English subject Class 11 NCERT Book Woven Words Essay Lesson 2 My Three Passions Questions and Answers.
Understanding the text
1. Why does Russell call the three passions ‘simple’?
2. Why has he compared the three passions to great winds?
3. What, according to Russell, is the importance of love in life?
4. How does Russell’s definition of knowledge differ from what is commonly understood by the term?
5. Why is the quality of pity earth-bound while the other two passions are elevating?
6. How have the three passions contributed to the quality of Russell’s life?
Answer:
1. Why does Russell call the three passions ‘simple’?
Russell calls the three passions ‘simple’ because they are fundamental and basic human desires—love, knowledge, and pity—yet they govern his entire life with overwhelming strength.
2. Why has he compared the three passions to great winds?
Russell compares the three passions to great winds because they have driven him in various directions throughout his life, causing intense emotional and intellectual experiences, like winds carrying someone across vast landscapes without a clear path.
3. What, according to Russell, is the importance of love in life?
According to Russell, love is important in life because it brings ecstasy, relieves the deep loneliness of existence, and provides a glimpse of the heavenly experience imagined by saints and poets. It is an essential and powerful source of joy and connection for him.
4. How does Russell’s definition of knowledge differ from what is commonly understood by the term?
Russell’s definition of knowledge goes beyond mere facts or academic learning. He seeks to understand the hearts of people, the mysteries of the universe, and the mathematical harmony governing nature. His pursuit of knowledge is driven by curiosity about the deeper truths of existence, not just surface-level understanding.
5. Why is the quality of pity earth-bound while the other two passions are elevating?
The quality of pity is earth-bound because it keeps Russell grounded in the harsh realities of human suffering, pain, and injustice. Unlike love and knowledge, which elevate him toward joy and intellectual enlightenment, pity reminds him of the suffering that is part of life on earth, making it difficult for him to escape into higher realms.
6. How have the three passions contributed to the quality of Russell’s life?
The three passions have shaped Russell’s life by giving him purpose and direction. Love has brought him moments of intense joy, knowledge has enriched his understanding of the world, and pity has kept him connected to the suffering of others, fostering compassion. Together, these passions have made his life meaningful and worth living, despite its challenges.