NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Woven Words English Chapter 4 Telephone Conversation

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Woven Words English Chapter 4 Telephone Conversation are created by expert teachers who have years of experience in teaching the subject matter. They provide step-by-step explanations for each concept in the book, which makes it easier for students to understand and learn the material.

If you are struggling with your academics, then Telephone Conversation Class 11 Woven Words English NCERT Solutions can be of great help to you. Students will be able to quickly identify the key points in any situation and make well-informed decisions.

Chapter 4 Telephone Conversation Class 11 Woven Words English NCERT Solutions

Understanding The Poem

1. State the central issue in the poem.

Solution

The central issue of the poem relates to racism and discrimination. The poem’s dark reality is revealed when a person seeking refuge is asked about his racial colour rather than the rent. The poem portrays what Africa believes in and the difficulties that mankind experience there. The colour problem is a major issue that is the main ideology of Africans.

2. There are intervals of silence in the interaction between the landlady and the prospective tenant. What are the reasons for this?

Solution

The main reason behind the intervals of silence in the interaction between the landlady and the prospective tenant was the fact that the landlady felt inferior in the presence of the poet and understood her lack of knowledge in comparison to the poet’s scholarly mind. The poem’s abrupt silences emphasise the significance of the African’s ethnicity being disclosed to the landlady.

3. How is colour highlighted in the poem and why? List all the words in the poem that suggest colour.

Solution

The poem use a variety of colours to symbolise different things. The colour red can be found in a telephone booth, a double-tiered bus, and a pillar box. The colour of the dark-skinned poet was not fair-complexioned like the landlady on the other side of the line. The gold rolled is used to symbolise a connection with wealthy individuals. In the poem, many colours such as red, black, white, and gold-toned are used.

4. Which are the lines in the poem that impressed you the most and why?

Solution

The word ‘West African Sepia’ struck me the most. This is the tenant’s response to the landlady. When his landlord comments on his skin tone, he responds appropriately, stating that this shows the narrow thinking of those with fair skin toned people. This poet brings up the issue of colour discrimination. Soyinka uses these lines to stress the fact that it is incorrect to estimate the person’s level of intelligence and understanding solely on his skin colour.

5. You know what ‘hide-and-seek’ is. What would ‘hide-and-speak’ mean?

Solution

Children used to play hide and seek, where they would hide and then be found. The term “hide-and-speak” in this poem suggests that people of black skin are inferior and are hidden in darkness, however individuals of white skin compliments people who are black and inferior because they feel superior.

6. Certain words in the poem are in capital letters—why?

Solution

Words in the poem which are in capital letters are: HOW DARK? , ARE YOU LIGHT? , OR VERY DARK? , OR VERY LIGHT?

These phrases basically highlight main idea of the poem, which is about colour discrimination. These are the words of a landlady to the poet; she was emphasising his skin colour when she discovered he was African.

7. Why do you think that the poet has chosen the title ‘Telephone Conversation’? If you were to suggest another title for the poem, what would it be?

Solution

The poet selected the term ‘Telephone conversation’ because he wants to describe how the plot unfolds and how the whole discussion takes place over the phone. The landlady was unable to see the renter and after learning that he was African and began enquiring about his looks. I would give a title “Racial Discrimination’ to emphasise the racism at work in the conversation and the speaker’s attempt to express his own identity and dignity in the face of prejudice.

8. The power of poetry lies in suggestion and understatement. Discuss this with reference to the poem.

Solution

To understate indicates to state or express something less powerfully or clearly than the facts would support. Thus, it is a well-known fact that judging someone’s status or level of knowledge based on their skin colour is extremely demeaning. The connection to the poem means that colour is never a reality that determines who a person is. According to the exchange between the lady and the renter, people’s thinking level is still based on skin colour, demonstrating how prejudiced people are in judging the character of others.