CBSE Class 11 Woven Words NCERT Solutions: Chapter 1 - The Lament

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

This chapter, 'The Lament,' from CBSE Class 11 Woven Words, delves into the profound emotional turmoil of Iona, a cab driver grappling with the recent death of his son. The solutions explore themes of grief, isolation, and the human need for connection and empathy in a seemingly indifferent society. Iona's desperate attempts to share his sorrow with passengers and his eventual turn to his horse for solace highlight the deep sense of alienation he experiences. The text examines how personal suffering often remains hidden behind professional facades and how societal indifference can exacerbate individual pain. These NCERT Solutions provide a detailed analysis of the story's narrative, character development, and thematic elements, offering students a clear understanding of the text and its underlying messages, which is crucial for exam revision.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	Woven Words
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	1. The Lament - (Short Stories)

Chapter summary

Chapter 1, 'The Lament,' of CBSE Class 11 Woven Words, focuses on the story of Iona, a cab driver overwhelmed by grief after his son's death. The NCERT Solutions provided here analyze Iona's profound sense of isolation and his struggle to find someone to share his sorrow. The solutions discuss the indifference of society, the contrast between public personas and private suffering, and the symbolic role of the horse as a listener. This chapter's exercises help students understand themes of empathy, alienation, and the human condition.

Learning outcomes

Understand the protagonist's deep grief and sense of isolation.
Analyze the theme of societal indifference towards personal suffering.
Evaluate the role of empathy and companionship in dealing with loss.
Identify the contrast between public roles and private emotional lives.
Appreciate the narrative technique used in describing the setting and characters.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Grief and Loss
Social Isolation
Empathy and Indifference
Human-Animal Companionship
Thematic Analysis
Character Study of Iona
Narrative Setting
Societal Commentary

Important topics

Iona's Grief and Isolation
Societal Indifference
The Role of the Horse
Themes of Empathy and Alienation

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Questions and Solutions

Understanding The Text - Q1

Comment on the indifference that meets Iona's attempts to share his grief with his fellow human beings.

Solution: The story vividly portrays the profound indifference Iona faces when he tries to share his overwhelming grief over his son's death. As a cab driver, Iona encounters various passengers, but each interaction highlights his deep isolation. Whether it's a military officer preoccupied with reaching his office or other individuals focused solely on their destinations, no one offers a listening ear or a moment of empathy. They are either too busy, too self-absorbed, or simply uninterested in the cab driver's personal tragedy. This consistent rejection of his attempts to connect and unburden himself underscores the theme of alienation in society, leaving Iona feeling utterly alone with his sorrow.

Understanding The Text - Q2

What impression of the character of Iona do you get from this story?

Solution: Iona emerges as a deeply sympathetic and tragic figure. He is a humble cab driver burdened by the immense sorrow of losing his son. His primary characteristic is his desperate need to share his pain and find some solace through communication. However, his inability to find a sympathetic listener leaves him feeling profoundly isolated and miserable. The story depicts him as increasingly detached from his surroundings, so consumed by grief that even the falling snow doesn't register. He is portrayed as a man searching for human connection and understanding in a world that seems too busy or uncaring to offer it, making him a poignant representation of suffering and loneliness.

Understanding The Text - Q3

How does the horse serve as a true friend and companion to Iona?

Solution: The horse serves as Iona's sole true friend and companion because it is the only being that offers him an attentive and non-judgmental audience. After being repeatedly ignored and rebuffed by human passengers, Iona turns to his horse in desperation. The horse, in contrast to the indifferent humans, listens patiently to Iona's entire story of loss and suffering. Its simple act of breathing on Iona's hand is interpreted as a gesture of comfort and understanding, providing Iona with the emotional release he desperately sought. In this way, the horse fulfills the role of a confidant that humans failed to provide, highlighting the theme of finding solace in unexpected places.

Talking About The Text - Q1

Empathy and understanding are going out of modern society. The individual experiences intense alienation from the society around him or her.

Solution: This statement accurately reflects a significant aspect of modern society, as illustrated by Iona's experience in 'The Lament.' The story suggests that people are increasingly self-absorbed, prioritizing their own needs and schedules over offering empathy or understanding to others. The reciprocal nature of relationships often dictates social interaction, leaving those in distress, like Iona, feeling alienated. The narrative powerfully conveys how this lack of connection can exacerbate personal suffering. The decline in genuine human connection and the rise of mechanised, goal-oriented interactions contribute to a sense of isolation, where sharing one's burdens becomes a difficult, often futile, endeavor.

Talking About The Text - Q2

Behind the public face of the people in various occupations is a whole saga of personal suffering and joy which they wish to share with others.

Solution: This statement is very true and is exemplified by Iona's character. Like most individuals, Iona presents a public face as a cab driver, focused on his work and earning a living. However, beneath this professional exterior lies a deeply grieving father who has just lost his son. He carries a profound personal tragedy that he yearns to share. His constant searching glances at passengers are not just for fares but for a potential listener, someone who might offer a moment of shared humanity. The story underscores that everyone, regardless of their occupation, harbors a complex inner life filled with joys and sorrows, much of which remains hidden behind their public persona.

Appreciation - Q1

The story begins with a description of the setting. How does this serve as a fitting prelude to the events described in the story?

Solution: The story's opening description of the setting—likely bleak, cold, and perhaps dark—serves as a powerful prelude that perfectly establishes the mood and themes of the narrative. This atmospheric introduction mirrors Iona's internal state of gloom, despair, and emotional numbness following his son's death. The description of minimal movement and the external elements having little effect on the protagonist emphasizes his detachment and absorption in his own sorrow. It prepares the reader for a story centered on internal suffering and the search for connection in a seemingly unresponsive world, setting a tone of melancholy and isolation from the very beginning.

Appreciation - Q2

Comment on the graphic detail with which the various passengers who took Iona's cab are described.

Solution: The graphic detail used to describe the passengers in Iona's cab serves to emphasize his isolation and the indifference he encounters. Each passenger is presented with a distinct characteristic or purpose, highlighting their self-absorption. For instance, the military officer is solely focused on reaching his office on time, dismissing Iona's attempts to converse. The description of a drunkard further illustrates how different individuals are preoccupied with their own states or immediate needs, rendering them incapable of offering empathy. These detailed, yet brief, character sketches underscore the stark contrast between Iona's profound personal grief and the mundane, self-centered concerns of the people around him, thereby intensifying the story's theme of alienation.

Common mistakes

Overlooking the significance of the setting in establishing the story's mood.
Failing to recognize the horse's symbolic role as a confidant.
Interpreting Iona's actions solely as a professional duty rather than a response to grief.
Underestimating the theme of alienation in modern society.

Revision tips

Reread the story, paying close attention to Iona's internal monologue and his interactions (or lack thereof) with passengers.
Focus on the descriptions of the setting and how they mirror Iona's emotional state.
Consider the symbolic meaning of the horse and its interaction with Iona.
Discuss with peers the themes of grief, isolation, and empathy as presented in the story.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the primary reason for Iona's deep grief at the beginning of the story?

Q2. How do most passengers react when Iona attempts to share his sorrow?

Q3. Who does Iona ultimately confide in when he cannot find a human listener?

Q4. The story suggests that modern society often lacks:

Q5. What does the horse's reaction (breathing on Iona's hand) symbolize?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Lament' by Anton Chekhov?

The main themes of 'The Lament' are profound grief, social isolation, the human need for connection, and the indifference often found in modern society.

Why is Iona unable to share his grief with other people in the story?

Iona is unable to share his grief because the passengers he encounters are preoccupied with their own destinations and concerns, showing a lack of empathy and interest in his personal suffering.

How does the horse act as a companion to Iona?

The horse acts as a companion by patiently listening to Iona's entire story and offering a silent, comforting presence, which Iona desperately needs when human connection fails.

What does the story suggest about the nature of society?

The story suggests that modern society can be indifferent to individual suffering, with people often focused on their own lives and less inclined to offer empathy or understanding.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students prepare for exams?

These solutions provide clear explanations of the story's plot, characters, and themes, helping students understand complex concepts and formulate well-reasoned answers for their exams.

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