Bihar Board class 10 English poetry chapter 8 solutions are available here. It is our expert written guide that provides you with the complete question answer of chapter 8 – “Martha”.
In this chapter, students will study the poem “Martha” by Walter de la Mare. This enchanting piece portrays Martha, a captivating storyteller who transports her listeners to magical worlds through her tales. The poem explores themes of imagination, the power of storytelling, and the ability of words to create vivid experiences.
Bihar Board Class 10 English Poetry Chapter 8 Solutions
| Chapter | 8. Martha |
| Author | Walter de la Mare |
| Subject | English (Panorama) Poetry |
| Class | 10th |
| Board | Bihar Board |
A. Pre-reading questions:-
Answer the questions briefly:-
Q1. Have you read any fairy tale?
Ans. Yes, I have read several fairy tales, including “Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll. Fairy tales often feature magical elements, fantastic creatures, and moral lessons, making them both entertaining and educational for readers of all ages.
Q2. Do you find its events as real as in life?
Ans. No, the events in fairy tales are not as real as those in everyday life. Fairy tales often include magical or impossible elements that don’t occur in reality, serving to spark imagination and convey symbolic meanings rather than depict real-life situations.
Q3. Does it have any logical sequence of events?
Ans. While fairy tales may not follow real-world logic, they often have their own internal logic and sequence of events. The story typically progresses from an initial problem or conflict through various challenges to a resolution, following a narrative structure that makes sense within the fairy tale’s magical context.
B. While reading questions:-
B.1. Write True (T) or False (F) for the following sentences:-
- Martha tells her stories over and over again. – (F)
- If one watches her eyes, it seems story is told by her beautiful eyes. – (T)
- Her stories were turbulent – (F)
- She would sit with clasped hands round her neck. – (F)
- Martha would tell her stories in greenish-brown valley. – (T)
B.1.2. Answer the questions briefly:-
Q1. What does Martha do in the Hazel glean?
Ans. Martha tells sweet stories in the Hazel glean. Her storytelling brings life and vibrancy to the atmosphere of this natural setting.
Q2. What is the colour of Martha’s eyes?
Ans. Martha’s eyes are described as clear and grey. This detail helps readers visualize Martha and adds to her characterization as a storyteller.
Q3. Who are staring at ease?
Ans. The children are staring at Martha with wonder and ease. This indicates their fascination with her storytelling and their comfort in her presence.
Q4. How do they sit to listen Martha’s story?
Ans. The children sit on the ground with their heads resting on their elbows to listen to Martha’s story. This posture suggests their attentiveness and engagement with the storytelling.
Q5. How were half of the stories said?
Ans. Half of the story’s effect was conveyed through Martha’s physical features – her voice, chin, and grave lovely head. This implies that Martha’s storytelling is not just about words, but also about her expressive delivery and presence.
B. 2. Fill in the blanks on the basis of your reading of the poem:-
Like a dream, you dream in the night.
Fairies and gnomes stole out
in the leaf green light.
And her beauty far away
Would fade as her voice ran on
B.2.1. Write True (T) or False (F) for the following sentences:-
- Fairies and gnomes stole out Martha’s beauty. – (T)
- Like a dream, her beauty gradually faded away – (T)
- Her voice could be heard until hazel and summer sun and other things faded away. – (T)
- Clouds in the sky are on lower height. – (F)
- Our hearts are shocked. – (F)
- Martha tells her story today. – (F)
- Her stories have tranquil effect. – (T)
C.1. Long Answer Questions:-
Q1. Describe Martha’s physical features.
Ans. Martha is described as a young woman with distinct physical features. She has clear grey eyes, slim hands, and a narrow chin. Her head is small, lovely, and grave. These characteristics contribute to her overall beauty and charm, which likely helps her connect with children.
Q2. Is this poem like a dream? How can you say that?
Ans. While the poem itself isn’t a dream, it creates a dreamlike atmosphere. Martha’s storytelling transports the children to a magical realm, blurring the line between reality and imagination. The children become so engrossed in her tales that they lose awareness of their surroundings, experiencing the stories as if in a vivid dream. This dreamlike quality is enhanced by the revival of past glories and the fairyland’s wonders.
Q3. How does this poem end?
Ans. The poem concludes with the children deeply affected by Martha’s story. They remain in a trance-like state, their minds filled with images of the fairyland from long ago. The children are left speechless, still mentally exploring the magical world Martha described. This ending emphasizes the power of storytelling and imagination to captivate young minds.
Q4. Do you think that Martha and the children enjoyed stories?
Ans. Yes, both Martha and the children clearly enjoyed the storytelling experience. Martha demonstrated her skill and enthusiasm as a storyteller through her expressive tone, gestures, and ability to create a believable atmosphere. The children, in turn, listened with rapt attention, becoming fully immersed in the tales. Their enjoyment is evident in how they were charmed and transported to an imaginative world of dreams and fairies.
Q5. Martha begins with happy and tranquil note and ends with sadness. Why does she do so? Explain.
Ans. Martha structures her storytelling to create a powerful emotional journey. She starts with a peaceful, happy tone to draw her listeners in and establish a sense of comfort. As the story progresses, she gradually introduces elements of mystery and melancholy. This shift in mood helps to create a more complex and memorable narrative. The transition from joy to sadness mirrors real-life experiences and adds depth to the story, making it more impactful for the children.
Q6. Explain the mood of the poet when he says “Our hearts stood still in the hush of an age gone by”.
Ans. This line captures a moment of profound awe and wonder. The poet, recalling his childhood experience of listening to Martha’s stories, describes a feeling of being transported to another time. The phrase “hearts stood still” suggests a mix of excitement and reverence, as if time itself has paused. The “hush of an age gone by” evokes a sense of nostalgia and mystery. Overall, the mood is one of quiet amazement, where the children are completely captivated by the magic of storytelling.
Q7. Describe the poet’s feeling when he started the poem.
Ans. Walter De La Mare begins the poem with a sense of nostalgia and fondness for his childhood memories. He reminisces about the magical moments of storytelling, particularly those involving Martha. The poet’s tone is wistful yet joyful, expressing his love for wonder and fantasy. By revisiting these memories, he demonstrates how powerfully they have stayed with him. The poet’s feelings are a mix of happiness, longing for the past, and appreciation for the imaginative world of his youth.
Translation:-
- मेरी दादी कहानियाँ सुनयोगी |
- उनकी आंखोँ आंखों का रंग हल्का भूरा है |
- कहानियाँ हमारे दिल और दिमाग को सुकून देती है |
- पहाड़ियों पर बादल थे |
- उसकी आवाज बहुत प्यारी है |
- मैने एक सपना देखा |
- धीरे-धीरे उसकी आवाज कम हो गयी |
- हमारा दिल बैठ गया |
- हम उन्हें एकटक देख रहे थे |
- उसकी आंखो आधी बात कह देती है |
Ans.
- My grand mother will tell stories.
- The colour of her eyes is , grey.
- Stories comfort our heart and mind.
- There were clouds on the hills.
- Her voice is very sweet.
- I dreamt a dream.
- Gradually her voice fainted.
- Our hearts sank
- We were staring at him/her.
- Her eyes tell half of the matter.
