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English Poetry PDF
English Poetry PDF
By Vikram Seth
SUMMARY fny osQ mn~xkj vkSj mYykl O;Dr djus dk mlosQ ikl ;gh ,d
In a bog, which was called Bingle Bog, there lived fodYi FkkA
a frog, who was crazy about his singing and incessantly ,d fnu nyny okfl;ksa us ,d e/qj vkSj lqjhyk xhr lquk tks
sang from the evening to the morning light. All the ,d dks;y xk jgh FkhA xhr lqudj es<d dks xgjs lnes vkSj }s"k
creatures living in the bog found his songs to be most
unpleasant and they tried to beat and insult him, but the
dk vuqHko gqvkA og nyny dk vosQyk vkSj vfookfnr xk;d cuk
frog was very insensitive and boastful. The frog kept jguk pkgrk FkkA cqycqy osQ xhr us ,d gypy epk nh FkhA
singing with extreme passion because this was his way of ny&ny osQ lHkh k.kh c<+&p<+dj mldh 'kalk dj jgs FksA
expressing his heart-felt elation. es<d cgqr pkykd FkkA mlus dks;y dks viuk ifjp; ml
One day the creatures of the bog were pleasantly o`{k osQ ekfyd osQ :i esa fn;k] ftl o`{k ij cSBdj cqycqy xkrh
surprised to hear a very melodious and soothing song sung
by a nightingale. The frog was shocked and felt jealous. He
FkhA mlus 'ks[kh c?kkjh fd og ,d laxhr vkykspd gS tks ^^nyny
wanted to be the undisputed singer of the bog. The rqjgh** osQ fy, xhr fy[krk gSA
nightingales song created a sensation and all the creatures cqycqy vR;ar Hkkfor gqbZ fd ekstkVZ tSlk frHkk'kkyh laxhrK
praised it tremendously. bles :fp ys jgk gSA tc es<d us cgqr gh lk/kj.k iQhl osQ cnys
The frog was very cunning and he introduced mls laxhr f'k{k.k nsus dk Lrko j[kk rks cqycqy dks yxk mlosQ
himself as the owner of the tree, on which the nightingale
sang. He also boasted that he was a music critic, who wrote lius lkdkj gksus tk jgs gSa vkSj cqycqy dk 'kks"k.k 'kq: gks x;kA
for Bog Trumpet. The nightingale was impressed that a es<d us laxhr lekjksg vk;ksftr djus 'kq: dj fn,A [kjkc ekSle
musician like Mozart was taking interest in her. When the esa Hkh og cqycqy dks xkus osQ fy, ck; djrkA og mls HkkoeXu
frog offered to train her for a modest fee, the nightingale felt gksdj xkus dks dgrk D;ksafd turk dks ;gh ilUn FkkA vkjEHk esa
that her dream had come true. The exploitation of the oqQN tho&tarq lquus dks tek gq, ijUrq /hjs&/hjs HkhM+ de gksrh xbZ
nightingale began. The frog would organise musical
D;ksafd cqycqy dk xhr fuR;e cu dj jg x;k Fkk ftlesa dksbZ jl
concerts and mint money. He would make the nightingale
practise even in adverse weather. He instructed her to sing u Fkk vkSj mldh vkokk Hkh Fkdh lh gks xbZ FkhA es<d mls MkVrk
passionately and with full force, since that was what the vkSj viekfur djrkA ,d fnu vR;ar ncko o ruko esa cqycqy dh
public wanted. Initially a number of creatures flocked to ul iQV xbZ vkSj mldh e`R;q gks xbZA
listen to her, but later the crowd dwindled because the es<d us cqycqy dks ew[kZ vkSj mkstuk dk f'kdkj crk;k vkSj
nightingales songs became routine, lustreless and her voice
was tired. The frog would scold and humiliate her for no
dgk mlosQ ikl ekSfydrk ugha FkhA mldk vgaHkko 'kkar gks x;k Fkk
reason. One day, out of sheer stress and fatigue, the vkSj og nksckjk nyny dk cstksM+ xk;d cu x;k FkkA
nightingales vein burst and she died.
The frog called the nightingale stupid, nervous WORDMEANINGS
and without originality. His ego was satisfied and he
l dusk : late evenings l blared : loud & irritable
again became the unrivalled singer of the bog.
sound l stilled : reduced l dumbstruck : as if under
lkjka'k a spell l waded : came through water l twitched :
moved, shook l wield : use l Mozart : a great musician
cxy uked ,d nyny esa ,d es<d jgrk Fkk ftls xkus dk from Austria l twittering : talking with great excitement
mUekn Fkk og lk;adky ls m"kkdky rd xkrk gh jgrk FkkA lHkh l mid-flight : In the middle of changing notes l frills :
tho& tarqvksa dks tks ml nyny esa jgrs Fks] mldk xkuk vf; yxrk embellished musical compositions l precision : accuracy
FkkA os mls ihVus vkSj mldk vieku djus dk ;Ru djrs ijarq es<d l bounced : just went on l addicted : used to, become
cgqr gh laosnughu vkSj cM+cksyk FkkA og Hkkokos'k esa xkrk gh jgrkA habitual l prone : used to
Literature D 63
LITERARY DEVICES METAPHORS
SYMBOLS
l a solitary loon l Mozart in disguise l Foghorn
l The Frog :symbolises opportunistic and cunning
people who exploit others for their own benefits ALLITERATION
l The Nightingale : represents naturally talented
l Bingle Bog l dawn, awn
artists who fail to achieve fame due to their
innocence.
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS (SOLVED)
Ans. 1. Listed below are a few character traits of people. Some are positive qualities, while others are not. Tick
mark the ones you feel are desirable qualities in a person.
Characteristic Tick Mark Characteristic Tick Mark Characteristic Tick Mark
Insensitive High-headed Manipulative
Humorous 3 Egoistic Patronising
Naive Humble 3 Submissive 3
Opportunistic Foolish Arrogant
Creative 3 Original 3 Conniving
Disapproving Helpful 3 Innocent 3
Commanding Calculative Condescending
Benevolent 3 Crafty Scheming
Simple 3 Wise 3 Rude
Overbearing Generous 3 Boastful
Sly Gentle 3 Proud
Territorial 3 Aggressive Servile
Literature D 65
6. Complete the table given below. You can use the words in the box given below.
Character Extract Personality traits
Nightingale Sorry - was that you who spoke? polite, timorous
Frog Yes, ... you see, boastful
Im the frog who owns this tree conceited
In this bog Ive long been known
For my splendid baritone.
Nightingale Did you ... did you like my song? submissive, meek,
innocent, naive
Frog Not too bad - but far too long arrogant
The technique was fine, of course, conniving
But it lacked a certain force. crafty
Frog Without proper training such as I manipulative
And a few others can supply clever
Youll remain a mere beginner, scheming
But with me youll be a winner. dominating
Nightingale But I cant sing in this weather. meek, submissive
timid, nervous
Nightingale ... This is a fairy tale- innocent
And youre Mozart in disguise naive
Come to earth before my eyes. humble
foolish
Frog Come, my dear - well sing together. manipulative
patronising
Frog We must aim for better billing mercenary
manipulative
You still owe me sixty shillings. opportunistic
Frog Brainless bird - youre on the stage dominating
superior
Use your wits and follow fashion. insensitive
Puff your lungs out with your passion. patronising
rude
Frog ... I tried to teach her, arrogant
crafty
But she a was stupid creature. insensitive
Answer : (i) (b) (ii) (d) (iii) (c) Answer : (i) (b) (ii) (c) (iii) (b)
6. Use your wits and follow fashion.
4. Youll remain a mere beginner Puff your lungs out with your passion.
But with me youll be winner. Trembling, terrified to fail,
Dearest frog, the nightingale Blind with tears, the nightingale
Breathed: This is a fairy tale heard him out in silence, tried,
And youre Mozart in disguise Puffed up, burst a vein and died.
Come to earth before my eyes (i) The speaker appears to be angry. What is
Well, I charge a modest fee the reason for his anger?
Oh! But it wont hurt, youll see. (a) Nightingale is too tired
(i) How does the frog plan to make the (b) No one likes her singing
nightingale a winner? (c) Income from the concert has fallen sharply
(a) by projecting her as a good singer (d) It is his nature
(b) by training her (ii) Why is she terrified?
(c) by publicity (a) She is afraid of failure
(d) by charging tickets (b) She is afraid of the frogs scolding
(ii) Who was Mozart? (c) She has become weak physically
(d) She cannot sing during rainy weather
(a) a famous artist
(iii) What caused the death of the nightingale?
(b) a famous composer of music
(a) She was unhappy
(c) writer of Bog Trumpet
(b) Her throat got choked
(d) owner of tree
Literature D 69
(c) A vein burst by too much exhaustion (iii) "hoarse and quivering" means :
(d) She had high fever. (a) rough, unclear and shaking and trembling
Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (a) (iii) (c) (b) soft and clear and quiet and energetic
(c) sweet and melodious and jumping and
7. 'Did you.... did you like my song'? twisting
"Not too bad-but far too long.
(d) cold and pale and fearful and fierce.
The technique was fine, of course,
But it lacked a certain force". Answer : (i) (b) (ii) (c) (iii) (a)
[C.B.S.E. 2011 (T-1)]
9. "You must make your public happier:
(i) 'You' in the above lines refers to
Give them something sharper snappier
(a) the nightingale
We must aim for better billings
(b) Mozart
You still owe me sixty shillings."
(c) the frog
[C.B.S.E. 2011 (T-1)]
(d) the poet
(i) Who says these words?
(ii) The opinion expressed about the song
(a) the frog
(a) carries a lot of weight
(b) the titled crowd
(b) is meant to discourage the singer (c) the ladies with tiaras
(c) is meant to wholeheartedly support the (d) the nightingale
singer
(ii) The speaker asks for sixty shillings
(d) is quite genuine
(a) for training the nightingale
(iii) The first line reveals that the speaker (b) for singing to the creatures of the bog
(a) is feeling nervous (c) for making the public happy
(b) is quite sure about her singing talent (d) for killing the nightingale
(c) has readily believed the listener
(iii) The rhyme scheme of these lines is
(d) she is feeling confident about herself
(a) abad (b) abcd
Answer : (i) (a) (ii) (b) (iii) (a) (c) abba (d) aabb
8. "For six hours, till she was shivering Answer : (i) (a) (ii) (a) (iii) (d)
and her voice was hoarse and quivering.
10. "Next night when the Nightingale
Though subdued and sleep deprived,
Shook her head and twitched her tail,
In the night her throat revived,
Closed an eye and fluffed a wing
And the sumac tree was bowed
And had cleared her throat to sing
With a breathless, titled crowd."
She was startled by a croak."
[C.B.S.E. 2011 (T-1)]
[C.B.S.E. 2011 (T-1)]
(i) The Sumac tree was bowed because
(i) The nightingale was eager to sing because of
(a) the roots of the tree were not stronger
(a) the frog
(b) due to the overweight of the creatures who
(b) the titled crowd
came to listen to the song of the nightingle
(c) the ladies with tiaras
(c) due to the respect and admiration for the
(d) the money
nightingale's song the tree itself bowed
(d) both (ii) and (iii) (ii) The speaker asks for sixty shillings
(a) for training the nightingale
(ii) In the line "with a breathless, titled crowd"-
titled crowd constitutes (b) for singing to the creatures of the bog
(a) all the wild animals in the forest (c) for making the public happy
(b) all the water birds in the forest (d) for killing the nightingale
(c) specific birds like Owl, Duck, Mallard, (iii) The rhyme scheme of these lines is
Milady Trent, Martin, and coot. (a) abad (b) abcd
(d) Sandwich, Kent Cardinal Mephisto, Monte (c) abba (d) aabb
Cristo. Answer : (i) (a) (ii) (a) (iii) (d)
1. The nightingale was foolish and could be lose confidence. So it was the nightingales fault to succumb
exploited. Explain in 100-125 words. to the clever frogs tricks. She never realised her own
[C.B.S.E., 2011 (T-1)] interest and welfare till the end. Her end was inevitable.
Ans : The nightingale had a typical temperament of an 2. The frog was too boastful and conceited. The
artist. She was very musical and her melody not only earned nightingale was too modest and unaware of her
her great appreciation but also made some creatures cry. latent talent. The frog was insensitive to public
The crowd of her concerts consisted of some with titles reaction. The nightingale thrived solely on public
and creatures from far also flocked to listen to her. She adulation. Compare and contrast the singing of
quickly became addicted to their praise but lacked acute the frog with that of the nightingale in the light
business sense. She was not practical or worldly wise and of the above statements.
got very foolishly trapped by the clever frog. She never Ans : The frog was conceited and self-centred. He sang
realised that he was making money and cheating her. She loudly, brashly all through the night, thus disturbing all
never saw through his manipulations that he wanted her the creatures of the Bingle Bog. The frog was rude, arrogant
to overexert. He criticised her needlessly and made her and too boastful. The bog-creatures were so fed up that
D 72 New Wave Communicative English X
they prayed, resorted to beating but nothing could stop Ans : The frog wanted to be the undisputed king of Bingle
his irritating and noisy singing. The frog basically lived Bog. He sang to his delight and could not stand any kind
and sang to please himself. He was egoistic and self-centred. of rivalry. Even though he was hated by all but there was
In contrast the nightingale was too sensitive and no one to compete with. He is extremely passionate about
polite. She was innocent and very gullible. Despite being his loud and unmusical voice and has an exaggerated
an excellent singer, she loses confidence because of the opinion about himself. When the nightingale arrives, she
frog. So she is an artist who has no confidence in herself mesmerises everyone with her politeness and musical voice.
and needs others to either boost her morale or break it. The frog senses competition. So he forcibly becomes her
The nightingale was most pleasant and the frog was most tutor and mentor and strategically plans, not only to finish
irritating and unmusical. her career but also to end her life. He makes her sing
3. Vikram Seth has used irony and symbols with in rough weather, endlessly and advises her to exert more
great dexterity in the poem The Frog and the and more. As a result, the nightingale succumbs to pressure
Nightingale. Discuss by giving examples. and the frog emerges as the king of Bingle Bog again.
Ans : The poet has incorporated a large variety of 5. Do you think that The Frog and the Nightingale
meanings beneath the emotional storyline. The poem is is a humorous poem or a tragic one? Give
allegorical in nature for the frog is a symbol of very clever arguments to support your answer.
and manipulative people who exploit young artists and abort Ans : The basic storyline of the poem is humorous. The
their careers. The nightingale represents true and innocent poet has added lot of humorous touches like the pun of
artists who are taken for a ride by the people like frog words like owl of Sandwich etc. The frogs exaggerated
in the guise of organisers who harm the blooming careers opinion of himself is really funny and the fact that he
of great geniuses in the making. It is ironical that is compared to Mozart, a great musician, is quite hilarious.
nightingale enchants and pleases everyone, but does not There are bits of humour here and there but the message
understand her own strength or talent. The poet also and essence of the story is tragic. The poem is a tragic
highlights the importance of public applause and the tale of a great singer whose flourishing and thriving career
importance of blooming careers. It is ironical that many is ended prematurely. The nightingale is too innocent, too
times a good talent is nipped in the bud, like that of the gullible and her succumbing to her death is a masterstroke
nightingale. of great tragedy. Her end arouses sympathy for her and
4. How did the Frog break the nightingales spirit hatred for such conniving cheats who exploit natural talent
and destroy her? (100 to 125 words) and destroy it for their own selfish interests.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
1. Lata Mangeshkars achievements are a saga of bitter struggle and
survival. Her accomplishments are enough to set an example for others.
Research facts about her life and make a project on the topic LATA
MANGESHKARTHE NIGHTINGALE OF INDIA.
Literature D 73
2 THE MIRROR
By Sylvia Plath
SUMMARY in the lake for so long that he drowned. So the poem is
about a woman who is torn between the true picture of
This poem is written in free verse and does not herself and the distorted image that others see of her. She
depend on any rhythm to convey the message. It is a poem wants to escape from the reality of harsh ugliness that time
describing a womans struggle against the falsity of lies inflicts upon her.
and the truthful harshness of her own image from the
perspective of an unsympathetic mirror. I in the poem lkjka'k
represents the mirror as Sylvia Plath is trying to see the ;g dfork eqDr Nan esa jph xbZ gS vkSj y; vkfn ij lans'k nsus
mirrors view of herself. osQ fy, fuHkZj ugha gSA ;g dfork ukjh osQ >wB osQ fo#n~/ la?k"kZ vkSj
The poem is written in the style of a monologue. mlosQ vius ;FkkFkZoknh fr:i Nfo dh xkFkk ,d laosnughu niZ.k
Sylvia Plath was suffering from severe depression and she dh tqckuh gSA dfork esa ^^eSa** niZ.k dk rhd gSA dfo;=kh flfYo;k
had very little compassion for herself. This poem shows IykFk niZ.k osQ n`f"Vdks.k ls Lo;a dks ns[kus dk ;Ru dj jgh gaSA
how she is really scared of the truth the mirror is dfork ^,dkyki* dh 'kSyh essa gSA flfYo;k IykFk cgqr vfkd
reflecting. Unlike other people, the mirror is free from any
preoccupations or prejudices. Unlike human beings, it is
ekufld ruko vkSj f[kUurk dk f'kdkj Fkha vkSj mUgsa vius vki ls
free from any likes and dislikes and reflects only the truth. dksbZ gennhZ ugha FkhaA dfork n'kkZrh gS fd fdl rjg mUgsa Mj Fkk fd
It is omniscient like the God, and sees everywhere. The niZ.k dkSu ls lR; dks fn[kk,xkA vkSj yksxksa ls gVdj niZ.k fdlh Hkh
mirror has God-like powers over the woman. The mirror vPNs&cqjs n`f"Vdks.k ls LorU=k gSA euq";ksa dh rjg og ilan&ukilan
constantly gazes at the wall opposite to it and the wall has ugha n'kkZrk & osQoy lR; dks fn[kkrk gSA og bZ'oj dh rjg loZK
pink spots of age, or discoloration on it. The view in the gS vkSj lc oqqQN ns[krk gSA mlosQ ikl bZ'oj rqY; 'kfDr;k gSaA niZ.k
mirror is interrupted by the to and fro movements of the ,d Vd lkeus okyh nhokj dks ns[krk gS & nhokj ij xqykch /Ccs ;k
woman. This refers to the passing of time and the young cnjaxs /Ccs gSa & niZ.k esa ukj vkus okys n`'; esa ukjh osQ fgyus&Mqyus
girl ageing into an old woman.
osQ dkj.k ckj&ckj ck/k iM+ jgh gSA bldk b'kkjk ukjh dk yM+dh ls
The image of the sea and water is a foreboding
motif in many poems of Syliva Plath. In this poem also the
cw<+h L=kh cuus dh f;k dks n'kkZrk gSA
mirror is compared to a lake. The mirror is able to lkxj vkSj ikuh dh Nfo flfYo;k IykFk dh dbZ dforkvksa esa
swallow like a lake and the lake gives a seemingly crystal ,d psrkouh gsrq gSA bl dfork esa Hkh niZ.k dh rqyuk ,d >hy ls
clear image like a mirror. The lake can also refer to the dh xbZ gSA niZ.k >hy dh rjg fuxyus dh ;ksX;rk j[krk gS vkSj >hy
creatures, who exist in the lake because time flies too soon. niZ.k dh rjg fueZy fn[krh gSA >hy mu kf.k;ksa dk rhd Hkh gks
The mirror of the lake unemotionally observes how the ldrk tks mlosQ vUnj jgrs gSa D;ksafd le; tYnh chr tkrk gSA >hy
woman is shaken by its reflection. Not everyone is ready dk niZ.k Hkkoqdrk&jfgr gksdj xkSj ls ns[krk gS fd ukjh niZ.k esa fn[k
to accept the reality depicted by the mirror, so people jgh viuh Nfo ls Hkkfor gSA gj dksbZ niZ.k esa fn[kus okys lR; dks
prefer to live in a world of illusions, in the dim light of
candles or moonlight, which hides their flaws. The mirror
ns[kus osQ fy, rS;kj ughaA blfy, euq"; vf/drj Hkzkafr dk f'kdkj
is unsympathetic, it is unmindful of the tension of people gks feF;k lalkj esa fopjuk ilan djrs gSaA pknuh ;k ekseckh dh
and continues to reflect their true selves. kqkyh jks'kuh mudh =kqfV;ksa ij inkZ Mkyrh gSA niZ.k dks lgkuqHkwfr
The mirror is supposed to be cruel but the woman ugha gS mls euq";ksa osQ rukoksa ls dksbZ ljksdkj ugha vkSj blfy, og
cannot do without it. Repeated viewing of the mirror and lnk lR; dks n'kkZrk gSA
seeing her own reflection leads to self-loathing as Sylvia dgk tkrk gS niZ.k fu"Bqj gS ijUrq ukjh mlosQ fcuk ugha jg
Plath sees less and less of the young girl and more of the ldrhA yxkrkj niZ.k esa vius dks fugkjus ls mls vius vki ls ?k`.kk
old woman. The old woman reflected in the mirror is gks xbZ gS D;ksafd flfYo;k IykFk vius vanj dh yM+dh dks de vkSj
reminded of her past youth and she feels herself trapped in
cw<+h L=kh dks vf/d ns[krh gSA cw<+h L=kh ckj&ckj chrs ;kSou dks ;kn
the cruel jaws of time like a fish. In the last lines the
poetess has incorporated mythology into her poem. djrh vkSj vius vkidks fu"Bqj le; osQ tcM+ksa esa iQlk ikrh gS ekuks
Drowned apparently refers to the Greek prince Narcissus og dksbZ eNyh gksA vafre iafDr;ksa esa dof;=kh ikSjkf.kd dFkk dk
who was very handsome. He kept gazing at his reflection lgkjk ysrh gSA Drowned dk laosQr&;wukuh jktoqQekj Narcissus
D 74 New Wave Communicative English X
dh rjIkQ gS tks cgqr lqanj FksA og VdVdh yxkdj viuh Nfo dks WORDMEANINGS
>hy dh lrg ij ns[krs&ns[krs ikuh esa Mwc x;sA vr% dfork ,d l preconceptions : pre-conceived notions or ideas
,slh ukjh ij vk/kfjr gS tks lR;rk ij vk/kfjr viuh Nfo vkSj l swallow : absorb l unmisted : not affected
l meditate : contemplate l speckles : some blemishes
feF;k Nfo osQ chp esa iSQlyk ugh dj ikrhA og le; osQ fu"Bqj
or spots l flickers : hazy l agitation : to be angry or
ijUrq] lR;&;FkkFkZ ls cpuk pkgrh gS tks oqQ:i gSA upset
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS (SOLVED)
Answer the following questions briefly doesnot hide deformities, similarly the lake also projects
(a) What is the poetic device used when the mirror a true reflection, without hiding any flaws.
says I swallow? [C.B.S.E., 2011 (T-1)] (e) What is the woman searching for in the depths
Ans : It is personification because the mirror swallows of the lake?
images like an animal or any other living being.
Ans : The woman explores the depths of time, goes
(b, c) How does the mirror usually pass its time?
to the depth of her past and regrets the loss of her youth.
What disturbs the mirrors contemplation of
the opposite wall? (f) How does the narrator convey the fact that the
Ans : The Mirror keeps gazing at the wall opposite woman looking at her reflection in the lake is
to it. This view is sometimes interrupted by the to and deeply distressed?
fro movements of the woman. Ans : The woman bending over the lake is not happy
(d) Why does the mirror appear to be a lake in the to see her reflection which is full of flaws. The lake presents
second stanza? What aspect of the mirror do a true picture of the woman. So to give mental solace,
you think is being referred to here? she turns to dimlight and candles, who present a better
Ans : The mirror and lake are similar. The lake also picture. The narrator wishes to convey that the woman turns
gives a crystal clear image like a mirror. Just as the mirror to distractions to avoid the essential reality.
D 76 New Wave Communicative English X
(g) What makes the woman start crying? (h) What do you think the terrible fish in the last
line symbolises?
Ans : The mirror is unsympathetic. It reveals the ugly Ans : The poet compares herself to a fish to point out
reality. So the only reaction of the woman is tears and that just as a fish depends on water, she depends on mirror.
agitation over the loss of youth. The mirror reinforces the The poet used fish to depict a creature that lives in the
fact that one must accept the reality now or ever. lake and cannot escape from it.
Literature D 77
REFERENCE TO CONTEXT MCQ
MCQss
Read the following and write the most appropriate (ii) Why is the mirror compared to a god?
option from the ones given to you. (a) It is beautiful
1. I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions: (b) It looks awesome
Whatever I see I swallow immediately (c) It has heavenly colour
Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike. (d) It is unbiased and has strong influence over
women
I am not cruel, only truthful.
[C.B.S.E., 2011 (T-1)] (iii) The gazing of the mirror on the opposite wall
is termed as meditate. Why?
(i) The use of I is there because the poem is (a) It has no choice
presented in the form of a : (b) It loves that wall
(a) Soliloquy (b) Dialogue (c) It gazes steadily
(c) Monologue (d) Autobiography (d) There is a lot of intensity in that look
(ii) How is I different from the other human (iv) Pink speckles has double meaning. What
beings? does it symbolise?
(a) Mirror is made of metal (a) Pink colours
(b) It can be stuck on the wall (b) Patches of discoloration
(c) It is not prejudiced and has no pre- (c) Disappearance of youthful flush and glow
conceived notions (d) Embarrassment
(d) It has a wide frame Answer : (i) (d) (ii) (d) (iii) (c) (iv) (b)
(iii) What makes the mirror cruel?
(a) Because it cannot speak 3. Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me,
(b) It cannot praise Searching my reaches for what she really is.
(c) It does not hide ugliness Then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon
I see her back, and reflect it faithfully.
(d) cannot be carried everywhere
She rewards me with tears and an agitation of hands.
(iv) Human beings are misted by love or dislike.
What does this expression reflect about their (i) Who is I in the above stanza?
nature? (a) woman (b) lake
(c) mirror (d) the poetess
(a) They are cruel
(b) They are emotional (ii) Why does the woman bend over the lake? What
is she searching for?
(c) They are hypocrites
(a) her ring (b) her make-up
(d) They are truth-loving
(c) her lost beauty and youth
Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (c) (iii) (c) (iv) (c) (d) her future
2. The eye of a little god, four-cornered. (iii) The candles and moon are called liars. Why?
Most of the time I meditate on the opposite wall. (a) They get extinguished quickly
It is pink, with speckles. I have looked at it so long (b) They are dim and dull
I think it is a part of my heart. But it flickers. (c) They hide the reality
Faces and darkness separate us over and over. (d) They bring darkness
[C.B.S.E., 2011 (T-1)] (iv) What is the poetic device used here?
(i) What do the four corners of the mirror (a) Simile (b) Personification
symbolise? (c) Metaphor (d) Allegory
(a) four corners (v) What does the mirror reflect faithfully?
(b) four walls (a) her clothes (b) her wrinkles
(c) four rooms (c) her jewellery (d) her youth
(d) four directions of the entire universe (vi) How is the mirror rewarded for truthful
Literature D 79
(b) Explain the second line. (c) Why does the woman come and go away?
Ans : The mirror is blank without the face of the Ans : The woman cannot continuously keep gazing
woman. It is only bright when the woman looks into it. at the mirror. Many times she goes and then comes again
as a routine.
1. In what way is the mirror different from the accept the reality. They are not truthful, are biased, have
people who view it? How does it affect the preconceived notions. Women and men who view the
people? mirror, have double standards and they lead artificial lives.
Ans : The mirror is truthful, unbiased. It reflects the They seek to escape from reality, they prefer to hide their
reality as it sees. It is cruel, blunt and frank whereas the flaws in dim light. If a person has flaws, the mirror reflects
people who view the mirror are hypocrites who cannot it without hesitation. The human beings are most reluctant
D 80 New Wave Communicative English X
to state the reality or accept it. who is torn between the true picture of herself and the
2. Discuss the obsessive relationship between the distorted image that others see of her. Drowning also
mirror and the woman. indicates the consequences of vanity. The poet uses this
OR metaphor to show that the little girl that used to look in the
The poem Mirror shows the problems of an mirror has drowned and the old woman has replaced her.
ageing woman. Elaborate in 100-125 words. Basically the woman is obsessed of her looks and when
Ans : Age is the most cruel factor for any woman, she gazes in the mirror or in a lake, she feels cheated. So
especially for those women who lay great store on physical the woman gets upset that the lake has swallowed the
beauty. Physical beauty is temporary and one cannot image of the young girl.
escape the ravages of age. Most women are afraid to
confront the reality of their ugliness or wrinkles. So they 4. The world of illusion and flights of fancy give
prefer to present themselves in dim light. Such women happiness. The stark world of reality is too
forget that the ultimate aim of life should be salvation and depressing and ugly. The only way out is
spiritual upliftment, rather than the trap of youth or beauty. escapism. Why/Why not?
One needs to transcend such physical barriers and see the
Ans : The world of imagination and fancy is always so
beauty of the soul. So women should protect themselves
glorious and bright. But one cannot dwell in it for long.
from being obsessed by the charms of youth. Any woman Anything that takes one away from reality should not be
should hanker after permanent pleasures of life like ones accepted. Women and men many times take recourse to
spiritual elevation. flights of fancy to escape reality. But for how long? Life
3. In me she has drowned a young girl. Explain has to be lived not on temporary basis but on the hard
the significance of drowned. What does it ground of reality even if it is ugly or harsh. The ultimate
refer to? aim of life is to face the realities bravely and find new
Ans : Drowned means swallowed. Apparently this challenges. Illusions and escapism are the diversions of the
refers to the Greek prince Narcissus, who was very weak-willed or the hypocrites. So one must grow and
handsome. He kept gazing at his reflection in the lake for groom oneself into the real world and take on life in its
true spirit or colour. Then only life will prove to be
so long that he drowned. So the poem is about a woman
worthwhile.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
1. Locate the complete works of Sylvia Plath.
Make a PROJECT on it.
2. Answer the following from Sylvia Plaths biography.
QUIZ
(a) Sylvia Plaths pen-name __________________________________
(b) Prize she won for the poetry __________________________________
(c) She was married to __________________________________
(d) Her father died when she was __________________________________
(e) She gave up her life on __________________________________
3. Write a short poem on Mirror & Me expressing you ideas.
Literature D 81
3 NOT MARBLE, NOR THE GILDED MONUMENTS
By William Shakespeare
INTRODUCTION
Sonnet 55 builds up on Horaces theme of poetry outlasting physical monuments to the dead. In Horaces poetry,
the poet is himself immortalised by his poetry but in this sonnet, Shakespeare seeks to build a figurative monument
to his beloved, the fair lord. The fair lord is not described or revealed is any way in this sonnet. Instead, the sonnet
just addresses the idea of immortality through verse. The ravages of time is a recurrent theme in the sonnets of
Shakespeare. So sonnet 55 is one of the most famous works of Shakespeare and a notable deviation from other sonnets
in which he appears insecure about his relationships and his self-worth. Here we find an impassioned burst of
confidence as the poet claims to have the power to keep his friends memory alive evermore.
PARAPHRASE
1 4 lines (Not marble ...................... sluttish subject. There is still a suggestion of survival, but survival
time) of human appreciation and not of the verse itself. Doom
refers to the Judgement day, suggesting that this poetic
The first stanza talks about how time will not
record of his subject will survive and be praised to the end
destroy the poem, though it will destroy the worlds most
of time. Slight deviation of the metre in the words Even
magnificent structures. He wishes to say that poetry is
in creates emphasis for this permanency.
stronger than these structures. At the very beginning, the
The poet is saying that death and enmity destroys
poet says that whether it is marble or gold plated
everything but poetry written on the subject will survive,
monuments of princes, all will get destroyed but the
will move ahead, find place and will be immortalised for
magnificence of his poetry will live. The subject of poetry
all generations to come. Everything else will be judged on
will remain bright and will shine forever in comparison to
the Judgement Day.
a neglected stone monument which is spoilt with Time.
Time is compared to a slut who loses her glow and beauty The ending couplet is a summary of the survival
with time. Shakespeare compares Time unfavourably to a theme. The couplet not only summarises the rest of the
female subject. sonnet, but also seems to contradict itself. Judgement
goes with the talk of the judgement day in the last stanza,
5 8 lines (when wasteful ...................... memory) but implies that the subject is alive and will be judged on
These lines begin with a new idea. Shakespeare has that day, but dwelling in lovers eyes suggest that the
so far spoken of two destructive forces : time and war. He subject is love itself. Thus Shakespeare seems to consider
is here describing war destroying stone structures, which the subject so lovely that he is a personification of love,
relates back to the marble and gilded monuments in line which could be conquered and to which no poetry can do
1, that likewise do not last. The poet says that when justice.
destructive wars will take place, they will destroy statues So the theme of the sonnet is that the subject will be
also and due to its tumult all the work of the masons will honoured forever in the verses, though the verses are
be destroyed. Even the Sword of Mars, God of war, or the unworthy of them.
destructive fires of war will be able to destroy your
memory. The poet is basically saying that even wars will
lkjka'k
not destroy the written memories of your life for they will 1-4 Lines
survive even after deadly wars. igys Nan esa dfo dgrk gS fd le; dfork dks u"V djus esa
Lines 9 14 (Gainst death ...................... Lovers vleFkZ gS tcfd lalkj osQ 'kkunkj Hkou le; osQ FkisM+kas dk f'kdkj
eyes) gks ldrs gSaA os dguk pkgrs gSa fd dfork bekjrksa vkSj HkO; Hkouksa
This stanza does not talk about survival, but of ls dgha vf/d ekcwr gSA vkjEHk eas gh dfo dgrk gS fd pkgs og
human appreciation. The poet continues to praise his laxejej ;k lksus dk cuk gks jktoqQekjksa osQ }kjk fuer Hkou ,d
D 82 New Wave Communicative English X
fnu u"V gks tk;saxs ijUrq mudh dfork dk lkSUn;Z cuk jgsxkA dkO; lekos'k gS] lkFk esa vkHkkl gksrk gS ekuks og Lo;a dk [kaMu dj jgk
dk fo"k; Hkh peosQxk 'kkunkj Hkouksa dh rqyuk & tks oDr osQ lkFk gSA Judgement vfUre Nan esa fu.kZ; osQ fnu osQ lkFk tkrk gS
[kjkc gks tkrs gSa & ,d nq'pfj=k L=kh ls dh xbZ gSA 'ksDlfi;j le; ijUrq fufgrkFkZ rkRi;Z esa o.kZu dk fo"k; drkZ thfor gS vkSj mldk
dh rqyuk vuqi;qDr <ax ls ^ukjh* fo"k; osQ lkFk djrs gSaA iSQlyk ml fnu fd;k tk;sxk ijUrq dwelling in lover's eyes
5-8 Lines dk laosQr gS fd dkkZ Lo;a se gSA bl rjg 'ksDlfi;j dh n`f"V esa
drkZ bruk laqnj vkSj vkd"kZd gS fd og se dk Lo:i gS ftl ij
;s iafDr;k ,d u;s fopkj ls kjEHk gksrh gSA 'ksDlfi;j us vHkh fot; kIr dh tk ldrh gS vkSj ftlosQ lkFk dksbZ dkO; U;k; ugha
rd nks fouk'kdkjh 'kfDr;k & le; vkSj ;q dk o.kZu fd;k gSA ;gk dj ldrkA bl rjg dfork osQ vuqlkj dkO; esa mls lnk lEekfur
os crkrs gSa fd ;q iRFkj ls cuh bekjrkas dks rksM+ ldrk gS ftldk fd;k tk;sxk tcfd dksbZ dkO; mlosQ lkFk U;k; ugha dj ldrkA
laca/ igyh iafDr osQ ^laxejej vkSj lksus osQ irj p<+h* bekjrkas ls
gS & tks dk;e ugha jgrh] fxj tkrh gSaA dfo dgrk gS fd tc WORDMEANINGS
fouk'kdkjh ;q gksaxs rks os ewr;ksa dks [kafMr dj nsaxs vkSj mldh
l outlive : live afterwards l rhyme : poetry
ngy ls fef;ksa dh dkjhxjh VwV&iwQV tk;sxhA ;q osQ nsork eklZ dh
ryokj vkSj ;q dh uk'kd vfXu vkidh ;knksa dks u"V dj nsxhA l overturn : destroy l room : place, space
dfo dg jgk gS fd ;s rkdrsa 'kfDr;k Hkh vkidh ys[kuhc ;knksa l dwell : live
dks ugha feVk ik;saxh D;ksafd bu uk'kdkjh ;qksa osQ ckn Hkh os thfor
jgsaxhA LITERARY DEVICES
9-14 Lines
PERSONIFICATION
;g Nan lqjf{kr cps jgus dh ckr ugha dj jgk cfYd] euq";
osQ xq.k&nks"k foospuk & xq.k&xzg.k dh ;ksX;rk dk fooj.k Lrqr l Gilded monuments: Shakespeare personified these
by giving them lifespans.
djrk gSA dfo fujarj vius fo"k; dh 'kalk esa layXu gSA vHkh Hkh
lqjf{kr jgus dh vksj ,d gYdk lk b'kkjk gSA ijUrq l Posterity : It is given a human characteristic of sight
;g b'kkjk euq"; dh xq.k&xzg.k ;ksX;rk dh vksj gS] dfork dh l Mars : war is given the title of mars. This is rooted
vksj ughaA Doom 'kCn dk b'kkjk ml fnu dh vksj gS tc in Greek mythology, as Mars is the God of war.
bZ'ojh; naM fn;k tk;sxkA vkSj le; dk var gksxkA rc Hkh dfo dk l Time : as a slut. Just as the beauty of a slut undergoes
;g vfHkys[k cp tk;sxk vkSj var rd iz'kaluh; jgsxkA bu 'kCnksa }kjk great changes, so does time usher in great changes.
dfo vius ys[k osQ vejRo dh vksj b'kkjk djrk gSA
HYPERBOLE
dfo dg jgk gS fd e`R;q vkSj 'k=kqrk lc oqQN u"V dj nsrh
This means exaggeration, but too much
gSA ijUrq dkO; thfor jgrk gS oDr osQ lkFk vkxs c<+rk gS] viuk exaggeration which sometimes becomes unbelievable. In
LFkku xzg.k djrk gS vkSj ih<+h nj ih<+h vej gks tk;sxkA ckdh lc this poem, the poet claims that no amount of time or
oqQN fu.kZ; osQ fnu iSQlyk gksxkA change can obliterate the words he writes, shall make his
vafre Nan fiQj ,d laf{kIr fooj.k gS ^^lqjf{kr cps jgus** reader understand the awesome power as he as a
osQ fo"k; lax dk! blesa cph gqbZ dfork dh iafDr;ksa dk Hkh wordsmith wields.
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS (SOLVED)
7. Answer the following questions briefly. powerful long for? [C.B.S.E., 2011 (T-1)]
(a) Why do you think the rich and the powerful Ans. The rich and the powerful people erect monuments
people get monuments and statues erected in to not only show their wealth and power but as living
their memory? reminders of those people. They want the future
Or generations to know and remember them. They are
extremely vain people.
What, according to the poet, do the rich and
Literature D 83
(b) Describe how the monuments and statues brave (d) The poet says that neither forces of nature nor
the ravages of time? wars can destroy his poetry. In fact, even godly
Ans. Whether the monuments are gold-plated or powers of Mars will not have a devastating
otherwise, all the monuments crumble with time or they effect on his rhyme. What quality of the poet is
are destroyed by war. Climatic reasons, manual revealed through these lines?
desperation or otherwise all crumble and break with time. [C.B.S.E., 2011 (T-1)]
(c) Why does the poet refer to Time as being Ans. The poet believes that his subject will be
sluttish? honoured forever in his verses and they will never face
Ans. A slut loses her charm and beauty with time. extinction or destruction by the powers of nature and time.
Similarly time also changes fast as the charms of a The poets extreme optimism and deep faith in the power
prostitute. Time keeps changing, so does the beauty of of love is revealed in these lines.
such an inferior female.
8. Shakespeares sonnet has been divided into three quatrains of 4 lines each followed by a rhyming couplet.
Each quatrain is a unit of meaning. Read the poem carefully and complete the following table on the
structure of the poem.
1. What is the theme of sonnet 55? concluding couplet seems to curiously satisfy the curiosity
Ans. Shakespeare believes that love is eternal and as to who is being referred to. It is enough that it lives in
everlasting. It cannot be destroyed or controlled by the lovers eyes for all the mysteries will be
materialistic things that are made to stand forever, but in comprehended on the last day of judgement. What
the end all are doomed to destruction like the gilded distinguishes Shakespeare from others is that he values the
monuments. Not even the sword of Mars or wars can identity of the beloved, he recognises that the beloved has
destroy love, Shakespeares true idea of love is that love his own personal immortality, that is no way dependent
will exist till the end of time. Since there is no end to love upon his poetry. So the poets verse will continue strongly
it will exist forever. even in the face of death and dispassionate enmity. It will
This sonnet shares this theme with other sonnets always live in poetry and in the eyes of the lovers who will
which oppose the power of verse to death and Times cruel read this. So the theme is love and the power of love that
knife and promise immortality to the beloved. The outlives all.
Ans : The powerful rhyme will immortalise the Ans : The poets friend will be remembered even
person in whose memory it is written. by the coming generations.
(b) What is the future of the world predicted?
2. But you shall shine more brightly in these contents
Ans : The physical world is doomed, it will be
Than unswept stone, besmeared with sluttish time
destroyed.
(a) Identify you
(c) What do the above lines reflect about the
Ans : The subject of the poets peom (it is not poets personality?
clearly indicated)
Ans : The poet is too concerned and loves his friend
(b) Explain sluttish time too much.
Ans : Time is known to bring great changes.
Similarly, the beauty of a slut also undergoes changes. 5. So till the judgement, that yourself arise
You live in this and dwell in lovers eyes
(c) Who shall shine more brightly?
Ans : The subject of the poets poem will be (a) What is judgement? Who delivers it?
remembered forever and its worth will not diminish with Ans : Judgement Day or Doomsday is when
the passage of time. everyone is rewarded or punished for their deeds by God.
3. Nor Mars his sword nor wars quick fire shall burn (b) Who will survive? How?
The living record of your memory. Ans : All else will be destroyed but poets love
[C.B.S.E., 2011 (T-1)] for his friend will survive.
(a) Who is Mars ? (c) Explain dwell in lovers eyes.
Ans : In Greek mythology, he is the god of war. Ans : Poets love for his friend will survive because
(b) How will living record survive the test
it will live on in the eyes of the lovers.
of time?
Literature D 85
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. How does the poet compare gilded 5. Explain You live in this, and dwell in lovers
monuments with powerful rhyme? eyes
Ans : Both gilded monuments and rhyme are for Ans : The poets friend will live forever for he is
someones memory. But all kinds of monuments will never immortalised in the verses written by the poet. Everything
stand the test of time, they all will be destroyed with time. else will perish on the Judgement Day. But the poets love
But the poets love for his friend will survive and be for his friend will not perish, it will live in the eyes of the
immortalised. lovers forever.
2. What happens to monuments with time? 6. How has the poet eternalised the subject of his
Ans : The monuments are erected to honour someone or attention in the poem, 'Not Marble Nor the
to show ones wealth or power. Any man-made disaster Gilded Monuments'?
like war or natural calamities can destroy these physical Ans : In this poem, the poet has eternalised his subject
signs of mermory. They can be razed to the ground. i.e. love. The poem reveals poet's extreme optimism and
deep faith in the power of love. According to him, Love is
3. Explain Nor Mars his sword nor wars quick beyond all barriers whether materialistic or physical. All
fire shall burn the living record of your other things are doomed for destruction but love will stand
memory. the test of time. Since there is no end to love, it will exist
Ans : The poet says that no kind of wars and even the forever in the eyes of the lovers.
God of war with his powerful sword can ever destroy the 7. Explain in your words how his 'poetry' has
poems the poet has written for his friend. He means to say been glorified by the poet, in the poem, 'Not
that written words are immortal and cannot be destroyed Marble, Nor the Gilded Monuments.'
by anyone.
Ans : In the very beginning of the poem, the poet talks
4. How will posterity react to the verses that are about how time will not destroy the poem, though it will
written? destory the world's most powerful structures. He glorifies
Ans : Posterity means coming generations. Writing is his poetry by saying that all the marble or gold plated
a permanent record of memory. Since the poems written monuments of the princes will get destroyed but the
for the poets friend will live forever, so future generations magnificence his poetry will live. The subject of poetry
will remember and revere them. will remain bright and will shine forever in comparison to
a neglected stone monument which is spoilt with time.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
1. Prepare a project on SONNETS of Shakespeare which deal with the theme of Time.
2. Locate similar sonnets and list them out.
3. There is great suspense regarding the identity of the subject in Shakespeares sonnet. Locate similar poems
which are addressed to mysterious subjects.
Literature D 87
4 OZYMANDIAS
INTRODUCTION
This sonnet, composed in 1817, is one of most famous of Shelleys anthologised poems. This poem was
composed in competition with Shelleys friend Horace Smith, who wrote another sonnet on the same topic of
Ozymandias. In terms of theme imagery, this poem is notable for its virtuous diction. The theme is the decline of all
leaders, of all the empires they build, however mighty they may have been in their own time.
Ozymandias was a another name for Ramesses the Great, Pharoah of the 19th century ancient Egypt. The sonnet
parphrases the inscription beneath the statue, If anyone wants to know how great I am and where I lie, let him
surpass any of my works.
PARAPHRASE [k.Mgjksa dh dgkuh lqukbZ FkhA ;k=kh us dgk Fkk fd iRFkj dh cuh
1 8 lines (I met a traveller .................... that fed) nks fo'kky&ekcwr Vkaxsa & ftudk dksbZ 'kjhj ugha & [kM+h gSa vkSj
The speaker recalls having met a traveller from an muosQ ikl iM+k ,d [kafMr fo'kky iRFkj dk flj tks vk/k jsr esa
ancient land who told him a story about the ruins of a /alk gSA ewr osQ psgjs ij tks gko Hkko fn[kkbZ nsrs gSa muesa dBksjrk
statue in the desert of his native country. The traveller said vkSj dM+okiu] frjLdkj vkSj fu"Bqj vkns'k Li"V fn[kkbZ nsrs gSaA ;g
that two vast legs of stone stand without a body and near
this, a massive crumbling and broken stone-head lies,
n'kkZrk gS fd ewrdkj vius fo"k; osQ ckjs esa iwjh tkudkjh j[krk FkkA
which is half sunk in the sand. The statue has a bitter and tkfgj gS ewr ,d ,sls O;fDr dh Fkh ftlesa dekksjksa osQ fy, osQoy
cruel expression of sneer and cold command and this frjLdkj vkSj vogsyuk FkhA ysfdu fiQj Hkh og mUgsa HkjisV [kkus dks
indicates that the sculptor had understood the passions of nsrk Fkk 'kk;n mlosQ fny esa muosQ fy, oqQN FkkA
his subject really well. It was obvious that the statue was
9-14 Lines
of a man who sneered with contempt for those who were
weaker than himself, yet fed his people because of ewr dh eafpdk ij ;g 'kCn [kqns gSa %
something in his heart. esjk uke vksfkekaM;kl gS eSa jktkvksa dk jktk gwA vxj dksbZ
9 14 lines (My name ......................... far away) tkuus dks mRlqd gS fd eSa fdruk egku gw rks esjs dkeksa ls
On the pedestal of the statue these words are c<+&p<+dj oqQN dj fn[kk,A ewr osQ fxjrs&fc[kjrs [kaMgjksa osQ
inscribed, My name is Ozymandias, I am the king of vklikl oqQN ugha gS] osQoy nwj&nwj rd iSQyh jsr osQ vykokA
kings. If anyone wishes to know how great I am, then let
him surpass any of my works. Around the decaying ruin WORDMEANINGS
of the statue, nothing remains, only the lone and level l antique : ancient l vast : huge l shattered : broken
sands which stretch out around it, far away.
l frown : expression of contempt l cold command :
ljka'k cruel commands l passions : feelings l mocked : make
fun l despair : feeling of hopelessness l colossal :
1-8 Lines
great l wreck : destruction l boundless : without limit
oDrk ;kn djrk gS fd og iqjkru ns'k osQ bl ;k=kh ls fey
l bare : deserted, empty
pqdk gS ftlus mls vius ns'k osQ ,d jsfxLrku esa ,d jkT; osQ
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS (SOLVED)
5. Answer the following questions briefly. Ans. The hand and heart refer to Ozymandias, the
(a) The hand that mocked them, and the heart that mighty king who ruled his kingdom with great cruelty. He
fed. Whose hand and heart has the poet referred looked after his people and fed them but hated them and
to in this line? felt that they were weak and helpless.
D 88 New Wave Communicative English X
(b) My name is Ozymandias, king of kings. Why thou art to dust returnest proves true in the end. This is
does Ozymandias refer to himself as king of the true destiny of man and the passage of Time proves to
kings ? What quality of the king is revealed be a great leveller.
through this statement ? (f) What is your impression of Ozymandias as a
Ans. Ozymandias was very mighty, conceited, arrogant king ?
and was intoxicated with power. He was very boastful and Ans. Ozymandias was a very boastful and arrogant king,
proud and so considered himself to be even greater than who believed in his might to rule over his kingdom. He
other kings. He thought himself to be above all on this was egoistic, very conceited and he looked after and fed
world. He was very confident of his might and the citizens as a favour. He hankered after immortality and
extraordinary power. eternal fame. Ozymandias believed that none could ever
(c) Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair! Who equal his exploits.
is Ozymandias referring to when he speaks of ye (g) What message is conveyed in the poem
Mighty? Why should they despair?
Ozymandias?
Ans. Ozymandias is referring to anyone who considers Ans. The poet uses a shattered statue to highlight the
himself to be mighty and powerful. He throws a challenge
ephemeral nature of fame, popularity and power. The great
to him that he should look at the work of Ozymandias first kings proud, boast (I king of kings, look on my work, ye
and then consider their might. Others will despair because mighty and despair) has been ironically disproved.
none can ever equal Ozymandias achievements and Ozymandias works and might have crumbled and
power.
disappeared, his civilization has disappeared, all has been
(d) Bring out the Irony in the poem. razed to the ground by the impersonal, indiscriminate
[C.B.S.E., 2012 (T-2)] destructive power of history. The ruined statue is merely a
Ans. Ozymandias was very boastful of his power. His monument of one mans hubris and a powerful statement
arrogant and shattered face, broken statue, the waste and about the insignificance of human beings to the passage of
ruins around prove that the great kings work and Time.
civilisation has crumbled to dust. Time has levelled his Ozymandias is first and foremost a metaphor for
fame and work and the ruins, along with the shattered the ephemeral nature of political power. So this becomes
statue bear a testimony to the fact that nothing lasts for Shelleys most dominant sonnet with political overtones.
ever and all the boasts will be disproved ironically in Ozymandias not only symbolises political power but the
the end. statue is a metaphor for the pride and hubris for all
(e) Nothing beside remains. What does the mankind. It is worth noting that all the remains of
narrator mean when he says these words? Ozymandias, his work of art and a group of words as
[C.B.S.E., 2012 (T-2)] Shakespeare has done in his sonnets, demonstrate the fact
Ans. All power, might, civilisations, status crumble to that art and language long outlive the other legacies of
dust. Man is insignificant before the power of Time and power.
everything is reduced to nought. The statement Dust
1. Discuss the poetic style of the poem, enables Shelley to add another level of obscurity to
Ozymandias. Ozymandias position with regard to the reader. Rather
Ans. Ozymandias written in 1817 is a very masterful than seeing the statue with our own eyes, we hear it from
sonnet by Shelley. It is written in iambic pentameter and someone who has heard from another source, so and so
was an unusual rhyme-scheme. The poem interlinks the forth. Thus the ancient king is rendered less commanding.
octave by gradually replacing old rhymes with new ones in The distancing of the narrative serves to undermine his
the form of ABABACDCEDEFEF. power over us, like the passage of time. Shelley gradually
This sonnet is Shellys brilliant rendering of the reconstructs the figure of the king. First we see the vast
story of a powerful king. Framing the sonnet as a story told trunkless legs, then the shattered visage and, then the
to the speaker by a traveller from an antique land, inscription. The expression on the kings face, then we are
Literature D 89
introduced to the kings people of his time. The kingdom and bare sands between it and us. Basically the poet is
is now imaginatively complete and we are introduced to devoted to a single metaphor throughout the poem the
the proud boast of the king. With this the poet demolishes shattered ruined statue in the desert waste land with its
our imaginary picture of the king, with centuries of ruin arrogant and passionate face.
Read the following paragraphs and choose the correct (c) the stories of the king
option : (d) word of mouth
1. I met a traveller from an antique land. Who said (iii) The above expression shows that the king
Two vast and trunkless legs of stone was
stand in the desert? (a) full of anger (b) full of dislike
(i) The poet had heard of the statue from (c) without any expression
(a) another poet (b) books (d) too proud and conceited
(c) people of the city
Answer : (i) (b) (ii) (b) (iii) (d)
(d) another traveller
(ii) The condition of the statue was bad because 3. Look upon my works, ye Mighty and despair.
(a) it was eroding away (i) The above words were spoken by
(b) its head was broken
(a) the poet (b) the traveller
(c) the sculptor had not done a good job
(d) it was not cleaned (c) were inscribed on the statue
(iii) The statue was found near (d) the people
(a) the valley (ii) The mighty is a reference to
(b) on the banks of the ocean (a) the king Ozymandias
(c) across the city (b) other mighty people
(d) in the desert (c) other kings
Answer : (i) (d) (ii) (b) (iii) (d) (d) onlookers
2. Whose frown (iii) Despair suggests
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold commands (a) that none can equal the kings
(i) The statue depicts that the king was achievements
(a) weak (b) dominating (b) other kings will feel small
(c) powerful (d) cruel (c) other kings will feel helpless
(ii) The above expression is visible because of Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (b) (iii) (a)
(a) the poets interpretation
(b) the sculptors skill
NON-MCQss
REFERENCE TO CONTEXT NON-MCQ
Read the extracts given below and answer the (b) How did the king look after his people?
questions that follow : Ans : The king fed his people but was not bothered
1. The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed; for their welfare or happiness.
And on the pedestal these words appear: (c) What quality of Ozymandias is revealed
My name is Ozymandias, king of kings in the last line?
(a) Whom does the hand and heart refer to? Ans : He was cruel and selfish and considered
Ans : The hand and heart refers to a king called himself to be the mightiest. He was conceited and
Ozymandias, who ruled over a powerful kingdom. intoxicated with his power.
Literature D 91
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. Give the chacacter-sketch of king Ozymandias Ans : Power, position, pelf should be used for the
as depicted in the poem. welfare of mankind. History may record ones territorial
Ans : King Ozymandias considered himself to be the achievements but if one wins the hearts of people, then
king of kings. He ruled over his empire with a firm hand. that is real victory. One must command respect and not
He fed his subjects but regarded them as inferior. He was demand it. Many times sages and saints are respected more
boastful of his power and considered himself to be above than mighty kings. So one must never misuse power and
all. He believed that no one will ever be able to equal his might. Time is a great leveller. So glorious deeds should be
achievements. He considered himself to be blessed with committed to get respect from posterity. Shelley also
extraordinary powers. The king was so intoxicated with demonstrates the fact that art and language long outlive the
power and passion that the welfare of his people was never other legacies of power. Real power is in winning hearts
his consideration. He believed himself to be above law and and not in ruling the weak and the needy.
destiny. Ironically his statue and the surroundings proved 4. Describe the picture of Ozymandias that
just the opposite. He believed himself to be even greater emerges in your mind after reading the poem.
than other kings the Emperor of all. How was his dream of perpetuating his
2. Suppose by a miracle Ozymandias visits planet memory reduced to dust?
Earth and comes across his statue in that Or
dilapidated state. He is dejected and awakens
The poem Ozymandias illustrates the vanity of
to the realisation of a life frittered away for
human greatness. Comment.
materialistic and political gains. In a state of
[C.B.S.E., 2012 (T-2)]
regret he pens down his thoughts in the form of
a diary entry. Write the diary for him. Ans : King Ozymandias considered himself to be the
king of kings. He ruled over his empire with a firm hand.
Ans : Dear Diary,
He fed his subjects and regarded them as inferior. He was
Traversing over the desert, I was dumbfounded with arrogant and highly conceited, and believed that no one
great shock when I discovered that my statue was lying will ever be able to equal his achievements. He was so
broken, without head and body, in an eroded state. Imagine intoxicated with power that the welfare of his people was
my reaction. I had considered myself above all, I was the never his consideration. He believed himself to be above
greatest, the mightiest, and I believed that the coming law and destiny.
generations would worship or pay respect to my statue.
But now his shattered statue, half buried in sand,
The condition of my statue pained me. All my achievements,
the waste and ruins around prove that the time has levelled
my confidence in my power was razed to the ground. There
his fame and work. The ruins around the statue bear the
were sands and loneliness around. No one seemed to
testimony to the fact that nothing lasts forever. This is the
remember my greatness. May be I was wrong. I should
true destiny of man. He is insignificant before the power
have devoted my life to the welfare, looked after my people
of time. The poem illustrates the vanity of human
with compassion and care, maybe then the fate of my statue
greatness. It depicts, that one must command respect and
would have been different.
not demand it. One must never misuse power and might.
Ozymandias. Glorious deeds should be committed to get respect from
3. After reading the poem, what is the lesson posterity. Real power lies in winning the hearts and not in,
ingrained in it for the rest of mankind? Discuss. ruling the weak and needy.
Literature D 93
5 THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER
INTRODUCTION gS tks lc izkf.k;ksa ls izse djrk gS]** mudh 'kSyh vkSj oM~lZoFkZ dh
Samuel Taylor Coleridges poem The Rime of the gYdh iqQYdh lk/kj.k xzkeh.k thou n'kkZrh dkO; jpukvksa osQ chp
Ancient Mariner is quite different from the works of other pfdr dj nsus okyk varj fn[krk gSA
romantic poets. It is based on a dream of Coleridges ukfod dk vO;ofLFkr ijUrq vkd"kZd jaax:i ikBd dks
friend and was published in 1798. It is written in the style
n'kkZrk gS fd og o`Qfr dk oDrk gSA mldh pedrh vk[k vkSj
of a folk ballad and is divided into seven parts. The poem
has a scattering of references to outdated beliefs and yEch nk<++h dk ckj&ckj o.kZu bldh iqf"V djrk gSA ukfod dk
practices. It is surely not only the mariner, who is ancient, ges'kk dk;e jgus okyk O;fDrRo@vfLrRo tgkk osQ nwljs deZpkfj;ksa
but even his rhyme is old. There are multiple and osQ ekjs tkus dh ?kVuk] ;ku ys tkrh gS fd o`Qfr vuar vkSj
contradictory time elements and the poem itself hides its ikjykSfdd gS ftldk ,d vVwV vax cu x;k gS ^ukfod*A
origins. Nevertheless the extravagant use of archaic words
var esa ukfod vius ikiksa dk i'pkrki djrk gS tks ff'p;u
make it appear old.
Coleridges deliberately archaic language,
lans'k dh xwat gSA mudk ,ycsVkk fpfM+;k dks ekj nsuk o`Qfr osQ
ominous tones and loony narrator are a stunning contrast fo# tqeZ gSA dfork osaQfr gksrh gS bl fopkj ij fd o`Qfr
to the lighter, pastoral works of Wordsworth and others. iru'khy gS ftlls cpk ugha tk ldrkA
Mariners unkempt yet charismatic appearance suggests dfork vVd tkrh gS bl iafDr ij I killed an albatross
subtly to the reader, through the repeated focus on his ijUrq i'pkrki osQ ckn dfork dk uSfrd i{k bl lans'k esa He
glittering eye and his long beard, that he has become a
prayeth best, who loveth best. Li"V fn[kkbZ nsrk gS]
spokesman of nature. The mariners timelessness, in direct
contrast to the death of all crew members, suggests the WORDSMEANINGS
eternity of nature of which he has become symbolic.
Ultimately the mariner repents for his sins and this has the stoppeth : stops thy : your thou : you merry
echoes of the Christian message, though his killing of the din : happy noise of celebration unhand : leave
albatross is a crime against nature. The poem focusses on glittering : shining hath : has paced : entered
the power and nemesis of the natural world. However, the Nodding : acknowledging good wishes fled : moved
poem hinges around the line, I killed an albatross. fast wondrous : surprisingly dismal : dull and de-
Nevertheless after repentance, the didactic content of the pressing plagued : troubled drought : parched and
poem can be seen in its message, He prayeth best, who dry kirk : is an archaic word for church. it lends a
favour of a traditional ballad and creates an effect of
loveth best.
distancing in time. Vespers Nine : Literal meaning
lkjka'k of Vesper is Venus, which is visible in the evenings.
Number nine is a magical number for Coleridge and he
lSeq,y Vsyj dksysfjt dh dfork The Rime of the An- was fascinated by it. Basically Vespers Nine refers to
cient Mariner nwljs :ekuh dfo;ksa dh jpukvksa ls cgqr fHkUu gSA evening prayers in churches. yell and blow (para 12)
;g Coleridge osQ fe=k osQ ,d LoIu ij vk/kfjr gSA igyh ckj ;g refers to the noise and convection of the sea storm. It
could also be the commotion or the cries of the sailors.
lu~ 1798 esa Nih FkhA ;g yksdxkFkk xhr dh 'kSyh esa fy[kh xbZ gS
vkSj 7 Hkkxksa esa foHkkftr gSA dfork esa NqV&iqV rkSsj ls fooj.k vk;k
LITERARY DEVICES
gS iqjkus jhfr fjokkksa dkA osQoy ukfod gh iqjkru ugha gSa ijUrq
mldh rqdkar dfork Hkh iqjkuh gSA vusd vkSj loZFkk ,d nwljs osQ ALLITERATION
foijhr vusd lax vkSj le; ro Hkh fNis gSaA dfork Lo;a viuk By the long grey beard and glittering eye
ewy lzksr fNikrh gS & ysfdu cgqr iqjkus 'kCnksa dk mi;ksx bls iqjkru furrow followed free
dky dk cukrk gSA It would work ear woe
dksyfs jt dk tkucw>dj iqjkrudkyhu 'kCnksa dk mi;ksx] vi'koqQu down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down
>ydkrk vankk vkSj ludh dFkkokpd] ^^mlh dh izkFkZuk loZJs"B The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew
D 94 New Wave Communicative English X
METAPHORS Blast also as a Bird (overtaking wing)
Merry Minstrelsy Vespers Nine SIMILES
snowy clefts The Furrow
Like a three year old child wedding guest
REPETITION Red as a rose the Bride
glittering eye ice was here etc. As who pursued with yell and blow the ship
bright-eyed Mariner water, water Like noises in a sound Thundering and growling
sounds
PERSONIFICATION As idle as a painted ship ship as if it is painted
Sun is personified as a Man Like witchs oils ingredients used by witches to make
Storm is also personified as a Man their broth
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS (SOLVED)
4. Here are some of the archaic words used in the (i)he wanted to attend the wedding with him
poem; can you match them with the words used (ii)he wanted him to sit with him
in modern English language that mean the
(iii)he wanted him to listen to his story
same? The first one has been done you as an
(iv) he wanted to stop him from going to the
example :
wedding
1 stoppeth why 3
(b) The wedding guest remarked that he was next
2 thy entered 14 of kin which means that ..................
3 wherefore stopped 1 (i) he was a close relation of the bridegroom
4 stoppst you 5 (ii) he was a close relation of the bride
(iii) he was next in line to get married
5 thou lunatic 8
(iv) he had to stand next to the bridegroom during
6 mayst at once 9 the wedding
7 quoth fainting fit 18 (c) He cannot choose but hear means ................
8 loon has 11 (i) the mariner was forced to hear the story of
the wedding guest
9 eftsoons cant you 6
(ii) the wedding guest was forced to hear the
10 dropt stopping 4 story of the mariner
11 hath church 13 (iii) the mariner had the choice of not listening
to the story of the wedding guest
12 spake enemy 15
(iv) the wedding guest had the choice of not
13 kirk yes 16 listening to the story of the mariner
14 paced see 17 (d) The sun came up upon the left/Out of the sea
came he. This line tells us that the
15 foe call 19
ship................
16 aye trouble 20 (i) was moving in the northern direction
17 ken looking 21 (ii) was moving eastwards
18 swound your 2 (iii) was moving in the western direction
(iv) was moving towards the south
19 hollo said 7
(e) The Wedding-Guest beat his breast
20 plague dropped 10 because.................
21 lookst spoke 12 (i) he could hear the sound of the bassoon
(ii) he was forced to listen to the Mariners tale
6. Answer the following by choosing the right when he wanted to attend the wedding
option from those given below : (iii) the sound of the bassoon meant that the bride
(a) The Ancient Mariner stopped one of the three had arrived and the wedding ceremony was
wedding guests because ................ about to begin and he could not attend it.
Literature D 99
(iv) the sound of the bassoon announced the (ii) the Wedding Guest wanted to know why the
arrival of the bride and the start of the mariner was looking so tormented.
wedding ceremony. (iii) the Wedding Guest wanted to know whether
(f) The storm blast has been described as being some creatures were troubling the ancient
tyrannous because.................. mariner.
(i) it was so fierce that it frightened the sailors (iv) the ancient mariner wanted to know whether
something was troubling the wedding guest
(ii) it took complete control of the ship
(iii) the storm was very powerful Answers : (a) (iii) . (b) (i) . (c) (ii) .
(d) (iv) . (e) (iii) (f) (ii) .
(iv) the sailors were at its mercy
(g) (iii) . (h) (i) . (i) (i)
(g) The sailors felt depressed on reaching the land
(j) (ii) . (k) (ii) ..
of mist and snow because ................
(i) there was no sign of any living creature 7. Answer the following questions briefly.
(ii) they felt they would die in that cold weather (a) How did the ancient mariner stop the wedding
(iii) they were surrounded by icebergs and there guest?
seemed to be no sign of life Ans. The mariner caught hold of the wedding guests
(iv) everything was grey in colour and they felt hand, tried to mesmerise him with his gaze and did not
very cold allow the wedding guest to go.
(h) The sailors were happy to see the albatross (b) Was the wedding guest happy to be stopped?
because ................ Why not?
(i) it was the first sign of life and therefore Ans. The wedding guest had come to attend the
gave them hope that they might survive wedding so he was not interested in listening to the
(ii) it split the icebergs around the ship and mariners story. The wedding festivities had begun and the
helped the ship move forward guest was getting impatient to leave.
(iii) it was a messenger from God and it lifted (c) Describe the ancient mariner.
the fog and mist
Ans. The ancient mariner was shabby, had a grey-
(iv) it gave them hope of survival by splitting
beard with glittering eyes, his hands were rough and skinny
the icebergs
and he had a mesmerising gaze.
(i) The two things that happened after the arrival
of the albatross were ................ (d) How does the mariner describe the movement
of the ship as it sails away from the land?
(i) the icebergs split and the albatross became
Ans. As the ship moved away, it was widely cheered.
friendly with the sailors
The ship moved away from a church, passed from under a
(ii) the icebergs split and a strong breeze started
hill and a light-house.
blowing
(iii) the ship was pushed out of the land of mist (e) What kind of weather did the sailors enjoy at
and the ice melted the beginning of their journey? How has it
(iv) the albatross started playing with the mariners been expressed?
and ate the food they offered Ans. The sun shone very brightly on the left side
and everything looked cheerful. The sun has been
(j) It perched for Vespers nine means ................
personified as a man.
(i) the ship stopped sailing at nine oclock every
(f) How did the sailors reach the land of mist and
day
(ii) the albatross would appear at a fixed time snow?
everyday Ans. After the clear sunshine there rose a violent
(iii) the albatross would sit on the sail or the sea-storm and the ship got trapped in it. The ship is tossed
mast everyday on the rough waves and the sailors have a difficult time
(iv) the albatross was a holy creature controlling it. The ship is forcibly driven to the extreme
south where the ship is full of mist and snow.
(k) God save thee, ancient Mariner/From the
fiends that plague thee thus!-Why lookst thou (g) How does the mariner express the fact that the
so? means ................ ship was completely surrounded by icebergs?
(i) the mariner wanted to know why the Ans. The poet uses literary devices like Alliteration/
Wedding Guest was looking so tormented Assonance to convey this effect. The ice was here, the
8. There are a number of literary devices used in the poem. Some of them have been listed below. Choose
the right ones and write them down in the table as shown in the example. In each of the cases explain what
they mean.
1. The Wedding Guest stood still, Simile; the wedding guest was completely
And listens like a three years child: under the control of the mariner
2. Below the kirk, below the hill, alliteration
Below the lighthouse top
3. The sun came up upon the left, Personification
Out of the sea came he
4. The bride hath paced into the hall, Simile
Red as a rose is she
5. And now the storm-blast came, Personification
and he was tyrannous and strong:
6. With sloping masts and dipping prow, Simile
As who pursued with yell and blow
Still treads the shadow of his foe
7. The ice was here, the ice was there, Repetition
The ice was all around
1. Discuss the significance of the title of the poem 2. Under which circumstances is the Wedding-Guest
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. detained and held by the ancient mariner. What
Ans. Rime means Rhyme, a poem or a song. is the reaction of the wedding guest?
Ancient means old, strange pertaining to some far-off [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)]
times. The poem has some references to outdated beliefs Or
and practices. It is surely not only the mariner who is Why did the Ancient Mariner not let the guest
ancient, but even his rhyme is. Reading the poem at a go and attend the wedding?
stretch, one cannot guess the time-frame it belongs to.
Ans. The ancient mariner is tortured and is emotionally
Coleridge has deliberately used some archaic words to make
wrecked. The burden of the sin and the guilt of killing
it appear ancient. The poem contains the story of the
the albatross is too heavy for the ancient mariner to carry.
mariners sin, punishment and his redemption. The entire
He has no rest or peace of mind. He is advised by a hermit
poem deals with the tale of the ancient mariner and all
to tell this story to someone, so that the torment he is
the actions, description relate to the ancient mariners tale.
suffering, the ache he is feeling, is reduced. The mariner
So the title is very suitable, direct and suggestive.
Literature D 101
goes from village to village but no one is ready to listen slimy creatures of the sea, all are images of sin and evil,
to his story. He finds a wedding guest and narrates the and its consequences. The whole poem is based on the
story to him. Narrating the story soothes him, lifts the burden Christian concept of sin, its punishment and redemption.
off his soul and restores him to normalcy. The Wedding The albatross can be seen as a symbol of Gods
guest is awed and mesmerised by the mariner but he is favour, bringing good results. The mariner, mortal and
angry at having missed the wedding festivities. However, fallible, succumbs to his paranoia and fear, when he kills
he learns a valuable lesson, He prayeth best, who loveth the innocent creature, thereby tainting himself with sin and
best. losing connection with God and all things good. Coleridge
3. What kind of farewell was given to the ship of uses dramatically mystical elements to express the
the ancient mariner? Give an account of the ships consequences of the mariners colossal mistake. By
journey before it reaches the land of snow. destroying one of Gods creatures, the mariner is exposed
Ans. The journey of the ancient mariner begins in to the darker aspects of the world.
favourable circumstances. The ship was accorded a very Defying God leads to worse results. The crew hang
cheerful send-off, it crossed the harbour very quickly and the dead albatross around the mariners neck. The mariner
entered the main seawaters. The ship sailed away from is symbolic of a Christ-like figure and the cross-like
the coast, the church, the hill and the lighthouse. The sun albatross, a symbol of sin, is borne only by the mariner.
shone bright and the ship appeared to be near the equator. Though the crew also suffer, but punishment is borne only
But suddenly a violent seastorm engulfed the ship and the by the mariner.
ship tossed on the merciless sea waves. The ship was In the end, the mariner is truly remorseful and is
forcibly driven towards the South Pole. The ship was bent able to pray to God. As he prays, he is filled with Gods
with the force of the wind and it was unable to escape grace and albatross, a symbol of sin, falls from him. The
the fury of the gale. The South Pole was full of mist, snow moral of the poem is sublime, he prayeth well, who loveth
and icebergs as high as the mast of the ship were floating well.
here and there on the sea.
So Coleridges fascination with natural evil and
4. What message does Samuel Taylor Coleridge wish salvation is clear in the poem. The slimy and ghastly
to convey through the poem Rime of the Ancient creatures are fantastical, but they are a direct result of
Mariner? a very realistic moral failing on the part of the mariner
Ans. Rime of the Ancient Mariner is an exploration connecting between the dark and mystical with ordinary,
of evil, both that of men and of nature, and of salvation. mundane life. Coleridge, like the other romantics, sees the
The poem is full of Christian symbolism, which is also beautiful and compelling in both the good and bad sides
a departure from the romantic poetry. The slaughtered of nature, and wants the reader to accept them, rather than
albatross, emerging spirits from beneath the murky water, succumb to fear as the mariner did.
Read the following and write the most appropriate (c) To the wedding
option from the ones given to you. (d) For some party
1. It is an ancient mariner, (iii) What is the most striking feature of the
And he stoppeth one of three mariner?
By thy long grey beard and glittering eye, (a) his shabby clothes (b) thick beard
How wherefore stoppst thou me? (c) glittering eyes (d) weak hands
(i) Whom does the ancient mariner stop? (iv) How do the looks of the mariner affect
(a) someone from the wedding band that person?
(b) a wedding-guest (a) intimidating (b) mesmerising
(c) some sailor (c) impressive (d) ineffective
(d) the bridegroom (v) Point out the poetic device used in the third
(ii) Where were they going? line of the above stanza.
(a) To sail in the sea (a) Simile (b) Alliteration
(b) To a friends house (c) Metaphor (d) Pathetic Fallacy
D 102 New Wave Communicative English X
Answer : (i) (b) (ii) (b) (iii) (c) (iv) (b) (v) (b) It cracked and growled, and roared and howled
like noises in a swound!
2. He holds him with his skinny hand,
There was a ship, quoth he, hold (i) The above stanza is known for its musical
off! Unhand me, grey-beard loon! sounds. Mention the words that create the
sound effect.
Eftsoons his hand dropt he.
(a) swound (b) cracked and growled
(i) Why does the mariner use physical force (c) around (d) there
to hold on to that person? (ii) What do the first two lines convey?
(a) he is very strong (a) feelings of happiness
(b) he likes the wedding-guest
(b) feelings of wonder and surprise
(c) the wedding-guest does not wish to be
(c) helplessness of being trapped
detained
(d) He wants to impress him (d) feeling of coldness
(iii) What is the poetic device used in the first line?
(ii) Explain the reaction of the other speaker.
(a) Irony (b) Transferred epithet
What is the reason of his anger?
(c) Alliteration (d) Imagery
(a) he hates the mariner
(iv) Describe the atmosphere created by being
(b) mariner is very dirty and shabby
trapped by ice
(c) he is desperate to attend the wedding
(a) strangeness
(d) he is tired
(b) horror and loneliness
(iii) Point out an archaic word from the above
(c) isolation and hope
stanza.
(d) defeat and hopelessness
(a) unhand (b) eftsoons
(v) Name the poetic device that helps create the
(c) loon (d) dropt
effect of sound words.
(iv) Explain grey-beard loon.
(a) Alliteration (b) Onomatopoeia
(a) dirty appearance
(b) old and sick looking (c) Imagery (d) personification
(c) crazy and mad Answer : (i) (b) (ii) (c) (iii) (d) (iv) (d) (v) (b)
(d) eccentric 5. At length did cross an Albatross,
Through the fog it came,
Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (c) (iii) (b) (iv) (c)
As if it had been a Christian soul
3. The bride hath paced into the hall, We hailed it in Gods name.
Red as a rose is she,
(i) How is the coming of the albatross
Nodding their heads before her goes
favourable?
The merry minstrelsy.
(a) It relieves the sailors of boredom
(i) Point out the manner in which the bride (b) It is good-looking
makes her appearance. (c) They wish to pet him
(a) very slowly (d) It brings south wind to help the ship to
(b) delicately and gracefully move
(c) with quick speed (ii) Why was the albatross called A Christian
(d) holding her head high soul?
(ii) Discuss the figure of speech in line 2. (a) Christianity teaches charity
(a) Metaphor (b) Imagery (b) They wish to show compassion like true
(c) Simile (d) Personification Christians
(iii) Who are the merry-minstrels that (c) The bird brought new hope like Lord Jesus
accompany the bride? (d) The bird was very gentle
(a) the wedding guests (iii) What reception does the albatross receive?
(b) the bridegroom (a) It angers the mariners
(c) the musicians, singers (b) It is welcomed as a blessing
(d) the guests from the side of the bride. (c) It is driven away
Answer : (i) (b) (ii) (c) (iii) (c) (d) It is beaten up
4. The ice was here, the ice was there, Answer : (i) (d) (ii) (c) (iii) (b)
The ice was all around. 6. Nor dim nor red, like Gods own head
Literature D 103
the glorious Sun uprist. (b) cruelty
Then all averred, I had killed the bird (c) a kind of joke
That brought the fog and the mist. (d) mockery
(i) The sun is compared to something. Identify Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (b) (iii) (d) (iv) (a)
it.
(a) fog (b) mist 8. Water, water everywhere
(c) head of God (d) bird And all the boards did shrink;
(ii) Why has the sun become glorious? Water, water everywhere
(a) It can be seen clearly Nor any drop to drink [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)]
(b) It shines brilliantly (i) The repetition of the word, 'water' in the
(c) Sun rays are reflected by the snow above lines conveys
(d) The mariners are facing the sun (a) the ship was in water
(iii) Change of surroundings changed the (b) the water was saline
attitude of the sailors. How? (c) the ship was sinking in the water
(a) They start feeling too cold (d) there was a large volume of water
(b) The atmosphere grows dark and menacing surrounding them
(c) They start hating the bird and think of (ii) At this point of time, the sailors yearned to
killing him. (a) drink water (b) repent
(d) They lose interest in the bird (c) return home (d) move forward
(iv) How does the above stanza reflect the (iii) The irony in the above line is that
attitude of the sailors? (a) there is water everywhere yet sailors can't
(a) kind (b) have charitable spirit swim ashore.
(c) opportunistic and fickle-minded (b) there is water everywhere yet sailors can't
(d) clever drink it.
Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (a) (iii) (b) (iv) (c) (c) there are slimy creatures all around.
(d) the sea had started rolling.
7. Ah! well a-day! what evil looks Answer : (i) (d) (ii) (a) (iii) (b)
Had I from old and young!
Instead of the cross, the Albatross 9. And now there came both mist and snow,
About my neck was hung. And it grew wondrous cold,
(i) Who are old and young? And ice, mast high, came floating by
As green as emerald. [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)]
(a) Ancient mariner (b) the bird
(c) fellow-sailors (d) owners of the ship (i) It grew wondrous cold because
(a) of the change of weather
(ii) Why are the people casting evil looks? (b) of the floating ice
(a) They dislike him (c) the sun did not appear in the sky for days
(b) They hold him responsible for their misery together
(c) He is not hardworking (d) the ship had reached the Polar region
(d) His behaviour is bad (ii) The floating ice was
(iii) Why is the cross removed from the (a) breaking into pieces
mariners neck? What does it indicate? (b) producing a rumbling sound
(a) hatred (c) as high as the mast of the ship
(d) wondrously cold
(b) appreciation
(c) disbelief in his capacity (iii) The poetic device used in the last line is
(a) Simile
(d) punishment
(b) Metaphor
(iv) Why is the dead albatross hung around (c) Personification
the sailors neck? What does it indicate? (d) Alliteration
(a) eternal damnation Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (c) (iii) (a)
Literature D 105
(a) Discuss the poetic device in the first two (b) Who were struck and where?
lines. Discuss the effect created. Ans : The ship and sailors of the ancient mariners
Ans : Alliteration and repetition enhances the poetic ship were struck in the middle of the silent sea.
and musical effect. (c) What effect does the literary device of the
(b) Explain the furrow followed free. last line create?
Ans : Furrow is used as a metaphor, it means a Ans : The last line is a simile and it pictorially
groove that is made while ploughing the fields. The waves describes a becalmed ship on a still ocean.
make this kind of pattern in the water and ship moves (10) About, about, in reel and rout
smoothly. The death fires danced at night
(c) What happened when the sailors reached The water, like a witches oils,
there? Burnt green, and blue and white.
Ans : They were trapped and stuck in a silent and (a) Explain reel and rout.
lonely part of the sea. Ans : Reel and rout are dance movements and here
(9) Day after day, day after day they describe the circulatory motion of the fires.
We struck, nor breath nor motion, (b) What do the death fires represent
As idle as a painter ship
Ans : They represent the evil forces or death.
Upon a painted ocean.
(c) Discuss the simile given in the last two lines.
(a) Why are the words repeated in the first
sentence? Discuss their effect. Ans : The reference is to Shakespeares three witches
Ans : The repetition conveys a sheer length of time of Macbeth. The water seems to be sparkling with
that passed. different colours. This is an element of supernaturalism.
1. Why is the albatross greeted like a Christian Ans : Initially the albatross is welcomed and called a
soul? What relationship is forged between the Christian soul. It is loved and petted. The sailors believe
albatross and the crew of the ship? that the bird has brought luck and south wind. When the
[C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)] mariner kills the albatross, the sailors condemn this killing.
Ans : The albatross is welcomed as a good omen, like When the weather improves and no mishap follows, they
the grace of Lord Jesus. The sailors are very happy to start blaming the bird for the fog and the mist and justify
welcome and feed him for he is the only sign of life that its killing. They become party to the sin, so they also
they have seen. Its arrival also coincides with the blowing undergo great suffering like the ancient mariner.
of the south-wind, which makes the ship sail. The bird is 4. Describe the encounter between the ancient
great company for all the sailors. It fills the crew with luck mariner and the wedding guest. How does the
and hope. That is why the bird is called a Christian soul. wedding guest react?
2. What situation did the mariners face in the Ans : The Wedding Guest is forcibly detained by the
land of snow and ice? mariner, who is in no mood to listen to his tale of woe
Ans : The ship is cheered and the journey begins on an and misery. The Wedding Guest calls the mariner crazy
optimistic note. But soon the ship is caught in a violent and mad but the mariner holds the guests hand tightly.
storm and trapped. It is tossed on high waves and the The wedding begins and the guest beats his breast but the
sailors have great difficulty in controlling it under the glittering eyes of the mariner mesmerise him. Later the
effect of the stormy blast, the ship is driven to the south, guest is also involved in this extraordinary story and by the
which is the land of snow and mist and wondrously cold. strangeness of the mariner.
There are no men, no sign of life. All they see is ice and 5. We stuck, nor breath nor motion:
ice around them. As idle as a painted ship
3. The crew of the ship demonstrate double upon a painted ocean;
standards and they have contradictory ethical Discuss how the ship came to be stuck and the
values. Bring out the truth of this statement by problems faced by the crew.
giving examples from the poem. Or
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
1. Read the poem Kubla Khan by S.T. Coleridge in the class.
2. What is a supernatural element? Search the Internet and make a Project on the poets adept at the use
of supernatural elements in their poems.
3. Research other poems famous for the use of Onomatopoeia like The Brook.
Read them in the class.
Make a list of the sound words used.
4. Coleridges poem is rich in imagery and known for word-pictures.
Compare it with Lord Ullins Daughter for its pictorial effect.
Discuss in class. Write a brief description of the place where Mariners ship was stuck.
D 108 New Wave Communicative English X
6 SNAKE
By D.H. Lawrence
INTRODUCTION
This poem by D.H. Lawrence gives rise to both horror and fascination at the sight of a snake. The poem presents
a conflict between civilised social education and natural human instincts. D.H. Lawrence developed a personal phi-
losophy that instincts are superior to the reasoning of the mind. He was essentially a moralist, who believed that man
was becoming divorced from natural feelings. He points out in the poem how our feelings of affections are crushed
by society and we are misled to the path of ignorance, cruelty and barbarity. But we have no right to deprive others
of the right to live. Mexican mythology and Bible treat snakes as evil. So the poem represents the poets desire to free
himself from sinful behaviour. The poem arouses sympathy for all creations of God and respects their right to exist,
on a symbolic level the snake could also represent the conflicts in our mind. There is a constant debate between what
man wants and what society wants. So the poem represents the instability of mans mind but champions the fact that
it is our instinctive behaviour that generally prompts us to do good.
Literature D 109
then slowly proceeded to curve round and move away from lH; O;ogkj esa fo'okl j[krk gS blfy, mlus viuh ckjh dk
the water trough. The snake moved so slowly as if he was bUrkkj djus dk fu.kZ; fy;kA
dreaming or was asleep and again went back to climb the
wall with the crack, from where he had come. And was - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - waiting.
And as he ......................................................... was turned. lki nhokj esa cuh ,d njkj esa ls ckgj vk;k Fkk vkSj v/sjs
The snake put his head inside the crack and then easing esa ls fudydj ukan osQ fdukjs rd igqpkA lki dk jax ihyk&Hkwjk
his shoulders, entered deep inside the hole. The poet disliked vkSj isV uje gS] og k:j /hjs&/hjs ukn rd vk;k gksxkA lki us
the retreat of the snake into the dark and deep horrible viuk xyk iRFkj dh f'kyk ij j[kk vkSj khjs&khjs ikuh ihus yxkA
hole. A sort of protest rose in the poets mind and he lki us ;g lc pqipki fd;kA dfo viuh ckjh dk bUrkkj djrk
became quite agitated, the moment the snake turned his
back.
jgk D;ksafd og lki osQ ckn vk;k FkkA
I looked ...................................................... with fascination. He lifted - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Etna smoking.
The poet put down his pitcher, picked up a log and chp&chp esa lki vkjke djrk vkSj xk;&cSyksa dh rjg ikuh
hurled it at the snake. The snake twisted violently and with ihdj flj mBkrkA yx jgk Fkk dfo dh vksj ns[k jgk gSA vkSj dfo
great agility vanished into the hole in the wall. The tail of
mldh fpjh gqbZ thHk ns[k ldrk FkkA oqQN iy osQ fy, ekuksa og
the snake which had been left also vanished in great haste
like lightning. The snake had entered the crack in the wall. fopkjkeXu gks x;k vkSj fiQj >qd dj ihus yxkA lki /jrh dh rjg
All the poet could do was to stare with fascination at the Hkwjs jax dk FkkA vkSj og tyrh /jrh osQ vUnj ls ckgj vk;k FkkA
manner in which the snake had disappeared. flflyh }hi dk ,d cgqr xeZ fnu Fkk & eghuk tqykbZ dk vkSj
And immediately .................................................... educa- LFkku ,Vuk Tokykeq[kh ioZr tks pkyw FkkA og Hkh xje iqQdkj
tion. isaQd&isaQd dj fnu dks vkSj Hkh xje cuk jgk FkkA
The poet was full of guilt and felt that he must atone The voice - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - him off.
for the meanness of his action of throwing a log at the
f'k{kk vkSj lkekftd jhfrfjokt dfo dks etcwj djrs gSa ;g
snake. He really hated himself for such a mean act and
cursed the voice of education that had always taught him ekukus osQ fy, fd lki tgjhyk gS & tSls fd lqugjs & Hkwjs lki gksrs
to kill snakes, without any reason. Just as the Ancient gSaA blfy, mUgsa ekj gh nsuk pkfg,A dkys lkikas dks [krjukd ugha
Mariner had killed the albatross without any reason the le>k tkrk Fkk ijUrq Hkwjs lki [krjukd ekus tkrs FksA ,d cgknqj
poet had also tried to strike at the snake for no reason. He O;fDr dh rjg mls lki dks ekjus dk dke djuk gh pkfg,A
really prayed and wished for the snake to come back.
But must - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - this earth?
And I thought .................................................. crowned again.
dfo ,d fu"diV iki Lohdkj djrk gS fd og okLro esa
The poet felt that the snake had behaved in a dignified
lki dks ilUn djrk gS vkSj blhfy, mls ejus dk mldk dksbZ bjknk
manner like a king and he was also the king of the under-
world. The snake was inside the earth, like a king in exile. ugha gSA ,d esgeku dh rjg lki mldh ukan ij ikuh ihus vk;k Fkk
Now enough was enough and the poet wished to give due vkSj blfy, mls ogk ls lqjf{kr vkSj larks"kiw.kZ okfil ykSVuk pkfg,A
respect to the snake that was befitting of a king. lki var esa /jrh osQ mcyrs tyrs isV osQ vanj pyk tk;sxkA
And so, ............................................................. a pettiness. Was it - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - secret earth.
The poet deeply regretted his mean act of trying to kill lkekftd f'k{kk dh vkokksa dfo ls dg jgh Fkha fd og lki
the snake. He had really missed the chance of treating the ls Mjrk gS blfy, mls ekjus dh fgEer u dj ldkA dfo dk fopkj
snake well, of giving him respect that is due to a king.
Now he would have to make amends for his petty and
Fkk fd ;g lgh gS fd og lki ls Mjrk gS ijUrq lki dk ikuh ihus
mean act. osQ fy, mlh dh ukan ij vkuk vkSj /jrh dh xgjkb;ksa esa ls fudy
dj mldk vkfrF; Lohdkj djuk mlosQ fy, xkSjo dh ckr FkhA
lkjka'k He drank - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - wall-face.
A snake - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - stone bottom. lki us viuh larqf"V osQ vuqlkj dkIkQh ikuh fi;k vkSj fiQj
,d rsk xje nksigj dks ,d lki mlh ukn ij I;kl cq>kus flj mBkdj LofIuy vankk esa tqcku isQjhA og vius vksaBks dks
vk;k tgk ls dfo ikuh ysrk FkkA og ukn ,d yky iwQyksa okys isM+ pkVrk rhr gks jgk FkkA ijekRek dh rjg mlus pkjksa vksj ns[kk vkSj
osQ uhps Fkk ftlesa ls vthc lh lqxa/ vkrh FkhA dfo tks ikuh Hkjus fiQj /hjs&/hjs eqM+dj ukan ls nwj gVus yxkA lki bruk /hjs py jgk
x;k Fkk] #d x;k vkSj lki osQ ikuh ihus dk bartkj djus yxkA dfo Fkk ekuks og LoIu dk vkuan ys jgk gks ;k fiQj lks jgk gks vkSj ml
D 110 New Wave Communicative English X
nhokj ij p<+ x;k ftlesa njkj Fkh] tgk ls og ckgj vk;k FkkA fied : satisfied thankless : water is a natural resources
and it must be available to everyone. So there is no
And as he - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - was turned.
need to thank anyone for water. flickered : moved
lki us f>jh osQ vanj flj Mkyk vkSj oaQ/ksa dks <hyk djrk gqvk God : surveying the world around like a powerful God
fN osQ vUnj xgjkbZ esa ?kql x;kA dfo dks mldk ;w tkuk] vkSj ,d unseeing : not seeing anything in particular pro-
vksjs] xgjs xM~<s esa xk;c gks tkuk cgqr cqjk yxkA ceeded : continued dreadful : horrible deliberat-
I looked - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - with ing : willfully log : piece of wood clatter : loud
fascination. noise despised : hated accursed : cursed exile :
banishment crowned : given respect due to a king
dfo us ikuh dk tx uhps j[k fn;k] ydM+h dk yB~Bk mBk pettiness : mean act
fy;k vkSj lki osQ ij kksj ls isaQdkA lki mxzrk ls eqM+k vkSj iqQrhZ
osQ lkFk nhokj osQ fN esa ?kql dj xk;c gks x;kA lki dh nqe tks LITERARY DEVICES
ckgj jg xbZ Fkh og Hkh iqQrhZ ls yqIr gks xbZA fctyh dh rM+i dh
REPETITION
rjg! lki nhokj dh f>jhZ esa tk pqdk FkkA dfo ea=keqX/ gksdj lki
The poet has used Repetition liberally to highlight cer-
osQ xk;c gksus osQ rjhosQ dks ns[krk gh jg x;kA tain features and draw attention. Some expressions are con-
And immediately - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - education. stantly repeated for emphasis.
dfo nks"k&Hkko ls nck lksp jgk Fkk viuh laoqQfpr eukso`fk Examples : hot day, hot day, must wait, must
vkSj fd, gq, deZ osQ ckjs esa_ lki osQ ij ydM+h dk yB~Bk ekjus stand and wait, before me, earth brown, earth golden,
dk deZA mls vius ls ?k`.kk gksus yxh vius nq"deZ ij vkSj og mu to feel so honoured, I felt so honoured, I was afraid,
I was most afraid, slowly, slowly, very slowly
lkekU; fo'oklksa dks tks fl[kkrs jgs fd lki dks ekj nsuk pkfg,]
dkslus yxk] fcYoqQy ml ukfod dh rjg ftlus vdkj.k Albatross ALLITERATION
dks ekj fn;k FkkA mlh rjg dfo us Hkh fcuk fdlh dkj.k lki ij There is a repetition of sounds in words, generally the
geyk fd;kA mlus fny ls kFkZuk dh] fd fdlh rjg lki fiQj ls first sound.
vk tk,A Example : slackness, soft bellied, strange, scented
And thought - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - crowned again. shade, sipped, straight mouth, mused, moment, softly,
silently, stone trough, stone bottom
dfo osQ fopkj esa lki dk O;ogkj fr"Bkiw.kZ Fkk_ ,d jktk
dh rjgA vkSj og rks ikrky dk jktk Hkh FkkA lki /jrh osQ vanj Fkk SIMILES
,d fuokZflr jktk dh rjg] vc dkIkQh oqQN gks x;k Fkk dfo lki Example : looked at me vaguely as cattle do
dks ,d jktk osQ rqY; lEeku nsuk pkgrk FkkA looked around as God, writhed like
And so - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - a pettiness. lightning, like a king
dfo okLro esa vius ?kfV;k dke & lki dks ekjus osQ ;kl ONOMATOPOEIA
ij oqaQfBr FkkA lki osQ lkFk vPNk O;ogkj djus dk volj og xaok Example : Sipped with his Straight mouth, Softly,
pqdk Fkk & og O;ogkj tks ,d jktk osQ lkFk fd;k tkrk gS vc mls Silently, Slackness, Soft-bellied
vius ?kfV;k O;ogkj osQ fy, Hkqxrku djuk gksxkA
SYMBOLS
WORDSMEANINGS The snake is a very important part of American
trough : a tub gloom : darkness slackness : re- mythology and what Lawrence learnt of snakes
laxed and lazy manner vaguely : this suggests that in Mexico is the opposite of what his education
although the snake was looking in the poets direction, has told him. The poet has been told that snakes
he did not notice the poet, cattle : a subtle suggestion are evil and even Bible corroborates that. So snake
that the snake was harmless like the cattle. stooped : becomes a symbol of evil.
bent down Sicily : an island in the Mediterranean On another symbolic level the snake could also
Mount Etna : is an active volcano in East Sicily represent the conflicts in our mind. There is a
smoking : sending out fumes voice of education : perpetual debate in our mind about what we want
General beliefs that we develop in the process of acquir- and what society wants. So snake could be taken
ing social education. venomous : poisonous paci- to represent the instability of our mind.
Literature D 111
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS (SOLVED)
6. Answer the following questions briefly. Ans. The poet is both afraid of the snake and is also
(a) Why does the poet decide to stand and wait till fascinated by it. Social education had taught the poet that
the snake has finished drinking water? all snakes are poisonous so they must be struck down,
whereas the snakes dignified manner evokes the poets
Ans. The poet is a stickler for protocol and since
admiration. These dual responses were like two voices that
the snake has come to the water trough before the arrival
of the poet, the snake must have his fill first. make the poet strike at the snake, much against his wishes.
(b) In stanza 2 and 3 the poet gives a vivid (h) The poet is filled with horror and protest when
description of the snake by using suggestive the snake prepared to retreat and bury itself in
expressions. What picture of the snake do you the horrid black and dreadful hole. In the
form on the basis of this description? light of this statement, bring out the irony of
Ans. The snake has a long body, he is earth brown his act of throwing a log at the snake.
in colour with slow movements. He is as harmless as cattle Ans. The poet had appeared most protective and
and drinks water in a very unhurried manner. He seems to concerned regarding the snake. He never disturbed the snake
enjoy drinking water, savouring each drop and licking his while drinking water. It is ironical that the poet is the one
lips. who tries to kill it and that too when the snake had turned
its back.
(c) How does the poet describe the day and the
(i) The poet seems to be full of admiration and
atmosphere when he saw the snake?
respect for the snake. He almost regards him
Ans. It was a very hot day in Sicily, in the summer like a God. Pick out four expressions that
month of July. The earth was parched and dry and Mount reflect these emotions.
Etna was sending out fumes, which made the day even
more hot. But the water trough was under the scented Carob- Ans. And looked around like a god, seemed to
tree. me like a king, a king in exile, due to be crowned again.
(j) What is the difference between the snakes
(d) What does the poet want to convey by saying
movement at the beginning of the poem and
that the snake emerges from the burning
later when the poet strikes it with a log of
bowels of the earth?
wood?
Ans. Since the snake emerges from the burning and
Ans. The snakes movement at the beginning is
scorching earth, it evokes the poets sympathy. The poet
slack and relaxed. He takes a lot of time to drink water
feels that the snake is distressed due to extreme heat, so it
and sips and enjoys it by licking his lips. After drinking
should be peacefully allowed to drink water.
water, he moves as dreamily, as one who is drunk and
(e) Do you think the snake was conscious of the very slowly goes back to the crack in the wall. When the
poets presence? How do you know? poet throws a log at his tail, he vanishes very quickly, with
Ans. No, the snake was not conscious of the poets the speed of lightning, in an undignified manner.
presence. He looked around vaguely but did not notice the (k) The poet experiences feelings of self-derision,
poet. If he had been conscious, then the snake would not guilt and regret after hitting the snake. Pick
have mused in between drinking water nor would have out expressions that suggest this. Why does he
taken so much time in drinking water. It would have
feel like this? [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)]
vanished very quickly.
(f) How do we know that the snakes thirst was Ans. The poet deeply regrets hitting the snake. He
calls his behaviour mean, vulgar, paltry and petty. He
satiated. Pick out the expression that conveys
this. [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)] curses his social education and feels that he must make
amends for his wrong behaviour. The poet curses his
Ans. He stopped and drank a little more, He drank
behaviour because he had no reason to strike at the snake,
enough flickered his tongue tell us that the snake had
when it had not tried to harm the poet and had only come
his fill and his thirst was satiated.
to quench his thirst. The poet feels that the snake behaved
(g) The poet had a dual attitude towards the in a dignified manner, whereas he behaved in a petty
snake? Why does he experience conflicting manner. Moreover, hitting someone from behind is an act
emotions on seeing the snake? of cowardice.
D 112 New Wave Communicative English X
(l) Why does the poet make on allusion to the Ans. Dear Diary,
Ancient Mariner and the albatross? Todays entry is based upon my incidental meeting
Ans. The Ancient Mariner had also killed the with a snake, yellow-brown in colour, who had come to
drink water at the water-trough outside my house. To my
albatross for no reason and here also the snake had proved
surprise, I felt no fear, no aversion but a strange kind of
to be harmless, yet the poet tried to kill it. Later on both
bonding and fascination took possession of me. The snake
the mariner and the poet regret their decision. The Mariner was drinking water in a very relaxed manner and his
has to make amends by being punished and here also the majestic movements cast a spell on me. I stood there, with
poet is already thinking of compensating for the crime an empty pitcher, with no desire to disturbs him. Since it
committed. was a very very hot day, I wanted the snake to have his fill,
(m) I have something to expiate. Explain. since he had come from a dark and horrible crack in the wall.
The reasoning of my mind, my rational and social
Ans. The poet regrets his decision of striking at the belief told me to kill the snake, but my natural instincts
snake. The snake had been harmless, dignified and was too told me not to. I dont know why, but my social education
thirsty. Trying to kill it was a mean act and the poet wishes prompted me to kill the snake. I picked up a log and tried
to make amends for his violent approach. He wishes to to strike the snake. The snake vanished at once, but a guilt,
give due honour to the snake, that it deserves. a void remained in my heart. I dont know why we submit
Q.7. The encounter with the snake and the dual before our egoism, ignorance, barbarity. O God! how I
curse myself. What reason do we have to deprive others of
response of the poet to his presence at the water
their right to live? We preach of love and sympathy, yet we
trough reflect a conflict between civilized social
get misguided by our social beliefs and not natural instincts.
education and natural human instincts. The
I know snakes are poisonous but that snake had not harmed
poet writes a diary entry highlighting how he me and yet I behaved like a coward. Yes, I will have to
was torn between the two voices. Write his make amends somehow. How! I wonder!
diary. D.H. Lawrence
Read the following extracts and choose the best 2. He sipped with his straight mouth
option : Softly drank through his straight gums, into his
1. I come down the steps with my pitcher slack body
And must wait, must stand and wait, for he was at (i) The snake drank water softly as
the trough before me. (a) the water looked soft
(i) The poet was there at the water trough (b) he drank slowly
(a) to see the snake (c) his manner of drinking water was unhurried
(b) to fill his pitcher (d) he drank in a lazy manner
(c) to sit under the carob tree
(ii) The snakes body is slack because
(d) to enjoy being outside
(a) he has come from inside the earth
(ii) The poet decides to wait because
(a) he liked to watch the snake (b) he is lazy
(b) he was afraid of it (c) the manner in which he stretches looks lazy
(c) he wished to kill it from behind (d) he is very relaxed
(d) he had come there after the snake (iii) The poets observation of the snake proves that
(iii) The words are repeated in the second line to (a) he loves the snake
(a) remind the reader (b) he is protective about him
(b) remind the snake
(c) he is a keen observer
(c) to highlight the importance of coming first
(d) the snake sparks his interest
(d) to look courteous
Answer : (i) (b) (ii) (d) (iii) (c) Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (c) (iii) (d)
Literature D 113
3. Being earth-brown, earth-golden (iii) Thankless means
from the burning bowels of the earth (a) the snake should be obliged
(i) The snake is earth brown because (b) the snake is bad-mannered
(a) he has come from the inside depth of the (c) the snake doesnt know how to thank
earth (d) the snake has no need to thank for water,
(b) the fallen dust on him makes him look earthy as it is natural resource
(c) he is lying on the earth so he looks earth Answer : (i) (d) (ii) (c) (iii) (d)
brown
6. And flickered his tongue like a forked night on
(d) The shadow of the tree is falling on him
the air, so black
(ii) The snake has come from Seeming to lick his lips
(a) the fissure in the wall And looked around like a god
(b) under the hole of the water trough
(c) near the Mount Etna (i) The poetic device in the above stanza is (like a
(d) behind the wall god)
(iii) The bowels of the earth are burning because (a) Metaphor (b) Simile
(a) the place is near Mount Etna (c) Personification (d) Alliteration
(b) It is the month of July (ii) The snake appeared to lick his lips because
(c) It is in Sicily (a) he is still thirsty
(d) all the above (b) it is his habit
Answer : (i) (a) (ii) (a) (iii) (d) (c) he has enjoyed drinking water
(d) he does it after seeing the poet
4. The voice of my education said to me
(iii) The snake looks like god because
He must be killed
For in Sicily the black, black snakes are innocent, (a) he is huge
the gold are venomous [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)] (b) his manner is very majestic and royal like
god
(i) The voice of education means
(c) he looks powerful
(a) knowledge after education
(d) he considers life and death like a god
(b) confidence that one acquires after education
(c) social views Answer : (i) (b) (ii) (c) (iii) (b)
(d) voice of your interest 7. But suddenly that part of him that was left behind
(ii) Black snakes are innocent means convulsed in undignified haste
(a) they do not bite Writhed like lightning, was gone
(b) they are not poisonous
(c) they are afraid of men (i) The departure of the snake was
(d) They run away at sight (a) quick (b) noisy
(iii) The gold are venomous means (c) not majestic (d) clumsy
(a) they are poisonous (ii) writhed like lightning is a
(b) they attack (a) Simile (b) Onomatopoeia
(c) they are golden in colour (c) Metaphor (d) Imagery
(d) they are not brown in colour (iii) The snake disappeared quickly because
Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (b) (iii) (a) (a) it was afraid (b) it was hit
5. How glad I was that he had come like a guest (c) it was sleepy (d) it wanted to go home
quiet, to drink at my water trough Answer : (i) (a) (ii) (a) (iii) (a)
And depart peaceful, pacified, and thankless
8. And I thought of the albatross
(i) The snake had come to the poets house as a
And I wished he would come back, my snake
(a) intruder (b) stranger
(c) danger (d) guest (i) The reference to the albatross is because
(ii) The poet wanted the snake to be pacified that (a) both the snake and the albatross are black
he should be (b) the poet is fond of Coleridge
(a) attacked (b) driven away (c) both the albatross and the snake were going
(c) satisfied after drinking water to be killed for no reason
(d) grateful (d) the comparison is incidental
D 114 New Wave Communicative English X
(ii) The poet wants the snake to come back because (a) The king (b) The poet
(a) he liked him (c) The God (d) The snake
(b) he felt hurt that the snake vanished so quickly Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (a) (iii) (d)
(c) he wanted to give him more water to drink 10. A snake came to my water through
(d) he felt guilty of hurting him On a hot, hot day, and I in Pyjamas for the heat,
(iii) The word which the poet uses to describe his To drink there.
action In the deep, strange-scented shade of the great
(a) cowardice (b) pettiness dark carob-tree.. [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)]
(c) meanness (d) guilty (i) The poet came to the water trough to
Answer : (i) (c) (ii) (d) (iii) (b) (a) bathe
9. For he seemed to me again like a king, (b) take water
Like a king in exile, uncrowned in the underworld, (c) enjoy the scent of carob tree
Now due to be crowned again (d) to see the snake
And so, I missed my chance with one of the lords (ii) What made the snake come to the poet's water
of life. [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)] trough?
(i) Which literary device does the poet use in the (a) to cool itself
first line? (b) to quench the thirst
(a) Alliteration (b) Simile (c) to chase the frog
(c) Metaphor (d) Refrain (d) to go to its hole
(ii) The snake appears to the poet like (iii) The poet had to wait for his turn because
(a) a king in exile (a) he was afraid of the snake
(b) a king (b) he was second and must wait
(c) a god (c) the snake was already there
(d) uncrowned in the world (d) he wanted to give priority to the snake
(iii) "One of the lords of life" refers to Answer : (i) (b) (ii) (b) (iii) (b)
5. And so, I missed my chance with one of the lords Ans : The way the snake raised his head dreamily
of life after drinking water and slowly moved away from the
water trough shows that his thirst was quenched.
And I have something to expiate
(c) Where would it go?
A pettiness
Ans : After taking water, the snake climbed the wall
(a) Why is the poets action called a pettiness? with the crack and entered deep inside the hole.
Ans : It was a mean act to hit the snake behind his
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
1. A colourful butterfly has perched on a tree in your garden. Compose a poem on its
activities and appearance.
2. A cat stole into your house unawares. Conduct an imaginary dialogue with the cat.
Give it a name.
3. Ramu has managed to catch a very big fish after a long spell. He is poor and feels
delighted at the prospect of earning a lot of money by selling such a big fish. He is
taken by surprise when the fish relates her tragic tale and requests Ramu to free
her. Write the fishs story. Also decide what Ramus decision will be.