Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

The people, dazed, retire amazed although they know it’s well-meant. They’re trampled in the panic rout or languish pale and sickly, And plead, ‘My friend, we’re near our end, oh stop your singing quickly!’

1. Give evidence to prove that Bhisma’s music was nothing but a nuisance. (Analysis)
2. What do people plead to Bhisma? (Understanding)
3. Explain the line, ‘we’re near our end’. (Analysis)
4. What do people want? (Understanding)
5. Who else besides humans are affected by Bhisma’s singing? How? (Understanding and Analysis)

Answer 1

1. Bhisma’s singing causes great trouble to everyone. People become dazed, are trampled in panic, grow pale and sickly, and beg him to stop. These exaggerated reactions show that his music is more of a nuisance than a pleasure.
2. The people plead with Bhisma to stop singing immediately. They say, “My friend, we’re near our end, oh stop your singing quickly!” because they can no longer bear his loud and discordant voice.
3. The line is a humorous exaggeration. It means that the people feel so exhausted and troubled by Bhisma’s terrible singing that they think they cannot endure it any longer, as if it might lead to their end.
4. The people want peace and silence. They simply wish Bhisma to stop singing so that they can be free from the disturbance caused by his loud voice.
5. Besides humans, birds, horses, fishes, trees, buildings, and even the sky are affected. Birds turn upside down while flying, horses whine, fishes dive deep into the water, trees and buildings collapse, and the sky is described as weeping. These exaggerated incidents create a humorous effect.