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NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 8: Going Places PDF – Summary and Free Download

Going Places is Chapter 8 in the NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo textbook. Written by A.R. Barton, this story focuses on the dreams, hopes and imagination of a teenage girl named Sophie. It beautifully explores the theme of adolescent fantasy and the gap between reality and dreams. Sophie, a working-class girl, dreams of becoming rich

NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 8: Going Places

Going Places is Chapter 8 in the NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo textbook. Written by A.R. Barton, this story focuses on the dreams, hopes and imagination of a teenage girl named Sophie. It beautifully explores the theme of adolescent fantasy and the gap between reality and dreams. Sophie, a working-class girl, dreams of becoming rich and famous, even though her real-life situation is very ordinary. Through her eyes, we also get to see how teenagers often blur the line between what’s real and what they want to believe. The story is simple in structure but carries a strong emotional message.

I decided to write about this chapter because many students find it relatable but confusing, especially when it comes to separating fact from fiction in Sophie’s imagination. As a former student, I remember how tricky it was to analyse what was real in the story. It’s important to understand this chapter deeply, because questions from it usually test both comprehension and emotional interpretation. Also, in board exams, this story often appears in long answer questions where examiners look for personal insight and clarity. So this article will help you with a summary, important points, and a free PDF link for easy revision.

Chapter Summary – Going Places by A.R. Barton

The story revolves around a young girl named Sophie, who lives in a small house with her family. She is full of dreams and always imagines a glamorous life for herself.

Main Characters

  • Sophie – The protagonist, a teenager who often lives in her fantasy world.
  • Jansie – Sophie’s practical best friend who doesn’t believe in unrealistic dreams.
  • Geoff – Sophie’s elder brother. She admires him and thinks he knows about the outside world.
  • Sophie’s father – A typical working-class man, grounded and realistic.
  • Danny Casey – A young football star who Sophie imagines meeting.

Key Points of the Story

  • The story begins with Sophie sharing her dream of owning a boutique or becoming an actress or a fashion designer.
  • Jansie, her best friend, warns her to be practical and stop dreaming beyond their reality.
  • Sophie’s hero is Danny Casey, a football player from Ireland. She tells Geoff that she met Casey, though it’s actually a lie she makes herself believe.
  • She builds a whole story in her head about how Casey might meet her again near the canal.
  • She waits there alone, hoping he’ll come, but he never does.
  • In the end, Sophie realises it was just a dream, but she still holds on to the fantasy.

The story touches on the emotional world of teenagers and how imagination can sometimes become a form of escape.

Download PDF – NCERT Class 12 Flamingo Chapter 8

To prepare well and revise before your exam, it’s always helpful to have the official NCERT PDF with you. You can read the full chapter anytime on your phone or laptop.

NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 8: Going Places

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NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6: Memories of Childhood PDF Download & Complete Summary

Memories of Childhood is Chapter 6 in the Class 12 English Vistas textbook by NCERT. What makes this chapter special is that it’s not a single story—it’s made up of two autobiographical excerpts written by two women, Zitkala-Sa and Bama. Both narrate incidents from their early lives that reflect the discrimination they faced because of

NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6: Memories of Childhood

Memories of Childhood is Chapter 6 in the Class 12 English Vistas textbook by NCERT. What makes this chapter special is that it’s not a single story—it’s made up of two autobiographical excerpts written by two women, Zitkala-Sa and Bama. Both narrate incidents from their early lives that reflect the discrimination they faced because of their identity. While Zitkala-Sa was a Native American who suffered cultural oppression, Bama grew up as a Dalit in South India, dealing with caste-based discrimination. These two stories are placed together in the chapter to show that such issues exist in many parts of the world.

I decided to write about this chapter because it’s different from the others in the book. It’s not fiction, but a real account of how young children feel when they are treated unfairly just because of their background. When I first read Bama’s story, I couldn’t stop thinking about how common such behaviour still is in many Indian towns. These stories make us more aware and sensitive. As students, we need to understand not just grammar and vocabulary but also social realities. This chapter is an important step towards building that understanding.

What is “Memories of Childhood” About?

This chapter includes two short autobiographical narratives that focus on childhood memories shaped by discrimination and injustice.

Part One: The Cutting of My Long Hair by Zitkala-Sa

This section is written by a Native American woman who was taken to a missionary school where they tried to make her behave like a “white” child. She describes how humiliating it was when her long hair was forcibly cut, which in her culture was a sign of defeat. She feels powerless, angry, and alien in a place that tries to erase her identity.

Part Two: We Too Are Human Beings by Bama

Bama’s story takes place in a village in Tamil Nadu. She is a young Dalit girl who notices how upper-caste people treat her community with disrespect. She sees a man carrying food for his master without touching it, just because of his caste. When she narrates this incident to her brother, he tells her about caste discrimination and advises her to study hard to earn respect and equality.

Main Characters:

  • Zitkala-Sa – A Native American girl forced to give up her culture at a white-run school
  • Bama – A young Dalit girl who slowly becomes aware of social injustice

Key Themes:

  • Discrimination based on race and caste
  • Childhood trauma and awareness
  • Loss of identity
  • Education as a tool for change

Why This Chapter Matters for Students

  • Real stories: It helps students connect emotionally to real-life problems faced by children
  • Relevant to society: Topics like caste and cultural identity are still important in today’s India
  • CBSE exam favourite: Frequently asked in long and value-based questions
  • Builds empathy: Helps students look beyond textbooks and understand people around them better
  • Teaches resilience: Both writers turned their pain into power through education and awareness

Download PDF

You can download the official NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6 PDF from here:

NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6: Memories of Childhood

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