HSC ENGLISH – POEM APPRECIATION

2.1 Song of the open road

The poem 'The Song of the Open Road' is written by American poet Walt Whitman. The road in the poem
does not mean only the road to travel. The poet wants to suggest the road of life. The poem is a metaphor.
The poet himself struggled as a child of 12. He dropped out of school to take up some job to help the family
income. He worked as Lawyer’s assistant, Printer's assistant, as a teacher and journalist. He also helped to
look after the wounded in the American Civil War.
The poem says 'open' road. It means freedom. The poet wants to be free from all restrictions. He wants to be
self- reliant.
The poet is confident. The poem is in free verse. There are many poetic devices but no rhyme and metre.
There are repetition, Metaphor, Paradox, inversion and Transferred epithet.
The poem is a dramatic monologue.
The poem inspires us to explore the world by our abilities. We should not depend on luck.
HSC ENGLISH – POEM APPRECIATION

2.2 Indian Weavers by Sarojini Naidu

The poem “Indian Weavers” is written by Sarojini Naidu. It tells the work of India’s famous handloom
craftsmen. The three stanzas mark the three stages of life.
The theme of the poem is cycle of life. The weavers use colours associated with birth, marriage and death by
weaving clothes for a newborn, a queen-bride and a dead man.
The poem is a metaphor for the cycle of the cycle of life: new life- dawn, marriage-dusk, and death-night.
There is simile and alliteration used here.
The poem is dedicated to the talented weavers and the world famous fabric of India.
This poem is a beautiful way of the poet to salute the weavers of India. I find that the weavers are not only
skillful but also talented. The poet brings out their talent as well as their hard working nature

2.3 The Inchcape Rock

The poem “The Inchcape Rock” is written by Robert Southey. The title of the poem gives the clue that the
rock is a part of an interesting story.
HSC ENGLISH – POEM APPRECIATION

The theme is about an Abbot and a pirate. The Abbot is concerned for his fellow humans and helps to save
sailors. He put the Inchcape Bell to warn ships day and night of the terrible Inchcape Rock, during storms.
But the Rover in a fit of madness, cut the bell just to trouble the Abbot.
The poem is a ballad. The story is told in stanzas of four lines with aabb rhyme. The story is told in easy
language. The poet has used many old English words.
There is repetition, metaphor and alliteration.
The poem is a didactic one with a clear message-
“When we try to trouble others, trouble first comes to the doer.”

2.4 Have You Earned Your Tomorrow

The poem “Have You Earned your Tomorrow” by Edger Guest. The title of the poem pushes our mind to
wonder if today we have done something useful.
The poet puts forward Questions. Each question forces us to ask if we are kind, unselfish, patient and
thoughtful. Nowadays we live for our own benefits.
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The Language of the poem is simple. There is alliteration and rhyme. The poem has four stanzas of four
lines each.
The clear message of the poem is that one’s life is meaningful only if it is useful for humanity at large. One
has to know that your existence is justified. One cannot feel he has the right to ask for one more day of life.
According to me, it is an uplifting poem. We can take the message and begin implementing it in our daily
life immediately and everyday.
HSC ENGLISH – POEM APPRECIATION

2.5 Father Returning Home

The poem “Father Returning Home” is written by Dilip Chitre. It is about a lonely old man’s coming home
from a long day at work. The poet describes his silent and lonely journey home in the crowded Mumbai
local train.
The poem is a metaphor for the father’s isolated life even though he is among people. The man carries a bag
full of books. He is well read maybe. 11 Under general problem.
The poem is written in a simple language. There’s imagery and simile.
The second part of the poem is about the man in his home. The meal he eats shows the poor quality as well
as the careless way it is served. The family offers no company after his long day. He’s a stranger among his
family in his own home. His children don’t speak to him. He goes to sleep thinking of the past and future.
The message of the poem is that how the elderly are used by their own children, but neglected when they
need care. The poem teaches how we should not behave to persons who are in the autumn of their life.
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2.6 MONEY
The poem “Money” is written by William H Davies. In the poem the poet speaks of both times when he had
money and when he had no money. He actually experienced the difference in the life of a rich man and poor
one.
The theme of the poem is the effect of money on the behaviour of people there are many fake friends when a
man has money.
The poet uses simile and antithesis in the poem. The poem has five instances of four lines age. There is
rhyme. Reputation of the word money is stresses the way man gives money too much importance when it
actually takes away our happiness.
The message of the poem is that money does not bring happiness. The poor are happy while the rich are
worried. The poet has seen that the lack of money does not mean lack of happiness.
The poem is very useful to remind us the value of money. Money is a necessity. It is not the only thing to
chase in life.