A Thing of Beauty 12th Explanation Question Answer

 

 A Thing of Beauty Summary

A Thing of Beauty is about appreciating anything and everything around us. Anything that looks beautiful is a source of joy for us. A beautiful thing becomes more attractive as we keep enjoying it. The more we look closely at its beauty, the more we discover its stunning features. We never forget a thing of beauty as its memory is etched into our minds due to the joy and loveliness received from it. The after-effect of a beautiful thing is that it will always prove to be a source of happiness and peace, just like a shade under a tree or a sleep full of sweet dreams. Our lives, as a consequence, will be full of good health and peace.

Humans are connected to nature in a very close way. We participate in various earthly activities to keep ourselves attached to mother nature. Bonding with nature around us has been compared to wreathing flowery bands. There are many negative things in our lives, like dealing with hopelessness, encountering people who are not kind or compassionate by nature and facing various immoral and inhuman activities that lessen our belief in humanity. Despite acknowledging the presence of these things, a beautiful thing never fails to uplift our moods. It makes us forget our worries and troubles away.

We can find beauty anywhere if we want to see it. We can find it in ordinary things around us like the sun, the moon, trees or something as simple as a shade for sheep. The poet gives more examples to show the richness of beauty around us, like flowers, rills and the mid-forest brake. He also points out that we can find beauty in places where we generally do not look, like the reasons and circumstances behind the deaths of mighty heroes and warriors. Beauty exists in intangible things like the stories that we read or hear.

The poet urges us to see the immense reserve of beauty around us. He calls it an ‘endless fountain of immortal drink’: ‘endless’ because sources of beauty are limitless and ‘immortal’ to denote the effect of beauty on our minds. The memory of a beautiful experience is forever. It never dies. We are blessed to experience beauty in all forms around us. A direct reference to ‘heaven’ has been made to show that God has provided us with many sources of beauty.

 

 A Thing of Beauty 12th Main points

• The beautiful things of nature are permanent source of joy and make our lives sweet.
•  A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
• It does not pass into nothingness but its beauty keeps on increasing.
• It gives us sound sleep and good health;
• This world is full of frustrations, disappointments and dearth of noble people.
• These make our life gloomy and sad.
• But things of beauty remove the pall and sadness from our spirits.
• Nature is a constant source of happiness for human beings.
• The beautiful things are – sheep, daffodils, clear streams, musk roses and forest thickets.
• These things soothe and make us happy.
• Stories of heroes who have died in peace of war are also things of beauty and have a stimulating effect.
• But the beauties of nature are lovelier than all the lovely tales and are like the immortal drink from heaven.

 A Thing of Beauty Background

The poem is based on a Greek legend in which Endymion a handsome young shepherd and poet who lived on Mount Latmos, had a vision of Cynthia, the moon goddess. The enchanted youth resolved to seek her out and so wandered away through the forest and down under the sea.

 A Thing of Beauty Central Idea

Beauty is a heavenly tonic/drink – an endless fountain of nectar. This beauty comes in different forms– a tale, a poem, a play, a lovely object of nature or the heavenly bodies. It soothes our spirits and gives us good health, sound sleep and mental peace. It removes sadness from our lives and gives an everlasting joy.

 A Thing of Beauty Summary 2

A beautiful thing is a source of eternal joy, its loveliness grows with the passage of time and its impact never fades away. It is as soothing as a cool shade. It never passes into nothingness. It gives us good health, sound sleep and mental peace. It provides the beholder with a haven of tranquility and solace.

Man and nature are inseparable. It is the beauty of nature that keeps us attached to this earth. Every morning we collect fresh lovely flowers and prepare garlands. They refresh our moods and we forget our worries for a while.

Every person gets a bitter taste of sorrow, suffering and grief. Disease, disappointments and misfortunes give us mental and physical suffering. It is the beautiful things that remove the pall of sadness from our lives and make us happy and hopeful.

All beautiful things of nature are a boon for human beings. The sun, the moon, the trees, daffodils, simple sheep, clear streams, forests ferns, musk rose etc. provide us peace and happiness. In addition to these lovely objects of nature, there are plays and poems to lift our spirits. The glorious achievements of mighty heroes and magnificent rewards by God on the day of judgement for those mighty men, lovely tales of olden days are endless source of everlasting joy. The poet feels that nothing can surpass the beauty of nature. They are an elixir of life. They are like an endless fountain that pours immortal drink from the heaven into our hearts. So beauty is a gift of God and it gives us joy forever.

 

 A Thing of Beauty 12th Explanation Question Answer

A thing of beauty poem written by John Keats tells us that beauty is a constant source of joy, its beauty keeps on increasing and never passes into nothingness but provides us a shelter and gives us peace to relish the beauties of the earth.

Sometimes we suffer from gloominess and forget to enjoy the salad days of one’s life. These all inculcate unhealthy practices causing suffering and pain.

About the poet: A Thing Of Beauty

John Keats was a romantic poet and his poetry is characterized by sensual imagery in his most popular work which is a series of odes. His poems are one of the most beautiful creations in English literature. The above-given poetry is an extract from his poem, -Endymion: A poetic Romance-(1818), considered to be an epic poem.

Main theme: A Thing Of Beauty

The summary of the poem A thing of beauty is based on a Greek legend where a young shepherd named Endymion had a vision of the moon goddess, Cynthia. He made a commitment to go after her and seek her. In his quest, he wanders into the woods and under the sea.

Here, the poet tells us that beautiful things bring pleasure and happiness and give us an abundance of good reasons to feel happy and energetic. Beauty is like a tonic and an endless fountain of nectar, resulting in everlasting joy. It also takes away our sadness and gives us many happy reasons to enjoy.

Rhyme scene

Aabbc is followed in all the stanzas.

 A Thing of Beauty 12th Explanation 

Stanza1

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 asleep 

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

The poet believes in the fact that beauty stays forever and never fades away. It never goes off with the passing time rather it increases and beautifies more and more. He compares beauty with a shady place that gives us the comfort to fall asleep and dream, quietly breathing will lead to good health.

Meanings

Bower: A shady place under the tree

Literary devices

Alliteration: Use of consonant sound at the start of two words which are close in series (Sleep-Sweet)

Metaphor: bower Quiet (calmness of the bower is compared to the calming effect of a beautiful thing)

Stanza2

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, 

Some shape of beauty moves away the pall 

From our dark spirits. 

Everyday beauty files our heart to cherish each and every moment and builds our desires to forget the gloomy days and even if we are surrounded by melancholy things and bad people. According to the poet, the reason behind sadness and cruel people is negativity all around, and to counter these we need to enjoy each and every moment of our life because these beautiful things bring positivity.

Meanings

1.        Morrow: The following day

2.        Wreathing: surround, decorate

3.        Despondence: depressed

4.        Gloomy: sad

Literary devices

Anaphora: Use of the same word in two consecutive lines (of noble natures- Of all the unhealthy)

Alliteration: Use of consonant sound at the start of two words which are close in series (‘b’ in Band Bind, ‘n’ in Noble nature, ‘s’ in some shape).   

 Metaphor: wreathing a flowery band (the beautiful things of our life bind us to the earth)      

Imagery: creating a sensory effect of beautiful things lined up in a string ( A flowery band to bind us)

inversion: normal order of words is reversed ( Are we wreathing a flowery band)

Stanza3

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

The poet here explains that beauty is all around us in earthly things, we just need the vision to cherish those things. These are nature’s gifts like sun, moon, trees, etc providing us with shade, beauty, and coolness and are considered a boon for humanity. These are blessings that we need to cherish every moment to keep away from the negative vibes.

Meanings

1.        Boon: blessing

2.        Rills: a small stream

3.        Brake: a process to slow down; halt

Literary devices

Alliteration: Use of consonant sound at the start of two words which are close in series (‘s’ in Sprouting Shady, Simple sheep, ‘c’ in cooling covert)

Imagery: Trees giving shade (sprouting shady boon), growing process of daffodils (daffodils with the green world they live in), Clean river streams (Clear rills)

Antithesis: opposite words placed together (old and young)

Stanza4

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms; 

And such too is the grandeur of the dooms                

 We have imagined for the mighty dead; 

All lovely tales that we have heard or read; 

An endless fountain of immortal drink, 

Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink

The poet carries forward his idea of gifts of nature present on the earth, like beautiful musk of roses giving a nice and sweet fragrance. Furtherdescribes the tales of the valiant comrades who laid their lives for their nation or humanity. These beautiful things are like nectar which are immortal and need to be cherished in spite of having many sorrows in our life.

Meanings

1.        Grandeur: splendor

2.        Mighty: enormous; huge

3.        Immortal: never dying; unfading

4.        Brink: edge

Literary devices

Alliteration: Use of consonant sound at the start of two words which are close in series (‘h’ in having heard)

Metaphor: Immortal drinks ( beautiful objects of nature are forever like a neverending portion of a drink)

Rhyme: Rhyme scheme is used in every stanza of the poem (forever; never, keep; sleep, dead; read, etc.)

Imagery: Bushes full of musk roses (sprinkling of fair musk rose blooms), books describing valor of fighters (grandeur-..mighty dead), god providing us with best things (pouring from the heaven’s brink)

Conclusion

The poem a thing of beauty tells us to value those things that are bestowed upon us in the form of trees, sun, moon, rivers and are a boon to humanity but instead of feeling grateful towards god’s gifts, we focus on negative vibes like sorrow and unhappiness.

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, and 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’l

(d)What kind of sleep does it provide?

Answers:

(а)The poem is A Thing of Beauty. The poet is John Keats.

(b)A thing of beauty is the source of constant joy. Its beauty goes on increasing. It will never pass into nothingness.

(c)A bower is a pleasant place in the shade under a tree. It protects persons/animals from the hot rays of the sun.

(d)It provides us a sound sleep, full of sweet dreams, health and peaceful breathing.

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:

(а)The poet is John Keats. The poem is A Thing of Beauty.

(b)We possess the evil qualities of malice and disappointment. We suffer from the lack of noble qualities. That is why we feel despondent.

(c) Some beautiful shapes or a thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness from our hearts or spirits.

(d) We are weaving a flowery wreath to bind us to the beauties of the earth.

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)Some beautiful shape or a thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness from our hearts or spirits.

(b)Old and young trees sprout to make a green covering. It proves a blessing for simple sheep as it serves them as a shelter.

(c)Daffodils bloom among the green surroundings. The rills or small streams of clear water make a cooling shelter for themselves against the hot season.

(d)The mid forest brake is made rich by the blooming of beautiful musk-roses.

(e)(i) pall, (ii) boon, (Hi) rills, (iv) covert.

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:

(а)The poem is A Thing of Beauty. The poet is John Keats.

(b)The magnificence that we imagine for our mighty dead forefathers on the dooms day.

(c)The lovely tales of mighty men are mentioned in these lines.

(d)The poet uses the image of ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. The earth has bestowed us with sun, moon, flowers, rivers, greenery etc.

 A Thing of Beauty 12th  Question Answer

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.”

 A Thing of Beauty SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 

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.