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XII-1.3 THE BLADES OF GRASS

The poem 'The Blades of Grass' by Stephen Crane explores the theme of humility in the context of good deeds, illustrating that true virtue lies in actions performed without seeking recognition. Through personification, the blades of grass represent humanity, with one blade embodying humility and receiving God's praise, while others boast of their deeds. The poem emphasizes that God values modesty and the sincerity of actions over pride and self-promotion.

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Sakina Haider
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29 views4 pages

XII-1.3 THE BLADES OF GRASS

The poem 'The Blades of Grass' by Stephen Crane explores the theme of humility in the context of good deeds, illustrating that true virtue lies in actions performed without seeking recognition. Through personification, the blades of grass represent humanity, with one blade embodying humility and receiving God's praise, while others boast of their deeds. The poem emphasizes that God values modesty and the sincerity of actions over pride and self-promotion.

Uploaded by

Sakina Haider
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PAKISTAN SCHOOL SEEB

Class: XII Subject: English


Unit: 1.3 THE BLADES OF GRASS
Name: ______________
Date:

STANZA #1
In Heaven,
Some little blades of grass
Stood before God.
“What did you do?”
Then all save one of the little blades
Began Eagerly to relate
Impatiently relate
The merits of their lives.
This one stayed a small way behind,
Ashamed.

REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT:


These lines have been taken from the poem The Blades of Grass, written by
Stephen Crane. In this poem, the poet used an interesting personification to
express his idea that best deeds are those which are done without a thought
of reward. The poet creates an imaginary situation in heaven with the
dialogues between God and the blades of grass. All of them very excitingly
narrates their good deeds, but one of them shows humbleness and is
appreciated by God. Thus the poet successfully conveys the idea that God
loves humbleness and does not want anyone to disclose those acts of
kindness which have been done for someone in the world.

PARAPHRASING & EXPLANATION:


In these lines, the poet describes the scene where all the blades are
standing in front of God, and He is asking about their deeds, which they
have done in their lives in the world. They all start telling their good deeds
and acts of kindness, for they expect some returns or honor. They all are
feeling happy because they have something to relate to show their noble
hearts and to prove their kindness to others. But there was a single blade
which was standing behind all of them. He looks timid and nervous and is
waiting for his turn.
In these lines, the poet conveys a message to all the readers that all of us
are accountable to God. We all have to face the Day of Judgement. We all
will be rewarded according to the deed and the will behind them. At the
same time, like those blades, human beings will have a strong desire to get
some honor and respect among all. They will love to be rewarded, and for
the same purpose, they start telling their good deeds and kind actions which
they have done in the world and will feel proud to show them in front of
God.

STANZA # 2:
Presently God said,
“And what did you do?”
The little blade answered, “Oh, My Lord,
Memory is bitter to me,
For, if I did good deeds, I know not of them.”
Then God, in all His splendour,
Grandeur; brilliance
Arose from His throne.
“Oh, best little blade of grass!” He said.

PARAPHRASING & EXPLANATION:


In these lines, the poet narrates further about that single blade, which is
standing behind all and feeling very ashamed. It is looking nervous. When
God asks about its actions in the world, it replies with a humble attitude that
it has weak memory; if it has done something right, it is not possible to
recall them at the moment. God recognizes the regret of the blade,
becomes happy, and with all His brilliance and magnificence, leaves the
throne and blesses the tiny blade.

In these lines, the poet creates a hypothetical situation in which God, after
listening to the proud blades about their good deeds. He listens and notices
the humble reply of the tiny blade. However, the blade says that it can’t
recall his memory, but initially, it does not want to disclose all his deeds in
front of others. This is what liked and appreciated by God as He likes
humbleness in all of His creation. Hence, when giving charity, discretion is
advised in Islam. As Muslims, we believe that Allah will provide shades on
the Day of Judgement to those who give charity and hide it. In the Quran,
human beings are ordered to do good to others without signifying it. God
loves humbleness and dislikes pride.

DIFFICULT WORDS TO EXPLAIN:

• Eager: very interested and excited


• Narrate: to tell something in detail
• Relate: to show an affiliation between two or additional things
• Merits: the quality of being sensible/good points about something
• Splendour: brilliance, magnificence
• Presently: at once, without delay
• Deeds: actions

THEME OF THE POEM:

The poems central idea is the importance of humanity and the pity that
comes with not being overly prideful in ourselves God does not want us to
do good for the sake of glory and hence those who do good yet remain meek
will be the most beloved
This is a thought-provoking poem the boy has tried to convey a message
that man should not be proud of the good deeds that he commits in the
world so-called good deeds may not save from the anger of the gods it will
be indeed the unlimited mercy of God that we should rely on The blades of
grass not knowing of his righteous deeds and only waits for the kindness of
God is rewarded but the ones who brag about their righteousness are not at
all rewarded
man indeed should go modestly towards God with the hope of receiving from
his mercy and should not haughtily visit him for getting a reward of their
virtuous deeds done in the world for their self-satisfaction rather than to
please God.

CRITICAL APPRECIATION OF THE POEM:


This poem is a simple yet profoundly beautiful three words; it does not use
any rhyming mechanism but retains a lyrical, rich tone by using blades of
grass. The poet creates rich visual imagery of these tiny blades standing in
front of God.
In this line, “his splendor grandeur brilliance,” the poem lyrically emphasizes
the otherworldly power and the magnificence of God.

PERSONIFICATION:
The point employs excellent use of personification by giving human emotions
and characteristics to blades of grass. These blades of grass are eager to
speak, do good deeds, and display shame and humility. These are all human
characteristics and actions. The poet likely uses leaves of green instead of
human beings in order to highlight or to show small insignificance in front of
God.
It also shows the heightened folly of attempting to be prideful in ourselves.
We are too, after all, just like these little blades of grass.

MORAL OF THE POEM:


The moral of the poem is that there is a virtue to those who behave
virtuously without fear of punishment and any hope for recompense. The
blades who impatiently relate their good deeds to God were not considered
as noble as the humble blade who claimed not to be able to recount
anything of the world. Being humble is genuinely honorable.

THE SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POEM:

The blades of grass symbolize us_____ The people who one day will face
God. By writing of simple and small leaves, and instead of humans, the poet
emphasizes how insignificant humans indeed are, especially in front of God
himself. We are but tiny blades and should be humble about our deeds and
do them without fear or any expectation of reward

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