SECTION-B: POETRY

Class XI New Book (STBB)

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa

0300-9372262
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

1
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
 SECTION-B: POETRY

Poetry.
"Expression of feelings and ideas in an imaginative style with
distinctive rhythm, rhyme, and meter."

ELEMENTS OF POETRY
1. Line
2. Foot
3. Meter
4. Stanza
5. Rhyme
6. Rhyming pattern
7. Free verse

FORMS AND GENRES OF POETRY

1. Lyric
2. Sonnet
3. Elegy
4. Ode
5. Ballad
6. Epic

POETIC DEVICES AND FIGURES OF SPEECH

1. Simile
2. Metaphor
3. Personification
4. Hyperbole
5. Alliteration
6. Onomatopoeia
7. Oxymoron
8. Irony
9. Symbol

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

2
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262
3
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
10. Imagery

Exercise 1
Answer the following questions. Write down your answers in your
notebook, and share it with your class fellows once you have
completed.

1. What is meant by rhyme in poetry?

Ans. 'The same sound at the end of poetic lines' is meant rhyme
in poetry.

2. What is meter in poetry?

Ans. Meter functions as a means of imposing a specific number
of syllables in a line of poetry.

3. What are different kinds of stanza?

Ans. Stanza is the division of a poem in a certain number of lines
having the same meter, rhyme, and a unifying idea or image. Stanza
is of the following kinds.
1. A couplet (two lines stanza)
2. A Tercet (three lines stanza)
3. Quatrain (four lines stanza)
4. Quintain (five lines stanza)
5. Sestet (six lines stanza)
6. Octave (eight lines stanza)

Q4. What is a sonnet?

Ans. The word Sonnet means a little song. Sonnet is a 14-line
lyrical poem divided into two stanzas: an octave and sestet. The
sonnet's three main types are the Italian, the English and the
Spenserian.

Q5. What is function of the poetic devices?

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

4
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Ans. The main function of the poetic devices to enhance the
meaning or mood of the poem.

Exercise 2.

Q1. What type of poem is it? Explain and justify your answer?
Ans. "The Sonnet Composed Upon the Westminster Bridge" is a
natural poet. It reveals the morning nature of London.
Wordsworth was the poet of nature. He depicts the natural beauty
of the commercial city early in the morning, when there is everyone
in deep sleep. He stands on the bridge above the river Thames.
From the bridge, he emphasizes the pure nature free from
pollution of smoke from ships, mills and other buildings.

Q2. How many stanzas are there in the poem and what are they called?
Ans. There are two stanzas in the poem. They are called Octave
(first eight lines) and Sestet (second six lines). Because the poem is
a sonnet.

Q3. Write down the rhyming scheme of the poem?

Ans. The first eight lines rhyming scheme is: ABBA, ACCA. And
the
next six lines rhyming scheme is: ABABAB.

Exercise 3.
Work individually, read the elements of poetry and find out which of
the following statements are correct and incorrect. For correct
statements put a tick (✓) and for incorrect ones, put a cross (X). After
completing, compare your answers with your partner.

No. Statements. Correct/incorrect.

1. Two lines which rhyme at the end are called a couplet. (Correct ✓)

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

5
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
2. There is no convenient way of setting out a pattern of
rhymes. (incorrect X)
3. Imagery is the use of figurative language to represent objects,
actions, and ideas. (incorrect X)
4. Usually a sonnet is comprised of 14 lines having certain rhyming
scheme. (Correct ✓)
5. Ballad is expressed for sorrow, grief or death. (Incorrect X)
6. A metaphor states explicitly that one thing is like another. (Correct
✓)

Exercise 4
Work in pairs. Read the following examples of various figures of
speech and write the name of corresponding figures of speech against
each. Once you have completed, share it with your partner.

Examples Figures of Speech

1. To enter in the thoughts of desperate men. (Personification)

2. They speak like saints and act like devils. (Simile)

3. How could he be a king, a soldier and a peon? (Anti Climax)

4. How high, his highness holds his haughty head. (Alliteration)

5. What avail me, all my Kingdoms? (Hyperbole)

6. Hasten slowly. (Oxymoron)

7. Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. (Antithesis)

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

6
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
8. Life is a dream. (Metaphor)

9. She was as proud as a peacock. (Simile)

10. More haste, less speed. (Paradox)

Exercise 5
Work individually. Read the following sentences and convert them as
directed in the brackets against each. You can add new words in these
sentences while converting these. Share your work with your class
fellows once you have completed.

1) He is as sober as a judge. (Simile)

2) She was a tower of strength in their trouble. (Metaphor)

3) Necessity knows no law. (personification)

4) He is the wisest fool of them all.

(Oxymoron)

5) The professor's ideas are as old as the hills. (Hyperbole)

6) The fire station burned down last night. (Irony)

Exercise 6
Most of the figures of speech are very common in our daily use. Work
in pairs and collect as many other common examples of above-
mentioned figures of speech in Exercise 4. Once you have done, display
them in front of the class by writing on the charts

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

7
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
 Poem 1 "The Character of a Happy Life."

Exercise 1.
Column A has words from the poem, underline these words in the poem.
Column B has the contextual meanings of these words, but they are
jumbled up. Work in pairs. Try and match the appropriate meaning of
each word, and write your answer in Column C. Share your work with
your partner after you have completed.

Words Meanings
1. Passions strong emotions (1h)
2. Armor. A metallic covering to protect from attack. (2d)
3. Rumors. Unverified or doubtful information. (3a)
4. Conscience. Moral sense of right and wrong. (4e)
5. Retreat. Move back. (5b)
6. Servile bands. Slavish bonds (6g)
7. Envy. Jealous (7c)
8. Ruin. destruction (8f)

Exercise 2.
Work in pairs and read the above poem again. Comprehend it
thoroughly and paraphrase it in simple words. After you have
completed, share it with your partner. The stanza-1 is paraphrased for
you as an example.

Stanza 1.
In the first stanza of the poem 'The Character of A Happy Life ' Sir
Henry Wotton says that a happy man does not rely on others. He does
not work according to others' will. He is neither a slave nor needs any
weapon to protect himself. His honesty is his only weapon. He believes
in simple truth of life. This simple truth is his reliable skill.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

8
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Stanza 2.
In the second stanza of the poem 'The Character Of A Happy Life ' Sir
Henry Wotton says that how a happy man should regard his passions.
They shouldn’t be his masters. He should be the master of his passions
or emotions. He should Control the passionate life. Further he says that
a truly happy man does not aspire for the love of the worldly fame. He
also does not care for the criticism against him in his absence. He
always remains ready for the imminent death.

Stanza 3.
In the third stanza of the poem 'The Character of A Happy Life ' Sir
Henry Wotton says that a happy man is neither jealous of those who
are bestowed success by chance, nor does he envy those who achieve
success by adopting unfair or wicked means. He is happy with what
does he has.
He knows that false praise always brings deep wounds that are very
difficult to heal. So he never be happy with any praise. Moreover, he
follows the rules goodness and does adopt the rules of Politics in his
life.

Stanza 4.
In the fourth stanza of the poem 'The Character of a Happy Life ' Sir
Henry Wotton says that a happy man is free from rumors. He neither
tries to come into contact with those who spread the rumors nor
influenced by them. He always listens to the voice of conscience and
is guided by it. He possesses a well-balanced mind. Neither flattery
nor the fear of ruin can change the state of his mind. He remains firm
in every situation of life.

Stanza 5.
In the fifth stanza of the poem 'The Character of a Happy Life ' Sir Henry
Wotton says that a happy man always prays to God every day early in the
morning and late in the evening in order to lead a happy life. He

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

9
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
does so to obtain the grace of God rather to worldly fame. He enjoys
free time by reading the holy books and giving time to his friends. He
avoids to harm or to backbite in his free time.

Stanza 6.
In the sixth and last stanza of the poem 'The Character of a Happy Life '
Sir Henry Wotton says that a happy man lives a life free of slavery. He
is independent in his thought and action. He is free from all kinds of
hopes and fears. He does not feel overjoyed by his achievement, no does
he get hurt by failure. He possesses a self-controlled life. Though he
does not have any property, even he enjoys the life of a king because he
is the emperor of his own life. So, he does not have any material
property but he is rich in spiritualism.

Exercise 3.
Read the poem again and encircle the right option.
1. The strong retreat for a happy man is his _______.
a. Heart. b. Though. c. Mind. d. Conscience
2. According to the poet, a happy man cares much about _____.
a. Worldly needs. b. Material uplift. c. Character. d. Finance
3. A happy man's armor is his ____ thought.
a. Clever. b. Honest. c. Deep.
d.Lofty
4. A happy man's days are ______.
a. Joyful. b. Carefree. c. Harmless. d. Playful
5. _____ is the utmost skill of an honest man.
a. Truth. b. Honesty. c. Simplicity. d.
Wisdom.
6. A happy man does not serve another's _______.
a. Order. b. Direction. c. Wish. d. Will
7. A happy man's soul is always prepared for ______.
a. Exams. b. Fight. c. Quarrel. d. Death
8. According to the poet, the deepest wounds are always given by
______.
a. Back-biting. b. Praise. c. Trust. d. Friendship

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

10
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262
11
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Exercise 4.
Work is pairs and pick out the line(s) from 'The Character of a Happy
Life' in which the poet has identified each of the following
characteristics of a happy men. Write their corresponding character
against each quality in the table given below. Once you have completed,
compare you work with your partner.

Characteristics line(s)

1. That serveth not another's will

2. Whose armor is his honest thought.
3. Simple truth is his utmost skill
4. Whose passions not his masters are.
5. Untied unto the world by care of public fame, or private breath.
6. Who envies none that chance doth raise, nor vice:
7. This man is freed from servile bands

8. Who God doth late or early pray

More of His grace than gifts to
lend.

Qualities.

1. Independence
2. Honesty
3. Truthfulness
4. Ambition
5. Self-control
6. Envy
7. No greed
8. Piety

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

12
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Exercise 5
Read the poem again and answer the lowing questions.

1. What does the poet mean when he says that happy man does not
serve another's will?
Ans: A Happy man does not serve another's will. Here the poet
means that a happy man always listens to his heart. He does not act
upon the directions given to him by others. He never listens to other
while deciding the cases of his life. He is the king of his life.

2. Explain briefly, how Sir Henry Wotton's happy man is 'having not
yet has all'?
Ans. The poet wants to say that the happy man is free from all
kinds of the worldly restraints. He is contended within his means.
He is the master of his will. He has a spiritual power. He has no
wealth, land and property, but he has a constant conscience that
keeps him happy in condition of life.

3. What a happy man is taught from his very birth?

Ans. 'Don't follow another's will' is taught to a happy man from
his very birth.

4. Write the central idea of the poem 'The Character of a Happy Life'.
Ans. The poem "The Character Of A Happy Life" gives us an idea
that a happy life is obtained by establishing a character with good
qualities of a peaceful life. A person who always speaks the truth,
thinks and acts in a free manner and does not care about worldly
temptations; but remains thankful, humble and patient within
his/her life: truly represents the character of a happy life.

5. Write the rhyming scheme of the poem.

Ans. The rhyming scheme of the poem is.
abab, cdcd and so on (similar things or
etc)

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

13
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
6. What are the sources of happiness other than those mentioned in
the poem?
Ans. Other sources of happiness are keep your parents happy.
To offer pray deeply.

Exercise 6.
Work individually and identify the poetic devices in the poem. Make a
list of and use them in your sentences. Share your work with your class
follows after you have completed.

Ans. The poetic devices used in the poem are given below.
1. Alliteration. (Repetition of same sound words. 'Flatters feed,
fear and fall)
2. Repetition (some words are repeated in a line. 'rules'
3. Anaphora (repetition of words but having distances. 'whose')

Exercise 7.
Work in pairs and give a critical appreciation of the poem based on the
following aspects. After you have written, compare your work with your
partner.

1. Poetic Diction.

2. Theme.
There are two prominent themes in the poem i.e., Freedom and
Morality.
Freedom.
He sees freedom – from other’s control, of thought, from
emotions, from other’s opinions.
Morality:
He believes that people should strive towards the truth and honesty.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

14
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
The other themes of the poem can also be: happiness, joy,
simplicity, and religion.

3. Structure.
The Character of a Happy Life’ by Sir Henry Wotton is a six-stanza
poem that is divided into sets of four lines, known as quatrains. These
quatrains follow a simple rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD, and so on.
He also uses the poetic devices as repetition, alliteration and
anaphora.

4. Message.
The Character of a Happy Life' is a simple, straightforward poem
in which Sir Henry Wotton sets out the principles of a good life and
what a man should avoid at all costs. The poem addresses themes of
happiness, joy, simplicity, and religion.

Exercise 8.
Work in groups of three. Compose your own poem on the theme
of happiness using elements of poetry based on three stanzas.
Each member of the group should compose one stanza. After your
group has composed the poem, exchange it with other groups.
(Self Work)

Exercise 9.
Work individually and explain the following stanzas. Wrote down
your work in the note book and share it with your class fellows after
you have completed.

Stanza 1. Explanation
The poet says that a happy man is the one who is independent in his
thinking and action. He is not a slave of other man. He does not act as
other wants him to. He is honest in his conduct and deal with someone
ever.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

15
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Honesty is the only weapon with which a happy man protect himself.
He is truthful and lives a happy and honorable life. Truthfulness is his
greatest quality for which he is honored. Due to such qualities, he leads
a happy life free from any kinds of negativity.

Stanza 2. Explanation.
the poet says that the man who is not affected by his passion is a happy
man. He is not moved by a strong desire such as anger and hatred and
love. He has a balanced temper. His sound is not filled by death.

A truly happy man does not aspire for the love of a prince nor does he
care for the criticism of the common man. In other words, he does not
care for the worldly pleasures of our sorrows. Nothing affects his goal
of life. Such qualities help him lead a happy life forever.

Stanza 3. Explanation
The poet says that a happy man is never jealous of those who have
risen to eminence by sheer chance and not by their merit or hard work.

Nor does he envy those who achieve success by adopting unfair or

wicked means. A happy man is free from bad habits. The world is full
of deceitful people, who praise in our face and stab us in the back.

He knows that false praise always brings deep wounds that are very
difficult to heal. Moreover, he does not carry for the so-called rules
formed by the autocratic government which are not in the interest of the
people. A happy man observes the rules that are based on goodness and
righteousness and promote the well-being of mankind.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

16
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Stanza 4
Explanation
The poet says that a happy man is free from rumours. Neither he
believes in them nor is he influenced by them. He always listens to
the voice of his conscience and is guided by it.

He possesses a well-balanced mind that is free from worldly anxieties

and worries. He is very careful about flatters. He is not influenced by
false praise and flattery does not feel him with pride.

Even cruel and unjust people cannot cause him any harm because he
does not believe in them. Such a man is, does, always a happy man.

Stanza 5
Explanation

The poet says that in order to lead a happy life, a man should pray to
God everyday in the morning as well as in the evening.

He should do so not to seek worldly things about to obtain God’s

blessings and mercy. He should not harm anybody, at any time in the
whole day.

Instead, he should indulge in entertaining himself for bypassing his time

in reading good books or in the company of good friend such a man can
lead a happy life.

Explanation

In this stanza, the poet says that in order to lead a happy life, a man
should be free from the chance of slavery. He should be independent in
his thought and action.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

17
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
A happy man is free from all kinds of hopes and fears. He does not feel
overjoyed by his achievement, nor does he get disheartened by failure.

He will possess self-control, though, he does not have any property in

his position. He may not be the master of wealth or land, but he is
always self-contented. Though he may be poor, he has self-respect and
freedom.

DON'T QUIT

Pre- Reading
1. Read about the following famous personalities who turned their
failures into success.
Ans: Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein and J.K. Rowling.

2. What comes to your mind after reading them?

Ans: After reading them it comes to my mind that come what
may happen one should not quit...

Exercise 1.
Column A has words from the poem; underline these words in poem.
Column B has the contextual meanings of these words, but they are
jumbled up. Work in pairs. Try and match the appropriate meaning of
each word, and write your answer in Column C. Share your work with
your partner after you have completed.

Words. Meanings
1. trudge. to walk slowly
2. quit to stop
3. queer. strange

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

18
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
4. Pace. speed
5. twist. An unexpected change
6. Stuck. caught
7. tint. shade
8. sigh. a long deep breath.

Exercise 2
Read the poem again and encircle the right option.
1. The figure of speech in "The silver tint of the cloud of doubt" is
_____.
a. personification. b. metaphor. c. onomatopoeia. d. simile

2. 'When things seem worst', we should _____.

a. run away. b. take some other way. c. stop moving ahead. d. stick to
them.

3. "You might succeed with another blow", means you ______.

a. give the blow. b. receive the blow. c. continue struggle. d. withdraw
the struggle

4. The struggler learns too late that he _____.

a. was unable to struggle b. was close to his victory c. should have
taken rest. d. should have quit

5. The moral of the poem is that we should _______.

a. face challenges of life b. enjoy success. c. run away from the
hardships of life. d. only think positively

6. 'So stick to the fight when you're ______.

a. hardest hit. b. betrayed c. unhappy. d. unlucky

7. The phrase 'golden crown' means _____.

a wealth

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

19
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
b. power
c. victory
d. throne

8. In the first stanza of the poem, the word 'sigh' symbolizes_____.

a. happiness b. regret c. courage d. pain

Exercise 3
Work in pairs and read the above poem again. Comprehend thoroughly
and paraphrase it in simple words. After you have completed, share it
with your partner.

Stanza 1
In the first stanza of the poem "Don't Quit' Edgar A Guest says that
a man should not give up come what may happen. He should
continue his struggle to achieve success. If his debts are higher than
his funds. If he wants to smile but he can't. If his way to the
destination is hard. He must take a break for some time, but
shouldn't stop his efforts...

Stanza 2
In the second stanza of the poem "Don't Quit", the poet Edgar A
Guest says that life is full of ups and downs. It teaches us that
after failure comes the utmost success. So one should not leave
his struggle, if sometimes, speed is slow. At last he will achieve
the success in life.

Stanza 3
In the third stanza of the poem "Don't Quit", the poet Edgar A
Guest says that a man's goal is closer but he does not know due to
his changing mind. A failure person often leaves his struggle when
the victory is close him, because he is not determined. So one
should never give up in his life till the last breath.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

20
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Stanza 4
In the fourth and last stanza of the poem "Don't Quit", the poet
Edgar A Guest talks about success. Success is inside the failure. Of
one fail, one should not worry about because success comes after
failure. One should continue his efforts ultimately; he will achieve
success.

Exercise 4
Read the poem again and answer the following questions.

1. What is the poet's message in the first stanza?

Ans. The poet's message in the first stanza is that a man should not
worried about his condition. Whatever tension he does have he
should not take his steps back. He should set out his plan and should
continue his efforts to achieve his target till the last breath of his life.

2. Which lines of the poem do you like the most and why?
Ans.
Life is queer with it's twists and
turns, As everyone of us sometimes
learns,

I like the above lines of the poem most because they are based on
the realities of life. Our life is full of ups and downs and we learn a
lot while going through them.

4. Find similes, metaphors and alliterations in the poem.

Ans.
Similes
"When things go wrong, as they sometimes will."

Metaphor
'Success is failure turned inside
out.' The silver tint of clouds of
doubt.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

21
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262
22
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Alliteration:
"Life is queer with its twists and turns”

5. Discuss how the poem helps the reader to be optimistic in every

situation.
Ans. The poem helps the reader to be optimist in every situation of
life. Repeatedly, it bounds the them to continue their struggles.
Come what may happen they should not give up in their efforts. To
face the challenges of life positively is the main purpose of the
poem.

6. What effect does the poem create on the reader?

Ans. The poem creates a positive effect on the reader. It teaches
that in every situation of life a man should be optimist.
7. What is the message of the poem?
Ans. The message of the poem is that one should be determined,
persevered, optimist, and should have a will power. He/she
should not give up while time goes
against him/her. He/she should wait but never should quit. At
last, he/she will achieve an utmost success.

8. Why does the poet term life 'queer with twists and turns'?
Ans. The poet terms life 'queer with twists and turns' in order to
tell us that the life is full of ups and downs. So we should not be
worried while downs or ups come in our life.

9. What is the benefit of not quitting as suggested in the poem?

Ans. The benefit of not quitting as suggested in the poem is
utmost success. If one does not quit come what may happen, one
will definitely reach to its destination.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

23
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Exercise 5
Work individually and identify the poetic devices in the poem. Make a
list of them and use them in your sentences. Share your work with your
class fellows after you have completed.

Ans. The following Poetic devices are used in the poem

1. Antithesi
s Example
When the funds are low and the debts are high.

2. Anaphora
Example
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road
you’re trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the
debts are high

3. Alliteration
: Example.
"Life is queer with its twists and turns".

4. Simile:
Example
“When things go wrong as they sometimes will”.

5. Personification.
Example.
"The silver tint of the clouds of doubt"

6. Metaphor.
Example.
"Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of
doubt".

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

24
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Exercise. 6
Work in pairs and give a critical appreciation of the poem based on the
following aspects. Compare your work with your partner.

1. Poetic Diction
In the poem the familiar words are used. The vocabulary is simple
but figurative. So many figurative devices are used. The poet enjoys
while using the concerned diction in the poem.

2.Theme
The theme of this poem is perseverance. No matter what one is
dealing with within one's life, it is important to be determined,
confident, and try not to quit, no matter what the outcome seems
to be.

3. Structure
‘Don’t Quit’ by Edgar Albert Guest is a four-stanza poem. Each
stanza has six lines. It is thoroughly divided into twenty-four verses.
A perfect rhyming scheme is also used... The rhyming scheme is
AABBCC and so on.

4. Language
The poet has used figurative language in the poem "Don't Quit."
Multiples figures are used to beautiful the poem. The difficult
words are not used but the words which are used have hidden
meanings. All in all, the language is understandable.

5. Message
The message of the poem is that one should be determined,
persevered, optimist, and should have a will power. He/she
should not give up while time goes

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

25
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
 against him/her. He/she should wait but never should quit. At
last, he/she will achieve an utmost success.

Exercise 7
Work individually and explain the following stanzas. Write down
your work in the notebook and share it with your class fellows.

Stanzas. Lines

1. When things go wrong......but don't you quit

In the first stanza of the poem, the reader should

immediately take note of the poet’s use of anaphora. This
occurs when the writer repeats the same word or phrase at
the beginning of multiple lines. In this case, four of the
five lines of the first stanza begin with the word “when."

These lines set up a series of instances in which readers

are going to have to persevere through the hardest
moments in their lives. For example, the poet says that
when “the funds are low, and the deaths are high” or
when “the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,” it is
important to rest “if you must, but don’t you quit.”

The main theme of the poem is revealed in the fifth line

of the stanza. Readers should walk away from the poem
after they finish all four stanzas with newfound strength
and determination to persevere through any hardship
they might have to deal with.

2. Life is queer.... with another blow

In the second stanza, the speaker emphasizes how complicated life is. It is
not going to play out the way that one expects. The speaker describes

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

26
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
a “fellow” who turns away from hardship rather than persevering. This
person would’ve “won” if he had “stuck it out.” The speaker uses this
very vague example as a way to inspire readers to persevere, no matter
if the issue they’re dealing with seems impossible. In combination with
descriptions of perseverance, the speaker uses endurance-based images
that compare working hard to get through a tough time to running at a
consistent speed, or “pace.”

The second stanza ends with the speaker saying that often, the end is
closer than it seems, especially when one is “faint and faltering” (a
great example of alliteration and imagery)

3. Often the goal.......to the golden crown.

The third stanza is the shortest of the three. It returns to the same images
that the poet used in the previous two stanzas, asking readers to
remember how important it is to continue working hard no matter how
negative the situation is. Just like the “fellow” in the previous stanza,
here, the speaker refers to a “struggler” who would’ve captured the
“victors cup” if he had not given up. The speaker also
uses metaphors like “the golden crown” to refer to success in the
broadest of terms. This could be a financial success, success in a
relationship, a difficult family matter, or any other issue that one has to
deal with.
4. Success is failure.......
that you mustn't quit.
In the final stanza, the speaker says that “success is failure turned inside
out.” Here, the speaker is trying to emphasize the fact that in failure or in
struggle, success is always there. One has to see the “silver tint of the
clouds of doubt” and know that happiness and success are close by. It’s
when things seem the hardest that one “must not quit.”

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

27
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
The poem ends with the same few words that the first stanza used in its
final line. This helps create a unified feeling and reminds readers of the
central theme that they were introduced to at the beginning of the poem.

Exercise 8
Work in groups of three. Compose your own poem on the theme of
'Don't Give Up', using elements of poetry based on three stanzas. Each
member of the group should compose 1 stanza. After your group
composed the poem, exchange it with other groups. (Self Work)

Poem 3. OZYMANDIAS

Pre Reading.

1. Read the following quote and guess the theme of the poem.
"Graveyard are full of the people who thought themselves
indispensable".
Ans. I think the theme of the poem would be definitely about the
mortality of all things in the world. In the graveyards you will find
the graves of those people too who thought themselves as the lord of
the world.

Exercise 1.
Column A has words from the poem; underline these words in the poem.
Column B has the contextual meanings of these words, but they

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

28
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
are jumbled up. Work in pairs. Try and match the appropriate meaning
of each word, and write your answer in Column C. Share your work
with your partner after you have completed.

Words. Meanings
1. frown. a displeasing or concentrating face (d)
2. visage. a human or animal face (g)
3. sculptor. an artist who makes sculpture (b)
4. mock. make fun of (e)
5. pedestal. the base of sculpture (f)
6. colossal. huge (c)
7. remains. the parts left over (a)

Exercise 2.
Read the poem again and encircle the correct option.
1. 'Ozymandias' is a poem depicting that the life is _____.
a. beautiful. b. transient. c. attractive. d. alluring.
2. The poet met a traveller from ____.
a. an ancient land. b. aboard. c. a neighbouring country. d. a desert.
3. The traveller told the poet that he had seen ______ in the desert.
a. a statue. b. a sculptor. c. an oasis. d. a snake.
4. The words on the base of statue tell us that the king Ozymendias was
a ______ king.
a. kind. b. humble. c. proud. d. cruel.
5. The message of the poem for all powerful authority and glory is
______.
a. 'sands stretch far away'. b. 'frowned and wrinkled lips'. c. 'nothing
remains'. d. 'stamped on these lifeless things.'
6. In the poem 'Ozymandias', the condition of the statue is ______.
a. good. b. bad. c. excellent. d. marvellous.
7. 'My name is Ozymandias-king of kings', is _____ literary
device. a. Simile. b. irony. c. personification. d. metaphor

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

29
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
8. One of the following lines does NOT make use of alliteration in
the poem.
a. The lone and level sands stretch far away.
b. I met a traveler from an antique land.
c. Nothing beside remains. Round the decay.
d. Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown.

Exercise 3
Work in pairs and read the above poem again. Comprehend it
thoroughly and paraphrase it in simple words. After you have
completed, share it with your partner.
Ans. In the first eight lines (octave) of the sonnet Ozymandias, the
poet PB Shelley tells a story of a statue of Ozymandias, told to him by
a traveller from an ancient land. He told that he saw two vast fitted
legs on the pedestal in a desert. There was also a shattered head
beside the legs. The sculptor had nicely figured the characteristics of
proud, sneer and frown on the face of the statue. These expressions
remain forever, when the real king would return never ever.
In the next six lines (sestet) the poet tells about the ironical words
written on the pedestal. "My name is Ozymandias, the King of
Kings". The poet further tells that nothing is permanent. All his
work, his power and every other thing connected to him are passed
away. Nothing is remained except the sculptor's statue in bad
condition. Simply at the end, the poet focuses on the transiency.

Exercise 4
Read the poem again and answer the following questions.
1. What did the traveller see in the desert and whom he told about it?
Ans. The traveller a broken and shattered statue in the desert. He
told it to the poet (PB Shelley).

2. How can you say that the sculptor was a great artist?

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

30
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Ans. It can be said that sculptor of the statue of Ozymandias was
really a great artist. He figured out the humanistic characteristics
on the face of the head of the king, in a way, that anyone can easily
guess that what type of the king was.

3. What was written on the pedestal of the statue of Ozymandias?

Ans. "My name is Ozymandias, the King of Kings" was written on
the pedestal of the statue of Ozymandias.

4. What is the meaning of the phrase in the poem "the heart that fed"?
Ans. "The heart that fed” here means the heart of king
Ozymandias which gave birth to those passions as were mocked,
reproduced or copied by the sculptor on the stone.

5. What is ironic about the fate of Ozymandias?

Ans. The condition of the statue and the inscription on the pedestal
are ironical. The statue was completely shattered. Only two vast
legs stood on the pedestal and the head was lying in the sand.
Whereas the inscription said 'look upon my work ye Mighty and
despair' and 'king of kings'.

6. What is the message of the poem?

Ans. The message in the poem is that everything here in the world is
temporary. No matter, how powerful a person is. He or she will
surely leave this world. PB Shelley wants to give the philosophy of
transience through this poem.

7. How does this poem relate to your life?

Ans. This poem is about the mortality of the world. Everyone has
to die in the world. It is related in this sense that we will also die
one day. So we should do as much good work as we can do.

8. The proud Ozymandias lies forgotten in the desert. Comment.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

31
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Ans. The Ozymandias was a powerful king in the ancient history of
the world. He called himself as the king of Kings. He never thought
that he would be vanished. But it was his illusion. He died and is
forgotten now forever. No one mentions his name in these days. All
in this world is changing. One will be superseded by another. So
never be proud.

Exercise. 5
Work in pairs and give a critical appreciation of the poem based on the
following aspects. Compare your work with your partner after you have
done it.

1. Poetic Diction.
Diction means choice of words. The diction in Ozymandias is
lofty, slightly unusual, and it paints vivid pictures.
By "lofty," means the author often chooses longer words that would
be familiar to an educated person. For example, the author uses
"antique" instead of "ancient," "visage" instead of "face," and
"colossal" instead of "huge." This is formal, classroom diction, not
the diction of the home or street.
Sometimes these slightly odd word choices help the rhythm or
rhyme of the poem. For example, "Nothing beside remains" is used
in order to maintain the syllables."
"Stone in a desert does not really decay, but "Round the decay"
rhymes with "far away" later, and matches it thematically as
well. Finally, sometimes the author's diction allows him to paint
a vivid picture more quickly than with more ordinary words.

2. Theme
Death and mortality: no human is powerful enough to escape
death. Power: The speaker explores different types of power in the
poem. Shelley’s own radical political beliefs led him to reflect on
the transient (short lived/ temporary) nature of power.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

32
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
3. Structure
Ans. The poem is a sonnet and is written in iambic
pentameter. It's sonnet structure is unconventional and has features
of the Petrarchan and Shakespearean sonnet. It is partly a
Petrarchan sonnet as it has an octave (8 lines) followed by a sestet (6
lines). There is a turning point/volta at line 9 (similar to a
Petrarchan sonnet) 'And on the pedestal these words appear'.
Sometime, the poet also misses the rhyming scheme.

4. Language
Oxymoron - 'colossal Wreck - the adjective 'colossal' means 'like a
colossus, a larger-than-life statue, colossi were always meant to be
tall and majestic structures that commanded awe from the people
who looked upon them. The fact that this one is broken with the
pieces turned on their sides and "half sunk(en) into the sand
undermines its once impressive power.

Extended metaphor - the fallen statue of Ozymandias that is sinking

back into the desert stands as an extended metaphor for the way in
which political and personal power fades into history over time - the
desert itself erodes the physical structures of Ozymandias' reign in
the same way in which time erodes his memory. The lone and level
sands' use an alliterative visual image to describe the vastness of the
desert and demonstrate that his kingdom has long eroded back into
the sand: "Nothing beside (the statue) remains. The fricative T
sounds emphasize the flat. long stretches of desert that surround the
broken statue.

Symbolism - the poem contains many examples of symbolism, one

of the most prominent being the visual image of the shattered
visage, the broken face of Ozymandias. The adjective 'shattered'
here refers to the face of the sculpture, but it also symbolically
extends to

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

33
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
represent the idea of the king himself - his reputation, fame, glory,
and power are all lying equally in tatters as the memory of him
fades into nothingness.

The semantic field of destruction - there is a continual sense of

destruction in the poem through works that evoke erosion and
degradation: 'half sunk, 'shattered visage, 'decay. This has the
effect of suggesting the slow process of decay which eventually
destroys all-powerful entities, interestingly this destruction occurs
not because of other people but instead because of the continual
progress of time and natural forces.

5. Message
The message in the poem is that everything here in the world is
temporary. No matter, how powerful a person is. He or she will
surely leave this world. PB Shelley wants to give the philosophy of
transience through this poem.

Exercise 6
'Every rise has a fall.' Work in pairs and discuss it in the light of
the poem.
Ans. 'Every rise has a fall' is a quote that means no one is
permanent here in the world. Man, either weak or powerful, has to
die. The powerful position does not persist forever. It has ending.
Come very high you may go you have to come down one day. You
will be buried in the sand of land. So one should not be proud as
Ozymandias in the poem is shown. He was powerful king. He
thought himself as the supreme king. He was also died and could
not save himself. So the world is changing. Rise and fall are the
parts of these changing.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

34
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Exercise 7
Work individually and explain the following lines. Write down
your work in the notebook and share it with your class fellows.

Stanzas. Lines
1-8.
I met a traveler.......and the heart that fed;

Explanation
These lines have been taken from the poem Ozymandias written
by Percy Bysshe Shelley.
In these lines, the poet tells that he met a traveler from an old and
deserted land. The traveler told him that he saw two big legs standing
in the desert. The two huge legs, which were made of stone, were
standing without the upper part of the body. The other part of the
statue lay nearby. The arms and the face were broken and it was in a
miserable condition. It was half sunk into the sand. The sand and dust
covered the body. Yet the signs of displeasure and expressions of
ruthlessness and pride could be noticed on the face of the sculpture.

The poet says that the skillful hands of the sculptor had left the
accurate expression of the man into his sculptor. The expression of
aggression, power, and pride was even obvious on the lifeless body
of the King. The poet has tried to explain that immorality has a
permanent impression on our body as well as on our soul. So, it
cannot be erased even we pass away

9-14.
And on the pedestal.......stretch far away.
Explanation
These lines have been taken from the poem Ozymandias written
by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

35
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
In these lines, the poet has described what we can call the message
of the poem. As the traveler continues to describe what he saw in
the desert, he says that there were some texts written in the base of
the statue. It read as
the texts tell that the name of the king was Ozymandias. He was the
most powerful king. He ordered the kings to see his statue and feel
belittled. But the tragedy is that now nothing remains except a
lifeless statue of the king. The huge statue itself tells about the glory
of the king. But now this huge and splendid statue has fallen the
victim of nature.

The broken pieces of the statue are being vanished in the sand.
The sand is stretching far away and the statue of King
Ozymandias is getting a thick layer of sand on it. It cannot be
seen anywhere

Exercise 8
Work in groups of three. Compose your own poem on the theme of
'Don't Give Up', using elements of poetry based on three stanzas. Each
member of the group should compose 1 stanza. After your group
composed the poem, exchange it with other groups. (Self Work)

Poem 4. " Good Timber"

Pre Reading.
1. "The stronger the wind, the stronger the tree."
Read the line and guess the theme of the poem.
Ans. I think the theme of the poem would be the uses of adversity.
As much difficulties you will face as much stronger you will be,
because good qualities always develop in difficulties.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

36
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Exercise 1.
Work in pairs and find out the meaning of the following words by using
dictionary. Read the poem carefully and write the contextual meanings
against each word. After completing Share your work with your
partner.

Words. meanings
1. timber. wood
2. scrubby. inferior in size or quality
3. toil. hardwork
4. patriarchs. male head of a family
5. counsel. advice
6. scars. marks

Exercise 2.
Read the poem again and encircle the right option.
1. The poem explains to us that good qualities always develop in _____.
a. hardships. b. ease. c. idleness. d. illness
2. "Never became a forest king" means never ______.
a. became a lion. b. acquired a prominent position. c. possessed
coverage to fight. d. enjoyed life
3. "But lived and died as began" points out towards ______ human
being.
a. a courageous. b. an effortless. c. a wealthy. d. a successful.
4. In the poem 'Good Timber', the poet discusses themes of _____. a.
nature, wealth and defeat. b. power, relationship and hope. c. nature,
struggle and fulfilment. d. nature, nurture and chaos.
5. The poem teaches us that the people reach their true potential by
overcoming ______.
a. feelings. b. enemies. c. desires. d. adversities
6. "But lived and died a scrubby thing" means lived a/an _____
life. a. unimportant. b. high status. c. useful. d. comfortable.
7. 'By sun and cold, by rain and snow' is _______ literary device.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

37
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
a. Metaphor. b. Oxymoron. c. Alliteration. d. Simile.
8. "Broken branches" in last stanza is the example of _______.
a. Simile. b. Metaphor. c. Hyperbole. d. None of them

Exercise 3
Read the poem again and answer the following questions.
1. What is the significance of the title of the poem?
Ans. The title of the poem ‘Good Timber’ holds significance with
respect to the message of the poem. The poet has artfully compared
good timber with good people. He believes that it is not easy for
both, timber and people to become good without going through
hard times. It is a bare fact that the more they suffer, the more they
become worthwhile and beneficial for the society.

2. What happens to the people who work hard?

Ans. The people who work hard face many difficulties in the life.
They work hard for a better life, but it does not come easily. One
has to bear hardships in order to live a perfect and meaningful life.
So, when he starts hard working, the challenges appear one by one
in every step of his life. He faces every challenge that makes his life
meaningful.

3. How can one achieve one's true potential in life according to the
poem?
Ans. One can achieve his true potential only when he faces
hardships, difficulties and tough times with courage and
determination. According to the poet, a man becomes strong when
encounters and overcomes adversity in life. Hardships, unfavorable
conditions and difficult situations polish our abilities and
capabilities. A person does not become strong if he gets everything
easily without putting in hard work. A person should learn to
achieve such qualities from a good timber.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

38
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
4. Why does the poet suggest people to be like Good Timber?
Ans. The poet wants to reveal a useful message for his readers. He
compares an ordinary tree to a good timber. An ordinary tree does
not have any prominent position in the forest because it spends it's
time as it came to this world. It neither tries to change the position
nor dares to bear hardships for a better position. On the other
hand, a good timber remains ready to face hardships of life. It
becomes more perfect when faces more storm. So, the poet suggests
the people to be like good timer and face the difficulties of life. In
such way your position will be strong and meaningful.

5. Which poetic devices are used in the poem?

Ans. There are several poetic devices used in the poem
"Good Timber". But the most prominent are given below.
1. Metaphor.
2. Personification.
3. Hyperbole.
4. Alliteration.

6. Write central idea of the poem?

Ans. The central idea of the poem ‘Good Timber’ is that in order to
become good and beneficial one has to face hardships and
difficulties in life. Both timber and man have to overcome adversity
with courage and determination. Struggle is a key to success to live
a perfect, valuable life otherwise both of them die without achieving
anything worthwhile in their life.

7. How does this poem relate to your life?

Ans. A man always ignores to face the difficult situation of life. When
a situation comes, he/she turns his face from and starts another work.
Resultantly, he/she creates a habit of doing easy thing. So, when, a
difficult problem occurs, we become helpless to face it because we

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

39
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
have not made ourselves habitual of facing such difficult problems.
It is related to every second person of our country. In this sense
poem is related to us. It tells us our draw-backs. We should be like
a good timber which teaches us to face the difficult problems.

Exercise 4
Work individually and identify the poetic devices in the poem. Make a
list of them and use them in your sentences. Share your work with your
class fellows once you have completed.
Ans. Throughout ‘Good Timber ’Malloch makes use of several
literary devices. These include but are not limited

1. Metaphors,
2. Alliteration,
3. Hyperbole. (They hold counsel with the stars)

This entire poem is one extended metaphor comparing trees to

human beings. The tree mentioned in the first stanza represents
someone who has never had to fight for anything in their life. This
man had more than enough “sun and sky and air and light.”
Although this initially seems like a good thing, the speaker turns
the text in a different direction.

Alliteration is an interesting formal device that can be seen

through the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of
multiple words.

For example, in the poem “broken branches” in stanza four

and “storm” and “strength” in stanza three.

Exercise. 5
Work in pairs and give a critical appreciation of the poem based on the
following aspects. Compare your work with your partner.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

40
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
1. Poetic Diction.
The poet has avoided bombastic words in his poetry. He used up
to dated words. Timber is simply meaning of wood but it is used
metaphorically that is why it is a little difficult to understand.

2. Theme
Ans. In ‘Good Timber’ Malloch explores themes of struggle,
fulfillment, and nature. Those who live through “broken branches”
and storms will become “Good timber.” This theme is common
within Malloch’s work. He was often concerned with depicting
different ways life can be lived and how the most fulfilling lives
come to be. By using nature as the source of his imagery he is
tapping into a source that all people are familiar with. The extended
metaphor that lasts throughout this poem ensures that everyone
understands what the strength is that he’s talking about. A fulfilling
life can only come after one has worked hard. This is a roundabout
way of saying that nothing worth having comes easy.

3. Structure
Ans. 'Good Timber’ by Douglas Malloch is a four stanza poem that
is separated into sets of six lines or sextets. It is one of Malloch’s
most well-known pieces and follows a consistent and structured
rhyme scheme. The lines conform to a pattern of aabbcc,
alternating as the poet saw fit from stanza to stanza. This was a
common structure for Malloch. His rhyming pairs carry a reader
through the piece from beginning to end. The couplets give the
poem a sing song-like sound, resembling a song lyric.

4. Language
The language used in the poem is not the language of common people
but it is the language of well-bred people. Figurative language used in
the poem is difficult to understand easily. Many poetical devices are

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

41
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
used. The figurative language is used orderly to enhance the
meaning of the loftiest theme of the poem.

5. Message
The message of the poem ‘Good Timber’ is that in order to
become good and beneficial, one has to face hardships and
difficulties in life. Both timber and man have to overcome
adversity with courage and determination. Struggle is a key to
success to live a perfect, valuable life otherwise both of them die
without achieving anything worthwhile in their life.

Exercise 6
Work in groups of three. Compose your own poem on the theme of
'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade', using elements of poetry
based on three stanzas. Each member of the group should compose 1
stanza. Once your group has composed the poem, exchange it with other
groups. (Self Work)

Exercise 7
'Life grows when a person comes out of comfort zone.' Elaborate this
statement in the light of the poem 'The Good Timber'. Note down your
points in the notebook and share it with your class fellows.
Ans. It is a human nature that a man does not strive for a new
thing, while he is already in comfort. Comfortable man has not
enthused for doing work. When someone comes out of the
comfortable life into the hard realities, he/she starts to think the
way to save himself or herself from the hard realities of life. In
hardships, one person learns more and more. Because, adversity
makes a man perfect.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

42
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Exercise 8
Work individually and explain the following lines. Write down
your work in the notebook and share it with your class fellows.

Line no. Lines

1-6.
The tree that ........ a scrubby thing.
These lines have been taken out from the poem of "Good
Timber", which is written by Douglas Malloch.
In these lines, the poet uses a tree as a metaphor that represents
someone who had never had to fight for anything in his life. This
tree had more than enough its basic need like sun, sky, air, and
light. A coddled person or tree who lives an easy life does not worry
about resources. They have all the food, water, air, and light they
need to survive. The poet reveals the outcome of such a life in the
last two lines of the stanza. This type of tree will never become head
or one of the largest and strongest trees of the forest. This kind of
tree does not have any greatness because greatness can't be
achieved without struggle. This type of tree often struck down as a
useless and inferior creature.

7-12.
The man who ......... died as he began.
These lines have been taken out from the poem of "Good
Timber", which is written by Douglas Malloch.
In these lines, the poet talks about a person who never became
hardworking and disciplined in his life. The poet describes a man
who was given opportunities to gain and grow and develop his
personality and future a person who does not struggle for a better
future, significant personality and unlimited worldly resources
never becomes a brave man and always lives a bad life without
development. His position socially, economically, and morally does

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

43
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
not improve because he does feel the need to go beyond his
readily available resources.

13-18.
Good Timber does not ....... good Timber grow.
These lines have been taken out from the poem of "Good
Timber", which is written by Douglas Malloch.
In these lines, the poet describes the elements and ways through
which fine stuff and good timber grow. The development of
successful life lies in facing hardships and in overcoming hurdles.
The poet compares a man to a tree who gets its strength through
snowy storms and strong winds. It has to fight and face the sun and
cold. It encounters throughout its days in the further sky than the
scrubby thing ever did a tree or man who in danger himself and
confronts the tragic realities of the world, at last, grows in nice stuff,
fine quality, and good timber.

19-24.
Where thickest lies ..….... common law of life.
These lines have been taken out from the poem of "Good
Timber", which is written by Douglas Malloch.
In these lines, the poet describes the environment of the exalted man
and the good timber tree. Where there is a cluster of great
personalities, we can find forefathers of good timber and successful
man. Due to their loftiness, they seem to consult with stars. They tap
into a deeper knowledge and talk intimately with forces that others
cannot understand the tree and men share their loss and wounds of
hardships and hostility of their lives which have become common
law. It reveals who they are and who they lived.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

44
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Poem 5. LUCY GRAY.

Pre Reading.
1. Look at the picture and express what you observe in it.
Ans. I observe an obedient child is going to somewhere. She has a
lantern in order to see the track. Surrounding to the child a storm
can also be felt.

2. How can you describe an obedient child?

Ans. An obedient child never says 'no' to it's parents. It sacrifices
it's life for the sake of parents. It heartily respects to it's elders.

3. How much are your parents attached to you?

Ans. My parents are totally attached to me. They never force me to
do any work. They give preference to my will. They really respect
me a lot.

4. Does anyone among you know a story related to a child?

Ans. Ye I know a story related to a child of our village. She was 9
years old. She was the daughter of a farmer. Near to our village,
there was a well. On night, she went out to buy things from near by
shop. She didn't return for a long time. When her parents went for
search, they saw her body floating in the well. It was very mournful
night of our village.

5. What do you know about William Wordsworth?

Ans. I know that William Wordsworth was a romantic poet. He
was born in the lake district of England. Thus he was also called
the Lake poet. He started new type of poetry called romantic
poetry. He was really a great poet.

Exercise 1.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

45
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Work in pairs and find out the meaning of the following words by using
dictionary. Read the poem carefully and write the contextual meanings
against each word. After completing Share your work with your
partner.

Words. Contextual Meanings

1. solitary. Single, only, alone
2. wretched. ruined
3. comrade. Friend or mate
4. wanton. Play, willful
5. tripping. Stumbling

Exercise 2.
Read the poem again and encircle the right option.
1. The poet chanced to see Lucy ____.
a. at the break of day. b. in the evening. c. in the afternoon. d. at
night.
2. Lucy's father asked Lucy to go to the town with a lantern to bring
her____.
a. aunt. b. sister. c. bother. d. mother
3. Lucy replied to her that she would _____ go to the down to take back
her mother.
a. gladly. b. sadly. c. unwilling. d. probably.
4. Lucy could not reach the town because _______.
a. it was late. b. she did not get any conveyance. c. her mother
reached home. d. she lost her way in storm.
5. The wooden bridge was at distance of _______ from Lucy's home.
a. a mile. b. a furlong. c. a kilometer. d. a few feet.
6. Lucy's parents became certain of her death when they saw _____.
a. her foot prints. b. her body. c. Her lantern. d. her shoes
7. Some people still believe that Lucy can be seen ______.
a. in mountains. b. in wind. c. in town. d. on bridge.
8. People believe Lucy can be seen doing these activities except _____.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

46
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
a. looking straight. b. singing songs. c. moving rapidly. d. talking to
people.

Exercise 3
Read the poem again and answer the following questions.

1. Where did Lucy live and what kind of child she was?
Ans. Lucy lived on wild moor. She was solitary child. She does
not have any friend or partner.

2. Where did Lucy's father send her and why?

Ans. Lucy's father sent Lucy to the town to bring her mother back.

3. What did Lucy mean when she said 'yonder is the moon'?
Ans. "Yonder is the moon' Lucy means to say that there is yet
enough time for the night to fall.

4. Why did Lucy take lantern with her?

Ans. Lucy had to go to the town to bring her mother back. She
took lantern with her in order to see the path in a stormy
weather. Because, the storm was also expected.

5. Do you think that the tragedy would have been prevented if Lucy's
father himself had gone down the town?
Ans. Lucy's father was experienced and aged person. He was
familiar with the tracks of the town. So, If he, instead of Lucy, had
gone down to the town, the tragedy would have been prevented.

6. What happened to Lucy while she was going to the town?

Ans. Lucy Gray's feet were slipped down and she wandered up
and down. It was an unexpected storm before the time. She lost
her way and fell from the hills. She tried to climb the hills but
could not reach the town.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

47
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
7. What efforts did Lucy's parents make in finding her?
Ans. Lucy's parents searched her far and wide. They shouted all
the night. After a long search, they succeeded to trace the her feet
on the bridge. The feet led them snowy path to the hawthorn hedge
of the bridge, where their daughter was slipped down and died.

8. What led the Lucy's parents to the bridge?

Ans. Lucy's footmarks led her parents to the bridge.

9. What do people still believe (maintain) about Lucy Gray and why?
Ans. Lucy had become immortal because after her death the
people began to believe that she was still a living child who could
be seen alone at the break of the day only those who had the deep
concern with natural beauty. She was seen by singing a solitary
song in the moor, walking rough and smooth and never looked
behind.

Exercise. 4
Work in pairs and give a critical appreciation of the poem based on the
following aspects. Once you have written compare your work with your
partner.

1. Poetic Diction.

2. Theme
Ans. Two of the main themes throughout Wordsworth’s poem
concern nature and the loss of a loved one. Lucy not only lives
away from society on the moors, but she also travels through the
wilderness. It is suggested that she enjoys nature because people
claim to hear her playfully whistling on her journey to town.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

48
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
3. Structure
Lucy Gray was written in 1799, appeared in the second edition of
the Lyrical Ballads, published in 1800. This is opposite to The
Abbot of Canterbury, which is traditional ballad. The ballad is
divided into 16 stanza, 64 lines. Each stanza has divided into four
lines (quatrain). The rhyming scheme is abab and so on. The ballad
is simple tragic story of a lonely girl.

4. Language.
The language in the poem "Lucy Gray" is plain and simple. Form
and language in their bare simplicity, contribute to the bleak tone
of the poem-the story of a simple tragedy in a cold bleak
countryside beneath the snow.

5. Message
In this poem the poet believes that Lucy Gray's soul becomes the
part of nature after her death. Her soul still haunts the hill and
sings a sweet song to guide the people in stormy nights.

Exercise 5
How should elders guide their children to save themselves from some
forcible dangers? Work in pairs and discuss about it.

Ans. Elders should totally focus on the environment of their

house. Firstly, they should create an environment safe from
abuses and odd words. They should not talk with one another
harshly and loudly in front of their children. Because, the children
always try to copy their elders. They act what they learn from
their parents.
Secondly, they should try to keep cooperative behavior with their
children. As the children can easily share problems with their
elders. In such way the parents will be able to know the problems
of their children. And in critical conditions, elders should help
them in every way.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

49
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Exercise 6
Work individually and explain with reference to the context the
following stanzas. Write down your work in the notebook and share it
with your class fellows after you have completed.

Line no. Lines.

1.
Oft I had heard ....... the solitary child.

Reference to Context:
Reference
These lines have been taken from the poem "Lucy Gray" written
by William Wordsworth.
Comtext
In this poem poet tells the story of a small girl who went to fetch
her mother from town. But she was lost in storm of snow. Her foot
prints went up to a stream, perhaps she was drown in it. Poet
believes that her soul still haunts the hill and sings a sweet song to
guide the people in stormy nights.
Explanation:
In these lines poet says that he had often heard about small girl
named Lucy Gray. One day when he was crossing the wild plain.
He happened to see her walking all alone.

2.
No mate, no comrade Lucy ....... beside a human door.
Reference to Context (same as above)

Explanation:

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

50
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
In these lines poet says that Lucy was alone for she had no
companion or friend. She lived with her parents on a vast plain she
was most beautiful child ever born on earth.

3.
You yet may spy ........ will never more be seen.
Reference to Context (same as above)

Explanation:
In these lines poet says that if you have seen fawn the young one of
dear jumping on the green lawn or if you have seen a hare
scampering on the ground with joy, you may know what real beauty
is. Fawn is still there, hare is still there but you would not be able to
see the beautiful and charming face of Lucy Gray any more.

4.
"Tonight will be ......... through the snow."
Reference to Context (same as above)

Explanation
In these lines poet tells that one afternoon Lucy's father told her
that he expected a snow storm that night he was worried about his
wife because she had not yet returned from the town. He therefore
asked her to take lantern and guide her mother back home.

5.
"That, father, will I gladly ...... yonder is the moon."
Reference
Context (same as above)

Explanation:
In these lines poet says that she replied to her father that she would
gladly under take that duty. It was still midday and the church clock

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

51
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
had struck two. So, she thought that there was enough time to go
on that journey. As the moon was visible, so she would go after
some time.

6.
At this the father ........ lantern in her hand.

Reference to context (same as above)

Explanation:
In these lines po tells that Lucy's father took his hook and began
to each off some branches of tree. He was doing his work when
Lucy took the lantern in his hand and went to the town.

7.
Not blither is the mountain ...….. rises up like smoke.
Reference to Context (same as above)

Explanation:
In these lines poet says that Lucy began to walk quickly in the
manner of a mountain deer. As she walked play fully on the snow it
was scattered by her bursting feet and rose like the smoke from
chimney

8
The storm came on ........... reached the town.
Reference to Context (same as above)

Explanation
In these lines poet tells that the storm came much before the
expected time. Poor Lucy roamed about and lost her way. She
climbed up and down many mountains, but she could never reach
the town.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

52
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
 9
The wretched parents ......... serve them for a guide.
Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem "Lucy Gray" written
by William Wordsworth.
Context
In this poem poet tells the story of a small girl who went to fetch her
mother from town. But she was lost in storm of snow. Her foot
prints
went up to a stream, perhaps she was drowning in it. Poet believes
that
her soul still haunts the hill and sings a sweet song to guide the
people in stormy nights.
Explanation:
In these lines poet tells that the parents of Lucy were much
worried, when she did not return home. They went out shouting
everywhere all that night in search of Lucy. But their efforts bore
no fruit and they could not find their daughter.

10
At daybreak on ........ furlong from their door.
Reference to Context. (Same)

Explanation:
In these lines poet tells that her parents searched for her all the
night. On the following day they climbed up a hill. They went on its
top and looked down the plain below. From there they saw a
wooden bridge a furlong from their home. They guessed that the
girl might have been lost there.

11
They wept-and, turning ......... Of Lucy's feet.
Reference to context. (Same)

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

53
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Explanation:
In these lines poet tells that when they did not find their daughter,
they wept bitterly and returned home. They thought that they could
no longer find their daughter and that they would meet her in
paradise. As they were going back her mother found traces of her
feet in snow.

12
Then down words ........ long stone-wall:
Reference to context (same)

Explanation:
In these lines poet tells that then the parents of Lucy traced their
daughter's foot prints from the slope of the hill to its extreme
end. They search for her even by the long wall of stone and the
broken hedge of hawthorn in the hope of finding her dead body.

13
And then an open ........ they came.
Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem "Lucy Gray" written
by William Wordsworth.
Context
In this poem poet tells the story of a small girl who went to fetch
her mother from town. But she was lost in storm of snow. Her foot
prints went up to a stream, perhaps she drowns in it. Poet believes
that her soul still haunts the hill and sings a sweet song to guide the
people in stormy nights.
Explanation:
In these lines poet says that then the parents of Lucy crossed an
open field. Even now her foot prints could be seen in the same
position they traced the marks towards and came to the bridge.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

54
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Exercise 7
Work in groups of three. Compose your own poem on the theme of 'Self
Awareness', using elements of poetry based on three stanzas. Each
member of the group should compose 1 stanza. Once your group has
composed the poem, exchange it with other groups. (Self Work)

Poem 6. THE ABBOT OF CANTERBURY.

Pre Reading.
"That a fool he may learn a wise man wit."
Predict the theme of the after reading the line.
Ans. I think, the theme of the poem would be that the wisdom is
not the legacy of any particular faction of the people. It is for the
people who try to get it.

Exercise 1.
Column A has words from the poem; underline these words in the poem.
Column B has the contextual meanings of these words, but they are
jumbled up. Work in pairs. Try and match the appropriate meaning of
each word, and write your answer in Column C. Share your work with
your partner after you have completed.

Words. Meanings
1. ancient. primitive (F)
2. merry. happy (H)
3. anon. soon (A)
4. renown. fame (J)
5. fold. enclosure (I)
6. gallant. brave (G)
7. jest. joke (E)

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

55
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
8. pardon. forgiveness (D)
9. liegeman nobleman (B)
10. devise. plan (C)

Exercise 2.
Read the poem again and encircle the right option.
1. The ballad "The Abbot of Canterbury' is narrated in _____ person.
a. first. b. second. c. third. d. first and third

2. The poet says to the reader that he is going to tell a ____ story.
a. sad. b. funny. c. terrible. d. folk

3. King John was jealous of Abbot's housekeeping and high

______. a. character. b. respect. c. business. d. renown

4. King John feared that the Abbot was working against his ____
a. people. b. Policies. c. crown. d. ministers

5. King John told the Abbot if he did not answer his three questions he
would be _____.
a. beheaded. b. poisoned. c. banished. d. fined.

6. After listening to the King's questions, the Abbot rode to ______

universities.
a. Oxford and California. b. Oxford and Canterbury. c. Oxford and
Campbell. d. Oxford and Cambridge.

7. The Abbot requested the king to give him ____ week's apace.
a. three. b. four. c. five. d. six

8. While going back to his hometown, the Abbot met a ____.

a. farmer. b. friend. c. neighbor. d. shepherd.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

56
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
9. The shepherd demanded Abbot's ______ to answer king's questions.
a. lands. b. house. c. horse and dress. d. wealth.

Exercise 3.
Work in pairs and read the lines given below carefully. Write down the
number of the stanza against each statement in which the given
information appears.

No Statement. Stanzas

1. Abbot is a very rich person. (03 "12")

2. Abbot seems satisfied in the court. (05 "20")

3. Questions are very difficult to answer. (09 "36")

4 Abbot tries to find out the answers. (11 "44")

5. Abbot is sure to have his punishment. (12 "48")

6. The king rewards the shepherd. (25. "104")

Exercise 4
Read the poem again and answer the following questions.

1. What was the dispute between the King and the Abbot?
Ans. The dispute between the two, the king and the Abbot, was
about the wealthy and luxurious life style. When the king heard
about the renowned life of the Abbot, he started to envy him and his
wealth. He thought, though he was the King, yet he did not live as
luxuriously as the Abbot live. So that he brought the Abbot in trial
for his luxurious life.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

57
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
2. What efforts did the Abbot make in order to save himself?
Ans. The Abbot paid visit to the scholars and doctors of Oxford
and Cambridge universities.

3. What were the questions that the King asked?

Ans. The king asked the following three questions.
1. What was the price of king?
2. How long would he take time to travel the world?
3. What was he thinking at that time?

4. What was the shepherd's answer to the first question of the King?
Ans. The shepherd's answer to the first question of the king was that
the price of the king would be 29 pens. Because, the Christ was sold in
30 pens, so the king would be sold one penny lesser that the price
of the Christ.

5. What was the shepherd's answer to the second question of the King?
Ans. The shepherd's answer to second question of the king was
that he could travel the world in a day. Because, if he would start
to walk early in the morning, he would surely return in the
evening. So, there are 24 hours in a day. Thus he could travel the
world as much as he could travel in 24 hours.

6. What was the shepherd's answer to the third question of the King?
Ans. The shepherd's answer to the third question was very funny.
He told the king that he was thinking him Abbot, but he was his
poor shepherd. And he begged pardon for shepherd.

7. How did the king express his emotions after being answered his all
questions?
Ans. The king became so happy. He laughed loudly and swore
by mass. Happily, he offered the post of Abbot to the
shepherd.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

58
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
8. Why did the shepherd not accept king's offer?
Ans. The shepherd did not accept king's offer because he was
an uneducated. So he requested the King not to give him any
high position which did not fit to his qualification.

9. How was the Abbot benefited by his shepherd's bold answers?

Ans. The Abbot's life was saved by his shepherd's bold answers. It
was settled between the king and the Abbot that the Abbot would be
beheaded if he could not answer the three questions. The shepherd
gave and got pardon for his master Abbot.

10. What is the main idea of this ballad?

Ans. The Abbot of Canterbury' is an interesting poem and the
main idea behind it is that it urges the readers not to judge the
people and their wisdom on the ground of the appearance and
profession. Education is not the legacy of any university or other
institute. It can be gained from everywhere and by everyone in the
world. So one should try to learn from everywhere.

Exercise 5
Discuss the poem 'The Abbot of Canterbury' as a ballad? Note down
your answer in the notebook. Once you have written, compare it with
your partner.
Ans. The poem The Abbot of Canterbury, included in our book, is a
ballad. Ballads have crude language because fine writing would not
be suitable for the telling of this straightforward and amusing folk
story. King John ruled England from 1199 to 1219, was a very
unpleasant man and a thoroughly bad kind. It is a ballad of
unknown telling an ancient story consisting of 100 lines of regular
rhythm.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

59
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Exercise 6
'The Abbot of Canterbury' is an interesting poem that urges the readers
not to judge the people and their wisdom on the ground of the
appearance and profession.

Work in groups of three. Compose your own poem on the similar

theme, using elements of poetry based on three stanzas. Each member
of group should compose 1 stanza. After your group has composed the
poem, share it with other groups. (Self Practice)

Exercise 7
Work in groups of three to enact the given story by playing different
roles. Each group should rehearsal at least two times in the class. (Class
Work)

Exercise 8
Work individually and explain the following lines. Write down your
work in the notebook and share it with your class fellows after you have
completed
Line no. Lines.
1_4.
An ancient story ........ maintained little right.
Explanation:
(These lines have been taken from the poem "The Abbot
of Canterbury''.)
In these lines the poet starts with these words that he then wants
to tell the story about King John. He ruled England by sheer
force. He was responsible for doing much that was wrong, very
little that was right.
5-8
And I'll tell you a story .......... fair London town.
Explanation:

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

60
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
In these lines poet says that he tells us a very funny story about
Abbot of Canterbury. The king heard about his great reputation
and wealth. His officials brought him with great speed to London.
9-12
An hundred men ........ waited the Abbot about.
Explanation:
In these lines, the poet says that the king heard that the Abbot
entertained a hundred man every day and the fifty servant dressed
in the velvet and golden chains waited up on him.
13-16
'How now, father Abbot? ........ against my crown."
Explanation:
In these lines, the poet says that the king said to Abbot that he
had heard that he lived even more magnificently than himself.
He suspected that in order to win such reputation, he might be
wrong treason against him.
17-20
'My liege', quoth the abbot ....... true-gotten gear'.
Explanation
In these lines poet says that the Bishop replied that he had always
spend only what belonged to him. He had always spent only what
belonged to him. He hoped that his Majesty would not punish him
for speaking his honestly earned wealth.
21-24
'Yes, yes, father abbot ......... smitten from thy body.
Explanation.
In these lines poet says that king said to the Abbot that he had
committed a great crime and he deserved to die for it. If he would
not reply his three questions he would be beheaded.
25-28
'And first,' quoth the king ........ penny what I am worth.
Explanation

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

61
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
In these lines poet says that first of all he must tell him (king) to
a penny what he is worth when sits among his noble subjects
there with his precious crown on his head.
29-32
'Secondly,' tell me, ...... what I do think.
Explanation
In these lines poet says that the king put second question before
Abbot and asked that what time he would require riding round
the earth. The third question paced by king before him was that
what he was thinking at the time.
33-36
'O, these are hard questions ........ answer your grace.'
Explanation
In these lines poet says that in response to three questions of king
the Abbot replied that those were difficult question for a man of
poor intelligence like him. He could not want to answer at the
moment. So he would be given time of three weeks to answer.
37-40
Now three weeks' space to ..... forfeit to me.
Explanation.
In these lines poet says that king asked that he gave him three
weeks period. But it might be longest time that he lived, because if
he failed to reply the questions at the end of that period. He would
die and possessions would be confiscated.
41-44
Away rode the abbot ...... an answer devise.
Explanation
In these lines poet says that the Abbot was sad and worried about
the threats of the king and went away to find the answers of
questions. He met many wise men at Cambridge and Oxford, but
could not get answers from those learned men.
45-48
Then home rode ....... good King John.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

62
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Explanation.
In these lines poet says that at last Abbot rode back home without
finding any consolation. On the way he met his shepherd going to
fold. He welcomed Bishop back home and asked him the news
about the king.

49-52
Sad news, sad news ....... from my body.
Explanation:
In these lines poet says that when Abbot returned home, he told his
shepherd that he was much grieved to tell him that he had only
three days to live. Reason was that if he could not answer King's
three questions with in three days he would be beheaded.
53-56
The first is to tell him there ....... he is worth.
Explanation
In these lines poet says that Abbot tells the shepherd about three
question of King which he had to answer. The first was that he had
to tell the worth of king when he was sitting on his throne with his
crown of gold on head and among his noble courtiers.
57-60
The second, to tell him, ...... he does think.
Explanation:
In these lines Bishop tells the shepherd about the second and third
question put before him by king john. The second question was
that in what period of time he would go round the world. The
third question was that he might tell him unhesitatingly what he
was thinking at that moment.
61-64
Now cheer up, sir abbot! ....... answer your quarrel.
Explanation.
In these lines shepherd asks Abbot to be happy and says that had he
never heard that even sometimes a fool may teach a wise man some

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

63
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
wisdom. Therefore, he requested the Abbot to lend him his horse,
his servants and his official dress and to allow him to go London in
his place to answer King's questions.
65-68
Nay, frown not, if it hath ........ fair London town.
Explanation:
In these lines shepherd requests the Abbot that he might not doubt
his ability. He also asked him not to feel angry with because as
people told that he resembled with him very closely. If he would
only lend him his gown, he would look exactly like him and nobody
in the good city of London would recognize him that he was not
Abbot of Canterbury.
59-72
Now horses and serving-men ...... our father the Pope.
Explanation:
In these lines poet says that Bishop agreed with shepherd's
suggestion. And told him that he would give him his horses and
servants in their proper uniform. These brave and courageous men
would serve him as attendants. The Bishop also promised him to
give him his Crozier, miter, rochet and cope so that he might look
exactly like true Abbot even before the Pope.
73-76
Now welcome, sir abbot ...saved shall be.
Explanation:
In these lines poet says that when shepherd reached in the court of
King John in guise of Abbot no one recognized him. The king
welcomed him as Sir Abbot. He appreciated his coming on the
appointed day. King reminded him once again that his life would be
spared and his property would be saved in case he was able to
answer his three questions.
77-80
And first, when thou seest ..... what I am worth.
Explanation:

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

64
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
In these lines poet says that the first questions which king put to
shepherd was that he might tell him what was his worthwhile he was
sitting on his thrown among the courtiers of a noble birth and
wearing the crown made of gold. King asked him to answer clearly,
because he wanted to know his exact worth.
81-84
For thirty pence our Saviour ....... penny worse than He.
Explanation:
In these lines poet says that shepherd told the king that he had
heard that Jesus the Christ was sold among the false Jews only for
thirty pence. So, his worth is twenty nine pence. Because he might
be one penny lesser than the prophet of God.
85-88
The king he laughed, and ........ whole world about.
Explanation
In these lines poet says that king laughed at the reply of shepherd.
Then swearing by saint Bittel he said that he had never thought that
he was worth so little. After its king John put his second question by
asking that he should let him know how long it would take him to
ride round the world.
89-92
You must rise with the sun ....... you ride it about.
Explanation:
In these lines poet has described the answer of the second question
of the king John. Shepherd told the king that he should rise with sun
and travel with its speed till it rises again in the next morning. In
this way king would be able to travel round the whole world within
twenty-four hours.
93-96
The king he laughed, and swore...... what I do think
Explanation:
In these lines poet says that when king heard the answer of shepherd
to his second question he again laughed and swearing by Saint John

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

65
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
said that he had never thought that he could travel round the whole
world in such a short time. Now he put his third question and asked
the shepherd to tell him truly without any king of hesitation that
what he was thinking about at that time.
97-100
Yes, that shall I do, and ...... pardon for him and for me.
Explanation:
In these lines poet says that in response to king John's third
question shepherd told him that he would certainly give him a
proper answer which would also prove pleasant for him. He told the
king that perhaps he was thinking that Abbot himself was in his
presence. But actually, it was only poor shepherd of his who was
talking to him in the uniform of the Abbot. The shepherd begged his
pardon for himself and for the Abbot of Canterbury.
101-104
The king he laughed ...... write nor read."
Explanation:
In these lines poet says that on hearing shepherd's reply to third
question the king laughed once again and said to the shepherd that
he wanted to appoint him as Abbot of Canterbury in place of his
master. But shepherd requested him that he should not take such
decision in a hurry. Because he does not know reading and writing.
105-108
Four nobles a week, then,....... from good King John.
Explanation:
In these lines poet says that when shepherd did not accept the post
of Abbot for himself then king announced a pension of four nobles a
week for him as a reward for his merry jest. He also announced a
pardon for old Abbot and asked shepherd to convey that happy
news to his master the Abbot of Canterbury, from good King John
when he returned back home.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

66
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Poem 7. Selections from Sur Khahori
Pre Reading.
1. Read the words given in the diagram and guess the theme of
the poem.
2. Write the theme in the centre of the diagram.
Ans. Asceticism.

Exercise 1.
Work in pairs and find out the meaning of the following words by using
dictionary. Read the poem carefully and write the contextual meanings
against each word. After completing Share your work with your
partner.

No. Words Contextual Meaning

1. traversed. Travelled across

2. ascetics. Self-denying
3. ridge. A long narrow hill top.
4. desolation. Barren
5. grieving. Mourning, lamenting
6. highland. Mountainous land
7. Rambling. Long winded
8. Flicker. Shine unsteadily.

Exercise 2
Read the poem again and encircle the correct option.

1. Khahoris trouble their bodies to attain their ____.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

67
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
a. goal. b. class. c. earnings d. destination

2. Khahoris face severe ____ while achieving their

goals. a. criticism. b. conditions. c. hardships. d. all of
them

3. Khahoris never take their ____ when they have goals.

a. property. b. care. c. followers d. none.

4. "Khahoris' faces are dry, on their feet are slippers old and torn"
shows the _____.
a. struggle
b. emotion
e.
hardships
d. pleasure

5. Khahoris recognition is like _____.

a. caravan in desert
b. raft in ocean
c. guide in mountains
d. safety in jingle

6. Khahoris can be found even where there is no trace of:

a. human beings
b. animals
c. birds d.
cattle

7. In fourth stanza, the word 'save' is used in sense of ______.

a. safety
b. preservation
c. together
d. except

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

68
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262
69
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
8. True seekers can only be known to those who are for _______.
a. jungle dwelling
b. deserted abodes
c. mountain peaks
d. spiritual realm

Exercise 3
Work in pairs and read the above selection again: Comprehend it
thoroughly and paraphrase it in simple words. After you have
completed, share with your partner.

Ans. (Paraphrase)
In the above selected verses, the poet says.
A daughter tells her mother that she saw those who have seen the
one whom we urgently need. She further says that she must stay a
night with them as she gain spiritual power because they are the
real guide to take to the God; Who is with them.

They are called Khahoris means ascetics. They travelled early in the
morning to the mountains to search the medicines. They give much
pain to their bodies in order to achieve the goal, as to them is the
best way to achieve the purpose.

They never take care while travelling. They went with unwashed
face and bare footed. They go there, where the most elevated have
not access to reach. They go secretly, to talk secretly, with whom
who listen them secretly.

They lit fire there where a bird can't reach.

They will not be misplaced in jungle; they never forget the

general path. They have given both worlds but they are full of
knowledge.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

70
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Kahoris are still present among us. Those can find them who want
to follow the spiritual path. When they found them they make
their home close to them.

Exercise 4
Read the selection again and answer the following questions:

1. How is Khahori's character depicted by the poet?

Ans. Khahoris character is depicted according to their struggle.
They have an ascetic character. They try to achieve that character
by adopting many self-denying activities. After a long period of
struggle, they succeed to achieve the spirit.

2. How do the Khahoris experience sleep?

Ans. If one night, we will sleep in the company of Khahoris, we
will definitely achieve the spiritual power, because with them is
the Lord of the world.

3. Where and why do Khahori's spend their days and nights?

Ans. Khahoris spend their days and night mostly on the
mountainous places. They spend their day and night in order to
give pain to their bodies. They use the philosophy of gaining
spiritual power by giving pain to their external mass of the body.

4. What does the poet want to say when he says "Where not a trace of
birds is seen, fire is lit"?
Ans. The poet here wants to tell the reader about the spiritual
power of Khahoris. They have spiritual access that's why they can
go there where no one can go easily. They reach there before the
birds and make that place brighten.

5. What reward does a Khahori get after his hard work?

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

71
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Ans. A Khahori gets spiritual power after his hard work.

6. Sur Khahori is the narration of Khahori's struggle. Elaborate.

Ans. Sur Khahori is one of 30 Surs of Shah Latif's poetry. In this
Sur, Latif defines a Khahori and his struggle of satisfying his life.
Khahori always tries to remain in search of spiritual power. He
wants to make his soul permanent by giving up the desires of the
world. In order to pious search, he sacrifices his worldly pleasures
for the sake of his soul. He also gives pain to his body as though he
can achieve the internal happiness.

7. Which poetic devices have been used in this poetry? Write with the
examples.
Ans. The following poetical devices have been used in this poetry.
1. Metaphor.
Examples. Their recognition becomes a raft in this ocean of the world.
2. Hyperbole.
Example.
Those who gave up both the worlds.
3. Alliteration.
Example. Those on high way we're way land.
4. Irony.
Example. Where not a trace of birds is seen.

8. How do you express your emotions on the struggle of your friend or

a family member?
Ans. I always become emotional when I see the struggle of the
Carvans of Arbaeen. They travel the distance of Najaf and
Karbala by walk. Their journey is spiritual. They also give pain to
their body in order to gain the spiritual power.

Exercise 5

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

72
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Work in groups of three. Compose your own poem on the theme of
Search of Reality, using elements of poetry based on three stanzas.
Each member of group should compose I stanza. Once your group has
composed the poem, exchange it with other groups. (Self Work)

Exercise 6.
Work individually and write the central idea of the lines of Sur
Khahori in your notebook. Once you have completed, exchange your
work with your class fellows.
Ans. The central idea of the lines of Sur Khahori is that a man
should not give up his efforts while walking on the path of truthful
people. They should select the difficult path. As much as they bear
hardships, they will reach hastily to their destination. After
toughness and difficulty, one can achieve a very high and strong
destination, which can't be shattered in future in any case.

Exercise 7.
Work in pairs and give a critical appreciation of the poem based on the
following aspects. Compare your work with your partner.

1. Poetic Diction.
The diction used in the poetry is not difficult. The figurative
diction is used. It furthers beautifies the poems.

2. Them
e Ans.
There are two main themes in the poem which are 1. Ascetics and
2. Their Struggle to gain the Spiritualism. Kahoris are ascetics
here, they select the path of difficulties to reach the spirituality.

3. Structure
The selections are mostly dived into three lines (Tercet) except a
couplet (two line). The couplet has a rhyming scheme, while all other

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

73
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
verses are in free verse. The selection is from a Sur of Shah
Latif's poetry.

4. Language
The language used in the poem is elevated. It directly transfers from
this world to the spiritual world. Some peculiar words are also used
as 'khahori' is itself a struggle related word. Very selective and far
fetched words are used. All in all, Latif has used the language fit to
the poetry.

5. Message
The message of the lines of Sur Khahori is that a man should not
give up his efforts while walking on the path of truthful people.
They should select the difficult path. As much as they bear
hardships, they will reach hastily to their destination. After
toughness and difficulty, one can achieve a very high and strong
destination, which can't be shattered in future in any case.

Exercise 8
Work individually and identify the poetic devices in the poem. Make a
list of them and use them in your sentences. Share your work with your
class fellows after you have completed.
Ans. The following poetical devices have been used in this poetry.
1. Metaphor.
Examples. Their recognition becomes a raft in this ocean of the
world.
2. Hyperbole.
Example.
Those who gave up both the worlds.
3. Alliteration.
Example. Those on high way we're way land.
4. Irony.
Example. Where not a trace of birds is seen.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

74
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
Exercise 9.
Work individually and explain the following lines. Write down
your work in the notebook and share it with your class fellows
once you have completed.

1-3
Mother! I saw those, ........ raft in this ocean of the world.
Explanation.
These lines are from Sur Khahori of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. In
these lines, the poet, through a girl, tells the approach of Khahoris.
She tells her mother that she saw the people who are close to the
creator. She desires to remain a night in the company of these
people. They are like a raft in the ocean, which can save one's life.
She also wants to save her life and is sure that the wanderer are the
people who can save her by guiding the true path.

4-6.
Khahoris prepared ......... they sought their goal.
Explanation.
In these lines, the poet tells more about the struggle of Khahoris.
Khahoris start their search of spiritual power from early in the
morning. They travel to the mountains and give pains to their
bodies. They are in view to be spiritually more and more strong.
For achieving such strength they try to spend a difficult life. They
prefer thorny path to the smooth one.

7-9.
Their faces are dry ........ talk secrets of that far off land.
Explanation
In these lines the poet tells that Khahoris do not care about their
outward personalities. They never wash their faces properly, they
never put a good slipper in their feet. They travelled that place where
all people can't go. They build inner personality, in which they

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

75
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna
create secret language that helps them to communicate with
their God.

10-11.
Where not a trace .......... ascetics can kindle it.
Explanation
In these lines, the poet tells that Khahoris try to go and spread
knowledge there where even a bird can't go. They never fear to the
hardships of life. They try to make the world bright everywhere.

12-14.
Those who went to jungle .....…. ignorance saved.
Explanation
In these lines, the poet says that a Khahoris go to jungle. If one want
to get spiritual awareness, one should move towards there. They
prefer to go there in order to root out ignorance from the jungle.
They have quitted the both world for the sake spiritual power. They
are the sole to mitigate ignorance.

15-17
True seekers still ........ built their nests close to them.
Explanation
These last lines are for the true seekers other than Khahoris. The poet
says that if they want to search the truth, they should come close to
their houses. From their houses they can search the spiritual realm.

Sir Shafique Ahmed Channa 0300-9372262

76
www.youtube.com/c/ShafiqueAhmedChanna