Questions

A Mystery of Heroism
By Stephen Crane
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 40 to 60 words
1. What is the main conflict in the mystery of heroism?
2. What does the meadow symbolize?
3. What does the fact that shells are still howling around the motionless
pair suggest
about the danger of the situation?
4. What is the significance of the wounded officer lying face downward
with a stirruped
foot stretched across the body of his dead horse?
5. What is the author's message about heroism?
6. What is the significance of the fact that the men in the regiment
laugh when Collins
returns with the water?
7. Why do the two lieutenants start fighting over the bucket?
8. What does the fact that the bucket is empty at the end of the passage
symbolize?
9. How does the author use foreshadowing to hint at the officer's death?
10.What is the author's tone in this passage?
11.What is the theme of this passage?
12.What message is the author trying to convey to the reader?

Answers
1)The main conflict in "The Mystery of Heroism" centers on Fred Collins'
internal struggle to demonstrate courage by risking his life to fetch
water during a battle. This narrative explores themes of heroism, fear,
and the unpredictable nature of bravery in wartime.

2)The meadow in "The Mystery of Heroism" symbolizes a brief respite from

the brutality of war. Initially serene, it becomes a focal point of
violence as shells transform its calm into chaos. The meadow represents
the fragile beauty and vulnerability amidst the harsh realities of
conflict.

3)The fact that shells continue to howl around the motionless pair
suggests the ongoing danger and perilous nature of the situation. Despite
their stillness, the characters remain at risk, emphasizing the
relentless and unpredictable threat posed by the surrounding artillery
and the ever-present danger of being struck by projectiles.

4)The wounded officer lying face downward with a stirruped foot stretched
across the body of his dead horse symbolizes the brutality and chaos of
war. It captures the tragic and dehumanizing impact of battle, portraying
the intimate connection between man and beast in the face of destructive
forces.

5)The author suggests that heroism is complex and often arises

unexpectedly in the face of danger. Through Fred Collins' impulsive act,
the narrative challenges traditional notions of heroism, portraying it as
a mysterious and unpredictable force that can emerge in the midst of
chaos, fear, and personal conflict.

6)The men in the regiment laugh when Collins returns with the water
because his accidental spill adds a touch of humor to the intense and
perilous situation. The laughter serves as a momentary release of
tension, highlighting the absurdity and unpredictability of events in the
midst of war.

7)The two lieutenants start fighting over the bucket when one accuses the
other of knocking it over. Their playful scuffle adds a comedic element
to the scene, momentarily diverting attention from the seriousness of the
battlefield. The incident reflects the soldiers' need for levity amidst
the chaos of war.

8)The fact that the bucket is empty at the end of the passage symbolizes
the futility and unpredictability of human efforts in the face of war.
Despite the initial mission for water, the empty bucket serves as a
metaphor for the challenges and uncertainties encountered in the midst of
conflict, where even basic needs may go unmet.

9)The author uses foreshadowing in the description of the wounded officer

lying face downward with a stirruped foot stretched across the body of
his dead horse. This image hints at the officer's impending death,
creating a sense of foreboding and setting the stage for the tragic
outcome later in the narrative.

10)The author's tone in this passage is a mix of seriousness and dark

humor. While describing the intense and perilous situations of war, there
are moments of humor, such as the accidental spill of water and the
playful scuffle over the bucket, adding a layer of irony and absurdity to
the narrative.

11)The theme of this passage revolves around the unpredictability of

heroism and the absurdity of human actions in the midst of war. It
explores how individuals, like Fred Collins, grapple with fear, courage,
and the often ironic and complex nature of heroism in the chaotic and
dangerous environment of battle.

12)The author conveys a message about the complexity of heroism,

portraying it as a mysterious and unpredictable force that can emerge
unexpectedly in the face of danger. The narrative also explores the harsh
realities of war, emphasizing the futility of certain actions and the
absurdity of human behavior amid chaos.

Questions
Hush’d Be the Camps To-day
by Walt Whitman
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 40 to 60 words
1. What is the significance of the call for silence and reflection at the
beginning of the poem?
2. What does the poet mean when he says that the commander is "no longer
troubled by the
stormy conflicts of life"?
3. Why does the poet ask another poet to sing a song of mourning for the
commander?
4. What does the imagery of the lowered coffin and shoveled clods
suggest?
5. What is the significance of the plea for the poet to sing a verse "for
the heavy hearts of
soldiers"?
6. What is the poet's message to the reader?
7. How does the poem resonate with the reader today?
8. How does the poem offer hope and consolation in the face of death and
loss?
9. What does the poet mean when he says that the commander is "no longer
troubled by the
stormy conflicts of life"?
10. How would you compare "Hush'd Be the Camps to-day" with "O Captain!
My Captain!

Answers
1)The call for silence and reflection at the poem's start emphasizes a
moment of reverence and mourning. It urges soldiers to set aside the
tumult of war, creating a contemplative atmosphere to honor their fallen
commander in a peaceful, reflective manner.

2)When the poet mentions that the commander is "no longer troubled by the
stormy conflicts of life," he conveys that the commander has been
liberated from the challenges, struggles, and conflicts inherent in
earthly existence. Death has brought an end to the commander's worldly
troubles, whether they be victories or defeats.

3)The poet asks another poet to sing a mourning song for the commander
because a fellow dweller in camps would better understand and
authentically convey the soldiers' feelings. The request for a song is a
way to memorialize and express the love and respect the soldiers held for
their fallen leader.

4)The imagery of the lowered coffin and shoveled clods suggests the
somber reality of a burial. It symbolizes the finality of death and the
act of returning the commander to the earth. The poet calls for a verse
to be sung in harmony with this ritual, offering solace to the grieving
soldiers.

5)The plea for the poet to sing a verse "for the heavy hearts of
soldiers" underscores the emotional weight and grief experienced by the
military community. It emphasizes the need for the poet to articulate the
collective sorrow and pay tribute to the fallen commander, providing a
cathartic outlet for the soldiers' mourning.

6)The poet's message to the reader is to honor the fallen commander with
solemnity and reflection. The poem urges soldiers to set aside their
weapons, reflect on the commander's passing, and seeks a poet to sing a
verse that captures the soldiers' love and grief.

7)The poem resonates today by capturing the timeless themes of loss,

mourning, and the need for reflection in the face of death. Its call for
solemnity and the honoring of a fallen leader can evoke empathy and
connection with the universal experience of grief and the impact of war.

8)The poem provides solace through its ritualistic mourning. The call for
a song and the acknowledgment of the commander's release from life's
conflicts subtly suggest consolation in the face of death and loss.

9)When the poet mentions that the commander is "no longer troubled by the
stormy conflicts of life," he conveys that the commander has been
liberated from the challenges, struggles, and conflicts inherent in
earthly existence. Death has brought an end to the commander's worldly
troubles, whether they be victories or defeats.
10)"Hush'd Be the Camps To-day" and "O Captain! My Captain!" both explore
themes of loss and mourning for a leader. While the latter is
celebratory, using a ship metaphor for the nation, the former is somber,
focusing on soldiers collectively mourning their fallen commander.