Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDFs, and guides for the story Love Across the Salt Desert: MBOSE Class 11 Alternative English textbook Imprints, written by KN Daruwala, 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
The story “Love Across the Salt Desert” by K.N. Daruwala is set in the arid Rann of Kutch, a region that had experienced a prolonged drought. The narrative revolves around Najab, a shy young man, who undertakes a perilous journey across the salt desert to reunite with his love, Fatimah, and bring her back to his village.
Fatimah’s arrival in Kutch coincided with the end of the drought, symbolizing hope and renewal. She is the daughter of a spice seller in Sindh, whom Najab meets during one of his smuggling trips with his father. Though Najab is known for his diffident nature, he falls deeply in love with her. Fatimah, pressured to marry someone else, shares a quiet but mutual affection with him. This connection emboldens Najab, transforming him into a determined and daring individual.
Najab’s journey begins at Kala Doongar, where he seeks blessings and performs traditional rituals before venturing into the harsh desert. Traveling at night to avoid detection by border patrols, he navigates the mirage-ridden terrain with his loyal camel, Allaharakha. Despite the physical and emotional challenges, including fatigue and the constant threat of being caught, Najab presses on. His thoughts of Fatimah sustain him, highlighting the strength of his love.
On reaching Fatimah’s village, Najab finds her ready to escape her constrained life. She agrees to accompany him without hesitation. Together, they cross the forbidding desert, enduring a storm that parallels their emotional turbulence. Their return to Khavda coincides with a rainstorm, symbolizing a fresh start for the couple and the community.
Video tutorial
Textbook solutions
Answer these questions briefly
1. What was the weather like before Fatimah came to Kutch?
Answer: The drought in Kutch had lasted for three successive years. Even when clouds were sighted, they passed by, ignoring the stricken country.
2. Describe the most notable feature of Najab’s character.
Answer: Najab’s diffidence was notorious among his friends. He was known to have blushed at the mere mention of a girl.
3. Was the trip Najab took typical of him? Why/why not?
Answer: The trip was not typical of him because Najab was a strangely introverted lad with dreamy eyes, and no one had ever associated him with any act of bravado.
4. Describe the travails of Najab’s journey across the Rann.
Answer: Najab endured being mortally scared for Allaharakha’s survival, walking beside the camel to ease its burden, suffering from the salt scraping calluses off his feet and creating agonizing cracks, and facing the blazing heat and mirages of the Rann.
5. How do we know that Fatimah returned Najab’s love? Cite two instances.
Answer: Fatimah returned Najab’s love as seen when “she laughed back” after catching him staring at her, and “her face flooded with excitement as if she dared him to take the next step.”
6. Who had faith in Najab’s return? How do you know?
Answer: Najab’s mother had faith in his return. This is evident when she says, “You need not worry. Najab will return with cloves.”
7. Bribery and cheating exists everywhere. Give one example from Najab’s life and one from Kaley Shah’s village.
Answer: From Najab’s life, an example of bribery is when “between the pay-off to officials and to the intermediaries… there was precious little left.” In Kaley Shah’s village, an example of cheating is when the constable accuses him, saying, “your belly is stuffed full with silver. It would outweigh even the dirt in your heart!”
8. What do you think Najab proved to his parents and his village by his daring journey?
Answer: Najab proved his courage and determination to his parents and his village, as shown by his successful crossing of the Rann and returning with Fatimah despite the dangers involved.
Answer these questions in detail.
1. How does love bring about a change in Najab’s character? Cite instances from the story to justify your view.
Answer: Love brings a significant change in Najab’s character. Initially, he is described as introverted and shy, someone who blushes at the mere mention of a girl. However, his love for Fatimah transforms him into a courageous and determined individual. This is evident when he undertakes the daring journey across the dangerous Rann of Kutch to meet her. His bravery is further highlighted by his willingness to cross the international border and face the risk of being caught by the Indus Rangers or the BSF. His actions, driven by love, show a departure from his previously timid and unadventurous nature.
2. What allusions does the author use to describe the drought in Kutch? What according to you is the significance of the coming of the rain coinciding with Fatimah’s arrival?
Answer: The author uses vivid and striking allusions to describe the drought in Kutch, portraying the land as “a paralysed monster, its back covered with scab and scar-tissue and dried blister-skin.” The cracked earth is likened to chunks baked in a kiln, emphasizing the severity of the drought. The coming of the rain coinciding with Fatimah’s arrival symbolizes hope, renewal, and the blossoming of love. It suggests that her presence brings a much-needed transformation, just as the rain revives the parched land.
3. What role does the backdrop of the Rann of Kutch play in the story?
Answer: The backdrop of the Rann of Kutch plays a critical role in the story, symbolizing both the physical and emotional challenges that Najab must overcome for his love. The harsh and unforgiving terrain of the Rann mirrors the trials of Najab’s journey and his unwavering determination. The vast, desolate desert becomes a testament to his courage and resilience. Additionally, the Rann acts as a metaphor for the barriers—both literal and societal—that divide people, which Najab transcends in his pursuit of love. It enriches the narrative by providing a dramatic and symbolic setting for the tale.
4. Was Najab in an atmosphere that was conducive to him growing up as a confident young man? Why/why not?
Answer: No, Najab was not in an atmosphere conducive to growing up as a confident young man. He is depicted as being introverted and shy, traits that were reinforced by his family and environment. His father, Aftab, expressed doubt about Najab’s ability to succeed in the family business, stating that he would squander their legacy due to his lack of confidence. Additionally, Najab’s encounters with other men, like Kaley Shah, also showed him as being passive and somewhat overwhelmed. His character only starts to transform when he falls in love with Fatimah and embarks on a daring journey, demonstrating that love, rather than his environment, is the catalyst for his growth.
5. How does the author depict figures of authority, whether elders of the family or government officials?
Answer: The author depicts figures of authority in a critical and somewhat unflattering light. Najab’s father, Aftab, while a source of traditional authority, is shown as somewhat dismissive of Najab’s capabilities and nervous about his actions. He also reacts with irritation and disappointment when Najab goes off on his journey. Government officials and other figures of authority, like the BSF and the Indus Rangers, are depicted as a formidable and often antagonistic presence, with Najab’s crossing of the border showing the tension between these figures and the common people. The lawmen in the story, such as the constable who questions Kaley Shah, are portrayed as suspicious and disrespectful, creating a sense of unease and tension between the common people and the forces in power.
6. Is there a subtle message in the story? What do you think it is?
Answer: Yes, there is a subtle message in the story, which speaks to the power of love to overcome obstacles and defy societal expectations. Through Najab’s journey, the story suggests that love can lead to personal transformation, courage, and the ability to defy even the most daunting challenges. It also comments on the human desire to break free from the constraints imposed by authority, tradition, and geographical boundaries. The crossing of the Rann and the literal crossing of borders symbolize the emotional and social boundaries Najab transcends in order to follow his heart. Additionally, the story also critiques societal norms, such as arranged marriages and rigid gender roles, by showcasing Fatimah’s autonomy in her decisions.
Appreciating form and language
1. Read each of these phrases from the lesson and identify which figure of speech it is.
‘The Rann lay like a paralysed monster’
Answer: This is a simile. The comparison is made between the Rann and a “paralysed monster” using “like” to emphasize its lifeless and desolate nature.
‘the clouds rolled in like wineskins’
Answer: This is also a simile. It compares the clouds rolling in to wineskins, highlighting the shape and motion of the clouds in a vivid and imaginative way.
‘whose eyebrows were like black wisps of the night’
Answer: This is a simile. It compares the eyebrows to “black wisps of the night,” creating an image of delicate, mysterious features.
‘whose hair was the night itself’
Answer: This is a metaphor. The hair is being directly compared to “the night itself,” suggesting it is dark, deep, and perhaps even mysterious or infinite.
‘eyes like a pair of storm lanterns in the dark’
Answer: This is a simile. It compares the brightness and intensity of Fatimah’s eyes to “storm lanterns” in the dark, suggesting they are striking and illuminating.
‘The constable’s words rattled like a sack of empty cans in his head.’
Answer: This is a simile. The comparison of the constable’s words to a “sack of empty cans” emphasizes the jarring and unsettling nature of the words in Najab’s mind.
2. The story abounds with many Urdu words and expressions. Pick out some examples. What impact do these expressions create in the story?
Answer: Some examples of Urdu words and expressions in the story include:
- “Kasam tumhari”: An expression that signifies the speaker is speaking the truth, literally “I take an oath on your name.” This expression adds authenticity and a sense of sincerity to the dialogue.
- “Chacha Jan”: This is a respectful term used to address a paternal uncle, which creates a sense of familiarity and affection, as well as a cultural context within the family.
The use of these Urdu words and expressions contributes to the story’s cultural richness, grounding it in the specific setting of Kutch and enhancing the emotional depth of the characters’ interactions. These expressions evoke the intimacy and warmth of relationships, as well as the authenticity of the setting, making the narrative feel more personal and rooted in its cultural context. The use of language also deepens the emotional connection between the reader and the characters, highlighting their unique cultural identities.
Writing
1. Have you read any other story or seen a film based on the partition of India or on the theme of crossing borders? Write a review of any one of these.
Answer: I have read the novel Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh, which is based on the partition of India. The story is set in a small village called Mano Majra, where Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims lived peacefully before the partition. The novel vividly portrays the horrors of communal violence and the impact of the partition on ordinary people. The main characters, such as Jugga, Nooran, and Iqbal, face dilemmas about loyalty, love, and survival.
The author skillfully brings out the tension and tragedy of the time through vivid imagery and emotional depth. The train carrying dead bodies into Mano Majra serves as a haunting symbol of the chaos and inhumanity of partition. The story made me reflect deeply on how political decisions affect common people and the importance of love and humanity in times of crisis. It was a moving and thought-provoking read.
Extras
Additional questions and answers
1. What omen does Najab consider before beginning his journey, and how does he interpret it?
Answer: He considered the appearance of jackals after he beat his thali at the hilltop of Kala Doongar. He interpreted their arrival as an auspicious omen and would have canceled the journey if they had not appeared.
14. Why does Fatimah agree to elope with Najab, and how is her decision portrayed?
Answer: Fatimah agrees to elope with Najab when he asks her about taking a ride on Allaharakha across the Rann, and her silence is her assent. Her decision is portrayed as resolute and driven by her love for Najab.
Additional fill in the blanks
1. The drought in Kutch lasted for three ______ years. (Successive/Individual)
Answer: Successive
20. Fatimah eloped with Najab without thinking about crossing ______ borders. (National/Religious)
Answer: National
Additional true and false
1. The drought in Kutch lasted for three years before the rains finally came.
Answer: True
20. The story is set against the backdrop of the partition of India and Pakistan.
Answer: True
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