Important Questions Chapter 17 Poem English Rainbow Part 2 Class 12 Bihar Board बिहार बोर्ड

The Soldier

Short Questions with Answers

1. Who wrote the poem “The Soldier” ?

Answers : Rupert Brooke wrote the poem “The Soldier.”

2. What is the central theme of the poem?

Answers : The central theme is patriotism and love for one’s country.

3. Where does the poet want to be remembered?

Answers : He wants to be remembered in a “foreign field.”

4. What does the poet mean by “richer dust”?

Answers : The “richer dust” refers to his body, made richer by being from England.

5. What will the foreign land become if the poet dies there?

Answers : It will become “forever England.”

6. Is the speaker afraid of death?

Answers : No, the speaker is not afraid of death.

7. What does “A body of England’s” mean?

Answers : It means the poet’s body is a part of England, shaped by it.

8. What does the poet mean by “shed all evil away”?

Answers : It means his soul will be purified after death.

9. How does the poet describe England’s air?

Answers : He describes it as “English air,” which he breathed in life.

10. What does “pulse in the eternal mind” refer to?

Answers : It refers to the poet’s eternal connection with England.

11. What kind of poem is “The Soldier”?

Answers : It is a sonnet, a 14-line poem.

12. How many times is “England” or “English” mentioned in the poem?

Answers : It is mentioned multiple times to emphasize his love for England.

13. What does the poet think will happen to his heart after death?

Answers : His heart will give back the love and dreams given by England.

14. What kind of soldier is the poet?

Answers : He is a patriotic soldier who willingly sacrifices for his country.

15. How did Rupert Brooke die?

Answers : He died of septicemia in 1915 during World War I.

Medium Questions with Answers

1. Why is the poem called “The Soldier” ?

Answers : The poem is called “The Soldier” because it reflects the thoughts and feelings of a soldier. He speaks about his love for England and his willingness to die for his country. The title highlights the soldier’s patriotism and sacrifice. It symbolizes devotion to the homeland during war.

2. What does the poet mean by “some corner of a foreign field” ?

Answers : The poet refers to a place where he might die and be buried. This foreign field will become a part of England because his body, as “richer dust,” will rest there. He believes his death will enrich the foreign land. It shows his strong connection to England, even in death.

3. How does the poet describe the beauty of England?

Answers : The poet describes England as a beautiful and nurturing country. He mentions the rivers, the sun, and the air that shaped him. England gave him dreams, love, and peace in life. This shows his deep gratitude and affection for his homeland.

4. What is the meaning of “shed all evil away”?

Answers : The phrase means that the poet believes his soul will be cleansed after death. He thinks that dying for his country will purify him of all wrongs. It symbolizes peace and purity in the afterlife. This reflects the poet’s belief in the noble purpose of sacrifice.

5. Why does the poet refer to England as “her”?

Answers : The poet personifies England as a nurturing mother. He says England gave him life, love, and a place to roam. By calling England “her,” he shows deep respect and affection. It emphasizes the nurturing relationship between him and his country.

6. What does “A pulse in the eternal mind” symbolize?

Answers : It symbolizes the poet’s lasting presence in the memory of England. He believes his thoughts, dreams, and love for England will live on forever. His soul will be part of something eternal. It suggests immortality through patriotic devotion.

7. What emotions does the poem convey?

Answers : The poem conveys pride, gratitude, and peace. The poet feels proud to be part of England and grateful for what it gave him. He is at peace with the idea of dying for his country. These emotions reflect his strong sense of patriotism.

8. How does the poet describe his friends and their laughter?

Answers : He mentions that the laughter of his friends and gentleness of hearts were gifts from England. These memories will continue even after his death. It shows the deep connection he has with the people of England. It reflects the joy and peace he associates with home.

Long Questions with Answers

1. Do you think the title of the poem is appropriate? Why?

Answers : Yes, the title “The Soldier” is appropriate because it represents the poet’s pride and duty as a soldier. It reflects his willingness to sacrifice his life for England. The poem focuses on the love and dedication a soldier feels for his country. It highlights how a soldier’s death becomes a part of the nation’s legacy.

2. Summarize the main ideas in the first eight lines of the poem.

Answers : The first eight lines describe the poet’s desire to be remembered in a foreign land if he dies there. He believes his body, which England shaped, will enrich the foreign soil. He sees this burial as a way for the foreign land to become part of England. These lines emphasize the themes of patriotism and sacrifice.

3. Why is “The Soldier” considered a patriotic poem?

Answers : “The Soldier” is patriotic because it expresses the poet’s deep love and devotion to England. He views dying for his country as noble and beautiful. The poem glorifies the idea of becoming part of England even in death. It reflects the belief that patriotism is eternal and pure.

4. How does the poet describe England’s gifts to him?

Answers : The poet says England gave him life, love, dreams, and happy memories. He mentions breathing English air and being shaped by its rivers and sunlight. He feels deeply connected to these gifts, which formed his identity. These descriptions show his gratitude to his homeland.

5. What is the message of the poem “The Soldier” ?

Answers : The poem’s message is that dying for one’s country is an honorable sacrifice. The poet believes his death will make the foreign land a part of England. He views death as a way to give back to the country that shaped him. It conveys the idea of eternal patriotism and peace.