5. Cheerfulness Taught by Reason
It is a small poem but conveys a big idea. It
teaches man to be optimistic in life. At no stage of life should we lose hone
and become sad. We should not complain about what we do not have. Rather we
should be thankful -for what we have. We should have the courage to accept
things as they come to us. Instead of complaining that our path is full of
stones, we should be thankful to God that the path is short.
And
I have learned too
to
laugh with only my teeth
and
shake hands without my heart.
I
have also learned to say, 'Goodbye',
when
I mean 'Good-riddance'
to
say 'Glad to meet you',
without
being glad; and to say 'It's been
nice
talking to you', after being bored.
Questions:
1. Who is the speaker in the poem?
1.
The speaker in the poem is a certain father. He is speaking to his son.
2. What has the poet learnt to do with his
feelings?
2.
The poet has learnt how to hide his true feelings.
3. What is the meaning of laughing with
only my teeth?
3.
It means artificial laughter which rises from teeth and ends there.
4. What kind of life is the poet living?
4.
The poet is living an unnatural life. It is full of affectation.
But
believe me, son.
I
want to be what I used to be
when
I was like you. I want
to
unlearn all these muting things.
Most
of all, I want to relearn
how
to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror
shows
only my teeth like a snake's bare fangs!
Questions:
1. Who is the speaker in the poem?
1.
The speaker in the poem is a certain father. He is speaking to his son.
2. What are the things the poet wants to
unlearn?
2.
The poet wants to unlearn all those things which have, taken away from him the
naturalness and innocence of his life.
3. What does the poet compare his own laugh
to?
3.
He compares his laugh to the long and sharp teeth of al snake.
4. Write the significance of the title,
'Once Upon a Time'.
4.
The little is significant because it takes us back to the time when man is
pure, honest and innocent. .
Cheerfulness
Taught By Reason. BY- Elizabeth
Barrett Browning
• This is a very
beautiful poem by E. B. Browning. It gives us a very good message. The poetess
says that we should always be cheerful and thankful to God for what we have.
O
pusillanimous Heart, be comforted
And,
like a cheerful traveler, take the road
Singing
beside the hedge.
(
Questions:
1. Name the poet.
1.
The name of the poetess is Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
2. Which figure of speech is used in the
above lines?
2.
Simile.
3. Pusillanimous heart is
(a) heart that is enjoying life.
(b) heart that is frightened to take risks.
(c) heart that is ready to take risks.
3.
(b) heart that is frightened to take risks.
4. In which manner should one move on a
journey?
4.
One should move on a journey like a cheerful traveller.
