CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened NCERT Solutions Chapter 3: The Selfish Giant

Reviewed by · Updated on

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This chapter, 'The Selfish Giant,' from CBSE Class 8 English 'It So Happened' textbook, delves into themes of selfishness, redemption, and the joy of sharing. The NCERT Solutions provided here offer detailed explanations for the comprehension questions related to the story. Students will explore why the Giant is called selfish, understand the contrasting emotions of the children when they could play in the garden versus when they were barred, and interpret the symbolism of winter and spring within the narrative. The solutions also analyze the Giant's initial state of unhappiness and his eventual transformation. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the story's deeper meanings, analyze character development, and prepare effectively for their English exams by providing clear, concise, and insightful answers.

Home

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish It So Happened
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 3

Chapter summary

Chapter 3 of CBSE Class 8 English 'It So Happened' features 'The Selfish Giant.' These NCERT Solutions focus on comprehension questions that explore the Giant's selfishness, the children's feelings, and the symbolic representation of seasons. The solutions clarify the meaning of winter in the story and the characters associated with it, as well as the Giant's emotional state. They aim to enhance students' understanding of the narrative's moral and thematic elements.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the meaning of selfishness and its consequences.
  • Analyze the emotional states of the characters in 'The Selfish Giant'.
  • Interpret the symbolic meaning of seasons in the story.
  • Explain the Giant's transformation and its causes.
  • Identify the moral lessons presented in the chapter.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • The Selfish Giant story analysis
  • Character analysis: The Giant
  • Character analysis: The Children
  • Symbolism of seasons (Winter and Spring)
  • Themes of selfishness and sharing
  • Themes of redemption and change
  • Comprehension check questions
  • Moral of the story

Important topics

  • Understanding the Giant's selfishness
  • Symbolic meaning of winter and spring
  • The Giant's transformation
  • Moral lessons from the story

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …
Page of
Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Why is the Giant called selfish?
Solution: The Giant is called selfish because he did not allow the children to play in his beautiful garden after he returned from his friend's house. Instead of sharing the garden's beauty and space, he built a high wall around it and put up a notice board warning trespassers away, thereby hoarding the pleasure of the garden solely for himself.

Question 2

On one occasion the children said: "How happy we are here!" Later they said: "How happy we were there!" What are they referring to in both the cases?
Solution: In both instances, the children are referring to the Giant's garden. The first statement, "How happy we are here!", expresses their current joy and delight while playing freely within the garden. The second statement, "How happy we were there!", reflects their sadness and longing for the past, when they were allowed to play in the garden and experienced immense happiness there, before the Giant built the wall.

Question 3 A

When spring came, it was still winter in the garden. What does winter stand for or indicate here?
Solution: In this context, 'winter' is used metaphorically to represent a state of sadness, gloom, and lack of life or joy. It indicates that the garden was devoid of the usual signs of spring, such as blooming flowers and singing birds, because the children, who brought life and happiness, were absent. The perpetual winter signifies the emotional barrenness and unhappiness that resulted from the Giant's selfishness.

Question 3 B

Winter has been presented like a story with its own characters and their activities. Describe the story in your own words.
Solution: The story of winter in the Giant's garden is depicted as a prolonged and unwelcome season. Its characters are personified elements of cold: Snow, Frost, the North Wind, and Hail. These characters were delighted by the extended winter and enjoyed their reign. Even a small flower attempted to bloom but retreated upon reading the warning board. This narrative highlights the unnatural and joyless state of the garden due to the Giant's actions.

Question 4

Was the Giant happy or sad over the state of the garden?
Solution: The Giant was not happy; he was sad and lonely over the state of his garden. Although he had initially built the wall out of selfishness, he soon realized that his garden remained in a perpetual state of winter, with no spring, no flowers, and no birds. This unnatural condition made him feel unhappy and regretful, prompting him to wonder why spring was so late in arriving.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the literal meaning of seasons with their symbolic representation.
  • Not fully grasping the contrast in the children's happiness before and after the wall was built.
  • Overlooking the Giant's eventual change of heart and its significance.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story, paying close attention to the Giant's actions and the children's reactions.
  • Discuss the symbolic meanings of winter and spring with classmates.
  • Summarize the Giant's character arc from selfish to kind.
  • Focus on the moral of the story and how it is conveyed through the narrative.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why was the Giant initially called selfish?

Q2. What did the children mean when they said, 'How happy we were there!'?

Q3. In the story, what does 'winter' symbolize when it stayed in the Giant's garden?

Q4. Which characters are associated with winter in the story?

Q5. What was the Giant's initial state of being regarding his garden?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 3, 'The Selfish Giant'?

The main themes are selfishness, the consequences of isolation, and the transformative power of love, sharing, and redemption. It highlights how joy and life flourish when shared.

Why is the Giant considered selfish in the story?

The Giant is called selfish because he built a high wall around his beautiful garden to prevent children from playing in it, thus hoarding its beauty for himself.

What does the prolonged winter in the Giant's garden symbolize?

The winter symbolizes a state of sadness, barrenness, and lack of joy. It indicates that life and happiness cannot exist when love and sharing are absent.

How does the Giant change throughout the story?

Initially, the Giant is selfish and lonely. After realizing his actions have brought perpetual winter to his garden, he feels remorse, tears down the wall, and allows the children to play, eventually finding happiness and redemption.

What is the moral lesson of 'The Selfish Giant'?

The story teaches that true happiness comes from sharing with others and that selfishness leads to loneliness and misery. It emphasizes the importance of kindness and compassion.

How can these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, detailed answers to the comprehension questions, helping students understand the story's nuances, characters, themes, and symbolism, which aids in exam preparation.

Important links

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.