Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
What does the poem “Abou Ben Adhem” convey?
Advertisements
Solution
The poem, written by Leigh Hunt, tells of a conversation between an angel and Abou.The angel, seen writing in a golden book, lists the names of all the people who love God. When Abou hears he is not on the list, he prays that the angel add his name to the list of people who love their fellow man. The following night the angel returns and tells Abou that not only has he made the list, he “led all the rest.” Hunt uses the language of the poem to convey the idea that loving your fellow man is the way one loves the Lord and is what allows an individual to become truly alive. He uses the simile “a lily in bloom” to convey flowering of the human spirit that occurs when men look beyond themselves. The poem’s message explains the best way man loves God is to love others, which brings God’s blessing. The “book of gold” symbolizes the richness a man encounters when he loves the Lord, a richness of spirit that transcends this life
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
What is the symbolic significance of the sun, sky and wind in the first stanza?
In the poem Breaking Out. the poet shows the gradual transformation of a young girl into a confident and independent individual who breaks the conventional stereotypes of society. Discuss with close reference to the text.
There is a parallel drawn between rain and music. Which words indicate this? Explain the similarity between the two.
Discuss in groups of four.
Laws are never respected not enforced in India.
Look at the highlighted expressions in the following sentences from the text and explain their figurative meaning.
- 'I went through it, sir, with a fine-toothed comb and never a Garrideb could I catch.'
-
'They are my favourite covert for putting up a bird, and I would never have overlooked a cock pheasant as that.'
-
'There is no bolt-hole for you in this country.'
-
'When his castle in the air fell down, it burred him beneath the ruins.'
You have noticed that many of your classmates are not interested in outdoor games or participating in co-curricular activities. Discuss some ways in which they will be encouraged to participate in activities.
Imagine you are the lion and someone is interviewing you.
Write the answer to the following question.
Who were your companions on the way to Oz?
Local Historians
- Ask students to collect stories about their town from older people.
- Ask them to find out how the streets were named.
- Are there any interesting people or legends to which the street names refer?
- Are there any local places in town about which people tell stories?
- Any haunted houses?
- Let students find out when the town was founded and by whom.
- Visit a local historical society to see old photographs or artifacts.
Let students create an original historical fiction:
Describe the town from the point of view of a fictitious citizen who might have lived in the town long ago. Include local issues of the time in the story. Write the story of the town from the fictionalized point of view of a resident who actually lived.
Punctuate the following passage.
mother father neelam said i have got a fire engine ive got a fire engine whats this whats this called mother somewhat confused by the noise ive got a fire engine mother come and see it.
Write a composition in approximately 350 – 400 words on the following subjects:
(You are reminded that you will be rewarded for orderly and coherent presentation of material, use of appropriate style and general accuracy of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.)
You have recently shifted to a new city. Describe the area where you live, your next-door neighbours, the difficulties you faced while shifting and why you like/dislike the place.
