3.

THE BANGLE SELLERS

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow:

Bangle sellers are we who bear,

Our shining loads to the temple fair.

(i) Why does the poet use the word ‘delicate to

describe the bangles? How is ‘rainbow-tinted
circles of light’ an appropriate description of
bangles?
Ans- Bangles are a celebration of female life. They are an
integral part of a woman’s life. The word ‘delicate’ denotes
that bangles, like women have to be treated with love,
care, and respect. This is why the poet has used the word
‘delicate’ to describe the bangles.
A rainbow is indicative of brightness, happiness,
and prosperity in one’s life. The bangles are associated
with different stages of a woman’s life. The bangles reflect
the thoughts and feelings of the wearer, just as light
reflects to give a beautiful rainbow. This is why the
nomenclature is apt.
(ii) Explain the following phrases from the poem in
your own words.

 Shining loads- ‘Shining loads’ refers to the heavy burden

of lustrous bangles that are being taken to be sold.
 Lustrous tokens of radiant lives- ‘Lustrous tokens of
radiant lives’ indicates prosperity and happiness and are
brought to commemorate special occasions.
 For happy daughters and happy wives- The bangle
sellers are advertising their wares as symbols of
happiness for women of various age groups from
maiden to wives.

(iii) The poet uses several images of sight and sound to

create a musical effect in the poem. Mention any
three examples of such images.
Ans- In the poem ‘The Bangle Sellers’ by Sarojini Naidu,
the poet has used various images of sight and sound to
create a musical effect in the poem. ‘Silver and blue as the
mountain mist’ and ‘Some are like fields of sunlit corn’ are
the lines which employ the use of visual imagery. The line
‘Tinkling, luminous, tender, and clear…..’ brings out the use
of auditory imagery. It adds to the musical effect in the
poem and creates an impact on the readers.

(iv) What are the emotions that the poet associates

with a bride on her wedding day? What colours are
 the bangles on her wrist that reflect these
emotions?
Ans- The bride goes through a gamut of emotions on her
wedding day. On the wedding morning, the golden yellow
bangles signify that she looks forward to step into a new
life. The dark-red coloured bangles represent the flame of
marriage fire which denotes passion in her heart for a new
relationship that she is about to embark upon. Her heart is
going through a transition from maidenhood to a married
woman. Her heart experiences happiness as she is about
to start a new life, and at the same time she experiences
sadness as she has to leave her parents behind.

(v) What colours does the poet associate with (a)a

maiden (b)a middle aged woman? How does the
poet describe the thoughts and concerns of women
in both stages of life?
Ans- In the poem ‘The Bangle Sellers’ by Sarojini Naidu,
the poet associates the colours
(a)Silver and blue, rosy pink and green to a maiden and
(b) purple and gold-flecked grey to a middle aged woman

The colours signify different qualities and emotions of

women in different stages. Silver and blue shows the purity
and innocence of a maiden, rosy pink depicts her flushed
look as she dreams of her future life. The colour green
depicts her shyness. The colours purple and gold-flecked
grey indicate that the middle aged woman takes care of
the family with pride. These colours signify wisdom and
maturity. She worships the gods at her husband’s side for
the wellbeing of the family. This is how the poet describes
the thoughts and concerns of maiden and middle aged
women

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