Upper Primary English Comprehension: 17

 Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Srikanta is not just a novel, but a journey of a wandering soul. The protagonist, Srikanta, is a young man driven by curiosity, emotion, and a desire to understand life and people. As he travels through different places—villages, towns, and spiritual centers—he encounters people from all walks of life. Some are saints, others are rebels, but each leaves a mark on him.

One of the most memorable characters in the novel is Rajlakshmi, a woman Srikanta knew in his youth. Once a dancing girl, she transforms her life with courage and devotion. Her love for Srikanta is sincere, yet complicated. Their relationship explores not just romance, but questions of identity, freedom, and society's judgement.

Srikanta’s life is full of contradictions. He is not a hero in the usual sense, but a man who thinks deeply, feels intensely, and often wanders without direction. Sarat Chandra presents him not as perfect, but as human—vulnerable, searching, and evolving.

The novel is written in a first-person narrative, which makes the reader feel close to Srikanta’s inner world. Through his eyes, we see a changing India—where old beliefs clash with new thoughts, and where love and freedom often come at great cost.

📚 Taken from: শরৎচন্দ্র চট্টোপাধ্যায়ের “শ্রীকান্ত” (প্রথম খণ্ড, প্রথম প্রকাশ: ১৯১৭)

✅ Questions (1 mark each):

Comprehension (6 marks)

1. Who is the central character of the novel?
a) Rajlakshmi
b) Srikanta
c) Sarat Chandra
d) A saint

2. What kind of person is Srikanta?
a) A political leader
b) A rich businessman
c) A thoughtful wanderer
d) A military officer

3.Who is Rajlakshmi?
a) Srikanta’s sister
b) A priestess
c) A woman from Srikanta’s past
d) A teacher

4. What does Rajlakshmi’s life represent?
a) Failure and loss
b) Music and dance
c) Transformation and strength
d) Education and science

5. What is special about the novel’s narrative style?
a) It uses dialogue only
b) It is a third-person narration
c) It is written in first-person, showing Srikanta’s thoughts
d) It is written in poetry

6. What does the novel Srikanta explore?
a) Crime and punishment
b) The science of travel
c) Personal identity and social norms
d) Historical events

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Grammar (5 marks)
7. Identify the tense: He is not a hero in the usual sense.
a) Past perfect
b) Present simple
c) Present continuous
d) Future perfect

8. Choose the correct passive voice: Rajlakshmi transforms her life.
a) Her life was transformed by Rajlakshmi.
b) Her life transforms by Rajlakshmi.
c) Rajlakshmi is being transformed by her life.
d) Her life is transformed by Rajlakshmi.

9. Choose the conjunction: She is sincere, yet their love is complicated.
a) She
b) is
c) yet
d) love

10. Identify the pronoun: He often wanders without direction.
a) often
b) wanders
c) He
d) direction

11. Fill in the blank: The novel is written ___ a first-person point of view.
a) in
b) by
c) at
d) on

Vocabulary (4 marks)
12. What does “protagonist” mean?
a) A side character
b) A storyteller
c) The main character
d) The villain

13. What is the meaning of “devotion”?
a) Hatred
b) Doubt
c) Loyalty and dedication
d) Jealousy

14. What does “vulnerable” mean?
a) Strong
b) Easily hurt
c) Silent
d) Carefree

15. What does “contradictions” mean in this context?
a) Agreements
b) Conflicts between thoughts or behaviors
c) Speeches
d) Emotions

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✅ Answer Key:
1. b) Srikanta
2. c) A thoughtful wanderer
3. c) A woman from Srikanta’s past
4. c) Transformation and strength
5. c) It is written in first-person, showing Srikanta’s thoughts
6. c) Personal identity and social norms
7. b) Present simple
8. d) Her life is transformed by Rajlakshmi.
9. c) yet
10 c) He
11.a) in
12. c) The main character
13. c) Loyalty and dedication
14. b) Easily hurt
15. b) Conflicts between thoughts or behaviors