Poets and Pancakes — Class 12 English Notes

Topics covered in Poets and Pancakes

1. 1.Poets and Pancakes

   Short Summary:

   "Poets and Pancakes" by Asokamitran recounts his experiences working at Gemini Studios, one of the most influential film production houses in India. The essay humorously describes the makeup department, the office boy’s frustrations, and the dynamic personalities like Subbu, a multi-talented individual who played a significant role in the studio's success. The visit of an English poet, who turns out to be Stephen Spender, is also detailed, illustrating the cultural and communicational gaps that existed in the studio environment.
   
   

   Long Summary:

   "Poets and Pancakes" is an excerpt from Asokamitran’s book "My Years with Boss," where he shares his memories of working at Gemini Studios in Chennai. The essay opens with a humorous depiction of the makeup department, which used vast amounts of a makeup material called 'Pancake.' Asokamitran describes the multinational team of makeup artists who, despite their efforts, often ended up making actors look worse.

   The narrative then shifts to the office boy, who once aspired to be an actor or a writer but ended up mixing makeup for crowd scenes. He harbors resentment towards Kothamangalam Subbu, the number two at the studio, who is depicted as a versatile genius, excelling in various fields including acting, writing, and directing.

   Subbu’s role and his peculiar traits are highlighted, showing how his loyalty and creativity benefited the studio. The essay also touches upon the studio’s legal adviser, who inadvertently ends an actress’s career by recording her outburst and playing it back to her.

   The story culminates with the visit of an English poet, later revealed to be Stephen Spender. The poet's visit creates confusion and amusement among the staff, who are unfamiliar with him and his work. This visit is eventually linked to a short story contest announced by The Hindu, leading Asokamitran to discover Spender’s identity.
   
   

   Key Events:
   
   

   1. Description of the makeup department and its operations.
      
      
   2. The office boy’s background and his frustrations.
      
      
   3. Introduction of Kothamangalam Subbu and his multifaceted talents.
      
      
   4. The humorous incident with the legal adviser and an actress.
      
      
   5. The visit of an English poet, Stephen Spender, and the resulting confusion.
      
      
   6. Asokamitran's discovery of Spender’s identity through a short story contest.

   
   Lessons to Learn:
   
   

   • Humor in Everyday Situations: The essay teaches how to find humor in everyday work situations and interactions with colleagues.
     
     
   • Resilience and Adaptability: Subbu's character demonstrates the importance of being adaptable and versatile in one’s career.
     
     
   • Understanding Cultural Differences: The visit of the English poet highlights the importance of understanding and bridging cultural and communicational gaps.

   
   Practice Questions:
   
   

   1. Describe the makeup department at Gemini Studios and its significance in the essay.
      
      
   2. Who was the office boy, and why was he frustrated?
      
      
   3. How is Kothamangalam Subbu portrayed in the essay? List his special abilities.
      
      
   4. What incident involving the legal adviser is mentioned in the essay? What was its outcome?
      
      
   5. Discuss the significance of the visit of the English poet to Gemini Studios.

   
   Unseen Passages for Practice:

   Passage 1:

   Read the following passage and answer the questions below:

   
   The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the horizon. The children, tired from their day’s adventures, sat around the campfire, listening to the stories of the old man. He spoke of times long past, of heroes and villains, and of the lessons learned from their tales. As the fire crackled, the children’s eyes widened with wonder, and they felt a sense of connection to the past, to the stories that shaped their world.

   
   Questions:

   1. What time of day is described in the passage?
      
      
   2. How do the children feel as they listen to the old man’s stories?
      
      
   3. What is the main theme of the old man’s stories?
      
      
   4. Describe the atmosphere around the campfire.
      
      
   5. Why do the children feel a connection to the past?

   
   Answers:

   1. The passage describes the time of sunset.
      
      
   2. The children feel wonder and curiosity as they listen to the old man’s stories.
      
      
   3. The main theme of the old man’s stories is the lessons learned from the heroes and villains of the past.
      
      
   4. The atmosphere around the campfire is warm and magical, with the fire crackling and casting a golden glow.
      
      
   5. The children feel a connection to the past through the stories that shaped their world and provided valuable lessons.

   
   Passage 2:

   Read the following passage and answer the questions below:

   In the heart of the bustling city, there stood an old library. Its tall, wooden shelves were lined with books of all kinds, from ancient tomes to modern novels. The scent of aged paper filled the air, and a quiet stillness prevailed, despite the chaos outside. For those who entered, the library was a sanctuary, a place where time seemed to stand still, and the mind could wander freely through the realms of imagination and knowledge.

   
   Questions:

   1. Where is the library located?
      
      
   2. What types of books can be found in the library?
      
      
   3. Describe the atmosphere inside the library.
      
      
   4. How does the library contrast with the outside environment?
      
      
   5. What does the library symbolize for its visitors?

   
   Answers:

   1. The library is located in the heart of a bustling city.
      
      
   2. The library contains a wide range of books, from ancient tomes to modern novels.
      
      
   3. The atmosphere inside the library is quiet and still, filled with the scent of aged paper.
      
      
   4. The library contrasts with the chaotic outside environment by providing a calm and peaceful sanctuary.
      
      
   5. The library symbolizes a place of refuge and intellectual exploration for its visitors.

   
   Vocabulary List:

   • Pancake: A type of makeup material used in film studios
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   • Incandescent: Emitting light as a result of being heated.
     
     
   • Sycophant: A person who acts obsequiously towards someone important to gain advantage.
     
     
   • Filial: Of or due from a son or daughter.
     
     
   • Conjugal: Relating to marriage or the relationship between a married couple.
     
     
   • Homily: A religious discourse intended for spiritual edification.

   
   Important Quotes:

   1. "The make-up department of the Gemini Studios was in the upstairs of a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s stables."
      
      
   2. "He had a genuine love for anyone he came across and his house was a permanent residence for dozens of near and far relations and acquaintances."
      
      
   3. "The poet looked pretty baffled too, for he too must have felt the sheer incongruity of his talk about the thrills and travails of an English poet."

   
   Sample Essay:

   Write a humorous piece about an interesting character in your neighborhood, adopting a rambling style:
   
   

   In our neighborhood, there lives Mr. Sharma, a man of peculiar habits and extraordinary tales. Every morning, without fail, he waters his garden dressed in a bright yellow raincoat, regardless of the weather. “Keeps the sunburn away,” he says with a wink. His garden, a wild mix of flowers, vegetables, and an inexplicable number of gnomes, is the talk of the town. Children flock to hear his stories of gnome adventures, each tale more outrageous than the last. Once, he claimed a gnome had traveled to space and returned with a tiny flag from Mars. The children’s eyes widened in amazement, and the parents chuckled, knowing well that Mr. Sharma’s imagination had no bounds.