3-New Year Resolutions

I will drain

Long draughts of quiet

As a purgation;

Remember

Twice daily

Who I am;

Will lie o’nights

In the bony arms

Of Reality and be comforted

Reference
These lines have been taken from the poem New Year Resolutions written by Elizabeth Sewell.

Context
The poem New Year Resolutions is very interesting and thought-provoking. The poetess has decided to
make some resolutions at the arrival of the new year. She has decided to take stock of her past life. She
wants to be aware of her shortcomings.

She has also resolved to realize the purpose of her creation and her duties as a humble creation of God.
She has decided that she will be conscious of her good and bad deeds. She has the decision to spend a
real and honest life.

Explanation
The poem by Elizabeth Sewell is about the poetess's resolutions for the new year. In the first stanza, she
vows to purify her soul from past mistakes through self-assessment and meditation. In the second
stanza, she decides to know her true identity and responsibilities towards God, herself, and humanity. In
the final stanza, she plans to face the truth about her behavior during the day and use it as a means of
self-improvement. The overall message of the poem is that life should be lived consciously and
responsibly, with a focus on self-improvement and noble deeds, even if it involves facing harsh realities.

Important Questions and Answers

Question 1:

What new year resolutions does Elizabeth Sewell make in her poem New Year Resolutions?

Answer:

The poetess does not welcome the new year in a traditional manner. She has a firm belief that life must
be spent consciously and with a sense of responsibility. She resolves that she will analyze her own mind
and soul in order to find out her past follies and short-comings.

Firstly, the poetess resolves that she will remain silent. She will think over her past wrongs. The long
hours of silence will help her in cleaning her inner self. She wants to commence the new year in a better
and realistic manner.

She has no intention to repeat the mistakes she did last year. She is determined and resolute to correct
and improve her self every day. Secondly, the poetess resolves that she will think about her identity.

She will think twice a day who she really is? What are her responsibilities in this world? Thirdly, the
poetess pledges that she will decide to face the reality of her life. She will think over her shortcomings
and blunders with a cool mind.

She decides to feel ashamed of her mistakes that were done before. She will never desire to remain in a
dream world. She will face the bitter reality of life with a stout heart. In this way, she will welcome the
new year with new zeal and zest.

Question 2:
Discuss the literary qualities of the poem New Year Resolutions

Answer:

The poem is a criticism of those people who lead their lives without aims. They do not make plans for
the future. The poem is a satire on the lazy people. They do not want to face the reality of this world.

The poet expresses her views that are based on the resolutions of the poetess. Through her resolutions
and decisions, The poetess wants to convey the moral message of the poem.

She says that human beings should live their lives according to the set rules. They must analyze their past
and make good plans for a better future. The language of the poem is simple but impressive. The word
Purgation is a medical term.

It means cleaning a wound from a germ. But poetess has used this term for cleansing the human
shortcomings which are also like germs. The poem is based on realistic subject matter.

According to the poetess, life must spend consciously and with a sense of discipline. In this poem, Reality
has been personified with a solace companion. The Potess sleeps in the company of reality. The poem is
serious with a realistic theme

Question 3:

What is the moral or central idea of the poem?

Answer:

New Year Resolutions is a thought-provoking poem. In this poem, the poetess gives us an important
message. She believes that life is temporary but we should spend life doing productive works. She says
that we must take stock of our past life.

We must analyze our weaknesses at the beginning of the new year. Self-examination will help us to
correct ourselves. The poem criticizes that people are lazy and have no aims or goals in their lives. They
are not decisive by nature.

They do not make decisions for the future. They do not want to face the reality of this world. They do
not make aims and resolution in their lives. This poem presents a philosophical lesson. The poetess urges
us to examine our past deeds.

It advises us to be always ready to correct ourselves. We must face the bitter things in a sincere manner.
We must work for the betterment of our country and fellow beings.

We must analyze our deeds twice in a day. We must accept the harsh realities of life with a smiling face.
We should not be discouraged after facing difficult situations in our life. We must welcome the new year
with a stout heart.