"The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse" by William Saroyan is a story of two Armenian boys, Aram and his cousin Mourad, who belong to the Garoghlanian tribe, a family known for their trust and honesty. One summer morning, nine-year-old Aram is awakened by Mourad, who has mysteriously acquired a beautiful white horse. Despite their family's reputation for honesty, Aram suspects that Mourad has stolen the horse. They decide to ride the horse together, and Aram experiences the thrill of riding for the first time.
As the boys continue to ride the horse every morning, they learn that the horse belongs to a local farmer named John Byro. When John visits Aram's house, he mentions his missing horse but does not accuse the boys of stealing it because of their family's reputation. Aram and Mourad encounter John Byro on one of their rides, and he recognizes his horse but refrains from accusing them due to their family's honest reputation.
After their encounter with John Byro, Mourad decides that they must return the horse to its rightful owner. They take the horse to John Byro's vineyard, where it is reunited with its owner. John visits Aram's house once more, expressing gratitude for the horse's return and noting that it is stronger and better-tempered than before. Aram's uncle Khosrove, known for his irritability, dismisses the situation, urging everyone to pay no attention to it.
The story explores themes of honesty, family reputation, and the excitement and innocence of youth. Aram and Mourad's adventures with the stolen horse provide a backdrop for their coming-of-age experiences and the lessons they learn about the importance of upholding their family's values.
The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse - Snapshots - Class 11 - CBSE English
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About the author - The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse | Snapshots | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English
William Saroyan (1908-1981) was an American writer of Armenian descent. He was born in Fresno, California, and his Armenian heritage and upbringing greatly influenced his writing. Saroyan's stories often depicted the lives of Armenian immigrants and their struggles to assimilate into American society. He was known for his use of simple, direct language and his ability to capture the beauty and wonder of everyday life. Saroyan's most famous works include "The Human Comedy" and "My Name is Aram." He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for his play "The Time of Your Life." Saroyan's works continue to be celebrated for their unique perspective and emotional depth.
Summary - The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse | Snapshots | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English
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Themes - The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse | Snapshots | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English
Family Values and Tradition:
In the story, the Garoghlanian family is known for their honesty and strong moral values. This theme is emphasized throughout the chapter, with the characters taking pride in their family reputation and being cautious about not tarnishing it. The importance of upholding family values and tradition is apparent in the way the boys struggle with the idea of stealing a horse and how they ultimately decide to return it.
Coming of Age and Self-Discovery:
The story follows the journey of two young boys................................
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Plot - The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse | Snapshots | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English
The plot of the chapter revolves around two young cousins, Aram and Mourad, who belong to the Garoghlanian family, a tribe known for their honesty and integrity. One day, Mourad arrives at Aram's house riding a beautiful white horse, much to Aram's surprise. Mourad explains that he "borrowed" the horse from a nearby farmer, but Aram soon realizes that the horse is actually stolen.
Despite their initial moral dilemma, the boys decide................................
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Important Lines - The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse | Snapshots | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English
"My name is Aram Garoghlanian a descendent of the tribe which is famous for its honesty and which takes pride in the fact that it has never produced a thief."
This line is important because it establishes the Garoghlanian family's reputation for honesty and integrity, which serves as the central theme of the chapter. It also foreshadows the moral conflict Aram and Mourad will face when they 'borrow' the horse.
"Mourad, who was considered one of the craziest members of the family, had come home riding the white horse."
This line introduces Mourad, ...............................
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Extra Questions - The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse | Snapshots | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English
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What is the narrator's mood when he begins the story 'The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse'?
The narrator's mood when he begins the story 'The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse' can be described as nostalgic and reflective. The opening lines of the story indicate that the narrator looks back on his childhood with fondness and a sense of wonder, referring to it as a time when "the world was full of every imaginable kind of magnificence, and life was still a delightful and mysterious dream." This sets the tone for the story and invites the reader to share in the narrator's reminiscence of a memorable and cherished episode from his past.
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What was the narrator's immediate reaction when he saw his cousin Mourad sitting on a beautiful white horse?
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How did the narrator know that his cousin Mourad couldn't have bought the horse?
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Why couldn't the narrator believe his cousin Mourad had stolen the horse?
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What were the narrator's views about 'stealing'?
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Give a short description of the narrator's uncle Khosrove.
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Explain, “A man could be the father of his son’s flesh, but that did not mean that he was also the father of his spirit”.
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Describe the narrator's experience when he rode the white horse alone.
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Why was Mourad anxious to take the horse back before everybody was up and about?
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Why did Mourad not look worried when the narrator asked where they would hide the horse?
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Why did Mourad decide to hide the horse instead of taking it back?
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Who was John Byro? What problem was he facing these days?
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How did Mourad tend the young robin with a hurt wing? What aspect of his character is revealed in this incident?
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Why did the narrator insist on keeping the stolen horse for a year? Why did Mourad oppose the idea?
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How did the narrator reach the conclusion that his cousin Mourad had stolen the horse? Why did he refuse to believe that Mourad could be a thief?
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Describe the circumstances, which prompted the boys to return the horse to its true owner.
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How do you think Mourad developed an understanding with the horse, and what was the result?
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Back Questions - The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse | Snapshots | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English
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You will probably agree that this story does not have breathless adventure and exciting action. Then what is your opinion, makes it interesting?
While it is true that the story may not have breathless adventure and exciting action in the traditional sense, it still manages to captivate readers through several other aspects. Relatable characters such as Aram and Mourad are young, curious, and prone to making mistakes, much like anyone else.
The story is set within the Armenian community, offering readers a glimpse into the customs, values, and traditions of the Garoghlanian family. This unique cultural backdrop adds depth to the narrative and enriches the reader's experience. The story deals with themes of honesty, integrity, and family values. These universal themes resonate with readers and evoke a sense of self-reflection, encouraging them to consider their own values and actions.
The author uses subtle humour and wit to both entertain and engage the reader. The cousins' antics and their attempts to justify their actions provide moments of levity that break up the story's more serious themes. This coming-of-age element is relatable and appealing to readers, who can empathize with the challenges faced by the protagonists as they learn from their mistakes and develop a deeper understanding of their family's values.
In conclusion, while the story might not be filled with high-octane action or thrilling adventure, its engaging characters, rich cultural setting, and exploration of moral and ethical themes make it an interesting and thought-provoking read.
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Did the boys return the horse because they were conscience-stricken or because they were afraid?
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“One day back there in the good old days when I was nine, and the world was full of every imaginable kind of magnificence, and life was still a delightful and mysterious dream...” The story begins in a mood of nostalgia. Can you narrate some incidents from your childhood that might make an interesting story?
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The story revolves around characters who belong to a tribe in Armenia. Mourad and Aram are members of the Garoghlanian family. Now locate Armenia and Assyria on the atlas and prepare a write-up on the Garoghlanian tribes. You may write about people, their names, traits, and geographical and economic features as suggested in the story.
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Quiz - The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse | Snapshots | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English
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