The Ball Poem Summary Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 5

About the Poet 

John Berryman was an American poet and scholar who became known for his work in the confessional school of poetry. He attended South Kent School, Columbia University, and the University of Cambridge. His most famous book is "The Dream Songs."Berryman endured a tragic event at the age of 12 when his father committed suicide outside his window, which deeply affected him. He later adopted his stepfather's surname when his mother remarried. Despite the challenges he faced, Berryman achieved significant recognition for his poetry, winning both the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the National Book Award for Poetry.

John Berryman

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem discusses the common theme of loss through the story of a boy who loses his ball.
• The boy's grief represents the deep feelings that come with losing something valued, connecting his sadness to a greater awareness of loss and responsibility.
• A dime, or another ball, is shown to be worthless, highlighting that nothing can truly ease the pain of loss.
• He is learning, despite his desperate expression, about the nature of loss and how to accept what everyone must eventually face.
• This serves as a reminder that experiencing losses is a part of the human condition.
• People will take balls, and balls will always be lost, illustrating that loss is unavoidable and brings valuable lessons.
• Money is external, pointing out that financial compensation cannot replace what is emotionally lost.

Detailed Summary

What is the boy now, who has lost his ball, What, what is he to do? I saw it go Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then Merrily over — there it is in the water! No use to say ‘O there are other balls’:

The poem describes a young boy who feels a deep sense of loss after his favourite ball rolls away and ends up in the water. This loss is not just about the ball; it carries important memories of happy moments spent playing. While others might think it's just a toy, for the boy, it represents something much more meaningful. This event highlights how we can form strong emotional connections to our belongings.

An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down All his young days into the harbour where His ball went. I would not intrude on him; A dime, another ball, is worthless.

The boy is deeply affected by the loss of his ball and is visibly shaken. He stands still, trembling, gazing into the dark water, clearly upset. The poet chooses not to interfere, suggesting that offering money for a new ball would not make a difference. The loss signifies more than just the ball; it is about the memories and experiences tied to it.

Now He senses first responsibility In a world of possessions. People will take Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy. And no one buys a ball back. Money is external

Looking into the water, the boy realises he cannot retrieve his ball. This moment marks his first understanding of responsibility. The poet points out that through losing the ball, the boy learns about the nature of ownership in a world filled with possessions. Although he might buy a new ball, he cannot replace the one he lost. The poet stresses that money cannot restore the emotional ties and memories associated with the lost ball.

He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes, The epistemology of loss, how to stand up Knowing what every man must one day know And most know many days, how to stand up.

The poet implies that the boy's experience of losing his ball is a lesson in navigating a world filled with material possessions. Through this loss, the boy is gradually coming to understand the concept of loss itself. By witnessing how others must cope with similar losses, the boy begins to grasp the inevitable nature of loss and the resilience required to move forward. As he learns to stand up and face the challenges presented by loss, he gains a deeper understanding of its true significance and the transient nature of possessions. Ultimately, the poet suggests that this experience will equip the boy with the strength and wisdom needed to navigate future losses and leave them behind, having learned their profound lessons.

Theme/Message 

Theme

• This poem can be termed as a ‘coming of age’ poem that deals with the theme of loss and suffering. 
• The poem explores the themes of loss, growing up and transformation of an individual. 
• The poem also touches on the importance of coping with the loss of things that money can’t buy and moving ahead in life.

Message

• The poet gives us the message that loss is inevitable and one must learn to bear with such loss with patience and courage. 
• This poem teaches us the philosophy of life through the loss of the ball. It tells us to accept loss and move ahead in life.

Literary Devices 

• Symbolism –. figure of speech where an object, person or situation has another meaning other than its literal meaning. Ball – the ball symbolises the boy’s happy innocent days.
• Repetition – Repetition of words or phrases in the same line. What , what Balls, Balls
• Anaphora – When two consecutive lines begin with the same word What is the boy to do now, What , what is he to do? Merrily bouncing down the street Merrily over – there it is in the water!
• Alliteration– Repetition of the initial consonant sounds in the same line What , what Balls, balls, Buys a ball back
• Asyndeton – omission or absence of conjunction between parts of a sentence A dime, another ball, is worthless
• Rhetorical question –. question asked just for the sake of asking What is he to do?
• Imagery –  Using descriptive language to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind, like ‘Merrily bouncing down the street’
• Personification – human attributes given to immaterial things ‘Merrily bouncing down the street
• Metaphor – The ball is the metaphor for things lost
• Transferred epithet- (When an adjective is used to describe a noun but it actually refers to another noun) desperate eyes – the boy is desperate not the eyes

Difficult Words 

• Merrily: cheerful
• Bouncing: jumping up and down
• Grief: sorrow
• Rigid: fixed
• Trembling: shaking
• Harbour: dock, port
• Intrude: invader
• Dime: 10 cents (U.S)
• Worthless: valueless, useless
• Possessions: Ownership
• External: Here, things with which feelings are not attached
• Desperate: hopeless
• Epistemology: The Greek word episteme means ‘knowledge’