Nine Gold Medals poem ICSE

NINE GOLD MEDALS

 

1.       The athletes had come from so many countries

To run for the gold, for the silver and bronze

Many weeks and months in training

All building up to the games.

Reference to the context: These lines showing an imaginary situation of a race in which the contestants were ready to complete against one another to win the medal, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals written by David Roth.

Here the poet describes an international athletic event where the sportsperson from different countries had come together to run for medals. All of them reared dreams and aspirations in their hearts to win medals.

Explanation: Once special Olympic games which meant for physically challenged sportsperson, were organised. In this international sports event, many athletes came to participate. All of them had dreams of achieving medals in this prestigious event. They had cherished great determination, strong desire and aspiration to get success in the event. By winning medals, they want to bring name and fame for themselves and for their nation. All of them had been strenuously practicing for months to run and to win and thus they had prepared themselves in everyday for winning the medals. Nine athletes had qualified for the final race of hundred metres. All the nine athletes were ready to run hundred metre races.

2.       All round the field spectators were gathered

Cheering on all the young women and men

Then the final event of the day was approaching

The last race about to begin.

Reference to the context: These lines presenting the sight of the final event of the Special Olympics, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

Here the poet describes the exciting sight of the ground where the last event of the Special Olympics was going to take place. The hundred-metre race was about to begin. Not only the athletes but also the spectators were full of enthusiasm and excitement.

Explanation: Nine athletes who had qualified for the final race of hundred meters were fully prepared. It was the test of their preparations which they had been making for a long time. With their strong desire, determination and dream of winning the medal, they were about to enter the ground. The spectators, had already gathered all around the ground to encourage the players. They seemed to be as excited as the participants. All were aware of the fact that it was the final event of the day. The last race was going to begin.

3.       The loudspeakers called out the names of the runners

The one hundred metres the race to be run

And nine young athletes stood there determined

And poised for the sound of the gun

Reference to the context: These lines depicting the lasts event of hundred metre race of the Special Olympics which was about to start and the excitement that pervaded the atmosphere of the ground, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

Here the poet tells us about the determination and strong will power of winning the race of those athletes who were called to run the final race.

Explanation: The atmosphere of the ground was favourable to those nine athletes who were about to come on the track to run their final race started, the name of all those nine athletes participating in the race were announced through loudspeakers. Those whose names were called, stood there with their determination at the sound of gun fire which meant to start the race.

4.       The signal was given, the pistol exploded

And so did the runners on hearing the sound

But the youngest among them stumbled and staggered

And he fell on his knees to the ground

Reference to the context: These lines presenting the tragic fate of the youngest athlete who fell on the running track, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

Here the poet describes the tragedy which took place with the youngest athlete who, as the race started, fell on the track due to stumbling and could not run. And thus his dream of winning the medal was shattered.

Explanation: As it was known to all athletes participating in the final event of race that to win gold in the international sports event was very prestigious and it could bring fame and name for them, they seemed to preserving their will power and determination. But a tragic incident took place with the youngest one. When the signal was given with the pistol fire and the race started, the youngest athlete stumbled, staggered and fell on the running track. By falling on the track, he had lost the opportunity to win the gold medal. His aspirations and dreams were shattered. He was entirely broken and was surrounded with the feelings of utter disappointment.

5.       He gave out a cry of frustration and anguish

His dreams and his efforts dashed in the dirt

But as sure as I’m standing here telling the story

Now it’s a strange one, but here’s what occurred

Reference to the context: These lines showing how the youngest athlete felt after being failure in the final race, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

Here the poet describes the heart- moving sight of the fallen athlete. The fallen athlete was completely broken in heart. He was full of   frustration and disappointment. His heart was crying in pain at his failure.

Explanation: As the athlete began to run immediately after the staring pistol was fired, one of the youngest fellows, somewhat weak physically, fell on the running track and could not run again. He cried out in pain, frustration and disappointment. His sole dream of winning medal in this prestigious competition was completely shattered. All his efforts and preparations proved futile. He had trained hard but did not get opportunity to show his talent. But whatever happened next was very strange and astonishing. The next happening stunned every present in the ground. Such strange thing did not happen in this competition by now.

6.       The eight other athletes stopped in their tracks

The ones who had trained for so long to complete

One by one they turned round and came back to help him

And lifted the lad to his feet.

Reference to the context: These lines conveying the idea of empathy and human values and message that what values most in life is the sense of sharing others’ pains and sorrows, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

The poet has projected human values through an imaginary situation. He brings to us that true sportsmanship lies in sharing others’ pains and being helpful and cooperative towards others. Those eight athletes who were full of the spirits of competition, gave importance to human values and showed true sportsmanship by helping their fallen fellow athlete.

Explanation: According to the poet, when the youngest fellow who was competing with other eight athletes, had fallen on the running track by stumbling. He gave out a loud cry in utter pain, frustration and disappointment. As soon as the other fellows heard his cry, they at once stopped at their places and instead of continuing the race, turned back one by one and came to the help of their fallen companion. Though they had been training and preparing themselves for a long time for this important moment, they forgot their mission and came to help the fallen fellow. They lifted their fellow to his feet.

7.       Then all nine runners joined hands and continued

The one hundred metres reduced to a walk

And the banner above that said “Special Olympics”

Could not have been nearer the mark.

Reference to the context: These lines celebrating human values pertaining to kindness cooperation and empathy, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold Medals, written by David Roth.

Here the poet indicates how human values in sportsperson are as important as the spirit of competition. Indeed, it was the spirit of true sportsmanship which forced the eight athletes to leave their race incomplete and to come forward to help their fallen fellow.

Explanation: The nine runners were participating in Special Olympics to achieve their dreams of winning the gold medal. All of them had been strenuously practicing for months to run and to win, but a tragic situation came in their way. While running to achieve their goal, the youngest runner fell down by stumbling and the other eight runners, leaving their mission in the midway helped the fallen fellow. Thus they set aside their desire to win. They empathised with him. They came together as a group. They stood by each other. Joining each other’s hand, they continued their race not by running but by walking. The banner added the uniqueness of the event.

8.       That’ show the race ended, with nine gold medals

They came to the finish line holding hands still

And the banner above and nine smiling faces

Said more than these words ever will.

Said more than these words ever will.

Reference to the context: These lines showing that sports is not only winning medals but they are also about learning the values of cooperation, sharing, competing and complementing, have been extracted from the poem entitled Nine Gold medals, written by David Roth.

By presenting the idea of empathy, the poet points out how human values are as important as the spirit of competition. The poet presents the situation of a race where the contestants leave aside their desire to win the medal to help a smaller and weaker contestant.

Explanation: On hearing the painful cry of the youngest fellow, the eight runners who seemed to be determined to win the gold medal after making rigorous practice and preparation, stopped their race in the midway and turned back to help their fallen fellow showing true sportsmanship. By lifting him on his feet, all they stood together and joining each other’s hands started walking to the finishing line.  In this way all the athlete finished their race. Even after reaching on the finishing line, they still held hands together. Now there was not one who won gold medal but all the nine athletes were awarded with nine gold medals. The audience was so much moved by this remarkable and unique sight that it stood up and clapped for their wonderful behaviour. All the contestants displayed empathy turning the Special Olympics into a really special one.

The Patriot Robert Browinng ICSC TREASURE TROVE Question and answer

The Patriot

Robert Browning

The Patriot

Robert Browning

Stanza 1

It was roses, and roses all the way

With myrtle mixed in my path like mad:

The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway,

The church-spires flamed, such flags they had,

A year ago on this very day.

a.      Where was the patriot being carried and why/? Where was he at present ? In which mood was he seen?

b.     When did the patriot flourish as a popular and favourtie leader? What happened with the patriot when he returned home as a victor?

c.      What kind of enthusiasm did the people show on his arriving home? What kind of person was the patriot for his people?

d.     What kind of image does the line” The house-tops seemed to leave and sway’ create? What significance does the line’ A year ago on this very day’ hold in contrast of the poem?

e.      What do the words ‘Rose’ and path symbolise? Give the example of the visual image in the above extract?

f.       Which figure of speech has been used in the following line: ‘The house roofs seemed to heave and sway? Explain it clearly.

Stanza 2

The air broke into a mist with bells,

The old walls rocked with the crowd and cries.

Had I said, “Good folk, mere noise repels —

But give me your sun from yonder skies!”

They had answered, “And afterward, what else?”

a.      Whose   fate does the poet refer in the poem? When was the patriot given a warm welcome and why?

b.     In what state was the patriot seen in present time? What does he recall?

c.      How do we come to know that the people were mad after him? Explain the following: ‘The air broke into a mist with bells.’

d.     Explain the following lines:

‘but give me your sun from yonder skies

They had answered, “And what else?”

e.      What brought about the change in patriot’s life? For what do the words ‘sun from yonder skies’ stands?

f.       To whom does the patriot address as ‘Good folk”? Explain the words: ‘mere noise repels.’ What do these words signify?

Stanza 3

Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun

To give it my loving friends to keep!

Nought man could do, have I left undone:

And you see my harvest, what I reap

This very day, now a year is run.

a.      Who was patriot? How was he treated a year ago and after a year?

b.     Where was the patriot at present? In what mood was he seen? Why does he regret?

c.      Which mythological allusion does the poet use in the line? ‘Alack it was I who leaped at the sun? What moral does the poet bring to us through this allusion.?

d.     What happened a year ago? For what does the word ‘harvest’ stand?

e.      In which line has the poet used figure of speech metaphor? explain it clearly.

f.        Why was the patriot sentenced to death? To whom does he call’ loving friends’ and what does it signify?

g.      What does the speaker mean when he says, ‘Nought man could do; have I felt undone’?

h.     What does the following line “this very day, now a year is run’, show?

Stanza 4

There’s nobody on the house-tops now—

Just a palsied few at the window set

For the best of the sight is, all allow,

At the shambles’ gate— or, better yet

By the scaffold’s very foot, I trow.

           

Stanza 5

I go in the rain, and, more than needs,

A rope cuts my wrists behind;

And I think, by the feel, of my forehead bleeds

For they fling, whoever has a mind,

Stones at me for my year’s misdeeds.

Stanza 6

Thus I entered, and thus I go!

In triumphs, people have dropped down dead.

“Paid by the world, what dost thou owe

Me?”—God might question; now instead,

’Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.

The Patriot Robert Browning ICSC TREASURE TROVE

The Patriot

Robert Browning

Stanza 1

It was roses, and roses all the way

With myrtle mixed in my path like mad:

The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway,

The church-spires flamed, such flags they had,

A year ago on this very day.

Reference to the context: These lines depicting the patriot's recollection of the kind of welcome he received on the very day a year ago,have been extracted from the poem entitled The Patriot, written by Robert Browning.

Here the poet describes the tragic downfall of the patriot who was warmly welcomed by his people when be returned triumphant over the enemy. The patriot recalls that a year ago on the same day, the people seemed to be mad after him. They seemed to be very eager to get his glimpse, but just after a year, they brought a great change in their attitudes and behaviour. They had grown completely indifferent towards him.

Explanation: The patriot (who once had been a popular and famous political leader in the eyes of his countrymen ) is the speaker of the poem. As he had been proved a traitor  due to committing political offences and other misdeeds, he was sentenced to death and he was being carried to be hanged. While moving to the scaffold, he recalls when, a year ago, on the same day, he was given a grand welcome by the people on his arrival to the town as a hero. His path was strewn with sweet smelling roses which symbolised their love and loyalty for him. They were behaving as it they were insane after him. (They seemed to be mad in their zeal and enthusiasm) There was a huge crowd. The people were seen on the roofs of the houses. The people were so excited to the patriot that they were jumping and leaping and it seemed as it seemed as if the roofs of the houses were swaying. The church spires were decorated with beautiful flags. In this way, the patriot received a memorable welcome a year ago on the same day.

Stanza 2

The air broke into a mist with bells,

The old walls rocked with the crowd and cries.

Had I said, “Good folk, mere noise repels —

But give me your sun from yonder skies!”

They had answered, “And afterward, what else?”

Reference to the context. These lines showing the patriots contemplation on his glorious past while moving to the scaffold, have been extracted from the poem the poem entitled The Patriot ,written by Robert Browning.

Here the patriot , after observing great change in the people.s attitude and behaviour , recalls the same day a year ago when he was given a warm welcome and his victory was appreciated everywhere.

Explanation: The patriot kept recalling the same day a year ago when he was given a warm welcome by his people on his returning home town. A year ago, on the same day, the atmosphere and circumstances were entirely different. The whole atmosphere seemed to be foggy due to crowd. The  atmosphere had become vibrant. The people seemed to be full of zeal and enthusiasm. On his arrival to the town, the people were blowing trumpets. They were ringing the bells. The old walls were full of people. They were sitting in large number over the walls. They were crying and shouting slogans for their hero. It had demanded from them something impossible, like the sun from the distant sky, they would have granted his demand. They would have asked him what else he desired.

Stanza 3

Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun

To give it my loving friends to keep!

Nought man could do, have I left undone:

And you see my harvest, what I reap

This very day, now a year is run.

Reference to the context: These lines showing the patriot's lamentation and sorrow at the changed attitude of the people who had shifted their loyalties at somewhere , have been extracted from from the poem entitled The Patriot, Written by Robert Browning.

Here the poet expresses the remorseful and sorrowful feelings for the people who, after forgetting his achievement, had shifted  their loyalties at other place. He feels highly dejected at the reward which he received from the public.

Explanation: The patriot regretfully says that the people did not  help him, instead , it was  he who leaped at the sun and made impossible into possible for them. He brought the sun down and handed it over to his countrymen. In other words, it was he who tried to do some impossible task to make his people happy and comfortable. If he had left the task undone, there would have been none to accomplish it. The patriot feels highly dejected at the reward which he had obtained in return of making welfare of his countrymen. In other words, it is a matter of sorrow for the patriot that the people had forgotten all that he had done for them. They were easily swayed by the present situation without using their intellect. Everything had changed for him in a year.

Stanza 4

There’s nobody on the house-tops now—

Just a palsied few at the window set

For the best of the sight is, all allow,

At the shambles’ gate— or, better yet

By the scaffold’s very foot, I trow.

Reference of the context: These lines depicting the fickle-mindedness of the people and their callous and cruel attitude, have been extracted from from the poem entitled The Patriot , written by Robert Browning.

Explanation: Now, a year after the day of reception, the patriot fell on evil days. His accomplishments were deemed as political  offences. He was being taken to the gallows. He found that the scene had totally been changed their attitudes and loyalties. Now  they considered him a traitor. They had no love for him . Some paralysed people who were unable to walk to the place  of execution, were sitting at the windows of their houses and were watching him. Most of the people had gone to the Shamble's Gate or were quite near the scaffold to have the best  view of his execution.

           

Stanza 5

I go in the rain, and, more than needs,

A rope cuts my wrists behind;

And I think, by the feel, of my forehead bleeds

For they fling, whoever has a mind,

Stones at me for my year’s misdeeds.

Reference to the context: These lines showing very pitiable and tragic  state of the patriot who is moving to the gallows, have been extracted from the poem entitled The Patriot, written by Robert Browning.

Here the poet shows pathetic and miserable condition of the patriot who was being taken to be hanged. The patriot who was once welcomed and respected by the people., had become the subject of the people's callousness and contempt. The people had no sympathetic attitude towards him.

Explanation: The patriot was being taken to be executed in the midst of heavy rain. He was being led to the scaffold. His wrists were tied back so tightly with a long rope that it made serious cuts (injuries) on his wrists. He felt that his forehead was bleeding. The people who once respected and loved him., had  become so callous and cruel that they were throwing stones at him. They were hurling the stones to show their resentment for the so called misdeeds done by him during the year. Indeed it was an ironic situation that the people had completely forgotton his good deeds which were done for their welfare.

Stanza 6

Thus I entered, and thus I go!

In triumphs, people have dropped down dead.

“Paid by the world, what dost thou owe

Me?”—God might question; now instead,

’Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.

Reference to the context: These lines showing the speaker's  firm faith his entry and that of exit. He also shows his firm faith in God and His judgement. He believes that he will truly be rewarded by God in Heaven.

Explanation: When the patriot entered the field of politics, he was a hero in the eyes of the people i.e. countrymen. On his arrival to the town, he was warmly, welcomed by the people. The people showed their intense love and respect for him. But his departure was very woeful and humiliating. Now in the eyes of people, he was nothing but a traitor. The patriot says that in such victories as have brought him honour, some people often collapse in excess of joy. As he is fortunate enough to escape such a death, he thinks that the hanging is a blessing in disguise. Since he had not been rewarded by the people, he was certain to be rewarded  in heaven. He feels safer in the hands of God. So he thinks himself in a better position than he would have been otherwise. Consoling himself like this, he snatches victory out of his defeat.