English X - Chapter No.9 - Words/Meaning, About Poet, Central Idea and Summary

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A NATION'S STRENGTH

Words/Meaning

S.No	Words	Meaning
1.	Brave	Bold
2.	Dare	To show courage
3.	To Fly	To run away from
4.	Honour	Respect / Dignity
5.	Lift them to the sky	Make their nation famous
6.	Lift	Raise
7.	People	Nation
8.	A nation's pillars	Columns, Here it means that brave man build their nation on foundations of lasting virtue
9.	Sake	Purpose, Regard
10.	Strength	Power
11.	To suffer long	To face hardship for a long time
12.	Truth	Honesty

About Poet
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1903-1882).

This poem is written by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1903-1882). He was born in Boston (USA). He was an essayist, a poet and a philosopher. His philosophy is everlasting, because it arose from a desire to make all things new, to seize life freshly, experience it first hand and use it to build beyond the old.

Central Idea

Reference Raph Waldo Emerson is the writer of this beautiful poem. His philosophy is everlasting, because it arose from a desire to make all things new, to seize life freshly.
Central Idea
The vigorous growth of any nation does not depend on wealth. But majority the result of hard work, high moral character and virtues of great people. A nation’s strength is a fruit of which labour is seed.
Theme
The heights by great men reached and kept were nor attained by sudden light, But they, while their companions left, were toiling upward in the night. (Henry Longfellow) “people do not lack strength they lack will.”

Summary

In this poem the poet tells about the secret of a nation’s greatness. He says that greatness of nation does not depend upon heaps of wealth or gold. He says that real strength of a nation lives in the men of character. These men up hold the cause of honour and truth, they remain united and face hardships for long period of time. Such men are brave, truthful, stead fast, self respecting and hard working. They do not care about their personal loss. They sacrifice their personal interest in the larger interest of their nation. They work while others enjoy a sound sleep. They bear every trial with courage. They dare and remain stead fast while others run away. They lay the foundation of a nation very deep. Then they take nation to the highest point of glory.

OR

In this poem, Emerson has described the secret of greatness of a nation. He says that the secret of the greatness of a nation does not lie in money or gold. Only the people of a country can make a nation great and strong. Then the poet mentions the type of people needed in order to make a nation strong. They are the people who can suffer long for the seek of honour and truth. Lazy and ezsy-going people can not serve their country. Only hard-working and courageous people can contribute to the strength of a nation. Sincere and brave persons can build the foundations of their country, deep and strong.