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Class 9 · English · Chapter 8 · NCERT Class 9 English

Follow That Dream Class 9 Notes

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Chapter mind map

The whole chapter at a glance: the big idea, then each branch and what sits under it.

Follow That Dream

Achieving greatness requires a long-term commitment, resilience against obstacles, and the courage to evolve as life circumstances change.

  1. The Price of Greatness

    Greatness is a deliberate pursuit involving intense practice and a realistic assessment of the sacrifices required.

    • Ten-Year Rule — Reaching a world-class standard typically demands at least a decade of focused and intensive practice.
    • Counting the Cost — Before committing, one must evaluate the years of effort, financial investment, and personal sacrifices involved.
    • Burning Conviction — A simple interest must evolve into a deep-seated belief that realizing the dream is an absolute necessity.

  2. Resilience and Support

    Success is an uphill task maintained by internal motivation and the help of a dedicated support network.

    • Intrinsic Joy — When stamina runs out, the love for the work and the prospect of success keep an individual 'buoyed up'.
    • The Support Network — Achieving personal dreams often requires a group of people standing by the individual, similar to Oscar winners.

  3. Evolving Aspirations

    Dreams are dynamic; they may change due to external crises or new life stages, yet remain valid and exciting.

    • External Hurdles — Circumstances like war or family responsibilities can force individuals to trade dreams for security.
    • Valid New Dreams — Fulfilling a dream later in life is no less significant than achieving the original dreams of youth.

  4. Lessons from Leaders

    Historical figures demonstrate how grit and perseverance transform extreme hardships into national contributions.

    • Overcoming Discrimination — Dr. B.R. Ambedkar used sheer grit to rise from school-level humiliation to Chairperson of the Constitution Committee.
    • Value of Hard Work — Shastri and Kalam faced financial hardship, learning independence through walking miles or delivering newspapers.
    • Parental Influence — Figures like Jijabai instilled dharma and patriotism in leaders like Shivaji through traditional stories.

  5. Poetic Encouragement

    Literature emphasizes the psychological strength needed to leave comfort zones and believe in one's own ability.

    • The Solitary First Step — Facing challenges is a personal responsibility where the 'status quo' must be abandoned for growth.
    • Testing Endurance — Dorothy Hewitt advises persisting even when tested beyond endurance, keeping the heart open to life's gifts.

  6. Language and Rhetoric

    Grammatical structures and literary devices are used to provide advice and clarify the choices in a journey.

    • Conditionals for Advice — The First Conditional (If + present) is paired with imperatives to give direct guidance on pursuing convictions.
    • Functions of 'Could' — Used to express general possibilities, unreal hypothetical wishes, or past abilities.
    • Antithesis in Action — Contrasting ideas like 'pull forward' vs 'push back' highlight the psychological choices in facing challenges.

Chapter notes

A comprehensive exploration of the dedication, resilience, and self-belief required to pursue personal goals, featuring a mother's letter to her daughter, motivational poetry, and the life stories of great Indian leaders.

01 · Explore

The Nature of Greatness

Greatness is not an accident; it is the result of a singular, intensive pursuit of a dream over a long period.

In her letter to her daughter Ming, Irene Chua explains that the primary factor differentiating great individuals from ordinary ones is the level of effort and sacrifice they invest. To reach a world-class standard in any field, one must typically dedicate at least ten years of focused and intensive practice. This long-term commitment is what transforms a simple interest into a life-defining achievement.

The journey begins with a passion, which then evolves into a 'conviction'—a deep-seated belief that realizing the dream is imperative. Before starting, one must 'count the cost,' considering the years of effort, financial investments, and personal sacrifices required. If the desire remains strong after this realistic assessment, the author encourages the individual to 'plunge' or throw themselves completely into the task.

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According to the text, how long does it typically take to reach a world-class standard in a field?

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What does the author mean by 'counting the cost'?

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NCERT reference: chapter PDF pages 2, 3.

02 · Explore

Overcoming Obstacles and Stamina

Pursuing a dream is rarely easy; it is often an 'uphill task' that requires mental and emotional resilience.

The road to success is described as being 'uphill most of the way.' During times when physical or mental stamina runs out, two things keep a person on track: the intrinsic joy of doing what they love and the 'prospect of success.' Being 'buoyed up' means being kept afloat by the knowledge that one is doing the right thing.

The author also highlights the importance of a support network. Using the example of the Academy Awards, she notes that every winner thanks a host of people. This illustrates that while the dream may be personal, achieving it often requires a group of people who stand by the individual through their journey.

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What two factors keep a person on track when their stamina is running out?

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NCERT reference: chapter PDF pages 2, 3, 8.

03 · Explore

The Evolution of Dreams

Dreams are not static; they can change due to life circumstances, and these new aspirations are just as valid as the original ones.

Many people fail to achieve their dreams because they trade them for security or because external circumstances, such as war or family responsibilities, intervene. The author cites historical examples like the Japanese invasion during World War II, which changed the destinies of students at Raffles College. Others may have to work early to support their siblings, putting their own education on hold.

However, the author emphasizes that life itself can change a person's dreams. These evolving hopes are 'no less' than the original dreams of youth. Fulfilling these later dreams might involve navigating a 'maze of hurdles' and involving more people in one's 'dreamscape' (the world of one's dreams). The author shares her own experience of chasing the dream of publishing a book for ten years, a goal that was different from her youthful aspirations.

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Why do some people's dreams remain 'just wishful thinking'?

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What does the author's experience with her book suggest about dreams?

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NCERT reference: chapter PDF pages 3, 4.

04 · Explore

Grammar: Conditionals and Modals

The chapter uses specific grammatical structures to provide advice and express possibilities regarding the future and the past.

The text employs the 'First Conditional' to discuss real or possible future situations. While the standard form is 'If + present tense, will + verb,' the author often uses an imperative (a command or advice) in the main clause. For example: 'If the burning conviction is still coursing through your veins, then go ahead and do something about it.'

The modal verb 'could' is used in several ways throughout the text. It can represent a general possibility ('It could be in any field'), an unreal or hypothetical situation ('I wish I could be this or the other'), or past ability ('so that they could support their siblings'). Understanding these nuances helps in interpreting the speaker's tone and the certainty of their statements.

Conditional with Imperative

If + [Condition], [Imperative Advice]

Instead of predicting a result with 'will,' the speaker gives direct advice. Example: 'If you finish your work early, go out and play.'

Functions of 'Could'

Subject + could + verb

1. Possibility: 'It could rain.' 2. Unreal wish: 'I wish I could fly.' 3. Past ability: 'I could run fast when I was ten.'

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Identify the function of 'could' in: 'I wish I could visit the moon.'

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NCERT reference: chapter PDF pages 3, 9, 10.

The rest of this chapter

Keep reading Follow That Dream, free

  1. Locked: 1. Poem: Step Up to the Challenge
  2. Locked: 2. Literary Device: Antithesis
  3. Locked: 3. Lessons from Great Leaders
  4. Locked: 4. Poem: Always Believe in Yourself

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