Class 9 English - BIHAR
Supplementary: Iswaran the Storyteller
Supplementary: Iswaran the Storyteller by R.K. Narayan is a delightful tale about a master storyteller named Iswaran and his gullible master, Mahendra, a junior supervisor. The chapter explores the art of storytelling, where Iswaran uses dramatic gestures, suspense, and Tamil literary expressions to turn everyday incidents into thrilling adventures. For the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Class 9 exams, this chapter is important for testing students' reading comprehension, understanding of narrative techniques, character analysis, and vocabulary. Questions often focus on Iswaran's unique traits and the humorous climax involving a supposed ghost.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Art of Storytelling
Iswaran has a unique talent for narrating ordinary incidents, such as dealing with a runaway elephant, by adding suspense, drama, and vivid descriptions to captivate his listener.
Character Contrast: Mahendra and Iswaran
Mahendra is a rational, practical junior supervisor, whereas Iswaran is imaginative, dramatic, and deeply influenced by Tamil thrillers and horror stories.
Suspense and Humor
The author uses humorous situations, such as Iswaran describing a fallen tree as an enraged beast and the comical build-up to the ghost sighting, to entertain the reader.
The Elephant Episode
A memorable tale where Iswaran bravely controls a mad elephant that has escaped and caused havoc in a school town by striking its third toenail with a cane.
The Climax and Rationality
The story concludes with Iswaran scaring Mahendra by talking about a ghost of a woman carrying a foetus, leading Mahendra to decide to resign from his job out of fear.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 5 to 8 marks. Questions usually include short answer questions about the plot, character sketches of Iswaran and Mahendra, and extract-based MCQs or long-answer questions testing narrative comprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mahendra decide to leave the place?
Mahendra decided to leave because he was deeply terrified after believing he saw a ghost holding a foetus outside his window, a vision planted in his mind by Iswaran's ghost stories.
How did Iswaran manage to control the mad elephant?
According to his own dramatic account, Iswaran bravely approached the rampaging elephant and whacked its third toenail with a cane, causing it to collapse.
What makes Iswaran an exceptional cook and companion?
Iswaran was multi-talented: he cooked delicious meals, washed clothes, cleaned the shelter, and most importantly, entertained Mahendra every night with gripping stories.
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