📖 The Toilet – Class 9 English Reader

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Summary

The Toilet is a play by Gcina Mhlophe that shows how apartheid and poverty affected the lives of ordinary South Africans. The story is about a young girl who lives in a township and struggles to find a quiet place to study and write. Because her house is overcrowded, she secretly uses a community toilet as her private study room. Despite the hardships, she dreams of becoming a writer. The play highlights themes of poverty, determination, dignity, and hope in the face of inequality.

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Definitions / Keywords

• Apartheid – A system of racial segregation in South Africa.

• Township – Poor residential area where black South Africans lived.

• Overcrowded – Too many people living in a small space.

• Dignity – Respect for oneself, even in tough conditions.

• Determination – Strong will to achieve a goal.

• Sanitation – Cleanliness and hygiene, especially toilets and living conditions.

• Resilience – Ability to face difficulties and still move forward.

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Capsule Notes / Key Points

• Written by Gcina Mhlophe, South African writer and activist.

• Genre: One-act play.

• Setting: A township in South Africa during apartheid.

• Main character: A young girl with a dream to become a writer.

• Conflict: No private space at home → uses a toilet as study room.

• Themes: Poverty, apartheid, education, dignity, determination, dreams.

• Message: Hardships cannot stop a determined person from chasing their dreams.

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Questions & Answers

1 Mark

1. Who is the author of The Toilet?
   Ans: Gcina Mhlophe.

2. What unusual place did the girl use as her study room?
   Ans: A community toilet.

3. What was the girl’s dream?
   Ans: To become a writer.

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2 Marks

1. Why did the girl choose the toilet as her study room?
   Ans: Her home was overcrowded and noisy, so she needed a quiet, private place to read and write.

2. Mention two themes of the play.
   Ans: Poverty and determination / dignity and dreams.

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3 Marks

1. Explain how the play shows the struggles of people living under apartheid.
   Ans:

   • Black South Africans were forced to live in poor townships.

   • Families lived in overcrowded homes with little privacy.

   • The girl had to study in a toilet, showing how lack of resources affected education.

   • Despite this, she continued to dream, proving resilience.

2. What is the significance of the toilet in the play?
   Ans:

   • It symbolizes both poverty (lack of space) and hope (a private space to chase dreams).

   • Shows the creative ways people survive under hardship.

   • Represents dignity, determination, and the will to learn.

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Confusing Facts Simplified

• Is the play about sanitation? → No, it is about poverty, dignity, and dreams, not cleanliness.

• Does the girl love the toilet? → No, she uses it because it is her only option for privacy.

• Is it only about South Africa? → No, it represents struggles of poor and oppressed people everywhere.

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Examples / Applications

• Real-life connection: Students in many poor areas today still study under streetlights or in crowded rooms.

• Lesson: Determination can overcome difficulties, and education is a path to dignity.

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Quick Notes / Short Points

• Author: Gcina Mhlophe.

• Type: One-act play.

• Main character: A poor girl in a township.

• Setting: South Africa during apartheid.

• Symbol: Toilet = Poverty + Hope.

• Themes: Education, dignity, poverty, dreams.

• Message: Nothing can stop a determined person.

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Diagram / Table (Character & Theme Map)

Element	Details
Author	Gcina Mhlophe
Main Character	Young girl (dreams of writing)
Place	Township, South Africa
Symbol	Toilet = Poverty + Private study space
Themes	Poverty, Dignity, Determination, Dreams
Message	Determination overcomes hardships

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📘 Chapter 4 – Distribution of Power in Indian Constitution

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Summary (Detailed)

India got independence in 1947, and a new Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and provides the framework for democratic governance. To prevent misuse of power, it divides powers between the Legislature (makes laws), Executive (implements laws), and Judiciary (interprets laws). It also provides for federalism, meaning power is shared between the Union Government and the State Governments, though the Centre is stronger. Important features include Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties, Bicameral Legislature, and Judicial Review. The Constitution ensures justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity, protecting democracy and citizens’ rights.

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Definitions / Keywords

• Constitution – The supreme law of the country which decides how India is governed.

• Objective Resolution – Introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1946, it laid the foundation for the Indian Constitution.

• Parliamentary Democracy – System where the executive (PM and ministers) is responsible to the legislature (Parliament).

• Federalism – Power-sharing between Centre and States.

• Union List – Subjects only the Centre can make laws on (e.g., Defence).

• State List – Subjects only the States can legislate on (e.g., Police).

• Concurrent List – Subjects where both Centre and States can legislate (e.g., Education).

• Residuary Powers – Subjects not in any list; Centre has authority (e.g., Cyber laws).

• Fundamental Rights – Basic rights guaranteed to every citizen (Equality, Freedom, etc.).

• Directive Principles – Guidelines to create a welfare state (e.g., free education, equal pay).

• Judicial Review – Power of courts to strike down unconstitutional laws.

• Bicameral Legislature – Two houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha).

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Capsule Notes / Key Points

• Constitution of India: World’s largest written Constitution (~1.5 million words).

• Adopted: 26 Nov 1949 | Enforced: 26 Jan 1950.

• Features: Written, Flexible + Rigid, Federal system with unitary bias, Independent Judiciary, Fundamental Rights, Duties, Directive Principles.

• Division of Powers:

  • Union List (Central Govt.) – Defence, Foreign Affairs, Railways, Banking.

  • State List (State Govt.) – Agriculture, Police, Local Govt.

  • Concurrent List (Both) – Education, Marriage, Forests.

  • Residuary Powers – New subjects → Centre (e.g., Space Research, Cyber Laws).

• Organs of Government:

  • Legislature – Makes laws (Parliament + State Assemblies).

  • Executive – Implements laws (President, PM, Council of Ministers, Governor, CM).

  • Judiciary – Ensures justice, checks misuse of power (Supreme Court, High Courts).

• Fundamental Rights – 6 categories: Equality, Freedom, Against Exploitation, Freedom of Religion, Cultural & Educational Rights, Constitutional Remedies.

• Fundamental Duties – 11 duties (e.g., respect National Flag, preserve heritage, protect environment).

• Directive Principles – Aim for social & economic justice (e.g., free education, welfare of workers).

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Questions & Answers

1 Mark Questions

1. Who introduced the Objective Resolution in the Constituent Assembly?
   Ans: Jawaharlal Nehru.

2. When did the Constitution of India come into effect?
   Ans: 26 January 1950.

3. Which part of the Constitution contains Fundamental Rights?
   Ans: Part III.

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2 Mark Questions

1. What do you mean by Residuary Powers? Give one example.
   Ans: Powers not mentioned in Union, State, or Concurrent Lists are Residuary Powers. Example: Cyber Laws.

2. Differentiate between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
   Ans:

   • Lok Sabha – Directly elected, 543 members, controls govt., dissolvable.

   • Rajya Sabha – Indirectly elected, 250 members, permanent body, reviews laws.

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3 Mark Questions

1. Explain the division of powers between Centre and States in India.
   Ans:

   • Union List – Defence, Railways, Banking – Centre only.

   • State List – Police, Agriculture, Local Govt. – States only.

   • Concurrent List – Education, Forests, Marriage – Both, but Centre prevails on conflict.

   • Residuary Powers – New subjects (Cyber Laws, Atomic Energy) – Centre.

2. How does the Judiciary protect the Constitution?
   Ans:

   • Exercises Judicial Review (strikes down unconstitutional laws).

   • Ensures protection of Fundamental Rights (via Writs).

   • Acts as guardian of Constitution and maintains rule of law.

3. Write a short note on Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
   Ans:

   • Non-justiciable (not legally enforceable) guidelines to Govt.

   • Aim to establish welfare state (equal pay, education, health care).

   • Inspired by Irish Constitution.

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Confusing Facts Simplified

• Rigid or Flexible Constitution? → Both. Some provisions need simple majority (easy), others need 2/3 majority (rigid).

• President vs Prime Minister → President = Nominal head (ceremonial). PM = Real head (decision-maker).

• India – Federal or Unitary? → Federal with a strong Centre (called Quasi-federal).

• Fundamental Rights vs Directive Principles → Rights are enforceable in court; Principles are not.

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Examples / Applications

• Amendments in Action:

  • 42nd Amendment (1976) → Added words Socialist, Secular, Integrity to Preamble.

  • 61st Amendment (1989) → Reduced voting age to 18.

  • 86th Amendment (2002) → Made education a Fundamental Right.

  • 101st Amendment (2016) → Introduced GST.

• Judicial Review in Action:

  • Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973) → Basic Structure of Constitution cannot be changed.

  • Right to Privacy Case (2017) → Declared Privacy a Fundamental Right.

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Quick Notes / Short Points

• Constitution adopted: 26 Nov 1949 | Enforced: 26 Jan 1950.

• Longest written constitution.

• Legislature = Law making; Executive = Law implementation; Judiciary = Law interpretation.

• 7th Schedule – Union, State, Concurrent Lists.

• Federalism – Centre stronger than States.

• Lok Sabha = Powerful House. Rajya Sabha = Review House.

• Judiciary = Guardian of Constitution.

• Amendments → Keep Constitution updated.

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Diagram / Table

Division of Powers – 7th Schedule

List	Examples	Authority
Union List	Defence, Railways, Banking	Central Govt.
State List	Police, Agriculture, Health	State Govt.
Concurrent List	Education, Marriage, Forests	Both (Centre prevails if conflict)
Residuary	Cyber Laws, Atomic Energy	Central Govt.

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Three Organs of Government

                 CONSTITUTION
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     |             |                |
 Legislature   Executive       Judiciary
 (Makes laws) (Implements laws) (Interprets laws)
 Parliament    PM, President     Supreme Court
 State Assemblies  Governors     High Courts

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