Major-2[ proficiency in English literature]
Name of college :- Maharani shree Nandkunverba mahila arts and commerce college
Name :- jadeja Dhruviba Parikshitsinh
Year :- F.Y.B.A
Sem :- 1st sem
Subject :- English
Paper Name :- Major-2 [ Proficiency in English literature ]
Date :-
Professer Name :-Shivangi Ma'am
Home assignment:-
Unit 2: understanding literature through verse(poem)
Poem-1:
ode to nightingale
Summary:
The poem, written in May 1819, is an eight-stanza, ten-line per stanza work considered a masterpiece of English literature.
Its main themes are mortality, transience, and the power of art to transcend these limitations, with the Nightingale's song symbolizing immortal beauty beyond physical constraints.
The speaker desires to escape the pain of reality into the imaginative world, transported by the Nightingale's song, which is described as a "pouring forth" of joy and happiness.
In the second stanza the Nightingale is imagined as a symbol of a world free from the limitations of time and space.
The nightingale is seen as "immortal" and "happy," representing a beauty not bound by mortality. The speaker desires to be part of this world of eternal beauty.
In the third stanza of the poem,The speaker acknowledges his own mortality and the limitations of time and space, contrasting himself with the nightingale. He recognizes he cannot fully escape these limitations.
In the fourth stanza of the poem,The speaker expresses a desire to escape reality and join the eternal beauty represented by the nightingale, imagining himself in a state of "drowsy numbness" to achieve this.
In the fifth stanza of the poem,The speaker questions the reality of the nightingale's world, wondering if it's real or imagined, and ultimately realizes the inescapability of his own mortality.
In the sixth stanza of the poem,The speaker acknowledges the impermanence of the nightingale's song and its world, recognizing that it cannot offer a permanent escape from reality, describing the song as a "fading coal."
In the last stanza of the poem,The speaker reflects on the enduring power of art to create lasting moments of beauty, joy, and comfort, transcending the limitations of mortality
Analysis:
Jhon Keats wrote Ode to a Nightingale to show the difference between human life and the beauty of nature. When he hears the sweet song of the nightingale, he feels happy but also sad. He is happy because the bird’s song is full of beauty and peace, but he is sad because human life is full of pain, sickness, old age, and finally death. The nightingale’s song seems eternal, as if it never dies, while humans have a short life. For this reason, Keats wishes to escape from the sufferings of the real world and fly into the world of imagination with the bird’s song.
At first, he thinks about escaping with wine or drink, but later he realizes that poetry and imagination are the true ways to rise above human problems. Through the bird’s song, he feels that he has entered a magical world where there is no pain or death. But this dream cannot last forever. Slowly, he comes back to reality and feels the difference between the temporary human life and the timeless beauty of the bird’s song.
In short, the nightingale becomes a symbol of immortality and eternal beauty, while the poet represents human weakness and mortality. Keats shows that even if human life is short and painful, art and beauty can live forever. This is why the song of the nightingale is the same for all generations, from the past to the present.
Conclusion:
In “Ode to a Nightingale,” John Keats compares human suffering and mortality with the eternal beauty of nature. The nightingale’s song gives the poet imagination and temporary joy, helping him escape the sorrows of real life. The poem highlights the importance of nature’s beauty, human emotions, and the power of imagination. It is a perfect example of Romantic literature where feelings, nature, and human thoughts beautifully come together
Class assignment:-
Unit 1: understanding literature through verse [poem]
Poem-4
I wandered lonely as a cloud/daffodils
Themes:-
1. Nature’s Beauty and Healing Power:
Wordsworth’s poem I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud beautifully shows how nature can heal and inspire human emotions. The poet describes a field full of golden daffodils swaying in the breeze, and their lively, joyful movement brings peace and happiness to his mind. Nature, in its simple beauty, acts like a medicine for loneliness and sadness, filling the heart with positivity and calmness.
2. Solitude and Imagination:
At the beginning, the poet feels lonely and isolated, wandering like a cloud. However, when he encounters the daffodils, his imagination turns the lonely moment into a joyful one. The sight of the flowers stimulates his mind, showing how imagination can transform feelings of solitude into happiness.
3. Memory and Joy:
The poem highlights the importance of memories in bringing joy. Even after leaving the scene, the poet recalls the vision of the daffodils, and this memory instantly fills him with delight. Wordsworth suggests that beautiful experiences of nature can remain in the mind and continue to bring happiness long after the moment has passed.
4.Power of Art and Creativity:
Wordsworth demonstrates how art can make transient moments immortal. By writing a poem about a simple scene of daffodils, he transforms a temporary natural event into eternal art. This theme teaches that creativity and poetry have the power to preserve beauty and joy, allowing fleeting experiences to be remembered forever.
Unit:2: understanding literature through verse [poem]
➡Poem:2
Break,break,break
Introduction:-
“Break, Break, Break” is a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson written after the death of his close friend, Arthur Hallam. The poem expresses the poet’s deep sorrow, grief, and sense of loss. Watching the waves break on the shore, Tennyson reflects on the pain of missing someone dear and the harsh reality of life and death. With simple yet powerful words, the poem beautifully captures human emotions and the feelings of emptiness left by the loss of a loved one.
Summary:-
“Break, Break, Break” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson is a short but deeply emotional poem in which the poet expresses his grief and sorrow over the death of his close friend, Arthur Hallam. The poem begins with the poet standing by the sea and watching the waves break endlessly on the cold, rocky shore. This image of the waves symbolizes the unstoppable flow of time and life, which continues even in the face of personal loss.
Tennyson contrasts the joyful and ordinary life of others—like the fisherman singing as he rows his boat or children playing on the shore—with his own deep sadness. These scenes of everyday life emphasize his sense of loneliness and isolation because his friend is gone, and nothing can fill that void. The repetition of the word “Break” reflects both the constant motion of the sea and the poet’s broken heart.
Through simple but powerful language and vivid imagery, the poem conveys universal feelings of loss, helplessness, and the pain of missing someone dear. Ultimately, “Break, Break, Break” is not just about the poet’s personal grief but also about the harsh reality that life goes on, no matter how deeply we mourn.
Essay:-
What is Literature?
Literature is one of the most important forms of human expression. It is the art of written or spoken language used to convey ideas, emotions, experiences, and imagination. Literature includes novels, poems, short stories, plays, essays, and other creative works. It reflects the thoughts, culture, and values of society and helps people understand life from different perspectives.
One of the main purposes of literature is to entertain and educate readers. It inspires imagination, develops critical thinking, and builds empathy. Through literature, we can experience the joys, sorrows, struggles, and dreams of people from different times and places. A poem may express a deep emotion in just a few lines, while a novel or play can explore complex human relationships and societal issues.
Literature is also a way to preserve history and culture. It allows future generations to learn about the past, understand traditions, and explore universal truths about life. Writers use language creatively to communicate their thoughts, challenge ideas, and share unique viewpoints.
In conclusion, literature is more than just stories or words. It is a mirror of human life, a source of knowledge, and a tool for emotional and intellectual growth. It connects people across generations and cultures, making it a timeless treasure of human civili
zation.
