Missed Summary Class 7 Buzzword

About the Poet

Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, commonly known as P. G. Wodehouse, was an English author and humorist, renowned for his comic novels, short stories, plays, and poems. Born in 1881, Wodehouse's works often revolve around the British upper class in the early 20th century. His writing style is characterized by wit, wordplay, and a keen sense of comedic timing. Wodehouse's works have garnered immense popularity for their light-hearted humor and vivid characterizations.

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem narrates a comical incident during a cricket match where the speaker misses a crucial catch.
• It consists of nine stanzas, each detailing the events leading up to and following the missed catch.
• The tone of the poem shifts from light-hearted and carefree to regretful and humorous.

Detailed Summary

Stanza 1
The sun in the heavens was beaming,
The breeze bore an odour of hay,
My flannels were spotless and gleaming,
My heart was unclouded and gay;

In this stanza, the speaker describes a bright and cheerful day. The sun was shining brightly in the sky. The air carried the sweet smell of hay. The speaker's clothes, called flannels, were clean and shining. The speaker's heart was light and happy, without any worries or clouds of sadness.

Stanza 2
The ladies, all gaily apparelled,
Sat round looking on at the match,
In the tree-tops the dickybirds carolled,
All was peace—till I bungled that catch.

In this stanza, the speaker talks about a scene where elegantly dressed ladies were watching a match. Birds were singing joyfully in the treetops, creating a peaceful atmosphere. However, the tranquility was disrupted when the speaker made a mistake during the game by failing to catch the ball.

Stanza 3
My attention the magic of summer
Had lured from the game—which was wrong.
The bee (that inveterate hummer)
Was droning its favourite song.

Here, the speaker mentions how the enchanting atmosphere of summer distracted them from the game, which was a mistake. The speaker was drawn away from the game by the allure of summer. The speaker heard a bee buzzing and humming its familiar tune, adding to the charm of the setting.

Stanza 4
I heard in a stupor the bowler
Emit a self-satisfied 'Ah!'
The small boys who sat on the roller
Set up an expectant 'Hurrah!'

In this stanza, the speaker describes hearing the bowler make a contented sound of satisfaction. Meanwhile, the young boys sitting on the roller (possibly a piece of cricket equipment) cheered in anticipation. The speaker was somewhat dazed or inattentive during this moment.

Stanza 5
The batsman with grief from the wicket
Himself had begun to detach—
And I uttered a groan and turned sick.
It was over. I'd buttered the catch.

This stanza portrays the disappointment felt by the batsman who had just been dismissed. The speaker, realizing they had missed an easy catch, felt regretful and sickened. The game was over, and the speaker's mistake cost them the catch, leading to a feeling of failure.

Stanza 6
O, ne'er, if I live to a million,
Shall I feel such a terrible pang.
From the seats on the far-off pavilion
A loud yell of ecstasy rang.

Here, the speaker expresses the intense regret they feel for missing the catch. They claim that they will never experience such a deep sense of sorrow even if they live for a million years. In the distance, there was a loud cheer of joy coming from the pavilion, contrasting with the speaker's feelings of disappointment.

Stanza 7
Ah, the bowler's low, querulous mutter
Points loud, unforgettable scoff!
Oh, give me my driver and putter!
Henceforward my game shall be golf.

In this stanza, the speaker recalls the bowler's irritated murmur and mocking remarks directed at them. Frustrated with cricket, the speaker asks for their golf clubs, indicating a shift in interest towards golf from cricket. The speaker decides to switch to golf for future enjoyment.

Stanza 8
If I'm asked to play cricket hereafter,
I am wholly determined to scratch.
Life's void of all pleasure and laughter;
I bungled the easiest catch.

In the final stanza, the speaker declares their firm decision to give up cricket if asked to play again. They feel that life has lost its joy and laughter due to the mistake they made by missing the easiest catch. This regretful experience leads them to contemplate abandoning cricket for good. 

Theme/Message

Themes:

• The Fallibility of Human Nature: The poem explores how even the most seemingly competent individuals can make silly mistakes, highlighting the imperfect nature of humanity.
• Regret and Humor: It delves into the emotions of regret and embarrassment but presents them in a humorous light, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation.

Message:

• Mistakes and Consequences: The poem suggests that even minor errors can have significant consequences and can lead to feelings of regret and self-criticism.
• Finding Redemption Through Change: By humorously vowing to switch from cricket to golf, the speaker hints at the possibility of redemption and growth through learning from past mistakes.

Difficult Words

1. Apparelled: Dressed or clothed.
2. Inveterate: Deep-rooted or habitual.
3. Stupor: A state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility.
4. Self-satisfied: Smug or pleased with oneself.
5. Querulous: Complaining in a whining manner.
6. Ecstasy: Overwhelming joy or delight.
7. Scoff: To speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way.
8. Void: Completely empty or lacking.
9. Scratch: To withdraw from a competition before it begins.
10. Buttered: To fumble or miss an easy catch.