Class 9th English Notes Unit No.8 “Hope is the thing with feathers”
Unit No. 8, “Hope is the Thing with Feathers,” is a thought-provoking poem by Emily Dickinson that beautifully describes hope as a constant and uplifting force in life. For Class 9th students, having well-prepared study notes is crucial to understand the poem’s deep meaning and imagery. These Class 9th notes provide simple explanations, key vocabulary, and an analysis of each stanza to make learning easier. With these 9th class English notes, students can prepare thoroughly for exams and achieve excellent results. Using the best study notes, students can save time and focus on key points with organized and effective student notes for quick revision.
Q1: What is the implicit and explicit meaning of the poem “Hope is the thing with feathers”?
Ans: Implicit and explicit meaning:
In this poem the poetess says that hope is like a bird which has the ability to fly and survive even in the most unfavorable circumstances. She is talking about the bird but actually the poetess means that hope sustains us and keeps us warm, active and satisfied.
Q2: What is the theme of the poem “Hope is the thing with feathers”?
Ans: Theme of the poem:
The theme of the poem is that hope endures. Hope sustains our heart, defeating despair despite difficult circumstances. It is inherent, soulful, and is ever lasting. It prevails even when there is reason to be fearful.
Q3: How does the bird react to hardships in the poem “Hope is the thing with Feathers”?
Ans: Reaction of bird to hardships:
The bird reacts bravely. It survives in the most difficult situations and even destructive storms cannot defeat it.
Q4: Discuss how “Hope” and the “Thing with Feathers” are similar. What does the poem reveal about hope?
Ans: Comparison of hope:
“Hope” is the main subject of the poem and the poet has used the metaphor of bird for explaining his ideas. A bird lives in the nest and tries to survive in difficult weather. Similarly, hope lives in human heart. It also faces the severity of situations. Birds sing songs and hope also sings a song, which enable us to enjoy and keep us warm. Storms cannot defeat a bird and hope also remains undefeated even in severe circumstances.
Q5: What is the role of generosity in Islamic history?
Ans: Role of generosity in Islamic history:
Generosity has a great and important role in Islamic history. Indeed it is the commandment of Allah Almighty to spend some portion of wealth in the way of Allah. The Prophet (SAW) and his companions spent their wealth in the name of Allah generously. They always helped poor and needy. Zakat and charities were made obligatory for Muslims. Generosity leads to humanity. Seeing the generosity of the Prophet (SAW) and his companions, many people in Makkah embraced Islam.
Q6: Service to humanity is liked by Allah. Elaborate.
Ans: Service to humanity:
Allah loves all his creatures but he loves the human beings the most because human beings is the cream of all creatures. He is pleased with those who serve fellow human beings. Anyone who spends in the path of Allah is paid back with much profit. Allah says that help mankind and serve human beings and Allah will have mercy on you. Charities and Zakat have also been made obligatory in Islam. All these facts show that service to humanity is the highest virtue in the eyes of Allah.
Q7: What did Hazrat Usman (RA) do when the Holy Prophet (SAW) said, “Is there anyone here who would like to purchase paradise for himself in return for Bair-e-Ruma?”
When Hazrat Usman heard these words of the Holy Prophet (SAW), he stood up and went out quietly. He went to the Jew and offered to buy the well from him at whatever price he would like to sell it.
Q8: Why did Hazrat Usman (RA) keep on rejecting the offer of Hazrat Umar (RA)?
Ans: Reason for rejecting the offer:
Hazrat Usman (RA) kept on rejecting the offer of Hazrat Umar (RA) because he actually wanted to distribute the flour in the name of Allah among people who has promised to pay at least ten times the price as profit and may raise it to seventy or seven hundred times.
Paraphrasing
Stanza 1:
- “Hope” is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul— And sings the tune without the words— And never stops—at all—
Paraphrase 1:
Hope is just like a bird which flies through its wings, but it lives in a man’s heart (Soul). It sings a sweet song which has no words and it never stops continues throughout human life.
Stanza 2:
- And sweetest—In the Gale—is heard— And sore must be the storm— That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm—
Paraphrase 2:
The song of hope even moves in the strongest wind. The wind which can destroy each and every thing, but the hope soars high and high and is never defeated.
Stanza 3:
- I’ve heard it in the chillest land— And on the strangest Sea— Yet never, in Extremity, It asked a crumb—of Me.
Paraphrase 3:
The sweetest song of hope can be heard in the coldest places and even on the strangest sea. Hope never asked for a piece of bread (help) in the most difficult conditions. It always remains with the man and it offers its services without any reward.
Stanza 1 Comprehension
Q1. To what has the hope been compared? Ans. The hope has been compared to a bird.
Q2. Where does the hope live? Ans. It lives in our soul.
Q3. What does the bird do? Ans. It sings an everlasting song of hope.
Q4. Does the tune have words? Ans. No, the tune is without the words.
Stanza 2 Comprehension
Q1. What is heard in the Gale? Ans. Sweetest song of hope is heard in the gale.
Q2. “Sore must be the storm” what does it mean? Ans. It means problems and hurdles which we face in life.
Q3. What thing kept so many people warm? Ans. “Hope” kept so many people warm.
Stanza 3 Comprehension
Q1. What is meant by the chilliest land? Ans. It means hardship and difficulties.
Q2. What does hope do in the worst condition? Ans. It makes a man determined, strong, warm and working.
Q3. Does hope never ask for anything in return? Ans. No, it never asks for anything in return.
Q4. What does “Crumb” mean? Ans. It means a very small piece of bread or cake (help).
What is the name of the poem?
Ans. The name of the poem is “Hope is the thing with feathers”.
What is the name of the poetess?
Ans. The name of the poetess is “Emily Dickinson”.