POEM 2.1 'SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD.

1. Title - The title Song of the Open Road has a symbolic meaning. It represents happiness, joy
and excitement. Here open roads means a place where people come together without any
status or social rank. It gives freedom to start over towards something new.
2. Poet - The poem is written by an American poet, essayist and journalist Walt Whitman. He is
known as 'The Father of Free Verse.' He grew up in Huntington in a family with di cult
economic status. His major work'Leaves of Grass' was published in July 1855. His 'O Captain!
My Captain!', a poem written on the death of Abraham Lincoln, is widely popular.
3. Theme - The Song of the Open Road is a motivational poem, teaches to live a life of freedom.
It is known as an ode or song of freedom, happiness, celebration of democratic life and
optimism. These other major themes of this poem connected with the symbol 'Road'. The
theme of freedom in life is dominant in the poem. The poem starts with his inner approach of
freedom. The beginning of the poem delineates the approach of freedom.A single step out of
the door leads you towards freedom. And then you feel true meaning of freedom in the sense
of happiness. You will be far away from the burdens of cares, stresses and sorrows. Freedom
gives happiness, rejoice, and choice to take a walk and enjoy desires. Thus freedom is major
theme which is interwoven with minor themes like joy, happiness, relief from stress etc.
4. Poetic Style - The Song of the Open Road is written in unconventional or free style suits with
its idea of freedom. Walt Whitman wrote this verse (Poem) into four stanzas. The rst stanza
comprises only three lines and remaining three stanzas contain four lines. The poem is varying
in length. It is in the form of free verse and the lines are unrhymed. He makes use of all
di erent forms of punctuation marks. Punctuation marks found even in the middle of the
sentence. It is used to emphasize a particular phrase or idea. Whitman is able to fully express
himself, using punctuation, fragments, and whatever suits his purpose. The free style of
writing highlights the freedom of life and thoughts.
5. The Language and Poetic Devices - The poet used very motivational language in the poem. It
is narrated in the from a rst person speaker. The pronoun 'T' in the poem stand for any
traveler, the reader, all humans and Whitman himself. Walt Whitman used metaphorical and
symbolic language in the poem. There is no rhyme scheme in this poem. This poem is in free
verse. The poetic devices and gure speech like repetition, metaphor, symbolism, paradox
and inversion are notably used in the poem.
6. Special features - The special feature of this poem is writing style and its subject. The poem is
very symbolic. It has very unconventional subject than other poems. The road in the poem
does not mean only the road to travel. The poet wants to suggest the road of life. The tone of
the poem is very vibrant and joyful. This optimistic poem gives us hope and shows that
freedom in one's life is possible.
7. Message, values, morals - The poem is about being con dent and independent. The poem
message us live a free life. We have to give ourselves permission to do good things.
8. Your opinion - I like the poem because it gives clear and important message that you are the
maker of your own luck and destiny. You are your good- fortune, just walk freely on the open
road of life without cry. A single step leads you towards happiness and burden less life. This
poem grabs my spirit, inspire me and touch my heart.

POEM 2.2 INDIAN WEAVERS

1) Title of Poem- The title of the poem is self explanatory and appropriate. It has symbolic and
spiritual meaning. It is expressed through the Indian weavers and act of weaving di erent clothes.
2.About the Poet - Sarojini Naidu was a great patriot, politician, speaker, poet and one of the most
famous idols of the 20th century. Her birthday is celebrated as "Women's Day". She is known as
The Nightingale of India (Bharatiya Kokila).
About the Poem - Indian weaver is a short poem but it has deep sense of human life. It conveys
the journey from cradle to grave through the use of colours and the stages of a day. The poem is
about three types of clothe that the weavers weave at three particular times of a day. Each stanza
of the poem represents the three important events of human life: birth (childhood), adulthood
(young) and death (old). The colours mentioned in the stanzas are very signi cant as they indicate
the moods related to the events.
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 3.Theme or Central Idea of the Poem - The theme of the poem is about spiritual implication. The
theme of spiritual implication is portrays through metaphorical symbols which carries eternal truth
of human existence.
The central theme of the poem expresses through the weaving act of weavers. They weave, at
three speci c times of the day, which are symbolic, of the three stages of a person's life. The
central idea of the poem remarked that all human being who are born on this earth, rise up, feel
their joys, sorrows and nally have to die one day. Everyone should be bearing in mind that death
makes equal for the rich and the poor. No one spare a drop of pity because I am rich or poor. It is
nature's eternal law and the life of human-beings is fragile. It is the completely instable and
vulnerable. The human life lls with happiness, enjoyment, excitement and sadness.
4.Language and Style - The language texture of the poem is simple yet profound. The poem
appears rather simple in a literal sense, but there are subtle expressions. This poem re ects
Naidu's deeply spiritual and philosophical mindset. Her simplicity and strength of spiritual
thoughts could be seen between the lines of Indian Weavers. It might have a symbolic meaning. It
is a metrical short poem. It has three stanzas, of four lines each. The stanza pattern of the poem is
Quatrain. The rst two line of each quatrain has a question which is asked by poet or speaker and
the last two lines of each quatrain are answers to the questions. It creates a rhythm and musical
e ect on reader.
5.Poetic devices -The poetic devices of simile, symbolism, metaphor and imagery, have been
used here, bythe poetess. Almost all the lines exhibit alliteration: weavers-weaving, garment-gay,
wing-wild, plumes-peacock-purple, solemn-still, white-white, etc. Its rhyming scheme is AABB.
The poem has six rhyming couplets. The pairs of end rhymes in the poem are day-gay, wild-child,
night-bright, green-queen, still-chill, cloud-shroud.
6.Message, values, morals - The poem give us spiritual and philosophical message of life. Every
man and woman who is born nally has to die one day whether they are the rich or the poor. The
poem reminds us the law of the natures and eternal truth of human existence on the earth. The
poem also teaches the morals life that, life is so fragile and vulnerable.
7.Why I like the poem - I like the poem for its images and symbol used by poet. This poem is best
to throw light on Indian philosophy that is birth, youth and death are the ultimate truth of life.

POEM 2.3 INCHCAPE ROCK (1802)

1. Title - The title of poem The Inchcape Rock (1802) is very apt because it paved way to a
con ict between good and evil. The Inchcape Rock is the center of the story which is written
in poetic form.
2. About the Poet - Robert Southey (1774 to 1843) was born in Bristol England. He was a son
of a draper (Clothe Wholesaler) and educated at Oxford. He was an English poet, a proli c
letter writer, essay writer, historian and biographer. He was a Poet Laureate of England from
1813 to 1843 (for 30 years). The Inchcape Rock is a lyrical ballad written in 1802 and it is
about the Inchcape Rock Legend, a reef which is situated in the North Sea, close to the
coastal region of Angus in Scotland near the river Tay. The Inchcape Rock is known for its bad
name as notorious for shipwreck. The title of the poem based on it and the kindness act of a
monk.
3. About the Poem -The Inchcape Rock is based on the story of the 14th Century attempt by
the Abbot ofAberbrothok who was head of the monastery placed a bell on the Incheape rock
to give warning to sailors about the impending danger. During rough seas, the sailors could
not see the rock clearly and ships faced accident there. But now because of buoy bell
whenever, the bell rang the sailors used to thank the Abbot for saving their lives. His act of
kindness got fame among the all sailors. On the contrary, Sir Ralph, the pirate, got jealous at
the Abbot of Aberbrothok's fame for putting a bell on the perilous Inchcape Rock. Once he cut
the bell to defame the Abbot. On return journey from Scotland in the absence of the bell they
move clueless in the sea and his boat and all sailors' crash against the rock to death.
4. Theme - The poem based on the most common theme of literature is the con ict between
good and evil. It carries predictable ideas like - As you sow so shall you reap. Crime gets its
own punishment. Evil digs a pit for others but falls into the same. In this poem Sir Ralph the
Rover represents evil forces and the Monk Abbot of Aberbrothok represents for the Good
forces. In the t of anger Ralph the Rover cut the bell and pushed himself to death. He was
victimized by his own bad deeds. The poem outlines the theme of the humanity between two
persons. It was our deeds of lives which telling us who we are in reality and what are the
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 e ects? Thus the basic theme of the poem is that those who do bad things will ultimately be
punished accordingly. The poem demonstrates the law that crime gets its own punishment.
5. Poetic Devices - The Inchcape Rock is written in the form of a ballad interwoven with a
number of poetical devices alliteration, metaphor, personi cation, onomatopoeia and
repetition. As the poem was written in 18th century, it endows with rich symbol, imagery and
archaism. The poem comprises a lot of images which mesmerize and captivate the readers.
E.g. - The sun shining gay, the waves owed over the Inchcape Rock, sea birds screamed etc.
The use of archaic word creates 18th century era about the water world, sailors, their voyages
and pirates. The poem is also ironical. It is ironic that the Ralph su ered the same fate as he
had prepared for others by the bells removal.
6. Language and Style - A ballad is traditionally sung by a traveling musician. Here, each
stanza of the rst line rhymes with the second and the third with the fourth. The poem is in a
narrative tone that lyrical ballad tells a story. The poet has used expressive narrative
techniques to enhance the e ect of the poem. The Inchcape Rock gives a ne verbal image of
the calm atmosphere of the sea, act of hanging bell, hazy night etc. These scenes of the
ballad moves from one incident to another very easily. It provides a vivid picture into the
reader's minds.
7. Message values, morals - The poem gives us a message that those who do wrong things
will meet with due punishment. It shows how jealousy is an incurable defect of human
character and conveys a moral lesson- 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' Thus the moral of the
poem is 'he who digs a pit for others, falls into it.'
8. Why I like the poem - I like the poem for two reasons, rst for its teaching principle that
crime gets its own punishment. And the other, it is written in lyrical ballad form which gives joy,
happiness thrill and life time important lesson 'Tit for tat'.

POEM 2.4 HAVE YOU EARNED YOUR TOMORROW

(1802)
1. About the poet - Edgar Guest (On August 20, 1881 to 1959) was born in England and was
brought to the United States when he was ten years old. He began his writing career in 1895
at the age of fourteen. Edgar Guest is known as 'people's poet' for his simple style and
optimistic tone of writing. Guest is an American writer of newspaper and magazines.
2. About the title - The title Have you Earned your Tomorrow is very introspective. It suggests
that everyone should analyse his/her actions whether it is good or bad, useful or not. It also
evaluates your act of goodness, your behaviours with others and what have you done (good
things) to earn your better tomorrow? The title also promotes - do good deeds for better future
(Tomorrow means feature) and world. So title is apt.
3. About the Poem and Theme - It is an inspirational poem. In this poem, the speaker is asking
the readers (You) whether they have done anything to improve the life of another human being
or not. It is up to you whether you will have a better future or not. Therefore, one should
consider one's actions and deeds carefully and plan accordingly for a better future.
4. Poetic devices, language, style - The poem is the best example of a simple uplifting style of
writing pieace.It is a four verse poem that is divided into sets of 4 lines (quatrains). The rhyme
scheme pattern of the stanza is - aabb ccaa ddee aa. In each stanza sound - /ay/ is repeated
except third. The poetic devices like Interrogation, Alliteration, Inversion, Antithesis,
Personi cation, and Synecdoche is used in the poem. The poet uses Interrogative style to
elaborate his idea of goodness.
5.Special features-tone and type - The poem is written in Interrogative tone- where a number of
probing questions to a reader about how they spend their days. The wording of the poem is in the
form of searching questions. Each stanza includes 2 to 3 questions. This special feature of Poetry
Written in Questions leaves deep impact on the readers mind and it compel to think them on it.
The tone of the poem is suggestive that at the last of day you have to earn your tomorrow with
good deeds which is your duty.
6.Values, message - The present poem gives a great message of good deeds. One should
consider one's actions and deeds carefully and plan accordingly for a better future. In this world
you have to earn your tomorrow with your good actions.
7.Your opinion about the poem - I like this poem very much because it gives an inspiration to be a
good human being. It gives me positive attitude of act well. It is very inspirational poem. It gives
me message like -
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 'How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.' So I like
this poem.

POEM 2.5 FATHER RETURNING HOME (1802)

1. About the Poet - Dilip Chitre (1938 to 2009) was a celebrated bilingual poet and translator
with a remarkable work in Marathi and English. He is creative painter, lm-maker and famous
magazine columnist.
2. About the Title - The poem a biographical sketch of Dilip Chitre's own father. His father is a
daily commuter of local train who goes on long day work and return by the late evening train.
Dilip Chitre expresses his father's estrangement from manmade world. His minuet observation
describes in this poem entitled as Father Returning Home. The poet shows the loneliness and
world-weariness of an old man in the modern society by depicting a picture of his own father
returning home from work.
3. About the Poem - The poem is about a common man, suburban commuter who works hard
for his family. On the contrary this commuter means poet's father feels lonely in his own
created world. He feels neglected in this modern world by his family. So he nds himself un t
and secondary in this modern society.His lives become dull, and unwillingly he forced to
alienation. His children refuse to share their joys and sorrows with the father. Sense of anxiety
forced him to retire into solitude. The poem shows his journey of hardworking ends into
painful loneliness of the sel sh world
4. 4. Theme: The central idea or theme of the poem is man's estrangement from a man-made
world (Home).Here estrangement means - a state of separation from family, friends, or society.
This sense also called alienation. In this poem poet's father also faces the problem of
estrangement in his own created world means family. Everyone including his own son and
grandchildren avoid him. Obstinately they refused to share jokes and secretes. They consider
him as an outsider or insigni cant. Irony is that his feels isolated in his own family. He creates
this world with his own hands by doing hard work but he remains isolated and unhappy.
5. Poetic Style: The poem is written in simple narrative form which is a monologue. The tone of
the poem is gloomy. The various words and description of the poem depicts miserable
condition of the character. The poem consists of two stanzas of 12 lines each. It is written in
free verse with no particular meter or rhyme scheme followed. And the lack of rhythm is
symbolic of the poet's father's ignored life. It is in rst person narrative where the poet-
speaker narrates how his father returns home and what he does afterward.
6. Language and Poetic Devices: The language used in the poem is very simple and easy to
understand. As the poem is based on Indian urban settings poet used simple Indian context
like chapati, chapple. The language used by poet is descriptive carries simple vocabulary. The
language is easy and simple but full of symbolic expressions and poetic devices like simile.
The poet uses many gures of speech to create e ect in the subject.Alliteration, Metaphor,
Synecdoche, Transferred Epithet are vividly used in the poem. Figures of speech like
Personi cation, Onomatopoeia, and Simile are used naturally. The example like weak tea,
stale chapati, static radio, sullen children, estrangement, standing silent, unseen eyes, soggy
cloths, dimmed eyes etc creates and develops seriousness of alienation problem in modern
world.
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