Question

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

And as the moon from some dark gate of cloud Throws o’er the sea floating bridge of light, Across whose trembling planks our fancies crowd Into the realm of mystery and night,-

1. When and how is a ‘bridge of light’ formed? (Understanding)
2. What is the function of this bridge? (Understanding and Analysis)
3. Which figure of speech is used in the first two lines here? (Analysis)
4. Where does our fancy take us? (Analysis)
5. Which realm is the poet referring to in this extract? (Analysis)

Answer 1

1. A ‘bridge of light’ is formed when the moon comes out from behind the clouds and its light shines across the sea. The reflection of the moonlight on the water looks like a bright bridge.
2. The bridge of light acts like a path that carries our thoughts and imagination from the real world to the mysterious and unknown world. It inspires us to think beyond what we can normally see.
3. In the first two lines, the poet uses personification by describing the moon as if it can throw a bridge of light over the sea. The “bridge of light” is a metaphor because it compares the moon's reflection on the sea to a bridge.
4. The poet says that our imagination crosses the bridge of light and takes us into the mysterious and unknown world. It helps us think about things beyond our everyday life.
5. The poet is referring to the “realm of mystery and night,” which means the unknown or mysterious world. It can also mean the world of spirits or a place beyond our normal understanding that fills us with wonder.