Prose
5. Box and Cox (John Maddison Morton)
8. Match any eight of the following words in Column A with their meaning in column B. [ 8x ½ = 4 Marks ]
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. box and cox | an arrangement where space or facilities are shared by different persons in strict shifts |
| 2. cropped | cut |
| 3. protuberant | bulging outward |
| 4. bolster | a large round pillow |
| 5. wobble | move unsteadily |
| 6. lor | short form of ‘lord’ |
| 7. cheroots | cigars |
| 8. Havanas | cigars of a famous brand from Cuba |
| 9. mantelpiece | a shelf affixed to the wall above a fireplace |
| 10. fender | a low metal framework in front of a fireplace |
| 11. hob | an iron shelf at the side of a fire grate |
| 12. emulating | imitating |
| 13. capital | excellent |
| 14. ledge | a narrow shelf |
| 15. leaders | pieces of writing in newspapers giving the paper’s opinion, editorials |
| 16. acquaint | inform |
| 17. divesting | removing something one wears |
| 18. attic | a space or room just below the roof of a house |
| 19. brims | bottom parts of hats that stick out |
| 20. naps | soft surfaces of leather or fabric with threads turned into one direction |
| 21. parish | a civil subdivision of the village |
| 22. deprive | deny: take away something from someone |
| 23. get rid of | dismiss, become free, remove |
| 24. indulging | satisfying one’s wishes: letting oneself do that one enjoys |
| 25. horizontal | level, flat, parallel to the plane |
| 26. rasher of bacon | a strip slice of meat or a pig |
| 27. purloins | takes the property of others |
| 28. gridiron | an iron grate used for boiling fish, meat etc over coals |
| 29. impregnated | infused |
| 30. herrings | a type of small, oily fish |
| 31. sneaking | moving in stealthily |
| 32. benevolence | charitable kindness |
| 33. goodness gracious | expressing great surprise |
| 34. curb | control, check, restrain, rein in |
| 35. Indignation | Anger |
| 36. vengeance | revenge, payback |
| 37. zounds | expresses anger surprise |
| 38. confound | dam, destroy, ruin |
| 39. frightful | horrific, dreadful, awful |
| 40. contemptible | hateworthy, deserving disgrace |
2. Annotate ANY TWO of the following in about 100 words each. [2×4 =8marks]
a] It is not the case only with the coals, Mrs. Bouncer, But I’ve lately observed a gradual and steady increase of evaporation among candles, wood, sugar, and matches.
b) It was a capital idea for me- that it was!
c) It’s quite extraordinary that trouble I always have to get rid of that venerable female.
d) “Cox, I shan’t want you today- you can have a holiday”
4. Answer any two of the following questions in about 100 words each. [2×4 =8marks]
a) Box and Cox, is regarded as the best farce of the 19th century. Supports the statement with illustrations from the Play.
b) Sketch in a paragraph, the character of Mrs. Bouncer.
c) “…. So that I’m getting double rent for my room, and neither of my lodgers is any wiser of it,” say Mrs.Bouncer. Is she right in her estimate of her lodgers? Support your answer with details.
d) Box and Cox fulfill all the characteristics of a one-act play. Explain.
Introduction: These lines are taken from the lesson ‘Box and Cox’ a humorous one-act play written by John Maddison Morton. It is considered the best play of the 19th century
About the Author: John Maddison Morton was born into a well-known dramatist family in England. Following in his father’s footsteps, he took to writing plays. His plays won him fame and lots of wealth. He died in London on 19th December 1891.
Context: Mrs. Bouncer gave the room on weekly rent to two different persons, who were of different professions. The tenants are unaware of this deceptive tactic of Mrs. Bouncer.
Explanation: Mrs. Bouncer rented her room to Mr. Box, a printer who worked at his press all night and only utilized the place during the day. While Mr. Cox, a hatter, was at work during the day and only used the room at night, Mrs. Bouncer seized the chance, thinking it was a “capital idea”, practically nobody can imagine such things.
One day Mr. Cox accuses Mrs.Bouncer of allegedly using the stuff. Mr. Cox has noticed a constant decrease in his candles, wood, sugar, and matches.
Mr. Box purchased a leg of chicken before coming to his room. In an unhappy state of mind, he placed the gridiron on fire. Mr. Cox came in as well, and he wanted to start the fire. He was astonished to find the fire lit as well as the chicken. He was enraged.
Both of her tenants accuse her of stealing, but she ignores their insults in order to ensure that she receives double rent for a single room.
This works for a while until Mr. Cox oversleeps and Mrs. Bouncer enables Box to go upstairs thinking he has gone. He stumbles into bed and is astonished to see that it is already occupied. After a fight Mr. Box kicks Mr. Cox downstairs. He complains to Mrs. Bouncer, who after accompanying Mr. Cox upstairs admits that she had rented the room to the two of them. Mr. Box, who had not spotted Mr. Cox until now, recognizes him as an old acquaintance, and they agree to share the room together, Re- established all old relationships.
Conclusion: Thus, the language Mr.Box and Mr.Cox use is to verbose that it invokes lots of laughter! Thus the play proves itself to be a farce of rare quality.
(OR)
Introduction: These lines are taken from the lesson ‘Box and Cox’ a humorous one-act play written by John Maddison Morton. It is considered the best play of the 19th century
About the Author: John Maddison Morton was born in England. His plays won him fame and lots of wealth.
Context: Mrs. Bouncer gave the room on weekly rent to two different persons, who were of different professions. The tenants are unaware of this deceptive tactic of Mrs. Bouncer.
Explanation: Mr Bouncer, a greedy land lady, rents out her room to two person at the same time, without letting anyone of the other person. They are Mr.Box, the printer who works all night and lives here only during the day. The other man, Mr.Cox is employed in a hat shop, where he spends all day. Thus Mrs.Bouncer manages to ensure that they do not meet each other in the room. But, they suspects something is wrong there. They notice their thinks being used up by others. At the end, Mr.Box and Mr.Cox recognizes each other as an other acquittance and they agree to share the room together.
Conclusion: Thus, the play proof itself to be farce of rare quality.
