SEMINAR REPORT
International school conducted a seminar on the topic "importance of sleep" on 25th May at 10 am in the school auditorium. As we all know, sleep is essential for a healthy life. The programme began with prayer by the school choir. The school leader gave the welcome note. Principal chaired the function and delivered the presidential address. The programme was inaugurated by Shabeer Musliyar and he gave the keynote address. Papers were presented on various topics and a discussion followed. Vote of thanks was proposed by the head of the health club. The programme came to an end at 1pm. The presence of eminent personalities enriched the occasion.
CHARACTER SKETCH
Character sketch or appraisal Summarizes the key personality traits, background, behaviour and nature of a particular character. A character sketch will include;
• Personality Traits: (physical and non- physical) It is important to define your character’s personality and physical traits in detail to help the reader visualise how they look, behave, talk and act.
• Add a Back Story or their Background: To give more depth to your character sketch, you can also inquire about what their story is, any particular thing that they always mention about their past or their overall background so that the reader is able to better relate with the character.
• How they Changed or Evolved over the Years: Include their evolution and development over time. Mention how they have evolved as a person, what major changes you have noticed about them or how they see the world now as compared to before.
• How they Talk and Act Around People: Observing someone, you must always analyse how they act around other people, whether acquaintances or strangers. .
• Their Impact on You or Those Around Them: Observe how the person behaves with others, whether they are sincere, honest or people-pleasing, these characteristics will further make your character sketch even more human and interesting to read.
Major Characters in the textbook, Grade 11
Mother Seagull ;His First Flight
The mother seagull is a central character of the story “His First Flight” by Liam O' flaherty. She appears to be a tough character, but motivating who motivated her child(the young seagull) to fly.Really, she is a loving and caring mother. She understands her children more and realizes that there is a need of her support for her child to make its first flight.For some days she had fed the young seagull. Later she left him hungry as she knew that he will fly only if he finds a need for food. At last, she comes with a piece of fish in her beak and halts in Sir.The young seagull, maddened by hunger, dives at the food and flies for the first time. The mother seagull helped the young seagull to develop its self confidence and make it self reliant.Mother becomes the first teacher for a child. In this story mother seagull becomes a role model for all mothers.
Young Seagull; His First Flight
The young seagull is the central character of the story “His First Flight” by Liam o'Flaherty. In the story the young seagull was left alone in the ledge. He was afraid to fly due to lack of self confidence and thought that his wings will never support him.Its wings were bigger than that of his siblings. The real crisis faced by the young seagull was lack of courage. He was also afraid watching the vast sea. His siblings and parents flew to the nearby mountain. The young seagull was left starving in the ledge. Due to hunger he searched everywhere in the ledge and ate the egg shell. It was like eating a prat
of himself.He pretended to be sleeping. But no one did notice him. At last, his mother came with a piece of fish in her beak and halted in the air.Maddened by hunger the seagull dived at the food and fell down headlong into the sea. He felt dizzy, but gradually spread his wings and made its first flight. The whole family congratulated him on making his first flight.The need for the food and the motivation from his parents combined together for his first flight.The young seagull symbolises the way to success neglecting all the problems.
Village boy (I will Fly)
The young village boy is introduced in the chapter “I will Fly” by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The boy got a chance to ask a question to Kalam as a part of an interactive session. The boy asked the question and he was nervous. He was the typical representative of youth in India.He found some faults within the education system he had.He didn’t gain any confidence throughout his education system and is afraid to talk to his teachers and friends.He wanted to be a marine engineer and wanted to know who he could achieve his mission.The boy became a centre of attraction and Kalam motivated him well.
Maggie; The price of flowers
Maggie is the central character of the story "The Price of Flowers" written by Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhyay. Her full name is Alice Margaret Clifford. She lives with her widowed mother in a poor neighbourhood of London.Mr Gupta, the narrator of the story meets her at a vegetarian restaurant in London. Her interest in him makes
him curious. He makes friends with Maggie and comes to know more about her. Maggie is in her early teens but she works as a typist in a Civil Service store. Her clothes reveal her poverty. She is shy and reserved but Mr Gupta gradually makes her open up. Her only brother is in India serving as a British soldier. But they have not heard from him for a long time. They are worried about him.During their conversation Mr Gupta asks her whether she likes her work. She says she wants a job that is not mechanical. This shows that she is ambitious. She is bold and courageous at this tender age despite her respectful and courteous behaviour.
When Mr Gupta visits her house Maggie plays a song on the
violin. From her mother we learn that she had no formal training in music because they could not afford music classes. She is naturally talented. Her devotion and love for her mother and brother is truly exemplary. When her mother falls sick she brings Mr Gupta home and asks him if he could tell a lie to save her life. When she says "please forgive me if it is very wrong," the reader is touched by her innocence and feels sorry for her helplessness.On the day of Mr Gupta's departure, Maggie comes to meet him. She gives the hard earned one shilling to him to buy flowers for her brother's grave. Her supreme sacrifice out of the love for her brother is aptly reflected in the title of the story "The Price of Flowers". Those flowers are truly priceless.
Mr. Gupta; The price of flowers
Mr. Gupta is the narrator in the story "The price of flowers”. He is an Indian citizen and living in England. Gupta is a well educated and learned gentle man.One day when he was having his lunch in a restaurant he found a girl of 14 or 14 named Maggie. He enquired about the girl as the girl was too curious about him.
He made acquaintance with Maggie and went to her home.Gupta was too surprised and shocked to know that she and her family were living in superstition.
He also gazed at the ring which was thought to be magical and made a lie that Frank was alive.Gupta was very caring that he sympathised with Maggie and her family's conditions. He also visited her mother when he knew that she was sick. He was too compassionate and considered Maggie as a sister. Before leaving for India Gupta
promised Maggie that he will visit her brother's grave and put some flowers.Gupta is a man of good behaviour.
Captain Jovis (Trip of Le Horla)
Captain Jovis is a main character in the chapter "Trip of Le Horla”. He is the captain of their air balloon and supervises the trip very well. Even having the pressure and responsibility of being a captain, he enjoys the trip too much. He also possesses a decision making capacity and will power. He controls all the passengers and the balloon providing the valuable instructions. In the midst of turbulence he cares not to panic his passengers. He is an epitome of confidence, dedication, responsibility and confidence. Jovis could coordinate all the team members and create a team spirit. We could see a brave leader and a cheer captain in him. The right balance of
values,competence,smartness and adventurous spirit makes him a true leader. Truly, he deserves applause and accolades for the grand success of balloon journey.
Hasan; The serang of Ranaganji
Hasan is the central character of the story, The Serang of Ranaganji, written by Dr A J Cronin.He is squat and ugly with short legs and a large disproportionate head. That is why Jope Smith calls him “an absurdly comic creature.” He is the quartermaster of the ship who is in charge of the loading and unloading of the baggage.He is originally from the Panjab. But he has no place, family or friends on shore as he has spent forty years of his life on different ships. The past fifteen years he has been working on the Ranaganji. He is a Muslim by religion.
When smallpox is reported on the crowded ship, it is Hassan who willingly comes forward to assist the author who is the physician. While assigning him to the doctor, Captain Hamble pays him the biggest compliment by saying that he is the finest man he has.
Hasan is not fond of speech.He has a silent efficiency and an ability to find solutions. When they find no space to isolate the patients in the crowded ship, it is he who suggests making a shelter on the afterdeck safely away from the other passengers. Hasan is very compassionate. Even though it is not a part of his duty, he volunteers to do the risky job. When the doctor asks him to be careful, he says. ‘Do not worry, Doctor Sahib. I am strong. And it is my work too.’ At Colombo, when he carries a man with running sores with his own hands, the dark cheeks of the serang is wet with tears of compassion. He is unmistakably sincere.
Even in a situation that can test the strongest nerves, the serang is calm and unperturbed. The doctor remembers with gratitude the hope, the fresh heart, and the solace he got from the mere presence of Hasan. Something that sets him apart from the common folk is his attitude towards money. When the doctor suggests that he deserves extra payment, he says, ‘What use is money, Doctor Sahib, to one who has all he needs? I am well enough the way I am.’ Money had no interest for him. He had courage, self-control and faith.
When Jope Smith makes that final remark, it sounds supremely ridiculous to the reader who knows the real story that was taking place behind the scene. The last line of the story resounds in the mind of the reader giving us a warning, never to be judgemental. “… Isn’t it queer, Miss Jope Smith, the animals were all outside.’
Dr. AJ Cronin; The serang of Ranaganji
Dr. AJ Cronin is the narrator of the story"The serang of Ranaganji".He is the physician of the ship 'Ranaganji'. He does his duty sincerely and effectively. Though he was young and inexperienced in the profession, could address things efficiently. When the smallpox was diagnosed in the ship, he couldn't control his feelings and emotions. The serang, Hasan was appointed to assist him. He could feel comfort and relief from Hasan. He worked hard to fight against the contagion and discussed everything with captain Hamble.
He could manage the small pox with available resources.He didn't promote Miss Jope Smith when she laughed at Hasan. Captain Jovis was a man of moral values, decency and ethics.
Madge Jope Smith (The serang of Ranaganji)
Madge Jope Smith is a character in the story “The Serang of Ranaganji '' written by Dr. AJ Cronin. She is a thrusting person, obviously over thirty. She has got up in a dashing and attractive style to look younger.
Her character is so disturbing and irritating to others. She was smartly dressed and a first class passenger.She travels in the ship from Liverpool. While travelling she finds the Serang Hasan and laughs at him. She describes him as a creature as he was ugly and squat. The
the author describes her. She was not only a snob, but also a bore, an assertive bore. She doesn’t realize the sincere activities of Hasan and continues to laugh at him.
Nicholai Ivanich(Gooseberries)
Nicholai Ivanich is a character in the story "Gooseberries" written by Anton Chekov. He is the brother of Ivan Ivanich. He is a special character with varieties of interests and is living in the world of fantasies. He leads his life according to own likes and dislikes.Nicholai works as a government employee and keeps a special dream in his mind. He works to cherish his dream. His dream was to own a farm with a garden, river and a gooseberry bush. In all his dreams, always there was a gooseberry bush. He saved his money and avoided all the enjoyments of life to fulfil his dream. He was married to a fat woman and made her starve to save the money. He was terribly stingy. At last, he could buy a farm and planted 20 gooseberry bushes there. He found happiness in his way of life.
Ivan Ivanich (Gooseberries)
Ivan Ivanich is a main character in the story “Gooseberries” by Anton Chekov. He works as a veterinary surgeon. He believes that happiness is derived from freedom, justice and morality. He dreamt of a society that is based on equality and social justice. He tells a story to his friends about his brother and his life. He felt sad watching his brother’s pathetic life that he lived as a miser. Ivan Ivanich used to give money to his brother trying to change his lifestyle, but in vain.
One day Ivan visited his brother and felt jealous of his happiness. He was too jealous to watch a happy family. Because, the sight of a happy family talking to each other haunted him on a large scale. Ivan never had a dream like his brother. Here the writer wants to depict Ivan who is lost in the wilderness to find his real self.
Greta; Conceptual fruit
Greta is a central character in the story “Conceptual Fruit” written by Thaisa Frank. She is a mentally challenged girl of sixteen. Her father wants to show her a website where she could create a house of her own.Greta goes to a special school for differently abled students and she has blonde hair and blue eyes. Often, she repeated what she heard. She kept a furtive smile when she pretended to understand something that made no sense. She is attached to her father. She types very slowly in the computer.Her father tries to engage her in cyberspace and develop the imagination capacity also.She was disappointed that she couldn’t get real peaches. Greta is blessed to have a caring and loving father.
Her father desperately hopes that technology will help him to make life happier for his mentally challenged daughter.Greta is a mentally challenged. The father creates a street called Greta’s street and a house called Greta’s house. He tells her that she could fill her house with anything she wants. Greta wants a bowl in every room with peaches in it. The father creates a kitchen and tells her to click the bowl to see the magic.Greta clicks the bowl and the word peaches appear. But Greta is disappointed. She wants only real fruits.
She doesn’t understand why people like them when they are not real. The father now creates other rooms. Just when he is about to create a bathroom, Greta reminds him that it is not a real house and people wouldn’t use it. In fact, they could create anything, but they make no sense to Greta, since they are not real.Finally she gets bored of the unreal world of computers and leaves to help her mother. The story ends with the father hoping for a better tomorrow for his differently- abled daughter. He hopes that she would have a house with an orchard and real fruits to put in real blue bowls.
Greta’s Father; Conceptual fruit
Greta’s father is one of the main characters in the story “conceptual fruit” written by Thaisa Frank. He is a loving and caring father who always becomes compassionate to his daughter.He tries to show many things to his daughter on the computer. He wishes and hopes that his daughter Greta will develop gradually.He teaches many things to Greta regarding cyberspace and computers. He keeps more patience in dealing with Greta.He is anxious about his daughter’s future, however he hopes that she will get a processing job.Besides all, he is an ideal father.
