Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
‘Tell me not in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.’
(A Psalm of Life – H. W. Longfellow)
(i) Explain- ‘Tell me not in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream!’
What should not be considered the goal of life?
(ii) What is the beating of the heart compared to? How is the heart described? What does the beating of the heart remind us of?
(iii) What does the poet mean when he compares the world to a battle field? What should our role be in this battle?
(iv) How should we view the past and the future? What advice does the poet give in this context?
(v) What do we learn from the lives of great men? What is the final message of the poem? Give one reason why the poem appeals to you.
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(i)
- The poet doesn’t wish to be told in sad [sorrowful]verses (songs,tones,tunes) / that life is meaningless (an illusion/unreal / false promise/insignificant, worthless)
- The grave is not the goal/ we are not on earth just to keep an appointment with death [to die] /not enjoyment/not sorrow/real and earnest.
(ii)
- The beating of the heart is compared to the sound of muffled drums / drums whose sounds have been softened./funeral march
- Stout/brave/strong / bold / unafraid of harm and danger.
- The heart seems to be beating a funeral march / to the grave[death]/ the beating of the heart is like a dirge / funeral song reminding us that we are marching to the grave [fast approaching death]/time on earth is limited/we should not lose courage/ continue to work to achieve our goals.
(iii)
- Life is full of struggles/ we have to fight battles/ face difficulties/fight with troubles to overcome them. /we are like soldiers / life is like a bivouac [army encampment, tents for troops]/we have to fight for survival.
- We should not be like dumb, driven cattle (submissive; timid; meek; spiritless like cattle / people that go by blind faith and not by reason.)
- We should strive to be heroes / great men.
(iv)
- Let the dead past bury its dead (the sorrows of the past should be forgotten)/ one should not worry about the past / forget the past.
- Trust no future (not to rely on the future)/ future is uncertain[unpredictable] / Our dreams may not materialize.
- We must act in the present/ live in the present/ heart within (act with courage)/ and trust in God / trust in one’s own heart / have faith in one’s own abilities.
(v)
- We must learn how to make our lives sublime (noble/great) / leave footprints on the sands of time (leave behind achievements, noble deeds which will show the way to others) /set examples for others to follow.
- We should not be idle/ be active/ be prepared for success or failure (any fate)/aim to achieve / pursue goals [still achieving, still pursuing]/ learn to labour/ and wait or have patience. [wait patiently for the reward]