Class 10 NCERT English Book First Flight Lesson ‘Black Aeroplane’ SAQs (Student asked questions) are given here. Click here for more resources.
SAQs (Student Asked Questions)
Q. Imagine that the narrator shared his story with friends and family once he got home. One of them, a spiritual leader, decided to interpret the story as part of his weekly sermon the congregation. Another friend a psychologist, worked the story in his next lecture on survival instinct and crisis management.
Do you think the two interpretations of the story would be different? If so, how?
What insight must the narrator get about his mysterious experience, if he were to attend both the sessions.
Answer: Long Answer:
Yes, the two interpretations by the spiritual leader and the psychologist would likely be quite different, each reflecting their unique perspectives and areas of expertise.
1. Spiritual Leader’s Interpretation:
- Focus: The spiritual leader would likely interpret the mysterious black aeroplane and the narrator’s experience as a divine intervention or spiritual guidance. They might emphasize the themes of faith, trust in higher powers, and how unseen forces sometimes protect us in moments of great need. The appearance of the black aeroplane could be viewed as a symbol of divine protection, a guardian angel, or a metaphor for how God or the universe helps people in times of crisis, especially when they are lost or facing danger.
- Message to the Congregation: The leader might encourage the congregation to maintain faith and trust in divine powers, even when facing difficulties. They would frame the event as proof that miracles can happen and that there is always a higher force looking out for us, especially when we feel lost or helpless.
2. Psychologist’s Interpretation:
- Focus: The psychologist would likely interpret the narrator’s experience from a psychological and survival instinct perspective. They might discuss how, under extreme stress and fear, the human brain can perceive things that help us survive—whether real or imagined. The appearance of the black aeroplane could be explained as a coping mechanism triggered by the narrator’s need for guidance and control in a life-threatening situation. It might also reflect his deep-seated survival instincts taking over when rational tools, like the compass and radio, fail.
- Message to the Lecture Audience: The psychologist might highlight the power of the human mind during crises, how people often create mental solutions in moments of high stress to navigate danger. They could explain how the brain can interpret hope or solutions in the form of something tangible, like the black aeroplane, to maintain calm and focus during panic.
3. What Insight Must the Narrator Get if He Attends Both Sessions:
- Balanced Reflection: If the narrator were to attend both sessions, he would likely gain a well-rounded perspective on his experience. From the spiritual session, he might begin to see the event as something larger than himself, possibly interpreting the black aeroplane as a divine intervention or a spiritual experience. From the psychological session, he might come to understand how his brain and instincts responded under intense pressure, creating a guide (the black aeroplane) to help him navigate the storm and survive.
- Realization: The narrator could realize that his experience may have both spiritual and psychological dimensions. While the black aeroplane remains a mystery, it could represent both divine intervention and the extraordinary capabilities of the human mind in times of crisis. Ultimately, he might accept that some experiences defy easy explanation, combining both rational and mystical interpretations. This insight could lead him to appreciate the complexity of human experience—how survival is influenced by both unseen forces (whether divine or mental) and internal strength.
Short Answer:
Yes, the spiritual leader and psychologist would likely interpret the narrator’s story differently.
The spiritual leader would see the mysterious black aeroplane as a symbol of divine intervention. He might emphasize that faith and trust in a higher power guide us through life’s storms, portraying the black aeroplane as a guardian angel or a sign that unseen forces protect us in times of crisis. His message would likely focus on the importance of faith, suggesting the event was a miracle that reinforces the belief in spiritual guidance during challenging times.
In contrast, the psychologist would approach the story from a mental and survival instinct perspective. He might explain the black aeroplane as a product of the narrator’s mind, a psychological coping mechanism triggered by fear and stress. The psychologist could discuss how, under extreme pressure, the brain may create comforting illusions to help maintain focus and control, enabling survival.
If the narrator attended both sessions, he would gain insight into the dual nature of his experience. He might realize that the black aeroplane represents both a spiritual and psychological response to danger, showing how humans rely on both faith and mental resilience during crises, making the experience meaningful in different ways.
