NCERT Solutions Class 12, English, Kaliedoscope, Poerty, Chapter- 7, Time and Time Again
Responding to the Poem
1. What did you think the poem was about when you read the first few lines?
Solution:
This poem indicates the situations and conditions of the world which changes accordingly with time. In this poem, A.K. RAMANUJAN compares the world with well-managed cities. With the passage of time, every single hour of the clock represents the changes in the city. And on one day all the changes will end up and time will start again with a new world different from the changed one.
2. From which line does the import of the title strike the reader?
Solution:
From the last stanza of the poem “through the knocked out clockwork, after the riot, a peace-march time bomb, or a precise act of nature in a light of lightning” the reader will be able to strike the title of the poem i.e. “Time and Time Again” as this line shows that after so much of time with quarrels, conflicts, and communal disharmony there will be peace in nature again. Thus this shows that a good time will always come after a bad time.
3. What makes for the differences between the timekeeping of the various clocks? What is the implicit comparison?
Solution:
The difference between the timekeeping of various clocks is that they beat their gongs around the clock at different time intervals and with different frequencies. The poet uses a metaphor for implicit comparison, which means comparing indirectly. The frequency at which the gong beats round the clock shows different conditions of different cities.
4. Why is the act of nature described as ‘precise’?
Solution:
The act of nature in the poem is expressed as precise or accurate because nature tries to neutralise every condition with precision after every specific interval of time. Thus, in verse, the poet specifies time honouring someone’s desire at a time. Moreover, the poem talks about the long-lasting quarrels between the Hindus, Muslims, and Christians that have been resolved over time by nature. Hence, nature echoes the title of the poem “Time and Time Again”.
5. Which of the following reflects the poet’s attitude towards communal disharmony
(i) Critical condemnation
(ii) Helpless acceptance
(iii) Wistful lament
Solution:
Critical condemnation indicates the poet’s perspective towards communal disharmony. The poet has criticised the quarrels that arise time and time again through his lines. He firmly believes that the disputes and the differences will solve on their own as time passes by. When one is silent about any issue, over time, the issue gets resolved. Sometimes, no discussion is required on the problems; instead, allow the matter to fade over time without further talks.
6. Is the poet’s attitude a representation of how the average Indian feels both towards human violence and nature’s fury?
Solution:
Yes, the poet is representing the feeling of average Indians towards violence and anger. Because nowadays in the societies the people quarrel on irrelevant matters. Today’s society has become a burden on the people and this is due to other peoples and rules of society which are made according to religion. Poet in the poem shows long-lasting and backstreet quarrels between peoples of different religions. People are fed up with this and want a cut off from this type of silly thing because one day all will end up without any special information and nature ends all these with precision which shows the anger of nature against these time-wasting things.
