P-4. Amanda ! — ENGLISH STD 10 — Question

Do you think the words ‘lept’ and ‘lep’ in the third stanza are spelt correctly ? Why does the poet spell them like this ?

This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story ? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.

Does this poem have a rhyme scheme ? Poetry that does not have an obvious rhythm or rhyme is called ‘free verse’.

The trees inside are moving out into
the forest, The forest that was empty all these days
Where no birds could sit
No insect hide
No sun bury its feet in shadow
The forest that was empty all these nights
will be full of trees by morning.
Questions:
What was the effect of the empty forest?
When will the forest be full of trees ?
Where are the trees moving from the house ?
 

The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example, “Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon”- the poetic device here is a simile. Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the poem ?

How does the poet describe the wild animal -bear?

How is the Bengal Tiger described in the poem?

How does the poet create humour in the poem ‘How to tell wild animals’?

Much of the humour in the poem arises from the way language is used, although the ideas are funny as well. If there are particular lines in the poem that you especially like, share these with the class, speaking briefly about what it is about the ideas or the language that you like or find funny.

Have you ever lost something you liked very much ? Write a paragraph describing how you felt then, and saying whether – and how – you got over your loss.