The story is about a little girl named Kezia and his relationship with his father is highlighted in this story.
The writer tries to tell and explain the relationship of children with their parents as to when children are small they do not realize that their guardian or parents love them and each has their own parenting style.
But as soon they grow they realize that those restrictions or punishments were justified too much extent. The parents are much concerned for their children’s future and behavior.
About The Author: The Little Girl
The story the Little Girl has been written by Katherine Mansfield, who was born in 1888 and was a renowned writer. Through this story, she tried to explain the bond between children and their families.
As parents try every effort to save their children and prepare them for outer world experiences, apart from providing formal education.
Children, therefore, tend to realize these facts later on when they grow up that family and most importantly parents are for supporting and guiding not to stop or harm you in any way.
Central Theme: The Little Girl Class 9
The story is about a young little girl named Kezia. The writer has beautifully defined and explained their relationship where she fears her father and avoids him. She thought that her father is strict and therefore does not love and care for her.
She feels and compares her father with the neighbor’s father as he was not so expressive and loving like them. But children at a young age do not realize the actions and why their parents are doing so.
Later on, they understand the facts and true reasons for their actions. Through this lesson, the readers would get to know the true bond between a child and his or her family.
Character Sketch: The Little Girl Class 9
-
Kezia
Kezia was a small and sweet loving girl with childlike features. She was afraid of her father and felt nervous whenever she met him or encountered him.
Once she also tried to present a gift on his birthday after her grandmother told her to do so. She tore his important speech papers to fill the pillow and got a tight one from her father.
She always compares her father with their neighbor. Then one day, her mother was hospitalized and she was left alone.
At night while sleeping she had a nightmare and she got scared and woke up. She was surprised when she saw her father aside.
She felt happy while her father tucked her and she realized that he was not as giant as she thought. Finally, she realized that he was a loving father.
Summary Of The Little Girl Class 9
Kezia was a young little girl who lived with her family. Her family consists of a mother, father, and grandmother. She was very afraid of her father and felt a sigh of relief when he went to the office.
She manages not to come in front of him. She thinks that her father is like a big giant and is very harsh and rude to her. He used to scold her and that is why she was scared and avoided talking to him.
Her granny was her supporting factor at the house and wanted her to understand her parent’s actions and behavior. One day grandmother suggested she give something on her father’s birthday.
Kezia was very happy on hearing this, but unintentionally she tore some important speech papers to fill the cushion pillow for her father.
She when asked accepted her mistake but got a ruler on her hand from her father and from that day she started avoiding him more. She cried and asked God why and for what they have made fathers for.
One evening her neighbor’s father was playing happily with his children. She compares her father with theirs and called her father cruel.
But very soon her attitude changed when her mother was ill and hospitalized, she was left all alone in the house.
She had nightmares and was surprised to see her father beside her. She was weeping and was very afraid. Her father tucked her took her into his bedroom and rubbed her feet and legs.
She felt he was not looking like a giant and was very comfortable in his arms. Kezia got to know that her father also loved and cared for her but in his own way, he was not so expressive.
He worked all day and got tired of playing in the evening, but that doesn’t mean that he does not care or love them all. Kezia was able to understand her father’s side and felt happy to have him again.
You can also go and check the video. We have given the complete explanation of the lesson in the little girl class 9th.
NCERT Solutions Of The Little Girl Class 9 Beehive English
Q. Given below are some emotions that Kezia felt. Match the emotions in Column A with the items in Column B.
A | B |
1. fear or terror
2. glad sense of relief 3. a funny’ feeling, perhaps of understanding |
(i) father comes into her room to give her a goodbye kiss
(ii) noise of the carriage grows fainter (iii) father comes home (iv) speaking to father (v) going to bed when alone at home (vi) father comforts her and falls asleep (vii) father stretched out on the sofa, snoring |
Answers:
- — (iii)
- — (ii)
- — (vi)
Q1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
Kezia was very afraid of her father as he always talked very rudely and harshly. She thinks that her father always finds her mistakes.
Q2. Who were the people in Kezia’s family?
Kezia lived with her grandmother, mother, and father. But living together still, she used to avoid her father and was afraid of him.
Q3. What was Kezia’s father’s routine?
-
before going to his office?
-
after coming back from his office?
-
on Sundays?
- He used to kiss her daughter before going to the office
- After coming from the office he asked for tea and a newspaper.
- On Sundays, he would take a rest and enjoy sound sleep on the sofa.
Q4. In what ways did Kezia’s grandmother encourage her to get to know her father better?
Kezia’s grandmother suggested she make a birthday present for her father. She asked her to make a pin- cushion for her father.
Question and Answers-
Q1. Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much. How did this happen?
Kezia avoids her father and is always scared of her because he talks rudely with her. Her grandmother suggested making a pin-cushion and giving her.
She suggested making his birthday an opportunity and trying to understand his behavior. Kezia also tries to stitch a cushion but unintentionally she stuffed some important speech papers and got scolded by her father.
Her father got very angry at her and beat her with the ruler though she admitted her mistake still, she got beaten by her father. On that day she cried bitterly and asked god why fathers are made for.
Q2. Kezia decides that there are “different kinds of fathers”. What kind of father was Mr. Macdonald, and how was he different from Kezia’s father?
According to her, her father was very rude and harsh and did not talk lovingly or affectionately with her.
So she started avoiding her. Her father never spent time with her and she always compares her with other fathers.
One evening she saw their neighbor’s father playing with their children and were happy and content, she thought that there are different kinds of fathers and hers is not like McDonald’s.
Q3. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her sympathy?
When her mom was ill and was hospitalized she was left all alone and got scared of nightmares. When she woke up, she found her father beside her and was feeling comfortable when she tucked her and rub her legs and feet warm.
He took her into his big bedroom and comforted her. Now, she realizes that her father is not big as a giant and he was also loving and caring.
She also realizes that her father got tired after working so hard for the family and did not get time to spend with them. She thinks that her father was not rude at the bottom he was very very kind-hearted.
The Little Girl Class 9 Beehive Solutions
Q1. Use an appropriate word from the synonyms given above in the following sentences. Clues are given in brackets.
- She was ………. by the news of her brother’s wedding, (very pleased)
- I was ………. to be invited to the party. (extremely pleased and excited about)
- She was ………. at the birth of her granddaughter, (extremely happy)
- The coach was ……….. with his performance, (satisfied about)
- She was very …………. with her results. (happy about something that has happened)
Answer:
- thrilled
- delighted
- overjoyed
- pleased
- happy.
Q2. Study the use of the word big in the following sentence:
He was so big—his hands and his
neck, especially his mouth…
Here, big means large in size.
Now, consult a dictionary and find out the meaning of big in the following sentences. The first one has been done for you.
- You are a big girl now. older
- Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career …….
- Their project is full of big ideas …….
- Cricket is a big game in our country……..
- I am a big fan of Lata Mangeshkar……..
- You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater ……..
- What a big heart you’ve got, Father dear ……..
Answers:
- most important
- great
- very popular
- great
- great
- very affectionate/large-hearted.
Q3. Underline the verbs of reporting in the following sentences.
- He says he will enjoy the ride.
- Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday.
- No one told us that the shop was closed.
- He answered that the price would go up.
- I wondered why he was screaming,
- Ben told her to wake him up.
- Ratan apologized for coming late to the party.
Answers:
- says
- mentioned
- told
- answered
- wondered
- told
- apologized
Q4. Some verbs of reporting are given in the box. Choose the appropriate verbs and fill in the blanks in the following sentences:
were complaining, shouted, replied, remarked, ordered, suggested |
- “I am not afraid” ………., the woman.
- “Leave me alone,” my mother
- The children ……….. that the roads were crowded and noisy.
- “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of a chap after all” ……….., the master.
- “Let’s go and look at the school ground”……….., the sports teacher.
- The traffic police ……….. all the passers-by to keep off the road.
Answers:
- remarked
- shouted
- were complaining
- replied
- suggested
- ordered.
Extract Based Questions The Little Girl Class 9
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Q1. To the little girl, he was a figure to be feared and avoided. Every morning before going to work he came into her room and gave her a casual kiss, to which she responded with ‘GoodBye Father’. And oh, there Was a glade sense of relief when she heard the noise of the carriage growing fainter and fainter down the long road! ,
- What was the daily routine of the father?
- ‘When did the daughter feel relief?
- Trace a word from the passage which means “answered”.
- Kezia’s father visits her daughter’s room, meets her, and gives her a kiss before leaving for work.
- The daughter felt relief when the carriage went away from the house and she was sure her father left.
- To give a response.
Q2. But the same old nightmare came to the butcher with a knife and a rope who came nearer and nearer, with that dreadful smile, while she could not move, only stand still, crying out “Grandma!”. She woke to shiver to see father beside her bed, a candle in his hand. “What is the matter ?” he said.
- Why did she have a nightmare?
- Where was the butcher?
- Find a word from the passage that means “shake in fear and cold”.
She got nightmares as she was all alone with her father at home and her mother and granny were hospitalized.
- The butcher was in her dream.
- Shivering.
Q3. “But it was for your b-b- birthday.” Down came the ruler on her little, pink palms. Hours later, when grandmother had wrapped her in a shawl and rocked her in the rocking chair, the child clung to her soft body. “What did God make fathers for ?” she sobbed.
- Who is responding in the first line and before whom?
- How did the father react?
- Find a word from the passage that means “wept”.
- Kezia is responding before her father.
- The father became angry and beat her with a ruler.
- Sobbed, cried.
Conclusion
Through this lesson, Katherine Mansfield tries to explain the bond between every parent and child and tries to explain their parenting style. The lesson will help the readers to understand their parent’s approach and why and how they guide us through all odds and give the understanding of outer world challenges.
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