There is no Frigate Like a Book by Sway Dickinson - Poem / Poetry Appreciation / Exercises on Poem / Question-Answer on Poem / Theme and Summary of Poem / Poem Analysis

There is no Frigate Like a Book

—Sway Dickinson (1830-1886)

There is no frigate like a book  

To take us lands away,  

Nor any coursers like

Of prancing poetry.            

This traverse may the poorest take without oppress of toll;  

How frugal is the chariot         

That bears the human soul!

Theme:

Ans. Books are the best companions in man's life, and the lyric poem compares the books to some swiftest vehicles. To the poet'the book is the fastest frigate in the world. The pace of book has transcended the pace of mythological vehicles like chariot, coursers etc.

Paraphrasing

1. "There is no frigate like a book"

   • There is no ship or vessel that can compare to the power of a book.

2. "To take us lands away,"

   • A book can transport us to far-off places, just like a ship sailing across oceans.

3. "Nor any coursers like"

   • There are no horses that are as special or powerful as the ones in poetry.

4. "Of prancing poetry."

   • The lively and spirited movement of poetry is compared to prancing horses, full of energy.

5. "This traverse may the poorest take without oppress of toll;"

   • Even the poorest person can enjoy this journey, without any toll or cost to pay.

6. "How frugal is the chariot"

   • A book, like a chariot, is inexpensive and economical, yet it carries the human soul on its journey.

7. "That bears the human soul!"

   • A book can lift and carry the soul, taking it to unimaginable places, without requiring any monetary payment.

Short Answer Questions

• What is compared to a frigate in the poem?

  • A book is compared to a frigate.

• What does the poem suggest a book can do?

  • The poem suggests that a book can take us to distant lands.

• What are "coursers" compared to in the poem?

  • "Coursers" are compared to the energy and movement of prancing poetry.

• Who can take this journey, according to the poem?

  • The poem mentions that even the poorest person can take this journey.

• What is the "chariot" in the poem?

  • The "chariot" refers to the book that carries the human soul on its journey.

• What does the poem imply about the cost of a book's journey?

  • The poem implies that a book’s journey is free and accessible to everyone.

• How does the poem describe poetry?

  • The poem describes poetry as prancing, lively, and full of energy.

• What does the phrase "the human soul" refer to in the poem?

  • The phrase refers to the emotional and intellectual experience that a book or poetry can take on a journey.

• How does Dickinson portray the power of books in the poem?

  • Dickinson portrays books as powerful tools for transporting the mind and soul to different worlds.

• What is the central message of the poem?

  • The central message is that books and poetry provide an invaluable, cost-free journey for the soul.

Multiple-choice questions based on the text:

What is compared to a frigate in the poem? a) A ship

b) A book

c) A tree

d) A horse

Answer: b) A book

What does a book do, according to the poem? a) It makes us feel happy

b) It takes us to faraway places

c) It entertains us

d) It helps us learn

Answer: b) It takes us to faraway places

What is described as "prancing" in the poem? a) A horse

b) A ship

c) Poetry

d) The sun

Answer: c) Poetry

Who can take the journey with a book? a) Only the wealthy

b) Only the educated

c) Everyone, including the poorest

d) Only the young

Answer: c) Everyone, including the poorest

What is the "chariot" in the poem? a) A vehicle used by royalty

b) A book

c) A kind of horse

d) A metaphor for travel

Answer: b) A book

How is the journey in the poem described? a) Expensive

b) Accessible to everyone

c) Dangerous

d) Long and tiring

Answer: b) Accessible to everyone

What does the poem imply about the cost of the journey? a) It requires money

b) It’s free

c) It’s only free for the wealthy

d) It requires effort

Answer: b) It’s free

What does the poet suggest about the relationship between books and the soul? a) Books entertain the soul

b) Books are a physical journey for the soul

c) Books help the soul escape

d) Books are a metaphor for the soul's journey

Answer: c) Books help the soul escape

What does the poem primarily celebrate? a) The beauty of nature

b) The accessibility of knowledge

c) The journey of the soul through books

d) The importance of learning

Answer: c) The journey of the soul through books

What is the message of the poem? a) Books are only for the rich

b) Reading is an important skill

c) Books and poetry offer a free, valuable journey for the soul

d) Reading brings happiness

Answer: c) Books and poetry offer a free, valuable journey for the soul

Detailed Summary:

In "There is no Frigate Like a Book", Emily Dickinson uses a metaphor to express the value of books and poetry in transporting the mind and soul. She compares a book to a frigate, a type of ship, which can take us to distant places. This metaphor highlights the idea that a book can carry us far away, not just physically, but also emotionally and intellectually, offering us experiences and adventures beyond our immediate surroundings.

The poem continues by comparing poetry to prancing coursers, or energetic horses, implying that poetry, like books, has a dynamic, lively quality that can engage the reader in a powerful way. Dickinson emphasizes that books, unlike expensive forms of travel or experiences, are accessible to everyone, including the poorest. They require no toll, making them a frugal and valuable means of transport for the human soul. The poem suggests that books have the ability to elevate us and provide us with a sense of freedom and adventure, all while remaining affordable and universal.

Ultimately, Dickinson celebrates the power of literature and poetry to enrich the human experience without any cost. The journey they provide is not a physical one, but a spiritual and intellectual journey that transcends barriers, offering everyone, regardless of their social standing, the chance to explore the world and the depths of the human soul.

Short Theme:

The poem celebrates the power of books and poetry as vehicles for the soul, capable of taking us on journeys far beyond our immediate surroundings. It highlights that these journeys are free, accessible to all, and offer valuable experiences without any cost.

Bangla Translation (Summary)

"There is no Frigate Like a Book"-এ, এমিলি ডিকিনসন মন ও আত্মাকে পরিবহনে বই এবং কবিতার মূল্য প্রকাশ করার জন্য একটি রূপক ব্যবহার করেছেন। তিনি একটি বইকে একটি ফ্রিগেটের সাথে তুলনা করেছেন, এক ধরণের জাহাজ, যা আমাদের দূরবর্তী স্থানে নিয়ে যেতে পারে। এই রূপকটি এই ধারণাটি তুলে ধরে যে একটি বই আমাদের কেবল শারীরিকভাবে নয়, বরং আবেগগত এবং বৌদ্ধিকভাবেও অনেক দূরে নিয়ে যেতে পারে, আমাদের আশেপাশের পরিবেশের বাইরেও অভিজ্ঞতা এবং অভিযান প্রদান করে।

কবিতাটি কবিতাকে ঝাঁপিয়ে পড়া পথিকৃৎ বা উদ্যমী ঘোড়ার সাথে তুলনা করে এগিয়ে চলেছে, যা ইঙ্গিত করে যে বইয়ের মতো কবিতারও একটি গতিশীল, প্রাণবন্ত গুণ রয়েছে যা পাঠককে একটি শক্তিশালী উপায়ে জড়িত করতে পারে। ডিকিনসন জোর দিয়ে বলেছেন যে বই, ব্যয়বহুল ভ্রমণ বা অভিজ্ঞতার মতো নয়, দরিদ্রতম সহ সকলের কাছে অ্যাক্সেসযোগ্য। তাদের কোনও খরচের প্রয়োজন হয় না, যা এগুলিকে মানব আত্মার জন্য পরিবহনের একটি মিতব্যয়ী এবং মূল্যবান মাধ্যম করে তোলে। কবিতাটি পরামর্শ দেয় যে বইগুলি আমাদের উন্নত করার এবং স্বাধীনতা এবং অভিযানের অনুভূতি প্রদান করার ক্ষমতা রাখে, একই সাথে সাশ্রয়ী মূল্যের এবং সর্বজনীন থাকে।

পরিশেষে, ডিকিনসন সাহিত্য এবং কবিতার শক্তি উদযাপন করেন যা কোনও খরচ ছাড়াই মানব অভিজ্ঞতাকে সমৃদ্ধ করে। তাদের যাত্রা কোনও শারীরিক যাত্রা নয়, বরং একটি আধ্যাত্মিক এবং বৌদ্ধিক যাত্রা যা বাধা অতিক্রম করে, সামাজিক অবস্থান নির্বিশেষে সকলকে বিশ্ব এবং মানব আত্মার গভীরতা অন্বেষণ করার সুযোগ দেয়।

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20 vocabulary words from the poem "There is no Frigate Like a Book" by Emily Dickinson,

Word	English Meaning	Bangla Meaning	Example Sentence
Frigate	A type of warship or ship, often fast and long-range	যুদ্ধজাহাজ	There is no frigate like a book to carry us across the sea of imagination.
Coursers	Swift and spirited horses	দ্রুতগতি বিশিষ্ট ঘোড়া	The coursers prance through the meadows in the early morning.
Traverse	To travel or journey across	পারাপার করা	She traversed the entire country to find the perfect book.
Toll	A fee or charge, especially for a service or passage	টোল, শুল্ক	The road was free to travel with no toll to be paid.
Frugal	Economical, avoiding waste or extravagance	সাশ্রয়ী	The frugal shopper looked for discounts on every item.
Chariot	A two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle, often used in ancient times for racing	রথ	The hero rode in a golden chariot during the victory parade.
Human Soul	The spiritual or immaterial part of a person	মানব আত্মা	Books have the power to elevate the human soul.
Prancing	Moving with high, lively steps	আনন্দিত পদক্ষেপ	The horse was prancing joyfully in the field.
Poetry	A literary form expressing feelings and ideas, often with rhyme	কবিতা	She loves reading poetry that explores deep emotions.
Lands away	Faraway lands, distant places	দূরবর্তী দেশ	Books can take us to lands away, far beyond our reach.
Take	To carry or transport	নেওয়া	A good book can take you on a journey without moving physically.
Imagination	The ability to create mental images or ideas not present	কল্পনা	The book sparked her imagination and led her to new ideas.
Frigate	A small, fast warship	দ্রুতগামী যুদ্ধজাহাজ	In her poem, the author compares a book to a frigate, a fast ship.
Prancing	Moving with lively steps, often joyfully	আনন্দিতভাবে হাঁটা	The horses were prancing through the fields with excitement.
Soul	The immaterial essence of a person	আত্মা	Reading books nourishes the soul, offering peace and wisdom.
Sash	A band or strip of cloth worn around the body	সাশ, কাপড়ের বাঁধনী	The princess wore a colorful sash around her waist.
Accessible	Easy to reach or use	প্রবেশযোগ্য	Libraries make knowledge accessible to all people.
Sail	To travel on water using sails	পাল তুলিয়া চলা	The boat sailed smoothly on the calm lake.
Joy	A feeling of great happiness or pleasure	আনন্দ	The book filled her with joy as she read through the pages.
Journey	The act of traveling from one place to another	যাত্রা	Every good book is a journey that leads to new adventures.