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Online test 2.3 The inchcape rock

Poem 2.3 The Inchcape rock

The Inchcape rock .....By Robert Southey

About Poet:-

Robert Southey was born in Bristol ,England .He was educated at Westminster school and balliol college Oxford. He was a poet laureate of England from 1813 to 1843. He has written the poems like The scholar , the battle of blenheim , Bishop hatto, The inchcape Rock,etc.

About Poem:-

Inchcape rock is a ballad. The poem is bit long as the ballads should be. It consists of 17th stanzas of of four lines each. The first two and last two lines of each stanza rhyme with each other. The rhyme scheme is AABB for each stanza.

Theme of the poem:-

In north sea there is a reef of a great rock called The inchcape Rock. It is 18 kilometre away from the east coast of Angus Scotland. It is covered most of the time with water. Many boats and ships have been wrecked on that rock. It is so  near the top of the water so every ship striked on it and many sailors ,Mariners lost their life on that hidden rock. There was a kind hearted man named Abbot of Aberbrothock who fastened buoy on the inchcape rock and installed  the warning bell. Bell rang during the storms and issued an alert for the passing ship , so the seaman knew about the hidden Rock and save their ship and life from the accident.Every sailor blessed the Abbot for his good work and praised him. Ralph the Rover was a pirate of sea. He was wicked minded person who destroy the bell to accomplish his desire to rob more ships putting them in danger. But finally when he was returning to Scotland shore, his ship crashed against the hidden rock that is inchcape rock and sunked into the sea. Thus Ralph the Rover was punished for his sinful work.

Moral message to The reader:-

Here the poet Robert Southey delivers a message through the poem . The message is that what ever you did good or bad things in your life , you will get its fruits which is depend on your deeds. 'As you sow , so shall you reap' is is the best proverb which fits here completely.

Stanza-wise Summary & Explanation:-

1. In the first stanza,poet describes the calmness of the sea. The air, the sea, the ship – all were stationary mode. The sails of the ship were getting no motion from the wind. Its keel was steady in the ocean.
2. The second stanza describes the mild sea waves. The waves were rising and falling so little that they did not make any sign or sound. The waves were gently flowing over the Inchcape Rock without moving or ringing the bell.
3. The third stanza is about the bell. The ‘good old Abbot of Aberbrothok’ positioned the Inchcape bell there on the Inchcape Rock. During the storms it floated on a buoy and rang wildly swung by the high tides to alert everyone that the dangerous rock was there.
4. In the next four lines, the poet tells us how the bell guided the mariners in the bad weather. The seamen could not see the Rock as it stayed hidden under the high waves during the storms. But they could hear the ringing bell and went away from the perilous (dangerous) rock. So the bell saved their lives. Then the seafarers blessed the Abbot for his good job. 
5. The fifth stanza delivers a cheerful atmosphere, as it generally happens before every disaster. On a particular bright day everything looked joyful. The sea-birds were whirling over the sea and screaming in joy.
6. In the sixth stanza of the poem Sir Ralph is introduced for the first time. On that fine day, the buoy (an anchored floating sign to show the reef) on the Inchcape Rock was clearly visible, as it was a blackish spot in the green ocean. Sir Ralph the Rover went onto the deck of his vessel and gazed at dark spot of the buoy.
7. The next stanza deals with Ralph’s feelings and thoughts. He was delighted at the good spring atmosphere. He was making whistling sounds and singing in joy. He was actually overjoyed. But no one knew that a sinful thought in his mind was behind this happiness.
8. In the eighth stanza the Rover himself speaks and reveals his desire. His eyes were fixed on the floating buoy on the Inchcape Rock. Sir Ralph the Rover ordered his crew to take the boat to the Inchcape Rock. Then he says that he is going to plague (kill or destroy) the good work of the Abbot of Aberbrothok.
9. The ninth stanza describes that the Rover’s men took the boat to the Inchcape Rock. There he bent over the boat and cut the bell from the Rock.
10. The next stanza pictures how the bell was sinking  down making the bubbling sound. Bubbles rose and burst around. Sir Ralph was happy thinking that the bell would save no more ships and the seamen would no longer bless the Abbot.
11. Sir Ralph the Rover then sailed away from the rock. Thereafter he had robbed and looted many ships which met accidents crashing to the Inchcape Rock. He is now a rich man with all the looted treasures. And today he is going to the Scotland shore with his ship.
12. The twelfth stanza describes the gloomy atmosphere on the day the Rover is sailing to Scotland. The sun is hidden behind the thick fog. Strong winds were blowing all the day, and now, in the evening it has stopped blowing.
13. Then next four lines continues the gloom. The Rover is now on the deck of his ship. They can’t see land as it is very dark. Sir Ralph assures that the moon will appear soon and so there will be light.
14. In the fourteenth stanza one of Ralph’s men says that he hears the roaring sound of the waves breaking against something. So, he hopes they should be near the shore. He also regrets that the Inchcape Bell is no more, as it could guide them in this situation.
15. But no sound was there. The tides were strong. The Rover and his team are drifting along with the ship. Suddenly the vessel gets a jerking. They all realize that the vessel has hit the Inchcape Rock.
16. Sir Ralph the Rover pulls his hairs in frustration. He curses himself for his evil deeds. Meanwhile the water fills in every corner of the vessel and it starts sinking in the sea.
17. In the last stanza of the poem as the Rover is dying, he hears a sound like the ringing of the Inchcape Bell. It was actually his death knell that the Devil himself was ringing beneath the water.Thus the Ralph the Rover gets punishment for his devil work of cutting the warning bell.. 

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Online test 2.2 Indian weavers

Poem 2.1 Song of the Open Road

Analysis of the Poem

About Poet:-

               Walt Whitman was an American poet, Journalist and teacher by trade, Whitman is most known as Poet and Essayist. He is the among the most influential poets in American Canon. He took jobs in print shop, taught in school and worked in several newspaper. On July 1855 , he published his first volume of 12 poems named 'Leaves of Grass'. His another poem 'O Captain !My Captain ! was written on the death of Abraham Lincoln.

Analysis of the Poem:- 

First Stanza :- 

                      From the first stanza reader understands that the poet is setting out his journey on open road on foot. We also understand that poet is light hearted person and free to get experience. We also understand that it is he who control his journey. He will choose his own path where the path will take him on his journey

Second Stanza :- 

                      The speaker says that he does not need to pray to get best luck because he is the creator of good fortune himself. He is no longer cry. He is no longer hesitate to do what he wants. He is no longer contented with being walled inside because he is strong and happy to be on the open road.

Third Stanza :- 

                      In the third stanza Whitman used the reference of geographical imagery for e.g Earth and stars. Here the speaker seems to separate himself from other. He says Earth is fine the way it is; he does not desire to be go close to the stars than he already is. He also knows that they are fine where they are and he knows they are good enough for those who belong to them. Poet Whitman does not want to include himself in the group of those people who always try to influence on others.
Fourth Stanza :-
            The fourth stanza is physically separated form the rest of the poem by Whitman's use of parenthesis (bracket).Here the speaker admits that he is not without his problems, difficulties. Each and every person has its own problem so instead of fretting we have to relishes them (enjoy them).Speaker declares that it is impossible to get rid of them. He lives with his own delicious burden everywhere he goes or stays. No one can separate it form each other.

-: Summary :-

          The speaker of the poem is describing a trip on which he is embarking. He describes himself as being 'healthy and free' and he realizes he is the only person who is in complete control of his life. He chooses his own destiny. He also said he does not have wish to pray for good fortune because he is the creator of his good fortune himself. He will reach his destination on his own. and the earth will provide him with anything extra that is necessary. It does not mean the road ,he is taking is not paved with imperfection and burdens. He advises us rather than worry about it we take those burdens with us and deal with them as they occur.

-: Poetic Devices :-

Figure of speech

1) Alliteration

(In Alliteration the sound is repeated)

i) 'The long brown path before me leading wherever i choose

Exp:- The sound / l / is repeated

ii)Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms.

Exp:- The sound / k / is repeated

iii)I know they suffice for those who belong to them

Exp:- The sound / th / is repeated

iv) I carry them ,men and women, I carry them with me ..

Exp:- The sound / m / is repeated

2) Repetition

( In Repetition the whole world is repeated)

i)Henceforth I ask not good fortune, I myself am good fortune.

ii)Henceforth I whimper no more ,postpone no more need nothing.

iii)I know they are very well where they are

iv) I carry them ,men and women m I carry them with me..

v) I am fill'd with them, and i will fill them in return.

3) Inversion

( In it the correct word prose order is not used)

i) Afoot and light hearted I take to the open road.

Exp-  I take to the open road afoot and light hearted.

ii)Strong and content I travel the open road

Exp:- I travel the open road  strong and content.

4) Transferred Epithet:-

( In it epithet is transferred from the thing it actually describes to something else)

i) I carry my old delicious burdens

Exp:-The epithet 'delicious' is transferred from 'sweets' to 'burden'

                -: Poetic style:-

 Walt Whitman composed this poem in four stanzas. With the exception of first stanza which contains three lines, the other stanzas contain four line. Poem is composed in Free verse. The lines are unrhymed and varying lengths. 'Song of the Open Road' is written in first person point of view. Speaker of the poem is Whitman himself.

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Poem 2.2 Indian weavers

Indian Weaver..... By Sarojini Naidu 

 

Indian Weavers by Sarojini Naidu is a short poem consisting of three stanzas having four lines each. The poet talks about three types of dresses that the Indian Weavers weave at three particular times of the day. Metaphorically each time and the dress weaved in that time symbolises a particular stage of life.

Indian Weavers Poem Summary

Stanza 1: Young Age

Difficult words.

 1.Weaver:- People who knit clothes 2.Break of day - Éarly morning

3.Gay - Beautiful •

4 Blue as the wing Wild halcyon wide:- wild halcyon is another name for the kingfisher. Its wings have most exciting blue color. 

5. Robes - Dresses

In the first stanza, the poet asks the weavers why they are weaving clothes early in the morning which seem to be quite beautiful and charming (gay). The clothes are blue as the wing of a halcyon wild. Halcyon is the other name of the kingfisher.

The wings of the kingfisher are bright blue in colour. In addition blue colour also symbolises loyalty. The blue colour thus symbolises something beautiful and precious. Hence, in this stanza, the clothes weaved by the weavers are quite special and this is why the poet is curious to know about them.

The Indian Weavers reply, We weave the robes of a new-born child i.e. they are weaving the beautiful dress for a young one who has just came to the world.

In this stanza, a number of images are used to describe the first stage of human life like break of day, garments so gay,& blue as the wing of halcyon wild. This stage is full of happiness, freshness, hope, beauty etc. There is no sorrow in the stage.

Stanza 2: Adulthood

Difficult words.

1.Plumes - Feathers

2.Veils - A head-covering piece of ornate garment

In the second stanza, the poet again meets the Indian Weavers, this time during the fall of night. It probably refers to the evening or dusk time when the sun sets and darkness paves the way. Moreover, it is also the time during which most of the Indian marriages take place.

The poet questions the weavers why they weave a garment so bright like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green. The garment at this time is bright and full of colours like feathers of peacock unlike the one colour-blue (during the morning time).

The weavers reply that they weave the marriage-veils of a queen, thus referring to the second or in other words adult stage of the life. During this stage, humans are quite active. They love each other, get married and quest for a better and prosperous life.

The colours purple and green symbolise sorrow and happiness or struggle and ease in one’s adult stage and these all colours or ups and downs of life make the adulthood bright.

Stanza 3: Death

 1.Solemn - Silently 

2.Chill - Cold 

3. Funeral - About burying or burning / cremating a dead-body.  Shroud - Garment used to cover a deadbody

In the final stanza, the poet finds the weavers solemn and still i.e. they are quite sorrowful, grieved and silent. They are weaving something weird in the moonlight chilli.e. in the dead of the night which is White as a feather and white as a cloud, i.e. colourless, lifeless.

As the poet fails to figure out what it is (the cloth) and why they are sorrowful and silent, she asks them what are they weaving rather than why are they weaving. They reply that they are weaving shroud (cloth put on the dead body) for a dead person.

Thus the 3rd and the final stage is death which is emotionless and lifeless like a white cloud or feather. In this way, the life which begins with life, joy, hope etc ends with sorrow and grief.

Poetic style

 The poem has the rhyme scheme AABB. The poet uses a number of literary devices to express her ideas like smile, imagery, metaphor etc. The poem consists of a discussion between the poet and the weavers; the poet asks the weavers and the latter reply

Critical Analysis

Indian Weavers by Sarojini Naidu sums up the life of human beings on earth in three main stages by using symbols like clothes and times of the day. The journey of life begins with one colour-blue which means joy and happiness.

It continues with the addition of a number of colours-green and purple which means sorrows also enter into life along with happiness. Life is more active in this stage than in the first stage.

In the final stanza, all the colours vanish away and a single colour-white remains which means emotions are connected with life and when the person dies, emotions also die.

Activities based on poem

1. Explain What does the poet ask the weavers?  
Ans:-
The poet asks the weavers why they are weaving their beautiful garments at the break of day.  
2.Describe .The weavers describe their robes as-
Ans :- "Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild. 
3. Simile is a poetic device that compares something to another.  Pick out a simile from the stanza.  What are the two things compared here?  
Ans :-"Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild. Here, the color of the robes is compared to the wings of the wild halcyon. 
4. What is the rhyme scheme of the stanza? 
Ans:-The rhyme scheme is AABB.
5. For whom are the weavers weaving the marriage veil? 
Ans:-
The weavers are weaving the marriage veil for a queen.  
6. How is night connected to marriage?  
Ans:-
Night is connected to marriage because in India marriage functions are generally held at night.  
7. What are the colors used in weaving the marriage veils of a queen?  
Ans:-
The colors used are purple and green.  8. How is the second different from the first?  
Ans:-
The first stanza, the weavers are weaving for a new-born baby whereas in the second stanza they are weaving the marriage veils for a queen who is getting married.  
9. Explain:-
"Marriage-veils for a queen."  
Ans:-
 The queen here may possibly refer to the British Queen and the British crown.  There was a time when most of India's most expensive textiles were made for the British and the European markets.

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