English X - Chapter No.10 - Questions-Answers and Text Book Exercise

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BEAUTIFUL HANDS (POEM)
Questions-Answers and Text Book Exercise

A. Question and Answers

Q.1 What words or phrases tell us that they are not pretty in the physical sense?
Ans. The poet uses the words or phrases like "neither white nor small" "fair at all" and "these ages and wrinkled hands" tell us that the hands are not beautiful in their physical appearance. It means that these hands are old and full of wrinkles. They are neither fair not small but rough and big.

Q.2 Why does the poetess praise the hands in the second stanza? OR Why does the poetess praise the mother's hands
Ans. The poetess praises the mother's hands because they always remained busy and carelessly worked hard in order to provide happiness to her children. These are the hands might be tired or sad, but provided comfort and peace. The poetess counts the trouble and pain taken by a mother during her childhood, as she could help her mother in daily life but she did not.

Q.3 In the third stanza, what does “These hands must folded be” mean?
Ans. The words, “These hands must folded be” mean that the death time of the poetess mother was near to come. The poetess is showing her grief because soon her mother would be under the layers of wild flowers in a folding manner.

Q.4 Who does the poetess praise in this poem? OR Why does the poetess praise her mother’s hand in this poem?
Ans. In this poem, the poetess pays a high tribute to her mother’s hands for their spiritual beauty and all mothers in general. She appreciates the services provided by mothers to bring up their children. Mothers bear a lot of hardships restlessly so that her family might enjoy a happy life. Therefore, they are worthy of our praise, love and respect.


Q.5: What do you know about the poet / poetess of the poem?
Ans: This poem is written by Ellen M. H. Gates (1835-1920). She was born in Torington, Connecticut (USA). She wrote religious songs (hymns) like "The Home of the Soul" and "Eternity" for well-known magazines. Collections of her poems were published in 1897 and 1910.

Q.6: What is the message of the poem "Beautiful Hands"?
Ans: In this poem poetess praises mother’s hands for their spiritual beauty. She pays a rich and unique tribute to her mother. According to her, mother’s hands are symbol of love, sacrifice, affection and hard work to bring up her children.

OR

The message of the poem "Beautiful Hands" is that mothers do a lot of work for their children. They take no rest and go on looking after their children patiently. Children should also appreciate mother's services to them.

Q.7: What rewards for her mother does the poet? poetess think of?

Ans: The poetess is fully confident that her mother will go to paradise after death. She will be young again there. The poet says that she will clasp her mother's hand in the paradise. Mothers will be rewarded for their sacrifice in giving birth and bringing up their children.

B. Words and Meanings:

1. Palms of victory: these were given to a soldier or an athlete who was victorious.

2. Crystal: transparent, clearer.

3. Clasp: hold in hand.

C. Idioms

1. With a high hand: Disregarding the feeling of other

Example:

He settled matters with a high hand and ignored the requests of all concerned.

Exercise:

He is most unpopular because he decides matter without regarding the feelings of others. (Substitute the idiom)

He is most unpopular because he decides matter with a high hand.