Class 9 English - RAJASTHAN
Prose: The Little Girl
The Little Girl by Katherine Mansfield is a poignant prose piece prescribed for Class 9 Rajasthan RBSE students. It revolves around a young girl named Kezia who is terrified of her strict father, viewing him as a giant-like figure who offers no comfort. However, a series of domestic incidents—especially when her mother falls ill and she is left in her father's care—gradually reveals his tender, working-class vulnerability. The story matters significantly for board exams as it tests reading comprehension, empathy, and character analysis, teaching students that parents often show love differently than children expect.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Fear and Misunderstanding
Kezia is terrified of her father's stern demeanor, stuttering in his presence because she misunderstands his strict discipline as a lack of love.
The Pin Cushion Incident
Kezia tries to make a surprise pin cushion for her father's birthday by stuffing it with important papers from his desk, leading to a severe beating when he discovers his speech is missing.
The Neighbourly Contrast
Kezia observes the friendly Macdonald family next door who play tag together, contrasting her own isolated and fearful relationship with her father.
Turning Point (Mother's Illness)
When Kezia's mother is hospitalized, she is left alone with her father at night, experiencing a nightmare that melts her fear when he comforting carries her to his bed.
Father's Vulnerability
Kezia realizes her father works hard all day and has no one to look after him, leading to a deep emotional shift where she recognizes his hidden affection.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Rajasthan (RBSE) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include short answer questions testing character sketches of Kezia and her father, reference to context from the prose text, and long descriptive questions exploring the central theme of changing perceptions in family dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Kezia was afraid of her father because he spoke harshly, gave strict orders, and lacked the warmth and playful nature she saw in the fathers of other children.
What led to Kezia changing her opinion about her father?
Her opinion changed when her mother fell ill, and her father comforted her through a nightmare, tucked her in, and she realized he worked hard and was actually a lonely, loving person.
What did Kezia tear up to make a pin cushion?
Kezia tore up some important speech papers belonging to her father that he had written for the Port Authority, thinking she was only filling the cushion with waste paper.
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