what makes the poet say that his life has not been vain? what give him a special sense of achievement?
Answers
The poet refers to the knowledge of the students gathered from him will make them successful in life. Their achievements will give him the satisfaction that his life will not go in vain.
EXPLANATION:
Henry Louis Derozio the young vibrant Anglo Indian poet was very hurt and humiliated when his teachership was terminated from the prestigious Hindu College of Calcutta. The Orthodox Hindu guardians of his students felt he was defying their religion.
Derozio expresses his feelings through the sonnet, ‘To the Pupils of the Hindu College'.
In the sonnet he states that when his dear students will apply the knowledge they have accrued through his teachings and philosophy they will surely succeed in life. Their achievements will be his reward. He will feel satisfied with his endeavours. He will not repent at his failure as projected by his expulsion, in fact he will feel he has not led a useless life but has done something fruitful.