How did Ben Rogers ridiculed Tom
Answers
Answer:
Ben Rogers was the boy whose ridicule Tom has been dreading the most. When Ben walked up to him, Tom paid no attention to him and went on whitewashing the fence with apparent interest.
Answer:
It was Saturday morning- the day of punishment for Tom but a lively summer weekend holiday for the others. People were cheerful and happy. There was a song in every heart and joy on every face. The trees and plants were in full bloom. The hill beyond the village was lush green with vegetation and seemed like a wonderland of joy.
[Note:- The writer describes the summer world. Summers are pleasant in western countries and winters are harsh. People actually enjoy summers and wait for its arrival. It is the time of the year when people can play and enjoy outside the house. Saturday is the day of holiday in western countries. Students must compare the joyous mood of this summer Saturday with Tom’s miserable/unhappy mood as he arrives now.]
Tom arrived on the pavement with a bucket full of whitewash in one hand and a brush in the other. He had to whitewash the entire front fence as a punishment. As he looked at the fence he became all sad. He lost all motivation to work as he looked at the fence-the dull, unexciting, uninspiring view. Life seemed meaningless to him. When he began to think of the plans that he had made for this day he became even sadder. The fence that he had to whitewash was nine feet high and thirty yards broad. He feared that soon the other boys (free boys) would come and make fun of him for having to work on Saturday. Suddenly, he thought of an excellent idea.
[Note:- Tom’s “idea” is the central point of the story. The story is about the “idea” and how Tom tricks the other boys and saves himself from work.]
Tom took his brush and started to work. Ben Rogers (one of Tom’s friend) arrived. Tom was afraid of Ben’s ridicule, the most. Ben was eating an apple and seemed to be quite cheerful (in high spirits). But Tom continued to whitewash and paid no attention to him. Ben looked at him for a moment and said to him in a mocking tone that he seems to be in trouble- “You are in trouble, aren’t you?”
[Note:- Students must understand that Ben is making fun of Tom’s situation here. Ben was a free boy on Saturday therefore he was in high spirits. On the other hand, Tom had to work. Ben is not a caring or sympathetic friend and Tom knows that. We saw how Tom dreaded Ben’s ridicule the most. Ben is not a true friend. He offers no help to Tom. Instead, he mocks at Tom’s situation.]
Tom made no answer. He ignored Ben and continued to work. He studied and observed (surveyed) his work like an artist. He would gently sweep his brush here and there and examine his work. Tom’s mouth watered for Ben’s apple but he kept on painting like an artist.
Ben asked Tom if he has got work to do.
Tom turned around and behaved as if he had not noticed Ben till now- “Oh, it’s you, Ben! I did not notice.”
Ben tried to make fun of Tom’s situation by telling him that he is going for swimming. He made fun of Tom’s inability to go by saying that he has work to do.