ENGLISH POEM 5 CONFESSIONS OF A BORN SPECTATOR (Ogden Nash) Class 11th Complete Solution

                               POEM = 5

        CONFESSIONS OF A BORN SPECTATOR

        Central idea of the poem

Ans. In this poem, the poet makes fun of athletes. But the fun is light-hearted. It is not mean to be taken seriously. The poet loves to watch the players in various contests. But he never thinks of taking part in them himself. He does not want to have his bones broken and his body injured. He is content to remain a spectator That you not me and Im not you

                       TEXTUAL QUESTION

Q. What is the poet glad about ? 

Ans. The poet has always remained a spectator. He has never taken part in any athletics competition. He has never been hurt or wounded. All his limbs are Naturally, he is very glad. 

Q. The poet admires the athletes. Give reasons for this admiration. 

Ans. The poet admires the athletes for their heroic deeds. He admires them for thr fighting spirit and strong determination. 

Q. Why does he call his spirit bashful ? 

Ans. He calls his spirit bashful because he feels weak and shy in the field of gams Ans. and sports. 

Q. Write a few lines on the struggle between the poet's ego and prudence. 

Ans. The poet loves to watch the heroic deeds of athletes. Sometimes, his ego goad him to show his metle in sports. But then his prudence warns him of the danger and risks of sports. So he follows the advice of prudence and resolves to remain a spectator. Thus prudence wins. 

Q. List the things that the poet is ready to do for the athletes.

Ans. He is ready to drink to the health of the athletes. He can dine with them. In order to watch their game, he is prepared to buy even costly tickets. 

Q. Look at the following lines taken from the poem: 

My limp and bashful spirit feeds

 On other peoples heroic deeds. 

What does the poet mean to convey in these lines? Select the proper option 

Ans. (a) He is not sure of his own capabilities to perform such deeds. 

Q. Read the following line : 

Buy tickets worth their weight in radium.

 Now select the correct meaning of this line from the given statements: 

Ans. (B) The poet would pay anything for buying tickets to watch the games. 

Q. Read the following lines and answer the questions that follow:

 Im glad that when my struggle begins 

Twixt prudence and ego, prudence wins. 

The poet's ego urges him to show some heroism on the playfield. How often does he show it ?

(B) Do you think he wants to show this heroism?

 c)Write a short note on the poet's 'struggle

 (d) What is he glad about? (e) These two lines contain the theme of the poem. Explain. 

Ans. He never shows any heroism on the playfield. He wants to remain a spectator always.

 (b) No, he does not want to show this heroism. 

(C) The poet watches the heroic deeds of the athletes. His ego goads him to perform similar acts. But his prudence warns him of the dangers and risk. sports. Thus there goes on a struggle between his ego and prudence. However he follows the advice of the prudence and thus his prudence wins.

 (d) The poet has always been a spectator. He has never taken Dart athletics competition. He has never been hurt or wounded, AlL L: RED n any athletics been hurt or wounded. AI his limb are intact Naturally he is very glad. 

(e) These two lines contain the theme of the poem which is that the poet wana to remain a spectator always. He doesnt want to take part in any game= His ego sometimes urges him to show some heroism on the play field But, his prudence warns him of the dangers of injury. And the spectator listens to the voice of his prudence.