A Psalm Of Life Class 12 English Summary Questions And Answers Chse

PHPWord

A PSALM OF LIFE (HENRY W. LONGFELLOW) -class-12-english-summary-questions-and-answers-chse

SUMMARY –

In this inspirational poem, Longfellow encourages people to live life with purpose, courage, and determination. He rejects the idea that life is “an empty dream” or that death is the final truth. Instead, he insists that life is real, meaningful, and full of opportunities.

The poet says that time is short, and death comes inevitably, but we should not waste our days in sorrow or idleness. Instead, we must act bravely, work hard, and leave behind noble deeds that inspire others.

He emphasizes that we are not born just to enjoy or suffer, but to achieve something valuable. He compares life to a battlefield where we should fight like heroes, not remain passive like cattle.

The poem concludes by urging us to live in the present, not in regret of the past or fear of the future, and to learn from great men whose examples “leave footprints on the sands of time.” These footprints can guide and encourage others who come after us.

In short,

the poem inspires us to live actively, bravely, and purposefully, so that even after death, our deeds will keep us alive in memory.

SHORT QUESTION–ANSWERS

Q1. Who is the poet of “A Psalm of Life”?

Ans. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is the poet of “A Psalm of Life.”

Q2. What does the poet reject at the beginning of the poem?

Ans. He rejects the idea that life is an “empty dream” and that death is the ultimate goal of life.

Q3. What does “Life is real! Life is earnest!” mean?

Ans. It means that life is meaningful and serious, not to be wasted in idleness.

Q4. According to the poet, what is not life’s goal?

Ans. According to the poet, death and enjoyment are not the true goals of life.

Q5. What should people not trust?

Ans. People should not trust the future, because it is uncertain.

Q6. How should we live, according to the poet?

Ans. We should live in the present, bravely and actively, making the best use of time.

Q7. What does the poet compare life to?

Ans. He compares life to a battlefield, where one must fight like a hero.

Q8. What does the poet mean by “Be not like dumb, driven cattle”?

Ans. He means that we should not live passively or without purpose, like animals that are blindly led.

Q9. What is the message of the line “Be a hero in the strife”?

Ans. It encourages us to face life’s struggles with courage and determination.

Q10. What does the poet say about time?

Ans. He says that time is fleeting, so we must act without delay.

Q11. Who are the “great men” mentioned in the poem?

Ans. The “great men” are those who achieved noble deeds and set examples for others.

Q12. What do the great men leave behind?

Ans. They leave “footprints on the sands of time,” inspiring future generations.

Q13. What do the “footprints” symbolize?

Ans. They symbolize the lasting impact of good deeds and noble lives.

Q14. What should these footprints do for others?

Ans. They should inspire and encourage others to follow the path of greatness.

Q15. What does the poet advise about the past?

Ans. He advises not to mourn or regret the past.

Q16. What does the poet advise about the future?

Ans. He advises not to depend on the uncertain future.

Q17. What should guide us in life, according to the poem?

Ans. Our actions and duties in the present should guide us.

Q18. What is the central theme of the poem?

Ans. The central theme is to live life with purpose, courage, and action, leaving behind a legacy.

Q19. Why does the poet call life a “battlefield”?

Ans. Because life is full of struggles and challenges, where one must fight bravely like a soldier.

Q20. What is the overall message of “A Psalm of Life”?

Ans. The message is that life is short but meaningful, so we must live actively, bravely, and leave behind noble deeds.

LONG QUESTION–ANSWERS

Q1. Explain the central theme of A Psalm of Life.

Ans. The central theme of the poem is optimism and purposeful living. Longfellow rejects the idea that life is meaningless or only a journey toward death. Instead, he emphasizes that life is real, important, and full of opportunities. The poet urges us to act bravely, live in the present, and leave behind achievements that inspire others.

Q2. How does Longfellow view life and death in the poem?

Ans. Longfellow believes that life is real, serious, and not meant for idleness or despair. He rejects the notion that life is empty or an illusion. Death is certain, but it is not the ultimate goal of life. The soul is immortal and continues even after the body dies. Hence, life must be used wisely for noble deeds.

Q3. What is the poet’s opinion about enjoyment and sorrow?

Ans. The poet argues that life is not meant merely for seeking pleasure or drowning in sorrow. Pleasure and grief are temporary, but what matters is action and progress. Human beings should rise above temporary emotions and focus on purposeful work, leaving behind footprints that guide others.

Q4. How does the poet emphasize the value of the present?

Ans. Longfellow advises us not to dwell on the past or depend on the uncertain future. Instead, he stresses that we must live in the present moment with courage and strength. The present is the only time in our control, and making good use of it determines the quality of our lives.

Q5. What does the poet mean by “Footprints on the sands of time”?

Ans. By this metaphor, Longfellow means that great people leave behind examples through their noble deeds. Just like footprints guide travelers, their actions serve as inspiration for others to follow. The poet wants each of us to leave such a legacy that motivates future generations.

Q6. Discuss the role of courage and patience in the poem.

Ans. The poet insists that to live meaningfully, one must combine courage and patience. Courage helps us face life’s struggles boldly, while patience allows us to endure difficulties and wait for results. These qualities together shape a purposeful and successful life.

Q7. How does Longfellow inspire us to live a noble life?

Ans. Longfellow inspires us by rejecting pessimism and showing the greatness of human effort. He says we must live bravely, work hard, and act wisely. We should not waste time in idleness but strive to achieve something that will benefit humanity and be remembered long after our death.

Q8. Why does the poet say, “Life is real! Life is earnest!”?

Ans. By this line, the poet conveys that life is neither a dream nor a meaningless journey. It has a serious purpose, and each moment counts. Life is not meant to be wasted in laziness or sorrow but must be used for courageous and purposeful action that uplifts both ourselves and others.

Q9. What kind of life does the poet want us to avoid?

Ans. The poet warns against a life of idleness, hopelessness, and blind faith in the future. He rejects the idea of living only for pleasure or surrendering to grief. Such a life is meaningless. Instead, he promotes active living with hard work, courage, and positive impact on society.

Q10. How does the poem A Psalm of Life inspire future generations?

Ans. The poem serves as a guide for future generations by emphasizing purposeful living, optimism, and action. Longfellow’s words encourage people to be brave, to make the best use of the present, and to leave behind achievements that inspire others. In this way, the poem becomes a timeless source of motivation for all who read it.

Q11. What message does Longfellow convey about human destiny?

Ans. Longfellow conveys that human destiny is not controlled by fate alone but by our own actions. He urges us to take responsibility for shaping our lives instead of depending on chance or waiting for the future. Our deeds decide how we are remembered after death.

Q12. How does the poet connect the soul to immortality?

Ans. The poet explains that while the body perishes, the soul never dies. This belief in the immortality of the soul inspires us to live bravely and act nobly. Death, therefore, is not the end but a continuation of the soul’s journey, and our good actions live on even after we are gone.

Q13. In what way is A Psalm of Life an inspirational poem?

Ans. The poem inspires readers to rise above sorrow, avoid laziness, and make life purposeful. It gives a message of hope and courage, reminding us to live in the present and leave behind a legacy of noble deeds. Its tone is highly motivational, uplifting the spirit of the reader.

Q14. How does the poet describe the attitude we should have towards life’s struggles?

Ans. The poet advises us to face life’s struggles bravely without fear or despair. He compares life to a battlefield where we must act like soldiers—courageous, disciplined, and determined. Running away or wasting time in sorrow is useless; instead, we must fight on with faith and strength.

Q15. How does Longfellow reject material pleasures as the goal of life?

Ans. Longfellow rejects the belief that life should be devoted only to pleasure. He emphasizes that enjoyment is temporary and does not give meaning to life. True purpose lies in hard work, noble deeds, and creating an example for others, which brings satisfaction and lasting value.

Q16. What does the poet mean when he says, “Art is long, and Time is fleeting”?

Ans. This line means that human knowledge, art, and achievements are vast and lasting, but human life is short and temporary. Since time passes quickly, we must not waste it. Instead, we should use every moment wisely to achieve something meaningful before life ends.

Q17. Why does Longfellow advise us not to trust the future?

Ans. The poet warns that the future is uncertain and beyond human control. Blindly depending on it leads to idleness and disappointment. Instead, we should focus on the present, which is in our hands, and act bravely to shape a meaningful life.

Q18. How does the poem reflect Longfellow’s optimistic philosophy?

Ans. Longfellow’s optimism shines through in his rejection of despair, idleness, and hopelessness. He believes every life has meaning and potential. His faith in the immortality of the soul, the power of noble deeds, and the importance of the present reflects a highly positive and motivating outlook on life.

Q19. Explain how the poem compares life to a battlefield.

Ans. Longfellow uses the metaphor of a battlefield to describe life. Just as soldiers must fight bravely, humans must face challenges with courage and discipline. Life is full of struggles, but instead of running away, we must fight and win through hard work, patience, and determination.

Q20. How is A Psalm of Life relevant to modern readers?

Ans. The poem remains relevant today because it inspires people to rise above despair, live courageously, and make life meaningful. In a world full of stress and uncertainty, its message of optimism, purposeful action, and leaving behind a legacy continues to guide and encourage readers across generations.

Summary with Questions and Answers

Unit-I Prose

Chapter 1 My Greatest Olympic Prize

Chapter 2 On Examinations

Chapter 3 The Portrait of a Lady

Chapter 4 The Magic of Teamwork

Chapter 5 Development of Polio Vaccines

Unit-II Poetry

Poem 1 Daffodils

Poem 2 The Ballad of Father Gilligan

Poem 3 A Psalm of Life

Poem 4 Television