Class 12 English – Chapter Summaries

Includes detailed summaries and key points of important chapters:

1. The Third Level

2. The Tiger King
3. Journey to the End of the Earth
4. The Enemy
5. On the Face of It
6. Memories of Childhood
Table of Contents
Chapter Page
1. The Third Level 3
2. The Tiger King 4
3. Journey to the End of the Earth 5
4. The Enemy 6
5. On the Face of It 7
6. Memories of Childhood 8
The Third Level
*The Third Level* by Jack Finney is a psychological story that mixes fantasy with reality. The
narrator, Charlie, believes the Grand Central Station in New York has not just two but three levels.
The third level leads back to the year 1894, a peaceful time compared to the modern world full of
tension and insecurity. One day, Charlie accidentally finds himself there and notices old-fashioned
surroundings—steam locomotives, gas lights, and old currency. He tries to buy tickets to
Galesburg, Illinois, but his modern money is useless. Though he never finds the third level again,
later a letter from his psychiatrist friend Sam, written from 1894, is found in his stamp collection.
The story highlights escapism, nostalgia, and man’s longing for a simpler past.

Key Points:
- Author – Jack Finney
- Narrator – Charlie, 31 years old, lives with wife Louisa
- Belief – Grand Central has a mysterious third level leading to 1894
- Experience – Old locomotives, gas lights, newspaper dated 1894
- Failed Attempt – Modern currency not accepted, can’t buy tickets
- Psychiatrist’s View – Escapism from modern stress
- Twist – Letter from Sam in 1894 proves third level’s existence
- Message – Escapism, fantasy vs reality, stress of modern life

The Tiger King

*The Tiger King* by Kalki is a satirical story about arrogance and fate. Astrologers predicted at his
birth that the king of Pratibandapuram would die because of a tiger. To defy this, he vowed to kill
100 tigers. He hunted tirelessly, even marrying into a tiger-rich kingdom. He killed 99 tigers but
missed the 100th, though his men secretly killed it. Later, a splinter from a wooden toy tiger caused
an infection, leading to his death. Ironically, the prophecy came true in an unexpected way, showing
that no one can escape fate.

Key Points:
- Author – Kalki (Ramaswami Aiyar Krishnamurthy)
- Astrologers predicted death from a tiger
- King’s arrogance – vowed to kill 100 tigers
- Hunted 99 successfully, missed the 100th
- Toy tiger splinter caused infection, leading to death
- Irony – prophecy fulfilled unexpectedly
- Message – Futility of pride, fate is inescapable

Journey to the End of the Earth

*Journey to the End of the Earth* by Tishani Doshi describes a visit to Antarctica under the
'Students on Ice' programme. Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, free of human
interference. It helps us understand Earth’s past (Gondwana land), present, and future. The author
highlights evidence of climate change like melting glaciers and ozone depletion affecting
phytoplankton, which form the base of the food chain. Antarctica acts as a warning signal, urging
humanity to act responsibly to protect Earth’s fragile ecosystem.

Key Points:
- Author – Tishani Doshi
- Visited Antarctica via Students on Ice programme
- Antarctica – coldest, driest, windiest continent
- Shows Earth’s past (Gondwana land) and climate change evidence
- Melting glaciers, ozone depletion threaten ecosystems
- Phytoplankton crucial for marine food chain
- Message – Environmental awareness, interconnectedness of life, urgent need to act

The Enemy
*The Enemy* by Pearl S. Buck is set in Japan during WWII. Dr. Sadao, a Japanese surgeon trained
in America, finds an injured American prisoner of war washed ashore. Despite being the enemy,
Sadao operates and saves him, supported by his wife Hana. Their servants leave in protest. The
General promises to have the soldier killed but never sends assassins. Finally, Sadao helps the
soldier escape secretly. The story shows that humanity and compassion are greater than
nationalism and hatred.

Key Points:
- Author – Pearl S. Buck
- Setting – Japan during WWII
- Main character – Dr. Sadao, Japanese surgeon
- Incident – Finds injured American soldier on shore
- Conflict – Patriotism vs duty as a doctor
- Treatment – Operates and saves the soldier
- General’s Role – Promises assassins but fails
- Resolution – Sadao helps soldier escape
- Message – Humanity is greater than hatred or war

On the Face of It
*On the Face of It* by Susan Hill is a play that explores the themes of loneliness, disability, and
human connection. The story is about Derry, a young boy with a burnt face, and Mr. Lamb, an old
man with a tin leg. Derry feels isolated because people avoid him due to his appearance. Mr. Lamb,
however, encourages him to look at life positively. He tells Derry that beauty lies in how one sees
the world and that everyone has limitations. The friendship between them gives Derry hope, but the
play ends tragically as Mr. Lamb dies from a fall. The story conveys that acceptance and inner
strength are more important than outward appearances.

Key Points:
- Author – Susan Hill
- Characters – Derry (a boy with a burnt face), Mr. Lamb (old man with a tin leg)
- Derry feels rejected and lonely due to his scarred face
- Mr. Lamb teaches him to stay positive and see beauty in life
- They form a bond of friendship
- Tragic end – Mr. Lamb dies after falling from a ladder
- Message – Inner beauty, courage, and acceptance matter more than appearances

Memories of Childhood
*Memories of Childhood* consists of two autobiographical extracts highlighting discrimination and
social injustice. 1. **‘The Cutting of My Long Hair’ by Zitkala-Sa** – A Native American girl narrates
how she was forced to cut her long hair at a missionary school, which symbolized loss of her culture
and identity. She felt humiliated and powerless. 2. **‘We Too Are Human Beings’ by Bama** – A
Tamil Dalit girl recounts caste discrimination in her village. She saw how people of her community
were treated as inferior and polluted. With her brother’s advice, she realized education was the path
to equality and self-respect. Together, these extracts show the struggles of marginalized
communities against oppression, and the importance of resistance, dignity, and education.

Key Points:
- Two autobiographical extracts: Zitkala-Sa (Native American) and Bama (Dalit writer)
- Zitkala-Sa – forced haircut at school = loss of culture and humiliation
- Theme – oppression of Native Americans and loss of identity
- Bama – experiences caste discrimination in her village
- Her brother advised her to study to fight inequality
- Theme – caste discrimination and social injustice in India
- Common Message – education, self-respect, and courage help fight discrimination