Going Places – Introduction
"Going Places" is a short story by A.R. Barton that explores adolescence, dreams, and reality. The story revolves around Sophie, a teenage girl who lives in a middle-class family but dreams of a glamorous life. She often escapes into a world of fantasy, imagining herself as successful and famous, which contrasts sharply with her real life.
The story highlights themes of ambition, imagination, social class differences, and disillusionment.
Short Answer Type Questions
1. Who is Sophie? What kind of girl is she?
Answer: Sophie is a teenage girl from a working-class family. She is imaginative, ambitious, and dreamy. She often fantasizes about a glamorous life, but her dreams are far from reality.
2. What are Sophie’s dreams for her future?
Answer: Sophie dreams of becoming a fashion designer, an actress, or even owning a boutique. She imagines herself living a luxurious life, though she has no clear plan to achieve it.
3. What is Sophie’s family background?
Answer: Sophie belongs to a lower-middle-class family. Her father is a laborer in a factory, her mother is a housewife, and her brother Geoff is a mechanic. The family is realistic and practical, unlike Sophie, who is lost in dreams.
4. Who is Geoff? How is he different from Sophie?
Answer: Geoff is Sophie’s elder brother, who works as a mechanic. He is quiet, mature, and realistic, while Sophie is talkative and dreamy. Geoff does not daydream like Sophie and understands the harsh realities of life.
5. What is Sophie’s fantasy about Danny Casey?
Answer: Sophie imagines that she met Danny Casey, a famous footballer, and had a conversation with him. She believes he promised to meet her again, but this is only a fantasy.
6. How does Sophie’s father react to her stories about Danny Casey?
Answer: Sophie’s father does not believe her. He laughs at her wild imagination and considers it nonsense, as he knows that celebrities do not meet ordinary people easily.
7. Why does Sophie go to the canal alone?
Answer: Sophie goes to the canal to meet Danny Casey, believing he would come. However, it turns out to be a daydream, and she is left feeling disappointed and heartbroken.
8. What does Sophie’s story reveal about teenage fantasies?
Answer: The story highlights how teenagers often live in a world of imagination. They dream of fame, success, and adventure, but these fantasies often do not match reality.
Long Answer Type Questions
1. Discuss the theme of "Going Places".
Answer:
The story explores themes of adolescence, ambition, fantasy vs. reality, and social class differences.
- Sophie represents youthful dreams and unrealistic ambitions, while her family represents reality and practicality.
- The contrast between fantasy and real life is seen in her belief that she met Danny Casey.
- The story shows that dreaming is natural, but one must also accept reality and work towards real goals.
2. How does Sophie’s family represent realism?
Answer:
Sophie’s family is practical and grounded, unlike her:
- Father – A hardworking man who believes in reality, not dreams.
- Mother – A tired woman who focuses on daily life, not fantasies.
- Geoff – Mature and reserved, he does not believe in unrealistic dreams.
Their realistic attitude contrasts with Sophie’s imagination, highlighting the difference between dreams and reality.
3. What role does Geoff play in Sophie’s life?
Answer:
Geoff is Sophie’s elder brother, and she looks up to him because:
- He is mysterious and quiet, which makes Sophie curious about his life.
- She shares her dreams with him, hoping he will believe her.
- Unlike Sophie, Geoff understands the reality of life and does not indulge in fantasies.
Geoff’s character acts as a bridge between dreams and reality, showing the contrast between childhood imagination and adulthood maturity.
4. How does Sophie’s character reflect teenage psychology?
Answer:
Sophie represents the mindset of many teenagers who:
- Dream big but do not plan practically.
- Imagine themselves as celebrities or successful people.
- Feel misunderstood by family members.
- Believe in unrealistic love stories or fantasies.
Her story is a universal representation of how young people often struggle between dreams and reality.
Extract-Based Questions
1. Read the following extract and answer the questions:
"Sophie’s father turned his head on his shoulders, looked at her with expression of tolerant amusement."
(a) What was Sophie telling her father?
Answer: Sophie was telling her father that she had met Danny Casey, but he did not believe her.
(b) Why did her father react with "tolerant amusement"?
Answer: He knew that Sophie was making up stories, so he laughed at her childish imagination.
2. Read the following extract and answer the questions:
"There was a wooden bench under a solitary elm where lovers sometimes came."
(a) Where is Sophie in this scene?
Answer: Sophie is at the canal, waiting for Danny Casey, whom she believes will meet her.
(b) What does this scene symbolize?
Answer: It symbolizes Sophie’s fantasy world. She believes in a love story that does not exist, showing how she is lost in imagination and dreams.
Conclusion
"Going Places" is a realistic portrayal of teenage fantasies and ambitions. It highlights the conflict between imagination and reality, showing how dreams can be powerful but should be balanced with practicality. Sophie’s story serves as a reminder that hard work and determination are the true paths to success.
Daffodils – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers
