Tomorrow

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Learning Objectives

Analyze the themes of madness and self-esteem in the texts.
Discuss the narrative techniques used by Joseph Conrad in 'Tomorrow'.
Identify and interpret instances of allusion in the stories.
Examine the character development of Captain Hagberd and his relationship with Bessie.
Evaluate the implications of insanity as depicted in the characters' interactions.
Reflect on the significance of hope and disappointment in the context of the narratives.

Detailed Notes

Chapter Notes on 'Tomorrow' by Joseph Conrad

Overview of Joseph Conrad

Born of Polish parents in the Russian Ukraine, 1857-1924.
Began a seafaring life in 1874; learned English at 21.
Became a British citizen in 1886.
Notable works include:
- The Nigger of the Narcissus (1898)
- Lord Jim (1900)
- Nostromo (1904)
Known for evoking atmosphere through detail and using story within a story.

Characters

Captain Hagberd

A seaman who preferred the land over the sea.
Described as having a profound dislike for the sea, despite being a sailor.
Lives in a cottage in Colebrook, where he waits for his son Harry's return.
His madness revolves around the belief that his son will come back 'tomorrow'.

Bessie Carvil

A young woman who interacts with Captain Hagberd.
Shows signs of compassion towards Hagberd's madness.
Torn between her feelings for Harry and the reality of Hagberd's delusions.

Themes

Madness and Hope: Captain Hagberd's belief in his son's return symbolizes a deeper madness intertwined with hope.
Isolation: Characters experience a sense of isolation, both physically and emotionally.
Reality vs. Illusion: The struggle between what is real and what is imagined is central to the narrative.

Important Quotes

“Every mental state, even madness, has its equilibrium based upon self-esteem. Its disturbance causes unhappiness.”
“With his maritime rig, his weather-beaten face, his beard of Father Neptune, he resembled a deposed sea-god who had exchanged the trident for the spade.” (Allusion to Neptune)

Discussion Points

Analyze the technique used by Conrad to unfold Captain Hagberd's past.
Identify instances of insanity in characters other than Hagberd and their implications.
Discuss Bessie's role in supporting Hagberd's delusions and her own emotional turmoil.

Language Work

Figures of Speech

Allusion: A casual or indirect reference to a famous historical or literary event or figure.
- Example: Comparison of Hagberd to Neptune.

Pronunciation

Words change stress patterns based on grammatical function:
- Verb: 'inform
- Noun: information
- Verb: 'hesitate
- Noun: hesita'tion

Stop and Think Questions

What does Bessie tell Harry about his father's plans for him?
How does Captain Hagberd prepare for Harry's homecoming?
Why does Harry's return prove to be a disappointment for Bessie?

Practice & Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions

His desire to return to the sea

His attempt to shield himself from reality

His wealth and status

His mourning for his lost son

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The canvas suit symbolizes Captain Hagberd's attempt to shield himself from reality and his fixation on the return of his son, as it represents a form of self-imposed isolation and detachment from the present.

He becomes more cheerful and sociable.

He starts wearing a canvas suit and becomes more reclusive.

He grows a long beard and becomes more talkative.

He dresses more formally and becomes more outgoing.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Captain Hagberd starts wearing a canvas suit and becomes more reclusive.

His past seafaring life

His isolation from society

His wealth and status

His readiness for his son's return

Correct Answer: D

Solution:

The canvas suit symbolizes Captain Hagberd's readiness and perpetual anticipation for his son's return.

They are a way to communicate with his son abroad.

They are a method to sell his property.

They are a means to find a new job.

They are an attempt to find a missing relative.

Correct Answer: D

Solution:

Captain Hagberd uses the advertisements to find his missing son.

He is physically ill due to his longing

His hope is irrational and consuming

He is hopeful and optimistic

His hope is a source of strength

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The metaphor 'disease of hope' suggests that Captain Hagberd's hope is irrational and consuming, affecting his mental state and leading to his isolation and eccentric behavior.

She is convinced by Captain Hagberd's arguments.

She wants to make Captain Hagberd happy.

She sees signs that his son is returning.

She finds comfort in the belief.

Correct Answer: D

Solution:

Bessie Carvil begins to share in Captain Hagberd's belief as she finds comfort in the hope it provides, despite its improbability.

It symbolizes his wealth.

It represents his connection to the sea.

It is a sign of his madness.

It shows his fashion sense.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Captain Hagberd's canvas suit is a sign of his madness, as it is an unusual choice that surprises the townspeople.

To pursue a new business opportunity

To escape his past life

To wait for his son's return

To retire in a peaceful town

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Captain Hagberd moved to Colebrook primarily to wait for his son's return, as he believed his son would come back to Colebrook.

She ignores him completely.

She argues with him.

She begins to share in his delusions.

She leaves the town.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Bessie Carvil begins to share in Captain Hagberd's delusions regarding his son's return.

His son will return next week.

His son will return tomorrow.

His son will never return.

His son will return next year.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Captain Hagberd is fixated on the belief that his son will return 'tomorrow', which is a central aspect of his madness.

It represents his hope for a better future.

It highlights his procrastination.

It signifies his denial of the present reality.

It indicates his lack of planning.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The repeated use of 'tomorrow' signifies Captain Hagberd's denial of the present reality and his fixation on the future return of his son, which prevents him from engaging with the present.

She openly mocks him.

She supports him by half-believing it herself.

She tries to convince him otherwise.

She ignores his beliefs completely.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Bessie Carvil supports Captain Hagberd by half-believing in his son's return.

His hope for a better future.

His denial of reality.

His love for his son.

His fear of the past.

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Captain Hagberd's belief in 'tomorrow' symbolizes his hope for a better future.

Metaphor

Simile

Allusion

Hyperbole

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The comparison of Captain Hagberd to Neptune is an example of allusion.

Isolation and madness

Adventure and exploration

Romantic love

Political intrigue

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Joseph Conrad's 'Tomorrow' explores themes of isolation and madness, as seen through the character of Captain Hagberd and his delusions.

By comparing Captain Hagberd to a sea-god

By describing the sea as calm

By referring to modern technology

By mentioning a famous ship

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Conrad uses allusion by comparing Captain Hagberd to Neptune, the Roman god of the sea.

Flashback

Story within a story

Foreshadowing

Stream of consciousness

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Conrad uses the technique of 'story within a story' to convey the narrative in 'Tomorrow'.

The sea is a barrier that isolates the characters from the outside world.

The sea represents freedom and escape from isolation.

The sea is a source of wealth and prosperity.

The sea is a place where the characters find solace and community.

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Conrad uses the sea as a metaphorical barrier that isolates the characters from the outside world, emphasizing their emotional and psychological isolation.

She ignored it completely.

She found it amusing.

She began to half believe it herself.

She tried to convince him otherwise.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Bessie Carvil began to half believe Captain Hagberd's hopeful madness herself.

He built a new house.

He advertised in newspapers.

He saved money for a welcome party.

He bought new clothes for Harry.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Captain Hagberd advertised in newspapers for Harry's return.

She becomes increasingly frustrated with his delusions.

She develops a sense of empathy and understanding towards him.

She distances herself from him due to fear.

She attempts to manipulate him for her own benefit.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Bessie Carvil develops a sense of empathy and understanding towards Captain Hagberd, despite his delusions about his son's return.

His son will return tomorrow.

His son has become a successful sailor.

His son is lost at sea.

His son has settled in a foreign land.

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Captain Hagberd is fixated on the belief that his son will return 'tomorrow', a belief that he holds onto despite the passage of time.

Hopeful madness

Logical reasoning

Despair and regret

Calm acceptance

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Captain Hagberd's mental state is characterized by 'hopeful madness,' as he clings to the belief that his son will return 'tomorrow.'

Isolation

Adventure

Romance

Wealth

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Both stories explore themes of isolation and the inner struggles of their characters.

Metaphor

Simile

Allusion

Hyperbole

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The comparison of Captain Hagberd to Neptune is an example of an allusion, as it references a famous figure from Roman mythology.

He wanted to start a new life after his wife's death.

He believed his son would return there.

He was looking for a peaceful retirement place.

He wanted to be near the sea.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Captain Hagberd moved to Colebrook because he believed his son would return there.

He thought it was a rational hope.

He believed it was a strong craze.

He felt it was a sign of strength.

He viewed it as a sign of weakness.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The barber considered Captain Hagberd's belief in his son's return as a strong craze.

Colebrook is a prosperous town for business

His son will return to Colebrook

He can find peace and solitude in Colebrook

The townsfolk are welcoming and kind

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Captain Hagberd settles in Colebrook because he believes that his son will return there, driven by the hope that there is a powerful inducement for his son to come back.

She is convinced by evidence of his son's return

She wants to avoid making the old man miserable

She is manipulated by Captain Hagberd's persuasive arguments

She has personal reasons to believe in the son's return

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Bessie begins to share in Captain Hagberd's belief to avoid making him miserable, as contradicting him would have caused distress.

Her desire to inherit his property

Her own descent into madness

Her compassion and empathy for him

Her lack of critical thinking

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Bessie's eventual acceptance of Captain Hagberd's beliefs indicates her compassion and empathy for him, as she chooses not to contradict him to avoid making him miserable.

It represents the unknown and the future.

It symbolizes wealth and prosperity.

It is a metaphor for Captain Hagberd's past.

It signifies the boundaries of human knowledge.

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The sea in 'Tomorrow' represents the unknown and the future, reflecting Captain Hagberd's endless waiting and hope for his son's return.

Both stories explore the theme of adventure

Both stories depict a longing for freedom

Both stories focus on the theme of familial duty

Both stories highlight the theme of betrayal

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Both Joyce's 'Eveline' and Conrad's 'Tomorrow' focus on the theme of familial duty, where characters are torn between personal desires and obligations to their families.

He believed Harry was in England

He wanted to sell his house

He was looking for a business partner

He needed to find a caretaker

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Captain Hagberd believed his son was so near to Colebrook that he would turn up 'tomorrow'.

He looked like a deposed sea-god.

He appeared younger.

He looked more like a businessman.

He resembled a pirate.

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Captain Hagberd, with his canvas suit, was compared to a deposed sea-god, resembling Neptune.

His readiness to embark on a new sea voyage

His eccentricity and detachment from reality

His mourning for his lost son

His desire to blend in with the townsfolk

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Captain Hagberd's canvas suit symbolizes his eccentricity and detachment from reality. It is a self-made garment that reflects his obsession and isolation, as well as his departure from societal norms.

Simile

Metaphor

Allusion

Personification

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

The sentence uses allusion by indirectly referencing Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, to describe Captain Hagberd.

Allusion

Metaphor

Irony

Symbolism

Correct Answer: D

Solution:

Conrad uses symbolism to represent Captain Hagberd's obsession with his son's return. The recurring mention of 'tomorrow' symbolizes his perpetual hope and fixation.

Isolation is depicted as a choice made by the characters.

Isolation is portrayed as a consequence of societal rejection.

Isolation is shown as a result of personal delusions and obsessions.

Isolation is illustrated as a natural state of being for all individuals.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

In 'Tomorrow', isolation is shown as a result of personal delusions and obsessions, particularly through Captain Hagberd's fixation on his son's return.

A rational and pragmatic individual.

A hopeful and delusional old man.

A charismatic and influential leader.

A cunning and manipulative person.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Captain Hagberd is depicted as a hopeful and delusional old man, obsessed with the idea that his son will return 'tomorrow'.

He loved it

He was indifferent

He had a profound dislike for it

He feared it

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Captain Hagberd had a profound and emotional animosity towards the sea.

He loves the sea.

He is indifferent to the sea.

He has a profound dislike for the sea.

He is nostalgic about his sea adventures.

Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Captain Hagberd expresses a profound and emotional animosity towards the sea.

He explained it was for a special occasion.

He was startled and evasive.

He boasted about its quality.

He ignored them completely.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Captain Hagberd was startled and evasive when questioned about his canvas suit.

He thought it was a craze.

He believed they were supportive.

He felt they were indifferent.

He thought they were hostile.

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The barber considered the townspeople's reaction to Captain Hagberd's belief as a craze.

True or False

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Joseph Conrad was indeed born in the Russian Ukraine and began his seafaring life in 1874.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Joseph Conrad became a British citizen in 1886.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The excerpt mentions that Captain Hagberd's son had been at least once in Colebrook, suggesting he had visited before.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Captain Hagberd described his son, Harry, as a very high-spirited boy.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Captain Hagberd had a profound and emotional animosity towards the sea.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Joseph Conrad was indeed born in the Russian Ukraine and became a British citizen in 1886.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Captain Hagberd believed his son would return 'tomorrow'.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Captain Hagberd actually disliked the sea and preferred the stability and comfort of life on land.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt suggests that Captain Hagberd's son had been at least once in Colebrook.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Miss Bessie Carvil had come to look forward to Captain Hagberd's winks.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Captain Hagberd's cottages were built very cheaply with ugly yellow bricks.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Joseph Conrad was indeed born in the Russian Ukraine and became a British citizen in 1886.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt states that Joseph Conrad began a seafaring life in 1874.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The barber described Captain Hagberd's obsession with his son's return as a craze.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Joseph Conrad became a British citizen in 1886, as mentioned in the excerpt.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The news from Colebrook arrived the day after Captain Hagberd's wife's funeral.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Captain Hagberd had a profound dislike for the sea and preferred the stability of life on land.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Captain Hagberd was obsessed with the idea that his son Harry would return 'tomorrow', despite his long absence.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Captain Hagberd was fixated on the idea that his son Harry would return 'tomorrow', a belief he held onto despite evidence to the contrary.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Captain Hagberd was not well-liked in Colebrook; he was known as a miser and had an unfavorable reputation.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Joseph Conrad was indeed born in the Russian Ukraine to Polish parents.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Miss Bessie Carvil initially found Captain Hagberd's winks discomposing, but later she experienced a faint blush and pleasurable emotion.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Captain Hagberd held the belief that his son would return 'tomorrow', despite the passage of time.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt mentions that Captain Hagberd believed his son was in England and would turn up 'tomorrow'.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Joseph Conrad used the technique of a story within a story to convey complex themes and the inner character of life.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a casual or indirect reference to a famous historical or literary event or figure, not a direct comparison.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Joseph Conrad, born of Polish parents in the Russian Ukraine, began a seafaring life in 1874 and learned English at the age of 21.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Captain Hagberd had a profound and emotional animosity towards the sea and preferred the stability of land.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Bessie Carvil did not contradict Captain Hagberd's belief in his son's return, as it was easier to half believe it herself.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt states that Joseph Conrad learned English at the age of 21.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Captain Hagberd's sudden appearance in his canvas suit caused a sensation in the High Street.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Joseph Conrad was indeed born in the Russian Ukraine to Polish parents.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The excerpt indicates that Miss Bessie Carvil came to look forward to Captain Hagberd's winks, suggesting she was not indifferent.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Captain Hagberd was known as a miser in the matter of living.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Captain Hagberd was known as a miser in the matter of living, often buying inferior scraps of meat.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The excerpt describes Captain Hagberd as having a reputation for being a miser in the matter of living.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Initially, Miss Bessie Carvil was discomposed by Captain Hagberd's winks, but she later found them to have a sort of distinction.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

The excerpt mentions that Harry had been to Colebrook at least once before.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt states that Captain Hagberd's sudden appearance in his canvas suit caused a sensation in the High Street.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Captain Hagberd was not well-liked in Colebrook and was known as a miser.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The barber described Captain Hagberd's obsession as a craze, similar to any other.

Tomorrow

AI Learning Assistant

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Detailed Notes

Chapter Notes on 'Tomorrow' by Joseph Conrad

Overview of Joseph Conrad

Characters

Captain Hagberd

Bessie Carvil

Themes

Important Quotes

Discussion Points

Language Work

Figures of Speech

Pronunciation

Stop and Think Questions

Practice & Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions

Q1.In Joseph Conrad's 'Tomorrow', Captain Hagberd is described as wearing a self-made canvas suit. What might this suit symbolize in the context of the story?

Correct Answer: B

Q2.How does Captain Hagberd's appearance change over time?

Correct Answer: B

Q3.In the story 'Tomorrow', what does Captain Hagberd's self-made canvas suit symbolize?

Correct Answer: D

Q4.What is the significance of Captain Hagberd's advertisements in the Sunday papers?

Correct Answer: D

Q5.In 'Tomorrow', Captain Hagberd's belief in his son's return is described as a 'disease of hope'. What does this metaphor suggest about his mental state?

Correct Answer: B

Q6.Why does Bessie Carvil eventually begin to share in Captain Hagberd's belief about his son?

Correct Answer: D

Q7.What is the significance of Captain Hagberd's canvas suit in the story?

Correct Answer: C

Q8.What is the primary reason for Captain Hagberd's move to Colebrook, as inferred from the text?

Correct Answer: C

Q9.How does Bessie Carvil react to Captain Hagberd's ravings?

Correct Answer: C

Q10.In 'Tomorrow', what is Captain Hagberd's belief about his son's return?

Correct Answer: B

Q11.What is the significance of the repeated phrase 'tomorrow' in the context of Captain Hagberd's character?

Correct Answer: C

Q12.How does Bessie Carvil react to Captain Hagberd's belief in his son's return?

Correct Answer: B

Q13.What does Captain Hagberd's belief in 'tomorrow' symbolize in the story?

Correct Answer: A

Q14.What figure of speech is used in the comparison of Captain Hagberd to Neptune?

Correct Answer: C

Q15.What is the primary theme explored in Joseph Conrad's 'Tomorrow'?

Correct Answer: A

Q16.How does Joseph Conrad use the figure of speech 'allusion' in 'Tomorrow'?

Correct Answer: A

Q17.What literary technique does Joseph Conrad use in 'Tomorrow' to convey the story?

Correct Answer: B

Q18.In the story 'Tomorrow', how does Conrad use the setting of the sea to enhance the theme of isolation?

Correct Answer: A

Q19.How did Bessie Carvil react to Captain Hagberd's hopeful madness?

Correct Answer: C

Q20.What did Captain Hagberd do to prepare for his son Harry's return?

Correct Answer: B

Q21.In 'Tomorrow', how does Bessie Carvil's relationship with Captain Hagberd evolve throughout the story?

Correct Answer: B

Q22.In Joseph Conrad's 'Tomorrow', Captain Hagberd is known for a particular belief about his son. What is the nature of this belief?

Correct Answer: A

Q23.In Joseph Conrad's 'Tomorrow', Captain Hagberd is known for a particular mental state. What is the primary characteristic of this mental state as described in the text?

Correct Answer: A

Q24.What is the main theme shared by Joyce's 'Eveline' and Conrad's 'Tomorrow'?

Correct Answer: A

Q25.What literary device is primarily used when Captain Hagberd is compared to Neptune, the god of the sea?

Correct Answer: C

Q26.What was Captain Hagberd's primary reason for moving to Colebrook?

Correct Answer: B

Q27.What was the barber's opinion about Captain Hagberd's belief in his son's return?

Correct Answer: B

Q28.Captain Hagberd's decision to settle in Colebrook is driven by a specific belief. What is this belief?

Correct Answer: B

Q29.In 'Tomorrow', why does Bessie Carvil eventually begin to share in Captain Hagberd's belief about his son?

Correct Answer: B

Q30.In the story, Bessie Carvil's interactions with Captain Hagberd reveal her emotional state. What does her eventual acceptance of his beliefs indicate?

Correct Answer: C

Q31.What is the significance of the sea in Joseph Conrad's 'Tomorrow'?