ICSE Class 10 English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories) — Flashcards for Quick Revision

A: The central metaphor is the bonsai tree. It represents a woman whose growth and potential are deliberately limited by patriarchal society.

A: A bonsai tree is made small by careful pruning and tying, even though it could grow much larger. This makes it a powerful symbol of a life that is controlled, restricted, and denied full freedom.

A: The gardener represents patriarchal society or the oppressor. He controls the bonsai tree and makes its small size seem natural and acceptable.

A: Bonku Babu's Friend is a science-fiction short story with a social commentary theme. The alien arrival creates the science-fiction setting, but the deeper meaning is about human cruelty, dignity, and

A: Bonku Babu, also called Bonkubihari Datta, is a mild-mannered geography and Bengali teacher at the village primary school in Kankurgachhi. He has taught there for twenty-two years and is constantly bu

A: The name Bunkum shows mockery and disrespect. The group uses it to tease Bonku Babu and make him feel small, which reflects their cruel behaviour toward him.

A: Skimbleshanks is the railway cat who is in charge of the Sleeping Car Express. He patrols the train, supervises staff and passengers, keeps order, and is shown as indispensable because the train canno

A: The train cannot depart until Skimbleshanks is found because he is the one who keeps everything under control. His presence signals that the train is ready to move safely and on time.

A: He comes out from the luggage van just before the signal is due, gives one flash of his glass-green eyes, and the signal goes All Clear. This shows that his arrival brings order and allows the train t