Class 8 English Notes Chapter 10 (The comet – II) – It so Happend Book

Alright class, let's focus on the concluding part of the story, 'The Comet – II'. This chapter is crucial as it details the response to the potential disaster predicted in Part I. Pay close attention, as understanding the sequence of events and the underlying themes is important for your exams.

Chapter 10: The Comet – II: Detailed Notes

1. The Looming Threat and the Secret Conference:

• Following Duttada's discovery, calculations by astronomers worldwide, including Dr. James Forsyth, confirmed that Comet Dutta was on a direct collision course with Earth.
• The impact was predicted to be catastrophic, causing widespread destruction and potentially ending life on Earth.
• To address this global emergency without causing mass panic, a secret international conference of experts was convened in London. Key figures included Sir John Macpherson (Defence Science Advisor, Her Majesty's Government) and Dr. James Forsyth.

2. Project Light Brigade:

• The Plan: The conference concluded that defensive measures were necessary. The most feasible plan, codenamed 'Project Light Brigade', involved sending a spacecraft carrying a nuclear payload.
• Objective: The spacecraft would intercept the comet and detonate the nuclear payload nearby. The explosion was not intended to destroy the comet (which was deemed impossible) but to give it a slight push or nudge, altering its trajectory just enough to miss Earth.
• Timeline: The plan was extremely time-sensitive.
  • October 10: Dispatch the spacecraft with the payload.
  • November 15: Rendezvous with the comet.
  • December 15: Detonation of the payload (This was the date the comet was expected to hit Earth if the mission failed).
• Secrecy: The entire operation was kept highly confidential to prevent public hysteria.

3. Duttada's Perspective and the Clash of Beliefs:

• Back in Calcutta, Duttada (Mr. Manoj Dutta) was initially lauded for his discovery but remained largely unaware of the imminent danger and the secret international efforts.
• He attended functions and answered questions, sometimes feeling irritated by the ceremonies.
• His wife, Indrani Debi, however, held traditional, superstitious beliefs. She considered the comet an ill omen and believed it brought bad luck.
• She consulted Guruji and arranged for a shanti yajna (a religious ceremony for peace) at their home to appease the supposed evil spirits associated with the comet.
• Duttada, being a man of science, strongly disapproved of the yajna, viewing it as superstition. This highlights the central conflict in the story: Science vs. Superstition. He reluctantly agreed to it only because his wife was insistent and he didn't want to upset her further, especially given the underlying tension he felt (though he didn't know the full extent of the danger).
• Their grandson, Khoka, also participated in the yajna.

4. The Execution and the Outcome:

• Project Light Brigade proceeded as planned. The spacecraft was launched, rendezvoused with the comet, and the nuclear payload was detonated on schedule.
• There was a tense waiting period for scientists like Sir John and Dr. James as they observed the comet's path after the explosion.
• News eventually arrived: Comet Dutta had been successfully deflected and passed Earth at a safe, though close, distance. The world was saved.

5. The Aftermath and Conclusion:

• Sir John Macpherson sent a message (a telex) to Duttada, congratulating him and implicitly confirming the success of the secret mission: "I am confident now of buying my Christmas presents on December 15." This was a coded way of saying the danger had passed by the critical date.
• Duttada, upon observing the comet safely receding, felt relief but also pondered the vast difference between the rational, scientific approach (Project Light Brigade) that saved the world and the superstitious rituals (yajna) performed at his home.
• He humorously wondered if the comet might return, but his wife firmly stated it wouldn't, attributing its safe passage to the yajna.
• The story ends with Duttada unable (or unwilling) to correct his wife's belief, highlighting the persistent gap between scientific understanding and traditional faith.

Key Themes:

• Science vs. Superstition: The central theme, contrasting the scientific method used to avert disaster with traditional, ritualistic beliefs.
• Rationality vs. Fear: How humanity responds to existential threats – through logical planning or through fear-driven rituals.
• International Cooperation: The necessity of global collaboration to tackle global threats.
• The Role of Scientists: Highlighting the importance of scientific discovery, calculation, and intervention.

Important Names & Terms:

• Comet Dutta: The comet discovered by Manoj Dutta.
• Sir John Macpherson: Defence Science Advisor, UK.
• Dr. James Forsyth: Scientist who confirmed the collision course and participated in the conference.
• Project Light Brigade: The secret mission to deflect the comet.
• Yajna: The Hindu religious ceremony performed by Indrani Debi.
• December 15th: The critical date for the comet's potential impact and the planned detonation.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. What was the name of the secret project designed to deflect Comet Dutta?
   a) Project Stardust
   b) Project Comet Shield
   c) Project Light Brigade
   d) Project Celestial Guard

2. Who were the two key scientific figures involved in planning the deflection of the comet in London?
   a) Duttada and Indrani Debi
   b) Sir John Macpherson and Dr. James Forsyth
   c) Guruji and Khoka
   d) Manoj Dutta and Sir John Macpherson

3. What method was chosen by the international experts to try and save Earth from Comet Dutta?
   a) Destroying the comet with a powerful laser.
   b) Capturing the comet in Earth's orbit.
   c) Nudging the comet off course with a nuclear explosion.
   d) Evacuating key personnel to the Moon.

4. What event did Indrani Debi organize at home to counter the perceived ill effects of the comet?
   a) A scientific lecture
   b) A large feast
   c) A shanti yajna
   d) A community meeting

5. What was Duttada's reaction to the event organized by his wife?
   a) He eagerly participated.
   b) He strongly disapproved but reluctantly agreed.
   c) He completely forbade it.
   d) He was indifferent.

6. According to the plan of 'Project Light Brigade', when was the nuclear payload scheduled to be detonated?
   a) October 10th
   b) November 15th
   c) December 15th
   d) December 25th

7. Why was 'Project Light Brigade' kept a secret from the public?
   a) To surprise the comet.
   b) To prevent mass panic and chaos.
   c) Because the technology was experimental.
   d) To ensure Duttada got full credit later.

8. How did Sir John Macpherson inform Duttada that the danger had passed?
   a) By a personal visit.
   b) Through a newspaper article.
   c) By a phone call.
   d) By sending a telex message about buying Christmas presents.

9. What is the central conflict highlighted in the story, especially through the characters of Duttada and Indrani Debi?
   a) East vs. West
   b) Rich vs. Poor
   c) Science vs. Superstition
   d) Old vs. Young

10. What was the final outcome regarding Comet Dutta?
    a) It hit the Earth, causing minor damage.
    b) It disintegrated before reaching Earth.
    c) It was successfully deflected and missed Earth.
    d) It was captured by scientists for study.

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. c) Project Light Brigade
2. b) Sir John Macpherson and Dr. James Forsyth
3. c) Nudging the comet off course with a nuclear explosion.
4. c) A shanti yajna
5. b) He strongly disapproved but reluctantly agreed.
6. c) December 15th
7. b) To prevent mass panic and chaos.
8. d) By sending a telex message about buying Christmas presents.
9. c) Science vs. Superstition
10. c) It was successfully deflected and missed Earth.

Make sure you revise these points thoroughly. Understanding the sequence, the characters' motivations, and the themes will be very helpful. Good luck!