RUKMINI COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE

Ameerpet, Hyderabad

NOTES ON

ENGLISH (2024)
III SEMESTER

Jyothi Sahgal
M.A., English

Page 1 of 32
 Poetry – O Captain! My Captain – Walt Whitman

(1.Q) Who is addressed as Captain in the poem ‘O Captain! My Captain!, and

why?

Ans:- In the poem ‘O Captain! My Captain!’ Walt Whitman depicts the overwhelming
grief and trauma that engulfed the United State of America, after the notorious
political assassination of its President Abraham Lincoln. The speaker in the poem
metaphorically compares President Lincoln to a ‘captain’ steering the “ship of state”-
guiding the United States of America through the Civil War. Wait Whitman compares
President Abraham Lincoln as the ‘captain’ of a ship because he is solely responsible
for the safe return of the ship after it has “weather’d every rack,” (Civil War), survived
every storn and finally made it home (United after the Civil War). The speaker refers
to the voyage as “out fearful trip,” implying that the America as a nation has survived
these trails by banding together and assuming shared responsibility.

(2.Q) “The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done’. What do
the ship and the voyage symbolise?

Ans:- The poem ‘O Captain! My Captain!’ celebrates the end of the American Civil
War. Simultaneously, it mourns the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Poet
Walt Whitman metaphorically depicts the Victory and Loss using images of ship,
voyage and its captain. Walt Whitman compares President Abraham Lincoln as the
‘captain’ of a ship because he is solely responsible for the safe return of the ship after
it has “weather’d every rack,” (Civil War), survived every storn and finally made it
home (United after the Civil War). The speaker refers to the voyage as “our fearful
trip”, implying that the America as a nation has survived these trials by banding
together and assuming shared responsibility. Here the image ‘ship’ symbolizes
‘America’ and ‘voyage’ represents America’s fearful trip or journey during the Civil
War (1861-65).

(3.Q) What does the phrase ‘fearful trip’ refer to? What was ‘the prize …..
sought’ that they have won?

Ans:- The poem ‘O Captain! My Captain!’ opens with the lines: our fearful trip is
done, /The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won'. Walt Whitman
compares President Abraham Lincoln as the 'captain' of a ship because he is solely
responsible for the safe return of the ship after it has "weather'd every rack," (Civil
War), survived every storm and finally made it home (United after the Civil War)).
The speaker refers to the voyage as "our fearful trip," implying that the America as a
nation has survived these trials by banding together and assuming shared
responsibility. Here the image 'ship' symbolizes 'America', voyage' represents
America's journey during the Civil War (1861-65), and the 'prize we sought' is the
victory of keeping the country united against the divisive forces.

Page 2 of 32
(4.Q) Why does the poet refer to his experience as 'some dream"? Is he
dreaming? Explain. Aus:

Ans:- In the second stanza of the poem, the speaker of the poem refers to his
experience as 'some dream'. He says: "Here Captain! dear father!/ This arm beneath
your head!/ It is some dream that on the deck,/ You've fallen cold and dead." It does
not mean that the speaker is dreaming here, rather, he is unable to believe his captain
(President Lincoln) is lying cold and dead. At another level, the dream refers to the
dream of winning in the Civil War which has been realized. However, the loss of their
captain is unbelievable. The speaker goes in reminiscence and tries to consider this
death to be fancy but at last, he has to believe that Captain is dead.

(5.Q) What does the speaker ask the 'captain' to do? Why doesn't the latter
respond?

Ans:- In the second stanza, the speaker tries to talk to the Captain, who, he knows
well, is dead. This technique of talking to the dead is called 'apostrophe'. The speaker
asks the captain to rise up as for him, bells are being rung, flags are being hoisted,
musical instruments are being rung, flowers are being curled, etc. The people are
eagerly waiting for his arrival, but he is dead now. The speaker goes in reminiscence
and tries to consider this death to be fancy but at last, he has to believe that Captain is
dead. The speaker says that now the captain is dead. His lips are pale. He can neither
feel the arms of the speaker not his heart is beating. Since, the 'captain is dead, he is
not responding, leaving colossal loss to the speaker and to the nation.

(B) Answer the following questions in 300-350 words.

(Q.1) Describe the grief that the speaker in the poem expresses at the death of the
'captain'.

Ans:- In the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" Walt Whitman depicts the
overwhelming grief and trauma that engulfed the United State of America, after the
notorious political assassination of its President Abraham Lincoln. The speaker in the
poem metaphorically compares President Lincoln to a 'captain' steering the "ship of
state"- guiding the United States of America through the Civil War. Walt Whitman
compares President Abraham Lincoln as the 'captain' of a ship because he is solely
responsible for the safe return of the ship after it has "weather'd every rack," (Civil
War), survived every storm and finally made it home (United after the Civil War)).
The speaker refers to the voyage as "our fearful trip," implying that the America as a
nation has survived these trials by banding together and assuming shared
responsibility.

The poem's final stanza thus introduces another layer of emotional complexity, as the
speaker's grief becomes yet more private and personal in contrast to the rejoicing of
the crowds. The speaker admits that "my father does not feel my arm" and "he has no
pulse," implying that the speaker has physically touched and shaken the body to feel
Page 3 of 32
for a pulse. This gesture is highly private and intimate, more like a familial
relationship than that of a citizen and a leader. It's clear that the speaker feels so
strongly about the fallen leader that he experiences a close, almost paternal
relationship with him. The speaker's intense, private grief contrasts sharply with the
cheering crowds.

The entire poem revolves around two extremes- nation's celebrations and speaker's
private grief. The speaker must reconcile his personal grief for President Lincoln,
whom he seems to regard as a paternal figure, with the wider grief and joy of the
nation.

(Q.2). Describe in your own words the scene at the port. Why are 'the people all
exulting'?

Ans:- In the poem "O Captain! O Captain!" Walt Whitman depicts the overwhelming
grief and trauma that engulfed the United State of America, after the notorious
political assassination of its President Abraham Lincoln. The speaker in the poem
metaphorically compares President Lincoln to a 'captain' steering the "ship of state"-
guiding the United States of America through the Civil War. Walt Whitman compares
President Abraham Lincoln as the 'captain' of a ship because he is solely responsible
for the safe return of the ship after it has "weather'd every rack," (Civil War), survived
every storm and finally made it home (United after the Civil War)). The speaker refers
to the voyage as "our fearful trip," implying that the America as a nation has survived
these trials by banding together and assuming shared responsibility.

Walt Whitman depicts the poignant scene at the port where people are waiting for the
ship returning from 'fearful trip'. As the port is close by and the speaker hears bells
ringing and people celebrating. All their eyes are on the steady ship, that bold and
brave vessel. However, there are drops of blood on the deck where my captain
(President Abraham Lincoln) is lying cold and dead.

The speaker urges the 'captain' get up and listen to the bells and look at the flags
people at the shore weaving for the captain. The speaker also asks the captain to listen
to the bugle that the jubilant crown playing for welcoming the captain. They've
brought bouquets and wreaths with ribbons for their leader and all these people are
crowding on the shore for the victorious captain. The swaying crowd is calling for the
captain, and all the people's eager faces turning towards him.

The public celebrations at the port at the return of the ship, (metaphorically the victory
of the Union over the Confederacy in the Civil War, 1861-65) are a shared experience
of joy. The "people" are "all exulting"; they are "a-crowding" and form a "swaying
mass" on the shore. They seem to have become a kind of collective, feeling together
and expressing themselves as one body.
Page 4 of 32
(Q.3) Explain in detail the central image/symbol/metaphor of Whitman's poem
'O Captain! My Captain!'.

Ans:- The poem 'O Captain, My Captain' is full of images. Walt Whitman employs a
lot of imagery and symbolism depicting the era of Abraham Lincoln. In the first line,
the word 'captain' is used to symbolize Abraham Lincoln, who was the union leader in
the Civil War. The image 'ship' is used to represent 'America' as a country, and the
"fearful trip" is a representation of the American Civil War (1861-65) that broke out
during the Abraham Lincoln era.

The "prize we sought is won" symbolizes the Union's victory in freeing the people
from slavery during the Civil War. The poetic line "The port is near, the bells I hear,
people exulting" is used to symbolize the jubilation and happiness of the American
people since they had overcome the war of slavery and won. Repetition of "but O
Heart! Heart! Heart!" represents the speakers' disbelief at and horror to the fact that the
'captain' has died. "Bleeding drops of red" is used to represent the captain's wounded
heart and the wounds in the captain's body.

The second stanza presents two different sets of emotions through the use of rich
imagery In the line, "Rise up and hear the bells", the "bell' symbolizes the jubilation.
The 'bugle' represents military calls for victory and they are played at soldiers' funerals
as a sign of honor, and a hero send-off. 'Wreaths' and 'bouquets' is an imagery of the
two extreme set of emotional state of the nation after the assassination of Lincoln and
victory of the Union forces against Confederate forces. The captain is being referred to
as the 'father' by the speaker for the first time in the poem. This show Lincoln was not
only recognized by the people as their President but also as a mentor of the generation.

In the last lines, the speaker is in self-denial concerning the death of Lincoln, he even
says it is a 'dream'. In the last line, "You have fallen cold and dead", it qualifies the
speaker's shock and disbelief at the President's 'death'. The speaker describes him as
'still with pale lips', having no 'pulse', and he could not feel his arms. This creates a
vivid description of a dead body, the narrator speaks from a third persona rather from
a first persona as in the stanzas one and two.

Walt Whitman uses rich images and symbols to represent the complex emotions at the
time of colossal loss of President Abraham Lincoln and victory of Union over
Confederate in the American Civil War (1861-65).

Page 5 of 32
 Prose – Mallika Srinivas

A. Answer the following in about 75-100 words.

1. 'Listen young lady, you might be a Wharton graduate, but I don't need one to
run my business'. Who said this to whom, and when? What does it mean?

Ans:- When Mallika Srinivasan completed her MBA at Wharton School, in the
University of Pennsylvania, and returned with high hopes of helping the handling of
the family business. Then her father A.Sivasailam said to Mallika, 'Listen young lady,
you might be a Wharton graduate, but I don't need one to run my business. When her
father said these words in order to caution her that education is not enough to run a
company successfully and it requires experience and continuous learning help in this
regard. Her father has also told her that he himself has been running the company
successfully even without a degree.

2. How did senior colleagues at TAFE treat Mallika Srinivasan? What effect did
this have on her?

Ans:- When Mallika Srinivasan returned from the USA, she had anticipated a grand
acknowledgement of her joining the company. However, she was disappointed when
she discovered that her father had set aside her office at a partitioned-off end of a
corridor which had no window and no doors. Mallika simmered with a sense of
injustice and marched into her father's office to express her discontent. Her father
explained that he had managed the company and seen it expand since his father
founded the company, and he had done all this without a degree. Her studies in
Wharton did not impress him or his employees, and he did not fail to remind her of
this fact.

Initially Mallika was disillusioned, but not disheartened. She continued to work in the
family business and learned lessons from more senior and more experienced
colleagues, and she picked up several tricks of the trade. The colleagues did not
pussyfoot around her because they had known her since she was a little girl. The
sincerity and honesty with which they treated her and talked to her allowed her to
recognize her mistakes, and to appreciate her position. Gradually, Mallika began to put
her knowledge to good use and as the company began to grow, she settled on a billion-
dollar target. She did not resent her father for his strong words. Rather, she used them
as a source of inspiration, egging her on to outstrip her father's wildest expectations.

3. In what way did Mallika Srinivasan's mother and father contribute to her
career?

Ans:- Indira Sivasailam and A.Sivasailam are the parents of Mallika Srinivasan's.
They have played a significant role in the success of Mallika. Mallika was born on 19
November 1959 in Chennai. Since her childhood, Mallika Srinivasan grew up
listening to her father discussing business with the family at the dinner table. Her
Page 6 of 32
father's attitude to business taught Srinivasan a lot, shaping her into the industrialist
she became. In school, she performed well, showing a keen understanding of business
and economic principles

Mallika's father had been her anchor and her rock, nudging her in the right direction
and always available to bestow advice and constructive criticism. Indeed, it was his
words that had always motivated her to push their company TAFE to become a major
player in the tractor industry. Months after her father's death, her sister passed away.

Mallika's mother Indira Sivasailam has also supported her in her pursuit of her career.
When Mallika decided to do her MBA at Wharton School, in the University of
Pennsylvania, she had an infant daughter to take care of. Her mother supported her
decision and accompanied her to America, Her mother could babysit Mallika's
daughter while she was attending the classes. Her mother's help allowed her to
complete her MBA and Mallika returned home and handled the family business
successfully.

4. What decisions did Mallika Srinivasan make during spells of economic

downturn? How did these decisions benefit the company?

Ans:- Mallika Srinivasan made visionary decisions during spells of economic

downturn. Her decisions taken during the tough times benefitted her company
immensely. When sales began falling, Mallika Srinivasan insisted on prioritizing on
research and development, so that when the market recovered, new models could roll
out and challenge their competitors' products. It was a successful initiative leading to
TAFE recording a profit that year when most companies could not. Mallika Srinivasan
also saw to it that exports became a key part of TAFE's new strategy. She set up a
manufacturing plant in Turkey in 2010 to increase TAFE's market and customers, and
began making plans to supply to Africa as well, thus taking the company onto the
global platform. Mallika also saw to it that TAFE strengthened its tie-up with Agco
Corp, a Georgia- based farm equipment maker, for distribution in the US. Due to
Mallika Srinivasan's decisions during the hard times, she won a leadership award in
2012 for designing and developing farm equipment relevant to Indian farmers, and for
taking TAFE all the way to the top.

B. Answer the following in about 300-350 words.

1. Write a note on the various efforts made by Mallika Srinivasan to help TAFE
become a market leader.

Ans:- Mallika Srinivasan showed extraordinary promise in her business career. As the
result, her father A.Sivasailam started showing more and more trust in her abilities.
She began to make TAFE a modern technology-oriented company, making it the
number one choice for farmers. In 1960, when TAFE was founded, the company's
quota was 7000 tractors a year. In 2012, the company was capable of making that
same amount in fifteen days. TAFE's turnover, when she joined in 1985, was Rs. 86
Page 7 of 32
crores. By 2010, the turnover had risen to Rs. 5800 crores. And Mallika was
responsible for a major percentage of that amount, securing deals and making critical
decisions with big payoffs. One such deal was the acquisition of Eicher Motors in
2005, which thrust TAFE into the number two spot in the country.

Mallika Srinivasan made visionary decisions during spells of economic downturn. Her
decisions taken during the tough times benefitted her company immensely. When
sales began falling, Mallika Srinivasan insisted on prioritizing on research and
development, so that when the market recovered, new models could roll out and
challenge their competitors' products. It was a successful initiative leading to TAFE
recording a profit that year when most companies could not. Mallika Srinivasan also
saw to it that exports became a key part of TAFE's new strategy. She set up a
manufacturing plant in Turkey in 2010 to increase TAFE's market and customers, and
began making plans to supply to Africa as well, thus taking the company onto the
global platform. Mallika also saw to it that TAFE strengthened its tie-up with Agco
Corp, a Georgia- based farm equipment maker, for distribution in the US. Due to
Mallika Srinivasan's decisions during the hard times, she won a leadership award in
2012 for designing and developing farm equipment relevant to Indian farmers, and for
taking TAFE all the way to the top.

2. What setbacks did Mallika Srinivasan face in her personal life? What is
inspirational about her response to these setbacks?

Ans:- Mallika Srinivasan's success was the result of perseverance she displayed at the
time of adversity. During her professional career, she had to overcome grief and loss
in her personal life. Mallika was able to experience the major personal trials during the
company's explosive growth. One of such as personal loss is her father's death. In the
late 2000s her father passed away. Her father had been her anchor and her rock,
nudging her in the right direction and always available to bestow advice and
constructive criticism Indeed, it was his words that had always motivated her to push
TAFE to become a major player in the tractor industry.

When Mallika was about to come out her grief over her father demise, her sister
passed away within a few months thereafter. Two major losses within her family did
not dent her commitment to her company. Mallika Srinivasan did not let her personal
grief overwhelm her professional responsibilities. She was able to steer the company
professionally.

The biggest grief in Mallika's life was the death of her mother in 2008. With her
mother's death, she had now lost the entire family she had grown up with. However,
Mallika Srinivasan was able to manage the company, taking over the burden of the
family business with dignity and grace. The way in which she managed the company
during the turbulent times was a source of inspiration for many of her employees.

Page 8 of 32
3. Draw a character sketch of Mallika Srinivasan on the basis of this biography.

Ans:- Mallika Srinivasn possesses many qualities which helped her become a
successful business person. Mallika Srinivasn is highly educated, intelligent, strong-
hearted, and responsible. Her biography reveals many an instances to prove her
extraordinary qualities. The support of her parents in her personal life and professional
career helped her to achieve what she achieved. Especially at the time of the death of
her parents and sister, Mallika Srinivasan did not allow her personal life affect her
company. Mallika's decisions at the time of economic downturn benefitted the
company to be at the top position.

Mallika was born on 19 November 1959 in Chennai. Since her childhood, Mallika
Srinivasan grew up listening to her father discussing business with the family at the
dinner table. Her father's attitude to business taught Srinivasan a lot, shaping her into
the industrialist she became. In school, she performed well, showing a keen
understanding of business and economic principles.

When Mallika Srinivasan returned from the USA, she had anticipated a grand
acknowledgement of her joining the company. However, she was disappointed when
she discovered that her father had set aside her office at a partitioned-off end of a
corridor which had no window and no doors. Mallika simmered with a sense of
injustice and marched into her father's office to express her discontent. Her father
explained that he had managed the company and seen it expand since his father
founded the company, and he had done all this without a degree. Her studies in
Wharton did not impress him or his employees, and he did not fail to remind her of
this fact.

Initially, Mallika was disillusioned, but not disheartened. She continued to work in the
family business and learned lessons from more senior and more experienced
colleagues, and she picked up several tricks of the trade. The colleagues did not
pussyfoot around her because they had known her since she was a girl. The sincerity
and honesty with which they treated her and talked to her allowed her to recognize her
little mistakes, and to appreciate her position. Gradually, Mallika began to put her
knowledge to good use and as the company began to grow, she settled on a billion-
dollar target. She did not resent her father for his strong words. Rather, she used them
as a source of inspiration, egging her on to outstrip her father's wildest expectations.

Mallika Srinivasan showed extraordinary promise in her business career. As the result,
her father A. Sivasailam started showing more and more trust in her abilities. She
began to make TAFE a modern technology-oriented company, making it the number
one choice for farmers. In 1960, when TAFE was founded, the company's quota was
7000 tractors a year. In 2012, the company was capable of making that same amount
in fifteen days. TAFE's turnover, when she joined in 1985, was Rs. 86 crores. By
2010, the turnover had risen to Rs. 5800 crores. And Mallika was responsible for a
major percentage of that amount, securing deals and making critical decisions with big
Page 9 of 32
payoffs. One such deal was the acquisition of Eicher Motors in 2005, which thrust
TAFE into the number two spot in the country.

Mallika Srinivasan made visionary decisions during spells of economic downturn. Her
decisions taken during the tough times benefitted her company immensely. When
sales began falling, Mallika Srinivasan insisted on prioritizing on research and
development, so that when the market recovered, new models could roll out and
challenge their competitors' products. It was a successful initiative leading to TAFE
recording a profit that year when most companies could not. Mallika Srinivasan also
saw to it that exports became a key part of TAFE's new strategy. She set up a
manufacturing plant in Turkey in 2010 to increase TAFE's market and customers, and
began making plans to supply to Africa as well, thus taking the company onto the
global platform. Mallika also saw to it that TAFE strengthened its tie-up with Agco
Corp, a Georgia- based farm equipment maker, for distribution in the US. Due to
Mallika Srinivasan's decisions during the hard times, she won a leadership award in
2012 for designing and developing farm equipment relevant to Indian farmers, and for
taking TAFE all the way to the top.

Mallika Srinivasan's success was the result of perseverance she displayed at the time
of adversity. During her professional career, she had to overcome grief and loss in her
personal life. Mallika was able to experience the major personal trials during the
company's explosive growth. One of such as personal loss is her father's death. In the
late 2000s her father passed away. Her father had been her anchor and her rock,
nudging her in the right direction and always available to bestow advice and
constructive criticism. Indeed, it was his words that had always motivated her to push
TAFE to become a major player in the tractor industry. When Mallika was about to
come out her grief over her father demise, her sister passed away within a few months
thereafter. Two major losses within her family did not dent her commitment to her
company. Mallika Srinivasan did not let her personal grief overwhelm her professional
responsibilities. She was able to steer the company professionally. The biggest grief in
Mallika's life was the death of her mother in 2008. With her mother's death, she had
now lost the entire family she had grown up with.

However, Mallika Srinivasan was able to manage the company, taking over the burden
of the family business with dignity and grace. The way in which she managed the
company during the turbulent times was a source of inspiration for many of her
employees. Mallika Srinivasan is truly an inspirational business personality.

Page 10 of 32
 Poetry – The Solitary Reaper – William Wordsworth.

A) Answer the following in about 75-100 words.

Q1. What activity is the poet engaged in when he spots the subject of the poem?
Whom does the poet see?

Ans:- William Wordsworth wrote the poem 'The Solitary Reaper' after a tour of
Scotland in 1805, and was published in 1807. It was included in a group of the poems
entitled 'Memories of a Tour in Scotland'. The Highlands are situated in Scotland and
kwon for farming and aloof from the urban hustle and bustle. In the course of his
walking tours of Scotland, William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy saw farming
activity such as reaping and binding corn as it was the harvest time. They were
engaged in traveling as part of a caravan when they saw a lone girl busy in harvesting
while she was singing.

Q2. What do we know about the person singing the song? What is this person
doing while singing?

Ans:- According to the poem, a highland girl was singing a melancholic song while
she was cutting and binding sheaves of corn all alone in the field. As she was working
peacefully all by herself, she was singing. Her song had a touch of sadness. The
memory of this lonely girl and the melancholy notes of her song remained with the
poet for all the time. Wordsworth's poem "The Solitary Reaper" poet and his sister
came across a solitary reaper, a young highland lass who was somehow immortalizing
in the poem.

Q3. Comment on the meaning of the following line: 'Some natural sorrow, loss,
or pain, That has been, and may be again!'

Ans:- In the third stanza, the poet is expressing his unfamiliarity with the language of
the song sung by the solitary reaper. He wonders if there is anyone who will be able to
tell him what she is singing. He guesses that it might be plaintive numbers, i.e. sad and
mournful song in her own language (that of Scotland) which are about unhappy past or
lost things or some battle which might have taken place long ago. The poet again
guesses that the song can also be about humble lay, i.e. of ordinary nature and day to
day matters. It can be some natural sorrow or loss or pain which might have taken
place in her life recently or she might fear for facing it again.

Q4. How does this poem depict the beauty of nature and the countryside?

Ans:- In "The Solitary Reaper," Wordsworth describes the beauty of country side and
represents nature in its most magnificent manner. Wordsworth finds a vast amount of
mystery in the natural world as the speaker in "The Solitary Reaper." One example of
this would be in the girl's song. Wordsworth considers her to be a part of the natural
setting. The song of the "Highland Lass" has captured his imaginary world.
Page 11 of 32
Initially, Wordsworth is not clear as to what she is singing. Hence he asks. "Will no
one tell me what she sings?" In this way, the natural setting that includes the solitary
reaper's song initiates wonder and curiosity. Her song is a part of the beautiful mystery
that is the natural world. The song inspires his mind to drift to alluring settings such as
"Arabian sands," "the silence of the seas," and "the farthest Hebrides." He does not
think of the dreariness of the urban landscape or the blight of a slum. The song moves
Wordsworth's imagination to consider places in nature far removed from daily life,
i.e., countryside. These natural settings initiate wide open thought. When standing on
the "Arabian sands" or in the midst of "the silence of the seas," one is able to engage
in expansive thought. This pondering might very well include the world and a person's
place in it.

Wordsworth believes that broad level of thought is only possible when standing in the
midst of nature. In this way, the country side of the natural world is linked with
wonderment and awe. Wordsworth is the true worshipper of Nature and the poem
establishes it once again.

Q5. 'The music in my heart I bore'. What do you think the poet's thoughts would
be when he remembers the song years later?

Ans:- In the final stanza, the poet says that whatever may be the theme of the song
sung by the maiden (that solitary reaper), she sang so sweetly and profoundly that the
poet wished it would never end. The poet repeats the beginning scene. According to
him, he saw her singing at her work (reaping the crops) and while she was bending her
sickle over the crops. He listened to her silently and without making any movement.
However, when he started traveling up the hill, he could not hear her and the music
was inscribed in his heart.

B) Answer the following questions in 300-350 words.

Q1. How is the song of the reaper described by the poet? What does the poet
compare the song to, and why?

Ans:- William Wordsworth wrote the poem 'The Solitary Reaper' after a tour of
Scotland in 1805, and was published in 1807. It was included in a group of the poems
entitled 'Memories of a Tour in Scotland'. The Highlands are situated in Scotland and
kwon for farming and aloof from the urban hustle and bustle. In the course of his
walking tours of Scotland, William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy saw farming
activity such as reaping and binding corn as it was the harvest time. They were
engaged in traveling as part of a caravan when they saw a lone girl busy in harvesting
while she was singing.

According to the poem, a highland girl was singing a melancholic song while she was
cutting and binding sheaves of corn all alone in the field. As she was working
peacefully all by herself, she was singing. Her song had a touch of sadness. The
Page 12 of 32
memory of this lonely girl and the melancholy notes of her song remained with the
poet for all the time. Wordsworth's poem "The Solitary Reaper" poet and his sister
came across a solitary reaper, a young highland lass who was somehow immortalizing
in the poem.

In the third stanza, the poet is expressing his unfamiliarity with the language of the
song sung by the solitary reaper. He wonders if there is anyone who will be able to tell
him what she is singing. He guesses that it might be plaintive numbers, i.e. sad and
mournful song in her own language (that of Scotland) which are about unhappy past or
lost things or some battle which might have taken place long ago. The poet again
guesses that the song can also be about humble lay, i.e. of ordinary nature and day to
day matters. It can be some natural sorrow or loss or pain which might have taken
place in her life recently or she might fear for facing it again.

Q2. What, according to the poet, was the reaper's song about? What impact does
the reaper's song have on the poet's thoughts and feelings?

Ans:- William Wordsworth wrote the poem 'The Solitary Reaper' after a tour of
Scotland in 1805, and was published in 1807. It was included in a group of the poems
entitled 'Memories of a Tour in Scotland'. The Highlands are situated in Scotland and
kwon for farming and aloof from the urban hustle and bustle. In the course of his
walking tours of Scotland, William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy saw farming
activity such as reaping and binding corn as it was the harvest time. They were
engaged in traveling as part of a caravan when they saw a lone girl busy in harvesting
while she was singing.

In the poem, the poet compares the voice of the solitary reaper with that of the
nightingale. Note that in Romantic Poetry the sound of the nightingale is described as
very melodious and welcoming. Before going forward let us try understanding the
concept of Arabian Sands mentioned in this stanza. In Arab, there are deserts in which
it takes months for people to cross them. Many times they forget the way or die
because of the extreme heat of thirst. In such a desert, if weary bands, i.e. tired
travelers who may be taking rest under shady haunt (i.e. shade of desert tree) happen
to hear the nightingale's chaunting (chanting), it will be the most joyful voice for them
because they will come to know that it is the end of the dread desert.

The poet says that the voice of solitary reaper is more melodious and sweeter than that
of nightingale's voice mentioned above. Just think what brilliant example the poet has
given! Now the poet compares the singing of solitary reaper with the voice of Cuckoo-
bird. According to the poet, the voice of solitary reaper was so melodious that he never
heard it from the Cuckoo-bird in spring-time which breaks the silence of the seas
among the farthest Hebrides (a group of 500 islands in Scotland). Again here the poet
is using the brilliant image. Just imagine how delighting the voice of nightingale
would be in a dead silent sea after long winter. Again according the poet, the voice of
solitary reaper is better even that sound of Cuckoo

Page 13 of 32
The reaper's song has a profound impact on the poet's thoughts and feelings and the
same is explained in the final stanza. The poet says that whatever may be the theme of
the song sung by the maiden (the solitary reaper), she sang so sweetly and profoundly
that the poet wished it would never end. The poet repeats the beginning scene.
According to him, he saw her singing at her work (reaping the crops) and while she
was bending her sickle over the crops. He listened to her silently and without making
any movement. However, when he started traveling up the hill, he could not hear her
and the music was inscribed in his heart.

Q3. What do you think is the central idea of the poem? Elaborate on your
answer.

Ans:- William Wordsworth wrote the poem 'The Solitary Reaper' after a tour of
Scotland in 1805, and was published in 1807. It was included in a group of the poems
entitled 'Memories of a Tour in Scotland. The Highlands are situated in Scotland and
kwon for farming and aloof from the urban hustle and bustle. In the course of his
walking tours of Scotland, William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy saw farming
activity such as reaping and binding corn as it was the harvest time. They were
engaged in traveling as part of a caravan when they saw a lone girl busy in harvesting
while she was singing.

The poet says that one day while traveling, he sees a lass (girl) far away on highland
i.e. hilly area who was alone there. She is reaping the crops and singing songs by
herself. The poet asks the passersby to stop there and listen to her or gently pass i.e. go
away silently without disturbing her. The solitary reaper is cutting and binding the
grains and also singing a melancholy strain (sad song). The poet asks the passersby to
listen to her as her song is so melodious and sad that the whole Vale profound (deep
valley) is echoing with it.

In the second stanza, the poet compares the voice of the solitary reaper with that of the
nightingale Note that in Romantic Poetry the sound of the nightingale is described as
very melodious and welcoming. Before going forward let us try understanding the
concept of Arabian Sands mentioned in this stanza. In Arab, there are deserts in which
it takes months for people to cross them. Many times they forget the way or die
because of the extreme heat of thirst. In such a desert, if weary bands, i.e. tired
travelers who may be taking rest under shady haunt (i.e. shade of desert tree) happen
to hear the nightingale's chaunting (chanting), it will be the most joyful voice for them
because they will come to know that it is the end of the dread desert.

The poet says that the voice of solitary reaper is more melodious and sweeter than that
of nightingales voice mentioned above. Just think what brilliant example the poet has
given! Now the poet compares the singing of solitary reaper with the voice of Cuckoo-
bird. According to the poet, the voice of solitary reaper was so melodious that he never
heard it from the Cuckoo-bird in spring-time which breaks the silence of the seas
among the farthest Hebrides (a group of 500 islands in Scotland). Again here the poet
is using the brilliant image. Just imagine how delighting the voice of nightingale
Page 14 of 32
would be in a dead silent sea after long winter. Again according the poet, the voice of
solitary reaper is better even that sound of Cuckoo.

In the third stanza, the poet is expressing his unfamiliarity with the language of the
song sung by the solitary reaper. He wonders if there is anyone who will be able to tell
him what she is singing. He guesses that it might be plaintive numbers, i.e. sad and
mournful song in her own language (that of Scotland) which are about unhappy past or
lost things or some battle which might have taken place long ago. The poet again
guesses that the song can also be about humble lay, i.e. of ordinary nature and day to
day matters. It can be some natural sorrow or loss or pain which might have taken
place in her life recently or she might fear for facing it again.

In the final stanza, the poet says that whatever may be the theme of the song sung by
the maiden (that solitary reaper), she sang so sweetly and profoundly that the poet
wished it would never end. The poet repeats the beginning scene. According to him,
he saw her singing at her work (reaping the crops) and while she was bending her
sickle over the crops. He listened to her silently and without making any movement.
However, when he started traveling up the hill, he could not hear her and the music
was inscribed in his heart.

In "The Solitary Reaper," Wordsworth describes the beauty of country side and
represents nature in its most magnificent manner. Wordsworth finds a vast amount of
mystery in the natural world as the speaker in "The Solitary Reaper." One example of
this would be in the girl's song. Wordsworth considers her to be a part of the natural
setting. The song of the "Highland Lass" has captured his imaginary world.
Wordsworth believes that broad level of thought is only possible when standing in the
midst of nature. In this way, the country side of the natural world is linked with
wonderment and awe. Wordsworth is the true worshipper of Nature and the poem
establishes it once again.

Page 15 of 32
 Prose – How to Live to be 200 – Stephen Leacock

A) Answer the following in about 75-100 words.

Q1. What were the different things that Jiggins did to ensure good health? What
benefit did each activity supposedly have?

Ans:- Stephen Leacock tells us that Jiggins, the health maniac, used to take a cold bath
every morning so as to open his pores. After his cold bath, he took a hot sponge in
order to close his pores. Before putting on his clothes for going to office, Jiggins used
to stand and breathe at an open window for half an hour in order to expand his lungs.
After putting on his shirt he used to perform a short exercise by moving forward and
backward. He repeated all such exercises even during his duty hours at his office
instead of using his spare time in eating or having some refreshment. He would lie on
his stomach on the floor and lifted himself up with his knuckles (the joints of fingers).

In the evening Jiggins lifted iron bars, cannon balls and pulled himself up to the
ceiling. All the noise of the exercise was so loud that one could hear the stumps far
away. Jiggins spent half the night slinging himself around the room to make his brain
clear. Unfortunately, even so much exercise did not keep Jiggins alive to enter his old
age as his death came at an early age. Perhaps he died earlier than the other men who
did not perform the regular exercise as Jiggins.

Q2. What was the author's reaction to Jiggins's efforts? Paraphrase (don't quote)
two things said by the author that reveal what he thought about Jiggins's habits.

Ans:- According to Leacock, the health maniacs not drink glass water. They do not
drink alcohol in any form. They became a nuisance for all in the name of health. Even
then we can see that like others they easily fall ill and die. Thus, in spite of their
troublesome exercises, they cannot attain long age.Stephen Leacock does not like to
see people obsessed with body care, as obsessions are always bad. As a counter attack
to heath mania (obsession), Stephen Leacock humorously gives us some pieces of
advice. We should get up in the morning hardly half an hour before our office op.ns.
We should not care much about getting pure and fresh air. We should have warm
baths instead of cold baths so that we may get rid of the cold pinching water and may
feel comfortable in our warm baths. Leacock feels that we should not worry about
germ and bacilli, as they are totally harmless. The author advises us to eat whatever
we want and to the extent as much as we like.

Q3. What does the author mean by the phrase 'health mania"? What are the
characteristics of this 'mania?

Ans:- According to Leacock, the health mania' is being obsessed with 'health'.
According to the author, those are obsessed about 'health mania' display certain
characteristics. They not drink glass water. They do not drink alcohol in any form.
They became a nuisance for all in the name of health. Even then we can see that like
Page 16 of 32
others they easily fall ill and die. Thus, in spite of their troublesome exercises, they
cannot attain long age. Stephen Leacock does not like to see people obsessed with
body care, as obsessions are always bad. As a counter attack to heath mania
(obsession), Stephen Leacock humorously gives us some pieces of advice. We should
get up in the morning hardly half an hour before our office opens. We should not care
much about getting pure and fresh air. We should have warm baths instead of cold
baths so that we may get rid of the cold pinching water and may feel comfortable in
our warm baths.

Q4. Point out two instances of absurd or nonsensical humour in this essay.

Ans:- Stephen Leacock is known for his humorous short stories and sketches. The
present essay, "How to live to be 200" is a beautiful essay, in which the writer has
satirized those people who are obsessed by the idea of "Health Maniac". It is an
absurdand nonsensical essay on the fantastic heath habits of a person known as Jiggins
type young people. Jiggins symbolizes the so many young people who are unusually
obsessed with their bodily exercises. Although he kept on taking hard exercises
regularly, Jiggins died in his youth and could not see his old age. The writer satirizes
all those people who are obsessed by the idea of being strong and healthy. He is of the
view that physical fitness and health cannot postpone the death. One has to die at an
appointed time. One should be worried about his health. One should take care of
himself but not to be preplanned in hard and daily exercises.

This essay is full with the satirical exaggerations which are used by Leacock for
creating special effect, pleasure, attraction and humour in the essay. Some quotations
as examples are given where he uses this technique of absurd and nonsensical humour
in this essay. After title, he talks about one of his acquaintances, Mr. Jiggins who was
a health maniac. He exaggerates about his exercises by reaches on the peak of
exaggeration and satire. Again he exaggerates by saying that he used "to lie on his
stomach on the floor and see if he could fit himself up with his knuckles. If he could,
then he tried some other way until he found one that he couldn't do". At night he used
to "haul himself up to the ceiling with his teeth."

B) Answer the following in about 300-350 words.

Q1. Summarise the author's advice regarding a 'sensible' approach to health.

Ans:- Stephen Leacock is known for his humorous short stories and sketches. The
present essay, "How to live to be 200" is a beautiful essay, in which the writer has
satirized those people who are obsessed by the idea of "Health Maniac". It is an absurd
and nonsensical essay on the fantastic heath habits of a person known as Jiggins type
young people. Jiggins symbolizes the so many young people who are unusually
obsessed with their bodily exercises. Although he kept on taking hard exercises
regularly, Jiggins died in his youth and could not see his old age. The writer satirizes
all those people who are obsessed by the idea of being strong and healthy. He is of the
view that physical fitness and health cannot postpone the death. One has to die at an
Page 17 of 32
appointed time. One should be worried about his health. One should take care of
himself but not to be preplanned in hard and daily exercises.

Stephen Leacock tells us that Jiggins, the health maniac, used to take a cold bath every
morning so as to open his pores. After his cold bath, he took a hot sponge in order to
close his pores. Before putting on his clothes for going to office, Jiggins used to stand
and breathe at an open window for half an hour in order to expand his lungs. After
putting on his shirt he used to perform a short exercise by moving forward and
backward. He repeated all such exercises even during his duty hours at his office
instead of using his spare time in eating or having some refreshment. He would lie on
his stomach on the floor and lifted himself up with his knuckles (the joints of fingers).

In the evening Jiggins lifted iron bars, cannon balls and pulled himself up to the
ceiling. All the noise of the exercise was so loud that one could hear the stumps far
away. Jiggins spent half the night slinging himself around the room to make his brain
clear. Unfortunately, even so much exercise did not keep Jiggins alive to enter his old
age as his death came at an early age. Perhaps he died earlier than the other men who
did not perform the regular exercise as Jiggins.

Like Jiggins, many young men have the same health mania (craze). They behave
exactly like Jiggins and become a great nuisance (trouble) for others. They get up at
impossible hours and start running marathon race before breakfast. They like to walk
barefoot on grass. They search for places blessed with ozone (fresh air). They look for
easily digestible food. They avoid eating meat because it has too much nitrogen. They
avoid eating fruit because it has not any nitrogen. What they prefer is albumen (white
of egg), starch (nishasta), etc. they do not drink tap water. They do not eat canned
food.

According to Leacock, the health maniacs not drink glass water. They do not drink
alcohol in any form. They became a nuisance for all in the name of health. Even then
we can see that like others they easily fall ill and die. Thus, in spite of their
troublesome exercises, they cannot attain long age. Stephen Leacock does not like to
see people obsessed with body care, as obsessions are always bad. As a counter attack
to heath mania (obsession), Stephen Leacock humorously gives us some pieces of
advice. We should get up in the morning hardly half an hour before our office opens.
We should not care much about getting pure and fresh air. We should have warm
baths instead of cold baths so that we may get rid of the cold pinching water and may
feel comfortable in our warm baths.

Leacock feels that we should not worry about germ and bacilli, as they are totally
harmless. We should eat whatever we want and to the extent as much as we like. The
only test is: Can we pay for it? Moreover we should eat whatever our food may or may
not contain: starch, albumen or nitrogen or anything else. We should not bother about
fresh air. We should not go to open places for it. As far as exercise is concerned, it is
also not necessary at all. We can hire a taxi and see others playing football, running

Page 18 of 32
races and doing gymnastics. We can even do so when sitting in some shade or
smoking cigarettes.

Leacock advises us to divert our attention away from our body care and attend to the
enjoyment of life like a carefree person. We should remember that the more we enjoy
the joys of life, the more we shall become healthy. Stephen Leacock seems to be an
Epicurean whose philosophy is "Eat, drink and be merry."

Q2. Comment on the author's attitude in this essay. Do you think he is serious in
his opinions or just joking? (If the latter, is there any genuine point at all that the
author wishes to make?)

Ans:- Stephen Leacock is known for his humorous short stories and sketches. The
present essay, "How to live to be 200" is a beautiful essay, in which the writer has
satirized those people who are obsessed by the idea of "Health Maniac". It is an
absurdand nonsensical essay on the fantastic heath habits of a person known as Jiggins
type young people. Jiggins symbolizes the so many young people who are unusually
obsessed with their bodily exercises. Although he kept on taking hard exercises
regularly, Jiggins died in his youth and could not see his old age. The writer satirizes
all those people who are obsessed by the idea of being strong and healthy. He is of the
view that physical fitness and health cannot postpone the death. One has to die at an
appointed time. One should be worried about his health. One should take care of
himself but not to be preplanned in hard and daily exercises.

Stephen Leacock tells us that Jiggins, the health maniac, used to take a cold bath every
morning so as to open his pores. After his cold bath, he took a hot sponge in order to
close his pores. Before putting on his clothes for going to office, Jiggins used to stand
and breathe at an open window for half an hour in order to expand his lungs. After
putting on his shirt he used to perform a short exercise by moving forward and
backward. He repeated all such exercises even during his duty hours at his office
instead of using his spare time in eating or having some refreshment. He would lie on
his stomach on the floor and lifted himself up with his knuckles (the joints of fingers).

In the evening Jiggins lifted iron bars, cannon balls and pulled himself up to the
ceiling. All the noise of the exercise was so loud that one could hear the stumps far
away. Jiggins spent half the night slinging himself around the room to make his brain
clear. Unfortunately, even so much exercise did not keep Jiggins alive to enter his old
age as his death came at an early age. Perhaps he died earlier than the other men who
did not perform the regular exercise as Jiggins.

Like Jiggins, many young men have the same health mania (craze). They behave
exactly like Jiggins and become a great nuisance (trouble) for others. They get up at
impossible hours and start running marathon race before breakfast. They like to walk
barefoot on grass. They search for places blessed with ozone (fresh air). They look for
easily digestible food. They avoid eating meat because it has too much nitrogen. They
avoid eating fruit because it has not any nitrogen. What they prefer is albumen (white
Page 19 of 32
of egg), starch (nishasta), etc. they do not drink tap water. They do not eat canned
food.

According to Leacock, the health maniacs not drink glass water. They do not drink
alcohol in any form. They became a nuisance for all in the name of health. Even then
we can see that like others they easily fall ill and die. Thus, in spite of their
troublesome exercises, they cannot attain long age. Stephen Leacock does not like to
see people obsessed with body care, as obsessions are always bad. As a counter attack
to heath mania (obsession), Stephen Leacock humorously gives us some pieces of
advice. We should get up in the morning hardly half an hour before our office opens.
We should not care much about getting pure and fresh air. We should have warm
baths instead of cold baths so that we may get rid of the cold pinching water and may
feel comfortable in our warm baths.

Leacock feels that we should not worry about germ and bacilli, as they are totally
harmless. We should eat whatever we want and to the extent as much as we like. The
only test is: Can we pay for it? Moreover we should eat whatever our food may or may
not contain: starch, albumen or nitrogen or anything else. We should not bother about
fresh air. We should not go to open places for it. As far as exercise is concerned, it is
also not necessary at all. We can hire a taxi and see others playing football, running
races and doing gymnastics. We can even do so when sitting in some shade or
smoking cigarettes.

Leacock advises us to divert our attention away from our body care and attend to the
enjoyment of life like a carefree person. We should remember that the more we enjoy
the joys of life, the more we shall become healthy. Hence Stephen Leacock adopted
practical approach to life and health in this essay. Though the author is serious in his
opinion, he adopts nonsensical approach to prove his point. Though he looks joking,
he presents the genuine point that the author wishes to make. Stephen Leacock seems
to be an Epicurean whose philosophy is “Eat, drink and be merry.”

Poetry – La Belle Dame Sans Merci – John Keats

(A) Answer the following in about 75-100 words.

Q1. Explain the title of the poem: whom it refers to, what it means, and if it is an
apt title.

Ans:- Keats' ballad 'La Belle Dame sans Merci' describes the short encounter between
a knight and a fairy lady. The title of the poem is interesting as it isn't Keats' own
invention. He adopted the title of Alain Chartier's French courtly poem 'La Belle
Dame Sans Mercy'. In French, the phrase means, "A Beautiful Lady Without Mercy".
It seems that Keats went with the French spelling of the word. In the poem, a knight
tells the story of how he becomes obsessed with, and then gets abandoned by, a spirit
known as La Belle Dame sans Merci, or "The Beautiful Lady Without Mercy."
Though seemingly aware she's an illusion, the knight lingers in his memory of the
Page 20 of 32
Lady, and it's implied he will do so until he dies. In this relationship, the knight's love
turns from enchantment into obsession.

The poem 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci', in my views, conveys the message that love,
like a flower, is short-loved. The joy is quite short and suffering is forever. It also
reflects how beauty can deceive a person and make him fail or suffer. Therefore the
title is apt to the theme of the poem.

Q2. In what location and in which season does the poem seem to take place? Pick
out relevant phrases and lines from the poem to justify your answer.

Ans:- The poem begins with the poet's question to the knight, "O what can ail thee".
The phrase reflects that the knight is in ail or trouble and distress. The poet asks him
why he is sad and wandering alone near the lake where no green grass is left and no
bird is singing. The season described in the poem is that of winter. In literature, winter
symbolizes solitude, sorrow, and grief. This also refers to the fact that the knight- at-
arms is grieved. In the second stanza, the poet repeats the same question. He asks the
knight-at-arms why he is tired and miserable in appearance. In this stanza, he refers to
the winter season by telling that the squirrel is done with collecting its grains and even
the harvest is also done. These two symbols also refer to a time of loneliness,
coldness, and grief.

Q3. How did the knight and the lady spend their time?

Ans:- When the speaker asks him,, the knight-at-arms answers that he met a beautiful
lady in the meadows. She had long hair, white feet and passionate eyes. She seemed to
be a fairy's child. After meeting that lady, the knight-at-arms falls in love with her. As
a token of love, he gifts hera garland (made up of intertwined flowers) for her head,
bracelets and fragrant zone, i.e. a belt made up of flowers for her waist. The lady also
responds to his love by looking at him with affection and making sweet moans. In this
perspective, the fragrant zone may refer to her female parts which the poet loved and
kissed. Afterward, he takes her along with him on his horse (pacing steed) and the
whole day they spend time with each other. The lady also sings songs for the knight-
at-arms that seem to him as the fairy songs i.e. very melodious. The lady than gifts
him tasty and sweet food to eat including tasty roots, honey of wild bees and sweet
gum of mana ash. Though he couldn't understand her language, it seems to him that
she said: "I love you truly" in her own language. The lady lulls or in simple words
sends him to sleep.

Q4. Describe the knight's dream. Who, do you think, are the people he sees in his
dream, and what is their connection with the lady of the poem?

Ans:- In the poem, the lady lulls or in simple words sends him to sleep. The knight-at-
arms in the dream sees one of the most terrifying dreams on the hillside. Ah! woe
betide! is an exclamation that expresses knight-at-arms' grief and fear. In his dream,
the knight-at-arms sees kings, princes, warriors who have turned pale and have a dead-
Page 21 of 32
like appearance. All of them warn the knight-at-arms that "La Belle Dame Sans
Merci" i.e. beware of that lady because she is without mercy. She is the same lady who
has led them the dread fate. Seeing their starved (and grieved) lips which were
altogether warning him, the knight- at-arms he wakes up at once and finds him alone
on the cold hill's side. In the final stanza, the knight-at- arms says that this is the
reason why he is wandering all alone along the lake where there is no grass and at a
time when there is no bird to sing, in a miserable condition, pale face.

Q5. What is the mood of the poem, and how does the poet create such an
atmosphere?

Ans :- From the reading of the poem, we can say that the mood of the poem is sad and
despair. The poem begins with the poet's question to the knight, "O what can ail thee".
The phrase reflects that the knight is in ail or trouble and distress. The poet asks him
why he is sad and wandering alone near the lake where no green grass is left and no
bird is singing. The season described in the poem is that of winter. In literature, winter
symbolizes solitude, sorrow, and grief. This also refers to the fact that the knight-at-
arms is grieved. In the second stanza, the poet repeats the same question. He asks the
knight-at-arms why he is tired and miserable in appearance. In this stanza, he refers to
the winter season by telling that the squirrel is done with collecting its grains and even
the harvest is also done. These two symbols also refer to a time of loneliness,
coldness, and grief.

(B) Answer the following questions in 300-350 words.

Q1. Examine the character of the 'lady in the meads. Argue whether or not she
deserves to be labeled 'la belle dame sans merci.

Ans:- ‘La Belle Dame Sans Merci' is a French phrase meaning "The Lady Without
Mercy'. The poem 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci is a ballad written by John KeatsA
ballad is a poem that tells a story, usually (but not always) in four-line stanzas called
quatrains. The poem comprises 12 stanzas and has a rhyme scheme ABCB. The ballad
form is enormously diverse, and poems in this form may have any one of hundreds of
different rhyme schemes and meters. Nearly every culture on earth produces ballads,
often in the form of epic poems relating to the culture's mythology. The poem is a
conversation (in verse) between the poet and a knight who fell in love with a lady but
she left him.

The poem begins with the poet's question to the knight, "O what can ail thee". The
phrase reflects that the knight is in ail or trouble and distress. The poet asks him why
he is sad and wandering alone near the lake where no green grass is left and no bird is
singing. The season described in the poem is that of winter. In literature, winter
symbolizes solitude, sorrow, and grief. This also refers to the fact that the knight- at-
arms is grieved. In the second stanza, the poet repeats the same question. He asks the
knight-at-arms why he is tired and miserable in appearance. In this stanza, he refers to
the winter season by telling that the squirrel is done with collecting its grains and even
Page 22 of 32
the harvest is also done. These two symbols also refer to a time of loneliness,
coldness, and grief.

The poet tells the knight-at-arms that there is a lily on his brow i.e. his face is without
colour and is pale like a lily. There are sweat and pain in his forehead that depicts that
the knight-at-arms is sick. In the final line, the poet says that the colour of the knight-
at-arms face is fading quickly like that of a withered rose. Till here the poet is talking
and raising questions to the knight-at-arms.

Now after listening to the questions raised by the poet, the knight-at-arms answers that
he met a beautiful lady in the meadows. She had long hair, white feet and passionate
eyes. She seemed to be a fairy's child. After meeting that lady, the knight-at-arms falls
in love with her. As a token of love, he gifts hera garland (made up of intertwined
flowers) for her head, bracelets and fragrant zone, i.e. a belt made up of flowers for her
waist. The lady also responds to his love by looking at him with affection and making
sweet moans. Probably they do lovemaking and also had sex. In this perspective, the
fragrant zone may refer to her female parts which the poet loved and kissed.

Afterward, he takes her along with him on his horse (pacing steed) and the whole day
they spend time with each other. The lady also sings songs for the knight-at-arms that
seem to him as the fairy songs i.e. very melodious. The lady than gifts him tasty and
sweet food to eat including tasty roots, honey of wild bees and sweet gum of mana
ash. Though he couldn't understand her language, it seems to him that she said: "1 love
you truly" in her own language.

The lady then takes him to her "Elfin grot" which means small and fairy cave. There
she weeps loudly but the knight-at-arms do not reveal the reason for it. Perhaps it
refers to the way of expressing her love. The knight-at-arms then kisses her "wild
eyes" and shuts them so that she may sleep with him. Here again, her eyes are depicted
as wild. The lady lulls or in simple words sends him to sleep. The knight-at- arms in
the dream sees one of the most terrifying dreams on the hillside. Ah! woe betide! is an
exclamation that expresses knight-at-arms' grief and fear.

The knight-at-arms sees kings, princes, warriors who have turned pale and have a
dead-like appearance. All of them warn the knight-at-arms that "La Belle Dame Sans
Merci" i.e. beware of that lady because she is without mercy. She is the same lady who
has led them the dread fate. Seeing their starved (and grieved) lips which were
altogether warning him, the knight-at-arms he wakes up at once and finds him alone
on the cold hill's side. In the final stanza, the knight-at-arms says that this is the reason
why he is wandering all alone along the lake where there is no grass and at a time
when there is no bird to sing, in a miserable condition, pale face.

The poem 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci', in my views, conveys the message that love,
like a flower, is short-loved. The joy is quite short and suffering is forever. It also
reflects how beauty can deceive a person and make him fail or suffer. Therefore the
title is apt to the theme of the poem.
Page 23 of 32
Q2. What does the poem tell us about the knight who narrates the story?
Describe in your own words his appearance and his state of mind.

Ans:- The poem 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci'is a ballad written by John Keats. The
poem is a conversation (in verse) between the poet and a knight who fell in love with a
lady but she left him. The poem begins with the poet's question to the knight, "O what
can ail thee". The phrase reflects that the knight is in ail or trouble and distress. The
poet asks him why he is sad and wandering alone near the lake where no green grass is
left and no bird is singing. The season described in the poem is that of winter. In
literature, winter symbolizes solitude, sorrow, and grief. This also refers to the fact
that the knight-at-arms is grieved. In the second stanza, the poet repeats the same
question. He asks the knight-at-arms why he is tired and miserable in appearance. In
this stanza, he refers to the winter season by telling that the squirrel is done with
collecting its grains and even the harvest is also done. These two symbols also refer to
a time of loneliness, coldness and grief.

Now after listening to the questions raised by the poet, the knight-at-arms answers that
he met a beautiful lady in the meadows. She had long hair, white feet and passionate
eyes. She seemed to be a fairy's child. After meeting that lady, the knight-at-arms falls
in love with her. As a token of love, he gifts hera garland (made up of intertwined
flowers) for her head, bracelets and fragrant zone, i.e. a belt made up of flowers for her
waist. The lady also responds to his love by looking at him with affection and making
sweet moans. Probably they do lovemaking and also had sex. In this perspective, the
fragrant zone may refer to her female parts which the poet loved and kissed.

Afterward, he takes her along with him on his horse (pacing steed) and the whole day
they spend time with each other. The lady also sings songs for the knight-at-arms that
seem to him as the fairy songs i.e. very melodious. The lady than gifts him tasty and
sweet food to eat including tasty roots, honey of wild bees and sweet gum of mana
ash. Though he couldn't understand her language, it seems to him that she said: "I love
you truly" in her own language.

The lady then takes him to her "Elfin grot" which means small and fairy cave. There
she weeps loudly but the knight-at-arms do not reveal the reason for it. Perhaps it
refers to the way of expressing her love. The knight-at-arms then kisses her "wild
eyes" and shuts them so that she may sleep with him. Here again, her eyes are depicted
as wild. The lady lulls or in simple words sends him to sleep. The knight-at- arms in
the dream sees one of the most terrifying dreams on the hillside. Ah! woe betide! is an
exclamation that expresses knight-at-arms' grief and fear.

The knight-at-arms sees kings, princes, warriors who have turned pale and have a
dead-like appearance. All of them warn the knight-at-arms that "La Belle Dame Sans
Merci" i.e. beware of that lady because she is without mercy. She is the same lady who
has led them the dread fate. Seeing their starved (and grieved) lips which were
altogether warning him, the knight-at-arms he wakes up at once and finds him alone
Page 24 of 32
on the cold hill's side. In the final stanza, the knight-at-arms says that this is the reason
why he is wandering all alone along the lake where there is no grass and at a time
when there is no bird to sing, in a miserable condition, pale face. The poem 'La Belle
Dame Sans Merci' presents the sad state of the knight's mind.

Q3. Some readers believe this poem is about the joyous and sad aspects (the highs
and lows) of love. Some think of it as a warning against indulging in destructive
obsessions. A few other interpretations are suggested in the introduction to the
poem. In your opinion. which one of these symbolic meanings suits the poem the
best? (Come up with your own interpretation, if you have one.). Elaborate on
your answer.

Ans :- In Keats' poem, a knight tells the story of how he becomes obsessed with, and
then gets abandoned by, a spirit known as La Belle Dame sans Merci, or "The
Beautiful Lady Without Mercy." Though seemingly aware she's an illusion, the knight
lingers in his memory of the Lady, and it's implied he will do so until he dies. In this
relationship, the knight's love turns from enchantment into obsession.

The poem expresses two linked warnings about the dangers of intense romantic love.
First, obsession drains one's emotional energy. Second, when the object of obsession
disappears, the lover left behind undergoes a spiritual death, losing the ability to
appreciate beauty in anything but the memory of what is lost. These warnings suggest
that love, though wonderful, can quickly shift into a kind of death if it becomes
obsessive.

The knight first describes falling in love with the Lady as a kind of enchantment that
consumes him completely. The Lady he finds in the meadow is "Full beautiful-a
faery's child." The Lady's perfect beauty captures the knight's attention. By describing
her as the child of a magical creature, he emphasizes that her ability to charm him is a
supernatural force. Enchanted further by the mysterious wildness in her eyes, the
knight begins serving the Lady and devoting all his emotional energy to her. He
weaves the Lady "bracelets" and "a garland," and in reward receives her "love" and
"sweet moan."

However, the difference between enchantment and obsession is very thin. The Lady
soon becomes the knight's single focus seemingly his single source of life. Besides the
Lady, the knight sees "nothing else ...all day." This may sound like hyperbole, but the
knight means it: the Lady creates a private world for herself and the knight. Soon, the
knight sees her in everything-he is obsessed. The flowers transform into suitable
material for the Lady to wear. The hillside cave, a feature of the natural landscape,
becomes the Lady's "Elfin grot." As the knight's obsession deepens, he grows to
depend on the Lady even for basic nutrition. The Lady feeds the knight "roots of relish
sweet, and honey wild, and manna-dew."

The allusion to manna, the supernaturally nutritious substance provided by God to the
Israelites on their journey out of Egypt, implies that the Lady is literally responsible
Page 25 of 32
for the knight's survival. At this point the Lady says, "I love thee true." The knight's
response is to give himself over fully to the Lady-he follows her home, soothes her,
and makes himself vulnerable before her, allowing her to lull him to sleep.

The night devotes so much emotional energy to the Lady and put himself completely
under her control, and he undergoes a spiritual death when she disappears. In his
dream the knight sees the Lady's former victims: "pale kings," "princes," and
"warriors"-"death-pale were they all." In their faces he sees the man he will become:
someone deathly, starved, and captivated by memories of the Lady to the point of
enslavement. Like them, he will wake up "death-pale," or, as the speaker first
describes him, "Alone and palely loitering"-physically alive, yet condemned to replay
his memory of an obsessive love for the rest of his days. The Lady is finally revealed
to be La Belle Dame sans Merci-literally, The Beautiful Lady Without Mercy.

Strangely, the Lady's merciless behavior actually consists of the love and joy she
provides; her sudden disappearance is what makes the knight's experience so painful
exactly because she was previously so kind. The shape of the Lady's cruelty suggests
that anything one falls in love with or obsesses over can cause such pain, since
anything can disappear in an instant. The poem thus cautions against such intense,
obsessive love, arguing that it's ultimately not worth the agony it can cause.

Prose – Illyas – Leo Tolstoy

A. Answer the following in about 75-100 words.

1. How did Ilyás receive and treat his visitors?

Ans:- When Ilyas became rich, the people of position sought his friendship, and
visitors came to him from afar. The Ilyas family welcomed every one and gave them
food and drinks and served them with kumiss, tea, sherbet, and mutton. Ilyas was not
hesitant to kill one or two sheep oreven a mare in order to serve their visitor with
mutton.

2. Write a note on Ilyas's family.

Ans:- Regarding family, Ilyás had three children: two sons and a daughter, and he
married them all off. While he was poor, his sons worked with him, and looked after
the flocks and herds themselves. However, when he grew rich they got spoiled; one of
them took to drink, the eldest was killed in a brawl; and the younger, who had married
a self-willed woman, ceased to obey his father. As result, they could not live together
any more.

Page 26 of 32
3. Why did Ilyas's wealth decrease?

Ans:- The fortunes of the Ilyas family diminished slowly due to many reasons. As part
of the division, llyás gave his son a house and some of the cattle; a disease broke out
among Ilyás's sheep, and many died; a bad harvest; the hay crop failed; and many
cattle died that winter. Further, the Kirghiz captured his best herd of horses. Now Ilyas
was not only poor but also old. Now he was seventy years old, he had begun to sell his
furs, carpets, saddles, and tents. Before he knew how it had happened, he had lost
everything, and in their old age he and his wife had to go into service. Ilyásand Sham-
Shemagihad nothing left and there was no one to help the old couple.

4. Why did Muhammad Shah Invite Ilyas and Sham-Shemagi to live with him?
What did the old couple do for Muhammad-Shah in return?

Ans:- However, Muhammad-Shah, their neighbor, took pity on them. Muhammad-

Shah was neither rich nor poor, but lived comfortably, and was a good man. He
remembered Ilyás's hospitality, and pitying him and invited them to live with him as
labourers. Ilyas thanked his neighbor Muhammad-Shah, and he and his wife joinedas
laborers. In summer they worked in Muhammad-Shah's melon-garden and in winter
they fed his cattle. Sham-Shemagiwould milk his mares and make kumiss. In return,
Muhammad-Shah would feed and clothe the old couple. Initially it was hard for them,
but they got used to it, and lived on, working as much as their strength allowed.

5. According to Sham-Shemagi and Ilyas, where did their happiness lie?

Ans:- When the guests insisted on what their happiness could be. Sham-Shemagi
replied that when they were rich, her husband and she had so many cares and could
not find time to talk to one another, or to think of their souls, or to pray to God. Then
they had to how to serve the visitors with food and gifts, otherwise they would speak
ill of them. They had to look after their laborers to get best out of them. So she felt that
they sinned in doing so. When they rich, they used to be in fear of a wolf killing of a
foal or a calf, or thieves stealing our horses. As result, they were sleepless at night,
worrying that the ewes would kill their lambs. One thing attended to, another care
would spring up. Ilyas and his wife used to disagree on many issues and then they
disputed-sinning again. Sin this way, they passed from one trouble to another, from
one sin to another, and found no happiness.

Now the Iliyas family is poor and they are working as labourers. Presently, Ilyas and
Sham-Shemagi wake in the morning and always have a loving word for one another.
They live peacefully, having nothing to quarrel about. They have no care but how best
to serve their master. They work as much as their strength allows, and do it with a
will, that their master may not lose, but profit by their work. When they come in
dinner or supper is ready and there is kumiss to drink. They have fuel to burn when it
is cold, and they have their fur cloak. Now they have time to talk, time to think of their
souls, and time to pray. For fifty years, they sought happiness, but only now they
found it, at last.
Page 27 of 32
B. Answer the following in about 300-350 words.

1. Narrate in your own words the ups and downs in the lives of Ilyas and Sham-
Shemagi

Ans:- Ilyás is a short story by Leo Tolstoy written in 1885. It is the story of the farmer,
Ilyas, who grew up successful but loses his fortune through mistake, in the end only
finding peace without having property. It is a tale of contrasting 'opulence' (prosperity)
with happiness.

The story begins with the early life of a man from Bashkir community in the Central
Asian province Government of Oufá, His name is named Ilyás. His father died leaving
no property. By the time, Ilyas get married to Sham-Shemagi. He then had only seven
mares, two cows, and about a score of sheep. Though Ilyas was not rich, he was a
good manager. He and his wife worked day in and day out and their property
increased over the years. At the end of thirty-five years he had 200 horses, 150 head of
cattle, and 1,200 sheep. llyas had to hire laborers to tend his flocks and herds, and hire
women to milk his mares and cows and to make kumiss, butter and cheese. Ilyás had
abundance of everything, and everyone in the district envied him. They said of him:
Ilyás is a fortunate man: he has plenty of everything. This world must be a pleasant
place for him.' This part of the story tells us that Ilyas is hard working, sincere in
efforts. With his sheer commitment, he has become rich.

When Ilyas became rich, the people of position sought his friendship, and visitors
came to him from afar. The Ilyas family welcomed every one and gave them food and
drinks and served them with kumiss, tea, sherbet, and mutton by killing one or two
sheep or a mare for them. Regarding family, Ilyás had three children: two sons and a
daughter, and he married them all off. While he was poor, his sons worked with him,
and looked after the flocks and herds themselves. However, when he grew rich they
got spoiled; one of them took to drink, the eldest was killed in a brawl; and the
younger, who had married a self-willed woman, ceased to obey his father. As result,
they could not live together any more. Now we can realize that Ilyas is carried away
by the relatives and spent all his hard-earned property on others. Moreover, it seems
that he is unable to forge a binding force among his family members.

The fortunes of the Ilyas family diminished slowly due to many reasons. As part of the
division,llyás gave his son a house and some of the cattle; a disease broke out among
Ilyás's sheep, and many died; a bad harvest; the hay crop failed; and many cattle died
that winter. Further, the Kirghiz captured his best herd of horses. Now Ilyas was not
only poor but also old. Now he was seventy years old, he had begun to sell his furs,
carpets, saddles, and tents. Before he knew how it had happened, he had lost
everything, and in their old age he and his wife had to go into service. Ilyásand Sham-
Shemagihad nothing left and there was no one to help the old couple. Here fortune is
seen to have not favoured him and his family.

Page 28 of 32
However, Muhammad-Shah, their neighbor, took pity on them. He remembered
Ilyás'shospitality, and pitying him and invited them to live with him as labourers. Ilyás
thanked his neighbor, and he and his wife took service with Muhammad Shah as
laborers. In summer they worked in Muhammad-Shah's melon- garden and in winter
they fed his cattle. Sham-Shemagi would milk his mares and make kumiss. In return,
Muhammad-Shah would feed and clothe the old couple. Initially it was hard for them,
but they got used to it, and lived on, working as much as their strength allowed. Here
Ilyas' good nature and hospitality is exhibited.

When the guests insisted on what their happiness could be. Sham-Shemagi replied that
when they were rich, her husband and she had so many cares and could not find time
to talk to one another, or to think of their souls, or to pray to God. Then they had to
how to serve the visitors with food and gifts, otherwise they would speak ill of them.
They had to look after their laborers to get best out of them. So she felt that they
sinned in doing so. When they rich, they used to be in fear of a wolf killing of a foal or
a calf, or thieves stealing our horses. As result, they were sleepless at night, worrying
that the ewes would kill their lambs. One thing attended to, another care would spring
up. Ilyas and his wife used to disagree on many issues and then they disputed-sinning
again. Sin this way, they passed from one trouble to another, from one sin to another,
and found no happiness.

Now the Iliyas family is poor and they are working as labourers. Presently, Ilyas and
Sham-Shemagi wake in the morningand always have a loving word for one another.
They live peacefully, having nothing to quarrel about. They have no care but how best
to serve their master. They work as much as their strength allows, and do it with a
will, that their master may not lose, but profit by their work. When they come in,
dinner or supper is ready and there is kumiss to drink. They have fuel to burn when it
is cold, and they have their fur cloak. Now they have time to talk, time to think of their
souls, and time to pray. For fifty years, they sought happiness, but only now they
found it, at last.

In this way, Ilyas and wife spend a life of poverty, rags to riches and then digrace.
However they find their happiness even in povery. The story is about a man who
experience both affluence and abject poverty and through their experience, Ilyas and
his wife Sham-Shemagi are able to discover exactly where their happiness lies.

2. Write a character sketch of Ilyás, citing evidence from the text to justify your
answer.

Ans:- Ilyás is a short story by Leo Tolstoy written in 1885. It is the story of the farmer,
Ilyas, who grew up successful but loses his fortune through mistake, in the end only
finding peace without having property. It is a tale of contrasting opulence' (prosperity)
with happiness. Leo Tolstoy depicts beautifully the character of Ilyas, the protagonist
of the story, along with his wife Sham-Shemagi.

Page 29 of 32
The story begins with the early life of a man from Bashkir community in the Central
Asian province Government of Oufa, His name is named Ilyás. His father died leaving
no property. By the time, Ilyas got married to Sham-Shemagi. He then had only seven
mares, two cows, and about a score of sheep. Though Ilyas was not rich, he was a
good manager. He and his wife worked day in and day out and their property
increased over the years. At the end of thirty-five years he had 200 horses, 150 head of
cattle, and 1,200 sheep Ilyas had to hire laborers to tend his flocks and herds, and hire
women to milk his mares and cows, and to makekumiss, butter and cheese. Ilyás had
abundance of everything, and everyone in the district envied him. They said of him:
Ilyás is a fortunate man: he has plenty of everything. This world must be a pleasant
place for him."

When Ilyas became rich, the people of position sought his friendship, and visitors
came to him from afar. The Ilyas family welcomed every one and gave them food and
drinks and served them with kumiss, tea, sherbet, and mutton by killing one or two
sheep or a mare for them.

Regarding family, Ilyás had three children: two sons and a daughter, and he married
them all off. While he was poor, his sons worked with him, and looked after the flocks
and herds themselves. However, when he grew rich they got spoiled; one of them took
to drink, the eldest was killed in a brawl; and the younger, who had married a self-
willed woman, ceased to obey his father. As result, they could not live together any
more.

The fortunes of the Ilyas family diminished slowly due to many reasons. As part of the
division, llyás gave his son a house and some of the cattle; a disease broke out among
Ilyás's sheep, and many died; a bad harvest, the hay crop failed; and many cattle died
that winter. Further, the Kirghiz captured his best herd of horses. Now Ilyas was not
only poor but also old. Now he was seventy years old, he had begun to sell his furs,
carpets, saddles, and tents. Before he knew how it had happened, he had lost
everything, and in their old age he and his wife had to go into service. Ilyásand Sham-
Shemagihad nothing left and there was no one to help the old couple.

However, Muhammad-Shah, their neighbor, took pity on them. Muhammad-Shah was

neither rich nor poor, but lived comfortably, and was a good man. He remembered
Ilyás's hospitality, and pitying him and invited them to live with him as labourers.
Ilyás thanked his neighbor, and he and his wife took service with Muhammad-Shah as
laborers. In summer they worked in Muhammad-Shah's melon-garden and in winter
they fed his cattle. Sham-Shemagi would milk his mares and make kumiss. In return,
Muhammad- Shah would feed and clothe the old couple. Initially it was hard for them,
but they got used to it, and lived on, working as much as their strength allowed.

As time passed, Muhammad-Shah was very happy to keep the Ilyas with him due to
their experience as masters knowing how to manage things. Moreover, they were not
lazy, but did all the work they could. However, Muhammad-Shah was ad to see them
falling from such a high position.
Page 30 of 32
One day, some of Muhammad-Shah's relatives came from a great distance to visit him,
and a Mullah came too. While the guests were taking rest, Muhammad-Shah, seeing
Ilyas passing the door, started telling the guests about Ilyas previous opulent life. The
guests said that they had heard of him and prosperity. Muhammad-Shah told that now
Ilyas had nothing left and he and his wife were living with him as his laborers. llyás
entered with his wife, and after exchanging greetings with his master and the guests. A
cup of kumiss was handed to Ilyás; he wished the guests and his master good health,
bowed, drank a little, and put down the cup. Then one of the guests asks Ilyas, 'I
suppose you feel rather sad at the sight of us. It must remind you of your former
prosperity, and of your present sorrows. 'Ilyás smiled, and said: 'If I were to tell you
what is happiness and what is misfortune, you would not believe me. You had better
ask my wife. She is a woman, and what is in her heart is on her tongue. She will tell
you the whole truth.' Here the character of Ilyas is exhibited. He is humble, and
respectful to other. He is also pious and his relationship with his wife is strong.

Now the Iliyas family is poor and they are working as labourers. Presently, Ilyas and
Sham-Shemagi wake in the morning and always have a loving word for one another.
They live peacefully, having nothing to quarrel about. They have no care but how best
to serve their master. They work as much as their strength allows, and do it with a
will, that their master may not lose, but profit by their work. When they come in,
dinner or supper is ready and there is kumiss to drink. They have fuel to burn when it
is cold, and they have their fur cloak. Now they have time to talk, time to think of their
souls, and time to pray. For fifty years, they sought happiness, but only now they
found it, at last.

Having heard to Sham-Shemagi, the guests laughed. However, Ilyás told them "Do not
laugh, friends. It is not a matter for jesting-it is the truth of life". He continued that
they also were foolish at first, and wept at the loss of their wealth, and believed that
now God had shown them the truth. Hence they would like to tell it, not for their own
consolation, but for the good of the guest. Then the Mullah (guest) said: "That is a
wise speech. Ilyás has spoken the exact truth. The same is said in Holy Writ. And the
guests stopped laughing and became thoughtful. It means that Ilyas though highly
educated, leads the life of simplicity. Instead of cursing misfortune, he leads such a
simple life.

The story is about a man who experience both affluence and abject poverty and
through their experience, Ilyas and his wife Sham-Shemagi are able to discover
exactly where their happiness lies. The life of Ilyas is inspiring and is worth
emulating.

3. 'Do not laugh, friends. It is not a matter for jesting-it is the truth of life!'

(a) Who says this to whom?

(b) Why were the listeners laughing?
(c) What 'truth of life' is the speaker referring to?
Page 31 of 32
Ans:- Having lost all the hard-earned property, Ilyas and his wife Sham-Shemagi join
as labourers at his neighbor Muhammad-Shaw's house. Presently, Ilyas and Sham-
Shemagi wake in the morning and always have a loving word for one another. They
live peacefully, having nothing to quarrel about. They have no care but how best to
serve their master. They work as much as their strength allows, and do it with a will,
that their master may not lose, but profit by their work. When they come in, dinner or
supper is ready and there is kumiss to drink. They have fuel to burn when it is cold,
and they have their fur cloak. Now they have time to talk, time to think of their souls,
and time to pray. For fifty years, they sought happiness, but only now they found it, at
last.

Having heard to Sham-Shemagi, the guests laughed. However, Ilyas told the guests
"Do not laugh, friends. It is not a matter for jesting-it is the truth of life". He continued
that when they lost everything and started working as labourers, theytoo felt foolish at
first, and wept at the loss of their wealth, and believed that now God had shown them
the truth. Hence they would like to tell it, not for their own consolation, but for the
good of the others. Then the Mullah (guest) said: "That is a wise speech. Ilyás has
spoken the exact truth. The same is said in Holy Writ.'And the guests stopped laughing
and became thoughtful. Here the truth is that life is full of ups and downs and only
prosperity and money does not give happiness since the rich possessions and position
have their own burdens.

The story is about a man who experience both affluence and abject poverty and
through their experience, Ilyas and his wife Sham-Shemagi are able to discover
exactly where their happiness lies.

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