Short Questions (with Answers)
1. Why does Ravi stop by the thirsty old man in the story?
Answer : Ravi stops because he feels compassion for the old man’s thirst and wants to help him by sharing his water.
2. What does the proud man give to the poet when he’s in sorrow?
Answer : The proud man gives the poet money but does not offer any words of comfort.
3. How does the poet repay the proud man?
Answer : The poet repays the proud man by returning the gold he received and thanking him formally.
4. Who assists the poet during his time of need in the poem?
Answer : A poor man helps the poet by providing comfort, binding his wounds, and staying with him.
5. What does the poet say is more valuable than gold?
Answer : The poet believes that “heavenly sympathy” is greater than gold.
6. What action does the poor man take to care for the poet?
Answer : The poor man binds the poet’s head, gives him food, and watches over him.
7. How does the proud man’s treatment differ from the poor man’s?
Answer : The proud man offers material help without kindness, while the poor man provides care and sympathy.
8. What lesson can be learned from Ravi’s actions in the story?
Answer : Ravi’s actions show the importance of compassion and kindness toward others in need.
9. What does “spake” mean in the poem’s context?
Answer : “Spake” is an old form of “spoke,” meaning to speak or express thanks.
10. How does the poet feel after receiving help from the poor man?
Answer : The poet feels grateful and wonders how he can repay the poor man’s kindness.
11. What does the poet mean by “heavenly sympathy”?
Answer : Heavenly sympathy refers to a pure, compassionate feeling that is comforting and priceless.
12. Why does the poet call sympathy ‘heavenly’?
Answer : The poet considers sympathy “heavenly” because it brings comfort and kindness beyond material value.
13. What happens to the poet’s sorrow after he meets the proud man?
Answer : The poet’s sorrow eventually passes, and he repays the proud man’s charity.
14. Who are Suraj and Ravi in the story?
Answer : Suraj and Ravi are friends who encounter an old man in need of water.
15. What does the poet bless the proud man for?
Answer : The poet blesses the proud man for his charity, even though it lacked warmth.
Medium Questions (with Answers)
1. What does the old man’s request for water signify in the story?
Answer : The old man’s request for water highlights his need and vulnerability, showing the importance of basic kindness to those in distress.
2. Why does the poet initially accept the proud man’s gold?
Answer : The poet accepts the gold because he is in distress and needs assistance, but later he realizes that material help alone cannot relieve his sorrow.
3. What lesson about empathy does Ravi’s action in the story teach?
Answer : Ravi’s action teaches that empathy means responding to others’ needs directly, regardless of convenience or the actions of others.
4. How does the poor man show kindness beyond mere words in the poem?
Answer : The poor man not only gives the poet food but also watches over him, showing that true kindness involves active support and care.
5. What role does gratitude play in the poet’s reflections?
Answer : Gratitude is central to the poet’s reflections as he recognizes and values the selfless care he received from the poor man.
6. What does the phrase “stood erect and spake my thanks” reveal about the poet?
Answer : This phrase suggests that the poet maintains his dignity and respects the help he received, even if it was impersonal.
7. How does the poet contrast gold with sympathy?
Answer : The poet suggests that while gold has monetary value, sympathy offers emotional comfort and support, making it more meaningful.
8. Why does the poet feel indebted to the poor man?
Answer : The poet feels indebted because the poor man’s help came from compassion, offering emotional healing that cannot be repaid with material wealth.
9. What does the proud man’s “cold looks” imply about his attitude?
Answer : The “cold looks” imply a lack of warmth or true empathy, indicating that his assistance was merely a duty rather than heartfelt support.
10. What is the significance of “heavenly sympathy” as described in the poem?
Answer : The term “heavenly sympathy” reflects the poet’s belief in the spiritual and transcendent nature of genuine compassion, valuing it above all.
Long Questions (with Answers)
1. How does the old man’s cry for water affect Suraj and Ravi differently?
Answer : Suraj ignores the old man’s plea, while Ravi feels compelled to help, highlighting different attitudes toward empathy and willingness to assist those in need.
2. Explain the poet’s reaction to the proud man’s help versus the poor man’s care.
Answer : The poet accepts the proud man’s gold but feels no warmth, while the poor man’s compassionate care gives him solace and gratitude, revealing the value of emotional support over wealth.
3. In what way does the poor man’s kindness represent true charity according to the poem?
Answer : True charity, as shown by the poor man, is about giving time, care, and comfort, rather than just money. It’s a selfless act that offers genuine relief and support.
4. Why does the poet struggle to find a way to repay the poor man?
Answer : The poet struggles because he realizes that the poor man’s kindness and empathy were invaluable and cannot be compensated with money or words alone.
5. How does the story of Ravi and the old man connect with the theme of the poem “Sympathy”?
Answer : Both the story and poem illustrate that true kindness is shown through caring actions, as seen in Ravi’s response to the old man and the poor man’s help to the poet.
6. Describe the poet’s view of material wealth in comparison to human compassion.
Answer : The poet acknowledges that while gold has value, it lacks the depth and warmth that human compassion provides, thus valuing sympathy far above material wealth.
7. What does the poem suggest about the moral responsibility of helping others?
Answer : The poem implies that true help should come from a place of compassion, as mere material help without empathy lacks the power to truly uplift someone in distress.
8. How does the poem encourage readers to reconsider the meaning of generosity?
Answer : The poem suggests that generosity is not just about giving resources but involves emotional engagement, highlighting that selfless care has a more lasting impact on those in need.
Leave a Reply