11th English : Lines Written in the Early Spring
Unit 3.2 > Lines Written in the Early Spring
Glossary
- grove − a small area of land with a group of trees
- sate − old-fashioned spelling for sat
- recline − lean back in a position of rest
- grieve − mourn or to feel intense sorrow
- primrose − a wild plant with yellow flowers
- tufts − bunches
- bower − a pleasant shady place under trees
- periwinkle − a trailing plant with large blue flowers
- wreaths − an arrangement of flowers in the shape of a circle
- lament − to express sorrow or unhappiness about something
1. Find the words from the poem that convey the following ideas.
a. connected together – blended
b. spread over the surface of the ground in a straggling manner – trailed
c. make out or understand – measure
d. slender woody shoots growing from branches or stems of trees – budding twigs
2. Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with the words given below.
The poet, in a relaxed state of mind, is sitting in a (1) grave. He reflects on how his mood brings (2) pleasant thoughts, which are inevitably followed by (3) sorrowful ones. He feels connected to all of nature, and senses an inherent joy in all (4) creations. He has faith in the fact that all the primroses and periwinkles around him (5) savour the air they breathe. He feels that every bird in the grove moves with (6) ecstasy. As the twigs catch the breezy air, they do so with the same pleasure (7) pervading all life on earth. This joy of nature seems to be heaven-sent. Nature’s holy plan is to offer joy and peace to all forms of life on earth. The poet’s pleasant train of thought slowly leads to the sad reflection of how mankind alone has wrought sorrow and (8) suffering upon itself. He firmly believes that man is meant to spend his days blissfully taking part in the vitality and joy surrounding him in (9) abundance. He therefore concludes rhetorically, emphasizing that he has good reason to (10) lament the distress, man unnecessarily brings upon himself.
| creations | abundance | savour | pleasant | suffering |
| grove | lament | pervading | sorrowful | ecstasy |
3. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow.
(i) ‘And it’s my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breaths ……’
a) What is the poet’s faith?
The poet’s faith is that every flower enjoys its life.
b) What trait of Nature do we see here?
We see the happiness of Nature here.
ii) ‘And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there……’
a) What did the poet notice about the twigs?
The twigs try to catch the breezy air.
b) What was the poet’s thought about them?
The poet’s thought was that they were all very happy.
iii) ‘If this belief from heaven be sent
If such be Nature’s holy plan’
a) What does ‘heaven’ refer to?
‘Heaven’ refers to God.
b) Why does the poet call it ‘holy’?
As this is the plan of God, he calls it ‘holy’.
4. Explain the following lines with reference to the context in about four to five sentences each.
i) ‘In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind’.
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’ written by Wordsworth.
Explanation :
In an early spring, Wordsworth sat in a small woodland grove and listened to the birdsong around him. The birds’ songs promoted happy thoughts in his mind. But the same happy thoughts brought some sadness to him. Man did not treat Nature well though it created a strong connection with Him. So he feels sad.
ii) ‘The birds around me hopp’d and play’d,
Their thoughts I cannot measure’
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’ written by Wordsworth.
Explanation :
He felt sorry to know the reality of Man in this world. Nature brings happiness to the soul of man which is connected to Nature. But Man has not done anything good to mankind and Nature. Wordsworth sat in a small woodland grove and listened to the birdsong around him. The birds seemed to be happily jumping and playing around him but he could not understand what they had in their mind.
iii) ‘Have I not reason to lament
What Man has made of Man?
Reference :
These lines are taken from the poem ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’ written by Wordsworth.
Explanation :
The poet thinks that mankind alone has caused sorrow to himself. Actually man is meant to spend his days happily. So he laments the sufferings of the man. The poet’s soul is lamenting the miseries of human.
5. Read the following sets of lines and identify the figures of speech used in each extract.
a) ‘To her fair works did Nature link’
‘The human soul that through me ran ……’
Personification.
b) ‘And it’s my faith that every flower …..’
Enjoys the air it breathes
Personification.
c) What Man has made of Man?
Alliteration, Rhetorical Question.
B. Read the poem once again. Identify the rhyme scheme and pick out the rhyming pairs of words.
Rhyme scheme – ab ab
| notes – thoughts | bower – flower | fan – can |
| reclined – mind | wreaths – breathes | air – there |
| link – think | play’d – made | sent – lament |
| ran – man | measure – pleasure | plan – man |
are the rhyming words found in the poem.
6. Based on your reading of the poem, answer the following questions in a sentence or two each.
a. How does the poet feel while enjoying the beauty of Nature?
The poet feels happy and sad while enjoying the beauty of Nature.
b. Does Nature affect a person’s thoughts and feelings? Explain
Nature affects a person’s thoughts and feeling. He feels happy to be in the midst of plants and flowers. Nature is connected to the soul of Man.
c. How do people bring grief and sorrow to one another?
People do not think about the welfare of the others. They plan to destroy others. Thus people bring grief and sorrow to one another.
d. Why does the poet think that the birds were happy?
Birds were jumping and playing around him. So the poet thinks that birds were happy.
e. The poet finds joy in various objects of Nature. Explain
The poet sits in a grove which is full of plants. Then he finds joy in different flowers. He enjoys looking at the birds which are jumping and playing.
f. Bring out the poet’s thoughts, while comparing Nature with human behaviour.
Nature gives its best to the human beings but Man does not treat Nature well. He is responsible for the destruction of Nature and Man.
7. Complete the following sentences by choosing the best options.
a. The poet experiences sadness because _______.
- the blended notes are jarring
- Nature is filled with negativity
- he is worried about the destruction caused to Nature
- natural calamities occur frequently
Ans : he is worried about the destruction caused to Nature
b. The poem is set in a _______.
- city
- village
- grove
- park
Ans : grove
c. The poem speaks of _______.
- Man’s plan to shape destiny
- Man seeking pleasure and riches
- Man indulging in wars and acts of destruction
- Man’s fear of Nature
Ans : Man indulging in wars and acts of destruction
8. Answer in a paragraph about 100 – 150 words.
Do you think the poet wants to say that man is unhappy because he has lost his link with nature and forgotten how to enjoy nature or because man is cruel to other men?
Wordsworth in his poem ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’ brings out the idea that Nature is connected to Man’s soul. If Man is close with Nature he will find happiness irrespective of whatever happens. Wordsworth sits in a small woodland grove and listens to the birdsong around him. But although happy thoughts are prompted by the birdsong, the same happy thoughts bring sadness to the poet. The sad thought has come to him because Man is not taking care of his fellow beings and nature. Every plant and flower feels happy and it spreads happiness around him. The birds are jumping and playing around him. Though he cannot understand what they think, he is sure that they are showing their happiness. The birds, and the twigs on the trees, seem to exist in a world of pleasure. Nature’s plan is to make Man happy but because of Man’s destructive nature he brings unhappiness to the world. He clearly says that man is cruel to other men because he is losing his link with nature.
LISTENING ACTIVITY
Some phrases have been left out in the poem below. First read the poem. Then fill in the missing words on listening to the reading or recording of it in full. You may listen again if required.
To Autumn
O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained
With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit
Beneath my shady roof, there thou mayest rest,
And tune the jolly voice to my fresh pipe,
And all the daughters of the year shall dance!
Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.
“The narrow bud opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;
Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning and
Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,
Till clust’ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And feather’d clouds strew flowers round her head.
The spirit of the air live in the smells
Of fruit; and joy, with pinions light roves round
The gardens, or sits singing in the trees,”
Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat,
Then rose, girded himself, and o’er the bleak
Hills fled from our sight; but let his golden load.
SPEAKING ACTIVITY
a. What scene in nature gives you pleasure? Talk for a minute describing a natural scene that gave you a lot of joy. What did you see, hear, smell or feel that gave you joy?
I went to my village during my summer holidays. As I was walking one day, I came to a place where a small stream was running. I went closer to that and I was happy to see small and big fish swimming here and there. Some were of different colours. Near the stream there was a grove with many trees which gave good shade to sit and enjoy. There I saw many birds twittering and dancing and they seemed to enjoy the very life they have. It was a very pleasant experience for me.
b. Work in groups of 4−6. Discuss how you would preserve the environment and protect Nature. One or two representatives may share their ideas with the class.
Representative A:
We must nurture nature. Because it maintains and sustains ecological balance. Mother Nature with fauna and flora fills our world with immense happiness. Immeasurable joy radiates when we come into communion with nature. It will be a matter of surprise if I say that nature understands our moods and thoughts. When a gardener takes his scythe to trim the plants, they shrink. At the same time, when he pours water, the plants spread their wings like birds with exuberance and enthusiasm. So, we must protect Nature to make this world reign luster, luminance, wonder and beauty.
Representative B:
We must preserve our environment and make it pollution-free. Our environment is the rock-solid basis on which the edifice of our existence depends. Once it develops cracks, it will collapse like a pack of cards. So it is mandatory that we preserve our environment at any cost. The need of the hour is afforestation. Let us plant ten saplings for every tree cut. We should create awareness among the people about the risks caused to environment by our greed and selfishness. Our motto should be ‘Make our environment clean and green’. Old vehicles that emit gases and smoke should be banned. We must preserve water bodies and prevent chemicals and sewage from mixing with lakes and rivers. Fridge, electrical bulbs and A/cs should be used sparingly. Renewing, recycling and reusing should be given due priority. Preserving environment is the only beautiful gift we can hand over to the next generation.
11. Answer the following in a paragraph of 100 – 150 words each.
a. ‘Nature can nurture’. Describe how this process happens.
Nurture means to help in the development or feed and take care of a child. Nature is a comprehensive term which covers many things. It can give different meanings in different situations. To Wordsworth, Nature means anything which is not made by man. Nature can be plants, birds, fish and even wild animals. The question is whether nature can nurture or help in the growth. An adult man’s development is not merely on food but with many other things around him. Of course nature is one among them. Nature gives a peace of mind and it gives a chance for the positive growth of man. Nature gives a lot of lessons to man how to be have in a society without hypocrisy.
b. When humanity fails to live in harmony with Nature, its effects are felt around the world. Why and how?
Man is meant to live in harmony with Nature. Nature is the creation of God for the benefit of Man. It does not mean he has the right to trouble nature or destroy it. Nature has its own course. If it is disturbed it will create trouble around us. Nature has given its own protection. But now a days Man has become very greedy and he has destroyed nature for his selfish ends. Because of this Ozone layer is punctured and people suffer from global warming. Many natural calamities like tsunami, earthquake and flood are created due to the destruction of nature. Man has started destroying forests and it affects the rain fall. People suffer due to lack of water. This in turn affects agriculture which is the basic need of human beings. Sociologists say that the worst is yet to come. All these problems occur to humanity because we fail to live in harmony with Nature.
c. Write a letter to the Councillor of your Ward, explaining why a park is necessary in your locality.
Date : 13th June 2019
From
Sunderam P,
227, Nehru Colony,
Kannigapuram,
Salem – 636 018.
To
The Councillor,
Ward 32,
Salem Municipality,
Salem – 636 001.
Sir,
Subject : Need for a park in our locality regarding.
I am a resident of Nehru Colony which falls in your Ward. There are nearly 300 families in this colony with many school-going children and some senior citizens. The colony is well planned and well laid out but it does not have a park for the children to play safely and a walking path for the adults. Now most of the time children are playing on the streets and it leads to accidents. The senior citizens do not have any safe place to have their morning and evening walk. So on behalf of the residents of Nehru colony I request you to create a park in our locality for the larger interests of children and old people.
Thanking you and awaiting a positive step from you,
Yours faithfully,
Sunderam.
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