Third Thoughts | Four Levels of Interpretation

Level: B.A/ B.B.S || Lesson 35 Third Thoughts (E.V. Lucas, England 1868-1938)

Words Meaning

Destiny = luck, fate

Thought = consideration

Curiosity = eagerness

Cathedral = main churches

Pondered = thought

Turner = a well known English painter

Scornfully = hatefully

Incredible = unbelievable

Astonish = surprise

Elated = very happy

Authentic = real, original

Potential = possible

Decent = very nice

Mitigation = decrease

Chaffering = bargaining

Premium = reward

Ineptitude = in competence

Adequately = sufficiently

Embittered = sad

Vale = valley

Miserable = pitiable

Nay = no

Absurd = ridiculous, foolish

Coup = great success

Flying in the face = openly

Fury = anger

Quail = small bird

Magnates = rich

Ample = enough

Bridge = card game

Extort = obtain

Incident = event

Scorned = disdained

Embitter = bitter

Speculator = business man

Disastrocisly = losing enough money

Summary

The writer’s friend was told that his luck was to buy things in the most expensive market and sell in the cheapest market. One day the writer’s friend was in Cathedral city, he saw a portfolio of water colored drawing for 10 shillings and sold at fifty pounds. He earned profit to the person form whom he had bought that portfolio. When he wanted to sent half of money with a letter, he couldn’t get stamps because he was delayed. At night in his bed, he felt that dealer’s contribution was not worth so much and he decided to give only ten pounds. At night he couldn’t sleep and decided to give only 5 pounds.

Next morning again something made the speaker changes his mind. He thought that it would be an open disregard to the Goddess of Business and bad omen in the very beginning. Then he thought to give him only gift of one pound. In the afternoon he went to the club where he lost his money in the card game-bridge. Then the tried to convince himself that from business point of view he was under no obligation to give any gift to the dealer.

Four Levels of Interpretation

1. Literal Comprehension

The writer’s friend was told that his luck was to buy things in the most expensive market and sell in the cheapest market. One day the writer’s friend was in Cathedral city, he saw a portfolio of water colored drawing for 10 shillings and sold at fifty pounds. He earned profit to the person form whom he had bought that portfolio. When he wanted to sent half of money with a letter, he couldn’t get stamps because he was delayed. At night in his bed, he felt that dealer’s contribution was not worth so much and he decided to give only ten pounds. At night he couldn’t sleep and decided to give only 5 pounds.

Next morning again something made the speaker changes his mind. He thought that it would be an open disregard to the Goddess of Business and bad omen in the very beginning. Then he thought to give him only gift of one pound. In the afternoon he went to the club where he lost his money in the card game-bridge. Then the tried to convince himself that from business point of view he was under no obligation to give any gift to the dealer.

2. Interpretation

The writer tries to show that people have grown more money minded. The narrator of this story is an honest person form his conscience and wanted to give gift to the dealer from whom he had bought the portfolio. But his greediness couldn’t let him to do so. He bargains with his own soul. This shows when someone is in the state of excitement, they become generous but at normal condition, they don’t like to spend at all.

3. Critical Thinking

This story is quite humorous. This is written conversational way. The language is simple. To some extent it is difficult to agree with the writer. Because the writer says that his friend became ready to give 50% profit to the dealer. But in our real life it never happens. I have never heard this. In business nobody thinks like the narrator.

4. Assimilation

This story reminded me about my own headmistress. It was our schools annual function. All the guests, guardians, school staff and school children were attending the assembly. Mr. Krishna Datta Chataut-Assistant headmaster gave welcome speech then other guardians as well as guests gave speech on the importance of Women Education. After this school children, Shanti chunara, Pooja jOshi, Arati, Pinky Gupta, Sangita Gurung and other school girls performed nice dances. Everyone became happy whn they danced in the song “Maitighar” and school staff as well as other guests clapped hands. It was the time for ending the ceremony. Our school staff also enjoyed dancing with those school children and those girls were promised be given Rs. 1000 and other school children were announced and promised to take them on education tour by the school staff from the stage. But later on school staff who had announced these things, didn’t speak any word for giving any amount and taking them on Education Tour. The school children also kept silence. I learnt that if someone is in the state of joy, he/ she becomes generous but in normal life they think deeply and their greed doesn’t allow them to become generous.

Possible Questions

1. Apply the four levels of reading a text “Third Thoughts” by Lucas.
2. The point of this narrating resides with my own soul, the narrator says, “in bargaining with my own soul”. Document and explain the statement.

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