Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF and guide of Class 9 English textbook, chapter 9 The North Ship which is part of the syllabus of students studying under West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
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Summary
Philip Larkin’s poem “The North Ship” explores the journeys of three ships, symbolising human choices and their outcomes. The first ship sails west, driven by the wind to a “rich country,” symbolising success and material achievement. The second ship moves east, pursued by the wind “like a beast” and eventually anchored in “captivity,” representing constraints or unfulfilled desires. The third ship heads north into a “darkening sea,” with no wind to guide it, reflecting isolation and perseverance against challenges.
The northern voyage is marked by frost-covered decks and an “unforgiving sea,” suggesting harsh conditions and struggles. Unlike the other two ships, which return from their journeys, one happily and the other unhappily, the third ship continues its path under a “fire-spilling star,” enduring peril yet persisting on its “long journey.” This ship is depicted as a metaphor for aspiration, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose despite adversity.
The imagery in the poem contrasts the safety and returns of the first two ships with the risky yet determined journey of the third. Larkin uses natural elements like wind, sea, and sky to mirror the choices and consequences faced by individuals. The poem conveys that the path of ambition and endurance often involves solitude and risk, but it is also one of purpose and relentless spirit. The ships and their different fates highlight the varied courses of human life.
Video tutorial
Line-by-line explanations
I saw three ships go sailing by, / Over the sea, the lifting sea,
The speaker observes three ships moving across the sea. The phrase “lifting sea” suggests waves rising and falling, indicating the constant motion and energy of the ocean.
And the wind rose in the morning sky, / And one was rigged for a long journey.
As the morning arrives, the wind becomes stronger. One of the ships is prepared (“rigged”) for a prolonged voyage, implying it is equipped with the necessary tools and sails for enduring a distant and potentially difficult journey.
The first ship turned towards the west, / Over the sea, the running sea,
The first ship changes its course to the west. The term “running sea” describes the sea’s fast and flowing nature, possibly indicating favorable winds pushing the ship smoothly toward its destination.
And by the wind was all possessed / And carried to a rich country.
The wind completely controls this ship, guiding it effortlessly to a “rich country,” which symbolizes wealth, prosperity, or material success.
The second turned towards the east, / Over the sea, the quaking sea,
The second ship sails toward the east. The “quaking sea” gives an image of a restless and unsettled ocean, hinting at challenges or instability in this direction.
And the wind hunted it like a beast / To anchor in captivity.
The wind seems aggressive, chasing the ship as if it were prey. This ship is eventually forced to stop (“anchor”) in “captivity” (imprisonment), implying it encounters constraints or an undesirable outcome.
The third ship drove toward the north, / Over the sea, the darkening sea,
The third ship heads to the north, where the sea grows darker. The “darkening sea” symbolizes difficulty, isolation, or danger as it moves further away from light and safety.
But no breath of wind came forth, / And the decks shone frostily.
Unlike the other ships, this one faces stillness, with no wind to guide it. The “frostily” shining decks suggest cold and harsh conditions, emphasizing the challenges of this journey.
The northern sky rose high and black / Over the proud unfruitful sea,
The sky in the north is described as “high and black,” creating an image of emptiness and threat. The “proud unfruitful sea” suggests a vast, barren expanse, difficult to navigate and yielding no rewards.
East and west the ships came back / Happily or unhappily.
The ships that sailed east and west return. Their outcomes differ, with one being content (“happily”) and the other unsatisfied (“unhappily”), showing that their voyages had mixed results.
But the third went wide and far / Into an unforgiving sea
The third ship continues its journey, traveling farther into a harsh and merciless ocean. The “unforgiving sea” represents relentless challenges that offer no comfort or reprieve.
Under a fire-spilling star, / And it was rigged for a long journey.
The ship sails beneath a “fire-spilling star,” likely a metaphor for an unpredictable and dangerous guiding force. This star might symbolize ambition or destiny, leading the ship into the unknown. The ship remains prepared for its enduring, arduous journey, despite the odds.
Textbook solutions
Exercise 1
Tick the correct answer from the given alternatives:
1. The number of ships sailing by were
A. three
B. two
C. five
D. four
Answer: A. three
2. The wind carried the first ship to a
A. big country
B. small country
C. rich country
D. distant country
Answer: C. rich country
3. The second ship turned towards the
A. west
B. north
C. south
D. east
Answer: D. east
4. The decks of the third ship shone
A. brightly
B. frostily
C. clearly
D. dimly
Answer: B. frostily
5. The northern sky rose over the
A. unfruitful sea
B. kind sea
C. stormy sea
D. calm sea
Answer: A. unfruitful sea
6. The third ship was rigged for a
A. long journey
B. short journey
C. slow journey
D. quick journey
Answer: A. long journey
Exercise 2
Answer the following questions within twenty-five words:
1. What did the wind do to the second ship?
Answer: The wind hunted it like a beast to anchor in captivity.
2. Give any two points of difference between the journey of the third ship and the other two ships.
Answer: The third ship faced an unforgiving sea under a fire-spilling star, while the other two ships returned happily or unhappily.
Exercise 3
Replace the underlined words with suitable phrasal verbs given in the list below. Change the form if necessary. There are two extra phrasal verbs:
1. The child resembles his grandfather.
Answer: The child takes after his grandfather.
Explanation: “Take after” is a phrasal verb used to indicate resemblance in appearance or behaviour. For example, “She takes after her mother in her artistic skills.”
2. They published a magazine recently.
Answer: They brought out a magazine recently.
Explanation: “Bring out” is a phrasal verb that means to publish or release something. For instance, “The company brought out a new product last week.”
3. My mother taught me not to disrespect anyone.
Answer: My mother taught me not to look down upon anyone.
Explanation: “Look down upon” is a phrasal verb meaning to disrespect or consider someone inferior. For example, “You should never look down upon others based on their background.”
4. We should abolish bad habits.
Answer: We should give up bad habits.
Explanation: “Give up” is a phrasal verb meaning to stop or quit something. For instance, “He decided to give up smoking for his health.”
5. A new university was built at Coochbehar.
Answer: A new university was set up at Coochbehar.
Explanation: “Set up” is a phrasal verb that means to establish or build something. For example, “They set up a shelter for stray animals.”
Exercise 4
Do as directed:
1. The man was so weak that he could not walk. (rewrite using ‘too’)
Answer: The man was too weak to walk.
Explanation: The phrase “too weak to walk” replaces “so weak that he could not walk” without changing the meaning. “Too…to” is used to indicate an extreme condition preventing an action.
2. Titir is one of the most intelligent girls in the class. (rewrite using the positive degree of the underlined adjective)
Answer: Very few girls in the class are as intelligent as Titir.
Explanation: When converting from the superlative degree (“most intelligent”) to the positive degree, we use the structure “as…as” to express the same idea.
3. As soon as he reached home, it started raining heavily. (change into a negative sentence)
Answer: No sooner had he reached home than it started raining heavily.
Explanation: The phrase “No sooner…than” is used to indicate that one action happens immediately after another. This construction automatically introduces a negative form.
4. Why cry over spilt milk? (change into an assertive sentence)
Answer: There is no use crying over spilt milk.
Explanation: To change a question into an assertive sentence, the meaning remains the same but is expressed as a statement rather than a question.
5. Blood is thicker than water. (change into an interrogative sentence)
Answer: Is blood thicker than water?
Explanation: Changing a statement into a question involves moving the verb to the beginning of the sentence.
6. He told a lie intentionally. (rewrite using the noun form of ‘intentionally’)
Answer: He told a lie with intention.
Explanation: The noun form of “intentionally” is “intention.” The sentence is rephrased to include “with intention” to maintain grammatical correctness.
7. Run fast or you will be late. (change into a complex sentence)
Answer: If you do not run fast, you will be late.
Explanation: The sentence is rewritten as a complex sentence by introducing a conditional clause using “if.”
8. The reporter made the news public. (rewrite using the verb form of ‘public’)
Answer: The reporter publicised the news.
Explanation: The verb form of “public” is “publicised,” which means to make something known to the public. The sentence is rewritten while retaining its original meaning.
Exercise 5
Write a newspaper report within 100 words on the effect of a devastating flood in your district based on the following hints:
Midnapore district—month of July — heavy rainfall — rivers overflowing— trees uprooted, many villages flooded— loss of human and animal life—rescue operations—steps taken by the government
Answer: ‘Flood Devastates Midnapore District‘
Staff Reporter
Midnapore, July 28: Midnapore district faced a catastrophic flood in July due to heavy rainfall, causing rivers to overflow. Several villages were submerged, and many trees were uprooted, leaving widespread destruction in their wake. The floods claimed numerous human and animal lives, with hundreds rendered homeless.
Rescue teams were deployed immediately to evacuate residents and provide relief. Temporary shelters were established, and food packets and medical aid were distributed to affected families. The government announced compensation for the victims and initiated measures to repair damaged infrastructure.
Efforts are underway to prevent future flooding by strengthening river embankments and improving drainage systems.
Exercise 6
Imagine that you and your friend are sailors of two ships that have recently returned from their voyages. Write a dialogue within 100 words on the different experiences of your voyages.
Answer: Ravi: Ahoy, Sunil! How was your voyage?
Sunil: Exhausting but thrilling! We encountered a fierce storm near the Andaman Sea, but our crew managed to steer the ship to safety. What about yours?
Ravi: Quite smooth, thankfully. We sailed along the Arabian coast. The calm waters made it easier to spot dolphins.
Sunil: That sounds peaceful. Any challenges?
Ravi: Just the usual—long hours and rough winds at times. Did you face much damage?
Sunil: A few sails were torn, but repairs were quick. Looking forward to resting ashore now!
Ravi: Same here. Let’s share tales over a meal soon.
Extras
Additional MCQs
1. How many ships are mentioned in the poem?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
Answer: B. Three
14. Why does the poet describe the second ship’s journey as being ‘hunted like a beast’?
A. To signify the ship’s strength
B. To highlight the ship’s eventual success
C. To show the overpowering force of the wind
D. To describe the ship’s swiftness
Answer: C. To show the overpowering force of the wind
Additional questions and answers
1. Who is the poet of “The North Ship”?
Answer: Philip Larkin.
18. What role does nature (wind, sea, sky) play in shaping the journeys of the ships?
Answer: Nature acts as both a guiding and opposing force, shaping each ship’s journey differently. The wind drives the first and second ships, while its absence for the third ship underscores isolation and self-reliance. The sea and sky reflect the emotional and existential landscapes of the voyages.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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