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tanmoy.hades
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Rabindranath Tagore
Extract 1:
"I have spent my days in stringing
and in unstringing my instrument.
The time has not come true,
the words have not been rightly set;
only there is the agony
of wishing in my heart."

Questions:
1.What is meant by ‘stringing and unstringing my instrument’?
Ans- The phrase "stringing and unstringing my instrument" refers to
the poet's continuous efforts and preparation to achieve something
meaningful. It highlights the frustration of making efforts repeatedly
without reaching the desired outcome. The poet feels stuck in a loop
of trying but not succeeding.

2.Why does the poet feel that ‘the time has not come true’?
Ans- The poet feels that the right moment for fulfillment or success
has not arrived. The words "the time has not come true" suggest that
despite the efforts and desire, the conditions are not yet favorable for
the poet to achieve his goal or purpose.

3.What is the significance of ‘the words have not been rightly


set’?
Ans- "The words have not been rightly set" implies that the poet’s
expression or message has not yet found the perfect form. It indicates
a struggle in communication, where the poet feels unable to express
feelings or thoughts clearly, leading to incomplete fulfillment of his
purpose.

4.How does the poet describe the emotions in his heart?


Ans-The poet describes a deep sense of longing and frustration. The
phrase "the agony of wishing in my heart" reflects the intense desire
for something that remains out of reach. This emotional turmoil
shows the poet’s inner conflict and desire for a long-awaited
fulfillment.

5.What overall feeling does this part of the poem convey?


Ans-This part of the poem conveys a sense of frustration and
unfulfilled desire. The poet has been preparing and making efforts but
feels that success or completion has remained out of reach. The agony
of wanting something deeply, without being able to achieve it, creates
an atmosphere of inner conflict and helplessness.

Extract 2:
"I have not seen his face,
nor have I listened to his voice;
only I have heard his gentle footsteps
from the road before my house
But the lamp has not been lit
and I cannot ask him into my house;"
Questions:
1.What does the poet mean by ‘I have not seen his face’?
Ans- The phrase "I have not seen his face" indicates that the poet has
not yet encountered Death directly. Though the poet is aware of
Death's presence, the actual face-to-face confrontation has not
occurred. This suggests that while Death is inevitable, the poet’s life
has not yet reached its conclusion.

2.Why hasn’t the poet listened to ‘his voice’?


Ans- The poet has not listened to ‘his voice’ because Death has not
spoken to him yet, symbolizing that the poet has not yet been called to
leave his life. The silence from Death reflects that while its approach
is sensed, the final invitation to the afterlife has not been given,
prolonging the poet’s life.

3.What is the significance of ‘gentle footsteps from the road


before my house’?
Ans- The "gentle footsteps" represent the quiet, inevitable approach of
Death. It reflects that Death is near and always moving closer to the
poet, but it has not yet entered his life fully. This imagery portrays
Death as an ever-approaching presence, calm yet unavoidable, waiting
for the right moment.

4.Why hasn’t the poet asked him into his house?


Ans- The poet has not asked Death into his house because "the lamp
has not been lit," meaning the poet is not yet ready to accept or face
Death. The unlit lamp symbolizes that the time for the poet’s
departure from life has not arrived. This unreadiness reflects the delay
in the poet’s final encounter with Death.
5.What emotions does this part of the poem evoke, considering
the person in question is Death?
Ans- This part of the poem evokes feelings of calm anticipation and a
gentle resignation towards the approach of Death. While the poet
senses Death’s presence through the "gentle footsteps," there is no
fear—only a feeling of incompleteness, as the poet is not yet ready to
accept Death. The ‘unlit lamp’ symbolizes that while Death is near,
the time for it to fully enter the poet’s life has not come. This creates
an atmosphere of waiting, where the poet lives in awareness of
Death’s approach but is not yet ready for the final meeting

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