6.2 Memories of Childhood - We Too are Human Beings - Class 12 - Vistas

BhashaLab
Aug 1
4 min read

Author: Bama (pen name of a Tamil Dalit writer)

Textbook: Vistas

Genre: Autobiographical Extract / Prose

Summary

In this autobiographical piece, Bama, a Tamil Dalit writer, reflects on a childhood experience that revealed to her the painful reality of caste discrimination. As a young, curious, and cheerful girl, she enjoyed taking long walks home from school, watching various street scenes and amusements. One day, she noticed an elder from her community carrying a food packet by its string without touching it, and then offering it to a landlord with great deference. Initially finding this funny, she recounted it to her brother.

However, her elder brother, Annan, explained that the elder had to carry the packet like that because of caste restrictions — upper castes considered it ‘pollution’ if Dalits touched their food. This deeply saddened and angered Bama. She was outraged by the dehumanizing way her community was treated.

Her brother advised her that education was the key to gaining respect and breaking free from these oppressive practices. Inspired, Bama resolved to study hard and prove her worth. The incident marked a turning point in her life, transforming her from an innocent observer into a socially conscious individual. The story is a powerful reminder of the need for dignity, equality, and social justice.

Character Sketch:

Bama

A curious, observant child who enjoys life’s little wonders
Innocent and unaware of caste discrimination at first
Deeply affected upon learning about untouchability
Intelligent and motivated — uses education as a tool for empowerment
Emotionally strong and socially aware, determined to challenge injustice

Themes

Theme	Description
Caste Discrimination	Reveals the humiliations faced by Dalits in everyday life
Loss of Innocence	A child’s joyful world is disturbed by the harsh truth of social inequality
Empowerment through Education	Education is shown as a powerful tool to fight discrimination and gain respect
Social Awareness	The story encourages awareness and questioning of unjust traditions
Dignity and Equality	Advocates for the fundamental rights of all humans, regardless of caste

✨ Literary Devices / Narrative Techniques

Device	Example	Effect
Imagery	“Coffee being cooled by pouring from one tumbler to another”	Brings to life the vibrant atmosphere of the streets
Irony	Bama’s laughter at the elder's act vs. its tragic meaning	Highlights the hidden cruelty behind seemingly normal actions
First-person narrative	Entire story is a personal account	Creates intimacy and emotional depth
Dialogue	Conversation with Annan	Reveals truth and provides moral insight
Symbolism	“Carrying the packet by its string”	Symbolizes untouchability and social humiliation

Title Justification

The title We Too Are Human Beings echoes the central cry of the story — the demand for dignity and equality for Dalits. It encapsulates the pain, anger, and realization of the narrator upon witnessing a humiliating act rooted in caste-based untouchability. Through her experience and her brother’s guidance, Bama recognizes the injustice of being treated as less than human. The title emphasizes the core message: that all people, regardless of caste or background, deserve respect, rights, and recognition as fellow human beings. It is a powerful assertion of identity and humanity.

One-Mark Questions

What sight amused Bama on her way home from school?
→ She saw an elder of her community carrying a food packet by its string. She found it funny because he avoided touching the packet directly.
Why was the elder carrying the packet like that?
→ He was obeying untouchability rules, as upper-caste people believed Dalits should not touch their food. Carrying it by string prevented “pollution.”
What was Bama’s initial reaction to the scene she witnessed?
→ She found it hilarious and shared it with her brother in a playful way. She didn’t yet understand the discrimination behind it.
How did Annan respond to Bama’s story?
→ He explained the social injustice and told her the elder behaved that way due to caste oppression. This explanation changed Bama’s perspective.
What advice did Annan give to Bama?
→ He advised her to study hard and earn respect through education. He believed knowledge could help break caste-based discrimination.

Three-Mark Questions

How did Bama’s view of the elder’s actions change after talking to Annan?
→ Initially, Bama thought the elder’s behavior was comical. However, after Annan explained that it was due to untouchability rules, Bama felt shocked and saddened. She realized the extent of humiliation her community endured. The act, which once made her laugh, now filled her with anger. This shift marked her awakening to caste-based injustice.
What role does education play in the story?
→ Education is shown as a path to dignity and self-empowerment. Annan encourages Bama to study hard so that people respect her for her knowledge and intelligence. He believes that education can challenge social hierarchies and help their community escape oppression. Motivated by his words, Bama excels in her studies. Her success becomes a means of resistance.
Describe the street scenes that fascinated Bama.
→ Bama’s journey home was filled with joyful distractions — street performances, snacks, fruit stalls, temples, and unusual people like monkey trainers or snake charmers. She also noticed vendors and street entertainers, creating a vibrant, colourful atmosphere. These experiences show her natural curiosity and liveliness. But they sharply contrast with the somber realization of caste prejudice later in the story.

Value-Based Question

Q: What lesson does the story “We Too Are Human Beings” teach about dignity and social justice?

→ The story teaches that every person, regardless of caste, deserves dignity, equality, and respect. Bama’s experience reveals how deeply caste discrimination can hurt, even when not openly spoken about. However, it also offers hope — by choosing education and self-awareness, individuals can challenge and overcome such oppression. The story reminds us that silence or blind acceptance of injustice must be replaced by courage, awareness, and the demand for rightful human treatment.

End

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