CHAPTER-3
A THING OF BEAUTY
JOHN KEATS
JOHN KEATS’ BIOGRAPHY
1. Birth: 31 October 1795, London,
England
2. Parents: Father – Thomas Keats, Mother –
Frances Jennings Keats
3. Education: Studied at Enfield School;
later trained as a surgeon and apothecary.
4. Career
Choice: Though
trained in medicine, he decided to become a poet.
5. Literary
Period:
Romantic Age (early 19th century)
6. Main
Theme of Poetry:
Beauty, Nature, Love, Imagination, and Mortality (death)
7. Famous
Works:
·
Endymion (1818)
·
Ode to a Nightingale
·
Ode on a Grecian Urn
·
To Autumn
·
La Belle Dame sans Merci
8. About
Endymion:
·
Full title: Endymion; A Poetic Romance
·
It is based on a Greek legend of Endymion,
a beautiful shepherd and poet who lived on Mount Latmos.
·
He saw Cynthia, the Moon Goddess, in a
vision and fell deeply in love with her.
·
To find her, he wandered through forests
and under the sea, searching for his divine love.
9. Style: Rich in imagery and musical
language; believed “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.”
10. Death: 23 February 1821, in Rome,
Italy, due to tuberculosis (at age 25).
11. Burial: Protestant Cemetery, Rome.
12. Famous
Quote: “Beauty
is truth, truth beauty.”
13. Legacy: Though he lived a short life,
he became one of the greatest English Romantic poets.
SUMMAR
OF A THING OF BEAUTY
The
poem “A Thing of Beauty” by John Keats tells us that anything beautiful gives
us happiness forever. Its charm never fades away. Instead, it keeps giving us
peace and comfort throughout our life. Beauty never disappears; it remains in
our heart as a source of joy and positivity. It helps us forget our worries and
sorrows and fills our life with hope.
Keats
says that every morning we are connected to the earth through a “flowery band”
— that means, beautiful things in nature make us love our life again and again,
even when we face sadness, cruelty, or lack of good people around us.
The
poet lists several examples of beauty — the sun, the moon, old and young trees,
daffodils, clear streams, the forest filled with musk-roses, and all other
lovely parts of nature. These things give us peace and refresh our tired minds.
Even the stories of great heroes and saints from the past are beautiful because
they inspire us and give us strength.
Finally,
the poet says that beauty is like an endless fountain of joy that flows from
heaven. It gives us a feeling of immortality and keeps us away from sadness.
Thus, beauty is eternal and a gift of God that makes our lives worth living.
A
THING OF BEAUTY STAZA WISE STANZA EXPLANATION
STANZA 1
A thing of beauty is a joy forever;
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Explanation: Anything that is beautiful
gives us joy forever. Its charm never ends or fades away. It always stays in
our heart and provides peace and comfort. Beauty gives us calmness like a cool
shady place (bower) where we can rest peacefully, enjoying sweet dreams, good
health, and quiet breathing.
Explanation
(Hindi): कोई भी सुंदर वस्तु हमें सदा के लिए आनंद देती है। उसकी
सुंदरता कभी कम नहीं होती या समाप्त नहीं होती। वह हमेशा हमारे मन में बसी रहती है
और हमें शांति व सुकून देती है। सुंदरता हमें ऐसी ठंडी छाया देती है जहाँ हम चैन
से सो सकें, अच्छे
स्वास्थ्य और मधुर सपनों के साथ।
STANZA 2
Therefore, on every morrow, are we
wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Explanation: Every new day, we make a
“flowery band” — a symbolic connection with the earth — through beautiful
things around us. Even though the world is full of sadness, cruelty, and lack
of noble people, beauty gives us reasons to stay happy and hopeful.
Explanation
(Hindi): हर
नए दिन हम फूलों की माला की तरह अपने जीवन को सुंदरता से जोड़ते हैं। संसार में
चाहे निराशा, बुराई और
अच्छे लोगों की कमी क्यों न हो, फिर भी सुंदरता हमें धरती से, यानी जीवन से जोड़े रखती है। यह हमें जीने की प्रेरणा देती
है।
STANZA 3
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
Explanation: In spite of all the dark and
unhealthy paths in life, some form of beauty always removes the sadness from
our hearts. It clears away the depression and fills our souls with light and
peace.
Explanation
(Hindi): जीवन
की तमाम अंधेरी और दुखभरी राहों के बावजूद, सुंदरता का कोई न कोई रूप हमारे मन से निराशा का अंधकार हटा
देता है। यह हमें भीतर से रोशनी और शांति प्रदान करता है।
STANZA 4
Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
Explanation: The poet gives examples of
natural beauty — the sun, the moon, old and young trees giving shade to sheep,
daffodils dancing in green fields, clear streams that cool the surroundings,
and forests full of sweet-smelling musk roses. All these things make nature
full of beauty and peace.
Explanation
(Hindi): कवि प्रकृति की सुंदर वस्तुओं के उदाहरण देता है — सूर्य,
चंद्रमा, पुराने और नए पेड़ जो भेड़ों को छाया देते हैं,
हरे मैदानों में खिले डैफोडिल फूल, ठंडे झरने जो गर्मी से राहत देते हैं,
और जंगल जो मस्क-रोज़ फूलों से महकते हैं। ये सब हमें खुशी
और शांति का अनुभव कराते हैं।
STANZA 5
And such too is the
grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
Explanation: The poet says that beauty is also found in the grand
stories of great heroes who died bravely, and in all the beautiful tales and
legends we have heard or read. All these are like an endless fountain of
heavenly joy that keeps flowing towards us, giving eternal peace and happiness.
Explanation
(Hindi): कवि कहता है कि सुंदरता केवल प्रकृति में ही नहीं,
बल्कि उन महान व्यक्तियों की कहानियों में भी है जिन्होंने
वीरता से जीवन जिया और मरे। हमने जो सुंदर कथाएँ सुनी या पढ़ी हैं,
वे भी सुंदरता का रूप हैं। ये सब मिलकर स्वर्ग से बहती अमर
आनंद की धारा की तरह हैं, जो हमें अनंत खुशी और शांति देती हैं।
A
THING OF BEAUTY SHORT QUESTIONS
1. ‘And such too is the grandeur of dooms’. How can ‘grandeur of dooms’
be impressive and inspiring according to Keats?
Answer: According to Keats, the “grandeur of dooms” means the greatness
in the noble deeds and glorious deaths of great people. Their brave actions and
sacrifices make them immortal. These heroic stories inspire us to live with
courage, faith, and goodness even after death.
2. Explain
"On every morrow are we wreathing.
A flowery band to bind us to the earth...". (A Thing of Beauty)
Answer: Keats says that every new day we make a “flowery band” — a bond of love
and beauty — that connects us to the earth. The beautiful things in nature make
our life happy and give us reasons to live, even when we face sadness and
troubles in life.
3. What is the theme of the poem 'A Thing of Beauty'?
Answer: The theme of the poem “A Thing
of Beauty” is that beauty never fades and always gives us joy, peace, and hope.
It removes sadness from our hearts and makes life worth living. Nature and
beautiful things are a source of eternal happiness for human beings.
4. How do beautiful things help us to live a happy life?
Answer: Beautiful things give us peace
and joy whenever we see them. They refresh our minds and make us forget our
worries. The beauty of nature connects us to the Earth and fills our hearts
with happiness, helping us live a calm and pleasant life.
5. What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink and
why does he call its drink immortal?
Answer: Keats calls nature’s beauty an endless fountain of immortal
drink because it gives us everlasting joy and peace. He calls it immortal since
the happiness it offers never fades away; instead, it grows with time and keeps
refreshing our hearts forever.
6. According to Keats, what spreads the pall of despondence over our
dark spirits? How is it removed?
Answer: John Keats says that pain and suffering are a part of life. These bring
us sadness and despondence. But still, we can find hope. The hope and
motivation come from nature and remove the pall of despondence from our
spirits. The beautiful sights give us inspiration to continue the journey of
life.
7. 'And such too is the grandeur of dooms'. How can 'grandeur of dooms'
be impressive and inspiring according to Keats?
Answer: According to
Keats, the “grandeur of dooms” refers to the greatness of the noble
lives and glorious deaths of great people. Their brave deeds and sacrifices make
them immortal. Remembering their courage and goodness inspires us to live with
honor, strength, and faith.
8.
A
THING OF BEAUTY LONG QUESTIONS
1. Keat's things of beauty "move away the pall from our darkened
spirits". Explain.
Answer: According to John Keats,
beautiful things in nature — like the sun, moon, trees, flowers, and streams —
have the power to remove sadness and negativity from our minds. Life is full of
struggles, disappointments, and painful moments, which make our hearts heavy
and dark. But whenever we see or think of something beautiful, it brings light
and peace to our souls. The beauty of nature gives us hope, joy, and energy to
live. It works like a soothing medicine that heals our tired spirits. Keats
says that every beautiful thing created by God helps us forget our worries and
fills us with positive thoughts. Thus, beauty “moves away the pall” (the cover
of sadness) from our darkened spirits and makes our life happy, bright, and
full of inspiration.
2. In what way do the things of beauty leave a lasting impression on
us?
Answer: The things of beauty leave a
lasting impression on us because their charm and joy never fade away. Whenever
we see something beautiful — like the sun, moon, trees, flowers, or a lovely
story — it fills our mind with peace and happiness. Even after the moment has
passed, the memory of that beauty stays in our heart forever. It helps us
forget pain, sorrow, and disappointment, giving us hope and strength to live.
According to Keats, beauty is eternal; it never dies but keeps inspiring us
every day. The happiness we get from beautiful things remains with us like a
sweet fragrance that refreshes our soul. Thus, beautiful things leave behind a
deep and lasting impact on our thoughts and feelings, making life more peaceful
and meaningful.
3. Justify the title of the poem 'A Thing of Beauty'.
Answer: The title “A Thing of Beauty”
is very suitable for the poem because the whole poem describes how beautiful
things give us everlasting joy and peace. John Keats says that beauty never
fades; it always remains in our heart and refreshes our mind whenever we feel
sad or hopeless. Every beautiful thing in nature — like the sun, moon, trees,
flowers, and clear streams — gives us comfort and happiness. Even the stories
of great people and their noble deeds are beautiful and inspiring. Such beauty
removes the darkness of our soul and fills it with hope and light. Thus, the
title perfectly expresses the main idea of the poem — that a thing of beauty is
a source of eternal joy and inspiration for human beings. It truly captures the
spirit and message of the poem.
4. ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ and ‘A Thing of Beauty’, can be read
together to show the permanence and everlasting impact of art and of things of
beauty. Comment.
Answer: Both “Aunt Jennifer’s
Tigers” by Adrienne Rich and “A Thing of Beauty” by John Keats show
how art and beauty live forever, beyond human life. In Rich’s poem, Aunt
Jennifer creates tigers that represent courage and freedom—qualities she cannot
express in her real life. Even after her death, her embroidered tigers will
continue to move proudly, showing the lasting power of art. Similarly, Keats in
“A Thing of Beauty” describes beauty as a never-ending source of joy
that gives comfort and hope in life’s struggles. Both poems suggest that art
and beauty never die; they outlive their creators and continue to inspire
others. They remind us that while human life is short, the creations of beauty
and imagination stay forever, giving peace, strength, and happiness to future
generations.
5. ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ and ‘A Thing of Beauty’, can be read
together to show the permanence and everlasting impact of art and of things of
beauty. Comment.
Answer: Both “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers”
by Adrienne Rich and “A Thing of Beauty” by John Keats highlight the
everlasting nature of art and beauty. In Rich’s poem, Aunt Jennifer expresses
her inner strength and freedom through her embroidered tigers. Though she feels
trapped in an unhappy marriage, her art becomes a symbol of courage and
endurance. Even after her death, her tigers will continue to move fearlessly,
showing the timeless power of artistic creation. Similarly, in Keats’s “A Thing
of Beauty”, beauty in nature provides eternal joy and peace to the human soul.
It remains a constant source of comfort, unaffected by time or change. Both
poems suggest that art and beauty never fade; they outlive their creators,
giving strength, inspiration, and happiness to generations. Thus, art and
beauty make life meaningful and everlasting.
A
THING OF BEAUTY EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS
EXTRACT-1
A
thing of beauty is a joy forever;
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
i.
By the phrase 'joy forever' the poet refers
to things
(A) that make people extremely happy.
(B) that are a feast to eyes.
(C) that are a constant source of happiness.
(D) that are beautiful but transient.
ii.
Choose the correct option:
By using the expression 'never pass into nothingness' the poet states that
nature's beauty will create a_____________ (lasting/temporary)impression on
man's mind.
iii.
How does Keats make it evident that there
is a link between man's wellness and nature's beauty?
iv.
Read the Assertion and the Reason below,
with reference to the given extract:
Assertion: Keats states that man derives strength and inspiration from
the beauty of nature.
Reason: Nature gives physical, emotional and mental solace to man.
Choose the correct option regarding their relationship.
(A) Both the Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct
explanation of the Assertion.
(B) Both the Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is not the correct
explanation of the Assertion.
(C) The Assertion is false, but the Reason is true.
(D) The Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
v.
Select one phrase from the extract which
implies that man wants to continue his life on this earth despite innumerable
problems.
vi.
Complete the following sentence:
'a sleep full of sweet dreams' implies________________.
EXTRACT-2
A thing of beauty is a
joy forever
Its loveliness
increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness;
but will keep
A bower quiet for us,
and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams,
and health, and quiet breathing.
i.
Which of the above lines suggests that 'the
enduring nature of beauty brings everlasting joy?"1
ii.
The phrase 'A bower quiet for us' does not
imply : 1
(A) A restful place
(B) A noisy surrounding
(C) Peace and calm
(D) Shelter and protection
iii.
In the line 'Its loveliness increases', the
word 'its' refers to___________________.
1
iv.
Choose a word from the brackets to complete
the following suitably :
The phrase 'joy forever' implies that the essence of beauty is a source of
_____________ (eternal/transient) peace and happiness. 1
v.
Read the following statements: 1
Assertion: The poet believes that beauty provides everlasting joy and comfort.
Reason: Beauty creates an environment conducive to health and well-being.
Choose the correct option from among the following:
(A) Both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is the correct
explanation of the assertion.
(B) Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the
correct explanation of the assertion.
(C) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(D) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
vi.
State in one sentence, what you would
include in your address to those who seek beauty. 1
ANSWER
EXTRACT-1
i.. (C)
that are a constant source of happiness.
ii. Lasting
iii. Keats makes it evident that there is a link between man's wellness and
nature's beauty by saying that beautiful things provide sweet dreams, good
health, and peaceful breathing. These lines show that beauty soothes both the
body and the soul, thus maintaining man’s overall well-being.
iv.(A) Both the
Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
v. “a flowery band to bind us to the earth.”
vi. a peaceful and contented life filled with happiness and satisfaction.
EXTRACT-2
i. “A
thing of beauty is a joy forever.”
ii. (B) A noisy surrounding.
iii. ‘a thing of beauty’.
iv. eternal peace and happiness.
v. (A) Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the
correct explanation of the assertion.
vi. “True beauty lies in nature and noble thoughts, which bring peace and
everlasting joy.”
0 Comments