DEBTS OF GRATITUDE

a. How did the speaker’s visit to Stockholm differ from her earlier visits?
Answer:
In her earlier visits to Stockholm she wanted to pass some examinations. But now she is going to
receive the Nobel Prize.

b. How do you spend time when you go on a long journey?

Answer:
If my long journey is by train, I spend time reading some books. If it is a bus journey, I
observe the surroundings and talk with my co-passengers. If it by plane, I may watch movies or
simply go to sleep.

c. I thought of my father and felt a deep sorrow.” Why was she sad at the thought of her father?
Answer:
She was sad at the thought of her father because her father is no more and she is not able to tell
him the good news of her receiving the Nobel Prize.

d. The coaches no longer seemed to run on rails and sleepers, but glide into space.” Why does
the speaker feel so?
Answer:
The speaker feels so because the train has gathered speed and when the train runs in high speed
the noises of the rattling of the wheels become negligible and one feels he is gliding into space.

e. What is your impression of the writer’s father?

Answer:
The writer’s father is a very good father. He entertains his children by playing the piano and
singing Bellman’s songs. He encourages them to read Tegner, Runeberg and Anderson who
wrote fairy tales and sagas of heroes.

f. “I have come to you for advice.” What advice does the speaker request of her father?
Answer:
Many people have helped the writer to get the Nobel Prize. She has to thank her parents, her
siblings, the poor, homeless vagabonds who sang all those songs, did mischief and pranks, the
old men and women who told her wonderful stories, the animals, the birds of the skies, the trees
and . flowers who shared some of their secrets with her, her readers even in foreign lands who
praised and criticised her, her friend Esselde and then the Swedish Academy. She did not know
how to show her gratitude to all * these and she is looking for her father’s advice for that.

g. a look of wonder will come into his eyes.” What, do you think, is the reason for the change of
expression?
Answer:
He realised that his daughter was thanking him for his help in developing her talents of writing.
He had entertained her by playing the piano and singing Bellman’s songs. He encouraged her to
read Tegner, Runeberg and Anderson who wrote fairy tales and sagas of heroes. All this helped
her to become a writer and finally get the Nobel prize.

h. Do you think there is poetry in hard rock and black forests? State reasons.
Answer:
I think there is poetry in hard rock and black forests. Poetry is about something beautiful or
moving or touching our emotions. Hard rocks and black forests can make us think because of
their ability to withstand all kinds of adversities. They survive in all conditions and thus they
teach us a lesson.

i. How does Selma’s father console her?

Answer:
Selma’s father consoles her by telling her that there was a remedy for her trouble.

j. “I owe them gratitude, Father, both for their praise and censure.” Why is the speaker thankful
even to those who criticised her?
Answer:
The speaker is thankful even to those who criticised her because the critics pointed out the
mistakes and shortcomings in her writings. Such criticisms helped her to improve her writing and
that is how she became eligible for the Nobel Prize.

k. What do you think makes Father less calm?

Answer:
Selma’s mention of the critics who censured her makes Father less calm?

l. How did her friends and readers contribute to Selma Lagerlofs journey to the Nobel Prize?
Answer:
Her friends and readers contributed to Selma Lagerlofs journey to the Nobel Prize by opening
the doors for her and supporting her when nobody dared to believe in her.

m. How does Father respond when he discovers his daughter’s biggest debt?
Answer:
When he discovers his daughter’s biggest debt, every wrinkle in his face trembles and tears come
into his eyes.

n. “How shall 1 repay this debt?” What does Selma mean by this?
Answer:
By this Selma means that the Swedish Academy has not only given her honour and money but
also shown its trust in her to single her out before the whole world.

Let’s Rewind:

Answer the following questions:

Question 1.
What is the significance of the journey by train? How does it relate to the narrator’s thoughts and
reflections?

Answer:
In the past she travelled by train to Stockholm for passing exams. Now she is travelling to
receive the Nobel Prize. When a train starts the journey there is a lot of rustle and bustle, but then
it gathers speed and glides smoothly. So was her literary journey; not smooth initially but then
becoming smooth. The journey gave her time to think of the various people and things that had
helped her to become eligible to receive the Nobel Prize.

Question 2.
Explain the writer’s feelings of indebtedness to nature. Cite instances from the speech.

Answer:
The writer feels indebted to nature for her achievements. Not only people but nature also played
a big role in making the writer a Nobel Prize Winner. She says, “I am in debt not only to people;
there is the whole nature as well. The animals that walk the earth, the birds in the skies, the trees
and flowers, they have all told me some of their secrets.”

Question 3.
Her father had a prime role in shaping Selma’s personality. Describe the role of the following in
shaping her life.

Answer:
a. Nature: She thought there was poetry in hard rocks and black forests.
The animals that walk the earth, the birds in the skies, the trees and flowers, all told her some of
their secrets.

b. Literature: She had heard Bellman’s songs from her father. She got influenced by writers like
Tegner, Runeberg and Anderson who had written many fairy tales and stories of heroes.

c. Art: She was influenced by the great painters of her time and also the Renaissance artists.

d. Her friends and family: She was especially influenced by her father and her friend Esselde.
They all tried to open the door for her when no one dared to believe her

e. Her readers: Her readers supported her as they went on buying and reading her books.
There were people who praised her and also people who criticised her. Even the critics helped
her by enabling her to correct her mistakes and improve her writing.

Question 4.
How does Selma express her gratitude?

Answer:
Selma is grateful to so many people and so many things. So she expresses her gratitude by
inviting all those present in the Award Ceremony to join her in the toast which she has the
honour to propose to the Swedish academy.

Question 5.
What do you think the speaker means by saying, “… my biggest debt has not yet come…?”

Answer:
She had mentioned many persons and things including her father and other members of her
family, her friends like Esselde, the poor, homeless vagabonds who used to sing all those
songs,the old men and women for telling her wonderful stories about water-sprites and enchanted
maidens, the nature, the animals, the birds in the skies, the trees and flowers for telling her some
of their secrets for enabling her to get the Nobel Prize. But she had not so far mentioned the
Swedish Academy to which she owes the biggest debt.

Question 6.
What, according to you, is Selma Lagerlof s message to her audience and to us?

Answer:
Selma Lagerlof s message to her audience and to us is that success comes to us through the
support and encouragement of many people and things. We should never feel that we have
succeeded just because of our own merit and hard work.

Let’s recall and recreate

Question 1.
Selma Lagerlof has arrived at Stockholm to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. You are
assigned the task of introducing and welcoming her to receive the Award. Write the text of the
announcement.
Answer:
Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Ladies and Gentlemen,
A Very Good Morning to all of you!

As you are well aware, we all have assembled here to witness the awarding the most popular
writer Selma Lagerlof the 1909 Nobel Prize in Literature. We should specially congratulate her
as she is the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. She was born on 20 November
1858 in Sweden.
After her education at The Royal Advanced female Teacher’s Seminary in Stockholm, she taught
in a high school for girls. Her first notable novel was “The Story of Gosta Berling” published
when she was 33 years old. This made her very popular not only in Sweden but all over the
world. Another famous novel by her was “The Invisible Links” published in 1894. She has
thrilled her readers by her fine novels, intricate plots, fine twists, and her excellent
characterization.
From among many candidates for the 1909 Nobel Prize in Literature Selma was chosen to be the
recipient of the Prize by the Swedish Academy. We welcome her in all joy and happiness. The
Secretary of the Academy will speak further about her achievements and her influence in the
field of literature. ’ ,
Thank you.

Question 2.
Imagine you are Selma Lagerlof. Write a letter to your faithful friend, Esselde, who played a
crucial role in your literary journey by opening doors when no one else believed in you.
Answer:

XV/46, Landskrona
Sweden
1 December 1909

Dearest Esselde,
I am sure you have heard about my winning the Nobel Prize in Literature for 1909. There is a
specialty for this Nobel Prize. I am the first woman to get a Nobel Prize in Literature.
In my success you had played a very big role. You were one of those who opened the doors for
me for my literary journey when no one else believed in me. There are many people and things
to whom I owe my gratitude. My father, my mother and other members of my family, my friends
like you, the poor, homeless vagabonds who used to sing all those songs, the old men and
women who told me wonderful stories about water-sprites and enchanted maidens, the nature,
the animals, the birds in the skies, the trees and flowers who showed me some of their secrets
which enabled me to write good stories. Then there is the Swedish Academy which chose me
from many able candidates for the coveted Prize.
But as a friend who trusted in me, in my ability to write, I owe you special gratitude. If you had
not supported me and encouraged me when I was struggling to write convincingly, I would have
never received this Prize. You gave me hope and encouragement. Without your constant support
I would have given up writing. But you continued to encourage me with your words and deeds
and that is why I was able to get this prestigious Prize. I dedicate my Prize to you, Esselde. In
one sense, it is your Prize!
Say Hi to your parents. I will soon come to meet you all.

Yours lovingly,
Selma

Question 3.
You have been chosen to design a beautifully crafted certificate of appreciation to honour Selma
Lagerlof, the Nobel Prize Winner. The Certificate should be visually appealing, highlighting the
admiration and gratitude of those honouring her.
Answer:

THE SWEDISH ACADEMY STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

This Certificate is awarded to Selma Lagerlof for winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1909.
The Members of the Swedish Academy found that Selma Lagerlof has a literary style that is
unmatched.
Her way of story-telling, her characterization and superb climaxes make her novels gripping and
they have become popular all over the world. The Academy chose her to be the Nobel Laureate
“in appreciation of the lofty idealism, vivid imagination, and spiritual perception that
characterize her writings”. The Academy wishes her best of luck and encourages her to continue
in her efforts to enrich world literature.

1 November 1909

Sd/-
Secretary
Swedish Academy