Reported Speech - Rules

 Reported Speech – Simplified Notes

Reported Speech is used to tell what someone said without using their exact words.

There are two types of speech:

1. Direct Speech - 

The speaker’s exact words are written inside quotation marks (“ ”).

Example:

👉 He said, “I am tired.”

2. Reported (Indirect) Speech- 

The exact words are not used. Quotation marks are not used.

Example:

👉 He said that he was tired.

Important Rules (Easy Way)

1. Change of Tense

When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the sentence usually changes.

Present → Past

1. am / is → was 

2. are → were 

3. has / have → had

4. will → would

Past 

1. was/were  - had been

Example:

Direct: She said, “I like coffee.”

Reported: She said that she liked coffee.

2. Change of Pronouns

Pronouns change according to the subject.

I → he / she

we → they

my → his / her

Example:

Direct: He said, “I will help you.”

Reported: He said that he would help me.

3. Change of Time Words

Words related to time and place also change.

now → then

today → that day

tomorrow → the next day

yesterday → the previous day

here → there

Example:

Direct: She said, “I will come tomorrow.”

Reported: She said that she would come the next day.

Reported Questions

Do not use a question mark.

- Use if / whether for yes–no questions.

Example:

Direct: He asked, “Are you ready?”

Reported: He asked if I was ready.

Reported Commands & Requests

Use to + verb.

ordered / told → for commands

requested / asked → for polite requests

Example:

Direct: The teacher said, “Sit down.”

Reported: The teacher told the students to sit down.

The Gardener

 The Gardener - P Lankesh 

1.How did the owner's lifestyle change after the arrival of the old man ?

After the arrival of the old man, the lifestyle of the plantation owner changed drastically. The garden began to prosper as thefts stopped, agricultural practices improved, and the income increased. The plantation, which was once just ten acres, expanded far beyond their imagination. With the old man managing everything efficiently, the owner gradually became lethargic and avoided hard work. Wealth and social prestige rose, and he gained many new friends both in his village and in the nearby town. His life, though free of real responsibilities, became crowded with colourful events and pleasures. However, this change also brought negative effects, as his wife grew worried about his indulgence in adultery and other vices, which made their life seem unstable.

2.A note on the old man.

The old man was a tall and striking figure with several distinct physical features. His eyes were suffused with strange memories. He had a long, beak-like nose and strong muscular arms.His hair had turned grey with age, but it only enhanced his commanding presence. He often carried a spade in his hand, used to tend coconut trees, showing his connection to agriculture and hard work. A newspaper tucked under his arm. He was a labourer, overseer and philosopher, all rolled into one.

3.Suggestions given by Tammanna's supporters .

Tammanna’s supporters gave him several suggestions to get back his land from Basavaiah. They told him that he could approach the court of law and file a legal case to reclaim his property. They also suggested that he could take recourse to the police for help in resolving the dispute. Apart from these legal ways, they pointed out that there were a number of people ready to attack Basavaiah and forcibly recover the land.

4.Tammanna's reaction to Basavaiah's encroachment of land .

Tammanna did not react in any direct way to Basavaiah’s encroachment of his land. Instead of fighting back or trying to reclaim it, he completely ignored Basavaiah’s actions. For Tammanna, art had become the very purpose of his life. He channelled his energy into composing ballads that highlighted Basavaiah’s cruelty and meanness. These songs brought him fame and recognition, as scholars of folklore collected his works, critics analysed and translated them, and his reputation spread far and wide. Tammanna was even felicitated as the best poet of his times. While Basavaiah was consumed by anger and kept grabbing more land, Tammanna rose above material possessions and found fulfilment in his creativity and poetic expression.

5.Basavaiah tried to overcome his humiliation.

Basavaiah, who was shrunk in humiliation, tried to fill the emptiness in his life with material wealth. He built a grand mansion and adorned himself with gold, diamonds, and other precious stones. To boost his ego, he even employed people solely to praise him. Yet, despite all this, his house felt lifeless and dull. Visitors pointed out that the absence of Tammanna's books made the place feel empty and devoid of meaning. Realizing this, Basavaiah shifted his focus from mere wealth to culture and knowledge. He began inviting scholars, poets, and musicians to his home, enriching it with learning, art, and meaningful interactions. 

     

When You Are Old

 When You Are Old - W.B Yeats

The poem “When You Are Old” by W.B. Yeats highlights the contrast between the temporary nature of beauty and the permanence of true love. The poet imagines his beloved in her old age, grey and weary, recalling her youthful days. He wishes her to read the poems he wrote and remember the admiration she once received for her beauty. Yet, above all, she should recall the man who loved her deeply—not just for her outward charm, but for her “pilgrim soul” and the sincerity of her heart. His love was constant, undying, and unshaken by the changes of time. Yeats suggests that only when she grows old will she realize the value of true love, but by then it would be too late. If she neglects him, she will end in regret, realizing his love had departed, hidden “amid the crowd of stars,” leaving her with a sense of loss.

Sunny Morning

 A Sunny Morning

1. Dona Laura considers Don Gonzalo as an ill- natured man.

In the play “A Sunny Morning” by Quinter brothers, Dona Laura considers Don Gonzalo an ill-natured man because of his rude and selfish conduct when they first meet in the park. Doña Laura is quietly enjoying her morning, feeding the birds, when Don Gonzalo enters and disturbs the peaceful atmosphere. Instead of showing courtesy, he impatiently drives the birds away and irritates Dona Laura. His constant grumbling about the priests occupying benches and his complaints against the authorities for not providing enough seats further display his unpleasant nature. Don Gonzalo is unwilling to share space politely, insisting on comfort only for himself, without considering others. His arrogance and harsh manner of speaking offend Dona Laura, who finds him selfish, ill-mannered, and disagreeable. These discourteous actions convince her that Don Gonzalo is an ill-natured man, lacking the gentleness and respect expected in social behavior.

2.What were the circumstances that led Gonzalo to flee Valencia?

Don Gonzalo explained to Dona Laura that Gonzalo and Laura were the two lovers of Maricela. They loved each other deeply and exchanged bouquets of flowers every day. However, Laura’s parents planned to marry her to a wealthy merchant from their locality.

One night, while Gonzalo was waiting under Laura’s window to hear her sing, the merchant unexpectedly arrived. A fight broke out between Gonzalo and the merchant, and the latter was badly wounded. Since the merchant was a highly respected person in the community, Gonzalo feared the serious consequences of the incident. To avoid punishment, he fled from Valencia, went to Seville, and later to Madrid. He wrote many letters but were intercepted by her parents. In despair, believing his love lost, he joined the army, and during battle he died a glorious death, grasping the flag of Spain and whispering Laura’s name.

3.A note on Silver Maiden 

Laura Llorente was known as Silver Maiden in her locality. She lived in a beautiful villa named Maricela, which was near the sea, hidden away among lemon and orange trees. She was a beautiful woman, fair as lilly. She had jet hair and black eyes, with an uncommonly sweet expression. She seemed to cast radiance wherever she was. Her figure was beautiful and perfect as a form of sovereign beauty in human clay. 

Too Dear - Leo Tolstoy

 1. Write a note on Monaco.

Monaco is a tiny principality located on the Mediterranean coast near the borders of France and Italy. With a population of only about seven thousand, it is smaller than many country towns. Despite its size, Monaco maintains a king, a palace, ministers, a bishop, generals, and an army of just sixty men.

The kingdom collects taxes on items such as tobacco, wine, and spirits, as well as a poll tax, but the revenue from its small population was insufficient. To generate additional income, the Prince of Monaco resorted to establishing gaming houses where people could gamble, particularly through games like roulette. This practice, though considered disreputable, brought substantial income to the kingdom, as gambling was banned in many other European countries

2. Difficulty in dealing with the criminal.

A murder was once committed in Monaco. The king and his judicial system lacked experience in handling such a case. The criminal was sentenced to death, but the kingdom had no means of execution. They sought help from neighboring countries. France demanded 16,000 francs, while Italy quoted 12,000 francs for the machine and expert required. Both options were too costly.

The general was consulted but offered no solution, and the soldiers admitted they were untrained for executions. Finally, the king commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment. The criminal was kept in prison with a pension of 600 francs. The entire incident reflected the kingdom’s inexperience in dealing with serious crimes like murder.

3. Criminal was reluctant to go out of the prison.

The criminal was reluctant to leave the prison because he had nowhere to go and no means to live outside. His character had been ruined by the sentence, and he feared that people would turn their backs on him. Having spent a long time in prison, he had lost the habit of working and could not adjust to life outside. Moreover, he felt he had been treated unfairly—first sentenced to death but not executed, then given life imprisonment, and now suddenly told to go away. He refused to leave, saying he had no place or support outside the prison.

4. Life after release

After his release, the criminal received one-third of his annuity in advance and left the King’s dominions. He settled just across the frontier, bought a piece of land, and started market gardening. He began living comfortably and peacefully. He would go at the proper time to collect his pension and then visit gaming tables, where he would stake small amounts of money. Sometimes he won and sometimes he lost, but he always returned home content. His life after release was stable and secure, and he lived without any trouble

2pu English #summary #important topics

 

Like and subscribe 😀

#Romeo And Juliet: summary #2puc #English

Romeo And Juliet:  summary 

Reported speech

 https://youtu.be/lksC_qyynp4?si=97Xc9ZAMRFmCXf21

Click the above link 🔗🖇️🔗

Quick Glance: 2 PU English Karnataka syllabus

 Romeo and Juliet

( Write the answer in form of  sentences. DONT  WRITE IN POINTS as mentioned here )

1. Romeo compares Juliet

-  a rich jewel in Ethiope' ear

- snowy dove ( Juliet ) trooping with crows ( other women in the ball)

2. Expressions of Juliet to Romeo

- day in night

- new snow on a raven's back

3. Description of the Night 

- Gentle.

-Loving.

- Black-browed night.

2. Too Dear

1. Borders of Monaco

- France.

-Italy.

2. Commodities taxed

- Tobacco.

- wine and spirits. 

3. Beneficiaries of Gaming Houses

- The kinglet.

- The owner of gaming house.

4. Reasons for forbidding the gaming houses in German Sovereigns

-  People will borrow money that does not belong to them and lose it.

- Kill themselves ( short or drown).

5. Pension

- 600 francs.

- 1/3rd of annuity in advance.

6. Criminals act of living.

- Market and gardening.

- 2-3 francs stakes at gaming house.

Passive Voice ( Solved ): 2 PU English - Karnataka Syllabus.

                Passive Voice

 

I Believe That Books Will Never Disappear

1. The book, Grimm's Fairy Tales, _____ ( find) in his father's library. It_____ ( translate) from German. According to Borges he ______ (educate) by his father's library more than by high school or the university.

Ans : was found, was translated, was educated.

Japan and Brazil Through A Traveller's Eye.

1. When the narrator was in Japan, it ______ (observe)  by him that the telephones _____ (keep) in public places. Still the people ____ (not affect) by the lack of privacy.

Ans: was observed, were kept, were not affected.

The Voter 

1. Marcus Ibe's house _____ (name) as a' Umuofia Mansion ' in honour of his village. Five bulls and countless goats _______ (slaughter) to entertain the people. It ____ ( open) by Archbishop.

ans: was named, were slaughtered, was opened. 

2. Roof _____ ( offer) five pounds and ___ (ask) to vote for Maduka. He _____ (make) to swear on Iyi. 

ans: was offered, was asked , was made.

3. Three shillings ____ (give) to each elder. The elders _____ (request) to cast their vote for Marcus.

ans: were given, were requested.

Where There Is A Wheel 

1. Literacy drive ______ (undertake) by Sheela Rani Chunkath. Mobility _____ ( include) as a part of literacy drive . Banks ______ ( push ) to give loans for the women to buy cycles.

ans: was undertaken, was included, were pushed.

2. An 'exhibition cum contests' _____ ( organize) by Arivoli. Cycling skill _____ (display) by more than 70000 women. Fifty mopeds ____ (sanction) by  the UNICEF. 

ans: was organised, was displayed, were sanctioned.

*angelicstep.blogspot.com*

2 PU _ English_karnataka_syllabus_Quick Glance -English - New Pattern 2024-25.

2 PU English Karnataka Syllabus-New Question Paper Pattern -2024-25

 *New Question Pattern - 2024-25*

*Total Marks - 80*

                             *I. Part - A*

1.   MCQ ( q.n 1-10).   Marks -10

11. Passive Voice .      Marks - 3

12. Expressions.         Marks - 2

13. Pronouns.              Marks - 5

                              *Part - B*

 (Questions and Answers- Total Marks-30)

II.  Answer *3* out of *4* .

(2/3 sentence- 2 mrks)     Marks- 3x2=6.

III. Answer *4* out of 6. 

60 words (4-5 sentences- 3mrks) 

Marks 4x3=12.

IV. Answer *3* out of 6 .

100 words ( a paragraph - 4marks) 

Marks 3x4=12

                              *Part-C*

V. Passage - 9 marks .

                      Or

Poem  - 9 marks

                              * Part D*

VI. 31.A .Rewrite as directed . *4x1=4* ( 1 marks each)

1. Article.

2. Jumbled Segment .

3. Subject verb agreement.

4. Verb form.

                            Or

B. Linkers *4x1=4*

32. A Rewrite as directed.  *2x1=2*

 1. Question Tag.

 2. Frame Wh- question.

                            Or

B. Error identification.  *2x1=2*

33. Note making . *2 marks *

34. Reported speech - *5 marks*

35. Dialogue completion - *3 marks*

                     *Part - E*

36. Job Application - *5 Marks*

                      Or 

       Speech Writing. *5 Marks*

***********************************************

*Total Marks - 80*

*Time - 2:45 m + 15 = 3 Hours*

1. MCQ.                    -  10

2. Passive                -     3

3. Expressions.      -     2

4. Pronouns.          -     5

5. Q n A.                  -     6.  ( 2 marks )

6. Q n A.                 -     12   ( 3 Marks)

7. Qn A                   -     12.   (4 marks)

8. Passage/poem                  -  9 

9. Rewrite as directed          - 4

10. Rewrite as directed        - 2 

11. Note making                   -  2

12. Reported speech             - 5 

13. Dialogue completion     - 3

14. Job Application/Speech - 5

                     

Heaven If You Are Not Here On Earth - Kuvempu

The poem , ' Heaven, If You Are Not Here On Earth', gives a message that man should not search heaven somewhere else but here on the Earth. Man  has live on the Earth peacefully without creating chaos. 

According to the poet, 'Heaven, God ,Nymphs'  are just the creation of man. The poet is inspired by nature, as it gives subject to his poetry. We can enjoy the heavenly bliss in looking at the nature. The poet states that one need to experience the heaven looking at streams, rolling surf, waves of ocean, tender sunshine, on the verdant grass and the moonlight and asserts that one need to enjoy the heavenly bliss , when watches the splendor of the nature.

 Nature inspires the poet to write the poetry , through which he imbibes and spills the song of nectar and creates heaven on Earth through his poem.

This the poet believes Heaven lies on the Earth. To quote , ' It's the mind that makes the heaven a hell, and hell a heaven.' 

Everything I Need To know I Learned in the Forest - Vandana Shiva

 Introduction

The lesson, ' Everything I Need to know I Learned in the forest ' by Vandana Shiva, is about how Vandana Shiva learnt about environmentalism from the uneducated women of Garhwal, Himalaya and about the forest that taught her values of diversity, freedom and co- existence.

Navadanya Farm/Movement 

Vandana Shiva learnt about diversity inthe Himalayan forests , which she transferred to the protection of biodiversity on their farm. She started saving seeds from farmers' fields and realised that they need a farm for demonstration and training. This Navadanya Farm was started in 1994 in the Doon Valley, , located in the lower elevation Himalayan region of Uttarakhand Province. They conserve and grow 630 varieties of rice, 150 varities of wheat and hundreds of other species. They practice and promote a biodiversity- intensive form of farming that produces more food and nutrition per acre. They worked with the farmers to setup more than more than 100 community seed banks and saved more than 3000 varieties of rice. They help the farmers to make transition from chemical based monoculture to bio-diverse ecological systems nourished by the sun and soil. This biodiversity has been the teacher of abundance and freedom, of co-operation and mutual giving

Earth University

Earth University teaches Earth Democracy, which is the freedom for all species to evolve within the web of life, and the freedom and responsibility of humans, as members of the Earth family, to recognise, protect and respect the rights of other species. Earth Democracy is a shift from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism. As we all depend on the Earth, Earth Democracy translates into human rights to food and water,.to freedom from hunger and thirst. Earth University is located at Navadanya,a biodiversity farm, participants learn to work with living seeds, living soil and the web of life. Participants includes farmers, school children and people from across the world. Most popular courses of the University are "The A-Z of Organic Farming and Agro- ecology" and " Gandhi and Globalisation."

Dramatic Chipko Movement

Chipko is the non-violent response to a large scale deforestation, that was taking place in the Himalayan region. One of the dramatic Chipko Movement took place in the Himalayan village of Adwani in 1977, when a village woman named Bachani Devi led resistance against her own husband, who had obtained a contract of cutting trees. When official arrived at the forest, the women held up the lighted lanterns although it was broad daylight. The foresters asked them to explain and the women replied that they had come to teach them forestry. Foresters retorted as forest to them is all about profit ,resin and timber. But the women sang a song about the importance of forest as they believed it bore pure soil , water and air.

 

Rights of Nature on the Global Stage

The concept of the rights of nature emphasizes recognizing nature as a living entity with its own rights, not just a resource for human use. Ecuador became the first country to include the rights of nature in its constitution. In 2011, inspired by this, the United Nations General Assembly and Bolivia held a conference on Harmony with Nature to mark Earth Day. The focus was on moving away from systems that dominate nature and instead build partnerships with it. The U.N. Secretary-General’s report emphasized that environmental damage results from ignoring that humans are part of nature. South African environmentalist Cormac Cullinan highlighted the issue of "eco-apartheid"—a false separation between humans and nature. Just as the world ended racial apartheid in South Africa, it must now end the separation of humans from nature to ensure global ecological harmony.

The Dead-Earth World View

The Dead-Earth World View reflects a mindset where nature is seen as lifeless and meant for exploitation. This idea began to grow during the industrial revolution when the living, diverse Earth was reduced to “dead matter” to provide raw materials. Monocultures replaced natural biodiversity, and the concept of Terra Nullius—meaning empty land ready for use—replaced Terra Madre, the nurturing Mother Earth.

This passage shows us the  historical shift in how nature was viewed, beginning with Francis Bacon, known as the father of modern science. Bacon promoted the idea that science and technology could control and dominate nature. Philosopher and historian Carolyn Merchant explains that this change in perspective—from seeing nature as a nurturing mother to viewing it as lifeless matter—supported the rise of capitalism and scientific exploitation. Merchant highlights how earlier cultural values that respected and protected nature were replaced by aggressive approaches that saw nature as something to be conquered and used for profit.

Short Note on “Tapovan” – Essay by Rabindranath Tagore

In his essay “Tapovan” (meaning Forest of Purity), Rabindranath Tagore highlights the role of forests in shaping Indian civilization. He states that India’s finest ideas—both material and intellectual—came not from cities but from forests, where people lived in harmony with nature. Forests offered peace, encouraged spiritual growth, and supported the intellectual evolution of man. The forest culture influenced Indian society with its diversity, which changed with species, seasons, and senses like sound and smell. Tagore emphasized that this diversity led to democratic pluralism, making unity in diversity the foundation of Indian civilization. He believed the forest symbolized freedom, wisdom, and renewal.

II PU English - Match The Following ( Solved )

 Lesson : Too Dear

1. Reckon up                 - calculate 

2. Gave up                     - surrender/ quit

3. Look over                  - check/examine 

4. Straight out               - directly 

5. To get rid of              - discard /eliminate 

6. Got out of the way   - stop doing something 

7. Turn their backs      - deny/reject/abandon 

8. Be hanged                 - kill/suspend 

9. Rake in                      - earn /gain/ make

10. Hard to put up      - difficult to accept 

https://angelicstep.blogspot.com

Lesson : Everything I Need To Know I Learned                      In  The Forest 

1. Broad Day light  - happening during day

2. Held up                - support/ carry/hold

3. Put Behind          -  forget/ ignore 

4. At play                 - active / available easily

5. Grow into            - develop 

Lesson : Sunny Morning

1. Resign oneself - retire /rest

2. Idling away      - wasting time

3. Take liberty      - to be free

4. Make peace      - agreement / reconcile /settle 

Lesson : The Gardener 

1. Take recourse      -  take help

2. Out of hand          -  out of control 

3. Suck in                  - absorb 

4. Passed away        - died

5. Chance Upon       -  meet by chance 

6. Shy Away             -  avoid 

7. Well versed         -  skilled 

8. Better at               -  finer / superior 

9. In a flash             -  immediately / quickly  

10. Vanish into thin air  - disappear suddenly 

https://angelicstep.blogspot.com

Lesson:  The Voter

1. In a fix                     - dilemma/ difficulty

2. To throw away      -  discard / useless 

3. Pass by                     -  to go past

4. In a soup                  - in a trouble 

5. Landslide victory   - triumph 

6. Full swing                - highly active 

7. Leapt into                - jump out

8. Gave out                  - radiate /announce 

9. Dashed off              - to move /do quickly 

10. Flew out                -  move somewhere 

II PU English -Match the expression with its meaning ( Solved )

 Lesson :  Japan And Brazil ....

1. Laid down                  - to establish

2. Straighten up             - to stand erect 

3. Clear cut                       - to define

4. All & sundry               - everyone 

5. Tread on                      -  to step on/ stumble 

6. be inclined                  - likely to believe 

7. Leaps and bounds     - rapidly or quickly 

8. Look-out                      - to be vigilant/careful 

9. Turn a deaf ear          - Refuse to listen 

10. Cut in                         - interrupt 

11. Get into                      - affect / influence 

https://angelicstep.blogspot.com

Lesson :Where There Is A Wheel

1. Zip a long      - move quickly 

2. Give up          -  cease / stop

3. Swept across-  spread/cover smoothly 

4. Put up with   -  tolerate

5. Turned out    - emerge / happen 

6. Run into         -  meet 

7. Taken to         -   to become fond of/ begin                                              something 

8.. Hit out           -  criticize/denounce/attack 

9. Cut Off            -  stop/discontinue 

10. Paid no attention - ignore

Match the following (with answers)

1.  When You Are Old - W.B Yeats 

2.  Romeo And Juliet  - William Shakespeare 

3. On Children             - Khalil Gibran         

4. Water                        - C.S Rani

5.  Poet                          - Creates heaven on Earth 

6.  Bow                          - Parents

7. Arrow                       - Children

8. Archer                      -God

9. Snowy Dove            - Juliet 

10. Day in night         - Romeo

II PU English:Instructions For The Examination

Instructions :

Question Paper is reduced to 80 marks.

1 marks.     :  Be thorough with the text book.

4 / 6 marks : Read the summary of all the poems  Overall / important part of the lesson as mentioned  in the blog  notes .

Grammar :   

 -Report/speech writing is deleted.

+Letter Writing is an expected question so  be ready to attempt.

+Linker/reported speech/passive voice - Refer blog for further notes.

Better start now 🙂

                   

To The Foot From Its Child : Pablo Neruda

 The poem, To The Foot From Its Child by Pablo Neruda, expresses the  realities of life imposed on human by the society. Through the image of  foot, being a metaphor for the child, describes the various stages of life ; infancy, childhood, adulthood, maturity and finally death.

To begin, foot is unaware it's a foot and wishes to be a butterfly or an apple; to fly high and to lead a fruitful life.  The innocent foot believes that its imagination will be turned into reality. But as time passes by it realises the harsh realities of life; stones ,bits of glasses , that it cannot be a butterfly or an apple. Here the foot feels defeated in the battle of life and made to lead a life of prisoner, within the boundaries posed by the society. 

Being in the shoe, it grows in the darkness and the humdrum realities of life and acts as a blind man . Slowly the foot changes itself in to a hard substance which depicts the agony and hardships undergone by the foot. 

The foot walks without rest and respite scarcely giving time to feel the joy of life. It's busy in working as it's dreams are crushed and forced to dance on the tune of the society. 

The foot is ignorant that it is dead, buried underground and ceased to be a foot. Inspite of this , it wishes to be a butterfly or an apple . It's hope and aspirations are still alive and remain forever. 

The Voter by Chinua Achib

THE VOTER

1.Change in the attitude of the villagers

In this story , Achebe makes an attempt to give the reader a glimpse in to the life of Igbo people and offers a satirical remarks of how politics generally works.

The people of Umuofia were very ignorant and naive and voted Marcus. He won the election and became the minister of culture. Igbo people witnessed Marcus’s growth and development as a wealthy powerful Politian. Marcus builds a huge mansion in his native and names it ‘Umuofia Mansions.’ He hosts a grand dinner to all the people of his village. Now people realized how ‘politics’ can make people rich and powerful. By observing all these changes, they realized that they had underrated the power of ballot paper. So in the second election they demanded money for their votes.

3.Roof is an intelligent manipulator :

 Roof was a very strong and intelligent person of Umuofia, a village in Nigeria. Roof worked as a bicycle repairer’s apprentice for two year in Port Harcourt. He gives up his bright future and comes back to the village with the obvious intention of guiding people in difficult times.

Roof had become expert in election campaigning and a trustworthy follower of Marcus. He could tell the mood of the electoral at any given time and inform Marcus accordingly. Roof knew how to extract money and other benefits from Marcus. Even when the villagers demanded money he gave out four shillings and declared that was all he could give and he didn’t care about whom they voted for. The elders without losing their decorum, agreed to cast their vote to his leader. Thus Roof was successful in his attempt to manipulate people.

III.

1.Misuse of transparency in the democracy set up:

In this story Achebe , describes the advantages and disadvantages of democracy in Umuofia. Democracy is a system where anybody can be bribed . In the same way POP campaign leader comes to Roof  and places five pounds. Roof is mesmerized by them . there is no transparency in democratic system , as all the candidates can bribe people in the form of money or things. Roof says that he has to be loyal to Marcus he works for him. The leader reminds him that it is secret ballot and hence Marcus will not be there when Roof puts in his paper. Hence Roof accepts five pounds as his greed tempts him to do so. But he asks for assurances that the news will not be leaked and leader takes the promise on Iyi that he would cast his vote for Maduka. Through Roof  POP wanted to spread  across that they would pay in pounds and in shillings. Thus , its clearly portrayed the misuse and the absence of transparency.  

2. To every human comes a time of reckoning.

Roof , an energetic young man works for Marcus . He sacrifices his future for Igbo people. Roof becomes an expert campaigner, who successfully deals Igbo people. Roof knows how politics works and enjoys all the benefits, working for Marcus.

Roof  being an expert campaigner strikes a bargain with the voters, paying them four shillings. Everything was going according to the plans of Roof , until the visit of POP campaigner. He tempts Roof  to vote for Maduka paying him five pounds. He is trapped as they take swear on Iyi. On the day of election when Marcus suggested him to vote first, his spirit  fell and covered his deep worries , moved towards the booths. He was confronted by the car and the head. He took out his ballot paper from his pocket and looked at it. He was in a dilemma. He wondered how he could betray Marcus even in secret, on the other hand he remembered he had sworn on Iyi. He resolved to go back and return five pounds. He knew it was impossible. In a few seconds a thought leapt into Roofs mind , he folded the paper and tore into two and dropped the first half into the box meant for Maduka , as he has promised and the other half he drops for Marcus, to show his loyalty. Thus he comes out relieved.

3.Democracy is more than holding an election:

The story comments that electoral system is not transparent in the present democratic setup as there is a chance of running these election with notes instead of votes. The secret ballot is actually a mockery of the electoral system.

In this, Marcus contest in the elections and get elected. He becomes wealthy, owns two cars and big mansion. But the people of the village remain same of being poor, ignorant and naive. But after feasting in Marcus Mansion, they realized that their votes are of high value and demand money for their votes. Here roof  successfully manages the situation and pays in shillings. Roof is the representation of ordinary human who take money for his livelihood. He betrays his leader, Marcus, for whom he was a loyal  campaigner and accepted money swearing on Iyi. If every individual decides to behave in such a way then there can be no democracy.

We cannot guarantee democratic governance by merely holding elections regularly, but by educating people about their rights and duties. Such a step will make a way for good and smooth administration.

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@momtokidsbymom544