NOSHAHI ACADEMY PATTOKI CONTACT # +92-321-4442942 EDUCATION ON LINE EASY: January 2013

Pages

Friday 18 January 2013

Dr. Ehsan Elahi Zaheer, Ph.D. Physical Sciences Indiana University USA, second youngest Ph. D. in Pakistan, is Director of the Noshahi Group of Academies.

Thursday 17 January 2013

You can download Noshahi Notes from this sight as and when required. You are to click the link provided for you, download dialogue box will appear before you. Un-check the small box and start downloading. In case of any difficulty, contact +92-321'4442'942

Wednesday 16 January 2013

WE ARE JUST INAUGURATING TWO BRANCHES; ONE AT GULSHAN-E-SUBHAN AND THE OTHER AT MEGHA ROAD PATTOKI, INSHA ALLAH
NOSHAHI GROUP OF ACADEMIES, FAISAL COLONY, PATTOKI

Tuesday 1 January 2013

B. A. NOTES of Poetry, Old MAN & the SEA plus

B. A. NOTES on POETRY, OLD MAN & THE SEA, PLUS...

ENGLISH NOTES graduation classes
A Presentation of
                             NOSHAHI ACADEMY
                        of Computer Sciences

                                              FAISAL COLONY
                                                     PATTOKI

                                         Contact # 0321-4442942


                                                      POETRY
2
Different Styles of References

This extract has been taken from “Leisure” composed by “ William Davies”.
This excerpt has been taken from “Tartary” written by “Walter de la Mare”.
The lines under discussion have been taken from “The New Year
Resolutions” composed by “Elizabeth Sewell”.
The lines under the nose have been taken from“WomanWork” written by “Maya Angelou”.
The lines under perusal have been taken from “Patriot into Traitor” written by “Robert Browning”
.             List of Poems with Poets' Name
1. Leisure ________________________________ William Davies
2.Tartary
__________________________________ Poets
________________________________ Walter de la Mare
3. The NewYear Resolutions _________________ Elizabeth Sewell
4.Woman Work ___________________________ Maya Angelou
5. The Rebel ______________________________ D. J. Enright
6. Patriot into Traitor _______________________ Robert Browning
7. The Huntsman __________________________ Edward Lowbury
8. One Art _______________________________ Elizabeth Bishop
9. The Solitary Reaper _____________________ William Wordsworth
10.All the World is a Stage __________________ William Shakespeare
11. Departure and Arrival ___________________ T. S. Eliot
12.A Poison Tree _________________________ William Blake
13. Because I couldn’t Stop for Death __________ Emily Dickinson
14. Lights Out ____________________________ Edward Thomas
15.After Apple Picking _____________________ Robert Frost
16. The Vanishing Village ___________________ R. S.Thomas
17.When I Have Fears _____________________ John Keats
18. Kubla Khan ___________________________ S.T. Coleridge
19. Hawk’s Monologue _____________________ Ted Hughes
20. Say this City has…_____________________ W. H.Auden
21. Politics ______________________________ Y. B.Yeats
22. Snake _______________________________ D. H. Lawrence
23.
(a)Autumn _____________________________ T. E. Hulme,
(b) Fog ________________________________ Carl Sandbury
(c) Metropolis ___________________________ Ezra Pound
This list should be prepared well, keeping in mind that poetry carries 40 marks
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942
1. Leisure ____________________________ William Davies
: This poem, as a whole, is a protest against hurried and worried
life of modern man. He is caught in the net of worldly problems. He has certain
duties to perform and problems to solve. That is why, he has no time to enjoy,
savour and relish the sights and delights of nature. Beautiful things of nature
invite him to look at and enjoy their beauty, but he has no spare time. Delightful
flora and fauna invite him. Sparkling streams are there. Little animals like
squirrels are there. All the same, the sorry fact is that he has no spare time to
come in close contact with nature and enjoy these sights and delights.
What is this life, if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
In the first line, the poet says that this life is no life if it is full of hurries and
worries. In the second line, he says that we have no spare time to stand and look
around us at beautiful things of nature. In the third line, he says that we have no
time to stand under beautiful branches of trees. They are usually laden with fruit
and flowers. In the fourth line, he says that sheep and cows stand and enjoy the
things of nature for hours. But, unluckily, we have no spare time to do so.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see in broad day-light,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
In the first line, the poet says that we pay no attention to the beautiful
woods through which we pass. Little animals like squirrels hide their dry fruit in
grass. But we pass by these things indifferently. In the third line, he says that we
do not see the beauty of nature during day time. In the fourth line, he says that
stream water looks like stars in the sky at night. The poet has used a simile here.
He has compared drops of water with the stars of the sky.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
The poet has used a personification in this stanza. When an idea is put in
the form of a person, it is called personification. In this stanza, the poet has
personified Beauty in the form of a beautiful girl. The poet says that we have no
spare time to enjoy the beauty of the girl. We have no time to enjoy the dance
movements of the dancer. Her eyes started a smile. This smile could become
rich, but we have no time to wait till this smile could become mature. The
beautiful girl stands for beautiful things of nature.
Context
3 3
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942

A poor life this, if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
This is the last couplet of the poem. In the first line, the poet says that this
life is meaningless and aimless if it is full of hurries and worries. If we have no
spare time to stand and look at different beautiful things of nature, our life in no
life.
_____________________________________________________________
: Life is a grim struggle and every one is bound to make this
struggle, willingly or un-willingly. But, at the same time, man has a chance to
escape from the world of hard struggle. He can do so by creating a Utopia of his
own. This is what the poet has done in this poem “Tartary”. He imagines himself
to be the king of this imaginary land. In this land, he will fulfill certain desires.
He will wear certain robe, made of costly pearls. There will be pretty pea-cocks
in his court. His pools will be infested with colourful fish. His forests will be full
of tigers. His most strange desire is that his carriage will be drawn by seven
zebras. In the end, he wishes to be the lord of beautiful lakes and mountains of
this imaginary land. In brief, his imaginary rule goes on and the poem comes to
an end.
If I were Lord of Tartary,
Myself and me alone,
My bed should be of ivory,
Of beaten gold my throne.
In the first line, the poet wishes to be the lord of Tartary, an imaginary
land. In the second line, he says that he will not share his powers with any body
else. He wants to enjoy the rule alone. In the third line, he says that his bed will be
made of ivory. In the fourth line, he says that his throne would be of beaten gold.
And in my courts should peacocks flaunt,
And in my forests tigers haunt.
And in my pools, great fishes slant,
Their fins athwart the sun.
In the first line, the poet says that there would be pretty peacocks in his
court. They would dance about with pride. In the second line, he says that there
would be many tigers in his forests. In the third line, he says that there would be
colourful fish swimming about in his pools. They would be numerous enough to
check the sun-light.
If I were Lord of Tartary,
Trumpeters every day,
To every meal would summon me,
And in my court-yard bray.
2. Tartary ____________________________ Walter de la Mare
Context
4 4
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942
POETRY
In the first line, the poet says that if he were the lord of Tartary, he would
employ some trumpeters. In the second line, he says that they would do their
duty assigned to them. In the third line, he says that they would call him to every
meal. In the fourth line, he says that they would blow their trumpet in the
courtyard of his palace.
And in the evening lamps would shine,
Yellow as honey, red as wine,
While harp and flute and mandoline,
Made music sweet and gay.
These lines are very colourful. The poet has used two similes here.
“Yellow as honey” is the first analogy. “Red as wine” is the second one. In the
first line, the poet says that lamps would shine in the evening to remove
darkness. In the second line, he says that their light would be yellow like honey
and red like wine. In the third line, the poet has named some musical
instruments. He has mentioned harp, flute and mandoline. In the fourth line, he
says that these musical instruments would play melodious and happy music.
If I were Lord of Tartary,
I’d wear a robe of beads,
White and gold and green they’d be,
And clustered thick as seeds.
In the first line, the poet wishes to be the king of Tartary, an imaginary
land. In the second line, he says that if he were the king of this land, he would put
on a gown of pearls. In the third line, he says that these pearls would be white,
gold and green. In the fourth line, he says that they would be thick like clusters of
seeds.
And ere should wane the morning star,
I’d don my robe and scimitar,
Zebras seven should draw my car,
Through Tartary’s dark glades.
In the first line here, the poet says that he would get up early, before the
waning of the morning star. In the second line, he says that he would wear his
gown and small sword. In the third and fourth line, he expresses his most strange
desire. He says that seven zebras would draw his carriage. They would draw the
carriage through dark, open spaces of Tartary. This is the strangest desire
because we don’t see carriages drawn by zebras. Carriages are usually drawn by
horses, camels or mules. But the poet wishes seven zebras to drive his carriage.
Lord of the fruits of Tartary,
Her rivers silver, pale!
Lord of the hills of Tartary,
Glen, thicket, wood and dale!
In the first line here, the poet wishes to be the master of fruits of Tartary. In
5

In the second line, he wishes to be the lord of silver pale rivers of Tartary.
In the third line, he wishes to be the master of hills of this imaginary land. In the
fourth line, he wishes to be the owner of narrow, open and vast valleys of this
land.
Her flashing stars, her scented breeze,
Her trembling lakes, like foam-less seas,
Her bird-delighting citron trees,
In every purple vale!
In these lines, the poet has mentioned a few things of nature. He wishes to
be the master of bright stars and fragrant air of this land.Then he wishes to be the
lord of peaceful lakes of this land. Here he has used a simile. He compares
peaceful lakes with foam-less seas. In the third line, he has mentioned citron
trees where the birds are delighted to fly about. In the fourth line, he wishes the
same conditions all through purple valleys of Tartary.
______________________________________________________________
3.NewYear Resolutions __________________Elizabeth Sewell
 Context: Making new year resolutions is a tradition. In fact, it is a time to
take stock of our lives and to make up our mind to be better people. But the
people are usually easy-going worldlings. They think of name and fame. They
have their own materialistic aims to achieve. Some people think of setting up
new business. Some people plan to start a new career. Others plan to visit certain
places or marry someone. But, the poetess has quite different ideas. She wants to
introspect, to analyze her life. She wants to face reality.Although reality is bitter,
yet she will feel pacified by facing facts.
I will drain
Long draughts of quiet
As a purgation:
These three lines make one sentence in fact. The first line consists of three
words. The second line comprises four and the third one is made up of three
words. In the first line, the poetess says that she will drink something. In the
second line, she says that she will drink long gulps of calm. In the third, she says
that she will do so for the purpose of purification.
Remember
Twice a day
Who I am.
These lines also make one sentence. The first line consists of only one
word. The second one is made up of three words. The third one also has three
words. In the first line, the poetess says that she will remember something. In the
second line, she says that she will do so two times a day; probably in the morning
and at night. In the third line, she says that she will think about herself. She will
analyse her life to improve herself.

6
4.WomanWork __________________ Maya Angelou
Will lie o’ nights
In the bony arms
Of Reality and be comforted.
In the first line, the poetess says that she will lie at nights. In the second
line, she says that she will lie in the bony and hard arms of reality. In the end, she
says that she will feel pacified. In these lines, Reality has been personified in the
form of a bony man with bony arms. She wants to say that although, reality is
bitter, yet she will feel pacified by facing it.
:
Human life is very hard, trouble-some and tire-some. It is merciless,
ruthless and relentless. Powerful forces of Nature are surrounding man. He is
alone in the vast Universe. Consequent upon this fact, he is bound to run away
from hard realities of life, to the land of imagination, to relax, at least for the
time-being. This is what we study in this poem, which is also full of beautiful
images.Women are so much busy with their daily drudgery that naturally they
escape into the land of imagination, to relax.
I’ve got the children to tend
The clothes to mend
The floor to mop
The food to shop
In the first line, the poetess says that she has got to look after the children
properly. In the second line, she says that she has to repair the clothes of the
family. In the third line, the poetess says that she has to wipe the floor clean. In
the fourth line she says that she has got to purchase the food-stuff for the family.
The whole poem shows the drudgery which a house-wife has to render.
Then chicken to fry
The baby to dry
I’ve got the shirts to press
The tots to dress
In the first line, the poetess says that she has got to prepare different kinds
of dishes for the family. The chicken symbolizes different dishes. In the second
line, she says that she has to wash, soap and towel and baby whenever it is
necessary. In the third line the poetess says that she has to wash, dry and press the
clothes of the family. In the fourth line, she says that it is her duty to dress the
little babies. This is what a house wife has got to do every day.
I got company to feed
The garden to weed
The cane to be cut
I got to clean up this hut
In the first line, the poetess says that it is her duty to feed the members of
the family. In the second line, she says that she has got to weed the garden. It is
her responsibility to keep the cottage neat and clean, and like-wise the garden.
In the third line, the poetess mentions the hedge of cane. She says that she has to
trim it for its better appearance. In the fourth line, she says that she has got to
keep the cottage neat and clean in every respect.
Context
POETRY
7 7
POETRY
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942
Shine on me, sunshine
Rain on me, rain
Fall softly, dewdrops
And cool my brow again
In the first line, the poetess requests the sunlight to shine on her. In the
second line, she implores the rain to fall on her. These lines show that she is fed
up with house-hold drudgery now. She wants to enjoy different things of nature,
in her imagination. In the third line, she requests dew drops to fall gently. In the
fourth line, she beseeches the dew-drops to cool her body once again. Here
“brow” stands for her body.
Storm blow me from here,
With your fiercest wind,
Let me float across the sky,
Till I can rest again.
In the first line, the poetess requests the storm to blow her from her cottage
where she has to do a lot of work. In the second line, she implores the storm to
blow her with its strongest wind. She wants to float across the sky, like clouds. In
the third line, she beseeches the storm to let her float across the sky. In the fourth,
she says that she would take a rest after all this excitement.
Fall softly, snow flakes
Cover me with white.
Cold icy kisses and
Let me rest tonight.
In the first line, the poetess requests the snow flakes to fall gently. In the
second line, she requests the flakes to cover her with white snow. In the third
line, she talks of cold icy touches of snow flakes. In the fourth line, she requests
the flakes to let her rest at night, after all this excitement.
Sun, rain, curving sky
Mountain, ocean, leaf and stone.
Star shine, moon glow,
You’re all that I can call my own.
The poetess has used some images in the ending lines of the poem, to create
a romantic atmosphere. In the first line, she has mentioned “sun, rain, curving
sky”. In the second line, she has mentioned four things of nature. They are the
mountain, oceans, the leaf and stone. These lines show the great love of the
poetess for nature. Perhaps, she does not find any love and regard from her
society. That is why, she calls these things hers. In the first line, she has
mentioned the star shine and the moon glow. In the last line, she says that
only these things are hers. She addresses these things and declares them to be
hers. Other things which she has have no importance for her.
(All these notes are dedicated to Prof. Malik Azmatullah, (late) the
Ocean of knowledge)
8 8
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942
POETRY
5.The Rebel__________________ D.J. Enright
: This poem shows the complex and contradictory attitude of a
rebel. He does what the others do not do and he does not do what the others do.
His likes and dislikes are different from others’. Although this rebel is different
from other members of society, yet D. J. Enright’s rebel is neither dangerous nor
vicious. His actions are harmlessly motivated by self assertion and an unstructured
urge to be different in the world of indifference. We are pleased to
have rebels in society.All the same, we won’t like to be one.
When every body has short hair
The rebel lets his hair grow long.
When every body has long hair,
The rebel cuts his hair short.
The rebel is a person who does what the others do not do and he does not
do what the others do. When the others have short hair, he does not do so. On the
other hand, he lets his hair grow long. When the others have long hair, the rebel
does not do so. He cuts his hair short. So we see that his actions are quite different
from others’.
When every body talks during the lesson,
The rebel does not say a word.
When nobody talks during the lesson,
The rebel creates a disturbance.
The rebel is a strange person. He behaves very differently. His likes and
dislikes are different from others’.When others take part in the lesson actively,
he does not do so. He keeps quiet and does not say a word. When others keep
quiet and attend to the lesson, the rebel creates a noise.
When every body wears a uniform,
The rebel dresses fantastic clothes.
When every body wears fantastic clothes,
The rebel dresses soberly.
The rebel is a strange person. He behaves very differently. His likes and
dislikes are different from others’. When others wear uniform, the rebel does not
do so. He has another idea. He wears fantastic clothes. When others put on
fantastic clothes, he puts on simple clothes.
In the company of dog-lovers,
The rebel expresses his preference for cats.
In the company of cat-lovers,
The rebel puts in a good word for dogs.
The rebel is a strange person. He behaves very differently. His likes and
dislikes are different from others’. In the company of dog-lovers, the rebel
shows his preference for cats. In the company of cat-lovers, the rebel shows his
preference for dogs. His actions are different others’.
9 9
POETRY
When every body is praising the sun,
The rebel remarks on the need for rain.
When every body is greeting the rain,
The rebel regrets the absence of sun.
The rebel is a strange person. He behaves very differently. His likes and
dislikes are different from others’. When others enjoy the sun-light, the rebel
does not do so. He says that rain is needed. When others welcome the rain and
enjoy it, the rebel behaves the other way. He says that sun should be there.
When every body goes to the meeting,
The rebel stays at home and reads a book.
When every body stays at home and reads a book,
The rebel goes to the meeting.
The rebel is a strange person. He behaves very differently. His likes and
dislikes are different from others’. When others like to meet their friends and
relatives, the rebel does not do so. He stays at home and reads a book. When
others stay at home and read a book, the rebel goes out to meet his friends and
relatives.
When every body says “yes please”,
The rebel says “no, thank you”.
When every body says “no, thank you”.
The rebel says “yes please”.
The rebel is a strange person. He behaves very differently. His likes and
dislikes are different from others’. When others are ready to do something, the
rebel behaves the other way. He refuses to take something.When others refuse to
take something, the rebel is all the more ready to accept the offer.
It is very good that we have rebels,
You may not find it very good to be one.
This is the concluding couplet of the poem. The poet says that we enjoy to
find a rebel among us. But, at the same time, we won’t like to become one.We
enjoy the rebel and his actions, but we won’t like to be laughed at.___
: This poem shows how things change with the passage of time.
Those who were respected some time ago, are degraded badly. Strangely enough
those in whose ways flower petals were spread, are derided, driven or hanged.
How fickle and un-believable the things are! This is what has been described in
this poem. The leader who was held in high esteem, and in whose honour the
people once were ready to lay down their lives, is hanged just one year after his
coming into power.
It was roses and roses all the way,
With myrtle mixed in my path like mad
The house roofs seemed to heave and sway,
The church spires flamed, such flags they had,
A year ago on this very day.
This poem is a sad auto-biography of a leader.When he was in power, the
6.Patriot into Traitor__________________ Robert Browning
Context
10 10
POETRY
people welcomed him, scattering flowers all along his path. They spread flowers
abundantly. Roses were mixed with myrtle. The people crowded to see their
leader. They were eager to have a look at him. Some of them climbed the roofs of
their houses. There was a lot of excitement. The church spires were polished
clean. There were also welcome flags. But, alas! This was the scene one year
ago.Now things have changed.
The air broke into a mist with bells,
The old walls rocked with the crowd and cries,
Had I said, “Good folk, mere noise repels--
But give me your sun from yonder skies”,
They had answered, “And afterward, what?”
The leader is relating his sad story. He says that mist was gone. The bells
were ringing probably to welcome the Easter. The air was clean. The people
crowded to see him. The old walls seemed to shake with the crowd and slogans.
His subjects were very eager to carry out his orders. They were ready to do even
the most difficult things for him. They would be ready to do even more.
Alack! It was I who leaped at the sun,
To give it to my friends to keep,
Naught man could do, have I left undone?
And you see my harvest what I reap;
This very day, now a year is run.
The leader is relating his sad story. Here he tells that he did the most
difficult things for his people. He did all that for the benefit of his people. No
man could do what he did. In the third line, the leader asks the reader if he sees
the reward he got. He met with the worst. The people turned against him, just one
year after his coming into power.
There is nobody on the house-tops now,
Just a palsied few, at the windows set;
For the best of sight is all allow,
At the Shamble’s gate--or better, yet,
By the very scaffold’s foot, I trow.
The leader is relating his sad story. He says that there is nobody to
welcome him. Nobody climbs up the roofs. Nobody spreads flowers in his ways.
There is no excitement. All seems still like the paralyzed. He is taken to the
gallows at the Shamble’s Gate. He is standing at the foot of the stage made for
hanging him.
I go in the rain and more than needs,
A rope cuts both my wrists behind;
And I think, by the feel,my forehead bleeds,
For they fling, whoever has a mind,
Stones at me, for my year’s misdeeds.
The leader is relating his sad story. He says that he goes in rain. His both
hands are tied tightly at his back. He imagines that his forehead is bleeding.
Almost every one is throwing stones at him. Their loyalties have changed. 11 11
POETRY
He was considered to be Patriot when he was in power. Now he is considered as
Traitor.
Thus I entered and thus I go,
In triumph the people have dropped down dead.
“Paid by the world, what dost thou owe
Me?”-- God might question; now instead,
‘Tis God shall repay’I am safer so.
The leader is relating his sad story. This is the climax of the sad story of the
leader. He tells us that thus he came into power and thus he goes out of power. He
says that the people have dropped him dead in their excitement. This is the
reward which he got from the world. He is hopeful that God may give him the
reward. He feels comforted by thinking so.
______________________________________________________________
7.The Huntsman__________________ Edward Lowbury
: “The Huntsman” is based upon a Kenyan folk-tale. So to speak,
this is a folk-tale in verse. The poem is delightful and we are bound to smile when
we read the last lines. But at the same time, the poem is serious in theme. There is
something to learn.And that is that we should speak when it is time to speak and
we should not speak when it is time to keep quiet. Again, life itself is a great
tragedy.We expect one thing and happens the other thing.
Kagwa hunted the lion.
Through bush and forest went his spear.
One day he found the skull of a man
And said to it, “How did you come here”?
The skull opened its mouth and said
“Talking brought me here”
Kagwa was the hunter of lions. It means that he was not an ordinary
hunter. He hunted in the bush area and in the forest. He hunted with the help of
his spear. One day, he found the skull of a man. He asked it how it had come
there. The skull opened its mouth. It said that talking had brought it there.
Kagwa hurried home;
Went to the king’s chair and spoke;
In the forest I found a talking skull;
The king was silent then he said slowly
Never since I was born of my mother
Have I seen or heard of a skull which spoke;
Kagwa rushed towards home. He was excited. He wanted to tell this
strange news to anyone who deserved it most. He went to the king’s court and
started narrating the incident. He said that he had found a talking skull in the
forest. The king was surprised. He kept quiet for a while. Then he said that he had
never seen or heard of such skull as he was telling. He said that such thing never
happened in his life since his birth.
12 12
POETRY
The king called out of his guards.
Two of you go with him
And find the talking skull;
But if this tale is a lie
And the skull spoke no word,
This Kagwa himself must die.
The king was anxious. He wanted to look into the matter. So he took the
first step. He called out his guards. He ordered two of them to go with Kagwa. He
asked them to find the skull which spoke. But, he ordered them to be strict on
Kagwa if his story was not true. He ordered them to kill Kagwa in this case.
They role into the forest;
For days and nights they found nothing
At last they saw the skull; Kagwa
Said to it:Howdid you come here?
The skull said nothing. Kagwa implored,
But the skull said nothing.
Kagwa and guards went into the forest. Many days and nights passed.
They found no such skull. Finally, one day they found the skull. Kagwa asked it
how it had come there. But to his surprise, the skull did not speak any word. It
kept quiet. Kagwa requested it again and again to speak. But the skull did not
open its mouth.
The guards said, ‘Kneel down’.
They killed him with sword and spear.
Then the skull opened its mouth;
‘Huntsman!How did you come here?’
And the dead man answered;
‘Talking brought me here’.
This is the last stanza of the poem. When the skull did not say a word, the
guards asked Kagwa to kneel down. They killed him with the help of sword and
spear, as ordered by the king. At this stage, the skull opened its mouth. It asked
the dead huntsman how he had come there. The dead man answered that talking
had brought him there. Here we learn the lesson that we should avoid talking too
much, it harms in the long run.
: The poetess advises us to learn the art of losing things and not
worry about them. It looks impossible to do so. Rather it looks absurd. The tone
of the poem is mocking, but the message under-lying it is serious, sane and
sensible. In fact, the poetess advises us to remain indifferent to material losses. It
is not easy to do so. But, this is the only way to be happy.
The art of losing isn’t hard to master;
So many things seem filled with the intent
To be lost that their loss is no disaster.
In the first line, the poetess says that it is not difficult to learn and master
The art of losing things. In the second line, she says that there are many things
8.One Art__________________ Elizabeth Bishop

13
which we ourselves want to lose. If we lose them, it won’t be a disaster/ mishap.
Lose something every day.Accept the fluster
Of lost door keys, the hour badly spent
The art of losing is not hard to master.
The poetess advises us to lose one thing or the other every day. She says
that we should accept the confusion if we lose our door keys.We should not mind
if the time is spent badly. In the last line, she says that it is not difficult to learn
and master the art of losing things.
Then practice losing farther and faster;
Places and names and where it was you went,
To travel. None of these will bring disaster.
The poetess advises us to rehearse the art of losing things. She asks us to
lose things at a greater speed. She advises us to lose the places and names also.
We should forget the places we visited. Losing these things will not cause any
disaster or trouble.
I lost my mother’s watch.And look;my last, or
Next to last, of three loved houses went
The art of losing isn’t hard to master.
Here the poetess gives some examples from her own life. She says that she
lost her mother’s watch. Then she lost three lovely houses. In the third line, she
says that it is not difficult to learn and master the art of losing things. This is the
line that comes repeatedly throughout.
I lost two cities, lovely ones.And vaster,
Some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent,
I miss them, but it wasn’t a disaster.
The poetess gives some more examples from her life. She says that she
lost two cities and they were very lovely. She lost some vaster pieces of land
which belonged to her. Then she says that she lost two rivers and a continent. She
says that she misses these things, but losing them was not a disaster.
Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan’t have lied. It’s evident.
The art of losing isn’t too hard to master;
Though it may look like (write it) like disaster.
This is the last stanza of the poem. The poetess addresses her lover. She
says that even losing him will not be a disaster. She says it in a joking voice. Here
she says that it is not much difficult to master the art of losing things. Then she
says that it may look like disaster, yet it is not.
______________________________________________________________
: This poem shows that a thing of beauty is a joy for ever.
Beautiful things do happen in life and we do come across beautiful things. But,
beauty is short-lived. Such moments pass at a quick pace.We can, however, save
these moments in our imagination. The suggestion we get is that we should not
be cast down if we lose our near ones and dear ones.
9. Solitary Reaper__________________ WilliamWordsworth
14
Behold her, single in the field,
Yon solitary Highland lass;
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here or gently pass.
The poet says that she is alone in the field. She should be looked at. She is
the mountain girl. She is reaping and singing alone. The poet asks the passer-by
to stop here to enjoy her beauty and her sweet song or pass without making a
noise. He wants none to disturb her. The poet is impressed by her beauty and also
the beauty of her song, although he does not understand her language.
Alone she cuts and binds the grain;
And sings a melancholy strain;
O’ listen; for the vale profound
Is brimming with the sound.
The poet says that reaps and binds the grain into bundles. At the same
time, she sings a song. The song is a sad one. The poet asks the passer-by to listen
to her song. He says that the sound is echoing throughout the valley.
No nightingale did ever chant
More welcome notes to weary bands;
Of  travellers in some shady haunt;
Among Arabian sands.
The poet compares the song of the nightingale with that of the solitary
reaper. He says that the nightingale sings welcome songs to the groups of tired
passengers. They are sweet but the one sung by the solitary reaper is more sweet.
The travellers listen to and enjoy the songs of the nightingale, when they travel
or stop in the Arabian deserts.
A voice so thrilling nev’r was heard
In spring time from the Cuckoo bird,
Breaking the silence of the seas;
Among the farthest Hebrides.
The poet says that the cuckoo sings in the summer season. Its song breaks
the silence of the seas where there are so many islands. Its song is very exciting.
But, the poet declares that the solitary reaper’s song is more thrilling. These lines
show that the poet has been visiting different places during his life time.
Will no one tell me what she sings?
Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow,
For old, unhappy far-off things;
And battles long ago.
The poet is very much impressed by the melody of solitary reaper’s song.
He is anxious to as to what she sings. He asks if someone will tell him what she
sings. Then the poet guesses that the sad verses are flowing. He surmises that the
song may be about old, un-pleasant things of the past. Then he conjectures that it
may be about some battles of the far-past.
POETRY
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
15 15 Contact # 0321-4442942
Or is it a more humble lay,
Familiar matter of today?
Some natural sorrow, loss or pain,
That has been, and may be again?
The poet goes on guessing. He says perhaps it is a more humble song
about some common matter of the day. Then he says that perhaps it is about some
grief, loss or suffering which has been. There may be the possibility of its being
again. It is because he does not actually know the language of the singer.
Whatever the theme, the Maiden sang
As if her song could have no ending;
I saw her singing at her work,
And o’er the sickle bending.
The poet says that the theme is unknown to him. He says that the theme
does not matter. But, one thing is clear that the maiden sang. Her song seemed
not to end. He says that he saw her singing while reaping the crop. She was
bending over her sickle. It shows that she was lost in her work while singing the
song.
I listened, motionless and still,
And, as I mounted up the hill,
The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more.
The poet was impressed by the beauty of her song. He says that he listened
the song when he climbed up the hill. He listened the song silently, attentively.
Then he says that he felt the song was stored in his heart. He could listen it even a
long time after this incident. These lines show that ‘A thing of beauty is a joy for
ever’.We can enjoy it the whole life.
_____________________________________________________________
10. All the World is a Stage _____________William Shakespeare
: This poem shows is all the world is a stage and all the men and
women are players of the world’s greatest stage. They come, play their certain
role and pass away. According to the poet, man’s life can be divided into seven
stages. The first stage is the infant, vomitting in the arms of the nurse. The second
stage is the school-going age. The third one is the lover, sighing like a furnace.At
this stage, he writes ballads in praise of his beloved. The fourth stage is the
soldier with strange oaths and ready to leap in the cannon mouth for name and
fame. The fifth stage is the judge with a fair round belly, resulting in the bribes.
The sixth stage is the old man when his body shrinks and his clothes become
loose. The last stage is the super-annuated. Here he loses all the senses he earlier
had. His eventful history ends here.

NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
16 16 Contact # 0321-4442942
All the world’s a stage;
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His act being seven ages.
The poet says that all the world is a stage. All the men and women are
actors of this greatest stage. They come, play their certain role and pass away.
Then he says that one man plays many parts during his life time. His drama of life
has seven stages.
At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.
And then the whining school boy, with his satchel,
And shining morning face, creeping like snail,
Un-willingly to school.
The first stage is the infant, crying and vomitting in the arms of the nurse.
The second stage is the child. He is going to school at a snail’s pace. In fact, he is
not willing to go to school. His face is fresh after night’s sound rest and sleep.
Then the lover,
Sighing like a furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eye brow.
The next stage is the lover. He burns and sighs like a furnace, in the fire of
separation. He becomes a poet and writes a sad ballad in praise of his beloved.
Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, bearded like the 'pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrels,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth.
The fourth stage is the soldier. He takes strange oaths and boasts of his
bravery. He has a beard, like a leopard. He is jealous seeking honour. He is
sudden ready to pick a quarrel. In fact, he seeks sudden popularity. He is even
ready to jump into the cannon-mouth for the sake of name and fame.
And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin’d,
With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.
The fifth stage is the justice. He takes bribes, that is why he has a round
belly, filled with special chicken. He has severe looks, to create awe in the
people. He has a fashionable beard. His knowledge is very fantastic and vast. He
has learnt current affairs and many proverbs. In this way, he plays his role.
POETRY
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
17 17 Contact # 0321-4442942
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942
The sixth stage shifts,
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose well sav’d, a world too wide,
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
And whistles in his sound.
The sixth stage is the old man. He is thin and slim and weak now. His dress
is loose now. His eye-sight is also weak, that is why he wears glasses now. He has
a pouch with him, to keep certain things. Now his calves have shrunk and his
socks are too wide for him. His bold manly voice has also changed. Whistles are
heard when he speaks.
Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
This is the last stage of man’s life. Here he becomes supper-annuated.
His history full of incidents ends here. This is the second childishness. He
becomes forgetful. He loses all the senses he earlier had. So, he loses teeth,
taste, eyes and every thing.
_______________________________________
11. Departure and Arrival__________________ T. S. Eliot
: T. S. Eliot is a poet of vision. He inspires the new generation
through his idealism and optimism. His poetry gives us the message of hope and
struggle for the better and bright future, not for ourselves but also for the new
generation.We get courage and inspiration from his poetry. This poem, likewise,
has a lot of inspiration for us.
Standing upon the shore of all we know,
We linger for moment doubtfully,
Then with a song upon our lips, sail we
Across the harbor-bar--no chart to show
No light to warn of rocks which lie below,
But, let us yet put forth courageously.
T. S. Eliot is poet of vision. He visualizes a bright and brilliant future for
the coming generation. He urges on us to work hard to make things better. In the
lines under discussion, he says that man starts his journey of life from the zero
point.We all know our starting place, the mother’s lap.We have little knowledge
of life. That is why we linger and doubtfully look around.We cannot decide what
to do. At last, we start our journey in the sea of life, with a song on our lips.We
have no chart for our guidance. There is no light to warn us of dangers of life, that
lie ahead. All the same, we are to go. So, we should put our energy and move
ahead with courage and determination.


18 18
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942
Although the path be tortuous and slow,
Although it bristles with a thousand fears.
To hopeful eye of youth it still appears,
Alane by which the rose and hawthorn grow.
We hope it may be, would that we might know,
Would we might look into the future years.
In the given lines, the poet encourages us to go ahead. The path is difficult
and complicated. Although there are many perils on the way, yet we should be
hopeful.We are young and the path seems to us a street where different flowers
blossom. But, we cannot look into the future times. The poet wishes to see into
the future years.
Great duties call--the twentieth century
More grandly dowered then those which came before,
Summons-- who knows what time may hold in store,
Or what great deed the distant years may see.
What conquest over pain and misery,
What heroes greater than were ever of yore.
The poet says that the twentieth century is more rich and blessed.We have
to do a lot more to make it great. That is why great duties are calling us. The poet
is hopeful to see great deeds and great heroes in future. He imagines victory over
pain and misery of man.
But, if this century is to be more great
Than those before, her sons must make her so,
And we are of her sons, and we must go
With eager hearts to help mould well her fate,
And see that she shall gain such proud estate
And shall on future centuries bestow.
In the given lines, the poet says that if we want this century to be more
great and blessed, we should come forward to make her so.We are her sons and it
is our duty to make things better. We should go ahead with eager hearts and
courage.We can mould the fate of the current century well.
A legacy of benefits --may we
In future years be found with those who try
To labour for the good until we die,
And ask no other question than to know
That they have helped the cause to victory
That with their aid the flag is raised on high.
The poet is hopeful about the benefits gifted to the century by the present
generation. He hopes to be one of those who work hard for the betterment. They
ask no other question, but they work hard and cause to win. Such men help to
raise the status of the nation.With their aid and help, the flag goes up.
POETRY
19 19
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942
Sometime in distant years when we are grown
Gray-haired and old, whatever be our lot,
We shall desire to see again the spot
Which, whatsoever we have been or done
Or to what distant lands we may have gone,
Through all the year will never have been forgot.
The poet is thinking of future. He says that they will grow old, with grey
hair after some years. At that time they will desire to see the places they visited;
the deeds they did. He says that their fate or status won’t matter. They might have
covered long distances, but they won’t matter. The fact, however, is that they will
not forget their good deeds.
______________________________________________________________
12. A Poison Tree ________________William Blake
: William Blake is a reformer poet. In his poems, he has a
message to convey to us.As such, this poem also gives us a message in the form
of a little poem. The message between the lines is that if we express our anger, it
is removed. But, when we don’t express it, it grows like a poison tree. Its fruit
tempts and kills the enemy.
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath,my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe;
I told it not,my wrath did grow.
The poet says that once, he was angry with his friend. He told him the
reason, his anger was gone. But, he got angry with his enemy and he did not tell
him this fact. Consequently, his anger grew more and more.
And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles
And with soft deceitful wiles.
The poet says that his anger grew like a poison tree. He watered it with his
tears, two times a day. He gave it the sun-light of his smiles. He used tricks very
cleverly to cheat his enemy.
And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright;
And my foe beheld is shine,
And he knew it was mine.
The poet says that this poison tree grew bigger and bigger day by day.And
it bore a bright and attractive apple. His enemy saw it shining there. He was
tempted to get and eat it. He also knew that it was his.

Context
POETRY
20
20
And into my garden stole,
When the night had veil’d the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe ouTstretch’d beneath the tree.
This is the end of this moral story in verse. The poet says that his enemy,
tempted by the fruit of the poison tree comes into his garden when there is
darkness of the night. In the morning, the poet feels happy to see his enemy lying
dead under the poison tree.
______________________________________________________________
13. Because I couldn’t Stop for Death _____Emily Dickinson
: Emily Dickinson is a metaphysical poet. Metaphysical poetry is
concerned with religious poetry mixed with life after death. Common
contemporary problems do not figure in such poetry. As such, this poem is also
metaphysical. In this poem, the poetess tells us how death came to her and took
her with him. She believes that death is a door-way to another life.
Because I couldn’t stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me.
The carriage held but just ourselves,
And immortality.
The poetess says that she was busy, so she could not stop for death. It was
Death who kindly stopped for her. The carriage of death stopped. There was
none except them, but eternity.
We slowly drove. He knew no haste.
And I had put away
My labour and my leisure too,
For his civility.
The poetess says that they travelled on slowly. The death was not in hurry.
The poetess had also put away every thing aside, for the courtesy of death.
We passed the school, where children strove,
At recess in the Ring,
We passed the Field of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.
The poetess says that they passed by the school where children were
playing in the ground at recess time. Then she says that they passed through the
field of ripe grain. In the next line, she says that they passed by the setting sun. In
fact, school, the field of gazing grain and the setting sun are symbols. The school
stands for childhood. The field of gazing grain is the symbol of youth. The
setting sun stands for
Or rather He passed us--
The dews drew quivering and chill--
For only Gossamer,my Gown--

The poetess says that perhaps the sun passed by them. There was dew
falling in the chill of the night. The poetess says that she was wearing only thin
and soft dress. In fact, Gossamer, Gown, Tippet and Tulle are different parts of
shroud.
We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground--
The roof was scarcely visible--
The Cornice-- in the Ground--
Here the poetess says that they stopped before a House. It seemed to be the
swelling of the ground. Its roof was hardly seen. It was just a cornice in the
ground. The House is the symbol of grave.
Since then--’tis Centuries--and yet
Feels shorter than the day,
I first surmised the Horses’heads
Were towards eternity.
The poetess says that centuries have passed since that time. But, it still
looks to her shorter than the day. She says that she thought the horses were going
towards immortality and the journey would never end.
_____________________________________________________________
14. Lights Out _______________________ Edward Thomas
The poem shows that sleep is just like a deep forest. Here in
this forest, everyone has to lose his way, whether straight, curved or zigzag. All
the passions also lose their identity. Our friends and foes also lose their identity.
The things most sweet and faces of dearest look are also forgotten.
I have come to borders of sleep,
The unfathomable deep
Forest where all must lose
Their way, however straight
Or winding, soon or late;
They cannot choose.
The poet says that he has come to the borders of sleep. Sleep is like a
forest. This forest is very vast and deep. It cannot be measured. Here in this forest
every one has to lose his way. This way may be straight or curved. It does not
matter.Manhas no choice.
Many a road track
That, since the dawn’s first crack,
Upto the forest brink,
Deceived the travellers,
Suddenly now blurs,
And in they sink.
The poet says that many road tracks cheated man, since the day broke. The
roads of life cheated the travellers. These roads disappear in the forest of sleep.

22
Here love ends;
Despair, ambition ends,
All pleasure and all trouble,
Although most sweet or bitter,
Here ends in sleep that is sweeter
Than tasks most noble.
The poet is talking about sleep. He says that in sleep our passions, feelings
of love and disappointment end. Our weal and woe also lose their identity. Every
thing that is the most sweet or bitter, lose their identity. The tasks that we have
taken over, whether very noble sink in sleep.
There is not any book
Or face of dearest look
That I would not turn from now
To go into the unknown
I must enter and leave, alone;
I don’t know how.
In the first line, the poet says that even the favourite book does not matter
in sleep. In the second line, he says that faces of cherished memories do not
matter. In the third line, he says that he will divert his attention from everything
now. In the fourth line, he says that he is going to enter an unknown valley. In the
fifth line, he says that he is bound to enter this valley of sleep. He is bound to
leave everything alone. In the sixth line, he says that he does not know this
process, as to how it happens.
The tall forest towers;
Its cloudy foliage lowers
Ahead, shelf above shelf,
Its silence I hear and obey
That I may lose my way
And myself.
In the first line, the poet says that the tall forest rises high. In the second
line, he says that its thick leaves reach and touch the ground. In the third line, he
says that as we go ahead, we find the leaves even thicker, layer above layer. In the
fourth line, he says that the silence of the forest of sleep is dominating. Then he
says that he hears and obeys. In the fifth line, he says that he may lose his way in
sleep. In the sixth line, he says that he may lose himself also. This what actually
and factually happens when we are lost in sleep.
______________________________________________________________

23
15. After Apple-picking _________________ Robert Frost
Context: Two kinds of sleep have implicitly been described in this poem;
common sleep, hibernation. First kind of sleep lasts for a few hours. The second
one continues for a few months, especially of winter. Here the poet is not certain
as to which kind of sleep he is going to have. In this poem the world of reality and
dreams has been intermixed in a very strange way.
My long two-pointed ladder’s sticking through a tree
Toward heaven still,
And there’s barrel that I didn’t fill
Beside it, and there may be two or three
Apples I didn’t pick upon some bough.
But I am done with apple-picking now.
Here in the first line, the poet says that his ladder with two pointed ends is
set properly through a tree, to pick ripe fruit. In the second line, he says that it
seems to be reaching the sky. In the third line, he says that there may be a barrel to
be filled yet. In the fourth and fifth line, he says that he did not pick a few apples.
He left them un-picked on the branches. In the sixth line, he says that he is tired
with his task of apple-picking. In fact, he is feeling sleepy now. But he is not sure
as to the kind of sleep he is going to have.
Essence of winter sleep is on the night,
The scent of apples: I am drowsing off.
I cannot rub the strangeness from my sight
I got from looking through a pane of glass
In the first line, the poet says that the effects of winter-sleep are prevailing
through the night. In the second line, he says that fragrance of apples is all
around. He is feeling drowsy. In the third line, he says that he is experiencing a
strange feeling. He cannot get rid of such feeling. In the fourth line, he says that
he is looking through a pane of glass. Pane of glass is a symbol of sleep here.
I skimmed this morning from the drinking trough
And held against the world of hoary grass
It melted, and I let it fall and break.
In the first line, the poet says that he washed his hand with almost frozen
water of the drinking vat. In the second line, he says that he held against he world
of grass covered with white frost. In the third line, he says that the frost melted
and he let it fall and break. These lines show that he started his work of apple picking
very early in the morning when frost was lying on plants and grass.
But I was well
Upon my way to sleep, before it fell;
And I could tell
What form my dreaming was about to take.
POETRY
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
24 Contact # 0321-4442942
24
In the first line, the poet says that all the same, he was all right. In the
second line, he says that he was on his way to sleep. In the third line, he says that
he knew what was happening to him in the fourth line, he says that he could tell
that his dreaming was going to take a particular shape.
Magnified apples appear and disappear,
Stem end and blossom end,
And every fleck of russet showing clear.
My instep arch not only keeps the arch;
It keeps the pressure of ladder-round.
In the first line, the poet says that big apples were appearing and
disappearing before his eyes in the dream. In the second line, he says that he
could see the stems and the fruit. In the third line, he says that all the colours
could be seen. In the fourth line, he says that his instep arch is helping keep
things all right. In the fifth line, he says that it also keeps the pressure of the
ladder stable. Thus, we see that the poet is dreaming the same things as he has
been doing during day-time, before falling asleep.
I feel the ladder sway as the boughs bend.
And I keep hearing from the cellar bin
The rumbling sound
Here in the first line, the poet says that he feels that the ladder shakes as the
branches move up and down. In the second line, he says that he is hearing
something from the bin of the cellar. In the third line, he says that he hears the
rumbling sound. Thus we see that the poet is dreaming the same things as he has
been doing during day-time, before falling asleep.
Of load on load of apples coming in.
For I have had too much
Of apple-picking: I am over tired
Of the great harvest I myself desired.
There were ten thousand, thousand fruit to touch,
Cherish in hand, lift down and not let fall.
In the first line, the poet says that apples are coming in the bin, one by one.
In the second line, he says that he has done a lot of hard work. In the third line, he
says that he has been picking apples. Now he is dead-tired and exhausted. In the
fourth line, he says that the harvest is great and he has been desiring it. In the fifth
line, he says that apples were thousands in number. In the sixth line, he says that
he felt delighted to lift them up and down. But at the same time, he was careful
not to let them fall.
For all
That struck the earth
No matter if not bruised or spiked with stubble,
Went surely to the cider-apple heap
As of no worth.
POETRY
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,Contact # 0321-4442942 25
25
16. The Vanishing Village ______________ R. S. Thomas
Context
In the first line the poet talks of apples. In the second line, he talks of the
apples that fell on the ground. In the third line, he says that falling apples don not
matter if they are not damaged. In the fourth line, he says that these apples would
go to the heap of cider-apples. In the fifth line, he says that these apples are
priceless.
One can see what will trouble
This sleep of mine, whatever sleep it is,
Were he not gone,
The woodchuck would say whether it’s like his
Long sleep, as I describe its coming on
Or just some human sleep
In the first line, the poet says that man can understand if something can
interfere with his sleep. In the second line, he says that he does not know what
kind of sleep he is going to have. In the third line, he talks of wood-chuck, a
squirrel-like animal found in north America.. “He” is the symbol of this animal
which the poet will name in the next line. In the fourth line, he mentions the
woodchuck. Perhaps this animal knows if poet’s sleep is like his own. In the fifth
line, he talks of long sleep of woodchuck. This sleep is prevailing over him. In
the sixth line, he says that perhaps his sleep is just some natural human-sleep.
______________________________________________________________
: R. S. Thomas seems to be impressed much by the ideas of
Plato presented in his work “Dialogue”. It includes “Republic” in which Plato
has given the blue-prints of his ideal small state. A village is its example.
According to Marshall McLuhan, this world is turning fast into a Global Village.
Unabated, uncontrolled, large scale migration towards cities goes on worldwide.
Thomas believes that a village is a unit of human habitat, so it should
always be there.
Scarcely a street, too few houses
To merit the title, just a way between
The one tavern and the one shop
That leads nowhere and fails at the top
Of the short hill, eaten away
By long erosion of the green tide
Of grass creeping perpetually nearer
This last outpost of time past.
The poet presents a gloomy picture of a decaying village. He wishes to see
this village revive as habitat, colourful activity of an ideal Greek village,
visualized by Plato. In the lines under discussion, the poet says that nothing is
left in the village. The only path is being eaten away by the green tide of grass
POETRY
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
26 Contact # 0321-4442942
26
17. When I Have Fears _____________________John Keats
Context
So little happens, the black dog
Cracking his fleas in the hot sun
Is history.Yet, the girl who crosses
From door to door moves to a scale
Beyond the bland day’s two dimensions.
In the first line here, the poet says that life has become dull and drear.
Nothing happens there. Then he mentions the black dog. This dog is cracking its
fleas, sitting in the warm sun. It shows that life has become passive. Then he
mentions a girl who crosses from one door to the other. She is the symbol of little
human population there. Bland day’s two dimensions are the day and night.
Stay, then village, for round you spin
Onslow axis a world as vast
And meaningful as any poised
By great Plato’s solitary mind.
In the lines under discussion, the poet addresses the village. He asks it to
stop moving and decaying. He calls it a meaningful, balance world as imagined
by great Plato.
______________________________________________________________
: John Keats is one of the greatest romantic poets of English. He
is of the view that beauty is a thing of joy for ever. He feels beauty is short-lived.
He calls it a creature of an hour. It shows the transient nature of beauty. In the
poem under discussion, he fore-casts his imminent death. He fears that he would
not live long to express the valuable ideas which he has in his mind. He thinks he
would die soon, and that’s what actually happened.
When I have fears that I may cease to be
Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain,
The poet says that he apprehend an early death, before he has written his
thoughts. He says that his brain is teeming with ideas, but he will not be able to
put his ideas into writing.
When I behold upon the night’s starred face,
Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance,
And think that I may never live to trace,
Their shadows, with the magic hand of chance.
And when I feel fair creature of an hour,
That I shall never look upon thee more.
The poet says that when he looks at the night’s face full of stars and high
symbols of love, he thinks his life will not allow him to relish the high romance
with the magic hand of chance. He addresses beauty and calls it a fair creature of
an hour. He calls it so as he believes that beauty is short-lived.
POETRY
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
27 Contact # 0321-4442942
27
18. Kubla Khan _______________________ S. T. Coleridge
S. T. Coleridge is a famous romantic poet. He is marked for
his supernatural poetry. Kubla Khan is the poem which he started after seeing a
dream. He started writing the poem about Kubla Khan and his palace. But, there
was something that interrupted his work permanently. That is why he could not
complete his poem.
A damsel with a dulcimer
In a vision once I saw;
It was an Abyssinian maid,
And on her dulcimer she played,
Singing of Mount Abora.
In the lines under discussion, the poet says he had a dream once. He saw a
maiden with a musical instrument named dulcimer, just like sitar. She belonged
to Abyssinia. She was playing her dulcimer and singing a song of Mount Abora.
Her song impressed the poet very much.
Could I revive within me
Her symphony and song
To such a deep delight t’would win me,
That with music loud and long,
I would build that dome in air,
That sunny dome! Those caves of ice!
In the given lines, the poet says that if he could revive her song and its
melody, he would be pleased. Then he would be able to build in his imagination
the splendid palace of Kubla Khan, with all its grace. He would also build in his
thoughts the caves made of ice.
______________________________________________________________
19. Hawk’s Monologue _____________________ Ted Hughes
This poem is about those arrogant and proud elements of
society who mistakenly think themselves to be the cause and reason of creation.
They are intoxicated with powers so much so that they think that they run the
affairs of the world. “Hawk’s Monologue” stands for such elements.
I sit in the top of the wood,my eyes closed.
Inaction, no falsifying dream
Between my hooked head and hooked feet;
Or in sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat.
In the given lines, the hawk says that he is sitting on high place in the wood
with his eyes closed with satisfaction. He says that he sees no false dreams. He
POETRY
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
28 Contact # 0321-4442942
28
The convenience of the high trees;
The air’s buoyancy and the sun’s ray
Are an advantage to me;
And the earth’s face upward for my inspection.
The hawk says that he has the advantages of high trees, air’s freshness and
the rays of the sun. Then he says that the face of the earth is upwards. It is for him
to inspect.
My feet are locked upon the rough bark;
It took the whole of creation
To produce my foot,my each feather;
Now I hold Creation in my foot,
The hawk says that his feet have gripped the rough and un-even bark of
the tree. Then he says that the making of his feet, his feathers required great skill
and perfection.All efforts were put for the creation of his feet and feathers.
Or fly up and revolve it all slowly--
I kill where I please because it is all mine.
There is no sophistry in my body;
My manners are tearing off heads--
The hawk talks of his flight and other activities. He says that he kills whatever
and where-ever he likes. Then he says that every thing is his property. He
adds that there is no defect in his body. He further says that his ways are rending
heads of his preys.
The allotment of death,
For the one path of my flight is direct
Through the bones of the living.
No arguments assert my right.
Here the hawk says that it is he who allots the death to his preys. It is his
manner to tear his preys and their bones. He kills and eats the living and not the
dead. Then he says that he has right to do all that and no argument can go against
his manners.
The sun is behind me,
Nothing has changed since I began.
My eye has permitted no change
I am going to things like this.
This is the last stanza of the poem. The hawk says that he is sitting so that
the sun is behind him. He says that no change has taken place since he began his
rule. Then he says that he commands the things and his eye has permitted no
change what-so-ever. In the end, he says that he is going to keep things as they
are. He will allow no change.
POETRY
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942 29
29
20. Say This City has ... ________________ W. H. Auden
Context: This poem is a protest against geographical divisions and
political policies of the world. Man is the enemy of man. We give shelter and
protection to animals and birds, but we do not give these things to human beings.
We have religious prejudice against each other. Here in this poem, a Jew couple
tries to seek refuge but they are refused under different excuses.
Say this city has ten million souls,
Some are living in mansions, some are living in holes;
Yet there’s no place for us,my dear,
Yet there’s no place for us.
Here in the first line, one German Jew is talking to his companion. He tells
her that the population of the city may be ten millions. In the second line, he says
that some of the inhabitants live comfortably in big houses. Others live
miserably in narrow huts or pits. In the third one, he says that there is no room, no
capacity for both of them. In the fourth one, he repeats the same sentiments as he
describes in the third line.
Once we had country and we thought it fair,
Look in the atlas and you ‘ll see it there;
We cannot go there now,my dear,
We cannot go there now.
Here in the first line, the German immigrant relates his sad story. He says
that once they, the Jews, had their own country and they thought it was pretty. In
the second one, he says that their country can be seen in atlas. In the third one, he
says that they cannot go there now. He is talking of Germany which was their
country then. But, they were driven out of it. In the fourth line the same thing is
repeated.
In the village churchyard there grows an old yew,
Every spring it blossoms anew;
Old passports can’t do that,my dear,
Old passports can’t do that.
Here in the first line, the German immigrant says that their grows an old
yew in the village cemetery. In the second one, he says that it looks green and
fresh again when spring comes. New leaves are born. In the third one, he says
that old passports are not valid. They cannot do what the trees can do every year.
In the fourth one, he repeats the same thing.
The consul banged the table and said;
‘If you‘ve no passport you ‘re officially dead’;
But, we are still alive,my dear,
But we are still alive.
POETRY
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942 30
30
The officer of the consulate said authoritatively, banging the table that
they were officially dead if they had no new passports. The German immigrant
says to his companion they were still alive. In the next line, the same idea is
repeated.
Went to a committee; they offered me a chair;
Asked me politely to return next year;
But where shall we go today,my dear;
But, where shall we go today.
The German immigrant is relating his story, how they went to different
places and persons and how they were treated. In the given lines, he says that he
went to a committee. They offered him a chair. They asked him to come next
year. The German immigrant asks his companion the question as to where they
should go that day. The same line is repeated in the end.
Thought I heard the thunder rumbling in the sky;
It was Hitler over Europe, saying: ‘They must die’;
O’we were in his mind, dear,
O’we were in his mind.
The German immigrant is relating his sad story. He says that he heard a
thundering sound in the sky. It was Hitler who was saying that the Jews must die.
The German immigrant says that they were in his mind. In the last line, the same
thing is repeated.
Saw a poodle in a jacket fastened with a pin,
Saw a door opened and a cat let in;
But they were not German Jews,my dear,
But they weren’t German Jews.
The German immigrant says that they saw a poodle. It was kept safely in
the jacket, fastened with a pin. Then they saw a door opened before their eyes.A
cat was let in. But, they could not be let in as they were immigrants.
Went down the harbour and stood upon the quay,
Saw the fish swimming as if they were free:
Only ten feet away,my dear,
Only ten feet away.
The German immigrant says that they went to the harbour. They stood on
the quay. They some fish swimming freely. The fish were free to move about, but
they were not allowed.
Walked through a wood, saw the birds in the trees;
They had no politicians and sang at their ease:
They were not the human race,my dear,
They were not the human race.
The German immigrant is relating his sad story. He says that they saw
some birds. They were singing leisurely in the wood. They were happy because
they had no politicians. It is a bitter comment on the behaviour of the political
governments who treat human beings as badly as any thing. It is a pity that
human beings are ill-treated in the name of geographical boundaries.
POETRY
31

Dreamed I saw a building with a thousand floors,
A thousand windows and a thousand doors.
Not one of them was ours,my dear!
Not one of them was ours.
Here the German immigrant says that in a dream, he saw a grand building
with a thousand storeys. It had a thousand windows and likewise a thousand
doors. None of them was theirs. He says to his companion regretfully that none
of them belonged to them.
Stood on a great plain in the falling snow;
Ten thousand soldiers marched to and fro;
Looking for you and me,my dear;
Looking for you and me.
______________________________________________________________
21. Politics _________________________Y. B. Yeats
This poem presents a contrast between two realities of this
world. The first one is politics and the second one is love. The reality of politics
cannot be denied at the same time the reality of love cannot be denied. The
former is weaker in the face of the latter. The beautiful young girl is a symbol of
youth and alternative to the world of war’s alarms.
And may be what they say is true,
Of war or war’s alarms.
ButO’that I were young again,
And held her inmyarms.
The poet says that the much travelled man and the politician may be true if
they say that war is imminent. They may be right in their guess about the horrors
of war. But, the poet rejects the idea of politics and accepts the reality of love. In
other words, he says that love of the girl is the symbol of peace and he would
prefer to embrace it.
______________________________________________________________
This poem is about a snake that comes to the poet’s tub to
drink water. The poet experiences two different forces; one urging him to kill it
and the other to let it drink water and move away. There is a conflict in the mind
of the poet. Here the same conflict is visible.
Was it cowardice, that I dared not kill him?
Was it perversity, that I longed to talk to him?
Was it humility, to feel so honoured?
I felt so honoured.
The poet says that he let the snake drink water and go away. He did not kill
him. Now the poet asks the reader if it was cowardice that he dared not kill him.
Then he asks whether it was perverseness that he wished to talk to the snake.
Then he says that perhaps it was his humbleness to feel exalted at the arrival of
POETRY
32
32
23. The Fog ___________________________ Carl Sandburg
The fog comes,
On little cat feet
It sits looking
Over the harbour and city
On silent haunches
And then moves on.
The poet says that fog comes silently on little cat-like feet. The poet has
beautifully compared the coming of fog with the coming of a cat.
              Questions & Answers on
               The Old Man & the Sea


Q. No. 1. Santiago’s Dreams about Lions:What do these dreams signify?
What is the importance of Santiago’s dreams about lions?
There are three references to the dreams about the lions in the novel. They play an
important role in the novel. They are the images of his youth. They support him
whenever he is in trouble. The dreams are as follows;
First, the old man is tired. He has caught no fish for 84 days. He falls asleep and
dreams about lions. He sees the places and beaches where there are lions also.
Second, on the second night in the sea, the fish is pulling the old man in his skiff. He
again has a dream about lions. Third, he comes empty handed back to his shack. He
is tired and exhausted. He falls asleep and dreams about the lions, while Manolin
goes to bring him something to eat. We see that these dreams come to him when he
is in trouble.
Q. # 2, Describe Santiago’s hand game with the Negro.
What is the importance of Santiago’s memories of the past?
Why does Santiago remember his hand game with the Negro?
Ans:- Santiago’s memories of the past play an important role in the novel. They sustain
him whenever he is in trouble. They give him courage. They refresh in him the strength
and courage of his youth.
The hand game started on the Sunday morning and went on till the Monday
morning. In other words, this continued for 24 hours. There was a lot of betting on it. The
referees changed their position after eight hours, then after every four hours. The people
were anxious about the result. They kept on moving in and out of the public house. Some
of them asked the game to be drawn. They were anxious about their work. Sometimes,
Santiago seemed to win and sometimes the Negro seemed to win. But, finally Santiago
won the game.He was called, “The Champion”.
33
Q. No. 3. Santiago’s relation to Manolin, the boy
What is the relation between Santiago and Manolin the boy?
Why does Manolin take so much care of the old fisherman?
Manolin is the disciple of the old man, Santiago. He loves and respects him
very much. His love is the love of a disciple for his master and adopted father. It is
Manolin who encourages him to go again for fishing when the old man catches no
fish for 84 days. He bring s him meals, tea, coffee and bait for fish. He also brings
him beer.
When the old man complains of his bad luck, he says “The hell with the luck,
I will bring the luck with me”. He goes for fishing with him for almost seven years.
When his father sends him with another fisherman, he feels un-easy. But he comes
to see Santiago very often.
In the end, when Santiago returns empty-handed he weeps for him. He
rushes out to bring something for him to eat. He also brings balm for his injured
hands. He asks other fishermen not to disturb him as he sleeps.
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942, 049-4421993
The Old Man & the Sea
34
Q. # 4, Santiago as a religious character. Describe Santiago’s religious ides/ views.
Ans:- Santiago is not basically a religious man. He himself says that he is not a religious
man. He is not shown moving to or from church. Nor is he shown listening to any
religious sermon. All the same, he has religious ideas. Whenever he is on the sea and in
trouble, he says religious things. He has caught a big marlin. He says, “Holy Mother!
Pray for the death of this fish, though wonderful he is”.
He says, “I’ll say ten Our Fathers and ten Hail Marys that I should catch this fish
and I promise to make a pilgrimage to the Virgin of Cobre if I catch him. That’s a
promise.”He thinks, “Hail Mary's is easier to say than Our Fathers”.
There was a tinted picture of the sacred heart of Jesus in his hut. He had another of
the Virgin of Cobre. These things speak of his being religious, we come across such things
whenever he is in trouble.
Q. # 5, Describe the sea as a living character.Write a note on the symbolic importance of
the sea.
Ans:- The sea has a great symbolic importance in the novel. The whole novel revolves
around the sea and the fishermen. There is nothing other than these two things.The sea is
the symbol of life. It is as vast and deep as life. Like life, it is full of joys and sorrows. It
attracts a man and offers a challenge to him.
The sea has been presented as a living character.Most of the fishermen regard the
sea as feminine. Some of them regard the sea as masculine. Many bad things are said
about the sea. But, they are always said as if the sea were a woman. Santiago regards the
sea as a woman who brings him favours and sometimes with-holds them.
There is clear reference to the sea as a living character. Santiago is sailing his skiff
near the island of Sargasso Weed. It is evening and the weed is moving with the sea-breeze.
The old man thinks that the sea is making love with someone under the blanket of
yellow weed.
34
The Old Man & the Sea
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942, 049-4421993
Q. No. 6, Santiago’s Interest in the Baseball.
The great Di Maggio, the great Di Maggio and Dick Sisler,
Santiago is interested in the baseball. Same is the case with Manolin, the boy.
When Santiago and the boy are in the shack, they talk of this game. They also talk
of Di Maggio and Dick Sisler. These two players are prominent ones in the game of
baseball. They really make the difference in the match. We learn from the
conversation of the old man and the boy that Di Maggio’s father has been very poor,
like they were. But, Sisler’s father has never been poor. The old man wishes to take
Di Maggio for fishing. He says that he wanted to talk to him for this purpose. But,
he was timid not to have courage. Then the old man wanted to ask Di Maggio
through the boy, but he was, timid too. If they had taken him with them, he would
have been with them throughout their life. In the light of the conversation between
the old man and the boy, we learn that Di Maggio has been their favourite.
Q. No. 7. Describe Santiago’s talking to himself. Justify Santiago’s talking to
himself. Describe Santiago’s soliloquies.
The old man is a fisher man by trade. His name is Santiago. He fishes alone
in his small skiff in the Gulf Stream. Once, he catches no fish for 84 days. Mandolin,
the boy goes with him for the first 40 days. Then his father sends him with another
boat. The old man is a lonely soul. He seems to have no relations. When on the sea,
he talks to himself. Sometimes, he talks to the fish and sometimes to sharks.
Hemingway has used the device of soliloquy to show the inner working of the old
man’s mind. Santiago stands for man in general. His talking to himself shows man’s
courage and determination. Then Santiago’s talking to himself or else-ones shows
that a man can be destroyed but not defeated. Again, Santiago is a poor fisherman.
He cannot afford to buy a radio to avoid the sense of being lonely on the sea. That is
why he talks to himself or the else-ones.
Q. No. 8, Santiago is skillful fisher man. Elucidate.
Describe Santiago’s being a skillful fisher man.
Santiago is pittied against an indifferent universe. Discuss.
The old man is a fisher man by trade. His name is Santiago. He fishes alone
in his small skiff in the Gulf Stream. He is very skillful and knows many techniques.
Though he is not equipped with suitable fishing tools, yet he makes use of the
available tools skillfully. Again he knows where to keep his lines. He says that he
keeps the lines exactly where they should be. Other fisher men keep their lines at
certain depths, but they are not so deep as they think. Santiago says that he keeps
them precisely and where they should be. He knows different techniques of baiting
for fish, harpooning and using other necessary tools. He also knows how to make up
for the shortage of fishing tools. He uses his gaff, tiller and club properly. The most
remarkable thing about him is his courage and determination. He does not lose
heart even if he is extremely tired.
35
IDIOMS AND PHRASES (from past P.U. Exam. papers) used in sentences
1. Call in question: His honesty cannot be called in …
2. Call to account: Corrupt officers must be called to ..
3. A burning question: Iran is a burning question now-a-days
4. A bad blood: It will create bad blood between them.
5. Cold blood: He killed his enemy in cold blood.
6. Be in one’s elements: Children are in their … at picnic point.
7. Carry weight: Your arguments carry ..hence accepted
8. Few and far between: Your visits are few and far between.
9. Get on well: He is getting on well in studies.
10. Give vent to: You should give vent to your feeling.
11. Once for all: I tell you once for that I’ll not go there.
12. In a fix: I’m in a fix and don’t know what to do.
13. Spick and span: He is always … and alert.
14. In full swing: The fair is in full swing, let’s visit it.
15. To and fro: Passengers are walking to and fro.
16. A black sheep: Every society has good people and …
17. A gala day: Eid is a gala day for the Muslims.
18. Scot free: He went scot free from punishment.
19. By virtue/dint of: He succeeded by virtue of hard work.
20. At home in: He is at home in Mathematics.
21. All at sea: I am all at .. and don’t know what to do
22. At sixes and sevens: Why are your books at sixes and ....
23. A man of letters: Allama Iqbal was a man of letters.
24. A man of straw: He is led by his wife, as he is a man …
25. A man of parts: The Quaid-e-Azam was a man of …
26. Tooth and nail: He fought tooth and nail to defend me.
27. Through thick and thin: I’ll stand by you through thick and thin
28. A white elephant: A car is a ...for a poor man like me.
29. By leaps and bounds: China is progressing by leaps and .....
30. To face the music: A leader should be ready to face ....
31. A bird’s eye view: I had a bird’s .....of the book.
32. At a pinch/in hot water: I had been at a pinch after leaving job.
33. A bone of contention: This house is a bone ...between them.
34. To the back bone: He is a liar to the back bone.
35. The back bone: Agriculture is the back bone of Pak.
36. By hook or by crook: He got through the exam. by hook …
37. At daggers drawn: They were friends but now they are …
38. Hand in glove with: They are hand ...with each other now.
39. In black and white: I have given my consent in ....
40. A bolt from the blue: His father’s sudden death was ..for him
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942, 049-4421993
Idioms & Phrases
36
41. In the teeth of: He succeeded in the teeth of opposition.
42. At one’s wits end: He was at his ...to see my great success.
43. At the beck and call: He acted at the ....of his masters.
44. A storm in the tea cup: Don’t worry this quarrel is a storm ....
45. Take heart: Take heart and face the circumstances.
46. Take to heart: Don’t take it to ..., this shock is nothing.
47. Talk shop: He is disliked as he always talks shop.
48. Fall flat: My advice fell flat on him.
49. In a bad way: He was in a bad way when I saw him.
50. Red tape: Our office routine has fallen a prey to ..
51. Fall a prey to:
52. A broken reed: Don’t trust him, he is a broken reed.
53. A wet blanket: He discourages everyone, he is a ......
54. A mare’s nest: The investigation proved to be a .......
55. End in smoke: His efforts ended in.. for want of funds.
56. Bury the hatchet: They buried the ...and became friends.
57. Get wind of: He got wind of the plot and ran away.
58. Break the ice: All were silent, I had to break the ice.
59. Carry the day: Ali carried the day in the battle.
60. Make amends for: Who will make amends for this loss.
61. D-day: Every day is a ...for those who are wise.
62. Move heavens and earth: He moved heavens ...to get through.
63. Steal a march upon: She worked hard and stole .....others.
64. Die in harness: Quaid-e-Azam worked hard and died ...
65. Swallow the bait: He is very clever and cannot swallow ..
66. Have an axe to grind: He is selfish and has his own axe ........
67. Burn the candle at both ends: He burnt the ............and became poor.
68. Burn the mid-night oil: He burnt the .............and succeeded.
69. Give oneself airs: Don’t give yourself airs, it is very bad.
70. Blow one’s own trumpet: He blows his own ...and listens to none.
71. Mark time: I just mark time here till I get better job.
72. High time: It is high time for you to get admission.
73.Win laurels: She wins laurels by working hard.
74. Smell a rat: I smelt a rat and did not go there.
75. Break the news: He broke the news that she was killed.
76. Hit the nail on the head: He hit the nail ..........and got his aim.
77. Once in a blue moon: You come here, but once in a blue moon
78. Rank and file: Rank and file are not allowed to enter.
79. All and sundry: All and sundry visited the fair.
80. A bad egg: Every society has bad eggs.
Our office routine has fallen a prey to ..
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942, 049-4421993
Idioms & Phrases
37
37
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942, 049-4421993
81. A green room: Actors are waiting for their turn in the ..
82. French leave: He was marked absent on taking a .......
83. Off hand: His off hand speech was a success.
84. Talk tall: Don’t talk tall, I know you very well.
85. Better off: Ali is ...., he can help you financially.
86. Better half: His better half is well-behaved.
87. By all means: I will help you by all means.
88. Sum and substance: Tell me the sum …of this story.
89. Pitch and narrow: Tell me the pitch ....of this story.
90. Tall talk: Avoid tall talk, I know you very well.
91. Small talk: After meals, we had a small talk.
92. By and large: By and large, he is a nice man.
93. A square meal: It is very difficult for the poor to get ....
94. To be hard up: I am hard ..these days, I can’t help you.
95. Pull one’s leg: Don’t pull your friend’s leg, it’s bad.
96. Pull a long face: Don't pull a long face on this failure.
97. Kick the bucket: After long illness, she kicked the .......
98. A gift of the gab: She has a gift ....and can speak well.
99. A blue stocking: Razia Batt is known as a ..............
100. In consequence of: In consequence of idleness, he failed.
101. On the score of: He was rejected on ...of bad health.
102. A turn coat: Don’t trust him, he is a turn coat.
103. Down and out: He is down and out fit for this job.
104. Join the majority: After long illness, he joined the ........
105. Dark horse: In elections, he proved to be a dark .....
106. A dead letter: This rule is a dead letter now, obsolete.
107. At large: Criminals are influential and still at .....
108. Black and blue: He is very strong, can you beat you ...
109. Out and about: He is out and about after treatment.
110. Bread and butter: Every one is worried about his bread ...
111. Look sharp: Look sharp, we are already late.
112. Ship shape: She keeps her things ship ....., In order.
113. Pass away: After long illness, he passed away.
114. Do away with: He did away with his old business.
115. In due course: Things will be clear in due course.
116. Lick the dust: Your enemy will have to lick the dust.
117. Cheek by jowl: He was sitting near me, cheek by jowl.
118. Blow hot and cold: He isn’t trust-worthy, he blows hot .....
119. Cut to the quick: My remark will not cut him to the ......
120. Out at elbows: He is out at elbows and can’t attend you
Idioms & Phrases
38
38
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942, 049-4421993
121. Be in hot waters: He got in hot waters for his follies.
122. Hold true: I hold true to help him.
123. Odds and ends: Put these odds and ends into the basket.
124.Work wonders We can work wonders with hard work.
125. Nip in the bud: We should nip the evil in the bud.
126. In the offing: 3rdWorld war  is in the offing.
127. On the verge of: The world is on the ....third world war.
128.Weather the storm: Be bold and weather the storm.
129. A hard nut to crack: Passing this exam. is not a hard nut ....
130. A hard pill to swallow:
131. Play ducks and drakes: He played ducks ....with his father’s pro
132. In a nutshell: I have put my story in ...you can read it
133.Wide of the mark: Your remarks are ...,hence rejected.
134. A fly in the ointment: Things were going on well, his coming was.
135. Down at heels: I am down ...,don’t worry me.
136. Read between the lines: If you read it carefully, you can read....
137. Get wind of: He got wind of the plot and ran away.
138. A dog in the manger: You play, not let play, you are a ..........
139. A pandora box: Don’t touch this problem or a ..will open.
140. Tide over: We can tide over difficulties with hard work.
141. Put by/lay by: Put by/lay by something for a rainy day
142. Tell upon: Hard work told upon their health.
143. Drop in: We were taking tea when friends dropped in.
144. Fall out: Don’t fall out with others.
145. Fall upon: Robbers fell upon the caravan.
146. Bring round: He is hesitant, I’ll try to bring him ....
147. Go round: I think this milk will go round for us.
148. Indifferent to: Why are you indifferent to what I say?
149.Willy nilly: She went to college, but willy nilly.
150. Dull and drab: The statue now looked dull and ...
151. Dull and drear:
152. In the event of: In the event of success, I’ll join in med.
153. In the wake of: Hunger comes in the wake of war.
154. In the wink of: The plane disappeared in ....of an eye.
155. Abide by: We should abide by the laws of the state
156. Agree on/to/with: He agreed with us and to plans on terms
157. Put in: He didn’t put in his claim and got none.
158. In lieu of: You can take my book in ...your book.
159. In view of: He was forgiven in ...his apology.
160. In collusion with: She killed her husband in ...her friend.
Passing this exam. is not a hard pill ...
The statue now looked dull and ...
Idioms & Phrases
39
39
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942, 049-4421993
161. In collaboration with: This factory is running in .... Japan.
162. Go to: She will .. law, if you don’t give her rights.
163. Alma Mater: This is my ....,here I studied for 2 years.
164. Vice versa: India harmed Pakistan and vice versa.
165. Tooth and nail: Our forces will fight ...against India.
166. Green hand: He is ......,but will learn everything soon
167. Bear out: This document bears out my statement.
168. Bear with: I can’t bear with your insult.
169. Break down: The bus broke down, so we got late.
170. Bring about: Flies bring about cholera.
171. Call on/at: I called on Ali at his house yesterday.
172. Call off: Students called off the strike.
173. Come about: How did this come about?
174. Come to: Rafi was senseless, but soon came to.
175. Come across: I came across an old friend on the way.
176. Cut up: Please cut up this long essay.
177. Call up: I couldn’t call up his name.
178. Come by: How did you come by this fine watch?
179. Cut down: We should cut down on the use of fuel.
180. Null and void: This rule is null and void now, obsolete.
181. In store: There is some trouble for him in store.
182. In keeping with: In keeping with my promise, I did that.
183. Next to nothing: This small amount is next to nothing.
184. An iron will: A leader should be a man with iron will.
185. At cross purposes: They are at cross ...., they can’t agree.
186. High and mighty: She is proud and her behaviour .....
187. So far as/In so far as: In so far as I know, he is very wise.
188. On all hands: It is agreed on. .that pollution is harmful
189. In the air: It is in the air that war is imminent.
190. On the air: His speech will be .....this evening.
191. Ill at ease: Don’t worry him, he is already ........
192. Carry off: She carried off all the prizes with h/w.
193. Out at elbows: I am ....,and can’t help you any more.
194. Hunt for: What are you hunting for here?
195. Knock about: He knocked about to get job, but in vain
196. Round up: Police rounded up and arrested robbers.
197. Take a fancy to: He took .. to his cousin and married her.
198. Call upon: I call upon you to work hard for success
199. Hang heavy: Time hangs heavy on us in summer.
200. Lay down: We are ready to lay down our lives.
Idioms & Phrases
40 40
201. Viva voce: I got 15 marks in viva voce.
202. Run over the past: We should .. .. to see our grand past.
203. Turn the table: Wasim’s batting turned ....and we won.
204. Fall for: Women usually fall for ornaments.
205. Fall through: The scheme fell ... for want of funds.
206. Get off: He got ..from punishment with warning.
207. Pass for: He is middle, but passes for a doctor.
208. Take in: He is very clever and can’t be taken in.
209. Take for: He took me for his brother.
210. Take after: This girl takes after her mother.
211. Blessing in disguise: Missing the bus was a ..,it had a mishap
212. A blue eye-boy: He is a ...of the boss, he can get you job
213. A Freudian slip: Foolishly, during speech, he made a ...
214. A passing fancy: This job a ..for me, till I get a better one
215. A square deal: You will get a square deal from us.
216. A wild goose chase: It is a ...,if you want to get her.
217. At logger heads: India and Pakistan are at .......
218. Give and take: Life runs on the principle of give and ...
219. Hard and fast: Life has its own hard and fast rules.
220. On the anvil: Wait, your case is on the anvil.
221. On the horns of dilemma: I am on ......and can’t decide what to do.
222.Take the bull by the horns: Be brave and take the bull by the horns.
223. Pick up threads: I am trying to ...to settle their dispute.
224. The man in the street: The man in the street is against new law
225.Window shopping: We bought nothing, did ....only.
226. Fight shy of: Junior students fight shy of seniors.
227. Give way: The roof gave way, killing three men.
228. Give away: The principal gave away the prizes.
229. Cut a figure: He cut a figure and broke the record.
230. Cut a sorry figure: He has to ......for his follies.
231. Drop a line: We dropped a line while visiting Yadgar
232.Wear and tear: Every thing of the world falls a prey to..
233. Curry favour: You can’t .....with that strict man.
234. At loose end: Come and join us, if you are at ...........
235. A laconic speech: He impressed us with his ....................
236. Loaves and fishes: Some of our leaders seek their own........
237. Leave in the lurch: Selfish friends leave you in the lurch.
238. Keep late hours: Exam. is near, so we keep late hours.
239. Beat the air: Idle men ..,don’t do something practical
240. Lose one’s head: He is cool-minded, doesn’t lose head.
Idioms & Phrases
41
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942, 049-4421993
41
241. Call to: Call to mind what happened to you.
242. Call upon: I called upon him to work hard.
243. Call forth: He called.. energy and called a..to party.
244. Call in: Please, call in the doctor.
245. Call off: Students called off the strike.
246. Call a halt: He called forth energy and called .........
247. Call out: She called .. for help against the rascal.
248. Call to mind: Please, call to mind what happened to ...
249. Call away: His trick called...attention, he slipped.
250. Call back: I called back my servant from market.
251. Call for: The officer called for his explanation.
252. Call down: The teacher called him.. for idleness.
253. Come on: Come on, join us in the mission.
254. Come up: He came up at the station in time.
255. Come into: Pakistan came into being in 1947.
256. Come to: The child has now come to senses.
257. Come round: He came round to go with us.
258. Come out: His dream came out to be true.
259. Come of: She comes of a noble family.
260. Come off: Her marriage came off yesterday.
261. Come from: He comes from a noble family.
262. Come away: The handle of the door came away.
263. Come along: They came along us while going there.
264. Come around: Come around, you will agree with us.
265.Wear off: At last, the pain wore off.
266.Wear out: Children wear out their shoes very soon
267.Wind down: After work, he wound down for a while.
268.Wind up: Please wind up your work now.
269.Wink at: We should not wink at our mistakes.
270. Connive at:
271.Wipe out: We should try to wipe out ignorance.
272.Work out: They worked out a successful plan.
273.Work up: They worked up a good business.
274.Work upon: Hardships worked upon their health.
275.Wrap up: Wrap up your work and come with us.
276. Hang back: Juniors usually hang back doing things.
277. Hang on: Hang on till we get some help.
278. Hang out: Hang out head, you never went.
279. Head off: He always heads off questions.
280. Hold back: He was held back for checking.
We should not connive at our mistakes.

  CORRECTION OF SENTENCES

1. None of the students have failed.
2. The boy was fined who was late.
3. I am much thankful to you.
4. I was told that a man awaits me there.
5. He caught many fishes.
6.We stayed there and enjoyed very much.
7. They discussed on the matter.
8. Only write on one side of the paper.
9. Chenab flows near Multan.
10. He was laughed by the boys.
11. I am more intelligent than him.
12. When your brother will come back.
13. You should avail of this chance.
14. She absented from the class.
15. You should avoid from bad company.
16. I searched the book in every corner of the room.
17. I and Ali went there.
18. I, you and he will help the poor.
19. He felt the book is difficult for him.
20. She has come back yesterday.
21.We have bought this house ten years ago.
22. They have visited Swat last month.
23. I don’t know who are you.
24. He met his friends in the way to college.
25. He compensated the loss to me.
26. The mother, with her sons, have come.
27. She was prevented to read the book.
28. Such a result can’ t be wondered.
29. Who will preside the meeting?
30. Pray God every day.
31. He never quarrels his friends.
32. She is related with me.
33. He is ill for the last three days.
34. Do you know the solution of this problem?
35. I know the answer of this question.
36. Ali came to the office, but returned back soon.
37. He laid in bed for four hours.
38. She was waiting for me since a long time.
39. He is loyal with his country.
40. Why are you jealous from me?
41. The son is obedient of his parents.
42. My older brother gave me a gift yesterday.
Correct Incorrect
NOSHAHI ACADEMY,
Contact # 0321-4442942, 049-4421993
43
44
43. God is very kind on His creature.
44. Neither of them are lucky.
45. None of the two is lucky.
46. Either you or your brother are at fault.
47. He as well as his friends live here.
48. I prefer knowledge on power.
49. Your conduct is such that I can’t stand.
50. This is the same man whom we met there.
51. This book is easier to that.
52. Dogs differ with cats in their habits.
53. I invited him, but he denied.
54. She married with her cousin.
55. He loved with his cousin.
56. I am not afraid from any body.
57. Your watch is inferior than mine.
58. The English is a difficult language.
59. Th ship was drowned in the sea.
60. I prefer death on dishonour.
61. The mother is angry from her daughter.
62. The student acted his teacher’s advice.
63. He agreed with my proposal.
64. He has deep affection with children.
65. This house belongs of him.
66. Either he or I are rich.
67. She told me that she is ill.
68. Unless you do not work, you cannot succeed.
69. The farmer has many sheeps.
70. I am much thankful/ grateful to you.
71. Where you spent the last summer vacation.
72. Good night! I am pleased to see you.
73. My claim is prior than yours.
74. The sum and substance of the story are that he was killed.
75. I was greatly wondered at what I saw.
76. Islamabad is a worth seeing city.
77. Shut the light.
78. No sooner did I reached than he came.
79.We reached in the garden.
80. The farmer is ploughing in the field.
81. Because he does not work, so he cannot pass.
82. He asked from me that I had gone there or not.
83. You had better to consult the doctor.
84. The teacher made us to laugh.
Correct Incorrect
44
85. I heard him shouting out for help.
86.We watched them playing.
87. She was born in nineteen hundreds eighty.
88. Please give me three five hundred rupees notes.
89. It is half past six in my watch.
90. I have not seen him since a long time.
91. He told these news to his father.
92. Mathematics are taught here.
93. I have an urgent work at home.
94. Karachi is larger than any city of Pakistan.
95. Iqbal is greater than any Urdu poet.
96. He is one of those who has courage to do that.
97. Only one of the boys were punished.
98. The both men are illiterate.
99. The all students went to Changa Manga.
100. She did nothing but wept.
101. He did nothing but played.
102. The boy who stands first he will get a prize.
103. This house is too much big for you.
104. The Arabian Nights are a book liked by all.
105. The patient has been operated.
106. The pen is to write.
107. The ink is to write.
108. He brought the articles to shop which he wanted to sell.
109. Being a hot day, we could not go there.
110. Holy Quran is the book of Muslims.
111. Iqbal was one of the best poet of the world.
112. I was displeased at Ali going alone.
113. Aslam has been suffering from fever from Friday.
114. Climbing down the stairs, his head struck.
115. Every one should be careful on one’s health.
116. He is elder than I.
117. I am older than my brother.
118. I packed my luggages.
119.We bought some furnitures.
120. This chair costs rupees fifty.
121. What time is it? Quarter to four.
122. He went out before I arrived.
123. I shot the tiger but missed.
124. Hardly could I have had any rest.
125. She took pity at the injured person.
126. There are not some more matches left.
Correct Incorrect
45
46
127. Ten miles are a great distance.
128. It is much fine today.
129. The climate of Multan is hotter than Lahore.
130. Each of us have a pen.
131. Horse is a faithful animal.
132. Let you and I go to the market.
133. He had better to call me.
134.Work hard, lest you should not fail.
135.Write a fair copy of this draft.
136. I will be at a loss to know what to do.
137. There is no place in this compartment.
138. Have you a pencil? I haven’t got.
139. He got down from his bike.
140. The book is too interesting.
141. I am amazed on his wonderful performance.
142. You have a lot of potatoes, give me any.
143. He got angry as I said a word.
144. This is a different book than that.
145. He told the judge that I am not guilty.
146. Neither of them is prepared for this.
147. I have seen him only yesterday.
148. He has a shop at the Mall.
149. Did somebody go there?
150. This is the book whom I needed.
151. I, you and he will go there.
152. The three brothers love each other.
153. A number of men was assembled there.
154. Many a men were present in the meeting.
155. My son’s health has been too good.
156. You need not to ask such questions.
157. She absented from the class.
158. He has got headache.
159. He met me in the way to college.
160. This is worth reading book.
161. He was ill for last few days.
162. Nasir and Kashif love one another.
163. The gold is a precious metal.
164. The cotton is grown in the Punjab.
165. Photocopies of the documents are attached herewith.
166. This teacher is very popular in his students.
167. It is no use of advising him.
168. She resembles to her mother.
Correct Incorrect
46
47
169. You reminded me my promise.
170. Little charity is better than no charity.
171. He is a man whom I saw in Karachi.
172. Indus is a longest river in Pakistan.
173. I gave him a prize that he may work harder.
174. He was elected the president of the country.
175. This street is very narrow that a truck cannot pass through it.
176. It is the same story that I heard last week.
177. For what offense he was imprisoned.
178. These kinds of books are very useful.
179. He is one of those who tries to live without others’ help.
180. Every one is frightened when they see a snake.
181. Every one should do one’s duty.
182. Huxley’s style is different from Russel.
183. Of the three routes this is the shorter.
184. Of the two books this is the easiest.
185. The voice of a woman is softer than a man.
186. The teacher with his students are ready to leave for the tour.
187. You as well as he is innocent.
188. He was very kind to help us.
189. The brave is respected every where.
190. Neither he comes nor writes.
191. Neither she came nor she wrote.
192. You are the man who are guilty.
193. He is one of the ministers who has served the country.
194. Only one of the students were arrested.
195. Our teacher has command over the language.
196. I have no any money.
197. The boy had not written any letter yesterday.
198. Those who wish to go they may go.
199. Whoever does best he will get the prize.
200. She is both intelligent as well as wise.
201. What is he of you?
202.We hate those who hate with us and love those who love with us.
203. The farmer is ploughing in the field.
204. She is sweeping in the room.
205. They are discussing on this matter.
206. Try to control over your problems. He has control on his children.
207. When you reached at the station?
208. I congratulate you for your success.
209. The honesty is the best policy.
210. The unity is strength.
Correct Incorrect
47
Sentences for you to correct them
211. This cheque is for the NBP.
212. This cheque is of four lacs.
213.We bought this house in five lacs.
214. The meat is selling dear these days.
215. They entered in the room.
216. She was cured from malaria.
217. He died from cancer.
218. He died of an accident.
219. Politics are a game for the wealthy people.
220. He is a fool between you and I.
221. She is senior than me.
222. She is taller than me.
223. Poors deserve our attention and help.
224. Rashid is our mutual friend.
225. He gave me many advices.
226. I have an urgent work/ business at home today.
227. Rich should not hate poor.
228. He told me to keep the secret with me.
229. She is bold enough to say it on my face.
230. You can’t pass unless you don’t work hard.
231. He was accused with theft.
232. She was charged of murder.
233. Najma was the first who arrived.
234. His all hopes dashed to the ground.
235. He was appointed as a head clerk.
236. No sooner he left the room, his uncle came.
237. She has taken admission in a new college.
238. He invited me but I denied to attend the party.
239. He takes pain over his work.
240. She refused to carry out his order.
241. Don’t run fast lest you fall down.
242. If he will work hard, he will succeed.
243. One ought to respect his elders.
244. Who shall I thank for this gift?
245. Bilal told me that he will join a new firm.
246. I thought he can solve this difficult sum.
247. Higher you go, cooler it is.
248. More we get, more we want.
249. She insisted to go on with the business.
250. I took leave from my friends.
48
       REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT OF PLAYS
References:
Context of The Bear:
1. This extract has been taken from “The Bear” written by “Anton Chekhov”.
2. This excerpt has been taken from “The Boy Comes Home” written by “A. A. Milne”.
3. These lines have been taken from “Something to Talk About” written by “Eden
4. The lines under discussion have been taken from “Smoke Screens” written by
The Bear is a very delightful play. Popova is a young widow. Her husband has
died. She is leading a life of seclusion/ loneliness. Her servant Luka advises her to lead
a normal life. She does not agree. Smirnov, a rich land-lord and retired army officer
comes there to demand his money which Popova’s husband borrowed when he was
alive. There takes place a quarrel. The reader enjoys every bit of the play. Here
............is talking.

“Something to Talk About”
Smoke Screens
Phillpotts”.
“Brighouse”
is conversing here.....
The Boy Comes Home” is a light comedy. Philip has come from army to live
with his uncle James. Uncle James is a very strict person. He wants to put his nephew
into his business of jams. He starts dozing in front of fire, sitting in wait for Philip. In
dream, he sees Philip coming. Philip demands some money out of the money left by his
father. James refuses. There takes place a serious quarrel. The reader expects some
death. But, the dream is broken. The situation is totally changed.   Here ............is
talking.
is conversing here.....
is a very delightful play. The play presents the
temperament of modern English people who seek entertainment in alarm.Wolf, the
famous burglar enters the library of Tudor Mannor owned by Lord Redchester. He
opens his bag of tools. Guy Sydney comes there. The burglar orders him to put his
hands up. Guy Sydney cools him down and offers him soda and whisky. Then the other
members of the family also come there one by one. They are happy to find a burglar in
the house.  . The reader enjoys every bit of the play. Here ............is talking.
is conversing here.....
is a very serious play. Primrose is a young girl. Her mother Lucy
is worried about her. She divorced her husband and worked hard in life. Now she is a
rich lady with a lot of property. She is anxious about the choice of her daughter.
Primrose wants to marry an ugly man, John. Primrose tells her mother that she married
Charles for physical beauty and failed. She wants to marry John, not for physical but
innate beauty. Here ............is talking.
is conversing here.....
Explanation: ................
Context of The Boy Comes Home:
Explanation: ................
Context of Something to Talk About:
Explanation: ................
Context of Smoke Screens:
Explanation: ................
49
50
In the shack:
Santiago, the old fisherman is the representative of man in general. He fishes alone in
the Gulf Stream in his small skiff. He is a poor fisherman.
Manolin is his disciple.
He has taught him the art of fishing. Manolin started going to the sea with at the age of five.
He loves and respects Santiago. His love is the love of a son for his adopted father. He brings
him meals, tea, coffee and beer. He also brings him fish for bait. When in the shack, they talk
to each other. Here they are in the shack.
Here ............is talking.
Smoke Screens
He says, “But, man is not made for
defeat”.He further says, “A man can be destroyed but not defeated”.
Santiago, the old fisherman is the representative of man in general. He fishes alone in
the Gulf Stream in his small skiff. He is a poor fisherman. He says, “But, man is not made for
defeat”.He further says, “A man can be destroyed but not defeated”. Manolin is his disciple.
He has taught him the art of fishing. Manolin started going to the sea with at the age of five.
He loves and respects Santiago. His love is the love of a son for his adopted father. He brings
him meals, tea, coffee and beer. He also brings him fish for bait. When in the shack, they talk
to each other. Here they are in the shack.
Here ............is talking.
Santiago, the old fisherman is the representative of man in general. He fishes alone in
the Gulf Stream in his small skiff. He is a poor fisherman. He says, “But, man is not made for
defeat”.He further says, “A man can be destroyed but not defeated”. Manolin is his disciple.
He has taught him the art of fishing. Manolin started going to the sea with at the age of five.
He loves and respects Santiago. His love is the love of a son for his adopted father. He brings
him meals, tea, coffee and beer. He also brings him fish for bait. When in the shack, they talk
to each other. Here they are in the shack.
Here ............is talking.
is a very serious play. Primrose is a young girl. Her mother Lucy is
worried about her. She divorced her husband and worked hard in life. Now she is a rich lady
with a lot of property. She is anxious about the choice of her daughter. Primrose wants to
marry an ugly man, John. Primrose tells her mother that she married Charles for physical
beauty and failed. She wants to marry John, not for physical but innate beauty. Here
............is talking.
Explanation: ................
On the sea:
Explanation: ................
On the beach:
Explanation: ................
Context of Smoke Screens:
Explanation: ................
is conversing to .......
is conversing to .......
is conversing to .......
is conversing here.....
Narrate Santiago's encounter with the sharks
After 48 hours struggle with marlin, Santiago was able to kill it. He lashed it alongside
his skiff and set sails for home.
He had hardly started sailing when the first shark came to attack his fish. The old man
had used all his strength. But, he got up. He drove the point of his harpoon into the brain of the
shark. It died but took away with it forty pounds of the best meat of marlin, the harpoon and all
the rope.
He had sailed for two hours when two more sharks came to attack. The old man said,
“Ay” and got up. He killed both of them. But half of marlin was eaten up. He knew that the
blood of the fish would attract more sharks. He said, “But, a man is not made for defeat.Aman
can be destroyed but not defeated”. Then the fourth shark came. It was also killed by the old
man.
Near the evening, the fifth and sixth shark came. He tied his knife with the tiller and
killed them. By now, all the fish had been eaten. There was left nothing of the big fish. In the
night, sharks came in a pack. He knew that the fight was useless, yet he got up. He clubbed
many of them to death.
Noshahi Academy, Faisal Colony Pattoki: 0321-4442942
Tragic hero is one who has to face a fall because of his own flaw. His fall is not
the result of bad luck or chance. There is some flaw in the character of the hero that
causes his down-fall.
No doubt, Santiago is a man of great courage and determination. He stands for
man in general. His un-tiring struggle shows his greatness. He is very skillful and
knows many techniques.We may call him perfect in the art of fishing.
All the same, he fails to catch any fish for many, many days. Once he catches a
big marlin on the 85th day. He goes far out into the sea. This is where there are big
hungry sharks constantly swimming about in search of food. This is a mistake on his
part. He has in-sufficient fishing tools. His skiff is small. T ere is nobody with him to
assist. The result is clear. He catches a big fish. He fights against it for 48 hours. After
killing it, he sets sail for home.
On the way back, he has to face sharks who eat up his marlin. Thus he comes
back empty-handed. We cannot help praising his valour and determination. His
courage is commendable.Yet, he proves to be a tragic hero in the long run.

51
Q. How was Santiago able to over-come the big fish, marlin?
Describe Santiago’s struggle with the big fish.
Ans. It was on the 85th day, when Santiago saw the stick dip sharply. He at
once knew that there was a fish, eating the bait. By the strong pull, he knew
that the fish was very big. Four hours passed but there was no sign of the
fish on the surface. Towards the sunset, it was the same. The fish kept on
swimming under water, towards north-east. The old man said, “Fish! I will
stay with you until I am dead.”
Next day, near the noon, the fish rose on the surface. The old man saw
it was two feet longer than his skiff. It was marlin. It rose and dived again.
The old man was tired, yet he was not ready to give in. He said, “I will kill
you before this day ends.”
On the third day, the fish rose in the morning. It was weak now. It
started circling the boat. The old man tried to pull it closer enough for
harpooning. But there was no change. On the 9th circle, the fish came close
enough. The old man was tired, his hands were pulped. He was almost blind
with fatigue. But, he rose up and said, “I will show him what a man can do
and what a man endures.” He drove the harpoon into the brain of the fish. It
was dead now.
52