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NCERT Solutions

Tomorrow (Joseph Conrad)

CBSE · Class 12 · English

NCERT Solutions for Tomorrow (Joseph Conrad) — CBSE Class 12 English.

70 questions32 flashcards5 concepts

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26 Questions Solved · 12 Sections

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Stop and Think

1What brought Captain Hagberd to Colebrook?Show solution
Captain Hagberd came to Colebrook after his wife had died, and the letter he received about a seafaring man led him to search for his lost son, Harry. He then settled there and kept advertising for him.

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2Why did the people of Colebrook not have a favourable opinion of Captain Hagberd?Show solution
The people of Colebrook disliked Captain Hagberd because he seemed odd, morbid, and unreasonable. He lived in an eccentric way, wore a strange No. 1 canvas suit, kept talking about his lost son, and was regarded as a craze-ridden old man. His conduct made him appear ridiculous and mentally unbalanced.

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Stop and Think

1What sort of a seaman had Captain Hagberd been?Show solution
The chapter says Captain Hagberd was one of those sailors who pursued their calling within sight of land. He had been apprenticed to a coasting-skipper and had spent his sea life on the coast. He had a deep dislike of the sea and loved the land and home life.

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2Captain Hagberd constantly hinted at something that made Bessie blush. What was it?Show solution
Captain Hagberd kept hinting that Harry would return, settle down, and marry a sensible girl. He spoke to Bessie as if she were the future wife, which made her blush.

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Stop and Think

1What were Bessie's reactions to old Hagberd's ravings?Show solution
At first Bessie was discomposed and thought the old man was mad. Later she learned to laugh at his ravings because she felt there was no harm in him. Still later, she developed a faint blush, a puzzled pity, and even an unacknowledged, pleasurable emotion as she listened to him. She half-believed him at times and humoured him to avoid hurting him.

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2What sort of a person was Mr Carvil?Show solution
Mr Carvil was a blind retired boat-builder. He was a domestic tyrant, bad-tempered, abusive, and dependent on Bessie. He made her wait on him constantly, shouted for her, and behaved like a burden that she had to bear.

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Stop and Think

1What was the point of similarity between Captain Hagberd and old Mr Carvil?Show solution
The similarity is that both old men were blind to truth. Mr Carvil was literally blind, while Captain Hagberd was mentally blind because of his hopeful delusion about Harry's return.

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2Why did Bessie sometimes show signs of irritation and disgust?Show solution
Bessie sometimes felt irritation and disgust because her life was full of drudgery. She had to nurse her demanding blind father, endure his shouting and tyranny, and listen to Captain Hagberd's endless talk of tomorrow. His hopeful craze at times mocked her own hopeless life, so she became tense and resentful.

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Stop and Think

1Who was the stranger who met Captain Hagberd? What was the Captain's reaction to the meeting?Show solution
The stranger was young Harry Hagberd, Captain Hagberd's lost son. When Captain Hagberd met him, he was first startled, then nervous, frightened, and suspicious. He thought the stranger was an interfering, grinning man and retreated inside in alarm.

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2What did young Hagberd think it meant when old Hagberd said that his son would be coming home 'tomorrow'?Show solution
Young Hagberd understood the father's words as meaning that Harry had been found and would return the next day. He did not know the old man had been waiting for him for years.

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3What reasons did Bessie give for encouraging old Hagberd in his insane hopes?Show solution
Bessie encouraged old Hagberd because she was kind-hearted and did not want to make him miserable or drive him further out of his mind. She felt it would be cruel to contradict him, and it was easier to half-believe him than to quarrel with him.

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Stop and Think

1What makes Bessie convinced that the young man is indeed Harry?Show solution
Bessie is convinced because the young man looks like his father, speaks in a way that matches the family, and finally reveals himself clearly. She also senses the truth in his manner and voice.

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2What kind of life had Harry lived after he left home?Show solution
Harry had lived a restless, adventurous life after leaving home. He had been a sailor and had worked at many rough jobs: boundary rider, sheep-shearer, swagman, whaler, ship-rigger, gold prospector, and more. He disliked being tied down and preferred freedom, movement, and hard work.

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Stop and Think

1What does Bessie tell Harry about his father's plans for him?
2What did Captain Hagberg call out to Bessie from the window?

Understanding the Text

1What is the consistency one finds in the old man's madness?
2How does Captain Hagberd prepare for Harry's homecoming?
3How did Bessie begin to share Hagberd's insanity regarding his son?
4What were Harry's reasons for coming to meet old Hagberd?
5Why does Harry's return prove to be a disappointment for Bessie?

Talking about the Text

1'Every mental state, even madness, has its equilibrium based upon self-esteem. Its disturbance causes unhappiness'.
2Joyce's 'Eveline' and Conrad's 'Tomorrow' are thematically similar.

Appreciation

1Comment on the technique used by the author to unfold the story of Captain Hagberd's past.
2Identify instances in the story in which you find streaks of insanity in people other than Hagberd. What implications do they suggest?

TASK

1Pick out one or two other examples of allusion from the story and comment briefly on the comparison made.

TASK

1Now complete the columns below and mark the syllable that receives primary stress.

13 more solved questions in Tomorrow (Joseph Conrad)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Tomorrow (Joseph Conrad) for CBSE Class 12 English?
Tomorrow (Joseph Conrad) covers several key topics that are frequently asked in CBSE Class 12 board exams. Focus on the core concepts listed on this page and practise related questions to build confidence.
How to score full marks in Tomorrow (Joseph Conrad) — CBSE Class 12 English?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 70 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.
Where can I get free NCERT Solutions for Tomorrow (Joseph Conrad) Class 12 English?
This page has free step-by-step NCERT Solutions for every exercise question in Tomorrow (Joseph Conrad) (CBSE Class 12 English) — written the way examiners award marks: given, formula, working, answer.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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