question answer of the bridge builder poem
Answers
1. Pick out words from the poem to fill in the web diagram. They should be related to the theme in the web.
2. The entire poem is metaphorical (Implied comparison).
Match the words in Column A with what they imply in Column B.
A B
(1) pilgrim (a) threat to life
(2) journey (b) trap
(3) evening or close of day (c) life
(4) chasm, deep and wide (d) death
(5) building a bridge (e) old age
(6) pitfall (f) a dutiful man
(7) close of day (g) solving the problem / getting rid of threat to life
Ans. (1) – f (2) – c (3) – e (4) – a (5) – g (6) – b (7) – d
3. (A) Read the poem and write 3 qualities of each of the following.
The old pilgrim The fellow pilgrim The young pilgrim
(a) experienced curious inexperienced
(b) helpful thoughtful young
(c) considerate Self-centred careless
(B) Answer in your own words.
(a) Why did the old man have no need to build the bridge, across the chasm?
Ans. The old man had already crossed the chasm and probably would never pass that way again. So he had no need to build the bridge, across the chasm.
(b) What explanation did he give to the fellow- pilgrim for his thoughtful deed?
Ans. The old pilgrim explained that the youth who was travelling the same path will soon reach this chasm and in the dim twilight may not be able to judge the depth of the chasm and being inexperienced may fall to his death. And therefore, he was building the bridge for him.
(c) What message does the poem convey to all of us?
Ans. The message that the poem conveys to us is that one has to be unselfish and generous towards our fellow men. The poem also conveys the message that the people who have gained experienced and achieved success should help those who are inexperienced.
4. (A) Note the rhyming words in the first stanza.
way – gray / wide-side- tide / dim -him.
Poet has used a deliberate pattern of lines that rhyme with other lines in the poem or the stanza. This pattern can be identified by giving the rhyming pairs of words the same letter of the alphabet.
For example: 1st stanza of this poem has the pattern AABCCBB
So, AABCCBB is called the Rhyme Scheme of the 1st stanza of the poem ‘The Pilgrim’.
(B) Now write the Rhyme Scheme of the 2nd stanza …………. and 3rd stanza ………….
Remember that a line in the 2nd or 3rd stanza may rhyme with lines in 1st stanza, too. You may use the same letter of the alphabet as used in the 1st stanza.
Rhyme Scheme of the 2nd stanza is DDAABB
Rhyme Scheme of the 3rd stanza is EEAAFFCC
(C) Find two lines that contain Inversion
1. Came at evening, cold and gray.
2. To the fair haired youth, may a pitfall be.
Pick out one line each that contains the following Figures of Speech.
(a) Tautology: To a chasm, deep and vast and wide.
Here the words vast and wide nearly mean the same.
(b) Personification: The chasm which held no fears for me.
Here the chasm is said to be holding fears which is a human quality.
(c) Interrogation: Why build ye here at even tide?
This question is asked to create a dramatic effect.
5. Imagine that you are the fellow – pilgrim and you wish to share your experience of the incident in the poem. Write a short article about it for a magazine / journal. Also convey what change it has brought in your life.
6. Appreciation of the poem The Pilgrim
1. Poem and poet: ‘The Pilgrim’ by Anonymos ( It is also known as The Bridge Builder by Will Allen Dromgoole.
2. Central Idea: The poem gives us the message of unselfish love and generosity towards fellow men.
The poem also conveys the message that the people who have gained experienced and achieved success should help those who are inexperienced.
3. Rhyme scheme of the poem:
1st stanza : AABCCBB
2nd stanza is DDAABB
3rd stanza is EEAAFFCC
4. Figures of Speech:
Inversion: Came at evening, cold and gray.
Tautology: To a chasm, deep and vast and wide.
Personification: The chasm which held no fears for me.
Interrogation: Why build ye here at even tide?
5. Favourite line in the poem: My friend, I am building this bridge for him.
I like this line because it summaries the theme of the poem of unselfish love and generosity.
It also highlights the message that the people who have gained experienced and achieved success should help those who are inexperienced.