UNITS 4-7 — Study Notes
NCERT-aligned · 10 notes · 3 shown free
Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory
ExplanationBepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory
This story by Satyajit Ray revolves around Bepin Choudhury, a serious, hardworking executive who experiences a mysterious lapse of memory about a significant event in his life — a trip to Ranchi in 1958. The narrative begins with Bepin Babu's routine visit to Kalicharan's bookshop where he encounters a man named Parimal Ghose who insists that Bepin had been to Ranchi and recounts intimate details about the trip. Bepin is baffled and denies ever having been there, despite the man's detailed recollections. This encounter triggers a mental struggle within Bepin, as he tries to reconcile his impeccable memory with the possibility of having forgotten such an important episode. The story explores themes of memory, identity, and the psychological turmoil caused by forgetfulness. Bepin's disbelief and denial contrast with the detailed evidence presented by Parimal Ghose and later corroborated by others, including his friend Dinesh Mukerji and his servant Chunilal. The narrative tension builds as Bepin attempts to verify the truth, consulting friends and a doctor, Dr. Paresh Chanda, who suggests that revisiting Ranchi might help recover his lost memory. The climax occurs when Bepin travels to Ranchi, only to find the place unfamiliar, reinforcing his doubts. However, after a fainting episode and return home, he receives a letter from Chunilal revealing that the entire episode was a prank intended to teach Bepin a lesson about his neglect of old friends. The story ends on a note of psychological relief and reflection on human relationships and memory.
- Bepin Choudhury is a serious, hardworking man with a strong memory.
- Parimal Ghose claims Bepin visited Ranchi in 1958 and knows intimate details.
- Bepin denies the trip, causing internal conflict and confusion.
- Bepin consults friends and a doctor to verify his memory.
- Dr. Chanda advises visiting Ranchi to recover lost memories.
- The mystery resolves with a letter revealing a prank by Chunilal.
- 📌 Memory lapse: A temporary or permanent failure to recall information or events.
- 📌 Conscientious: Careful and diligent in one's work or duties.
- 📌 Tranquilliser: A medicine used to reduce anxiety or stress.
Before you read
ConceptBefore you read
This introductory section prompts readers to reflect on their own memory and experiences of forgetfulness. It highlights the psychological impact of memory lapses, especially when a person forgets an important part of their life. The story introduces Bepin Babu, who is troubled by his inability to recall a trip to Ranchi, despite evidence and witnesses. This sets up the suspense and curiosity that drives the narrative. The section encourages readers to think about the reliability of memory and the effects of forgetfulness on personal identity and mental health.
- Memory plays a crucial role in personal identity.
- Forgetfulness can cause confusion and distress.
- Bepin Babu's case is unusual as he forgets a significant recent event.
- The story explores the theme of memory and its psychological effects.
- 📌 Forgetfulness: The inability to remember information or events.
- 📌 Suspense: A state of uncertainty or excitement about what will happen next.
I
ExplanationI
The first part of the story introduces Bepin Choudhury's character and the initial conflict. Bepin is a solitary man who enjoys reading crime and thriller stories. At the bookshop, he encounters Parimal Ghose, who claims to know Bepin personally and
Practice Questions — UNITS 4-7
Includes NCERT exercise questions with answers
Q1.Compare the sentences in the two columns, especially the verb forms. Answer the following questions about each pair of sentences. (i) Which column tells us that Bepin Babu is still working at the same place? (ii) Which column suggests that Chunilal is now waiting for a reply from the publisher? (iii) Which column suggests that the person still remembers the movie he saw? (iv) Which column suggests that the experience of visiting Ranchi is still fresh in the speaker's mind?
Answer:
(i) Column B tells us that Bepin Babu is still working at the same place because it uses the present perfect tense "has worked here since 2003" indicating continuity. (ii) Column B suggests that Chunilal is now waiting for a reply from the publisher because it says "has written to a publisher" implying the action was recent and the result is relevant now. (iii) Column B suggests that the person still remembers the movie he saw because it says "I have seen this movie already" indicating a present relevance. (iv) Column B suggests that the experience of visiting Ranchi is still fresh in the speaker's mind because it says "I have visited Ranchi once before" indicating a present connection.
Explanation:
The present perfect tense in Column B sentences indicates actions or experiences that have relevance to the present moment, unlike the simple past tense in Column A which refers to completed actions in the past.
Q2.Given below are jumbled sentences. Working in groups, rearrange the words in each sentence to form correct sentences. You will find that each sentence contains an idiomatic expression that you have come across in the lesson. Underline the idiom and write down its meaning. Then use your dictionary to check the meaning. One sentence has been worked out for you as an example. Jumbled sentence: vanished/ The car/ seemed to/ into thin/ have/ air. Ans: The car seemed to have vanished into thin air. Idiom: vanished into thin air: disappeared or vanished in a mysterious way (i) Stop/and tell me/beating about/what you want/the bush (ii) don't pay/If you/ attention/you might/the wrong train/to the announcement/board (iii) The villagers/tried/the crime/on the young woman/to pin (iv) Bepin Babu/orders to/telling people/under/loved/doctor’s/eat early/that he was (v) the students/The teacher/his eyebrows/when/said that/all their lessons/raised/they had revised
Answer:
(i) Ans: Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you want. Idiom: beating about the bush - avoiding the main topic or not speaking directly. (ii) Ans: If you don't pay attention to the announcement board, you might miss the wrong train. Idiom: pay attention - to focus or listen carefully. (iii) Ans: The villagers tried to pin the crime on the young woman. Idiom: pin the crime on someone - to blame someone for a crime. (iv) Ans: Bepin Babu loved telling people under doctor's orders that he was to eat early. Idiom: under doctor's orders - following medical advice. (v) Ans: The teacher raised his eyebrows when he said that all the students had revised their lessons. Idiom: raise eyebrows - to show surprise or disbelief.
Explanation:
Each jumbled sentence is rearranged to form a meaningful sentence containing an idiom. The idioms are underlined and their meanings are explained based on dictionary usage.
Q3.What do you think happened after Bepin Babu came to know the truth? Was he angry with this friend for playing such a trick on him? Or do you think he decided to help a friend in need?
Answer:
Answer will vary. A thoughtful answer would be: After knowing the truth, Bepin Babu might have felt a mix of emotions but likely decided not to be angry with his friend. Instead, he could have felt compassion and decided to help his friend in need, understanding the circumstances behind the prank.
Explanation:
This question encourages critical thinking and empathy. The answer should reflect understanding of the story and character motivations.
Q4.Imagine you are Bepin Choudhury. You have received Chunilal’s letter and feel ashamed that you did not bother to help an old friend down on his luck. Now you want to do something for him. Write a letter to Chunilal promising to help him soon. Or A prank is a childish trick. Do you remember any incident when someone played a prank on you or your friends? Describe the prank in a paragraph.
Answer:
Sample answer for letter: Dear Chunilal, I hope this letter finds you well. I am deeply ashamed that I did not help you when you were in need. I promise to do whatever I can to support you now. Please let me know how I can assist you. Yours sincerely, Bepin Choudhury Sample answer for prank description: Once, my friend hid my school bag as a prank. I searched everywhere and was very worried. Later, he revealed it was a joke and we both laughed. It was a harmless prank but taught me to be more careful.
Explanation:
This question tests writing skills and personal expression. The letter should be polite and show remorse and willingness to help. The prank description should narrate an incident clearly.
Q5.Who is the speaker in the poem?
Answer:
The speaker in the poem is a person looking for work who narrates his experiences of being offered different kinds of 'bargains' by various people.
Explanation:
The poem is narrated in the first person by the individual seeking employment and describing his encounters.
Q6."The king, sword in hand" suggests (i) wealth (ii) power (iii) more power than wealth. Mark the appropriate item in the context of stanza 1.
Answer:
more power than wealth
Explanation:
The phrase "The king, sword in hand" emphasizes the king's power and authority rather than his wealth. The sword symbolizes power.
Q7.The old man offered the speaker a lot of money. Why did he turn down the offer?
Answer:
The speaker turned down the old man's offer of money because he did not value money as the ultimate form of hiring or agreement. He was looking for something more meaningful than just monetary payment.
Explanation:
The poem shows that the speaker rejects the offer of money, indicating that material wealth was not what he sought.
Q8.Find in the poem, lines that match the following. Read both one after another. (i) I have nothing to give you except goodwill and cheer. (ii) Her happiness was no more than sorrow in disguise. (iii) The king's might was not worth much.
Answer:
(i) "I hire you with nothing." (ii) "Her smile paled and melted into tears, and she went back alone into the dark." (iii) "But his power counted for naught, and he went away in his chariot."
Explanation:
These lines correspond to the given meanings: (i) the child's offer of nothing but goodwill, (ii) the fair maid's smile turning to tears, (iii) the king's power being ineffective.