CBSE Class 12 English A Roadside Stand Notes Set B

‘A Roadside Stand’ by Robert Frost

Theme

Robert Frost, a highly acclaimed American poet, in his poems usually focused, on the themes of human tragedies and fears and their ultimate acceptance or their solution. In his poem, ‘A Roadside Stand’ he deals with the lives of poor deprived people of the villages with a clarity that is perceptive and at the same time portrays his deepest sympathies and his feelings of humanity. The poem also brings in to focus the unfortunate fact that progress and development is unequal between the cities and the villages leading to feelings of distress and unhappiness among the dwellers of the latter.

The poem, A Roadside Stand, is Robert Frost’s criticism of an unequal society where there is a large division between, the rich and the poor, the haves and the have nots owing to the iniquitous distribution of wealth. The poem depicts with clarity the plight of the poor and the complex dynamics of their existence. It also focuses on the unfortunate fact that the unequal progress and development between cities and villages have led to the feeling of distress and unhappiness in the rural people.

Poem - Analysis

• Form (structure or pattern) of the poem – The poem has 56 lines divided in 6 Stanzas.
• Style (literary elements used by the poet) of the poem – The poem is written in a rhyme scheme of ABAB. (This four-stanza poem combines both narrative and lyrical qualities, and Frost’s use of a relatively simple rhyme scheme contributes to its impact. The first few lines rhyme AAAA, followed by BCADC).
• Tone (the poet’s or reader’s attitude towards the subject) of the poem – The poem has a sympathetic tone.

Literary Devices used in the Poem

• Metaphor – A figure of speech that directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. Example: “Trusting Sorrow”, “Flower of the City”.
• Alliteration – The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. Example: “Greedy good doers”, “Beneficent Beasts”, "pathetically pled".
• Personification – A literary device where you assign the qualities of a person to something that isn’t human. Example: “A roadside stand that too pathetically pled”, “The sadness that lurks behind the window”.
• Transferred Epithet – A figure of speech in which the syntactic relationship between two terms is interchanged. Example: “Polished Traffic”, “Selfish cars”.
• Oxymoron – A figure of speech containing words that seem to contradict each other. Example: “Greedy good doers”, “Beneficent Beasts”.
• Repetition – Frost employs repetition to emphasize certain elements. For instance, in the first line, he repeats the word “little” twice: “The little old house was out with a little new shed.” This repetition draws attention to the modest and unassuming nature of the roadside stand.
• Enjambment – Enjambment occurs when a line of poetry doesn’t end with a natural pause but continues into the next line. Example: “The little old house was out with a little new shed. In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped…” The continuation of thought across lines creates a sense of urgency and movement.

Main points at a Glance

• Road side stands are crude constructions by the road side, selling petty things to the commuters.
• The poet speaks of a shed which was constructed by the road side, as an extension of an old house.
• It stood beside a road on which traffic sped at great speed.
• The seller, sitting in the road side stand expected some sympathy from the traffic.
• He did not beg for a loaf of bread, but for some hard cash, which could support his poor life.
• The traffic sped with a single-minded focus on some destination which lay ahead, never stopping to express interest.
• At times a vehicle would stop only to express disgust at the way the sign boards mar the beauty of the countryside.
• The stand offered wild berries and golden squash for sale.
• Commuters sometimes behave in a mean manner; the sellers do not like to promote business at the cost of humiliation.
• The sellers have set up their stand at a convenient distance from the city, hoping for cash to enable the life depicted in films.
• A piece of news claims these people will be rehabilitated and moved near theatres and shops in the city.
• Rehabilitators claim the poor won't have to think for themselves, but the industrial routine will destroy their sleep.
• The poet feels pain looking at the "awesome expectation" of the sellers waiting at the window.
• Cars stop only to enquire about prices, turn around, ask for directions, or ask for fuel.
• The poet wishes he could put the poor out of their pain with one stroke.
• The plight of the poor puts the poet out of ease, and he prays for relief from his own pain regarding their condition.

Summary

In the poem, the poet describes the feelings of the owners of a roadside shed who seem to wait interminably for those whizzing past, their house in their shiny cars, to stop and buy something from the shack—some fruit, some humble vegetables, or even stop and rest in the beautiful mountain scape. They long for the feel of hard currency that is a symbol of poverty alleviation in their lives of deprivation. It appears to be a vain hope, however, that those who do glance their way are either reproachful of the blot on the landscape, their shed, that seems to mar the beauty of the landscape, or are completely indifferent.

Extract Based Questions

QI. “It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
To live in villages, next to the theatre and the stone,
Where greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them to sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way”.

Question i. It was in the news that…………………… Complete the given statement appropriately.
Answer: It is in the news that the poor are to be relocated to better surroundings near the theatre and the shops.

Question ii. Which word means the same as ‘beneficent’ used in the above lines? Choose the correct option:
(a) Maleficent
(b) Adamant
(c) Generous
(d) Autocrat
Answer: (c) Generous

Question c. Who is going to exploit the rural people and how?
I. The rich and the powerful people by cheating them and making them work.
II. The politicians and the government by offering benefits that are supposed to solve their problems.
III. Their own people by grabbing their land and property on the pretext of helping them.
IV. The promise given to them to change their lives as shown in the movies.
(i) I, III and IV
(ii) Both I and IV
(iii) Only I and II
(iv) Both III and IV
Answer: (iii) Only I and II

Question d. How will the greedy good-doers soothe the rural poor out of their wits?
Answer: By offering them free benefits like housing and other facilities, they rob the poor of their voice to protest and lull them into a feeling of false security.

Question e. Who is referred to as beasts of prey and why?
Answer: The politicians in power and in opposition are referred to as beasts of prey because they make no real difference in the conditions of the rural poor while appearing to help.

Question f. Complete the given analogy:
All I could do was smile, and smile, and smile: Repetition, Greedy good doers:……………………..
Answer: Oxymoron

QII. The little old house was out with a little new shed,
In front at the edge of the road, where the traffic sped,
A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,
It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,
But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.

Question (a) Why had a new shed put up by the occupants of the little old house?
Answer: The occupants of the little old house had put up the new shed to extend their area to sell their goods to earn some money.

Question (b) What makes the poet refer to the roadside stand as ‘Pathetic’?
(i) It is very small without any adornment
(ii) It is not comfortable and attractive, looks shabby
(iii) It is situated at the edge of the highway
(iv) The roadside stand is run by small children who are forced into child labour
Answer: (ii) It is not comfortable and attractive, looks shabby

Question (c) The purpose of putting the shed is……………………….. Complete the above statement with a small phrase.
Answer: To earn some money / earn livelihood / sell goods to get cash.

Question (d) Which literary device is used in the third line of the extract?
(i) Alliteration
(ii) Metaphor
(iii) Transferred epithet
(iv) Personification
Answer: (iv) Personification

Question (e) Pick the correct option for the name of the poet and the poem.
(i) The Roadside Stand by Robert Forst
(ii) The Roadside Stand by Stephen Spender
(iii) A Roadside Stand by Robert Frost
(iv) A Roadside Stand by Jack Finney
Answer: (iii) A Roadside Stand by Robert Frost

Question (f) The ‘Flower of cities’ refers to……………….
Answer: It refers to rich people of the society / wealthy persons / powerful people.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS:

QIII. No, in country money, the country scale of gain,
The requisite lift of spirit has never been found,
Or so the voice of the country seems to complain,
I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.
And then next day as I come back into the sane,
I wonder how I should like you to come to me
And offer to put me gently out of my pain.

Question i. The ‘country money’ contextually here refers to:
(a) money kept aside for the rural development.
(b) wealth accumulated by the whole country.
(c) meagre income earned by the countryside people.
(d) riches collected by the ancestral farmers over time.
Answer: (c) meagre income earned by the countryside people.

Question ii Pick the option that mentions elements justifying monetary aspect as the ‘requisite lift of spirit’.
1. confidence
2. ego
3. self-esteem
4. status
5. fame
(a) 1, 2, 4
(b) 2, 4, 5
(c) 1, 3, 4
(d) 1, 3, 5
Answer: (c) 1, 3, 4

Question iii Choose the correct option with respect to the two statements given below:
Statement 1: The poet is agitated and depressed.
Statement 2: The poet realizes the futility of his thought about giving up.
(a) Statement 1 can be inferred but Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
(b) Statement 1 cannot be inferred but Statement 2 can be inferred.
(c) Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.
(d) Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
Answer: (c) Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.

Question iv. Choose the option that correctly paraphrases the given lines from the above extract: “I can’t help owning the great relief it would be To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.”
(a) The poet wants to kill the impoverished people.
(b) The poet feels that death is better than living such a miserable life.
(c) The poet wants to eliminate poverty from the society.
(d) The poet states that it is important that these people become rich.
Answer: (c) The poet wants to eliminate poverty from the society.

Question v. Find a word from the extract which means same as ‘Essential/ Necessary’……………
Answer: Requisite

Question vi. Which word rhymes with ‘gain’ from the first four lines of the extract?
Answer: Complain

QIV. The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,
Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong…

Question i. The polished traffic in particular refers to the
(a) sophisticated city dwellers in their vehicles.
(b) shiny cars that the poet sees on the road.
(c) extremely affluent people living in the neighborhood.
(d) civilized manner in which traffic is coordinated.
Answer: (a) sophisticated city dwellers in their vehicles.

Question ii ‘The urban and educated people have their minds ahead.’ Choose the option suggesting the correct meaning behind this line.
1. The people are well educated and knowledgeable about the condition of the poor.
2. The people are concentrating on the road that is ahead in order to drive safely.
3. The people are preoccupied only by the thoughts of their life.
4. The people are focused on their goal of bettering the country.
(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
Answer: (c) Option 3

Question iii. What do the urban rich feel about the ‘S’ and ‘N’ signs that have been painted wrong?
(a) Tolerant
(b) Amused
(c) Sympathetic
(d) Annoyed
Answer: (d) Annoyed

Question iv. Fill in the blank with just one word: The passers-by find the sign artless and the landscape ___________.
Answer: marred

Question v. Mention the literary device used in the first line. Give example.
Answer: Transferred Epithet. Example: "Polished traffic".

Question vi. Which of the following sentences conveys appropriately the same meaning as the phrase ‘Out of sorts’ used in the extract?
(a) The trying events of the day had put him out of sorts.
(b) She was excited and out of sorts by the time she arrived home.
(c) He was not out of sorts physically, as well as disordered mentally.
(d) David follows the rule - out of sorts; out of the world.
Answer: (a) The trying events of the day had put him out of sorts.

QV. Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear
The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
That waits all day in almost open prayer
For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,
Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass,
Just one to inquire what a farmer’s prices are.

Question i. The speaker feels______________ when thinking about the longing near the open window.
Answer: overwhelmed/hardly able to bear

Question ii. Why does the sadness near the open window pray for the sound of a stopping car?
(a) To sell the farmer's produce
(b) To make friends
(c) To avoid loneliness
(d) To inquire about the farmer's prices
Answer: (d) To inquire about the farmer's prices

Question iii. The sadness near the open window waits for_________________all day.
Answer: the sound of a stopping car

Question iv. Choose the option that correctly categorizes the given literary devices as per the given analogy. selfish cars: __________ :: __________ : personification
(a) personification; the squeal of brakes
(b) transferred epithet; the sadness that lurks near the open window
(c) metaphor; so much childish longing in vain,
(d) oxymoron; the sound of a stopping car
Answer: (b) transferred epithet; the sadness that lurks near the open window

Question v. “Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear The thought of so much childish longing in vain,” What does poet want to convey through these lines? Answer briefly.
Answer: The poet wants to convey his intense emotional pain at seeing the rural poor's futile and innocent hope for city dwellers to stop and help their economy.

Question vi. Pick a word from the first four lines of the extract that rhymes with ‘bare’.
Answer: prayer

Short Answer Type Questions (40-50 words)

Question Q1. What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?
Answer: The folk who had put up the roadside stand expected that the city people would stop there to buy something or the other so that they could earn some money to support their life. They were not seeking any alms but the affluent passersby considered the owners of the stand as beggars.

Question Q2. What is the childish longing that the poet refers to? Why is it vain?
Answer: The poor people waiting for the prospective customers is the childish longing. It is vain because they never turn up. No one stops to enquire or buy something from their roadside stand. They keep waiting for whole day for ‘a squeal of brake’ but of no use. It leads them to disappointment.

Short Answer Type Questions (40-50 words) 2 Marks (Unsolved)

Question Q1. How does the author portray the relationship between poor rural people and the rich and powerful in ‘A Roadside Stand’?
Answer:

• In “A Roadside Stand”, Robert Frost vividly portrays the stark contrast between the poor rural people and the rich and powerful.
• Poor people live a life of desperation, face indifference and apathy at the hands of rich people.
• Yearn for equality and basic amenities, wait for a squeal of brake.
• Promises made by rich are often empty, and the rich exploit their innocence.
• The polished traffic of the city conveniently ignores the roadside stand.
• Their minds are solely focused on reaching their destination.

Question Q2. What does the poet mean by the line, ‘the requisite lift of spirit has never been found?’
Answer:

• The necessary upliftment of the soul has never been found among poor due to poverty, apathy and indifference of the rich people.
• Conveys a sense of longing or unfulfilled aspiration of the poor people.
• Emphasizes the absence of a transformative experience that could elevate their spirit.

Question Q3. What specific examples from 'A Roadside Stand' do you think resonate with current social injustices?
Answer:

• Economic Disparity remains a pressing issue in today’s society, where some struggle to survive while others thrive.
• The poem portrays the dependence of the poor on the charity of the rich. In contemporary times, we still see disparities in access to resources and opportunities.
• Frost’s poem deals with the consequences of urbanization. As cities grow, rural areas often suffer from neglect and lack of investment.
• The rich versus poor theme in the poem reflects the broader issue of wealth and power disparities.

Question Q4. Although the poem deals with the plight of poor people, the poet concludes the poem on a positive note hoping that the rich and learned section of the society would take initiative... Do you think it is the need of the hour to ensure equal right and opportunity to all?
Answer:

• Ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all is need of the hour.
• Promotes social justice, fosters inclusivity, and contributes to a more harmonious and prosperous society.
• By bridging the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged, we can create a world where everyone has a fair chance to thrive.

Question Q5. ‘The roadside stand and the moving cars are a contrast around which the entire poem is woven.’ Illustrate.
Answer:

• “A Roadside Stand,” presents the contrast between the ‘static roadside stand’ and the ‘passing cars.’
• Roadside Stand: Represents rural simplicity and permanence. Symbolizes the traditional way of life in the countryside.
• Moving Cars: Symbolize modernity and urban influence. Represent the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of modern society. Highlight the transient aspect of city life.

Long Answer Type Questions (120-150 words)

Question Q1. How do the themes of power dynamics and economic disparity in ‘A Roadside Stand’ reflect similar issues present in contemporary society?
Answer: In Robert Frost’s poem “A Roadside Stand,” the themes of power dynamics and economic disparity resonate with contemporary society, shedding light on the struggles faced by marginalized communities. He portrays a humble roadside stand, owned by individuals yearning for a better life. These owners symbolize the unseen casualties of change—those left behind by economic shifts.
Similarly, in today’s world, we witness economic disparities where some thrive while others struggle to make ends meet. The gap between the affluent and the marginalized continues to widen, leaving many feeling abandoned and powerless. It also highlights the indifference of those who have the means to offer assistance. Passersby ignore the stand, emphasizing the power dynamics at play. The powerful often overlook the plight of the less fortunate, perpetuating economic disparities. The marginalized remain voiceless, their struggles dismissed. In our time, rapid technological advancements and urbanization can crush the spirit of rural communities. Economic shifts disrupt livelihoods, leaving people emotionally drained and powerless. Despite adversity, the stand owners persist. Their resilience reflects the human spirit’s capacity for hope and dignity. Contemporary society also witnesses stories of resilience—individuals fighting against economic odds, seeking dignity, and striving for a better life.
To summarize, “A Roadside Stand” serves as a powerful indictment of economic and emotional marginalization. Frost’s exploration of hope, despair, and dignity resonates with the challenges faced by those on society’s fringes.

Question Q2. What parallels can be drawn between the injustices faced by the characters in ‘A Roadside Stand’ and ‘Lost Spring’? ... write a speech highlighting the problems of the poor people and the measures required to alleviate them.
Answer: Good morning, everyone!
Today, I, Akash/ Ankita of class XII, stand before you to share my views and insight about the poverty-stricken people. Let’s first delve into the parallels between the injustices faced by the characters in “A Roadside Stand” and “Lost Spring” and explore their relevance in today’s world.
Both narratives shed light on the plight of the impoverished. In “Lost Spring”, Anees Jung vividly portrays the childhoods snatched away by poverty in India. Saheb and Mukesh, young rag pickers in Seemapuri (a Delhi wasteland), live in filthy conditions—makeshift huts without basic amenities of life. Their education is a distant dream, as they toil to survive. The story underscores the vicious cycle of poverty, governmental apathy, and exploitation.
Similarly, “A Roadside Stand” symbolizes life’s impermanence. The stand, like the fleeting springtime, represents transient existence. The socio-economic factors impacting the characters mirror the harsh realities faced by the poor today. These issues persist: child labor, lack of education, and societal indifference. To alleviate them, we must advocate for accessible education, social reforms, and compassionate policies. Only then can we break the chains of poverty and empower the marginalized. Let us strive for a world where every child’s springtime is not lost, but blossoms with promise and opportunity.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS:

Question. Though money holds the same value everywhere, the poet draws a distinction between city money and country money. Elaborate in 120-150 words.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Question. In what ways can the lessons learned from the injustices depicted in ‘A Roadside Stand’ be applied to address current social and economic inequalities?
Answer:

• The story highlights the stark income disparities between the rich and the poor.
• Addressing income inequality today requires policies that promote fair wages, progressive taxation, and social safety nets.
• The protagonist’s lack of opportunity to sell his produce reflects broader issues of unequal opportunities.
• We must ensure equal access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities for all, regardless of background.
• The caste system in India perpetuates inequality; policies promoting social inclusion and affirmative action can help level the playing field.
• Wealth accumulation by a few while others struggle underscores the importance of wealth redistribution.
• Progressive taxation, social programs, and philanthropy can help bridge the gap.

Question . ‘The cry of not having money to do anything except carry on the business of making bangles...’ (The Lost Spring) '...ask for some city money to feel in hand’. (A Roadside Stand) Create a conversation between a bangle maker and the owner of a roadside stand.
Answer: Owner of a roadside stand: Your bangles are pretty. Tell me about your experience in this business.
Bangle Maker: [Student to continue conversation reflecting on shared struggles of poverty and the desire for financial stability.]