1. Why was the narrator alone in the train compartment at the beginning?
The narrator was alone in the compartment until a girl boarded at Rohana. He was blind and could only sense her presence through sound.
2. What was the narrator’s first impression of the girl?
The narrator liked the sound of the girl’s voice and the way her slippers slapped against her heels. He was drawn to her presence without seeing her.
3. How did the narrator try to hide his blindness from the girl?
The narrator avoided revealing his blindness by pretending to look out the window and engaging in light conversation with the girl.
4. Where was the girl headed, and who was meeting her there?
The girl was getting down at Saharanpur, where her aunt was meeting her.
5. Why did the narrator mention October and Mussoorie to the girl?
The narrator spoke about October and Mussoorie to evoke the beauty of the hills in autumn, relying on his memories to connect with her love for the hills.
6. What mistake did the narrator make while talking to the girl?
The narrator asked, “What is it like?” regarding the outside scenery, which could have revealed his blindness, but the girl didn’t notice the oddity of the question.
7. What was the narrator’s reaction to the girl’s voice?
The narrator found the girl’s voice enchanting and pleasant, describing it as sparkling like a mountain stream.
8. How did the girl respond to being told she had an interesting face?
The girl laughed pleasantly, saying she was tired of being told she had a pretty face, and appreciated the compliment of having an “interesting face.”
9. What did the narrator wonder about the girl’s hair?
The narrator wondered if the girl wore her hair in a bun, plaited, or loose, as he was unable to see her.
10. Why did the narrator feel lonely despite his conversation with the girl?
Even though he enjoyed talking to the girl, the narrator felt a sense of loneliness, perhaps due to the transient nature of the encounter and his blindness.
11. What did the narrator want to do when the girl was about to leave?
The narrator wanted to raise his hand and touch her hair, as he was captivated by her presence and the lingering scent of her perfume.
12. What did the man who entered the compartment after the girl say about her?
The man mentioned that the girl had beautiful eyes but revealed that she was completely blind, much to the narrator’s surprise.
13. Why were the girl’s beautiful eyes of no use to her?
The girl’s eyes were beautiful but of no use because she was blind, a fact that the narrator learned only after she had left.
14. What is the significance of the line “The eyes are not here”?
The line emphasizes the irony that both the narrator and the girl were blind, yet neither realized the other’s blindness during their conversation.
15. How did the narrator feel after learning about the girl’s blindness?
The narrator was surprised and perhaps felt a sense of connection or irony, as both he and the girl shared a common bond of blindness, unknown to each other.
16. Why does the story highlight the difference between insight and eyesight?
The story shows that insight and perception can be more profound than physical sight. Despite their blindness, the narrator and the girl connected on a deeper level through conversation.
17. How does the narrator describe the hills in October?
The narrator describes the hills as covered with wild dahlias, the sun being delicious, and the nights spent in front of a log fire, creating a picturesque and romantic image of Mussoorie in October.
18. What does the perfume from the girl’s hair symbolize for the narrator?
The perfume represents the lingering memory of the girl, symbolizing the lasting impact of brief encounters even when they are physically out of reach.
19. What does the narrator mean by the phrase, “Few girls can resist flattery”?
The narrator implies that flattery, such as telling someone they have an interesting face, is often well-received, especially by those accustomed to more superficial compliments.
20. What does the story say about human connection and understanding?
The story suggests that human connections can transcend physical appearance or limitations. Even without seeing each other, the narrator and the girl form a bond through shared experiences and emotions.
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