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Question
Justify how ‘Animals’ by Walt Whitman is a criticism of mankind and its ways.
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Solution
- human beings seem to have dropped/ shed their values/virtues/attributes.
- human society is blemished by ego, hypocrisy, hatred, materialism, fake display.
- the profusion of complaints, race for greed and lack of contentment.
- the poet wishes to leave the human world and join animals as he finds them better than humans (a testimony).
Notes
Guidance:
The question indicates that the examiner knows that the poet appreciates the animals for the display of virtues and hence that requires no elaboration.
The question requires an explanation of criticism of mankind and evidence to justify the same.
Content -
Award 1 mark for a full explanation of the two strands-criticism & evidence.
Award ½ mark for a partial explanation.
Expression -
1 mark when both aspects included
✓ Answer organised effectively
✓ usage of words supporting explanation & justification (that’s why, because, therefore etc.)
½ mark when either aspect is missing.
Deduct ½ mark from the overall score if the error density is high (more than a total of 2 spellings and grammatical errors).
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Put the following attributes/ abilities given below in the proper circles.
(a) self-control
(b) communicates
(c) love and care
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(e) good manners
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We come across many animals in our vicinity. We have also read about different animals in books. Make a list of all animals that fall under various categories. One is given to you.
| Amphibians | Mammals | Wild Animals | Aquatic Animals | Pet Animals |
| frog | cow | lion | octopus | cat |
Encourage students to read/use reference material to complete the activity.
Match the words given in table A with their meanings in table B.
| No |
A Words |
B Meaning |
|
| (i) | whine | (a) | an offence against the religious or moral law |
| (ii) | sin | (b) | complain in an annoying way |
| (iii) | evince | (c) | craze |
| (iv) | mania | (d) | failing to take proper care |
| (v) | negligent | (e) | show |
Find adjectives from the poem which refer to positive and negative thinking.
| Positive | Negative |
| 1. ____________________ | 1. ____________________ |
| 2. ____________________ | 2. ____________________ |
| 3. ____________________ | 3. ____________________ |
Complete the following.
Animals do not complain about _________________.
Complete the following.
Animals do not merely discuss ______________.
Complete the following.
Animals are not crazy about ________________.
State whether the following statement is true or false.
Animals are self-reliant.
State whether the following statement is true or false.
The poet has retained all his natural virtues.
Read the text again, and complete the web, highlighting the good values/habits which we can learn from animals.
Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the given points in a paragraph format:
|
Animals I think I could turn and live with animals, they are |
You can use the following points while appreciating the given poem.
- The title and the poet of the poem (01)
- Rhyme scheme (01)
- Figures of speech (01)
- Central Idea/Theme (02)
Why does the poet wish to 'turn' and live with animals?
Mention any two reasons why Walt Whitman appreciates animals more than humans.
What two attributes of the Animals please the poet?
