Class XII - English Core - Flamingo - POEM 4 - A Thing of Beauty

English Notes for Class XII - English Core - Flamingo - POEM 4 - A Thing of Beauty

Poem Text

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still 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,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
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. 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:
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.

Summary

This poem is an excerpt from a longer poem titled as Endymion written by famous English poet John Keats. In the poem Keats talks about the concept of beauty, its immortality and how it is embedded in nature. The opening lines set the mood of the poem by firmly stating that "A thing of beauty is joy forever." He rightly states that the objects of beauty are lying all around us- the sun, the moon, trees, musk rose and daffodils.

In his definition of beauty he includes things that are produced by human beings like art, poetry and mythological stories.

He opines that the world is suffering because it has gone away from Nature. If we return to nature and appreciate the beauty around us, may be there is less violence and the world is a better place to live in.

Analysis of the Poem - A Thing of Beauty

The poem "Endymion" by John Keats begins with the famous line, "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever." The speaker argues that beautiful things bring lasting joy because they never fade away, but instead become even more lovely over time. Beauty provides us with a tranquil retreat and a peaceful sleep filled with pleasant dreams, good health, and calm breathing.

The speaker believes that we should appreciate beauty every day, despite the challenges we face. We should surround ourselves with flowers to connect us to the natural world and remind us of the beauty that exists even in difficult times. Beauty can lift our spirits and help us transcend the darkness and difficulties of life. The sun, moon, trees, daffodils, clear streams, and blooming musk-roses are all examples of beauty that can provide us with comfort and solace.

The poem also acknowledges the power of stories and imagination to create beauty. The speaker references the grandeur of the imagined dooms of great figures who have passed away and the enchanting tales we have read or heard. These stories and imaginings offer us an endless fountain of "immortal drink," providing us with a constant source of beauty and inspiration.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS 

1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
   
   ANSWER
   According to the poem, a thing of beauty is a joy forever because it possesses a timeless quality. Its loveliness only increases over time, and it never fades away or becomes less beautiful. This enduring quality of beauty allows it to provide lasting joy and comfort to those who appreciate it.
   
   The speaker of the poem argues that beauty offers us a peaceful retreat, a restful sleep filled with pleasant dreams, good health, and calm breathing. Beauty provides a respite from the challenges of life, and its enduring nature ensures that it will always be a source of joy and inspiration.
   
   In essence, beauty is a joy forever because it has the power to transcend time and endure even in the face of adversity. Its ability to uplift the spirit and offer solace makes it an essential aspect of our lives, providing us with a constant source of happiness and wonder.
   
   
2. What kind of sleep does it provide?
   
   ANSWER
   According to the poem "Endymion" by John Keats, a thing of beauty provides a sleep that is full of sweet dreams, health, and quiet breathing. Beauty offers us a tranquil retreat from the challenges of life and allows us to rest deeply and peacefully.
   
   The poem suggests that beauty has a restorative quality that can promote good health and well-being. By providing us with a peaceful and restful sleep, beauty can help us recharge and face the world with renewed energy and vitality.
   
   
3. What are we doing every day?
   
   ANSWER
   According to the poem "Endymion" by John Keats, we are wreathing a flowery band every day to bind ourselves to the earth. The speaker suggests that we should appreciate and surround ourselves with beauty every day, despite the challenges we face.
   
   By wreathing a flowery band, the speaker means that we should seek out and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us in the natural world. This appreciation can connect us to the earth and remind us of the enduring power of beauty, even in difficult times.
   
   The poem suggests that this daily practice of appreciating beauty can help us transcend the darkness and difficulties of life. It can lift our spirits, promote good health, and provide us with a constant source of joy and inspiration.
   
   
4. Describe bad and evil things that we possess in us.
   ANSWER
   We suffer from disappointment, lack of noble qualities and unhealthy and evil ways.
5. What removes the pall from our dark spirits and how ?
   ANSWER
   Some beautiful shape or a thing of beauty removes the pall of sadness from our " hearts or spirits.
6. What sprouts a shady boon for sheep and how ?
   ANSWER
   Trees old and young sprout to make a green covering. It becomes a shelter for simple sheep and proves a blessing for them.
7. Describe the role of daffodils and clear rills in enriching the environment.
   ANSWER
   Daffodils bloom among the green surroundings. The small streams (rills) with clear water make a cooling shelter for themselves against the hot season.
8. What is lovelier than all lovely tales we have heard or read ?
   ANSWER
   The beauty of daffodils, rills and musk-roses is more enchanting than all lovely sto­ries that we have heard or read.
9. What is the source of 'the endless fountain of immortal drink' ?
   ANSWER
   An endless fountain of nectar that makes us immortal pours into us the heavenly bliss of nature.
10. What is the effect of that 'immortal drink' on us ?
    ANSWER
    That immortal drink that nature's endless fountain pours into our hearts is a source of immense joy for us.

THINK IT OUT

1. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
   ANSWER
   Every little or big thing of nature is a thing of beauty and a source of pleasure. The sun, the moon, trees old and young and daffodil flowers are all things of beauty. So are small streams with clear water, mass of ferns and the blooming musk-roses. They are constant sources of joy and pleasure.
2. List the things that cause suffering and pain.
   ANSWER
   There are many things that cause human suffering and pain. The biggest source of suffering is our malice and disappointment. The lack of noble qualities is another. Our unhealthy and evil ways also give birth to so many troubles and sufferings. They depress our spirits. They are like a pall of sadness over our lives.
3. What does the line, 'Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth', suggest to you ?(Imp.)
   ANSWER
   John Keats is a sensuous poet. He is firmly attached to the endless beauty of the earth. The link of man with nature is constant and unbroken. The things of beauty are like wreaths of beautiful flowers. We seem to wreathe a flowery band that keeps us attached to the beauties of this earth.
4. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   So many things bring troubles and sufferings. They depress our spirits. But 'some shape of beauty' brings love and happiness in spite of such unpleasant things. A thing of beauty removes away the pall of sadness and sufferings from our lives. It makes human beings love.
5. Why is 'grandeur' associated with the 'mighty dead' ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   The mighty dead were the people who were powerful and dominating in their own times. Their achievements made them 'mighty' and great. Their works dazzle our eyes. We imagine that such mighty dead forefathers will attain more grandeur at the doomsday. They will be rewarded. Hence grandeur is associated with the 'mighty dead'.
6. Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us ? (Imp.).
   ANSWER
   John Keats makes it clear in the very first line of this excerpt that 'a thing of beauty is a joy forever'. It is a constant source of joy. Nor does its beauty decrease. Its loveliness goes on increasing every moment. Its value remains undiminished. It never passes into nothingness. It always removes the pall of sadness that covers our dark spirits.
7. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth ?
   ANSWER
   John Keats uses various images to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. The bounty of the earth is like an endless fountain. This endless fountain of immortal drink constantly pours from the heaven into our hearts.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   John Keats, a great Romantic poet, considers that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. It is a constant source of happiness and pleasure. Its loveliness increases every moment. A thing of beauty is never devalued. It never passes into nothingness.
2. How does a thing of beauty keep a bower quiet for us?
   ANSWER
   Keats is rich in sensuous imagery. Nature provides us with things of rare beauty. A pleasant place in the shade under a tree provides us a quiet bower. Similarly, a thing of beauty transports us to peace and security. We enjoy a sleep full of dreams, health and peace.
3. How do we bind us to the earth every morning? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   Like all Romantic poets, Keats stresses the unbreakable bond of man with nature and the earth. The beauties of the earth fascinate man. Every object of nature is a source of beauty and happiness. Every day we are weaving a wreath through these beautiful things. This flowery band binds us with the earth.
4. What are the things that give sufferings and sadness to man?
   ANSWER
   Man, himself, is the root cause of his woes. We suffer from malice and distress. Unfortunately, we lack human qualities and it makes us inhuman. Our life becomes gloomy. We cultivate unhealthy and evil ways. All such things bring misery and sufferings to men.
5. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings ?(CBSE2008)
   ANSWER
   In spite of all troubles and sufferings human beings love life. The beauties and blessings of nature move away the 'pall' from our 'dark spirits'. Such things of beauty are joys forever.
6. How is the pall of despondence moved away from our dark spirits ? (Imp.)
   ANSWER
   Man makes his life miserable by his own nature and actions. He faces miseries and pains. Amid these miseries and sufferings, a thing of beauty provides a hope to man. Some shape of beauty works wonders. It removes the pall of despondence and sadness from our 'dark spirits'.
7. Name the things of nature that are constant sources of beauty.
   ANSWER
   The beauties of nature are endless. The sun, the moon, trees old and young, beautiful daffodil flowers, green surroundings are some of such beautiful things. Similarly, small streams of clear water, green ferns and thickets of the forest and musk-roses are some other things of beauty. All such things of beauty are a constant source of joy for us.
8. Why does Keats associate 'grandeur' with 'the mighty dead'? (A.I. CBSE 2008)
   ANSWER
   The 'mighty dead' were people of great power, authority and grandeur. They were wealthy, brave and awesome people. They are dead in their grave but still reflect that gran­deur and glory.
   
   
9. What is the source of the 'endless fountain' and what is its effect ?
   ANSWER
   The beauties of nature know no limits. Nature is an eternal source of joy to mankind. A fountain of eternal joy and immortality pours into the heart and soul of man. It flows and pours right from the heaven's brink.
10. What is the message that John Keats wants to give through 'A thing of Beauty' ?
    ANSWER
    The very first line of the poem conveys the message of the poet. John Keats was a worshipper of beauty. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Beauty never fades. Nor is it devalued. It never passes into nothingness. A thing of beauty removes away the pall of sadness and sorrows and gives us joy and pleasure.

Class XII - English Core - Flamingo - Chapter 6 - Poets and Pancakes

English Notes for Class XII - English Core - Flamingo - Chapter 6 - Poets and Pancakes

Related Links: 

Themes in Poets and Pancakes | Charactersketch of Kothamangalam Subbu | Extract-Based Questions

Summary of the Chapter

This chapter has been taken from "My Years with Boss", written by Asokamitran. Asokamitran worked in Gemini Studios, a very famous film studio of its time. His job in the studio was to cut newspaper clippings on various topics and maintain a file.

Through this write-up, Asokamitran brings up a lot of topics pertaining to the film industry in particular and India in general and provides the reader with a glimpse of Independent India in its infancy.

He first takes up the make-up department and makes fun of the trouble that the artists took to look "ugly" and the pain they underwent under the glare of the big light bulbs. In fact, the term 'pancakes' refers to the brand name of make-up material, which was excessively by the artists of the Gemini Studio. 

He talks of the office boy, a grown-up man of forty years who once aspired to be a director but blames Subbu(the number 2 in the studio) for his current state of affairs. Thus, Asokamitran highlights the plight of thousands of aspiring actors, directors and producers who end in umpteen oblivious jobs in any such studio.

Kothamangelam Subbu, the number two in Gemini studio, is a story in himself. He is very talented, a poet, novelist, actor and filmmaker. He is an all-rounder and very loyal to his boss.
Another character that comes into focus at Gemini Studios is the legal advisor, who wears Western clothes among the rest of the Khadi-clad gentry.

Asokamitran also tells about the manner in which the legal advisor ruins the career of a talented actress unwittingly.
Communism also finds a place in the musings of Asokamitran. At that time of India, the educated folk took pride in showing their support for Communism, and Gemini Studios was no exception. In the same stride, he also mentions the anti-communism movement run by the West. In this context, he mentions the play troupe of the poet/editor who visited the studio. Later on, he discovers that the poet was, in fact, the editor of the then-famous magazine 'The Encounter.'

Pancake

· Pancake was the brand name of a make-up material. The Gemini Studios bought a lot of it.

· Make-up men used it to turn decent-looking players into hideous-looking monsters.

· In fact, it was because most of the shooting of a film was done on the sets.

· The set and studio lights required that every pore of the players’ faces was closed.

· A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-up department to make the players look ugly.

Ø The chief make-up man made the hero and heroine ugly

Ø His senior assistant made the ‘second’ hero and heroine ugly

Ø It went on in like manner

Ø It was the office boy’s job to make the crowd players ugly.

The Office Boy

· The make-up department had an office boy. He was not a boy but a 40-year-old man

· He had joined the studios years ago

· He believed he had great talent and hoped to become a star actor, director, screenwriter or lyric writer.

· But he was frustrated à He blamed his disgrace on Kothaman.

· Galam Subbu àwho was considered No. 2 at the Gemini Studios.

The Make-up room

· The make-up department was upstairs of a building that was said to have been Robert Clive’s stables.

· The make-up room looked like a hair-cutting salon because it had large mirrors and lights.

· The lights gave out intense heat àThe person who underwent make-up had a miserable experience of being scorched as if in hell.

Author appears to be idle:

· The nature of the author’s job appeared to be insignificant.

· He was usually seen tearing newspapers

· Everybody would walk into his cubicle and want to give him some work to do.

· The office boy would come in to recite his poems. He wished to impress the author by his talent and how it was going to waste on account of Subbu.

Kothamangalam Subbu”

· The office boy was frustrated. Probably, he was jealous of Subbu’s nature.

· Subbu was very close to the boss. He had no better qualification than the boy.

· But he had worked hard to reach this position.

· Subbu had a more affluent exposure because he was a Brahmin. He would remain cheerful in spite of failures.

· He had talents which he used to the advantage of his Boss.

· Whenever the Boss had any difficulty in presenting a scene in a film, Subbu would suggest a number of practical ideas.

· Subbu was a good poet, too. He could write poems of a high order.

· But he deliberately suppressed his talent to write for the masses.

· He was a novelist, too. He had written a novel in which he recreated the moods and manner of the Devadas of the early 20th century.

· He had created life-like characters too.

· Subbu was an excellent actor. But he never aspired for lead roles.

· But whatever minor roles he played, he acted better than the leading players.

· Subbu loved all. Several friends and relatives stayed with him for long periods.

Ø He never gave a thought to the money he spent to support

· The office boy hated him à Perhaps Subbu appeared to him a sycophant.

Story Department:

· Though Subbu was always seen with the Boss, he was a member of the story department.

· Besides writers and poets in the story department, there was a lawyer too.

Ø Officially, he was known as a legal advisor, but people called him by an opposite name.

· Once, the legal advisor unwittingly ruined the career of a talented actress.

Incident relating to an actress:

· An actress who was not seasoned in worldly wisdom lost her temper on the sets. She spoke angrily against the producer.

· The legal advisor switched on the recording equipment when she paused; he played back the record.

· The actress was dumbfounded to hear her own voice. Though she had not said anything offensive, she never appeared on the stage again.

Anti-communism perception:

· The legal advisor wore trousers, a shirt and a tie. Sometimes, he wore a coat, too.

· He appeared odd among the khadi-clad poets and writers.

· The poets worshipped Gandhiji, though they had no affiliation to his ideas.

· But they were averse to communism.

· They had a notion that communists loved nobody. He was an anarchic.

Arrival of MRA

· The feelings against communism were widespread in South India

· The Moral Re-Armament Army was a sort of anti-communism movement. It visited Gemini Studios in 1952.

· They were about 200 people belonging to at least 20 nationalities.

· They presented two plays, ‘Jotham Valley’ and the ‘Forgotten Factor’, in a most professional manner.

· The Gemini family of six hundred and the citizens of Madras were greatly impressed by their plays.

· Their message was simple but the sets and costumes were excellent.

· For many years, the Tamil drama imitated àThe sunrise and sunset scenes presented by the MRA.

· The scenes were presented on a base stage with a white background and a tune played on the flute.

· But the MRA did not influence the outlook of the Gemini Bosses.

· The staff had enjoyed hosting the MRA

Visit to an Englishman:

· A few months later, Gemini Studios received another guest.

· It was an Englishman. Nobody knew who he was.

· Some said he was a poet. Some believed he was an editor because the topmen of The Hindi were taking the initiative.

· But he was not the editor of any of the newspapers the staff of Gemini Studios had heard of.

· The Englishman was welcomed by the Boss, Mr Vason.

· He read out a long speech talking about freedom and democracy.

· Then the Englishman spoke àwho could not be expected to have any interest in English poetry.

· The visit of the Englishman remained a mystery.

Mystery solved

· The author saw a notice in the Hindu.

· The Encounter, a British periodical, was organising a short story contest. The author had never heard the name of the periodical.

· He wanted to send on entry à but wanted to have information before.

· He visited the British Council library. These he found copies of the Encounter.

· He learned that its editor was Stephen Spender, àwho visited the Gemini Studios.

· After a few years – The author retired

· One day, he saw a pile of low-priced paperback editions of ‘The God that Failed.’ He bought a copy.

· It contained six different essays by six different writers.

· They described the writers ‘Journeys into communism and the disillusioned return.

· One of the writers was Stephen Spender

· The whole mystery of Spender’s visit was cleared.

· Mr. Vason was not interested in his poetry but in his views on Communism.

Questions & Answers: 

1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up’?

The incandescent bulbs used in the make-up room produced a lot of heat and caused a lot of discomfort to the artists while in the make-up room. Every actor had to undergo some sort of make-up before shooting and suffered the heat of the bulbs in the room. This misery has been referred to as fiery in the lesson.

2. What is the example of national integration the author refers to?

The make-up division of the Gemini Studios was an example of national integration. According to the author, this is because people from different regions and religious groups worked together in the same department. The department was headed by a Bengali who was succeeded by a Maharashtrian. The other helpers included a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the local Tamils.

3. What work did the 'office boy' do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?

The office boy applies makeup on the lesser-known actors who usually play the role crowd. He would mix various potions and apply them to the group playing actors in the most unprofessional way. He had joined the studios hoping that he would become a star actor someday or hold a prominent position in the film industry. But he failed and remained a mere 'office boy' and this left him perpetually disappointed.

4. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?

The office boy was frustrated because despite getting a good opening, he remained only an office boy. He had had a good formal education and would write poetry also. But his great literary talent was being allowed to go to waste. He showed his anger at Kothamangalam Subbu, the No. 2 at Gemini Studios.

5. Who was the Boss of Gemini Studios?
    Mr. S.S Vasan was the Boss of Gemini Studios.

6. What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?

Most of the 600-odd people at Gemini Studios were Tamil speakers. The Englishman was addressing them in his own language. He had a peculiar accent. Hence, there was a lack of communication between the Englishman and the people who could not follow what he was saying.

6. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery?

The Englishman’s visit to the Gemini Studios is referred to as an unexplained mystery because no one could decipher his identity, whether he was a poet or an editor. Besides, when he spoke, no one at the studio understood what he intended to say, as his accent was beyond their comprehension.

7. Who was the English visitor to the studios?

The English visitor to the Gemini Studios was Stephen Spender. He was the editor of The Encounter, a British Periodical, and a famous English poet, essayist and novelist of the twentieth century.

8. How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?

Before investing money in participating in a short story contest organised by an English periodical, The Encounter, the author did research on the magazine. He went to the British Council Library where, while going through an issue of that periodical, he discovered that its editor was Stephen Spender, the poet who had once visited the studio.

9. What does ‘The God that Failed’ refer to? 

'The God That Failed' was a compilation of six essays written by six eminent writers, namely, Andre Gide, Richard Wright, Ignazio Silone, Arthur Koestler, Louis Fischer and Stephen Spender. In each of the essays, the respective writers described “their journeys into Communism and their disillusioned return”.

Understanding the Text

1. The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting.
   ANSWER
   
   The instances of humour used by the author mark the eccentricities and idiosyncrasies without making any direct and rude comment about anybody. For instance, the author portrays the make-up artists and the usage of the pancakes in an exciting way. Even the caricature of Subbu is hilarious. The way he tries to help his principal by offering quick solutions to his problems is quite amusing. The episode of the legal adviser that inadvertently causes the end of an actress’s career is yet another example. The frustration of the office boy, the superficial praising of Gandhi, hatred of Communism and the ‘mystery’ surrounding Stephen Spender are some of the instances where the author has incorporated gentle humour.
2. Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
   ANSWER
   
   Kothamangalam Subbu succeeded in securing the place closest to The Boss by means of flattery. He was not brilliant but a rather cheerful person and exceedingly loyal to The Boss. He offered solutions whenever The Boss was in a fix. Thus, the other employees considered him No.2 in Gemini Studios.
3. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
   ANSWER
   
   The English poet was addressing the Tamil audience at Gemini Studios in English with a typical provincial accent. He was talking about the thrills and travails of an English poet to a dazed and silent audience. This was the incongruity because his audience could not understand him at all.
4. What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?
   ANSWER
   

   The writer was a prose-writer. He wanted to send a short story for the short story contest organised by a British periodical by the name 'The Encounter'.

Talking about the Text

• Discuss in small groups taking off from points in the text.
  
  1. Film production today has come a long way from the early days of the Gemini Studios.
  2. Poetry and films.
  3. Humour and criticism.

ANSWER

1. Film production is more technical nowadays. While earlier, only five per cent of the shooting was done outdoors, nowadays, outdoor shooting is no longer limited to such a negligible percentage. The cameras and other equipment are more advanced, allowing for a more varied and accurate presentation.
   
   The quality of make-up has improved many folds from the days of the Gemini Studios, where only pancake was used. The people involved in various departments are experts in their specialised work, be it the director, producer, scriptwriter, lyricist or actors. The overall quality of the films is more striking and lively.
2. In India, poetry and films are intricately linked. The people at Gemini Studios all claimed to have the talents of a poet. The main reason behind it was their monotonous and leisurely life at the studios. However, these people were not knowledgeable or educated enough to be poets. Unlike poetry, films can be enjoyed by people with little resources who cannot afford to cultivate a taste for poetry and literature.
3. The story is interspersed with instances dipped in subtle humour. The humorous instances, however, make interesting and relevant comments on the behaviour of general people. A humorous story has more readers, and a humorous film has more viewers. This is because they provide entertainment and a respite from the tedious existence. Criticism by means of humour is more effective; hence, writers and filmmakers often use humorous elements in their works and make sarcastic comments and criticism.