Class :XI

Subject:English Core

A THING OF BEAUTY
John Keats was one of the main figures of the second generation of Romantic poets, along with
Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley. His work included Endymion, Isabella, Lamia, The Eve
of St. Agnes, and Other Poems. He died at a very early age of twenty-five of tuberculosis after
leaving an indelible mark on English poetry.

‘A Thing of Beauty’ is a poem taken from the poem titled - “Endymion - a poetic romance”. The
poet says that a beautiful thing is a source of endless joy. It has eternal beauty which never fades
away. A beautiful thing is like a shady shelter which gives us a sleep full of sweet dreams, good
health and revitalizes us.

Theme
A thing of beauty is a source of constant joy. Beauty can be found everywhere. It is something
that has the ability to transform lives. It also highlights the fact that beauty has a therapeutic
quality, i.e. the ability to remove negativity. It can be any object, nature, tales or even noble
deeds of our ancestors.

Our attachment to the beautiful earthly things is like a flowery ‘wreath’ or garland. They are
traps which bind us to the earth. The Earth is full of hatred, greed and negativity. According to
the poet, the gloom and sadness caused by this negativity fades away with the positive vibes of
the beautiful things that surround us.
The poet lists some of the beautiful things that surround us. As the saying goes - “Beauty lies in
the eyes of the beholder”. He says that the numerous creations of God like the Sun which gives
us energy, the moon’s beauty, the trees which give us shade are the natural beauties around us.
The various animals like the sheep that surround us make our world lively. The pretty flowers
like daffodils make the world green and lively. The flowing streams of water cool and refresh us
in the hot summer season. The forests which are full of the pretty musk rose flowers are a
beautiful sight to the eye. All these are the things of beauty. Also, the stories of the brave soldiers
who laid down their lives to protect their people are beautiful and inspiring. These beautiful
things are like a fountain of immortality bestowed upon us by God. They inspire us to live on
and maintain our faith in goodness.
Summary
According to the poet, John Keats, a thing of beauty is a source of constant joy. Its beauty goes
on increasing. It never fades away i.e. it never passes into nothingness. A beautiful thing is as
comforting as a bower which is a peaceful and pleasant place in the shade of a tree, providing
shelter and protection from the hot rays of the sun, giving us sound sleep, full of pleasant dreams,
health and peaceful breathing.
As a result of this, every morning we are weaving a flowery wreath to bind us to the beauties of
the earth despite our feelings of sadness and depression. We all possess negative attributes of
hatred and disappointment. We suffer from a lack of noble qualities and follow unhealthy, evil
ways. In spite of all this a beautiful thing helps us to remove the cover of gloom or darkness from
our lives. It makes us love life despite the things that make us sad and dampen our spirits.
Here are a number of beautiful things that have the power to uplift our spirits like the sun, the
moon and old and young trees. The trees sprout and spread their branches to provide shelter
within their green covering (shade) for the simple sheep (humans). Similarly, the sight of
daffodils blooming within their green surroundings, the clear and small streams of water which
make a cooling shelter for themselves against the hot season, the thick mass of ferns looking
grand with their beautiful musk roses are all things of beauty that make us feel happy.
The mighty dead people whose achievements have made them great and powerful inspire us
through their sagas of noble works. Their legends and stories enthuse us and we imagine their
magnificence. A beautiful thing is also a source of joy just as the lovely tales we have heard or
read give us profound happiness. It is like a fountain of immortality gushing out from endless
nature, pouring its sacred and immortal drink into the heart and soul of man and this is a source
of immense joy for us.

Explanation:

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever Its loveliness increases,

it will never
Pass into nothingness;”

The poet says that beauty is eternal, it is forever, never fades away but instead, our love for it
enhances with the passage of time.
“but will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.”
Beauty acts like the soothing, relaxing shade of the trees which helps all the creatures to sleep
peacefully and enjoy good health.
“Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.”

Here, he says that at every moment our desire to live further is because we encircle ourselves
with our love towards these beautiful things. As we get wrapped up in the beautiful flowery
band, we get a reason to live further. Every morning, we strengthen and renew our bond with
nature. This wreath of flowers keeps our bond with nature, constant and unbroken. It helps us
sail through the sorrows and misfortunes of life. Without beauty, the Earth, is full of gloom and
sadness. There is cruelty all around and lack of good- natured people. It is this beauty, creation of
God which removes the sadness and darkness from our mind and soul.
“Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
‘Against the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk rose blooms;
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.”
The poet names some of the things whose beauty is eternal- the Sun, moon, greenery like trees
whose shade is a boon for creatures like the sheep to rest under it, various flowers like daffodil,
rivers full of clear waters which cool everyone in the summers, the thick bushes of forest fern
where beautiful, fragrant musk roses bloom. Other than these things of nature, the poet says that
the stories of brave men who sacrificed their lives are also beautiful. All these beautiful things
 are like nectar for us, God’s gift to us which help us to live further on this Earth.

Word meaning:

▪ Bower- a pleasant shady place under trees or climbing plants.

▪ Morrow – the following day

▪ Wreathing – covering or to encircle.

▪ Spite - inspite of / desire to offend or annoy someone.

▪ Despondence – hopelessness.

▪ Noble – of superior quality, having high moral principles

▪ Pall – a cloud, here, a dark cloud of gloom and sadness.

▪ Spirits – the soul where lie our emotions and character.

▪ Sprouting – to develop suddenly in large numbers.

▪ Shady boon – a shade which soothes the nerves.

▪ Rills – streams of running water.

▪ Covert – here, an undergrowth (of shrubs and bushes)

▪ Grandeur – magnificence.

▪ Dooms – last day of existence.

▪ Immortal – living forever.

▪ Heaven’s brink – the door/brink of God’s abode.

▪ Simple sheep-could be a reference to Christ as the shepherd and his flock, comprising the simple
and trusting followers, common people.

List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.

▪ The Sun

▪ The Moon

▪ Shady trees
▪ Beautiful daffodil flowers

▪ Streams of water

▪ Dense green bushes of forest ferns where fragrant musk roses grow

▪ Tales of heroic men who sacrifice their lives

List the things that cause suffering and pain.

▪ Desire to offend others

▪ Hopelessness

▪ Lack of noble men

▪ Bad health

▪ Unhappiness

▪ Gloom

▪ Darkness

Poetic Devices

Metaphor:
▪ ‘bower quiet’-refers to a quiet shady part in the garden
▪ Wreathing a flowery band
▪ `pall’-a covering like a shroud
▪ ‘endless fountain of immortal drink’- refers to the deeds of great men and women that have
made them a source of inspiration for people of all times

Alliteration:
▪ `noble natures’
▪ ‘cooling covert’
▪ ‘band to bind’
Visual Imagery:
▪ ‘flowery bands’
▪ ‘shady boon’
▪ ‘clear rills’
▪ ‘daffodils in green world’
▪ ‘grandeur of dooms’
▪ ‘cooling covert’
▪ ‘endless fountain of eternal drink’
Symbol:
▪ ‘simple sheep’ —Biblical reference- refers to mankind as Christ is considered the shepherd
who leads human souls out of the dark world of sins and temptations
 Transferred epithet:
▪ ‘gloomy days’ • ‘unhealthy and o’er darkened ways’
Oxymoron
▪ ‘mighty dead’

Multiple Choice Questions

1.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
(i)What are we doing every day?
Ans. Every morning, we are weaving a flowery wreath which binds us to the beauties of the
earth or we are collecting things of beauty that connect us to other things of beauty and keep us
grounded.
(ii)Which evil things do we possess and suffer from?
Ans. Human beings possess qualities of malice, hatred and disappointment. There is a shortage
of noble qualities and men continue to be evil and unhealthy.
(iii)Explain ‘in spite of all’.
Ans. In spite of all the negative qualities and evils mentioned by the poet, a thing of beauty can
infuse us with positivity and joy.
(iv) What does ‘unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways’ refer to?
Ans. It refers to dishonest, unethical and thus dark means adopted by humans.

2.
Some shape of beauty moves away from the pall
From our dark spirits.
Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon.
For simple sheep;
(i)What removes the pall from our dark spirits?
Ans. A thing of beauty removes the pall or cover of unhappiness from our dark spirits.
(ii)What sprouts a shady boon for sheep and how?
Ans. The old and young trees sprout branches to provide shade and shelter to the sheep. It is a
blessing for the sheep against the harsh sun.
(iii)Find words from the passage that mean (i) covering (ii) blessing
Ans. (i) pall (ii) boon

3.
‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.

i) Based on the extract, complete the following analogy:

have heard: alliteration :: ...................................: oxymoron

ii) Which of these best indicates the phrase ‘mid forest brake’?
A. hidden pond
B. mass of shrubs
C. canopy of trees
D. sparkling stream

iii) According to the extract, which of these bring joy to human life?
(i) shady trees
(ii) delightful drinks
(iii) fragrant flowers
(iv) changing seasons
(v) enchanting stories
A. (i) and (iii)
B. (iii) and (v)
C. (i), (iv) and (v)
D. (ii), (iii) and (iv)

iv) Complete the given sentence appropriately.

When the poet mentions 'an endless fountain of immortal drink', he refers
to__________.
v) Based on the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements
given below.
(1) Beautiful things are blessings from the divine.
(2) Beauty is an outcome of imagination.
A. Only (1) can be inferred from the extract.
B. Only (2) can be inferred from the extract.
C. Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract.
D. Neither (1) nor (2) can be inferred from the extract.

4.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
i) Pick out the best option that demonstrates the relevance to loveliness of beauty.
A. It will never pass into nothingness’ indicates that a beautiful
thing is always a source of everlasting pleasure.
B. It is an interrupted source of unhappiness
C. A thing of beauty fades away when out of sight
D. A thing of beauty exerts power over the gloomy side of life

ii) The quietness of a thing of beauty is full of_____________.

A. Sweet dreams
B. anxieties
C. hopes
D. despondencies

iii) The rhyme scheme of the above lines is_______

A. aabcb
B. ababc
C. aabbc
D. aabcc

iv) A thing of beauty___________

A. refreshes and makes us mundane
B. refreshes and re-energizes us
C. bores us
D. makes us lethargic

Question & Answers (2 marks)

How does ‘a thing of beauty’ remain a joy forever?

It leaves an indelible imprint on our mind and we relive the joyful experience whenever we think
about it. Hence it provides eternal and everlasting bliss to us.

What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’
suggest to you?

It means that we get attached to the beautiful things around us, create fond memories every day
and weave an attractive band which binds and attaches us to our life on earth; it becomes the
reason for us to live. Beauty inspires us to keep our bond alive with nature. The symbolic act of
seeking flowers and weaving a wreath or band keeps man close to nature.

What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
The eternal beauty of various things gives us happiness and relaxation. It makes us love life
inspite of life’s troubles and sufferings.

Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’?

The noble deeds of the brave men who sacrificed their lives are an inspiration for us forever. The
beautiful legacy of their bravery is the grandeur which is associated with the mighty dead.

Why is grandeur associated with the mighty dead ?

Our ancestors have left behind a legacy of noble and splendid deeds for us. Recalling their
courage and heroism motivates us and brings bliss.

Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting
impression on us?

According to the poet, a thing of beauty is a joy forever. Even if we see it for a few moments, it
has a lasting impression on us and its beautiful memory stays with us forever. It inspires us to
live, despite the ruthlessness of life. Keats goes on to write that it doesn’t last ‘for one short
hour’. It ‘haunts’ us till it becomes a ‘cheering light for the soul.’

What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?

The beautiful bounty of the earth is described by ‘endless fountain of immortal drink’ which
signifies that God bestows us with all his beautiful creations which help us live despite the sad,
gloomy aspects of life.
What contrasting aspects of life has the poet referred to in the poem?

The poet has referred to the contrasting aspects of the ‘hot season’ and the ‘cooling covert’
growth and decay, soft fragrance and rough marsh. It suggests that every season, every aspect of
life contrasts with the other and has its own charm. It is also a reference to the healing power of
nature; how nature has a remedy for every malady.

What does Keats consider as an ‘endless fountain of immortal drink’?

Keats considers beauty in all its ‘shapes’ and in all respects, whether in growth or in decay as an
endless fountain of immortal drink. He even considers the valour and gallantry of the ‘might
dead’ as a form of beauty as it is a perennial source or fountainhead of motivation in whose
glory, men on earth bask and derive joy.

What rich bounty has the heavens given us? [Delhi 2017]

Ans. John Keats sees beauty in all the natural things. According to him, everything of nature is a
source of beauty and have the potential to bring joy. In the poem we can see, the sun, the moon,
the trees, daffodils, green forests, clear rills, masses of ferns, blooming musk-rose, lovely tales,
etc. These beautiful sources provide pleasure and joy to mankind. So do the many beautiful
stories of legendary men.

Detailed Answer Type Questions (150-180 words) (5 marks)

Q1. How do things of beauty enrich us?

Ans. Our desire to live on this earth is to a great extent due to the presence of beautiful things
that are a constant source of joy for us. Without beauty, the earth is full of gloom and sadness.
There is cruelty, selfishness and mean behaviour all around. Moreover there is a lack of
good-natured people. It is this beauty, a creation of God which removes the sadness and darkness
from our minds and souls. As we get wrapped up in the beautiful flowery band or this strong
connection with nature we get a reason to live further. The sun, the moon, trees old and young
are all sources of happiness for us. The trees sprout and spread their branches to provide shelter
within their shade for the simple sheep. The Daffodils bloom within the green surroundings in
which they grow. The clear and small streams of water make a cooling shelter for themselves
against the hot season. The thick mass of ferns looks grand with their beautiful musk roses. All
these things enrich our lives to an extent that it is not possible to live without them.

Q2. ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever.’ This is what John Keats says in the poem. Do you
think in the present times of acute stress and violence, proximity to beautiful things can
lead man to everlasting happiness? Discuss.
A thing of beauty gives us permanent happiness. When we look at objects of beauty, we feel
happy, and the lasting impression that such objects leave on our mind continues to give us
pleasure even when they are no longer in our sight. In the present times of acute stress and
violence, the objects of beauty attain even greater significance. When our mind is anxious and
troubled, the very sight of beautiful things often comes as a relief and provides us comfort and
happiness for the moment.

A melodious tune or an emotional song delights us forever. Life is not always a bed of roses. We
suffer mental and physical pain very often. We complain of the treachery of our friend, of our
ailments, of misfortunes. But this pall of sadness disappears when we hear or see a lovely thing.
It soothes our nerves. The beauty of a poem or of music is no less effective.

Appreciating beautiful things is like appreciating God, who has bestowed them upon mankind as
a gift so that we can derive happiness and solace from them. Proximity to beautiful things brings
us closer to the creator, in whom lies the ultimate power to grant us relief from all anxieties and
troubles. Therefore, it is sure to bring everlasting happiness at all times.

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