ABHISARA -THE TRYST

BY RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Question 1

Choose the correct options for the following questions:

Set-1

1. The first meeting of the dancer and the ascetic occurred on a

(a) full moon night (b) cloudy dark night (c) thunder and light (d) both (b) and (c)

2. How was the night of the first meeting ironical?

(a) The beautiful girl laden with jewels was out on a dark night (b) The enlightened ascetic was asleep on a dark night
(c) The beautiful dancer was drunk in the wine of her youth (d) The dancer's feet touched the chest of the ascetic.

3. Name the figure of speech used in the phrase 'starred with jewels!

(a) Allusion (c) Engagement (b) Personification (d) Simile

4. The base of the symbolises that humans and their buildings

(a) have a strong base. (c) are subject to delay. (b) are meant to be beautiful. (d) need a base.

5. The ascetic says your way. What does he mean by that?

(a) The ascetics way of renunciation and austerity (b) The girls way of following materialism (c) The girl's passage to
the city (d) The ascetic's passage into the woods.

6. The girl was 'drunk' implies that

(a) she was intoxicated. (b) she was proud of her youthful beauty. (c) she was surprised to see an ascetic in her path.
(d) All of the above.

7. What is the symbolism of the 'dusty bed?

(a) Every human being turns to dust. (b) Few months later she was found on the same dusty bed. (c) Beauty and
wealth are transient. (d) All of the above.

8. What does the ascetic mean by when the 'time is ripe?

(a) When she would really need him (b) he would be old and in need of a bed (c) When his body would require
comforts (d) When she would be ready to give up her luxurious life.

9. The poem shows the transformation of

(a) a sleeping ascetic to a patient nursing human. (b) a girl from beautiful and proud to a pockmarked castaway.

(c) a rich and proud girl to a poor beggar. (d) All of the above.

10. Name the figure of speech in The black night showed its teeth.

(a) Imagery (c) Alliteration (b) Personification (d) Hyperbole

11. Which emotion is signified by the showing of teeth and growling?

(a) Anger (c) Sorrow(b) Joy (d) Frustration

12. The joy of spring is depicted by

(a) wayside trees were in full bloom (c) notes of the flutes (b) love-sick koels chirped (d) All of the above

13. Spring is a time of

(a) Materialistic pursuits (c) Both (a) and (b) (b) Spiritual awakening (d) None of the above

14. What does the lamp that the dancer carries in the darkness signify?

(a) She is ignorant (b) She is proud (c) She is young and beautiful (d) She is rich.

15. In what state was Upagupta when he lay asleep in the dust?

(a) Disturbed (b) Bliss (c) Ecstasy (d) None of the above

16. In which season was the first meeting between Vasavadatta and Upagupta

(a) Monsoon (b) Spring (c) Autumn (d) Winter

17. Which trait of Upagupta's character is revealed by 'his forgiving eyes?

(a) Modesty (b) Friendliness (c) Compassion (d) All of the above.

18. What is the thunder that scared Vasavadatta indicative of?

(a) Meeting with Upagupta (b) Foreboding of evil days (d) None of the above (c) The coming of heavy rains

19. Which of the following did NOT happen in the evening of a day in April?

(a) The trees were laden with flowers (b) The cheerful melodic tune from a flute was being heard (c) The ascetic was
walking with heavy steps (d) None of the above

20. At the end of the poem, Vasavadatta addresses Upagupta as

(a) Compassionate one (c) Faithful on (b) Merciful one (d) Divine master

Set-2

Select the option that shows the correct relationship between statement (1) statement (2).

1. It was the monsoon month of August. 2. There were dark clouds in the sky.

(a) 1 is the cause for 2. (b) 1 is an example of 2. (c) I is a contradiction of 2. (d) 1 is independent of 2.

(i) Choose the correct option in the context of these two statements.

1. Vasavadatta was quite humble and polite. 2. Upagupta politely turned down her invitation.

(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false. (b) Statement I is false but Statement 2 is true. (c) Both the
statements are true. (d) Both the statements are false.

2."The storm growled from the corner of the sky, and the woman trembled in fear Which of the following supports
the woman's state of mind?

(a) She feels lonely and weak. (b) It is the month of August. (c) She feels as if something terrible could happen to her.

(d) She is proud of her beauty and youth.

3. Select the option that best conveys the true nature of the monk Upagupta as he discloses his identity to
Vasavadatta.

(a) jealous (c) polite (b) humble (d) kind and compassionate

4. Which of these statements is Not true?

(a) The poet has used light and darkness quite symbolically. (b) The poet shows how youth and beauty are transient.
(c) Upagupta did not like to sleep on a comfortable bed. (d) Vasavadatta was proud of her beauty

(v) In what month did Upagupta come into contact with the dancing girl ?

(a) July (b) August (c) April (d) January

(vi) What impression did the dancing girl leave on her meeting with Upagupta?

(a) that she was very humble (b) that she was selfless (c) that she was proud of her youth and beauty (d) that she
was selfless

(Vii) 'Woman, go on your way'. What does 'your way' suggest here?

(a) the way to her house (b) the way she was leading her life in material comforts and physical pleasures (c) the way
out of Mathura (d) none of the above

(ix) Why did the woman tremble on listening to the thunder?

(a) because she was weak-hearted (b) because she feared something wrong was going to happen (c) because she
had nowhere to take shelter (d) because she feared her life was in danger

(x) Why was the street 'lonely' in the spring season?

(a) because it was spring time (b) because no one wanted to catch the epidemic (c) because the city dwellers had
abandoned the city (d) because the city dwellers had gone to the woods

(xi) The dancing girl was suffering from

(a) cancer (b) smallpox (c) a disease like smallpox (d) flu

(xii) Which of these statements is NOT true?

(a) Upagupta was a true ascetic (b) An ascetic cannot go to enjoy worldly pleasures (c) Upagupta did not find the
dancing girl really beautiful (d) The dancing girl was vain and proud.

(xiii) Upagupta tried to comfort and treat the dancing girl afflicted with an epidemic. What quality of his character is
revealed ?

(b) his kindness and fearlessness (a) his courage (d) his timidity (c) his humility

(xiv) Which birds are described as 'love-sick' in the poem

(b) koels (a) cuckoos (d) parrots (c) sparrows

(xv) Suddenly the black night 'showed its teeth. In which mood was the night?

(a) calm (b) furious (c) serene (d) listless

(xvi) The poem makes us realize that

(a) youth and beauty are not to be proud of (b) youth and beauty decline in old age (c) nothing is permanent

(d) an ascetic cannot be tempted

Question-2

Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:

1.In the poem, Upagupta was sleeping in the dust by the city wall of Madurai because-

2. The dancing girl appeared to be rich because

3. The ascetic did not accept the invitation of the dancing girl because

4. The ascetic woke up in shock because

5. The dancing girl was proud of her youth because

6. The young ascetic told the dancing girl to move on her own way because-

7. The woman trembles in fear because-

8. The branches of trees blossom because-

9. The streets were lonely on that April evening because

10. The woman was driven away / hurriedly removed from the town because-

11. The ascetic kept his promise because

12. The dancer had to lower her lamp because

13. According to Vasavadatta, the dusty bed was not fit for the ascetic because

14. The young ascetic applied sandal balm to the woman’s body because1

15. The ascetic has a face that was austerely beautiful because

16. The dancer called the ascetic merciful one because

17. The ascetic's eyes were forgiving because

18. Upagupta was a true ascetic because-

Question-3

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (100-150 words)

1. Who was Upagupta? Where was he and why?

2. What aspects of nature are described in the poem?
3. Briefly discuss the role played by nature in the poem.
4. Describe the first meeting between Upagapta and the young dancing girl.
5. How has the poet created the atmosphere of night during the first and the second meeting of Upagupta with
Vasavadatta? What is its significance?
6. Youth and beauty do not last long. Discuss with close reference to the poem.
7. What does the following line depict about the personality of the dancing girl?Wearing a pale blue mantle,
drunk with the wine of her youth.
8. In what frame of mind was Vasavadatta when she met Upagupta for the first- time? How did it change
during the second meeting?
9. What was Vasavadatta's reaction when she lowered the lamp and saw Upagupta's face? Why did she invite
him to her house?
10. Why did the young ascetic declined Vasavadatta's invitation? Why did he say that he would come when the
time is ripe"?
11. How has the poet used the seasons to show two contrasting phases in Vasavadatta's life?
12. Why was Vasavadatta driven away from the city? How did Upagupta treat her? What does it reveal about
Upagupta's character?
13. What message is conveyed in the poem through Vasavadatta's condition?

Question -4

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (200 -250 words)

1. Discuss the poem Abhisara - the Tryst as a triumph of the spiritual over the temporal.

2. How apt is the title of the poem, Abhisara - the Tryst?

3. Explain the symbols used by the poet in the poem, Abhisara - the Tryst to communicate its message.

4. How does the Abhisara - the Tryst depicts the contrast between spiritualism and materialism?

5. At the end of the poem, Abhisara - the Tryst the ascetic tells Vasavadatta, The time, at last, has come to visit you,
and I am here." Explain the change in time when Vasavadatta met Upagupta for the first time and now. How has the
poet depicted this change? Do you think it brought about a change in Vasavadatta? Give reasons.
6. Comment on the use of imagery in the poem.

7. 'Selfless service is the religion of the ascetics'. Discuss the statement with the reference to the text of the poem.

8. Compare and contrast the two parts of the poem.

9. The young ascetic answered, "Woman, go on your way:

When the time is ripe I will come to you." Explain the lines in the context of the poem.

SUGGESTED PROJECT ASSIGNMENTS

1. How does the poet highlight the selfless service of an ascetic in the poem?

2. Write a note on the setting of the poem. How is it important in relation to the main idea of the poem.