NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words: Chapter 12 — Woven Words
This chapter from NCERT's Woven Words for Class 11 English, titled "Pappachi's Moth," introduces the complex family dynamics following Pappachi's retirement. Mammachi finds success in commercial pickle and jam making, much to Pappachi's jealous resentment. Despite her visual impairment, Pappachi refuses to help and resorts to physical abuse, escalating to breaking her violin. The situation changes when their son, Chacko, returns from Oxford and intervenes, leading to Pappachi ceasing his physical abuse but imposing a cold silence on Mammachi. He also isolates his prized Plymouth car as a symbol of his control and resentment. The narrative touches upon societal views of working wives and Pappachi's past as an Imperial Entomologist, hinting at deeper psychological issues and the "pernicious ghost" of his past impacting the family.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Woven Words |
| Chapter | Chapter 12 — Woven Words |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 594 |
Learning outcomes
- Analyze the complex relationship between Pappachi and Mammachi.
- Understand the impact of retirement and societal expectations on individuals.
- Identify themes of jealousy, control, and domestic abuse.
- Recognize the role of Chacko's intervention in altering family dynamics.
- Appreciate the literary style and narrative techniques used by Arundhati Roy.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ignominy | public shame or disgrace |
| conical corneas | A condition affecting the shape of the cornea, potentially impairing vision. |
| slouch around | to stand, walk, or sit in a slumped way |
| sullen | bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy |
| entomologist | a scientist who studies insects |
| taxonomic | relating to the classification of organisms |
| lepidopterists | people who study butterflies and moths |
| pernicious | having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way |
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Practice questions
- What business did Mammachi start after Pappachi's retirement? Answer: Mammachi started making pickles and jam commercially.
- Why did Pappachi resent Mammachi's success? Answer: Pappachi was jealous of the attention his wife was receiving and did not consider pickle-making a suitable job for an ex-government official.
- What did Chacko do when he found Pappachi beating Mammachi? Answer: Chacko intervened, twisted Pappachi's vase-hand, and warned him never to do it again.
- How did Pappachi show his displeasure after Chacko's intervention? Answer: Pappachi stopped speaking to Mammachi, used intermediaries, and smashed his favourite rocking chair.
- What was Pappachi's former profession? Answer: Pappachi was an Imperial Entomologist at the Pusa Institute.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Where did Pappachi retire from government service?
Explanation: Pappachi retired from government service in Delhi before moving to Ayemenem.
Q2. What did Mammachi make that sold quickly at the fair?
Explanation: Mammachi's famous banana jam and tender mango pickle sold quickly at the Kottayam Bible Society fair.
Q3. What was Pappachi's reaction to Mammachi's success in business?
Explanation: Pappachi greatly resented the attention his wife was getting due to her business success, stemming from jealousy.
Q4. What object did Pappachi break in anger one night?
Explanation: One night, Pappachi broke the bow of Mammachi's violin and threw it into the river.
Q5. Who intervened when Pappachi was beating Mammachi?
Explanation: Chacko, who had come home from Oxford, intervened when he found Pappachi beating Mammachi.
Q6. What did Pappachi do with his favourite rocking chair?
Explanation: After Chacko's intervention, Pappachi smashed his favourite mahogany rocking chair in the driveway.
Q7. What car did Pappachi buy and keep exclusively for himself?
Explanation: Pappachi bought a skyblue Plymouth from an old Englishman and did not allow anyone else to use it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main conflict presented in 'Pappachi's Moth'?
The main conflict is between Pappachi, who is jealous and resentful of his wife Mammachi's success and independence after his retirement, and Mammachi, who finds fulfillment in her business despite his abuse.
How did Pappachi react to Mammachi's success in making pickles and jam?
Pappachi resented Mammachi's success due to jealousy and his own feelings of inadequacy after retirement. He refused to help and resorted to abuse.
What role did Chacko play in the family conflict?
Chacko, Mammachi and Pappachi's son, intervened physically when he found Pappachi beating Mammachi, effectively stopping the physical abuse but leading to a cold silence between the couple.
What does the Plymouth car symbolize for Pappachi?
The skyblue Plymouth car symbolizes Pappachi's revenge and his need for control. He kept it exclusively for himself, preventing anyone else from using it.
What was Pappachi's profession before retirement?
Pappachi was an Imperial Entomologist at the Pusa Institute.
How did Pappachi try to influence others' perception of Mammachi?
Pappachi would sew buttons onto his shirts that weren't missing when visitors were expected, creating an impression that Mammachi neglected him and his needs.
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NCERT Class 11 English — Woven Words — Chapter 12 — Woven Words. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.