Maharashtra Board Class 12 English Chapter 2.7 She Walks in Beauty Textbook PDF Download

2.7 She Walks in Beauty

Ice Breakers

While judging any person you would consider certain aspects. Complete the diagram after carefully thinking what aspects you would consider.

Different aspects of a person:

Appearance

(Other boxes to be filled by students)

Make a list of proverbs and quotations related to 'Beauty'.

(a) (Student answers)

(b) (Student answers)

(c) (Student answers)

(d) (Student answers)

(e) (Student answers)

Discuss your impressions about someone's personality, and say what you like the most and why.

(a) (Student answers)

(b) (Student answers)

(c) (Student answers)

(d) (Student answers)

(e) (Student answers)

Teacher's Note

Beauty is not just about how someone looks. It is also about their good behavior and kind heart. For example, a teacher with a smile and helpful nature is more beautiful than someone who is rude.

Exam Trick

Remember: In this chapter, beauty means two things - outside beauty and inside beauty. The poet Byron shows both things in the poem.

Points to Remember

Beauty is about appearance and good character together.
A person's smile and kindness show their inner beauty.
The poem compares a lady's beauty to a starry night.
Outside beauty is not enough. Inner beauty is more important.

About The Poet - George Gordon Byron

George Gordon Byron (1788 to 1824), known simply as Lord Byron was a famous English Romantic poet and also a satirist. He attended a number of schools, including the famous Public School, Harrow and then went to Trinity College, Cambridge. At the age of 21, he started a tour of Europe and the Orient after which he composed 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage' which made him immensely popular in England.

'She Walks in Beauty' is a short lyrical poem celebrating female beauty. The poet describes an unnamed woman who is exceptionally striking. The poet describes not only her external appearance but also her inner goodness which makes her so captivatingly attractive. Byron compares her to the night sky describing her serene and perfect beauty. Although the poem is generally thought to be a love poem, the poet never actually declares his love for this lady.

The Poem

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express,

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

- Lord Byron

Word Meanings

Climes: climate

Aspect: features

Mellowed: made smooth and soft

Gaudy: bright and showy

Raven: a large bird of the crow family with shiny black feathers

Eloquent: expressive

Questions

The colour of the lady's hair is black (like a raven).

The phrase 'dwelling-place' refers to her mind or heart.

Teacher's Note

This poem teaches us that true beauty comes from a good heart and a calm mind. In India, we say that a person with good character shines brightly, just like this lady in the poem.

Exam Trick

Remember: The poet uses the night sky to describe the lady's beauty. This means her beauty is calm, peaceful, and natural - not loud or showy.

Points to Remember

The lady's beauty is like a cloudless, starry night - calm and peaceful.
Her dark hair and bright eyes are perfectly balanced.
Her face shows that she has spent her days doing good things.
Her mind is at peace and her heart is innocent and pure.
The poem shows that outer beauty and inner beauty go together.

Brainstorming

(A1) (i) 'Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder' - you have probably heard this saying. Discuss in your class how far the statement is true.

(ii) Discuss with your partner about the most inspirational person you have come across. Also explain the reasons behind your opinion.

(A2) (i) After reading the poem match column A with column B.

(ii) The lady in the poem has a winning smile and a glowing skin. According to the poet she is blessed with these things because (Student answers)

(iii) In this poem the poet brings a perfect balance of outer beauty and inner beauty. Write a few lines on how the poet brings this balance in his description.

(iv) 'Beauty is skin deep'- Do you agree with the statement ? Or do you feel that beauty comes from within ? Explain your views in a few sentences.

(A3) (i) Find out the words which are used to describe the lady in the poem.

(ii) A contraction is a shortened version of the written and spoken forms of the word, syllable or word groups created by omission of internal letters and sounds. Find out the instances of contractions from the poem.

(A4) (i) The poet creates an imagery of light and darkness to bring out the beauty of the lady. Find out the lines with such imageries and complete the table.

Teacher's Note

Light and darkness are opposites. The poet uses these opposites to show how the lady has both qualities perfectly mixed. In our daily life, we see this in nature - like the sunset where light and darkness meet beautifully.

Exam Trick

Remember: Imagery means drawing a picture with words. When the poet compares the lady to the night sky, he is using imagery to help us see her beauty in our mind.

Points to Remember

Imagery uses words to create a picture in our mind.
Light and darkness are used to show balance and perfection.
The starry night represents calm and natural beauty.
Each detail in the poem shows either outer beauty or inner beauty.
The poet chooses words very carefully to describe the lady.

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