Joan of Arc

Warming up!

Chit-Chat

1. Discuss in groups whether you would like to join Armed Forces. Yes/No

Say Why? Why not? Each one should give 2 to 3 reasons for their response.

Also discuss what areas of work are open for women in Armed Forces in India.

Ans:

Yes, I would like to join the Armed Forces in India

The reason I would like to join is as follows:

• There is no greater honour and privilege than to fight for your country and represent your country in the armed forces.
• People in armed forces are well-respected in India and there are plenty of opportunities to grow.
• There are a lot of facilities provided to armed forces personal in India that includes education, training in special skills, provisions for daily requirements of a family etc.

The areas open for women in armed forces in India are as follows:

• Air Force Pilot
• Nurses and Medical Professionals
• Junior Combat Soldiers
• Combat Supervisory Officers
• Women Military Police

Note that Indian Air Force is the only wing of the Indian Armed Forces that allow women in all roles. While things have opened up a lot for women in Indian army, they still aren’t allowed in many of the functions and roles within Armed Forces.

1. Discuss in groups/pairs and make a list of the weapons used in the old times and in the present times.

Weapons used in the past

• Bows and Arrows
• Ground Canons
• Catapults
• Axes, swords and battle knives
• Spears
• Simple guns

Weapons used nowadays

• Rifles
• Automatic machine guns
• Missiles
• Drones
• Fighter Aircrafts
• Warships

2. Imagine that you are the captain of your school Kabaddi/Football team. Your final match is against a very strong team. Your team members are sure that they shall lose.

Prepare a short pep-talk of about 60 to 80 words that you would give as a Captain, to encourage your team and make them change their defeated attitude.

Write it down in your notebook.

Ans:

My Teammates, what an honour it has been to be your captain. Against all odds, thanks to your fighting spirit and never give up attitude, we have reached the finals of our school football championship. Now just one game stands between us and glory. I know that our opposition is strong today. However, I also know that your determination and resolve to win is even stronger. Let us give it all for one last time and imagine if we end up winning. We shall all become legends. Today, we play for our pride, we play for our team and we play to be counted as some of the best sports stars our school has ever seen.

3. When different Prepositions are added to the same action verb meaning of the phrase, thus formed changes.

For example, call out – announce

call at – visit

call for – summon

call up – make a telephone call

Try to guess the meanings of the underlined phrases and write them down.

1. (a) He promised me to look into the matter.

Meaning: Investigate

(b) He wanted to look for his lost book.

Meaning: Search

2. (a) An epidemic of Cholera broke out in the village.

Meaning: To develop or emerge

(b) The thieves broke into the apartment.

Meaning: Forcibly enter into something or place

3. (a) She has to carry out her duty regularly.

Meaning: Perform a task

(b) You must carry on trying for success.

Meaning: Continue

From the chapter pages

Why had Joan wanted to meet the Captain squire?

Ans: Joan wanted to meet the captain squire as she wanted a horse, armour and some soldiers so that she could go meet the Dauphin.

With captain squire’s permission, the men would accompany Joan to meet the Dauphin so that she could ultimately free New Orleans from the English.

Name the persons who Joan needed to free Orleans.

Ans: The persons Joan needed to free Orleans were Monsieur de Poulengey, Squire Jack, John Godsave, Dick the Archer and their servants, John of Honecourt and Julian.

Was the Dauphin fit to be a Prince and heir?

Ans: The Dauphin did not seem to be fit to be a prince and heir as according to Bertran de Poulengey, the Dauphin was hiding like a rat in a corner in Chinon. He was not ready to fight and the English would take over Orleans.

What was the squire’s opinion about miracles?

Ans: The squire’s opinion about miracles was that they were alright but they did not happen nowadays.

What did Robert accuse Poulengey of?

Ans: Robert accused Poulengey of being as mad as Joan. He felt this way as Poulengey was convinced Joan and just a few soldiers could bring hope and free Orleans from the English.

What shows that Joan is a person of immense faith?

Ans: The fact that Joan believed nothing can be very difficult if God is on your side shows she was a person of immense faith. She was ready to go to battle with the strong English army and the English Monarchy.

Why were the French soldiers always beaten?

Ans: The French soldiers were always beaten because they were fighting only to save their skins and the shortest way to save their skin was to run away.

What dress did Joan want?

Ans: Joan wanted a soldier’s dress from captain squire to help her in her battle to free Orleans.

What made Robert finally agree to the plan?

Ans: Robert finally agreed to the plan as firstly he saw something in Joan that brought hope to the soldiers. Secondly he believed he was taking a big chance but it was needed as there did not seem any other way.

English Workshop

1. Read the extract from G. B. Shaw’s play on Joan of Arc and fill in the Tree diagram.

Answers given below

Play: Joan of Arc

Setting

Period: 1429

Location: France

Scene of the given play: During the 100 years war, in 1429, most of France was controlled by the English and some parts by Burgundians.

Characters:

• Joan of Arc
• Captain Robert de Baudricourt
• Bertrand de Poulengey
• The Steward

Main Plot:

The main plot of the story revolves around a young, fearless French girl named Joan. With her ability to bring hope and courage to all, she manages to convince the captain Robert de Baudricourt to allow her and a few soldiers to go meet the Dauphin in Chinon in order to finally free Orleans from the English.

2. Pick out from the play 2 lines each that prove the following.

Joan of Arc

Her confidence:

1) You are to give me a horse and armour and some soldiers, and send me to the Dauphin.

2) You think you will, squire. But it won’t happen that way.

Her courage:

1) I don’t think it can be very difficult if God is on your side.

2) She really doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything.

Her determination:

1) You said you would not see me. But here I am.

2) Our soldiers are always beaten because they are fighting only to save their skins and the shortest way to save your skin is to run away. But I will teach them all to fight for France. Then, they will drive the soldiers before them like sheep.

3. Match the comparisons as given in the extract.

Direct answers given below

1. as easy as – (f) chasing a cow
2. as mad as – (d) as she is
3. drive the soldiers – (a) like sheep
4. The Dauphin is – (b) like a rat in the corner
5. Joan of Arc is – (c) a bit of a miracle

4. Say WHY?

(a) Joan wanted to meet the Captain squire.

Ans: Joan wanted to meet the captain squire as she wanted a horse, armour and some soldiers so that she could go meet the Dauphin.

With captain squire’s permission, the men would accompany Joan to meet the Dauphin so that she could ultimately free New Orleans from the English.

(b) Joan did not ask for many soldiers from the Captain squire.

Ans: Joan did not ask for many soldiers from the Captain squire as she believed once she met the Dauphin, he would give her all that she needs to free Orleans. She also did not want to trouble the captain and kept her requests to the bare minimum.

(c) Poulengey, Jack and Dick had offered to accompany Joan.

Ans: Poulengey, Jack and Dick had offered to accompany Joan as they all saw something in her and felt her ideas may be worth trying. They felt Joan could bring hope and courage to the French soldiers in a time when even the Dauphin was hiding in Chinon, afraid of the English. In fact, Poulengey believed Joan was bit of a miracle herself and there was nothing to lose by accompanying her to the Dauphin.

(d) French soldiers were always beaten in war.

Ans: The French soldiers were always beaten in war because they were fighting only to save their skins and the shortest way to save their skin was to run away.

(e) Captain squire Robert said “I wash my hands off it.”

Ans: Captain squire Robert said that he washed his hands off it because although he had given permission to Joan and the three soldiers to visit the Dauphin, he wasn’t convinced whether the plan was a good idea. However, he realized there was no other choice either and hence he decided to let Joan do as she pleases as long as she takes full responsibilities for her actions. The captain did not want to be the one to send Joan and the three soldiers on a terrifying mission.

5. Using a dictionary, find the difference between the following pairs of phrases.

Make sentences of your own with each of them.

1.

to cut in

Meaning: To interrupt, thrust yourself into something.

Sentence: The two managers were upset when Raj cut in on their conversation.

to cut out

Meaning: Remove or separate something.

Sentence: We need to cut out the middle man in agriculture sales.

2.

to be held by

Meaning: To organize or hold something by someone

Sentence: The ceremony will be held by the priest this evening.

to be held up

Meaning: To get stuck or delayed

Sentence: I am going to be held up in office this evening.

3.

to run away

Meaning: Leave or escape

Sentence: He plans to run away as soon as the show is over.

to run for

Meaning: To campaign or try and be elected for something

Sentence: Raj is going to run for school captain this year.

4.

to be known as

Meaning: to be recognized as something or give a new name

Sentence: Victoria Terminus will be known as Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus from now on.

to be known for

Meaning: To be famous for something

Sentence: Maya is known for her knowledge of astronomy.

5.

to go with

Meaning: To agree or just blend with another thing.

Sentence: I would like to go with my lawyer’s judgement on the matter.

to go after

Meaning: Pursue something or someone

Sentence: I want to go after my dreams this year.

6.

to put fire into

Meaning: To inspire or really give your best in something

Sentence: The coach asked the players to put fire into their performance.

to put fire out

Meaning: To calm things down or stop something from escalating out of control

Sentence: The teacher managed to put the fire out between the quarrelling students.

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 any 3 points of similarity and 3 points of contrast between anyone of the above Indian Queens and Joan of Arc. Write in your own words.

Rani of Jhansi

Similarities

• Both Joan of Arc and Rani of Jhansi had the ability to inspire and bring hope to the soldiers as well as the people of the state.
• They were both fearless and were not afraid to do what they thought was right.
• They both had incredible determination and a never give up attitude.

Contrast

• Rani of Jhansi was a brahmin and married into royalty when she fought the British. In contrast, Joan of Arc was a peasant girl and of poor origins.
• Rani of Jhansi was killed in battle at the age of 30 while Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake at only 19 years of age.
• Jhansi of Rani fought in the 19th century while Joan of Arc fought in the 15th century.

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 Indirect speech) in 15 to 20 lines.

Answer:

Joan greeted captain squire and requested him for a horse, armour, some soldiers and permission to go to the Dauphin. On hearing this, Captain Robert thought the girl had turned mad. The steward asked the captain not to anger the girl and give her what she wanted. The captain angrily remarked that he would send Joan to her father where she would be put under lock. A confident Joan assured the captain that it would not happen even though he said it would. Captain Robert in return asked Joan not to assume anything. Joan busily continued that a horse would cost sixteen francs, an amount she could save on armour. She did not want many soldiers as she believed the Dauphin would give her what she needed to free Orleans. When the shocked captain repeated her stated goal, Joan simply replied in the affirmative and remarked three men would be enough considering Polly and Jack had already promised to go with her.

Language Study

1. (A) Make the following sentences affirmative without change of meaning.

(a) Negative : I am not so sure, now.

Affirmative : I am in doubt, now.

(b) Negative : He will not be able to stop them.

Affirmative : He will fail to stop him.

(c) Negative : I don’t remember.

Affirmative : I forget.

(d) Negative : I can do no more.

Affirmative : I can only do this much.

(e) Negative : Sir, do not anger her.

Affirmative : Sir, avoid angering her.

(f) Negative : I shall not want many soldiers.

Affirmative : I shall need only a few soldiers.

(B) Fill in the gaps in the table.

WORD-FORMS

Noun – Verb – Adjective – Adverb

Direct answers given below

1. Success – Succeed – Successful – Successfully
2. Inspiration – Inspire – Inspirational – Inspirationally
3. Safety – Safen – Safe – Safely
4. Belief – Believe – Believable – Believably
5. Thought – Think – Thoughtful – Thoughtfully
6. Brightness – Brighten – Bright – Brightly
7. Courage – Encourage – Courageous – Courageously
8. Haste – Hasten – Hasty – Hastily