A Considerable Speck- Robert Frost- Questions and Answers

IMP Note- Quotations from the poem are mandatory.

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
A speck that would have beneath my sight …..with inclinations it could call its own.
i] When did the speaker notice ‘a speck’? Why did he feel that it would have been beneath
his sight?
Ans. The speaker noticed ‘A speck’ while engrossed in writing on a pristine paper sheet.
He was struck by its presence because ordinarily such a miniscule object would have
escaped its notice but the object moved and it was visible as it was on a surface as bright
and clean as the paper he was working on.
It’s significance lay not in its size which would have rendered it inconspicuous in most
situations but in the context of the blank white sheet where it traversed.
ii] Why did the speaker idly poise his pen in the air?
Ans. The speaker in the middle of his writing idly poised his pen in air as he had just stopped
writing and wanted to make a period[ full stop] and he was steadily holding up his pen in the
air when something strange happened.
iii] What was ‘strange’ about it that attracted the speaker’s attention? What was the speck
in reality?
Ans. What struck the speaker as strange was its behaviour and appearance. It appeared to
be more than just an ordinary speck of dust blown by the speaker’s breath. Instead, it
displayed movement and characteristics that hinted at life.
This realisation led the speaker to discern that it was unmistakably a living mite, rather than
an inanimate particle.
iv) Explain the meaning of the last line of this extract.
Ans. The line “With inclinations it could its own” implies that the mite possessed its own set
of desires, urges or tendencies. This suggests that the mite was not merely a passive object
but a living creature capable of independent action and decision making. In essence, it had
agency and autonomy distinguishing it from a speck of dust.
v] Explain briefly how this extract justifies the title of the poem.
Ans. This extract underscores the significance of seemingly inconsequential details such as a
tiny speck which may hold unexpected significance upon closer examination. Despite its
small size, the speck becomes the focal point of the speaker’s attention. The speaker
contemplates that such a microscopic creature has a mind and an intelligence as is visible
through its reactions- suspicion, fear, confusion, terror and above all the overpowering
desire to preserve its life.
Thus this extract aligns with the theme suggested by the title, emphasising the importance
of paying attention to the seemingly trivial aspects of life.
II. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Plainly with an intelligence I dealt.
Whatever I accorded it of fate.
i] Which characteristic trait of the mite in the speaker talking about in the first line of this
extract? Why?
Ans. The characteristic trait of the mite that the speaker is referring to in the first line is its
intelligence.
Despite its small size, the mite displays behaviour that indicates a level of intelligence, which
surprises the speaker. This intelligence manifests in the mite’s actions and reactions
suggesting a capacity for thought and awareness that defies expectations.
The mite started running wildly and came upto the point on the paper where the ink had
not dried and it stopped. It drank or smelt the ink but with a feeling of intense dislike, it
turned again to move. This was proof of its intelligence.
ii] Why did the speaker at first think that the mite did not have feet? What made him
change his stance at the very next moment?
Ans. The speaker initially thinks that the mite is too tiny to have room for feet because of its
miniscule size.
However, he quickly realises that the mite must indeed have a complete set of feet to
exhibit the behaviour it has been displaying. He observes the mite’s movements particularly
its running with terror and cunningly creeping, demonstrate the presence of feet and a level
of mobility that contradicts the speaker’s initial assumption.
iii] What made the speaker realise that ‘it didn’t want to die’?
Ans. The speaker realises that the mite doesn’t want to die based on its behaviour. The
mite’s actions such as running with terror, faltering and cowering down in desperation,
indicate a strong instinct for self-preservation. This behaviour suggest that the mite is
motivated by a desire to avoid harm or death highlighting its instinctual drive to survive.
iv] What did ‘It’ do in the middle of the sheet of paper? Why?
Ans. In the middle of the sheet of paper, the mite cowers down in desperation.
It does so to accept whatever fate the speaker accords to it. This action reflects the mite’s
resignation to its circumstances as it recognises its vulnerability and submits to the will of
the larger and more powerful entity represented by the speaker.
v] Explain the attitude of the speaker towards the mite in this extract.
 Ans. The speaker’s attitude towards the mite in this extract is one of observation and
contemplation. He marvels at the mite’s intelligence and resilience acknowledging its
capacity for fear and survival despite its diminutive size. There is a sense of respect for the
mite’s instinctual drive to live, even as the speaker holds the power to determine its fate.
III. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
I have none of the tenderer- than –thou……..till I hope it slept.
(i) Which trait is the speaker referring to which he says he does not have? What is the result
of lacking this trait?
Ans. The speaker is referring to the trait of having “Tenderer- than- Thou –Collectivistic
Regimenting Love.” This trait implies a form of love characterised by excessive
sentimentality and conformity to societal norms or collective ideologies.
The result of lacking this trait is that the speaker does not conform or believe in the
prevailing attitudes in the world at that time.
(ii) Explain with reference to context the meaning of the phrase- “Collective regimenting
love’.
Ans. “Collective regimenting love” was an ideology which was quite popular in the modern
world. It had a reference to the growth of communism during that time. Communism is a
political system where the state controls everything advocating the importance of the group
over the individual. The emphasis is on the needs of the group as a whole and not the
individual.
(iii) To whom did the speaker refer to as ‘poor microscopic item’? Why? What does it
suggest about the speaker?
Ans.The speaker refers to the mite as a ‘poor microscopic item’ because it is small and
seemingly insignificant compared to larger beings like humans.
The use of the word ‘poor’ suggests a sense of pity or sympathy for the mite’s plight.
It also reflects the speaker’s humility and recognition of the mite’s inherent value despite its
size. This portrayal suggests that the speaker is emphatic and compassionate towards even
the smallest forms of life.
(iv) Why did the speaker let it lie there? Do you think the speaker was right in doing so? Give
reason to support your answer.
Ans. The speaker lets the mite lie there as he sees no reason to harm it. He acknowledges
that he has ‘none of the tenderer- than- thou- love’ that might compel him to react
differently. Instead, he chooses to let the mite be, hoping that it will sleep peacefully and
recover its strength.
Whether the speaker was right in doing so is subjective and open to interpretation. Some
may argue that the speaker’s decision reflects a compassionate and non- interfering attitude
towards life while others may argue that he should have removed the mite from his writing
space to prevent harm.
(v) Explain how this extract reflects on the theme of the poem.
Ans. This extract reflects on the theme of individuality and compassion amidst societal
expectations. The speaker’s refusal to conform to societal norms of collectivistic love
highlights his commitment to individual autonomy and authenticity. By letting the mite lie
undisturbed, the speaker demonstrates compassion and respect for even the smallest forms
of life, emphasising the value of empathy and non-interference in the face of societal
pressures to conform. Thus, the exact reinforces the poem’s exploration of the ethical
considerations in human interactions [speaker] with the natural world.[mite]
IV. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
I have a mind myself and recognise……any sheet the least display of mind.
(i) What does the speaker want to convey by saying that he has a mind? Which
characteristic trait of the speaker I conveyed by this assertion?
Ans. By saying that he has ‘a mind’, the speaker wants to convey that he possesses
intelligence, awareness and the ability to recognise these qualities in others.
This assertion suggests the speaker’s appreciation for intellectual engagement
(ii) Where does the speaker find ‘the mind’? In which ‘guise’ does he find it? How does he
recognise it?
Ans. The speaker find ‘the mind’ on any sheet of paper where there is evidence of thought
or intelligence expressed through writings or markings.
He encounters it in various guises, meaning different forms of physical forms or
manifestations. In the context to the poem, the poet ‘encounters’ a mind/intelligence in a
miniscule mite.
He recognises it by its display of intelligence, coherence and the capacity for expression
which is evident as the mite makes all attempts to be alive in the face of danger to its life.
(iii) How does the speaker reward it for displaying its mind? Why the speaker does not
punished it for trespassing his sheet of paper?
Ans. The speaker rewards the display of mind by expressing his gladness at encountering it.
He does not punish it for trespassing his sheet of paper because he values the presence of
intellect and appreciates the effort made by the mite to survive thus displaying its
intelligence. Instead of seeing the presence of the mite as a nuisance or intrusion, he
celebrates the miniscule creature as a manifestation of intellectual vitality and creativity.
(iv) What is the reason for the speaker’s feeling of gladness? Give the symbolic meaning of
the line-‘On any sheet the least display of mind’.
 Ans. The reason for the speaker’s feelings of gladness is his appreciation for encountering
intelligence.
The line, ‘On any sheet the least display of mind’ symbolically suggests that even the
smallest indication of intelligence represented by the presence of a speck on a sheet of
paper brings the speaker joy. It emphasises the speaker’s reverence for the human capacity
for thought and expression no matter how modest or inconspicuous.
(v) What is the central theme of this poem? How is an inconsequential mite used to justify
the theme of the poem?
Ans. The central theme of the poem is the importance of the human faculty of mind, its
imagination and creativity. The poet recognises and appreciates the use of mind by an
inconsequential mite, which appears on a sheet of paper, which becomes visible only due to
its dark colour against the white sheet of paper.
Thus, the poem celebrates the richness of intellectual life and the wonder of encountering
intelligence in diverse forms.
V. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
It paused as with suspicion of my pen,…….for again it turned to fly.
(i)What is referred to by ‘It’ that paused with suspicion? Why did it do so?
Ans. ‘It’ refers to the mite mentioned earlier in the poem. It paused with suspicion of the
speaker’s pen, possibly sensing danger from the movement of the pen.
The mite have perceived the pen as a potential threat to its safety/life.
(ii) Why did it start racing wildly after a pause? Why was the manuscript not yet dry?
Ans. The mite started racing wildly in a bid to escape the pen which was poised in mid air.
The manuscript was not yet dry indicating that the writing process was still ongoing or had
just finished.
(iii) What did ‘It’ drink or smell with loathing? Why? What did it do after that?
Ans. The mite either drank or smelled something on the paper/manuscript with loathing,
possibly encountering the wet ink or sensing an unpleasant odour of the wet ink. After this
experience, it turned to flee again indicating its continued attempts to avoid potential
threats or discomfort to itself.
(iv) Explain briefly, the use of imagery in the extract.
Ans. The poet has used visual imagery to describe how an insignificant ‘speck’ turns into a
living, inconsequential speck. The speaker/poet has beautifully described how the mite
pauses on getting suspicious about the speaker’s pen doing harm to it and then races wildly,
creeping, faltering, hesitating and finally, recoiling itself in desperation accepting its fate and
dozing off in the middle of the sheet of paper. The mite smelling or tasting the wet ink on
the manuscript is tactile, olfactory and gustatory imagery. This allows the readers to imagine
the scene unfolding in real-time.
(v) How does the speaker deal with the mite? What makes him do so? How does the
speaker’s action justify the theme of the poem?
Ans. The speaker observe the mite’s actions with interest and does not interfere with its
movements. He allows the mite to navigate its environment and respond to its instincts
without intervention. This passive observation reflects the speaker’s respect for the mite’s
autonomy and the recognition of its intellect and its right to live. Thus, this shows the theme
of appreciating the presence of intellect in all forms no matter how small or inconspicuous.
By refraining from harming or disturbing the mite, the speaker exemplifies his reverence for
intelligence and the value of diverse forms of expression.