Maharashtra Board Class 12 English Chapter 2.1 Song of the Open Road Textbook PDF Download

Ice Breakers

Choose the mode of travel that you would like the most for a journey.

(a) Airways (b) Waterways (c) Railways (d) Roadways

Give reasons for your preference.

(a) ........................................................................................

(b) ........................................................................................

(c) ........................................................................................

Discuss with your partner, the preparations you would like to make for the journey chosen.

(a) ........................................................................................

(b) ........................................................................................

(c) ........................................................................................

(d) ........................................................................................

Discuss the ways in which you would overcome the problems/ hindrances/ difficulties you face during your journey.

(a) ........................................................................................

(b) ........................................................................................

(c) ........................................................................................

(d) ........................................................................................

During every journey we have to observe certain rules. Discuss your ideas of the journey without any restrictions. You can begin like this–

(a) I would go alone / with selected friends/ ..............

(b) ........................................................................................

(c) ........................................................................................

(d) ........................................................................................

Teacher's Note

Travel helps us learn new things and see the world. Just like when you go on a school trip, you find out so many new things about people and places.

Exam Trick

Remember: The four modes of travel are Airways, Waterways, Railways, and Roadways. Think "A W R R" to remember them in exams.

Points to Remember

Every journey needs good planning and preparation.
Different modes of travel have different rules and safety measures.
We must respect others during our journeys.
Travel teaches us about different places and people.
Always follow the rules and guidelines during any journey.

Section Two

Song Of The Open Road

Walt Whitman (1819 to 1892) was an American poet, essayist and journalist. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon and is often called 'The Father of Free Verse.' He grew up in Huntington in a family with difficult economic status. His major work 'Leaves Of Grass' was published in July 1855. His 'O Captain! My Captain!', a poem written on the death of Abraham Lincoln, is widely popular.

The section one of 'Song of the Open Road' from 'Leaves Of Grass', is a beautiful blend of self-awareness, free will and tenderness of heart. It gives us poet's realization that along the journey of life one will face a test of wisdom which is not tested in any school or university. A road is something everyone uses, whether rich or poor and it forces all levels of people to associate with one another. The road signifies 'mobility.' One can take the road as a point to start over towards something new. Whitman talks about the people and places. He argues against staying in one place for too long, although the hospitality may be true.

Teacher's Note

Walt Whitman was a great poet who taught us about freedom and self-discovery. Just like how Indians take the journey of life on different paths, Whitman shows us that every journey teaches us something new.

Exam Trick

Remember: Walt Whitman = "The Father of Free Verse." Free Verse = poetry with no fixed rhyme or rhythm. He is important for understanding modern poetry.

Points to Remember

Walt Whitman lived from 1819 to 1892 and was an American poet.
He wrote 'Leaves Of Grass' which has become very famous.
The road in his poem means life's journey, not just a physical road.
Free Verse is a type of poetry without fixed rules of rhyme or rhythm.
The poem teaches us about freedom and self-confidence.

Guess The Meaning

Afoot : on foot

whimper : make a series of low, weak, sad cries, especially with fear and pain

querulous : complaining, showing that one is irritated

Song Of The Open Road

Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.
Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune,
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,
Strong and content I travel the open road.
The earth, that is sufficient,

Teacher's Note

This poem teaches us to be confident and brave in life. In India, many children start their journey to school or college feeling nervous, but like the poet, they should walk with confidence and strength.

Exam Trick

Remember the key ideas: "afoot" means walking, "healthy and free" means the poet has strength and confidence, and "postpone no more" means take action now. These are main thoughts of the poem.

Points to Remember

The poet walks on the open road with confidence and happiness.
He believes he himself is good luck, not waiting for outside fortune.
He stops complaining and starts taking action immediately.
The poet is strong and satisfied with what nature gives him.
The poem shows the importance of being brave and self-reliant.

I do not want the constellations any nearer,
I know they are very well where they are,
I know they suffice for those who belong to them.
(Still here I carry my old delicious burdens,
I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go,
I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them,
I am fill'd with them, and I will fill them in return.)

—Walt Whitman

constellations : in this context (i) fate / destiny (ii) influential groups of people

Teacher's Note

The poet means that he does not need to change his destiny or try to be like important people. Instead, he carries happy memories of people he loves. In India, we also believe in carrying the love and lessons from our families wherever we go.

Exam Trick

Remember: "old delicious burdens" = sweet memories of good people, not heavy physical bags. The poet wants freedom but also wants to keep love in his heart. This is called a paradox.

Points to Remember

The poet does not care about changing his fate or destiny.
He carries sweet memories of good people everywhere.
He cannot and does not want to forget the people he loves.
Sweet memories are like precious gifts that we should always keep.
True freedom includes keeping love and kindness in our hearts.

Brainstorming

(A1) (i) Pick Out The Lines

Pick out the lines showing that the poet is prepared to enjoy every moment of his journey.

(A1) (ii) Old Delicious Burdens

By 'old delicious burdens' the poet means—

(a) the luggage

(b) the food he carries

(c) the stress he bears during the travels

(d) sweet memories of the past

(A1) (iii) Concept Of Freedom

The poet is a person who is free from all inhibitions. Discuss how the concept of 'freedom' is expressed in the poem.

Teacher's Note

Freedom does not mean forgetting people we love. It means being confident and brave in life while keeping good memories in our hearts. In India, we value both personal freedom and family bonds.

Exam Trick

Remember: The poem shows two kinds of freedom — freedom from complaints and free movement. Also remember that the poet carries memories, showing that freedom includes keeping love.

Points to Remember

The poet wants to be free from complaints and worries.
He wants to walk freely on his own path without waiting for luck.
Freedom means being strong and confident in life.
Real freedom includes keeping love and good memories in the heart.
The poet teaches us that freedom and love can exist together.

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