NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English (Woven Words) Short Stories 2 A Pair of mustachios

Class : 11th
Subject : English
Chapter : 2
Chapter Name : A Pair of mustachios

Q1 What do you understand of the natures of Ramanand and Azam Khan from the episode
described?

Answer. Ramanand and Azam Khan are the key characters between whom the conversation is
taking place. Ramanand is the grocer and the moneylender who cleverly knows how to gain the
best benefit in a given situation. He increases the prices of the commodity in response to the
provoking. For his most important element is his job than his pride. Azam Khan is the poor
victim that lives his life in the false pride. He creates a whole issue out of the topic of keeping
the moustaches down. His short-tempered nature is something that will teach him the lesson.

Page : 17 , Block Name : Understanding the text

Q2 Identify instances in the story that show the business acumen of Ramanand.

Answer. Ramanand is a wise shopkeeper who has the wit to remark a line between what is right
and what is wrong. He knows how to tackle tricky situations and gets the best out of it. It is
shown in the story itself that he agrees to lower his moustaches when asked for by Azam Khan.
But this instance also had a hidden motive that he did so to increase the acquisition of property.
He makes a wise judgement of the factors pertaining to get the best out of a scenario. His
decision-making skills are remarkable to use to benefit himself.

Page : 17 , Block Name : Understanding the text

Q3 Both Ramanand and Azam Khan seem to have very fixed views. How does Ramanand
score over Azam Khan towards the end of the story?

Answer. It is true that both Ramanand and Azam Khan had very fixed views which were a result
of the social milieu that made the categorization in the society on the basis of the moustaches.
Both the parties have a fixed set of ideology that has been marked in their minds because of the
social customs. Ramanand belonged to a goat class however Azam Khan belonged to a tiger
class.

Ramanand scored over Azam Khan in the way that he manages to turn his moustache upwards,
which in turn increases the property price. Thus, he is the one who actually wins the situation.

Page : 17 , Block Name : Understanding the text

Q1 The episode has been narrated in a light vein. What social mores does the author seem to
ridicule?

Answer. As told at the beginning of the story that there is a division in the society on the basis of
moustaches, a certain upwards moustaches represents the upper class. The author has used
this reference to ridicule the ideology of the people that live in false pride just because of the
fact of being associated with a higher class. Their belonging to a higher class does not mark
their wit as they are smartly fooled by the so-called lower class people. So we can clearly see
who is the real winner in this case. Thus the author laughs at the ideology of such people who
make their trap themselves.

Page : 17 , Block Name : Talking about the text

Q2 What do you think are the reasons for the references made to the English people and the
British monarchy?

Answer. It is clearly known fact that Indians were ruled by the Britishers for a long time. Also, it
is a well-known fact that Indians take pride in the divisions of social classes and there is a
significant difference between the various classes. A prominent difference in treatment is also
observed. But the sad part is that these social divisions are a major part of our nation's history.
Thus the writer makes references to the English people and British monarchy that the same way
when we were under the British rule, that is compared to the social disparities, Indian's feel
pride in being slaves of such conditions. The clear example is shown in the fact that the babus
under British rule were highly honoured.

Page : 17 , Block Name : Talking about the text

Q3 What do you think is the message that the author seems to convey through the story?

Answer. The main message that the author seems to convey through the story is all these social
differences should be left far behind. As time advances, the society should not be sticking to
false pride rather it should be marching progressively towards new avenues of growth.

Page : 17 , Block Name : Talking about the text

Q1 Comment on the way in which the theme of the story has been introduced.

Answer. The theme of the story has been introduced very lightly through the examples of
moustaches that are used to differentiate between the social classes. It is only in the later
aspects of the story that we have come to realize the importance of the same. It is also shown in
the story that apart from the classes and divisions, it is only the intelligence that marks the
person different from the others.

Page : 17 , Block Name : Appreciation

Q2 How does the insertion of dialogue in the story contribute to its interest?

Answer. By inserting the dialogue in the story, the contribution to the interest increases in the
terms that in the dialogue form we see that has been actually said by the individual. The
expressions are more firmly delivered in the form of dialogues.

Page : 17 , Block Name : Appreciation