Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDFs, and guides for the story The Castaway: MBOSE Class 11 Alternative English textbook Imprints, written by Rabindranath Tagore, 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 “The Castaway” by Rabindranath Tagore begins with a stormy evening at Chandernagore, where Sharat and his wife Kiran are discussing her health. Despite Sharat’s insistence that Kiran stay longer to recover, she wishes to return home. Their discussion is interrupted by the news of a young Brahmin boy, Nilkanta, who survived a boat wreck and sought refuge in their home.
Nilkanta, a member of a theatrical troupe, captivates Kiran with his innocence and charm. She becomes deeply involved in his well-being, offering him care and companionship, which eases her own boredom and loneliness. Sharat, initially supportive of the boy’s presence as it keeps Kiran entertained, soon grows irritated by Nilkanta’s behavior. The boy’s mischievous acts, such as taking Sharat’s belongings and befriending local children for petty adventures, strain his welcome.
Nilkanta’s past in the theatre, where he played female roles, has left him caught between childhood and adulthood. His playful antics amuse Kiran, but he begins to feel the pangs of jealousy and neglect when Sharat’s younger brother, Satish, arrives. Satish and Kiran share a close camaraderie, sidelining Nilkanta, who grows resentful. His feelings of alienation deepen, leading him to steal Satish’s prized inkstand as an act of revenge rather than theft.
When Kiran discovers the inkstand in Nilkanta’s box, she silently returns it and places parting gifts for him, understanding the boy’s turmoil but unable to resolve it. Nilkanta, ashamed and misunderstood, vanishes without a trace. The family leaves the villa, but the story ends with the image of Nilkanta’s dog roaming the riverbank, mirroring the boy’s sense of abandonment and loss.
Video tutorial
Textbook solutions
Answer these questions briefly
1. What kind of a day was it when Kiran and Sharat had their conversation, at the beginning of the story?
Answer: Towards evening, the storm was at its height. There was a terrific downpour of rain, the crash of thunder, and repeated flashes of lightning, giving the impression of a battle of the gods and demons raging in the skies. Black clouds waved like the Flags of Doom.
2. How did Nilkanta suddenly find himself at Kiran and Sharat’s house?
Answer: Nilkanta’s boat had been upset in the storm, and he swam ashore in the garden of Kiran and Sharat’s house.
3. Why did Sharat think that Nilkanta’s arrival was a good thing?
Answer: Sharat thought Nilkanta’s arrival was a good thing because his wife would now have something to amuse her and might be persuaded to stay on for some time longer.
4. Why was it a ‘double escape’ for Nilkanta?
Answer: It was a ‘double escape’ for Nilkanta because he had escaped from both his master and from the other world.
5. Why did Sharat and his mother regret Nilkanta’s arrival a short while after he entered their home?
Answer: Sharat and his mother regretted Nilkanta’s arrival because he misused Sharat’s belongings, like smoking his hookahs and taking his silk umbrella, and created a mess by bringing a mongrel dog indoors, which left muddy paw prints on the bed. He also led other boys to mischief in the neighborhood.
6. In what way did Kiran’s afternoons change after Nilkanta’s arrival?
Answer: After Nilkanta’s arrival, Kiran spent her afternoons seated on the bedstead with her betel-leaf box while Nilkanta recited pieces from his repertory with gestures and songs, entertaining her for long hours.
7. How did Sharat express his disapproval of Nilkanta?
Answer: Sharat often boxed Nilkanta’s ears and pulled them as a form of punishment.
8. How did working in a theatrical troupe affect the way Nilkanta looked?
Answer: Working in a theatrical troupe made Nilkanta look old for his age in some ways and young in others. His lips puckered into lines due to smoking and using language beyond his years, but innocence and youth shone in his large eyes.
9. Why was Nilkanta easily distracted and unable to focus on his studies?
Answer: Nilkanta was easily distracted because his restless training in the theatrical troupe made it impossible for him to keep his mind engaged for long.
10. What was Nilkanta’s reaction to the presence of Satish?
Answer: Nilkanta was filled with bitterness and jealousy towards Satish, believing Satish was poisoning Kiran’s mind against him.
11. What did Kiran find in Nilkanta’s box?
Answer: Kiran found Satish’s missing inkstand, goose and all, in Nilkanta’s box.
12. Why did Nilkanta leave without telling anyone?
Answer: Nilkanta left without telling anyone because he believed Kiran thought of him as a thief after finding the inkstand in his box. He felt deeply wronged and could not bear the thought of staying there any longer.
Answer these questions in detail.
1. Read the paragraph: ‘Every married person… flood of tears.’ Pick two phrases from these lines that tell us that Kiran and Sharat were not willing to compromise.
Answer: The two phrases that tell us that Kiran and Sharat were not willing to compromise are “the arguments for and against did not advance it towards a solution,” which indicates that despite their discussion, they were unable to move forward because neither was willing to yield, and “like a rudderless boat, the discussion kept turning round and round the same point,” showing that their conversation lacked direction and resolution, as both were firmly entrenched in their respective views.
2. ‘The village wiseacres thought it shameless for her husband to make so much fuss about a mere wife.’ What do we understand about the status of women in those times from this expression?
Answer: This expression reveals that the status of women in those times was significantly subordinate and undervalued. Women were regarded as “mere” appendages to their husbands, and showing concern for their well-being was considered excessive and inappropriate. It also highlights the societal norms that dismissed the importance of a wife’s health or happiness and viewed women as undeserving of special attention or care.
3. ‘Kiran was fond of society and amusement; the loneliness of her riverside villa did not suit her at all.’ What do we understand about Kiran’s nature from these lines? Do you think she is a childish person?
Answer: From these lines, we understand that Kiran has a vivacious and sociable nature. She enjoys engaging in social interactions and finds joy in lively surroundings. Her dislike for the solitude of the riverside villa emphasizes her need for entertainment and companionship. She is not a childish person; rather, she is portrayed as someone who thrives on activity and camaraderie, and her preferences reflect her spirited and outgoing character rather than immaturity.
4. ‘Human life was largely made up of eatings and beatings, and that beatings largely predominated.’ What do these lines tell us about Nilkanta’s mindset?
Answer: These lines reveal that Nilkanta’s mindset is shaped by the harsh realities of his life, particularly his experiences in the theatrical troupe. He sees life as a cycle of enjoyment (eatings) and suffering (beatings), with the latter being more dominant. His view of life is cynical and resigned, suggesting that he has endured more hardship and physical punishment than pleasure. This mindset reflects his acceptance of life’s difficulties and the cruelty he has faced, which he seems to have internalized as a natural part of his existence.
5. ‘This drudge of wandering players fashioned himself and his world anew, as he moved in spirit amid his songs.’ Nilkanta becomes a dreamy-eyed young man, who is rudely awakened to reality. Describe how this happens in the story.
Answer: In this line, Nilkanta is described as someone who escapes into the world of his songs and imagination, where he can momentarily forget the harshness of his life as a wandering player. His songs allow him to dream of a different reality, where he is a part of something beautiful and grand. However, this fantasy is shattered as he becomes more aware of the limitations of his role in life. The reality of his situation is cruel and inescapable—he is just a servant in a theatrical troupe and, later, a misfit in Kiran and Sharat’s home. His awakening occurs gradually as he begins to realize that his youthful dreams no longer match his changing feelings and circumstances, especially when he starts to grapple with his identity and emotions around Kiran and Satish.
6. How does Kiran protect Nilkanta’s memory in the end? Why do you think she does so?
Answer: Kiran protects Nilkanta’s memory by refusing to allow his box to be searched, despite suspicions of his theft of Satish’s inkstand. Later, she secretly places parting gifts for him in his box, including new clothes and money, which shows her care and concern for him as he leaves. Kiran’s decision to shield Nilkanta’s memory is driven by her compassion for him as a lonely, vulnerable boy who has had a difficult life. She wants to protect his dignity, especially after realizing that Nilkanta is not truly a thief but someone who, in his emotional turmoil, made a poor decision. Her actions reflect her sense of empathy and the connection she felt with Nilkanta, even if it was ultimately fleeting.
Appreciating form and language
Rabindranath Tagore is known for the poetic quality of his writing. Rich imagery, similes, and metaphors abound in his work. Read these phrases from the lesson and identify which figure of speech they are.
‘Black clouds waved like the flags of Doom’
Answer: This is a simile. The comparison of the black clouds to flags of doom uses “like” to highlight the ominous and foreboding nature of the storm.
‘Like a rudderless boat, the discussion kept turning round and round.’
Answer: This is a simile. It compares the discussion to a rudderless boat to suggest that the conversation lacks direction and is aimlessly going in circles.
‘He felt he would like to be a knife to cut Satish to pieces; a needle to pierce him through and through, a fire to burn him to ashes.’
Answer: These are metaphors. The boy is imagining himself as a knife, needle, and fire, symbolizing intense anger and a desire for revenge. The imagery emphasizes his strong emotional reaction.
‘He would have flown at him like a wild cat, and used his nails like claws.’
Answer: This is a simile. The comparison of Nilkanta to a wild cat uses “like” to emphasize the ferocity and aggression with which he would attack Satish.
‘Had come like a thief to catch him in his thieving.’
Answer: This is a simile. It compares Kiran’s actions to that of a thief, suggesting that Nilkanta feels as though Kiran is secretly trying to catch him in his wrongdoing, even though he is not guilty.
Writing
What do you think happened to Nilkanta after he left Kiran’s house? Imagine you are Nilkanta and write an account of your journey.
Answer: After I left Kiran’s house, I wandered along the riverbank with a heavy heart. The storm that had once brought me to this family now seemed to echo in my mind as a constant reminder of my solitude. The bond I had shared with Kiran felt irreparably broken, and I could not bear the thought of being seen as a thief.
As I walked aimlessly, I resolved to find a new place where I could start afresh. I boarded a passing boat heading to the next village, keeping to myself and avoiding curious gazes. I used the few coins I had to secure some food and shelter for the night.
The next day, I sought work in a nearby market, offering to carry goods and clean stalls. Though the labor was hard, it allowed me to survive. At night, I would recall the afternoons I spent performing for Kiran, and I vowed to return to the stage someday. My performances, I believed, would help me prove to the world—and to myself—that I was more than what others saw in me.
I continued to travel from one place to another, slowly honing my craft and finding brief moments of peace in the applause of strangers. Yet, deep inside, I carried the unspoken wish to see Kiran again—not to return to her home, but to show her that I had risen above the shadows of my past. Perhaps then, she would understand that I was never truly a thief, just a boy searching for meaning in a world that had often treated me unkindly.
Extras
Additional questions and answers
1. What was the setting of Kiran and Sharat’s conversation at the beginning of the story?
Answer: Towards evening, the storm was at its height. From the terrific downpour of rain, the crash of thunder, and the repeated flashes of lightning, you might think that a battle of the gods and demons was raging in the skies. Black clouds waved like the Flags of Doom.
16. What was the final action Kiran took to protect Nilkanta’s dignity before he disappeared?
Answer: Kiran got two new suits of clothes and a pair of shoes, and with these and a banknote in her hand, she quietly went into Nilkanta’s room in the evening.
Additional fill in the blanks
1. Kiran was distressed to find the ______ in Nilkanta’s box. (Inkstand/Shoes)
Answer: Inkstand
20. Nilkanta’s dog, after his departure, was found ______ along the riverbank. (Whining/Running)
Answer: Whining
Additional true and false
1. Kiran initially wanted to leave her riverside villa because she had fully recovered from her illness.
Answer: True
20. The story concludes with Kiran blaming herself for Nilkanta’s departure.
Answer: True
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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