Complete Guide to "No Men Are Foreign"

Discover the essence of James Kirkup's timeless poem in our Complete Guide to "No Men Are Foreign". This post offers a comprehensive summary, deep dives into its themes and literary devices, and answers to the most frequently asked exam questions. Perfect for Class 9 students, it includes detailed explanations in English and Hindi to simplify learning. Master NCERT’s Beehive Chapter 6 Poem with this ultimate resource tailored for board exam success!

1. Summary of No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup
2. Themes of No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup
3. Literary Devices Used in No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup
4. Thinking about the Poem (Q&A of No men Are Foreign)
5. Most asked questions in exams from No Men Are Foreign
6. Explanation of No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup
7. Explanation of No Men Are Foreign in Hindi
8. Explanation of No Men Are Foreign in Urdu

Summary of No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup

No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup is a poem that reminds us of our shared humanity. It tells us that people everywhere are the same. We all breathe, eat, and sleep. The poem says that we should not see others as strangers or enemies. Instead, we should see them as brothers.

Kirkup uses simple language to show that war and hate are pointless. He says that when we harm others, we harm ourselves. The earth we walk on is the same for everyone. The air we breathe is shared by all.

The poem ends with a powerful message: we must remember that no men are foreign, and no countries are strange. By understanding this, we can live in peace and harmony.

In conclusion, No Men Are Foreign teaches us to embrace unity and reject division. It’s a call for global brotherhood.

Themes of No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup

No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup explores several profound themes that resonate deeply with readers.

Firstly, the poem emphasizes universal brotherhood. Kirkup reminds us that despite our differences, all humans share the same basic needs and experiences. We all breathe the same air, walk on the same earth, and are nourished by the same resources. This theme encourages us to see beyond superficial distinctions and recognize our common humanity.

Another significant theme is the futility of war and conflict. The poem highlights how war and hatred only lead to mutual destruction. When we harm others, we ultimately harm ourselves. This theme is a powerful call for peace and understanding, urging us to resolve conflicts through dialogue and empathy rather than violence.

The poem also touches on the theme of environmental unity. Kirkup points out that the earth and its resources are shared by all. This interconnectedness suggests that environmental harm in one part of the world affects everyone. It’s a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve our planet.

Lastly, the theme of equality and anti-discrimination is evident throughout the poem. Kirkup challenges the idea of seeing others as "foreign" or different. He advocates for equality and the rejection of prejudice, encouraging us to embrace diversity and inclusivity.

No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity, the senselessness of conflict, the importance of environmental stewardship, and the need for equality. Through these themes, the poem calls for a world where peace, understanding, and unity prevail.

Literary Devices Used in No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup

James Kirkup employs several literary devices in No Men Are Foreign to convey his powerful message of unity and peace.

Imagery: Kirkup uses vivid imagery to create strong visual pictures in the reader's mind. Phrases like "the same earth" and "the same air" help readers visualize the shared elements of human existence, reinforcing the theme of common humanity.

Repetition: The poet repeats key phrases such as "Remember" to emphasize the importance of his message. This repetition serves to remind readers continually of the central idea that no men are foreign.

Metaphor: Kirkup uses metaphors to draw comparisons that highlight his themes. For example, he refers to the earth as a "single body," suggesting that all humans are interconnected parts of a whole.

Alliteration: The use of alliteration, such as in the phrase "war's long winter," adds a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes the harshness of conflict.

Contrast: Kirkup contrasts images of peace and war to highlight the senselessness of conflict. By juxtaposing the shared experiences of humanity with the destruction caused by war, he underscores the futility of violence.

Symbolism: The poem uses symbols like "earth" and "air" to represent the shared resources and experiences of all people. These symbols help convey the idea that we are all connected by the same natural elements.

Tone: The tone of the poem is both reflective and didactic. Kirkup's reflective tone invites readers to ponder the shared aspects of human life, while the didactic tone instructs them on the importance of unity and peace.

Enjambment: Kirkup uses enjambment, where lines flow into the next without a pause, to create a sense of continuity and connection, mirroring the poem's theme of interconnectedness.

Thinking about the Poem (Q&A of No men Are Foreign)

1. (i) “Beneath all uniforms …” What uniforms do you think the poet is speaking about?
   The poet refers to military uniforms, symbolizing the divisions created by nations and conflicts.

   (ii) How does the poet suggest that all people on earth are the same?
   The poet suggests that all people are the same by highlighting shared human experiences like breathing, sleeping, and eating.

2. In stanza 1, find five ways in which we all are alike. Pick out the words.
   The words are: "breath," "aware," "sleep," "strength," and "life."

3. How many common features can you find in stanza 2? Pick out the words.
   The common features are: "sun," "air," "water," "harvests," and "peaceful."

4. “…whenever we are told to hate our brothers …” When do you think this happens? Why? Who ‘tells’ us? Should we do as we are told at such times? What does the poet say?
   This happens during wars or political conflicts. Leaders or propaganda often tell us to hate. The poet advises against following such commands, promoting unity instead.

Most asked questions in exams from No Men Are Foreign

1. What is the central theme of No Men Are Foreign? 

The central theme is the unity of humanity, emphasizing that all people are fundamentally the same and should live in peace.

2. How does the poet convey the idea of universal brotherhood? 

The poet conveys universal brotherhood by highlighting shared human experiences like breathing, sleeping, and eating, showing that we are all alike.

3. What does the poet mean by "Beneath all uniforms"? 

"Beneath all uniforms" means that despite different nationalities and appearances, all humans are essentially the same.

4. Why does the poet say "Remember, no men are strange"? 

The poet says this to remind us that no one is truly foreign; we all share common humanity.

5. How does the poem address the futility of war? 

The poem addresses the futility of war by showing that harming others ultimately harms ourselves and disrupts global peace.

6. What literary devices are used in the poem? 

The poem uses imagery, repetition, metaphor, alliteration, contrast, symbolism, tone, and enjambment to convey its message.

7. What is the significance of the line "the same earth"? 

"The same earth" signifies that all humans share the same planet and resources, reinforcing our interconnectedness.

8. How does the poet suggest we should treat others? 

The poet suggests we should treat others with kindness and understanding, recognizing our shared humanity.

9. What message does the poet give about prejudice and discrimination? 

The poet's message is to reject prejudice and discrimination, advocating for equality and inclusivity.

10. How does the poem promote environmental unity? 

The poem promotes environmental unity by highlighting that the earth and its resources are shared by all, urging collective responsibility for its preservation.

Explanation of No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup

No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup is a powerful poem that emphasizes the unity and commonality of all human beings. The poet begins by stating that beneath all uniforms, the same human body exists. This suggests that despite the differences in nationality, race, or culture, all people are fundamentally the same. The uniforms symbolize the superficial differences that often lead to conflict and division.

Kirkup uses vivid imagery to highlight shared human experiences. He mentions that we all breathe the same air, walk on the same earth, and are nourished by the same resources. This imagery reinforces the idea that our basic needs and experiences are universal, transcending any man-made boundaries.

The poem also addresses the futility of war and conflict. Kirkup points out that when we harm others, we ultimately harm ourselves. This is because we are all interconnected, and violence against one is violence against all. The poet uses repetition, particularly with the word "Remember," to stress the importance of this message. He urges readers to remember that no men are foreign and no countries are strange, advocating for peace and understanding.

In the second stanza, Kirkup continues to emphasize commonalities by mentioning the sun, air, water, and harvests that are shared by all. These elements symbolize the natural resources that sustain life, further illustrating our interconnectedness. The poet also highlights the peaceful nature of these shared experiences, contrasting them with the destruction caused by war.

The poem concludes with a powerful call to reject hatred and embrace unity. Kirkup warns against the influence of leaders or propaganda that incite hatred and division. He encourages readers to see beyond these superficial differences and recognize the shared humanity that binds us all.

Explanation of No Men Are Foreign in Hindi

No Men Are Foreign जेम्स किर्कप द्वारा लिखी गई एक प्रभावशाली कविता है जो सभी मनुष्यों की एकता और समानता पर जोर देती है। कवि शुरुआत में कहता है कि सभी वर्दियों के नीचे एक ही मानव शरीर होता है। इसका मतलब है कि राष्ट्रीयता, जाति या संस्कृति के भेदभाव के बावजूद, सभी लोग मूल रूप से एक जैसे हैं। वर्दियाँ उन सतही भेदों का प्रतीक हैं जो अक्सर संघर्ष और विभाजन का कारण बनते हैं।

किर्कप जीवंत चित्रण का उपयोग करके साझा मानव अनुभवों को उजागर करते हैं। वे कहते हैं कि हम सभी एक ही हवा में सांस लेते हैं, एक ही धरती पर चलते हैं, और एक ही संसाधनों से पोषित होते हैं। यह चित्रण इस विचार को मजबूत करता है कि हमारी बुनियादी जरूरतें और अनुभव सार्वभौमिक हैं, जो किसी भी मानव निर्मित सीमाओं से परे हैं।

कविता युद्ध और संघर्ष की निरर्थकता पर भी ध्यान केंद्रित करती है। किर्कप बताते हैं कि जब हम दूसरों को नुकसान पहुंचाते हैं, तो हम अंततः खुद को नुकसान पहुंचाते हैं। ऐसा इसलिए है क्योंकि हम सभी एक-दूसरे से जुड़े हुए हैं, और एक के खिलाफ हिंसा सभी के खिलाफ हिंसा है। कवि "याद रखें" शब्द का बार-बार उपयोग करते हैं ताकि इस संदेश की महत्ता को रेखांकित किया जा सके। वे पाठकों से आग्रह करते हैं कि वे याद रखें कि कोई भी व्यक्ति विदेशी नहीं है और कोई भी देश अजनबी नहीं है, शांति और समझदारी की वकालत करते हुए।

दूसरे पद में, किर्कप समानताओं को उजागर करना जारी रखते हैं, जैसे कि सूरज, हवा, पानी और फसलें जो सभी के लिए साझा हैं। ये तत्व उन प्राकृतिक संसाधनों का प्रतीक हैं जो जीवन को बनाए रखते हैं, हमारी आपसी जुड़ाव को और अधिक स्पष्ट करते हैं। कवि इन साझा अनुभवों की शांतिपूर्ण प्रकृति को भी उजागर करते हैं, जो युद्ध के कारण होने वाली विनाश से विपरीत है।

कविता एक शक्तिशाली आह्वान के साथ समाप्त होती है कि नफरत को अस्वीकार करें और एकता को अपनाएं। किर्कप नेताओं या प्रचार के प्रभाव के खिलाफ चेतावनी देते हैं जो नफरत और विभाजन को बढ़ावा देते हैं। वे पाठकों को इन सतही भेदों से परे देखने और हमें सभी को जोड़ने वाली साझा मानवता को पहचानने के लिए प्रोत्साहित करते हैं।

कुल मिलाकर, No Men Are Foreign एक महत्वपूर्ण याद दिलाती है कि एकता, शांति और समझदारी का महत्व है। सरल लेकिन प्रभावशाली भाषा के माध्यम से, किर्कप एक समयहीन संदेश देते हैं जो आज की दुनिया में भी प्रासंगिक है। कविता पूर्वाग्रह और संघर्ष को अस्वीकार करने और हमारी साझा मानवता को अपनाने का आह्वान करती है।

Explanation of No Men Are Foreign in Urdu

No Men Are Foreign جیمز کرکپ کی ایک طاقتور نظم ہے جو تمام انسانوں کی یکجہتی اور مشترکہ انسانیت پر زور دیتی ہے۔ شاعر ابتدا میں کہتا ہے کہ تمام یونیفارمز کے نیچے ایک ہی انسانی جسم ہوتا ہے۔ اس کا مطلب ہے کہ قومیت، نسل یا ثقافت کے فرق کے باوجود، تمام لوگ بنیادی طور پر ایک جیسے ہیں۔ یونیفارمز ان سطحی اختلافات کی علامت ہیں جو اکثر تنازعہ اور تقسیم کا سبب بنتے ہیں۔

کرکپ جاندار تصویریں استعمال کرتے ہوئے مشترکہ انسانی تجربات کو اجاگر کرتے ہیں۔ وہ کہتے ہیں کہ ہم سب ایک ہی ہوا میں سانس لیتے ہیں، ایک ہی زمین پر چلتے ہیں، اور ایک ہی وسائل سے پرورش پاتے ہیں۔ یہ تصویریں اس خیال کو مضبوط کرتی ہیں کہ ہماری بنیادی ضروریات اور تجربات عالمگیر ہیں، جو کسی بھی انسان ساختہ حدود سے بالاتر ہیں۔

نظم جنگ اور تنازعہ کی بے معنی ہونے پر بھی توجہ دیتی ہے۔ کرکپ بتاتے ہیں کہ جب ہم دوسروں کو نقصان پہنچاتے ہیں، تو ہم بالآخر خود کو نقصان پہنچاتے ہیں۔ ایسا اس لیے ہے کیونکہ ہم سب ایک دوسرے سے جڑے ہوئے ہیں، اور ایک کے خلاف تشدد سب کے خلاف تشدد ہے۔ شاعر "یاد رکھیں" لفظ کا بار بار استعمال کرتے ہیں تاکہ اس پیغام کی اہمیت کو اجاگر کیا جا سکے۔ وہ قارئین سے درخواست کرتے ہیں کہ وہ یاد رکھیں کہ کوئی بھی شخص غیر ملکی نہیں ہے اور کوئی بھی ملک اجنبی نہیں ہے، امن اور سمجھداری کی وکالت کرتے ہوئے۔

دوسرے بند میں، کرکپ مشترکہ خصوصیات کو اجاگر کرنا جاری رکھتے ہیں، جیسے کہ سورج، ہوا، پانی اور فصلیں جو سب کے لیے مشترک ہیں۔ یہ عناصر ان قدرتی وسائل کی علامت ہیں جو زندگی کو برقرار رکھتے ہیں، ہماری باہمی جڑت کو مزید واضح کرتے ہیں۔ شاعر ان مشترکہ تجربات کی پرامن نوعیت کو بھی اجاگر کرتے ہیں، جو جنگ کے سبب ہونے والی تباہی سے متضاد ہے۔

نظم ایک طاقتور اپیل کے ساتھ ختم ہوتی ہے کہ نفرت کو مسترد کریں اور یکجہتی کو اپنائیں۔ کرکپ رہنماؤں یا پروپیگنڈا کے اثرات کے خلاف خبردار کرتے ہیں جو نفرت اور تقسیم کو فروغ دیتے ہیں۔ وہ قارئین کو ان سطحی اختلافات سے بالاتر دیکھنے اور ہمیں سب کو جوڑنے والی مشترکہ انسانیت کو پہچاننے کی ترغیب دیتے ہیں۔

مجموعی طور پر، No Men Are Foreign یکجہتی، امن اور سمجھداری کی اہمیت کی ایک اہم یاد دہانی ہے۔ سادہ لیکن مؤثر زبان کے ذریعے، کرکپ ایک لازوال پیغام دیتے ہیں جو آج کی دنیا میں بھی متعلقہ ہے۔ نظم تعصب اور تنازعہ کو مسترد کرنے اور ہماری مشترکہ انسانیت کو اپنانے کی اپیل کرتی ہے۔

Father to Son by Elizabeth Jennings Summary Themes Questions and Answers NCERT Class 11 English

Detailed analysis of "Father to Son" by Elizabeth Jennings:

Title and Theme: The title "Father to Son" immediately suggests the theme of the poem, which is the complex and often strained relationship between a father and his son. The poem delves into the challenges of understanding, communication, and the emotional gap that exists between generations.

Stanza 1: In the opening stanza, the speaker expresses a sense of bewilderment and distance in their relationship with their child. Despite living together in the same house for years, the speaker feels that they do not truly comprehend their child's thoughts and emotions. This lack of understanding prompts the speaker to reflect on their attempts to connect with their child based on memories from the past.

Stanza 2: The second stanza contemplates the idea of nurturing and guiding the child's growth, likening it to planting a seed. However, there is a sense of uncertainty about whether the seed has taken root and grown in the child's own territory ("the land is his and none of mine"). The metaphor highlights the challenge of nurturing a sense of connection and shared experience.

Stanza 3: The third stanza reveals the strained nature of their current relationship. The two communicate like strangers, and there is a noticeable lack of understanding between them. The speaker reflects on the disconnect between the child's interests and their own, expressing a sense of alienation from the son's world and passions.

Stanza 4: In this stanza, the speaker reveals their desire for the son to return to the familiar ("prodigal") environment of the father's house, longing for a connection reminiscent of the past. This can be interpreted as a wish for the son to embrace a more conventional and recognizable path in life, rather than forging his own unique path.

Stanza 5: The fifth stanza expresses the father's willingness to forgive the son for his choices and to find a new kind of love born from sorrow and understanding. This highlights the complexity of the emotional journey for both father and son.

Stanza 6: In this stanza, the poem shifts to a more introspective tone, as both father and son acknowledge their shared existence on the same Earth. The son's statement about not understanding himself reveals a universal struggle with self-awareness and identity. The lines "why anger grows from grief" suggest a recognition of the son's emotional struggles.

Stanza 7: The final stanza encapsulates the essence of the poem's theme. Both the father and the son are portrayed as reaching out for connection and forgiveness, symbolized by their "empty hand." The longing for something to forgive underscores the depth of their emotional yearning for understanding and reconciliation.

In "Father to Son," Elizabeth Jennings skillfully captures the complex dynamics of a father-son relationship, emphasizing the challenges of understanding and bridging the emotional gap between generations. The poem reflects on the universal themes of communication, empathy, and the intricacies of familial bonds.

Summary of the poem Father to Son by Elizabeth Jennings

"Father to Son" by Elizabeth Jennings is a reflective poem that explores the strained relationship between a father and his son. Despite living together, the two feel like strangers, unable to truly understand each other. The father attempts to connect based on memories from the past, but there is a sense of disconnect between their worlds. The father wishes for the son to return to the familiar, yet also seeks to forgive and find a new kind of love. Both express a longing for understanding and reconciliation, symbolized by their outstretched but empty hands. The poem delves into the complexities of generational differences, communication, and the emotional journey of a father and son trying to bridge the gap between them.

The theme of the Poem Father to Son by Elizabeth Jennings

The theme of "Father to Son" by Elizabeth Jennings revolves around the complexities of family relationships, particularly the strained bond between a father and his son. The poem explores various facets of this theme:

1. Communication and Understanding: The poem highlights the challenges of communication and understanding between generations. Despite living together, the father and son struggle to connect emotionally and comprehend each other's perspectives.

2. Generational Divide: The poem delves into the gap that can exist between different generations. The father's attempts to relate to his son based on his own experiences are met with a disconnect, illustrating how generational differences can lead to a lack of mutual comprehension.

3. Desire for Reconciliation: The father expresses a longing for reconciliation and a renewed relationship with his son. He yearns for the son to return to the familial fold, even though he acknowledges the son's need to forge his own path.

4. Forgiveness and Acceptance: Forgiveness is another key theme. The father is willing to forgive and seeks to shape a new love from the sadness he feels. This emphasizes the importance of acceptance and understanding despite differences.

5. Identity and Self-Understanding: The son's statement about not understanding himself touches on the theme of self-identity and self-discovery. This reflects a broader theme of individuals' struggles to comprehend their own emotions and motivations.

6. Emotional Struggles: The poem addresses emotional struggles, such as grief and anger, that can arise within family relationships. The father and son both grapple with complex emotions as they navigate their connection.

In essence, "Father to Son" delves into the intricacies of familial bonds, the challenges of bridging the gap between generations, and the yearning for understanding and reconciliation despite differences.

Think it out (Q&A)

Q1. Does the poem talk of an exclusively personal experience or is it fairly universal?

ANSWER: The poem "Father to Son" by Elizabeth Jennings touches on themes and emotions that are fairly universal, making it relatable to a wide range of readers beyond just the personal experience it may have been inspired by.

While the poem may have been inspired by a specific personal experience or relationship, its exploration of generational divide, communication challenges, the desire for reconciliation, and the complexities of family dynamics are all themes that resonate with many people. The struggles depicted in the poem are not limited to the particular individuals mentioned; they reflect broader human experiences within familial relationships.

Q2. How is the father’s helplessness brought out in the poem?

LONG ANSWER: 

The father's sense of helplessness in "Father to Son" is effectively conveyed through several aspects of the poem, including imagery, language, and the exploration of his emotions. Here are some ways in which the father's helplessness is brought out:

1. Strained Communication: The poem begins by emphasizing the lack of understanding between the father and the son. Despite living together for years, they are depicted as essentially strangers, unable to communicate effectively. This lack of connection underscores the father's helplessness in trying to bridge the emotional gap.

2. Metaphorical Imagery: The metaphor of planting a seed and nurturing it illustrates the father's attempt to guide and shape his son's growth. However, the uncertainty about whether the seed has grown and the land belonging to the son's world emphasize the father's limited control over the son's choices and development. This metaphor symbolizes the father's inability to fully influence his son's path.

3. Yearning for Reconciliation: The father expresses a desire for the son to return to the "father's house" and the familiar, which can be seen as a longing for the son to come back to a more conventional and known path. This wish reveals the father's sense of powerlessness in accepting the son's independent choices.

4. Empty Hands: The repeated image of "an empty hand" symbolizes the father's inability to connect with his son on an emotional level. The image suggests a reaching out for understanding and reconciliation, but it remains unfulfilled, highlighting the father's helplessness in bridging the emotional divide.

5. Emotional Struggle: The father's emotions, such as grief and a willingness to forgive, reflect his internal turmoil and sense of helplessness in navigating the complexities of their relationship. His acknowledgment that he does not understand his own emotions ("I cannot understand / Myself") further underscores his feelings of helplessness and confusion.

6. Yearning for Shared Love: The father's desire to shape a new love from sorrow signifies his hope for a renewed connection with his son, even in the face of their differences. This yearning emphasizes his helplessness in trying to mend the relationship.

Collectively, these elements in the poem paint a picture of a father who is struggling to bridge the emotional gap between himself and his son, highlighting his sense of helplessness and the challenges he faces in understanding and connecting with his child.

SHORT ANSWER:

"Father to Son" by Elizabeth Jennings expresses a father's helplessness in bridging the emotional gap with his son. Despite living together, they are like strangers, struggling to communicate. The father's wish for his son to return to the familiar "father's house" highlights his difficulty accepting the son's independence. References to "empty hands" symbolize failed attempts to connect, and the father's grief and desire for forgiveness reveal his turmoil. Ultimately, he longs to transform sorrow into a new bond, underscoring his struggle to reconcile with his son.

Q4. Identify the phrases and lines that indicate distance between father and son.

ANSWER: In "Father to Son" by Elizabeth Jennings, several phrases and lines indicate the emotional distance between the father and son:

1. "I do not understand this child"

2. "We speak like strangers"

3. "There's no sign of understanding in the air"

4. "Yet what he loves I cannot share"

5. "Silence surrounds us"

6. "I would have / Him prodigal, returning to / His father's house"

7. "Rather than see him make and move / His world"

8. "He speaks: I cannot understand / Myself, why anger grows from grief"

9. "We each put out an empty hand"

These phrases and lines highlight the lack of understanding, communication, and emotional connection between the father and son, underscoring the theme of distance and estrangement in their relationship.

Q5. Does the poem have a consistent rhyme scheme?

ANSWER: Yes, the poem "Father to Son" by Elizabeth Jennings has a consistent ABBABA rhyme scheme in each stanza. This means that the first, fourth, and fifth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, and the second and third lines rhyme with each other. This rhyme scheme contributes to the poem's structure and rhythm.

• 15 Multiple Choice Questions of the poem 'Father to Son'

Poem - The Laburnum Top - Class 11 English Hornbill

The Laburnum Top - Text

Laburnum Tree

The Laburnum top is silent, quite still
In the afternoon yellow September sunlight, A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen.

Till the goldfinch comes, with a twitching chirrup
A suddenness, a startlement, at a branch end.
Then sleek as a lizard, and alert, and abrupt,
She enters the thickness, and a machine starts up
Of chitterings, and a tremor of wings, and trillings —
The whole tree trembles and thrills.
It is the engine of her family.
She stokes it full, then flirts out to a branch-end
Showing her barred face identity mask

Then with eerie delicate whistle-chirrup whisperings
She launches away, towards the infinite

And the laburnum subsides to empty.

Word Meaning of the Poem Laburnum Top

Word	Meaning
laburnum	Laburnum, sometimes called golden chain or golden rain, is a genus of two species of small trees in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae.
goldfinch	a kind of bird, a brightly coloured finch with yellow feathers in the plumage.
twitching	1a : a brief spasmodic contraction of the muscle fibers. b : a slight jerk of a body part. 2 : an act of twitching especially : a short sudden pull or jerk.
chirrup	make high-pitched sounds; "the birds were chirping in the bushes"
startlement	the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual. the look of startlement in her eyes when she found herself at the wedding seated next to her ex-boyfriend.
chittering	a chirping noise
tremor of wings	an involuntary quivering movement(of wings)
trillings	produce a quavering or warbling sound, chirruping, twittering
tremble	(of a person, a part of the body, or the voice) shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty.
thrill (v.)	cause (someone) to have a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure.
stoking (the engine)	add coal or other solid fuel to (a fire, furnace, boiler, etc.).
flirt out	(of a bird) wave or open and shut (its wings or tail) with a quick flicking motion.
barred face identity mask	mask having bars or lines like pattern
eerie	strange and frightening.

Summary of the Poem

Goldfinch Bird

The poem “The Laburnum Top” by Ted Hughes describes the mutual relation between a Laburnum Tree and a goldfinch. Both of them are yellow in colour (the tree is yellow because of its flowers) and quite beautiful in appearance.

The Laburnum Tree is beautiful, large but quite silent and getting naked because of winter. However, the bird, Goldfinch appears from the sky and soon the whole tree is surrounded by the sweet chirps of the bird and her young ones. It was previously dead and now it seems to be alive and shaking until the bird vanishes away again. Dead silence prevails.

The poem has been divided into three stanzas. There is not set rhyme scheme. The first stanza describes the tree before the bird reaches it. The second stanza describes the coming of the bird and the final stanza tells the condition of the tree when the bird goes away.

In the first stanza, the poet says that he saw a Laburnum Tree (with its yellow flowers). In his words, “The Laburnum top is silent“. The tree is still and looks dead-like in the day time of September. Even the sunlight is also yellow. As it is the time of autumn, the leaves of the tree have turned yellow and its seeds have fallen off it.

In this stanza, the poet uses the image “yellow” colour repeatedly. First the tree’s flowers are yellow, then its leaves have also turned yellow and the sunlight is also yellow.

The yellow color symbolises beauty (because of flowers, which, though have fallen off in the form of seeds), death (because of yellow leaves) as well as silence (day time without rain or wind). In the whole stanza, the poet is trying to describe the miserable condition of the Laburnum Tree which is silent, dying and without seeds (useless).

The death-like scene however changes as soon as the goldfinch comes with a twitching chirrup. Goldfinch is a bright yellow coloured bird. Twitching chirrup means “short chirping sounds”.

The bird is quite precautious while sitting at a branch end of the tree and has sudden quick movements. Perhaps it is looking out for any danger that might be there.

It then goes into the thick bark of the Laburnum Tree smoothly but abruptly with alertness. As soon as she enters the tree (her nest is inside the Laburnum Tree), a machine starts up of chitterings, and a tremor of wings, and trillings.

The image of machine here refers to the young ones of the bird. A machine makes a lot of noise when it starts. Similarly, when the young birds see their mother they start chirping like a machine, flattering their wings in joy as their mother has come with food. They were hungry as well as sad being far from their mother.

Now the whole tree trembles and thrills because of the mother bird and her young ones. The poet probably wants us to feel how a solitary and silent tree becomes alive because it has given space to the bird and her young ones. The birds have gotten shelter and the tree in return has got life.

The goldfinch is thus the engine of her family which includes the Laburnum tree as well. According to the poet it fills them with fuel i.e. it gives food to the young ones and thrill to the tree. Having done that, she again flies to a branch-end. Only her dark-coloured striped face is visible as it is yellow and hence becomes invisible in the yellow leaves of the tree.

Reaching the branch-end of the tree, it makes strange but sweet chirping sounds and then begins his journey towards the infinite i.e. the sky and the Laburnum Tree again becomes silent again.

The Laburnum Top Questions and Answers

1. What do you notice about the beginning and the ending of the poem?
   
   
   ANSWER: The first line of the poem, "The Laburnum top is silent, quite still" and the last line of the poem, "And the laburnum subsides to empty" indicate that before the arrival and departure of the bird the laburnum top was quiet and still. 
   
   
   
2. To what is the bird’s movement compared? What is the basis for the comparison?
   
   
   ANSWER: The bird's movement is compared to that of a lizard. When the bird comes back with food to feed the chicks and enters the thickness of the laburnum top, the way the bird moves reminds the poet of the movement of a lizard in its abruptness, sleekness and alertness.  
   
   
   
3. Why is the image of the engine evoked by the poet?
   
   
   ANSWER: "It is the engine of her family", the engine is a key component in a machinery that gets the job done. The arrival of the bird and the trillings of the young checks in response make the tree alive like an engine. The tree makes it possible the bird and her chicks are safe and are able to move forward in the life process.
   
   
   
4. What do you like the most about the poem?
   
   
   ANSWER: I like the imagery of laburnum tree as the engine of the goldfinch family coming to life with tremors and trillings when the bird arrives to feed her young chicks. The use of literary devices like simile and alliterations make the poem more sonorous, appealing and meaningful.
   
   
   
5. What does the phrase "her barred face identity mask" mean?
   
   ANSWER:

   

   British Goldfinch with 'barred face identity mask'
   

   The phrase "her barred face identity mask" means the unique pattern of goldfinches found in the United Kingdom where the poet belonged to. The goldfinch birds have a distinct mask like pattern on their head as if wearing a mask. 
   
   
   

Class XII - English Core - Flamingo - POEM 4 - A Thing of Beauty

English Notes for Class XII - English Core - Flamingo - POEM 4 - A Thing of Beauty

Poem Text

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
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. 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:
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.

Summary

This poem is an excerpt from a longer poem titled as Endymion written by famous English poet John Keats. In the poem Keats talks about the concept of beauty, its immortality and how it is embedded in nature. The opening lines set the mood of the poem by firmly stating that "A thing of beauty is joy forever." He rightly states that the objects of beauty are lying all around us- the sun, the moon, trees, musk rose and daffodils.

In his definition of beauty he includes things that are produced by human beings like art, poetry and mythological stories.

He opines that the world is suffering because it has gone away from Nature. If we return to nature and appreciate the beauty around us, may be there is less violence and the world is a better place to live in.

Analysis of the Poem - A Thing of Beauty

The poem "Endymion" by John Keats begins with the famous line, "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever." The speaker argues that beautiful things bring lasting joy because they never fade away, but instead become even more lovely over time. Beauty provides us with a tranquil retreat and a peaceful sleep filled with pleasant dreams, good health, and calm breathing.

The speaker believes that we should appreciate beauty every day, despite the challenges we face. We should surround ourselves with flowers to connect us to the natural world and remind us of the beauty that exists even in difficult times. Beauty can lift our spirits and help us transcend the darkness and difficulties of life. The sun, moon, trees, daffodils, clear streams, and blooming musk-roses are all examples of beauty that can provide us with comfort and solace.

The poem also acknowledges the power of stories and imagination to create beauty. The speaker references the grandeur of the imagined dooms of great figures who have passed away and the enchanting tales we have read or heard. These stories and imaginings offer us an endless fountain of "immortal drink," providing us with a constant source of beauty and inspiration.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS 

1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
   
   ANSWER
   According to the poem, a thing of beauty is a joy forever because it possesses a timeless quality. Its loveliness only increases over time, and it never fades away or becomes less beautiful. This enduring quality of beauty allows it to provide lasting joy and comfort to those who appreciate it.
   
   The speaker of the poem argues that beauty offers us a peaceful retreat, a restful sleep filled with pleasant dreams, good health, and calm breathing. Beauty provides a respite from the challenges of life, and its enduring nature ensures that it will always be a source of joy and inspiration.
   
   In essence, beauty is a joy forever because it has the power to transcend time and endure even in the face of adversity. Its ability to uplift the spirit and offer solace makes it an essential aspect of our lives, providing us with a constant source of happiness and wonder.
   
   
2. What kind of sleep does it provide?
   
   ANSWER
   According to the poem "Endymion" by John Keats, a thing of beauty provides a sleep that is full of sweet dreams, health, and quiet breathing. Beauty offers us a tranquil retreat from the challenges of life and allows us to rest deeply and peacefully.
   
   The poem suggests that beauty has a restorative quality that can promote good health and well-being. By providing us with a peaceful and restful sleep, beauty can help us recharge and face the world with renewed energy and vitality.
   
   
3. What are we doing every day?
   
   ANSWER
   According to the poem "Endymion" by John Keats, we are wreathing a flowery band every day to bind ourselves to the earth. The speaker suggests that we should appreciate and surround ourselves with beauty every day, despite the challenges we face.
   
   By wreathing a flowery band, the speaker means that we should seek out and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us in the natural world. This appreciation can connect us to the earth and remind us of the enduring power of beauty, even in difficult times.
   
   The poem suggests that this daily practice of appreciating beauty can help us transcend the darkness and difficulties of life. It can lift our spirits, promote good health, and provide us with a constant source of joy and inspiration.
   
   
4. Describe bad and evil things that we possess in us.
   ANSWER
   We suffer from disappointment, lack of noble qualities and unhealthy and evil ways.
5. What removes the pall from our dark spirits and how ?
   ANSWER
   Some beautiful shape or a thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness from our " hearts or spirits.
6. What sprouts a shady boon for sheep and how ?
   ANSWER
   Trees old and young sprout to make a green covering. It becomes a shelter for simple sheep and proves a blessing for them.
7. Describe the role of daffodils and clear rills in enriching the environment.
   ANSWER
   Daffodils bloom among the green surroundings. The small streams (rills) with clear water make a cooling shelter for themselves against the hot season.
8. What is lovelier than all lovely tales we have heard or read ?
   ANSWER
   The beauty of daffodils, rills and musk-roses is more enchanting than all lovely sto­ries that we have heard or read.
9. What is the source of 'the endless fountain of immortal drink' ?
   ANSWER
   An endless fountain of nectar that makes us immortal pours into us the heavenly bliss of nature.
10. What is the effect of that 'immortal drink' on us ?
    ANSWER
    That immortal drink that nature's endless fountain pours into our hearts is a source of immense joy for us.

THINK IT OUT

1. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
   ANSWER
   Every little or big thing of nature is a thing of beauty and a source of pleasure. The sun, the moon, trees old and young and daffodil flowers are all things of beauty. So are small streams with clear water, mass of ferns and the blooming musk-roses. They are constant sources of joy and pleasure.
2. List the things that cause suffering and pain.
   ANSWER
   There are many things that cause human suffering and pain. The biggest source of suffering is our malice and disappointment. The lack of noble qualities is another. Our unhealthy and evil ways also give birth to so many troubles and sufferings. They depress our spirits. They are like a pall of sadness over our lives.
3. What does the line, 'Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth', suggest to you ?(Imp.)
   ANSWER
   John Keats is a sensuous poet. He is firmly attached to the endless beauty of the earth. The link of man with nature is constant and unbroken. The things of beauty are like wreaths of beautiful flowers. We seem to wreathe a flowery band that keeps us attached to the beauties of this earth.
4. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   So many things bring troubles and sufferings. They depress our spirits. But 'some shape of beauty' brings love and happiness in spite of such unpleasant things. A thing of beauty removes away the pall of sadness and sufferings from our lives. It makes human beings love.
5. Why is 'grandeur' associated with the 'mighty dead' ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   The mighty dead were the people who were powerful and dominating in their own times. Their achievements made them 'mighty' and great. Their works dazzle our eyes. We imagine that such mighty dead forefathers will attain more grandeur at the doomsday. They will be rewarded. Hence grandeur is associated with the 'mighty dead'.
6. Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us ? (Imp.).
   ANSWER
   John Keats makes it clear in the very first line of this excerpt that 'a thing of beauty is a joy forever'. It is a constant source of joy. Nor does its beauty decrease. Its loveliness goes on increasing every moment. Its value remains undiminished. It never passes into nothingness. It always removes the pall of sadness that covers our dark spirits.
7. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth ?
   ANSWER
   John Keats uses various images to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. The bounty of the earth is like an endless fountain. This endless fountain of immortal drink constantly pours from the heaven into our hearts.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   John Keats, a great Romantic poet, considers that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. It is a constant source of happiness and pleasure. Its loveliness increases every moment. A thing of beauty is never devalued. It never passes into nothingness.
2. How does a thing of beauty keep a bower quiet for us?
   ANSWER
   Keats is rich in sensuous imagery. Nature provides us with things of rare beauty. A pleasant place in the shade under a tree provides us a quiet bower. Similarly, a thing of beauty transports us to peace and security. We enjoy a sleep full of dreams, health and peace.
3. How do we bind us to the earth every morning? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   Like all Romantic poets, Keats stresses the unbreakable bond of man with nature and the earth. The beauties of the earth fascinate man. Every object of nature is a source of beauty and happiness. Every day we are weaving a wreath through these beautiful things. This flowery band binds us with the earth.
4. What are the things that give sufferings and sadness to man?
   ANSWER
   Man, himself, is the root cause of his woes. We suffer from malice and distress. Unfortunately, we lack human qualities and it makes us inhuman. Our life becomes gloomy. We cultivate unhealthy and evil ways. All such things bring misery and sufferings to men.
5. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings ?(CBSE2008)
   ANSWER
   In spite of all troubles and sufferings human beings love life. The beauties and blessings of nature move away the 'pall' from our 'dark spirits'. Such things of beauty are joys forever.
6. How is the pall of despondence moved away from our dark spirits ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   Man makes his life miserable by his own nature and actions. He faces miseries and pains. Amid these miseries and sufferings, a thing of beauty provides a hope to man. Some shape of beauty works wonders. It removes the pall of despondence and sadness from our 'dark spirits'.
7. Name the things of nature that are constant sources of beauty.
   ANSWER
   The beauties of nature are endless. The sun, the moon, trees old and young, beautiful daffodil flowers, green surroundings are some of such beautiful things. Similarly, small streams of clear water, green ferns and thickets of the forest and musk-roses are some other things of beauty. All such things of beauty are a constant source of joy for us.
8. Why does Keats associate 'grandeur' with 'the mighty dead'? (A.I. CBSE 2008)
   ANSWER
   The 'mighty dead' were people of great power, authority and grandeur. They were wealthy, brave and awesome people. They are dead in their grave but still reflect that gran­deur and glory.
   
   
9. What is the source of the 'endless fountain' and what is its effect ?
   ANSWER
   The beauties of nature know no limits. Nature is an eternal source of joy to mankind. A fountain of eternal joy and immortality pours into the heart and soul of man. It flows and pours right from the heaven's brink.
10. What is the message that John Keats wants to give through 'A thing of Beauty' ?
    ANSWER
    The very first line of the poem conveys the message of the poet. John Keats was a worshipper of beauty. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Beauty never fades. Nor is it devalued. It never passes into nothingness. A thing of beauty removes away the pall of sadness and sorrows and gives us joy and pleasure.

Essay-03 - Patterns of Creativity

Class Notes - English - XI - Electictive - Woven Words - Essay:03

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

1. How does Shelley’s attitude to science differ from that of Wordsworth and Keats?
   
   
   
   Wordsworth in his poem 'A Poet's Epitaph' looks at science with a critical mind. Even in the poem 'Tables Turned' he praises nature and appreciates the beauty it gives to the humanity: 
   
   "Up! up! my Friend, and quit your books;"
   "Enough of Science and of Art;
   Close up those barren leaves;
   Come forth, and bring with you a heart
   That watches and receives."
   
   

   Wordsworth requests us to be more inclined towards Nature because there is more wisdom in it. Keats in his poem 'Lamia' talks of two facets of human nature: one is sensual and other emotional. Keats calls philosophy destructive and pleasure unreal and calls them inseparable. However, it is not that one must take Wordsworth's and Keat's take as absolute. Shelley, for instance, is of a different opinion. For scientists it is best if they consider Shelley. A. N. Whitehead's testimony called Shelley's attitude to Science, an opposite pole to that of Wordsworth. He loved science, and was never tired of expressing in poetry the thoughts, which it suggests. Science symbolised to him joy, and peace, and illumination.
2. ‘It is not an accident that the most discriminating literary criticism of Shelley’s thought and work is by a distinguished scientist, Desmond King-Hele.’ How does this statement bring out the meeting point of poetry and science? 
   
   
   A Desmond King-Hele, a British physicist, is the author of Shelley: His Thought and Work. He said that Shelley's attitude to science emphasises the surprising modern climate of thoughts in which he chose to live. Shelley describes the mechanisms of nature with a precision and wealth of detail. It is a perfect fusion of poetry and science. A scientist critically reviewing a poet's work on science. S. Chandrasekhar points out two examples from Shelley's poetry in support of what is said about him. He points out that in his poem Cloud, a creative myth, a scientific monograph, and a gay picaresque tale of cloud adventure are fused together. Then he cites an example from Prometheus Unbound, which has been described by Herbert Read as the greatest expression ever given to humanity's desire for intellectual light and spiritual liberty.
3. What do you infer from Darwin’s comment on his indifference to literature as he advanced in years? 
   
   
   Darwin, a great scientist, known for his work On the Origin of Species, enjoyed literature only until he was 30, as he said. He enjoyed poetic works of Byron, Coleridge, Shelley, etc. immensely. Shakespeare's historical plays gave him much pleasure. However, as he advanced in his age to reach the benchmark of 30, the charm faded and he began losing interest in pictures and music that once gave him great delight. He tried reading poetry and Shakespeare; however, he found it so intolerably dull that it nauseated him. It is surprising that the answer to this change is in Darwin's own statement. His mind had become some kind of a  grinding machine to process laws out of facts. It caused atrophy of that part of the brain on which higher tastes depended. It was hard for Darwin to infer it as well and, thus, his romance with literature died away.
4. How do the patterns of creativity displayed by scientists differ from those displayed by poets? 
   
   
   Poets are the bards celebrating the nature surrounding them. While, scientists are the ones to harvest nature and its mechanism and mark inventions. Poets such as Wordsworth and Keats criticise humans of exploiting nature. Whereas, scientists on the other hand utilize the given resources of nature to create and invent. However, it is not that there is an enmity between poets and scientists. Shelley said, undoubtedly the promoters of utility, in this limited sense, have their appointed office in society They make space and give time.Here we have Darwin, who enjoyed literature immensely, however, until he was thirty. He said later,' My mind seems to have become a kind of machine for grinding general laws out of large collections of facts but why this should have caused the atrophy of that part of the brain alone on which the higher tastes depend.Thus, it can be understood, while the poets celebrate the present and arrest it making it all immortal, the scientists create and invent leading us to a tomorrow, thus, marking a difference.
5. What is the central argument of the speaker?
   
   
   In the essay patterns of creativity, S. Chandrasekhar tries to figure out the reason for the difference in the patterns of creativity among the practitioners in the arts and practitioners in the sciences. He did not answer it, rather, he made an assortment of remarks that bore the answer. He cites examples explaining how poets and scientists view each other defining the difference in their views. There are poets such as Wordsworth and Keats who are worshippers of nature, who believe that humans sabotage nature by the technological advancement. However, there are poets like Shelley, who do poetry on science. It is difficult to segregate the views and put them into water tight compartments. Darwin, for instance enjoyed literature immensely as it gave him utmost joy, but only till the age of 30. W. B. Yeats, in praise of Shelley's A Defence of Poetry, called it the profoundest essay on the foundation of poetry in the English language The author of the essay, Chandrasekhar wonders in the end that why is there no such A Defence of Science written by a scientist of equal endowment. Perhaps the answer to the question he knew already.

TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT

1. ‘Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world’.
   
   
   Shelley in his famous essay, A Defence of Poetry, made the given statement. In his work, Shelley expressed his view on poetry and poets. The power of poetry and the beauty of it. It is true that poetry makes every thing immortal by arresting its enchanting beauty. It not just reflects, it has the power to ignite minds and bring change. Poetry inspires humanity. Like Shelley said, ? oets are...the mirrors or the gigantic shadows which futurity casts upon the present; the words which express what they understand not; the trumpets which sing to battle and feel not what they inspire; the influence which is moved not, but moves.It is poetry that bears the future and inspire minds. It beholds the past and mirrors the present as well. Poets are the subtle revolutionaries of our society. In fact, not just poets but all the great authors as well. They are the force that drive the society to newness and are moral critics. They participate in the society not just as viewers, but they keep a watch and express their criticism or appreciation through their work.
2. Poetry and science are incompatible.
   
   
   There are two perspectives to every issue. While poets like Wordsworth and Keats condemn man of exploiting nature and moving towards science, Shelley is a scientific poet, who even in his poems like his Cloud. Shelley loved science and expressed it in his poetry.? It symbolised to him joy, and peace, and illumination. Charles Darwin, being such a great scientist was immensely fond of literature, especially in his youth. However, another scientist, Faraday, who was absolutely engrossed in his scientific experiments about electricity and made great invention. It is always difficult to conclude whether poets and scientists are compatible or not. There will be many such poets and scientists fond of science and poetry. While there will be many who are only concerned about their subject.
3. ‘On reading Shelley’s A Defence of Poetry, the question insistently occurs why there is no similar A Defence of  Science written by a scientist of equal endowment.’
   
   
   A person who is passionate about her/his subject is bound to praise it profoundly. The only difference might be in the medium of expression. While a poet chooses words to praise his subject, a scientist may choose an invention to express his passion. This is natural. Thus, it is so that Shelley came up with a writing piece and Faraday discovering the laws of electromagnetic induction and his discoveries led him to formulate concepts such as 'lines of force' and 'fields of force'. It is not that scientists do not defend their subject, Faraday did defend his discoveries by answering Gladstone that there was every probability of the government taxing the electricity soon. Just the medium one chooses to defend their subject matters.

APPRECIATION

1. How does the ‘assortment of remarks’ compiled by the author give us an understanding of the ways of science and poetry? 
   
   [answer same as that of Q.5. Modify the answer accordingly]
2. Considering that this is an excerpt from a lecture, how does the commentary provided by the speaker string the arguments together? 
3. The Cloud ‘fuses together a creative myth, a scientific monograph, and a gay picaresque tale of cloud adventure’— explain.

Poem 01 - The Peacock - English Elective Class XI Notes - Woven Words

Poem 01 - The Peacock

POEM COMPLETE TEXT

His loud sharp call

seems to come from nowhere.

Then, a flash of turquoise

in the pipal tree.

The slender neck arched away from you

  as he descends,

and as he darts away, a glimpse

  of the very end of his tail. 

I was told

that you have to sit in the veranda

  and read a book,

preferably one of your favourites

  with great concentration.

The moment you begin to live

inside the book

a blue shadow will fall over you.

The wind will change direction,

The steady hum of bees

In the bushes nearby

Will stop.

The cat will awaken and stretch.

Something has broken your attention;

And if you look up in time

You might see the peacock

turning away as he gathers in his tail

to shut those dark glowing eyes,

violet fringed with golden amber.

It is the tail that has to blink

for eyes that are always open.

THEME

The theme of this poem is the beauty of nature and the importance of being present in the moment to fully appreciate it. The peacock is used as a symbol of this beauty and is described in vivid detail, capturing the reader's attention and encouraging them to take notice of the world around them. The poem also suggests that we need to let go of distractions and be fully immersed in the present moment in order to truly appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

SUMMARY OF THE POEM

At the outset of the poem, the poet portrays the peacock's grandeur and loveliness. Throughout the verses, the poet anthropomorphizes the peacock as a male entity, referring to him as 'he.' The bird's piercing cry is difficult to locate, as it appears to emanate from an indiscernible source. The sound actually comes from the peacock, which can effortlessly fly to the top of a pipal or peepal tree, where it is often hidden. Against the verdant background of the pipal tree, the peacock's distinct turquoise hue (a combination of blue and green) glimmers. When it senses a human watching it, it moves its slim neck and darts away, leaving behind only a fleeting glimpse of its tail.

The poet now describes a small ritual for seeing a peacock that she has been advised to follow. One should sit on the veranda and immerse themselves in a book, preferably a cherished favorite. Once the reader is fully absorbed in the book's world, a blue shadow will descend upon them, and the wind will shift, subtly drawing attention to the surroundings. The atmosphere grows tranquil ("The steady hum of bees /In the bushes nearby will stop").

The peacock's cry, similar to that of a cat, will be audible ("The cat will awaken and stretch"), drawing attention. If spotted in time, the observer may catch a glimpse of the peacock. The peacock gracefully turns away, its tail feathers closed like shut eyelids, revealing violet borders and golden amber fillers. "It is the tail that has to blink" (the motion of the tail swaying is likened to blinking), but "the eyes are always open," and the patterns never fade. The observer will feel a sense of inner radiance and stillness that is deep and profound.

The scene's depiction highlights the difficulty of seeing a peacock (underscoring the bird's significance), as peacocks are revered, sacred birds that are not frequently encountered in the world. In Indian culture, peacocks are considered celestial and symbolize beauty and power.

UNDERSTANDING THE POEM

1. Comment on the lines that make you visualise the colourful image of the peacock.
   
   
   The lines which help us visualise the colourful image of the peacock are as follows:
   “a flash of turquoise”, “A blue shadow will fall over you", “To shut those dark glowing eyes”, “Violet fringed with golden amber”.
   These lines give us a clear picture of the magnificent bird in all its glory.
2. What are the cues that signal the presence of the peacock in the vicinity?
   
   
   A loud sharp call, flash of turquoise, a disappearing tail end, a blue shadow, the wind changing its direction and the awakening of the cat and its stretch are an indication that a peacock is in the vicinity.
3. How does the connection drawn between the tail and the eyes add to the descriptive detail of the poem?
   
   
   The pattern on the tail of a peacock looks like eyes, but these eyes cannot be blinked. Rather the tail when contracted appears to give an illusion of blinking a lot of eyes together. This adds to the descriptive details of the poem.
4. How does the poem capture the elusive nature of the peacock?
   
   
   The poem captures the elusive nature of the peacock by describing its activities that signal its presence indirectly. For example in the opening line of the poem we hear “His loud sharp call”, or we get a “glimpse of the very end of his tail” in the last line of the first stanza.
   If someone tries his best to get a glimpse of the elusive bird, he “might see the peacock turning away as he gathers his tail”.
   Such a description presents a very elusive nature of the peacock.
5. The peacock is a colourful bird. How does the poem capture the various colours that its plumage displays?
   
   
   The poem captures the various colours of the peacock’s plumage by use of expressions like “turquoise”, “blue shadow”, “dark glowing eyes” and “Violet fringed with golden amber”. These expressions as we can see present the colours associated with peacocks very beautifully.

Poem-02 - Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds - English Elective Class XI Notes - Woven Words

Poem-02 - Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds by William Shakespeare

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no; it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests, and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

PARAPHRASE OF THE POEM

Let me not declare any reasons why two true-minded people should not be married. Love is not love which changes when it finds a change in circumstances, or bends from its firm stand even when a lover is unfaithful: Oh no! it is a lighthouse that sees storms but it is never shaken; Love is the guiding north star to every lost ship, whose value cannot be calculated, although its altitude can be measured. Love is not at the mercy of Time, though physical beauty comes within the compass of his sickle. Love does not alter with hours and weeks, but, rather, it endures until the last day of life. If I am proved wrong about these thoughts on love, then I recant all that I have written, and no man has ever [truly] loved.

Explanation

The poem is titled "Sonnet 116" and is a sonnet written by William Shakespeare. It is a love poem that celebrates the power and endurance of true love.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that true love is not hindered by external forces or impediments. The love described is not a love that changes with circumstances or that is affected by external influences. Instead, it is an "ever-fixed mark" that remains constant even in the face of adversity.

The speaker then goes on to compare true love to a star that guides wandering ships, emphasizing the importance and value of this type of love. The poem suggests that true love is a force that is not easily swayed by time or external factors.

The next stanza refers to the inevitable effects of time and aging, represented by "rosy lips and cheeks / Within his bending sickle's compass come." However, the speaker argues that true love is not subject to the same limitations and that it endures even in the face of aging and death.

Finally, the poem concludes with the speaker stating that if he is wrong in his beliefs about true love, then he has never written anything of value and no one has ever truly loved. This line reinforces the strength and conviction of the speaker's beliefs about love.

Overall, the poem celebrates the power and endurance of true love, emphasizing that it is a force that remains constant even in the face of adversity and the passing of time.

Imagery Used in the Sonnet 116

Sonnet 116 uses a variety of powerful and vivid imagery to convey the idea of enduring, true love.

In the first quatrain, the speaker uses the metaphor of a "marriage of true minds" to describe the nature of true love. This image evokes the idea of two people who are deeply connected and united in their love for one another.

The second quatrain uses a nautical metaphor to describe true love as an "ever-fixed mark / That looks on tempests and is never shaken." The image of a fixed mark or beacon that guides ships through storms suggests that true love provides stability and direction in difficult times.

The third quatrain compares true love to a star that guides lost ships, suggesting that love is a guiding force that leads people through the challenges of life. The image of the star is also associated with beauty and wonder, emphasizing the idea that true love is a precious and valuable thing.

In the final quatrain, the speaker uses the metaphor of Time as a "bending sickle" that inevitably takes away youth and beauty. However, the speaker argues that true love "bears it out even to the edge of doom," suggesting that it is an enduring force that remains steadfast in the face of aging and death.

Overall, the imagery used in Sonnet 116 emphasizes the strength, endurance, and guiding qualities of true love. By comparing love to enduring symbols such as a fixed mark, a star, and a beacon, the speaker creates a powerful image of love as a guiding force that can lead people through the challenges of life.

NOTES 

marriage...impediments (1-2): T.G. Tucker explains that the first two lines are a "manifest allusion to the words of the Marriage Service: 'If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony'; cf. Much Ado 4.1.12. 'If either of you know any inward impediment why you should not be conjoined.' Where minds are true - in possessing love in the real sense dwelt upon in the following lines - there can be no 'impediments' through change of circumstances, outward appearance, or temporary lapses in conduct." (Tucker, p. 192). 

bends with the remover to remove (4): i.e., deviates ("bends") to alter its course ("remove") with the departure of the lover. 

ever-fixed mark (5): i.e., a lighthouse (mark = sea-mark).

Compare Othello (5.2.305-7): 

Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon'd;

Here is my journey's end, here is my butt,

And very sea-mark of my utmost sail. 

the star to every wandering bark (7): i.e., the star that guides every lost ship (guiding star = Polaris). Shakespeare again mentions Polaris (also known as "the north star") in Much Ado About Nothing (2.1.222) and Julius Caesar (3.1.65). 

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken (8): The subject here is still the north star. The star's true value can never truly be calculated, although its height can be measured. 

Love's not Time's fool (9): i.e., love is not at the mercy of Time. 

Within his bending sickle's compass come (10): i.e., physical beauty falls within the range ("compass") of Time's curved blade. Note the comparison of Time to the Grim Reaper, the scythe-wielding personification of death. 

edge of doom (12): i.e., Doomsday. Compare 1 Henry IV (4.1.141): 

Come, let us take a muster speedily:

Doomsday is near; die all, die merrily. 

_____ 

Sonnet 116 is about love in its most ideal form. The poet praises the glories of lovers who have come to each other freely, and enter into a relationship based on trust and understanding. The first four lines reveal the poet's pleasure in love that is constant and strong, and will not "alter when it alteration finds." The following lines proclaim that true love is indeed an "ever-fix'd mark" which will survive any crisis. In lines 7-8, the poet claims that we may be able to measure love to some degree, but this does not mean we fully understand it. Love's actual worth cannot be known – it remains a mystery. The remaining lines of the third quatrain (9-12), reaffirm the perfect nature of love that is unshakeable throughout time and remains so "ev'n to the edge of doom", or death. 

In the final couplet, the poet declares that, if he is mistaken about the constant, unmovable nature of perfect love, then he must take back all his writings on love, truth, and faith. Moreover, he adds that, if he has in fact judged love inappropriately, no man has ever really loved, in the ideal sense that the poet professes. The details of Sonnet 116 are best described by Tucker Brooke in his acclaimed edition of Shakespeare's poems: 

[In Sonnet 116] the chief pause in sense is after the twelfth line. Seventy-five per cent of the words are monosyllables; only three contain more syllables than two; none belong in any degree to the vocabulary of 'poetic' diction. There is nothing recondite, exotic, or metaphysical in the thought. There are three run-on lines, one pair of double-endings. There is nothing to remark about the rhyming except the happy blending of open and closed vowels, and of liquids, nasals, and stops; nothing to say about the harmony except to point out how the fluttering accents in the quatrains give place in the couplet to the emphatic march of the almost unrelieved iambic feet. In short, the poet has employed one hundred and ten of the simplest words in the language and the two simplest rhyme-schemes to produce a poem which has about it no strangeness whatever except the strangeness of perfection. (Brooke, p. 234)

UNDERSTANDING THE POEM

1. ‘Constancy’ is the theme of the poem. Indicate the words, phrases and images that suggest the theme.
   
   
   "an ever-fixed mark", "never shaken"; "Love’s not Time’s fool", "Love alters not", "bears it out even to the edge of doom" are some of the expressions that suggest the theme that love is permanent.
2. Why do you think the poet has used so many ‘negatives’ to make his statement?
   
   
   ‘negatives’ are an effective tool to prove one’s point. It highlights the other side of the coin to bring home the positive points of the statement very effectively. In this case the poet puts forward all the negative aspects that love is taken for, and then argues that love is something permanent and beyond physical beauty.
3. What does the line ‘I never writ, nor no man ever loved’ imply?It implies that if the poet is proved wrong about these thoughts on love, then he will recant all that he has written, and no man has ever [truly] loved.