Poem 4 A Thing of Beauty
Poem 4 A Thing of Beauty
Textbook Solutions Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 4 A Thing of Beauty
Class 12 English A Thing of Beauty Text Book Questions and Answers
Think it Out
1.List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
Answer:
According to the poet, there are numerous things of beauty that help us forget our sorrows. These are the sun, the moon, old and young trees that provide shade to ‘simple sheep’, daffodils, clear streams of rivers, musk-roses in the forest and the lovely tales of mighty men.
2.List the things that cause suffering and pain.
Answer:
The poet lists a number of things that cause suffering and pain, such as despondency, depression, unhealthy and wrong ways taken up by humans to acquire their desired goals, etc. The poet also feels that there is a real dearth of noble souls in this world.
3.What does the line, ‘Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to the earth’ suggest to you?
Answer:
This line suggests that things of beauty bind us to the earth with a beautiful connection. According to the poet, even if the world is not worth living because of the innumerable reasons that ultimately result in gloom and depression, the zeal to live a happy and content life can be derived from the sight of the beautiful bounties of nature around us.
4.What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
Answer:
Human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings because of the existence of several natural and beautiful things around them. These things of beauty never fade. They give joy and optimism to human mind, and thus, help in overcoming or bearing the troubles and sufferings.
5.Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead?
Answer:
The ‘grandeur’ of the ‘mighty dead’ lies in their noble deeds. They have left behind the beautiful legacy of their brave acts. Their selfless sacrifice for their nation and deeds for the welfare of mankind still continue to inspire us.
6.Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?
Answer:
The poet believes that when we encounter a beautiful thing, even for a small moment, the pleasure remains with us forever. It leaves a lasting impression that inspires us to live life with hope and optimism.
7.What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?
Answer:
The poet uses the image of ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. The earth, like a fountain, pours unto us numerous beautiful sights like the sun, the moon, flowers, rivers and greenery.
Reading Comprehension (Textual)
Read the following stanzas and answer the questions given below them:
1.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.
Questions :
1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
2. What do you understand by a ‘bower’?
Answer:
1. A thing of beauty is the source of constant joy. Its beauty goes on increasing. It will never pass into nothingness.
2. A bower is a pleasant place in the shade under a tree. It protects persons/animals from the hot rays of the sun.
2.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:
Questions :
1. Why are we despondent?
2. What removes the pall from our dark spirits?
Answer:
1. We possess the evil qualities of malice and disappointment. We suffer from the lack of noble qualities. That is why we feel despondent.
2. Some beautiful shapes or a thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness from our hearts or spirits.
3.………………….. yes, in spite of all, Some shape of beauty moves away the pall From our dark spirits. 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 ‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake, Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
Questions:
1. What sprouts a shady boon for sheep and how?
2. How do ‘daffodils’ and ‘rills’ enrich the environment?
Answer:
1. Old and young trees sprout to make a green covering. It proves a blessing for simple sheep as it serves them as a shelter.
2. Daffodils bloom among the green surroundings. The rills or small streams of clear water make a cooling shelter for themselves against the hot season.
4.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.
Questions:
1. Explain: ‘the grandeur of the dooms’.
2. What is the things of beauty mentioned in these lines?
3. What image does the poet use in these lines?
4. What do the words ‘from the heaven’s brink’ suggest?
Answer:
1. The magnificence that we imagine for our mighty dead forefathers on the doomsday.
2. The lovely tales of mighty men – our forefathers are mentioned in these lines.
3. The poet uses the image of ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. The earth has bestowed us with flora and fauna that lends us ‘joy forever’ endlessly.
4. The words ‘from the heaven’s brink’ suggest that all the ‘things of beauty that bring us ‘joy’ are the gifts of nature. They have been blessed to us from the threshold of Heaven, i.e., from the abode of God.
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