Unit-6 - Character Building - Reading Comprehension - Speak Gently (Poem)- - Reference To Context

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Unit-6 - Character Building
Reading Comprehension
Speak Gently (Poem)
Reference To Context

Note : Students are advised to read whole chapters and poems thoroughly for reference to context.

Text Book Name: Secondary Stage English Book Two For Class X 
Explain With Reference To Context (Poem)
Poem: Speak Gently
Poet: David Bates (1809 - 1870)

1. Speak gently; it is better far
To rule by love than fear.
Speak gently; let no harsh word mar
The good we may do here.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) What is the result of adopting harsh attitude?
(iii) What advice has been given by the poet in this poem?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Speak Gently
Poet: David Bates (1809 - 1870)
(ii) We should use polite words and not harsh and unkind words, because harsh words are kind of moral sin which may spoil our good deeds.
(iii) The poet advises us to speak gently to every one. Words spoken with love in a mild and polite tone not only leave a great impression but also earn respect and honour.

Words / Meanings
1. Gently: softly; kindly
2. Harsh: cruel; angry.
3. To mar: to spoil.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Speak gently” written by a poet David Bates (1809 - 1870).
In this poem poet asks us to speak in soft and mild tone to all. Because kind words go deep into the heart of listener. The effect of speaking gently is good and long lasting.

Explanation:
In these lines poet says that when we speak with others we should use kind words. If we want to rule the people, we should get their obedience by love. Because obedience secured by love is better than that which is the result of fear. He further says that we should use mild words and not harsh and unkind words, because harsh words may spoil our good deeds.

2. Speak gently to the little child;
Its love be sure to gain;
Teach it in accents soft and mild,
It may not long remain.
(i) Name the poem and write the correct and actual name of your text book from which has these lines been taken.
(ii) Why should we speak gently to the little children?
(iii) What is the central idea of the poem?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Speak Gently
Poet: David Bates (1809 - 1870)
(ii) We should speak gently to the little children because they are like the blooming flowers. We can win their hearts by speaking in soft and polite tone.
(iii) The message or central idea of the poem is that “we should speak gently to everyone because we can win the heart of the people by speaking gently and politely”.

Words / Meanings
1. Accents: tone of voice.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Speak gently” written by a poet David Bates (1809 - 1870).
In this poem poet asks us to speak in soft and mild tone to all. Because kind words go deep into the heart of listener. The effect of speaking gently is good and long lasting.

Explanation:
In these line poet says that one should speak to a little child in soft and mild tone, it is certain that he will love him. If some one is teaching some thing to him, it might be taught in polite manner and soft accent, because who knows how long he will remain here.

3. Speak gently to the aged one;
Grieve not the careworn heart;
Whose sands of life are nearly run;
Let such in peace depart.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) Why should we speak gently to the aged one?
(iii) What does 'careworn' mean?
(iv) What is the message of the poem?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Speak Gently
Poet: David Bates (1809 - 1870)
(ii) We should speak to the aged one in polite manner and should use kind words with them. They are already sad and tired, and have completed their time here in this world. So they must be given respect, love, care and concern. Soft and polite tones will help their soul to leave this world in pleasant mood.
(iii) Careworn means worried, anxious, tired.
(iv) This simple and short poem conveys a lasting message based on the supreme virtue of life. The poet stresses that selective and chosen words should be used as " words cost nothing but create a lot'. We can win the heart of everyone with polite and soft words.

Words / Meanings
1. To grieve: to cause unhappiness to.
2. Careworn: worried; anxious, tired.
3. Whose sand of life is nearly run: Whose years of life are nearly spent. This is a metaphor taken from an old fashioned way of telling the time. Sand was dripped through a glass container called an hourglass. When the sand had passed through, it showed an hour had passed.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Speak gently” written by a poet David Bates (1809 - 1870).
In this poem poet asks us to speak in soft and mild tone to all. Because kind words go deep into the heart of listener. The effect of speaking gently is good and long lasting.

Explanation:
In these lines poet says that senior citizens be spoken in polite manner. One should use kind words while speaking to them. They are already sad and tired, so they may not be sadden. They have completed their time here in this world; they are here for very brief time. So they may be allowed to leave this world in pleasant mood.

4. Speak gently; 'tis a little thing
Dropped in the heart's deep well;
The good, the joy that it may bring
Eternity shall tell.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) What resemblance does he find between hearts and the deep well?
(iii) What does the poet say about eternity?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Speak Gently
Poet: Poem isDavid Bates (1809 - 1870)
(ii) The poet finds resemblance between and deep well because like deep well we cannot assume what is deeply within human heart. One thing is sure that the soft words go deeply in the heart and we cannot assume these words out of the hearts.
(iii) He said that we shall be rewarded in the world hereafter by God. If we speak gently to everybody. It is everlasting award one can achieve in the next world also.

Words / Meanings
2. Eternity: The life after death, Endless future

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Speak gently” written by a poet David Bates (1809 - 1870).
In this poem poet asks us to speak in soft and mild tone to all. Because kind words go deep into the heart of listener. The effect of speaking gently is good and long lasting.

Explanation:
In these lines poet says that kind words, though they seem insignificant but they have magical effect on people. Because kind words touch the depth of human hearts. The reward of speaking gently will be gained in the next world.