POEM-A THING OF BEAUTY

John Keats

Summary :
This poem speaks about beautiful things and how they play an important role in our lives.
According to the poet, a thing of beauty provides endless joy and its loveliness keeps increasing.
Its beauty can never cease. It acts as a shady place for us, under which we can sleep and have
sweet dreams. It is like a flowery band that binds us to the earth. Today, everyone's life is filled
with sadness and misery. It is these things of beauty that steal us away from our gloomy lives
and give us a few moments of wonder and joy. Some of the beautiful things that the poet
mentions are the sun, moon, young as well as old trees, which provide shade to sheep, daffodils,
pure streams and musk-roses blooming in forests. The poet also finds beauty in the imaginary
stories people have made about death and lovely stories that he has heard. According to the poet,
things of beauty are like an endless fountain pouring on us from the heavens, which signifies that
God himself has made these beautiful things so that we may have happiness, calm and peace in
our lives.
Q1 :What pleasure does a beautiful thing give us? Are beautiful things worth treasuring?
The world is filled with negative elements which make our life dull, sad, depressing and bereft of
hope. In such moments, a beautiful thing gives us everlasting joy and helps us forget our
sorrows. Yes, a beautiful thing is worth treasuring because even its memory soothes our nerves
and inspires us to overcome the challenges of life.
Q1 :List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
According to the poet, there are numerous things of beauty that help us forget our sorrows. These
are the sun, the moon, old and young trees that provide shade to 'simple sheep', daffodils, clear
streams of rivers, musk-roses in the forest and the lovely tales of mighty men.
Q2 :List the things that cause suffering and pain.
The poet lists a number of things that cause suffering and pain, such as despondency, depression,
unhealthy and wrong ways taken up by humans to acquire their desired goals, etc. The poet also
feels that there is a real dearth of noble souls in this world.
Q3 :What does the line, 'Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth'
suggest to you? This line suggests that things of beauty bind us to the earth with a beautiful
connection. According to the poet, even if the world is not worth living because of the
innumerable reasons that ultimately result in gloom and depression, the zeal to live a happy and
content life can be derived from the sight of the beautiful bounties of nature around us.
Q4 :What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
Human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings because of the existence of several
natural and beautiful things around them. These things of beauty never fade. They give joy and
optimism to human mind, and thus, help in overcoming or bearing the troubles and sufferings.
Q5 :Why is 'grandeur' associated with the 'mighty dead'?
The 'grandeur' of the 'mighty dead' lies in their noble deeds. They have left behind the beautiful
legacy of their brave acts. Their selfless sacrifice for their nation and deeds for the welfare of
mankind still continue to inspire us.
Q6 :Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting
impression on us? The poet believes that when we encounter a beautiful thing, even for a small
moment, the pleasure remains with us forever. It leaves a lasting impression that inspires us to
live life with hope and optimism.
Q7 :What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?
The poet uses the image of 'an endless fountain of immortal drink' to describe the beautiful
bounty of the earth. The earth, like a fountain, pours unto us numerous beautiful sights like the
sun, the moon, flowers, rivers and greenery.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

(A) How is a thing of beauty a joy for ever?

A thing of beauty is a source of constant joy. Its beauty goes on increasing and it will never pass
into nothingness.
(B) What kind of sleep does it provide ?
It provides a sound sleep, full of sweet dreams, health and peaceful breathing.
(A) What are we doing every day ?
We are weaving a flowery wreath to bind us to the beauties of this earth.
(B) Describe bad and evil things that we possess in us.
We suffer from disappointment, lack of noble qualities and unhealthy and evil ways.
(C) What removes the pall from our dark spirits and how ?
Some beautiful shape or a thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness from our " hearts or
spirits.
(A) What sprouts a shady boon for sheep and how ?
Trees old and young sprout to make a green covering. It becomes a shelter for simple sheep
and proves a blessing for them.
(B) Describe the role of daffodils and clear rills in enriching the environment.
Daffodils bloom among the green surroundings. The small streams (rills) with clear water make
a cooling shelter for themselves against the hot season.
(C) What is lovelier than all lovely tales we have heard or read ?
The beauty of daffodils, rills and musk-roses is more enchanting than all lovely stories that we
have heard or read.
(D) What is the source of 'the endless fountain of immortal drink' ?
An endless fountain of nectar that makes us immortal pours into us the heavenly bliss of
nature.
(E) What is the effect of that 'immortal drink' on us ?
That immortal drink that nature's endless fountain pours into our hearts is a source of immense
joy for us.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q. 1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever ? (Imp.)

Ans. John Keats, a great Romantic poet, considers that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. It is a constant
source of happiness and pleasure. Its loveliness increases every moment. A thing of beauty is never
devalued. It never passes into nothingness.

Q. 2. How does a thing of beauty keep a bower quiet for us?

Ans. Keats is rich in sensuous imagery. Nature provides us with things of rare beauty. A pleasant place in
the shade under a tree provides us a quiet bower. Similarly, a thing of beauty transports us to peace and
security. We enjoy a sleep full of dreams, health and peace.

Q. 3. How do we bind us to the earth every morning? (Imp.)

Ans. Like all Romantic poets, Keats stresses the unbreakable bond of man with nature and the earth. The
beauties of the earth fascinate man. Every object of nature is a source of beauty and happiness. Every
day we are weaving a wreath through these beautiful things. This flowery band binds us with the earth.

Q. 4. What are the things that give sufferings and sadness to man?

Ans. Man, himself, is the root cause of his woes. We suffer from malice and distress. Unfortunately, we
lack human qualities and it makes us inhuman. Our life becomes gloomy. We cultivate unhealthy and
evil ways. All such things bring misery and sufferings to men.

Q. 5. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings ?

Ans. In spite of all troubles and sufferings human beings love life. The beauties and blessings of nature
move away the 'pall' from our 'dark spirits'. Such things of beauty are joys forever.

Q. 6. How is the pall of despondence moved away from our dark spirits ? (Imp.)

Ans. Man makes his life miserable by his own nature and actions. He faces miseries and pains. Amid
these miseries and sufferings, a thing of beauty provides a hope to man. Some shape of beauty works
wonders. It removes the pall of despondence and sadness from our 'dark spirits'.

Q. 7. Name the things of nature that are constant sources of beauty.

Ans. The beauties of nature are endless. The sun, the moon, trees old and young, beautiful daffodil
flowers, green surroundings are some of such beautiful things. Similarly, small streams of clear water,
green ferns and thickets of the forest and musk-roses are some other things of beauty. All such things of
beauty are a constant source of joy for us.

Q. 8. Why does Keats associate 'grandeur' with 'the mighty dead'? (A.I. CBSE 2008)

Ans. The 'mighty dead' were people of great power, authority and grandeur. They were wealthy, brave
and awesome people. They are dead in their grave but still reflect that grandeur and glory.