THE GARDENER-P.LANKESH

KEY WORDS

1. Old Man	7. Basavaiah	13. Art
2. Coconut Grove	8. Rivalry	14. Fame
3. Chennarayapatna	9. Land Acquisition	15. Death
4. Labourer	10. Ballads	16. America & Russia
5. Philosopher	11. Wealth	17. Revenge
6. Tammanna	12. Vengeance	18. Non-entity

MAJOR THEMES

1. Rivalry and Jealousy: The story explores how rivalry, particularly between Tammanna and Basavaiah, leads to extreme competition and shapes their lives.

• Revenge and Vengeance: The theme of revenge drives much of the narrative, with both characters living to outdo and destroy each other, symbolizing the destructive nature of vengeance.

• Wealth and Materialism: The accumulation of land and wealth plays a significant role in the story, showing how materialism can dominate lives and lead to personal emptiness.

• The Power of Art: Tammanna’s use of ballads to outshine Basavaiah highlights the theme of art as a tool for power and transcendence, representing a shift from material to intellectual or creative dominance.

• Human Nature and Conflict: The story delves into the complexities of human nature, particularly the need for conflict, competition, and the drive for personal victory over others.

• Identity and Legacy: The loss of identity over time, as seen in the old man’s transformation from a famous poet to a forgotten gardener, is a key theme that questions the lasting impact of one’s actions and reputation.

• The Futility of Competition: Through the rivalry between Tammanna and Basavaiah, the story highlights the futility of excessive competition, as both characters ultimately face personal loss and emptiness.

• Death and Resolution: The theme of death is portrayed as the ultimate end of competition, with Tammanna choosing to leave his rivalry behind, leading to Basavaiah’s downfall.

1. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each. (2 Marks Questions)

1. Who were Tammanna and Basavaiah in the story, and what was the nature of their relationship?

Answer: Tammanna and Basavaiah were rivals who competed to outdo each other in land ownership and fame.

• What did Tammanna do to overcome Basavaiah when he couldn’t compete with him in wealth?

Answer: Tammanna composed songs and ballads, using his creativity to gain fame and surpass Basavaiah.

• How did Basavaiah react when Tammanna’s songs made him famous?

Answer: Basavaiah tried to compete by accumulating more wealth and inviting scholars to his house, but he still felt defeated.

• Why did Tammanna decide to leave everything behind, and what happened to Basavaiah after that?

Answer: Tammanna thought his death would be the ultimate revenge, and after he left, Basavaiah lost the will to live and died.

• What does the old man tell the owner’s wife about human nature and revenge?

Answer: The old man explains that humans often live for revenge or competition, and this drives many of their actions in life.

• Where did the old man meet the owner’s wife in the story?

Answer: The old man met the owner’s wife near the well in the garden, where he brought down tender coconuts for her.

• Why did the old man say he came to the garden and stayed there?

Answer: The old man came to the garden after walking many miles, and the owner needed someone like him, so he stayed to work there.

• How did Tammanna and Basavaiah’s rivalry begin in the story?

Answer: Their rivalry began with them competing to buy more land and gain more friends than each other.

• What did Tammanna do when Basavaiah took over his land?

Answer: Tammanna started composing and singing ballads about their rivalry instead of fighting back directly.

1. What realization did Tammanna come to about defeating Basavaiah in the end?

Answer: Tammanna realized that only by leaving everything behind, and through death, could he completely end his rivalry with Basavaiah.

1. How does the rivalry between Tammanna and Basavaiah show the impact of competition on relationships?

Answer: The rivalry shows that excessive competition can lead to jealousy, conflict, and ultimately harm both individuals, as seen in Tammanna and Basavaiah’s destructive relationship.

1. What lesson about human nature does the old man share with the owner’s wife?

Answer: The old man explains that humans often live for competition and revenge, which can drive their actions and complicate their lives, even when other needs like wealth and success are fulfilled.

1. Answer the following questions in about 60 words each (3 Marks)

1. Why did Tammanna and Basavaiah’s rivalry grow so intense, and what did they do to compete with each other?

Answer: Tammanna and Basavaiah’s rivalry intensified as they tried to outdo each other by acquiring land and followers. When Basavaiah took over Tammanna’s land, Tammanna responded by composing songs to showcase his superiority, shifting their competition from material wealth to fame and reputation.

• What change did the arrival of the old man bring to the plantation, and how did the owner’s wife feel about it?

Answer: The old man’s arrival improved the plantation’s income, ended thefts, and made life easier for the owner. However, the wife was unsure if his influence was good or bad, as her husband became wealthier but also more distant and involved in unhealthy activities.

• How did Tammanna finally decide to end his rivalry with Basavaiah, and what happened after he left?

Answer: Tammanna decided that death was the only way to end the rivalry. He left everything behind, believing his absence would destroy Basavaiah. Shortly after, Basavaiah died because he lost his reason to live without the competition, showing how deeply the rivalry affected them.

• What does the old man’s story tell us about the nature of revenge and its role in human life? Answer: The old man’s story shows that revenge can drive people to devote their entire lives to competition, often leading to destruction and emptiness. Both Tammanna and Basavaiah’s lives were consumed by their need to outdo each other, highlighting how revenge can take over a person’s purpose in life.

• How does the story illustrate the idea that wealth and power do not bring true happiness or fulfilment?

Answer: The story illustrates that despite Basavaiah’s wealth and material success, he  remained unhappy because he couldn’t surpass Tammanna in fame. This demonstrates that wealth and power do not guarantee happiness, as Basavaiah’s life felt meaningless without his rivalry with Tammanna to give it purpose.

• What was the significance of the old man in the garden, and how did he contribute to the plantation?

Answer: The old man played a vital role in the garden by improving its productivity and stopping theft. He was skilled in agriculture and connected well with the workers, making him an essential figure in managing the plantation efficiently.

• Why did the owner’s wife feel conflicted about the changes brought by the old man? Answer: The owner’s wife felt conflicted because, although her husband became wealthier and more successful after the old man’s arrival, his personality changed. He became lazy and distant, which led her to question whether the old man’s influence was truly beneficial.

• How did Tammanna and Basavaiah first start competing with each other, and what methods did they use?

Answer: Tammanna and Basavaiah began competing by trying to outdo each other in acquiring land and followers. They bought more land and sought to gain public admiration. Their rivalry grew more intense over time.

• What effect did Tammanna’s ballads have on Basavaiah and their rivalry?

Answer: Tammanna’s ballads, which described Basavaiah’s cruelty, gained him fame and recognition. This made Basavaiah feel powerless because he could not compete with Tammanna’s creative influence, even as he tried to amass more wealth to outdo him.

1. How did Basavaiah react when he heard that Tammanna was ill, and why did he think this would help him win?

Answer: Basavaiah thought that Tammanna’s illness would give him an advantage, as he believed Tammanna’s decline in health would weaken him. He saw Tammanna’s suffering as a way to regain his superiority in their rivalry.

1. How did the old man’s presence change the way the garden was run?

Answer: The old man’s presence improved the garden’s management by stopping thefts and increasing income. His knowledge of agriculture and ability to connect with workers made him valuable, leading to a more efficiently run plantation and a noticeable change in the owner’s lifestyle.

1. What was the old man’s reaction to the owner’s wife’s worries about her husband?

Answer: The old man understood the owner’s wife’s worries and shared a story about his past to explain how human nature often leads to conflict and competition. He offered her insight into the complexities of life and the impact of rivalry on personal happiness.

1. How did Tammanna’s decision to compose ballads affect his rivalry with Basavaiah? Answer: Tammanna’s decision to compose ballads shifted the focus of the rivalry from material wealth to fame and reputation. His songs gained him public attention and made it difficult for Basavaiah to compete effectively.

1. What changes occurred in the plantation owner’s lifestyle after the old man started working in the garden?

Answer: After the old man started working in the garden, the plantation owner became wealthier and less involved in the daily operations. He became more focused on enjoying his wealth, which caused concern for his wife.

1. What role did the old man play when he arrived at the garden, and how did he help improve the plantation?

Answer: The old man became a valuable asset to the plantation. He used his knowledge of agriculture to improve the care of the coconut trees and prevent thefts. This led to increased productivity and higher income for the plantation owner.

1. Describe the initial reaction of the plantation owner’s wife to the old man’s arrival and the changes he brought.

Answer: Initially, the plantation owner’s wife was unsure about the old man. She noticed that her husband became less involved in the plantation’s affairs and more focused on enjoying his wealth. She wondered if the old man’s influence was positive or negative.

1. Answer the following questions in about 100 words each (4 Marks)
2. How did the old man’s arrival affect the way the plantation was run and the owner’s lifestyle? Explain the changes that occurred.

Answer: The old man’s arrival led to improved management of the plantation by ending thefts and increasing income due to his agricultural skills. As a result, the plantation expanded, and the owner’s lifestyle changed dramatically—he became wealthier and more socially prominent. However, this also made the owner lazy and less involved in hard work, which created problems in his personal life and relationships, showing how the old man’s influence brought both positive and negative changes.

• What were Tammanna’s and Basavaiah’s main methods of competing with each other, and how did these methods affect their lives?

Answer: Tammanna and Basavaiah competed primarily through acquiring land and gaining followers. Tammanna used ballads to highlight his superiority and criticize Basavaiah, which earned him fame and admiration. Basavaiah, on the other hand, tried to outdo Tammanna by accumulating wealth and inviting scholars. This competition led to both men becoming increasingly obsessed and unhappy, as their rivalry consumed their lives and created lasting personal conflicts.

• What was the impact of Tammanna’s decision to use art and ballads instead of physical conflict to deal with Basavaiah? How did it affect both characters?

Answer: Tammanna’s decision to use art and ballads allowed him to handle his rivalry with Basavaiah in a creative and non-violent way. This method helped Tammanna gain fame and public support, while Basavaiah felt powerless against Tammanna’s growing reputation. The use of art as a weapon shifted the nature of their conflict from physical competition to a battle of reputation, impacting both characters’ lives by intensifying their obsession with each other.

• In the old man’s story, how did the obsession with revenge ultimately affect Tammanna and Basavaiah’s lives? Describe the outcomes.

Answer: The obsession with revenge deeply affected both Tammanna and Basavaiah, leading  to destructive consequences. Tammanna’s life was consumed by his need to outdo Basavaiah, and his eventual decision to leave everything behind was driven by his desire for ultimate revenge. Basavaiah, meanwhile, tried to surpass Tammanna through wealth but became increasingly empty and defeated. Their fixation on revenge overshadowed their happiness and well-being, leading to personal dissatisfaction and Basavaiah’s demise.

• Describe how the old man’s story about Tammanna and Basavaiah reveals their rivalry and its impact. What were the main events, and how did they affect the characters?

Answer: The old man’s story reveals that Tammanna and Basavaiah were intense rivals, competing to acquire more land and gain more followers. Tammanna responded to Basavaiah’s actions by composing ballads that made him famous, while Basavaiah tried to counteract this by accumulating wealth and inviting scholars to his home. Their rivalry led to personal unhappiness and conflict. Tammanna’s fame grew, while Basavaiah felt humiliated and ultimately died after Tammanna left, showing how their competition had a profound and negative impact on both their lives.

• How did the old man’s presence in the garden change the dynamics of the plantation and the lives of the owner and his wife? What were the visible effects?

Answer: The old man’s presence brought significant changes to the plantation. He improved its productivity by managing it better and stopping thefts. The owner’s income increased, and the plantation expanded. However, these changes had mixed effects: while the owner became wealthier and more influential, he also became lazy and detached. His wife noticed these changes and felt uncertain about whether the old man’s influence was ultimately good or bad for their lives, leading to a complex situation at home.

• Explain how Tammanna’s decision to use ballads as a means to address his rivalry with Basavaiah impacted their competition. What was the result for both characters?

Answer: Tammanna’s decision to use ballads shifted their rivalry from a physical competition to a contest of public perception. By singing ballads that highlighted his own virtues and criticized Basavaiah, Tammanna gained fame and admiration, putting Basavaiah at a disadvantage. Basavaiah, unable to compete with Tammanna’s artistic success, focused on accumulating wealth but remained unhappy and defeated. This change in strategy ultimately deepened their rivalry and led to personal dissatisfaction for both characters.

• What lesson does the old man’s story about Tammanna and Basavaiah teach us about the consequences of obsession with competition and revenge? How did this affect the characters’ lives?

Answer: The old man’s story teaches that obsession with competition and revenge can lead to negative consequences, such as personal unhappiness and destructive behaviour. Tammanna and Basavaiah’s intense rivalry consumed their lives, causing them to focus solely on outdoing each other. This obsession led to Tammanna’s eventual departure and Basavaiah’s demise, showing that such fixations can overshadow happiness and well-being, ultimately leading to a troubled and unfulfilled life for both characters.

(FROM QUESTION BANK)

1. Where did the narrator of ‘The Gardener’ meet the old man by chance?

Answer: The narrator met the old man by chance in a coconut grove near Chennarayapatna.

• Where was the coconut grove in which the narrator of ‘The Gardener’ met an old man? Answer: The coconut grove was near Chennarayapatna.

• What was tucked under the old man’s arm when the narrator of ‘The Gardener’ met him? Answer: A newspaper was tucked under the old man’s arm.

• Who became lethargic after the arrival of the old man in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: The plantation owner became lethargic after the arrival of the old man.

• Who became apprehensive about the plantation owner’s vices in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: The plantation owner’s wife became apprehensive about his vices.

• Whom did Tammanna treat as the most important among all his possessions in ‘The Gardener’?

Answer: Tammanna treated his rival Basavaiah as the most important among all his possessions.

• Whose name is said to be Sangoji and later corrected as Basavaiah in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: The name said to be Sangoji and later corrected as Basavaiah is Tammanna’s rival.

• How many acres of Tammanna’s land did Basavaiah acquire forcibly in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: Basavaiah acquired two hundred acres of Tammanna’s land forcibly.

• Who hit upon the idea of composing and singing ballads in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: Tammanna hit upon the idea of composing and singing ballads.

1. Whose cruelty and meanness did Tammanna’s songs make a mention of in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: Tammanna’s songs made mention of Basavaiah’s cruelty and meanness.

1. Who was felicitated as the best poet of his times in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: Tammanna was felicitated as the best poet of his times.

1. Who appointed a number of persons to praise him in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: Basavaiah appointed a number of persons to praise him.

1. Whose palatial mansion looked dull and empty without Tammanna’s books in ‘The Gardener’?

Answer: Basavaiah’s palatial mansion looked dull and empty without Tammanna’s books.

1. When did Basavaiah find the means of surpassing Tammanna in ‘The Gardener’?

Answer: Basavaiah found the means of surpassing Tammanna when he learned that Tammanna was ill.

1. Whose disease was Basavaiah’s health according to the narrator of ‘The Gardener’? Answer: According to the narrator, Basavaiah’s health was Tammanna’s disease.

1. When would Basavaiah go on offering stiff competition according to Tammanna in ‘The Gardener’?

Answer: Basavaiah would go on offering stiff competition as long as Tammanna was alive and healthy.

1. When, according to the narrator of ‘The Gardener’, does man lose his name? Answer: According to the narrator, man loses his name after a particular age.

1. According to the old man, when did he conceive the story of Tammanna and Basavaiah? Answer: The old man conceived the story of Tammanna and Basavaiah when he was reading the newspaper and reflecting on human nature.

1. Who thought his death alone could destroy Basavaiah in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: Tammanna thought his death alone could destroy Basavaiah.

• When did Basavaiah pass away according to Tammanna in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: According to Tammanna, Basavaiah passed away shortly after Tammanna left.

• When according to Tammanna did he forget all his songs and ballads in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: Tammanna forgot all his songs and ballads after Basavaiah’s death.

• Who says he avenged himself by becoming a non-entity in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: The old man says he avenged himself by becoming a non-entity.

• Who according to Tammanna the old man, is not amenable to any advice in ‘The Gardener’?

Answer: According to the old man, the plantation owner is not amenable to any advice.

• How long does man go on living for some revenge according to the old man in ‘The Gardener’?

Answer: According to the old man, man goes on living for some revenge till the day of his death.

• Who paints well according to the old man in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: According to the old man, the young child Lokya paints well.

IV. Answer the following questions in about 100 words each (4 Marks)

1. How did the plantation owner’s lifestyle change after the arrival of the old man in ‘The Gardener’?

Answer: After the old man’s arrival, the plantation owner’s lifestyle changed significantly. The old man’s effective management led to increased productivity and income from the plantation. As a result, the owner became wealthier and more socially prominent. However, these changes also made him lethargic and less involved in the daily work of the plantation. His newfound wealth and status led to a more extravagant and less meaningful lifestyle, which ultimately caused tension and uncertainty in his personal life.

• Why did the plantation owner’s wife find it hard to decide whether the old man’s arrival was for the better or worse in ‘The Gardener’?

Answer: The plantation owner’s wife found it difficult to decide whether the old man’s arrival was beneficial or detrimental because, while the old man’s expertise improved the plantation’s profitability and status, it also led to negative changes in her husband’s behaviour. He became lazy and increasingly involved in social activities, raising concerns about potential vices and moral decline. The contrast between the tangible benefits and the intangible, possibly harmful changes created confusion and ambivalence about the old man’s impact.

• How did Tammanna and Basavaiah manage their rivalry in the beginning in ‘The Gardener’? Answer: Initially, Tammanna and Basavaiah managed their rivalry through competitive means such as acquiring land and gaining followers. They engaged in what appeared to be healthy competition, each trying to outdo the other in terms of land ownership and social influence. However, this competition gradually escalated as they both sought to surpass each other in every possible way, leading to an increasingly intense and destructive rivalry.

• Explain the invisible means by which Tammanna decided to destroy Basavaiah in ‘The Gardener’.

Answer: Tammanna decided to use an invisible and intangible means to destroy Basavaiah by composing and singing ballads that depicted Basavaiah’s cruelty and shortcomings. This artistic approach allowed Tammanna to tarnish Basavaiah’s reputation and gain public favor without resorting to physical confrontation. By focusing on spreading his own fame through his songs, Tammanna effectively undermined Basavaiah’s status and influence, illustrating the power of art and public perception in their rivalry.

• What did Basavaiah do to invest his home with meaning in ‘The Gardener’? Explain.

Answer: To invest his home with meaning, Basavaiah tried to counteract the emptiness he felt due to Tammanna’s absence. He constructed a grand mansion, filled it with luxurious decorations, and appointed people to praise him. Despite these efforts, his home remained dull and lacked substance without the presence of Tammanna’s influential works. Basavaiah’s actions highlight his attempt to fill the void created by his rivalry with Tammanna and show how material wealth and external validation could not replace true artistic or personal fulfilment.

• The arrival of the old man to the garden caused both good and bad things. How is this brought out in ‘The Gardener’?

Answer: The arrival of the old man to the garden brought both positive and negative changes. On the positive side, the old man’s expertise improved the garden’s productivity, ended petty thefts, and increased the plantation’s income, leading to the owner’s financial success and expansion. However, on the negative side, the owner became lethargic and overly focused on his newfound status, which led to potential moral decline and discontent in his personal life. This dual impact illustrates how the old man’s presence created a complex situation with mixed outcomes.

• The rivalry between Tammanna and Basavaiah started moving from the visible to the invisible domain. Explain.

Answer: Initially, Tammanna and Basavaiah’s rivalry was characterized by visible competition, such as acquiring land and gaining social status. However, as their conflict intensified, Tammanna shifted the rivalry to an invisible domain by using ballads to undermine Basavaiah’s reputation. Tammanna’s songs, which highlighted Basavaiah’s flaws and cruelty, transformed their competition from a tangible struggle into a battle of public perception and artistic influence. This shift demonstrates how rivalry can evolve from physical to psychological and cultural arenas.

• Man goes on living for some revenge. How is this presented in ‘The Gardener’?

Answer: In “The Gardener,” the theme of living for revenge is vividly portrayed through the characters of Tammanna and Basavaiah. Tammanna’s life became consumed by his desire to surpass and outshine Basavaiah, leading him to use his artistic talents to craft ballads that criticized his rival. Similarly, Basavaiah’s actions, such as acquiring more land and wealth, were motivated by his need to counteract Tammanna’s successes. The narrative suggests that both characters were driven by their need for revenge, which overshadowed their personal fulfilment and led to their eventual downfall.

• Rivalry can make one both aggressive and reflective. How does Tammanna’s narrative in ‘The Gardener’ prove this?

Answer: Tammanna’s narrative demonstrates how rivalry can make one both aggressive and reflective. On the aggressive side, Tammanna’s rivalry with Basavaiah led him to engage in competitive actions, such as acquiring more land and composing critical ballads to damage Basavaiah’s reputation. This aggressive stance aimed to assert his superiority. On the reflective side, Tammanna’s use of ballads and his eventual contemplation of Basavaiah’s death reveal a deeper reflection on the nature of revenge and human behaviour. Tammanna’s story underscores how rivalry can provoke both confrontational and contemplative responses.