English X - Chapter No.14 - Reference To Context

Go To Index
THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE IS THE HAND THAT RULES THE WORLD (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: The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.
Poet: William Ross Wallace, (1819-1881)

1. Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) What is guided by angles and how?
(iii) What does the poet say in above lines
(iv) What is the message of the poem?
Ans:
(i) Poem: The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.
Poet: William Ross Wallace
(ii) The strength and grace of mothers is guided by angles. No one can destroy the spirit of the true mothers because it is protected by the holy angles. They bring God blessings to the mothers which help the mothers to struggle with the hard routine of life.
(iii) The poet in the form of a prayer asking God's blessings on mothers.
(iv) Mothers play the most important role in bringing up their children, it is due to their great efforts that their children achieve the highest posts in the world. Mothers rule the world because all the credit of great achievements made by man go to them.

2. Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) Why does the poet compare mother’s hands to a rainbow?
(iii) Write few lines about the poet
Ans:
(i) Poem: The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.
Poet: William Ross Wallace
(ii) The poet find resemblance between the mother’s hands and a rainbow because “rainbow” is symbol of peace, pleasure and happiness. It indicates that the storm has passed and difficulties have gone. Similarly a mother is a symbol of pity and pleasure who creates a peaceful and loving atmosphere for the whole family.
(iii) William Ross Wallace, (1819-1881) was born in Lexington, Kentucky. His first poem appeared in 1837. He was a lawyer by profession, but spent more time on literature. He composed patriotic songs during the civil war which became popular. He was a friend of Edgar Allen Poe whom he resembled in both temperament and habits. He possessed a splendid imagination as well as poetic diction.

Words / Meanings:
1. Hovel: a poor man's hut.
2. Rainbow: the coloured arch made of seven colours which appears in the sky after rainstorms. In English literature, it is said that treasure lies at the end of a rainbow. It is also a sign that the storm has passed and the trouble is over.

Reference to Context: (Line: 1-8)
These lines have been taken from the poem “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand rules the world” written by William Ross Wallace. In this poem poet tries to explain that actual ruler of the world is mother. Because she looks after her children and tries her best to make them important and useful persons in the world.

Explanation: (Line: 1-8)
In these lines poet prays for the blessings of God for mothers without any distinction of social status or place where they are living. He says that they may be protected by angels every where in the world in kings mansion or in poor man’s hut. She may be away from the sorrows and be blessed with peace and prosperity. As she brings up the child so she is the actual ruler of the world.

3. Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow
(i) Name the poem from where these lines have been taken?
(ii) Explain how the poet gives the credit for all great achievements of people to their mothers?
(iii) What role does the mother play in a child's life?
(iv) Why does the poet compare infancy (childhood) with the tender fountain?
(v) What does the poet say in above lines?
(vi) Who has composed this poem? Write the lines about him / her?
Ans:
(i) Poem: The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.
Poet: William Ross Wallace
(ii) The poet gives the credit for all great accomplishment of people to their mothers because all the great personalities are prominent in the world due to the careful bringing up to their mothers. It’s only the result of mother’s caring guidance and training that the world is passing with the periods of  great successes.
(iii) The role of a mother is to bring up and train the children. Mother is an actual guiding force for the children because due to her training a child can instigate a high moral character. Mother also infest in the children the spirit to know the difference between good and evil. A child is virtuous or his bad character depends upon the guidance of mother.
(iv) The poet compares infancy (childhood) with the tender fountain because childhood is just like a sophisticated and delicate fountain which can be led to any stage of life i.e. good or bad. It is only a mother who can guide a very young soil to his destination success it or failure.
(v) The poet describes the work of a mother in above lines.
(vi) This poem has composed by William Ross Wallace. William Ross Wallace, (1819-1881) was born in Lexington, Kentucky. His first poem appeared in 1837. He was a lawyer by profession, but spent more time on literature. He composed patriotic songs during the civil war which became popular. He was a friend of Edgar Allen Poe whom he resembled in both temperament and habits. He possessed a splendid imagination as well as poetic diction.

4. Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) What does it mean by “Sunshine streamed or evil hurled.”
(iii) What is the theme of the poem? 
Ans:
(i) Poem: The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.
Poet: William Ross Wallace
(ii) Sunshine is a symbol of goodness and virtue. This phrase means that the structure of a man’s character depends mainly upon the mother’s. If the training of mother is goo it mean that she has infested a high moral character in her children. But if the guidance is not good and child’s character will prevail by evilness.
(iii) Hands of mother are blessing for whole world.

Words / Meanings:
1. Unresting: always working.

Reference to Context: (Line: 9 -16)
These lines have been taken from the poem “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand rules the world” written by William Ress Wallace. In this poem poet tries to explain that actual ruler of the world is mother. Because she looks after her children and tries her best to make them important and useful persons in the world.

Explanation: (Line: 9 -16)
In these lines poet says that child hood is just like soft fountain from it power and charms flow. If some one moulds it for good it will be good, if some one moulds it for evil it will be evil. So that tender fountain in the presence of mother learns the lessons of goodness and wisdom. The child’s uneasy and impulsive nature is nursed properly by loving care of mother. All exceptional personalities are due to the careful upbringing of their mothers. In real sense she is the ruler of the world.

5. Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) How can the mother keep the young heart open and for what?
(iii) Whom does the poet address in above lines?
(iv) What is the divine mission of women?
Ans:
(i) Poem: The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.
Poet: William Ross Wallace
(ii) Mother has a very divine task to complete which starts right from the beginning of the child’s life and continues till the end. She keeps the young heart open in such a way that the child can understand and accept the divine commands of Allah.
(iii) The poet  addresses mothers in above lines and praise them.
(iv) The credit of all great and outstanding achievements of people goes to their mothers. She is one who lives with divine mission. She bring up the children with love and dignity which later becomes the source of winning the true trophies of life for them. In reality, the real and ultimate source of success, progress and prosperity is the mother only.

6. All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother's love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) Explain how the poet gives the credit for all great achievements of people to their mothers?
(iii) Explain the word 'trophies'
Ans:
(i) Poem: The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.
Poet: William Ross Wallace
(ii) The Credit for all great achievements of people go to their mothers. Because it is she who builds the character of a child that make him to wins distinctions in the world. All the rewards won by different persons on different occasions are the result of mother’s love, affection and her great service. In real sense she is the ruler of the world.
(iii)  Trophies: a shield or cup given as a prize for some great achievement, sometimes decorated with pearls.

Words / Meanings:
1. Natal sod: land of one's birth.
2. Trophies: a shield or cup given as a prize for some great achievement, sometimes decorated with pearls.

Reference to Context: (Line: 17 -24)
These lines have been taken from the poem “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand rules the world” written by William Ross Wallace.
In this poem poet tries to explain that actual ruler of the world is mother. Because she looks after her children and tries her best to make them important and useful persons in the world.

Explanation: (Line: 17 -24)
In these lines poet addresses the woman and says that her mission was divine mission on the earth. Here the poet implores the mother to inspire children to the prayer and worship of God, whole heartedly. It is she who builds the character that wins distinctions in the world. All the rewards won by different persons on different occasions are always decorated with gems and pearls of mother’s love and affection. In real sense she is the ruler of the world.

7. Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) Why does the poet say that the prayers for mothers on earth mingles with that said in heaven?
(iii) What does the poet express in above lines?
Ans:
(i) Poem: The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.
Poet: William Ross Wallace
(ii) We all believe that the prayers said on the earth get mixed with the prayers said by the angels  and saints in heaven. These are the prayers which lead the people to heaven, where no evil storm can destroy or worsen anything. Similarly, the poet says that fathers, sons and daughters are praying loudly for the blessings of God on the hand of mothers which mixed with the sacred song sung by angels. She is one who wipes away all the worries and anxieties from man’s mind and encourages him to face the dangers with grace and dignity. In real sense she is the ruler of the world.
(iii) In above lines, The poet expresses a prayer said by all mankind in honour of mothers.

8. Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) Explain first two lines of the stanza? 
(iii) Describe the poetic diction of William Ross Wallace?
Ans:
(i) Poem: The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.
Poet: William Ross Wallace
(ii) Its mean that in the heaven there will be no more sufferings. It will be like the relief we feel after a storm.
(iii) William Rose Wallace composed patriotic songs during the civil war which became popular. He was a friend of Edgar Allen Roe whom he resembled both in temperament and habits. He possessed a splendid imagination as well as poetic diction.


Words / Meanings:
1. Mingled with the worship in the sky: the prayer said on earth is also said by the angels and saints in heaven.
2. Where no tempest darkens, rainbows evermore are hurled: in the heaven there will be no more sufferings. It will be like the relief we feel after a storm.

Reference to Context: (Line: 25 -32)
These lines have been taken from the poem “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand rules the world” written by William Ross Wallace. In this poem poet tries to explain that actual ruler of the world is mother. Because she looks after her children and tries her best to make them important and useful persons in the world.

Explanation: (Line: 25 -32)
In these lines poet says that fathers, sons and daughters are praying loudly for the blessings of God on the hand of mothers. In those prayers the sacred song sung by angels is mixed with at the sky. That mixes there, where no evil storm can destroy or worsen and thing. Because she wipes away all the worries and anxieties from man’s mind and encourages him to face the dangers with grace and dignity. In real sense she is the ruler of the world.