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Class 11 Alternative English Chapter 7 The Captive
–Harekrishna Deka
About the Author
Harekrishna Deka (born 1943) is a distinguished Assamese poet, short story writer, essayist, and former police officer from Assam, India. He was born in Kamrup district and received his higher education at Cotton College and Gauhati University.
Deka joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) and later served as the Director General of Police of Assam. Alongside his administrative career, he built a strong reputation in literature, especially for his poetry and short stories that explore human emotions, social conflict, and the complexities of modern life.
His writings are known for their depth, sensitivity, and philosophical reflection. Some of his notable works include poetry collections like Surya Henu Nami Ahe Ei Nodiyedi and several
short stories that portray the realities of society and inner human struggles.
He has been honoured with prestigious awards such as the Sahitya Akademi Award for his contribution to Assamese literature. Through his dual role as a civil servant and a writer,
Harekrishna Deka has made a significant impact on both literature and public life.
Word Notes
Captive: a person who is kept imprisoned or not free.
Abductor: a person who forcibly takes someone away.
Headman: the leader of a village.
Highland: an area of high or mountainous land.
Dip: a brief swim or immersion in water.
Object: something referred to indirectly; here, a gun.
Parboiled: partially boiled, especially rice.
Curry: a dish prepared with spices and gravy.
Freedom: the state of being free from control or restriction.
Fighter: a person who struggles or fights for a cause.
Diary: a personal record of daily events and experiences.
Journey: the act of travelling from one place to another.
Trust: firm belief in the reliability of someone.
Sympathy: feelings of pity and understanding for others.
Harsh: severe or strict in behaviour.
Kind: gentle and considerate in nature.
Educated: having received formal learning or knowledge.
Circumstances: the conditions affecting a situation.
Companion: a person who accompanies another.
Captivity: the state of being confined or imprisoned.
Summary
The Captive by Harekrishna Deka is a psychologically rich short story that examines the complex nature of freedom, identity, and human relationships within a context of conflict and
violence. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of an unnamed captive, blending present experiences with reflective diary entries, which lends the story both immediacy and introspective depth.
At the surface level, the story recounts the abduction of a man by a young militant and his group. However, it gradually shifts from a tale of physical captivity to a deeper exploration of emotional and ideological entanglement. The relationship between the captive and the young man evolves in an unexpected manner. What begins as a relationship defined by fear and coercion slowly transforms into one marked by trust, empathy, and intellectual exchange. Their conversations on literature, language, and rural life humanize the captor, complicating the reader’s perception of him as merely a figure of violence.
A central concern of the story is the idea of freedom. The captive initially views himself as a victim deprived of liberty, yet over time he realizes that his captor is also constrained—bound by ideological commitments, social circumstances, and the demands of militant life. This duality challenges the conventional binary between freedom and captivity, suggesting that both men are imprisoned in different ways. The title itself gains layered significance, as it refers not only to the abducted individual but also to the psychological and political confinement of the abductor.
Deka’s narrative technique is subtle and restrained. He avoids overt moral judgment, allowing the reader to engage critically with the ethical ambiguities presented. The use of a diary as a narrative device adds authenticity and offers insight into the captive’s changing mindset. The backdrop of insurgency and state conflict is not treated in a purely political manner; rather, it serves to foreground the human cost of such struggles.
The ending of the story is particularly striking. The death of the young captor introduces a tragic dimension, underscoring the futility and destructiveness of violence. It leaves the captive—and the reader—with a sense of loss and unresolved tension. The emotional impact of this conclusion reinforces the story’s central insight: that beneath opposing roles and ideologies, there exists a shared human vulnerability.
In conclusion, The Captive is a nuanced and thought-provoking work that transcends a simple narrative of abduction. Through its layered characterization and thematic depth, it offers a
critical reflection on freedom, conflict, and the fragile bonds that can emerge even in the most adverse circumstances.
Comprehension: Textual Questions & Answers
I. Answer these questions in one or two words.
1. Where is the place which is described at the beginning of the story?
Ans: The story opens with a description of the Highland region.
2. Who took a dip in the water?
Ans: A young man took a dip in the water.
3. What were they travelling by?
Ans: They were travelling by bicycle.
4. In whose house was the captive kept?
Ans: The captive was kept in the house of the village headman.
5. Which bird does the captive think of?
Ans: The captive thinks of a kingfisher.
II. Answer these questions in a few words.
1. What is referred to as the ‘object’ by the captive?
Ans: The term “object” refers to a loaded gun in the captive’s account.
2. What is the food offered to the captive in the headman’s house?
Ans: At the headman’s house, the captive is served parboiled rice along with chicken curry.
3. How did Captain Batra offer his respects to the boy?
Ans: Captain Batra showed his respect by standing beside the boy’s dead body and saluting him by touching his cap.
4. What did the boy say he would do if the circumstances changed?
Ans: The boy first stated that he would compel the narrator to join their organisation, but later admitted that under changed circumstances, he might be forced to order the narrator’s execution.
5. How did the captive know that the boy was highly educated?
Ans: The captive understood that the boy was well educated because he spoke fluent English, Assamese, and tribal languages, and displayed wide knowledge of literature, nature, agriculture, and rural life.
III. Answer these questions briefly.
1. What is the nature of the relationship between the captive and the young man?
Ans: Although they begin as captor and captive, their relationship gradually develops into one of mutual understanding and emotional connection. Despite the constant presence of a gun, they share companionship and a sense of trust. The young man often leaves the captive alone without fear of escape, indicating confidence in him. Over time, their bond also takes on a teacher-student dimension, as they engage in thoughtful discussions on literature, nature, and rural life.
2. How does the captive come to understand the meaning of ‘Freedom Fighters’?
Ans: The captive gains insight into the term “freedom fighters” by observing his abductors as they confront security forces with courage and determination. He realizes that they see
themselves as fighting against what they perceive as an oppressive state, and that their struggle is driven by a larger ideological cause. Thus, the term reflects their belief in resisting authority for what they consider freedom.
3. How did the captive record his movement in captivity?
Ans: The captive kept a diary to document his experiences during captivity. Although he was held for seven months, he was able to record detailed accounts of the last three months. This diary was provided to him by the young man after he expressed his desire to write.
4. How did his abductors treat the captive?
Ans: Initially, the abductors treated the captive harshly. However, after the young man assumed responsibility for him, their attitude softened. Gradually, their behaviour became more
considerate and even sympathetic, leading to a more humane relationship as time passed.
5. Why does the captive feel that his abductor is also not free?
Ans: The captive realizes that the abductor is also bound by circumstances. Although he is fighting for freedom, he is restricted by the demands of his cause and the pressures of conflict. Thus, both the captive and the abductor experience different forms of limitation, each lacking true freedom in their own way.
IV. Answer these questions in detail.
1. Comment on the significance of the title of the story. Does it refer only to the abductee?
Ans: The title The Captive is deeply meaningful as it extends beyond the physical captivity of the abducted individual. While the narrator is literally a prisoner, the story reveals that the captor is also trapped—caught within ideological, political, and social constraints. The narrator, who once viewed life as free and secure, comes to understand that freedom is a relative concept and varies from person to person. What appears as lawful authority to some may seem oppressive to others. Both the captive and the captor struggle with their own definitions of freedom and identity. As their relationship evolves, a sense of empathy and human connection develops between them. The tragic death of the young captor at the end reinforces the emotional depth of the narrative and leaves a lasting impression, emphasizing that captivity can exist in multiple forms.
2. Write about the journey undertaken by the captive and the young man.
Ans: The narrative unfolds through a combination of present events and diary entries written during the last phase of captivity. Initially, the captive and the young man are seen travelling together on a bicycle, but the situation quickly changes when the captive realizes that he has been abducted. This sudden shift marks a turning point in his life. As they move from one place to another, they travel through remote areas such as fields and forests, constantly changing locations to avoid detection. The captive experiences a sense of insecurity and disillusionment, losing trust in both society and the state. Eventually, they reach a village where the captive is kept in the house of the headman. This journey not only represents physical movement but also reflects the captive’s inner transformation as he begins to understand his captor and the complexities of their situation.
Additional Questions & Answers
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Where is the setting described at the beginning of the story?
(a) Plains
(b) Highland
(c) Desert
(d) City
Ans: (b) Highland
2. What were the captive and the young man travelling by?
(a) Car
(b) Bus
(c) Bicycle
(d) Train
Ans: (c) Bicycle
3. Who took a dip in the water?
(a) The captive
(b) The young man
(c) The headman
(d) A soldier
Ans: (b) The young man
4. Where was the captive kept in the village?
(a) School
(b) Temple
(c) Headman’s house
(d) Market
Ans: (c) Headman’s house
5. Which bird does the captive think of?
(a) Sparrow
(b) Eagle
(c) Kingfisher
(d) Parrot
Ans: (c) Kingfisher
6. What does the captive refer to as the ‘object’?
(a) Knife
(b) Stick
(c) Gun
(d) Bag
Ans: (c) Gun
7. What food was given to the captive at the headman’s house?
(a) Bread and milk
(b) Rice and dal
(c) Parboiled rice and chicken curry
(d) Fruits only
Ans: (c) Parboiled rice and chicken curry
8. What is the relationship between the captive and the young man initially?
(a) Friends
(b) Teacher and student
(c) Captor and captive
(d) Brothers
Ans: (c) Captor and captive
9. How long was the captive held?
(a) Three months
(b) Five months
(c) Seven months
(d) One year
Ans: (c) Seven months
10. What did the captive use to record his experiences?
(a) Notebook
(b) Diary
(c) Letter
(d) Mobile phone
Ans: (b) Diary
11. Who provided the diary to the captive?
(a) Headman
(b) Soldier
(c) Young man
(d) Villager
Ans: (c) Young man
12. What kind of behaviour did the abductors initially show?
(a) Kind
(b) Indifferent
(c) Harsh
(d) Friendly
Ans: (c) Harsh
13. How did their behaviour change later?
(a) Became stricter
(b) Became more kind
(c) Became careless
(d) Remained the same
Ans: (b) Became more kind
14. What quality of the young man shows he is educated?
(a) His dress
(b) His language skills
(c) His wealth
(d) His strength
Ans: (b) His language skills
15. What does the term ‘Freedom Fighters’ refer to in the story?
(a) Soldiers of the government
(b) Ordinary villagers
(c) Members of the militant group
(d) Police officers
Ans: (c) Members of the militant group
16. What does the captive gradually develop towards the young man?
(a) Hatred
(b) Fear
(c) Trust and sympathy
(d) Anger
Ans: (c) Trust and sympathy
17. Why does the captive feel the young man is not truly free?
(a) He is poor
(b) He is sick
(c) He is bound by his cause
(d) He is young
Ans: (c) He is bound by his cause
18. What happens to the young man at the end?
(a) He escapes
(b) He surrenders
(c) He is killed
(d) He runs away
Ans: (c) He is killed
19. What is a major theme of the story?
(a) Wealth
(b) Freedom and captivity
(c) Love
(d) Adventure
Ans: (b) Freedom and captivity
20. What does the title The Captive suggest?
(a) Only physical imprisonment
(b) Only mental stress
(c) Both physical and psychological captivity
(d) A journey story
Ans: (c) Both physical and psychological captivity. 0 0 0
