OU Degree 1st Sem English – On Saying Please Questions and Answers & Summary
Comprehension – I
Answer the following questions in 80-100 words.
Question 1.
Does the author feel sympathy for the lift-man? Elaborate on your answer.
Answer:
The young lift man threw the passenger out of his lift because the passenger had refused to say, “Top please”. That is why the young lift man was fined. According to the author, discourtesy is not a legal offence and it does not excuse assault and battery.
The writer suggests to the angry lift-man that he should have treated the gentleman who would not say ‘please’ with elaborate politeness. The author feels sympathy for the lift-man, because no legal system could attempt to legislate against ‘bad manners’. The author feels that the liftman deserves respect from the complainant or the passenger.
Question 2.
Write a short character sketch of the conductor.
Answer:
The writer had a very good experience from a bus conductor who was very polite and passenger-friendly. One day the writer boarded his bus and found that he had forgotten his pocket at home! That means he had no money now! He was penniless’ Generally, in such a case, the bus conductor looks at the passenger with anger, doubt and hatred assuming that the passenger is a cheater.
However, this great conductor understood the writer and showed kindness. The writer told the bus conductor that he wanted to go back home to get the pocket. But the conductor made him feel comfortable and offered him a ticket for free (generosity). The writer was very pleased with the conductor’s ways. He liked the ease with which he worked.
Once, this conductor friend happened to trample on the writer’s sensitive toe. Actually, he had hurt the writer badly but since the conductor was so nice, the writer bore the pain silently and told him that he had not hurt him. This conductor friend showed very good patience and tried his best to make his passengers feel comfortable in his bus.
Question 3.
What does the author mean when he says that bad temper is infectious?
Answer:
According to A.G. Gardiner, good manners are essential to success. Poor manners are not a criminal offence. No law allows us to kick back the person who is misbehaving us. The author feels that bad temper is like infection and builds a reaction chain. When some burglar comes into the building, one is allowed to hit him, but if anyone hurts anyone’s feelings, the rule is silent.
The liftman’s attitude is not appreciable because he is reproaching bad manners with bad manners.The writer says that if we come in contact with a good-mannered person, we too become good. The bus conductor’s good conduct, courtesy and sense of humour had a positive impact on his passengers.The great bus conductor has proved that an ordinary calling (simple, undignified profession) may be dignified by good temper and kindly feeling. We should take lessons/ inspiration from such people.
Question 4.
What is the significance of the Chesterfield anecdote to the author’s argument?
Answer:
The author says that war has badly affected our manners. War has made people uncivil and boorish. He advices to restore good manners to make life a happy one. One should teach moral lesson to those who are guilty of bad manners. In this connection, people should follow the example of Lord Chesterfield. During that time, London streets were without pavement.
Once Lord Chesterfield met a person in the way who said, I never give the wall to a scoundrel.” But Lord Chesterfield replied, “I always do.” This victory of Lord Chesterfield was more lasting. He concludes the essay by stating that the liftman also might have followed the foot of Lord Chesterfield instead of punishing the man (the passenger).
Question 5.
Why is the author grateful that discourtesy is not a punishable offence? Do you agree with the author’s opinion?
Answer:
The author is grateful that discourtesy is not a punishable offence, According to him, discourtesy or impoliteness is not a legal offence and so cannot be treated by violence. If it is treated as an offence and treated by violence, the city will run blood all day due to violence.
I fully agree with the author in this regard. However, the writer feels that incivility and impoliteness are not legally punishable, they are extremely dangerous and affect the course of life. “Please” and. “Thank you” are the courtesies which humans can keep the machine of life oiled and graceful. These courtesies make he happy.
Comprehension-II
Answer the following questions in 350-400 words.
Question 1.
Why, according to the author, is it important to exhibit good social graces?
OR
Comment on the importance of patience with respect to the theme of this society?
Answer:
The present essay “On Saying Please” is an apt commentary on the mannerism of people in the society. A.G. Gardiner wants people to be civil and courteous The world is a place where, we have to live with a tot of different people who have different attitudes, different manners, traditions and mentaLities. They behave in different ways but we have to put up with them so that life can smoothly go on. If we do not adopt good manners, we will poison the whole atmosphere and spoil the stream of life.
According to the author, it is important to exhibit good social graces.The writer shares some of his experiences in this regard. The writer had a very good experience from a bus conductor who was very polite and passenger.-friendly.One day the writer boarded his bus and found that he had forgotten his pocket at home That means he had no money now.
He was penniless! Generally, in such a case, the bus conductor Looks at the passenger with anger, doubt and hatred assuming that the passenger is a cheater. However this great conductor understood the writer and showed kindness, The writer told the bus conductor that he wanted to go back home to get the pocket. But the conductor made him feel comfortable and offered him a ticket for free (generosity).
The author is especially impressed by the fact that the conductor would get out of the bus, asking the driver to wait for him so as to take the blind across the road or round the comer. AG. Gardiner adds that just as good weather uplifts our spirit, good-natured people too bring about positivity. Their charm cannot be resisted by even unfriendly people.
The author concludes the essay by observing that rudeness seemed to be the aftermath of war. He earnestly appeals to his readers to bring back civility to social behaviour. With old people he was as considerate as a son. He was extremely as caring as a father. He created an atmosphere of good temper and kindliness. Therefore journey with him was a lesson in natural courtesy and good manners. The writer was very pleased with the conductor’s ways. He liked the ease with which he worked.
Once, this conductor friend happened to trample on the writer’s sensitive toe. Actually, he had hurt the writer badly but since the conductor was so nice, the writer bore the pain silently and told him that he had not hurt him. This conductor friend showed very good patience and tried his best to make his passengers feel comfortable in his bus.
Question 2.
How, according to the author, can bad manners and a poor temper affect society?
Answer:
The present essay “On Saying Please” is an apt commentary on the mannerism people in the society. AG. Gardiner wants people to be civil and courteous. The world is a place where, we have to live with a lot of different people who have different attitudes, different manners, traditions and mentalities. They behave in different ways but we have to put up with them so that life can smoothly go on. If we do not adopt good manners, we will poison the whole atmosphere and spoil the stream of life.
According to A.G. Gardiner, good manners are essential to success. Poor manners are not a criminal offence. No law allows us to kick back the person who is misbehaving us. The author feels that bad temper is like infection and builds a reaction chain. When some burglar comes into the building, one is allowed to hit him, but if anyone hurts anyone’s feelings, the rule is silent.
The author illustrates how bad manners are infectious and create a vicious circle with the example from Richard Sheridan’s The Rivals. In the novel, when Sir Anthony Absolute bullied Captain Absolute, the latter went out and bullied his man, Fag, whereupon Fag went out downstairs and kicked the page boy.
The Liftman’s attitude is not appreciable because he is reproaching bad manners with bad manners. The writer says that if we come in contact with a good-mannered person, we too become good. The bus conductor’s good conduct. courtesy and sense of humour had a positive impact on his passengers.The great bus conductor has proved that an ordinary calling (simple, undignified profession) may be dignified by good temper and kindly feeling. We should take lessons/ inspiration from such people.
The author says that war has badly affected our manners. War has made people uncivil and boorish. He advices to restore good manners to make life a happy one. One should teach moral lesson to those who are guilty of bad manners. In this connection, people should follow the example of Lord Chesterfield. During that time, London streets were without pavement.
Once Lord Chesterfield met a person in the way who said, “I never give the wall to a scoundrel.” But Lord Chesterfield replied, “I always do.” This victory of Lord Chesterfield was more lasting. He concludes the essay by stating that the liftman also might have followed the foot of Lord Chesterfield instead of punishing the man (the passenger).
A.G. Gardiner sums up his essay by saying that politeness and good manners are the basic requirements of civility. “Please” or “Thank you” are small words, but these magical words have a great effect on mutual relationship. On the basis of these courtesies, human beings can keep the machine of life oiled and graceful. These courtesies make life happy. They create an atmosphere of cordiality and goodwill. The writer urges us to restore these manners and behaviours so that society can become a safe and pleasant place to live in.
On Saying Please Poem Summary in English
Alfred George Gardiner (1865-1946) was one of the most distinguished English essayists of the twentieth century. He wrote under the pen-name ‘Alpha of the Plough’ drawing ideas for his essays from real life situations. His essays are delightful, humourous, and thought-provoking, dealing skilfully with simple as welt as serious subjects. His essays appeared in volumes such as Prophets, Priests and Kings and Pillars of the Society which contain funny sketches of famous personages.
The present essay “On Saying Please” is an apt commentary on the mannerism of people in the society. A.G. Gardiner wants people to be civil and courteous. The world is a place where, we have to live with a lot of different people who have different attitudes, different manners, traditions and mentalities. They behave in different ways but we have to put up with them so that life can smoothly go on.
If we do not adopt good manners, we will poison the whole atmosphere and spoil the stream of life. Moreover, the writer wants to tell us that there is no law that can compel people, to have good manners. No law can force people to be well-mannered. But the civilization, culture and tradition of all good nations enjoin a man to be civil and tolerant.
So people should have good manners to make their lives easier and more pleasant. The writer presents an incident in the city office where the liftman threw away a person who insulted him by treating him as a social inferior. The person was demanding “top.” The liftman asked for “top. please.”
It led to a bitter quarrel. It was just a matter of “please” The elevator was punished for his violent behaviour. It happened because the law does not recognize the damage to our feelings, but if we experience material or physical loss, the law can protect us. The liftman was punished for breaking a definite rule of law by hitting the customer. We may sympathize with the elevator whose feelings have been hurt, but we will have to admit that the law is quite reasonable.
The author views that good manners are essential to success. Poor manners are not a criminal offence. No Law allows us to kick back the person who is misbehaving us. Better manners and bad manners are like infection and build a reaction chain. When some burglar comes into the building, one is allowed to hit him, but if anyone hurts anyone’s feelings, the rule is silent. The liftman‘s attitude is not appreciable because he is reproaching bad manners with bad manners.
Bad manners are subjective. Their effects vary from person to person. Sometimes even a slight remark or action can hurt a man. It depends on our state of mind at that time. If we are already hurt or disturbed, then we can be provoked by anything. As was the case with a man who did not say “please” to the elevator.
He was rude because he was misbehaved by his employer. The employer did so because he had been bitten by his wife. and his wife was angry because the cook had been insolent, as the maid had replied back to the cook. This shows how quickly bad manners begin a chain reaction of social life penetration.The writer opines that all religions have preached in favour of good manners. but no religion or constitution has ever tried to legislate against bad manners.
From the writer’s point of view, “Please,” “Thank you” and “Sorry” are the little courtesies by which we keep the machine of life oiled and sweetly running. They create an atmosphere of cordiality and goodwill. The writer urges us to restore these manners and behaviours so that society can become a safe and pleasant place to live in.
On Saying Please Poem Summary in Telugu
ఆల్ఫ్రెడ్ జార్జ్ గార్డినర్ (1865-1946) ఇరవయ్యవ శతాబ్దానికి చెందిన అత్యంత ప్రసిద్ధ ఆంగ్ల వ్యాసకర్తలలో ఒకరు. అతను ‘ఆల్ఫా ఆఫ్ ది ప్లో’ అనే కలం పేరుతో తన వ్యాసాల కోసం నిజ జీవిత పరిస్థితుల నుండి ఆలోచనలను గీసాడు. అతని వ్యాసాలు సంతోషకరమైనవి, హాస్యాస్పదమైనవి మరియు ఆలోచింపజేసేవి, సాధారణ మరియు తీవ్రమైన విషయాలతో నైపుణ్యంగా వ్యవహరిస్తాయి. అతని వ్యాసాలు ప్రవక్తలు, ప్రీస్ట్లు మరియు కింగ్స్ ఆఫ్ ది సొసైటీ మరియు పిల్లర్స్ వంటి సంపుటాలలో ప్రసిద్ది చెందిన వ్యక్తుల యొక్క ఫన్నీ స్కెచ్లను కలిగి ఉన్నాయి.
ప్రస్తుత వ్యాసం “ఆన్ సేయింగ్ ప్లీజ్” సమాజంలోని వ్యక్తుల ప్రవర్తనపై సరైన వ్యాఖ్యానం. గార్డినర్ ప్రజలు సివిల్ మరియు మర్యాదపూర్వకంగా ఉండాలని కోరుకుంటున్నారు. ప్రపంచం అనేది విభిన్న వైఖరులు, భిన్మమైన మర్యాదలు, సంప్రదాయాలు మరియు మనస్తత్వాలు కలిగిన అనేక మంది వ్యక్తులతో మనం జీవించాల్సిన ప్రదేశం. వాళ్ళు రకరకాలుగా ప్రవర్తిస్తారు కానీ జీవితం సాఫీగా సాగిపోవాలంటే మనం వాటిని భరించాలి. మంచి నడవడికను అలవర్చుకోకుంటే వాతావరణాన్ని మొత్తం విషపూరితం చేసి జీవన స్రవంతి పాడుచేస్తాం.
అంతేకాదు, మంచి మర్యాదలు కలిగి ఉండాలని ప్రజలను బలవంతం చేసే చట్టం ఏదీ లేదని రచయిత మాకు చెప్పాలనుకుంటున్నారు. ఏ చట్టమూ ప్రజలను మంచి మర్యాదగా ఉండమని బలవంతం చేయదు. కానీ అన్ని మంచి దేశాల నాగరికత, సంస్తృి మరియు సంప్రదాయాలు మనిషిని నాగరికంగా మరియు సహనంతో ఉండాలని ఆదేశిస్తాయి. కాబట్టి ప్రజలు తమ జీవితాలను సులభతరం చేయడానికి మరియు మరింత ఆహ్లోదకరంగా ఉండటానికి మంచి మర్యాదలను కలిగి ఉండాలి. తనను అవమానించిన వ్యక్తిని సాంఘిక హీనంగా ప్రవర్తిస్తూ లిస్ట్రమ్యాన్ విసిరికొట్టిన సంఘటనను రచయిత నగర కార్యాలయంలో ప్రదర్శించారు.
వ్యక్తి “టాప్” డిమాండ్ చేస్తున్నాడు. లిఫ్ట్మ్యాన్ “టాప్, ప్లీజ్” అని అడిగాడు. అది తీీ్ర వాగ్వాదానికి దారి తీసింది. ఇది కేవలం “దయచేసి” అతని హింసాత్మక ప్రవర్తనకు ఎలివేటర్కు శిక్ష విధించబడింది. మన భావాలకు కలిగే నష్టాన్ని చట్టం గుర్తించనందున ఇది జరిగింది, కానీ మనం భౌతిక లేదా భౌతిక నష్టాన్ని అనుభవిస్తే, చట్టం మనలను రక్షించగలదు. కస్టమర్ను కొట్టడం ద్వారా ఖచ్చితమైన చట్టాన్ని ఉల్లంఘించినందుకు లిఫ్ట్మ్లాన్ శిక్షించబడ్డాడు.
ఎలివేటర్ భావాలు దెబ్బతిన్నాయని మేము సానుభూతి చూపవచ్చు, కానీ చట్టం చూలా సహేతుకమైనదని మేము అంగీకరించాలి. మంచి నడవడిక విజయానికి అవసరమని రచయిత అభిప్రాయపడ్డారు. అసభ్యకరమైన ప్రవర్తన క్రిమినల్ నేరం కాదు. మనతో దురుసుగా ప్రవర్తించే వ్యక్తిని తన్నేందుకు ఏ చట్టం అనుమతించదు. మంచి మర్యాదలు మరియు చెడు మర్యాదలు ఇన్ఫైక్షన్ లాంటివి మరియు ప్రతిచర్య గొలుసును నిర్మిస్తాయి. ఎమరైసా దొంగ భవనంలోకి
వచ్చినప్పుడు, ఒకరిని కొట్టడానికి అనుమతించబడతారు, కానీ ఎవరైనా ఎవరి మనోభావాలను దెబ్బతీత్తే, నియమం మౌనంగా ఉంటుంది. లిఫ్ట్మ్యాన్ వైఖరి మెచ్చుకోదగినది కాదు ఎందుకంటే అతను చెడు మర్యాదలను చెడు మర్యాదలతో నిందించాడు.
చెడు మర్యాదలు ఆత్మాశ్యయైనవి. వారి ప్రభావాలు వ్యక్తి నుండి వ్యక్తి మారుతూ ఉంటాయి. కొన్నిసార్లు ఒక చిన్న వ్యాఖ్య లేదా చర్య కూడా మనిషిని బాధపెడుతుంది. అది ఆ సమయంలో మన మానసిక స్థితిని బట్టి ఉంటుంది. మసం ఇంతకుముందే బాధపడ్డా లేదా కలవరానికి గురైతే, మనం దేనికైనా రెచ్చగొట్టవచ్చు. లిఫ్ట్కి “దయచేసి” అని చెప్పని వ్యక్తి విషయంలో జరిగినట్లుగా.
యజమాని దురుసుగా (ప్రవర్తించాడని అసభ్యంగా ప్రవర్తించాడు. తన భార్య కరిచినందుకు యజమాని అలా చేసాడు, మరియు పనిమనిషి వంటవాడికి తిరిగి సమాధానం ఇవ్వడంతో అతని భార్ల కోపంగా ఉంది. చెడు మర్యాదలు సామాజిక జీవితంలో చైన్ రియాక్షన్ను ఎంత త్వరగా ప్రారంభిస్తాయో ఇది చూపిస్తుంది. అన్ని మతాలు మంచి మర్యాదలకు అనుకూలంగా దోధించాయని రచయిత అభిప్రాయపడ్డారు, అయితే ఏ మతం లేదా రాజ్యాంగం చెడు మర్లాదలకు వ్యతిరేకంగా చట్టం చేయడానికి ప్రయత్నించలేదు.
రచయిత యొక్క దృక్కోణం నుండి, “దయచేసి,” “ధన్యవాదాలు” మరియు “క్షమించండి” అనేవి చిన్న మర్యాదలు, దీని ద్వారా మనం జీవిత యంత్రాన్ని నూనెతో మరియు మధురంగా?నడుపుతాము. పారు సహృదయత మరియు సద్భావన వాతావరణాన్ని సృష్టిస్తారు. ఈ మర్యాదలు మరియు ప్రవర్తనలను పునరుద్ధరించాలని రచయిత మనల్ని కోరాడు, తద్వారా సమాజం నివసించడానికి సురక్షితమైన మరియు ఆహ్లాదకరమైన ప్రదేశంగా మారుతుంది.
On Saying Please – A.G. Gardiner
Glossary:
City office: a municipal office
complainant: someone who brings a legal case against another in a court of law
concession: something that is granted in response to a demand
comply: to act in accordance with a wish or command
discourtesy: rude and inconsiderate behaviour
assault: physical harm to a person
battery: an act of personal violence against someone
acquit: to free someone from a criminal charge; to declare that someone accused of a crime is not guilty
retaliate: to attack in response to an attack
assailant: someone who physically attacks another person
legislate: to make or enact laws
sanction: to give official permission or approval for something
at liberty: allowed or entitled to do something
scowl: an angry or bad-tempered expression
uncivil: discourteous; impolite
haughty: arrogantly superior
boorish: rude, bad-mannered; unrefined, ungentlemanly compel: to force someone to do something
attune: to make (something or someone) aware or sensitive to something ringlet; tightly curled hair
laceration: deep cuts and tears
negligible: insignificant; so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering acutely : intensely
slur: an insulting or derogatory remark or suggestion
standing: position, status, reputation
shin: the front of the leg below the knee
redress: remedy or compensation for an unfair act or injury
vanity: excessive pride in one’s own appearance or achievements
brood: to think deeply about something that makes one unhappy, angry or worried
equilibrium: a calm state of mind
catching: likely to spread to other people
Anthony Absolute… Fag: characters in The Rivals, a popular eighteenth-century comic play by the English dramatist Richard Sheridan
page-boy: a young male attendant or servant
hen-peck: to bother continuously with trivial complaints
insolent: showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect
martyrdom: death or suffering as a result of one’s religious or political beliefs (note: here, the author is using this word to mean a life of continuous suffering as a result of always tolerating an ill-mannered person) morose; bad-tempered and sulky
Decalogue: the Ten Commandments, a set of ten laws in the Bible related to ethics and worship endorse; to publicly approve of or support something or someone enjoin: to urge (someone) to do something
acknowledge: to express gratitude for or appreciation of something
courtesy: a polite remark or considerate act; politeness in one’s attitude and behaviour towards others
intercourse: intercommunication and dealings between individuals or groups vulgar; unrefined; lacking good taste
resentment: bitter dissatisfaction at having been treated unfairly
feature: to discuss or mention (something or someone) in a noticeable way
discriminating: differentiating; making a distinction between things
rebuke: an expression of disapproval or criticism
disposed: inclined or willing
ordeal: a very unpleasant and prolonged experience
trying: difficult or annoying; hard to endure
calling: a profession or occupation
knave: a dishonest person; someone having no moral principles in vain; without success or a result stray; not in the right place; separated from the group copper : (British) coins of low value (made of copper)
the Bank: the Bank of England, the central bank of the United Kingdom (on which the Reserve Bank of India is modelled)
light on: to find or see something by chance shilling, a former British coin equal to one twentieth of a pound
square: to balance an account
agony: extreme physical or mental suffering
countenance: a person’s face or facial expression
tread: press down or crush with the feet (‘trod’ is the past tense of ’tread’)
inexhaustible: unable to be used up because existing in abundance
room inside: the bus was an open-top double-decker bus (the top deck had no roof, and so the passengers there would get wet when it rained)
solicitous: showing interest or concern
indulge: allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of something
jest: joke; a thing said or done for amusement
uncouth: lacking good manners, refinement, or grace
disagreeable: unfriendly and bad-tempered
sunny: cheery and bright
Keats: John Keats (1795-1821), a famous English poet
benediction: something that promotes goodness or well-being
conciliatory: intended or likely to make peace or to soothe anger and agitation
address: a person’s manner of speaking to someone else
bearing: the way a person behaves or conducts themselves
diffuse: to spread over a wide area or between a large number of people
drab: dull; lacking brightness or interest
panegyric: a speech or text in praise of someone or something.
Wordsworth: William Wordsworth (1770-1850), a famous English poet. His poem Resolution and Independence’ describes his encounter with a leech-gatherer (a person who collects leeches that are then used for medicinal purposes).
moor: open uncultivated hilly land
modest: humble; unpretentious
temper: a person’s state of mind
War: World War I (1914-18)
chilling effect: an undesirable discouraging effect or influence invoke; to cite or appeal to (someone or something) as an authority material: denoting or consisting of physical objects (as opposed to abstract ideas) affront; an action or remark that causes offence
subtle: delicately complex and understated; making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something
boor: an ill-mannered person
Chesterfield: Philip Stanhope, the Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773), an English statesman who was famous for his wit
take!give the wall: Before the nineteenth century, the streets of London were unsafe, chaotic, very filthy, and crowded, with pedestrians, carts, and horse-drawn carriages jostling for space. The streets were not tarred; they were full of mud, as well as garbage (thrown directly onto the streets from the houses on both sides). The cleanest and safest places to walk would be as close as possible to the walls of the buildings on the sides of the street. Attempts to maintain or seize this position of relative safety led to numerous daily quarrels between pedestrians, more than a few of which would turn violent.
scoundrel: a dishonest or unscrupulous person.