“More about the People” Poem Question and Answers

“More about the People” Poem Question and Answers: Here you would find answers to questions given in the Class 7 textbook of English. Click here for notes & explanations of “More about the People”.

Textbook Question & Answers

Comprehension

A. Answer these questions with reference to the context.

1. And when they’re not doing one of those, they’re either looking over your shoulder or stepping on your toes.
   a. Who does ‘they’ refer to?
   b. What does ‘those’ refer to in the first line?
   c. What does the poet mean by ‘stepping on your toes’?
2. And then as if that weren’t enough to annoy you They employ you.
   a. What does ‘that’ refer to in the first line?
   b. According to these lines, what does the poet find most annoying?
   c. After reading these lines, what do you think about the kind of lifestyle the poet desires?
3. And they lecture you till they’re out of breath or something And then if you don’t succumb they starve you to death or something
   a. Who lectures whom?
   b. What would ‘you’ succumb to?
   c. What would ‘you’ do if you succumbed?

Answers:

1. And when they’re not doing one of those, they’re either looking over your shoulder or stepping on your toes.
   a. ‘They’ refers to people in general.
   b. ‘Those’ refers to asking questions or making suggestions, as mentioned in the previous line.
   c. This phrase is a metaphorical expression meaning to intrude on or interfere with someone’s personal space or activities.
2. And then as if that weren’t enough to annoy you They employ you.
   a. ‘That’ refers to the various behaviors mentioned earlier, such as asking questions, making suggestions, looking over shoulders, and stepping on toes.
   b. The poet finds it most annoying that after all the intrusive behaviors described, people still find a way to involve you by employing you.
   c. The poet seems to desire a lifestyle free from the constant interference and pressure to work, as indicated by the annoyance expressed in these lines.
3. And they lecture you till they’re out of breath or something And then if you don’t succumb they starve you to death or something
   a. People lecture others, presumably about the importance of work.
   b. ‘You’ would succumb to the pressure to work.
   c. If ‘you’ succumbed to the pressure to work, ‘you’ would work to avoid being financially deprived or “starved” by others.

B. Answer these questions.

1. What all does the poet find annoying about people?
2. How does the poet feel about people’s behaviour when they are not asking questions or making suggestions?
3. What does the poet mean when he says ‘Anybody at leisure incurs everybody’s displeasure’?
4. How does the poem portray the pressure from people to work?
5. Which historical figures are mentioned in the poem? How have they been used to support the message of the poem?
6. How do the last lines of the poem help the poet to convey his attitude towards work?

Answers:

1. The poet finds it annoying that people constantly ask questions, make suggestions, invade personal space (by looking over shoulders or stepping on toes), and pressure others to work. Additionally, the poet is irritated by the fact that people still manage to involve you by employing you, despite all these behaviors.
2. The poet feels that even when people are not directly engaging in questioning or suggesting, they still exhibit intrusive behavior by looking over others’ shoulders or stepping on their toes. This suggests that people are always interfering in others’ lives in some way.
3. The poet means that when someone has free time or leisure, it displeases everyone else. This implies societal pressure to always be working and not taking leisure time, as idleness is frowned upon.
4. The poem portrays the pressure to work through various means. People lecture others about the benefits of work, compare them to successful individuals like Firestone, Ford, and Edison, and even resort to extreme measures like financial deprivation (being “starved to death”) if one refuses to work.
5. The historical figures mentioned are Firestone, Ford, and Edison, who are known for their work and success in industry and innovation. They are used to support the message of the poem by highlighting societal expectations regarding work and the pressure to emulate successful individuals.
6. The last lines of the poem convey the poet’s cynical attitude towards work. The idea that one must work to avoid work creates a paradox, suggesting that work is unavoidable and never-ending. This reinforces the poet’s frustration with societal attitudes towards work and leisure.

Another Set of Answers:

1. The poet finds it annoying that people are always asking questions, making suggestions, looking over your shoulder, stepping on your toes, and pressuring you to work even when you’re at leisure.
2. The poet feels that people’s behavior when they are not asking questions or making suggestions is still intrusive and bothersome, as they either look over your shoulder or step on your toes.
3. The poet means that if someone is not working and is at leisure, they tend to incur displeasure from everyone around them, as society expects everyone to be working.
4. The poem portrays the pressure to work as relentless and pervasive. People not only expect you to work but also try to convince you of its benefits, using examples of successful individuals. If you resist working, they may even resort to extreme measures like starving you financially.

Poetry Appreciation

A. Comment on the rhyme scheme of the poem.

Ans. The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme throughout, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, where the first and third lines rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other. This structured rhyme scheme helps to create a rhythmic flow to the poem, enhancing its readability and memorability.

B. Nash often uses humour to describe or critique situations in his poems. Cite an example of the use of humour in the poem.

Ans. One example of humor in the poem is when Nash writes, “And then as if that weren’t enough to annoy you, They employ you.” This line humorously highlights the absurdity of people’s behavior by suggesting that even after annoying you, they still find a way to involve you by employing you. The unexpected twist in the situation adds a comedic element to the poem.

C. Give two examples of alliteration from the poem.

Ans. 1. “looking over your shoulder” – This phrase contains alliteration with the repetition of the “o” sound in “looking” and “over.”

2. “stepping on your toes” – This phrase contains alliteration with the repetition of the “t” sound in “stepping” and “toes.”

Extension

A. Think and discuss.

1. Here is a short poem by Ogden Nash..

Song of the Open Road

How does the poet use humour to comment on the conflict between development and nature? You can use puns.

Answer: A sample answers is given here. You can attempt your own.

The poet, Ogden Nash, cleverly employs humor and puns to comment on the conflict between development and nature in the poem “Song of the Open Road.” Here’s how:

1. Pun on “see” and “billboard”: Nash plays with the word “see” to create a pun. On the surface, “see” refers to the act of visually perceiving something. However, in the context of the poem, it also suggests understanding or recognizing the value of nature. By juxtaposing “see” with “billboard,” which is a symbol of commercialization and urban development, Nash highlights the conflict between natural beauty and man-made structures.
2. Humorous comparison: The line “A billboard lovely as a tree” directly contrasts the artificiality of billboards with the natural beauty of trees. It’s an absurd comparison that underscores the poet’s sarcasm and critique of how modern society often prioritizes commercial interests over environmental conservation.
3. Irony: The poem’s closing line, “Indeed, unless the billboards fall, I’ll never see a tree at all,” encapsulates the irony of the situation. It suggests that the proliferation of billboards has become so overwhelming that they obscure the view of trees. This ironic twist humorously highlights the adverse impact of unchecked development on the environment.

In short, Nash’s use of puns, humor, and irony serves to humorously critique the conflict between development and nature, drawing attention to the absurdity of prioritizing commercial interests over the preservation of natural beauty.