Maharashtra Board Class 9 English Unit 2 Poem Invictus 2.1 Solutions

Class 9 English Chapter 2.1 Question Answer Maharashtra Board

Invictus Poem 9th Std Question Answer

Warming Up:

Let's Introspect!

Question 1. Think and respond with a 'YES' or 'NO'. When you are faced with a very serious problem or some grave danger, what do you experience?
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र एक गतिविधि को दर्शाता है जहाँ छात्रों को दो श्रेणियों- 'आपकी भावनाएँ' और 'आपकी प्रतिक्रियाएँ' के तहत विभिन्न विकल्पों में से चुनना है। 'आपकी भावनाएँ' में घबराहट, जन्म न लेने की इच्छा, निराशा, असहायता, कोई भावना नहीं, शांति और मुकाबला करने की इच्छा जैसे विकल्प हैं। 'आपकी प्रतिक्रियाएँ' में टूट जाना और रोना, भाग जाना और छिपना, भगवान से प्रार्थना करना, मदद माँगना, साहस जुटाना और इसे एक चुनौती के रूप में लेना जैसे विकल्प हैं। प्रत्येक विकल्प के आगे एक रिक्त चेकबॉक्स है।

Write about your feelings and reactions In 4-5 lines. You may describe your feelings and reactions using other words than those given here.

Form groups of four. Discuss what you actually feel and do In difficult situations and some of the things you could do and would like to do In those situations.

🎯 Exam Tip: For introspective questions, a personal yet thoughtful response showing self-awareness and critical thinking is often valued. Providing specific examples can enhance your answer.

Question 1. Think and respond with a 'YES' or 'NO'. When you are faced with a very serious problem or some grave danger, what do you experience?
Answer: (Students can attempt this activity on page 27 of the textbook on their own.) In simple words: This activity is designed for students to personally explore and express their initial feelings and reactions to challenging situations as described in their textbook.

🎯 Exam Tip: When an answer explicitly states "Students can attempt this activity on their own," it indicates a participatory or reflective exercise. Focus on understanding the objective rather than memorizing a fixed answer.

Question 2. Write about your feelings and reactions In 4-5 lines. You may describe your feelings and reactions using other words than those given here.
Answer: [Students may write this based on responses made in (a).] (Some other words you can use to describe your feelings and reactions :fear, nervousness, uncertainty, lack of confidence, aggressiveness, insecurity, courage, optimism, despair, etc.) In simple words: Students are expected to articulate their emotions and actions in difficult times, drawing from a wider vocabulary beyond the given list to express themselves more comprehensively.

🎯 Exam Tip: Expanding vocabulary to describe emotions and reactions accurately demonstrates a deeper understanding and better command of language. Use a variety of adjectives and verbs.

Question 3. Form groups of four. Discuss what you actually feel and do In difficult situations and some of the things you could do and would like to do In those situations.
Answer: In difficult situations :
(a) What I actually feel and do :
1. feel frightened and corf used
2. feel depressed and cry
3. run away and hide
4. tell lies or blame others.
(b) What I could do and would like to do :
1. be calm and brave
2. accept the situation and look for solutions
3. take due responsibility for what has happened
4. share my problems and look for support. (Students can add their own points and discuss this activity in groups.) In simple words: This question prompts students to differentiate between their actual initial reactions and their desired, more constructive responses when facing adversity, encouraging discussion and problem-solving skills.

🎯 Exam Tip: Group discussions foster collaborative learning. When presenting outcomes, summarize key insights on both current reactions and aspirational improvements, showing a balanced perspective.

2. Guess what the following symbolize and match the pairs :

Question 1. Guess what the following symbolize and match the pairs :

🎯 Exam Tip: Symbolic matching questions test your understanding of abstract concepts. Pay attention to common cultural or poetic associations of each item to ensure accurate pairing.

English Workshop:

1. Choose the correct option :

Question a. Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole.
(i) There is a pit between two poles which you cannot see at night.
(ii) I am in a pit that is covered with a black sheet.
(iii) The circumstances are as bad as they can be, with nothing to hope for from any corner.
Answer: (iii) The circumstances are as bad as they can be, with nothing to hope for from any corner. In simple words: This line uses imagery to convey a feeling of utter despair and hopelessness, where the situation is overwhelmingly bleak without any signs of relief.

🎯 Exam Tip: For poetic lines, always look beyond the literal meaning to understand the figurative language and the overall mood or message the poet intends to convey.

Question b. In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud.
(i) I fell down and cried aloud.
(ii) I have not expressed my grief even when I had to suffer great pain.
(iii) I freed myself from a difficult situation and cried.
Answer: (ii) I have not expressed my grief even when I had to suffer great pain. In simple words: This line highlights the speaker's resilience and stoicism, indicating that despite facing immense hardship, they did not openly show pain or weakness.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding words like "wince" (shrink back in pain) and "clutch" (tight grasp) is crucial to grasping the speaker's defiant attitude against adversity.

Question c. Under the bludgeonings of chance, My head is bloody ...
(i) I have suffered many setbacks and losses, for which there was no reason.
(ii) I got hurt due to my own faults.
(iii) My enemies hit me till I started bleeding.
Answer: (i) I have suffered many setbacks and losses, for which there was no reason. In simple words: This metaphorical line signifies that the speaker has endured numerous, often unfair, misfortunes and adversities, leaving them battered but not broken.

🎯 Exam Tip: "Bludgeoning of chance" is a powerful metaphor for random, harsh misfortunes. Recognizing such figurative language is key to interpreting the poem's message of endurance.

Question d. And yet the menace of the years, Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
(i) My enemies threaten me but cannot find me.
(ii) A great bully found me once, but shall not find me in future.
(iii) Even though I am growing old, I am not, and shall not be, afraid.
Answer: (iii) Even though I am growing old, I am not, and shall not be, afraid. In simple words: This line expresses the speaker's unwavering courage and defiance against the passage of time and its inevitable challenges, asserting fearlessness even in old age.

🎯 Exam Tip: The phrase "menace of the years" personifies time as a threat. Identifying this personification helps understand the speaker's profound resolve to remain unafraid of aging and mortality.

Question e. How charged with punishments the scroll....
(i) The scroll is very expensive.
(ii) I may have to pay for many of my mistakes.
(iii) I have to pay money as punishment.
Answer: (ii) I may have to pay for many of my mistakes. In simple words: This line implies that the speaker is aware of their past actions and the potential negative consequences or retributions they might face for them.

🎯 Exam Tip: The "scroll" here symbolizes a record of deeds or destiny. Interpreting it as a list of past mistakes and potential punishments reveals the speaker's acceptance of consequences.

Question f. I am the master of my fate.
(i) I take responsibility for everything that happens in my life.
(ii) My fate is my master.
(iii) I am the master of this world.
Answer: (i) I take responsibility for everything that happens in my life. In simple words: This declaration signifies the speaker's belief in their own agency and control over their life's direction, emphasizing personal accountability and free will.

🎯 Exam Tip: This line is the core message of "Invictus." It highlights themes of self-determination and personal responsibility, which are central to the poem's meaning.

Question g. I am the captain of my soul.
(i) I am the captain of a team.
(ii) My soul is the captain of my team.
(iii) My actions are the result of my own feelings.
Answer: (iii) My actions are the result of my own feelings. In simple words: This phrase reinforces the idea of self-control and inner strength, meaning the speaker guides their own moral and emotional compass, directing their actions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Similar to "master of my fate," "captain of my soul" emphasizes internal leadership and autonomy. Recognize these powerful statements as expressions of self-mastery.

2. Write the rhyme scheme of the poem.

Question 1. Write the rhyme scheme of the poem.
Answer: Rhyme scheme: abab. In simple words: The poem follows a consistent pattern where the first and third lines rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme in each stanza.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying the rhyme scheme (e.g., abab, aabb) is a basic but important aspect of poetic analysis. Practice scanning lines for end-word sounds.

3. Read the poem 'Where lies the land ....' by A.C. Clough.

Question 1. Read the poem 'Where lies the land ........' by A.C. Clough. In simple words: This is an instruction for students to read a specific poem by A.C. Clough, likely for comparative analysis or to introduce a new literary work.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to read an external text, ensure you understand its main themes and poetic devices, as it may be referenced in future questions or comparisons.

English Kumarbharati 9th Digest Chapter 2.1 Invictus Additional Important Questions And Answers

Complex Factual Activities:

Question 1. What is the poet thankful for?
Answer: The poet is thankful for his unconquerable soul. In simple words: The poet expresses gratitude for his inner strength and spirit, which remains undefeated despite life's challenges.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for direct statements of gratitude or strong affirmations in the poem to identify what the speaker values most. "Unconquerable soul" is a key phrase.

Question 2. What does the poet have full control over?
Answer: The poet has full control over his fate, his soul and his life. In simple words: The poet believes he controls his own destiny, his inner self, and the path of his existence.

🎯 Exam Tip: The phrases "master of my fate" and "captain of my soul" directly answer this, highlighting the poem's central theme of self-determination.

Question 3. Which lines show that the poet has suffered his hardships bravely?
Answer: The lines that show that the poet has suffered his hardships bravely are :
i. I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
ii. In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have neither winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody but unbowed. In simple words: The poet's bravery is evident in his gratitude for an undefeated spirit and his refusal to show pain or submission despite enduring severe and unfair struggles.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to quote lines, ensure accuracy. These specific lines powerfully convey resilience, defiance, and an unbroken spirit in the face of suffering.

Question 4. What is meant by 'the place of wrath and tears'?
Answer: 'The place of wrath and tears' means the place of anger and sadness. That is, the world where we live. In simple words: This poetic phrase refers to the real world, which is often filled with pain, sorrow, and anger.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that such descriptive phrases often refer to universal human experiences or conditions. Contextualize them within the poem's overall mood and message.

Activities Based On Poetic Devices:

Question 1. 'Under the bludgeonings of chance'. Pick out and explain the figure of speech from this line.
Answer: Personification - Chance (fate) is personified. It is said to be beating the poet violently with a club. In simple words: The figure of speech is personification because the abstract concept of 'chance' is given human-like action of violently hitting someone.

🎯 Exam Tip: Personification attributes human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. Identify the abstract concept and the human action to explain it clearly.

Paragraph Format:

The poem 'Invictus' is by William Ernest Henley. The Rhyme Scheme of the poem is abab. One example of a Figure of Speech is Personification: 'In the fell clutch of circumstance', 'Circumstance' is personified. It is said to be clutching wickedly. 'Invictus' is a powerful poem. It is all about showing courage in the face of death, and of the will to survive with dignity in the face of severe hardships. The poet stresses that he alone is responsible for his actions, and though he has been battered by fate, he has not been conquered.