Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat - Questions & Answers

Section 1: True or False

1. Thomas Stearns Eliot was born in England and later moved to Missouri.
   Answer: False
2. Eliot won the Nobel Prize for Literature in the year 1948.
   Answer: True
3. The Night Mail train can easily depart at 11.39 even if Skimbleshanks is missing.
   Answer: False
4. Skimbleshanks is portrayed as a bright and energetic black cat.
   Answer: False
5. Skimbleshanks patrols the train corridors to ensure there is no riot or hilarity.
   Answer: True

Section 2: Fill in the Blanks

1. Thomas Stearns Eliot wrote the cat poems in the 1930s under his assumed name "Old Possum".
2. He began to write poetry when he was 14 under the influence of Edward Fitzgerald's translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.
3. At 11.42 the signal is nearly due and the passengers are frantic to a man.
4. Skimbleshanks gives one flash of his glass-green eyes to give the "All Clear" signal.
5. You can play no pranks with Skimbleshanks because he is a cat that cannot be ignored.

Section 3: Short Answer Questions

1. Question: Why was T.S. Eliot isolated during his childhood?
   Answer: He was isolated because he suffered from a congenital double inguinal hernia. This condition prevented him from participating in physical activities and socializing with his peers, which eventually led to his deep love for literature.
2. Question: Where does Skimbleshanks come from just before the train is supposed to leave?
   Answer: Just before the train leaves, Skimbleshanks saunters to the rear and emerges from the luggage van, where he has been busy.
3. Question: Who does Skimbleshanks supervise on the Sleeping Car Express?
   Answer: Skimbleshanks supervises everyone on the train, including the driver, the guards, and even the bagmen playing cards.
4. Question: What comforting features are found in the passengers' sleeping dens?
   Answer: The sleeping dens feature a neat berth with newly folded sheets, adjustable lights, a handle to make a breeze, a washbasin, and a crank to shut the window. They are perfectly clean without a speck of dust.

Section 4: Longer Answer Questions

1. Question: Describe T.S. Eliot's early life and explain how his childhood experiences influenced his literary career.
   Answer: Born in Missouri, Thomas Stearns Eliot faced physical hardships during his childhood due to a congenital double inguinal hernia. This condition kept him away from physical activities and socialising with other children. As a result of this isolation, he developed a profound love for literature. Once he learned to read, he became completely obsessed with books, particularly enjoying tales of the Wild West and Mark Twain's adventures. This deep immersion in reading from a young age nurtured his creative mind, eventually leading him to begin writing poetry at age 14 and paving the way for his future success as a Nobel Prize-winning author.
2. Question: How does the poet portray Skimbleshanks as the most indispensable figure on the Night Mail train?
   Answer: The poet portrays Skimbleshanks as absolutely indispensable by emphasizing that the Night Mail simply cannot start without him. When it is time to depart, the guards, porters, and passengers search frantically for him, and the train only leaves once he gives the "All Clear" with his glass-green eyes. Though he is a cat, Skimbleshanks acts as the true manager of the train. He supervises the crew, paces the corridors to examine the travellers, and maintains strict discipline by preventing any noise or riots. Furthermore, he ensures excellent service alongside the human guard and guarantees the passengers a peaceful, mouse-free sleep, making him the most important presence on the Sleeping Car Express.