NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6

NCERT solutions for Class 12 English Chapter Memories of Childhood – complete answers & explanations 

This blog provides NCERT solutions for Class 12 English Chapter Memories of Childhood. The chapter presents autobiographical episodes from the childhood experiences of two women, Zitkala-Sa and Bama, who belonged to marginalized communities. Through their personal stories, the chapter highlights discrimination, injustice, and the struggle for dignity and equality. It shows how both writers observed oppression at a young age and developed the courage to resist it. These solutions provide complete answers strictly based on the worksheet so that students can understand the chapter clearly and prepare effectively for exams. 

What this NCERT chapter covers? 

1. The childhood experiences of Zitkala-Sa at a Native American boarding school. 
2. The cultural oppression faced by Native American children in the school. 
3. The incident of cutting Zitkala-Sa’s long hair and her emotional resistance to it. 
4. Bama’s childhood experience of caste discrimination in her village. 
5. The humiliation faced by people from Dalit communities. 
6. The importance of education and self-respect in overcoming discrimination. 

How to use these NCERT solutions? 

1. Students should first read the chapter carefully to understand both autobiographical accounts. 
2. Try answering the questions independently before referring to the solutions. 
3. Compare your answers with the solutions to identify important points and ideas. 
4. Teachers and parents can discuss the themes of discrimination, equality, and resistance shown in the chapter. 
5. The answers are provided in the same order as the worksheet questions to make them easy to follow. 

Important tips & tricks for students 

1. Understand the experiences of both writers and the social discrimination they faced. 
2. Focus on the central themes of oppression, resistance, and dignity. 
3. Write answers clearly and include key ideas from the incidents described in the chapter. 
4. Keep answers concise and focused on the question. 
5. Pay attention to the differences and similarities between the two autobiographical accounts. 

NCERT solutions – complete answer key 

Reading with Insight 

1. The two accounts that you read above are based in two distant cultures. What is the commonality of theme found in both of them? 

Both accounts share the common theme of discrimination and oppression faced by marginalized communities. Zitkala-Sa describes the cultural oppression of Native American children in a boarding school, while Bama describes caste discrimination faced by Dalits in her village. In both cases, the writers experience humiliation and injustice at a young age, which makes them aware of social inequality and inspires them to resist it.

2. It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted, but the seeds of rebellion are sowed early in life. Do you agree that injustice in any form cannot escape being noticed even by children? 

Yes, children can clearly notice injustice and discrimination. In the chapter, Zitkala-Sa strongly resists the cutting of her hair because it represents humiliation in her culture. Similarly, Bama becomes angry and disturbed when she learns why an elder from her community carries a food packet by its string to avoid touching it. These experiences show that even children can recognize unfair treatment and develop a sense of resistance against injustice. 

3. Bama’s experience is that of a victim of the caste system. What kind of discrimination does Zitkala-Sa’s experience depict? What are their responses to their respective situations? 

Zitkala-Sa’s experience depicts racial and cultural discrimination against Native Americans. She is forced to follow unfamiliar rules at the boarding school and is humiliated when her long hair is cut against her wishes. She resists strongly but is eventually forced to submit. Bama experiences caste discrimination in her village, where people from her community are treated as untouchables. Instead of accepting this injustice, she becomes determined to study hard and succeed so that she can overcome such discrimination and gain respect.

Why NCERT solutions help students? 

NCERT solutions help students understand important themes and ideas presented in the chapter. These answers follow the NCERT pattern and help students prepare effectively for exam questions. Practising these solutions improves writing skills, strengthens concept clarity, and builds confidence for examinations.