Poem- 09
BUTTOO
Toru Dutt
Comprehension Questions:
A. Answer the following questions briefly.
1) Why had Buttoo gone to Dronacharya?
Ans: Buttoo had
gone to Dronacharya to learn the science of archery.
2) How did Drona respond to Buttoo’s request?
Ans: Dronacharya
declined to teach the science of archery as he did not belong to the royal
family.
3) “I came here to learn thy science”, says
Buttoo? What does “thy science” refer to?
Ans: “thy science”
refers to archery.
4) Why did Buttoo revere Drona as his master?
Ans: Dronacharya
was the famous archer and Buttoo got his inspiration and knowledge from the
great master. So, Buttoo revered Drona as his master.
5) Buttoo says “All that I have, all I shall
conquer by my skill, gladly shall I to thee resign”. This shows Buttoo’s
a) reverence to Drona
b) generosity
c) gratitude
d) foolishness
Ans: a) reverence
to Drona.
6) “Rash promises ever ends in strife.” By
saying this Drona is
a) warning Buttoo of unpleasant consequences
b) offering Buttoo a chance to change his
stance
c) hinting that his demand for recompense
could be damaging or destructive to Buttoo
d) regretting the rash promise he had made to
Arjuna
Ans: c) hinting
that his demand for recompense could be damaging or destructive to Buttoo.
7) What did Drona seek from Buttoo as
recompense?
Ans: Dronacharya
sought Buttoo’s right hand thumb as recompense.
8) What justification did Drona give for his
unfair demand?
Ans: Dronacharya
had already promised Arjuna that there would be no one greater than Arjuna in archery
and he would be the best archer ever. Thus to keep his promise Drona asked his
unfair demand.
9) “Buttoo”, a small extract from a very long
poem is composed in an Epic form. It makes use of archaic words like “unto”,
“thee” (line 1). Pick out the other archaic words from this extract.
Ans: “Thy, thou,
hast, wilt, const, aught, thee, art, pelf” are the archaic words used in this
poem.
10) The poem makes use of the dialogue form.
The two speakers in the poem are Drona and Buttoo. Identify the lines/passages
spoken by each of the two.
Ans: Drona: “It I’m Master ……… between us new,”
“It is a promise?”
“Beware! Rash promise ever ends in strife.”
“If it is so – Arjuna hear!”
“For thy sake ………. for thee.”
“For this ……….. modesty.”
Buttoo: “Oh Master, unto thee ………. from thee.”
“All that I have ………. they gracious will.”
“Yes. I swear ………… thou wilt.”
“Thou art my Master …………. from blame.”
II. Close Study
Read the following extracts carefully.
Discuss in pairs and then write the answers to the questions given below them:
1) “I press for this sad recompense”, says
Drona.
a) What does “sad recompense” refer to?
Ans: Dronacharya
asked Buttoo his right hand thumb is “sad recompense” refers to.
b) What does it tell us about Drona?
Ans: Dronacharya
was only anxious about Arjuna that he should be the best archer in the world.
He did not give importance to Buttoo’s skill.
c) If it was “sad recompense”, why did Drona
demand it?
Ans: Dronacharya
had already promised Arjuna that there would be no one greater than Arjuna in
archery and he would be the best archer ever. Thus to keep his promise Drona
asked his unfair demand.
2) “The severed thumb was on the sod
There was no tear in Buttoo’s eye.”
a) Why was the thumb severed?
Ans: The thumb
severed because his teacher (guru) had asked him recompense (guru dakshina).
b) Why was there no tear in Buttoo’s eye?
Ans: Dronacharya
was considered as a great teacher by Buttoo. He didn’t want to disrespect his
teacher; he was ready to do anything for his teacher. He gave away his right
hand thumb when his teacher asked him to give recompense and there were no tear
in Buttoo’s eye as he considered it as dedication for his teacher.
c) What does it tell you about Buttoo?
Ans: Buttoo was
dedicated student to his teacher even though his teacher had refused him to
teach him science of archery. But Buttoo was completely devoted himself to his
teacher. Buttoo loyalty reached to high rank when he cut and gave away his
right hand thumb to his teacher as recompense without any query.
III. Paragraph Writing
1) Discuss, in pairs, the great qualities of
Buttoo and write down any five.
Ans: The great
qualities of Buttoo: Buttoo’s devotion towards his teacher Dronacharya: Buttoo
was dedicated student to his teacher even though his teacher had refused him to
teach him science of archery. But Buttoo was completely devoted himself to his
teacher. Buttoo’s determination to learn science of archery was great quality
expressed by him. Buttoo was very humble and modest person and he was not
envious of Arjuna as his teacher refused him for Arjuna. Buttoo had given his
right hand thumb to his teacher as recompense when his demanded him and he kept
his promise, Buttoo was truthful in that occasion. The most important quality
of Buttoo was his respect towards his teacher. Buttoo had dedicated his whole
life for his teacher.
2) Discuss the following in groups of 4 each
and write in a paragraph:
Was Drona unfair in his demand?
Ans: Dronacharya
had already promised Arjuna that there would be no one greater than Arjuna in
archery and he would be the best archer ever. Thus to keep his promise Drona
asked his unfair demand. Buttoo had mastered himself in archery and Drona
realized that Buttoo was far superior to Arjuna. To keep promise to Arjuna he
asked Buttoo to give his right hand thumb as recompense. Drona was aware that
if he would get his right hand thumb then Buttoo would never shoot without his
right hand thumb. He only thought about Arjuna at that time ignoring the young
talent of Buttoo.
