Synonyms
More meanings
Tip: select a single word for meaning & synonyms.
Select multiple words normally to copy text.
The Bishop’s Candlesticks: MBOSE Class 12 Alternative English
Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDFs, and guides for the drama The Bishop’s Candlesticks: MBOSE Class 12 Alternative English textbook Imprints, which is part of the syllabus for students studying under the board. These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments
Summary
The play The Bishop’s Candlesticks by Norman McKinnell centers on a Bishop who lives a life of compassion, demonstrating immense kindness and patience. The story unfolds in his modest kitchen where he lives with his sister, Persomé. She is protective of her brother but struggles to understand his habit of helping others, even if it means sacrificing his own belongings. She expresses frustration over his acts of charity, fearing they may eventually leave him with nothing.
The Bishop, unlike his sister, is calm, understanding, and selfless. Despite Persomé’s concerns, he sells valuable family items, such as silver salt-cellars, to pay rent for a poor, bedridden woman named Meré Gringoire. Persomé’s annoyance reflects her love and concern for her brother, but it also shows her inability to grasp the depth of his compassion.
One night, a convict enters the Bishop’s house. He is harsh, starving, and desperate, having escaped from prison where he was confined for stealing food for his dying wife. This act, though motivated by need, led to severe punishment, and the harsh prison conditions turned him bitter and hardened. The convict, now mistrustful of everyone, threatens the Bishop with a knife, demanding food. The Bishop, however, remains calm and offers him a meal, showing no fear or resentment.
The convict finds it hard to believe the Bishop’s kindness, suspecting some hidden motive. During their interaction, he questions the Bishop’s faith and goodness, doubting anyone could genuinely be so kind. Despite the convict’s hostility, the Bishop treats him with respect, addressing him as “my son” and encouraging him to rest.
After the convict has eaten, he is left alone in the kitchen and notices the Bishop’s silver candlesticks, the only valuable items the Bishop holds dear, given to him by his mother. Overcome by his desire for a fresh start, the convict steals them and leaves. Persomé, discovering the theft, urges her brother to report it to the police. However, the Bishop refuses, saying he “led [the convict] into temptation” by leaving the candlesticks accessible.
Soon, the police capture the convict and bring him back, expecting the Bishop to identify him as a thief. In a remarkable gesture of forgiveness, the Bishop claims he gifted the candlesticks to the convict, surprising both the officers and the convict. This kindness deeply affects the convict, breaking down his hardened exterior. He feels a new sense of dignity and humanity, realizing that he is not condemned to a life defined by his past.
Textbook solutions
Answer these questions briefly
1. Where had the Bishop gone and why?
Answer: The Bishop had gone to Marie’s mother’s house to see her, as she was feeling poorly.
2. What happened to the silver salt-cellars?
Answer: The silver salt-cellars were sold by the Bishop to help pay the rent of Mére Gringoire, who was in danger of being turned out of her home.
3. The Bishop told his sister he would never sell his candlesticks. Why?
Answer: The Bishop did not want to sell his candlesticks because they were given to him by his mother on her deathbed as a remembrance.
4. Give two instances of the Bishop’s kindness to the people in his parish.
Answer: One instance of the Bishop’s kindness is when he sold his silver salt-cellars to pay Mére Gringoire’s rent. Another instance is when he went out late at night to visit Marie’s mother, who was unwell.
5. Mention two characteristics of the Bishop’s sister Persomé that you see in the play.
Answer: Persomé is protective of her brother and is practical, as she is concerned about the Bishop giving away their belongings and believes in looking after their household first.
6. What crime had the convict committed for which he had been jailed? What was his punishment?
Answer: The convict had stolen to buy food for his ill wife, Jeanette. His punishment was ten years in the prison hulks, where he suffered greatly.
7. Apart from kindness, the Bishop shows two other characteristics which surprise the convict. Give examples of them.
Answer: The Bishop shows forgiveness by protecting the convict from being arrested again and generosity by gifting him the candlesticks even after the convict had stolen them.
8. Why does the convict want to go to Paris?
Answer: The convict wants to go to Paris because it is a big city where he hopes to lose himself and avoid capture.
Answer these questions in detail.
1. How does the convict describe ‘Hell’?
Answer: The convict describes ‘Hell’ as a place where he was chained up like a wild animal, lashed like a hound, fed on filth, covered with vermin, and slept on wooden boards. His complaints were met with more lashes, and he lived like this for ten years. He says they took away his name and soul, leaving him with a devil in its place.
2. How did the Bishop succeed in changing the convict? What psychology did he use?
Answer: The Bishop succeeded in changing the convict by treating him with kindness and compassion, which the convict was not used to receiving. The Bishop did not rebuke him for his actions or try to punish him. Instead, he offered him shelter, food, and even the candlesticks he tried to steal. This approach made the convict feel a sense of worth and goodness, which helped transform his attitude.
3. Contrast the characters of the Bishop and Persomé.
Answer: The Bishop is compassionate, selfless, and forgiving. He gives away his belongings to help others and sees goodness in everyone, including the convict. Persomé, on the other hand, is practical, protective, and somewhat distrustful. She is worried about their financial situation and does not agree with her brother’s generosity, especially towards people she deems unworthy, like the convict.
4. The Bishop has a sense of humour. Illustrate with examples.
Answer: The Bishop demonstrates his sense of humour in several instances. When Persomé is concerned about the convict holding a knife, the Bishop jokes, “The knife, oh, well, you see, dear, perhaps he may have thought that I had sold ours.” Also, when the convict hesitates with suspicion, the Bishop playfully reassures him, showing a lighthearted approach to tense situations.
Writing
Imagine you are the convict. Write your diary entry after reaching Paris.
Answer:
Paris,
The start of a new life
Today, I have finally reached Paris. The city is big, bustling, and indifferent—a place where I can be lost, where no one will find me, and yet, for the first time, I don’t feel entirely alone. It is strange—just days ago, I was filled with bitterness, anger, and mistrust for the world. I had seen only the worst in people. But then I met him—the Bishop. His kindness, his faith in me, and his words changed something deep inside me.
When I think back to that night, I remember his gentle voice, his compassion, and the unbelievable mercy he showed me by giving me the candlesticks. Those candlesticks—they’re more than silver to me now. They’re a reminder of his faith, and somehow, they feel like a light guiding me forward. The Bishop called me his friend. No one has done that in a long time.
I don’t know what the future holds here in Paris, but I want to live up to the hope he placed in me. I want to be worthy of the second chance he offered. I know now that I am more than just a number. I am a man, a man with a soul, and maybe, just maybe, I can begin again.
In the anonymity of Paris, the convict manages to get a job and gradually does well, but he does not sell the candlesticks. He opens a reformatory and gives employment to other ex-convicts. As the convict, write a letter to the Bishop, telling him all that you have been doing and thanking him for making you a new man.
Answer:
Paris,
[Sept 1, 1908]
Dear Monseigneur the Bishop,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and peace. It has been a while since I left your cottage, yet your kindness and mercy have stayed with me each day since. I still carry the candlesticks you gave me, and every time I look at them, I am reminded of the new path you set me on—a path I never imagined for myself.
After reaching Paris, I found work. It wasn’t easy at first, but with the strength you gave me, I was able to make a fresh start. Slowly, I have saved enough to open a small reformatory. Here, I offer jobs and a second chance to men who, like me, have known the harshness of prison. I want to give them hope, the way you gave it to me. Your belief in me made me believe in myself, and now I hope to pass that same belief on to others.
I cannot thank you enough, Monseigneur. You changed my life with your compassion, transforming me from a bitter, desperate man into someone who can look forward with hope. I am, because of you, a new man. I will always hold your words and kindness close to my heart, and I hope that I can continue to live up to the example you set for me.
May God bless you, always.
With deepest gratitude,
Jean Valjean
Discussion
1. Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, said, ‘Give a man a fish and he will eat one meal. Teach him how to fish and he will eat well the whole of his life.’ Do you agree?
Answer: This statement suggests that providing someone with a skill or knowledge that allows them to support themselves is more beneficial in the long term than simply giving them temporary help. Teaching self-sufficiency fosters independence and sustainable well-being, while short-term aid addresses only immediate needs.
2. Should corporal and capital punishment, the death sentence, be banned?
Answer: Corporal and capital punishment are intended as exemplary measures to prevent crimes by instilling fear. However, alternative approaches, such as compassionate actions, rehabilitation, and addressing the social and economic factors leading people to crime, may yield longer-lasting positive effects. Harsh punishments often harden individuals, while kindness and empathy, as shown by the Bishop in this story, can lead to genuine reformation.
Extras
Additional questions and answers
1. Was it right for the Bishop to sell the salt cellars? Why or why not?
Answer: The Bishop sold the salt cellars to help Mere Gringoire, who needed money for her rent to avoid being turned out. He believed in helping others selflessly, even if it meant selling things dear to him. Persome felt it was unfair as these items had sentimental value, but the Bishop prioritized kindness over material attachment.
2. Why does Persome believe people pretend to be sick?
Answer: Persome believes people pretend to be sick just to have the Bishop call on them. She feels they do this because they know of his kindness and generosity, often taking advantage of him without concern for his wellbeing.
3. Who was Jeanette, and what caused her death?
Answer: Jeanette was the convict’s wife. She died because they were very poor, and he couldn’t get work to buy food during a bad year. Her illness worsened due to lack of food, and she passed away while he was imprisoned.
4. When the convict says, “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff,” what is he implying?
Answer: The convict implies that he is experienced and not easily deceived by tricks. He is suspicious and thinks the Bishop might try to fool him or alert someone.
5. What led to the convict’s imprisonment, and what punishment did he receive?
Answer: The convict stole food because he was starving and needed to feed his ill wife, Jeanette. However, he was caught, and despite explaining his situation, he was sentenced to ten years in the prison hulks, where he endured severe hardship.
6. In your view, was the punishment given to the convict fair? Why or why not?
Answer: The punishment was not fair, as he stole out of desperation to save his wife. The court disregarded his reasons, giving him a harsh sentence that changed him from a man to a bitter, hardened individual, showcasing a lack of compassion and understanding of his circumstances.
7. What caused the convict to seek the Bishop’s blessing before leaving?
Answer: The convict sought the Bishop’s blessing because he felt a profound change within him due to the Bishop’s kindness and forgiveness. The Bishop’s actions reminded him of his own humanity, making him wish for a blessing as he embarked on a new path.
8. What events can be considered turning points in the convict’s life?
Answer: The first turning point was when he stole food to save his dying wife, which led to his imprisonment. The second was meeting the Bishop, whose kindness and compassion eventually led the convict to seek a better life.
9. What happened to the salt cellars?
Answer: The Bishop sold the silver salt cellars to pay the rent for Mere Gringoire, a bedridden old woman who was threatened with eviction.
10. How does the convict describe his life before he was imprisoned?
Answer: The convict describes his life before prison as one with a cottage and a family. His wife, Jeanette, was ill, and in desperation, he stole to buy her food, which led to his imprisonment.
11. How was the convict treated while in prison?
Answer: In prison, the convict was treated harshly, chained, lashed, and fed on filth. He describes it as living in hell, where he was stripped of his humanity and made into a beast.
12. How did the convict respond to the harsh treatment he received in prison?
Answer: The convict responded with anger and resentment, stating that prison took away his name and soul, replacing them with a devil. He became hardened and bitter as a result.
13. What challenges did the convict face after escaping from jail?
Answer: After escaping, the convict faced starvation and was constantly hunted. He couldn’t find work, couldn’t beg in towns, and had to steal to survive, ultimately becoming what he detested—a thief.
14. How do the Bishop and Persome react when they discover the candlesticks have been stolen?
Answer: Persome is furious and insists on reporting the theft to the police, calling the convict a scoundrel. The Bishop, however, feels it was his fault for leading the convict into temptation and refuses to involve the police, viewing it as a just punishment for his own attachment to the candlesticks.
15. What does the Bishop say to the sergeant?
Answer: The Bishop says, “But I don’t understand, this gentleman is my very good friend.”
16. What is the symbolic importance of the Bishop’s candlesticks?
Answer: The Bishop’s candlesticks are symbolic as they represent his mother’s memory and serve as a reminder of his family, love, and faith. They also reflect the Bishop’s compassion when he sacrifices them to help the convict.
17. How is the Bishop characterized in “The Bishop’s Candlesticks”?
Answer: The Bishop is characterized as compassionate, forgiving, and generous. He is willing to sacrifice his belongings and comfort to aid others, showing kindness even to a convict who wronged him.
18. Why is the convict so eager to reach Paris?
Answer: The convict is eager to reach Paris because he believes that it is a large city where he can hide and not be easily found, allowing him to start a new life.
19. Why doesn’t Persome finish her sentence, “Monseigneur the Bishop is a – ahem”?
Answer: Persome doesn’t finish her sentence because she is about to criticize the Bishop’s actions but stops herself out of respect and reluctance to openly question his generosity.
20. Why does Persome feel frustrated with the Bishop?
Answer: Persome feels frustrated with the Bishop because he continuously gives away their possessions and wealth to help others, often leaving them with little for themselves.
21. Who sent little Jean to the Bishop, and what did she hope to gain from him?
Answer: Meré Gringoire sent little Jean to the Bishop, hoping to gain financial help from him to pay her rent, as she was threatened with eviction by the bailiff.
22. Why did Mere Gringoire believe that staying with them might upset Persome?
Answer: Mere Gringoire thought staying with them might upset Persomé because she seemed to think it might distress her.
23. Why does Persome express anger toward Marie?
Answer: Persomé expresses anger towards Marie because she blames Marie for making her brother go without his supper and staying out late.
Additional fill in the blanks
1. The play “The Bishop’s Candlesticks” was written by ______.
Answer: Norman McKinnell
2. The main setting of the play is the ______ of the Bishop’s cottage.
Answer: kitchen
3. The Bishop sold the silver salt-cellars to help ______ with her rent.
Answer: Mére Gringoire
4. The convict in the play is known by the number ______ from his time in prison.
Answer: 15729
5. The Bishop’s sister, who is skeptical of his kindness, is named ______.
Answer: Persomé
6. The convict was initially sentenced to prison for stealing to provide food for his dying ______.
Answer: wife
7. The Bishop refuses to call the ______ after the convict steals the candlesticks.
Answer: police
8. The candlesticks in the play were a gift from the Bishop’s ______.
Answer: mother
9. Persomé expresses that charity should begin at ______.
Answer: home
10. The convict considers escaping to the city of ______ to remain hidden.
Answer: Paris
11. The convict describes prison as ______, which profoundly changed him.
Answer: hell
12. After stealing the candlesticks, the convict is caught and brought back by a group of ______.
Answer: gendarmes
13. The Bishop persuades the gendarmes to release the convict by claiming that he ______ the candlesticks to him.
Answer: gave
14. Persomé initially reacts with ______ when she discovers the candlesticks are missing.
Answer: anger
15. The Bishop’s actions show that he values ______ more than material possessions.
Answer: kindness (or charity)
16. In his poverty, the Bishop sold many of his belongings to help the ______.
Answer: needy
17. The convict learns to value himself again after experiencing the Bishop’s ______.
Answer: compassion
18. The Bishop reminds the convict that his body is the “______ of the Living God.”
Answer: Temple
19. The convict, after being released, feels as if he is a ______ again, not a wild beast.
Answer: man
Additional true and false
1. The Bishop’s name is Monseigneur.
Answer: False
2. Persomé is the sister of the Bishop.
Answer: True
3. Marie is a maid who works for the Bishop and Persomé.
Answer: True
4. Jean Valjean is the name of the convict in the play.
Answer: True
5. The Bishop sells the silver salt-cellars to pay for Marie’s mother’s medicine.
Answer: False
6. The convict was jailed for stealing to feed his dying wife, Jeanette.
Answer: True
7. The convict was assigned the number 15279 in prison.
Answer: False (The correct number is 15729)
8. The convict had been in prison for ten years.
Answer: True
9. The Bishop’s candlesticks were a gift from his sister, Persomé.
Answer: False
10. The setting of the play is the Bishop’s cottage.
Answer: True
11. The convict initially threatens the Bishop with a knife.
Answer: True
12. The Bishop lies to the police by saying he gifted the candlesticks to the convict.
Answer: True
13. The Bishop is a cruel and unforgiving character.
Answer: False
14. Persomé believes that charity should begin at home.
Answer: True
15. Persomé is worried about the Bishop’s generosity, fearing they will lose everything.
Answer: True
16. The convict plans to flee to Paris after leaving the Bishop’s home.
Answer: True
17. The gendarmes catch the convict because he shows his prison papers to them.
Answer: False
18. The Bishop blesses the convict before he leaves for Paris.
Answer: True
19. The Bishop’s kindness has a transformative effect on the convict.
Answer: True
