Samacheer Kalvi Class 10 English Solutions Poem 1 Life

A. Read The Following Lines From The Poem And Answer The Questions That Follow.

Question 1. Let me but live my life from year to year with forwarding face and unreluctant soul
(a) Whom does the word 'me' refer to?
(b) What kind of life does the poet want to lead?
Answer:
(a) The word 'me' refers to the poet, Henry Van Dyke. He is sharing his own thoughts about life.
(b) The poet wants to live each year bravely and happily, ready to do anything without holding back. He wishes for a life full of willingness and spirit.
In simple words: 'Me' means the poet. He wants to live his life bravely and happily, ready for anything.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about a specific word, always identify who or what it represents, and if possible, add a small detail about its context in the poem.

Question 2. Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal Not mourning for the things that disappear
(a) Why do you think the poet is not in a hurry?
(b) What should one not mourn for?
Answer:
(a) The poet is not in a hurry because he believes in living with courage and dedication. He thinks life should be lived steadily and purposefully.
(b) One should not feel sad or grieve over things that are lost or have passed away. Instead, we should focus on the present and future.
In simple words: The poet is calm because he lives with courage. We should not be sad about things that are gone.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering "why" questions about a poet's feelings, connect their actions or feelings to their underlying beliefs or values as expressed in the poem.

Question 3. In the dim past, nor holding back in fear From what the future veils, but with a whole And happy heart, that pays its toll To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer
(a) What does the poet mean by the phrase 'in the dim past'?
(b) Is the poet afraid of the future?
(c) How can one travel on with cheer?
Answer:
(a) When the poet says 'in the dim past', he means that past times were boring and unhappy. He sees the past as dull and sad.
(b) No, the poet is not afraid of what the future holds. He faces it with an open heart.
(c) One can live life cheerfully by having a happy and positive heart. A joyful mindset helps one journey through life with happiness.
In simple words: 'Dim past' means a dull past. The poet is not scared of the future. We can be cheerful by having a happy heart.

🎯 Exam Tip: For phrases or metaphors, always explain their meaning in simple terms related to the poem's theme, not just a literal translation.

Question 4. So let the way wind up the hill or down, O'er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy Still seeking what I sought when but a boy, New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
(a) How is the way of life?
(b) How should be the journey of life?
(c) What did the poet seek as a boy?
Answer:
(a) The path of life is not always easy or smooth; it will have difficult times (ups) and easy times (downs).
(b) The journey of life should be filled with joy and happiness, regardless of its challenges. We should find happiness in every stage.
(c) When the poet was a boy, he looked for new friends, exciting adventures, and achievements (a crown). He always kept this youthful spirit.
In simple words: Life has good and bad times. We should make it joyful. As a boy, the poet wanted friends, adventure, and success.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to metaphors like "up the hill or down" or "rough or smooth" as they describe life's challenges and triumphs.

Question 5. My heart will keep the courage of the quest, And hope the road's last turn will be the best
(a) What kind of quest does the poet seek here?
(b) What is the poet's hope?
Answer:
(a) The poet is looking for a quest that comes from having a brave and strong heart. This quest is about living life boldly.
(b) The poet hopes that the final part of his life's journey will be the most wonderful and cherished experience. He believes the best is yet to come.
In simple words: The poet wants a brave-hearted quest. He hopes the end of his life's journey will be the best part.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note how the poet links inner qualities like courage to external actions like a 'quest', showing that one's mindset drives experiences.

Question 6. Let me but live my life from year to year, With forwarding face and unreluctant soul; Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal; Not mourning for the things that disappear
(a) Identify the rhyme scheme of the given lines.
Answer:
(a) The rhyme scheme for these lines from the poem is ABBA. This means the first and fourth lines rhyme, and the second and third lines rhyme.
In simple words: The lines rhyme like A-B-B-A. The first and last lines sound alike, and the middle two lines sound alike.

🎯 Exam Tip: To find a rhyme scheme, label the end sound of each line with a letter, giving the same letter to lines that rhyme.

B. Answer The Following Question In About 80 - 100 Words

Question 1. Describe the journey of life as depicted in the poem by Henry Van Dyke.
Answer: The poem "Life" by Henry Van Dyke describes life as a journey or an adventure. He tells us not to worry about the past or the future, but to live fully in the present moment with joy. The poet advises living each year with courage, facing challenges head-on, and having a soul that is willing to experience everything. Life will have its ups and downs, but we should always seek new friendships, adventures, and experiences. We must have faith and a strong purpose, living without hurry and with a happy heart. The poet believes that by doing so, we will lead a happy life and the end of our journey will be the best. Life is seen as a precious gift, meant to be lived with enthusiasm and hope.
In simple words: Life is a brave adventure. Don't worry about yesterday or tomorrow, but live happily today. Face everything with courage, make new friends, and enjoy every moment.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a poem's theme, always refer back to key phrases or ideas from the poem itself to support your explanation.

C. Based On Your Understanding Of The Poem, Complete The Following Passage By Using The Phrases Given In The Box.

Question. Complete the following passage by using the phrases given in the box.

The poet wants to live his life (1) __________ willing to do something. He neither (2) __________ from his goal. He does not want to (3) __________ the things he has lost, not hold back for fear of the future. He instead prefers to live his life with a whole and happy heart which cheerfully travels from (4) __________. Therefore, it does not matter to him whether the path goes (5) __________ rough or smooth, the journey will be (6) __________. He will continue to seek what he wanted as a boy – new friendship, (7) __________ and a crown (prize).
Answer: The poet wants to live his life (1) **looking ahead**, willing to do something. He neither (2) **to hurry nor move away** from his goal. He does not want to (3) **mourn** the things he has lost, nor hold back for fear of the future. He instead prefers to live his life with a whole and happy heart which cheerfully travels from (4) **youth to old age**. Therefore, it does not matter to him whether the path goes (5) **up or down the hill**, rough or smooth, the journey will be (6) **joyful**. He will continue to seek what he wanted as a boy – new friendship, (7) **high adventure** and a crown (prize). This shows his positive outlook on life's journey.
In simple words: The poet wants to always look forward and not rush. He doesn't want to be sad about losses or scared of the future. He wants a joyful heart for his whole life, through good and bad times. He will always seek new friends and adventures.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read the passage carefully and match the phrases from the box to the blanks based on the context and meaning of the poem.

Life Summary Of The Poem

The poem "Life" describes life as a valuable experience. One should live with courage, strong willpower, and dedication. Life should be lived without hurry. The poet tells us to forget the past and the future and instead live in the present with happiness. This approach nourishes both the young and the old. We should not mourn for things that disappear, as the journey of life will have its ups and downs. We must face all problems with a smile, seeking out new friends, adventures, and experiences that enrich us. We should have faith in our hearts and be bold to lead a happy life.

Glossary:

• mourning (v) – means feeling or showing great sadness.
• veils (v) – means to hide or cover something so it cannot be seen or understood clearly.
• crown (n) – refers to a prize, award, or a high position given for being the best.
• quest (n) – is a long and difficult search for something.
• unreluctant (adj) – means being willing and ready to do something. This uncommon word is used by the poet to stress the idea of willingness.