The Bishop's Candlesticks

Summary


The Bishop is a very noble person, who is always ready to help anyone in distress. The doors of his house are always open.
But his sister Persona is materialistic. She feels that the simplicity and nobility of the bishop is misused by the people. He is often cheated and taken undue advantage of. Mere Gringoire, the old women who lives on the top of the hill and does no work made such a fool of the bishop by making him sell his silver salt cellars to pay her rent.

One day, past midnight a convict enters the bishop’s house and asks for food at the point of a knife. The convict is rude, hard hearted, rough and suspicious and full of fear. The bishop treats him with kindness and provides him food and shelter.

The convict is tempted to steal the bishops silver candlesticks. But he gets caught and is arrested and brought before the bishop. This candlestick was very dear to the bishop as it was the parting gift presented to him by his mother. But the bishop called the convict his friend. Later he gives the candlesticks to the convict, blesses him and tells him a secret way to Paris. The convict is deeply touched and filled with remorse.

The bishop succeeds in reforming the hardened convict and tells him that the human heart is the abode of God.

Sample Q's And A's

Question (1): Who are Marie and Persome?

Answer: Marie is a young girl who comes to help in the housework. Persome is the Bishop's sister.

Question (2): Where had the Bishop gone? Why was he late for supper?

Answer: The Bishop had gone to Marie's house to look up her mother as she was unwell.

Question (3): What had happened to the salt cellars?

Answer: Mere Gringoire was an old lady who was unable to pay the house rent. The Bishop asked Marie to sell the salt cellar for him. He used the money to pay off the poor woman's house rent.

Question (4): What did the convict first ask for?

Answer: He asked for some food.

Question (5): What does the convict tell him about his life before imprisonment?

Answer: He had a cottage with vines growing. He had a wife but she was ill. They had a bad year and there was no food to eat. He had to steal some food for her.

Question (6): What treatment did the convict receive in prison?

Answer: The convict received inhuman treatment. They whipped him, fed him with unhealthy food, made him sleep on cold hard boards.

Question (7): What effect did such inhuman treatment have on the convict?

Answer: The convict felt hurt and afraid. Soon they broke down his spirit. He became just a number and forgot his earlier life. He even lost the ability to pray, for he says, he lost his soul.

Question (8): What happened to him after his escape from jail?

Answer: The wardens were looking for him. He had nowhere to go, no food to eat. He even had to steal the clothes that he was wearing.

Question (9): How does the Bishop and Persome react when they learn that the candlesticks are stolen?

Answer: Persome reacts violently. She shouts and is very upset. The Bishop is also upset but he blames himself for exposing the convict to the temptation.

Question (10): What does the Bishop tell the sergeant?

Answer: The sergeant sees the convict moving stealthily and arrests him. He brings the convict along with the stolen candlesticks to the Bishop's house. But the Bishop tells him that the convict is his friend and the silver candlesticks were a gift from him.

Question (11): What significant role did the Bishop's Candlesticks play?

Answer: The candle sticks were a dying gift from the Bishop's mother. They reminded him of her. But when the convict received them as a gift, they become symbols of hope and life. The convict would now believe in the goodness of life and lead a steady life

Mirabai - English Literature

Summary


The play 'Mirabai’ portrays the deep devotion of Mirabai who is the central character in this play ,towards Lord Krishna.
When she refuses to honor Goddess Durga, the goddess of the royal house she faces opposition from the Royal family. The Rani does not approve of Mirabai’s steadfast and firm faith in Lord Krishna. She also accuses Mirabai of defying her orders and neglecting her wedded duties. The Rana summons her and tells her to worship goddess Durga, the family deity and divert her mind by taking more interest in household affairs and womanly diversions.

The Rani is prejudous about Mirabai and puts her maid on secret duty to spy on Mirabai. But Mirabai remains unmoved in her devotion to lord Krishna. Finally a cup of poison is sent to her as Charanamrit (holy water). Though she was warned by her companion Sanjogta not to drink it, Mirabai drinks it. But she miraculously escapes death. Her soul is pure. Her devotion to Lord Krishna is strong and sacred. Even poison couldn’t harm her.

Sample Q's And A's

Question (1): Compare and contrast Bhojraj and Jaimall.

Answer: Bhojraj was the son of the Rana of Mewar. He belonged to an illustrious family of warriors. However, Bhojraj was quite different. He was a weak-willed man. He let his mother dominate his life. He was married to Mirabai, who spent her time worshipping Krishna. It was his mother who objected to her practices. Bhojraj had little say in the matter. He was unwilling to face Mirabai in the company of his father, nor was he able to defend her when his mother spoke against her.

Jaimall was Mirabai's cousin and belonged to the royal family of Merta. He was a courageous young man who was greatly appreciated by the Rana. He carried himself with dignity. When the Rani insulted Mirabai, Jaimall was quick to come to her defence. He was proud of his family's honour. He believed that his cousin had done no wrong and had the courage to say so in the presence of Rana Sanga and the Rani. It seems evident in the play that the Rana respected Jaimall more than his son Bhojraj.

Question (2): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"The women of that house are all the same, contrary creatures always wanting something that this world of ours does not provide.

a. Who is the speaker? Who is being spoken about?

b. Why is Mirabai a 'contrary creature'?

c. What aspect of Mirabai's character is seen here?

Answer: a. The Rani is the speaker. She says this about Mirabai.

b. Mirabai worshipped Lord Krishna instead of Goddess Durga, the family deity of Mewar. This angers the Rani because she feels that she does the opposite of what is told to her.

c. Mirabai is a girl who was independent in thought. Her faith in Lord Krishna does not diminish in any way, despite the Rani's orders.

Question (3): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"So long as she does not shirk her wedded duty, or bring reproach upon the noble name she bears.

a. Who says this and about whom?

b. Why does the Rana say this?

c. What kind of a man was Rana Sanga?

Answer: a.This is said by Rana Sanga about Mirabai.

b. The Rani has complained to the Rana about Mirabai's devotions, accusing her of praying too much. But the Rana is just, and says that her devotion is no fault as long as she is a good wife and her actions live up to the honour her name bears. It is evident that the Rana sympathises with and respects Mirabai.

c. Rana Sangha was just. He was fair in judging people. He believed that Mirabai's act of prayer was not to be found fault with. This shows his broadmindedness.

Question (4): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"His birth excuses pride. He is the bravest of the brave race of Marwar; his place is on my right hand.

a. Who is 'he'?

b. Who is the speaker?

c. In what context is this said?

Answer: a. He is Jaimall.

b. Rana Sanga says this of Jaimall.

c. The Rani had complained to the Rana about Mirabai's 'arrogant behaviour'. Bhojraj and Jaimall were also present. Jaimall defended Mirabai. The Rani was even more furious and asked Jaimall to withdraw, which he did with dignity and pride. Needless to say the Rani was infuriated further and spoke harshly of Jaimall.

Question (5): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"And yet no one could say that you lack spirit, or are quite crushed by what she made you suffer.

a. Who is the speaker? Who is he speaking to?

b. Who is 'she'?

c. Why does the Rana say this?

Answer: a. Rana Sangha is speaking to the Rani.

b. 'She' is the Rani's mother-in-law.

c. The Rani expressed her concern at Mirabai's attitude to her. She added that when, she the Rani was young; she had suffered greatly at the hands of her mother-in-law. The Rana makes this humourous reply.

Question (6): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"My faith is my own.

a. Who says this? Who is she addressing?

b. What had the Rana told her?

c. What does this show of the speaker?

Answer: a. This is said by Mirabai to Rana Sanga.

b. The Rana had asked her to worship their family deity Goddess Durga instead of Lord Krishna.

c. This shows that Mirabai was an independent minded girl.

Question (7): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"That's true enough, inside the palace and out.

a. Who speaks this and to whom?

b. Why does she say this?

Answer: a. Mirabai's old nurse says this to Sanjogta.

b. Sanjogta speaks of dark thunder that she can see. The nurse feels that there is darkness and thunder inside the palace also. Since Mirabai is confined to her room and everyone seemed to be plotting against her, the atmosphere within the palace seemed to be full of fear and tension.

Question (8): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"My wretched child, she whom I nursed from birth.. how thorny is the path her little feet have trod to Mewar.

a. Who is the wretched child?

b. Why does the nurse call her so?

c. Why does she call the road to Mewar especially 'thorny'?

Answer: a. Mirabai is the 'wretched child'.

b. Mirabai had no peace at all. She was constantly reprimanded for her unflinching devotion to Lord Krishna.

c. This is so because Mirabai is friendless in the huge palace. The Rani had plotted against her and all the attendants wanted to please the Rani. The old nurse and Sanjogta were the only ones who could be trusted.

Question (9): Read the following extract and answer the questions:

"I paid in full, weighed to the utmost grain,
My love, my life, myself, my soul, my all.

a. To whom are these lines addressed?

b. What does she mean?

Answer: a. These lines are addressed to Lord Krishna by Mirabai.

b. She has gone through the test of drinking the 'Charnamrit' for disobeying the Rana's orders of worshipping Goddess Durga. She tells her Lord that she has paid by giving up herself, body and soul for her dear Lord.

I Cannot Remember My Mother - English Literature

Summary
I Cannot Remember my Mother' is a gentle nostalgic poem written by 'Guru' Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore is one of the greatest poets of modern India (1861 - 1941). The national anthem of India was composed by him. His song 'Amaar Sonar Bangla' is the national anthem of Bangladesh. He has composed more than 2000 songs and a collection of his stories poems and essays etc comes to 26 volumes. He wrote in Bengali. His works have now been translated into many languages. He started the experimental school in Shantiniketan. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature for his collection of poems 'Gitanjali'.

The parents of Rabindranath were very wealthy and had an active social life. Rabindranath had many brothers and sisters to take care of him. His mother passed away when he was still young. In this poem, he expresses his inability to actually recall the face or the features of his mother. But often a smell or a tune triggered off in him happy moments that he shared with his mother.

When he looks at his playthings he seems to be able to hear a tune. Perhaps his mother often sang the same song as she rocked him to sleep in the cradle. He recalls this tune as he touches his old toys.

In autumn, the Shiuli tree in Bengal blossoms into fragrant tiny flowers which are used for worship. His mother would string the flowers for the morning service at the temple. So the powerful fragrance of the Shiuli flowers would trigger off happy memories of his mother.

He can recall the quiet serene gaze of his mother when he looks at the vast expanse of the clear blue sky.

The simple lines of the poem eloquently reveal the deep seated emotional bonding that the poet had with his mother. It makes us realise the great impact her quiet dignity had on the poet even at that tender age, for the poet recalls experiences of his infancy and pre - school days.

Sample Q's and A's

Question (1): What did the mother usually do while rocking his cradle?

Answer: Sing a particular song.

Question (2): What did his playthings remind him of?

Answer: The tune of a song that his mother often sang.

Question (3): What memories does autumn bring on?

Answer: The Shiuli flowers bloom and spread their fragrance in autumn. This reminds him of his mothers visits to the temple with the flowers.

Question (4): Why does the sky remind him of his mother?

Answer: Perhaps as a child he was told that his mother was above in the heavens. The calmness of the blue sky reminds him of his mother's serene gaze.

Question (5): Read the given extract and answer the questions.

'A tune seems to hover over my playthings'.

a) What does 'hover' mean?

b) What tune does he recall?

Answer: a) The fly around in the same place.

b) The tune of the song that his mother used to hum while rocking his cradle.

Question (6): Read the given extract and answer the questions.

"I cannot remember my mother".

a) Why can he not remember her?

b) He says this line repeatedly, but often remembers her. Explain.

Answer: a) She died at a young age.

b) It is clear that certain smells, sounds and associations make him often think of her but he cannot actually recall her face.

Question (7): Read the given extract and answer the questions.

"Shiuli flowers floats in the air".

a) Mention any 3 aspects of the Shiuli flowers.

Answer: a) it has a powerful fragrance

b) it blossoms in August

c) it is used in worship

Question (8): Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:

I cannot remember my mother
Only sometimes in the midst of my play
A tune seems to hover over my playthings
The tune of some song that she used to
hum while rocking my cradle

a) What is the poet doing when he remembers his mother?

b) What is it that reminds the poet of his mother?

c) When did the poet's mother hum the song?

Answer: a) The poet remembers his mother when he is playing with his playthings.

b) When the poet plays with his toys, he can hear a tune hovering over his playthings, a tune that his mother used to hum when she used to rock his cradle.

c) The poet's mother hummed that song when he was an infant in the cradle and she need to rock his cradle probably trying to put him to sleep.

Question (9): I cannot remember my mother
But when in the early autumn morning
The smell of shiuli flowers floats in the air
The scent of the morning service in the temple come to me as the scent of my mother.

a) What is it that occurs in autumn that reminds the poet of his mother?

b) What did the mother do with the Shiuli flowers?

Answer: a) The smell of Shiuli flowers floats in the air in the autumn.

b) In autumn, when the Shiuli flowers were abundant, the poet's mother offered them at the temple where she used to go to pray.

Question (10): I Cannot remember my mother
Only when from my bedroom window I send
My eyes into the blue of the distant sky,
I feel that the stillness of my mother's gaze on my face
has spread all over the sky.

a) Why do you think the poet looks out into the distant sky?

b) Explain "I feel that the stillness of my mother's gaze on my face has spread all over the sky"

Answer: a) The poet remembers his mother. He looks out into the distant sky to find her there. It is said that humans - after death go up to heaven - after death and heaven, it is believed is up in the sky. So he looks up to the sky to see if she is there.

b) The memory of the gaze of the mother gets reflected in the blue sky above. When the poet looks up into the sky, he feels his mother's gaze gets reflected into it, looking at him.

Question (11): How does the poet bring out the tender feelings of the child towards his mother who is now no more?

Answer: "I cannot remember my mother" in an emotional expression of a child's memory of his mother who is dead. The child misses his mother and starts reminiscing about her as he play with his toys. He recollects the tune she used to hum when she used to rock his cradle. The sweet smell of the Shiuli flowers which she used to offer in the temple during the Autumn season and which now pomades the air also brings back tender feelings and thoughts of his mother. When he looks up in the sky, he feels he can see her gaze spreading across the entire sky which means that she is up in heaven and has become an integral part of this universe.

Thus, when the child looks at things, his heart is filled with tenderness at the memory of his mother.

The Road Not Taken

Summary
Line 1

In this line Frost introduces the elements of his primary metaphor, the diverging roads.

Lines 2-3

Here the speaker expresses his regret at his human limitations, that he must make a choice. Yet, the choice is not easy, since “long I stood” before coming to a decision.

Lines 4-5

He examines the path as best he can, but his vision is limited because the path bends and is covered over. These lines indicate that although the speaker would like to acquire more information, he is prevented from doing so because of the nature of his environment.

Lines 6-8

In these lines, the speaker seems to indicate that the second path is a more attractive choice because no one has taken it lately. However, he seems to feel ambivalent, since he also describes the path as “just as fair” as the first rather than more fair.

Lines 9-12

Although the poet breaks the stanza after line 10, the central idea continues into the third stanza, creating a structural link between these parts of the poem. Here, the speaker states that the paths are “really about the same.” Neither path has been traveled lately. Although he’s searching for a clear logical reason to decide on one path over another, that reason is unavailable.

Lines 13-15

The speaker makes his decision, trying to persuade himself that he will eventually satisfy his desire to travel both paths, but simultaneously admitting that such a hope is unrealistic. Notice the exclamation mark after line 13; such a punctuation mark conveys excitement, but that excitement is quickly undercut by his admission in the following lines.

Lines 16-20

In this stanza, the tone clearly shifts. This is the only stanza which also begins with a new sentence, indicating a stronger break from the previous ideas. The speaker imagines himself in the future, discussing his life. What he suggests, here, though, appears to contradict what he has said earlier. At the end of the poem, in the future, he will claim that the paths were different from each other and that he courageously did not choose the conventional route. Perhaps he will actually believe this in the future; perhaps he only wishes that he could choose “the one less traveled by.”

Sample Q's And A's

Question (1): What is a wood?

Answer: A cluster of trees growing wild, a mini forest.

Question (2): What did the poet see in the yellow wood?

Answer: The poet saw two paths diverging in different directions.

Question (3): How was one path different from the other?

Answer: One was greener; it had more grass and seemed less used.

Question (4): Which path had been walked on that morning before the poet travelled on one?

Answer: None of them had been used.

Question (5): When the poet chose one of the paths what did he hope to do?

Answer: Come back and fry the other path.

Question (6): I shall be telling this With a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Stanza 4 relates a simple experience in a wood to real life experiences. Elucidate.

Answer: This stanza compares the path to life itself. In life we have to take decisions that will decide the whole future or the course our life will take.

Question (7): Does the poet regret his decision.

Answer: The poem does not have the mood of regret but mere stating of a fact of life. He uses the word 'sigh' to convey deep thoughts.

Question (8): The poet has compared life to a fork in the path to show the decisions we need to take in life. What would a comparison of life to the following depict?

a) Life is a seesaw
b) Life is a celebration
c) Life is an adventure
d) Life is a journey

Answer: a) Ups and Downs

b) Many happy moments

c) So many goals to achieve, hardships to overcome

d) We meet people, experience incidents, ultimately reaching the destination of God.

Question (9): Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry, I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far I could;
To where it bent in the undergrowth,

a) Where did the poet stand? What did he see?

b) Why did the poet stand there for "long"?

c) Why does the poet describe the woods as yellow?

Answer: a) The poet stood at a point where two road diverged in a forest. It was Autumn and the leaves of the trees had turned yellow and were falling.

b) The poet stood there for "long" as he was thinking which road he should choose. The poet here is using 'roads' as symbols of choices in life one makes.

c) It is Autumn time and the leaves have turned from green to brown to yellow and the entire forest looks like this so he has described it as yellow.

Question (10): Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing these
Had worn them really about the same.

a) Which road did the poet take?

b) Why did the poet take the "other" road?

Answer: a) The poet took the other road; meaning the road that was not taken by most of the travellers.

b) The poet took the road less travelled by - which is the other road, because it looked equally attractive, and it 'looked grassy and needed people to walk on it so it would look as worn out or travelled on as the one that he did not choose to go on.

Question (11): And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

a) How did both the roads look like that morning?

b) Explain: "Oh I kept the first for another day!"

c) What does the poet mean when the says "Way leads on to way"?

d) What did the poet doubt?

Answer: a) Both the roads were equally covered by leaves indicating that they had not be trampled or walked over by anyone that morning. They had freshly fallen and therefore did not look black.

b) The poet decided that he would walk on the first road some other day. Now he wanted to walk on the second road as it was grassy and wanted someone to make it worn out. So he exercise his choice in favour of the second road.

c) The poet says that one road leads to another and so as one goes ahead and further ahead, one can hardly retrace one's steps and go back to the beginning and start anew.

d) After making his choice of going on the second road, the poet feels he may not be able to retrace his steps and walk on the first road - that is begin all over again; even though he wishes he could do so. He realizes that as one goes ahead in life - one finds it difficult to go back - one only goes forward.

Question (12): I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two road diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

a) Why does the poet say he shall tell people 'this with a sigh'?

b) What does the poet mean by "I took the one less traveled by"?

c) What "difference" has been made by his choice?

Answer: a) The poet wishes to walk on the road that he has not chosen, but he has accepted the fact that once a choice is made it is difficult to go back on it. So if when explaining it people why he chose what he chose, he will justify his choice with a sigh- indicating that he could not choose both, he chose one and that is the fact of life.

b) "I took the one less traveled by' indicates that the poet made a choice not exercised by a majority of people.

c) The poet has made a decision to choose the road less traveled by - not many have taken the road that he has chosen. He is what he is today because of the choice he made several years ago. If he had chosen a different path, he would not be what he was today, he would have been a different pers

Question (13): What is the central theme of the poem "The Road Not Taken"?

Answer: Iin this poem "The Road Not Taken", Robert Frost beautifully describes the choices we make in life and its impact on our future.

What choice we make today has a great effect on who we become tomorrow. When we reach a point where choices have to be made by us how do we make our decisions - do we do what everyone else does and find a solution, or do we do what few people have done and find our own solution.

We cannot do both, however much we may want to as once we make a choice, it becomes difficult to retrace our steps. We thus end up becoming what we are due to the choice we have made earlier. Therefore, making the "right" choice is very important. We must make our choice based on what we want rather than what the others or the majority have done. The entire poem is a metaphor - the roads are being compared to the decisions we make in life.

Seven Ages - English Literature

Summary
The poem commences with life being compared to a huge stage where all of us are only actors. Each person has an entry into the world at birth and exits it at death.

According to Shakespeare, every man plays several parts during his life time. On the stage of life every man has seven acts. The first act of man is infancy. At this time all that the baby does is cry and puke on his nurse's lap. After he goes through his infant life, he emerges as a school child who slings his bag over his shoulder and creeps most unwillingly to school.

At the next stage in life, the young man is a lover who is busy composing ballads for his beloved and sighing deeply for her attention. He graduates into a bearded soldier who promises solemnly to guard his country. He is filled with national pride, is quick to be insulted and is always ready to spring up in defence. At this point of time he is more concerned with status and reputation. From the agile soldier, he goes on to become a judge whose waistline grows as he becomes fatter and fatter. He wears a short, formal beard and his eyes become intense. He is full of wisdom, speaking to everyone in a just and wise manner.

After he has played this part, he goes into the sixth age. He becomes thin, wears spectacles, the skin around him hangs loosely. He is made fun of as being a funny old man. His youth has been left behind. His clothes hang loosely around him and his once manly voice turns into a high pitched, childish one. With this, man enters the last act where he experiences his second childhood as he becomes dependent on people once more. He is overcome by senility and forgetfulness, as he loses his faculties of sight, hearing, smell and taste, slowly but surely, and ultimately dies.

Sample Q's And A's

Question (1): What according to Shakespeare are the acts in man's life?

Answer: Shakespeare says that every man goes through seven acts in his life time from birth to death.

Question (2): What is Shakespeare's concept of life?

Answer: Shakespeare considers the world as one huge stage where all of us are actors who are enacting our clearly defined roles from time to time.

Question (3): Read the following and answer the questions:-

Sighing like a furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrows.

a. Name the stage in man's life.

b. What is 'woeful ballad'?

c. What is the figure of speech in the first line?

Answer: a. This is the lover's stage.

b. It refers to the sad, romantic verse or song written about his true love.

c. The figure of speech used is simile - 'sighing like a furnace'

Question (4): "Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel
seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth.

a. Who is referred to here?

b. What are the distinguishing features of the soldier?

Answer: a. The soldier is referred to here.

b. The soldier is quickly drawn into a fight. He lays great importance on being honourable. He is always worried about his reputation and will do anything for it, even to the extent of being blown up by a cannon.

Question (5): "For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice
Turning again toward childish treble.

a. In which act is man playing this part?

b. What features of old age are mentioned here?

Answer: a. He is playing this part in the sixth act when man has reached old age.

b. The man who was so strong is gradually losing his strength. His legs have shrunk considerably and his once manly voice is becoming quivery and high pitched.

Question (6): Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:

All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
This acts being seven ages.

a) What poetic device is used in the above lines?

b) To what in man's life does the poet compare the exists and entrances the stage to?

c) Explain the phrase "one man in his time"

Answer: a) The poet has used a metaphor- a comparison as he has compared the world to a "stage" with each individual playing parts.

b) The poet compares the exits and entrances of the stage to death and birth of man respectively.

c) The extended meaning of the phrase "one man in his time" is the in the entire course of a person's lifetime.

Question (7): Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like a snail
Unwillingly to school.

a) Which stage of human life is described in the above lines?

b) What are the words or phrases which indicate that the boy is not willing to go to school?

Answer: a) The second stage of life, that is boyhood or children is described here.

b) The two phrases which indicate the boy's unwillingness to go to school are

i) Whining school boy

ii) Creeping like a snail unwillingly

Question (8): And then the lover,
Sighing like a furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress's brow.

a) Why does the lover sigh?

b) Name the poetic device. Pick out the line that has it.

Answer: a) The lover sighs and this sounds like a furnace as he is probably disappointed or frustrated in love.

b) The poetic device is a Simile - sighing like a furnace.

Question (9): Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth.

a) Which stage of human life is described in the above lines. What are the main characteristics of this stage?

b) What is the "bubble reputation"? How is it linked with the cannon's mouth?

Answer: a) The fourth stage of human life- that is the soldier's stage - has been described here.

The main characteristics are
i) The solider make many promises.

ii) He is beared and looks like a leopard

iii) He is jealous in matters concerning honour.

iv) He is quick in quarrel.

b) Bubble reputation mean a short lived, transitory period of fame. A solider can risk danger or death to uphold his self-respect. Facing a cannon's mouth invites sure death, but it also provides honour and glory to the brave soldi

Question (10): And then the Justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes, severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances,
And so he plays his part.

a) How does a man look in this stage of life?

b) What does he do to show his wisdom? Why?

Answer: a) A man is well - dressed in this stage of life. He has severe eyes and a fashionable beard. This flat round belly indicates his love for food. It is filled with well cooked chicken.

b) He quotes many sayings and examples to show his wisdom. He is a judge and he cites these examples and sayings while hearing and deciding cases.

Question (11): How is a man's last stage of life described?

Answer: The last stage of man's life is described as "second childishness and mere oblivion". In this stage man has no teeth. He babbles like a child when he speaks. His memory becomes weak and he forgets things very quickly. His eye sight deteriorates and he looses his sense of taste. He behaves like a child who needs to be cared for and his internal organs begin to lose control. Therefore, it is described as second childishness.

Lord Ullin's Daughter - English Literature

Summary
This poem depicts how a Scottish chieftain and his beloved
elope to run away from her father, Lord Ullin .But as if God was also not on their side, met with a tragic death. They were engulfed by the fury of the stormy sea. Lord Ullin’s and his men chased his daughter and the chieftain on that fateful night. They soon reached the shore and tried to escape on a boat. The boat man was unwilling to row as the weather was dark and stormy. But the lovers persistence made him row. But soon they were caught in the violent storm of the sea and met their death in the lap of the waves. When Lord Ullin reached the shore with his men, his wrath changed to grief. He found his lovely daughter drowning with one hand stretched out for help and the other around her lover. Lord Ullin repented his deeds and wanted to forgive his daughter .But it was too late now his cries went in vain. The stormy sea had already claimed his daughter and her lover.

Sample Q's And A's

Question (1): And I'll give thee a silver pound to row us over the ferry!

a) Who said this to whom?

b) Whom were they running away from?

Answer: a) The lover, the son of the chief of Ulva's said this to the boat man.

b) Lord Ullin

Question (2): By this the storm grew loud apace. The water wraith was shrieking.

a) Why was the storm terrifying?

b) What does the 2nd line mean?

Answer: a) They had to cross the loch and this was dangerous during a storm.

b) The water wraith is the water ghost or spectre. The poet is describing the loud noise made by the storm and the water.

Question (3): I'll meet the raging of the skies
But not an angry father

a) Why is the father angry?

b) How does she meet the raging of the skies?

Answer: a) She has chosen to marry the son of the Ulva isle's chief. Lord Ullin is unhappy with the choice.

b) She goes into the loch or lake in a boat during a terrible storm.

Question (4): The boat has left a stormy land
A stormy sea before her

a) Why is the land said to be stormy?

b) Why is the sea stormy?

Answer: a) Lord Ullin, has a bad temper. He is prepared to kill his daughter's lover. So the land is 'stormy'.

b) The weather has suddenly changed. There is a strong tempest.

Question (5): When O! too strong for human hand,
The tempest gathered around her

What do these lines mean?

Answer: The wind and rain was strong and soon overturned the boat. The humans in the boat could not save themselves.

Question (6): 'Twas vain: the loud waves lashed the shore
Return or aid preventing

a) What was in vain?

b) What does line 2 convey?

Answer: a) Lord Ulin called out to his daughter that he forgave her, and he accepted her lover. This was in vain.

b) It was not possible for the boat to return, nor was it possible for Lord Ullin's men to help those in the boat.

Question (7): What do you know about the boatman?

Answer: The boatman is a brave and loyal man. He offers to help his chief's son in times of danger. He is chivalrous as he offers to do it free for the lady.

Question (8): What kind of a man is Lord Ullin?

Answer: He is a strong and authoritative man. He has many soldiers and expects his daughter to listen to his orders. He cannot accept a poor chief's son as his daughter's lover. But he also loves his daughter dearly.

Question (9): Do you think the punishment received by Lord Ullin is justified?

Answer: Lord Ullin loved his daughter dearly. He was harsh and it was his love for her that made him not accept the chief's son. The death of the daughter is a harsh punishment for him.

Question (10): Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

A Chieftain, to the highlands bound,
Cries, 'Boatman, do not tarry!
And I'll give thee a silver pound,
To row is o'er the ferry!'

a) Who is the 'chieftain' here?

b) What does the Chieftain tell the boatman?

c) Why is the Chieftain is such a hurry?

Answer: a) The 'Chieftain' is the chief of Ulva's isle. He is with his beloved, Lord Ullin's daughter.

b) The Chieftain tells the boatman not to linger and waste time, to hurry and take them in his boat.

c) The Chieftain is in a tearing hurry because Lord Ullin along with his armed men, have been chasing them. Both have eloped and Lord Ullin does not like that fact and wants to get his daughter back.

Question (11): "Now, who be ye, would cross, Lochgyle,
This dark and stormy weather?"
"oh, I'm the chief of Ulva's isles,
And this, Lord Ullin's daughter.

a) What kind of weather is prevailing at that time?

b) Who speaks the first two lines of the stanza.

c) Why does the Chieftain want to cross Lochgyle?

Answer: a) The weather is dark and there is a rough storm and the sea is very dangerous too.

b) The boatman speaks the fist two lines of the stanza.

c) The Chieftain wants to cross Lochgyle as Lord Ullin with his armed men are chasing him and his beloved and they want to escape from them.

Question (12): "And fast before her father's men,
Three days we've fled together
For should he find us in the glen
My blood would stain the heather.

a) How long have the Chieftain and his beloved been on the run?

b) What are they fearful about?

Answer: a) The Chieftain and his beloved have been on the run for three days.

b) They are fearful that if caught by Lord Ullin and his men, the Chieftain will be brutally killed

Question (13): "His horsemen hard behind us ride,
Should they our steps discover,
Then who will cheer my bonny bride,
When they have slain her lover?"

a) Whose horsemen are referred to here?

b) What does the Chieftain worry about? What does this show about him?

Answer: a) Lord Ullin's men who are on horse back, are chasing the Chieftain and Lord Ullin's daughter.

b) If caught by Lord Ullin and his men, the Chieftain would be killed on the spot. His main worry then is about his beloved - as who will cheer her after his death. This shows that the Chieftain loves her dearly and his love for her is truly selfless.

Question (14): Out spoke the hardy highland Wight
"I'll go, my chief- I'm ready:
It's not for your silver bright
But for your winsome lady:

a) Who is the hardly Highland Wight?

b) How does he react to the Chieftain's request to take them across in his boat?

c) Why do you think the boatman is ready to take them across in-spite of the stormy weather?

Answer: a) The hardy Highland Wight is the brave boatman.

b) He reacts favorably to the Chieftain's request stating that he is ready and willing to comply with the Chieftain's request.

c) The boatman has great respect for the Chieftain and understands their plight. He does not do it for the money offered but because of the beautiful lady who would lose her beloved if caught by Lord Ullin and his men.

Question (15): "And by my word! the bonny bird
In danger shall not tarry;
So, though the waves are raging white.
I'll row you o'er the ferry.

a) Who is the speaker of the above lines?

b) What is the main obstacle in the completion of the mission?

c) What is the assurance given by the boatman?

Answer: a) The speaker of the above lines is the boatman.

b) The main obstacle in the completion of the mission is the stormy and wild weather. The waves are high and the sea is dangerous.

c) The boatman is assuring the Chieftain that without wasting anymore precious time he will try and row them to safety in-spite of the impeding danger.

Question (16): By this the storm grew loud apace,
The water - wraith was shrieking.
And in the scowl of heaven each face
Grew dark as they were speaking

a) How did the weather become?

b) What comparisons does the poet use to describe the weather?

c) How did the people in the above lines react?

Answer: a) The weather was terrible, dark, stormy and very violent.

b) The poet uses metaphor to describe the weather - water wraith shrieking and the 'scowl of heaven' are used to reinforce the violence of the storm.

c) As the storm grew fiercer, the Chieftain, his beloved and the boatman grew more worried and anxious.

Question (17): But still as wilder blew the wind,
And as the night grew drearer,
Adown the glen rode armed men,
Their trampling sounded nearer.

a) Who are the armed men? Why did they come nearer?

b) How do you think Lord Ullin's daughter feels on hearing the men get closer?

Answer: a) The armed men are Lord Ullin's men who are chasing Lord Ullin's daughter and the Chieftain who have eloped. They have been chasing the couple close on their heels and have almost caught up with them, so their horses galloping can be heard.

b) Lord Ullin's daughter is probably terrified and does not want them to catch up as they would be sure to kill the Chieftain and take her away if they caught up.

Question (18): "O haste thee haste!" the lady cries
"Though tempests round us gather;
I'll meet the raging of the skies,
But not an angry father".

a) Who is the "lady" here, why does she cry?

b) What does the lady mean in the last two lines?

Answer: a) The "lady" in the above lines in Lord Ullin's daughter. She cries because she is very afraid of being separated from her beloved if the armed men catch up and they are sure to kill the Chieftain too. So she cries and tells the boatman to hurry and row the boat faster.

b) The lady says she prefers to face the dangers of the storm than her angry father, because her father would surely kill her lover and separate them each other.

Question (19): The boat has left a stormy land
A stormy sea before her
When, O! too strong for human hand,
The tempest gathered o'er her.

a) What is the reference to 'stormy land'?

b) What is mean by "stormy sea"?

c) What is too strong for human hands?

Answer: a) 'Stormy land' here indicates that they have left the land where an angry Lord Ullin and his armed men who have been chasing them are. This is a figurative expression.

b) Here the reference is literal as the sea is very rough due to the storm.

c) The waves in the sea are rising dangerously and the boatman - who is only the human - is finding it difficult to control the boat and all around they have been surrounded by the storm.

Question (20): And still they row'd amidst the roar
Of waters fast prevailing
Lord Ullin reached that fatal shore;
His wrath was changed to wailing.

a) What was the imminent danger before them?

b) What does the poet mean by 'fatal"?

c) What was the change seen in Lord Ullin?

Answer: a) The imminent danger before them was that their boat was now being enveloped by the wild storm. Due to this death also seemed imminent.

b) The poet uses the word 'fatal' because within the next few moments, Lord Ullin who had just reached the shore that moment was going to witness the storm claiming the life of this daughter.

c) Lord Ullin until the point when he reached the shore was driven by anger and wanted to kill the Chieftain at any cost, saw before his eyes, his daughter being drowned in the stormy water. His anger changed to weeping at the tragic sight.

Question (21): For, sore dismay'd through storm and shade
His child he did discover:
One lovely hand she stretched for aid
And one was round her lover

a) What did the lady do while her boat was battling the sea?

Answer: a) The lady stretched one hand out, asking for assistance and with the other - she grasped her lover firmly - for support and also to show she did not want to be separated from him.

Question (22): "Come back! Come back! He cried in grief
"Across this stormy water:
And I'll forgive your highland Chief,
My daughter! O my daughter!

a) Who is the speaker of these lines? What is his emotional state?

b) What is the speaker promising in the above line?

Answer: a) The speaker is Lord Ullin who is full of grief because he can see his daughter drowning before his eyes.

b) Lord Ullin is promising to forgive his daughter for the elopement and accept the Chieftain. He begs them to come back - he is now a changed man.

Question (23): 'Twas vain: the loud waves lashed the shore.
Return or aid preventing:
The water wild went o'er his child
And he was left lamenting

a) Was is meant was 'Twas vain'?

b) Why was Lord Ullin 'left lamenting'?

Answer: a) Lord Ullin was begging his daughter and her lover to return, promising to forgive them, but the loud and rough waves overpowered them and their return had become impossible; so all his pleas were in vain.

b) No one could help the situation - the storm was too-rough and the boat could not with stand the fierce sea and they were drowned. Lord Ullin saw this ghastly scene and was helpless and could only mourn his daughter's death.

Question (24): What makes "Lord Ullin's Daughter" a ballad?

Answer: A ballad is a poem which is sung with the accompaniment of musical instruments. It has a rhyme scheme of ab, ab which gives it a rhythmic beat. It also has many poetic devices like alliteration - water wild, storm and shade, human hand which gives it a musical sound effect. The subject matter is romantic set in mediaeval times, with suspense, adventure, love and hate all adding colour to the poem. The tragic end lends a dramatic quality to the poem.

The Solitary Reaper - English Literature

Summary
"The Solitary Reaper" is a delightful lyric by William Wordsworth. Wordsworth is known as a great lover and preacher of nature. He impresses us by the imaginative and philosophical quality of his thoughts.

This poem is a result of his visit to Scotland where he came across a lovely maiden in the fields all alone. Her lovely person and her sweet song had a deep impression on the poet and moved him to compose these verses. The lovely singer appeared to be a part of that beautiful scene of nature.

A highland girl was reaping grain in the field and singing a song at the same time. The poet did not understand the contents of the song as it was in a foreign language. He guessed that it was the tale of old and tragic events of the past. It could also be an account of some recent calamity or mishap. Whatever the theme of the song, it was sung in a beautiful, rich voice. The song seemed to be endless. The poet was bewitched by the thrilling notes of the lonely reaper. The whole valley was ringing with her silvery sound. Even the spring bird Cuckoo could not produce such a magical effect as the maiden's song cost on the poet.
The poet stood still and listened to that golden voice for some time. After words, when he was climbing the hill he could not hear that song any longer. But he was still feeling the sweet vibrations of that music in his heart. The sweet memory of that song had become a permanent source of joy.

Sample Q's And A's

Question (1): What were the poet's first thoughts when he saw the solitary reaper?

Answer: The poet was so moved by the reaper working all alone in the fields, singing her song, that he felt the scene should not be disturbed. The slightest noise would be jarring. So he stood there quietly watching her at her work.

Question (2): What kind of song was the girl singing?

Answer: The girl was singing a sad and lonesome song.

Question (3): Why was the valley filled with music?

Answer: The song was very intense and melodious. The beauty of the girl's voice was so deep, that the entire valley echoed with the song.

Question (4): To what does the poet compare the reaper's song?

Answer: The young maiden's song was inspiring and welcome to the poet, just as the nightingale's song in the desert which is indicative of an oasis nearby. The song is also compared to the cuckoo's song in the far off islands of the Hebrides.

Question (5): Why was the poet puzzled with the song?

Answer: The girl was singing in a language that the poet did not understand. He was puzzled about the meaning of the song.

Question (6): How did the reaper's song affect the poet?

Answer: The reaper's song made such an impact on the poet that he carried the music with him. He could feel the beauty of the song long after he had passed the valley.

Question (7): Read the following and answer the questions:-
Alone she cuts, and binds the grain
And sings a melancholy strain
O listen! for the vale profound
Is overflowing with the sound.

a. Who is 'she'?

b. What is meant by 'melancholy strain'?

c. What does the 'vale profound' refer to?

Answer: a. 'She' is the solitary reaper.

b. 'Melancholy strain' means a sad song.

c. 'Vale profound' refers to a deep valley.

Question (8): "Will no one tell me what she sings
Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far- off things
And battles long ago

a. Why does the poet ask the question in the first line?

b. What is meant by 'plaintive numbers'?

c. What could have been one of the themes of the song?

Answer: a. The poet asks this question because he is unable to understand the meaning of the song, as the language in which she was singing was not familiar to the poet.

b. 'Plaintive numbers' means sad songs.

c. One of the themes could have been about battles fought long ago or some sad event of the past.

Question (9): I listened, motionless and still
And, as I mounted up the hill
The music in my heart I bore
Long after it was heard no more.

a. How did the poet react to the song?

b. Did the song affect the poet greatly?

Answer: a. The poet stood very quiet and still, listening to the beautiful song.

b. Yes, the song made a very deep impact on the poet. He was so touched by it, that he carried the whole wonderful experience with him as he moved on.

Question (10): Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:

No nightingale did ever chant,
More welcome notes to weary bands,
Of travellers in some shady haunts,
Among Arabian Sands.

a) For whom did the nightingale sing? Why?

Answer: a) The nightingale sang to welcome the tired traveller. They are weary as their journey through the desert Arabian Desert is long and exhausting, so singing to them would help relax them slightly.

Question (11): Where did the poet meet the solitary reaper?

Answer: In Scotland, while walking in the hills, the poet saw an ordinary Scottish girl, single in the field, reaping the crop and singing to herself. It sounded sad and melancholic. The entire valley was echoing and overflowing with her sweet song. The poet stood still and listened silently. He was greatly affected by the sheer melodiousness and found her song sweeter than that of a nightingale and the cuckoo.

He guessed that the topic of her song probably about old, unhappy events in her life or of battles and struggles. She has experienced long ago; it may be about some natural sorrow loss or pain. Long after she completed her singing, the poet could hear her voice resounding in his ears - the impact was very great indeed

Question (12): Why did the poet compare the song of the solitary reaper with those of the nightingale and the cuckoo - bird? What did he think of the maiden's song?

Answer: The poet was deeply moved by the sweet melancholic song of the Highland lass. It was so profound that be compared it with the song of the nightingale and the cuckoo - bird. The nightingale sings to welcome weary travellers in the Arabian Desert - the maiden's singing is compared to the soothing effect of the nightingales singing on the travellers. Similarly the cuckoo - bird's song announces the onset of spring in the Hebrides island and this singing is so pleasant that it breaks the silence of the gloomy winter - the maiden's singing has the same effect on the poet. The entire valley was overflowing with this music and the melody lingered on in the poets ears long after she had completed singing her song.