My Mother
My Mother Question Answer Invitation to English 2 +2 2nd Year CHSE Odisha
Unit – 1
Q1. What does Chaplin speak about his father?
Chaplin says his father liked to stay alone. He was an entertainer, a quiet and thoughtful man with dark eyes. His mother told him that his father looked like Napoleon and had a deep voice. He was a talented artist. But he was addicted to alcohol, which caused his death at only thirty-seven. When drunk, he became angry. Later, he and Chaplin’s mother got legally separated.
Q2. What account of the vaudevillians do you get from the text?
The vaudevillians (stage artists) were heavy drinkers. They earned good money, but most of their money was spent in theatre bars. This habit ruined many of them.
Q3. What is the mother’s attitude towards Charlie’s father?
Charlie’s mother felt sympathy and sadness for his father. She never showed anger or hatred towards him.
Q4. Why did his mother’s theatrical engagements fall off?
His mother lost her singing voice because of throat problems. Even a small cold made her voice worse. She still had to sing, but her voice cracked and went weak while performing. The audience laughed and shouted at her. She became nervous and sick. Because of this, she lost her stage jobs.
Unit – 2
Q1. How and why did Charlie first go to the theatre?
His mother had to go to the theatre every night. She didn’t want him to stay alone in the rented room. Also, her voice was getting weak. So, Charlie first went to the theatre when he was only five years old.
Q2. Why did his mother walk off the stage?
Charlie saw his mother’s voice crack while singing. The audience laughed, whistled, and made fun of her. She felt humiliated and walked off the stage.
Q3. How did Charlie make his debut on the stage?
After his mother left the stage, she argued with the manager. The stage manager, who had seen Charlie perform earlier, asked her to let him go on stage. Amid loud noise, Charlie’s mother led him by the hand and asked the audience to listen to him. Then she left, and Charlie had to perform alone. This was his first stage performance.
Q4. How did the audience respond to his first performance on the stage?
At first, Charlie sang a popular song, which excited the audience. Many people threw money on the stage. Charlie jokingly said they should collect the money first before he continued, which made everyone laugh. He danced, sang other songs, and even imitated his mother’s cracked voice. The audience loved it, cheered loudly, laughed, and kept throwing money.
Q5. How did his mother make her living when her career on the stage ended?
When she could no longer sing, she lived on the little savings she had. She also mortgaged her jewellery and other belongings to survive.
Unit – 3
Q1. Why did Charlie’s mother turn to religion?
After leaving the stage, his mother and Charlie suffered a lot. They lost everything. She turned to religion, hoping that God would help her get her voice back.
Q2. How does Charlie remember the Holy Communion on one hot summer’s day?
Charlie remembers attending Holy Communion on a hot summer day. They drank sweet grape juice from a shiny silver cup. After the Reverend closed the Bible, prayers were said and a final song was sung.
Q3. Give an account of his mother’s suffering.
After losing her singing career, Charlie’s mother and he lived in very poor conditions. She had no other work experience, so it was hard to find a job. In those days, poor women had to take very low-paying work. Sometimes, she did nursing. Other times, she made dresses for church members. But the money was too little, and their life was very difficult.