Story Title: "Sredni Vashtar
Assignment #1
2/18/2025
Muhammad Aziz Ahmad (Roll No. )
Second s EMESTER
Assignment #1
Story Title: "Sredni Vashtar
Assignment (15 marks)
Note: Marks will be awarded on the basis of content and self writing.
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (3 marks)
1. Who is the author of the short story "Sredni Vashtar"?
a) Saki
b) O. Henry
c) Edgar Allan Poe
d) Rudyard Kipling
2. What is the name of the protagonist in the story?
a) Conradin
b) Mrs. De Ropp
c) Sredni Vashtar
d) None of the above
3. What is the symbolic significance of Sredni Vashtar in the story?
a) Freedom and escape.
b) Revenge and destruction
c) Hope and redemption
d) None of the above
Section B. Short Answer Questions (6 marks)
1. Describe the character of Conradin in the story. What are his
motivations and desires? (2 marks)
Conradin is a lonely imaginary boy who finds solace in his ability to dream
and his pet, Sredni Vashtar. Escaping the hold his cousin, Mrs. De Ropp, has
over him and the restrictions that go along with it are his main motivations.
All he wants is to fight back and free himself from her clutches.
2. What is the significance of the phrase "Sredni Vashtar went forth
in the story? How does it relate to the plot and themes? (2 marks)
The line represents the release of Conradin's repressed urges for revenge
and freedom. This is a momentous moment in the story where Conradin's
imagination and reality meet and the climax created by the author unfolds.
It's thematically, it emphasizes the themes of power struggles, rebellion and
the fallout of bottled feelings.
3. Analyze the relationship between Conradin and Mrs. De Ropp.
How does their dynamic contribute to the story's tension and
conflict? (2 marks)
Mrs. De Ropp and Conradin have a domination-versus-resistance
relationship. Through his dreams and relationship with Sredni Vashtar,
Conradin represents disobedience and covert rebellion, while Mrs. De Ropp
represents power and control. As Conradin looks for methods to undermine
Mrs. De Ropp's power, this dynamic heightens the tension in the narrative
and sets up the climax.
Section C: Essay Question (6 marks)
Choose one of the following essay questions and answer it in 150-200 words:
1. Explore the theme of revenge in "Sredni Vashtar". How does
Conradin's desire for revenge drive the plot, and what commentary
does the story offer on the nature of revenge?
Conradin's desire for vengeance against Mrs. De Ropp drives the plot of
"Sredni Vashtar," influencing both his behavior and the themes of the tale.
Conradin worships Sredni Vashtar as a metaphorical embodiment of his
longing for freedom and vengeance since he feels imprisoned and oppressed
by his cousin's rigidity. The narrative provides a reflection on the
psychological impact of tyranny on the oppressed as well as the
repercussions of unbridled power. A dramatic and terrible conclusion results
from Conradin's deed of releasing Sredni Vashtar, which becomes a
representation of his desire for justice and autonomy. Through Conradin's
trip, the narrative highlights the complexity of human aspirations and the
quest for personal emancipation by implying that, despite its fleeting
satisfaction, retribution has deep and lasting repercussions.
