Question Answers Class 11 Chapter 2.2 Yuvakbharati English Maharashtra Board

The Sower

Brainstorming – Solutions

(A1)

There are a number of challenges a farmer in India faces. Discuss with your friend, how it is possible to improve the condition of farmers.

(A2)

The poet has observed the sower closely. Express in your own words the reverence the poet has for the sower.

The poet deeply admires the sower for his tireless dedication and optimism. Despite his old age and poverty, the sower works patiently in the fading light, sowing seeds with hope for a good harvest. The poet feels a thrill watching his noble and dignified actions, which reflect a strong connection to the land and an inspiring commitment to his work.

(A3)

The poet is prompted to call the sower an ‘august personality’, which means one who has reached the highest position in his workplace. Explain this using the following points.

1. Hard Work: The sower toils diligently, scattering seeds across the fields even as darkness falls, showing his unwavering commitment to his task.

2. Perseverance: Despite past bad harvests, the sower continues to sow with hope, never giving up on the possibility of a bountiful yield.

3. Dedication: His patient and noble demeanor, as he works tirelessly in rags, reflects his deep devotion to farming and nurturing the land.

(A4)

(i) Pick out the examples of alliteration from the poem and write them down.

• Sitting in a porchway cool
• Sunlight, I see, dying fast
• Shadows run across the lands
• Scatters wide

(ii) ‘Seems to touch the starry skies’. The poet has used word imagery. Describe the idea and pick out other similar examples from the poem.

The phrase “Seems to touch the starry skies” creates a vivid image of the sower’s silhouette appearing grand and towering against the night sky, suggesting his dignity and importance. It evokes a sense of awe, as if his work connects him to the heavens.

Other examples of word imagery:

• “Sunlight, I see, dying fast” – Vividly describes the fading daylight, setting a serene yet fleeting scene.
• “Shadows run across the lands” – Portrays moving shadows, creating a dynamic and visual effect of twilight.
• “Black and high, his silhouette / Dominates the furrows deep” – Paints a striking image of the sower’s outline standing tall against the fields.
• “Marches he along the plain” – Suggests a purposeful, rhythmic movement, enhancing the sower’s dignified presence.

(A5)

(i) Write an appreciation of the poem considering the following points:

• About the poem/poet/title: “The Sower” is a translated poem by Toru Dutt, a 19th-century Bengali poetess, from Victor Hugo’s French poem Saison des Semailles: Le Soir. The title reflects the central figure, a farmer sowing seeds, symbolizing hope and perseverance.
• Theme: The poem celebrates the dignity and optimism of a farmer who tirelessly sows seeds despite past failures. It highlights themes of hard work, hope, and the noble connection between man and nature.
• Poetic devices, language, style: The poem uses vivid imagery (e.g., “Seems to touch the starry skies”), alliteration (e.g., “Sitting in a porchway cool”), and personification (e.g., “Twilight hastens on to rule”). The language is simple yet evocative, with a lyrical and reflective style that captures the poet’s admiration for the Sower.
• Poetic devices, language, style (continued): The poem employs a regular rhyme scheme (ABAB) and a consistent meter, contributing to its rhythmic and reflective tone. Toru Dutt’s translation retains the solemn and reverent tone of Victor Hugo’s original, using words like “august” and “precious grain” to elevate the sower’s humble task to a noble act.
• Special features/novelties/focussing elements: The poem’s focus on the sower’s silhouette against the twilight backdrop creates a striking visual contrast, emphasizing his solitary yet dignified presence. The use of twilight as a setting symbolizes the transition between day and night, mirroring the sower’s hope in the face of uncertainty.
• Values, message: The poem conveys the value of perseverance, hope, and the dignity of labor. It portrays the sower as a symbol of resilience, sowing seeds with faith in future harvests despite past hardships, inspiring readers to value persistence and optimism.
• Your opinion about the poem: The poem is a beautifully crafted tribute to the unsung heroism of farmers. Its vivid imagery and reverent tone elevate a simple act of sowing into a profound metaphor for hope and endurance, making it both inspiring and thought-provoking.

(ii) Write a summary of the poem using the following points:

• Title: The Sower
• Introductory paragraph (about the poem, type, nature, tone): “The Sower,” translated by Toru Dutt from Victor Hugo’s French poem, is a lyrical and reflective piece. It captures the serene yet profound act of a farmer sowing seeds at twilight. The tone is reverent and contemplative, highlighting the dignity of the sower’s labor.
• Main body (central idea, gist of the poem): The poem describes an old, impoverished sower working tirelessly in the fading light, scattering seeds with hope for a future harvest. The poet, observing from a porch, is moved by the sower’s patience and dignity, seeing his silhouette as a noble figure against the deepening darkness. The sower’s persistent effort despite past failures symbolizes hope and resilience.
• Conclusion (opinion, views, appeal): The poem’s vivid imagery and reflective tone make it a timeless tribute to the farmer’s perseverance. It appeals to readers by celebrating the quiet heroism of everyday labor, encouraging appreciation for those who toil with hope despite uncertainty.

(iii) Compose a poem on a farmer in 4 to 6 lines in continuation of the following:

He sweats He does not fret He sows To the soil he bows With faith he seeds the land, His toil a hope so grand. Each grain a dream of green, His heart steadfast, serene.

(A6)

Imagine that you are a farmer from a drought-prone area. Write a letter to a newspaper editor, discuss the problems and suggest possible solutions.

To, The Editor, The Times of India, Mumbai

Subject: Addressing Challenges Faced by Farmers in Drought-Prone Areas

Dear Sir/Madam,

As a farmer from a drought-prone region, I face significant challenges that threaten our livelihood. The primary issue is water scarcity, which leads to crop failure and financial distress. Unpredictable rainfall and lack of irrigation infrastructure exacerbate the problem. Additionally, high-interest loans lead to indebtedness, and fluctuating market prices create economic uncertainty.

To address these, I urge the government to invest in rainwater harvesting systems and drip irrigation to conserve water. Providing low-interest loans and crop insurance schemes can ease financial burdens. Establishing local markets with fair pricing and promoting drought-resistant crops would ensure stability. Training programs on modern farming techniques can also enhance productivity.

I request you to highlight these concerns in your esteemed newspaper to urge policymakers to implement sustainable solutions for farmers like me.

Yours sincerely,

Ramu Patil

Village: Solapur, Maharashtra