1. WORKBOOK QUESTION-ANSWERS, BEETA PUBLICATIONS
ASSIGNMENTS — ANSWERS
Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions
Question 1. Which of the following poetic devices is used
in the title of the poem?
(a) Simile
(b) Metaphor
(c) Personification
(d) Metonymy
Answer: (b) Metaphor
2. What happens to the ‘small things’ when great
trees fall?
(a) They die due to shock.
(b) They look up to large things for shelter.
(c) They curl up in silence.
(d) None of the above.
Answer: (c) They curl up in silence.
3. Which figure of speech is used in the
following line?
‘The air around us becomes light, rare, sterile.’
(a) Asyndeton
(b) Anaphora
(c) Refrain
(d) Polyptoton
Answer: (a) Asyndeton
4. Which of the following poetic devices is used
in the lines given below?
‘We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly, see with...’
(a) Anaphora
(b) Polyptoton
(c) Epizeuxis
(d) Epistrophe
Answer: (d) Epistrophe
5. What is suggested by the phrase ‘memory gnaws
on’?
(a) The phase of forgetfulness
(b) Time spent grieving for the dead
(c) Unsaid words and unkept promises
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c) Unsaid words and unkept promises
6. How do the survivors see the world after the
departure of great souls from this world?
(a) The world becomes unrecognisable.
(b) The world remains the same.
(c) The world loses its beauty.
(d) All of the above
Answer: (a) The world becomes unrecognisable.
7. Which figure of speech is used in the
following line?
‘Our minds, formed and informed by their radiance...’
(a) Alliteration
(b) Simile
(c) Metaphor
(d) Polyptoton
Answer: (d) Polyptoton
8. What is suggested by the line ‘Our minds,
formed and informed’?
(a) The great souls remain in our minds.
(b) The great souls shape the way people think.
(c) The great souls have great minds.
(d) The great souls cannot touch the minds of people.
Answer: (b) The great souls shape the way people
think.
9. The image of ‘dark, cold caves’ conveys which
of the following?
(a) Loneliness and incomprehension that accompany the loss of great souls
(b) The feeling of despair experienced by the bereaved
(c) The world after the departure of great souls
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)
10. What is suggested by Maya Angelou when she
says, ‘after a period peace blooms’?
(a) Healing follows grief.
(b) Peace occurs while remembering the great souls.
(c) People remain silent during the period of mourning.
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Healing follows grief.
11. How does the speaker think that the bereaved
can continue to ‘be and be better’?
(a) By forgetting the departed souls after some time
(b) By drawing inspiration from the great souls
(c) By accepting the fact that they are gone forever
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) By drawing inspiration from the great
souls.
12. Which of the following lines contains the
same literary device as the title ‘When Great Trees Fall’?
(a) ‘Were gathered there for vengeance/ [revenge] and I knew / That if I dipped
my hand the spawn/[offspring] would clutch it.’
(b) ‘The woods decay, the woods decay and fall. / The vapours weep their burden
to the ground.’
(c) ‘Admit impediments,/[barriers] love is not love / Which alters when it
alteration finds, / Or bends with the remover to remove.’
(d) ‘In small towns by the river / We all want to walk with the gods.’
Answer: (d) ‘In small towns by the river / We all
want to walk with the gods.’
Because the title ‘When Great Trees Fall’ and the line ‘We all
want to walk with the gods’ both contain a metaphor.
- ‘When Great Trees Fall’ is metaphorical. The ‘great trees’ do not merely mean
actual trees; they represent great souls or influential human beings.
Their ‘fall’ represents their death or departure from the world.
- In (d), ‘We all want to walk with the
gods,’ the word ‘gods’ is used metaphorically to represent great,
extraordinary or highly accomplished people. ‘Walking with the gods’
suggests aspiring to associate with or attain the greatness of such
people.
Therefore, both expressions use metaphor, making option (d)
the correct answer.
Section B: Context Questions
I. Read the extract given below and answer the
questions that follow:
When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
(i) State three effects of the fall of great
trees in the forest.
Answer: The fall of great trees causes the rocks on
distant hills to shudder, makes lions hunker down in the tall grasses, and
drives even elephants to lumber away in search of safety. These reactions
suggest that the fall of a great presence creates a powerful disturbance
throughout the natural world.
(ii) Why do the rocks on distant hills
shudder? What is suggested by their shuddering?
Answer: The rocks shudder because the fall of a great
tree is imagined as producing such a tremendous impact that even distant
objects seem to feel its effect. Their shuddering suggests the enormous
influence and significance of great beings and the widespread disturbance
caused by their loss.
(iii) Lions are regarded as fearsome
predators. Why, then, do they ‘hunker down in tall grasses’? What does their
fear symbolise?
Answer: Lions hunker down because even powerful
creatures feel frightened and insecure when a great tree falls. Their fear
symbolises the vulnerability and sense of insecurity experienced by everyone,
including the strong and powerful, after the loss of a great soul.
(iv) a. Explain briefly the meaning of the
line ‘and even elephants lumber after safety’.
Answer: The line means that even the huge and
powerful elephants become frightened and move away in search of safety after
the great trees fall. Metaphorically, it suggests that the death of a great
soul can deeply disturb even those who are normally strong and confident.
b. Which figure of speech is used in the above
line?
Answer: Personification is used because the
elephant is presented as reacting to the fall of the great trees in a
human-like manner by seeking safety. The line also contributes to the poem’s
extended metaphor of great trees representing great souls.
(v) Explain, with examples, the metaphoric use
of ‘trees’ in the poem.
Answer: The ‘great trees’ are a metaphor for great
souls—people whose wisdom, talent, character or achievements have a profound
influence on others. Just as a great tree provides shelter, strength and
nourishment to smaller creatures, great individuals provide inspiration,
guidance and cultural or intellectual nourishment to society. Their fall
therefore represents their death or departure from the world.
II. Read the extract given below and answer
the questions that follow:
‘When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear’
(i) What are the ‘small things’ referred to in
this extract? What happens to them when great trees fall?
Answer: The ‘small things’ refer literally to the
smaller creatures and forms of life living in the forest. Metaphorically, they
represent ordinary people or those who depend upon great individuals for
guidance and security. When great trees fall, these small things recoil into
silence and become so deeply affected that their senses seem to be overwhelmed.
(ii) What are the ‘small things’ contrasted
with in the previous extract of the poem?
Answer: The ‘small things’ are contrasted with the
‘great trees’. The great trees represent powerful and influential beings, while
the small things represent weaker, dependent or less influential beings.
(iii) What happens to the ‘senses’ of the
small things when great trees fall? How can this be compared with the
experience of human beings?
Answer: The senses of the small things become so
overwhelmed that they are described as being ‘eroded beyond fear’. Similarly,
human beings may experience shock, confusion and emotional numbness after
losing someone greatly important to them. For a time, they may become unable to
understand or respond normally to the world around them.
(iv) State two poetic devices used in this
extract. Give an example of each.
Answer:
1.
Metaphor: ‘great trees’ metaphorically represent great souls or influential
people.
2.
Personification: ‘small things recoil into silence’ gives the smaller creatures a
human-like reaction to fear and grief.
(v) Explain briefly how the fall of great
trees affects both big and small things.
Answer: The fall of great trees affects all forms of
life. Powerful creatures such as lions and elephants become frightened, while
smaller creatures recoil into silence. Metaphorically, the death of a great
soul affects both powerful and ordinary people because everyone who has been
influenced by that person experiences a sense of loss and insecurity.
III. Read the extract given below and answer
the questions that follow:
‘When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly, see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.’
(i) What is the effect of the death of great
souls on the air around us? What does it suggest?
Answer: The air becomes ‘light, rare, sterile’. This
does not refer to a literal change in the air. It metaphorically suggests that
the world feels empty, lifeless and unfamiliar after the death of a great soul.
The survivors feel as though something essential has been removed from their
lives.
(ii) Which figure of speech is used in the
following lines? What does it suggest?
‘We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly, see...’
Answer: The repetition of the word ‘briefly’ creates
an emphatic repetition that draws attention to the temporary and disturbed
state of the survivors. It suggests that grief is so intense that even ordinary
activities such as breathing and seeing seem momentary and difficult.
(iii) What do our eyes see with ‘hurtful
clarity’? Why?
Answer: Our eyes see the painful reality of the loss
with unusual clarity. The death of a loved one makes us suddenly aware of
everything that has been lost, including opportunities, conversations and
moments that can never be recovered. This clarity is ‘hurtful’ because it
intensifies our grief.
(iv) What happens to our memory after the
death of a loved one?
Answer: Our memory becomes ‘suddenly sharpened’. It
brings back memories of the deceased and makes us think about the kind words we
failed to say and the promised walks or experiences that never took place.
Thus, memory becomes a source of both remembrance and regret.
(v) Explain how this extract portrays the
feelings of despair and regret experienced by a bereaved person after the loss
of someone close.
Answer: The extract portrays grief as a state of
emptiness, confusion and painful awareness. The world seems ‘light, rare,
sterile’, while the bereaved person struggles to breathe and see normally.
Memory becomes sharper and forces the person to remember words left unsaid and
promises unfulfilled. In this way, Angelou effectively presents both the
despair caused by loss and the regret arising from things that can no longer be
done.
IV. Read the extract given below and answer
the questions that follow:
Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their,
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their radiance,
fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of
dark, cold
caves.
(i) What happens to our ‘reality’ when great
souls die?
Answer: When great souls die, the reality that is
connected with them seems to disappear from our lives. Since they have shaped
our understanding of the world, their absence makes our familiar reality seem
strange, empty and difficult to comprehend.
(ii) Explain how our souls depend on great
souls for their nurture. What happens when these great souls depart?
Answer: Great souls nurture others through their
wisdom, love, achievements, guidance and inspiration. Their influence gives
people emotional and intellectual strength. When they depart, the people who
depended on them feel diminished, weakened and spiritually impoverished, as
suggested by the words ‘shrink, wizened’.
(iii) Which figure of speech is used in the
line ‘Our minds, formed and informed...’?
Answer: Polyptoton is used through the
repetition of words derived from the same root: ‘formed’ and ‘informed’. The
expression also emphasises the powerful influence of great souls on the minds
of others.
(iv) How do the great souls impact our minds?
Answer: Great souls shape and enrich our minds
through their ideas, wisdom, creativity and example. Their influence changes
the way we understand life and the world. Even after their death, their
thoughts and achievements continue to influence us.
(v) Why does the speaker say that ‘we are not
so much maddened’?
Answer: The speaker means that grief does not
necessarily make the survivors literally insane. Instead, it leaves them in a
state of profound confusion, helplessness and ignorance. They feel lost because
the person who gave meaning and direction to their world is no longer present.
(vi) Explain the connotations associated with
the phrase ‘dark, cold caves’.
Answer: ‘Dark, cold caves’ symbolise loneliness,
ignorance, emptiness and emotional isolation. Darkness suggests the absence of
understanding or guidance, while coldness suggests the absence of warmth and
companionship. The image therefore conveys the deep emptiness experienced after
the death of a great soul.
V. Read the extract given below and answer the
questions that follow:
‘And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us:
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be better.
For they existed.’
(i) How does peace bloom after a period of
grief?
Answer: Peace comes gradually and irregularly after
the initial period of intense grief. As time passes, the survivors begin to
accept the loss and recover emotionally. Their memories of the great soul
become a source of comfort and inspiration rather than only pain.
(ii) Which ‘spaces’ is the speaker referring
to? How are these spaces filled?
Answer: The ‘spaces’ refer to the emotional and
psychological emptiness created by the death of the great souls. These spaces
are gradually filled with comforting memories, renewed understanding and the
continuing influence of the departed person. This is described as a ‘soothing
electric vibration’.
(iii) How are our senses restored? What do
they whisper to us?
Answer: Our senses are restored gradually as we
recover from the shock and grief of loss. However, they are ‘never to be the
same’ because the experience has changed us permanently. They whisper the
reassuring truth that the great souls existed and that their existence has
enriched our lives. Their example inspires us to ‘be and be better’.
(iv) Which poetic device is used in ‘They
existed. They existed.’? What is suggested by this repetition?
Answer: Repetition is used in ‘They existed.
They existed.’ The repetition emphasises the continuing importance of the
departed souls. Although they are no longer physically present, their
existence, achievements and influence remain alive in the memories and lives of
others.
(v) Explain how this extract signifies the
role played by great souls, or immensely talented people, in bringing about
massive cultural change.
Answer: Great souls influence society through their
ideas, achievements, creativity, wisdom and moral example. Their presence can
transform the way people think and contribute to cultural and intellectual
progress. Even after their death, their work continues to inspire others. The
final words, ‘Be and be better’, suggest that their greatest legacy is the
inspiration they leave behind, encouraging future generations to live better
and contribute meaningfully to society.
2. WORKBOOK QUESTION-ANSWERS, EVERGREEN PUBLICATIONS
COMPETENCY-FOCUSED QUESTIONS
I. Multiple Choice Questions
Read the following questions and select the correct option:
(a) Analysis, Application and Evaluation:
1. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between the two
given statements: (Board's Practice Question)
Statement I: The falling of a great tree shocks both big
and small creatures.
Statement II: The death of a great person maddens their
loved ones.
(a) Statement I is true. Statement II is false.
(b) Statement I is false and Statement II is true.
(c) Statement I is an analogy [likeness/similarity] for Statement II.
(d) Statement I is the reason for Statement II.
Answer: (c) Statement I is an analogy [likeness/similarity] for
Statement II.
2. The five stages of grief are described as shock, anger, bargaining,
depression and acceptance. Which of these stages is expressed in the following
lines?
"And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms."
(a) shock
(b) anger
(c) depression
(d) acceptance
Answer: (d) acceptance.
3. The central idea of Angelou's poem When Great Trees Fall is
that……….
(a) when a gigantic tree falls, it affects all the trees in the jungle.
(b) the death of an ancient tree disturbs all the animals in the jungle.
(c) the impact of the death of a loved one on those struggling to cope
with the loss.
(d) life will never be the same after the loss of a loved one.
Answer: (c) the impact of the death of a loved one on those struggling
to cope with the loss.
4. ‘When Great Trees Fall’ is about
(a) big trees
(b) the fall of big trees
(c) impact of great men's deaths
(d) great men and their lives
Answer: (c) impact of great men's deaths.
5. What kind of emotion is evoked by the phrase ‘hurtful clarity’?
(a) joy
(b) anger and anguish
(c) sadness
(d) sorrow
Answer: (b) anger and anguish.
6. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between these
two statements.
Statement I: Great men's loss is felt intensely by all,
significant or insignificant.
Statement II: All are benumbed for a while.
(a) I is the cause for II.
(b) I is an example of II.
(c) I is independent of II.
(d) I is a contradiction of II.
Answer: (a) I is the cause for II.
7. Which of these assertions is NOT true?
(a) Fall of great trees symbolises the death of great men.
(b) In one way or the other all feel affected when great men die.
(c) It is futile to remember those who leave us suddenly.
(d) One cannot help recall good moments lived in the company of the dear
departed.
Answer: (c) It is futile to remember those who leave us suddenly.
8. The lines ‘lions hunker down / in tall grasses’ reveal that lions
(a) are ready to pounce upon their prey.
(b) are resting.
(c) hide themselves in fear.
(d) hide themselves out of play.
Answer: (c) hide themselves in fear.
9. Which of the following lines contains the same literary device as the
one in these lines from the poem: ‘Our memory, suddenly sharpened / examines /
gnaws on kind words’?
(a) The weakening eye of a day
(b) As silent as pictures on the wall
(c) My spirit flew in feathers then
(d) The little window where the sun came peeping in at the morn.
Answer: (d) The little window where the sun came peeping in at the morn.
10. "When great trees fall / in forests, / small things recoil into
silence."
What does the word ‘recoil’ suggest in the lines above?
(a) disgust
(b) fear
(c) hope
(d) distaste
Answer: (b) fear.
11. Which extended metaphor is used in the poem?
(a) the deaths of great men
(b) the falling of great trees
(c) nature
(d) big and small animals
Answer: (b) the falling of great trees.
(b) Recalling and Understanding
12. The phrase ‘dark, cold caves’ symbolises……….. in the poem.
(a) cheerfulness
(b) depth of mind
(c) despair
(d) ignorance
Answer: (c) despair.
13. Which figure of speech is used in the line ‘We can be. Be and be’?
(a) personification
(b) irony
(c) alliteration
(d) sarcasm
Answer: (c) alliteration.
14. Which of these statements is NOT true?
(a) When great trees fall, the rocks on distant hills shudder.
(b) When great trees fall, small animals do not bother.
(c) The falling of great trees causes ripples for miles.
(d) We should try to be better than we are.
Answer: (b) When great trees fall, small animals do not bother.
15. When do animals seek safety?
(a) when the earth shakes
(b) when wolves howl
(c) when great trees fall
(d) when hunters appear
Answer: (c) when great trees fall.
16. Which positive event happens when great men die?
(a) Our senses are benumbed.
(b) Our memory is suddenly sharpened.
(c) We feel sorry for ourselves.
(d) We feel pity for great men.
Answer: (b) Our memory is suddenly sharpened.
17. In what state are we thrown suddenly when we hear about the death of
a great soul?
(a) sullen
(b) indifferent
(c) sorrowful
(d) amusing
Answer: (c) sorrowful.
18. What do great men generally care for?
(a) our souls
(b) our bodies
(c) our wealth
(d) our health
Answer: (a) our souls.
19. What happens to our souls on hearing the news of a great man who has
impacted our lives greatly?
(a) We begin to cry.
(b) We become mad.
(c) We become silent.
(d) Our souls shrivel.
Answer: (d) Our souls shrivel.
20. The poem When Great Trees Fall is on the whole……….
(a) depressing
(b) realistic and positive
(c) ironical
(d) amusing
Answer: (b) realistic and positive.
II. Comprehension Passages
PASSAGE–1
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
i. What does “great trees” represent in the poem?
Answer:
In the poem, “great trees” represent great and influential people whose lives
have a profound impact on others. Their death creates a deep sense of shock,
grief and emptiness among those who knew or admired them. Thus, the falling of
great trees is an extended metaphor for the death of great souls.
ii. What does the shuddering of ‘rocks’ on distant hills symbolise?
Answer:
The shuddering of “rocks” on distant hills symbolises the far-reaching impact
of the death of a great person. Just as the fall of a huge tree creates
vibrations that affect even distant rocks, the loss of a great soul affects
people far beyond the immediate circle of family and friends. It suggests the
universal impact of such a loss.
iii. How do animals behave when great trees fall? Why?
Answer:
When great trees fall, animals become frightened and seek safety. Lions “hunker
down” in tall grasses, while elephants “lumber after safety.” Their unusual
behaviour reflects the shock and disturbance caused by the fall. In the poem,
these animals symbolically represent people who become frightened, confused and
emotionally shaken by the death of a great person.
iv. What happens to small things when great trees fall?
Answer:
When great trees fall, small things “recoil into silence.” They become
frightened, disturbed and temporarily silent because of the sudden shock.
Symbolically, small things represent ordinary people who feel overwhelmed when
a great person dies. Their silence suggests grief, helplessness and the
inability to express their emotions immediately after such a profound loss.
v. Which words used in this extract give us the idea that the fall of
great trees impacts all?
Answer:
Several expressions in the extract suggest that the fall of great trees affects
everything around them. “Rocks on distant hills shudder” shows that even
distant and apparently lifeless objects are affected. “Lions hunker down”
and “elephants lumber after safety” show that powerful animals also
become disturbed and seek protection. The words “even elephants” are
particularly significant because they emphasise that the impact reaches
creatures of every size and strength. Thus, the extract presents the fall of
great trees as an event whose effects are widespread and universal.
PASSAGE–2
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses eroded beyond fear.
(i) What effect does the falling of ‘great trees’ have on distant hills
and animals in the jungle?
Answer:
The falling of great trees creates a powerful disturbance in the surrounding
world. The rocks on distant hills shudder, while animals such as lions and
elephants become frightened and seek safety. Symbolically, these reactions
suggest that the death of a great person affects everyone, including those who
are distant from or less closely connected with the departed.
(ii) Explain in your own words the line, ‘small things eroded by fear’.
Answer:
The line suggests that small creatures become so frightened and disturbed by
the falling of great trees that their normal senses and responses are weakened.
In the symbolic sense, “small things” represent ordinary people who are deeply
shocked by the death of a great person. Their fear and grief temporarily
overwhelm their ability to think or respond normally.
(iii) How is one’s memory affected by the death of a great soul?
Answer:
The death of a great soul causes one’s memory to become suddenly sharper. The
bereaved person begins to recall the departed person's words, kindness,
achievements and shared experiences with unusual clarity. Memories that may
have faded with time return vividly. Thus, grief makes the mind revisit and
examine precious memories, especially the kind words and moments associated
with the loved one.
(iv) What analogy does Angelou use to describe the death of a great
soul? Give two reasons to show that this analogy is appropriate.
Answer:
Angelou compares the death of a great soul to the falling of a great tree in a
forest. This analogy is appropriate for two reasons. First, the fall of a great
tree creates a disturbance that affects distant rocks and animals, just as the
death of a great person affects many people. Second, both events leave a deep
sense of loss and create a lasting emptiness in their surroundings.
(v) Trace the stages of grief and coming to terms with the loss of a
loved one that Maya Angelou describes in her poem When Great Trees Fall.
Answer:
Maya Angelou presents grief as a gradual process. At first, the death of a
great soul causes shock, numbness and confusion. People become silent and their
senses are overwhelmed. Then their memories become sharper, bringing back the
kindness and good moments shared with the departed. Pain and sorrow follow as
they realise the loss more clearly. Gradually, the grieving person learns to
live with the memory of the loved one. Finally, peace returns, and the person
is able to continue living, carrying the departed soul’s influence and memory
within.
PASSAGE–3
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
(i) What image from the world of nature has been used earlier in the
context?
Answer:
Earlier in the poem, Angelou uses the image of a great tree falling in a
forest. When a great tree falls, the rocks on distant hills shudder, lions
hunker down in tall grasses, and elephants move towards safety. This natural
image serves as an extended metaphor for the death of a great person and
prepares us for the description of the emotional impact of such a loss.
(ii) What happens when great trees fall?
Answer:
When great trees fall, their impact is felt throughout the surrounding world.
The rocks on distant hills shudder, while lions hide in tall grasses and
elephants move towards safety. Small creatures recoil into silence.
Symbolically, the falling of great trees represents the death of great people,
whose loss causes widespread shock, fear and grief among those affected by
their lives.
(iii) ‘We breathe, briefly.’ What does the poet mean by this?
Answer:
“We breathe, briefly” suggests that after the death of a great soul, the
bereaved experience a temporary state of shock and emotional numbness. The
atmosphere seems strangely light, rare and sterile, making normal breathing
difficult. For a brief moment, they feel overwhelmed by the reality of the loss
and are unable to respond naturally to their surroundings or emotions.
(iv) What kind of ‘clarity’ does the poet refer to?
Answer:
The “hurtful clarity” refers to the sudden, painful awareness of the reality
and magnitude of the loss. After the initial shock, the bereaved person sees
the importance of the departed soul and the memories associated with that
person more clearly. This clarity is “hurtful” because it brings forgotten
memories, kindnesses and shared moments vividly back to the mind, intensifying
grief.
(v) What do we come to remember when great men die?
Answer:
When great men die, our memories of them become unusually sharp. We remember
their kindness, wisdom, love, guidance and the meaningful moments we shared
with them. Their words and deeds return vividly to our minds. We may also
remember how they influenced our lives and helped us become better people.
Thus, their death makes us recognise and value their contributions more deeply
PASSAGE–4
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid, promised walks
never taken.
(i) What happens when great trees fall, according to the poet?
Answer:
According to the poet, when great trees fall, small creatures recoil into
silence and their senses become weakened by fear. The rocks on distant hills
shudder, while lions hide in tall grasses and elephants move towards safety.
Symbolically, the falling of great trees represents the death of great souls,
whose loss creates shock, grief and disturbance among those affected by their
lives.
(ii) Why does it become difficult to breathe when great souls die?
Answer:
When great souls die, the air around the bereaved seems “light, rare, sterile.”
The sudden loss creates intense emotional shock and emptiness, making the
survivors feel as though they can breathe only briefly. The difficulty is not
literal but emotional and psychological. Their grief and disbelief temporarily
overwhelm them, making the world around them feel strange and lifeless.
(iii) What do we come to remember suddenly when great souls die?
Answer:
When great souls die, our memory becomes suddenly sharp and brings back many
things connected with them. We remember their kind words, loving gestures,
valuable advice and meaningful experiences. We also remember things that
remained unfinished—words of affection that were never spoken and plans that
were never fulfilled. Such memories become particularly painful because the
opportunity to complete them is gone.
(iv) In what state of mind is the speaker here? Why?
Answer:
The speaker is in a state of deep grief, regret and emotional pain. The death
of a great soul makes her memory unusually sharp, causing her to recall kind
words that remained unsaid and promised walks that never happened. These
unfinished expressions and unfulfilled plans intensify her sorrow. She is
painfully aware that the lost opportunities can never be recovered.
(v) Explain the phrase ‘promised walks never taken’ in its context.
Answer:
“Promised walks never taken” refers to plans or promises made to spend time
together that remained unfulfilled because the person died before they could
happen. The phrase expresses the regret that often accompanies bereavement.
After someone’s death, ordinary plans that once seemed unimportant can become
deeply meaningful. The speaker remembers these missed opportunities with
sadness because she can no longer fulfil the promise or share those moments
with the departed person.
PASSAGE–5
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
i. What does the fall of great trees symbolise in the poem, as suggested
earlier in the context?
Answer:
The fall of great trees symbolises the death of great and influential people.
Just as the falling of a great tree disturbs the forest and affects the
creatures around it, the death of a great soul deeply affects people whose
lives are connected with that person. It creates shock, grief, emptiness and a
temporary loss of emotional stability.
ii. What do we remember when great souls die?
Answer:
When great souls die, our memories of them become suddenly sharp. We remember
their kind words, affection, guidance and the meaningful experiences we shared
with them. We also recall things that remained unfinished, such as words left
unsaid and promises or plans that were never fulfilled. These memories make us
realise more deeply how important the departed person was in our lives.
iii. What happens to our reality when great souls die?
Answer:
When great souls die, “our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us.” This
means that a part of the familiar world in which we lived with that person
seems to disappear. Since our lives and experiences were closely connected with
them, their death changes our sense of reality. We suddenly feel that our world
has become emptier and unfamiliar.
iv. What does the poet mean by “weakened souls” here?
Answer:
By “weakened souls,” the poet refers to the emotional and spiritual condition
of people who lose someone great and deeply influential in their lives. Their
souls “shrink” because they depended upon the departed person’s love, guidance,
wisdom and support. Without that nurturing influence, they temporarily feel
smaller, helpless and emotionally diminished, much like a plant deprived of
nourishment.
v. What does the word “nurture” suggest in the context?
Answer:
In this context, “nurture” suggests the love, care, guidance, wisdom,
encouragement and emotional support that great souls provide to others. Such
people enrich and strengthen the lives of those around them through their
words, actions and influence. When they die, those who depended upon this
nurturing influence feel emotionally weakened and diminished. The word
therefore emphasises the profound positive influence that great people have on
others.
PASSAGE–6
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance, fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of
dark, cold
caves.
i. How has the poet compared the world of nature with the human world
earlier in the context?
Answer:
Earlier, the poet compares the natural world with human life through the
extended metaphor of great trees and great souls. The falling of a great tree
disturbs rocks, lions, elephants and small creatures. Similarly, the death of a
great soul disturbs and affects people connected with that person. Thus,
natural destruction is used to represent the emotional impact of human loss.
ii. What happens when someone emotionally attached to us departs
forever?
Answer:
When someone emotionally attached to us departs forever, we experience profound
grief and emptiness. The familiar reality connected with that person seems to
disappear, and our emotional strength becomes weakened. We recall memories,
kind words and unfinished plans. Their absence makes us feel confused, helpless
and temporarily unable to understand how life can continue without their
presence.
iii. How are our minds affected by great souls?
Answer:
Great souls profoundly shape and enrich our minds through their wisdom,
kindness, guidance and inspiring example. Their “radiance” represents the
knowledge, goodness and positive influence they bring into our lives. When they
die, the minds that were formed and informed by them seem to “fall away.” We
temporarily lose the intellectual and emotional guidance that their presence
provided.
iv. In what state of mind are we thrown when great souls die?
Answer:
When great souls die, we are thrown into a state of profound grief, confusion
and emotional disorientation. We feel as though our familiar world has
disappeared and our minds have lost their source of guidance and inspiration.
The poet says that we are not simply “maddened”; rather, we are reduced to a
state of deep ignorance and helplessness, unable to understand our changed
reality.
v. Explain the reference to the ignorance of “dark, cold caves”.
Answer:
The “dark, cold caves” symbolise the deep emotional and spiritual emptiness
experienced after the death of a great soul. A cave suggests darkness,
isolation and the absence of light or direction. Here, the “dark” and “cold”
qualities suggest grief, loneliness and confusion. The “unutterable ignorance”
indicates that the bereaved person feels lost and unable to understand how to
live without the departed person’s guidance, wisdom and comforting presence.
PASSAGE–7
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
And then great souls die
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
i. What is suggested by the fall of great trees earlier in the context?
Answer:
Earlier in the poem, the fall of great trees is used as an extended metaphor
for the death of great souls. Just as the falling of a great tree creates
disturbance in the forest, the death of a great person deeply affects those
connected with them. It causes shock, fear, grief and emotional emptiness,
showing that the loss of a great soul has a widespread impact.
ii. How do we feel when great men die?
Answer:
When great men die, we initially experience intense shock, grief and emotional
numbness. Our familiar reality seems to disappear with them, and our souls feel
weakened because we depended on their love, guidance and influence. We recall
their kind words and unfinished plans with painful clarity. Gradually, however,
the intensity of grief begins to lessen.
iii. How does the poet portray time as a healer here?
Answer:
The poet portrays time as a gradual healer by saying that after the death of
great souls, “peace blooms” slowly and irregularly. The pain does not disappear
suddenly; instead, it decreases little by little. As time passes, the emptiness
caused by the loss begins to be filled with comforting memories. Eventually,
the bereaved person learns to live with the loss and finds inner peace.
iv. What kind of spaces are referred to here?
Answer:
The “spaces” refer to the emotional and spiritual emptiness created by the
death of a great soul. These are the gaps left in our lives by the absence of
someone whose presence, guidance, affection and influence were important to us.
As the grieving process progresses, these painful spaces gradually become less
empty and begin to be filled with comforting memories and a sense of peace.
v. How do we feel during those “spaces”?
Answer:
During those “spaces,” we initially feel empty, lonely, confused and
emotionally weakened because of the absence of the great soul. However, these
feelings gradually change as time passes. The painful emptiness begins to be
replaced by comforting memories and a quiet sense of peace. The poet describes
this healing experience as a “soothing electric vibration,” suggesting a
gentle, living energy that gradually comforts and strengthens the grieving
person.
PASSAGE–8
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us,
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
i. How do we feel when persons attached to us die?
Answer:
When people emotionally attached to us die, we initially experience intense
grief, shock, emptiness and confusion. Our senses become numb and our familiar
reality seems to disappear with them. We remember their kind words, love and
influence, as well as the things left unfinished. Gradually, however, the pain
becomes less intense, and we learn to live with their absence and cherish their
memory.
ii. When do we feel at peace when great souls die?
Answer:
We begin to feel at peace after the initial shock and grief gradually lessen
with time. The poet says that “peace blooms” slowly and irregularly as the
emotional spaces created by the loss begin to fill with comforting memories. We
eventually accept the reality of death and understand that the influence and
goodness of the departed person can continue through our memories, actions and
lives.
iii. Why do our senses never achieve the former state of normalcy after
the death of great souls?
Answer:
Our senses never return completely to their former state because the death of a
great soul changes our understanding of life permanently. The experience of
loss makes us more aware of the value of human relationships and the influence
of those who have departed. Although our senses are eventually restored, we
carry the memory of the loss and the lessons of the great soul with us.
iv. Which figure of speech is used in Lines 3–4 here? What is its
significance?
Answer:
Repetition is the prominent figure of speech in “They existed. They
existed” and “We can be. Be and be.” The repetition emphasises the
continuing significance of the departed souls and their existence in our
memories. It also gives the lines a rhythmic, affirmative quality. The repeated
words suggest that because these great people lived meaningful lives, those
left behind can also strive to live and become better.
v. The ending of the poem is quite positive. How?
Answer:
The ending is positive because it transforms grief into hope and inspiration.
The survivors gradually regain their senses and accept the reality of death,
though they are changed by the experience. The repeated assurance “They
existed” reminds us that the lives of great souls continue to influence
others through their memories and achievements. Finally, “We can be. Be and
be better” encourages us to live meaningful lives and become better people
because such great souls once existed.
Project Assignments
1. Comment on the development of thought in
the poem.
Answer:
The poem develops the thought of grief and healing after the death of a great
soul. It begins by comparing the death of great people with the falling of
great trees, which disturbs everything around them. The poet then describes
shock, fear, numbness, painful memories and a sense of emptiness. Gradually,
grief becomes less intense, and peace begins to return. Finally, the survivors
regain their emotional strength and realise that the lives of great souls
continue to inspire them. The poem therefore moves from shock and sorrow to
acceptance, healing and hope.
2. The fall of the great trees is used as the
central metaphor in the poem. How?
Answer:
The falling of great trees is the central extended metaphor for the death of
great souls. When a great tree falls, rocks on distant hills shudder, animals
become frightened and small creatures recoil into silence. Similarly, when a
great person dies, the people connected with them experience shock, grief,
confusion and emptiness. The tree’s fall also leaves a space in the forest,
just as the death of a great soul leaves an emotional void in human lives.
Gradually, however, nature recovers, just as mourners slowly heal. Thus, the
metaphor effectively presents both the immediate impact and gradual healing
caused by the loss of a great person.
3. Discuss the use of literary devices in the
poem.
Answer:
Maya Angelou uses several literary devices to convey the emotional impact of
losing a great soul. The most important is the extended metaphor of
great trees falling, which represents the death of great people. Personification
appears in expressions such as the rocks that “shudder” and memory that “gnaws”
on kind words. Imagery in phrases such as “dark, cold caves” creates a
strong sense of loneliness and despair. Repetition, as in “They existed.
They existed” and “Be and be,” emphasises memory and hope. Symbolism is
also important: trees symbolise great souls, while their falling represents
death. These devices make the poem vivid, emotional and ultimately hopeful.
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