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Questions
Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the given points in a paragraph format:
|
The Pulley When God at first made Man, So strength first made a way; For if I should (said He) Yet let him keep the rest, |
- The title of the poem (1)
- The poet (1)
- Central idea/theme (2)
- Rhyme scheme (1)
- Figure of speech (1)
- Special features (2)
- Favourite line/lines (1)
- Why I like/don’t like the poem (1)
Read the 'The Pulley' poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the given points in paragraph format.
You can use the following points while appreciating the given poem.
- Title and Poet
- Rhyme Scheme
- Figure of Speech
- Theme/Central Idea (At Least 2 to 3 lines)
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Solution 1
The title of the poem is ‘The pulley’. The poet is George Herbert. The central idea of the poem is the reason for man's continual restlessness all his life. According to the poet, this is because God with held the quality of rest from man, so that man's thoughts would ultimately turn towards God, his creator. Each verse of the poem has five lines. The rhyme scheme of each verse is a-b-a-b-a. The chief figure of speech used in the poem is Metaphor. The 'glass of blessings' signifies the sum of all human qualities bestowed on man. The quality of 'rest' or 'Contentment' is implicitly compared to a ‘jewel’. This is a poem with a message. And the message is that however, rich we may be or whatever the abundance of qualities we may have, we must always turn our thoughts to God and thank him for the many blessings he has bestowed on us. My favourite line in this poem is 'Let him be rich and weary, This brings out the paradox of man's nature so well. Even the richest man in the world finally gets tired and experiences discontentment. This is what God intended for man. I like this poem very much because it teaches me not to be self-satisfied and contented but to always remember and thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed on me.
Solution 2
Appreciation of the Poem ‘The Pulley’
The title of the poem is ‘The Pulley’, and it is written by George Herbert.
The central idea of the poem revolves around God’s creation of mankind. The poet describes how God granted humans various blessings such as strength, beauty, wisdom, and honor. However, He deliberately withheld “Rest” to ensure that humans do not become self-sufficient and forget God. The idea is that human beings, despite having everything, will always feel restless and ultimately turn to God for peace and fulfillment.
The poem follows the ABABA rhyme scheme, which gives it a smooth and rhythmic flow.
One of the significant figures of speech in the poem is Metaphor, where "The Pulley" symbolizes the way God draws humans toward Him through restlessness and weariness. Another important figure of speech is Personification, as God is given human-like qualities, such as speaking and making decisions.
The special features of the poem include its metaphysical nature, where deep philosophical and religious ideas are expressed through simple yet powerful imagery. The poem uses a conversational tone where God is depicted as directly speaking about His creation. It also conveys a moral lesson that true happiness and peace can only be found in devotion to God.
My favorite lines from the poem are:
“Yet let him keep the rest, / But keep them with repining restlessness.”
These lines emphasize that even with wealth and worldly pleasures, humans will always feel restless and seek God’s comfort.
I like this poem because it presents a thought-provoking idea about human nature and our connection with God. The metaphor of the pulley beautifully conveys how God ensures that humans always seek Him despite having all worldly possessions. The poem’s message is both philosophical and spiritual, making it deeply meaningful.
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Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
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Now I’ll count upto twelve
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All the rest of her children, she said, are on the nuclear
blacklist of the dead,
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A thousand candles then lit
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(1) What is the situation of the children in absence of peace? (1)
(2) Why should we avoid wars? (1)
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(4) What message does the poet give through this poem? (1)
Read the following extract and answer the questions given below:
Old women do not fly on magic wands
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They just sit on vacant park benches
in the quiet evenings,
call doves by their names
and charm them with grains of maize.
Or, trembling like waves
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(1) What do old women do in the quiet evenings?
(2) Do you feel old women should be looked after by their
families? Justify your answer.
(3) Name and explain the figure of speech in the following
line: 'Or, trembling like waves.'
(4) Pick out two pictorial images from the extract.
Read the following extract and then do all the activities that follow :
How do you know
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I know for
I met her yesterday
on my winding way
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She has such a wonderful face
just like a golden flower faded
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I asked her why
She was so sad?
She told me her baby
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her daughter in Hiroshima
and her sone in Vietnam,
Ireland, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon,
Bosnia, Rwanda, Kosovo and Chechnya ......
A1. Web -
Completely the following web by listing character mentioned in the extract :
A2. Poetic device -
Figure of speech :
‘Peace is a woman ?’
Name and explain the figure of speed in the above line.
A3. Personal response :
Suggest two solutions to avoid wars.
A4. Creativity :
Compose two poetic lines titled “Say ‘no’ to wars”.
Read the extract and do the activities that follow: (4)
| Tom | : | (nervously). But, I say, we can’t go prowling about someone else’s house. |
| George | : | We can if we hear any suspicious noises. You never know ? this place might belong to a gang of criminals. |
| Tom | : | (sarcastically). You certainly are trying to cheer us up, George. We don’t want to meet a gang of criminals. |
| George | : | Why not? We’re all strong, healthy chaps, aren’t we? Are you in a funk already? |
| Tom | : | No, of course not; but ? well ? Alfie’s got his best suit on, and |
| Ginger | : | Never mind about Alfie's suit. (With a great show of courage). I’m not afraid of any criminals. Here, George, lend me that torch. (Taking the torch and going up R.C.). I’ll show you if I’m afraid. (Suddenly seeing the White models and letting out a yell of terror.) Ow! W - what's that? |
| Tom | : | (down C., not daring to look round). What’s what? |
| Ginger | : | C- come here. I thought I saw something grinning at me. |
| Tom | : | (crossing hastily to door L.). I’m going to get out of here. |
| Ginger | : | (Coming down C.) So am I. I’m not afraid of criminals, but I believe this place is haunted. |
| George | : | Talk sense, Ginger. Here, give me that torch. (Takes torch and goes up R. C.) |
| Alfie | : | (down L.C.) I want to go home. |
| Ginger | : | Can you see anything, George? |
| George | : | (cautiously approaching white models). I can’t make out what it is, but I believe it's an animal. I say ? there’s something alive in here ? I can see its teeth. (Under the light of George’s torch a row of teeth can be dimly seen). |
| Alfie | : | (rushing to the door) Let me out! Let me out! I want to go home! |
B1. Pick up the false sentences from those given below and write down the correct ones for them :(2)
(i) Alfie wanted to stay at the place to fight with the animal.
(ii) Ginger yelled of terror when he noticed white models grinning at him.
(iii) According to George's opinion, the boys could not go prowling about someone else’s house.
(iv) Tom had no desire to meet a gang of criminals.
B2. Convert dialogue into a story : (2)
Convert the above dialogue into a story form in about 50 words.
Read the following extract and answer the questions given below:
Now there is only one type of bobcat we see
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Swaying on my rear-view mirror, labelled pine breeze
We used to watch the valley play hide and seek
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(1) What signs of urbanisation are mentioned in the first six lines of the extract?
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(3) Pick out the example of personification from the extract.
(4) Pick out the lines from the extract expressing the fond memory of the poet about the pines.
Read the following extract and answer the questions given below :
If you accept counsel without getting sore
And re-assess yourself in the light thereof
If you pledge not to be obstinate any more
And meet others without any frown or scoff.
You may be the person I am looking for.
If you have the will to live and courage to die
You are a beacon-light for people far and wide
If you ignore the jeers and, thus, expose the lie
"That virtue and success do not go side by side."
You are the person I am looking for.
(1) What does the poet advise us about interacting with others?
(2) What good qualities do you expect in your friend?
(3) Name and explain the figure of speech in the following line:
"If you have the will to live and the courage to die."
(4) Pick out the words from the extract which denote negative traits.
Based on the careful reading of the passage given below, answer any four out of five questions that follow:
|
1. When you see me sitting quietly, 2. When my bones are stiff and aching, 3. I’m the same person I was back then, - Maya Angelou |
- What does the poet think she looks like, when sitting quietly?
- Does the poet invite pity? Quote a line to support your argument.
- What has changed in the poet over the course of years?
- Pick out a word from the second stanza which means ‘faltering’.
- Why does the poet consider herself lucky?
Read the poem ‘Digging’ by Seamus Heaney, given below.
|
Between my finger and my thumb The coarse boot nestled on the lug, the shaft Digging by Seamus Heaney |
Based on your understanding of the poem, answer the given questions.
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- It emphasizes the power of the written word to bring about change.
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- It demonstrates the speaker's admiration for their father's skill with both a pen and a spade.
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- The speaker admires his father's hard work and dedication to his task.
- The speaker is critical of his father's choice of profession and feels it is beneath him.
- The speaker is indifferent to his father's work and does not place much value on it.
- The speaker is resentful of his father for making them participate in the work.
- Complete the sentence appropriately. 1
The poet’s use of a metaphor in the line "The coarse boot nestled on the lug, ...” compares ______. - What can be inferred about the setting of the poem based on the description of the sound of the spade sinking into the ground? 1
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- The setting is urban and noisy.
- The setting is industrial, yet serene.
- The setting is suburban and bustling.
- What is the effect of the repetition of the word "digging" throughout the poem? 1
