Notes For All Chapters – English Poorvi Class 8th
About the Poem
Poet: Walter de la Mare
Theme: The poem shows the wonder of observation through a magnifying glass.
Main Idea: Ordinary and tiny things look magical and extraordinary when viewed closely.
Key Points from the Poem
A magnifying glass can make small things appear grand.
- A scrap of chalk shows many shells.
- An inch of moss looks like a forest.
- A drop of water appears like a hive of bees.
The poet observes nature’s details:
- How a spider spins silk from its spinnerets.
- How flies get trapped in the web.
The magnifying glass makes even the tiniest thing marvellous.
The poet imagines that with such lenses, even the moon could seem within reach.
Poetic Devices
Simile – “A drop of water like hive of bees”
Alliteration – “forest—flowers”
Metaphor – “Magic talk” (magnifying glass compared to magic)
Personification – Magnifying glass is described as if it can “talk”.
Imagery – Creates pictures of chalk, moss, forest, water, spider, and moon.
Structure of the Poem
- Stanzas: 6 stanzas
- Lines per stanza: 4 (quatrains)
- Rhyme Scheme: ABCB
- Tone: Wonder and Curiosity
Message of the Poem
Science and observation reveal hidden wonders of nature.
Small objects can appear magical and complex when studied closely.
Human curiosity leads to greater discoveries, even imagining space travel.
Significance of the Spider
Represents scientific observation of small creatures.
Shows nature’s skill and intricate design.
Symbolises curiosity in science.
Summary (in simple words)
The poem tells how a magnifying glass makes small things look magical. Tiny shells in chalk, moss looking like a forest, or a drop of water appearing like a hive of bees become wonders. The poet observes spiders and flies with curiosity. He says even the moon can seem close through lenses. The poem celebrates science, observation, and human imagination.
Word Meanings
Myriad – countless, many
Deft – skillful, quick
Stumble – trip, fall by mistake
Surpass – to go beyond
Marvellous – wonderful, amazing
Woven – made by interlacing threads
Additional Information
Magnifying instruments: magnifying glasses, microscopes, telescopes.
Indian contributions: Aryabhatta (heliocentric model, eclipses), Varahamihira, Bhaskaracharya II.
Observatories: Jantar Mantar (Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, etc.), Hanle Observatory (Ladakh), ARIES (Nainital).
Modern telescope: James Webb Space Telescope (2021).
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