Samacheer Kalvi solutions for English Class 12 TN Board chapter 6.2 - Incident of the French Camp [Latest edition]

Have you played chess or watched the game carefully?

Now identify the chess pieces and complete the table below. Discuss the role of each piece in the game.

Fill in the blanks choosing the words from the box given and complete the summary of the poem.

The poet Robert Browning narrates an incident at the French Camp in the war of 1809 between France and Austria, in a (a)______version. He describes the brave action of a (b)______soldier, whose heroic devotion to duty and his (c) ______ in it is inspiring and worthy of (d) ______. During the attack of the French army on Ratisbon, Napoleon was anxious about the (e) ______. Austrians were defending Ratisbon with great (f) ______and courage. Napoleon was watching the war standing on a (g) ______near the battlefield.

All of a sudden a rider appeared from the closed smoke and dust. Riding at great speed, jumping and leaping, he approached the mound where Napoleon stood. As he came closer, the narrator noticed that the rider, a young boy, was severely wounded. But the rider showed no sign of pain and smiling in joy, jumped off the horse and gave the happy news of (h) ______to the emperor.

He exclaimed with pride that the French had (i) ______Ratisbon and he himself had hoisted the flag of France. When Napoleon heard the news, his plans (j) ______up like fire. His eyes (k) ______when he saw that the soldier was severely wounded. Like a caring mother eagle, the emperor asked if he was wounded. The (l) ______soldier replied proudly that he was killed and died heroically.

Who do you think is the narrator of the poem?

Where was the narrator when the incident happened?

Who took the city of Ratisbon by storm?

Where was Napoleon standing on the day of attack on the city of Ratisbon?

Describe the posture of Napoleon.

Who came galloping on a horse to Napoleon?

What does the phrase ‘full galloping’ suggest?

Why was the rider in a hurry?

What did the rider do when he reached Napoleon?

Why did the rider keep his lips compressed?

Where did the rider plant the French flag after Ratisbon was captured?

What was Napoleon’s reaction on hearing the news of victory?

When did the narrator find that the boy was badly wounded?

Why did Napoleon’s eyes become soft as a mother eagle’s eyes?

How did the young soldier face his end?

Literary Devices

Mark the rhyme scheme of the poem. The rhyme scheme for the first stanza is as follows.

Read the line given below and answer the question that follow.

Legs wide, arms locked behind As if to balance the prone brow Oppressive with its mind.

1. Whose action is described here?
2. What is meant by prone brow?
3. What is his state of mind?

Read the line given below and answer the question that follow.

‘You’re wounded!’ ‘Nay’, his soldier’s pride Touched to the quick, he said:

1. Why did the boy contradict Napoleon’s words?
2. Why was his pride touched?

Read the line given below and answer the question that follow.

A film the mother eagles eye When her bruised eaglet breathes

1. Who is compared to the mother eagle in the above lines?
2. Explain the comparison.

Explain the following line with reference to the context.

Then off there flung in smiling joy, And held himself erect

Explain the following line with reference to the context.

‘I’m killed, Sire!’ And, his Chief beside, Smiling, the boy fell dead.

Explain the following line with reference to the context.

To see your flag-bird flap his vans Where I, to heart’s desire, Perched him!’

The young soldier matched his emperor in courage and patriotism. Elucidate your answer.

What is the role of the young soldier in the victory of the French at Ratisbon?

Napoleon was a great source of inspiration to his army. Justify.

Some words have been left out in the poem below. First, read the poem. Then, fill in the missing words on listening to the reading or the recording of it in full. You may listen again, if required.

The Drum

John Scott (1731–83)

I hate that drum’s ______ sound,

Parading round, and round, and round:

To thoughtless ______ it pleasure yields,

And lures from cities and from fields, sell their ______ for charms

Of tawdry lace, and glittering arms;

And when______ voice commands,

To march, and fight, and fall, in______.

I hate that drum’s discordant sound, Parading round, and round, and round; To me, it talks of______plains, And burning towns and ruin’d swains, And all that Misery’s hand bestows, To fill the______of human woes.