Class 10 English - MAHARASHTRA
Prose: Joan of Arc
The prose piece 'Joan of Arc' in the Maharashtra State Board Class 10 Kumarbharati textbook is adapted from George Bernard Shaw's famous play. It portrays Joan, a young peasant girl of France, who displays extraordinary courage, unwavering faith, and fierce patriotism during the Hundred Years' War. She convinces Captain Robert de Baudricourt to provide her with soldiers to help lift the siege of Orléans. For board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing students' understanding of character traits, dramatic dialogue, and inferential comprehension through textual passages and appreciation questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Historical Context
The chapter is set during the Hundred Years' War when the English controlled a large part of France, and the French Dauphin had not yet been crowned.
Character of Joan
Joan is depicted as a confident, fearless, and deeply pious teenager who genuinely believes she is acting under divine guidance to save France.
Captain Robert de Baudricourt
The pragmatic and skeptical military commander who is initially annoyed by Joan's persistence but eventually swayed by her sheer willpower and strange occurrences.
Dramatic Irony and Tone
George Bernard Shaw uses witty dialogue and realistic human reactions rather than romanticized mythmaking to bring historical figures to life.
Theme of Faith vs. Doubt
The play highlights the clash between conventional military wisdom and the unstoppable force of visionary belief.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Maharashtra (Kumarbharati) English paper, this prose chapter typically contributes to 4 to 8 marks through unseen/seen passage comprehension, vocabulary-in-context questions, and personal response questions. Students can expect complex factual questions, character sketches, and appreciation of dramatic elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Joan want to meet Captain Robert de Baudricourt?
Joan wants to meet the captain to get men, horses, and armor so she can go to the Dauphin and help lift the siege of Orléans.
How does the steward react to Joan's presence initially?
The steward is afraid of Joan's confidence and considers her a miracle, reporting that the hens have started laying twice as many eggs since she arrived.
What is the significance of Shaw's portrayal of Joan in the play?
Shaw portrays Joan not as a magical saint with a halo, but as a practical, iron-willed, and inspiring young country girl whose extraordinary conviction moves hardened soldiers.
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