(English Medium) ICSE Class 10 - CISCE Question Bank Solutions for English 2 (Literature in English)

But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.

Read the above lines and answer the question that follow.

What does the line “and his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream” mean?

But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.

Read the above lines and answer the question that follow.

What is the main conflict in this poem?

The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.

Read the above lines and answer the question that follow.

Explain with reference to the context.

The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.

Read the above lines and answer the question that follow.

What parallel can be drawn to the poet’s feelings and that of the caged bird?

The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.

Read the above lines and answer the question that follow.

Explain, ‘stands on the grave of dreams / his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream’.

Can the poem The Patriot be considered a dramatic monologue? Justify.

Is there any relevance of this poem to the present scenario?

What is the rhyme of ‘The Patriot: An Old Story’?

Explain the difference between welcome scene and departure scene from the poem “The Patriot” by Robert Browning.

Can the poem be taken as interpretation of human fickleness?

How has Browning used allusion in the poem? Explain.

Comment on the imagery used in the poem.

Who is reminded of his past? Why?

What bells are being referred to here? Why are they rung?

What tells you that the speaker was swayed by the enthusiasm of his admirers? What proves him wrong?

In what mood is the speaker now? Where is he?

What tells you that the patriot was overambitious?

Explain, ‘Just a palsied few at the windows set;’

What do you think of the mentality of the crowd?

Explain:
Thus I entered, and thus I go!
In triumphs, people have dropped down dead.