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Kaleidoscope – Songs and Stories of Our World

Module II.1
Story

Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture

Jerome K. Jerome

Jerome K. Jerome – Intro

Jerome K. Jerome was a prolific British author. He was best known for his
humorously observant and witty writing style. He achieved literary fame with his humorous
travelogue "Three Men in a Boat” which remains a classic of English literature. Jerome's
works often explored themes of everyday life, friendship, and the absurdities of human
nature. It earned him a reputation as a master of comedic storytelling.

Synopsis
"Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture" is a funny story by Jerome K. Jerome. It's about
Uncle Podger, who tries to hang a picture, but everything goes wrong. He breaks things and
makes a mess. Everyone in the house tries to help him, but it only gets more chaotic.
Finally, he hangs the picture, and everyone is surprised that he actually did it.
The story shows how sometimes even simple tasks can turn into big problems, but in
the end, things work out somehow.

Short Answer Questions

SQ 1: Why did Uncle Podger send the maid?

Uncle Podger sent the maid to fetch a hammer because he couldn't locate it himself.
Earlier he had claimed that he knew exactly where it was. It shows that he has a
tendency to be disorganized and forgetful which adds to the comedic chaos of the situation.

SQ 2: What did Uncle Podger ask the children to bring for him?
Uncle Podger asked the children to bring him a boot-jack, thinking it was a hammer.
The children innocently complied with his request, unaware of his error. This
misunderstanding adds to his confusion and the comedic nature of the scene.

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SQ 3: How did Uncle Podger cut his finger?

Uncle Podger cut his finger while trying to open a packet of picture-hooks. In his
haste and frustration, he ended up cutting his finger instead. It adds to the humorous
atmosphere of the scene.

SQ 4: Why did Uncle Podger want his coat?

Uncle Podger wanted his coat to protect himself from the debris and mess he
anticipated would occur while hanging the picture. He believed that wearing his coat would
shield him from the dust and plaster that might result from the task.

SQ 5: Name the musical instrument on which Uncle Podger fell upon.

Uncle Podger fell upon a concertina while attempting to hang the picture. The
incident added to the chaos of the situation.

Paragraph Questions
PQ 1: Comment on Uncle Podger's attitude after finishing the task.
After finally finishing the task of hanging the picture, Uncle Podger's attitude is one
of self-satisfaction and pride. He is pleased with his achievement. He also boasts about his
expertise and proclaims that no one else could have done it. Despite the chaos and mishaps
that occurred before his success, Uncle Podger emerges with his confidence intact. He
believes himself to be the hero of the moment. His attitude reflects his tendency to exaggerate
his abilities and overlook the confusion he caused. All this adds to comic irony towards the
end of the story.

PQ 2: Describe the commotion in the house when Uncle Podger tried to put up the
picture.
The house falls into chaos as Uncle Podger attempts to hang the picture. There is
frantic searching for tools, with Uncle Podger causing more mess in the process. He breaks a
vase and steps on butter and spreads it around. The family members rush around trying to
assist him, but only add to the confusion. There's drilling, hammering, and shouting as Uncle
Podger struggles with the task. The cat's tail is accidentally pinched by the picture frame. It
causes it to dash around the room in a panic. Overall, the scene is one of frenzied activity and
comedic mishaps.

PQ 3 - Narrate the incidents that depict the carelessness of Uncle Podger.

Uncle Podger's carelessness is evident throughout the story. He carelessly breaks a
vase while searching for a hammer and scatters its contents. Then, he accidentally steps on
the butter, spreading it across the room. While attempting to hammer the nail, Uncle Podger
crushes his thumb with the tool. He also carelessly drills holes in the wall, creating a mess of
plaster and dust. Finally, he unknowingly drops the picture frame on the cat's tail, causing
chaos. Each incident shows Uncle Podger's carelessness. It also shows his tendency for
creating confusion wherever he goes.

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PQ 4: Explain Aunt Maria's reaction after Uncle Podger had hung the picture.
After Uncle Podger finally hangs the picture, Aunt Maria's reaction is one of relief
mixed with disbelief. She expresses astonishment at the fact that the picture is actually up.
This reaction indicates her surprise that Uncle Podger managed to accomplish the task despite
his previous bumbling attempts. She declares that the next time Uncle Podger attempts to
hammer a nail, she will promptly escape to her mother’s house for a week. Aunt Maria
implies that his chaotic efforts are best endured from a safe distance.

ESSAY 1:
Write an essay on the comic elements in the text "Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture" -

Jerome K. Jerome's "Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture" is a hilarious story with plenty of comic
elements. It is rich with witty observations and absurd situations that generate laughter.
Jerome skilfully incorporates clever wordplay, exaggerated situations, and humorous
characterizations. All these make the narrative appealing.
The story features abundant situational comedy, as Uncle Podger's simple task of
hanging a picture evolves into chaos after chaos. His struggles with measuring and
hammering, combined with his comical reactions, create a humorous spectacle.
Jerome also uses irony and exaggeration effectively, contrasting Uncle Podger's
boasts of competence with his actual incompetence. It results in humorous dramatic irony.
This wide gap between his words and actions enhances the comedy.
Witty dialogue and humorous asides further enrich the narrative. The frustrated
exclamations of Uncle Podger and the mocking remarks from his family members contribute
richly to the comic tone. Each line contains sharp and witty exchanges that enhance the
humour. Physical comedy also plays a crucial role, with Uncle Podger's clumsy actions and
the resulting chaos provide laugh-out-loud moments.
To conclude, "Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture" is a gem in comedy, filled with clever
wordplay, exaggerated scenarios, and humorous characterizations. Jerome's use of situational
comedy, irony, witty dialogue, and physical humour creates a timeless piece. The story
continues to delight readers with its irreverent charm and enduring humour.

ESSAY 2
Comment on the Jerome K. Jerome's portrayal of the character, Uncle Podger.

In Jerome K. Jerome's short story, "Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture," the character of Uncle
Podger is portrayed with a blend of humour and sympathy. Through vivid descriptions and
humorous anecdotes, Uncle Podger is depicted as a well-meaning yet comically inept
individual. He is both endearing and entertaining to the reader.

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Uncle Podger is portrayed as a character full of enthusiasm but lacking in skill. His
attempts to hang a simple picture frame quickly descends into a chaos, as he bumbles around
the house, causing mess and confusion. Jerome skilfully captures the frustration of those
around Uncle Podger. He highlights the character’s inability to complete even the simplest
task without turning them into a spectacle.
Furthermore, Jerome portrays Uncle Podger with a touch of sympathy, revealing his
underlying insecurity and desire to be helpful. Despite his numerous failures, Uncle Podger
remains determined to prove his worth, eagerly taking on tasks that he is clearly ill-equipped
to handle. This vulnerability adds depth to his character, evoking both laughter and empathy
from the reader.
Uncle Podger's antics serve as a source of amusement throughout the story. They
provide moments of light-hearted humour amidst the chaos. Jerome's witty narrative style and
sharp observations elevate Uncle Podger from a mere caricature to a memorable and beloved
character, whose antics continue to entertain readers across generations.
In conclusion, Jerome K. Jerome's portrayal of Uncle Podger in "Uncle Podger Hangs
a Picture" is a delightful blend of humour and sympathy. Through vivid descriptions and
humorous anecdotes, Jerome creates a character that is both endearing and entertaining,
capturing the essence of human fallibility with warmth and wit.

Prepared by:
Prof. MURUKAN BABU C.R.
(formerly) Associate Professor of English
Panampilly Memorial Govt. College
Chalakudy

email: mbabucr@gmail.com

https://www.youtube.com/@MurukanBabu