Telephone Conversation: Line by Line Explanation ISC Rhapsody Solutions. Stanza wise Explanations of Telephone Conversation ISC Poem Class 12. Visit official website CISCE for detail information about ISC Board Class-12 English.
Telephone Conversation: Line by Line Explanation ISC Rhapsody Solutions
| Board | ISC |
| Publications | Evergreen Publications |
| Subject | English |
| Class | 12 |
| Book Name | Rhapsody (A collection of ISC Poem ) |
| Chapter-11 | Telephone Conversation |
| Writer | Wole Soyinka |
| Topics | Line by Line Explanation |
Line by Line / Stanza Wise Explanation
(Telephone Conversation: Line by Line Explanation ISC Rhapsody Solutions.)
The price seemed .. … … Off premises.
Explanation : In the opening of poem, the writer provides us with the theme of the poem. He is seeking for renting a place, and the price appears to be reasonable while the location is also lumb sumb correct. The landlady (owner of the place )who was British doesn’t live on the property currently, implying that the tenant will have some degree of privacy. At this point, everything seems rather standard classical and nothing raises a red flag for the prospective tenant.
Nothing remained … …. …. I am African.”
Explanation : The writer feels the need to “confess” himself that he is African. The word “confession” suggests that revealing his ethnicity may be perceived negatively, an unfortunate reality many people face due to racial prejudices. The speaker tells vividly that he doesn’t want to waste time and energy in journey if the owner is going to distinguish against him due to being African.
Silence. Silenced .. .. … .. good-breeding.
Explanation : On hearing African The Britician owner could not responded at once. while speaker felt this silence as her being caught between her own possible prejudices and societal norms that dictate good manners. This “pressurised good-breeding” indicates that her silence might be due to her trying to react appropriately, she feels some what defferent.
Voice, when it .. … … was, foully.
Explanation : As soon as the lady (owner of the place) finally speaks, the speaker imagines her voice as being highly complicated, expressing her with lipstick and a stylish cigarette holder. However, he soon feels disappointed or “caught foully” when her later words reveal her racial preduice.
“HOW DARK?”…. … … … OR VERY DARK?”
Explanation : The owner lady vividly enquire about the exact texture of the speaker’s brighness (skin colour), confirming his earlier doubt about racial prejudice. She doesn’t use twisted words and her question clearly appear as an electric shock to the speaker, making him totally realise that he had not mistake her initial silence.
Button B. Button A. .. … .. squelching tar.
Explanation : In this stanza speaker expressing his surroundings and feelings. The “Button B. Button A.” might refer to the buttons in a public telephone booth. The “stench of rancid breath” symbolises the disgusting nature of the social differentiation he is experiencing. The frequent use of the word “red” could symbolise anger, emergency, or attention, summarize his emotional state
It was real! Shamed …. …. ….. beg simplification.
Explanation : Knowing the owner’s idea on racism, the speaker now feels a mixture of shame and amazement. His silence is not out of manners but rather from being “dumbfounded,” and he eventually breaks it to ask for explanation, almost as if he can’t believe immediately such dumb enquiry.
“ARE YOU DARK? OR … …. milk chocolate?”
Explanation : Owner lady ask her question again, while the speaker, now fully beware of her intention, So tries to bring some level of stupidity to the conversation. He comparing skin tone as chocolate. This line clear that speaker anomalies her querry.
Her accent was .. .. … .. my passport.”
Explanation : The owner’s tone is cold and clinical, destitute of any warmth or humanity. The speaker decides to answer her question by describing his skin colour as “West African sepia,” an official tone used perhaps in a passport.
Silence for spectroscopic … … .. Like brunette.”
Explanation : British lady keep silent again, possibly confused or unwilling to admit ignorance. When she finally speaks, her tone changes, revealing her true feelings. The speaker simplifies his answer to “Like brunette” to make it easier for her to understand.
THAT’S DARK, .. … …. bottom raven black—”
Explanation : The conversation reaches a point of funny. The speaker plays with the idea of his skin color, saying that while his face might be dark, while other parts of body are as light as “peroxide blonde.” He even funny adds that sitting down has turned his bottom “raven black,” making a joke of the landlady’s thinking on skin colour issue.
“One moment madam! … … … .. .. for yourself?”
Explanation : As soon as landlady is about to disconnecting the call, the speaker makes a further try to invite her to judge him in person rather than base her decision on preconceived notions.
The poem ends confusing, not clearly what the landlady chooses to do, but the suggestion is completely clear: the whole conversation exposes the dis ingenous nature on idea about racial thinking.
— : End of Telephone Conversation: Line by Line Explanation ISC Rhapsody : —
Return to :– Rhapsody Workbook Answer of ISC Poem for Class 12 English
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