10th English : Life
Unit 1.2 > Life
GLOSSARY
| mourning (v) | feeling or expressing great sadness | துயரம் அடைதல் அல்லது துயத்தை வெளிப்படுத்துதல் |
| veils (v) | to hide or cover something so that you cannot see it clearly or understand it | ஒன்றைத் தெளிவாகப் பார்க்க முடியாமலும், புரிந்து கொள்ள முடியாமலும் மறைத்தல் |
| crown (n) | a prize or position offered for being the best | சிறப்பான ஒன்றிற்கு வழங்கப்படும் பரிசு |
| quest (n) | a long search for something that is difficult to find | விசாரணை செய்து கண்டுபிடிப்பது |
| unreluctant* (adj.) | willing to do something (*This form is generally not used but the poet has coined it for emphasis) | செயல்பட வேண்டுமென்ற நோக்கத்துடன் |
| sonnet:- The word sonnet is derived from the Italian word “sonetto,” which means a ‘little song’ or ‘small lyric’. In poetry, a sonnet has 14 lines, and is written in ‘iambic pentameter’ (A line with ten syllables, accented on every second beat). The first eight lines of a sonnet is known as “octave” and the last six lines is known as “sestet”. Sonnets can be categorized on the basis of their rhyme scheme. | ||
I. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions that follows.
1. Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul;
a. Whom does the word ‘me’ refer to?
The word ‘me’ refers to the poet
b. What kind of life does the poet want to lead?
The Poet wants to lead a life of brightness and cheer, hoping for a better future, unhesitatingly ready to act.
2. Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear
a. Why do you think the poet is not in a hurry?
He wants to live a life by enjoying every moment. So he is not a hurry
b. What should one not mourn for?
One should not moum for the things that disappear by time.
3. In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.
a. What does the poet mean by the phrase ‘in the dim past’?
The phrase ‘in the dim past’ refers to things, events which go away and it will not be remembered clearly
b. Is the poet afraid of future?
No, because he says he is ready to face the future that comes his way.
c. How can one travel on with cheer?
With happy heart and cheerful spirit.
4. So let the way wind up the hill or down,
O’er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
a. How is the way of life?
The way of life sometimes goes up or goes down.
b. How should be the journey of life?
The journey of life should be entertaining with a joyful mood.
c. What did the poet seek as a boy?
As a boy, he sought new friendship, high adventure and good status.
5. My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
And hope the road’s last turn will be the best.
a. What kind of quest does the poet seek here?
The poet seeks ‘courageous’ quest.
b. What is the poet’s hope?
The poet hopes his quest will really end in happiness
6. In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.
a. Identify the rhyming words of the given lines.
fear – cheer; whole – toll
7. Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul;
Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear
a. Identify the rhyme scheme of the given lines.
The rhyme scheme is a b b a
The method is ‘Year’ – a
Soul – b
Goal – b
Disappear – a
II. Answer the following question in about 80 – 100 words
1. Describe the journey of life as depicted in the poem by Henry Van Dyke.
| Henry Van Dyke wants to live a better life each moment looking forward to complete his work unhesitatingly. But he does not want to hurry up to achieve his aim; he would like to complete his task undiverted. While pursuing his desire, he is not ready to moum for the loss or failure gone by. He does not fear what the future is going to give. He is ready to continue his work till his last breath with gay and happy attitude, In his view, whether he faces upcoming and setbacks and crosses thomy and smooth surfaces, he will enjoy his journey of life. He says he is in the mood of a lad who entertains new friends, ready to do risky tasks to reach his desire. Finally, he expressed that with courageous fervour he would continue his journey, hoping for a better tomorrow. |
III. Based on your understanding of the poem, complete the following passage by the using the phrases given in the box.
| youth to old age | up or down the hill | to hurry nor move away | |
| high adventure | joyful | mourn | looking ahead |
The poet wants to live his life looking ahead, willing to do something. He neither wants to hurry nor move away from his goal. He does not want to mourn the things he has lost, not hold back for fear of the future. He instead prefers to live his life with a whole and happy heart which cheerfully travels from youth to old age. Therefore, it does not matter to him whether the path goes up or down the hill, rough or smooth, the journey will be joyful. He will continue to seek what he wanted as a boy – new friendship, high adventure and a crown (prize). His heart will remain courageous and pursue his desires. He hopes that every turn in his life’s journey will be the best.