--- title: "The Mother of a Traitor: \"Is it she?\"" subject: "Communication English" chapter: 2 key: "semester_5/communication_english:is-it-she-mother-of-traitor" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/is-it-she-mother-of-traitor site: BCT Engineering --- # The Mother of a Traitor: "Is it she?" Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading - Asked in: 2072 Chaitra, 5 marks - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/is-it-she-mother-of-traitor - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2 ## Question 'Is it she?' 'It is she?' What does this exchange tell us about what the people thought of her? What did they do when they saw her? Why? (The Mother of a Traitor) ## Short answer The whispered exchange shows the townspeople knew and scorned her as the mother of the traitor, holding her responsible. When they saw her, they stopped, stared, drew back, and threatened or insulted her because they blamed her for her son's act. This shows collective blame. ## Answer In Gorky's "The Mother of a Traitor", the exchange "Is it she?" and "It is she" is whispered by the townspeople when they see Monna Marianna. It tells us that she was already well known, and that the people regarded her with hostility and suspicion. #### What the exchange shows - The people did not need to say her name; "she" was enough, because everyone knew who she was: the mother of the man who had betrayed the city. - They spoke in low, hard voices, which shows that they felt hatred and scorn, and held her responsible for her son's treason. - She was a public figure of shame in their eyes, an object of curiosity and blame. #### What they did when they saw her - They stopped, stared at her and drew back from her instead of speaking to her kindly. - They threatened her with words and looks, treating her as an enemy. - Some warned or insulted her, believing she would help her son. #### Why - The city was in danger because of her son, who had joined the enemy. The people were frightened and angry, and in their anger they punished the nearest person. - They did not know her real purpose or the pain she carried. They judged her by her son's act and not by her own loyalty. The scene shows the injustice of collective blame and prepares for the final revelation of Monna Marianna's courage. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What does 'Is it she?' 'It is she' show about the people's attitude? A. Admiration for her B. Indifference C. Pity and sympathy D. Hostility and suspicion; she was well known as the traitor's mother Answer: D. Everyone knew who 'she' was without a name. (Key point: What it shows) 2. What did the people do on seeing her? A. Greeted her kindly B. Stared, drew back and threatened her with words and looks C. Followed to help D. Ignored her completely Answer: B. They treated her as an enemy. (Key point: Their reaction) 3. Why did they behave so? A. She had insulted them B. She was a stranger C. She had refused to pay taxes D. Her son had joined the enemy, they were frightened and angry, and they judged her by his act Answer: D. They did not know her real purpose. (Key point: Why) 4. What does the scene show? A. The wisdom of the crowd B. The injustice of collective blame C. The city's unity D. Her guilt Answer: B. It prepares for the revelation of her courage. (Key point: Theme) ## Related in Communication English - [Why the mother killed her son](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Awhy-mother-kill-her-son) — Communication English, chapter 2, asked 2× - [The Mother of a Traitor: Monna Marinna](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Amonna-marinna-ideal-citizen-mother) — Communication English, chapter 2, asked 2× - [The Mother of a Traitor: mother's dilemma](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Amother-of-a-traitor-dilemma) — Communication English, chapter 2, asked 2× - [Lessons from The Mother of a Traitor](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Alessons-from-mother-of-a-traitor) — Communication English, chapter 2 - [Summary of The Mother of a Traitor](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Asummary-mother-of-a-traitor) — Communication English, chapter 2 - [Choose correct alternative (grammar) 2075 Ashwin](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Arewrite-correct-alternative-grammar-2075a) — Communication English, chapter 3 ## Related in other subjects - [Resolution: Sita and her umbrella](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fdiscrete_structure%3Aresolution-sita-umbrella) — Discrete Structure, chapter 1