Samacheer Kalvi Class 8 English Solutions Poem 1 Special Hero

Warm Up

Question. What are the sacrifices made by your father for your family? (Text Book Page No. 22)
Answer: Fathers make many sacrifices for their families. They provide food and a safe home to live in. They buy clothes for the family and make sure their children get a good education. Fathers also help with schoolwork and take the family to fun places to relax and enjoy. These efforts show their deep care and commitment to the family's happiness.
In simple words: Fathers give food, shelter, clothes, education, and help with homework, and also take the family to fun places.

🎯 Exam Tip: When thinking about sacrifices, consider all the daily efforts and resources a family member contributes, not just big events.

A) Read The Poem Aloud In Pairs.

B) Find A Line From The Statements Given Below And Write It In The Blank.

Question 1. What does the phrase "He always saves me from harm" mean?
Answer: This phrase means that the father always ensures the child is kept safe from any danger or injury. He acts as a protector, always looking out for the child's well-being.
In simple words: It means the father always keeps the child safe from harm.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining phrases, use simpler words that mean the same thing, showing you understand the original meaning.

Question 2. What does "I am so lucky to get you" imply about the child's feelings?
Answer: This line implies that the child feels very fortunate and blessed to have their father. It shows deep appreciation for his presence in their life, expressing how happy they are. The poem literally asks, "How did I get so lucky?"
In simple words: The child feels very lucky and thankful to have their father.

🎯 Exam Tip: Words like "lucky" or "blessed" often highlight a character's strong positive feelings about a person or situation.

Question 3. What does "The affection between us has no end" reveal about their relationship?
Answer: This line reveals that the strong love and connection between the child and the father will last forever. It means their bond is everlasting and will never fade away or finish. Their love is a permanent part of their lives.
In simple words: It means their love and affection for each other will last forever.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for phrases that describe duration or strength ("no end," "everlasting") to understand the nature of a relationship.

C) Answer The Following Questions.

Question 1. Who is the speaker?
Answer: The person speaking in the poem is the poet, Christina M. Kerschen. She is sharing her personal feelings and experiences through the poem.
In simple words: The poet, Christina M. Kerschen, is the speaker.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying the speaker helps you understand the perspective and emotions being shared in the poem.

Question 2. Who is the special hero mentioned in the poem?
Answer: The special hero mentioned in the poem is the poet's father. He is seen as a very important and admired figure in her life.
In simple words: The poet's father is the special hero in the poem.

🎯 Exam Tip: "Special hero" usually refers to a person deeply cherished and looked up to by the speaker.

Question 3. How did the child feel when it was held by its dad?
Answer: When the child was held by her dad, she felt a strong sense of his love and kindness. She also felt completely safe and protected from any harm, as if this wonderful feeling was a special gift from above.
In simple words: The child felt loved, kind, safe, and protected when her dad held her.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing feelings, use descriptive words that clearly convey the depth of emotion experienced by the character.

Question 4. What do the above lines mean?
Answer: These lines mean that a father's love is an incredibly precious gift that feels like it has been sent directly from heaven. It suggests that this love is pure, sacred, and divinely given, making it truly special.
In simple words: The lines mean that a father's love is a precious, heaven-sent gift.

🎯 Exam Tip: When interpreting lines, look for metaphors or comparisons that elevate the meaning beyond a literal interpretation.

Question 5. What did the child want to tell its dad?
Answer: The child wanted to express to her dad that she considers him to be her special hero. She wished to convey her deep admiration and appreciation for him, letting him know how much he means to her.
In simple words: The child wanted to tell her dad that he was her special hero.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the core message or direct wish expressed by the character when asked about their intentions.

D) Work In Pairs And Answer The Questions Below.

Question 1. "There is something special about a father's love”.
Answer: The quote "There is something special about a father's love" means that a father's affection is not just ordinary. It is viewed as a unique and precious blessing, almost like a gift sent from heaven. This kind of love is truly exceptional and deeply valued by the child.
In simple words: A father's love is special because it is seen as a unique, heavenly gift, not just normal affection.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a quote, identify the key words and interpret their deeper meaning within the context of the poem.

Question. Identify the alliteration in the given lines.
Answer: In the phrase "Something, special," the repetition of the 's' sound at the beginning of both words is an example of alliteration. This literary device adds a musical quality to the text and emphasizes the words.
In simple words: The alliteration is in "Something, special" because both words start with the 'S' sound.

🎯 Exam Tip: Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in words close to each other.

Question 2. Pick out the rhyming words from the poem.
Answer: The rhyming words found in the poem are: "see" and "me," "love" and "above," and "know" and "so." These words often appear at the end of lines and have similar sounds.
In simple words: The words that rhyme in the poem are see-me, love-above, and know-so.

🎯 Exam Tip: Rhyming words create rhythm and musicality in a poem; listen for words that end with similar sounds.

Writing (Text Book Page No. 24)

Question. E) Write a paragraph on the father's love as described in the poem.
Answer: The poem beautifully describes a father's love as a profound and comforting force. When a father holds his baby, the child feels an immediate sense of love, tenderness, and security, finding protection from all harm. Looking into the father's eyes, the child recognizes the depth of this love and feels incredibly lucky to experience it. This love is not just a worldly gift, but rather a blessing sent from heaven, making it truly permanent and everlasting. The child sees her father as her special hero and deeply wishes for him to know how much she cherishes him. It is a bond that provides continuous strength and happiness.
In simple words: The poem shows a father's love as safe, tender, and everlasting. The child feels lucky, sees this love as a heavenly gift, and considers her father a special hero.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a paragraph about a theme, combine specific examples from the text with descriptive language to illustrate your points clearly.

8th English Guide Special Hero Additional Appreciation Questions And Answers

Question 1. 'Keeping me safe from harm' When does the child feel safe?
Answer: The child feels safe and protected from all harm when her father holds her close in his arms. His embrace provides a strong feeling of security and comfort. This physical closeness brings a sense of peace to the child.
In simple words: The child feels safe when her father holds her in his arms.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for actions that show protection or comfort to identify when a character feels secure.

Question 2. How did I get so lucky; Why does the child feel lucky?
Answer: The child feels incredibly lucky because she has a loving and caring father. She views having such a wonderful father as a great blessing in her life. This gratitude highlights the special bond they share.
In simple words: The child feels lucky because she has a kind and loving father.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding what a character considers "lucky" helps reveal their values and what they cherish most.

Question 3. 'There is something special about a father's love.' What is special about a father's love?
Answer: A father's love is special because it is not an ordinary gift; it is perceived as a precious blessing sent from heaven. This suggests it is pure, divine, and holds a unique significance that goes beyond common affections.
In simple words: A father's love is special because it is seen as a gift from heaven, not just a normal feeling.

🎯 Exam Tip: When something is described as "special," analyze the specific qualities or origins that make it stand out from the ordinary.

Question 4. 'Seems it was sent to me from someplace up above our love is everlasting' Why does the poetess say, 'our love is everlasting'?
Answer: The poetess says "our love is everlasting" because the deep affection between the child and the father is meant to last throughout their entire lives. This bond will not change or fade with time or age, staying strong forever.
In simple words: The poetess says their love is everlasting because it will last forever and not change with age.

🎯 Exam Tip: "Everlasting" signifies permanence and a bond that transcends the limitations of time and life changes.

Question 5. 'I felt love and tenderness.' When did the poetess feel close?
Answer: The poetess felt a strong sense of love and tenderness, and therefore closeness, when her father held her as a baby in his arms. This moment of physical embrace brought them emotionally very near to each other.
In simple words: The poetess felt close when her father held her as a baby.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for specific actions or gestures that directly lead to feelings of intimacy or connection in a poem.

Question 6. 'I just wanted you to know.' What did the poetess want her father to know?
Answer: The poetess wanted her father to know that she considers him to be her special hero. She wished to clearly communicate her deep admiration and appreciation for his role in her life.
In simple words: The poetess wanted her father to know that he was her special hero.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a character expresses a desire to "know," it usually refers to a core feeling or truth they wish to share.

Special Hero Summary In English

This poem tells about the close and loving bond between a child and her father. The child feels very lucky to have such a father. She also believes that her father is a wonderful gift sent from heaven. In the child's eyes, her father is truly her special hero.

Special Hero Summary In Tamil

இந்த கவிதை மகளுக்கும் தந்தைக்கும் இடையே உள்ள அன்பு பிணைப்பு பற்றிக் கூறுகிறது. குழந்தை தன்னை அதிர்ஷ்டசாலி என்று எண்ணுகிறது. தன் தந்தை சொர்க்கத்திலிருந்து அனுப்பப்பட்ட பரிசு என்று எண்ணுகிறது. தனது விசேஷ கதாநாயகன் தன் தந்தை என்றே குழந்தை எண்ணுகிறது.