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    3.3. Dreams and Discoveries - North, South, East, West - Class 7 - Poorvi

    📘 Chapter Title: North, South, East, West


    Author: C.G. Salamander

    Textbook: Poorvi

    Genre: Fiction (Narrative in the form of Postcards)


    📝 Summary

    The story "North, South, East, West" is about a girl named Shaana who travels across India with her parents. Starting from her home on Rameswaram island in Tamil Nadu, Shaana documents her journey in postcards addressed to her classmates and teachers. Each postcard highlights a new destination, its geography, culture, and her personal experiences. She explores the Thajiwas Glacier in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh’s serene mountains, Arunachal Pradesh’s thick forests, and the Sundarbans’ mangrove wetlands. Her journey continues through Gujarat’s deserts, the Narmada river’s rafting site, Goa’s plateaus and tunnels, Chennai and Puducherry’s beaches, and ends with a visit to Olaikaadu beach before she reaches home. Through her writing, Shaana expresses wonder, excitement, curiosity, and occasional fear. She also reflects on environmental changes such as reduced snowfall and increased flooding. The chapter not only celebrates India's geographical diversity but also promotes appreciation for travel, learning from experiences, and staying connected with friends.


    👧 Character Sketch:

    Shaana

    Shaana is a curious, expressive, and thoughtful young girl. She is deeply observant, often reflecting on her surroundings and the emotions they evoke. Her adventurous spirit is evident as she explores different terrains and enjoys new experiences like rafting, boating, and attempting to surf. She values friendship and remains emotionally connected with her classmates through heartfelt postcards. Shaana is also sensitive to nature and concerned about environmental changes, like reduced snowfall and flooding. She grows through the journey, gaining confidence and knowledge while developing a stronger connection with her country.


    📚 Themes

    Theme

    Description

    Diversity of India

    The story showcases India’s varied landscapes, languages, and traditions.

    Family Bonding

    Shaana shares joyful moments with her parents, highlighting love and warmth.

    Exploration and Discovery

    The chapter encourages travel, learning through experience, and observation.

    Environmental Awareness

    Mentions of melting glaciers and flooding hint at climate concerns.

    Friendship and Communication

    Shaana’s letters reflect emotional connection with friends and teachers.

    ✨ Literary Devices

    Device

    Example

    Imagery

    “white and blue glaciers”, “floating and looking at the fish”

    Hyperbole

    “heard all over the neighbourhood”

    Personification

    “waves are rougher”, “river flows wildly”

    Humour

    “Appa says the bear snore was just his own snoring”

    First-person narration

    Postcards are written in first person from Shaana’s perspective

    📖 Title Justification


    The title “North, South, East, West” is apt as the story covers Shaana’s journey across the various regions of India. Each direction signifies a different cultural and geographical experience, highlighting the vastness and diversity of the country. The travelogue format allows readers to understand the unique features of each direction—be it the snowy North, lush East, arid West, or vibrant South. The title effectively captures the essence of the narrative: discovering India from all directions.


    ✅ One-Mark Questions

    1. Where does Shaana live?

      → Shaana lives on Rameswaram island in Tamil Nadu.


    2. Which place did Shaana visit that had glaciers?

      → Shaana visited the Thajiwas Glacier in Kashmir.


    3. How did Shaana describe the forest in Arunachal Pradesh?

      → She said the forest was so thick that one could get lost easily.


    4. What activity did Shaana enjoy at the Narmada River?

      → She went rafting with her parents.


    5. What was the last place Shaana visited before returning home?

      → She visited Olaikaadu beach before returning home.


    ✅ Three-Mark Questions;

    1. What did Shaana learn from her visit to the Sundarbans?

      → Shaana learned that wetlands like the Sundarbans are home to mangroves which grow in seawater. She also became aware of environmental issues, as her mother mentioned the area faces frequent flooding now.

    2. How did Shaana react to the tunnels in Goa?

      → Initially afraid of tunnels, Shaana overcame her fear during her train journey through Goa. She found them exciting and expressed a desire to explore plateaus with her classmates in the future.


    3. Why was the Arunachal Pradesh trip special to Shaana?

      → Arunachal Pradesh had a thick forest and a treehouse that fascinated Shaana. She considered it her favorite place and wished to see red pandas.


    🧠 Value-Based Question

    Q: What values do we learn from Shaana’s journey across India?

    Ans: Shaana’s journey teaches us curiosity, respect for nature, and appreciation for cultural diversity. Her ability to enjoy every experience, stay connected with friends, and learn from her surroundings shows empathy, awareness, and the value of open-minded exploration. It encourages students to observe, reflect, and communicate thoughtfully.


    End


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