Song of the Open Road- Std 12 Solution

querulous – विचित्र

criticism – टीका

sufficient- पुरेशी enough

constellation – नक्षत्र

delicious – रुचकर sweet

burdens – ओझे

to get rid of – च्या पासून सुटका करणे

Paraphrase of Song of the Open Road

The poet takes to the open road readily and enthusiastically. He intends to travel the healthy and free world. He chooses the long path to travel. He believes in the journey rather than destination.  He does not believe in luck. He considers himself good fortune. He does not postpone his journey. He keeps away all the complaints and criticism. He is strong and content enough to travel the open road. The earth is sufficient for him to live a life. He does not hope any higher thing. He carries with him old sweet memories of wherever he goes. He is filled with memories and he owes gratitude to the good people.

कवी सहज आणि उत्साहाने मोकळ्या रस्त्यावर जातो. निरोगी आणि मुक्त जगाचा प्रवास करण्याचा त्यांचा मानस आहे. तो प्रवासासाठी लांबचा मार्ग निवडतो. गंतव्यस्थानाऐवजी प्रयत्नावर त्याचा विश्वास आहे. नशिबावर त्याचा विश्वास नाही. तो स्वत: ला सौभाग्यवान मानतो. तो आपला प्रवास पुढे ढकलत नाही. तो सर्व तक्रारी आणि टीका दूर ठेवतो. तो  मुक्त रस्त्यावर प्रवास करण्यास सक्षम व समाधानीआहे. पृथ्वी त्याला जीवन जगन्यास पुरेसी आहे. त्याला कुठल्याही उच्च वस्तूची अपेक्षा नाही. तो जिथे जिथे जाईल तिथे जुन्या गोड आठवणी त्याच्या बरोबर घेऊन जातो. तो आठवणींनी भरलेला आहे आणि चांगल्या लोकांबद्दल कृतज्ञ आहे.

Summary

“Walt Whitman’s ‘Song of the Open Road'” is a poem that celebrates the spirit of freedom, exploration, and adventure. It begins with the narrator inviting the reader to join him on a journey along the open road, which symbolizes the path of life itself. Throughout the poem, Whitman extols the virtues of traveling freely, unencumbered by material possessions or societal constraints. He revels in the beauty of nature, the diversity of humanity, and the exhilaration of experiencing new places and cultures. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and lyrical language, conveying a sense of wonder and awe at the vastness and complexity of the world. Ultimately, “Song of the Open Road” serves as a celebration of the human spirit and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead for those who are willing to embrace the journey of life with courage and curiosity.

BRAINSTORMING on Song of the open Road by Walt Whitman

(A1) (i) Pick out the lines showing that the poet is prepared to enjoy every moment of his journey.

Ans: The following lines shows that the poet is prepared to enjoy every moment of his journey.

“Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune. “

(ii) By ‘old delicious burdens’ the poet means-

(a) the luggage

(b) the food he carries

(c) the stress he bears during the travels

(d) sweet memories of the past

Ans: (d) sweet memories of the past

(iii) The poet Walt Whitman is a person who is free from all inhibitions. Discuss how the concept of ‘freedom’ is expressed in the poem. 

Ans :  The poet expressed the concept of freedom in this poem. He wants to go on voyage without destination. He wants to on an unending journey. He wants to be free from indoor complaints and criticism. 

(A2) (i) Following are the activities of the poet related to his journey on the road.

Divide them into two parts as ‘activities the poet will practise’ and‘activities he will not practise’.

(a) Walking along the road though he does not know where it reaches

(b) Complaining about the discomforts during the journey

(c) Postponing the journey

(d) Praying for good fortune

(e) Carrying the fond memories of the good people

(f) Creating contacts with famous and influential people

(g) Striving to achieve high and bright success

(h) Reflecting and developing his own ‘self’

Ans: 

Activities the poet will practise	Activities the poet will not practise
(a) Walking along the road though he does not know where it reaches	(b) Complaining about the discomforts during the journey
(e) Carrying the fond memories of the good people	(c) Postponing the journey
(h) Reflecting and developing his own ‘self’	(d) Praying for good fortune
	(f) Creating contacts with famous and influential people
	(g) Striving to achieve high and bright success

(ii) Write down the traits the poet exhibit through following lines. One is done for you.

(a) Henceforth, I ask for no good fortune-I myself am good fortune :   Self-confidence

(b) Henceforth, I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing- Self – satisfaction 

(c) I do not want the constellations any nearer- Competent 

(d) I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them- Kinship 

(e) I am filled with them – I will fill them in return- Gratitude 

(iii) ‘Healthy, free, the world before me’. 

Express your views regarding the above line. 

Ans: The poet is of the opinion that the world is healthy attracting him. He wants to be free from all bonds and travel the world. 

(A3) The poet Walt Whitman has used many describing words such as ‘healthy’ in this poem.

Make a list and classify them as –

(a) For the world: healthy, free

(b) For himself: light hearted, strong, content 

(c) For the road: open, brown, long 

(A4) (i) Read the expression ‘old delicious burdens.’ A burden cannot be delicious.

The expression contains opposite ideas that make it seem absurd or unlikely, although it may be true. This is called ‘Paradox.’

(ii) The road in the poem does not mean only the road to travel. The poet wants to suggest the road of life. Explain the metaphor with the help of the poem.

Ans: The poet wants to lead the life without hoping any fortune, assistance and complain. He is strong and content enough to lead his own life in his way. 

 (iv) There are certain words that are repeated in the poem Song of the Open Road by Walt Whitman.

For example, ‘no more’ 

Find out other similar expressions. Explain the effect they have created in the poem.

good-fortune, the open road, carry them

The repetition of such words added musical effect in the poem and turned the poem into a song to be sung with a particular instrument. It also stressed the idea the poet wants to assert. 

Activity Sheet No. 1

Read the extract (The Poem Song of the Open Road) and do all the activities.

The road to school is muddy.

But joyful to walk with buddy.

On it we walk, run and ride cool.

The road takes me to school.

Poetic Appreciation

Write a poetic appreciation of the poem ‘Song of the Open Road’ with the help of the following points.

• ·       About the poem / poet and the title
• ·       The theme
• ·       Poetic Style
• ·       Language /Poetic devices
• ·       Special features
• ·       Message, values, morals in the poem
• ·       Your opinions about the poem

The poem ‘Song of the Open Road’ is taken from ‘Leaves of Grass’ by Walt Whitman. It is a beautiful blend of human feelings. It enlightens us with the poet’s self-realizations about the journey of life. Walt Whitman, an American poet, is often called as ‘The Father of free verse’. The title of the poem is significant and apt. The road signifies mobility.

The poem is about self-awareness, free will and tenderness of heart. Staying in one place for too long stagnates the life.

The poem is free verse. It has no regular rhyme and rhythm. It has unique arrangements of words and lines. Three to five lines together make meaning (Complete sense).The poem is enriched with the poetic devices such as metaphor, alliteration, repetition and paradox. These poetic devices add musical and pictorial effect. People should take the road as point to start over towards something new. The journey of life should be mobile and always on the road to move on.