Class 11 English NCERT Book Woven Words Poetry Lesson 8 For Elkana Questions and Answers.
Understanding the Poem
1. Comment on the subtlety with which the poet captures the general pattern of communication within a family.
2. Poetic effect is achieved in the poem through understatement and asides Discuss this with examples.
3. How is the idyllic juxtaposed with the pedestrian in the poem.
4. Explain the unspoken thought’:
‘Wife and husband in unusual rapport.
State one unspoken thought’:
5. Comment on the capitalisation of all the words in the line:
‘Children Must be Disciplined’.
6. What makes the urgency of the child’s demand seem logical?
Answer:
1. Comment on the subtlety with which the poet captures the general pattern of communication within a family.
The poet subtly captures the familial communication dynamics through everyday conversations, showing how couples often communicate indirectly and in implied tones. The wife suggests things that need fixing without directly blaming her husband, while the husband, knowing his limitations, silently avoids the task. The son’s blunt demands for dinner add to the casual, unfiltered nature of family interactions. The poet presents these exchanges in a relaxed, humorous tone, indicating the unspoken understanding between family members, typical of close relationships.
2. Poetic effect is achieved in the poem through understatement and asides. Discuss this with examples.
The poet employs understatement and asides to enhance the poem’s subtle humor and realism. For example, the line, “Unwilling to dispute the obvious fact that she is always right” is a humorous aside where the husband internally accepts his wife’s superior knowledge, without confrontation. Similarly, the child’s demand for dinner is simply stated, “Mummy, I want my dinner, now,” without any emotional embellishment, adding to the directness and simplicity of the situation. These understated moments create a relatable tone of quiet, lived-in family life, rather than dramatic intensity.
3. How is the idyllic juxtaposed with the pedestrian in the poem?
The idyllic is represented by the peaceful setting: a warm April evening, sitting on the lawn, enjoying the breeze. However, this serene scene is interrupted by pedestrian, everyday concerns—broken window panes, the need to fix things, and a child’s insistent demand for dinner. The poem contrasts these two elements, showing how ordinary family moments can occur even in idyllic surroundings, bringing out the humorous coexistence of peace and daily life challenges.
4. Explain the unspoken thought: ‘Wife and husband in unusual rapport. State one unspoken thought’.
The unspoken thought between the wife and husband is their shared understanding that “Children Must be Disciplined.” Although they do not express it directly to each other, both parents acknowledge the necessity of teaching their child patience. This subtle, unspoken agreement reflects the way families often communicate without words, relying on shared experiences and mutual understanding.
5. Comment on the capitalisation of all the words in the line: ‘Children Must be Disciplined’.
The capitalisation of “Children Must be Disciplined” emphasizes the seriousness and universality of the statement. It highlights the parents’ collective belief in the importance of teaching children discipline, as if it were a rule or law that governs their behavior. This formal capitalization adds weight to the otherwise casual conversation, indicating that the matter of discipline is a non-negotiable part of parenting.
6. What makes the urgency of the child’s demand seem logical?
The child’s logic is rooted in his hunger. He explains that if he waits five minutes, he may no longer be hungry, which makes his request for immediate food sound reasonable. His clear and simple reasoning appeals to the father, who recognizes the straightforwardness and logic behind his son’s demand. The child’s perspective, though simple, is presented with such determination that it creates a sense of urgency that aligns with his current need.
These answers delve into the poem’s subtle communication and humor, while also highlighting its realism and underlying family dynamics. Let me know if you need further elaboration on any of these points!
Try this out
1. Paraphrase the poem and notice the change in effect. Comment on the deft touch with which the poet transforms ordinary events into evocative poetry.
Answer:
Paraphrase of the Poem “For Elkana”:
On a warm April evening, the pleasant breeze invites us to sit outside. We move our chairs to the lawn, sitting in a relaxed manner, and fall into a peaceful silence until the conversation starts to flow. My wife, as usual, surveys the surroundings and points out a broken window. She makes suggestions, which every husband in the neighborhood knows how to handle except me, the man she loves. I don’t argue about the fact that she’s always right, and instead, I look away to enjoy the view that takes my mind off her suggestions.
As her voice fills the air, our seven-year-old son hears it and is reminded of something. He stands in front of us, determined and serious, and declares, “Mummy, I want my dinner now.” Without saying anything, my wife and I share a common thought: “Children Must be Disciplined.” She looks at me, I look away. The boy waits, and in another second, he repeats his demand. My wife, with a firm tone, says, “Wait. In five minutes, I’ll serve you dinner.” But our son, stubborn and hungry, replies, “No, not in five minutes, now. I am hungry.” His logic appeals to me: in five minutes, he might not be hungry anymore, so why wait? My wife’s laughter breaks the tension, and the three of us, united, go back into the house.
Change in Effect:
When paraphrased, the poem transforms from a nuanced, vivid depiction of family life into a straightforward narrative. The original poem’s light humor, subtle tension, and underlying affection between the family members become less prominent. The rhythm and the playful tone that Hughes creates through short, understated lines lose their impact when the poem is turned into plain prose. The understated humor of the husband’s avoidance of tasks, the son’s logic, and the wife’s gentle authority are less evocative in paraphrase.
Deft Touch of the Poet:
Ted Hughes transforms ordinary, everyday events into evocative poetry through his use of understatement, humor, and vivid imagery. The simplicity of the scene—a family sitting on the lawn, a child asking for dinner—is elevated into something more profound. Hughes uses small, relatable moments to highlight the complexities of family dynamics, including the unspoken understanding between parents and the logic of a child. His choice of words, tone, and structure infuses the poem with warmth, love, and humor, making the mundane deeply resonant.
For example, the capitalized phrase “Children Must be Disciplined” is humorous but also reflects a shared, unspoken agreement between the parents. The poet’s deft touch lies in his ability to take this minor moment and transform it into a reflection of family relationships, showing how even small interactions can reveal much about love, communication, and understanding within a family.