NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Chapter 3 - Ranga’S Marriage

1. Comment on the influence of English - the language and the way of life - on Indian life as reflected in the story. What is the narrator's attitude to English?

Ans: The narrator has eloquently highlighted the impact of the English language on the story's way of life. When the British arrived in our country, they brought with them not just industrialization, but also their culture, religion, and language, all of which would have an indelible impact on us in the future. Even after so many years of independence, we Indians can't get rid of the English language. Those who are fluent in English are seen as superior. After all, it's only a language; why be so proud of something that isn't even ours? Yes, it is a global language, and knowing various languages is beneficial, but we must consider a language as such and not as a status symbol. This deception is depicted in the novel. The narrator, Shyama, demonstrated how people anticipated Ranga's homecoming from Bangalore after completing his studies, as well as the enthusiasm at learning that Ranga now knew English, "a priceless commodity." They were all curious to see if Ranga had changed since studying English in Bangalore. Ranga's personality, on the other hand, remained unchanged or barely changed. He even bowed down and touched his feet in the traditional namaskar to Shyama.

2. Astrologers' perceptions are based more on hearsay and conjecture than what they learn from the study of the stars. Comment with reference to the story.

Ans: The character of Shastri in the novel successfully conveys how astrologers' impressions are founded more on rumour and guesswork than what they learn through the study of the stars. Astrology is claimed to be a science, and all astrological calculations are based on the movement of several celestial bodies in our solar system. However, some argue that what astrologers foretell is based on hearsay and that only a few astrologers are known for their accuracy. The storyteller, Shyama, went to the astrologer, Shastri, and informed him how he had to make an alliance between Ranga and Ratna feasible. When he returned with Ranga to Shastri and asked him to forecast what the planets said about Ranga, Shastri pretended to do some calculations and said that Ranga was thinking about marrying a girl whose name's initial is 'R,' which was Ratna. He went on to say that the girl's name was derived from something found in the sea. Then Shyama revealed that the girl in Rama Rao's residence was Ratna, and Shastri expressed confidence in the proposal's success. As a result, it's impossible to tell if astrologers' forecasts are based on hearsay or on what they learn from star motions.

3. Indian society has moved a long way from the way the marriage is arranged in the story. Discuss.

Ans: True, the Indian society has progressed far beyond what has been shown in the story. Ranga's marriage was not organized the way Shyama did it in current times. Today's children do not want to be reliant on their parents or elders when it comes to selecting their life partners. They now want to be in charge of their destiny. They take the initiative and choose who they want to spend their money on. Love marriages have become more acceptable in society. It should be mentioned, however, those love marriages are not a new phenomenon; they have existed since the dawn of humanity. Many examples of love marriage can be found throughout history. Sita and Draupadi chose their partners on their own, while Shakuntala did a love marriage (Gandharva vivah) (swayamavar). As a result, determining whether arranged marriage is an old institution or a love marriage is challenging. It can be noted that the practice of arranged marriage is returning now that we have been independent for decades and have advanced far ahead of Medieval and Modern India. As a result, we can be certain of at least one thing: these are fashion fads that come and go, and people follow what is popular.

4. What kind of a person do you think the narrator is?

Ans: The narrator of the story "Ranga's Marriage," Shyama, is a person who is overly connected to his land and community. He's an elderly gentleman who describes himself as a dark oil cake. He is enamoured with his village, so when the novel begins, he takes the reader on a tour of his village, Hosahalli, explaining its unique features. He is unconcerned about English culture. He explains how there was no such culture ten decades ago, and how the language, in his opinion, has completely changed the environment. How the divide between people who speak English and those who do not have grown. When Ranga paid homage to him, he bowed down and touched Shyama; for example, when Ranga paid homage to him, he bowed down and touched Shyama’s feet. This made Shyama glad because Ranga had not forgotten his roots despite studying away from home. Even though Ranga was an educated kid who was keen to marry a mature girl, Shyama arranged for him to marry Ratna, who was much younger and not the type of girl he would have married. He also sets up a meeting with Shastri, whom he has carefully tutored. He had chosen that Ratna would be a good bride for him, demonstrating his conviction in an arranged marriage as well as his determination to follow through on his decisions. He was a man who was very proud of his heritage and culture.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Chapter 3 Ranga’s Marriage

Significance of Class 11 Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Class 11 English snapshot can be pivotal in laying a strong foundation for the students. It is a Chapter where one can score well if he is acquainted with the questions and the style of writing. The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Ranga's Marriage help the students to ponder upon the story and fully understand it. Class 11 snapshot Chapter 3 question answer solutions are explained in a step-by-step manner according to the guidelines of the CBSE board. The story “Ranga's Marriage” is simple yet beautiful and with the help of the NCERT solutions for Class 11 English snapshot Chapter 3, students are expected to score well in the exam.

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Summary of the Story

The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English snapshots Chapter 3 is based on the story Ranga's Marriage which revolves around the marriage of Ranga, a resident of Hosahali, a village located in the earlier Mysore and now a part of Karnataka. The village did not have many residents who knew English and Ranga, the son of the village accountant was the first to go outside the village to Bangalore to pursue his studies. After completing his studies, he returned to his village and was given a hero’s welcome.

Ranga enjoyed the attention and greeted everyone with a smile. But the residents were surprised to find him exactly similar to when he left the village and gradually left. The narrator had the opportunity to strike a conversation with him and exchanged mutual respects.

Later in the afternoon, Ranga visited the narrator with a few oranges and the narrator found him to be a wise and generous man. So he wanted him to marry and settle down with his family. But Ranga was not a believer of the arranged marriages prevalent in the society then and only wished to marry a girl whom he liked. 

The narrator thought Ratna, the niece of Rama Rao would be ideal for Ranga as she had her roots in the town and also had a sweet voice besides being able to play the harmonium and the veena. The next day, he sent out for both Ranga and Ratna to come to his house. When Ratna arrived, he asked her to sing a song and then Ranga also arrived.

Ranga peeped in to see the girl but could not see her as her head was low. Ratna felt shy by his presence and went inside. Ranga expressed his interests towards the girl to the narrator but he said that she was married a year ago. A disappointed Ranga went back.

The following day the narrator went to an astrologer and tutored him to tell Ratna was a perfect match for Ranga. He did the same and they went to the house of Rama Rao. The narrator went inside and told Ranga that Ratna was not married and asked if he wanted to marry her, Ranga agreed and they got married.

A few years later, Ranga and Ratna visited the narrator and they had a child, who they named after the narrator. They were leading a happy married life, thanks to the narrator.

Solved Examples

1. Where did Ranga go to study?

1. Delhi

2. Mumbai

3. Bangalore

4. Kolkata

Answer: (3) Bangalore.

2. How old was Ratna?

1. Fifteen

2. Eleven

3. Eighteen

4. Thirteen

Answer:  (2) Eleven.