a poor village background. Despite dropping out of school at 11, Tupe’s passion for learning and literature led him to write several hundred short stories and 16 novels, addressing social issues like dowry and the plight of devadasis. His works not only won literary accolades but also inspired social change. Tupe personally helped many women avoid dowry and supported education for girls. Despite working as a peon and living in a slum, he finds contentment in his ability to provide for his family and make a difference through his writing.
Glossary:
Peon: An office attendant or messenger
Novelist: A writer of novels
Archives: A place where public records or historical documents are kept
Devadasi: A girl dedicated to worship and service in a temple
Superstition: An irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear.
I. Comprehension Questions:
A. Answer the following questions:
1. Discuss Tupe’s contribution to the upliftment of the poor people of his own neighbourhood.
Ans. – Tupe has helped women get married without dowry, assisted widows in remarrying, supported the education of poor girls, and encouraged his neighbors to send their children to school.
Grammar for practice
List of Opposite Words:
Several – Few
Short – Long
Successful – Unsuccessful
Strong – Weak
Poor – Rich
Easy – Difficult
More – Less
Popular – Unpopular
Content – Discontent
Day – Night
Singular-Plurals:
Story – Stories
Novel – Novels
Prize – Prizes
Girl – Girls
Woman – Women
Book – Books
Boy – Boys
Neighbor – Neighbors
Problem – Problems
Theme – Themes
Additional 15 One Mark Questions with Answers:
1. What social issues does Tupe’s most popular novel, Zulva, address?
Ans. – The plight of devadasis
2. How many short stories has Uttam Tupe written?
Ans. – Several hundred
3. How many novels has Tupe written?
Ans. – 16 novels
4. What age did Tupe leave school?
Ans. – 11 years old
5. What was Tupe’s job when he first came to Pune?
Ans. – Gardener boy
6. Who helped ignite Tupe’s passion for literature?
Ans. – School boys who introduced him to Marathi classics
7. What was the subject of Tupe’s first short story?
Ans. – The evils of the dowry system
8. What prize did Tupe win for his first published short story?
Ans. – Rs. 501 cash prize from the Marathi Sahitya Parishad
9. How does Tupe contribute to social change through his writing?
Ans. – By highlighting social evils and encouraging people to take action.
10. What action did Tupe take to help the devadasi on whom he based Zulva?
Ans. – Arranged for her to marry an educated village youth
11. How many women has Tupe helped to get married without dowry?
Ans. – More than a dozen
12. How does Tupe support education in his community?
Ans. – He has paid for the education of three poor girls and encourages his neighbors to send their children to school
13. What time of day does Tupe find it quiet enough to write?
Ans. – From midnight till 4 am
14. Who lives with Tupe in his one-room home?
Ans. – His wife, Jijabai, and two sons, Vinod and Milind
15.What sense does writing give Tupe?
Ans. – A sense of purpose and the ability to reach out to people.