Get our free Bihar Board class 9 English Poetry chapter 2 solutions here. This page covers all the questions and their answers in a simplified manner. It is the best guide for chapter 2 – “On His Blindness”.
“On His Blindness,” a poem by John Milton featured in Chapter 2 of the Bihar Board Class 9 English book, is a powerful reflection on faith and personal struggle. Written in the 17th century, this sonnet explores Milton’s feelings about losing his eyesight and his concerns about serving God despite this challenge. The poem touches on themes of purpose, acceptance, and the nature of service to God.
Bihar Board Class 9 English Poetry Chapter 2 Solutions
Contents
| Subject | English |
| Class | 9th |
| Chapter | 2. On His Blindness |
| Author | John Milton |
| Board | Bihar Board |
A. Work in small groups and discuss these questions
Q1. How is a visually challenged person socially recognised?
Ans. A visually challenged person is often recognized by their use of assistive devices like white canes or guide dogs. However, it’s important to remember that a person’s value isn’t determined by their physical abilities, but by their character and actions. Many visually impaired individuals lead successful lives and make significant contributions to society. They may develop extraordinary skills in other areas, such as heightened hearing or memory. Society is gradually becoming more inclusive, recognizing the unique perspectives and abilities that visually challenged people bring to various fields. It’s crucial to focus on a person’s capabilities and achievements rather than their limitations.
Q2. Discuss the modes and manners of man who is unable to see the world?
Ans. A person who cannot see the world often develops alternative ways of experiencing and navigating their environment. They may rely more on their other senses, like hearing and touch, to gather information. Many use assistive technologies such as screen readers, braille displays, or voice-activated devices to access information and communicate. Their manners might include asking for verbal descriptions of things or permission to touch objects for better understanding. They often develop strong organizational skills and memory to compensate for the lack of visual cues. While blindness presents challenges, many individuals adapt remarkably well, leading independent and fulfilling lives.
Q3. Point out the feelings and emotions of a man who has lost his/her eye-sight.
Ans. Losing one’s eyesight can trigger a range of intense emotions. Initially, there may be shock, grief, and a sense of loss as the person adjusts to a new reality. Feelings of frustration and helplessness might arise when facing new challenges in daily activities. Fear about the future and anxiety about independence are common. However, many also experience determination to adapt and overcome obstacles. As they learn new skills and ways of navigating the world, feelings of accomplishment and renewed confidence can emerge. It’s a complex emotional journey that often includes both struggles and triumphs. Support from loved ones and professionals can greatly help in managing these emotions and adjusting to life without sight.
B. Answer the following questions briefly
Q1. What is meant by ‘my light is spent’?
Ans. It means The slight of Milton’s eyes is gone forever.
Q2. Why is the word ‘dark and wide’ to the poet?
Ans. The poet became totally blind, therefore, the world with all its beauties and charms became completely dark to him.
Q3. Who is the ‘Maker’ in this Sonnet?
Ans. God is the ‘Maker’ in this Sonnet.
Q4. Is God a hard taskmaster?
Ans. No, God is a kind-hearted master who needs nothing from man.
Q5. Does God require his appreciation?
Ans. No, God has no dearth of agents to do His work. He does not require a man’s appreciation in any way.
Q6. Is Milton afraid of the Almighty?
Ans. Yes, because he feels that God had given him the poetic talent to use it in the services of his Maker.
Q7. Discuss the meaning of the closing line, “They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Ans. There are some angles who do not perform any active duty. They merely stand before God humbly and submissively. They are also the faithful servant’s God.
C.1. Long Answer Type Questions
Q1. Discuss the poet’s feelings and emotions.
Ans. Milton feels sad and frustrated because he’s lost his eyesight. He believes he has a gift for writing poetry but can’t use it due to his blindness. This makes him feel useless and unable to serve God with his talent. He’s struggling with the loss of his ability and wondering how to fulfill his purpose.
Q2. Why is the poet sad? What happened to him?
Ans. The poet is sad because he’s gone blind in middle age. This has affected his ability to write poetry, which he sees as his way of serving God. He’s upset about losing his sight and worried about how he can now use his talents to be useful.
Q3. Why does the poet fear God in this poem?
Ans. The poet fears God’s judgment after death. He’s worried that God might scold him for not using his poetic talent. This shows his deep concern about fulfilling what he sees as his duty to God, despite his blindness.
Q4. Which do you think is superior-insight or eye-sight?
Ans. Both eyesight and insight are valuable, but in different ways. Eyesight allows us to see the physical world, which is crucial for many everyday tasks and experiences. Insight, however, gives us understanding and wisdom that goes beyond what we can see. While eyesight is important, insight can help us find meaning and purpose even when facing challenges like blindness.
Q5. How does the poet get consolation?
Ans. The poet finds comfort in realizing that God understands his situation. He comes to believe that God doesn’t expect the impossible from him. This insight helps him accept his condition and find peace, knowing that he can still serve God in other ways.
Q6. Who answered his Question?
Ans. The poet’s own inner wisdom, or “insight,” answers his question. Through reflection and his faith, he comes to understand God’s nature better, which provides the answer he seeks.
Q7. Is God absolutely merciful? Is he a king of kings?
Ans. The poem portrays God as merciful and understanding. The poet realizes that God doesn’t demand more than someone can give. God is described as the “king of kings,” with many angels serving Him throughout the universe. This image of God as both powerful and kind helps the poet find peace with his situation.
Q8. Will God forgive the poet?
Ans. The poet believes God will forgive him because he learns to accept God’s will. He realizes that true service to God isn’t just about doing tasks, but also about having faith and accepting one’s circumstances. This humble attitude is what the poet thinks will lead to God’s forgiveness.
Q9. Do you think that God needs only humble Submission? Give arguments.
Ans. The poem suggests that God values humble submission more than specific actions. God is described as all-powerful, with many servants to carry out His will. What God truly wants from people is faith and acceptance of His plan. The poem teaches that even those who can’t actively serve due to limitations like blindness can still please God through their attitude and willingness to accept His will.
Q10. What lesson do you learn from the poem?
Ans. This poem teaches us to accept life’s challenges without losing faith. It shows that our worth isn’t just in what we do, but also in how we face difficulties. We learn that being patient and maintaining faith during hard times is valuable. The poem encourages us to find purpose even when we face limitations, and to trust that there’s meaning in our struggles.
C.2. Group Discussion
Discuss the following in groups or pairs.
Q1. The value of eyes in life.
Ans. Eyes are incredibly important organs in our bodies. They allow us to see the world around us, from the vibrant colors of nature to the faces of our loved ones. With our eyes, we can read books, watch movies, and appreciate art. They help us navigate our surroundings safely, whether we’re walking down a busy street or driving a car. Our eyes also play a crucial role in non-verbal communication, allowing us to understand others’ emotions through facial expressions. While other senses like touch and hearing are valuable, vision provides us with a unique and rich way of experiencing the world. Having good eyesight opens up many opportunities in education, work, and daily life that might be more challenging without it.
Q2. Loss of vision leads to suffering and problems in life.
Ans. Losing one’s vision can indeed lead to significant challenges and suffering. Daily tasks that were once simple, like reading a book or crossing a street, can become difficult and potentially dangerous. A person who loses their sight may struggle with mobility, often needing assistance or special tools to move around safely. This loss of independence can be emotionally challenging, potentially leading to feelings of frustration or depression. Vision loss can also impact a person’s ability to work in certain fields or enjoy visual hobbies they once loved. However, it’s important to note that many blind individuals lead fulfilling lives by adapting to their circumstances, using assistive technologies, and developing their other senses. While vision loss presents real challenges, with support and resources, people can still lead rich, meaningful lives.
Comprehension Based Questions with Answers
1. When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent, which is death to hide,
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To Serve there with my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He, returning, chide;
Q1. Name the poem and the poet.
Ans. The name of the poem is On His Blindness and its poet is John Milton.
Q2. What is it that the poet consider?
Ans. Milton feels that he has become blind before he has lived half the span of his life. He also feels that having been denied eye-sight he cannot write poetry.
Q3. What is lodged with the poet?
Ans. The talent for writing the poetry is lodged with the poet. It has become useless because the poet has become blind. Now he cannot write poetry.
Q4. What is the talent of the poet?
Ans. Milton refers here to his eminent ability in the art of writing poetry.
Q5. What makes the poet so keen and why?
Ans. The first thing is that his poetic gift is going waste. The second thing is that he is very anxious to serve God with his poetry. The third thing is that he is afraid that if he fails to do all these, he might earn God’s anger.
2. ‘Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?’
I fondly ask: but Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, God doth not
Either man’s work, or His own gifts, who best
Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best His state
Is kingly: thousands at His bidding speed.
And post o’er land and Ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Q1. What is the force of fondly’?
Ans. Milton asks himself if God wanted him to do his labour of writing poetry even he had become blind.
Q2. What is his ‘murmur’? Who prevents this murmur?
Ans. His murmur is his grumbling. He murmurs that God will punish him for not making use of his poetic talent. Patience prevents this murmur.
Q3. What is God’s Yoke? Why does Milton call it ‘mild’?
Ans. Milton has employed the word here to point out the duty which God has assigned us all, or the burden or responsibilities with which we begin our earthly life.
Q4. In what does, according to Milton, the best services of God lie?
Ans. The best service of God lies in developing a spirit of resignation to his will in ourselves and in suffering the hardships and difficulties of life.
Q5. What lesson does the Sonnet teach us?
Ans. We must bear with our misfortunes and sorrows without complaining about them or losing faith in God and His justice.
