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Question
Write an appreciation of the poem considering the following points :
- About the poem, poet, and title.
- Theme/summary/gist of the poem.
- Poetic style/language, poetic devices used in the poem.
- Special features/novelties/focusing elements.
- Message/values/morals in the poem.
- Your opinion about the poem.
Solution
Appreciation of the poem 'The Cherry Tree'
About the poem, poet, and title: The poem 'Cherry Tree' is written by Ruskin Bond. The title itself suggests that the poem pertains to a cherry tree.
Theme/summary/gist of the poem: It is a Nature poem as it has elements of nature in it. The poem vividly describes the planting of a cherry seed by the poet and how against all odds, the little plant continues to grow. The poem highlights the tree's strong instinct to survive. The plant finally transforms into six feet high tree with flowers on it. It is a mesmerising sight to behold. The poet is overjoyed when he sees it. He glorifies one little ripened cherry hanging from the tree's branches. He is in awe of the beauty and wonders of nature. The poet refers to the blue sky, birds, insects, and also the starry night sky in this context and how each one of them; including the poet complements the cherry tree.
Poetic style/language, poetic devices used in the poem: The style/language used in the poem is simple and lucid. Poetic devices like Alliteration, Anti-climax, Antithesis, Climax, Consonance, Metaphor, Personification, and Repetition have been used to make the poem alluring to the readers and to set the overall mood of the poem. An example of Personification from the poem is "And moon-moths and singing crickets and I"- where the crickets have been given the animate quality of being able to sing.
Special features/novelties/focusing elements: Vivid imagery has been used by the poet to make the whole process of a seed turning into a plant appealing to the readers. The poet has focused on the wonders of nature by making use of natural elements like the various seasons, the sky, animals, birds, and insects.
Message/values/morals in the poem: The underlying message of the poem is to plant trees and reap joy from them. It also highlights the importance of trees in our surroundings.
Your opinion about the poem: Overall, I think that the poem is a good read. It is quite appealing as it portrays a detailed and colourful picture before our eyes of a little plant growing into a blooming tree; overcoming hardships that lay in its path.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
A1. Choose two sentences that appropriately mention the theme of the passage :
(1) The extract deals with the writer’s concern over Chaitanya's handicap.
(2) The extract depicts the writer’s proud feelings towards her son’s achievement.
(3) The extract deals with how Chaitanya made the writer see positively towards life.
(4) The extract deals with how the writer helps Chaitanya to buy the bus ticket.
Early in 1997-98, when he returned from state-level inter-school sports, he had two prizes to his credit and a silver medal. He had won his laurels in athletic events and the silver medal in a running race.
When I saw the prizes and read the citation Chaitanya had received, I was stupefied, in total disbelief, then–hugged him, kissed him and cried unabashedly to my heart’s content. That day, I cried for the first time out of joy and a sense of being vindicated. Without practice, he had competed with approximately 1,800 children drawn from various schools all over the state. He was subsequently selected for the marathon race, but he could not participate due to a health problem. “Maybe next year, he would”, I assured myself. And I, as his proud mother, would proudly chronicle his future achievements and success to inspire other - mothers of the world.
Looking back at my own life, I feel that it is the spirit with which we can accept our life gracefully is what
matters ultimately; and it is love that nourishes us. All other things are unimportant. Chaitanya has made me look inwards. His handicap doesn’t disturb me any longer. He and I shall live with it and still be happy. The mental strength which he has given to me is inexhaustible.
One day, as both of us got onto a public transport bus, Chaitanya offered to buy the tickets for us.
“One full, one half ”, he said to the conductor beaming with joy.
Looking at him, I wondered whether he was really only a half? An incomplete person? Was I really full?
Complete in all respects? Why do then normal people feel that they are ‘full’ and others like Chaitanya are ‘half’ or incomplete? Chaitanya’s world is complete in itself, pure and innocent while our lives are full of deceit, jealousies, ill-feelings.
A2. Point out -
Point out two instances where you find Chaitanya's victory over his disability.
A3. Give reasons -
Chaitanya’s silver medal in a running race was very special for the writer, because :
(i) __________________
(ii) __________________
A4. Vocabulary -
Match the pairs of the words in column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’:
| Column ‘A’ | Column ‘B’ | ||
| (1) | stupefied | (a) | official statement about the special act of courage |
| (2) | chronicle | (b) | record events in the order they happened |
| (3) | vindicated | (c) | surprised or shocked |
| (4) | citation | (d) | justified |
A5. Personal response -
Explain, your views about the ill-treatment the special children receive in society.
A6. Grammar -
Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed :
(i) He had won his laurels in athletic events and the silver medal in a running race.
(Rewrite the sentence using ‘not only...but also’.)
(ii) When I saw the prizes, I was stupefied.
(Rewrite the sentence using ‘No sooner.... than’.)
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But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
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brusquely |
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|
queer rhythmic frenzy |
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|
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|
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|
|
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|
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