Solution of Chapter 6. Poets and Pancakes (Flamingo Book)

What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up’?

What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?

What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?

Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?

Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?

Who was Subbu’s principal?

Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.

Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?

What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?

Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?

Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?

Name one example to show that Gemini studios were influenced by the plays staged by MRA.

Who was The Boss of Gemini Studios?

What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?

Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to an unexplained mystery?

Who was the English visitor to the studios?

How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?

What does The God that Failed refer to?

The author has used gentle humor to point out human foibles.

Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting.

Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?

How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?

What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?

Discuss in small groups taking off from points in the text.

1. Film-production today has come a long way from the early days of the Gemini Studios.

2. Poetry and films.

3. Humour and criticism.

• This piece is an example of a chatty, rambling style. One thought leads to another which is then dwelt upon at length.

• Read the text again and mark the transitions from one idea to another. The first one is indicated below.

Make-up department Office-boy Subbu

You must have met some interesting characters in your neighbourhood or among your relatives. Write a humourous piece about their idiosyncrasies. Try to adopt the author’s rambling style, if you can.