4.5. Joan of Arc - Std X - Mah Board - My English Coursebook - Semi English and Marathi Medium

SECTION 1 — Chapter Information / पाठ परिचय

मराठी टीप: हा पाठ परीक्षेत Reading Skills Textual विभागात येतो — एकूण 20 गुण.

SECTION 2 — About the Author / लेखक परिचय

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was a highly prominent Irish playwright, critic, and the leading dramatist of his time. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925. He wrote over sixty plays during his lifetime, including major works like 'Pygmalion' and 'Saint Joan' . This chapter is a gripping extract from his play 'Saint Joan'. It focuses on the heroic and inspiring life of Joan of Arc, a young French peasant girl who fearlessly led the French army to several victories against the English during the historical Hundred Years War.  

मराठी टीप: जॉर्ज बर्नार्ड शॉ हे एक अतिशय प्रसिद्ध आयरिश नाटककार होते. साहित्यासाठी त्यांना नोबेल पुरस्कार मिळाला आहे. हा पाठ त्यांच्या 'सेंट जोन' या नाटकातून घेतला आहे. यात जोन ऑफ आर्क या शूर फ्रेंच मुलीची कथा आहे, जिने फ्रान्सला इंग्रजांच्या गुलामगिरीतून सोडवण्यासाठी सैन्याचे नेतृत्व केले होते.

SECTION 4 — Summary / सारांश

The play is set in 1429 during the Hundred Years War between England and France, a time when much of France was under foreign control . A brave, well-built 18-year-old peasant girl named Joan comes to meet Captain Robert de Baudricourt. She confidently demands a horse, armour, and some soldiers to travel to Chinon, meet the Dauphin (the French Crown Prince), and free the city of Orleans from English control .  

Initially, the Captain thinks she is completely mad and orders his steward to throw her out. However, Joan's sheer confidence, radiant optimism, and unwavering faith in God deeply impress the soldiers, including Bertran de Poulengey . Poulengey convinces Captain Robert that the French army is terrified (cowed) and only a "miracle" can save them now. Seeing Joan's extraordinary ability to inspire and "put fire into" people, Robert takes a massive risk. He provides her with an escort and a soldier's dress, hoping she is exactly the miracle France needs.  

मराठी सारांश: हे नाटक १४२९ मधील इंग्लंड आणि फ्रान्सच्या युद्धाच्या काळातील आहे. जोन नावाची एक १८ वर्षांची शूर मुलगी कॅप्टन रॉबर्टकडे येते आणि फ्रान्सला वाचवण्यासाठी घोडा, सैनिक आणि चिलखत (armour) मागते. सुरुवातीला कॅप्टनला ती वेडी वाटते, पण तिचा आत्मविश्वास आणि देवावरील श्रद्धा पाहून सैनिक (उदा. पोलेंजे) प्रभावित होतात. पोलेंजे कॅप्टनला पटवून देतो की फ्रान्सचे सैनिक घाबरलेले आहेत आणि फ्रान्सला वाचवण्यासाठी आता एका 'चमत्काराची' गरज आहे. शेवटी कॅप्टन मोठा धोका पत्करून तिला जाण्याची परवानगी देतो.

SECTION 5 — Characters / पात्रे

1. Joan of Arc: She is a 17-18 year old strong, well-built country girl. She is immensely courageous, highly confident, and fiercely patriotic. Her unwavering faith in God makes her believe she can effortlessly drive the mighty English army out of France. She possesses a magical ability to inspire and put courage into defeated men.

मराठी टीप: जोन ही अत्यंत धाडसी, आत्मविश्वासू आणि देशभक्त मुलगी आहे. तिचा देवावर प्रचंड विश्वास आहे आणि तिच्या बोलण्याने सैनिकांमध्ये लढण्याची प्रेरणा निर्माण होते.  

2. Captain Robert de Baudricourt: He is a military officer who is initially strict, practical, and highly dismissive of Joan, calling her "mad" and a "blockhead". However, he is open-minded enough to listen to his junior officer (Poulengey) and takes a massive, unconventional risk by finally trusting Joan's passion.

मराठी टीप: कॅप्टन रॉबर्ट सुरुवातीला कठोर आणि रागीट वाटतात. जोनला ते वेडी समजतात, पण परिस्थितीचे गांभीर्य ओळखून ते एक मोठा धोका पत्करतात आणि जोनला संधी देतात.  

3. Bertran de Poulengey (Polly): A French guard who is highly observant and easily inspired by Joan's courage. He realizes that their current logical strategies are failing and strongly believes that Joan might just be the "miracle" the defeated French army desperately needs.

मराठी टीप: पोलेंजे हा एक समजूतदार सैनिक आहे जो जोनच्या शौर्याने प्रेरित होतो आणि कॅप्टनला तिला पाठवण्यासाठी तयार करतो.  

SECTION 6 — Central Theme and Values / केंद्रीय भाव आणि मूल्ये

6A. Theme Table / विषय सारणी

6B. Values / मूल्ये

• Bravery (शौर्य) — Joan is not cowed or intimidated by the angry Captain, nor is she afraid of the terrifying English army.

• Inspiration (प्रेरणा) — Joan's passionate words manage to "put fire into" the defeated soldiers and the hesitant Captain.

• Conviction (ठाम विश्वास) — Her absolute clarity of thought forces experienced military men to trust her "crazy idea."

  
  

6C. Central Message / केंद्रीय संदेश

Unshakable self-confidence, pure patriotism, and faith in a higher power can inspire ordinary people to achieve miraculous, seemingly impossible things against tremendous odds.

मराठी टीप: अढळ आत्मविश्वास, देशभक्ती आणि देवावरील श्रद्धेच्या जोरावर सामान्य माणसेही अशक्य वाटणाऱ्या गोष्टी साध्य करू शकतात आणि इतरांनाही प्रेरित करू शकतात, हा या पाठाचा संदेश आहे.

SECTION 7 — Vocabulary in Context / शब्दसंग्रह

SECTION 8 — Extract-Based Questions / उताऱ्यावर आधारित प्रश्न

Extract 1

Q.(A)(i) — State whether the following are True or False: (2 marks)

1. Robert initially ordered his men to throw Joan out. — True  

2. Joan was extremely terrified of Captain Robert. — False  

3. Joan asked for money and new clothes from the Captain. — False  

4. The steward felt that Joan put courage into the soldiers. — True  

   
   

मराठी टीप: True आणि False नीट वाचून ठरवा — जोन अजिबात घाबरलेली नव्हती (doesn't seem to be afraid) आणि तिने घोडा, चिलखत आणि सैनिक मागितले होते.  

Q.(A)(ii) — Choose the correct alternative: (2 marks)

1. To whom did Joan want to be sent?

   (a) The English King (b) The Dauphin

   (c) Her father (d) The village head

   Answer: (b) The Dauphin

   
   

2. What is the meaning of 'armour' in the extract?

   (a) A type of weapon (b) Protective metal clothing

   (c) A strong horse (d) A bag of gold

   Answer: (b) Protective metal clothing

Q.(B)(i) — Answer in 2-3 sentences: (2 marks)

Why did the steward and the soldiers fail to throw Joan out?

Answer: The steward and the soldiers failed to throw Joan out because they were deeply influenced by her. Even though they had fifty armed men, they felt she put courage into them, and they observed that she was not afraid of anything at all.

मराठी टीप: सैनिकांनी जोनला बाहेर का काढले नाही? कारण ५० सैनिक असूनही जोनची अजिबात न घाबरण्याची वृत्ती पाहून त्यांच्यातही धैर्य (courage) निर्माण झाले होते.

Q.(B)(ii) — Answer in 3-4 sentences: (2 marks)

Describe Joan's entry and her immediate demand to the Captain.

Answer: Joan entered the room as a strong, well-built country girl. The Captain's angry glare did not frighten or stop her. She spoke with extreme confidence, immediately demanding that the Captain give her a horse, armour, and some soldiers so she could go to the Dauphin.

मराठी टीप: जोनने आत आल्यावर काय केले? कॅप्टनच्या रागीट नजरेला न घाबरता, तिने अतिशय आत्मविश्वासाने त्याला घोडा, चिलखत आणि सैनिक देण्याची मागणी केली.

Extract 2

Q.(A)(i) — State whether the following are True or False: (2 marks)  

1. The Dauphin was fighting bravely like a lion. — False  

2. Poulengey believed that only a miracle could save them. — True  

3. Robert firmly believed that miracles happen every day. — False  

4. Poulengey thought Joan herself was a bit of a miracle. — True  

   
   

मराठी टीप: उताऱ्यात Dauphin ला कोपऱ्यात अडकलेल्या उंदरासारखे (rat in a corner) म्हटले आहे आणि रॉबर्टच्या मते सध्याच्या काळात चमत्कार (miracles) होत नाहीत.  

Q.(A)(ii) — Choose the correct alternative: (2 marks)  

1. Where was the Dauphin hiding?

   (a) In Orleans (b) In Montargis

   (c) In Chinon (d) In England

   Answer: (c) In Chinon  

   
   

2. What does the word 'cowed' mean in this extract?

   (a) Brave (b) Frightened

   (c) Angry (d) Victorious

   Answer: (b) Frightened  

   
   

Q.(B)(i) — Answer in 2-3 sentences: (2 marks)

Why does Poulengey think they need a miracle?

Answer: Poulengey believes they desperately need a miracle because the Dauphin is hiding helplessly like a rat in a corner. The English are about to capture Orleans, and the French soldiers are currently too frightened (cowed) to stop them.

मराठी टीप: पोलेंजेला चमत्काराची गरज का वाटते? कारण युवराज (Dauphin) घाबरून लपला आहे, इंग्रज 'ऑर्लिन्स' जिंकणार आहेत, आणि फ्रेंच सैनिक प्रचंड घाबरलेले (cowed) आहेत.

Q.(B)(ii) — Answer in 3-4 sentences: (2 marks)

What is Poulengey's opinion about Joan?

Answer: Poulengey is highly impressed by Joan. He tells Robert that "there is something about her." He firmly believes that Joan herself is a bit of a miracle and since they are completely out of options, sending her to the Dauphin is their last chance to win the war.

मराठी टीप: पोलेंजेचे जोनबद्दल काय मत आहे? पोलेंजेच्या मते जोन स्वतःच एक चमत्कार आहे. सध्याच्या कठीण परिस्थितीत फ्रान्सला वाचवण्यासाठी जोनवर विश्वास ठेवणे हीच त्यांची शेवटची संधी (last chance) आहे.

SECTION 9 — Short Answer Questions / लघु उत्तरे

Q1. Why did Joan think that raising a siege was as easy as chasing a cow? Answer: Joan believed that raising a siege was as easy as chasing a cow out of a meadow because she had absolute, unshakable faith in God. She believed that if God was on her side, no military task, no matter how difficult, was impossible to achieve. मराठी टीप: लष्करी वेढा तोडणे सोपे आहे असे जोनला का वाटले? कारण तिचा देवावर प्रचंड विश्वास होता. देव पाठीशी असेल तर कोणतेही कठीण काम गाईला हाकलण्याइतके सोपे असते, असे तिचे मत होते.  

Q2. Why, according to Joan, were the French soldiers always beaten? Answer: According to Joan, the French soldiers were always beaten because they fought merely to "save their skins" (save their own lives). When soldiers fight only for survival, the easiest option is to run away. She promised to teach them to fight selflessly for the pride of France.

मराठी टीप: फ्रेंच सैनिक का हरत होते? जोनच्या मते, ते फक्त स्वतःचा जीव वाचवण्यासाठी (save their skins) लढत होते. जीव वाचवण्याचा सोपा मार्ग म्हणजे पळून जाणे, त्यामुळे ते नेहमी हरत होते.  

Q3. What made Captain Robert finally agree to Poulengey's plan?

Answer: Captain Robert finally agreed because Poulengey convinced him that the French army was entirely hopeless and cowed, and they had no other options left. Furthermore, Robert realized that if Joan's words could put fire and inspiration into his own guards, she might be able to inspire the Dauphin and the entire army.

मराठी टीप: कॅप्टन रॉबर्ट जोनला पाठवण्यासाठी का तयार झाले? कारण पोलेंजेने त्यांना पटवून दिले की सैन्य खचले आहे. जर जोनच्या बोलण्याने आपल्या सैनिकांमध्ये प्रेरणा (fire) निर्माण होऊ शकते, तर ती संपूर्ण लष्करालाही प्रेरित करू शकेल.  

Q4. What did Joan want the Captain to give her?

Answer: Joan assertively demanded that the Captain give her a horse, a soldier's armour to fit her measure, and three soldiers (including Polly and Jack) to escort her safely to Chinon to meet the Dauphin.

मराठी टीप: जोनने कॅप्टनकडे काय मागितले? तिने प्रवासासाठी एक घोडा, सैनिकाचे चिलखत (armour) आणि युवराजाला भेटायला जाण्यासाठी काही सैनिक मागितले.  

SECTION 10 — Long Answer Questions / दीर्घ उत्तरे

Q1. Describe the character of Joan as portrayed in the play. Give instances to support your answer.

Answer: In George Bernard Shaw's play, Joan is portrayed as a wildly courageous, determined, and deeply faithful 18-year-old girl. Her confidence is her most striking feature. When she enters the Captain's room, she is not intimidated by his angry glares or threats of imprisonment. Instead of requesting, she assertively dictates her terms, demanding a horse and armour. She also possesses excellent leadership qualities and the ability to inspire. The steward admits that her presence "puts courage in us." Furthermore, Joan is fiercely patriotic and deeply religious. She dismisses the terror of the brutal English army by stating that fighting them is easy "if God is on your side". She accurately diagnoses why the French army is losing—because they fight to save their own skins—and vows to teach them to fight for France. Overall, she is an incredibly charismatic figure who turns impossible dreams into reality through sheer conviction.

मराठी टीप:  

1. सुरुवात: जोनच्या व्यक्तिमत्त्वाचे वर्णन करा (धाडसी, आत्मविश्वासू, १८ वर्षांची मुलगी).

2. उदाहरणे (Confidence): ती कॅप्टनला अजिबात घाबरत नाही. विनंती करण्याऐवजी ती थेट घोडा आणि सैनिक मागते.

3. देशभक्ती आणि श्रद्धा: देवावर तिचा अढळ विश्वास आहे. ती सैनिकांना स्वतःचा जीव वाचवण्याऐवजी देशासाठी लढण्याची प्रेरणा (inspire) देते.

4. शेवट: ती एक उत्कृष्ट आणि प्रभावी नेत्या असल्याचे सांगा.

   
   

Q2. Explain the role of Bertran de Poulengey (Polly) in the extract. How does he convince Captain Robert?

Answer: Bertran de Poulengey acts as a crucial bridge between Joan's "crazy" ideas and Captain Robert's strict military mindset. While Robert immediately dismisses Joan as a mad blockhead, Poulengey looks deeper. He represents the desperate hope of the defeated French army. Poulengey systematically convinces Robert by laying out the harsh reality: the Dauphin is hiding in Chinon "like a rat in a corner," the English are advancing on Orleans, and the French men are deeply cowed. He boldly tells the Captain that normal military tactics have failed and nothing can save them now "but a miracle." Having closely observed Joan, Poulengey tells Robert that "the girl herself is a bit of a miracle" and that her words have successfully "put fire into" him. By appealing to Robert's desperate situation and offering Joan as their only remaining chance, Poulengey successfully convinces the stubborn Captain to send her to the Dauphin. मराठी टीप:  

1. सुरुवात: पोलेंजेची भूमिका सांगा (तो जोन आणि कॅप्टन रॉबर्ट यांच्यातील दुवा आहे).

2. पोलेंजेचे निरीक्षण: रॉबर्ट जोनला वेडी समजतो, पण पोलेंजे तिच्यातील क्षमता ओळखतो.

3. तो रॉबर्टला कसे पटवतो?: तो वास्तवाची जाणीव करून देतो की फ्रेंच सैन्य घाबरले आहे आणि आता फक्त एक चमत्कारच (miracle) त्यांना वाचवू शकतो.

4. शेवट: जोनच्या बोलण्याने स्वतःला कशी प्रेरणा (fire) मिळाली हे सांगून, तो रॉबर्टला जोनला पाठवण्यास भाग पाडतो.

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