Bepin Choudhurys Lapse of Memory
Focused last-minute literature revision with story summary, characters, themes, vocabulary, exam traps and compact practice.
Chapter Snapshot
- Bepin Babu is convinced that he never visited Ranchi, but others insist that he did.
- Parimal Ghose gives detailed information that makes Bepin doubt his own memory.
- Bepin becomes deeply anxious and even seeks medical help.
- He travels to Ranchi hoping to recover the missing memory but finds no proof.
- Chunilal later reveals that the entire episode was a trick.
- The prank was revenge because Bepin had refused to help Chunilal when he needed support.
What You Will Learn
- Retell the plot and explain the central trick
- Describe Bepin Babu's personality
- Explain Parimal Ghose's role
- Explain Chunilal's motive
- Discuss memory, pride and revenge as themes
- Analyse the surprise ending
Last-Minute Chapter Map
For literature revision, remember four things first: what happens, who changes, what the central idea is, and why the ending matters. Then revise vocabulary and attempt the questions.
1. The Mystery Begins
2. How Doubt Is Created
Parimal mentions personal details that seem impossible for a stranger to know. When other people also appear to confirm the Ranchi trip, Bepin begins to question his own mind.
3. Bepin's Personality
Bepin is intelligent and disciplined, but also proud and emotionally distant. His certainty about himself makes the supposed memory loss especially frightening.
4. Chunilal's Role
Chunilal is an old acquaintance who had repeatedly asked Bepin for help in finding employment. Bepin had refused. Chunilal designs the elaborate trick as a form of revenge and to teach Bepin a lesson.
5. Humour and Suspense
The story creates suspense because both Bepin and the reader wonder whether he has truly lost his memory. The final revelation transforms the anxiety into irony and humour.
6. Main Themes
The story explores memory, pride, friendship, revenge and human insecurity. It shows how easily confidence can collapse when carefully arranged evidence seems to contradict personal experience.
Exam Lens
How to Answer Literature Questions
| Question Type | Best Approach |
|---|---|
| Plot | Write events in correct sequence and avoid unnecessary detail |
| Character | Give a trait, evidence from the story, and its effect |
| Theme | State the idea, connect it to an event, then explain the message |
| Inference | Use clues from the text rather than guessing beyond the story |
| Title | Connect the title to the central event or message |
Key Terms
Exam Traps
Quick Revision
Quick Revision
- Bepin Babu is convinced that he never visited Ranchi, but others insist that he did.
- Parimal Ghose gives detailed information that makes Bepin doubt his own memory.
- Bepin becomes deeply anxious and even seeks medical help.
- He travels to Ranchi hoping to recover the missing memory but finds no proof.
- Chunilal later reveals that the entire episode was a trick.
- The prank was revenge because Bepin had refused to help Chunilal when he needed support.
- In long answers, use point + story evidence + explanation rather than retelling the entire chapter.
Compact Practice
Who planned the trick against Bepin Babu?
View Solution
Chunilal.
Why does Bepin begin doubting himself?
View Solution
Parimal provides convincing personal details and other people seem to support the story.
Why does Bepin go to Ranchi?
View Solution
He hopes the place will trigger his supposedly lost memory.
What does the story reveal about Bepin's character?
View Solution
He is disciplined and confident but also proud and emotionally distant, which helps explain both his fear and Chunilal's resentment.
Why is the ending ironic?
View Solution
Bepin fears a serious memory disorder, but the problem is actually an elaborate deception created by someone he had dismissed.
Final Chapter Summary
Chapter Summary
- Bepin Babu is convinced that he never visited Ranchi, but others insist that he did.
- Parimal Ghose gives detailed information that makes Bepin doubt his own memory.
- Bepin becomes deeply anxious and even seeks medical help.
- He travels to Ranchi hoping to recover the missing memory but finds no proof.
- Chunilal later reveals that the entire episode was a trick.
- Revise the chapter as plot → character → theme → message → likely inference question.