2ND PUC ENGLISH NOTES - THE VOTER

 

 

 

THE VOTER

Comprehension I

1) The roof was a popular young man because of he________

a) had not abandoned his village.

b) wanted to guide his people.

c) was forced to return to his village.

Ans: a) had not abandoned his village.

 

2) Why was Marcus considered rich and powerful?

Ans: Marcus had two long cars and had quite recently fabricated himself the greatest house anybody had found in these parts. He had engaged his people butchering five bulls and endless goats to take care of individuals. Despite the fact that the town had no power, he had introduced a private plant to supply power to his new home. Also, his home was opened by the Archbishop. Thirdly, he had been made a clergyman after he won the political race. That is the reason he was viewed as rich and amazing.

 

3) Marcus Ibe had earlier been

a) doctor              b) school teacher           c) politician

 Ans: b) school teacher.

 

4) The fact that Marcus Ibe left the good things of the capital and returned to his village whenever he could, shows

a) his devotion to his people and love for the place

b) he enjoyed all the comforts of the city in his village.

c) he wanted to improve the amenities in his village.

Ans: b) he enjoyed all the comforts of the city in his village.

 

5) After the feasting, the villagers

a) praised Marcus’s faithfulness and generosity.

b) intended to demand more for their votes

c) realized Marcus’s wealth.

Ans: c) realized Marcus’s wealth.

 

6) The ‘whispering campaign’ is

a) secret campaigning at night

b) bargaining for votes.

c) clandestine distribution of money.

Ans: c) clandestine distribution of money.

 

7) The village eider Ezenwa tilted the lamp a little because

a) he could not see properly.

b) the place was too dark.

c) he wanted to confirm the amount paid to each.

Ans: c) he wanted to confirm the amount paid to each.

 

8) ‘Firewood’ refers to

a) Roof taking advantage of the situation.

b) the advantages of being a voter.

c) the benefits the elders received.

Ans: c) the benefits the elders received.

 

9) Roof and the leader of the POP campaign team were

a) friends             b) strangers                   c) acquaintances

 Ans: a) friends/ c)acquaintances

 

10) The roof was mesmerized by

a) the red notes on the floor.

b) the picture of the cocoa farmer.

c) the POP campaign leader.

Ans: a) the red notes on the floor.

 

11) Roof’s act of inserting the torn ballot papers in two boxes signifies

a) keeping his promise.          b) appeasing Iyi  c) absolving himself of his guilt

Ans: c) absolving himself of his guilt.

 

12) How long had Roof worked as a bicycle repairer’s apprentice?

Ans: Roof worked as a bicycle repairer’s apprentice for two years.

 

13) The roof had given up being a bicycle repairer’s apprentice in order to

a) contest elections        b) guide his people        c) campaign for Marcus.

Ans: b) and guide his people/ c) campaign for Marcus.

 

14) Who had formed the Progressive Organization Party?

Ans: The Progressive Organization Party (POP) had been formed by the tribes down the coast.

 

15) To which village did Roof belong?

Ans: Roof belonged to Umuofia village.

 

16)  Who was supposed to be very popular in his village?

Ans: Roof was supposed to be very popular in his village.

 

17) According to the villagers, what was Roof’s motivation for leaving a promising career?

Ans: According to the villagers, a strong desire to guide the people of Umuofia in difficult times was Roof’s motivation for leaving a promising career.

 

18) Which political party did the people of Umuofia support?

Ans: The people of Umuofia supported People’s Alliance Party.

 

19) To which party did Marcus belong?

Ans: Marcus belonged to the People’s Alliance Party.

 

20) What was Marcus in the outgoing government?

Ans: Marcus was Minister of Culture in the outgoing government.

 

21) Why did Marcus Ibe face the threat of being dismissed from service as a school teacher?

Ans: Marucs Ibe faced the threat of being dismissed from service as a school teacher because a female teacher had complained against Marcus Ibe.

 

22) What had Marcus named his new house?

Ans: Marcus had named his new house as ‘Umuofia Mansions’.

 

23) Who was the most trusted campaigner of Marcus?

Ans: Roof was the most trusted campaigner of Marcus.

 

24) How much salary had Marcus withdrawn in advance?

Ans: Marcus had withdrawn five months’ salary in advance.

 

25) How much did Marcus offer the people at first to vote for him?

Ans: Marcus offered the people two shillings to each voter at first to vote for him.

 

26) How much did Marcus offer the people finally to vote for him?

Ans: Marcus offered the people finally four shillings vote for him.

 

27) Who was the enemy Roof referred to when he spoke to the elders?

Ans: The Progressive Organization Party was the enemy Roof referred to when he spoke to the elders.

 

28) Who is the leader of the Progressive Organization Party?

Ans: Maduka is the leader of the Progressive Organization Party.

 

29) What was the symbol of the Progressive Organization Party?

Ans: The symbol of the Progressive Organization Party was a man’s head.

 

30) What is ‘Umuofia Mansions’?

Ans: ‘Umuofia Mansions’ is the name of the biggest house in Umuofia, built by Marcus Ibe.

 

31) Where, on the election morning, did Marcus Ibe sit shaking hands with the villagers?

Ans: On the election morning, Marcus Ibe sat in the ‘owner’s corner’ of his enormous green car, shaking hands with the villagers.

 

32) What was Rufus Okeke called as?

Ans: Rufus Okeke was called Roof for short by the people of his village.

 

33) Mention the promise made by PAP if they were voted to power.

Ans: The promise made by PAP if they were voted to power was to give pipe-borne water to the village if he was elected in the forthcoming election.

 

34) Who competed against Marcus in the elections?

Ans: Maduka, the leader of the POP, competed against Marcus in the elections.

 

35) What was Roof asked to swear on by the POP team?

Ans: The roof was made to swear on the Iyi of Mbanta to ensure his vote for Maduka.

 

36) Who was PAP’s most illustrious son referred to in ‘The Voter’?

Ans: Marcus Ibe was PAP’s most illustrious son referred to in ‘The Voter’.

 

37) Who was the Minister of Culture in the outgoing government in ‘The Voter’?

Ans: Marcus Ibe was the Chief Honourable Minister of Culture in the outgoing government mentioned in the voter.

 

Comprehension II

1) Trace the change in the attitude of the villagers before the second election. Give reasons.

Ans: In this short story, Chinua Achebe makes an endeavor to introduce before the reader how ‘elections’ lose their sacredness and are abused by covetous politicians for self-magnification as opposed to achieving improvement in the existence of people. People of Umuofia vote en masses for the People's Alliance Party and choose Marcus Ibe, a local teacher, as their chief. Once getting chosen, individuals see a large number changes in Marcus' day to day existence. Their chosen delegate gets well off, is granted chieftaincy titles and doctorate degrees, other than numerous different distinctions. He likewise assembles a huge mansion in his local town and names it 'Umuofia a Mansion'. He invests the vast majority of his energy in the capital and returns to remain in his town chateau at times.

 

The villagers don't have running water and electricity; however he gets a private plant introduced in his town to supply power to his new house. To top everything, his new house is opened by the Archbishop. On the day the new house is opened, he has an amazing supper to everyone people of his town, butchering five bulls and innumerable goats. The average folks understand that triumphant a political race can change a normal mission teacher into an affluent and influential man. They additionally realize that it is their polling form which has given him each one of those advantages. They review that they had given their votes complimentary five years prior. They understand that they had underestimated the force of the voting form paper and ought not to do so once more. That is the reason, in the subsequent political decision; they request cash for their votes.

 

2) What was the justification for the formation of the POP?

Ans: POP represents Progressive Organization Party. This gathering is shaped by the clans down the coast to save themselves from 'totally political, cultural, social and religious annihilation'. The POP was a finished non-element in the primary political decision. When the coordinators come to realize that there is no resistance, some rich individuals from the clans down the coast, structure this gathering. They need individuals to realize that they will be paid pounds and not shillings in the event that they hear them out and vote in favor of them. In the story, we don't get any clue about the goals of the PAP, however the coordinators of the POP case that they need to save individuals from political, religious, cultural annihilation, however they seem, by all accounts, to be no greater. From the circumstance depicted in the story, we can surmise that the essayist expects to tell the reader that no ideological group is genuinely keen on improving the government assistance of individuals. They appear to know without a doubt that by winning a political race, they can take the government in their grasp and become rich. They appear to be ignorant of their obligations and duties.

 

3) The roof is an intelligent manipulator. Justify with reference to the story,

Ans: Rooftop Okeke is a fiery young fellow and has returned to his own town Umuofia, subsequent to filling in as a bike repairer's understudy for a very long time in Port Harcourt. The facts confirm that he would have delighted in a rich life in the event that he had remained on in his work. In any case, he returns to the town and advises individuals that he needs to control them in troublesome occasions. Later he turns into an ‘election campaign manager’ for Marcus Ibe and over a time of five years turns into a specialist in political race crusading at all levels.

 

In the story, we become more acquainted with additional about Roof when he is at work, occupied with one of his murmuring efforts. He tells the seniors that Marcus Ibe, being a 'child' from their town, has been made a pastor and it ought to be viewed as a significant privilege. At that point he attempts to utilize his rationalistic speculation with people. He asks them, “Do you ever stop to ask yourselves why we should be singled out for this honour?” He himself responds to his inquiry. He discloses to them that they are supported by the PAP chiefs. Here we consider Roof to be a controller at work. He knows without a doubt that Marcus was maybe the solitary man with some training. Besides, there was no resistance. Fundamentally, the town people were blameless and guileless and scarcely understood the importance of a political race and the estimation of their command. Rooftop abuses the present circumstance for his potential benefit.

 

Additionally, when he comes to discover that people had perceived the advantages of entering governmental issues and winning a political race as found on account of Marcus Ibe and are presently arranging not to give their vote for nothing out of pocket, he quickly advises Marcus and keeps him arranged to pay some money to the people in exchange for their votes. At last, we get an unmistakable image of Roof as a controller when he acknowledges five pounds from the political decision chief of POR He ensures that they won't uncover the information on his tolerating the cash. He additionally attempts to keep his still, small voice unmistakable by revealing to them that he works for Marcus; while putting his polling form paper into the case, he astutely figures out how to make his choice for both Marcus and Maduka, without pulling in the fury of 'Iyi'.

 

Comprehension III

1) The POP campaign leader’s meeting with Roof shows the misuse of transparency in a democratic setup. Discuss.

Ans: In this story, Achebe parodies 'politicians' and creates an endeavor to show how even in a vote based arrangement political decision can get ludicrous. Not at all like in dictatorship or monarchy, in a democratic setup, have people had the freedom to elect a ‘person’ to function as their agent in the public authority and work for their upliftment. One of the hallmarks of democracy is its insistence on transparency. Every person is subject to scrutiny by the public in the election process. An individual is allowed to decide in favor of an individual of his decision from among the competitors. 'Transparency' in this alludes to Roof's educating the POP lobby pioneer that he is working for Marcus.

 

Furthermore, if Roof illuminates him, it is notable to everybody that Roof is Marcus' election campaign manager. The candidates are allowed by law to spread the word about for individuals every such arrangement and maintain transparency in their dealings. Notwithstanding, no candidate can hit an arrangement with individuals and purchase their votes. However, this is done covertly. The POP lobby pioneer realizes that Roof is working for Marcus. Therefore, they need to purchase Roof's vote first so they will tell him that the POP leaders will pay in pounds and not in shillings. This is the message they need to get across to individuals through Roof. Likely, sometime later, Roof who has made a name as an effective political race supervisor for Marcus, will be adequately striking to request 'pounds' rather than shillings from Marcus and in the event that he won't pay in pounds, he may proceed to work for the POP chief. That way he will actually want to propel his kin to decide in favor of POP rather than the bazaar. Consequently, the POP campaign managers’ gathering with Roof is challenging abuse of transparency in a vote based arrangement.

 

2) To every human comes a time of reckoning. How does Roof’s dilemma on the day of the election reflect this?

Ans: In 'The Voter', Roof is a lively young fellow who has the standing of forfeiting a brilliant future for individuals of his town. The roof has worked in a city for a very long time and has insight in managing the two literates and uneducated people. In light of this information on broad human conduct, Roof works for himself a profession as an election campaign manager for Marcus Ibe. At the point when the story opens, we discover that Marcus Ibe is Chief the Honorable Minister of Culture in the cordial government and is looking for individuals' command briefly term. We additionally discover that Marcus looks at Roof as a genuine master in election campaigning at all levels. Rooftop knows how government officials bring in cash. He likewise realizes that individuals of Umuofia have now chosen to decide in favor of Marcus at a cost. Rooftop passes on this news to Marcus and sets him up previously.

 

Like an efficient manager, he attempts to feature the solid places of PAP lastly make a deal with the citizens paying them four shillings for every vote. Everything is presently going as per his arrangement and is glad. In any case, one evening, the head of the POP lobby group goes to his home to meet him. He entices Roof to decide in favor of Maduka paying him five pounds. Roof's eagerness entices him to acknowledge the offer. In any case, he additionally gets caught. The pioneer requests that he swear on the 'Iyi', that he would decide in favor of Maduka.

 

The roof can't back on his promise. So he commits to decide in favor of Maduka. At last, upon the arrival of the democratic, Marcus needs to ensure that all of his kin makes his choice as a matter of course. In this manner, Roof being his election manager, Marcus sends him to the corner first to cast a ballot. Presently, Roof is trapped in an ethical problem. From the start he has worked for Marcus and his inner voice doesn't allow him to swindle Marcus. Presently, when Marcus requests that he cast his vote he is in two personalities. He feels that he can't deceive Marcus. Briefly, his psyche discloses to him that he should decide in favor of Marcus and return and return the cash he had gotten from the POP election manager.

 

Besides, he recalls that he had sworn on that 'Iyi'. In no time flat, his psyche hits on a groundbreaking thought. He folds the ballot paper in the middle and tears it into two halves at the crease. He drops the initial half into the case implied for Maduka and affirms his vote saying that he votes in favor of Maduka. Since he has not made a vow to decide in favor of Marcus, there is no dread of 'Iyi' in him yet just his blame. Since he has functioned as his director for cash and rewards, he drops the other half into the crate implied for Marcus. Along these lines, he guarantees that he doesn't cheat by the same token. By tearing the polling form paper and making his choice for the two of them he defeats his ethical situation.

 

3) What comment does the story offer on the electoral system? Is it relevant?

Ans: In 'The Voter', Achebe attempts to introduce a true picture of the drama that is seen during an election race held in a humble community in Nigeria. There are two primary characters and political parties in the story and the citizens are the residents of Umuofia. The roof is an energetic young man, who is currently functioning as the political race administrator for Marcus Ibe, who was once a local mission school teacher and was on the verge of dismissal from service on the basis of a female teacher’s complaint. Marcus Ibe joins the People's Alliance Party, challenges the political decision, and gets chosen. He turns into a priest and his government completes a five-year term and he is presently looking for re-election. During his term as a priest, he stores up a great deal of abundance, goes to possess two major vehicles, assembles a colossal house in his native village, and wins a few chieftaincy titles and doctorate degrees.

 

Be that as it may, his people continue as before – poor, uneducated, uninformed, and innocent. The circumstance in his village likewise doesn't show any improvement. The standard, worn out issues of absence of running water and electricity continue to plague the people and keep them from improving monetarily and strategically. At the point when the story opens, we discover that Marcus Ibe is looking for a subsequent term and everybody is certain that he will get an landslide victory in light of the fact that there is no resistance worth thinking about. Be that as it may, there is an adjustment of the view of individuals. Subsequent to devouring in Marcus' new house and seeing his riches and influence, the needy individuals of Umuofia understand that 'races' do have a significance and their votes which they had misjudged previously, are of high worth. Subsequently, they request some incentive for their votes and Roof figures out how to persuade them that they should decide in favor of Marcus again by giving four shillings each.

 

Some tribes down the coast had set up a new political party called POP with the objective of saving the people from ‘totally political, cultural, social and religious annihilation’. Their campaign leader comes to Roof’s house and offers to buy his vote for five pounds. Roof initially is enamored of the five-pound notes and agrees to vote. But the POP leader cleverly gets him to swear on the ‘Iyi’ that he will vote for Maduka. Finally, on Election Day, his conscience pricks him to a little extent and Roof feels like voting loyally for Marcus and returning the money to the POP election manager. But the oath he has taken before ‘Iyi’ does not allow him to do so and there is a moral dilemma. However, Roof cuts his ballot paper in two, drops one half into the box meant for Maduka and drops the other half into the box meant for Marcus, and saves his conscience and his life too. This is the story in a nutshell.

There are lessons to gain from this story. We should take note of that only naming our administration as 'democracy' and setting up every one of the things required for holding races don't ensure that people will actually want to practice their actual order and will choose skilled individuals for the public authority which will make progress toward the upliftment of individuals socially, instructively, financially and socially. We can't ensure vote based administration by simply holding decisions consistently. To begin with, we should instruct people about their privileges, obligations, and duties in responsibilities in any election.

 

Also, we should guarantee that individuals reserve the privilege to review their delegates in the event that they don't endeavor to improve a many individuals. Thirdly, chose delegates should be compelled to represent their profit subsequent to joining the government. At last, there ought to be a position which ought to regulate that sacredness of political race strategies isn't messed with. Likewise, the individuals who get chosen are conceited and misuse individuals and the circumstance to their advantage. In general, one can contend that by only holding decisions routinely we can't guarantee that a popularity based government will come into place.