Animals Question Answer | Class XI

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Discover ‘Animals Question Answer, Class XI,’ a complete guide with all the important questions from the text and extra questions. It’s written in simple language to help students understand and get ready for exams.

Animals Question Answer

Animals Question Answer

English Class XI

Walt Whitman

Animals Question Answer

Textual Question Solutions

Thinking About the Poem

Q.1. Notice the use of the word ‘turn’ in the first line, ‘I think I could turn and live with the animals….’. What is the poet turning from?

Ans: The poet has realised that the animals are self-contained and free from the anxiety of possessing things. They are fully satisfied with their life whereas human suffers from the mania of owning things. So the poet wants to turn and live with the animals. In other words, to say, the poet wants to be free from the material world of selfishness.

Q.2. Mention three things that humans do and animals don’t.

Ans: The three things that humans do and the animals don’t are-

(i) Humans weep for their sins but the animals don’t.

(ii) Humans feel trouble in doing their duties to God but the animals don’t.

(iii) Humans always complain about their sad conditions but the animals don’t.

Q.3. Do humans kneel to other humans who live thousands of years ago? Discuss this in-group.

Ans: Yes, humans kneel to other humans. In human society, there is class distinctions and the low people have to kneel to the superior people. Some people worship their ancestors and kneel down in front of their portraits.

Q.4. What are the tokens that the poet says he may have dropped long ago, and which the animals have kept for him? Discuss this in class. (Hint: Whitman belongs to the Romantic tradition that includes Rousseau and Wordsworth, which holds that civilization has made humans false to their own true nature. What could be the basic aspects of our nature as living beings that humans choose to ignore or deny?

Ans: The tokens that the poet says he might have dropped long ago are – the tokens of love, respect, sympathy, cooperation, friendship and honouring the old tradition. Dropping away all these qualities humans have grown selfish, greedy and cruel. But the animals are self-contained. They have no feeling of inferiority or superiority. They have neither feelings of hatred nor cruelty. The poet finds morality in animals other than in humans.

Animals Question Answer

Additional Question Solutions

Q.1. What is the main theme of the poem ‘Animals’?

Ans: The main theme of the poem ‘Animlas’ is that the animals are self-contained and free of anxieties of life if compared to the life way of humans.

Q.2. Who is the poet of the poem ‘Animals’? 

Ans: Walt Whitman is the poet of the poem entitled ‘Animals’.

Q.3. What are the things that the animals don’t do?

Ans: The animals are self-contained. They don’t become sick of discussing their duties to God. There is no class struggle in their life way. They are neither cruel nor selfish. They have no mania of possessing things. They never complain about their conditions.

Q.4. How do the animals accept their conditions?

Ans: The animals accept their conditions without any complaint. They are placid and self-contained in nature.

Q.5. Why did the poet feel more at home with animals than humans?

Ans: The poet feels more at home with animals than humans because the animals are placid and self-contained. They never complain about the way they live. They are not burdened with cares like humans. They do not have to repent for their sins. These qualities impressed the poet very much.

Q.6. Choose the meaning of the underlined words from the alternatives given in the brackets.

(a) They don’t sweat and whine about their condition. (sing loudly/ complain in an annoying voice/ cry in joy)

Ans: complain in an annoying voice.

(b) I wonder where they get those tokens. (feel happy/ feel sorry/ feel very surprised)

Ans: feel very surprised.

(c) I think I could turn and live with the animals, they are so placid and self-contained. (angry/ calm and peaceful/ harmful)

Ans: calm and peaceful.

(d) Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things. (feeling unhappy/ feeling dissatisfied/ behaving crazily for being upset) HSLC ‘8

Ans: behaving crazily for being upset.

(e)  ………… they are so placid and self-contained.

(irritated/ troublesome/ unruffled)

Ans: unruffled.

(f)  ………….. not one is demented with the mania. 

(mad/ dishonest/ displeased)

Ans: displeased.   0 0 0.

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Animals Question Answer

Summary:

“Animal” is a poem by Walt Whitman, a renowned American poet known for his free verse style and celebration of nature and humanity. In “Animal,” Whitman contrasts the behavior and characteristics of animals with those of humans, expressing a deep admiration for the simplicity, honesty, and self-sufficiency of animals.

The poem begins with the speaker’s contemplation of animals and their serene existence. Whitman observes the animals’ tranquil and unpretentious lives, which he finds more admirable and enviable compared to human lives. Whitman expresses a sense of awe for the animals’ lack of material desires and their contentment with what they have. He appreciates their absence of anxiety, self-importance, and discontent, contrasting this with the human tendency to be perpetually dissatisfied and overly ambitious.

The poet emphasizes the simplicity and honesty of animals. They do not lie awake worrying about their sins, nor do they feel the need to worship or bow before others. Their existence is straightforward and free from the complexities and pretenses that characterize human society. Whitman admires the self-sufficiency of animals. They live in harmony with nature, relying on their instincts and innate abilities to survive. This natural harmony contrasts sharply with the human reliance on artificial constructs and social hierarchies.

The poem highlights the egalitarian nature of animals. They do not discriminate or judge each other based on superficial qualities. Whitman sees this as a superior way of living, free from the biases and prejudices that plague human interactions. Whitman criticizes the human obsession with material possessions and social status. He points out that animals do not concern themselves with accumulating wealth or gaining power, yet they seem happier and more fulfilled.

In the closing lines, Whitman expresses a desire to learn from animals and adopt their way of life. He yearns for the peace and contentment that come from living in accordance with nature, free from the burdens of societal expectations and materialism.

“Animal” by Walt Whitman is a reflective and thought-provoking poem that invites readers to reconsider their values and the way they live their lives. By contrasting the peaceful existence of animals with the often tumultuous and discontented lives of humans, Whitman encourages a return to simplicity, honesty, and a deeper connection with the natural world.

Animals Question Answer

About the Poet: Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman, one of America’s most influential and innovative poets, was born on May 31, 1819, in West Hills, Long Island, New York. His life and work embody the spirit of American democracy and the expansive promise of the nation during the 19th century. Whitman’s contributions to literature, particularly through his groundbreaking collection “Leaves of Grass,” have left a lasting impact on poetry and have cemented his place as a literary giant.

Early Life and Education

Whitman was the second of nine children born to Walter Whitman, a housebuilder, and Louisa Van Velsor Whitman. His family moved to Brooklyn when he was four years old, and he grew up in a working-class environment. Whitman attended public school until he was 11, when he began working to help support his family. His early jobs included working as an office boy for a lawyer and later as a printer’s apprentice, which fostered his interest in reading and writing.

Early Career and Journalism

In the 1830s and 1840s, Whitman worked in various positions in the print industry, including as a compositor, journalist, and editor. He wrote for numerous newspapers and founded a short-lived weekly paper, the “Long-Islander.” These experiences provided him with a keen understanding of the American populace and a platform to develop his distinct voice.

During this period, Whitman also became involved in politics, aligning himself with the Democratic Party. His political engagement and his work as a journalist allowed him to travel extensively, particularly across the Northeastern United States, which broadened his perspectives and informed his later writing.

“Leaves of Grass”

The first edition of “Leaves of Grass” was published in 1855, containing twelve poems and a preface. Whitman self-published the book and even designed its cover. The collection was unconventional, both in its free verse style and its content, which celebrated the human body, nature, and the individual’s role in the collective American experience. The poem “Song of Myself,” included in this edition, is one of Whitman’s most famous works, characterized by its celebration of the self and the democratic spirit.

“Leaves of Grass” was initially met with mixed reviews. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a prominent transcendentalist, praised it, writing a letter to Whitman in which he expressed his admiration for the work. However, others criticized it for its explicit content and unconventional form. Despite the controversy, Whitman continued to revise and expand “Leaves of Grass” throughout his life, with the final “deathbed” edition published in 1891-1892 containing over 400 poems.

Civil War and Later Life

The outbreak of the Civil War had a profound impact on Whitman. He moved to Washington, D.C., in 1862 to care for his injured brother and ended up volunteering as a nurse in army hospitals. The experiences he had during the war deeply influenced his poetry, leading to the publication of “Drum-Taps” (1865), a collection of poems about the war and its aftermath. Notable poems from this period include “O Captain! My Captain!” and “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d,” both elegies for President Abraham Lincoln.

After the war, Whitman held various government jobs, including a clerkship in the Department of the Interior and later in the Attorney General’s office. His post-war years were marked by continued writing and revisions of “Leaves of Grass,” as well as declining health. In 1873, after suffering a stroke, he moved to Camden, New Jersey, to live with his brother George.

Legacy and Influence

Walt Whitman died on March 26, 1892, in Camden, New Jersey. He was buried in a tomb he had designed and built in Harleigh Cemetery. Whitman’s work has had a lasting influence on American literature and poetry. His embrace of free verse, his celebration of individuality and democracy, and his frank treatment of the human body and sexuality paved the way for future generations of poets. Whitman’s vision of an inclusive and diverse America continues to resonate, making him a timeless figure in the literary canon.

His work has inspired countless writers, including notable figures such as Allen Ginsberg, Langston Hughes, and Adrienne Rich. Whitman’s poetic legacy is also reflected in various cultural and artistic expressions, ensuring that his voice remains a vital part of the American literary tradition. 0 0 0

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