Synonyms
More meanings
Tip: select a single word for meaning & synonyms.
Select multiple words normally to copy text.
Animals poem: SEBA, TBSE Class 10 English questions, answers, extras
Get here summary, notes, questions, answers, textbook solutions, extras, pdf of the chapter/poem Animals by Walt Whitman of SEBA Class 10 English (Second Language). However, the given notes/solutions should only be used for references and should be modified/changed according to needs.
Summary: Walt Whitman expresses his admiration for animals in his poem. He begins by expressing his belief that he can make a difference and start living with animals. He goes on to explain why he wants to do so, saying that animals are calm and self-satisfied. As he observes them, he notices that they never complain about their situation, that they do not have sleepless nights regretting their sinful actions, and that they do not always talk about what God wants them to do. They appear to be content with their lives without being obsessed with the desire to own this or that. Animals, too, treat each other equally, without bowing to a living member or a historical figure, and it is in this manner that they treat the poet, and he is content to accept it. The poet concludes by stating that animals show him how a man should be, openly and visibly displaying virtuous qualities that appear to be a lost part of man. He wonders if the animals picked up these characteristics from where man dropped them carelessly aeons ago, implying that man has lost his true nature somewhere along the way.
Thinking about the poem.
1. Notice the use of the word ‘turn’ in the first line, “I think I could turn and live with animals…”. What is the poet turning from?
Answer: He is turning away from the world of humans and all its complications and deceptions.
2. Mention three things that humans do and animals don’t.
Answer: Humans do three things that animals do not: whine about their situation, lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins, and bow down to one of their own kind.
3. Do humans kneel to other humans who lived thousands of years ago? Discuss this in groups.
Answer: Yes, humans kneel in front of other humans from thousands of years ago. Our forefathers are remembered with stories and monuments, and their bravery stories are passed down from generation to generation. People are known to venerate those who came before them. Some value their ideals and strive to imbibe them, whereas others consider their ancestor’s bravery worthy of worship.
4. What are the ‘tokens’ that the poet says he may have dropped long ago, and which the animals have kept for him? Discuss this in class.
Answer: The tokens mentioned in the poem represent the true nature of humans. These tokens of virtue include contentment, honesty, innocence, kindness, joy, satisfaction, and sharing. Humans developed vices such as greed, selfishness, the desire to possess everything, and other vices. Animals have carried on the true instincts and characteristics that humans have lost sight of.
Additional/extra questions and answers/solutions
1. Why does the poet in the poem believe that he could live with animals?
Answer: Walt Whitman, the poet, claims that he could live with animals because they reflected more of his basic, true nature. Animals that have retained their natural selves exhibit the virtuous characteristics that man has lost in his race for civilisation. Because man has succumbed to vices such as constant whining, sin, materialism, and disregard for nature, the poet believes that he could live a better life with animals.
2. What does it mean for the poet to describe animals as “placid and self-contained”?
Answer: The poet describes animals as placid, which means that they have a calm demeanour and do not appear to be agitated by anything. They walk around with a self-assured and satisfied air about them. The poet means that the animals are completely composed and in complete control of their senses when he says that they are self-contained.
3. The poet makes an ethical point. What is it, and what does it reveal about man?
Answer: When speaking of animals, the poet says that they do not have sleepless nights because of the sins they have committed, nor do they discuss their duty to God while doing wrong on the one hand. While claiming that animals do not do these things, the poet implies that man has drowned himself in sin while still engaging in the hypocrisy of discussing his duty to God.
4. What, according to the poet, are the distinctions between humans and animals?
Answer: Many differences exist between humans and animals, according to Walt Whitman. Most importantly, unlike humans, animals do not complain about their circumstances, nor do they lie awake at night weeping for their transgressions. Furthermore, they do not feel compelled to discuss their responsibilities to God or to kneel before one another. They are not dissatisfied with their lives, nor are they insane with an insatiable desire to own things. Humans fight and squabble over everything, including Mother Earth, but animals are free of all the vices that engulf humans.
5. Why does the poet like animals?
Answer: The poet admires them because they are self-contained and quiet. The poet is drawn to the fact that animals are not like humans in that they are content with their lives. The poet admires the ability of animals to retain basic good values.
6. Explain why animals have satisfaction while humans do not.
Answer: Animals have no desire to own worldly possessions. In contrast, the more humans own, the greater their desire to own grows, leaving them dissatisfied indefinitely. The absence of greed in animals keeps them content.
7. Why don’t animals weep for their sins?
Answer: Animals do not weep for their sins because it is not necessary for them to do so. They are sinless creatures who do not commit any sins. Humans are the ones who weep while committing sins. Animals live their lives in a simple and pure manner, so they have no reason to cry over their misdeeds.
8. What makes the poet ill?
Answer: The poet is sickened by the fact that humans commit a variety of sins while still debating their relationship with God. This demonstrates the hypocrisy of humans, who do wrong while praying to God.
9. In terms of desire, distinguish between humans and animals.
Answer: Animals are not like humans as they have no desire to own things. They are content without unending greed, whereas humans become insane and uncontrollable in their desire to possess valuables.
10. Why do you believe the poet referred to the desire to win things as a mania? Is the poet correct? Please express your thoughts.
Answer: The poet employs words like “demented” and “mania” to describe humans’ insatiable desire to own things. The more we have, the greedier we become. The materialistic acquisition is a rat race in which humans are constantly running after them. Greed knows no bounds. The poet’s use of the words “demented” and “mania” suggests that he is comparing these desires to insanity, as people are constantly trying to acquire more and more, never feeling satisfied. According to the poet, animals are better off because they do not get caught up in the mad rush to acquire more and more. They are free of sins, anxieties, and complaints. All important values, such as morality and kindness, are sacrificed in order to amass more wealth.
11. What according to you should be the virtues that humans should possess?
Answer: Humans must be gentle not only to their own species but to everyone and everything. Kindness, along with other important values such as innocence and honesty, make the world a better place to live. A lack of such values leads to a corrupt society in which people commit sins and weep in the dark. This situation causes them to be dissatisfied and unhappy in their lives. Humans most likely possessed these virtues, but as civilisation progressed, they abandoned them in favour of greed, cunning, and jealousy. Animals continue to possess these virtues, as we find them to be faithful, innocent, kind, and generous even today.
12. ‘Do not complain, but accept the situation,’ is the key to happiness. Elaborate it in the context of the poem ‘Animals.’
Answer: In his poem ‘Animals,’ Walt Whitman compares animals to humans and distinguishes between them based on their characteristics. In the poet’s opinion, animals are far superior to humans. Animals are thought to be much happier than humans because they do not complain about their circumstances. Animals live in their natural environments and accept their natural lives. Humans, on the other hand, have never accepted nature, complaining about it and attempting to change it, resulting in an unhappy life. Humans are very demanding, greedy, and unconcerned about others. Humans are constantly complaining about their situations and problems because their expectations are never satisfied.
14. In the poem the poet laments the loss of certain values on the part of humans, whereas animals appear to have retained them and are self-satisfied. Analyze the cause of value degeneration in today’s difficult times.
Answer: Human beings have achieved many material values but have lost their true virtues in the modern civilised world. The more developed and modern humans became, the more they lost touch with their true selves. Animals, on the other hand, have never adapted to any material goods and have always remained natural. This natural aspect of animals has aided in the preservation of their values. Humans have forgotten kindness and innocence in order to acquire more and more. They engage in all unethical practises that are devoid of any good virtue, which is why the poet laments (complaints) about the loss of good values on the part of humans.
Amazing. Question Answer
I love it ?
I like it English so english is my favorite subject.