Read the following poetic lines and answer the questions:
‘When officialdom demands,
Is there a doctor in the stands?’
‘I am just glad as glad can be.
That I am not them, that they are not me’
‘My soul in true thanksgiving speaks
For this modest of physiques’
11. a. Why are the doctors called from stands by the sponsors?
b. Whom does the poet admire?
c. Do you think the poet / narrator is heroic? Why?
Answers
Answer:
...................
Explanation:
because officialdom demands
Answer:
a. Why does the poet feel glad that he does not play any game?
The poet’s own spirit is weak and shy. So he feels glad that he did not play any game.
b. Do you think the narrator is heroic? Why?
Yes, I think the narrator is heroic. He frankly admits that he doesn’t want to take any risks like the players.
c. The poet is satisfied just watching the heroic deeds of others. What could be the reason?
The poet is allergic of injuries. He does not want to play any rough game. So he is satisfied just watching heroic deeds of others.
d. The poet does not wish to exchange position with the runners. Why?
The poet is born spectator. He derives satisfaction from watching the talents of the runners. So he does not wish to exchange position with the runners..
e. Are the athletes conscious of the feelings of others? Why do you say so?
No, the athletes are not conscious of the feelings of others. When anyone is injured in the field, they do not care but continues to perform their tasks.
f. Why would the referee ask whether there was a doctor in the stands? What stands is he referring to?
One of the athletes might have been injured. So the referee would ask whether there was a doctor in the stands. He is referring to the pavilion stands.
g. Why does the poet prefer to buy tickets worth their weight in radium? Bring out the significance of the metal referred to here.
Radium is a very costly material. Likewise the cost of the tickets for a sport or game is costly.
2. Read the poem again and complete the summary using the words given in the box.
In the poem ‘Confessions of a Born Spectator,’ Ogden Nash talks about how people choose different sports in their lives or decide to become athletes. While admiring the talents of athletes and sportsmen, the poet (i) Confesses that he is glad that he is neither a sportsman nor an athlete. Children have different (ii) aims and wish to play various games. Each child has in mind something in particular, but the narrator is (iii) glad he is not one of the players. Though the narrator (iv) admires the talents of all athletes, he derives satisfaction from watching them, but does not wish to (v) exchange places with them. He also sometimes regrets that (vi) zealous athletes play rough games without caring for the feelings of their sporting rivals. He feels that good sense and caution win over ego. The narrator wholeheartedly offers (vii) thanksgiving the modest (viii) physiques of athletes. Ultimately the narrator is (ix) satisfied that he himself is not an athlete.
a. How does the poet establish the victory of common sense over ego?
Name of the poem : The confessions of a born spectator
Name of the poet : Ogden Nash
Theme : Mere spectator
The poet is a determined spectator. His own spirit is weak and shy. So he confesses that he is glad that he is neither a sportsman nor an athlete. He admires the talents of sportsmen and athletes. He decides to be reasonable and careful rather than merely self-centered to play. He draws great comfort from the thought that he is just a spectator and not a contender for the prize money in any contest.He also sometimes regrets that zealous athletes play rough games without caring for the feelings of their sporting rivals. He feels that good sense and caution win over ego.
b. The poet does not wish to exchange places with the athletes. How does he justify his view?
Name of the poem : The confessions of a born spectator
Name of the poet : Ogden Nash
Theme : Mere spectator
The poet is a determined spectator. His own spirit is weak and shy. So he confesses that he is glad that he is neither a sportsman nor an athlete. He admires the talents of sportsmen and athletes who sweat for money or for pleasure. He derives satisfaction from watching the talents of all athletes, but does not wish to exchange places with them. The exchange of position with one of the athletes may please his ego. So whenever there is a conflict in the mind of the spectator between carefulness and self-centeredness, his carefulness always wins and he never opts for participation in any games or sports.
4. Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow in a sentence or two.
a. With all my heart I do admire
Athletes who sweat for fun or hire
i. Whom does the poet admire?
The poet admires athletes.
ii. For what reasons do the athletes sweat?
The athletes sweat for money or for pleasure.
b. Well, ego it might be pleased enough
But zealous athletes play so rough…
i. What pleases the ego?
Taking the place of a winning athlete pleases the ego.
ii. Why are athletes often rough during play?
The athletes are often rough during play because everyone wants to win.
c. When officialdom demands
Is there a doctor in the stands?
i. Why are doctors called from stands by the sponsors?
Whenever an athlete is injured, a doctor is sent for by the officials.
ii. Why does the poet make such an observation?
The poet is moved by the injuries of the athletes. But the umpires and referees don’t have such an emotional feeling.