PRELUDES (INTRODUCTION)

Central Idea:-

The poem shows the lives of the modern people. There is no real pleasures in big cities like
London. The materialistic outlook of modern men has revolutionized the way of life. The growth of
industrial civilization has make living dull and tiresome. Lives move on in a mechanical way. Despite
hard work people lead pitiable life. Now that, such things are inescapable. The poet advises us to
learn to be happy in the midst of suffering, inspite of his repugnance to modern life.

Explanation of first stanza (1ST to 13th line):-

The poet observes the end of the winter evening in London and a sense of monotony and
drabness (dull) arouses in his mind. He has, time and again , felt the smell of steaks in the narrow
lanes, seen the withered leaves and newspapers being wrapped and the broken blinds and the
chimney-pots being beaten by the gusty shower.

Explanation of second stanza (14TH to 24TH line):-

The poet takes a close view of the scene of morning life in the city of London. He watches how
the people begin their daily lives. He sees them go to the early coffee’s-stands for drinking coffee. He
also saws where the people are living. Decorating by artificial things and their life which become
artificial.

Theme:-

1) Suffering:-People live in a harsh life. Life is an unchanging cycle of day and night. There is a
sense of people waiting and rushing but not really enjoying their lives.
2) Pretence:-People lead double lives. The respectable life people live by day hides a sordid night.
3) Life style:-In 1910 people lives by rushing to and from work consuming coffee beer and steaks.
But in reality they are suffering at night
4) Poverty:-The people of that period a very poor. Hands and feet of city people are dirty. The
streets are full of rubbish and mud.

Explanation:-

1)”The winter evening…………….smoky days’’ (1ST to 4TH line)

Ans.:-The poet is describing the place where the air is contaminated by the smokes imitated by the
factories and by the smell of steaks. Such symptoms of modern city are observed by the poet in a
very repulsive and disgusting manner in the winter evening when the clock strikes six. This is time
when the industrious part of the day comes to a close. The poet thus brings the idea of an odious
evening of an industrial city into our mind.

2)”With the other masquerades…………….furnished rooms”(19TH to 23RD line)

Ans.:- In these lines the poet describes how morning life begins in a modern city like London. In the
train of a gusty shower of the night the street grows wet and muddy. People neglecting the
muddyness of the street go to the coffee stand early in the morning to drink coffee. And then
marking the start of their daily life people go to join assembly of persons who are dancing at the
ball. There one can see their dirty hands while dancing. In this way the poet expresses the feeling of
disgust at the tiresome modern urban life.

Q1.Why does Eliot compare the evening with “The burnt out ends of smoky days”?

Ans.:-The evening of London city is compared with “The burnt out ends of smoky days” because it is
filled with smoke which is an unhealthy thing. The air is not fresh because of the smoke produced by
the factories as well as cigarette.

Q2.”The grimy scraps

Of withered leaves about your feet” what do these lines suggest?

Ans.:-These lines show the untidy scene of London city. All the withered leaves, scraps and papers as
well as newspapers are gathered at the feet of the passersby. This shows the unhealthy atmosphere
in the surrounding of the London city.

Q3”The showers beat

On broken blinds and chimney-pots” what are impressions created by these lines?

Ans.:-Here, in these lines, the poet shows the inconveniences faced by the passersby. Not only the
passersby the people of that society are also facing the problems. It also shows the condition of the
people who could not mend their windows and chimney-pots.

Q4. What affect does Eliot want to create by the image, “Faint stale smells of beer”?

Ans.:-Morning makes us fresh by their aromatic air. But in the city like London instead of fresh air
the atmosphere is filled with the smell of stale beer which was used at night. And this makes the
people dull and unhealthy.

Q5.”Sawdust-trampled street” Explain the image create by this line.

Ans.:-The streets of London used to be muddy in olden period. Sawdusts were scattered to cover
these muddy areas. In that situation people used to go to coffee-stands to drink coffee as a habitual
act. So, their feet were trempled by the mud as well as sawdust whenever they go there.
 THE FROG AND THE NIGHTINGALE

The central idea of the poem is satire. Satire on those people who know about art and music
but who exploit innocent artists without thinking of their status. Through their talent they earn huge
sum of money .In the lust of money, they even kill the art as well as the artists. Not only this, people
who possess their own talents and skills have lack of confidence and belief easily when a person
criticizes them. They will easily follow the instruction of that critics. At last they will lost everything
even their soul.

Q1What does ‘awn’ mean? What has the poet used this word?

Ans.:- The word ‘awn’ has been coined by the poet to rhyme with ‘dawn’. Here it simply means do.

Q2.What the reaction of the other creature to the frog’s singing because his voice was very loud and
unpleasant?

Ans.:-The other creatures hated the frog’s because his voice was very loud and unpleasant.

Q3Why did everyone stare at the Sumac tree?

Ans.:- Everyone stared at the Sumac tree because it was from there that the nightingale was singing
and charming all ears with her song.

Q4.Was the criticism of the frog a fair judge? What did he suggest?

Ans.:- No, the frog was not a fair judge of the song. His own song was such that all other creatures
hated his voice. He suggested that the Nightingale should have vocal training under him. He added
that she could then become a winner.

Q5.Why was the Nightingale so imposed by the frog?

Ans.:-The Nightingale was impressed because the frog had said that he had long been known for his
splendid baritone. He had also said that he wrote songs for Bog Trumpet.

Q6.What does the Nightingale mean by at least it’s more?

Ans.:-The Nightingale means to say that though her song has no supernatural quality, she feels
proud of the fact that it is her own song. She has not borrowed or copies it from anyone.

Q7.Why does the Nightingale consider the frog as ‘Mozart’?

Ans.:-The frog said that he could make her a winner through his training. Mozart was one of the
greatest musician of all times and the Nightingale felt that Mozart had come down to Earth in the
form of the Frog.

Q8.Why is the Frog benefited in two ways?

Ans.:-He earns money from the Nightingale’s musical concerts. He also gets money from the
Nightingale for her vocal training. Thus the Frog is benefited in two ways.

Q9.Why did the Frog feel joy both sweet and bitter?

Ans.:-The joy was sweet because the frog was earning lots of money through the Nightingale’s
musical concerts. On the other hand it was bitter because the Frog felt jealous of the Nightingale’s
fame.

Q10.In what way did the Frog become the unrivalled king of the Bog once again?

Ans.:-The Nightingale puffed up her lungs to sing. As a result one of her veins got burst and she died.
Thus, the Frog became the unrivalled king of the Bog once again.

Q11.Who was responsible for the bird’s death? Give evidence in support of your answer.

Ans.:-The frog was responsible for the Nightingale’s death. In his greed for more and more money,
he did not allow her any sleep and sleep and rest. He strained her nerves so much that the poor bird
in the end.

OR,

The Nightingale herself will take the responsible of her death. Throughout the universe,
Nightingale is known for her sweet melodious voice. But when a critic like frog comes fort and critics
her voice, she beliefs him and devotes her talent to him. In this way the Frog handles the Nightingale
in whatever manner. Thus, the Nightingale has to loss her life because of her lack of confidence.

THE BISHOP’S CANDLESTICKS

Q1.What message does the play “THE BISHOP’S CANDLESTICKS” give?

Ans.:-The poet gives a very strong message of love, pity, peace and mercy. The convict stands for
cruelty, hard-heartedness and beastliness. He is a wild beast. Actually the jail authorities are
responsible for making him criminal. But by love and sympathy of the Bishop turns him into a true
Christian and a real human being. Thus the play gives out a message that love, mercy or pity are
that real things.

Q2.How does the Bishop being a change in the heart of the convict?

Ans.:-The Bishop treats the convict kindly. He offers him food and allows him to sleep in his house.
He also saves him from being sent to prison when the sergeant brings him by telling a lie. Thus the
heart of the convict is changed.

Q3.How did the Bishop save the convict from being sent to prison?
Ans.:-The Bishop saved the convict when the sergeant brought the convict for the charge of stealing
the candlesticks. But the Bishop said that the convict was his friend and had given those candlesticks
to him as a gift.

Q4.Do you think the punishment given to the convict is justified?

Ans.:-No, the punishment was not at all justified. Such type of punishment must be given to a
murderer. He had just stolen the food for his ill wife. For such crime he should have been fined or
imprisoned for a brief.

Q5.Why did the convict call the prison as hell?

Ans.:-The convict call the prison as ‘hell’ because it is like it (hell) he has been beaten mercilessly and
chained up like a wild animal. He is made to eat filth. He is covered with vermin. His soul has been
taken and has been given a number (15729).

Q6.Why does the convict steal the Bishop’s candlesticks?

Ans.:-Even though the convict has been so much hospitability, the convict’s stealing instinct gets on
him. When he looks at the candlesticks he feels that by stealing them he would start a new life. So
he steals them to start his journey of life.

Q7.Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick?

Ans.:-Persome is really portrayed as a cruel and hard-hearted woman. She feels that people pretend
to be sick so that the Bishop may be near them and help them.

Q8. Draw the character sketch of Persome.

Ans.:-Persome is totally opposite from her brother, in human values. She is a narrow thinking lady.
She shows her cruelty towards all the people. To her view all the people are cheater. She do not
have the real patience for those human being who needs help from the Bishop.

Q9. Write the character sketch of Bishop?

Ans.:-The Bishop is the symbol of a true human being, humanism and Christianity. He has all the
good qualities. He has a sympathetic feeling for the convict, after he hears his story of life. Due to his
sympathetic quality he offers his salt cellars for Mere Gringoire. The Bishop has a sacrificing nature
and doesn’t hesitate to sell all his things to help the suffering of others.

ON SAYING PLEASE

Q1. How do bad manners poison the stream of the general life?
Ans.:-The causes of the crimes commit around us is because of the bad manners spreading in our
society. As an uncivil person does not know how to behave to others he does not know how to
behave to others he does whatever he likes. Thus the opponent will not agree of what he receives.
So it becomes a crime to him. Thus bad manners poisoned the stream of the general life.

Q2. According to A.G. Gardiner, what will be the best way to restore the civilities?

Ans.:-According to A.G. Gardiner punishing an uncivil person with violent attack will not restore
civilities. Instead one must use polite words with violent attack will not restore civilities. Instead one
must use polite words with love and care. If a person hopes polite words from others, he should
have to behave properly to others.

Q3. “If bad manners are infectious, so also are good manners” Explain.

Ans.:-When a child become uncivil his parents will say that he involves with an uncivil gang. Yes, he
may learn the behavior from those friends, as it is quite easy to learn such acts. Like this when an
uncivil person is kept along with well-mannered people, though it may take long time, he will learn
the civilities automatically from them as he becomes an odd one.

Q4. What are the curious pleasures that the writer faced when he was travelling in the bus of the
polite bus conductor?

Ans.:-In the eyes of the people, bus conductor are a kind of specimen who regards the passenger as
their natural enemy. But by the behavior of that good-mannered bus conductor A.G. Gardiner has
curious pleasures on him.

1) He is a man who never exhausted in making his passengers comfortable.

2) In rainy days he is quite busy in searching for a vacant seat.
3) If he had a blind passenger, he not only set him down safely but also helps him to reach a safer
place.
4) He is a careful son for an old man and an interesting father for young people.

Q5.”’Please’ and ‘Thank you’ is the small change with which we pay our way as social beings.”
Why does the writer say so?

Ans.:-We the people of today’s generation are living in a world where each one of us thinking
himself as superior. By this thinking the sense of hatredness is increasing day by day. But though
we are superior or inferior, if we will use the two precious spell whenever necessary, our world will
become an undestroyable heaven.

When we say “Come here”, it carries a meaning of order or force. But with “Please” it turns
into request. Like this when we receive any service from our surrounding, if we say “Thank you” the
person will feel that his work as well as he himself has been recognized by us. If these habits
continue then our society will move smoothly.

THREE YEARS SHE GREW IN SUN AND SHOWER

First paragraph (explanation)

The poet personified nature as mother of Lucy. She, as being a mother, said that Lucy was
the most beautiful creature of all. She also added that she would like to take care Lucy and teach
her so that to become a lady.

Second paragraph (explanation)

Here, mother- nature said that she will guide and gift inspiring force to Lucy. She said that
she will carry her everywhere-hill or mountain, forest or plain in order to teach her and make her
understand the world around her. Mother-nature further added if she will face all her surrounding
and have an experience than she will gain an “Overseeing power”.

Third paragraph (explanation)

According to mother-nature, Lucy will be a lady who is very much happy at all. She will enjoy
the world like a young deer, playing and running everywhere. Though she is sportive she will also
possess the quality of silence. Not only this, she must be a symbol of calmness. This means that
Lucy will possess all the characters of a lady.

Seventh paragraph (explanation)

In the last paragraph mother-nature said that she has completed her work of nourishing
and education Lucy by providing all joys and pleasures. But there is a twist at the end. Lucy who is
now become the most suitable lady of mother-nature alone in disgrace and in her memory.
Though she has thought that they will be happy living together in that small valley.

Q1. Who is LUCY?

Ans.:-Lucy is an anonymous (unknown) lady portrayed by William Wordsworth. Wordsworth has

written a group of poems based on her in each poem he describes his love and sympathy for Lucy.
But till now nobody has discovered who Lucy is.

THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

About the poet:

 Alfred Tennyson was born on six August, 1809 in Lincolnshire England. He was a Poet
laureate of Great Britain and Ireland. Some of his works are ‘Ulysses’, ‘Tithonus’, ‘In Memorium ‘,
etc. He died on six October, 1892.

Background of the poem

The charge of the light brigade was a charge of British light cavalry led by Lord Cardigan
against the Russian forces on 25th October, 1854 in the Crimean War. Lord Ragland over all
commander of the British forces had intended to send the light Brigade to pursue and harry a
retreating Russian artillery battery, a task well shot to light cavalry. Due to miscommunication in
the chain of commander, the light Brigade was instead sent on a frontal assault.

There were six hundred sixty eight soldiers in the Brigades. They were not completely
destroyed but did suffered terribly, with one hundred eighteen men killed, one hundred twenty
seven wounded and about sixty taken prisoner. After regrouping only one hundred and ninety five
men were still with horses.

According to Sir Charles Tennyson, Tennyson’s grandson, Tennyson wrote the poem only a few
minutes after reading an account of the battle in ‘The Times’. It was published six weeks after the
event on nine December, 1848 in ‘The Examiner’.

Explanation of 1st paragraph

Tennyson slowly introducing the six hundred cavalry who will reach the battle of Balaclava just
after half a league. He shows an unknown person who is ordering to charge for the guns. The
Brigade has been ordered into the valley and they are riding in even though they know that guns
and death are waiting for them.

Explanation of 2nd paragraph

In the second stanza the ordered is repeated to go forward. The speaker is asking if there were
any frightened soldiers. And says that they were very loyal to feel frightened. They know that it is
not good idea but they go towards the battle without asking any question.

Explanation of 3RD paragraph

Here, in this stanza, it shows that the soldiers are surrounded by enemy with cannons. They are
surrounded by the sound of gunfire. But the Brigade boldly goes towards the valley. This shows us
how heroic these men were.

Explanation of 4TH paragraph

Comparing with the Russian Army’s weapons the Brigade’s weapons were very poor. These guys
were not carrying machine guns. They were riding through bullets on horses carrying swords. They
have some luck. They reached the guns and stabbed the men who were operating them. The work
is amazed by their act. But at last it had a mourning scene as some of them had killed by the
Russian.

Explanation of 5TH paragraph

The opening five lines are almost similar with the third paragraph. But this is the returning trip
and is deadly and terrifying. Here we get an image of horses and soldiers falling under the rain of
gunfire. This stanza ends with the remnants of the light Brigade move back across the field.

Explanation of 6TH paragraph

The poet’s aim is to make the courage of these British soldiers immortal. So, he ends the poem by
giving commands to us. He said to honour the light Brigade and their attacks. He tells us to respect
and remember them.

Line 13, 14 and 15 (explanation)

These three lines are the most famous lines of this poem. The poet uses these lines to sum up all
the honest, humble, courage of them. They are just doing their duty. In their duty they are just
doing their duty. In their duty they are not permitted to talk back to the commander. So they have
to do and die.

SONG OF THE FLOWER

Explanation of 1ST paragraph

Here the poet personifies the flower and says herself as the sweet voice of nature which is fallen
from the sky. She further says, she is the daughter of the Earth conceived by Winter, born in Spring,
brought up in Summer and slept in Autumn.

Explanation of 2nd and 3rd paragraph

The flower is explaining her works on Earth. She is informing the world that the morning is
approaching along with the sweet blowing breeze. At the evening time together with the birds she
farewells the light.

And said she decorated our Earth with its beautiful colours and sweet aroma.

Explanation of 4th paragraph,

Here, in this paragraph the flower is describing her playful life. She says that during night the
sky is taking care of her, and as the Sun rises she will look at the Sun. The flower is enjoying with
the grass, drinking dew as wine and listening to the music of birds.
Explanation of the 5th paragraph,

Here, the poet describes the uses of a flower in the first person form. Some of the uses mention
in this poem are-lover’s gift, wedding garland, mark of memory for a happy moment, a means of
tribute to the death. The poet further says that the flower is useful in both happy and sorrow
moments.

Explanation of 6th paragraph,

Describing the beauty of the flower the poet, at the end, gives a memory to us, the human being.
The poet advises us to look up high i.e. to think high, to aim high, to try for the best, etc. Like the
flower who never looks down to see her shadow, he says to never look downward. Thus the poet is
saying that the flower gives a moral lesson to the human being on the Earth.

A DAY

Explanation of 1st paragraph,

Emily Dickinson was very attracted the beauty of the morning scene. The way she expressed the
coming of the light is very appropriate.

According to her opinion, the coming of the light is just a layer of light coming one after another.
The steeple of the church is like swimming in the sky due to the reflection of sunlight which seems
very beautiful. The morning is arriving in full speed, it is like a squirrel.

Explanation of 2nd paragraph,

Emily Dickinson portrayed the coming of light on the top of the hill like the removal of a bonnet
by a woman. The dark portion on the top of the hill was disappearing because of the coming of
light which Dickinson expressed as the removal of bonnet. As the sun was approaching the singing
birds were casting their sweet voices. By that, she will easily know the arrival of the morning.

Explanation of 3rd paragraph,

Through the poet is explaining very clearly about the sun rise, she doesn’t have any idea of
sunset. To her sunset is like the people who are climbing over a stile to a higher level. She says so
because the scene of sunset looks like a layer of yellowish creature climbing one after another in a
ladder like structure.

Explanation of 4th paragraph,

At the last paragraph of this poem, the poet says that mourning. The priest is opening the gate
of the Earth so that the light may depart. Thus the scene of sunset is not an enjoyable moment but
a sorrowful moment which hurt the heart of we the people of this Earth.
 SHALL I COMPARE THEE TO A SUMMER’S DAY

Quartrain 1:- The poem begins by addressing the beloved whom the entire poem relates. The
beloved is compared to a summer’s day. Here he is saying that love and summer both are fleeting
and can easily be shaken by rough winds that came their way.

Quartrain 2:- This section says that sometimes summer are too hot and can decrease the beauty of
nature in the course of time.

Quartrain 3:-Here in this section, the beauty of the beloved is shown. It shall never fade like the real
summer does. According to the speaker the beloved shall always be beautiful and lovely.

Couplet: - The two ending lines of a sonnet are the most important part. Here the poet says that as
long as there are readers, breathing and seeing , the beloved shall always live. The sonnet shall
always live and it will keep the beloved alive.

In the rest of the poem, he has talked about the duration of a summer’s day. Then he has
contrasted that with how his love will be immortal. He has said that he will never die because he has
written this poem about him which he written just before the couplet. He completes the thought by
saying that as long as people exist, this poem will exist and he will live in the poem.

Themes of the poem,

1) Imperfection of nature: - This theme of imperfection of nature is presented in the first two
quartrain. The poet presents the agreement that summer has all too short and in addition to
the fleeting nature of this season and it often too hot. Of course the season are not remain
as same and are changing accordingly.
2) Art is immortal:- The third quartrain and the couplet of this poem express that “Art is
immortal”. The poet will provide the lover by putting his words of love into this poem. The
perfect metaphor “Eternal Summer shall not fade” is an example of the beauty of his
beloved. That is at least as long as mortal man lives and read this verse; his friend’s beauty
will last. The concluding heroic couplet summarizes the poet thoughts of Art is immortal.

Q1. What is being compared to a summer’s day? And by whom?

Ans.: The poet’s friend is being compared to a summer’s day. But there is a doubt about the identity
of his friend. He may be William Herbert or Henry Wriothesley or Third Earl of Southampton or
William Himself..
Q2. Why is the friend more lovely and temperate than the summer’s day?

Ans.: The Summer’s day is in the summer season, is very short lived. Sometimes the summer’s
storms wither up the beautiful buds that bloom in summer. The Sun which is sometimes too hot is
often overcast with the dark clouds. But the friend’s beauty is eternal and constant. So it is more
fascinating than the summer’s season.