Class 11 English Notes Chapter 3 (Ranga’s Marriage) – Snapshots Suppl. Reader English Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 3 of your Snapshots book, 'Ranga's Marriage' by Masti Venkatesha Iyengar. This story offers a charming glimpse into village life and explores themes relevant even today, making it important for your exams. Pay close attention.

'Ranga's Marriage' - Detailed Notes for Exam Preparation

Author: Masti Venkatesha Iyengar (Known as 'Srinivasa') - A renowned Kannada writer, Jnanpith Award winner. Remember his name and contribution to Kannada literature.

Setting:

• Village: Hosahalli, located in the erstwhile Mysore state (now Karnataka).
• Significance: The narrator takes great pride in his village, describing its uniqueness (mangoes, creeper in the village pond) which isn't found on any map, emphasizing its distinct, traditional character, untouched by excessive outside influence initially. This setting is crucial as it forms the backdrop for the clash between tradition and modernity.

Characters:

1. Ranga (Ranganatha):
   • The protagonist, the village accountant's son.
   • Key Trait: First person from the village sent to Bangalore for higher studies (English medium).
   • Initial Views: Represents 'modernity'. Initially holds progressive views on marriage – wants to marry a mature girl he admires, disapproves of arranged marriages with very young girls. Believes in choosing his own partner.
   • Transformation: Influenced by the narrator and circumstances, he eventually agrees to an arranged marriage with Ratna, showing that traditional values can still hold sway. He retains respect for elders and customs (like wearing the sacred thread janewara).
2. Shyama (The Narrator):
   • The storyteller, an elderly resident of Hosahalli.
   • Key Trait: Represents tradition, witty, observant, and a clever manipulator (in a well-intentioned way). Takes personal interest in Ranga's life.
   • Role: Acts as the matchmaker. He is determined to get Ranga married, especially after Ranga expresses his 'modern' views. He orchestrates the entire meeting and subsequent events leading to the marriage. His narrative style is conversational and humorous.
3. Ratna:
   • Rama Rao's niece, eleven years old.
   • Key Traits: From a big town, orphaned, living with her uncle. Proficient in music (playing the veena and singing). Described as pretty.
   • Role: The prospective bride chosen by the narrator for Ranga. She embodies traditional virtues and skills valued in the village context.
4. Shastri:
   • The village astrologer.
   • Role: Collaborates with the narrator to convince Ranga that Ratna is the destined match. He pretends to deduce this through astrology, following the narrator's prior tutoring. This highlights the narrator's cleverness and the role superstition/tradition plays in village life.

Plot Summary:

1. Ranga's Homecoming: Ranga returns from Bangalore. Villagers crowd his home, curious to see if education has changed him (physically or culturally). They are relieved/surprised to find he still wears the janewara and hasn't fundamentally changed his appearance or basic customs.
2. Ranga's Views on Marriage: The narrator engages Ranga in conversation. Ranga expresses his desire to marry a mature girl he can admire and opposes arranged marriages with young girls, citing examples of mismatched couples.
3. The Narrator's Resolve: Disappointed by Ranga's views (which he considers influenced by city life), the narrator decides to find a suitable, traditional match for him. He identifies Ratna as the perfect candidate.
4. The Orchestrated Meeting: The narrator cleverly arranges for Ranga to meet Ratna at his house. He asks Ratna to sing. Ranga arrives unexpectedly (as planned by the narrator), is captivated by her singing and her beauty, but stops at the threshold, embarrassed.
5. The Manipulation: Ranga inquires about the girl. The narrator, testing Ranga's interest, cunningly lies that Ratna is already married (just a year ago). This visibly disappoints Ranga, confirming his attraction to Ratna for the narrator. Ranga leaves, crestfallen.
6. The Astrologer's Visit: The narrator, seeing Ranga's disappointment, takes him to Shastri, the astrologer. The narrator has already coached Shastri on what to say.
7. Shastri's 'Prediction': After elaborate calculations (all pretence), Shastri declares that Ranga's current troubles are related to a girl whose name has connection to something found in the ocean (like Ratna - meaning 'gem' or 'jewel'). He even hints at her name potentially being Ratna.
8. Confirmation and Revelation: On the way back, they pass Rama Rao's house, and the narrator "discovers" Ratna isn't married after all, expressing surprise that his earlier information was wrong. He observes Ranga's relief and happiness.
9. Marriage and Epilogue: Ranga readily agrees to the marriage. The story jumps forward several years. Ranga and Ratna are happily married with a three-year-old son named Shyama (after the narrator). Ranga has embraced traditional family life.

Themes:

• Tradition vs. Modernity: Ranga's English education and initial views clash with the traditional village values represented by the narrator and the practice of arranged marriage. Ultimately, tradition, aided by clever manipulation, prevails.
• Arranged Marriage: The story portrays arranged marriage in a positive, albeit manipulated, light. The narrator believes he knows best for Ranga and engineers the match, which turns out successful.
• Role of Community/Elders: The narrator's active involvement highlights the community's role in personal matters like marriage in traditional Indian villages.
• Cultural Pride: The narrator's detailed description of Hosahalli and its unique features, his insistence on using Kannada terms, and his critique of 'English' customs show deep cultural pride.
• Humour and Irony: The narrator's clever scheming, his interactions with Ranga and Shastri, and the dramatic irony (the reader knows about the plan while Ranga doesn't) create humour.
• Astrology and Belief: The episode with Shastri shows how traditional beliefs like astrology were interwoven into the social fabric and could be used (or manipulated) to influence decisions.

Narrative Style:

• First-person narration by Shyama.
• Conversational, anecdotal, and humorous tone.
• Direct addresses to the reader.
• Use of Kannada words adds authenticity (e.g., janewara, namaskara).

Exam Focus Points:

• Know the names and key characteristics of all main characters.
• Understand the sequence of events, especially the narrator's plan.
• Be clear about Ranga's initial views on marriage and how they changed.
• Recognize the significance of the Hosahalli setting.
• Identify the main themes, especially Tradition vs. Modernity.
• Note the role of Shastri and the element of manipulation.
• Remember the outcome: Ranga's happy marriage and naming his son after the narrator.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. Where did Ranga go for his higher studies?
   a) Mysore
   b) Delhi
   c) Bangalore
   d) Madras

2. What was the initial reaction of the villagers upon Ranga's return?
   a) They ignored him completely.
   b) They were angry he had left the village.
   c) They were curious to see if education had changed him.
   d) They immediately arranged his marriage.

3. What was Ranga's initial opinion about the ideal age and type of marriage partner?
   a) He preferred a very young, traditional girl chosen by his parents.
   b) He wanted to marry a mature girl whom he admired.
   c) He was not interested in getting married at all.
   d) He wanted to marry a girl from Bangalore.

4. Who is the narrator of the story 'Ranga's Marriage'?
   a) Ranga
   b) Ratna
   c) Shastri
   d) Shyama

5. What skill did Ratna possess that particularly impressed Ranga when he first saw her?
   a) Cooking
   b) Weaving
   c) Singing and playing the veena
   d) Painting

6. How did the narrator initially discourage Ranga after he showed interest in Ratna?
   a) By saying Ratna's family disapproved of Ranga.
   b) By falsely claiming Ratna was already married.
   c) By criticizing Ratna's character.
   d) By telling Ranga he wasn't educated enough for her.

7. What role did Shastri, the astrologer, play in the story?
   a) He genuinely predicted Ranga's future using astrology.
   b) He refused to help the narrator with his plan.
   c) He followed the narrator's instructions to 'predict' Ratna as a suitable match.
   d) He advised Ranga against marrying Ratna.

8. The narrator takes immense pride in his village, Hosahalli. What specific examples does he give to highlight its uniqueness?
   a) Its large railway station and English school.
   b) Its famous temples and historical monuments.
   c) The sourness of its raw mangoes and a creeper with large leaves in the pond.
   d) Its modern factories and bustling marketplace.

9. What name did Ranga and Ratna give their son?
   a) Rama
   b) Ranganatha
   c) Shyama
   d) Shastri

10. Which theme is central to the story 'Ranga's Marriage'?
    a) The struggle for independence
    b) The conflict between tradition and modernity
    c) The hardships of poverty
    d) The importance of scientific discovery

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c) Bangalore
2. c) They were curious to see if education had changed him.
3. b) He wanted to marry a mature girl whom he admired.
4. d) Shyama
5. c) Singing and playing the veena
6. b) By falsely claiming Ratna was already married.
7. c) He followed the narrator's instructions to 'predict' Ratna as a suitable match.
8. c) The sourness of its raw mangoes and a creeper with large leaves in the pond.
9. c) Shyama
10. b) The conflict between tradition and modernity

Study these notes thoroughly. Understand the characters' motivations and the narrator's clever handling of the situation. Good luck with your preparation!