The Little Girl | IX| CBE | NCERT Questions
Updated: Jul 10, 2023
Lesson Architecture:
Biography of Catherine Mansfield
Katherine Mansfield is remembered for her short stories and poems.
Her most popular stories being The Garden Party, A Dill Pickle, Mr and Mrs Dove, and The Fly.
During her writing career, Mansfield was incredibly inspired by the works of Oscar Wilde and Anton Chekhov
Mansfield's health began to decline just as her work started receiving international attention.
She was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1917. Despite her health, she published two major collections, Bliss in 1920, and The Garden Party in 1922.
Katherine Mansfield died in 1923 due to complications with tuberculosis. Many stories were collected posthumously and published. She was only 34 when she died.
THEME
The theme of the story is the relationship between children and their parents
The writer conveys the message that children share a very important bond of love with their parents.
During the early childhood, children might mistake their parents for being unnecessarily strict. But as they grow up, they share a strong bond.
The story also focusses on the need of parents to be non-threatening and supportive from early childhood onwards.
Parents are the role models for their children and therefore, they should take every effort to bring up their children with supportive and caring environment.
STORY SEQUENCE
This story begins with Kezia’s impression of her father being strict and non-approaching.
Every morning before going to work he came into her room and gave her a casual kiss, to which she responded with “Goodbye, Father”.
So this ritual on the part of her father shows that he has abundant love for her father.
But Kezia would feel relieved when she heard that her father’s carriage was going away. It means she was very scared of him.
In the evening when her father would return home, he would order that tea be served to him in the drawing room, he wanted the newspaper to be presented to him and he would also ask her to get him his slipper. Her father would tell her to hurry up and remove his boots.
Her father would tell her to hurry up and remove his boots and keep them out of the room.
Kezia never stammered while she spoke to other people. It was only when she talked to her father that she lacked confidence and that is why she tried very hard to speak properly and she stammered.
Kezia’s father tells his wife that she should teach Kezia to behave in a better way and she should not appear as if she is so unhappy .
Kezia felt that her father’s hand and his neck and his mouth were all so huge especially when he yawned.
Whenever Kezia thought about her father she felt that she was thinking about a giant. Her father appeared to be a huge monster to her.
Every Sunday, during the afternoon, Kezia’s Grandmother sent her downstairs to the drawing room in order to spend time with her parents.
When Kezia went to her parents to meet them in the drawing room. They were busy doing their own things. Her mother was busy reading and her father was busy sleeping and snoring.
Kezia’s father would compare Kezia to a little brown owl. He would say that Kezia was staring at him just like an owl does.
Once Kezia was suffering from cold and was at home. Her grandmother suggested that she should make a birthday gift for her father as his birthday was approaching.
She asked Keziato to make a pin cushion for him and she also gave her a yellow coloured fabric of silk to make the cushion.
She used double cotton i.e a thread and stitched three sides of the cushion. She had to fill the cushion with something and stitch the fourth side.
She did not know what to fill the cushion with.
The grandmother was out in the garden, and she went into her mother’s bedroom to look for scraps of cloths or papers.
On the bed-table she discovered a great many sheets of fine paper, gathered them up, tore them into tiny pieces, and stuffed her cushion and then sewed up the fourth side.
Kezia’s father had prepared a speech for the Port Authority and he was unable to find it.
When Kezia’s mother enquired about it, Kezia tells her mother that she found some pieces of paper which she used to stuff into the cushion, as she was making a surprised birthday gift for her father.
Kezia’s mother became very angry and took her to her father, who asked her if she had torn her important papters. Kezia looked scared and started stammering.
Kezia’s father asked his wife to bring that cushion downstairs and asked her to put Kezia to bed immediately.
Kezia’s father went to her bedroom and told her that he would beat her with the ruler. He said, You must be taught once and for all not to touch what does not belong to you.”
Kezia’s father hit the palms of her hand with a ruler.
Hours later, when Grandmother had wrapped her in a shawl and rocked her in the rocking-chair, the child clung to her soft body.
“What did God make fathers for?” she asked her grandmother crying.
She gave her a handkerchief, to blow her nose in it and go to sleep. She added that by morning Kezia would forget the beating.
Kezia told her grandmother that she was trying to explain to him the reason for tearing the sheets of paper but he was not ready to listen to her.
Kezia being so little in her age, could not understand the fact that her father punished her as he wanted to teach her a lesson that she should not touch anything that does not belong to her.
Whenever she saw her father, she got scared and her cheeks got full of red colour. Kezia’s father hit the palms of her hand with a ruler.
Her neighbours were a family named Mac donalds. In all, the Mac donald’s had five children. And Kezia would peep at them through a hole in the fence. She would see that the family had a lot of fun. They played a game called tag.
All the children were so much attached to their father. And then they would run around the garden, around the flower beds and they would laugh and laugh and laugh. Kezia also wanted to have such fun with her father and she missed it.
One day,Kezia’s mother fell ill so she was taken to the hospital and the Grandmother also went along with her.
The little girl was left alone in the house with Alice, the cook. That was all right in the daytime but while Alice was putting her to bed she grew suddenly afraid.
Kezia’s father was sleeping in the next room and Alice told Kezia to sleep quietly.She removed Kezia’s socks and asked her not to scream. She warned her not to scream and wake her father.
Kezia saw the old nightmare. She saw a butcher with a knife and a rope coming nearer, smiling that dreadful smile.
Kezia was still scared of the nightmare. She said that there was a butcher who was holding a dreadful knife and she wanted her grandmother.
He blew out the candle, bent down and caught up the child in his arms, carrying her along the passage to the big bedroom.
Kezia’s father lay her in his bed next to him and covered her with the newspaper sheets.
Kezia felt her father’s affection and went close to him. She held his shirt tightly so that she would not feel scared again.
She felt that her father was a poor man who worked very hard and so, he got so tired that he went off to sleep and did not play with her like Mr. Macdonald did with his children. But Kezia felt that her father’s heart was also full of love for her.
Kezia had placed her head on her father’s heart and herd his heart beat. She praised her father that he had a big heart. Her fear of her father had altogether gone for ever.
Recapitulation
This story revolves around a little girl, named Kezia who usually remained scared of him.
She considered him to be as big as a giant. She would often get nervous and stammer while talking to him.
She longed for his love and affection like her neighbour children had for their father, Mr Macdonald.
Once at night she had a nightmare and woke up screaming. Her father picked her up, tucked her up in his bed and soon fell asleep.
She realized her father was very loving and had a generous heart.
You can see towards the end, Kezia is showing her love for her father. Now she has understood that her father might look cruel in his look and words, but inside he has abundant love for her. Henceforth, she has started enjoying the company of her father and is no longer scared of him.
Message:
The story showcases the deep bond between a father and his daughter. Kezia's father's immediate response to her distress in the middle of the night demonstrates his unconditional love and concern for her well-being. He goes to her room, not only to check her temperature but also to provide comfort and reassurance. This act highlights the significance of being present and supportive in the lives of our family members, especially during times of vulnerability.
Additionally, the story portrays the role of parents as protectors and providers of emotional security. Kezia's father's actions show that a parent's love is not limited to basic needs but extends to offering comfort, care, and a sense of safety. By coming to her room, he creates a nurturing environment where Kezia feels loved and protected.
The message of the story encourages readers to cherish and value the relationships with their loved ones, particularly with their children. It reminds us of the significance of being there for them, attending to their needs, and demonstrating affection and care. Through the father's actions, the story inspires us to prioritize the well-being and happiness of our family members, fostering a strong and loving connection with them.
NCERT SOLUTION: (Page No. 38)
II. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences:
1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Ans: Kezia's father looked terrifying to her. His hands and neck appeared to be very big and when he yawned he mouth appeared terrifying to Kezia. Thinking about him alone was like thinking about a giant.
2. Who were the people in Kezia’s family?
Ans: Kezia's family consisted of her grandmother, mother and father.
3. What was Kezia’s father’s routine?
(i) before going to his office?
Ans: He used to kiss Kezia casually before going to his office.
(ii) after coming back from his office?
Ans: He would ask for the newspaper and tea after coming back from his office.
(iii) on Sundays?
Ans: On Sundays, he would take rest. He also used to sleep on the sofa.
4. In what ways did Kezia’s grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better?
Ans:
a) Her grandmother encouraged her by sending her to the drawing room so that she could interact with her parents.
b) Once Kezia was kept indoors with a cold. As her father's birthday was approaching, her grandmother suggested that she should make him a pin-cushion for a gift out of a beautiful piece of yellow silk.
III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each.
1. Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen?
Ans: Kezia’s grandmother advised her to make a pin-cushion for her father on his birthday. She made it out of a beautiful piece of yellow silk. She wanted something to fill it with.
She found some sheets of papers lying on the bed table. She tore them up and filled in the pin-cushion.These papers contained an important speech for the Port Authority. When her father came to know about it, he punished Kezia.
2. Kezia decides that there are “different kinds of fathers”. What kind of father was Mr Macdonald, and how was he different from Kezia’s father?
Mr Macdonald was Kezia’s next door neighbour. He had a happy family of five children. He was always happy with his family and could be seen playing with his children in the garden.
He was different from Kezia's father as like Kezia's father he was never rude and assertive in nature. He used to interact with his children very softly and was affectionate towards them.
3. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?
Ans: One day,Kezia’s mother fell ill so she was taken to the hospital and the Grandmother also went along with her. The little girl was left alone in the house with Alice, the cook. Kezia saw the old nightmare. She saw a butcher with a knife and a rope coming nearer, smiling that dreadful smile. Kezia was still scared of the nightmare. She said that there was a butcher who was holding a dreadful knife and she wanted her grandmother.
Kezia's father came to the room and blew out the candle, bent down and caught up the child in his arms, carrying her along the passage to the big bedroom. He lay her in his bed next to him and covered her with the newspaper sheets. Kezia felt her father’s affection and went close to him. She held his shirt tightly so that she would not feel scared again.
She felt that her father was a poor man who worked very hard and so, he got so tired that he went off to sleep and did not play with her like Mr. Macdonald did with his children. But Kezia felt that her father’s heart was also full of love for her. Kezia had placed her head on her father’s heart and herd his heart beat. She praised her father that he had a big heart. Her fear of her father had altogether gone for ever.
Extra Questions:
1. Why was Kezia punished by her father?
Ans : Kezia wanted to give a pin-cushion to her father on his birthday. She filled it with some papers. These papers contained an important speech for the Port Authority. When her father came to know about it, he punished Kezia.
2. How did Kezia’s grandmother console her after she was punished by her father?
Ans : Kezia was punished by her father for tearing his important papers. Her grandmother wrapped her in a shawl after she was beaten by her father. Her grandmother gave her a hanky and sent her to her bed.
3. Why did Kezia always stutter while talking to her father?
Ans : Kezia was a normal girl but whenever she was in front of her father she felt nervous. She would try hard to speak words but would end up in stuttering. She was very afraid of her father.
4. What did Kezia usually find when she wanted to interact with her parents?
Ans : Kezia’s grandmother used to send Kezia to her parents to talk to them. When she would go to the drawing room, she would find her mother reading some books and her father sleeping soundly and snoring.
5. How did Kezia make a pin-cushion for her father?
Ans : Kezia’s grandmother advised her to make a pin-cushion for her father on his birthday. She made it out of a beautiful piece of yellow silk. She wanted something to fill it with. She found some sheets of papers lying on the bed table. She tore them up and filled in the pin-cushion.
6. What orders were passed to Kezia in the evening when father returned home from office?
Ans : When father returned home from office, in his loud voice he ordered Kezia to bring tea for him in the drawing room. He also asked whether the paper had come. He also asked her to bring his slippers.
7. What was the nightmare that Kezia had?
Ans : Kezia always had a nightmare. It was a butcher with a knife and a rope, who came nearer and nearer. The butcher had a smile on his face. Kezia could only stand still. She used to cry out ‘Grandma! Grandma!.’
8. Why did Kezia always stutter while talking to her father?
Ans : Kezia was a normal girl but whenever she was in front of her father she felt nervous. She would try hard to speak words but would end up in stuttering. She was very afraid of her father.
CBE-Based Questions:
1. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?
In the story, Kezia begins to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy through a moment of vulnerability and care. When Kezia's mother falls ill and is taken to the hospital, she is left at home with Alice, the cook. During the night, Kezia has a nightmare and becomes frightened. However, to her surprise, her father appears by her side, comforting her and protecting her from her fears.
In this moment of vulnerability, Kezia seeks solace and security from her father. She snuggles close to him, finding comfort and warmth in his presence. As she lays half asleep, she realizes that her father is tired because he has to work hard every day, which prevents him from playing with her as much as Mr. Macdonald does.
This realization brings forth a sense of empathy and understanding within Kezia. She begins to recognize her father's efforts and sacrifices for the family. By acknowledging his hard work and expressing her feelings, she demonstrates her growing awareness of his humanity and the challenges he faces. Kezia's statement that her father has a "big heart" reflects her appreciation for his love and care despite his fatigue and responsibilities.
This shift in perception signifies Kezia's developing empathy towards her father. She moves beyond seeing him solely as a provider or authority figure and starts to understand his needs, emotions, and the weight of his responsibilities. This newfound understanding allows her to connect with her father on a deeper level and offer him her sympathy and support.
Alternative Answer:
Kezia's recognition of her father's humanity and need for sympathy is further demonstrated by her understanding of his exhaustion and the physical toll his work takes on him. When her father instructs her to rub her feet against his legs to warm them, she realizes that he is physically fatigued from his daily labor. This simple act of caring for her father's comfort and warmth allows Kezia to empathize with his hardships and the strain he endures to provide for their family.
Through this moment, Kezia's perception of her father evolves from seeing him as a distant figure to recognizing his vulnerability and need for compassion. She grasps that her father is not invincible or unaffected by the demands of his work, and she begins to view him as someone who deserves her sympathy and understanding.
Furthermore, the fact that Kezia seeks solace and finds comfort in her father's presence demonstrates her growing emotional connection with him. By snuggling close to him and holding tightly to his shirt, she seeks a sense of security and reassurance. In doing so, she not only acknowledges her father's role as a source of comfort and protection but also reciprocates the love and care he has shown her throughout the story.
Overall, Kezia's realization of her father's humanity and the sympathy she extends towards him signify her maturation and the deepening bond between them. Through her empathy and understanding, Kezia recognizes her father's needs, both physical and emotional, and begins to see him as a person deserving of her love, support, and compassion.
Q2. The story of Kezia's father coming to her room with a ruler carries a deeper message about the power of parental presence and the significance of small acts of care and comfort. Explain.
At its core, the story highlights the importance of being emotionally available and attentive to our loved ones, especially children. Kezia's father's immediate response to her distress reveals his unconditional love and commitment as a parent. He puts aside his own rest and takes the time to address her needs, showing her that she is seen, heard, and valued. This sends a powerful message that her well-being matters to him.
Furthermore, the story emphasizes the impact of simple gestures of care and comfort. By using a ruler to measure Kezia's temperature, her father not only tends to her physical health but also provides a sense of security and reassurance. His presence and willingness to offer solace in the form of a familiar object create a safe space for Kezia. This conveys the message that even the smallest acts of kindness and attention can have a profound effect on the emotional well-being of those we love.
In essence, the message of the story encourages us to prioritize emotional connection and attentiveness in our relationships. It reminds us that love is not solely demonstrated through grand gestures but is often found in the small, genuine acts of care and comfort that help foster deep bonds and a sense of security.
Q3. Do you think Kezia’s father was a bad father ? Why/Why not?
Ans: Based on the information provided in the story, there is no indication that Kezia's father was a bad father. In fact, the story portrays him as a caring and attentive parent.
Certainly! Here are some examples from the story that highlight the caring nature of Kezia's father:
1. When Kezia has a nightmare: Kezia's father immediately responds to her cries in the middle of the night. He goes to her room, comforts her, and holds her close. His presence and reassurance provide her with a sense of safety and comfort.
2. Checking her temperature: Kezia's father comes to her room with a ruler to measure her temperature when she is distressed. This shows his concern for her well-being and his willingness to take care of her.
3. Making her feel comfortable: Kezia's father suggests rubbing her feet against his legs to warm them up. This small act of care demonstrates his attentiveness and his desire to make her comfortable.
4. Providing emotional support: Kezia's father offers emotional support by being there for her when she needs comfort. He shows understanding and empathy, creating a nurturing environment where she feels loved and protected.
These examples showcase Kezia's father's caring nature and his commitment to being a loving and supportive parent. He consistently demonstrates his affection, attentiveness, and willingness to meet her needs, portraying him as a caring and nurturing figure in Kezia's life.
Based on these portrayals, it would be inaccurate to characterize Kezia's father as a bad father. The story presents him as a dedicated parent who is concerned about his daughter's well-being and demonstrates his love and care for her whenever the situation demanded.
Q4. Do you think Kezia was at fault when she tore up the important papers of her father? Why/Why not ?
In the story, Kezia tearing up her father's important papers can be seen as a mistake on her part, but it would not be fair to assign fault or blame to her, considering her young age and lack of understanding.
Kezia is portrayed as a young child who is still learning and exploring the world around her. Her act of tearing the papers was not driven by malice or intent to cause harm. Instead, it stemmed from her innocent curiosity and the natural inclination of children to engage with objects in their environment.
At her age, Kezia may not have comprehended the significance or value of the papers she tore. She likely did not fully understand the consequences of her actions. It is essential to recognize that children, especially at a young age, are prone to making mistakes as they navigate and learn about the world.
Responsibility for safeguarding important documents falls upon the adults, such as parents or caregivers, who should ensure that such items are kept out of a child's reach or adequately secured. It is their role to provide guidance, supervision, and appropriate boundaries to prevent accidents or unintended damage.
Therefore, while Kezia's action may have caused frustration or inconvenience, it would not be appropriate to attribute fault to her. Instead, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for adult supervision and safeguards when children are exploring their surroundings, helping to prevent similar situations in the future.
Q5. Write a brief character sketch of Kezia’s grandmother. Do you think grandparents are necessary?
Ans: Kezia's grandmother, as depicted in the story, is a significant character who plays a supportive and nurturing role in Kezia's life. The following instances support this statement.
1. Based on the limited information provided in the story, Kezia's grandmother is portrayed as a caring and attentive figure. When Kezia's mother falls ill and goes to the hospital, her grandmother takes on the responsibility of caring for Kezia at home. This highlights her dedication and willingness to step in and provide support during challenging times.
2. Kezia's grandmother is shown as someone who understands and empathizes with Kezia's needs. When Kezia has a nightmare, her grandmother is quick to comfort her and assure her that everything is okay. She provides a sense of security and a comforting presence for Kezia, highlighting her nurturing nature.
As for whether grandparents are necessary, it depends on various factors and individual circumstances. They often bring a unique perspective and experiences that can enrich a child's upbringing. Grandparents can offer additional emotional connections, guidance, and familial bonds that are valuable in a child's development.
However, the necessity of grandparents may vary from family to family, and the absence of grandparents does not necessarily hinder a child's well-being. Ultimately, the presence of grandparents can be beneficial, but it is not an absolute requirement for a child's growth and happiness.
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