ᒪEᗩᖇᑎIᑎG ᒍᑌᑎᑕTIOᑎ
CBSE
CLASS 10 ENGLISH
FIRST FLIGHT✈️
CHAPTER 7:GLIMPSES OF INDIA
I. A BAKER FROM GOA
SUMMARY
➤Summary:
The chapter "A Baker from Goa" portrays the importance of traditional Goan village bakers in their society. The narrative reminisces about the Portuguese influence and their famous bread, highlighting that while the eaters may have disappeared, the bakers still remain. The chapter describes the routine of the baker visiting houses twice a day, once in the morning and again after selling his bread. The children eagerly awaited the baker's arrival, not for the loaves but for the bread-bangles they could choose from. The baker's distinct bamboo staff and the fragrance of the loaves are vividly remembered. The chapter emphasizes the significance of bakers in Goan culture, as bread is considered essential for various occasions such as marriages and festivals. The baker's unique dress and the monthly billing system are also mentioned, showcasing the prosperity associated with the baking profession.
➤Key Points:
1. Traditional Goan bakers still play a vital role in society.
2. The Portuguese influence and their famous bread are reminisced.
3. The baker visited houses twice a day to sell bread.
4. Children eagerly awaited the baker's arrival for bread-bangles.
5. Bakers are essential for various occasions and festivals.
6. The baker's dress, known as the kabai, is mentioned.
7. Monthly billing and prosperity associated with the baking profession.
👨Character Analysis:
1. The Baker: Represents the traditional Goan village baker who continues his family profession. He is described as a friendly figure who is an integral part of the community and is remembered fondly by the narrator.
=❯Important Quotes:
1. "Those age-old, time-tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished."
2. "During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion, and guide."
3. "Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol."
4. "The baker and his family never starved. He, his family, and his servants always looked happy and prosperous."
=❯Themes:
1. Cultural heritage and traditions: The chapter highlights the significance of traditional Goan bakers in preserving cultural practices and providing essential items for various occasions.
2. Nostalgia and reminiscence: The narrator's recollections evoke a sense of nostalgia for the bygone era and the unique experiences associated with the baker and his bread.
=❯Word meanings:
1. Rebuke: An expression of disapproval; a scolding.
2. Fragrance: Scent.
3. Herald: Announcing.
=❯FAQ WITH SOLUTIONS
Q1. Why are the elders in Goa nostalgic?
ANSWER: The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the good old Portuguese days and their famous loaves of bread.
Q2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
ANSWER: Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. The chapter mentions that the bakers are still present, and the traditional furnaces are still in use.
Q3. What is the baker called in Goa?
ANSWER: The bakers in Goa are known as "pader."
Q4. When would the baker come every day, and why did the children run to meet him?
ANSWER: The baker would come twice a day, once in the morning on his selling round and then again after emptying his basket. The children ran to meet him because they were interested in choosing bread-bangles.
Q5. Why were breads and bangles significant to the children?
ANSWER: The loaves of bread were bought by the maid-servant, but the children were interested in choosing bread-bangles, which were a special treat for them.
Q6. What role do bakers play in Goan culture?
ANSWER: Bakers are considered important in Goan culture as their presence is essential for various occasions, such as engagements, parties, feasts, and festivals. They provide bread and sweet delicacies like bolinhas.
Q7. How did the baker dress in the past?
ANSWER: In the past, the baker used to wear a peculiar dress called the kabai, which was a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees.
Q8. How did the baker manage his billing?
ANSWER: The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month and recorded them on a wall using a pencil.
Q9. Why were bakers associated with prosperity?
ANSWER: Baking was a profitable profession in the old days, and bakers, along with their families and servants, always appeared happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was considered a sign of their well-being.
Q10. How are people with a jackfruit-like physical appearance compared to bakers?
ANSWER: People with a jackfruit-like physical appearance are easily compared to bakers as the plump physique of bakers is often associated with their prosperity and well-being.
⭐These FAQs should help you understand the chapter and its various aspects in more detail.
