Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDFs, and guides for MBOSE Class 12 Alternative English textbook Imprints, Chapter Growing Up which is part of the syllabus for students studying under the board. These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
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Summary
In Joyce Cary’s story ‘Growing Up’, Robert Quick returns home after a business trip, expecting a warm welcome from his young daughters, Jenny and Kate. However, he finds them uninterested in his arrival, absorbed in their own activities in their neglected, overgrown garden. Quick initially feels disappointed but reminds himself to be content, even finding some beauty in the garden’s wild state. Quick, fifty-two, has learned to make the best of things, and he sits to enjoy his children’s presence from a distance.
Jenny, now twelve and an avid reader, is preoccupied with her book, while thirteen-year-old Kate is absorbed in her thoughts. When Quick calls out to them, their responses are casual, lacking the enthusiasm he hoped for. They soon engage in playful banter and rough games with their dog, Snort. Their actions, particularly when they throw objects at Snort, surprise Quick, who becomes concerned for the dog’s safety.
Quick’s mild reprimand soon escalates when the girls, in a fit of laughter, turn on him, calling him “Paleface” and pretending he is an enemy. They playfully but aggressively “attack” him, pulling his collar and even causing him to lose his balance and fall. Quick feels a mixture of fear and helplessness as he tries not to hurt them while defending himself. Jenny’s intense, almost fierce expression shocks him, leading him to wonder if his daughters hold some hidden anger or resentment towards him.
The girls eventually calm down, tending to a small wound on their father’s forehead caused by Snort during the tussle. This gesture reassures Quick, though he senses that his daughters are growing into their own, with a bond and understanding separate from him. As the family’s life resumes, Quick feels somewhat out of place, especially when his wife and her friend arrive, shifting focus away from him.
Later, as Quick contemplates his daughters’ transition into adolescence, he recognises that his role in their lives may become less significant. When he decides to go to his club for some respite, Jenny chases after him to check his wound. In this small moment of care, Quick realises that while his daughters are maturing and becoming independent, their love for him remains, albeit expressed in different ways. He acknowledges that both he and his daughters are growing and changing, marking a subtle shift in their relationship and in his understanding of fatherhood.
Video tutorial
Textbook solutions
Answer these questions briefly
1. What did Robert Quick think that his ‘small girls’ would do on his return from work?
Answer: He thought they would have been waiting at the corner of the road to flag the car and drive home with him.
2. a. What was the state of the Quicks’ garden? What does it tell us about the couple?
Answer: The Quicks’ garden was a wilderness, neglected with old apple trees, seedy laurels, and unpruned roses. This suggests that the couple did not care much for gardening.
b. Explain the expression: ‘But the excuse had become true.’
Answer: Initially, the excuse for neglecting the garden was that it was for the children to play in, but over time, the garden indeed became a space solely for the children.
3. Describe Robert Quick’s initial reception in the garden by his two daughters.
Answer: His daughters did not show enthusiasm at his arrival; Jenny merely turned her head and dropped her cheek on her book, while Kate responded with a faint, muffled “Hullo, Daddy” without much interest.
4. What was Robert’s immediate reaction to his reception in the garden? Explain his emotional turmoil, giving details of all that passed through his mind.
Answer: Robert felt disappointment but was amused by it, thinking to himself that children have no manners but are honest. He decided to make the best of things, feeling the mere presence of the children was a pleasure.
5. What positive action did Robert Quick take to rid himself of the feeling of disappointment?
Answer: He fetched himself a deck chair and the morning paper to relax and enjoy the garden’s beauty.
6. a. What were Jenny and Kate doing in the garden?
Answer: Jenny was lying by the pond with a book under her nose, and Kate was sitting on a swing, leaning sideways with her head down in deep thought.
b. How best would you describe each of their moods?
Answer: Jenny was absorbed and languid, while Kate appeared thoughtful and concentrated.
c. Pick out two words from the text that depict their mood.
Answer: “Languor” and “concentration.”
7. ‘He was fond of the sentimental foolish Snort and he saw her acute misery.’
a. Who was fond of Snort?
Answer: Robert Quick was fond of Snort.
b. Why did he feel sorry for Snort?
Answer: He felt sorry for Snort because she was frightened and miserable due to the children’s rough play.
c. Does he feel a sense of identification with Snort? Why do you think so?
Answer: Yes, he feels a sense of identification with Snort because he, like her, was a victim of the children’s aggressive play and felt vulnerable.
8. The whole situation seemed changed all of a sudden resulting in his two daughters come charging at him.
a. What happened?
Answer: The daughters suddenly turned their playful aggression towards Robert, calling him “Paleface” and attacking him as if in a game.
b. What was the outcome of this sudden activity?
Answer: Robert felt overwhelmed and frightened, unsure how to defend himself without hurting them, and he felt shocked by their unexpected violence.
9. a. Describe each one’s reaction to the dog bite.
Answer: Jenny showed concern, pointing out the bite could be serious, while Kate laughed initially but also acknowledged it might be dangerous.
b. Why do you think the girls’ reactions differed so greatly from their father’s when he was bitten by Snort?
Answer: The girls took it lightly as part of their rough play, but Robert was genuinely shocked and disturbed by the unexpected aggression.
10. ‘He did not utter any reproaches.’
Why did the father behave in this way?
Answer: He behaved this way because he wanted to avoid showing his anger and surprise, and he didn’t want the children to feel rebuked or to sense his feelings of shock.
11. How can you tell that the two girls loved their father?
Answer: The two girls adored their father, evident from their actions when they tried to clean and bandage his wound after Snort bit him.
12. When did Kate and Jenny’s behaviour change dramatically?
Answer: Kate and Jenny’s behaviour changed dramatically when they were around the adults at tea time, becoming demure and well-mannered.
13. Explain the sentence: ‘They were enjoying the dignity of their own performance.’
Answer: This sentence means that the girls took pride in presenting themselves properly and behaving with formality, as if playing a part they found satisfying.
14. Compare and contrast the girls’ behaviour in the garden when they were alone with Snort, to that of their behaviour at tea time.
Answer: In the garden, the girls were wild, carefree, and somewhat aggressive with Snort and their father, showing a playful yet uninhibited side. At tea time, they were reserved, polite, and demure, presenting a contrast by adapting to the formal setting.
15. The father begins to show signs of accepting the changes in his daughters with a hint of self-pity. Pick out the sentences that depict this change in him.
Answer: The sentence, “In a year or two more I shan’t count at all. Young men will come prowling, like the dogs after Snort-I shall be an old buffer, useful only to pay bills,” depicts the father’s realization and acceptance of his changing role in his daughters’ lives with a touch of self-pity.
16. What immediate steps did Robert Quick take to escape from the family?
Answer: He decided to go to the club, hoping to find someone to pass time with.
17. ‘He stole away.’ Explain why.
Answer: He felt a need to escape from the atmosphere at home, seeking relief in a different environment.
18. Why did Jenny run up to her father? For a moment, Robert Quick senses a change in his daughter. What do you think passes through his mind in that moment?
Answer: Jenny ran up to her father to check if his cut was all right. In that moment, he felt that she was growing up and beginning to develop a more mature and caring nature.
19. Explain the meaning of these phrases with reference to context:
a. ‘They had hated the humiliating failure of their surprise.’
Answer: The children had been disappointed when their attempt to surprise their father by ambushing him failed, feeling embarrassed at not achieving their goal.
b. ‘Had lately taken furiously to reading.’
Answer: Jenny had developed a sudden and intense interest in reading recently.
c. ‘He despised fathers who flirted with their daughters, who encouraged them to love.’
Answer: Robert felt disdain for fathers who sought affection from their daughters by encouraging emotional dependence, as he believed it was insincere.
d. ‘At fifty-two having lost most of his illusions, he was good at making the best of things.’
Answer: Robert, at his age, had become accustomed to accepting life as it was without lofty expectations, finding ways to find contentment.
e. ‘He felt his ears sing.’
Answer: This phrase suggests Robert felt a painful ringing or discomfort in his ears, likely due to his daughters’ rough handling during the play-fight.
Answer these questions in detail.
1. The girls in the story are Jenny (twelve) and Kate (a year older). They appear sometimes as individuals, but also as a pair who act together. Write out all the characteristics of the sisters. Which of these characteristics do you identify yourself with?
Answer: Jenny and Kate share a close bond and often support each other, especially in their playful and mischievous moments. Jenny, the younger of the two, has a more introspective nature and a newfound enthusiasm for reading, indicating her developing independence and curiosity. Kate, a year older, shows a sense of responsibility and maturity, particularly when she takes charge during their father’s minor injury. Both sisters exhibit a spirit of adventure and impulsiveness, seen in their playful ambush on their father and the games they invent with Snort. They are affectionate, expressive, and free-spirited, though they also demonstrate respect and propriety, as evidenced by their composed behavior during the tea ceremony.
2. Write a character sketch of Robert Quick. Cite examples from the story to substantiate your answer.
Answer: Robert Quick is depicted as a loving father who values a close bond with his daughters but is also somewhat reserved and restrained in expressing affection. His professional life seems demanding, and he eagerly anticipates moments of joy and relaxation with his family, as shown by his expectation of his daughters greeting him upon his return. Quick is proud of the wild garden, viewing it as a symbol of natural freedom, though it also reflects his and his wife’s lack of interest in gardening. He is initially surprised and somewhat disheartened by the apparent indifference of his daughters upon his arrival, reflecting his sensitive and reflective nature. When they suddenly ambush him, he feels helpless and vulnerable, fearing to hurt them while defending himself. His reaction to their growing independence is mixed with sadness and pride, especially when he realizes, “She’s growing up—and so am I.”
3. When the girls attack him, Robert has no means to defend himself. Why?
Answer: When the girls attack Robert in their spirited game, he feels helpless because he cannot use force to defend himself against his daughters. They are physically delicate, “as fragile as a bird’s legs,” making him cautious not to harm them unintentionally. His concern over hurting them reflects his love and protectiveness, which restrains him from resisting their rough play, despite feeling overwhelmed and startled by their intensity.
4. Analyse the statement: ‘She’s growing up—and so am I.’ Give your views with reference to the text.
Answer: The statement “She’s growing up—and so am I” reflects Robert Quick’s realization of his daughters’ maturation and his own need to adjust to the changes in their relationship. As he observes Jenny and Kate transitioning from childhood to adolescence, he senses a shift in their attitudes and interests, which distances them from him in subtle ways. This phrase highlights Robert’s awareness of his daughters’ evolving independence, requiring him to adapt emotionally and let go of his earlier, simpler expectations of fatherhood. It encapsulates the bittersweet acknowledgment of growth, both in his daughters and in himself, as he learns to accept his changing role in their lives.
Appreciating form
1. Through whose perspective do we see the story unfolding? Are we told at any point what is passing through the narrator’s mind, or are we just provided glimpses? Why do you think the author narrates the story in this manner?
Answer: The story unfolds through Robert Quick’s perspective. We are given glimpses of his thoughts and emotions rather than a full narration of his inner reflections. This method allows the reader to understand Quick’s complex feelings as he interacts with his daughters, enhancing the subtlety and realism of his character. By providing only glimpses, the author emphasizes the gap between Quick’s perception and the actions of his daughters, deepening the reader’s engagement with the underlying themes of generational distance and the nuances of family dynamics.
2. Pick two examples of similes used in the story and explain them.
Answer: The first simile is “Her eyes were wide and glaring, her lips were curled back to show all her teeth,” comparing Jenny’s face during the attack to that of a “homicidal maniac.” This simile highlights the intensity of her playfulness, appearing almost violent and unsettling to Quick, and emphasizes the innocence yet wildness of the girls. The second simile is “wagging her behind so vigorously that she curled her body sideways at each wag,” describing Snort’s tail-wagging as so enthusiastic that it twists her body sideways, which vividly conveys the dog’s excited but confused state. These comparisons illustrate the humorous, chaotic, and affectionate interactions in the story, enhancing its lively tone.
Extras
Additional fill in the blanks
1. Robert Quick found a ______ from his wife upon returning from his business trip. (Note/Letter)
Answer: Note
20. At the end of the story, Robert reflected that both he and Jenny were ______ up. (Growing/Wising)
Answer: Growing
Additional true and false
1. Robert Quick enjoyed wearing his dark business suit.
Answer: False
21. Robert Quick planned to play cards at the club with old Wilkins.
Answer: False
Additional questions and answers
1. What did Robert Quick think that his ‘small girls’ would do on his return from work?
Answer: Robert Quick thought that his small girls might be waiting at the corner of the road to flag his car and drive home with him, as they had done often before.
21. Describe the significance of the statement: ‘She’s growing up-and so am I.’
Answer: This reflects Robert Quick’s realization that his relationship with his daughters is changing as they mature and that he, too, must adapt and grow with these changes.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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