PROSE

1) University and College Education; Learning LSRW Skills by Prof N S

Gundur.
LSRW Skills: -
Introduction: -
Every element of our lives, including development, our personal lives, and our learning
environments, depend on our ability to communicate with others. Because of this, it's crucial
to instil good communication skills in children from a very young age and to practice
successful communication amongst ourselves. LSRW skills are what they will need in such
a situation. LSRW full form is listening, speaking, reading, and writing. They help every
individual in conveying themselves to others. When it comes to learning, LSRW skills of
learning often involve listening first, followed by speaking, reading, and writing.

What is LSRW?
The four skills of language learning, or LSRW, are a group of four aptitudes that enable a
person to understand and produce spoken language for proper and effective interpersonal
communication. These abilities include speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

1) Listening: -
The most important among the LSRW skills is listening. It is what is referred to as a latent
skill or a responsive ability since it expects us to use our ears and minds to comprehend what
is being said or addressed. It is the first of two typical learning skills. Listening is the ability
to accurately understand and interpret the importance of what is being said during a
conversation. It is also the most effective and powerful skill. The comprehensibility of a
lesson quickly wanes out after that, and the association separates, leaving the student
perplexed.

2) Speaking: -
Oral learning takes place through speaking as the communication medium. Speaking is the
second of the LSRW skills and typically the second skill we pick up. Communicating or
expressing one's thoughts and feelings verbally is referred to as speaking or talking. Elocution

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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and recitation are the main methods used in elementary schools to teach students how to
effectively communicate ideas and information by mastering phonetics, sounds, rhythm, and,
to a lesser extent, intonation, modulation, and variety.

3) Reading: -
One of the first things you learn about reading is that there are many different reading
strategies. Students should be aware of which strategy is best for the reading effort demanded
by the particular topic or by their educator or teacher.
It is crucial to prepare students to understand their reading strategies and determine when to
use them, especially during test situations when opportunity constraints may end up being
the most crucial aspect and decisions must be based on time availability and the importance
of the desired result.

The following are the four basic categories of reading practices: -

a) Skimming
b) Scanning
c) Intensive
d) Extensive
a) What is Skimming and its example?
Ans: - Skimming is reading rapidly in order to get a general overview of the material.
Skimming is a strategic, selective reading method in which you focus on the main ideas of a
text. When skimming, deliberately skip text that provides details, stories, data, or other
elaboration.
For Example - When one reads the text only in order to understand the thesis statement, in
one or two lines.

b) What is Scanning and its example?

Ans: - Scanning is reading rapidly in order to find specific facts. While skimming tells you
what general information is within a section, scanning helps you locate a particular fact.
For example- when we are searching for a telephone number in a directory, we scan the page
for the name of the specific person we are looking for.

c) What is Intensive?
Ans: - Intensive reading involves learners reading in detail with specific learning aims and
tasks. It can be compared with extensive reading, which involves learners reading texts for
enjoyment and to develop general reading skills.
For Example - The learners read a short text and put events from it into chronological order.

d) What is Extensive?
Ans: - Extensive reading is a casual process. This reading technique is probably the most commonly
used by casual readers. It has mainly entertaining purposes and focuses more on the experience than the
analysis.

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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The extensive reading meaning is easier understood when comparing it with intensive reading.
While intensive reading is done in short bursts on small portions of content, extensive reading,
as the name suggests, is usually done over prolonged sessions.

4) Writing: -
The fourth of the LSRW skills is writing. Similar to speaking, it requires students to use both
hands and minds to convey the written message, idea, thinking, or information that we would
have said otherwise. As such, it is profitable or dynamic expertise. By providing exploratory
writing exercises, writing skills may be strengthened. It is important to teach and encourage
students to write, arrange, and organize their ideas on a given subject or topic. To writ e
coherently, completely, and accurately, writers must consider the value of organizing their
ideas.

Why LSRW is Necessary for Students?

English is the most widely used business language, and knowing it is almost a need for
anyone who wants to work or study abroad. Students must excel in reading and writing
examinations to get the newest placement. Students who excel in technical areas run the risk
of falling behind in communication because of their intense workload. Students must be
experts in communication since it is crucial to both the workforce and higher education.

How To Improve LSWR Skills: -

There are various ways to develop students’ LSRW skills, but the right motivation and
dedication are the most important. Learning is a lifetime process that requires investment in
time and the development of self-awareness to identify areas that require improvement. Let's
look at how you can help students to hone LSRW skills.

Read More, Learn More: -

There's a phrase that goes, “Read more if you want to write well.” Students learn more and
become better writers as they read more. Reading more exposes students to a wider range of
viewpoints, cultures, and concepts. This enables them to generate original ideas that they can
present in their own way. You can help them to utilize new information to express intentions,
for example, if they're in a brainstorming session.
Step Out Of Comfort Zone: -
To learn something new or enhance your talents, teachers need to help students and
sometimes have to go out of your way. For example, if they are frightened of public speaking,
you can help them by in participating a speech contest. You may even offer them to give a
presentation. This will help students to accept the concept of doing something that makes
them feel uneasy.

Learn Something New: -

Learning a new language, skill, or activity will allow students to meet new people. Language
classes, for example, typically include tasks such as presenting presentations or teaching a
class. These will assist students in improving their communication skills. You can also help
them to learn how to interact with an audience, converse with strangers, and gain confidence.

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Conclusion: -
The significance of LSRW skills cannot be overstated, especially in this day and age where
communication has mainly shifted online. Gone are the days when learning was completely
reliant in the classroom - today with tools such as Teachmint, teaching and learning has
become far beyond its potential. Check out Teachmint and its features today.

02- Function of Education by- Jiddu Krishnamurti

Preface:-
Jiddu Krishnamurti is a great philosopher, speaker and a writer. He was selected and nurtured
at the young age by the Theosophical society headed by Annie Besant to become the World
Teacher. But he spirit grew independently and did not want anyone to follow him. In 1929, he
dissolved the Order of the East and said, “The moment you follow someone, you cease to
follow truth.” His views on education are as revolutionary as his spirit. In this work, he reveals
the purpose of education in connection with understanding life, intelligence, learning, attention,
inward freedom and creation of new society.

The Purpose of Education:

J. Krishnamurti raises the question – Are we educated only to pass the exam and get a job, then
for getting married and becoming more and more like machines? Should we study just to be
proficient in Maths and Physics? He suggests not to study for life but to study life. Education
is to understand the whole process of life – to discover for yourself what is real. Today man is
conditioned by religion, beliefs, ideas, tradition, and society. According to him, the function of
education is to help man to live freely without fear.

What Affects and Develops Your Intelligence?

In his words, Intelligence means the capacity to think freely without fear, without a formula,
to find out for yourself what is true. An intelligent mind is always clear, simple and direct but
what affects it is ambition. Both spiritual ambition and worldly ambition produce anxiety and
fear. Once a person is frightened, he can never be intelligent. When a person grows, he is afraid
of several things – afraid of exam, placement, living, getting a child, losing a job, promotion,
death, what the wife or husband would say, etc. Krishnamurti states, “Most of us have fear in
one form or another; and where there is fear there is no intelligence.”

What Does Attention Mean? :

Attention comes to a person only when the person is interested in something, only when he
loves to find all about it. Once attention comes, then the whole mind is there and whole being
is there. But what happens in classroom? The student stares at the window. The teacher compels
him to pay attention to the subject. Throughout his life, a person is interested to do something,
but he is compelled to do something else against his will. Religion, education, parents, society,
tradition and everybody stand against him. But the function of education is to help the student
to find what he loves to do from the beginning to end of his life.

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About Learning, Inward Freedom and the New Society:
According to Krishnamurti, learning is not restricted to class room and teacher. It is a lifelong
process, He says, “When you are really learning you are learning throughout your life and there
is no one special teacher to learn from.” Because a person learns from everything – a dead leaf
can teach him impermanency, a bird in flight can teach him freedom, and so on. The function
of education is not to try to fit a student into the rotten society but to give him complete inward
freedom to grow independently and create a new society. Only a person in constant revolt
inwardly against tradition, against his own bondage can discover what is true and create such
a New Society.

3) An Avenger by Anton Chekhov

Summary: - 01
There are a few instances in the short story ‘an avenger’ which shows that there is a pinch of
satire in it. First of all, Sigaev planning the whole murder, then thinking who to kill and whether
to kill himself or not is a satire in itself. He is trying to select an appropriate gun from a
gunsmith. The shopman has been portrayed in a satirical character as well. He is praising about
his guns to Sigaev. He displayed a gun of high price and when Sigaev said that it was too much
for him he replies that he has cheaper guns but that are only bought by hysterical ladies or the
mentally deficient and committing suicide or shooting ones wife with this cheap gun is
considered bad nowadays. Another satirical instance was when Sigaev imagined his own
funeral. Who would ever want to think about their funeral? When he was not satisfied with
any of these guns, the shop man took down another dozen cases of revolver. The shop man
displayed a Tula revolver and said that if he would aim with this gun at his wife, he might shoot
himself on his shoulder blade. Finally, the most satirical part of this story was when Sigaev
suddenly felt mortified and sorry that he would be dead. All this while, he was planning to
murder his wife and then kill himself and now he does not want to do so because he feels that
to shoot oneself is cowardly. A revolver was now of no use. However seeing the shop man
getting very enthusiastic, he wanted to buy something so that the shop man would not feel bad.
So he bought a net for catching quails for eight roubles and walked out of the shop.

Summary: 02
Sigaev wants to take revenge on both his wife and his wife’s lover. However it is also noticeable
that at times he also considers killing himself after he has killed wife and her lover. This is
important as Sigaev appears to be looking for sympathy from others when it comes to killing
himself. He wants to let others know that he is the offended party- that he has done nothing
wrong and that responsibility lies with his wife and her lover. Strangely, Chekhov gives no
background as to why Sigaev’s wife might have been unfaithful. It is also strange how Chekhov
gives no background to Sigaev himself. The reader is left to take his word on everything. Only
his feelings are felt throughout the story. Though it is clear his pride is wounded, the reader
never knows if Sigaev’s potential actions are justified. We don’t know how Sigaev has treated
his wife, which leaves the reader wondering if it is possible that Sigaev’s wife’s actions were
triggered by the fact she feels as though she is in an unhappy marriage. The reader never knows.
Sigaev does not at any stage in the story think that he might be at fault and it is also difficult

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for the reader to suggest that he is at fault. The entire story is focused upon how Sigaev feels
and the importance of him being seen in a good light. Sigaev doesn’t appear to mourn the fact
that his wife has been unfaithful; rather, avenging his pride is more important to him.

Summary: 03
Anton Chekov, in his short story 'The Avenger’, talks about Sigaev, a man who caught his wife
in an extra marital affair. He does not even think over the situation completely and immediately.
Without giving this sensitive matter a second thought, decides to go to a gun shop to buy a gun
and kill both his wife and the other man. But, while he is at the shop, he changes his views
numerous times and doesn’t seem to be motivated and focused on his opinion. He acts in an
illogical and irrational manner and doesn’t listen to what his mind tells him. His cowardice is
reflected the first time he pictures himself as an insulted man who will not be valued anymore
in society. Throughout the story, he plans for different ways to take revenge but in the end he
leaves all the ideas because of some or the other flaw in the plan. These flaws in the situation
or his lack of courage to execute the situation highlight the coward inside him. Ultimately he
disregards the idea of killing anyone and leaves the shop with just a green net of eight roubles.
Summary: 04
The story talks about the revenge, pride, shame, trust and unfaithfulness. It’s mentioned in the
story that the Sigaev have been cheated by his wife and he has caught her red handed, for the
sake of revenge he wants to kill his wife and lover. But in the story it’s completely noticeable
that he is very confused about the idea of killing himself because he wants to gain sympathy
from the society. He wants the society to know the who is being cheated by whom. That he has
not done anything wrong. He wants to show the society that because of the romantic
engagements have driven him to the pint of madness. So he visited to a gun shop to buy the
best revolver and imagines how he would see his wife and her lover in affliction. It's very clear
that sigaev lives in society who is more concerned about the reason of death of either of the
party but not necessarily on fact that who is guilty or what was the reason behind the failed
relationship between a husband and wife.

The author has not mentioned that why Sigaev has been cheated? The sigaev cannot trust his
wife because of the lack of love between them. It’s not clear that maybe his wife actions are
been triggered due to failed marriage. He only wants to shame his wife, shows that he doesn't
want to solve the problem but to feel her wife guilty. At the end of the story he wishes to be
seen as the person to the society who has been offended shows that showing the society and
making them understand is more important than solving the issue . Jumping onto conclusions
without knowing the reason of unreliability.
Sigaev’s only real complaint is the fact that his pride is wounded. At the end he decides to give
divorce, and to come up as wounded party.

Conclusion: -
In the eyes of the law, murder is the ultimate crime for which there is no justification. The
protagonist, Sigaev, knows that he will be severely punished and sent to prison if he kills his
wife and her lover. However, society’s concept of justice and morality is filled with ambiguity.

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If one party in the marriage contract violates its terms of eternal faithfulness and monogamy,
the other is seen as entitled to seek vengeance, no matter how extreme a form it takes. In
Sigaev's world, it is commonplace for a wife to cheat on her husband, a matter of course for a
cuckold to commit murder or suicide. It is so mundane that the gunsmith discusses it
conversationally, the way one would talk about the weather. He complains about the corruption
of morals while making money off it. Sigaev himself goes about the whole thing not in a fit of
jealousy and hurt passion, but with careful deliberation. He wants to punish his wife for
breaking her vows, and feels perfectly justified in the lengths he is going to go. He fairly
logically debates with himself about which combination of murder and suicide would be best,
ultimately choosing divorce. The newspapers and gossips would feel more sympathy than
anger for his lurid scandal, and anyway it would be one of many. By mostly ignoring the
element of emotion, Chekov exposes the inconsistency in human concepts of morality and
justice, where adultery is wrong, and so is murder, but murdering an adulterous spouse is justice
served.
4) The Gift of the Magi by O Henry
O. Henry is the pen name of late 19th and early 20th century American writer William Sydney
Porter who was famous for creating narratives that employed comic twists and ironic ends to
his serious and sentimental stories. Central to his works are the working class men and women
who fight against the depriving socio-economic conditions of their day

Summary: - 01
The story begins the day before Christmas with a young woman named Della sitting at home
counting her savings. The home she lives in with her husband, Jim, is a cheap, furnished rental
apartment. When they first moved in Jim was earning more money, but the couple has fallen
on hard times and now live in poverty. Della has been putting money aside after buying
groceries for many months. She is sad and anxious because despite her efforts, she has not
saved enough money. She had been hoping to buy Jim something special for Christmas with
her savings. Della begins to cry on her couch as she realizes she does not have enough money
to buy Jim a Christmas present.

After she stops crying, Della cleans up her face and looks out the window lost in thought. She
suddenly catches a glimpse of herself in the dingy mirror on the wall and gets an idea. She lets
down her long brown hair and looks at it for a little while. Della’s hair, notable for its beauty,
is her prized possession. She puts on her old coat and hat and visits a shop that buys and sells
hair. The shopkeeper, Madame Sofronie, agrees to cut and buy Della’s hair. Della spends the
rest of the day going around the city looking for the perfect gift for Jim. His prized possession
is a gold pocket watch that has been passed down through his family. She wants to buy him a
nice chain to go with it, something special and rare. Eventually, she finds the perfect platinum
chain. It costs all the money she got from selling her hair, plus most of her savings. Della goes
home feeling very excited to give Jim his present.

When Della gets home, she tries to style her new haircut as best she can. She worries that Jim
will be angry and will no longer think she is pretty. When Jim sees Della has cut her hair, he

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gets a strange look on his face. Not knowing what it means, Della goes to him and quickly
explains that she sold her hair to buy him a Christmas present. In response, Jim hugs her and
tells her he loves her no matter what her hair looks like. He then gives her a Christmas present:
a set of jewelled tortoiseshell combs she’d once admired in a shop window. Della loves the
present, but she bursts into tears when she realizes she is unable to use Jim’s thoughtful gift.
As Jim comforts her, she reassures him her hair will grow back quickly. She then excitedly
gives him the platinum watch chain. Jim laughs and reveals he sold his prized watch to pay for
the combs. The narrator concludes the story by praising the couple for their selfless gifts of
love, calling them even wiser than the three wise magi who brought gifts to the baby Jesus on
the first Christmas Eve.

Summary: - 02
This is a story about a rather poor young married couple Della and Mr. James Dillingham
Young. Della counted the money she had saved. It was a total of one dollar and eighty-seven
cents. And the next day was Christmas. She wanted to buy her husband Jim (i.e. Mr. James
Dillingham Young) a present. She had been saving every penny she could for months. She
could manage to save only $1.87. She had spent many hours planning something nice for him.

There were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took much
pride. One was Jim's gold watch and the other was Della's hair. Della decided to sell off her
beautiful long hair for Jim's present. And, she sold it for twenty dollars with that money she
bought a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design. It was perfect for Jim's gold watch.

At 7 o'clock, Della was waiting for Jim to come home. When Jim came and saw Della's short
hair, he was quite shocked. Della admitted to Jim that she sold her hair to buy him his present.
Jim gave Della her present, The Combs-the set of combs, side, and back, that Della had always
longed for. She looked at Jim with dim eyes and a smile, and said-"My hair grows so fast, Jim!"
And then Della showed Jim the chain for his watch. Jim tumbled down on the couch and put
his hands under the back of his hands and smiled. He told Della that he had sold his watch to
get the money to buy her combs.
Thus, Della and Jim sacrificed their greatest possessions for each other.

Summary: - 03
This is a short and sweet story about Youngs, a married couple experiencing adverse economic
crisis during the festive period of Christmas. Della and Jim love and care for each other and so
the wife is adamant to gift her husband a memorable token of that love. But the monetary
crunch tears apart her aspirations and drives her to sell the most valuable possession a woman
could possibly own i.e. her beautiful locks. She cuts her hair short to gain an additional twenty
dollars to her savings consisting of one dollar and eighty seven cents and at last buys a gold
watch chain. The short hair however turn out to be a shock for Jim who gets beautiful studded
combs for Della to caress her long tresses with the money received after selling his ancestral
pocket watch. In order to project their love to each other, the couple sacrifices their valuables
which the narrator initially views as foolish but towards the end ascertains their selflessness
MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.
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towards each other and hence ascribes to them the status of magi—the wise men who brought
gifts to Jesus Christ at his birth in Bethlehem.

Analysis: -
The narrative is a second person narration which invites the reader to observe the events in
the couple’s life along with the narrator. A direct interaction of the narrator with the reader
allows for some necessary pauses in the course of story to reflect on the actions of the
characters. Like a guide, the narrator introduces to the setting and characters to set a ground
and context for the events ahead. The story’s setting could be traced back to the onset of the
20th century where America was progressing in various industries but the prosperity was not
shared by everyone equally. The labour force was often unemployed and was underpaid
despite serving additional working hours. The instance of declining wages is best exhibited in
Jim’s reduced weekly salary from $30 to $20 that hinders Della’s savings and predicts her
inability to celebrate Christmas wholeheartedly that year. Thus, scarcity of income not only
affected the man himself but also his family.

The main idea of this short story is to interrogate the gift-exchanging rituals as a cultural
hegemony existing since the time of Christ. Referring to the title, magi were the people who
travelled to Bethlehem with gifts for the new-born Jesus Christ and hence were also the ‘wise’
people who are seen as the forerunners of the custom of offering presents on
Christmas. Interpreting the story in this context, Della and Jim selling off their hair and watch
respectively to earn a few extra dollars to buy presents for each other is both sweet and
imprudent. The selfless intentions ascribe their thoughtless act as innocent but the ironic
twist of both ending up losing their valuables strands the gifts as useless. The beaded combs
and the gold watch chain then become symbols of impulsivity as the couple didn’t share their
intentions with one another and ventured with their own plan.

Greater value of a commodity lies in its simplicity and plainness, something even Della
believed too as her first thought after looking at the gold chain catered too its plain and simple
appearance which very well aligned with her husband’s personality. However, by inclining
towards material gesture over emotional affection, she becomes a representative of
the contemporary culture of gifting where the object wrapped inside holds precedence over
the sentiments and efforts to find it. But the narrator at the end maintains that despite
facing economic adversity and foolishly spending money over gifts to celebrate Christmas,
the couple was still wise of all their contemporaries who otherwise indulged in mindless
exchanges. The motive that drives Della and Jim to sacrifice their treasured belongings for
each other successfully minimizes the unfortunate consequence of their act by presenting it
a concrete proof of their love.

Themes: -
Love – Love as an emotion often requires meaningful gestures to ensure its presence in a
relationship, especially in the institution of marriage. But it should never be replaced with
materiality. Showering love does not necessarily involve gifting the loved ones expensive
presents because it will be an invalid judgment of the intensity of love one harbours for the

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other. Simple and sweet gestures such as cooking his/her favourite meal, singing one’s
favourite song or even participating in activities that one’s partner cherishes in can reflect true
love. But Della and Jim’s self-imposed compulsion towards one another concerning gifting
each other out of the world presents directs them to sacrifice their valuable possessions only to
realise the inherent vanity and foolishness of their act. While the act may be deemed
unnecessary and unintelligent, the pure intention clouding it cannot be dismissed which makes
them the wisest people on earth in the modern set up of gift exchange.

Sacrifice: –
Love and sacrifice are the two sides of the coin of relationship. If the story is an evocative tale
of love and selflessness, it is also about sacrifice a partner readily makes for the other. Despite
knowing how valuable the hair and the watch are to Della and Jim respectively, the couple
decides to let go of their proud possessions for Christmas presents to be gifted to each other. A
moment’s happiness takes precedence over years of security they rendered to these material
yet priceless assets. It is the sacrifice which guards their otherwise impulsive and injudicious
act of selling off their cherished belongings in order to buy happiness for one another. It also
becomes a medium for both Della and Jim to affirm the love they harbour for each other which
caters to no boundaries and thus no obstacles.

Literary Devices: -
Simile: -
“So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about her, shining like a falling stream of brown water.”
“He was as quiet as a hunting dog when it is near a bird.”
Foreshadowing: -
The narrator conveys about the “Youngs [who] were very proud of two things which they
owned. One thing was Jim’s gold watch. It had once belonged to his father. And, long ago, it
had belonged to his father’s father. The other thing was Della’s hair.” This allows the readers
to predict an unfortunate event in the course of the story where the possessions will be lost due
to unfavourable circumstances.

Character List
1) Della Dillingham Young: -
A young housewife who struggles to afford a Christmas present for her husband, Jim. The
story’s protagonist, Della is kind-hearted but impulsive. She loves her husband deeply, and
prides herself on her long, beautiful hair.

Della is youthful, caring, and sensitive. Much of the story follows her perspective and
highlights her devotion to her husband, Jim. She demonstrates this sensitive and caring nature
when she throws herself down on the couch to cry once she realizes she hasn’t saved enough
money to buy Jim a Christmas present. Although she is clearly proud of her beautiful hair,
Della is not overly vain. The fact that she cuts her hair to afford a present for Jim proves that
her vanity does not outweigh her desire to show him how much she loves him. After she styles
the new short cut by curling it, she worries that he will think she looks like a Coney Island
chorus girl, suggesting she is more anxious about how Jim will perceive her new haircut than

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how she feels about it herself. When Jim arrives home, she almost immediately explains what
she has done because she is so concerned about his feelings. She further exhibits this sensitive
nature when she reacts to Jim’s gift; though she is sad that she cannot use the combs, she is
mostly overwhelmed and touched by his love for her.

2) James Dillingham Young (Jim): -

A young husband struggling to support his wife, Della. Jim is caring and good-natured and
truly loves his wife. He is the proud owner of a valuable pocket watch that has been passed
down through his family.

Jim is affectionate, generous, and good-natured despite his worries about supporting himself
and Della on his reduced income. In the beginning of the story, Jim is presented through Della’s
point of view as a wonderful man and husband. Despite their money troubles, she feels nothing
but lucky to be his wife. Her preoccupation with whether Jim will react negatively to her hair
creates suspense and casts doubt on such a positive portrayal. When Jim finally appears in the
story near the climax, this characterization proves to be true. He purchases expensive combs
for his wife even though he needs a new coat and gloves because he is generous to the point of
being self-sacrificing. Although he is initially shocked to learn Della has cut off her hair, his
response—wrapping his arms around her—reveals his affectionate nature. Jim showcases his
integrity when he reassures her that his love does not depend on her appearance, and he proves
himself to be just as devoted to Della as she is to him when he explains that he gave up his
precious watch. By responding with good humour to the revelation that Della’s gift for him is
a now-useless watch chain, Jim reinforces the idea that he’s easy going, and evidently more
inclined to appreciate the irony of the situation and recognize his wife’s love for him than
become angry or upset

3) Madame Sofronie: -
A shopkeeper who buys and sells hair. Madame Sofronie is cold and detached in her business
dealings.

I) Answer the following questions in a few words.

1) Who were the Magi?
Ans: - The Magi were the three Wisemen - Gasper, Melchoir, and Balthazar who traveled from
the East to Jerusalem to see the infant Jesus born in a stable. They were guided by a star and
they carried precious gifts for Jesus.

2) Why was Della worried?

Ans: - Initially Della was worried about arranging the required money to buy a nice gift for
Jim at Christmas since she had only one dollar and eighty-seven cents. Hence, she sold her
beautiful hair and brought a gift for James. Now her new look troubled her as she looked more
like a truant schoolboy. Della was really worried thinking that Jim might be critical of her
appearance.

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DAVANGERE.
3) What did Jim do to get a gift for Della?
Ans: - Jim sold his precious golden watch, a family heirloom, in order to get a gift for Della.

4) What did Della do after reaching home?

Ans: - On reaching home Della got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work
repairing the damaged hair. After forty minutes of hard work, she looked wonderfully like a
truant schoolboy with tiny, close-lying curls on her head. At 7 o'clock, she made coffee and
got the frying pan ready to cook the chops.

5) What was Jim's reaction when he returned home?

Ans: - Jim was foxed for a moment to find Della without her long beautiful hair. His eyes were
fixed upon Della but the expression of his eyes was unintelligible to her, rather it terrified her.
It was not anger, surprise, disapproval, horror, nor any of the sentiments that Della had been
prepared for James simply stared at her fixedly with a peculiar expression on his face.

II) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.

1) Bring out the relation between Della and the Queen of Sheba.
Ans: - Queen of Sheba, a biblical character, was a rich and powerful queen who came to King
Solomon with a wealth of spices, gold, and jewels to test for herself whether King Solomon
was truly wise. In the story 'The Gift of the Magi' the author O' Henry draws the relation
between Della and the Queen of Sheba to reflect on Della's beautiful hair. Della, a key character
of the story, had a prized possession of long beautiful hair, rippling and shining like a cascade
of brown waters. It reached below her knee. In a light-hearted comparison it was stated that if
the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, she would have been jealous of Della's
locks of hair, out of the window in order to dry. Her wealth would have paled/devalued in
comparison to Della's beautiful hair.

2) Bring out the relation between Jim and King Solomon.

Ans: - King Solomon was a rich and powerful king of Israel and the son of David. His name
is synonymous with wisdom. In the story 'The Gift of the Magi' the author O' Henry draws the
relation between Jim and King Solomon to glorify the ancestral gold watch of Jim. Jim, a key
character of the story, possessed a precious gold watch, a family heirloom, in which he could
take a might pride, and even king Solomon might have been envious. In a light-hearted
comparison it was stated that if king Solomon had been the Janitor with all his treasures piled
up in the basement, he would have enviously plucked at his beard to find Jim pulling out his
gold watch, every time he passed by.

3) Show how the 'twist in the tale' makes the story of Jim and Della a moral lesson.
Ans: - In the story, 'The Gift of the Magi' Jim and Della had to sell off their precious
possessions to buy gifts for each other on Christmas Della in order to a fine, rare, and sterling
gift for Jim sold her long and beautiful hair beautiful enough to make the Queen of Sheba
jealous. Finally, she bought a platinum fob chain, simple and chaste in design, for Jim's gold
watch. On the other hand, Jim sold his precious gold watch, a family heirloom that even King

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Solomon might have been envious of to buy an expensive tortoiseshell comb for Della's
beautiful hair.
The ironic 'twist in the tale' is that both Della and Jim traded off the very treasures each
possessed and for which the gifts were meant. the ardour love of the couple ended in a situation
which Jim beautifully reflected when he said-"let's put our Christmas presents away and keep
them for a while. They are too nice to use just at present"
This 'twist in the tale' makes the story of Jim and Della a moral lesson that selflessness a desire
to add the happiness of the one who receives the gift and the spirit of sacrifice are the essence
of gift-giving on Christmas.

Essay Type Answers: -

1) Examine the significance and appropriateness of the title of the story.
Ans: - The author O' Henry has appropriately chosen the title 'The Gift of the Magi' for the
story of Della and Jim. The Magi were the three Wisemen - Gasper, Melchoir, and Balthazar
who traveled from the East to Jerusalem to see the infant Jesus born in a stable. They were
guided by a star and they carried precious gifts for Jesus. The Magi invented the tradition of
giving gifts on Christmas. Being wise, their gifts were also undoubtedly wise.

The story centers around a young couple Della and Jim who are poor but hardworking and their
existence is full of struggle but they manage to experience joy through the power of their love
for each other. They planned to make Christmas eve a special one with a wonderful gift for
each other. Jim and Della had to sell off their precious possessions to buy gifts for each other
on Christmas Della in order to have a fine, rare, and sterling gift for Jim sold her long and
beautiful hair. Finally, she bought a platinum fob chain, simple and chaste in design, for Jim's
gold watch. On the other hand, Jim sold his precious gold watch to buy an expensive
tortoiseshell comb for Della's beautiful hair.

But the gifts of Della and Jim are unique and wise in the sense that they reveal the true essence
of gift-giving on Christmas i.e. selflessness a desire to add the happiness of the one who
receives the gift and the spirit of sacrifice. Through O' Henry terms the couple as 'the foolish
children' he points out clearly that they value the human relationship and their mutual love and
generosity make them the 'Magi'.
Thus the title is quite significant and appropriate.

2) Based on the events, attempt a justification of the story as an example of comic irony.
Ans: - In 'The Gift of the Magi' the author O' Henry uses comic irony with a view to
emphasizing the moral of the story Jim and Della, two key characters of the story, had to sell
off their precious possessions to buy gifts for each other on Christmas Della in order to a fine,
rare and sterling gift for Jim sold her long and beautiful hair. Finally, she bought a platinum
fob chain, simple and chaste in design, for Jim's gold watch. On the other hand, Jim sold his
precious gold watch to buy an expensive tortoiseshell comb for Della's beautiful hair.

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DAVANGERE.
The ironic twist in the story is that both Della and Jim sold off the very treasures each possessed
for which the gifts were meant. A faint smile spread across the lips of the reader with this ironic
twist in the plot. But this irony makes the story of Jim and Della a moral lesson that selflessness
a desire to add the happiness of the one who receives the gift and the spirit of sacrifice is the
essence of gift-giving on Christmas.
Poetry
1) The world is Too much with us by William Wordsworth.
Introduction: -
William Wordsworth published a poem titled “The World Is Too Much With Us” in 1807. The
poem bemoans the loss of humanity’s connection to nature and accuses industrial society of
destroying it in favour of selfish pursuits. The poem was written by Wordsworth during the
First Industrial Revolution, a time of technological and mechanical advancement that spanned
the middle of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries and fundamentally altered British
life.

About the poet: -

William Wordsworth was born on 7 April 1770. Lyrical Ballads are Wordsworth’s most
famous works. One of the main figures and a key intellectual behind English Romanticism was
William Wordsworth, who was also one of its founders.

Rhyme Scheme: -
This is a traditional 14-line sonnet with a unique abbaabbacdcdcd rhyme pattern and iambic
meter.
Summary: -01
Line wise explanation -
Lines 1-4
The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;—
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!

The world is too much of us, as in “The World is Too Much With Us.” In reference to
materialistic concerns like money, property, and power, the speaker laments the fact that there
is an overabundance of all of these aspects. And he comes to the conclusion that it is “too much
with us,” which means that we care about these earthly things far too much. He says we “lay
waste our powers” when we spend our time, thoughts, and energies “getting and spending.”

People are so preoccupied with getting and spending that they are unaware of their own
potential. Their time is consumed by their acts of earning money, spending money, and taking
care of their things, and they are immersed in their need for more money. Once they were on
the industrial treadmill, Wordsworth could see that individuals were sacrificing their passions
and energies.

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DAVANGERE.
Lines 5-7
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;

The speaker of “The World is Too Much With Us” describes the wonders of nature that the
majority of people skip on in these lines. He talks about the wind, the flowers, and the sea. A
close relationship between the moon and the sea is implied when the sea “bares her bosom to
the moon.” Winds are howling. The poet gives the reader a vision of nature and enables him to
see what he is missing out on by being obsessed with material possessions.

Lines 8-10
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not. Great God! I’d rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;

Because we are so consumed with material wealth, “we are out of tune” with nature. The
speaker makes an oath in this passage that he would rather be a destitute pagan than be so
concerned with wealth and status. He prays to God and even declares that he would prefer to
be a pagan than to be disconnected from the environment.

Lines 11-14
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.

The speaker implies in these last lines that, if he were a poor pagan, he would get “glimpses”
of nature that would bring him joy and hope, or at the very least help him feel “less forlorn.”
He makes reference to two pagans in the last two lines. It was believed that Proteus could
predict the future.

The speaker seems to imply that if he had been a pagan, he would have been capable of
communicating with Proteus or even catching a glimpse of him as he watches the ocean. The
pagan god Triton was credited with having the power to control ocean waves. This suggests
that the speaker spends enough time admiring the sea to spot Triton.

Summary: - 02
Line wise explanation –
Lines 1-2
The world is too much with us: late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers

The speaker begins The World is Too Much with Us with the term “the world” and the reader
quickly begins to understand what that term means in this context. He is talking about worldly

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DAVANGERE.
cares and concerns such as money, possessions, and power. And he concludes that it is “too
much with us” meaning that we care far too much about these worldly things. He gives more
depth of thought to this idea when he suggests that by using our time, minds, and energy in
“getting and spending” that we “lay waste our powers”. In other words, people have powers
beyond that which they have tapped into because they are so busy getting and spending.
They are tied up in their greed for more money and their time is accounted for by their actions
of getting money, spending money, and caring for their possessions. He believes that money
and worldly possessions are far more important to people than they should be. He continues,

Lines 3-4
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!

In these lines, the speaker contrasts Nature with “The World”. He reveals that while people
spend their time in acquiring worldly possessions, the true beauty of the earth cannot be owned.
He reveals that very few things that people see in Nature actually belong to them. He
then laments, “We have given our hearts away”. He believes that where we should enjoy nature,
though it is not ours to own, instead we are filled with greed and we acquire wealth and worldly
possessions rather than enjoying nature. The speaker then continues by describing the beauties
of nature that people are missing out on by being so caught up in the want for money and
possessions.
Lines 5-7
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;
In these lines of The World is Too Much With Us, the speaker describes the beauties of
nature that most people are missing out on. He describes the sea, and the wind, and the
flowers. His description of these parts of nature use personification to help the reader to
connect with each description. The sea “bares her bosom to the moon” which suggests an
intimacy between the moon and the sea. The winds “howl”. This gives the wind human
emotion.

The flowers “sleep”. Giving these parts of nature human attributes helps the reader to feel this
connection with nature. It paints a picture of nature and allows the reader to understand what
he is missing out on by being caught up in worldly possessions and greed.

Lines 8-10
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not. — Great God! I’d rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
These lines are the speaker’s final exclamation that “we are out of tune” with nature because
we are so caught up in worldly wealth. Here, the speaker swears an oath that he would rather
be a poor pagan than be so distracted by worldly wealth so as to render himself unable to enjoy

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DAVANGERE.
the true beauties of life. He appeals to God and even exclaims that he would rather be a pagan
than to be out of touch with nature.
Lines 11-14
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.
In these final lines, the speaker reveals that if he were a poor pagan, he would have “glimpses”
of nature that would give him joy and hope, or at least make him feel “less forlorn”. He would
rather be poor and helpless and connected with nature than rich and powerful and alienated
from it.
In the final two lines, he refers to two pagan gods. Proteus was thought to be able to tell the
future, though he avoided doing so if he could.
The speaker implies that had he been a pagan, perhaps he could imagine being in touch with
Proteus, or at least catching a glimpse of him as he stares out across the sea. Triton was the
pagan god that was said to be able to calm the waves of the sea. This implies that the speaker
looks out at the sea, enjoying nature, long enough to see Triton and Proteus. The speaker refers
to these two pagan gods after he first appeals to God and swears that he would rather be a pagan
than be alienated from nature.
Summary: - 03
Angrily, the speaker accuses the modern age of having lost its connection to nature and to
everything meaningful: “Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers: / Little we see in
Nature that is ours; / We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!” He says that even when
the sea “bares her bosom to the moon” and the winds howl, humanity is still out of tune, and
looks on uncaringly at the spectacle of the storm. The speaker wishes that he were a pagan
raised according to a different vision of the world, so that, “standing on this pleasant lea,” he
might see images of ancient gods rising from the waves, a sight that would cheer him greatly.
He imagines “Proteus rising from the sea,” and Triton “blowing his wreathed horn.”

Commentary
“The world is too much with us” falls in line with a number of sonnets written by Wordsworth
in the early 1800s that criticize or admonish what Wordsworth saw as the decadent material
cynicism of the time. This relatively simple poem angrily states that human beings are too
preoccupied with the material (“The world...getting and spending”) and have lost touch with
the spiritual and with nature. In the sestet, the speaker dramatically proposes an impossible
personal solution to his problem—he wishes he could have been raised as a pagan, so he could
still see ancient gods in the actions of nature and thereby gain spiritual solace. His thunderous
“Great God!” indicates the extremity of his wish—in Christian England, one did not often wish
to be a pagan.

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DAVANGERE.
On the whole, this sonnet offers an angry summation of the familiar Wordsworth and theme of
communion with nature, and states precisely how far the early nineteenth century was from
living out the Wordsworth an ideal. The sonnet is important for its rhetorical force (it shows
Wordsworth’s increasing confidence with language as an implement of dramatic power,
sweeping the wind and the sea up like flowers in a bouquet), and for being representative of
other poems in the Wordsworth canon—notably “London, 1802,” in which the speaker dreams
of bringing back the dead poet John Milton to save his decadent era.

I) Questions-Answers
1) According to the poet, what is man's attitude to nature?
Ans: -. Man’s attitude to nature is of indifference (lack of interest).

2) Who were Proteus and Triton?

Ans: - They were Greek and Roman gods of Nature.

3) Why does the poet want to become a Pagan?

Ans: - He wants to become a Pagan to worship gods of Nature.

4) What does the poet mean by stating ‘the world is too much with us?
Ans: - It means that man has become too much attached to the material world.

5) What are we ‘out of tune with’?

Ans: - We are ‘out of tune’ with Nature.

6) What is the ‘sordid boon’?

Ans: - Lust (extreme greed) for possessing material things is a sordid boon.

7) Who is the Pagan according to the poet?

Ans: - A non-Christian is a Pagan according to the poet.

8) What does the poet glimpse and what is its effect on him?
Ans: - The poet has glimpses of the gods of Nature, Proteus, and Triton and it makes him
happy.

9) What does the poet mean by “the world’ in the first line?
Ans: - It means worldly possessions.

10) Identify the rhyme scheme used in this Sonnet?

Ans: - The poet has used the following rhyme scheme in this poem: abba, abba, cdcdcd.

11) How has materialism affected us?

Ans: - It has made us slaves to material possessions.

12) ‘It moves us not’. What moves us not?

Ans: - The beauties of Nature do not move us.

13) How do we waste our powers according to Wordsworth?

Ans: - We waste our powers in getting and spending money on material things.

14) What does Wordsworth say he could do if he were a Pagan?

Ans: - In that case, he would have a glimpse of the gods of nature.

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DAVANGERE.
15) Why can't we make nature a part of our life?
Ans: - As we are all the time busy in material pursuits, we cannot make nature a part of our
life.
16) How, according to the poet, is ‘the world’ too much with us?
Ans: - We are all the time busy in material pursuits; earning and spending money on material
things.
17) Sonnet is of two types. Out of these two, which type of Sonnet Wordsworth’s poem
‘The World is Too Much with Us’?
Ans: - This poem is based on the Petrarchan sonnet.

18) How many lines are there in a Petrarchan sonnet?

Ans: - It has fourteen lines.
II) Answer the following questions in 20-30 words each:
1) According to the poet, what is man's attitude to nature?
Ans: - Man’s attitude to Nature is of indifference. We have made ourselves detached (cut
off/separated) from Nature. We are every time busy in earning and spending money. We have
no communion with Nature. We cannot afford separation from it. If it happens, harmful effects
on the earth can be felt or seen.
2) Who were Proteus and Triton?
Ans: - The poet mentions the ancient Greek and Roman mythical gods Proteus and Triton in
this poem. Proteus would be seen emerging from the sea and Triton would be blowing his
curled conch-like horn. In this way, he would not feel lonely and sad at all in the company of
Roman and Greek gods.
3) Why does the poet want to become a Pagan?
Ans: - The poet declares that he would prefer to be a Pagan rather than be affected by the
growing materialism in the world due to the first phase of industrialization in England. He
would be ready to renounce his religion ‘Christianity’ which advocates for only one God. He
would like to follow the religion in which Nature is worshipped. This stanza reflects
Wordsworth’s deep love for Nature. This is the reason why the poet wants to become a pagan.

4) What does the poet mean by stating ‘the world is too much with us’?
Ans: - The poet means to say that human beings have become more attached to material things.
He expresses his deep concern over people’s growing love for worldly things. Man has become
a slave to the god of money, Mammon. He appeals to all of us to give up Mammon-worship
and start loving Nature. At that time, industrialization had just started showing its impact on
human minds.

5) What are we ‘out of tune with’?

Ans: - The poet says that people are out of tune with nature. He says that people do not feel
attracted by the beauties of nature. The poet quotes examples of some beautiful scenes of
Nature. It all shows that Man has become very much indifferent to the beauties of Nature. They
are in disharmony with the world of Nature.

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DAVANGERE.
6) What is the ‘sordid boon’?
Ans: - Actually, the poet has used ‘too much in the title of the poem ‘The World is too much
With Us’. We have a clue here to explain the meaning of the paradox ‘sordid boon’. It seems
that the poet does not have much objection to people’s limited love for material things. Then it
is a boon for them. But when they have crossed limits and got too much involved in their love
for material things, then it becomes sordid. Hence, the meaning of the paradox is ‘a sordid
boon’.

7) Who is the Pagan according to the poet?

Ans: - A pagan is a worshipper of nature. Ans. He believes in many gods and goddesses of
nature. But this word was also used as a ‘non-believer of God’ or a non-Christian person.
This is because a Christian believes only in one God.

8) What does the poet glimpse and what is its effect on him?
Ans: - The poet has glimpses of the ancient Greek and Roman mythical gods Proteus and
Triton. Proteus would be seen emerging from the sea and Triton would be blowing his curled
conch-like horn. In this way, he would not feel lonely and sad at all in the company of Roman
and Greek gods.

9) What does the poet mean by “the world’ in the first line?
Ans: - In this poem ‘the world’ means the greed for material things. The people of the world
have become too much involved in possessing material things. They do so by earning lots and
lots of money. In this process, they have become indifferent to Nature. They worship only the
god of money, that is, Mammon.

10) Identify the rhyme scheme used in this Sonnet?

Ans: - The poet has used the following rhyme scheme in this poem: abba, abba, cdcdcd.
It means the first line rhymes with the fourth line, the second line rhymes with the third; the
fifth line rhymes with the eighth while the sixth one with the seventh; the ninth line rhymes
with the eleventh and thirteenth; the tenth line rhymes with the twelfth and the fourteenth.
III) Essay type Answers with Questions: -
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each
1) What does the poet think about the way a man treats nature? How does he express his
thoughts and feelings on this topic in the poem? Or
Summarise the poem ‘The World Is Too Much with Us'
Ans: - The poet thinks that we have made ourselves detached (cut off/separated) from Nature.
We are every time busy in earning and spending money. We have no communion with Nature.
He means to say that God has created Nature for all the creatures on the earth. So Nature
belongs to us and we also belong to Nature. We cannot afford separation from it. If it happens,
harmful effects on the earth can be felt or seen. We have given our hearts to material things. It
means we have started loving them. He expresses his deep concern over people’s growing love

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DAVANGERE.
for worldly things. Man has become a slave to the god of money, Mammon. All the diseases
and mental discomforts are due to our love for material things. As a great worshipper of Nature,
the poet appeals to all of us to give up Mammon-worship and start loving Nature.
To prove his love for nature, the poet declares that the Pagans in ancient times lived a healthier
life. It is because they were always connected to nature. They were nourished in the lap of
nature. So, all qualities of head and heart, like patience, love, peace, hard work, etc.
automatically got imbibed into their personality. This is the reason why the poet wishes to
become a pagan and have glimpses of gods of nature.

2) The sonnet is a criticism of life in this modern mechanized milieu. Comment on the
assessment of this fine.
Ans: - The sonnet is really a criticism of life because William Wordsworth makes a strong case
of criticism against life the people had started living in the nineteenth century under the effect
of industrialization and scientific progress. The case is still applicable in this modern
mechanized world of today also. We don’t have any time to ‘stand and stare’ at a beautiful
object of nature. The love for material things has made us blind to natural beauty.

We have made ourselves detached (cut off/separated) from Nature. We are every time busy in
earning and spending money. We have no communion with Nature. He means to say that God
has created Nature for all the creatures on the earth. So Nature belongs to us and we also belong
to Nature. We cannot afford separation from it. If it happens, harmful effects on the earth can
be felt or seen.

Man has become slave to the god of money, Mammon. All the diseases and mental discomforts
are due to our love for material things. As a great worshipper of Nature, the poet appeals to all
of us to give up Mammon-worship and start loving Nature.

To prove his love for nature, the poet declares that the Pagans in ancient times lived a healthier
life. It is because they were always connected to nature. They were nourished in the lap of
nature. So, all qualities of head and heart, like patience, love, peace, hard work, etc.
automatically got imbibed into their personality. This is the reason why the poet wishes to
become a pagan and have glimpses of gods of nature.

3) How does Wordsworth employ Greek mythology and other devices to portray the
materialistic mind of modern man?
Ans: - After reading and understanding the poem, we all come to know how William
Wordsworth feels hurt to see his fellow Christians getting too much attached to materialism.
They have started wasting much of their time and energy in earning and spending money. In
this way, money has become a curse for them. It is the root cause of all of their ailments.

To depict the materialistic mind of the modern man, the poet uses Greek mythology. He tells
us how in ancient times the Greeks used to believe in Pagan gods. They believed and loved
every object in nature. They used to have glimpses of Pagan gods like Proteus and Triton rising

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DAVANGERE.
from the sea. He uses beautiful imagery from Nature to make the readers feel and think how
nature blesses every human heart.

The poet creates a very beautiful word picture using the personification of the sea and the moon.
The poet uses a straightforward image of the sea in female form exposed to the view of the
moon. The second image that emerges in the poet’s mind is that of the winds huddled together
like sleeping flowers. The poet uses a simile of sleeping flowers for the winds that have now
huddled up together as if in the position of sleeping.

In the end, the poet declares that he would prefer to be a Pagan rather than be affected by the
growing materialism in the world. He would be ready to renounce his religion ‘Christianity’
which advocates for only one God. He would like to follow the religion in which Nature is
worshipped.

4) The poet prefers paganism to worldliness. Discuss.

Ans: - William Wordsworth’s love for Nature is known to all of us. He wrote so many poems
to show his great love for nature.
In this poem, his immense love for Nature makes him announce that he would prefer to be a
pagan rather than being a believer of a religion that restricts (stops) him from loving gods of
nature, like Proteus and Triton.
In ancient Greece and Rome, people believed in so many gods and goddesses. So they were
called Pagans. But in Christianity, only one God is worshipped. Nature is also blessed with
them in so many ways.
The poet further says that people of his times have become slaves to materialism. They have
stopped loving nature. They have detached themselves from the beauties of nature.
The poet does not want to become too much lost in materialism. The poet also declares that he
would like to be a Pagan than to continue following the outdated religion in which he was
brought up. He would not stop loving nature even if his religion forces him to do so.

2) La Belle Dame Sans Merci: A Ballad by Johan Keats.

Introduction: -
‘La Belle Dame sans Merci’ (‘the beautiful lady without mercy’) is one of John Keats’s best-
loved and most widely anthologised poems; after his odes, it may well be his most famous. But
is this poem with its French title a mere piece of pseudo-medieval escapism, summoning the
world of chivalrous knights and beautiful but bewitching women, or does it have a deeper
meaning?

Summary: - 01
‘La Belle Dame sans Merci.’ ‘The woman is beautiful, but merciless.’ Keats’s title, which he
got from a 15th-century courtly love poem by Alain Chartier (La Belle Dame sans Mercy),
provides a clue to the poem’s plot: in summary, the poem begins with the speaker asking a
knight what’s wrong – this knight-at-arms is on his own, looking pale as he loiters on a hillside.

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This knight-at-arms has a lily-white forehead (i.e. he’s pale), and a rose-coloured cheek. But
symbolically, this rose is withering: love has gone rotten.

It’s at this point that the voice in the poem shifts from this first speaker – the one questioning
the knight about what’s up with him – to the knight-at-arms himself. The knight then tells us
his story: he met a beautiful lady in the meadows, who the knight believes was the child of a
faery – there was something fey or supernatural and otherworldly about this woman. She had
wild eyes, which imply an unpredictability in her nature.
The knight tells his interlocutor how he was inspired to shower this ‘faery’s child’ with gifts:
a garland or wreath for her head, bracelets for her wrists, and a sweet-smelling girdle for her
waist. The woman looks as though she loves these gifts, and moans sweetly. The knight puts
the lady up on his horse and rides all day without taking his eyes off her – not a pursuit we’d
recommend when riding a horse. As the lady delicately rides his horse side-saddle, as befits a
lady, she sings a ‘faery’s song’.
As if to complement the three gifts (garland, bracelets, ‘zone’ or girdle) the knight gave her,
the belle dame sans merci gives the knight three sweet gifts: sweet relish, wild honey, and
manna-dew (implying something almost divine: ‘manna’ was the foodstuff that fell from
heaven in the Old Testament). In a strange language, the lady tells the knight she loves him.
She takes him to her elfin grotto, where she proceeds to weep and sigh; the knight silences her
with four kisses.
The lady, in turn, silences the knight by lulling him to sleep – presumably with another ‘faery’s
song’ – and the knight dreams of men, pale kings and princes, crying that ‘La belle dame sans
merci’ has him enthralled or enslaved.
In the evening twilight, the knight sees the starved lips of these men – men who have
presumably also been enthralled or bewitched by such a belle dame sans merci – as they try to
warn him, and then the knight awakens and finds himself alone on the hillside where the poem’s
original speaker encountered him. And that’s how he ended up here, alone and palely loitering.
Summary-02
I, the knight, met a woman in the meadows. She was so enchantingly beautiful I assumed she
was the child of fairy. She had long hair, she moved so gracefully she seemed to hover over
the earth, and she had a mysterious wildness in her eyes.
From flowers, stems, and leaves I wove a crown for her to wear. I also wove her bracelets, and
a belt strong with the scent of the flowers I used to make it. Having received my gifts, she
looked at me—it was the look of someone falling in love—and she moaned sweetly.
I sat her behind me on my trotting horse, yet that whole day I saw nothing but her—as we
trotted along, she would lean forward and around me, singing a mysterious fairy song.
When we stopped, she dug up sweet, nutritious roots for me. She served me wild honey, and a
substance so heavenly in taste it reminded me of manna, the food that kept the Israelites alive
on their journey out of Egypt. In a strange language that I nevertheless understood, she said, “I
truly love you.”

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Next she took me to her enchanted cave, where, overwhelmed with emotion, she wept and
sighed—something pained her. I shut those wild eyes of hers by kissing her four times in an
attempt to soothe her.

Next, she lulled me to sleep, and I fell into a deep dream—it still fills me with sadness and
despair to remember it! That was the last dream I ever had, in that cave, which was located on
a cold hillside.
In it I saw pale kings, princes, and warriors gathered around me. I saw the color of death in all
of their faces. They told me that La Belle Dame sans Merci—The Beautiful Lady Without
Mercy—had taken me as her prisoner.
I saw their love-starved, life-starved lips in the dying light. These lips widened as they warned
me about the trouble I’d gotten myself into. Then I woke up, and found myself here, on this
cold hillside.
So that's the answer to your question—that's why I linger here alone, looking rather unhealthy,
even though, as you say, the plant life by the lakeside has shriveled up and the sound of
birdsong is absent.

Summary-03
Stanza 1
The poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” starts with an analysis of a “knight-at-arms”, who
appears ill. The poet directly addresses him and enquires about the reason behind his ailment
and loneliness. The knight feels tired like the plant of “sedge”, whose decay is very much near.
The last line of the first stanza gives us a depressing atmosphere. “And no birds sing” is an
answer to all the above-asked questions, which is the outcome of the sadness in the knight’s
heart.
In the first stanza, the poet paints a mysterious atmosphere. We have a clue that the knight is
in depression and looks weary but still, we are unaware that why is he in depression. It is also
one of the main ingredients of Keats’ poetry that it revives the medieval age. This poem is also
based on medieval themes. That’s why he illustrates his tale with the help of a Knight instead
of a soldier.

Stanza 2
Again the poet repeats his question and directly asks the knight what is bothering him. Why
he looks so pale and exhausted? Keats then describes that none of the general problems is of
depressing in nature. “Squirrel’s granary is full, and the harvest’s done”. If all is right then
which thing bothers the knight?
From a deeper analysis of Stanza 2 of “La Belle Dame Sans Merci”, if we gain a conclusion
then we come to know that poet wants us to imagine the agonies of the knight. It is, therefore,
he does not reveal the reason behind the knight’s mental disorder.

Stanza 3
Readers can clearly do an analysis of the sorrowful situation of the knight in Stanza 3 of “La
Belle Dame Sans Merci”. This stanza transpires Keats’ mastery in using similes and comparing

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two things for the purpose of elaboration. This is the last stanza, in which the poet describes
the “withered” of the knight. However, the reason behind it is still a mystery, which he solves
in the next stanza.

Stanza 4
Finally, after asking, again and again, the speaker gets an answer to his questions. He replies
“I met a lady in the meads”. Then he describes the beauty of that lady. The whole stanza is
based on a description of that lady whom the knight has met. We can realise Keats’ expertise
in this stanza of “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” in doing an analysis of imagery in such a lucid
way that every reader can imagine what Keats wants to portray.
Knight replied that he met with a lady, who was as “beautiful” as a “faery’s child”. She had
long hair and her eyes were wild. The narration technique of the poet is self-evident. Step by
step, like a novelist, John Keats describes each and everything minutely which increases the
interest of the readers in the story.

Stanza 5
This stanza is a continuation of the previous one. Knight creates “garland” and “bracelets” from
flowers, which she wears. She expresses her emotions and sexual pleasure through her wild
eyes when she moans while looking towards the knight.
Subjectively, if we speak about this stanza of “La Belle Dame Sans Merci”, an autobiographical
analysis of Keats’ life elucidates that John Keats was in love with Fanny Brawne. In this stanza,
perhaps the poet expresses his own story in the guise of a knight. Maybe, it is the poet that
makes “garland” and “bracelets” for Fanny Brawne. Nonetheless, most of the critics argue that
the poem is entirely objective in nature and Fanny Brawne has no concern whatsoever at least
with this poem.

Stanza 6
Keats portrays the feelings of two new lovers at starting of their relationship in this stanza.
Imagery, painted in this stanza, is much impressive. In fact, the poet has captured a realistic
picture of two lovers through words. Both the lovers (knight and La Belle) spend time with
each other and sing songs.
Stanza 6 is no more than an analysis of a growing love affair between “La Belle Dame Sans
Merci” and the knight.

Stanza 7
The girl falls in love with the knight. It seems that the knight is in her control. Too much
imagery is apparent in this stanza of the poem. “roots of relish sweet”, “wild honey” and
“manna dew” all are images that Keats has painted in this poem due to which it is one of the
greatest poems of John Keats.
The lady expresses her love very frankly without any feeling of shyness. The last line of the
stanza is a direct expression of her emotions for her lover when she says “I love thee true”.

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Stanza 8
The previous stanza is about the love of the girl for the knight whereas this stanza is the
expression of love that she gets in return from him. She takes the knight with her to a cave
where she weeps not because of pain but because of overwhelmed emotions. In order to soothe
her, the knight closes her eyes and “kisses [her] four [times]”.
Analysis of Keats’ poetry including “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” is much more difficult
because his poetry is for emotions. Readers do not only read it but also feel it. Hence, its
meanings are entirely dependent on the imagination of readers. Stanza 8 is an example of it.

Stanza 9 & 10
9th and 10th stanzas are dramatic though dependent on each other. Suddenly, we see an
unexpected change. The Knight falls asleep and sees a nightmare, an analysis of which is that
many “kings” and “princes” fall in love with “La Belle Dame Sans Merci”. She cheats them
all.
There is a comparison between love and pain in this stanza. Keats in one of his poems says that
melancholy dwells with beauty. The best part of the poem is when Knight feels himself the
luckiest person but his pleasure is not everlasting. Precisely, if we define the meanings of these
stanzas then suffice it to say that sorrows can never be separated from love.

Stanza 11 & 12
Like John Keats, the knight becomes a victim of love. He, in his dream, observes the condition
of the former lovers of “La Belle Dame Sans Merci”, who have left the knight alone to do an
analysis of his real life.

From this stanza, we realise that the entire poem is ironic. The knight falls in love with a lady,
spends many lovely moments with her and ultimately feels that her love is everlasting however
in the end, through a dream, he comes to know that everything was temporary.
The dream of the knight was in fact reality and reality was in fact his imagination/dream.

Meaning thereby that he was dreaming when he falls in love with that beautiful girl and his
nightmare is the actual reality when he wakes up from his dream. Keats has compared the world
of imagination with the world of reality. Everything is concluded in the last stanza of the poem
when the knight says “this is why I sojourn here”.

The poet starts the poem in despair and ends in despair, however, there is a development of
thought in the middle stanzas of the poem. The tone of the poet and his mode change from
stanza to stanza. The poet has achieved artistic economy through this ballad. Ballads are always
lyrical and this ballad is too. So far as themes of the poem are concerned those are “Imagination
Vs. Reality”, “Sorrows Vs. Love”, “Expectations Vs. Reality”, “Beauty Vs. Melancholy” and
“Mortal Vs. Immortal”

I) Answer the following question.

1) What are the signs that show us that the knight is suffering?

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Ans: - The poem 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci' depicts the pain and suffering of the knight as he
was betrayed by the beautiful lady without pity. He is loitering about alone and pales the cold
and desolate hillside. His face looks wrinkled with deep pain and internal turmoil. His brow is
pale like a lily and is moist and feverish caused by deep mental agony. Moreover, the bloom
of the radiant cheeks of the knight is faded like a fading rose. Again, it is the late autumn, an
odd time of the year and the place he visits is not suitable to visit at that time. The sedge has
withered away and the birds are also not singing. All these are the signs that clearly show us
that the knight is suffering.
2) Give a description of the lady.
Ans: - The lady in the poem 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci' is a very beautiful one. The knight
met the lady in the meadow was pleasantly captivated by the charm and beauty of the lady. She
was extremely beautiful with a face like a fairly's child, her hair was very long and she had
attractive and wild eyes. Being nimble-footed, she attracted the knight with her movements.
Her alluring long hair, the glance of her passionate eyes, and sweet moan enraptured the knight
and eventually, he fell in love with the lady.
The knight, in order to express his love, made a garland for her head, bracelet for the lady. The
lady was responsive to the knight's approach and her sweet moan reflected her love for the
knight. The knight took her on his horseback and spent the whole day on a delightful ride. In
response to the gifts of the knight, the knight, the lady offered him relish sweet roots, wild
honey, and manna dew. She even expressed her love for the knight in a strange language. The
fair lady took him to her fairy cave. In the cave, the lady wept bitterly and sight sorely. Being
overwhelmed by her expression of love, the knight kissed her wild and beautiful eyes. Then
the lady lulled her to sleep. But the lady ultimately betrayed the knight and left him all alone
on a cold hillside.

3) Describe the dream of the knight.

Ans: - In his sleep, the knight had a terrible dream. He dreamt of a number of kings, princes,
and warriors who were looking pale and wearied. Their lips were dry and seemed to have been
starved for a long period of time. They were the earlier victims of the lady who tormented them
by her indifference and betrayal. They called the lady 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci' - which
means 'the beautiful lady without pity' and warned the knight of the lady's apparent love,
enslavement, and eventual deception. They further cautioned the knight that he would meet the
same miserable fate as them. The startling dream woke the knight up and he found himself
lying all alone on a cold hillside.

4) Describe the experience of the knight in 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci'
Ans: - These lines have been taken from John Keat's poem "La Belle Dame Sans Merci" The
poem deals with the pain of one who loves but is not loved in return.
In the present context, the poet has shown the anguish of unrequited love. The knight met a
fairy-like beautiful lady in the meadows. Enchanted by this beautiful figure he fell in love with
her. But the lady ditched him and hilled him to sleep. Knight then had a dream. He had a vision
of kings, princes, and warriors who were pale and looked as if they had starved. They warned

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him that he had been bewitched by the beautiful lady without mercy. They were also bewitched
by the beautiful lady. Then the knight found himself on the cold hillside feeling the death-like
cold of his dream. The lady disappeared and forced him to loiter aimlessly with the anguish of
unrequited love. She seduced him with her beauty and sensuality and enslaved him. The knight
felt alienated and desolated.

5) Why was the knight loitering about?

Ans: -In the poem 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci' the poet John Keats speaks about a knight who
was once enchanted by a beautiful lady and eventually got deceived by her apparent show of
love. The knight happened to meet a beautiful lady in the meadow who was extremely beautiful
and charming. Her alluring long hair nimble foot and glance of wild and passionate eyes
enraptured the knight and eventually, he fell in love with the lady.
The knight, in order to express his love, made a garland for her head, a bracelet for the lady.
The lady was responsive to the knight's approach and her sweet moan reflected her love for the
knight. He spent the whole day in the delightful company of the lady and finally followed her
to the fairy cave. She offered him relish sweet roots, wild honey, and manna dew and expressed
her love for the knight in a strange language. In the cave, she displayed her emotion and lulled
the knight to sleep.
In his sleep, the knight had a terrible dream. He dreamt of a number of kings, princes, and
warriors who were looking pale and wearied. Their lips were dry and seemed to have been
starved for a long period of time. They were the earlier victims of the lady who tormented them
by her indifference and betrayal. They called the lady 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci' - which
means 'the beautiful lady without pity' and warned the knight of the lady's apparent love,
enslavement, and eventual deception. They further cautioned the knight that he would meet the
same miserable fate as them. The startling dream woke the knight up and he found himself
lying all alone on a cold hillside.
To his utter surprise, the knight realized that his dream turned into reality as the lady was not
with him. He found it difficult to accept the reality - the betrayal of his lady love. Hence, he
was forced to loiter about aimlessly with the anguish of unrequited love.

6) What do the lily and the rose symbolize, and how do these images foreshadow the
poem's events?
Ans: -In the poem's first stanzas, Keats uses images of a lily and fading rose to describe the
knight's complexion. The lily, a white flower biblically associated with the Virgin Mary,
symbolizes purity, virtue, and innocence. On the other hand, the rose, with its bright, red colors,
commonly represents sex, desire, and romance. To have a rose on one's cheeks also indicates
healthy and vitality—but the rose on the knight's cheek is fading, which suggests exhaustion,
fatigue, and illness. Furthermore, the lily is often used at funerals, adding to the aura of death
that hangs over the knight. By juxtaposing these symbols, Keats foreshadows the poem's erotic
tensions: will the speaker avoid an affair with the woman if he goes on to meet her, or will he
give into her love's temptation?

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7) Describe the tensions between erotic and courtly love in the poem.
Ans: -By casting knights, kings, and princes as characters in "La Belle Dame Sans Merci,"
Keats looks back to the courtly tradition of medieval verse and legend, evoking the severe
restraints it placed upon erotic love, as well as the secrecy with which these affairs were often
conducted. With a lily upon his brow, the knight represents chivalrous honor and duty: his
virtue is untarnished by wickedness and temptation. However, as the knight's story reveals,
even the most honorable of men have fallen beneath the strange lady's spell. The knight
describes to the speaker the intense pleasure he experienced with the woman, reliving the
experience through his tale. But, no matter how true their love felt, he wakes alone, cold, and
loitering, just like the men who wandered on the hillside before him.

However, the poem resists both easy denunciation of erotic love and simple praise of the courtly
tradition. The knight certainly experienced joy with the woman, but he also felt the pain of loss
and abandonment when he woke up from his dream. While the courtly tradition provides
security in love, it also guards against the spontaneous pleasure of erotic love, which could be
read as another profound loss. There is no clear moral to the affair: just a warning to the speaker,
the lady's newest potential desire, making him aware of the choice he will soon face between
honor and eros.

Analysis
In short, then, ‘La Belle Dame sans Merci’ is a fascinating poem because of its unreliability
and what it refuses to tell us. We have a mystified speaker relating a story to us which he has
heard from a (less-than-impartial) knight who has apparently come under the spell of the
‘beautiful lady without mercy’. John Keats famously advocated something he called ‘Negative
Capability’: namely, as Keats himself said, ‘when a man is capable of being in uncertainties,
mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason.’
‘La Belle Dame sans Merci’ inspires such negative capability within us as readers. We cannot
arrive at a neat analysis of this bewitching poem: like the lady herself, the strange story is
beautiful not least because it remains only half-understood.

3) My Young Son Asks Me by Bertolt Brecht.

Summary: -01
Wow! Just wow! What a powerful poem! Bertolt Brecht's "My young son asks me..." is a
masterpiece that combines simplicity and profundity to convey a deep message about life and
death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the poem's literary elements,
themes, and symbols to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

Literary Elements: -
Brecht employs various literary elements to create a poem that is both accessible and thought-
provoking. One of the most striking elements is the use of imagery. The poet paints vivid
pictures of life and death, contrasting the beauty of nature with the harsh realities of war and
suffering. For instance, he describes the "green figs" and "ripe grapes" that grow in the fields,
but also the "shattered cities" and "burned-out planes" that result from war. The contrast

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between these images creates a sense of irony and tragedy that underscores the poem's central
message.
Another important literary element in the poem is the use of repetition. Brecht repeats the
phrase "What will you leave?" throughout the poem, emphasizing the theme of mortality and
the impermanence of human existence. The repetition also creates a sense of urgency, as if the
poet is urging his readers to contemplate their own mortality and the legacy they will leave
behind.
The poem's structure is also noteworthy. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The
short, compact lines create a sense of brevity and directness, while the consistent structure adds
to the poems overall coherence and impact.
Finally, the poem's language is simple and accessible, making it easy for readers to understand
and relate to. Brecht uses everyday language and imagery to convey a message that is both
universal and timeless.

Themes: -
The central theme of the poem is mortality and the legacy we leave behind. The poet's young
son asks him what he will leave behind when he dies, prompting the poet to reflect on his own
life and what he has accomplished. The repetition of the phrase "What will you leave?"
emphasizes the importance of this question and underscores the poem's message that we must
consider our own mortality and the impact we will have on the world.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the contrast between life and death. The poet
juxtaposes images of nature and beauty with those of war and destruction, highlighting the
tragedy of human existence and the fragility of life. By doing so, he emphasizes the importance
of cherishing life and making the most of our time on earth.
Finally, the poem also touches on the theme of responsibility. The poet is aware that he has a
responsibility to his son and to future generations to leave behind a positive legacy. This theme
is especially relevant in today's world, where we face a range of global challenges, from climate
change to inequality that will require us to act responsibly if we hope to make a positive impact.

Symbols: -
One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the image of the green figs and ripe grapes.
These symbols represent the natural world and the beauty of life. The fact that they are
juxtaposed with images of war and destruction underscores the tragedy of human existence and
the fragility of life.
Another important symbol in the poem is the shattered cities and burned-out planes. These
symbols represent the destructive power of war and the negative impact it has on people's lives.
They also serve as a reminder of the responsibility we have to prevent war and promote peace.
Finally, the young son is also a symbol in the poem. He represents the future and the legacy
that we will leave behind. His innocent question prompts the poet to reflect on his own life and

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the impact he will have on future generations. By doing so, the young son becomes a powerful
symbol of hope and responsibility.

Conclusion: -
In conclusion, Bertolt Brecht's "My young son asks me..." is a powerful poem that combines
simplicity and profundity to convey a deep message about life and death. Through his use of
imagery, repetition, structure, and language, Brecht creates a poem that is both accessible and
thought-provoking. The central themes of mortality, life and death, and responsibility are
underscored by powerful symbols, such as the green figs and ripe grapes, the shattered cities
and burned-out planes, and the young son. This poem is a reminder that we must all consider
our own mortality and the legacy we will leave behind if we hope to make a positive impact
on the world.

Summary: -02
“A Poem of Social Commentary”
Bertolt Brecht, a German poet, playwright, and theatre director, is known for his works that
reflect his Marxist beliefs and his criticism of capitalism. One of his most famous poems, My
Young Son Asks Me…, is a prime example of his social commentary. In this poem, Brecht
explores the concept of justice and the role of the state in ensuring it.
The poem begins with the speaker's young son asking him, "What is the meaning of the word
'justice'?" The speaker responds by telling his son that justice is something that the state
provides. He explains that the state is responsible for ensuring that everyone is treated fairly
and that no one is oppressed. The speaker goes on to say that the state is made up of people
who are elected by the citizens to represent them and make decisions on their behalf.
However, the speaker's tone changes as he continues to explain the concept of justice. He tells
his son that the state is not always just and that sometimes it can be corrupt. He explains that
the people who are elected to represent the citizens often have their own interests in mind and
may not always act in the best interest of the people they represent. The speaker goes on to say
that the state can also be oppressive and that it can use its power to control and manipulate the
people.
Brecht's use of language in this poem is powerful. He uses simple language to explain complex
concepts, making it accessible to a wider audience. The repetition of the phrase "the state"
emphasizes the importance of the state in ensuring justice. However, the use of the word
"sometimes" suggests that justice is not always guaranteed, and that the state can fail in its duty
to provide it.
The poem also highlights the importance of education in understanding the concept of justice.
The speaker's son asks him what justice means, suggesting that he does not yet understand the
concept. The speaker takes the time to explain it to him, emphasizing the importance of passing
on knowledge to the next generation.
Brecht's Marxist beliefs are evident in this poem. He believed that the state should be
responsible for ensuring justice and that it should work towards creating a fair and equal

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society. However, he also recognized that the state can be corrupt and oppressive, and that it is
important to hold those in power accountable.
In conclusion, My Young Son Asks Me… is a powerful poem that explores the concept of
justice and the role of the state in ensuring it. Brecht's use of language and repetition
emphasizes the importance of the state in providing justice, while also acknowledging its
potential for corruption and oppression. The poem highlights the importance of education in
understanding the concept of justice and passing on knowledge to future generations. Brecht's
Marxist beliefs are evident in the poem, as he emphasizes the importance of creating a fair and
equal society. Overall, My Young Son Asks Me… is a timeless poem that continues to resonate
with readers today.

4) Where the mind is without fear by Rabindranath Tagore

About the poet:-
Rabindranath Tagore [1861-1941]
Was considered the greatest writer in modern Indian literature. A Bengali poet, novelist,
educator, Nobel Laureate for Literature [1913]. Tagore was awarded a knighthood in 1915, but
he surrendered it in 1919 in protest against the Massacre at Amritsar, where British troops
killed around 400 Indian demonstrators.
Tagore gained a reputation in the West as a mystic originally and that has perhaps mislead
many Western readers to ignore his role as a reformer and critic of colonialism.
This poem was written when the British ruled our country. We were slaves to a foreign power.
Rabindranath Tagore, the great Indian nationalist and visionary wanted India to awaken to a
bright dawn of freedom – freedom from slavery and our own mental chains.

Introduction: -
Gitanjali -35 by Rabindranath Tagore, the poem 'Where the Mind is Without Fear' was
included in the book Naibedya. The poem is a plea to God to keep the country safe from
wickedness. Tagore wrote the poem while India was still under British rule and people were
excitedly anticipating their independence. It is a prayer to the Almighty for a nation free of all
manipulation and corruption. The poet's excellent and perfect nature is reflected in this poem.
Summary: -01 The poem's first line, part of the title, holds significant meaning.

The poem consists of 11 lines in total. These lines are not divided into stanzas. They are divided
into meaningful purposes of the story to make the poem easier to follow and understand.
The poet begins with these words to see the idealized vision of his home country. He said no
one in his country should ever live in constant Fear. Instead, they should be bold and confident
in themselves. Knowledge should be available to all citizens. That is, educational institutes
should allow students of all races and classes. All the regions of India and their people should
unite rather than fight for power and authority. They must fight together against common
enemies to prevent a common fate.

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In these lines, the poet encourages everyone always to speak the truth no matter the situation.
Nobody should use deception to their advantage when striving to better themselves and keep
trying until they attain a state of self-perfection. He then imagines why it is a water stream not
soiled that can easily and quickly pass through without too many obstacles. On the other hand,
he imagines the habit of being a desert. He believes that the stream of reason is lost in the sand
of habit. It means that he is saying that the people of his country do not think about their current
superstitions, and he wants them to question these beliefs by logic.
In these words, the poet talks directly to God. He wants his fellow citizens to be guided by him
so that they can broaden their view of their thoughts and actions. If they did, India would be
transformed into a heaven where all its citizens would be free.

Summary: -2

“Where the Mind Is Without Fear” is a pre-independent poem in which the poet sincerely
urges to God to awake his fellow beings for the realization that the essential need to live in a
free and united country. He wants his countrymen to awake and enjoy the life of full dignity
and honor.

His countrymen would not be superstitious or believers of blind faith rather than they would
lead the life of enlightened and educated.

He wishes to the people, to be honest, open-minded and industrious. Then only they would
stretch their ‘arms towards perfection’ and the nation can actually achieve the apex of success.

They need to use their reasons over their blind faiths and must be ready to accept new thoughts
and ideas. He requests God to free his country from manipulation, corruption, and slavery. He
yearns for an awakened country where there would be freedom of the mind and expression of
ideas.

The poem invokes the deep patriotic feelings. Our country is subjugated by castes, creed,
superstitious beliefs and biased ideas. Tagore earnestly appeals to God that a country would be
where people’s ‘head is high’ and ‘knowledge is free’.

His country would not be divided and fragmented into pieces due to their narrow thoughts.
They should express their words not from the mind but from ‘the depth of truth’ and heart.

He urges God to guide his countrymen for moral awakening to fight for their rights against
British inhuman rules. Liberate them from the fear of oppression, repression, and subjugation.
Unshackle the chains of fear and direct them to the paths of progress and prosperity.

They should be confident not confined. There would not be injustice and inequality in the
country on the basis of caste, creed, and gender.

Countrymen should be unprejudiced and open-minded accepting the new challenges and
changes. They should lead their lives of decency and dignity.

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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DAVANGERE.
To conclude “Where the Mind Is without Fear” is a poem in which Tagore reveals his personal
quest for the Divine and characterized by a variety of original themes both in thought and
expression.

Therefore, this poem is remarkable to a great extent which expresses the intensity of the feeling
of freedom. His poem is universal in its appeal and envisions the ‘heaven of freedom’ and
happier future for mankind.

Summary: -3
In this poem, the poet asks God to provide his country with the freedom of thought and
expression that leads to perfection, free from the shackles of superstitions and the bonds of
societal ills.

The poet prays to God, requesting that his nation be free of persecution and that each individual
be allowed to raise his head high. There should be no dread in the environment. The country
should be a place where information is accessible to everyone, regardless of caste, gender, or
religion, and is provided free of charge.

He dreams of a country that is not "broken up into fragments" by biases and beliefs, but rather
one in which everyone is unified. He envisions a country where people are honest and speak
from the depths of their emotions. He aspires to live in a country where everyone is free to toil
and work hard for anything they choose, whether for personal gain or for the sake of the
country.

Everyone is urged to work relentlessly until they achieve complete satisfaction and excellence
in achieving their goals.

The poet prays to God for Indians to think and behave in a rational and progressive manner.
He wants the power of reason to rule his country's men's thoughts. He doesn't want the 'stream
of reason' to be lost in the shuffle of old rituals and traditions.

It should be a country where the light of reason has not been extinguished by mindless
superstitious habits of thinking and conduct. Where people's minds should not dwell on or be
obsessed by their mistakes in the past. They should, on the other hand, be guided by the faculty
of thinking to be future-oriented by using logical thought and conduct.

He wants God to lead the country forward into the freedom of a widened thinking and attitude.
He asks ‘The Father' to awaken his country to such a ‘freedom heaven.' India would only be
able to achieve full independence if she has a worldwide vision and a burning desire to realise
great human aspirations. Only in this manner will she be able to fulfil her destiny.

Note: Tagore is a devout believer in God. He prays to God with all his heart that he would
direct his compatriots to work hard, tell the truth, and approach things in a rational and forward
manner. Rabindranath Tagore wishes for peace and prosperity for his nation and people. He
adores his homeland and wants its prosperity.

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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DAVANGERE.
Summary: -4
Line by line
Line: - 1-2
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
In the very first line, the poet prays to the Almighty that his countrymen should be free from
any fear of oppression or forced compulsion. He wishes that everyone in his country has his
head held high in dignity. In other words, according to him, in a truly free country every person
should be fearless and should have a sense of self dignity.
Where knowledge is free;
In the second line of Where the Mind is Without Fear the poet dreams of a nation where
knowledge would be free. Education should not be restricted to the upper class only but
everybody should be allowed to acquire knowledge. Not only that, the children should learn
freely from the nature and the world around them. They should not be forced memorize some
predetermined lessons. And this is Tagore’s typical concept of education.
Line: - 3-4
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls;
In the next two lines, the poet emphasizes the unity of not only of his countrymen but also of
the entire world. He thinks there should be no division among people based on their caste,
creed, color, religion or other baseless superstitions. In other words, prejudices and
superstitions should not divide the people in groups and break their unity.
Line: - 5-6
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
In line 5 of Where the Mind is Without Fear, Tagore wants a nation where people are truthful.
They should not be superficial and words should come out from the depth of their hearts.
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
In the sixth line of the poem, the poet wants everyone to work hard to reach their goal, and in
the long run to reach perfection. . He thinks they should not be tired by working. People should
not be lazy and ignoring their work.
Line: - 7-8
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
into the dreary desert sand of dead habits;
In line 7, the poet compares ‘reason’ or logical thinking to a “clear stream’ and in the next line
compares ‘dead habits’ or superstitious beliefs to a ‘dreary desert’. He wants the stream of
reason not to lose its way into the desert of prejudices. In short, people’s thought should be
monitored by rational thinking, not by superstition; logic should rule over old baseless beliefs.
Line: - 9-11
Where the mind is led forward by thee
into ever-widening thought and action;
In line 9 and 10 the poet wishes his countrymen to be progressive and broad-minded. He wants
that their minds are “led forward” to “ever-widening thought and action” by the Almighty. In
short, we should be open-minded and do something unusual or extraordinary, overcoming the
narrowness of mind.
Line: - 12
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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DAVANGERE.
In the final line of the poem, the poet addresses the God as ‘Father’. He asks him to awaken
his country into such a ‘heaven of freedom’ where the above conditions meet.
To make it clear, the poet prays to the Almighty (my Father) to raise or lift (awake) his country
to such heights where freedom would be realised at its best (a heaven of freedom). In turn, he
is actually praying that God awakens his countrymen so that they come out from the darkness
of ignorance, prejudices, disunity and all other evils.

I) Answer the questions:

1) What does the line’ Where words come out from the depth of truth mean?
Ans: - The poet wants his countrymen to be truthful and sincere. They should not tell lies or be
hypocrites. They should speak what they feel and should be guided by clear thinking in any
matter.
2) Why has the poet used the word ‘tireless’ to describe ‘striving’?
Ans: - The poet has used the phrase tireless striving to urge his countrymen to break free from
sloth and struggle hard constantly to achieve perfection in whatever they choose to do to make
their country a free nation.
3) What comparison did the poet give between the poet and dead habit?
Ans: - The poet has compared reason to a clear stream and dead habit to a dry desert.
3) Whom does the poet address as ‘thee’ and ‘my father’?
Ans: - The poet is addressing to God as thee or my Father.
4) According to the poet, what must be done for achieving ‘ever -widening thought and
action?
Ans: - Ever-widening thought and action means we should not be narrow or shallow in our
mentality. We should have a broad heart. And a broad mind. They should enrich their thinking
day by day.
5) Describe the poet’s version of ‘heaven of freedom’?
Ans: - By ‘heaven of freedom’ the poet means India’s social, cultural and psychological
independence and unity. Question
6) According to the poet, how should knowledge be?
Ans: - According to the poet, knowledge should be free which means every person has
knowledge about worldly matters. He says that if people living in the country possess
knowledge then only it can develop. Knowledge keeps people united not dividing them on the
basis of caste and creed.
7) Bring out the significance of the title of the poem.
Ans: - ‘Where the mind is without fear’ the title of Tagore’s poem is merely the first line of
the poem. It refers to a place where people would be fearless, heaven of freedom that the poets
dream of. Tagore prays to God to lift his country to such a place where people would not only
be fearless but also knowledgeable, hardworking and truthful etc. And probably fearlessness
was the first condition that came to Tagore’s mind while writing about his heaven of freedom.
So, the title is apt and relevant as it very well expresses what the poet wishes for.

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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DAVANGERE.
8) According to the poet, what is ‘dead habit’?
Ans: - According to him, dead habit means a country which has not lost the right path in the
dreary desert of old traditional rituals and customs that are harmful for the country and the
society. Question 7: What kind of ‘domestic wall’ is the poet speaking about? Answer: The
poet is talking about the barriers of class, caste, creed, colour, religion and other elements that
divide people from one another. In most cases, those are baseless superstitious beliefs and good
for nothing.
9) State briefly the poet’s ideal of true freedom. Or
For what kind of freedom does the poet pray to God for his motherland, India?
Ans: - The poet prays to God for true freedom for his country and countrymen. This freedom
does not mean mere emancipation from foreign rule. It is the moral and spiritual freedom of
man. Men of a truly free country are without fear, without narrow prejudices. They are noble.
Dignified and disciplined. They can acquire knowledge without any hindrance and speak out
the truth without any hesitation. In a truly free country men unceasingly try to achieve
perfection in the varied fields of thought and action. This is the poet’s idea of true freedom and
he invokes the Supreme Father to awaken his motherland into this heaven of freedom.
10) Describe the qualities of the mind of man in a truly free country. Or
What does the poet say about the mind of men of a truly free country?
Ans: - In a truly free country, the mind of men must be fearless and must be free from all
prejudices and superstitions. In such a country, the mind seeks knowledge freely. In an ideal
state of freedom the mind strictly adheres to reason without paying any heed to old customs
and conventions. There the human mind is sincere, outspoken, and it untiringly tries to attain
perfection in every field of life. The poet also wants great adventures of the mind into boundless
realms of thought and action under the divine guidance of the Supreme Father.
11) How does Rabindranath describe the present state of his country?
Ans: - The poet is very much dissatisfied with the present state of his country. He finds that an
atmosphere of fear prevails throughout the country. The minds of the people are chained by
ignorance. People also suffer under the dead weight of old, outdated customs. A thousand
barriers of caste, creed and religion create disunity among the people. Ignorance and
superstitions have paralysed our reason and judgement. There are a thousand barriers to
knowledge. Thus the people are prevented from seeking knowledge and truth. And, even when
they arrive at the truth of something, fear prevents them from openly expressing it. In short,
the unfortunate people of our country have forgotten that they are human beings. They live the
life of beasts under the dark shadow of fear and ignorance.
12) “Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of
dead habit.” –Explain
Ans: - Rabindranath uses this fine comparison in his poem Where the Mind is without Fear.
Every comparison has two aspects. In this comparison these two aspects are made up of two
metaphors. On the one hand ‘reason has been identified with a ‘clear stream’. On the other
hand dead habit’ has been identified with a dreary desert’. Thus here is a comparison between
reason being smothered by outdated customs and a stream being lost in the desert sand.
13) Explain in your own words the kind of freedom that Rabindranath wishes his
country to achieve.

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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DAVANGERE.
Ans: - In the poem Where the Mind is without Fear, the poet prays to God to wake his
country into a world of ideal freedom. The whole poem is an exposition of what the poet means
by this freedom.
The poet wishes that knowledge should be free in his country. He further wishes his
countrymen to be free from the dead habits of custom. In that world of freedom, truth will reign
supreme and everyone will strive towards perfection. In that country of ideal freedom, reason
will not be swallowed by dead customs. In that world of freedom, the people, in their thoughts
and actions, will be led by God himself. This is the kind of freedom the poet wishes his country
to achieve.
Part of Speech.
NOUN
A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, quality, condition, position or attitude.
Whatever is visible is a ‘noun’.
Only ‘Abstract Noun’ cannot be seen, touched, heard, smell, or tasted.
Ex: - Close your eyes. / Open them.

There are five kinds of Noun-

1) Proper noun- A proper noun is the name of some particular person, place or thing.
Ex- Ram, Delhi, Mohan, Bengaluru etc.
2) Common noun- A common noun is the name given to every common person, place or thing
of the same class. Ex- Boy, girl, chair, river, table, etc.
3) Abstract noun- An abstract noun is the name of quality, state of action.
Ex- Kindness, childhood, honesty, wisdom, happiness etc.
4) Collective noun- A collective noun is the name of a number of things or person that are
taken together as a whole. Ex- Class, crowd, society, army, team, bouquet etc.
5) Material noun- A material noun is the name of matter or substance of which things are
made. Ex- Sugar, oil, wood, gold, silver, diamond water etc.

PRONOUN
PRO means FOR
Hence, a word which is used in place of a noun is called a Pronoun.
Ex- He, she, it, you, they etc.
Kinds of Pronoun-
1) Personal Pronoun: - Pronoun that are associated with particular grammatical persons.
1st Person (Speaker)
Singular I My Me
Plural We Our Us
nd
2 Person
Singular & Plural You Your You

3rd Person
Masculine He His Him
Singular Ram Ram Ram
Feminine She Her Her

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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DAVANGERE.
3rd Person
Plural Masculine & Feminine They Their Them
2) Reflexive Pronoun: - It points out that the action done by the subject turns back upon the
subject. Ex- a) Sita hurt herself. b) I hide myself.

3) Empathetic Pronoun: - This empathetic is used to by emphasize.

Ex- a) I myself will go there. b) He himself will do this work.

4) Reciprocal Pronoun: - This pronoun points out the mutual relation.

Ex- Each other, one another.

5) Demonstrative Pronoun: -This pronoun points the object to which it refers.

Ex- This, these, that, those.

6) Interrogative Pronoun: - This pronoun is used for asking questions.

Ex- a) What are you doing? b) Which is your book? c) Whose car is this?

7) Indefinite Pronoun: - This pronoun refers to persons or things in general way.

Ex- a) Did you see any of your friend? b) All students paused.
c) There are some students. d) Someone is coming.

8) Distributive Pronoun: - This pronoun refers to person or thing one at a time.

Ex- a) Neither of you will go. b) Either of you can depart.

9) Relative Pronoun: - This pronoun refers to some noun which is its antecedent.
Ex- a) I know the boy who gave you hundred rupees.
b) I know the girl who reads in your class.

VERB
A verb is a word that conveys an action, a state of being or an occurrence. It is used to
say something about some person, place or thing.
Verbs Verbs
Transitive Intransitive Weak Verbs Strong Verbs
Verbs Verbs Verbs having similar Verbs having all dis-
With an object Without an object second & third forms. similar forms.
I read a book Mohan ran
Place What Place What
I read What Mohan ran What
Answer- a book. No answer.
Place What/ to Whom after a verb Play Played Played Do Did Done
If answer is there, the verb is Buy Bought Bought Shake Shook Shaken
transitive. Look Looked Looked Fly Flew Flown
If there is no answer, the verb is Cut Cut Cut Rise Rose Risen
intransitive. Put Put Put Give Gave Given

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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DAVANGERE.
 Finite Verbs Non-Finite Verbs
Finite verbs are those verbs which change Non-Finite verbs are those verbs which do
according to the number, person & tense of not change according to the number, person
the subject. & tense of the subject.
Ex- I want to go. He wants to go. Ex- I hope to pass. He hopes to pass.
They want to go. Sony wanted to go. They hope to pass. Sony hoped to pass.

Thus we see that want is a finite verb which Thus we see that ‘to pass’ is a non-finite verb
changes with the change of number, person which does not change with the change of
& tense. numbers, person & tense.

ADVERB
SIMPLE, RELATIVE, INTERROGATIVE.
A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, a conjunction, & a preposition.
Sony writes beautifully. (Verb) My teacher is very nice. (Adjective)
I spoke very quickly. (Adverb) Your books are just below the table. (Preposition)
1) Simple Adverb of Time- Shows when the action takes place.
Ex- Now, then, today, yesterday, tomorrow, always, daily, after, etc.
2) Simple Adverb of Place- Shows where the action takes place.
Ex- Here, there, everywhere, in, out, up, down, inside, outside, near, etc.
3) Simple Adverb of Number- Shows how often the action takes place.
Ex- Once, twice, thrice, always, never, often, seldom, again, frequently, etc.
4) Simple Adverb of Manner- Shows how the action takes place.
Ex- Beautifully, timidly, strongly, nicely, bravely, harshly, badly, etc.
5) Simple Adverb of Affirmation- Shows acceptance.
Ex- Yes, absolutely, truly, certainly, definitely, surely, etc.
6) Simple Adverb of Negative- Shows refusal. Ex- No, not, never, etc.
7) Simple Adverb of Degree/ Quantity - Shows extent.
Ex- Much, more, very, little, many, few, enough, too, almost, etc.
8) Simple Adverb of Comparison- Shows comparison. Ex- As….as, than, etc.
9) Simple Adverb of Purpose - Shows motive or intention.
Ex- So that, with the purpose of, with a view to, for, etc.
10) Simple Adverb of Result / Reason - Shows why the action took place.
Ex- Therefore, so, as, because, since, for, on account of, etc.
11) Simple Adverb of Concession/ Contrast- Shows opposite result.
Ex- Though, although, even if, however, yet, etc.
12) Simple Adverb of Condition- Lays down a condition.
Ex- Provided that, as long as, if had, should, etc.
13) Simple Adverb of Extent- Shows limit or extent.
Ex- So far as, as far as, with double comparison, etc.

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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DAVANGERE.
 ADJECTIVE
An adjective is a word, used with a noun or pronoun to add something to its meaning.
Ex- A good boy, A Fair girl, A tall boy, A cleaver girl, etc.
To identify an adjective, place, how, how many & which.
How Good, bad, smart, honest, intelligent, fair, tall, short, etc.
How many One, two, three, forty, sixty, seventy, hundred, etc.
Which This, that, these, those, etc.

1) Adjective of Quality- Adjective of quality shows merits & de-merit of a person, place or
thing. Ex- a) Kiran is a kind boy. b) Sony is fair.
2) Adjective of Quantity- Adjective of quantity shows how much of a thing
is meant. Ex- a) I have some money. b) All students are present.
3) Adjective of Number- Adjective of number shows how many persons or things meant.
Ex- I have a dog.
4) Demonstrative Adjective - Shows nearness or distance.
Ex- a) This pen is mine. b) That pen is yours.
5) Interrogative Adjective – Interrogative Adjective is used to ask questions.
Ex- a) Which book is yours? b) Whose pen is this? c) Where is my Angel?
6) Distributive Adjective - It refers to each one of a number.
Ex- a) Each girl will sing a song. b) Every boy can depart now.
7) Possessive Adjective - Shows possession. (Shows the ownership)
Ex- This property belongs to my sister.
8) Proper Adjective - An adjective which is formed from proper nouns is called as proper
adjective. Ex- a) Indian poets are wise. b) I don’t like Chinese food.

PREPOSITION
A preposition is a word placed before a Noun or a Pronoun to show its relation to some
other words in the sentence.
Ex- a) Suman goes to school with her father. b) Rama lives in Delhi.
c) The book is on the table. d) This book is for you.

1) Simple Prepositions- Ex- After, at, by, down, up, in, on, off, for, of, to, till, over, through,
out, etc.
2) Compound Prepositions- Ex- About, against, across, within, until, into, beside, before,
without, behind, beneath, below, inside, outside, etc.
3) Double Prepositions- Ex- Out of, from beneath, from out, from behind, etc.
4) Participle Prepositions- These are participles of verbs used as prepositions.
Ex- Considering, regarding, notwithstanding, accepting, concerning, etc.
5) Phrase Prepositions- Ex- On behalf of, by way of, by virtue of, in the event of, instead
of, along with, on account of, by means of, because of, with regards to, for the sake of, with
a view to, etc.

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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DAVANGERE.
 CONJUNCTION / LINKERS
A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases, clauses and sentences.
CONJUNCTION
Coordinating Conjunction Subordinating Conjunction
Join words, phrases, clauses & sentences of Helps to connect subordinate clauses to main
equal ranks. FOUR TYPES clause. NINE TYPES
1) Cumulative Conjunctions: - Add one 1) Time: - When, till, until, as long as,
statement with another- Ex- Shyam is not before, after, etc. Ex- Wait here till I come.
only rich but kind also. Don’t go until I order.
2) Adversative Conjunctions: - Joins 2) Place: - Where, wherever, Whence,
sentence and shows contrast between them. Ex- I know where you live. Go whence you
Ex- He ran fast, yet he missed the train come.
3) Alternative Conjunctions: - Express a 3) Reason: - As, because, since.
choice between two sentences. Ex- I cannot walk because I am tired.
Ex- Either come in or go out.
4) Illative Conjunctions: - Shows that one 4) Condition: - Unless, provided, whether,
facts is provided from another. Ex- if, only if, supposing etc.
I worked hard, so (therefore) I passed. Ex- I shall go if you come to me.
5) Purpose: - So that, in order that etc.
Ex- He works hard so that he may pass.
6) Result : - So…. That, such…. That, as….
so.
Ex- He is so tired that he cannot walk.
7) Comparison: - As-as, than, as much as.
Ex- He is as intelligent as his sister is.
8) Contrast: - As…though, although,
however, notwithstanding that. Ex-
Although he worked hard, yet he failed.
9) Manner: - As-as, as if, as far as, according
as etc.
Ex- He/ she behaves as if he/she were too
intelligent.
While in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Interjection
The word Interjection is divided into two words, Inter- Among, Jection- Thrown.
An Interjection is a word only to express some sudden feelings of the mind & has no
grammatical value.
Exclamation/ Emotion/ Feeling:-
1) Joy: - Ha! Ha! Hurrah! Hurray!
2) Sorrow: - Alas! Ah!

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DAVANGERE.
3) Approval: - O.K.! Bravo! Well done!
4) Contempt: - Fie! Bosh! For shame!
5) Calling: - Hey! Hello!
6) Attention: - Look! Behold! Hush! Lol Listen!
One Word may express more than One Emotions.
Oh! What a rubbish. Contempt
Oh! What a beautiful picture. Surprise with pleasure.

ARTICLES
The Demonstrative Adjectives a, an and the are usually called Articles.
Definite Article: - ‘The’ is called the definite article. It points out particular person or thing.

Indefinite Article: - ‘A’ and ‘an’ are called the indefinite articles. They do not specify
particular person or thing.

Difference between A and An

The choice between ‘a’ & ‘an’ is determined by sound.
‘A’:- Before a word beginning with a consonant sound ‘a’ is used.
Ex: - a cow, a horse, a table, a pen, a dog, a university, a union, a European, a one eyed man,
etc.

‘An’:- Before a word beginning with a vowel sound ‘an’ is used.

Ex: - an ass, an umbrella, an hour, an honest man, an enemy, an eye, an academy, an axe,
an ace, an acacia.

Use of Indefinite Articles A, An

1) The indefinite article is used in the numerical sense of one.
Ex: - Not a word was spoke. Twelve inches make a foot.
2) It is used in a distributive sense, to denote each or every.
Ex: - I can write only five pages an hour.
My father’s income is Rs 40,000/- a month.
3) It is used to denote a person’s profession, occupation, nationality etc.
Ex: - I was a teacher. He is a businessman.
I am a Hindu. Lara is a West Indian.
4) It is used before some ailments. (Noun) – Any illness that is not very serious.
Ex: - She has a headache. He has a sore throat.
5) Sometimes it is used before a proper noun to make it a common noun.
Ex: - He is a Bakasura. (One who eats too much?)
He is a Hitler. (Hard hearted man)
6) When two nouns go together as a unit, an indefinite article is used before the first noun.
Ex: - He brought a cup and saucer. She brought a knife & fork.

MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.

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DAVANGERE.
7) It is used after of and at in some phrase to mean the same thing.
Ex: - They are all of a length. (Of the same length)
Please carry these four at a time. (At the same time)

Use of Definite Article ‘The’

1) It is used before a natural object that is only one of its kind.
Ex: - The earth, the moon, the sky, the sun, the ocean, the sea, the universe, the star, the eclipse
etc.

2) It is used before singular noun standing for its entire group.

Ex: - a) The cow is a useful animal. b) The horse is a noble animal.

3) It is used before ordinal numbers. Ex: -The third boy in the second row is my brother.

4) It is used before adjective when the noun is understood.

Ex: - The rich must help the poor and the weak.

5) It is used with superlatives.

Ex: - a) The darkest cloud has a silver lining. b) It is the saddest part of the story indeed.

6) It is used before the words- morning, evening etc.

Ex: - The sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening.

7) When we speak of a particular person or thing, or one already referred to.

Ex: - a) I dislike the fellow. b) Let us go to the club.

8) Before musical instruments. Ex: - the flute, the piano, the guitar, the lute, the harp etc.

9) Before the names of seas, rivers, group of islands, chains of mountains, plural names of
countries, deserts, newspapers, holy books, directions, communities, canals, trains, hotels,
monuments etc.
Ex: - the Arabian sea, the Atlantic ocean, the Kaveri, the Himalayan etc.

Omission of the Articles

The Articles is omitted: -
1) Before names of materials. Ex: - a) Gold is a precious metal. b) Iron is a heavy metal.

2) Usually before proper nouns. Ex: - a) Delhi is the capital of India. b) Calcutta is a big city.

3) Before abstract nouns used in a general senses.

Ex: - a) Honesty is not a common quality. b) Wisdom is the gift of heaven.

4) Before indefinite plural nouns when they are used in general sense.
Ex: - a) Tress provide shades. b) Cow give milk.

5) With the names of meals, tea, coffee etc.

Ex: - a) Ramesh invited me to dinner. b) Tea and coffee are hot drinks.
MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.
44
DAVANGERE.
6) Before ‘home’ when it is used alone.
Ex: - a) They returned home. b) He came home.

7) Before the names of games.

Ex: - cricket, kho-kho, volleyball, football, baseball etc.

8) Before names of relations like father, mother, aunt, uncle, etc.

Ex: - a) Father has returned. b) My uncle is at Mysore.

9) Before the names of places of assembly, such as school, college, markets, hospitals, court
etc. When they are used in connection with their prime purpose.
Ex: - a) I learnt English at school. b) My friend is still in hospital.
c) We go to temple on Mondays. d) I studied philosophy in college.

Use of Some Preposition

a) In, At,: - In is used with the names of countries and large towns, while at is used when
speaking of small towns and villages.
Ex: - My brother is in Australia. My sister is in Paris.
My father lives at Delhi. He lives at Ambala.

b) In, At; To Into: - In and at are used in speaking of things at rest, while to and into are used
in speaking of things in motion.
Ex: - The patient is in bed. Rama is at the top of the class.
Kokila ran to her school. The ball fell into the well.

c) On, Upon: - On is used in speaking of things at rest, while upon is used in speaking of
things in motion.
Ex: - The teacher sat on the chair. The cat jumped upon the table.

d) In, Within: - In denotes a period of time, means at the end of; within means before end of.
Ex: - He will come in three days. He will come within three days.

e) With, By: - By is used for the person who acts, while with is used for the instrument.
Ex: - He writes with a pen. He killed the tiger with a gun.
The tiger was killed by the hunter.
The banana was sliced by my father with a knife.

f) Besides, Beside: - Beside means ‘by the side of’. Besides means ‘in addition to’.
Ex: - He stood beside his mother. I play football besides cricket.

g) Between, Among: - When there is a choice or distribution, between is used if there are two
objects and Among is used if there are more than two.
Ex: - The mother distributed the fruits between Suneetha and Puneeth.
The five sons shared the property among themselves.
h) For, Since: - For is used with a period of time. Since is used with a point of time.
Ex: - I have lived here for three years. I have lived here since 1985.
MR. VIJAY M.S - M.A, (LLB), ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH.
45
DAVANGERE.