Available Answers

1. 1.

   Underline the correct options in brackets.

   The poem depicts hope as a (bird/tree/animal) that lives within the human (heart/ soul/mind). Nothing stops it from (singing/flying/nesting), and it carries on with its (hops/screeches/melody) in sunshine as well as in rain and storm. The poet sags that whether it's good times or bad, hope (changes/decreases/continues). This allows human beings to survive incidents of loss or pain as hope (teases/guides/forces) them through such times of stormy weather. People just have to listen to the little tune of the bird and they can (yield to/survive/ignore) the most difficult times. This is why hope is referred to as (invisible/strange/magical). Another aspect of hope is that it doesn't ask for anything and is (content/shy/scared) to stay connected to the human spirit. We can say that this poem is a kind of a (memorial/hymn/monologue) of praise for hope and people's spirit.a

2. 2.

   That perches in the soul-
   And sings the tune without the words-
   And never stops-at all-

   1. What picture does the word 'perch' paint in your mind?
   2. What does the act of singing denote here?
   3. Why do you think the singing 'never stops'?
3. 3.

   And sweetest-in the Gale-is heard-
   And sore must be the storm-
   That could abash the little Bird
   That kept so many warm-

   1. Where can one 'hear' hope?
   2. What according to the poet could abash hope?
   3. Despite being little, how does hope manage to keep 'so many warm'?
4. 4.

   There are a few symbols present in the poem which convey suffering and hardship. Identify and briefly explain them.

5. 5.

   Why do you think hope never demands anything in return from us?

6. 6.

   What do you think is the mood of the poem? Give reason/s for your answer.