Short Answer Type Questions
Q1: What is the Wander-thirst in the poem?
Ans: The Wander-thirst is a strong desire or longing for travel and adventure.
Q2: What lies beyond the East and the West?
Ans: Beyond the East, there is the sunrise, and beyond the West, there is the sea.
Q3: Why does the speaker want to say goodbye?
Ans: The Wander-thirst, or the desire for adventure, makes the speaker want to say goodbye.
Q4: According to the speaker, what can a man have for a friend and a guide?
Ans: According to the speaker, a man can have the sun for a friend and a star for a guide.
Q5: Why can there not be an end to traveling, according to the speaker?
Ans: The rivers, roads, and the call of the bird keep pulling, so once the voice for travel is heard, there is no end to traveling.
Q6: What does the blame lie on, according to the last line of the poem?
Ans: The blame lies on the stars, the sun, the white road, and the sky – symbolizing the call of adventure.
Q7: What is described as working in the speaker like madness?
Ans: The Wander-thirst works in the speaker like madness, urging them to say goodbye.
Q8: What is the speaker's view about the sun and the star in the poem?
Ans: The speaker sees the sun as a friend and the star as a guide.
Q9: What is the significance of the call of the bird in the poem?
Ans: The call of the bird is part of the irresistible urge to travel, according to the speaker.
Q10: What does "yonder" mean in the poem?
Ans: "Yonder" means there or at a distance.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q1: Explain the role of Wander-thirst in the speaker's desire to say goodbye.
Ans: The Wander-thirst is a strong longing for travel and adventure, making the speaker feel like saying goodbye to familiar places. It acts like a form of madness, driving the speaker to seek new experiences.
Q2: Describe the elements that the speaker considers as a friend and guide.
Ans: According to the speaker, a man can have the sun as a friend and a star as a guide. These elements represent the companionship and guidance in the journey of life.
Q3: Why does the speaker believe there is no end to traveling?
Ans: The speaker believes that the call of the rivers, roads, and the bird creates an unstoppable force once the voice for travel is heard. This continual beckoning keeps the desire to travel alive.
Q4: Explain the symbolism behind "blaming the stars and the sun" in the last line.
Ans: The stars, the sun, the white road, and the sky symbolize the allure of adventure. Blaming them implies that the irresistible call of exploration is responsible for the speaker's need to leave.
Q5: Discuss the significance of the line "And come I may, but go I must."
Ans: This line suggests that while the speaker may return home, the inner calling and desire for adventure make it necessary for them to leave again. It emphasizes the inevitability of departing on new journeys.
Q6: How does the poem portray the relationship between the speaker and the elements of nature?
Ans: The speaker sees the sun and the star as friends and guides, and elements like the seas, stars, rivers, roads, and the bird are portrayed as powerful forces that influence the speaker's desire for adventure.
Q7: What emotions does the Wander-thirst evoke in the speaker, and how are they expressed in the poem?
Ans: The Wander-thirst evokes a sense of madness and a strong desire for adventure in the speaker. This is expressed through the urge to say goodbye and the constant pull of the elements like the seas, stars, and sky.
Q8: Examine the role of the white road in the poem and its connection to the speaker's longing.
Ans: The white road symbolizes the unknown path of adventure. It contributes to the speaker's longing by representing the endless possibilities and excitement that lie ahead in the journey.
Q9: Discuss the poet's message about the inevitability of leaving and the blame placed on nature in the last line.
Ans: The poet conveys a message that the call of nature, represented by stars, sun, and the sky, is so strong that leaving becomes inevitable. The blame on nature suggests that this desire for adventure is a force beyond the speaker's control.
Q10: Explain the significance of the old ships drawing home and the young ships sailing away in the poem.
Ans: This imagery represents the cyclical nature of journeys. Old ships drawing home signify the return to familiar places, while young ships sailing away symbolize new adventures and departures. It reinforces the idea of a continuous cycle of exploration.
