Poem 11: Leisure : Book 3

 

Poem 11: Leisure

Word	Meaning	Synonym
1.      Stare	an open-eyed look of interest or amazement	Gaze, peer, glare, look
2.      Boughs	the main branch of a tree.	Branches, twigs
3.      Broad	a distance larger than usual from	Wide, sunny, blazing, glittering
4.      Enrich	improve or enhance the quality or value of.	Improve, develop
5.      Glance	take a brief or hurried look	Quick look, glimpse, brief look

 

Reference:

These lines have been taken from “Leisure” written by “W.H Davies”

Context:

The poem is titled in leisure meaning relaxation and enjoyment because the poet wants to emphasize that one should enjoy life by paying attention to the beauty in the world around us.

Explanation:

In these lines, the poet tells us that we are so much busy in our daily routine of life that we even can’t enjoy simple delights like standing under the shade of tree-like animals like sheep and cows. He believes that animals enjoy life better than us. In the last line, the poet turns our attention towards the beautiful scene of the reflection of moonlight from the clear water of a stream. He urges us to look at this beautiful scene.

Short Questions:

 

Q1. Why do you think the poet has given the title “ Leisure” to the poem?

It is an ironic title. Modern man has no time to enjoy the beauty of nature. So, the poet gives an ironic title ‘ Leisure” which is absent in the modern man’s life.

Q2. What is the theme of the poem?

The poem is a criticism of modern man’s busy life. He is so busy with worldly affairs that he has no time to enjoy nature.

Q3.What does the poet want to show by “ Beauty’s dance”?

Beauty is the name of the proportion. The poet is much impressed by the proportion of color and form in various objects of nature. The variation of this proportion from object to object is beauty’s dance.