NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English (Woven Words) Poetry 4 Telephone Conversation

Class : 11th

Subject : English

Chapter : 4(Poetry)

Chapter Name : Telephone Conversation

Q1 State the central issue in the poem.

Answer. The central idea of the poem is related to racism and color discrimination. The dark
reality of poem is showed when a person asking for shelter is asked about his skin color instead
of the rent. The poem depicts what whole Africa believes in and what disadvantages men face
there. The color issue is a big issue that is the main ideology of Africans.

Q2 There are intervals of silence in the interaction between the landlady and the prospective
tenant. What are the reasons for this?

Answer. The conversation between landlady and tenant is paused and she inquires about his
skin color, that how dark he is. The tenants reply made her feel inferior and to cover up she
attacked him on his skin color. The landlady is racist in her thoughts.

Q3 How is colour highlighted in the poem and why? List all the words in the poem that suggest
colour.

Answer. There are various colors that are used in the poem to represent various aspects. The
red color is used in various things like a telephone booth, double-tiered bus, pillar box. The