Chapter 1.5 - Joan of Arc
The scene begins against the background of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. Captain Robert, the military officer, is discussing Joan, a teenage girl whom he clearly dislikes. We see the steward being all praise for Joan, who has managed to inspire the French soldiers to fight against the English. In the meantime, Joan enters to meet Captain Robert and narrates her plans to him. Robert threatens to put her behind bars, but she is unabashedly bold and straight-forward. She informs Robert that Poulengey, Jack, Godsave, Dick, and their servants, John of Honecourt and Julian, will accompany her to fight the English. Robert thinks that she has lost her mind because, according to him, his men (soldiers) can get the job done better. Robert sends for Monsieur de Poulengey and inquires if he is taking Joan seriously. Poulengey explains that there is something about Joan, and he thinks that it is a good idea to let Joan meet the Dauphin in Chinon, as the Dauphin is scared and wouldn’t fight to stop the English. He believes that Joan herself is a bit of a miracle and could miraculously free Orleans. However, Robert is not convinced.
He tries to scare Joan, but she seems unafraid and tells him that if God is on your side, nothing is difficult. Joan points out that the French soldiers would run away to save their skin, but she would teach them to fight for France. Finally, Robert decides to take a risk at the insistence of Poulengey and gives Joan a chance, as there is something about her that is extremely convincing.
grimly : seriously
squire : a person of high rank
armour : protective clothing of metal or leather worn in battles by soldiers in former times
blockhead : a stupid person
assuming : taking for granted
Dauphin : the oldest son of the King of France, the one who would become the king after his father
Monsieur : French word for Mr.
retreats hastily : moves away in a hurry
Chinon : one of the cities in France where Royal family resided. During the Hundred Years War, the Dauphin took refuge in Chinon
retreats hastily : moves away in a hurry
cowed : frightened
wavering : hesitating
have put fire into me : have inspired or motivated
obstinately : in a stubborn and firm manner
gravely : seriously
raising a siege : surround from all sides and attack removing the forces surrounding a place
plundering : looting
to save their skins : to save their lives
let come what may : let anything happen
wash one’s hands off it : not take any responsibility for it
Warming up!
1. Discuss in groups/pairs and make a list of the weapons used in the old times and in the present times.
Ans:
| Weapons used in the past | Weapons used nowadays |
|---|---|
battleaxe | machine gun |
catapult | cannon |
crossbow | grenades |
cutlass | mortars |
dirk | rockets |
halberd | javelin |
lance | rifle |
longbow | pistol |
mace | carbine |
pike | howitzer |
2. Imagine that you are the captain of your school Kabaddi team. Your final match is against a very strong team. Your team members are sure that you will lose. How will you boost their morale? Work in groups and prepare a short list of what can encourage the team.
Ans:
(i) Motivate them to believe in themselves.
(ii) Ask them to understand their apprehensions and fears.
(iii) Instill team spirit and encourage to fight for the team.
(iv) Remind them of their strong preparation and previous victories.
(v) Make them visualise the victory.
(vi) Remind them that even the smallest and weakest of known creatures, the ants, can do wonders when they come together.
(vii) Tell them that I believe in them.
(viii) Give a call of victory and ask them to seize it.
3. Adding different prepositions to the same action verb changes the meaning of the phrases, thus formed.
For example,
call out – announce
call at – visit
call for – summon
call up – make a telephonic call
call off – cancel
Guess the difference in meanings of the underlined phrases.
(1)
(a) He promised to look into the matter.
Ans: to investigate
(b) He asked me to look for his lost book.
Ans: to search for something
(c) I shall look forward to your arrival.
Ans: await eagerly
(2)
(a) An epidemic of cholera broke out in the village.
Ans: began suddenly
(b) The thieves broke into the locked house.
Ans: to enter forcibly
(c) They broke up their friendship.
Ans: ended
(3)
(a) You must carry out your duty faithfully.
Ans: perform and do
(b) Please carry on with your work.
Ans: to continue
(c) They carried off the trophy in the football matches.
Ans: to succeed in achieving
(d) Carry forward the remaining balance to the next page.
Ans: Transfer or move something ahead (to the next page, column, etc.)
Phrasal verbs : A phrasal verb is a verb that is made up of a main verb together with an adverb or preposition or both.
In Between The LESSON
Q1. Why had Joan wanted to meet Captain squire ?
Ans: Joan wanted to meet the Captain Squire to receive orders from him to raise a siege. She also wanted him to give her some of his soldiers, a horse and armour, so she could go and fight against the English.
Q2. Name the persons who Joan needed to free Orleans.
Ans: Joan needed Monsieur de Poulengey, Squire Jack, John Godsave, Dick the Archer, their servants John of Honecourt and Julian, to free Orleans.
Q3. Was the Dauphin fit to be a Prince and heir ?
Ans: No, the Dauphin was not fit to be a Prince and an heir.
Q4. What was the squire’s opinion about miracles?
Ans: The Squire felt that miracles were all right but they were not happening in those days.
Q5. What did Robert accuse Poulengey of?
Ans: Robert accused Poulengey of being as mad as Joan.
Q6. What shows Joan is a person of immense faith?
Ans: Joan believed that if God was on their side, they could easily fight their enemies and drive them away. This shows her immense faith in God in addition to her immense faith in herself, when she confidently declares that she would inspire the soldiers to fight for France and there would not be a single English soldier on the soil of France.
Q7. Why were the French soldiers always beaten ?
Ans: According to Joan, the French soldiers were always beaten because they fought for themselves and ran away to save themselves. She would make a difference by teaching them to fight for France then they would be successful.
Q8. What dress did Joan want?
Ans: Joan wanted a soldier’s dress.
Q9. What made Robert finally agree to the plan?
Ans: Robert felt that there was something about Joan that made him believe in her. He felt that he could take a chance and send her to free Orleans. This made him finally agree to the plan.
ENGLISH WORKSHOP
1. Read the extract from G. B. Shaw’s play on Joan of Arc and fill in the Tree diagram.
Ans:
2. (A) Pick out from the extract of the play two lines that provide evidence for each of the following.
Joan of Arc
(a) Her confidence
Ans:
(1) She speaks confidently.
(2) They will drive the soldiers before them like sheep.
(b) Her courage
Ans:
(1) She really doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything.
(2) The Squire’s glare neither frightens her nor stops her.
(c) Her optimism
Ans:
(1) Her words have put fire into me.
(2) You and Polly will live to see the day when there will not be a single soldier on the soil of France.
(d) Her determination
Ans:
(1) I have arranged it all. You have only to give the order.
(2) I will teach them all to fight for France.
(e) Her patriotism
Ans:
(1) But I will teach them all to fight for France.
(2) You and Polly will live to see the day when there will not be a single English Soldier on the soil of France.
Ans:
| Ages of Man | Role | Qualities/Actions |
|---|---|---|
1. | Infant | 1. mewling |
2. puking | ||
2. | School boy | 1. whining |
2. creeping like a snail | ||
3. | Teenager (Lover) | 1. sighing like a furnace |
2. writing a woeful ballad | ||
4. | Youth (Soldier) | 1. jealous in honour, short tempered and quick to quarrel |
2. willing to do anything to gain reputation | ||
5. | Middle age (Judge) | 1. severe eyes, formal beard |
2. uses wise sayings and modern examples | ||
6. | Old age | 1. lean, wears loose pants and spectacles and carries a pouch |
2. childish whistling voice | ||
7. | Dotage (Second Childhood) | 1. second childishness |
2. without teeth, eyesight and taste |
(B) Using the above points, frame a character-sketch of Joan of Arc, in your own words and write it in your notebook. Suggest an attractive title for the same.
Ans:
‘Joan – The Miracle Girl’
Joan of Arc is a simple peasant girl who is an example of courage, grit, and determination. Her belief in God and herself is her greatest strength. We see her patriotism in the way she convinces Captain Robert to give her orders to raise a siege. Her courage is so contagious that others like Poulenge, Squire Jack, and Dick willingly offer to join her in the battle. She is straight-forward and truthful. Filled with optimism, she believes that when God is on their side, nothing can beat them. She is not scared of putting forth her views and is loyal to France. She is foresighted and a good planner. She understands the weaknesses of the French soldiers and is willing to teach them. Joan is a model of what a true patriot can do for his or her beloved motherland. She is quick at inspiring others through her words. She is so determined to free Orleans that the otherwise stubborn Captain Robert, who is initially not convinced, also agrees to let her join the battle. She has a spark in her that makes others believe that she cannot only work miracles for France, but that she herself is a bit of a miracle.
3. From the extract, find what the following are compared to and why:
(a) as easy as __________.
Ans: chasing a cow out of a meadow
Reason – Because the English Soldiers were so cruel that they would plunder, burn, turn the countryside into a desert.
(b) as mad as __________.
Ans: Joan
Reason – Because Poulengey believes that Joan could free Orleans and that they should give her a chance.
(c) The Dauphin in Chinon is like __________.
Ans: a rat in a corner
Reason – Because although he is there he won’t fight and will not be able to stop the English from taking Orleans.
(d) The (enemy) soldiers will be driven away like __________.
Ans: sheep
Reason – Because Joan would teach the French soldiers to fight bravely for France. Their determination and courage will drive out the enemy like sheep
(e) Joan of Arc is a bit of __________.
Ans: a miracle
Reason – Because Joan has been able to convince Poulengey that she can free Orleans miraculously with her plan. She has motivated him not to give up and fight the English soldiers.
4. Say WHY? Write it in your notebook.
(a) Joan wanted to meet Captain Squire.
Ans: Joan wanted to meet Captain Squire to get orders from him to raise a siege. She wanted him to order some of his soldiers to accompany her in the battle and also give her armour and a horse.
(b) Joan did not ask for many soldiers from Captain Squire.
Ans: Joan did not ask for many soldiers from Captain Squire, as the Dauphin would give her all that she needed to free Orleans.
(c) Poulengey, Jack and Dick had offered to accompany Joan.
Ans: Captain Squire Robert said,” I wash my hands off it”, because he was not really convinced that Joan could free Orleans. Secondly, the most he could do was to send Joan to Chinon and let her say that he had sent her. He wanted to get rid of Joan so that she could do what she liked at her own risk.
(d) French soldiers were always beaten in war.
Ans: French soldiers were always beaten in war, because they fought to save themselves and not for France. As a result, to save themselves they would run away.
(e) Captain Squire Robert said, “I wash my hands off it.”
Ans: Captain Squire Robert said, “I wash my hands off it”, because he was not really convinced that Joan could free Orleans. Secondly, the most he could do was to send Joan to Chinon and let her say that he had sent her. He wanted to get rid of Joan so that she could do what she liked at her own risk.
5. Using a dictionary, find the difference between the following pairs of phrases. Make sentences of your own with each of them.
Ans:
6. From an Indian History Book or Internet find out information about Indian Women (queens) who led battles. (For example, Rani of Jhansi and Rani Karnawati of Mewad). Write 3 points of similarity and 3 points of contrast between any one of the above Indian Queens and Joan of Arc. Write in your own words.
Similarities
(a)
(b)
(c)
Contrast
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Ans:
Similarities
(a) Rani Laxmibai and Joan of Arc, both are symbols of bravery, patriotism and honour.
(b) Both were excellent at horse riding.
(c) Rani Laxmibai led the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and was a symbol of resistance to the rule of the British East India Company in the subcontinent. Joan of Arc led a troop of French soldiers and served as a temporary focus of resistance to the English in the last phase of the Hundred Years War with England.
Contrast
(i) Rani Laxmibai was the queen of the Princely state of Jhansi. Joan of Arc was born in a peasant family.
(ii) Rani Laxmibai learned shooting, horsemanship and fencing while Joan of Arc was good at sewing and spinning.
(iii) Rani Laxmibai died while fighting the British troops near Gwalior. Joan of Arc was captured and burned at the stake as a heretic by the English and their French Collaborators.
7. Read the script from :
Joan (Girl) : Good morning, Captain Squire
up to
Joan : (simply)
Polly and Jack have promised to come with me.
Write a summary of that part of the script (in the indirect speech) in 15 to 20 lines. Do it in your notebook.
Ans: Summary:
Joan greeted Captain Squire and told him that he was to give her a horse, an armour and some soldiers and send her to The Dauphin. Captain Robert rebuked the steward, calling him a blockhead and asked him why he had not told him that Joan was mad. The steward told Captain Robert not to anger her, and give her what she wanted. Captain Robert threatened Joan that he would send her back to her father and order him to put her under lock and key. However, Joan retorted saying that although he thought that he would do that it wouldn’t happen that way. She reminded him that he had said that he would not see her, but there she was. Captain Robert asked her if she assumed that he would give her what she wanted. Replying in the affirmative, Joan continued busily that the horse would cost sixteen Francs which was a big amount of money, but added that she could save it on the armour. She clarified that she didn’t need a beautiful armour made to her measure and that she could find a soldier’s armour that would fit her well enough. She said that she would not want many soldiers as The Dauphin would give her all that she needed to free Orleans. Joan also informed the Captain that Polly and Jack had promised to go with her.
8. (A) Make the following sentences Affirmative without change of meaning.
(a) Negative : I am not so sure, now.
Ans:
Affirmative : I am unsure now.
(b) Negative : He will not be able to stop them.
Ans:
Affirmative : He will be unable to stop them.
(c) Negative : I don’t remember.
Ans:
Affirmative : I fail to remember/I forget.
(d) Negative : I can do no more.
Ans:
Affirmative : I can do only this much.
(e) Negative : Sir, do not anger her.
Ans:
Affirmative : Sir, refrain from making her angry.
(f) Negative : I shall not want many soldiers.
Ans:
Affirmative : I shall want a few soldiers.
(B) Fill in the gaps in the table.
Ans:
