NCERT Class 9 English Chapter 5 Best Seller
NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Literature Reader Chapter 5 Best Seller
Textbook Questions Solved
Question 1.
Before you read the story write down the answers to these questions.
- Which was the latest hook that you read ?
- Who was the author ?
- Who were the main characters ?
- When did you read the book ?
- How long did you take to complete reading it ?
- What genre did it belong to ?
- Why would/ wouldn’t you recommend it ?
Answer
- It was Jude the Obscure.
- Thomas Hardy.
- Jude, Sue, Arabella, Phillotson.
- a month before.
- 12-15 days.
- Fiction.
- I would recommend it to my friends to read it because it is a gripping story. In it the hero struggles hard to fulfil his dreams. But the more he tries the more he fails. It seems that his own natural instincts and pressures of life become hurdles for him. Finally, he feels defeated at the hands of fate and physical situations. In the end he dies a tragic death.
Question 2.
Now read the story :
Answer
For students to read the story.
Question 3.
Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct option.
(a) The narrator says that John was “___ of the stuff that heroes are not often lucky enough to be made of. ” His tone is sarcastic because___
- he hated John.
- he felt that John was a threat to him.
- John was not particularly good-looking.
- nobody liked John.
(b) Pescud felt that best-sellers were not realistic as _____
- American farmers had nothing in common with European princesses.
- men generally married girls from a similar background.
- American men married girls who studied in America.
- American men did not know fencing and were beaten by the Swiss guards.
(c) “Bully”, said Pescud brightening at once. He means to say that _____
- he is a bully.
- his manager was a bully.
- he was being bullied by his co-workers.
- he was doing very well at his job.
(d) The narrator says that life has no geographical bounds implying that _____
- human beings are essentially the same everywhere.
- boundaries exist only on maps.
- one should work towards the good of mankind.
- he was happy to travel to other countries.
Answer
(a) 3
(b) 1
(c) 4
(d) 1
Question 4.
Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) One day last summer the author was travelling to Pittsburg by chair car. What does he say about his co-passengers?
(b) Who was the passenger of chair No. 9? What did he suddenly do?
(c) What was John A. Pescud’s opinion about best sellers? Why?
(d) What does John say about himself since his last meeting with the author?
(e) How did John’s first meeting with Jessie’s father go? What did the author tell him?
(f) Why did John get off at Coketown?
(g) John is a hypocrite. Do you agree with this statement? Substantiate your answer.
(h) Describe John A. Pescud with reference to the following points:
- Physical appearance
- His philosophy on behaviour
- His profession
- His first impression of his wife
- His success
Answer:
(a) One day last summer, the author was travelling to Pittsburgh by chair car on business. Most of the passengers were ladies. They were in brown-silk dresses cut with square yokes, laces and dotted veils. There were men who looked as if “they might be in almost any business.” However, his attention was drawn by the black, bald- spotted head just visible above the back of seat No. 9.
(b) John A. Pescud was the passenger of chair No. 9. Suddenly he hurled a book on to the floor between his chair and the window. The book was named “The Rose Lady and Trevelyan”. It was one of the best-selling novels
of the present day.
(c) John A. Pescud didn’t hold a very high opinion about best sellers. The fiction writers are not consistent with their scenes and characters. They are far removed from reality. Their account is highly unreal, exaggerated and romantic. Sometimes the American hero falls in love with a royal princess from Europe. He follows her to her father’s kingdom. But in real life people choose life- partners belonging to their own status.
(d) The author asked John how he was getting along with the company. John replied that he was getting on pretty well. He had his salary raised twice since they met last time. He got a commission too. He had bought a “neat slice of real estate”. The firm was going to sell him some shares of stock. He was “in on the line of General Prosperity”. He also broke the news that he got married eighteen months ago.
(e) John met Jessie’s fatter at his ancestral house. At eleven sharp, he rang the bell. An old man about eighty showed up and asked what he wanted. John showed him his business card. He told the old man how he followed his daughter from Cincinnati, his business, salary and prospects. Then the old man related anecdotes and humorous occurrences. The Colonel expressed that he had never been so fortunate as he felt after meeting him.
(f) John got ready to get off at Coketown. The author was surprised as the place didn’t hold much prospect for selling plate-glass. However, John told that while coming back from Philadelphia, his wife Jessie saw some petunias in a pot in one of the windows there. She used to raise such flowers in her old Virginia home. So he thought of getting off there to dig up some of the cuttings or blossoms for her.
(g) John is a hypocrite. What he says, he does the opposite. He expresses his uncharitable views regarding the best-sellers as they are far removed from reality. They are too romantic. But in real life people marry somebody in their own status. But John is another Trevelyan. He is just a commercial traveller but runs after Jessie whose father is a lineal descendant of belted earls. He is searching petunias for his ‘princess’.
(h)
- Physical appearance. A small man with a wide smile and an eye fixed on the end of the nose. A bald-spotted head.
- His philosophy on behaviour. When a man is in his home town, he ought to be decent and law-abiding.
- His profession. Travelling salesman for a plate-glass company.
- His first impression of his wife, ‘…the finest looking girl. Nothing spectacular but just the sort you want for keeps’.
- His success. Salary raised twice in a couple of years. Got a commission. Bought real estate. The firm going to sell some shares of stock. On the line of‘General Prosperity’.
Question 5.
Complete the flow chart in the correct sequence as it happens in the story.
Hint : it begins from the time John Pescud first saw Jessie till the time they marry.
- Jessie takes a sleeper to Louisville.
- Pescud sees a girl (Jessie) reading a book in the train.
- Pescud speaks to the girl (Jessie) for the first time.
- Pescud follows her but finds it difficult to keep up.
- Pescud goes to the village to find out about the mansion.
- Jessie arrives at Virginia.
- Pescud meets Jessie’s father.
- They get married a year later.
- Pescud instantly gets attracted to the girl (Jessie).
- Jessie informs Pescud that her father would not approve of them meeting.
- They meet alone two days later.
Answer.
The correct sequence as it happens in the story will be as follows :
2 → 9 → 4 → 1 → 6 → 5 → 3 → 7 → 10 → 11 → 8
2. Pescud sees a girl (Jessie) reading a book in the train.
↓
9. Pescud instantly gets attracted to the girl (Jessie).
↓
4. Pescud follows her but finds it difficult to keep up.
↓
1. Jessie takes a sleeper to Louisville.
↓
6. Jessie arrives at Virginia.
↓
5. Pescud goes to the village to find out about the mansion.
↓
3. Pescud speaks to the girl (Jessie) for the first time.
↓
7. Pescud meets Jessie’s father.
↓
10. Jessie informs Pescud that her father would not approve of them meeting.
↓
11. They meet alone two days later.
↓
8. They get married a year later.
Question 6.
Irony refers to the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of their literal meaning. Working in pairs, bring out the irony in the following:
- The title of the story, “The Best seller”.
- Pescud’s claim, “When people in real life marry, they generally hunt up somebody in their own station. A fellow usually picks out a girl who went to the same high-school and belonged to the same singing-society that he did.”
- The name Trevelyan.
Answer
Meant for class level and for working in pairs. The following hints shall enable the pairs to discuss the use of irony in these situations.
1. What a best seller should be is well defined by John A. Pescud. It should be a story taken from the real-life situations. It should not be purely imaginative and as per the set formula. But the story of Pescud, which is the best seller, is not as per this definition.
2. Pescud claims that usually people in real life marry among their own kith and kin and of their own community. They also marry among people with the equal social status. But Pescud who is Trevelyan himself of the best seller ‘The Rose Lady and Trevelyan’ doesn’t conform to this. He is a travelling salesman of a plate-glass company. But his wife is the daughter of Colonel Allyn, a British titled nobleman.
3. ‘Trevelyan’ is the hero of the best seller ‘The Rose Lady and Trevelyan’ but he is Pescud himself.
Question 7.
A newspaper reporter hears of the marriage of Pescud and Jessie. He interviews them and writes an article for the paper entitled: A Modern Romance.
Working in groups of four, write the article.
Answer
Meant for class level and for working in groups of four. The article is given below.
A Modern Romance
The literacy meaning of‘romance’ is an exciting relationship between two people who love each other. Modern romance knows no caste, creed, colour, status or traditions. But in the past such things carried weight. The marriage of Pescud and Jessie is an appropriate example of a modern romance. There is an element of excitement and adventure throughout the story. Pescud sees Jessie for the first time and in a second chooses her to be his wife. He forgets all about his plate glass business and follows her to her place of living.
Not only that, he gathers courage to meet her and her father. His pursuing Jessie from one station to another is no less than a film romance. The suspense is maintained throughout. He meets her father, the Colonel who could throw him before the fox-hounds. But he meets him and reveals to him his heart. He is specific in calling a spade a spade. He tells him that he will try to get Jessie like him. His conversation with the Colonel appeals to the latter. The Colonel and Jessie like Pescud.
For the Colonel humorous anecdotes strengthen friendship. Both enjoy the company of each other. Soon Pescud marries Jessie. They build a house in East End and live happily. The Colonel waits for Pescud to relate him another story.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (SOLVED)
Answer each of the following questions in 30-40 words.
Question 1:
Where was the narrator going ? What did he observe in his chair car ?
Answer:
The narrator was going to Pittsburgh by train. He observed that most of the passengers were ladies who refused to have the windows raised. Then there were men-passengers who looked totally carefree. The narrator also noticed a bald-spotted head in chair no.9.
Question 2:
How did the narrator meet John A. Pescud, his casual acquaintance ?
Answer:
The man sitting in chair no.9 in the train threw a best seller entitled ‘The Rose Lady and Trevelyan’ between his chair and the window. When he veered his chair toward the window, the narrator saw his face. He recognized him at once as John A. Pescud from Pittsburgh.
Question 3:
What is the usual sight in chair cars as described by O. Henry in the lesson ‘Best Seller’ ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Most of the passengers in chair cars remain silent. They travel without bothering about fellow passengers. Some of them indulge themselves in reading books or magazines. No one tries to talk or socialize.
Question 4:
What was John A. Pesud’s first impression of Jessie in the lesson ‘Best Seller’ ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
John A. Pescud saw Jessie in a train compartment. He had never seen such a pretty girl before. He fell in love with her at first sight. He thought she was the perfect match for him. So he started following her until she reached her home-town.
Question 5:
Even though Pescud fell in love with the girl at first sight, he narrates everything casually. Why did he behave like this ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
There is no doubt that Pescud fell in love with the girl at first sight. He followed her like a romantic lover in a best seller. But he did not want to project himself as a romantic person. So he narrated everything casually.
Question 6:
Where and how did John A. Pescud meet his ‘affinity’ for the first time ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
John A. Pescud met his ‘affinity’ in a train for the first time. The girl was travelling in the same train in which Pescud was travelling. She was so attractive that Pescud fell in love with her at first sight. He began to chase her.
Question 7:
The girl changed trains to reach her destination. Why did Pescud follow her ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
The girl changed trains to reach her destination. She had come to know that she was being chased. However, she failed to evade the man, who was John A. Pescud. Pescud continued to follow her to know where she lived.
Question 8:
Pescud used his salesmanship to befriend her father. Explain. (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Pescud tried to befriend the father of the girl whom he had been following doggedly. He was at first confused. So he tried to sell him some plate-glass. When he got over his nervousness he told him everything. He did not even hide the fact that he wanted to marry his daughter.
Question 9:
How did Mr Pescud present himself in front of Colonel Allyn ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Mr Pescud told Colonel Allyn he had come to marry his daughter. He presented himself as an honest, sincere and resolute person. He tried to satisfy all his queries. Lastly, he was able to impress him with his knack of listening to and narrating way-side stories.
Question 10:
Why was Pescud shocked when he saw the girl and the father going up the hill ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Pescud saw the girl and the father going up the hill. On the hill he saw a palatial building with round white pillars. The yard was full of rose-bushes and lilacs. The house was so impressive that Pescud was shocked. He never dreamt that the girl would be belonging to an aristocratic family.
Question 11:
Describe the man who received the girl he was following ?
Answer:
The man who received the girl was her father, Colonel Allyn. He was a tall, old man. His clothes were worn out, but he looked as impressive as Julius Caesar. Pescud paid little attention to him as he was only watching the girl of his dreams.
Question 12:
How did Pescud learn about the girl and her family in Virginia ?
Answer:
Pescud found a fine hotel, Bay View House, to stay. He told the landlord that he had come there to take orders for plate-glass. Slowly, he involved him in gossips, and learnt that the man who lived in the big white house on the hill was Colonel Allyn, and the girl was his daughter.
Question 13:
What did Jessie tell Pescud about his father ?
Answer:
Jessie told Pescud that his father, Colonel Allyn, was an aristocrat and was very proud of his lineage. He was a very stern father and would never allow her to talk to a stranger.
Question 14:
Do you think Jessie was really proud of her family ? Give reasons.
Answer:
Jessie gave the impression as if she were very proud of her lineage, like her father. She told Pescud that she was a descendant of belted earls. She said they had been living in the mansion for hundred years. Actually, she was not arrogant at all. She only pretended to be so.
Question 15:
What, according to Colonel Allyn, was important for promoting family ties among the people ?
Answer:
According to Colonel Allyn, it was important to relate anecdotes and humorous incidents as it promoted family ties among the people. It was a strange way of promoting relations, but it was the Colonel’s opinion. Pescud did no contradict him.
Question 16:
“You don’t see or hear of any such capers in real life.”
Do you agree with John what he says ? Why/Why not ?
Answer:
John thinks that romances between ordinary businessmen and aristocratic ladies are unheard of in real life. He forgets that there are no barriers of class, status, age, etc. in romantic love. People in love behave strangely, as he has himself done.
Question 17:
Do you think John is satisfied with his life at present ? Substantiate your answer.
Answer:
John is doing very well professionally. He has married an aristocratic girl of his own choice. He has bought a huge, decent house. He seems to be loving his wife dearly. From his cheerful mood, it is clear that he is satisfied with his life.
Question 18:
Where did John meet Jessie ? Why did he find it difficult to keep up ?
Answer:
John met the girl Jessie in a south-bound chair car going to Cincinnati. He was at once charmed by her looks. She changed cars at Cincinnati, and took a sleeper to Louisville. From there she proceeded through Shelbyville, Frankford and Lexington. She got off at a small village station in Virginia. Naturally, John found it difficult to keep up with her.
Question 19:
How do you know Jessie knew that she was being followed by John ?
Answer:
Jessie told John on their first meeting that John would not have kept up with her if he had not woken up when the train started in Shelbyville. Then she said that he was about to miss the train at Powhatan Junction, too. In fact, she knew he was chasing her on every train.
Question 20:
Is there anything ironic in John’s code of living – “to be always decent and right in you home town.”
Answer:
John’s code of living to be decent and right is admirable. One should be morally decent in behaviour with others. But it is ironic that John adds the words “in your home town.” Why only in one’s home town ? The irony lies in the use of these words. It means that one should be decent and righteous only in his home town, and not elsewhere.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (SOLVED)
Answer the following questions in 80-100 words each.
Question 1:
A newspaper reporter hears of the marriage of Pescud and Jessie. He expresses a desire (liking their story) to write an article for all the people that your dedication and honesty can make impossible even possible. Never take things for granted but always give your best shot to be successful in life. (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
Who says that honesty and dedications are useless ? Many a times people have proved that if you are sincere, dedicated and honest, you can achieve anything in life. Even the impossible can be turned into possible. The only thing is that you should never take things for granted. You should be ready to give your best shot and you will be successful sooner or later in life.
The story of John Pescud and Jessie Allyn proves that anything can be achieved provided one is determined. John Pescud saw Jessie, fell in love with her and decided to marry her. He followed her for thousands of miles. He was shocked to know that Jessie belonged to an aristocratic family. He himself was an ordinary middle-class fellow. He approached Jessie and then her father. He did not lose heart. He was able to convey his sincerity of purpose. Jessie’s father agreed to let Jessie marry him. Thus, he turned the impossible into possible. All of us should learn something from this romantic story. It reveals how dreams sometimes become a reality.
Question 2:
Pescud describes Jessie as ‘Nothing spectacular, you know, but just the sort you want for keeps’. Why did Pescud want Jessie ‘for keeps’ in the lesson ‘Best Seller’ ? (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
There are certain things and persons you want to keep for ever. When Pescud met Jessie in a train, he was at once impressed by her beauty, simplicity and elegance. He was so mesmerized that he began to follow her to know where she lived. He wanted to marry her, even though she was a complete stranger to him. He met her father and convinced him of his sincerity. He told the girl’s father that he followed her only because he wanted to marry her. His honesty and sincerity moved him and he allowed the marriage to take place. Thus, Pescud was able to keep the girl he desired for ever as his wife.
Question 3:
Girls know instinctively that someone has fallen for them. Do you think Jessie comes to know ? Give reasons. (CBSE)
Answer:
Girls are instinctively intelligent in matters of love. Jessie knew that someone was following her. At first she tried to evade him. When she realized that the man was determined, she began to like her. She thought he would talk to her. But when he did not, she liked him all the more. When Pescud met her and told her why he had followed her so far, she was amused.
She told him : ‘Men are very clumsy… I know you were on every train. I thought you were going to speak to me, and I’m glad you didn’t.’
The remark of Jessie clearly reveals that she knew all along that she was being chased by someone.
Question 5:
Discuss the irony in the title of the lesson, ‘Best Seller’. (CBSE 2014)
Answer:
The title of the story ‘Best Seller’ is ironical. The irony lies in John A. Pescud’s attitude towards best sellers and his own life story. He denounces all best sellers for being unrealistic. They mix scenes and characters from different backgrounds. Romantic heroes in best sellers defy logic. An ordinary American falling in love with a European princess and chasing her to her father’s kingdom-such is the staple story of a best seller.
Ironically, we come to know that Pescud who denounces best sellers is nothing but another romantic hero of a best seller. Himself a middle-class person, he chases Jessie, an aristocratic lady belonging to a royal family.
Question 6:
Suppose you are Colonel Allyn, Jessie’s father. You’ve met John A. Pescud. Write your feelings in a diary entry in 80-100 words.
Answer:
Monday, 14th March 10 pm Dear Diary
I am still puzzled about the young man I met today. What a romantic hero! He came chasing Jessie thousands of miles, and that too, without knowing anything about her and her family. This is called blind love. Should I agree , to their marriage ? Pescud – that is the name of the man – is just a salesman. But he is very honest and sincere. He genuinely loves my daughter. What I find him to my liking is that he is a patient listener. He is intelligent and witty. I hope Jessie also likes him. Why should then I oppose them ? I will ask Jessie what she thinks of Pescud. If she gives the nod, I am ready for their marriage.
Question 7:
“The Best Seller” reveals the hypocrisy of Pescud. Why do people say something and practise something else ? How can we avoid being hypocrites ?
Answer:
Pescud in “The Best Seller” asserts that he dislikes romances where people behave differently from what people do in real life. Towards the end we are amused to find that he himself does what is often done in the world of romances.
Most of the people, in fact, say something and practise something else. It is so because they fear to face reality. They fear that if they state clearly what they intend to do, they may be ridiculed or censored. Sometimes, hypocrisy is practised to win somebody else’s favour. At times it is practised in complete ignorance.
We can avoid being hypocrites by becoming alert in saying something publicly. We should say only that thing which we are sure of doing. We should get rid ourselves of all false fears and the question of false prestige. By becoming simple, truthful and clear-hearted we can avoid being hypocrites. Hypocrisy does not pay in the long run, while truthfulness always does.
Question 8:
“ to be always decent and right in you home town”.
Describe the character sketch of John A. Pescud with reference to the extract given above.
Answer:
John A. Pescud is a successful salesman. He is employed in a plate-glass company. His salary has been raised and he is allowed a commission, with a promise of getting some shares of stock. He has built a house in the East End. He is doing well in life.
Though he denies his romantic temperament, he falls in love at first sight. He follows the girl of his choice for hundreds of miles. He succeeds in convincing her of his sincerity. .
He has double standards in life. He criticises the best sellers for being unrealistic and inconsistent as they mix scenes and characters belonging to different backgrounds. In real life, however, he acts like the hero of a romance. Though he is an American travelling salesman, he marries a girl belonging to a family of belted earls. So what he says is contrary to what he practises. His code of living – “to be always decent and right in your home town” – also shows his duplicity. Why should one be decent and right only in his home town, and not elsewhere ?
In short, he is a typical American businessman-rich, romantic and hypocrite.
Question 9:
Describe the journey of Pescud to Virginia in chase of Jessie.
Answer:
Pescud saw the girl (Jessie) in a train going to Cincinnati. He fell in love with her at once. He decided to follow her. He could not dare to talk to her, as she minded her business and paid no attention to him. She changed cars at Cincinnati and took another train to Louisville. There she bought another ticket. She continued her journey through Shelbyville, Frankford and Lexington.
It was becoming harder and harder for Pescud to keep pace with the girl. Had he not woken up when the train started in Shelbyville, he would have lost her. He was about to miss the train at Powhatan Junction, too. The last station the girl got off at was Virginia. She was received by an old man in worn-out clothes. Pescud continued his chase. The girl and the old man went in a gate on top of the hill. On the hill was situated a huge mansion. Later, he learnt that the girl was Jessie and the old man was her father, Colonel Allyn, who lived in the huge mansion. They belonged to a royal family of belted earls.