1.English (Prose) - Lesson 1

The Pace for Living

Class 10 English (Prose) - Lesson 1

Author: R.C. Hutchinson

📝 About the Author & Theme

R.C. Hutchinson was a British novelist. In this essay, "The Pace for Living," he captures the agony of modern man. He describes how the fast pace of life today puts undue pressure on men, women, and children, causing them mental strain and taking away the joy of living.

📖 Summary (हिन्दी सारांश)

लेखक R.C. Hutchinson आधुनिक जीवन की तेज गति (fast pace) पर चर्चा करते हैं। वे एक नाटक (play) का उदाहरण देते हैं जो उन्होंने डबलिन (Dublin) में देखा था। नाटक का मुख्य पात्र एक बुजुर्ग मकई व्यापारी (corn merchant) था, जो बहुत चिंतित था। उसका दिल कमजोर था, भतीजा उसे धोखा दे रहा था, पत्नी छुट्टी पर पैसे खर्च कर रही थी, और सबसे बढ़कर, हवाई जहाज अब 1000 मील प्रति घंटे की रफ़्तार से उड़ते थे, जो उसे बहुत तेज़ लगता था।

लेखक कहते हैं कि उन्हें भी तेज़ रफ़्तार पसंद है, जैसे 90 मील प्रति घंटे की रफ़्तार से कार चलाना (बशर्ते कार अपनी न हो)। लेकिन मानसिक गतिविधियों (mental activities) के लिए यह तेज़ गति ठीक नहीं है। आज के ज़माने में जीवित रहने के लिए 'तेज़ दिमाग' (fast thinking) की ज़रूरत है। लेखक मज़ाकिया अंदाज़ में कहते हैं कि वे 'धीमे सोचने वाले' (slow thinkers) लोगों में से हैं। अगर वे सिनेमा देखने जाते हैं, तो उन्हें कहानी समझने के लिए अपनी पत्नी से पूछना पड़ता है। अंत में, लेखक कहते हैं कि धीमी गति से सोचने वाले लोग आज की दुनिया में आजीविका (livelihood) कमाने में पीछे रह जाते हैं।

📚 Word Meanings (शब्दार्थ)

Word	Meaning (Hindi)	Meaning (English)
Agony	तीव्र पीड़ा/व्यथा	Extreme pain or suffering
Exhibits	दिखाना/प्रदर्शन करना	Shows, Displays
Anxieties	चिंताएँ	Worries
Despair	निराशा	State of hopelessness
Enchanting	मोहक/जादुई	Charming, Delightful
Superficial	सतही/ऊपरी	Not deep

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

B.1.1. True or False

• 1. The writer of 'The Pace for Living' captures the agony of modern man. -> (True)
• 2. The main character in the play was an elderly corn-merchant. -> (True)
• 3. The author admits that quick travel does not give him pleasure. -> (False)
• 4. The slow thinkers have a handicap in getting a living. -> (True)

B.1.2. Short Answer Questions

Q1. Where did the author see the play in which a corn-merchant was the chief character?

Ans: The author saw the play in Dublin.

Q2. Who was cheating the corn-merchant?

Ans: His nephew was cheating him.

Q3. Does the author dislike rapid movement in every field?

Ans: No, the author does not dislike rapid movement in every field. He enjoys driving a car at ninety miles an hour.

Q4. In which situation does the writer find himself in the cinema?

Ans: In the cinema, the writer finds himself in a "hopeless fog" (confusion) and cannot follow the rapid changes of scenes and actions.

C.1. Long Answer Questions

Q1. Summarize the central idea of the essay 'The Pace for Living'.

Ans: The central idea of the essay is the agony of modern man caused by the fast pace of life. The author highlights that while machines have increased the speed of travel and work, the human mind cannot always keep up. This rapid pace creates mental stress and pressure. The author sympathizes with slow thinkers who find it difficult to survive and earn a living in this fast-moving world. He suggests that while speed is exciting, it often takes away the real pleasure of life.

Q2. "They tell me, there is an aeroplane now that goes at 1,000 miles an hour. Now that's too fast!" What light does this remark throw on the corn-merchant?

Ans: This remark shows that the corn-merchant belongs to the old generation or slow-paced world. He is unable to cope with the rapid changes and speed of modern technology. For him, life has become too fast and stressful. His complaint about the speed of the aeroplane reflects his inner despair and inability to adjust to the modern rhythm of life.

Q3. What does the author say about 'Slow Thinkers'?

Ans: The author considers himself a member of the tribe of 'slow thinkers'. He says that slow thinkers are "cursed with l'esprit de l'escalier" (people who think of a witty reply after the opportunity has passed). He believes that in today's world, slow thinkers have a terrible disadvantage in earning a living because the modern world demands quick decisions and fast reactions.

-- Class 10 English (Bihar Board) Notes --