Class 12 – Ch5 – Should Wizard Hit Mommy? (Vistas) Summary in English & Hindi

English Summary

Chapter: Should Wizard Hit Mommy?
Book: Vistas – Supplementary Reader (Class 12 English Core)
Author: John Updike

Introduction

"Should Wizard Hit Mommy?" is a layered story within a story that explores the transition from childhood innocence to adult realism, the dynamics of parent-child relationships, and the conflict between imagination and authority. Through a bedtime storytelling ritual between a father and his daughter, the narrative subtly examines adult frustration, creative freedom, and the inevitability of growing up.

Plot Overview

Jack, a father, has a long-standing tradition of telling original bedtime stories to his daughter Jo (Joanne). Each story follows a set pattern: a small animal named Roger (Roger Fish, Roger Squirrel, etc.) faces a problem, visits the wise owl, who sends him to the wizard, who solves his problem in exchange for pennies.

One evening, Jo requests a story about Roger Skunk—a skunk who smells so bad that other animals avoid him. Roger Skunk visits the wizard, who changes his smell to that of roses. The other animals now love playing with him.

But when Roger Skunk returns home, his mommy is furious. She believes he should smell like a skunk, not like roses. She takes him back to the wizard, hits the wizard with her umbrella, and forces him to restore Roger’s original smell.

Jo is deeply upset by this ending. She insists that the wizard should hit Mommy back. Jack, trying to defend the adult perspective, says that mommies know what is best and that Roger Skunk’s mommy loved him as he was.

Jo remains unconvinced. The story ends with Jack leaving the room, feeling a mix of weariness, irritation, and a vague sense of failure. He realizes his daughter is growing up, questioning his narratives, and beginning to form her own judgments.

Characters

Jack: The father, a caring but tired storyteller who represents adult authority and traditional values.

Jo (Joanne): His four-year-old daughter, curious, empathetic, and beginning to challenge her father’s worldview.

Roger Skunk: The story’s protagonist who wants to change himself to fit in.

Roger’s Mommy: Represents parental control and the belief in natural, unaltered identity.

The Wizard: Symbol of magic, change, and external solutions to problems.

Themes

Parental Authority vs. Child’s Autonomy: The clash between a mother’s decision and a child’s desire for acceptance.

Conformity vs. Individuality: Should Roger change to be accepted, or stay true to his nature?

Loss of Innocence: Jo’s questioning marks her first step toward critical thinking and away from blind acceptance.

Storytelling as a Bond: The ritual of bedtime stories reflects the changing father-daughter relationship.

Symbols

Roger Skunk’s Smell: Represents innate identity and the pressure to conform.

The Wizard: Stands for quick fixes, fantasy, and the power of imagination.

Mommy’s Umbrella: Symbol of parental authority and traditional values.

Bedtime Story Ritual: Reflects the passing of traditions and the shifting dynamics of growing up.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a delicate study of how children begin to question the world adults create for them. It highlights the tension between protecting a child’s innocence and allowing them to develop independent thought. For students, it’s an invitation to think about authority, identity, and the stories we tell to make sense of life.

Important Questions for Students

1. Why does Roger Skunk go to the wizard? How does his life change afterwards?

2. Why is Roger’s mommy angry about his new smell?

3. Why does Jo want the wizard to hit Mommy?

4. What does Jack’s reaction to Jo’s questions reveal about his own feelings?

5. Discuss the title: "Should Wizard Hit Mommy?" What larger conflict does it represent?

हिन्दी सारांश

पाठ: शुड विज़ार्ड हिट मॉमी? (क्या जादूगर को माँ को मारना चाहिए?)
पुस्तक: विस्टास – सप्लीमेंटरी रीडर (कक्षा 12 अंग्रेज़ी कोर)
लेखक: जॉन अपडाइक

परिचय

"शुड विज़ार्ड हिट मॉमी?" एक कहानी के भीतर की एक स्तरित कहानी है जो बचपन की मासूमियत से वयस्क यथार्थवाद की ओर संक्रमण, माता-पिता और बच्चे के रिश्तों की गतिशीलता और कल्पना एवं अधिकार के बीच संघर्ष का पता लगाती है। एक पिता और उसकी बेटी के बीच सोने से पहले की कहानी सुनाने की रस्म के माध्यम से, कथा सूक्ष्म रूप से वयस्क निराशा, रचनात्मक स्वतंत्रता और बड़े होने की अनिवार्यता की जाँच करती है।

कथासार

जैक, एक पिता, अपनी बेटी जो (जोआन) को मौलिक सोने से पहले की कहानियाँ सुनाने की एक लंबे समय से चली आ रही परंपरा है। प्रत्येक कहानी एक निर्धारित पैटर्न का पालन करती है: रॉजर नाम का एक छोटा जानवर (रॉजर फिश, रॉजर स्क्विरल, आदि) एक समस्या का सामना करता है, बुद्धिमान उल्लू से मिलने जाता है, जो उसे जादूगर के पास भेजता है, जो पैसे के बदले में उसकी समस्या हल कर देता है।

एक शाम, जो रॉजर स्कंक के बारे में एक कहानी का अनुरोध करती है — एक स्कंक जो इतनी बुरी तरह से बदबू करता है कि अन्य जानवर उससे दूर रहते हैं। रॉजर स्कंक जादूगर के पास जाता है, जो उसकी गंध को गुलाब की गंध में बदल देता है। अन्य जानवर अब उसके साथ खेलना पसंद करते हैं।

लेकिन जब रॉजर स्कंक घर लौटता है, तो उसकी माँ आगबबूला हो जाती है। उसका मानना है कि उसे गुलाब की तरह नहीं, बल्कि स्कंक की तरह बदबू आनी चाहिए। वह उसे वापस जादूगर के पास ले जाती है, जादूगर को अपनी छतरी से मारती है, और उसे रॉजर की मूल गंध बहाल करने के लिए मजबूर करती है।

जो इस अंत से बहुत परेशान है। वह जोर देकर कहती है कि जादूगर को माँ को वापस मारना चाहिए। जैक, वयस्क दृष्टिकोण का बचाव करने की कोशिश करते हुए, कहता है कि माँओं को पता होता है कि क्या सबसे अच्छा है और रॉजर स्कंक की माँ उसे वैसे ही प्यार करती थी जैसे वह था।

जो अभी भी असंतुष्ट है। कहानी का अंत जैक के कमरे से बाहर जाने के साथ होता है, जो थकान, चिड़चिड़ाहट और असफलता की अस्पष्ट भावना का मिश्रण महसूस करता है। उसे एहसास होता है कि उसकी बेटी बड़ी हो रही है, उसके आख्यानों पर सवाल उठा रही है, और अपने स्वयं के निर्णय बनाना शुरू कर रही है।

पात्र

जैक: पिता, एक देखभाल करने वाला लेकिन थका हुआ कहानीकार जो वयस्क अधिकार और पारंपरिक मूल्यों का प्रतिनिधित्व करता है।

जो (जोआन): उसकी चार साल की बेटी, जिज्ञासु, सहानुभूतिशील और अपने पिता के दृष्टिकोण को चुनौती देने लगी है।

रॉजर स्कंक: कहानी का नायक जो खुद को फिट होने के लिए बदलना चाहता है।

रॉजर की माँ: माता-पिता के नियंत्रण और प्राकृतिक, अपरिवर्तित पहचान में विश्वास का प्रतिनिधित्व करती है।

जादूगर: जादू, परिवर्तन और समस्याओं के लिए बाहरी समाधान का प्रतीक।

विषय-वस्तु

माता-पिता का अधिकार बनाम बच्चे की स्वायत्तता: माँ के निर्णय और स्वीकृति के लिए बच्चे की इच्छा के बीच टकराव।

अनुरूपता बनाम व्यक्तित्व: क्या रॉजर को स्वीकार किए जाने के लिए बदलना चाहिए, या अपनी प्रकृति के प्रति सच्चा रहना चाहिए?

मासूमियत का नुकसान: जो का सवाल उठाना उसकी आलोचनात्मक सोच की ओर पहला कदम और अंध स्वीकृति से दूर जाने का प्रतीक है।

बंधन के रूप में कहानी सुनाना: सोने से पहले की कहानियों की रस्म पिता-बेटी के रिश्ते में बदलाव को दर्शाती है।

प्रतीक

रॉजर स्कंक की गंध: जन्मजात पहचान और अनुरूप होने के दबाव का प्रतिनिधित्व करती है।

जादूगर: त्वरित समाधान, कल्पना और कल्पना की शक्ति का प्रतीक।

माँ की छतरी: माता-पिता के अधिकार और पारंपरिक मूल्यों का प्रतीक।

सोने से पहले की कहानी की रस्म: परंपराओं के गुजरने और बड़े होने की बदलती गतिशीलता को दर्शाती है।

यह पाठ क्यों महत्वपूर्ण है

यह अध्याय एक सूक्ष्म अध्ययन है कि कैसे बच्चे उस दुनिया पर सवाल उठाना शुरू करते हैं जो वयस्क उनके लिए बनाते हैं। यह बच्चे की मासूमियत की रक्षा करने और उन्हें स्वतंत्र विचार विकसित करने की अनुमति देने के बीच तनाव को उजागर करता है। छात्रों के लिए, यह अधिकार, पहचान और उन कहानियों के बारे में सोचने का एक निमंत्रण है जो हम जीवन को समझने के लिए सुनाते हैं।

छात्रों के लिए महत्वपूर्ण प्रश्न

1. रॉजर स्कंक जादूगर के पास क्यों जाता है? बाद में उसका जीवन कैसे बदलता है?

2. रॉजर की माँ उसकी नई गंध के बारे में क्यों गुस्से में है?

3. जो क्यों चाहती है कि जादूगर माँ को मारे?

4. जो के सवालों के प्रति जैक की प्रतिक्रिया उसकी अपनी भावनाओं के बारे में क्या प्रकट करती है?

5. शीर्षक पर चर्चा करें: "शुड विज़ार्ड हिट मॉमी?" यह किस बड़े संघर्ष का प्रतिनिधित्व करता है?

Character Sketch

Jack (The Father/Narrator): Jack is a well-meaning but weary and somewhat frustrated father. He is stuck in the routine of telling bedtime stories to his daughter, Jo, and feels trapped by his own repetitive imagination. His stories reflect his conservative worldview where adult authority (the wizard, the parents) is final. He represents the older generation clinging to tradition and parental control, resistant to the questioning nature of the new generation.

Jo (Joanne - The Daughter): Jo is a four-year-old girl who is curious, intelligent, and increasingly assertive. She represents the new generation that questions established narratives and seeks logical, satisfying conclusions. Her insistence on changing the ending of the Roger Skunk story challenges her father's authority and worldview, symbolizing a clash between conformity and individuality, tradition and change.

Clare (Jack's Wife): Clare is a pregnant woman, tired and working downstairs. She represents the practical, domestic world that Jack feels distant from. Her call for Jack to help with the chores intrudes on his storytime, highlighting his sense of being trapped between familial duties and his own need for a break, adding to his frustration.

10 Previous Year Questions & Solutions

1. Why was Jack annoyed while telling the story to Jo? (2022)

Answer: Jack was annoyed because he was tired of the repetitive routine of storytelling, feeling his imagination was stale. More specifically, Jo's persistent questioning and her demand to change the ending of the Roger Skunk story challenged his authority and the moral universe of his stories. He felt his control slipping and was frustrated by her inability to accept his traditional ending.

2. Describe the original ending of the Roger Skunk story as told by Jack. (2020)

Answer: In Jack's original ending, Roger Skunk's mommy is unhappy with his new rose smell. She takes him back to the wizard, hits him on the head with her umbrella, and forces him to change Skunk back to his original awful smell. She explains that she loves him just the way he is, and that his real friends will accept him for himself, not for how he smells.

3. Why did Jo want the wizard to hit Mommy Skunk? (2023)

Answer: Jo wanted the wizard to hit Mommy Skunk because, in her child's sense of justice, the mommy was being mean and unfair. Roger was happy with his new smell and had friends. Mommy Skunk's action made him smelly again and lonely. Jo believed the wrong had not been righted; the villain (mommy) should be punished, not the hero (Roger).

4. What does the conflict between Jack and Jo symbolize? (2019)

Answer: The conflict symbolizes the generational clash between traditional authority and modern individualism. Jack represents the old order where parents know best and children must accept their decisions without question. Jo represents the new generation that questions authority, values personal happiness, and believes in logical, emotionally satisfying resolutions over blind obedience.

5. How does Jack's personal life influence his storytelling? (2021)

Answer: Jack's personal stress and dissatisfaction seep into his stories. His feeling of being trapped in a routine (job, fatherhood, pending chores) mirrors Roger Skunk's problem. His insistence on the mother's ultimate authority might reflect his own subconscious desire for control in a life where he feels increasingly powerless. The story becomes an outlet for his own frustrations.

6. "He felt trapped." Why did Jack feel this way? (2018)

Answer: Jack felt trapped in the literal routine of storytelling in the baby's room. He also felt trapped by his daughter's growing independence and her challenge to his narrative authority. Metaphorically, he felt trapped in his life—by his job, his impending fatherhood again, his domestic duties, and the weight of responsibility, with no escape or creative outlet.

7. What is the significance of the title 'Should Wizard Hit Mommy?' (2022)

Answer: The title poses the central moral question of the story from the child's perspective. It encapsulates the clash between a child's desire for a happy ending (wizard hits the "bad" mommy) and the adult's insistence on a moral lesson (respect for parental authority). The title highlights the story's core theme: whose version of reality and justice should prevail?

8. How does John Updike explore the theme of parenting in the story? (2020)

Answer: Updike explores parenting as a complex, often frustrating negotiation of authority, creativity, and control. Jack's storytelling is a parenting tool to teach morals and ensure obedience. Jo's rebellion shows that parenting is not a one-way transmission but a dialogue. The story questions whether parenting is about molding children to fit adult norms or nurturing their independent thought, even if it challenges you.

9. What does Roger Skunk's story-within-the-story represent? (2023)

Answer: Roger Skunk's story is a meta-narrative that represents Jack's own psyche and his conflict with Jo. Skunk's desire to change (get friends) reflects a universal need for acceptance. The mother's intervention represents Jack's conservative worldview (conformity to original identity/ family values). Jo's desired ending represents progressive individualism (the right to change and be happy).

10. Do you side with Jo or Jack regarding the ending of the story? Why? (2019)

Answer: (Opinion-based) I side with Jo's perspective. While parents often act with good intentions, blind obedience isn't a virtue. Roger Skunk's happiness and social well-being were more important than his mother's preference for his "authentic" self. The story should validate a child's desire for acceptance and happiness. Jack's ending teaches passive acceptance of unhappiness, which is not a healthy lesson.

GuidedPathNoida.in