ENGLISH REVIEWER (THE STORY OF THE AGED MOTHER)

Question 1

Who is the Author of The Story of the Aged Mother?

Answer 1

Matsuo Basho

Question 2

A ruler with
absolute power and authority.

Answer 2

Despotic

Question 3

Meaning to be indicative.

Answer 3

Suggestive

Question 4

Meaning to be uncivilized.

Answer 4

Barbarous

Question 5

The mountain of the
“abandoning of aged”.

Answer 5

Obatsuyama

Question 6

To draw into wrinkles especially
with a loss of moisture.

Answer 6

Shrivelled

Question 7

A wise attitude, belief, or course of action.

Answer 7

Wisdom

Question 8

To move or act quickly.

Answer 8

Hastened

Question 9

A Japanese feudal baron.

Answer 9

Daimio

Question 10

Formally put an end to a system.

Answer 10

Abolish

Question 11

Brown rice, unpolished

Answer 11

Unwhitened rice

Question 12

What disrupted the
otherwise peaceful life of
the poor farmer and his
aged mother? What was
the reason for this? (first order)

Answer 12

Disrupted by a cruel proclamation issued that ordered all aged people in the province be put to death. Shining had a fear of aging and failing health, which lead to this order.

Question 13

Why did the despotic leader send a proclamation? (first order)

Answer 13

He was deeply afraid of aging and the decline of his strength and health. And didn’t want anyone to take his place.

Question 14

What did he order the people to do? (in the first order)

Answer 14

Ordered the people to put to death all aged people in the province.

Question 15

Did the farmer obey the first order? Why?

Answer 15

Yes, the farmer initially obeyed the order not wanting to go against the despotic leader but immediately got touch to his mother’s wisdom and later on decided not to obey.

Question 16

As they were climbing the mountain, what did the mother do so that her son would not get lost when he returns to the village?

Answer 16

She stretched forth her hand and snapping the twigs from bushes as they passed, then dropped a handful every few steps as they climbed up the mountain.

Question 17

What was the second order of the government? Was the order accomplished?

Answer 17

Shining demanded his subject should present him with a rope of ashes. And yes it was accomplished?

Question 18

What did the mother tell his son to do from the second order? Describe how they did it.

Answer 18

She told him “make rope twisted straw” and “then stretch it upon a row of flat stones and burn it there on the windless night.”

Question 19

Was the governor satisfied with the story of the poor farmer? Cite the lines of the king.

Answer 19

Yes Shining was satisfied indicated in these lines:

“Shining needs more than strength of youth,” he said gravely. “Ah, that I should have forgotten the well-known saying, ‘with the crown of snow, there cometh a wisdom!’”

Question 20

What did the governor do with his cruel law?

Answer 20

Shining later then abolished the rule.

Question 21

What do you mean by this saying, “With the crown of snow, there cometh a wisdom.”

Answer 21

The saying means that with age comes wisdom. The governor realized that older people have valuable knowledge.