Each of the following questions carries 4
marks.
1. Explain the poet’s idea that houses are
“haunted” by the past.
The poet suggests that every house where people have lived and died retains the
invisible presence of their memories. These are not frightening ghosts but
harmless spirits symbolising the past lives connected with the place. Their
silent movement through doors and rooms represents the lingering influence of
former occupants. Thus, a house becomes “haunted” because it preserves
emotional and historical memories, reminding us that present life is always
surrounded and shaped by the experiences of earlier generations.
2. How does the poet present the
relationship between the living and the dead in the poem?
The poet presents the living and the dead as existing side by side in the same
world. Though the dead are invisible, they quietly share the spaces of the
living. They move through halls, passages, and rooms without causing harm. The
living continue their daily life, often unaware of this presence. The poet
suggests that the past and present are closely connected, and that the lives of
earlier people still influence and accompany the lives of those who live now.
3. Describe the imagery used by the poet
to portray the invisible presence of spirits.
The poet uses delicate and subtle imagery to suggest the presence of spirits.
He describes them as silent phantoms gliding through open doors and making no
sound upon the floors. They appear like faint impressions in the air and quiet
guests in an illuminated hall. The ghosts are compared to pictures hanging on
the wall, calm and harmless. Through such images, the poet creates a mysterious
yet peaceful atmosphere that conveys the unseen but gentle presence of the
past.
4. What philosophical idea about human
ownership of property is expressed in the poem?
The poet expresses the idea that human ownership of property is temporary and
uncertain. Though people possess houses and lands through legal documents, many
others lived there before them. The earlier occupants, now forgotten in their
graves, still symbolically hold their old estates. This thought reminds us that
earthly possessions do not truly belong to anyone forever. The poem therefore
presents a philosophical reflection that human ownership is only temporary in
the long flow of history.
5. Explain the poet’s concept of the
spirit-world surrounding the physical world.
The poet imagines the spirit-world as surrounding the physical world like an
invisible atmosphere. Just as air exists everywhere around us, the spiritual
realm quietly floats around the world of our senses. It influences human life
in subtle ways, like a breath of purer and more ethereal air, passing through
earthly mist. Though we cannot see it directly, the spirit-world is always
present, suggesting that human existence is connected with a deeper and more
mysterious reality.
6. How does the poem describe the inner
conflict in human life?
The poem describes human life as a balance between opposite desires and
instincts. One instinct seeks pleasure, comfort, and enjoyment in worldly
things. The other instinct urges people to rise above material concerns and
strive for noble ideals and spiritual growth. These two forces pull the human
mind in different directions. Their constant struggle creates tension in life,
but it also keeps human existence balanced and meaningful by encouraging both
enjoyment and aspiration.
7. What is meant by the phrase “perpetual
jar of earthly wants and aspirations high”?
The phrase refers to the constant clash between human desires for worldly
comforts and the longing for higher ideals. Earthly wants include material
needs, pleasures, and ambitions of daily life. Aspirations high represent the
desire for moral excellence, spiritual growth, and noble achievements. These
two tendencies often conflict with each other, creating unrest in the human
mind. The poet calls this conflict a “perpetual jar,” meaning an ongoing
disturbance that shapes human thought and behaviour.
8. Explain the symbolism of the unseen
star or undiscovered planet.
The unseen star or undiscovered planet symbolises a mysterious spiritual
influence guiding human life. Though invisible and unknown, it affects human
thoughts, emotions, and aspirations. The poet suggests that unseen cosmic
forces may be responsible for the inner struggles between worldly desires and
higher ideals. This symbol emphasises the idea that human life is connected
with a larger and hidden universe whose powers quietly influence the moral and
spiritual development of individuals.
9. How does the poet use nature imagery
(moon, sea, light) to express mystery?
The poet uses the image of the moon shining through clouds and casting a bridge
of light upon the sea. This beautiful natural scene suggests a pathway leading
into unknown regions. The trembling light on the water symbolises the uncertain
journey of human imagination into the world of mystery. By using elements like
moonlight, sea, and floating light, the poet creates a sense of wonder and
suggests that nature itself reveals glimpses of deeper spiritual realities.
10. What is the significance of the
“bridge of light” in the poem?
The bridge of light symbolises the connection between the physical world and
the spiritual world. Just as moonlight seems to create a shining path across
the sea, the poet imagines a similar bridge linking the human world with the
realm of spirits. Through imagination and thought, people can cross this bridge
and explore deeper mysteries of existence. The image emphasises that human
consciousness forms a link between visible reality and the unseen spiritual
dimension.
11. How does the poet combine spiritual
philosophy with everyday life?
The poet blends spiritual ideas with ordinary experiences of daily life. He
begins with familiar scenes of houses, rooms, staircases, and family
gatherings. From these simple images he gradually introduces deeper reflections
about memory, spirits, and unseen worlds. By connecting common human
experiences with philosophical ideas about life, death, and the spirit-world,
the poet shows that spiritual truths are not distant but are closely woven into
the ordinary life of every human being.
12. Discuss the central theme of the poem.
The central theme of the poem is the invisible connection between the present
world and the world of the past and spirit. The poet suggests that human life
is surrounded by memories of earlier generations and influenced by unseen
spiritual forces. Houses symbolise the continuity of life across time. The poem
also reflects on human aspirations and struggles. Through these ideas, the poet
emphasises the mysterious unity between past, present, and the spiritual
universe.
Courtesy: Different AI sources
Compiled and edited by Dr. Shankar D
Mishra, Sr. Lecturer in English
WhatsApp No. 8249297412
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