ST.

XAVIER’S HIGH SCHOOL, PANCHKULA

CLASS 10 WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHER (Workbook Answers)
Passage 1
i) Why do you think the photographer did not look at the narrator with enthusiasm?
The photographer was someone who gave more importance to the appearance of a person. He lacked
enthusiasm because he might not have been particularly impressed or interested in the narrator's
ordinary looks.
ii) Why did the narrator not feel fit to describe the photographer?
The narrator assumed that the typical appearance and behaviour of photographers are universally known
and therefore did not require description.
iii) What was the narrator's experience with the photographer?
The narrator's experience with the photographer was bitter and disheartening. The photographer’s
constant criticism of the narrator’s facial features made him feel annoyed, insecure and humiliated.
iv) What tells you about the appearance of the photographer?
The description of the photographer as a "drooping man in a gray suit, with the dim eye of a natural
scientist" conveys an image of someone who is disinterested, possibly tired and detached.
(v) How did the narrator spend his time while waiting for the photographer?
The narrator passed the time by reading outdated magazines- the Ladies Companion for 1912, the Girls
Magazine for 1902 and the Infants Journal for 1888.
Passage 2
(i) Who is 'he' here in this extract? Was 'he' at peace with himself?
'He' refers to the photographer. He does not appear to be at peace with himself as he frantically started
tearing at the cotton sheet and window panes which suggests a sense of urgency or dissatisfaction with
the lighting conditions.
(ii) What do you think of the studio where the photographer was to take the narrator's
photograph?
The studio seems to be inadequately equipped, lacking proper lighting and ventilation, which causes the
photographer to become frantic for light and air.
(iii) What was the photographer trying to do in his studio?
The photographer was attempting to improve the lighting in his studio, perhaps to create better
conditions for taking a successful photograph.
(iv) What was the photographer's reaction when he came out of the black cloth on the camera?
When the photographer came out of the black cloth of the camera, he was grave and shook his head,
indicating dissatisfaction with the narrator's appearance or the lighting conditions
(v) What was thought to be the problem with the face of the narrator?
The photographer perceived the narrator's face as 'quite wrong' for a photograph, indicating that it did
not meet his standards or the conventional expectations for a portrait.
Passage 3
(i) What was the narrator sure of?
The narrator was sure that a face could appear more attractive when viewed from a three-quarters
perspective or three-quarters full.
(ii) "The man had such a human side to him." What does the narrator wish to convey about the
man?
The narrator wishes to convey that the photographer, despite his professional detachment, showed a
moment of relatability by acknowledging the potential for improvement in human appearances.
(iii) How are the faces of the human beings made to look better?
According to the narrator, the faces of human beings are made to look wider and more expansive when
viewed from a three- quarters angle, enhancing their appearance.
(iv) What is the tone of the narrator when he says that human faces are made to look better?
The narrator's tone is one of enthusiasm and relief, pleased with the idea that the photographer might be
able to capture a more flattering image.
(v) Did the photographer himself need some improvement in his face or mind? How do you know?
The text suggests that the narrator believed the photographer needed some improvement in his mind as
he was finding fault in every feature and was wanting to make amendments.
Passage 4
(i) Which body features are asked to be improved upon and how?
The photographer asks the narrator to droop his ears more, roll his eyes under the lids, and adjust the
positioning of his hands and face to create a supposedly better appearance.
(ii) Do you think the narrator is happy and satisfied with the photographer?
It is unlikely that the narrator is happy or satisfied; he seems to be complying with the photographer's
demands but there is an underlying tension and discomfort.
(iii) Which things other than the ones mentioned later in the context are to be set right?
Other than the features mentioned, the photographer also focuses on the positioning of the body, the
opening of the mouth, and the overall expression to meet his artistic standards.
(iv) Did all these features of the narrator meet the due approval of the photographer? How do you
know?
No, the body features did not meet the photographer's approval, as he continuously gave directions for
adjustments, indicating dissatisfaction with the initial presentation.
(v) What does it tell you about the photographer's art?
It suggests that the photographer is a professional and knows his art well. That is why he is critical of the
face of the narrator and embarks on improving his face with tricks of his professional skills.
Passage 5
(i) Who is the speaker here? Who is he talking to? What is the occasion?
The speaker is the narrator. He is talking to the photographer during a photo session where his
appearance is being critiqued and altered.
(ii) What prompted the speaker to say, "It is not yours. It is mine"?
The speaker is annoyed and frustrated by the photographer's intrusive adjustments and critique of his
facial features which leads him to say so.
(iii) What is the tone of the speaker?
The tone of the speaker is emotional and dignified, with a hint of defiance.
(iv) What does the extract tell about the narrator's present mood?
The extract indicates that the narrator is frustrated and emotionally stirred, but he also expresses a sense
of dignity and self-acceptance.
(v) Which idea does the narrator try to convey through the extract?
The narrator asserts the idea of self- acceptance and the intrinsic value of his natural appearance, despite
its imperfections.
Passage 6
(i) Where was the narrator asked to come?
The narrator was asked to come into the photographer's studio to view the proof of his photograph.
(ii) What was the photographer proud of?
The photographer seemed to feel proud of the photograph he had taken, perhaps believing it to be a good
representation of his skills.
(iii) Both the photographer and the narrator looked at the proof of the photograph in silence. Why
do you think both were silent?
Both were likely silent due to the gravity of the moment. The photographer was possibly awaiting
approval and the narrator was absorbing the impact of seeing his altered image.
(iv) What was the narrator's reaction on seeing his photograph?
The narrator was puzzled and unsure, questioning whether it was his photograph.
(v) What other changes did the photographer want to make in the final finish of the photograph?
The photographer wanted to remove the ears entirely using the Sulphide process.
Passage 7
(i) What had not been tempered with as far as the body features were concerned?
The ears had not yet been altered in the photograph.
(ii) To which question of the narrator does the photographer say 'yes'?
The photographer says 'yes' to the narrator's observation that the ears in the photograph were a good
likeness of his own.
(iii) Which features had the photographer retouched to make them look better?
The photographer had retouched the eyes and the mouth and removed the eyebrows, replacing them with
an improved version using the Delphide process.
iv) How do the photographers bring about changes in a photograph so that it looks completely
different from the original?
Photographers use various processes like Sulphide for removing features, Delphide for adding new ones,
and other techniques to adjust and enhance the original image.
(v) How did the narrator express his anger at the photographer later?
The narrator harshly criticized the photographer's alterations and the artificiality of the processes used,
expressing that the result was a distortion of his true self.
Passage 8
(i) What is the narrator's reaction on his photograph in his next visit?
The narrator is indignant and views the photograph as a distortion of his real self, a mere trinket without
personal value.
(ii) Mention at least three different processes with the help of which the photographers change the
features in a photograph.
The processes include the Delphide for adding new features, Sulphide for removing features, and
techniques like glossing, shading, embossing, and gilding to finish the photograph.
(iii) Does the narrator approve of the techniques of the photographers in bringing about changes
in the original photograph?
No, the narrator does not approve of the photographer's techniques, as they have distorted his natural
appearance.
(iv) Would you justify the narrator's viewpoint or the photographer's? Why?
The narrator's viewpoint is just as one must value authenticity, originality and self-acceptance over
artificial enhancement.
(v) Why does the narrator call the photograph a worthless 'bauble'?
The narrator calls the photograph a worthless 'bauble' because it no longer represents his true appearance
or the essence of his character, reducing it to a valueless object.

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