Steps to Analyze the Given Stanza in English Class 12 Q.7 Flamingo Poetry to Get Full Marks

Steps to Analyze the Given Stanza in English Class 12 Q.7 Flamingo Poetry to Get Full Marks in 2024

My Mother at Sixty-six
Kamala Das
Keeping Quiet
Pablo Neruda
A Thing of Beauty
John Keats
A Roadside Stand
Robert Frost
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
Adrienne Rich

My Mother at Sixty-six
Kamala Das Steps to Analyze the Given Stanza in English Class 12 Q.7

Driving from my parent’s
home to Cochin last Friday
morning, I saw my mother,
beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen like that
of a corpse and realised with
pain
that she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away, and
looked out at Young
Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes, but after the airport’s
security check, standing a few yards
Rationalised 2023-24
My Mother at Sixty-six/91
away, I looked again at her, wan,
pale
as a late winter’s moon and felt that
old
familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,
but all I said was, see you soon,
Amma,
all I did was smile and smile and
smile……

Steps to Analyze the Given Stanza in English Class 12 Q.7 Flamingo Poetry to Get Full Marks in 2024

Q.7 One Poetry Extract out of two from the Book Flamingo to Get Full Marks in 2024

To effectively analyze the given stanza from the poem “My Mother at Sixty-six,” consider the following steps:

• • Understand the Literal Meaning:
    • The speaker is observing his mother, describing her as “wan” (pale) like a late winter’s moon.
    • There is a reference to a familiar ache, associated with the speaker’s childhood fear.
    • Despite these emotions, the speaker reassures the mother, saying, “see you soon, Amma,” and expresses happiness through repeated smiling.
  • Identify Literary Devices:
    • The simile comparing the mother’s appearance to a “late winter’s moon” emphasizes her paleness and possibly frailty.
    • The use of the word “ache” conveys a deep, emotional pain or discomfort.
    • Repetition of the word “smile” suggests a facade of happiness or an attempt to mask deeper emotions.https://www.youtube.com/@principalsirmsyadav
  • Explore Tone and Mood:
    • The tone is reflective, with the speaker observing the physical and emotional state of his mother.
    • The mood is bittersweet, with a mixture of concern, nostalgia, and the attempt to create a positive atmosphere through smiling.
  • Consider the Speaker’s Emotions:
    • The speaker experiences a sense of ache, connecting to a childhood fear.
    • Despite the internal turmoil, the speaker chooses to convey optimism and comfort to the mother through the words “see you soon” and persistent smiling.
  • Relate to the Overall Theme:
    • Consider how this stanza fits into the broader theme of aging, the passage of time, and the complex emotions that come with witnessing a loved one grow older.
  • Connect with the Title and Poem’s Context:
    • Relate this stanza to the title “My Mother at Sixty-six” and the overall context of the poem, which likely explores the relationship between the speaker and his aging mother.
  • Consider Symbolism:
    • The mention of the late winter’s moon and the repeated smiles may carry symbolic significance. Explore how these symbols contribute to the overall meaning of the stanza.
  • Examine Language Choice:
    • Look closely at the specific words chosen by the poet. For example, the use of “wan” instead of just “pale” might have nuanced connotations.
  • Reflect on Personal Response:
    • Consider how the stanza resonates with your own emotions and experiences. Does it evoke any specific memories or feelings?
  • Interpret the Final Line:
    • The repetition of “smile” in the last line may suggest an attempt to mask or cope with the deeper emotions. Explore the significance of this repetition.

The analysis of the poem “Keeping Quiet” by Pablo Neruda

The analysis of the poem “Keeping Quiet” by Pablo Neruda for reading comprehension of stanzas. Since the poem is relatively lengthy, I’ll provide an overview of the main themes and literary elements in each stanza.

Stanza 1: The opening stanza urges readers to “count to twelve” and “keep still.” It introduces the theme of silence and the idea of introspection. The poet emphasizes the need to pause and reflect.

Stanza 2: The second stanza explores the benefits of keeping quiet. Stopping all activities for a moment is presented as a way to experience a collective pause, leading to a temporary suspension of noise and chaos in the world.

Stanza 3: The poet introduces the concept of a moment of silence on the Earth’s surface. The idea is that if everyone stops for a second, the usual sounds of engines and machines will cease, creating a unique and exotic moment of quiet.

Stanza 4: In this stanza, the poet discusses the positive outcomes of this quiet moment. Fishermen won’t harm whales, and salt workers will have a chance to check their hands. The emphasis is on the potential benefits of stillness.

Stanza 5: The poet extends the idea to those involved in conflicts or “green wars,” urging them to pause and work together. The emphasis is on collective introspection rather than complete inactivity.

Stanza 6: The importance of silence is highlighted, not as a state of inactivity, but as a means for self-reflection. The poet aims for people to be happy and feel connected, suggesting that this quiet introspection can remove sadness and anxiety.

Stanza 7: The final stanza reinforces the idea that keeping quiet for a moment can lead to a better understanding of one another. It emphasizes the creation of an understandable world through this collective pause.

Overall Themes:

• Silence and introspection: The poem advocates for the power of silence in fostering self-reflection and understanding.
• Collective action: The poet encourages a moment of stillness on a global scale, highlighting the potential positive impact on various aspects of life.
• Connection and understanding: The ultimate goal is to create a world where people understand and feel connected to each other through this shared moment of quiet.

Literary Elements:

• Imagery: The poem is rich in vivid and understandable images, creating a sensory experience for the reader.
• Symbolism: The act of keeping quiet symbolizes a deeper reflection on one’s actions and the interconnectedness of humanity.
• Repetition: The repetition of the idea of counting to twelve and keeping still reinforces the central theme throughout the poem.

This analysis provides a broad understanding of the main themes and literary elements in each stanza of “Keeping Quiet.”

Q.7. One Poetry extract out of two, from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension,

interpretation, analysis, inference and appreciation. (6×1=6 Marks)

CBSE7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 6

A. And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read:
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
(A Thing of Beauty)

Analyze the given stanza from “A Thing of Beauty” by John Keats:

1. Themes Represented:
   • The primary theme in this stanza is the “grandeur of the dooms” imagined for the mighty dead.
   • The immortality of art and literature is emphasized through the reference to “lovely tales.”
2. Imagery and Description:
   • The use of words like “grandeur,” “lovely tales,” and “endless fountain of immortal drink” creates vivid and positive imagery.
   • The idea of an “endless fountain” pouring from the heavens evokes a sense of abundance and perpetuity.
3. Power of Imagination:
   • The stanza celebrates the power of imagination in creating majestic scenarios for the departed.
   • The imagined dooms and lovely tales are presented as sources of “immortal drink.”
4. Symbolism – “Endless Fountain of Immortal Drink”:
   • This phrase symbolizes the everlasting inspiration and enrichment that stories of the mighty dead provide.
   • “Immortal drink” suggests a source of timeless, spiritual nourishment derived from the tales.
5. Emphasis on Importance – “Mighty Dead”:
   • The term “mighty dead” emphasizes the significance and impact of those who have passed away.
   • It suggests a lasting influence that transcends death.
6. Rhyme Scheme and Sound Devices:
   • The rhyme scheme is ABAB in lines 2-5.
   • The use of rhyme enhances the musicality of the poem, contributing to its aesthetic appeal.
7. Word Choice – “Brink”:
   • The use of “brink” creates the image that the immortality being poured is on the verge of overflowing.
   • This suggests an abundance and the potential for an overwhelming experience.
8. Punctuation Choices:
   • The lack of punctuation at the end of line 1 contributes to a sense of continuity and flow.
   • It encourages seamless reading and prompts a revisit to the ideas in the preceding lines.
9. Sense of Continuity and Flow:
   • The absence of punctuation at the end of line 1 connects it smoothly with the second line, creating a sense of continuity.
10. Encouragement for Reader:
    • The lack of punctuation encourages the reader to continue reading without interruption, enhancing the immersive experience of the poem.

This analysis demonstrates how the stanza combines rich imagery, symbolism, and word choices to convey themes of imagination, the power of storytelling, and the enduring impact of the mighty dead. The rhyme scheme and punctuation choices contribute to the overall aesthetic and emotional effect of the stanza.

i Which of the following themes is best represented in the given extract?
A. The beauty of nature
B. The power of imagination
C. The immortality of art and literature
D. The inevitability of death 1

ii State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE, with reference to the extract.
By referring to the dead as “mighty”, the poet emphasizes their importance and the power
they exerted on the people.
1

TRUE
iii Complete the sentence appropriately.
The “endless fountain of immortal drink” is an apt analogy for the tales of the mighty dead
because ___they___Pour unto us from the heaven’s brink______________________.
1
iv The use of the word “brink” in the extract suggests that the immortality that is being poured
onto us is on the verge of overflowing. This creates a powerful image of ___________.1

Nature Power
v Based on the poem rhyme scheme, evident in lines 2-5, of the given extract, which word
would rhyme with line 1?1

The rhyme scheme in the given lines (2-5) is ABAB. So, the word that would rhyme with line 1, “dooms,” is “dead” (which is the rhyme in line 3).
vi Select the option that is NOT true about the lack of punctuation at the end of line 1 in the
extract.
A. Creates a sense of continuity and flow that connects the line with the second line.
1
B. Encourages the reader to continue reading seamlessly without any pause.
C. Creates a sense of anticipation and expectation for the reader.
D. Encourages a revisit to the ideas in the preceding lines.

C. Creates a sense of anticipation and expectation for the reader.

The lack of punctuation at the end of line 1 creates a sense of continuity and flow, encourages the reader to continue reading seamlessly without a pause, and encourages a revisit to the ideas in the preceding lines. However, it does not necessarily create a sense of anticipation and expectation for the reader; instead, it contributes to the smooth flow of the poem.

 Sample Paper Class 12 English 2023-24

 

1. …I looked again at her, wan,
   pale
   as a late winter’s moon and felt that
   old
   familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,
   but all I said was, see you soon,
   Amma,
   all I did was smile and smile and
   smile……
   (My mother at Sixty-six)
   i What is the speaker’s emotional state when looking at her mother?
   A. Confused and disoriented
   B. Nostalgic and longing
   C. Empathetic and understanding
   D. Fearful and apprehensive1
2. Fearful and apprehensive
   ii What does the use of the word “but” at the beginning of the line, ‘ but all I said..’,
   suggest ?
   1

The use of the word “but” at the beginning of the line, ‘but all I said…’, suggests a contrast or contradiction between the speaker’s internal emotional state and their external response. Despite feeling a “familiar ache” and “childhood’s fear,” the speaker outwardly maintains a positive and reassuring demeanor by saying, “see you soon, Amma” and smiling. The conjunction “but” highlights this divergence between inner feelings and outward expressions.
iii Select the word that WILL NOT complete the sentence appropriately.
The description of the mother as “wan, pale / as a late winter’s moon” creates a vivid image
of ________ .
A. vulnerability
B. sensitivity
C. frailty
D. mortality
1

The word that WILL NOT complete the sentence appropriately is:

1. sensitivity

iv State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.
The poetic device used in the line, ‘pale as a winter’s moon’ is the same as the one used in
the line, ‘the winter wind wistfully wailed at night’.
1

The statement is FALSE
v What message do these lines highlight, in the context of familial relationships, and the
speaker’s sense of anxiety and fear at the prospect of losing her mother?

These lines in “My Mother at Sixty-six” suggest a complex mix of emotions within the speaker. The description of the mother as “wan, pale / as a late winter’s moon” conveys a sense of frailty and vulnerability. The use of the word “but” at the beginning of the line, ‘but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,’ suggests a contrast between the intense emotions the speaker feels and the composed response given. The repeated “smile and smile and smile” at the end indicates an attempt to conceal or cope with the underlying fear and anxiety of losing the mother. The lines highlight the intricate dynamics of familial relationships, where the speaker grapples with the fear of separation and the need to reassure the mother with a positive demeanor.
1
vi Complete the sentence appropriately.
The repetition of the word, ‘smile’ suggests that _______________.
1

The repetition of the word “smile” suggests that the speaker is trying to maintain a facade of optimism and reassurance in the face of the emotional turmoil caused by the prospect of losing the mother.

10 Steps to Solve Reading Comprehension of Poetry Extract Class 12

To effectively analyze the given stanza from the poem “My Mother at Sixty-six,” consider the following steps:

• • Understand the Literal Meaning:
    • The speaker is observing his mother, describing her as “wan” (pale) like a late winter’s moon.
    • There is a reference to a familiar ache, associated with the speaker’s childhood fear.
    • Despite these emotions, the speaker reassures the mother, saying, “see you soon, Amma,” and expresses happiness through repeated smiling.
  • Identify Literary Devices:
    • The simile comparing the mother’s appearance to a “late winter’s moon” emphasizes her paleness and possibly frailty.
    • The use of the word “ache” conveys a deep, emotional pain or discomfort.
    • Repetition of the word “smile” suggests a facade of happiness or an attempt to mask deeper emotions.
  • Explore Tone and Mood:
    • The tone is reflective, with the speaker observing the physical and emotional state of his mother.
    • The mood is bittersweet, with a mixture of concern, nostalgia, and the attempt to create a positive atmosphere through smiling.
  • Consider the Speaker’s Emotions:
    • The speaker experiences a sense of ache, connecting to a childhood fear.
    • Despite the internal turmoil, the speaker chooses to convey optimism and comfort to the mother through the words “see you soon” and persistent smiling.
  • Relate to the Overall Theme:
    • Consider how this stanza fits into the broader theme of aging, the passage of time, and the complex emotions that come with witnessing a loved one grow older.
  • Connect with the Title and Poem’s Context:
    • Relate this stanza to the title “My Mother at Sixty-six” and the overall context of the poem, which likely explores the relationship between the speaker and his aging mother.
  • Consider Symbolism:
    • The mention of the late winter’s moon and the repeated smiles may carry symbolic significance. Explore how these symbols contribute to the overall meaning of the stanza.
  • Examine Language Choice:
    • Look closely at the specific words chosen by the poet. For example, the use of “wan” instead of just “pale” might have nuanced connotations.
  • Reflect on Personal Response:
    • Consider how the stanza resonates with your own emotions and experiences. Does it evoke any specific memories or feelings?
  • Interpret the Final Line:
    • The repetition of “smile” in the last line may suggest an attempt to mask or cope with the deeper emotions. Explore the significance of this repetition.

• Stanza.1.

• Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin last Friday morning, 1 saw my mother, beside me,

• doze, open-mouthed, her face ashen like that of a corpse and realised with pain

• that she was as old as she looked but soon

• What is the speaker’s initial location and destination as mentioned in the stanza?

• Describe the physical condition of the mother as observed by the speaker during the car ride. What simile is used to emphasize her appearance?

• How does the speaker react to the realization about the mother’s age? What emotion is conveyed by the word “pain” in this context?

• Explain the significance of the imagery comparing the mother’s face to that of a corpse. What atmosphere does this create in the stanza?

• What does the speaker anticipate with the use of the word “soon” in the last line of the stanza?

• Discuss the impact of the open-mouthed dozing and ashen complexion in portraying the mother’s state. How do these details contribute to the overall tone of the stanza?

Analysis:

• Setting and Context:
  • The stanza begins with the speaker driving from their parent’s home to Cochin on a Friday morning.
  • The setting establishes a physical journey, and the mention of Cochin indicates a destination.
• Description of the Mother:
  • The speaker observes their mother beside them while driving.
  • The mother is described as dozing, with her mouth open, creating an image of vulnerability.
  • Her face is compared to that of a corpse, emphasizing its paleness and lifelessness.
• Realization and Pain:
  • The speaker experiences a moment of realization that their mother appears as old as she truly is.
  • The use of the word “pain” suggests that this realization brings discomfort or emotional distress.
• Significance of the Corpse Imagery:
  • Describing the mother’s face as “ashen like that of a corpse” creates a powerful and unsettling image.
  • The comparison to a corpse might signify a sense of frailty, mortality, or the idea that the mother is no longer vibrant.
• Temporal Element:
  • The stanza ends with the word “soon,” creating a sense of anticipation or impending change.
  • The use of “soon” suggests that the speaker expects something to happen or change in the near future.

• Overall Impression:

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, introducing the reader to the speaker’s emotional journey as they observe their aging mother during a car ride. The vivid and somber imagery, such as the mother’s open-mouthed dozing and the comparison to a corpse, establishes a poignant atmosphere. The realization of the mother’s age and the anticipation hinted at by the word “soon” create a sense of emotional complexity that will likely be further explored in the subsequent stanzas.

• Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow briefly : 1x 6=6
  I saw my mother,
  beside me
  doze, open mouthed, her face
  ashen like that
  of a corpse and realised with
  pain
  that she was as old as she
  looked but soon
  put that thought away, …
  (a) What did the poet notice about her mother ?
• Answer: She felt that her mother end was near.
  (b) What were her feelings ?
• Answer: She had feeling of loosing her mother.
  (c) Why did the poet put ‘that thought’ away ?
• Answer: She didn’t want to loose her mother.
  (d) Identify the figure of speech used in the expression : ‘her face ashen like that of a corpse’.
• Answer:  Simile
• (e) What is the name of the poet?
• Answer: Name of the poet is Kamla Das.
• (f) The words ‘doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like’ represent:
• (i) old age
• (ii) young age
• (ii) children age
• (iv) Both i and ii
• Answer: (i) old age
  OR
  Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
  Find even the ivory needle hard to pull
  The massive weight of uncle’s wedding band
  Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
  (a) Why are Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool ?
• Answer: Aunt Jennifer’s fingers are  fluttering through her wool because she had become old.
  (b) What is Aunt Jennifer doing that she finds very hard to do ?
• Answer: She was knitting and her fingers were shaken.
  (c) Why does the wedding band seem too heavy ?
• Answer: Her wedding has brought lot of pressure on her.
  (d) What impression do you form of Aunt Jennifer from the extract ?
• Answer: She was helpless.
• (e) Was she happy ?
• Answer: She was not happy.
• (f) What is the meaning of “hard to pull”
• Answer: Difficult to manage.

 

It is in the news that all these pitiful kin Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store, Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore, While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey, Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits, And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day, Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.

(A Roadside Stand)

• i. What is the tone of the poet in the above lines?
  (i) aggressive
  (ii) tolerant
• (iii) sarcastic
  (iv) resigned
  (v) sentimental
  Choose the most appropriate option.
  A. Only (i)
  B. (ii) and (iii)
  C. (i), (iv) and (v)
  D. Only (iii)
• Ans. D. Only (iii)
• ii. Identify the phrase from the extract, that suggests the following:
  No one bothers to take ‘their’ consent before pushing the promise of a better life, their
  way
• Ans. enforcing benefits
• iii. What quality of the villagers can be inferred through these lines?
  A. gullible
  B. futuristic
  C. hypocritical
  D. ambitious
• Ans. A. gullible
• iv. Complete the following analogy correctly. Do NOT repeat from used example.
  greedy good doers: alliteration ::…………………………….. oxymoron
• Ans. beneficient beasts of prey
• v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2)
  given below.
  (1) The city dwellers make promises for the betterment of the villagers.
  (2) The city dwellers have ulterior motives.
  A. (1) is true but (2) is false.
  B. (2) is true but (1) is false.
  C. (2) is the reason for (1).
  D. Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.
• Ans. C. (2) is the reason for (1).
• vi. . Fill the blank with an appropriate word, with reference to the extract.
  ‘… calculated to soothe them out of their wits’ implies that ‘them’ are being .
• Ans. fooled/manipulated
• A thing of beauty is a joy forever     1*6=6

 

Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth

• i. Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the first line of the extract.
  A. I’m as happy as I can be.
  B. Life is a roller coaster ride.
  C. Nature is God’s gift to us.
  D. The dazzling divas enchanted all
• Ans. B. Life is a roller coaster ride.
• ii. What does the phrase ‘a bower quiet’ indicate?
  A. serenity
  B. morality
  C. superiority
  D. diversity
• Ans. A. serenity
• iii. The benefits of a thing of beauty for humans include .
  (i) healthy body
  (ii) calm mind
  (iii) struggle-free life
  (iv) better relationships
  (v) hope to carry on
  Choose the most appropriate option.
  A. Only (v)
  B. (i), (ii) and (v)
  C. (i), (iii) and (iv)
  D. (ii) and (iv)
• Ans. B. (i), (ii) and (v)
• iv. Answer in ONE word.
  When the poet says that ‘a thing of beauty’ will never pass into nothingness, he means
  that it is………..
• Ans. immortal
  v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
  (1) We are surrounded by beautiful things.
  (2) Beautiful things provide us joy.
  A. (1) can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot.
  B. (2) can be inferred from the extract but (1) cannot.
  C. Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract.
  D. (2) is the reason for (1) and can be inferred from the extract.
• Ans. B. (2) can be inferred from the extract but (1) cannot.
  vi. Which of the following is an apt title for the extract?
  A. Full to the Brim with Joy
  B. Beauty Galore
  C. Live Life King Size
  D. Hope Floats
• Ans. D. Hope Floats
• 7. Attempt any one of the two extracts (A) and (B) given below : 

(A) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow : 61=6

……home to Cochin last Friday morning, I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that of a corpse and realised with pain that she was as old as she looked but soon put that thought away, and looked out at Young Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes.

•  (i) Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the extract. 
• (a) deafening silence
• (b) swaying softly and slowly 
• (c) pitter-patter rain
•  (d) as white as snow
•  (ii) (a) guilt (b) anguish (c) wounded (d) revelation
•  (iii) The poet describes her mother as I. old II. wise III. quick 
• IV. weak V. strong
•  Choose the most appropriate option : 
• (a) I and IV (b) II and V (c) III and IV (d) I and V 
• (iv) Answer in one word. On seeing her mother dozing, open mouthed, the poet felt ___________.
•  (v) The merry children symbolise all of the following except
• (a) freedom and energy (b) playfulness and cheerfulness (c) vigour and health (d) maturity and innocence
• (vi) Which of the following is an apt title for the extract ?
•  (a) Spring and Winter (b) Merry Thoughts (c) Trip to Cochin (d) My Beautiful Mother
•  OR
•  (B) It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines, we would all be together in a sudden strangeness. 61=6(i)
•  (a) travelling in the train (b) spending time together (c) moment of silence (d) without rush (ii) Complete the analogy correctly. DO NOT repeat the used example. Without rush, without engines : repetition :: Sudden strangeness : __________ (a) all human beings (b) fishermen (c) people who create war (d) poets who write poems
•  (v) On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to I and II. I. There is an urgent need for mankind to introspect and live in harmony. II. We should put an end to all destructive activities. (a) I is true but II is false (b) II is true but I is false (c) Both I and II are true (d) Both I and II are false
•  (vi) Fill in the blank with one word with reference to the context. The moment when everyone keeps silent will be __________.