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Englishmelon > Blog > SCERT > Class 9 SCERT > Debts of Gratitude – Selma Lagerlof – Class 9, SCERT

Debts of Gratitude – Selma Lagerlof – Class 9, SCERT

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About the author

Selma Lagerlof, the renowned Swedish author, was born on 20 November 1858. She received a private education, which was unusual for girls of her time. Later, she studied at The Royal Advanced Female Teachers’ Seminary in Stockholm from 1882 to 1885. She taught at a Swedish high school for girls in Landskrona, Sweden. She was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, which was awarded to her in 1909. She was also the first woman to be granted a membership in the Swedish Academy. Two of her notable works are The Story of Gosta Berling and The Invisible Links. She passed away on 16 March 1940. Questions: Answer the following questions elaborately but in very very easy language.

  1. What is the significance of the journey by train? How does it relate to the narrator’s thoughts and reflections?
    The journey by train is very important because it gives Selma time to think quietly. As the train moves forward, her thoughts also travel back in time. She remembers the past – all the hard times, her exams, her family, and especially her father. She thinks about how far she has come. The quiet train helps her feel calm, and she starts to dream about meeting her father in heaven and talking to him. So, the journey is both a real trip to Stockholm and also a journey into her feelings and memories.
  2. Explain the writer’s feelings of indebtedness to nature. Cite instances from the speech.
    Selma feels she owes a lot to nature. She says nature gave her many stories and ideas. She learned from animals, birds, trees, and flowers. She says they told her their secrets, which helped her write. She also learned about beauty, magic, and wonder from nature – like from forests, rocks, and old people telling fairy tales. So, she believes nature helped shape her thoughts and imagination, and she is thankful for it.
  3. Her father had a prime role in shaping Selma’s personality. Describe the role of the following in shaping her life:
    1. Nature: Nature gave her inspiration and stories. It taught her to see beauty and magic in the world. She learned from birds, animals, trees, and rocks.
    2. Literature: She grew up reading books by famous writers like Andersen and Runeberg. This helped her love fairy tales and stories.
    3. Art: Her father used to play the piano and sing songs to her and her siblings. Music and songs brought joy and imagination into her life.
    4. Her friends and family: Her mother, brothers, and sisters supported her. Her close friend Esselde believed in her when others did not. Their love gave her strength.
    5. Her readers: She says that readers helped her succeed. If people had not read her books, she would not have become famous. She is thankful for their support.
  4. How does Selma express her gratitude?
    Selma shows her gratitude by remembering all the people and things that helped her become a writer. She thinks about her father, her family, her friends, her readers, nature, and the people who told her stories. She also thanks the Swedish Academy for giving her the Nobel Prize. She doesn’t just say “thank you” – she shows her feelings by telling how deeply she feels she owes them something and how thankful she is.
  5. What do you think the speaker means by saying “…my biggest debt has not yet come…”?
    When Selma says this, she means that the biggest honour of her life is the Nobel Prize. She feels very thankful but also feels the pressure of living up to this great award. The debt is not money – it is the trust and respect the world has given her. She wonders how she can ever repay such a big honour. So, her “biggest debt” is the responsibility of being worthy of the Nobel Prize.
  6. What, according to you, is Selma Lagerlof’s message to her audience and to us?
    Selma’s message is that no one succeeds alone. Many people, places, and experiences help shape a person. She teaches us to remember and thank everyone who helped us, even in small ways. She shows that love, belief, and inspiration come from many sources – family, friends, nature, and even strangers. She also reminds us to stay humble and never forget where we came from, even when we achieve great success.

✍️ Writing Tasks

Announcement to welcome Selma Lagerlöf to receive the Nobel Prize:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great honour to stand before you today to welcome a very special person — Selma Lagerlöf, a woman whose words have touched the hearts of people all around the world.Selma’s journey to this moment has not been easy. In the quiet of a train bound for Stockholm, she looked back on her life — on the many times she came to this city to do difficult things. This time, she comes to receive the highest honour a writer can receive — the Nobel Prize in Literature. But she says, very humbly, that this too feels difficult, because it comes with a great sense of responsibility and gratitude.As she sat on the train, she thought of her mother, her father, her siblings, her readers, her friends — all those who helped her become the person and writer she is. She even imagined meeting her father in heaven, telling him of the award, and speaking to him about the debts she owes — to her family, to literature, to poor travelling singers, to nature, and most of all, to her readers.Selma Lagerlöf reminds us that no one achieves greatness alone. She shows us how love, memory, and imagination shape a writer’s soul.Please join me in warmly welcoming this remarkable woman, a storyteller of truth and beauty, to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Let us rise and applaud Selma Lagerlöf.

A letter from Selma Lagerlöf to Esselde:

Dear Esselde,

I am writing to you with a heart full of feelings that are hard to put into words. Today I am on my way to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. It is a moment full of joy, but also filled with quiet thoughts and memories. As I sit in the train, hearing the soft sounds of its movement, my mind travels back — to all those who helped me reach this day.And you, dear friend, are one of the very first who come to mind.I remember the times when people did not believe in me, when I had no clear path ahead. But you stood beside me. You believed in me and tried to open doors for me. You gave me courage to keep writing and keep dreaming. That kindness, that support — I have never forgotten it.Even now, as I sit quietly and think of what I owe to others — to my father, to old storytellers, to nature, to my readers — I know that I owe you something deep and lasting. It was your belief in me that helped me believe in myself.I feel I am in great debt — not of money, but of love and trust. I do not know how to repay such debts, except by holding them close to my heart with thankfulness.

Thank you, dear Esselde, for everything. I wish you could be with me today, but I carry your support with me as I accept this honour.With deep love and gratitude,

Selma

Certificate of Appreciation

🏅 Certificate of Appreciation and Honour 🏅

Presented to Selma Lagerlöf

Recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, 1909We honour and appreciate Selma Lagerlöf, whose journey to this achievement has been marked by great thought, quiet strength, and deep gratitude.

In her Nobel speech, she reminds us of the many sources of inspiration that shape a writer — the love of a father who read poems and sang songs, the poor travelling singers and storytellers who filled her childhood with wonder, the power of nature with its rocks, trees, birds, and flowers, and the faithful readers who believed in her work.

Through her heartfelt reflection, Selma teaches us that behind every success stands a world of memories, dreams, and silent helpers.

Her story is one of humility, thankfulness, and imagination.

We celebrate not only her brilliant writing but also her beautiful spirit — one that sees the world with eyes full of wonder and a heart full of respect for all that made her who she is.With deepest admiration and warmest thanks,

[Presented by]
[Institution or Academy Name]
Date: [Insert Date]

📘 Vocabulary List: Phrasal Verbs and Difficult Words

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verb Meaning
Come up Arrive or go to a place
Put down (a book) Stop reading
Push up Move something (like glasses) upwards
Settle down Sit in a relaxed way
Straighten up Sit up or stand tall
Look back Think about the past
Break the news Tell someone important news
Rack (one’s) brains Think very hard
Come to Reach a point or decision
Join in Take part in something

Difficult Words

Word Meaning
Bound Going towards a place
Compartment A small cabin in a train
Dozing Sleeping lightly
Rattling Making a repeated small sound
Wondrous Wonderful, full of wonder
Dispel To remove or drive away
Rejoice Feel or show great joy
Sorrow A feeling of sadness
Melody A pleasing series of musical notes
Daydream To imagine pleasant things
Veranda A roofed open space outside a house
Spectacles Glasses
Indirect approach Not saying something directly
Vagabonds People with no home, wandering aimlessly
Mischief Playful trouble or naughty behavior
Enchanted Magical
Remedy A solution to a problem
Censure Strong criticism
Distinctions Special honours or recognition
Bestowing Giving something valuable or important
Rack one’s brains Try hard to think

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