Explain the following with reference to the context:
I wonder if it hurts to live –
And if They have to try –
And whether – could They choose between –
It would not be – to die –
Solution
These lines are from Emily Dickinson’s poem “I Measure Every Grief I Meet.” In these lines, the speaker wonders if living is painful and if those who are living have to make an effort to continue living. The speaker is contemplating the possibility that living might be difficult or even unbearable for some people.
“I wonder if it hurts to live –”
This opening line expresses the speaker’s curiosity about the pain that may come with life. It suggests that the speaker is questioning the nature of existence and whether living is worth the potential suffering that may accompany it.
“And if They have to try –”
The second line raises the question of effort and struggle in life. The use of the word “They” suggests that the speaker is considering the experiences of others, perhaps wondering whether they too must endure difficult challenges in order to live.
“And whether – could They choose between –”
In this line, the speaker is contemplating the idea of choice. It raises the question of agency in life and whether individuals have the power to choose their own path, or if they are subject to forces beyond their control.
“It would not be – to die –”
The final line of the poem is a contemplation of death. It suggests that death may be a way out of the pain and struggle of life, and that perhaps it is easier to choose death than to continue living with the potential for suffering. The use of the phrase “it would not be” suggests a certain resignation or acceptance of death as a potential alternative to living.
Overall, these lines reveal the speaker’s deep and complex thoughts about the nature of existence and the challenges of life. The poem as a whole explores how the speaker measures and responds to the different kinds of grief they encounter in their own life, and these lines specifically highlight the speaker’s contemplation of life and death.
Explain the following with reference to the context:
The language I speak Becomes mine, its distortions, its queerness All mine, mine alone.
It is half English, half Indian, funny perhaps, but it is honest, It is as human as I am human, don’t You see?
Solution
In these lines from the poem “An Introduction” by Kamala Das, the speaker is exploring the theme of identity and language. She acknowledges that her language is a mixture of English and Indian and that it may sound funny or distorted to others, but she also asserts that this language is uniquely hers and reflects her humanity.
“The language I speak
Becomes mine, its distortions, its queerness”
In these lines, Kamala Das reflects on the unique language she has developed as a writer who writes in English but is also deeply rooted in Indian culture. She suggests that the language she speaks is not a standard or “correct” form of English, but rather a unique, distorted, and queer version that reflects her own experiences and identity. The use of the word “queerness” here suggests that Kamala Das’s language is not just unconventional, but also queer in the sense of being outside of established norms.
“All mine, mine alone. It is half English, half
Indian, funny perhaps, but it is honest,”
Kamala Das asserts her ownership of her language, suggesting that it is uniquely hers and cannot be claimed by anyone else. She also describes her language as a combination of English and Indian elements, suggesting that it reflects both her heritage and her experiences as a writer in a colonial context. The word “funny” here suggests that Kamala Das’s language might be seen as humorous or ridiculous by some, but she insists that it is honest and authentic.
“It is as human as I am human, don’t
You see?”
Finally, Kamala Das asserts that her language is just as human as she is, and that it should be recognized and respected as such. The repetition of the word “human” emphasizes the idea that language is not just a technical or formal construct, but a deeply personal and human expression of identity and experience. The final line, “don’t you see?” is a rhetorical question that invites the reader to share Kamala Das’s perspective and to recognize the importance of language as a tool for self-expression and identity formation.
Through these lines, Kamala Das celebrates the diversity and richness of language and suggests that it is important to maintain one’s linguistic identity in the face of external pressures to assimilate. She implies that our language is a fundamental part of who we are and should be valued and celebrated, regardless of its quirks or imperfections. The speaker’s words encourage us to take pride in our unique linguistic identity, to embrace our linguistic diversity, and to recognize the beauty and value of language as an integral part of our identity.