Std. XII - 1.1 An Astrologer’s Day

Unit 1.1Astrologer's Day

Activities with Expected answers

 Extract No  02 :

Page No 3  [ Lines, “ The astrologer …….. flowed between”.]
Read the first activity, read the extract and do all the activities that follow:
A1. Choose and Rewrite the complete sentences. (02)
a) The place did not have the advantage of……Municipal lighting …………
b) The man never had the intention to be …an Astrologer ……………………
c) The man had left his village without any……previous thought or plan ……
d) He was a stranger to the…stars ………… as well as…his innocent customers
The astrologer transacted his business by the light of a flare which crackled and smoked up above the groundnut heap nearby. Half the enchantment of the place was due to the fact that it did not have the benefit of municipal lighting. The place was lit up by the shop lights.one or two had had hissing gaslights, some had naked flares stuck on poles, some were lit up old cycle lamps ,and one or two ,like the astrologer, managed without  lights of their own. It was a bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows. This suited the astrologer very well, for the simple reason that he had not in the least intended to be an astrologer when he began his life; and he knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself next minute. He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers. Yet he said things which pleased and astonished everyone: that was more a matter of study, practice, and shrewd guesswork. All the same, it was as much an honest man’s labour as any  other, and he deserved the wages he carried home at the end of a day.
He had left his village without any previous thought or plan. If he had continued there he would Have carried on the work of his forefathers- namely, tilling the land, living, marrying, and ripening In his cornfield and ancestral home. But that was not to be. He had to leave home without telling Anyone and he could not rest till he left it behind a couple of hundred miles. To a villager it is a great deal, as if an ocean flowed between.
A2. Find out : (02)
Find out the expressions from the extract that describes the Metaphoric use of the” Element Of light” used by the writer.
The astrologer transacted his business by the light of a flare.one or two hissing gaslights. Some had naked flares stuck on poles. It was a bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving  Shadows.
A3. Give Reasons : (02)
a) The astrologer deserved the money which he used to earn ………..
He said things which pleased and astonished everyone. He was able to convince his Customers  because of his study, practice and shrewd guesswork. All the same it was  An honest man’s labour.
A4. Vocabulary : (02)
Find out words related to the people of earlier generation.
[Forefathers, ancestors]
A4. Vocabulary : (02)
Find out words from the extract which mean the following.
a) Surprising = astonished bewildering
b) To plan or mean to do something=
c) Fixed regular payment = wages
d) Great pleasure or delight =enchantment
A5. Personal Response : (02)
“ Astrology is nothing but applying common sense, logic and pure guesswork” share your Views with suitable justification.
A6. Grammar : (02)
i) The place was lit up by the shop lights.
(The correct Active voice of the above sentence is)
Select your answer from the options and rewrite it.
a) The shop lights are lighting the place.
b) The place helps the shop lights to light.
c) The shop lights lit the place
d) The shop lights are light up by the place.
ii) He had left his village. (Identify the tense used in the sentence)
        Past perfect tense
iii) He could not resist. (Use,” be able to” and rewrite it.)
He was not able to resist        or                He was unable to resist.
Activities prepared by
Tushar jaisinha Bagwe
K J Somaiya college of science and commerce vidyavihar east Mumbai 77

 Astrologer''s Day

Activities with Expected answers

Extract No. 03

Page no. 3  

[ Lines,” He had………chat with me’]

Read the first activity, read the extract and do all the activities that follow:

A1. True or false:                   (02)

State whether the following statements are true or false.

a) The astrologer was able to analyse people’s troubles due to his long practice (T)

b) Astrologer use common sense to deal with the clients. (T) 

c) Astrologer used to be there at the place even after the vendor left for home. (F)

d) Clients normally disagree with the predictions of the astrologer. (F) 

He had a working analysis of mankind’s troubles: marriage, money and the tangles of human ties. Long practice had sharpened his perception. Within five minutes he understood What was wrong? He charged three pies per question, never opened his mouth till the other  Had spoken for at least ten minutes, which provided him enough stuff for a dozen answers and advices. When he told the person before him, gazing at his palm,” In many ways you Are not getting the fullest results for your efforts,” nine out of ten were disposed to agree With him or he questioned,” is there any woman in your family, may be even a distant Relative who is not well disposed towards you?” or he gave an analysis of character,” most Of your troubles are due to your nature. How can you be otherwise with Saturn where he is? You have an impetuous nature and a rough exterior,” This endeared him to their hearts Immediately, for even the mildest of us loves to think that he has a forbidding exterior.

          The nuts vendor blew out his flare and rose to go home. This was the signal for the Astrologer to bundle up too, since if left him in darkness except for a little shaft of green Light which strayed in from somewhere and touched the ground before him? He picked up his Cowrie shells and paraphernalia and was putting them back into his bag when the green  Shaft of light was blotted out. He looked up and saw a man standing before him. He sensed A possible client and said,” you look so careworn. It will do you good to sit down for a  While and chat with me.”

A2. Proofs / Evidences :            (02)

Find out the expressions that deal with the fact that Analysis of character is done by the astrologer.

Most Of your troubles are due to your nature. How can you be otherwise with Saturn where he is? You have an impetuous nature and a rough exterior,” 

A3. Give reasons :                     (02)

The astrologer could understand the problem in five minutes ……………

The astrologer had a working analysis of mankind’s troubles like marriage, money and the problems  of human ties. Due to Long practice, he had sharpened his perception to judge people. He used to listen his client’s patiently and understood their problems.

A4. Vocabulary :                   (02)

Find out the words from the extract which mean the following.

a) Twist together into a confused mass = Tangles

b) Attitude or Approach to judge someone= Perspective

c) Impulsive= impetuous

d) Liked by somebody= endeared 

A5. Personal Response :.    (02)

Do you believe that Analysis of mankind troubles is possible, share your views with proper Justification.

A6. Grammar :                   (02)

i) He charged three pies per question.

(Frame a “wh question” to get the underlined part as an answer)

How much (money) did he charge per question?

ii) This was a signal for the astrologer.

( Frame a Rhetorical question)

Wasn’t this a signal for the astrologer?

iii) He looked up and saw a man standing before him.

(Make a simple sentence)

Looking up he saw a man standing before him.

iv) It will do you good.

(Replace the modal auxiliary by another showing,” possibility”)

           It may/might do you good.2

1.1 An Astrologer’s Day

The title of the text:

1) 'An astrologer's Day' arouses curiosity as something might have taken place on a particular day. It attracts the readers to go through the text.

2) 'An astrologer's Day' - Here ‘a day’ is a specific day in life that can be a turning point of somebody's life. The title is very interesting and creates curiosity in the mind of the readers. The writer extended the word with a particular purpose as it was used by Churchill... 'Everyone has his day'.

3)  The title creates curiosity in the mind of the reader about astrology and astrologer’s life. It also creates interest in reading to find out what is that particular day of the astrologer in the story.

Ice Breakers:

1) Discuss with your partner and complete the activity. 

What are your strengths?

Strengths	Why do you feel so?	Dream career
painting and drawing	can visualise, express	commercial artist, cartoonist
dancing	passion, expression	choreographer, artist
singing	voice modulation	Singer
music	passion for musical instruments or  to get peace and relaxation	music composer / Musician
acting	enacting as per situations	actor
making various kinds of dishes	love to make food	chef
ask questions	can raise critical issues	News anchor, Journalist
write stories	can arrange different ideas and events	Writer
persuade	can convince anyone	salesman/ businessman
weaving and sewing	can design clothes	dress designer

2) The scene in a local market of a village/town/city is very attractive. People with different occupations sell their wares. Discuss with your partner the variety of activities at the local market.

1. selling flowers, selling grocery.      

2. selling sweets, namkeens, bangles, artificial jewelries, homemade medicines, fruits, vegetables, home utensils, beauty products, clothes etc.

3. bantering, bargaining, discussing, joking, shouting  etc.  

4. transport of goods and other products.

5. movement of persons and hand carts,

6. use of different dialects or languages. 

3) In a village /town /city it is quite a common sight to see an astrologer sitting by the roadside with his professional equipment.

Discuss with your partner and list the requirements for his trade.

1) parrot, cards etc.

2) cowrie shell, obscure things, clothes ,mala, beads, flowers etc

3) lemon, green chillies, sindoor, books, photos of deity, wand, etc.

4) Panchang, mystic charts, palmyra writing,  stick, mat, etc.

         

4) There are certain unreasonable beliefs among people living in our society. Certain common events are linked with superstitions.

List such events, discuss the superstitions linked with them and the means of their eradication.

1) A cat crossing your path

2) To cut the nails at night.

3) To see the women carrying empty pitchers.

4) To scratch the left hand.

5) To kill the cat.

6) To take salt on the palm.

7) To sit on the threshold.

8) To blow the burning diya.(oil lamp)

9) To touch the trees at night.

10) To remove the foot wears in front of the door.

11) To hear the caws of crow.

12) To blink the left eye.

13) Howling of dog.

14) Boiled milk overflowing from vessel.

15) Belief in supernatural powers.

16) Sacrifice of animals toward of evil.

17) Marriage of animals to ward off drought and bring rain.

18) Hang lemon and chillies.

19) Hang black doll on the door.

20) Seeing owl on the way.

21) Donating amount in figure of 11, 21, 51 and so on.

22) Breaking of mirror brings bad luck.

23) Sweeping of home at night.

24) Painting black spot to the infant.

Means to eradicate the superstitions:

1. By keeping scientific attitude.

2. Finding rationale behind them.

3. By exposing their falsehood.

4. By creating social awareness drive.

5. Through literacy campaigns

6. Through stage shows, films, songs, plays and TV programmes.

7. Taking help of local NGOs.

8. Organising Workshops, seminars and scientific forums at school and 

colleges.

9. Scientific thinking

10. Practical analysis

11. Tie up with organisation that exposes the truth through analytical thinking. 

Guess the meaning:

1) pies - a former monetary unit of India and Pakistan equal to 1/12 of an anna

2) tilting - move or causing to move in sloping position

3) bluffing - trying to deceive someone as to someone's abilities or intentions

4) glimpse - a momentary or partial view

5) passer-by - a person who happens to be going past something, especially on foot

6) peep - look quickly and furtively at something especially through a narrow opening

7) overwhelmed - overpowered or have strong emotional effect on

8) groaned- made a deep, inarticulate sound conveying despair or pain

9) surging – (crowd) moving suddenly and powerfully forward

10) cosmos - coloured flowers and pinnate leaves (Mexican herb)

11) dahlia - name of a flower plant (a tuberous-rooted Mexican plant of the daisy family, which is cultivated for its brightly coloured single or double flowers.)

12) din - a loud,  unpleasant and prolonged noise

13) transacted - carried out  or conducted (business dealings)

14) careworn - tired or unhappy because of prolonged worry

15) gasped - panted, catch one's breath with an open mouth, owing to pain or astonishment.

Brainstorming activities:

(A1)

(i) Given below are some descriptions. Discuss them with your partner and find out one word for each of them. An example is given for you.

(a) The scientific study of the universe and the objects in it, including stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies

- Astronomy

(b) The study of the movements of the planets, Sun, Moon, and Stars in the belief that these movements can have an influence on people's lives

- Astrology or (Cosmology or Astrophysics)

(c) A prediction of what will happen in the future.

- Prophet or Foreteller or Oracle

(d) Scientific discipline that studies mental states and processes and behaviour in humans and other animals.

- Psychology

(ii) In the story we are told that the Town Hall Park was a remarkable place in many ways for an astrologer to build his business. Discuss it in a group and list the exceptional qualities of the place.

a) A surging crowd     

b) A variety of trades and occupations.

c) An auctioneer of cheap cloth created enough din to attract the whole town.

d) Vociferousness of a vendor of fried groundnut.

e) It does not have the benefit of municipal lighting.

f) The place was lit up by shop lights.

g) Bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows.

h) The astrologer transacted his business by the light of a flare. 

(ii) In the story we are told that the Town Hall Park was a remarkable place in many ways for an astrologer to build his business. Discuss it in a group and list the exceptional qualities of the place.

a) A surging crowd     

b) A variety of trades and occupations.

c) An auctioneer of cheap cloth created enough din to attract the whole town.

d) Vociferousness of a vendor of fried groundnut.

e) It does not have the benefit of municipal lighting.

f) The place was lit up by shop lights.

g) Bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows.

h) The astrologer transacted his business by the light of a flare.

(iii) The astrologer never opened his mouth till the other had spoken for at least ten minutes. Discuss the reasons behind his act.

(a) He is good at reading the people.

b) The information given by people provided him enough stuff for a dozen answers and advices        

c) He got a chance to analyze the troubles of his customer.            

d) He worked on the policy those who hear a lot learn a lot.

e) He won the confidence of the customer.

f) He got enough time for searching answers and giving advice.

(A2)

(i) The tactics used by the astrologer to earn his wages are...

a) Analysis of human troubles

b) A good presence of mind, experience and perception

c) Use of equipment and shrewdness. 

d) Comment on the customer's nature, affairs, efforts and fate.

e) Creation of fear in the mind of the customer.

e) Use of general statements to endear the customers and win their hearts.

(ii) An astrologer's appearance helps to create an impression on his clients.

Complete the following

a) The turban on his head b) Sacred ash and vermilion on forehead c) Dark whiskers, sparkling eyes, dark mustache etc. d) Other equipment

(iii) Read the following sentences and choose the correct one .

(a) The astrologer says that if Nayak does not leave his village again, he would -

(1) return the money

(2) face danger

(3) go back home and stop looking for the man who tried to kill him

(4) not find the killer.

Answer: face danger

(b) According to the narrator the astrologer's success in his profession is primarily due to -

(1) luck

(2) the bargains he drives

(3) his appearance

(4) his understanding of people.

Answer: his understanding of people.

(c) The story suggests that the astrologer's comments and observations please people by -

(1) promising them success and good fortune

(2) proving, as time passes, to have been true

(3) flattering them or supporting their own views

(4) helping them to learn to solve their own problems.   

Answer: flattering them or supporting their own views  

(d) Guru Nayak consults the astrologer because he wants to -

(1) understand the past

(2) find out who the astrologer is

(3) make some money through a bet

(4) get the answer to a specific question

Answer: get the answer to a specific question

(e) Guru Nayak is looking for the man who tried to kill him -

(1) to take revenge

(2) to get an apology

(3) to demand an explanation

(4) to prove that the man was unsuccessful.

Answer: to take revenge

(f) The astrologer's remark makes Guru Nayak feel all of the following except-

(1) relieved

(2) suspicious

(3) impressed

(4) disappointed.

Answer: suspicious

(g) Reactions of the astrologer's wife to his news suggest that she -

(1) was unaware of his past

(2) has been worried about his safety

(3) has known him since he was young

(4) is concerned about her future with him.

Answer: was unaware of his past

(iv) Read the following sentences and find out True and False sentences. Correct the False sentences.

(a) The astrologer gave a correct prediction to the client about his past that he was stabbed, thrown into a well and left for dead.- True

(b) When the astrologer came to know that the man whom he killed is alive he felt that he was relieved of his guilt. - True

(c) The astrologer tried to back out of the deal and talked about the client's past. – False (The astrologer demanded more money to tell about the client’s past)

(d) The astrologer rescued himself from Guru Nayak's revenge. - True

(e) The moral of the story is that we must be responsible about what we have done and should not run away from our mistakes. - True

(v) The astrologer has changed his appearance and his persona when he arrived in the city. Give specific reasons.

Answer: When astrologer was a silly youngster, he quarreled with Guru Nayak and tried to kill him in wrath. He thought that he had murdered Guru Nayak. So he left the village and settled in the distant city where no one was familiar with him. He changed his attire and also changed the complete appearance and persona so that no one could recognise him and his offence of killing Guru Nayak would not be revealed.

(vi)'The darkness load that was inside the astrologer has disappeared'. Through this sentence, explain the significance of the title 'An Astrologer's Day'.

Answer: An astrologer was living under the burden of thought that he had the blood of man on his hands all those days. But one day he saw a stranger before him. He identified Guru Nayak. When he saw Guru Nayak was alive, he became tension free. The day on which he was relieved from that load, was a special day for him. So that day is called An Astrologer's Day.

(vii)   The astrologer feels relieved that Guru is not dead as it relieves a great burden from him. Critically justify the statement and explain it.

Answer: An astrologer was living under the load of thought that he had murdered Guru Nayak. So he felt himself guilty. But one day when he saw Guru Nayak before him alive, he felt relieved from the burden of that thought means he was not dead.

(viii) The astrologer wins/gets the sympathy of criticism of the reader in the end. Express your opinion with the support of the main story.

Answer: The Astrologer gets the sympathy of the readers because he was guilty of his deed and wanted to get away from it. His smartness and the tricks of his trade had saved him from his past crime. He had accepted his mistake and already started living a new life. Acceptance of mistake is a great quality which is difficult to find. His perception, presence of mind, self-confidence and shrewdness helped him to overcome the problem. He had learnt a lesson hence the astrologer got sympathy from the readers.

(ix) If we have to eradicate the superstitions and other ill practices from our society, what steps would you like to suggest?

Answer: I would like to suggest the following steps for eradicating the superstitions and other ill practices from our society.

a) I will make the people aware of the things which are good and which are bad for our development and also for the development of our society.

b) I will tell them about the ill effects of superstitions on our health.

c) I will try to develop the scientific views in the people.

d) I will also tell them how common persons are deceived under the names of blind beliefs by some so called Sadhus.

e) I will also tell the people not to believe in unknown persons who come 

to your doorstep and ask you to make double the money or ornaments.

f) I will take the help of the organizations who are working in the field of eradication of superstitions. These organizations will arrange programmes to show the ill impacts of superstitions.

g) I will try to develop scientific thinking within common people through practical experiences.

etc.

(x) In the story, astrologer has a great listening power. Listening helps in developing good relations with people. Express your opinion.

Answer: Yes, listening helps in developing good relations with people. a) If we listen carefully what the person before us telling, he / she will respect us.

b) If we listen someone's agony, we can console him / her. It helps us to build good relationship.

c) Listening also helps us to sort out the misunderstanding.

d) Listening is skill which helps one to communicate successfully.

e) If we don't listen others and speak to the people all the time, they get bored and try to avoid us which affects the relations.

f) A good listener is always alert and can judge things in correct perspective. Such person takes proper steps to maintain the relationship.

A3)

(i) In the story, the following characters reveal their qualities through words and actions. Pick out the words that describe them and write before the characters.

Astrologer	Guru Nayak	Astrologer's wife
(1) shrewd	manipulative	caring
(2)
(3)
(4)

Answer

(ii) Match the suffixes with the words and make nouns. One is done for you.

Word	suffix		noun
auction	able		auctioneer
enchant	ure
know	ment
prepare	eer
proceed	ance
appear	ledge
remark	tion
Answer:-
Word	suffix	noun
auction	able	auctioneer
enchant	ure	enchantment
know	ment	knowledge
prepare	eer	preparation
proceed	ance	procedure
appear	ledge	appearance
remark	tion	remarkable

iii) Astrologer's Day' has ironic elements where the astrologer pretends to have 'supernatural knowledge' that coincidently turns out to be the truth.

Irony means a situation or statement characterized by a significant difference between what is expected and what actually happens, or between what is understood and what is meant.

Find out the examples of irony from the story and write them down. One has been done for you.

a) He knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself the next minute.

b) He had a working analysis of mankind's troubles.

c) Within five minutes he understood what was wrong.

d) Guru Nayak came to the astrologer for help in finding the man who nearly killed him--and the astrologer himself was the very man he was looking for but he couldn’t recognize him.

e) His forehead was resplendent with sacred ash and vermilion, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam which was really an outcome of a continual searching look for customers, but which his simple clients took to be a prophetic light and felt comforted.

f) Nayak learnt that his attacker was dead. The astrologer learnt that he did not commit murder.

g) The very fact that such pious and sanctimoniously sacrosanct activities are carried out in busy market lanes where day to day businesses are carried out makes quite a few eyebrows to get raised and worry about the real underpinnings of these businesses.

(iv) In the story, many Indian words are used.

'Cowrie shells'. This is an example of code-mixing.

Find out other such words from the story and write them down.

Examples of code – mixing:-

Raja's Delicacy, Bombay ice cream, Delhi Almond, three pies, eight annas, half annas, jutka drivers, lit a cheeroot etc.

Cotent of the story is.......

Answer:

1) A religious instrumental song or a prayer played by the organist in a church for the celebration of coming Sabbath.

2) An influential musical note played by the organist to inspire an idle person to become a worthy person.

(A4) Language Study

(i) Convert the following sentences into negative without changing their meanings.

(a) The policeman refused to accept Soapy even as a clue.

Ans. The policeman didn't accept Soapy even as a clue.

(b) Soapy drifted along twice unsuccessful.

Ans. Soapy drifted along twice with no success.

Ans. Soapy drifted along twice but wasn't successful.

Ans. Soapy drifted along twice but he didn’t succeed.

(c) Soapy stopped his unavailing racket.

Ans. Soapy didn't continue his unavailing racket.

(d) The island seemed very far away.

Ans. The island did not seem close by.

Ans. The island didn't seem very close.

(e) The island seemed an unattainable Arcadia.

Ans. The island seemed an Arcadia which could not be attained.

Ans. The island did not seem attainable Arcadia.

(ii) Convert the following sentences into affirmative without changing their meanings.

(a) Men who smash windows do not remain to chat with the police.

Ans. Men who smash windows hardly remain to chat with the police.

Ans. Men who smash windows avoid to chat with the police.

Ans. Men who smash windows fail to remain to chat with the police.

Ans. Men who smash windows run away instead of chatting with the police.

(b) Why don’t you call a cop?

Ans. Why do you hesitate to call a cop?

Ans. You should call a cop.

(c) On the opposite side of the street was a restaurant of no great pretensions.

Ans. On the opposite side of the street was a restaurant without any great pretensions.

Ans. On the opposite side of the street was restaurant with a very low pretentions.

(d) Noisy; but no harm.

Ans. Noisy; but harmless.

(e) They seemed to regard him as a King who could do no wrong.

Ans. They seemed to regard him as a king who could hardly do any wrong.

Ans. They seemed to regard him as a King who could do only right.

Ans. They seemed to regard him as a king who was unable to do any wrong.

2.1 The Song of the Open Road

Title:

The title of the poem is very significant as Whitman has used the word ‘Song’ with a definite purpose that he enjoys to travel on the open road without any tension and worries of past, present and future and face the life without any complaint against his life. The poet wishes to move ahead on the road of life with his own will and goodness. The Song of the open road also indicates Freedom.

New words and their meaning

1. Afoot- going on foot, walking, in motion

2. brown path- bare land

3. postpone- to stop for few days

4. suffice- enough, adequate, sufficient

5. deliciuos burdens(here)- bad memories of the past

6. whimper - low voice of cry or agony, unhappiness, sadness

7. querulous - argumentative, complaining

8. constellations - Here it means group, collection, gathering of people 9. light-hearted – cheerful, care-free

10.take to – begin

Introduction-

Song of the open road is a poem by Walt Whitman. It is taken from the collection "Leaves of Grass". It is written in 1856. Walt Whitman strongly advocated importance of democracy & Freedom. The poem ‘Song of the Open Road’ is written in the free verse and is in the form of a monologue by the poet. The poet intends to express his open thoughts over journey of life taken on different roads.  The unrhymed and varying length of lines shows the complexities and the ups and downs one faces in his /her life. It also indicates the poet’s inner desire to enjoy life to its fullest without bothering about the tensions and worries. 

It is an inspirational poem written in the form of narration. This poem is an Ode to one’s self.

Poet: Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist and journalist. He is often called the father of free verse. He was born on Long Island in 1819 and grew up in the New York area. He had very little formal schooling, but he considered himself to be a lifelong learner. Whitman died at the age of 72 after suffering stroke in 1892. His poem 'O' Captain, My Captain' and his poetry collection 'Leaves of Grass' are his remarkable literary works. 

Figures of speech:

1) The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose....... Alliteration - Sound of letter ‘l’ is repeated.

2) Henceforth I as not good- fortune, I myself am good- fortune...... Repetition - Word ‘good –fortune’  is repeated.         

3) I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go.....

Repetition - Words 'Carry them’ are repeated.

4) Still here I carry my old delicious burdens.....

Paradox- Delicious and burden express opposite meaning.

5) Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticism..... Tautology- ‘Complaint and Querulous’ expresses same meanings.

6) Still here........burdens

Metaphor - Old sweet memories are indirectly compared to something delicious.

7) Henceforth I....need no more –

Climax....Words are arranged in their ascending order of importance

8) Querulous Criticism

Alliteration- Sound ‘k’ is repeated.

9) Strong and content I travel the open road. 

Inversion- The words are not in a correct prose order. The correct prose order is – I travel the open road strong and content.

10)I am fill’d with them, and I will fill them in return

Repetition- The word ‘fill’ is repeated.

11) Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road. 

Inversion- The words are not in a correct prose order. The correct prose order is – I take to the open road afoot and light hearted.

12) Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms.

Climax- Ideas are arranged is ascending order.

13)Song of the road - Personification

Non-living object road is shown singing.

14) Song of the Open Road

Metaphor-

15) I carry my old delicious burdens

Paradox-Burdens are described as delicious. It is absurd.

A burden cannot be delicious. The poet has used this combination of words to express that he has many sweet memories of the people and places which he would like to remember forever. 

Paraphrase:

The poem begins with poet’s journey on foot on the open road. Here the road means the road of life. He expresses that he is very cheerful to take the journey in this healthy and free world. In addition, the poet has a control over the journey as he is free to choose the brown path wherever to travel.

          Next, the poet continues the thoughts in earlier lines by saying that he does not ask for good fortune and considers himself the creator of his own fortune. He adds that he will not cry or hesitate to do anything without postponing it and expects nothing. He is no longer satisfied being confined in the four walls. He is strong and happy enough to travel on the open road having unlocked himself from several complaints and arguments in his past life.

          In the next lines, the poet tries to free himself from the worldly pleasures and relations. Even though he has a great faith in them and knows that they are doing well and happy with them, no more he likes to engage himself in friends and other people as he thinks that the mother earth is now enough for him to travel.

         

Special features-

The poem is written in very simple and effective language which is easy to understand. As it is written in a free verse, there is no rhyme scheme and meter. Length of the lines and stanzas are not equal. It has four separate stanzas. The first stanza contains only three lines, the other two stanzas contain four lines. In the last stanzas poet uses parentheses to separate himself from the worldly needs. Phrases like 'light-hearted' and 'querulous criticisms' are interesting. Imageries such as constellations and brown colour are noteworthy. Figures of speech such as Alliteration, Metaphor, Repetition and Paradox are impressive.

Theme:

Freedom, joy of free life and optimism are the major themes of this poem. Throughout the poem, the poet encourages the readers to be true to themselves and live a free and enjoy the freedom of life. Although his life is not free from obligations and troubles, he encourages everyone to live their dreams, leaving the obstacles behind.

Moral/Opinion:

It teaches us to be optimistic and happy. We have everything including freedom and opportunities. It encourages us to enjoy the life in healthy and free world. It motivates us to fill our heart with immense pleasure

Wednesday, 22 April 2020

2.2 Indian Weavers

Title:

          The title ‘Indian Weavers’ focuses over Indian artisans particularly weavers. The adjective ‘Indian’ is used with a definite purpose appreciating the work of Indian Weavers. As the weavers intertwine the fabrics, the poetess aims to interlace a message through the poem.

New words:

1) Weaving – interlacing threads to produce fabrics or cloth

2) Break of day – morning, dawn, sunrise

3) Halcyon – Asian/African kingfisher bird

4) Wild – untamed, free

5) Robe – dress, clothe, frock, dressing gown, housecoat

6) Plumes – feathers of bird, quills

7) Marriage-veils – bridal veils, wedding veils ( Hindi – Chunari ), bridal gown, specially to cover face

8) Solemn – serious, sober

9) Still – rest, stable, silent

10) Chill – extreme cool

11) Funeral – burial, cremation, last rites 

12) Shroud –  white cloth for dead body

13) Fall of night- late evening

14) Bright garments- brightly (shining) colored garments

15) Solemn and still- sacred, serious, quiet

16) Moonlight chill- cold dead night

17) Gay - with happiness or with fun

Paraphrase:

          The weavers start their weaving at the morning (rise of a day). The poetess compares the cloth with the blue coloured wing of a wild halcyon and asks the weavers why they look so happy while weaving the garment/cloth. In response, the weavers answer that they are weaving a dress for the new born baby so they are so happy. Here, break of day is metaphorical used for the birth and the first phase of human life which is a happy moment for everyone including the weavers.

           The weavers continue their work during fall of night (evening). The poetess compares the garment/cloth with the purple green coloured feathers of a peacock and asks again the weavers why they are weaving so shiny garment/cloth. In response, the weavers answer that they are weaving a bridal veils of a queen so it’s fresh and bright. Here, fall of night is metaphorical used for the adulthood and the most important second phase of human life. It is a phase of merry days that brightens every aspects of human life.

          The weavers carry out their work during the cold moonlight also. But their mood is serous and silent. The garment they are weaving is white. The poetess very ingeniously compares the white garment/cloth metaphorically with a quill and a also with a white cloud. The poetess asks again the weavers why they are weaving the white garment/cloth. In response, the weavers answer solemnly that they are weaving that white cloth for a dead body for its final rites (cremation). Here, the phrase ‘cold moonlight’ is metaphorical used to the final phase of human life i.e. death which is eternal truth. 

          The poetess has used two metaphors in the last stanza to compare the white cloth. Within that the metaphoric use of the phrase ‘white as a cloud’ needs deeper interpretation as if the white cloud (cloth) finally shrouds every dead and takes away it to its ‘Final Destination’ or ‘Final Rest’. The last two lines create the feelings of pathos in minds of the readers, the poetess and the weavers.

Figures of Speech and Explanation:  

1. Weavers, weaving at break of day.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

Climax – The words are arranged in the ascending order.

Metaphor - The birth (childhood stage of man) is implicitly compared with a break of day.

2. Why do you weave a garment so gay? . . .

Alliteration – The sound of letters ‘w’ and ‘g’ are repeated.

Interrogation – A question is used for emphasis.

3. Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild.

Inversion – The words are not in correct order. The correct word order is – The wing of a halcyon wild (is) blue.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

Simile – The blue coloured cloth is directly compared with a wing of wild halcyon.

4. We weave the robes of a new-born child.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

5. Weavers, weaving at fall of night.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

Climax – The words are arranged in the ascending order.

Metaphor- Adulthood (young - the second stage of man) is implicitly compared with the fall of night.

6. Why do you weave a garment so bright?

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

Interrogation – The question mark is used.

7. Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green.

Simile – The garment is directly compared with purple & green coloured plumes of peacock.

Anti-climax – The words purple and green are arranged in descending order.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘p’ is repeated.

8. We weave the marriage-veils of a queen.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

9. Weavers, weaving solemn and still.

Alliteration – The sounds of letters ‘w’ and ‘s’ are repeated.

Climax – The words ‘weavers’ and ‘weaving’ are arranged in the ascending order.

Paradox – The line is meaningless / absurd as one cannot carry the work of weaving being still.

Anti-climax – The words ‘solemn’ and ‘still’ are arranged in descending order.

Tautology - The words ‘solemn’ and ‘still’ are similar in meaning.

10. What do you weave in the moonlight chill?

Interrogation – A question is used for emphasis.

Inversion – The words are not in correct order. The correct word order is – What do you weave in the chill moonlight?

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

Metaphor - death (old age - the third and last stage of man's life) is implicitly compared with moonlight.

11. White as a feather and white as a cloud.

Repetition – The words ‘white’ and ‘as’ are repeated.

Simile – The garment is directly compared with a feather and a cloud.

12. We weave a dead man's funeral shroud.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

13) White as a feather and as a cloud,

We weave a dead man's funeral shroud.

Simile- funeral shroud is directly compared with a feather and a cloud.

Theme

The poem ‘Indian Weavers’ highlights the craft and skill of Indian weavers. The poetess has very nicely presented three phases of life. The life cycle is befittingly depicted from the work of weavers. 

It reminds a Classic Marathi song-

'एक धागा सुखाचा, शंभर धागे दुःखाचे.

जरतारी हे वस्त्र मानवा, तुझिया आयुष्याचे'

Supportive Resources:

Online Test No. 1