Class 8 English Notes Chapter 6 (This is Jody’s Fawn ; The Duck and the Kangaroo) – Honeydew Book

Alright class, let's focus on two important pieces from your Honeydew book today: the touching story 'This is Jody's Fawn' and the delightful poem 'The Duck and the Kangaroo'. Both offer valuable insights and are important from an examination perspective. Pay close attention as we break them down.

Chapter 6: This is Jody’s Fawn

Author: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (This story is an extract from her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Yearling).

1. Introduction & Context:
The story explores themes of compassion, responsibility, and the connection between humans and nature. It follows a young boy, Jody, who feels responsible for a fawn orphaned because its mother (a doe) was killed to save his father's life. Jody's father, Penny Baxter, had been bitten by a rattlesnake, and using the doe's heart and liver was believed to draw out the poison – a folk remedy of the time.

2. Summary of the Plot:

• The Dilemma: Jody cannot stop thinking about the fawn, left alone and helpless in the forest because its mother was sacrificed for his father. He feels a strong sense of guilt and responsibility.
• Seeking Permission: Jody carefully approaches his father, Penny, expressing his desire to find the fawn and bring it home. Penny, understanding Jody's feelings and perhaps feeling a debt to the doe, agrees but tells Jody he'll have to raise it himself, implying Jody must take full responsibility, including sharing his own milk.
• Convincing Ma Baxter: Jody's mother is initially hesitant and practical, worrying about feeding another mouth. However, Doc Wilson and Penny support Jody's plea, emphasizing the fairness and moral obligation. Ma Baxter eventually consents, albeit reluctantly ("Well, for pity’s sake!").
• The Journey: Jody rides with Mill-wheel, one of the Baxter family's helpers, part of the way into the forest. Mill-wheel is initially unwilling to accompany Jody further, perhaps respecting Jody's need to face this task alone or simply being practical about his own duties. Jody proceeds alone to the place where the doe was killed.
• Finding the Fawn: After some searching, Jody finds the fawn. It is weak but alive. It initially distrusts him but soon allows Jody to approach and touch it.
• The Journey Home: The fawn is too weak to walk the entire distance. Jody carries it in his arms. This journey is symbolic of Jody taking up his responsibility. He has to put the fawn down several times to rest. The fawn follows him for short distances when set down, showing a growing bond.
• Homecoming: Jody brings the fawn home. He carefully offers it milk from his own share, dipping his fingers in the milk and letting the fawn suck on them to teach it how to drink from a gourd. The fawn accepts the milk, signifying acceptance and the beginning of its new life with Jody.
• Conclusion: The story ends on a note of tenderness and relief, with Jody having successfully rescued the fawn and taken responsibility for its care, finding a measure of redemption for the doe's death.

3. Key Characters:

• Jody Baxter: A sensitive, compassionate, and determined young boy. He demonstrates maturity by taking responsibility for the fawn. He feels a strong connection to nature.
• Penny Baxter: Jody's father. Wise, understanding, and practical. He guides Jody gently and allows him to undertake the difficult task, fostering his son's sense of responsibility.
• Ma Baxter: Jody's mother. Practical and initially concerned about resources, but ultimately compassionate. Represents the realistic concerns of running a household.
• Mill-wheel: A helper, represents the perspective of the wider community/practical world. He assists Jody partway but leaves the core task to him.
• The Fawn: Represents innocence, vulnerability, and nature. Its rescue is central to Jody's emotional journey.

4. Themes:

• Compassion and Empathy: Jody's deep feeling for the orphaned fawn drives the narrative.
• Responsibility and Maturity: Jody takes on the adult responsibility of caring for the fawn. The journey to find and bring back the fawn marks a step in his coming-of-age.
• Human-Animal Relationship: Explores the bond between humans and animals, and the moral considerations involved.
• Guilt and Redemption: Jody feels indirectly responsible for the fawn being orphaned and seeks to redeem the situation by saving it.
• Nature and Survival: The story is set against the backdrop of the Florida scrub, where life involves harsh realities like rattlesnakes and the need for difficult choices for survival.

5. Important Vocabulary/Phrases:

• Drifted back: Returned (in thought).
• Kept his head: Remained calm.
• Hemmed in: Caught in a situation where one feels trapped or restricted.
• Close shave: A narrow escape.
• Acorns: Nuts from an oak tree.
• Quivering: Trembling slightly.
• Delirious: In a disturbed state of mind, often due to fever or illness.
• Conviction: A firm belief.
• Adjacent: Next to or adjoining something else.
• Parted: Moved apart (referring to the bushes/scrub).
• Gourd: A large fruit with a hard skin, whose dried shell is used as a container.

Poem: The Duck and the Kangaroo

Poet: Edward Lear (Known for his 'nonsense' verse).

1. Introduction & Context:
This is a humorous, narrative poem belonging to the genre of Nonsense Literature. It tells the story of an unlikely friendship and an adventurous journey undertaken by a Duck and a Kangaroo. The poem is celebrated for its musicality, rhythm, and playful language.

2. Summary / Stanza-wise Explanation:

• Stanza 1: The Duck expresses admiration for the Kangaroo's hopping ability, contrasting it with its own boring life in a "nasty pond." The Duck longs for adventure and wishes it could hop like the Kangaroo to see the world ("Dee," "Jelly Bo Lee," over land and sea).
• Stanza 2: The Duck proposes a plan: it wants to ride on the Kangaroo's back. It promises to sit perfectly still and just say "Quack" throughout the journey.
• Stanza 3: The Kangaroo considers the proposal. It admits the idea could bring luck but raises a practical objection: the Duck's feet are "unpleasantly wet and cold," which might give the Kangaroo "roo-Matiz" (rheumatism).
• Stanza 4: The resourceful Duck reveals it has already thought about this problem. It has bought four pairs of worsted (woollen) socks to keep its feet warm and dry. It also has a cloak for warmth and plans to smoke a cigar daily (perhaps humorously suggested to keep warm or just as part of the absurdity). All this is done out of love for the Kangaroo.
• Stanza 5: The Kangaroo, satisfied with the Duck's preparations, agrees. The Duck balances neatly on the end of the Kangaroo's tail. They hop around the whole world three times. The final line emphasizes their mutual happiness ("And who so happy — O Who, / As the Duck and the Kangaroo?").

3. Literary Devices:

• Rhyme Scheme: Generally ABABCCDD pattern in each stanza, giving it a song-like quality. (e.g., Stanza 1: how/Kangaroo, pond/beyond, too/Kangaroo, sea/Lee).
• Rhythm: A distinct, bouncy rhythm that mimics the Kangaroo's hopping.
• Personification: Animals are given human qualities – they talk, reason, plan, and experience emotions like boredom, desire, and affection.
• Humour/Nonsense: The core situation (a duck riding a kangaroo), the made-up place names ("Dee," "Jelly Bo Lee"), and the Duck's solutions (socks, cloak, cigar) are inherently funny and absurd.
• Imagery: Creates vivid pictures – the Kangaroo hopping, the Duck in the pond, the Duck riding on the tail.
• Repetition: Phrases like "Said the Duck to the Kangaroo" are repeated, adding to the poem's structure and musicality.
• Dialogue: The poem unfolds primarily through the conversation between the Duck and the Kangaroo.

4. Themes:

• Friendship: Explores an unlikely friendship between two very different creatures.
• Adventure and Desire for Change: The Duck's yearning to escape boredom and see the world.
• Problem-Solving: The characters identify a problem (cold feet) and find a solution (socks, cloak).
• Politeness and Persuasion: The Duck uses polite language and thoughtful preparation to convince the Kangaroo.
• Humour and Playfulness: Celebrates silliness and the joy of the absurd.

5. Important Vocabulary/Phrases:

• Nasty pond: Unpleasant, boring pond.
• Reflection: Deep thought or consideration.
• Objection: Reason for disagreeing.
• Roo-Matiz: Playful spelling of Rheumatism (a disease causing joint pain).
• Worsted: A type of woollen yarn/fabric.
• Cloak: A type of coat without sleeves.
• Pale moonlight: Soft light of the moon (often associated with romance or adventure).

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. In 'This is Jody's Fawn', why was the doe killed?
   a) For food for the Baxter family.
   b) It attacked Penny Baxter.
   c) To use its organs to treat Penny's snakebite.
   d) Jody accidentally shot it.
   Answer: c)

2. Who initially expresses reluctance about bringing the fawn home?
   a) Jody
   b) Penny Baxter
   c) Ma Baxter
   d) Mill-wheel
   Answer: c)

3. What challenge does Jody face while bringing the fawn home?
   a) The fawn keeps running away.
   b) He gets lost in the forest.
   c) The fawn is too weak to walk far, and he has to carry it.
   d) Mill-wheel refuses to help him find it.
   Answer: c)

4. The main theme demonstrated by Jody's actions is:
   a) Fear of wild animals
   b) Disobedience towards parents
   c) Compassion and responsibility
   d) The efficiency of folk remedies
   Answer: c)

5. What does the word 'adjacent' mean in the context of the story 'This is Jody's Fawn'?
   a) Far away
   b) Hidden
   c) Next to
   d) Underneath
   Answer: c)

6. In 'The Duck and the Kangaroo', what is the Duck's main desire?
   a) To learn how to hop.
   b) To leave its boring pond and see the world.
   c) To find a warmer place to live.
   d) To teach the Kangaroo how to swim.
   Answer: b)

7. What is the Kangaroo's main concern about the Duck's proposal?
   a) The Duck might be too heavy.
   b) The Duck talks too much.
   c) The Duck's wet, cold feet might cause illness.
   d) The journey might be too long.
   Answer: c)

8. What does the Duck buy to address the Kangaroo's concern?
   a) A map and a compass
   b) Four pairs of woollen socks and a cloak
   c) A boat to ride in
   d) A warm hat for the Kangaroo
   Answer: b)

9. 'The Duck and the Kangaroo' is best described as a:
   a) Sad poem about loss
   b) Serious poem about nature
   c) Historical poem
   d) Humorous nonsense poem
   Answer: d)

10. What literary device is most prominent in giving the animals human-like qualities in the poem?
    a) Metaphor
    b) Simile
    c) Personification
    d) Alliteration
    Answer: c)

Remember to read the texts carefully again, focusing on these points. Understanding the characters' motivations, the underlying themes, and the specific language used will be very helpful for your exams. Good luck with your preparation!