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Question
Why does the poet wish to 'turn' and live with animals?
Solution
The poet Walt Whitman expresses his wish that he can identify himself better with the animals, of their qualities of serenity and calm composure. So he intends to turn towards them, away from his human companions, since they have better values than those of the humans.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
Notice the use of the word ‘turn’ in the first line, “I think I could turn and live with animals…”. What is the poet turning from?
Do humans kneel to other humans who lived thousands of years ago? Discuss this in groups.
What are the ‘tokens’ that the poet says he may have dropped long ago, and which the animals have kept for him? Discuss this in class .
(Hint Whitman belongs to the Romantic tradition that includes Rousseau and Wordsworth,which holds that civilisation has made humans false to their own true nature.
What could be the basic aspects of our nature as living beings that humans choose to ignore or deny?)
Get into pairs and attempt the following :
“The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.”- Mark Twain. - Discuss with your partner what Mark Twain means from the above quote. Write in your own words.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
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At times, especially when you are frustrated, you wish you were an animal/ a bird/ a fish/ a butterfly and not a human being. Say which of the above you would choose to transform to and give 3 or 4 reasons for your choice.
I wish I could be a ______________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Find adjectives from the poem which refer to positive and negative thinking.
| Positive | Negative |
| 1. ____________________ | 1. ____________________ |
| 2. ____________________ | 2. ____________________ |
| 3. ____________________ | 3. ____________________ |
Complete the following.
Animals do not merely discuss ______________.
Complete the following.
Animals are not crazy about ________________.
State whether the following statement is true or false.
Animals quarrel for their possessions.
State whether the following statement is true or false.
Animals do not worship other animals.
State whether the following statement is true or false.
Animals suffer humiliation.
With the help of the poem find the differences between animals and human beings.
|
Animals I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid and self-contain’d -Walt Whitman |
| Human beings | Animals |
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Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the given points in a paragraph format:
|
Animals I think I could turn and live with animals, they are |
You can use the following points while appreciating the given poem.
- The title and the poet of the poem (01)
- Rhyme scheme (01)
- Figures of speech (01)
- Central Idea/Theme (02)
Justify how ‘Animals’ by Walt Whitman is a criticism of mankind and its ways.
Mention any two reasons why Walt Whitman appreciates animals more than humans.
Walt Whitman speaks of the human race with a tinge of sarcasm. Which are the two reasons that you agree with?
What two attributes of the Animals please the poet?
'They do not sweat and whine about their condition.' What human traits does the poet condemn in these lines?
