Prepared by

Nagaraj N
Lecturer in English
6362325725

Masters’ P U College
"Water"
by Challapalli Swaroopa Rani

"Water" by Challapalli Swaroopa Rani is a powerful poem that addresses the issues
of caste and gender discrimination in Indian society. The poem uses water as a
metaphor to highlight the plight of the Dalits, who are often denied access to basic
resources like water due to their social status.

The poem begins by describing how water, a fundamental element for life, knows
the inclines of the ground and the generations-old strife between the village and
the wada (a settlement of Dalits). This strife is compared to the persistent
dampness on the well's edge, symbolizing the enduring nature of untouchability
and social discrimination.

The poem further explores the theme of discrimination by referencing the Biblical
story of Jesus and the Samaria woman, emphasizing that water is essential for all,
regardless of social status. It also highlights the sub-caste differences among the
Dalits themselves, pointing out that even within marginalized communities, there
are layers of discrimination.

The poem poignantly describes the agony of the Panchama (a Dalit), who waits all
day near the well with an empty pot, hoping for a Shudra (a member of a higher
caste) to arrive and draw water for him. This imagery underscores the humiliation
and helplessness experienced by the Dalits.

### Key Themes

- **Caste Discrimination**: The poem vividly portrays the systemic oppression
faced by the Dalits, who are denied access to water, a basic necessity of life.
- **Gender Discrimination**: The poem also touches upon the gender inequalities
that compound the struggles of Dalit women.
- **Symbolism of Water**: Water is used as a powerful symbol of life, purity, and
renewal, but in the context of the poem, it also represents social exclusion and
suffering.

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Prepared by
Nagaraj N
Lecturer in English
6362325725

Masters’ P U College

### Notable Lines

- "Just as the water knows the ground’s incline, it knows the generations-old strife
between the village and the wada."
- "The water knows everything. It knows the difference of race between the
Samaria woman and Jesus the Jew."

"Water" by Challapalli Swaroopa Rani is a profound commentary on social disparity

and the multifaceted symbolism of water in the context of caste, class, and gender
inequalities in Indian society.

MCQs

1. **What is the main theme of the poem "Water"?**

a) Love and friendship
b) Caste and gender discrimination
c) Environmental conservation
d) Technological advancements
- **Answer:** b) Caste and gender discrimination

2. **What does water symbolize in the poem?**

a) Wealth and power
b) Life and purity
c) Knowledge and wisdom
d) Entertainment and leisure
- **Answer:** b) Life and purity

3. **Which social issue is highlighted through the metaphor of water in the poem?**
a) Economic inequality
b) Caste discrimination
c) Political corruption
d) Urbanization
- **Answer:** b) Caste discrimination

4. **What Biblical story is referenced in the poem?**

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Prepared by
Nagaraj N
Lecturer in English
6362325725

Masters’ P U College
a) The Good Samaritan
b) The Prodigal Son
c) Jesus and the Samaria woman
d) The Last Supper
- **Answer:** c) Jesus and the Samaria woman

5. **What does the persistent dampness on the well's edge symbolize?**

a) The abundance of water
b) The enduring nature of untouchability
c) The cleanliness of the well
d) The seasonal changes
- **Answer:** b) The enduring nature of untouchability

6. **Who is the Panchama in the poem?**

a) A wealthy landowner
b) A member of the upper caste
c) A Dalit waiting for water
d) A village headman
- **Answer:** c) A Dalit waiting for water

7. **What does the Panchama hope for while waiting near the well?**
a) To find a job
b) To get food
c) For a Shudra to draw water for him
d) To meet a friend
- **Answer:** c) For a Shudra to draw water for him

8. **What does the poem suggest about the sub-caste differences among Dalits?**
a) There are no differences
b) They are united
c) There are layers of discrimination
d) They are all wealthy
- **Answer:** c) There are layers of discrimination

9. **How does the poem depict the plight of Dalit women?**

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Prepared by
Nagaraj N
Lecturer in English
6362325725

Masters’ P U College
a) By showing their wealth
b) By highlighting their struggles for basic resources
c) By depicting their political power
d) By showing their educational achievements
- **Answer:** b) By highlighting their struggles for basic resources

10. **What is the overall message of the poem "Water"?**

a) The importance of wealth
b) The need for technological advancements
c) The impact of caste and gender discrimination on access to basic resources
d) The benefits of urbanization
- **Answer:** c) The impact of caste and gender discrimination on access to
basic resources

Two-mark questions

1. **What is the main theme of the poem "Water"?**

- The main theme of the poem "Water" is caste and gender discrimination,
highlighting the struggles of Dalits in accessing basic resources like water.

2. **How does the poem use water as a metaphor?**

- The poem uses water as a metaphor to represent life, purity, and the social
exclusion faced by Dalits, emphasizing the deep-rooted caste-based inequalities.

3. **What Biblical story is referenced in the poem, and why?**

- The poem references the story of Jesus and the Samaria woman to highlight
the universal need for water and the social barriers that prevent equal access to it.

4. **What does the persistent dampness on the well's edge symbolize?**

- The persistent dampness on the well's edge symbolizes the enduring nature of
untouchability and social discrimination faced by Dalits.

5. **Who is the Panchama in the poem, and what is his plight?**

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Prepared by
Nagaraj N
Lecturer in English
6362325725

Masters’ P U College
- The Panchama is a Dalit who waits all day near the well with an empty pot,
hoping for a Shudra to draw water for him, highlighting his helplessness and
humiliation.

Three-mark questions

1. **How does the poem "Water" address the issue of caste discrimination?**
- The poem "Water" addresses caste discrimination by highlighting the struggles
of Dalits in accessing basic resources like water. It uses water as a metaphor to
depict the deep-rooted social inequalities and the humiliation faced by Dalits, who
are often denied access to wells and other water sources due to their caste. The
persistent dampness on the well's edge symbolizes the enduring nature of
untouchability and social exclusion.

2. **What is the significance of the Biblical reference in the poem "Water"?**

- The poem references the Biblical story of Jesus and the Samaria woman to
emphasize the universal need for water and the social barriers that prevent equal
access to it. This reference highlights the irony that, despite water being a
fundamental necessity for all, societal prejudices and caste-based discrimination
continue to deny certain groups their basic rights. It underscores the poem's
message that water, like human dignity, should be accessible to everyone,
regardless of social status.

3. **How does the poem "Water" depict the plight of Dalit women?**
- The poem "Water" poignantly depicts the plight of Dalit women by illustrating
their daily struggles for basic resources. It highlights the compounded
discrimination they face due to both their caste and gender. The imagery of a
Panchama woman waiting all day near the well with an empty pot, hoping for a
Shudra to draw water for her, underscores the humiliation and helplessness
experienced by Dalit women. This depiction serves to amplify the poem's critique
of the social injustices faced by marginalized communities.

5
Prepared by
Nagaraj N
Lecturer in English
6362325725

Masters’ P U College
Four-mark questions

1. **How does the poem "Water" address the issue of caste discrimination?**
- The poem "Water" by Challapalli Swaroopa Rani addresses caste discrimination
by vividly portraying the struggles of Dalits in accessing basic resources like water.
The poem uses water as a powerful metaphor to highlight the deep-rooted social
inequalities and the humiliation faced by Dalits, who are often denied access to
wells and other water sources due to their caste. The persistent dampness on the
well's edge symbolizes the enduring nature of untouchability and social exclusion.
By referencing the Biblical story of Jesus and the Samaria woman, the poem
emphasizes the universal need for water and the social barriers that prevent equal
access to it. This poignant depiction underscores the systemic oppression and the
urgent need for social justice and equality.

2. **What is the significance of the Biblical reference in the poem "Water"?**

- The poem "Water" references the Biblical story of Jesus and the Samaria
woman to emphasize the universal need for water and the social barriers that
prevent equal access to it. This reference highlights the irony that, despite water
being a fundamental necessity for all, societal prejudices and caste-based
discrimination continue to deny certain groups their basic rights. The story of
Jesus and the Samaria woman, who belonged to different social groups, serves as a
powerful metaphor for the caste divisions in Indian society. It underscores the
poem's message that water, like human dignity, should be accessible to everyone,
regardless of social status. This Biblical allusion adds depth to the poem's critique
of social injustices and reinforces the call for equality and inclusion.