9. Read poem Risks from book 1 Golden Rays. Write a summary of the poem in your
own words.
Answers
Answer:
Risks’ is really a motivational and inspiring poem. Human life is full of risks, dangers and adventures. We shouldn’t fear or avoid taking necessary risks. Risks provide fresh opportunities. We should have the courage to take risks. Janet Rand’s message is very clear. A person who risks nothing does nothing. He doesn’t grow and doesn’t learn anything. We can’t learn, feel, change, grow, love and live without taking necessary risks. A false sense of certainty and security only binds us. It prevents our growth. Only a person who takes risks can have true freedom and independence. Hence, no risks no gain.
Every Act of Life Involves Risks: Every human activity involves risks. Life can’t be risk-free. Neither we should stop laughing risking ourselves to be called fools nor can we stop shedding tears simply because people will call us sentimental. Reaching out for others risks involvement. Opening out our heart doesn’t necessarily means getting ourselves exposed. We need not fear placing our ideas and dreams before a crowd. We should do so even at the risk of being called as inexperienced persons.
Love, Hope and Living Involve Risks: Life is a risky proposition. Love does involve risk. It is quite possible that the person whom we love may not love us in return. Living itself is full of risks. Death can come uninvited. All our hopes can end in smoke. They may bring nothing but despair. All our efforts may not succeed. We can’t rule out failures. But inspite of all these dangers and failures, we can’t avoid taking risks in life. Life can’t be risk-free. Risks are opportunities and we must grab them.
Risks Must Be Taken: Neither we should fear risks nor should we avoid them. Risks must be taken because the greatest danger in life is to risk nothing. Risks add to our experience. They may make us sadder but wiser. A person who risks nothing, does nothing. He can’t ever achieve grandeur and greatness. He remains a dwarf, mentally and physically. He achieves nothing worthwhile. His growth is hampered. Hence, nothing worthwhile or great is possible without taking risks in life.
Sufferings and Sorrows Indispensable: Sufferings and sorrows are integral parts of life. We can’t avoid them. We can only take them in our stride. People try to avoid sufferings and sorrows. Their attempt is not productive. They may avoid sufferings, sorrows and risks at a very high cost. No risk, no gain. We can’t learn, feel, change, grow, love and live successfully without taking necessary risks.
Certainty and Security are Bondages: We may be deceived by a false sense of security and certainty. Certainty and security may not bring true happiness and comforts in life. They only bind us and block our growth mentally as well as physically. They make us slaves. They only limit and forfeit our true freedom and sense of independence. Only a person who takes risks in life can be called a free person in the real sense.
Explanation:
Risk by Anaïs Nin is an eight-line poem that uses a garden metaphor to express a tale of change after turmoil. Little information is given about what led to this change, and there is also no indication as to whether or not this change proved a good thing.