Stanza
1
I
remember, I remember,
The
house where I was born,
The
little window where the sun
Came
peeping in at morn;
He
never came a wink too soon,
Nor
brought too long a day,
But
now, I often wish the night
Had
borne my breath away!
A.
Difficult Words & Meanings
1.
Peeping – looking in shyly or playfully.
2.
Morn – morning.
3.
Wink – brief closing of the eye; here, refers to a moment.
4.
Borne – carried or taken away.
5.
Breath away – life taken away; death.
B.
Poetic Devices
1.
Repetition – “I remember, I remember.”
2.
Personification – “The sun came peeping in.”
3.
Alliteration – “wink too soon,” “borne my breath.”
4.
Imagery – “little window where the sun came peeping.”
5.
Contrast – happy childhood vs. sorrowful adulthood.
Summary:
The
speaker recalls the house of his birth and the bright, cheerful mornings when
sunlight used to “peep” through his window. He remembers those days as
perfectly timed — neither too short nor too long — suggesting that life once
felt balanced and harmonious. But in the final couplet, he contrasts that happy
memory with a painful present, expressing a wish that he had died in his sleep
(“the night had borne my breath away”), revealing deep sorrow and
disillusionment in adulthood.
Analysis:
Tone
shift: Begins with joyful nostalgia but ends in melancholy.
Imagery:
“Peeping” and “wink” evoke the innocence and playfulness of childhood
perception.
Theme:
The carefree, innocent world of childhood contrasts sharply with the burdens of
adult awareness.
Emotion:
The stanza ends with despair, showing how painful it is to look back on a
happiness that cannot return.
Stanza
2
I
remember, I remember,
The
roses, red and white,
The
vi’lets, and the lily-cups,
Those
flowers made of light!
The
lilacs where the robin built,
And
where my brother set
The
laburnum on his birthday,—
The
tree is living yet!
A.
Difficult Words & Meanings
1.
Vi’lets – violets (small purple flowers).
2.
Lily-cups – cup-shaped white lilies.
3.
Laburnum – tree with hanging clusters of yellow flowers.
4.
Robin – a small bird with a red breast.
5.
Set – planted.
B.
Poetic Devices
1.
Imagery – “roses, red and white,” “flowers made of light.”
2.
Metaphor – “flowers made of light.”
3.
Symbolism – laburnum = lasting memory or life.
4.
Alliteration – “brother’s birthday.”
5.
Repetition – “I remember, I remember.”
Summary:
The
speaker recalls the beautiful flowers and garden of his childhood — full of
color, fragrance, and life. He remembers the lilacs where birds nested and the
laburnum tree his brother planted, which still survives, even as the joy of
youth does not.
Analysis:
Imagery:
The stanza bursts with sensory beauty — sight (“roses, red and white”), light,
and life. “Flowers made of light” metaphorically expresses the radiant
perfection of memory.
Symbolism:
The laburnum tree represents both the continuity of nature and the passage of
time; it “lives” while the childhood it witnessed is gone.
Emotional
tone: Warm and affectionate, but shadowed by wistfulness — the living tree
contrasts with the speaker’s lost innocence.
Theme:
Memory preserves beauty even when time and age have taken it away.
Stanza
3
I
remember, I remember,
Where
I was used to swing,
And
thought the air must rush as fresh
To
swallows on the wing;
My
spirit flew in feathers then,
That
is so heavy now,
And
summer pools could hardly cool
The
fever on my brow!
A.
Difficult Words & Meanings
1.
Swallows – small birds known for swift flight.
2.
On the wing – in flight.
3.
Spirit – soul or inner feeling.
4.
Flew in feathers – felt light and carefree.
5.
Fever – restlessness or mental distress.
6.
Brow – forehead.
B.
Poetic Devices
1.
Metaphor – “My spirit flew in feathers.”
2.
Imagery – “summer pools,” “air must rush as fresh.”
3.
Alliteration – “fever on my brow.”
4.
Contrast – child’s lightness vs. adult heaviness.
5.
Symbolism – swing = freedom; fever = worry or sorrow.
Summary:
The
poet remembers playing on a swing and imagining that he shared the same freedom
as birds in flight. Back then, his spirit felt light and carefree — “flew in
feathers.” Now, however, life feels heavy, and even the refreshing pools of
summer cannot relieve the “fever” of weariness and discontent that adulthood
brings.
Analysis:
Contrast:
The child’s airy lightness versus the adult’s burdened heaviness.
Metaphor:
“My spirit flew in feathers” suggests buoyant joy and innocence, while “fever
on my brow” implies restlessness, anxiety, and the loss of peace.
Mood:
The stanza vividly expresses the emotional transition from untroubled youth to
painful maturity.
Theme:
The joy of imagination and play has been replaced by the physical and emotional
fatigue of adult life.
Stanza
4
I
remember, I remember,
The
fir trees dark and high;
I
used to think their slender tops
Were
close against the sky:
It
was a childish ignorance,
But
now ’tis little joy
To
know I’m farther off from heav’n
Than
when I was a boy.
A.
Difficult Words & Meanings
1.
Fir trees – tall evergreen trees.
2.
Slender tops – thin upper parts of the trees.
3.
Childish ignorance – innocent misunderstanding.
4.
’Tis – it is.
5.
Farther off from heav’n – distant from purity or spiritual joy.
B.
Poetic Devices
1.
Irony – knowledge gives no joy.
2.
Imagery – “fir trees dark and high.”
3.
Symbolism – heaven = innocence/purity.
4.
Alliteration – “fir… farther,” “slender… sky.”
5.
Repetition – “I remember, I remember.”
Summary:
The
poet recalls his childhood belief that the tall fir trees touched the sky — a
sweet misconception born of innocence and wonder. Now, though he “knows
better,” the adult speaker feels no happiness in such knowledge. In fact, he
feels farther from “heaven,” symbolizing both spiritual peace and the purity of
youth.
Analysis:
Symbolism:
“Fir
trees” = aspirations and wonder.
“Heaven”
= purity, innocence, and spiritual nearness to God.
Irony:
Knowledge brings no joy; wisdom has distanced him from the divine simplicity of
childhood faith.
Tone:
Reflective, regretful, even mournful — the poem ends in quiet despair.
Theme:
The enlightenment of adulthood is tinged with spiritual loss; knowing more
makes one feel less whole.
Overall
Themes and Meaning
Nostalgia
& Innocence:
The poem celebrates childhood as a time of purity, imagination, and harmony
with nature.
Loss
& Disillusionment: With age comes awareness, sorrow, and a feeling of
distance from both nature and spiritual happiness.
Nature
as Memory:
Natural imagery — sun, flowers, air, trees — evokes how memory immortalizes the
beauty of the past.
Contrast
of Time:
Each stanza begins in the joy of recollection and ends in the pain of
realization — the pattern mirrors life itself: joy followed by loss.
Questions
& answers
Stanza
1 — MCQS (A)
1.
The poem opens with the repetition of which phrase?
a)
I dream, I dream
b)
I wonder, I wonder
c)
I remember, I remember
d)
I wish, I wish
→
Answer: c) I remember, I remember
2.
What is the tone at the beginning of the poem?
a)
Cheerful and nostalgic
b)
Angry and bitter
c)
Proud and boastful
d)
Indifferent
→
Answer: a) Cheerful and nostalgic
3.
“The little window where the sun came peeping in” creates what image?
a)
Harsh sunlight
b)
Warm and gentle morning light
c)
Darkness and gloom
d)
Cold winter day
→
Answer: b) Warm and gentle morning light
4.
What does “He never came a wink too soon” refer to?
a)
The punctual sunrise
b)
The poet’s father
c)
The moon
d)
A friend’s visit
→
Answer: a) The punctual sunrise
5.
What is the poet’s mood in the last two lines?
a)
Joyful
b)
Regretful and weary
c)
Angry
d)
Hopeful
→
Answer: b) Regretful and weary
6.
Which figure of speech is used in “He never came a wink too soon”?
a)
Simile
b)
Alliteration
c)
Hyperbole
d)
Personification
→
Answer: d) Personification
7.
The contrast in the stanza is between—
a)
Life and death
b)
Childhood joy and adult sorrow
c)
Night and day
d)
Dream and reality
→
Answer: b) Childhood joy and adult sorrow
8.
The word “borne” means—
a)
Carried or taken away
b)
Born again
c)
Hidden
d)
Decorated
→
Answer: a) Carried or taken away
9.
“Had borne my breath away” suggests—
a)
The poet’s wish for death
b)
Astonishment
c)
Running fast
d)
Heavy breathing
→
Answer: a) The poet’s wish for death
10.
The stanza ends with a tone of—
a)
Triumph
b)
Despair
c)
Anger
d)
Curiosity
→
Answer: b) Despair
Stanza
2 — MCQS
1.
What colours of roses are mentioned?
a)
Yellow and pink
b)
Red and white
c)
Blue and purple
d)
Orange and red
→
Answer: b) Red and white
2.
Which of the following flowers is NOT mentioned?
a)
Violet
b)
Lily-cup
c)
Laburnum
d)
Jasmine
→
Answer: d) Jasmine
3.
“Flowers made of light” refers to—
a)
Artificial flowers
b)
Bright, glowing natural flowers
c)
Fireworks
d)
Lamps
→
Answer: b) Bright, glowing natural flowers
4.
Who built a nest among the lilacs?
a)
A sparrow
b)
A robin
c)
A dove
d)
A lark
→
Answer: b) A robin
5.
What did the poet’s brother plant?
a)
A rose bush
b)
A laburnum tree
c)
A fir tree
d)
A lilac shrub
→
Answer: b) A laburnum tree
6.
The tree is said to be—
a)
Dying
b)
Still living
c)
Cut down
d)
Blooming in winter
→
Answer: b) Still living
7.
“Flowers made of light” is an example of—
a)
Personification
b)
Metaphor
c)
Simile
d)
Irony
→
Answer: b) Metaphor
8.
What feeling dominates this stanza?
a)
Nostalgia and affection
b)
Fear and anger
c)
Confusion
d)
Indifference
→
Answer: a) Nostalgia and affection
9.
What does the laburnum symbolize?
a)
The continuity of memory and life
b)
The fragility of youth
c)
The sadness of loss
d)
The cruelty of time
→
Answer: a) The continuity of memory and life
10.
Which sense is most appealed to in this stanza?
a)
Hearing
b)
Sight
c)
Taste
d)
Smell
→
Answer: b) Sight
Stanza
3 — MCQS
1.
What childhood activity is described?
a)
Swinging
b)
Fishing
c)
Running
d)
Flying kites
→
Answer: a) Swinging
2.
The poet compared the fresh air to that felt by—
a)
The wind
b)
Swallows in flight
c)
Clouds
d)
Angels
→
Answer: b) Swallows in flight
3.
“My spirit flew in feathers then” means—
a)
The poet was wearing feathers
b)
He felt light-hearted and free
c)
He wanted to be a bird
d)
He was painting birds
→
Answer: b) He felt light-hearted and free
4.
“That is so heavy now” shows—
a)
The poet is tired physically
b)
His spirit is burdened by sorrow
c)
His pockets are full
d)
He has become lazy
→
Answer: b) His spirit is burdened by sorrow
5.
What does “summer pools could hardly cool the fever” imply?
a)
Physical illness
b)
Emotional unrest
c)
Sunstroke
d)
Cold water baths
→
Answer: b) Emotional unrest
6.
Which bird is used for comparison?
a)
Swallow
b)
Sparrow
c)
Robin
d)
Crow
→
Answer: a) Swallow
7.
“My spirit flew in feathers” is an example of—
a)
Simile
b)
Metaphor
c)
Hyperbole
d)
Alliteration
→
Answer: b) Metaphor
8.
The dominant contrast in this stanza is between—
a)
Youth and age
b)
Life and death
c)
Love and hate
d)
Night and day
→
Answer: a) Youth and age
9.
What does the “swing” symbolize?
a)
The circle of life
b)
The carefree movement of childhood
c)
The boredom of routine
d)
The balance of nature
→
Answer: b) The carefree movement of childhood
10.
The general tone of the stanza is—
a)
Joyful remembrance turning to sadness
b)
Anger and frustration
c)
Calm indifference
d)
Complete joy
→
Answer: a) Joyful remembrance turning to sadness
Stanza
4 — MCQS
1.
What kind of trees are mentioned?
a)
Fir trees
b)
Mango trees
c)
Oak trees
d)
Pine trees
→
Answer: a) Fir trees
2.
What did the poet once think about their tops?
a)
They touched the sky
b)
They fell to the ground
c)
They were short
d)
They were cut down
→
Answer: a) They touched the sky
3.
What does the poet call this belief?
a)
Childish ignorance
b)
Childish mischief
c)
Intelligent thought
d)
Lucky guess
→
Answer: a) Childish ignorance
4.
The word “slender” means—
a)
Thick
b)
Thin and tall
c)
Wide
d)
Rough
→
Answer: b) Thin and tall
5.
What is meant by “farther off from heav’n”?
a)
Living on a lower hill
b)
Losing spiritual innocence
c)
Going away from home
d)
Disliking trees
→
Answer: b) Losing spiritual innocence
6.
The fir trees symbolize—
a)
Childhood imagination and wonder
b)
Wealth
c)
Fear
d)
Religion
→
Answer: a) Childhood imagination and wonder
7.
“’Tis little joy” means—
a)
It brings him great pleasure
b)
It brings him no happiness
c)
It excites him
d)
It confuses him
→
Answer: b) It brings him no happiness
8.
What feeling dominates the last stanza?
a)
Hope
b)
Guilt
c)
Disillusionment and sadness
d)
Excitement
→
Answer: c) Disillusionment and sadness
9.
Which poetic device is used in “fir trees dark and high”?
a)
Imagery
b)
Simile
c)
Irony
d)
Onomatopoeia
→
Answer: a) Imagery
10.
The final message of the stanza is—
a)
Knowledge cannot replace innocence
b)
Ignorance is a blessing
c)
Trees are tall
d)
Heaven is unreachable
→
Answer: a) Knowledge cannot replace innocence
Stanza
1 – MCQs (B)
1.
Where was the speaker born?
a)
In a castle
b)
In a small house
c)
In a palace
d)
In a hut
Answer:
b) In a small house
2.
What came “peeping in at morn”?
a)
The moon
b)
The wind
c)
The sun
d)
The stars
Answer:
c) The sun
3.
What time did the sun come according to the poet?
a)
Too late
b)
Too early
c)
Never on time
d)
Never a wink too soon
Answer:
d) Never a wink too soon
4.
What does the word “morn” mean?
a)
Night
b)
Morning
c)
Evening
d)
Noon
Answer:
b) Morning
5.
What emotion is expressed in the last two lines?
a)
Happiness
b)
Nostalgia and sorrow
c)
Anger
d)
Excitement
Answer:
b) Nostalgia and sorrow
6.
Which poetic device is used in “The sun came peeping in”?
a)
Simile
b)
Personification
c)
Metaphor
d)
Allusion
Answer:
b) Personification
7.
What does the speaker wish the night had done?
a)
Sung him a lullaby
b)
Borne his breath away
c)
Shown him the stars
d)
Stayed longer
Answer:
b) Borne his breath away
8.
“He never came a wink too soon” — who is ‘He’?
a)
The poet
b)
The moon
c)
The sun
d)
The wind
Answer:
c) The sun
9.
What tone dominates the stanza?
a)
Joyful
b)
Sarcastic
c)
Melancholic
d)
Indifferent
Answer:
c) Melancholic
10.
Which word best describes the poet’s childhood mornings?
a)
Lazy
b)
Carefree
c)
Painful
d)
Lonely
Answer:
b) Carefree
Stanza
2 – MCQs
1.
What colours were the roses?
a)
Yellow and red
b)
Red and white
c)
Pink and blue
d)
Red and violet
Answer:
b) Red and white
2.
What does “vi’lets” stand for?
a)
Violets
b)
Villets
c)
Villains
d)
Valets
Answer:
a) Violets
3.
What are “lily-cups”?
a)
Flowers shaped like cups
b)
Cups made of lilies
c)
Toys
d)
Teacups
Answer:
a) Flowers shaped like cups
4.
What bird built its nest in the lilacs?
a)
Sparrow
b)
Robin
c)
Dove
d)
Crow
Answer:
b) Robin
5.
Who planted the laburnum tree?
a)
The poet
b)
His brother
c)
His father
d)
A gardener
Answer:
b) His brother
6.
What is the symbolic meaning of the laburnum tree?
a)
Short life
b)
Immortality and memory
c)
Pain and sorrow
d)
Growth of anger
Answer:
b) Immortality and memory
7.
What does “flowers made of light” suggest?
a)
The flowers were glowing with beauty
b)
They were artificial
c)
They were white only
d)
They were shining due to rain
Answer:
a) The flowers were glowing with beauty
8.
What poetic device is used in “flowers made of light”?
a)
Simile
b)
Metaphor
c)
Alliteration
d)
Repetition
Answer:
b) Metaphor
9.
“The tree is living yet” — what does it signify?
a)
His brother’s memory lives on
b)
The poet planted it again
c)
It never grew
d)
It was artificial
Answer:
a) His brother’s memory lives on
10.
What mood dominates this stanza?
a)
Anger
b)
Nostalgia
c)
Fear
d)
Confusion
Answer:
b) Nostalgia
Stanza
3 – MCQs
1.
What did the poet use to do as a child?
a)
Fly kites
b)
Swing
c)
Swim
d)
Play football
Answer:
b) Swing
2.
What did the poet think the air must be like?
a)
Dusty
b)
Stale
c)
Fresh
d)
Heavy
Answer:
c) Fresh
3.
To which bird does the poet compare his spirit?
a)
Swallow
b)
Eagle
c)
Crow
d)
Parrot
Answer:
a) Swallow
4.
What does “My spirit flew in feathers then” mean?
a)
He wore feathers
b)
He felt free and light-hearted
c)
He liked birds
d)
He was afraid of flying
Answer:
b) He felt free and light-hearted
5.
What is the condition of the poet’s spirit now?
a)
Heavy and burdened
b)
Light and free
c)
Joyful
d)
Curious
Answer:
a) Heavy and burdened
6.
What do “summer pools” symbolize?
a)
Joyful childhood moments
b)
Wealth
c)
Modern life
d)
School memories
Answer:
a) Joyful childhood moments
7.
What does “fever on my brow” suggest?
a)
Physical sickness
b)
Mental strain and sorrow
c)
Excitement
d)
Laziness
Answer:
b) Mental strain and sorrow
8.
What poetic device is in “My spirit flew in feathers”?
a)
Personification
b)
Metaphor
c)
Simile
d)
Allusion
Answer:
b) Metaphor
9.
The tone of the stanza is mainly —
a)
Joyful
b)
Reflective and sad
c)
Angry
d)
Playful
Answer:
b) Reflective and sad
10.
The comparison of “swallows on the wing” creates what kind of imagery?
a)
Auditory
b)
Visual
c)
Gustatory
d)
Tactile
Answer:
b) Visual
Stanza
4 – MCQs
1.
Which trees are mentioned in this stanza?
a)
Oak
b)
Fir
c)
Pine
d)
Palm
Answer:
b) Fir
2.
What did the poet think about the tops of the fir trees?
a)
They touched the moon
b)
They were close to the sky
c)
They were far from the sky
d)
They were brown and dry
Answer:
b) They were close to the sky
3.
What does “childish ignorance” mean here?
a)
Foolishness
b)
Innocent misunderstanding
c)
Wisdom
d)
Knowledge
Answer:
b) Innocent misunderstanding
4.
What does the poet mean by being “farther off from heav’n”?
a)
He is sinful now
b)
He feels spiritually and emotionally distant
c)
He has travelled far
d)
He dislikes religion
Answer:
b) He feels spiritually and emotionally distant
5.
What is the main emotion of the stanza?
a)
Regret and loss
b)
Joy
c)
Pride
d)
Anger
Answer:
a) Regret and loss
6.
What poetic device is used in “It was a childish ignorance”?
a)
Metaphor
b)
Irony
c)
Simile
d)
Allusion
Answer:
b) Irony
7.
The fir trees symbolize —
a)
Growth and aspiration
b)
Wealth
c)
Friendship
d)
Mystery
Answer:
a) Growth and aspiration
8.
What kind of imagery is present in “fir trees dark and high”?
a)
Visual
b)
Olfactory
c)
Tactile
d)
Auditory
Answer:
a) Visual
9.
What is the tone of the last stanza?
a)
Hopeful
b)
Disillusioned
c)
Angry
d)
Joyful
Answer:
b) Disillusioned
10.
What does the poet realize as an adult?
a)
Knowledge brings joy
b)
Childhood ignorance was bliss
c)
Trees are taller than before
d)
Heaven is unreachable
Answer:
b) Childhood ignorance was bliss
One-mark
Questions & Answers:
Stanza
1
1.
Where was the poet born?
→
The poet was born in a small house.
2.
What came peeping in at morning?
→
The sun came peeping in at morning through the little window.
3.
How does the poet describe the sun’s arrival?
→
The poet says the sun never came a wink too soon nor brought too long a day.
4.
What does the word “morn” mean?
→
The word “morn” means morning.
5.
What emotion does the poet express in the last two lines?
→
The poet expresses sadness and a wish that the night had taken away his breath.
6.
What does the poet mean by “borne my breath away”?
→
By “borne my breath away,” the poet means he wishes he had died in his sleep.
7.
Which word shows playfulness in this stanza?
→
The word “peeping” shows playfulness in this stanza.
8.
What contrast is shown in this stanza?
→
The stanza contrasts the joy of childhood with the sorrow of adulthood.
9.
What is the tone of this stanza?
→
The tone of this stanza is melancholic and nostalgic.
10.
Which poetic device is used in “The sun came peeping in”?
→
The poetic device used in “The sun came peeping in” is personification.
One-mark
Questions & Answers
Stanza
2
1.
Which flowers does the poet remember?
→
The poet remembers roses, violets, and lily-cups.
2.
What are ‘lily-cups’?
→
‘Lily-cups’ are cup-shaped white lilies.
3.
What bird built its nest in the lilacs?
→
The robin built its nest in the lilacs.
4.
Who planted the laburnum tree?
→
The poet’s brother planted the laburnum tree.
5.
When was the laburnum tree planted?
→
The laburnum tree was planted on the poet’s brother’s birthday.
6.
What does the laburnum tree symbolize?
→
The laburnum tree symbolizes lasting memory and the endurance of childhood.
7.
What does “flowers made of light” suggest?
→
“Flowers made of light” suggests that the flowers looked bright, pure, and
beautiful.
8.
What emotion dominates this stanza?
→
The emotion of nostalgia dominates this stanza.
9.
What shows that time has passed but memories remain?
→
The line “The tree is living yet” shows that time has passed but memories
remain.
10.
Which poetic device is used in “flowers made of light”?
→
The poetic device used in “flowers made of light” is metaphor.
One-mark
Questions & Answers
Stanza
3
1.
What did the poet enjoy doing as a child?
→
The poet enjoyed swinging as a child.
2.
What did he imagine about the air while swinging?
→
He imagined that the air rushing past him was as fresh as that felt by swallows
on the wing.
3.
What does “My spirit flew in feathers then” mean?
→
It means that his spirit felt light, free, and happy during childhood.
4.
What is the poet’s spirit like now?
→
The poet’s spirit is now heavy and burdened with life’s worries.
5.
What does “fever on my brow” symbolize?
→
“Fever on my brow” symbolizes mental stress, sadness, and fatigue.
6.
What do ‘summer pools’ represent?
→
‘Summer pools’ represent the refreshing joys and simple pleasures of childhood.
7.
What kind of imagery is used in this stanza?
→
Visual and sensory imagery is used in this stanza.
8.
What emotion does the poet express here?
→
The poet expresses a longing for the freedom and light-heartedness of his
youth.
9.
Which poetic device is used in “My spirit flew in feathers”?
→
The poetic device used in “My spirit flew in feathers” is metaphor.
10.
What is the tone of this stanza?
→
The tone of this stanza is reflective and sorrowful.
One-mark
Questions & Answers
Stanza
4
1.
Which trees does the poet describe?
→
The poet describes the tall, dark fir trees.
2.
What did the poet think about their tops as a child?
→
As a child, the poet thought the tops of the fir trees touched the sky.
3.
What does “childish ignorance” refer to?
→
“Childish ignorance” refers to the poet’s innocent misunderstanding and wonder
in childhood.
4.
What realization does the poet have now?
→
The poet realizes that he is now farther from heaven than when he was a boy.
5.
What does “heav’n” symbolize?
→
“Heav’n” symbolizes purity, innocence, and spiritual closeness.
6.
What does the poet mean by being “farther off from heav’n”?
→
The poet means that he has lost his innocence and peace as he grew older.
7.
What poetic device is used in “It was a childish ignorance”?
→
The poetic device used in “It was a childish ignorance” is irony.
8.
What emotion is shown in this stanza?
→
The emotion shown in this stanza is regret and disillusionment.
9.
What type of imagery is in “fir trees dark and high”?
→
The line “fir trees dark and high” contains visual imagery.
10.
What overall theme does this stanza express?
→
This stanza expresses the theme of the loss of innocence and joy with the
passing of time
Extract
based RTC Questions & Answers
1.
Extract (Stanza 1)
"I
remember, I remember, The house where I was born."
1.
Who is speaking in these lines?
→
The poet Thomas Hood is speaking about his own childhood.
2.
What is being remembered?
→
The poet remembers the house where he was born, which marks the beginning of
his childhood memories.
3.
Which poetic device is used in “I remember, I remember”?
→
Repetition, to emphasize nostalgia and the act of remembering.
4.
What emotion is expressed here?
→
Nostalgia and longing for childhood.
5.
How does this line introduce the central theme of the poem?
→
It introduces the theme of nostalgia for childhood, showing the poet reflecting
on the joys of youth versus the burdens of adulthood.
2.
Extract (Stanza 1)
"The
little window where the sun Came peeping in at morn;"
1.
What is being described here?
→
The sunlight entering through the little window in the morning.
2.
What does “morn” mean?
→
Morning.
3.
Which poetic device is used in “came peeping in”?
→
Personification; the sun is given human-like qualities.
4.
What mood is created in this extract?
→
Cheerful, warm, and innocent.
5.
How does this extract reflect childhood innocence?
→
It highlights the simple joys and wonder of childhood, showing how children
notice and delight in small details like sunlight.
3.
Extract (Stanza 1)
"But
now, I often wish the night Had borne my breath away!"
1.
What is the poet wishing here?
→
That he had died during his childhood.
2.
What does “borne my breath away” mean?
→
To die or be taken away from life.
3.
Which figure of speech is used here?
→
Hyperbole, to emphasize the poet’s sorrow and despair.
4.
What is the tone of this extract?
→
Sorrowful and melancholic.
5.
How does this line contrast childhood and adulthood?
→
Childhood is depicted as joyful and carefree, while adulthood brings sorrow,
highlighting lost innocence.
4.
Extract (Stanza 2)
"The
roses, red and white, The vi’lets, and the lily-cups, Those flowers made of
light!"
1.
Name the flowers mentioned.
→
Roses, violets, and lily-cups.
2.
What does “flowers made of light” mean?
→
A metaphor showing the brightness, purity, and beauty of the flowers.
3.
Which poetic device is used here?
→
Metaphor.
4.
What mood is created?
→
Joyful and nostalgic.
5.
How does this extract reflect childhood experiences?
→
It shows the poet’s admiration for nature and how childhood is full of wonder
and simple beauty.
5.
Extract (Stanza 2)
"The
lilacs where the robin built, And where my brother set The laburnum on his
birthday,—The tree is living yet!"
1.
Who planted the laburnum tree?
→
The poet’s brother.
2.
What does “living yet” signify?
→
It signifies the permanence of nature and memory.
3.
Which poetic device is used in “The tree is living yet”?
→
Symbolism, representing enduring memory.
4.
What feeling is expressed here?
→
Nostalgia and affectionate remembrance.
5.
How does this line connect personal memory with nature?
→
The tree acts as a living reminder of his brother and childhood, showing how
nature preserves memory.
6.
Extract (Stanza 3)
"Where
I was used to swing, And thought the air must rush as fresh To swallows on the
wing;"
1.
What childhood activity is recalled?
→
Swinging.
2.
What is meant by “rush as fresh to swallows on the wing”?
→
The poet compares the fresh air to that experienced by flying swallows.
3.
Which poetic device is used?
→
Simile.
4.
What emotion is conveyed here?
→
Freedom, joy, and exhilaration.
5.
How does this reflect childhood perception of the world?
→
Children feel boundless energy and connect deeply with nature, seeing
themselves as part of it.
7.
Extract (Stanza 3)
"My
spirit flew in feathers then, That is so heavy now,"
1.
How did the poet feel in childhood?
→
Light, free, and joyful.
2.
What does “heavy now” signify?
→
Adult life has brought sorrow and burdens.
3.
Which poetic device is used in “flew in feathers”?
→
Metaphor.
4.
What mood is reflected in this line?
→
Reflective and sorrowful.
5.
How does this extract convey the theme of lost innocence?
→
It contrasts the carefree joy of childhood with the burdens of adulthood,
emphasizing nostalgia.
8.
Extract (Stanza 3)
"And
summer pools could hardly cool The fever on my brow!"
1.
What do “summer pools” symbolize?
→
The joy and refreshment of childhood.
2.
What does “fever on my brow” symbolize?
→
Mental stress, worries, and adult suffering.
3.
Which poetic device is used?
→
Symbolism.
4.
What is the tone of this extract?
→
Lamenting and sorrowful.
5.
How does this contrast highlight the poem’s theme?
→
Childhood joys cannot soothe adult troubles, emphasizing the loss of innocence.
9.
Extract (Stanza 4)
"The
fir trees dark and high; I used to think their slender tops Were close against
the sky:"
1.
What did the poet believe about the fir trees?
→
That their tops touched the sky.
2.
Which poetic device is used?
→
Visual imagery.
3.
What does “slender” mean?
→
Thin or delicate.
4.
What mood is created here?
→
Wonder, awe, and childlike imagination.
5.
What does this belief reveal about childhood perception?
→
Children view the world with innocence and imagination, seeing ordinary things
as magical.
10.
Extract (Stanza 4)
"It
was a childish ignorance, But now 'tis little joy To know I'm farther off from
heav’n Than when I was a boy."
1.
What does “childish ignorance” refer to?
→
The innocent misunderstanding of childhood.
2.
What does “farther off from heav’n” mean?
→
Loss of innocence and spiritual closeness in adulthood.
3.
What is the tone?
→
Regretful and reflective.
4.
Which theme is highlighted here?
→
Lost innocence and nostalgia.
5.
How does this line summarize the poem’s message?
→
Growing up brings knowledge but also sorrow, separating humans from the
simplicity and purity of childhood.
11.
Extract (Stanza 2)
"The
lilacs where the robin built"
1.
Which bird is mentioned?
→
A robin.
2.
What does this line represent?
→
The harmony of childhood with nature.
3.
Which poetic device is used?
→
Imagery.
4.
What feeling does the line create?
→
Joy and nostalgia.
5.
How does this reflect the poet’s attachment to nature?
→
Childhood memories are intertwined with natural surroundings.
12.
Extract (Stanza 2)
"The
laburnum on his birthday,—The tree is living yet!"
1.
Who planted the tree?
→
The poet’s brother.
2.
What does “living yet” mean?
→
The tree still exists; memory and nature endure.
3.
Which poetic device is used?
→
Symbolism.
4.
What emotion is expressed?
→
Nostalgia and affectionate remembrance.
5.
How does this extract connect personal and universal memory?
→
Nature preserves memories, linking personal nostalgia to a universal theme.
Two-mark
Questions & Answers
Stanza
1
1.
How does the poet describe his childhood mornings?
→
The poet remembers his childhood mornings as bright and joyful, with the sun
“peeping in” through the window at just the right time, bringing warmth and
happiness to his youthful days.
2.
What contrast does the poet show between his childhood and adulthood in this
stanza?
→
The poet contrasts the innocence and peace of his childhood with the sorrow and
weariness of adulthood, expressing a deep longing for the simplicity and joy he
once knew.
3.
What feeling is hidden behind the poet’s wish that “the night had borne my
breath away”?
→
The poet’s wish reflects his despair and emotional exhaustion as an adult,
suggesting that life has lost its charm, and he sometimes wishes he had died
during his happy, innocent childhood.
4.
Why does the poet personify the sun in this stanza?
→
The poet personifies the sun to create a sense of friendliness and playfulness,
showing how, in his childhood, even nature seemed to share his joy and
innocence.
5.
What tone is created in this stanza, and how?
→
The tone is nostalgic and melancholic, created through gentle imagery of
sunlight and the poet’s regretful reflection on the lost peace of childhood.
Two-mark
Questions & Answers
Stanza
2
1.
What memories of nature does the poet recall in this stanza?
→
The poet recalls the beauty of the roses, violets, lilies, and lilacs that
surrounded his childhood home, describing them as “flowers made of light,”
symbolizing purity and joy.
2.
What role does the laburnum tree play in the poem?
→
The laburnum tree, planted by the poet’s brother, acts as a living symbol of
lasting memory and continuity, reminding the poet that while time passes, love
and nature endure.
3.
How does the poet use imagery in this stanza?
→
The poet uses vivid visual imagery like “roses, red and white” and “flowers
made of light” to evoke the beauty and brightness of his childhood
surroundings.
4.
What feeling does the poet express through the line “The tree is living yet”?
→
The poet expresses both wonder and sadness, realizing that while the tree has
survived the passage of time, his own childhood and innocence have not.
5.
How does this stanza deepen the poem’s theme of nostalgia?
→
By focusing on the beauty of nature and personal memories shared with his
brother, the stanza emphasizes the deep emotional bond between past and
present, intensifying the poet’s nostalgia.
Two-mark
Questions & Answers
Stanza
3
1.
What activity from childhood does the poet fondly remember?
→
The poet fondly remembers swinging and feeling as though his spirit could fly
as lightly and freely as the swallows in the air.
2.
How does the poet describe the difference between his spirit then and now?
→
The poet says his spirit “flew in feathers” then, symbolizing the lightness and
joy of childhood, whereas now it feels “heavy,” weighed down by the struggles
of adult life.
3.
What is the meaning of “summer pools could hardly cool the fever on my brow”?
→
It means that the poet’s present worries and mental exhaustion cannot be
soothed by the simple joys that once comforted him during his youth.
4.
How does this stanza show the contrast between youth and adulthood?
→
The stanza contrasts the carefree energy of childhood with the fatigue and
burden of maturity, showing how life’s responsibilities dull one’s earlier zest
and freedom.
5.
What does the imagery of swallows and feathers symbolize in this stanza?
→
The imagery symbolizes freedom, purity, and the light-hearted joy of youth,
which the poet now finds replaced by heaviness and sorrow.
Two-mark
Questions & Answers
Stanza
4
1.
What did the poet believe about the fir trees when he was a child?
→
The poet believed that the tall fir trees grew so high that their slender tops
touched the sky, revealing his childlike wonder and imagination.
2.
What realization does the poet come to as an adult?
→
The poet realizes that he is now “farther off from heav’n,” meaning that with
age and knowledge, he has lost the innocence, purity, and closeness to
spiritual joy that he once had.
3.
How does the phrase “childish ignorance” reflect the poem’s theme?
→
The phrase highlights the innocence of childhood, suggesting that ignorance in
youth was blissful, while adult knowledge brings sadness and disillusionment.
4.
What is the tone of this final stanza?
→
The tone is deeply regretful and reflective, as the poet recognizes that
growing older has taken him farther away from the happiness and spiritual
simplicity of childhood.
5.
How does this stanza serve as a conclusion to the poem?
→
The stanza concludes the poem by summarizing the central idea: that childhood,
with its innocence and closeness to nature and heaven, is a lost paradise that
adulthood can never regain.
Three-mark
Questions & Answers
Stanza
1
1.
Describe how the poet remembers his childhood mornings. What feelings do they
evoke in him now?
→
The poet recalls his childhood mornings as bright, peaceful, and full of joy,
when the sun “peeped in” through the window to wake him up cheerfully. These
memories make him realize how innocent and carefree his childhood was compared
to his present sorrowful life. The warmth of those mornings now contrasts
sharply with the coldness of his adult existence.
2.
What contrast does the poet draw between his childhood and his adulthood in
this stanza?
→
The poet contrasts his happy, innocent childhood with his painful,
disillusioned adulthood. In childhood, he felt alive, pure, and in harmony with
nature; now, he feels weary, burdened, and detached from joy. This contrast
highlights the poem’s central theme of lost innocence and the decline of
happiness with age.
3.
Explain the significance of the line “I wish the night had borne my breath
away.”
→
This line expresses the poet’s deep despair and weariness of life. He wishes he
had died in childhood, when life was still pure and blissful, before
experiencing the pain and disillusionment of adulthood. The line symbolizes a
longing for eternal peace and escape from life’s hardships.
Three-mark
Questions & Answers
Stanza
2
1.
How does the poet use imagery to recreate his childhood home in this stanza?
→
The poet paints a vivid picture of his childhood home using visual imagery like
“roses red and white,” “violets,” “lilies,” and “laburnum.” These images fill
the stanza with color, light, and fragrance, symbolizing purity and happiness.
The natural beauty reflects the brightness of his childhood world, contrasting
with the dullness of his present life.
2.
What is the significance of the laburnum tree in the poem?
→
The laburnum tree, planted by the poet’s brother, stands as a symbol of
enduring memory and love. While everything else has changed with time, the tree
still lives, representing continuity and the permanence of nature against the
transience of human life. It also deepens the poet’s nostalgia for the days
when he and his brother shared a joyful bond.
3.
How does this stanza express the poet’s nostalgic mood?
→
The stanza reflects deep nostalgia as the poet fondly remembers the beauty and
serenity of his childhood surroundings. He recalls not only the flowers and
trees but also the emotions attached to them. His tone reveals both happiness
in memory and sadness in loss, making the nostalgia bittersweet.
Three-mark
Questions & Answers
Stanza
3
1.
What childhood activity does the poet remember, and what does it symbolize?
→
The poet remembers swinging joyfully and feeling that his spirit could “fly in
feathers” like a bird. This symbolizes the freedom, vitality, and lightness of
childhood. The image of the swing represents
the
boundless energy and carefree spirit of youth that has now been replaced by
heaviness and fatigue.
2.
Explain the contrast between “My spirit flew in feathers then” and “That is so
heavy now.”
→
These two lines show the stark difference between the poet’s emotional state in
childhood and adulthood. In childhood, his soul was light, carefree, and
joyous, symbolized by “feathers.” Now, burdened by life’s struggles, his spirit
feels “heavy,” weighed down by sorrow, disappointment, and age. This contrast
deepens the theme of lost innocence.
3.
What does the line “The summer pools could hardly cool the fever on my brow”
suggest?
→
This line suggests that no external comfort or natural beauty can ease the
poet’s inner suffering. The “fever” symbolizes the mental and emotional
exhaustion of adulthood. It contrasts with the carefree health and happiness of
childhood, showing how the poet’s joy has turned into restlessness and despair.
Three-mark
Questions & Answers
Stanza
4
1.
What belief did the poet hold about the fir trees when he was a child, and what
does it reveal about him?
→
As a child, the poet believed that the tall fir trees touched the sky. This
belief shows his innocence, imagination, and sense of wonder. It highlights how
children view the world with awe and faith, finding beauty and magic in
everything around them.
2.
How does the poet express his feeling of spiritual distance in the final
stanza?
→
The poet says that while the trees seem nearer to heaven, he himself has grown
“farther off” from it. This means that as he aged, he lost the purity, faith,
and spiritual closeness he once had as a child. His adult mind is now burdened
by worldly thoughts, cutting him off from the divine simplicity of youth.
3.
What is the overall message of the final stanza?
→
The stanza conveys the poet’s realization that growing older has taken him
farther from the innocent joy and spiritual connection of childhood. He mourns
this loss, suggesting that childhood is a state of natural grace and closeness
to heaven, which adulthood can never regain.
COURTESY:
Meta AI & ChatGPT
Compiled
by Dr. Shankar D Mishra
ବିଶେଷ ସୂଚନା : ଯେଉଁ ICSE ଛାତ୍ର ଛାତ୍ରୀ Std. 6 ରୁ 10 ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଅଧ୍ୟୟନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି ଓ ଇଂଲିଶ Grammar ଓ Literature ରେ individual/ group
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