Get here the notes, questions, answers, textbook solutions, summary, extras, PDF of BSEM or BoSEM (Manipur Board) Class 10 Additional English poem (Chapter 3) “Traveller’s Return” by Robert Southey. However, the provided notes should only be treated as reference, and the students are encouraged to make changes to them as they feel appropriate.
Summary
Robert Southey’s poem “Traveller’s Return” captures the beauty and tranquilly of nature as seen through the eyes of a traveller. The poem opens with a morning scene in which the traveller is greeted by the sweet song of a skylark in the sky, twinkling in the early morning light. Along his noontime route, the traveller is also encouraged by the gales that play around him.
The soothing sound of the flowing water comforts the traveller as the day goes on, helping him to forget his weariness. The traveller is still surrounded by nature’s beauty as afternoon turns into evening. He is soothed and contented by the distant sound of sheep bells, which is like sweet music to his ears.
The traveller is now heading back home after having a wonderful trip. The voice of love that welcomes him home, the poet observes, is the sweetest of all the lovely sounds of evening or morning. This last line implies that, rather than in the splendour of nature, the traveller’s true home and happiness are found in the love of others.
The poem is a celebration of nature’s beauty and its capacity to uplift and sooth the human spirit overall. The poem suggests that even in the midst of life’s difficulties, nature can bring a sense of peace and contentment. The traveller’s journey is a metaphor for the human experience. The poem also emphasises the significance of relationships and love in our lives as they are the ultimate source of fulfilment and happiness.
Comprehension
1. What does the traveller enjoy when he travels in the morning?
Answer: The traveller enjoys the sweet melody of the skylark when he travels in the morning.
2. What cheers the traveller up during midday?
Answer: Midday winds provide some much-needed encouragement to the weary traveller.
3. Under the fierce sun, what gives him pleasure?
Answer: The sound of the river’s music provides solace to the weary traveller under the scorching sun.
4. In the evening, what does the traveller enjoy most?
Answer: The sound of a sheep bell in the distance is a pleasant melody to the weary traveller.
5. What, according to the poet, is even better than all the pleasures described in the earlier stanzas?
Answer: The poet says that the welcome of his love upon his return is the greatest of all the pleasures he has described in the earlier stanzas.
6. Why does the poet refer to “the voice of Iove” as the “sweetest”?
Answer: Because his greatest joy and solace come from the love of those closest to him, the poet describes “the voice of love” as the “sweetest.”
Application
1. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
Answer: Sky-high; play-way; morn-return; etc., are all examples of end rhymes in lines two and four of each stanza, respectively, of this poem.
2. How many stanzas are there in the poem?
Answer: There are five stanzas in the poem.
Composition
1. Write a paraphrase of the poem.
Answer: Early in the morning, the traveller was greeted by the sweet song of skylarks as he set out on his journey home. Then, around noon, he felt a gust of wind that lifted his spirits. As the day wore on and the sun’s rays grew weaker, the calming sound of the river’s flow helped ease his weary spirit. Afternoon morphed into evening in a slow, steady progression. There was complete silence, but in the distance he could make out the mellow tune of sheep bells, which made him smile. Even though the poet saw and heard many wonderful things throughout his journey, he said that hearing his beloved’s voice greet him at the end of the day was the greatest joy of the day. Even though he found happiness in the natural world, hearing the voices of his loved ones made him even happier.
2. Make a list of some of the sounds and sights that you like/enjoy.
Answer: A waterfall crashing down a rocky cliff is one of the most entrancing sounds in the world to my ears. The chirp of crickets on a warm summer night is another pleasant sound. Their music has a steady beat that can help set a relaxing mood. I find the rumbling echoes of thunder during a storm to be both thrilling and calming.
Nature’s sights are also boundless in their ability to captivate. After a rainstorm, I always look forward to seeing a rainbow. I also find beauty in the sight of rugged mountain peaks and peaceful valleys. The sight of a starry sky has always filled me with awe and mystery, and I share that sentiment with many people. To conclude, a cherry blossom tree in full bloom in the spring can be a breathtaking sight.
3. Make another list of things in nature that you dislike or hate.
Answer: Nature’s many wonders never fail to amaze, but there are some aspects I find particularly annoying: earthquake, cyclone, flood, aridity, lightning, and thunder. All of these natural calamities have a destructive effect on living things.
4. Describe the sweet sounds and sights that the traveller enjoyed on his return.
Answer: The savouring sounds and sights of nature accompanied the traveller on his way home. Returning home, he was greeted by the sweet morning song of skylarks. Even though he was feeling tired around noon, the gusts that were playing around him helped lift his spirits. While on the road in the afternoon, he was comforted by the soothing sound of the water. The sound of the distant sheep-bell was like music to the traveller’s ears as dusk or sunset drew near. And yet, the poet said that the sweetest of all the pleasures he experienced on his journey was “the voice of love” that greeted him when he returned home.
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