Detailed Summary: A Night In June | Oxford English for Class 4 PDF Download

About the Poet

William Wordsworth was a famous English poet born on April 7, 1770, in Cockermouth, a small town in the Lake District of England. He is known for being one of the leaders of the Romantic movement in literature, which celebrated nature, emotion, and the beauty of the world around us. Wordsworth loved nature and often wrote about it in his poems. He believed that nature could teach us important lessons and help us feel more connected to the world. His most famous work is "Lyrical Ballads," which he co-wrote with Samuel Taylor Coleridge. This book changed poetry forever by introducing new ideas about how poetry should sound and what it should talk about. Wordsworth wrote many poems throughout his life, and he believed that poetry should be written in simple language so that everyone could understand it. He often drew inspiration from his own experiences and the beauty of the Lake District. Wordsworth passed away on April 23, 1850, but his love for nature and his beautiful words continue to inspire people today.

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem is a short lyrical piece by William Wordsworth.
• It consists of one stanza made up of eleven lines.
• The poem describes a peaceful evening scene after sunset.
• Wordsworth uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of nature.
• The poem highlights the sounds of birds and water, creating a calming atmosphere.
• It captures the beauty and tranquility of nature at dusk.
• The cuckoo bird is a central symbol in the poem, representing nature's voice.

Detailed Summary

Stanza 1
The sun has long been set,
The stars are out by twos and threes,
The little birds are piping yet
Among the bushes and trees:

In this first part of the poem, the poet tells us about the time when the sun has gone down, which means it is nighttime. The sun is not shining anymore, and it is dark outside. But even though it is night, we can see stars in the sky. The poet says the stars are out "by twos and threes," which means there are a few stars shining brightly. It’s like when you see a few shiny toys scattered around. The poet also talks about little birds. These birds are still chirping and making sweet sounds, even though it is night. They are happy and lively, singing their songs among the bushes and trees. Imagine being in a garden where you can hear birds singing while looking up at the twinkling stars. It makes everything feel peaceful and magical. So, this stanza sets a lovely scene of a quiet night filled with stars and cheerful birds.

Stanza 2
There's a cuckoo and one or two thrushes,
And a far-off wind that rushes,
And a sound of water that gushes,
And the cuckoo's sovereign cry
Fills all the hollow of the sky.

In the second part of the poem, the poet describes more sounds and things happening in the night. He mentions a cuckoo, which is a type of bird known for its special call. The cuckoo's sound is very important in this stanza because it is loud and can be heard from far away. The poet also hears some thrushes, which are another kind of bird. There is also a "far-off wind that rushes." This means the wind is blowing quickly, and we can hear it from a distance. It feels like the wind is playing a game, moving through the trees and bushes. Next, the poet hears a sound of water "that gushes." This could mean a stream or a river flowing fast, making splashing sounds, just like when you pour water out of a cup. The cuckoo’s call, which is described as "sovereign," means it sounds very powerful and takes over the night. It fills the sky with its noise, making everything around feel alive and vibrant. In this stanza, the poet paints a picture of a lively evening filled with the sounds of nature. The wind, water, and birds all come together to create a beautiful nighttime symphony, making the reader feel the joy and beauty of being outside at night. 

Theme/ Message

The poem talks about how beautiful and peaceful nature is during the evening, after the sun goes down. Wordsworth shows how everything changes from day to night, with calming sounds like birds singing and leaves rustling. The cuckoo bird is special and represents how life keeps going. The poet loves nature and wants us to enjoy and appreciate it. He reminds us to take time to look at and listen to the world around us because it makes us feel happy and relaxed. The poem teaches us that nature is important and full of wonderful things to discover.

Difficult Words

• Sovereign: A supreme ruler or a person having ultimate power.
• Piping: The act of making a high-pitched sound, like a bird singing.
• Gushes: To flow out suddenly and in large amounts.
• Hollow: Having a space or cavity inside; empty.
• Rushes: Moves quickly or suddenly; can also mean to flow quickly.
• Thrushes: A type of songbird known for its beautiful singing.
• Among: In the middle of or surrounded by.
• Twos and threes: Indicates a small number or few, often used to describe a scattered group.
• Far-off: Distant or far away.
• Evening: The period of time at the end of the day, before night.
• Transform: To change in form, appearance, or structure.
• Tranquility: A state of peace and calm.
• Imagery: Descriptive language that helps create a picture in the reader's mind.
• Atmosphere: The mood or feeling that is created in a piece of writing.
• Symbol: A thing that represents or stands for something else.