The poem "Life" by Charlotte Brontë is a contemplation on the nature of life itself. The poet challenges the belief that life is nothing but a dark and bleak existence. She asserts that even moments of sadness, like a morning rain, can foreshadow......
Life - Oxford Reading Circle - Class 8 - English
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Back Exercises - Life | Oxford Reading Circle | Literature | English | Class 8
Give words or phrases of your own for the following, with the same meaning. Then use the words in sentences of your own.
a. foretells
b. clouds of gloom
c. flit by
d. calls away
e. day of trial
f. unconquered
a. predicts, forecasts, anticipates
The dark clouds gathering in the sky foretold an approaching storm.
b. darkness, sadness, despair
The death of a loved one can cast a cloud of gloom over the entire family.
c. pass quickly, dart, move swiftly
The butterflies flit by, their vibrant colors catching the eye.
d. summons, beckons, takes away
The sudden illness called him away from the family gathering.
e. moment of challenge, test, adversity
The marathon was Jane's day of trial, pushing her physical and mental limits.
f. undefeated, resilient, unbeaten
Despite facing numerous setbacks, the team remained unconquered and determined to succeed.
Comment on the meaning of the following as they are used in the poem.
a. our Best
b. buoyant
c. lament
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Sign up nowFind three words in the poem with the prefixes: fore- un- and some-, Then write at least three more words using each prefix.
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Sign up nowMore prefixes: Put mis-, dis-, im-, in- or un- in front of the following.
a. behave
b. loyal
c. courtesy
d. mature
e. attractive
f. equal
g. elegant
h. belief
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Sign up nowFind the subject in these three sentences. (Look very hard, because they are hiding in 2 and 3!)
1. Life’s sunny hours flit by.
2. Enjoy them as they fly!
3. Life, believe, is not a dream.
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Sign up nowWrite the poem out in prose. Use your own language where possible, but try to stay as close as you can to the meaning of the original sentences in the poem. Use modern language, not archaic or poetical forms.
Example: Oft a little morning rain/Foretells a pleasant day.
Often, a little shower of rain in the morning tells us that a pleasant day lies ahead.
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Sign up nowLife would not be possible if we did not all have hope. How true is this statement? You may agree or disagree, but discuss it giving good examples to strengthen your case.
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Sign up nowBack Questions - Life | Oxford Reading Circle | Literature | English | Class 8
What does ‘transient’ mean, and what specifically, according to the poet, is transient in life?
"Transient" means something that is temporary, brief, or passing. In the poem, the poet is emphasizing that the clouds of gloom in life are transient, meaning they do not last long. The poet says that sometimes there are moments of darkness or sadness, but these do not define life entirely. Instead, they come and go like a passing rain shower. The transient nature of the clouds of gloom is highlighted as the poet suggests that they are an essential part of life's journey, allowing the roses (symbolizing joy and beauty) to bloom.
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Why is the phrase ‘clouds of gloom’ apt? (Look carefully at what the poet says after this.)
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Sign up nowWhat remark does the poet make about rain?
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Sign up nowWhat message is the poet trying to give us? Give evidence for your answer.
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Sign up nowIf we had to give the poem another title, what would you suggest? (Think carefully about the message in the poem.)
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Sign up nowLife, believe, is not a dream
So dark as sages say;
a. Who is being asked to ‘believe’?
b. Which of the following is true?
The sages say
i. they are dark,
ii. life is not a dream,
iii. life is not a dark dream.
c. What analogy does the poet use later to clarify her statement about life?
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Sign up nowWhat though Death at times steps in
And calls our Best Away?
a. Why do you think the words ‘Death’ and ‘Best’ begin with a capital letter? Is it for the same reason?
b. How might we rephrase this question so it makes perfect sense?
c. What emotion or feeling does the poet say we might feel by this?
d. How, according to the poet, might we overcome this condition?
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Sign up nowWhat is the rhyming scheme of the poem? Is the rhyming pattern uniform?
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Sign up nowIf you count the number of beats (syllables) in each line, you will find that the pattern is not consistent. Some lines have more syllables than others. Try to think of rhyming words for the following, but also make sure the words have the same number of syllables as those below.
(You may find e. too difficult and f. impossible!)
a. borrow
b. brow
c. fantastic
d. noses
e. close (near)
f. transient
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Sign up nowExtra Questions - Life | Oxford Reading Circle | Literature | English | Class 8
LIFE, believe, is not a dream
So dark as sages say;
Oft a little morning rain
Foretells a pleasant day.
Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,
But these are transient all;
If the shower will make the roses bloom,
O why lament its fall?
What might the “little morning rain” symbolize in this context?
How does the poet use metaphors and imagery to describe life?
In the context of this poem, what does the phrase “clouds of gloom” represent?
Why does the poet believe we shouldn’t lament the fall of the shower?
How does the phrase “If the shower will make the roses bloom” convey the underlying theme of the poem?
LIFE, believe, is not a dream
So dark as sages say;
Oft a little morning rain
Foretells a pleasant day.
Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,
But these are transient all;
If the shower will make the roses bloom,
O why lament its fall?
What might the “little morning rain” symbolize in this context?
How does the poet use metaphors and imagery to describe life?
In the context of this poem, what does the phrase “clouds of gloom” represent?
Why does the poet believe we shouldn’t lament the fall of the shower?
How does the phrase “If the shower will make the roses bloom” convey the underlying theme of the poem?
In this context, the “little morning rain” could symbolize difficult times or challenges that we face in life. The poet essentially tries to convey the transient nature of hardships by comparing it to a passing shower.
The poet uses metaphors like “morning rain” and “clouds of gloom” and imagery of a pleasant day and blooming roses to describe life as a mixture of happy and sad moments. The references to weather changes are metaphors for life’s ups and downs.
The phrase “clouds of gloom” represents the sorrows and hardships that tend to cloud over the happiness in life. However, these difficulties, like clouds, are transient and will eventually pass.
The poet suggests that we shouldn’t lament the fall of the shower because, just like the rain that makes the roses bloom, life’s difficulties often lead to growth, strength, and a better tomorrow.
The phrase “If the shower will make the roses bloom” essentially represents the idea that hardships and challenges can often lead to beautiful outcomes, growth, and learning, just as rains lead to the blooming of flowers.
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Rapidly, merrily,
Life’s sunny hours flit by,
Gratefully, cheerily,
Enjoy them as they fly!
What does the poet mean when she refers to life’s hours flitting by “rapidly” and “merrily”?
According to the stanza, how should one approach and appreciate the fleeting moments of life?
How does the author’s utilization of the words “gratefully” and “cheerily” reflect her overall attitude toward life?
What could the phrase “Enjoy them as they fly!” infer about the poet’s perspective on making the most of every moment in life?
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Sign up nowQuiz - Life | Oxford Reading Circle | Class 8 Literature | English
About the Poet - Life | Oxford Reading Circle | Class 8 Literature | English
Charlotte Brontë was an English novelist and poet, born on April 21, 1816, in Thornton, West Yorkshire, England. She is best known for her novel "Jane Eyre," which is considered a classic of English literature.
Brontë came from a talented literary family. Alongside her sisters Emily and Anne, she wrote under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell, as their works were initially met with scepticism due to their gender. Charlotte's other notable works include "Shirley" and "Villette."
Her writing often explored themes of social class, gender roles, and the struggles faced by women in Victorian society. Charlotte Brontë's strong and independent heroines challenged the conventions of the time and resonated with readers.
Brontë's writing style was characterized by detailed descriptions, vivid imagery, and intense emotional depth. She drew inspiration from her own experiences, drawing on the loss of her siblings and her time as a governess.
Despite her untimely death at the age of 38, Charlotte Brontë's impact on English literature is enduring. Her works continue to be read and studied, and she is celebrated as one of the great female authors of her time.
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Themes - Life | Oxford Reading Circle | Class 8 Literature | English
1. Perception of Life:
The poem challenges the notion that life is inherently dark and gloomy. It emphasizes that life is a mixture of joys and sorrows, with the potential for beauty and happiness even in the midst of adversity. Brontë encourages us to shift....
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1. Morning Rain: The morning rain symbolizes the temporary obstacles or hardships that one encounters in life. It is not a permanent state but rather a passing shower that ultimately contributes to the growth and blossoming of the roses, representing .......
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1. Metaphor: The poem utilizes metaphors to convey its message. For example, the comparison of life to a dream emphasizes the idea that life is not as bleak as some may perceive it to be. The metaphor of morning rain symbolizes temporary....
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Transient: lasting for only a short time; quickly coming to and end
The happiness he felt was transient, as it faded away quickly when he received disappointing news.Lament: grieve over; to express sorrow about something
The community gathered to lament the loss of their beloved leader.Flit: to move quickly from one place to another without stopping for long
The butterfly would .............................
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