Thing of beauty Flashcards
List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
The things of beauty that Keats refers to in his poem are the sun, the moon, the trees, the innocence of the sheep, the blossoming of the daffodils in the meadows, the musk-
roses blooming, the mass of ferns and the clear streams among mountains.
List the things that cause suffering and pain.
The things that cause suffering and pain are despondency, lack of noble nature, gloomy days and overdarkened ways. The pain and suffering that Keats had experienced in his life made him realise that sadness, pain and suffering are present in everybody’s life. Hence, Keats could not remain indifferent to the pain and hopelessness on account of the inhuman dearth of noble nature on earth. The hostile and inhuman attitude makes
our days gloomy and darkens our ways.
What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you?
Man has always shared a special bonding with all the beautiful things. Though the world is a beautiful place to live in, there is a lot of pain and suffering too. This can be enjoyed by treasuring the happiness and joy that beautiful things give us. Man lives for beauty, seeks and experiences it. Keats believes that man and nature are woven into an unbroken bond. He believes that beautiful things present around us are like beautiful flowers and we should wreathe them into a flowery band that keeps us connected to the earth.
What makes human beings love life in spite of having troubles and sufferings?
Life is to be lived meaningfully. In spite of all the sufferings, we have to find something that will make our existence meaningful in this world. Something beautiful happens that removes all the gloom and darkness from our lives and fills it with beauty and happiness. The things of beauty bring love and happiness in life by removing sadness and troubles. As nature is the best healer, it helps man to bear the sorrows and strengthens the belief to continue living despite sufferings.
Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead”?
‘Grandeur’ is associated with the ‘mighty dead’ because certain tombs and other grand
constructions are created in the memory of the dead.
Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?
John Keats believes that beautiful things always have a lasting impression on the human mind. All beautiful objects are a source of joy forever. This beauty survives the trials and tribulations of time and exists continuously in our thoughts. A thing of beauty never
ceases to be and never passes into nothingness.
What image does Keats use to describe the beautiful bounty of the Earth?
The poet uses the expression ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink, pouring into us from the heaven’s brink’. Through these lines, the poet describes the earth and its
beautiful bounties that cannot be replaced by anything.
What is the source of the endless fountain and what is its effect?
“Endless fountain” refers to the unending beauty of nature. This is a gift from the creator. Our life is full of trials and tribulations, but the beautiful things of nature soothen our sorrows and give us the motivation to move on.
What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it removed?
Trials and tribulations of life spread the cloak of despondence over our dark spirits. Loss of faith and disappointment are the results of our own making. We can remove
it by making life worthwhile with the beautiful things of life that lift the veil of gloom,
paving way for optimism and hope.
How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
A thing of beauty is a joy forever because its loveliness increases. A beautiful thing is perennial and constant. It sustains human spirit in all ages and stages. It never passes into nothingness. In fact, it moves away the cloak of melancholy from our dark spirits and makes life worth living.
What does Keats consider as an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does he
call its drink immortal?
God has created so much beauty around us; everywhere it is endless. In nature, there is divine beauty, a fountain of eternal joy. Keats considers the beauty of nature as an endless fountain of immortal drink because the heavenly beauty of nature and the joy derived from it is everlasting.
What does a thing of beauty do for us?
A thing of beauty brings joy and removes the gloom. It makes life worth living in spite of the hardship and melancholy it offers. Its loveliness keeps on increasing, providing a pleasant and quiet place for us.
In the hot season, how do man and beast get comfort?
In the hot season, man and beast take shelter in the green world where trees provide peaceful shade and clear streams flow providing a cooling covert for the man and beast
to draw comfort from.
What rich bounty has the heaven given us?
Heaven has blessed us with unending beauty in nature that encircles and makes our life beautiful eternally whenever we think of it. Like an eternal fountain from the brink of heaven, beauty blesses us with joy forever.
How does Keats show his unhappiness with his fellow human beings?
Keats shows his unhappiness by saying that there are only few people, who are noble in character and who rise above petty differences by being kind and generous. There is a lack of such noble souls on our earth, as man is selfish and self-centred. Trials and tribulations of life spread the cloak of melancholy over our dark spirits.
