Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
Poem 1: Dust of Snow
Summary
- The poem by Robert Frost shows how a small natural event can bring a big change in mood.
- The poet describes a moment when a crow shakes off snow from a hemlock tree onto him.
- This simple action refreshes the poet and changes his sad mood to a happy one.
- The poem shows that even a small moment of nature can bring joy and save a day.
Word Meanings
- Dust of Snow - Small particles of snow
- Hemlock - A poisonous tree, symbol of sadness
- Rued - Regretted
NCERT Solutions
- Q1: What does the poet say has changed his mood? Ans: The dust of snow falling from the hemlock tree
changed his mood.
- Q2: How has the poet's mood changed? Ans: His mood changed from sad to happy and hopeful.
Important Questions
- What is the central idea of 'Dust of Snow'?
- How does nature affect the poet?
- What does the crow and hemlock tree symbolize?
Top 10 PYQs
- What does the dust of snow symbolize?
- How did the poet's mood change?
- What role does the crow play in the poem?
- What is the message of the poem?
- Why does the poet mention hemlock?
- Explain the significance of the crow in the poem.
- What do we learn from this poem?
- How does a simple moment become meaningful?
- Describe the theme of the poem.
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
- Why does the poet feel refreshed?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
Poem 2: Fire and Ice
Summary
- This short poem by Robert Frost talks about two different beliefs about the end of the world - by fire or by
ice.
- Fire represents desire, and ice represents hatred.
- The poet believes both are powerful enough to destroy the world.
- He says that desire (fire) is dangerous, but hate (ice) can also lead to destruction.
- The poem is a warning against uncontrolled emotions.
Word Meanings
- Perish - To die or be destroyed
- Desire - A strong feeling of wanting something
- Suffice - Be enough
NCERT Solutions
- Q1: What does 'fire' and 'ice' stand for? Ans: Fire stands for desire and ice stands for hatred.
- Q2: What is the poet's opinion about the world's end? Ans: The poet believes both fire and ice can destroy
the world.
Important Questions
- What are the two views about the end of the world?
- What does fire and ice symbolize?
- Which emotion does the poet support more?
Top 10 PYQs
- Explain the meaning of 'Fire and Ice'.
- What is the central idea of the poem?
- How are desire and hatred dangerous?
- What is the message of the poem?
- How does Frost use symbolism in the poem?
- What emotion is linked with ice?
- Describe the tone of the poem.
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
- Which does the poet consider more harmful - fire or ice?
- Why does the poet consider hate enough for destruction?
- Do you agree with the poet's view?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
Poem 3: A Tiger in the Zoo
Summary
- This poem by Leslie Norris contrasts a tiger's natural life in the wild with its life in a zoo.
- The poet describes how powerful and majestic the tiger looks when it is in its natural habitat.
- However, the tiger in the zoo is locked in a cage and moves in frustration.
- The poem shows the sadness of the tiger as it remembers its free life in the jungle.
- It is a poem about the loss of freedom and the cruelty of keeping animals in captivity.
Word Meanings
- Stalks - Follows silently like a hunter
- Lurking - Hiding and waiting to attack
- Caged - Kept in a cage
- Patrolling - Guarding an area
- Rage - Extreme anger
NCERT Solutions
- Q1: How does the tiger behave in the cage? Ans: The tiger walks silently in the cage, full of anger and
frustration.
- Q2: What does the poet want to show through this poem? Ans: The poet wants to show how sad and
unnatural it is to keep wild animals in captivity.
Important Questions
- How is the tiger in the zoo different from the tiger in the jungle?
- What does the poet want to convey through the poem?
- What kind of life does the tiger long for?
Top 10 PYQs
- Describe the tiger's appearance in the poem.
- What is the mood of the tiger in the cage?
- How does the poet contrast two different lives of the tiger?
- Why is the tiger angry in the poem?
- What is the central theme of the poem?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
- What does the cage symbolize?
- How is the tiger's strength wasted in captivity?
- Explain the line 'He stalks in his vivid stripes'.
- What does the poet think about zoos?
- Do you think animals should be kept in cages? Why or why not?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
Poem 4: How to Tell Wild Animals
Summary
- This humorous poem by Carolyn Wells describes how to identify wild animals in a funny way.
- Each stanza introduces a new animal with amusing and exaggerated clues.
- The poet talks about the lion, tiger, bear, leopard, chameleon, and crocodile.
- Though written in a playful tone, the poem teaches us about wild animals.
- It is full of rhymes and fun, making learning enjoyable for students.
Word Meanings
- Roaming - Wandering
- Beware - Be cautious or alert
- Lept - Jumped (past tense of leap)
- Nonplus - Confused or puzzled
- Chameleon - A lizard that changes color
- Novice - A beginner
NCERT Solutions
- Q1: How can you identify a bear according to the poet? Ans: If you are hugged tightly and cannot breathe,
it's a bear.
- Q2: What is the tone of the poem? Ans: The poem has a humorous and playful tone.
Important Questions
- How does the poet make the poem humorous?
- What animals are described in the poem?
- What is the poet's way of identifying wild animals?
Top 10 PYQs
- Describe the tiger as per the poem.
- What is the central idea of the poem?
- How does the poet describe the leopard?
- What makes the poem funny?
- How does the poet describe the chameleon?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
- Why is the poem enjoyable for children?
- What happens if a bear hugs you, according to the poem?
- How is exaggeration used in the poem?
- Write two lines from the poem that show humour.
- What message does the poem indirectly give?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
Poem 5: The Ball Poem
Summary
- This poem by John Berryman is about a boy who loses his ball, which symbolizes his first loss in life.
- The boy is sad because the ball was precious to him, and he watches it go without trying to get another one.
- The poet shows how we learn to deal with loss through such experiences.
- It teaches that loss is a part of life, and we must learn to accept and move on.
- The poem uses simple imagery to explain a deep emotional moment.
Word Meanings
- Rigid - Still or motionless
- Dime - A small amount of money
- Grief - Deep sorrow
- Desperate - Hopeless, full of sadness
- Responsibility - Being accountable or taking charge
NCERT Solutions
- Q1: What does the loss of the ball signify? Ans: It signifies the loss of innocence and the beginning of
understanding responsibility and grief.
- Q2: Why doesn't the boy want another ball? Ans: Because the ball had sentimental value, and he is learning
to accept the loss.
Important Questions
- What does the ball symbolize in the poem?
- How does the boy feel after losing the ball?
- What lesson does the poem teach us about life?
Top 10 PYQs
- Explain the message of 'The Ball Poem'.
- What lesson does the boy learn?
- Why is the boy sad in the poem?
- How does the poet use the ball as a symbol?
- What is the boy learning about the world?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
- Why doesn't the poet offer him another ball?
- What does the poet say about money and loss?
- Describe the boy's reaction after losing the ball.
- What is the central theme of the poem?
- Do you think the poem teaches a valuable lesson? Why?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
Poem 6: Amanda!
Summary
- This poem by Robin Klein is about a girl named Amanda who is constantly being nagged by her parents.
- The poet shows Amanda's desire to escape into her own world of imagination.
- She imagines herself as a mermaid, an orphan, and Rapunzel - all free from restrictions.
- The poem highlights the pressure children face from adults and their need for freedom and understanding.
- It's a commentary on parenting and the importance of letting children be themselves.
Word Meanings
- Hunch - Bend forward
- Slouching - Sitting or standing with drooping shoulders
- Orphan - A child whose parents are dead
- Rapunzel - A fairy tale character with long hair
- Acne - Skin condition with pimples
NCERT Solutions
- Q1: What does Amanda imagine herself to be? Ans: Amanda imagines herself as a mermaid, an orphan,
and Rapunzel.
- Q2: Why is Amanda always lost in her thoughts? Ans: Because she is tired of being constantly corrected
and wants freedom.
Important Questions
- What is the central theme of the poem 'Amanda'?
- What does Amanda imagine to escape reality?
- How does the poem highlight the relationship between parents and children?
Top 10 PYQs
- What is Amanda's state of mind in the poem?
- Why does Amanda want to be an orphan?
- What does the poet want to convey through Amanda's imagination?
- Why is Amanda being scolded?
- How does Amanda feel about the instructions she receives?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
- Describe the different characters Amanda imagines.
- Why does Amanda want to live like Rapunzel?
- What does Amanda's imagination show about her life?
- What is the message of the poem?
- Is Amanda's behavior justified? Why or why not?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
Poem 7: Animals
Summary
- This poem by Walt Whitman expresses the poet's admiration for animals and their peaceful, honest nature.
- The poet feels that animals are better than humans because they are content, self-contained, and do not
complain.
- Animals do not have the greed, pride, and false values that humans often have.
- The poet wishes to live among animals and learn from them.
- The poem is a reflection on human society and its shortcomings.
Word Meanings
- Self-contained - Independent, not needing others
- Evince - Show or express clearly
- Possess - To own or have
- Whine - Complain in an annoying way
- Kneel - Bow down, usually in worship
NCERT Solutions
- Q1: What is the poet's view about animals in the poem? Ans: The poet thinks animals are better than
humans as they are calm, content, and honest.
- Q2: What do animals not do, according to the poet? Ans: Animals do not complain about their condition,
weep for sins, or worship others.
Important Questions
- Why does the poet admire animals?
- What human faults are criticized in the poem?
- What qualities of animals are highlighted?
Top 10 PYQs
- Explain the poet's desire to live with animals.
- What makes animals superior to humans?
- How do animals differ from humans according to the poet?
- What message does the poet want to give?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
- Why does the poet feel animals are content?
- What does the poet mean by 'tokens of myself'?
- Describe the tone of the poem.
- What are the qualities of animals that the poet likes?
- How are animals a model for humans?
- Do you agree with the poet's views? Why or why not?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
Poem 8: The Trees
Summary
- This poem by Adrienne Rich describes how trees are trying to move out of a house into the forest.
- It is symbolic of freedom and breaking away from confinement.
- The poet uses trees as a metaphor for people who want to break free from restrictions.
- The poem also reflects on how humans separate themselves from nature.
- It talks about the quiet struggle for freedom and the power of nature to reclaim its place.
Word Meanings
- Empty forest - A forest where trees have been cut or removed
- Stumbling - Walking with difficulty
- Cramped - Very tight or small space
- Muted - Soft or quiet
- Exodus - A large movement of people (or in this case, trees) leaving a place
NCERT Solutions
- Q1: What are the trees doing in the poem? Ans: The trees are moving out of the house into the forest as if
to reclaim their freedom.
- Q2: What is the central idea of the poem? Ans: The poem conveys a message of freedom and the natural
urge to break away from confinement.
Important Questions
- What do the trees symbolize in the poem?
- How does the poet describe the movement of the trees?
- What is the tone of the poem 'The Trees'?
Top 10 PYQs
- Explain the central theme of the poem.
- Why are the trees moving out of the house?
- What is the significance of the forest in the poem?
- How does the poet use imagery in the poem?
- What message does Adrienne Rich convey?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
- Describe the poetic devices used in the poem.
- What does the poem say about the relationship between man and nature?
- Explain the line 'The night is fresh, the whole moon shines in a sky still open'.
- What does the poem say about confinement?
- How does the poem reflect human behavior?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
Poem 9: Fog
Summary
- This short poem by Carl Sandburg compares fog to a cat.
- The poet says that fog comes silently and suddenly, just like a cat that walks in quietly.
- It sits on the city and the harbor, observing everything, then moves on.
- The poem is known for its simplicity and powerful imagery.
- It shows how nature works quietly and mysteriously.
Word Meanings
- Fog - Thick cloud of tiny water droplets near the earth's surface
- Harbor - A place where ships dock
- Silent haunches - Quiet, bent legs (referring to the posture of a cat)
- Lurks - Stays hidden and quiet
- Moves on - Goes away
NCERT Solutions
- Q1: How does the poet describe the fog? Ans: The poet describes the fog as a silent cat that comes slowly,
sits, and then moves on.
- Q2: What poetic device is used in the poem? Ans: The poet uses metaphor - fog is compared to a cat.
Important Questions
- How is the fog compared to a cat?
- What is the central idea of the poem?
- What imagery is used in the poem?
Top 10 PYQs
- Explain how the fog is like a cat.
- What does the fog do according to the poem?
- How does the poem describe the movement of fog?
- What is the poet's attitude towards nature in this poem?
- Identify the metaphor used in the poem.
- What makes this poem unique?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
- Describe the tone of the poem.
- What do the 'silent haunches' refer to?
- What is the effect of the poem's short length?
- What message does the poet want to give about nature?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
Poem 10: The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Summary
- This humorous poem by Ogden Nash tells the story of Custard, a dragon who appears to be cowardly.
- Belinda and her pets boast about their bravery, while Custard is often laughed at for being scared.
- But when a pirate attacks, it's Custard who fights bravely and saves everyone.
- The poem teaches that true courage is shown through actions, not words.
- It uses fun rhymes and irony to entertain and give a moral lesson.
Word Meanings
- Percival - A name often used for a noble character
- Realio, trulio - Funny made-up words for emphasis
- Gyrate - To spin or move in circles
- Winda - Window (in poetic form)
- Pistol - Small gun
NCERT Solutions
- Q1: Why is Custard considered different from others in the poem? Ans: Because he seemed scared and
asked for a safe cage, unlike the others who boasted of bravery.
- Q2: What happens when the pirate attacks? Ans: Custard shows real bravery by fighting the pirate and
saving everyone.
Important Questions
- What message does the poet convey through Custard's character?
- Why did others laugh at Custard?
- How is irony used in the poem?
Top 10 PYQs
- Explain the irony in the poem.
- Why did Belinda and her pets boast of bravery?
- How did Custard react during the pirate's attack?
- Describe the personalities of the characters in the poem.
- What lesson do we learn from Custard?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
- What poetic devices are used in the poem?
- Why is the poem humorous?
- How does the poem end?
- What does the poem say about judging others?
- Do you think Custard was truly cowardly? Why or why not?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
Poem 11: For Anne Gregory
Summary
- This poem by W.B. Yeats is a conversation between a young man and a girl named Anne Gregory.
- The man says he would love Anne for her beauty, especially her yellow hair.
- Anne replies that real love should be based on inner qualities, not looks.
- She says she could dye her hair any color, but that won't change who she is inside.
- The poem emphasizes the difference between superficial love and true love.
Word Meanings
- Ramparts - Defensive walls of a castle
- Dye - To color something, especially hair
- Despair - Loss of hope
- Honey-colored - Golden or yellowish color (referring to her hair)
- True love - Love for one's inner self or soul
NCERT Solutions
- Q1: What is Anne Gregory's view on love? Ans: She believes true love should be for a person's inner self,
not for physical appearance.
- Q2: What message does the poem give? Ans: The poem conveys that physical beauty is temporary, and
true love values inner qualities.
Important Questions
- What is the theme of the poem 'For Anne Gregory'?
- What does Anne Gregory say about real love?
- How does the poet contrast outer beauty with inner beauty?
Top 10 PYQs
- Explain the main message of the poem.
- What does the young man admire in Anne Gregory?
- What does Anne say about her hair color?
- How does the poem describe true love?
- What does the poem teach us about human nature?
Class 10 English Poems - Complete Notes
- What kind of love does Anne reject?
- Why is appearance not important according to Anne?
- What is the tone of the poem?
- How does the poem end?
- Do you agree with Anne's views? Why or why not?
