1.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: Lady Adela: Oh! Why did I ever ask that wretch De Levis? I used to think him pathetic. Meg—did you know—Ronald Dancy’s coat was wet? The General happened to feel it. Margaret: So that’s why he was so silent. Lady Adela: Yes; and after the scene in the Club yesterday he went to see those bookmakers, and Goole—what a name! — is sure he told Dancy about the sale. Margaret: [Suddenly] I don’t care. He’s my third cousin. Don’t you feel you couldn’t, Adela? Lady Adela: Couldn’t—what? Margaret: Stand for De Levis against one of ourselves? (i) Which ‘sale’ is Lady Adela talking about? Why does De Levis claim Dancy knew about the sale?(ii) How does Margaret assess Dancy’s character a little later during this conversation?(iii) Why does Dancy want to go to Nairobi 1 What is Mabel’s response?(iv) Why does De Levis come to Dancy’s flat soon after? What appeal does Mabel make to him? (v) What were De Levis’ reasons for being so stubborn in pursuing the case? What is his reaction after the charge against Dancy is established?

Answer»

(i) Lady Adela is talking about the sale of the Rosemary filly which was sold by De Levis to Kentman, the bookie, for an amount of nine hundred and seventy pounds. The filly was gifted by Dancy to De Levis. 

De Levis was sure that Dancy knew about the sale because Goole told about the sale to Dancy. 

(ii) Margaret says about Dancy that Dancy is the type of man who simply can’t live without danger. If there’s no excitement going, they’ll make it. She says that she has seen Dancy do the maddest things for no mortal reason except the risk. 

(iii) Dancy says that apart from that much, (the accusation made by De Levis) that was a ghastly tame-cat sort of life, (life without excitement). So he thinks it would be better to go to Nairobi. 

Mabel is bothered about what others would say. She says that it looks like running away and they must stay and fight it. She also questions Dancy that if she was accused of stealing pearls, what would he think of her, if she ran away from it. 

(iv) De Levis came because Dancy had come round to his rooms when he was out.. The day before he had threatened him, De Levis didn’t want Dancy to think that he was afraid of him. 

She appealed to him to behave as a gentleman to them just as he should want them to behave towards him. She told him to withdraw that wicked charge, and write an apology which Dancy could show. 

(v) De Levis says, “I am only a—damned Jew, not a gentleman.” He says that otherwise he would have spared them but when his race is insulted, he is ready to face Dancy at home, or in the court. 

When the charge is established, De Levis says that he would willingly resign from the membership of the club mid promises to see them in the court. 

At Dancy’s home, he tears the apology letter into two and flings into the fire.



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