CORE II –INDIAN WRITING IN ENGLISH - 23BEN1C2 Unit I: Ruskin Bond - Night Train to Deoli
CORE II –INDIAN WRITING IN ENGLISH - 23BEN1C2
Unit I: Ruskin Bond - Night Train to Deoli
Overview of Night Train to Deoli
“The Night Train at Deoli” is a deeply reflective and tender short
story by Ruskin Bond that captures the fleeting yet unforgettable connection
between a young college boy and a mysterious basket-selling girl. Set in the
serene landscape of northern India, particularly around the small, sleepy
station of Deoli, the story evokes
nostalgia, yearning, and the melancholy of incomplete love.
The narrator, a college student, travels each
summer to Dehra to stay with his grandmother. During this annual journey, his
train briefly halts at the obscure Deoli station—an uneventful place shrouded
in stillness and mystery. Despite its unimportance, the narrator always feels
drawn to Deoli and its loneliness.
On one such summer morning, he encounters a young basket-seller girl at the platform.
She is poor but graceful, barefoot yet dignified, and her dark eyes leave a
lasting impact on the boy. They share a moment of silent intimacy; he buys a
basket from her, not out of need, but out of a strange emotional pull. Just as
she tries to speak, the train departs, and the brief encounter ends.
Two months later, on his return trip, he
eagerly looks out for her and is delighted to see her again. This time, their
connection deepens—they hold hands and exchange a few words. He promises to
return, and she promises to wait. But the following year, she is gone. The girl
is not on the platform, and no one knows what happened to her.
Despite repeated efforts, the narrator fails
to trace her. A tea-seller recalls her presence vaguely, but her whereabouts
remain unknown. Though he often travels through Deoli, he never gathers the
courage to get off the train and find her. He fears that knowing the truth
might ruin the romantic ideal he has preserved in his heart.
Thus, The
Night Train at Deoli ends not with closure, but with longing and quiet
heartbreak. The narrator chooses memory and hope over reality, finding solace
in his imagination and the haunting charm of the girl with the baskets.
Two-Mark Questions and Answers for Night Train
to Deoli
1. Where
did the narrator go for summer vacations?
He spent his summer vacations at his
grandmother’s house in Dehra.
He would travel there every year during his
college break.
2.
What was special
about the Deoli station?
Deoli was a small, quiet station where the train
stopped for no apparent reason.
Nothing notable ever happened there, yet it
held a mysterious charm for the narrator.
3.
How did the
narrator describe the basket-seller girl?
She was barefoot, young, and modestly dressed
with dark, expressive eyes and shiny black hair.
Her grace and quiet dignity deeply impressed
the narrator.
4.
What did the
narrator buy from the girl?
He bought a cane basket from her.
He wasn’t interested in the basket but used it
as an excuse to interact with her.
5.
Why couldn’t they
talk properly during their first meeting?
Just as the girl was about to speak, the
train’s whistle blew.
The noise and urgency forced the narrator to
leave hastily.
6.
What did the
narrator do on his return journey?
He eagerly looked for the girl at Deoli
station and was thrilled to see her again.
They shared a silent, emotional connection
and held hands before parting once more.
7.
Why did the
narrator feel disappointed on his next visit to Deoli?
He could not find the basket-seller girl on
the platform.
He was overcome with sadness and a sense of
foreboding.
8.
What did the
tea-stall owner tell the narrator about the girl?
He remembered her but said she had stopped
coming to the station.
He had no idea what happened to her.
9.
Why didn’t the
narrator ever break his journey at Deoli?
He feared discovering a truth that could
shatter his beautiful memory.
He preferred to preserve the dreamlike hope
of seeing her again.
10. What does the narrator continue to do in the end?
He keeps traveling through Deoli and looks
for the girl every time.
Although he never stops, he clings to hope
and nostalgia.
5 Five-Mark Questions and Answers (Short Paragraphs)
1.
Describe the
first meeting between the narrator and the basket-seller girl.
During his summer journey to Dehra, the narrator sees a young girl at Deoli
station selling baskets. She has a quiet, graceful presence and beautiful eyes
that deeply move him. Though they exchange few words, their connection is powerful.
He buys a basket from her as an excuse to interact. Their encounter is brief
but unforgettable for the narrator.
2.
How did the
narrator’s feelings change after the second meeting?
In the second meeting, both the narrator and the girl seem more comfortable and
familiar. They don’t speak much, but the emotional connection is evident. The
narrator holds her hand and expresses a desire to meet again. The girl’s smile
and eyes show that the feeling is mutual. After this meeting, the girl remains
in his thoughts all year.
3.
How does Ruskin
Bond portray unspoken love in the story?
Bond portrays love as something subtle, emotional, and fleeting. The narrator
and the girl hardly speak, yet their silences speak volumes. Their eye contact,
hand-holding, and anticipation say more than words ever could. The story
reflects how deep connections can form even without conversation. The absence
of closure makes the love more poignant.
4.
What role does
Deoli station play in the story?
Deoli is more than just a railway station—it symbolizes the quiet corners of
life where unexpected moments occur. Though seemingly dull and forgotten, it
becomes the backdrop for a meaningful encounter. The station reflects the
loneliness and longing felt by both the narrator and the girl. It remains a
place of mystery and memory.
5.
Why is the
narrator reluctant to search for the girl?
The narrator fears that if he discovers the truth, it may ruin the perfect
image he has of the girl. Reality might reveal that she has moved on, married,
or even died. Instead of risking heartbreak, he clings to the hope and memory
of their brief bond. For him, the dream is safer and more comforting than
reality.
Essay Question (10 Marks)
Question:
Discuss Ruskin Bond’s “The Night Train at
Deoli” as a tale of fleeting love and enduring nostalgia.
Answer:
Introduction:
Ruskin Bond’s The Night Train at Deoli
is a deeply evocative short story that revolves around a young man’s brief yet
powerful encounter with a basket-selling girl at a remote railway station. Set
in the silent charm of Indian hill stations, the story beautifully captures the
essence of fleeting love, unfulfilled longing, and the emotional power of
memory.
1. The
Setting of Solitude and Mystery
Deoli station is quiet and unremarkable, yet it becomes the emotional center of
the story. Bond uses its stillness and obscurity to highlight the loneliness of
both the place and its people. The station becomes symbolic of unsaid emotions
and incomplete relationships.
2. A
Moment of Connection
The narrator’s chance meeting with the barefoot girl is brief but intense.
Their silent interaction, brief touch, and longing glances create a connection
more powerful than words. This unspoken love forms the core of the narrative,
making it timeless and universal.
3. The
Pain of Separation and Uncertainty
Their bond is disrupted by time and circumstance. The next year, the girl is
nowhere to be found. The narrator tries to learn about her but is met with
silence and indifference. Her disappearance represents the fragility of such
rare moments.
4.
Choosing Hope Over Reality
Although he longs to know the truth, the narrator never gets off at Deoli. He
fears reality might shatter his cherished memory. Instead, he chooses to
remember her in his own way—eternally young, beautiful, and waiting at the
platform.
5. The
Theme of Nostalgia and Memory
Bond masterfully evokes nostalgia through quiet reflection. The story remains
alive in the narrator’s memory, influencing his thoughts and feelings. It shows
how a single moment can remain etched in one's heart forever.
6.
Simplicity in Language and Emotion
The strength of Bond’s storytelling lies in its simplicity. His straightforward
narration, gentle tone, and emotional honesty make the story accessible and
relatable. The lack of drama enhances the purity of feeling.
Conclusion:
The Night Train at Deoli is more than a
love story—it is a meditation on memory, longing, and the beauty of things
unfinished. Bond’s poignant portrayal of the narrator’s innocent yet deep
affection resonates with every reader who has ever loved and lost. The story
remains a timeless tribute to the power of brief encounters and enduring
emotions.
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