English Kumarbharati 9th Solutions Chapter 2.1 Invictus Textbook Questions and Answers
Warming Up:
Let’s introspect!
1. Think and respond with a ‘YES’ or ‘NO’. When you are faced with a very serious problem or some grave danger, what do you experience?
Write about your feelings and reactions In 4-5 lines. You may describe your feelings and reactions usIng other words than those given here.
Form groups of four. Discuss what you actually feel and do In difficult situations and some of the things you could do and would like to do In those situations.
Question 1.
Think and respond with a ‘YES’ or ‘NO’. When you are faced with a very serious problem or some grave danger, what do you experience?
Answer:
(Students can attempt this activity on page 27 of the textbook on their own.)
Question 2.
Write about your feelings and reactions In 4-5 lines. You may describe your feelings and reactions usIng other words than those given here.
Answer:
[Students may write this based on responses made in (a).]
(Some other words you can use to describe your feelings and reactions :fear, nervousness, uncertainty, lack of confidence, aggressiveness, insecurity, courage, optimism, despair, etc.)
Question 3.
Form groups of four. Discuss what you actually feel and do In difficult situations and some of the things you could do and would like to do In those situations.
Answer:
In difficult situations :
(a) What I actually feel and do :
- feel frightened and corf used
- feel depressed and cry
- run away and hide
- tell lies or blame others.
(b) What I could do and would like to do :
- be calm and brave
- accept the situation and look for solutions
- take due responsibility for what has happened
- share my problems and look for support. (Students can add their own points and discuss this activity in groups.)
2. Guess what the following symbolize and match the pairs :
Question 1.
Guess what the following symbolize and match the pairs :
| A | B |
| 1. a tall mountain | (a) beauty |
| 2. a dark night | (b) freedom |
| 3. a rose | (c) deep distress |
| 4. sunrise | (d) anger |
| 5. a flying bird | (e) strength/firmness |
| 6. thunder | (f) hope |
Answer:
| A | B |
| 1. a tall mountain | (e) strength/firmness |
| 2. a dark night | (c) deep distress |
| 3. a rose | (a) beauty |
| 4. sunrise | (f) hope |
| 5. a flying bird | (b) freedom |
| 6. thunder | (d) anger |
English Workshop:
1. Choose the correct option :
Question a.
Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole.
i. There is a pit between two poles which you cannot see at night.
ii. I am in a pit that is covered with a black sheet.
iii. The circumstances are as bad as they can be, with nothing to hope for from any corner.
Answer:
iii. The circumstances are as bad as they can be, with nothing to hope for from any corner.
Question b.
In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud.
i. I fell down and cried aloud.
ii. I have not expressed my grief even when I had to suffer great pain.
iii. I freed myself from a difficult situation and cried.
Answer:
ii. I have not expressed my grief even when I had to suffer great pain.
Question c.
Under the bludgeonings of chance, My head is bloody …
i. I have suffered many setbacks and losses, for which there was no reason.
ii. I got hurt due to my own faults.
iii. My enemies hit me till I started bleeding.
Answer:
i. I have suffered many setbacks and losses, for which there was no reason.
Question d.
And yet the menace of the years, Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
i. My enemies threaten me but cannot find me.
ii. A great bully found me once, but shall not find me in future.
iii. Even though I am growing old, I am not, and shall not be, afraid.
Answer:
iii. Even though I am growing old, I am not, and shall not be, afraid.
Question e.
How charged with punishments the scroll….
i. The scroll is very expensive.
ii. I may have to pay for many of my mistakes.
iii. I have to pay money as punishment.
Answer:
ii. I may have to pay for many of my mistakes.
Question f.
I am the master of my fate.
i. I take responsibility for everything that happens in my life.
ii. My fate is my master.
iii. I am the master of this world.
Answer:
i. I take responsibility for everything that happens in my life.
Question g.
I am the captain of my soul.
i. I am the captain of a team.
ii. My soul is the captain of my team.
iii. My actions are the result of my own feelings.
Answer:
iii. My actions are the result of my own feelings.
2. Write the rhyme scheme of the poem.
Question 1.
Write the rhyme scheme of the poem.
Answer:
Rhyme scheme: abab.
3. Read the poem ‘Where lies the land ……..’ by A.C. Clough.
Question 1.
Read the poem ‘Where lies the land ……..’ by A.C. Clough.
English Kumarbharati 9th Digest Chapter 2.1 Invictus Additional Important Questions and Answers
Complex Factual Activities :
Question 1.
What is the poet thankful for?
Answer:
The poet is thankful for his unconquerable soul.
Question 2.
What does the poet have full control over?
Answer:
The poet has full control over his fate, his soul and his life.
Question 3.
Which lines show that the poet has suffered his hardships bravely?
Answer:
The lines that show that the poet has suffered his hardships bravely are :
i. I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
ii. In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have neither winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody but unbowed.
Question 4.
What is meant by ‘the place of wrath and tears’?
Answer:
‘The place of wrath and tears’ means the place of anger and sadness. That is, the world where we live.
Activities based on Poetic Devices :
Question 1.
‘Under the bludgeonings of chance’. Pick out and explain the figure of speech from this line.
Answer:
Personification – Chance (fate) is personified. It is said to be beating the poet violently with a club.
Paragraph Format :
The poem ‘Invictus’ is by William Ernest Henley. The Rhyme Scheme of the poem is abab. One example of a Figure of Speech is Personification: ‘In the fell clutch of circumstance’, ‘Circumstance’ is personified. It is said to be clutching wickedly.
‘Invictus’ is a powerful poem. It is all about showing courage in the face of death, and of the will to survive with dignity in the face of severe hardships. The poet stresses that he alone is responsible for his actions, and though he has been battered by fate, he has not been conquered.