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Al Karma Language School

English Department
Prep 1

Al Karma Language School

English
Prep 1
Literature Booklet
Novel & Poetry
First Term
Name:
Class: .

2015-2016
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Al Karma Language School

English Department
Prep 1

Main Characters
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Al Karma Language School

English Department
Prep 1

Who is the author? What do you know about him/her?

The author is Charlotte Bronte. She is an English author who was born in
1816 and died probably by pneumonia at the age of 38 in1855.
She was the third child if six who invented stories and created imaginary
worlds. The Bronte children wrote poems, articles and stories all that in a
very early age.

Charlotte worked as a governess for a period of time, during this era, she
wrote The Professor and Villette. Later she wrote Jane Eyre which was
a huge success and was in a little way similar to her life.

Characters in the Novel

Jane narrator and heroine of the novel. She was an orphan girl, who found herself
growing up with unfair treatment and cruel and continuous punishments.

She spent a long period of her life in a boarding school named Lowood School where
she grew from a student to a teacher. Jane changed her carrier later on to a governess
at Thornfield where she met the love of her life; Mr. Rochester.

Jane lived an unstable romantic life. She moved a lot, met lots of people and learned
from each experience.

Jane had various hobbies as telling stories, drawing and teaching others.

Jane is characterized as being very calm and humble. She had a great personal sense
of right against wrong.

Mrs. Reed: Shes the wife of Janes uncle who made a promise with him, before he
dies, to take good care of Jane and treat her as her fourth child. However, this promise
wasnt fulfilled and Jane lived her darkest days with her. Mrs. Reed was such a
manipulating woman as she tried to ruin Janes life twice.

John Reed: John Reed is Mrs. Reeds son. He was a pampered child who did whatever
he wanted to do as long as his mother agreed upon all his unaccepted behavior.

He treated Jane as a servant and always reminded her that she was an orphan and less
than him. He grew up to be a terrible, unsuccessful person who died in a very early age.
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Eliza & Georgiana: Janes cousins who didnt have a significant role in the novel, but it
was clear that they hated Jane.

Bessie: She was Janes nurse at Gateshead who was very tough with her, but really
loved her.

Mr. Lloyd: Hes an apothecary (doctor for Reeds servants). He changed Janes life by
his suggestion of sending her to a boarding school. He also was the reason that Jane
was free from all the accusations at Lowood School through his reply to Miss Temples
letter.

Mr. Brocklehurst: He was the owner of Lowood School who took a bad idea about
Jane after his conversation with Mrs. Reed, punished her and called her a liar. He had
contradictory attitudes towards his students and his family.

Miss Miller: A teacher at Lowood School

Miss Temple: She was a teacher at Lowood School, who helped Jane several times, to
prove that she was free from all accusations against her. She loved and supported Jane
a lot.

Helen Burns: She was Janes first friend who encouraged and supported Jane a lot.
She died at Lowood School at a young age out of typhus.

Mrs. Fairfax: She was the governess of Adele at Thornfield who took care of Jane
there and treated her as a guest not as an employee.

Adele: She was the illegitimate daughter of a French opera singer and Mr. Rochester
was her guardian. She was taught by a private teacher at home, who was Jane.
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Mr. Rochester: He was Janes first love whom she met at Thornfield, yet dramatically
influenced her life. He was a rich man who travelled a lot. He was a bit suspicious and
dishonest with Jane. He became blind at the end, but through his love to Jane, his
vision improved and saw his first baby from her.

Blanche Ingram: She was a French, super pretty woman. She was from an aristocratic
family who planned to marry Mr. Rochester yet there was a huge gap between them in
ages.

Mr. Mason: He was Mr. Rochesters brother in law who was the reason for the first
uncompleted marriage between Mr. Rochester and Jane.

Bertha Mason: She was Mr. Rochesters crazy wife whom he married long age without
knowing that she was insane. She died at the end burnt in Thornfield.

The Rivers: They consist of St. John, who was a priest and proposed to marry Jane,
but without emotions and love, Mary & Diana who became friends with Jane. At the end
of the novel, they appeared to be Janes cousins whom she divided her fortune with.

Settings of the novel by order in Janes life:

1. Gateshead

2. Lowood School

3. Thornfield

4. The Rivers House

5. Back to Thornfield

6. Ferndean Manor Farm

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English Department
Prep 1

How to answer quotations:

To comment on any quotation, you need to answer the following questions:

1. Who?

2. To whom?

3. Where? (if important)

4. Why? (occasion)

5. What do these spoken words mean?

6. What does that signify about the character speaking?

Ex. You have no right to read our books. Comment

Answer: John Reed said that to Jane Eyre when she was sitting in the window seat in
the breakfast room reading one of the Reeds books. He told her that because he
didnt love her, and he always treated her as a servant who doesnt have any rights. He
meant by these words that she shouldnt be equal to them. That signifies that he is a
very cruel person and he was one of the main reasons of her suffering at Gateshead.
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English Department
Prep 1

Chapter 1
Unjust! Unjust!
Pages 10 17
Main points:
1. A start with a terrible weather and a horrible feeling inside Jane.
2. The huge gap in treatment.
3. An awful quarrel between Jane and John, her cousin.
4. Janes unfair punishment in the red room.
5. A description of the red room.
6. The unfulfilled promise.
7. Mr. Lloyds suggestion
8. Mr. Brocklehurst is introduced
9. An unlikeable dialogue between Mrs. Reed and Mr. Brocklehurst.
10. Janes first victory.
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English Department
Prep 1

Questions:
1. Who was Jane Eyre? Where did she live? Why?
2. Who was Mrs. Reed? How many children did she have?
3. How was Jane treated by the Reeds?
4. What was Janes favourite place? Why?
5. Who interrupted Jane when she was sitting in the breakfast room? Describe him.
6. John was a trouble maker. Discuss
7. What was Mrs. Reeds reaction towards the quarrel? What does this show about her?
8. Jane had mixed feelings inside the red room. Explain
9. Describe the red room
10. A promise was made between Mr. and Mrs. Reed, but wasnt fulfilled. Elaborate.
11. Janes imagination made her panic even more in the red room. Explain
12. How did Jane try to get out of the room? What happened instead?
What was the result?
13. There were many incidents that proved that Jane was treated unfairly.
Discuss giving examples
14. Mr. Brocklehurst was introduced. Who was he? How did he look like?
15. Who is the narrator of the story? How do you know?
16. Relate the meaning of title to the incidents of the chapter.

Quotations:
1. I had won my first argument..
2. Oh aunt! Have pity! Forgive me!
3. You are like a murderer.
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English Department
Prep 1

Chapter 2
Dear children this girl is a liar!
Pages 22 - 29
Main points:
1. Jane leaving Gateshead.
2. A terrible, horrifying journey to Lowood School.
3. Miss. Miller and Miss. Temple are introduced.
4. Lowood School was based on attitudes that were against humanity.
5. Helen Burns is introduced.
6. Mr. Brocklehursts visit to Lowood School.
7. Mr. Brocklehursts firm comments
8. Mr. Brocklehursts contradictory attitudes
9. Janes slate which ruined her plans of hiding
10. Janes terrible, humiliating punishment
11. Mrs. Reed still ruined Janes life even after living away from her.
12. Miss Temples help to Jane
13. Jane is free from all accusations
14. Typhus invades Lowood School
15. Helens last words before death
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English Department
Prep 1

Questions:
1. Jane felt for one time that she didnt want to leave Gateshead.
Who was the reason? Discuss
2. How were the girls dressed at Lowood School?
3. Girls at Lowood School were treated in an inhumane way.
Explain providing examples
4. Who visited the school? How did Jane feel about that visit?
5. Who was Helen Burns? Describe her
6. Mr. Brocklehurst had two comments to Miss Temple. Explain
7. Talk about Julia Stevens incident
8. Mr. Brocklehurst had two totally different attitudes towards his students and his family
especially in their appearance. Discuss
9. Jane was doing her best not to be noticed, but the slate ruined it all. Discuss.
What was the result?
10. Miss Temples idea was the only chance for Jane getting rid of the accusations that
were put on her by Mr. Brocklehurst. What was that idea?
11. After a week, Jane was free from all accusations. Discuss
12. During May a terrible disease invaded Lowood School. What was it? What were its
consequences?
13. Janes strong bond with Helen made her break the rules. Prove
14. Relate the meaning of title to the incidents of the chapter.

Quotations:
1. I was terrified of kidnappers.
2. I am very happy, Jane. Dont cry.
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English Department
Prep 1

Chapter 3
I Become a Governess
Pages 34 - 41
Main points:

1. Although Typhus caused the death of a lot of girls, it was a great advantage for

Lowood School.

2. Miss Temples marriage

3. Janes a teacher

4. Janes change of thoughts towards her future

5. Janes Job at Thornfield

6. Bessies visit

7. Mr. Eyres visit to Gateshead

8. Mrs. Fairfax Adele Varens and Mr. Rochester are introduced

9. Jane is treated as a visitor not as an employee.

10. A strange tragic laugh is heard

11. The accident

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English Department
Prep 1

Questions:

1. Typhus was a double edged weapon towards Lowood. Discuss

2. Miss Temples marriage was a motivation for Jane to change her life and future.

Explain

3. Jane had a visit which caused her great delight on her last day at Lowood School.

Who was the visitor? What were her life conditions at that time?

4. What news did Bessie come with from Gateshead?

5. Who was Adel Varens? How was she related to Mr. Rochester?

6. Describe Thornfield

7. Mr. Rochester was given a description about Jane from Fairfax. Discuss

8. What was the weird sound that Jane heard during her tour in Thornfield?

What was Mrs. Fairfaxs justification?

9. What was the incident that took place when Jane was posting the letter?

10. Who did that man appear to be?

11. Relate the meaning of title to the incidents of the chapter.

Quotation:

- Help me back on my horse.

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English Department
Prep 1

Chapter 4
Who is there?
Pages 46 53
Main points:

1. Adels love to Mr. Rochester and excitement about his presents.

2. The change of mood in Thornfield

3. A description for Mr. Rochester

4. The first weird conversation between Jane and Mr. Rochester

5. Mr. Rochesters family and private problems are the reason for his hatred to

Thornfield.

6. Mr. Rochesters opinion about Jane

7. Adele is an illegitimate daughter of a French opera girl.

8. Jane will hold to Adele even closer after hearing her story.

9. The weird laugh again..

10. Janes heroic action that saved Mr. Rochesters life.

11. Grace Pool is the cause of the fire (Mr. Rochesters justification)

12. Jane wishing and fearing to see Mr. Rochester again.

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English Department
Prep 1

Questions:

1. Adele loved Mr. Rochester very much. Explain

2. With Mr. Rochesters arrival, Thornfield changed. Discuss

3. Describe Mr. Rochester

4. Mr. Rochesters rudeness had justification from Mrs. Fairfax. Explain

5. Why did Mr. Rochester dislike Thornfield?

6. What did Mr. Rochester think about Jane?

7. After Jane and Mr. Rochesters first conversation, Jane described him with one word.

What was that word? Why do you think she gave him that description?

8. Mr. Rochester as a guardian to Adele was resulted from a betrayal from her mother.

Explain

9. A strange laugh and a burning room on one night. Explain

10. Relate the meaning of title to the incidents of the chapter.

Quotations:

1. Now that you know she is the illegitimate daughter of a French opera girl, you will
think differently of her I expect.

2. You saved my life. I am forever in your debt.

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English Department
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Chapter 5
This is a blow, Jane, a serious blow.
Pages 58 65
Main points:
1. Janes change of feelings towards Mr. Rochester
2. Janes test for Grace Pool
3. Grace Pools advice to Jane
4. Grace Pools reactions dont prove that she is a murderer.
5. Mr. Rochesters journey to Mr. Eshtons house.
6. Mr. Blanche Ingram is introduced
7. The huge gap in age between Mr. Rochester and Blanche Ingram
8. Janes 2 portraits
9. Thornfields preparations for the party
10. The party (Blanche Ingram)s arrival to Thornfield
11. Janes not jealous of Blanche Ingram
12. Mr. Rochester and Blanches relationship was for advantages for both them (Janes
conclusion)
13. Mr. Masons visit
14. The fortune tellers trick
15. Mr. Rochesters reaction when he knew about Mr. Masons visit.
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English Department
Prep 1

Questions:
1. Jane had a change of feelings towards Mr. Rochester. Explain
2. Jane put Grace Pool into a test. Discuss
3. What do you know about Blanche Ingram? Why was it impossible for Mr. Rochester
to marry her?
4. From the party, Jane got a conclusion about the relation between Blanche and Mr.
Rochester. Discuss
5. After Mr. Rochester left, he had a visitor. Who was he? How did he react when he
knew about this visit?
6. Who was found by Jane in the fortune tellers room? Why did he do that?
7. Relate the meaning of title to the incidents of the chapter.

Quotations:
1. Do you not lock your door every night, then?
2. How could I have imagined I was special to him?
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English Department
Prep 1

Chapter 6
Good God! What a cry!
Pages 70 77
Main points:
1. Silence of the night was broken by a terrible cry.
2. A person calling for help
3. Mr. Rochesters guest panic
4. Mr. Rochesters convinces his guests that a servant had a nightmare
5. Mr. Rochester asks for Janes help.
6. Mr. Rochester opens a secret room.
7. Mr. Mason is injured terribly.
8. Jane takes the responsibility of taking care of Mr. Mason but with no conversation.
9. A doctor diagnoses Mason
10. Mr. Mason leaves Thronfield
11. Robert arrives with terrible news from Gateshead.
12. Mrs. Reed asks to see Jane.
13. Mrs. Reeds confession to Jane
14. Jane forgives Mrs. Reed
15. Mrs. Reed meets death
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English Department
Prep 1

Questions:
1. What broke the silence of the night that day?
2. What did Mr. Rochester ask Jane to get with her? How did she use them?
3. Who appeared to be in the secret room? How was he?
4. Mr. Rochester gave Jane a duty and a warning towards Mr. Mason. Discuss
5. How did the Doctors diagnose for Mr. Mason medically?
6. Who arrived at Thornfield the following day? What news did he come with?
7. For the first time Mrs. Reed confesses her cruelty towards Jane. Discuss
8. Mrs. Reed handed Jane a letter. What did it include? Who was its sender?
What was Mrs. Reeds reply to it?
9. Jane shows kindness towards Mrs. Reeds confession. Discuss
10. Relate the meaning of title to the incidents of the chapter.

Quotation:
1. A servant has had a nightmare, that is all.
2. Remember, no conversation.
3. It is for God to judge our actions, Sir.
4. Bring Jane- fetch Jane Eyre: I want to speak to her.
5. I told him you had died of typhus.
6. Love me, or hate me as you like, aunt, you have my forgiveness.
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English Department
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Chapter 7
Then, I will marry you!!
Pages 82 89
Main Points:
1. Janes help to organize the funeral.
2. Janes thoughts about her cousins plans after their mothers death.
3. Janes back to Thornfield
4. Janes thoughts about Mr. Rochesters trip to London
5. Mrs. Fairfax and Adeles warm greetings and welcomes to Jane
6. Mr. Rochesters mixed conversation with Jane
7. Mr. Rochesters proposal
8. The split chestnut tree
9. Mr. Rochesters plan to make Jane love him as he did
10. Mrs. Fairfaxs warnings to Jane
11. A terrible incident on the night before the wedding
12. The suspicious lady
13. The torn veil
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English Department
Prep 1

Questions:
1. Both Eliza and Georgiana had plans after their mothers death. Explain
2. What did Jane imagine Mr. Rochester was doing in London?
What did she think about that?
3. Mr. Rochester told Jane about some plans that required her to leave Thronfield.
Discuss
4. Mr. Rochester gave loads of confusing news that night. Explain
5. What news did Adele come with the following day to Jane?
6. Mr. Rochester made a plan to make Jane love him as he did. Discuss
7. What did Mrs. Fairfax warn Jane from?
8. Who did Jane write to tell about her wedding?
9. What precautions did Jane take before her wedding?
10. Jane accepted one gift from Mr. Rochesters gifts? What was it?
11. Jane had mixed feelings on the night of her wedding. Discuss
12. A terrible incident happened to Jane on the night before the wedding. Explain
13. What proved to Jane that what happened was real and not a dream?
14. Relate the meaning of title to the incidents of the chapter.

Quotations:
1. I began to hope that the rumours had been wrong.
2. It is only you that I intended to marry.
3. I do not want you to try to change me.
4. It was a savage, terrifying face.
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English Department
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Chapter 8
This marriage cannot go on!!!
Pages 94 100
Main points:

1. Mr. Rochester is late, Jane is worried.

2. The chestnut trees condition

3. Mr. Rochesters arrival

4. Mr. Rochesters 2 justifications to the veils incident

5. After a year and a day, the mystery will be solved for Jane

6. Two strangers in the church on the wedding day

7. The wedding is stopped

8. Mr. Rochester is found to be already married

9. Bertha mason is finally introduced!!

10. The lie that caused the marriage

11. Jane leaves Thornfield

12. Janes suffers and faints in front of a doorstep

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English Department
Prep 1

Questions:

1. The chestnut tree was in a weird condition when Jane sat under it. Discuss

2. When Jane told Mr. Rochester about the veil incident, he gave her 2 justifications.

Explain

3. When will Mr. Rochester solve the mystery for Jane? How did Jane feel about it?

4. How did Jane feel about herself when she was dressed in her wedding dress?

5. What interrupted the wedding ceremony in the church?

6. Who was Mr. Briggs? What news did he have?

7. A person proved that Mr. Rochesters wife was still alive. Who was he? How did he

prove it?

8. How are you? And How is your charge?

What does the underlined word refer to? How did she act when she saw Mr.

Rochester?

9. How did Mr. Mason know about Mr. Rochester and Janes marriage?

10. Mr. Rochester married Bertha without knowing a huge defect. Discuss

11. How did Jane feel about Mr. Rochester after knowing that he was married?

What did she decide to do?

12. Relate the meaning of title to the incidents of the chapter.

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English Department
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Quotations:

1. Are you satisfied Jane? Do you accept my solution to the mystery?

2. My impatience makes me unkind.

3. Reader, I forgave him immediately.

4. I did not know how I would survive.

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Chapter 9
Reader, I married him.
Pages 106 - 115
Main points:

1. Janes finally in a cozy house.

2. Jane introduces herself as Jane Elliot

3. It appeared to be the Rivers house.

4. St Johns offer of a job to Jane.

5. Jane becomes friends with Mary and Diana.

6. The death of their uncle

7. St. Johns proposal

8. Janes real name was the reason for the fortune

9. Janes noble action with the money

10. The Rivers appear to be Janes cousins

11. Mr. Rochesters voice is heard calling for help

12. Janes back to Thornfield

13. Thornfield is blackened ruin

14. Bertha Mason is dead and Rochester is blind

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15. Janes visit to Mr. Rochester in Ferndean Manor Farm

16. Jane and Mr. Rochester are finally married with a happy ending

Questions:

1. What did Jane wake up to?

2. The house was lived by three women and one man. Who were they?

Who did the house appear to be owned by?

3. St. John found Jane suitable for a job. Discuss

4. Death news was received by the Rivers. What was it? What was their reaction?

5. The Rivers had family problems that were the cause of their hatred towards their
uncle. Explain

6. What was Janes reaction towards St. Johns proposal?

7. St. John knew Janes real name from an unexpected thing. Explain

8. Jane thought that the knowledge of St. john to her real name would put her into

danger, but it was totally different. Discuss

9. Jane didnt care about money as she cared about having a family. Discuss

10. What did Jane decide to do with her inherited money?

11. Something weird happened made Jane return to Mr. Rochester. What was that?

12. What happened to Thornfield? What was its advantages and disadvantages?

13. Relate the meaning of title to the incidents of the chapter.

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English Department
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Quotations:

1. I am Jane Elliot.

2. I hope I would not be eating your food for so long, Sir.

3. It was twenty thousand pounds a fortune!

4. I cannot marry you if I dont love you.

5. He is completely blind.

6. Jane, are you wearing a gold necklace?

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English Department
Prep 1

General Questions on the whole novel

1. Jane Eyre, living a very limited life, yet she met 5 male characters who influenced
her life ;Mr. John Reed, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Brocklehurst, Mr. Rochester, St. John
Rivers. In your words, speak about each character from Janes point of view.
2. Jane Eyre showed kindness several times in the novel. Discuss two times of
them.
3. Lowood School is a place that witnessed a lot of cruelty. Discuss
4. Mrs. Reeds dialogues with Jane showed extreme transformations.
Compare with evidence
5. Mrs. Reed ruined Janes life twice even when she was away from her. Elaborate
6. Explain how a deadly disease was a double edged weapon in Lowood School.
7. Jane was a weak, coward person by nature, but by a heroic action she saved a
dear life to her. Discuss
8. Jane was separated twice from people she loved. Explain
9. Jane was hated from some people who tried to ruin her life. Explain mentioning 2
characters.
10. Sponge and salts may save a persons life. Discuss giving an incident from the
novel.
11. Mr. Rochester tricked Jane twice. Once to trigger her love and another that
destroyed that love. Explain
12. Mr. Rochester appeared to be lots of times a suspicious person. Discuss
13. Mr. Rochester hated Thornfield for many reasons. Explain
14. Jane faced hunger that affected her health twice. Discuss
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15. At the end of the novel loads of transformations happened. List what happened
to the following characters: a) Jane

b) Mr. Rochester

c) Mrs. Fairfax

d) Adele

e) St. John

f) Mary & Diana

16. Did Jane Eyre end happily. Support your answer with evidence
17. Fire burst in Thornfield twice. Elaborate
18. Two proposals happened in the novel. One was accepted and the other was put
down. Discuss
19. Jane was an idealistic person than a materialistic one, and this appeared clearly
in an incident. Discuss
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Poetry
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Al Karma Language School

English Department
Prep 1

What is poetry?

Poetry is a creative use of words which, like all art, is intended to stir an emotion in the
audience. It is art!!!

Like art it is very difficult to define because it is an expression of what the poet thinks
and feels and may take any form the poet chooses for this expression.

Poetry generally has some structure that separates it from prose.

The basic unit of poetry is the line. It serves the same function as the sentence in
prose, although most poetry maintains the use of grammar within the structure of the
poem.

Most poems have a structure in which each line contains a set amount of syllables; this
is called meter. Lines are also often grouped into stanzas.

The stanza in poetry is equivalent or equal to the paragraph in prose. Often the lines in
a stanza will have a specific rhyme scheme.

Rhyme Scheme:
Rhyme is when the endings of the words sound the same. Read the poem with me out
loud.

Dust of Snow By Robert Frost

The way a crow A

Shook down on me B
The dust of snow A
From a hemlock tree B
Has given my heart C
A change of mood D
And save some part C
Of a day I had rued. D

Rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhyming words at the end of each line. Not all poetry
has a rhyme scheme. They are not hard to identify, but you must look carefully at which
words rhyme and which do not.
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Repetition:

Inside

Inside the house

(I get ready)
Inside the car
(I go to school)
Inside the school
(I wait for the bell to ring)

Figures of Speech (Literary Terms):

Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using
figurative language. Figurative language is any language that goes beyond the literal
(most basic) meaning of words in order to provide new effects or fresh insights (ability to
notice & understand a lot about people or situations) into an idea or a subject.

The most common figures of speech are:

simile, contrast, metaphor, personification and alliteration.

Figurative language is used in poetry to compare two things that are usually not thought
of as being alike.

1. Simile:
A simile is a figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often
in a phrase introduced by like or as.

Ex. The clouds looked like cotton candy.

Grandpa was as stubborn as a mule
Tom's head is as hard as a rock.
2. Contrast:
A contrast is a figure of speech in which two words or phrases are opposite to each
other.

Ex. Sad - Happy Go up Come Down

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Prep 1

3. Metaphor:

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two

unlike things that actually have something important in common.

Ex. Clouds are cotton candy. They are fluffy

Grandpa was a mule. He is stubborn
Tom is a rock. He is hard

4. Personification:

A figure of speech, which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an

idea is called personification. It is a comparison, which the author uses to show
something in an entirely new light, to communicate a certain feeling or attitude towards
it and to control the way a reader perceives it.

Ex. A brave handsome tree fell with a creaking rending cry.

The author is giving a tree the human quality of bravery and the ability to cry.
5. Alliteration:

Alliteration is the repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the
beginning of words or in stressed syllables, as in "on scrolls of silver snowy sentences"
(Hart Crane).
To find alliteration, you must look the repetitions of the same consonant sound
throughout a line.

Ex. Silvery snowflakes fall silently

Softly sheathing all with moonlight
Until sunrise slowly shows
Snow softening swiftly.
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English Department
Prep 1

Poem 1: Day
By: Sir Cecil Spring Rice

Who is the poet?

The poet is Sir Cecil Spring Rice.

- He was the second son of the Honourable Chas Spring-Rice.

- He began his education at Eton and later studied at Balliol College in Oxford.
- He became a clerk in the War Office and the Foreign Office.
- He became Assistant Private Secretary to the Earl of Roseberry in 1885.
- Later, in 1901, he became the British Commissioner of Public Debt in Cairo.
- His awards included the KCMG in 1906 and GCMG in 1916.
Stanza 1:

"I am busy," said the sea.

"I am busy, think of me.
Making continents to be.
"I am busy," said the sea.

- Paraphrase:

The poet speaks about the work the sea does, building continents that will exist in the
future.

- Figures of Speech (Literary Terms):

* I am busy, said the sea.

Personification: The poet is giving the sea the human ability to talk
(personifies the sea) so that it can describe its job.
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Al Karma Language School

English Department
Prep 1

Stanza 2:
"I am busy, said the rain.
"When I fall it's not in vain.
Wait and you will see the grain.
I am busy," said the rain.

- Paraphrase:

The poet speaks about the work the rain does, helping the grain to grow to feed the
world. It doesn't fall uselessly.

- Figures of Speech (Literary Terms):

* I am busy, said the rain.

Personification: The poet is giving the rain the human ability to talk
(personifies the rain) so that it can describe its job.

Stanza 3:

I am busy," said the air.

"Blowing here and blowing there,
Up and down and everywhere,
"I am busy," said the air.

- Paraphrase:

The poet describes the air and its job, just blowing here, there and everywhere.

- Figures of Speech (Literary Terms):

I am busy, said the air.
* Personification: The poet is giving the air the human ability to talk
(personifies the air) so that it can describe its job.

* Contrast: "here" and "there"

"up" and "down"
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Al Karma Language School

English Department
Prep 1

Stanza 4:

"I am busy," said the sun.

"All my planets, every one,
Know my work is never done,
"I am busy," said the sun,

- Paraphrase:

The sun has an important job to do and all the planets know this as they journey around
the sun. Its job is endless (never finished), if it were, nothing would exist.

- Figures of Speech (Literary Terms):

* I am busy, said the sun.

Personification: The poet is giving the sun the human ability to talk
(personifies the sun) so that it can describe its job.

Stanza 5:

Sea and rain and air and sun,

Here's a fellow toiler- one,
Whose task will soon be done?

- Paraphrase:

The poet says that he is a fellow worker, but unlike the sea, rain, air and sun, his task
will soon be done because he will die one day. His work is not as important or as
unending as that of the Suns or the other elements of nature mentioned.
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Al Karma Language School

English Department
Prep 1

Commentary:

- The poem consists of five stanzas.

- The rhyme scheme is aaaa, bbbb, cccc, dddd, ddd.
- The stanzas are short and simple. It is a short, simple children's poem. It's similar to a
song.
- Each stanza begins in the same way with the same statement "I am busy" so that a
clear and easy comparison is made.
- Theres no alliteration.
- The poet depends strongly upon the meter in his poem to create a chanting sound.

The concept (main idea) of the poem:

Man's work is not as important as that of the elements of Nature because he will die one
day, but the elements of nature wont as without them there is no life.
They build the earth and help us to live on it.

Exercises Answer the following questions:

1-Sir Cecil Spring Rice wrote this poem intending at directing our views towards Nature.
Illustrate.

2-How many stanzas does the poem contain? What is its rhyme scheme?

3-Recite the lines that reflect the work of the rain in the nature

4-Mention the figures of speech in the following stanza:

I am busy," said the air.
"Blowing here and blowing there,
Up and down and everywhere,
"I am busy," said the air.

5- Paraphrase the following lines:

"I am busy," said the sun.
"All my planets, every one,
Know my work is never done,
"I am busy," said the sun
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Al Karma Language School

English Department
Prep 1

Poem 2 : Great, Wide , Beautiful ,Wonderful,

World
By: W. B. Rands
(1823 - 1882)
Who is the poet?

The poet is William Brightly Rands.

- He was the laureate of the nursery, who sometimes wrote under other names.
- He was especially esteemed for his poems and fairy tales for children.

Stanza 1: (4 lines)
Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful World,
With the wonderful water around you curled
And the wonderful grass on your breast,
World, you are beautifully dressed.
Vocabulary:

Great: large, big.

Curled: wrapped around.
Breast: heart.

Paraphrase:

The poet marvels at how wonderful and big the world is. He says that the world is so
big, great and beautiful.
It has beautiful seas and oceans around it. The poet compares the world to a person
who is decorating his breast with grass.
He compares the world to a beautiful lady wearing a beautiful, fashionable dress.
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Al Karma Language School

English Department
Prep 1

Figures of Speech (Literary Terms):

1) Personification With the wonderful water around you curled:

The poet personifies the world to a woman with curly hair.
2) Internal musical devices:

The poet used alliteration in:

- Line 1: Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful world.
The w sound as in wide, wonderful and world.

- Line 2: With the wonderful water around you curled .

The w sound as in with, wonderful and water.

3) Personification And the wonderful grass on your breast:

The poet personifies the world to a person with a breast.

4) Personification World, you are beautifully dressed:

The poet personifies the world to a woman whom hes talking to and
who is wearing a beautiful dress.

Stanza 2: (6 lines)

Ah, you are so great, and I am so small,

I tremble to think of you, World, at all;
And yet, when I said my prayers today,
A whisper inside me seemed to say.
You are more than Earth, though you are such a dot:
You can love and think, and the Earth cannot !

Vocabulary:

Tremble: shake with anxiety.

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Al Karma Language School

English Department
Prep 1

Paraphrase:

The poet continues to think about the world. He says that when he thinks about the
Earth, he feels terrified because the world is so big, while he is so small. But as he was
praying, he heard a voice saying that although he is very small like a dot, he is more
important than the Earth because he can think and love, but the Earth cannot.

Figures of Speech (Literary Terms):

1) Internal musical devices:

The poet used contrast, to stress and emphasize the meaning, in:
- Line 5: great small.

2) Personification Ah, you are so great:

The poet personifies the world to a person whom hes talking to.

3) Personification A whisper inside me seemed to say:

The poet personifies the whisper to a person who can talk.
4) Internal musical devices:

The poet used alliteration in:

- Line 8: A whisper inside me seemed to say .
The s sound as in seemed and say.

5) Personification You can love and think, and the Earth cannot!:
The poet personifies the world to a man who cant love or think.

6) Internal musical devices:

The poet used contrast in the last two lines, where theres a contrast in the idea.
Although the world is bigger than Man, yet Man is more important because he can love
and think while the Earth cannot.

Commentary:

- The poem consists of two stanzas.

- The rhyme scheme is aabb, ccddee.
The concept (main theme) of the poem:
The main idea of the poem is that although the world is bigger than Man, yet Man is
more important because he has the ability to love and think while the Earth cannot.
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Al Karma Language School

English Department
Prep 1

Exercises: Answer the following questions:

1. Mention the rhyme scheme of the poem.

2 . Talk about the poet

3 - You are more than Earth, though you are such a dot:
You can love and think, and the Earth cannot!

a) Paraphrase.

b) State the figures of speech used in the above lines.

4 - Highlight the figures of speech in stanza 1:

Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful World,

With the wonderful water around you curled,
And the wonderful grass on your breast,
World, you are beautifully dressed.

5- Recite the stanza where the poet compares the world to a person who is
decorating his breast with grass.