Up board live class 12th English solution (poetry) lesson-4 An Elegy written in a country Churchyard

 Up board live class 12th English solution (poetry) lesson-4 An Elegy written in a country Churchyard

Lesson-4

An Elegy written in a country Churchyard

Explain with reference to the context one following extracts:

(a) The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,

 The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

 The ploughman homeward plods his weary way, 

And leaves the world to darkness and to me.  (2003, 05, 10,17)

Reference to the context: This is the opening stanza "An Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard' composed by Thomas Gray, The poet is standing in a churchyard of a small village. He describes the coming of the evening. He gives a clear description of everything that takes place.

 Explanation : The evening bell is ringing in the church. It shows that day has ended. The cattle are coming home slowly. They are walking on the meadow in a zigzag way. The farmer who had been ploughing his field is weary and tired. He walks with heavy steps towards home. He will soon reach home where he will forget the world. There will be darkness in the world. The poet will be left alone in the darkness. He will think of the world. 

Comment : Figure of speech in the first line is onomatopoeia. 

(b) The breezy call of incense-breathing morn,

The swallow twittering from the straw-built shed,

 The cock's shrill clarion, or the echoing horn,

 No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed. (2018) 

Reference to the context : These lines have been taken from the poem 'An Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard' composed by Thomas Gray. Here the says how the people in the graves are now beyond all worldly attractions and excitements. Now they will not be awakened poet By the things that are used to awaken them in the morning.

Explanation : The morning is full of the fragrance of flowers. The cool pleasant wind of the morning attracts people to stir. In the small nests built of straw there are swallows. The chirping of the swallows is very agreeable. The cock makes a loud shrill call in the morning to rouse people. The hunters go out to hunt. They blow their horns. The echo of the horns spreads everywhere. All these things usually wake up the people. But now all the material for awakening, as they are sleeping a permanent sleep not to awake anymore

(c) Let not ambition mock their useful toil

 Their homely joys, and destiny obscure

 Nor grandeur hear with a disdainful smile

 The short and simple annals of the poor.(2014, 17, 18, 19 DH) 

Reference to the context: This is the fourth stanza of the poem 'An Elegy Written in aCountry Churchyard' composed by transitional poet Thomas Gray. Ambitious and great persons should pay proper respect to the poor.

 Explanation : These poor people laboured hard. They did things which are necessary for man. Their enjoyment was simple. They did what fate allowed them to do. But their actions were not famous. Ambitious persons should not make fun of them. When great people hear the simple life records of these village rustics, they should not smile with contempts.

(d) The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,

 And all that beauty, all that wealth ever gave

 Awaits alike the inevitable hour :

 The paths of glory lead but to the grave.(2011, 13, 16, 17, 18)

 Reference to the context : These lines have been taken from the poem “An Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard' composed by Thomas Gray. The poet expresses his views that nothing is everlasting. The poet says why great persons should not look down upon the life and work of the poor. They should be mindful that death is the end of all and they too are subject to death.

Explanation : Some people are proud of their long decent. Powerful persons are surrounded by outward show. Beautiful persons and wealthy persons gain much praise and honour. But none of them can escape death. Death is sure to come to everyone. All wait for that moment. One may get high fame and honour for his actions but in the end one must die. So the end of everyone is the same. So the great and arrogant men should not look down upon the simple and unknown life of the poor.

7. Give the central idea of the poem 'An in a Country Churchyard'. 6 (2010, 15, 18,)

 Ans.        An Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (Thomas Gray)

Death is the end of everyone. The poor people of the small village are lying in their graves. They did useful work. They had their own simple enjoyments. Great and ambitious men should not look down upon them. They, too, will die one day and be buried. Death is the end of all greatness, beauty and wealth.