Maharashtra Board Class 8 English Unit 1 Chapter 1.3 The Pilgrim Solutions

Warming Up:

Make groups and discuss the following using the given points:

Question a. What fatal dangers/problems did mankind face centuries ago, but are no longer a threat today?

Question b. Name a few scientists/explorers/ social reformers / inventors / discoverers, who spent most of their lives to find solutions to some major problems/ setbacks that mankind faced.
Answer: Alexander Fleming, Edison, Ronald Ross, Christopher Columbus, Wright brothers, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Galileo, Marie Curie, Savitribai Phule, Babasaheb Ambedkar, etc. These individuals dedicated their lives to overcoming significant challenges for the betterment of humanity.
In simple words: Many great people like Alexander Fleming and Marie Curie spent their lives solving big problems or making important discoveries to help everyone.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to list examples, try to include a diverse range of fields (science, exploration, social reform) to show broad knowledge.

Question c. Did they themselves suffer from those problems/setbacks?
Answer: Most did not directly suffer from those specific problems or setbacks, but they were driven by a desire to help others who did.
In simple words: Most of these great people didn't personally experience the problems they solved, but they wanted to help others who did.

🎯 Exam Tip: For 'yes/no' questions, always provide a concise answer followed by a brief justification or clarification.

Question d. What inspired them to spend the best part of their lives to research and share their findings?
Answer: A passion for the well-being of mankind, personal goals and aims, a deep interest in the subject, curiosity, and the urge to improve society and help others inspired them. Their dedication stemmed from a profound sense of purpose.
In simple words: They were inspired by a strong desire to help people, their own goals, curiosity, and a wish to make society better.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining motivations, list multiple contributing factors to provide a comprehensive answer, using keywords like 'passion', 'curiosity', and 'social improvement'.

2. Read And Understand The Following Poetic Devices:

(A) If two or more words in the same line convey the some meaning, the Figure of Speech in thut line is called Tautology. For example: It brought joy and cheer. They groaned with aches and pains.

(B) 'Poets often change the proper grammatical order of words in the jinc of a poem, in order to make the lines rhyme or to emphasize upon something. The Figure of Speech in such lines is called inersion' or Anastrophe.' For example: Up came the sun. Down the hill, it flowed.

(C) When a question is asked in order to create a dramatic effect and not to get an answer, in a line of the poem, the Figure of Speech used is called Interrogation / Rhetorical Questions: For example: What is this life, if full of care? When can their glory fade?

Question 1. Pick out words from the poem to fill in the web diagram. They should be related to the theme in the web.
Answer: The words related to the themes in the web diagrams are:

• Travel: high way, journey, path, way
• Time around sunset: evening, close of day, twilight, eventide

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to fill a web diagram, identify the central theme and then list all related words or concepts from the text that branch out from it.

Question 2. The entire poem is metaphorical (Implied comparison). Match the words in Column A with what they imply in Column B.
Answer: The words for Column A and their corresponding implications for Column B are not provided in the given content. Therefore, a match cannot be performed.
In simple words: To answer this question, we need the lists of words from Column A and their meanings from Column B, which are not available here.

🎯 Exam Tip: For matching questions, always carefully read both columns to understand the relationship between the items before drawing connections. Ensure you match each item only once.

Question. Match the following:
A
B
(1) pilgrim
(a) threat to life
(2) journey
(b) trap
(3) evening or close of day
(c) life
(4) chasm, deep and wide
(d) death
(5) building a bridge
(e) old age
(6) pitfall
(7) close of day
(f) a dutiful man
(g) solving the problem / getting rid of threat to life
Answer:
(1) pilgrim – a dutiful man
(2) journey - life
(3) evening or close of day – old age
(4) chasm, deep and wide – threat to life
(5) building a bridge – solving a problem /getting rid of a threat to life. This act shows foresight and care for others.
(6) pitfall - trap
(7) close of day – death
In simple words: This exercise matches words or phrases from the poem with their correct meanings, helping to understand the deeper message.

🎯 Exam Tip: When matching, read both columns carefully and try to find the most appropriate synonym or explanation for each term. Context from the poem is key.

Question 3. A. Read the poem and write 3 qualities of each of the following.
(i) The old pilgrim
(ii) The fellow - pilgrim
(iii) The young pilgrim

The diagram shows the following relationships:

• The old pilgrim
• The fellow - pilgrim
• The young pilgrim

Characteristics of Pilgrims:

• The old pilgrim: old, experienced, helpful
• The fellow pilgrim: curious, puzzled, thoughtless
• The young pilgrim: young, frightened, inexperienced

3. B. Answer In Your Own Words.

Question a. Why did the old man have no need to build the bridge, across the chasm?
Answer: The old pilgrim had already crossed the chasm and would never pass that way again. Hence, the old man had no need to build the bridge across the chasm. This shows his foresight and compassion for others.
In simple words: The old man didn't need the bridge because he had already crossed the dangerous gap and wouldn't return that way.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about a character's actions, always explain the underlying reason or motivation clearly.

Question b. What explanation did he give to the fellow- pilgrim for his thoughtful deed?
Answer: The old man said that though he had already crossed the chasm, there was a fair-haired youth who was about to pass that way. The old man was experienced and was not afraid of the chasm. However, the young man was inexperienced and the chasm could prove to be a pitfall for him. He too had to cross it at twilight, and the old man was building a bridge to help this youth, ensuring their safe passage.
In simple words: He explained that he was building the bridge for a young, inexperienced pilgrim who would come later and might find the chasm dangerous, especially at dusk.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a character's reasoning, include details about both the character's own situation and the situation of those they are helping.

Question c. What message does the poem convey to all of us?
Answer: The message that the poem conveys to us is that we must be generous and unselfish and think of others. We must try to help others who are not as experienced as we are, creating a supportive community.
In simple words: The poem teaches us to be kind, selfless, and always ready to help those who are less experienced than us.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for the message or moral of a poem, identify the main theme and explain how it applies to everyone.

Question 4. A. Note the rhyming words in the first stanza:
way – gray I wide-side- tide / dim -him.
Poet has used a deliberate pattern of lines that rhyme with other lines in the poem or the stanza. This pattern can be identified by giving the rhyming pairs of words the same letter of the alphabet.
For example: I stanza of this poem has the pattern AABCCBB
So, AABCCBB is called the Rhyme Scheme of the 1stanza of the poem
'The Pilgrim'.
Answer:
(i) the 2nd stanza : ddaabb
(ii) the 3rd stanza: eeaaffcc
In simple words: The rhyme scheme shows the pattern of rhyming lines in a poem, using letters to mark which lines rhyme with each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: To find the rhyme scheme, assign a letter (starting with 'a') to the end sound of each line. If a new line's end sound rhymes with a previous one, use the same letter; otherwise, use a new letter.

Question 4. B. Now write the Rhyme Scheme of the 2stanza and 3 stanza
Remember that a line in the 2d or stanza may rhyme with lines in P' stanza, too. You may use the sanie letter of the alphabet as used in the 1 stanza.
Answer:
(i) Came at evening, cold and gray. To a chasm, deep and vast and wide.
(The correct prose order Is: Came on a cold and gray evening to a deep and wide and vast chasm.)
(ii) To the fair-haired youth. may a pitfall be.
(The correct prose order is : To the fair-haired youth, It may be a pitfall.)
In simple words: The provided lines show how poetic language can be rephrased into a more direct, everyday sentence structure, which is called prose order.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to rephrase poetic lines into prose, identify the subject, verb, and object, then arrange them in a natural sentence order, adding necessary articles or prepositions for clarity.

Question 4. C. Find two lines from the poem that j contain the figure of speech 'Inversion'.
Answer:
(i) Came at evening, cold and gray, To a chasm, deep and vast and wide.
(The correct prose order is : Came on j a cold and gray evening to a deep and wide and vast chasm.)
(ii) To the fair-haired youth, may a pitfall be.
(The correct prose order is : To the fair-haired youth, it may be a pitfall.)
In simple words: Inversion is when the usual word order in a sentence is changed for poetic effect, like placing the verb before the subject.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify inversion, look for sentences where the subject, verb, or object are not in their typical S-V-O order. Rephrasing the line into standard prose can help confirm it.

Pick Out One Line Each That Contains The Following Figures Of Speech:

(Note: Refer to the next page for the explanation.)

Question a. Tautology:
Answer:
In simple words: Tautology is when you repeat the same idea using different words, often making the statement unnecessarily redundant.

🎯 Exam Tip: For tautology, look for phrases where two or more words essentially mean the same thing, adding no new information to the sentence.

Question b. Personification:
Answer: A pilgrim, going a lone highway. The highway is given the human quality of being lonely. This literary device adds depth to the narrative.
In simple words: Personification is when you give human qualities to non-human things, like saying a highway is lonely.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying personification, look for actions or feelings attributed to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.

Question c. Interrogation:
Answer: Why waste your time in building here? A question is asked to emphasize an idea. This rhetorical question makes the reader think about the pilgrim's actions.
In simple words: Interrogation here means asking a question not for an answer, but to make a point or emphasize something.

🎯 Exam Tip: Rhetorical questions are powerful tools in poetry to engage the reader and highlight a theme without expecting a direct reply.

Question 5. Imagine that you are the fellow – pilgrim and you wish to share your experience of the incident in the poem. Write a short article about it for a magazine / journal. Also convey what change it has brought in our life.
Answer:
In simple words: This question asks you to write a short story from the perspective of another pilgrim, explaining what happened and how it changed your life.

🎯 Exam Tip: For imaginative writing tasks, focus on expressing emotions, describing the scene, and clearly stating the impact of the event on the character's life. Use vivid language.

Class 8 English Chapter 1.3 The Pilgrim Additional Important Questions And Answers

Complete The Following:

Question 1. Although he had already crossed the chasm, the pilgrim ______
Answer: paused and built a bridge across the waters. This act showed his foresight and compassion for others.
In simple words: Even after crossing the gap, the pilgrim stopped to build a bridge for those who would come after him.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing sentences from a poem, ensure your answer accurately reflects the events and themes presented in the text.

Question 2. The old pilgrim built the bridge to to ______
Answer: help the Inexperienced youth who was following on the same path. His selfless act ensured a safer journey for future travelers.
In simple words: The old pilgrim built the bridge to help younger, less experienced travelers cross the dangerous chasm safely.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the motivation behind the character's actions to fully understand and answer questions about their purpose.

Complex Factual Activities: Give Reasons:

Question a. The fellow pilgrim was puzzled.
Answer: The old pilgrim had already crossed the chasm and would never pass that way again. Yet, he was building a bridge across the chasm. The fellow pilgrim could not understand the reason for this and was hence puzzled. This act of selfless service deeply confused the younger traveler.
In simple words: The fellow pilgrim was confused because an old man, who had already crossed a dangerous gap and wouldn't return, was still building a bridge for others.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about a character's feelings, always explain the specific reason or event that caused those feelings.

Question b. What/Who could be the third pilgrim?
Answer: The third pilgrim could be a young, inexperienced youth. This youth represents the future generation who will face similar challenges.
In simple words: The third pilgrim is likely a young person who hasn't faced life's difficulties yet and needs guidance.

🎯 Exam Tip: In allegorical poems, characters often symbolize broader concepts; identify what each character represents.

Analysis/Appreciation Of A Poem

Answer:
(1) Poem and poet: 'The Pilgrim' by Will Allan Dromgoole
(2) Theme: Those who have faced the difficulties of life successfully and are experienced must be unselfish and help those who are inexperienced and may face difficulties.
(3) Tone: Serious.
(4) Structure and stanzas: Stanzas of unequal length; 1st stanza – 7 lines; 2nd stanza – 6 lines; 3rd stanza – 8 lines;
(5) Rhyme and Rhythm: 1st stanza – AABCCBB; 2nd stanza – ddaabb; 3rd stanza – eeaaffcc
(6) Language and Imagery: The narrative is direct with some archaic language used; there is a strong underlying message. The descriptions are vivid.
(7) Figures of Speech: Inversion, Tautology, Personification, Interrogation. Understanding these elements helps in a deeper appreciation of the poem's message.
In simple words: Appreciating a poem means looking at its author, main idea, mood, how it's built, its rhyming pattern, the words used, and any special literary tricks like figures of speech.

🎯 Exam Tip: For poem appreciation, systematically cover all key aspects like theme, structure, and literary devices to ensure a comprehensive answer.

Writing Skills:

Question. Imagine that you are the fellow-pilgrim and you wish to share your experience of the incident in the poem. Write a short article about it for a magazine/journal. Also convey what change it has brought in your life.
Answer: The Turning Point. Such reflective writing allows for a personal connection to the poem's universal themes.
In simple words: This task asks you to write a short article from the perspective of the puzzled pilgrim, describing what happened and how it changed your own thoughts or feelings.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing from a character's perspective, ensure your tone, vocabulary, and reflections align with that character's personality and experiences in the story.

There are certain incidents in one's life which have an impact on a person and prove to be a turning point in their lives. Let me narrate the incident which shook me awake.
I was on a hike in some hilly places when I had to cross a deep ravine which had a gushing river flowing through it. I managed to cross without any difficulty to my surprise, an old man ahead of me also crossed it nimbly. As I was about to continue on my way, I saw the old man turn back and build a rough bridge across the water. It took a lot of effort and I stood by wondering. Finally, I asked him, “Sir, it is late evening and you Eire not likely to cross this way again. Why are you building a bridge now?"
The old man's answer floored me. "You confused child,” he said with a smile. "I have completed my journey – true. But behind me is a young boy who is inexperienced.
He will soon reach this chasm, and he may have difficulty in crossing it. I am building this bridge to help him."
I stood still, amazed at the generosity and unselfishness of the old man, who was putting in the time and effort to help someone he did not even know. He was building a bridge that he would never ever cross.
This incident left an indelible mark on my mind. Since that time, I always try to help others even though it may not be beneficial to me in any way. However, it gives me something immeasurable – peace and happiness. Try it out, won't you? (indelible – permanent; unfading)