The Tribute

Q1) Why has the story been given the title "The
Tribute"?
Ans) "Tribute" means something done to show
respect and to recognize someone's services and sacrifices. In this story
Babuli's brother hass been shows as a man with character. He is an embodiment
of sacrficie and services. He always extended fatherly love and affection
towards Babuli. During his visit to the village, on the ocassion of the
partition, Babuli ultimately realizes that he had ignored his family for such
a long time and had not fullfilled his duties towards his family for long
enough. Thus, he gifts the and of his share to his elder brother to show his
love and affection. It is the "Tribute" by one who is not thankless
but indebted to his elder brother. Therefore the tittle is fully
justified.

Q2) Describe Babuli's feelings:
a) When he reads his elder brother's letter
When he read his brothers letter he shrank within himself for
not writing to his family for such a long time. He was feeling guily for
showing negligence toward his mother and elder brother. He felt the he was not
fullfilling his duties towards his family.

b) After litening to his wife's plans about his share of
property
After litening to his wife's plans about his share of property,
he felt like, "a helpless and innocent lamb that was soon to be
slaughtered by the butcher, who gave him the promise of a better life after
death". This meant that the butcher was about to use his knife to
partition the home. Babuli would be able to get a better life after this
partition if he sold the piece of land that we would get after the
partition.

c) When he thought of home
When he thought of home he remembered how he used the feel
earlier and now. When he was younger home was a synonym to protection, there
was a feeling of warmth, he used to feel secure in his home. Now this feeling
of warmth had gone away. He did not need the security and the protection of
this home as now he had his own home.

Q3) Mention the characteristics of
a) Babuli's elder brother
Hard Working: His brother worrked very hard to get a
good harvest in the fields
Self satisfied: His brother was always self-sacrificing.
He never asked for anything in lieu for what he had done for Babuli.
Responsible: He took the full responsibilty of the
family after the death of the father
Generous: He would tell his wife to prepare a delicious
dish for Babuli, even when thecatch was scanty
Kind Hearted: He took the briefcase from Babuli's hand
when he reached the village on the bus.
Dispassionate: He never attached himself emotionally to
any event and sincerely attended to his duty.

b) The second brother
Greedy: He wanted more in his share and would not agree
for anything else
Adamant: He refused to change his mind about the
partition
Clever: He knew that Babuli will not need the piece of
land and thus offered to my his share too for 18,00 rupees

c) Babuli's Wife
Practical: She made a list of items that were required
by the family, and also said that she will keep some amount in the back
Suspicious: She could not trust anyone. She told Babuli
to hand over the monjey that he gets by selling the land straight to her. She
could not trust him in money matters
Unperturbed: She was not at all disturbed by the fact
that the partition is going to happen. It was like she already knew that it
was about to happen.