First Flight — “Animals” Exercise Question Answers
by Walt Whitman
Animals — Exercise Question Answers (Simple Words)
Oral Comprehension Check
Q1. Notice the use of the word ‘turn’ in the first line, “I think I could turn and live with animals.” What is the poet turning from?
Answer:
The poet is turning away from human society and human behavior. He is tired of people’s greed, selfishness, and dishonesty.
Q2. Mention three things that humans do and animals don’t.
Answer:
Humans:
complain about their lives,
cry for their sins,
run after money and power.
Animals do not do these things.
Q3. Do humans kneel to other humans who lived thousands of years ago? Discuss this in groups.
Answer:
Yes, humans worship and respect famous people of the past. The poet feels that people blindly follow old traditions and great persons.
Q4. What are the ‘tokens’ that the poet says he may have dropped long ago, and which the animals have kept for him? Discuss this in class.
Answer:
The ‘tokens’ are the good qualities of humans such as:
kindness,
honesty,
innocence,
simplicity,
contentment.
Animals still have these qualities, but humans have lost them.
Thinking About the Poem
Q1. What does the poet mean by “Not one is demented with the mania of owning things”?
Answer:
The poet means that animals are not mad about collecting money or possessions. They are happy with what they have.
Q2. Why do you think the poet has called the act of owning things “mania”?
Answer:
The poet calls it “mania” because humans are crazy about wealth and property. They always want more and never feel satisfied.
Q3. What are the virtues of animals that humans do not have?
Answer:
Animals have many good qualities such as:
honesty,
peace,
satisfaction,
simplicity,
equality.
Humans often lack these qualities.
Q4. Do you पशु (animals) behave in the same way as humans do?
Answer:
No, animals do not behave like humans. They are natural, peaceful, and free from greed or selfishness.
Q5. What qualities of animals attract the poet most?
Answer:
The poet likes animals because they are:
Short Summary for Revision
The poet admires animals because they live peacefully and honestly. They do not complain or run after money. Humans have become greedy and selfish. The poet feels humans should learn simplicity and contentment from animals.
Comments
Post a Comment