A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal (Poem)
Complete Notes and Solved Textual Exercises
Glossary
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Glossary
|
Sl. No. |
Word / phrase |
Meaning in English |
Meaning in Telugu |
|
1 |
Shrine
(n) |
A place of worship |
దేవుని పూజించు స్తానం |
|
2 |
Nephew
/ˈnef.juː//ˈnev.juː/ |
Sister’s son |
మేనల్లుడు |
|
3 |
Saffron-clad
Westerners (phr) |
Foreigners dressed as sadhus |
కాషాయ వస్త్రాలు ధరించన
విదేశీయులు |
|
4 |
Sacred
(adj) |
Holy |
పవిత్రమైన |
|
5 |
Proclaim
(v) |
Announce publicly or officially |
ప్రకటించుట |
|
6 |
Febrile
confusion (phr) |
Hurried
activity/ complete
chaos |
గందరగోళం |
|
7 |
Bathe
/beɪð/(v) Bathe-bathed-bathed |
Take a dip/swim |
|
|
8 |
Protrudes
(v) |
Extend beyond or above a surface |
ముందుకు చొచ్చుకొని వచ్చిన |
|
9 |
Immense
(adj) |
Extremely large or great |
గొప్ప / పెద్ద |
|
10 |
Dome
(n) |
a rounded vault forming the roof of a building or
structure, typically with a circular base. |
|
|
11 |
Ringed
(v) |
marked with or encircled by a ring or rings. |
వలయాకారంలో |
|
12 |
Flower-adorned |
Decorated with flowers |
పూలతో అలంకరించిన |
|
13 |
Deity-deities
(n) /ˈdeɪtɪ/ |
A god or goddess |
దేవతలు |
|
14 |
Hawkers
(n) |
A person who tries to sell things by calling at
people's homes or standing in the street |
తిరుగుతూ అమ్మేవారూ |
|
15 |
Antiques
(n) |
a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative
object made at an earlier or ancient period. |
పురాతన వస్తువులు |
|
16 |
Blare
out (phr v) |
To make a loud sound |
పెద్ద శబ్ధం చేయుట |
|
17 |
Vendors
(n) |
Sellers |
అమ్మువారు |
|
18 |
Wares
(n) |
Goods |
అమ్మే సామానులు |
|
19 |
Nauseating
(adj) |
Sickening (stomach) |
చీదరగావుండె |
|
20 |
Bansuri
(n) |
Flute |
వేణువు |
|
21 |
Quills
of a porcupine |
The long sharp points on the body of a porcupine |
ముల్ల పంది |
|
22 |
Tear
oneself away (phr v) |
to leave somewhere even though you would prefer to stay
there |
ఆ ప్రదేశం వదిలి వెళ్ళి పోవుట |
Thinking
about the Text
I.
Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases. (pg.no.103)
1.
Name the two temples the author
visited in Kathmandu.
The
author visited Pashupatinath and Baudhnath stupa in Kathmandu.
2.
The writer says, “All this I wash down
with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this’ refer to?
'All
this' refers to the marzipan, roasted corn, comics, and drinks the author
bought.
3.
What does Vikram Seth compare to the
quills of a porcupine?
Vikram
Seth compares the bansuris (flutes) to the quills of a porcupine.
4.
Name five kinds of flutes.
Five kinds of
flutes are neh (reed flute), recorder, shakuhachi (Japanese flute), bansuri
(Hindustani classical flute), and Chinese flute.
II. Answer each question in a short paragraph. (pg.no.103)
1. What difference does the author note
between the flute seller and the other hawkers?
The author notes that the flute seller is different because he does not shout or push to sell his flutes. He quietly plays his flute, and sometimes he sells one, but he doesn’t seem to care much about selling. Other hawkers shout to attract people, but the flute seller is calm and plays his music peacefully.
2.
What is the belief at Pashupatinath
about the end of Kaliyug?
People believe that when a small shrine, which is partly in the river, fully comes out of the water, the goddess inside will be free, and the bad time of Kaliyug will end. This will bring peace and happiness to the world.
3. The author has drawn powerful images and pictures. Pick out three examples each of:
- People pushing each other to get the priest’s attention.
- A princess arrives, and everyone moves out of her way.
- Westerners dressed in saffron clothes trying to enter the temple.
- A dead body being cremated on the riverbank.
- A small shrine partly coming out of the river.
- Noisy traffic and loud hawkers.
- Film songs playing on radios.
- Bicycle bells and cows making sounds.
III. Answer the following questions in not more than 100–150 words each. (pg.no.103)
1.
Compare and contrast the atmosphere in
and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.
Baudhnath is quiet and peaceful. There are small shops around it, but there are no big crowds, and it feels calm. On the other hand, Pashupatinath is full of noise and people. There are many worshippers, animals, and vendors, making it busy and crowded. Pashupatinath feels chaotic and full of action, while Baudhnath is calm and still.
2.
How does the author describe
Kathmandu’s busiest streets?
The author says the streets in Kathmandu are full of life. There are shrines, fruit sellers, postcard sellers, and shops that sell all kinds of things. The streets are noisy with songs from radios, honking cars, ringing bicycle bells, and vendors shouting. Stray cows wander around, adding to the busy and colorful scene of the city.
3.
“To hear any flute is to be drawn into
the commonality of all mankind.” Why does the author say this?
The author says
this because he feels that flutes are a part of every culture in the world. No
matter where people come from, they have flutes in their music. The sound of a
flute is like a human voice and can make anyone feel connected to others. For
the author, the flute's music reminds him that all people are connected through
shared feelings and experiences.
Thinking about the Language
Match
the phrasal verbs in Column A with their meanings in Column B: (pg.no.104)
Answer:
|
i)
Break out |
[d] |
a)
To come apart due to force |
|
ii)
Break off |
[a] |
b)
End a relationship |
|
iii)
Break down |
[f] |
c)
Break and enter illegally; unlawful
trespassing |
|
iv)
Break away (from someone) |
[e] |
d)
Of start suddenly, (usually a fight,
a war or a disease) |
|
v)
Break up |
[b] |
e)
To escape from someone’s grip |
|
vi)
Break into |
[c] |
f)
Stop working |
II.
1. Use the suffixes ‘-ion’ or ‘-tion’ to form
nouns from the following verbs. Make the necessary changes in the spellings of
the words. (pg.no.104)
Example: proclaim – proclamation
Answer:
|
Cremate
|
-Cremation |
Act |
-Action |
|
Exhaust |
-Exhaustion |
Invent |
-Invention |
|
Tempt |
-Temptation |
Immigrate |
-Immigration |
|
Direct |
-Direction |
Meditate |
-Meditation |
|
Imagine |
-Imagination |
Dislocate |
-Dislocation |
|
Associate |
-Association |
Dedicate |
-Dedication
|
2. Now fill in the blanks
with suitable words from the ones that you have formed.
III. Punctuation
Use
capital letters, full stops, question marks, commas and inverted commas
wherever necessary in the following paragraph.
Answer:
An arrogant lion was wandering through the jungle one day. He
asked the tiger, "Who is stronger than you?"
"Who is more fierce than a leopard?" asked the lion.
"You, sir," replied the leopard.
He marched up to an elephant and asked the same question. The
elephant picked him up in his trunk, swung him in the air, and threw him down. "Look," said the lion, "there
is no need to get mad just because you don’t know the answer!"
IV. Simple present Tense (pg.no.105)
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
(i) The heart is a pump that sends (send) the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action takes (take) place when the left ventricle of the heart (contract). This forces (force) the blood out into the arteries, which expand (expand) to receive the oncoming blood.
(ii) The African lungfish can live without water for up to four years. During a drought it digs (dig) a pit and encloses (enclose) itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule dries (dry) and hardens (harden), but when rain comes (come), the mud dissolves (dissolve) and the lungfish swims (swim) away.
(iii)
MAHESH : We have to
organise a class party for our teacher.
Does (do)
anyone play an instrument?
VIPUL : Rohit plays (play)
the flute.
MAHESH : Does (Do) he also act?
VIPUL : No, he composes (compose)
music.
MAHESH : That’s wonderful!
Speaking: (pg.no.106)
Answer:
1. The shrine I have visited
I
visited a famous temple called the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is a very
beautiful place, and its walls are covered in gold. People from all over come
to pray there. There is a big lake around the temple where fish swim, and the
whole place feels peaceful. The temple also has a community kitchen where free
food is given to everyone who visits. I felt very calm and happy when I visited
the Golden Temple.
Answer:
2. Eyewitness account or commentary:
(i) Football Game
Commentary:
The
game starts with Jack passing the ball to Liam. Liam runs quickly, dribbling
past two players. He looks for a teammate and kicks the ball towards Ben. Ben
tries to control it, but Sam gets in the way and steals the ball. Now Sam is
running towards the goal, and everyone is cheering. He shoots, but the
goalkeeper makes a fantastic save!
(ii) Republic Day
Parade Commentary:
The
Republic Day Parade begins with the soldiers marching down the street. They are
wearing their colourful uniforms and carrying the national flag. The band is
playing patriotic music and the crowd is clapping. Now, we see the exhibits
from different states, showing the culture and traditions of India. People are
waving, and the parade continues with a display of bravery and strength from
the armed forces.
Writing:
(pg.no.106)
Diary
Entry for a travelogue:
Answer:
I.
Travelogue - Visit to Pashupatinath Temple (Point Form):
·
Arrival at Pashupatinath Temple:
o See
a big temple with many people around.
o There
are priests, tourists, and animals like cows and monkeys moving about.
·
Inside the temple:
o People
are offering flowers and prayers.
o Some
people are pushing to get closer to the priest.
o A
princess arrives, and everyone bows and clears the way.
·
What I do:
o Offer
flowers and join the crowd to see the priest.
o Watch
the rituals being performed inside the temple.
·
Outside the temple:
o See
monkeys fighting and running around.
o A
dead body is being cremated by the river.
o Many
people, cows, and even some street vendors selling things.
·
Impression of the place:
o The
temple is very busy and crowded.
o It
feels spiritual but also a bit chaotic with so many things happening at once.
II.
Travelogue - Visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal:
On a cold January morning in 2003, I woke up before dawn to
catch the Shatabdi Express from Delhi at 6:15 a.m. On the train, I met a
friendly newly married couple, and we spent the journey talking about their
trip to Himachal Pradesh. Soon, the train arrived in Agra, and I stepped into
the once-grand city. The streets were narrow and twisted, filled with heavy
traffic, rickshaws, cars, and people walking around. Everywhere I looked, there
were vendors selling religious items, colourful plastic toys, spices, and
delicious sweets.
Finally, I reached the Taj Mahal, the famous monument made
entirely of white marble. It looked magical, especially as the light changed
and the colour of the marble shifted with the shadows. The marble had gemstones
embedded inside, making it sparkle in the sun. The reflection of the Taj Mahal
in the nearby pond was breathtaking. I saw many schoolchildren and tourists
wandering around, and some tourist guides were busy offering tours to the
visitors. The Taj Mahal truly felt like a wonder of the world!
|
A
Slumber Did My Spirit Seal (poem)
|
1.
“A slumber did my spirit seal,” says the poet. That is, a deep sleep
‘closed off’ his soul (or mind). How does the poet react to his loved one’s
death? Does he feel bitter grief? Or does he feel a great peace?
The poet reacts to his loved one’s death with
a feeling of peace. He does not feel bitter grief or sadness. It seems like he
has accepted her death calmly, like she is resting peacefully.
2.
The passing of time will no longer affect her, says the poet. Which
lines of the poem say this?
The lines that show time will no longer affect her are:
"She seemed a thing that could not feel the touch of earthly
years."
3.
How does the poet imagine her to be, after death? Does he think of her
as a person living in a very happy state (a ‘heaven’)? Or does he see her now
as a part of nature? In which lines of the poem do you find your answer?
The poet imagines her as a part of nature
after death, not in a happy place like heaven. He sees her with the rocks,
stones, and trees. The lines that show this are:
"Rolled round in earth’s diurnal course with rocks and stones and
trees."
******** End of Unit-8********
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