ACFrOgAjcOg1KRSS5UJIm5Rh5HBXb7LypwluyKJQiZBjTytqR6thl tzAjR0PVscirSfcteaNCL9t6Saw-MXaZYMKbPTylQy7XaWsoHbQVkWSvAKQD3V0AnS48EeJnma4oFSQsOSgPnApsRWkvIg

NOTES- POETS AND PANCAKES
VIDEO LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK7hO1x-wvM
1.Why did the legal adviser lose his job in the Gemini
Studios?
Answer:
The legal adviser worked in the story department of the
Gemini Studios which was later closed by the boss. So, in
this way, the legal adviser lost his job.
2.What was the poet’s preconceived idea about communism?

Answer:
The poet opined that the communists were heart-less and
godless persons. They did not love their wife, children as well
as relatives. They were always ready for violence and to
tease the innocent people.
3.Who was Greta Garbo?

Answer:
Greta Garbo was a Swedish actress who received honorary
Oscar for her unforgettable screen performances. Guiness
Book of World Records named her the most beautiful woman
who ever lived and she was also voted Best Silent Actress of
the country.
4.‘The God That Failed’ was the composition of six eminent

men of letters. Describe.
Answer:
The God That Failed’ contained six separate essays of six
renowned essayists about their journeys into communism and
their disillusioned return. Those six distinguished writers were
: Andre Gide, Richard Wright, Ignazio Silone, Arthur Koestler,
Louis Fischer and Stephen Spender.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
Q1. The author has used gentle humour to point

out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to
show how this serves to make the piece
interesting?
Ans: ‘Poets and Pancakes’ has an underlying tone of humour

which is satirical and has been deployed by the author to
point out human foibles. It is mainly manifested in his
description of the make-up room people.
The make-up room, he says, was in a building that had once
been the stables of Robert Clive. He further makes fun of the
make-up team that slapped make-up. Ironically, the make-up
turned any normal man into a hideous monster, far from
being presentable. He also refers to the fiery misery of the
actors when their make-up was done under the bright bulbs,
large mirrors reflecting blazing heat. His description of
Subbu’s No. 2 position in Gemini Studios, the frustration of
the office boy and the opposite role played by the legal
adviser in the acting career of a countryside girl are
humorously dealt with but effectively bring out the flaws in the
set-up.
The showmanship of the boss and what influences his guest
list point out human weaknesses in a light-hearted manner.
The humour is at its peak in the description of the visit of
Stephen Spender. S.S. Vasan’s reading a long speech in his
honour but he too knew precious little about him. Spender’s
accent is highly unintelligible. Then the author’s establishing
long lost brother’s relationship with the English visitor is also
funny and humorous. All these slight digs at human foibles
tickle in us humour.
Q2. Why was Kothamangaiam Subbu considered

No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
Ans: Kothamangaiam Subbu was on the attendance roll with

the story department and was No. 2 at Gemini Studios not by
virtue of any merit, but because he was a Brahmin with
affluent exposure. He was cheerful and had a sense of loyalty
that placed him close to the Boss. He was quick to delegate
work to others. As if tailor-made for films, sparks of his
creativity showed in his suggestions on how to create shots.
He composed poetry, scripted a story and a novel. He gave
direction and definition to Gemini Studios during its golden
years. He performed in a subsidiary role better than the main
players. He had a genuine love for his relatives and near and
dear ones. His extravagant hospitality was popular among his
relatives and acquaintances, probably that is why he had
enemies.
Q3. How does the author describe the incongruity

of an English poet addressing the audience at
Gemini Studios?
Ans: The Gemini Studios witnessed a surprising visit by a tall
Englishman who was proclaimed to be a poet. The welcome
speech by the Boss was delivered in the most general terms,
which only showed that even the Boss did not know much
about him. The poet talked about the thrill and travails of an
English poet which made no sense to the simple people at
Gemini Studios. They had no exposure other than films and
so, they were not interested. Also, words like democracy and
freedom that featured in his speech held no interest for them
as they had no political thought or interests. Moreover, the
Englishman’s accent was difficult to understand, because of
which all communications failed. He was basically a poet and
that made no sense to the people whose life centred round a
film studio. Therefore, his visit remained an unexplained
mystery for much time.
Q4. What do you understand about the author’s

literary inclinations from the account?
Ans: The author, Asokamitran, was entrusted with the job of

maintaining the newspaper clippings of movies and other
articles. Though to others, who just saw him tearing papers,
he appeared to be doing nothing, the job kept the author well
informed. Also, there prevailed an intellectual environment to
some extent because the poets and script writers used to
hang out there in the mess that served coffee any time of the
day. The author would pick up fifty paisa copies of journals
from the footpath and took part in the poetry writing
competition. He actually read essays ‘The God Who Failed’ to
know more about the poet Stephen Spender. All these are
evidence that he had some literary taste.

ACFrOgAjcOg1KRSS5UJIm5Rh5HBXb7LypwluyKJQiZBjTytqR6thl tzAjR0PVscirSfcteaNCL9t6Saw-MXaZYMKbPTylQy7XaWsoHbQVkWSvAKQD3V0AnS48EeJnma4oFSQsOSgPnApsRWkvIg

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

ACFrOgAjcOg1KRSS5UJIm5Rh5HBXb7LypwluyKJQiZBjTytqR6thl tzAjR0PVscirSfcteaNCL9t6Saw-MXaZYMKbPTylQy7XaWsoHbQVkWSvAKQD3V0AnS48EeJnma4oFSQsOSgPnApsRWkvIg

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

NOTES- POETS AND PANCAKES

VIDEO LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK7hO1x-wvM

2.What was the poet’s preconceived idea about communism?

3.Who was Greta Garbo?

4.‘The God That Failed’ was the composition of six eminent

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Q1. The author has used gentle humour to point

Ans: ‘Poets and Pancakes’ has an underlying tone of humour

Q2. Why was Kothamangaiam Subbu considered

Ans: Kothamangaiam Subbu was on the attendance roll with

Q3. How does the author describe the incongruity

Q4. What do you understand about the author’s

Ans: The author, Asokamitran, was entrusted with the job of

You might also like