The Summer of the Beautiful Horse- CBSE Class 11 English Snapshot Book Chapter 1 Notes

The Summer of the Beautiful Horse: Introduction

Author William Saroyan wrote The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse. Two Armenian boys named Aram and Mourad who are members of the Garoghlanaian family are the subject of the tale. Their tribe is renowned for their sincerity. Due to their poverty, they hardly ever have enough money for food. Both of them dream of riding a horse. A farmer’s horse had been taken by Mourad a month before. One early morning, he brought it to Aram’s window and invited him to join him for the trip. For several days, they rode the horse. Aram is shocked to find that the horse has been stolen, but he ignores the theft in his thoughts. The horse’s owner, John Byro, visits Uncle Khosrove one day to voice his concern about his missing horse. On their way back to the empty vineyard to hide the horse one day, they run into the owner and feel bad in the end. They brought the horse back to the owner’s barn later that morning.

The Summer of the Beautiful Horse: About the Author

William Saroyan, an Armenian-American novelist, playwright, and short story writer, lived from August 31, 1908, to May 18, 1981. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940, and for the movie The Human Comedy, he earned the Academy Award for Best Story in 1943. His first 240-page treatment was rejected by the studio, so he turned it into a book called The Human Comedy.

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The Summer of the Beautiful Horse: Summary in English

The Garoghlanian family, who is Armenian and have been well-known for their integrity since the eleventh century, included two impoverished sons named Aram and Mourad. Aram’s cousin Mourad arrived at his window with a stunning white horse one early morning while Aram was still asleep and dreaming happily. It seemed like a dream to Aram, who could not believe it. However, he could tell the horse was real because there was some light outside. He didn’t think they could own a horse considering their dire financial situation. He was attempting to determine whether his cousin had stolen the horse. He had come to accept a ride-along invitation from Mourad. Before everyone in the world woke up, he told him to hurry. Aram got on the horse behind Mourad while still wearing his clothing, jumping through the window. They travelled along Walnut Avenue, the area’s historic main thoroughfare, where they lived. After a while, Mourad requested him to dismount so he could ride the horse by himself. When Aram questioned whether he could ride the horse by himself like him, Mourad replied that they would have to see because it was for his own protection. He learned that Mourad had stolen the horse a month earlier and was still riding it each morning.

When Aram finally had a chance to ride, the horse led him to a vineyard before throwing him off and bolting. Thirty minutes of looking later, Mourad succeeded in finding the horse, and they concealed him in a vacant vineyard with some oats and hay. Everything was easier for Mourad, especially horses. He was adept at handling both humans and all species of animals. They rode the horse each morning for a period of two weeks, then hid it once more. One day, John Byro visited Aram at his home to speak with his loud-mouthed uncle Khosrove, who was easily irritated and shouted at nearly anything. Byro told him about his lost horse, which he had purchased for $60. He searched for it unsuccessfully for a month before making the 10-mile trek to their home. It won’t hurt, so don’t worry about it, shouted Khosrove at him. He left after making Byro angry with his attitude.

Aram went to Mourad and informed him of Byro’s lost horse and begged him to hold off on returning it until he had learned to ride. He was told by Mourad that learning to ride a horse would take a year. They could not be thieves, he said fiercely, for their tribe is renowned for its integrity, and he promised that they would give the horse back in six months.

They came upon John Byro who was returning to the town one day as they were returning to hide the horse at the secret location. While conversing with them, he attentively studied the horse. He acknowledged that the horse matched his completely, but since he knew his parents and could trust their relatives, he didn’t think they were in possession of his missing horse. He believed it to be a twin horse. By letting Byro believe it wasn’t his horse, Mourad was able to send them on their way. The horse was returned to Byro’s vineyard the following morning when it was placed in the barn. As they left the area, the dogs calmly followed them the entire time.

John Byro returned to his home later that day to inform his mother about his horse, who had returned. The horse’s improved temperament and the fact that it was stronger than ever made him happy and astounded. Once more, Uncle Khosrove said, “Quiet, man, quiet.” Your horse has been delivered back. Don’t pay it any mind.

The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse: Question and Answers

Question 1:
You will probably agree that this story does not have a breathless adventure and exciting action. Then what in your opinion makes it interesting?

Answer
Although the novel lacked exhilarating action and heart-pounding adventures, it contained mystery that kept readers interested. The psychological narrator did a good job, and both of the guys were eager to try something new. Because their family was struggling, they both desired horseback riding. They both rode it for a while after Mourad stole it. They returned it to its original location and owner once their game was over.

Question 2:
Did the boys return the horse because they were conscience-stricken or because they were afraid?
Answer:

Not out of fear, but rather out of guilt, the boys gave back the horse. Even though they were a trustworthy family, they had stolen the horse months earlier. The horse was with them when they met John Byro on his way into town. He gave it a close inspection and commented that it resembled his as a twin exactly. Although he knew his parents, despite the fact that it felt like his horse, he didn’t think they were carrying his horse. The boys were shocked by this and decided to return with the horse to the farmer’s vineyard to put it in the barn.

Question 3:
“One day back there in the good old days when I was nine and the world was full of every imaginable kind of magnificence, and life was still a delightful and mysterious dream……..”. The story begins in a mood of nostalgia. Can you narrate some incident from your childhood that might make an interesting story?
Answer:

Nobody could possibly resist going down memory lane after reading those lines. When I was twelve years old, I can recall. I frequently went to my grandparent’s house, which was in a hill station. I would stay with them for the duration of my summer break. We would watch TV together, go shopping, and eat excellent food at the market. I recall once spending a month at a summer camp. After the classes were done, they would pick me up and drive me back to the location. My grandmother occasionally brought lunch for me. I would consume it as quickly as on our subsequent trip to the store. Every time I had to return home to start another semester of school, I would get depressed.

Question 4:
The story revolves around characters who belong to tribe in Armenia. Mourad and Aram are members of the Garoghlanian family. Now locate Armenia and Assyria on the atlas and prepare a write-up on the Garoghlanian tribes. You may write about people, their names, traits, geographical and economic features as suggested in the story.
Answer:

In his 1940 book, “My name is Aram,” author William Saroyan is credited with creating the Garoghlanian tribe as a work of fiction. They came from Armenia. They were known for being honest despite being a group of poor individuals who struggled to find enough food to eat each day. One of the key facets of the tribe is hospitality. The majority of Armenians were Christians. At social events, there is a wide range of food available. They emphasised the attitude of tolerance and the forgiveness of sins.

The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse: Extra Question (MCQs)

Question 1.
Who is the narrator of the story “The Summer of a Beautiful White Horse”?
(a) William Saroyan
(b) Aram
(c) John Byro
(d) Mourad

Question 2.
After the horse was stolen and returned, it became ______.
(a) rougher
(b) sick & ill
(c) stronger & better-tempered
(d) Both (a) and (c)

Question 3.
When did the boys return the horse?
(a) After Aram learned to ride it
(b) After an year
(c) After six months
(d) After they ran into John Byro

Question 4.
John Byro said, “A suspicious man would believe his eyes instead of his heart.” What does it tell about him?
(a) He believed in the honesty of Garoghlanian family
(b) He was impractical
(c) He was foolish
(d) None of the above

Question 5.
At what time did Aram and Mourad ride the horse?
(a) Late night
(b) Early morning
(c) Evening
(d) Afternoon hours

Question 6.
Who was the true knower of the horse?
(a) John Byro
(b) Fetvajian
(c) Dikran Halabian
(d) Zorab

Question 7.
What sort of an understanding did Mourad mention with the horse?
(a) Mature
(b) Simple and honest
(c) Complicated
(d) Difficult

Question 8.
Mourad had been hiding the horse _________.
(a) in a stable
(b) in a barn of a vineyard
(c) at a secret place of his house
(d) None of the above

Question 9.
What was uncle Khosrove’s customary line?
(a) Ignore it; pay no attention.
(b) Forget it.
(c) It is harmless; ignore it.
(d) It is no harm; pay no attention to it.

Question 10.
How would you describe uncle Khosrove?
(a) Hot-tempered
(b) Irritable
(c) Impatient
(d) All of the above

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