SECTION II – POETRY

(POETRY AND APPRECIATION)

B. APPRECIATION [04Marks]

Q.3 B. Read the extract and write as per the instructions:

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus, mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
(Seen extract of 10-15 lines
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that
glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
from another poem, not asked
in Q.3A)

She Walks in Beauty - Poetic appreciation

(250 words) 4 marks
1. Appreciation of theme and language features 02
2. Explanation and Presentation 01
3. Personal opinion and evaluation 01
Ans:
‘She Walks in Beauty’ is a poem by Lord Byron, an English poet. Poem has
three stanzas of six lines each (sestets). The rhyming scheme is ababab. Byron
has described woman's inner as well as outer beauty. He has compared her
beauty with night sky bringing forward the interdependent relationship in
between 'dark and light', 'inner and outer', 'beauty of mind and body'. The
Opening line – ‘She walks in beauty, is enough to create a mysterious effect on
the reader’s mind.
Though it seems to be a 'Love Poem', nowhere the poet has declared his love for
the woman. Her exceptional beauty is metaphorically drawn forth comparing
her eyes, hair, smile, mind, face with natural elements. Further it also talks
about harmony in inner and outer beauty and balance in-between mind and
body. Language is little complex. Use of various figures of speech adds to
lyrical beauty of the expressions. Apt use of Imagery, Simile – like the night’,
Alliteration – cloudless climes, Antithesis- “one shade more, one ray less’, and
Metaphor makes poem worth reading and listening to.
The elegant language used which is very necessary for the subject, use of vivid
imagery in expressions - 'wavy raven tresses, stary skies' are classic. Poem ends
perfectly in 'A heart whose love is innocent' - the line which appeals to me most.
It draws association in between her inner and outer beauty which is so divine,
giving a perfect definition of a beauty. It teaches us that beauty is not just an
outward appearance. Overall the poem is a must read for everyone.
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Please remember
1. You have to write appreciation of a poem in paragraphs (and not point
wise giving subtitles as you might have done in 10th std.)
2. Appreciation is a very individual thing you cannot copy someone's
perspective. Be authentic, original. You have to appreciate a poem (or
anything for that matter from your own perspective)
3. Read all the poems in the textbook carefully. Read aloud in the class, in
the group. You must read the poem in solitude even. Read brainstorming
section in the Text Book carefully. Questions will give you a path to walk
on while researching about the poem.
4. Record the poem in your own voice. Listen to it. Go to online sources,
listen to it for a model reading and compare your pronunciations. Enjoy
the words and expressions, rhyming words.
5. The aspect/s which is appealing to your senses about the poem (or a
thing) is and must be different from the way it is appealing to your friend
or a teacher even.
6. Try to note down and by heart the expressions which have appealed to
you. Keep it as your WhatsApp status for a few days.
7. Visit your college library or online sources and try to read at least one
another poem on the same subject and theme.
8. Translating the poem in your mother tongue can be a very good and
rewarding exercise.
 9. I suggest you to draw a mind map of your research and share it with
your class.
10. You have an opportunity to demonstrate your language skills while
writing an appreciation of a poem.
11. You can underline the key words, sentences with pencil.

How to arrive at the answer?

Let’s brainstorm: Try drawing a mind-map with ideas, thoughts coming to your
mind.

Try writing short and simple sentences on every branch of the mind map.
Try writing in 3 paragraphs using colour code given in the above mind
map.
For ex – in 1st para write abut Title, Poet, Poem, and Structure. Follow the
sequence and colour code for next 2 paragraphs.

1. 1st para: Title, Poet, Poem, and Structure

‘She Walks in Beauty’ is a poem by Lord Byron, an English poet. Poem has
three stanzas of six lines each (sestets). The rhyming scheme is ababab. Byron
has described woman's inner as well as outer beauty. He has compared her
beauty with night sky bringing forward the interdependent relationship in
between 'dark and light', 'inner and outer', 'beauty of mind and body'. The
Opening line – ‘She walks in beauty, is enough to create a mysterious effect on
the reader’s mind.
2. 2nd Para: Theme, Figures of Speech and striking qualities.
Though it seems to be a 'Love Poem', nowhere the poet has declared his love for
the woman. Her exceptional beauty is metaphorically drawn forth comparing
her eyes, hair, smile, mind, face with natural elements. Further it also talks
about harmony in inner and outer beauty and balance in-between mind and
body. Language is little complex. Use of various figures of speech adds to
lyrical beauty of the expressions. Apt use of Imagery, Simile – like the night’,
Alliteration – cloudless climes, Antithesis- “one shade more, one ray less’, and
Metaphor makes poem worth reading and listening to.
3.Your Opinion
The elegant language used which is very necessary for the subject, use of vivid
imagery in expressions - 'wavy raven tresses, stary skies' are classic. Poem ends
perfectly in 'A heart whose love is innocent' - the line which appeals to me most.
It draws association in between her inner and outer beauty which is so divine,
giving a perfect definition of a beauty. It teaches us that beauty is not just an
outward appearance. Overall poem is a must read for everyone.