Important Questions Chapter 14 Poem English Rainbow Part 2 Class 12 Bihar Board बिहार बोर्ड

Now the leaves are falling fast

Short Questions with Answers

1. What does the poet mean by “leaves are falling fast”?

Answers : The falling leaves symbolize the quick passage of time and life.

2. Who are the “whispering neighbours”?

Answers : The whispering neighbours are messengers or agents of death.

3. What do the “nurses” represent in the poem?

Answers : The nurses symbolize care and compassion, which eventually end with death.

4. What happens to “active hands” in the poem?

Answers : The active hands freeze, symbolizing death and inactivity.

5. What do the “prams” symbolize?

Answers : The prams represent the continuity of life.

6. Who are the “trolls” in the poem?

Answers : Trolls are mythical creatures symbolizing wickedness and suffering.

7. What does the “leafless wood” signify?

Answers : The leafless wood represents lifelessness and despair.

8. What does the “mountain’s lovely head” refer to?

Answers : It refers to the beauty and hope found even in life’s harsh realities.

9. Why is the “nightingale dumb” in the poem?

Answers : The nightingale’s silence symbolizes the absence of joy and hope.

10. What does the “waterfall” symbolize?

Answers : The waterfall symbolizes relief and blessings in times of distress.

11. How does death affect human life, according to the poem?

Answers : Death freezes the body and separates individuals from the living.

12. What does “lonely on the separate knees” mean?

Answers : It signifies isolation and loneliness caused by death.

13. What is the tone of the poem?

Answers : The tone of the poem is reflective and melancholic.

14. What does “false attitudes of love” refer to?

Answers : It refers to deceptive or insincere expressions of affection.

15. Why does the poet mention “starving trolls”?

Answers : The starving trolls represent suffering and unfulfilled needs in life.

Medium Questions with Answers

1. What does the poet mean by “now the leaves are falling fast”?

Answers : The poet uses falling leaves to symbolize the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. It reflects the passage of time and the transience of human existence. The imagery sets a melancholic and reflective tone.

2. How do the “whispering neighbours” affect the aging persons?

Answers : The whispering neighbours remind the aging persons of their mortality. They disturb their peace by constantly symbolizing the approach of death. This creates an atmosphere of unease and fear.

3. What happens in the “leafless wood”?

Answers : The leafless wood is lifeless and bleak, where trolls scold and search for food. It represents human suffering, emptiness, and the harshness of existence. The setting evokes despair and a lack of vitality.

4. What does the poet suggest about love through “false attitudes of love”?

Answers : The poet criticizes insincere expressions of love, which lack true depth and comfort. Such false love fails to provide support in life’s challenges. This reflects the poet’s view on the emptiness in human relationships.

5. How does the poet describe the journey of life?

Answers : Life is portrayed as a journey marked by suffering and eventual death. The rolling prams symbolize the continuation of life despite individual losses. This shows life’s dual nature of continuity and fragility.

6. What is the significance of the “mountain’s lovely head”?

Answers : The mountain represents beauty, hope, and blessings in the face of difficulties. Its waterfall provides comfort to travelers in distress. It serves as a metaphor for moments of peace amidst life’s struggles.

7. Why is the nightingale silent in the poem?

Answers : The nightingale’s silence symbolizes the loss of joy and hope in a life overshadowed by death. It reflects the absence of vibrancy and happiness in the poet’s world. This adds to the poem’s somber tone.

8. What does the poet convey through “active hands must freeze”?

Answers : The poet conveys that human activity and efforts eventually stop with death. It symbolizes the inevitable end of life’s energy and vitality. This reflects the fragility and temporary nature of existence.

Long Questions with Answers

1. How does the poem portray the fleeting nature of life?

Answers : The poem portrays life as transient using imagery like falling leaves and freezing hands. It emphasizes the inevitability of death and the swift passage of time. The rolling prams symbolize life’s continuity even as individuals perish. This contrast highlights the balance between mortality and the cycle of life.

2. What message does the poet convey about love in the poem?

Answers : The poet criticizes insincere and hollow expressions of love through “false attitudes of love.” Such love lacks depth and fails to provide genuine support in challenging times. The message reflects human emotional struggles and the loneliness of insincere relationships. It emphasizes the need for authentic and meaningful love.

3. Why does the poet use imagery from nature in the poem?

Answers : The poet uses natural imagery like falling leaves, leafless woods, and waterfalls to symbolize decay, suffering, and hope. These elements reflect the fragility and beauty of life’s journey. Nature represents both the inevitability of death and moments of relief. This duality mirrors the human experience of despair and renewal.

4. What is the significance of the “waterfall” in the poem?

Answers : The waterfall symbolizes hope and blessings during life’s difficulties. It offers relief to travelers in their last distress, representing moments of peace amidst struggles. The imagery suggests that even in despair, comfort and beauty can be found. The waterfall serves as a metaphor for resilience and hope.

5. How does the poem balance mortality and hope?

Answers : Mortality is depicted through death and decay, symbolized by falling leaves and freezing hands. However, hope is introduced through the imagery of the mountain and waterfall, which offer blessings and relief. Life’s continuity is represented by rolling prams, showing that existence moves forward. This balance reflects the cyclic nature of life.