LIFE
HENRY VAN DYKE
Poetry Appreciation Questions.
A. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions that follow.
1. Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul;
a. Whom does the word ‘me’ refer to?
The word ‘me’ refers to the poet Henry Van Dyke.
b. What kind of life does the poet want to lead?
The poet wants to lead his life without any hesitation, always looking forward with a willing soul.
2. Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear
a. Why do you think the poet is not in a hurry?
I think the poet is not in a hurry because he wants to enjoy all aspects of life.
b. What should one not mourn for?
One should not mourn for the things one has lost in the past.
3. In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.
a. What does the poet mean by the phrase ‘in the dim past’?
The poet means the past experiences which are almost forgotten.
b. Is the poet afraid of future?
No, the poet is not afraid of the future.
c. How can one travel on with cheer?
One can travel with cheer if one does not think much about the past and the future.
4. So let the way wind up the hill or down,
O’er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
a. How is the way of life?
The way of life is not always smooth. It has ups and downs.
b. How should be the journey of life?
The journey of life should be a joyful one, full of unexpected things.
c. What did the poet seek as a boy?
The poet as a boy sought new friendship, high adventures and success.
5. My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
And hope the road’s last turn will be the best.
a. What kind of quest does the poet seek here?
The poet seeks quest or opportunities which need courage to accomplish.
b. What is the poet’s hope?
The poet’s hope is that the life will be the best after the last twist in life.
6. In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.
a. Identify the rhyming words of the given lines.
fear – cheer;
whole – toll;
7. Let me but live my life from year to year,(a)
With forward face and unreluctant soul;(b)
Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal; (b)
Not mourning for the things that disappear (a)
a. Identify the rhyme scheme of the given lines.
rhyme scheme : abba.
B. Answer the following question in about 100 – 150 words.
1. Describe the journey of life as depicted in the poem ‘Life’ by Henry Van Dyke.
Title : Life
Poet : Henry Van Dyke
Theme : Optimism makes the journey of life cheerful
The poet wants to live his life looking ahead with a burning desire to accomplish something in his life. He neither wants to hurry nor wants to move away from his goal. He does not want to mourn or cry over the setbacks in the past. Also he does not want to worry about the future. He instead prefers to live his life with a whole and happy heart which cheerfully travels from youth to old age. Whatever may be the path, rough or smooth; he believes that his journey will be cheerful. He states that he will continue to seek what he wanted as a boy – new friendship, high adventure and a crown (prize). His heart will remain courageous and pursue his desires. He hopes that every turn in his life’s journey will be the best.
C. Based on your understanding of the poem, complete the following passage by the using the phrases given in the box.
| youth to old age | up or down the hill | to hurry nor move away | |
| high adventure | joyful | mourn | looking ahead |
The poet wants to live his life looking ahead, willing to do something. He neither wants to hurry or move away from his goal. He does not want to mourn the things he has lost, not hold back for fear of the future. He instead prefers to live his life with a whole and happy heart which cheerfully travels from youth to old age. Therefore, it does not matter to him whether the path goes up or down the hill, rough or smooth, the journey will be joyful. He will continue to seek what he wanted as a boy – new friendship, high adventure and a crown (prize). His heart will remain courageous and pursue his desires. He hopes that every turn in his life’s journey will be the best.
WINDOWS WISDOM 