GRADE 8 NOTES – PROSE: PRINCESS SEPTEMBER

Learning Objectives:
Students will
• understand and analyze the themes of freedom, love, jealousy, and maturity in Princess September.
• enhance vocabulary by learning new words related to the story and their meanings in context.
Competence: Critical Thinking
Values: Compassion
Illustration:
Bio Sketch:
Somerset Maugham was a renowned British writer known for his novels, short stories, and plays. Maugham
initially studied medicine, but his passion for literature led him to become one of the most successful writers
of his time. Maugham’s writing is known for its simplicity, sharp observations of human nature, and realistic
storytelling. He was also skilled at irony and satire, making his stories both entertaining and thought-
provoking.
My Identity:
In Princess September, the bird symbolizes the need for freedom. How do the values of freedom and
liberation manifest in UAE society, particularly in the context of personal expression, art, and culture?
Career Exit Pathway:

SDG Integration:
I. Word Bank (FIND OUT THE MEANINGS AND FRAME A SENTENCE WITH THE GIVEN WORD)

1. Obstinate -

2. Willow Trees -

3. Mock -

4. Glum -

5. Vexed -

II. Reference the Context

1. “Well, my dear,” said the eight Princesses, “if you’ll take our advice, you won’t run any risks like that. If he
comes back, and mind you, if he does, you’ll be lucky, pop him into the cage and keep him there. That’s the
only way you can be sure of him.”
a. What do the words “if he does, you’ll be lucky” suggest about the sisters’ opinion on the bird’s return?
Ans: The phrase suggests that the sisters are skeptical about the bird’s loyalty. They do not believe that he will
return willingly and imply that September is foolish to trust him. Their advice is based on their own controlling
nature and lack of understanding of true freedom and love.
b. How does this advice contrast with what Princess September eventually realizes about the bird?
Ans: Initially, Princess September follows their advice and cages the bird, but she soon realizes that it makes
him unhappy. Unlike her sisters, she understands that love cannot be forced, and true affection means
allowing freedom. She ultimately sets the bird free, proving that trust and care are more important than
control.
2. ‘‘Then take your freedom,” she said. “I shut you in a golden cage because I loved you and wanted to have
you all to myself. But I never knew it would kill you. I love you enough to let you be happy in your own way.”
a. Why does Princess September decide to set the bird free?
Ans: Princess September realizes that keeping the bird in a cage is making him weak and unhappy. She sees
that true love means allowing someone to be free rather than controlling them. She understands that if she
truly loves the bird, she must prioritize his happiness over her own desire to keep him close.
b. How does this moment reflect the theme of the story?
Ans: This moment highlights the central theme of freedom versus captivity. It shows that love and happiness
can only flourish in an environment of trust and freedom. By letting the bird go, Princess September learns
that true love is about selflessness and allowing others to find their own happiness.
III. Answer the following questions in 40-50 words. (REFERENCE ONLY)
1. Why do you think the King preferred giving gifts instead of receiving them on his birthday?
Ans: The King’s habit of giving gifts instead of receiving them shows his generosity and unique perspective on
leadership. He believed that a ruler should bring joy to others rather than focus on his own desires. This also
reflects his wisdom—by giving gifts, he strengthens his bond with his daughters and teaches them to
appreciate the value of giving rather than taking.
2. Discuss the significance of the parrot's death for Princess September. What emotions does this event
trigger?
Ans: The parrot's death triggers profound grief in Princess September, awakening her deep emotional
attachment and vulnerability. This loss propels her into a state of despair, contrasting her previous pride. It
serves as a catalyst for her journey toward finding genuine happiness and valuing authentic connections over
material possessions.
3. How do the actions of Princess September contrast with those of her sisters?
Ans: Princess September’s actions show kindness, understanding, and growth, while her sisters act out of
jealousy, control, and insecurity. The sisters want to cage their birds and force Princess September to do the
same, showing their inability to understand love and freedom. In contrast, Princess September learns that love
cannot exist without trust, making her more mature and emotionally intelligent than her sisters.
4. In the following sentence elaborate the parts given in bold.
“Under the circumstances it was a very unfortunate remark for the bird to make.”
Ans: “Under the circumstances” indicates the tension of the moment, where Princess September was already
anxious about the bird's safety. “A very unfortunate remark” highlights the bird’s careless statement about
potentially not returning, which intensified the princess’s worries and ultimately led to her decision to confine
him for safety.
5. Analyze how the story address themes of jealousy and competition among the sister princesses. How
does this impact their relationships?
Ans: The jealousy and competition among the sisters' stem from their desire to outshine one another, creating
tension in their relationships. This competitive spirit contrasts with Princess September’s bond with the little
bird, highlighting true companionship over rivalry.
6. How does the story illustrate the relationship between nature and personal happiness? Provide examples
from the text.
Ans: The story illustrates that closeness to nature, symbolized by the little bird's songs, directly correlates with
Princess September's happiness. Her openness to the natural world enhances her beauty and overall well-
being.
7. Discuss the role of perseverance in Princess September's journey. How does it shape her destiny?
Ans: Princess September's perseverance in seeking joy despite her grief demonstrates resilience. Her
commitment to nurturing her bond with the little bird drives her to personal fulfillment, leading to a happier
future.
8. Explore the role of societal expectations in Princess September’s relationships with her sisters. How do
these expectations shape their behaviors?
Ans: Societal expectations impose a competitive framework on the princesses, fostering jealousy and
superficiality in their relationships. This pressure drives them to prioritize appearances over genuine
connections, contrasting with Princess September’s bond with the little bird, which represents authentic
happiness and freedom from societal constraints.
9. What is the significance of Princess September’s decision to keep her window open?
Ans: By keeping her window open, Princess September demonstrated her trust in the bird’s love and loyalty. It
symbolizes her open-mindedness and willingness to let him come and go freely. This also shows her emotional
maturity—she understood that true love does not require control.
10. What does the bird’s refusal to sing in the cage suggest about the nature of happiness?
Ans: The bird’s refusal to sing when caged suggests that happiness cannot exist without freedom. True joy
comes from being able to make one’s own choices and live without restrictions. The bird represents how
people or living beings cannot truly thrive in an environment where they are controlled or restricted.
IV. Answer the following questions in 100-120 words. (Think and answer)
1. Reflect on the symbolic meaning of the golden cage. What does it represent in terms of freedom and
confinement?
Ans: The golden cage symbolizes the intricate relationship between love, freedom, and confinement. While it
initially appears luxurious, representing care and protection, it also embodies limitations. For Princess
September, the cage is a means to keep her beloved bird safe, yet it restricts the bird's natural instinct to
explore and be free. This duality highlights the struggle between the desire to protect loved ones and the need
to allow them autonomy. Ultimately, the cage serves as a poignant reminder that true love should foster
freedom rather than impose restrictions, as confinement can lead to unhappiness and a loss of spirit,
emphasizing that love must balance care with the respect for individual freedom.
2. Evaluate the transformation of Princess September from the beginning to the end of the story. What
events contributed most significantly to her growth?
Ans: Princess September's transformation is marked by her journey from a sheltered, possessive young girl to
a mature, selfless individual. Initially, she grieves deeply for her parrot and seeks to confine her new singing
bird, prioritizing her fears over its freedom. However, the pivotal moment occurs when she learns that true
love involves sacrifice; her decision to let the bird roam free signifies her growth. The bird's return, singing
joyfully, further reinforces her understanding of happiness derived from freedom. By the end, September
embraces her newfound wisdom, keeping her window open to allow the bird's return, symbolizing her evolved
perspective on love and relationships—respecting freedom while cherishing bonds.
3. Reflect on the contrasts between freedom and captivity depicted in the story. How do these opposing
ideas shape the narrative?
Ans: In "Princess September," the contrasts between freedom and captivity profoundly shape the narrative.
The little bird symbolizes freedom, thriving in the open air and singing joyfully, while the golden cage
represents captivity and the princess's desire to control and protect her pet. Initially, Princess September's
need for possession leads to the bird's sorrow and decline, underscoring the suffocating nature of captivity. As
she realizes that true love requires sacrificing her desire to confine, she ultimately grants the bird its freedom.
This transformation highlights the importance of autonomy in relationships and illustrates how freedom
fosters genuine happiness and connection, culminating in both the bird's return and the princess's personal
growth.

Reflection
• How does the story’s message about freedom and happiness relate to your own life or society today?