Unit : 5 - Poem - River
Section B: Read the following lines and answer the questions
O'er the yellow pebbles dancing, Through the flowers and foliage glancing
a) How does the river flow?
The river flows joyfully, dancing over yellow pebbles and glancing through flowers and foliage.
b) What is meant by 'foliage'?
'Foliage' means a cluster of leaves, flowers, and branches.
a) Why does the poet mention the river to be swelling?
The river is described as swelling because it becomes stronger and more forceful as it flows.
b) What are the surfaces the river flows through?
The river flows through both rough and smooth surfaces.
Over rocks, by rose-banks, sweeping Like impetuous youth.
a) Where does the rose grow?
The rose grows by the riverbanks, also called rose-banks.
b) Which stage of man is compared here?
The river is compared to the youthful stage of a human being – impetuous youth.
Broad and deep, and still as time Seeming still, yet still in motion
a) What is broad and deep?
The river is described as broad and deep.
b) Is the time still?
No, time only seems to be still but is actually always in motion – just like the river.
Tending onward to the Ocean, Just like mortal prime
a) Where is the river flowing to?
The river is flowing towards the ocean.
b) What does the poet mean by mortal prime?
‘Mortal prime’ refers to the peak or prime stage of human life.
Section C: Poetic Devices
Pick out the rhyming words.
Rhyming words: way – play, glancing – dancing, smooth – youth, time – prime, sea – eternity.
Mention the rhyme scheme of the poem.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABCCB.
Through the flowers and foliage glancing, Like a child at play.
Figure of speech used: Simile – the river is compared to a child at play.
Other examples from the poem:
Like impetuous youth (Simile)
Just like mortal prime (Simile)
Like eternity (Simile)
Seeming still, yet still in motion
a) Pick out the words in alliteration: Seeming still, still in motion.
b) Other examples for alliteration:
Through the flowers and foliage glancing
Broad and deep
Sea that sail hath
Pick out the examples for epithet from the poem.
Little river
Swelling river
Brimming river
Headlong river
Pick out the examples for imagery from the poem.
Yellow pebbles
Flowers and foliage
Broad and deep
Over rocks, by rose-banks sweeping
Section D: Paragraph Questions
How does the poet bring about the comparison of life with the river? Explain it with reference to the poem.
In the poem "The River", the poet Caroline Ann Bowles compares the journey of a river with the different stages of human life. In the beginning, the river is like a child, playing and sparkling as it flows over pebbles and through foliage. In the second stanza, the river becomes louder and stronger, representing the impetuous youth filled with energy. As the river flows further, it becomes broad and deep, calm yet constantly moving, like a matured adult in the prime of life. Finally, the river reaches the ocean, symbolising the end of life and the transition into eternity. This comparison beautifully captures the cycle of human life through the continuous flow of the river.
Describe how the poem clearly describes the features, functions, and destructive power of the river.
The poem vividly describes the river’s physical characteristics and its journey from the hills to the ocean. In the beginning, it is small and lively, dancing over pebbles and glancing through flowers, showing its gentle and joyful nature. As it grows, the river swells and rushes through different terrains, becoming forceful and energetic, indicating its powerful function of shaping the land. The river moves over rocks and by rose-banks, showing its ability to be both destructive and beautiful. In the end, it becomes deep and steady, silently heading towards the sea. The poet compares this journey to human life, highlighting how the river transforms in strength, speed, and purpose.
Summary (Fill in the blanks style)
In the poem The River, the poet compares the flow of the river with different stages of human life. The first stanza explains how the sparkling river goes dancing over yellow pebbles and glancing through the flowers and leaves. These actions of the river are compared to a child at play. The second stanza compares the river to a reckless youth who goes through rough and smooth patches along the way. In the third stanza, the river becomes like a hardworking man who is at prime phase of life. Here the deep and broad river seems motionless, but it keeps moving towards the sea like a matured man who silently marches towards the goal. In the last stanza the long journey of the river reaches the endless sea like a human life attains eternity.
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