English Literature Poetry Semester 1 2025 JNVU Solved Paper

by

English Literature Poetry Semester 1 2025 JNVU Solved Paper

Part A

1. Write the reference to context of the following lines:
“With trembling steps and humble reverence, She cometh in before the Almighty’s view.”

Answer: These lines have been taken from “A Wedding Song” written by Edmund Spenser. This poem celebrates the wedding between the poet, Edmund Spenser, and Elizabeth Boyle. In the given lines, the poet describes that the bride is entering the church with trembling steps and humble reverence. She enters the church and now stands in front of the statue of Jesus (the Almighty’s view).

2. Write the reference to the context of the following lines:
“The infernal serpent; he it was whose guile, Stirred up with envy and revenge, deceived The mother of mankind.”

Answer: These lines have been taken from Paradise Lost written by John Milton. In these lines, the poet seeks inspiration from the Heavenly Muse so that he may write this epic. Here, the poet asks who it was that made Adam and Eve commit the first sin. It was Satan(the infernal Serpent) whose cunning and deceit, driven by envy and a desire for revenge, tempted and deceived Eve, the mother of mankind. As a result of his deception, Adam and Eve committed the first sin, which led to the Fall of humankind and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

3. Who is the bride in the poem “A Wedding Song”?

Answer: The Bride in the poem “A Wedding Song” is Elizabeth Boyle. This poem celebrates the wedding between the poet, Edmund Spenser, and Elizabeth Boyle that took place in 1594.

4. Under whose guidance does the Lady’s chariot move in “My Lady in Love’s Chariot”?

Answer:- In the poem “My Lady in Love’s Chariot” Love himself skillfully guides the Chariot. This chariot is drawn by swans and doves.

5. Why did God not confer on Man the gift of ‘rest’?

Answer: God did not give man the gift of rest because if man possessed complete rest and contentment, he might forget God and become proud of worldly blessings. Therefore, God kept “rest” with Himself so that man, feeling restless and weary, would turn back to God for spiritual peace.

6. “Let not ambition mock their useful toil” — To whom does the word ‘their’ refer?

Answer: This line is from Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray. The word ‘their’ refers to the poor village people or humble farmers buried in the churchyard.

 

7. What does “The Harp of India” symbolize?

Answer: in the poem “The Harp of India” by Henry Louis Vivian Derozio the harp symbolizes India’s glorious poetic past, which has now become silent and neglected.

8. Which stage of life do blue and silver bangles represent?

Answer: Blue and silver bangles represent the stage of maidenhood — the carefree and youthful phase of a young unmarried girl.

9. What is the central theme of the poem “Can It Be”?

Answer: The central theme of Can It Be by Manmohan Ghosh is grief and disbelief over the death of a loved one. The poem expresses sorrow, shock, and reflection on the mystery and inevitability of death.

10. How is the tiger described in “The Tiger and the Deer” by Sri Aurobindo?

Answer: In “The Tiger and the Deer” by Sri Aurobindo, the tiger is described as brilliant, majestic, silent, and deadly. It has gleaming eyes, a mighty chest, and moves noiselessly, symbolizing the cruel and powerful beauty of nature.

 

Part B

Unit 1

Note: Attempt two references out of four : 2*6=12
1. Explain with reference to context:
(a) “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May. And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”

Reference: These lines have been taken from the sonnet “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” written by William Shakespeare.
Context: This poem compares the beauty of poet’s beloved with a summer’s day. Later the poet rejects the idea and claims that the beauty of his beloved is far superior than a summer’s day and decides to immortalise his beloved beauty through this poem.
Explanation:-
In these opening lines, the poet addresses his beloved and wonders whether he should compare the person to a beautiful summer’s day. However, he immediately says that the beloved is more lovely and more temperate (gentle and balanced) than summer.
He explains that summer is not perfect:
•Rough winds often shake the delicate buds of May.
•Summer lasts only for a short time (“summer’s lease hath all too short a date”).
Thus, the poet suggests that unlike summer, which is temporary and sometimes harsh, the beauty of his beloved is more enduring and perfect.

(b) Of Man’s first disobedience, and the fruit of that forbidden thee whose mortal taste brought death into the world, and all our woe. with loss of Eden.

Reference: These lines have taken from Paradise Lost (Book 1) by John Milton.
Context: In Book 1 of Paradise lost, The poet invokes heavenly muse to inspire the poet so that he can write an epic on the the creation of man by God and  the first disobedience by Adam and Eve.
Explanation : The given lines form the opening of Paradise Lost, where the poet states the central theme of the epic. “Of Man’s first disobedience” refers to Adam and Eve’s first act of disobedience against God.
“The fruit of that forbidden tree” refers to the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, which God had forbidden them to eat.
When Eve and then Adam ate the fruit, sin and death entered human life. As a result, humanity suffered sorrow and misery and was expelled from Paradise.
Thus, the poet announces that the epic will narrate:
•The Fall of Man
•The origin of sin and death
•The loss of Paradise
Critical Note
The poem reflects:
•Christian theology
•The epic grandeur of subject and style.
•Milton’s purpose to “justify the ways of God to men”

(c) “Why hang’st thou lonely on yon withered bough?
Unstrung for ever, must thou there remain;
Thy music once was sweet-who hears it now?
Why does the breeze sign over thee in vain?”

Reference: These lines are taken from the poem “The Harp of India” by Henry Louis Vivian Derozio.
Context:- This poem talks about the rich tradition of music and poetry in India and the current fallen status. The poet wants to revive the rich old tradition.
Explanation: In these lines, the poet addresses the Harp of India, which symbolizes the rich poetic tradition of ancient India. The harp is pictured as hanging neglected on a dry branch, symbolizing the decline of Indian poetry and culture under foreign rule. The harp has no strings, meaning it cannot produce music; this suggests that Indian poetic genius has become silent. In ancient times, Indian poetry was glorious and melodious, but now it is forgotten. Even when the wind blows, the harp produces no sound because it is broken; this reflects the lost creative spirit.
Thus, the poet laments the decline of India’s literary and cultural heritage.
Critical Note: The poem is a patriotic. Derozio uses the harp as a metaphor for India’s ancient poetic tradition. The tone is mournful and nostalgic, yet it also contains an implied hope that the harp may be restrung and revived.

(d) Beast-like, stony, brilliant and will-less, its exquisite savagery slaying the silence.
Ravished the soul in the stroke of its Paw as it felled its mild innocent victim.”

Reference: These lines are from the poem “The Tiger and the Deer” by Sri Aurobindo.
Context:- The poem conveys the contrast between strength and vulnerability, cruelty and beauty, mortality and survival through a tiger and a deer.
Explanation: In these lines, the poet describes the tiger at the moment it attacks and kills the deer.
The tiger is portrayed as a powerful but emotionless creature, driven purely by instinct. “Stony” suggests hardness and lack of feeling. The violent act breaks the deep silence of the forest. The phrase “exquisite savagery” combines beauty and cruelty, highlighting the paradox of nature. The tiger’s sudden, powerful blow kills the innocent deer instantly. The deer is gentle and harmless, emphasizing the contrast between predator and prey.
Thus, the poet presents nature as both beautiful and cruel.
Critical Note Sri Aurobindo presents the tiger not merely as a wild animal but as a symbol of the fierce and unconscious forces of nature. The poem reflects upon the philosophical idea that nature operates beyond human morality and the contrast between innocence (deer) and ruthless power (tiger).

Unit 2

2. Donne’s “The Good Morrow” portrays love as a self-contained universe shared by two individuals. How does the poem explore the idea of love as a microcosm that reflects and transcends the external world?

Answer:  “The Good-Morrow” by John Donne presents love as a self-sufficient microcosm—a complete universe contained within the mutual consciousness of two lovers. Donne develops this idea through metaphysical imagery, philosophical reflection, and cosmological references.
Donne suggests that their earlier experiences were childish or incomplete. True love marks a spiritual awakening, as if the lovers have been reborn into a higher reality. Their love becomes a new world, replacing the old, immature existence.
During the Renaissance, geographical exploration was expanding knowledge of the globe. Donne deliberately minimizes this: External voyages are insignificant. The lovers have discovered a richer “world” in each other.
Thus, their relationship forms a microcosm that surpasses the macrocosm of physical geography. The inward journey of love is greater than outward expansion.
The famous lines: “Let us possess one world; each hath one, and is one.” Here Donne fuses individuality and unity. Each lover is a world, and together they form a single, complete universe. This reflects the Renaissance philosophical idea of the microcosm and macrocosm—the small reflecting the large.
The poet says that things die when the lack balance. Unlike the physical world, which contains decay and imperfection and not mixed well, their love is perfectly balanced. If their love remains equal and sincere, it will not “die.”
Thus, their microcosm transcends the external world by achieving what the larger world cannot—permanence and unity. Therefore, the poem presents love as both a reflection of the universe (microcosm) and a reality that ultimately transcends the external, physical world, achieving unity, harmony, and eternity within the shared consciousness of two individuals.
Or

How does Ben Jonson use vivid imagery, classical allusions, and celebratory language in “My Lady in Love’s Chariot”?

Answer: Ben Jonson’s poem “My Lady in Love’s Chariot” is a beautiful example of a courtly love lyric. In this poem, Ben Jonson uses vivid imagery, classical allusions, and celebratory language to glorify the beauty and greatness of his lady, Charis. Through rich description and exalted tone, he presents her as the embodiment of love and perfection.

First, Jonson uses vivid imagery to make the lady’s beauty lively and concrete. The poem opens with the striking image of a “chariot of Love” in which the lady rides. The chariot is drawn by “a swan or a dove,” birds traditionally associated with grace, purity, and love. This creates a clear and attractive visual picture in the reader’s mind. He further describes her eyes as lighting “all that Love’s world compriseth,” suggesting that her beauty shines brightly like a source of light. Her hair is compared to “Love’s star when it riseth,” giving her a shining, heavenly appearance.

Jonson does not limit himself to visual imagery; he appeals to all the senses. He compares her whiteness to a “bright lily” and freshly fallen snow, untouched by dirt. He compares her softness to “swan’s down” and “the wool o’ the beaver,” which suggest extreme smoothness and delicacy. He also refers to sweet smells like “the bud o’ the briar” and “nard in the fire,” and even to taste with “the bag of the bee,” meaning honey. These comparisons make her beauty feel real and sensual. By using images connected with sight, touch, smell, and taste, Jonson creates a full sensory experience for the reader.

Secondly, Jonson uses classical allusions to raise the lady to a divine level. The image of the chariot of Love reminds us of classical mythology, especially of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, who is often shown riding in a chariot. The reference to “Love’s star” also suggests Venus, who appears as the morning star. The idea of “elements’ strife” reflects the ancient belief in the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—and the harmony created when they are balanced. By using these classical references, Jonson suggests that the lady is not just beautiful, but part of a larger, cosmic order connected with divine love.

Finally, the language of the poem is highly celebratory. Jonson praises the lady in an exaggerated and joyful manner. He says that “all hearts do duty unto her beauty,” as if she were a queen and people were her loyal subjects. Admirers are ready to follow her “through swords, through seas,” showing extreme devotion. The repeated exclamations—“Oh so white! Oh so soft! Oh so sweet is she!”—express deep admiration and excitement. This hyperbolic language emphasizes her perfection and makes the tone of the poem triumphant and festive.

In conclusion, Ben Jonson skillfully combines vivid sensory imagery, classical allusions, and enthusiastic, celebratory language to present his lady as a figure of extraordinary beauty and divine grace. Through rich comparisons and elevated tone, he transforms her into a symbol of love’s triumph and perfection.

 

Unit-III

Explain in detail the connection between human agency and divine providence in “The Gifts of God”.

Answer:- The poem “The Gifts of God” by George Herbert explores the subtle relationship between human agency (human freedom and action) and divine providence (God’s guiding will). Through a symbolic description of God bestowing gifts upon humanity, Herbert presents a theological vision in which human restlessness and striving are part of God’s purposeful design.

Divine Providence as the Source of All Gifts
In the poem, God creates man and decides to pour upon him all the blessings of life from a “glass of blessings.” These gifts include strength, beauty, wisdom, honour, pleasure. Each gift represents the natural and spiritual endowments given to humanity. This act demonstrates divine providence: God is the origin and distributor of all human capacities. Nothing man possesses comes independently; everything flows from divine grace. However, when only one gift—Rest—remains in the glass, God chooses not to give it.

The Withholding of “Rest” and Its Purpose
God deliberately withholds rest so that human beings will never feel completely satisfied in worldly achievements. If man were given total contentment along with other blessings, he might become proud of his gifts, forget his Creator and rest in material success. Thus, divine providence works not only through generosity but also through limitation. The absence of rest creates a permanent spiritual longing within humanity.

Human Agency: Restlessness and Choice
Because rest is withheld, human beings experience inner dissatisfaction. Even when they possess wealth, honour, or pleasure, they feel incomplete. This condition stimulates human agency and humans strive for meaning. They question worldly satisfaction and they seek higher truth. This restlessness may initially lead them to “repine” (complain), but ultimately it directs them toward God. In this way, human effort and searching are not independent of divine will; they are part of God’s design.

The Interdependence of Freedom and Providence
Herbert presents a paradox: humans appear free to act, strive, and choose, yet their very restlessness is structured by divine intention. God’s providence does not eliminate human agency; rather, it shapes it.

The poem suggests that human dissatisfaction is not accidental, spiritual longing is divinely implanted and the path toward God involves human participation. Thus, divine providence works indirectly through human experience. Man must exercise choice and effort, but these movements are guided by God’s hidden purpose.

Theological Implication
The poem reflects Christian doctrine the Humanity is dependent on divine grace and earthly blessings are temporary and incomplete. True rest is found only in God. Herbert implies that spiritual fulfillment cannot be achieved through worldly gifts alone. The lack of rest ensures that man remains oriented toward divine reality.

Conclusion
In “The Gifts of God,” George Herbert presents a profound connection between human agency and divine providence. God grants humanity many blessings but withholds rest to prevent spiritual complacency. Human restlessness becomes the driving force that leads individuals back to their Creator. Therefore, human striving and divine purpose are not opposed; they are intertwined. The poem ultimately teaches that divine providence operates through human longing, guiding the soul toward eternal peace in God.

2 thoughts on “English Literature Poetry Semester 1 2025 JNVU Solved Paper”

Leave a Comment