Animals Questions and Answers
Q1: Why does the poet wish to live with animals?
A: The poet desires to live with animals because they are
self-contained, peaceful, unambitious, uncomplaining, simple, and honest. He feels
a stronger connection with animals than with humans.
Q2: About what do the animals not 'whine' and 'weep'?
A: Animals don't show anxiety or distress, nor do they moan
about their conditions. They don't lie awake in the dark and weep for their
sins.
Q3: How does the poet distinguish between animals and human
beings in the lines about kneeling?
A: The poet conveys that animals don't kneel before others,
especially those who lived thousands of years ago. In contrast, humans indulge
in hero worship and kneel before other humans from the past.
Q4: What does the poet wish to convey through the lines about
dissatisfaction and owning things?
A: The poet believes animals are more content than humans,
as they don't experience discontent or the mania of possessing material things.
Q5: How does the poet react to man's ways? Why?
A: The poet dislikes man's ways, as humans commit sins,
repent, complain about their conditions, preach duties to God, and desire to
own everything. He's fed up with this and wishes to turn away from the human
world and live with animals.
Q6: What message does the poem "Animals" wish to
convey?
A: The poem "Animals" comments on man's degraded
condition and advises humans not to lose their basic nature—simplicity,
satisfaction, honesty, and peace. It discourages creating differences in the
name of god.
Q7: How, according to the poet, have animals got the 'token'?
A: The poet believes that animals got the token from where
humans lost it and have retained and preserved their basic nature, whereas
humans have neglected and lost their virtues in the pursuit of civilization.
Q8: How are animals better than man? Mention three things
humans do and animals don't.
A: Animals don't whine about their conditions, don't weep
for their actions, and don't discuss duties to god. In contrast, humans complain,
feel guilt, and make each other sick through discussions of religious duties.
Q9: Explain how accepting a situation, rather than
complaining, is the key to happiness in life with reference to the poem
"Animals."
A: The poem "Animals" teaches us that embracing
and accepting our situations instead of complaining leads to contentment and
happiness. Animals exhibit this quality by living in peace and harmony without
grumbling about their circumstances. We should learn from them and adopt a
similar attitude to achieve happiness in life.
Q10: What is the central idea of the poem "Animals"?
A: The central idea of "Animals" is that animals
possess qualities that humans have lost or forgotten, such as contentment,
simplicity, and honesty. The poet believes humans can learn from animals to
lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Animals Extra Questions and Answers
Q11: Analyze the cause of the degeneration of values in
today's hard times with reference to the poem "Animals."
A: The degeneration of values in today's times can be
attributed to the rise of materialism and the pursuit of wealth and power.
Humans have lost their connection to their basic nature, resulting in
conflicts, hatred, and cruelty. The poem "Animals" reminds us of the
virtues of simplicity and contentment that animals possess.
Q12: What does the use of the word 'turn' in the first line,
"I, think I could turn and live with animals…" signify? What is the
poet turning from?
A: The word 'turn' signifies the poet's desire to change
direction and move away from the complicated and false nature of human society.
He wishes to turn from living with humans and embrace a life among animals, who
he perceives as more honest and true.
Q13: Do humans kneel to other humans who lived thousands of
years ago? Discuss this in groups.
A: Yes, humans often eulogize and kneel to other humans who
lived thousands of years ago, such as heroes, warriors, or saints. Unlike
animals, humans have the ability to remember and revere figures from the past.
Q14: What are the 'tokens' that the poet says he may have
dropped long ago, and which the animals have kept for him?
A: The 'tokens' the poet refers to are symbols or reminders
of essential virtues, such as kindness, innocence, and simplicity. The poet
suggests that humans have lost these qualities over time, while animals have
retained and preserved them.
Q15: Discuss the basic aspects of our nature as living beings
that humans choose to ignore or deny.
A: As living beings, humans often ignore or deny essential
aspects of their nature, such as empathy, kindness, simplicity, contentment,
and living in harmony with nature. The pursuit of material wealth, power, and
status has led humans away from these inherent qualities, resulting in a loss
of connection to their true selves and to the world around them.
Q16: How does the poem "Animals" teach us to learn
from the qualities of animals who live in peace and contentment?
A: The poem "Animals" serves as a reminder that we
can learn valuable lessons from the way animals live. They embody virtues such
as simplicity, contentment, honesty, and living in harmony with nature. By
observing and emulating these qualities, humans can re-establish a connection
with their true nature and live more fulfilling lives, free from the
complexities and falseness of modern society.
Q17: How does the poet view the relationship between animals
and nature in the poem "Animals"?
A: The poet views animals as being in harmony with nature,
living instinctively and authentically without the complications and pretenses
that humans have created. He admires their contentment and simplicity, which is
rooted in their natural way of life.
Q18: In the poem "Animals," how does the poet
critique human religious practices?
A: The poet critiques human religious practices by
highlighting the fact that animals do not discuss or concern themselves with
religious duties or obligations. He implies that humans' preoccupation with
religious matters often creates unnecessary stress and division, whereas
animals live in harmony without such concerns.
Q19: What lesson can humans learn from animals in terms of
self-acceptance and self-awareness, as portrayed in the poem
"Animals"?
A: In the poem "Animals," the lesson humans can
learn from animals in terms of self-acceptance and self-awareness is to be true
to oneself, embrace one's inherent nature, and avoid the trappings of a
materialistic and superficial society. Animals embody self-acceptance and
self-awareness by living in harmony with their surroundings, being content with
their lives, and not seeking to accumulate material possessions.
Q20: How does the poet use imagery and symbolism in the poem
"Animals" to emphasize the differences between humans and animals?
A: The poet uses imagery and symbolism in the poem
"Animals" to highlight the differences between humans and animals by
contrasting the complicated and often hypocritical nature of human society with
the simplicity and honesty of animals. He employs vivid descriptions of
animals' lives, such as sleeping peacefully, not whining about their
conditions, and not obsessing over material possessions. These images serve as
symbols of the virtues humans have lost, urging readers to reflect on their own
lives and values.
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