Maharashtra Board Class 9 English Unit Two Chapter 2.1 Invictus PDF Download

2.1 Invictus Unit Two

Warming Up!

Let's Introspect!

1. Think and respond with 'YES' or 'NO'.

When you are faced with a very serious problem or some grave danger, what do you experience?

panic

wishing you were never born

hopelessness

helplessness

no emotion

calmness and composure

willingness to tackle it

break down and cry

run away and hide

pray to God

ask for help

build up courage

take it as a challenge

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.

2. Guess what the following symbolise and match the pairs.

1. a tall mountain — (a) beauty

2. a dark night — (b) freedom

3. a rose — (c) deep distress

4. sunrise — (d) anger

5. a flying bird — (e) strength/firmness

6. thunder — (f) hope

Teacher's Note

When we face problems, we should stay calm and brave like a soldier. For example, when you fail in an exam, you should try again instead of giving up.

Exam Trick

Remember: symbols = pictures with meaning. A mountain means strength. A bird means freedom. Think of the feeling each thing gives you.

Points to Remember

Feelings are what we feel inside our heart.
Reactions are what we do when we feel something.
Different people react differently to the same problem.
Symbols are things that show us a special meaning.
Being brave means facing problems without fear.

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate.
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate :
I am the captain of my soul.

— By William Ernest Henley

invictus: unconquered

pit: a large deep hole in the ground

wrath: anger

fell clutch: wicked trap

bludgeonings: violent beating with a club

winced: jerked with pain

menace: threat

looms: hangs overhead

What is the poet thankful for?

Which lines show that the poet has suffered his hardships bravely?

What is meant by the 'place of wrath and fears'?

What does the poet have full control over?

Teacher's Note

This poem teaches us to be strong when we face hard times. Just like a soldier does not give up, we should also stay brave in our problems.

Exam Trick

Remember: "I am the master of my fate" means you control your own life. Don't blame others. You decide what you do and how you feel.

Points to Remember

The poet thanks God for his strong soul.
He did not cry or complain when he suffered.
Bad things happen to everyone but we must stay brave.
We are in charge of our own life and feelings.
Being unafraid does not mean nothing bad happens. It means we face problems with courage.

English Workshop

1. Choose the correct option:

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.

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 pains.

iii. I freed myself from a difficult situation and cried.

c. Under the bludgeoning 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

2. Write the rhyme scheme of the poem.

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

Teacher's Note

These questions help us understand what the poet really means. When we read poems, we must think deeply about every line and word.

Exam Trick

Remember: Read each line slowly. Look at the meaning, not just the words. The best answer matches what the poet is really trying to say.

Points to Remember

Multiple choice means pick one correct answer from the options given.
Read the question carefully before you choose.
The rhyme scheme shows which lines rhyme with each other.
Poetry uses special words that have deeper meaning.
Always think about why the poet said something, not just what he said.

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