2.5 The Silver House - Class 6 - Kumarbharati

Author: John Lea

Genre: Poem (Imaginative / Descriptive)

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Class 6

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

The poem The Silver House by John Lea is an imaginative description of the moon. The poet calls the moon a “silver house in the lovely sky” because of its shining round shape. The poem explains how it takes two weeks for the moon to become full and another two weeks for it to disappear. The poet also refers to the “man in the moon,” a figure often imagined from the marks seen on the moon’s surface. Though nobody knows his name, children are told stories about him. The poem suggests that when the moon is bright, one can peep outside to see the lonely man in his silver house. But when the moon disappears, his house is gone and he is not to be found. The poem creates wonder, magic, and curiosity about the moon while giving it a human-like quality.

Theme / Central Idea

The poem highlights the beauty and mystery of the moon. It shows how imagination makes ordinary sights magical and personifies the moon as a house with a lonely man living inside it.

Character Sketches

The Moon (Silver House)

• Compared to a silver crown, shining bright in the sky.

• Takes two weeks to grow into a full moon and two weeks to disappear.

• Represents mystery and beauty.

The Man in the Moon

• Imaginary figure believed to live in the moon.

• Described as lonely and nameless.

• Symbolises the creative imagination of people.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “Children love to peep at the silver moon.”

   Answer: The infinitive is to peep. It shows the purpose of children’s action.

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Change the voice: The poet describes the moon as a silver house.

   Answer: The moon is described as a silver house by the poet.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Use ‘might’ in a sentence related to the poem.

   Answer: The man in the moon might be just an imaginary figure. (‘Might’ shows possibility.)

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Change to future tense: The moon took two weeks to build up.

   Answer: The moon will take two weeks to build up.

   
   

5. Wh-question framing

   Make a Wh-question for the underlined part: The moon looks like a silver crown.

   Answer: What does the moon look like?

   
   

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Question: Why do you think the poet calls the moon a “silver house”?

   Answer: The poet calls the moon a “silver house” because it looks round and shining like silver. Its brightness in the sky makes it appear like a glowing home in the heavens.

   
   

2. Question: Do you believe in the “man in the moon”? Why or why not?

   Answer: The “man in the moon” is a product of imagination. I do not believe it is real, but I like the stories connected with it. They make the moon seem magical and interesting.

   
   

3. Question: How does the poem make you feel about the moon?

   Answer: The poem makes me feel curious and excited about the moon. It creates a sense of mystery and wonder. It also encourages me to look at the moon with imagination.

   
   

4. Question: What are some stories or legends about the moon in your language?Answer: In my language, there are stories of a rabbit living on the moon. Some people also imagine shapes of animals on the moon’s surface. These stories make the moon more fascinating for children.

   
   

5. Question: What other names do people use for the moon?

   Answer: People use names like Chanda Mama, Chandrayaan, and Moonlight Friend for the moon. These names show love, closeness, and admiration for the moon.

   
   

True or False (5)

1. The poet compares the moon to a silver crown. → True

2. The moon takes two months to become full. → False (It takes two weeks to build up.)

3. The poem mentions a lonely man living in the moon. → True

4. The man in the moon is described with a clear name. → False (His name is not known.)

5. The poem suggests peeping out at night to find the silver moon. → True

   
   

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. Question: How does the poet describe the moon in the poem?

   Answer: The poet describes the moon as a silver house in the sky. It is compared to a silver crown because of its round, shining appearance. The moon takes two weeks to become full and two weeks to disappear.

   
   

2. Question: Who is said to live in the silver house?

   Answer: The poem mentions a lonely man who lives in the silver house. He is called the man in the moon. No one knows his name, but he is often imagined in stories and rhymes.

   
   

3. Question: What cycle of the moon is explained in the poem?

   Answer: The poem explains the cycle of waxing and waning of the moon. It says that the moon takes two weeks to build into a full moon and two weeks to disappear, making a month-long cycle.

   
   

4. Question: Why is the man in the moon described as lonely?

   Answer: The man in the moon is described as lonely because he is imagined to live all alone in the silver house. He has no company in the vast sky. This adds mystery and sadness to his character.

   
   

5. Question: What is the significance of the window blind in the poem?

   Answer: The window blind is mentioned because children are asked to draw it and peep out at night. It suggests curiosity and excitement to see the silver moon shining in the sky.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

The poem The Silver House by John Lea is a beautiful piece of imagination. It turns the moon into a silver house, making it look magical and attractive. The description of the moon’s cycle, its comparison to a crown, and the idea of a lonely man living in it add charm to the poem. The simple rhyming words and rhythm make it easy to recite and remember. The poem is memorable because it presents the moon in a creative and human-like way. It encourages readers to imagine ordinary things in extraordinary ways. The poem teaches us that imagination brings joy and wonder to life.

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