Iswaran The Storyteller: CBSE Class 9 English Chapter Notes

Must Remember: Key Points

• Narrator & Listener: The story is narrated by Ganesh to whom Mahendra recounts his experiences with Iswaran.
• Iswaran's Role: Iswaran is Mahendra's cook, servant, and companion. He is a multi-talented person who manages resources miraculously and is an asset to Mahendra.
• The Art of Storytelling: Iswaran is a master narrator. He uses dramatic gestures, voice modulation, suspense, and vivid descriptions to make his stories come alive.
• Source of Stories: His stories are influenced by the Tamil thrillers he reads.
• Key Anecdotes: Two major stories he tells are about a wild elephant that entered a school and how he controlled it, and the story of a female ghost with a foetus in its arms.
• Mahendra's Character: Mahendra is a junior supervisor who enjoys Iswaran's stories but considers himself a rational, practical man who doesn't believe in ghosts.
• The Climax: After hearing the ghost story, Mahendra becomes unnerved. One night, he hears a wailing sound and sees a cloudy form outside his window, just as Iswaran described.
• The Resolution: Terrified, Mahendra resigns from his job the very next day and decides to leave the 'haunted' place, unable to distinguish between Iswaran's fiction and his own fear-induced reality.

Key Terms & Vocabulary

Prologue

An introductory part of a story. Iswaran would build up a dramatic prologue before starting any anecdote.

Anecdote

A short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person. Iswaran's stories were elaborate anecdotes.

In thrall

To be completely captivated or held in fascination by something. Mahendra would listen to Iswaran's stories in thrall.

Auspicious

Favourable or suggesting a good chance of success. Iswaran considered some days auspicious for special meals.

Ghastly

Causing great horror or fear; frightful or macabre.

Figment of imagination

Something that seems real but is not, created by your mind. Mahendra initially dismisses the ghost as a figment of Iswaran's imagination.

Desolate

A place that is deserted, empty, and bleak. Mahendra's postings were often in desolate landscapes.

Gesticulation

Using gestures, especially dramatic ones, instead of speaking or to emphasize one's words. Iswaran used elaborate gesticulations in his storytelling.

Character Sketch: Iswaran the Storyteller

Iswaran is the central figure and the heart of the story. He is far more than just Mahendra's cook; he is an 'asset'. His character is multi-faceted. Firstly, he is an amazing cook, able to conjure up delicious dishes from fresh vegetables seemingly out of nowhere, even in remote locations. Secondly, he is a loyal and caring companion, looking after Mahendra's needs and providing entertainment.

However, his most defining trait is his mastery of storytelling. Iswaran is a voracious reader of popular Tamil thrillers, which fuels his vivid imagination. He doesn't just narrate; he performs. His technique involves a dramatic prologue, building suspense with pauses, using expressive hand gestures (gesticulations), and modulating his voice to create a theatrical experience. He has the power to make the listener, Mahendra, visualize every detail, effectively hypnotizing his audience. His stories, whether about a mad elephant or a female ghost, are so convincing that they ultimately blur the line between fiction and reality, leading to the story's dramatic climax. Iswaran is the embodiment of the power of narrative.

Iswaran vs. Mahendra: A Comparison

Theme: The Art of Storytelling & Its Impact

The central theme of 'Iswaran The Storyteller' is the immense power of storytelling to influence human perception and psychology. Iswaran is not just a narrator; he is an artist who crafts experiences. The story demonstrates that how a story is told is as important as the story itself. Iswaran uses a specific formula for maximum impact: a dramatic build-up, suspenseful pauses, vivid imagery, and theatrical performance involving his entire body. This technique is so effective that it can make an ordinary incident, like a fallen tree, seem like a confrontation with a great beast. The ultimate proof of his power is how his ghost story transforms Mahendra, a self-proclaimed rationalist, into a man paralyzed by fear. The narrative suggests that a well-told story can suspend disbelief, tap into our deepest fears, and even alter our reality. It explores the thin line between what is real and what is imagined.

Exam Tip

For questions about the climax, focus on the psychological impact on Mahendra. Examiners want to see if you understand the theme. Don't just say 'he saw a ghost'. Instead, explain that Mahendra, influenced by Iswaran's powerful narration, projected his own fear onto an ambiguous sound and shape. Your answer should highlight how Iswaran's story blurred the line between illusion and reality for Mahendra, leading to his breakdown of rationality and his decision to resign.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• What were Iswaran's two main assets, according to the narrator? He was an amazing cook who could produce delicious meals in any condition, and he was a master storyteller who entertained Mahendra.
• How did Iswaran build suspense in his stories? He would use a dramatic prologue, arched eyebrows, hand gestures, and would leave the story hanging to build suspense before revealing the conclusion.
• How did Iswaran claim to have brought down the mad elephant? He claimed he used a Japanese martial art (Ju-jitsu or Karate) to strike the elephant's third toenail, which quickly paralyzed and collapsed the beast.
• Why did Mahendra finally decide to resign from his job? He was terrified after believing he saw the female ghost Iswaran had described. The fear overpowered his rationality, and he wanted to leave the 'haunted' place immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions