A Thing of Beauty
Read the stanzas given below and answer the questions that follow each:
1. A
thing of beauty is a joy forever Its loveliness increases,
it will never Pass into
nothingness; but will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and
health, and quiet breathing.
Questions
(a)Name the poem and the
poet of these lines.
(b)How is a thing of
beauty a joy for ever?
(c)What do you understand
by a ‘bower’?
(d)What kind of sleep
does it provide?
Answers:
(а)The poem is A Thing of
Beauty. The poet is John Keats.
(b)A thing of beauty is
the source of constant joy. Its beauty goes on increasing. It will never pass
into nothingness.
(c)A bower is a pleasant
shady place under a tree.
(d)It provides us a sound
sleep, full of sweet dreams, health and peaceful breathing.
2. Therefore,
on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us
to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of
the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the
gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and
o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching:
yes, in spite of all,
Questions
(a)Name the poem and the
poet.
(b)Why are we despondent?
(c)What removes the pall
from our dark spirits?
(d) What are we doing
every day?
Answers:
(а)The poet is John
Keats. The poem is A Thing of Beauty.
(b)We possess the evil
qualities of malice and disappointment. We suffer from the lack of noble
qualities. That is why we feel despondent.
(c) Some beautiful shapes
or a thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness from our hearts or spirits.
(d) We are weaving a
flowery wreath to bind us to the beauties of the earth.
3. Some
shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young,
sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and
such are daffodils
With the green world they
live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a
cooling covert make ‘Gainst the hot season;
the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of
fair musk-rose blooms;
Questions
(а)What removes the pall
from our dark spirits?
(b)What sprouts a shady
boon for sheep and how?
(c) How do ‘daffodils’
and ‘rills’ enrich the environment?
(d) What makes the
mid-forest brake rich?
Answers:
(a)Some beautiful shape
or a thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness from our hearts or spirits.
(b)Old and young trees
sprout to make a green covering. It proves a blessing for simple sheep as it
serves them as a shelter.
(c)Daffodils bloom among the green surroundings. The rills or small streams of clear water make a cooling shelter for themselves against the hot season.
(d)The mid forest brake
is made rich by the blooming of beautiful musk-roses.
4. And
such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the
mighty dead;
M lovely tales that we
have heard or read;
An endless fountain of
immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the
heaven’s brink
Questions.
(a)Name the poem and the
poet of these lines.
(b)Explain: ‘the grandeur
of the dooms’.
(c)What is the thing of
beauty mentioned in these lines’?
(d)What image does the
poet use in these lines?
Answers:
(а)The poem is A Thing of
Beauty. The poet is John Keats.
(b) The
term "grandeur of the dooms" refers to the glory and magnificence
that the dead are entitled to on the Doom Day following their death.
(c)The lovely tales of
mighty men are mentioned in these lines.
(d)The poet uses the
image of ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ to describe the beautiful
bounty of the earth. The earth has bestowed us with sun, moon, flowers, rivers,
greenery etc.
5. Its
loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness:
but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and
a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and
health, and quiet breathing.
Questions
(a) Whose loveliness will
keep on increasing?
(b) Identify the phrase
which says that ‘it is immortal’.
(c) What is a bower?
(d) Why do we need sweet
dreams, health and quiet breathing in our lives?
Answers
(a) The loveliness of
things of beauty will keep on increasing.
(b) The phrase "it
will never pass into nothingness" says that ‘it is immortal’.
(c) It is a quiet and
shady place under a tree.
(d) We need all these
things so that we can enjoy the things of beauty and lead a blissful life.
6. Therefore,
on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us
to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of
the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the
gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and
o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching.
Questions
(a) Name the poem and the
poet.
(b) What is the flowery
band that binds us to the earth?
(c) What does the poet
mean by ‘spite of despondence’?
(d) What message is conveyed through these
lines?
Answers
(a) The name of the poem
is ‘A Thing of Beauty and its poet is John Keats.
(b) The flowery band here
means things of beauty. It is only because of the things of beauty that we can
continue to live on this earth.
(c) It means a lot of disappointment and sadness on the earth. In-spite having sadness, beauty always helps to lead a happy life removing all the darkness from life.
(d) The message conveyed
through these lines is that it is only because of things of beauty that we are
able to live on this earth. Otherwise, there is so much grief on this earth
that it would have become impossible without things of beauty.
7. Of
all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching:
yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty
moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
Questions
(a) Name the poem and the
poet.
(b) What is meant by
‘o’er darkened ways’?
(c) What does some shape
of beauty do?
(d) What idea is conveyed
by these lines?
Answers
(a) The name of the poem
is ‘A Thing of Beauty’ and its poet is John Keats.
(b) The o’er darkened
ways’ means the mysterious things that human beings fail to understand.
(c) It removes the shroud
of sadness from our spirit.
(d) The poet means to say
that only the things of beauty make our life possible on this earth.
8. And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the
mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we
have heard or read;
An endless fountain of
immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
Questions
(a) Name the poem and the
poet.
(b) What have we imagined
for the mighty dead?
(c) Who are these mighty
dead?
(d) What lovely tales
does the poet talk of?
Answers
(a) The name of the poem
is A Thing of Beauty’ and its poet is John Keats.
(b) We have imagined that
mighty dead would get due reward of their deeds on the day of judgement.
(c) These mighty deads
are those persons who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of mankind.
(d) The poet talks of the
tales of the bravery of the mighty dead.
QUESTIONS
FROM TEXTBOOK SOLVED
Q1. List the things of beauty
mentioned in the poem.
Ans:
Everything of nature is a thing of beauty. Some of them are: the sun, the moon,
old and young trees, daffodil flowers, small streams with clear water, mass of
ferns, the blooming musk-roses and tales of heroic men who sacrificed
their lives.
Q2. List the things that
cause suffering and pain.
Ans:
There are many things that cause us suffering and pain. Malice, disappointment unhappiness,
dark spirits, hot seasons and lack of noble qualities. Our unhealthy and evil
ways also give birth to so many troubles and sufferings.
Q3. What does the line,
‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you?
Ans: Keats is a lover of beauty. He employs his senses to discover beauty. The link of man with nature is eternal. The things of beauty are like wreaths of beautiful flowers. We seem to weave a flowery band everyday. It keeps us attached to the beauties of this earth.
Q4. What makes human
beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
Ans:
There are many things that bring us troubles and sufferings. However, ‘some
shape of beauty brings love and happiness in our lives in spite of such
unpleasant things. A thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness and
sufferings. It makes us love life.
Q5. Why is ‘grandeur’
associated with the ‘mighty dead’?
Ans:
The mighty dead were very powerful and dominating persons during their own
times. Their achievements made them ‘mighty’ and great. We imagine that such
mighty dead forefathers will attain more grandeur on the doomsday. Hence
‘grandeur’ is associated with the ‘mighty dead’.
Q6. Do we experience
things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on
us?
Ans:
We feel happy by coming into contact with things of beauty. They make a lasting
impression on us. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. It is a constant source
of joy and pleasure. Its beauty never declines or diminishes. Its loveliness
goes on increasing every moment.
Q7. What image does the
poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?
Ans:
John Keats uses a very beautiful image to describe the beautiful bounty of the
earth. It is the endless fountain of immortal drink. It pours constantly into our
hearts from heaven. Thus, the beautiful bounty of the earth is called “an
endless fountain of immortal drink.”
Previous Years Paper
Solutions
2014
1. What is the message
that Keats wants to convey through "A Thing of Beauty"?
Ans: Keats
is an ardent lover of beauty. For him, a thing of beauty is an everlasting
source of joy, for its beauty never fades or passes into nothingness. Though our
lives are full of sorrow and suffering, the beautiful things give us the
strength to endure the sadness of life. They dispel the dark cloud of sorrow
and give us a reason to keep living.
2015
1. What is the legend on
which the poom 'A Thing of Beauty' is written?
Ans: The
poem ' A Thing of Beauty ' is based on a Greek legend, in which Endymion, a
beautiful young shepherd and poet who lived on Mount Latmos, had vision of
Cynthia, the Moon Goddess. The enchanted youth resolved to seek her out and so
wandered away through the forest and down under the sea.
2. What, according to
Keats, never 'passes into nothingness'?
Ans: According
to John Keats, a thing of beauty is a joy of forever. It is a constant source
of happiness and pleasure. Its loveliness increases every moment. It will never
pass into nothingness.
2016
"A thing of beauty
is a joy forever:
Its loveliness increases,
it will never
Pass into nothingness;
but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and
a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and
health, and quiet breathing."
Questions .
(i) Who is the poet of
these lines and what is the
title of the poem ?
The poet is John Keats.
The title of the poem is ‘A Thing of Beauty’.
(ii) Why is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
Ans: A
thing of beauty a joy forever because it is the source of constant joy. Its
beauty goes on increasing. It will never pass into nothingness.
(iii) What is a bower?
Ans: A
bower is a pleasant shady place under a tree.
2. Name the things of
nature that are constant sources of beauty.
Ans: See
question no-1 from “Question from textbook solved”.
2. What is the message
that John Keats wants to give through 'A Thing of Beauty' ?
Ans: See
2014 solved paper.
2017
1. How is a thing of
beauty a joy forever?
Ans: A
thing of beauty is the source of constant joy. Its beauty goes on increasing.
It will never pass into nothingness.
2018
1. What increases
continuously in 'A Thing of Beauty'?
Ans: According
to John Keats, a thing of beauty is a joy of forever. It is a constant source
of happiness and pleasure. Its loveliness increases continuously.
2019
‘‘Therefore, on every
morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us
to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of
the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the
gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and
o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching :
yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty
moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.”
i) What do we do everyday?
Ans: We
are weaving a flowery wreath to bind us to the beauties of the earth.
(ii) What removes the
pall from the dark spirits?
Ans: Some
beautiful shapes or a thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness from our
spirits.
(iii) What is the message
expressed in these lines?
Ans: A
thing of beauty is a joy forever. Beauty never fades. Nor is it devalued. Our
life is full of gloom and evil ways. A thing of beauty removes the pall of
sadness and sorrow. It gives us joy and pleasure.
2. What, according to
Keats, makes human beings love life in spite of all its problems and miseries?
Ans: See
question no-4 from “Question from textbook solved”.
2020
1. What is the message
that Keats wanG to convey through "A Thing of Beauty" ?
Ans: See
2014 solved paper.
2022
1. Describe the things
that cause suffering and pain mentioned by Keats in 'A Thing of Beauty'
Ans: See
question no-2 from “Question from textbook solved”.
2. What increases
continuously in 'A Thing of Beauty'?
Ans: Ans: See
2018 solved paper.
2023
1. What according to
Keats, makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
2024
And such too is the
grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the
mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we
have heard or read;
An endless fountain of
immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the
heaven’s brink.
(i) Name the poem.
Ans: A
Thing of Beauty.
(ii) Who are the ‘mighty
dead’ referred to here?
Ans: “The
mighty dead” are those who have performed brave and noble deeds. They are the
brave men who have sacrificed their lives for their countries and for humanity.
(iii) What is the endless
fountain of immortal drink?
Ans:
Here a thing of beauty has been referred to as an ‘endless fountain’, which is
eternal. It is like a nectar which gives us pleasure.
(iv) What does the word,
‘brink’ mean? 1
Ans: The
word 'brink' means 'an edge/ the point of onset'.
2. Explain the line:
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever? (2013)
Ans:
John Keats, a great Romantic poet, considers that a thing of beauty is a joy
forever. It is a constant source of happiness and pleasure. Its loveliness
increases every moment. A thing of beauty is never devalued. It never passes
into nothingness.
Short questions
1. From which work of Keats the poem ' A Thing of Beauty' is extracted ?
Ans:
The poem ' A Thing of Beauty' is an extracted from his poerm Endymion : A Poetic Romance.
2. What is seen as a "a joy forever"?
Ans: A
thing of beauty is seen as " a joy forever".
3. What is the "green world" according to
the poet John Keats ?
Ans:
According to the poet, John Keats the green fields in which daffodils grow is
the "green world".
4. What is the meaning of 'mid forest brake' in the poem
'A thing of beauty' ?
Ans:
In the poem, ' A thing of beauty' , mid forest brake refers to the thickest of
forest which is filled with fair musk-rose blooming among the nearby plants.
5. What do the clear rills make for themselves?
Ans:
The 'clear rills' makes a 'cooling covert' for themselves during the hot
season.
2025
What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful
bounty of the earth?
Ans: See page No 4 and Question No 7
Why is 'grandeur' associated with the 'mighty dead'?
Ans: See page No 4 and Question No 5
Related chapters:
Comments
Post a Comment