Bepin Choudhury's Lapse of Memory: CBSE Class 8 English

Summary of Bepin Choudhury's Lapse of Memory

The story revolves around Bepin Choudhury, an elderly man who loves reading. One day, a man named Parimal Ghose approaches him and claims to have met him during a trip to Ranchi in 1958. Bepin Babu is certain he has never been to Ranchi and dismisses the man. However, the man provides so many personal details that Bepin Babu begins to doubt himself. This doubt grows into a serious worry, affecting his work and peace of mind. He tries to verify the trip with a friend, Dinesh Mukerji, who confirms the Ranchi story, making Bepin even more distressed. He starts to think he is losing his mind. Finally, desperate, he consults a doctor and decides to visit Ranchi to see if the place jogs his memory. The story ends with a surprising revelation: the entire episode was a prank orchestrated by his old friend, Chunilal, as a form of revenge for Bepin's unhelpful attitude when Chunilal was looking for a job. The 'lapse of memory' was never real.

Key Characters in the Story

Bepin Choudhury

The protagonist of the story. He is a well-read, solitary man who works in a reputable firm. He is proud of his sharp memory, which is why the suggestion that he has forgotten a significant event deeply disturbs him.

Parimal Ghose

The man who first confronts Bepin Babu in the bookshop, claiming to know him from a trip to Ranchi. He is the first actor in Chunilal's elaborate prank.

Chunilal

An old school friend of Bepin Babu. He has fallen on hard times and had approached Bepin for help with a job, but was turned away. He is the mastermind behind the prank, seeking revenge for Bepin's coldness.

Dr. Paresh Chanda

A young physician with a practical approach. Bepin Babu consults him about his 'memory loss.' Dr. Chanda advises him to visit Ranchi, believing it might help him remember.

How Chunilal's Prank Unfolded

1. Step 1: The Motive — Chunilal, an old friend of Bepin's, was struggling financially and needed a job. He went to Bepin for help, but Bepin was indifferent and did not help him. Feeling hurt and wanting to teach Bepin a lesson, Chunilal decided to play a prank on him.
2. Step 2: The Setup in the Bookshop — Chunilal arranged for Parimal Ghose to meet Bepin at Kalicharan's bookshop. Ghose acted as if he knew Bepin from a trip to Ranchi in '58 and provided very specific, personal details that only a close friend (like Chunilal) would know. This planted the first seed of doubt in Bepin's mind.
3. Step 3: Building Corroboration — To make the story more believable, Chunilal also got others involved. When Bepin called his friend Dinesh Mukerji, Dinesh (likely in on the prank) confirmed the Ranchi trip. This further convinced Bepin that something was seriously wrong with his memory.
4. Step 4: The Climax and Revelation — After Bepin returns from his fruitless trip to Ranchi, completely dejected, he finds a letter from Chunilal. The letter reveals the entire truth: the 'lapse of memory' was a prank. Chunilal explains that he did it as revenge for Bepin's unfeeling behaviour and hoped it would make him a more considerate person.

Exam Tip: Writing a Character Sketch

When asked to write a character sketch of Bepin Choudhury or Chunilal, don't just state their qualities. You must provide evidence from the text! For Bepin Babu, you could say, 'He was a proud man, which is evident when he initially dismisses Parimal Ghose because he believed his memory was flawless.' For Chunilal, you could write, 'He was imaginative and vengeful, as shown by the elaborate and detailed prank he designed to teach Bepin a lesson.' Using direct examples from the story will make your answers much stronger and get you higher marks.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Why did Bepin Choudhury's doubt about the Ranchi trip grow stronger after talking to Dinesh Mukerji? A: Step 1: Initially, Bepin Choudhury was confident he had never been to Ranchi and thought Parimal Ghose was mistaken. Step 2: To confirm this, he decided to call his friend Dinesh Mukerji, who was supposedly on the trip with him. He expected Dinesh to deny the trip ever happened. Step 3: However, Dinesh Mukerji confirmed the story, stating that they had indeed gone to Ranchi in October '58. This confirmation from a trusted friend shattered Bepin's confidence. Final answer: Bepin's doubt grew stronger because his friend Dinesh, whom he trusted to deny the story, ended up confirming it, making him believe his memory was truly failing.
• Q: What reason did Chunilal give for playing the trick on Bepin Babu? A: Step 1: Chunilal had been going through a difficult time and was unemployed. He went to his old, well-off friend Bepin Babu for help in finding a job. Step 2: Bepin Babu, however, was very unhelpful and indifferent to Chunilal's plight. He did not offer any assistance. Step 3: In his letter, Chunilal explained that Bepin's unfeeling behaviour had hurt him. He played the prank to get his own back and as a form of revenge for Bepin's lack of friendship. Final answer: Chunilal played the trick as revenge for Bepin Babu's cold and unhelpful attitude when Chunilal was in desperate need of a job.
• Q: How did Bepin Babu react after reading Chunilal's letter? A: Step 1: After returning from Ranchi and feeling utterly hopeless, Bepin Babu received a letter from Chunilal. Step 2: As he read the letter, he understood that his 'lapse of memory' was not a medical condition but a well-planned prank. Step 3: The story mentions that when the doctor arrived, Bepin Babu told him he was fine and that he had regained his memory after going to Ranchi. He felt a sense of relief but also likely felt foolish and embarrassed. Final answer: After reading Chunilal's letter, Bepin Babu felt a sharp sense of relief. He lied to his doctor, claiming the Ranchi trip cured him, to cover up the embarrassment of having been fooled by the prank.
• Q: What does the incident with Parimal Ghose tell you about Bepin Choudhury's character? A: Step 1: Bepin Choudhury is initially presented as a very logical and confident person. When Parimal Ghose approaches him, his first reaction is one of certainty that the man is mistaken. Step 2: He states, 'I've never been to Ranchi,' with complete conviction. This shows he has great faith in his memory and his organized life. Step 3: However, as Ghose provides more details, Bepin's confidence starts to waver. This shows that despite his outward confidence, he is prone to self-doubt and anxiety when his sense of reality is challenged. Final answer: The incident shows that Bepin Choudhury is a proud man who trusts his memory completely, but it also reveals his underlying anxiety and how easily his composure can be shaken when faced with persistent and detailed contradiction.

Frequently Asked Questions