CLASS XII – ENGLISH

POEM - ERC
UNIT -1
THE CASTLE
Explain the following with reference to the context in about 50-60 words
each.
a) They seemed no threat to us at all.
Reference: The above line is taken from the poem “The castle” written
by Edwin Muir.
Context: The poet Edwin Muir describes the strength of the castle and how
safe it was from outside.
Explanation : Here the narrator assures that no one could capture their
castle, since it was very strong. Through the turrets they were able to
watch the mowers and no enemy was found up to the distance of half-a-
mile. He tells that his enemies were not a threat to his army.
Comment : The poem describes how the human greed led to the mighty
fall of the castle.

b) How can this shameful tale be told?

Reference : The above line is taken from the poem “The castle” written
by Edwin Muir.
Context: The poet Edwin Muir describes the strength of the castle and how
safe it was from outside.
Explanation : Here the narrator lamented how their castle was captured
though it had strong gates, sufficient food and a brave captain. It was
because of the greedy disloyal warder who received gold as bribe. The
narrator felt that was the shameful act. And he worried about how this
shameful defeat could be revealed to others.
Comment : The poem describes how the human greed led to the mighty
fall of the castle.
c) I will maintain until my death
Reference : The above line is taken from the poem “The castle” written
by Edwin Muir.
Context: The poet Edwin Muir describes the strength of the castle and how
safe it was from outside.
Explanation : Here the narrator lamented how their castle was captured
though it had strong gates, sufficient food and a brave captain. It was
because of the greedy disloyal warder who received gold as bribe. The
narrator felt that was the shameful act. And he worried about how this
shameful defeat could be told others and also he would maintain the secret
of their defeat until his death.
Comment : The poem describes how the human greed led to the mighty
fall of the castle.

d) Our only enemy was gold

Reference : The above line is taken from the poem “The castle” written
by Edwin Muir.
Context: The poet Edwin Muir describes the strength of the castle and how
safe it was from outside.
Explanation: Here the narrator lamented how their castle was captured
though it had strong gates, sufficient food and a brave captain. It was
because of the greedy disloyal warder who received gold as bribe. The
narrator felt that the gold received as bribe by the warder was their real
enemy.
Explanation : Here the narrator lamented how their castle was captured
though it had strong gates, sufficient food and a brave captain. It was
because of the greedy disloyal warder who received gold as bribe. The
narrator felt that the gold received as bribe by the warder was their real
enemy.
Comment : The poem describes how the human greed led to the mighty
fall of the castle.
UNIT – 2
OUR CASUARINA TREE
Explain the following lines with reference to the context.
a) Dear is the Casuarina to my soul;
Reference: The above line is taken from the poem “Our Casuarina Tree”
written by Toru Dutt.
Context : The poet describes the Casuarina tree under which she had
played when she was young.
Explanation: The poet says that the Casuarina tree is very dear to the poet’s
heart not only for its impressive appearance but also for the nostalgic
memories of her happy childhood that it brings to her.
Comment : The poet wants the tree to be immortalized even after her death.

b) It is the tree’s lament, an eerie speech,…

Reference: The above line is taken from the poem “Our Casuarina Tree”
written by Toru Dutt.
Context : The poet describes the Casuarina tree under which she had
played when she was young.
Explanation: The poet strongly believes that nature communicates with
human beings. The poet could communicate with the tree even when she
was in a far-off land as she could hear the tree lamenting her absence.
Comment : The poet wants the tree to be immortalized even after her death.

c) Unto thy honor, Tree, beloved of those

Who now in blessed sleep for aye repose,
Reference: The above line is taken from the poem “Our Casuarina Tree”
written by Toru Dutt.
Context : The poet describes the Casuarina tree under which she had
played when she was young.
Explanation: The poet sanctifies the tree. He consecrates the tree’s
memory to her loved ones. But they are not alive. He praises the tree that it
is so loveable to both living and dead.
Comment : The poet wants the tree to be immortalized even after her death.
Comment : The poet wants the tree to be immortalized even after her death.