LAQ From " The Eyes Have It''
(Q:1) " I'm tired of people telling me, I have a pretty face" - (********)
(a) Who Said this to whom and when?
(b) What did the person spoken to reply?
Ans. The girl in Ruskin Bond's "The Eyes Have It" Said this to the narrator whew the narrator Complimented her by saying that she had an interesting face.
(b) when the narrator praised the girl as 'you have an interesting face'. The girl took this appreciation with ringing Laugh and added that she was tired of hearing 'pretty face'. The narrator mended and replied that an interesting face can also be a pretty face.
(Q:2) " She had beautiful eyes. But they were of no use to her"- (********)
(a) whose eyes are referred to here?
(b) why were they useless to her?
(c) Bring out the irony in the given Line?
Or, Explain the irony of the situation?
Ans. (a) In the Story" The Eyes Have It", the eyes of the narrator's Co-passenger are referred to here.
(b) The eyes of the girl, co-passenger of the narrator were of no use because she was completely blind at that time.
(c) The blind narrator thought that the girl Could see but she was also blind. The Irony of the situation is that the narrator was trying to hide his blindness from a blind girl. In fact, it is too pathetic to think about two blind persons hide their blindness from each other.
(3) "I am not nearly as attractive a traveling Companion as the one who just left"- (******)
(a) Who said this to whom?
(b) Who has just Left?
(c ) What was the response of the person spoken to?
Ans.In Ruskin Bond's short story, 'The Eyes Have It' the new passenger who had entered the compartment at Saharanpur said this to the narrator who was in reverie.
The girl who travelled with the narrator from Rohana to Saharanpur had just left.
The humorous speech of the new traveller jolted him out of his reverie and evoked the narrator's feeling for the girl. So he wanted to know whether she had her hair long or short. However, the person spoken to made no direct comment on the new companion's speech, This speech initiated conversation between the narrator and the new companion.
(4) "The man who had entered the Compartment broke into my reverie"- (*******)
(a) Whose reverie is mentioned here?
(b) What was the reverie ?
(c) Who broke it? (d) How was it broken?
Ans. (a)The reverie of the narrator of the short story, ' The Eyes Have It' , is mentioned here.
(b) A reverie means a daydream. In the story, 'The Eyes Have It' the reverie could be concerned with the narrator's lingering over the brief encounter with the girl who had just departed. The narrator enjoyed the brief conversation with the girl.
(c) The new passenger broke the reverie after getting off the girl at Saharanpur.
(d) The reverie was broken as the new passenger entered the compartment and apologized for not being so attractive a travelling companion as the girl.
(Q:5) "No, I answered quite confidently"- (*******)
Who said this to whom? What was the question that the speaker answered? What was the reply? Why did he answer so confidently.
Ans. In the short story 'The eyes have It' by Ruskin Bond the narrator said this to the girl who entered his train compartment at Rohana.
The question that the speaker answered was whether he could see any animals outside.
The narrator confidently replied that he did not see any animals.
The speaker was well aware of the fact that there were hardly any animals left in the forests near Dehra. So he confidently answered that there was no trace of animals.
Prose: 2 "Strong Root"
1. What did Dr. Kalam's father tell him about the 'relevance of prayer'?
or, What was Kalam's father's response query about prayer and spirituality?
Or, Is there anything mysterious about Prayer?
Ans. When Dr. Kalam attained the age to ask questions, he asked his father about the 'relevance of prayer'. He told Kalam that there was nothing mysterious about prayer. He regarded prayer as a means of Communion of the spirit between. Through prayer a man can go beyond his bodily existence existence and become a part of the Cosmos. The cosmos Knows no division of wealth, age, caste or creed. Thus Kalam's father justified the relevance of prayers.
( Q.2.) Why don't you say this to people who Come to you for help and advice"
(a) who said this and to whom ?/ who asked this to whom?
(b) what is the word referred to by the word 'this'?
(c) Why do the people come to the person Spoken to?
or, (d) what answer did the speaker get?
Ans (a) A.P. J. Abdul Kalam Said/asked this question to his father Jainulabdeen.
(b) Here 'this' refers to the Spiritual Concept of Jainulabdeen. According to him this world is nothing but manifestation of God. Every human being is a specific element within the whole of the manifest divine being.
(c) People would come to Kalam's father, Jainulabdeen for divine help and advice when they were in trouble.
(d) The Speaker got the answer that in every woe and welfare human beings Look for a Special helper Suitable for a particular purpose. A Lonely person looks for company a man in trouble Looks for a helper.
Whenever human beings reach an impasse, they Search for a guide to show them the way out. For people in destress he himself was a mediator in their attempt to please demonic forces with prayers and offerings. But he did not approve of this approach.
(Q.3) "His answer filled me with strong energy and enthusiasm"-
(a) I who is the speaker? (b) whose answer is being referred to here? (c) What was the answer?
Or,
(a) Whose answer had such impact? (b) Who was thus impressed? (c) What was the answer?
And.(a) Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is the speaker here.
(b) A-P.J. Abdul Kalam's father, Jainulabdeen's • answer is being referred to here.
(c) APJ Abdul Kalam's father, Jainculaden answered that every recurrent anguish, Longing and desire demands its own special helpes for the people in distress, he was a mediator in their attempt to please demonic forces with prayers and offerings.
Or,(a) The answer given by APJ Abdul Kalam's father to his son's query had such impact.
Or,(b) APJ Abdul Kalam was highly impressed by his father, Jainulabdeen's answer to his question.
(Q:4) "Our locality was predominantly muslim"--
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) How does the speaker describe the Locality?
(c) what picture of communal harmony do you find in the description ?
Ans. (a) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the writer of the piece "Strong Roots" is the speaker here.
(b) The Locality where Kalam lived was predominantly muslims. A lot of hindus families also lived there. There was a great shiva temple in the locality, which made Rameswaram very famous to pilgrims. There was a very old mosque in the locality too. Kalam used to go there with his father for evening prayer.
(c) In the description of Kalam's autobiography We find the following picture of Communal Harmony. Hindus and muslims lived together دوستان amicably. The shiva temple and the old mosque were situated in the same locality. Though Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry and Kalam's father belonged to different religions, they were close friends and discussed spiritual matters. So, there was no discrimination among religions.
(Q.5) "I normally ate with my mother" -
(a) who ate with his mother? Name his mother?
(b) where did he eat with his mother?
(c)what did he eat with his mother?
Ans. In the autobiographical writing, "Strong Roots" A.P.J. Abdul Kalam says that he ate with his mother. His mother's name is Ashiamma.
(b) Dr. Abdul Kalam ate with his mother, Sitting on the floor of the Kitchen.
(C) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam would eat rice, aromatic Sambar, a variety of sharp, home-made pickles and a dollop of fresh coconut chutney with his mother on a banana leaf placed by his mother.
(Q.6) What had remained the routine for Abdul Kalam's father even when he was in his Late sixties? what does Abdul Kalam say about his emulation of his father?
Ans. Kalam's father, Jainulabdeen was a religious person. He Started his day at 4 am by reading the namaz before down. After the namaz, he used to walk down to a small Coconut grove they possessed about four miles away. He would return home with about a dozen Coconuts tied together thrown over his shoulder and only then he would have his breakfast. This remained his routine even when he was in his Late Sixties.
Abdul Kalam tried to emulate his father in his own world of science and technology throughout his life. He has endeavoured جدوجہد کرنا to understand the fundamental truths revealed to him by his father and feel Convinced that there exists a divine Power that can lift one up from confusion, misery, melancholy and failure and guide one to one's true place.
Prose:3 "Thank You Ma'am"
Q.1: "Eat Some more, son" --
(a) Who says this to whom?
(b) What is offered by the speaker to the listener?
(c) What feature of the speaker's character is revealed in this line?
(Or) How did Mrs Jones behave with Roger?
(Or) Discuss Mrs Jones mother-like treatment towards Roger?
(Or) How did Mrs Jones transform Roger into a good person?
Ans.(a) Mrs.Luella Bates Washington Jones says this to Roger.
(b) She offers Roger, the young boy, a half of her ten cent cake.
(c) Mrs.Jones understood that the boy was hungry. So, she decided to give her some food. She heated some Lima beans and ham. She prepared some cocoa out of canned milk. When Roger had consumed these, Mrs.Jones offered him a half of her ten cent cake and told him the quoted sentence.The motherly feelings of Mrs.Jones is revealed in this line. She played the role of a perfect host and treats Roger with affection and hospitality.
(Q:2)"And he did not want to be mistrusted now "- (a) Who is 'he' referred to? (b) To whom didn't 'he' want to be mistrusted? (c) Why did he not want to be mistrusted? *******
Or, Why did the boy in"Thank You Ma'am" did not run away though he found the door open?
Ans.(a) Here 'he' is referred to a little boy, Roger in the short story," Thank You Ma'am ".
(b) Roger didn't want to be mistrusted to the lady named Mrs.Luella Bates Washington Jones.
(c) The boy, Roger while trying to snatch a purse from Mrs.Jones was caught and taken to her home. The boy thought he would be taken to police station but the lady took him at her home and treated very genially. The boy understood that the lady has placed an absolute faith on him by leaving him alone in the room. The boy could easily escaped from the room but he didn't want to be mistrusted now.
Q.3. " I'm sorry lady, I'm sorry"_
(a) Who said this to whom?
(b) Was the speaker really sorry?
(c) Why did he apologize?
Ans. (a) In Langston Hughes' short story, "Thank You Ma'am" Roger a fourteen or fifteen years old boy said this to Mrs. Jones
(b) The boy tried to snatch Mrs Jones purse. She firmly gripped him. The boy was afraid that she might take him to jail. So, out of fear he said that he was sorry.
(c) Roger apologises because Mrs Jones catches him trying to snatch her purse. His apology comes from a place of genuine remorse and a realization of the seriousness of his action.
Q.4."You gonna take me to jail?"
(a) who said this to whom?
(b) When did the Speaker ask this question?
(c) What reply did speaker get?
Ans (a) In the short story," Thank you Ma'am" a boy named Roger said/asked this to Mrs. Jones.
(b) The speaker, Roger asked this question When Mrs. Luella took him to her house and said to wash his face instead of taking him to jail for trying to Snatch her purse.
(c) The Speaker, Roger got negative reply. Mrs. Jones replied that she would take him nowhere with such an untidy face. She also mentioned to him the time when he attempted to Snatch her purse.
Q.5. "I would teach you right from wrong"_
(Or) "You ought to be my son, I would teach you right from wrong".
(a) Who said this to whom and when?
(b) How did the speaker transform the Person Spoken to here? (or) Did the Speaker manage to teach what he/she claimed to teach?
Ans (a) In the short story, "Thank You Ma'am", Mrs. Jones said this to Roger when she came to know that he had no one to look after him at hom.
(b) Mrs. Jones, hearing the purpose of Snatching the purse said affectionately, "you could have asked me". This unexpected generosity moved / touched Roger deeply. The trust bestowed upon him lighted up his soul and urged him to prove his trustworthiness. Mrs. Jones cooked for him and they had Supper together. while having supper she spoke to him about her workplace. This made him feel at home. Moreover, she gave him ten dollars to buy shoes and advised not to steal. This motherly-like behaviour made quite an impact in bringing about a complete transformation in Roger.
Q.6. "I were Young once and I wanted things and could not get"
(a) Who said this to whom and when?
(b) What did the Speaker say about her past life?
Ans. (a) In the short story, "Thank you Ma'am", Mrs. Jones Said this to a boy of fourteen or fifteen years old named Roger when she took the boy home she asked some questions about his parentage. When Roger finished answering, Mrs Jones began to say the quoted line.
(b) Mrs. Jones said, when she was young she had desired to get many things but her desires remained unfulfilled. Even to Satisfy her desires, she involved herself in So many criminal activities that now she could not reveal them to anyone even to god as she felt ashamed of herself. So, Mrs. Luella Bater was once in the Same situation like Roger.
Q.7. "Do you need some body to go to the store" (a) Who is the speaker? To whom did the Speaker Say this?
(b) Why did the Speaker want to go to the Store?
(c) What did they have as supper?*******
Ans.(a) In the short story, "Thank you Ma'am", Roger is the speaker.
The Speaker (Roger) said this to Mrs. Jones who wanted to teach him right from wrong.
(b) Roger understood that Mrs. Jones was a Kind Woman. He was So touched by her motherly affection that he wished to earn a place in her heart by helping. So, Roger/ he wanted to go to the store.
(c) Mrs. Jones heated some lima beans and ham she had in the icebox, made cocoa out of Canned milk and ten-cent Cake. Both, Mrs. Jones and Roger had these all in supper.
Prose 4, " Three Questions"
Q.1) " You have already been answered"--
(a) Who said this to whom?
(b) How had the person referred to been answered?******
Ans. (a) In Leo Tolstoy's short story, "Three Questions", the hermit said this to the Tsar.
(b) The Tsar had been answered by his own real-life experience in response to the hermit's belief that experience is the best teacher. The hermit does not answer directly, but instead digs the ground and then the Tsar continues to dig. At the end, the hermit says " the most important time was when you were digging the beds for me out of pity; and I was the most important man ; and to do good for me was your most important business. He further said that, if you would not have saved the wounded man, Tsar's enemy, he would not have become your friend so easily.
Q.2. "Forgive me! said the bearded man"---
(a) To Whom did the bearded man ask for forgiveness?
(b) Why did he ask for forgiveness? *******
Ans. (a) The bearded man asked for forgiveness from the Tsar in the Leo Tolstoy's short story "Three Questions".
(b) The bearded man was severely wounded by the Tsar's bodyguard. He was an avowed عہد کرنا enemy of the Tsar because the Tsar had executed his brother earlier and seized his property. The man waited to avenge بدلہ his brother's death, but as the Tsar did not return from the hermit's place, the man came out from his hidden place in search of the Tsar. While looking for the Tsar, he came across the bodyguard of the Tsar who recognized the man and wounded him fatally. The man would have died as he was bleeding profusely, but by a chance of fate, the Tsar became his saviour. He bandaged the wounds and provided him water and rest with the help of the hermit. Now the man repented his sin and craved for the forgiveness of the Tsar. He took an oath to serve the Tsar through generations.
Q.3) How was the wounded man revived and nursed? why did he ask forgiveness? What did the Tsar do when he had gained the man for a friend?
Ans. The Tsar and the hermit unfastened the wounded man's clothes. There was a Large wound in his stomach. The Tsar Washed it, bandaged it with his handkerchief and the hermit's towel. In this way, the wounded man was revived and nursed.
The wounded man wanted to Kill the Tsar. He was in search of an opportunity to Kill. Unfortunately, he Came upon the Tsar's bodyguards and they wounded him.But the Tsar Saved his life. That's why, he asked forgiveness of the Tsar.
The Tsar forgave the wounded man. He said him that he would send his Servants and physicians to attend him. He promised him to restore his property.
Q.4) " All the answers being different, the Tsar agreed with none of them".
(a). What were the questions to which the Tsar got different answers?
(b) Whom did the Tsar decide to consult?
(c). Where did the person live whom he wanted to consult? What was he famous for?
Ans. (a) The three questions that the Tsar got different answered were what was the right time to begin everything, who were the right people to listen to and whom to avoid and the work that needed his utmost attention.
(b) The Tsar decided to consult the hermit because he knew the hermit was wise enough to give answers to his three questions
(c) The person, hermit whom the Tsar wanted to consult, lived in a wood which he never quitted
The hermit was widely famous for his wisdom.
Q.5) "Here comes someone running" --
Who said this to whom? Who was coming? Why did he come running? Discribe his condition? How was he wounded? How he was received at the hermit call? ****
Ans.In the short story, ' Three Questions' the hermit said this to the Tsar.
A wounded man was coming toward the hermit's hut.
He came running out of the forest because he somehow escaped from the shackles of the Tsar’s bodyguard, who otherwise would have killed him.
The man was severely injured and bleeding profusely. His clothes were soaked in blood, and he was almost collapsing from exhaustion and the loss of blood.
The man had been lying in ambush to attack the Tsar, seeking revenge for the execution of his brother and the confiscation of his property. However, the Tsar's bodyguards discovered him and wounded him while defending the Tsar.
The wounded man was received with sympathy at the hermit’s cottage. He was nursed with great care by the Tsar who was assisted by the hermit. The Tsar did his best to stop the blood flow by washing and bandaging the wound again and again. Finally blood ceased flowing and the man’s life was saved.
(Q:6) What were the three questions the Tsar wanted to get answers? Why did he need answers? Why was he not satisfied with the answers of the learned men? Whom did he finally decide to consult?****
Ans. The three questions that the Tsar wanted to be answered were what was the right time to start every work, who were the right people to listen to and whom to avoid and the work that needed his utmost attention.
The Tsar needed correct answers to those three questions because he hoped that, if he could gain proper information then he would never fail in anything he might do.
The Tsar was not satisfied with the answers given by the scholars and the learned men because the answers were different from one another.
When the Tsar was not satisfied with the answers of the learned men, he decided to consult a hermit who lived in the woods and was well-known for his wisdom.
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Poem:1 "On Killing a Tree''
(Q.1) Justify the title of the poem, “On Killing A Tree”? [2016]
Ans. Gieve Patel’s On Killing A Tree” presents an ironic picture of man’s attitude towards tree. A tree is a generous helper of man but the man is too foolish to realize it. So, like a professional killer, man thinks of all possible ways to kill the tree. The tree consumes nutrients from the earth and absorbs sunlight, air and water for years. Thus the tree grows slowly. The tree is the greatest friend of man and a generous helper of man. But in return, it has to suffer much. It struggles hard for existence because of man’s cruelty. The poem focuses on the irony of killing a benefactor by its beneficiary. Thus the poem, from its beginning to ends, describes in detail the process and consequence of killing a tree. so, the title is appropriate.
(Q: 2) “And then it is done” – what is ‘it’ referred to here? When is ‘it’ done? How is it done? [2020]
Ans. Here ‘it’ refers to the process of destroying or killing the tree completely.
>When the root of a tree is pulled out of the earth after being tied with a rope, and passes it some processes in the sun to kill the tree completely.
>After uprooting entirely from the earth-cave, the tree passes through processes of scorching, choking, browning, twisting, and withering in the presence of sun and air. In this way, the killing of a tree is complete. This line highlights man’s satisfaction in destroying nature. Ironically, it shows how man glorifies his cruelty.
(Q.3) " It takes much time to kill a tree"
(i)Why does it take much time to kill a tree?
(ii) According to the poet, how is the tree finally killed? [ 2015 & 18]
Ans. (i) It is not easy to kill a tree because it has deep roots. So, a stab of the knife or hacking and chopping the tree cannot kill it. To kill a tree the root has to be pulled out. It has to be scorched and choked in the sun and air so that it becomes brown, hard, twisted and dry. Only then does a tree die. So it takes much time and effort to kill a tree.
(ii) The tree is finally killed when the root is pulled out. The root is the main strength of the tree. It lies hidden under the earth. It is to be pulled out entirely from there. To do this the tree is to be roped, tied and then snapped out. Then the uprooted tree is scorched or choked in sun and air. Finally it is browned and hardened, twisted and withered. In this way the tree is completely killed.
(Q.4) How does the poet describe man's cruelty and violence in the poem, "On Killing a Tree"?
Ans.In the poem," On Killing a Tree ", the poet describes the whole process of Killing a Tree. The poem gives the description of man's cruelty towards nature. Man applies various methods to kill the tree for commercial purposes. Man is heartless and trees die.Ironically the Killing of a tree in a Violence manner gives out the lesson of non-violence. The poet shows man's cruelty towards the tree to arous our love and sympathy for all objects of nature, including trees.
(Q.5) " It has grown slowly....... Out of its leprous hide sprouting leaves"--
What does the expression" Leprous hide" refer to? What grows from it? What does the line signify? How does it look? Bring out the irony of the line? *****
Ans. What does the expression" Leprous hide" refer to? What grows from it? What does the line signify? How does it look? Bring out the irony of the line? *****
Ans. In Gieve Patel's poem, 'On Killing a Tree', the expression ' Leprous hide' refers to the discoloured and rough bark of a tree.
From this 'leprous hide,' green leaves sprout, signifying new growth and life.
This line represents the resilience and vitality of the tree, which continues to grow and flourish over time.
In appearance, the tree's bark is rough, patchy, and textured, resembling the skin of a leprosy patient. This comparison makes the tree seem both vulnerable and strong at the same time.
The irony in the line lies in the fact that, despite its seemingly diseased and damaged exterior, the tree is full of life and continues to grow. While one might expect something unhealthy to wither away, the tree defies this expectation by continuously sprouting new leaves, reinforcing its power of survival.
Poem:2 "Asleep In The Valley"
(Q.1) Justify the title of the poem, “Asleep In The Valley”? [ 2015 ]
Ans. Arthur Rimbaud’s “Asleep in The Valley” is a fine poem. When we go through the poem, we come to know about a young soldier. He is sleeping on the bed of soft green grass in the lap of loving nature. He has a child like smiling face and is undisturbed by the humming insects. But the real shock comes at the very ending line. There are two bullet wounds in the side of the soldier. He is dead. The title suggests that the soldier is asleep. But he will wake up no more. He is sleeping eternal sleep. So the title is ironical.
(Q:2) “The humming insects don’t disturb his rest”—who rests and where? What makes him to rest? Why can’t the insects disturb his rest?[2020]
Ans. A young soldier in “Asleep in The Valley” rests in the green valley on soft green grass with a pillow of fern.
>There are two red holes in the side of the soldier. Here two red holes suggest two bullet wounds which have caused his death. That makes him to rest.
>The soldier was sleeping on the soft green valley. There are fresh and beautiful flowers under his feet. But actually the soldier is not sleeping. He is brutally dead in the battlefield. He will never wake up again. So, the humming insects can not disturb his rest.
(Q.3) Write down the central idea /theme of the poem, “Asleep in The Valley”?
OR, Write critical analysis of the poem, “Asleep in The Valley”?
Ans. The poem, “Asleep in The Valley” by Arthur Rimbaud presents a lovely natural scene. The poem introduces thereafter, a young soldier who is lying dead in a green valley hit by two bloody bullet shots. He is poor victim of war. He looks all innocent and pure, gentle and without guile. The soldier, lying dead in the valley symbolizes for the thousands of young men who trapped and killed in the war. Thus, the theme of the poem is truck here which is all of the futility of war.
(Q: 4) 1)His smiles/ Is like an infant's............" - Whose 'smile' is referred to here? Why is his smile compared to the smile of an infant? (OR. Explain the comparison in the given line.) How does nature take care of him? [1+3+2 = 6] [H.S. - 2019, 2022]
Ans. The smile of the young soldier in Arthur Rimbaud's poem 'Asleep in the valley' is referred to here.
The smile of the soldier is compared to an infant because the smile was innocent, pure, gentle, and without guile. The soldier was very young. When he was sleeping, the smiling face of him made the poet very affectionate toward him and uttered such words. It shows the poet's pity for the young soldier.
Nature takes the utmost care of his rest. The pillow made of fern under his head gives him comfort. The green sun-soaked undergrowth serves as a soft bed. Sunrays from mountain tops keep him warm.
(Q:5) "In his side, there are two red holes" – Who is the person referred to here? What do the 'two red holes' signify? What attitude of the poet about war is referred to here? [ 2017, 2022]
Ans. The person referred to here is the dead soldier of the poem ‘Asleep in the Valley’ written by Arthur Rimbaud.
The ‘two red holes’ are the marks of bullet wounds, in one side of the apparently sleeping soldier. It signifies that the soldier has been shot to death at war.
The poet here perceives war as something futile and brutal. Rimbaud, being a soldier himself, has witnessed the horrors of war, and in this line he expresses how pitiful a war is! War destroys the lives of youths with all their dreams unfulfilled and without letting them experience the joys of life. In warfare, they become the inevitable ناگزیر victims who are mercilessly killed in the war. This meaninglessness of war perturbsپریشان کرنا the poet immensely بے حد. The concluding line of the poem is an alert to mankind against the ravagesتباہی of war.
(Q:6) How does the poet express the futility of war through the poem 'Asleep in the Valley'? What message does he want to convey? [2018]*
Ans. Arthur Rimbaud's poem, "Asleep in the Valley" is a war poem. It deals with the futility of war.It is not pro- war but anti-war because a war only destroys beautiful things of nature .A soldier lying asleep in the valley is asleep forever. The young soldier lost his life in war. A soldier is an asset of a country. His young flesh is pierced by two bullets. War claims him. Which nation he belongs to is not important. He has no name. He has no identity. He is a cannon-fodder. This is what exactly war does.He saves the country by sacrificing his life. As war can't give life, it is futile. It has no value. Where there is no life, there is futility only. The poem brings in all the pity of war-the futility of war. So the poet Rimbaud says that there is no glory in war. An untimely death can never be a glory.
The poem gives us a message. We should not be engaged in warfare since it creates hollowness of lives by causing death and destruction on a gigantic scale.
Poem:3 " Sonnet 18"
(Q.1): How does Shakespeare immortalize his friend's beauty in his" Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day "? Or
What idea of immortality do you get from sonnet No.18 of William Shakespeare? Or, (Substance of the poem/ sonnet 18)
Ans. William Shakespeare's "Shall I compare Thee to a Summer's day "is a lovely poem. The poet was actually aware of the destructive power of time. He believed that his friend might be immortalized through his verses. The poet asks whether he can compare his friend's beauty to a Summer's day. But soon he denies the association because the beauty of a Summer's day may be spoiled by rough winds, excessive heat or over cast condition. But the poet's friend's beauty is forever. As long as people read the verses, the beauty of the poet's friend will be praised. Thus, Shakespeare would be able to immortalize the beauty and youth of his friend.
(Q.2) "....... And this gives life to thee"- What does 'this' refer to? Who is referred to ' thee'? How does 'this' give life? ******
Ans. Here 'this' refers to the sonnet "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day", which Shakespeare dedicates to his friend.
The word 'thee' is referred to the poet's young friend.
This Sonnet gives life to the poet's young friend. The poet says that all beautiful objects of nature are subjected to change and decay. But his Love, his beloved's beauty and his Poetic creation are immortal. He is quite confident in saying that so long as man can see or breathe on this earth this verse will be read. His friend's summer, not fade because his verse will make it eternal.
(Q.3) 'But thy eternal summer shall not fade.' - Who is being referred to as 'thy'? What is meant by 'eternal summer'? Why shall not 'thy eternal summer' fade? [2019]
Ans. In sonnet 18, The friend of the poet William Shakespeare is referred to as 'thy'?
'Eternal summer' means the eternal youth and beauty of the poet's friend whose worthiness will be immortalized in the poet's verse.
Every beautiful object of nature is subjected to degeneration. But the poet is very much confident that the eternal summer of his friend is everlasting. Death will never grab his beloved or will fade his glory. The eternal lines composed by the poet will preserve his friend's beauty everlasting. The poet predicted that his sonnet would be acclaimed forever so long men would live on this earth. In this way, his poem would be read and his beloved would be alive.
(Q.4) " Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's day"-
(i) Who is compared to a Summer's day?
(ii) What adjectives does the poet use for the person?
(iii) what are the blemishes of summer?
Ans. In William Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, the poet compares his beloved to a summer's day.
The poet describes the person as "more lovely" and "more temperate" than a summer's day, suggesting they are gentler, more balanced, and more beautiful.
The poet lists a few imperfections of summer:
It is too short, as summer passes quickly ("summer's lease hath all too short a date").
It can be too hot ("Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines").
It can be unpredictable, with winds that shake the "darling buds of May."
It fades over time ("every fair from fair sometimes declines").
Shakespeare contrasts these temporary flaws with the person’s beauty, which he claims will endure forever through the sonnet.
Poem:4 " The Poetry of Earth"
(Q.1) " He takes the lead " - Who takes the lead ?
When does he take the lead ? How does he take the lead ? *****
Ans: In the poem " The Poetry of Earth ", the Grasshopper takes the lead.
In summer, the birds are tired with the hot sun. Then they take a rest in the cooling shade of trees. At that time the Grasshopper takes the lead.
The Grasshopper takes the lead by singing delightfully. He sings from hedge to hedge. He enjoys the luxury of summer. When he gets tired, he takes a rest beneath some pleasant weeds. After some time he starts his song and makes the nature living. Thus the poetry of earth continues even in the scorching summer.
(Q.2) How Does The Poet Keats Describe That The Poetry Of Earth Is Never Dead? Or, How does Keats show that the poetry of earth never Ceases?
Ans. “The Poetry Of Earth” is a beautiful sonnet by John Keats. According to Keats the poetry of earth never comes to an end because the song of nature never stops. It goes on forever. Nature is vibrant with the song of the singing birds and the music of insects, i.e. grasshopper and cricket. In Summer, The grasshopper sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the meadow. The cricket’s shrill cry breaks the silences of the winter evening. Thus the poet believes that the poetry of earth never comes to an end.
(Q.3) Write the substance of the poem "The poetry of Earth ".
Or, Show, after Keats that the poetry of earth never come to an end.
Or, What is the theme of the poem ?
Or, What is the message of the poem?
Or, Justify the aptness of the title " The Poetry of Earth ".
Or, What is the central idea of the poem, “The Poetry Of Earth?” (MN)
Ans. In the sonnet, " The Poetry of Earth", John Keats develops the theme that Poetry i.e. muse in nature never stops. Nature is full of music. Though the season changes, the music and the poetry of earth never perish. Neither the hot sun of summer nor the frosty atmosphere of winter can affect the continuity of the music of nature. Chirping of the Grasshopper fills the void when all the song birds are exhausted by the heat of the sun. In winter, the little cricket’s song triumphs over the silence produced by the winter frost. Thus the whole poem shows the continuity of the songs of nature. The poem appreciates the never ending music of nature and justifies the idea that the poetry of earth is never dead.
(Q: 4) " And seems to one in drowsiness half lost, The Grasshopper's among some grassy hills"--
Who is one? What vision is referred to here? Why does one have such a vision? ******
Ans. In the poem, " The Poetry of Earth", by John Keats, the 'one' " refers to the person who is dozing beside a fireplace.
One who is dozing beside the fireplace, the cricket's Song Seems to be the Continuation of the Grasshopper's Song. Such a vision of a winter evening has been referred to here.
One has Such a vision because he was half-asleep. The Shrill voice of the cricket in Such a Cold evening reminds him of the continuous process of music of earth. He fails to differentiate between the Song of the Grasshopper and cricket. The Person is fully engrossed with the music and makes him think Such a vision.
or,
Ans. In the poem " The Poetry of Earth ", 'One' refers to a person who is half-asleep, experiencing a state of drowsiness or daydreaming.
The vision referred to is the imagined presence of the grasshopper chirping in some distant grassy hills. It symbolizes the continuation of the music of nature during summer, even when everything else is silent due to the heat.
The person has this vision because, in their half-conscious state, their mind conjures up the soothing sounds of the grasshopper. This reflects how nature’s poetry persists in the background, providing comfort and continuity, even when one is not fully alert. This aligns with the poem’s central theme of the unending and omnipresent music of nature.
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