Question

‘Only the bearer knows where the shoe pinches’. Elucidate the statement with reference to the
story The Letter.

Answer 1

A letter not only carries information but is a means to strengthen the bond of love between loved ones separated by distances. Ali waits for five long years for a letter from his only daughter, Miriam, reflects its anxiety, love and concerned for her. He patiently tolerates the taunts and insults of the insensitive post office employees. Even the postmaster, for whom letter and postcards, filled with anxiety for his sick daughter and waiting to hear news of her for her well being. He understood how letters bring happiness for some people and a glimmer of hope for others . Therefore it is true that only the bearer knows where the shoe pinches.


I hope this will helps u :)

Answer 2

Hey friend,

The phrase :only the bearer knows where the shoe pinches means that nobody can know what pain or turmoil one is going through. Only the one going through it can know how it feels like to be a situation they are in.

According to the story, The Letter, Post office employees used to read Muhammad Ali's letters to mirrium and make fun of those letters. They were filled with pain and sorrow but as the phrase suggests, Only the bearer of pain knows how it feels like. The post office employees did not realise that to what they are laughing, has taken away some ones happiness.

I hope the answer is helpful.

Thanks