Macavity - The Mystery Cat: Questions and Answers

A. Based on your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions in a sentence or two.

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.

B. Read the poem once again and complete the summary using the words given in the box.

‘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

C.   Read the poem and answer the following in a short paragraph of 8 to 10 sentences each.

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.

D. Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow.

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.

E. Explain the following lines with reference to the context.

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.

F. Eliot has used many figures of speech to present the poem to the readers in an interesting way. He has attributed human qualities to a cat in this poem.

i. Identify the literary devices used in the following lines:

a. He sways his head from side to side, with movements like a snake. -  Simile

b. They say he cheats at cards. - Personification

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

G. Listening Activity

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.

H. Speaking Activity

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!

9. Parallel Reading

The Microbe

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