1.1. Life - Std 9 - Kumarbharati

Poet: Charlotte Brontë

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Std X

Genre: Inspirational / Reflective Poem

English Summary

The poem "Life" by Charlotte Brontë encourages readers to adopt a positive outlook toward life. She rejects the pessimistic idea that life is full of sorrow and suffering. Instead, she compares life’s troubles to passing clouds or morning showers that help flowers bloom, suggesting that hardships are temporary and bring growth. She urges us to enjoy life’s joyful moments with gratitude. Even when sorrow or death strikes, hope rises again like a phoenix with golden wings. The poet advises facing life’s trials with courage and fearlessness, as bravery can overcome despair. Ultimately, the poem delivers a powerful message of resilience, optimism, and the enduring strength of hope.

Theme / Central Idea

The poem conveys that life is not as sorrowful as it may seem. Difficulties are temporary, and with courage and hope, one can overcome despair and live joyfully.

Word Meanings

1. Sages – Wise people

2. Foretell – Predict

3. Lament – To grieve or express sorrow

4. Transient – Temporary; not lasting

5. Flit – Move quickly or lightly

6. Buoyant – Able to stay positive or rise

7. Quell – Suppress or defeat

8. Sway – Influence or control

9. Elastic – Flexible and able to spring back

10. Gloriously – With grandeur or joy

11. Victoriously – In a winning or successful way

12. Manfully – Bravely and strongly

    
    

Figures of Speech (with examples)

1. “Life, believe, is not a dream, So dark as sages say”

   • Figure: Antithesis

   • Explanation: Two opposite ideas – life vs. dream – are contrasted.

     
     

2. “If the shower will make the roses bloom, Oh, why lament its fall?”

   • Figure: Metaphor

   • Explanation: Rain symbolizes problems; rose bloom symbolizes growth.

     
     

3. “Hope again elastic springs”

   • Figure: Personification

   • Explanation: Hope is given human qualities of springing back.

     
     

4. “Still buoyant are her golden wings”

   • Figure: Metaphor

   • Explanation: Hope is compared to a flying creature with golden wings.

     
     

5. “Life’s sunny hours flit by”

   • Figure: Personification

   • Explanation: Life’s happy moments are described as flying.

Two-Mark Questions (with Answers)

1. Explain: "If the shower will make the roses bloom, Oh, why lament its fall?"

   • The poet asks why we should feel sad about troubles if they help us grow. Difficult times are like rain that helps flowers bloom.

     
     

2. What does the line "Still buoyant are her golden wings" suggest about hope?

   • It shows that hope is always strong and uplifting. Even after falling, it rises again with energy and positivity.

     
     

3. What is the poet’s attitude toward life’s sorrowful moments?

   • The poet accepts sorrow but sees it as temporary. She believes that courage and hope help us overcome pain.

     
     

4. What do the words "gratefully, cheerily" suggest about the poet’s tone?

   • They reflect a joyful and thankful tone, urging us to enjoy happy times in life.

     
     

5. Which figure of speech is used in the line "Hope again elastic springs" and what does it mean?

   • Personification. Hope is described as something that can bounce back, showing its resilience.

True or False (Answer in One Word)

1. Life is full of unending sorrow and pain.

   → False

   
   

2. The poet believes that sorrow always defeats hope.

   → False

   
   

3. The poem encourages courage and optimism in the face of difficulty.

   → True

   
   

Probable Board Questions (Based on Trends)

1. Explain: “What though Sorrow seems to win, O’er hope a heavy sway?”

   • Even when sorrow appears powerful, it cannot suppress hope permanently. Hope eventually returns with strength.

     
     

2. Interpret the metaphor in the line “Life’s sunny hours flit by.”

   • Sunny hours refer to joyful moments in life, and they pass quickly like flying birds or time.

     
     

3. What is the poet’s message in the poem ‘Life’?

   • The poet conveys that life has both joys and sorrows, but with courage and hope, one can live meaningfully and happily.

     
     

4. Why does the poet use the metaphor of roses blooming after rain?

   • To show that hardships (rain) lead to growth and beauty (roses), so they should be accepted positively.

   
   

Poem Appreciation (Paragraph Format)

The poem “Life” by Charlotte Brontë presents an inspiring and hopeful view of life. The theme of the poem is that sorrow and trouble are temporary, and we should live with courage and joy. The language is simple yet poetic, with a calm and uplifting tone. The poet uses effective poetic devices like metaphor, personification, and antithesis to convey deep emotions. Hope is beautifully portrayed as having golden wings, always ready to lift us up. The message is both emotional and motivational — no matter what happens, life is worth living with gratitude and strength. I especially liked how the poem compares sorrow to passing rain that leads to blooming roses. It gave me a positive way to think about problems in life.

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