SSLC English Question and Answer: I Am The Land
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Karnataka SSLC 2nd Language English Textbook Answers—Reflections Poem 3
I Am The Land Questions and Answers, Notes, and Summary
Class 10 2nd Language English Poem Chapter 3
I Am The Land
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Comprehension I: I Am the Land
Question 1.
Who do you think is the speaker of the poem?
Answer:
The speaker of the poem appears to be the land itself, personified as an entity with its consciousness and patience.
Question 2.
“I wait,” in line one suggests the feeling of
a) annoyance
b) patience
c) disgust
Answer:
The phrase “I wait” suggests the feeling of patience. The land waits patiently despite being subjected to various actions.
Question 3.
In line 2, “you” is repeated. Do you think it refers to the same person? Who do you think that is?
Answer:
The repetition of “you” in line 2 likely refers to different people. It could be referring to landowners, developers, or humans in general who feel they “own” the land but do not truly understand its deeper essence.
Question 4.
Bring out the contrast between the reader and the speaker as suggested in lines 4, 5, and 6.
Answer:
The contrast between the reader and the speaker is shown through the actions of humans (buying, shouting, putting up fences) versus the land’s passive existence. While the reader acts with power and control, the land remains still, patient, and unaffected.
Question 5.
“muddy holes” refers to a) virtual holes in the land, b) the intention of the speaker, or c) the commotion created by the reader.
Answer:
“Muddy holes” refers to the commotion created by human activity. It symbolizes the disruption of the land by actions like digging, construction, or damage.
Question 6.
What does the phrase “car lot eyes stare” suggest? Try to imagine and draw, if you can, the picture suggested.
Answer:
The phrase “car lot eyes stare” might suggest a vacant or mechanical gaze, like cars waiting to be sold in a lot. The eyes of the land seem emotionless and detached, symbolizing neglect or commodification.
Question 7.
The poem introduces some types of people and things. Some actions associated with them are given below. Classify them appropriately as suggested in the poem
Answer:
Actions associated with different people:
• The Land: waits, faces the challenge, says he owns
• A common man/a child: sings, rejoices, dances, plants, grows
• A war mongering: shouts, kills, destroys, tramples, shoots, chokes
Question 8.
Pick out the line from the poem that expresses the “self-assertion” of the speaker.
Answer:
The line that expresses the self-assertion of the speaker (the land) is:
“YOU CANNOT PUT A FENCE AROUND THE PLANET EARTH.”
This line highlights the land’s refusal to be confined or controlled, asserting its independence.
Read and appreciate: I Am the Land
Question 1.
“I wait” is repeated five times in the poem. What quality of the speaker is highlighted with this repetition?
Answer:
The repetition of “I wait” highlights the patience and endurance of the speaker (the land). It conveys a sense of stillness and quiet persistence as if the land is constantly waiting for the world around it to change or evolve.
Question 2.
The poem has figures of speech. One is given. “A chain-link necklace chokes me” is personification. Pick out one or two or more such figures of speech from the poem.
Answer:
Figures of speech in the poem:
• Personification: “A chain-link necklace chokes me” (the land is described as if it can feel suffocated).
• Metaphor: “Car lot eyes stare” (eyes are compared to cars in a lot, suggesting detachment or emptiness).
• Imagery: “muddy holes” (evoking a vivid image of the land being disrupted).
Question 3.
The poem is not full of rhyming words. On the other hand, it makes us imagine some pictures like soldiers shooting and children dancing. Pick out other images from the poem.
Answer:
Other images in the poem:
• Children dancing: This creates a lively, joyful image of innocence and freedom.
• Someone sings: Evokes the image of celebration and life returning to the land.
• Someone plants life (fruit, grass, trees): A serene image of growth and nurturing.
• A warmongering with guns: Conveys violence and destruction.
• Trampling and destruction: Evokes an image of harsh, careless human activity.
Question 4.
“YOU CAN NOT PUT A FENCE
AROUND THE PLANET EARTH”
Is this a tone of weakness or self-assertion? Discuss.
Answer:
The line “YOU CANNOT PUT A FENCE AROUND THE PLANET EARTH” expresses a tone of self-assertion. It suggests defiance and strength, indicating that the land cannot be confined or owned by humans, and it will continue to exist beyond any attempts to control it. This line portrays the land as an entity that refuses to be limited.
Question 5:
Which line or lines do you enjoy reciting most? Give reasons for your choice.
Answer:
I personally enjoy the line:
• “YOU CANNOT PUT A FENCE AROUND THE PLANET EARTH.”
This line stands out because of its powerful, defiant tone. It conveys a message of freedom, self-worth, and the uncontainable nature of the Earth, making it an empowering statement.
I Am the Land Summary
The poem “I Am the Land” falls under the category of “Nativity,” where the Earth is personified as a patient, tolerant being, much like a mother. The speaker, the Earth itself, narrates the poem in the first person, describing all the things she has endured. In the first stanza, the Earth explains how humans claim to “own” her, but she simply waits without protest. The question arises: is it even possible to own the Earth, a vast planet? Who has the right to claim her? Yet, despite this, the Earth does not dispute with humanity; she remains patient.
The speaker conveys that even when humans shout or claim ownership by buying the land, the Earth continues to lie still, waiting. As people dig muddy holes and create the noise of car lot lights, the Earth watches silently. Farmers plough the land, planting crops, trees, and nurturing life, while children come and dance upon her surface. Singers come and fill the land with their songs.
However, the Earth also endures suffering when soldiers arrive with guns and construct fences that suffocate her. Despite this, the Earth patiently endures it all. Though she suffers, like a mother, she can tolerate the violations, accepting her fate with patience. The poem ends with a strong statement of defiance, where the Earth challenges humanity by declaring, “YOU CANNOT PUT A FENCE AROUND THE PLANET EARTH,” because the Earth is vast and untouchable by the confines humans try to impose. Ultimately, the Earth waits, knowing her power is beyond human control.