English - Poetry Chapter 7: Macavity the mystery cat Long Answer Questions

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1) Why does the poet call Macavity ‘outwardly respectable’? Discuss.

Ans:- The poet uses the statement ‘outwardly respectable’ as a satire against the cat as Macavity is a very clever and cunning cat who veils itself with the mask of innocence after committing a sinful crime. At any crime related situation, the cat is either not found or if found, he would be miles away, licking his thumb with innocence and no one would ever suspect him of the crime. Even if someone search for him anywhere, Macavity would not be found after a crime. No matter how hard the police try to catch the cunning culprit, once the situation of one crime settles, Macavity goes out for another and the cycle goes on.      

2) Make a list of crimes Macavity is capable of.

Ans:- There are numerous activities that Macavity is capable of. Some of them includes looting the larder, a cupboard for storing food items. Thoroughly searching the jewel case, stealing the milk, suffocating the dog, Pete, and breaking the glasses of the greenhouse are some of the activities that Macavity cleverly does and no one is ever able to catch him. No matter how hard the police tries to catch him, he is not found after the crime. Once everything settles, he goes out for another one soon after and is again prevented from being caught.

3) What would you do to tame Macavity?

Ans:- It is hard to tame a shrewd vile cat like Macavity but still it needs to be controlled. From the character sketch of the cat given by Eliot, it is clear that the cat creates huge trouble if not controlled properly. To control such a wild cat, the best way is to train the animal with professional guidance. Whatever Macavity did, he is an animal who deserves to be handled with love, care and support. Taming techniques like imprisonment and beating is animal abuse and is a criminal offense. One should always choose the path of generosity and love in order to handle any animal if not then he or she should hand over their pet to any animal NGO.

4) Do you find the poem humorous? Give your comments on the poem.

Ans:- The poem is quite humorous when comparing the cat with Napoleon and referring it as a criminal. Eliot has elegantly described the character sketch of the cat as well as the setting of the poem. The humour of the poem increases when the poet complaints that Macavity breaks the human laws and it needs not to follow them. The cat, on the other hand is also a notorious creature who ensures to create trouble for everyone and his innocence saves him all the time. The cunningness of the cat and impotence of police adds more humour to the poem. The vivid description of the notorious activities by the cat is icing on the cake.

5)Write a short note on the poem, “Macavity” The Mystery cat.

Answer:T. S. Eliot the renowned modem poet gave a humorous description of mystery cat “Macavity”. He intends to provide us with innocent fun, which serves the purpose of amusing us. Macavity is not an ordinary cat. He is a notorious criminal who commits ‘ all sorts of crimes, but at the same time is not found at the scene of the crime. His identity cannot be established, because the Scotland yard has no record of his footprints. Physically, Macavity has a long and thin body, uncombed whiskers, dusty skin and brown lined with thought. He can levitate like a yogi. He is specialised in the robbery, in forcing open jewellery box, cupboard storing good and even government offices.

He seems to be very much interested in secret files and documents. Whenever an important file of the secret treaty is fun missing from the foreign office the crime is attributed to Macavity. But conning cat could be seen at least a mile away from the spot, engaged in the innocent act of licking his thumbs of in serious mathematical calculations. In presence of any proof, it is impossible therefore to lay hands on Macavity. In short, he is involved in all sorts of crime and if any criminal activity takes place security’s ‘ involvement is apprehended. The poet remembers some other notorious cats, like “Mungojenie” and “Griddlebone”, but Macavity tops them in wickedness cunningness and notorious acts. That is why the poet has rewarded him with the title, “Napoleon of crime.”

In fact the poet, T. S. Eliot has tried to suggest that cats can have a ’ distinguished identity. Although every cat enters stealthily into a kitchen and drinks milk, eats the cooked food and makes certain damages to the • household articles. Few of them commit mischievous and nefarious acts. , Macavity has topped the list in committing crimes in a most cunning and systematic way. The pet is amazed at the mysterious ways in which he commits crimes without having any proof thereafter.