CBSE Class 8 English – Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory – CBSE NCERT Study Resources

Chapter Overview

'Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory' is a short story by Satyajit Ray that explores the theme of memory and perception. The protagonist, Bepin Choudhury, a well-off man, begins to experience lapses in his memory. He is convinced that he has never visited Ranchi, despite being told by a man named Haren Choudhury that he had spent time there. As the story unfolds, Bepin tries to recall the truth and eventually discovers that his memory had been manipulated by Haren as part of a prank. The story highlights the complexity of memory and the human mind.

Important Keywords

• Memory: The mental process of recalling past events, which plays a central role in the story as Bepin Choudhury experiences lapses in his memory.
• Perception: The way in which individuals interpret and make sense of events. In the story, Bepin’s perception of his past is altered by his memory lapse.
• Prank: A practical joke or trick played on someone. The story involves a prank played on Bepin by Haren Choudhury.
• Psychological Impact: The story explores the psychological effects of memory loss and the confusion that can arise from it.
• Ranchi: A location central to the plot, as Bepin is convinced he never visited Ranchi, which sparks his memory crisis.