Chapter 5
C.1. Long Answer Questions:
1: Who was Narcissus? What was special about him?
Ans: Narcissus was a beautiful young man in Greek mythology, known for his stunning appearance. He was so attractive that everyone who saw him fell in love with him. Narcissus was special because of his exceptional beauty, but his story is tragic as he became infatuated with his own reflection, which led to his eventual demise. His story also gave rise to the term "narcissism," which refers to an excessive love of oneself.
2: Who was Echo? Who cursed her and why? What was the curse?
Ans: Echo was a nymph who had once been a talkative and cheerful creature. She was cursed by the goddess Hera because Echo had distracted Hera with long conversations, which allowed Zeus to sneak away and have affairs. As punishment, Hera cursed Echo to only repeat the last words spoken to her, making it impossible for her to express her own thoughts or desires. This curse played a significant role in Echo’s interactions with Narcissus
3: Why did Echo follow Narcissus? Why was she eager to talk to him?
Ans: Echo followed Narcissus because she was captivated by his beauty. She longed to speak to him and admire his appearance up close. Despite her curse that forced her to only repeat the last words she heard, Echo still wanted to engage with Narcissus, and she felt an intense desire to communicate with him, even though she could only echo his words.
4: Describe what happened during the meeting of Echo and Narcissus.
Ans: During their meeting, Echo timidly followed Narcissus through the woods, longing to speak to him. When Narcissus called out, Echo responded by repeating his words. As Narcissus grew confused by the repeated responses, he called to her, urging her to come closer. When Echo emerged from her hiding place and tried to approach him, Narcissus rejected her, mocking her and pushing her away. He ran off, leaving Echo devastated, unable to speak except to echo his cruel words.
5: Why was the nymph embarrassed and ashamed? What was the result of it?
Ans: Echo was embarrassed and ashamed because Narcissus mocked and rejected her after she tried to approach him. Her love for him was not reciprocated, and his cruelty led her to feel humiliated. As a result, Echo retreated into a dark cave, hiding from the world. Her beauty withered away, and her body shrank until she vanished, leaving only her voice, which still echoes in the world.
6: Who prayed to the gods against Narcissus? What did she pray? Was it granted?
Ans: One of the women whom Narcissus had rejected and scorned prayed to the gods for revenge. She asked the gods that Narcissus should one day fall in love with someone who would reject him, just as he had done to others. This prayer was granted, and Narcissus was cursed to fall in love with his own reflection, leading to his eventual demise.
7: What happened to Narcissus when he went to the pool to quench his thirst?
Ans: When Narcissus went to the pool to drink water, he saw his own reflection in the clear water. He became enamored with his own image, not realizing it was just a reflection. He fell in love with the beauty of his own face and could not tear himself away from the pool. He remained there, staring at his reflection, until he eventually withered away and died. His body turned into a flower known as the Narcissus.
8: What feeling do you have when you see your reflection in a mirror?
Ans: This answer can vary depending on personal experiences. A typical response might be: "When I look Ans: into the mirror, I feel a sense of self-awareness. Sometimes I appreciate the way I look, and at other times, I might feel the need to improve certain aspects of my appearance. Overall, seeing my reflection helps me stay connected with myself and understand how I present myself to others."
C.2. Group Discussion:
1: If you meet two persons, one having a beautiful face and the other a beautiful heart, whom would you prefer and why?
Ans: In this situation, I would prefer the person with a beautiful heart. While physical beauty can be attractive initially, it is the kindness, compassion, and integrity of a person that create lasting and meaningful relationships. A beautiful heart reflects values that contribute to love, respect, and connection, which are more important for long-term happiness than external beauty.
2: Falling in love with oneself is dangerous. Do you agree?
Ans: Yes, I agree that falling in love with oneself in an unhealthy way, also known as narcissism, can be dangerous. It can lead to a lack of empathy for others, an inflated sense of self-importance, and an inability to form meaningful connections with people. It can also cause one to become self-absorbed and neglect the needs of others, which is harmful to both the individual and the people around them.
C.2. Group Discussion:
3: If you meet two persons, one having a beautiful face and the other a beautiful heart, whom would you prefer and why?
Ans: In this situation, I would prefer the person with a beautiful heart. While physical beauty can be attractive initially, it is the kindness, compassion, and integrity of a person that create lasting and meaningful relationships. A beautiful heart reflects values that contribute to love, respect, and connection, which are more important for long-term happiness than external beauty.
4: Falling in love with oneself is dangerous. Do you agree?
Ans: Yes, I agree that falling in love with oneself in an unhealthy way, also known as narcissism, can be dangerous. It can lead to a lack of empathy for others, an inflated sense of self-importance, and an inability to form meaningful connections with people. It can also cause one to become self-absorbed and neglect the needs of others, which is harmful to both the individual and the people around them.
