FINAL Compressed

CONTENTS
Figure of Speech 1-3 8. The Patriot 162-183

It includes : (About the Poet, The Poem, Central Idea, Word
1. The Heart Of a Tree 4-21 Meanings, Paraphrase, Summary, Critical Appreciation,
It includes : (About the Poet, The Poem, Central Idea, Word Comprehension Passages, Project, Extra Questions
Meanings, Paraphrase, Summary, Critical Appreciation,
Comprehension Passages, Project, Extra Questions 9. Abou Ben Adhem 184-198
2. The Cold Within 22-39 Meanings, Paraphrase, Summary, Critical Appreciation,
Comprehension Passages, Project, Extra Questions 10. Nine Gold medals 199-214
3. The Bangle Sellers 40-58 Meanings, Paraphrase, Summary, Critical Appreciation,
Comprehension Passages, Project, Extra Questions
Solutions of Workbook
4. After Blenheim 59-81 (Beeta & Evergreen Publications)
Meanings, Paraphrase, Summary, Critical Appreciation, 1. The Heart Of a Tree 215-236
2. The Cold Within 237-256
5. Television 82-110
3. The Bangle Sellers 257-277
Meanings, Paraphrase, Summary, Critical Appreciation, 4. After Blenheim 278-309
5. Television 310-337
6. Daffodils 111-132
It includes : (About the Poet, The Poem, Central Idea, Word 6. Daffodils 338-357
Meanings, Paraphrase, Summary, Critical Appreciation, 7. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings 358-385
8. The Patriot 386-406
7. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings 133-161
It includes : (About the Poet, The Poem, Central Idea, Word 9. Abou Ben Adhem 407-421
10. Nine Gold medals 422-439
In this poem, Auden has used hyperbole to stress on how long
FIGURE OF SPEECH his love, his beloved would last. Just imagine when China and
Africa would meet and rivers can jump over the mountains?
Definition of Figure of Speech How salmon can be intelligent enough so that it could sing
and evolve enough and walk the streets?
A figure of speech is a phrase or word having different
meanings than its literal meanings. It conveys meaning by Whereas understatement uses less than whatever is
identifying or comparing one thing to another, which has intended, such as,
connotation or meaning familiar to the audience. That is why “You killed my family. And I don’t like that kind of thing.”
it is helpful in creating vivid rhetorical effect. (“The Chosen One” by Boon Collins and Rob Schneider)
Types of figures of Speech In this line, the speaker is using an understatement
because someone has killed his family and he is just taking it
There are many types of figures of speech. They are
very normal like nothing serious has happened.
personification, understatement and hyperbole, personification,
simile, metaphor, pun. Simile
Personification It is a type of comparison between things or objects by
using “as” or “like.” See the following example:
It occurs when a writer gives human traits to non-human
or inanimate objects. For example, My heart is like a singing bird
‘Hadn’t she felt it in every touch of the sunshine, as Whose nest is in a water’d shoot;
its golden finger-tips pressed her lids open and wound My heart is like an apple-tree
their way through her hair?’ My heart is like a rainbow shell…
(“The Mother’s Recompense” by Edith Wharton) (“A Birthday” by Christina Rossetti)
In the above lines, the speaker is personifying sunshine Rossetti has used simile thrice in this part of the poem,
as it has finger tips that wound their way into her hair. This comparing her heart to a “singing bird”, “an apple-tree”, and
trait of using finger-tips in hair is a human one. a rainbow shell.” The poet makes comparison of heart to a
Understatement and Hyperbole happy bird in a nest, an apple tree full with fruits and a
beautiful shell in the sea, full of peace and joy.
These two figures of speech are opposite to each other.
Hyperbole uses extreme exaggeration. It exaggerates to lay Metaphor
emphasis on a certain quality or feature. It stirs up emotions Metaphor is comparing two unlike objects or things, which
among the readers, these emotions could be about happiness, may have some common qualities.
romance, inspiration, laughter or sadness.
Presentiment – is that long shadow – on the lawn –
I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you
Indicative that Suns go down –
Till China and Africa meet,
The notice to the startled Grass
And the river jumps over the mountain
That Darkness – is about to pass –
And the salmon sing in the street.”
(“Presentiment is that long shadow on the lawn” by Emily
(“As I Walked Out One Evening” by W.H. Auden)
1 Treasure Trove A Col. of ICSE Poems Treasure Trove A Col. of ICSE Poems 2
Dickinson)
CHAPTER 1
In this example, Dickinson presents presentiment as a
shadow. Presentiment actually means anxiety or foreboding, THE HEART OF A TREE
which she calls a shadow. In fact, she makes compares it
with shadow to provide a better description of anxiety that —By Henry Cuyler Bunner
could creep up in a person’s life and cause fear.
Pun What does he plant who plants a tree?
Pun is the manipulation of words that have more than He plants a friend of sun and sky;
one meanings. It brings humor in an expression. He plants the flag of breezes free;
Whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy Will, The shaft of beauty, towering high;
And Will to boot, and Will in overplus; He plants a home to heaven anigh;
(“Sonnet 135” by William Shakespeare) For song and mother-croon of bird
See the use of odd grammar rule, which is the In hushed and happy twilight heard—
capitalization of word “Will.” Usually in the middle of a line The treble of heaven’s harmony—
or sentence, writers capitalize a name. Here it is the first These things he plants who plants a tree.
name of Shakespeare. It means he has created pun of his
own name.
What does he plant who plants a tree?
Function of Figure of Speech
He plants cool shade and tender rain,
Figure of speech is not only used to embellish the language,
And seed and bud of days to be,
but also cause a moment of excitement when reading. It is
used equally in writing as well as in speech. It, in fact, provides And years that fade and flush again;
emphasis, clarity or freshness to expression. Clarity, however, He plants the glory of the plain;
may sometimes suffer because a figure of speech introduces He plants the forest’s heritage;
double meanings such as connotative and denotative meanings.
The harvest of a coming age;
It also strengthens the creative expression and description
along with making the language more graphic, pointed and The joy that unborn eyes shall see—
vivid. These things he plants who plants a tree.

He plants, in sap and leaf and wood,
In love of home and loyalty
And far-cast thought of civic good—
His blessings on the neighbourhood,
Who in the hollow of His hand
Holds all the growth of all our land— a poet’s nature: he dealt with the life which he saw about him
A nation’s growth from sea to sea in a spirit of broad humanity and with genial sympathy.
Stirs in his heart who plants a tree. The work upon which Bunner’s fame must rest was all
produced within a period of less than fifteen years. He was
About the Poet born in 1855 at Oswego, New York. He came to the city of
New York when very young, and received his education there.
Henry Cuyler Bunner was born in Oswego, New York A brief experience of business life sufficed to make his true
to Rudolph Bunner, Jr. (1813–1875) and Ruth Keating vocation clear, and at the age of eighteen he began his literary
Tuckerman (1821–1896) and was educated in New York City. apprenticeship on the Arcadian. When that periodical passed
From being a clerk in an importing house, he turned to away, Puck was just struggling into existence, and for the
journalism, and after working as a reporter, and on the staff English edition, which was started in 1877, Bunner’s services
of The Arcadian (1873), he became in 1877 an assistant were secured. Half of his short life was spent in editorial
editor of the comic weekly Puck. He soon assumed the connection with that paper. To his wisdom and literary abilities
editorship, which he held until his death. He developed Puck is due in large measure the success which has always attended
from a new struggling periodical into a powerful social and the enterprise. Bunner had an intimate knowledge of American
political organ. In 1886, he published a novel, The Midge, character and understood the foibles of his countrymen; but
followed in 1887 by The Story of a New York House. But he was never cynical, and his satire was without hostility. He
his best efforts in fiction were his short stories and sketches despised opportune journalism. His editorials were clear and
Short Sixes (1891), More Short Sixes (1894), Made in France vigorous; free not from partisanship, but from partisan rancor,
(1893), Zadoc Pine and Other Stories (1891), Love in Old and they made for honesty and independence. His firm stand
Cloathes and Other Stories (1896), and Jersey Street and against political corruption, socialistic vagaries, the misguided
Jersey Lane (1896). His verses Airs from A ready and and often criminal efforts of labor agitators, and all the visionary
Elsewhere (1884), containing the well-known poem, The Way schemes of diseased minds, has contributed to the stability of
to Arcady; Rowen (1892); and Poems (1896), displaying a sound and self-respecting American citizenship.
light play of imagination and a delicate workmanship. He also
wrote clever parodies. About the Poem
Bunner married Alice Learned (1863–1952), daughter of It is a poem which shows the poets affinity with nature.
Joshua Coit Learned (1819–1892), and granddaughter of The Heart of the Tree also subtitled as an Arbor-day Song
Joshua Coit (1758–1798), U.S. Representative from and was written in April 1893. It is a comment on the benefits
Connecticut. Bunner died on May 11, 1896 in Nutley, New of planting a tree. Divided into three stanzas the poem tells
Jersey. us about the various benefits of planting a tree. Each stanza
The position which Henry Cuyler Bunner has come to opens with the same question: What does he plant who plants
occupy in the literary annals of our time strengthens as the a tree? The poet then provides answers himself. He who
days pass. If the stream of his genius flowed in gentle rivulets, plants a tree, plants many things: the gentle sunshine, cool,
it traveled as far and spread its fruitful influence as wide as free breezes, beauty, music and harmony. He ensures cool
many a statelier river. He was above all things a poet. In his shade and tender rain. The one who plants a tree is conscious
prose as in his verse he has revealed the essential qualities of about the well being and growth of his country and in fact
leaves a invaluable legacy for future generations. The poet 4. croon - hum or sing in a soft, low voice, especially in a
tells us that trees are a boon for our environment and are sentimental manner.
symbolic of innumerable things . He motivates us to plant 5. hushed - (of a voice or conversation) quiet and serious.
trees.
6. twilight - the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is
Central Idea below the horizon, caused by the reflection of the sun's rays
from the atmosphere, ambiguity, or gradual decline.
Heart of Trees relates to the cycle of life that is very 7. treble - consisting of three parts; threefold.
evident in the growth of a tree, which germinates in soil, 8. Days to be - days to come,future.
grows and flourishes, then dies, decays and returns to the soil
9. harmony - the combination of simultaneously sounded musical
to support new saplings. Transformation is the central concept
notes to produce a pleasing effect.
and reveals interest in the way that something exceptional
can be produced from a simple beginning, that base matter 10. flush - (of a person's skin, face, etc.) become red and hot,
can give life to something infinitely more elaborate. This typically as the result of illness or strong emotion.
relationship mirrors the pairing of body and soul, the body 11. heritage - property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance.
being material and limited in scope, and the soul being 12. harvest - reward
immaterial and boundless. As the tree grows we can imagine 13. coming age - Coming of age is a young person's transition
that it may either break the shackles of the body that surrounds from being a child to being an adult. The certain age at which
it, or be smothered by it; a conflict that represents the this transition takes place changes in society, as does the
relationship between body and soul. nature of the change. ... It can be a simple legal convention
The poem highlights the need to plant trees as it benefits or can be part of a ritual or spiritual event, as practiced by
all and sundry. A tree not only provides shade and cool breeze many societies.
but it also is a legacy for future generations and binds the 14. unborn eyes - unborn children
present to the future. It represents values like love and loyalty.
One who plants trees not only ensures the development of 15. sap - the fluid which circulates in the vascular system of a
his nation but also the peace and prosperity of the world. plant, consisting chiefly of water with dissolved sugars and
Thus, the poet tells us that planting a tree has ecological, mineral salts.
social and economic advantages. In fact a tree according to 16. far-cast - wide
him is a metaphor for peace, growth, beauty, harmony and 17. civic - relating to a city or town, especially its administration;
prosperity. municipal.
18. from sea to sea - all the world
Word Meanings
19. stirs - moves, arouses a feeling.
1. shaft - a ray of light or bolt of lightning, body of a spear or
arrow, or similar. Paraphrase
2. towering - extremely tall, especially in comparison with the Stanza 1
surroundings.
3. anigh - (archaic) near, close
He plants a friend of sun and sky;
He plants the flag of breezes free; life on this planet. A tree gives us seeds which sprout, and
The shaft of beauty, towering high; buds which bloom intimes to come. It is a forest heritage as
one tree leads to a whole forest in the future and a’ harvest
He plants a home to heaven anigh;
of a coming age or in other words a reward and legacy for
For song and mother-croon of bird the future in the form of wood and a congenial environment.
In hushed and happy twilight heard— It provides benefits in the present and in the times to come.
The treble of heaven’s harmony— In fact it provides a link between us and our future generations.
These things he plants who plants a tree.
Stanza 3
Paraphrase
When a man plants a tree he plants many things. He He plants, in sap and leaf and wood,
plants a congenial environment. A tree reduces temperature
Wand purifies the atmosphere as it traps dust , pollen and
smoke. It ensures cool and gentle breezes. Thus it is truly, ‘a And far-cast thought of civic good—
friend of sun and sky.’ It makes a heaven on earth as a green His blessings on the neighbourhood,
place is truly a heaven. One who plants a tree provides safe Who in the hollow of His hand
haven for birds whose sweet crooning in silent and happy Holds all the growth of all our land—
twilight delights us. One who plants a tree ensures peace,
A nation’s growth from sea to sea
harmony and comfort for himself and others.
Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.
Stanza 2 Paraphrase
When a tree is planted many benefits accrue. Values like
He plants cool shade and tender rain, love and loyalty are planted in the form of a tree. We learn
And seed and bud of days to be, to nurture and grow with love. The there is a civic good in
And years that fade and flush again; planting a tree. It benefits the neighbours around. A county’s
growth and development depends on the wealth of its trees.
He plants the glory of the plain;
One who plants a tree is aware about this fact as a ‘nation’s
He plants the forest’s heritage; growth from sea to sea
The harvest of a coming age; Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.’ Thus the world
The joy that unborn eyes shall see— prosperity and peace is represented in the planting of a tree.
These things he plants who plants a tree.
Summary
Paraphrase
The poet emphasises the advantages of planting a tree.
What does he plant who plants a tree? A simple answer. In every stanza he poses the question, ‘What does he plant
One who plants a tree provides cool shade in summer and who plants a tree?’ And the answer he simply provides is that
tender rain in all seasons which are essential for existence of the one who plants a tree ensures cool shade and tender rain
in summer. The planting of a tree makes the atmosphere He uses alliteration when he says: He plants a friend of
fresh and pollution free giving peace and comfort not only to sun and sky.
the one who plants a tree but to all and sundry. In hushed and happy twilight heard’
The poet the repeats his question and answers that one Visual Imagery is used in the poem: The shaft of beauty,
who plants a tree provides cool shade in summer and tender towering high:, ‘ the flag of breezes free.’ And auditory
rain in all seasons which are essential for existence of life on imagery is also used : ‘For song and mother-croon of bird.”
this planet. A tree gives us seeds which sprout, and buds
Repetition is used to show how a person should feel
which bloom in times to come. It is a forest heritage as one
after he/she plants a tree. The first line of the poem, "What
tree leads to a whole forest in the future and a’ harvest of a
does he plant who plants a tree?" is repeated three times, and
coming age or in other words a reward and legacy for the
is followed by, "These things he plants who plants a tree,"
future in the form of wood and a congenial environment. It
which is repeated twice, and on the last line it says, "A nation's
is a link of the present to the future.
growth from sea to sea (new line) Stirs in his heart who
Finally the poet says that Values like love and loyalty are plants a tree." All put together it tells you that this man thinks
planted in the form of a tree. We learn to nurture and grow that planting a tree is like planting a new nation and it will
with love. The there is a civic good in planting a tree. It bring peace and harmony to the Earth!
benefits the neighbours around. A county’s growth and
The tone of the poem is rhetorical and motivating. The
development depends on the wealth of its trees. Thus the
rhyme scheme is ababbccda, ababbccaa, ababbccaa.The poem
poet feels that the planting of a tree leads to social, ecological
is in the form of a short lyric consisting of three stanzas. It
and economic growth and prosperity and is a metaphor for
creates good rhythm and music and like a good lyric
peace, harmony, growth and pollution free environment.
incorporates only a single emotion and appeals to our hearts
Critical Appreciation at once.
Though the poem was written many years ago when
The message is that a tree is more symbolic than meets there was little importance given to ecology and environment
the eye. It is a heart, and whenever a heart is planted it will yet it is relevant today also because it tells us that trees are
sprout into beaming life, and will create new life! Trees are an integral and important part of our ecological and economic
a fundamental image for alchemists. The roots are in dead growth and environmental well –being. In our times forests
matter, minerals, earth, and they are able to create life. The are being decimated for building houses, roads and bridges.
trunk is like a bridge; and the branches are a link to the Trees seem to attract none of our concern. But in the poem
cosmos. The philosophical tree was represented as growing the poet draws our attention to the advantages of planting
out of a man´s sex and a woman´s head. Alchemists claimed trees. He rightly says that one who plants trees, plants many
that when humans died, dead matter gave birth to a new life. things: beauty, peace, shade, harmony and good values.
The tree was a metaphor for transformation. The tree is used as a symbol of all the good in our lives.
The poet uses similes and metaphors to describe what a It symbolises peace and prosperity in our country and in the
tree. He uses literary devices like metaphors, alliteration and world. It teaches the vales of love and loyalty. It symbolises
imagery in the poem. The poet describes te tree metaphorically: rich rewards for our future generations and represents a link
‘a friend of sun and sky,’ ‘the flag of breezes free.’ of our present with the future. It stands as a symbol of growth,
prosperity and harmony.
The title of the poem is very apt and suggestive. The nurture their young ones. The music created by the humming
tree is the main focus in the poem and the poet refers to the of birds and breeze is like a heavenly song and the poet
heart of the tree. What kind of heart is it- it is generous, reiterates that these are all the things that are created when
loving and magnanimous. It shows no discrimination based on a tree is planted.
colour or creed. It blesses all alike- all who take care of it and 2. Why does the poet call the tree a friend of sun and sky?
even those who neglect it. Whenever a tree is planted it turns
Ans. The poet says that the tree is a friend of the sun and sky
the earth into a heaven and the poet rightly says:
because it shares their benefits like a friend and helps to
The shaft of beauty, towering high: create cool breeze to lessen the heat of the sun and the glare
He plants a home to heaven anigh. of the sky.
Thus the poet in his lyrical poem motivates us to plant 3. What is the shaft of beauty, towering high?
trees for our own and the world’s development and harmony. Ans. The small sapling grows into a tall and high arrow like tree
which stands stately in beauty.
Comprehension Passages
4. For whom is the home to heaven anigh ?
Stanza 1 Ans. In the tree that rises towards the sky the birds build their
What does he plant who plants a tree?a nests on the high branches which seem close to heaven.
He plants a friend of sun and sky;b 5. What is meant by ‘the treble of heaven’s harmony’?
He plants the flag of breezes free; Ans. The sound of the breeze rustling the leaves, the crooning of
The shaft of beauty, towering high; the bird to their young ones and the sound of the creatures
in the twilight all mingle together and create music that seems
He plants a home to heaven anigh;
like a combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes
For song and mother-croon of bird which produce a divine effect.
In hushed and happy twilight heard— 6. What three things are created when a tree is planted
The treble of heaven’s harmony— according to the poet?
These things he plants who plants a tree. Ans. When one plants a tree the things created are a friend ,beauty,
Read the lines given above and answer the questions and music.
that follow: 7. Pick out some figures of speech.
1. Explain with reference to context. Ans. The poet personifies a tree by calling it a friend, he uses
Ans. These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The Heart of euphemisms like home to heaven anigh, towering high and
a tree’ by Henry Cuyler Bunnar. The poet comments on the treble of heaven’s harmony. He uses metaphors like hushed
advantages of planting a tree. The poem opens with a rhetorical and happy twilight.
question asking the reader what does the planting of a tree 8. Who is described as a ‘friend of sun and sky’ ?
signify. The poet emphasises that when a tree is planted the Ans. A tree is described as a ‘friend of sun and sky’.
sun and sky share their bounty like a friend with the earth . 9. Whom does a tree give shelter ? How ?
The tree which rises high helps in originating cool breezes ,
a home which is close to heaven for the birds to nest in and Ans. A tree gives shelter to birds by allowing them to build their
nests.
10. Which literary device has been used in the line : ‘In and become a joy for everyone. The poet talks about the
hushed and happy twilight heard’ ? cycle of life that is very evident in the growth of a tree, which
Ans. The literary device used here as alliteration. germinates in soil, grows and flourishes, then dies, decays and
returns to the soil to support new saplings.
11. Explain : The treble of heaven’s harmony.’
2. What is meant by the phrase ‘days to be’?
Ans. The high tone ‘treble’ of the song of the bird is symbolic of
heaven’s harmony. It provides an atomoshphere of calm and Ans. This phrase is a reference to the future, the days which will
peace. follow.
12. Towards the end of the poem the poet refers to the 3. Explain the line, “And years that fade and flush again.”
longing in the heart of the one who plants a tree. What Ans. Here the poet refers to the cycle of life which is never ending.
is this longing ? Things bloom and then fade only to be born again to again
Ans. This longing is for the growth of his country. bloom and fade or wither and die.
4. What is meant by the ‘forest’s heritage’?
Stanza 2 Ans. The new sapling planted will grow into a big tree which will
be part of a forest and thus the legacy of the forest will
continue.
He plants cool shade and tender rain,
5. How is it the harvest of a coming age?
And seed and bud of days to be,
Ans. The future will see the tree in all its glory as a towering tree
And years that fade and flush again; with a thick trunk which can be put to various uses by the
He plants the glory of the plain; future generations. The poet is here talking about transition
He plants the forest’s heritage; from a tender youth to adulthood which is also a reference to
The harvest of a coming age; the tree growing from a sapling into a tree.
The joy that unborn eyes shall see— 6. Who is being referred to as the unborn eyes?
These things he plants who plants a tree. Ans. The poet is referring to the future generations who are still
unborn but will be born in the future and will find pleasure in
Read the lines given above and answer the questions
the sight of the tree which would have grown big in height by
that follow:
that time.
1. Explain with reference to context.
7. List two phrases which refer to the future.
Ans. These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The Heart of
Ans. The phrases which denote future are- “days to be,’ and ‘a
a tree’ by Henry Cuyler Bunnar. In this second stanza the
coming age.’
poet continues eulogising on the benefits of planting a tree.
The poet says that by planting a tree one ensures that there
is cool shade and no dry spell as trees make sure it rains. The Stanza 3
planting of a tree leads to new life to replace the one which What does he plant who plants a tree?
has withered. The tree leads to a legacy that is the forest of He plants, in sap and leaf and wood,
the future and it adds beauty to the plains . The tree when
planted as a sapling will one day grow into a tall towering tree
And far-cast thought of civic good— link to the cosmos. He will bring transformation and aid in the
His blessings on the neighbourhood, growth and prosperity of life on earth.
Who in the hollow of His hand 5. What is meant by a nation’s growth from sea to sea?
Holds all the growth of all our land— Ans. The poet believes that the tree is symbolic and will lead to
prosperity and peace in the nation. It will be a transition to
peace and growth.
6. What is the reference to in the phrase ‘stirs in his
Read the lines given above and answer the questions heart’?
that follow:
Ans. The poet says that the feelings that are awakened in the heart
1. Explain with reference to context. of the man who plants a tree are feelings that hope for growth
Ans. These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The Heart of anf transformation.
a tree’ by Henry Cuyler Bunnar. In the final stanza the poet
refers to It is the sapling as a thing that infuses life into the Project
earth just like a heart. Whenever a heart is planted it will
sprout into beaming life, and will create new life. Thus the 1. What message is relevant to the present age in the
person who plants a tree sees in it a symbol of growth, of poem?
regeneration and this shows his love for his family, for his Ans. Though the poem was written many years ago when there
society and nations. He who plants a tree believes in the was little importance given to ecology and environment yet it
growth of mankind, his neighbours, his nation. The man who is relevant today also because it tells us that trees are an
plants a tree is likened to a man who plants a heart that integral and important part of our ecological and economic
pumps life. He thinks that planting a tree is like planting a growth and environmental well –being. In our times forests
new nation and it will bring peace and harmony to the Earth. are being decimated for building houses, roads and bridges.
2. What motivates the man to plant a tree according to the Trees seem to attract none of our concern. But in the poem
poet? the poet draws our attention to the advantages of planting
trees. He rightly says that one who plants trees, plants many
Ans. The poet believes that when a man plants a saplig he does so
things: beauty, peace, shade, harmony and good values. He
because he sees it as symbolic of growth and future life.
says that one who plants a tree: Who in the hollow of His
3. Does the man plant a tree because of his love of society hand
and his nation?
Holds all the growth of all our land—
Ans. Yes, the man believes that if he plants a tree he will be
planting a new nation.
4. How is the man holding the blessing on his
neighbourhood in his hand? 2. Give two examples of alliteration from the poem.
Ans. The poet believes that the man who holds the sapling in his Ans. Examples are:
hand is actually in fact holding the growth of humanity in his He plants a friend of sun and sky. (sound of ‘s’)
hand because the tree is like a heart and will create new life In hushed and happy twilight heard (sound of ‘h’)
on earth. The trunk is like a bridge; and the branches are a 3. What does the tree symbolise in the poem?
Ans. The tree is used as a symbol of all the good in our lives. It Extra Questions
symbolises peace and prosperity in our country and in the
world. It teaches the vales of love and loyalty. It symbolises 1. How has the poet described a tree earlier in the poem?
rich rewards for our future generations and represents a link Ans. The poet earlier describes it as a friend of sun and sky.
of our present with the future. It stands a s a symbol of 2. What social and ecological benefits of planting a tree
growth, prosperity and harmony. does the poet refer to?
4. Do you consider the title apt? Ans. The person who plants a tree not only ensures cool shade and
Ans. The tiltle of the poem is very apt and suggestive. The tree is tender rain but he also sows the seeds and buds for lush
the main focus in the poem and the poet refers to the heart forests for the future generations to benefit from. He sows
of the tree. What kind of heart is it- it is generous, loving and the seeds of development of the nation and the world.
magnanimous. It shows no discrimination based on colour or 3. In what sense is the tree ‘the harvest of a coming age’?
creed. It blesses all alike- all who take care of it and even
those who neglect it. Whenever a tree is planted it turns the Ans. The future will see the tree in all its glory as a towering tree
earth into a heaven and the poet rightly says: with a thick trunk which can be put to various uses by the
future generations. The poet is here talking about transition
The shaft of beauty, towering high: from a tender youth to adulthood which is also a reference to
He plants a home to heaven anigh. the tree growing from a sapling into a tree.
5. Does the poet use the literary devices in the poem? 4. How does a tree planter do civic good?
Ans. Yes the poet uses metaphors, alliteration and imagery in the Ans. The planting of a tree makes the atmosphere fresh and pollution
poem. The poet describes the tree metaphorically: ‘a friend free giving peace and comfort not only to the one who plants
of sun and sky,’ ‘the flag of breezes free.’ a tree but to all and sundry. It makes the atmosphere pollution
He uses alliteration when he says: He plants a friend of free and more congenial for all our neighbours and other
sun and sky. people too.
In hushed and happy twilight heard’ 5. Who holds ‘all the growth of our land’? Which land has
Visual Imagery is used in the poem: The shaft of beauty, the poet in mind?
towering high:, ‘the flag of breezes free.’ And auditory Ans. The poet might be referring to America but he is also talking
imagery is also used : ‘For song and mother-croon of bird.’ with reference to the entire earth as our land or the land of
6. Why does the poet use repletion in the poem? all mankind.
Ans. Repetition is used to show how a person should feel after he/ 6. Do you agree with the poet that a nation’s growth
she plants a tree. The first line of the poem, "What does he depends upon the wealth of trees? Why/why not?
plant who plants a tree?" is repeated three times, and is Ans. The tree is like a heart and will create new life on earth. The
followed by, "These things he plants who plants a tree," which trunk is like a bridge; and the branches are a link to the
is repeated twice, and on the last line it says, "A nation's cosmos. He will bring transformation and aid in the growth
growth from sea to sea (new line) Stirs in his heart who and prosperity of life on earth. The tree is used as a symbol
plants a tree." All put together it tells you that this man thinks of all the good in our lives. It symbolises peace and prosperity
that planting a tree is like planting a new nation and it will in our country and in the world. It teaches the vales of love
bring peace and harmony to the Earth! and loyalty. It symbolises rich rewards for our future
generations and represents a link of our present with the
future. It stands as a symbol of growth, prosperity and
CHAPTER 2
harmony. A tree gives us seeds which sprout, and buds which
bloom in times to come. It is a forest heritage as one tree
THE COLD WITHIN
leads to a whole forest in the future and a’ harvest of a —By James Patrick Kinney
coming age or in other words a reward and legacy for the
future in the form of wood and a congenial environment. It Six humans trapped by happenstance
is a link of the present to the future.
In bleak and bitter cold.
7. In what way is the poet relevant to our times?
Each one possessed a stick of wood
Ans. The poem is relevant today also because it tells us that trees
are an integral and important part of our ecological and Or so the story’s told.
economic growth and environmental well –being. In our times
forests are being decimated for building houses, roads and Their dying fire in need of logs
bridges. Trees seem to attract none of our concern. But in the The first man held his back
poem the poet draws our attention to the advantages of planting
For of the faces round the fire
trees. He rightly says that one who plants trees, plants many
things: beauty, peace, shade, harmony and good values. He He noticed one was black.
says that one who plants a tree: Who in the hollow of His
hand The next man looking ‘cross the way
Holds all the growth of all our land— Saw one not of his church
A nation’s growth from sea to sea And couldn’t bring himself to give
Stirs in his heart who plants a tree. The fire his stick of birch.
The third one sat in tattered clothes.

He gave his coat a hitch.
Why should his log be put to use
To warm the idle rich?
The rich man just sat back and thought

Of the wealth he had in store
And how to keep what he had earned
From the lazy shiftless poor.
The black man’s face bespoke revenge About the Poet
As the fire passed from his sight.
The late James P. Kinney fueled by a sense of justice,
For all he saw in his stick of wood
and wanted to change the world for the better. With this
Was a chance to spite the white. motive in mind he wrote his most famous poem, “The Cold
Within”, which is a simple, straightforward and powerful poem.
The last man of this forlorn group It also describes the man who wrote it. When you understand
Did nought except for gain. the man, you’ll see why he wrote the poem. Thanks to Timothy
Kinney, James Kinney’s son, we have insight into the man
Giving only to those who gave
behind this now-classic poem:
Was how he played the game.
The poet talks about Cheviot, Ohio, which is a township
on the west side of Cincinnati, Ohio. There was still a law on
Their logs held tight in death’s still hands the books there that a black person was not allowed on the
Was proof of human sin. streets of the city after dark. This was during the civil rights
They didn’t die from the cold without movement. The poet and a group of men from his church felt
that this was an outrage, so they approached the City Council
They died from the cold within. to have the law abolished. They were told that, since there
were no black families in Cheviot, any black person on the
About the the Poem
streets after dark was obviously up to no good, so the law
The Cold Within" was written in the 1960s by an American would remain. My father’s group found a family of black
poet known as James Patrick Kinney.It has appeared in activists who were willing to move to Cheviot. They helped
countless church bulletins, web sites and teaching seminars, them move in and tried to make them feel at home. Then they
as well as magazines and newspapers. According to the poet's approached the City Council again and said “under the new
widow, he submitted the poem first to the Saturday Evening circumstances, the law must be changed.”
Post, but it was rejected as "too controversial for the time". The City Council changed the law, but they were not
Kinney sent it later to Liguorian, a Catholic magazine, which very happy about it. The poet was really unhappy with the
was the first commercial publication to print it. community and the way they reacted to the change, so he
According to Timothy Kinney (the poet's son), the poem pulled out and shared with the community a poem he had
was originally read at an ecumenical council meeting, after written during the early years of the civil right movement; it
which the ministers, priests and rabbis in attendance requested was “The Cold Within”, a parable about the things that separate
copies of it. They read the poem to their congregations and, us and how the coldness in men’s hearts is a kind of death.
before long, "The Cold Within" became well known throughout The message was so powerful, the poem took on a life of its
the United States. According to James Patrick Kinney's son, own. The poem beautifully captured the futility and stupidity
the poem is in the public domain. A short and sweet poem of racism and bigotry. Helping out someone you hate can be
written by James Patrick Kinney in the 60's that gives an one of the hardest things that you have to face, and when you
extreme euphemism for the consequences of racism. are put in that situation what would you do? Could you be
brave enough to save someone you despise in order to save
yourself? In “The Cold Within”, James Patrick Kinney uses 13. bespoke - showed.
diction, figurative language, and rhyme to project his point that 14. spite - hatred.
prejudices controlling people’s lives and actions.
15. forlorn - lonely.
Central Idea 16. nought - nothing
17. gain - profit.
The Cold within refers to the lack of feelings for or
18. cold without - cold weather outside.
hatred of , others which is a unforgivable sin. Many of us fall
a prey to this coldness or hatred within our hearts due to 19. cold within - lack of human feelings like kindness, generosity,
racial discrimination or hatred and this leads to our doom. selflessness, etc.
This prejudice may result due to race, colour, creed, caste or
region. It changes our thinking and corrupts us making us
Paraphrase
mean, cruel, greedy or unkind. Six men in the poem had a Six people were trapped in the cold and it was dark.
stick each and could have kept the fire going by relinquishing Each possessed one stick of wood, and their fire was dying.
their sticks and all would have been saved. But the frigidity This is how the story is told.
of their hearts prevented them from saving the others. This
The first man saw a black man in the group and did not
is the major theme that the colness in men’s heart is a kind
want to give his stick because it would save the black man's
of death.
life.
Word Meanings The second who had a birch stick, didn't want to help the
other-religion person who did not belong to his church.
1. trapped - caught in a difficult and inescapable situation. The third man didn't want to use his little stick to warm
2. happenstance - chance, here refers to an event which seems the rich; he was very poor and so hated the rich.
to be pre-arranged and not accidental. The fourth man was rich and wanted to keep his great
3. stick of wood - small log of wood. amount of money away from the undeserving, lazy poor people
4. held..back - did not give up. The fifth man-a black wanted revenge from the white
5. black - of African origin. people- he wanted to hurt the white people somehow, so he
kept his stick
6. not of his church - person of different religion.
The sixth man didn't receive any help from the others
7. bring himself to give - force himself to give something
since none of them gave up their stick, so he wouldn't either
8. tattered clothes - rags. since they didn't.
9. gave his coat a hitch - tightened his coat, symbolic of his They all kept their sticks ,tightly clutched in their hands
meanness. and this was a proof of their human sin of hate and racism.
10. idle rich - the rich who do not work hard but thrive on the As a result they all died but it was not the cold outside which
labour of the poor. killed them but the cold and hate in their hearts for each other
11. lazy - who shirks work. that killed them.
12. shiftless - without ambitionto succeed in life.
Summary and how destructive it is and how it works. These six people
have a fire keeping them all alive. If even one would have
The people in this poem illustrate the coldness within and relinquished his stick to feed the dying flame, then they would
how destructive it is and how it works. The poem as a whole have all survived. However, each of them was held back by
is about the need for human beings to tolerate one another. a sin:
It speaks of how hatred of other people because of their race 1st: prejudice - he didn't want to save the black man
or religion or some other characteristic ends up hurting all
2nd: intolerance - he did not want support one of another
people. We are introduced to the basic setting -- there are six
religion
people around a fire, each with a stick of wood. The second
stanza shows us the first instance of bigotry. One of the 3rd: bitterness and envy - he felt that it would be unjust for
people notices that another of the six is black. He did not put her, a poor person, to give what little he had to warm the
his log in the fire because he did not want to help a black others who had more than she.
person. The second man is a bigot and does not want to help 4th: greed, stinginess - he felt that he earned what he got and
the man who was not from his religion. The poor man did not that the poor were poor because they were lazy, thus meaning
want to help the idle rich and the rich did not want to share he shouldn't give anything to help the undeserving (in his
with the poor. The black wanted to take revenge from the opinion).
white and the consequence of all this feelings of hate, revenge 5th: ...spite, - the black man knew that he could save the
and religious bigotry was that none of them gave his stick to white people, but he didn't, feeling vindicated.
keep the fire going. Thus the fire died and they too died of 6th: lack of generosity - he would only give to those who gave
the cold, each a prisoner of the hate within, the coldness of first.
their hearts which killed all of them. Having a log still in their
hand shows that they kept it back (sinning, being unkind). The The line that Kinney starts his poem with is “six humans
cold outside did not kill them (for if they gave up their sticks, trapped by happenstance”. His diction in this line is very
they would all live), the cold sins in their minds led to their important to the overall theme of the poem. By saying “six
death. humans”, it is almost as if he is talking about all humans. If
he would have said “people” then we might have different
Critical Appreciation associations with the words. Another curious use of diction is
by saying “trapped in happenstance”. Happenstance means
‘A Cold Within’ is a short and sweet poem written by an event that might have been arranged although it is accidental.
James Patrick Kinney in the 60's that gives an extreme This use of diction is important because by saying that it is
euphemism for the consequences of racism The poem is a accidental, yet almost seems arranged, gives the reader a
parable- that is a story with a moral. It is so because the pet sense that they are supposed to be there. The fact that he
is trying to bring home a very important lesson to his readers. says they are trapped suggests that they do not want to be
The six men die not because of the cold weather but because in the situation, but they cannot escape.
of the cold within-the hatred, racism, prejudice, revenge and Figurative language plays a vital role in developing the
arrogance. In the beginning, the poem unwraps as a story or poems theme. “Their dying fire in need of logs” literally means
a tale. The author uses negative language - 'idle,' 'lazy', the fire that is keeping them warm, but also stands as a
'shiftless'. The people in this poem illustrate the coldness within metaphor for their sinful souls. They are committing sins such
as racism, envy, arrogance, revenge, and greed. By saying Comprehension Passages
they need to add logs to the fire suggest that they need to
help out someone other than themselves, or they will “freeze” Stanza 1 and 2
to death. Opening up and not being greedy will warm their Six humans trapped by happenstance,
souls and will save them, unfortunately it has overcome them In black and bitter cold.
and is an impossibility.
Each one possessed a stick of wood,
The poet uses various literary devices. Symbols are used
extensively. Each log of wood is suggestive of a sin. If the Or so the story’s told.
logs of wood are put into the fire it would mean helping out Their dying fire in need of logs,
someone , other than one’s own self. But if they are held on The first man held his back.
as they are, it means holding onto sins even beyond death. For on the faces around the fire,
Each man’s prejudice- greed, envy, arrogance, revenge, spite,
He noticed one was black.
intolerance – are represented symbolically by the stick held
by each man. The cold within is a metaphor for lack of warm Read the lines given above and answer the questions
– heartedness, selfishness, hard-heartedness and inability to that follow.
reach out to others. 1. Explain with reference to context
The rhyme of the poems sets up an easy read. Each Ans. These lines are from the poem, ‘The Cold Within’ written by
stanza having four lines has the rhyme scheme of abcb. This James Kinney. The poem touches on how each of the people
allows for your eyes to simply glide and take in Kinney’s around the fire died because of the "Cold Within," and because
message: the frigidity of people is what ends up killing them. of their inability to accept each other. It so happened that due
The rhythm is important to the theme of the story because it to an accidental or arranged event they were together on that
makes reading the poem faster. This is important because this bitterly cold night. However, they were not together willingly.
indirectly shows how fast arrogance, greed, and sin can “kill” Each had a stick and even if one would give his stick to keep
anyone. the dying fire going they would have survived. But the first
The poet effectively portrays his point about hatred killing man did not give his stick due to racial prejudice as he notice
by using diction, figurative language, and rhyme. His persuasion that one amongst them was black. It was not the cold weather
in this poem is really helpful in understanding the entirety that killed them but the frigidity of their hearts led to their
behind his point. This poem really makes you think about deaths.
yourself and the lengths to which you would go to either hurt 2. What does happenstance mean?
someone else, or save yourself. His tone seems condemning, Ans. Happenstance means an event that might have been arranged
scornful. Also, it seems to be warning you somewhat about although it is accidental.
the results of a cold heart. 3. Why does the poet use this diction?
Thus it was not the cold which led to their death but the Ans. This use of diction is important because by saying that it is
cold of hate and racism and bitterness which killed all of accidental, yet almost seems arranged, it gives the reader a
them. The poet emphasises the idea that it is the coldness sense that they are supposed to be there.
within men’s hearts which leads to their death and doom.
4. What is suggested by the use of the word trapped?
Ans. The word trapped suggests that they do not want to be in the And how to keep what he had earned
situation, but they cannot escape. From the lazy shiftless poor.
5. Explain the symbolism used by the poet. Read the lines given above and answer the questions
Ans. The poet uses symbolism to show that it was the coldness of that follow.
their hearts which extinguished the fire of life. Fire, which 1. Explain with reference to context
symbolized hope and acceptance, might have saved the
Ans. These lines are from the poem, ‘The Cold Within’ written by
characters but they refused to shun their prejudices and let it
James Kinney. The poem touches on how each of the people
die thus sealing their wn doom.
around the fire died because of the "Cold Within," and because
6. What do the logs denote? of their inability to accept each other. The second man
Ans. The logs symbolize each character and how they "couldn't mentioned in these lines is a bigot and does not want to help
bring [themselves] to give the fire" their wood in order to the man who was not from his religion. The poor man did not
save all of them. want to help the idle rich while the rich man wanted to keep
7. Which sin is hinted at in these lines? his wealth from the poor. They are consumed by the negativity
of intolerance, envy and bitterness.
Ans. The sin of racial discrimination is hinted at. The first man
does not give his stick because he does not want to save a 2. In stanza 3, why did the man refuse to use his stick of
black man. wood?
8. What does the phrase ‘six humans’ signify? Ans. The man refuses to give up his stick because of religious
intolerance as he sees a man not belonging to his church.
Ans. By saying “six humans”, it is almost as if he is talking about
all humans. If he would have said “people” then we might 3. Why did “the third one” refuse to use his stick of wood?
have different associations with the words. Ans. The third one was a poor man in torn clothes and he did not
want to give his stick as he envied the rich man his wealth
and did not want to save the idle rich.
Stanza 3, 4 and 5
4. Why did the rich man refuse to use his stick of wood?
The next man looking ‘cross the way
Ans. The rich man thought of hoarding his wealth and wanted to
Saw one not of his church
keep his great amount of money away from the undeserving,
And couldn’t bring himself to give lazy poor people.
The fire his stick of birch. 5. Which is the symbol word used in these lines?
Ans. The word used is stick.
The third one sat in tattered clothes. 6. To what purpose are the symbol words used repeatedly?
He gave his coat a hitch. Ans. The symbol words are used for emphasis.
Why should his log be put to use
To warm the idle rich? Stanza 6, 7 and 8
The rich man just sat back and thought The black man’s face bespoke revenge
Of the wealth he had in store As the fire passed from his sight.
For all he saw in his stick of wood it was the cold in their hearts which killed them.
Was a chance to spite the white. 4. What does this say about what prejudice can do to people
and the importance of working together?
The last man of this forlorn group Ans. Prejudice destroys not only our enemies but also us. The
frigidness of people is what ends up killing them. This is
Did nought except for gain.
important because this indirectly shows how fast arrogance,
Giving only to those who gave greed, and sin can “kill” us.
Was how he played the game. 5. Analyse the title and whether it is appropriate.
Ans. The Cold Within- is a good and appropriate expression.
Their logs held tight in death’s still hands Cold-heartedness really is what killed the characters. This
Was proof of human sin. symbolizes their "coldness" and prejudices against each other.
They didn’t die from the cold without Eventually, this is what killed them.
They died from the cold within. 6. Discuss personification as used by the poet.
Read the lines given above and answer the questions Ans. The use of personification is very artfully done. One line
that follow. mentions "Death's still hands," suggesting that Death is a person
who now essentially owns these six people.
1. Explain with reference to context
7. Who are ‘they’ referred to here ? Where were they ?
Ans. These lines are from the poem, The cold within’ written by
James Kinney. The poet talks about the feeling of revenge in Ans. ‘They’ refer to six men in a group.They were all caught in an
the heart of the black man which prevented him from giving extreme cold weather, sitting near a dying fire.
his stick to keep the fire going because he wanted to take 8. What were the logs in their hands ? What was their
revenge from the white man. The last man avoided giving his significance ?
stick because none of the others had given theirs. The fire Ans. The logs in their hands were sticks of woods. These logs of
died and they too died of the cold, each a prisoner of the hate woods needed to fuel the dying fire, or these was no hope for
within, the coldness of their hearts which killed all of them. their survival.
They all had sticks in their hands which they could have given 9. What was the obvious cause of their deaths ?
to keep the fire going but the hate in their hearts prevented
Ans. The six men held their logs of wood back out of some preju-
them from helping others and so they too died on the alter of
dice. The fire died out, and they died of cold.
their frigidity and discrimination.
10. What do you mean by the ‘cold within’ ? How it is re-
2. Why did the black man refuse to use his stick of wood?
sponsible for their deaths ?
Ans. The black man saw his stick as a means to take revenge from
Ans. ‘The cold within’ means the lack of warmth within,born out of
the white man and so did not gove his stick.
selfishness, greed, arrogance, etc. It is because of these nega-
3. What happened to the six humans? Why? tive feelings, ‘the cold within’, that they do not give up their
Ans. The six humans died due to the cold. Their hatred for each sticks of wood which could have kept the fire burning and
other prevented them from giving up their sticks to keep the kept them alive.
fire going and so they all died due to the cold. But actually 11. What message does the poet want to convey ?
Ans. According to the poet, the prejudice of race, religion or colour frigidness of people are what end up killing them. The rhythm
is sinful. We must rise above all prejudices to be kind, gener- is important to the theme of the story because it makes reading
ous and helpful. We should not allow ourselves to be dictated the poem faster. This is important because this indirectly shows
by the ‘cold within’ which is self-destructive. how fast arrogance, greed, and sin can “kill” you.
4. Can we say that the poet has succeeded in conveying
Project his point? How?
1. How does figurative language assist in conveying the Ans. James Patrick Kinney effectively portrays his point about
theme and purpose of the poem? hatred killing you by using diction, figurative language, and
Ans. Figurative language plays a vital role in developing the poems rhyme. His persuasion in this poem is really helpful in
theme. “Their dying fire in need of logs” literally means the understanding the entirety behind his point. This poem really
fire that is keeping them warm, but also stands as a metaphor makes you think about yourself and the lengths to which you
for their sinful souls. They are committing sins such as racism, would go to either hurt someone else, or save yourself. Helping
envy, arrogance, revenge, and greed. By saying they need to out someone you hate can be one of the hardest things that
add logs to the fire suggest that they need to help out someone you have to face, and when you are put in that situation what
other than themselves, or they will “freeze” to death. Opening would you do? Could you be brave enough to save someone
up and not being greedy will warm there souls and will save you despise in order to save yourself? James Patrick Kinney
them, unfortunately it has overcome them and is an has successfully used literary devises and narrative to project
impossibility. his point that prejudices control people’s lives and actions.
2. Explain how diction is important in the poem with the 5. What is the tone of the poem?
help of an example. Ans. His tone seems condemning, scornful. Also, it seems to be
Ans. The line that Kinney starts his poem with is “six humans warning you somewhat about the results of a cold heart.
trapped by happenstance”. His diction in this line is very In the beginning, the poem unwraps as a story or a tale.
important to the overall theme of the poem. By saying “six The author uses negative language - 'idle,' 'lazy', 'shiftless'.The
humans”, it is almost as if he is talking about all humans. If people in this poem illustrate the coldness within and how
he would have said “people” then we might have different destructive it is and how it works.
associations with the words. Another curious use of diction is 6. What is universal about the theme - that is, what can we
by saying “trapped in happenstance”. Happenstance means all learn from the poem?
an event that might have been arranged although it is accidental. Ans. One of the great challenges to our humanity is acknowledging
This use of diction is important because by saying that it is and overcoming our natural tendency to think less of and
accidental, yet almost seems arranged, gives the reader a discriminate against people who are different than us racially,
sense that they are supposed to be there. The fact that he ethnically, religiously or ideologically.Despite persistent rhetoric
says they are trapped suggests that they do not want to be about prizing diversity, political debates often reflect disdain
in the situation, but they cannot escape. and contempt for those we disagree with and prejudices of all
3. Explain the importance of rythm in the poem. sorts are more readily stated. James Patrick Kinney in his
Ans. The rhyme of the poems sets up an easy read. This allows for poem“The Cold Within” reminds us what is at stake.
your eyes to simply guide and take in Kinney’s message: the 7. What point is the author trying to make?
Ans. This poem had a very clear message.It conveys the message in the situation, but they cannot escape.
of the dangers, and even the futility, of discrimination and Figurative language plays a vital role in developing the
racism.The poet touches on how each of the people around poems theme. “Their dying fire in need of logs” literally means
the fire died because of the "Cold Within," and because of the fire that is keeping them warm, but also stands as a
their inability to accept each other. He wants to suggest to all metaphor for their sinful souls. They are committing sins such
humans to avoid prejudice as it would only bring one down as racism, envy, arrogance, revenge, and greed. By saying
and potentially cause our downfall. Discrimination cannot bring they need to add logs to the fire suggest that they need to
good, only the doom that awaited each of the unnamed help out someone other than themselves, or they will “freeze”
characters in "The Cold Within." to death. Opening up and not being greedy will warm there
8. How does the poem relate to our study of the Diary of souls and will save them, unfortunately it has overcome them
Anne Frank and the events of the Holocaust? and is an impossibility.
Ans. The poem conveys how fast arrogance, greed, hatred and sin The rhyme of the poems sets up an easy read. This
can “kill”. It consumes everyone irrespective of their caste, allows for your eyes to simply guide and take in Kinney’s
creed and colour. The Diary of Anne Frank also talks about message: the frigidness of people are what end up killing
discrimination and hatred and how it almost annihilated the them. The rhythm is important to the theme of the story
human race. In the poem ‘The Cold Within’ it is the cold- because it makes reading the poem faster. This is important
heartedness really which killed the characters. This symbolizes because this indirectly shows how fast arrogance, greed, and
their "coldness" and prejudices against each other. Eventually, sin can “kill” you.
this is what killed them. James Patrick Kinney effectively portrays his point about
9. What are the poetic devices (figurative language) in the hatred killing you by using diction, figurative language, and
poem? How do they contribute to the meaning/how do rhyme. His persuasion in this poem is really helpful in
they effect the poem? understanding the entirety behind his point. This poem really
Ans. James Patrick Kinney uses diction, figurative language, and makes you think about yourself and the lengths to which you
rhyme to project his point that prejudices control people’s would go to either hurt someone else, or save yourself.
lives and actions.
Extra Questions
The line that Kinney starts his poem with is “six humans
trapped by happenstance”. His diction in this line is very 1. What brought the six humans together? Where were
important to the overall theme of the poem. By saying “six they?
humans”, it is almost as if he is talking about all humans. If Ans. The six humans were brought together by chance. However
he would have said “people” then we might have different it all seemed pre-arranged although it was accidental. They
associations with the words. Another curious use of diction is were trapped together and it was bitterly cold. It could be
by saying “trapped in happenstance”. Happenstance means anywhere.
an event that might have been arranged although it is accidental.
This use of diction is important because by saying that it is 2. Is there any significance of the logs of wood in the
accidental, yet almost seems arranged, gives the reader a hands of the six people?
sense that they are supposed to be there. The fact that he Ans. Yes each log is a symbol of a particular sin. Each log of wood
says they are trapped suggests that they do not want to be is suggestive of a sin. If the logs of wood are put into the fire
it would mean helping out someone , other than one’s own
self. But if they are held on as they are, it means holding onto
CHAPTER 3
sins even beyond death. Each man’s prejudice- greed, envy,
arrogance, revenge, spite, intolerance – are represented THE BANGLE SELLERS
symbolically by the stick held by each man. —By Sarojini Naidu
3. What could these persons have done?
Ans. Each person could have relinquished his log to keep the fire Bangle sellers are we who bear
going and could have saved each other from dyng in the cold. Our shining loads to the temple fair...
Symbolically if they had rid themselves of their sins they
Who will buy these delicate, bright
could have kept alive the fire of faith and saved themselves
from damnation. Rainbow-tinted circles of light?
4. The poet refers to a dying fire. Who were sitting beside Lustrous tokens of radiant lives,
it and why? For happy daughters and happy wives.
Ans. The six men were sitting beside the fire to keep warm as they
were trapped in a bitterly cold place .The poet refers to a fire Some are meet for a maiden's wrist,
which was slowly extinguishing as none of the six men were Silver and blue as the mountain mist,
willing to keep it going by relinquishing their logs. Hence, the
Some are flushed like the buds that dream
fire which was keeping them alive was dying and they too
would die from the cold. On the tranquil brow of a woodland stream,
5. Why did the men keep back their sticks? Some are aglow with the bloom that cleaves
Ans. The men kept back their sticks and did not put them in the fire To the limpid glory of new born leaves
to keep it going because of the cold in their hearts. They
were preys to the sins of racism, greed, intolerance, meanness, Some are like fields of sunlit corn,
arrogance and discrimination. Meet for a bride on her bridal morn,
6. Why was each man in the group unaware of self-
Some, like the flame of her marriage fire,
destruction by his action?
Or, rich with the hue of her heart's desire,
Ans. Each man was so consumed by hatred, racism, self-
centredness, and arrogance that they remained unaware of Tinkling, luminous, tender, and clear,
the self –destructiveness of their action. Like her bridal laughter and bridal tear.
7. What killed the six men?
Ans. The six men did not die because of the cold without. Rather Some are purple and gold flecked grey
it was the cold within their hearts that killed them. Their For she who has journeyed through life midway,
feelings of revenge, greed, hatred, selfishness, racism, Whose hands have cherished, whose love has blest,
intolerance and arrogance killed them. The poet emphasises
And cradled fair sons on her faithful breast,
the idea that it is the coldness within men’s hearts which
leads to their death and doom. And serves her household in fruitful pride,
And worships the gods at her husband's side. which burnt with feeling and passion and was as sweet as a
bird's song. Her genius like that of Shelley and Keats was
About the Poem essentially lyrical. She had the classicist's perfection and
refinement and the sensuousness and imagination of the
The poem "Bangle Sellers" was first published in the
Romantics. She was a conscientious artist and believed in
year 1912 by Sarojini Naidu. It belongs to the third section
communicating her thoughts in a language that was appealing
in her collection of poems called "The Bird of Time." The and graceful. In striving to do so she acquired almost a
pageantry of Indian life fascinated her and she sings of it with
distinctive style which was her own. Sri Aurobindo aptly
zest. Indian customs and traditions, festivals and celebrations, remarked that her poetry "has qualities which make her best
men and women, fairs and feasts are abundant in her poetry. work exquisite, unique and unmatchable of its kind". The poetry
A group of bangle sellers is on its way to the temple fair to
of Naidu reflects feminine sensibility with regard to her choice
sell their bangles. One of them is the narrator of this poem. of words, passion and imagery. Armando Menezes remarked
It is a poem of four stanzas , of six lines each. This poem is rightly: She had a woman's love of words. They are not, to
a perfect epitome of a typical Indian scene.
her, just convenient instruments of expression, they were
things: Precious, lovely things, like jewels.
About the Poet
Sarojini Naidu was careful regarding the selection of
Sarojini Naidu was one of the renowned women poets of words that lent grace to her poetry and helped her to convey
Indo Anglian Literature. She contributed remarkably in the her inner most feelings. We find in her poetry various aspects,
arena of Indian poetry in English. Her first volume of poetry, relating to the use of words, which she employed to express
‘The Golden Threshold’ appeared in 1905 which made her her thoughts in charismatic tone. She possessed "unfailing
famous at once as a poet of refined poetic sensibility. Her verbal felicity and rhythmical dexterity". She employed the
subsequent volumes of poems also made a mark and dealt device of alliteration, refrain, vernacular words, metaphors
with varied themes, such as, nature, folk life, patriotism, and striking similes to make her language effective, bearing
mysticism, love and death. Sarojini Naidu's poems reflect her the quality of refinement. Sarojini Naidu employed a polished
art of writing poetry which is marked by her originality of diction. Her poetry reflects her command over English
thoughts and spontaneity of expression. language. Though she was an Indian, she had mastered the
Sarojini Naidu was amongst the pioneer poets of Indo- foreign language which came into circulation in India due to
Anglian literature. She began writing poetry in the last decade colonialism. She had read well the English Romantic poets
of the nineteenth century but was highly influenced by the who influenced her to a great extent.
Romantic poets due to her intense reading of Romantic poetry. Naidu was conscious of the importance of language in
She started writing at the time when sonnets, ode and lyrics, the world of poetry and therefore she strived to have a
having emphasis on colour, imagery, feelings and imagination sophisticated style by using a language which glowed with
were in vogue and she was highly influenced by such writings. fine diction and brilliant figures of speech.
She studied ornate poetry which made impact on her writings.
Sarojini Naidu was a gifted artist having ornamental and Central Idea
highly sophisticated style. Her poetry reflected that she was The central idea of the poem is that the bangles are
a superb artist in the use of words. It contained the language representative of a woman’s life and each colour or type of
bangle represents each stage of an Indian woman’s life, from Paraphrase
puberty to midlife. The stages of an Indian woman’s life are
represented through the colour of bangles in this poem. Each The narrator says that we are bangle sellers who go
colour represents each stage she crosses. Silver and blue, or roaming from place to place to sell their bangles. They sing
pink -maidenhood; yellow- morning of her wedding; red or their beautiful song when they go to sell their bangles in the
orange (fiery shades) symbolises her bridal night; purple and temple fair. They invite the people to come and buy their
gold- motherhood and matriarchy. Although it is only alluded delicate, bright and multi-coloured bangles. The bangles are
to in innuendos, the patriarchal ideology lurks beneath the tokens(symbols) of delight for happy daughters and happy
surface of the poem. The women are described as either wives.
happy ‘daughters’ or ‘wives’. Every phase she passes is In the second stanza the bangle sellers give an account
referred to by a man in her life, father, husband, sons. The of the bangles which match a maiden. The silver and blue
women in this poem fit into boxes that limit their existence to coloured bangles are suitable for a maiden i.e an unmarried
being a possessed object of patriarchy. Even if this poem is girl. These bangles are like the mist on the mountain in their
ironic, it still discusses the ideas propagated by the patriarchal colour and purity. The bangles are like buds on a woodland
society. stream. Some are shining like flowers. All these bud-like and
flower-like bangles are suitable for the unmarried girls.
Word Meanings
In the third stanza the bangle sellers have some bangles
1. Rainbow tinted - Rainbow colored that look like the corn fields. The bangles are suitable for a
bride on her wedding morning. Some bangles look like the
2. Lustrous - Shining
flame of her marriage fire.(red) Some are rich with colours
3. Meet - Suitable of her hearts desire. They make soft sounds just like the bride
4. Tranquil brow - Calm and quiet bank of a river, lake, pond, makes at the time of her wedding. The bride laughs as she
etc. is getting married and weeps as she is leaving her parental
5. Limpid - Clear home. The phrases bridal laughter and bridal tears suggest
6. Hue - Color. the emotional feelings of the bride.
7. Luminous - Glowing In the last stanza the bangle sellers say that they possess
certain bangles which are purple in colour and some are
8. Cleaves - stick to
touched with gold and grey colours. All these bangles are
9. Flushed - become red suitable for a middle-aged woman whose hands have cared
10. Brow - slope tenderly, loved, blessed and cradled her fair sons and
11. Bloom - blossom worshipped the gods sitting by her husband’s side.
12. Shining loads - bangles
Summary
13. Flame of her marriage fire - red coloured
14. Fleck - small area ofa particular colour Bangle sellers take their load of bangles to the temple
fair to sell them. The bangles are termed as “lustrous tokens
15. Cherish - care tenderly
of radiant lives” which mean that they are symbols of love in
16. Cradle - to hold someone gently in our arms people’s lives. The bangles are made for happy daughters and
wives. The poet says that some of the bangles are made for on maidenhood. By maidenhood Naidu means virginity. Thus,
the unmarried women and they are of silver and blue in colour. the colours chosen by her represent purity like the blue and
The other bangles made for the bride glows like the fields of silver mist of mountains, shades of pink of yet to blossom
corn during morning. Those bangles glow like the bride’s flowers or the clear dew drops on new born leaves. This has
marriage flame and rich in her heart’s desires. The bangles connotations to new beginnings and the promise of life. The
are tinkling with ‘luminous’ colours like the bride’s laughter or third stanza talks about a woman who is about to become a
tears. Some bangles are made for the elderly women who bride. The colour chosen in this group is a lively yellow that
have journeyed through half of their life. These bangles are represents the hope she has for her future and also her
of purple colour with gold flecks. These women have served happiness. The imagery used here is energetic and lively like
their household well, cradles their sons and have worshipped corn fields bathed in sunlight. The second part of this stanza
the household gods with their husbands beside them. portrays the love a new bride has for her husband. Naidu
The tone of the poem is joyful and lively. Each stanza chooses the apt colour scheme of reds and oranges. The
has a certain tone. The first recalls the cry of bangle-sellers ‘flame’ Naidu talks about has sexual connotations to it. It is
who travel on foot to sell their products. The second and third a euphemism for the consummation of her marriage with her
stanzas have a profound sense of happiness and lively energy. husband. The fourth stanza talks about the pride of a woman
The tone of the last stanza is dipped in pride and a sense of who has lived girlhood and bridehood and motherhood, and
fulfilment. earned a position as a matriarch. It is the phase in her life
when her struggles have borne fruit. Therefore, this stanza
Critical Appreciation has the air of royalty and pride etched in it. That is why the
colours chosen to describe the bangles for a matriarch are
Naidu’s poetry is best known for her use of imagery and purple and gold. The specks of grey add the touch of maturity
contemporary Indian themes. Among her other poems, this that comes with age.
poem stands out as a social message that not only discusses
However, critics have questioned Naidu’s portrayal of
the lives of Indian women but also the lives of bangle sellers. women in stereotyped boxes in this poem. Her poem discusses
Although the poem focuses extensively on the stages in the only three categories in a woman’s life-maidenhood, wifehood
life of women, it portrays the lives of the bangle sellers as
and motherhood. On one hand, the poem fails to recognise
well. Not once is the poverty or the hardship of their vocation other areas of a woman’s life, where women have an
mentioned in the poem save the ‘shining loads’, which denotes independent identity, one which is free from restricting labels
the heaviness of the bangles. The bangle seller employs a
made by a patriarchal society. Even when Naidu talks about
joyful voice which makes us forget that their livelihoods depend
a woman bearing children, she mentions only boys. Perhaps,
on the sale of these bangles. The women in their lives are all
the role model for this poem was a specific woman she knew.
portrayed as happy, probably because the happiness of the But on the other hand, she writes a poem that has strong
bangle-seller relies upon the happiness of these women. In a
sexual connotations. It is also probable that this is an ironic
nutshell, their livelihood depends on these bangles and thus,
take on the lives of women during the time she was writing
they must be presented as tokens of happiness. this poem. Naidu was instrumental in encouraging women
The poem progresses step by step as if it is passing by empowerment. She encouraged women to get involved in the
each phase of the life of a woman with her. The first stanza freedom movement against colonial rule. She herself was a
relates to us the premise of poem. The second stanza focuses big part of the movement and became the President of the
INC. It could have been her way of speaking out against sellers as well.
patriarchal constraints in ironic terms.
Naidu uses various poetic devices. The ‘rainbow tinted Comprehension Passages
circles of light’ is an instance of a metaphor. The colours of Stanza 1
the bangles are likened to the colours of the rainbow. And the
Bangle sellers are we who bear
light reflected by the bangles gives it the appearance of being
made of light. The ‘silver and blue as the mountain mist’ is Our shining loads to the temple fair…
a simile. Here, the color of the bangle is compared to the mist Who will buy these delicate, bright
of the mountains. Imagery is represented by the Rainbow-tinted circles of light?
‘Some are aglow with the bloom that cleaves Lustrous tokens of radiant lives,
To the limpid glory of new born leaves For happy daughters and happy wives.
This represents some of the bangles by comparing them Read the lines given above and answer the questions
to the transparent glory of the new born leaves. Again she that follow.
writes Some are like fields of sunlit corn, and here the
1. Explain with reference to context.
comparison is made between the yellow corn fields bathed in
sunlight and the yellow coloured bangles. Examples of more Ans. The lines given above are from the poem The Bangle sellers
similes are as follows : by Sarojini Naidu. This poem stands out as a social message
that not only discusses the lives of Indian women but also the
‘Some, like the flame of her marriage fire,
lives of bangle sellers. Although the poem focuses extensively
Or, rich with the hue of her heart’s desire, on the stages in the life of women, it portrays the lives of the
the red bangles become symbolic of a new bride’s love and bangle sellers as well.
desire for her husband and the A bangle-seller talks about the various kinds of bangles
‘Tinkling, luminous, tender, and clear, he carries with him, and about the women that buy them. The
Like her bridal laughter and bridal tear. poem describes the everyday life of bangle-sellers as well.
where bangles are compared to a young bride’s laughter and The speaker of the poem is one such bangle seller and in the
the luminosity of the bangles is likened to her tears. Finally first two lines he describes what it is like to carry precious,
Naidu brings in more vivid imagery when she writes “cradled ‘shiny loads’ of bangles to the temples, fairs and other such
fair sons on her breast’ where she talks of the son a middle- places where women can buy them. The third line is akin to
aged has borne and nourished and cradled close to her breast. a bangle seller’s cry for the sale of his bangles. He calls out
It denotes that she has diligently performed her duties as a to women who might buy these bangles. He thinks these
mother. bangles are the tokens of happy lives and happy marriages.
2. Who is the speaker in the poem?
Finally it would be correct to say that this is a poem as
much about the bangle sellers as it is about women. It talks Ans. The Bangle Seller is the speaker in the poem. In the opening
about the mutual happiness of the two as they are lines of the poem we see that it is Bangle Seller who says,
interdependent. The bangles are symbolic of women and their “Bangle sellers are we who bear…….Our shining loads to
happiness. Similarly, the happy women can ensure the sale of the temple fair”. He describes himself and his bangles
more bangles, thus, becoming the symbols of happy bangle- throughout the whole poem.

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CONTENTS

Figure of Speech 1-3 8. The Patriot 162-183

What does he plant who plants a tree?

The third one sat in tattered clothes.

The rich man just sat back and thought

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