X Class - Revision Notes (First Flight)

Thursday, August 24, 2023 2:58 PM

TEXT BOOK - FIRST FLIGHT

PROSE

Chapter 01 - A LETTER TO GOD by G L Fluentes

KEY FEATURES:

• This story is about hard life and extreme faith in God of a poor farmer (Lencho).
• Lencho lost his crop due to heavy rain and hailstones.
• His crops were the only source of income to fulfill his family's needs and desires.
• Lencho firmly believed that God would help him in such a difficult situation and would not let him
and his family die of hunger.
• He wrote a letter to God to seek help.
• Some kind employees of the post office helped him.
• The story tells us to have faith in God and never lose hope in adverse situations.
• The story also highlights the irony of faith between God, nature and humanity.

MAIN CHARACTERS:

• LENCHO - a poor farmer who lived on the peak of a low hill with his family. He was a firm believer
of God. He was hardworking, innocent, hopeful, caring and responsible.
• POSTMASTER - a fat, amiable (friendly) fellow who helped Lencho to retain his faith in God. He
gave a part of his salary in the charity for Lencho on behalf of God.
• POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES - People who helped Lencho on postmaster's call. They laughed at
Lencho when they saw the letter but helped him in his need. Ironically, Lencho called them a
bunch of crooks.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: (2 marks each)

1. What were the main problems faced by Lencho?

2. What did Lencho compare the raindrops to and why?
3. Did Lencho try to find out who had sent the money to him? Why or why not?
4. Why did Lencho not want the money to be sent through mail?

LONG ANSWER QUESTION: (6 marks)

1. Describe Lencho's qualities as a farmer, family man and as a theist. Do you have faith in God like
Lencho? Was Lencho's reaction towards post office employees right?

Chapter 02 - NELSON MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM by Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

KEY FEATURES:

• This chapter is an excerpt taken from Nelson Mandela's autobiography with the same title as of
the chapter.
• It provides us a glimpse of the early life of Nelson Mandela, his education, 30 years in prison and
the pains that he and his fellowmen suffered because of apartheid.
• The chapter recounts his fight for the freedom of his own kind of people who were tortured by
whites.
• In this chapter, Mandela gives two contradictory pictures of his own country - one, in which the
blacks were tortured and suffered quietly for a long period of time and second, the future when
the blacks will be as free as whites to live the life of freedom under the supervision of democracy.
• Mandela welcomes the presence of international dignitaries in the inauguration ceremony and
pledges to liberate his people from poverty, suffering and discrimination.
• He gives speech on the victory of justice, peace and human dignity.
• Colourful show by jets and helicopters not only depicts the loyalty of military towards the first
non-racial government and democracy but also the unity in diversity of various coloured races.
• Singing of two national anthems - the old ' Nkasi Sikelel ' by the whites and the new ' Die Stern ' by
the blacks confirms solidarity.
• Mandela salutes the spirit of freedom and calls himself the sum of all the freedom fighters.
• Mandela's speech highlights the point of real richness of the country in its people and not in the
availability of minerals.
• He tells the readers that courage is not absence of fear but the victory over it.
• He makes us think about the quality of love, which needs not to be taught, and hate, which we
learn from the society and its norms. Love comes naturally and not by force.
• He also states that a man should try to make balance between his duties - a duty to his family and
a duty towards his community and country.
• According to Mandela, freedom has many aspects like - for a kid it is to run and play, for an adult it
is to fulfill the needs of his own and his family. Real freedom means equal rights for everyone.
• Mandela wants the oppressor and the oppressed to be liberated from the feeling of hatred.
• Mandela guides us that in the long walk of freedom patience and perseverance guided by
discipline and system yields the desired result.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: (2 marks each)

1. What did Mandela think for the oppressor and the oppressed?
2. What did freedom mean to Mandela in his childhood?
3. Why does Mandela address the freedom as 'new born liberty'?
4. What did Mandela realise about his brothers and sisters? What did he do?

LONG ANSWER QUESTION: (6 marks)

1. Describe the value of freedom for the human beings and how it is important for the growth of
civilisation and humanism as described in the lesson 'Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom'.

Chapter 03 - TWO STORIES ABOUT FLYING by Liam O'Flaherty & Frederick Forsyth

KEY FEATURES:

• This chapter is a combination of two inspiring stories - 'His First Flight' and 'The Black Aeroplane'.
• Story - I - 'His First Flight' has a family of seagulls with 6 members in it while story - II - 'The Black
Aeroplane' has the narrator, the unknown friend and the woman in it as the main characters.
• These stories show that bravery and cowardice are the relative terms.
• One should not loose hope while in danger like the young seagull and the pilot of Dakota plane
are. They both succeeded to achieve their aim when they tried hard to overcome their fear. Their
intrinsic qualities and the trust in their own abilities helps them to face the challenge of life.
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS:

Story I
• Young seagull is afraid of flying and the family is concerned.
• The family cajoles and provokes him to fly but he is not able to overcome his fear.
• Family leaves him alone at the rock. He cries because of heat and hunger.
• No one looks at him except the mother who tries to tempt him for a piece of fish.
• Everybody taunts him for his cowardice and so the young seagull dives to catch the fish to feed
himself. Hunger wins over fear.
• He tries to spread his wings outwards and begins to fly slowly downwards and upwards.
• He is now no longer afraid of flying and falling down in the sea. He soars with a joyous scream.
• Seagull family comes near to him and encourage him by celebrating his success with him.
• He has made his first flight successfully.

Story II
• The sky was clear with shining stars and the narrator was keen to meet his family at breakfast in
London.
• At 1:30 in the morning, the narrator flew in his Dakota aeroplane.
• He was around 150 kilometers away from Paris. Suddenly, the cloud storm approached him. He
decided to take the risk and entered into the storm.
• He took the risk due to his willingness to see his family but lost his way in the storm.
• All the instruments of his plane stopped working.
• A black aeroplane appeared by the narrator's side in the storm and he was indicated by the
unknown pilot to follow the black plane.
• He flew for half an hour without much fuel and landed safely on the runway.
• He went out from his aeroplane to thank the pilot of the black plane but was surprised not to find
anyone there.
• The narrator enquired the woman of Control Tower about the black aeroplane but she laughed at
his query and replied in negative about such a plane.
• It was a miracle with no explanation for the narrator which saved his life.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: (2 marks each)

1. Why did the parents of young seagull scream, scold and threaten him?
2. How did the young seagull and his family celebrate his first flight?
3. What risk did the narrator take while flying? Why? Describe his feelings.
4. Why did the narrator follow the pilot of another aeroplane?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS: (6 marks)

1. Motivation to work can either come from within or at times has to be enforced. Based on the
reading of the chapter analyse which is the better way to succeed.

Chapter 04 - FROM THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK by Anne Frank

KEY FEATURES:

• In this chapter, the writer tell about her true companion - a diary.
• She writes everything about her life in her diary.
• At the time of invasion of German over Holland, her family, being Jew, had to hid themselves. At
that time, Anne Frank started to write in her diary. The diary was originally written in Dutch.
• Anne spent her adolescent years hidden from outside world and her diary kept all her secrets.
MAIN CHARACTERS:

• ANNE FRANK - a 13 year old Jewish girl born in Frankfurt, Germany, who writes a diary while she is
hiding in Amsterdam, capital of Netherlands.(North Holland), from the Nazis during World War II.
• MARGOT FRANK - Anne's sister, she is three years older than Anne.
• OTTO FRANK - Anne's father, a Jewish businessman who left Germany after Hitler's rise to power,
hoping to find refuge in Holland.
• Mrs. EDITH HOLLANDER FRANK - Anne's mother.
• Mrs. KUPERUS - Anne's headmistress
• GRANDMA - Anne's grandmother, whom Anne loves very much.
• Mr. KEESING - the old fashioned Maths teacher who punishes Anne after warning her several
times for her talkative nature.

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Anne Frank lived in Holland after Hitler came in power. The family lived in hiding for many years to
survive after Germans invaded Holland.
• Her father and mother left her and her sister with her grandma.
• Anne was very close to her grandma and after her death Anne felt alone.
• Anne was gifted a diary on her 13th birthday and she named it 'Kitty' and made it her best friend
in her loneliness. She wrote every problem and happenings in her diary.
• She was lovable of every teacher but called them unpredictable.
• Mr. Keesing punishes Anne in a creative way after getting annoyed by her talkative nature. Thrice,
he gave extra homework of writing on the topic of chatting.
• First time he asked her to write an essay on the topic "A Chatterbox" as punishment.
• Second essay's topic was "An Incorrigible Chatterbox".
• Third time it was "Quack, Quack, Quack, Said Mistress Chatterbox".
• Mr. Keesing is amazed to observe the writing skills of Anne and laughs happily. He takes the
mocking in right spirit.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: (2 marks each)

1. Describe Anne's love for her grandmother.

2. Describe your views about Mr. Keesing as a teacher.
3. Essay writing is an art. Justify as per the notions of Anne Frank.

LONG ANSWER QUESTION: (6 marks)

1. "Paper has more patience than people". Justify.

Chapter 07 - GLIMPSES OF INDIA

Chapter sketch:

The chapter consists of three parts;

I. A Baker from Goa by Lucio Rodrigues

II. Coorg by Lokesh Abrol
III. Tea from Assam by Arup Kumar Datta

The first part is a pen-portrait of a Goan village baker or pader who still has an important place in
Goan culture although the Portuguese have left India long back.
The second part is a pen-portrait of Coorg, which is a heavenly tourist place with its weather,
environment, people, their bravery, wildlife, its rain forests, adventure sports, coffee and spices.

The third part is about the tea plantations in Assam and legends about discovery of tea.

HIGHLIGHTS:

PART I
• The Portuguese in Goa were lovers of bread. Although those eaters of bread have now gone but
its makers still exist.
• During the childhood days of the narrator, a baker used to be their friend, companion and guide.
• The baker came twice a day - once in the morning and again while returning home after finishing
his selling.
• The jingling thud of the baker's bamboo woke up the sleeping children.
• The children would peep into the baker's basket for the bread-bangles which they would eat with
hot tea.
• The loaves were delivered to the servants of the house.
• The marriages were incomplete without the popular bol bread.
• Bolinhas was a must during Christmas and all other festivals.
• The bakers wore a particular knee length frock known as kabai.
• The bakers collected their bills at the end of the month.
• Baking was a profitable profession. Bakers had a plum physique testifying to this.

PART II
• Coorg or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is a heavenly place.
• The best season to visit this place is from September to March.
• The people living here are probably the descendants of Arabs or Greeks.
• Their culture is apparent in their marital traditions, marriages and religious rites.
• The Kodavus wear a long, black, embroidered coat called Kuppia.
• The Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated regiments in Indian army.
• Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.
• The river Kaveri begins from the hills and forests of Coorg.
• The place offers a number of adventure sports for the tourists.
• Coffee and spices of this place are exotic.
• The Tibetan monks are amongst many surprises that can be seen here.

PART III
• Pranjol and Rajvir were visiting Assam by train.
• Rajvir was busy looking at the beautiful scenery outside the train.
• It was green everywhere as far as the eye could see.
• The soft green paddy bushes gave way to tea bushes.
• Assam has the largest concentration of tea plantation in the world.
• The Chinese are said to have discovered tea as per the Chinese legend.
• There is also an Indian legend saying that Bodhidharma discovered tea.
• From China, tea came to the European countries and then to Asian countries.
• Tea was primarily used for its medicinal value.
• Pranjol's father managed Dhekiabari, a tea estate.
• There were many tea leaf pluckers around the tea bushes wearing a typical attire.
• The best tea is obtained between May and July.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: (2 marks each)

1. Why was the Baker's furnace essential in a traditional Goan village?

2. How did the baker used to make his entry in the streets of Goa where Lucio Rodriques resided?
3. Describe the traditional dress of a pader?
4. How has the Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery been recognised in modern India?
5. Describe the wildlife of Coorg.
6. Describe Coorg's weather. When is the most pleasant time for the tourists to visit Coorg?
7. 'This is a tea country now'. Explain this with reference to Assam.
8. In what ways is China related to tea?
9. What excited Rajvir during his visit to Assam? Why dis Pranjol not share this excitement?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS: (6 marks each)

1. 'Our traditions, heritage, values and practices are the roots that nourish us'. Justify with reference
to the story 'A Baker from Goa'.
2. How do Coorg's location, people and natural features add to the diversity of India?
3. Describe the two legends about discovery of tea? Which one sounds more factual to you and
why?

Chapter 8 - MIJBIL THE OTTER by Gavin Maxwell

CHAPTER SKETCH:

In this story, author Gavin Maxwell tells us about his unusual pet 'Mijbil', an otter. He tells us that
when his dog died, he decided to have another pet. Soon, he shifted to Iraq where he saw people
were keeping otters as pets. He also decided to have an otter as pet.
He describes, while he had to shift to England, how much problems were faced by him in taking
Mijbil with him. On reaching London, people were not able to recognise otter. They made guesses
about the animal. The author thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with the otter.

CHARACTERS:

GAVIN MAXWELL - a very caring and a polite person who tales complete care of his pet.

MIJBIL THE OTTER - new pet of Maxwell is very friendly, intelligent and a fun-loving creature. It
plays with water and other objects like a rubber ball.

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS:

1. After the death of his dog, the author decides to keep an otter as his pet.
2. As per his friend’s suggestion, he got an otter from Tigris Marshes.
3. The author felt that coming of the otter started a new phase of his life.
4. The otter first appeared as a small dragon. He was coated with mud.
5. It took ajot of time and effort for the author to remove the dust.
6. The otter loved to play with water, and could not stand still in front of it.
7. He also loved to play with the rubber ball. Marble toys were his favourite.
8. After some days, the author had to come back to London.
9. The transporting of Mijbil to London became a problem. British airline did not permit animals on
its flights.
10. Another airline agreed to take the animal if packed in a box.
11. The author made a small box for the otter.
12. While in the plane, the otter escaped from the box. Some passengers. Shouted and stood on their
seats on seeing the otter in the plane. At last, the otter came back and settled on the author’s
knees.
13. On reaching London, people did not recognise the otter. They just made random guesses.
14. Mijbil played with ping-pong ball and develops certain playing habits in London.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. How was Mij to be transported to England?

2. What was the first characteristic of the otter discovered by the narrator?
3. What according to the Maxwell was the 'real play' of the otter?
4. How did Mij behave outside the house in London?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. In the names of rules and regulations, basic values are often ignored by the authorities but people
like the airhostess in 'Mijbil the Otter' are a ray of hope. What virtues do we find in that
airhostess?
2. Why do you think the otter was not friendly with the author initially? Can you relate this to the
human nature as well?

Chapter 9 - MADAM RIDES THE BUS by Vallikkannan

CHAPTER SKETCH:

This is a sensitive story of an 8 years old girl. It describes her first bus journey into the world
outside her village. The outside world is fascinating and the bus ride a mysterious journey. She
wants to experience this mysterious journey alone. She finds each minute information provided by
her neighbours, regarding the bus journey and collected money for the bus fare. One day she goes
on the bus ride alone and comes back with new experiences.

CHARACTERS:

VALLIAMMAI - an eight year old girl who wishes to travel in a bus. She is always curious about
knowing new things, is a meticulous planner, keen observer and is much more mature than her
age.

THE BUS CONDUCTOR - a jolly sort of a person who addresses Valli as 'Madam'.

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS:

1. The story is about an eight year old girl named Valliammai. She was very curious to know about
things.
2. Her favourite pastime was to stand at the front doorway of her house and see what was
happening in the street outside.
3. She would watch the bus that passed every hour from her village to the nearest town.
4. She developed a desire to ride the bus. This became her deepest desire.
5. Valli found out the details of the bus journey by listening carefully to the conversations between
her neighbours and regular bus users.
6. She came to know that the town was just six miles from her village and the fare for the bus
journey was thirty paise one way. The trip took 45 minutes.
7. Valli planned her visit to the town. She saved sixty paise for the fare. Finally, one day she took the
one o’clock bus to the town.
8. Valli was very happy to have got into the bus.
9. On the way to the town, Valli saw a cow running right in front of the bus. She clapped as the cow
kept on running towards the bus despite the continuous honking by the driver.
10. Valli did not get off the bus when it reached the town. She also declined the offer of a cold drink
by the conductor.
11. On the return journey, she saw the same cow lying dead by the roadside. This unpleasant sight
made her very sad.
12. The bus reached the village at three forty. She ran straight for her home after getting down the
[Link] mother did not come to know about her journey.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. What was the most fascinating thing that Valli saw on the street?
2. How did Valli gather all the information about the bus travel?
3. How was the view outside the bus when the bus went through the canal?
4. Why did the conductor want Valli to sit?
5. How did Valli feel on seeing the dead cow on the road?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. In such a fast moving world when we hear so many incidents happening with people , do you think
Valli did the right thing by not telling her mother about her plan about the bus journey?
2. Once we decide to achieve something, so many difficulties come in our way. With focused
attention we can make that achievement. How did Valli succeed in her desire to ride a bus?
3. What kind of a person is Valli? Illustrate your answer from the text you have read.

Chapter 10 - THE SERMON AT BENARES by Betty Ranshaw

CHAPTER SKETCH:

‘The Sermon at Benares’ is a chapter written by Betty Renshaw. The chapter covers the journey of
Gautama Buddha from princehood to his saintly life. After seeing the suffering of the world, he
decided to give up all worldly pleasures and seeked enlightenment. He finally attained salvation
under a tree at Bodhgaya. His first sermon was delivered at Benares near the bank of the Ganges.
Kisa Gautami was the first one to receive this sermon.

CHARACTERS:

BUDDHA - the founder of Buddhism, a spiritual teacher who had gained enlightenment after
seeing the world's pains and greed and vigorously meditating on it.

KISA GAUTAMI - a young mother whose only son had died; a loving and caring mother indeed but
at the same time selfish or naïve enough to get her son back after death.

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS:

1. This lesson is about the life of Gautama Buddha, who was born in a royal family as Siddhartha.
2. He was sent to study Hindu scriptures, and later married a princess.
3. Once he saw a sick man, an old man, a funeral procession and a monk begging for money.
4. These sights moved him and he went to search for enlightenment’.
5. He started meditating under a peepal tree and got enlightened after 7 days and became known as
the Buddha.
6. He preached his first sermon at Benares.
7. Once a woman came to him requesting to bring her dead son to life.
8. Gautama Buddha asked the lady to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where there
had been no death.
9. The lady moved from one house to another but she could not find a single house where no one
has lost a child, husband, parent or friend.
10. Then, she came to know that death is common to all and is the ultimate truth of life.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. What made Buddha anxious enough to leave the palace?

2. How did Buddha achieve his enlightenment?
3. According to Kisa Gautami what is the greatest grief of life and how can one overcome it?
4. How did Kisa gautami realise that life and death is a process?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. What similarities or differences do you observe in the characters of Kisa Gautami and the boy who
lost his ball in "The Ball Poem"?
2. Personal losses are a part and parcel of life. Instead of wailing on them, we should move on in life.
This message of Gautam Buddha has become more relevant in modern times. Do you agree?
Why/why not?

Chapter 11 - THE PROPOSAL by Anton Chekov

CHAPTER SKETCH:

The proposal is a one act play by the Russian short story writer and dramatist Anton Chekov. The play is
set in a rural countryside of Russia. A long time wealthy neighbour of Stepan Chubukov, Ivan Lomov,
comes to seek the hand of Stepan’s daughter, Natalya. As three of them are very proud and
quarrelsome, they start fighting over petty issues. The proposal of marriage is made finally but the
quarrelling continues.

CHARACTERS:

Stephan Stepanovitch Chubukov - He is a landowner and the father of a young girl named
Natalya. He is desperate to get his daughter married to a rich person.

Natalya - She is young girl. She is fussy, argumentative and love sick.

Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov - He is a young man who wishes to marry Natalya out of his own whims
and fancies. He is also very argumentative.

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Lomov goes to Chubukov’s house to seek hand of Chubukov’s daughter.

2. Lomov tells Chubukov the purpose of his visit. Chubukov consents him to marry his daughter.
3. Lomov starts talking of his land that Natalya thinks it is owned by her.
4. Lomov explains Natalya that he owns the land. Argument continues between Lomov and Natalya.
5. Chubukov arrives and takes side with Natalya.
6. Agrument continues and Lomov leaves their house.
7. Chubukov tells the purpose behind Lomov’s visit to Natalya.
8. Natalya tells Chubukov to call Lomov. Lomov arrives and they quarrel again regarding whose pet
dog is better.
9. Lomov becomes unconscious. Chubukov gives her daughter’s hand to Lomov.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. What were the reasons behind Lomov's visit to Chubukov's house?

2. What was Chubukov's reaction to the proposal?
3. What happens to Lomov when he is in an excited state?
4. What were Natalya's logic to consider 'Squeezer' a better dog than 'Guess'?
5. What did Lomov tell about the relations of the Lomovs and Chubukovs in the past?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. What is the play 'The Proposal' about? What is the message that Anton Chekov wants to convey
through this play?
2. Do you think that argumentative behaviour rules over compliant attitude because of avarice?
Why/why not?

POETRY

POEM 01 - DUST OF SNOW by Robert Frost

CENTRAL IDEA:

It is a small and simple poem with deep meaning. It expresses the significance of small things in
changing one's attitude. The poem explains that the little things, even those which are construed
to be negative, can bring about huge changes in our life and future. It also reflects that hard times
in life will lead to the happier times if we learn to stay positive.

POETIC DEVICES USED:

• Rhyme scheme - abab

• Symbolism - Hemlock tree, Crow
• Irony - a contrast between reality and expectation, between what is said and what is meant,
between what appears to be true and the real truth. Rue is also a plant that is cultivated for its
medicinal use. There could be a bit of irony here that the poet refers to the poisonous Hemlock
and the medicinal Rue (noun form).

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: (2 marks each)

1. What does Robert Frost want to convey through the poem 'Dust of Snow'?
2. What difference do you find between Robert Frost and other nature poets?

LONG ANSWER QUESTION: (6 marks)

1. 'Small things in life can bring about significant changes in our life. Elaborate with reference to the
poem 'Dust of Snow'.

Poem 02 - FIRE AND ICE by Robert Frost

CENTRAL IDEA OF THE POEM:

Entire poem revolves around the central idea that only love, equality, mutual understanding and
sympathy for one and all can help in establishing peace on earth. The poet mentions that both
'fire and Ice' can bring probable end to this world. The poet talks about how fire represents desire
and can therefore be a cause of the end of the world. He also mentions Ice as an equally
important issue to bring an end to this world. He symbolises ice with coldness and indifference
towards one another which he believes is reason enough to destroy the world. Too much fire and
passion can quickly consume a relationship, while cold indifference or hate can be equally
destructive.

POETIC DEVICES USED:

• ALLITERATION - repetition of initial consonant sounds in the same line

'Some say the world will end in fire
'Some say in ice'
• 'Some say' in above lines denote REPETITION
• PARADOX - a true statement but which seems untrue
'But if it had to perish twice'
• SYMBOLISM
Fire symbolises Desire
Ice symbolises Hate
• IMAGERY - a figure of speech where an object, person or situation has another meaning other
than its literal meaning.
Fire and ice carry deep connotations.
Fire elicits the feeling of heat and light, but also burning and pain.
Ice elicits the feeling of coldness, but also indifference and intolerance.
• RHYME SCHEME - abaabcbcb

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: (2 marks each)

1. Write the sum and substance of the poem 'Fire and Ice'.
2. Do you think the extremes of fire and ice could exist in a person at the same time?

LONG ANSWER QUESTION: (6 marks)

1. How will the world end? Support your answer with scientific explanation.

Poem 03 - A TIGER IN THE ZOO by Leslie Norris

CENTRAL IDEA OF THE POEM:

In this poem ,the poet tries to depict the mental condition of a caged tiger. He compares the life of
a tiger in the zoo with its life in its natural habitat. The poet conveys an important message that
the wild animals should be left in their natural habitat. The poet heightens the contrast between
freedom and captivity. He, very impressively, shows us how love for freedom is the natural instinct
of every living being.

POETIC DEVICES USED:

REPETITION:
• Velvet quiet, quiet rage
• Brilliant eyes, brilliant stars

ALLITERATION:
• He stalks in his vivid stripes
• But he's locked in a concrete cell
RHYME: the rhyme scheme for first, second and fifth stanza is abab and for third and fourt stanza
is abcd

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. Where should the tiger have been according to the poet?

2. How does the tiger makes his presence felt in the village?

LONG ANSWER QUESTION:

1. Love for freedom is the natural instinct of every living being. Comment.

Poem 04 - HOW TO TELL WILD ANIMALS by Carolyn Wells

CENTRAL IDEA:

The poem revolves around the dangerous ways to identify the wild animals. The poet tries to
distinguish one animal from the other in a humorous way. The poet suggests that it is very risky to
be in such close proximity to these wild beasts. The poem, is thus, very educative as it tells us
about various features of wild animals.

POETIC DEVICES USED:

Poetic licence
1. As soon as it has lept on you
2. He will only lep and lep again

3. 'Tis the Chameleon you see

4. 'Twill do no good to roar with pain

In the first instance it should have been 'leapt' instead of lept. In the second line above, the term
lep should have been spelt as 'leap' but the poet uses the poetic licence to heighten the effect of
the work by playing with the word 'Leopard' who is also called 'Lep' in colloquial English.
The third and fourth line given above should have 'It' instead of 'T' but poet does it to heighten the
effect of fear.

Alliteration
• Roaming round
• Lep and lep again
• Who hugs you very very hard
• A novice must nonplus

SHORT ANSWER QUESTION: (2 marks each)

1. How can you distinguish between a tiger and a leopard?

2. How does a leopard behave when he sees someone?
3. What is so weird about the hyena and the crocodile?

LONG ANSWER QUESTION: (6 marks)

1. 'Humour is the best medicine for every ailment in life'. Comment.

Poem 05 - THE BALL POEM by John Berryman

CENTRAL IDEA:

The poet describes the grief of a boy over the loss of his ball. This loss makes him sense his first
responsibility in a materialistic world; where those things which you like (your worldly
possessions) and those whom you love will not be with you forever. The poem shows how, all
through your life, you will be forced to do things that you don't like to do and you will lose or have
to give up the things, that you love. But, despite this you need to learn to stand up, to be mentally
strong and get on with your life - no matter how much it hurts inside. Acceptance of the life - as it
is, seems to be the only way to survive happily. The poem thus teaches us to learn to accept and
let go and not cling onto something that you can never have back.

POETIC DEVICES USED:

Blank verse - the poem is written in unrhymed iambic pentameter ( a line or verse with five
metrical feet, each consisting of one short (or unstressed) syllable followed by one long (or
stressed) syllable, for example - what is the boy now, who has lost his ball.

Symbolism - a figure of speech where an object, person or situation has another meaning other
than its literal meaning.
• The ball symbolises the boy's young and innocent days.

Repetition - repetition of words/phrases in the same line.

• What, what
• Balls, balls

Alliteration - repetition of initial consonant sounds in the same line.

• What, what
• Balls, balls
• Buys a ball back

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: (2 marks each)

1. Write the sum and substance of 'The Ball Poem'.

2. "Money is external". What does the poet mean by this expression?
3. What do you understand from the phrase 'epistemology of loss' used in the poem?

LONG ANSWER QUESTION: (6 marks)

1. Why is it important for everyone to experience loss and to stand up after it?

Poem 6 - AMANDA by Robin Klein

CENTRAL IDEA:

The poem deals with the upbringing of a small child, Amanda. It highlights the struggles faced by
the child. Poet Robin Klein makes an important point that a child should never be denied freedom.
The poem serves as a notice to parents as well as children making them watch out their candid
role and responsibility.

Though it is parents who are responsible for proper upbringing of their child but that should not
make a child feel trapped. Here, Amanda is prepared to be acceptable in society, and this training
needs her freedom to be cut short. Her imagination is not given enough space, thus making her so
angry that she wishes to be an orphan. The continuous nagging has, thus, made her moody.

Poetic Devices Used in the Poem

The poem is in conversation tone.

Alliteration
Stop that slouching and sit up straight
I thought I told you to clean your shoes
Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!
Allusion
Mermaid – To be free and contained in their own. (Taken from fairy tales)
Rapunzel. Who lived happily alone on a tower for a long time. (Part of German fairy tale)
Metaphors
Orphan – Who don’t have nagging parents above their head as Amanda’s.
Languid, emerald sea – languid and emerald type qualities are assigned to sea.
Silence is golden
Freedom is sweet
Rhyme Scheme
aaba ccc aada eee aafa ggg aaha

EXTRACT BASED QUESTION:

Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!

Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!

Stop that slouching and sit up straight,

Amanda!

i) The purpose of the speaker’s words in the given extract is to

a) show the speaker’s power over the listener.

b) make the listener a better human being.

c) advise the listener as an elder.

d) improve the listener’s posture and habits.

ii) Alliteration is a literary device used in the extract in line number ______.

iii) What does the repetition of “Amanda!” at the end of each line reflect?

iv) Select the option that fits with the following:

slouching: straight: ______: _______

a) transparent: translucent

b) lazy: agile

c) forgetful: lively

d) generous: liberal

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. Write a short note on the title of the poem 'Amanda'.

2. Is Amanda at fault at all? Why/why not?

3. 'Anyone would think that I nagged at you'. Explain.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. Amanda loves to live in a dream world and does not appreciate any interference. A parent tries to
bring her back to the real world. Therefore, there is always a conflict going on. Elaborate.

2. Escapism is one way to run away from harsh realities. Discuss in context to the poem.

Poem 7 - ANIMALS by Walt Whitman

Central Idea of the Poem:

In the poem ‘Animals’, the poet Walt Whitman praises animals for being better than human beings and
for possessing all such qualities that humans lack or have forgotten. Those qualities are calmness, the
lack of greed and the ability to stay happy and contained among others. The poet wants to live among
animals and experience a life where no one complains and where they are free of sins and sorrow.
The most important theme of the poem is not to praise how good animals are, but to compare humans
with them in order to highlight the flaws of their nature. The poet believes that probably a very long
time ago, humans possessed all these qualities mentioned above, but they have now lost them.

Poetic Devices Used in the Poem:

The poem has uniform personification.

Stanza 1
Repetition
stand and look at them long and long.
Stanza 2
Repetition
(i) They do not sweat……….
(ii) Not one is dissatisfied………..
Alliteration
They do not make me sick.
Stanza 3
Alliteration
I wonder where they get those tokens
Rhyme Scheme
There is no rhyme. The poem is in free verse.

EXTRACT BASED QUESTION:

I think I could turn and live with animals, they are

So placid and self-contain’d
I stand and look at them long and long.

(a) What does the word 'turn' means over here?

(b) What does the poet say about animals ?
(c) Trace a word from the extract that means ‘Serene’.
(d) Why does the poet uses the phrase 'long and long'?

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. Explain the satisfaction that animals have and humans don’t.

2. What makes the poet sick?
3. Why does the poet say "Did I pass that way huge times ago and negligently drop them"?

LONG ANSWER QUESTION:

1. The key to happiness is 'Do not complain but accept the situation'. Elaborate it in context of the
poem 'Animals'.

Poem 8 - THE TREES by Adrienne Rich

CENTRAL IDEA:

1. Literal Idea: The poem The Trees’ by Adrienne Rich shows the conflict between man and nature.
With the growth and development of society, human beings have used nature for their own
benefit and caused a lot of harm to it. In order to use natural resources like forests, minerals etc.
men have forgotten the importance of nature. The poet wants to give the message that the
presence of a few trees inside our homes does not become equal to nature, it is a very false idea
of nature. Real nature is outside, in the forests that we have destroyed.
The trees in the speaker’s house want to break the walls of the house and move to the forest
which has become empty. The birds can sit again on their branches, the insects can hide there and
the sun rays can disappear under the shadow of the trees. The poem tells us how the trees want
to break free from the walls that humans have put around them, and go out in the forest.

2. Symbolic meaning: The poem “The Trees” by Adrienne Rich is a metaphor which compares the
trees to women. The poet is a feminist and highlights the desire of women to be free and go out in
the open. The trees want to free themselves from the floor of the house and go in the open forest.
They are cramped in the houses and their feelings can be felt and heard by the poet. The poem
has a symbolic meaning, the trees are an extended metaphor for women. The poet says that the
women have rested, healed and recovered and are ready for their primary purpose – to renew the
empty forest of mankind.

POETIC DEVICES USED:EXTRACT

STANZA 1:
Personification: Sun bury it’s feet. Sun has been personified.
Enjambment: Continuation of a sentence to the next line (the forest that was…… trees by
morning).
Anaphora: 2 lines begin with ‘no’
imagery: “The trees inside are moving out into the forest” – shows kinestatic imagery

STANZA 2:
Enjambment: continuation of sentence to the next line (the leaves strain……. Half dazed)
Simile: trees compared to patients (like newly discharged patients)
personification: twigs and boughs have been personified.

STANZA 3:
Alliteration: ‘long letters’ forest from’ ‘sky still’ ‘leaves and lichen’
Enjambment: continuation of sentence to the next line (doors open….the house)
Imagery: the poet has tried to create a scene in which she is observing all the things happening
(the night is fresh…… in the rooms)

STANZA 4:
Simile: The moon is compared to a mirror (Moon is broken like a mirror)

EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS:

"The trees inside are moving out into the forest,

the forest that was empty all these days
where no bird could sit
no insect hide
no sun bury its feet in shadow
the forest that was empty all these nights
will be full of trees by morning."

Question 1: Why is the forest empty?

(i) the humans have destroyed the forests for building cities and other uses
(ii) the birds have flown away to other places
(iii) there are animals in the forest
(iv) the trees are being shifted to the nearby forest
Answer
(i) the humans have destroyed the forests for building cities and other uses
Question 2: `No sun bury its feet in the shadow', explain this line.
(i) The sun was shining very brightly but there were no shadow of objects.
(ii) The sun was shadowed by the cloud.
(iii) Sunlight could directly reach the ground as there were no trees.
(iv) The sun was about to set behind the cloud.
Answer
(iii) Sunlight could directly reach the ground as there were no trees
Question 3: What cannot happen in a treeless forest?
(i) the sun cannot shine brightly.
(ii) the sun can shine brightly.
(iii) there will be no rains.
(iv) no birds can make their nests.
Answer
(iv) No birds can make their nest
Question 4: How will the empty forest be full of trees by morning?
(i) The poet is planning to plant many trees, throughout the night
(ii) The magic of God will fill these trees with forests.
(iii) The plants in the jungle will grow into trees.
(iv) The poet imagines the trees in the houses will move into the empty forest to settle there
forever
Answer
(iv) The poet imagines the trees in the houses will move into the empty forest to settle there
forever.

QUESTIONS:

1. In the poem “The Trees”, the poet compares the trees to “newly discharged
patients”. Highlight any two reasons for the same.

2. The process of “moving out” was tedious for the trees. Support the statement with
reference to the poem.

3. The trees have been shown to have human qualities in the poem. Justify the
statement with any two instances from the text.

4. The poet symbolizes women as of forests, not trees. What does this suggest?

Ans. It is shown in the poem that Nature represented by trees and forest, is
struggling like women to escape itself from the onslaughts of man to destroy it. The
victorious march of the trees is a message of hope that nature can’t be tamed or
subdued by the arrogance of man. In the same way women have been struggling to
liberate from the bondage of men under patriarchal social norms and they are also
succeeding bit by bit. One day the women would have their due natural realm of
freedom as the trees succeeded in finding their due natural home.

5. Change never comes easy. Justify the quote in the context of the poem “The Trees”.
[CBSE Q B, 2020-21]
6. The poet uses trees as a symbol for women breaking patriarchal notions. Do you
agree? Why/Why not? [CBSE Q B, 2020-21]

Ans. Indeed, the poet uses trees as a symbol for women breaking patriarchal
notions. In a male dominated society, women are in bondage. They are struggling to
free themselves. Similarly, nature representing tree and forests, is struggling to
escape itself form the onslaughts of men to destroy it.

7. The poem ends on a note of victory. Justify with reference to the literal and symbolic
meaning.

Ans. The poem emphatically portrays the determined and concerted efforts to get
liberated from unnatural bondage for a natural home. Each and every part of the
tree rises against the slaughtering of men and wage a long and hard struggle to
liberate themselves from the bondage of man. Ultimately, they are victorious. They
return to their original home where they should be.

In the literal sense, the poem ends with the trees successfully returning back to their
natural habitat, i.e., the forest. However, symbolically, it ended with the victory of
women to get themselves free from the confines of the patriarchal society and
domination of man.

8. Why is the poet writing long letters? Why does she not mention the departure of the
trees?

Ans. The poet is writing long letters as she has a lot to express. She does not mention
the departure of the trees in her long letters because she doesn’t want anyone to
know that the trees inside her house are rebelling and fighting their way out to reach
the forest. The trees struggle silently at night to break free from their captivity when
no one is watching them. She wants the trees to be liberated and be one with nature
where they belong. Therefore, she feels that it is best not to say a word about it to
anybody.

Poem 9 - FOG by Carl Sandburg

CENTRAL IDEA OF THE POEM:

The poet Carl Sandburg in his poem ‘Fog’ describes fog as a ‘cat’. This description of fog as a living
creature shows the poet’s interest in the wonders and beauties of nature. To him, the coming of
fog resembles the way a cat comes silently on little cat feet. Like a cat, the fog sits on its haunches
and like a cat’s gaze, the fog looks over the harbour and the city. Just like a cat keeps moving and
hardly stays at one place, the fog also slowly moves on and vanishes.

POETIC DEVICES USED:

Analogy - Comparison of fog to a cat

Metaphor - The use of cat for referring to fog
Rhyme Scheme - No rhyme. The Poem is in free verse.

Question:
What does the poet want to convey through the poem ‘Fog’ ?
Answer:
The poet ‘Carl Sandburg” takes pleasure in nature. He states that when difficulties are faced by people,
they become hopeless and shattered. It takes a lot of courage to overcome any problem and to solve it.
The poet has compared difficulties to fog, he states that as fog comes and goes in the same manner
difficulties come and go. Our should not loose hope and should be brave enough to face problems;
rather find solutions as difficulties will soon disappear and leave soon.

Poem 10 - THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON by Ogden Nash

CENTRAL IDEA OF THE POEM:

‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a funny poem that tells the story of a little girl Belinda and her
pets. Belinda lives with her little pets, a kitten, a mouse, a dog and a dragon, in her little house.
Belinda and all her pets except the dragon have been described as very brave creatures. Even the
mouse and the kitten have been shown to be so brave that they can chase lions but the dragon is
such a coward, that it is always looking for the safety of a cage.
The dragon, however, surprised everyone with his heroic act of killing a pirate, who had come to
Belinda’s house and meant harm to her and her pets. All the bravery of Belinda and rest of her
pets failed and they ran screaming for help but the dragon, whom everyone thought was a
coward, rescued them from the pirate.

Everything and everyone made or born in our world, no matter how small or large has a special
significance. We often underestimate people by looking at their weaknesses, but they show
themselves through their wits and actions. We must never look down on others. Each individual is
unique in their own way; they may have various skill sets that we are ignorant of. A person whom
we consider to be useless or unimportant can become a hero in unexpected and unforeseen
circumstances. Furthermore, correct and timely measures are usually advantageous. In other
words, a stitch in time saves nine, which also serves as the poem’s central theme.

Poetic Devices Used in the Poem:

Simile
(i) Mouth like a fireplace
(ii) Belinda was as brave as a barrel.
Repetition
(i) And the little.
(ii) Suddenly, suddenly they heard.
(iii) Belinda paled and she cried Help! Help!
Simile
(i) Snorting like an engine
(ii) Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon
(iii) He went atthe pirate like a robin at the worm.
Alliteration
(i) And he held in his teeth.
Rhyme Scheme
Every stanza of the poem has the rhyme scheme aabb.
In stanza 13, rhyme scheme is aabbcc.
Transferred epithet - When the adjective used is not for the word next to it but for some other
noun in the sentence - terrified yelp. Here, terrified was used for Mustard, not for yelp.
Personification - The poet has personified Ink, Blink and Mustard, by giving them the ability to
speak - They rudely called him Percival.

Fable A narrative form which usually features animals that behave and speak as humans. They
are told in order to highlight human follies and weaknesses.

Ballad The poem is in the form of a ballad – a long poem usually set to music.

Onomatopoeia
This poetic device is used by the poet to describe the sounds produced with the help
of the words. It uses the sound-descriptive words like ‘hiss’, ‘bang’, ‘splash’, etc.

• The word ‘weeck’ is an example of onomatopoeia in the poem. It mimics the sound
of a rat’s giggle.
• Similarly, ‘Meowch’ for cat’s sound
• Similarly, the words ‘clatter’, ‘clank’ and ‘jangling’ are examples of onomatopoeia in
the poem.

Poetic License
• When a poet disregards the rules of language, he uses poetic license in his works.
• The words ‘realio’, ‘trulio’ and ‘weeck’ are made up words that Nash uses to impart
humour to the poem. Through this, he practises poetic license.
• Also, he has changed window to ‘winda’ to maintain the rhyme scheme of the
poem.

Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetitions of the same sound used in the beginning of the closely
placed words.

• The line ‘Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears’ is an example of alliteration in

the poem.
• Other examples –
• Belinda lived in a little white house.
• And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright.
• With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm.
• And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon.

Allusion
An allusion is an indirect reference to a person, place, thing, and idea.

• In the poem, the characters make fun of Custard by calling him ‘Percival’.
• Percival was one of King Arthur’s knights who was known for running away due to
lack of courage.
• Thus, the characters call Custard ‘Percival’ because they consider him a coward.

Irony
• In the poem, Nash has used irony to show that while Belinda and her pets
considered themselves brave, they ultimately ran from the pirate.
• Also, though Custard cried for a cage, in the end he bravely confronted the pirate.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted

poem? Give reasons to support your answer.

2. Describe the appearance of the dragon ?

3. What do you think changed the attitude of the other animals and that of Belinda towards the
dragon ?

4. Why does Custard accept his cowardice and the bravery of another characters of the poem?

5. ‘Bravery is spontaneous’ Explain with reference to the poem.

Poem 11 - FOR ANN GREGORY by William Butler Yeats

CENTRAL IDEA OF THE POEM:

The poem ‘For Anne Gregory’ by William Butler Yeats is about the perception of love by different
people. The poem is in the form of a dialogue between two people, Anne Gregory and another
speaker, whose identity has not been made clear by the poet. Therefore it could be anyone;
Anne’s lover or a friend or the poet himself.
The poem shows the true nature of humans as they are always carried away by the outer beauty
which is insignificant, and never pay attention to the true nature of the person.
POETIC DEVICES USED:

Rhyme Scheme: abcbdb

Metaphor: honey-coloured Ramparts at your ear (Anne’s hair is compared to the ramparts of a
fort)
Alliteration: repetition of consonant ‘s’ sound at the start of two consecutive words. (Set Such)
Anaphora: Repeated use of a word at the beginning of two lines (That he….That only god)
Alliteration: he had, your yellow

QUESTIONS:

Q1. What does the young man mean by “great honey-coloured /Ramparts at your
ear?” Why does he say that young men are “thrown into despair” by them?

Answer- The “great honey coloured/ Rampart at your ear” means the yellow coloured hair of the
girl. They are very beautiful and cover her ears like a protective wall around a fort. Young men
may fall in love with Anne because of such beautiful hair. They may be thrown into despair if she
rejects them.

Q2. What colour is the young woman’s hair? What does she say she can change it
to? Why would she want to do so?

Answer- The hair of young woman is yellow in colour. She says that she can change them to
brown, black or carrot color by using a hair dye. She wants to do so to get rid of the lover who
loves her for the yellow – coloured hair. She seeks a true lover – one who loves her for her inner
beauty.