APPRECIATION

2.1 SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD

A. About the poem /Poet and the title

This poem is written by the famous American poet Walt Whitman. He is called as
“The father of free verses. This poem is taken from one of his famous book named
„Leaves of Grass” The title of the poem indicates that the poet sets up out of his world
to venture.
B. Theme
The theme of the poem is freedom. The word ”free” here means being able to do
anything he/she wants to do. The poet wants to go out from restrictions and comforts.
C. Poetic style
This poem is of four stanzas. The poet has used free verse. Each line is of different
length. The poet himself is a narrator/speaker of this poem
D. Language /Poetic devices used in the poem
The poem is a dramatic monologue. There are many poetic devices but no metre or
rhyme.
E. special features
The poet himself is a narrator/speaker in this poem. It is a dramatic monologue. It
reflects poet‟s own struggle in his journey of life.
F. Message, Values, moral In the poem
The moral of the poem is that along with the journey of life, one may face test of
wisdom. The word, ”road” symbolises mobility of progress. We must take road as a
starting point of our life. We should move ahead without getting struck at a place.
G. your opinion about the poem :
This is an inspirational poem. It inspires us to explore the world by using our abilities.
We should take our life positively without any complaints or regrets.

2.2 INDIAN WEAVERS

About the poem, poet and title.

The poem Indian weavers is a short poem written by an Indian poetess Sarojini Naidu. She
was poet, Political activist and feminist. She was also famous as the nightingale of India.
Three stanzas of the poem express three stages of life.The weavers reply to the poet's
questions that why they are weaving particular piece of clothes at particular time of day. The
title and the poem is dedicated to the Indian weavers out there.

* Theme/Summary/gist of the poem/Central idea.

The cycle of life is the main theme of this poem. It also highlights the craft and skill of Indian
weavers. Poem explains the three important events of life: birth, marriage and death. It also
tells Different clothes and colours indicate different moods.

* Poetic style/ language, Poetic devices.

In this poem there are three stanzas of four lines. The poem is written in the form of questions
and answers. Poem has a conversational tone. The rhyme scheme of the poem is 'aabb
'. Poet has used Simile, Imagery, Alliteration and Metaphor in this poem.

*Special features/focusing elements.

The poetess has written the poem in very simple and effective language. Which is easy to
understand and thus it creates an impact. The poem is dedicated to the talented weavers and
their fabric. The poem has rich imagery like break of the day, fall of night, solemn and still. ..
moonlight chill. Poetess sums up the life of human being in three main stages by using
symbols like cloth and times of the day. Through this poem, Poetess salutes the weavers of
India.

* Your opinion about the poem.

I think that the poem seems to depict skill, talent and hard-working nature of Indian weavers.
Poem also praises the weaver's knowledge of colour according to the event.

2.3 Inchcape Rock

1)About the poem/poet/title

The poem ,‟ The inchcape rock is a ballad. It is about a dangerous rock near the scotish coast.
Robert southey was inspired by the story of a pirate who cut the bell on the Inchcape Rock
placed by the Abbot of Aberbrothok .The title gives the hint that the rock is an important
element of the poem.

2)The theme
The theme is about an Abbot and a pirate . The Abbot is concerned about human beings and
help to save the sailors. He put the Inchcape Bell on a buoy to warn ships day and night of the
terrible Inchcape Rock , during storms. The rock was very perilous. But the Rover, in a fit of
jealousy and anger, on a spring day, cut the bell just to trouble the Abbot of Aberbrothok.

3)Poetic style
The poem is a ballad, a story told in stanzas of four lines, with aabb rhyme. The story is
narrated in a beautiful way and easy language. The poet has used many old English
words(archaic words) like “ blest‟”quoth” „canst‟ “ methink” etc.

4)Language/ poetic devices used in the poem

The language is very easy since it is a story. The use of metaphor, Repetition, alliteration,
onomatopoeia, Exclamation add colours in the poem.

5)Special features
The poem clearly depict the personality traits, Nature, human behaviours of characters as the
story move ahead. It brought a tragic end, ruin to the pirate and sailors.

6)Message, values, morals in the poem

The poem gives us a message that those who do wrong things will meet with due punishment.
The values will remain forever. The story has a moral and useful in modern times.
2.4 HAVE YOU EARNED YOUR TOMORROW
* About poem - 'Have you earned your tomorrow?' This is a basic and hopeful sonnet
composed by American essayist of British beginning Edgar Guest. The writer has utilized
facetious inquiries to move and pass on his thoughts. This is a novel and inventive style
utilized by the writer. The title of the sonnet excites interest. Reference of basic day-today
exercises right away makes an association with this poem.

* Theme - The subject of the poem is that whatever acceptable deeds we do today will
procure us our tomorrow. The writer powers the perusers to think about their negative
activities. The sonnet makes the perusers to delicately think, consider about their day by day
exercises.

* Poetic style, devices - Poetic devices like Alliteration, Synecdoche and Interrogation are
utilized. Visual symbolism is an uncommon element of this sonnet. The rhyme plan of the
sonnet is 'aabb'.

• Message, values, morals in the poem - The message of the poem is that we acquire a
splendid future in view of the great and kind activities that we do each day. We ought to be
thoughtful to everyone consistently and all over. We should make every day of our life
significant.

• Your opinion about the poem I like the poem as it contributes in improving the existences of
others. It shows sympathy and benevolence. The artist really encourages individuals to
improve others' lives. It is really an uplifting poem.

2.5 FATHER RETURNING HOME

About the poem/poet and the title - ' Father Returning Home ' is a poem . It is written
by Dilip Chitre .He is a bilingual poet .He is a translator , painter ,film-maker and columnist .
In this poem the poet depicts a picture of suburban commuter .It is a story of a hard working
father who goes to work early in the morning and returns late in the evening .This leads him
alienation from his family. His children too have no time to share jokes and secrets with their
father .

Theme - The theme of the poem is man's estrangement from a man-made world . The poet
shows the loneliness and world-weariness of an old man in the modern society by depicting a
picture of his own father returning home from work .

Poetic style - The poem consists of two stanzas of twelve lines each . The poem is written in a
free verse . There is no particular meter or rhyme scheme followed.

The language/poetic devices used in the poem - The language of the poem is easy and simple
but full of symbolic expressions and poetic devices. It is in a narrative form . The poetic
devices used in the poem are Simile , Alliteration , Onomatopoeia 'Synecdoche and
transferred epithet . 'going into the toilet ',' The Sound of the radio ' , ' trembling of his hands '
, ' clinging droplets to the greying hair ' are some of the expressions that enhance the beauty
of the poem .It is written in a free verse . There is no rhyme scheme followed in the poem
Special features - The poem is full of symbolic expressions . The poem depicts the very
painful loneliness of a Father through various symbolic expressions. The poem consists of
two stanzas of 12 lines each

Message ,Values , morals in the poem - The poem gives the message that old people are
neglected and not cared in the modern society . This modern world has no place for elderly
people .No one thinks about their loneliness or care for them .

Your opinion about the poem. It is an eye - opening poem .The pathetic condition of the
father, the treatment he receives at home , his solitude and the way, he tries to overcome all
this man made problem is beautifully placed before the reader .The use of symbolic
expressions such as the ' cracking Sound of the radio' expresses the miserable condition of the
old man . To find some solace from this man-made world, he goes in the toilet and he
contemplates there . Actually it is an attempt to escape from the human contact and find
solace to oneself . Overall it is the best poem , bringing forth the problems of Old age people
in the metro cities.

2.6 MONEY

About the poem - The poem 'Money' is written by William H.Davies. He was a Welsh poet
.After several years of wandering life , he published his first volume ,'The Soul's Destroyer
and other poems' . The poem 'Money' tells us about the rich man who wants to be a poor man
to find the real happiness . When we do not have money or have lost money, We realize how
important the money is .

The Theme - When we do not have money or have lost our money , We realize how
important the money is . True friends remain forever with you , if they really love you , and
not your money .

The language/Style /poetic devices used in the poem - The language of the poem is very easy.
It is not ambiguous. There are five stanzas of four lines each .The second line rhymes with
the fourth line. The poetic devices like Inversion , Simile , Repetition , Onomatopoeia ,
Antithesis enhance the beauty of the poem . The rhyme scheme of the poem is abcb ; defe;
ghih ; jklk ;. In the last stanza the first line rhymes with the third .

Special features - The poet has maintained the particular rhyming pattern in the first four
stanzas .The second line rhymes with the fourth line .But in the fifth stanza first line rhymes
with the third .

Message, values,morals in the poem - The underlying message in the poem is ,' Money can
not give you eternal happiness .It is short lived.It can not purchase true happiness and
contentment .

Your Opinion about the poem - It is a beautiful poem . It is very easy to understand .It tells us
that money is not the solution for everything . It is true that money makes the world go round
but it is not the only solution .

2.7 SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY

*ABOUT THE POEM : Lord Byron's poem open with the same word that title: "SHE
WALKS IN BEAUTY”. These four simple words quickly creat atmosphere of admiration
and mystery. It is a short eighteen line poe having three sestets (6 line) in praise of an
unnamed poet uses seve poetic device to express how deeply he is impressed.

*THEME : There are several themes. One is of course beauty. Each fea the woman- her eyes,
her black (RAVEN) tresses. Her soft cheek. Her brow and the lovely colour of skin is
praised. The poet speaks of speaks of the perfect blend of day and night, of light and dark. He
the 'mellowed' or tender light which makes the beauty so rare, astonishing. The other theme is
the inner beauty which is what b ring a person a sinless their mind is pure and clam. There is
no evil so the innocence inside causes the outer beauty which is indescribable causes the
outer beauty which is indescribable - nameless grace (line 8].

*POETIC DEVICE : The poet uses smile [Line 1] 'Like the night alliteration 'Cloudless
climes'. 'Starry skies'. There is rhyme ababab in all the uses metaphor -raven tress (line 15].
And personification –"smiles' tha [line 15]. There are many examples of antithesis through
which the stresses on balance. There is harmony of light - dark and bright'. - gaudy day'. 'One
shade more, one ray less.' These are to emphasize beauty is not only physical and external.
The mind is calm, the heart innocent and this causes the outer beauty. Which is seen by him.

*SPECIAL FEATURE : The poem is lyrical, has a steady rhythm and the language is rich
with poetic devices. Though the poet does not name woman, or give any details of her age,
his admiration of felt in the

*VALUES MESSAGES : The messages is about the importance of which is almost a divine
thing that will make external beauty

*YOUR OPINION : I feel the poem makes us realize that one should deeper than just
outward appearance. One should appreciate entirely.

2.8 SMALL TOWNS AND RIVERS

NOTES

„Small Towns and the River‟ The poem „Small Towns and the River‟ is written by Mamang
Dai, a writer from North-east India. It is a nature poem, but with a difference that while
celebrating nature around her hometown, the poet also laments the destruction of that nature
to make way for the lifeless small towns along the river. The poem consists seven stanzas of
unequal length and is written in free verse, which means that it does not have a rhyme
scheme. In fact, the poet begins by narrating the flip side of small towns situated amidst trees,
which remind her of death with their flying dust and howling wind. She treats life and death
as transient, but the nature and rituals as permanent.

The river has a predominant presence in her poem. It is depicted as the one alongside which
lie numerous small towns, the one with a soul, the one which „knows‟, the one which brings
grief to inhabitants of the towns in summer, and the one which knows about the „immortality‟
of its water. She speaks of life during childhood, full of happiness, transitioning into the later
life of anxiety, as symbolized by the growth of the small towns by the river. The lines are
short and the verses are lucid. The poet has used poetic devices like Alliteration, Antithesis,
Inversion, Metaphor, Onomatopoeia, Personification, Repetition, Simile, and Transferred
Epithet to beautify the poem. The extensive use of Personification can be seen in the
animate/human qualities attributed to the river “the river has a soul”, “it holds its breath” and
“the river knows”. The traditional belief that the souls of the dead dwell in nature, and rise
with the sun, the cold bamboo that springs back with the sunlight, and the significance of the
same in the life, form imagery in the poem. The depiction of the towns during the summer
and winter seasons adds to the visual imagery of the poem. The elaborate descriptions of the
river as a living entity also make for the special feature of imagery used by the poet.

The main message of the poem is the conveying of the poet‟s mixed, almost antithetical,
feelings about nature and the small towns which lie by the river. While the poet employs
nature to imply positivity, she looks upon the small towns as a symbol of death, since they
have grown at the cost of nature. Overall, the poem is an interesting read and I like it for its
curious mix of the positive and the negative aspects.

APPRECIATION

Title of the poem: The title of the poem is* Small Towns and Rivers.

2) Name of the poet: Mamang Dai from Arunachal Pradesh, the north east region-of,India
is the poet of this poem.

3) Theme of the Poem: The theme of the poem is preservation and conservation of natural
elements in vicinity.

4) Poetic devices used in the poem: The use of poetic devices enriches the content of the
poem. The poetess has used variety of poetic devices in the poem. They are Alliteration,
Repetition, Simile, Metaphor, Inversion, Transferred Epithet, Antithesis, Personification
etc.

5) Language/ style : It is difficult to depict the current situation of the hometown of

poetess in words. So the poetess has depicted the picture with the help oF

6) Special features : The poetess has used free verse to deal with the universal theme, the
protection and conservation of the natural elements in our vicinity. There is no rhyming
scheme. The use of transferred epithet helps express the feelings of the poetess.

7) Values/ message : The poetess gives us message that we should be aware of the
degradation of the natural elements in our vicinity. There is need to protect and conserve the
natural elements.

8) Opinion : I think this is the best poem by Mamang Dai. The title' Small Towns and
Rivers' arouses curiosity in readers mind. The poetess has depicted her hometown and the
beliefs of' Adi' community in the poem. She tries to aware her reader about the prosperity of
small towns on the cost of the destruction of the natural elements in the vicinity. The poetess
has used simple and easy language.