What is the bus by Shirley Jackson about?

At other times, Jackson seems to be writing about the illusory trick of fiction itself. In “The Bus,” a woman’s complaint to her bus driver prompts him to leave her stranded at night on an empty road.

What is the theme of the bus?

The main theme of the poem ‘The Bus’ is about the visitor’s travel experience. Inside this simple theme, the poet has woven the themes of contrasting religious faith and opinion between old and young/modern generation.

How did the girl prove to the elderly man that she was not a child?

She did not act like a child, but as a grown-up girl and therefore, the conductor called her ‘madam’. When the elderly man called her a child and asked her to sit down on her seat, she replied that nobody was a child on the bus.

What was her Favourite pastime *?

Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening in the street outside.

What did Valli see that made her laugh?

Valli saw a young cow, the tail was high in the air running very fast right in front of the bus. The driver sounded his horn again and again so that the cow would move away. But the cow became more frightened as the driver kept sounding the horn and it started running faster.

Why did Valli laugh until there were tears in her eyes?

The bus slowed down to a crawl. The driver sounded the horn loudly again and again. But more he honked, the more frightened the animal became and galloped right in front of the bus. Valli laughed until there were tears in her eyes.

What was Valli’s full name *?

Ans: Valli’s full name was Valliammai.

What would make Valli jealous *?

Answer Expert Verified Taking a ride in the bus was Valli’s burning desire. She would always remain curious about knowing any new information or news about the bus rides. If any of her friends would take a ride in bus and described it to her, she would become exceedingly jealous and shout loudly ‘Proud’, ‘Proud’.

What kind of a person is Valli?

What kind of a person was Valli? Being a little girl, Valli was a curious, keen observer who had strong will power and determination. She was confident about herself and wanted to do everything on her own. Not only she was intelligent, but also a very careful planner.

Why did not Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?

She saw that the woman had big ear holes and was wearing ugly earrings. Apart from this, she was chewing betel and her mouth was also filled with betel juice which was almost about to spill over her lips. That is why Valli did not want to make friends with the elderly woman.

Why did Valli find a woman passenger repulsive?

Valli found the elderly woman quite repulsive. She saw that the woman had big ear holes and was wearing ugly earrings. Apart from this, she was chewing betel and her mouth was also filled with betel juice which was almost about to spill over her lips.

What was the Valli’s age?

Answer: Valli was Eight years old.