LIFE
- Henry Van Dyke
Life Memory poem
Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul;
Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear
In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.
So let the way wind up the hill or down,
O’er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
And hope the road’s last turn will be the best.
10th std English Guide unit-1 poetry life book back question and answer Solution
Poetry Appreciation Questions.
A. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions that follow.
Question 1.
Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul;
a. Whom does the word ‘me’ refer to?
The word ‘me’ refers to the poet Henry Van Dyke.
b. What kind of life does the poet want to lead?
The poet wants to lead his life without any hesitation, always looking forward with a willing soul.
Question 2.
Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear
a. Why do you think the poet is not in a hurry?
I think the poet is not in a hurry because he wants to enjoy all aspects of life.
b. What should one not mourn for?
One should not mourn for the things one has lost in the past.
Question 3.
In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.
a. What does the poet mean by the phrase ‘in the dim past’?
The poet means by the phrase ‘in the dim past’ that what was in the past is clear in our mind.
The past becomes dimer and dimer in our life.
b. Is the poet afraid of future?
No, the poet is not afraid of the future.
c. How can one travel on with cheer?
One can travel with cheer if one does not think much the past and the future.
Question 4.
So let the way wind up the hill or down,
O’er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
a. How is the way of life?
The way of life is not always smooth. It has ups and downs.
b. How should be the journey of life?
The journey of life should be a joyful one, full of unexpected things.
c. What did the poet seek as a boy?
The poet as a boy sought new friendship, high adventures and success.
Question 5.
My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
And hope the road’s last turn will be the best.
a. What kind of quest does the poet seek here?
The poet seeks quest or opportunities which need courage to accomplish.
b. What is the poet’s hope?
The poet’s hope is that the life will be the best after the last twist in life.
Question 6.
In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.
a. Identify the rhyming words of the given lines.
fear – cheer;
whole – toll;
B. Answer the following question in about 100 – 150 words.
Book.Page .No. 19
1. Describe the journey of life as depicted in the poem ‘Life’ by Henry Van Dyke.
Title. : Life
Poet. :Henry Van Dyke
Theme. :Optimism makes the journey of life cheerful
Life is very important so take it seriously.
Henry Van Dyke (1852 – 1933) was an American author, poet, educator and clergyman; His early works, ‘The story of the other Wise Man’ and ‘The First Christians Tree’, were first read aloud to his conjugation in New York as sermons.
The poet wants to live his life looking ahead with a burning desire to accomplish something in his life. He neither wants to hurry nor wants to move away from his goal. He does not want to mourn or cry over the setbacks in the past. Also he does not worry about the future. He instead prefers to live his life with a whole and happy heart which cheerfully travels from youth to old age. Hence, it does not matter to him whether the path goes up or down the hill. That is whether the path is rough or smooth. Whatever may be the path, he believes that his journey will be cheerful. He states that he will continue to seek what he wanted as a boy – new friendship, high adventure and a crown (prize). His heart will remain courageous and pursue his desires. He hopes that every turn in his life’s journey will be the best.
C. Based on your understanding of the poem, complete the following passage by the using the phrases given in the box.
youth to old age. up or down the hill. to hurry nor move away
high adventure. joyful. mourn. looking ahead
The poet wants to live his life looking ahead, willing to do something. He neither wants to hurry or move away from his goal. He does not want to mourn the things he has lost, not hold back for fear of the future. He instead prefers to live his life with a whole and happy heart which cheerfully travels from youth to old age. Therefore, it does not matter to him whether the path goes up or down the hill, rough or smooth, the journey will be joyful. He will continue to seek what he wanted as a boy new friendship, high adventure and a crown (prize). His heart will remain courageous and pursue his desires. He hopes that every turn in his life’s journey will be the best.
GLOSSARY Page number : 18
mourning (v) –feeling or expressing great sadness
veils (v) – to hide or cover something so that you cannot see it clearly or understand it
crown (n) –a prize or position offered for being the best
quest (n) –a long search for something that is difficult to find
unreluctant* (adj.) – willing to do something (*This form is generally not used but the poet has coined it for emphasis)
0 Comments