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In Paths Untrodden: MBOSE Class 11 English Core notes
Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF of Class 11 English Core textbook (Resonance), chapter 5 In Paths Untrodden by Walt Whitman, which is part of the syllabus of students studying under MBOSE (Meghalaya Board). These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments
Summary
“In Paths Untrodden” by Walt Whitman is a reflective poem where the poet expresses a desire to escape societal norms and embrace individuality. The speaker finds solace in untrodden paths by the pond, away from the life that society exhibits. He rejects established standards and material pursuits that he previously conformed to, realizing they did not nourish his soul.
In this secluded spot, free from the world’s noise, the speaker feels liberated to respond genuinely, without the embarrassment he would feel elsewhere. He celebrates a life that is authentic and rich, even if it is not outwardly displayed. The poet emphasizes the importance of true comradeship and expresses a desire to sing only of genuine human connections, particularly those of strong, affectionate friendships.
He acknowledges the significant shift in his perspective at the age of forty-one and commits to sharing his realizations with young men. The poet seeks to impart the value of authentic relationships and the fulfillment found in following one’s path, free from societal pressures. Whitman underscores the necessity of camaraderie and the profound joy it brings, marking a departure from materialism towards a more meaningful existence.
This soliloquy reflects the poet’s introspection and his decision to prioritize personal values over societal expectations, advocating for individual freedom and the celebration of genuine human bonds.
Line-by-line explanation of the poem
In paths untrodden, / In the growth by margins of pond-waters,
The poet begins by describing paths that have not been walked on and are surrounded by plants growing along the edges of ponds. This imagery suggests a natural, untouched environment away from human interference.
Escaped from the life that exhibits itself, / From all the standards hitherto publish’d, from the pleasures, / profits, conformities,
The poet expresses a desire to break free from a life that is on display for others, adhering to societal norms, and focusing on materialistic pleasures and profits. He wants to escape the conformities that society imposes.
Which too long I was offering to feed my soul,
He reflects on how he has spent too long trying to satisfy his soul with these external standards and materialistic pursuits.
Clear to me now standards not yet publish’d, clear to me that my soul,
The poet now realizes that there are new, unpublished standards, ones that resonate more deeply with his soul, suggesting a personal set of values different from societal norms.
That the soul of the man I speak for rejoices in comrades,
He speaks on behalf of a man whose soul finds joy in true companionship and friendships.
Here by myself away from the clank of the world,
The poet is alone in a peaceful, secluded place, far from the noise and chaos of the outside world.
Tallying and talk’d to here by tongues aromatic,
In this quiet spot, he finds agreement and is metaphorically spoken to by the fragrant surroundings, indicating a harmonious interaction with nature.
No longer abash’d, (for in this secluded spot I can respond as I / would not dare elsewhere,)
He no longer feels shy or embarrassed, because in this secluded place, he feels free to express himself in ways he wouldn’t dare to in more public settings.
Strong upon me the life that does not exhibit itself, yet contains all / the rest,
He feels a powerful connection to a life that isn’t outwardly visible but encompasses everything else, suggesting a deeper, more meaningful existence.
Resolv’d to sing no songs to-day but those of manly attachment,
He is determined to focus only on songs of strong, genuine friendships, avoiding superficial themes.
Projecting them along that substantial life,
He aims to incorporate these genuine attachments into a meaningful, substantive life.
Bequeathing hence types of athletic love,
He wants to leave behind examples of strong, energetic friendships for others to follow.
Afternoon this delicious Ninth-month in my forty-first year,
He notes that it is a pleasant afternoon in September, and he is reflecting on these thoughts at the age of forty-one.
I proceed for all who are or have been young men,
He moves forward with these reflections for the benefit of all young men, past and present.
To tell the secret my nights and days, / To celebrate the need of comrades.
He intends to share the insights gained from his experiences and emphasize the importance of true companionship and camaraderie.
Textual questions and answers
Answer these questions briefly
1. Even in the growth along the margins of a pond, if human beings walk along everyday, a mud-track forms. Does the poet want to walk on this?
Answer: No, he wants to walk in paths untrodden.
2. Is the poet happy with the standard behaviour that society expects from everyone?
Answer: No, he is not happy with the standard behaviour.
3. Which lines in the poem tell us that a secluded spot would allow someone to behave in a daring manner?
Answer: “For in this secluded spot I can respond as I would not dare elsewhere.”
4. Does Whitman believe that life would offer much more when he stops to bother about material pursuits? How different does he think it would be and why?
Answer: Yes, he believes life would offer much more. He thinks it would be substantial and full of athletic love because he would no longer conform to societal standards and pleasures.
Explain the following phrases in context
1. From all the standards hitherto publish’d
Answer: From all the norms and expectations previously established by society.
2. Away from the clank of the world
Answer: Removed from the noise and distractions of daily life and society.
3. As I would not dare elsewhere
Answer: In a manner that I would not feel confident or bold enough to do in other places.
4. But those of manly attachment
Answer: Only those songs that express strong, masculine bonds of friendship and camaraderie.
5. To celebrate the need of comrades
Answer: To honour and emphasise the importance of close friends and affectionate associations.
Appreciating the poem
1. Write about a hundred words on the point that the poet is to make. Do you perceive a message? Choose any one of the following ideas and substantiate it.
- People should be allowed to freely make choices in life.
- It is a burden to conform to the set rules of society.
- Life is richer when you walk on the untrodden path.
- The poet has written the whole poem as a soliloquy. He is talking to himself.
Answer: It is a burden to conform to the set rules of society. The poet, Walt Whitman, expresses his frustration with societal norms and standards that restrict individual freedom and self-expression. In the poem, he celebrates the liberation that comes from escaping these constraints and finding joy in the natural, untrodden paths. By distancing himself from societal expectations, he can connect more deeply with his own soul and the authentic experiences of life. This soliloquy reflects his desire for a life free from the pressures of conformity, allowing for true personal growth and happiness.
2. Is it teenage longing or adult thoughts that the poet is expressing? Is there any evidence in the poem to suggest how old he is?
Answer: It is adult thoughts that the poet is expressing. The poem reflects mature reflections on life, conformity, and self-identity. Evidence in the poem suggests that the poet is in his forties, specifically “Afternoon this delicious Ninth-month in my forty-first year.” This line indicates that the poet’s thoughts and feelings stem from his experiences and reflections as a mature adult, rather than the impetuous longings of a teenager.
Appreciating form and language
The poet is deep in thought and far from any outside disturbance as he ponders over his decision to make a change in his life. The poem is in the form of a soliloquy. In literature, a soliloquy is a speech, usually in a play, in which a character who is alone talks about his or her thoughts and feelings. Soliloquy is derived from a Latin word, soliloquium which literally means solus (alone), and loqui (to speak). Do you know of any piece of prose or poetry that is written in a similar style? Find and read at least one example of a soliloquy.
Do you know of any piece of prose or poetry that is written in a similar style? Find and read at least one example of a soliloquy.
Answer: One famous example of a soliloquy in literature is Hamlet’s soliloquy from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. The soliloquy, which begins with “To be, or not to be, that is the question,” explores deep existential themes and the internal conflict of the character Hamlet. He reflects on life, death, and the nature of existence, showcasing his thoughts and feelings while he is alone. This soliloquy is a powerful example of a character’s introspective speech, similar to the style used by Walt Whitman in “In Paths Untrodden.”
Extra fill in the blanks
1. In the growth by margins of ______? (pond-waters/trees)
Answer: pond-waters
2. From all the standards hitherto ______? (publish’d/rejected)
Answer: publish’d
3. Here by myself away from the ______ of the world? (clank/sounds)
Answer: clank
4. Strong upon me the life that does not exhibit itself, yet ______ all the rest? (contains/contradicts)
Answer: contains
5. Bequeathing hence types of ______ love? (athletic/romantic)
Answer: athletic
6. Resolv’d to sing no songs to-day but those of manly ______? (attachment/relationships)
Answer: attachment
7. No longer ______, (for in this secluded spot I can respond as I would not dare elsewhere)? (abash’d/ashamed)
Answer: abash’d
8. Afternoon this delicious Ninth-month in my ______ year? (forty-first/thirtieth)
Answer: forty-first
9. To celebrate the need of ______? (comrades/family)
Answer: comrades
10. Escaped from the life that ______ itself? (exhibits/hides)
Answer: exhibits
Extra true or false
1. The poet walks on paths that are frequently travelled by others.
Answer: False
2. Whitman is content with the standard behaviour expected by society.
Answer: False
3. A secluded spot would allow someone to behave in a daring manner according to the poem.
Answer: True
4. The poem expresses a longing for material pursuits.
Answer: False
5. Whitman celebrates the need for comrades in his poem.
Answer: True
6. The poet speaks of a life that exhibits itself and contains everything else.
Answer: False
7. The poem “In Paths Untrodden” is written in the form of a soliloquy.
Answer: True
8. The term “untrodden” means not stepped on or travelled.
Answer: True
9. The poet is in his thirtieth year when he writes the poem.
Answer: False
10. Whitman feels abashed in the secluded spot described in the poem.
Answer: False
Extra question and answer
1. “In paths untrodden, In the growth by margins of pond-waters”
(i) Where is the speaker walking?
Answer: In paths untrodden and in the growth by margins of pond-waters.
(ii) What does “untrodden” mean in this context?
Answer: Untrodden means not stepped on or not travelled.
(iii) What natural feature is mentioned alongside the path?
Answer: The margins of pond-waters.
Q. “Escaped from the life that exhibits itself, From all the standards hitherto publish’d, from the pleasures, profits, conformities”
(i) What has the speaker escaped from?
Answer: The speaker has escaped from the life that exhibits itself, from all the published standards, pleasures, profits, and conformities.
(ii) What does the speaker mean by “the life that exhibits itself”?
Answer: The life that exhibits itself refers to the outward, showy life conforming to societal expectations.
(iii) List the three things the speaker has escaped from.
Answer: Pleasures, profits, and conformities.
Q. “Which too long I was offering to feed my soul, Clear to me now standards not yet publish’d, clear to me that my soul”
(i) How long was the speaker offering these things to feed their soul?
Answer: Too long.
(ii) What is now clear to the speaker?
Answer: Standards not yet published and that their soul is clear.
(iii) What has the speaker realized about the standards?
Answer: The speaker has realized that the standards not yet published are clearer and more meaningful to their soul.
Q. “That the soul of the man I speak for rejoices in comrades, Here by myself away from the clank of the world”
(i) Whose soul rejoices in comrades?
Answer: The soul of the man the speaker speaks for.
(ii) Where is the speaker when they rejoice in comrades?
Answer: By themselves, away from the clank of the world.
(iii) What does “the clank of the world” refer to?
Answer: The clank of the world refers to the noise and distractions of everyday life.
Q. “Tallying and talk’d to here by tongues aromatic, No longer abash’d, (for in this secluded spot I can respond as I would not dare elsewhere,)”
(i) What is the speaker doing with the aromatic tongues?
Answer: Tallying and talking to them.
(ii) How does the speaker feel in the secluded spot?
Answer: No longer abash’d or embarrassed.
(iii) Why can the speaker respond in the secluded spot as they would not dare elsewhere?
Answer: Because the secluded spot allows the speaker the freedom to express themselves without fear.
Q. “Strong upon me the life that does not exhibit itself, yet contains all the rest, Resolv’d to sing no songs to-day but those of manly attachment”
(i) What kind of life is strong upon the speaker?
Answer: The life that does not exhibit itself, yet contains all the rest.
(ii) What is the speaker resolved to sing about?
Answer: Manly attachment.
(iii) What does “manly attachment” imply in the context of the poem?
Answer: Deep, affectionate bonds with comrades.
Q. “Projecting them along that substantial life, Bequeathing hence types of athletic love, Afternoon this delicious Ninth-month in my forty-first year”
(i) What is the speaker projecting?
Answer: The types of manly attachment along a substantial life.
(ii) What is the speaker bequeathing?
Answer: Types of athletic love.
(iii) When is the speaker reflecting on this?
Answer: In the afternoon of the ninth month in their forty-first year.
Q. “I proceed for all who are or have been young men, To tell the secret my nights and days, To celebrate the need of comrades”
(i) For whom does the speaker proceed?
Answer: For all who are or have been young men.
(ii) What does the speaker intend to tell?
Answer: The secret of their nights and days.
(iii) What does the speaker celebrate?
Answer: The need for comrades.
Q. Does the poet want to walk on a mud-track formed by human beings walking along the margins of a pond?
Answer: The poet does not want to walk on a mud-track formed by human beings walking along the margins of a pond. Instead, he seeks paths untrodden, those not stepped on or traveled. He desires a life that is clear of the standards published and the conformities of society, preferring the seclusion and the unique growth by the pond-waters, away from the clank of the world, where he can respond freely and without embarrassment.
Q. Is the poet happy with the standard behaviour that society expects from everyone?
Answer: The poet is not happy with the standard behaviour that society expects from everyone. He feels liberated by escaping from these societal standards and pleasures, profits, and conformities. The poet expresses his joy in finding clarity and rejoices in comradeship away from societal expectations. He resolves to sing songs of manly attachment, celebrating the need for comrades and projecting them along a substantial life that contains all the rest.
Q. Which lines in the poem tell us that a secluded spot would allow someone to behave in a daring manner?
Answer: The lines in the poem that tell us a secluded spot would allow someone to behave in a daring manner are: “Here by myself away from the clank of the world, Tallying and talk’d to here by tongues aromatic, No longer abash’d, (for in this secluded spot I can respond as I would not dare elsewhere).” These lines indicate that the poet feels unembarrassed and able to respond freely, in ways he would not dare in less secluded places.
Q. How does Whitman describe the life that does not exhibit itself and how does he relate it to his own experience?
Answer: Whitman describes the life that does not exhibit itself as containing all the rest, meaning it encompasses all aspects of life without showing off. He relates it to his own experience by expressing that this hidden life is strong upon him and makes him resolv’d to sing no songs to-day but those of manly attachment. This life is substantial and real, not imaginary. He projects his experiences along this substantial life, bequeathing types of athletic love and celebrating the need for comrades, thus aligning his own values and experiences with this hidden yet comprehensive life.
13. What does Whitman mean by “standards not yet publish’d” and how does this reflect his views on individuality?
Answer: By “standards not yet publish’d,” Whitman means norms and behaviours that have not been established or accepted by society. This reflects his views on individuality as he seeks to define his own path and standards, rather than conforming to societal expectations. He believes in the importance of personal freedom and the joy of discovering one’s own values and standards. This is evident as he expresses happiness in the clarity of these unpublished standards and the rejoicing of the soul in finding comrades who share these values, away from the clank of the world.
