CBSE Class 12 English HOTs A Road Side Stand Set 03

Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear
The thought of so much childish longing in vain.
The sadness that lurks neat the open window there.
That waits all day in almost open prayer.
For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car.
Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass.
Just one to inquire what a farmer’s prices are
And one did stop, but only to plow up grass
In using the yard to back and turn around;
And another to ask the way to where it was bound;
And another to ask could they sell it a gallon of gas

Question. Select the option that has the same literary device as in ‘The sadness that lurks near the open window there’.
(a) Lucy moved across the room like a warship sailing into battle,
(b) Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
(c) The water-wraith was shrieking,
(d) The pen is mightier than the sword.
Answer: (c) The water - wraith was shrieking,

Question. They prayed for the stopping of a car. When one car finally stepped, it brought .......... to the people of the roadside stand.
(a) help
(b) happiness
(c) disappointment
(d) cash flow
Answer: (c) disappointment

Question. Explain one inference that can be drawn from the line, ‘... childish longing in vain’.
Answer: It can be inferred that the poet feels saddened by the road vendors’ unfulfilled or unrewarded wish who wait in hopes that someone would stop at the roadside stand.

Question. Complete the sentence appropriately. The emotion of the poet reflected in the above extract is ..........
Answer: a sense of sadness and hopelessness

Question. The expression ‘selfish cars’ suggests that ..........
Answer: the city people who drive cars don’t have human characteristics just like the inanimate objects ‘cars’ and thus don’t concerned themselves with the needs of the people at the roadside stand.

Question. Based on the rhyme scheme evident in the last two lines of the extract, which word would rhyme with the last line?
(a) brass (b) reply (c) sound
Answer: (c) Sound

No, in country money, the country scale of gain.
The requisite lift of spirit has never been found.
Or so the voice of the country seems to complain,
I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.
And then next day as
I come back into the sane, I wonder how
I should like you to come to me
And offer to put me gently out of my pain.

Question. Who can help the rural people?
Answer: According to the poet, government, the city people and the influential people can help the rural people in bettering their conditions.

Question. Pick the option that mentions elements justifying monetary aspect as the ‘requisite lift of spirit’.
1. Confidence
2. Ego
3. Self-esteem
4. Status
5. Fame
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 2, 4 and 5
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 3 and 5
Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4

Question. The ‘country money’ contextually here refers to ..........
Answer: meagre income earned by the countryside people,

Question. Choose the option that correctly paraphrases the given lines from the above extract. “I can’t help owning the great relief it would be To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.”
(a) The poet wants to kill the impoverished people,
(b) The poet feels that death is better than living such a miserable life,
(c) The poet wants to eliminate poverty from the society,
(d) The poet states that it is important that these people become rich.
Answer: (b) The poet feels that death is better than living such a miserable life,

Question. Choose the correct option with respect to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: The poet is agitated and depressed.
Statement 2: The poet realises the futility of his thought about giving up.
(a) Statement (1) can be inferred but Statement (2) cannot be inferred,
(b) Statement (1) cannot be inferred but Statement (2) can be inferred,
(c) Statement (1) and Statement (2) can be inferred,
(d) Statement (1) and Statement (2) cannot be inferred.
Answer: (b) Statement (1) cannot be inferred but Statement (2) can be inferred.

Question. Do you think that the poet blames the poor people for their lack of spirit to better their economic condition?
Answer: We cannot really state that the poet blames the poor people for their lack of spirit to better their economic condition. But he does bemoan the lack of such a spirit.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Why does Robert Frost sympathise with the rural poor and is anguished at the plight of the stand owners?
Answer: The poet, Robert Frost, is anguished at the plight of the stand owner because they are not getting enough business, as the city cars donot stop at the stand to buy products. Even when they do, the passengers have their own selfish motives which donot help uplift the economic situation of the owner. Instead, it leaves them angry and disappointed.

Question. What does the expression ‘polished traffic’ refer to? What does it reveal about city people?
Answer: The expression ‘polished traffic’ refers to the cars and other vehicles that pass by the new shed at the edge of the road. It reveals that city people are in a hurry and have little time to spare for the people living in the countryside. They are focused on their own lives and goals and do not help the poor country people who are in dire need of a little extra earning to better their life.

Question. What are the two significant roles of money in the lives of the poor people?
Answer: In ‘A Roadside Stand’ money serves as a means of survival for the poor, enabling basic needs, and as a symbol of hope for escape or improvement. Though, ultimately it reflects societal indifference and exploitation by wealthier individuals.

Question. What are the probable causes of the passing cars to stop near the roadside stand?
Answer: The probable causes of passing cars to stop near the roadside stand are as follows: ● To use the backyard of the place to reverse their car. ● To inquire about the directions for where they wanted to go. ● To know if the roadside seller could sell them a gallon of gas (petrol).

Question. Near the end of the poem, why does the poet seek an unrealistic solution for the poor people’s distress even though earlier he had blamed them for their ‘childish longing in vain?’
Answer: The poet, unlike the greedy good-doers, genuinely wishes to get the poor people out of their pain, poverty and endless miseries. However, he is saddened by observing that there is no one to help them come out of their poverty. This helplessness drives the poet to seek an unrealistic solution for the poor people’s misery.

Question. Though money holds the same value everywhere, the poet draws a distinction between city money and country money. Elaborate.
Answer: Though money holds the same value everywhere, the poet draws a distinction between city money and country money. City money for the poet means living a life of luxury and fulfillment. However, country money is the money needed for survival.

Question. The roadside stand and the moving cars are a contrast around which the entire poem is woven. Expound.
Answer: It is true that the roadside stand and the moving cars are a contrast around which the entire poem is woven. Throughout the poem, we are made to understand the conditions, hopes and desires of the roadside stand. The owners of the roadside stand want money to earn their survival and hope for the city dwellers to help them. But in contrast to their hope are the moving cars in which the city dwellers come and show their cruelty and miserliness. They do not stop at the shop but when they do, they express irritation or have some other selfish motive. They overlook the pitiable condition of the stand and move on.

Question. Comment on the significance of the symbol of the car in the poem.
Answer: In the poem, the moving cars are to be seen from two perspectives. They are a symbol of hope of getting money for survival for the rural people. The rural people want the cars to stop and buy their produce. This will earn them a livelihood. But, at the same time, they represent the cruelty and selfish attitudes of the city people who live a luxurious life in comparison to the rural people but do not have any kindness or compassion in them.

Question. Does the poet reach a conclusive solution for the issue at hand? Discuss.
Answer: No, the poet does not reach a conclusive end in the poem. We, as readers, know that the poet identifies himself with the villagers and would want to be relived of the pain of poverty at once. But this is not the solution to the problem, he had posed in the poem.

Question. Who does the poet accuse of having double standard in ‘A Roadside Stand’?
Answer: The poet accuses the so called benefactors- the government and other social service agencies of having double standard. He does so because these authoritative people deceive the poor rural people by giving them hope of doing something good and instead reap only personal benefits out of it. When time comes to meet the promise, they forget them or just fulfill self-motives.

Question. Comment on the title of the poem.
Answer: The title ‘A Roadside Stand’ immediately establishes the central location of the poem. This seemingly simple setting becomes a microcosm that reflects more prominent, societal and economic themes. The stand represents the intersection between rural life and urban development, where the clash between tradition and progress is evident.

Question. How does the narrative of the poem convey the speakers thoughts and emotions?
Answer: The poem is presented through the first-person narrative voice, allowing readers to intimately connect with the speaker’s thoughts and emotions. The reflective tone emphasises the personal nature of the struggle and the deep contemplation of societal issues. This narrative choice draws readers into the speaker’s perspective and encourages reflection on the themes.

Question. What does the plea of the rural folk reflect?
Answer: The speaker conveys that the rural inhabitants who have set up the roadside stand are pleading for financial support. They seek ‘city money’ to improve their economic conditions, hoping it will expand their lives. The plea reflects a desire for a better quality of life, echoing the promises seen in ‘moving-pictures’, and suggests a frustration with the party in power, which is believed to withhold these promised benefits from the rural community.

Question. How do the expressions ‘greedy good-doers’ and ‘beneficent beasts of prey’ convery irony in the poem?
Answer: The given expressions convey a sense of irony and scepticism, suggesting that the assistance provided by these entities may not genuinely benefit the rural people. Instead, the poet implies that the aid is driven by self-interest, portraying them as both exploitative and deceptive.

Question. Critically comment on the tone of the poem.
Answer: The tone of the poem is a mixture of sadness, frustration, cynicism and reflection. The speaker contemplates the struggles and longing of the people at the roadside stand and contrasts them with the indifference of passing traffic. There’s also a sense of bitterness and scepticism towards the plans of those in power.

Question. How does the poet’s contemplation of pain and relief relate to the broader human experience?
Answer: The poet’s contemplation speaks to the broader human experience of grappling with suffering and the desire for relief. It touches on universal themes of empathy, ethical dilemmas, and the complexity of addressing profound pain personally and within communities.

Question. How does the poet use the shift in perspective from one day to the next to convey his internal conflict?
Answer: The poet’s shift from contemplating a drastic solution to questioning its morality the next day illustrates his internal conflict and the complexity of his feelings. It shows the tension between his empathy for the rural people and his recognition of the ethical implications of his thoughts.

Question. In 20-30 words, suggest two ways to help the roadside owners in ‘A Roadside Stand’.
Answer: By setting up stalls, where more city people have access to their products, can help the rural folk get a place into a market where they could earn their livelihood in a better manner. Further, educating them can help to open up new avenues of earning a fair livelihood.

Question. What is the complaint of the country folk against the ‘party in power’?
Answer: The complaint of the country folk against the ‘party in power’ is that the government promises to improve their lives but never fulfills those promises. They feel neglected and deceived as their roadside stands remain unnoticed, and they continue to struggle while urban development benefits only the wealthy.

Question. Comment on the contrast brought out in the poem ‘A Roadside Stand’.
Answer: The poem highlights the stark contrast between the poor villagers, who desperately seek financial support through their roadside stand, and the wealthy urbanites, who remain indifferent to their plight. While the villagers long for economic upliftment, city dwellers pass by without acknowledging their existence.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Robert Frost, brings out that progress and development is unequal between cities and villages leading to feelings of distress and unhappiness among the rural people. Comment with reference to ‘A Roadside Stand’.
Answer: Robert Frost, in his poems, usually focuses on the theme of human tragedies and fears and their ultimate acceptance or their solution. In ‘A Roadside Stand’, he deals with the lives of poor deprived people of the villages with a clarity that is perceptive and at the same time portrays his deepest sympathies and his feelings of humanity. In this poem, the poet describes the feelings of the owners of a roadside shed who seem to wait interminably for the motorists passing in their shiny cars, to stop and buy something from what has been displayed there for sale. They long for the cash that is a symbol of poverty alleviation in their lives of deprivation. However, it appears to be a vain hope because nobody buys anything. The poet is outraged at the callous attitude of the government, the civic authorities and the social service agencies who appear to help them but actually end up harming them. The news says that these poor people are to be relocated to the vicinity of the towns and that they will be well looked after. However, the poet regards this as a great disservice to the people who will be thus robbed of their voices, their freedom and the ability to find solutions to their problems.

Question. Imagine a car stops and actually buys from the roadside stand. Keeping in mind the reaction you think the peasants would have, write a diary entry as the farmer describing not only your immediate experience but also your after-thoughts on being able to earn ‘city-money’. You may begin this way:
Wednesday, 2nd March XX 9 pm
We had an unexpectedly good day today!
Answer: Wednesday, 2nd March XX 9 pm
We had an unexpectedly good day today! After months, we made a sale. Somebody bought the entire produce. Before this, we all waited and waited everyday for someone to stop, someone to just buy something. But this never happened. People only stopped to ask for directions or some other thing. It’s all changed today.
A burly looking man bought the entire harvest and even asked me to sell everyday’s harvest to him. Initially I was shocked when he asked me to sell. Its unexpected for this never happened.
But I had to be quick and make a sale. Finally I had money in my hand. I could buy food, proper clothes and all other requirement for my family. The money I earned was enough for a few days. I am excited and hopeful that this day repeats and we are never out of money.
A thankful Farmer

Question. Imagine a child from the farmer’s family migrates to the city for their education. As the child, write back to your family telling them whether you would or would not want to turn into a city-person. Use the context of the poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ in mind to pen down this letter. You may begin this way
12, Davidson County
23rd January, 20XX
Dear mom
I have been thinking about the roadside stall lately. Now that I find myself surrounded by city-people all the time, I think ............ With love Jennifer
Answer: 23rd January, 20XX
Dear mom
I have been thinking about the roadside stall lately. Now that I find myself surrounded by city-people all the time, I think that these city people are too haughty as you had said. They are always grumbling and irritated by ugly things. Just yesterday 1 heard a girl talking about our roadside stand. When I asked her perspective, all she did was complain. For her, her own needs and desires were important. She even had the audacity to call our stand useless. I was going to shout at her but realised that I am not like them and would never be like the city people. I will always help everyone financially and never be mean and cruel to anyone.
With love
Jennifer

Question. A Roadside Stand is a social satire depicting the two contrasting worlds existing in society. Justify this statement with reference to the poem.
Answer: ‘A Roadside Stand’ by Robert Frost is indeed a social satire that portrays the two contrasting worlds that exist in society. The poem is set in a rural countryside, where there is a roadside stand selling fruits and vegetables. The poem describes the two types of people who stop at the stand: the wealthy and the poor. The first society described is of the wealthy people who stop at the stand. They are portrayed as superficial, materialistic and self-absorbed. They drive expensive cars, wear fancy clothes and have an air of superiority about them. They come to the stand not to buy fruits and vegetables, but to show off their wealth and social status. They do not care about the quality of the produce or the people who sell it. They are only interested in flaunting their wealth. The second society, on the other hand, describe the poor people who stop at the stand. They are portrayed as hardworking, honest, and down-to-earth. They walk to the stand, wear simple clothes, and carry baskets to collect the produce. They come to the stand to buy food for their families and are grateful for what they can afford. They have a sense of community and solidarity with the people who sell the produce. Through the contrast between the wealthy and the poor, the poem highlights the social and economic inequalities that exist in society. The wealthy are portrayed as shallow and self-centered, while the poor are portrayed as honest and hardworking. The poem is a criticism of the materialistic values that dominate modern society and a call for a return to simpler and more authentic ways of life.

Question. The poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ have often been claimed to be a multilayered poem. Do you agree? Justify your stance.
Answer: I agree that the poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ is multilayered dealing with issue such as economic struggle, the effects of urbanisation, the conflict between tradition and progress, and the difficulties of social intervention. These issues are covered in the following manner
(i) Critique of Urbanisation Frost uses irony to criticise the effects of urbanisation. The ‘polished traffic’ (the busy city cars) moves quickly and without care. In contrast, the ‘artless paint’ on the commercial signs looks simple and out of place. While the traffic ignores the signs, the signs disrupt the natural landscape and show how rural beauty is being commercialised. This irony shows the loss of authenticity and connection to the land due to commercial interests,
(ii) Economic Struggle and Power Dynamics The poem talks about the economic problems that rural communities face due to urban influences. The phrase ‘flower of cities’ means the wealth and success of urban areas supported by money. The stand’s request for ‘some of the money’ shows the big economic difference between city and country areas. The idea that the ‘party in power’ keeps promises of wealth from the rural people criticises political manipulation and economic inequality,
(iii) Critique of Well-Intentioned Intervention Frost criticises people who try to help with good intentions but end up imposing their ideas. The terms ‘greedy good-doers’ and ‘beneficent beasts of prey’ describe these people as forcing their ideas of progress on the rural community. This imposition reduces the villagers’ independence and self-sufficiency. Thus, the helpers are making the villagers dependent and less active,
(iv) Inner Conflict and Moral Dilemma The speaker’s internal conflict is a vital part of the poem. His wish to quickly end the villagers’ suffering shows their compassion. However, taking such a drastic step also shows how morally complex the decision is. This conflict adds depth to the speaker’s character and reflects the challenges of solving social problems. Thus, using vivid imagery, irony and deep thinking the poem shows the complex relationships between people, their environment, and progress and encourages readers to think about how these factors affect individual lives and society as a whole.

Question. ‘A Roadside Stand’ and ‘Lost Spring’ depict two contrasting worlds existing in society. Justify the statement with reference to the poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ and the text ‘Lost Spring’. You may begin this way:
Social Satire in the two texts portrays two contrasting worlds that exist in society.
Answer: Social satire in the two texts portrays two contrasting worlds that exist in society. In Robert Frost’s poem ‘A Roadside Stand’, the stand symbolises resilience and independence in the face of economic hardship. Despite their modest means, the stand’s owners show dignity and self-reliance, presenting a rustic charm that goes against societal expectations. On the other hand, ‘Lost Spring’ by Anees Jung delves into the harsh realities of child labour and poverty in India. The story exposes the exploitation and deprivation faced by children like Saheb, who scavenge for a living amidst the grandoise of urban India. The stark juxtaposition of wealth and poverty highlights the systemic inequalities that persist within society. While ‘A Roadside Stand’ celebrates the courage and determination of individuals to carve out a livelihood, ‘Lost Spring’ exposes the harsh realities faced by marginalised communities. Together, they offer a critical commentary on the different experiences and socio-economic disparities prevalent in society.

Extract Based Questions

“The little old house was out with a little new shed
In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,
A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,
It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,
But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.”

Question. What presumption does the given extract highlight about the city people?
Answer: The extract highlights the presumption that city people are affluent and that their cash flow is essential for the prosperity of cities, but they are indifferent to the rural poor who are pleading for a share of that money.

Question. Where was the new shed put up?
(a) Behind the house
(b) In front of the house
(c) Besides the house
(d) At the door of the house
Answer: (b) In front of the house

Question. Complete the following suitably. ‘The flower of cities’ refer to ..........
Answer: the best things, wealth, and prosperity of the city.

Question. Select the correct option from those given in brackets, to fill in the blank. The figure of speech used in these lines, ‘polished traffic’ is .......... (metaphor/ transferred epithet)
Answer: transferred epithet

Question. Read the assertion and the reason below, with reference to the given extract.
Assertion: ‘A Roadside Stand’ is a poignant symbol of the economic difficulties faced by the rural population.
Reason: The stand’s plea for money and the depiction of signs offering goods for sale highlight the struggle for financial stability. Choose tlie correct option regarding their relationship,
(a) Both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion,
(b) Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion,
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false,
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Answer: (a) Both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion,

Question. What does the poet tell us about the power of money?
Answer: The poet suggests that money is the lifeblood that supports the city's growth and prevents it from 'sinking and withering', while its lack in rural areas leads to poverty and stagnation.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What are the usual complaints made by the city men when they stop at the roadside stand?
Answer: The usual complaints made by city men are about the "artless paint" that mars the landscape and signs with letters like 'N' and 'S' turned the wrong way. They focus on aesthetic irritations rather than the vendors' economic plight.

Question. Comment on the imagery and description used by the poet.
Answer: Robert Frost uses vivid imagery like "crook-necked golden squash with silver warts" and "flower of cities" to contrast rural hardship with urban richness. The description of the stand "pathetically pled" personifies the rural struggle.

Question. Analyse the ‘childish longing’ referred to by the poet with reference to the rural folk.
Answer: The "childish longing" refers to the innocent and desperate hope of the rural folk that a city car will stop to buy their wares. It is "vain" because motorists mostly ignore them or stop for selfish reasons.

Question. What emotion does the speaker express about the situation?
Answer: The speaker expresses deep empathy, anguish, and frustration. He feels the pain of the rural poor so intensely that he sometimes contemplates their "ultimate release" as a mercy, reflecting his own melancholic state.

Question. How does the poet convey the frustration of the people running the roadside stand? What deeper social commentary is Frost making through the depiction of the roadside stand?
Answer: Frustration is conveyed through the stand's "pathetic plea" and the farmer's "cross" reaction to questions about gas. Frost's commentary highlights the widening gap between the city and the country and the failure of those in power to provide genuine support.

Question. How do the actions of the motorists reflect broader societal attitudes towards rural communities?
Answer: Motorists' actions reflect indifference and a transactional mindset. Stopping only to reverse, ask for directions, or complain about the scenery shows a lack of human connection and societal neglect of rural economic needs.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. What is expected to happen to the rural folk when they are relocated to live near the cities, as expected by the poet?
Answer: The poet expects that the rural folk will be "bought out" and relocated to villages near urban centers like theaters and stores. While this is marketed as a beneficial move to provide comfort and take away their worries, the poet sees it as a form of exploitation. He believes these "greedy good-doers" will enforce benefits that make the villagers passive and take away their independence. By teaching them "how to sleep all day," the relocators destroy the villagers' traditional, active way of life, making them completely dependent on the authorities and stripping them of their autonomy and ability to think for themselves.

Question. The poet sympathises with the rural folk and reflect their plight in the poem. Elucidate.
Answer: Robert Frost's sympathy for the rural folk is evident throughout 'A Roadside Stand'. He identifies with their "trusting sorrow" and the "childish longing" for a better life. The poet is deeply moved by their pathetic plea for city money—not for a "dole of bread" but for the means to expand their lives and achieve the promises seen in "moving-pictures". He portrays the urban passers-by as "selfish" and "mean," highlighting their callous indifference to the rural struggle. The poet's anguish reaches a peak where he feels he can "hardly bear" the thought of their unfulfilled hopes. His critique of the "greedy good-doers" further shows his protective stance toward the rural poor, as he exposes how promised progress often leads to further exploitation and the loss of cultural identity.