A Thing of Beauty
John Keats
Textual and Previous Years‟ Questions with Answers
2 marks
1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever? [HS 12, 17] Or Explain the line: “A thing of beauty is a joy
forever.” [HS 13]
Ans: A thing of beauty is a joy forever because it always gives us happiness and peace. Its beauty never
fades and stays in our minds. It helps us forget pain and brings sweet dreams, good health, and calm
feelings. Such beauty keeps us happy throughout our lives, even in hard times.
2. What is the message that Keats wants to convey through “A Thing of Beauty”? [HS 14, 16, 20] Ans:
The message Keats wants to convey in “A Thing of Beauty” is that beautiful things in nature and life bring
lasting joy, peace, and comfort. They help us forget sadness and troubles. Beauty lifts our spirits and gives
us hope. It connects us to the world and makes life meaningful.
3. What is the legend on which the poem “A Thing of Beauty” is written? [HS 15]
Ans: The poem “A Thing of Beauty” is taken from John Keats‟s longer poem Endymion: A Poetic
Romance, which is based on a Greek legend. According to the legend, Endymion was a beautiful young
shepherd and poet who lived on Mount Latmos. He saw a vision of Cynthia, the Moon Goddess, and fell
in love with her. He then set out on a magical journey to find her.
4. What, according to Keats, never „passes into nothingness‟? [HS 15]
Ans: According to Keats, a thing of beauty never „passes into nothingness‟. Its beauty keeps on increasing
and never fades or disappears. Instead, it stays with us, bringing joy, peace, and comfort forever.
5. Name the things of nature that are constant sources of beauty. [HS 16]
Ans: The things of nature that are constant sources of beauty, according to Keats, are the sun, the moon,
old and young trees, their shade, daffodils, clear streams (rills), mid-forest mass of ferns and forests full
of musk-rose flowers. These natural things give us joy and peace forever.
6. What increases continuously in “A Thing of Beauty”? [HS 18, 22]
Ans: In “A Thing of Beauty,” Keats talks about the beauty of the nature and says its loveliness increases
continuously. He says that the beauty of a lovely thing grows with time and never fades. It brings more
joy and comfort as time goes on.
7. What, according to Keats, makes human beings love life in spite of all its problems and miseries?
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M.A., M.Phil., PhD (Pursuing)
PGT English, SVA. 2025 Page 1
[HS 19] Or What, according to Keats, makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and
sufferings? [HS 23]
Ans: Human beings love life because beautiful things like the sun, moon, old and young trees, their shade,
daffodils, clear streams, mid-forest brake, musk roses and lovely stories bring joy and peace. Even when
life is full of sadness, these things remove our sadness. Their beauty stays with us forever, helping us stay
connected to the world and enjoy life.
8. Describe the things that cause suffering and pain mentioned by Keats in “A Thing of Beauty”. [HS
22]
Ans: In “A Thing of Beauty,” Keats says that many things cause suffering and pain in life. People feel
sadness, there is a lack of good and noble people, days can be dark and gloomy, and life often feels
unhealthy and difficult. But beauty helps us forget these troubles and feel better.
9. Describe any four things of beauty mentioned in the poem “A Thing of Beauty”. [HS 24]
Ans: In “A Thing of Beauty,” Keats mentions some beautiful things of nature such as the small streams
with clear water, the daffodils, the mid-forest mass of ferns and the blooming musk roses.
10. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth? [HS 25]
Ans: The poet uses the image of an “endless fountain of immortal drink” to describe the beauty of the
earth. This means that nature‟s beauty is like a never-ending source of joy and peace that flows from
heaven and refreshes our souls forever. It never fades or ends.
11. Why is „grandeur‟ associated with the „mighty dead‟? [HS 25]
Ans: „Grandeur‟ is associated with the „mighty dead‟ because the poet believes great people who died
left behind powerful stories and memories. Their actions and courage are remembered with respect.
These stories are beautiful and inspiring, adding to the richness and glory of life, even after their death.
Reference to the context
1. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever Its
loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.” [HS 16]
a. Who is the poet of these lines and what is the title of the poem? 2
Ans: John Keats is the poet of these lines and the title of the poem is A Thing of Beauty.
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M.A., M.Phil., PhD (Pursuing)
PGT English, SVA. 2025 Page 2
b. Why is a thing of beauty a joy forever? 1
Ans: A thing of beauty is a joy forever because it always gives us happiness and peace and never
fades.
c. What is a bower? 1
Ans: A bower is a pleasant place in the shade under a tree. It protects persons/animals from the hot rays
of the sun.
2. “Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.” [HS 19]
a. What do we do everyday? 1
Ans: Every day we are weaving a flowery wreath to bind us to the beauties of the earth.
b. What removes the pall from the dark spirits? 1
Ans: Some beautiful shapes or a thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness from our hearts or spirits.
c. What is the message expressed in these lines? 2
Ans: The message in these lines is that even though life is full of sadness, cruelty, and dark moments,
the beauty in nature gives us hope and peace. Every day, we hold on to this beauty like a flower chain
that ties us to life. It helps remove sadness from our hearts.
3. “And such too is the grandeur of the dooms We
have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.” [HS 24]
a. Name the poem. 1
Ans: The name of the poem is A Thing of Beauty.
b. Who are the „mighty dead‟ referred to here? 1
Ans: The „mighty dead‟ are great and noble people from the past whose deeds and stories are
remembered with respect and admiration.
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M.A., M.Phil., PhD (Pursuing)
PGT English, SVA. 2025 Page 3
c. What is the endless fountain of immortal drink? 1
Ans: It means the never-ending joy, inspiration, and peace we get from beautiful things in nature and
great stories. They refresh our souls forever.
d. What does the word „brink‟ mean? 1
Ans: „Brink‟ means the edge or border. Here, it refers to the edge of heaven from where the fountain
flows.
Textual
1. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
Ans: See answer no. 5.
2. List the things that cause suffering and pain.
Ans: See answer no. 8.
3. What does the line, „Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth‟ suggest to
you?
Ans: The line means that we find comfort and happiness in beautiful things of nature. These lovely things
help us stay connected to life, even when we feel sad or troubled. It‟s like we are tying ourselves to the
earth with a chain made of flowers—full of hope and peace.
4. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
Ans: See answer no. 7.
5. Why is „grandeur‟ associated with the „mighty dead‟?
Ans: See answer no. 11.
6. Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on
us?
Ans: We do not experience beautiful things only for short moments. According to the poet, their beauty
stays with us forever. They give us joy, peace, and sweet memories that never fade. Even in hard times,
the memory of beautiful things gives us strength and keeps our spirits alive.
7. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?
Ans: See answer no. 10.
Shabnam Tabassum
M.A., M.Phil., PhD (Pursuing)
PGT English, SVA. 2025 Page 4
