Class 10 Exam  >  Class 10 Notes  >  Literature Reader (Communicative English) Class 10  >  Explanation: Expression - The Frog and the Nightingale

Explanation: Expression - The Frog and the Nightingale | Literature Reader (Communicative English) Class 10 PDF Download

1. Croaked away in Bingle Bog......... (line 2)

Explanation ...

Bog is a wet and marshy land. The poet has deliberately used ‘Bingle’ for alliteration.

2. He croaked awn and awn and awn......... (line 4)

Explanation ...

It means ‘on and on’. These words are phonetically selected and also rhyme with dawn.

3. And the crass cacophony......... (line 7)

Explanation ...

‘Crass’ means meaningless and cacophony is a very loud and unpleasant noise. Here it is used to refer to the unpleasant voice of the frog.

4. To display his heart’s elation......... (line 14)

Explanation ...

Elation means happiness. In this context, it means that the frog sang to express the happiness of his heart.

5. Stared toward the sumac, rapt......... (line 21)

Explanation ...

Sumac is a tree with cane-shaped fruits. When the nightingale sat on a sumac tree and sang her melodious song, all the creatures of the bog were mesmerised and were curious to know who the singer was.

6. For my splendid baritone......... (line 44)

Explanation ...

The frog gets a complex after hearing the nightingale and the praise she has got. But he is very boastful and calls his unpleasant voice as ‘baritone’, which is good for male singers.

Question for Explanation: Expression - The Frog and the Nightingale
Try yourself:
What is the meaning of the word "crass" in line 7?
View Solution

7. The technique was fine of course.
 But it lacked a certain force......... (line 50)

Explanation ...

The frog is jealous so he gives a negative complement in a very tactful manner. He cannot find any fault, so admits that the ‘technique’ is flawless but the song is not full of passion.

8. I don’t think the song’s divine
 But -oh-well-at least it’s mine......... (lines 55-56)

Explanation ...

The nightingale is trying to be very modest since the creatures of the bog had already declared her song to be ‘too divine’. She is overawed by a great critic like frog, so she says in a timid manner that she is proud of the originality of her song. Ironically, she is chastised in the end for not being original.

9. Breathed: “This is a fairy tale -
 And you’re Mozart in disguise” (lines 64-65)

Explanation ...

The nightingale cannot believe her luck, since dreams only materialise in fairytales. Moreover, she is too impressed and overawed by the frog’s offer to train her. So she compares him to the famous German musician Mozart.

10. Flushed with confidence, and fired
 with both art and adoration (lines 70-71)

Explanation ...

The nightingale is greatly inspired. She has already received praise and appreciation from the creatures of the bog, so she is full of confidence and is ready to create ripples in the world of art.

11. Journeyed up and down the scale ......... (line 84)

Explanation ...

The frog persuades the nightingale to sing in rainy weather, which is not suitable to her. He makes her practise at various pitch-levels, tries many musical notes, and as a result the nightingale is too tired.

Question for Explanation: Expression - The Frog and the Nightingale
Try yourself:
What reason does the frog give for criticizing the nightingale's song in line 50?
View Solution

12. Owl of Sandwich, Duck of Kent........
 Mallard and Milady Trent
 Martin Cardinal Mephisto
 And the Coot of Monte Cristo......... (lines 90-94)

Explanation ...

The poet wishes to create humour so this refers to the titled crowd, which are authentic royal titles. Earl of Sandwich, Duke of Kent My lord and Milady of Trent Martin and Cardinal from Mephisto Count of Monte Cristo.

13. “We must aim for better billings
 You still owe me sixty shillings”......... (line 109-110)

Explanation ...

The frog’s greed is insatiable. He coaxes the nightingale to sing more passionately, so that more creatures come to hear her and he can mint more money. Moreover, he exploits her further by charging her for giving music training.

14. And, my dear, “lay on more trills,
 Audiences enjoy such frills.........” (lines 105-106)

Explanation ...

The frog wants to tire the nightingale, so he asks her to sing very fast-paced musical notes, repetitively, which will prove to be very exhausting. He gives the logic that the audience prefer very fast, sensational embellishments in a song.

15. Night on night her tired song
 Zipped and trilled and bounced along......... (lines 113-114)

Explanation ...

The nightingale is thoroughly exhausted; her voice has lost its freshness and magic. The melody of her voice has been replaced by musical notes that are repetitive but not pleasant to hear. The songs just appear to drag on. So the creatures of the bog lose interest.

16. “Use your wits and follow fashion
 Puff your lungs out with passion”........ (lines 125-126)

Explanation ...

This piece of advice from the frog proves to be the nightingale’s undoing. She tries to perform as instructed by the callous frog and tries to infuse more energy and force in her song. Unfortunately, this results in bursting a vein and the nightingale succumbs to her death under pressure.

17. But she was a stupid creature - .....
 Far too prone to influence......... (lines 132-134)

Explanation ...

These lines reveal how malicious and hard-hearted the frog is. He starts criticising the nightingale the moment she dies. Instead of a worthy tribute, he calls her stupid, vulnerable and too nervous. Basically he wants to be rid of any blame that may be heaped on him, for her death. He is right in calling the nightingale ‘too prone to influence’ because it was her vulnerability that led to her death.

18. “That your song must be your own that’s why I sing with panache”

Explanation ...

Nightingale was proud of her originality and the frog had earlier also criticised her that it was not enough reason to boast about. He continues in his conceited manner, telling everyone that no one could imitate his confident and elegant style.

The document Explanation: Expression - The Frog and the Nightingale | Literature Reader (Communicative English) Class 10 is a part of the Class 10 Course Literature Reader (Communicative English) Class 10.
All you need of Class 10 at this link: Class 10
Are you preparing for Class 10 Exam? Then you should check out the best video lectures, notes, free mock test series, crash course and much more provided by EduRev. You also get your detailed analysis and report cards along with 24x7 doubt solving for you to excel in Class 10 exam. So join EduRev now and revolutionise the way you learn!
Sign up for Free Download App for Free
5 videos|107 docs|3 tests

Up next

FAQs on Explanation: Expression - The Frog and the Nightingale - Literature Reader (Communicative English) Class 10

1. What is the central theme of "The Frog and the Nightingale"?
Ans. The central theme of "The Frog and the Nightingale" revolves around the concepts of manipulation, exploitation, and the consequences of blindly following others. It highlights how the nightingale, despite her talent, becomes a victim of the frog's deceitful nature, ultimately leading to her downfall.
2. How does the frog manipulate the nightingale in the poem?
Ans. The frog manipulates the nightingale by pretending to be her mentor and offering her guidance on how to improve her singing. He exploits her talent for his own benefit, convincing her to sing for his audience, while he takes credit and benefits from her fame, ultimately leading to her exhaustion and demise.
3. What lessons can be learned from the nightingale's experience in the poem?
Ans. The poem teaches important lessons about the dangers of blind trust and the importance of self-awareness. It emphasizes that one should be cautious about whom to trust and should recognize their own worth, rather than allowing others to dictate their actions or diminish their talents.
4. What role does nature play in "The Frog and the Nightingale"?
Ans. Nature plays a significant role in "The Frog and the Nightingale" as the setting reflects the beauty and tranquility of the environment, which contrasts with the harsh reality of the frog's manipulation. The nightingale's beautiful song represents the purity of nature, while the frog symbolizes corruption and deceit within that natural framework.
5. How does the poem reflect human behavior and social dynamics?
Ans. The poem reflects human behavior and social dynamics by showcasing how individuals can be easily influenced by charm and charisma, leading to exploitation. It illustrates the dynamics of power and control, where the stronger or more manipulative party can dominate and take advantage of the more vulnerable, mirroring real-life social interactions.

Up next

Explore Courses for Class 10 exam
Related Searches

Free

,

pdf

,

Objective type Questions

,

past year papers

,

practice quizzes

,

Sample Paper

,

Explanation: Expression - The Frog and the Nightingale | Literature Reader (Communicative English) Class 10

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

Viva Questions

,

Important questions

,

Explanation: Expression - The Frog and the Nightingale | Literature Reader (Communicative English) Class 10

,

study material

,

Semester Notes

,

Summary

,

mock tests for examination

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

ppt

,

Explanation: Expression - The Frog and the Nightingale | Literature Reader (Communicative English) Class 10

,

Exam

,

video lectures

,

MCQs

,

Extra Questions

;