Reading selection 4.

3 IT COULDN’T BE DONE;
Additional Questions:
MESSAGE OF THE POEM
It couldn’t be done is a motivational poem written by Edgar Guest. The title is paradoxical as poet
advocates the idea of it can be done that other people consider impossible or difficult .The poet gives this
message to those who quit trying, who are overwhelmed by the enormity of task, who succumb in a short
span of time. The poet gives hope, energy and determination to trust yourself and stick to the achievement
of the target. He uses the phrases like Buckle right in time and with a grin on your face to advocate the
idea that trusting yourself brings forth success and confidence.

OR

The poem IT COULDN’T BE DONE is written by Edgar Guest. The poem’s title is paradoxical. By
saying It couldn’t be done, the poet wants to say that it can be done. The poet advocates the idea that life is
a blend of ups and down and we should have courage to face all the challenges. We should encounter all
challenges with a broad smile on the face and we should buckle in the right time. The poet says that
failures are part of life therefore we should not give up in any circumstances and ignore all the negative
comments of the people.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

“It Couldn’t Be Done” by Edgar Guest discusses the importance of perseverance and self- reliance. The title
is paradoxical as poet advocates the idea of it can be done .The poem includes imagery, symbolism,
connotation, and sound devices to contribute to the overall topic of motivation. Guest uses literal imagery
“with a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin to emphasize the positive spirit in the poem. The word “chuckle”
is an example of onomatopoeia referring to confidence. The poet uses anaphora in his repetition of the words
“There are thousands” –emphasizing that number of people will predict your failure but words like buckle
in connotes determination.

Reading selection 5.3: THE SCHOOL BOY:

How does the school boy feel waking up in summer morning?
ANS: The schoolboy is very joyful/mirthful to get up early in the fresh and delightful summer morning. The
chirping of the birds announces the day break and the singing of the birds elates him. He gets entertained
by the company of the hunter who blows his horn from a distance field. He also likes to enjoy the sweet
melodious songs of skylark. According to the schoolboy, nature is his best company and he enjoys it very
much.

How does the school boy feel going to school?

Whenever the boy thinks of going to the school, all his enjoyment and mirth fades away. He expresses his
extreme tiredness and so he sits drooping out in the sea of monotony. He does not enjoy or learn anything
under the “cruel” and fearful look of the teacher. He spends his day in utter anxiety, dejection and dismay
as he has to follow the strict rules and regulations of the school under the authoritative teachers. Bower
means the school, which according the schoolboy is “worn out” /damaged/defective.
Why the poet has compared the school boy to a bird?

The poet has compared the school boy to a bird because the schoolboy feels himself to be imprisoned in
school just as a bird is restrained in a cage. According to his view, a bird is a symbol of joy and freedom, it
is born cheerful and jovial and so it will never sing sweet songs if caged. Similarly, a child if remained under
the umbrella of annoying fear and tension, the skepticism of his teacher can never enjoy the natural instincts
of joy and playfulness.

What does the school boy complain to his parents and what message has been imparted
by the poet?
The school boy complains to his parents that if the buds and flowers are destroyed before blooming and if
the plants are stripped of their branches and leaves, how will the fruits appear to elate and thrill us? Similarly
if childhood pleasures and joys are suppressed by sorrow and care, surely the adult life will be utterly dry
and unproductive. The poet imparts the message that parents should not unnecessarily repress and restrict
children because like the flowers the children too need freedom for efficient growth.

CRITITICAL ANALYSIS:

The poem “The School Boy” belongs to Blake’s “Songs of Innocence”. The poet has employed various
poetic devices like rhetorical questions, exclamation, apostrophe, (‘O! father and mother'), alliteration,
(blossoms blown) symbols and metaphors to describe the innocent desires of a young boy and the
oppressive nature of education. He loves summer mornings but going to school turns his joy into
something miserable. “Cruel eye” refers to the teachers. “Learner’s bower” is a metaphor used for school
which, as per the schoolboy, is worn out. He compares himself to a caged bird. Symbols of spring,
summer, and winter refers to the child’s present and future.

Reading selection 6.3 Once Upon a Time.

The poem “Once upon a time” is a beautiful comparison of past and present life of the poet? Discuss.
OR

Justify the title of the poem “once upon a time”

OR What does the title of the poem “Once upon a time” indicate?
Gabriel Okara, a Nigerian poet is the composer of the poem “Once upon a time”. It clearly indicates the past.
The poet remembers that in the past, people used to show happiness from their hearts on meeting someone
and their behavior was genuine- full of warmth and affection. But nowadays artificiality has taken the place
of reality. People have become money minded and make friendship only for personal gains. In the poem the
poet has contrasted the past with the present, so the title is justified and appropriate.
What is the theme of the poem?

The poem is about the artificiality of relationships and manners prevailing in the present world. The past
according to the poet was better than the present because there were love, sincerity and faithfulness. The
mood of the poem is nostalgic. The poet is remembering how things used to be when he was young and
innocent, like his son. The poet’s response to his nostalgia is sadness. The poem has mixed feelings of
childhood experiences, hypocrisy (appearance versus reality), regret on the loss of innocence and yearning
for the past. The child in the poem is a symbol of innocence, purity, enthusiasm, happiness, and genuineness
lacking in society.
This poem is nothing but a criticism of modern life. Justify this statement.
The poet Gabriel Okara in this dramatic monologue painfully condemns the duplicity displayed by adults,
both in their words and actions. The father laments about the negative changes that creep into the attitude
and behaviour of humans. He says that people used to be genuine when they laughed and the honesty would
be reflected in their eyes. But, people of modern times laugh superficially. Their handshakes used to be
warm and happy conveying a sense of togetherness, but nowadays it is fake. He warns his son that people
are concerned only about their own personal benefits. They utter words of welcome and exchange
pleasantries, but those words are not from the depth of their hearts.

Explain the things the poet has learnt when he grew into an adult.
Gabriel Okara (the Nigerian poet) admits that he has also become a hypocrite. He himself has become the
victim of the artificial world by displaying all fake behavior. In the past people greeted one another with real
gladness and sincerity. But now, people laugh without any real happiness and greet one another with an
artificial, pretended smile. Okara says that he has also learnt to behave in an artificial manner like other
people. His laugh is deceitful and toxic. He deceives people with his farewell and welcomes as well as with
his false politeness.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The poet Gabriel Okara in this dramatic monologue painfully condemns the duplicity displayed by adults,
both in their words and actions. The tone is nostalgic as well as ironic. The literary devices used throughout
the poem are metaphors, 'laugh with their teeth, while their ice-block cold eyes …” similes and
repetition. The past according to the poet was better than the present because there were love and sincerity.
The poet’s response to his nostalgia is sadness. The poem has mixed feelings of childhood experiences,
hypocrisy (appearance versus reality), regret on the loss of innocence and yearning for the past. The child in
the poem is a symbol of innocence and purity.