Dusk | Story 4 | Short Stories | English 10th | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

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English | Class 10th | Tulip Series |

 

Dusk | Story 4 | Short Stories | English 10th | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

Short Summary

            "Dusk" by Saki (H.H. Munro) is a short story that revolves around Norman Gortsby, a man who observes people during the "hour of the defeated"—dusk. While sitting on a park bench, Gortsby encounters a young man who shares a story about losing his hotel address after buying a bar of soap. Initially sceptical, Gortsby changes his mind when he later finds a bar of soap near the bench. Gortsby returns the soap to the young man, who takes the opportunity to further deceive him. The story ends with Gortsby realizing his mistake when he discovers another man searching for the very soap Gortsby returned, underscoring themes of deception, trust, and human gullibility.

 

Thinking about the Text

Question 1. What was the atmosphere at Hyde Park?

Answer: The atmosphere at Hyde Park during the time of dusk was sombre, quiet, and filled with a sense of defeat and resignation. It was a time when people who were down on their luck or had faced failures would come to the park, seeking solace in the anonymity provided by the gathering darkness.

Question 2. Do the atmosphere and the mood at the Park justify the title of the story?

Answer: Yes, the atmosphere and mood at Hyde Park justify the title "Dusk." The time of dusk symbolizes a period of uncertainty, when shadows lengthen and clarity diminishes. This mirrors the mood of the people who frequent the park at this hour, representing their hidden struggles and defeats. The story explores themes of deception and human frailty, which align with the ambiguous and subdued atmosphere of dusk.

Question 3. Draw a profile of the person who first sat near Gortsby on the bench.

Answer: The first person who sat near Gortsby on the bench was an elderly gentleman, well-dressed but carrying an air of defeat. His clothes, though still respectable, were slightly worn, and his demeanour suggested a quiet resignation to the struggles of life. He was likely a man who had seen better days but now faced the twilight of his years with a sense of silent acceptance.

Question 4. What, according to Gortsby, was the weak point of the young man's story?

Answer: According to Gortsby, the weak point of the young man's story was the missing bar of soap. The young man claimed to have lost the address of his hotel after going out to buy soap, but he didn't actually have the soap with him, which made Gortsby suspicious and led him to initially disbelieve the story.

Question 5. While walking back to his seat in the Park, what did Gortsby see?

Answer: While walking back to his seat in the park, Gortsby saw a small bar of soap lying on the ground near the bench where the young man had been sitting. This discovery made Gortsby believe that the young man's story was true after all.

Question 6. How did Norman Gortsby feel when he realized he had been fooled?

Answer: When Norman Gortsby realized he had been fooled, he likely felt a mix of embarrassment, regret, and frustration. He had prided himself on his ability to see through others' deceptions, yet he was tricked by the very person he initially doubted, making him question his judgment.

Question 7. What did Gortsby imagine about the people who visited Hyde Park?

Answer: Gortsby imagined that the people who visited Hyde Park during dusk were those who had faced failures and disappointments in life. He believed they were individuals who preferred to move about in the gathering darkness to conceal their defeat and avoid scrutiny.

Question 8. What is irony? Bring out the elements of irony in the story.

Answer: Irony is a literary device where the outcome of a situation is the opposite of what was expected. In "Dusk," the irony lies in Gortsby's initial scepticism of the young man's story, only to later believe it after finding the soap. The ultimate irony is that Gortsby, who thought he had outwitted the young man, was actually deceived, as the soap he found belonged to someone else.

Question 9. What is 'juxtaposition'? Has Saki been able to juxtapose humour and pathos in 'Dusk'?

Answer: Juxtaposition is the placement of two contrasting elements close together to highlight their differences. In "Dusk," Saki successfully juxtaposes humour and pathos. The humour arises from Gortsby's self-assuredness and the ironic twist at the end, while the pathos is evident in the setting and the depiction of individuals who frequent the park at dusk, reflecting on their failures and disappointments. This blend of humour and pathos deepens the story's exploration of human nature and the often-blurred line between success and failure.

 

Language Work

Use the following in sentences of your own:

1. Youthful figure

2. Shabbily dressed.

3. Decent chap.

4. Pale moonlight.

5. Stroll about.

6. Wandering about.

Answer:

1. Youthful figure: Despite her age, she maintained a youthful figure through regular exercise and a healthy diet.

 2. Shabbily dressed: The man was shabbily dressed, with torn shoes and a worn-out coat, but he walked with an air of dignity.

3. Decent chap: Everyone in the office agreed that he was a decent chap, always ready to lend a helping hand.

4. Pale moonlight: The garden looked enchanting under the pale moonlight, with shadows dancing gently on the ground.

5. Stroll about: After dinner, they decided to stroll about the park, enjoying the cool evening breeze.

6. Wandering about: She spent the afternoon wandering about the city, exploring hidden alleys and quaint little shops.

 

Writing Work

1. Write a short ironical dialogue.

Answer:

Person A: "I heard you got a promotion. Congratulations! You must be thrilled!"

Person B: "Oh, absolutely. Who wouldn’t be excited about more responsibility and no pay raise?"

Person A: "Sounds like a dream come true."

Person B: "It’s everything I never wanted."

 

2. Do you approve of the behaviour and approach of Gortsby in the story? Explain.

Answer: In the story "Dusk" by Saki, Gortsby is portrayed as a cynical and observant man who prides himself on his ability to judge others. Initially, he doubts the young man's story, which reveals his scepticism and tendency to see the worst in people. However, when he finds the bar of soap, he quickly changes his mind and offers assistance, only to later discover he was deceived.

While Gortsby’s scepticism is understandable in a world where deceit is common, his quick reversal upon finding the soap shows a lapse in his usually sharp judgment. His actions reveal a complex character who struggles between his cynicism and a desire to believe in the goodness of others. This behaviour is relatable but flawed, as it demonstrates how easily one's principles can be swayed by seemingly concrete evidence. Ultimately, Gortsby's approach is a reminder that even the most discerning individuals can be fooled, highlighting the irony of the situation.

 

Discussion

i) Discuss 'irony' in the story. Discuss with your classmates any such event of your life which reflects irony.

Answer:

Irony in the Story:

 

In "Dusk" by Saki, the central element of irony is revealed through the character of Gortsby and his interactions with the young man. Gortsby, who prides himself on his ability to detect deceit, is ironically fooled by the young man's fabricated story. The irony unfolds in several layers:

1. Situational Irony: Gortsby’s scepticism about the young man’s story leads him to question the authenticity of the tale. However, the irony is that Gortsby, who considers himself adept at detecting lies, becomes a victim of deceit himself. His judgment is turned against him when he later discovers the young man’s story was fabricated.

2. Dramatic Irony: The reader is aware of the irony before Gortsby realizes it. While Gortsby is confidently critical of the young man's story, the reader knows that his judgment is misplaced because the young man’s story is a scam.

3. Irony of Situation: After Gortsby finds the bar of soap and helps the young man, he feels justified in his earlier judgment. The real twist of irony occurs when Gortsby learns that the soap was planted to trick him, revealing his misplaced confidence in his own judgment.

 

Personal Example of Irony:

 

In my own life, I experienced a situation that reflects irony. During a group project in college, I was tasked with creating a presentation slide deck. Confident in my ability to design professional and error-free slides, I spent hours perfecting them. On the day of the presentation, while explaining the slides, I noticed a glaring mistake—an incorrect statistic prominently displayed on the first slide. Ironically, the slide I was most confident about was the one with the error, and it became the focal point of discussion, undermining the credibility of my entire presentation.

This personal experience reflects the irony of being overly confident in one’s abilities only to be proven wrong by a simple oversight. It mirrors the story’s irony where Gortsby’s confidence in his judgment is ironically contradicted by his own gullibility.

 

Suggested Reading

Gift of Magi by O. Henry

An English School by Rudyard Kipling

The Castaway by Rabindranath Tagore

The Fairytale of Mohanpur by Mahashweta Devi