Gujarat Board GSEB Class 11 English Textbook Solutions Reading Comprehension Preparing Notes from Speeches Questions and Answers, Notes Pdf.

GSEB Class 11 English Reading Comprehension Preparing Notes from Speeches

Speeches are often very long as they are delivered quite enthusiastically and sometimes aggressively. Good speeches are always well-planned or strategically devised. Motivational speeches often contain examples and sometimes they are overstretched.

In such cases, the reader, facing shortage of time, would like to go through only the gist of it barring redundant things. Facilitating the reader to get the complete idea of the contents of the speech, it is required to make notes including only the main points. Here are two examples:

Question 1.
A Speech by Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) Venue :
Shantiniketan, April 1941 Today I complete eighty years of my life. As I look back on the vast stretch of years that lie behind me and see in clear perspective the history of my early ‘ development, I am struck by the change that has taken place both in my own attitude and in the psychology of my countrymen-a change that carries within it a cause of profound tragedy.

Our direct contact with the larger world of men was linked up with the contemporary history of the English people whom we came to know in those earlier days. It was mainly through their mighty literature that we formed our ideas with regard to these newcomers to our Indian shores. In those days the type of learning that was served out to us was neither plentiful nor diverse, nor was the spirit of scientific enquiry very much in evidence.

Thus their scope being strictly limited, the educated of those days had recourse to English language and literature. Their days and nights were eloquent with the stately declamations of Burke, with Macaulay’s long-rolling sentences; discussions centred upon Shakespeare’s drama and Byron’s poetry and above all upon the large-hearted liberalism of the nineteenth-century English politics.

At the time though tentative attempts were being made to gain our national independence, at heart we had not lost faith in the generosity of the English race. This belief was so firmly rooted in the sentiments of our leaders as to lead them to hope that the victor would of his own grace pave the path of freedom for the vanquished.

This belief was based upon the fact that England at the time provided a shelter to all those who had to flee from persecution in their own country. Political martyrs who had suffered for the honour of their people were accorded unreserved welcome at the hands of the English.

I was impressed by this evidence of liberal humanity in the character of the English and thus I was led to set them on the pedestal of my highest respect. This generosity in their national character had not yet been vitiated by imperialist pride. About this time, as a boy in England, I had the opportunity of listening to the speeches of John Bright, both in and outside Parliament. The large-hearted, radical liberalism of those speeches, overflowing all narrow national bounds, had made so deep an impression on my mind that something of it lingers even today, even in these days of graceless disillusionment.
Answer:
On the last day of the completion of his eightieth year, Rabindranath Tagore talks about the change in his own attitude and in the psychology of Indian people. He says that the change was influenced by the English people who ruled over India for long. Their language and literature cast a great influence taking in the large-hearted liberalism of the nineteenth century English Politics.

Even though the country wanted freedom from the British rule, the people had not lost their faith in the generosity of the English race. Political martyrs were accorded unreserved welcome at the hands of the English. It impressed Tagore a lot for the liberal humanity in their character. Tagore admits that the large-hearted, radical liberalism of speeches of John Bright in and outside the Parliament still lingers on his mind.

Question 2.
Speech by Sojourner Truth :
“I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman? Then they talk about this thing in the head; what’s this they call it? [member of audience whispers, ‘intellect’] That’s it, honey. What’s that got to do with women’s rights or Negroes’ rights? If my cup won’t hold but a pint and yours holds a quart, wouldn’t you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can’t have as much rights as men, ‘cause Christ wasn’t a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him. If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they are asking to do it, the men better let them. Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain’t got nothing more to say.”
Answer:
Her thirteen children having been sold off to slavery, the mother, i.e., Sojourner says that nobody heard her grief. At that time was she not a woman? People, even of her own community, i. e., Negroes, make derogatory remarks on her and are never ready to share their extra with her. She curtly asks those who say, “women cannot have rights as men” that is it so because Christ was not a woman? Then she invites women to get together to bring about radical change in their status and attitude in comparison with men.