⬆️TOᑭ EᗪᑌᑕᗩTIOᑎ📖
CBSE
CLASS 9th ENGLISH
Beehive
CHAPTER 3:The Little Girl
SUMMARY
➤Summary: "The Little Girl" is a chapter from the Class 9 English textbook, Beehive. The chapter tells the poignant story of a little girl named Kezia who lives with her family. Kezia's father is a strict and authoritarian figure who doesn't show any affection towards her. Despite this, Kezia tries to seek her father's love and attention. She tries to engage with him by talking about her school, her friends, and her activities, but her father dismisses her without any interest. Kezia's mother is sympathetic towards her and tries to comfort her, but she cannot challenge her husband's authority.
One day, Kezia's father discovers that she has kept a pet kitten hidden in her room, against his rules. He becomes furious and decides to punish her by drowning the kitten. Kezia is devastated and pleads with her father not to kill the innocent creature. Moved by her innocence and genuine emotions, Kezia's father relents and decides to spare the kitten. This incident marks a turning point in their relationship, as Kezia's father begins to see her in a new light and realizes the importance of love and compassion.
➤Key Points:
1. Kezia: The protagonist of the story, a young girl longing for her father's love and affection. She is innocent, kind-hearted, and resilient despite her father's indifference.
2. Kezia's Father: An authoritarian figure who lacks emotional warmth and strict in enforcing rules. He initially fails to understand Kezia's need for love but is ultimately moved by her innocence.
3. Kezia's Mother: She empathizes with Kezia's situation but is unable to challenge her husband's authority. She tries to comfort and support Kezia in her own way.
👨Character Analysis:
Kezia: Kezia is the protagonist of the story, a young girl yearning for her father's love. She is innocent, kind-hearted, and determined to seek her father's attention despite his indifference. Kezia's emotional resilience and compassion are highlighted when she pleads for the life of her pet kitten.
Kezia's Father: Kezia's father is an authoritarian figure who lacks emotional warmth. He adheres strictly to rules and fails to understand Kezia's need for love and affection. However, when confronted with his daughter's genuine plea, he undergoes a change of heart and realizes the importance of compassion.
Kezia's Mother: Kezia's mother is sympathetic to her daughter's situation but is unable to challenge her husband's authority. She tries to provide comfort and support to Kezia in her own way, but her influence is limited.
The relationship between Kezia and her father is the central focus of the story. Kezia's longing for her father's love and her attempts to engage with him showcase her vulnerability and innocence. Her father, initially distant and unresponsive, represents the lack of emotional connection in their relationship. However, the incident with the kitten becomes a catalyst for change, leading her father to recognize the significance of love and compassion in their bond.
=❯Important Quotes:
- "She had always to be careful of her mother, but her father never even looked up from his paper." - This quote highlights the lack of attention and affection Kezia receives from her father.
- "The next time she saw him, she decided, she would not behave like a coward." - Kezia's determination to confront her father and seek his attention is portrayed through this quote.
- "Why, what do you think I am—a murderer?" - Kezia's father's realization of the gravity of his actions and the impact they could have on his daughter's psyche.
=❯Themes:
- Father-Daughter Relationship: The story explores the dynamics of a strained father-daughter relationship and the longing for love and acceptance.
- Innocence and Compassion: Kezia's innocence and compassion towards the kitten highlight the importance of empathy and understanding in human relationships.
- Transformation: The story depicts the transformative power of love and compassion, as Kezia's father undergoes a change of heart.
=❯Word meanings:
- Authoritarian: Favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority.
- Indifference: Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.
- Devastated: Overwhelmed with grief or shock.
- Resilient: Able to withstand or recover from difficult conditions.
- Empathize: Understand and share the feelings of another.
=❯FAQ
Q1. Why does Kezia seek her father's love?
ANSWER: Kezia seeks her father's love because she longs for his attention and affection. She desires a meaningful relationship with him.
Q2. How does Kezia's father react to her attempts to engage with him?
ANSWER: Kezia's father dismisses her without showing any interest. He fails to recognize her emotional needs and the importance of their bond.
Q3. What happens when Kezia's father discovers her pet kitten?
ANSWER: Kezia's father becomes furious and decides to punish her by drowning the kitten. However, he ultimately.
Q4. How does the incident with the kitten affect Kezia's relationship with her father?
ANSWER: The incident marks a turning point as Kezia's father begins to see her in a new light and realizes the importance of love and compassion in their relationship.
Q5. What are the key themes of "The Little Girl"?
ANSWER: The key themes include father-daughter relationships, innocence and compassion, and the transformative power of love.
Q6. How does Kezia's mother support her?
ANSWER: Kezia's mother empathizes with her situation and tries to comfort her. However, she is unable to challenge her husband's authority.
Q7. Does Kezia's father change by the end of the story?
ANSWER: Yes, Kezia's father undergoes a change of heart and realizes the impact of his actions. He begins to understand the importance of love and compassion.
Q8. What is the significance of the title "The Little Girl"?
ANSWER: The title highlights Kezia's innocence and vulnerability as a young girl, emphasizing her longing for love and understanding.
Q9. How does Kezia's determination affect the story's outcome?
ANSWER: Kezia's determination to confront her father and plead for the kitten's life leads to a transformation in their relationship.
Q10. What is the moral of "The Little Girl"?
ANSWER: The story teaches the importance of love, compassion, and understanding in nurturing healthy relationships, especially within families.
⭐These FAQs should help you understand the chapter and its various aspects in more detail.