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प्रश्न
They seemed no threat to us at all.
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उत्तर
- Reference: This line is from Edwin Muir’s poem “The Castle”.
- Context and Explanation: The poet says this while recounting the shameful act of betrayal by the aged warder of the wicket gate. The narrator was overconfident of the invincibility of their castle, their stockpiled arms, and well-stocked granary. They had a brave captain and loyal soldiers. In an open war, they need not fear defeat as their friendly neighbours were also willing to join them during a war against any invader. But their enemy was within their fortified castle. They were sold for a bag of gold. Without a groan, the citadel was captured. It was a shameful way to lose one’s side. So, the narrator prefers not to recount this shameful secret to anyone so long as he is alive.
APPEARS IN
संबंधित प्रश्न
Why did the narrator feel helpless?
Read the given line and answer the question that follow in a line or two.
A foothold there, no clever trick
Could take us dead or quick,
Only a bird could have got in.
- What was challenging?
- Which aspect of the castle’s strength is conveyed by the above line?
Our captain was brave and we were true
Underline the alliterated word in the following line.
A little wicked wicket gate.
You visit your school after several years. As you cross the banyan tree at the entrance, cheerful memories fi ll your mind. Fill the bubbles with your memories.

Why is the casuarina tree dear to poet’s heart?
Does nature communicate with human beings?
Identify the figure of speech used in each of the extract given below and write down the answer in the space given below.
“ LIKE a huge Python, winding round and round
The rugged trunk indented deep with scars”,
Describe the reminiscences of the poet, when she sees the casuarina tree.
When does a man become a judge? How?
Why is the last stage called second childhood?
Read the given line and answer the question that follow.
And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
- Whom does justice refer to?
- Describe his appearance.
- How does he behave with the people around him?
- What does he do to show his wisdom?
Complete the summary of the poem, choosing words from the list given below. Lines 1 to 32
Ulysses is (1) ______to discharge his duties as a (2) ______, as he longs for (3) ______. He is filled with an (4) ______thirst for (5) ______and wishes to live life to the (6) ______. He has travelled far and wide gaining (7) _______ of various places, cultures, men and (8) ______. He recalls with delight his experience at the battle of Troy. Enriched by his (9) ______he longs for more and his quest seems endless. Like metal which would (10) ______if unused, life without adventure is meaningless. According to him living is not merely (11) ______to stay alive. Though old but zestful, Ulysses looks at every hour as a bringer of new things and yearns to follow knowledge even if it is (12)______.
| fullest, unquenchable, unattainable, experience, knowledge, king, matters, rust, adventure, unwilling, travel, breathing |
What has Ulysses gained from his travel experiences?
Pick out the lines which convey that his quest for travel is unending.
Who does the speaker address in the second part?
‘He works his work, I mine’ – How is the work distinguished?
Identify the figure of speech employed in the following line.
There lies the port the vessel puffs her sail
Explain with reference to the context the following line.
I cannot rest from travel: I will drink Life to the lees:
How would his being alone help the boy?
Here are a few poetic device used in the poem.
Repetition- It is a figure of speech.
Explain the following line with reference to the context.
Yet learning something out of every folly
hoping to repeat none of the cheap follies
Explain how the poet guides his son who is at the threshold of manhood, to face the challenges of life.
How according to the poet is it possible for his son to bring changes into a world that resents change?
Fill in the blanks choosing the words from the box given and complete the summary of the poem.
The poet Robert Browning narrates an incident at the French Camp in the war of 1809 between France and Austria, in a (a)______version. He describes the brave action of a (b)______soldier, whose heroic devotion to duty and his (c) ______ in it is inspiring and worthy of (d) ______. During the attack of the French army on Ratisbon, Napoleon was anxious about the (e) ______. Austrians were defending Ratisbon with great (f) ______and courage. Napoleon was watching the war standing on a (g) ______near the battlefield.
All of a sudden a rider appeared from the closed smoke and dust. Riding at great speed, jumping and leaping, he approached the mound where Napoleon stood. As he came closer, the narrator noticed that the rider, a young boy, was severely wounded. But the rider showed no sign of pain and smiling in joy, jumped off the horse and gave the happy news of (h) ______to the emperor.
He exclaimed with pride that the French had (i) ______Ratisbon and he himself had hoisted the flag of France. When Napoleon heard the news, his plans (j) ______up like fire. His eyes (k) ______when he saw that the soldier was severely wounded. Like a caring mother eagle, the emperor asked if he was wounded. The (l) ______soldier replied proudly that he was killed and died heroically.
| determination | result | dramatic |
| pride | admiration | softened |
| wounded | mound | victory |
| conquered | soared | valiant |
Who took the city of Ratisbon by storm?
Who came galloping on a horse to Napoleon?
Why was the rider in a hurry?
What did the rider do when he reached Napoleon?
