Question Answers Class 11 Chapter 2.4 Yuvakbharati English Maharashtra Board

Upon Westminster Bridge

Brainstorming – Solutions

(A1)

For preparing questions based on the poem, an overall understanding of the poem is a must. Discuss with your partner and prepare a set of five questions.

For example: a. What is the name of the bridge?

b. How does the poet describe the beauty of the city in the early morning?

c. What is the significance of the phrase “mighty heart” in the poem?

d. Why does the poet describe the morning as “silent” and “bare”?

e. How does the poet use personification to depict the river in the poem?

(A2)

(i) Choose the correct alternative for the given lines. Focus on the inference of the poet.

(a) ‘Earth has not anything to show more fair:’

The line means-

(1) The poet thinks that the place was not so good.

(2) The poet thinks that there is another place which is more beautiful than this.

(3) The poet thinks that there is no place on the earth which is as beautiful as this one

Answer:- (3) The poet thinks that there is no place on the earth which is as beautiful as this one.

(b) ‘Dull would he be of soul who could pass by’.

The line means-

(1) One can walk over the bridge and ignore the surrounding beauty.

(2) One can halt at the place to enjoy the beauty.

(3) Anyone with an appreciative mind would not be able to ignore the beauty

Answer:- (3) Anyone with an appreciative mind would not be able to ignore the beauty.

(ii) ‘Earth has not anything to show more fair.’ This line expresses the poet’s feelings. The sight he saw from the bridge is beautiful. There are a few more lines similar to the above. With the help of your partner find them and discuss what they express

Answer :- The line “Earth has not anything to show more fair” conveys the poet’s overwhelming admiration for the beauty of London as seen from Westminster Bridge at dawn. It suggests that the sight is unparalleled in its splendor. Below are other lines from the poem that express similar feelings of awe, beauty, and tranquility, along with what they express:

Answer:- 1. Line: “A sight so touching in its majesty”

• What it expresses: This line highlights the poet’s emotional response to the grand and awe-inspiring view of the city. The word “touching” suggests a deep emotional impact, while “majesty” emphasizes the city’s grandeur, evoking a sense of reverence.

2. Line: “This city now doth, like a garment, wear The beauty of the morning; silent, bare”

• What it expresses: The poet compares the city to a person wearing a beautiful garment, suggesting that the morning’s serene beauty adorns the city. The words “silent, bare” convey a sense of calm and purity, enhancing the poet’s admiration for the tranquil scene.

3. Line: “Never did sun more beautifully steep In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill”

• What it expresses: This line reflects the poet’s belief that the sunrise over London is more beautiful than any natural landscape (valley, rock, or hill). It underscores the extraordinary beauty of the city at dawn, surpassing even nature’s splendor.

4. Line: “Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm, so deep!”

• What it expresses: The poet expresses a profound sense of peace and tranquility inspired by the city’s serene atmosphere. The use of “never” indicates that this level of calmness is unique and deeply moving for the poet.

(iii) The poem creates a delightful picture of the city, rich in its natural beauty. Work in pairs, groups and pick out the lines from the poem which give the pictorial effect to the poem. Write it in your own words.

Answer :- The poem “Upon Westminster Bridge” paints a vivid and delightful picture of London at dawn, blending the city’s man-made structures with the natural beauty of the morning. Below are the lines from the poem that create a pictorial effect, along with their descriptions in my own words:

 Line: “This city now doth, like a garment, wear The beauty of the morning; silent, bare”

• In my own words: The city is beautifully draped in the soft, serene glow of the early morning, appearing peaceful and untouched, as if wrapped in a delicate, quiet veil.

Line: “Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie Open unto the fields, and to the sky”

• In my own words: The city’s landmarks, such as ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples, are spread out openly, blending seamlessly with the surrounding fields and the vast sky, creating a harmonious and expansive scene.

Line: “All bright and glittering in the smokeless air”

• In my own words: The city’s structures sparkle brilliantly under the clear, pollution-free morning air, reflecting the sunlight and adding a dazzling effect to the scene.

Line: “Never did sun more beautifully steep In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill”

• In my own words: The sunrise bathes the city in its golden light, making it more breathtaking than any natural landscape, with the sunlight enhancing the city’s beauty in a spectacular way.

Line: “The river glideth at his own sweet will”

• In my own words: The river flows gently and freely through the city, its smooth movement adding a sense of calm and grace to the picturesque scene.

Line: “Dear God! the very houses seem asleep”

• In my own words: The houses in the city appear to be quietly resting, as if in a peaceful slumber, contributing to the calm and serene atmosphere of the morning.

Line: “And all that mighty heart is lying still!”

• In my own words: The city, described as a “mighty heart,” is calm and motionless in the early morning, creating an impression of tranquility and stillness across the entire urban landscape.

These lines together create a vivid, picturesque image of London at dawn, portraying the city as a serene, majestic, and harmonious blend of natural and man-made beauty, bathed in the soft light of the morning sun

(A3)

Find out the words and phrases which describe the following. One is done for you.

(A4)

Read the line :

(i) ‘The city now, doth, like a garment wear’.

The poet imagines that the city is wearing a beautiful garment. Hence, the figure of speech is personification. Find out more examples of personification from the poem

Answer:- More Examples of Personification from the poem:

1. “The river glideth at his own sweet will”

• The river is described as having a will of its own, like a person.

2. “The very houses seem asleep”

• The houses are described as if they are living beings that can sleep.

3. “All that mighty heart is lying still!”

• The busy city is described as a heart that can rest or lie still, giving it human-like qualities.

(ii) ‘Dull would he be of soul who could pass by.’

This line of the poem can be rewritten as:

‘He would be of dull soul.’

The figure of speech is known as ‘Inversion’. Find out one more example of Inversion from the poem

Answer:-

One more example of Inversion from the poem:

1. Line:”Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!”
2. Rewritten in normal order:”I never saw or felt a calm so deep.”
3. Figure of Speech: Inversion- The poet has inverted the sentence for emphasis and rhythm.

(iii) This is a Petrarchan Sonnet. Complete the given table by giving examples from the poem.

Answer:-

(iv) The pride of any city is its skyline.

Write 5 lines about the place where you live and what makes you feel proud about it.

Answer:-

Topic: The pride of your city (sample: Pune)

1. I live in Pune, a city known for its rich culture and historical importance.
2. The skyline of Pune is a mix of ancient forts and modern buildings.
3. I feel proud of the city’s clean environment and educational institutions.
4. Pune is also known as the Oxford of the East because of its universities.
5. The peaceful nature and greenery around make the city truly beautiful.

(A5)

(i) There is a common belief that cities have always flourished only after human intrusion over nature. Write a speech expressing your opinion about it

Answer:- Good morning, respected teachers, dear friends, and distinguished guests,

Today, I stand before you to share my thoughts on a widely held belief: that cities have always flourished only after human intrusion over nature. While it is true that human development has played a significant role in shaping urban centers, I believe this perspective overlooks the inherent beauty and potential of nature, which can coexist with and even enhance city life, as beautifully depicted in William Wordsworth’s “Upon Westminster Bridge.”

Firstly, let us consider the idea of intrusion. Human intervention, such as building infrastructure, often disrupts natural landscapes. Cities like London, as described in the poem, have grown with bridges, towers, and domes, transforming once-wild areas into bustling urban spaces. This development has undoubtedly brought progress-trade, culture, and population growth. However, the notion that cities can only flourish through such intrusion suggests that nature is merely an obstacle to be overcome, which I find limiting.

Wordsworth’s poem challenges this view. In “Upon Westminster Bridge,” he portrays London at dawn as a city adorned with the “beauty of the morning,” where the river glides freely and the air is “smokeless,” revealing a harmonious blend of nature and human creation. This suggests that cities can thrive not just by dominating nature but by integrating its serenity and splendor. The calm and majesty he describes show that nature’s presence can elevate a city’s appeal, fostering a sense of peace and inspiration among its inhabitants.

Moreover, modern examples support this idea. Cities like Singapore and Amsterdam have flourished by incorporating green spaces, rivers, and sustainable designs, proving that nature and urban growth can coexist symbiotically. This balance not only enhances the quality of life but also sustains the environment, countering the belief that intrusion is the sole path to prosperity.

In conclusion, while human effort is crucial for city development, I firmly believe that flourishing does not require the complete domination of nature. Instead, cities can thrive by respecting and blending with the natural world, as Wordsworth so eloquently illustrates. Let us strive to build urban spaces that honor both human innovation and nature’s timeless beauty.

Thank you.

(ii) Compose a poem on an imaginary village. Try to maintain the rhyme scheme in the poem. You may begin like this….

Answer:-

Settled on the bank of a river

Like a queen.

Is my beautiful village

Full of bushes green.

Beneath the sky so vast and blue,

It thrives with peace serene,

Where children laugh and nature grew,

A sight like none I’ve seen.

The cottages glow with morning light,

By fields of golden sheen,

Each day begins with pure delight,

A tranquil, lovely scene.

The river sings a gentle tune,

Through meadows lush and clean,

My heart finds joy beneath the moon,

In this idyllic dream

(iii) Write an appreciation of the sonnet. Refer to the earlier poems for the points to be covered for appreciation.

Answer:-

Appreciation of the Sonnet “Upon Westminster Bridge”

“Upon Westminster Bridge” by William Wordsworth is a captivating Petrarchan sonnet that beautifully captures the serene beauty of London at dawn, showcasing the poet’s deep connection with nature and his mastery of Romantic poetry. The poem, divided into an octave and a sestet, follows a structured rhyme scheme of a b b a a b b a for the octave and c d c d c d for the sestet, adhering to the traditional form while delivering a powerful emotional experience.

The theme of the poem revolves around the harmonious blend of urban life and natural beauty, a hallmark of Wordsworth’s Romantic ideals. The octave presents the stunning visual of the city dressed in the “beauty of the morning,” with ships, towers, and domes lying open to the sky, evoking a sense of awe and tranquility. The sestet deepens this impression with the river gliding freely and the city’s “mighty heart” lying still, emphasizing a profound calm that moves the poet to exclaim, “Dear God!” This theme resonates with earlier poems like “Daffodils,” where nature’s influence on human emotion is central, though here it extends to an urban landscape.

Wordsworth’s language is rich and evocative, employing personification to bring the city and its elements to life-e.g., the city wearing the morning like a garment and the houses seeming asleep. The imagery of “smokeless air” and the sun “steep[ing]” the scene in splendor paints a vivid, almost painterly picture, enhancing the poem’s visual appeal. The tone is one of reverence and peace, reflecting the poet’s admiration for this rare moment of stillness in a bustling city, a contrast to the lively energy in poems like “The Solitary Reaper.”

The structure of the Petrarchan sonnet enhances its impact. The octave sets the scene with a breathtaking description, while the sestet shifts to a personal reflection, creating a natural progression from observation to emotion. This mirrors the structure of earlier sonnets studied, where the turn between octave and sestet marks a shift in perspective. The poetic devices, including inversion (“Never did sun more beautifully steep”) and alliteration (“ships, towers, domes”), add rhythm and emphasis, making the poem musically pleasing.

Personally, I find the poem inspiring for its ability to find beauty in the unexpected- a city rather than a natural wilderness-challenging the notion that nature’s charm is confined to rural settings. Its message of appreciating the quiet moments in life leaves a lasting impression, encouraging us to look beyond the surface of our surroundings.

In conclusion, “Upon Westminster Bridge” is a masterful work that blends form, language, and emotion to celebrate the union of nature and urban life. Wordsworth’s skill in transforming a cityscape into a poetic landscape makes this sonnet a timeless piece, worthy of admiration and reflection.

(iv) Write a summary of the sonnet. Refer to the earlier poems for the points to be covered for writing the summary

Answer:-

Summary of the Sonnet “Upon Westminster Bridge”

“Upon Westminster Bridge” is a Petrarchan sonnet by William Wordsworth that celebrates the breathtaking beauty of London at dawn as observed from Westminster Bridge. The poem, written in 1807, is divided into an octave and a sestet, reflecting the poet’s awe at the city’s serene landscape. In the octave, Wordsworth describes the city adorned with the “beauty of the morning,” likening it to a garment, with ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples gleaming in the “smokeless air” under the sun’s first light. He expresses that only a dull soul would pass by such a majestic sight without appreciation.

The sestet deepens this admiration, portraying the river gliding freely and the houses appearing asleep, symbolizing a profound calm. The poet marvels at the stillness of the city’s “mighty heart,” suggesting a rare moment of peace in its usually bustling life. The poem concludes with a sense of reverence, highlighting nature’s ability to enhance even an urban setting. This summary aligns with the style of earlier poems like “Daffodils,” where the focus is on a vivid scene, the poet’s emotional response, and a lasting impression of nature’s beauty.

(v) While building a bridge, a group of people come together. They are architects, designers, engineers, officers, masons, politicians, building material suppliers, carpenters, etc. Write about the qualifications of these people. Choose any career from the list above and complete the table.

Answer:-