A Thing of Beauty is an excerpt from John Keats’ longer poem ‘Endymion‘. According to Keats, a thing of beauty is source of joy forever.
Important Questions with Answers
Q. Why does a thing of beauty never pass into nothingness?
Ans. A thing of beauty never passes into nothingness because it would give us a joy which would last with us forever and never end.
Q. What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you?
Ans. In this line Keats says that human beings are aware of the value of beauty in life. They know that a wreath of flowers in the morning can make their whole day worth living. For, in the moments of gloom and grief, the thought of the beautiful wreath will give them a solace. Thus this line suggests to us that a simple but beautiful thing like a wreath of flower is a very valuable things.
Q. How does a thing of beauty provide shelter and comfort?
Ans. A thing of beauty provides shelter and comfort in many ways. It is like a bower, a place under the shade of tree where we can rest. It gives us a sleep full of sweet dreams in the hot weather, the small streams of cool and clear water and the green forests around making a shady place for us.
Q. How do beautiful things help us to live a happy life?
Ans. Beautiful things are a source of eternal joy which provide peaceful sleep and mental peace, uplift out gloomy souls; provide hope, health, happiness, contentment and comfort. These provide a experience of divine feeling.
Q. Mention any two things which cause pain and suffering. Or List the things that cause suffering and pain.
Ans. There are many things that cause us suffering and pain. Things which cause pain and suffering are sadness, hopelessness, a lack of noble qualities and an unhealthy and wicked style of living.
Q. What makes human beings love life inspite of troubles and sufferings?
Ans. Human beings love life inspite of all the trouble and sufferings they face because of all the things of beauty which surround them. These things remove our despondent state and allow us to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Q. According to Keats, what spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it removed?
Ans. Keats says that pain and suffering are a part of life which spread the pall of despondence Over our dark spirits. But still, we can find hope. The hope and motivation comes from nature and it removes this covering of despondence.
Q. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
Ans. The poet refers to objects of nature as well as creation of literary work as things of beauty. The objects of nature mentioned in the poem are clear streams, musk-rose and daffodil flowers, the greenery surrounding them, old and young trees, the forests, the Sun and the Moon.
Q. Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’?
Ans. The ‘mighty dead’ were very powerful and dominating persons during their own times. Their achievements made them, ‘mighty’ and great. Grandeur is associated with them because our past is full of stories of their glory. They will always be remembered for their achievements.
Q. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever? Or Do we experience things of beauty only for a short moment or do they make a lasting impression on us?
Ans. According to the poet ‘A thing of beauty’ is an idea that beauty is an eternal source of pleasure. A lovely thing can give us heavenly joy for all time to come. We can bring to our mind the dancing daffodils and share their joy.
Q. What does a thing of beauty do for us? Or How do we get joy from life which is otherwise full of sorrows?
Ans. Life is, no doubt, full of sorrows. There are troubles and sufferings in life. A thing of beauty adds endless joy to our life and helps us to overcome our sadness and hopelessness. The memory of such a thing gives us everlasting happiness.
Q. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the Earth?
Ans. The poet uses the image of nature as an ‘endless fountain’ pouring unto us from heaven. Nature is a source of endless joy. The sun, the moon, the daffodils, the clear streams, the forests etc. are a few beautiful images that make a deep impact on us.
Q. What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does he call its drink immortal?
Ans. Keats considered nature as endless fountain of immortal drink. He called it immortal because a man can get nest, relief, and power in the company of nature and an endless beauty is hidden in her species.
Q. What is the message of poem ‘A thing of Beauty’?
Ans. The message of the poem ‘A thing of Beauty’ is that a thing of beauty gives us endless joy. It can never vanish nor diminish. These things of beauty take away out stress and tension and rejuvenate us each day. The memory of such thing is a source of everlasting happiness.
