Explanation of All Poems: Book III, First Year English

Explanation of All Poems: Book III

1-The Rain

REFERNCE: These lines have taken from the poem ‘’The Rain’’ by W.H. Davies.

CONTEXT: The poem describes the beauty of rain. The falling rain on the leaves is a source of sweet music. The sunlight after the rain is also a scene to be enjoyed. However, a poor suffers from the unpleasant effect of rain.

EXPLANATION: In these lines, the poet tells us that,
The poet has symbolically narrated the healthy effects of the rain on men. Here the rich leaves represent the rich people and the poor leaves stand for poor people. Thus it shows both the bright aspects of nature.

2-Night Mall

REFERENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘’Night Mall’’ by W.H Auden.

CONTEXT: This poem is a description of the journey of the night mall. We are told, how the train passes through farms, green fields and bushes. It brings mail for people belonging to every section of society. It emits smoke and makes noise. Sometimes, it travels silent.

EXPLANATION: In these lines, the poet tells us that,
The poet has described the arrival of nigh mall, which is useful for both the rich and the poor. It brings different things for everyone. Different reactions are shown to its arrival. It suggests us a lesson of punctuality and facing the sufferings of life with courage.
3-LOVELIEST OF TREES, THE CHERRY NOW

REFERNCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘’Loveliest of tree, The Cherry Now’’ by A.E Housman.

CONTEXT: This poem is in praise of cherry tree covered with flowers. It is spring season. The cherry is in full bloom. The poet wants to enjoy it for seventy years but he has spent twenty years of his life. He wants to go to woods to enjoy the beauty of cherry trees.

EXPLANATION: In these lines, the poet tells us that,
The people tell us about the exotic beauty of the cherry tree. To him, this tree presents such a beauty as should be fully enjoyed, but man’s life is too short to enjoy its beauty. In fact the poet wants to draw the attention of people towards natural beauty.

4-O WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

REFERENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem ‘’O Where are you going?’’ by Anonymous.

CONTEXT: In this poem the reader tries to stop the rider from going on a dangerous journey. He tries to frighten him by telling him that the way is full of trials and troubles. But the rider is very courageous and brave person. He tells the reader that such difficulties are for the coward.

EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells us that,
This poem is dialogue between two imaginary characters. The reader is the symbol of negative and opposing force while the rider is of positive force. The poet wants to suggest us, if we want to do a tremendous work, we should not pay attention to discouraging arguments.

5- IN THE STREET OF THE FRUIT STALLS

REFERNCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘’In the street of the fruit stalls’’ by J. Stallwrthy.

CONTEXT: This poem is a description of street. It the time of evening. The fruits have been piled up in a conical form. Some black children come there, buy fruits and eat joyfully. The pulp of fruits wet their fingers and mouths. They don’t care of their surroundings.
EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells us that,
This symbolic poem highlights that the danger of war, misery and poverty has fails to crush man’s love for pleasure. Children enjoy the sweet juice of the fruit, forgetting all about their misery. This poem also suggests that the poor are always satisfied with the little they get.

6- SINDHI WOMEN

REFERENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘’Sindhi Women’’ by Jan Stallworthy.

CONTEXT: The poet is impressed by the grace of Sindhi woman who is passing through a dirty bazaar of Karachi. Her gait is steady and regular, though she is lifting weight on her head. The poet learns that the persons who face difficulties are able to walk erect.

EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells us that,
This poem is a tribute to work. It presents a faithful picture of a Sindhi woman who is working in the dirty streets of Karachi. She is walking erect with the delicacy of a dancer’s feet. Its gist is: ‘’Work is key to honor and success’’

7- TIMES

REFERENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘’Time’’ by Ecclesiastes.

CONTEXT: The poet says that everything is in universe takes place according to fixed timetable. It should be clear-cut to us that the governing power is the Lord of the universe. We can do nothing expect to obey. We should believe in the decree of fate.
EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells us that,
This poem tells us a lesson that it is golden rule to spend life according to the set timetable. We can establish relations with other people at regular and particular occasions. Our losses and gains are pre-determined. In this respect man is puppet in the hands of fate.

8- OZYMANDIAS

REFERENCE: These line have been taken from the poem, ‘’Ozymandias’’ by P.B. Shelley.

CONTEXT: The poet says that the paths of glory but lead to the grave. He saw a statue of a king. Its two huge legs were without its trunk. The face was laying half buried in the sand. The pet mocks at the pride of human greatness.

EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells us that,
He tells us that everything in the World is prone to destruction. Therefore, it is no use to be proud of one’s achievements. Time is very cruel, even the mightiest and greatest men die and after death, their monuments too perish soon. Death is a great leveler.

9- THE FEED

REFERNCE: These line have been taken from the poem, ‘’ The Feed’’ by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi.

CONTEXT: The poet describes the love of mother sparrow for her young ones. Her young ones are ten in number. They are a few days old. The mother sparrow has one grain of millet to feed them. She does not know how to feed one grain to her ten young ones.
EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells us that,
The poet gives us many lessons. He advises us not to weep and cry rather we should work hard in life to be independent. He has symbolically told us that small children are helpless and totally dependent upon their parents. He advises the world power to produce grains instead of atom bombs.

10- THE HOLLOW MEN

REFERENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘’The Hollow Men’’ by T.S. Eliot.

CONTEXT: The poet tells us that modern man has become a puppet and doll in this age. He lacks true knowledge and wisdom. He speaks to other people but his speech lacks meaning. His strength lacks motion. He seems to be only puppet made of straw.

EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells us that,
The poet has studied the human life very closely. He is against the materialism of the modern man. His masterpiece ‘’Wasteland’’ is replete with such incidents, which expose the evils of modern man. To him, he has become hollow from within, he has become soulless.

11- LEISURE

REFERENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘’Leisure’’ by William Henry Davies.

CONTEXT: The poet has criticized the very fast and busy mode of life of the modern men as it has deprived them of enjoying the beauty of the various living and lifeless objects of nature. To him, such life is no life, if it is full of cares.
EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells us that,
William Davies is a modern poet. He is deadly opposed to the gross materialism of modern life. In his view, man has devoted all his energy to earn money. Materialism of modern age has made his life mechanical. His busy life and his craze to earn money have added to his worries.

12- RUBA’IYAT

REFRENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem,”Ruba’iyat”by Allama Muhammed Iqbal.

CONTEXT: The poet advises the Muslims to have firra faith in Allah. They should keep the example of Hazrat Abraham before them while expressing love for God. The Muslims have a center like Makkah. While, the Europeans do not have any such thing. Unfortunately, the Muslims lack faith and unity.
EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells us that,
Allama Iqbal who is well known as the poet of the East tries to wake the Muslims up from their slumber. He is a great Muslim philosopher. His poetry reflects his love for Islam. He laments that the Muslims have discarded the practice of Islam in their daily life. Their love for religion has weakened.

13- A TALE OF TWO CITIES

REFRENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem,” A Tale of Two Cities” by John Peter.

CONTEXT: The poet tells us about the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He narrated how the people of the two cities of Japan passed through the cruelest period of their lives when atomic bombs destroyed the glory of their culture and civilization. But they rose to height once again.
EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells us that,
The poem has been written in the background of Second World War. The poet has tried to make us realize that a single action taken in fury can demolish the whole world. He also advises us that things can be destroyed but the will of man cannot be destroyed.

14- MY NEIGHBOUR FRIEND BREATHING HIS LAST

REFRENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, “My Neighbor Friend Breathing His Last” by Bullah Shah and translated by A.R. Luther.

CONTEXT: The poet’s friend who is also his neighbor is living this world. The poet is greatly shocked at it. His companions too are ready to bid him farewell. There are cries and shrieks everywhere. He is unable to understand what to do.

EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet says that,
Bullah Shah is a holy saint. His poetry is charged with mystic color. He says that death is the great reality of this world. Everything is mortal in this world except God’s love. It is love of God that can give us strength to bear the loss of our friends and relatives.

15- HE CAME TO KNOW HIMSELF

REFRENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, “He Came To Know Himself” by Sachal Sarmast.

CONTEXT: The poet says that it is our love of God that reveals to us the mystery of life. For this purpose, he has involved himself in love. Sometimes, he becomes Mansur to have his head cut. Sometimes, he becomes Yousif to be sold for God’s love.
EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet says that,
Sachal Sarmast was a mystic poet. His poetry charged with deep love of God. He has expressed his views about the purpose of man’s creation. God Almighty created man and made him His vicegerent so as to reveal knowledge about His self. Now it is up to man to prove him able to that position.

16- GOD’S ATRIBUTES

REFRENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, “God’s Attributes” written by Jalaluddin Rumi and translated by Dr. Nichakson.

CONTEXT: The poet has explained some attributes of God. To him, the attributes of God are not mere titles, but these are meaningful and effective for the formation of our character. God is seeing, hearing, and knowing so people should not do anything wrong.

EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet says that,
In this poem the poet wants to make us realize that the god is the creator of this world. Even a single mote is in His observation. He even knows those ideas that are devised by our mind. We should realize our duties to the creator of this world and fulfill them.

17- THE DELIGHT SONG

REFRENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, “The Delight Song” by N. Scott Momaday.

CONTEXT: The poet identifies himself with many beautiful things. He says that he is a father, a blue horse, a shiny fish, a shadow of a child, an evening light, an eagle, a cluster of beads, a far-off star, the cold of morning, the sound of rain, a shine on the snow, the track of moon on water, and a flame of four colors.

EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet says that,
The poet has expressed his viewpoint that if we want to enjoy life we must have a good and close relationship with all the objects of nature, both living and lifeless and be in complete harmony with nature. This shows that the poet has a living heart.

18- LOVE – AN ESSENCE OF ALL RELIGIONS

REFRENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, “Love-An Essence Of All Religions” by Jalaluddin Rumi and translated by Dr. Nichalson.

CONTEXT: The poet says that love is a mighty and powerful thing. It exercises great influence on all objects of nature. It changes our feelings and emotions. It makes us cheerful when we are sad. It tames the wilds animals. It grants health to sick persons. It makes the mighty kings humble.

EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells that,
The poet has justified that love is an essence of all religions. It is love that makes a man’s life a success. To him, life without love is not worth living. Love is the binding force, which God has bestowed upon man. Now, the followers of every religion should adopt it to make the world peaceful.

19- A MAN OF WORDS AND NOT OF DEEDS

REFRENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, “A Man Of Words And Not of Deeds” by Charles Perrault, translated by Robert Samber.

CONTEXT: The poet states that a man, who always talks but does not do any practical work, is useless for his society. He should not be a talkative one. To the poet, a man must be a man of action, so as to be useful for his society, which is his foremost duty.
EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells that,
An idle man leads an animals and meaningless life. His life in the world is marked with despair. He cannot achieve his goal. It is only a man of action who achieves his aim in life. A person who simply goes on talking lacks practical knowledge of the world. His life is like a garden full of weeds.

20- IN BROKEN IMAGES

REFRENCE: These lines have been taken from the poem, “IN Broken Images” by Robert Graves.

CONTEXT: The poet compares himself with a sharp person. The sharp person has clear images. He assumes relevancy of his findings, which brings his failure. On the other hand, the poet is dull and has broken images. He mistrusts his images and finds the truth.

EXPLANATION: In these lines the poet tells that,
The poet throws light on the importance of spirit of enquiry. He says that we should not believe a thing without doubting its reality. He advises us to continue our quest for acquiring and improving our knowledge. We should always remain thoughtful about the realities of life.