Stanza 21: Detailed Meaning

Last updated at September 21, 2026 by

Line 81

“The Zamindar cries, “No, no, no more!”
1. Literal Meaning

The Zamindar panics and begs Gopi not to create anything more.

2. Literary Meaning

The Zamindar panics and begs Gopi not to create anything more. This reverses the power balance between the Zamindar and Gopi.

3. Poetic Devices
Repetition and exclamation — Repetition can show panic and strong emotion.
Example: “Stop, stop, stop!” In the poem: The Zamindar cries, “No, no, no more! Effect: It shows the Zamindar’s confidence collapsing into fear.
4. Theme

victory over greed

5. Tone

The tone is triumphant .

6. Mood

The reader feels relief .

7. Rhyme / Sound

This narrative poem mostly uses a simple ABCB rhyme pattern. The short lines and recurring rhymes keep the folk-tale action moving.

Questions for Line 81
What does Line 81, “The Zamindar cries, “No, no, no more!”, mean? 2 Marks
How to answer: Explain this exact line in simple words.
View Answer

Answer: The Zamindar panics and begs Gopi not to create anything more.

Why is Line 81, “The Zamindar cries, “No, no, no more!”, important at this point in the poem? 3 Marks
How to answer: Connect the line with what changes in the story at this moment.
View Answer

Answer: The Zamindar panics and begs Gopi not to create anything more. This reverses the power balance between the Zamindar and Gopi.

Line 82

“I’ll leave, I’ll go away!””
1. Literal Meaning

He promises to leave and end the pursuit.

2. Literary Meaning

He promises to leave and end the pursuit. This reverses the power balance between the Zamindar and Gopi.

3. Poetic Devices
No special device to identify — This line mainly carries the narrative forward; there is no need to force a literary term onto every line.
Example: A plain story line can still be important. In the poem: The line states the next action or detail clearly. Effect: It keeps the folk-tale narrative moving.
4. Theme

victory over greed

5. Tone

The tone is triumphant .

6. Mood

The reader feels relief .

7. Rhyme / Sound

This narrative poem mostly uses a simple ABCB rhyme pattern. The short lines and recurring rhymes keep the folk-tale action moving.

Questions for Line 82
What does Line 82, “I’ll leave, I’ll go away!””, mean? 2 Marks
How to answer: Explain this exact line in simple words.
View Answer

Answer: He promises to leave and end the pursuit.

Why is Line 82, “I’ll leave, I’ll go away!””, important at this point in the poem? 3 Marks
How to answer: Connect the line with what changes in the story at this moment.
View Answer

Answer: He promises to leave and end the pursuit. This reverses the power balance between the Zamindar and Gopi.

Line 83

“He turns and flees; his men behind”
1. Literal Meaning

He turns around and runs away, with his men behind him.

2. Literary Meaning

He turns around and runs away, with his men behind him. This reverses the power balance between the Zamindar and Gopi.

3. Poetic Devices
No special device to identify — This line mainly carries the narrative forward; there is no need to force a literary term onto every line.
Example: A plain story line can still be important. In the poem: The line states the next action or detail clearly. Effect: It keeps the folk-tale narrative moving.
4. Theme

victory over greed

5. Tone

The tone is triumphant .

6. Mood

The reader feels relief .

7. Rhyme / Sound

This narrative poem mostly uses a simple ABCB rhyme pattern. The short lines and recurring rhymes keep the folk-tale action moving.

Questions for Line 83
What does Line 83, “He turns and flees; his men behind”, mean? 2 Marks
How to answer: Explain this exact line in simple words.
View Answer

Answer: He turns around and runs away, with his men behind him.

Why is Line 83, “He turns and flees; his men behind”, important at this point in the poem? 3 Marks
How to answer: Connect the line with what changes in the story at this moment.
View Answer

Answer: He turns around and runs away, with his men behind him. This reverses the power balance between the Zamindar and Gopi.

Line 84

“Dare not choose to stay.”
1. Literal Meaning

His followers are also too frightened to remain.

2. Literary Meaning

His followers are also too frightened to remain. This reverses the power balance between the Zamindar and Gopi.

3. Poetic Devices
No special device to identify — This line mainly carries the narrative forward; there is no need to force a literary term onto every line.
Example: A plain story line can still be important. In the poem: The line states the next action or detail clearly. Effect: It keeps the folk-tale narrative moving.
4. Theme

victory over greed

5. Tone

The tone is triumphant .

6. Mood

The reader feels relief .

7. Rhyme / Sound

This narrative poem mostly uses a simple ABCB rhyme pattern. The short lines and recurring rhymes keep the folk-tale action moving.

Questions for Line 84
What does Line 84, “Dare not choose to stay.”, mean? 2 Marks
How to answer: Explain this exact line in simple words.
View Answer

Answer: His followers are also too frightened to remain.

Why is Line 84, “Dare not choose to stay.”, important at this point in the poem? 3 Marks
How to answer: Connect the line with what changes in the story at this moment.
View Answer

Answer: His followers are also too frightened to remain. This reverses the power balance between the Zamindar and Gopi.

Questions for Stanza 21
What happens in Stanza 21? 3 Marks
How to answer: Summarise all four lines in sequence.
View Answer

Answer: The power balance reverses: the threatening Zamindar becomes frightened and flees.

How does Stanza 21 develop the idea of victory over greed? 3 Marks
How to answer: Name the idea and show how the stanza expresses it.
View Answer

Answer: The power balance reverses: the threatening Zamindar becomes frightened and flees. It develops victory over greed through the choices and consequences shown in these four lines.

Why is Stanza 21 important to the movement of the whole poem? 5 Marks
How to answer: Explain the stanza’s role in the larger narrative.
View Answer

Answer: Stanza 21 is important because the power balance reverses: the threatening Zamindar becomes frightened and flees. It moves the folk-tale from one clear stage to the next and prepares the following consequence.

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