Class 12 English Chapter 16 Fantasy Exercise & Grammar
Unit 16 Fantasy The Romance of a Busy Broke Notes
Next: Unit 17 War and Peace
Unit 16: The Romance of a Busy Broker
Genre:
Short Story – Fantasy
Textbook:
Compulsory English (NEB Grade 12, New Curriculum 2082)
Lesson Summary
O. Henry’s short story humorously explores how work pressure can make people lose sight of personal relationships. Harvey Maxwell, a workaholic stockbroker, is so lost in the business of the stock market that he forgets he got married the night before. In the climax, he proposes to his stenographer Miss Leslie—who, to his surprise, is already his wife. She reacts kindly, reminding him of their wedding, revealing both the irony and tenderness of the situation.
Submerged in paperwork, telegrams and market updates is Harvey Maxwell, a stock broker. His office has a never ending flurry of activity. One morning, he walks into the office with his stenographer, Miss Leslie, who stays at a distance and seems hesitant. Maxwell has so much on his hands with work that on one hand it would seem despite the goodness of his heart he barely sees what is wrong with her.
Throughout the day, in a total state of mental distraction, Maxwell proposes to Miss Leslie — forgetting that they had wed just the night before. Miss Leslie is alarmed but not enraged. Instead, she tenderly reminds him that she is already his wife. The story concludes with a humorous and ironic explanation for the extent of Maxwell's forgetfulness: he's been overworking to the point of oblivion.
Key Themes & Concepts
- Irony & Humor — A signature O. Henry twist
- Work-Life Balance — A warning against overwork
- Fantasy vs. Reality — Emotional vs. logical life
- Survival of Love — Amid the chaos of modern life
Vocabulary & Share Market Terms
- Liquidity: Ease of converting assets to cash
- IPO: Initial Public Offering – selling company shares to the public
- NEPSE: Nepal Stock Exchange
- Dividend: Profits paid to shareholders
- Portfolio: A collection of financial investments
- Time to Cash: Time taken to convert assets into usable money
- Margin: Profit after costs
Comprehension Questions & Answers
- Q: How did Maxwell enter his office?
A: Cheerfully and energetically, greeting Pitcher who was busy with work. - Q: Describe the young lady.
A: She had rolled hair, a plain grey dress, and a soft, dreamy, gentle manner. - Q: How did Pitcher say she had changed?
A: She didn’t go directly to her desk and stood hesitantly near Maxwell’s table. - Q: Why did Pitcher hire a new stenographer?
A: Because Maxwell had previously requested one from an agency. - Q: What did Maxwell do unexpectedly?
A: He proposed marriage to Miss Leslie, forgetting they had married the night before. - Q: How did Miss Leslie respond?
A: She was shocked, cried emotionally, and gently reminded him of their wedding.
Critical Thinking
- Q: What message does the story deliver beyond the comedy?
A: It’s a caution against letting work consume us so much that we forget what’s truly important—our loved ones and relationships. - Q: What if you were Miss Leslie?
A: I would feel hurt, but also understanding. His forgetfulness was due to stress, not lack of love. It’s touching that even in a haze, he still wanted to marry me again.
Grammar Focus: Relative Clauses
Definition: Clauses that describe or give more information about a noun. They usually begin with who, whom, which, that, or whose.
Examples:
- The broker who forgot his wedding was still deeply in love.
- Miss Leslie, whom Maxwell proposed to again, forgave him.
- The company that issued the IPO gained attention.
Exercise:
Combine the sentences using relative clauses:
- Harvey Maxwell was a stockbroker. He worked too much.
→ Harvey Maxwell, who worked too much, was a stockbroker. - Miss Leslie was shocked. She was proposed to again.
→ Miss Leslie, who was proposed to again, was shocked.
Writing Practice
Topic: The Proposal Scene – A Recollection
In the stockbroker Harvey Maxwell, a desperate man driven by the demands of his daily life, he leaves behind the only most important event of his life, his own wedding. Climax comes when he asks Miss Leslie to marry him and has it pointed out to him that they were wed the previous night. Part funny, part ironic, part romantic, this moment encapsulates what true love looks like amid a cavalcade of life.
Why This Lesson Matters
This story balances humor, love, and life’s irony. It helps students learn narrative techniques, irony, workplace vocabulary, and relative clauses in grammar. More importantly, it makes them reflect on the value of relationships in a fast-paced world.
Keywords for SEO & Study Guide
- Summary of Unit 16 Class 12 English
- NEB English – The Romance of a Busy Broker
- O. Henry Short Story for Grade 12
- Relative Clauses Grammar NEB
- Love and Work Balance Essay
- Class 12 English 2082 Exam Guide
Final Note
“The Romance of a Busy Broker” isn’t just a love story. It’s a lesson about mindfulness, time, and love in our daily lives. Class 12 students can enjoy the story while learning how language, emotions, and structure come together in literature.
The SR Zone