NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 4 - A Thing of Beauty

Question 1:

List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.

Answer:

The list includes the sun and the moon. There are young and old trees that give pleasant shade for the gentle sheep. There are daffodils, clear rills and musk roses growing in the forest brake. Also there are lovely tales that we have heard or read.

Question 2:

Mention any two things that cause suffering and pain.

Answer:

There is a terrible dearth of truly noble souls. Many evil and mysterious things happen daily. It is hard to understand why they happen. Men pass their days in gloom.

Question 3:

What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you ?

Answer:

It is only because of beautiful things that we can bear to stay on this earth. There is so much pain and suffering in the world that no one would be willing to live here. But the objects of beauty are like a flowery band that keeps us bound to the earth.

Question 4:

According to Keats, what removes the pall of despondence over our dark spirits ? How is it removed ?

Answer:

It is beauty that removes the pall of despondence over our dark spirits. Man’s life is all gloomy. There is depression and dejection all around the world. But in spite of all this, man continues living on this earth. It is so because there are some beautiful things also in this world. And it is the beauty of these things that takes away the gloom from our sad hearts.

Question 5:

What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings ?

Answer:

It is beauty alone that makes men love life. God has created several objects of beauty. These objects are an endless source of joy. Their beauty never fades. It is these objects that make men love life in spite of their sufferings.

Question 6:

Why and how is the ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’ ?

(Or)

How can ‘mighty dead’ be things of beauty ?

Answer:

The ‘mighty dead’ were those who made great achievements in their life. Now they lie buried in their graves. On the day of judgement, they will be rewarded by God also for the noble deeds. It is this dignity or beauty that is associated with those great souls.

Question 7:

What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth ?

Answer:

The poet says that the earth has numberless things of beauty. They give us joy for ever. They are like an endless fountain of immortal drink. It is as if the immortal drink were pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.

Question 8:

How can you say that a thing of beauty is a joy for ever ?

Answer:

A thing of beauty leaves a permanent impression on our mind. It stays in our imagination for ever. It never passes into nothingness. Our imagination adds new colours to it. Its loveliness increases every time we think of it. Thus it becomes a joy for ever.

Question 9:

What does a thing of beauty do for us ?

(Or)

What is the message of the poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’ ?

Answer:

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever. It makes us forget the sorrows and sufferings of the world. It gives us peace of the mind and health of the body. It makes our painful stay on this earth bearable. And thus a thing of beauty provides us shelter and comfort.

Question 10:

What does the poet mean by : ‘An endless fountain of immortal drink / Pouring unto us from heaven’s brink’ ?

(Or)

What rich bounty has the heaven given us ?

Answer:

The poet says that God has given us numberless things of beauty. They are a joy for ever. The poet compares them to an endless fountain of immortal drink. It is as if this fountain of beauty was pouring unto us from the heaven.

Question 11:

What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does he call its drink immortal ?

Answer:

Keats considers beautiful things an endless fountain of immortal drink. He calls its drink immortal because they (things of beauty) can give us as much joy as angels derive from the immortal drink in heaven.

Question 12:

Mention any four things of beauty that add joy to our life.

Answer:

The list includes the sun and the moon. There are young and old trees that give pleasant shade for gentle sheep. There are daffodils, clear rills and musk roses growing in the forest brake. There are lovely tales that we have heard or read.

Question 13:

In the hot season, how do men and beasts get comfort ?

Answer:

In the hot season, beautiful things add some charm to the otherwise sad life of man on this earth. And the beasts get gentle shade from the big and small trees.

Question 14:

Which objects of nature does Keats mention as sources of joy in his poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’ ?

Answer:

The objects of nature which Keats describes as sources of joy are — the sun and the moon; the young and old trees; daffodils; clear rills and musk roses growing in the forest brake.

Question 15:

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever. Elaborate.

Answer:

A thing of beauty is a source of eternal joy. It leaves a permanent impression on our mind. It stays in our imagination for ever. It never passes into nothingness. Our imagination adds new colours to it. Its loveliness increases every time we think of it. Thus it becomes a joy for ever. Besides this, it makes us forget the sorrows and sufferings of the world. It removes the sadness from our heart. It makes our painful stay on this earth bearable. It gives us peace of the mind and health to the body. It removes the pall of sadness from our spirit. It helps us cheer up and clear our despondence. In short, a beautiful thing is the source of joy because it provides us as much joy as the angels get from the immortal drink in heaven. Undoubtedly a thing of beauty is a joy for ever.