“English” Notes Chapter 4.3 Silver Class 9 Maharashtra Board

Notes For All Chapters – English Class 9

(A) Introduction

• The poem “Silver” is written by Walter de la Mare.
• It describes the beautiful effect of moonlight at night.
• The poet uses imagery and personification to show how everything appears silver under the moon’s glow.
• The poem creates a calm, peaceful, and magical atmosphere.

(B) Summary of the Poem

• The moon moves slowly and silently across the sky.
• Its silver light spreads everywhere, covering trees, animals, and houses.
• The trees, fruits, and houses shine in silver light.
• A dog sleeps with silver paws, and doves rest in their small shelter (cote).
• A mouse with silver claws runs quickly, while fish remain still in the silver water.
• The poet repeats the word “silver” many times to create a dreamlike effect.

(C) Theme of the Poem

1. Beauty of Nature – The poem highlights the beauty of the moonlight and night sky.
2. Peace and Stillness – Everything appears calm and restful under the moonlight.
3. Transformation by Light – The moonlight changes the way objects look, making them silver.
4. Imagination and Creativity – The poet describes a magical night scene through words.

(D) Important Words and Meanings

(E) Explanation of Important Lines

1. “Slowly, silently, now the moon / Walks the night in her silver shoon”

• The moon moves quietly and gently, like it is wearing silver shoes.
• The poet personifies the moon by saying it “walks.”

2. “Silver fruit upon silver trees”

• The moonlight makes the fruits and trees look silver.
• It creates a beautiful and magical image of nature.

3. “Couched in his kennel, like a log, / With paws of silver sleeps the dog”

• The dog is sleeping peacefully in his kennel, and his paws shine silver in the moonlight.
• The poet compares the sleeping dog to a log (using a simile).

4. “And moveless fish in the water gleam, / By silver reeds in a silver stream”

• The fish in the water remain still and shimmer under the moonlight.
• The water plants (reeds) and the stream also appear silver.

(F) Literary Devices Used in the Poem

(G) Structure of the Poem

• The poem is written in one single stanza (a 14-line poem).
• It follows a steady rhythm with a AABB rhyme scheme.
• The poet uses simple language but creates a strong visual effect.