Summer and Winter | Poem 10 | English 8th | Tulip Series | (P. B. Shelley)

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Summer and Winter | Poem 10 | English 8th | Tulip Series |

(P. B. Shelley)

Summer and Winter

It was a bright and cheerful afternoon,

Towards the end of the sunny month of June,

When the north wind congregates in crowds

The floating mountains of the silver clouds

From the horizon--and the stainless sky

Opens beyond them like eternity.

All things rejoiced beneath the sun; the weeds,

The river, and the com-fields, and the reeds;

The willow leaves that glanced in the light breeze,

And the firm foliage of the larger trees.

 

It was a winter such as when birds die

In the deep forests; and the fishes lie

Stiffened in the translucent ice, which makes

Even the mud and slime of the warm lakes

A Wrinkled clod as hard as brick; and when.

Among their children, comfortable men

Gather about great fires, and yet feel cold:

Alas, then, for the homeless beggar old!

(Percy Bysshe Shelley)

 

Short Summary

"Summer and Winter" by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a contemplative poem that contrasts the seasons of summer and winter to explore the themes of change and impermanence. In the poem, the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of both seasons, highlighting the transitory beauty of summer's warmth and abundance, as well as the starkness and coldness of winter. The poem evokes a sense of melancholy as the speaker contemplates the passage of time and the inevitable cycle of birth, growth, decay, and renewal that characterizes nature. Despite the contrast between summer's vitality and winter's dormancy, the poem suggests a deeper harmony and unity underlying the apparent dichotomy, as both seasons play essential roles in the eternal rhythm of the natural world. Overall, "Summer and Winter" invites readers to reflect on the cyclical nature of existence and find solace in the ever-changing yet interconnected tapestry of life.

THINKING ABOUT THE POEM

Q1. What do the opening lines of the poem describe?

Ans. The opening lines of the poem describe the bright and cheerful charm of the sunny, afternoon of the month of June.

Q2. What is the effect of the shining sun on the objects of nature?

Ans. Beneath the shining sun all the objects, like the weeds, the river, the cornfields, and reeds are happy. The leaves of trees have become visible in the light and are seen waving here and there.

Q3. How is the winter described in the poem?

Ans. Winter is, described as a lifeless season in the poem. The poet says that winter seems to be as lifeless for birds; they die, as they cannot move freely in summer. Fishes in this season become firm in the frozen water, which looks slime and sticky. Wrinkled clod becomes hard as a brick. The children together with their parents feel cold although in front of the fire. The beggars become homeless. This symbolizes winter as a lifeless and gloom season.

Q4. Explain the following lines:

            All things rejoiced beneath the sun; the weeds,

            The river, and the cornfields, and the reeds;

            The willow leaves that glanced in the light breeze,

Ans. These lines have been taken from the poem “Summer and Winter” written by Percy Bysshe Shelley. In these lines, the poet says that when the summer sun rises, all things like weeds, the river, the cornfields, and other plants feel happiness. The leaves seem to move freely under the moderate breeze. It seems that summer has brought life on the earth to things that were in a lifeless condition in winter.

Q5. How does the poem end?

Ans. The poem ends with the description of the family where children together with their parents feel cold although in front of the great fire. The poet is sorry for the homeless beggar of winter who suffers the harshness of winter and cold being homelessness.

LANGUAGE WORK

Q1. Write down some visual images from the poem:

Ans. Some visual images from the poem are:

Floating Mountains, Stainless Sky, Wrinkled Clod, Hard as Brick

Q2. Pick out the rhyming words from the poem.

Ans. Rhyming Words:

Weeds …………… Reeds

Breeze …………… Trees

Die ………………. Lie

Cold …………….. Old

Crowds ………….. Clouds

Q3. Write down five adjectives from the poem.

Ans. Five adjectives from the poem are:

1. The Silver Clouds: In summer we see silver clouds floating in the sky.

2. The Stainless Sky: The stainless sky looks attractive in summer.

3. The Lager Tress: The larger trees are found in the forests of Kashmir.

4. The Translucent Ice: In winter the translucent ice floats on the surface of the water.

5. The Homeless Beggar: The homeless beggars are always seen begging in the streets of cities.