Notes of Act II, Scene IX

Extract I

Nerissa:

Quick, quick, I pray thee…….

Portia:

Behold, there stand the caskets, noble prince.

1.     What proper honour is given to Arragon to indicate that he is a prince?

To honour Arragon as a prince, trumpets were sounded as he entered the room and Portia addressed him as ‘noble prince.’

2.     Enumerate the three conditions in the oath which Arragon was supposed to take.

Arragon is bound by the oath to observe three conditions. First, he must not reveal to any other person which  of the caskets  he has selected. Second, if he does not win Portia, he should not woo any other lady. Third, if he chooses wrongly he must depart at once without further words.

3.     Which conditions in the oath Arragon explicitly keeps at the end of the scene?

Arragon explicitly kept the last condition at the end of the scene.

4.     How wise is it to arrange marriage through a lottery system where chance plays a significant role? What does Portia feel in this regard?

It is not wise to arrange marriage through lottery system where chance plays a significant role. Portia initially feels that her fate is sealed by the lottery of caskets designed by her father. However, later she accepts her father’s will and asserts that she will abide by it and would remain a virgin like Dian if no suitor wins her in marriage.

5.     How does Nerissa justify the system in Portia’s case?

 Nerissa justifies the lottery of caskets saying that her father was a virtuous man, who must have had her well-being at heart. So, according to her father’s will she will be chosen by someone who will truly love her.

6.     It is said that Arragon is too proud and self-opinionated. Do you agree with this statement? Give two reasons to justify your answer.

Prince Arragon is too proud and self-opinionated. While making his selection, he calls the common people as ‘fool multitude’ and again as ‘barberous multitudes’. He says that he will not act according to what common men choose and put himself on the level of the ignorant and the foolish. Secondly, Arragon thinks himself to be most deserving  because of his  inherited nobility.

Extract II

Arragon:

What says the golden casket……..barberous multitudes.

1.     What does the inscription on the gold casket say? Which casket does the speaker choose?

The inscription on the gold casket says ‘who chooses me shall gain what man men desire.’ The speaker chooses the silver casket.

2.     How does Arragon interpret the meaning of ‘many men’ given on the gold casket?

Arragon says that the words ‘many men’ probably refer to the foolish majority, who are so slow-witted and who have so little wisdom that they judge only by appearances and outward glitter. Their untaught eyes never see the inner meaning of things.

3.     How does Arragon compare the martlet to the foolish multitudes?

Arragon compares the multitude to the martlet. The martlet, instead of seeking a sheltered  place for its nest, constructs it in the most  exposed places like the outer wall, unprotected  from, any stormy weather or any accident which may occur,. Similarly, the foolish common people who judge by the outside of things, fall into errors and calamities.

4.     Give the meaning of:

In the force and road of causality

Rank me with the barbarous multitudes.

A) open to disaster and in the very path of danger

b) I don’t put myself at the level of the ignorant and foolish common people                                                                   

5. How is the theme of appearance and reality brought out in the choice of caskets?

The theme is brought out in the choice of caskets. Arragon rejects lead calling it base lead because of its dull and plain appearance. He rejects gold casket saying that he will not choose what many men desire. He will not put himself at the level of ignorant common man. The word deserves meaning merit on the silver casket attracts Arragon and he selects it.

Extract III

Arragon: Why, then to thee, thou silver…..undeserved dignity.

1.     What does the inscription on the silver casket say?

The inscription on the silver casket says, ‘Who chooses me shall get as much as he deserves.

2.     Why did the words of the inscription on the silver casket appeal to Arragon?

Words on the inscription on the silver casket appeal to Arragon because the word ‘deserves’ meaning ‘merit’ in the inscription appeals to him. He thinks himself to be the most deserving. He feels that there are many who succeed without having any inner merit. But he ‘deserves’ because of his inherited nobility.

3.     Give the meaning of:

To cozen fortune and be honourable

Without the stamp of merit?

To try to cheat fortune and win something without merit. It means no one ought to allowed to deceive and trick fortune by asking her for what he does not deserve.

4.     How does Arragon explain further the importance of deserving  before getting an honoured position?

Arragon further tells that no man should aspire to be honoured unless he deserves it. Arragon wishes that all the postions  of rank, dignity and offices were bestowed on the deserving , instead of being obtained dishonestly. If this happens, many low ranking people would be separated out from the ranks of the truly honourable.
5. Which casket did Arragon finally choose? What did he feel after making the choice?

Arragon finally chooses the silver casket. After making the choice, Arragon is dumb-founded and very disappointed with what he finds in the casket. He pauses silently for a long time before speaking. He says that there is such a difference between that creature and the picture he hoped to see. He asks Portia whether he deserves no more than the head of fool. He wants to know whether that is his prize and whther he deserves nothing more than that.

Extract IV

Arragon: Still more fool I shall……to bear my wroth

1.     After which incident does Arragon speak these words? In what mood is he? With which fool’s head did he come to woo?

Arragon speaks these words after opening the silver casket. He is in a mood of disappointment. He came to woo Portia with one foolish head of his own.

2.     Which second head did he get? Briefly state what was written on the schedule attached to the second head.

The second head he got was from the silver casket. The scroll attached to the second head says that silver metal of the casket was tested seven times by fire. A mind which never makes an error of judgement must be similarly tested seven times. Some people find their happiness in shadows and unreality. Their happiness is therefore only shadowy and unreal. There are many  living fools whose foolishness is hidden by their silvery-hair because they have the appearance of being venerable and wise. One of these is the fool’s head concealed in the silver casket. Arragon will always have a foolish head. He should now leave as his chance is over.

3.     Which casket does the speaker choose? Why did he choose that casket?

The speaker chooses the silver casket. The motto of the silver casket appeals to the speaker. It says ‘who chooses me shall get as much as he deserves. He feels that he deserves Portia because of his inherited nobility.

4.  After the departure of the prince, what did Portia say about him?

After the departure of the prince, Portia says that there is another moth which has burnt itself in the flame of the candle. These people, when they choose, the wisdom of their superficial knowledge makes them look utterly foolish and lead them to make the wrong choice.

4.     State the old saying uttered by Nerissa after the prince’s departure.

After the prince’s departure, Nerissa utters an old saying ‘Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.’ It means that it is fate that decides what happens to one , whether one is to be hanged or to be wedded.  It implies that it is destiny that has saved Portia from two unsuitable suitors and it is destiny that may give her a worthy suitor.

Extract V

Servant:

Madam, there is alighted at your gate……..comes before his lord.

1.     Where does this scene take place? Who has alighted at the gate?

This scene takes place in a room in Portia’s house at Belomont. Gratiano has alighted at the gate.

2.     The visitor brought gifts of rich value. What does this indicate in the context of the scene?

Gifts of rich value indicate that the great regard and love Bassanio has for Portia.

3.     Give the meaning of the last three lines of the extract.

In the last three lines, the servant says that he has not seen so generous an ambassador of love. Even a day in April, the sweetest spring day, coming to give people a foretaste of bright and bountiful summer, is not comparable to this gorgeous messenger, who rides in advance of his master.

4.     What were the reactions of Portia  and Nerissa to the announcement of a new suitor?

Portia asks the servant to stop speaking because he is so generous in his praise that she is dreading to hear him say that he is some relative of his. Then Portia tells Nerissa to come  quickly along with her to meet this messenger of Cupid, who has arrived in such a courteous manner. Nerissa prays to Cupid, the god of love, that the lord announced be Bassanio if such is his will.

5.     Why does Portia say to the servant to be silent and not to praise the young Venetian further?

Portia tells the servant to be silent because he is too extravagant in his praises that she is dreading to hear him say that he is some relative of his.

6.     Explain how the plot makes progress in the scene.

This scene proves that only the person, who rightly loves, will choose rightly. This scene also reveals to the audience which is the right casket. It will heighten the suspense during Bassanio’s selection later. It keeps up the theme of appearance and reality.

Notes of Act II, Scene 8

Extract I

Salanio: I never heard a passion…….bags of ducats.

1.     What is meant by ‘a passion so confused, so strange, outrageous, and so variable’? Why was the Jew so excited?

In the given lines, Salanio says that he has not seen such an outburst of anger, so confused, so strange, excessive and frequently changing as is displayed by the Jew. Shylock discovers that his daughter has eloped after robbing  him of his money and jewellery. This makes him excited and furious with grief and despair. He gives vent to it by an exhibition of passionate excitement and anger which is strange, excessive and frequently changing.

2.     Earlier, how did the Jew trouble the Duke? Where did the Duke go and what were his findings?

Earlier, Shylock roused the Duke with his complaints against Lorenzo and Jessica  for robbing him and eloping. He made such a disturbance that the Duke was obliged to attend to his demands. He even accompanied the Duke to search for Lorenzo and Jessica on board Bassanio’s ship. By the time they reached the place, the ship had already set sail. The Duke was told b someone that Lorenzo and Jessica had been seen sitting together in a gondola.

3.     What did the Jew utter in his excitement? Besides money, what else did his daughter steal?

In his excitement, Shylock utters confused cries for his daughter, who had eloped with a Christian, taking with her, his ducats and jewellery. He wants justice from the law.

Besides money, Jessica has taken away from Shylock some jewels, precious stones and diamonds.

4.     Give the meaning of:

Double ducats: coins of double ducats

A sealed bag: a bag that is securely sealed to ensure the security of its contents.

5.     Explain how Shylock’s lamentations add to the humour in the play.

Shylock’s lamentation add to the humour in the play. He is depicted as a comic character in the scene. The manner in which he laments the loss of his daughter and his ducats amuses the audience; Shylock’s repetition of ‘O my daughter!’ O my Christian ducats!’ indicate his greedy nature and shows that Jessica  is another  possession for him like the ducats. The manner in which all the boys of Venice follow him and repeat his words of lamentation in a tone of mockery and jeer at him further add to the humour in the scene.

6.     In his excitement, Shylock utters confused cries for his daughter, who had eloped with a Christian, taking with her, his ducats and jewellery. He wants justice from the Jew.

Extract II

Salanio: Let good Antonio…..

Salarino: ……silence that it were not his.

1.     What is meant by: Let good Antonio keep his day? What could be the consequence if Antonio failed to ‘keep his day’?

‘Let good Antonio keep his day’ means let worthy Antonio make sure that he has the money to pay Shylock on the appointed day. If he fails to keep his day, Shylock would take his revenge on Antonio.

2.     What did Salarino hear from the Frenchman, the previous day? Why was the news quite startling?

In his conversation with a Frenchman, Salarino heard that a richly laden ship from Italy had been wrecked in the narrow channel which divides England and France. The news was startling because Salarino thought of Antonio’s ship and wished that it might not be one of his ships.

3.     After hearing the news from the Frenchman, what did Salarino whish?

Salarino wished that the wrecked ship might not be one of Antonio’s ship.

4.     What advice does Salarino give to Salarino regarding Antonio?

Slanio advises Salarino to tell Antonio what he has heard about the shipwreck. However, he advises him not to tell Antonio about the news immediately for it may make him sad.

5.     Explain how the news given by the Frenchman creates suspense in the story. What would be Shylock’s reaction after hearing the news?

The news given by the  Frenchman creates a suspense in the story. The possibility of the wreckage of one of Antonio’s ship casts a gloom since it may imply that Antonio would not  be able to  make payment of the loan on the day the bond is due. After hearing the news, Shylock is happy that he could take his revenge on Antonio. He calls him a bankrupt and insists on the execution of the bond.

6.     What role do Salanio and Salarino play in this scene?

Salanio and Salarino provide the information about recent events. They reports Shylock’s fury and parody his behaviour. They are worried about Antonio and go quickly  to look for him and cheer him up. They do not  take part in the action of the play, but keep the action going when the chief characters are absent.

Extract III

Salarino:

Of his return, he answered, ‘Do not……………….become you there.

1.     In what context has Antonio said the words given in quotation? Who quotes his words here?

Antonio has said these words at the time of bidding farewell to Bassanio, when the latter was about to embark on his journey to Belmont. Salarino quotes his words here.

2.     Give the meaning of:

A) Bassanio, do not spoil your plan for my sake.

b) But stay as long as it would be necessary to attain your objective.

3.  What advice did Antonio give to Bassanio about the latter’s stay in Belmont and his love affair?

Antonio advises Bassanio to stay at Belmont as long as it would be necessary for winning  Portia and tells him not to bother about the bond. He advises Bassanio to be cheerful  and devote himself entirely to win his lady-love in a most suitable manner.

4. Describe how Antonio parted from Bassanio. What does it show about their relationship?

While parting, Antonio’s eyes were filled with tears. He turned his face away and extended his hand behind him. Then, moved by his love, he held the hands of Bassanio and they parted from each other. It shows that there is great love and affection between them.

5. What do Salanio and Salarino decide to do at the end of this scene?

Salanio and Salarino provide the information about recent events. They report Shylock’s fury and parody his behaviour. They are worried about Antonio and go quickly to look for him and cheer him up. They do not take part in the action of the play. But keep the action going when the chief characters are absent. At the end of the scene, Salanio and Salarino decided to look for Antonio and raise his low spirits with some amusement.

Notes of Television

Notes of Television

Extract 1

1. What is the most important thing that poet has learned as far as childeren are concerned?

A. The most important thing that the poet has learned as far as children are concerned is that they should never be allowed to watch television as it fills their minds with junk. The better solution to this problem would be not to intall the television set in thier homes at all.

2. What is reffered to as idiotic thing in the above extact? Why do you think the poet advises not to intall it?

A. Television is referred as idiotic thing by the poet. The poet advices not to intall it because it hypnotises and produces dulness in the minds of those who watch it.

3. Describe what poet sees at every house with television. Why is he upset with what he has seen? In almost  every house with television, children are staring at the television  screen without doing any productive work.It upsets him because he cosiders television as a monster that kills children’s imgination.

4.  Explain the figure of speech used in the lines:

Last week in someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor.

 The figure of speech used here is Hyperbole, which uses exaggeration  for emphasis  or effect. To put emphasis on the hypnotic effect of television, the poet says that previous week at someone’s palce he had seen half a dozen eyeballs rolling about on the floor.

5. What purpose do the repetitions serve in the extract?

Repetitions are are used to emphasise that children should never be allowed to watch television as they just sit and stare at it without doing anything productive.

a). Give two types of repetition:

·      Is neverNEVER NEVER, Let

          Them near your television set-

They sit and stare and stare and sit

b)  What type of rhyme scheme is followed in the extract?

The rhyme scheme followed throughout the poem is aa bb cc dd

Extract 2

1. The poet says “ it keeps them still” what keeps the children still? How?

A. The television set keeps the children hypnotised as they watch all the junk that it telecasts.

 2. How does the television proves to be useful and convenient for the parents?

A. Television proves to be useful for the parents because it keeps their children still and occupied.The children then do not indulge in any kind of fights. It allows the parents to do their house hold chores peacefully.

3. According to the poet, what ill effects does Television have on children?

A. It produces dullness in their mind.

It kills their imagination and thinking ability.

It hypnotises them and fills them with junk.

4. How does the television kill the imgination of children? Name and explain the figure of speech used.

A. The ability to think of new ideas dimnishes when child passively engages in watching television.Watching too much television destroys children’s abilty to understand the world of fantacy.Their thinking power rusts and freezes.

Personification is the figure of speech used here.It is used to express a thing or idea as a person.

Dahl uses personifiaction in the line:

It kills their imagination dead!

He givies television the ability to kill and gives imagination ability to die at its hand.

5.   Do you think Dahl is critical of television? Give reasons for your answer.

Yes, Dahl seems to be critical of television because he seems to highlight only the negative effects of television on children,such as : It rots their senses, kills teir imagination, clogs their mind, makes them dull, and incapable of understanding the world of fantasy. It feezes thier thinking power.

Extract 3

1. Whose and what question is the poet answering in the above extract?What does he say in his answer?

The poet here answers the parents’ query that if they take the television set away, what type of entertainment they would give to make their children occupied.

 The poet replies by asking  parents to recall how the children kept themselves entertained by reading books before television was invented.

2. What monster is the poet referring to in the above extract?

The poet refers to the television as a monster that kills children’s imagination. Before television was invented,children would actively engage themselves only in reading. Books could be found everywhere – on the nursery shelves,on nursery floor,in the bedroom or by the children’s bed.

3.THEY ....USED ...TO... READ!

......................

One half of their lives was reading books!

The following lines use repetition to create a smooth flow and to put emphasis on th fact that children used to read only books before monstrous television was invented.Moreover, the emphasis on the word READ implying importance of reading books.

4. This is done to catch the readers attention and emphasise that instead of watching television ,children should engage themselves in reading as they used to do before television was invented.The use of captail letters is equivalent to shouting.

5.Once childen start reading, they get so involved in reading that there would be books everywhere. The last four lines describe such a secnario.The nursery shelves would be filled with books.Books would be scattered on the floor and by the children’s bed.

Extract IV

1.     Synecdoche. It is a figure of speech in which a part is put for the whole or the whole for a part. In the poem, the expample is: The younger ones had Beatrix  Potter.

 Here  the name of the author Beatrix Potter is used to represent the whole gamut of her works such as ‘The tale of Squirrel Nutkin’, ‘The Tale of Mr Tod’, and ‘The Tale of Piling Bland.’

Example of rhyming scheme is: Potter, Rotter

2. The poet remembers the time when the children used to only read books. They used to read books filled with tales of treasure islands, voyages, smugglers, pirates, ships, elephants and cannibals. It was a time when young children travelled to an all new adventurous world of animals with Mr Tod, Squirrel Nutkin, and Piglin Bland.

3.The refernece is important because it transports the readers to a time before the television was invented when children used to read.

4.The poet suggests that TV sets should be thrown out and should be replaced with bookshelves.

His suggestion does not seem to be practical as television is also a medium of education. Children can be guided to watch educational programmes and newscasts.

5. TV sets should not be thrown out of the houses. Dahl mentions only the negative aspects of television. Television has educational  benefits as it is an audio-visual medium and can help children learn by watching. However, there is a need to maitain a balance between watching television and other activities.

Extract V

1.   He gave this advice in continuation of his suggestion of throwing TV sets away. According to the poet replacing TV sets with bookshelves would be best as far as children are concerned.

2.   Children will give dirty looks to their  parents when their TV sets would be replaced with bookshelves filled with books. Children would then scream and yell and fight  with their parents.

3.   The parents are advised to ‘fear not’ because their children’s tantrums would be temporary; what would be permanent is their love for books which would soon follow.

4.   Yes. Watching television for hours, makes the children dull and passive. It kills their imagination; on the other hand, reading books will help them to  travel to new and exciting  worlds of ‘dragons, gypsies, queens and whales.” Dahl remembers his days, when television was not invented and children would spend their time reading; a time when nursery floor and the side of their beds were filled only with books;  a time when young children travelled to an all adventrous  world of animals with Tod, Squirrel Nutkin and Pigling Bland.

5.   To develop a habit of reading books is an important advice that the poet gives. Reading transfers one to a beautiful world of imagination and fantasy. Reading fills  one’s heart with true joy and happiness.

Extract VI

1.   It refers to children’s act of starting to read books once television is uninstalled from their houses. The poet feels very excited about it as he employs an easy, delightful and cheering tone while talking about books. His excitement is reflected  through: “Oh boy, Oh boy!”

2.   Yes. Watching television for hours, makes the children dull and passive. It kills their imagination; on the other hand, reading books will help them to  travel to new and exciting  worlds of ‘dragon, gypsies, queens and whales.”

3.   He has a strong dislike for television and he describes it as nauseating, foul, unclean, monstrous and idiotic. However, he firmly believes that reading is a powerful tool for learning and considers books as lovely, wondrous, fine, fantastic

4.   Yes. Watching television for hours, makes the children dull and passive. It kills their imagination; on the other hand, reading books will help them to  travel to new and exciting  worlds of ‘dragons, gypsies, queens and whales.” Dahl remembers his days, when television was not invented and children would spend their time reading; a time when nursery floor and the side of their beds were filled only with books;  a time when young children travelled to an all adventrous  world of animals with Tod, Squirrel Nutkin and Pigling Bland.

5.   The television is a silly invention of modern science that does not have any positive effect. It is ‘nauseating’ and disgusting to watch. It is ‘foul’, morally bad and offensive. It telecasts only ‘junk’. The television screen thus is repulsive.     

Notes of Daffodils

Daffodils

 Extract I

I wander’d lonely…….in the breeze.

1.    Who has been referred to as ‘I’ in the first line of the extract? Where do you think was he wandering?

The poet, William Wordsworth. The poet was wandering near a lake at Grasmere, in England.

2.    What does the poet encounter while wandering? Where does he encounter  them?

He encountered a large number of golden daffodils, besides a lake and beneath the trees.

3.    Why do you think the poet refers to the daffodils as golden?

To symbolise the magical effect it creates in his heart and mind.

4.    Discuss the importance of the following lines with reference to the poem:

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

These lines personify the beautiful daffodils. The poet sees the daffodils growing  along the margin of a bay, and they appear to be dancing and fluttering in the breeze. These lines are important as it was the daffodils’ lively appearance that captivated the poet.

5.    Which figure of speech is used in the following lines? How many daffodils do you think the poet saw? Give reason for you answer.

When al at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils,

Hyperbole. The poet saw a huge group of daffodils along the riverside which can be deduced from the words, ‘crowd’ and ‘host’. Moreover, in a hyperbolic expression, he said, “Ten thousand saw I at a glance.”

Extract II

Continuous as the stars….in sprightly dance.

1.    How are the daffodils compared to the stars?

Continuous as the stars that shine. This simile is used to describe the daffodils spread continuously like the shining stars that twinkle in the night sky.

2.    What is the milky way? Why is it referred to in the extract?

Is the galaxy that contains our Solar System and from the earth it appears as a band of light in the night sky. It  is draw our attention between a crowd of beautiful  daffodils indistinguishable from  each other  and a continuous  band of twinkling  stars in the night sky.

3.    What is meant by the margin of the bay?

The margin means the line where land and water meet. The daffodils  in the poem, line the shore of the lake.

4.    State how the technique of using exaggeration heightens the poetic effect in the extract?

Exaggeration is used to emphasise the large number of daffodils that he saw during his walk along the river. The exaggeration of daffodils stretched endlessly in a ‘never ending line” along the margin of  a bay is beautiful.  The use of such exaggeration thus heightens the poetic effect.

5.    Briefly describe the musical quality of the extract.

Daffodils is a lyric poem. The word ‘lyric’ is derived from ‘lyre’, and it implies that the poem is meant to be sung to the accompaniment of the lyre.

The rhyming pattern followed in this poem is that in each stanza the first line rhymes with the third; the second with the fourth; and the fifth with sixth. Each stanza ends with a rhyming couplet.

Extract III

The  waves beside…….show to me had brought.

1.    How did the daffodils outdo the waves?

The water in the lake had ripples looking like waves dancing. The daffodils tossing and dancing like human beings seemed to be competing against these waves. According to the poet, the daffodils  defeated the waves in glee.

2.    What is meant by jocund company?  Which  jocund company is the poet referring to? Why does the poet find it jocund?

It means a happy and gleeful company. The poet is referring to the jocund company of thousands of daffodils.

The beautiful daffodils dancing before the poet captivated him. It made him happy  and refreshed. It made him feel one with nature. That is why he finds  their  company jocund.

3.    Which wealth referred  to by  the poet? Explain how the wealth was brought to the poet?

Wealth refers to the peace and happiness that the show of daffodils fluttering  and dancing before him brought to him, something  he could be  not acknowledge at that very movement.

The wealth was brought to the poet  when he encountered the golden  daffodils surpassing  the beauty of dancing waves.

4.    What is the mood of the poet in the above extract? Which lines tell you so? Why is he in such a mood?

The poet is in a happy and cheerful mood. He himself reflects his happiness in the following lines:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company

The feeling of ones with nature that the poet has experienced  on seeing lively and dancing daffodils is the reason for his happy mood.

5.    With reference to the above extract, state why Wordsworth can be called nature poet.

The poet in the beginning  wanders lonely as a cloud but the vast  belt of daffodils tossing their heads in sprightly dance  captivates him.  The daffodils even outdo the waves and this golden company makes the poet feel happy and one with nature. Thus, Wordsworth can be called a nature poet.

Extract IV

For oft, when on my couch……… with daffodils.

1.    What happens to the poet when the he lies on his couch in a pensive mood?

The image of the golden daffodils flash before him and change his mood into happy one.

2.    What is the ‘bliss of solitude’ referred to in the extract? How does the bliss of solitude take place?

The bliss of solitude is referred to the paradise the poet finds himself in  as soon as the image of golden daffodils flashes before his eyes. His loneliness is overtaken by the image of daffodils which make him feel as if he were dancing along with the daffodils.

3.    Explain the transition from poet’s pensive mood to his heart filled with joy.

When he is in a pensive mood,  the image of golden daffodils flashes before him and changes his mood. The poet, who was lonely in the beginning of the poem, experiences ‘the bliss of solitude’ by the end. He then feels calm and refreshed. The memory of the daffodils fills his heart with joy and he feels  as if his heart were dancing with the daffodils.

4.    With reference to the last two lines of the extract, state the influence that nature can have over an individual’s mind.

Nature becomes positive force for the poet. When the poet lies on his couch in a contemplative mood, the image of dancing daffodils flashes before him, he is filled with happiness. Thus, the very thought of being in the lap of nature uplifts the spirit.

5.    Wordsworth says that poetry is “ the overflow of feelings arising from emotions recollected in tranquillity.’ In this context, state how the poem shows the truth of his statement.

Poetry for Wordsworth does not depend upon rhetorical and literary devices, but is the free expression of the poet’s  thoughts and feelings. When he was away from noisy and polluted cities, he relied  on his memory and reconstructed  his experience of his feelings. Thus collecting his emotions with the help of his memory of encountering daffodils, he composed this poem.