compare and contrast the theme of the ball poem and sermon at benaras
Answers
The Ball Poem summary is for students of class 10 English. Its poet John Berryman is beautifully describing a boy who has lost his ball. He gave a lesson that is full of wisdom through the loss of everyone, must learn to bear the pain associated with loss. The poet assumes a boy who is playing with a ball. Once the ball bounces out of his control and consequently falls into the water. The boy became sad. The poet feels that no other ball will be sufficient to lessen his sadness. Here, the lost ball stands for the general loss of a human being.
Explanation:
'The Ball Poem' and 'Sermon at Benares' are both talking about loss. In 'the ball poem' the poet wants us to see how quickly we grow up and how we face many challenges as we do. We also lose a lot of things which we were attached to and cherished be it a loved one, a friend or materialistic items. The poet also says that we cannot remake the same memories we could with a different object as we see in the poem. Both chapters show us the meaning of loss. the chapter sermon at benares gives us Shri Buddha's first teaching which is about grief and loss of a loved one. He says that death is common to all and no amount of weeping and lamenting can bring back the dead which is why wise men don't grieve and spoil their health. He says, "He who has overcome all sorrow will become free from sorrow, and be blessed." Both chapters are extraordinary pieces of literature and history and both contain a certain philosophical element.