Theme-Based Comparative Questions — First Flight (Revised Syllabus)
1. Freedom & Liberation
1. Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and A Tiger in the Zoo explore freedom
in very different ways. Compare how each work presents the idea of liberation.
2. Both Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and The Trees portray
transformation from confinement to freedom. How do they differ in their
approach?
2. Courage & Overcoming Fear
3. In His First Flight and Black Aeroplane, the protagonists face life-threatening
situations. Compare how their courage helps them overcome fear.
4. Both His First Flight and Amanda! deal with the idea of freedom — one through
actual flight, the other through imagination. Discuss the similarities and
differences in their portrayal of this theme.
3. Change & Self-Realisation
5. In Dust of Snow and From the Diary of Anne Frank, a change in mood or
perspective leads to a shift in thinking. Compare how each text presents this
transformation.
6. The Ball Poem and From the Diary of Anne Frank both reflect on growing
maturity through personal experiences. How do the authors convey this growth?
4. Social Commentary & Empathy
7. Both A Letter to God and From the Diary of Anne Frank reveal deep insights into
human relationships. How do they explore the role of understanding and
compassion?
5. Loss, Acceptance & Philosophy
8. The Ball Poem and The Sermon at Benares offer lessons about dealing with loss.
Compare their messages and methods of delivering them.
9. In The Sermon at Benares and Fire and Ice, the authors examine human
suffering and destructive forces. How are their approaches similar or different?
6. Nature’s Power & Resilience
10. The Trees and Fog both use nature as a metaphor for strength and quiet change.
Compare how the poets present this idea.
11. In Dust of Snow and The Trees, nature plays a role in bringing about change.
How does each poem depict this transformation?
ANSWERS
Freedom & Liberation
Q1: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and A Tiger in the Zoo explore freedom in
different ways. Compare.
Ans: In Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, liberation is portrayed as the political
freedom of a nation from the oppression of apartheid. Mandela emphasises equality,
dignity, and the sacrifices made for this cause. In contrast, A Tiger in the Zoo depicts a
caged tiger, symbolising individuals or beings trapped against their will. His silent rage
and restricted movement highlight the pain of lost freedom. While Mandela’s
narrative reflects a triumphant struggle ending in victory, the tiger’s plight shows the
ongoing tragedy of captivity. Both works underline that freedom is a natural right,
and its absence brings suffering, whether in human society or the animal world.
Q2: Nelson Mandela and The Trees portray transformation from confinement to freedom.
Compare.
Ans: In Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, transformation occurs on a national
scale as South Africa moves from racial oppression to democracy. Mandela himself
grows from a young man angry at injustice to a leader advocating reconciliation. The
Trees uses the metaphor of trees escaping from a closed house to depict liberation from
unnatural confinement. The quiet but unstoppable movement of the trees reflects the
inevitability of freedom. While Mandela’s story is political and human, Adrienne
Rich’s poem is symbolic and environmental. Both works convey that confinement is
temporary and that transformation towards freedom is a powerful, irreversible
process.
2. Courage & Overcoming Fear
Q3: His First Flight and Black Aeroplane — compare how courage helps overcome fear.
Ans: In His First Flight, a young seagull hesitates to fly due to fear of falling. Only
when hunger and the encouragement of his family push him does he muster the
courage to leap, discovering his own ability. In Black Aeroplane, a pilot flies into a
storm and encounters an unknown plane guiding him to safety. His decision to trust
and keep going shows mental bravery in uncertain conditions. Both works present fear
as a natural obstacle but emphasise that courage, whether through self-belief or trust
in the unknown, enables one to succeed. They affirm that progress begins the moment
we dare to act despite fear.
Q4: Freedom is a universal desire, though it may be achieved differently by different
individuals. Compare and contrast the portrayal of freedom in His First Flight and
Amanda!.
Ans: In His First Flight, freedom comes through physical action — the young seagull
takes his first leap into the air, symbolising independence and self-reliance. In
Amanda!, the idea of freedom is purely imaginative. Amanda dreams of being a
mermaid in the sea or an orphan walking freely, away from the constant instructions
of adults. While the seagull’s freedom is a milestone achieved after overcoming fear,
Amanda’s remains an escape into fantasy, reflecting her longing for autonomy. Both
works show that freedom is deeply desired, but while one achieves it in reality, the
other seeks it as a mental refuge from restrictions.
3. Change & Self-Realisation
Q5: Dust of Snow and From the Diary of Anne Frank — compare change in perspective.
Ans: In Dust of Snow, a simple act of nature — snow falling from a crow —
transforms the poet’s gloomy mood into a more positive outlook. The change is
sudden, showing how small moments can alter our day. In From the Diary of Anne
Frank, change is gradual. Anne reflects on her life in hiding, relationships, and self-
awareness, learning from her emotions and surroundings. While Frost’s poem
captures an instant transformation, Anne’s diary entries reflect an evolving maturity.
Both works show that perspective shifts can lead to greater appreciation of life,
whether sparked by a brief encounter with nature or prolonged introspection.
Q6: The Ball Poem and From the Diary of Anne Frank — compare growth through
experience.
Ans: The Ball Poem portrays a boy’s first experience of loss when his ball falls into the
water. The poet uses this event to show the beginning of maturity, as the boy learns
that possessions and moments cannot be replaced. In From the Diary of Anne Frank,
Anne’s growth comes through constant self-reflection in difficult times, learning to
manage emotions, relationships, and hope. Both works portray growing up as a
process shaped by experiences — the boy learns acceptance in a single moment, while
Anne matures through continuous challenges. Each reminds us that life’s lessons often
come through personal trials.
4. Social Commentary & Empathy
Q7: A Letter to God and From the Diary of Anne Frank — role of understanding and
compassion.
Ans: In A Letter to God, the postmaster, moved by Lencho’s faith in God, collects
money to help him after a hailstorm ruins his crops. Though misunderstood by
Lencho, his act reflects compassion for someone in need. In From the Diary of Anne
Frank, Anne shows empathy towards her family and the others in hiding, even when
tensions rise. Her reflections reveal an understanding of human emotions and
weaknesses. Both works demonstrate that compassion often requires effort and
patience, and that understanding others — even when they misjudge or frustrate us —
is essential for harmonious human relationships.
5. Loss, Acceptance & Philosophy
Q8: The Ball Poem and The Sermon at Benares — lessons about loss.
Ans: The Ball Poem presents loss as a necessary step in growing up. The boy loses his
ball and realises that possessions, once gone, cannot return, teaching acceptance. The
Sermon at Benares delivers a universal lesson through the story of Kisa Gotami, who
learns that death is inevitable and shared by all. While the poem uses a personal,
relatable incident, the sermon applies a broader spiritual philosophy. Both works
highlight that acceptance of loss is vital for peace of mind. The difference lies in scope
— one addresses personal growth, the other imparts a life truth to all humanity.
Q9: The Sermon at Benares and Fire and Ice — human suffering and destructive forces.
Ans: In The Sermon at Benares, Buddha teaches that human suffering comes from
attachment and that acceptance of impermanence can end sorrow. Fire and Ice
presents desire (fire) and hatred (ice) as destructive forces capable of ending the world.
Both works focus on the dangers within human nature, but while the sermon offers a
way to overcome suffering through detachment, the poem warns of the catastrophic
consequences if destructive emotions remain unchecked. Together, they suggest that
inner control is essential — not just for personal peace, but for the survival of the
world itself.
6. Nature’s Power & Resilience
Q10: The Trees and Fog — nature’s quiet strength.
Ans: In The Trees, Adrienne Rich describes trees breaking free from the confines of a
house, symbolising the unstoppable force of nature reclaiming its place. In Fog, Carl
Sandburg compares fog to a silent cat, arriving and departing without disturbance, yet
with a commanding presence. Both poems capture nature’s quiet strength — it doesn’t
roar or fight aggressively, but works subtly and inevitably. While The Trees uses
imagery of movement and escape to show liberation, Fog uses stillness and
observation to convey authority. Both remind us of nature’s persistent power and its
ability to influence the world on its own terms.
Q11: Dust of Snow and The Trees — nature bringing change.
Ans: In Dust of Snow, nature changes the poet’s mood in a single, unexpected moment
when snow from a crow falls on him. The change is internal and emotional. In The
Trees, the change is external and physical — trees actively leave confinement to return
to the forest. While Frost’s poem focuses on nature’s role in lifting the human spirit,
Rich’s poem shows nature reclaiming its own freedom. Both highlight nature as a
powerful force for transformation, whether by altering human feelings or restoring the
balance of the natural world itself.
Questions
Comparative Questions — Theme: Liberation of Women in The Trees
1. The Trees & Amanda!
Q: The Trees by Adrienne Rich and Amanda! by Robin Klein both explore the longing for
freedom from societal or domestic restrictions. Compare how the desire for liberation
is expressed in each.
2. The Trees & From the Diary of Anne Frank
Q: In The Trees, Adrienne Rich symbolically portrays women breaking free from
confinement. In From the Diary of Anne Frank, Anne’s voice reflects a young girl’s
determination to be heard despite restrictions. Discuss how both works convey the
theme of women’s assertion and independence.
3. The Trees & The Sermon at Benares
Q: While The Trees focuses on liberation from physical and societal confinement, The Sermon
at Benares emphasises liberation from suffering through wisdom. Compare how each
work approaches the concept of breaking free — one from external barriers, the other
from internal attachments.
4. The Trees & Amanda!
Q: The Trees and Amanda! both explore the longing for freedom from societal or domestic
restrictions. Compare.
Ans: In The Trees, Adrienne Rich uses the imagery of trees breaking out of a closed room to
symbolise women escaping the confines of patriarchal society. The movement of the
trees towards the forest reflects the unstoppable force of liberation. In Amanda!,
Robin Klein portrays a young girl’s daydreams of being free — as a mermaid, an
orphan, or Rapunzel — to escape constant instructions and societal expectations.
While The Trees conveys an actual act of breaking free, Amanda! reflects the mental
escape of someone still trapped in reality. Both works highlight that freedom is deeply
desired and that women, like the trees, naturally strive to reclaim autonomy.
2. The Trees & From the Diary of Anne Frank
Q: How do The Trees and From the Diary of Anne Frank portray women’s assertion and
independence?
Ans: In The Trees, Adrienne Rich symbolises women’s liberation through the imagery of trees
breaking through barriers, returning to their rightful place in nature. This act
represents resistance against societal confinement. In From the Diary of Anne Frank,
Anne asserts her independence through her honest and thoughtful diary entries,
expressing her opinions, emotions, and hopes even in the restrictive life of hiding.
While The Trees depicts liberation as a physical escape from boundaries, Anne’s
assertion is intellectual and emotional, showing that self-expression can also be a form
of freedom. Both works affirm that women seek autonomy and have the strength to
resist suppression in different ways.
3. The Trees & The Sermon at Benares
Q: Compare how The Trees and The Sermon at Benares approach breaking free from
barriers.
Ans: In The Trees, liberation is from physical and societal confinement. Adrienne Rich uses
the metaphor of trees breaking free from a closed room to represent women reclaiming
their freedom from patriarchal restrictions. The focus is on external change and
reclaiming rightful space. In The Sermon at Benares, the liberation is internal —
Buddha teaches that true freedom comes from accepting the impermanence of life and
letting go of attachment, which ends suffering. While The Trees urges breaking societal
barriers, The Sermon at Benares advocates breaking emotional and mental chains.
Both emphasise that freedom — whether external or internal — is essential for a
fulfilled and peaceful life.
4. Sermon at Benares and Madam rides the Bus
Q. In what ways do the journeys of Gautam Buddha and Valliammai in ‘The Sermon at
Benares’ and ‘Madam Rides the Bus’ highlight their struggles and lead to deeper
understanding of human experience and self-realisation?
Ans: Both Gautama Buddha in “The Sermon at Benares” and Valliammai in “Madam Rides
the Bus” face experiences that lead them towards self-realisation and maturity.
Buddha after seeing suffering, old age, and death, renounces worldly pleasures to
search for truth. Through deep reflection, he realises that suffering is an inseparable
part of life and that peace can be attained only by overcoming desire and accepting the
natural cycle of life and death. Valliammai, on the other hand, begins her journey with
childish curiosity and excitement but is deeply affected by the sight of a dead cow. This
experience makes her aware of the reality of death and the impermanence of life. Both
characters grow through their experiences, discovering wisdom, compassion, and
acceptance of life’s truths.
