Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF of Class 11 English Core textbook (Resonance), chapter 3 To the Pupils of Hindu College by HLV Derozio, 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.
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Summary
The poem “To the Pupils of Hindu College” by HLV Derozio celebrates the intellectual awakening of his students. The poet compares the opening of young minds to the blooming of flowers and the stretching wings of young birds, symbolising growth and freedom from previous constraints. Derozio observes how circumstances, early knowledge, and new perceptions influence the students’ learning process, and he marvels at their dedication to seeking truth. The poem reflects his joy and fulfillment in witnessing his students’ potential for future fame and success, assuring him that his efforts as a teacher have been meaningful.
Derozio’s use of nature imagery—such as “freshening April showers” and “young birds in soft summer hours”—highlights the natural, gradual development of his students’ intellectual abilities. He notes the three main influences on learning: circumstances, early knowledge, and new perceptions. The poet’s confidence in his students’ abilities and his sense of accomplishment in their future achievements underscore his qualities as an ideal teacher. Derozio finds joy in the prospect of his students weaving “chaplets” of fame, confirming his life’s work was not in vain.
The poem encourages appreciation of a teacher’s role in intellectual development and the deep satisfaction derived from seeing students succeed. Derozio’s sentiments exemplify an ideal teacher who nurtures and celebrates the growth of his students, fostering a lifelong love of learning and truth.
Line-by-line explanation of the poem
Expanding, like the petals of young flowers,
The poet compares the intellectual development of his students to the blooming of young flowers, suggesting that their minds are gradually opening up to new ideas and knowledge.
I watch the gentle opening of your minds,
Derozio observes with care and admiration as his students begin to understand and embrace new concepts, showing their intellectual growth.
And the sweet loosening of the spell that binds / Your intellectual energies and powers,
He describes the process where students free themselves from previous limitations, allowing their intellectual capabilities and strengths to flourish.
That stretch (like young birds in soft summer hours,) / Their wings, to try their strength.
The poet likens the students’ efforts to young birds stretching their wings, indicating their initial attempts to test and expand their knowledge and abilities.
O! how the winds / Of circumstances, and freshening April showers / Of early knowledge, and unnumbered kinds / Of new perceptions shed their influence:
Derozio emphasizes the various influences on his students’ learning, such as the events they experience, the early knowledge they acquire, and the numerous new ideas they encounter.
And how you worship truth’s omnipotence!
He admires his students’ deep respect and pursuit of the ultimate power of truth, reflecting their dedication to understanding and wisdom.
What joyance rains upon me, when I see / Fame, in the mirror of futurity, / Weaving the chaplets you are yet to gain,
The poet feels immense joy when he envisions the future achievements of his students, imagining them earning accolades and recognition for their efforts and knowledge.
And then I feel have not lived in vain.
Derozio concludes by expressing that seeing his students’ potential and future success gives his life purpose and meaning, assuring him that his work as a teacher has been worthwhile.
Textual questions and answers
Complete the following sentences
1. The word ‘expanding’ tells us that the poet’s students were _______
Answer: growing intellectually.
2. The gentle opening of the minds is compared to the _______
Answer: petals of young flowers.
3. Intellectual energies and power actually mean the _______ that every student has to learn.
Answer: abilities.
4. The young students grasp and explore new ideas like the _______ slowly attempting to fly _______
Answer: young birds; in soft summer hours.
5. There are three things according to the poet that influence learning. They are: _______
Answer: circumstances, early knowledge, and new perceptions.
6. The poet’s students were eager learners because they _______
Answer: worship truth’s omnipotence.
7. The poet feels confident that his students will surely _______
Answer: gain fame in the future.
8. The poet experiences a sense of gratification when he sees into the future where his students _______
Answer: weaving the chaplets of fame.
Appreciating the poem
1. What makes the poet say that his life has not been in vain? What gives him a special sense of achievement?
Answer: The poet feels that his life has not been in vain because he foresees the future success of his students, imagining them gaining fame and weaving chaplets. This vision of their future achievements gives him a special sense of achievement and gratification.
2. Do you see qualities of an ideal teacher in the poet? What are those? Describe the teacher in the poet.
Answer: Yes, the poet exhibits qualities of an ideal teacher. He is nurturing, encouraging the intellectual growth of his students, and finds joy in their development. He is also visionary, seeing and fostering their potential for future success.
3. The poet uses imagery, drawn from nature, to describe the development in his students. Give two instances from the poem to demonstrate this.
Answer: The poet uses the imagery of young birds stretching their wings in soft summer hours to describe the students trying their strength. Additionally, he compares the students’ intellectual growth to the gentle opening of flower petals.
Appreciating form and language
Pick out and explain the two similes from the poem that describe the learning process in the students.
Answer: The first simile is “like the petals of young flowers,” which describes the gentle and gradual opening of the students’ minds as they expand and grow intellectually. The second simile is “like young birds in soft summer hours,” which illustrates the students stretching their wings to test their strength, symbolizing their exploration and learning of new ideas.
Writing
Write a thank you note to your teacher for opening your mind to life and its layers of truth.
Answer:
Dear Teacher,
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your guidance and support. Your teachings have opened my mind to the many layers of truth and the complexities of life. You have inspired me to think critically, question deeply, and explore the world with an open heart and mind. Thank you for being an exceptional teacher and mentor.
Sincerely,
Astha
Extra fill in the blanks
1. The word ‘expanding’ tells us that the poet’s students were _______. (growing/maturing)
Answer: growing
10. The poet describes early knowledge as _______. (April showers/freshening winds)
Answer: April showers
Extra true or false
1. The poet compares the opening of students’ minds to the petals of young flowers.
Answer: True
10. The poet’s students were uninterested in learning new ideas.
Answer: False
Extra question and answer
1. “Expanding, like the petals of young flowers,”
(i) What is being compared to the petals of young flowers?
Answer: The gentle opening of the students’ minds.
(ii) What does the word ‘expanding’ signify in the context of the poem?
Answer: It signifies the growth and development of the students’ minds.
(iii) Who is the speaker observing in this line?
Answer: The speaker is observing the pupils of Hindu College.
14. The poet uses imagery, drawn from nature, to describe the development in his students. Give two instances from the poem to demonstrate this.
Answer: The poet uses rich imagery from nature to illustrate his students’ development. First, he compares their intellectual awakening to the petals of young flowers gently opening, signifying a delicate and natural growth process. Second, he likens their intellectual energies and powers to young birds stretching their wings in soft summer hours, attempting to fly. These images convey the gradual and organic nature of their learning journey, highlighting the poet’s appreciation for the natural progression of their intellectual and personal growth.
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