Notes of The Heart of the Tree

Extract I

What does he plant who plants a tree…………to heaven anigh.

11.   Who is the poet asking the questions in the first line of the extract? List any two things, according to the extract, that man will do by planting a tree.

The poet poses the question to the readers. One who plants a tree plants a friend of sun and sky. He plants a flag of free breeze which provides soothing, cool breeze.

22.  Give the meaning of the following lines:

He plants a friend of sun and sky;

He plants the flag of breezes free;

 The shaft of beauty, towering high;

He plants a home to heaven anigh;

The tree is portrayed as a friend of sun and sky because the tree depends on the sun to carry out the process of photosynthesis. Similarly, the tree is a friend of the sky because it takes in carbon dioxide from the air and releases oxygen in the air and thus purifies the air. Also transpiration from trees is responsible for cloud formation in the sky before it rains. The tree grows like beautiful tower and it appears that the tree has made a home closer to heaven.

33.    In what way are the trees friends of sun and sky? How can a man plant the flag of breezes free?

The tree is depicted as a friend of sun and sky because the poet feels that one day the tree will grow tall and make friendship with the sky and the sun. The tree depends on the sun to carry out the process of photosynthesis. Similarly, the tree is a friend of the sky because it takes in carbon dioxide from the air and releases oxygen in the air and thus purifies the air. Also transpiration from trees is responsible for cloud formation in the sky before it rains. The tree is a flag of free breeze for the leaves just like flags that flutter freely in the breeze flutter and provide soothing, cool breeze to us.

44. What is meant  by ‘shaft of beauty’? What is compared to the shaft?

Shaft of beauty means beam of beauty. The tree which grows high with its long narrow stem is compared to the shaft.

55.   What is the impact of beginning the poem with a question? What is the figure of speech used here?

The impact of beginning a stanza with a question is done to create curiosity and anxiety in the readers to know more about the poem. The poet has used it purposely and cleverly before every stanza. The figure of speech used is Hypophora or Antipophora it is a technique of raising a question and then immediately providing an answer to that question.

Extract II

For song and mother-croon……..he plants who plants a tree.

1.    What is known as mother-croon of bird? Why is the song sung in a hushed voice?

Mother-croon is the soft song that mother bird is singing to her young one. It is sung in a hushed voice because it is sung during twilight when human activities are restricted and an atmosphere of calmness and serenity prevails.

2.    What is twilight? Why is it a happy twilight?

Twilight is the faint light  at the end of the day after the sun has gone down. It is a happy twilight because the mother-croon sings to her young ones happily, with soft and gentle voice. The bird’s high-pitched tone adds to the pleasant harmony of nature.

3.    What is meant by treble, heaven’s harmony? What role does the treble play in heaven’s harmony?

Treble is a high tone in music. Harmony is the way in which different musical notes are  played or sung together and combine to make a pleasant sound. The treble produced by the mother-croon sinks into the pleasant harmony of the universe.

4.    Give two examples of metonym. How is it used in the poem?

A friend of sun and sky. The poet feels that when we plant a tree we plant a friend of sun and sky i.e., a tree.

Cool shade. The poet opines that when we plant a tree we plant cool shade i.e., a tree.

5.    Give four functions which a tree performs on this earth.

A tree functions as a friend of sky and sun. It is the flag of breezes free. When we plant a tree, we make a home near to heaven. We provide a shelter to mother bird and the mother-croon is heard in the twilight from the trees we plant.

Extract III

He plants cool shade and ……..unborn eyes shall see.

11.  Enumerate any three benefits of planting trees as suggested by the poet in this extract. What do the plants do to provide cool shade in a place?

The trees will tall and provide shade to the people as well as the trees bless us with tender rains. It will provide crops to the future generations. The plants will grow tall and the human beings and animals will find comfort and solace under the branches of trees when the Sun shines bright.

22.  The water evaporates, condenses and falls as rain. What role do the trees play in this process of producing rain?

The transpiration from trees is responsible for cloud formation in the sky before it rains.

33.   How do the last two lines of the extract explain the process of regeneration? How does the man plant the forest’s heritage?

After many years the old trees will  wither away and the seeds of the trees will grow into new trees and into dense forest. This is symbolic of the process of birth, death and regeneration. In this way, trees will make the plains beautiful. The forest will provide crops to the future generations. Thus the upcoming generations will reap all the benefits of the trees that are being planted now.

44.   How do the trees provide for the harvest of the following years?

Trees not only beautify environment, but purify the air and provide us with wood, timber, fruits and medicines. The one who plants a tree, plants the entire forest. This forest is thus the harvest, the future generation can enjoy.

55.   What do the expression, unborn eyes indicate? What will they see? Why will they rejoice?

Unborn eyes refers to the future generation. The unborn eyes shall see plants providing cools shade, blessing us with tender rain, regeneration of trees, beautiful plains filled with numerous trees, nature abundant with her numerous gifts like fruits, timber, etc. They will rejoice because the trees will provide them fresh and pure air, numerous gifts like fruits, timber, tender rain, etc.  The plants provide us with all essential nutrients for our body. They are main source of medicine and wood.

Extract IV

He plants, in sap and leaf………his heart who plants a tree.

1.    The poet says: “ He plants, in sap and leaf and wood.” Which figure of speech is used here? Explain its usage with two other examples from the poem.

Metonymy is the figure of speech used here. It is a figure of speech in which  a thing or concept is called not by its own name but rather by a metonym, that is, by the name of something associated in meaning with that thing or concept. The whole poem runs on a series of metonymic  associations of a tree with its qualities. According to the poet, the one who plants a tree, plants ‘cool shade’ ‘tender rain’ ‘a friend of sun and sky’ ‘the forest’s heritage’ ‘sap and leaf and wood’ , etc.

2.    What is meant by ‘far-cast thought of civic good’? In what way is the planter’s work a blessing? State for whom it is a blessing.

Far-cast thought of civic good means foreseeing the  well-being of the city or its citizens. Planter’s work is a blessing because the human beings can get  food from the plant’s sap and leaves. Besides, he can get wood for his use. It is also a blessing for the future generations.

Tree plantation is indeed a blessing on the neighbourhood.

3.    Give the meaning of the following:

Who in the hollow of His hand

Holds all the growth of all our land

The man’s hand holds the future progress of mankind. Our land will become barren without trees. The growth of the universe is possible only by planting trees.

4.    In what way a nation’s growth depends on planting trees?

Wood is very important trade product and thus its import and export within countries enriches the economy of a nation. Therefore, the poet indirectly requests all human beings to plant trees for the well-being of society and its citizens.

5.    Comment on the appropriateness of the title of the poem The heart of the tree.

The heart of the tree is an appropriate  title. The heart is one of the most important organs in the entire human body. The human heart pumps  the blood, which carries all the vital materials and nutrients. Only when the heart pumps the blood, it is able to transport oxygen from one part of the body to another. Likewise, a tree has certain qualities , which are as essential as human heart, for survival. Trees absorb carbon dioxide  and give out life-giving oxygen for us to inhale; trees cause rainfall; trees are essential for the future generation; trees like human heart provide us with ‘sap and leaf and wood’, i.e., all the required  minerals, nutrients and material things. The heart here thus signifies the most important quality of the tree. It can be concluded that the title is appropriate as the poem is about trees and their importance to our survival. 

The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene III

Act II, Scene III

Extract I

Jessica:

I am sorry thou wilt leave my ………see me in talk with thee. 

11. Give reasons for Launcelot’s leaving Jessica’s house.

Launcelot left Jessica’s house since her father Shylock was a miserly Jew and is stay as his servant  has half-famished him. He felt that any further stay with him would make him like the Jew. Besides, Bassanio has accepted him in his service and Launcelot feels that Bassanio is a better master.

22.   Give the meaning of:

Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil,

Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness.

In the above lines, Jessica says that her house is hell because of her father’s avarice. Launcelot  with his jolly nature and with his antics and nonsensical capering  has relieved it of much boredom and dullness.

33.   How does Jessica show in words and action that she liked Launcelot’s presence in her house?

Jessica shows in words and actions that she liked Launcelot’s presence in the house. He calls him a merry devil and thanks him for reducing the boredom and dullness in her house. She offers him a ducat too.

44.    What errand does Jessica give to Launcelot? What precautions does she ask him to take while doing the errand?

Jessica gives to Launcelot the errand of delivering a letter to Lorenzo at supper in Bassanio’s house that night. She advises him to deliver the letter to Lorenzo secretly.

55. How does Jessica show herself as a scheming  but prudent young lady? In what way is her character different from that of Portia?

Jessica shows herself as a scheming lady when she plans to elope with a Christian boy, Lorenzo without the knowledge of her father.  She proves herself to be prudent when she instructs Launcelot to deliver her letter to Lorenzo at Bassanio’s party secretly. Her character is entirely different from that of Portia. While Portia obeys her deceased father’s will to marry the one who wins the lottery of caskets, Jessica betrays her father and religion to marry Lorenzo. 

Extract II

Launcelot:

But, adieu: these foolish…….become a Christian, and they loving wife!

1. How does Launcelot bid farewell to Jessica? In this context, what are your feelings for Launcelot, Jessica and Shylock?

Launcelot bids farewell to Jessica calling her ‘most beautiful pagan’ and later ‘most sweet Jew’. He says that tears prevent his tongue from uttering his feelings. We feel happy for Launcelot and Jessica. Launcelot is leaving his miserly master and is undertaking  Bassanio’s  service where he will be happier. Jessica too will soon escape from the ‘hell’ and marry Lorenzo. We feel sorry for Shylock as he still obstinate, miserly and with evil intentions. Further, he shall lose his daughter as well as money.

2.    Why does Jessica regret being the daughter of Shylock? What is the ‘heinous sin’ referred to in the extract? Is it really a sin? Give reasons to justify your answer.

Jessica regrets being the daughter of Shylock due to his behaviour, his being a bad father to her and for making her home ‘hell’. Jessica describes  her feeling  of being  ashamed for being  her father’s daughter as a heinous sin. It is not really a sin because even if she is Shylock’s daughter by birth, she does not actually detest her father but detests his miserliness and tyrannical nature.

3.    Give the meaning of :

But though I am a daughter to his blood,

I am not to his manners.

The above lines mean that although I am his daughter by birth, I don’t have his habits.

4.    Which promise has Lorenzo to keep? Describe the strife that Jessica is going to end.

Lorenzo has to keep the promise of eloping with Jessica that night. Jessica will end the struggle between her desire to marry Lorenzo and her duty to her father, Shylock.

5.    Explain Jessica’s relationship with her father which is shown in the scene.

Jessica is a lively young girl who rebels against the oppression of her father and the joylessness of her life at home.  She calls her home ‘hell’. She cannot get along with her father. She detests her father’s miserliness and tyrannical nature. She affirms that though she is Shylock’s daughter by birth, she does not share his disposition. Besides, she is influenced by the Venetians around her to form a different attitude to life than her father’s. she is ready to leave her father and elope with Lorenzo, a Christian.

Notes of The Merchant of Venice , Act II, Scene II

The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene II

Extract I

Launcelot:

Well, my conscience says, “ Launcelot, budge not……..is the devil himself. 

1     1. Who is Launcelot Gobbo? What inner struggle is going on in his conscience? What does his struggle show about the contemporary Christian practice?

     Launcelot Gobbo is Shylock’s servant. An inner struggle is going on in his mind between his conscience advising him to be a faithful servant and the devil tempting him to leave Shylock’s service and take up  service with Bassanio. Launcelot’s inner struggle shows the contemporary Christian practice of struggling with the temptation to yield to it or not.

22.  Why does Launcelot want to run away from the Jew? What does his conscience advise him to do?

    Launcelot want to run away from the Jew because his master, Shylock is the very devil in human form. According to Launcelot, Shylock is a miserly man under whose service he remains famished. Besides, he fears that he would become a Jew if he served Shylock any longer. Initially, his conscience tells him not to run away from Shylock’s household and to be careful. However, when the devil persuades him to flee, his conscience tells him that as he is the child of a good father or at least a good mother and so, he should stay where he is and not move.

33.    Launcelot’s speech provides some comic relief in the play? Why was such a relief need in the context of the play?

        In this scene Launcelot provides some comic relief in the play. In the context of the play such a relief was needed because the previous scene related to the bond story, depicted a serious mood where Antonio agrees to sign a treacherous bond that stipulates a pound his flesh in case he forfeits the agreement.

44.    Enumerate the reasons given by Launcelot’s conscience to stay on with the master.

        Launcelot’s conscience advises him not to run away as such an act of fleeing is a matter of contempt. It adds that he is the child of  a good father or at least a good mother and hence he should stay on with the master.

55.   Finally, whom does Launcelot obey-the devil or his conscience? How is the theme of racial discrimination brought out in Launcelot’s decision to run away?

       Finally, Launcelot obeys the devil. The theme of racial discrimination is brought out in Launcelot’s decision to run away because he runs away from his master, Shylock, who was a Jew and takes up service with Bassanio, a Christian.

66.    How is the theme of conflict between the good and the evil shown in this scene?

      The theme of conflict between the good and the evil is shown in this scene. Launcelot’s conscience advises him to stay on with his master while the devil advises him to flee. He feels the devil’s advice as good  and that of the conscience as rigid. He follows the good advice of the devil.

Extract II

Launcelot:

O heavens, this is my true begotten father!.........turn of no hand but turn down indirectly to the Jew’s house.

1.    Where are Launcelot and old Gobbo? What is meant by ‘true-begotten father’? Why can’t old Gobbo recognize his son?

Launcelot and old Gobbo are in a street in Venice. ‘True begotten father’ means my father who begot me. Old Gobbo cannot recognize his son as he is more than half-blind.

2.     Why is old Gobbo looking for the way to Master Jew’s house? How does Launcelot confuse the old man while giving directions to him to reach the Jew’s house?

Old Gobbo is looking for the way to the Jew’s house to go there to find out if his son Launcelot , who was working as a servant in Shylock’s household is still there. Launcelot confuses Gobbo by giving him wrong directions to Shylock’s house.

3.    What was Gobbo’s reaction to the directions given to him by Launcelot?

Gobbo says that by the saints, it was a difficult direction to follow.

4.    What present has Gobbo brought to give to the Jew? What does Launcelot say to his father about it?

Gobo has brought a dish of cooked doves to give to the Jew. Launcelot tells his father to give Shylock a rope to hang himself with rather than any present because he has half-starved him.

5.    Launcelot plays a comic role in this scene. Give two examples of comedy provided by him.

When Gobbo asks Launcelot the way to Shylock’s house, the wrong directions which Launcelot gives him provide real comedy in the scene. The direcitions  are too confusing for Old Gobbo to follow. The second  example is Launcelot’s asking his father’s blessing. He kneels before his father. Being blind, his father touches Launcelot’s face and says that Launcelot has more hair on his face that Dobbin, his cart horse.

Extract III

Launcelot:

Ergo, master Launcelot…….a staff or a prop? Do you know me father?

1.    Why does Launcelot use high-sounding words in his conversation with Gobbo? What does Shakespeare want to convey to the audience in this context about the habit  of some people in his time?

Launcelot uses high-sounding words in his conversation with Gobbo to impress him that he possesses classical learning and is a gentleman. Shakespeare wants to convey to the audience that habit of some vain people of his time who pretended to be what were not.

2.    Why does Launcelot call old Gobbo ‘father’ in the first line of the extract? Give the meaning  of :

According to Fates and Destinies, and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning,

Launcelot calls Old Gobbo ‘father’ in the first line of the extract as he plans to reveal his identity gradually to him. In the given lines Launcelot tells Gobbo that according to his Fate or Destiny or the Three Sisters of the ancient  Greeks and such other branches of learning the young man is dead.

3.    How does Gobbo react to the news of the apparent loss of his son?

Old Gobbo is stunned on hearing that his son is dead. He states that his son was his only support in his old age.

4.    How does Launcelot show dramatically that he is Gobbo’s son? Why does the former refer to his mother’s name in the context?

When Gobbo asks Launcelot to tell him whether his son is really dead or not, Launcelot dramatically confess that he is Gobbo’s son. But Gobbo does not believe him. Then Launcelot mentions the name of his mother, Margery, as a proof to show that he is really Gobbo’s son.

5.    How does Gobbo show by words and actions that he is fond of his son?

Gobbo is fond of his son. When Launcelot tells him that his son is dead, Gobbo is shocked to hear it and laments that his son was his only support in his old age. Further Gobbo does not believe Launcelot’s confession till he mentions the name of his mother. When Launcelot tells him that he is his son, Gobbo, being blind, feels Launcelot’s face to ascertain that he is actually his son.

6.    Give any two humorous situations from this scene.

One humorous situation is when Launcelot give Gobbo directions to go to Shylock’s house.  The directions are so confusing that Gobbodoes not follow it. Another humorous situation is the scene of Launcelot asking  his father’s blessing. He kneels in front of his father. His father feels his beard and says that Launcelot has more hair on his face than their cart-horse has on his tail.

Extract IV

Gobbo: 

Lord, how art thou changed!...........for I am a Jew, if I serve the Jew any longer.

1.    What has just happened that makes Gobbo say that Launcelot has changed? What present did Gobbo bring? To whom does he want to give it?

When Gobbo remarked that Launcelot has more hair on his face than Dobbin, their shaft-horse has on his tail, Launcelot responded that Dobbin’s tail is growing less because when he last saw him, he had more hair on his tail than he had on his face. At this Gobbo remarked tha Launcelot has changed. Gobbo has brought a dish of cooked doves to be given to Shylock.

2.    Give the meaning of:

a)    My master’s a very Jew: My master is a typical Jew, i.e., he is miserly man.

b)    Give him a halter: give him a rope to hang himself with.

3.    How can we conclude from the extract that Launcelot has been suffering in the Jew’s service?

In the extract Launcelot tells his father that under Shylock’s service he has grown so thin for want of proper food that his ribs and bones are standing our prominently and can be counted with the finger. This shows that Launcelot has been suffering in the Jew’s service.

4.    What do you find strange in the expression: You may tell every finger I have with my ribs?

Launcelot means to say that anyone can count all his ribs by feeling  them with a finger. But Launcelot  reverses the order, thus achieving a comic effect.

5.    What special privilege would Launcelot have if he serves Bassanio? What would happen  if Launcelot were to serve the Jew ‘any longer’?

If Launcelot serves Bassanio, he will have the privilege of having new uniforms. According to Launcelot if he works any longer for the Jew, he may become a Jew himself. He means that it is impossible for him to remain in Shylock’s service any further.

6.    What kind of attitude against the Jews is shown in this scene?

The miserly nature of the Jews is shown in this scene. Launcelot says that his is half famished under Shylock’s service and adds that he has grown so thin for want of food that his bones and ribs are standing our prominently and can be counted with a finger.

Extract V

Launcelot:

Father, in. ……………….I’ll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye.

1.    How has Launcelot shown that he could speak for himself to be employed by Bassanio?

When old Gobbo delays in asking Bassanio to accept his son, Launcelot in his service, Launcelot cuts him short and tells Bassanio that he wants to server him.

2.    What impact is the palm-reading by Launcelot likely to make on the audience?

The palm-reading by Launcelot provides the audience a comic relief and foretells the good fortune that may happen in the life of Launcelot.

3.    What does Launcelot predict about his wives and his escape from dangers to his life?

After reading his palm, Launcelot foretells that he will have a long life. he will marry a large number of wives(eleven widows and nine maids in all). He will escape thrice from drowning  and will have a hair-breadth escape once from falling our from a feather bed.

4.    What instructions did Bassanio give to the Gobbos and to his servants after employing Launcelot?

After employing Launcelot, Bassanio tells the Gobbos to go to Shylock and bid him farewell and then reach his house. He tells his servants to get a uniform for Launcelot with more  decorations or ornamental stripes than those of his other servants.

5.    Before this extract Launcelot referred to a proverb which is applicable both to Shylock and to Bassanio. What was the proverb and how is it applicable to both of them?

The old proverb that Launcelot mentions is : ‘The grace of God is wealth enough.’ He says that this proverb is equally applicable to Shylock and Bassanio. Bassanio is a good man and has the grace of God. Shylock does not have grace of God. But he has ‘wealth enough.’

Extract VI

Bassanio:

Why, then you must . I be misconstrued in the place I go to and lose my hopes.

1.    Give thecontext  in which Bassanio speaks these words.

Bassanio speaks these words to Gratiano when the latter makes a request to him to permit  to accompany him on his trip to Belmont.

2.    Give the meaning of:

To allay with some cold drops of modesty

Thys skipping spirit,

To tone down your lively spirits by exercising  a little moderation.

3.     Briefly summarise the advice given by Bassanio to Gratiano in the extract.

Bassanio tells Gratiano that he is uncontrollable, blunt and rough. These faults of his are acceptable to Bassanio and his friends as qualities of his nature. But his wild behaviour may be misunderstood at Belmont. Hence, Bassanio advices him to control his wild behaviour and tone down his lively spirit by exercising moderation.

4.    Why does Bassanio ask Gratiano to behave properly in Belmont?

Bassanio asks Gratiano to behave properly in Belmont because he fears that for people who don’t know Gratiano, his behaviour will appear as faulty. His wild behaviour will be misunderstood at Belmont and Bassanio may lose all chances of marrying Portia.

5.    What assurance does Gratiano give to Bassanio about the latter’s advice?

Gratiano promises to behave in a proper manner. He says that he will converse gravely  and will seldom use an oath. He will carry prayer books in his pockets and look most sedate. During the grace before meals, he will veil his eyes with his hat and solemnly say ‘Amen’. He will do everything  that politeness demands and follow all the customs of good manners, as though he trying to  please his grandmother by showing a quiet and serious behaviour.

6.    What exception to Gratiano’s behaviour is accepted for the particular night? Why?

             Bassanio tells Gratiano that his rude behaviour will be tolerated for the night             because of the party. This is because Bassanio wants that night to be one of fun            and mirth. He will be sorry to see Gratiano in a sad mood. Bassanio would prefer to          see him in his wildest spirits 

ICSE English Language Evaluation Manuel 2017