Question No. 1 : Justify the title of the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’ ?
Or, The Poetry of Earth’ by Keats is a poem that depicts “ the continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons”. Justify the above statement.
Or, “The poetry of earth is never dead” – What does the word ‘poetry’ mean here ? Why is the poetry of earth never dead ?
Or, What does Keats mean by ‘the poetry of earth’ ? Why does he say that his poetry never ceases ?
Answer:
Uncountable sounds of nature like, music of birds, grasshoppers, crickets are all the ‘poetry of earth’ according to Keats. These sounds are everlasting. The earth is made up of various sounds, the calls of the birds and beats, the buzz of insects. These sounds are the voice of the earth. This voice is represented as ‘the poetry of the earth’.
The sounds or music of different creatures and elements continue as long as they exist. When birds become tired Grasshoppers start from hedges to hedges. Again in dark winter nights cricket starts its music. So, the natural music of the earth never ceases to play through the cycles of seasons. It is everlasting.
[ In this poem the poet expresses his appreciation for the continuous cycle of change in the natural world and celebrates the harmony found in both poetry and nature. Thus the statement / title is justified. ] (write for ‘Justify’ answer only)
Question No. 2: “He takes the lead / in summer luxury” – who takes the lead ? When does he take the lead ? How does he take the lead ? What is ‘summer luxury’ ?
Answer:
The grasshopper takes the lead .
When the birds become tired, stop their music and hide themselves in cooling trees, the grasshopper takes the lead and starts the music from hedges to hedges.
The beauty of the earth, even during extreme temperatures, is not lost. The poetry of earth here can be equated to the songs of nature and her creatures. The grasshopper reminds us that even when birds and animals succumb to the harsh climates, the grasshopper do not. The grasshopper is the only creature that keep the poetry of earth alive in ‘summer luxury’, when birds and other creatures are taking rest of being tried in hot summer.
Question No. 3: “He has never done with his delight” – who is ‘he’ ? What are the delights ? Why has he never done with his delights?
Answer:
‘He’ is (refers to) the grasshopper in this line.
The grasshopper is never tired of his merrymaking. The grasshopper provides incessant joy to all the inhabitants on the earth through his song. This is the source of his energy, thus, he’s never tired of spreading his joy.
Qustion No. 4 : “….a voice will run…” – Whose voice is it ? Where will the voice run and when ? What will be the effect?
Answer:
It is the voice of the grasshopper.
When the birds will be tired in the scorching heat and will take rest in the trees, the grasshopper will come out and start their music flying from hedges to hedges.
The beauty of the earth, even during extreme temperatures, is not lost. The poetry of earth here can be equated to the songs of nature and her creatures. The grasshopper reminds us that even when birds and animals succumb to the harsh climates, the grasshopper do not. The grasshopper is the only creature that keep the poetry of earth alive in ‘summer luxury’, when birds and other creatures are taking rest of being tried in hot summer.
Question No. 5: “He rests at ease” – Who is referred to as ‘he’? Where does he rest ? How does he animate nature?
Answer:
The grasshopper is referred to as ‘he’ in this line.
The grasshopper takes rest beneath some pleasant weed.
The beauty of the earth, even during extreme temperatures, is not lost. The poetry of earth here can be equated to the songs of nature and her creatures. The grasshopper reminds us that even when birds and animals succumb to the harsh climates, the grasshopper do not. The grasshopper is the only creature that keep the poetry of earth alive in ‘summer luxury’, when birds and other creatures are taking rest of being tried in hot summer.
Question No. 6: What pictures of summer is presented in The Poetry of Earth? How has it been carried out onto the picture of winter?
Answer:
The beauty of the earth, even during extreme temperatures, is not lost. The poetry of earth here can be equated to the songs of nature and her creatures. The grasshopper reminds us that even when birds and animals succumb to the harsh climates, the grasshopper do not. The grasshopper is the only creature that keep the poetry of earth alive in ‘summer luxury’, when birds and other creatures are taking rest of being tried in hot summer.
In the lone frosty winter evening when silence prevails everywhere, the music of the cricket can be heard. The sound increases the warmth and a drowsy feels that the music of the earth never ends
Wow..