INDIAN SCHOOL MUSCAT
MIDDLE SECTION
CLASS: VII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: Literature
The Journey
- Rabindranath Tagore
I. Word Meanings
a. rift: a crack, split, or break in something/ a serious break in friendly relations.
b. sped: move quickly.
c. cooed: (of a pigeon or dove) make a soft murmuring sound.
d. withered: (of a plant) dry and shrivelled.
e. whirled: move or cause to move rapidly around and around.
II. Antonyms:
1. glad X dismayed
2. drowsed X alert
3. quickened X unhurried
4. gloom X joyfulness
5. wearisome X refreshing
III.Reference to Context:
1. “Mockery and reproach pricked me to rise,
But found no response in me.”
i.Who mocked whom and why?
The above extract is taken from the poem, ‘The Journey’ by ‘Rabindranath Tagore.’ The
poet’s companions mocked him because he refused to carry on with them.
ii. How has the poet described his own reactions in the above lines?
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The poet has expressed his response in the above lines. He believes that despite being
mocked and faulted, it had no negative impact on him. He might not be able to continue the
voyage again. He stopped himself when he realized that he could no longer engage in the
activities with his companions as he was preoccupied by the beauty of nature and was filled
with a sense of inner happiness.
iii. Will the poet regret his activities and attitude later?
No, he will never regret it later because he has discovered the true value of life.
2. ‘The repose of the sun- embroidered green gloom
slowly spread over my heart.
I forgot for what I had travelled.’
a) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
The above extract is taken from the poem, ‘The Journey’ by ‘Rabindranath
Tagore’. ‘I’ here is referred to the speaker.
b) What does the word ‘repose’ mean in the above lines?
The word ‘repose’ refers to the state of rest.
c) What does the poet wish to convey through the expression ‘green
gloom?’
The word ‘gloom’ suggests sadness. However, the word ‘green’ refers to
happiness suggesting positivity. The poetic device appears to be oxymoron
referring to opposite ideas. The poet expresses hope rather than despair.
II. Answer the following questions:
1.How did the poet’s companions react when they saw him resting?
When the poet laid down by the water and rested his aching limbs, his companions laughed
at him and moved on without looking back or resting by his side for a while. They vanished in
no time leaving him alone.
2. Why did the poet give himself up ‘for lost’? Was he truly lost? Give instances
from the poem.
The poet gave himself up ‘for lost’ because he had remained behind, and he did not
accompany his companions on their journey to attain ‘glory.’ The poet had given up his
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goals for good. He was not ‘truly lost.’ He had achieved the freedom to experience life to
the fullest and to appreciate the beauty of nature.
ONLY TO BE DISCUSSED
Poetry Appreciation:
Identify the figure of speech in these lines given below.
1. Sea of silence -Alliteration
2. The flowers were all merry by the roadside-Personification
3.They held their heads high and hurried on- Alliteration
4.Withered leaves danced- Personification
5. green gloom; dim delight- Oxymoron
MEANINGS:
1. ripples: a small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, especially as caused
by an object dropping into it or a slight breeze.
2. barter: exchange (goods or services) for other goods or services without using money.
3. companions: a person or animal with whom one spends a lot of time or with whom one
travels.
4. reproach: address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or
disappointment.
5. mockery: teasing and contemptuous language or behavior directed at a particular
person or thing.
6. Sun-Embroidered: (of cloth) decorated with patterns sewn on with thread. But Sun
embroidered is when there is a sun embroidered on a piece of cloth.
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