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प्रश्न
This poem is nothing but a criticism of modern life. Justify this statement.
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उत्तर
The poet’s understanding of adult society is extremely negative. The poet distinctly portrays how people in modem times have become hypocrites and fake emotions to be socially accepted. The phrases of hospitality they use “feel at home” and “come again,” are fake that a third visit would be disallowed by the hosts. In modem times, people don’t value real emotions; instead, they value positions and possessions. Even while shaking hands, they try to assess the material worth of a person. People don’t laugh with their hearts. Their ice-cold block eyes search the person they talk to. Most of them have acquired the skill of wearing a standard, deceitful, artificial smile on all occasions, i.e., a “portrait smile.” Thus the poem is nothing but criticism of modem life.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
What does the poet mean when he says ‘good bye’?
What pleasantries does the poet use to fake cordiality?
How is the poet’s laugh reflected in the mirror?
‘Face is the index of the mind.’ Does this adage concur with the views of the poet?
Explain the following with reference to the context in about 50–60 word each.
They do not ever in their dealings Consider one another’s feelings…
Underline the alliterated word in the following line.
They do not ever in their dealings…
Would you like to exchange your place with someone else? Why/why not?
Do you go for leisurely walks? If you are a city-dweller, what or who would you expect to see on your way?
Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with the words given below.
The poet, in a relaxed state of mind, is sitting in a (1) ______. He reflects on how his mood brings (2) ______thoughts, which are inevitably followed by (3)______ones. He feels connected to all of nature, and senses an inherent joy in all (4)______. He has faith in the fact that all the primroses and periwinkles around him (5)______ the air they breathe. He feels that every bird in the grove moves with (6)______. As the twigs catch the breezy air, they do so with the same pleasure (7)______ all life on earth. This joy of nature seems to be heaven-sent. Nature’s holy plan is to offer joy and peace to all forms of life on earth. The poet’s pleasant train of thought slowly leads to the sad reflection of how mankind alone has wrought sorrow and (8)______ upon itself. He firmly believes that man is meant to spend his days blissfully taking part in the vitality and joy surrounding him in (9)______. He therefore concludes rhetorically, emphasizing that he has good reason to (10)______ the distress, man unnecessarily brings upon himself.
| creations | abundance | savour |
| pleasant | suffering | grove |
| lament | pervading | sorrowful |
| ecstasy |
Read the lines given below and answer the question that follow.
And ‘tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes…
- What is the poet’s faith?
- What trait of Nature do we see here?
Explain the following line with reference to the context in about four to five sentence each.
The birds around me hopp’d and play’d,
Their thoughts I cannot measure.
Read the following line and identify the figure of speech used in each extract.
And ‘tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.
Read the following line and identify the figure of speech used in each extract.
What Man has made of Man?
How does the poet feel while enjoying the beauty of Nature?
Does Nature affect a person’s thoughts and feelings? Explain.
The poet finds joy in various objects of Nature. Explain.
Listening Activity
Some phrases have been left out in the poem below. First, read the poem. Then, fill in the missing words on listening to the reading or the recording of it in full. You may listen again, if required
To Autumn
O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained
With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit
Beneath my ______, there thou may’st rest,
And tune thy jolly voice to my ______;
And all the daughters of the year shall dance!
Sing now the ______of fruits and flowers.
“The ______opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her ______;
Blossoms hang round the brows of morning and
Flourish down the ______of modest eve,
Till clust’ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And ______strew flowers round her head.
The spirits of the air live on the smells
Of fruit; and joy, with ______, roves round
The gardens, or sits singing in the trees.”
Thus sang the ______as he sat,
Then rose, girded himself, and o’er the bleak
Hills fled from our sight; but left his ______.
William Blake
‘Nature can nurture’. Describe how this process happens.
Describe Macavity’s appearance.
Describe the appearance and qualities of Macavity.
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
He sways his head from side to
side, with movements like a snake;
And when you think he’s half asleep,
he’s always wide awake…
- Explain the comparison made here.
- What does he pretend to do?
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
‘It must have been Macavity!’ but he’s a mile away.
- What is Macavity blamed for?
- Where is he?
Give four instances where the poet has used alliteration in the poem.
What is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
Read the given line and answer the question that follow.
Honour is a property, common to all: In dignity and pride no one need to be poor.
- Who are considered rich?
- What is their asset?
In what way is every hillock similar to Everest?
What does the executor mentioned in the poem do?
Explain the following line with reference to the context in about 5 to 8 line:
“Our lands, our lives, and all are Bolingbroke’s,
And nothing can we call our own but death;”
Pick out the alliteration from the following lines:
“And tell sad stories of the death of kings:”
Based on your reading of King Richard’s speech, answer the following questions in about 100 - 150 words each. You may add your own ideas if required to present and justify your point of view.
What are the causes for King Richard’s grief?
