Class Notes

Class: VIII POEM 7 – WHAT IS PEACE?

Subject: ENGLISH

ABOUT THE POEM

The poem What is Peace? attempts to define what peace is and where it
resides. The poet goes beyond the representation of peace as a dove and
tries to explain where one may see peace dwelling.
Reading comprehension

A. Answer these questions within 20 words each.

1. What does the speaker often ponder?

Ans. The speaker often ponders whether peace is abstract or concrete or
the gentle dove or something more long lasting.
2. How do friends resolve disputes?
Ans. Friends often dissolve disputes with smiles and laughter, thus ending
all fights.
3. When does bees become a powerful tool?
Ans. Peace becomes a powerful tool when countries reach a mutual
agreement and stand hand in hand with unity.

B. Answer these questions in 30 to 40 words each.

a. In which households can one hope to find peace?

Answer. One can hope to find peace in households that work
together. In spite of many differences that exist among the
members when they come together, they remain united.
b. Does peace find a place among the different countries in the
world? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer. Peace finds a place among the different countries when
they meet to deliberate on issues that divide them. They finally
come to a mutual agreement, resolving differences.
c. Explain the phrase, ‘togetherness is strength’.
Answer. Togetherness becomes strength when all differences are
forgotten and only harmony prevails. When people resolve all their
 disputes and become united, they become stronger by being
together.

C. Answer these questions in 80-100 words each.

a. Summarise the poem in your own words.

Answer. The poet wonders whether peace is abstract or concrete.
Is it the gentle dove that can be seen on hoardings, notices or
pamphlets or something that endures for a longer period? Is it a
principle that enriches and nourishes life itself? Peace is seen in
households that walk together in spite of the differences that arise
when members come together. It exists when neighbours meet not
to exchange bitter words in anger but to greet each other. It
blooms when friends diffuse their tensions with smiles and
laughter, thus resolving all disputes. Peace can be seen when
countries deliberate on issues that divide and not unify and finally
reach a consensus so that they remain united. They stand hand in
hand, peace thus finding a place here. Peace is not a gentle dove
then but a very powerful tool that adds meaning to life. It then
brings Supreme joy and success in every phase of life. All this
becomes possible because togetherness is what leads to strength
and harmony results in complete bliss.

b. How do you think peace adds meaning to our lives?

Answer. Peace adds meaning to our life because when there is
harmony, we are able to function better without any tension or
anxiety. Living with our fellow beings and family in peace makes
our life not only happy but also purposeful. We draw strength from
our relationships, we do not waste time in unnecessary disputes
and allegations and become stronger by working together. We
share not only our problems and find solutions to them but we also
resolve all disputes by peaceful means, laughter and smiles.

D. Read these lines and answer the questions that follow.

1. Or is it something more enduring
A concept that enriches and nourishes life itself?
 a. What is the boy talking about here?
Answer. Here, the poet is talking about what peace is.
b. Why does the speaker feel that it can be something more enduring?
Answer. The speaker feels that peace is something more enduring as it
is a concept that enriches and nourishes life itself.
c. How does this concept nourish life?
Answer. This concept nourishes life by adding meaning to it and
bringing in supreme happiness and success in every corner.
2. Peace watches as a consensus they reach
And hand in hand stand to bind one and all.
a. Who are ‘they’ referred to here?
Answer. They referred to here are the different countries that meet
to discuss issues that divide.
b. What does the speaker say next?
Answer. The speaker says that peace watches when these countries
reach a consensus and stand united hand in hand.
c. What kind of a consensus, do you think, does the poet refer to here?
Answer. The poet is perhaps referring to the treaties and
agreements that are drawn up to mutual satisfaction to solve the
differences that exist among countries.

Appreciating the poem

Question: How far has the poet used this figure of speech effectively to
put across his or her thoughts in the poem?
Answer. The poet has used personification very effectively to put across her
thoughts in the poem. Peace has been shown as ruling over households
that walk together, it is shown blooming like a flower when friends resolve
disputes with smiles and laughter and it is shown as a spectator watching
anxiously when countries meet to settle disputes and confer on issues that
divide.

CONTENT IS PREPARED HOME.