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A Visit To A Small Planet
Exercise 6 & 7 (Question & Answers)
Exercise 6:
Read the text and answer the following questions.1. What is ironic about Spelding's broadcast at the beginning of the play?
Ans: Ironic about Spelding's broadcasting at the beginning of the play is that his own daughter has heard the broadcast but she has not understood even a single word of his father's broadcast. Example of the sentence said by Spelding reveals the clear use of irony. "It is not very flattering when one's own daughter won't listen to what one says while millions of people."
2. Why is Spelding unhappy about the relationship between Ellen and John?
Ans: Roger Spelding is unhappy about the relationship between Ellen and John because he does not like his daughter's fiancée. John Randolph is not a hard working, ambitious and adventurous. Spelding is a man full of ambititions and he does not like John for being so dull and boring with no plans for future. Spelding is an adventurous man. He expects his son in law as an adventurous too.
3. Why did Kreton want to visit earth? OR Why was Kreton interested in visiting the planet “Earth”?
Ans: Kreton visited the earth to see the civil war in during 1861 (19th century). Mistakenly he came one century later. To visit the Earth and her inhabitants was his hobby. Therefore, he took a lot of interest in Earth. He visited the Earth as a tourist, then he decided to take the charge of the world.
OR
Ans: Kreton, an alien from a more advanced and peaceful planet, was bored with the monotony of his society and was fascinated by the chaos and violence on Earth. He was particularly interested in the wars and conflicts on Earth and wanted to witness them firsthand. Kreton's race had abandoned warfare and violence long ago, and he was intrigued by the idea of aggression and conflict. Additionally, Kreton was also interested in exploring Earth's culture, customs, and technology. He was curious to learn about the art, music, literature, and scientific advancements of Earth's civilization.4. How is Kreton able to communicate with the people on earth?
Ans: Kreton is able to communicate with the people on Earth because he has power to read the minds of people. He reads the language inside the minds of people.
5. Describe the reaction of different characters to Kreton's visit?
Ans: Reaction Of Different Characters Of Play To Kreton's Visit:
1. Roger Spelding believes it as a meteor.
2. Mrs. Spelding likes it personality but does not like its way of landing on her Rose Garden. She's worries about her beautiful rose garden.
3. Ellen is fearful and excited to know about Kreton and his spaceship. She enjoys to be with the alien.
4. John also wants to be with the new strange thing. He wants to examine Kreton and its spaceship just for having fun. He is really excited to know more and more about the aliens.
5. General Powers expects Kreton as a spy or a hostile enemy of men. He takes him as an invader.
6. Aide becomes confused and excited after looking the strange new creature.
6. Why is General Powers paranoid about Kreton's visit?
Ans: General powers was paranoid about kreton's visit to the Earth because he had suspected kreton as an spy from some outer planet who came here on the Earth to explore the secrets in order to invade and destroy the planet. He further suspected him to leak the secrets of the Earth to another aliens living on same other planets to plan the destruction of the Earth.
7. What restrictions are imposed on Spelding's family?
Ans: The Spelding's house is kept under Martial Law. No one can leave the house on their own. They are also forbidden to attend the telephone calls or make communication outside by any means and cannot leave the house without the permission of Powers.
8. What extraordinary powers does Kreton possess, and how does he exhibit these powers?
Ans: Kreton is a wonderful creature. He proves his extraordinary powers in various ways. He has the following powers which he shows on many occasions.
- He has power to take over the charge of the world. He tells it many times to Powers.
- He has power to read human minds. He reads the minds of almost all the characters.
- He has power to create a shield around him and his spaceship. When his ship is ordered to be moved he makes a circle line round the spaceship and it can't be moved by anyone.
- He has power to know all the languages of the world. Because he can read the mind of every human being.
Ans: Spelding wants Kreton to stay with him in his house because he shows hospitality to him. He thinks the visitor is tired after a long travel. Secondly, he also intends to interview this strange creature in his television broadcast.
10. Why did Kreton's friends consider him pervasive?
Ans: Kreton's friend considered him pervasive (perverse) because he was interested in Earth primitive society. But it was his taste that he loved the humans of the Earth and he wanted to be native.
11. How does Kreton reveal that he does not have any favourable view of earthlings?
Ans: At the end of the play Kreton reveals that the people of his planet are not interested in visiting earth, but it's only him who has such keen interest to visit the Earth because he plans to take charge over Earth and its inhabitants and rule them all.
12. How does Kreton foil General Power's attempts to confine him?
Ans: Kreton with his technological powers foils General Power's to arrest him. He makes General Power and Aide stun and challenges them to arrest him.
13. Who is Aide? What is his role in the play?
Ans: Aide is the captain in the army and he works under the custody of General Powers. He plays a minor role in the play. His role is just to follow the instructions of General Powers who instructs him to investigate the spaceship, arrest the Kreton, maintain the Martial Law, etc.
14. How did Aide describe Kreton's spaceship?
Ans: He described that Kreton's Spaceship was elliptical (egg-shaped), with a fourteen feet diameter (width). It was made of an unknown metal which shined. There was nothing inside.
15. Describe the main comic incidents of the play?
Ans: There are many comic scenes in the play 'A Visit to a Small Planet’. Actually, the play is comic in nature.
- Kreton and his Spaceship, are also comic creatures.
- The most comic incidents are the landing of Kreton. How he lands, how he looks like, his costumes, his whiskers and his way of talking are all comic in nature.
- Another comic incident is General Powers’ visit to Spelding's house and his meeting with Kreton. He starts the conversation by calling Kreton as a joker.
- The story ends with a comic scene. Kreton's way of making stunned to the all worldly characters. After then, his yawning and noticing.
- Mrs. Spelding's Rose Garden is also comic ending of the play.
16. How is media depicted in the play?
Ans: In the play, freedom of media is criticized. It is depicted as an unfair. The higher authority can control and use it as they want. The play starts with the broadcasting of Roger Spelding. In his whole broadcasting, he says those things which are instructed to him by General Powers. He does not feel freedom to say what he wants to say. As his wife says that they always like his broadcasting. He also uses the word, 'starve' which means if he does not follow the instructions during broadcasting, he will die of hunger.
17. The play is a satire on American society. Discuss.
Ans: "A Visit to a Small Planet" can certainly be read and enjoyed as an American satirical play. Satire creates its effects by mocking human behaviours and assumptions in an effort to raise a reader or viewer's awareness of what the satirist sees as their foolishness.
In the play the America society is targeted. The family system is not following any particular rules. All three members of Spelding's family have different ideas opposite to each other's perpective. No one is ready to follow other. Only outward behaviours are respected.
The media is also satirized. The media does not work freely, but it just works only to follow the instructions of the those people who are in power. Army in particular and bureaucracy in general is targeted. The officer behaviour towards those who are inferior is not good. The Americans are also not ready to accept the idea of freedom of speech and newness. In this satirical play, Gore Vidal tries to reveal a fresh life, full of technology, the American world.
18. How does the playwright expose the inferiority of the present race to that of the future?
Ans: Kreton represents the future race. He exposes the weakness of the present race by calling it in its primitive stage. The people of the present age have not yet made their mind to change themselves as per need of the time. The coming race would be more powerful and aware of how to control the mind and emotions. As the people of the current age are impatient, stubborn and have no power to control their own mind. They are lagging behind from the development of the upcoming advanced age.
19. Describe the arrival of the flying saucer in your own words.
Ans: The flying saucer slowly alights at the Rose Garden in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Spelding. The house is in Maryland, USA. It lands slowly and strangely. The pilot (Kreton) comes out patiently. He is in strange costumes.
20. How much advanced is the civilization of Kreton than of the Earth?
Ans: The civilization of Kreton is much more advanced than that of the Earth. They have power to control their thoughts and emotions. They can use flying cars to travel. They are immortal. On the other hand, the Earth people are at the beginning of their civilization. They are mortal and do not have any control over their feelings, emotions and thoughts.
21. Why can the people of earth not compete with people of Kreton?
Ans: The people of Earth cannot compete with the people of Kreton because they have not yet achieved the tricks and powers to handle the situation masterly as they are in their initial stage of civilization. They have to learn more and more to reach the level of perfection. While the people of Kreton are well trained and much more advanced as compared to the Earth. They know the proper use of their minds. They know how to control and handle the people of other civilizations.
22. What type of life do you foresee in the year 5000?
Ans: I foresee a wonderful life in the year 5000. The People will be perfect because of the technological developments and they will be able to travel in flying cars. They will have enough power to read and hear the human mind. They will be advance in all aspects of life.
23. What are the literary elements used in "Visit to a Small Planet,” and how they enhance the story?
Ans: The following literary devices are used in the play.
- Satire:
"Satire" is any work of art that uses ridicule, humor, and wit in order to criticize and provoke change in human nature or social institutions. The play examines (and pokes fun at) contemporary ideas about war, the fear of foreign invasion, and attitudes towards inferior sex. Vidal satires military, bureaucracy and social media. Family system is also satirized. - Black Humor:
"Black humor" refers to comedy created by means not usually regarded as proper subjects of laughter. For example, although Visit to a Small Planet is a comedy. The plot concerns an impending nuclear war and the destruction of the entire Earth for one person's amusement. - Irony:
The play starts the ironical broadcasting. The ironical views of Spelding about the existence of spaceship. The irony of his daughter and mother when they confirm their attention towards the broadcasting they don't understand a single word of it. The play itself is an irony because the aliens are not yet confirmed as the creatures.
Ans: Ellen, the daughter of Mr. Spelding is my favourite character in the play. She is energetic, caring and true lover. She becomes excited when she sees Kreton. She calls many times to John (her fiancée) as he can not be harmed by the strange creature. She cares a lot for her future husband because she loves him by heart. Her character teaches lesson that everybody should be caring and loving.
Exercise 7:
Suppose an alien visits the Earth from another planet. Work in pairs and prepare a list of your questions that you would ask the alien. Next, prepare the alien's answers. After you have completed, share your work with your class fellows.Ans: If an alien visits the Earth I will ask the following questions from him/her.
Q.1: Who are you?
Alien: I am an alien.
Q.2: What do people call you?
Alien: People call me Kreton.
Q.3: Where are you from?
Aline: I am from another planet.
Q.4: How is the life on your planet?
Alien: It is very simple life on our planet. People live in harmony and cooperatively and never harm each other.
Q.5: Why do you look like a joker?
Alien: It is because of my costumes. We wear different type of costumes as compared to human that is why we appear odd to you and look like a joker.
Q.6: Do all other aliens living on your planet wear the same odd costumes?
Alien: Yes, We all wear same type of dress. This is our traditional dress and it typically represent us.
Q.7: Why have you come to visit our planet?
Alien: I love your planet because I like the greenery, it attracts me the most. So I have decided to visit your planet.
Q.8: Are you spy here on Earth or enemy of human?
Alien: No. On our planet, people never think or plan to harm others. So that I am not an spy or enemy of human. I just came here to enjoy the beauty of your planet Earth.
Q.9: Which thing do you like the most on our Earth?
Alien: I like the hospitality of the people. I like the way you look, speak, behave and serve than those of other planet creatures. It is really amazing.
Q.10: What is famous on your planet?
Alien: "Lambha Dancing" is famous quite famous on our planet. It is a type of dancing we use to do collectively on the beat of saucers.
Q.11: Do you plan to visit our planet more often now?
Alien: No. I was only attracted towards the beauty of the planet. So interested and thought of witnessing it with my own eyes. But this is my first time to visit your planet.
MORE QUESTION ANSWER
Q.1: How does Kreton feel about humans?Ans: In the play "A Visit to a Small Planet," Kreton, an alien from a highly advanced planet, finds humans amusing and even slightly inferior. He views them as "quaint" and sees their emotions as primitive and predictable. However, as the play progresses, Kreton begins to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for human emotions and relationships. He starts to see the value in individuality and free will, which are not present in his own society. Overall, Kreton's feelings towards humans are complex and evolve throughout the play.
Q.2: What is the climax of the play?
Ans: The climax of the play "A Visit to a Small Planet" occurs when Kreton realizes that his presence on Earth has caused destruction and chaos among the human race. Kreton, who has been manipulating and toying with the human characters throughout the play, comes to the realization that his actions have consequences and that his superior intellect and technology are no match for the basic human emotions of love and loyalty. In the end, Kreton learns a valuable lesson about the importance of empathy and respect for other beings, and decides to leave Earth and return to his own planet. The climax serves as the turning point in the play, where the conflicts and tensions reach their highest point and the characters are forced to confront the consequences of their actions.
Q.3: How does Vidal use humor in the play?
Ans: In "A Visit to a Small Planet," Gore Vidal uses humor to critique American society and politics. Kreton's fascination with American culture provides the audience with a satirical commentary on the excesses and trivialities of the era. Vidal also uses wordplay, puns, and irony to create humorous situations and to poke fun at the characters' attitudes and beliefs. For example, Kreton's inability to understand human emotions and customs leads to humorous misunderstandings and confusion. Additionally, Vidal's use of absurd situations, such as Kreton's ability to freeze time, adds to the play's comedic effect. Overall, Vidal uses humor to entertain his audience while also providing a commentary on American society and politics during the Cold War era.
Q.4: How does Kreton's behavior change throughout the play?
Ans: At the beginning of the play, Kreton is portrayed as an arrogant and condescending being who believes that he is superior to the human race. As the play progresses, Kreton's behavior begins to change, and he starts to become more fascinated with humans and their ways. He starts to develop a sense of empathy towards the humans and begins to question his own actions. By the end of the play, Kreton has transformed into a more understanding and compassionate character. He realizes that humans have their own set of problems and emotions, and he becomes more interested in their world rather than just toying with them for his amusement. This change in Kreton's behavior highlights the theme of the play, which is the potential for growth and learning through interacting with those who are different from us.
Q.5: What is Kreton's view of war?
Ans: In the play "A Visit to a Small Planet", Kreton views war as a game and is amused by humans' tendency to engage in violent conflicts. He sees war as a form of entertainment, much like the television programs he observes on Earth. Kreton finds it baffling that humans would engage in such destructive behavior when they have the ability to create such wonderful things. He comments that humans have much to learn before they are ready to interact with other intelligent beings in the universe. In this way, Kreton's view of war reflects a larger criticism of humanity's destructive tendencies and their need for greater wisdom and understanding.
Q.6: How does the play end?
Ans: In the final act of the play, Kreton faces charges from his home planet for breaking their laws and interfering with the affairs of Earth. The humans who had previously be friended Kreton plead with the court to spare his life, but it is revealed that Kreton has already taken matters into his own hands and arranged to be executed to avoid punishment. The play ends with Kreton's spaceship departing as his fellow aliens mourn his loss and the humans are left to ponder the strange and unexpected visitor who had come and gone from their planet.
Q.7: What is the theme of the play?
Ans: The theme of "A Visit to a Small Planet" is a satire on human behavior and society. It critiques the human tendency towards war, aggression, and prejudice. The play portrays humans as violent, irrational, and unable to communicate with each other, while Kreton, the alien, is portrayed as rational, curious, and peaceful. The play also examines the idea of progress and the dangers of uncontrolled technological advancement. The play highlights the importance of communication, understanding, and cooperation in achieving a peaceful and harmonious society.
Q.8: How does the play use science fiction elements to explore real-world issues?
Ans: In "A Visit to a Small Planet," the use of science fiction elements allows the play to explore real-world issues in a satirical and exaggerated way. For example, Kreton's alien perspective on war and violence highlights the absurdity of human conflict. His ability to manipulate time and space allows the play to examine the power dynamics between nations and individuals. Additionally, the play's portrayal of media and celebrity culture comments on the role of media in shaping public opinion and attitudes. Overall, the play uses science fiction to examine the flaws and complexities of human society in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Q.9: What is the role of Ellen in the play?
Ans: In "A Visit to a Small Planet," Ellen is the love interest of Kreton. She is portrayed as a young and innocent woman who becomes fascinated by Kreton, despite his odd behavior and extraterrestrial origins. Ellen's relationship with Kreton provides a contrast to the more serious and political themes of the play. While other characters are focused on matters of war and national security, Ellen remains largely oblivious to the larger implications of Kreton's visit. Ultimately, Ellen's relationship with Kreton leads her to question her own identity and purpose, as she struggles to reconcile her feelings for Kreton with her loyalty to humanity.
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