3.1 Silver - Std 9 - Kumarbharati
- BhashaLab
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago

Poet: Walter de la Mare
Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Std X
Genre: Reflective / Descriptive / Imagery-based Lyric
English Summary
The poem Silver describes a calm, magical moonlit night where the moon moves silently, casting her silver light on everything. The poet personifies the moon, saying she “walks the night in her silver shoon” and watches the countryside. Trees, fruits, thatched roofs, a sleeping dog, resting doves, a small harvest mouse, and still fish in a stream all appear silver under her glow. Every detail is painted in a serene, dreamlike manner. The poet’s imagery brings the night alive with gentle light and peaceful stillness, making ordinary sights look extraordinary. The tone is quiet, reflective, and filled with wonder for nature’s beauty in the moonlight.
Theme / Central Idea
The poem highlights the magical transformation of nature under the moonlight. It shows how peaceful and beautiful the world becomes when bathed in silver light, encouraging the reader to appreciate quiet moments in nature.
Word Meanings
Shoon – Shoes (old English)
Casements – Windows
Silvery thatch – Straw roof glowing in moonlight
Kennel – Dog’s shelter
Cote – Small shelter for birds
Moveless – Still, without movement
Gleam – Shine softly
Scampering – Running quickly with small steps
Reeds – Tall grass-like plants near water
Beam – A ray of light
Figures of Speech
"Walks the night in her silver shoon"
– Personification
– The moon is given human qualities of walking and wearing shoes.
"Silver fruit upon silver trees"
– Repetition
– The word ‘silver’ is repeated for emphasis and rhythm.
"With paws of silver sleeps the dog"
– Imagery
– Creates a vivid picture of moonlight making the dog’s paws appear silver.
"Moveless fish in the water gleam"
– Alliteration
– The ‘m’ sound in “moveless” and “moonlight” gives a musical effect.
"By silver reeds in a silver stream"
– Repetition
– Repeated use of ‘silver’ to highlight the scene’s beauty.
Two-Mark Questions
Explain the line "Walks the night in her silver shoon".
The poet personifies the moon, imagining her walking through the night as if wearing silver shoes. This image conveys quiet movement and beauty. It also sets the calm, magical tone for the rest of the poem.
What is the tone of the poem ‘Silver’?
The tone of the poem is calm, peaceful, and reflective. The poet describes the countryside at night in a way that inspires admiration for nature’s beauty. The slow pace and repetition of ‘silver’ enhance this soothing tone.
What is the poet’s view of the countryside at night?
The poet sees the countryside at night as serene and magical. The moonlight transforms ordinary scenes into enchanting silver visions. This view reflects deep appreciation for the quiet beauty of nature.
What does the word ‘casements’ mean in the poem?
The word ‘casements’ means windows. In the poem, the windows reflect the moon’s silver beams under the thatched roof. This adds to the glowing imagery of the scene.
Identify and explain one poetic device from the line "With paws of silver sleeps the dog".
The poetic device is imagery. It creates a clear mental picture of moonlight falling on the dog’s paws, making them appear silver. This enhances the magical atmosphere of the scene.
True or False
The moon in the poem is described as walking silently.
– True
The harvest mouse is sleeping in the poem.
– False
The doves are described as having silver feathers.
– True
Probable Board Questions
Explain the line "Silver fruit upon silver trees".
The poet describes how moonlight covers the fruits and trees, making them appear silver in colour. This transformation gives a magical quality to the ordinary orchard scene. The repeated use of the word ‘silver’ emphasises the dominance of moonlight. The image helps readers visualise a calm, glowing countryside.
What does the silver light symbolise in the poem?
The silver light symbolises peace, beauty, and transformation. It changes everyday things into something enchanting. Through this light, the poet conveys nature’s ability to inspire wonder. The imagery also suggests stillness and purity.
What is the poet’s intention in writing this poem?
The poet’s intention is to make readers slow down and notice the beauty of nature at night. By showing how moonlight changes everything, he encourages a deeper appreciation for simple scenes. The poem creates a mood of stillness, peace, and quiet reflection. It also highlights the magical effect of natural light.
Explain the image created by the line "Moveless fish in the water gleam".
The poet paints a picture of fish that are completely still under the water. The moonlight reflects off their bodies, making them shine like silver. The stillness of the fish adds to the calmness of the scene. This image reinforces the peaceful and motionless atmosphere of the moonlit night.
Poem Appreciation
The poem Silver by Walter de la Mare beautifully captures the stillness and beauty of a moonlit night. The theme focuses on how nature is transformed by the moon’s silver light. The language is simple but rich in imagery, making the scenes easy to picture. The tone is calm, reflective, and filled with admiration for nature. Poetic devices like personification, repetition, imagery, and alliteration are effectively used to bring the descriptions alive. The repetition of ‘silver’ throughout the poem creates unity and rhythm. The poem appeals to the senses and imagination. The most striking feature is how ordinary things appear magical in the moonlight.
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