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FLAMINGO - POETRY

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MY MOTHER AT SIXTY-SIX

Summary

One last Friday morning, the poetess was driving from her parents‟ home to the Cochin airport. Her mother was sitting beside her in the car. She suddenly had a look at her mother. She found that her mother was dozing with her open mouth. Her face was as pale as that of a corpse. The poet painfully realized that her mother is not going to live long. This painful thought haunted her. But soon she tried to put it off by looking out of the car window. She saw the young trees running past them. She looked at the merry children coming out of their homes. As she saw life and vitality in the outside world, the painful thought passed away from her mind. After reaching the airport, she went through the security check. Her mother was standing outside a few yards away. After the security check, she looked at her mother again. Her face was pale white like a late winter‟s moon. She felt the old familiar ache of childhood in her heart which is usually felt by a child due to the fear of separation from his/ her mother. But she contained herself and kept on smiling in order to conceal her emotions. She spoke no word to her mother. All that she said was, “See you soon, Amma” and bade good bye to her mother with a hope to see her again.

Main points

1. Poetess travelling to Cochin airport with her mother in a car. 2. Looks at the wan, pale face of her dozing mother. 3. Old fear of loosing her mother returns. 4. Sprinting trees and merry children provide the contrast and relief. 5. After the security check the old familiar ache returns. 6. Tries to hide her emotions by smiling. 7. Bids good bye to her mother with a hope to see her again.

Questions for Comprehension

Q1. Where was the poet driving to? Who was sitting beside her?

Ans. The poet was driving to Cochin. The poet‟s mother was sitting beside her. Q2. What did the poet notice about the mother?

Ans. She noticed that her mother was weak, pale and unconscious like a dead body. Q3. How does the poet describe her mother in the poem?

Ans. The poet describes her mother as an old lady who has become pale, weak and worn out. She often dozes and remains unconscious about herself like a dead body. Q4. Why does the poet look outside? What activities does the poet see outside the car window?

Ans. The poet feels very sad thinking that her mother is nearing death. This painfum thought makes her worried and anxious. So in order to divert her attention from her mother, she looks outside.The poet sees young trees running past them. She also

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sees little children coming out of their homes in a merry mood. She sees life and vitality in the outside world. Q5. Why are the young trees described as „sprinting‟?

Ans. The young trees are described as sprinting‟ as the movement of the racing car makes the trees appear as if they are running along. Q6. Why is the mother compared to the late winter‟s moon?

Ans. The mother is compared to the late winter‟s moon because like the moon of winter season, the poet‟s mother also looks pale, dull and grayish. Q6. What childhood fears do you think, the poet is referring to in the poem?

Ans. The poet feels uneasy and unprotected with the thought of losing her mother. She does not expect to see her mother again on her return. So she shows a childish unwillingness to leave her mother. Q7. Why has the poet brought in the image of the merry children „spilling out of their homes‟?

Ans. The poet, Kamala Das, has used the image of merry children spilling out of their homes to bring a contrast between the old age and childhood. Her mother‟s pale, colourless face stands for old and fading age. Merry children symbolise the spring of life, vigour and happiness. They also symbolize spontaneity of life in contrast to the passive and inactive life of her aged mother. Q8. What does Kamala Das do after the security check up? What does she notice?

Ans. After the security check up, the poet stands a few yards away from her mother and gazes at her mother. She notices the declining age and finds her pale and worn out than ever before. Q9. The poet compares her mother to many things. Pick out two similes which reinforce this comparison. Ans. The two similes are: “Her face ashen like that of a corpse.” “I looked again at her wan, pale as a late winter‟s moon” Q10. What image does the poet use to describe death in the poem?

Ans. The poet uses the image “corpse” to describe death in the poem. Q11. Cite an example of one device of contrast that the poet uses in the poem. Ans. The device of contrast that the poet uses in the poem is old age of her mother and the young trees and children playing merrily. The poet compares youth, energy, vitality and jubilance of childhood.

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Q12. What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?

Ans. The poets parting words, „see you soon, Amma‟ are expressive of the dilemma and confusion in her mind. They not only hide her anxiety and fear about her mother‟s rather frail health but reflect also a faint hope that the old woman would survive long enough for the two to meet again. Q13. Why did the poet say “see you soon Amma”? What does the poet actually mean by „smile and smile and smile….‟? What kind of smile is it?

Ans. The poet said, “See you soon Amma” in order to give her mother moral support and encouragement. She said so to give her mother hope that she would see her again. By “smile and smile and smile…” she means to make herself and her mother hopeful to see each other again. It is actually a painful smile. The poet tries to conceal the swelling emotions by smiling. By using this poetic device of repetition, the poet has made the poetic language rich by depicting many hidden emotions through “smile”. Q14. Discuss mother- daughter relationship as described in the poem. Ans. Mother- daughter relationship as described in the poem is very sensitive and full of love, care and emotions. Mother has a deep emotional link to her children and does not want them to be away. In particular, when the mother reaches her old age, she becomes more concerned and worried about her children. Daughter also tends to bear a specific kind of emotional link to her mother. She tries to remain close to her mother and feels very bad and worried when separated from her. In this poem, the mother does not want her daughter to leave her; similarly the daughter gives a mysterious and indefinable smile which is to show unwillingness and anxiety of leaving her mother. Q15. “My Mother at sixty six” is an emotional account of the poet about her old mother. Discuss. Ans. “My Mother at sixty six” is an emotional account of the poet about her old mother. She feels very sad and depressed on seeing her pale, weak and worn out. She tries her best to divert her thought but remains unsuccessful and this thought haunts her mind every now and then. Till the end of the poem, she feels very sad and disappointed about the declining age of her mother. She is unable to express her fears and emotions to her mother with the thought of disheartening her. She bids goodbye to her mother by just smiling in order to hide her hurt feelings and encourage her mother.

Important Extracts

Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: …..I looked again at her, wan, pale

as a late winter‟s moon and felt that old

familiar ache, my childhood‟s fear, but all I said was, see you soon, Amma, All I did was smile and smile and smile …….

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Questions: Q1. Who looked wan and pale? Why?

Ans. The poet‟s mother looked wan and pale due to her old age. Q2. What is the comparison in the stanza?

Ans. The mother‟s wan and pale face has been compared to the late winter‟s moon. Q3. What is her childhood‟s fear?

Ans. It is the fear of ageing and approaching death of her mother. Q4. Which figure of speech is used in the second line?

Ans. Simile – as a late winter‟s moon. Q5. How does she comfort/ console her mother? Ans. She smiled and promised to see her mother soon. Q6. What is the significance of the parting words?

Ans. These words signify hope and expectation to see her again. Q7. What kind of pain/ ache does the poetess feel?

Ans. She feels pain on seeing wan and pale face of her mother. It appears she will not live long. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: ………..I saw my mother, beside me, Doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that Of a corpse and realised with pain

That she thought away, and looked but soon

Put that thought away, and looked out at young

Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling

Out of their homes, ………………

Q1. Where was the poet driving to? Who was sitting beside her?

Ans. The poet was driving from her parent‟s home to the Cochin airport. Her mother was sitting beside her. Q2. What did the mother look like?

Ans. Her old mother look sick, drowsy and lifeless like a dead body. Q3. What thought did she put away?

Ans. She put away her fear that she would not live long. Q4. What do the sprinting trees signify? Ans. The “sprinting tress” signify the vitality of youth. Q5. What are “the merry children spilling out of their homes” symbolic of?

Ans. The “merry children spilling out of their homes” are symbolic of carefree childhood when all time is playtime.

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AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM IN A SLUM

Detailed Analysis of the Poem

Stanza – 1 The poem describes an elementary school class room in a slum. These slum children look very pathetic. Their faces are pale and reflect sadness. They are „like rootless weeds‟ as they lack proper nutrition. Moreover, they are unwanted plants which grow on their own without being cared for, totally neglected. The tall girl has a „weighed – down head‟ as she is burdened with the load of poverty. In fact she is so subdued and suppressed that her head had bowed down with the burden of her misfortunes. The „paper thin‟ – extremely thin boy has „rat‟s eyes‟ because the poor undernourished boy is deprived of all the basic amenities of life. He is timid like a rat and full of anxiety, he searches for food and security. This unfortunate boy suffers from malnutrition and his growth is also „stunted‟ – not properly developed. He has also inherited from his father „twisted bones‟ – bent and distorted bones. He has inherited the poverty, disease and despair from his parents. His body is also deformed because of the twisted bones which he has inherited. He appears to be as sick as his parents. There is a sweet tender looking student who sits at the back of the class. This boy is different from the others as „his eyes live‟ in a dream – he is dreaming and probably thinking about a better future. He is lost in his own world, therefore, not sad like the others. This boy thinks of the „squirrel‟s game‟ (metaphor). He wants to enjoy and play freely like the squirrel in the garden outside. The squirrel climbs trees and hides in their holes. The boy also dreams to be free but he cannot as he must sit in the dull and dreary classroom. In the boys imagination „tree room‟ – the hollow in a tree, is full of fun, curiosity and mystery. This is in contrast to the gloomy classroom. Stanza – 2 The classroom is not well maintained. The pale cream walls which were painted long ago with the help of donations, make the place look more miserable and sad. Probably there is a portrait of Shakespeare on the wall. This is ironical as it is put up in a place where there is no serious teaching. „Cloudless dawn‟ and „civilized dome‟ suggest the monotonous life in the slum. These slums are surrounded by the civilized city and the children cannot experience the beauty of the sky at dawn and are unaware of it. All around them are concrete structures of the cities. The life in the slum contrasts with the cloudless sky at dawn and concrete structures which override the cities. There is also a picture of a beautiful valley full of sweet fragrant flowers and these children of the slum will never be able to experience this beauty. They are deprived of this beauty as they are condemned to live in the slums amidst garbage. The „open-handed map‟ in the classroom contrasts with their world. The world given to us by god is full of all the bounties whereas the world of these slum children is full of poverty and hunger. The world which they see is not the real world. Their world is confined to the narrow, dusty streets of the slum. The map in the classroom gives them hopes and aspirations and motivates them to explore the world but they will never be able to see that world. These children can get the

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glimpse of the outside world from the windows and it is far beyond their reach. They are far away from nature. These slum children have a bleak and foggy future in store for them. „Their future is painted with a fog‟ – it is blurred by hopelessness. There is no hope for the slum children. Instead of the normal blue sky they live under the „lead sky‟ – dark and dull, polluted – shows there is no hope for them. The atmosphere hints at their monotonous life and the slum children remain confined throughout their lives confined to the filth and dirt of the narrow slum streets. They are away from the glory of natural beauty of the rivers, mountains, stars etc. Stanza 3 The children of the slum are fighting the battle of life unarmed. They are troubled by disease and despair. For them Shakespeare is „wicked‟ and „map‟ a bad example‟. The literary excellence of Shakespeare and the scenic beauty portrayed in the map cannot relieve them from their despair. For these slum children, literary excellence is a far-fetched thing and hence seems wicked. The map on the wall gives them false aspirations as it makes them aware of the beautiful world given by god. The world of these children is confined to the narrow streets of the slums. Therefore, map is „a bad example‟. They feel cheated in being deprived of the thrilling sensations of the sun, the ships, and the emotions of love. The „ship‟, „sun‟ and „love‟ symbolize joy and happiness which these children are deprived of. Their only experience is that of hunger and poverty. To reach out to the world beyond, these children are sometimes tempted to adopt wrong means even stealing to fulfill their dreams. These slum children live in cramped holes, striving and struggling for survival in the small, dirty rooms from „fog to endless night‟ – from foggy mornings till long endless nights, trying to meet both ends. The slum children live on „slag heaps‟ – piles of waste material. Their world is full of dirt and garbage. These children are very weak and undernourished. They look like skeletons as their bones peep through their thin skin. They wear „spectacles of steel with mended glass‟ – discarded spectacles by the rich, mended (repaired) and worn. Their life is like „bottle bits on stones – shattered and broken like bits of bottle on a stone. They are deprived of even the basic amenities of life. Their world is comprised of the foggy slums where they live nightmares. Slums are the reality for these children, their home, where they spend their life. The maps displayed in their classroom are no reality for them. They cannot locate their slum in that map. It is urgently required to give these slum inhabitants means and opportunities to lead a dignified and civilized life. Stanza – 4 The elementary school in the slum exists for name sake. The infrastructure is poor with hardly any serious teaching. The school springs in activity only when a governor, a school inspector or a visitor comes on a round of the school. The administrative machinery of the school also gears up at that time. Then the map becomes their window from where they can see the world beyond their slums. Since they are confined to the slums, these sights and glimpses are shut upon them as they are deprived of all opportunities and means. Their lives are shut up in the cemeteries of these slums where they slither and slog to make both ends meet. The poet hopes that these children will break free from their morbid life, from the chains

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of the slums. He appeals to those in power to liberate these children from the miserable slums and enable them to breathe in the fresh, beautiful and healthy environment away from the foggy slums. They should be able to bask in the open green fields and let them run free on the golden sands. Their world should not be confined to the horrendous and gory slums. The poet visualizes freedom for these children. He wants a carefree life where they get economic and social justice, where they have the right to be happy. These slum children should be able to enjoy the fundamental right of education otherwise their lives will be miserable. They should be able to learn not from the books alone but also from the world, the nature around them. The poet ends on a note of positivity and wants opportunities to be available to these children. The people who strive for knowledge are the ones who create history. The ones who are let free are the ones who will create history. People who outshine others, who glow like the sun, who break free from the constraints of their restricted life are the ones who create history.

Important Extracts

Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: The stunted, unlucky heir of twisted bones, reciting a father’s

Gnarled disease, His lessons from his desk. At back of the dim class

One unnoted, sweet and young. His eyes live in a dream, Of Squirrel’s game, in the tree room, other than this. Questions: Q1. Who is the unlucky heir? Why is he called unlucky?

Ans. The thin slum boy is the unlucky heir. He is so called because he has inherited poverty, despair and disease from his parents. Q2. Who sits back unnoted? Why?

Ans. A young boy sits at the back. This boy is different from the others as „his eyes live‟ in a dream – he is dreaming and probably thinking about a better future. He is lost in his own world, therefore, not sad like the others. This boy thinks of the „squirrel‟s game‟. He wants to enjoy and play freely like the squirrel in the garden outside. Q3. Pick two images each of despair and disease from these lines. Ans. The images of despair are – „unlucky heir‟, „dim class‟, and that of diseases are – „twisted bones, gnarled disease‟. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: And yet, for these

Children, these windows, not this map, their world, Where all their future’s painted with a fog, A narrow street sealed in with a lead sky

Far far from rivers, capes and stars of words. Questions

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Q1. Who are these children?

Ans. These are the slum children of Tyrol Valley. Q2. What is their world like? Ans. The school windows are their world because they cannot move beyond them. Q3. What kind of future does the poet foresee for them? Ans. The future of these children is quite dim. As we can‟t see things in the fog, in the same way the future of these children is looming under darkness. Their future is bleak. Q4. Why does the poet say that the narrow street is sealed?

Ans. The narrow street is sealed as these provide no opportunity to make an access to the outer world of wisdom. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: Break O break open till they break the town

And show the children to green fields, and make their world Run azure on gold sands, and let their tongues

Run naked into books, the white and green leaves open

History theirs whose language is the sun. Questions: Q1. What should they break?

Ans. They should break all barriers and obstructions that hinder the school children‟s growth. Q2. What kind of a world does the poet imagine for these children?

Ans. The poet imagines a world where these children run around in the fields or on sea beaches in a carefree manner. They should also enjoy freedom of knowledge and expression. Q3. What does the word „sun‟ symbolize?

Ans. „Sun‟ symbolizes light and brightness which, comes from education. Proper education alone can improve the lives of these slum children. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: Unless, governor, inspector, visitor, This map becomes their window and these windows

That shut upon their lives like catacombs, Break O break open till they break the town

And show the children to green fields, and make their world

Run azure on gold sands, and let their tongues

Run naked into books, the white and white green leaves open

History is theirs whose language is the son. Questions:

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Q1. Who can improve the lot of the poor slum children?

Ans. The rulers, the educationists, the teachers and the general public can pool their efforts to give a better life to the poor slum children. Q2. What kind of life do they live?

Ans.They are shut up in their dim classrooms and small hovels like dead bodies in the grave. Q3. What is the poet‟s appeal to the upper class people?

Ans. The poet urges them to bring some light into the lives of the slum children. They may be imparted education in a healthy atmosphere. Q4. What is the poet‟s advice?

Ans.The poet suggests that the slum children should not only be educated properly but also removed from their dirty surroundings to sunny and green fields. Q5. Explain: “History is theirs whose language is the sun.”

Ans. The language that has warmth and power of the sun only can mould and write history.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q. What does the poet want for the children of the slums? How can their lives be made to change?

The poet wants an improvement in the quality of the lives of the slum children. He feels that the government has a moral obligation to provide a meaningful education to these children and to break down the barriers that stand in the way of improving their lives.

KEEPING QUIET

Summary

This poem advocates the importance of silence and self- introspection. It can transform not only the life of an individual but also the face of the earth. The poet says that it does not need much time to look within and examine oneself. It will take only as long as it will take to count to twelve. During this time of introspection (self-examination), one should keep quiet and say nothing at all. It will give him a strange feeling of togetherness with all others. Although it may seem a little strange in the beginning, it will eventually bring us all together. This silence will be free from „the disturbing sounds of engines and people rushing to get their work done‟ for some time. He feels contended imagining the change that will be brought about in those moments. The men who hurt their hands while collecting salt will get a little rest. Even the people who seek fresh wars, using fatal gas and weapons, will put on clean clothes and get a chance to walk among their brothers. They will lead a hatred-free and calm life, giving a halt to their destructive activities.

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The poet clarifies that his wish should not be considered as a case for “total inactivity”. He only wants to interrupt the sad, cruel and baleful activities of the world for a few moments and make the people introspect their actions. In fact what he says is connected with life, not with death. Activity is very essence of life. Inactivity is death but for a fresh, better and useful activity, a little stillness is essential. The poet uses the image of the earth to show how life exists in seemingly dormant things. In winter, the earth becomes so still and silent that it seems to be dead. But later in spring, it seems to be lively again. It has new beauties and colours added to it. Similarly, after a little quietness and silence, man can resume his activities in a fresh and better manner.

Main points

1. The poem talks about the necessity of quiet introspection. 2. It will help people to understand themselves & will create the feeling of mutual love & relationship. 3. By quiet introspection, the poet doesn‟t mean total inactivity, instead he wants full involvement with life. 4. The reason for the discard & war is the imbalance between man & nature. 5. Quiet introspection will establish a spiritual & physical union that is most desirable for the survival of the earth & of human beings.

Important Extracts

1. Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow: It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines

we would be all together in a sudden strangeness. Questions

Q1. Which moment is referred to here and how will it be? Ans. it will be a moment of peace and introspection. It will be a strange and attractive moment that will bring us closer. Q2. How would we feel at that moment?

Ans. We will realize a feeling of oneness. Q3. How will it bring all of us together?

Ans. By keeping quiet and still, we all will feel alike as if we are together. 2. Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow: What I want should not be confused

with total inactivity. Life is what it is about; I want no truck with death. Questions

Q1. What is it that should not be confused with total inactivity?

Ans. It is the moment of silence that should not be confused with total inactivity.

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Q2. What is the life about?

Ans. Life is about actions and dynamism. It must go on. The efforts to keep the race alive cannot be suspended even for a day. Action is essence of life. Q3. Explain: “no truck with death”. Ans. Total inactivity is a synonym of death and he has no association with death. This short silence is very much alive and a preparation for renewed hectic activity. 3. Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow: Those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire, victory with no survivors, would put on clean clothes and walk about with their brothers in the shade, doing nothing. Questions Q1. In which wars are there no survivors?

Ans. There are no survivors in the wars of poisonous gases and the war of firearms. Q2. Who would put on clean clothes?

Ans. The war-wagers would put on clean clothes. Q3. What does „put on clean clothes‟ signify?

Ans. „Put on clean clothes‟ signifies the feelings of their mutual understanding. 4. Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow: If we were not so single-minded

about keeping our lives moving

and for once could do nothing

perhaps a huge silence

might interrupt this sadness

of never understanding ourselves

and of threatening ourselves with death. Questions

Q1. What will happen if we go on thinking single-minded?

Ans. In case we go on thinking single minded, we will remain busy in worldly activities, thereby we won‟t find time for self-introspection. It will be a sad situation. Q2. How can we understand ourselves?

Ans. We can understand ourselves through self-introspection. Q3. In what way can huge silence dispel sadness?

Ans. Huge silence will remove all our tension, violence and warfare. It will do away with all our sadness. Q4. What is the „sadness‟ that the poet refers to in the poem?

Ans. The poet Pablo Neruda refers to „sadness‟ which we form out of our own thinking and actions. We understand a lot of things but fail to understand ourselves

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and our actions and this becomes the creator of all disasters. This is the „sadness‟ that the poet refers to in the poem

Q5. Why does the poet want us to „do nothing‟ for once?

Ans.The poet wants to do nothing for once, here he specifies that we should cease all our activities in order to have introspection within ourselves so that we can realize the exotic moment. Q7. How we can know ourselves?

Ans.We can know ourselves through introspection. Q8. Identify „we‟. Ans. „We‟ here refers to all human beings. 5. Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow: Perhaps the Earth can teach us a

as when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive. Now I’ll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go. Questions Q1. What does the earth teach us?

Ans. The earth teaches us how life springs from dead things. It further teaches us to realize life under stillness. Q2. What does the poet mean to achieve by counting upto twelve?

Ans. He wants us to achieve peace by counting upto twelve. Q3. What is the significance of „Keeping Quiet‟?

Ans. „Keeping quiet‟ means that we should avoid all those activities which hurt the nature.


Q1. Why does the poet want us to keep quiet?

Ans. Keeping quiet will develop a better understanding among human beings and allow us to establish communion with our fellow beings at spiritual level. Q2. Does the poet advocate total inactivity and death by suggesting being quiet?

Ans. No, the poet does not advocate it. He wants no truck with death. In fact he wants to live life full bloodedly. But by advocating quietness he wants mixing of physical and spiritual aspect of life. Q3. Why does not the poet want us to speak in any language?

Ans. The poet wants us not to speak in any language to introspect and know what we are about- know the meaning of our existence. He wants everybody to know his spirit and have spiritual contact with others for sometimes for which no language is required.

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Q4. What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?

Ans. Counting up to twelve and keeping quiet will assist us in attaining a state of peace in which we will be able to introspect and thus, see and appreciate the benefits of the symbiotic relationship that would exist between humans and between man and nature. Q5. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?

Ans. The poet does not advocate total inactivity and death, but he does advise that we introspect deeply and not indulge in activity that is mindless and thus potentially destructive for human beings and for the balance that should exist between man and nature. Q6. What is the „sadness‟ that the poet refers to in the poem?

Ans. Man fails to understand themselves. They are always threatening themselves with death. When they do not understand themselves, they become sad. Only silence might interrupt this sadness and make them happy. Q7. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?

Ans. Life under apparent stillness can be seen in nature. During the winter season, the earth under the snow looks dead, with no activity and no growth. But when the spring comes, the snow melts away, the seeds sprout and the grass grows. All activities of life start again. Q8. According to the poet, what is that human beings can learn from nature? Ans. Nature teaches us a lot of things. We must learn that all things are bound together and depend on each other for their survival. We should introspect ourselves by remaining calm and composed. So it teaches us to be quiet and still. It is no use to hinder others. We should grow and develop at our own Place. We must be contended with what we possess. There is no need for greed. The nature always remains alive.

A THING OF BEAUTY

Summary

A beautiful thing is a source of eternal joy, its loveliness grows with the passage of time and its impact never fades away. It is as soothing as a cool shade. It never passes into nothingness. It gives us good health, sound sleep and mental peace. It provides the beholder with a haven of tranquility and solace. Man and nature are inseparable. It is the beauty of nature that keeps us attached to this earth. Every morning we collect fresh lovely flowers and prepare garlands. They refresh our moods and we forget our worries for a while. Every person gets a bitter taste of sorrow, suffering and grief. Disease, disappointments and misfortunes give us mental and physical suffering. It is the beautiful things that remove the pall of sadness from our lives and make us happy and hopeful.

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All beautiful things of nature are a boon for human beings. The sun, the moon, the trees, daffodils, simple sheep, clear streams, forests ferns, musk rose etc. provide us peace and happiness. In addition to these lovely objects of nature, there are plays and poems to lift our spirits. The glorious achievements of mighty heroes and magnificent rewards by God on the day of judgement for those mighty men, lovely tales of olden days are endless source of everlasting joy. The poet feels that nothing can surpass the beauty of nature. They are an elixir of life. They are like an endless fountain that pours immortal drink from the heaven into our hearts. So beauty is a gift of God and it gives us joy forever.

Main points

1. The beautiful things of nature are permanent source of joy and make our lives sweet. 2. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. 3. It does not pass into nothingness but its beauty keeps on increasing. 4. It gives us sound sleep and good health; 5. This world is full of frustrations, disappointments and dearth of noble people. 6. These make our life gloomy and sad. 7. But things of beauty remove the pall and sadness from our spirits. 8. Nature is a constant source of happiness for human beings. 9. The beautiful things are – sheep, daffodils, clear streams, musk roses and forest thickets. 10. These things soothe and make us happy. 11. Stories of heroes who have died in peace of war are also things of beauty and have a stimulating effect. 12. But the beauties of nature are lovelier than all the lovely tales and are like the immortal drink from heaven.

Important Extracts

1. Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow: A thing of beauty is a joy forever Its loveliness increases, it will never Pass into nothingness; but will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. Questions

Q1. What is being said to be a joy forever?

Ans. A thing of beauty is said to be a joy forever. Q2. What is peculiar about a beautiful thing? Ans. A beautiful thing leaves a permanent impression on our minds. Its loveliness goes on increasing. It stays in our imagination and becomes a source of joy forever. Q3.What can a beautiful thing do for the human beings?

FLAMINGO - POETRY


Ans. A beautiful thing gives us a sound sleep full of sweet dreams, good health and a peaceful breathing. It also helps us in achieving the peace of mind. It removes sadness and brings happiness to our depressed spirits. Q4. How does a thing of beauty keep a bower quiet for us?

Ans. It reserves a quiet place in our heart. When we are tired, tensed, troubled or disappointed, it heals our sorrows and restores happiness for us again. Q5. Explain: “It will never pass into nothingness”. Ans. A thing of beauty is a perennial thing. Its beauty goes on increasing. It will never be reduced into nothingness. 2. Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow: And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead; All lovely tales that we have heard or red; An endless fountain of immortal drink, Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink. Questions

Q1. Who are the mighty dead?

Ans. The mighty dead are those who sacrificed their lives for a noble cause and made great achievements in their lifetime. Q2. How is grandeur associated with the mighty dead?

Ans. The mighty dead are honored and worshiped for their remarkable achievements. Now they are lying buried under their graves. On the day of judgement, God also will reward them for their noble deeds. It is this dignity that is associated with them. Q3. What lovely tales does the poet talk of?

Ans. He talks of the great myths and the tales of the olden days. Q4. What does the poet call “an endless fountain of immortal drink”?

Ans. Beautiful things. Q5. What image does the poet draw in the last two lines?

Ans. Beautiful things are like an endless fountain which goes on pouring the immortal drink unto us from the heaven. They are a source of immense joy and happiness.


Q1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever? Ans. A thing of beauty is a joy forever as its loveliness increases through recollection and contemplation. It is a perennial source of pleasure that ensures good health and quiet breathing. It brings relief in our painful existence. Q2. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?

FLAMINGO - POETRY


Ans. In spite of troubles and sufferings, human beings love life because there are some beautiful things that move away the gloom from the depressed minds. The beautiful things in nature like the moon, the sun, the trees, the ferns and the daffodils bring happiness and reduce men‟s sufferings. Q3. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem. Ans. All beautiful things of nature are a boon for human beings. The sun, the moon, the trees, daffodils, simple sheep, clear streams, forests ferns, musk rose etc. provide us peace and happiness. Q4. List the things that cause suffering and pain. Ans. Disease, disappointments, jealousy, lack of human qualities, gloomy days, unhealthy and evil ways cause pains and sufferings in our lives. Q5. What does the line, „Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth‟ suggest to you?

Ans. When we pluck fresh flowers to make a garland, it shows our love for life, for nature and for beauty. The flowers attract us and bind us to the nature and the earth. Q6. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?

Ans. There are many things that depress our spirits but our nature has blessed us with beauty that alone makes our life happy. It removes the pall of sadness. It offers us loveliness and pleasures. So human beings love life. Q7. Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?

Ans. Things of beauty make a lasting impression on us and continue to delight us and give us joy. Beauty can never fade away or lose its value. Q8. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?

Ans. Human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings because nature is the best healer and it brings beauty and joy to our life. The memory of the beautiful experiences helps us to bear our sorrows and provide a peaceful retreat. Q9. Why is grandeur associated with mighty dead?

Ans. Great men have great fall. The exploits of the mighty rulers and generals fill us with awe and wonder. We admire and even worship our heroes. We remember them gratefully because they sacrificed their lives for a noble cause. Q10. What becomes of all lovely tales we have heard or read? Ans. All lovely tales that we have heard or read become a source of pleasure. They become an endless fountain of nectar and give us heavenly pleasure.

AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGER

Summary

In the poem „Aunt Jennifer‟s Tigers‟ a woman expresses her suppressed feelings through her art. Aunt Jennifer is the victim of the male-dominated society. She has

FLAMINGO - POETRY


no one to tell her mental and physical pain. She makes a picture to convey her deep feelings. The speaker describes the tigers which her aunt produced on the panel. They are set in motion. They are moving quickly by raising the front legs and jumping forwards on the back legs. In the green jungle they look free, bright, brave, fearless and magnificent.

There are men sitting under the tree, but the tigers do not care for them. They move on to their goal boldly and smoothly. Jennifer finds it difficult to make pictures by using the ivory needle. She is tired of doing the household work after she got married. She can‟t get herself involved in her artistic work. She has to do it in her leisure time. Even then she has to be sure whether her husband is watching her or not. So her hands are terrified. She will not be free from fear until she dies. She will be dominated by her husband. She will die, but her art will express her desire to move proudly and fearlessly like the tigers she has made.

Main points

1. In this poem, the poet addresses the constraints of married life, experienced by a woman. 2. Aunt Jennifer weaves tigers into the panel. These tigers are brave & have no fear of men. 3. Aunt Jennifer is terrified by her dominating husband. Her finger flutters due to the mental suppression. She is not happy with her married life. 4. She will die but her art will express her desire to move proudly and fearlessly like the tigers she has made.

Important Extracts

1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen, Bright topaz denizens of a world of green. They do not fear the men beneath the tree: They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.” Q1. What does prancing tigers symbolize?

Ans. Prancing tigers are a symbol of the spirit of freedom within Aunt Jennifer which remains subdued. Q2. Why are they referred to as „denizens of a world of green‟?

Ans. The tigers are the dwellers of the green forest so they are referred to as denizens. Q3. What qualities of the „tigers‟ are highlighted here?

Ans. Fearlessness and ferocity of the tigers are highlighted here. Aunt Jennifer‟s nervousness and timidity are in sharp contrast to wild ferocity of the tigers who are not afraid of hunting men. Unlike Aunt Jennifer, the tigers fear nothing. Q4. Explain; “They pace in sleek chivalric certainty”. Ans. The movement of the tigers are sleek, stealthy, sure, majestic and elegant. They are sure of their purpose. Gallant and confident, they move ahead fearlessly undeterred by any obstacles or hindrances.

FLAMINGO - POETRY


2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool Find even the ivory needle hard to pull. The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band

Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.” Q1. Why do Aunt Jennifer‟s fingers flutter through her wool?

Ans. Aunt Jennifer lives in constant fear of her husband. She feels so nervous and terrified that her hands shake and flutter when she sits down to knit. Q2. Why does she find it hard to pull the ivory needle?

Ans. She finds it hard to pull the ivory needle more because of mental suppression than because of physical weakness. Due to constant fear that she confronts, has become a nervous wreck. Q3. Explain: „massive weight of Uncle‟s wedding band‟. Ans. The expression is symbolic of male authority and power. Matrimony binds the woman physically as well as mentally. Likewise Aunt Jennifer is trapped in gender oppression and feels herself burdened by the authority of her husband. Q4. How is Aunt Jennifer affected by the „weight of matrimony‟?

Ans. Aunt Jennifer cannot do things freely. She tries to come up to the expectation of her husband. She seems to have lost her identity. The freedom that she dreams of through her art, is itself symbolic of her oppressed self. 3. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie

Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by. The tigers in the panel that she made

Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.” Q1. What is Aunt Jennifer‟s death symbolic of?

Ans. Aunt Jennifer‟s death is symbolic of her complete submission to her suppression. Q2. Explain: “terrified hands”. Ans. Aunt Jennifer is terrified by her dominating husband and hence her hands are shivering. Q3. What does „ringed with ordeals‟ imply?

Ans. Aunt Jennifer has been so victimized in her life that even after death she remains trapped. We find her a victim of gender injustice and oppression.

Short Answer Type Questions Q1. How do the tigers made by Aunt Jennifer look like?

Ans. The tigers, made by Aunt Jennifer on the screen, are jumping and playing about without any fear of the men beneath the tree. They walk in elegance and style displaying the spirit of courage, fearlessness, strength and confidence.

FLAMINGO - POETRY


Q2. What do the tigers made by the Aunt symbolize?

Ans. The tigers made by Aunt Jennifer symbolize the spirit of courage, strength and fearlessness Aunt Jennifer, a victim of male oppression, expresses her crushed feelings in the form of art. So, the tigers are symbolic of the fear of male domination with which Aunt Jennifer suffers. Q3. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer‟s hands are fluttering through her wool? Why is she finding the needle so hard to pull?

Ans. Aunt Jennifer is victimized by the overbearing and dominant nature of her husband. Her life has become a torture due to her suppression by her atrocious husband. The fear of her authoritative husband has gone so deep into her being that she seems to have lostall strength and energy. Thus her hands shake and flutter so much that she is not even able to pull the needle through the tapestry. Q4. What do you understand by “massive weight of uncle‟s wedding band”?

Ans. Generally „wedding band‟ is a symbol of joy and happiness. But in case of Aunt Jennifer, it has become a symbol of torture and oppression. Her relationship with her authoritative husband has become a painful burden to carry. Her „wedding band‟ has brought her a world of pain, misery and torture. She has lost her freedom and entered a world of humiliation and oppression. Q5. Explain ‟her terrified hands will lie, still ringed with the ordeals she was mastered by‟. Ans. These lines convey Aunt‟s complete submission to the oppressive authority of her husband. The fear of her husband has gone so deep into her being that even death cannot liberate her from the chains of her mental suppression. Memories of her husband‟s tortures and atrocities which bent her into a humiliating slavery, will continue to haunt her even after her death.

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