Textbook Solutions: The Rock and the Sea | Gul Mohar Class 8: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

Before You Read

Q. Look at the illustration on this page. If the Rock and the Sea had a conversation, what do you think they would say to each other? Discuss in class.
Ans: If the Rock and the Sea spoke, the Rock would boast about its immovable strength and firmness, claiming that no force could shake it. The Sea, however, would remind the Rock of its restless waves and constant persistence. Their conversation would reveal conflict, rivalry, and the larger balance of nature, showing that both power and patience are essential forces shaping the world.

Understanding the Poem

Answer these questions

Q1. I AM the Rock, presumptuous Sea!/ I am set to encounter thee. 
a.  Why do you think the Rock needs to assert its power over the Sea?
Ans: The Rock asserts its power to prove its permanence against the restless Sea. It feels proud of its immovable strength and wants to remind the Sea that no matter how many waves crash upon it, the Rock will stand unmoved. This declaration shows the Rock’s defiance and pride in its endurance against constant challenges.

b. Why does the Rock call the Sea 'presumptuous'?
Ans: The Rock calls the Sea “presumptuous” because it believes the Sea is arrogant and overconfident in thinking it can weaken or defeat the Rock. By using this word, the Rock mocks the Sea’s boldness, suggesting that its restless energy is useless before the Rock’s mighty strength.

c. What does 'encounter thee' mean? Does 'encounter' mean something more than just 'meet' here?
Ans: The phrase “encounter thee” means to face or confront directly. Here, it suggests more than just a meeting; it refers to a battle or continuous struggle between the Rock and the Sea. The word emphasizes their never-ending fight for dominance, with both testing the other’s endurance and power.

Q2. Thou mayst pat my cheek with baby hands, / And lap my feet in diamond sands 
a. What do the actions of the Sea suggest it is doing?
Ans: The Sea’s actions of patting the Rock’s cheek and lapping at its feet suggest playful yet constant strikes. While these seem gentle, they show the Sea’s persistence in wearing down the Rock’s firmness. The playful gestures hide its hidden strength—small actions repeated endlessly can bring great change over time.

b. How has the Rock characterised the Sea? Which word from this stanza makes it absolutely clear?
Ans: The Rock has characterised the Sea as childlike and weak, treating its movements as harmless play. The phrase “baby hands” makes this clear, as it compares the Sea’s waves to the gentle touch of a child. The Rock sees the Sea as restless but lacking real strength.

c. How has the tone of the Rock changed from the first stanza to the second?
Ans: In the first stanza, the Rock speaks with pride, confidence, and defiance, strongly declaring its strength. In the second stanza, the tone softens slightly as it treats the Sea more lightly, almost as a playful child. The Rock still shows pride but also a sense of amusement.

Q3. As one holds an apple in his hand./ Hold it fast with sleepless eyes
a. Why do you think the Sea is described as holding the land like one holds an apple in one's hand?
Ans: The Sea is described this way to highlight its power over the land. Just as an apple can slip, be turned, or even be eaten when held, the land too is vulnerable to the Sea’s force. This imagery shows how the Sea can shape, erode, or destroy land whenever it chooses.

b. Why have the eyes been described as 'sleepless'?
Ans: The eyes have been described as “sleepless” because the Sea never rests. Its waves are constantly moving, watching, and pressing against the land both day and night. This shows the Sea’s endless energy and its tireless, watchful nature, reminding us that it is always active.

c. What kind of relationship do you think the land and the sea share?
Ans: The land and the Sea share a relationship of both conflict and dependence. The Sea constantly pushes, erodes, and reshapes the land, while the land resists these changes. Their relationship is a never-ending struggle, but it also shows balance, as each force defines and gives meaning to the other.

Q4. Look at the poem as a conversation between the Rock and the Sea. Is the Sea sending a message to the Rock? What is the Sea trying to prove to the Rock? Support your answer with phrases or sentences from the poem.
Ans: Yes, the Sea is sending a message to the Rock. Through its constant patting, lapping, and holding of the land, the Sea shows that persistence is stronger than pride. The Sea wants to prove that even the mightiest Rock cannot remain unchanged forever. Its message is clear: continuous effort and movement eventually bring transformation.

Appreciating the Poem

Q1. Write down two adjectives to describe the personalities of the Rock and the Sea.
Ans: The Rock is strong and proud, representing firmness and stability. The Sea is restless and persistent, symbolizing constant energy and change. Together, these contrasting qualities highlight two powerful forces of nature—one standing still in defiance, the other moving endlessly with determination.

Q2. Both the Rock and the Sea stand for the forces of Nature. 
a. How does reading the poem make you feel?
Ans: Reading the poem makes me feel thoughtful about nature’s incredible power. It shows that natural forces, though different, are deeply connected. The Rock and the Sea remind me of human conflicts—pride resisting persistence. The poem inspires respect for the balance of nature and the lessons it teaches us.
b. What does the last stanza of the poem tell us about change in Nature?
Ans: The last stanza tells us that change in nature is continuous and unavoidable. Even the strongest and most permanent-seeming forces, like rocks, can be shaped or worn down over time. Nothing is fixed forever, and nature’s power always brings transformation.

Q3. Note how each stanza of the poem begins with 'I am .. .' If the stanzas began differently, would it change the effect the poem has on you?
Ans: Yes, it would change the effect. The repetition of “I am” gives both the Rock and the Sea a strong voice and clear identity. It makes their conversation feel dramatic and powerful. Without it, the poem would lose its authority and the sense of direct confrontation between the two forces.