1.1 - An Astrologer's Day - Class 12 - English Yuvakbharati

Author: R. K. Narayan  | Genre: Prose (Short Story)

1. Comprehensive Glossary

2. Introduction & Summary

Ice Breakers:

1. Strengths and Careers: Discussing personal strengths (like painting) helps identify dream careers (like becoming a commercial artist).

   
   

2. Marketplace Dynamics: A local market is a hub of diverse activities, from selling flowers and groceries to unique occupations like astrology.

   
   

Summary: "An Astrologer's Day" by R. K. Narayan is a suspenseful tale about a man practicing astrology under a tamarind tree in Town Hall Park. Despite having no real knowledge of the stars, he succeeds through shrewd guesswork and a deep understanding of human psychology. He creates a professional aura using sacred ash, a saffron turban, and mystical charts to attract clients.

The story takes a dramatic turn when a stranger, Guru Nayak, challenges him. Through a glimpse of the man's face by matchlight, the astrologer recognizes him as the person he had stabbed and left for dead in his village years ago—a crime that forced him to flee his home. Using his insider knowledge, the astrologer "predicts" Guru Nayak’s past accurately, telling him his attacker is dead and advising him to never travel south again. Nayak, satisfied that his enemy is dead, leaves. The astrologer returns home to his wife, relieved of the "darkness" of his past, realizing he is not a murderer after all.

3. HSC Board Activity Sheet Pattern (Prose Section)

A1. Global Understanding (2 Marks)

• Set 1: True/False – State if the following are true: 1. The astrologer had a deep knowledge of astronomy. 2. The place was lit by municipal lighting. 3. The astrologer charged three pies per question. 4. Guru Nayak was looking for the man who tried to kill him. 5. The astrologer's wife was unhappy with the money he brought.

  
  

  • Answer: 1-False, 2-False, 3-True, 4-True, 5-False.

    
    

• Set 2: Complete the Web – List the professional equipment of the astrologer.

  
  

  • Answer: Cowrie shells, square cloth with mystic charts, a notebook, and a bundle of palmyra writing.

    
    

• Set 3: Arrange in Sequence – 1. The astrologer recognizes Guru Nayak. 2. The astrologer reaches home and tells his wife the secret. 3. A stranger challenges the astrologer. 4. The astrologer settles in the city and starts his business.

  
  

  • Answer: 4, 3, 1, 2.

    
    

• Set 4: Correct the Sentences – 1. The astrologer told Guru Nayak to travel south to find his enemy. 2. The nuts vendor called his ware "Delhi Ice Cream".

  
  

  • Answer: 1. He told him to never travel southward again. 2. He called it "Delhi Almond."

    
    

• Set 5: Complete the Table – List trades at Town Hall Park.

  
  

  • Answer: Medicine sellers, sellers of stolen hardware/junk, magicians, auctioneers of cheap cloth, and groundnut vendors.

A2. Complex Factual (2 Marks)

1. Describe the astrologer's appearance. -> He wore a saffron-colored turban, smeared his forehead with sacred ash and vermilion, and had eyes that sparkled with a sharp gleam, creating a prophetic look.

   
   

2. Why was the Town Hall Park remarkable? -> It had a surging crowd, a variety of trades like medicine sellers and magicians, and lacked municipal lighting, creating a "bewildering crisscross" of light and shadows.

   
   

3. How did the groundnut vendor help the astrologer? -> The vendor's flare provided the light by which the astrologer transacted business. When the vendor blew out his flare to go home, it was the signal for the astrologer to pack up.

   
   

4. Describe the pact between the astrologer and the stranger. -> The stranger challenged the astrologer to give worthwhile answers. If the astrologer was wrong, he would return the anna with interest; if right, the stranger would give eight annas or more.

   
   

5. What advice did the astrologer give Guru Nayak? -> He told him his village was two days north, to take the next train home, never travel south again, and that his attacker had been crushed by a lorry.

A3. Inference / Interpretation / Analysis (2 Marks)

1. Why did the astrologer wait ten minutes before speaking? -> It allowed the client to reveal enough information through their own talk, providing the astrologer with enough "stuff" for a dozen answers and advice.

   
   

2. Explain: "He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers." -> This implies that the astrologer had no formal training in astrology. His success was based on study, practice, and shrewd guesswork rather than celestial knowledge.

   
   

3. Why did the astrologer feel uncomfortable when he saw the stranger’s face? -> He recognized the man as the one he thought he had murdered years ago. The sudden confrontation with his past crime made him fear for his safety and secret.

   
   

4. Interpret the significance of the "green shaft of light." -> The shaft of light represents the meager and uncertain nature of the astrologer's "vision" and life, which is eventually "blotted out" by the arrival of his past in the form of Guru Nayak.

   
   

5. Analyze the irony in the astrologer’s "prophetic light." -> The "sparkle" in his eyes was actually the result of a "continual searching look for customers," but his simple clients misinterpreted it as a sign of spiritual or prophetic power.

A4. Personal Response (2 Marks)

1. Do you think astrology is a science? Explain. -> In my opinion, while astronomy is a science, astrology as practiced in the story is more about psychology. The astrologer uses observation and general human troubles to "predict" things, which isn't scientific.

2. How would you react if you found out a friend had a dark secret? -> I would be shocked but would try to understand the circumstances. Like the astrologer's wife, I might demand an explanation, but if the person had changed for the better, I would offer support.

   
   

3. Is it right to run away from one’s mistakes? -> No, one should be responsible for their actions. However, the story shows that guilt can haunt a person for a lifetime, and sometimes "running away" is a desperate attempt at a fresh start.

   
   

4. What steps should be taken to eradicate superstitions? -> We should promote scientific temper through education and awareness. Logic and reasoning should be used to explain common events instead of linking them to "unreasonable beliefs".

   
   

5. Why is listening an important skill? -> As seen with the astrologer, listening helps in understanding a person's problems deeply. It builds trust and allows one to provide better guidance or solutions to others.

END

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