Question 2:
Usually, we sing songs to express our joys and sorrows. Here, the play begins with a song. What mood does this convey?
Answer:
The play opens with a song sung by the seamen. The song reflects their dissatisfaction and discontent, setting a tense and restless mood.

Question 3:
“There are limits to patience,” says Diego. What does this suggest about Diego’s state of mind?
Answer:
Diego had lost hope and was frustrated with the captain’s decision. He believed that continuing the voyage was pointless and a waste of time. His statement reveals his impatience and growing anger, as he strongly disagrees with Columbus.

Question 4:
Who do you think has the lives of fifty in his hands? How?
Answer:
Columbus had the lives of fifty men in his hands because he was the captain of the ship. After sailing for many days without success, the crew became homesick and desperate to return. However, Columbus refused to turn back, making the sailors feel that their fate depended entirely on his decisions.

Comprehension II: Share your Responses: The Discovery

Question 1:
“A good sailor knows his place,” says Columbus to Diego. The statement is ……………
(Choose the right answer from the options and complete the sentence).
a) a piece of advice
b) an indirect command
c) a statement
Answer:
The statement is an indirect command.

Question 2:
Which reaction of Diego to the sentence above justifies your choice? Quote the phrase indicating his reaction.
Answer:
Upon hearing the statement, Diego responded with repressed fury, saying, “Yes, sir.” The phrase “scarcely concealing a scowl, goes off” indicates his reaction, showing that he perceived it as an indirect command.

Question 3:
How does Pedro try to defend the drunken seamen? Was he right in defending them?
Answer:
Pedro defends the drunken seamen by explaining that they are simple men who lack Columbus’s vision and need relaxation. He believes that since they blindly follow Columbus’s orders without sharing his passion, they often feel frustrated, thinking the voyage is meaningless and that they are risking their lives for nothing. At times like this, drinking helps them cope with their frustration. Pedro’s defence is reasonable, as the seamen’s hardships make their need for relief understandable.

Question 4:
What is termed as his worst enemy by Columbus?
Answer:
Columbus considered his quick temper and uncontrolled tongue as his worst enemy. He regretted his inability to control his anger and harsh words.

Question 5:
The dialogue between Columbus and Pedro in section 2 reveals this trait of Columbus – (Choose the most appropriate response).
a) dictatorial attitude
b) quick temper
c) hatred towards the seamen
d) selfishness
Answer:
The dialogue reveals Columbus’s quick temper.

Question 6:
“Columbus is always furious when he hears the song ‘Here’s a keg o’ rum.’” What makes him react so?
Answer:
As a captain, Columbus carried a great responsibility and had a strong will. He was determined to complete his mission and was unwilling to give up. However, the seamen, being simple and homesick, sang the song to express their dissatisfaction and mock their captain. This frustrated Columbus, making him furious every time he heard it.

Comprehension III: Share your Responses: The Discovery

Question 1:
This section reveals the behaviour of ________ (Fill in the blank).
Answer:
This section reveals the behaviour of Pepe.

Question 2:
Why do you think Pepe prefers to be in the company of Columbus?
Answer:
Pepe was a young boy who had immense respect for Columbus. He was an obedient, loyal, and devoted servant. Since the seamen were against Columbus, Pepe preferred to stay in the company of his beloved captain rather than with anyone else.

Question 3:
Pepe is always eager to say that he is ever….. to Columbus. (Fill in the blank).
Answer:
Pepe is always eager to say that he ever believed in Columbus.

Question 4:
Pepe warns Columbus about some people. Who are they?
Answer:
Pepe warns Columbus about the seamen. They were discontented and, at times, desperate, posing a potential threat to Columbus.

Comprehension IV: Share your Responses: The Discovery

Question 1:
The seamen are expressing their discontent even as Columbus can hear them. Why?
Answer:
The seamen had no fear of Columbus. They were united in their frustration, homesick, and had lost hope of achieving success. Due to their despair, they openly expressed their discontent, even in Columbus’s presence.

Question 2:
Pepe is heard saying, “They shan’t.”
a) Who is meant by ‘they’?
b) What does the boy mean by saying “They shan’t”?
Answer:
a) ‘They’ refers to the crew or seamen.
b) By saying “They shan’t,” Pepe means that they will not be allowed to cause mischief or create trouble.

Question 3:
“Santa Maria will be lighter for his carcass.” Whose words is Pepe quoting here? (Choose the right answer and complete the sentence).
a) Diego
b) Francisco
c) Pedro
d) Guillermo Ires
Answer:
Pepe was quoting Guillermo Ires’s words.

Question 4:
Which statement of Francisco suggests that he too has lost his temper? Quote his words.
Answer:
Francisco had lost his temper. His words were: “Discipline is a thing of the past, Sir. It’s you or us.”

Comprehension V: Share your Responses: The Discovery

Question 1:
“Who’s to put him in irons?” challenges Guillermo. The person referred to as ‘him’ in this context is:
a) Guillermo
b) The first man to move towards Columbus
c) Columbus
d) The first man who challenged Columbus
Answer:
The person referred to as ‘him’ is the first man to move towards Columbus.

Question 2:
“I will perform it myself,” says Columbus. What does ‘it’ mean here?
Answer:
‘It’ refers to putting Guillermo in irons. Columbus means that if no one from the crew is willing to restrain Guillermo, he will do it himself.

Question 3:
“Devil’s track to nowhere,” says Guillermo. What does this suggest about the thinking of the seamen?
Answer:
Guillermo’s words reflect the seamen’s belief that they were on a futile journey. They were convinced that the route they were following was incorrect and would lead them nowhere. They saw no purpose in continuing and felt they were risking their lives for nothing.

Question 4:
After a perceptible pause,’ who grows more mutinous than others?
a) Name the character.
b) Quote his words.
Answer:
a) After a perceptible pause, Diego became more mutinous than the others. While everyone else remained silent, he spoke out.
b) His words were: “Words for children! Froth and scum! We are men; reason with us.”

Comprehension VI: Share your Responses: The Discovery

Question 1:
In his somewhat long speech, what does Columbus say he has discovered?

Answer:
In his speech, Columbus states that while he set out to discover a new world, he instead discovered a profound truth about human nature. He realized that when a man is given a vision, he must pursue it alone. Loyalty fades like seaweed carried away by the tide, friendship crumbles like a mast eaten by worms, and discipline, duty, and obedience are fragile—bursting like bubbles at the first challenge. In the end, a man is left with nothing but himself.

Question 2:
Pepe excitedly declares that he is still loyal to the leader. What effect does it have on others like Juan and Guillermo?

Answer:
Pepe’s unwavering loyalty in the midst of mutiny has a significant impact. Juan, who was not as rebellious as the others, begins to feel guilty and tries to justify his actions by claiming that the seamen are simple men who act based on their limited understanding. Meanwhile, Guillermo, though still resentful, suggests that their rebellion can be postponed until the next day. Pepe’s declaration becomes a turning point, softening the mood and restoring order.

Question 3:
Compare Francisco’s words of confession with what he had said earlier in anger. How does Columbus react to his confession?

Answer:
Earlier, in anger, Francisco had told Columbus that desperate men do not always act according to their best nature. In response, Columbus sarcastically thanked him for the reminder. Later, when Francisco attempted to speak again, he hesitated, feeling ashamed of his previous words. Instead of continuing, he walked away, ashamed. Columbus, understanding his remorse, simply wished him goodnight.

Question 4:
How does Pedro react to Columbus’s words about seeing a flickering light?
Answer:
When Don Pedro heard Columbus mention seeing a flickering light, he became excited and looked for it himself. Upon seeing the light, he was overjoyed and, filled with gratitude, acknowledged it as a sign of God’s grace.

Question 5:
Do you consider the ending to be happy? Justify your answer.
Answer:
Yes, the ending is indeed a happy one. After all their struggles and hardships, the crew finally achieved success in their journey. Their long and uncertain voyage ended in triumph, fulfilling their hopes and dreams.

Think About The Text: The Discovery

Question 1:
‘Mutiny is an ugly word,’ says Diego. Is mutiny an ugly word? If so, why?
Answer:
No, the word itself is not ugly, but Diego perceives it as such because of its implications. Mutiny means rebellion, and Diego dislikes the rebellious actions of the seamen. That is why he considers the word “ugly.”

Question 2:
‘Columbus feels that whatever he does, it is God’s will.’ What ‘will’ of God does he seek to fulfil through this venture?
Answer:
Columbus deeply trusts in God and believes that his mission is divinely ordained. He sees it as God’s will to discover a new world and offer it to the King and Queen. He believes that God has instilled in him the desire to uncover mysteries, and he must fulfil that purpose.

Question 3:
Columbus says, “Would God implant the desire to solve the mystery and then not provide solutions?” What is Columbus’s mood in saying this?
Answer:
Columbus is determined to discover the new world, but he faces resistance from his crew. His statement reflects his unwavering belief that God would not give him a vision without also guiding him toward a solution. At this moment, he feels both helpless and conflicted as he struggles against his crew’s opposition.

Question 4:
Pepe says, “Everybody doubts ………… except me.” Why do you think he is an exception?
Answer:
Pepe shares Columbus’s vision, unlike the other seamen, who lack the intelligence and imagination to grasp the significance of their journey. He has a deep understanding of Columbus’s mission and believes in its success, making him stand apart from the rest.

Question 5:
Usually, people feel desperate when they fail to get something they want. In the play The Discoverer, why do Columbus’s crewmates feel desperate?
Answer:
The crew loses faith in their mission and doubts their captain. They believe Columbus is leading them astray without knowing the exact route. Homesickness adds to their frustration, making them desperate to return to their families. They feel that risking their lives for an uncertain goal is pointless.

Question 6:
“Discipline knows no buts.” Why is discipline necessary in life?
Answer:
Discipline is essential for achieving success in any endeavour. Without it, great tasks—especially adventurous or challenging ones—cannot be accomplished. The phrase “Discipline knows no buts” emphasizes that discipline requires commitment without excuses.

Question 7:
Compared to his crewmates, Columbus makes statements that show he is different. One such statement is:
i. I am not ungrateful.
Add more statements to the list.
Answer:
ii. It is my will. Is that not enough?
iii. Discipline knows no buts.
iv. I will perform it myself.

Question 8:
How is the excitement of discovering new land expressed by different characters at the end of the play?
Answer:
Pedro: “It is, sir! Glory be to God!”
Sailor: “A light! Blessed Mother of God, a light!”
Columbus: “A light, faintly flickering, rising up and down. Look!”

Question 9:
‘Your best cannot be bettered,’ says Columbus. This statement implies that…..
Answer:
d. Columbus is not happy with Francisco.

Question 10:
Swami Vivekananda said, “Purity, Patience, and Perseverance are the essentials to success. And above all, Love.” Does Columbus possess all these qualities? Justify.
Answer:
While Columbus can sometimes be impatient with his seamen, he demonstrates great patience in pursuing his goal. Unlike his crew, who are eager to give up, he remains steadfast. His purity is evident in his belief that his mission is God’s will, and he follows it with determination. He also exhibits perseverance, enduring hardships and opposition without wavering. Though he is far from home like his crew, he stays committed to his purpose. The immense pressure of leadership and constant doubt from others could have made him give up, but his love for discovery and faith in God kept him strong.

Question 11:
Classify the given words into two categories—words that refer to Columbus and words that refer to the mutinous sailors.
Answer: