Ans. Q.3.B. of the HSC Board English Question Paper which comes for 4 marks.
Note :
1. There are total 8 poems given in the course book of std. XII ( Maharashtra State Board ) and students need to prepare for appreciation of all 8 poems.
2. This is just the SAMPLE. Students are encouraged to understand the poem well and then try writing their own appreciation.
3. Appreciation needs to be written POINT WISE and not in paragraph form.
Appreciation of the poem " Have you earned your tomorrow"
Ans.
1. About the poem/poet/title :The poem “Have you Earned your Tomorrow” is an inspirational poem written by Edgar Guest who was born in England and was brought to the United states when he was ten years old. He began writing at the age of fourteen and is known as “people’s poet"for his simple and optimistic tone of writing. In this poem , the speaker is asking the readers whether they have done anything to improve others’ lives and advises that one should consider one’s deeds and actions carefully. The title of the poem is perfect and apt as throughout the poem , the poet asks questions to readers whether they did something nice to deserve one more day.
2. Theme : The theme of the poem is importance of living each day by being kind and helping fellow beings in order to earn a well deserved tomorrow. The poet , through his questions, keeps reminding his readers whether they performed a good deed which brought a smile on someone’s face and gave courage to somebody who had lost his hopes. He encourages the readers to perform good deeds and keep a check on their actions in order to be able to answer God confidently that they deserve one more tomorrow because they spread cheers in few lives.
3.poetic devices/language/style : The use of the figure of speech interrogation dominates the poem. The poet has beautifully asked thought provoking questions to his readers throughout the poem. The questions asked are simple , direct and need no extra efforts or skills to understand or interpret. Use of alliteration in lines like "Were you selfish pure and simple...." or This day is...toiling time...." also helps in enhancing the beauty of the poem.The rhyme scheme used in all four stanzas is "aabb" which provides a rhythm to the poem.
4.Special features-tone and type : This poem has one special feature and that is the consistent use of interrogation. It’s rare to read poems where readers are asked questions almost in each line. Also , the questions asked are simple yet so effective that they force readers to reflect and shake their minds to think on how they can perform better each day in their “department of deeds.”
5.Values/message : The poem clearly gives it’s readers the message to make efforts to spread cheer in others’ lives and considering the value of others. That we must behave nicely when meeting people , not because we will be appreciated but because we will be confident to ask for one more tomorrow from God.
6.Your opinion about the poem : This is a wonderful poem which forced me to look inward and ask myself if I am performing any small act of kindness each day or just rushing along. It also taught me this lesson that “ We get life only once so we must pause , smile , love and be kind along the way.”
Poetice creativity
( Question 3A , A5.....will be asked for 02 marks...the below example is just a sample....any topic can be given in exam which will be based on the theme of the poem and you need to craft your own short poem on that topic..)
Compose 4 to 6 poetic lines of your own on "good deeds"
Ans. Good deeds
Do you know what is the power of a good deed ?
It is like growing a huge tree of kindness by just planting a small seed !
And how much does it cost to plant that small seed ?
Absolutely nothing but a warm smile of yours for people who are in need !
