
	Trending ▼ ICSE CBSE 10th ISC CBSE 12th CTET GATE UGC NET Vestibulares ResFinder

ICSE Class X Notes 2025 : English Paper 2 (English Literature) (Jamnabai Narsee School (JNS), GIFT city, Gandhinagar)

3 pages, 15 questions, 0 questions with responses, 0 total responses,

	Tu Tu	+Fave Message
	Profile Timeline Uploads

Home > kiminar > F Also featured on: School Page

Formatting page ...

LITERATURE IN ENGLISH STD 10 POETRY HAUNTED HOUSES Answer the following questions with reference to the context. EXTRACT 1 All houses wherein men have lived and died Are haunted houses. i) According to the poet, which houses are haunted and why? Ans- According to the poet, all houses where men have lived and died are haunted. The houses are not haunted with ghosts who are scary but are filled with the memories, emotions and experiences of the past inhabitants which linger around. ii) Why are the ghosts referred to as harmless phantoms? Ans- These ghosts are harmless phantoms as they move silently, gliding through open doors with feet that make no noise upon the floor. They are quiet and cause no harm to anyone. This is in contrast with the common belief that ghosts are menacing and harmful. iii) Where do we meet these ghosts? Ans- We can meet these ghosts at the doorway, on the stair, along the passages, at the dining table and also in the hallways. iv) How does the poet describe the presence of these ghosts? What does it symbolise? Ans- The poet calls their presence impalpable which implies that they cannot be felt or touched. It symbolises not just the ghosts of those who had lived there earlier but also the memories which they have left behind. These memories affect the atmosphere of the house. v) How does the poet describe the dinner table and the hall with reference to these ghosts ? What is it a reminder of? Ans- The poet says that at gatherings during dinner, there seem to be more guests than those who had been invited. These guests are in the form of spirits. The hall also throngs with these quiet and harmless guests. The poet likens them to the pictures on the wall. This a reminder that our past, our memories and our ancestors are always with us. 1 EXTRACT 2 The stranger at my fireside cannot see The forms I see, nor hear the sounds I hear: i) Who sits next to the poet by the fireside? What is the difference between them? Ans- There is a stranger who sits next to the poet by the fireside. The stranger cannot see the forms the poet can see nor hear the sounds he can hear. The stranger can only perceive the present while the poet can see all that has been, from the past to the present. ii) What do you understand by the word mortmain ? What does it symbolise? In what context does the poet mention it? Ans- The word mortmain is the transfer of land or house to a corporate body such as a school, church or a charitable organisation. It signifies the grip or influence of past memories or individuals over one s present life. The poet mentions that they do not have permanent title deeds to their houses or lands as the previous owners and occupants from their forgotten graves claim ownership. iii) How does the poet compare the spirit-world with the world of sense ? Ans- The spirit-world is described as delicate and floating like the atmosphere. The vital breath of ethereal (other worldly) air representing the spirit world, crosses through earthly mists and vapours. The two worlds are not separate but co-exist with each other. This suggests that our past experiences intermingle with our present world shaping our perceptions and feelings. iv) What does equipoise mean? Why is our life kept in equipoise and how? Ans- Equipoise means balance or equilibrium. Longfellow distinguishes between the earthly instinct that seeks pleasure and enjoyment and the more noble instinct that strives for higher goals and aspirations. Our lives are kept in balance by these opposing attractions and desires. v) What is the mood of the poet in the poem? Comment on the title of the poem. Ans- The poet is in a sombre and reflective mood. The title, Haunted Houses, initially creates an impression that the poem is about ghosts and spirits who haunt our homes. However, after reading the poem we realise how different these phantoms are. These phantoms are not seen but their presence is felt everywhere. They are not angry or mischievous. They are quiet who help and guide us. These ghosts are the rightful owners of our homes and are the spirits of our loved ones who still reside in our hearts. 2 EXTRACT 3 And as the moon from some dark gate of cloud Throws o er the sea a floating bridge of light, . i) A little earlier, what does perpetual jar refer to? What is this jar filled with and why? Ans- The perpetual jar refers to greed. This is filled with mental disturbances, anxieties, fears or perturbations that come from some unseen star or an undiscovered planet in the universe. These perturbations are the result of earthly needs and high aspirations. ii) What role does the moon play in forming a connection to the realm of mystery? Ans- According to the poet, the moon makes a metaphorical bridge between what we know about our world and the enigmatic or the mysterious world beyond our lives. This bridge of light is the moonlight that is cast by the moon across the sea. iii) What descends from the world of spirits? How do our thoughts wander according to the last stanza? Ans- A bridge of light descends from the world of spirits. The bridge has been described as swaying and bending which symbolises our connection with the unknown world. Our thoughts are guided by our imagination and curiosity. Therefore, they explore the mysteries of the other world and past. This wander signifies our desire to connect and keep the living from falling into deep sorrow like a dark abyss. Perhaps we wish to find comfort in the unknown. iv) What is the theme of the poem? Ans- The poem's central theme revolves around the transient nature of life and the inevitable march of time. Longfellow reflects on the fact that every soul that has departed from this world lingers on in its former dwelling. Thus, the benevolent spirits of our loved ones remain in our hearts, our memories and our homes, loving and protecting us. v) Give four reasons to show that H. W. Longfellow phantoms are different from the traditional ghouls or evil spirits. Ans- The phantoms mentioned by Longfellow are first, the spirits of our loved ones who share our safe space and sometimes, join us in our daily activities. Second, they are neither angry or vengeful spirits who could harm us. They are as silent as the pictures on the wall. Third, these phantoms are the rightful owners and occupants of the houses we live in. Lastly, these phantoms are the reason why our homes remain loving and protected. These spirits are gentle, intangible beings who peacefully co-exist with the living in the realm of haunted houses. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 3

Formatting page ...

kiminar chat

Horizontal lines at:
Guest Horizontal lines at:
AutoRM Data:
Box geometries: