The Loaded Dog & Merchant of Venice

SEMESTER - I - _:ENGLISH STUDY MATERIAL

 THE LOADED DOG

                       

1.     Describe the short story of "The Loaded Dog".                                                        (Or) What is the theme of the short story of "The Loaded Dog".                                      (Or) Write the summary of The Loaded Dog".                                                                   (Or) Justify the title "The Loaded Dog".

The short story "The Loaded Dog" is written by Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson. He was born in 1867 in Australia. He was an Australian writer and poet.

One day, Dave Regan, Andy Page, and Jim Bently are 'sinking shafts' at Stony Creek. Dave and Andy like to fish, so Dave comes up with a new way of catching the fish. He suggests they should try to blow-up the fish with cartridge. Jim is not interested in the "damned silliness," but Andy, who "usually put Dave's theories into practice if they were practicable, or bore the blame for the failure and the chaffing of his mates if they weren't," starts to work on the project.

When all three men are back at the camp. Their playful retriever Tommy gets hold of the explosive. He starts chasing after the three men. Who are trying to runaway, following each other. After some time they split. Tommy ends up following Dave. Dave runs into a local pub. The announcement he makes causes chaos. Meanwhile Tommy encounters an aggressive yellow dog. So he drops the cartridge and runs away. The yellow dog sniffs around the explosive when it suddenly blows up.

2.     Who are Dave, Jim and Andy ?

The short story "The Loaded Dog" is written by Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson. He was born in 1867 in Australia. He was an Australian writer and poet.

Dave Regan: A laid-back gold miner, who is fond of fishing. It is Dave's idea to use a cartridge to catch fish.

Jim Bently: Described as being uninterested in the "damned silliness" of Dave and Andy's scheme. He enjoys eating fish, but has no interest in fishing.

Andy Page: A fellow gold miner, who "usually put Dave's theories into practice if they were practicable, or bore the blame for the failure and the chaffing of his mates if they weren't.

3.   What happens in the coda of "The Loaded Dog" by Henry Lawson?

The short story " The Loaded Dog" is written by Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson. He was born in 1867 in Australia. He was an Australian writer and poet.

In the strangest of ways, the conclusion to Lawson's story is one where a sense of justice emanates. The conclusion is^-one in which the "mongrel" dog that terrorized Tommy took the cartridge from his mouth, mistaking it for something of value. The other dogs follow the malevolent one's lead and when it explodes, evil. In a sense, it is destroyed. Tommy, the force of goodness, is one that is none the wiser and he goes back to the camp with Dave, immediately inundating him with his slobber and an unconditional love, unaware of the moral implications of what he initiated or what happened, but knowing that he did enough for one day. Andy ties him up in order to prevent the dog from getting into any more mischief.

The Bushmen, for their part. They have appropriated the story for themselves as a sort of an "outback legend," Something that they can tell to one another for a guaranteed laugh. Each time they pass by Dave's camp. They call out to him in an indigenous manner to indicate what passes to be an almost inside joke about what Tommy did and the results from it.

4.   Describe the dog which the party have with them in the short story "The Loaded Dog" ? (Or) What type of dog did the party have with them ?

The short story " The Loaded Dog" is written by Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson. He was born in 1867 in Australia. He was an Australian writer and poet.

Dave Regan, Jim Bently and Andy page had a big black young retriever dog. It was an over grown pup. It was big. It was four -footed mate who was always slobbering round them. It was lashing their legs with his heavy tail that swung round like a stock -whip. Most of his head was usually a red. It was idotic. It was a slobbering grin of appreciation of his own silliness. He seemed to take life in the world. His two - legged mates and his own instinct as a huge joke. He could retrieve anything. He carted back most of the camp rubbish that Andy threw away. He used to retrieve them when they went in swiming. He had jumped in after them. He took their hands in his mouth. He tried to swim out with them. He scratched their naked bodies with his paws. They loved him for his good - heartendness.

5.  What methods Dave Regan, Jim Bently and Andy page use blast the rock?

OR

What procedure did the trio follow for mining gold? How do Andy and his team mates make the cartridge ?

The short story " The Loaded Dog" is written by Henry Archibald Hertz Lawson. He was born in 1867 in Australia. He was an Australian writer and poet.

Dave Regan, Jim Bently and Andy page used the old fashioned blasting - power time fuse. They make a sausage or cartridge of blasting - powder in a skin of st calico or canvas. The mouth was sewn. They bounded round the end of the fuse. 1 dip the cartridge in melted tallow to make

it. They get the drill - hole as dry as posy They drop in the cartridge with some dry dust. And was and ram with stiff clay broken brick.

Then they light the fuse and get out of the hole and wait. The result was usual!) ugly pot - hole in the bottom of the shaft and half a barrow load of broken rock.

6.  Describe the scene after explosion ?               (Or)
How is the scene after explosion ?

The short story "The Loaded Dog" is written by Henry Archibald Hertzberg Laws He was born in 1867 in Australia. He was an Australian writer and poet.

After the explosion there were several Bushmen round behind the stable. TI crouched, doubled up against the wall. They rolled gently on the dust. They were try to laugh without shrieking. There were two white women in hysterics at the house. half - caste was rushing aimlessly round with a dipper of cold water. The publican 1, holding his wife tight. He was begging her between her squawks to hold up for his sake.  Mary he said that he would lam the life out of ye.

7.  How did the boom's explosion affect the animals in the story?

The short story " The Loaded Dog" is written by Henry Archibald Hertzb Lawson. He was born in 1867 in Australia. He was an Australian writer and poet.

When the smoke and dust cleared away, The remains of the yellow dog were ly against the paling fence of the yard looking as if he had been kicked into a fire b' horse. Afterwards rolled in the under a barrow. Several saddle-horses which had be 'hanging-up' round the varanda.They were galloping widely down the road in cloud 01 dust. Two dogs of them went home. One was trying to walk on two legs. There was one old one -eyed cattle-dog round.

ONE ACT PLAY

1. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

(Court Scene — Act —IV -Scene —I)

1.      What is Antonio's attitude towards this scene? Elaborate your answer
by examining his statements to the Duke and to Bassanio? .(0r)

What things Antonio says to the Duke in the court?

The one- act - play 'The Merchant of Venice 'was written by William S-„akespeare. He was born in 1564 in England. He was an English poet, playwright actor.

Antonio says to Duke that Shylock is obstinate. He says to Bassanio that they are talking to a cruel money lender and they cannot change his heart. They may well go to the beach and ask the tide to lower its height or they may ask the wolf why he is killing the lamb. They may go to the mountain, and ask the pine trees shake their tops when there is wind, but not make any noise. He too requests court to give the judgment. He asks Bassano to convey his best wishes to his wife. Bassanio tells Antonio that he can give up everything, if it will save his life.

2. What was Shylock adamant about and why! What reason does he give to those in court. (Or)

What did Shylock appeal to things about the Antonio in the court. (Or) What reasons does Shylock give to Duke in the court.                                                                                                       (Or)
Why does Shylock refuse to show mercy on Antonio.

The one- act - play 'The Merchant of Venice 'was written by William Shakespeare. He was born in 1564 in England. He was an English poet, playwright and actor.

Shylock wanted a pound of flesh rather than three thousand ducats. He would only say that it was his desire to have it so. He had no reason to give for his wanting to get a pound of flesh except that he had always hated Antonio. Because he insulted in the public places and he called him a dog. He spoiled his interest business.  Due to this, Shylock was adamant. He filed a suit about the case the suit the case in the Duke's court. Antonio had failed to pay the debt in time. As per the bond, Shylock had a right to cut off a pound of flesh from Antonio chest.

3.        How is Shylock utterly defeated at the end of this scene? What punishments are meted out to him.                                                                                                                              (Or)

What happened at the end of the scene? What type of punishment did Shylock get at the end?      (Or)

How does Portia turn the tables on Shylock ?

The one- act - play 'The Merchant of Venice 'was written by William Shakespeare. He was born in 1564 in England. He was an English poet, playwright and actor.

Portia said that he should not shed any blood and take exactly one pound of flesh. If the flesh he takes from Antonio's body weighs more or less than one pound even by the weight of a hair, he will be put to death and all his properties will be confiscated. Duke punishes him. He pardons the Shylock even before his asks for it. Duke will not put him to death. As for his wealth, half of it goes to Antonio. The other half goes to the State.

4.  What is the theme of Portia's first major speech addressed to Shylock? (Or)

What is the speach called 'Portrait of Lady?                                                                (Or)

Why does Portia assert that Shylock must show mercy?                          (Or)

Does the object of Portias make major speech addressed to Shylock?

The one- act - play 'The Merchant of Venice 'was written by William Shakespeare. He was born in 1564 in England. He was an English poet, playwright and actor.

In the court, Portia's first major speech is addressed to Shylock that Mercy is not forced on any one. It comes as the gentle rain from the heaven. It is twice blessed. It blesses the man who gives it and the man who receives it. Therefore, Shylock, was asking for justice, but justice will not give him salvation. All of them pray to God for mercy. So it is our duty to show the same mercy to our fellowmen. She has appealed to him to soften justice with mercy. Of course, if he insists on justice, this court would pass its judgment against the merchant there.

5.  How do Bassanio, Portia and the Duke try to appeal to Shylock not to pursue his determined course of action?                                                                (Or)

      What was the request of Bassanio, Portia, and the Duke to Shylock?

The one-act- play 'The Merchant of Venice' was written by William  Shakespeare. He was born in 1564 in England. He was an English poet, playwright and actor.

In the court, Portia, Bassanio and Duke try to convince to Shylock show mercy on Antonio. Duke advises Shylock that he should show kindness at the last moment. And they hope that he will give up his claim on a pound of this poor merchant's flesh. Antonio has lost all his wealth suddenly. His story is sad, show pity and love towards him. Portia asks Shylock that he has been offered three times the money. Bassanio asks Shylock that instead of your three thousand ducats to take six thousand. Shylock cannot accept their appeal and he does not listen to their words.

6.  Sketch the Character of Shylock.

Shylock is not a fictional character in William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice". Passion for revenge and passion for money are the two leading traits of his character. He is a miser who hoards, and for him even to spend a single penny is a Lo, .ure. He lives for money. Money is his life and soul.

Money is the standard by which he judges others. His greed has destroyed him and even his affection for his daughter. Since his solicitude at his daughter's loss is nothing compared with his rage at the loss of his money.

Perhaps even stronger than his love of money is his hatred of Antonio as one of the Christians who had persecuted his tribe so cruelly. And one cannot help feeling a natural sympathy with the Jew. A sympathy which Shakespeare evidently felt himself and presumably intended his audience to share. How pathetic these lines of Shylock are!

7.        Sketch the character of Portia?

The one- act - play 'The Merchant of Venice 'was written by William Shakespeare. He was born in 1564 in England. He was an English poet, playwright and actor.

Portia is the heroine of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. A rich, beautiful, and intelligent girl. She is bound by the lottery set forth in her father's will woman in marriage. Portia is glad when two suitors.

One has been driven by greed and another by vanity, fail to choose correctly. She favours Bassanio. He is a young Venetian noble man, but is not allowed to give him any clues to assist in his choice. Later in the play, she disguises herself as a man, then assumes the role of a lawyer's apprentice (named Balthazar) whereby she saves the life of Bassanio's friend, Antonio, in court.

8.           Write the affection between Antonio and Bassanio in the dram "The Mearchant of Venice"?

They both are bossom friends it can be said as Antonio , a rich merchant and his intimate friend Bassanio shared a loving bond of friendship. It is Antono's love for Bassanio who is a spendthrift that makes him disregard Bassanio's frivolous habits and sign the fatal bond, even at the risk of his life. Bassanio reciprocates his love for Antonio with same ardour. Just after winning Portia., when he comes to know of the danger to Antonio's life he rushes immediately to Venice. He offers in the court the money he has inherited by marrying Portia to settle Antonio's debt. He even promises to sacrifice his own "Flesh,blood,bones and all ".

9.        What is the love of Portia for Bassanio ?

Portia and Bassanio is a compatible couple their relationship typifies ideal love and involves self-sacrificing, sharing, humility and devotion.

Portia is as faultless as one could imagine. She is blessed with beauty, heavenly qualities surpassing all other women on Earth and moreover "richly left". Portia's image is consistent as a goddess, an angel. However, she is by no means the "un lessoned girl, unschooled, un practiced" which she claims to be, but is on the contrary"sophisticated, educated and intelligent". Throughout theplay, she exhibits wit, resourcefulness, complete love for Bassanio and generosity towards friends. She came to the court with male dress as lawyer and saved the life of Antonio.

Her prejudice towards Jews and foreigners is probably one of the only blemish to her otherwise perfect character.