The Pandemic | Melody VII | Summary | Questions and Answers

 

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English | Melody VII

JANDKNCERT – provides free solutions for most of the ncert books. In the library of JANDKNCERT, you will find almost all kinds of study material. In this post, you will find the summary, questions and answers to the poem ‘The Pandemic’, taken from the recently introduced English for JK UT students, Melody VII. It is actually a Honeycomb version of ncert that has already been introduced in other states of the Country. Some of the chapters are already been added to the English Tulip Series of Class 7th and you can check these chapters by clicking this link https://www.jandkncert.com/p/free-ncert-solutions-for-class-7th_43.html. Here we will try to provide you the easy solutions for the chapters given in this Melody VII or Honeycomb. Read the poem from the Textbook of English Melody VII of JK or download the same as the Honeycomb series from the ncert website.

 

Unit 10
Summary | Questions | Answers |

Poem 10. The Pandemic

 

The Pandemic

Longing for a knock at the door

This Eid too passed under siege.

Paralysed, the City of Paradise

quietly witnessed the withering

of blossoming flowers.

Asleep, the City of Temples

alone mourned the death

of sparkling faces.

Ambushed in the mesh of fear

no requiem held for the dead.

Harassed in darkness

my pained heart ponds

at the tormenting images

flashing from the television screen.

People gasping for breath

young bodies on ventilators

on the burning pyres

wafting into dense smoke.

There is no space

at the shamshaans

at the qabristans

and many floating on the banks of a river.

My soul, devastated, asks,

Will the night of sorrows ever end?

Will the sun of life rise again?

Will the breeze of hope blow again?

Will the scent of flowers spread again?

Will the spring of colours splash again?

Will the bird of love. Of joy, of life…….

 

Short Summary

         The poem "The Pandemic" reflects on the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, portraying the sombre scenes that unfolded during the crisis. The poet describes a sense of longing, emphasizing the isolation and siege-like atmosphere that characterized Eid, a festive occasion that, too, passed under the shadow of the pandemic. The City of Paradise and the City of Temples are depicted as paralyzed and asleep, witnessing the withering of flowers and mourning the loss of lives.

The verses poignantly convey the grim reality of the pandemic, where the city becomes ambushed in fear, and there is no proper farewell for the departed. The poet's heart is pained by the tormenting images broadcasted on television screens, depicting people struggling for breath, bodies on ventilators, and the haunting scenes of cremations. The poem captures the overwhelming grief, highlighting the scarcity of space at cremation grounds and cemeteries, with some bodies even floating on riverbanks.

Amidst the devastation, the poet's soul raises poignant questions, expressing a yearning for an end to the night of sorrows and a hopeful anticipation for the return of life's vibrancy. The verses echo the collective desire for the revival of hope, the fragrance of flowers, the colours of spring, and the resurgence of love and joy. The poem encapsulates the deep impact of the pandemic on human lives and the enduring quest for a brighter, more hopeful future.

 

Glossary

Paralyse: motionless

City of Paradise: Kasmir

City of Temples: Jammu

Ambush: (h) trap

Requiem: an act of remembrance in the honour of dead

Gasp: be out of breath

Pyre: funeral

Waft: to pass through the air

Shamshaans: a place where dead bodies are cremated

Qabristans: a place where dead bodies are buried

Devastate: ruin, destroy

 

Working with the Poem

 

Question 1: What does the poem refer to?

 

Answer 1:

The poem "The Pandemic" refers to the profound impact and hardships experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, portraying themes of loss, grief, and the yearning for a hopeful future.

 

Answer 2:

The poem "The Pandemic" reflects the experiences and emotions of the poet in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The verses describe the impact of the pandemic on communities and cities, portraying a sombre picture of loss, grief, and isolation. The references to Eid passing under siege, the City of Paradise, and the City of Temples suggest a universal theme, emphasizing that the effects of the pandemic have touched various cultures, religions, and regions.

The poem vividly captures the devastating consequences of the pandemic, including the loss of lives, the strain on healthcare systems, and the challenges of performing last rites with dignity. The poet's questions about whether the night of sorrows will end, whether life will resume, and whether hope and joy will return convey a sense of longing for recovery and a better future.

Overall, the poem serves as a poignant reflection on the profound and far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resonating with the collective feelings of grief, uncertainty, and the enduring human spirit's quest for renewal.

 

 

Question 2: Comment on the mood of the poem.

 

Answer:

The mood of the poem "The Pandemic" is deeply reflective, sombre, and melancholic. The poet conveys a sense of longing, grief, and despair as they narrate the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities and individuals. The use of evocative imagery, such as the withering flowers, mourning cities, and tormenting images on television screens, contributes to a mood of profound sadness and reflection. The questioning tone in the lines expressing uncertainty about the end of sorrows and the revival of life further intensifies the overall melancholy mood of the poem.

 

Question 3: Pick out the words which are suggestive of pathos in the poem.

 

Answer:

The words in the poem "The Pandemic" that are suggestive of pathos, evoking a sense of pity, sorrow, and deep emotion, include:

Longing, passed under siege, Paralysed, withering of blossoming flowers, Mourned the death, harassed in darkness, tormenting images, People, gasping for breath, burning pyres, Dense smoke, no space, Floating on the banks of a river, Devastated soul, Night of sorrows, Sun of life, Breeze of hope, Scent of flowers, Spring of colours, Bird of love, of joy, of life

These words collectively contribute to the pathos in the poem, creating a poignant and emotionally charged atmosphere.

 

Explanation:

1. Longing: Expresses a yearning or desire, suggesting unfulfilled emotional needs.

2. Passed under siege: Implies a sense of confinement, isolation, and hardship.

3. Paralysed: Conveys a state of helplessness and immobility.

4. Withering of blossoming flowers: Evokes an image of beauty fading and life being cut short.

5. Mourned the death: Highlights the sorrow and grief associated with loss.

6. Harassed in darkness: Implies a sense of distress and suffering in challenging circumstances.

7. Tormenting images: Describes distressing visuals that cause emotional pain.

8. People gasping for breath: Portrays a vivid and distressing scene of physical suffering.

9. Burning pyres: Symbolizes the finality of death and the emotional weight of cremations.

10. Dense smoke: Suggests the heaviness and obscurity of the atmosphere during cremations.

11. No space: Indicates the overwhelming demand for burial or cremation space.

12. Floating on the banks of a river: Evokes a tragic image of bodies left unattended.

13. Devastated soul: Conveys a profound sense of emotional ruin and despair.

14. Night of sorrows: Implies a prolonged period of grief and hardship.

15. Sun of life: Symbolizes hope for a brighter and more positive future.

16. Breeze of hope: Conveys a desire for the renewal of optimism and positive change.

17. Scent of flowers: Represents the return of beauty, life, and normalcy.

18. Spring of colours: Symbolizes the resurgence of vibrancy and joy.

19. Bird of love, of joy, of life: Conveys a longing for the return of positive emotions and experiences.

 

Question 4: What do you think the question at the end of the poem suggests?

 

Answer:

The question at the end of the poem suggests a profound sense of uncertainty and yearning, as the poet wonders whether the hardships and sorrows brought about by the pandemic will ever come to an end and whether life will see a renewal of hope, joy, and positive experiences.

 

Question 5: Do you think that the poem captures a particular point of the time during the pandemic?

 

Answer:

The poem appears to capture a specific point in time during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting on the impact, grief, and uncertainty experienced by individuals and communities during that period.

 

Question 6: Do you think that the pandemic affected your life? Explain.

 

Answer:

 

The pandemic has undoubtedly impacted the lives of people globally, leading to changes in daily routines, work environments, and overall well-being. The effects have been widespread and varied, touching nearly every aspect of human life.