Humour and Satire – Summary, Explanation and Exercise Solutions
Humour and Satire Summary | NEB Class 11 English
The essay "Superstition" is a satirical look at the irrational beliefs that persist in modern society. The author explores how superstition is deeply rooted in human history, originating from a time when man stood in "terror of the Deity." Derived from the Latin word supersisto, it represents a psychological compulsion that even education often fails to eliminate.
The author categorizes superstitions into four types: Vain Observances, Divination, Idolatry, and Improper Worship. Through wit and satire, the essay highlights that no one is truly immune—whether it is a student placing a "lucky charm" on an exam desk or a scientist avoiding the number 13.
The takeaway is that while science explains the "how," the human mind’s yearning to control "fate" keeps these ancient rituals alive across all races and creeds.
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Ways with Words
A. Match the following terms with their correct meanings:
Transcendental: Spiritual, nonphysical, or mystical.
Deplore: To feel or express strong disapproval of something.
Absolve: To set free from blame, guilt, or responsibility.
Juju: A charm or fetish used by some West African people.
Crude: In a natural or unrefined state.
Chronicle: A written record of historical events.
B. Contextual Meanings & Original Sentences:
Condemn (verb): To express complete disapproval of.
Sentence: We must condemn any form of violence used to settle political disputes.
Terror (noun): A state of extreme fear.
Sentence: The sudden roar of the tiger struck terror into the hearts of the villagers.
Unbidden (adjective): Without being asked or invited.
Sentence: Tears rose unbidden to her eyes as she watched the old family home being demolished.
Persist (verb): To continue firmly in an opinion or a course of action.
Sentence: If you persist in ignoring the doctor’s advice, your health will only get worse.
Devout (adjective): Having or showing deep religious feeling.
Sentence: My grandmother is a devout follower who never misses a morning prayer.
Banish (verb): To send someone away from a place as a punishment.
Sentence: The king decided to banish the traitor to a deserted island for the rest of his life.
Creed (noun): A system of Christian or other religious belief; a faith.
Sentence: People of every creed and nationality gathered to celebrate the festival of peace.
Hasten (verb): To move or act with haste; to quicken.
Sentence: We must hasten our departure if we want to reach the station before the train leaves.
Sober (adjective): Serious, sensible, and solemn.
Sentence: After the accident, the driver was in a sober mood as he realized the gravity of his mistake.
Scorn (noun): The feeling or belief that someone or something is worthless.
Sentence: He looked at the cheap imitation of the painting with nothing but scorn.
Yearning (noun): A feeling of intense longing for something.
Sentence: After years of living abroad, he felt a deep yearning to return to his quiet village.
Aloof (adjective): Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.
Sentence: The new manager remained aloof, rarely joining the staff for lunch or social events.
Swarthy (adjective): Dark-complexioned.
Sentence: The sailor had a swarthy face, tanned by years of exposure to the sun and sea.
Humbler (adjective): Showing a modest estimate of one's own importance.
Sentence: After his defeat, the champion spoke in a much humbler tone during the press conference.
C. Word Origins & Sentences:
Minatory (Latin: minatorius): Expressing a threat.
Sentence: The dictator sent a minatory letter to the neighboring country, warning of military action.
Placated (Latin: placatus): To make someone less angry or hostile.
Sentence: The manager placated the angry customer by offering a full refund and a gift voucher.
Cajoled (French: cajoler): To persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.
Sentence: She cajoled her brother into doing her chores by promising to buy him his favorite chocolate.
Antedates (Latin: ante + datum): To precede in time; to come before.
Sentence: This ancient temple antedates the surrounding city by nearly five hundred years.
Proliferated (Latin: proles + ferre): To increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.
Sentence: Fast-food restaurants have proliferated in the city over the last decade.
Philter (Greek: philtron): A potion, charm, or drug supposed to cause the person taking it to fall in love.
Sentence: In the ancient play, the protagonist searches for a magic philter to win the princess's heart.
Comprehension
Answer the following questions:
a. According to the author, what are the four types of superstition?
The author classifies superstition into four distinct categories: Vain Observances (rituals with no logical basis), Divination (predicting the future), Idolatry (worshipping physical objects), and the Improper Worship of the True God (practicing religion through fear rather than faith).
b. Which language is the word 'superstition' derived from? What does it mean?
The word is derived from the Latin term supersisto. Its literal meaning in this context is "to stand in terror of the Deity," suggesting that superstition arises from an overwhelming fear of divine or supernatural power.
c. How do psychologists understand superstition?
Psychologists view superstition as a deep-seated compulsion within the human mind. They suggest that it is a form of neurosis that persists even when a person is consciously aware that their belief is irrational.
d. How does superstition differ from religion?
According to the text, religion is a communal belief system focused on the sincere worship and devotion to a higher power. Superstition, however, is often more individualistic and relies on specific rituals or "luck-bringers" intended to influence fate or avoid bad luck.
e. What is the belief of some people in Middle Europe about sneezing?
In parts of Middle Europe, there is an ancient belief that when a person sneezes, their soul temporarily leaves their body. Consequently, bystanders "hasten" to bless the person to protect them from evil spirits until the soul returns.
f. In the author’s view, why are people so fascinated about superstition?
The fascination stems from the universal human desire to know what the future holds. People want to have a hand in "deciding" their own fate, and superstitious rituals provide a false but comforting sense of control over the unknown.
Critical Thinking
a. What is the key takeaway of this essay? Do you think that this essay is satirical? Why?
The key takeaway is that superstition is an inescapable part of the human psyche, transcending logic, race, and education. The author argues that no matter how much we pride ourselves on being "rational," we often fall back on irrational habits when faced with uncertainty.
Yes, the essay is definitely satirical. The author uses irony and humor to mock the contradictions of modern people. For instance, he points out the absurdity of university students—people who are supposed to be the pinnacle of logic—placing "jujus" and "lucky coins" on their desks during exams. By contrasting scientific progress with these primitive habits, he satirizes the human tendency to be "knowingly" irrational.
b. Can education bring change in the belief of superstition? Present your arguments.
Education has the power to significantly reduce the impact of superstition, but it may never fully eradicate it. Education promotes a "scientific spirit" by providing logical explanations for natural phenomena. For example, a person with medical knowledge is $90\%$ more likely to seek a hospital for a fever rather than a faith healer.
However, since superstition is born from the "fear of the unknown," it persists in areas where science cannot provide absolute certainty, such as luck, fate, and death. Data shows that even in highly developed societies, nearly 25% of adults still admit to being "somewhat superstitious" regarding things like Friday the 13th. Therefore, while education changes how we practice superstition, the underlying emotional need for it often remains.
Writing
a. Write an essay on superstitions that exists in your community in about 250 words.
Superstitions are irrational beliefs that people follow without scientific evidence. They are usually based on tradition, fear, or lack of knowledge. Even in modern society, many superstitions still exist in our communities.
In my community, several superstitions are commonly practiced by people. For example, many believe that if a black cat crosses the road, it brings bad luck. Some people also think that twitching of the eye predicts good or bad events. Similarly, if a crow caws near the house, people believe that guests will arrive soon. These beliefs have been passed from generation to generation.
Another common superstition is related to ghosts and evil spirits. Some people believe that certain places, especially old trees, riversides, or deserted houses, are haunted. Because of this belief, people avoid going to those places at night. In the past, some individuals even claimed that they could control spirits or remove evil influences, and they sometimes misled innocent villagers.
Superstitions are mostly found in societies where education and scientific awareness are limited. People often depend on traditional beliefs instead of logical thinking. However, education and modern science are gradually helping people understand the natural causes behind many events.
Despite this progress, superstitions still survive because they are deeply rooted in culture and tradition. It is important for people, especially the younger generation, to develop a scientific attitude and question such beliefs. By encouraging education and rational thinking, society can slowly reduce the influence of superstitions.
b. “Superstition is prevalent in every walk of life.” Argue for or against this statement.
Superstition refers to beliefs or practices that are based on fear, tradition, or ignorance rather than scientific reasoning. Although the world has made great progress in science and technology, superstitions still exist in many parts of society. Therefore, it can be argued that superstition is prevalent in every walk of life.
Since ancient times, people have believed that natural forces control human life. Because early humans could not explain natural events such as storms, diseases, or eclipses, they created beliefs about supernatural powers. As a result, they began to worship the sun, moon, stars, and other elements of nature.
Even today, many people continue to follow such beliefs. For instance, some consider the number thirteen unlucky. Others believe that breaking a mirror or spilling salt can bring misfortune. In Nepal and many other countries, people believe that a black cat crossing the road is a bad omen. Similarly, the hooting of an owl or the crying of a dog at night is often considered a sign of bad luck.
These examples show that superstitions exist not only in villages but also in cities and developed societies. Sometimes even educated people follow them because they are influenced by tradition and culture.
However, superstition has no scientific basis. Many of these beliefs are simply coincidences that people interpret as signs of good or bad luck. Education, scientific knowledge, and critical thinking can help reduce such irrational beliefs.
In conclusion, superstition continues to exist in different forms in almost every society. Although it may never disappear completely, promoting scientific awareness can greatly reduce its influence on human life.
Grammar: Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
B. Put the verb into the correct form:
a. Nisha speaks English very well.
b. Hurry up! We are waiting for you.
c. Excuse me! Do you speak English?
d. She is having a shower in the bathroom.
e. How often do you read a newspaper?
f. I'm sorry, I don't understand. Can you speak more slowly?
g. You can turn off the radio. I am not listening to it.
h. I usually get up at 5 o'clock every morning.
i. Look! The river is flowing very fast.
j. Amrita d
C. Correct the underlined verbs where necessary:
b. The water is boiling. Can you t
urn it off? c. I must go now. It is getting late.
d. This sauce tastes really good.
e. I think this is your key.
f. Do you believe in God?
h. Look! That man is trying to open the door of her car.
i. The moon goes round the earth. (It is a universal fact).
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