The Brook

1. (Alfred Lord Tennyson)

ABOUT THE POEM

Despite all hurdles, eventually it joins the river. However
its journey never comes to an end as it keeps on filowing
Introduction:

"The Brook" reads like an autobiography ofabrook. The continuously. Generations of men are born and they
brook describes the journey ofits origin from 'haunts of die but the brook keeps going on.
coOt and hern' to its mingling with 'the brimmingriver'. THEME
The poem draws a parallel between the life of a brook
and the journey of human life. However, the poem also The poem deals with the consistent nature of the brook
shows a contrast between the shortness of human life that keeps on movingtowardsits destination despite all
and eternity of nature. hurdles. It shows a contrast between man and nature
with 'For men may come and men may go, But I go on
Sunmary: forever. The brook seems to give a message tO mankind
Starting from somewhere in the mountains which are to undertake the journey oflife cheerfully.
home to birds like the cootand heron, the brook flows
MESSAGE
down noisily over the mountain slopes to reach the
valley. Just like the journey of the brook, human life also
On its way itpasses by many hills, ridges, towns, villages passes through many ups and downs, highs and lows. It
and bridges. Its movement is swift, splashy, bubbly and has to overcome many hurdles and difficulties. Yet, like
noisy. It flows over stones and pebbles. It undertakes a the brook, it must move on towards its ultimate
destination. It should be as useful and fruitful to others
never ending journey and moves on to merge with the
river. Generations after generations of human beings as the life of the brook is. Human beings must learn to
come and go but the brook is immortal; it flows take joys and sorrows in their stride and keep moving
incessantly. In its constant and forceful flow, the brook ever onwards. That is the message conveyed by the poet.
rubs away its banks. It moves stones along with it and LITERARY DEVICES
makes rhythmic musical sound. Winding its way
Personification
through cultivated and uncultivated land and
forelands, the brook provides a home and breeding Personification is the poetic practice of attributing
ground to willows, mallows, flowers fallen into it and human qualities, a character or personality to inanimate
fish of many kind. As the brook passes over the golden ornon-human beings such that they appear to be living
coloured sand, foam floats over its surface. The brook human beings.
sparkles like silver when it breaks into waterfalls. Finding In the poem "The Brook", the brookhas been personified.
its way through forget-me-not flowers, the brook continues Having feelings like humans it narrates the course ofits
its journey. It goes on slipping, sliding, gliding, dancing, journey very vividly.
and lingering. Swallows hunt for food from its waters
After coming into existence, the brook like human
and sunshine dances over its surface.
beings undertakes thejourney of life.
Murmuring and moving, it reaches its destination - a
It has its ambitions and aspirations. Going through many
brimming river. Very slow and steady, even unwilling in
ups and downs, it experiences different moods but it
its movement, the brook comes to the end of its journey
continues with its journey till it reaches its destination.
with the moon and stars being reflected in its waters.

71 COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH-9
LITERATURE COMPANION
 musical effect, to emphasizeapoint, to drawtthereaders
Alliteration toapiece.
attention, or to lend unity
Alliteration is "the repetition of usually consonant
Example:
sounds occurring recurently at the beginning ofa word flow
orofa stressed syllable within aword." Ichatter, chatter, as I

Examples: Here the word chater has been repeated io emphasise the
lond noise created by the brook. The repetition of the
With many a curve my banks I fret
wordalso brings out itsjoyous mood.
By many a field and fallow,
And manya fairy foreland set For men maycome and men maygo,
(", m'and f sounds ocur repeatedly) but Igo on forever

With willow-weed and mallow The poet has also repeated the above lines several time i
the poem. This refrain gives a musical effect to the poem
(w'sound occurs repeatedly) and brings bome the idea of the transitory nature of
Icome from haunts of coot and hern
human life as compared to that ofa brook.
(c'and 'b'sound ocurs repeatedly)
Imagery
Onomatopoeia
Imagery stands for figurative illustrations and mental
Onomatopoeia (sometimes called echoism) is applied
pictures that are created in the mind of a reader
to a word, or a combination of words, whose sound
through the usage ofa simile, ametaphor, a symbol and
seems to resemble the sound it describes. 'Bang', 'pop',
"hiss','buzz' etc. are onomatopoeicwords. the skilful use of words. Imagery concretizes an abstract
thought and lends vividity to the poem.
Example:
Ichatter over stony ways, "The Brook" is replete with visual and auditory imagery.I
originates from the serenity of the mountains which is
In little sharps and trebles,
depicted by the poet through the haunts of 'coot and
I bubble intoeddying bays,
Ibabbleon the pebbles. hern'. "Thirty hills', 'twenty thorpes', 'hundred bridges'
create picturesque images. 'Sharps', 'rebles','babbling
The brook chatters and babbles as it flows down the hill.
The poet has used several onomatopoeic words in the and 'chattering' create auditory imagery as they present
various sounds. A 'sailing blossom', 'a lusty trout', 'a
poem to create sound effects. The brook moves down
grayling', 'the skimming swallows' to0 make vivid
the hills noisily. On the way, obstructions make it all the
pictures. 'Shingly bars', 'brambly wildernesses', 'stony
more noisy. To depict the variation in the sounds,
onomatopoeicwords prove to be very effective. ways' create an image of the obstacles. 'Slip and slide,
'gloom and glance', 'field and fallow' give aglimpse of
bicker murmur the different moods and phases of life. Silvery water
Sound Words
breaks, 'netted sunbeam' and 'eddying bays' are other
examples of visual imagery.
fret
chatter Through the skilful use of these images, the brook
babble comes alive and the reader visualizes it and listens to its
music with great vividity.
Repetition
Poets often repeat single words or phrases, lines, and Enjambment
sometimes, even whole stanzas at intervals to create a Enjambment is a poetic device in which aline carries
COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH-9
LITERATURE COMPANION 72
 on its idea to the next without any pause in the form ofa STAND ALONE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
nunctuation mark at its end. These lines are also called (Answer the questions by choosing the correct options.)
un-on-lines. There are a number of examples of TEXTUAL
enjambmentin "The Brook". Some of these are: (a) The message ofthe poem is that the life ofa brook is
() Imake a sudden sally (iüi) eternal
(i) temporary
And sparkle out among the fern,
(ii) short-lived (iv) momentary
(There is no full stop, comma, semi-colon etc. at the end
(ii) eternal
ofthefirst line)
(ii) Tilllast by Philip's farm I flow (b) The poet draws a parallelism between the journey
ofthe brook with
To join the brimming river.
(i) the life of aman
(There is no pause at the end ofthe first line.)
(ii) the death ofman
(ii) With many a curve my banks Ifret
(ii) the difficulties in a man's life
By many a field and fallow,
And manya fairyforeland set (iv) the endless talking of human beings
With willow-weedand mallow. () thelife of aman
(Here the first line runs on to the second, and the third (c) In the poem, the below mentioned lines suggest
line runs on to the fourth without any pause.) th¡t

There are many more examples of enjambment in the "And here and there a lusty trout,
poem. Andhere and there a grayling"
RHYME SCHEME (i) the brookis a source oflife
(i) people enjoy the brook
Therhyme scheme ofthepoemis abab.
(iii) fishes survive because of water
FLOW CHART SHOWING
(iv) thebrookwitnesses all kindsofscenes
THE COURSE OF THE BROOK
(ii) fishes survive because ofwater
1.
2.
Comes from the (d) Select the option that matches the given wordsl
Passes through
place where coots phrases with the appropriate literary device used
and herons live
valleys and towns
by the poet.
4.
3 WORDS LITERARY DEVICE
Crosses both
Passes under
fertile and fallow
land
fifty bridges i) Chatter; Babble; Murmur 1. Alliteration -the
OCcurrence of the same
5. 6
Passes lawns Goes through letter or sound at the
filled with wilderness full
beginning of adjacent or
flowers of thorny bushes
closely connected words
7
Joins the i) Men may come and men 2. Onomatopoeia - the
river
may go but lgo on forever formation of a word from
asound associated with
what is named

LITERATURE COMPANION 73
COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH -9
 ii) fairly foreland: with (a) Who or what is 'T' in the above lines?
3. Inversion -reversal of the Where does it
willow-weed; foamy flake; normal order of the words comefrom?
golden gravel and phrases in a sentence 'I stands for the 'brook'. It originates
areas which are inhabited by water birds
from the
4. Refrain - a word, line or
andheron.
like coot
phrase that is repeated
within the lines or stanzas (b) What do these lines tell you about the
way the
of the poem itself speaker moves?

(i) i-2, ii-1, ii-4 i-4, ii-2, ii-3 The brook emerges suddenly from a high
(ii)
and falls and flows down a valley,
plateau
(iii) I-2, ii-4, iii-1 (iv) i-1, ii-2, iii-3 making
alot of
noise. It moves on through the ferns with its
(iii) I-2, ii-4, iii-1 water
sparkling.
(e) The first-person narration of the brook allows the
reader to
(c) Nameapoeticdevice used in the firstline.
Alliteration.
(i) appreciate Tennyson's use ofsymbols
Icomefrom haunts of coot and hern.
(ii) realize the ultimate goal of the brook
The 'c'sound and 'h'sound have been repeated
(ü) experience the soothing effect of the sound
ofwater (d) Bring out two characteristics of'T as given in tha
stanza.
(iv) understand the brook's experience as a living
organism 'I' is sparkling and noisy. It seems to be full oflife.
(iv) understand the brook's experience as a living (e) Which poetic device in the stanza, makes the poet
organism use thepronoun T'for the brook?
Giving the attributes of a living human being to
the brook, the poet has personified it. Hence the
pronoun 'I' has been used forit.
STANZAS FOR COMPREHENSION
(2)
(Read thefollowing extracts and answer the
By thirty hills I hurry down,
questions briefly)
Or slip between the ridges,
(1) By twenty thorpes, a little town,
I comefrom haunts ofcoot and hern; And half a hundred bridges.
Imake a sudden sally
And sparkle out among the fern, The brook's journey being a long and a tedious one, it passes
To bicker down a valley. by many hills, ridges, villages and a number of bridges with
great speed.No obstruction is capable ofstopping it.
Coming down from the habitat of water birds like coots and
herons, the brook emerges suddenly from a high plateau (a) Whatplaces or landmarks does the brook pass by?
and falls and flows down a valley, making a lot of noise as it
does so. It moves on through the fern that grows along its
The brookpasses by hills, ridges, villages and alittie
town. AIl along the way, there are scores of bridges
banks and reflects the sunlight thus creating a dazzling itpasses under.
effect.
(b) Howdoes the brookslipbetween the ridges?
COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH -9
LITERATURE COMPANION 74
 Flowing down numerous hills with a great speed, (b) What is the brook's ultimate aim?
the brook makes its way through the ridges and
The brookaims at joiningthe brimming river.
moves onwithout interruption.
c) Whatidea do you get about the brook's journeyfrom (C) Bring out acontrast between man's life anda brook's
the above lines?
life.
Man's life as compared to that of the brook is very
The reader gets to know that the brook is under short. The brook's life seems to be eternal (everlasting).
going along and a tedious journey which comprises Whereas generations of men come into this world
hills, ridges, villages, towns and numerous bridges. and perish, the brook continues to go on and on.
The merntion of these varied landmarks indicates
(d) Although, not a living character, the brook refers to
the excessive length ofthe journey.
itselfas I. What poetic device makes such ause of
(d) What do you learn about the brook's movement? pronoun possible?
The brook moves very fast and swiftly. It shows a Personification.
great sense ofurgency in reachingits destination. No
obstruction is capable of stoppingit. (4)
Ichatterover stony ways,
(e) What is the significance ofthenumber words in the
lines? In little sharps and trebles,
Ibubble into eddying bays,
The reference to thirty hills, twenty villages and half
a hundred bridges shows the brook comes across
Ibabbleon the pebbles.
numerous hills, villages and bridges in the course
As the brook moves, its swift current strikes against the
of its journey. These numbers have been mentioned
pebbles and stones under it producing atremendous noise.
to give the reader an idea of the long journey of the Thus the brook seems to be talking' as it moves. Also its
brook.
rapid, spiral movement creates spirals of bubbles and it
(3) soundsvery cheerful.
Tilllast by Philip'sfarmIflow
To join the brimmingriver, (a) Bringout the significance ofthe word 'chatter'.
For men may come and men may go, As the brook moves, its swift current strikes against
ButIgo on for ever. the pebbles and stones under it producing a loud
sound. Thus, the brook seens to be 'talking' as it
At long last, it reaches the plains. However, its journey moves. Hence the word 'chatter' gives the brook
Continues as it moves on towards its ultimate goal of the characteristics ofa living being.
merging into the river overflowing with water. Generations
(b) As described in these lines, how does the brook move?
after generations of human beings are born and they perish
Here the brook moves in whirls and swirls. Its rapid
but the brook's incessantjourney is never ending.
spiral movement, caused by the underlying stones,
(a) What is thesignificance of the word 'last' in the produces bubbles and eddies.
Stanza? (c) What is the state of mind of the brook as it flows
towards the river?
After having covered a long and a tedious journey,
the brook reaches the point which would lead it to The brook seems to be ina very cheerful mood. It is
the final destination. Hence, this point named as in astate of excitement as it flows happily towards
Philip's farm has been referred to as the'last' point. the river that it is looking forward to join.

75 COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH -9
UTERATURE COMPANION
 TEXTUAL

(a) Apartfrompersonification, what other poeticdevice Choose the option that best describes the
(a)
has been used in the last two lines of thestanza journey in the given stanza.
brook;
Ihe poet hasmade use of alliteration in the last twO Itisajourneyfull of
lines ofthe stanza.
(i) comfort and luxury
(5) (ii) trials and tribulations
With many a curve my banks I fret (iüi) sorrow and misery
By many a field and fallow,
And many a fairy foreland set (iv) joy and laughter
With willow-weed and mallow. (ii) trials and tribulations
(b) The poet has used the pronoun 'I' to
refer to the
The brook rubs against its banks vigorously and flows by brook and thus employed a literary device in thi.
cultivated and uncultivated pieces of land. It also flows by depiction. Choose the option that uses the
the land extending into the sea providing home and same
literary device as used in thefirst option.
breeding ground to willows and mallows.
(i) The magnitude of the bottomless ocean 2e
divine.
(a) What does the word 'fret' mean? How does the brook
fret' its banks? (ii) The angry walls echoed his fury.
The word 'fret' meanswear or consume bygnawing
(iii) Amother is like a lioness protecting her cubs
or rubbing. The swift and curved movement of its (iv) Ifelt the power ofthegushing stream.
water wears and consumes the brook's sandy banks. (i) The angry wallsechoed his fury.
(b) What literary device has been used in these lines? (c) The brook seems to be fretting in the given stanza
Give example(s). This word has been used by the poet to depict the
Alliteration. .oftheflowing brook.
In the first three lines f sound is repeated in the (i) force (iii) silence
fret, field, fallow, fairy and foreland. (ii) kindness (iv) beauty
There is arepetition of 'w'sound in the lastline. (i) force
With willow-weed and mallow.
(6)
(c) Why has the word 'many' been repeated thrice in the
stanza?
Ichatter, chatter, as I flow
To join the brimming river,
The repetition of the word 'many' signifies the For men may come andmen may go,
extent of the brook's journey where it comes across ButI go on for ever.
countless landmarks.

(a) What is the rhyme scheme ofthis stanza? The brook flows noisily with a single track mind to become
abab one with the river overflowing with water.The human ie
being short-lived, generation after generation keeps ol
(e) Whydoes the poet call theforeland fairyforeland'?
The poet calls the foreland 'fairy foreland' to bring
appearing and disappearing butthe brookmoves on etemal.
out its beauty and the romance that has about way does
the
(a) I chatter, chatter as I flow'. In what
itself. brook chatter?

LITERATURE COMPANION
COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH -
76
 The swift moving and noisy brook passes over many The brook moves in a curved and winding manner.
and then
stones and pebbles thus making them rub and roll Its course bends and turns every now
against each other. This producesa series of high before it finally merges with a river.
pitched sounds similarto the sounds that monkeys (b) In what way is the brookfull oflife?
make. Moreover, the sprightly brook seems to be The brook is full of life in the sense that it is lively
'talking', too. and sprightly in its movement. Secondly, it supports
flowers
(b) What is the brook'sfinal destination? many forms of plant and animal life e.g.
Abrimming river is the final destination of the and fish.

brook. Its journey would end when it will become (c) Which literary device is used in the last two lines of
one with the overflowing river. the stanza? Whatpurpose doesit serve in the poem?
(c) Whyhas the word 'chatter'been repeated? (Textual) The poet has made use of repetition. The phrase
"'here and there' occurs in the context of a blossomn,
The word'chatter' has been repeated to emphasise
the loud noise created by the brook. The repetition a trout and a grayling to show that in the long course
of theword also brings out its joyous mood. of the journey of the brook there are different forms
oflife that give it company as it flows on and on.
(d) Why has the poet used the word 'brimming'? What
kind ofa picture does it create? (8)
'Brimming' refers to the overflowing river. It shows And here and there a foamy flake
Upon me, as I travel
abundance of water in it whichmeans that it would
never dry and would flow eternally. With manya silvery waterbreak
Above the golden gravel,
(e) The last two lines ofthis stanza are repeated several
times in the poem. Can you suggest why? Clusters of foam float over the brook's surface as it goes
These lines form the poem's refrain. Their advancing in its journey.As it passes over beds of sand with
repetition brings home the idea of the transitory atinge of golden colour, the brook sparkles like silver as its
nature of human life as compared to that of the smooth flow is obstructed.
eternal nature ofthe brook.

(7) (a) How is a foamy flake formed on the surface of the

Iwind about, and in and out, brook?

With here a blossom sailing, The swift and swirling water movement forms a
And here and there alusty trout, rich foam ofwater on the surface of the brook. This

And here and there a grayling, cluster of bubbles floats on itssurface and moves
along withit.
The brookmoves in a curved and winding manner andisfull (b) Explain: 'a silvery waterbreak'.
of life in the sense that it is lively and sprightly in its Many times obstructions interrupt the smooth
movement.It carries with it the blossoms that happen to fall flow of the brook and a waterbreak is created. The
into it from the trees growing along its banks, and fish of sunrays fall on this break and make it shine like
many varieties. silver.

(c) Besides the foamy flake, wuhat else does the brook
abOve
(a) How does the brook mnove as described in the drawalongas it travels?
stanza?

77 COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH9
LITERATURE COMPANION
 Very quietty andistealthity, the
brsk
I draws manyplants like flowers, anirmals like fish,
lawns ard plots ard graefuliy moves on
stones and pebbles alongwith ít asit travels. abrences,
hazelnut trees. ks it
(d) What different colourshae been mentioned in the
stanza?
dlants andfiouers thatgvejoytothe lover

There is an indirect reference to the whíteness of the What does the word stenl
foarm.Thcinterruptionin the flowof water gjvesita (a)
moVement?

silver effect and its sandybed has agolden colour.

It suggestS silent and stealthy m
(9 whích the brook attains 25 ít proEA
Anddrawtherm all along, and flow theleveland plain areas.
To jointhebrirnmingriver b Whatis the word 'slide sugzestiueof?
For men may comeandmen maygo, 'Slide' refers to not s0: Swift but srntn
But Igo on forever. brook As ít ilows Sver the plains, it ry
gracefully and leisurely.
The brook carries along wihatever cornes its vway because it
noves on with a focused rmiínd to becone a
part of the (c How was the movement of thebroskearlie
overflowingriver.Unlike hurman beings,ít hasan eternallite.
Farlier, it rnoved swity and ngisily with zE
sense of urgency.
(a) What does 'them 'in thefirst line refer to? (d) I mOve the sweet forgel-me-no:. H ae ie
"Them'stands forsmallclusters of foan, blossorns forget-me-nots rmoved?
the brook
of flowe, fish, stones and pcbbles that The forget-ne-not flowers thzt are gronig inng
carries alongwith it.
the banks of the brook are rmsed toy tte te
(b) Give anexampleofalliteration in these lines. current of the brook

In the line, "Men may come and rnen may go, m (e) Why have forget-fme-nots been giuen the att
SOund has been repeated. 'sweet?
(c) Thelast two lines sum up the main idea of the poem. Sweet brings out the beauty and the frzgI:I
Explain what the idea is. the flowers.
Human life is short and transitory but the brook,
(11)
Jike time, flows on and on forever. For it, constant
movemnentíslife. Islip, Islide, Igloom. Iglance,
Amongmy skirmming swallows:
(d) What effect does the repetition of 'men' produce in Irmake thenetted sunbearm dance
the stanza?
Againstmy sandy shallows.
have
Apart fronconveying that innurnerable men
beentaking birth and dying, the repetition creates the brock srne
Moving on quietly and gracefuly, LSualcws

amusical effect.
looks gloormy/andsormetimes brightarndcheertu
sunte23
(10) fish out theirfoodfrormn its waters and the trug E
peeos
Over its surface while the sandy bed
Isteal by lawns and grassy plots,
Islide byhazelcovers shallow waters.
Imovethesweetforget-me-nots

That grow for happylovers. (a) What does the first line describe?
COMVLNcNEAE

LITERATURE COMPANION
 It describes the variouS movements and moods of through the
Coming down the hills as it flows
water
the brook. Its quiet and graceful flow through the plains, the brook slows down and its flowing
shady and sunnyregions has been depicted. creates only a soft ripply and mnurmuring sound.
(b) What literary device(s) does the first line contain? (c) Explain: ..shingly bars.
Give examples. Towards the end of the brook's journey, pebbles
The poet has made use of alliteration by repeating and sand get deposited in bar-like wavy shapes.
the 's' and g' sounds e.g. slip... slide, gloom and They shine in moonlight.
glance. The line also contains repetition of 'I and (d) Which literary device has been used in the first line?
verb words. The repetition depicts the varied The poet has used onomatopoeia to bring out the
movements and activities ofthe brook.
sound effect. The onomatopoeic word 'murmur'
(c) Theswallows touch the surfaceofbrook to... describes the gentle sound the brook produces.
catch the fish for food.
(13)
(d) The brook calls the swallows 'ny skimming swallows' And out again I curve and flow
because...
To join the brimmingriver,
flying along the current, the swallows are reflected For men may come and men may go,
in the brook's waters. ButIgoon for ever.
(e) Explain: "... the nettedsunbeam.
Finding its way out round the plants, the brook flows on to
The sunlight seems to be trapped in the water. Its
unite with the overflowing river. Generations of men are
reflected rays produce a net-like effect of flashing
born and perish but the brook's life never comes to an end.
light. Itflows on and on.
(12)
Imurmur undermoonand stars (a) Explain: 'Andout againIcurve andflow.
In brambly wildernesses; Even as the brook's movement is interrupted by the
Ilingerby my shingly bars; plants and shrubs, it makes a final dash to reach its
Iloiter round my cresses; destination i.e. the brimmingriver.
(b) Why does the brook describe the river as brimming?
Here the brook slows down and its splashy noise changes
into a gentle murmur. It makes a whispering sound as it With constant 'feeding' from the brooks, the river
flows in the moon and star light,throughthe thorny bushes overflows or swells with water. That is why the
growing in deserted places. It moves on very leisurely as it brook describes the river as brimming.
flows over bars of sand and pebbles. It flows around the (c) Explain the last two lines ofthe stanza.
plants that grow in its way. The brook keeps on flowing unceasingly, though
generations of human being come and go to yield
(a) What changes do younotice in the movement of the place to the next generation.
brook here? (d) What parallel does the poet draw between the brook
Here the brook moves in a slow and lingering and human life?
movement. Its splashy noise has now changed into Both the brook and human life symbolise constant
a gentle murmur. movement, change and renewal. The brook seems
(b) Why do you think the brook is murmuring now? to be going on and on but human life is short lived.

79
LITERATURE COMPANION COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH-9
 SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Men are born and they die. Newlives come into the (to be answered in about 40 words each)
World but the brook js immortal and it keeps on
O1. Describe the course of thebrook
flowing unceasingly.
Originating from the region that is
(14) the water birds like coots and herons. inhabited by
Ilinger by my shingly bars; the
flows through valleys, towns, fields and brook
Iloiter round my cresses; Next, it comes acrOss a wildernmess bridges
Andout again I curve and flow that is OVer-
grown with thorny bushes. Flowing with:
To join the brimming river, 1a single.
mindedness of purpose, aiming to merge with:h.
For men may come andmen may go,
river, it finally reaches its ultimate
ButIgo on for ever. and becomes one with the river. destination
TEXTUAL Q2. Why does the brooksparkle?
(a)
(Textual)
Choose the option th¡t includes words that best As the brOok originates from the place where coots
describe thecharacteristics of thebrook, as revealed and herons are found, it is spotted shining in the
in thegiven extract. midst of grass growing all over because its sudden
1. perpetual 2.silent 3. twisted 4.unbound descent creates bubbles which sparkle with the
5. interrupted light of the sun falling on them. Next, as it flowe
Over the golden gravel, it sparkles as light pases
() 1,3 and4 (iii) 1,2 and3
through water making it bright and brilliant. The
(iüi) 1,2, 4and5 (iv) 1,2 and 4
light of the sun, the moon and the stars falligon is
(i) 1,3 and4 surface creates an effect ofa net made out of light.
(b) The line, "men mnay cone and men maygo Q3. 'Bicker' means to quarrel. Why does the poet use
(1) mocks the shortness of the brook's life as it this word here? (HOTS;Textual)
goes through its journey As the brook originates in the midst of fern, it lows
(ii) highlightsthe eternal nature of human life as down the valley with agreat speed. Consequendy,
opposed to its own it produces a loud noise. Usually quarrels are loud
(ii) contrasts the eternal nature of the brook and noisy, hence the poet imagines the brook
against the short-lived human life-span quarrelling noisily as it flows into the valley.
(iv) highlights the eternal story of men that the Q4. How many hills, thorpes and bridges does the
brook comes across duringitsjourney brook pass during its journey? Does itreallypasS
through the specified number? If not, what does
(iii) contrasts the eternal nature of the brook
the number imply?
against the short-lived human life-span
The brook comes across thirty hills. It passes
(c) What do the words linger' and 'loiter' show about from
the brook? through twenty villages and has to flow
doesn't
under at least fifty bridges. The brook
(i) Its continuity the
pass through precisely the number quoted inthe
(ii) Itsslow movement
poem. These numbers are specifiedtoconvey
(ii) Itspowerful force idea that they are countless.
(iv) Itsultimate purpose Q5. How canwe say that life is ajourney:
(ii) Its slowmovement constant
Life is a journey in the sense that it is a

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80
 movement and progression in time and is a cvcle
of growth and decay. Birth is the beginning has to overcome many hurdles, difficulties and
of a struggles in its life. Yet, like the brook, it must move
iourney and death is its culmination. The journey on towards its culmination, its ultimate destination
of lifeis full of hurdles, roadblocks,
surprises and and that is the message the poem gives us.
unexpected dangers which are to be overcome.
Q10. Why do you think the poet lets the brook describe
06. How is the journey of human life different from
itsjourney rather than describing it himself?
thejourney of the brook? (HOTS)
Although quite similar in many ways, the journey Thepoethas usedthe poetic device ofpersonification
of a brook and the journey of human life are
in the poem, "The Brook". Hence the brook gives
strikingly different.The brook'sjourney is constant an autobiographical account of its journey right
and eternal as compared to that of human life
from the beginning till it reaches its destination.
which is transitory and short-lived. The brook
The poet has very skilfully made the brook narrate
moves on incessantly whereas generations of men its story and this first hand account makes the
appear and disappear from the face of the earth entire marrative much more vivid and authentic
after abriefspan of time. than ifithad come through the poet's mouth.
07. The brook appears to be a symbol for life. Pick Q11. What is a 'refrain' in a poem? What effect does it
out examples of parallelisn between human life create? (Textual)
and the brook from thepoem. (Textual)
A 'refrain' is a line or a phrase in a poem which
The poem is replete with examples of parallelism. is repeatedly used. Through repetition, it
Its origin symbolises birth and its vivacity, strength, emphatically brings out or reinforces the chief
zeal and enthusiasm depict youth. The brook's idea in the poem and also contributes to the
varied experiences and leisurely pace stand for element oflyricism.
maturity. The brook's union with the brimming 012. Why has the poet used the word "brimming" in
river is the culmination oflife.
the line "to join the brimming river"?
Q8. What is the significance of various places for the The final stage of thejouney of thebrookis merging
brook? Compare this with human life. with a wide river. The river isfull of water to the
Starting its journey from the haunts of the "coot brim. It overflows its banks. The brook adds still
and hern", the brook travels through hills, ridges, more water to it. Similarly, human soul ultimately
towns, villages and bridges. The various places mingles with the Supreme Soul which is divinity
visited by the brook describe various hurdles and itself and is eternal.
difficulties that it has to overcome. Just like the Q13. What different things are found floating in the
journey of the brook, human life also passes through brook? What does it do to them?
many ups and downs, highs and lows, yet, like the
Now and then a stray flower falls intothe brook
brook itmust move on towards its destination. and it takes it along with its current in its journey
Q9. Give the central idea of the poem "The Brook". ahead. Different varieties of fish like big freshwater
The poet has made a poignant comment on the fish (trout) and graying are also found lowing
transience of human life as compared to the along with its water. The brook takes along with
continuity and eternity of existence. Just like the its current whatever exists or falls into its lap.
journey of the brook, human life also passes Q14. Why have the lines'For men may come and men
through many ups and downs, highs and lows. It may go, But I go on forever' been repeated in the

LITERATURE COMPANION 81 COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH -9

 poem several times? What is the significance of
these lines?
water displaces the sunruys
Ls though they weredancing.
andeeatesanilusion
The lines 'For men may come and menmay go, Q19. What does the poet want to cOnvey by
words 'steal' and 'slide'? siug the
Butlgo on forever' is the refrain of the poem. They
bring out a contrast between the transience of The word 'steal' sugests silent and
human life and pernmanence of nature. The
Imovenment of water wlhich the brook stelthy
repetition, apart from being aconstant reminder progressesthrough thelevelandpluin:
attins as i
arvas, 'Slide'
of this vitaldifference between nature and mortal t not so svilt butsnooth
referssto iMow of the
human beings also lends a musical effect tothe As it lows Over the plains, it moves on brook
andleisurely. gracetully
poemwhich highlights the brook's joyous mood.
Ql5. Bring out a contrast between the brook's behaviour
in thebeginning and towards the end ofits journey.
In the beginning,the brook is playful as it hurries
down the hills and flows down 'slipping and sliding' LONG ANSWERQUESTIONS
noisily. Drawing with itself pebbles, blossons, (INCLUDINGVALUE BASED QUESTIONSI
fish and everything that comes its way. it shines (to be answered in about 150 words each)
and sparkles in the sun. As it advances towards
QI. The poem is full ofimages that come alive through
the end of the journey, it becomes more mature skilful use of words. Describe any two inages that
and sober. Now its movement becomes slow and
appeal to you the most, quoting the lines fronm
graceful.
the poenm. (extua)
Q16. 'With many a curve my banks I fret'. What does The poem "The Brook" has been cnriched with a
the poet mean by this statement?
numberof poetic devices, and imagery is the mos
In the beginning, there is agitation and energy in
the brook's mnovement. Its forceful and constant
prominent among then. The poet has vividly
presented the moods, movements and sounds of
flow rubs against its banks, thus eroding them. the brook from its genesis to its merging with
That is how it curves out and widens its course
and turns into a river.
the river through beautiful visual and auditory
imagery. The images of various places beginning
Q17. 'I wind about, and in and out'. What kind of a from the haunts of birds like coot and herons and
picture does this line create in your mind? continuing with the brook's passage through the
(Textual) hills, villages, towns, fields and fallow lands make
The above line vividly describes the meandering the poem highly picturesque. The white surge on
corse of the brook. It flows on gracefully and its surface as it passes over stones makes abeautilul
joyously carving its own way without bothering picture. The brook's journey continues with is
about any obstructions thatit faces. eventual merging with the river with its water
Q18. 'I makethe netted sunbeam dance'. What does overflowingits banks.
"the netted sunbeam' mean? How does it dance? Similarly, the poct has beautifully captured in words
(Textual) the various sounds produced by the brook whilel
The netted sunbeam refers to the crisscross of sun Crosses various kinds of terrain. The chattering
rays that fall on the surface of the brook and form Sound and the loud musical notes, sharps atd
anet-like pattern. The movement of the flowing trebles are produced as the brook flows ove

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 stones. Its movement over the pebbles makes a it comes
Its merging with the brimming river,
babbling sound which becomes a low murmur commences its
across many obstacles. As it
with its coming to the wilderness covered with and hern' it
journey from the habitat of the 'coot
brambles. flows through the ferns noisily into a valley. It
The two beautiful examples of the imagery are Comes across many hills but nothing stops
it- it
presented in lines: keeps on advancing through many towns and
Imake the netted sunbeamdance villages. Numerous bridges adorn the course ofits
Against my sandy shallows journey. Stones and pebbles cause obstructions
but it flows over these hurdles without coming to
andin:
a standstill. Following its meandering course, it
Jchatter Over stony ways, carries with itselfwhatever it finds in its water and
In little sharps and trebles on its surface. Sand deposits make it shallow at
02. Same values govern the lives of the brook and places. The brook flows in the loneliness of the
human beingsexcept the length of their lives. Do night through the wasteland overgrown with
you agree? Give textual evidence in support your thorny bushes. However, nothing succeeds in
answer. stoppingit and it flows on with a focused mnind to
merge with the river.
There are many things common in the lives of
The all-important value or lesson we can learn
human beings and the brook. Both have more or
less similar milestones or stages of life-childhood, from this quality of the brook is to keep moving on
youth, middle age and extreme old age. Both of in our life with a dogged determination, in spite of
all obstacles and hurdles. It teaches us to take
them laugh and cry, like beauty, enjoy music and
dance. Both are in harmony with nature and hardships and difficulties, ups and downs, highs
and lows in our stride. We must notwallow in self
experience similar feelings and emotions. Both
bring hope, joy and sustenance to others. An inner pity but remain forever cheerful. Finally, it also
urge to moveon and on and explore and discover gives us a grim reminder that a life that begins
must Come tO an end sooner or later. So we must
life is shared by both, and both experience many
ups and downs during their journey of life. Different live it to the fullest.
phases of their lives reflect different moods, tones Q4. "For men may come andmen nay go,
and temperaments. As timne passes, both become ButIgo onforever:"
mature and sober.
On the basis of your understanding of this
However, there is one very peculiar difference comment of thebrook, analyze the following:
between the two Man dies after the course of his
the transience ofhuman life
life comes toan end, but the brook keeps moving
-the need to live life to thefullest
on perpetually.
In your opinion what matters more - length of
Q3. The brook is unstoppable in its journey in spite of life in years or the quality of life people live? Give
many hurdles. What different hurdles does it
reasons in support ofyour view.
come across in the course of its journey? What
values or lessons can we learn from this quality of As compared to the life of a brook, human life
is really transient. Generations of men appear
the brook?
and disappear from the face of the earth within a
The brook's journey is never-ending but not
always smooth andcalm. Right from its origin to brief span of time. The idea of death has always

LITERATURE COMPANION 83 COMMUNICATIVEENGLISH -9

 saddened human beings, For ages we have been However, inthe present1times, things
Searching ways to prolong our life, for we don't gone a drasticchange. Human beings| have under-
Iike the idea of dving. Death means sorroW and and ruthlessly spoilt the beauty andhave selfishly
pain; being alive is such a joy. nature in the nameeof
development purity of
Rivers, brooks and even oceans haveand progress.
Since our life is much too short and we get to live
dirty as the waste fromifactories, fields been s
made
Only once, it is really very important that we live is thrown intothem. Thessounds of the andhomes
our life gracefully and meaningfully and live it to
rivers are often smothered lin the loud ebrooks and
the maximumn. We must make the best of every noise
by the machines and vehicles. The water created
moment we get to live, enjoying the pleasures that of
is used thoughtlessly with the result that rivers
polluted and their level is getting low. rivers are
it affords and bringing joy to others in our life.
That is what makes life so very interesting, sovery
It is, therefore essential to
meaningful. Otherwise, it is empty andmeaningless. sensitize people
regarding the need of maintaining the
Istrongly believe that what matters more in life is purity of
not the length in terms of years but the quality of
our water bodiessthrough eco-ffriendly, sustainable
development.
life. People like Keats and Shelley died young, but
what a treasure house of poetry they have left
behind! On the other hand, there are those who
burden the earth for decades and are not able to
enjoy life. All the while they keep complaining,
moaning and groaning. Then there are others who
have created strife, hatred and bloodshed. The
longer they live, the more evil they unleash. So, the
Imeasure of life well-lived should be noble and
good deeds,not years.
Q5. The poem presents the brook in its pristine
purity. However, due to environment exploitation
and pollution this purity is challenged. Discuss.
Or

How do you think the brooks in modern times

have lost much of theirpurity?
Alfred Tennyson in "The Brook" has beautifully
portrayed the journey of a brook from its origin to
its final falling into the big, brimming river. The
poem creates a number of landscapes through a
very dexterous use of imagery. Various kinds of
music produced by the brook is pleasing and
a feast for ears, as it has been projected by
onomatopoeic words. The brook symbolises the
purity of nature, unsullied and uncorrupted by
human beings.

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LITERATURE COMPANION 84