Class 9 Poem 2 Wind Extra Question

Stanza 1: Wind, come softly.

Don’t break the shutters of the windows.

Don’t scatter the papers.

Don’t throw down the books on the shelf.

There, look what you did — you threw them all down.

You tore the pages of the books.

You brought rain again.

You’re very clever at poking fun at weaklings.

Frail crumbling houses, crumbling doors, crumbling rafters,

crumbling wood, crumbling bodies, crumbling lives,

crumbling hearts

Question: What is the speaker's plea to the wind in the first stanza?

Answer: The speaker asks the wind to come softly and refrain from breaking the shutters, scattering papers, and throwing down books.

Question: How does the speaker react to the wind's actions in the first stanza?

Answer: The speaker expresses frustration and disappointment at the wind's destructive behavior, as it tears pages, brings rain, and mocks the weak.

Question: What does the wind's behavior in the first stanza symbolize?

Answer: The wind's actions symbolize uncontrollable natural forces and the chaos they can bring to human lives and possessions.

Question: How does the speaker characterize the wind in the first stanza?

Answer: The speaker portrays the wind as mischievous and indifferent to human concerns, capable of wreaking havoc without regard for the consequences.

Question: What contrast does the speaker draw between the wind's actions and the desired outcome in the first stanza?

Answer: The speaker contrasts the wind's destructive behavior with the desire to build strong homes and lives that can withstand its force.

Stanza 2: the wind god winnows and crushes them all.

He won’t do what you tell him.

So, come, let’s build strong homes,

Let’s joint the doors firmly.

Practise to firm the body.

Make the heart steadfast.

Do this, and the wind will be friends with us.

The wind blows out weak fires.

He makes strong fires roar and flourish.

His friendship is good.

We praise him every day

Question: What action does the speaker propose to counter the wind's destructive power in the second stanza?

Answer: The speaker suggests building strong homes, firmly joining doors, and practicing physical and emotional resilience.

Question: How does the speaker describe the effect of the wind on weak fires in the second stanza?

Answer: The speaker states that the wind blows out weak fires, while making strong fires roar and flourish.

Question: What qualities does the speaker encourage people to cultivate in the second stanza?

Answer: The speaker urges people to strengthen their physical bodies, steadfastness of heart, and resilience to adversity.

Question: How does the speaker suggest achieving friendship with the wind in the second stanza?

Answer: The speaker suggests that by building strong homes, firming doors, and strengthening oneself, one can earn the wind's friendship.

Question: What does the speaker imply about the wind's nature and its potential relationship with humans in the second stanza?

Answer: The speaker suggests that the wind's behavior can be influenced by human actions and attributes, indicating a possible harmonious relationship between humans and nature. 

Question: What does the speaker ask the wind to refrain from doing in the first stanza, and how does the wind defy these requests?

Answer: In the first stanza, the speaker implores the wind to come softly and avoid breaking shutters, scattering papers, and throwing down books. However, the wind disregards these pleas and instead tears pages, brings rain, and mocks the weak. This defiance emphasizes the wind's uncontrollable and destructive nature.

Question: How does the imagery of the wind's actions in the first stanza contribute to the poem's theme of vulnerability and resilience?

Answer: The imagery of the wind's destructive behavior underscores the vulnerability of human possessions and lives in the face of natural forces. It highlights the need for resilience and the ability to withstand adversity. Additionally, the wind's actions serve as a metaphor for life's challenges, emphasizing the importance of fortitude in overcoming obstacles.

Question: What solutions does the speaker propose to mitigate the wind's destructive power in the second stanza, and what qualities do they encourage people to cultivate?

Answer: In the second stanza, the speaker suggests building strong homes, firmly joining doors, and practicing physical and emotional resilience. They encourage people to strengthen their physical bodies, steadfastness of heart, and resilience to adversity. These measures aim to protect against the wind's destructive force and foster a sense of inner strength.

Question: How does the speaker's proposed response to the wind reflect a broader philosophical perspective on adversity and resilience?

Answer: The speaker's proposal to build strong homes and strengthen oneself embodies a philosophical belief in facing adversity with resilience and fortitude. It suggests that while external forces may pose challenges, individuals have the capacity to overcome them through inner strength and determination. This perspective encourages a proactive approach to adversity, emphasizing personal agency and empowerment.

Question: What imagery does the speaker use to depict the consequences of the wind's actions in the third stanza, and what does it suggest about the impact of natural forces on human existence?

Answer: In the third stanza, the speaker uses imagery of crumbling houses, doors, rafters, wood, bodies, and lives to depict the consequences of the wind's actions. This imagery suggests that natural forces have the power to disrupt and destroy both physical structures and human lives. It underscores the fragility of existence and the transient nature of human endeavors in the face of elemental forces.

Question: How does the speaker's depiction of the wind's impact on human existence contribute to the poem's exploration of vulnerability and resilience?

Answer: The speaker's portrayal of the wind's destructive power highlights the vulnerability of human existence to external forces beyond our control. It underscores the need for resilience and fortitude in the face of adversity. By emphasizing the transient nature of human achievements and the impermanence of physical structures, the poem encourages reflection on the enduring qualities of inner strength and resilience.

Question: How does the speaker characterize the wind in the fourth stanza, and what insight does this provide into the relationship between humans and nature?

Answer: In the fourth stanza, the speaker characterizes the wind as indifferent to human commands and capable of winnowing and crushing all in its path. This characterization suggests a hierarchical relationship between humans and nature, where humans are subject to the whims of natural forces beyond their control.

Question: How does the speaker's portrayal of the wind as an uncontrollable force challenge traditional notions of human dominion over nature?

Answer: The speaker's portrayal of the wind as an independent and indifferent force challenges traditional anthropocentric views of nature, which posit humans as masters of the natural world. Instead, it suggests a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between humans and nature, where humans must coexist with and adapt to the unpredictable forces of the natural world.

Question: What does the speaker assert about the wind's effect on weak and strong fires in the fifth stanza, and what broader lesson does this convey about resilience?

Answer: In the fifth stanza, the speaker asserts that the wind blows out weak fires but makes strong fires roar and flourish. This assertion highlights the transformative power of adversity, as challenges can either extinguish or strengthen one's resolve. It conveys a broader lesson about the importance of resilience in facing adversity and emerging stronger from life's trials.

Question: How does the speaker's metaphor of weak and strong fires reflect a deeper philosophical understanding of adversity and personal growth?

Answer: The speaker's metaphor of weak and strong fires illustrates the transformative potential of adversity in shaping human character. It suggests that while challenges may extinguish weak resolve, they have the capacity to fuel and strengthen inner resilience. This metaphor underscores the importance of embracing adversity as an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery.