The Night Train at Deoli Question Answer
[2 Marks: Question Answer]
Q1. Who is the author of the story “The Girl on the Train at Deoli”?
A: The story is written by Ruskin Bond, a well-known Indian author.
Q2. Where does the narrator go every summer?
A: The narrator goes to Dehra every summer to visit his grandmother.
Q3. How does the narrator travel to Dehra?
A: The narrator travels to Dehra by train.
Q4. When does the narrator leave for Dehra and when does he return?
A: The narrator leaves in early May and returns in late July.
Q5. What is the significance of Deoli station in the story?
A: Deoli is a small, quiet railway station where the narrator meets a young girl selling baskets, which changes his life.
Q6. Where is Deoli located?
A: Deoli is 30 miles from Dehra and is at the edge of dense jungles in the Indian Terai region.
Q7. What time does the train reach Deoli?
A: The train reaches Deoli at 5 AM, during the early morning.
Q8. How is Deoli station described in the story?
A: Deoli is a small, lonely station with only one platform, a station master’s office, and a waiting room.
Q9. What shops or stalls are present at Deoli station?
A: Deoli station has a tea stall, a fruit vendor, and a few stray dogs wandering around.
Q10. Why does the narrator feel sad for Deoli?
A: The narrator feels sorry for Deoli because no one visits it, and nothing ever happens there.
Q11. How does the narrator first see the girl?
A: He sees her walking gracefully on the platform, carrying baskets for sale.
Q12. What does the girl look like?
A: She has pale skin, dark troubled eyes, and shiny black hair.
Q13. How is the girl’s clothing described?
A: She wears an old dress, a shawl, and is barefoot.
Q14. How does the narrator react when he sees her?
A: He stares at her and feels a deep connection but does not say anything at first.
Q15. What does the girl do when she reaches the narrator’s window?
A: She stops, looks at him, but pretends not to notice him at first.
Q16. What does the girl sell?
A: She sells baskets made from fine cane.
Q17. How does the girl speak to the narrator?
A: She softly asks him if he wants to buy a basket.
Q18. What is the narrator’s first response to the girl’s offer?
A: He says “No, I don’t want a basket.”
Q19. How does the girl convince him to buy a basket?
A: She asks again, “Are you sure you don’t want a basket?”
Q20. How does the narrator finally respond?
A: He agrees and buys a basket for one rupee.
Q21. What happens just as the girl is about to speak again?
A: The train whistle blows, and she cannot complete her sentence.
Q22. What does the narrator do as the train leaves?
A: He watches her standing alone on the platform, smiling.
Q23. How does the narrator feel after the train leaves Deoli?
A: He cannot stop thinking about the girl and stays awake for the rest of the journey.
Q24. What does the narrator do after reaching Dehra?
A: He forgets about the girl for a while because of other distractions.
Q25. When does he remember the girl again?
A: He remembers her two months later, when he is returning to Dehra.
Q26. How does the narrator feel when the train reaches Deoli again?
A: He feels excited and nervous to see the girl again.
Q27. How does the girl react when she sees him?
A: She smiles, happy that he remembers her.
Q28. What is different about the second meeting?
A: She does not sell baskets this time but comes directly to him.
Q29. Do they speak much during the second meeting?
A: No, they mostly stand in silence, but their eyes say a lot.
Q30. What does the narrator want to do?
A: He wants to take the girl with him on the train.
Q31. Why does the narrator not take her with him?
A: He cannot gather the courage to do so.
Q32. What happens when the train whistle blows again?
A: The narrator has to run back to the train, leaving her behind.
Q33. What does the narrator decide to do after the second meeting?
A: He promises to return to meet her again.
Q34. What happens when he returns to Deoli for the third time?
A: The girl is not there anymore.
Q35. How does the narrator react when he does not find the girl?
A: He feels deeply disappointed.
Q36. Who does the narrator ask about the girl?
A: He asks the station master and the tea vendor.
Q37. What does the tea vendor say about the girl?
A: He says, “She used to come, but now she has stopped coming.”
Q38. Does the tea vendor know what happened to her?
A: No, he says, “She was nothing to me.”
Q39. Why does the narrator never stop at Deoli again?
A: He is afraid of knowing the truth about the girl.
Q40. What does the girl symbolize in the story?
A: She symbolizes lost love, memories, and dreams that remain incomplete.
Q41. What is the central theme of the story?
A: The main themes are love, longing, mystery, and the beauty of unfinished stories.
Q42. What message does the story give?
A: The story teaches us that not all love stories have a perfect ending.
Q43. What is the final decision of the narrator?
A: He keeps passing through Deoli but never stops.
Q44. Why does the narrator prefer to keep dreaming?
A: Because dreams are sometimes better than reality.
Quotation-Based Questions and Answers (6 Marks Each) for The Girl on the Train at Deoli by Ruskin Bond
1. “I used to wonder what happened in Deoli, behind the station walls.”
- Who is the speaker, and what does this statement reveal about their curiosity?
The speaker is the narrator, a young college student who frequently passes through Deoli on his way to Dehra. This statement reflects his deep curiosity about the seemingly lifeless town, which nobody ever visits. - How does Deoli contribute to the theme of mystery and longing?
The town serves as a symbol of the unknown. The narrator’s fascination with Deoli and his longing to explore it mirrors his desire for new experiences, particularly his growing attachment to the basket-seller girl. - How does this thought foreshadow future events in the story?
The narrator’s curiosity about Deoli foreshadows his unexpected encounter with the girl and his emotional connection to the place. It also hints at the unresolved mystery surrounding her fate.
2. “A girl came down the platform, selling baskets.”
- Who is the girl, and how is she introduced in the story?
The girl is a young basket-seller at Deoli station. She is introduced as a simple but graceful figure, walking with dignity despite her worn-out clothes and bare feet. - How does the narrator react upon seeing the girl for the first time?
He is immediately captivated by her appearance, especially her dark, expressive eyes. Though they do not speak at first, there is an unspoken connection between them. - How does this encounter serve as a turning point in the narrator’s journey?
This moment changes his perspective on Deoli. Previously, the station was just a lonely place, but after meeting the girl, it becomes a source of emotional attachment and longing.
3. “She stood by my window for some time and neither of us said anything.”
- What does the silence between the narrator and the girl signify?
The silence symbolizes an unspoken connection and growing attraction between them. Their emotions are conveyed without words, making the moment more intimate. - How does this scene reflect the theme of fleeting love?
The girl and the narrator share a brief but powerful moment, emphasizing how love can be transient yet deeply impactful. - Why does the narrator hesitate to speak to her?
He is overwhelmed by his emotions and perhaps unsure of how to express his feelings in such a brief encounter.
4. “All right, give me one.”
- Who says this, and in what context?
The narrator says this to the girl when she persistently asks him if he wants to buy a basket. Though he initially refuses, he changes his mind, wanting to prolong their interaction. - What does this decision reveal about the narrator’s emotions?
His willingness to buy a basket reflects his growing attachment to the girl and his desire to have some connection with her, even if it is just through a small transaction. - How does this moment contribute to the theme of longing?
The narrator’s purchase of the basket is a symbolic attempt to hold onto this fleeting encounter. The memory of the girl lingers with him, much like the object he buys.
5. “She was alone on the platform and she did not move, but she was looking at me and smiling.”
- How does this moment create an emotional impact on the narrator?
The narrator is deeply moved by the girl’s quiet farewell. Her smile, filled with warmth, remains etched in his memory. - What does this reveal about the girl’s feelings?
Although she does not speak, her smile suggests she feels a connection with the narrator, possibly sharing the same emotions of admiration and longing. - How does the imagery in this line enhance the mood of the story?
The image of the girl standing alone as the train departs evokes a sense of melancholy and wistfulness, reinforcing the theme of fleeting moments.
6. “I was looking out for her as the train drew into the station.”
- What does this line indicate about the narrator’s emotional state?
It shows his eagerness and anticipation to see the girl again, proving that their brief interaction had a lasting impact on him. - How does the narrator’s return to Deoli reflect his growing attachment?
Unlike before, he now associates Deoli with something meaningful, looking forward to seeing the girl rather than dismissing the station as dull and lifeless. - What theme does this line reinforce in the story?
It reinforces the theme of unfulfilled desires, as the narrator returns with high hopes, only to face uncertainty about their relationship.
7. “I felt the impulse to put her on the train there and then, and take her away with me.”
- Why does the narrator feel this sudden impulse?
He is overwhelmed by the thought of losing the girl again and desires to make their connection permanent. - What does this reveal about his emotional turmoil?
His emotions are conflicted between the reality of their brief encounters and his deep longing for something more lasting. - Why does he not act on this impulse?
He is bound by the constraints of reality and social conventions, realizing that his fantasy may not be practical.
8. “I have to go to Delhi.”
- Who says this, and how does the listener respond?
The narrator says this to the girl when their meeting is about to end. The girl acknowledges it quietly, reinforcing the inevitability of their parting. - How does this moment emphasize the theme of separation?
It highlights how circumstances dictate their relationship, making their time together brief and transient. - What does this statement signify in the broader context of the story?
It symbolizes the conflict between duty and desire, as the narrator must leave despite his longing to stay.
9. “I opened the door and stepped off the footboard.”
- What prompts the narrator to step off the train?
When he does not see the girl at the station, he feels compelled to search for her. His deep longing drives him to break his usual routine. - What does this action reveal about his character?
It shows that he is willing to take a risk for love, even though he had always remained passive in their interactions. - Why does he ultimately leave without finding her?
He realizes that he knows nothing about her and that searching for her might be futile, making his longing even more painful.
10. “She was nothing to me.”
- Who says this, and what is the significance of the statement?
The tea-stall owner says this when the narrator inquires about the girl. His dismissive response contrasts sharply with the narrator’s deep emotions. - How does this contrast contribute to the story’s emotional depth?
While the girl is insignificant to the tea-stall owner, she represents a deep and lasting impression on the narrator, emphasizing the subjective nature of emotional connections. - What does this moment teach the narrator?
It reinforces the idea that what is meaningful to one person may be meaningless to another, making his longing even more personal and isolated.
11. “What could I do about finding a girl I had seen only twice, who had hardly spoken to me?”
- Why does the narrator feel helpless in this situation?
The narrator realizes that he knows nothing about the girl—neither her name nor where she lives—making it almost impossible to find her. - How does this reflect the theme of unfulfilled longing?
The narrator’s inability to find the girl despite his deep emotions highlights how some desires remain unattainable, reinforcing the theme of fleeting love. - What does this reveal about the narrator’s inner conflict?
He feels a strong emotional pull to find the girl but also understands the impracticality of his quest, creating a sense of helplessness.
12. “I felt restless and ill-at-ease.”
- What causes the narrator to feel this way?
He is unable to forget the girl, and his longing to see her again makes him discontented even at his grandmother’s house. - How does this emotion influence his actions?
Instead of staying with his grandmother as usual, he cuts his visit short and decides to return to Deoli, showing how deeply affected he is. - How does this line contribute to the story’s emotional tone?
It creates an atmosphere of melancholy and yearning, emphasizing the emotional weight of the narrator’s attachment.
13. “But at Deoli there was a new station-master.”
- How does the new station-master impact the narrator’s quest?
The new station-master has no knowledge of the girl, making the narrator’s search even more difficult. - What does this reveal about the passage of time?
It shows that life moves on, and things change, even though the narrator clings to his past memories. - How does this contribute to the theme of loss?
The replacement of the station-master symbolizes the impermanence of everything, reinforcing the narrator’s realization that he may never see the girl again.
14. “She has stopped coming now.”
- Who says this, and in what context?
The tea-stall owner tells this to the narrator when he inquires about the girl. - What effect does this statement have on the narrator?
He is deeply disappointed and begins to understand that he may never see the girl again. - How does this moment symbolize the end of hope?
The girl’s disappearance marks the final separation, leaving the narrator with nothing but memories and an unresolved sense of longing.
15. “As Deoli platform receded, I decided that one day I would have to break journey there.”
- Why does the narrator decide to break journey at Deoli?
He still clings to the hope of finding the girl, refusing to let go of his attachment. - How does this decision reflect his emotional struggle?
It shows his inability to move on, as he convinces himself that he will one day resolve the mystery of the girl’s disappearance. - Why does he never actually break journey at Deoli?
He fears discovering the truth, which might be disappointing, preferring to keep his dream alive.
16. “Somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to break journey at Deoli.”
- Why does the narrator hesitate to get off the train?
He is afraid of what he might find—whether the girl has moved away, gotten married, or faced misfortune. - What does this hesitation reveal about human emotions?
It highlights how people sometimes prefer to live with their fantasies rather than face the harsh reality. - How does this line contribute to the theme of memory and nostalgia?
It suggests that memories can be more comforting than reality, and the narrator chooses to hold onto his dream rather than risk ruining it.
17. “It may spoil my game.”
- What does the narrator mean by ‘game’?
He refers to his habit of looking for the girl at Deoli station, enjoying the anticipation and mystery surrounding her. - How does this reflect the theme of idealized love?
The narrator’s love is built on imagination and longing rather than reality, making it more of an emotional illusion. - What does this reveal about human nature?
It shows how people sometimes prefer unfulfilled desires over closure because dreams can be more beautiful than reality.
18. “I wonder what happens in Deoli, behind the station walls.”
- Why does the narrator still wonder about Deoli?
Even though he never breaks his journey there, he remains emotionally attached to the place, associating it with the girl. - How does this line bring the story full circle?
It echoes the narrator’s initial curiosity about Deoli, showing how his emotional connection has deepened over time. - What does this suggest about unresolved emotions?
It implies that some emotions never fade, lingering in the form of memories and unanswered questions.
19. “I never break my journey at Deoli, but I pass through as often as I can.”
- What does this reveal about the narrator’s feelings?
He cannot let go of his memories but also cannot face reality, choosing instead to live in between. - How does this reflect the theme of longing?
His repeated journeys through Deoli symbolize his deep emotional attachment, even though he never acts on it. - Why does he choose to ‘pass through’ rather than stop?
He prefers to keep his dream intact rather than risk disappointment by learning the truth.
20. “She was with me for the remainder of the journey, and for long after.”
- How does the narrator keep the girl’s memory alive?
He constantly thinks about her, holding onto their brief encounters as something special. - What does this line reveal about the power of memories?
It shows how a single moment can stay with a person forever, shaping their emotions and perspective on life. - How does this contribute to the melancholic tone of the story?
It reinforces the idea that some connections, no matter how deep, remain unfinished, leaving behind a bittersweet sense of longing.
21. “Perhaps she was no longer in Deoli, perhaps she was married, perhaps she had fallen ill …”
- Why does the narrator consider these possibilities?
He knows that time changes things, and he fears that she may have moved on or faced hardship. - How does this show his emotional vulnerability?
He realizes that he has no control over her fate, making him feel helpless and sad. - How does this line emphasize the theme of uncertainty?
It shows that some questions in life remain unanswered, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
22. “I was afraid of discovering what really happened to the girl.”
- Why does the narrator fear the truth?
He prefers to hold onto his idealized version of the girl rather than face a possibly disappointing reality. - How does this reveal the theme of self-deception?
The narrator chooses to live with hope and nostalgia rather than confront the truth, showing how people sometimes avoid painful realities. - What does this tell us about human emotions?
It highlights the tendency to romanticize the past and avoid closure when it might lead to heartache.
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