i. What is Macavity’s nickname?
Hidden paw is the nick name of Macavity.
ii. Why is the Flying Squad frustrated?
Flying squad is unable to catch the cat,
Macavity. So the flying squad is frustrated.
iii. Which law does Macavity break?
Macavity breaks the human law and the law of
gravity.
iv. What makes the fakir stare in wonder?
The levitation of Macavity makes the fakir stare
in wonder.
v. Describe Macavity’s appearance.
Macavity is a ginger cat. He is very tall and
thin. His eyes are deeply sunken. His eyebrows are deeply lined with thought.
His head is dome - like round in shape. His coat is dusty with neglect. His
whiskers are uncombed.
vi. Where can you encounter Macavity?
Macavity can be encountered in a by-street or in
the square.
vii. Why does the poet say Macavity is ‘outwardly’ respectable?
Macavity is very clever and cunning. Hence
Macavity is ‘outwardly’ respectable.
viii. Who does the Secret Service suspect when a loss is reported?
Macavity does the secret service when a loss is
reported.
ix. What is Macavity expected to be doing after committing a crime?
x. Mention any two qualities of Macavity.
xi. Which two characters does the poet refer to as examples of wicked cats?
Mungojerrie and
Griddlebone are the two characters mentioned as the example of wicked
cats.
xii. Why is Macavity called the ‘Napoleon of Crime’?
All the wicked cats are the agents of Macavity
Macavity controls all their operations.
So he is called the ‘Napoleon of Crime’
Additional Comprehension questions:
1.
Who does Macavity fool and confuse?
Macavity, the mystery cat, fools and confuses ‘The Scot Yard (London
Police)’ and the Flying squad.
2.
What is the most remarkable thing about Macavity?
Macavity is a criminal. When the police reach the spot of Crime,
Macavity is not there, he manages to escape. This is the most remarkable
quality of Macavity.
3.
What is the connection between “Fakir” and “Power of Levitation?”
. Fakir is a member of an Islamic group or a Hindu
holy man. Levitation means Floating in air. A fakir floats in air with some
tricks and mysterious methods.
4.
Describe some of the crimes committed by Macavity.
Macavity breaks the green house glass, loots a larder, steals a
jewel-case, breaks the trellis and tears the Pekingese(peke) - a breed of toy
dog. These are the crimes committed by Macavity.
5.
Why are his eyes sunken?
Macavity’s eyes are sunken, because his head is highly
domed. His head is like a dome or like adults and therefore the eyes are
inside.
6.
What do his lined brow and his high domed forehead show?
The cats lined brow shows that he is deep in thought.
His high-domed forehead shows his mischievous nature.
7.
Why is the coat dusty and his whiskers uncombed?
Macavity is so doing all sorts of mischief that he has
no time to clean his coat or comb his whiskers.
8.
What gifts does Macavity have that will make even a fakir stare in
wonder?
Macavity has the gift of levitation(floating in air).
A fakir is a master of levitation. But even he will be shocked the cat’s power
of levitation.
9.
Can Macavity be ever accused of having committed a crime? Why not?
Macavity cannot be accuse of any crime, because
there is no evidence to prove him guilty. He is not there on the spot of crime.
He is a mile away.
10. What alibis did Macavity have that
made it impossible to catch him?
Macavity has two alibis. Mungojerrie and Griddlcbone. They are also mischievous eats. With the help of alibis, Macavity escapes and it is impossible to catch him.
‘Macavity – The Mystery Cat’ is a humorous poem, where the poet T.S. Eliot describes the mysterious (a) qualities of a shrewd vile cat. He commits a crime at every possible opportunity. He is an elusive master (b) criminal who leaves no evidence after he commits a crime. Even the Scotland Yard, the London (c) detective agency is unable to arrest him. The Flying Squad is (d) desperate because every time they rush to the crime spot to seize Macavity, he is not there. He breaks the human law as well as the law of (e) gravity. He baffles even a (f) fakir with his powers of levitation. Macavity appears tall and thin with (g) sunken eyes. He is always preoccupied with some serious (h) thought. His coat is dusty and his (i) whiskers are unkempt. Macavity is a (j) devil in the guise of a cat. He appears to be outwardly (k) respectable but his actions disprove it. Macavity loots the (l) larder , ransacks the jewel-case, and breaks the (m) greenhouse glass but wonder of wonders he is not to be found anywhere there. He is always a mile away from the scene of crime, happily relaxing or doing difficult (n) division sums. He is clever at making up an (o) alibi every time he plots a crime. All the notorious cats are nothing but the (p) agents of Macavity, the Napoleon of Crime.
larder
whiskers
respectable
criminal
devil
thought
agents
detective
alibi
desperate
fakir
qualities
gravity
greenhouse
i. What are the mysterious ways in which Macavity acts?
Macavity is a mysterious cat. He fools and
confuses the Scotland Yard and the Flying Squad. His footprints are not found
anywhere. He commits several crimes, but when the police reach the spot of
Crime, Macavity is not there. He is a mile away. These are the mysterious ways
in which Macavity acts.
ii. Give an account of Macavity’s destructive mischief.
Macavity indulges in destructive mischief. For
example, he loots the larder and steals the jewel- case. He drinks the milk
secretly and tears the toy dog Peke. He breaks the greenhouse glass and
trellis. He takes away a Treaty from the Foreign office or some plans from the
Admiralty(Navy).
iii. Describe the appearance and qualities of Macavity.
Macavity’s appearance is strange and unusual. He
has a ginger cat; he is tall and thin. His head is highly domed, and his
forehead shows he is deeply in thought. His eyes are sunken. He is so busy with
thoughts of mischief that he neglects to clean his coat or comb his whiskers.
He nods his head this way and that. He seems to be asleep, but he is always awake
and alert.
i. Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden Paw…
a. Does the poet talk about a real cat?
No, the poet talks about the fictional or
imaginary cat.
b. Why is he called the Hidden Paw?
He is the master criminal. But he always
escapes. The Scotland yard, cannot catch him. Hence he is called Hidden Paw.
ii. He’s the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad’s despair:
For when they reach the scene of crime
— Macavity’s not there!..
a. What is ‘Scotland Yard’?
Scotland Yard is the headquarters of London
Metropolitan Police Service.
b. Why does the flying squad feel disappointed?
The flying squad rushes to the spot of crime
every time to seize Macavity but he could not be found there. Hence the flying
squad feels disappointed.
iii. He sways his head from side to side, with movements like a snake;
And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake…
a. Explain the comparison made here.
The movements of the head of the Macavity is
compared to those of the snake. Macavity sways his head from side to side like
a snake.
b. What does he pretend to do?
He pretends as if he were half asleep.
iv. For he’s a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity.
a. How is the cat described in this line?
The cat is described like a devil in the shape
of a cat. He is also described as the monster of depravity.
b. Explain the phrase ‘monster of depravity’.
It means the giant of moral corruption.
v. And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s.
a. What seems to be a challenge for the Scotland Yard?
Macavity never gives any clue such as his
footprints in the spot of crime. Since there is no trace of evidence, it seems
to be a challenge for the Scotland Yard to arrest him.
b. Why do they need his footprints?
They need his footprints in order to arrest
Macavity.
vi. ‘It must have been Macavity!’ but he’s a mile away.
a. What is Macavity blamed for?
Macavity is blamed for the missing of a file of
Treaty from the foreign office or the loss of some plans and drawings of
Admiralty.
b. Where is he?
He is a mile away from the spot of crime.
vii. There never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity.
a. Which cat is being talked of here?
Macavity, the mysterious cat, is being talked of
here.
b. How is he different from the rest?
He is different from the rest by the qualities
such as depravity, looting, and stifling, rifling, deceitfulness and suavity
Additional Appreciation questions:
1.
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity
He’s broken every human law, he breaks the law of gravity
a.
Who is Macavity?
Macavity is a mysterious cat.
b.
Can Macavity be compared with anyone?
No, Macavity is unparalled.
c.
What are the violations made by Macavity?
Macavity violated the human law as well the law of gravity.
d.
Write out the words of alliteration.
Broken and breaks are the word of alliteration.
e.
Why is it said that there is no one like Macavity?
It is not possible to meet a master criminal like him
anywhere. So it is said that there is no one like Macavity.
2.
His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare,
And when you reach the scene of crime - Macavity’s not there.
a.
What is meant by levitation?
It means.the action of rising up and floating in the air.
b.
Who is a fakir?
A fakir is a saint who lives with the help of alms and has the power of
levitation.
c.
What did the fakir stare?
The fakir stared at the levitation of the cat.
d.
How did the fakir look at the levitation of the cat?
Fakir looked at the levitation of the cat with a
surprise.
3. Are nothing more than agents for the cat who all the time
Just controls
their operations: the Napolean of Crime
a.
Who are the agents?
Mungojerrie and Griddlebone are the agents.
b.
Who controls their operations?
Macavity controls their operations.
c.
Why does Macavity refer to be the Napolean of Crime?
Macavity is a master criminal. So he is referred to as the Napolean of
Crime.
d.
Write the rhyming words.
Time and crime are the rhyming words.
4. There may be a scrap of paper in the hall or on the stair
But it’s
useless to investigate, Macavity’s not there.
a.
Who blame Macavity?
The secret service blame Macavity.
b.
Where is the scrap of paper?
The scrap of paper is in the hall or at the stair.
c.
Why is it useless to investigate?
It is useless to investigate because Macavity will not leave any clue
for those crimes.
d.
Write out the rhyming words.
Stair and there are the rhyming words.
5. Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity
There never was a Cat
of such deceitefulness and suavity.
a.
Mention the qualities of Macavity.
Decitefulness and Suavity are the qualities of Macavity.
b.
Is there any other cat like Macavity?
No, there’s no other cat like Macavity.
i. His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare
Context : The above lines are from the poem “Macavity - The Mystery Cat” written by T.S.Eliot.
Explanation : Levitation means rising up and floating in air. Fakir is an Indian holy man who can float in air. But Macavity defeats even the fakir in the act of floating — the fakir stares at Macavity in wonder.
Comment : Thus the poet makes the cat an interesting
character.
ii. And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake
Context : The above lines are from the poem “Macavity - The Mystery Cat” written by T.S.Eliot.
Explanation : The poet calls Macavity “Mystery cat”. Macavity is a great cheat. He does a lot of mischief. He may appear to be asleep, but he is always alert; because he is always ready for some crime.
Comment : In these lines, the poet explains the
deceitful nature and pretention of Macavity.
iii. And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s
Context : The above lines are from the poem “Macavity - The Mystery Cat” written by T.S.Eliot.
Explanation : The poet calls Macavity the “hidden Paw”- because he is always hiding. The Scotland Yard police do not have his footprints and therefore they cannot catch him.
Comment : Thus the poet explains the Cleverness of Macavity is escaping. In another stanza the poet says - “he is a mile away”.
iv. There may be a scrap of paper in the hall or on the stair
But it’s useless to investigate…
Context : The above lines are from the poem “Macavity - The Mystery Cat” written by T.S.Eliot.
Explanation : Macavity takes away some Treaty or some plans and drawings from the Admiralty. The police may find a piece of paper in the hall, but that will not help the police macavity leaves no clue or evidence.
Comment : The poet expresses the cats’ cleverness and
cunning nature.
v. He always has an alibi, and one or two to spare
Context : The above lines are from the poem “Macavity - The Mystery Cat” written by T.S.Eliot.
Explanation : “Alibi” means a person was in another place when a crime occurred Mungojerrie and Griddlebone will prove that macavity was elsewhere when the crime took place.
Commment : The poet expresses the thoughtfulness and
cunning nature of Macavity.
ADDITIONAL PARAGRAPH:
Narrate the villainous qualities that Macavity possessed. (OR)
What gives us the impression that Macavity’s actions are guided by the
right judgement?
Macavity is called “Mystery Cat” and “Hidden Paw”. He is always in a
thoughtful mood — planning more and more mischief. He loots the larder and
steals the jewel case. He drinks milk secretly and tears the Peke toy dog. He
breaks the greenhouse glass and trellis. He takes away an important Treaty from
the Foreign office or some plan from the Admiralty.
But he is never caught. He fools the Scotland yard and the flying squad.
When the police reach the spot of crime, Macavity is not there — he is a mile
away. He leaves no footprints any marks of evidence.
The Macavity’s actions guided by the right judgement.
According to Macavity if people do not carefully guard things, the things may
be spoilt or broken or lost. It is his judgement.
i. Identify the literary devices used in the following lines:
a. He sways his head from side to side, with movements like a snake. -
b. They say he cheats at cards. -
ii. Give four instances where the poet has used alliteration in the poem.
Line Nos Words of alliteration
Line l Macavity’s, mystery
Line 3 Scotland, squad
Line 6 broken, breaks
Line 12 his, head, highly
a. What is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
aabb
b. Pick out all the pairs of rhyming words used in the poem.
Stanza l : paw, law; despair, there
Stanza 2 : Macavity, gravity, stare, there
Stanza 3 : snake,awake
Stanza 4 : Macavity, depravity, square, there
Stanza 5 : cards, yards; rifled, stifled
Stanza 6 : repair, there, say, away
Stanza 7 : thumbs, sums; Macavity, Suavity
Stanza 8 : spare, there, time, crime
Limericks: Poetry is of different forms and types. One among them is the Limerick. Limerick is a light, humorous verse form of five lines. The lines 1, 2 and 5 are of three feet and lines 3 and 4 are of two feet following the rhyme scheme aabba.
First, read the following sets of limericks with missing words. Now, listen to them being read out aloud by your teacher or played on the recorder. As you enjoy the absurd fun, complete the verse with what you hear. You may listen to them again, if required.
I
A wonderful bird is the (i) Pelican
His beak can hold more than his
(ii) belly can.
He can hold in his beak
Enough food for a (iii) week!
But I’ll be darned if I know how the Peli-can?
II
There once was a (iv) bear at the zoo
Who always had something to do
When it (v) bored him, you know,
To go to and fro,
He (vi) reversed it and went fro and to.
III
There once was a (vii) cute little bunny
Who I thought was sweet and (viii) funny
He ate all the carrots,
And looked at the (ix) parrots
And that was my cute little (x) bonny.
Work with a partner. Read the following questions and share your views with the class. Have you heard of the phrase ‘cat’s paw’? The meaning is similar to that of ‘firing from the other’s shoulder’. ‘Cat’s paw’ refers to a person who is used unwittingly or unwillingly by another person to accomplish his own purpose.
a. This phrase originates from the fable ‘The Monkey and the Cat’. Explain how Macavity contradicts the phrase ‘cat’s paw’.
THE MONKEY AND THE CAT
Bertrand was a monkey and Ratter was a cat. They
shared the same dwelling and had the same master, and a pretty
mischievous pair they were. It was impossible to intimidate them. If anything
was missed or spoilt, no one thought of blaming the other people in the house.
Bertrand stole all he could lay his hands upon, and as for Ratter, he gave more
attention to cheese than he did to the mice.
One day, in the chimney comer, these two rascals sat
watching some chestnuts that were roasting before the fire. How jolly it would
be to steal them they thought: doubly desirable, for it would not only be joy
to themselves, but an annoyance to others.
“Brother,” said Bertrand to Ratter, “this day you
shall achieve your master-stroke: you shall snatch some chestnuts out of the
fire for me. Providence has not fitted me for that sort of game. If it had, I
assure you chestnuts would have a fine time.”
No sooner said than done. Ratter delicately stirred
the cinders with his paw, stretched out his claws two or three times to prepare
for the stroke, and then adroitly whipped out first one, then two, then three
of the chestnuts, whilst Bertrand crunched them up between his teeth. In came a
servant, and there was an end of the business. Farewell, ye rogues!
Thus The cat had no chestnuts but with burnt paw. Since then the cat
contented himself with mice and rats. The cat had little to do with the monkey.
The moral of the story is that a thief can’t be trusted even by another thief.
Macavity acts on his own accord. It acts as master
criminal. He himself commits all the crimes. Fie will not be idle. He won’t ask
others to commit the crime on behalf of him. Through this he contradicts the
phrase cat’s paw. It refers to a person who is used unwittingly by another person
to achieve his own purpose.
b. ‘When the mouse laughs at the cat, there is a hole nearby.’ Explain the meaning of this statement to your friends.
The meaning of the statement is that you act
tougher when you know you have back up.
c. Compose your own limericks on an elephant, a peacock and a butterfly. Read it out to your class.
AN ELEPHANT
Three elephants entered a farm
Not meaning to do any harm
They got zapped by a fence
And took great offence
Stealing fruit, smashing neem and palm
A PEACOCK
A wonderful bird is the peacock
He spreads his wings like a colorful frock
He can dance,
And he can prance,
Till someone gives him a knock.
A BUTTERFLY
A kaleidoscope of butterflies
Passed right before my dilated eyes,
So while the colors blurred by
Grabbing at them I did try...
Fast little buggers to my surprise!
The Microbe is so very small
You cannot make him out at all,
But many sanguine people hope
To see him through a microscope.
His jointed tongue that lies beneath
A hundred curious rows of teeth;
His seven tufted tails with lots
Of lovely pink and purple spots,
On each of which a pattern stands,
Composed of forty separate bands;
His eyebrows of a tender green;
All these have never yet been seen--
But Scientists, who ought to know,
Assure us that they must be so....
Oh! let us never, never doubt
What nobody is sure about!
- Hillaire Belloc
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