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Of Studies: WBCHSE Class 11 English answers, notes
Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF and guides for Francis Bacon’s Of Studies: WBCHSE Class 11 English Literature textbook A Realm of English (B) Selection, which is part of the Semester III syllabus for students studying under WBBSE (West Bengal Board-Uccha Madhyamik). 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
Studies have three main purposes. Their first use is for personal delight when we are alone. They also serve as an ornament in conversation. Their third use is for ability, helping us in our work and judgment. However, one must find a balance. Spending too much time studying is lazy. Using knowledge only to show off is foolish. Relying completely on rules from books without real-world sense is a mistake.
Natural abilities are like plants that need to be trimmed and shaped by study. At the same time, studies need to be guided by experience. Wise people know how to use what they learn. They do not read simply to argue or to accept things without question. They read to think carefully about ideas.
The author compares reading books to eating food. Some books should only be “tasted,” which means reading them in parts. Others can be “swallowed,” or read through quickly. A few special books must be “chewed and digested.” This means they should be read completely and with great attention. He also states that reading makes a person full of knowledge, discussion makes a person ready and quick, and writing makes a person’s thoughts exact.
Different kinds of study can fix different weaknesses in the mind, just as different exercises can heal the body. If a person’s mind wanders, mathematics can teach focus. If a person has trouble finding small differences in arguments, they can study detailed philosophy. If someone cannot connect ideas well, they can study legal cases. Every mental flaw has a specific subject that can help correct it.
Textbook solutions
1. What is meant by the phrase ‘cymini sectors’?
Answer: The phrase ‘cymini sectores’ is a Latin term that means splitters of hairs. In the context of the essay, it refers to the Schoolmen, who were mediaeval philosophers known for their skill in making very fine and subtle distinctions. It is suggested that a person whose wit is not apt to distinguish or find differences should study the works of these schoolmen to sharpen their mind in this regard.
2. What is meant by “Studies serve for ability”?
Answer: The statement that studies serve for ability means that learning is essential for developing the capacity for sound judgment and the effective management of business and affairs. While expert men can handle and judge individual details, the ability to form general counsels, create strategic plans, and organize complex matters comes best from those who are learned through their studies.
3. Comment on the style of the essay Of Studies.
Answer: The style of the essay is highly aphoristic, meaning it is composed of short, concise statements that express truths or observations in a memorable way. For instance, the line stating that reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man is a well-known aphorism.
The sentences are often balanced and structured with parallel constructions, which gives the writing a formal and rhythmic quality. An example of this is when it is noted that to spend too much time in studies is sloth, to use them too much for ornament is affectation, and to make judgment wholly by their rules is the humor of a scholar. The language is formal, direct, and didactic, as its primary purpose is to instruct the reader on the proper use and value of studies. The inclusion of Latin phrases, such as Abeunt studia in mores, also points to the scholarly and formal nature of the writing style.
4. What is the use of studies, as propagated by Bacon in his Of Studies?
Answer: According to the essay, studies have three principal uses: for delight, for ornament, and for ability. The use for delight is found in private moments of solitude and retirement. The use for ornament is in discourse and conversation. The use for ability is in the judgment and disposition of business, where learned individuals are best suited for creating general plans and marshalling affairs.
Furthermore, studies are presented as a means to perfect nature, just as pruning helps a plant grow better. Natural abilities are improved by study, and studies themselves are refined and given proper direction by experience. The essay also suggests that specific studies can act as remedies for particular defects of the mind, much like physical exercises cure bodily ailments. For example, mathematics is recommended for a wandering mind, and studying lawyers’ cases is suggested for someone who is not apt to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another. Different fields of study also cultivate different qualities in a person: histories make men wise, poets witty, and mathematics subtle.
Additional Questions and Answers
1. What are the three chief uses of studies?
Answer: The three chief uses of studies are for delight, for ornament, and for ability. The main use for delight is found in private and solitary moments. For ornament, the chief use is in discourse and conversation. For ability, the main use is in the judgment and management of business and practical affairs.
2. How do studies serve for delight?
Answer: Studies serve for delight by providing pleasure and entertainment in one’s private life and during times of retirement from the world. When a person is alone or has withdrawn from daily activities, the knowledge and thoughts gained from studies can be a source of personal enjoyment and intellectual satisfaction.
3. In what way do studies serve for ornament?
Answer: Studies serve for ornament in the context of discourse. The knowledge acquired from studies enhances a person’s conversation, making their speech more engaging, well-reasoned, and impressive. This ability to speak with substance and style decorates their communication and improves how they are perceived by others.
4. What is the difference between expert men and learned men in business?
Answer: In matters of business, the difference between expert men and learned men lies in their scope of ability. Expert men are skilled at execution and can judge individual details one by one. Learned men, however, are better suited for providing general counsels and for devising the overall plots and marshalling of affairs, meaning they excel at strategy and large-scale planning.
5. What is the consequence of spending too much time in studies?
Answer: The consequence of spending too much time in studies is sloth. This means that an excessive devotion to academic pursuits, at the expense of practical engagement with the world, can lead to laziness and inactivity. It suggests a person becomes too withdrawn and fails to apply their knowledge in a useful way.
6. What is the result of using studies too much for ornament?
Answer: The result of using studies too much for ornament is affectation. This means that a person who excessively shows off their learning in conversation appears pretentious, unnatural, and insincere. Their knowledge is not used genuinely but as a way to impress others, which is a form of showing off.
7. What does Bacon mean by “the humor of a scholar”?
Answer: The phrase “the humor of a scholar” refers to the peculiar tendency of a purely academic person to make judgments based entirely on the rules and theories learned from books. This approach ignores practical experience and real-world complexities, and is therefore considered an eccentric and impractical habit or flaw.
8. How do studies perfect nature? How are they perfected by experience?
Answer: Studies perfect nature by pruning and shaping one’s natural abilities, much like a gardener prunes a plant to help it grow better. Raw, natural talents are refined and improved through the discipline and knowledge gained from study.
Studies themselves are perfected by experience because knowledge from books can be too general and abstract. Experience provides the necessary context and practical limitations, grounding the theoretical directions from studies and making them truly effective and applicable in real life.
9. What analogy is used to explain the role of study in pruning natural abilities?
Answer: The analogy used is that of a plant and a gardener. Natural abilities are compared to natural plants, which can grow wild and untamed. Study acts like the gardener’s pruning shears, trimming, shaping, and directing these natural abilities so they can develop in a more focused and productive manner.
10. How do crafty men, simple men, and wise men each perceive studies?
Answer: Crafty men, simple men, and wise men perceive studies in three distinct ways:
(i) Crafty men, who rely on their own cunning and practical tricks, condemn studies as being impractical.
(ii) Simple men, who may lack education, tend to admire studies with a sense of wonder.
(iii) Wise men, however, do not just admire studies but actively use them as practical tools.
11. What is the wisdom required to use studies correctly? How is it won?
Answer: The wisdom required to use studies correctly is not something that can be learned from books themselves. It is a form of practical wisdom that exists outside of and is superior to academic learning. This wisdom is won not through study but through observation of the world and practical experience.
12. For what purpose should one not read?
Answer: One should not read for the purpose of contradicting and confuting others, which means reading only to find arguments to win debates. One should also not read to simply believe and take for granted everything that is written. Finally, one should not read merely to find topics for talk and discourse.
13. What is the proper reason for reading, according to Bacon?
Answer: The proper reason for reading is to weigh and consider the material. This means a reader should engage with the text critically, thinking deeply about the arguments and information presented. The goal is to evaluate the content carefully and form a thoughtful, independent judgment rather than simply accepting or rejecting it.
14. What does it mean for some books to be “tasted”?
Answer: For some books to be “tasted” means that they should be read only in parts. This approach is suitable for books where only certain sections are of interest or value to the reader. One does not need to read the entire book but can dip into it to get what is needed, much like tasting a dish.
15. What is meant by books that are to be “swallowed”?
Answer: Books that are to be “swallowed” are those that should be read through from beginning to end, but not with intense curiosity or detailed analysis. This approach is for books that are worth reading in their entirety to grasp the main ideas, but do not require deep, meticulous study of every point.
16. What does it mean for books to be “chewed and digested”?
Answer: For a book to be “chewed and digested” means it must be read wholly, with great diligence and attention. This metaphor implies a process of slow, careful, and thorough reading. The reader must fully engage with the content, understand its nuances, and internalize its knowledge so it becomes a part of their own thinking.
17. When is it acceptable to read books by deputy?
Answer: It is acceptable to read books by deputy, which means having an assistant read a book and provide extracts or summaries, only in specific circumstances. This method should be reserved for books that deal with less important arguments or for books that are of a “meaner sort,” meaning they are of lower quality or significance.
18. Why are “distilled books” compared to “common distilled waters”?
Answer: “Distilled books,” which are summaries or abridged versions, are compared to “common distilled waters” because they are described as “flashy things.” This comparison suggests that, like distilled water that has been stripped of its natural minerals and substance, summaries lack the depth, richness, and detail of the original work. They may appear clear and simple but are ultimately superficial.
19. How does reading make a “full man”?
Answer: Reading makes a “full man” by filling the mind with a wide range of knowledge, ideas, and information from various subjects. A person who reads widely becomes intellectually well-stocked and well-rounded. This fullness of knowledge provides them with substance and a broad perspective on the world.
20. How does conference make a “ready man”?
Answer: Conference, which means conversation and discussion with others, makes a “ready man” by sharpening the mind and making one quick-witted. Engaging in discourse requires a person to recall information, organize thoughts, and articulate arguments on the spot, thereby training them to be prepared and mentally agile in any situation.
21. How does writing make an “exact man”?
Answer: Writing makes an “exact man” because the act of putting thoughts into written words forces a person to be precise, clear, and logical. To write effectively, one must choose words carefully and structure arguments coherently. This discipline in writing cultivates a similar exactness and clarity in thinking.
22. What does a man who writes little need to possess? Why?
Answer: A man who writes little needs to have a great memory. This is because the act of writing helps to clarify thoughts and fix them firmly in the mind. Without this practice, he must rely solely on his memory to retain information and ideas accurately, which requires a naturally strong ability to recall details.
23. What quality does a man who confers little need? Why?
Answer: A man who confers little, or rarely engages in discussion, needs to have a present wit. Conference helps a person to think on their feet and sharpen their arguments through exchange with others. Without this regular practice, he must naturally possess a quick and sharp mind to be able to respond intelligently when the occasion arises.
24. What must a man who reads little have? Why?
Answer: A man who reads little must have much cunning. This is because reading provides a broad base of knowledge. Lacking this knowledge, he must be clever and sly to hide his ignorance from others and to create the false impression that he knows things which he does not.
25. How do histories and poets shape a man?
Answer: The study of histories makes men wise because it provides them with knowledge of past events, human behavior, and their consequences, which informs their judgment. The study of poets makes men witty because poetry deals with imagination, creativity, and the clever use of language, which sharpens a person’s own wit and expression.
26. What qualities do mathematics and natural philosophy develop?
Answer: The study of mathematics develops a subtle mind, training a person in precise, logical, and intricate reasoning. The study of natural philosophy, which is an early term for science, makes a person’s mind deep, as it encourages them to investigate the fundamental causes and principles of the natural world.
27. What is the effect of studying moral philosophy?
Answer: The study of moral philosophy has the effect of making a person grave. This means it cultivates seriousness, thoughtfulness, and a sober character. By contemplating matters of ethics, virtue, and right conduct, a person develops a more dignified and considered approach to life.
28. What skills are gained from studying logic and rhetoric?
Answer: The skills gained from studying logic and rhetoric make a person able to contend. This means these subjects equip an individual with the tools for effective argumentation and persuasion. Logic provides the structure for sound reasoning, while rhetoric provides the art of expressing those reasons persuasively.
29. What is meant by the phrase Abeunt studia in mores?
Answer: The Latin phrase Abeunt studia in mores means that studies pass into and influence manners. This signifies that the subjects a person studies do not remain as abstract knowledge but become integrated into their character, shaping their habits, behavior, and overall way of being in the world.
30. What analogy is drawn between diseases of the body and impediments in the wit?
Answer: An analogy is drawn between diseases of the body and impediments of the wit, or mind. Just as every disease of the body can be treated with an appropriate physical exercise, every flaw or weakness in a person’s mind can be worked out and corrected by engaging in a “fit” or suitable field of study.
31. What physical exercises are recommended for specific ailments?
Answer: Specific physical exercises are recommended for certain ailments. Bowling is said to be good for the stone and reins, which refers to the kidneys and bladder. Shooting is beneficial for the lungs and breast. Gentle walking is good for the stomach, and riding is helpful for the head.
32. What study is prescribed for a “wandering wit”? Why?
Answer: For a “wandering wit,” which is a mind that lacks focus and is easily distracted, the study of mathematics is prescribed. The reason is that mathematical demonstrations demand complete and sustained concentration. If one’s attention strays even a little, one must start the problem over again, which forces the mind to become more focused.
33. What should one study if they are not apt to distinguish or find differences?
Answer: If a person is not skilled at distinguishing between things or finding subtle differences, they should study the works of the Schoolmen. The Schoolmen were medieval philosophers famous for their practice of making extremely fine and detailed distinctions, an activity described as being like “splitters of hairs,” which would train the mind in this very skill.
34. What study is recommended for someone who cannot connect ideas?
Answer: For a person who is not apt to “beat over matters,” meaning they cannot examine a topic thoroughly and use one idea to prove or illustrate another, the study of lawyers’ cases is recommended. This field of study requires one to constantly draw connections between different facts, precedents, and arguments to build a coherent case.
35. Explain the three main purposes of studies as outlined by Bacon.
Answer: The three main purposes of studies are for delight, for ornament, and for ability. The chief use for delight is in privateness and retiring, where one can enjoy learning for personal satisfaction.
For ornament, studies are valuable in discourse. Knowledge from studies enhances conversation, making it more engaging and impressive.
For ability, studies are most useful in the judgment and disposition of business. While expert men can handle specific, individual tasks, the ability to form general counsels and to plan and organize important affairs comes best from those who are learned.
36. Discuss the potential dangers or excesses of studying.
Answer: There are several dangers when studying is taken to an excess. To spend too much time in studies is sloth, as it can lead to a life of inaction and withdrawal from practical responsibilities.
To use studies too much for ornament is affectation. This means a person is showing off their knowledge in an unnatural or pretentious way, which is a flaw in character.
To make judgment wholly by the rules learned from books is described as the humor of a scholar. This is a foolish tendency to apply academic theories rigidly to real-world situations without considering the nuances of experience.
37. Explain the relationship between nature, study, and experience.
Answer: The relationship between nature, study, and experience is one of mutual perfection. Natural abilities are like natural plants that need pruning by study. Studies help to shape and refine a person’s innate talents and potential.
However, studies by themselves can be too general and abstract. They give forth directions too much at large. Therefore, studies themselves need to be perfected by experience. Experience provides the practical context that bounds and refines the knowledge gained from books, making it useful and effective in the real world.
38. How do different types of men react to studies? What does this reveal about them?
Answer: The reactions of different types of men to studies reveal their underlying character. Crafty men condemn studies because they rely on their own cunning and practical experience, viewing formal learning as unnecessary.
Simple men admire studies. Their admiration shows a certain naivety, as they appreciate learning from a distance but may not understand how to apply it effectively.
Wise men use them. They understand that the true value of studies lies in their application. The ability to use studies properly is a form of wisdom that is not taught by books themselves but is won by observation and practical experience.
39. Describe Bacon’s classification of books and the different ways they should be read.
Answer: Books are classified into three categories, each requiring a different method of reading.
(i) Some books are to be tasted, which means they should only be read in parts. These are books where only certain sections are relevant or valuable.
(ii) Other books are to be swallowed. These should be read, but not curiously, meaning they can be read through without deep, detailed analysis. These are typically less important works that require a general understanding.
(iii) Finally, some few books are to be chewed and digested. This means they must be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. These are the most important books, and their contents should be fully absorbed and understood.
40. Explain the connection between reading, conference, and writing in making a complete man.
Answer: The combination of reading, conference, and writing is what creates a complete and well-rounded individual. Reading maketh a full man because it fills the mind with knowledge and information from various sources.
Conference, which means discussion with others, maketh a ready man. It sharpens the wit and makes a person quick and prepared to use their knowledge in conversation and debate.
Writing maketh an exact man. The act of writing forces a person to organize their thoughts with precision and clarity. Each skill compensates for a lack in the others, ensuring a balanced intellectual development.
41. How does Bacon link specific academic subjects to the development of personal qualities?
Answer: Specific academic subjects are shown to cultivate distinct personal and intellectual qualities. Histories make men wise by providing them with knowledge of past events and human behavior. The study of poets makes men witty, enhancing their imagination and use of language.
The mathematics makes men subtle, training the mind in precision and logical deduction. Natural philosophy, or science, makes men deep, encouraging inquiry into the nature of things. Moral philosophy makes men grave and serious in their character. Lastly, logic and rhetoric make men able to contend, equipping them with the skills for effective argument.
42. Explain Bacon’s analogy between physical exercise for the body and mental study for the mind.
Answer: An analogy is made between physical exercise and mental study to show that intellectual weaknesses can be cured, just like physical ailments. It is stated that there is no stone or impediment in the wit that cannot be wrought out by fit studies, just as diseases of the body may have appropriate exercises.
Specific examples are given for physical health: bowling is good for the stone and reins; shooting for the lungs and breast; and gentle walking for the stomach. In the same way, every defect of the mind may have a special receipt, or a prescribed study, to remedy it.
43. What specific mental defects does Bacon mention? What are their prescribed intellectual remedies?
Answer: Several mental defects are mentioned, each with a specific study prescribed as a remedy. If a man’s wit is wandering and he lacks focus, he should study the mathematics. In mathematics, if his attention strays even a little, he must start over, which forces concentration.
If his wit is not apt to distinguish or find differences, he should study the Schoolmen. They were known as cymini sectores, or “splitters of hairs,” and their works train the mind to make very fine and subtle distinctions.
If he is not apt to beat over matters and to use one point to illustrate another, he should study the lawyers’ cases. This practice trains the mind to connect ideas, find precedents, and build a cohesive argument.
44. What is Bacon’s view on using summaries or extracts of books? When is it permissible?
Answer: The use of summaries or extracts, which is called reading by deputy, is generally discouraged. It is only considered acceptable for less important arguments and for the meaner sort of books.
For more significant works, this practice is not recommended. Distilled books are compared to common distilled waters, which are described as flashy things. This metaphor suggests that while summaries might seem appealing, they are superficial and lack the true substance and depth of the original work. They offer a shallow taste rather than a full, nourishing meal of knowledge.
45. Discuss Bacon’s balanced perspective on the value and the limitations of studies.
Answer: Francis Bacon presents a balanced view on studies, outlining both their great value and their potential drawbacks if not used properly. He states that studies have three main purposes. They serve for delight, which is found in private moments of solitude and retirement. They serve for ornament, which is evident in conversation and discourse. Most importantly, they serve for ability, which is applied in the judgment and disposition of business. Learned men are best suited for creating general plans and organizing affairs.
However, Bacon also warns against the misuse of studies. He explains that spending too much time in studies is a form of laziness, or sloth. Using knowledge from studies excessively for show in conversation is affectation, or pretending to be someone you are not. To make all judgments based strictly on the rules learned from books, without considering practical realities, is the eccentric behavior of a scholar. Therefore, studies must be balanced by experience to be truly effective. Wise men use studies, but they also rely on a wisdom won by observation to know how and when to apply what they have learned.
46. Elaborate on the idea that “studies perfect nature, and are perfected by experience.”
Answer: The statement that studies perfect nature, and are perfected by experience, describes a three-part relationship between our natural abilities, learning, and practical life. The first part of the idea is that studies perfect nature. Bacon compares a person’s natural abilities to a natural plant. Just as a plant needs pruning and care to grow well and produce good fruit, a person’s inborn talents and abilities need to be shaped and improved by study. Learning helps to refine and direct our natural skills.
The second part of the idea is that studies are perfected by experience. Knowledge gained from books alone can be too general and abstract. Studies give forth directions that are too much at large, meaning they are not specific enough for real-world situations. Experience acts as a boundary, grounding the knowledge from studies in reality and making it practical. Experience teaches a person how to apply the general rules from books to particular situations. Therefore, nature provides the raw ability, study shapes and improves it, and experience makes that learning truly useful and complete.
47. Analyse Bacon’s detailed advice on how one should approach reading and engaging with books.
Answer: Francis Bacon gives very specific advice on the purpose and method of reading. He first warns about the wrong reasons for reading. One should not read simply to contradict and argue with others, nor should one read to blindly believe and accept everything. Reading should also not be done just to find topics for talk and conversation. The true purpose of reading, according to Bacon, is to weigh and consider the information presented in a book.
Bacon then categorizes books and suggests different ways to read them based on their value. He says some books are to be tasted, which means they should be read only in parts. Others are to be swallowed, meaning they should be read through, but not with intense focus or curiosity. Finally, a few important books are to be chewed and digested. This means they must be read wholly, with great diligence and attention, so that their content is fully understood and absorbed. He also mentions that for less important books, one may read summaries or extracts made by others, but he warns that these distilled books are like flashy things, lacking the substance of the original work.
48. “Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.” Discuss this aphorism in detail.
Answer: This famous statement by Francis Bacon explains how different intellectual activities shape a person’s mind. Each part of the aphorism describes a specific benefit. First, reading maketh a full man. This means that reading fills a person’s mind with information, knowledge, and ideas from various subjects. A well-read person has a rich store of knowledge, making them “full” and well-informed.
Second, conference a ready man. “Conference” here means conversation and discussion with others. Engaging in discourse forces a person to think on their feet, recall information quickly, and articulate their thoughts clearly in response to others. This practice makes a person’s knowledge active and accessible, preparing them to respond intelligently in any situation, thus making them a “ready” person.
Third, writing an exact man. The process of writing requires a person to organize their thoughts logically and choose their words with great care to express their meaning precisely. This discipline of putting ideas into clear and ordered sentences makes a person’s thinking itself more accurate and “exact.” Bacon further explains that if a man lacks one of these skills, he must compensate in other ways. For instance, if he reads little, he needs much cunning to hide his lack of knowledge.
49. Explain how, according to Bacon, studies can be used as specific remedies to cure “defects of the mind.”
Answer: Francis Bacon suggests that just as physical exercises can cure diseases of the body, specific studies can cure defects of the mind. He states that there is no impediment in the wit that cannot be worked out by fit studies. Every flaw in a person’s thinking or mental habits can be treated with a special “receipt,” or prescription, in the form of a particular subject of study.
He provides several clear examples to illustrate this point. If a man’s mind is wandering and lacks focus, he should study the mathematics. In mathematics, if his attention strays even for a moment during a demonstration, he must start over again, which forces him to develop concentration. If a person’s mind is not good at distinguishing between things or finding differences, he should study the works of the Schoolmen. Bacon calls them cymini sectores, or “splitters of hairs,” because their arguments were known for making very fine and detailed distinctions. If a person is not skilled at calling up different pieces of information to prove or illustrate a point, he should study the lawyers’ cases, which teaches how to use evidence and precedent to build a convincing argument.
50. Discuss the practical application of studies in the “judgment and disposition of business.”
Answer: According to Francis Bacon, one of the three main purposes of studies is for ability, and its chief use is in the judgment and disposition of business. This means that learning has a very practical and important role in how we manage professional and public affairs. Bacon makes a distinction between “expert men” and “learned men” to explain this application.
Expert men are those who have practical experience but may lack formal education. These men are good at execution; they can carry out tasks and judge particular, individual matters effectively. However, their skill is limited to specific, one-by-one situations. On the other hand, learned men, who have a foundation of knowledge from their studies, are better equipped for larger responsibilities. The general counsels, which means overall strategy and advice, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, which refers to the planning and organization of complex operations, come best from those that are learned. Their broad knowledge allows them to see the bigger picture, anticipate problems, and create coherent plans, making them essential for leadership roles in business and governance.
