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ERC Analysis of 11th English Poems

The document provides explanations of selected lines from six different poems, each accompanied by the poet's name and a brief context. The explanations highlight themes such as the loss of genuine qualities, the nature of spectatorship, the relationship between humanity and nature, the cunning of a master criminal, the concept of honor, and the inevitability of death. Each poem reflects on profound human experiences and societal observations.

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Nasheer Basha
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3K views6 pages

ERC Analysis of 11th English Poems

The document provides explanations of selected lines from six different poems, each accompanied by the poet's name and a brief context. The explanations highlight themes such as the loss of genuine qualities, the nature of spectatorship, the relationship between humanity and nature, the cunning of a master criminal, the concept of honor, and the inevitability of death. Each poem reflects on profound human experiences and societal observations.

Uploaded by

Nasheer Basha
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Poem 1

E.R.C.

Explain the following with Reference to the Context.

i. Once upon a time, son


They used to laugh with their eyes:

ii. There will be no thrice.

iii. I have learned to wear my faces


Like dresses…

iv. I want to be what I used to be

Reference:
• Poem : Once Upon a Time.
• Poet : Gabriel Okara

Explanation:
The poet talks to his son about people in his childhood. The father is ready to
give up his fake qualities and relearn the genuine qualities.
Poem 2
E.R.C

Explain the following with Reference to the Context.

i. I am just glad as glad can be


That I am not them, that they are not me…

ii. They don not ever in their dealings


Consider one another’s feelings…

iii. Athletes, I’ll drink to you,


Or eat with you,

Reference:
• Poem : Confessions of a Born Spectator
• Poet : Ogden Nash

Explanation:
The poet talks about the spirit of the born spectator. The poet is determined
spectator. He feels shy to take part in games or sports.
Poem 3
E.R.C

Explain the following with Reference to the Context.

i. In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts


Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

ii. The birds around me hopp’d and play’d


Their thoughts I cannot measure.

iii. Have I not reason to lament


What Man has made of Man?

Reference:
• Poem : Lines written in Early Spring.
• Poet : William Wordsworth.

Explanation:
The theme is ‘Enjoy and worship the Nature’. The poet had both pleasant and
bitter thought. God created nature. Irresponsible act of men exploits nature.
We should enjoy nature.
Poem 4
E.R.C

Explain the following with Reference to the Context.

i. His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare

ii. And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake

iii. And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s

iv. There may be a scrap of paper in the hall or on the stair


But it’s useless to investigate…

v. He always has an alibi, and one or two to spare

Reference:
• Poem : Macavity – The Mystery Cat.
• Poet : T.S. Eliot.

Explanation:
Macavity is a master criminal. He appears to be immersed in his scheming
always. Macavity is also known as “Hidden Paw”. He doesn’t leave even his
foot prints as evidence in the scene of crime.
Poem 5
E.R.C.

Explain the following with Reference to the Context.

i. We deem it our duty and mission in life,


To bless and praise the deserving ones

ii. Honour is a property, common to all:


In dignity and pride no one need to be poor.

Reference:
• Poem : Everest is not the Only Peak.
• Poet : Kulothungan.

Explanation:
The poet says that honour is our property and it is common to all. No one
needs to be poor in their dignity and pride. They are their assets.
Poem 6
E.R.C

Explain the following with Reference to the Context.

i. Our lands, our lives, and all, are Bolingbroke’s,


And nothing can we call our own but death

ii. All murdered – for within the hollow crown


That rounds the mortal temples of a king
Keeps Death his court…

iii. Comes at the last, and with a little pin


Bores through his castle wall, and farewell king

iv. How can you say to me, I am a king?

Reference:
• Poem : The Hollow Crown.
• Poet : William Shakespeare.

Explanation:
The king admits that everything belongs to Bolingbroke except death. Richard
II is a deposed king. He thinks about the dead kings. Death is portrayed as a
court jester. King has power but death is more powerful than king.

Common questions

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Shakespeare uses the imagery of a 'hollow crown' to depict how death ultimately equalizes all, regardless of status. Kings, despite their perceived power, are shown to possess only death as something eternally theirs. This metaphorical 'court' that death keeps signifies that royal power is just an illusion before the inevitability of mortality, symbolized by the idea of a court jester .

Gabriel Okara uses the metaphor of clothing to convey his adaption to societal expectations, where he has 'learned to wear [his] faces like dresses,' suggesting he puts on different personas like one puts on clothes, to fit different situations. This metaphor illustrates the loss of authenticity as he conforms to societal norms rather than being true to himself .

T.S. Eliot utilizes tropes common in detective stories, such as cunning intelligence and the ability to evade capture, to characterize Macavity as an archetypal mastermind criminal. Phrases like 'footprints are not found' and having multiple alibis create a portrait of a cat who is always one step ahead of law and order, embodying the mystique of an elusive villain .

Wordsworth experiences a profound conflict as he enjoys the beauty of nature, yet is saddled with sadness about humanity's detrimental impact. Through his introspection that 'pleasant thoughts bring sad thoughts to the mind,' he laments the degradation caused by humans, contrasting divine creation with human destruction, evoking a deep sense of environmental awareness .

Ogden Nash reveals a tension between his admiration for athletes and his choice to remain on the sidelines. He acknowledges the athletes' fortitude but prefers the safety and comfort of observing rather than participating actively, indicating a conscious decision shaped by personal comfort and capability rather than societal pressure .

Wordsworth juxtaposes the inherent beauty and harmony of nature with the destructive and irresponsible actions of humans. He reflects on how pleasant natural settings evoke both contentment and sorrow, pondering 'What Man has made of Man,' thus contrasting the pure creations of God with the chaos humans introduce to the world .

Macavity is depicted as a master criminal whose powers of stealth and evasion surpass even those of the authorities. His ability to levitate and always being a step ahead—'wide awake' when presumed asleep—enables him to leave no traces of his crimes, earning the eerie moniker 'Hidden Paw,' signifying his elusive nature .

Kulothungan redefines wealth as being rooted in personal dignity and honor rather than material possessions, asserting that 'honour is a property, common to all.' This perspective implies that true wealth lies in pride and dignity, accessible to everyone, therefore 'no one need to be poor' in these regards .

Gabriel Okara communicates the loss of genuine emotion and sincerity in human interactions as one conforms to societal roles. He yearns for a return to authenticity, reflecting a moral of remaining true to oneself rather than succumbing to the facade that society often encourages, emphasizing the importance of genuine human connection .

Ogden Nash expresses relief in his decision to be a spectator rather than a participant in sports or competitive activities. He appreciates that he doesn't have to endure the physical toil and pressure of athletes, highlighting his introspective contentment and acceptance of his role as an observer .

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