Question

summary on the brook

Answer 1

‘The Brook’ describes the journey of a stream from its place of origin to the river that it joins. The poem has been written in the form of an autobiography where the brook relates its experiences, like a human being as it flows towards the river. In Literature such a device by which an inanimate object is made to appear as a living creature is called Personification.


The poem is full of symbolism. ‘The Brook’ represents the life of a man. From birth till adulthood man’s life is full of activities; similarly the brook is quite active and noisy from birth till it joins a river and becomes one with it. After joining the river, it becomes quite peaceful and flows quietly. Similarly, after becoming mature and adult man also becomes calmer and more composed. In spite of the similarities between man and the brook there is one stark dissimilarity also, which the brook keeps telling the readers frequently in the refrain ‘For men may come and men may go, But I go on for ever.’ This refrain contrasts man’s mortal existence with the brook’s immortal life.


The Brook also teaches us many important lessons of life. It teaches us the lesson of determinedly moving on, overcoming all obstacles; and finding a detour round rock-ridden course. Similarly, a man must move towards his goal like a river or a brook if he is to achieve his goals. His path may be full of obstacles, but he must keep moving like a brook. As the brook starts its journey from high mountains, on its way to the river it flows down many valleys, hills; slips between many ridges, flows by many villages, towns and cities, passing under many bridges, ultimately it joins the brimming river. Similarly, man must pass by and overcome many obstacles before reaching his goal or destination. So brook teaches us the lesson of perseverance, flowing energetically despite all obstacles, and never giving up.  

Answer 2

The brook starts out from the dwelling place of birds such as the coot (a water bird) and the hern (archaic word for heron). It makes a sudden rush as it flows out. The presence of sunlight causes the brook’s water to sparkle as it flows among the fern. It then continues its journey by flowing down a valley. While doing so, the sound of the flowing brook resembles that of people quarrelling. Hence the phrase, ‘bicker down a valley’.

The brook flows down along  hills. Sometimes, it also glides between long and narrow hill ranges, called ridges. Thorpes refer to  small villages or hamlets. Between two small towns, the brook passes several thorpes and a large number of bridges. The numbers used in this line such as ‘thirty’, ‘twenty’, ‘half a hundred’ should not be taken in the literal sense. These numbers are used to give the impression of  ‘several’ or ‘many’ and to maintain the rhythm of the poem.

Finally, the brook passes Philip’s farm and flows into the overflowing river. The brook further states that men are transient. They come and go over time. But it outlives men and continues forever.
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