Question

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

A speck that would have been beneath my sight On any but a paper sheet so white Set off across what I had written there. And I had idly poised my pen in air To stop it with a period of ink

1. What is a speck? What does the expression ‘beneath my sight’ signify in the context? (Analysis)
2. What had the poet been doing? What does the last line here tell you in this context? (Understanding and Analysis)
3. What do you mean by ‘idly poised my pen’? (Analysis)
4. What did the poet observe about the mite later in the context? (Understanding)
5. Why did the poet spare the mite? (Analysis)

Answer 1

1. A speck means a tiny spot or particle. The expression ‘beneath my sight’ means that the tiny mite would normally have been too small and insignificant for the poet to notice, but it became visible because it was on the white paper.
2. The poet had been writing on a white sheet of paper. The last line shows that he was about to remove the speck by placing a dot of ink over it with his pen, as he initially thought it was just a mark on the paper.
3. The phrase ‘idly poised my pen’ means that the poet held his pen loosely and without serious thought, preparing to use it to remove the speck. He did not yet realise that it was a living creature.
4. The poet observed that the speck was actually a living mite. He noticed that it showed intelligence, had its own preferences, and quickly moved away from the ink.
5. The poet spared the mite because he realised that it had a mind of its own and showed signs of intelligence. He respected its individuality and did not want to destroy a living creature with awareness.