CLASS -VIII

Chapter 11 Poem-Bangle Sellers

                        by Sarojini Naidu

C. Read these extracts from the poem and answer the questions that follow.

1. ‘Whose hands have cherished,’

a. Whose hands are being referred to?

Ans. Hands of middle aged woman are being referred to.here

b. Whom have these hands cherished?

Ans. These hands have cherished her children.

c. How are these hands ornamented?

Ans. These hands are ornamented with purple and gold flecked grey bangles.

d. Discuss the importance of these hands in the development of human race.

Ans. These hands have brought up faithful sons who serve the nation with sincerity and devotion.

2. ‘Some, like the flame of her marriage fire,

     Or rich with the hue of her heart’s desire;’

a.    Whom does ‘her’ refer to?

Ans. ‘her’ refers to the bride.

b.    List any two adjectives used by the poet to describe the bangles of the bride.

Ans. Tinkling, luminous, tender and clear are the adjectives used the poet to describe the bangles of the bride.

c.    What colour do you think would appropriately describe ‘heart’s desire’? Why?

Ans. Red colour is used to describe ‘heart’s desire’ because blood is red in colour. Red is also the symbol of love and warmth.

d.    The poet has compared the bangles of the Indian bride to her laughter as well as her tears. Why?

Ans. The poet has compared the bangles of the Indian bride to her laughter as she is happy that she is going to be united to her husband and her new family. The poet has compared the bangles to her tears because she is sad that she will be leaving her parents’ home and the place where she was brought up.

3. ‘Some are fit for maiden’s wrist,

     Silver and blue as the mountain mist.’

a.    Why has the word ‘some’ been repeated in the poem?

Ans. ‘Some’ has been repeated in the poem many times to indicate the wide variety of bangles the bangle sellers are carrying.

b.    What kind of bangles are suitable for the maiden?

Ans. Silver and blue bangles are suitable for the maiden.

c.    Name the poetic device used in the above lines.

Ans. Simile is the poetic device used in the above line.

d.    What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?

Ans. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ‘aabbcc.’

HOTS

‘Bangles are not mere ornaments or accessories for women; they are a part of their identity.’ Discuss.

Bangles are more than accessories for Indian women. They are a part of their identity. Bangles have always been an inseparable part of Indian culture.For Indian women, bangles are not just mere ornaments. Indian women love their bangles. It is a tradition to wear bangles after marriage for the sake of health, luck and prosperity.

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A.   ‘Man has drawn all colours and freshness from various aspects of Nature.’ Comment.

The relationship between man and nature has been an intimate one ever since the beginning of life. In the primitive age, his aesthetic pleasures and physical needs were gratified by nature.  The snow-clad mountains and sweet carols of various birds ,the rich  landscape, radiant flowers and their colours, the murmuring rivers, the snowy mountains and the melodious songs of birds enchant humans. Man and nature enrich and complement each other. Their dependence is mutual. There is a common stream of life, a rhythmic power, which animates both nature and man.

B.   The whole poem deals with bangles. Why has the poet titled ‘Bangle Sellers’?

Ans. The poet has titled the poem ‘Bangle Sellers’ because they are the ones who give the description of the bangles and suggest different bangles for a maiden, a bride and a middle-aged woman.

Life Skills

‘Worships the gods at her husband’s side.’ What is the significance of the woman’s presence by her husband’s side during worship?

The middle aged woman who is concerned with her household and prays to the gods with her husband for the good of her family. She  is considered as the pillar of her family. She takes care of everyone and almost everything in the family. Her only wish is the well-being of her family. This also signifies her respect for the cultural tradition of the society.

Writing Skills

Sarojini Naidu’s ‘Bangle Sellers’ is rooted in Indian culture and tradition.’ Explain in a short paragraph of not more than 80 words.

As Sarojini Naidu has depicted it, bangles are directly connected to the happiness and well-being of a family in the traditional Indian society. People buy bangles for their daughters and wives, on occasions like fairs to make them look good and make them happy. Women also find joy in wearing bangles. Naidu has presented how various colours of bangles match the emotions and aspirations of a woman in various stages of her life. In short, bangles are an integral part of woman life, be it a maiden, a bride on her marriage ceremony or a middle aged woman who has journeyed through life. To express the happiness connected with bangles, Naidu calls them “lustrous tokens of radiant lives.”  Bangles also play an important part in keeping the cultural traditional of the Indian society.

Bring out the main idea or theme of the poem The Bangle Sellers by Sarojini Naidu.

In Sarojini Naidu’s poem “The Bangle Sellers“, some bangle sellers go to the temple fair to sell their bangles. They shout their trade cry by glorifying those bangles and describing their colours and suitability for girls and women of various ages.

The main idea is to present the stages of woman life and the cultural tradition of a typical Indian society of the poet’s time. The bangles are compared with natural objects to symbolize the feelings and emotions attached with the life of Indian women and the roles played by the bangles.

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