Textbook Solutions: Where the Mind is Without Fear | English (Voice Book) Class 8 PDF Download

A. Answer these questions with reference to the context. 

1.
a.
Ans: In this context, "without fear" means having a state of mind free from apprehension, anxiety, or restraint. It refers to a state where individuals are not afraid to express their thoughts or ideas openly and fearlessly.

b. 
Ans: The word "head" here refers to the individuals themselves, their self-esteem, and their sense of dignity. It signifies the confidence and self-assurance of individuals.

c. 
Ans: When the poet uses the word "where," he is referring to an ideal or envisioned state of existence. He is describing a place or a condition that he desires for his country or for humanity as a whole.

2.
a. 
Ans: The "fragments" being referred to here are the divisions, separations, or barriers that separate people from one another. It implies a state of unity, where people are not divided based on factors like nationality, religion, race, or other divisive elements.

b. 
Ans: The poet suggests that it is the collective actions and attitudes of individuals that break the world into fragments. It is the narrow-mindedness, prejudices, and biases of people that lead to divisions and separations.

c. 
Ans: These breaks occur due to the presence of "narrow domestic walls," which are metaphorical representations of the boundaries or barriers created by people's limited perspectives, biases, and prejudices.

3.
a. 
Ans: The word "clear" is used to describe the "stream of reason" to emphasize its purity, transparency, and rationality. It suggests that reason should be unclouded by biases or irrational beliefs.

b. 
Ans: Reason "loses its way" when individuals are trapped in repetitive, unproductive habits or traditions that hinder progress and growth. It refers to a state where people are not open to change, innovation, or new ideas, and are instead stuck in outdated patterns of thinking.

c. 
Ans: Habits are described as "dead" to emphasize that they no longer serve a purpose or contribute to personal or societal development. They are lifeless and restrictive, preventing individuals from exploring new possibilities and hindering intellectual and spiritual growth.

B. Answer these questions. 

1.
Ans: By "ever-widening thought and action," the poet means continuous intellectual and practical progress. It refers to the expansion of one's thinking, embracing new ideas, knowledge, and perspectives, and translating them into actions that lead to personal and collective growth.

2.
Ans: The character traits that the poet wishes to see in his countrymen include fearlessness, confidence, dignity, open-mindedness, unity, truthfulness, perseverance, and a rational approach to reasoning. He desires individuals who are free from fear, hold their heads high, and possess a strong sense of integrity and intellectual curiosity.

3.
Ans: "Let my country awake" means the poet's plea or desire for his country to awaken from its current state of limitations, divisions, and stagnation. He longs for a transformative awakening, where the country and its people embrace freedom, truth, knowledge, and progress, moving towards a better and enlightened future.

4.
Ans: The poet would like his countrymen to gain perfection through tireless striving and continuous efforts towards improvement. He emphasizes the importance of constantly stretching one's abilities and reaching for perfection in thought and action. It implies a dedication to personal and societal growth, learning from mistakes, and constantly pushing the boundaries of individual and collective potential.

5.
Ans: The poet mentions various kinds of freedom in the poem. These include freedom of thought, freedom of expression, freedom from fear, and freedom from narrow divisions and barriers. He envisions a society where individuals are intellectually and creatively liberated, and where unity and understanding prevail over divisive elements.

6.
Ans: The "heaven" imagined by the poet represents an ideal state of existence. It symbolizes a utopian society characterized by freedom, truth, knowledge, unity, and continuous progress. It is a state where individuals are fearless, their minds are enlightened, and they strive towards perfection in thought and action, resulting in personal and collective well-being.