English X - Chapter No.18 - Reference To Context

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CASABIANCA (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 
Poem: Casabianca
Poetess: Felicia Dorothea Hemans. (1793- 1835)
Explain With Reference To Context (Poem)


1. The boy stood on the burning deck,
Whence all but he had fled;
The flame that lit the battle’s wreck
Shone round him o’er the dead.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) What does battle's wreck mean in this poem?
(iii)  Who was a boy?
(iv) What is the message of the poem?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Casabianca
Poetess : Felicia Dorothea Hemans.
(ii) In this poem, the battle's wreck means that the ship had become a wreck after being damaged in the fighting.
(iii) A boy was a Casabianca, a young and brave soldier of his country. He was a born hero and has a very strong, composed and pleasant personality. Dutifulness and obedience were his making characteristics and he was proud of fighting for his country.
(iv) In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Words / Meaning

1. The battle's wreck: the ship had become a wreck after being damaged in the fighting

2. The deck: the floor of a ship.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Casabianca” written by Felicia Dorothea Hemans. In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess tells that Casabianca was standing on the board of the ship which was on fire. He was standing alone while all others had left the ship. The flames of fire rising on all sides. These flames were shining over dead bodies of the soldiers killed in the battle.


2. Yet beautiful and bright he stood,
As born to rule the storm,
A creature of Heroic blood
A proud, through child – like form.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) Explain line no.3.
(iii) Why does the poet / poetess use the word 'proud'?
(iv) What is the message of the poem?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Casabianca
Poetess : Felicia Dorothea Hemans.
(ii) Heroic blood means the blood of great and noble people. In this line the poetess tells that the boy Casabianca had inherited greatness and nobility from his forefathers.
(iii) The poetess feels proud on Casabianca, the boy who stood on the board of the burning ship. He looked very brave and proud to carry out the command of father. He had inherited nobility from his fore fathers.
(iv) In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Words / Meaning

1.Heroic blood: the blood of great and noble people; the boy had inherited greatness and nobility from his forefathers.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Casabianca” written by Felicia Dorothea Hemans. In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess tells that the boy stood on the board of the ship inspite of burning flames. He looked very handsome in the light of these flames. It seemed that he was born to govern over storms. He had inherited nobility from his fore fathers. Though he was of tender age, he looked brave and proud to carry out the command of father.


3. The flames rolled on – he would not go
Without his father’s word
That father faint in death below
His voice no longer heard.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) What qualities did the boy possesses in Casabianca?
(iii) Who was Casabianca's father and why was he not hear the voice of his son?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Casabianca
Poetess : Felicia Dorothea Hemans.
(ii) The young boy, in "Casabianca" possessed numerous qualities of being, brave, courageous, loyal, disciplined, obedient and true patriot. The entire poem revolves around an excellent sense of duty and responsibility. He kept waiting for his father's permission and never left the duty behind. The end is tragic and pathetic.
(iii) His father was a Captain of the ship and he was laying dead in the lower part of the ship so his voice could be heard no more.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Casabianca” written by Felicia Dorothea Hemans. In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess says that flames rushed at Casabianca. But he had resolved not to leave the place unless his father permitted him. His father was laying dead in the lower part of the ship so his voice could be heard no more.


4. He called aloud: “Say father! Say
If yet my task is done?”
He knew no that the chieftain lay
Unconscious of his son.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) Where did the speaker stand? Why was he /she calling his / her father repeatedly?
(iii) What quality did the speaker possess?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Casabianca
Poetess : Felicia Dorothea Hemans.
(ii) The speaker was a young boy Casabianca, who was standing on a burning deck and waiting for his father. He was ordered by his father not to move from the place without his permission. He did not know that his father was dead and could not reply.
(iii) Casabianca" possessed numerous qualities of being, brave, courageous, loyal, disciplined, obedient and true patriot. The entire poem revolves around an excellent sense of duty and responsibility. He kept waiting for his father's permission and never left the duty behind. The end is tragic and pathetic.

Words / Meaning

1. Chieftain: a chief: a leader.

2. Unconscious: unaware; not knowing.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Casabianca” written by Felicia Dorothea Hemans. In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess tells that the boy called his father in a loud voice. He asked whether, the duty assigned to him was complete or not. He did not know that commander of the ship was unaware about the condition of his son.


5. “Speak father!” Once again he cried.
“If I may yet be gone”!
And but the booming shots replied,
And fast the flames rolled on.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
Ans:
(i) Poem: Casabianca
Poetess : Felicia Dorothea Hemans.

Words / Meaning

1. To boom: to make a deep, echoing sound as of guns.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Casabianca” written by Felicia Dorothea Hemans. In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess tells that the boy again cried and asked his father if he could go. He wanted to say more but his voice was drowned in the midst of heavy noise of guns and the flames rushed on very fast.

6. Upon his brow he felt their breath,
And in his waving hair,
And looked from that lone post of death,
In still, yet brave despair.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) What does the poetess mean by saying that “Lone Post of Death”?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Casabianca
Poetess : Felicia Dorothea Hemans.
(ii) The poetess is describing the death scene of Casabianca through the phrase. It means that when the fire was near to engulf him and his death time had arrived, he felt his heart on his forehead and in waving hair. He stood quite and calm and looked around him with bold heart though he was disappointed.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Casabianca” written by Felicia Dorothea Hemans. In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess says that the flames rushed at the boy. He felt their heat on his fore head and in waving hair. Though he knew, that his death was near but he stood quite and calm. He looked around him from place of death with bold heart though he was disappointed.


7. And shouted but once more aloud
“My father! Must I stay”?
While o’er him fast, through sail and shroud
The wreathing fires made way.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) How has the Felicia Dorothea Hemans been compared to other poets?
(iii) What does 'shroud' mean?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Casabianca
Poetess : Felicia Dorothea Hemans.
(ii)  Felicia Dorothea Hemans has been compared to Henry Long Fellow and Cowper. She had the same pathetic and there is a great enthusiasm for chivalry and heroism in her work like the other poets. She also stressed moral values.
(iii) Shroud means one of the ropes stretching from the mast to the side of a ship.

Words / Meaning

1. A shroud: one of the ropes stretching from the mast to the side of a ship.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Casabianca” written by Felicia Dorothea Hemans. In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess says that the boy once again cried out in loud voice. He wanted to know if it was necessary for him to stay there. Just then the flames rushed through sails and ropes.


8. They wrapt the ship in splendour wild,
They caught the flag high,
And streamed above the gallant child,
Like banners in the sky.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) Why does the poetess call the Casabianca “A Gallant Child”?
(iii) What lesson do you learn from the poem?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Casabianca
Poetess : Felicia Dorothea Hemans.
(ii) Ans. The poetess calls the Casabianca “a gallant child” because he stood like a rock and fearless in the fire and the enemy’s shelling. He was despair in the moments of death and danger. When his body blown into bites and he was defeated by the death, his spirit was not overpowered and he remained as a brave and valiant soldier.
(iii) From this poem, we learn the lesson that we should obey our parents under all circumstances and at all times. We should be ready even to sacrifice our life for our parents.

Words / Meaning

1. A banner: a flag or standard.

2. Gallant: brave.

3. Wrapt: wrapped.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Casabianca” written by Felicia Dorothea Hemans. In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess tells that the flames surrounded the ship and covered it on all sides. They even reached the flag which was flying very high. They also surrounded the brave boy like the flag’s shadows in the sky.


9. There came a burst of thunder sound,
The boy oh! Where was he?
Ask of the winds that far around
With fragments strewed the sea.
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii)  Explain 'With fragments strewed the sea.'?
(iii) Write a short note on Casabianca?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Casabianca
Poetess : Felicia Dorothea Hemans.
(ii) In this line the poetess says that the ship was blasted and his body blown to small pieces, covered the sea. But in reality his spirit and moral was not defeated. Till his last breath, he stood like rock facing death and danger.
(iii) Casabianca was a young and brave soldier of his country. He was a born hero and has a very strong, composed and pleasant personality. Dutifulness and obedience were his making characteristics and he was proud of fighting for his country.

Words / Meaning

1. Strewed: covered with small pieces.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Casabianca” written by Felicia Dorothea Hemans. In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess tells that suddenly a loud noise was heard there and no one can imagine that where the body of brave boy was. Only the winds could say which were blowing around the boy that where was he.


10. With mast and helm and pennon fair,
That well had borne their part;
But the noblest thing which perished there,
Was that young faithful heart!
(i) Name the poem and the poet / poetess.
(ii) What do you know about a battleship from this poem?
(iii) What is the noblest thing referred to by the poetess in this poem?
Ans:
(i) Poem: Casabianca
Poetess : Felicia Dorothea Hemans.
(ii) As the poem was written in the 19th century, in these days ships made from wood. There were different parts like most, helm, pennon fair etc. Moreover they also used, cannon balls for destruction purposes.
(iii) The noblest thing that was burnt by fire in the battleship was the young noble heart of Casabianca. The poetess calls it the noblest thing because this heart was obedient, disciplined and faithful.

Words / Meaning

1. Helm: wheel for steering a ship.

2. The mast: a thick tall pole of wood or metal to which a ship's sails are tied)

3. A pennon: a narrow flag flown from the top of the mast.

Reference to Context:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Casabianca” written by Felicia Dorothea Hemans. In the poem poetess conveys the message of bravery, sacrifice, responsibility, patriotism and discipline through the story of Casabianca.

Explanation:
In these lines poetess tells that part played by mast, rudder and the flag flying on mast is praise worthy. But the noblest thing which died there was the young obedient and disciplined heart, that was Casabianca.