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    5. Princess September - Class 8 - It So Happened



    šŸ“˜`Princess September - Notes

    Author: W. Somerset Maugham

    Textbook: It So Happened

    Genre: Fiction


    šŸ“ Summary

    The story "Princess September" is about a young princess in Siam whose pet parrot dies suddenly. She is deeply upset until a beautiful singing bird flies into her room and comforts her with its song. The bird becomes her cherished companion. However, her jealous sisters advise her to cage the bird for safety. September, out of love and concern, imprisons it, but the bird becomes silent and refuses to sing. Eventually, it falls ill due to its lack of freedom. Realising her mistake, the Princess releases the bird, who regains his strength and promises to return. The bird's freedom and happiness restore the Princessā€™s own joy. Her decision to respect his liberty makes her grow into a kind, beautiful woman. In contrast, her sisters, who kept their windows shut and lived rigidly, became unattractive and disagreeable. The story beautifully conveys how love should not be possessive and that true happiness lies in letting others live freely.


    šŸ‘¤ Character Sketch

    Princess September: A kind, sensitive, and emotional young girl who learns an important lesson in love and freedom. Initially possessive, she grows wise and selfless, understanding that love means allowing others their independence.


    šŸ“š Themes

    Theme

    Description

    Love and Freedom

    True love involves respecting the otherā€™s freedom and happiness.

    Growth and Maturity

    September matures through the story by learning from her actions.

    Jealousy vs. Kindness

    The contrast between September's kindness and her sisters' envy.

    Nature and Beauty

    The story highlights the beauty and spontaneity of nature, represented by the birdā€™s song.

    āœØ Literary Devices

    Device

    Example

    Metaphor

    "The lake and the willow trees looked at themselves in the still water."

    Personification

    The bird sings songs with emotions and reason like a human.

    Simile

    ā€œSinging like a nightingale.ā€

    Irony

    The sisters try to protect the bird but nearly cause its death.

    Dialogue

    Used extensively to bring out character and conflict.

    šŸ“– Title Justification

    The title "Princess September" is apt as the story revolves around her journey from childish attachment to emotional maturity. Her decisions and emotional evolution are central to the plot. The story is a reflection of how she handles love, loss, freedom, and personal growth, making her the true focus of the narrative.


    āœ… One-Mark Questions

    1. What gift did the King give his daughters on his birthday?

      ā†’ A green parrot in a golden cage.


    2. What did the new bird offer in place of the parrot?

      ā†’ Songs and companionship.


    3. How did Princess September react to her parrotā€™s death?

      ā†’She cried uncontrollably.


    4. What was the sistersā€™ advice about the bird?

      ā†’ To put it in a cage so it wouldnā€™t fly away.


    5. Why did the bird stop singing in the cage?

      ā†’ It lost its freedom and felt unhappy.


    āœ… Three-Mark Questions

    1. Why did Princess Septemberā€™s sisters advise her to cage the bird?

      ā†’ They were jealous of the birdā€™s beauty and wanted to make her insecure. They claimed the bird might fly away and never return, so caging was the only way to keep it safe.


    2. How did the bird react after being put in the cage?

      ā†’ The bird stopped singing, refused to eat, and grew weak. It expressed that freedom was necessary for its happiness and survival.


    3. How did Princess September change by the end of the story?

      ā†’ She matured emotionally, understanding that love doesnā€™t mean control. She let the bird go and felt both the pain of separation and the joy of doing the right thing.


    šŸ§  Value-Based Question

    Q: What does Princess September's decision to release the bird teach us about real love and relationships?

    Ans: Real love means putting the happiness and freedom of the loved one before our own desires. Princess September realised that keeping the bird caged out of love was selfish. True love is selfless and respects individuality.

    Let me know if youā€™d like a printable version or worksheet format.


    End


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