CBSE Class 9 English (Moments) Important Questions Chapter 3 Iswaran The Storyteller

1. Who was Mahendra, and what was his job?
Answer: Mahendra was a junior supervisor working for a firm that provided supervisors at various construction sites like factories, bridges, and dams. His job was to oversee the work at these sites.

2. How did Iswaran serve Mahendra?
Answer: Iswaran was Mahendra’s cook who took care of cooking, cleaning, washing, and entertained Mahendra with his storytelling.

3. What was Iswaran’s special talent?
Answer: Iswaran had a talent for storytelling, making even ordinary incidents sound thrilling and full of suspense.

4. What did Iswaran claim to have done to a mad elephant?
Answer: Iswaran claimed to have subdued a mad elephant by hitting its toenail using a special technique he had learned from a Japanese martial art like karate or ju-jitsu.

5. What did Mahendra see outside his window one night?
Answer: Mahendra saw a dark, ghostly figure clutching a bundle outside his window one night, which terrified him.

6. How did Iswaran describe the mad elephant incident to Mahendra?
Answer: Iswaran described the mad elephant’s rampage through the town in great detail, making the scene dramatic by explaining how the elephant broke fences, smashed stalls, and terrorised the school. He then claimed that he, as a boy, grabbed a cane, confronted the elephant, and subdued it by hitting its toenail with all his might. Iswaran’s storytelling made the event sound exciting and heroic.

7. Why did Mahendra enjoy Iswaran’s stories despite their exaggerations?
Answer: Mahendra enjoyed Iswaran’s stories because of the way Iswaran told them. His storytelling was full of suspense, drama, and vivid descriptions, which made even the simplest incidents seem extraordinary. Mahendra found the stories entertaining and never questioned their truthfulness.

8. What did Iswaran tell Mahendra about the factory area where they were staying?
Answer: Iswaran told Mahendra that the factory area where they were staying was once a burial ground. He claimed to have seen human skulls lying around and even described seeing a horrifying ghost of a woman with a shrivelled face and a foetus in her arms, especially during full moons.

9. How did Mahendra react when Iswaran told him about the ghost?
Answer: Mahendra dismissed Iswaran’s story about the ghost as nonsense. He sharply told Iswaran that there were no such things as ghosts or spirits and suggested that Iswaran get his digestive system or head checked. Despite this, Mahendra began feeling uneasy at night after hearing the ghost story.

10. What did Mahendra do after seeing the ghostly figure outside his window?
Answer: After seeing the ghostly figure outside his window, Mahendra was terrified and broke out in a cold sweat. The next morning, when Iswaran mentioned the ghost again, Mahendra became so frightened that he decided to leave the place immediately and handed in his resignation at work.

11. Describe Iswaran’s storytelling style and how it made his stories engaging for Mahendra.
Answer: Iswaran had a unique and engaging storytelling style that made even ordinary events sound dramatic and full of suspense. He would add detailed descriptions and use gestures, such as arching his eyebrows and spreading his hands dramatically, to draw attention to key moments in his stories. For example, when describing the uprooted tree, Iswaran made it sound like a giant beast lying across the road. His ability to build suspense, add surprise twists, and create vivid imagery kept Mahendra engaged and entertained. Iswaran’s stories were often exaggerated or fantastical, but Mahendra enjoyed them for their entertainment value and never questioned their truthfulness. Iswaran’s lively narration provided Mahendra with a source of amusement and distraction, especially since Mahendra lived in isolated and often desolate places due to his work.

12. What role did Iswaran play in Mahendra’s life, and how did his stories affect Mahendra?
Answer: Iswaran played a significant role in Mahendra’s life, not only as his cook but also as a companion and entertainer. He took care of all household duties like cooking, cleaning, and washing, making Mahendra’s life comfortable. Beyond that, Iswaran’s stories provided Mahendra with amusement and entertainment, helping him pass the time in the lonely, isolated places where he worked. However, Iswaran’s stories also had a psychological impact on Mahendra, especially when Iswaran told him about ghosts and spirits. Although Mahendra dismissed the ghost stories as nonsense, they planted seeds of fear in his mind, causing him to feel uneasy at night. The stories eventually led Mahendra to experience a terrifying moment when he thought he saw a ghostly figure outside his window, which pushed him to leave the place in fear.

13. How did Iswaran’s description of the ghost affect Mahendra’s behaviour afterwards?
Answer: Iswaran’s description of the ghost, which he claimed to have seen in the area, left Mahendra feeling uneasy, despite his initial dismissiveness. Even though Mahendra tried to rationalise that ghosts were just a figment of Iswaran’s imagination, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of fear at night. After hearing Iswaran’s ghost story, Mahendra developed a habit of looking out his window at night to check for any dark shapes or movements. He became especially uncomfortable on full-moon nights, avoiding looking outside altogether. The fear built up in Mahendra’s subconscious until one night, he thought he saw the ghostly figure that Iswaran had described, which terrified him and eventually led him to leave the place.

14. How does the story highlight the power of suggestion and imagination in creating fear?
Answer: The story highlights the power of suggestion and imagination in creating fear by showing how Iswaran’s vivid storytelling affects Mahendra. Initially, Mahendra is sceptical about ghosts and dismisses Iswaran’s stories as nonsense. However, after hearing the detailed and eerie descriptions of ghosts, Mahendra’s mind begins to play tricks on him. Despite his rational mind telling him that ghosts don’t exist, the power of suggestion plants a seed of fear in Mahendra’s imagination. This fear builds up over time, leading Mahendra to imagine seeing a ghostly figure outside his window one night. The story shows how strong the influence of imagination and suggestion can be in creating fear, even in those who don’t believe in the supernatural.

15. Why did Mahendra decide to leave the place after seeing the ghostly figure?
Answer: Mahendra decided to leave the place after seeing the ghostly figure because the experience shook him to his core. Although he had previously dismissed Iswaran’s stories about ghosts as foolish, the sight of the dark figure clutching a bundle outside his window terrified him. He initially tried to rationalise the experience as a trick played by his mind, but when Iswaran mentioned the ghost again the next morning, Mahendra’s fear intensified. Unable to cope with the possibility of the place being haunted, Mahendra handed in his resignation and decided to leave immediately. His decision to leave reflects how deeply the experience affected him, despite his earlier scepticism.

16. Do you think Iswaran deliberately influenced Mahendra’s imagination with his stories? Why or why not?
Answer: It is possible that Iswaran unintentionally influenced Mahendra’s imagination with his stories. Iswaran had a talent for storytelling and loved to add drama and suspense to his tales, which made them more captivating. He might not have deliberately tried to scare Mahendra but, rather, was sharing stories that fascinated him. However, Iswaran’s vivid descriptions of ghosts and supernatural occurrences planted seeds of doubt and fear in Mahendra’s mind, leading to his eventual psychological unease. Iswaran likely enjoyed entertaining Mahendra with his stories but did not foresee the long-term effects they would have on Mahendra’s mental state.

17. What does the story suggest about the relationship between reality and imagination?
Answer: The story suggests that the line between reality and imagination can blur, especially when influenced by strong suggestions or vivid storytelling. In Mahendra’s case, his rational mind rejected the idea of ghosts, but Iswaran’s vivid descriptions of supernatural events began to affect his subconscious. Mahendra’s imagination, fed by Iswaran’s stories, eventually caused him to perceive something that may not have been real — the ghostly figure outside his window. This shows how powerful the human imagination can be in shaping perceptions of reality, especially when fear and suggestion are involved.

18. How does Mahendra’s reaction to the ghost differ from his initial attitude towards Iswaran’s stories?
Answer: Mahendra’s initial attitude towards Iswaran’s stories was one of amusement and scepticism. He enjoyed listening to Iswaran’s tales but didn’t take them seriously, especially the ghost stories, which he dismissed as pure imagination. However, after seeing what he believed to be a ghostly figure outside his window, Mahendra’s reaction changed dramatically. His scepticism gave way to fear, and he became convinced that the place was haunted. The shift in his reaction highlights how fear can overcome logic, especially when the imagination is strongly influenced by vivid stories.

19. How does the story use suspense and foreshadowing to build tension?
Answer: The story builds suspense and tension through Iswaran’s storytelling and the gradual change in Mahendra’s behaviour. Iswaran’s stories about the burial ground and the ghost foreshadow the later events, subtly preparing the reader for something eerie to happen. Mahendra’s growing unease, his habit of looking out of the window at night, and his avoidance of full-moon nights all contribute to the rising tension. The suspense peaks when Mahendra hears the wailing sound and sees the dark figure outside his window, leaving both him and the reader in a state of fear. The gradual build-up of these elements effectively creates a sense of unease and suspense.

20. What lesson can be drawn from Mahendra’s experience in the story?
Answer: One lesson that can be drawn from Mahendra’s experience is that the power of suggestion and imagination can influence a person’s perceptions and emotions, even when they don’t believe in something. Mahendra dismissed Iswaran’s ghost stories as nonsense, yet his subconscious mind was affected by them, leading him to experience fear and hallucinate the presence of a ghost. The story shows how fear can take hold of even the most logical minds when the imagination is triggered, suggesting that our thoughts and beliefs can significantly shape our reality.

21. How did Iswaran handle being left alone while Mahendra was at work?
Answer: Iswaran would tidy up the living quarters, wash clothes, have a bath, and then read popular Tamil thrillers. After that, he would take a nap. He seemed to enjoy his own company and was content with his daily routine, which included cooking and preparing meals for Mahendra.

22. Why did Iswaran enjoy reading Tamil thrillers?
Answer: Iswaran enjoyed reading Tamil thrillers because they were full of imaginative descriptions, suspense, and exciting narratives. These books influenced his own storytelling style, and he often tried to incorporate similar elements of suspense and surprise into the stories he told Mahendra.

23. Why did Mahendra admire the moonlit landscape before hearing Iswaran’s ghost story?
Answer: Before hearing Iswaran’s ghost story, Mahendra admired the moonlit landscape because it appeared serene and beautiful. The peacefulness of the scene, with its white glow and distant lights, gave him a sense of tranquillity. However, after Iswaran’s story, Mahendra became uneasy and stopped enjoying the view, fearing the presence of ghosts.

24. What impact did Iswaran’s storytelling have on Mahendra’s peace of mind?
Answer: Iswaran’s storytelling, particularly his tales of ghosts and supernatural occurrences, disrupted Mahendra’s peace of mind. Although Mahendra initially dismissed the stories, they triggered fear and anxiety in his subconscious. Over time, Mahendra became increasingly uneasy, especially at night, and this fear culminated in his experience of seeing a ghostly figure, leading him to leave the place.

25. Why did Mahendra decide to resign after his encounter with the ghost?
Answer: Mahendra decided to resign and leave the place after his encounter with the ghost because the fear of the supernatural overwhelmed him. Despite his initial scepticism, the sight of the dark figure clutching a bundle terrified him, and he could no longer stay in the area. His fear was so intense that he handed in his papers and planned to leave immediately, unable to cope with the thought of living in a supposedly haunted place.

Benefits of Important Questions for Class 9 English (Moments) Chapter 3 Iswaran the Storyteller

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Conclusion:

Chapter 3 of Class 9 English Moments, "Iswaran the Storyteller," highlights the charm of storytelling and the vivid imagination of Iswaran, who fascinates Mahendra with his tales. It showcases how even the simplest of events can be turned into suspenseful stories, making the chapter an engaging read. Vedantu’s FREE PDF of Important Questions for this chapter helps students understand its key themes and prepares them for exams by offering a thorough comprehension of the text and questions and answers expected to appear in the exam straight from subject matter experts.

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