1.5 Joan of Arc Question & Answers
1.5 Joan of Arc
_ By George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw
(1856-1950)
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George Bernard Shaw is famous for his role in revolutionizing comedic drama. He was also a literary critic and a prominent British socialist. Shaw’s most financially successful work, Pygmalion, was adapted into the popular Broadway musical My Fair Lady. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925 |
Joan of Arc
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Joan of Arc famous? St. Joan of Arc is a national heroine of France. She was a peasant girl who, believing that she was acting under divine guidance, led the French army in a momentous victory atOrléans in 1429 that repulsed an English attempt to conquer France during the Hundred Years’ War St. Joan of Arc is a national heroine of France. She was a peasant girl who, believing that she was acting under divine guidance, led the French army in a momentous victory at Orleans in 1429 that repulsed an English attempt to conquer France during the Hundred Years’ War |
About the text:
• The text is an extract from G. B. Shaw’s play ‘Joan of Arc’.
• This is the story of the courageous & undying spirit of a girl Joan.
• She is a well-built, strong country girl of 17-18 years of age.
• She is fearless and speaks confidently.
• She convinces Captain Robert to allow her to fight the Englishmen.
• The war fought between England and France from 1337 to 1453 has come to be known as the Hundred Years War.
• Joan was a peasant girl born in eastern France, who led the French army to several victories during this war.
• This play begins at the time when all of northern France and some parts of the southwest were under foreign control. The English controlled some parts and the Burgundians controlled the others.
• The city of New Orleans, one of the few remaining French cities was held by the English. The year is 1429. Captain Robert de Baudricourt, a military officer is seated at the table. His steward stands facing him.
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The scene of the play opens with the background of the Hundred years’ war between English and France. Captain Robert, the French military officer is talking about Joan whom he dislikes. But the steward was praising Joan because she had managed to inspire the French soldiers to fight against the English. As Joan entered to meet Captain Robert and told her plans to him. Threatened her to be put behind the bars but she was fearless and straightforward. She informed Robert that Poulengey, Jack, God save, Dick, and their servants, John ofHonecourt and Julian would accompany her to fight the English. Robert felt that she had lost her mind because according to him, his soldiers could get the job done better. Robert called Monsieur de Poulengey and enquired if he was taking Joanseriously. Poulengey explained that there is something about Joan. He told Robert that it was a good idea to let Joan meet the Dauphin in Chino, as the Dauphin is scared and wouldn’t fight to stop the English. He believed that Joan herself is a bit of a miracle, who could miraculously free Orleans. However, Robert was not convinced. Robert tried to scare Joan but she seemed unafraid and told him that if God is on their side nothing is difficult. Joan pointed out the French soldiers would run away to save their skin but she would teach them to fight for France. Finally, Robert decided to take a risk at the insistence of Poulengey and gave Joan a chance there was something about her that she was extremely convincing. |
New words
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• grimly: seriously • squire: a person of high rank • armour: protective clothing of metal or leather worn in battles by soldiers in former times • blockhead: a stupid person • assuming: taking for granted • Dauphin: the oldest son of the King of France, the one who would become the king after his father • Monsieur: French word for Mr. • retreats hastily: moves away in a hurry • Chinon: one of the cities in France where the Royal family resided. During the Hundred Years’ War, the Dauphin took refuge in Chinon. • cowed: frightened • wavering: hesitating • have put fire into me: have inspired or motivated • obstinately: in a stubborn and firm manner • gravely: seriously • raising a siege: surround from all sides and attack removing the forces surrounding a place • plundering: looting • to save their skins: to save their lives • let come what may: let anything happen • wash one’s hands off it: not take any responsibility for it. |
Joan of Arc English Workshop:
Margin questions:
1. Why had Joan wanted to meet Captain Squire?
Ans: Joan had wanted to meet Captain Squire to receive orders from him to raise a siege. She also wanted him to give her some of his soldiers, a horse & armour, so she could go and fight against the English.
2. Was the Dauphin fit to be a Prince and heir?
Ans: No, the Dauphin was not fit to be a Prince and heir.
3. What was the squire’s opinion about miracles?
Ans: The Squire felt that miracles were all right but they were not happening in those days.
4. What did Robert accuse Poulengey of?
Ans: Robert accused Paulengey of being as mad as Joan.
5. What shows Joan is a person of immense faith?
Ans: Joan confidently declares that she would inspire the soldiers to fight for France and there would not be a single English soldier on the soil of France.
6. Why were the French soldiers always beaten?
Ans: According to Joan, the French soldiers were always beaten because they fought for themselves and ran away to save themselves. She would make a difference by teaching them to fight for France then they would be successful.
7. What dress did Joan want?
Ans: Joan wanted a soldier’s dress.
1. Read the extract from G. B. Shaw’s play on Joan of Arc and
Fill in the Tree diagram.
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Joan of Arc |
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2. (A) Pick out from the extract of the play two lines that provide evidence for each of the following.
Joan of Arc
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(a) Her confidence (b) Her courage (c) Her optimism (d) Her determination (e) Her patriotism |
1) The Dauphin will give me all need to free Orleans. 2) I will teach them all to fight for France 1) She really doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything. 2) The Squire’s flare neither frightens her not stops her. 1) If she can put some fight into him, she can put it into anybody. 2) I don’t think it can be very difficult if God is on your side. 1) I have arranged it all. You have only to give the order. 2) You said that you would not see me. But here I am. 1) I will teach them all to fight for France. 2) You and Polly will live to see the day when there will not be a single English soldier on the soil of France. |
(B) Using the above points, frame a character sketch of Joan of Arc, in your own words and write it in your notebook.
Suggest an attractive title for the same.
Joan of Arc- the heroine of France
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Joan, is a well-built, strong country girl of 19 years. She is a brave and courageous girl. She is confident and asks directly for whatever she wants and is sure of getting it. She is optimistic and feels if God is on one’s side, one can do anything. She is determined to go to Orleans and motivate the Dauphin to fight the English and save Orleans. She is extremely patriotic and confident that she will teach the French soldiers to fight and that there will be not a single English soldier left on the soil of France. |
3. From the extract,
Find what the following are compared to & why so.
As easy as easy as chasing a cow out of the meadows. This comparison is made because Joan was a country girl & had probably chased many cows out of the meadows.
Besides, cows are docile creatures and can be driven away very easily.
(b) As mad as Joan. Joan was planning to go to the Dauphin, who was frightened and motivated him to fight for Orleans.
(c) The Dauphin in Chinon is like:
The Dauphin in Chinon is like a rat in a corner, for just like a cornered rat gives up, he too had given up and refused to fight to save Orleans.
(d) The (enemy) soldiers will be driven away like:
The (enemy) soldiers will be driven away like sheep. This comparison is made because sheep, which are considered to be foolish animals, can be maneuvered and manipulated easily.
(e) Joan of Arc is a bit of:
Joan of Arc is a bit of a miracle because she was courageous, confident, and determined enough to go to the Dauphin and motivate him to fight for Orleans when everybody else had given up.
4. Say WHY? Write it in your notebook.
(a) Joan wanted to meet Captain Squire.
Ans: Because she wanted Captain Squire to give her a horse, armour, and some soldiers and send her to meet the Dauphin.
(b) Joan did not ask for many soldiers from Captain Squire.
Ans: Because the Dauphin would give her that entire she needed.
(c) Poulengey, Jack, and Dick had offered to accompany Joan.
Ans: Because they felt she was a bit of a miracle. Her words put fire into them.
(d) French soldiers were always beaten in war.
Ans: Because they were always trying to save themselves & would run away from the battlefield.
(e) Captain Squire Robert said, “I wash my hands off it.”
Ans: Because he did not want to be held responsible for anything.
5. Using a dictionary, find the difference between the following pairs of phrases.
Make sentences of your own with each of them.
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Phrases |
Meaning |
Own Sentences |
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1. Cut in Cut out 2. Be held by Be held up 3. Run away Run for 4. Be known as Be known for 5. Go with Go after 6. Put fire into Put fire out |
Interrupt Reduce/stop something Before Delayed Escape/go off To compete in an election To be called as To be famous for Suit each other Pursue/follow Inspire/motivate Extinguish |
Rohan always cuts in when the teacher teaches. Cut out the extra text from the document. The semester exam will be held by the end of March. The procession was held up in the traffic jam. The girl allowed the captured rabbit to run away. Govinda wanted to run for the post of Mayor. My friend wanted to be known as a good player. Mumbai is famous for business. The word ‘hot’ tends to go with ‘cold You can’t be happy if you go after money all the time. The Chief guest’s words put fire into the young students. Put the fire out before it spread everywhere. |
Make the following sentences Affirmative without a change of meaning.
(a) Negative: I am not so sure, now.
Affirmative: I am rather unsure, now. (I am doubtful, now)
(b) Negative: He will not be able to stop them.
Affirmative: He will be unable to stop them.
(c) Negative: I don’t remember.
Affirmative: I forget.
(d) Negative: I can do no more.
Affirmative: I am unable to do more.
(e) Negative: Sir, do not anger her.
Affirmative: Sir, please, refrain from angering her.
(f) Negative: I shall not want many soldiers.
Affirmative: I shall want only a few soldiers.
(B) Fill in the gaps in the table.
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Noun |
Verb |
Adjective |
Adverb |
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Success Inspiration Safety Harm Thought Brightness Courage Haste |
Succeed Inspire – Harm Think Brighten Encourage hasten |
Successful Inspirational Safe Harmful/less Thoughtful/less Bright Courageous Hasty |
Successfully – Safely Harmfully/lessly Thoughtfully/lessly Brightly Courageously Hastily |
1. Discuss in groups/pairs and make a list of the weapons used in the old times and in the present times.
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Weapons used in the past |
Weapons used nowadays |
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2. Imagine that you are the captain of your school’s Kabaddi team.
Your final match is against a very strong team.
Your team members are sure that you will lose.
How will you boost their morale?
Work in groups and prepare a short list of what can encourage the team.
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• Motivate them to believe in themselves. • Ask them to understand their anxiety and fears. • Stress team spirit and encouragement to fight for the team. • Remind them of their strong preparation and previous victories. |
3. Adding different prepositions to the same action verb changes the meaning of the phrases thus formed.
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For example: callout – announce call at – the visit call for – summon call up – make a telephone call call off – cancel |
• Phrasal verbs:
• A phrasal verb is a verb that is made up of the main verb together with an adverb or preposition or both.
Guess the difference in meanings of the underlined phrases.
(1)
(a) He promised to look into the matter.
: to investigate/ try to understand
(b) He asked me to look for his lost book.
: to discover/ search
(c) I shall look forward to your arrival.
: to expect or hope for
(2)
(a) An epidemic of cholera broke out in the village.
: to start suddenly
(b) The thieves broke into the locked house.
: to enter illegally and forcefully
(c) They broke up their friendship.
(3)
(a) You must carry out your duty faithfully.
: to complete/ execute
(b) Please carry on with your work.
: to continue
(c) They carried off the trophy in the football matches.
: to win
(d) Carry forward the remaining balance to the next page.
: to transfer