Responding to the Poem
1. What makes the depiction of a crumbling village house so
authentic in the poem? Is this a common feature of most village
houses in the context of rapid urbanisation? Is the poet
speaking from actual experience?
Answer:
2. What aspects of Indian society and history get highlighted in
the poem?
Answer:
3. Does the poem bring out the contrast between tradition and
modernity? Illustrate your answer with examples from the poem.
Answer:
4. While the poet respected her grandmother’s sentiments of royal
grandeur, we can also see that she revolts against it. Identify
the lines which bring this out.
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5. Which lines reveal the poet’s criticism of class distinctions?
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6. Is it ‘selfishness’ and ‘callousness’ that makes the poet break
her childhood promise to her grandmother of renovating the
house? Why does she do nothing about rebuilding the house?
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7. What do you understand of the conflict in the poet’s conscience?
Answer: