The Woman On Platform 8 - English Literature

Summary

Arun is waiting on the platform alone, for the train to arrive. He is returning to school today and his parents think that he is big enough to go alone. A stranger (woman) comes along. At first Arun is suspicious of her, But her simplicity and calm dignity compels him to go with her. She notices the loneliness of the young boy and provides him company. She takes him to railway canteen and offers him tea and snacks.

In the mean time Satish arrives with his mother. She views the stranger with suspicion. Arun does not like her overbearing behavior. She neglects Arun and behaves rudely towards the stranger(woman). She finds fault with everything. She keeps advising Satish with do s and don’ts . When the train arrives , Arun bids goodbye to the stranger (woman) addressing her as mother. He does not want her to feel disgraced before Satish’s mother. He affectionately kisses her on the cheeks.

Sample Q's And A's

Question 1

Question: Why was Arun all alone on platform 8?

Answer: Arun was almost twelve years old. His parents thought that he was old enough to travel on his own and so sent him off all alone back to his boarding school.

Question 2

Question: Did Arun feel lonely? How can you tell?

Answer: Arun tried to show that he was grown up. Yet, inside him he felt insecure. After looking at the trains for some time, he sat bored and lonely. When the woman in white came up to him, he felt full of life and took an instant liking for her.

Question 3

Question: Why did Arun like the stranger?

Answer: In spite of not knowing her, Arun felt an immediate bonding with the lady because of the gentleness and warmth that she exuded.

Question 4

Question: Why was the lady alarmed when coming back to platform 8?

Answer: When they were returning from the dining room, the strange lady suddenly clutched Arun's arm. She had a fearful expression, as they watched a young boy cross the tracks in front of a railway engine. This sent jitters through the lady as she saw danger to the boy.

Question 5

Question: Why do you think this incident affected the lady so greatly?

Answer: The lady might have undergone a similar experience wherein she might have lost a son or a very dear one. This could be a reason why she was so afraid when she saw the young boy crossing the railway track with the engine approaching. Also, perhaps, the lady had a genuine, deep concern for all human beings.

Question 6

Question: What were Arun's feelings when he saw Satish's mother?

Answer: Arun felt an instinctive dislike for Satish's mother. The lady spoke too much with an air of superiority and was insensitive to the feelings of others.

Question 7

Question: How did the two women differ in their concern for the boys?

Answer: Satish's mother spoke all the while about the safety of the young boys. She went out of her way to impress people about her concern for her child. Arun's 'mother' on the other hand demonstrated genuine love for Arun through her actions - holding his hand, taking him for a snack and saying that she was Arun's mother.

Question 8

Question: Who do you think the strange lady was?

Answer: The strange lady might have been a constant visitor to platform 8 in search of a son she had lost. Perhaps her son had died in a train accident and that was probably why she looked so fearful when she saw the boy crossing the tracks. She could also have been a ghost who befriended lonely boys. The white saree and the lateness of the night may support this assumption.

Question 9

Question: What makes the story interesting?

Answer: The author provokes the reader's imagination. He does not give explanations. One tries to exercise the mind and visualize the different possibilities in the story. This keeps the interest of the reader alive all through.

Question 10

Question: Imagine you are Arun. Write a diary entry about your strange encounter on platform 8.

Answer: Dear Diary,



Got back to school this afternoon. Another academic year starts tomorrow! I want to share with you one of the strangest things that happened in Ambala station last night.



I left home and caught the 10 a.m. Express and had to change trains at Ambala station. I got off my train at around 8 p.m., my next connecting train was only at midnight. I sat on the platform feeling lost and lonely. I missed home, especially mother and wished if only she could come up to Ambala with me. But papa believes I need to be independent and that I am old enough to travel on my own. I was feeling quite miserable when I suddenly heard a gentle voice and saw a lady in white smiling at me. She had a kind face and her smile was so warm - I felt my loneliness leaving me. She took me along into the station dining room for a snack which I really needed and relished! We came back to the platform. I was disturbed to see the lady suddenly become nervous. I had never seen such an expression of pain before. She held my hand tightly. We saw a boy jumping across the rails. He was at a distance from the engine. The boy managed to reach the platform safely and disappeared into the crowd. Her grip relaxed. What could have made her so anxious? Why did she look so anguished?



After a while we met Satish and his mother. How I detest that loud-mouthed lady! She speaks with such an air of superiority! And she talks so much! Anyway, she asked if the lady I was with was my mother. Then, the most amazing thing happened. Before I could offer an explanation, the kind lady quietly said that she was my mother. I was speechless, but she simply smiled calmly. I was surprised, happy, touched and filled with admiration for the kind stranger - all at one time. She was a veritable motherly figure. The train came in and we left. As the train pulled away, I called her 'mother' while waving good bye. How her face lit up! I wonder who this lady is? Will I ever find an answer? Was it a dream? No, the paper in which the snacks were wrapped is in my pocket still. I wish I had an answer to this strange meeting ...



Good night now

Question 11

Question: Arun is, at first, suspicious and shy of the woman. But he says moments later "she drew me out very well". How does the woman do that?

Answer: The woman, as Arun says, commanded respect by virtue of her kind, gentle and calm behaviour. She looked as simple as could be in her white sari. She had grace and modesty in her appearance and Arun was charmed by her personality. She realized that Arun would be hungry and took him, leasing him by the hand to the dining room, where she offered him refreshments. She watched him in delight while he ate. She did not ask him any questions or probe into his personal life and thus Arun grew comfortable in her presence.

Question 12

Question: How does the woman in white react when she sees a boy near a railway engine shunting nearby? What character trait of hers is revealed here?

Answer: The woman in white is a kind-hearted woman. She can't bear to see anyone in distress. She sees a boy of Arun's age crossing the railway track and beside that a railway engine was shunting. She at once realizes that if the boy does not see it, he may be crushed to death. She is very moved and anxious by this scene, she digs her fingers into Arun's flesh and cries out.



This shows that the woman is very concerned and caring as well as protective and kind.

Question 13

Question: Briefly describe Satish's mother.

Answer: Satish's mother was critical, overbearing, haughty and an insensitive woman. She had a domineering attitude and presumably underestimated others. She likes having her way. When Arun makes jibes at her, she doesn't understand though Satish does. She talks a lot and doesn't care how or what others think of her. She lacks warmth, and goes about advising others.

Question 14

Question: How did Arun bid farewell to the stranger?

Answer: When the train arrived, both Arun and Satish boarded it. Arun sat near the window and kept talking to the strange woman and looked straight into her eyes. She was holding Arun's hands into hers and smiling in a gentle and understanding manner. When the train started Arun leaned out of the window and kissed her on the cheek, saying "Good bye - Mother". Thus, Arun reciprocated the warmth of motherhood that the strange woman displayed.