Question 2 - A Thing of Beauty - Flamingo - Poems (Literature) - English Class 12

Read the given extract and answer the questions

Extract:

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,

Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

From our dark spirits.

(A Thing Of Beauty)

Question (i)

What is the rhyme scheme of this extract?

• a) ABAB
• b) ABCB
• c) AABA
• d) None of the above

Answer:

Answer written by the student: 

(b) ABCB

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

•  A rhyme scheme is the pattern of sounds that repeats at the end of a line or stanza in a poem.
•  To identify the rhyme scheme, we can assign a letter to each sound and see how they match or differ.
•  For example, in the following extract, the rhyme scheme is ABCB:

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing (A)

A flowery band to bind us to the earth, (B)

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth (C)

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days, (B )

• In this extract from "A Thing Of Beauty", there is a rhyme scheme because some of the sounds at the end of each line match or repeat.
• Therefore, the correct answer is b) ABCB.

Question (ii)

 What does the use of the word "wreathing" suggest? 

• a) The speaker is happy and festive
• b) The speaker is sad and hopeless
• c) The speaker is creative and artistic
• d) The speaker is desperate and clinging

Answer:

-lock-

Answer written by the student: 

(d) The speaker is desperate and clinging

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

•  Analysis is the process of examining the meaning and effect of the language used in a text.
•  To analyze the use of a word, we can look at its definition, context, and connotations.
•  The word "wreathing" means to make or form into a wreath, which is a circular arrangement of flowers or leaves.
•  In the context of the poem, the speaker says that on every morrow, they are wreathing a flowery band to bind them to the earth. This implies that they are trying to find some beauty and joy in life, despite the despair and misery that surrounds them. They are also trying to stay connected to nature and reality, despite their dark and unhealthy ways.
•  T he connotations of the word "wreathing" are negative and desperate. It suggests that the speaker is clinging to life and beauty, not enjoying or celebrating them. It also suggests that they are trapped and bound by their circumstances, not free or liberated from them.
•  Therefore, the correct answer is d) The speaker is desperate and clinging.

Question (iii)

 Select the option that is NOT true about the use of contrast in this extract. 

• a) It creates a sense of tension and conflict in the poem
• b) It shows that the speaker is aware and critical of their situation
• c) It indicates that the speaker is optimistic and hopeful for change
• d) It reflects the speaker's appreciation and admiration for beauty

Answer:

Answer written by the student: 

(c) It indicates that the speaker is optimistic and hopeful for change

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

• Interpretation is the process of explaining the significance and implications of a text.
•  To interpret the use of a literary device, we can look at how it affects the tone, mood, theme, and message of the text.
•  Contrast is a literary device that uses opposite or different elements to highlight their differences or create an effect.
•  In this extract from "A Thing Of Beauty", the speaker uses contrast in several ways:
•   They contrast "every morrow" with "spite of despondence", which shows their persistence and resilience in finding beauty despite their sadness and despair.
•   They contrast "a flowery band" with "the inhuman dearth", which shows their contrast between nature and society, and how they prefer nature's beauty over society's cruelty.
•    They contrast "some shape of beauty" with "the pall", which shows their contrast between light and darkness, and how beauty can remove or reduce their gloominess and depression.
• The use of contrast creates a sense of tension and conflict in the poem, as it shows how different and opposed elements coexist in life. This is true.
• The use of contrast also shows that the speaker is aware and critical of their situation, as they recognize and acknowledge their problems and challenges. This is true.
• The use of contrast also reflects the speaker's appreciation and admiration for beauty, as they value and praise its power and influence. This is true.
• The use of contrast does not indicate that the speaker is optimistic and hopeful for change, as they do not express any desire or expectation for improvement or transformation. Rather, they seem resigned and accepting of their fate. This is false.
•  Therefore, the correct answer is c) It indicates that the speaker is optimistic and hopeful for change.

Question (iv)

The speaker says that some shape of beauty moves away the pall from their dark spirits. What does this imply about the nature and effect of beauty? 

• a) Beauty is a subjective and personal experience that uplifts and inspires
• b) Beauty is an objective and universal reality that enlightens and educates
• c) Beauty is a rare and fleeting phenomenon that surprises and delights
• d) Beauty is a common and constant presence that soothes and comforts

Answer:

Answer written by the student: 

(a) Beauty is a subjective and personal experience that uplifts and inspires

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

•  Evaluation is the process of judging the quality and value of a text.
•  To evaluate the implication of a statement, we can look at its logic, evidence, and relevance.
•  The speaker says that some shape of beauty moves away the pall from their dark spirits, which means that beauty removes or reduces their gloominess and depression.
•   This statement implies that beauty is a subjective and personal experience, as it depends on the individual's perception and preference. The speaker says "some shape of beauty", not "the shape of beauty", which suggests that beauty can take different forms for different people. The speaker also says "their dark spirits", not "the dark spirits", which suggests that beauty affects their own emotions and thoughts, not everyone's.
•  This statement also implies that beauty is an uplifting and inspiring experience, as it improves their mood and outlook. The speaker uses words like "moves away" and "from", which suggest that beauty changes their situation and perspective. The speaker also uses words like "pall" and "dark", which suggest that beauty contrasts with their negativity and despair.
•  Therefore, the correct answer is a) Beauty is a subjective and personal experience that uplifts and inspires.

Question (v)

 Which word in the extract is closest in meaning to "pall"? 

• a) Veil
• b) Pain
• c) Friend
• d) Joy

Answer:

Answer written by the student: 

(a) Veil

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

• Vocabulary is the set of words that a person knows and uses.
• To find the word that is closest in meaning to another word, we can look at their definitions, synonyms, and antonyms.
•   The word "pall" means a cloth spread over a coffin, hearse, or tomb; or a dark cloud or covering of smoke, dust, or similar matter.
• In the context of the poem, the speaker says that some shape of beauty moves away the pall from their dark spirits. This means that beauty removes or reduces the gloominess and depression that covers their emotions and thoughts.
•  The word that is closest in meaning to "pall" is "veil", as it also implies something that covers or conceals something else, especially in a dark or negative way.
•  The word "pain" is different in meaning from "pall", as it implies something that causes physical or emotional suffering, not something that covers or conceals it.
•  The word "friend" is opposite in meaning to "pall", as it implies something that supports or helps someone, not something that covers or conceals them.
•  The word "joy" is also opposite in meaning to "pall", as it implies something that brings happiness or pleasure to someone, not something that covers or conceals them.
•  Therefore, the correct answer is a) Veil.

Question (vi)

The speaker says that they are wreathing a flowery band to bind them to the earth. What does this suggest about their attitude towards life? 

• a) They are grateful and content with life
• b) They are curious and adventurous about life
• c) They are loyal and faithful to life
• d) They are hopeless and desperate about life

Answer:

Answer written by the student: 

(d) They are hopeless and desperate about life

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

• Inference is the process of drawing conclusions from evidence and reasoning.
• To infer the attitude of the speaker, we can look at what they say and do in the poem, and how they relate to life and its challenges.
• The speaker says that they are wreathing a flowery band to bind them to the earth, which means that they are trying to find some beauty and joy in life, despite the despair and misery that surrounds them. They are also trying to stay connected to nature and reality, despite their dark and unhealthy ways.
• This statement suggests that their attitude towards life is hopeless and desperate, as they have no other source of happiness or meaning than nature's beauty. They are also trapped and bound by their circumstances, with no hope or possibility of escape or change. They are not grateful or content with life, as they face many problems and difficulties. They are not curious or adventurous about life, as they have no interest or excitement for new experiences or opportunities. They are not loyal or faithful to life, as they have no trust or commitment to its purpose or value.
• Therefore, the correct answer is d) They are hopeless and desperate about life.

-endlock-