NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill
Poem 1: A Photograph
A Summary in English
“A Photograph” delves into the profound themes of memories, mortality, and acceptance through the lens of a captured moment frozen in time. Let’s explore the different layers of the poem to understand the emotions and reflections it evokes.
- The poetess begins by describing her mother’s photograph, which lay forgotten in cardboard boxes. The image portrays her mother encircled by younger siblings, highlighting her strength as she supports them. The poetess contemplates the vulnerability of the photo to decay, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life.
- The second phase delves into the mother’s older days as she reminisces captured in the photograph. There is a bittersweet tone as she reflects on time passing and the inevitability of change with age. The poetess observes the enduring bond between mother and daughter through the photograph, even after her mother’s passing.
- In the final part, the poetess grapples with her mother’s death, finding solace in expressing her feelings through poetry. Despite the finality of death, the poetess discovers a newfound inspiration in her mother’s memory, embracing the transient nature of life and memories.
Conclusion of A Photograph Summary
In the poignant reflection of “A Photograph,” the poetess conveys a powerful message about embracing life in the face of mortality. Through the lens of memory and loss, she urges readers to cherish moments, accept change, and find peace amidst the inevitable passage of time. “Death is unavoidable, so embrace your life.”
Through the poetess’s introspective journey, we are reminded of the beauty and resilience inherent in the human experience, capturing the essence of life’s fleeting nature. This poem serves as a poignant reminder to value the present moment, honor the past, and find strength in the enduring power of memories. Let us all take heed and live each day with gratitude, for life is a precious gift meant to be celebrated and cherished.
A Photograph Think it out
Question 1.
What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?
Answer:
The word ‘cardboard’ denotes that it is an instant snapshot that has a cardboard base. This word has been used to refer to the times when photography was in its early stages.
What has the camera captured ?
Answer:
The camera has captured three persons-two girls and the poet’s mother. They here enjoying a holiday on the side.
What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you?
Answer:
The sea hasn’t changed over the years. The sea waves keep rolling to the coast and then back. This suggests by contrast that human beings change rapidly.
A Photograph NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers
A Photograph Think it out
Question 1.
What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?
Answer:
The word ‘cardboard’ denotes that it is an instant snapshot that has a cardboard base. This word has been used to refer to the times when photography was in its early stages.
What has the camera captured ?
Answer:
The camera has captured three persons-two girls and the poet’s mother. They here enjoying a holiday on the side.
What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you?
Answer:
The sea hasn’t changed over the years. The sea waves keep rolling to the coast and then back. This suggests by contrast that human beings change rapidly.
The poet’s mother laughed at the snapshot. What did this laugh indicate?
Answer:
The poet’s mother laughed to see her photograph. She was then young and charming. But she was wearing a funny mod dress, suitable for a sea holiday.
Question 5.
What is the meaning of the line ‘Both why with the labored ease of loss’?
Answer:
Mother’s photograph belonged to twenty-thirty years past. She was then young and sweet. But now she bore the marks of advancing age. She was out of shape. Now the mother herself is dead and gone. Her laughter is a thing of the past. It does not have a musical ring.
Question 6.
What does ‘this circumstance’ refer to?
Answer:
‘This circumstance’ refers to the time since his mother expired. This has been a dull period with no memorable experiences. So the poet has nothing to say about it.
Question 7.
The three stanzas depict three different phases. What are they?
Answer:
The three stanzas of the poem depict three stages. In the first stage, the mother was young and sweet. The second stanza refers to a period, twenty to thirty years later when she was middle-aged. The third stanza refers to the long gap of time after the mother’s death. This has been devoid of any existing event.
A Photograph Extra Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Who has been captured by the camera on the cardboard photograph?
Answer:
The cardboard photograph shows three figures—two cousins and the poet’s mother.
Question 2.
Where were the three photographed? By whom?
Answer:
The photograph was taken when the three had gone with the poet’s uncle to a beach. It was their sea holiday, and the camera was clicked by the uncle.
Question 3.
The face of the poet’s mother was sweet and glowing. Why?
Answer:
The mother looked sweet for two reasons. She was young and still issueless.
Question 4.
What does the poet mean by ‘transient feet’?
Answer:
The human body is perishable and fast-changing. The sea waves washed the feet of the three women which lost their smoothness and glow with time.
Question 5.
Explain: “The sea holiday was her past, mine is her laughter.”
Answer:
The mother was amused to see her photograph after a gap of thirty years. Her pleasure trip had become a thing of the past. For the poet, her laughter became history after her death.
Question 6.
Its silence silences. Elaborate.
Answer:
The period of several years after Mother’s death proved so colorless and smooth that the poet has nothing to say about it. The silence of time silenced the poet also.
Question 7.
Sum up the main features of the poem ‘A Photograph’ in about 80 words.
Answer:
A Photograph speaks about the melancholy mood of the poet. A photograph of his late mother recreates the image of her mother from the past. It shows her mother when she was young, sweet, and lively. Some two decades later the mother sees that photograph and laughs aloud. Time passed. In the third phase, the mother too is dead and gone. The poet is left with her memory which also is fading.
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