Class 9 English - GUJARAT
Supplementary: Iswaran the Storyteller
Supplementary: Iswaran the Storyteller by R.K. Narayan is a captivating tale about a master storyteller named Iswaran and his gullible master, Mahendra. Iswaran has an incredible ability to create suspense and weave thrilling, dramatic anecdotes out of everyday incidents, heavily influenced by Tamil thriller novels. For GSEB Class 9 board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing reading comprehension, narrative analysis, character traits, and creative writing skills. Questions often focus on Iswaran's storytelling techniques, Mahendra's reactions, and the climax involving the supposed ghost of a female ghost holding a foetus.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Art of Storytelling
Iswaran uses dramatic gestures, eye movements, suspense, and rich vocabulary to make even simple incidents sound like thrilling adventures.
Mahendra's Character
Mahendra is a bachelor supervisor who moves from place to place for work, remaining simple, uncomplaining, and easily influenced by Iswaran's spooky tales.
Influence of Tamil Thrillers
Iswaran's narration style is deeply inspired by popular Tamil horror and suspense novels, which he reads regularly to spark his imagination.
The Elephant Incident
An example of Iswaran's exaggerated storytelling where he claims to have paralyzed a mad, rampaging elephant with a mere cane.
The Climax and Suspense
The story peaks when Iswaran plants the idea of a female ghost on a full moon night, eventually frightening Mahendra so much that he resigns from his job.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Gujarat (GSEB) Class 9 English board/school examinations, this supplementary chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Questions commonly include short answer questions (SAQs) about character sketches of Iswaran or Mahendra, multiple-choice questions (MCQs) regarding specific plot points like the elephant or the ghost, and reference-to-context questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mahendra decide to leave the haunted place?
Mahendra decided to leave because he was deeply frightened by Iswaran's story of the female ghost and believed he had actually seen her outside his window on a full moon night, prompting him to resign.
Was Iswaran really a good cook?
Yes, Iswaran was an asset to Mahendra as he cooked delicious meals, washed clothes, cleaned the shelter, and entertained Mahendra every night with his amazing stories.
How did Iswaran manage to control the mad elephant?
According to Iswaran's exaggerated story, he whacked the third toe of the rampaging elephant's foot with a cane, causing the massive animal to instantly collapse unconscious.
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