CBSE english
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The stunted, unlucky heir
Of twisted bones, reciting a father's gnarled disease,
His lesson 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.
(i) Who is the unlucky heir and what has he inherited?
(ii) What is the stunted boy reciting?
(iii) Who is sitting at the back of the dim class?
i) The unlucky heir refers to the little boy from the slum who has inherited a disfigured, gnarled and diseased body.
ii) The stunted boy is reciting an account of his father’s incurable diseases.
iii) A sweet little fellow was sitting at the back of the dim class unnoticed and unobserved by all.
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For once on the face of the earth
Let's not speak in any language
Let's stop for one second,
arid not move our arms so much.
(i) Why does the poet want us to keep quiet?
(ii) What does he want us to do for one second?
(iii) What does he mean by ‘not move our arms’?
(i) The poet wants us to keep quiet and give up endless activity to be able to introspect. He wants us to break free of the barriers of language and be united in a moment of eloquent silence.
(ii) The poet wants us to give up our endless, incessant activities and be lost in eloquent, calm and peaceful silence break free of all barriers of language and communication.
(iii) When the poet says ‘ not move our arms’, he wishes to convey that in the moment of eloquent peaceful silence we must all give up whatever we are doing. He means to say there must be absolutely no action, no activity and no communication or interaction whatsoever.
Why are the young trees described as sprinting?
The young trees are personified in the poem. They seem to be running in the opposite direction when seen through the window of the moving car. The movement is juxtaposed with the expression on the mother’s face i.e. ashen like a corpse. The movement of the children and the trees is in stark contrast with the stillness associated with the mother.
How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
A thing of beauty is a joy forever because its attractiveness increases with time. Its impact never dies out. It continues to bring into our lives joy and peace and at the same times keeps us connected with our environment, our very own earth.
Why didn’t the ‘polished traffic’ stop at the roadside stand?
The ‘polished traffic’ refers to the insensitive attitude and gentlemanly appearances of the city-men. These people who passed by the roadside stand were self-centered and their minds were restless with greed for money and ambitions for great profits in their business.
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Mock Test Series
Mock Test Series