Line 35

“And “somebody’s mother” bowed low her head”
1. Literal Meaning

The old woman lowers her head in gratitude and emotion.

2. Literary / Deeper Meaning

Her gesture shows that the boy’s small action has affected her deeply. She carries the kindness home with her.

3. Poetic Devices
Gesture as imagery means a physical action reveals emotion
Example: A bowed head can show sadness or respect.
In the poem: “bowed low her head” Effect: The reader sees gratitude without needing a long explanation.
4. Theme

Gratitude and emotional impact of kindness.

5. Tone

Tender and reverent.

6. Mood

The mood becomes quiet and emotional.

7. Rhyming Scheme

“head” rhymes with “said” in the next line.

Questions for Line 35
What does the woman’s bowed head suggest? 2 Marks
How to answer: Explain the emotion shown through the gesture.
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Answer: It suggests deep gratitude, humility and emotion as she remembers the boy’s kindness.

How does the use of gesture as imagery in this line add to its meaning? 3 Marks
How to answer: Explain the line first, then connect it to the effect of gesture as imagery.
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Answer: Her gesture shows that the boy’s small action has affected her deeply. She carries the kindness home with her. The reader sees gratitude without needing a long explanation. The line also develops the idea of Gratitude and emotional impact of kindness .

Line 36

“In her home that night, and the prayer she said”
1. Literal Meaning

At home that night, she says a prayer.

2. Literary / Deeper Meaning

The act of kindness remains important to her hours later. She cannot repay the boy directly, so she responds with a blessing.

3. Poetic Devices
Shift in setting means the poem moves from street to home
Example: A story moving from school in the afternoon to home at night changes the setting.
In the poem: “In her home that night” Effect: The change shows that the memory of the kindness continues after the incident ends.
4. Theme

Gratitude that lasts beyond the moment.

5. Tone

Quiet and reverent.

6. Mood

The reader feels peace.

7. Rhyming Scheme

“said” completes the rhyme with “head”.

Questions for Line 36
Why is it important that the prayer happens “that night”? 2 Marks
How to answer: Explain what the time shift shows about the lasting effect of the boy’s action.
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Answer: It shows that the boy’s kindness remains in the woman’s mind long after the crossing. The act has a lasting emotional effect on her.

How does the use of shift in setting in this line add to its meaning? 3 Marks
How to answer: Explain the line first, then connect it to the effect of shift in setting.
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Answer: The act of kindness remains important to her hours later. She cannot repay the boy directly, so she responds with a blessing. The change shows that the memory of the kindness continues after the incident ends. The line also develops the idea of Gratitude that lasts beyond the moment .

Questions for Stanza 18
How does Stanza 18 show that the boy’s act has a lasting effect? 3 Marks
How to answer: Use the change of setting and time.
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Answer: The incident happened earlier in the street, but the woman is still thinking about it at home that night. Her prayer shows that the small act of kindness has stayed with her emotionally.

How do the two lines of Stanza 18 work together to develop its main idea? 3 Marks
How to answer: Explain what each line contributes, then combine them into the stanza’s overall meaning.
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Answer: At home that night, the woman bows her head and prays.

Why is Stanza 18 important to the poem as a whole? 5 Marks
How to answer: Place this couplet inside the larger story. Explain what it adds before the poem moves forward.
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Answer: Stanza 18 is important because it develops the lasting gratitude and universal message at the end of the poem. At home that night, the woman bows her head and prays. This helps the poem move naturally towards its larger message of empathy, kindness and seeing the human value in another person.

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CA Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant with 16+ years of practical experience and 20+ years of teaching experience. At Teachoo, he simplifies Accounts, Tax and GST with step-by-step examples so students can apply concepts confidently in exams and real life.

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