Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
By Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
O Me! O Life!
By Walt Whitman
Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here—that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.
Paraphrasing
Stanza 1 (The Question)
Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,→ Oh, my life! Oh, my thoughts! These same deep and painful questions keep coming to my mind over and over again. I keep wondering about the meaning and purpose of my existence.
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,→ I see so many people who do not have true belief in anything—neither in themselves, nor in others, nor in life itself. There are countless people moving through life without direction or sincerity. The cities are full of people who act foolishly, who chase after meaningless things without understanding what truly matters.
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)→ I constantly blame and criticize myself for my own weaknesses and failures. I wonder if anyone is more foolish or unfaithful than I am. I feel lost, unsure of my beliefs, and I doubt my own ability to find meaning in life.
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,→ I see people desperately searching for knowledge, truth, and purpose, but they do not find what they are looking for. Their eyes are hungry for understanding, yet they remain in darkness. Around me, everything seems meaningless and ordinary. The struggles of life never end—they keep coming back again and again.
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,→ People work hard, they struggle, but in the end, their efforts bring very little success. The results of their labor often feel disappointing. I see people moving through life slowly and tiredly, caught in routines, their spirits weighed down by their daily struggles. Many of them live in an ugly, corrupted way, without joy or meaning.
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,→ I feel that the lives of so many people are wasted—full of empty, meaningless years. They live without purpose, without passion. And I am connected to them—I, too, feel trapped in this same cycle of emptiness. I wonder if my life is just as pointless as theirs.
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?→ This painful question keeps returning to me—what is the point of living in such a world? What good is there in life when everything seems hopeless, when people around me live without meaning? I ask myself if there is any purpose to my existence at all.
Stanza 2 (The Answer)
That you are here—that life exists and identity,→ The answer is simple yet powerful: You are alive. Life itself exists. You have an identity, a purpose, and a place in this world. Even if everything seems dark and meaningless, the fact that you are here, that you exist, is enough to give life value.
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.→ Life is like a great and powerful drama, an ongoing play that never stops. No matter what happens, the story of life continues. And the most important thing is that you have a chance to play a role in it. You can contribute your own verse—you can add your own meaning, your own story, to this great play of life. Even if you feel small or unimportant, what you do matters. You have the power to shape your own life and to make a difference in the world.
Short Answer Questions
i. What is the main theme of the poem?
The main theme of the poem is the poet's existential reflection on the struggles, uncertainties, and disappointments of life. He questions the purpose and value of life in the face of recurring hardships, faithlessness, and the seeming futility of human existence.
ii. What recurring questions does the poet mention?
The poet mentions recurring questions about the meaning and purpose of life, the continuous struggles people face, and whether anything good can come from these challenges. Specifically, he asks: "What good amid these, O me, O life?"
iii. What does the poet mean by 'useless years'?
The poet refers to 'useless years' as the years of life that seem to have no purpose or meaningful outcome. These are years where a person might feel disconnected, stagnant, or unsuccessful in achieving their goals or fulfilling their potential.
iv. Is age an identity marker? What are the attributes of old age?
Age can be an identity marker, as it often determines a person's experiences, wisdom, and societal role. In the poem, while age is not explicitly discussed, 'useless years' could be interpreted as those years that are often associated with the regrets or unfulfilled aspects of aging. Attributes of old age may include reflection, wisdom, weariness, and perhaps a sense of having missed opportunities.
v. What do 'sordid' and 'plodding' mean?
'Sordid' means dirty, immoral, or involving dishonorable actions.
'Plodding' means slow, laborious, or unglamorous movement, often associated with mundane and repetitive tasks.
vi. What 'faith' does the poet mention here?
The poet mentions the faithlessness of people, implying that many live without a clear sense of purpose or belief. However, by questioning the faithlessness, he indirectly points to the importance of having some form of faith or meaning to guide one's life.
vii. Is there a symbolic meaning of 'contribute a verse' in the last line?
Yes, 'contribute a verse' symbolically means that despite the struggles and seemingly futile nature of life, each individual can still have an impact or make a meaningful contribution. It suggests that every person, through their actions or expression, can contribute to the larger story of life.
viii. Do you find the answer section of the poem convincing?
The answer section is quite convincing as it offers a sense of hope and purpose in response to the poet's existential questioning. It acknowledges the struggles and uncertainties of life but encourages the individual to see their presence and contribution as valuable. It highlights that despite life's challenges, the very existence of life and the possibility of making a contribution are reasons to find meaning.
D. Pair work: Contractions
Contractions in the poem (like 'fill'd' and 'reneiv'd') are forms where the poet shortens words by omitting letters, usually to maintain rhythm, style, or for poetic effect. Here’s a list of common contractions that could be found in the poem and others like it:
fill’d = filled
reneiv’d = renewed
don’t = do not
doesn’t = does not
I’m = I am
it’s = it is
that’s = that is
can’t = cannot
won’t = will not
shouldn’t = should not
E. Summary of the poem
In "O Me! O Life!", Walt Whitman reflects on the struggles, faithlessness, and doubts of human existence. He questions the meaning of life, the endless cycle of challenges, and the seeming futility of everything. Despite these doubts, the poem’s answer suggests that life’s value lies in the very fact of existence. Whitman encourages individuals to contribute to the larger narrative of life, implying that each person’s unique verse is significant in the grand, ongoing story of humanity. Through this, Whitman inspires hope and a sense of purpose in the face of life’s struggles.
Multiple-choice questions based on the text:
1. What is the central theme of the poem?
A) The beauty of life
B) The meaninglessness of life
C) The poet's existential questioning and the value of contributing to life
D) The poet's joy in the struggles of life
Answer: C) The poet's existential questioning and the value of contributing to life
2. What does the poet mean by "the endless trains of the faithless"?
A) People traveling in trains
B) Continuous struggles and disillusionment of life
C) Endless opportunities for faith
D) People who are devoted to their beliefs
Answer: B) Continuous struggles and disillusionment of life
3. What does the poet mean by "cities fill'd with the foolish"?
A) Cities that are full of wise people
B) Cities filled with people who lack wisdom or purpose
C) Cities with extravagant buildings
D) Cities that are full of people who are religious
Answer: B) Cities filled with people who lack wisdom or purpose
4. What does the poet reproach himself for?
A) For not working hard enough
B) For being foolish and faithless
C) For not traveling more
D) For not writing enough poetry
Answer: B) For being foolish and faithless
5. What does the poet mean by "eyes that vainly crave the light"?
A) Eyes longing for knowledge
B) Eyes longing for truth and clarity but finding none
C) Eyes desiring to see the world
D) Eyes looking for material possessions
Answer: B) Eyes longing for truth and clarity but finding none
6. How does the poet describe the people around him?
A) Joyful and content
B) Plodding and sordid, living mundane lives
C) Wise and insightful
D) Successful and driven
Answer: B) Plodding and sordid, living mundane lives
7. What does "the empty and useless years of the rest" refer to?
A) Years spent in meaningful work
B) Years of unfulfilled lives and wasted time
C) Years of happiness and contentment
D) Years of traveling and learning
Answer: B) Years of unfulfilled lives and wasted time
8. What is the recurring question the poet asks himself?
A) How can I live forever?
B) What good amid these struggles, O me, O life?
C) Why am I alone in this world?
D) What is the meaning of true love?
Answer: B) What good amid these struggles, O me, O life?
9. What is the answer to the poet's existential questioning in the poem?
A) That life is meaningless
B) That each individual contributes to the larger story of life
C) That we should seek happiness above all
D) That life is a series of endless cycles
Answer: B) That each individual contributes to the larger story of life
10. What is the significance of "contribute a verse" in the final line?
A) The poet is suggesting that individuals should write their own poems
B) It symbolizes that everyone has a unique role and contribution to make in life
C) It refers to writing for the sake of fame
D) It indicates the poet's desire for recognition
Answer: B) It symbolizes that everyone has a unique role and contribution to make in life
Summary of "O Me! O Life!" by Walt Whitman
This poem talks about the difficulties and disappointments of life. The poet feels sad and hopeless when he looks at the world around him. He sees people who are foolish and dishonest. Many of them do not have strong beliefs or good values. The poet also feels disappointed in himself because he has made mistakes and has not always been wise.
Everywhere he looks, he sees people struggling with life. Many people work hard, but their efforts seem useless. They live without any real purpose. Life feels empty and meaningless to him. He wonders why he is here and what good life really has. He keeps asking himself this question again and again. Then, he finds an answer. He realizes that simply being alive is important. Life exists, and every person has their own identity. The world is like a great play that never stops. Everyone has a small but important part in it. Even if life is full of struggles, everyone can add something special to the world. The poet reminds us that our actions, words, and ideas matter. This gives life a true meaning.
Bangla Translation (Summary)
এই কবিতায় জীবনের কঠিন বাস্তবতা ও হতাশার কথা বলা হয়েছে। কবি যখন চারপাশের পৃথিবীকে দেখেন, তখন তিনি দুঃখ ও হতাশা অনুভব করেন। তিনি দেখেন যে অনেক মানুষ বোকা ও অসত্। তাদের অনেকেরই কোনো শক্ত বিশ্বাস বা নৈতিকতা নেই। কবি নিজেও নিজের উপর হতাশ, কারণ তিনিও ভুল করেছেন এবং সবসময় বুদ্ধিমান ছিলেন না।
তিনি দেখেন যে সবাই জীবন নিয়ে সংগ্রাম করছে। অনেকে কঠোর পরিশ্রম করে, কিন্তু তাদের প্রচেষ্টা অর্থহীন মনে হয়। তারা কোনো প্রকৃত উদ্দেশ্য ছাড়াই বেঁচে থাকে। জীবন তার কাছে শূন্য ও মূল্যহীন মনে হয়। তিনি বারবার ভাবেন, "আমি কেন এখানে আছি? জীবনের কি কোনো প্রকৃত মূল্য আছে?"
অবশেষে, তিনি এর উত্তর খুঁজে পান। তিনি বুঝতে পারেন যে শুধু বেঁচে থাকাই গুরুত্বপূর্ণ। জীবন আছে, আর প্রত্যেক মানুষের নিজস্ব পরিচয় আছে। পৃথিবী যেন একটি বিশাল নাট্যমঞ্চ, যা কখনো থামে না। এখানে প্রতিটি মানুষের ছোট হলেও গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একটি ভূমিকা আছে। জীবন কঠিন হলেও, প্রত্যেকে নিজের মতো করে কিছু না কিছু অবদান রাখতে পারে। কবি মনে করিয়ে দেন যে আমাদের কাজ, কথা এবং চিন্তাভাবনার গুরুত্ব আছে। এগুলোই জীবনের প্রকৃত অর্থ তৈরি করে।
Comentarios