A Thing of Beauty by John Keats
Poem A Thing of Beauty
The Poet, John Keats says that
beautiful things will never become ‘nothing’ as they will continue to hold us
in their spell and sooth our soul. Every beautiful thing is like a band that ties
us to this earth as it makes us want to live and enjoy these things of beauty. And
these things of beauty, according to the poet, are the things that give hope to
human beings and
make them want to live, in spite of all the sorrow, ill-health and unpleasant experiences
that we face on earth. Some of the beautiful things on this earth
that have such an effect on us are the sun, the moon, trees, streams, flowers,
forests, beautiful monuments that we have erected for the dead, all the lovely
tales that we have heard or read. Finally he compares all
these beautiful things to the immortal drink or nectar given to us by gods or gifts
of God. Thus he states his firm belief in the Divine.
NCERT Book Solution
Think it Out (Page No: 99)
1. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
Answer: The things of beauty are the sun, the moon, old and new trees, daffodils, clear rills, musk roses that bloom among the thick forest ferns.
2. List the things that cause suffering and pain.
Answer: The things that cause suffering are dark phases of our life, adverse circumstances, gloomy days, death of noble people and bad health.
3. What does the line, 'Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth' suggest to you?
Answer: This line suggests that things of beauty bind us to the earth with a beautiful connection. According to the poet, even if the world is not worth living because of the innumerable reasons that ultimately result in gloom and depression, the zeal to live a happy and content life can be derived from the sight of the beautiful bounties of nature around us.
4. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
Answer: 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 human’s sufferings.
5. Why is 'grandeur' associated with the 'mighty dead'?
Answer: The 'grandeur' of the 'mighty dead' lies in their noble deeds. They have left behind the beautiful legacy of their brave acts. Their selfless sacrifice for their nation and deeds for the welfare of mankind still continue to inspire us.
6. Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?
Answer: The poet believes that when we encounter a beautiful thing, even for a small moment, the pleasure remains with us forever. It leaves a lasting impression that inspires us to live life with hope and optimism.
7. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?
Answer: The poet uses the image of 'an endless fountain of immortal drink' to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. The earth, like a fountain, pours unto us numerous beautiful sights like the sun, the moon, flowers, rivers and greenery.
Q.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Q.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
...
and clear rills
That
for themselves a cooling covert make
‘Gainst
the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich
with the sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
(a)
Identify the poem and the poet.
(b)
What is the role of the clear rills ?
(c)
How has the mid forest brake become rich ?
(d)
Name the figure of speech in ‘cooling covert’.
Answer: (a) Poem: A
Thing of Beauty
Poet: John Keats
(b) The clear rills make a cooling cover for themselves against the hot
season.
(c) The mid forest brake became rich with the sprinkling of fair musk –
rose blooms.
(d) Alliteration – The sound ‘c’ is repeated.
Q.
…………..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;
(a)
Name the poem and the poet.
Answer:
The poem is ‘A Thing of Beauty’ by Jon Keats.
(b)
How do the rills protect themselves from the heat?
Answer:
The rills or small streams of clear water make a cooling shelter for themselves
against the heat.
(c)
What makes the mid forest brake rich?
Answer:
The mid forest brake is made rich by the blooming of beautiful musk roses.
(d)
What does the word, ‘sprinkling’ mean?
Answer:
The word ‘sprinkling’ means spreading of fragrance.
Q.
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.
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
Answer: The name of the poem is A Thing of
Beauty and the poet is John Keats.
(b) Why are we ‘despondent’?
Answer: The world we live in is full of
depression and despair as there is paucity of noble souls. These evil and dark
emotions leave us despondent and despicable.
(c) What removes ‘the pall from our dark
spirits’?
Answer: It is the thing of beauty which charms
us and makes this world feel like Heaven. These beautiful things remove the
pall from our dark spirits.
1.
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.
(a)
Whose loveliness will keep on increasing?
Answer:
The loveliness of a thing
of beauty will keep on increasing.
(b)
Identify the phrase which says that ‘it’ is immortal.
Answer:
The phrase which says that
‘it is immortal’ is ‘it will never pass into nothingness’.
(c)
What is a ‘bower’?
Answer:
A ‘bower’ is a pleasant
shady place under the trees.
(d)
Why do we need sweet dreams, health and quiet breathing in our lives?
Answer:
We need sweet dreams,
health and quiet breathing in our lives as they refresh us and give eternal joy
and remove our sorrows and sufferings. Thus, we want to remain bound to the
earth.
2.
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:
(a)
What are we doing every day?
Answer: Every day we are weaving a beautiful
string of flowers that would bind us to earth, and motivate us to live our life
happily instead of pains and sufferings.
(b)
Which evil thing do we possess and suffer from?
Answer:
Human beings possess
qualities of malice, hatred and disappointment. There is a lack of noble
qualities and men continue to be evil and unhealthy.
(c)
What are the circumstances that contribute towards making humans unhappy and
disillusioned with life?
Answer: Hopelessness, sadness, despair and
lack of noble ways are a part of human life. We harm ourselves by following
unhealthy and wicked paths. These circumstances contribute towards making
humans unhappy and disillusioned with life.
3.
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.
(a)
Name the poem and the poet.
Answer:
The name of the poem is A
Thing of Beauty and the poet is John Keats.
(b)
Why are we ‘despondent’?
Answer:
The world we live in is
full of depression and despair as there is paucity of noble souls. These evil
and dark emotions leave us despondent and despicable.
(c)
What removes ‘the pall from our dark spirits’?
Answer: It is the thing of beauty which
charms us and makes this world feel like Heaven. These beautiful things remove
the pall from our dark spirits.
4. …………..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;
(a)
How do the rills protect themselves from the heat?
Answer:
The rills or small streams
of clear water make a cooling shelter for themselves against the heat.
(b)
What makes the mid forest brake rich?
Answer:
The mid forest brake is
made rich by the blooming of beautiful musk roses.
(c)
What does the word, ‘sprinkling’ mean?
Answer:
The word ‘sprinkling’
means spreading of fragrance.
5. All
lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An
endless fountain of immortal drink.
Pouring
unto us from the heaven’s brink.
(a)
Name the poem and the poet.
Answer:
The name of the poem is ‘A
Thing of Beauty’ and the poet is John Keats.
(b)
What is the thing of beauty mentioned in these lines?
Answer:
The tales of mighty men is
the thing of beauty mentioned in these lines.
(c)
What image does the poet use in these lines?
Answer:
The poet uses the image of
an endless fountain of immortal drink’ to describe the beautiful bounty of the
Earth. The Earth, like a fountain, gives us numerous beautiful sights like The
Sun, The moon flowers, rivers and greenery.
Q.
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each:
Q.
How can ‘mighty dead’ be things of beauty?
Answer:
The mighty dead are those
who have laid down their lives for a great or noble cause. Their death is
replete with intellectual and spiritual beauty. Birth, growth and decay, all
are inseparable. Each has its own beauty. Their death is grand or beautiful
because it makes them immortal through the grand tombs and memorials erected in
their honour.
1.
How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
OR
What
does a thing of beauty do for us?
Answer:
With the passage of time
beauty increases and it becomes constant. It never passes into nothingness but
multiplies and gives joy forever. It leaves a concrete impact on our minds and
soul.
2.
What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does he
call its drink immortal?
Answer: Keats considers beauty an endless fountain
of immortal drink. Beauty is an eternal source of inspiration, an elixir of
life and a precious gift from heaven. It gives us infinite pleasure and
delight, and inspires us to continue our journey of life.
3.
According to Keats, what spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits?
How is it removed?
Answer:
Man makes his life unhappy
and full of sorrow because of his own actions. The blanket of despondence is
the sadness that is a consequence of one’s own actions. A thing of beauty works
miracles for man and gets rid of the cover of sadness from his dampened
spirits.
4.
How does a thing of beauty provide us shelter and comfort?
OR
How
do beautiful things influence our lives?
Answer:
Nature bestows us with
things of rare beauty. It keeps the shade of trees ready for us to be
comfortable and peaceful in it. Beautiful things also provide peace and
security so that we can enjoy sound sleep. We are able to enjoy sweet dreams,
good health because of them.
Comments
Post a Comment