SOLUTION OF BROOK

Q.7 Answer the following questions.

(a) Why does the brook 'sparkle'?
Ans. The brook sparkles as it flows down in the midst of grass. The water in the brook is clear and transparent in the early
part of its journey. When the bright sunbeam is reflected on the surface of water, it makes the brook seem to sparkle.
(b) 'Bicker' means 'to quarrel. Why does the poet use this word here?
Ans. A quarrel is often quite noisy. The poet has used such a sense of sound to indicate that the brook flows down to the
valley, creating different noises. The sound produced here is like that of children quarrelling playfully.
(c) Why has the word 'chatter' been repeated in the poem?
Ans. The word 'chatter' has been repeated quite a few times in the poem. It represents the sound made by the brook as it
flows through stony ways. It also provides a flow and rhythm to the poem. Moreover, it gives a personified touch to the
brook as it appears to be talking.
(d) "I wind about, and in and out." What kind of picture does this line create in your mind?
Ans. Tennyson has used an imagery quite playfully to enhance the lyrical quality of the poem. These lines create a picture of
the water flowing freely in a zig-zag manner. It also creates an impression that sometimes the brook flows underground or
inside the cracks in the rocks and then comes out again.
(e) What does the poet want to convey by using the words 'steal' and 'slide'?
Ans. By using the words 'steal and slide' the poet wants to convey that the brook quietly passes through small hurdles, and
slips through various obstructions in its flow like sandy banks, trees, wild bushes etc. These words also suggest the quiet but
swift movement of the brook.
(f) "I make the netted sunbeam dance." What does 'the netted sunbeam' mean? How does it dance?
Ans. In the morning, the rays of the Sun fall on the flowing water of the brook. The rays appear to be netted as they pass
through the trees. They are then reflected here and there due to the rippling water of the brook and hence they seem to
'dance'.
(g) What is the 'refrain' in the poem? What effect does it create?
Ans. The 'refrain' in the poem is, "For men may come and men may go, but I go on forever." It tells us about the permanent
nature of the brook and the temporary aspect of human life. It emphasises the central idea of the poem, which is maintained
throughout the poem through repetition.
h) Why has the poet used the word 'brimming in the line 'to join the brimming river'?
Ans. The poet has used the word "brimming to indicate the amount of water in the river which the brook finally joins. It
creates a picture of immense volume and abundance.It also indicates that the river is source of life for all living beings.
Q.8 Identify the rhyme scheme of the poem.
Ans. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ab, ab, cd, cd, ef, ef and so on.
Q.9 The poem is full of images that come alive through skilful use of words. List out any two images that appeal to you the
most, quoting the lines from the poem.
Ans. The poet has described the movements of a brook in such a manner that words create a mental picture. The image of
water coming out suddenly, water birds flying around and water moving down the valley making loud noise is presented in
the first stanza.
"I come from haunts of coot and hern; I make a sudden sally And sparkle out among the fern, To bicker down a valley."
The second image is of zig-zag movement of the water. It moves, carrying on its surface many flowers and leaves. Freshwater
fish like trout and grayling can be seen gliding at its bottom.
"I wind about, and in and out, With here a blossom sailing. And here and there a lusty trout, And here and there a
grayling"
Q.10. The brook appears to be a symbol for life. Pick out examples of parallelism between human life and the brook from
the poem.
Ans. The examples of parallelism in the poem are –

(i) Birth- The brook's emergence in the mountains is similar to human birth in this world.
(ii) Youth- When one is young, one is strong and full of enthusiasm (energy). Similarly, the brook in its youth hurries down. It
makes a huge noise and rushes forcefully towards its destination. It 'sallies', "bickers' and 'chatters' while it flows.
(iii) Support- Human beings are a source of support of life for each other by providing help to each other. In the same way,
the brook also supports life of fish like trout and grayling. So, both man and the brook are similar.
(iv) Old Age and Death-
In old age, man becomes calm and wise. In the same way, the brook also slows down and starts moving slowly towards its
destination. Man dies and the brook joins the brimming river.