Chapter – 4

TO A BUTTERFLY
-William Wordsworth

I. Short note about the author. (Attach the photo of the author.)
II. Write an appreciation of the poem.
III. Answer the following:

1. Why is the poet entranced by the butterfly?

Ans: The poet is entranced by the grace of the butterfly who has been
sitting motionlessly on the flower.

2. What is the poet unsure about as he watches the motionless

butterfly? Why?
Ans: The poet is unsure whether the butterfly is sleeping or feeding
on the flower because it is as motionless as a frozen sea.

3. ‘Here lodge as in a sanctuary”. What is the poet inviting the

butterfly to do?
Ans: The poet is inviting the butterfly to rest in the garden and treat it
as a safe home.

4. What does the poet miss about his childhood days?

Ans: The poet misses the long sunny days of his childhood when he
had a lot of time to do what he wanted.

5. What is the theme of the poem?

Ans: The central theme of the poem “ To a Butterfly” evolves
around Wordsworth’s appreciation of the natural world and the
thoughts and emotions this evokes in him.
IV. Annotate:

1. “I’ve watched you now a full half-hour;

Self-poised upon that yellow flower And,
little butterfly! Indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed”.

a. What does the colour yellow symbolize in the poem?

Ans: The colour yellow symbolizes freshness, happiness, positivity,
energy and enlightenment.

b. What does the word ‘self-poised’ mean in the poem?

Ans: The word ‘self-poised’ in the poem means that the butterfly is
very calm, composed and self-assured on that yellow flower.

2. “How motionless ! – not frozen seas

More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you among the trees, And
calls you forth again!”

a. Why does the poet repeat the word ‘motionless’ in the poem?
Ans: The poet repeats the word ‘motionless’ to reveal that he is in
awe of the butterfly’s ability to stay still.

b. Why does the poet compare the butterfly to frozen seas?

Ans: The poet makes a comparison between the butterfly nd a frozen
sea, saying that even a frozen sea is not as still as the butterfly.
3. “Here rest your wings when they are weary;
Here lodge as in a sanctuary
Come often to us fear no wrong
Sit near us on the bough.”

a. Name the poem and the poet.

Ans: These lines are taken from the poem, ‘To a Butterfly’ written
by William Wordsworth.

b. Whom does the poet refer to as “your” in this

line?
c. Ans: The poet refers to the Butterfly.

d. Why does the poet tell the butterfly to stay in his

gardenwhen it is tired?
Ans: The poet tells the butterfly to stay in his garden when it is
tired because his garden is as safe as a sanctuary.

e. Whom does the poet address in the poem?

Ans: The poet addresses a butterfly in the poem.

V. Extended Activity:

1. Ex: I of Page 44 of the Literature Reader.

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