Apni Kaksha

Apni Kaksha
 Summary
⮚ This poem is an excerpt from ‘Endymion’.
⮚ It is written by John Keats (an English romantic poet)
⮚ Based on Nature’s beauty
Stanza 1
Things which are beautiful to us are our source of happiness forever. Our love also increases for
such things. Here the beautiful things are referred to the flowers, trees & river of the nature. The
beautiful sight is stored in our memory & gives us peace just like a shady place gives us a good
sleep. A sound sleep will provide us with good health of our body & mind.
Stanza 2
After waking up next morning and after a sound sleep all the beautiful memories are compared
with wreath of flowers which bind us to the Earth.
In spite of all disappointment, sadness, hopelessness and lack of noble ways, some beautiful
sights of nature help us to shed thoughts and bring hope in our lives.
Stanza 3
The poet now says that the sun, the moon, old & young trees provide shade to sheep. Daffodils
are present in greenery, there are cool and clear streams which protect us from heat of summer.
In between the forests, there grow bushes with a wild rose, with large white musk-scented
flowers. All of these are eternal sources of joy and pleasure.
Stanza 4
The poet says that there is beauty in death too. He finds beauty in imaginary. Stories of all the
real life heroes. All lovely tales are also the things of beauty. All these beautiful things are like
fountain from the heaven which are poured to us.
Poetic Devices
‘Personification
In human Dearth of Nobler nature
Alliteration (Repetition of Consonant sound) e.g. noble nature, cooling covert band to bind
Oxymoron
(When essence of two words contradict each other e.g. mighty dead.)
Imagery (Brings pictures in the head)
e.g. - Grandeur of the Dooms.
e.g. - cooling covert, clear rills, flowery bands and shady boon etc.
‘Metaphor’
Comparison between two things.
Wreathing flowery band – connecting to nature
bower quiet – shady part in the garden
sweet dreams – happy dreams
endless fountain of immortal drink – deeds of great men & women that inspired people

Apni Kaksha
 Transferred Epithet –
‘Epithet’ means a word or phrase which works as an adjective & describes a noun.
e.g. – Unhealthy and over darkened ways, Gloomy days
PYQ’s
Q.1 What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the Earth? (CBSE 2010)
Ans. The poet uses the nature of image as an ‘endless fountain’. Which is showering its purity. The
Sun, Moon, flowers, rivers have added endless joy also they have a deep impact on us.
Q.2 What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings? (All India 2012,2010)
Ans. Things of beauty like sun, moon, forests, daffodils, musk roses, tombs built to honour roses, tales
from classics and scriptures make human beings love life.
Q.3 Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘might dead’? (Delhi
2011)
Ans. Grandeur is associated with the ‘might dead’ i.e. our forefathers who were glorious in their own
time. Our past is full of stories of their glory. They will always be remembered for their
achievements.
Q.4 List the things that cause suffering and pain? (All India
2015)
Ans. Ill health, gloomy days, depression, Lack of goodness in human beings are the sources of
suffering. Lack of noble qualities give birth to many troubles and sufferings.
Q.5 Which objects of nature does Keats mention as sources of joy in his poem, ‘A thing of Beauty’?
(All
India 2015)
Ans. Keats has mentioned everything in nature as things of beauty. Objects like sun, the moon, the old
& young trees, daffodil flowers, small streams. All these things add joy to our life.
Q.6 How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
(Delhi 2012)
Ans. Things which are beautiful to us are our source of happiness forever. Our love also increases for
such things. The list of things of beauty are the flowers, trees, river streams & flowers. Inspite of
all disappointment, sadness & hopeless these things of beauty help us
Q.7 Read the extract given below & answer the following questions:
‘Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the Earth,
Spite of despondence, of the in human dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er – darkened ways made of our searching
a. What are the flowery bands that bind us to the Earth?
Ans. Things like the sun, the flowers, trees etc are referred to flowery bands. The memory of our
beautiful experiences helps us strengthen our bond with the Earth.
b. What message do the above lines convey? (Delhi 2009)
Ans. These lines convey the message that in spite of all disappointment, sadness, hopelessness and
lack of noble ways, some beautiful sights of nature help us to shed thoughts and bring hope in
our lives.
c. Why is there an “in human dearth of noble natures”?
Ans. Because there are very few people who can shed sad thoughts and be happy. Very few people are
generous towards others. People are selfish & do not think about others.

Apni Kaksha
d. What do you understand by “unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways?
Ans. ‘Unhealthy and o’er darkened ways’ are wicked paths that people take to achieve their goals.
These are unfair means people adopt to achieve their goals.
Q.8 Explain, “never pass into nothingness”. (All India
2013)
Ans. The joy achieved with things of beauty are eternal and unending. Their loveliness keeps on
increasing and never fades away.
Q.9 What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does he call its drink
immortal? (All
India 2013)
Ans. Keats considered nature’s beauty as an endless fountain of immortal drink. He called this drink
immortal because its pleasure and delight will always be the same and only increases with time.
Q.10 What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the Earth. (Delhi 2010)
Ans. The poet used the image of an ‘endless fountain’ which showers bounties on Earth. He calls this
an immortal drink from heaven. The moon, sun, stars, river stream are all the beautiful bounties
on Earth.

Apni Kaksha