Facing Death | Class 12 English Summary and Notes

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions. 

a. Where does the play take place? 

Ans. The play takes place in the dining room. 

b. Why do the grocery store, the baker, and the butcher send their bills to the Durand household?

Ans. The grocery, the baker and the butcher send thin bills to the Durand household because they have pending bills.

c. Why does Monsieur Duran spend money on candles when he doesn't have money to buy even bread?

Ans. Monsieur Duran spends money on candles when he does not have money to buy even bread for the death anniversary of little Rene.

d. Why did Monsieur Duran sell his life insurance?

Ans. Monsieur Durand sold his life insurance because he thought he noticed that someone became irritable when it was due. 

e. Why has Monsieur Duran paid fire insurance?

Ans. Monsieur Durand has paid fire insurance because his house is burnt out.

f. How did Monsieur Duran and Mrs. Duran run out of their inheritances from both the sides?

Ans. Monsieur Durand and his wife ran out of their inheritance because of Mrs Durand's careless and foolish speculations. 

g. Why does Monsieur Duran tell a lie about his birthplace?

Ans. Monsieur Durand tells a lie about his birthplace to his daughters because their mother had lied to them, and he doesn't want to bring disquiet into their young lives, which would result in them doubling their mother's goodness.

h. What business is Monsieur Duran running to make a living?

 Ans. Monsieur Durand is renting out rooms in his home to lodgers to make a living. 

i. What plan does Monsieur Duran have to help his daughters with money?

Ans. Monsieur Durand has a plan to ensure his financial future, even if it means he must face his death.

j. How does Monsieur Duran die?

Ans. Monsieur Durand dies after drinking a poisonous beverage.

👉 View All Chapter Notes of Class 12 English

Reference to the Context

a. Sketch the character of Monsieur Durand.

In the play Facing Death, Monsieur Durand is the central character who sacrifices his life for the sake of his daughters. He has lived a life filled with suffering, hatred from his wife, and misunderstanding from his children. He hoped that the bitterness in the family would end with his wife’s death, but instead, it intensified. Despite facing blame for the family's misery, he persistently supported them throughout his life and even after his death.

The family had reached a financial impasse, prompting Durand to take his own life to ensure his daughters could benefit from the insurance policy. This money would help them clear debts and manage their lives. His self-sacrifice, sense of responsibility, and unconditional love for his daughters make him a tragic yet heroic figure.

b. How do we know that the Durand family has reached a dead end?

The Durand family had no money even to buy bread for daily survival. They were burdened with unpaid bills and heavy loans. Monsieur Durand, crushed by debt and hopelessness, decided to commit suicide so that the insurance money could pay off the loans.

His wife was largely responsible for their condition, as she wasted the family inheritance through carelessness and foolish financial speculation. As a result, Durand had to give up his business and live on a small pension. At the play's end, he consumes poison and perishes, while fire completely destroys the house. All these events clearly demonstrate that the family had reached a point of no return.

c. “The mother, though already dead, seems to have had a great influence on the daughters, especially Theresa.” Do you agree?

The mother, though dead, continues to influence her daughters strongly. They refuse to listen to anything negative about her and believe that she never lied. The daughters consistently take their mother’s side against their father.

However, this influence is stronger on Adele, the elder daughter, rather than Theresa. Adele openly argues with her father and defends her mother. Theresa, on the other hand, does not directly argue with her father. Therefore, while the mother’s influence on the daughters is undeniable, it is more evident in Adele than in Theresa.

d. Discuss the relationship between Monsieur Durand and his wife.

Although Monsieur and Mrs. Durand had a love marriage and settled abroad, their relationship was deeply troubled. According to Durand, his wife ruined the family inheritance through irresponsible behavior and reckless speculation. Throughout their married life, Durand bore the burden of her mistakes and accepted all the consequences himself.

Despite this, the daughters idolize their mother and refuse to hear anything against her. The mother’s influence causes the daughters to turn against their father, creating conflict and bitterness in the family. Overall, the relationship between Monsieur Durand and his wife was unhappy and destructive.

e. “Money determines the relationship between characters in this play.” Elaborate.

In Facing Death, money plays a decisive role in shaping relationships. Monsieur Durand is financially ruined, and his daughters resent and hate him because they believe he is responsible for their poverty. They accuse him of wasting money and forcing them to starve.

However, when they learn about the insurance money, their attitude toward him changes. Their affection appears to depend entirely on his financial value. Money clearly influences love, respect, and family bonds, as the play demonstrates. Thus, money shapes the relationships between the characters.

f. What does Monsieur Durand’s plan to kill himself tell us about him?

Monsieur Durand’s plan reveals his extreme selflessness and deep love for his daughters. Despite being humiliated and misunderstood, he prioritizes his children’s future over his own life. He believes that the insurance compensation will help them meet basic needs, settle debts, and secure their marriages.

His decision reflects his sense of responsibility, sacrifice, and tragic heroism. He faces death courageously to ensure his daughters’ financial security.

g. Discuss Facing Death as a modern tragedy.

Facing Death, written by August Strindberg, reflects the realities of modern tragedy. The play highlights how economic hardship destroys family relationships. The daughters’ love and respect for their father change completely when money disappears.

This theme remains relevant in modern society, where elderly parents are often valued only for their property. Parents without wealth are neglected, while those with assets receive care and attention. The play exposes social injustice, materialism, and emotional alienation, making it a powerful example of modern tragedy.

Reference Beyond the Text

a. Describe the role of the father in the family.

A father plays a vital role in a family’s emotional, moral, and financial stability. Like a mother, he is a pillar of a child’s development. Children often look to their father for guidance, discipline, and inspiration. His involvement strengthens children’s confidence, responsibility, and character.

Traditionally, the father is the provider and protector of the family. He ensures food, shelter, education, and security. Fathers offer emotional support during difficult times and help build self-esteem. In modern families, fathers also share household responsibilities and support working mothers. A father’s influence shapes children’s values, relationships, and future success.

b. Explanation of Emile Zola’s idea from The Experimental Novel.

In The Experimental Novel, Emile Zola emphasizes that literature should scientifically examine human behavior. According to him, a novelist must understand how heredity and environment influence human actions, emotions, and intellect.

Zola believes that individuals are shaped by biological traits and social conditions, and writers should present characters living within these realities. Humans constantly change as they interact with society, and the novel should portray this transformation truthfully. This approach highlights realism, social influence, and human psychology in literature.