WHY I HAVE CHOOSEN ‘GOING PLACES’ LESSON AS ENGLISH PROJECT

The short story "Going Places" by A.R. Barton, from the Class 12 English syllabus,
offers a rich and thought-provoking exploration of teenage dreams, aspirations,
and the conflict between fantasy and reality. This makes it an ideal choice for an
English project. Here are the key reasons:
1. Relatable Themes:
The story delves into themes like hero worship, teenage fantasies, and the
desire for a better life. These are universal experiences, making it
relatable for students, especially adolescents.
2. Character Study:
Sophie, the protagonist, provides an excellent opportunity for a detailed
character analysis. Her journey represents the struggles of teenagers torn
between their dreams and the harsh realities of life.
3. Real-Life Lessons:
The story teaches valuable life lessons about balancing aspirations with
reality, managing expectations, and appreciating one's current
circumstances. These lessons resonate strongly with students and
encourage introspection.
4. Exploration of Adolescent Psychology:
The narrative explores the psychological aspects of adolescence, including
the tendency to idolize celebrities, seek escapism, and form unrealistic
expectations. This makes it an engaging subject for research and
discussion.
5. Language and Literary Devices:
The story's language is simple yet impactful, offering opportunities to
study literary devices like symbolism, imagery, and characterization. This
makes it a great text for literary analysis.
6. Cultural and Social Context:
The story subtly reflects the aspirations of the working class and the allure
of fame, providing insights into societal structures and values. It allowed
me to connect literature with social realities.
By choosing "Going Places" as a project, I explored not just a literary text but
also the aspirations of teenagers and the balance needed between dreaming
and staying grounded. It’s a story that bridges the gap between classroom
learning and personal experiences.

About the Author

Barton, a modern writer, lived in Zurich and wrote in English. He has authored
many stories which are mainly concerned with the problems and issues of
adolescence. He is a modern writer who focuses on everyday life and human
emotions. In his story "Going Places," he talks about the dreams and challenges
of growing up. The story shows how teenagers imagine big things but often face
the reality of their lives. Barton’s writing is simple and relatable, helping readers
connect with the characters and their struggles.
The lesson "Going Places" from the Flamingo book is a short story written by A.R.
Barton. It focuses on the dreams, aspirations, and growing pains of a teenage
girl, Sophie, in a small town. Sophie is an imaginative and ambitious girl who
dreams of a more exciting life, far from the mundanity of her daily routine. She
fantasizes about meeting famous people, such as the actor Danny Casey, and
hopes for a glamorous future. The readers get a glimpse in the life of the
protagonist, Sophie: her relationship with her friends and family, her socio-
economic position and her dreams and fantasies.
Going Places is a story which reflects an adolescent's desire for going places.
"Going Places" is an idiomatic phrase which refers to a promising young person's
likelihood of becoming successful and famous (e.g., "She's going places",
meaning she is going to be successful).
Sophie’s vivid imagination leads her to fabricate stories about meeting Danny
Casey, making her friend Jansie believe that she is more important than she
actually is. Sophie’s dreams contrast with the reality of her working-class family.
Her father is indifferent to her fantasies, and her brother, Geoff, is more
grounded and practical, although he silently understands Sophie’s need for
dreams.
Sophie’s encounter with reality comes when she learns that Danny Casey is not
interested in her and her dreams are not as achievable as she thought.
Ultimately, her fantasy world collapses, but the story captures the tension
between youthful dreams and the constraints of society and economic reality.

Themes
'Going Places' deals with themes of adolescence, escapism, hero worship and
fantasizing. This story beautifully portrays the subtle intermingling of various
emotions that one encounters in the giddy phase of life that is teenage.
1. Fantasies vs. Reality: The lesson explores the contrast between
Sophie’s vivid fantasies and her mundane reality. Sophie’s imagination
runs wild, envisioning a boutique, being a fashion designer, and meeting
her idol, Danny Casey. This highlights the human tendency to escape into
fantasies, often driven by unrealistic expectations.
2. Hero Worship: Sophie’s obsession with Danny Casey exemplifies hero
worship, a common phenomenon among teenagers. Her fantasies about
meeting him and being part of his world demonstrate the allure of
celebrity and the desire to transcend ordinary life.
3. Disillusionment: The lesson also touches on the theme of
disillusionment, as Sophie’s expectations are repeatedly shattered. Her
meeting with Danny Casey, which she had fantasized about, ultimately
falls short of her expectations. This serves as a cautionary tale about the
dangers of unrealistic expectations and the importance of grounding
oneself in reality.
 4. Friendship and Practicality: Jansie, Sophie’s friend, represents a more
practical and grounded perspective. Her skepticism and concern for
Sophie’s well-being serve as a counterbalance to Sophie’s flights of fancy,
highlighting the importance of balancing imagination with reality.
Message
The lesson conveys the message that it is good to dream, however, dreams
should be realistic. Merely fantasizing and day dreaming will cause
disillusionment unless one is hardworking and persevering
The story reflects the challenges of adolescence, where the desire for a better
life often clashes with reality, and the tension between dreams and
practical limitations.
Title
The title, 'Going Places', captures the essence of the story. Sophie, the
protagonist of the story is always of being rich and Imagining of 'going places'
famous and it is from this point of reference that we Can understand her nature
and the reason why she acts the way she does.
Summary
Sophie and Jansie are two teenagers who are coming back from school. Sophie is
a daydreamer
but Jansie is a realistic and practical girl. They both work in a biscuit factory.
Sophie is lost in her imagination of owning a boutique shop and becoming
famous like Mary Quaint, a fashion designer. Jansie tells her not to dream big as
it requires lots of money which they don’t have. To this she replies that she will
become an actress, earn a lot and then own a boutique. Jansie being a realistic
person does not support her thoughts. On reaching home Sophie feels choked in
that small house which is full of the stove’s steam and looks untidy because of
the dirty dishes. Her father is eating and her mother is busy in the kitchen. She
goes to meet her elder brother Geoff, who is a trainee mechanic and is busy
repairing some motorcycle part. Geoff talks very less about his personal life
which made her imagine of his personal life which she considers very interesting
and wants to be part of it. She shares a secret with him that she met Danny
Casey the famous footballer in a boutique. Her brother and her father do not
believe her. But she tries to make them believe this. She also tells her brother
about her date with Casey. Her brother does not believe her but gives her a
chance to believe her story. On Saturday Sophie and her family go to watch a
football match as all of them are great fans of football. Their favorite team wins
due to a goal made by Casey. All of them feel so overjoyed. When Sophie returns
home with her little brother Derek, Jansie questions her about the reality behind
her meeting with Danny Casey. Sophie gets angry with her brother because of
letting her secret out but tries to handle the situation and succeeds. She then
visits a secret place near a canal to meet her hero Casey who doesn’t show up.
She knows that it was just her imagination but she was so lost in his love that
she doesn’t want to come out of this. In the end she returns back to her home
with sadness in her heart. But when she comes across the Royce’s boutique, she
again finds herself lost in her hero’s dreams.
Conclusion
The whole story is about unrealistic dreams and how
we love to indulge in them knowing all the while that
they have little possibility of coming true. The story
seems to hint at dreaming within limits. Unless you
impossibly ambitious, hardworking, and have
loads of patience and perseverance, such dreams are
best kept under lock and key unless you like the taste
of bitter disappointment.

QUESTIONS
What are your main dreams and aspirations?
How does YOUR family respond to your dreams and ambitions?
 Have you ever had dreams or fantasies that felt too far from reality? How did it
make you feel?
 Do you think it is important for adolescents to dream big, or should they be
more realistic? Why?
 How do you deal with disappointment when your expectations don’t match
reality?
 How much influence do your family members have on your dreams and
decisions?
 How do friends influence the dreams and aspirations of adolescents?
 Have you ever shared a dream with a friend and received an unexpected
reaction? How did it affect you?
Think of a role model or celebrity you admire. How would you react if you got a
chance to meet them?
 Do you often feel overwhelmed by your emotions? If yes, how do you cope
with these feelings?
 Have you ever experienced stress due to academic pressure or expectations?
How do you manage it?
 Do you think schools and families do enough to address mental health
challenges faced by teenagers?
 Who do you turn to when you feel anxious, sad, or stressed? Do you find it
helpful?
Do you ever feel confused about who you are or what you want in life? How do
you handle this uncertainty?
Do you think schools should have more counseling sessions or workshops on
adolescent issues? Why or why not?
Quiz: Understanding Adolescent Problems
Section 1: Multiple-Choice Questions
 Which factor most commonly contributes to stress in adolescents?
a. Peer relationships
b. Academic pressure
c. Family expectations
d. All of the above
Answer: d
 What is the term for being influenced by friends to behave in a
certain way?
a. Peer bonding
b. Peer isolation
c. Peer pressure
d. Peer rivalry
Answer: c
1. Which of the following is a healthy coping strategy for stress?
a. Avoiding problems
b. Practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques
c. Taking unnecessary risks
d. Keeping emotions bottled up
Answer: b
 Why do many teenagers tend to live in a fantasy world?
a. To avoid responsibilities
b. To escape from reality or dissatisfaction with their current life
c. To strengthen their imagination skills
d. To impress their peers
Answer: b
 Which of the following is a common sign of living in a fantasy world?
a. Constantly daydreaming about unrealistic scenarios
b. Setting small, achievable goals
c. Focusing entirely on academics
d. Avoiding social interactions completely
Answer: a
 What is one major drawback of living in a fantasy world during
teenage years?
a. It improves creativity
b. It helps develop problem-solving skills
c. It leads to unrealistic expectations and potential disappointment
d. It strengthens relationships with family and friends
Answer: c
 Which type of media often fuels unrealistic fantasies in teenagers?
a. News articles
b. Social media and movies
c. Educational documentaries
d. Scientific journals
Answer: b
 What can help teenagers balance fantasy and reality?
a. Encouraging them to focus entirely on fantasies
b. Avoiding discussions about their dreams
c. Helping them set realistic goals while appreciating their imagination
d. Restricting all forms of entertainment
Answer: c
 What is hero worship?
a. Blindly following someone without understanding their values
b. Admiring and looking up to someone as a role model
c. Creating imaginary stories about oneself
d. Becoming a hero to others
Answer: b
 Why do teenagers often look up to celebrities or public figures?
a. To escape their problems
b. Because they inspire them or represent their aspirations
c. To avoid thinking about their own goals
d. To compete with their friends
Answer: b
 Which of the following is a potential downside of hero worship during
teenage years?
a. Lack of imagination
b. Unrealistic expectations about life
c. Improved decision-making skills
d. Enhanced focus on academics
Answer: b
 What qualities do teenagers often admire in their heroes?
a. Success, confidence, and talent
b. Age and appearance
c. Popularity among friends
d. Criticism from others
Answer: a
 How can hero worship have a positive impact on teenagers?
a. By helping them set personal goals inspired by their idol
b. By making them daydream without taking action
c. By encouraging them to ignore their own individuality
d. By making them focus only on superficial qualities
Answer: a
Section 2: True/False Questions
6. Adolescents rarely face self-esteem issues during this phase of
life.
Answer: False
7. Social media can both positively and negatively impact
adolescents' mental health.
Answer: True

8. Bullying only happens in physical spaces, not online.

Answer: False
9. Adolescents may experience identity confusion as part of their normal
development.
Answer: True
10. All adolescents are equally impacted by peer pressure.
Answer: False
11. Living in a fantasy world is always harmful for teenagers.
Answer: False (It can enhance creativity if balanced with reality.)
12. Fantasizing about the future is a normal part of teenage development.
Answer: True
13. Teenagers living in a fantasy world often struggle with self-esteem when reality
doesn’t match their expectations.
Answer: True
14. Having role models can sometimes contribute to unrealistic fantasies in
teenagers.
Answer: True
15. Teenagers who fantasize are always less productive than others.
Answer: False (Fantasies can motivate them if linked to achievable goals.)
16. Hero worship is a natural part of teenage development.
Answer: True
17. Teenagers only admire celebrities and never look up to family members as
heroes.
Answer: False
18. Hero worship can sometimes lead to disappointment if the idol doesn’t meet
expectations.
Answer: True
19. Blind admiration of a hero can lead to ignoring their flaws.
Answer: True
20. Every teenager chooses a hero based on the same values and qualities.
Answer: False
21. Hero worship always leads to positive outcomes for adolescents.
Answer: False