Class 11 English NCERT Book Woven Words Poetry Lesson 7 Hawk Roosting Questions and Answers.
Understanding The Poem
1. Comment on the physical features of the hawk highlight in the poem and their significance.
2. How does the poem emphasise the physical prowess of the hwak?
3. ‘There is no sophistry in my body’-this statement expresses the brutal frankness of the hawk. Does the poet suggest something through this statement?
4. ‘Now I hold Creation in my foot’- explain the centrality of this assertion in the poem. What makes the hawk’s assertion of its invincibility so categorical?
5. Why is the poem entitled ‘Hawk Roosting?
6. Bring out the parallel suggested between the predatory instincts of the bird and human behavior.
Answer:
1. Comment on the physical features of the hawk highlighted in the poem and their significance.
The poem emphasizes key physical features of the hawk, such as its “hooked head” and “hooked feet” which represent its predatory nature. These hooked body parts signify the hawk’s ability to kill and control its prey, showcasing its dominance over other creatures. Its sharp vision and strong talons symbolize its precision in hunting. The hawk’s physical features are not just practical but metaphors for its power and supremacy over life, reflecting its confidence and control in the natural world.
2. How does the poem emphasize the physical prowess of the hawk?
The hawk’s physical prowess is highlighted through its description of flight, sharp talons, and lethal hunting techniques. The poem emphasizes the hawk’s ability to kill effortlessly—“my manners are tearing off heads”—as well as its total control over its environment. The hawk states that it can “kill where I please because it is all mine,” asserting its dominance over the natural world. Its flight is described as “direct through the bones of the living,” suggesting swift, precise attacks. Hughes uses violent and forceful imagery to emphasize the hawk’s strength and power.
3. ‘There is no sophistry in my body’—this statement expresses the brutal frankness of the hawk. Does the poet suggest something through this statement?
The line “There is no sophistry in my body” expresses the hawk’s raw, unapologetic nature. It implies that the hawk is not concerned with reasoning, justifying, or explaining its actions—it kills and dominates without any moral complexity. Through this statement, the poet suggests that nature operates through brute force, instinct, and survival, untainted by human notions of justice or ethics. It could also be a critique of power, where those in control often act without question or justification, reflecting the natural order’s brutal, unflinching reality.
4. ‘Now I hold Creation in my foot’—explain the centrality of this assertion in the poem. What makes the hawk’s assertion of its invincibility so categorical?
The assertion “Now I hold Creation in my foot” symbolizes the hawk’s belief that it controls the world. The hawk, from its elevated position, feels as though it is at the center of creation, holding power over life and death with its sharp talons. This sense of control makes the hawk feel invincible, as it sees itself as a force of nature that rules over all others. The hawk’s categorical claim of invincibility stems from its role as a predator, unchallenged in the food chain, and from its elevated perspective, both physically and metaphorically.
5. Why is the poem entitled ‘Hawk Roosting’?
The title “Hawk Roosting” reflects the hawk’s position of power and control as it sits perched (roosting) at the top of the tree, overseeing its domain. The term “roosting” conveys both a physical act—resting or settling—and a metaphorical one—settling in a position of authority. The title emphasizes the hawk’s dominance and its confidence in maintaining its place at the top of the food chain. It also suggests a moment of contemplation, as the hawk reflects on its power and its absolute control over its environment.
6. Bring out the parallel suggested between the predatory instincts of the bird and human behavior.
The hawk’s predatory instincts reflect the brutal and often selfish aspects of human behavior. Just as the hawk kills without remorse, certain human actions, particularly those driven by power, ambition, or dominance, can be equally ruthless and calculated. The hawk’s lack of moral reflection mirrors how some people or leaders exercise their authority without concern for others. The hawk’s sense of superiority and entitlement over the natural world can be paralleled with human tendencies toward control, conquest, and exploitation. The poem subtly critiques how power can corrupt, leading to a mentality of absolute dominion.
Try this out
1. Consult a dictionary or an encyclopedia to differentiate between the following birds
eagle
hawk
kite
vulture
2. To what aspects of human behaviour do the following adjectives apply
eagle-eyed
hawkish
Answer:
1. Differentiating Between Birds:
Eagle:
- Description: Eagles are large birds of prey known for their broad wings, strong beaks, and exceptional eyesight.
- Habitat: They are found across many regions, including mountains, forests, and near water bodies.
- Diet: Eagles primarily feed on fish, small mammals, and birds.
- Significance: Eagles symbolize power, freedom, and vision due to their majestic flight and sharp vision.
Hawk:
- Description: Hawks are medium-sized birds of prey with sharp talons and beaks. They are agile fliers, known for their speed and hunting prowess.
- Habitat: Hawks live in diverse environments such as forests, deserts, and open fields.
- Diet: Hawks prey on small mammals, birds, and insects.
- Significance: Hawks symbolize focus, strategy, and vigilance because of their precision in hunting.
Kite:
- Description: Kites are lighter birds of prey, with long wings and forked tails, known for their graceful gliding flight.
- Habitat: They thrive near water bodies, open fields, and sometimes urban areas.
- Diet: Kites mainly feed on small animals, insects, and carrion (dead animals).
- Significance: Kites symbolize freedom and adaptability, often seen soaring high and making the most of wind currents.
Vulture:
- Description: Vultures are large scavenging birds with bald heads and broad wings, adapted for feeding on carcasses.
- Habitat: Found in open savannas, deserts, and near mountains, vultures inhabit areas where food in the form of dead animals is abundant.
- Diet: Vultures are scavengers, feeding mostly on carrion.
- Significance: Vultures are associated with death and decay, but they play a crucial ecological role by cleaning up the environment.
2. To What Aspects of Human Behavior Do the Following Adjectives Apply:
Eagle-eyed:
- Meaning: Having extremely keen vision or being observant.
- Application: This term applies to someone who notices even the smallest details, often used to describe people who are highly alert and attentive in their work or daily lives. For example, a detective might be described as eagle-eyed if they are exceptionally good at spotting clues.
Hawkish:
- Meaning: Aggressive or warlike, especially in terms of political or economic policy.
- Application: This term is commonly used to describe someone who advocates for a hard-line or aggressive stance, particularly in military or political contexts. For instance, a leader or politician who supports military intervention or aggressive foreign policies might be called hawkish.