Question 1 - A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal - Beehive - Poems (Literature) - English Class 9

Read the given extract and answer the questions

Extract:

She seemed a thing that could not feel 

The touch of earthly years.

(A slumber did my spirit seal)

Question (i)

What does the word "she" refer to in this extract?

• a) The poet's mother
• b) The poet's sister
• c) The poet's lover
• d) The poet's friend

 Answer: 

Answer written by the student:

c) The poet's lover

Step-by-Step Explanation:

•  To answer this question, we need to understand the context of the poem and the extract.🧐
•  The poem is about the death of a loved one who was very dear to the poet . The poet expresses his grief and acceptance of the loss. He imagines that his beloved is now part of nature and no longer affected by human emotions or troubles.😢
•  The extract is from the first stanza of the poem, where the poet says that his beloved seemed like a thing that could not feel anything. He uses the word "she" to refer to his beloved.💔
•  Therefore, the correct option is c) The poet's lover. The other options are incorrect because they do not match the context of the poem and the extract.❌

Question (ii)

What is the poetic device used in the phrase "the touch of earthly years"?

   Answer:

Answer written by the student:

 Metaphor

Step-by-Step Explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to understand what a poetic device is and how to identify it.🤔
•  A poetic device is a technique that a poet uses to create a special effect or meaning in their words. Some common poetic devices are rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, simile, metaphor, personification, etc. 🌟
•  A metaphor is a type of poetic device that compares two different things without using the words "like" or "as" . For example, "He is a lion in the battlefield" is a metaphor that compares a brave soldier to a lion.🦁
•  The phrase "the touch of earthly years" is a metaphor that compares the effects of time and age on a person to the touch of something physical and worldly . The poet uses this metaphor to show that his beloved is no longer subject to these effects because she is dead and beyond the reach of time and age.⏳
•  Therefore, the correct answer is metaphor . The other poetic devices are incorrect because they do not match the definition or the example of a metaphor.❌

Question (iii) 

Fill in the blanks:

 The poet uses a contrast between _______ and _______ in this extract to show his sense of loss and detachment.

   Answer: 

Answer written by the student:

The poet uses a contrast between thing and feel in this extract to show his sense of loss and detachment.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

•  To answer this question, we need to identify the words that create a contrast or a difference in this extract.🕵️‍♂️
•  A contrast is a way of showing how two things are different or opposite from each other. For example, "black and white" is a contrast of colors, "hot and cold" is a contrast of temperatures, "love and hate" is a contrast of emotions, etc.🌈
•  The poet uses a contrast between "thing" and "feel" in this extract to show his sense of loss and detachment. He calls his beloved "a thing" that could not "feel" anything. This creates a contrast between an object and an emotion, or between lifelessness and liveliness. He shows that he has lost his connection with his beloved and feels detached from her.😞
•  Therefore, the correct answer is thing and feel. The other words do not create a contrast or match the meaning of the extract.❌

Question (iv)

How does the poet describe the state of his beloved in this extract?

   Answer: 

Answer written by the student:

The poet describes his beloved as a thing that could not feel anything. He implies that she is dead and beyond the reach of time and age.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

•  To answer this question, we need to analyze the words and the tone of the poet in this extract.👀
•  The poet uses the word "she" to refer to his beloved, but he also calls her "a thing" that could not feel. This shows that he does not see her as a living person anymore, but as an object that has no emotions or sensations. He also uses the word "seemed" to indicate that this is his perception of her state, not necessarily the reality.😔
•  The poet also says that his beloved could not feel "the touch of earthly years". This means that she is not affected by the changes and challenges of life on earth, such as aging, suffering, joy, etc. He uses a metaphor to compare these effects to the touch of something physical and worldly. He implies that she is dead and beyond the reach of time and age.⏳