The Eyes Have It Question Answer

1. “I’m tired of people telling me I have a pretty face.”

• Who said this, to whom, and when?
  The girl said this to the narrator during their conversation in the train compartment.
• What did the person spoken to reply?
  The narrator replied by saying, “Well, an interesting face can also be pretty,” attempting to flatter her further.
• How does this statement reflect the character’s personality?
  This statement shows that the girl values uniqueness and individuality over superficial compliments. It reflects her desire to be appreciated for more than just her appearance.

2. “She would forget our brief encounter.”

• Who said this, and about whom?
  The narrator said this about the girl after she left the train at Saharanpur.
• What is the ‘brief encounter’ referred to here?
  The brief encounter refers to their conversation and the connection they shared during the short train journey.
• Why did the speaker think so?
  The narrator believed that the girl, having returned to her life, would not dwell on their interaction. In contrast, he anticipated cherishing the memory of the encounter for a long time, given its emotional impact on him.

3. “Then I made a mistake.”

• Who is the speaker, and what mistake did they make?
  The narrator is the speaker. His mistake was asking the girl, “What is it like outside?” This question risked revealing his blindness.
• Why was it called a mistake?
  It was a mistake because the question might have made the girl suspicious about his inability to see, which he was trying to conceal.
• What removed the speaker’s doubts?
  The girl’s casual response and her suggestion to look outside reassured him that she had not noticed his blindness.
• What did the speaker do next?
  The narrator pretended to look out of the window, describing the passing scenery in a way that maintained the illusion that he could see.

4. “She was an interesting girl.”

• Who said this, to whom, and when?
  The narrator said this to his new co-passenger after the girl had left the train.
• What else did the person say about her?
  The narrator described her as having an interesting face and a charming voice.
• What reply did he receive?
  The co-passenger replied that the girl had beautiful eyes, but they were of no use to her because she was blind.

5. “Can you tell me—did she keep her hair long or short?”

• Who is the speaker, and to whom is he speaking?
  The narrator is the speaker, addressing the new co-passenger.
• Who is being referred to?
  The girl who had been the narrator’s previous traveling companion is being referred to.
• Where did the girl get down?
  The girl got down at Saharanpur.
• What was the answer the speaker received in context to his question?
  The co-passenger replied that he did not notice her hair but remarked on her beautiful eyes, adding that she was completely blind.

6. “What is it like outside?”

• Who said this, and to whom?
  The narrator said this to the girl while they were conversing during the journey.
• Why was this question asked?
  The narrator, being blind, asked this to engage her in conversation while attempting to conceal his blindness.
• How did the listener respond?
  The girl suggested he look out of the window, unaware of his condition.
• What does this reveal about the speaker’s condition and intentions?
  It reveals the narrator’s blindness and his effort to maintain the illusion of being sighted. It also shows his desire to connect with the girl without revealing his vulnerability.

7. “The girl got up and began to collect her things.”

• Who is the girl?
  The girl is the narrator’s co-passenger who boarded the train at Rohana.
• When did she get up, and why?
  She got up as the train approached Saharanpur, where she was to get off.
• What had the speaker thought about their brief encounter?
  The narrator found the encounter memorable and meaningful. He admired her charm and voice, acknowledging that while she might forget him, he would carry the memory of their interaction for a long time.

8. “You must be disappointed. I’m not nearly as attractive a traveling companion as the one who just left.”

• Who said this, and to whom?
  The narrator’s new co-passenger said this to him after boarding the train at Saharanpur.
• Why did the speaker say this?
  The speaker noticed the narrator’s interest in the girl who had just left and humorously commented on the contrast between himself and her.
• What does this statement reveal about the speaker’s character?
  This statement reveals the speaker’s light-hearted and observant nature. It shows that he was trying to establish a friendly rapport with the narrator.

9. “She had beautiful eyes—but they were of no use to her.”

• Who said this, and in what context?
  The new co-passenger said this to the narrator when discussing the girl who had just left the train.
• How did the speaker come to this realization?
  The speaker noticed the girl’s blindness during their brief interaction at Saharanpur station.
• What irony does this line reflect in the story?
  The line reflects the dramatic irony that the narrator, who is blind, admired the girl’s charm and never realized she was blind as well. It underscores the theme of perception and human connection beyond physical appearances.

10. “I didn’t know anyone else was here.”

• Who said this, and in what context?
  The girl said this when she first realized there was someone else in the train compartment. She was startled as the narrator had not made his presence known earlier.
• How does this remark reflect the speaker’s initial reaction?
  This remark shows that the girl was surprised and slightly uneasy but quickly composed herself. It also reflects her lack of awareness of her surroundings.
• What does this reveal about the relationship between the two characters?
  This establishes the beginning of their interaction and shows how the girl was initially reserved but became comfortable as the conversation progressed.

11. “Well, it often happens that people with good eyesight fail to see what is right in front of them.”

• Who said this, and why?
  The narrator said this while reflecting on how the girl had not noticed him sitting in the compartment.
• What does this statement imply about the speaker’s perspective on people with normal vision?
  It suggests that the narrator believes sighted people often overlook obvious things because they rely too much on their vision and not on their other senses.
• How does this line contribute to the theme of perception in the story?
  It underscores the contrast between physical sight and emotional or sensory perception, a recurring theme in the story.

12. “Oh, how lucky you are. I wish I were going to Mussoorie. I love the hills.”

• Who said this, and to whom?
  The girl said this to the narrator when he mentioned that he was traveling to Dehra and then to Mussoorie.
• Why does the speaker express this sentiment?
  The girl expresses her longing for the natural beauty of the hills and her desire to visit Mussoorie, reflecting her love for the serenity and charm of the place.
• How does this line reveal the speaker’s feelings about nature and travel?
  It shows her romanticized view of nature and travel, associating them with freedom and happiness.

13. “Have you noticed that the trees seem to be moving while we seem to be standing still?”

• Who said this, and in what situation?
  The narrator said this to the girl while pretending to look out of the window, trying to engage her in conversation.
• Why did the speaker make this observation?
  The narrator wanted to maintain the illusion that he could see, as he did not want the girl to discover his blindness.
• How does this reflect the speaker’s imagination and sensory awareness?
  It shows the narrator’s sharp imagination and ability to describe the outside world convincingly, despite being blind.

14. “Few girls can resist flattery.”

• Who said this, and in what context?
  The narrator said this after complimenting the girl on her “interesting face.”
• How does this line reflect the speaker’s attitude toward the girl?
  This reflects the narrator’s playful and somewhat flirtatious attitude, as he tries to engage the girl in a lighthearted manner.
• What does this suggest about the speaker’s approach to communication?
  It shows his confidence and social skill in using flattery to build rapport, despite his blindness.

15. “Her voice had the sparkle of a mountain stream.”

• Who said this, and about whom?
  The narrator said this about the girl as he admired her voice.
• What does this metaphor suggest about the girl’s voice?
  The metaphor conveys that her voice was lively, refreshing, and melodious, leaving a lasting impression on the narrator.
• How does the speaker’s description contribute to the romantic tone of the story?
  It adds to the story’s charm and nostalgia, highlighting the narrator’s deep appreciation for the girl and the moment they shared.

16. “At night you can sit in front of a log fire and drink a little brandy.”

• Who said this, and why?
  The narrator said this while describing the hills in October to the girl.
• How does this line capture the speaker’s nostalgia?
  It reflects the narrator’s longing for the serene and cozy atmosphere of Mussoorie, drawing from his memories.
• What does this reveal about the speaker’s view of October in the hills?
  It shows his deep love and romanticized view of the hills, associating them with peace and beauty.

17. “I wanted to raise my hand and touch her hair, but she moved away.”

• Who said this, and in what context?
  The narrator said this as the girl was preparing to leave the train at Saharanpur.
• Why does the speaker feel this way?
  The narrator was drawn to the girl’s presence and wanted to make a physical connection as a way of preserving the memory of her.
• How does this line reflect the fleeting nature of the encounter?
  It highlights the transient nature of their interaction, where the narrator experiences a sense of longing and loss as the moment slips away.

18. “So many things were happening outside the window: it could be a fascinating game.”

• Who said this, and why?
  The narrator said this while pretending to look out of the window, imagining what the outside world might look like.
• What does this line reveal about the speaker’s imagination?
  It shows the narrator’s vivid imagination and his ability to engage with the world in his mind, despite being blind.
• How does this contribute to the story’s theme of perception versus reality?
  It highlights the difference between what the narrator imagines and what is real, emphasizing how perception shapes experience.

19. “Do you see any animals?”

• Who said this, and to whom?
  The girl said this to the narrator while they were discussing the view outside the train.
• How did the listener respond?
  The narrator confidently replied that there were no animals, relying on his knowledge that animals were scarce in the forests near Dehra.
• What does this question and its response reveal about the characters?
  The girl’s question reflects her curiosity and innocence, while the narrator’s confident response shows his cleverness and ability to maintain the illusion of sight.

20. “The perfume from her hair was tantalizing.”

• Who said this, and in what situation?
  The narrator said this when the girl stood close to him while preparing to leave the train at Saharanpur.
• What does this detail reveal about the speaker’s emotional state?
  It reveals the narrator’s heightened sensory awareness and his attraction to the girl’s presence, which leaves a strong impression on him.
• How does this add to the sensory imagery of the story?
  This line adds to the vivid sensory descriptions in the story, emphasizing the narrator’s reliance on senses other than sight to experience the world.

21. “Didn’t you notice?”

• Who said this, and to whom?
  The man who entered the train compartment at Saharanpur said this to the narrator.
• What realization follows this question?
  The narrator realizes that the girl was blind, a fact he hadn’t guessed during their interaction.
• How does this line underscore the irony in the story?
  The narrator, who is himself blind, failed to notice that the girl was also blind, highlighting the irony that both characters were trying to conceal the same condition.

22. “I’ll soon be at your station.”

• Who said this, and what is its significance?
  The narrator said this to the girl as their journey was nearing its end.
• How does this line reflect the speaker’s feelings about the journey ending?
  The narrator feels a mix of anticipation and sadness, as he knows the interaction is about to end but wishes it could last longer.
• What does this suggest about the relationship between the characters?
  It shows the narrator’s growing attachment to the girl, despite knowing that their brief encounter is fleeting and unlikely to have a future.

23. “The world was shut out again.”

• Who said this, and in what context?
  The narrator said this after the girl left the train and the compartment door closed, marking the end of their interaction.
• How does this line reflect the speaker’s emotional state after the girl’s departure?
  It conveys the narrator’s sense of isolation and loss after the girl’s departure, as he is left alone with only memories of their brief encounter.
• What does it reveal about the tone of the story?
  This line reflects the melancholic and reflective tone of the story, as the narrator experiences both the beauty and sorrow of fleeting connections.

24. “I knew she wore slippers from the way they slapped against her heels.”

• Who said this, and in what situation?
  The narrator said this after the girl entered the compartment, using his sense of hearing to deduce her footwear.
• What does this detail reveal about the speaker’s sensory abilities?
  It highlights the narrator’s acute auditory perception, which compensates for his lack of vision.
• How does this contribute to the reader’s understanding of the speaker’s blindness?
  This detail helps the reader understand how the narrator navigates the world through heightened use of other senses, emphasizing the theme of perception.