NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Kaliedoscope Short Stories Chapter 4

NCERT solutions for Class 12 English Short Stories Chapter 4 Tomorrow – complete answers & explanations

In Class 12 English Kaleidoscope, Chapter Tomorrow is a powerful short story that explores human emotions, hope, illusion, and reality. This chapter introduces students to deeply layered characters like Captain Hagberd, Bessie, and Mr Carvil, helping them understand psychological conflicts and human behavior. It highlights themes such as loneliness, blind faith, and emotional struggle, which are important for both exams and real-life understanding. These NCERT solutions provide clear and reliable answers that help students grasp the correct approach to answering questions. You can download the worksheet and practice alongside solutions for better clarity. If you want personalized support and deeper understanding, you can also book a free trial now to get expert guidance.

What this NCERT chapter covers?

1. The chapter explores the theme of illusion versus reality through Captain Hagberd’s belief about his son.
2. It develops an understanding of complex human emotions like hope, denial, frustration, and helplessness.
3. Students learn about character analysis through Bessie, Hagberd, and Mr Carvil.
4. It introduces narrative techniques like indirect narration and gradual revelation.
5. The story focuses on psychological depth and inner conflicts of characters.
6. It highlights social issues such as isolation, dependency, and emotional burden.
7. Language skills include comprehension, interpretation, and analytical thinking.
8. It helps students understand symbolism and literary devices like allusion.
9. The chapter strengthens answer-writing skills for literature-based questions.
10. It prepares students for exam-oriented questions like short answers and text-based analysis.

How to use these NCERT solutions?

1. First, read the questions carefully and attempt them on your own before checking answers.
2. Compare your answers with the given solutions to understand the correct approach.
3. Focus on how answers are structured clearly and concisely.
4. Revise answers regularly to improve retention and exam performance.
5. Use these solutions to understand character traits and themes better.
6. Parents and teachers can guide students by discussing each answer for deeper clarity.
7. Follow the exact order of questions to stay aligned with the worksheet.
8. Practice writing answers in your own words after understanding them.
9. Use the solutions for quick revision before exams.

Important tips & tricks for students

1. Always read the question carefully before answering.
2. Stick to the point and avoid unnecessary explanations.
3. Focus on key themes and character traits in your answers.
4. Use simple and clear language while writing.
5. Do not assume extra information beyond what is given.
6. Practice regularly to improve writing speed and accuracy.
7. Pay attention to literary terms like allusion and narration style.
8. For open-ended questions, write structured and meaningful responses.
9. Revise important answers multiple times for better retention.
10. Maintain neat presentation for better scoring.

NCERT solutions – complete answer key

Stop and Think ( Page 42)

1. Captain Hagberd came to Colebrook in search of his lost son, Harry. A letter had suggested that his son might have been seen there, so he settled in the town hoping for his return.

2. People considered him strange and unreasonable because he obsessively believed his son would return “tomorrow.” His behaviour and constant hope made others think he was mentally unstable.

Stop and Think (Page 46)

1. He was a coastal sailor who never liked the sea. He preferred land and home life and avoided long voyages, showing his emotional dislike for seafaring.

2. He hinted that Bessie would marry his son Harry when he returned. His constant references to their future together made her feel shy and embarrassed.

Stop and Think (Page 49)

1. Bessie listened patiently and humoured him. Though she knew his hopes were unrealistic, she did not contradict him out of kindness and pity.

2. Mr Carvil was harsh, selfish, and tyrannical. Despite being blind, he dominated and depended heavily on Bessie, making her life difficult.

Stop and Think ( Page 52)

1. Both were mentally and emotionally trapped—Hagberd in his delusion about his son, and Carvil in his bitterness and dependence. Both caused suffering to themselves and others.

2. Bessie felt frustrated due to her difficult life, her father’s behaviour, and Hagberd’s unrealistic dreams. This emotional burden sometimes made her irritated.

Stop and Think (Page 58)

1. The stranger was Harry Hagberd, the Captain’s son. The Captain, however, refused to believe him and reacted with fear and denial, thinking he was being mocked.

2. He thought it was a trick or joke planned by someone to deceive his father, not realizing it was his father’s delusion.

3. She did so out of kindness. She believed that denying his hope would break him mentally, so she supported his illusion to keep him stable.

Stop and Think (Page 64)

1. Bessie becomes convinced because the young man shares detailed personal memories about his parents, especially his father’s habits and behaviour. His resemblance to Captain Hagberd and his natural manner also confirm his identity.

2. Harry had lived a rough, wandering life as a sailor. He moved from place to place, struggled for survival, and lacked stability, showing that his life was harsh and uncertain.

Stop and Think (Page 66)

1. Bessie tells Harry that his father has been preparing a home for him and expects him to settle down, marry her, and live a stable life. Everything has been arranged with the belief that he will return “tomorrow.”

2. Captain Hagberd called out that he would force his son to stay and, if necessary, disinherit him. He declared that he would leave all his property to Bessie if Harry refused to accept his plans.

Understanding the Text

1. The consistency in Captain Hagberd’s madness is his unwavering belief that his son will return “tomorrow.” No matter what happens, his hope never changes, showing a fixed and repetitive pattern in his delusion.

2. He prepares by buying furniture, arranging a house, and planning a settled life for Harry. He even imagines Harry’s marriage with Bessie, showing how deeply he lives in his imagined future.

3. Bessie gradually begins to half-believe his illusion because she constantly listens to and supports his ideas. Out of compassion, she stops opposing him, which slowly makes her emotionally involved in his belief.

4. Harry comes mainly out of curiosity and after seeing the advertisement. He also hopes to get some help or money, not out of emotional attachment or desire to reunite permanently.

Talking about the text

1. This statement is true in the case of Captain Hagberd. His madness is balanced by his belief that his son will return. When this belief is challenged, he becomes disturbed and agitated. His self-esteem depends on this illusion, and any threat to it causes emotional instability. Answers may vary.

2. The author uses indirect narration and gradual revelation. Hagberd’s past is revealed through conversations, gossip, and observations rather than direct explanation, creating mystery and psychological depth.

3. Bessie shows partial insanity by believing and supporting Hagberd’s illusion. Old Carvil’s cruel and dependent behaviour also reflects imbalance. These suggest that madness is not limited to one person—it exists in different forms in society.

4. Both stories deal with escape, helplessness, and emotional conflict. In Eveline, the protagonist cannot leave her home despite suffering, while in Tomorrow, Bessie remains trapped in her situation. Both highlight fear, duty, and inability to change one’s life. Answers may vary.

Appreciation

1. Bessie is disappointed because Harry is selfish, careless, and unwilling to stay. He destroys the illusion she had protected and does not value his father’s love or her sacrifice.

Language Work

Task:

Example 1:
“Father Neptune” → Hagberd is compared to Neptune, the Roman sea god.
This shows his sailor background and strong personality.

Example 2:
“deposed sea-god”
Suggests that Hagberd was once powerful (a sailor) but is now reduced to a lonely, helpless man.

Explanation:
This exercise teaches how writers refer indirectly to famous figures or ideas to create deeper meaning. Such references are called allusions.

A. Figures of speech: Allusuion

B. Pronounciation

Explanation:
This exercise shows how stress changes when a word changes from verb to noun. It improves pronunciation and speaking accuracy.

Given:
inform → in'form
information → infor'mation
hesitate → 'hesitate
hesitation → hesi'tation

Verb Noun
'present pre'sent
ex'amine exami'nation
pro'duce pro'duction
'calculate calcu'lation
dis'tribute distri'bution
'specialise speciali'sation

Task:

Suggested Reading

Explanation:
This section encourages you to read more works by Joseph Conrad to understand his writing style and themes. While reading, focus on how he explores human psychology, isolation, and inner conflict. Try to connect these themes with “Tomorrow” for better understanding. This will also improve your analytical and interpretation skills.

Why NCERT solutions help students?

NCERT solutions help students build strong conceptual understanding and prepare effectively for exams. They provide clarity in answering questions, improve writing skills, and boost confidence. With accurate and structured answers, students can easily revise and perform better in their assessments.

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