Today
Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)
So here hath been dawning
Another blue day;
Think, wilt thou let it
Slip useless away?
Out of Eternity
This new day is born;
Into Eternity
At night will return.
Behold it aforetime
No eye ever did;
So soon it for ever
From all eyes is hid.
Here hath been dawning
Another blue day;
Think, wilt thou let it
Slip useless away?
Theme:
Ans. Time is the most precious thing in one's life. Born out of eternity, each day of life is a golden opportunity for noble achievements. Soon again it glides into eternal night and is lost for ever. We must not, therefore, let our time slip uselessly. Time killing is culpable.
Paraphrasing
"So here hath been dawning / Another blue day;"Paraphrase: Another new day has arrived, marked by the bright and clear blue sky that accompanies its dawn.
"Think, wilt thou let it / Slip useless away?"Paraphrase: Take a moment to reflect: will you allow this day to pass without making use of it, without accomplishing anything meaningful?
"Out of Eternity / This new day is born;"Paraphrase: This day has been brought into existence from the endless span of eternity, representing a new beginning in time.
"Into Eternity / At night will return."Paraphrase: As the day comes to an end, it will return to the vastness of eternity, signifying its departure into the past.
"Behold it aforetime / No eye ever did;"Paraphrase: No one has ever witnessed this particular day before; it is unique and one-of-a-kind.
"So soon it for ever / From all eyes is hid."Paraphrase: Before long, this day will be gone forever, hidden from everyone’s sight and no longer accessible to any living being.
"Here hath been dawning / Another blue day;"Paraphrase: Once again, a new day has begun, marked by the dawning of a fresh blue sky, bringing with it new possibilities.
"Think, wilt thou let it / Slip useless away?"Paraphrase: Reflect on whether you will let this day slip by without purpose, without making the most of the opportunity it offers.
Short Answer Questions
What is the main message of "Today" by Thomas Carlyle?Answer: The poem emphasizes the importance of making the most of each day and not letting it pass by without purpose, as each day is a unique gift from eternity.
How does the speaker describe the new day?Answer: The speaker describes the new day as a "blue day" that has dawned, symbolizing a fresh, new beginning and an opportunity to make the most of it.
What does the phrase "Think, wilt thou let it slip useless away?" imply?Answer: The phrase urges the reader to reflect on whether they will waste the day or take action and use it meaningfully.
How does the poem describe the relationship between the present day and eternity?Answer: The poem describes each day as coming from eternity and returning to eternity at night, highlighting the fleeting and precious nature of time.
What is meant by "Behold it aforetime no eye ever did"?Answer: This line suggests that each new day is unprecedented and unique, as no one has ever seen that particular day before.
Why does the speaker repeat the question, "Think, wilt thou let it slip useless away?"Answer: The repetition serves to emphasize the urgency of using the day wisely and not allowing it to be wasted.
What does the speaker mean by "So soon it for ever from all eyes is hid"?Answer: This means that once the day is over, it is gone forever, hidden from the eyes of the living, reinforcing the idea of the impermanence of time.
Why is the day referred to as "blue"?Answer: The color blue is often associated with calm, clarity, and new beginnings, signifying the fresh start of a new day.
What is the significance of the poem's structure, with repeated lines?Answer: The repetition of lines helps reinforce the central theme of the poem, urging the reader to seize the day and not let time slip away.
How does the poem reflect Carlyle's philosophical views on time?Answer: Carlyle’s poem reflects his belief in the value of time, urging readers to recognize the fleeting nature of each moment and the need to live with purpose.
Multiple-choice questions based on the text:
What is the tone of the poem?
a) Joyful
b) Urgent
c) Melancholy
d) Indifferent
Answer: b) Urgent
What does the "blue day" represent?
a) A sad day
b) A new opportunity
c) A day of rest
d) A troubled day
Answer: b) A new opportunity
What is the main question asked in the poem?
a) Will you make the most of today?
b) Will you rest today?
c) Will you waste today?
d) Will you pray today?
Answer: a) Will you make the most of today?
Where does the day go after it ends?
a) It returns to eternity
b) It disappears forever
c) It fades into the past
d) It stays with us in memories
Answer: a) It returns to eternity
How does the poem view the passage of time?
a) Time is endless
b) Time is to be wasted
c) Time is precious and fleeting
d) Time is irrelevant
Answer: c) Time is precious and fleeting
What does "no eye ever did behold it aforetime" suggest?
a) Every day is unique
b) Time repeats itself
c) Every day is the same
d) No one can see the future
Answer: a) Every day is unique
Which of the following words best describes the speaker’s attitude towards the day?
a) Indifference
b) Urgency
c) Joyfulness
d) Disinterest
Answer: b) Urgency
What happens to the day at night?
a) It is forgotten
b) It returns to eternity
c) It becomes a memory
d) It ends without meaning
Answer: b) It returns to eternity
The repetition of the phrase “Think, wilt thou let it slip useless away?” is meant to: a) Emphasize the need to reflect on the passing of time
b) Express sadness
c) Encourage people to sleep more
d) Propose to ignore the day
Answer: a) Emphasize the need to reflect on the passing of time
What is the significance of the "Eternity" in the poem?
a) It symbolizes an unending cycle of time
b) It represents a world beyond our understanding
c) It shows that time is finite and limited
d) It is used to show that time has no real end
Answer: c) It shows that time is finite and limited
Summary
"Today" by Thomas Carlyle is a contemplative poem that emphasizes the fleeting nature of time and the importance of seizing each day. The poem opens with the speaker noting the arrival of a new day, symbolized by "another blue day," urging the reader to think carefully about how they will use it. The day, which is born from eternity and returns to eternity at night, is a unique and precious gift that should not be wasted. The speaker reminds us that no eye has ever seen this day before, and soon it will be gone forever, hidden from view. Through this reflection, the poem conveys the urgency of living purposefully and making the most of the present moment, as each day is one of a kind and quickly slips away.
Theme
The theme of the poem is the transient nature of time and the importance of using each day meaningfully before it passes and is lost forever.
Bangla Translation (Summary)
টমাস কার্লাইলের "আজ" একটি মননশীল কবিতা যা সময়ের ক্ষণস্থায়ী প্রকৃতি এবং প্রতিটি দিনকে কাজে লাগানোর গুরুত্বের উপর জোর দেয়। কবিতাটি শুরুতেই বক্তা একটি নতুন দিনের আগমনের কথা উল্লেখ করেন, যা "আরেকটি নীল দিন" দ্বারা প্রতীকী, পাঠককে কীভাবে এটি ব্যবহার করবেন সে সম্পর্কে সাবধানে চিন্তা করার আহ্বান জানান। যে দিনটি অনন্তকাল থেকে জন্মগ্রহণ করে এবং রাতে অনন্তকালে ফিরে আসে, এটি একটি অনন্য এবং মূল্যবান উপহার যা নষ্ট করা উচিত নয়। বক্তা আমাদের মনে করিয়ে দেন যে এই দিনটি আগে কখনও কোনও চোখ দেখেনি, এবং শীঘ্রই এটি চিরতরে চলে যাবে, দৃষ্টির আড়ালে। এই প্রতিফলনের মাধ্যমে, কবিতাটি উদ্দেশ্যমূলকভাবে বেঁচে থাকার এবং বর্তমান মুহূর্তটিকে সর্বাধিক কাজে লাগানোর তাগিদ প্রকাশ করে, কারণ প্রতিটি দিনই এক ধরণের এবং দ্রুত হারিয়ে যায়।
Ad
Comments