Important Questions Chapter 19 Poem English Rainbow Part 2 Class 12 Bihar Board बिहार बोर्ड

Fire-Hymn

Short Questions with Answers

1. Who is the poet of Fire-Hymn?

• The poet of Fire-Hymn is Keki N. Daruwalla.

2. What is the main theme of the poem?

• The main theme of the poem is the significance of fire in human rituals and its symbolic connection to life and death.

3. What does the ‘burning ghat’ symbolize?

• The ‘burning ghat’ symbolizes the rituals of cremation and the transience of human life.

4. What frightened the passers-by at the ghat?

• The passers-by at the ghat were frightened by wandering ghost lights and the eerie sight of bones scattered around.

5. What did the poet observe at dawn?

• The poet observed embers losing their redness to ash and half-burnt limbs scattered around the burning ghat.

6. What does the fire’s ‘debauchery’ refer to?

• The fire’s ‘debauchery’ refers to the incomplete burning of human bodies, leaving behind half-burnt limbs.

7. What did the poet’s father say about the fire?

• The poet’s father said that the fire sometimes forgets to burn the dead completely.

8. What religious identity does the poet reveal in the poem?

• The poet reveals that he belongs to the Zoroastrian religion.

9. Why did the poet swear as a child?

• As a child, the poet swore to save fire from the sin of forgetfulness after witnessing its incomplete burning of bodies.

10. Why did the poet consign his first-born to the flames?

• The poet consigned his first-born to the flames because the nearest Tower of Silence was a thousand miles away.

11. What did the fire-hymn say to the poet?

• The fire-hymn said to the poet that he stood forgiven for his actions.

12. Why did the poet feel broken yet rebellious?

• The poet felt broken because of the loss of his child, but he remained rebellious against the fire for its perceived sins.

13. What oath did the poet take the second time?

• The poet swore to save the fire from the sin of forgiving.

14. Why does the poet consider fire forgetful?

• The poet considers fire forgetful because it fails to burn bodies completely at times.

15. What is the role of fire in the poet’s religion?

• In the poet’s Zoroastrian religion, fire is sacred and must remain pure and sinless.

16. What does ‘grey ash that swallows all’ signify?

• ‘Grey ash that swallows all’ signifies the inevitability of death and the finality of life.

17. How does the poet describe the embers?

• The poet describes the embers as cruel redness turning into grey ash.

18. What emotions does the poet associate with fire?

• The poet associates pain, rebellion, and forgiveness with fire.

19. What does the poet mean by the ‘sin of forgiving’?

• By the ‘sin of forgiving,’ the poet refers to his belief that fire should not absolve its own imperfections.

20. How does the poet view fire as both destroyer and purifier?

• The poet views fire as a destroyer of the physical body and a purifier of the soul.

Medium Questions with Answers

1. How does the poet describe the burning ghat at night?

• The poet describes the burning ghat as glowing with phosphorescence. Wandering ghost lights and moonlight moving among the bones create an eerie atmosphere. This frightens the passers-by who avoid looking directly at it.

2. What do the half-burnt limbs signify in the poem?

• The half-burnt limbs signify the incomplete work of the fire. They reflect the poet’s perception of the fire’s forgetfulness. It leaves behind a disturbing image of unfinished rituals.

3. What effect does witnessing the burning ghat have on the poet as a child?

• Witnessing the burning ghat as a child left the poet deeply disturbed. He clenched his fists in pain and swore to protect the sanctity of fire. This childhood experience stayed with him throughout his life.

4. Why does the poet mention the ‘Tower of Silence’?

• The poet mentions the Tower of Silence to highlight the religious constraints of his Zoroastrian faith. It shows his struggle to follow tradition, as the nearest Tower was a thousand miles away.

5. What is the significance of the poet’s oath to save fire?

• The poet’s oath symbolizes his deep reverence for fire. It reflects his belief in protecting fire from sins like forgetfulness and forgiving. This act ties to his religious and personal struggles.

6. Why does the poet feel the fire is both cruel and forgetful?

• The poet feels fire is cruel because it burns with intensity, consuming everything. It is forgetful because it sometimes leaves bodies half-burnt. These traits disturb the poet and fuel his rebellion.

7. What does the poet mean by ’embers losing their cruel redness’?

• The poet refers to embers fading into ash after burning. This transformation symbolizes the end of life and the inevitable decay after death. It highlights the transient nature of existence.

8. How does fire play a spiritual role in the poet’s life?

• Fire acts as a spiritual medium for the poet, connecting him to his religious beliefs. It is both a purifier and a destroyer, and the poet swears to protect its sanctity. It symbolizes life, death, and ritual.

9. What emotions does the poet express when he loses his first-born?

• The poet expresses deep pain and heartbreak over losing his first-born. Despite his sorrow, he fulfills the cremation ritual. This moment reveals his inner turmoil and faith in fire’s role.

10. How does the poet reconcile with fire’s actions?

• The poet struggles to reconcile fire’s actions, seeing it as both sacred and flawed. He believes fire must be sinless, and his oaths reflect his efforts to make peace. Yet, his rebellious spirit persists.

11. What does the poet mean by ‘broken yet rebellious’?

• The poet was emotionally shattered after cremating his first-born. However, he refused to accept fire’s flaws and swore to correct its sins. This duality defines his resilience and struggle.

12. How does the poem reflect the poet’s Zoroastrian beliefs?

• The poem deeply reflects Zoroastrian values, where fire is sacred. The poet’s actions and emotions show his reverence for fire. His struggle to maintain fire’s purity underscores his faith.

Long Questions with Answers

1. What role does fire play in the rituals described in the poem?

• Fire is central to the rituals, symbolizing both life and death. At the burning ghat, it consumes bodies, leaving behind ash and bones. For the poet, fire serves as a medium for spiritual purification. It also represents a sacred element that must remain sinless.

2. How does the poet describe his first experience with fire at the ghat?

• The poet’s first experience with fire at the ghat was haunting and painful. He observed half-burnt limbs and ash, which left him disturbed. This moment influenced his view of fire as both powerful and flawed. It became a lasting memory tied to his faith.

3. Why did the poet feel compelled to swear oaths about fire?

• The poet swore oaths to protect fire from sins like forgetfulness and forgiving. These oaths reflect his deep respect for fire as sacred. They also show his inner conflict, balancing religious beliefs with personal experiences. His oaths symbolize his rebellion and faith.

4. How does the poet portray the dual nature of fire in the poem?

• The poet portrays fire as both a destroyer and purifier. It consumes bodies at the ghat but also leaves them half-burnt at times. This duality reflects its power to transform and its flaws. The poet’s complex emotions toward fire highlight its multifaceted role.

5. What does the poet mean by ‘the sin of forgiving’?

• The poet refers to fire’s ability to let go of its imperfections as the ‘sin of forgiving.’ He feels fire should not absolve itself of incomplete burning. This belief ties to his struggle to uphold fire’s sanctity. It highlights his critical view of its flaws.

6. How does the poet explore themes of life and death in the poem?

• The poet uses fire as a metaphor for life and death. At the ghat, fire consumes bodies, symbolizing the end of life. However, its transformation into ash also represents a new beginning. The poem reflects on the inevitability of death and spiritual purification.

7. Why does the poet focus on the incomplete burning of bodies?

• The incomplete burning symbolizes fire’s forgetfulness, a flaw the poet cannot accept. It contrasts with the sacred view of fire in his religion. This focus highlights the poet’s emotional struggle and desire to preserve fire’s purity.

8. How does the poet connect his personal pain to the fire?

• The poet connects his personal pain to fire through his life experiences. Losing his first-born and witnessing incomplete rituals deepened his emotional bond with fire. It became both a source of anguish and a symbol of his faith. This duality defines the poem’s essence.