A Tiger in the Zoo by Leslie Norris

 4. A Tiger in the Zoo by Leslie Norris     (Notes Prepared bY Shish Pal Chauhan)

Questions & Answers

Summary

The tiger in the cage walks in a proud manner. He is in anger because he is shut in a small cell. He is helpless and cannot come out. The tiger should be in the jungle. He should be moving slowly in the long grass near a water hole to kill his prey. The tiger is not comfortable in the cell. It is not his natural habitat. He is in anger also. He walks inside the cell feeling uneasy and angry. He does not pay any attention to the visitor. He has no interest in them. The strength of the tiger is behind the bars. He is imprisoned in a cell. He takes no interest in the visitors. The poem gives a message that we should not keep birds and animals in cages. We should not imprison them. They should live in their natural habitats.

Q1. How does the tiger walk about in the cage? What are his emotions?

Ans. The tiger in the cage walks in a proud manner. He is in anger because he is shut in a small cell. He is helpless and cannot come out.

Q2. Where should the tiger be?

Ans. The tiger should be in the jungle. He should be moving slowly in the long grass near a water hole to kill his prey.

Q3. How is the tiger in the cell? How does he react to the visitors?

Ans. The tiger is not comfortable in the cell. It is not his natural habitat. He is in anger also. He walks inside the cell feeling uneasy and angry. He does not pay any attention to the visitor. He has no interest in them.

Q4. Where is the strength of the tiger and how does he treat the visitors?

Ans. The strength of the tiger is behind the bars. He is imprisoned in a cell. He takes no interest in the visitors.

Q5. How does the tiger feel in the cage?

Ans. The tiger is not comfortable in the cell. It is not his natural habitat. He is in anger also. He walks inside the cell feeling uneasy and angry.

Q6. What message does the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ give? Or what is the central idea/theme of the poem?

Ans. The poem gives a message that we should not keep birds and animals in cages. We should not imprison them. They should live in their natural habitats.

Q7. How does the tiger terrify the villagers?

Ans. If the tiger is in his natural habitat, he growls at the villagers who pass by that way. He also shows his fangs and bright claws to the villagers to terrify them.

Q8. How does the poet contrast the tiger in the zoo with the tiger in the jungle?

Ans. The tiger in the zoo is not free. He feels uncomfortable in the limited space of the cell. The tiger in the zoo is happy. He is free to move anywhere.

Q9. How does the tiger behave at night?

Ans. The patrolling cars create noise. The tiger in the cage just stares at the shining stars.

Q10. What should the tiger be doing if he were in the jungle?

Ans. He should be sitting near a water hole under long grass and waiting for some deer to come. He would jump to kill the deer to make his food.

Q11. What should the tiger be doing if he were at the edge of the jungle?

Ans. He should be terrorizing the villagers by roaring and showing his fangs.

Q12. Why does the tiger ignore the visitors?

Ans. The tiger is not happy. He is imprisoned in the cage.  He feels uneasy, angry and uncomfortable in the café, he needs freedom. So he has no interest in the visitors.

Very Short Qs

4. A Tiger in the Zoo by Leslie Norris  : Learn the following statements:

1.      The tiger is in cage/concrete cell.

2.      The tiger stalks inside the cage.

3.      The tiger should be snarling at the edge of the jungle near a village.

4.      ‘Pads of velvet’ means soft soles.

5.      The tiger’s strength is behind the bars.

6.      ‘Behind the bars means in the cage.

7.      The tiger ignores the visitors.

8.       The tiger stares sadly at the brilliant stars.

                         

     Important Stanzas                Stanza 1.

He stalks in his vivid stripes/The few steps of his cage,

On pads of velvet quiet, /In his quiet rage.

Q1. Who is ‘He’ in the above lines?      Ans. 1. The tiger  

Q2.How does ‘He’ walk in the cage?     Ans.2. In a proud manner  

Q3. In what mood is ‘He’?             Ans.3. Anger

Q4. Which words in the stanza show the following meanings? 

(i) Anger (ii) visible/distinct          Ans.4. (i) rage (ii) vivid

Stanza: 2. He should be lurking in shadow,/Sliding through long grass /Near the water hole/Where plump deer pass.    Word-meanings: plump, lurking

Q1. Name the poem and its poet.

Ans. The Poem is ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ and its poet is Leslie Norris.

Q2. Where should the tiger be now?    Ans. in the jungle.

Q3. For what should he be lurking?      Ans.  For its prey/food.

Q4. Where do the deer usually pass?    Ans Near the water hole.

Q5. Give the synonyms for the words: (i) plump (ii) lurk

Ans. (i) Fleshy/fat (ii) wait/ prowl

                                                             Stanza 3.

He should be snarling around houses/At the jungle’s edge, /Baring his white fangs, his claws,

Terrorising the village!

Q1.Where should ‘he’ be snarling/growling around?               Ans. Around houses

Q2. What should ‘he’ be doing at the jungle’s edge?  Ans. Showing his sharp teeth and claws

Q3. How does he terrorise the villagers?   Ans. By growling and showing his sharp teeth and paws.

Q4. What words in the stanza above mean the following words?   (i) Sharp teeth (ii) growling

Ans.  (i) fangs (ii) snarling     Stanza 5

He hears the last voice at night, /The patrolling cars,

And stares with his brilliant eyes /At the brilliant stars.

Q1. What is the last voice here in the stanza?  Ans. It is the sound created by the patrolling cars.   Q2. How does he stare at the stars?   Ans. He stares at the stars with his brilliant eyes.

Q3 Why have his eyes been called brilliant?  Ans. Animals' eyes shine in the darkness.

Q4. Give the meaning of ‘stare’.  Ans. to watch continuously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIRE AND ICE BY ROBERT FROST

 2. Fire and Ice BY ROBERT FROST (Notes Prepared bY Shish Pal Chauhan)

                                                           Short Summary To be increased

   In this poem, the poet, Robert Frost uses symbols of fire and ice as the causes of the world’s destruction. Fire stands for desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance. Ice stands for cruelty, intolerance, stubbornness, insensitivity, indifference and hatred. Both causes would surely lead to the end of the whole world.

                                                    Questions & Answers

Q1. What for ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ in the poem ‘Fire and Ice?

Ans. Fire stands for desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance.

Q2. Why do some people say that the world would end in fire?

Ans. Some people hold the religious view that the world would end.

Q3. Why do some people say that the world would end in ice?

Ans. Some people hold the scientific view that the world would end by ice.

Q4. Describe the two symbols used in the poem Fire and Ice?

Ans. Fire symbolises desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance. Ice symbolises cruelty, intolerance, stubbornness, insensitivity, indifference and hatred.

Q5. How will the world end by fire?

Ans. Growing materialism is the cause of desire. It further gives birth to passions like greed, anger and intolerance. These passions may become the cause of world war. In that case, the world would be destroyed.

Q7. How will the world end with hatred?

Ans. Hatred breeds intolerance, anger and cruelty. It causes insensitivity in the human heart. All of these negative feelings might become the cause of nuclear war in the world. That would be the end of the world.

Q8. What does ‘ice’ symbolise?

Ans. Ice symbolises cruelty, intolerance, stubbornness, insensitivity, indifference and hatred.

Q9. What does ‘Fire’ symbolise?

Ans. Fire symbolises desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance.

Stanza 1

Lines: “Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favour fire.”

Q1. Name the poet and the poem.

Ans. The poem is ‘Fire and Ice’ and the poet is Robert Frost.

Q2. What do people think about the end of the world?

Ans Some people say that the world would end in fire. Some say it would end in ice.

Q3. Which idea does the poet favour?

Ans. The poet favours the idea of fire.

Q4. Find the words from the stanza which mean the same as: (a) agree (b) take the side of

Ans. (a) hold (b) favour

Stanza 2

But if it had to perish twice, (a)

I think I know enough of hate (b)

To say that for destruction ice (a)

Is also great (b)

And would suffice.” (a)

 Q1. Name the poet and the poem.

Ans. The poem is ‘Fire and Ice’ and the poet is Robert Frost.

Q2. What does the poet know enough about?

Ans. It is about ‘hate’.

Q3. How is ‘ice’ sufficient for destruction?

Ans. Some people hold the scientific view that the world would end by ice.

Q4. What is the deeper meaning of ‘ice’ here?

Ans. Ice symbolises cruelty, intolerance, stubbornness, insensitivity, indifference and hatred.

Q5. What is the rhyme scheme in the stanza?

Ans. ababa

 

Lines: “Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favour fire.”

Word-meanings:

Explanation: This is a small poem written by Robert Frost. It is about a question that always occurred in people’s minds from time to time. The question is how the world would end.

    Robert Frost writes in this poem that some people say that the world would be consumed by fire. There are also some people who believe that the end of the world would be caused by ice. The poet adds that his experience of life says that the fire of passion dominates the world. People have lost control over their emotions of greed, anger and intolerance. There is always a danger of nuclear war in the world. That will surely destroy all.

Lines: “But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.”

Word meanings: 1. Perish: get destroyed   2. Suffice: convince/ be sufficient

Explanation: The poet says that he is confident that there is enough hate in the world. He has experienced that human beings show a lot of insensitivity, indifference and hatred towards others. If he were to select between the two causes of the world’s destruction, he would favour the second. It would be great and convincing if the world ends up by ice.

Short Summary

    Fire and Ice is about two causes that might prove fatal for the human race. Either of these two causes might destroy the whole world. The poet uses symbols of fire and ice as the causes of the world’s destruction. Fire stands for desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance. Ice stands for cruelty, intolerance, stubbornness, insensitivity, indifference and hatred. Both causes would surely lead to the end of the whole world.

 Questions & Answers

Q1. What for ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ in the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?

Ans. Fire stands for desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance.

Q2. Why do some people say that the world would end in fire?

Ans. Some people hold the religious view that the world would end.

Q3. Why do some people say that the world would end in ice?

Ans. Some people hold the scientific view that the world would end by ice.

Q4. Describe the two symbols used in the poem Fire and Ice?

Ans. Fire symbolises desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance. Ice symbolises cruelty, intolerance, stubbornness, insensitivity, indifference and hatred.

Q5. What is the main idea of the poem ‘Fire and Ice?

Ans. The poet seems to hint at two causes that would lead to the end of the world. The first cause of the world’s end might be desirable. It is the very root of so many conflicts in the world. It leads to greed, anger and intolerance. It would further push the world towards destruction. Secondly, the poet might be thinking about the ice age. It would also prove destructive for the world. Human beings are responsible for both the causes of the destruction of the world.

Q6. How will the world end by fire?

Ans. Growing materialism is the cause of desire. It further gives birth to passions like greed, anger and intolerance. These passions may become the cause of world war. In that case, the world would be destroyed.

Q7. How will the world end with hatred?

Ans. Hatred breeds intolerance, anger and cruelty. It causes insensitivity in the human heart. All of these negative feelings might become the cause of nuclear war in the world. That would be the end of the world.

Q8. What does ‘ice’ symbolise?

Ans. Ice symbolises cruelty, intolerance, stubbornness, insensitivity, indifference and hatred.

Q9. What does ‘Fire’ symbolise?

Ans. Fire symbolises desire and emotions like greed, anger and intolerance.

 

 

 

 

Animals by Walt Whitman

 The Poem: Animals by Walt Whitman

The theme of the Poem

The poet loves animals for their qualities. They are peaceful and self-reliant. They do not commit any sin like human beings. They do not have to lie awake and weep over their sins. Humans kneel to other humans who lived thousands of years ago. They make their idols, posters, etc, and worship them by kneeling their heads. They do not discuss their duty to God. They are satisfied. They do not flatter each other. They do not forget if affection is shown to them. They are not selfish like human beings.

Questions & Answers

Q1. Mention two things that humans do and animals don’t.

Ans. Humans lie awake and weep over their sins at night. They also bore others by discussing their duty to God. The animals don’t do these acts.

Q2. Do Humans kneel to other humans who lived thousands of years ago?

Ans. Yes, humans kneel to other humans who lived thousands of years ago. They make their idols, posters, etc, and worship them by kneeling their heads.

Q3. What are the ‘tokens’ that the poet says he may have dropped long ago and which the animals have kept for him?

Ans. The tokens are the feelings of love, affection, sympathy, and kindness to others. The poet dropped them a long time ago. But the animals keep these with them.

Q4. What does the poet observe about the animals?

       Or why does the poet admire animals?

Ans. The poet observes that the animals are innocent. Time has not changed their nature. They are what they are from the inside. They are peaceful, satisfied, and self-reliant. But humans hide their real feelings. They are selfish.

Q5 How are animals different from human beings?

 Ans. The poet observes that the animals are innocent. Time has not changed their nature. They are what they are from the inside. They are peaceful, satisfied, and self-reliant. But humans hide their real feelings. They are selfish.

Q6. How do humans make the poet sick?

Ans. Humans make the poet sick by discussing their duty towards God.

Q7. Why are human beings unhappy and dissatisfied?

Ans. Human beings are greedy about possessing material things. Their desires are unlimited. So they are dissatisfied and unhappy.

7. Animals: Stanzas for Comprehension

Stanza 1

I think I could turn and live with animals,

they are so placid and self-contained,

I stand and look at them long and long.

Meaning: 1. Turn: change 2. Placid: peaceful self-contained: self-reliant

Questions:

1. Name the poem and its poet.

Ans. The poem is ‘Animals’ and the poet is Walt Whitman.

2. Who is ‘I’ in the above lines?

Ans. ‘I’ is the poet.

3. Mention two qualities of the animals shown in the above stanza.

Ans. The animals are peaceful and self-reliant.

4. Why does the poet stand and look at them for long?

Ans. The poet is very much impressed by the animals. So he stands and looks at them for a long.

5. Why does the poet wish to live with them?

Ans. The poet loves the qualities of animals. So he wishes to live with them.

6. What does the poet wish in the above lines?

     Ans. The poet wishes to become an animal and start living with them.

  7. Why does the poet wish to live with animals?

 Ans. …because they are peaceful and independent.

8. Find out from the stanza the word that means the following: (i) peaceful (ii) self-reliant and independent

Ans. (i) placid (ii) self-contained

Stanza 2

They do not sweat and whine about their condition,

They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,

They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,

Questions:

1. Name the poet and its poet.

Ans. The poem is ‘Animals’ and the poet is Walt Whitman.

2. Who does the word ‘they’ refer to?

Ans. It refers to animals.

3. What do ‘they’ not do at night?

Ans. They do not lie awake and weep over their sins.

4. How do they not make the poet sick?

Ans. They do not make the poet sick by discussing their duty to God.

5. What do ‘they’ not do about their condition?

Ans. They do not complain about their condition.

6. What do human beings do about their sins at night?

Ans. They lie awake and weep over their sins at night.

7. What is the meaning of ‘sweat and whine’?

Ans. It means to make a complaint.

Stanza 3

Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things,/ Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago,/ Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.

Word meanings: 1. demented: crazy 2. Kneels: bends

1. Name the poet and its poet.

Ans. The poem is ‘Animals’ and the poet is Walt Whitman.

2. Write about only two qualities of the animals mentioned in the above stanza.

Ans. The animals are not dissatisfied and crazy about owning things.

3. Who are crazy about owning things: human beings or animals?

Ans. Human beings are crazy about owning things.

4. Who is unhappy over the whole earth?

Ans. Human beings are unhappy over the whole earth.

 5. Find from the above stanza the word that means: crazy

Ans. demented

Stanza 4

So they show their relations to me and I accept them,

They bring me tokens of myself, they evince them plainly in their possession I wonder where they get those tokens,

Did I pass that way huge times ago and negligently drop them?

1. Name the poet and its poet.

Ans. The poem is ‘Animals’ and the poet is Walt Whitman. 

2. Who shows their relation to the poet?

Ans. The animals show their relation to the poet.

3. What are the tokens mentioned in the above stanza?

Ans. These are the feelings of affection and love.

4. What had the poet dropped negligently?

Ans. The poet dropped the feelings of love and affection to the animals negligently.

5. What wonders the poet?

Ans. The poet wonders about the memory of the animals about their relationship with the poet.

6. Find out from the stanza the words that mean the following:

Show b. clearly  c. carelessly

Ans. a. evince b. plainly  c. negligently