The treasure in the forest by HG Wells exercise

Here is the exercise of story 'The treasure in the forest' by HG. Wells.

Answer the following questions:

1. Describe the expository scene of the story.
   Ans: The story begins with Evan and Hooker arriving on a tropical island and setting up camp. They are on a treasure hunt and have a map that shows the location of the treasure. The island is described as having thick forests and a rocky coastline.
2. What does the map look like and how do Evan and Hooker interpret it?
   Ans: The map is described as being a rough sketch on a piece of parchment. It shows the location of the treasure as being in a cave near a rock formation that looks like a face. Evan and Hooker interpret it to mean that they need to head towards the mountains to find the treasure.
3. How did Evan and Hooker know about the treasure?
   Ans: The story does not explicitly state how Evan and Hooker came to know about the treasure, but it is implied that they had heard about it from someone and had obtained the map.
4. Describe Evan’s dream.
   Ans: Evan dreams that he is in a temple made of gold and that he is surrounded by treasures. He sees a figure of a man with a knife who is trying to attack him, but he wakes up before anything happens.
5. What do the two treasure hunters see when they walk towards the island?
   Ans: When Evan and Hooker walk towards the island, they see a dead tree and a skeleton hanging from it. They also see a flock of birds circling above.
6. In what condition did the treasure hunters find the dead man?
   Ans: The treasure hunters find the dead man hanging from the dead tree. He is described as having a knife in his back and his face is distorted in a look of terror.
7. How did the treasure hunters try to carry gold ingots to the canoe?
   Ans: The treasure hunters tied the gold ingots to their backs and tried to carry them to the canoe. However, the weight of the gold proved to be too much, and they had to abandon the ingots.
8. How were Evan and Hooker poisoned?
   Ans: Evan and Hooker were poisoned by the water they drank from a stream. It was contaminated with a poisonous substance that caused them to become delirious.

1. How do you know the story is set on a tropical island?
   Ans: The story describes the island as having thick forests, a rocky coastline, and tropical birds. These are characteristics commonly associated with tropical islands.
2. Why do you think Evan and Hooker took such a risk of finding the buried treasure in a desert island?
   Ans: Evan and Hooker took such a risk of finding the buried treasure in a desert island due to their desperate circumstances and the lure of potential wealth.
   If you want to explain further, mention this. You can also write the last paragraph of this question followed by 'in conclusion' for the answer.
   
   1. Financial desperation: Evan and Hooker may have been facing financial difficulties or hardships in their lives, and the promise of a treasure could have been a tempting opportunity to improve their circumstances. The potential wealth from the treasure might have been seen as a way to solve their financial problems or escape poverty.
   2. Greed: The lure of gold and riches could have driven Evan and Hooker to take the risk. Greed can be a powerful motivator, and the promise of a buried treasure might have clouded their judgment, leading them to take the risk despite the dangers involved.
   3. Adventure and excitement: The idea of embarking on a treasure hunt and exploring a deserted island might have appealed to Evan and Hooker's sense of adventure and thrill-seeking. The excitement and adrenaline rush of the unknown and the possibility of discovering hidden treasure could have been a compelling factor in taking the risk.
   4. Desperation and hopelessness: The characters of Evan and Hooker in "The Treasure in the Forest" are portrayed as being in a bleak and desperate situation, with no other apparent options or prospects. The promise of the treasure might have represented a glimmer of hope in an otherwise hopeless situation, driving them to take the risk despite the dangers.
   5. Influence of the environment: The isolation of the desert island and the mysterious allure of the treasure might have influenced Evan and Hooker's decision to take the risk. The unique circumstances of the island, the map, and the dream could have created a sense of urgency and determination to uncover the treasure.
   In conclusion, Evan and Hooker took the risk of finding the buried treasure in the desert island due to a combination of financial desperation, greed, adventure-seeking, desperation, and the influence of the unique circumstances. However, it's important to note that this is an interpretation based on the story and its context, and other readers may have different perspectives on the characters' motivations.
3. Do you think the narrator of the story is racist? If yes, what made him feel superior to other races?
   Ans: There are several beliefs and attitudes that could be considered racist, including:
   
   1. Belief in the inherent superiority of one race over others.
   2. Belief that certain races are more intelligent, capable, or trustworthy than others.
   3. Stereotyping or generalizing about a race based on negative or positive traits.
   4. Prejudice or discrimination against individuals or groups based on their race.
   5. Belief in racial purity or the idea that races should be kept separate.
   6. Denial of systemic racism or its effects on marginalized communities.
   7. Belief in racial hierarchies or the idea that certain races should have more power and privilege than others.
   8. Use of racial slurs or derogatory language.
   9. Justification of racist actions or policies based on supposed racial differences.
   10. The assumption that all individuals of a certain race share the same characteristics or beliefs.
4. What do you think is the moral of the story?
   Ans: The story highlights the dangers of greed and the consequences of taking risks without proper preparation and caution.

1. Interpret the story as a mystery story.
   Ans: The story can be interpreted as a mystery story as it involves a treasure hunt, a map, a dead body, and a poisoned protagonist. The mystery is whether the treasure hunters will find the treasure and what happened to the person who had the map before them.
2. Treasure hunting is a favorable subject of children’s story. Remember a treasure hunting story you read in your childhood and compare and contrast it with ‘The Treasure in the Forest.’
   Ans: One treasure hunting story that I remember is the famous novel "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson. While both "The Treasure in the Forest" and "Treasure Island" revolve around the theme of treasure hunting, there are some notable differences between the two.
   
   Firstly, "Treasure Island" is a classic adventure novel, primarily targeted towards children and young readers, while "The Treasure in the Forest" is a short story with a darker tone, aimed at a more mature audience.
   
   Secondly, the settings of the two stories are distinct. "Treasure Island" is set on a remote tropical island, whereas "The Treasure in the Forest" is set in a desert island with a dense forest. The descriptions of the locations in the two stories evoke different atmospheres and create unique challenges for the characters in their pursuit of treasure.
   
   Thirdly, the characters in the two stories have different motivations and behaviors. In "Treasure Island," the characters are driven by a sense of adventure, greed, and rivalry, while in "The Treasure in the Forest," the characters' actions are guided by their desperation and hopelessness, with themes of survival and betrayal.
   
   Additionally, the writing style and tone of the two stories also differ. "Treasure Island" has a more jovial and swashbuckling tone, with colorful characters and exciting escapades, while "The Treasure in the Forest" has a darker and more somber tone, with a sense of foreboding and mystery.
   
   In conclusion, while both "The Treasure in the Forest" and "Treasure Island" share the theme of treasure hunting, they differ in terms of target audience, setting, characters, tone, and writing style. "The Treasure in the Forest" presents a more mature and introspective take on the concept of treasure hunting, exploring darker themes and emotions, while "Treasure Island" is a classic children's adventure tale filled with excitement and intrigue.