Daffodils (Poem by William Wordsworth)

About the poem

A.  Read to understand

1. Choose the correct options.

     a)   The first stanza of the poem tells us that the poet

                     i.        was looking for a companion to end his loneliness.

                    ii.        was searching for the place where daffodils grew in plenty.

                  iii.        was moving about without any sense of purpose or direction.

     b)   In this poem, what does the poet compare the daffodils to?

  i. clouds       ii. waves         iii. stars        

     c)   What accompanied the daffodils while they danced in the breeze?

  i. the leaves of the trees  ii. The waves in the lake  iii. The stars in the sky

     d)   In the third stanza, ‘wealth’ most probably refers to

                     i.        a large company of friends.

                    ii.        an interesting way to pass the time.

                  iii.        an abundance of joyful thoughts.

     e)   In the last stanza, the ‘inward eye’ most probably refers to the part of our mind that

                     i.        helps us solve complex problems.

                    ii.        helps us recall thoughts and memories.

                  iii.        helps us understand what is right and wrong.

2. Answer the following questions.

     a)   Where does the poet see the daffodils?

      Ans. Poet saw the daffodils beside the lake and beneath the trees.

     b)   What does the ‘jocund company’ consist of?

      Ans. The ‘jocund company’ consists of daffodils, clouds, stars, breeze, vales, waves, hills and lakes.

     c)   What cheers the poet when he is sad or worried about something?

      Ans. The memory of the dancing daffodils cheers the poet when he is sad or worried about something.

B.  Discuss

1. Do you think we get greater joy when we recall a happy event than when we actually experience it? For example, when would you be happier – when you celebrate your birthday with your best friends or later when you think about the celebration? Give a reason for your answer.

Ans. I would be happier later when I think about the celebration because the most valuable things we own are our best memories. Good memories are the gift that keeps on giving. They make us smile, feel proud, and re-experience the pleasure of past. (Answer will vary)

2. Share with the class some happy incidents whose memories fill your heart with pleasure whenever you think about them.

Ans. Our school trip to Nainital. (Answer will vary)

C.  Read to appreciate

Simile

A simile makes use of the words like or as to compare contrasting things.

Read these lines from the poem.

I wander’d lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills

In these lines, the poet compares his aimless wandering to the movement of a cloud in the sky.

This is an example of a simile.

1. Find another example of a simile in the poem.

Ans. Continuous as the stars that shine

       And twinkle on the milky way,

2. Choose suitable similes to complete the following sentences.

     a)   You shouldn’t have a problem answering this. The solution is

 i. as flat as a pancake.                  ii. as clear as daylight.

     b)   She was uncomfortable going up on stage. She felt

 i. like a knife through hot butter.   ii. like a bug under a magnifying glass.

     c)   During weekdays, she juggles between attending school, tennis practice, and music lessons.

 i. as busy as a bee.                       ii. as different as chalk from cheese.

     d)   He did not dare disturb his sister when she was in a bad mood. It was

 i. like playing with fire.                  ii. like lighting a candle to the sun.

     e)   The captain did not show any signs of worry when the opposition got off to a brilliant start. As usual, he was

 i. as quick as a wink.                     ii. as cool as a cucumber.