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    2.1. The Tsunami - Part 1 - Class 8 - Honeydew

    Updated: May 29


    📘 The Tsunami

    No specific author mentioned (factual narrative based on real events)

    Textbook: Honeydew

    Genre: Non-fiction / Real-life Accounts


    📝 Summary

    “The Tsunami” is a factual account that describes the devastation caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, particularly focusing on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The chapter recounts the personal tragedies and acts of bravery by ordinary people like Ignesious, Sanjeev, Meghna, and Almas. Ignesious lost his family members while trying to save his children. Sanjeev, a policeman, drowned while attempting to rescue someone else. Meghna, a 13-year-old girl, drifted alone in the sea for two days and survived. Almas, a ten-year-old girl, lost her entire family but was saved when she fainted and clung to a log. These stories highlight human endurance, instinct, courage, and trauma. The narrative also raises questions about whether animals sensed the tsunami beforehand, as many escaped to safety. Overall, the chapter is a moving tribute to survival and the unpredictability of natural disasters.


    👤 Character Sketch

    Almas Javed: A brave 10-year-old girl from Port Blair. Despite losing her entire family to the tsunami, she showed strength and presence of mind. Her trauma left her silent, reflecting the deep emotional scars such disasters leave on survivors.


    📚 Themes

    Theme

    Description

    Natural Disasters

    Describes the destructive impact of tsunamis and how suddenly they strike.

    Human Courage

    Highlights bravery and quick thinking, such as Sanjeev’s selfless rescue effort.

    Loss and Survival

    Explores the tragic loss of loved ones and miraculous tales of survival.

    Emotional Trauma

    Shows the psychological effects on survivors like Almas and Meghna.

    Instinct in Animals

    Suggests animals might sense natural disasters before humans do.

    ✨ Literary Devices

    Device

    Example

    Imagery

    "All dripping with wet, and all trembling with cold" — evokes vivid scenes.

    Alliteration

    "starvation and sorrow" — repeating 's' sound enhances rhythm.

    Irony

    Sanjeev saves his family but loses his life saving another.

    Symbolism

    The log Almas clings to symbolizes hope and survival.

    Repetition

    “He was swept away” — emphasizes the sudden, tragic loss.

    📖 Title Justification

    The title "The Tsunami" aptly captures the core of the narrative, which revolves around the real-life experiences of people during the 2004 tsunami disaster. The title is simple, direct, and sets the tone for the powerful accounts of survival, loss, and human emotion that follow. It reflects both the literal event and its emotional tidal wave in the lives of survivors.


    ✅ One-Mark Questions

    1. What natural disaster is described in the chapter?

      → A tsunami.

    2. Where did the tsunami strike on 26 December 2004?

      → The Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Tamil Nadu.

    3. Who was Meghna?

      → A 13-year-old girl who survived the tsunami after floating for two days.

    4. Why did Sanjeev lose his life?

      → He tried to rescue the guesthouse cook's wife and was swept away.

    5. How was Almas saved?

      → She fainted on a floating log and was later found in a hospital.


    ✅ Three-Mark Questions

    1. Describe how Ignesious and his family were affected by the tsunami.

      → Ignesious was woken by his wife after the earthquake. While trying to escape, two of his children, his wife, and her relatives were swept away. Only three of his children survived with him.


    2. What happened to Sanjeev, and what does it show about his character?

      → Sanjeev managed to save his family but lost his life while rescuing someone else. This shows he was brave, selfless, and had a strong sense of duty.


    3. How did Meghna manage to survive?

      → Meghna clung to a wooden door for two days, even though helicopters failed to spot her. A wave finally brought her ashore safely. Her survival shows resilience and luck.


    🧠 Value-Based Question

    Question: What can we learn from the children’s responses to the tsunami disaster?Answer: The children like Meghna and Almas showed extraordinary courage and resilience in the face of disaster. From their experiences, we learn the value of presence of mind, the will to survive, and how trauma can deeply affect people. It reminds us to be empathetic and to value every moment with our loved ones.


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