Reference to Context Questions - The Fisherman by Abbie Farwell Brown
Extract 1:
"The fisherman goes out at dawn
When every one's abed,
And from the bottom of the sea
Draws up his daily bread."
Q: What does the phrase 'every one's abed' mean?
Ans: It means everyone else is asleep, and the fisherman begins his work very early.
Q: What is meant by 'draws up his daily bread'?
Ans: It means the fisherman earns his living by fishing - bringing up his food or income from the sea.
Q: What does this stanza reveal about the fisherman's character?
Ans: It shows that the fisherman is hardworking, disciplined, and starts his day while others are still asleep. It
reflects his dedication and dependence on nature for survival.
Q: What does the early setting of the poem tell us about the life of people connected with nature?
Ans: It tells us that people like the fisherman live by nature's clock. Their routine is shaped by natural rhythms
like the tide and dawn, unlike people in cities who follow artificial schedules.
Extract 2:
"His life is strange; half on the shore
And half upon the sea -
Not quite a fish, and yet not quite
The same as you and me."
Q: Why is the fisherman's life called strange?
Ans: Because he lives partly on land and partly on the sea, not fully belonging to either world.
Q: What contrast is shown in "Not quite a fish, and yet not quite / The same as you and me"?
Ans: It shows the contrast between the fisherman's life and that of ordinary people, as well as between land
life and sea life.
Q: How does this extract make the fisherman seem unique?
Ans: It portrays him as someone who exists between two worlds, giving him a mysterious, almost mythical
identity. He doesn't fully belong to land or sea.
Reference to Context Questions - The Fisherman by Abbie Farwell Brown
Q: Do you think people who live close to nature are different from those in cities? Give reasons.
Ans: Yes, they often have simpler lives, are more connected to natural rhythms, and depend on their
environment for survival. Their experiences shape their thinking differently from those in busy city life.
Extract 3:
"They're like the sea on foggy days,
Not gray, nor yet quite blue:
They're like the wondrous tales he tells
Not quite - yet maybe - true."
Q: Who does 'they' refer to in this stanza?
Ans: 'They' refers to the fisherman's eyes.
Q: What is meant by "Not quite - yet maybe - true"?
Ans: It means the fisherman's tales are mysterious - they may not be completely true, but they seem
believable and magical.
Q: What comparison does the poet make between the fisherman's eyes and the sea?
Ans: The poet compares his eyes to the foggy sea - unclear in color and full of mystery, suggesting that his
eyes hold deep stories and emotions.
Q: Do you think the poet believes in the fisherman's tales? Give your opinion.
Ans: The poet seems to enjoy the tales and finds them fascinating, even if they may not be entirely true. It
shows an appreciation for imagination and storytelling.
Extract 4:
"He knows so much of boats and tides,
Of winds and clouds and sky!
But when I tell of city things,
He sniffs and shuts one eye!"
Q: What does the fisherman know a lot about?
Ans: He knows about boats, tides, winds, clouds, and the sky - all related to life at sea and nature.
Q: What is his reaction when someone talks about city life?
Ans: He sniffs and shuts one eye, showing disinterest or mild amusement.
Reference to Context Questions - The Fisherman by Abbie Farwell Brown
Q: What does this reaction reveal about his personality?
Ans: It shows that he is uninterested in modern or city life. He prefers the natural world and is deeply
connected to the sea.
Q: Why might someone prefer a life close to nature over city life?
Ans: Life close to nature can be peaceful, simple, and connected to real experiences. Some people find city
life stressful, artificial, and disconnected from the natural world.