A Thing of Beauty Poem Question & Answers Class 12 English Core NCERT Book Flamingo

‘A Thing of Beauty’ Poem Textbook Question Answers for Class 12 English Core: Discover and find here comprehensive NCERT solutions for CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo Book Poem 3. Our collection of important questions will aid in enhancing your subject knowledge and improving board exam performance. The answers are based on the latest CBSE exam pattern.

A Thing of Beauty: NCERT Textbook Questions & Answers

Answer:

  • The sun and the moon.
  • Old and young trees that provide shade.
  • Daffodils in green surroundings.
  • Clear rills (small streams of water).
  • Lovely tales that we have heard or read.
  • Mid-forest brake (a place in the forest rich with flowers like the musk-rose)
  • The grandeur of the mighty dead (the honour and beauty of the lives of great individuals)
  • All the lovely tales we have heard or read
  • An endless fountain of immortal drink pouring from the heaven’s brink

Answer:

  • Despondence (hopelessness).
  • Inhuman dearth of noble natures (lack of goodness in people).
  • Gloomy days filled with negativity.
  • Unhealthy and dark ways of life.

Answer: This line suggests that despite the troubles in life, beautiful things, like flowers, bind us to the earth, reminding us of the joys and pleasures of life. The “flowery band” symbolizes how beauty helps us to stay connected to the world and gives us a reason to appreciate life, even in difficult times.

Ans. in points:

  • The line suggests that beautiful things in nature act as a connection between human beings and the earth.
  • These things of beauty make life worth living and keep us grounded, even when life feels challenging.
  • They form a metaphorical “band of flowers,” symbolizing the joy and hope that bind us to existence.

Answer: Human beings love life because of the beauty that exists around them. The poem suggests that beauty, in its many forms (like nature, stories, and memories), provides hope, joy, and inspiration. It helps us overcome suffering and see the good in life.

Ans. in points:

  • The presence of beautiful things in nature and life gives us joy, peace, and hope.
  • These include the beauty of natural elements like the sun, trees, flowers, and streams, as well as inspiring stories of the mighty dead and moments of happiness.
  • These things uplift our spirits and help us cope with life’s difficulties.

Answer: The ‘mighty dead’ refers to those great individuals who have passed away but whose legacies, stories, and sacrifices continue to inspire us. The word ‘grandeur’ is associated with them because their lives and deeds are seen as magnificent and noble, leaving behind a lasting impression on humanity.

Ans. in points:

  • Grandeur is associated with the “mighty dead” because they are remembered for their noble deeds, courage, and contributions to humanity.
  • Their lives and sacrifices leave a lasting impact, inspiring others.
  • This grandeur reflects the eternal beauty of their legacy.

Answer: Things of beauty, according to the poem, make a lasting impression on us. The beauty of nature, great stories, and memories do not fade away quickly but remain in our hearts and minds, providing joy and inspiration for a long time.

Ans. in points:

  • Things of beauty leave a lasting impression on us.
  • They provide joy and comfort that remain in our hearts and minds forever, helping us endure life’s hardships.
  • Keats describes beauty as a joy “forever,” signifying its eternal impact on the human spirit.

Answer: The poet uses the image of an “endless fountain of immortal drink” pouring from the “heaven’s brink”. This suggests that beauty is a never-ending source of nourishment for the soul, always flowing from the divine (heaven) and enriching our lives.

Ans. in points:

  • The poet uses the image of an endless fountain of immortal drink.
  • This fountain flows from the heaven’s brink, symbolizing the eternal and divine nature of beauty.
  • It nourishes and rejuvenates the human spirit, much like water sustains life.

Answer: The poem “A Thing of Beauty” by John Keats showcases a consistent rhyme scheme, balance, and harmony in its structure. Let’s explore this further:

Rhyme Scheme:
  • The rhyme scheme throughout the poem is aabb, which gives it a melodic and flowing quality.
  • For example:
    • “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
      Its loveliness increases; it will never
      Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
      A bower quiet for us, and a sleep.”
  • This pattern creates a sense of consistency, reinforcing the enduring nature of beauty that the poem talks about.
Line Length:
  • The lines in the poem are written in iambic pentameter, which means each line typically has 10 syllables (five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables).
  • This regular rhythm mirrors the soothing and balanced essence of the poem’s message.
Balance in Sentences:

Keats carefully constructs balanced sentences, often listing multiple elements that reflect opposites or contrasts to create harmony:

  • For instance:
    • “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.”
      • Here, the balance is seen in the repetition of “of”, which ties together contrasting ideas like noble natures (positive) and gloomy days/unhealthy ways (negative).
      • The phrase “in spite of all” resolves these contrasts, showing how beauty overcomes negativity.
  • Such balanced structures emphasize the overarching theme that beauty endures and brings peace, despite life’s struggles.
Effect on the Reader:
  • The consistency in rhyme and rhythm and the balanced structure make the poem soothing and memorable, just as beauty itself provides comfort and joy.
  • It mirrors the eternal and harmonious nature of beauty, which Keats celebrates throughout the poem.

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