A Thing of beauty

A THING OF BEAUTY

List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.

v  The Sun

v  The Moon

v  Shady trees

v  Beautiful daffodil flowers

v  Streams of water

v  Dense green bushes of forest ferns where fragrant musk roses grow

v  Tales of heroic men who sacrifice their lives

List the things that cause suffering and pain.

      Desire to offend others

      Hopelessness

      Lack of noble men

      Bad health

      Unhappiness

      Gloom

      Darkness

Comprehension Check:

Q1       What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you?

It means that we get attached to the beautiful things around us and weave a pretty band which binds us with our life, it becomes the reason for us to live.

Q2       What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?

The eternal beauty of various things gives us happiness and relaxation. It makes us love life inspite of life’s troubles and sufferings.

Q3       Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’?

The noble deeds of the brave men who sacrificed their lives are an inspiration for us forever. The beautiful legacy of their bravery is the grandeur which is associated with the mighty dead.

Q4       Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?
According to the poet, a thing of beauty is forever. Even if we see it for a few moments, it has a lasting impression on us and its beautiful memory stays with us forever. It inspires us to live, despite the ruthlessness of life.

Q5       What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?

The beautiful bounty of the earth is described by ‘endless fountain of immortal drink’ which signifies that God bestows us with all his beautiful creations which help us live despite the sad, gloomy aspects of life.

Textual Questions

Q2 : What pleasure does a beautiful thing give us? Are beautiful things worth treasuring?

Answer : The world is filled with negative elements which make our life dull, sad, depressing and bereft of hope. In such moments, a beautiful thing gives us everlasting joy and helps us forget our sorrows. Yes, a beautiful thing is worth treasuring because even its memory soothes our nerves and inspires us to overcome the challenges of life.

Q2 : List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.

Answer : According to the poet, there are numerous things of beauty that help us forget our sorrows. These are the sun, the moon, old and young trees that provide shade to 'simple sheep', daffodils, clear streams of rivers, musk-roses in the forest and the lovely tales of mighty men.

Q3 : List the things that cause suffering and pain.

Answer : The poet lists a number of things that cause suffering and pain, such as despondency, depression, unhealthy and wrong ways taken up by humans to acquire their desired goals, etc. The poet also feels that there is a real dearth of noble souls in this world.

 Q4 : What does the line, 'Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth' suggest to you? Answer : This line suggests that things of beauty bind us to the earth with a beautiful connection. According to the poet, even if the world is not worth living because of the innumerable reasons that ultimately result in gloom and depression, the zeal to live a happy and content life can be derived from the sight of the beautiful bounties of nature around us.

 Q5 : What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?

Answer : Human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings because of the existence of several natural and beautiful things around them. These things of beauty never fade. They give joy and optimism to human mind, and thus, help in overcoming or bearing the troubles and sufferings.

Q6 : Why is 'grandeur' associated with the 'mighty dead'?

 Answer : The 'grandeur' of the 'mighty dead' lies in their noble deeds. They have left behind the beautiful legacy of their brave acts. Their selfless sacrifice for their nation and deeds for the welfare of mankind still continue to inspire us.

Q7 : Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?

 Answer : The poet believes that when we encounter a beautiful thing, even for a small moment, the pleasure remains with us forever. It leaves a lasting impression that inspires us to live life with hope and optimism.

Q8 : What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?

 Answer : The poet uses the image of 'an endless fountain of immortal drink' to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. The earth, like a fountain, pours unto us numerous beautiful sights like the sun, the moon, flowers, rivers and greenery.

STANZA 1

A thing ….breathing. 

Q1       Name the poem and the poet.

Ans      The name of the poem is ‘A Thing of Beauty’ and the poet is John Keats.

Q2       How is a thing of beauty joy forever?

Ans      A thing of beauty is a constant source of joy as its beauty is permanent and never diminishes.

Q3       What is a ‘bower’?

Ans      A ‘bower’ is garden or a pleasant place under the shade of trees.

Q4       What kind of sleep does it provide?

Ans      It  provides a blissful sleep full of sweet dreams.

Q5       Why do we need sweet dreams, health and quiet breathing?

Ans      We need all these for mental and physical well- being.

Stanza 2

Therefore, ….dark spirits.

Q1       What do we do everyday?

Ans      Everyday we weave the beauties of nature into a wreath which bind us to the earth and enable us to face the unhappiness and disappointments in life.

Q2       What are the flowery bands which bind us to the earth?

Ans      All the beautiful things in nature form the flowery band.

Q3       Why are we despondent?

Ans      We are despondent because human nature lacks noble qualities and we have to face many trial and tribulations in life.    

Q4       What do you understand by ‘inhuman dearth of human nature’?

And     It means that the human beings lack the noble virtues like kindness and selflessness.

Q5       What are ‘unhealthy and o’er- darkened ways?

Ans      They refer to the difficulties we face in life.

Q6       Identify the metaphor.

Ans      “Wreathing a flowery band” means the beautiful things of our lives bind us to the earth.

Q7       Explain the poetic device ‘inversion’.

Ans      ‘Inversion’ is used when the normal order of words in reversed. Here it is ‘are we wreathing a flowery band’.

Stanza 3

Such….. musk-rose blooms:

Q1       What sprouts a shady boon and how?

Ans      Old and young trees make a shady shelter for all which is like a blessing.

Q2       How do daffodils and rills enrich the environment?

Ans      Daffodils beautify the green surrounding while streams provide relief from the hot weather.          

Q3       List the things of beauty mentioned in the stanza.

Ans      The sun, the moon, old and young trees, daffodils, greenery, streams, thick ferns and musk rose blooms are the things mentioned in the stanza.

Q4       List the things which bring cause darkness.

Ans      Failures, disappointments cause unhappiness. In addition, the lack of human values today and the trials and tribulations that we face in life cause suffering and pain.

Stanza 4

And …..heaven's brink.

Q1       Explain ‘the grandeur of dooms’.

Ans      It refers to the magnificent but imaginary stories of courage and          valour that we build around our ancestors and forefathers.

Q2       Who are the ‘mighty dead’?

Ans      ‘The mighty dead’ are our ancestors, great people of the world who deserve our honour and respect.

Q3       What is the thing of beauty mentioned in this line?

Ans      The line mentioned the tales of valour and sacrifice made by our          ancestors.

Q4       What image does the poet use to convey that beauty is everlasting?

Ans      The poet has used the image of ‘an endless fountain’.

Q5       What is effect of this ‘immortal drink’ on us?

Ans      The immortal drink that nature passes on to us provides immense and everlasting joy and pleasure.

Short Answer Type Questions p Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. How do beautiful things help us to live a happy life? (Foreign 2014)
Answer. We derive comfort and happiness when we look at objects of beauty, and the lasting impression they leave on our minds is a source of permanent joy. Beautiful things bind us to the Earth and help us strengthen our relationship with nature. They provide us relief from our everyday trials and tribulations and help us live a happy life.

Question.2. What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does he
call its drink immortal? (All India 2013)
Answer. Keats considers nature’s beauty as an endless fountain of immortal drink. He calls this drink immortal as the pleasure and delight given by it never passes into nothingness. It only increases with time.

Question.3. According to Keats, what spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How
is it removed? (All India 2013)
or
What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it removed?
Answer. John Keats says that pain and suffering are a part of life. These bring us sadness and despondence. But still, we can find hope. The hope and motivation come from nature and remove the pall of despondence from our spirits. The beautiful sights give us inspiration to continue the journey of life.

Question.4. How does a thing of beauty provide shelter and comfort? (Modified India 2013)
Answer. A thing of beauty provides shelter and comfort in many ways. It is like a bower, a place under the shade of a tree where we can rest. It gives us a sleep filled with sweet dreams. The streams and forests provide a cooling covert for us in the hot weather.

Question.5. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever? (Delhi 2012)
Answer. A thing of beauty is a joy forever because it is a permanent source of joy and inspiration and leaves a lasting impression on us. The pleasure and happiness given by it never fades away but keeps on increasing.

Question.6. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings? .
(Ml India 2012,2010; Delhi 2008)
Answer. Human beings suffer from hopelessness and sadness. Our style of living often makes us hopeless and grim. We at times also, suffer due to the self-centred and wicked nature of others. In spite of all our troubles and sufferings, we are able to derive pleasure from our surroundings. The beautiful objects from nature help us shed our gloom, give us a glimmer of hope, and make us love life amidst all troubles.

Question.7. Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the mighty dead? (Delhi 2011)
Answer. The mighty dead are those who have laid down their lives for a great or noble cause. Their death is replete with intellectual and spiritual beauty. Birth, growth and decay, all are inseparable. Each has its own. beauty. Their death is grand or beautiful because it makes them immortal through the grand tombs and memorials erected in their honour.

Question.8. What is the message of the poem, ‘A thing of beauty’? (Modified India 2011)
Answer. The message of the poem ‘A thing of beauty’ is that beautiful things are a source of constant joy and inspiration. They give us eternal pleasure and leave an indelible image on our minds and, therefore, every beautiful thing and aspect is worth being treasured.

Question.9. What is the ‘endless fountain’ and what is its effect? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. Here beauty has been referred to as an ‘endless fountain’, which is an eternal source of motivation, an elixir of life and a precious gift from heaven. It gives us infinite pleasure and delight, and motivates us to continue our journey of life.

Question.10.What images does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the Earth? (Delhi 2010)
Answer. The poet uses the image of an ‘endless fountain’, which showers bounties on Earth. He calls this an ‘immortal drink’ from heaven. The sun, the moon, the trees, the daffodils, the lush green forests and streams, all reflect the beautiful bounties which God has given us.