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Name: Saurabh Singh
Roll no: 24052176

Section: B 30
Subject: English
Date: 22/11/2024
Answers
Answer 1.)
O. Henry’s "The Gift of the Magi" is rich with figurative language that enhances its
emotional depth and literary charm. Here are a few notable examples:
1. Simile
“She stood by the window and looked out dully at a grey cat walking a
grey fence in a grey backyard.”
The repeated use of "grey" conveys Della’s somber mood and financial despair.
The comparison between the dullness of her surroundings and her feelings of
hopelessness sets the emotional tone of the story.
2. Metaphor
“There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little
couch and howl.”
The term “howl” metaphorically represents Della’s overwhelming frustration and

grief. This exaggeration helps readers connect to her deep despair over her inability to
buy a meaningful gift for her husband.
3. Hyperbole
“The next two hours tripped by on rosy wings.”
This is an example of hyperbole. It exaggerates how quickly time seems to pass

as Della eagerly anticipates her plan to buy James a gift. The figurative expression
“rosy wings” also adds a sense of optimism and joy to her efforts.
4. Allusion
“The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men—

who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger.”
This allusion to the biblical story of the Magi elevates James and Della’s
sacrifices. By comparing their selfless acts of love to the wise men’s gifts to Jesus,
the author underscores the story’s moral about the true value of giving.
5. Irony
“And now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have adorned the
coveted adornments were gone.”
This situational irony is a key twist in the story. Della sells her hair to buy a chain
for James’s watch, only to find out James has sold his watch to buy her combs for
her hair. This ironic outcome reinforces the theme of love and sacrifice.
6. Personification
“A furnished flat at $8 per week. It did not exactly beggar description,

but it certainly had that word on the lookout for the mendicancy squad.”
The flat is personified as being so poor it seems to be avoiding detection by

authorities. This adds humor while emphasizing the couple’s financial struggles.
Each example of figurative language in "The Gift of the Magi" deepens the story’s
emotional resonance and thematic complexity, making it a timeless tale of love and
sacrifice.
Answer 2.)
In Ismat Chughtai's short story "Sacred Duty", the theme of communalism and
religious tension is skillfully projected through the portrayal of both sets of parents.
Communal Tension and Conflict
1. Interfaith relationships: The story highlights the challenges faced by interfaith

couples and their families, emphasizing the communal tensions and prejudices that
can arise.
2. Social and cultural differences: The portrayal of both sets of parents underscores
the deep-seated social and cultural differences between the two communities, which
can lead to misunderstandings and conflict.
3. The struggle for identity: The narrative explores the tension between maintaining
one's cultural heritage and embracing modernity, a common challenge faced by
individuals from both communities.
Tashar's Understanding:
Tashar, the Muslim protagonist, initially understands "Sacred Duty" as fulfilling her
obligations towards her family, community, and faith. She believes it is her duty to
conform to traditional expectations and maintain the family's honor.
Samima's Understanding:
Samima, the Hindu protagonist, has a more nuanced understanding of "Sacred Duty".
As the story progresses, she comes to realize that her "Sacred Duty" is not just about
fulfilling societal expectations but also about being true to herself and her own desires.
Answer 3.)
In Tennessee Williams’ poem "We Have Not Long to Love", silence emerges as a
recurring motif with varying interpretations, representing both the profound depths of
emotional connection and the inevitable finality of human existence. Williams uses
silence to evoke a range of emotions, from intimacy to foreboding, illustrating its
layered significance.
1. Silence as a Reflection of Intimacy
 In moments of love and connection, silence is portrayed as a shared

understanding that transcends words. This interpretation aligns with the idea
that true emotions are often too profound to articulate, and silence becomes a
comfortable and mutual space between lovers.
 Example: The absence of speech during moments of closeness implies a
deeper connection that does not require verbal expression. Silence here
signifies the peak of emotional intimacy and the unity of two souls.
2. Silence as an Omen of Mortality
 The poem acknowledges the brevity of life and the inevitability of death.
Silence, in this context, foreshadows the stillness of death and the end of
human experience. It serves as a reminder of life’s fleeting nature and the
urgency to love and live fully.
 Example: Phrases emphasizing the brevity of love and life suggest that silence
will ultimately replace the vibrancy of existence. This silence is haunting and
absolute, a stark contrast to the moments of love described earlier.
3. Silence as the Space Between Words and Actions
 In relationships, silence often occupies the space between words and actions.
It can represent hesitation, reflection, or the unspoken truths that linger in
human interactions. Williams uses this silence to capture the unsaid emotions
and thoughts that define the complexity of love.
 Example: The poem may suggest that what is not spoken often carries as much
weight as what is said, emphasizing the significance of silence in expressing
the inexpressible.
4. Silence as the Aftermath of Love
 Silence also appears as a metaphor for the void left after love has ended or
when moments of passion have passed. It represents the stillness that follows
emotional highs, serving as a poignant reminder of the impermanence of
human connections.
 Example: The silence after the intensity of love underscores the transient
nature of joy and connection, enhancing the poem’s theme of life’s
impermanence.
In "We Have Not Long to Love", Tennessee Williams imbues silence with
multifaceted meanings—ranging from intimacy and reflection to mortality and loss.
These interpretations enrich the poem’s exploration of love, time, and human
existence, making silence not just an absence of sound but a powerful presence in its
own right.
Answer 4.)
In Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," the house, village, and
farmhouse are symbolic elements that contribute to the poem's themes of duty, life,
and introspection. These elements create a contrast between the allure of solitude and
the obligations of life.
1. The House
 Symbolism: The house represents shelter, warmth, and human connection. It

serves as a metaphor for the comforts and responsibilities of domestic life.
 Interpretation: The speaker’s awareness of the house reflects a sense of duty
and belonging. It symbolizes the life he must return to, filled with
commitments that cannot be ignored despite the temptation to linger in the
peaceful woods.
2. The Village
 Symbolism: The village symbolizes society, order, and the structured life of
human interaction and expectations.
 Interpretation: The speaker’s decision to pause far from the village emphasizes
a desire to escape societal pressures and obligations. The village acts as a
reminder of the structured responsibilities waiting for him and contrasts with
the tranquility and freedom offered by the woods.
3. The Farmhouse
 Symbolism: The farmhouse represents stability, productivity, and the everyday

toil of life. It is a tangible marker of human effort and purpose.
 Interpretation: The absence of the farmhouse in the woods underscores the
separation from human activity and productivity. This emptiness enhances the
sense of solitude and contemplation, suggesting a temporary withdrawal from
life's busyness to reflect on larger existential questions.
The house, village, and farmhouse symbolize the obligations, connections, and
routines of human existence. These elements contrast with the enchanting yet
isolating woods, which symbolize introspection, escape, and the pull of the unknown.
Together, they frame the central tension in the poem between the allure of rest and
solitude and the inexorable call of duty and life’s responsibilities.

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Name: Saurabh Singh

Roll no: 24052176

The term “howl” metaphorically represents Della’s overwhelming frustration and

“The next two hours tripped by on rosy wings.”

This is an example of hyperbole. It exaggerates how quickly time seems to pass

“The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men—

“A furnished flat at $8 per week. It did not exactly beggar description,

The flat is personified as being so poor it seems to be avoiding detection by

Communal Tension and Conflict

1. Interfaith relationships: The story highlights the challenges faced by interfaith

1. Silence as a Reflection of Intimacy

 In moments of love and connection, silence is portrayed as a shared

2. Silence as an Omen of Mortality

3. Silence as the Space Between Words and Actions

4. Silence as the Aftermath of Love

 Symbolism: The house represents shelter, warmth, and human connection. It

 Symbolism: The farmhouse represents stability, productivity, and the everyday

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