CBSE Class 11 English Chapter 7 The Story NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 11 English, Chapter 7, titled "The Story." It delves into the fundamental role of narrative in novels, exploring how a story forms the backbone of literary works. The solutions analyze the concept of "finer growths" like characterization and plot structure that are supported by the story. It also examines the historical roots of storytelling, tracing human interest in narratives back to primitive times, and discusses the crucial element of time in story narration. Furthermore, the solutions explore the dual nature of human experience, reflecting both the linear progression of time and the subjective valuation of events. Finally, it touches upon the organic nature of novels and the significance of suspense, using the analogy of Scheherazade to highlight the importance of engaging narratives in literature. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the core concepts and prepare effectively for their exams.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	7. The Story

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English, Chapter 7, "The Story," focuses on the essential elements of narrative in novels. It explains how a story acts as the foundation for character development, plot, and thematic exploration. The solutions cover the historical evolution of storytelling, the indispensable role of time in narrative structure, and the concept of "life in time" versus "life by values." It also likens novels to living organisms and emphasizes the importance of suspense, exemplified by the tale of Scheherazade.

Learning outcomes

Understand the fundamental role of a story in a novel.
Analyze the 'finer growths' supported by a story, such as characterization and plot.
Trace the historical origins of storytelling and its primitive appeal.
Explain the significance of time in narrative construction.
Differentiate between 'life in time' and 'life by values' in human experience.
Appreciate the analogy of novels as organic structures.
Recognize the importance of suspense and engagement in storytelling.

Topics covered

Paper topics

The role of story in novels
Finer growths in literature
Characterisation
Narrative techniques
Plot structure
Historical origins of storytelling
Time in narration
Life in time vs. life by values
Novels as organisms
Suspense in storytelling
Scheherazade analogy
Understanding literary texts

Important topics

The story as the backbone of a novel
Historical roots of storytelling
The significance of time in narrative
The dual nature of human experience (time vs. values)
The role of suspense and engagement

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Questions and Solutions

Understanding the Text

What do you understand of the three voices in response to the question 'What does a novel do'?

Solution: The three voices represent distinct reader perspectives on novels. The first voice belongs to a well-meaning individual aware of literature's value but lacking the time or inclination for deep analysis, understanding a novel primarily as a story. The second voice reflects a more casual, perhaps aggressive reader who treats novels lightly, seeking only a story to pass the time without engaging in analysis. The third voice, akin to the author's own, emphasizes the story as the essential core of a novel. Despite their different approaches, all three voices converge on the consensus that a novel ultimately conveys a story.

What would you say are 'the finer growths' that the story supports in a novel?

What would you say are 'the finer growths' that the story supports in a novel?

Solution: The 'finer growths' that a story supports within a novel encompass the sophisticated elements of literary art, including the development of characters (characterisation), the methods used to tell the story (narrative techniques), and the underlying framework of themes and plot. The story itself serves as the fundamental structure, the essential 'backbone' or 'DNA', without which these other artistic components would lack meaning or foundation. The storyline dictates and shapes these subsequent features of the novel.

How does Forster trace the human interest in the story to primitive times?

How does Forster trace the human interest in the story to primitive times?

Solution: E.M. Forster traces the enduring human interest in stories back to primitive eras by highlighting the ancient origins of storytelling. He suggests it dates back to Neolithic or even Palaeolithic times, possibly referencing anthropological evidence related to skull shapes indicating a capacity for narrative appreciation in early humans like Neanderthals. Forster paints a vivid picture of a primitive audience, fatigued from survival struggles, kept engaged around a campfire solely by the suspense of a story. He further illustrates this by mentioning Scheherazade, whose life depended on her ability to continuously tell captivating stories to her husband, demonstrating the primal power of narrative suspense for survival and engagement.

Discuss the importance of time in the narration of a story.

Discuss the importance of time in the narration of a story.

Solution: Forster emphasizes that time is a critical and inseparable component of story narration. Although he acknowledges that the 'time sense' can appear mundane, he insists on its primary importance. He contrasts this with daily life, where we can mentally revisit past events or anticipate future ones based on their perceived value, creating a 'life by values' alongside the linear 'life in time'. However, in a story, time cannot be disregarded; events must be presented in a sequential order to maintain intelligibility. Forster notes that experiments attempting to narrate events out of chronological sequence have generally failed to captivate readers, reinforcing his assertion that a story, forming the basis of a novel, is fundamentally a sequence of events unfolding over time.

Talking about the Text

What does a novel do?

Solution: A novel serves to reflect the complexities of the human condition through a narrative structure that typically involves characters. Its fundamental purpose is to tell a story that not only entertains the reader but can also impart meaningful messages or insights. Novels can be broadly categorized into those based on real-life events (realistic) and those originating from imagination (fictitious).

'Our daily life reflects a double allegiance to 'the life in time' and 'the life by values'.

'Our daily life reflects a double allegiance to 'the life in time' and 'the life by values'.

Solution: This statement highlights the dual nature of our existence. 'The life in time' refers to our experience of events as they occur chronologically, maintaining a sequence. However, we also possess the capacity to engage in 'the life by values', where we can recall or focus on past experiences or future possibilities based on their significance or importance to us, rather than strictly adhering to their temporal order. This ability to prioritize events based on value demonstrates a distinct dimension of our consciousness.

The description of novels as organisms.

The description of novels as organisms.

Solution: Novels are compared to living organisms because they possess a defined structure, much like biological entities. The story forms the essential foundation or 'backbone' of the novel. Just as organisms experience birth, growth, and eventual decay, a novel also has a lifecycle and a systematic development. This analogy emphasizes the integrated and developing nature of a novel as a complete system.

Apperciation

How does Forster use the analogy of Scheherazade to establish his point?

Solution: Forster employs the analogy of Scheherazade to powerfully illustrate his central point about the critical importance of suspense and engagement in storytelling. He references the famous tale where Scheherazade's survival hinges entirely on her skill in weaving continuous, captivating stories for her king. This serves as a metaphor for the novel: just as Scheherazade needed to maintain her audience's interest to live, a novel requires a compelling story, filled with surprise and suspense, to exist and endure. Without this narrative drive, a novel cannot be created or sustained.

Common mistakes

Overlooking the story as the primary structure of a novel.
Underestimating the historical depth of storytelling.
Failing to connect narrative techniques to the core story.
Confusing the linear progression of time with the subjective experience of time in life and literature.

Revision tips

Focus on how the story acts as the 'backbone' of a novel.
Relate the concept of 'finer growths' to specific examples of character and plot.
Consider the historical context of storytelling when analyzing narratives.
Reflect on the dual nature of time in both daily life and literary narratives.
Use the Scheherazade analogy to remember the importance of suspense.

Practice MCQs

Q1. According to the text, what is considered the 'soul' of a novel?

Q2. What are referred to as 'finer growths' that a story supports in a novel?

Q3. Forster traces the human interest in stories back to which era?

Q4. What is the primary reason Scheherazade's survival depended on her storytelling?

Q5. The text describes human life as having a double allegiance to:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main function of a novel according to Chapter 7?

A novel primarily tells a story, reflecting the human condition through characters and narrative, entertaining readers, and potentially conveying messages.

How does E.M. Forster connect storytelling to primitive times?

Forster suggests that the human interest in stories is ancient, possibly dating back to Neolithic or Palaeolithic times, evidenced by anthropological observations and the basic human need for narrative.

What does 'life in time' mean in the context of the chapter?

'Life in time' refers to the chronological sequence in which events actually happen in our lives.

What is the significance of the Scheherazade analogy?

The analogy highlights that a story's ability to create suspense and maintain reader interest is crucial for its survival and impact, much like Scheherazade's survival depended on her storytelling.

How are novels described in terms of structure?

Novels are likened to organisms, possessing a foundational structure (the story line) and undergoing a process of development, similar to birth, growth, and decay.

What are the 'finer growths' that a story supports in a novel?

These include the art of characterisation, the narrative techniques employed, and the thematic and plot structures that are built upon the story.

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