Contrast Valli's feelings during her onward journey to the town with her feelings on the return journey home. What tragic incident caused this shift?
Answer
Onward, Valli was thrilled and amused by a young cow running wildly before the bus, but on her return, seeing the same cow lying dead on the roadside filled her with deep sadness and silent contemplation about the mystery of life and death.
Step-by-step solution
- Describe Valli's mood during her onward journey: she was energetic, enthusiastic, and laughed uncontrollably when a young cow galloped frantically in front of the bus.
- Identify the tragic incident on her return journey: she saw the lifeless body of the same young cow lying by the roadside, killed in an accident with a fast vehicle.
- Explain her emotional shift: the sight of the creature, once so full of life and charm, now turned cold and still, deeply disturbed and saddened her.
- Analyze the thematic impact: the contrast between life's innocence and death's harsh reality silenced Valli's enthusiasm, leaving her quiet and reflective for the remainder of her ride home.
Common mistake: Attributing Valli's solemn mood on the return journey to anxiety about being caught by her mother.
Concept tested: Emotional contrast and theme of life and death
Published · How this solution was prepared and checked
Related questions
- 1 Why did Valli refuse to get off the bus when it reached the town bus station?
- 2 Write a detailed paragraph analysing how the bus journey functions as a metaphor for Valli’s growth from childhood innocence to mature awareness.
- 3 Why did Valli find the elderly woman sitting next to her on the bus repellant?
- 4 According to the story 'Madam Rides the Bus', what was Valli's favorite pastime?
- 5 In the story, the word ‘repellant’ is used to describe Valli’s feeling towards the elderly woman. What does ‘repellant’ mean in this context?
- 6 How much did a one-way bus ticket cost between Valli's village and the town, and how long did the one-way journey take?