NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 3 Iswaran the Storyteller

Describe his style as dramatic, theatrical, and immersive. Mention his effective use of gestures, voice modulation, and suspense to make stories feel real. For example, he would add a dramatic prologue to even simple anecdotes. Check that your answer highlights his ability to captivate his listener.

First, attempt to answer the 'Think about it' questions in your own words. Next, compare your version with the provided NCERT Solutions. Focus on key points or character insights you might have missed. This method helps identify gaps in your understanding of the plot.

Identify the main theme as the art of storytelling and its power to blur the line between reality and imagination. The story explores how a skilled narrator can make fictional tales seem completely real, ultimately influencing the listener's beliefs and actions.

Focus on his traits as a practical, patient listener who seems rational but is ultimately susceptible to fear and imagination. Use examples from the text, like how he enjoys Iswaran's stories but is terrified by the ghost story, to support your analysis.

Instruction: Begin your analysis by introducing Iswaran as a multi-talented individual whose most remarkable skill is his mastery of storytelling.

Why it matters: A good character sketch requires looking beyond the plot and identifying the traits that make a character memorable. This is a common question type in Class 9 English exams, and understanding Iswaran is key to understanding the chapter.

Steps:

• List his key attributes: a resourceful cook, a loyal servant, and an imaginative narrator.
• Provide specific examples for each trait, such as how he conjures up vegetables or controls the mad elephant.
• Explain his storytelling technique: using voice modulation, suspense, dramatic pauses, and gestures.
• Conclude by discussing his profound impact on Mahendra, showing how his stories influenced his master's perception.

Check: Ensure your answer includes direct examples from the NCERT text to support each point about his character. Avoid just listing adjectives without evidence.

To analyze Iswaran, describe his skills and storytelling prowess with textual evidence, showing his influence on other characters.

Instruction: Use the NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter 3 to structure your revision by focusing on self-assessment and understanding proper answer formats.

Why it matters: Simply reading solutions is not enough for effective learning. Actively using them helps retain information, improve answer-writing skills, and identify weak areas before exams. These solutions are aligned with the latest NCERT syllabus.

Steps:

• First, attempt to answer the "Think about it" questions on your own without looking at the solutions.
• Next, compare your answers with the expert-written solutions provided on Vedantu.
• Note down key phrases, vocabulary, and supporting evidence used in the model answers.
• Use the solutions to understand the ideal length and structure for different mark-weightage questions.

Check: After a few days, try answering the same questions again without help. If you can recall the main points and structure, your revision was effective.

For effective revision, solve questions first, then use the solutions to self-correct, learn key phrases, and master answer structure.

Instruction: To explain the use of suspense, identify the specific narrative techniques Iswaran employs and the key moments in the plot where tension is deliberately built up.

Why it matters: Understanding literary devices like suspense is crucial for a deeper analysis of the text. It shows how the author, R.K. Laxman, engages the reader through Iswaran’s dramatic character.

Steps:

• Begin by defining suspense as the act of creating anticipation and uncertainty in the listener.
• Point to the story of the tusker, where Iswaran builds tension by describing the chaos before revealing his heroic role.
• Analyse the ghost story: he introduces a spooky setting and a rumour of a female ghost, building to the climax slowly.
• The final surprise is Mahendra's terrified reaction and decision to resign, proving the power of Iswaran's storytelling.

Tip: Mention Iswaran’s use of dramatic pauses and gestures as non-verbal tools to heighten the suspense for his audience (Mahendra).

Explain suspense by citing Iswaran's storytelling techniques in the tusker and ghost narratives, which lead to the story's surprise ending.

Instruction: Structure your answer by first establishing Mahendra's rational character and then detailing the events that caused his fear to overpower his logic.

Why it matters: This question tests your understanding of character development and cause-and-effect within the plot. A well-structured answer clearly links Iswaran's story to Mahendra's final, drastic action.

Steps:

• Introduction: State clearly that Mahendra resigned due to the intense fear instilled in him by Iswaran's ghost story.
• Initial Character: Describe Mahendra as a practical man who did not believe in ghosts. Quote his line, "There are no such things as ghosts or spirits."
• The Turning Point: Explain how Iswaran's vivid and convincing storytelling planted a seed of doubt and fear in his mind.
• The Climax: Detail the night he heard the moan and saw the "dark cloudy form," which was the final trigger for his terror.

Check: Your answer should clearly show the transition from Mahendra's disbelief to his overwhelming terror, leading directly to his decision to leave.

Instruction: Use the provided Iswaran the Storyteller class 9 questions and answers as a practice tool by simulating exam conditions and focusing on improving writing skills.

Why it matters: Practising with reliable solutions helps you master the content and learn how to present your knowledge effectively, which is key to scoring well in English exams.

Steps:

• Read a question from the NCERT exercise and set a timer (e.g., 3-5 minutes for a short answer).
• Write down your answer in a notebook without referring to the solutions.
• Once the time is up, compare your written answer with the model solution provided.
• Pay attention to sentence structure, keywords used, and how textual evidence supports the claims.

Tip: Focus not just on getting the "right" answer, but on improving the clarity and conciseness of your writing by learning from the examples.

To practise for exams, write timed answers, compare them to model solutions, and focus on improving writing style and structure.