Tribhuvan University
Faculty of Management
Office of the Dean
BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) 2nd Semester
Component: II. Genres and Disciplines
Unit: 1. Short Stories
Lesson: 4. The Andhi Khola
**1. Why does the story use the same song twice (1, 19)?**
The song is used twice in the story to represent the cyclical nature of life. The first time the song is sung, Gangi is a young woman who is in love. The second time the song is sung, Gangi is an old woman who has lost her love. The song's message of love and loss is therefore relevant to both Gangi's youth and her old age.
**2. When did Gangi's love affair begin? With what incident?**
Gangi's love affair began when she was a young woman and met a man from another village. The incident that sparked their love was when the man saved Gangi from a group of men who were harassing her.
**3. Why is the man's name not mentioned? Why did he leave his village?**
The man's name is not mentioned because he is not the main focus of the story. The story is about Gangi and her experiences, and the man is simply a supporting character. The man left his village because he was drafted into the Indian army during World War II.
**4. Explain the image: "His image reappears, like the dawn mists that weave their way up the western ridge from the valley of Andhi Khola (2)." How apt is the simile (a verbal comparison in which a similarity is expressed directly, using "like" or "as")?**
The simile "His image reappears, like the dawn mists that weave their way up the western ridge from the valley of Andhi Khola" is apt because it captures the way that Gangi's memories of the man come back to her unexpectedly. The dawn mists are a symbol of new beginnings, and they represent the way that Gangi's love for the man is still alive, even though he is gone.
**5. What is the common point about World War and India-China War?**
Both World War II and the India-China War were devastating conflicts that caused widespread death and destruction. They also had a significant impact on the lives of people in Nepal, as many Nepali men were conscripted into the Indian army to fight in these wars.
**6. What is the relevance of the Gautam Buddha reference in the story (16)? Is it an appropriate reference? Why or why not?**
The reference to Gautam Buddha in the story is relevant because Buddha is a symbol of peace and compassion. The story suggests that Gangi's dream of a better life is one that is shared by many people, and that it is a dream that is ultimately achievable.
**7. Describe Gangi's dream? Is it symbolic? What is its meaning and significance?**
Gangi's dream is a symbolic representation of her desire for a better life. In the dream, she is reunited with the man she loves, and they are living in a peaceful and prosperous land. The dream represents Gangi's hope for a future that is free from war and suffering.
8. Explain "The young men are taking this chance to sell their lives and pay off their debts: the chance is born of the tension between India and China." (3)
The sentence "The young men are taking this chance to sell their lives and pay off their debts: the chance is born of the tension between India and China" means that the young men are enlisting in the army to fight in the border conflict between India and China. They are doing this because they see it as an opportunity to earn money to pay off their debts and to provide for their families. The tension between India and China has created a demand for soldiers, and the young men are taking advantage of this opportunity.
Writing Strategy
**1. The river is for bathing in (15) What does it signify?**
The river in the story is a symbol of life and death. It is a place where people bathe, which is a cleansing ritual. However, it is also a place where people drown, which is a symbol of death. The river therefore represents the cyclical nature of life, and the constant interplay of life and death.
**2. Explain. The young men are off to earn their rice abroad and maybe to throw their lives away. (3) In what sense is the sentence paradoxical?**
The sentence "The young men are off to earn their rice abroad and maybe to throw their lives away" is paradoxical because it juxtaposes the two opposing ideas of earning a living and risking death. The young men are going to foreign countries to earn money, which is essential for survival. However, they are also putting their lives at risk by fighting in wars. The sentence therefore highlights the harsh reality of life for many Nepali people, who are forced to choose between earning a living and risking death.
**3. What is the tone (the writer's attitude to the subject and to the reader) of the story? Is there any shift in tone?**
The tone of the story is generally melancholic. The story is about the loss of love and the harsh realities of life. However, there is also a sense of hope in the story, as Gangi dreams of a better future. The tone of the story therefore fluctuates between sadness and hope.
**4. How is the story structured?**
The story is structured in a linear fashion. The story begins with Gangi's memories of her love affair, and it then follows her as she watches the young men leave for war. The story ends with Gangi's dream of a better future.
**5. The Andhi Khola is repeatedly mentioned in the story. The title is also "Andhi Khola (Stormy River). Does it refer to Gangi's mental state or is it a representation of Gangis passion of love?**
The Andhi Khola can be interpreted in two ways. It can refer to Gangi's mental state, which is turbulent and unstable. It can also refer to Gangi's passion of love, which is also turbulent and unstable. The river therefore represents the two opposing forces that are at work in Gangi's life: her love for the man and her grief at his loss.
**6. How is the passage of time represented in the story?**
The passage of time is represented in the story through the use of flashbacks and flashforwards. The story begins with Gangi's memories of her love affair, which takes place in the past. The story then follows Gangi as she watches the young men leave for war, which takes place in the present. The story ends with Gangi's dream of a better future, which takes place in the future.
**7. Much of the action of the story happens in Gangi's mind. How is this mental drama portrayed in the narrative? Does the style suit the theme of the story?**
The mental drama in the story is portrayed through the use of introspection and stream of consciousness. The reader is given access to Gangi's thoughts and feelings, which allows us to understand her inner turmoil. The style of the story therefore suits the theme of the story, which is about the loss of love and the harsh realities of life.
**8. What is the key image in the story? What is its function?**
The key image in the story is the river. The river is a symbol of life and death, love and loss, hope and despair. It is a central image in the story, and it helps to convey the themes of the story.
Discussion
**Question 1:** How does the story unfold the romance of the two lovers?
**Answer:** The story unfolds the romance of the two lovers through their interactions and conversations. They are immediately drawn to each other, and they share a sense of connection. As the story progresses, their love grows stronger, but it is also tested by the challenges of war and separation.
**Question 2:** It is a love story. It is also a story of the "lahurey" in Nepali society. Are the two themes equally balanced in the story?
**Answer:** The two themes of love and the "lahurey" are not equally balanced in the story. The story is primarily about the tragedy of war and the deprivation of the "lahurey," but it also contains elements of a love story. The love story is used to highlight the tragedy of war, as it shows how war can destroy even the strongest of relationships.
**Question 3:** "But Gangi goes on watching" (20). Discuss this sentence with reference to love and war in the story. Does the story end in hope?
**Answer:** The sentence "But Gangi goes on watching" (20) refers to Gangi's continued hope that her husband will return from war. Even though she knows that he may never come back, she refuses to give up hope. This sentence suggests that the story ends in hope, as Gangi's continued hope represents the resilience of the human spirit.
**Question 4:** The story seems to suggest that war in a foreign country is simultaneously an opportunity and a tragedy for poor Nepali youths. Do you agree? Give reasons.
**Answer:** Yes, I agree that the story suggests that war in a foreign country is simultaneously an opportunity and a tragedy for poor Nepali youths. On the one hand, war can provide an opportunity for economic advancement, as many "lahurey" are able to earn more money by fighting in foreign wars. On the other hand, war can also be a tragedy, as it can lead to death, injury, and psychological trauma.
**Question 5:** Isolate some of the poetic lines from the story. Why do you think the story is written in a poetic style?
**Answer:** Some of the poetic lines from the story include:
* "The river flowed on, swirling and foaming, as if it were singing a song of war" (13).
* "The sun was setting, and the sky was ablaze with color. It was a beautiful sight, but Gangi could not enjoy it" (19).
* "The night was dark and silent. Only the sound of the river could be heard" (20).
I think the story is written in a poetic style because it uses language that is both beautiful and evocative. The imagery in the story is particularly striking, and it helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.
**Question 6:** Instead of a romantic tragedy, it is a tragedy of human deprivation. Discuss.
**Answer:** The story is a tragedy of human deprivation because it shows how war can rob people of their loved ones, their dreams, and their hope for the future. Gangi is a victim of human deprivation, as she has lost her husband to war and she is now living in poverty. The story suggests that war is a senseless tragedy that destroys lives and families.
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