NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Supplementary Reader Chapter 1 The Coolie by Mulk Raj Anand
NCERT solutions for Class 9 English The Coolie by Mulk Raj Anand – complete answers & explanations
The chapter “The Coolie by Mulk Raj Anand” from Class 9 English Moments Supplementary Reader presents the life of a young boy named Munoo and the hardships he faces in society. It highlights important issues like poverty, child labour, and social inequality through a simple yet powerful story. This chapter is important for students as it builds awareness about real-life struggles and human values while improving reading and comprehension skills. Students often find it emotional and thought-provoking, making it essential for exams and discussions. These NCERT solutions provide clear and reliable answers that help students understand the chapter better and write correct responses in exams. Download the worksheet and practice alongside solutions for better clarity. Book a free trial now to get expert guidance.
What this NCERT chapter covers?
1. The life journey of Munoo
from a village to different cities and workplaces
2. The harsh realities of poverty and child labour in society
3. The concept of social inequality and how it affects individuals
4. The emotional and physical struggles faced by a young child
5. Character analysis of key figures like Munoo, Babu Nathoo Ram, and others
6. Themes such as exploitation, loss of innocence, and survival
7. Understanding how society treats the poor and underprivileged
8. Development of empathy and awareness through storytelling
9. Improvement of reading comprehension and interpretation skills
10. Learning to identify themes and messages in a literary text
How to use these NCERT solutions?
1. Read the chapter carefully first
to understand the story and characters
2. Attempt all questions and activities from the worksheet on your own
3. Use these NCERT solutions to check your answers after attempting them
4. Compare your responses with the given answers to improve accuracy
5. Follow the same order of sections as given in the worksheet for clarity
6. Revise important points like themes and character sketches regularly
7. Parents and teachers can discuss the answers to deepen understanding
8. Focus on improving writing style by observing how answers are structured
Important tips & tricks for students
1. Focus on understanding the story instead of memorizing it blindly
2. Pay attention to key themes like poverty, inequality, and exploitation
3. Write answers in simple and clear language as expected in exams
4. Do not skip activity or discussion-based questions
5. Revise character sketches carefully as they are often asked in exams
6. Avoid writing very long answers; keep them relevant and to the point
7. Practice expressing your thoughts clearly for open-ended questions
8. Read questions carefully before answering to avoid mistakes
NCERT solutions – complete answer key
SUMMARY
Munoo is a poor boy from a village who becomes an orphan at a young age. After his father’s death, he is sent to work as a servant in the house of Babu Nathoo Ram. There, he faces harsh treatment and humiliation, especially from Bibi Uttam Kaur. Unable to bear the cruelty, Munoo runs away.
He then finds work at a pickle factory in Daulatpur, where he makes friends with other workers. However, the factory conditions are unhealthy and exploitative. When a worker strike takes place, Munoo loses his job and again becomes homeless.
Later, he moves to Bombay, where he works as a coolie. Life in the city is extremely difficult, and he is exposed to poverty, disease, and exploitation. Eventually, Munoo becomes weak and falls ill.
In the end, he is taken in by Mrs. Mainwaring, an Anglo-Indian woman, who employs him as a servant. Although she shows some kindness, Munoo’s health continues to deteriorate. He suffers from tuberculosis and dies at a young age.
The story highlights the harsh realities of poverty, child labour, and social inequality in colonial India.
CHARACTER SKETCH
Munoo
Munoo is the central character of the story, a young orphan boy who represents the suffering of poor children in society.
He is innocent, sensitive, and hardworking. Despite his difficult circumstances, he remains hopeful and eager to please his employers. However, he is constantly subjected to humiliation, hunger, and physical exhaustion. His lack of education and social support makes him vulnerable to exploitation at every stage of life.
Munoo’s journey from village to city reflects his gradual loss of innocence. Even in suffering, he does not become bitter, which highlights his pure and gentle nature. His tragic death at a young age symbolizes the harsh reality faced by many child labourers.
Babu Nathoo Ram
Babu Nathoo Ram is a middle-class employer who represents the indifferent and self-centered attitude of society towards the poor. Although he is not openly violent, he treats Munoo as inferior and expects complete obedience. He lacks empathy and fails to recognize Munoo’s basic human needs. His behavior reflects the social hierarchy where servants are considered insignificant.
Bibi Uttam Kaur
Bibi Uttam Kaur is a harsh, dominating, and cruel woman. She constantly scolds, insults, and overworks Munoo. She shows no kindness or understanding towards him and treats him as a burden rather than a human being.
Her character represents the oppressive nature of employers who exploit child labour without guilt. Through her, the author highlights the lack of compassion in society.
Prabha Dayal
Prabha Dayal, the owner of the pickle factory, appears to be kind and sympathetic towards workers. He treats Munoo better than his previous employers and shows concern for his well-being. However, he is still part of an exploitative industrial system where workers are underpaid and overworked. His character reflects the complexity of individuals who may be personally kind but are still involved in unjust systems.
Mrs. Mainwaring
Mrs. Mainwaring is an Anglo-Indian woman who employs Munoo in the later part of the story. Compared to others, she shows some degree of care and affection towards him. However, she is also self-centered and uses Munoo for her own needs. Her kindness is limited and does not address Munoo’s real problems. Despite her better treatment, Munoo’s health continues to decline. Her character highlights that partial kindness is not enough to overcome deep social and economic issues.
THEMES
Poverty and Child Labour:
The story shows how children like Munoo are forced to work in harsh conditions due to poverty.
Social Inequality:
The story highlights the gap between rich and poor and the injustice in society.
Loss of Innocence:
Munoo’s childhood is destroyed as he is forced to face adult responsibilities too early.
Exploitation:
Munoo is exploited at every stage of his life by different employers and systems.
MESSAGE
The story emphasizes the need for compassion, equality, and protection of children. It criticizes the social system that allows exploitation and suffering of the poor.
ACTIVITY
Trace Munoo’s journey from village to city and identify how his life changes at each stage.
Answers may vary.
Discuss the impact of child labour on a child’s physical and emotional growth.
Answers may vary.
Write a short paragraph on what you learn from Munoo’s life.
Answers may vary.
ORAL DISCUSSION
Munoo’s life was full of suffering and struggle.
Explanation:
Munoo faces continuous hardships such as poverty, hunger, and mistreatment from different employers throughout his life.
He faced exploitation at every stage.
Explanation:
Whether as a servant, factory worker, or coolie, Munoo is always overworked and underpaid, showing how society exploits the poor.
His story reflects the harsh reality of society.
Explanation:
Munoo’s life represents the real conditions of many poor children who suffer due to inequality and lack of support.
Why NCERT solutions help students?
NCERT solutions help students prepare better for exams by giving them the correct approach to answering questions. They improve understanding of concepts, make revision easier, and build confidence in writing accurate answers. With regular practice, students can strengthen their knowledge and perform well in exams.
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