NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English – A Thing of Beauty

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Stanza Wise Questions

Question Instruction: Read the stanzas given below and answer the questions that follow each:

1. A thing of beauty is a joy forever Its loveliness increases, it will never Pass into nothingness, but will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, health, and quiet breathing.

Questions

(a)Name the poem and the poet of these lines.
(b)How is a thing of beauty a joy for ever ?
(c)What do you understand by a ‘bower’?
(d)What kind of sleep does it provide?

Answers:

(a) The poem is called “A Thing of Beauty” and it was written by John Keats.
(b) A thing of beauty is a joy forever because it brings us joy and pleasure that never fades. The beauty of a thing can be found in its form, its color, its sound, its smell, or its taste. It can be found in nature, in art, or in music. No matter what form it takes, the beauty of a thing can bring us joy and pleasure that never fades.
(c) A bower is a shady, sheltered place. In the poem, a bower is a place where we can go to rest and be at peace. It is a place where we can escape from the noise and the chaos of the world. It is a place where we can relax and be ourselves.
(d) The sleep that a thing of beauty provides is a deep, restful sleep. It is a sleep that is free from worry and stress. It is a sleep that allows us to recharge our batteries and come back to the world feeling refreshed and renewed.

2. Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing A flowery band to bind us to the earth, Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth Of noble natures, of the gloomy days, Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,

Questions [All India 2014]

(a)Name the poem and the poet.
(b)Why are we despondent?
(c)What removes the pall from our dark spirits?
(d) What are we doing every day?

Answers:

(a) The poem is called “A Thing of Beauty” and it was written by John Keats.
(b) We are despondent because we are surrounded by gloom and darkness. The world is full of pain, suffering, and death. We see people who are poor, sick, and unhappy. We see wars and violence. It is easy to become discouraged and lose hope.
(c) The beauty of nature removes the pall from our dark spirits. When we look at a beautiful flower, or listen to the sound of a bird singing, or feel the warmth of the sun on our skin, it lifts our spirits and gives us hope.
(d) We are wreathing a flowery band to bind us to the earth every day. This means that we are choosing to focus on the beauty of the world, even in the midst of all the darkness. We are choosing to be hopeful and to believe that there is good in the world.

3. Some shape of beauty moves away the pall From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon, Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon For simple sheep; and such are daffodils With the green world they live in; and clear rills That for themselves a cooling covert make ‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;

Questions

(а)What removes the pall from our dark spirits?
(b)What sprouts a shady boon for sheep and how?
(c) How do ‘daffodils’ and ‘rills’ enrich the environment?
(d) What makes the mid-forest brake rich?

Answers:

(a) The shape of beauty removes the pall from our dark spirits. The pall is a metaphor for the darkness and gloom that can weigh us down. The beauty of nature can lift our spirits and give us hope.
(b) Trees old and young sprout a shady boon for simple sheep. The trees provide shade for the sheep, which helps them to stay cool and comfortable. The sheep are simple creatures, and they appreciate the beauty of the trees.
(c) Daffodils and rills enrich the environment in a number of ways. Daffodils are beautiful flowers that add color to the landscape. Rills are small streams that provide water for plants and animals. Both daffodils and rills help to make the environment more beautiful and more livable.
(d) The mid-forest brake is rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms. The musk-rose is a beautiful flower that has a sweet fragrance. The mid-forest brake is a shady place where the musk-rose can thrive. The musk-rose adds beauty and fragrance to the mid-forest brake.

4. And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
Ml lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink

Questions [Delhi 2014]

(a)Name the poem and the poet of these lines.
(b)Explain: ‘the grandeur of the dooms’.
(c)What is the thing of beauty mentioned in these lines’?
(d)What image does the poet use in these lines?

Answers:

(a) The poem is called “A Thing of Beauty” and it was written by John Keats.
(b) The “grandeur of the dooms” refers to the greatness of the fates that we have imagined for the mighty dead. The poet is saying that we have imagined great and glorious fates for the heroes of the past, and that these fates are a source of beauty and inspiration.
(c) The “thing of beauty” mentioned in these lines is the beauty of nature. The poet is saying that the beauty of nature is a source of joy and pleasure that never fades.
(d) The poet uses the image of a flower to describe the beauty of nature. The poet says that the beauty of nature is like a flower that blooms forever. The flower is a symbol of beauty, joy, and hope.

QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK SOLVED

Q1. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.

Ans: Everything of nature is a thing of beauty and a source of pleasure. Some of them are: the sun, the moon, old and young trees, daffodil flowers, small streams with clear water, mass of ferns and the blooming musk-roses. All of them are things of beauty. They are a constant source of joy and pleasure.

Q2. List the things that cause suffering and pain.

Ans: There are many things that cause us suffering and pain. Malice and disappointment are “the biggest source of our suffering. Another one is the lack of noble qualities. Our unhealthy and evil ways also give birth to so many troubles and sufferings. They dampen our spirits. They act as a pall of sadness on our lives.

Q3. What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you?

Ans: Keats is a lover of beauty. He employs his senses to discover beauty. The link of man with nature is eternal. The things of beauty are like wreaths of beautiful flowers. We seem to weave a flowery band everyday. It keeps us attached to the beauties of this earth.

Q4. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?

Ans: There are many things that bring us troubles and sufferings. They dampen our spirits. However, ‘some shape of beauty1 brings love and happiness in our lives in spite of such unpleasant things. A thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness and sufferings. It makes us love life.

Q5. Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’?

Ans: The mighty dead were very powerful and dominating persons during their own times. Their achievements made them ‘mighty’ and great. Their noble works dazzle our eyes. We imagine that such mighty dead forefathers will attain more grandeur on the doomsday. Hence ‘grandeur’ is associated with the ‘mighty dead’.

Q6. Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?

Ans: We feel happy by coming into contact with things of beauty. They make a lasting impression on us. Keats makes it clear at the outset. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. It is a constant source of joy and pleasure. Its beauty never declines or diminishes. Its loveliness goes on increasing every moment. Its value remains undiminished. It never passes into nothingness. It removes the pall of sadness that covers our dark spirits.

Q7. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?

Ans: John Keats uses a very beautiful image to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. It is the endless fountain of immortal drink. It pours constantly into our hearts from heaven. Thus, the beautiful bounty of the earth is called “an endless fountain of immortal drink.”

MORE QUESTIONS SOLVED

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (Word Limit: 30-40 words)

Q1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?

Ans: According to John Keats a thing of beauty is a joy of forever. It is a constant source of happiness and pleasure. Its loveliness increases every moment. It will never pass into nothingness. In other words, a thing of beauty is never devalued.

Q2. How does a thing of beauts provide us shelter and comfort?

Ans: John Keats is a great Romantic poet. He is rich in sensuous imagery. Nature provides us things of rare beauty. It keeps a bower quiet for us. A bower is a pleasant place in the shade under a tree. A thing of beauty also provides us peace and security. We enjoy a sound sleep which is full of sweet dreams, health and peaceful breathing.

Q3. How do us bind our self to the earth every morning?

Ans: All the Romantic poets stress upon the relationship between man and nature. Keats believes that there is an unbreakable bond which binds man with nature and the earth. The beauties of the earth fascinate man. Every object of nature is a source of beauty and happiness. Everyday we are weaving a wreath of flowers. This flowery band binds us to the beauties of this earth.

Q4. What are the things that cause miseries, sorrows and sufferings to man ?

Ans: Man himself is the root cause of all his sufferings. We suffer from malice and distress because we lack human qualities that makes us inhuman. Our life becomes gloomy. We cultivate unhealthy and evil ways. All such things bring miseries, sorrows and sufferings to man.

Q5. What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it removed?

Ans: Man is the creator of his woes. His own nature and actions make his life miserable. He faces miseries and pains. A pall of despondence covers his dark spirits. A thing of beauty provides a ray of hope to man. Some shape of beauty works wonders amid these sorrows and sufferings. It is a thing of beauty that removes the pall of despondence over our dark spirits.

Q6. Name the beauties of nature that are constant source of joy and happiness to man.

Ans: Nature is a store house of beauty. The beauties of nature are endless. The sun, the moon, old and young trees, beautiful daffodil flowers and green surroundings are some of such beautiful things. Small streams with clear water, thick mass of ferns, thickets of forest and musk-rose are some other things of beauty. All such things of beauty are a constant source of joy and happiness to man.

Q7. Why and how is ‘grandeur associated with the ‘mighty dead’?

Ans: The dooms day is considered the day of judgement, when the dead will receive what is due to them. Our mighty dead forefathers earned name and fame with their noble deeds. It is hoped that they will be rewarded with rare magnificence and grandeur.

Q8. How is a thing of beauty lovelier than all the lovely tales we have heard and read?

Ans: All beautiful things of nature are a boon for humanity. The magnificence and beauty of objects of nature surpasses the grandeur of dooms that we have imagined for our mighty dead forefathers. It is lovelier than all the lovely tales that we have heard or read.

Q9. What is the source of the ‘endless fountain’ and what is its effect?

Ans: A fountain of eternal joy’and immortality pours into the heart and soul of man. It flows right from the heavens brink and pours into the human heart. It is like an immortal nectar. The immortal drink that nature’s endless fountain pours into our hearts is a source of immense joy for us.

Q10. What is the message for the theme) of the poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’?

Ans: The very first line contains the message that John Keats, the great Romantic poet, wants to convey. Keats was a worshipper of beauty. For him beauty was truth and truth, beauty. Hence, for him a thing of beauty is a joy forever. Beauty never fades. Nor is it ever devalued. It never passes into nothingness. When we are full of sorrows and sufferings, some form of beauty comes to our rescue. It removes the pall of sadness and sorrows and gives us joy and pleasure. Thus, beauty is a boon for human beings.

A Thing of Beauty Book Details

Prose

TitleAuthorPage No.
The Last LessonAlphonse Daudet2
Lost SpringAnees Jung13
Deep WaterWilliam Douglas23
The RattrapSelma Lagerlof32
IndigoLouis Fischer46
Poets and PancakesAsokamitran57
The InterviewChristopher Silvester68
Going PlacesA. R. Barton77

Poetry

TitleAuthorPage No.
My Mother at Sixty-SixKamala Das90
An Elementary School Classroom in a SlumStephen Spender92
Keeping QuietPablo Neruda95
A Thing of BeautyJohn Keats98
A Roadside StandRobert Frost100
Aunt Jennifer’s TigersAdrienne Rich103

A Thing of Beauty Summary

The poem begins with the speaker declaring that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. The speaker goes on to say that the beauty of a thing can be found in its form, its color, its sound, its smell, or its taste. It can be found in nature, in art, or in music. No matter what form it takes, the beauty of a thing can bring us joy and pleasure that never fades.

The speaker then goes on to say that we are all surrounded by gloom and darkness. The world is full of pain, suffering, and death. We see people who are poor, sick, and unhappy. We see wars and violence. It is easy to become discouraged and lose hope.

However, the speaker says that we should not give up hope. The beauty of the world can help us to overcome the darkness. The beauty of nature can lift our spirits and give us hope. The beauty of art can inspire us and make us feel better about ourselves. The beauty of music can soothe our souls and make us feel at peace.

The speaker concludes by saying that we should all strive to appreciate the beauty of the world. The beauty of the world is a gift, and we should not take it for granted. The beauty of the world can help us to live happier and more fulfilling lives.

Here are some of the key themes of the poem:

  • The beauty of the world is a source of joy and pleasure.
  • The beauty of the world can help us to overcome the darkness.
  • We should all strive to appreciate the beauty of the world.

A Thing of Beauty Question Answer

What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you?

The line suggests that we are constantly seeking out beauty in the world around us. Beauty helps us to connect with something larger than ourselves and gives us a sense of hope and joy. The image of a flowery band suggests that beauty binds us together, creating a sense of community and shared humanity.

What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?

Human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings because of the beauty that surrounds us. Beauty gives us a reason to keep going, even when things are tough. It reminds us that there is still good in the world, even in the midst of darkness.

Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’?

‘Grandeur’ is associated with the ‘mighty dead’ because the dead have achieved great things in their lives. They have left a legacy behind that inspires us to strive for greatness ourselves. The grandeur of the mighty dead reminds us that we are capable of great things, and that we should never give up on our dreams.

Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?

We experience things of beauty for both short moments and long periods of time. The beauty of a flower may only last for a few days, but the memory of it can last a lifetime. The beauty of a piece of music may only last for a few minutes, but the feeling it evokes can last for hours or even days. Beauty can have a profound impact on our lives, even if it is only experienced for a short time.

What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?

The poet uses the image of a flowery band to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. The flowers represent the beauty of nature, and the band represents the way that beauty binds us together. The image of a flowery band is a reminder that we are all connected to each other and to the natural world. We are all part of something larger than ourselves, and we are all capable of creating beauty in the world.

Question: What is the meaning of the poem “A Thing of Beauty”?

Answer: The poem “A Thing of Beauty” is about the power of beauty to bring joy and pleasure to our lives. The speaker of the poem argues that beauty is a gift that we should not take for granted, and that we should all strive to appreciate it.

The poem begins with the speaker declaring that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. The speaker goes on to say that the beauty of a thing can be found in its form, its color, its sound, its smell, or its taste. It can be found in nature, in art, or in music. No matter what form it takes, the beauty of a thing can bring us joy and pleasure that never fades.

The speaker then goes on to say that we are all surrounded by gloom and darkness. The world is full of pain, suffering, and death. We see people who are poor, sick, and unhappy. We see wars and violence. It is easy to become discouraged and lose hope.

However, the speaker says that we should not give up hope. The beauty of the world can help us to overcome the darkness. The beauty of nature can lift our spirits and give us hope. The beauty of art can inspire us and make us feel better about ourselves. The beauty of music can soothe our souls and make us feel at peace.

The speaker concludes by saying that we should all strive to appreciate the beauty of the world. The beauty of the world is a gift, and we should not take it for granted. The beauty of the world can help us to live happier and more fulfilling lives.

Question: What are some examples of beauty that are mentioned in the poem?

Answer: The poem mentions a number of examples of beauty, including:

The sun
The moon
Trees
Daffodils
Rills
The mid-forest brake
The grandeur of the dooms
These are just a few examples of the many things that can be considered beautiful. The poem suggests that beauty is all around us, and that we should all strive to appreciate it.

Question: What is the message of the poem?

Answer: The message of the poem is that beauty is a source of joy and pleasure that can help us to overcome the darkness in the world. The poet John Keats argues that beauty is a gift that we should not take for granted, and that we should all strive to appreciate it.

The poem suggests that beauty can help us to live happier and more fulfilling lives. It can lift our spirits, give us hope, and make us feel at peace. In a world that is often dark and full of pain, beauty is a precious gift. We should all strive to appreciate it.

A Thing of Beauty Poem

A thing of beauty is a joy forever,
Its loveliness increases with the years;
It will not fade nor wither like a flower,
But will endure to cheer the heart of men.

A thing of beauty is a priceless gem,
That shines with ever-changing light;
It is a source of joy and inspiration,
And a comfort in the darkest night.

A thing of beauty is a friend to all,
That brings a smile to every face;
It is a source of happiness and peace,
And a blessing to the human race.

A thing of beauty is a gift from God,
That is bestowed upon us all;
Let us cherish it and guard it well,
And let it be a blessing to us all.

A Thing of Beauty Explanation

The poem “A Thing of Beauty” by John Keats is about the power of beauty to bring joy and inspiration to people’s lives. The poem begins with the famous line, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever,” which suggests that beauty is a lasting source of happiness. Keats goes on to compare beauty to a “bower quiet for us,” a “sleep full of sweet dreams,” and “health, and quiet breathing.” These images suggest that beauty can provide us with a sense of peace, comfort, and well-being.

The poem also suggests that beauty can help us to connect with something larger than ourselves. Keats writes that beauty “increases with the years” and that it “will endure to cheer the heart of men.” This suggests that beauty is not something that is fleeting or superficial. Instead, it is something that can enrich our lives and help us to find meaning in the world.

The poem concludes with the lines, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever,” and “Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to the earth.” These lines suggest that we should never take beauty for granted. Instead, we should cherish it and celebrate it every day.

The poem “A Thing of Beauty” is a reminder of the power of beauty to enrich our lives. Beauty can bring us joy, inspiration, and a sense of connection to something larger than ourselves. We should never take beauty for granted, but instead cherish it and celebrate it every day.

theme of the poem a thing of beauty

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