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Question 5
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
It was a summer evening.
Old Kaspar's work was done )
And he before his cottage door
Was sitting in the sun,
And by him sported on the green
His little grandchild Wilhelmine.
What does Wilhelmine see her brother do? What and where did her brother find it?
What does Peterkin come to ask his grandfather?
What does Old Kaspar do and say to Peterkin about what he has found?
What had happened to his own family?
What is the phrase that is repeated in the poem? What is its significance?
What was the children's reaction to the description of war?
What is the main theme of the poem?
Answers
Answer:
It was a summer evening
Old Kaspar’s work was done,
And he before his cottage door
Was sitting in the sun,
And by him sported on the green
His little grandchild Wilhelmine.
Question 1 : Who was the old man? Who all were there? Where were they?
Answer : The old man was the grandfather of the children. He was the narrator of the war that took place in 1704 and was fought between the English and French. He was sitting before his cottage while his granddaughter Wilhelmine was playing on the grass and his grandson Peterkin was playing near the stream that was somewhere near his cottage.
Question 2 : Do you feel that Kaspar was in good mood? How?
Answer : Yes, Kaspar was certainly in good mood as he had finished his work and at the time he was sitting in front of the door of his cottage, the sun was going to set so it was not too hot. The surrounding were full of trees and grass. Apart from all these things his granddaughter Wilhelmine was playing before him. Hence, he had every reason to be happy and cheerful.
Question 3 : What according to you is atmosphere like around Kaspar’s home?
Answer : As the stanza stars with ‘summer evening’, it indicates that the place is illuminated with pleasant full light. The green is the symbol of greenery and vegetation that enhance the beauty of the surroundings. The place is situated next to a river that brings more charm to the place.
Question 4 : Who had found smooth round thing? What was it actually?
Answer : Kaspar’s grandson Peterkin had found a smooth and round object while playing. Actually it was a skull. It must be one of the soldiers who had died during the battle. Their bodies were left in the open to smell and decay.
Question 5 : Where was the round thing found? Why did the speaker say that it was of some poor fellow?
Answer : The skull was found near the stream that was running near the field. The speaker feels pity and says that it was the skull of a poor fellow who must have died in the battle. During the battle thousands of people lost their lives. The skull can be a soldier or a peasant.