4.1. What is Success? - My English Coursebook - Std 9 - Marathi and Semi-English Medium - Maharashtra Board

SECTION 1 — Chapter Information / पाठ परिचय

मराठी टीप: हा पाठ MSBSHSE मार्गदर्शक तत्त्वांवर आधारित शालेय परीक्षेत येतो. यात कवीने खऱ्या यशाची अत्यंत सुंदर आणि साधी व्याख्या दिली आहे.

SECTION 2 — About the Poet / कवी परिचय

English: Ralph Waldo Emerson was a famous American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement in the 19th century. His writing focuses on individuality, nature, and personal freedom. Major works include his famous essay Nature and collections like Essays: First Series. His writing style is philosophical yet deeply practical and accessible. This poem holds immense significance because it breaks away from the materialistic idea of success (money and fame) and redefines it as human connection, empathy, kindness, and leaving a positive impact on society.

मराठी टीप: राल्फ वाल्डो इमर्सन हे १९ व्या शतकातील प्रसिद्ध अमेरिकन तत्त्वज्ञ आणि कवी होते. त्यांनी यशाची व्याख्या पैसा किंवा प्रसिद्धी न मानता, समाजाची सेवा आणि इतरांना आनंद देणे ही मानली आहे. परीक्षेत कवीविषयी माहिती लिहिताना त्यांच्या साध्या पण प्रभावी विचारसरणीचा नक्की उल्लेख करा.

Exam Tip: Poet introduction may be asked as part of Poem Appreciation (5 marks) or as a short answer (2 marks).

SECTION 3 — Full Text / पूर्ण कविता

Stanza 1

Stanza 2

Stanza 3

SECTION 4 — Stanza-wise Meaning / कडव्यांचा अर्थ

Stanza 1

English Meaning: True success begins with living joyfully and laughing frequently. A successful person earns the genuine respect of wise, intelligent people and the pure, loving affection of innocent children. They also accept constructive praise from honest critics while showing the mental strength to tolerate the pain of being cheated by fake friends.  

मराठी अर्थ: खऱ्या यशाची सुरुवात सतत आणि भरपूर हसण्याने (आनंदी राहण्याने) होते. हुशार लोकांचा आदर आणि लहान मुलांचे प्रेम मिळवणे हे यश आहे. तसेच प्रामाणिक टीकाकारांची प्रशंसा मिळवणे आणि खोट्या मित्रांनी केलेल्या विश्वासघाताचे दुःख सहन करण्याची ताकद असणे, हे देखील यशाचे लक्षण आहे.  

Exam Tip: Expect a comprehension question asking to identify the two types of people whose positive feelings a successful person wins (intelligent people and children).

Stanza 2

English Meaning: Success means having the sensitivity to admire beauty in the world and focusing on the good qualities of other people. Most importantly, it involves leaving the earth in a better state than you found it—whether by raising a healthy child, nurturing a small garden, or reforming a bad social condition.  

मराठी अर्थ: जगातील सौंदर्याचे कौतुक करता येणे आणि इतरांमधील चांगले गुण शोधता येणे म्हणजे यश. आपण हे जग सोडून जाताना ते थोडे अधिक चांगले करून जाणे—मग ते सुदृढ मूल वाढवून असो, छोटीशी बाग फुलवून असो किंवा एखादी वाईट सामाजिक परिस्थिती सुधारून असो.  

Exam Tip: Questions listing the three ways to leave the world a bit better are very frequently asked from this stanza.

Stanza 3

English Meaning: The ultimate measure of success is knowing that because of your existence, your kindness, or your help, even one single person lived a happier and less stressful life. If you have eased someone else's burden, you have truly succeeded.  

मराठी अर्थ: तुमच्या जगण्यामुळे किंवा तुमच्या मदतीमुळे जर एकाही व्यक्तीचे जीवन थोडे सोपे आणि सुखी झाले असेल, तर तुम्ही आयुष्यात खरे यशस्वी झाला आहात.  

Exam Tip: Great lines for the 'Personal Response' question on how you can help people facing difficulties.

SECTION 5 — Poetic Devices / काव्यात्मक उपकरणे

मराठी टीप: Figures of Speech हे Poem Appreciation मध्ये विचारले जातात. निदान 3 अचूक सांगणे आवश्यक आहे.

SECTION 6 — Central Theme and Values / केंद्रीय भाव आणि मूल्ये

6A. Theme Table / विषय सारणी

6B. Values / मूल्ये

• Resilience (लढाऊ वृत्ती): The persona illustrates this by enduring the hurtful betrayal of false friends without losing their goodness.  

• Positivity and Optimism (सकारात्मकता): Illustrated by actively finding the best qualities in other people rather than focusing on their flaws.  

• Compassion (करुणा): Illustrated by ensuring that one's own life helps another human being live with less pain and anxiety.  

6C. Central Message / केंद्रीय संदेश

The primary message of the poem is that genuine success is not accumulated material wealth, but living a life of purpose, spreading happiness, appreciating beauty, and positively impacting the lives of others.  

मराठी टीप: यश म्हणजे फक्त पैसा नाही, तर दुसऱ्यांना मदत करणे आणि जग थोडे सुंदर करून जाणे हा मुख्य संदेश आहे.

SECTION 7 — Poem Appreciation / कविता कौतुक

Model Poem Appreciation (5 Marks)

The poem 'What is Success?' is written by the famous American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. The title directly poses a philosophical question about the true meaning of achieving greatness in life.  

The poem is written as a single continuous reflections composed of twelve lines.  

RHYME SCHEME:

The poem is written in free verse and does not follow a fixed rhyme scheme. The lines are of unequal length and flow naturally like spoken thought.  

FIGURES OF SPEECH:

1. Repetition: The poet uses Repetition in "To laugh often... To win... To earn...". The word 'To' is repeated at the beginning of several lines to emphasize the multiple actions that define success.  

2. Alliteration: The poet uses Alliteration in "...endure the betrayal of false friends;". The consonant sound 'f' is repeated for poetic effect.  

3. Antithesis: The poet uses Antithesis in "...appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;". Contrasting ideas of honest praise and false betrayal are placed together to highlight the realities of social life.  

THEME:

The central theme of the poem is redefining success beyond wealth, fame, and power. The poet explains that true success lies in simple human virtues like laughing often, winning the love of children, appreciating beauty, finding good in others, and doing self-less deeds to make the world a better place.  

FAVOURITE LINES:

My favourite lines from the poem are:

I like these lines because they offer a very comforting and achievable goal for everyone. They teach us that we do not need to be rich or famous to be successful; simply being kind and helping one person in need makes our life meaningful.  

मराठी टीप — कविता कौतुक कसे लिहावे:

Rhyme Scheme: ही कविता 'Free Verse' (मुक्त छंद) मध्ये आहे, याला यमक जुळवणारी रचना नाही हे स्पष्ट लिहा.  

Figures of Speech: निदान 3 लिहायचे असतात — नाव + कवितेतील ओळ + त्याचा परिणाम.

Favourite Lines: २-३ ओळी लिहून त्या का आवडल्या हे स्वतःच्या शब्दांत २-३ वाक्यांत सांगा.

SECTION 8 — Extract-Based Questions / उताऱ्यावर आधारित प्रश्न

Extract 1

Q.(A)(i) State True or False: (2 Marks)

1. According to the poet, we should laugh rarely and silently. — False

     

2. A successful person wins the affection of children. — True

     

3. Honest critics always betray successful people. — False

     

4. True success involves finding the best qualities in other people. — True

     

मराठी टीप: उताऱ्यातील माहितीवरूनच उत्तर द्या. कवीने 'laugh often and much' म्हटले आहे, 'rarely' नाही.  

Q.(A)(ii) Choose the correct alternative: (2 Marks)

1. The poet wants us to earn the appreciation of ________.  

   (a) false friends

   (b) honest critics  

   (c) wealthy merchants

   (d) intelligent enemies

   Answer: (b)

2. The word 'endure' in the extract means ________.  

   (a) to enjoy greatly

   (b) to give up immediately

   (c) to tolerate or put up with  

   (d) to celebrate loudly

   Answer: (c)

Q.(B)(i) Answer in 2-3 sentences: (2 Marks)

How does a successful person deal with different types of people in society according to the first extract?

Answer: According to the poet, a successful person wins the genuine respect of intelligent people and the pure affection of innocent children. Furthermore, they gracefully accept the appreciation of honest critics while possessing the emotional strength to tolerate the betrayal of false friends.  

मराठी टीप: हुशार लोक, लहान मुले, प्रामाणिक टीकाकार आणि खोटे मित्र यांच्यासोबत यशस्वी माणूस कसा वागतो, हे इंग्रजीत अचूक मांडा.  

Q.(B)(ii) Answer in 3-4 sentences (Personal Response): (2 Marks)

Why is it important to 'find the best in others' in our daily life?

Answer: Finding the best in others is essential because nobody is perfect, and every individual possesses unique positive qualities. When we focus on people's virtues instead of their flaws, we build strong, loving, and trustworthy relationships. This positive habit eliminates jealousy and hatred, creating a peaceful and encouraging environment for everyone to grow.  

मराठी टीप: इतरांमधील चांगले गुण शोधल्याने नातेसंबंध कसे घट्ट होतात आणि समाजात सकारात्मकता कशी वाढते, हे स्वतःच्या शब्दांत लिहा.

Extract 2

Q.(A)(i) State True or False: (2 Marks)

1. We can make the world better by nurturing a garden patch. — True

     

2. Leaving the world a bit better is impossible for ordinary people. — False

     

3. Redeeming a social condition is a sign of success. — True

     

4. You need to help millions of people to be considered successful. — False

     

मराठी टीप: कवीच्या मते एकाही व्यक्तीचे ('even one life') जीवन सुकर करणे हे यश आहे, लाखो लोकांची मदत करणे बंधनकारक नाही.  

Q.(A)(ii) Choose the correct alternative: (2 Marks)

1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a way to leave the world better?  

   (a) A healthy child  

   (b) A garden patch  

   (c) A huge bank balance

   (d) A redeemed social condition  

   Answer: (c)

   
   

2. The word 'redeemed' in the poem implies ________.  

   (a) made worse

   (b) made better or reformed  

   (c) purchased with money

   (d) forgotten completely

   Answer: (b)

Q.(B)(i) Answer in 2-3 sentences: (2 Marks)

What are the three specific ways mentioned by the poet to leave the world a bit better?

Answer: The poet suggests three simple yet powerful ways to leave the earth in a better state than we found it. One can achieve this by raising a healthy and noble child, cultivating a green garden patch, or reforming a flawed and unjust social condition.  

मराठी टीप: उत्तरामध्ये 'healthy child', 'garden patch' आणि 'redeemed social condition' हे तीन शब्द आलेच पाहिजेत.  

Q.(B)(ii) Answer in 3-4 sentences (Personal Response): (2 Marks)

What small action can you take as a student to make your surroundings a bit better?

Answer: As a student, I can contribute to making my surroundings better by planting and nurturing saplings in my school or neighborhood to create a small garden patch. Additionally, I can help a academically struggling classmate understand difficult lessons so they feel less stressed. Maintaining cleanliness and spreading kindness in my daily interactions are small steps that can make someone breathe easier.  

मराठी टीप: विद्यार्थी म्हणून तुम्ही झाडे लावणे, मित्रांना अभ्यासात मदत करणे किंवा परिसर स्वच्छ ठेवणे यांसारख्या काय कृती करू शकता, हे इंग्रजीत लिहा.

SECTION 9 — Short Answer Questions / लघु उत्तरे

(2-3 marks · 3-5 sentences)

Q1. What does the poet mean by enduring the betrayal of false friends?

Answer: In life, we often encounter fake or insincere friends who might break our trust or deceive us for their own benefit. The poet explains that a truly successful person possesses the emotional resilience and patience to tolerate this painful betrayal. Instead of seeking revenge or becoming bitter, they endure the hurt gracefully and continue living with positive personal values.  

मराठी टीप: खोट्या मित्रांनी केलेल्या विश्वासघाताचे दुःख सहन करूनही स्वतःची चांगुलपणाची वृत्ती न सोडणे, हा या ओळीचा अर्थ आहे.  

Q2. How does the poet connect appreciating nature to being successful?

Answer: The poet lists "to appreciate beauty" and planting "a garden patch" as vital components of a successful life. In modern times, people are often too busy chasing money to notice the natural wonders around them. By appreciating physical beauty and nurturing a garden, a person shows mindfulness, environmental sensitivity, and a desire to add living beauty to the earth.  

मराठी टीप: निसर्गाचे सौंदर्य पाहणे आणि छोटी बाग फुलवणे यातून माणसाची संवेदनशीलता दिसून येते, जे खऱ्या यशाचे लक्षण आहे.  

Q3. Identify and explain any one figure of speech from the line: "To earn the appreciation of honest critics".

Answer: The figure of speech used in this exact line is Anaphora (or Repetition) due to the opening word "To". However, looking at the conceptual structure of the stanza, it sets up an Antithesis when paired with the next line about false friends. The poet intentionally places 'honest critics' (who offer tough but genuine praise) against 'false friends' (who offer fake love) to highlight life's emotional contrasts.  

मराठी टीप: या ओळीत 'honest critics' (प्रामाणिक टीकाकार) आणि 'false friends' (खोटे मित्र) असा परस्परविरोधी भाव दर्शवणारा विरोधाभास (Antithesis) स्पष्ट करा.  

Q4. Do you agree with Emerson's definition of success? Justify your response.

Answer: Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson's definition of success because it is deeply humane, timeless, and achievable for everyone. Materialistic wealth and power are temporary and often bring immense stress and greed. Conversely, Emerson's focus on frequent laughter, earning children's affection, appreciating beauty, and helping even one person breathe easier creates lasting inner peace and a compassionate society.  

मराठी टीप: कवीची व्याख्या का योग्य आहे हे पटवून द्या. पैसा हा तात्पुरता असतो, पण परोपकार आणि आत्मिक समाधान हे खरे आणि टिकणारे यश आहे.  

SECTION 10 — Long Answer Questions / दीर्घ उत्तरे

(4-5 marks · 8-10 sentences)

Q1. Summarize the poem 'What is Success?' in your own words highlighting the core philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Answer: In the inspirational poem 'What is Success?', famous American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson completely redefines the concept of achieving greatness. He shifts our traditional focus away from accumulating vast financial wealth, gaining social power, or becoming famous. According to him, the foundation of true success lies in personal joy, which begins with laughing often and living happily. He emphasizes building pure human relationships by earning the genuine respect of intelligent minds and the loving affection of innocent children.  

Emerson acknowledges that life brings emotional hardships. Therefore, he states that a successful person must possess the maturity to accept constructive praise from honest critics while bravely enduring the heartbreaking betrayal of fake friends. Furthermore, true greatness requires inner beauty—the ability to admire the physical wonders of the world and consistently find the best qualities in other people.  

Finally, the poet outlines our duty toward humanity and the planet. He argues that we must leave the earth a little better than we found it, whether by raising a healthy child, growing a green garden patch, or reforming a flawed social condition. The ultimate test of success is knowing that because of your compassionate existence, even one single human being lived an easier and happier life.  

मराठी टीप (दीर्घ उत्तर कसे रचावे):

1. सुरुवात: इमर्सन यांनी यशाची पारंपारिक भौतिक व्याख्या बदलून मानवतावादी व्याख्या मांडली आहे.  

2. मुख्य मुद्दे:

   • आनंदी राहणे आणि भरपूर हसणे.  

   • हुशार लोकांचा आदर आणि लहान मुलांचे प्रेम मिळवणे.  

   • प्रामाणिक टीकाकारांची दाद आणि खोट्या मित्रांचा विश्वासघात पचवणे.  

   • सौंदर्य जाणणे आणि इतरांमधील चांगले गुण शोधणे.  

   • सुदृढ मूल, बाग किंवा समाज सुधारणेच्या माध्यमातून जग थोडे चांगले करणे.  

3. शेवट: एकाही व्यक्तीचे जीवन सोपे करणे हेच अंतिम यश आहे.  

Q2. "The ultimate measure of success is the positive impact we leave on others." Discuss this statement with reference to the poem.

Answer: The statement beautifully captures the central soul of Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem 'What is Success?'. Often, society incorrectly judges a person's triumph by viewing their bank balance, expensive cars, or high corporate rank. However, the poem deeply argues that self-centered achievements hold zero spiritual value if they do not positively touch the lives of fellow human beings. True success is inherently altruistic and rooted in empathy.  

Emerson illustrates this by urging us to actively seek human connection. When a person wins the respect of intelligent individuals and the pure affection of innocent children, it proves that their character is noble, loving, and trustworthy. Moreover, by advising us to "find the best in others," the poet encourages us to radiate positivity, helping those around us feel valued and confident rather than judged.  

The concluding lines of the poem provide the strongest justification for this philosophy. The poet declares that leaving the world a bit better—through raising healthy children, environmental greening, or social reform—is mandatory for greatness. He confirms that if your existence has helped even one single life "breathe easier," easing their daily pain or anxiety, you have successfully fulfilled the purpose of human life. Thus, our true legacy is solely defined by the love and comfort we leave behind in the hearts of others.  

मराठी टीप (दीर्घ उत्तर मार्गदर्शन):

1. सुरुवात: यशाचे खरे मोजमाप आपल्या संपत्तीवरून नाही, तर आपल्यामुळे इतरांच्या आयुष्यात झालेल्या सकारात्मक बदलावरून होते.  

2. मुख्य स्पष्टीकरण:

   • हुशार लोक आणि लहान मुले यांच्या प्रेमातून आपले चारित्र्य सिद्ध होते.  

   • इतरांमधील चांगले गुण शोधल्याने त्यांना प्रोत्साहन मिळते.  

   • बाग फुलवणे किंवा समाज सुधारणे यातून आपली सामाजिक बांधिलकी दिसते.  

   • आपल्या जगण्यामुळे जर कोणाचा त्रास कमी झाला असेल ('breathe easier'), तरच आपले जगणे सार्थ ठरते.  

3. शेवट: आपण जगाला काय दिले, यावरच आपले यश अवलंबून असते.

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