The Rebel Summary Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 2

About the Poet

Dennis Joseph Enright, commonly known as D. J. Enright, was an esteemed English poet, novelist, and academic. Born on March 11, 1920, in Royal Leamington Spa, England, Enright's literary works often showcased wit, satire, and a keen observation of human behavior. He served as a professor of English at various universities, including the University of Singapore, and his writing style often reflected his deep understanding of human nature and society.

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem titled "The Rebel" by D. J. Enright consists of multiple stanzas illustrating the rebellious nature of an individual who goes against societal norms.
• It explores various scenarios where the rebel intentionally contradicts the actions and behaviors of the majority.
• The poem touches upon themes of nonconformity, individualism, and the importance of divergent perspectives in a society.
• The structure includes contrasting situations in each stanza, highlighting the rebel's inclination towards opposition and deviation from the norm.

Detailed Summary

Stanza 1
When everybody has short hair,
The rebel lets his hair grow long.
When everybody has long hair,
The rebel cuts his hair short.

In this stanza, the poet talks about a person who is called a rebel. A rebel is someone who does things differently from others. Here, the rebel is described as someone who grows their hair long when everyone else has short hair. This means the rebel likes to stand out and be different. Similarly, when everyone else has long hair, the rebel cuts their hair short. This shows that the rebel doesn't like to follow the crowd and prefers to be unique in their appearance.

Stanza 2
When everybody talks during the lesson,
The rebel doesn't say a word.
When nobody talks during the lesson,
The rebel creates a disturbance.

This stanza tells us that the rebel behaves differently in a classroom setting. When everyone is talking and not paying attention during the lesson, the rebel remains quiet. This shows that the rebel values silence and respects the learning environment. On the other hand, when nobody is talking during the lesson, the rebel disrupts by creating a disturbance. This behavior of the rebel shows a desire to challenge the norm and be noticed in different ways.

Stanza 3
When everybody wears a uniform,
The rebel dresses in fantastic clothes.
When everybody wears fantastic clothes,
The rebel dresses soberly.

In this stanza, the poet is highlighting how the rebel's choice of clothing is contrary to what others wear. When everyone is in a uniform, the rebel stands out by wearing fantastic and unique clothes. This shows the rebel's desire to express individuality through their attire. Conversely, when everyone else is dressed in fantastic clothes, the rebel opts for a more simple and sober dressing style. This behavior of the rebel emphasizes their inclination towards being different and not following the crowd blindly.

Stanza 4
In the company of dog lovers,
The rebel expresses a preference for cats.
In the company of cat lovers,
The rebel puts in a good word for dogs.

This stanza illustrates how the rebel expresses preferences opposite to those around them. When surrounded by people who love dogs, the rebel shows a liking for cats. Conversely, when in the company of cat lovers, the rebel speaks positively about dogs. This behavior of the rebel indicates a deliberate choice to go against the majority opinion and to have their own unique perspective on things.

Stanza 5
When everybody is praising the sun,
The rebel remarks on the need for rain.
When everybody is greeting the rain,
The rebel regrets the absence of sun.

In this stanza, the rebel's viewpoint on weather is highlighted. While everyone else is enjoying and praising the sun, the rebel points out the importance of rain. Conversely, when everyone is happy about the rain, the rebel expresses disappointment at the absence of the sun. This shows the rebel's tendency to see things differently and to appreciate the aspects that others might overlook.

Stanza 6
When everybody goes to the meeting,
The rebel stays at home and reads a book.
When everybody stays at home and reads a book,
The rebel goes to the meeting.

This stanza depicts how the rebel chooses to act contrarily to the majority's actions. While everyone else attends a meeting, the rebel prefers to stay at home and read a book. Conversely, when everyone else decides to stay home and read, the rebel goes to the meeting. This behavior showcases the rebel's independent thinking and their willingness to go against the usual flow of events.

Stanza 7
When everybody says, Yes please,
The rebel says, No thank you.
When everybody says, No thank you,
The rebel says, Yes please.

In this stanza, the poet emphasizes the rebel's habit of responding oppositely to others. When everyone agrees by saying 'Yes please,' the rebel decides to decline by saying 'No thank you.' Similarly, when others refuse by saying 'No thank you,' the rebel chooses to accept by saying 'Yes please.' This behavior underlines the rebel's inclination to challenge the norm and to have a different perspective on common interactions.

Stanza 8
It is very good that we have rebels.
You may not find it very good to be one.

The final stanza reflects on the importance of rebels in society. It acknowledges that having rebels who challenge conventions and norms can be beneficial for progress and growth. However, it also suggests that being a rebel oneself may not always be easy or desirable. This stanza serves as a conclusion to the poem, highlighting the significance of individuals who dare to think differently and make a positive impact on the world.

Theme/Message

Difficult Words

1. Preference: A greater liking for one alternative over others.
2. Disturbance: Disruption or interruption of a peaceful situation.
3. Sobriety: Seriousness or solemnity in demeanor or behavior.
4. Contradicts: Denies the truth by asserting the opposite.
5. Homogenous: Consisting of parts all of the same kind.
6. Dissent: The expression or holding of opinions at variance with those commonly or officially held.
7. Celebration: The action of marking one's pleasure at an important event or occasion by engaging in enjoyable, typically social, activity.
8. Conformity: Compliance with standards, rules, or laws.
9. Individuality: The quality or character of a particular person or thing that distinguishes them from others of the same kind.
10. Contradiction: A combination of statements, ideas, or features which are opposed to one another.