BRAINSTORMING
(A1) (i) Pick out the lines showing that the poet is prepared to enjoy every moment of his journey.
ANS-
1.
Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road
2.
Healthy, free, the world before me
3.
Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune
4.
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more
5.
Strong and content I travel the open road
6.
The earth, that is sufficient
(ii) By ‘old delicious burdens’ the poet means-
(a) the luggage
(b) the food he carries
(c) the stress he bears during
the travels
(d) sweet memories of the past
ANS- (d) sweet memories of the past.
(iii) The poet is a person who is free from all
inhibitions. Discuss how the concept of ‘freedom’ is expressed in the poem.
Throughout the poem, advocates sense of freedom and happiness,
he also encourages readers to be optimistic and joyful in life. Whitman rejects
societal norms and materialistic desires. He finds freedom in his connection
with nature, He conveys that true freedom comes from within and one should not
focus on worries, disappointments or bad memories instead embrace life’s
journey with an open heart. The poet strongly recommends in finding joy and contentment
in the simple act of living keeping all their worries behind.
(A2) (i) Following are the activities of the poet related
to his journey on the road. Divide them into two parts as ‘activities the poet
will practise’ and ‘activities he will not practise’.
|
Activities The Poet Will Practise |
Activities He Will Not Practise |
|
Walking along
the road though he does not know where it reaches |
Complaining
about the discomforts during the journey |
|
Carrying the
fond memories of the good people |
Postponing
the journey |
|
Reflecting and developing his own ‘self’ |
Praying for
good fortune |
|
|
Creating contacts
with famous and influential people |
|
|
Striving to
achieve high and bright success |
(ii) Write down the traits the poet exhibit through
following lines. One is done for you.
(a) Henceforth, I ask for no good
fortune-I myself am good fortune: Self-confidence
(b) Henceforth, I whimper no
more, postpone no more, need nothing: Determination and Self-sufficiency.
(c) I do not want the
constellations any nearer: Contentment and Acceptance
(d) I swear it is impossible for
me to get rid of them: Acknowledgment of Limitations
(e) I am filled with them – I
will fill them in return: Reciprocity or Interdependence
(iii) 'Healthy, free, the world before me'.
Express your views regarding the above line.
The phrase "Healthy, free” encapsulates optimism, the
poet feels physically and mentally liberated to take a walk and enjoy life this
freedom is a testament of positivity. By the phrase "the world before
me" he suggests an open horizon of opportunities and experiences waiting
to be explored with enthusiasm and confidence. In a nutshell this line
celebrates the joy of being alive and the excitement of the journey ahead also
to appreciate our health, cherish our freedom.
(A3) The poet has used many describing words such as
'healthy' in this poem. Make a list and classify them as -
(a) For the world: Healthy, Free,
(b) For himself: Strong, Content,
Light-hearted.
(c) For the road: Open, Long,
Brown.
(A4) (i) Read the expression ‘old delicious burdens.’ A
burden cannot be delicious.
The poet has used this combination of words to express that
he has many sweet memories of the people and places which he would like to
remember forever. The poet has used seemingly contradictory expressions to
convey the meaning that his heart is full of sweet memories of good and kind
people. Though he wants to be free from any type of attachment, he wants to
cherish these sweet memories in his heart forever.
The expression contains opposite ideas that make it seem
absurd or unlikely, although it may be true. This is called ‘Paradox.’
(ii) The road in the poem does not mean only the road to
travel. The poet wants to suggest the road of life. Explain the metaphor with
the help of the poem.
The road serves as a powerful metaphor for the journey of
life. Representing not just physical travel, but personal journey each
individual undertakes on this road of life suggesting a shared human experience
and the collective journey towards growth leading to new experiences,
challenges, and opportunities.
(iii) Free Verse: Free Verse is a poetry that does not
rhyme or have a regular rhythm. The features of Free Verse are:
·
It is a literary device that is free from
limitations of regular metre or rhythm, does not rhyme with fixed forms, and
still it provides an artistic expression.
·
In this way, the poet can give his own shape to
a poem as he desires and can use various poetic devices to create the effect he
considers suitable for the piece.
·
As Free Verse gives greater freedom for choosing
words and conveying their meanings to readers, it is free from artificiality of
a typical poetic expression.
· This technique is commonly used in modern poetry.
Remember
·
Although Free Verse requires no meter, rhyme or
other traditional poetic techniques, it is the use of internal pattern of
sounds, the choice of exact words and their chosen places are the factors which
attribute the Free Verse, its lyrical or rhythmic beauty.
·
Free Verse is completely different from ‘Blank
Verse’ which essentially has to occur in iambic pentameter. Blank verse is
poetry written with regular metrical but unrhymed lines. It is described as
'the most common' form of English poetry which has been influential since the
16th century.
(iv) There are certain words that are repeated in the poem.
For example, ‘no more’ (Line 7). Find out other similar expressions. Explain
the effect they have created in the poem.
ANS: the line 7 of the poem is “Henceforth I
whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,” the figure of speech is Repetition
Word “no more” is repeated for better poetic effect
Other similar expressions are:
“Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am
good-fortune,”
Word “good-fortune” is repeated for better poetic effect
“I know they are very well where they are”
Words “they are” are repeated for better poetic effect
“I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me
wherever I go”
Words “carry them” are repeated for better emphasis.
(v) The use of personal pronoun 'I' is evident and
prominent in this poem. Give reasons.
The use of the personal pronoun 'I' in "Song of the
Open Road" highlights the poet's individual perspective and personal
journey on the road of life. It emphasizes light heartedness, self-discovery
and personal freedom about the endless opportunities.
(A5) (i) With the
help of the following points, write a poetic appreciation of the poem ‘Song of
the Open Road’.
Ans: Click Here
(ii) Write four to six lines of Free Verse on the topic
‘The road that leads to my college’. Express that it is the road to knowledge
and bright future.
You may begin like this: Every day I tread with the bag of books …
The road that leads to my college…
Paved with dreams and aspirations,
Leads me to an endless journey,
Winds through mornings filled with promise,
For a better tomorrow,
Each step take I is a journey towards wisdom,
A path of endless learning and growth,
Illuminated by the light of a bright future.
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