{"id":16477,"date":"2024-06-21T20:05:55","date_gmt":"2024-06-21T14:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onlinefreenotes.com\/?p=16477"},"modified":"2025-12-12T09:13:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T09:13:21","slug":"strange-meeting-ahsec-class-12-alternative-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/strange-meeting-ahsec-class-12-alternative-english\/","title":{"rendered":"Strange Meeting: AHSEC Class 12 Alternative English notes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF and guide of Class 12 (second year) Alternative English textbook, chapter\/poem 3, Strange Meeting by Wilfred Owen, which is part of the syllabus of students studying under <a href=\"https:\/\/ahsec.assam.gov.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AHSEC\/ASSEB<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbose.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&nbsp;<\/a>(Assam Board). These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified\/changed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Select news version<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/strange-meeting-isc-11\/\">ISC Class 11 English notes version<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/strange-meeting-ahsec-class-12-alternative-english\/\">AHSEC\/ASSEB Class 12 Alternative English notes version<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n  <style>\r\n    .notice {\r\n      background: yellow;       \/* simple yellow background *\/\r\n      text-align: center;       \/* centre alignment *\/\r\n      padding: 12px 16px;\r\n      margin: 20px auto;\r\n      width: fit-content;       \/* shrink to text and centre via auto margins *\/\r\n      font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\r\n    }\r\n  <\/style>\r\n  <div class=\"notice\">\r\n    If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<nav id=\"toc\" class=\"toc-box\"><\/nav>\r\n<style>\r\n.toc-box{\r\n  border:1px solid #e5e7eb;\r\n  border-radius:8px;\r\n  background:#fff;\r\n  margin:20px 0;\r\n  font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\r\n}\r\n.toc-header{\r\n  padding:10px 14px;\r\n  font-size:16px;\r\n  font-weight:600;\r\n  border-bottom:1px solid #eef2f7;\r\n  background:#f8fafc\r\n}\r\n.toc-content{\r\n  padding:12px 18px\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Base list *\/\r\n.toc-content ul{\r\n  margin:0 25px;\r\n  padding-left:0;\r\n  list-style:none\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Level-based bullets *\/\r\n.toc-content li{\r\n  position:relative;\r\n  margin:6px 0;\r\n  margin-left:6px;\r\n  line-height:1.5;\r\n\tlist-style:disc;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* H2 bullet \u25cf *\/\r\n.toc-content li.level-2{\r\n  list-style:disc;\r\n\t\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* H3 bullet \u25cb *\/\r\n.toc-content li.level-3{\r\n  margin-left:26px;\r\n\tlist-style:disc;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n\/* H4+ bullet \u2013 *\/\r\n.toc-content li.level-4{\r\n  margin-left:46px;\r\n\tlist-style:disc;\r\n}\r\n.toc-content li.level-5,\r\n.toc-content li.level-6{\r\n  margin-left:66px;\r\n\tlist-style:disc;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.toc-content a{\r\n  text-decoration:none;\r\n  color:#000\r\n}\r\n.toc-content a:hover{\r\n  text-decoration:underline\r\n}\r\n\r\nhtml{scroll-behavior:smooth}\r\nh1[id],h2[id],h3[id],h4[id],h5[id],h6[id]{\r\n  scroll-margin-top:110px\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\ndocument.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {\r\n\r\n  const toc = document.getElementById('toc');\r\n  if (!toc) return;\r\n\r\n  \/* MAIN CONTENT ONLY *\/\r\n  const content = document.querySelector('#pdf-content');\r\n\r\n  \/* EXCLUDE AREAS *\/\r\n  const excludeSelectors = `\r\n    .author, .byline, .entry-meta, .post-meta,\r\n    #comments, .comments-area, .comment-respond,\r\n    .comment-form, .comment-list,\r\n    .login, .login-required,\r\n    .sidebar, aside, footer, nav,\r\n    .widget, .widgets\r\n  `;\r\n\r\n  \/* TEXT TO IGNORE *\/\r\n  const ignoreText = [\r\n    'leave a comment',\r\n    'cancel reply',\r\n    'login required',\r\n    'get notes',\r\n    'ron\\'e dutta',\r\n    'comments'\r\n  ];\r\n\r\n  \r\nconst headings = [...content.querySelectorAll('h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6')]\r\n  .filter(h => !excludeSelectors || !h.closest(excludeSelectors))\r\n  .filter(h => {\r\n    const txt = h.textContent.trim().toLowerCase();\r\n    return txt.length > 0 && !ignoreText.some(t => txt.includes(t));\r\n  });\r\n\r\n\/\/alert(content);\r\n  if (!headings.length) {\r\n    toc.style.display = 'none';\r\n    return;\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  \/* UNIQUE IDs *\/\r\n  const used = {};\r\n  const slug = t => t.toLowerCase().trim()\r\n    .replace(\/[^a-z0-9\\s-]\/g, '')\r\n    .replace(\/\\s+\/g, '-');\r\n\r\n  headings.forEach(h => {\r\n    if (!h.id) {\r\n      let base = slug(h.textContent) || 'section';\r\n      used[base] = (used[base] || 0) + 1;\r\n      h.id = used[base] > 1 ? base + '-' + used[base] : base;\r\n    }\r\n  });\r\n\r\n  \/* BUILD TOC *\/\r\n  const ul = document.createElement('ul');\r\n\r\n  headings.forEach(h => {\r\n    const level = parseInt(h.tagName.substring(1));\r\n    if (level < 2) return; \/\/ skip H1 like your reference site\r\n\r\n    const li = document.createElement('li');\r\n    li.className = 'level-' + level;\r\n\r\n    const a = document.createElement('a');\r\n    a.href = '#' + h.id;\r\n    a.textContent = h.textContent.trim();\r\n\r\n    li.appendChild(a);\r\n    ul.appendChild(li);\r\n  });\r\n\r\n  toc.innerHTML = `\r\n    <div class=\"toc-header\">Table of Contents<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"toc-content\"><\/div>\r\n  `;\r\n  toc.querySelector('.toc-content').appendChild(ul);\r\n\r\n});\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Summary\"><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221; by Wilfred Owen is a poem that probes into the horrors and futility of war, capturing a surreal encounter between two soldiers from opposing sides in the afterlife. The poem begins with the speaker describing his escape from the battlefield into a deep, dull tunnel, reminiscent of Hell. This tunnel, carved through granite by titanic wars, is filled with the groans of sleeping or dead soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the speaker explores, he encounters a soldier who suddenly springs to life. This soldier, with a fixed, piteous expression, raises his hands as if in a gesture of blessing. Recognizing this eerie, sullen hall by the dead soldier\u2019s smile, the speaker realizes they are in Hell. Despite the fear etched on the soldier&#8217;s face, there is no blood or sound of battle here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The conversation that follows reveals deep insights. The newly awakened soldier, referring to the speaker as &#8220;strange friend,&#8221; acknowledges the shared futility and sorrow of their experiences. He laments the lost years and hopelessness, stating that whatever hope the speaker had was once his too. He reflects on pursuing a beauty beyond physical appearances, a beauty that mocks time and grieves richer than the sadness of their current state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The dead soldier regrets that his joy and sorrow, which could have touched others, are now lost. He speaks of the truth untold and the distilled pity of war. The poem critiques how people will either be content with the ruined world or will continue to engage in bloody conflict, perpetuating destruction. The soldier notes that war\u2019s courage and wisdom only lead to vain citadels, not true progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He then reveals a profound twist: he is the enemy the speaker killed in battle. This recognition underscores the senselessness of war, where enemies are just as human as oneself. The dead soldier\u2019s loath, cold hands symbolize the forced nature of their violent encounter. The final line, &#8220;Let us sleep now,&#8221; serves as a metaphor for death, suggesting a longing for peace and rest that can only be found in the afterlife, free from the pain and anguish of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the poem, Owen uses vivid metaphors to convey his themes. The &#8220;profound dull tunnel&#8221; represents the dark and endless despair of war. The &#8220;titanic wars&#8221; metaphorically describe the colossal, overwhelming conflicts that shape their fates. The &#8220;wildest beauty in the world&#8221; symbolizes an elusive ideal of perfection or truth that is impossible to capture in a war-torn reality. The &#8220;chariot-wheels&#8221; clogged with blood depict the halted progress of civilization due to continuous conflict. Lastly, the &#8220;dead smile&#8221; and &#8220;fixed eyes&#8221; of the encountered soldier poignantly illustrate the dehumanizing and devastating impact of war on individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Owen\u2019s &#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221; challenges the traditional view of war as noble and heroic by highlighting its brutal, pointless nature and the common humanity shared by all soldiers, regardless of which side they fight on. The poem ultimately calls for a recognition of this shared humanity and a move towards peace and reconciliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Line-by-line_explanation\"><strong>Line-by-line explanation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It seemed that out of battle I escaped \/ Down some profound dull tunnel, long since scooped \/ Through granites which titanic wars had groined.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The speaker begins by describing a sensation of having escaped the horrors of battle. This escape leads him down a deep, dark tunnel. The tunnel feels ancient and heavy, as though it has been carved out of solid granite long ago by immense, world-shaking wars. These wars are described as &#8220;titanic,&#8221; implying they were monumental and catastrophic, leaving behind this tunnel as a testament to their destructive power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Yet also there encumbered sleepers groaned, \/ Too fast in thought or death to be bestirred.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Within this tunnel, the speaker encounters figures who are burdened or restricted. These figures are making groaning sounds, conveying deep pain or sorrow. They are described as being &#8220;too fast in thought or death,&#8221; meaning they are either deeply lost in their thoughts or already dead, rendering them incapable of movement or action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Then, as I probed them, one sprang up, and stared \/ With piteous recognition in fixed eyes, \/ Lifting distressful hands, as if to bless.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the speaker moves among these sleepers, he examines them more closely. Suddenly, one of the figures comes to life and looks directly at the speaker. This figure&#8217;s eyes are fixed with a look of sorrowful recognition, as if they know the speaker. The figure raises their hands in a gesture that seems both distressed and blessing-like, indicating a complex mix of emotions, possibly forgiveness or a plea for understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>And by his smile, I knew that sullen hall, &#8211; \/ By his dead smile I knew we stood in Hell.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The speaker recognizes the place they are in by the grim smile of this awakened figure. This &#8220;dead smile&#8221; conveys a sense of finality and despair, confirming to the speaker that they are in Hell. This realization is profound and unsettling, marking the place as one of ultimate suffering and sorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>With a thousand fears that vision\u2019s face was grained; \/ Yet no blood reached there from the upper ground, \/ And no guns thumped, or down the flues made moan.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The face of the vision, or the figure, is etched with countless fears, as if these fears have left permanent marks. Despite this, the tunnel is devoid of blood, indicating that no fresh violence has reached this place from the world above. Additionally, there is an absence of war sounds\u2014no guns firing or echoing mournfully down the tunnel&#8217;s flues, which are the chimney-like openings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u2018Strange friend,\u2019 I said, \u2018here is no cause to mourn,\u2019 \/ \u2018None,\u2019 said that other, \u2018save the undone years, \/ The hopelessness. Whatever hope is yours,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The speaker addresses the figure as a &#8220;strange friend,&#8221; acknowledging the oddness of their meeting yet suggesting a bond. The speaker tells this friend that there is no reason to mourn here. The figure responds, agreeing but adding that there is indeed reason to mourn\u2014the lost, unfulfilled years and the overwhelming sense of hopelessness. Any hope the speaker currently holds was once shared by this figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Was my life also; I went hunting wild \/ After the wildest beauty in the world, \/ Which lies not calm in eyes, or braided hair, \/ But mocks the steady running of the hour,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The figure explains that his life, too, was once full of hope. He spent his life searching for the most elusive and untamed beauty in the world. This beauty is not found in outward appearances, such as calm eyes or neatly braided hair, but rather it is something more profound that challenges and mocks the passage of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>And if it grieves, grieves richlier than here. \/ For by my glee might many men have laughed, \/ And of my weeping something had been left,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This beauty, when it experiences sorrow, does so with a greater depth than anything in this place (Hell). The figure reflects that his own happiness might have brought joy to many others, and his sorrow would have left an impact. However, now all of this is lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Which must die now. I mean the truth untold, \/ The pity of war, the pity war distilled.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The figure laments that these untold truths and distilled sorrows of war must now die with him. He refers to the deeper, unspoken truths about the pity and horror of war that he wished to express.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Now men will go content with what we spoiled. \/ Or, discontent, boil bloody, and be spilled.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The figure predicts that people will either become content with the destruction and ruin caused by the war, or they will become so filled with discontent that they will rage violently, leading to more bloodshed and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>They will be swift with swiftness of the tigress. \/ None will break ranks, though nations trek from progress.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The figure continues, stating that people will act with the fierce and rapid aggression of a tigress. Despite this, no one will break ranks or disrupt the status quo, even as entire nations move away from true progress and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Courage was mine, and I had mystery; \/ Wisdom was mine, and I had mastery:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The figure reminisces about his past, recalling that he once possessed courage and a sense of mystery. He also had wisdom and a certain level of control or mastery over his life and circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To miss the march of this retreating world \/ Into vain citadels that are not walled.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He reflects on how he missed witnessing the world retreating into false fortresses of security\u2014vain citadels that offer no real protection or progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Then, when much blood had clogged their chariot-wheels, \/ I would go up and wash them from sweet wells,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The figure imagines a time when the chariot-wheels of progress would be clogged by bloodshed. At that point, he would cleanse them with water from pure, sweet wells, symbolizing a desire to restore purity and truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Even with truths that lie too deep for taint. \/ I would have poured my spirit without stint<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These truths are so profound that they cannot be corrupted. The figure would have freely given his spirit to share these deep truths with the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>But not through wounds; not on the cess of war. \/ Foreheads of men have bled where no wounds were.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, he clarifies that he would not share these truths through violence or the filth of war. He notes that men have suffered deeply, even without physical wounds, indicating the psychological and emotional toll of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u2018I am the enemy you killed, my friend. \/ I knew you in this dark: for so you frowned \/ Yesterday through me as you jabbed and killed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The figure reveals that he is the enemy the speaker killed. He recognized the speaker in the dark from the previous day when the speaker attacked him. The figure remembers the speaker&#8217;s frown as he was being killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>I parried; but my hands were loath and cold. \/ Let us sleep now&#8230;.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The figure recounts that he tried to defend himself but was reluctant and weak. In the end, he suggests that they rest now, indicating a desire for peace and finality, symbolizing the eternal rest of death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Very_short_answers\"><strong>Textbook solutions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Answer_these_questions_in_one_or_two_words\"><strong>Answer these questions in one or two words<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Who is the speaker in \u2018Strange Meeting\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: A dead soldier<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. When did the speaker realise that he was in hell?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: By a smile<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. What does the poet mean by \u2018chariot wheels\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: Wheels of progress<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. What does the speaker discover in the underworld?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: Common humanity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Answer_these_questions_in_a_few_words_each\"><strong>Answer these questions in a few words each<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. What do you mean by war poetry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: Poetry about the experiences of war<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. What are the poetic devices often used by Wilfred Owen in his poems?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: Imagery and metaphor<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Why is the meeting between the two soldiers called a \u2018strange meeting\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: Because it happens in the afterlife<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. What does the poet mean by \u2018titanic wars\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: Great and destructive wars<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. \u2018Let us sleep now\u2019. What does sleep signify in the poem?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: Peace and death<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Answer_these_questions_briefly_in_your_own_words\"><strong>Answer these questions briefly in your own words<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. What is the significance of the title \u2018Strange Meeting\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: The title &#8216;Strange Meeting&#8217; signifies an unexpected encounter between two dead soldiers in the afterlife, highlighting the futility of war and the shared humanity of enemies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Write a brief note on Wilfred Owen&#8217;s representation of the underworld to explore the horrors of war in \u2018Strange Meeting\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: Wilfred Owen&#8217;s depiction of the underworld in &#8216;Strange Meeting&#8217; serves to illustrate the grim realities and psychological trauma of war. The dark, tunnel-like setting symbolises the desolation and suffering experienced by soldiers, and the conversation between the two dead soldiers emphasises the senseless loss and shared sorrow of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. \u2018I parried; but my hands were loath and cold. Let us sleep now &#8230;\u2019 What is the significance of the last two lines in \u2018Strange Meeting\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: The last two lines of \u2018Strange Meeting\u2019 convey the soldier&#8217;s reluctance to fight and the cold, impersonal nature of war. &#8216;Let us sleep now&#8217; suggests a longing for peace and rest, symbolising death as a release from the horrors of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. How does \u2018Strange Meeting\u2019 challenge the traditional view of war as noble and heroic?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: \u2018Strange Meeting\u2019 challenges the traditional view of war as noble and heroic by portraying it as a tragic and senseless conflict that causes immense suffering. The poem emphasises the shared humanity of the soldiers and the pointless destruction of war, questioning the glorification of war and highlighting its devastating consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Answer_these_questions_in_detail\"><strong>Answer these questions in detail<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Bring out the central idea of \u2018Strange Meeting\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: The central idea of \u2018Strange Meeting\u2019 is the profound futility and tragedy of war. Wilfred Owen presents a poignant dialogue between two soldiers from opposing sides who meet in the afterlife. This encounter underscores the shared humanity and mutual suffering of soldiers, regardless of their national allegiances. The poem criticises the senselessness of war, portraying it as a destructive force that obliterates the potential and hopes of young men. By illustrating the commonality of human experience, Owen conveys a powerful anti-war message that challenges the glorification of conflict and emphasises the need for peace and understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. &#8220;&#8230;Whatever hope is yours, Was my life also; I went hunting wild After the wildest beauty in the world&#8230;&#8221; How does the poet portray the hopelessness of war in \u2018Strange Meeting\u2019? Illustrate your answer in the context of the above lines.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: In \u2018Strange Meeting\u2019, Wilfred Owen portrays the hopelessness of war through the reflections of the deceased soldier who recognises the futility of his aspirations. The quoted lines reveal the soldier&#8217;s pursuit of beauty and meaning in life, which war ultimately rendered impossible. The phrase &#8220;Whatever hope is yours, Was my life also&#8221; indicates that the dreams and ambitions shared by all soldiers are crushed by the brutal realities of war. The soldier&#8217;s journey for the &#8220;wildest beauty&#8221; symbolises a quest for something profound and fulfilling, yet war has left him disillusioned and regretful. Through these lines, Owen highlights the tragic irony that the search for purpose and beauty is annihilated by the senseless violence and destruction of war, leaving behind a legacy of despair and unfulfilled potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Extra_questions_and_answers\"><strong>Extra questions and answers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. &#8220;It seemed that out of battle I escaped Down some profound dull tunnel, long since scooped Through granites which titanic wars had groined.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) Where does the speaker feel he has escaped from?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The speaker feels he has escaped from battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) Describe the tunnel the speaker mentions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The tunnel is profound, dull, and long since scooped through granites shaped by titanic wars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What is the significance of the &#8220;granites which titanic wars had groined&#8221;?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It suggests the ancient and monumental nature of the wars that shaped the tunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;Yet also there encumbered sleepers groaned, Too fast in thought or death to be bestirred.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) What do the encumbered sleepers do?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The encumbered sleepers groan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) Why are the sleepers unable to be bestirred?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> They are too fast in thought or death to be bestirred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What does the term &#8220;encumbered&#8221; imply about the sleepers?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It implies that the sleepers are burdened or restricted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;Then, as I probed them, one sprang up, and stared With piteous recognition in fixed eyes, Lifting distressful hands, as if to bless.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) What happens when the speaker probes the sleepers?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> One of the sleepers springs up and stares with piteous recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) How does the awakened sleeper react?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The sleeper lifts distressful hands as if to bless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What emotion is shown in the sleeper&#8217;s eyes?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The sleeper&#8217;s eyes show piteous recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;And by his smile, I knew that sullen hall, &#8211; By his dead smile I knew we stood in Hell.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) What does the speaker recognize from the smile?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The speaker recognizes the sullen hall from the smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) What realization does the speaker come to about their location?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The speaker realizes they are in Hell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) Describe the smile mentioned in these lines.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The smile is described as dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;With a thousand fears that vision\u2019s face was grained; Yet no blood reached there from the upper ground, And no guns thumped, or down the flues made moan.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) What is the face of the vision grained with?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The face of the vision is grained with a thousand fears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) What is absent from the scene described?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Blood, gunfire, and moaning down the flues are absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What does the absence of blood and gunfire signify?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It signifies a break from the violence and chaos of the upper ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;&#8216;Strange friend,&#8217; I said, \u2018here is no cause to mourn,\u2019 \u2018None,\u2019 said that other, \u2018save the undone years, The hopelessness.'&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) What does the speaker call the person he meets?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The speaker calls the person a &#8220;strange friend.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) According to the other person, what is the cause to mourn?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The cause to mourn is the undone years and hopelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What does &#8220;undone years&#8221; refer to?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> &#8220;Undone years&#8221; refers to the lost potential and wasted time due to war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;Whatever hope is yours, Was my life also; I went hunting wild After the wildest beauty in the world,&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) What does the other person say about hope?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person says that whatever hope the speaker has, was his life also.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) What did the other person go hunting for?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person went hunting for the wildest beauty in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What does &#8220;wildest beauty&#8221; symbolize in the poem?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> &#8220;Wildest beauty&#8221; symbolizes an elusive, profound aspiration or ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;Which lies not calm in eyes, or braided hair, But mocks the steady running of the hour,&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) Where does the wildest beauty not lie?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It does not lie in calm eyes or braided hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) What does the wildest beauty do?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It mocks the steady running of the hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What does the mockery of the steady running of the hour suggest?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It suggests that the wildest beauty is beyond ordinary, temporal constraints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;And if it grieves, grieves richlier than here. For by my glee might many men have laughed, And of my weeping something had been left, Which must die now.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) How does the wildest beauty grieve compared to here?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It grieves more richly than here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) What effect did the person&#8217;s glee have on others?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It made many men laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What must die now, according to the other person?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The remnants of his weeping must die now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;I mean the truth untold, The pity of war, the pity war distilled.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) What truth does the other person mean?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person means the truth untold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) What is distilled by war?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The pity of war is distilled by war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) How is the truth described?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The truth is described as untold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;Now men will go content with what we spoiled. Or, discontent, boil bloody, and be spilled.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) How will men feel about what was spoiled?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Men will feel either content or discontent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) What happens to the discontent men?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> They boil bloody and are spilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What is implied by &#8220;boil bloody, and be spilled&#8221;?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It implies further violence and bloodshed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;They will be swift with swiftness of the tigress. None will break ranks, though nations trek from progress.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) How are the men described in their swiftness?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> They are described as swift with the swiftness of a tigress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) What will the men not do despite the situation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> They will not break ranks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What is the consequence of the nations&#8217; actions?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Nations trek away from progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;Courage was mine, and I had mystery; Wisdom was mine, and I had mastery:&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) What qualities did the other person possess?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person possessed courage, mystery, wisdom, and mastery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) How does the other person reflect on their past attributes?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person reflects on having had these qualities in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What is implied by &#8220;I had mastery&#8221;?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It implies a sense of control or expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;To miss the march of this retreating world Into vain citadels that are not walled.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) What does the other person feel they missed?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person feels they missed the march of the retreating world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) Where does the other person say the world is retreating into?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The world is retreating into vain citadels that are not walled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What does &#8220;vain citadels that are not walled&#8221; suggest?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It suggests futile and unprotected fortresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;Then, when much blood had clogged their chariot-wheels, I would go up and wash them from sweet wells, Even with truths that lie too deep for taint.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) What clogs the chariot-wheels?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Much blood clogs the chariot-wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) What does the other person intend to do with the wells?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person intends to wash the chariot-wheels with water from sweet wells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What is implied by &#8220;truths that lie too deep for taint&#8221;?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> It implies profound truths that remain uncorrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;I would have poured my spirit without stint But not through wounds; not on the cess of war. Foreheads of men have bled where no wounds were.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) How does the other person say they would have poured their spirit?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> They would have poured their spirit without stint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) What does the other person reject as a means to pour their spirit?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> They reject pouring their spirit through wounds or on the cess of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What unusual bleeding is described?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Men&#8217;s foreheads have bled where no wounds were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;I am the enemy you killed, my friend. I knew you in this dark: for so you frowned Yesterday through me as you jabbed and killed.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) Who does the other person reveal themselves to be?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person reveals themselves to be the enemy the speaker killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) How did the other person recognize the speaker?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person recognized the speaker by the way they frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) When did the speaker kill the other person?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The speaker killed the other person yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. &#8220;I parried; but my hands were loath and cold. Let us sleep now&#8230;.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(i) What did the other person do in response to the speaker&#8217;s attack?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person parried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(ii) How did the other person&#8217;s hands feel?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person&#8217;s hands were loath and cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(iii) What does the other person suggest at the end?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The other person suggests that they let them sleep now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. What is the setting described in the poem &#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221;?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: A dark, gloomy place described as a \u2018profound dull tunnel\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. What do the two dead soldiers in &#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221; come to realize?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: They share a common humanity and understand the need for peace and reconciliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. What does the poem &#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221; challenge about war?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: The idea that war is noble and heroic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. What is suggested by the line &#8220;I am the enemy you killed, my friend&#8221;?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: The senselessness of war and the illusory nature of the division it creates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. What does the last line &#8220;Let us sleep now&#8221; metaphorically represent?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: A desire for peace and rest in the afterlife, free from the pain and anguish of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. What influence did Romantic poetry have on Wilfred Owen&#8217;s early works?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: Wilfred Owen&#8217;s early poems were influenced by the Romantic poetry of Shelley and Keats. This influence is evident in the themes and style of his initial works. However, his poetry evolved to reflect his own experiences as a soldier, developing a unique voice as a war poet. Owen&#8217;s transition from Romantic influences to war poetry was significantly shaped by his personal experiences and the encouragement of Siegfried Sassoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. Describe the setting where the two soldiers meet in &#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221;.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: In &#8220;Strange Meeting,&#8221; the two soldiers meet in a dark, gloomy place described as a \u2018profound dull tunnel\u2019. This tunnel, scooped through granites by titanic wars, is a metaphor for the afterlife. The setting is eerie and somber, reflecting the grave reality of war. The tunnel&#8217;s oppressive atmosphere underscores the soldiers&#8217; realization of the futility and devastation of war, as they express their horrific battlefield experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. How does &#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221; convey the psychological impact of war?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: &#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221; conveys the psychological impact of war through the dialogue between the two dead soldiers. They lament their lost lives and the senselessness of their actions. The poem highlights their shared suffering and the traumatic experiences they endured. The imagery of a dark, oppressive tunnel and the soldiers&#8217; expressions of despair and regret illustrate the profound emotional and psychological scars left by war. This portrayal emphasizes the lasting impact of war on the human psyche, challenging traditional views of war as noble or heroic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. How does Wilfred Owen&#8217;s poem address the concept of borders and differences between nations?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: In &#8220;Strange Meeting,&#8221; Wilfred Owen addresses the concept of borders and differences between nations by illustrating how these artificial barriers turn people into enemies. The poem suggests that nations and borders create divisions that are ultimately illusory. By depicting the soldiers&#8217; realization of their common humanity, Owen argues for a world where differences are celebrated and respected. The poem criticizes the pursuit of war, which moves civilization away from progress and development, leaving behind a legacy of pain and despair. This perspective challenges the traditional notions of nationalism and the justification of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. What is the significance of the title &#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221;?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: The title &#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221; signifies the unexpected and unusual encounter between two dead soldiers in the afterlife. This meeting is strange because it takes place in a dark, surreal setting described as a \u2018profound dull tunnel\u2019. The soldiers, who were enemies in life, now recognize their shared humanity and the futility of their conflict. The strangeness of the meeting also reflects the broader theme of the poem, which challenges the traditional view of war as noble and heroic, revealing its senselessness and the deep psychological trauma it inflicts on individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. How does the poem &#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221; explore the horrors of war?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: &#8220;Strange Meeting&#8221; explores the horrors of war by depicting the grim realities experienced by soldiers. The poem&#8217;s setting in a dark, oppressive tunnel represents the psychological and emotional toll of war. The conversation between the two dead soldiers reveals their shared suffering and despair. Owen uses vivid imagery and poignant language to highlight the devastating effects of war on individuals. The soldiers&#8217; reflections on their lost lives and the senselessness of their actions underscore the tragic and futile nature of war, challenging romanticized notions of warfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>28. Discuss the poem&#8217;s portrayal of peace and rest as the only escape from the anguish of war.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Answer<\/strong>: In &#8220;Strange Meeting,&#8221; peace and rest are portrayed as the only escape from the anguish of war. The poem&#8217;s final line, &#8220;Let us sleep now,&#8221; symbolizes a longing for eternal rest and freedom from the pain and trauma inflicted by war. This desire for peace is seen as a metaphor for death, suggesting that only in the afterlife can the soldiers find true relief from their suffering. The poem emphasizes the profound impact of war on the human spirit, highlighting the need for reconciliation and the futility of conflict. Owen&#8217;s portrayal of peace as the ultimate respite from war&#8217;s horrors underscores the poem&#8217;s anti-war message and the importance of seeking harmony and understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF and guide of Class 12 (second year) Alternative English textbook, chapter\/poem 3, Strange Meeting by Wilfred Owen, which is part of the syllabus of students studying under AHSEC\/ASSEB&nbsp;(Assam Board). These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified\/changed.&nbsp; Select news version ISC Class&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/strange-meeting-ahsec-class-12-alternative-english\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Strange Meeting: AHSEC Class 12 Alternative English notes<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1044,"featured_media":13484,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56,34],"tags":[57,268,21,28,58,59,64,48,61,36,44,661,38,662],"class_list":["post-16477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ahsec","category-notes","tag-ahsec","tag-alt-english","tag-alternative-english","tag-answers","tag-assam","tag-asseb","tag-class-12","tag-hsslc","tag-poem","tag-questions","tag-seba","tag-strange-meeting","tag-summary","tag-wilfred-owen","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16477","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1044"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16477"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16477\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32928,"href":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16477\/revisions\/32928"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mockupbw.site\/2025\/onlinefreenotes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}