The solitude of Alexander Selkirk
A. Answer in one or two words
1. Who was Alexander Selkirk?
Ans: Scottish sailor
2. What kind of island was he marooned on?
Ans: Uninhabited island
3. Does Selkirk regret living in solitude?
Ans: Yes
4. For how many years was he stranded?
Ans: Four years
5. Name one poetic device used.
Ans: Imagery
B. Answer in a few words
1. Significance of the island.
Ans: It symbolizes isolation and loneliness.
2. Emotional state of Selkirk.
Ans: Lonely, regretful, and later accepting
3. Meaning of “sweet music of speech”.
Ans: Human conversation
4. What natural elements does he think of using?
Ans: Wind and birds
C. Answer briefly
1. What message did Selkirk want to send?
Ans: He wanted his friends to remember him and send their love and thoughts.
2. How does he reflect on the flight of the mind?
Ans: He feels the mind can travel quickly to distant places, bringing both comfort and sadness.
3. What is his view on solitude?
Ans: He finds solitude painful and prefers human company.
4. How does he see mercy?
Ans: As a source of hope and comfort even in suffering.
D. Answer in detail
1. Significance of the title ‘The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk’.
Ans: The title highlights the central theme of loneliness and isolation. It reflects Selkirk’s experience of living alone on a deserted island. The poem shows how solitude affects his emotions, moving from pride to deep loneliness and finally acceptance. Thus, the title clearly represents the main idea of the poem.
2. How is isolation and loneliness shown in the poem?
Ans: The poem strongly presents isolation through Selkirk’s thoughts and feelings. At first, he feels proud to be the “monarch” of the island, but soon realizes that power without people is meaningless.
He longs for friendship, love, and human interaction. He feels disturbed by silence and even by his own voice. The animals around him cannot replace human company.
His desire to communicate through wind and imagination shows his deep loneliness. Although he tries to find comfort, he continues to miss human society.
Thus, the poem clearly shows that isolation leads to sadness and emotional suffering.