Everything for the Best Lecture Notes

Practice flashcards covering characters, plot events, vocabulary, and grammar concepts from the 'Everything for the Best' lecture notes.

Who was Pratap Singh in relation to the king?

He was the king's advisor as well as a close friend.

What was Pratap Singh's oft-repeated belief regarding misfortune?

His belief was that 'everything is for the best.'

How did the advisor explain the purpose of burdens like famine, epidemic, and wars?

He believed such burdens ennoble man's nature and teach him wisdom, bringing mankind slowly towards perfection.

What vocabulary word is defined as 'hopeful; believing that good things will happen'?

optimistic

What distinguishing feature in character did Pratap Singh possess that often tired those around him?

He would always look at the positive side of the worst adversity and think of benefits derived from them.

What accident occurred when the king tried to cut a wood apple during the hunting expedition?

The sword slipped from his hand and he cut off his finger.

What was the king's reaction to his advisor's statement that the loss of a finger was a 'blessing in disguise'?

He was enraged, thought his courtier was making fun of him, and ordered Pratap Singh out of his sight.

Define 'aghast' as it relates to the king's reaction to his bleeding finger.

Filled with horror and surprise

Why did the tribesmen seize the king while he was sleeping?

They were seeking a sacrificial victim for the tiger goddess for their great annual festival.

What characteristic of the king made the tribal chief judge him as being of 'royal blood'?

The chief judged the prisoner based on his appearance and noble bearing, referring to him as 'blue blood'.

What was the specific duty of the tribal priest regarding offerings to the deity?

It was his duty to see that each offering was perfect in all respects.

Why did the priest eventually reject the king as a sacrifice?

He noticed one of the fingers on the king's left hand was missing, making the body 'imperfect'.

According to the priest, who are the only people the deity will accept?

The deity will accept only those who are whole-bodied and without blemishes.

Why did the tribesmen flee in horror after the sacrifice was called off?

They feared the wrath of the goddess for nearly presenting an imperfect sacrifice.

How did Pratap Singh justify his own misfortune of being sent away by the king?

If he had been with the king, he would have been overcome by the tribesmen and served as a substitute victim.

What is the meaning of 'blue blood' as defined in the text?

A person of noble birth

Define the word 'reconcile' as used in the context of handling opposite ideas.

Deal with two opposite ideas

According to the grammar section, what is a common use of the 'to-infinitive'?

To show purpose

What word describes the loud or deep sound of the priest's voice?

sonorous

What vocabulary term means 'extremely upset and anxious and unable to think'?

distraught