Jr. Inter - English - Non-detailed - 5. The Informer

 5. The Informer

Bertolt Brecht

Questions & Answers

1.Is the title “The Informer’ appropriate ? (Or) Give an account of the parents’ reactions to the boy’s disappearance from the house?

The play ‘The Informer was written by Bertolt Brecht a German play wright. It is a one act play written and produced as an anti-Nazi play. The circumstances at the time of the rule of Hitler, were frightening. All the people were very much afraid of the Gestapo or the government officials. The despotic rule had informers at every level. Mr and Mrs Klimbtsch were very cautions about their behaviour. That day they were engaged in a dialogue. It was tense. When there was a phone call, they did not attend to it of their own. Their maid was asked to answer. They were afraid of the police.

Husband was a school teacher and he was in anxiety. Their dialogue extended over trivial matters. They inspect some informer coming to their house. One complains that the other was intention and the other the same. Meanwhile their boy, left the house after getting some money for the mother. The couple was in heated discussion but it was about very small things. The man was anxious because there was rain outside.

Their dialogue turned towards the boy they talked of him and his future. Mother was more anxious in this affair. Both were suspecting his friendship with the Gestapo. Their dialogue extended towards the mistakes if any committed against the government even by means of complaining before others. The father’s duty as a teacher was completely good and there was no lapse. They can think that they are safe. But at this juncture a phone call came and again tension prevailed.

After some time the door was tapped. Both were at their wits’ends. They suspect an informer coming to them. They stood at a corner. The door was opened and the boy surprised them entering into the house having chacolates in his hands. He bought them with the money given by his mother. Tense was eased but the boy was not an informer. The fear of an informer prevailed in the house there also. Thus the title is appropriate.

Jr. Inter - English - Non-detailed - 4. Will He Come Home?

 4. Will He Come Home?

P Satyavathi

Questions & Answers

1. Why did Vijaya panic ? Describe her reaction and anxiety about the missing of her son who had not returned home from college ?
(Or)
2/ How did the people in olden days show concern for social values ? Explain in the light of the short story Will he come home’.

P. Satyavathi is a noted Telugu writer. She produced a lot of Telugu stories and got reputation with her prize winners stories. Her stories go round the lives of women and are very interesting with humour and anxiety. The story is translated into English by Y. Padmavathi.

Modern changes in life style have brought a lot of changes in thinking. Invention of Television, made a notable change in our daily life. Women sit before this small machine hours together and are accustomed to follow the stories, serials and other programmes. They include horror, envy, revenge and so on. Women are habituated to think about these serials and are anxious to know the conclusion. Savitramma is the grandmother of Vijaya. Vijaya’s son is studying B.Tech. One day the boy did not return home, after the college hours.

Vijaya’s anxiety grew hour by hour. She had watched many episodes on the screen of the T.V. There were many stories running in her mind. Accidents while riding a motorbike, Laptop snatching by robbers and ultimate fighting, comments on the girl friend at a birthday party, and ultimate death in the river fighting while swimming, cricket betting problems and several other incidents come into her mind. She was helpless. It was late in the night and the boy had not turned up. She did not take food not even a glass of water. The grandmother was trying to comfort her. The mother was in panic.

Vijaya was thinking in the negative side only. Her mind was fully dumped with similar events exhibited on the screen of the T.V. The grandmother was remembering similar experiences in her life and was trying to bring some solace. Vijaya was recollecting the occasions in which she suggested the boy not to go in for anybody’s rescue. This idea was not acceptable to grandmother. She said that there should be compassion in one’s life. They were anxious but the boy did not come, even the next morning. The author did not tell about the boy’s return. It is not known whether the boy will come or not.

Jr. Inter - English - Non-detailed - 3. The Immaculate Child - Premchand

 3. The Immaculate Child

Prem Chand

Questions & Answers

1.Sketch the character of Gangu?

The father of the immaculate child is Gangu. The story was written by Premchand and was translated by P.C. Ghai.

Gangu was one of the servants at the house of the narrator of the story. He was a brahmin by birth and was egoistic of his caste. He was quite innocent in his deeds. He thinks that he should be honoured by the other servants. Oneday when he came before the owner, he was scolded for his behaviour, Gangu was so conscious towards his position and said politely that he wanted to quit the job.

He told the decision of marrying a widow to the master in a polite manner. He was rigid in his decision. The advice of the master was not cared for. He did not care whether she was married three times or whether her character was good or not. He simply was lured by her beauty. At times he thought that she was cleverer than him. She found a godless in her. He was very happy that she maintained the family in a planned manner.

Gangu did not find fault with Gomti, when she ran away after 6 months of married life with him. He supported her and spoke infavour of her. His master’s views were denied. He did not feel unhappy eventhough she had given birth to a child after six months of stay with him. He went to the hospital and brought her to his house. His mind was with broad views. He thought that all the behaviour of his wife was because of the circumstances. His behaviour was so great that he accepted her and the child was taken to be a sweet result of their married life. He thought that he was his own child. The behaviour praised by one and all. The master praised him.

2. Justify the title of the story “The Immaculate Child”.

The story “The Immaculate Child was written by Premchand a noted Hindi Writer and was translated by P.C. Ghai into English. Premchand produced a lot of literature in Hindi. Ghai was famous for his translation of short stories and also for the poetry he produced. ‘Immaculate Child’ is a story depicting the mind of Indian people.

The narrator had a big house and the house had some servants. Gangu was an innocent brahmin who worked as a servant in that house. He had his own caste interest and tried to show his superiority as a brahmin. He wanted to keep up the dignity of his caste. One day Gangu came to the narrator and said that he was going to resign his job. He said that he was going to marry Gomti, a widow expelled from widows Ashram. She was a woman who has forsaken three men.

The narrator, adviced him not to marry that women but the innocent man submitted his argument in favour of the woman. Gangu left the job and married Gomti Devi. He earned his daily bread by selling chat at public faces. He seemed to be happy with this wife. After six months, Gomti left Gangu and fled away. The narrator felt happy as it happened as he wished.

When he met Gangu, he said that she had left him. But to his surprise Gangu said that she was a loving lady. He also said that he was in search of her to bring her back.

After one month Gangu came to the house of the narrator with a child in his arms. He was very happy. He said that she was traced at a hospital in Lucknow. She had a baby and he. brought it to show him. She gave birth to a son after six months of the marriage. But Gangu accepted the boy to be his own son. Gangu’s broad mind and his fair behaviour brought an immediate change in the mind of the narrator. He took the immaculate child into his arms. He praised Gangu. He himself went to the house of Gangu. He said that the immaculate child shows the greatness of an illiterate individual and his transparency.

Jr. Inter - English - Non-detailed - 2. The Last Leaf - O Henry

2. The Last Leaf

O Henry

Questions & Answers

1. How is ‘The Last Leaf” by O. Henry a story of hope, friendship and sacrifice ?
(Or)
2. Justify the statement “A diseased mind is even more harmful than the actual disease itself” with reference to O. Henry’s The Last Leaf.

O. Henry was an American short story writer. His stories have the ironic endings. They belong to the American common man of the 20th century. The story Last Leaf is with affection, sacrifice and friendship.

Johnsy and Sue were artists maintaining a studio in Newyork. Those days Johnsy was with pneumonia and she was afraid of the disease. She believed that the disease would take her life. Sue was hopeful of her friend’s survival. She was taking care of her. While drawing pictures she took old Mr. Behrman as her model paint. He was a drunkard but wanted to become a noted painter. He used to say that he would great a master piece. But everytime he failed because of his habit and health.

That day Sue told Behrman about the illhealth of Johnsy and her fear. Johnsy was looking through the window. She could see an old vine creeper on the other wall. The leaves of the plant were falling down and so she thought that her days were also being counted. It was her firm opinion that she would die as the last leaf falls down. Behrman come to know this from Sue. He could not accept the notion of Johnsy.

That night there was one leaf and Johnsy said that the last leaf would fall down by the next morning and that she would also die. Sue said that it was wrong. The doctor visited and said that Johnsy was completely alright. The last leaf did not fall down. It was hanging over there. She had some courage. The doctor said that Behrman was dead. Sue explained that Behrman painted the picture of the leaf on the wall and it saved her life. The last leaf was Behrman’s master piece. Behrman sacrificed his life painting the leaf in wind and the rain9. His leaf saved Johnsy and thus it became a master piece.

Jr. Inter - English - Non-detailed - 1. Engine Trouble - R K Narayan

 1. Engine Trouble

R K Narayan

Questions & Answers

1. Give an account of the series of troubles the narrator experienced in the wake of winning a road engine.

 (or)

2. The narrator said “Nature came to my rescue in an unexpected manner”. How did nature help the narrator get rid of his troubles ?

Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayan was an Indo-Anglian writer. He wrote novels and short stories and got a great fame in the whole world. ‘Engine Trouble’ is an interesting short story.

The narrator won a road engine in a lottery, for a ticket purchased for two annas. He was happy that he got a big road engine which would bring him great fortune. The engine was at the Gymkhana grounds and it has to be moved from that place. The Municipal authorities urged him to shift it. He paid rent for three months but it was burdensome for him and his family. He wanted to sell it. Nobody came forward to buy it.

The narrator firmly believed that one day it would make him rich. He requested some of the drivers to drive the engine but of no use. There was a bargain with the secretary of a local club. The Municipal Chairman also expressed his helplessness. The temple priest accepted to send the temple elephant to drag it. Fifty coolies at the rate of eight annas a day (half a rupee) got ready to push the engine from behind. The road engine had to be moved for half a furlong from the place.

The elephant was dragging the engine, the coolies were pushing from behind, and Joseph the driver was in the driver’s seat. A huge crowd gathered there. As a result of confused dragging by the elephant, the driver Joseph and coolies in their own way. The engine went straight to the opposite wall and smashed it. The difficulties of the narrator were multiplied.

The dynamic world showed a way out. To his luck, a Swamiji arranged a yoga feat. He said that he would be ready to have the engine over his chest. But he needed a road engine and asked Municipal Chairmen for it. He didn’t have it. Then the narrator said that he had it. Are everything was ready to move the engine. The Swamiji’s assistant would drive the engine. Suddenly at this moment, a police officer came and stopped the show, there was no other go, for the narrator except to leave the town.

Luckily for him an earthquake hit the area. There was much damage. Even the big Road Engine was moved into a disused well nearby. The owner of the house was very happy. The municipal authorities asked him to close it down. The engine fitted well like a cork. The owner accepted to construct the compound wall himself and also promised to pay all the expenditure, he had in that affair. When luck plucks, no one checks. Loss to many by the : earthquake, became a gain to the narrator.

Jr. Inter - English - Poem - 5. To a Student - Kamala Wijeratne

5. To a Student

Kamala Wijeratne

Questions & Answers

1. Why does the poet, Kamala Wijeratne want us to make a medicine with herbs to cure mass lunacy?

Kamala Wijeratne a poet from ceylon wrote her views on peace and harmony. She is a noted poet giving powerful message1, through this poem “To A Student”. According to the poet, this world is filled with hatred and bloodshed. Everywhere we find ethnic scenes. Pieces of human flesh, splinters2 of bones, bursts of landmines and other frightening3 spots appear on the streets. These ills should be rooted out. The student is afraid of the circumstances and so he is not in a position, at least to look at the face of his teacher or he cannot listen to the peace message. So this sort4 of disease has to be cured. The poet wants to have a herbal5 medicine to cure this lunatic6 atmosphere. The medicine of herbs is a traditional one but it roots7 out the disease. So, powerful measures to curb8 this ethnic event should be taken. They should think about the experiences of Ilion. Carthage and Hiroshima. This Is a message for peaceful living.

2. Briefly explain the theme of the poem “To a Student”.

Kamala Wijeratne a poet from Ceylon wrote her views on peace and harmony1. She is a noted poet giving powerful message through this poem “To A Student”. According to the poet, this world is filled with hatred2 and bloodshed3. According to the poet, the student is not able to look at her face. He cannot listen to the advice. It happens become the students mind is filled with fear and anxiety4. There we find bloodshed, splinters of bones, bursts of land mines and other frightening things everywhere. Only the news of war and hatred is heard. The student is tired5 of this heavy atmosphere. The poet advices the student to think for a while. She asks him to look at the bright future, if all this ethnic6 atmosphere is destroyed. A peaceful atmosphere will exist. The dreadening7 circumstances after the wars of Ilion, Carthage or Hiroshima should not be repeated. So, the student should be treated properly from the contagions8 disease of unrest9 and war. Thus the poem suggests a valuable idea to the future generations10.

Annotations

1. I know why your eyes leap away/When they meet mine,/Why they quickly stray/From their quiet contact.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem To A Student’ written by Kamala Wijeratne. In this poem the poet gives a message to the youth. This world is filled with hatred and bloodshed. A student should understand the real atmosphere and try to pursue peace and hormony.

Explanation: In these lines, the poet expresses her worry at the students attitude. He could not look straightly into the eyes of the teacher. His ears have been filled with the news of bloodshed and hatred. So the student is afraid of the statement of the teacher. News of dangerous incidents, ethnic conditions, landmines, explosions, splinters of bones is heard by the student. So, the poet thinks it correct for the student to turn away his eyes and ears to the advice of the teacher. The poet fights against the day to day cruel events.

General relevance: The poet’s view that it is correct for the student to be a verse to any of the advice given by a teacher, seems to be correct. The anguish in the mind of the poet about the pitiable condition of the students is clearly shown in these lines.

2. Fragments of splintered bones,/Shreds of olive green;/The roads spewing human blood./My ears echo bursts of landmines./(I tremble for men of kindred blood)

Context: These lines are taken from the poem “To A Student’ written by Kamala Wijeratne. In this poem the poet gives a message to the youth. This world is filled with hatred and bloodshed. A student should understand the real atmosphere and should try to pursue peace and hormony.

Explanation: In these lines the cause for the anguish of the poet is explained. Everywhere in the world hatred and bloodshed are seen. There are wars and hateful quarrels. The roads are with blood everywhere. Splinters of bones are spread at every place. Landmines are burst and lives of innocent people are at a stake. Pieces of human flesh are seen spread over the roads. Racial war is experienced. Thus the serious incidents make the youth frightened at every moment. The student is awefully afraid of the things and so he cannot concentrate on education.

General relevance: The ethnic experience at each level in the day to day life, has made the student quite disturbed. He hears the news of bomb explosions, deaths, bloodshed, so he cannot listen to the teacher peacefully. The poet hates the situation.

3. But why can’t your irises lock with mine?’/Our ears stop all unkind sound ?/Let us shake off these brand names/And search for a herb that heals,/Make a poultice to cure mass lunacy

Context: These lines are taken from the poem ‘To A Student’ written by Kamala Wijeratne. In this poem the poet gives a message to the youth. This word is filled with hatred and bloodshed. A student should understand the real atmosphere and should try to pursue peace and hormony.

Explanation: After explaining all the practical things available in the society, the poet turns to the student and asks these questions. The iris of the teacher and that of the student should unite, as the lesson is being given. The ears have to listen carefully to the words spoken by the teacher. There should be no disturbance. To achieve this supreme status, the student should forget all the ethnic2 atmosphere around. He should forget all about hatred and bloodshed. He should have a healing3 for the illness. The disease is the news of war, bomb explosions4, killings and others. It could be healed5 with the herbal medicine of peaceful life. The lunacy of fights, struggles and wars should be cured6 with the right medicine.

General relevance: When youth understands the real circumstances, it would advance7 to set them right. The disease of selfishness and egoism8 should go and peace and harmony should cure the lunacy.

4. Leave behind Ilion and Carthage to antiquee dealers,/And plan fresh method to stop Hiroshimas.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem ‘To A Student’ written by Kamala Wijeratne. In this poem the poet gives a message to the youth. This word is filled with hatred and bloodshed. A student should understand the real atmosphere and should try to purşue peace and hormony.

Explanation: In the concluding lines the poet points out the destruction experienced at the wars of Ilion and Carthage. The awesome1 killings of Hiroshima are also remembered. It is the great desire of the poet, to stop this destruction. The hatred and war experienced in the world was because of the lunatic2 dealings of the people. One race rises against the other. One warrior fights against the other warrior to show his supremacy3 over him. The people of Hiroshima were at a stake for the worst ambition of the enemy. So the poet shows a way out. We should think of new ways and means to get peace in the world.

General relevance: History teaches lessons. Sometimes it repeats4 to hit the people in a worst way. So people should learn lesson from the previous incidents of history and try to establish peaceful terms for the good of the society.

Reading Comprehensions

I. Read the following passage given below and answer the questions.

Betrand Russell appeals to all concerned as a human being, a member of the species man, whose continued existence is in doubt. A war with the hydrogen bombs put an end to the human race. In his view, it seems that the ‘general public’ have not realised the real impact of a war with atomic bombs. A hydrogen bomb is 25,000 times as powerful as that which destroyed Hiroshima. So the stark, dreadful and inescapable problem before us is whether we shall put an end to the human race or if we shall give up wars. He explains in great detail the role of ordinary people in the peace process and requests the ‘general public’ to be remove aware and assertive so that the fate of the nations need not be decided by despotic leaders alone.

Now answer the questions

1. According to Bertrand Russel, What puts an end to the human race ?

The hydrogen bomb.

2. Who have not realised the real impact of a war with atomic bombs ?

The General public.

3. Who does Bertrand request to be move aware and assertive ?

Ordinary people, the general public.

4.Antonym for ‘despotic’ is _____

Democratic.

5. How many times is Hydrogen bomb as powerful as that which destroyed Hiroshima ?

25,000 times.

II. Read the following passage and answer the following questions.

Throughout the 1700’s and 1800’s continual rebellion occurred as the Indian people tried to drive the British out. The British government took control of the East India Company after a large rebellion in 1857. Conditions for the sepoys, Indian soldiers in the British army, caused unrest among them. They had lower pay than the Indians of the upper caste and saw discrimination in matters of privilege and promotion by the British officers. The situation which finally pushed the soldiers to rebel was that tallow from cows and lard from pigs were put into the gun cartridges. The soldiers had to bite off the tallow or wax before putting them into their rifles. This offended both Muslims and Hindus for religious reasons. Mangal Pandy, a 29-year-old sepoy played a key role in Sepoy mutiny. He urged the other sepoys to revolt against the British. Most of these rebels were defeated by spring, 1859 However, the revolt brought about great changes in relations between India and Britain.

Now answer the questions

1. Who took control of East India Company after the rebellion in 1857 ?

The British Government.

2.According to the passage, what does the word ‘sepoy’ mean ?

Sepoy means Indian soldiers in the British Army.

3. Who played a key role in sepoy mutiny ?

Mangal Pandy, a 29 year old sepoy.

4. Which brought changes in relationship between India and British ?

The revolt against the British.

5.What is the antonym for the word, ‘rebel’ ?

accept.

Summary in English

‘Kamala Wijeratne’ is a poet of Sri Lanka. She produced a lot of literature pertaining to peace and harmony. Her pathetic voice about the victims of war and conflicts is heart rendering. She hates the racial4 war between the Simhalese and the Tamils. Here in this poem she talks about the fateful consequences of these struggles and wars.

In the beginning the poet addresses the students to think about the happenings in the society. The student is afraid of the events. He cannot look at the real experience. He cannot hear the message. He cannot look at the teacher’s eyes because his mind is filled with the pathetic situations. There is the sound of the guns in the battlefield, resounding. The boy can see only the ethnic scenes. Bloodshed, pieces of human flesh, splinters of bones, bursts of landmines and other frightening spots, appear in his eyes. So, the student world is not ready to look at the teacher, straightly.

Now, the poet wants to advise the student to understand the things. This fearful atmosphere should vanish. There should be some sort of cure for this dangerous disease. The experience of Ilion or carthage should not be repeated. We should learn a lesson from the Hiroshima Bomb explosion. A new world of peace has to emerge. The eyes of the teacher and those the student should unite and look forward for a world which respects humanity. Violence should be hated. Thus, the world could become a place of peace.

Jr. Inter - English - Poem - 4. Body - K. Sivareddy

 4. Body

K Siva Reddy

Questions & Answers

1. Why does the poet call the body “a breathing corpse”?

K. Siva Reddy a poet in Telugu literature produces a number of books and got fame. His poem ‘Body’ is translated into English by M. Sudhir and Alladi Uma. The body and its – existence is described in a varied way. A Body is potentially strong and it has words to make it lively.

The body is capable to do any sort of deeds. A body is not simply a biological organism but it has got an identify of its own. When the body is alive it is like a corpse with breath. We close the eyes but we can imagine the movements with the help of the sounds. Just like the ships floating on the oceans, body floats on views. It breaths and there are struggles, tears, was sounds and others through the spears of words. Body aims at independence. He invites people to come near the body and listen to its sounds. If anybody touches the body, it electrifies the other person with the powers in the body. Thus a corpse with breathing is the body with activity.

2. I found a word and carefully placed it next to another. “Soon I had a bridge and a pathway to a wonderful future”. Tim Hollingworth.

K. Sivareddy, a poet in Telugu Literature produced a number of books and got fame. His poem ‘Body’ was translated into English by M. Sridhar and Alladi Uma. The body and its existence is described in a varied way. A body is potentially strong and it has words to make it lively. Here the statement given by Hollingworth is an important topic for study. The statement says that the future is built upon the bridge of words. When we speak certain words meaningfully, they help us, develop our personality. Words are like arrows to shoot at. Words float on views just like the boats on rivers. Through soft words, friendship is created. Through words the character of an individual is created and through. An individual the words are also created. Body is always on heat and it is maintained by the heat of words. Thus words make this world lively and the body revolves round the words.

3. Explain the power of words according to the poet in the poem “Body”.

K. Sivareddy, a poet, in Telugu literature produced a number of books and got fame. His poem ‘Body’ was translated into English by M. Sridhar and Alladi Uma. The body and its existence is described in a varied way. A body is potentially strong and it has words to make it lively. Body is like a War Ship. It is strong and proves itself to be lively by means of the usage of words. There are words useful for struggles, tears and wars. The body is like a fertile field, giving powerful store of words. The words coming from a womb strike the massive ocean and brings a change in the atmosphere. Some words are like arrows aimed at the opponent. Just like the continuous fire in a forest, the body is always hot and it is maintained by the heat of words. The sound of a word roars from the pen. Thus, words are the most activating agencies of the body. The body ignites other bodies, when they come closer and this is also possible because of the usage of words.

Annotations

1. A breathing corpse does decompose – It floats amidst words like a boat, like a ship on the high seas.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem ‘Body’ written by K. SivaReddy and translated into English by M. Sridhar and Alladi Uma. The poem is an interesting description of a human body and the potentiality of words. Body is not simply a physical organism but also a potential entity for life.

Explanation: The poet describes the body as a powerful weapon for life. The living body is always active and alive. A corpse having breath in it has a strange capacity. It is not spoiled. Just like the ships on the oceans, it travels on the path of views. Words are created in the body and the body is created by the words. Some words are powerful and shoot at others powerfully. Thus a corpse does not decay but keeps its lively effect on the society.

General relevance: Human body is powerful. It have great potentiality’. The words are used as weapons. Body uses all its amenities, at all times.

2. My body fertilizes like a field/becomes a fundamental element.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem ‘Body’ written by K. SivaReddy and translated into English by M. Sridhar and Alladi Uma. The poem is an interesting description of a human body and the potentiality of words. Body is not simply a physical organism but also a potential entity for life.

Explanation: While describing the potentiality of a body the poet touches different qualities giving good comparisons. Here, the body is capable of imagining various things, it is not decaying and there are words enabling it to quarrel or fight. These words are like arrows at certain times. The body is compared to a field. Just like the land being fertilized, whenever the occasion comes, the body is strengthened and prepared for the next activity. The body does not decay or does not become weak because it gets its strength from words which are powerful. It is ready to ignite others.

General relevance : The poet suggests a great recognition to the body. It does not decay nor it does become weak, Whenever there is an opportunity, the body shall rejuvenate itself and becomes a recognised element.

3. The word from my womb lashes like sea waves/Encompasses like the sky and brings down showers like a cloud.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem ‘Body’ written by K. SivaReddy and translated into English by M. Sridhar and Alladi Uma. The poem is an interesting description of a human body and the potentiality of words. Body is not simply a physical organism but also a potential entity for life.

Explanation: The poet compares the body to various things and situations. The body is capable of imagining the occasions eventhough the eyes are closed. Words like arrows come out of the body and fight against the opponent. The wind touches the body and makes it alive with activity. The words from the womb rise and reach the heights to make them fruitful. Just like the cool breeze, making the clouds formed, the words which come from the womb give showers of happiness to the individual. The body with its powerful capacity touches the other bodies and electrify them. Thus the words released from the body, are creating a new atmosphere useful for the future.

General relevance: It is the great imagination of the poet, that made him lively to important qualities of the body. The words coming out of the body, create a peaceful atmosphere to the body.

4. The body bears word – fruits/Sends out word – arrows.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem ‘Body’ written by K. SivaReddy and translated into English by M. Sridhar and Alladi Uma. The poem is an interesting description of a human body and the potentiality of words. Body is not simply a physical organism but also a potential entity for life.

Explanation: The poet gives a vivid description of how a body is there in the life of an individual. He tells that it is not simply a biological organism but it is lively with all sorts of activity. Words come out of the body and the body is a combination of such words. Body uses the words as arrows and weapons. Similarly it uses the words with great affection and love. These words are like fruits of a tree. While the words are useful to suppress the opponent, they are equally useful for pleasant atmosphere. Here they are taken as sweet fruits. The body of an individual is the root cause for good or bad in the life. So, the comparison of the words as arrows and fruits, is quite suitable.

General relevance: The poet’s imagination is quite praise worthy. He says that the body is an active entity to make the life peaceful and fruitful. So the poet thinks of both happy and unhappy occasions here in these lines.

Reading Comprehensions

I. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:

Gary Chapman in his book, Love as a Way of Life uses the vivid metaphor for words as being either ‘bullets or seeds’. If we use our words as bullets with a feeling of superiority and condemnation, we are not going to be able to restore a relationship to love. If we use our words as seeds with a feeling of supportiveness and sincere good will, we can rebuild a relationship in positive and life-affirming ways.

When we need to talk candidly about something difficult with another person, we must focus on the conversation with keen attention and purpose. During the conversation, we must listen patiently, speak tactfully, and tell the truth as we understand it. We must align our words, voice inflection and tone, eye expression, body language, and actions with our | inner awareness in an honest exchange.

Now answer the questions

1. What is the title of the book written by Gary Chapman ?

Love, as a way of Life. 

2. How does the writer describe words ?

Bullets or seeds.

3. How can we rebuild a relationship in positive and life-affirming ways ?

If we use our words as seeds with a feeling of supportiveness and sincere good will.

4. What is the noun form of the word ‘patiently’ ?

Patience.

5. Find a word in the passage which means the same as the word ‘frankly’ ?

Candidly.

II. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

There are three stages in meditation. The first is what is called [Dharana), concentrating the mind upon an object. I try to concentrate my mind upon this glass, excluding every other object from my mind except this glass. But the mind is wavering …. When it has become strong and does not waver so much, it is called (Dhyana), meditation. And then there is a still higher state when the differentiation between the glass and myself is lost – [Samadhi or absorption). The mind and the glass are identical. I do not see any difference. All the senses stop and all powers that have been working through other channels of other senses [are focused in the mind). Then this glass is under the power of the mind entirely. This is to be realized. It is a tremendous play played by the Yogis. (From Swami Vivekananda’s lecture Meditation)

Now answer the questions

1. What are the three stages in meditation ?

Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi or absorption.

2. What happens to mind in Dhynana stage ?

The mind does not waver so much.

3.Which object does the writer select in the passage for concentration of mind ?

glass.

4.What is the verb form of the word ‘meditation’ ?

meditate.

5. Find a word in the passage which means the opposite of the word ‘different’ ?

identical.

Summary in English

K. Sivareddy is a poet in Telugu. M. Sridhar and Alladi Uma translated the poem ‘Body’ into English. Sivareddy was famous for the literature, he produced, in Telugu. ‘Body’ is a poem which describes it to be a powerful identity. It is the powerful thing given to a human being. The body is potentially strong with words.

The body of a person is capable to do any sort of deed. When we close our eyes, we can’t see but we can experience many things. All kinds of sounds could be heard and the actions could be guessed, words make this body most useful. Boat goes over the river water and ships sail on the seas. They are like the words floating on the views. The breath is like a word for the narrator.

Words coming from the body are useful for all struggles, tears and wars. Body is like a warship having the arms of words. Man is made through words and the same man will produce words. Body craves for independence. Words as fruits and words as arrows are used by the body.

Body is powerful and active. The poet asks us to touch the body and get inspiration from it. A body with closed eyes is not a corpse. It is like a worship in silent mode. A body has been growing with history. Body is a watchful hound and it tries to have independence. There are arrows from the body and roars from the pen. The body is always hot just like continuous fire in a forest.

Finally the poet says that his body inspires others if they touch it. There is such an electric movement in the body. We should be inspired towards higher goals.

Jr. Inter - English - Poem - 3. As I Grew Older - Langston Hughes

 3. As I Grew Older

Langston Hughes

Questions & Answers

1. “Hold fast to dreams, for when dreams go, Life is a barren field frozen with snow”. How did Langston Hughes hold fast to his saying’ as he grew older ?

Langston Hughes was an African American poet. His literature is filled with the problems of the black people in America. Here in the poem” As I Grew Older’ he expresses his agony towards the life of the black people. In his childhood, the poet did not know the problems of life and so he had a dream of his own. As he grew older, he was aware of the wall of race standing before him. But he was steady in his trials, to make the dream true. It is true that one has to hold fast the dreams. It they are gone, life is but frozen. The poet knew this and he wanted to pursue his ambition. There was darkness around. He could not enter the brightness of the Sun, it he could not break the wall of race. So he tried to throw away the obstacle and get the light of a thousand Suns. A number of dreams were realised by him and his life became fruitful.” Everyone must have a dream in life and must try to fulfill it.

2. What is the theme of the poem “As I Grew Older” ?

Langston Hughes wrote the poem ‘As I Grew Older’. He was an African American poet. He produced a lot of literature. His literature is filled with the problems of the black people in America. ‘As I Grew Older, is an aspiration of this poet for his dream.

In the former days, the poet could not understand the problems around. As days pass by, things started to come before him. A big wall had grown between himself and his dream. It was the obstacle of race discrimination. The darkness of this wall, threw him into the shadow. Beyond the wall there was the bright light of the Sun. He wanted to break down the wall. The barrier of his race discrimination was so powerful that he could not easily do away with it. But in the heart of hearts, he had a belief. Without a dream, life is worthless, without achieving the dream, one could not survive in the world. The poet used powerful language to break the evil of the society. He wanted to smash the wall into pieces. He thought that his effort would give him spiritual strength. He wanted to prove it through his efforts.Thus the poet presented a poem, which enthused the reader-towards superior ambitions. His dream was realised.

Annotations

1. It was a long time ago. I have almost forgotten my dream. In front of me ……. / Bright like a Sun – My dream.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem “As I Grew Older” written by the Black Poet Langston Hughes. The poem is filled with the revolting aims of the black people in America. His former views about his dream are given here.

Explanation: Here the poet pointed out how he had a dream in his earlier days. The dream at that time was most encouraging. He did not know the original circumstances around. There were many obstacles for a fairplay. The main problem was the racial discrimination. He was not aware of these real conditions. So he thought that his dream was the most valuable one. But as days passed by, there grew a great wall between himself and his dream. The innocent times of the poet were remembered by him and he laughed at himself for his ignorance.

General relevance: A dream is everybody’s right. But it could be achieved only by strenuous effort. There are impediments but one has to realise the dream fighting against the obstacles. Here the wall of race came in the way of the poet, in realising the dream.

2.And then the wall rose, Rose slowly, slowly, Between me and my dream. Rose until it touched the sky – The wall. Shadow. I am black.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem “As I Grew Older” written by the Black Poet Langston Hughes. The poem is filled with the revolting aims of the black people in America. His former views about his dream are given here.

Explanation: The poet who was a great aspirant for freedom, pointed out in the lines, the greatest obstacle, in the life of American black people. The poet had a dream in his earlier days and he did not see any problem in achieving it at that time. As days passed by the mind had ripened and the practical problems came up before him. There was a great wall of racial discrimination between the poet and his dream. It was so great a wall that its height was beyond his reach. Americans had a fascination for race and this had grown at every nook and corner of the country. There was a fierce battle over this problem. The poet had to withstand the problems. He was kept in the dark. He had to come out. But he was a black by race. Yet, the efforts from all sides of the society, the unbeaten will of the black people in America, it was smashed and the wall had no existence at all.

General relevance: The poet spoke about the facts around. He being a black man, had to fight against this discrimination. Things were favourable and the barrier was thrown away. Here the indomitable will of the poet is praise worthy.

3.To break this shadow Into a thousand lights of Sun, Into a thousand whirling dreams / of Sun !

Context: These lines are taken from the poem “As I Grew Older’ written by the Black Poet Langston Hughes. The poem is filled with the revolting aims of the black people in America. His former views about his dream are given here.

Explanation: The poet had an impediment on his way to realise his dream. It was as big as a wall touching the sky. The wall was there between the individual and his dream. The person was left in its shadow. There was no other go except to yield to the circumstances. He could not strike the wall and so he could not go into the light of the Sun. But, the person had a decisive mind. He knew that the problem was strong. But he smashed the walls of race. He broke it into pieces. There was no trace of it actually the race discrimination was thrown away from the country through the effects of great leaders like Abraham Lincoln. The poet waited patiently, put his energies into the struggle and finally got it. This the bright light of thousand suns shone over the thousand dreams of the aspirants.

General relevance: The problem was very powerful. The people suppressedి were many. But there was a great struggle. Everyone participated in it. The poet got his dream succeeded because, he had a decisive mind.

Reading Comprehensions

1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

“I say to you today, my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed. I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia sons of former slaves and sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream…. I have a dream that one day in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.” – On 28 August in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke these immortal worlds to a crowd of over 2,00,000 people who had gathered for the now historic march on Washington to demand an end to racial segregation in the USA, and for equality in jobs and civil rights.

Now answer the questions

1.What sort of discrimination did the speaker fight against ?

Racial discrimination.

2. What were his dreams ?

He had a dream that the nation will live up to the true meaning of it, the former slaves and former slave owners sit together at the table. That there should be recognition for character but not the colour of the skin.

3. The speaker used rhetorical technique of repetition in his speech. Find the phrase repeated in the passage.

‘I have a dream’.

4. Who is the speaker ?

Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.

5. Locate the word in the passage which means ‘ a person who shows discrimination against people of other races.

Racist

2. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

The architects of the Indian Republic hoped that, as secular ethos took roots, democratic institutions spread and a secular-scientific outlook consolidated itself, the Indian society would outgrow the evil of caste system. This did not happen. What has happened is that the India of our dreams began to undergo a radical re-definition. Our republican dreams are being revised. A political engineering to perpetuate caste domination has gained gradual ascendancy over the liberal-secular ideal of an egalitarian society. This has happened by default. Today there is widespread cynicism on whether or not the war against caste in winnable. Experiences spread over five decades of nation-building leave us in no doubt that the evil of caste system will not wither away, unless the war against it is joined in a tactical and practical way. Concrete measures have to be adopted and implemented; foremost among them being inter-dining and inter-marrying. (Source : THE HINDU Thursday, Dec 13, 2001)

Now answer the following questions

1. What did the architects of the Indian Republic hope ?

That the Indian society would outgrows the evil of caste system.

2. A society characterized by social equality and equal rights for all people is known as …………

Egalitarian society.

3.What are the concrete measures mentioned in the passage to curb caste system?

Inter dining and inter marrying.

4. What happened to our republican dreams ?

Began to under go a radical re-definition.

5. Write the antonym of the word ‘secular’.

‘Religious’.

Summary in English

James Mercer Langston Hughes belongs to Black poetry. He was an African American poet. His literature belongs to the black Americans who had been suffering because of race discrimination. Here in this poem, we understand the aspiration of the poet to be free from the obstacle of race.

The poet had a dream in his childhood and it was pleasant for him. He did not know that there was the black cloud, spreading over his dream. Slowly, he know that the barrier was very huge. He could not easily get the dream successful. He thought that it was his own dream because it belonged to him and to his black people. He was looking forward for the light from the Sun.

He was black in colour and so the obstacle still strengthened. The wall had to be broken. His strength had to be utilized to face the problems. Society tried to suppress him but his ambition was more powerful. He had an encouraging tone in his dialogue. He could shatter the wall between himself and his dream.

When the shadow was broken, when the darkness of the night disappeared, his heart was leaping with joy. As he grew older, his effort led him towards many dreams along with his first one. Thousand lights of the Sun, shone bright on his face. He grew older and became a successful individual. Thus the inner most values had been expressed by the poet. He grew older and became a winner.

Jr. Inter - English - Poem - 2. This is My Prayer to Thee, My Lord! - Rabindranath Tagore

2. This is My Prayer to Thee, My Lord!

Rabindranath Tagore

Questions & Answers

1. How unique is Tagore’s prayer to God ?

Rabindranath Tagore was a poet, dramatist and a philosopher. He was a Nobel laureate for the book Gitanjali. In the 36th song of Gitanjali, Tagore submits himself to God. He prays to God to help him by means of striking at the depths of his heart. This prayer is aimed at getting the strength to serve the poor. His thoughts should be at the higher level. He should submit himself to God wholeheartedly. Thus this small poem extends the aim of love and service. Both joys and sorrows should be taken equally. Thus the prayer is filled with unique ideas.

2. What kind of strength does Tagore seek and why?

Rabindranath Tagore was a poet, dramatist and a philosopher. He was a nobel laureate fot the book Gitanjali. In the 36th song of Gitanjali, Tagore submits a prayer to God. He prays to God to strike him at the penury of heart. He needs strength to love the poor and the needy. He should bear the difficulties and enjoy the happy occasions. There are so many trifles in the life of a man. He should not think of these problems in the journey of life. He should have a heaven on Earth. He should get the divine qualities. He should build India on the base of qualities like kindness and love. His love should not be selfish. He should have real service towards the needy. Thus an individual seeks the strength to beat and he wants it because he likes it.

3. What are Tagore’s views on equanimity ?

Rabindranath Tagore was a poet, dramatist and a philosopher. He was a Nobel laureate for his book Gitanjali. In the 36th song of this poem, Tagore submits a prayer to God. He prays to God to strike him at the penury of heart. The concept of equanimity is suggested by Tagore in the poem. There are difficulties as well as joys in the life of an individual. He prays to his God to bestow his lovely by keeping him equal at both the experiences. He should love the poor and the needy. He should rise to the occasion when there were trifles. To have the same experience at both the occasions is expected by Tagore. He should be faithful in his service at both the circumstances. Equanimity is a virtue of life.

Annotations

1. Strike, strike at the root of penury in my heart.

Poem and Poet: This is an important line in the poem “This is my prayer to thee my Lord’ written by Rabindranath Tagore. It is an extract from the book ‘Gitanjali’. Rabindranath Tagore prays to God, from the depths of his heart.

Context and Meaning: The prayer taken from the book Gitanjali, is a common prayer of the poet. He prays to God to give him the strength to strike at the penury of heart. He thinks that he has no strength at the heart of hearts. He prays to God to fill his heart with love and selflessness. He should with stand the sorrow in life. At the same time he should enjoy occasions of joy. He should show equal behaviour at both the experiences. He suggests at the inhuman treatment of the British and wants to destroy it.

General relevance: Here the prayer is a universal appeal to God. ‘Hit at the penury of heart’ suggests that the heart should be filled with love and selflessness. He had such a great mind, for the people of India.

2. Give me strength to raise my mind high above daily trifles”.

Context: These lines are extracted from the poem “This is my Prayer to thee my Lord” written by Rabindranath Tagore. He was a Nobel laureate and his poems are filled with philosophy. Here this small poem is a prayer to God to make him a real follower.

Explanation: In this prayer, he aspires to have so many things. He prays to God to go deep into the heart and strike the penury. He wants to have a mind with belief in love. He wants to love the poor and the needy. He should strive to have a widening thought in his mind. Tagore wants to drive away the trifles and to raise his deeds, to the supreme level.

General relevance: Tagore’s intention is to rise to the supreme heights of character. One should think of the aspirations in making one’s deeds successful. Transparency of thought and word, should be there, to make the life, successful.

3. Give me the strength never to disown the poor.

Context: These lines are extracted from the poem “This is my Prayer to thee my Lord” written by Rabindranath Tagore. He was a Nobel laureate and his poems are filled with philosophy. Here this small poem is a prayer to God to make him a real follower.

Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore’s prayer is honest. He prays to the God Almighty to make him successful in his deeds of love. He wants to have equanimity both at happinesss and at difficulties. He wants to show affection towards the poor and the needy. His mind should rise to the supreme level of showing love at others without selfishness. He wants to utilise his strength for the good of the people.

General relevance: The prayer is a universal appeal. It pertains to the world of truth, love and service. It is a general ambition that the righteous people aim at.

4. Give me strength to make my love fruitful in service.

Context: These lines are extracted from the poem “This is my Prayer to thee my Lord” written by Rabindranath Tagore. He was a Nobel laureate and his poems are filled with philosophy. Here this small poem is a prayer to God to make him a real follower.

Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore gave interesting explanations in the poem. He prays to God that he should have equinimity in his life. The moral from the poem in maintaining equanimity is very important, in one’s life. There should be a balance between the two things. At the times of happiness and at the time of sorrow, his heart should not be disturbed. He aims at a mind that is high above all the “other trifling things”.

General relevance: The prayer of Tagore is filled with the best ambitions. He wants to show love and affection to the poor and needy people. He aims at a successful love.

Reading Comprehensions

I. Read the following passage given below and answer the questions.

Rabindranath Tagore’s family’s outlook on religion and life was influenced by the Upanishads and the Bhagavadgita. When Rabindranath was twelve and went to the Himalayas with his father, they chanted the Upanishads together. His father insisted that he should know the verses by heart. Rabindranath Tagore’s writings are full of references to the Upanishads.

The Upanishads are a collection of writings that were originally orally transmitted. Upanishad literally means ‘sitting close to”, and implies listening closely to the mystic doctrines of a gun. It has also been translated as “secret wisdom” that include philosophical discussions of concepts such as : Salvation (moksha / mukti), ultimate reality (brahman), the individual soul (atman), such as : religion, duty, essence (dharma). The Upanishads build the foundation of what is called Vedanta (which means “the end of the Veda” – goal, conclusion, highest aim).

Now answer the following questions 

1. What influenced Tagore’s religion and life ?

Upanishads and the Bhagavadgita.

2. With whom did Tagore go to the Himalayas ?

With his father. 

3. What does ‘Upanishads’ literally mean?

Sitting close to.

4. Pick out the translated word for ‘Upanishads’.

Secret wisdom.

5. What part of speech is the word ‘highest’.

Adjective.

II. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Tagore insisted that education should be imparted in an atmosphere of nature with all its beauty, colours, sounds, forms and such other manifestations. In his opinion, education, in natural surroundings, develops intimacy with the world and the power of communication with nature. Nature, according to him, was manuscript of God. So he emphasized that education must enable a person to realize his immediate relationship with nature.

It should take the child nearer nature and, therefore, in close proximity of God. It should help him to learn freely and spontaneously from the book of Nature. Since nature never betrays the heart that loves her, she will provide the child with spontaneous development and natural growth.

Now answer the following questions

1. What according to Tagore develops intimacy with the world ?

Education in natural surroundings.

2. What was considered as the manuscript of God ?

Nature.

3. “It should take the child nearer nature”, ‘it’ refers to what ?

The immediate relationship with nature.

4. Name the two things that are provided by Nature.

She will provide the child with spontaneous development and natural growth.

5. Write the present tense form of ’emphasized’.

Emphasize.

Summary in English

Rabindranath Tagore was a poet, dramatisť and a philosopher. He got the Nobel Prize for his Gitanjali. He produced a lot of literature which made him world famous. This is my prayer to thee my Lord’ is taken from the 36th song of Gitanjali.

All the poems in Gitanjali have got a universal appeal. All the poems show his inner most feelings of regard at God. His poems express true love and selfless service to God. This poem starts with the words “This is my prayer to thee my Lord”. The poem is a universal appeal to God. He wants to get spiritual strength by means of his prayer. The poet asks God to strengthen him to withstand the sorrows in his life. His heart is with penury of thoughts. His love should become fruitful at each level. He wants to give respect to the poor and the needy. He also wants to drive his mind towards great things. Finally, the poet surrenders himself to the will of God. He would never leave the strength. He keeps the people nearer to the will of God. He wants to surrender himself to the God Almighty.

He wishes that people should have kindheartedness and concern towards the poor and the needy. Tagore’s poem has got a concern towards the British. They were cruel towards the Indians. Tagore prays to God that he would submit himself to the strength of God. It is a prayer from the depths of his heart.

Jr. Inter - English - Poem - 1. Commonwealth of Bees - William Shakespeare

1. COMMONWEALTH OF BEES    

- William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

Questions & Answers

1. According to Shakespeare, what are the lessons that human beings must learn from honey bees ?

William Shakespeare was a play wright and a poet. He wrote a number of plays. ‘Common Wealth of Bees’ is an extract from the drama Henry V; Act I and Scene 2, Here the archbishop of Canterbury gives an interesting advice to the young king. King Henry was asked to look to the bee-hive.

The bee-hive is like a common wealth. There are many bees in the hive. There is a queen bee but Shakespeare takes it as king bee in his play. Around there are worker bees. There are soldiers to fight against the enemy. Some bees cover the holes with wax. The mechanic bees are there which do their own work. All the bees work from different angles but for one goal. They collect honey for the whole of the crowd. They do it in order and none would swerve the duty. In the same manner the citizens of a kingdom should work carefully for the welfare of the kingdom.

Soldiers should be ready for war, workers to do their work, clever lawyers should work for law and order and every wing should work accordingly. The only goal is to keep the kingdom and the king safe. Shakespeare’s comparison is thought provoking.

2. “Real results will emerge when we realize the power of combined individual actions.” How can you justify this statement in the light of the poem, “Common wealth of Bees” ?

William Shakespeare was a play wright. He wrote a number of plays. In the play Henry V Act I scene 2, we have interesting lines entitled “Common Wealth of Bees. Here he describes the bee hive and asks us to follow the honey bees. A bee hive is a place where different kinds of bees are available. The main bee is the queen bee which is shown to be the king bee, by Shakespeare. Around there are male bees, worker bees and others. All these bees have only one goal to collect honey. Some go even to distant places and collect the honey. The holes are covered with fine wax. Some bees are useful to fight against the enemy. All the bees are depending upon the worker bees. Here when we see the work of each bee it is very interesting. Every bee shall do the work in its own way. But all of them put together shall do the whole of the work. So individual effort shall do good to the whole society when it is taken up carefully, People of the country should also work in the same way.

Annotations

1. “Creatures that, by a rule in nature, teach the art of order to a peopled kingdom”.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem “Common wealth of Bees” written by Shakespeare. It is extracted from the play Henry V, Act I and Scene 2. The example of a beehive is given here, by the dramatist, to bring a lesson.

Explanation: Shakespeare compares the kingdom of Henry V to a beehive. It is like the common wealth of bees. A queen bee is the central attraction in the hive but Shakespeare compares the king to this important figure. Around the worker bees, the male bees, the mechanic bees, the intelligent bees, the soldier bees surround it. The activity in the beehive is quite punctual. There is no deviation from any side. The worker bee runs miles and miles to collect the honey, the mechanic covers the holes with wax the soldiers fight with the enemy and the lazy bees sleep without any movement. Similarly, the kingdom is ruled over by the king but the common wealth of different people will work punctually. This sort of active work has to be turned out. We can learn it from the bees.

General relevance: Shakespeare’s advice to keep the kingdom safe by means of the activity of the people at each level is worthy to be followed. If everybody works in his own way sincerely, there is great success.

2. “Others like soldiers, armed in their stings, Make boot,upon the summer’s velvet buds.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem “Common Wealth of Bees” written by Shakespeare. It is extracted from the play Henry V, Act I and Scene 2. The example of a beehive is given here, by the dramatist, to bring a lesson.

Explanation: William Shakespeare describes the Beehive with all its specialties. There is the king bee around which all the other bees surround. There are worker bees, male bees, soldier bees and others. The soldiers have stingers to fight against the enemy. The soldiers make an expedition upon the beautiful and tender flowers. They make a booty of honey and return to the hive. In summer we see these busy bees running towards the plants. Sometimes, we use their stings against the enemy. Similarly, the citizens of a kingdom should do their duty carefully and save the king and the kingdom. At every level of this work, there is discipline and the bees make a good example of this activity.

General relevance: A group of bees in a hive, does whatever work is given to it. The soldier bees work hard and collect honey to save it in the bee hive. Sometimes they are like soldiers going against the enemy and often they are soldiers to fight and collect the booty from the gardens.

3. “The poor mechanic porters crowding in their heavy burdens at his narrow gate”.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem “Common Wealth of Bees” written by Shakespeare. It is extracted from the play Henry V, Act I and Scene 2. The example of a beehive’is given here, by the dramatist, to bring a lesson.

Explanation: William Shakespeare gives an interesting comparison between the Common Wealth of Bees and the kingdom of Henry V. There are different bees in the bee-hive, each working for the good of the hive. The king bee is like the king. There are worker bees always busy collecting honey and taking expedition on every garden. There are bees which are like mechanics. They cover the mouths of the holes with wax and keep them shining like gold. They are very careful in keeping the hive without any damage or breakage. The bees returning from the gardens are honey laden and want to keep the honey drops in the narrow holes. The burden of the honey is alighted carefully and it is preserved. Here the business of a soldier bee is described, interestingly.

General relevance: In the poem Shakespeare gives comparison between the honey bee and the common soldier, who tries to safeguard the kingdom with all his might. The comparison at each level is quite apt.

4. “So many a thousand actions, once a foot, End in one purpose, and be all well borne without defeat”.

Context: These lines are taken from the poem “Common Wealth of Bees” written by Shakespeare. It is extracted from the play Henry V, Act I and Scene 2. The example of a beehive is given here, by the dramatist, to bring a lesson.

Explanation: The honey bee has a purpose for Shakespeare. He describes it and compares it to a kingdom. In the kingdom, the citizens have got different assignments. In the beehive the king bee, the worker bee, the male bee, the mechanic bee and others work in their own way. There are different works allotted to each of them. All should work from different angles but with one goal, (i.e.,) the collection of honey. So also the citizens should get their own share of work. Some should become lawyers, some should become soldiers, some hard workers and soon. Finally all these actions coming from different sections get the same result. All the rivers reach the ocean, all the ways coming from different sides, lead to a corner place, all the arrows are aimed at one goal. So also the citizens should learn a lesson from the bees.

General relevance: The author’s opinion in giving the lines is getting the only result, finally. The aim of the bees is to store honey for the crowd. In the same manner, the efforts of the citizens should be the supreme act of saving the king and the kingdom.

Reading Comprehensions

I. Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow.

It is sad, but true, that many people focus on negative things. On the other hand, bees are very optimistic. You’ll never find a bee saying, “Oh, I’d like to get some nectar, but that flower has too many thorns !”. Forget it – the bees look right past the thorns and go straight to the flower. Instead of focusing on the negative, they’re always looking for that which is sweet. Being positive also helps bees stay persistent when looking for nectar. Sometimes they have to travel for miles to find a flower full of nectar. They also have to deal with people shooing them away from their gardens. But have you noticed that they always come right back ? They’re focused on their mission of gathering sweet nectar, not the obstacles that stand in their way. Like the bees, you should also be optimistic. Your attitude to others is like a witness. You will always go after that which is positive and be a sweet example to | everyone around you.

Now answer the following questions.

1. What is the mission of the bees?                      

It is the mission of gathering sweet nectar.

2. What do people focus on ?

Focus on negative things.

3. What do help the bees to stay persistent ?

Positive thinking.

4. Find the word in the passage which means ‘continuing’.

Persistent.

5. Write the antonym of the word ‘optimistic’.

Pessimistic.

II. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Many people think of bees simply as a summertime nuisance. But these small and hardworking insects actually make it possible for many of your favourite foods to reach your table. From apples to almonds to the pumpkin in our pumpkin pies, we have bees to thank. Now, a condition known as Colony Collapse Disorder is causing be populations to plummet, which means these foods are also at risk. In the United States alone, more than 25 percent of the managed honey bee population has disappeared since 1990. Researchers think this Colony Collapse Disorder may be caused by Global warming, Pesticide use and Habitat loss. Bees are one of a myriad of other animals, including birds, bats, beetles and butterflies called pollinators. Pollinators transfer pollen and seeds from one flower to another, fertilizing the plant so it can grow and produce food. Cross – pollination helps at least 30 percent of the world’s crops and 90 percent of our wild plants to thrive. Without bees to spread seeds, many plants – including food crops – would die off.

Now answer the following questions.

1. Who are called pollinators ?

Bats, Beetles, Butterflies and birds are called pollinators.

2. What do people generally think about bees ?

As a summer time nuisance.

3. How does cross pollination help in making fruits ?

30 percent of the world’s crops and 90 percent of our wild plants thrive.

4. Name any one cause of Colony Collapse Disorder.

Global warming, Pesticides use and Habitat at loss.

5. The word ‘plummet’ means :     a) drastic fall    b) a fruit    c) uprise    

a) drastic fall.

Commonwealth of Bees (Poem) - Summary in English

William Shakespeare was a playwright. He wrote sonnets and poems also. His plays are comedies, tragedies and tragic-comedies. A store of literature is there in the name of Shakespeare. Henry V is the play which insists upon good governance. Act I scene 2 is about the organization of the rule. Archbishop of Canterbury suggests the king to rule over the kingdom successfully.

‘Common wealth of Bees’ is an organized set up, which can be compared to a good kingdom. A Kingdom has a king, ministers, officials and soldiers. Similarly a bee hive is with a queen bee, here the poet tells that it is a king bee. Around this there are several other bees like the worker bee, soldiers, magistrates, mechanics.and the lawyers.

There are bees which are active. All the bees around concentrate on one points, the collection of nectar in the kingdom, the king is guarded by the army. The work of the officials is carefully watched by some people. The priest advised the king to look after his existence. The bees are continuously working to collect honey. Some of the bees cover the holes with wax. Some lazy bees do not work and depend upon other bees. Similarly the kingdom can have different people working for it. One goal should be these for all the people from all sides.