My Mother at Sixty Six
1. Why are the young
trees described as ‘sprinting’?
Ans :The young trees are described as “sprinting” because
when we look at them from a moving car, they seem to be running fast in the
opposite direction. The Young trees 'sprinting' are also metaphor for lively
and cheerful outside ambience with the dull, cheerless ambience inside the
vehicle.
2.Why has the poet
brought in the image of the merry children ‘spilling out of these home’?
Ans : The image of the merry children ‘spilling out of their home’
suggests the idea of youth and beauty in contrast to the ashen-like pale wan
face of the ageing mother of the poet. This image emphasises the fact that the
old mother has lost vitality, energy, charm, beauty and youth.
3. Why has the mother
been compared to the late winter’s moon?
Or
Why does Kamala Das
compare her mother to a pale winter’s moon?
Ans : The mother has been compared to the late winter’s moon
as she is very old and her face is ashen, pale and withered. She looks very
dull and lifeless like the late winter’s moon.
4. What were the
poet’s feelings at the airport? How did she hide them?
Ans : The poet was full of pain and fear of being separated
from her ageing mother. The fear of losing her mother gripped her. But she bade
her mother goodbye with a smile to give her hope of survival and meeting again.
5. How does Kamala
Das try to put away the thoughts of her ageing mother?
Ans : In order to put away the thoughts of her ageing
mother, the poet starts looking out of the window of the car at sprinting young
trees and the merry children who were
spilling out of their homes.
6. What do parting
words of the poet and her smile signify?
Ans: The parting words of the poet to her mother signify the
ritual of formality when two persons separate. They also signify that such
separations are inevitable in our life..
7. Explain the image
of 'merry children spilling out of their homes'.
Ans: The poet has introduced the image of the merry children
to indicate that life goes on despite sadness at one place. The children
symbolise the merry side of life while the poet's mother symbolises sadness.
Both the images show the concurrent existence of two facets of our life.
An Elementary school in a Slum
Explain the following
expressions from the poem.
a) Like rootless weeds,
the hair torn around their pallor
The children are unwanted like rootless weeds with their
hair torn around their pale-faced heads. Their hair is smeared all over their
pale faces.
b) The paper seeming
boy, with rat's eyes.
The boy is emaciated
and looks as thin as a paper. He has hollow eyes like those of rats and looks stunted with twisted bones due
to malnutrition.
c) One unnoted, sweet and young. His eyes live
in a dream,
Of squirrel's game, in tree room, other than this.
The 'unnoted, sweet and young' boy symbolises the optimistic
and hopeful future of humanity. His eyes hide a dram of the game of a squirrel
in the hollow of a tree where the squirrel lives. This 'dream' indicates the
optimistic aspect of life.
d) 'Civilized dome
riding all cities'
It means that high-rise domes of modern civilization and
progress symbolizing the humanity's progress. These are in the forms of great
memorials all over the world.
d) Open-handed map
awarding the world its world .
Open-handed map here refers to the political map that shows
locations of various places which are
inaccessible to the children of slums and therefore, such maps are irrelevant
in the classroom.
e) for these
children, these windows, and not this map their world
For the children of these slum school, the widows of their
classroom are the only world accessible to them. The world having 'Civilized
dome' or Shakespeare's Head, or flowery Tryolese Valley' is not meant for the
slum children.
f) Where all their
future's painted with a fog
The future of these slum children is dim, dreary and
unpredicted as it is 'painted with a fog'.
g) On their slag heap, these children
Wear skins peeped through by bones and
spectacles of steel
With mended glass, like bottle bits on
stones.
These children exist on the heaps of waste matter. The
children are so skinny that their clothes are like skin and their skeleton is
visible through them. This is due to lack of nutrition. They have worn looking
glasses made of steel which are cheap, heavy and uncomfortable and mended
glasses look like bottle bits on stones.
h) Break O break open
till they break the town
The poet exhorts those in authority to break the windows
barring these children. These ' windows' are their prisons and shut their lives
'like catacombs'.
6. How is
‘Shakespeare wicked and the map a bad example’ for the children of the school
in a slum?
Ans : The lives of slum children are far removed from what
is displayed on the walls. Shakespeare represents literature and the map shows
the foreign lands with beautiful landscapes. This civilized world represented
by the donations is meaningless for them and will tempt them to take a wrong
path.
7. What changes does
the poet hope for in the lives of slum children?
Ans : The poet hopes that these children will get rid of
their poverty and get nourishment properly. The doors of the world will be
thrown open to them. They will get quality education and quality life.
8. What message does
Stephen Spender convey through his poem ‘An Elementary School Classroom in a
Slum’?
Ans : Through this poem Stephen Spender wants to convey the
idea of social injustice and class inequality. Expressing his concern at the
plight of the slum children, he appeals to the governors, visitors and
inspectors to provide equal opportunities for education to these children.
9. How does the poet
describe the classroom walls? What do they symbolize?
Or
What do you think is the colour of ‘sour
cream’? Why do you think the poet has used this expression to describe the
classroom walls?
Ans : The classroom walls are painted in a dull creamy
colour which symbolizes the bleak future of the slum children who study there.
They are deprived of quality education.
10. What does the
poet want for children of the slums? How can their lives be made to change?
Ans : Stephen Spender wants a quality life with equal
opportunities for the slum children to learn and earn. Their lives can be
changed when they are given equal opportunities, good education and a
respectable life.
11. What does the
world of the slum children consist of?
Ans : The world of the slum children consists of dark classrooms
and narrow lanes. Their world is full of poverty, hunger, malnutrition and
disease. It is confined to grey and black colours.
KEEPING QUIET
Explain the following expressions from the poem.
1. We would all be
together in a sudden strangeness:
Everyone will be calm and quiet, united with each other in a
strange atmosphere. It will be strange because it has never happened earlier.
2. Those who prepare
green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire, victory with no survivors.
The people who exploit the green wealth of nature by
deforestation, or mining, or fishing in the deep seas and the soldiers who use
weapons to kill fellow human beings need some time to introspect into the
consequences of their actions and realize that the victory has no value if
there is no survivor.
3. I want no truck
with death
The poet means to say that he wouldn't invite death before
it actually comes. He would love to live life fully to its last dregs. Moreover,
being death like silent would mean total inactivity while keeping quiet.
Therefore, by keeping quiet he refers to introspection of our deeds. He wants
to promote universal peace and brotherhood.
4. Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
As the Earth undergoes changes, in winter, everything
freezes, becomes lifeless but after some time, the season changes again, and
everything comes back to life. Similarly, taking a pause and introspecting into
our lives will give it a new meaning. We will be able to understand the purpose
of our life. It will be like a re birth of the soul.
12. Which symbol from
nature does the poet invoke that there can be life under apparent stillness?
Ans : The poet uses ‘Earth’ as a symbol to invoke that there
can be life after apparent stillness. As the Earth undergoes changes, in
winter, everything freezes, becomes lifeless but after some time, the season
changes again, and everything comes back to life. Similarly, taking a pause and
introspecting into our lives will give it a new meaning. We will be able to
understand the purpose of our life. our silence can help us to maintain a
harmonious life on Earth and stop destruction.
13. Why does one feel
a sudden strangeness on counting to twelve and keeping quiet?
Ans : When one keeps quiet and stops all his selfish actions and
takes a break from the monotonous routine, one gets time to introspect and
analyse one’s actions. This brings a feeling of sudden strangeness because we
never take a break from hectic activity and continuous talk.
14. How will keeping
quiet protect our environment?
Ans : Keeping quiet refers to stopping all activities for a
moment and introspect. This will help us to analyse the kind of deeds we are
doing for our selfish purpose but which harm nature. This moment will make us
understand the fact that harmony with nature is very essential for the survival
of mankind.
15. Which is the
exotic moment that the poet refers to in ‘Keeping Quiet’?
Ans : The poet refers to the exotic moment when everyone
would be silent and still and there would be no noise or mad race. It will
evoke an environment of peace and quietness with no conflicts, quarrels,
agreements or wars. This moment will bring a sense of togetherness among all
human beings.
16. How can keeping
quiet change our attitude to life?
Ans : If we keep quiet for a moment to introspect and cease our
selfish and destructive actions, it will lead to our understanding ourselves
and may change our attitude.
17. How can
suspension of activities help?
Ans : The suspension of activities will help us to introspect. It
will provide an insight into the mad rush and selfish actions we indulge in.
When we all are able to ponder and analyse our own actions and attitude, we
will develop mutual understanding and realise the importance of co-existence.
18.Do you think the
poet advocates total inactivity and death? Why/Why not?
Ans : The poet does not advocate ‘total inactivity’ because he has
a firm belief in life. He wants everyone to live a complete life, full of peace
and contentment. He wants everyone to take a break from the hectic schedule and
introspect for a while to improve the quality of life.
19. How our state of
mind will be changed if we maintain silence and suspend activity for a while?
Ans : The poet believes that if we all stop for a moment to
introspect and realize the impact of our actions, then we will be able to
understand the need to be together and develop a mutual understanding for the
survival on earth. This realization will bring a change in our state of mind
and our attitude towards each other.
A Thing of Beauty
Explain the following
expressions from the poem.
1. “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. As
the saying ‘beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’, it is the perception of
one who looks at something that how he finds it. So, here the poet’s view about
beauty is that it never ends.
2. “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.
3. “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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
20. List the things
of beauty mentioned in the poem.
Ans : The things of beauty as mentioned in the poem include
the bounties of nature such as the sun, the moon, old and young trees and
simple things like sheep, daffodils and streams of water in the forest and the
heroic tales of mighty heroes.
21. How can ‘mighty
dead’ be things of beauty?
Ans : ‘Mighty dead’ can things of beauty as they do
inspirational deeds in their lives which one reads and has heard. Their legends
and tales keep enthusing the reader.
22. How do we get joy from life which is otherwise full of sorrows?
Or
Life is full of sorrows. What brings
joy in it?
Ans : Life of human beings is full of sorrows due to
disappointments and frustrations. But the beautiful objects of nature give us
an eternal joy. Nature works as a balm on our wounded soul and fills us with
hope and optimism.
23. Mention any two
things which cause pain and suffering.
Ans :Human beings themselves are responsible for bringing
pain and suffering in their lives. Greed, selfishness and loss of faith bring
despondency and disappointment which cause us pain and suffering.
24. How is a thing of
beauty a joy for ever?
Ans : According to John Keats, beauty is intransient. It
never fades away, rather increases as time passes by. All the beautiful things
have the ability to give everlasting pleasure and so are a joy forever.
25. Why is ‘grandeur’
associated with the mighty dead?
Ans :
The deeds of the mighty dead and the heroic tales which give
us pleasure when we hear them are associated with heroes of history and legend.
It is the grandeur of the mighty dead that inspires one to do the heroic deeds.
26 What makes human
beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
Or
What makes human beings love life in spite
of all the troubles they face?
Ans : It is beautiful things around us which make human
beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings. This sublimating effect
of the bounty of nature keeps the spirit alive and full of love and life and
keeps away the gloom caused by sufferings and troubles.
27. Who are the
‘mighty dead’ that are remembered for centuries?
Ans : The ‘mighty dead’ are our ancestors and great heroes
who did glorious deeds in the past. They were larger than life even in their
death. Their heroic deeds made them immortal in history.
Aunt
Jennifer's Tiger
Expressions from the
poem
1. Bright topaz
denizens of a world of green:
It means that these designs symbolize that the tigers are
the bright yellow denizens of the world of green trees.
2. The massive weight
of Uncle’s wedding band
Aunt Jennifer is burdened by the marital obligations
that compel her to be subservient to her
husband's dominance over her.
3. Aunt Jennifer’s
fingers fluttering through her wool
Her fluttering fingers symbolize her restlessness with
uncle's authority as a husband.
28. How do ‘denizens’
and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes?
Ans : The words ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ refer to the
fearlessness and confidence of the tigers. They are male and enjoy freedom.
29. What is suggested by the image ‘massive
weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?
Or
What is suggested by the phrase, ‘massive
weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?
Ans :
The “massive weight of uncle’s wedding band’ refers to the
male-dominated society in which Aunt Jennifer lives. The weight of this
marriage band restricts her from expressing her feelings and to live freely.
30. Aunt Jennifer’s
efforts to get rid of her fear proved to be futile. Comment.
Ans :
Aunt Jennifer’s effort to get rid of her fear of Uncle
proved futile because all through her life she remained subservient and
conformed to the patriarchal society. She felt trapped in a failed marriage and
succumbed to the male-dominated world.
31. How does the poet
show the futility of Aunt Jennifer’s efforts?
Ans :
All her life, Aunt Jennifer pined for freedom of spirit from
her burdensome husband and gave vent to her feelings by creating fearless and
majestic tigers. And even in her death, she had to conform to the patriarchal
society as she carried the weight of the ring around her finger. Her efforts
never bore fruit.
32. Interpret the
symbols found in this poem.
Ans :
Tiger and ring are two symbols used in the poem. The tiger
is a symbol of power, confidence and masculine world. ‘Ring’, though
represented as ‘wedding ring’, refers to the band or chain that binds a person
to enslave him. The ‘tiger’ represents the longing of Aunt Jennifer, whereas
‘ring’ refers to her present position of oppressed and subjugated by the
male-dominated world.
33. What lies heavily
on Aunt Jennifer’s hand? How is it associated with her husband?
Ans : The ‘wedding ring’ lies heavily on Aunt Jennifer’s
hand. This is associated with her husband because his dominant behaviour has
oppressed Aunt Jennifer and made the ‘wedding ring’ a heavy burden for her.
34. Why has Aunt
Jennifer made ‘prancing, proud and unafraid’ tigers?
Ans : Aunt Jennifer has tried to express herself through her
art. She has created proud, prancing, unafraid tigers on her panel because she
wants herself to be like her tigers, confident with freedom to live her life in
her own way.
35. How are Aunt
Jennifer’s tigers different from her?
Ans : Aunt Jennifer is a meek and suppressed woman in a
male-dominated society. She is denied every kind of freedom and is always
oppressed. But the tigers that she has made are free, bold, confident,
chivalric, and courageous.
36. Why did Aunt
Jennifer choose to embroider tigers on the panel?
Ans :
Aunt J
37. What will happen
to Aunt Jennifer’s tigers when she is dead?
Ans :
The tigers that Aunt Jennifer has embroidered will outlive
her. They will keep on moving blatantly, confidently and intrepidly even after
her death as they belong to the piece of art which is immortal.
38. Why does Aunt
Jennifer seek refuge in art?
Ans :
Aunt Jennifer was oppressed and dominated by her husband.
But she wanted to break free from this oppression and become a confident and
respectable person. She was not able to do so in real life. She created the
tigers which symbolise her freedom of spirit. Thus she displayed her inner
desire through her art.
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