1. The river is compared to a child. What are the
similarities between the two?
The river is full of energy like a child. It dances over
yellow pebbles and passes through flowers and foliage on its way like a child
at play.
2. Why does the poet call it ‘swelling river’?
The river seems to grow as it flows on over rocks. It builds
up volume as it flows down the mountains. That is why the poet calls it
swelling river.
3. How does the sea remind one of eternity?
The sea reminds of eternity as one cannot see the end of the
sea. As far as we can see, we can see only water. Thus, the sea reminds us one
eternity.
4. ‘The River’ is a poem which describers a river in all its
vitality and splendor. Give examples.
The vitality of the river is described by the poet with the
usage of words such leaping, brawling and leaping. The poet compares the river
with impetuous youth.
On you rush through rough and smooth;
Louder, faster, brawling, leaping,
Over rocks, by rose-banks, sweeping
Like impetuous youth.
The above stanza is an example.
5. Pick out the words which sound like the movement of the
river. What effects do these words create?
The different stages and the vitality of the river is
described by the poet with the usage of words such as sparkle, glancing,
swelling, leaping, brawling and leaping. The poet compares the river with
impetuous youth. Words like brimming, and tending are also used.
6. The poet uses various similes. Mention them. Why has the
poet made these comparisons?
The poet uses the following similes in the poem, the river.
They are like a child at play, like impetuous youth, like mortal prime, and
like eternity. This is to show the readers the similarity between human life
and the various stages of a river.
7. Does the river and its movement suggest something else to
you?
Yes. The river and its movement is suggestive of human life.
A river is born like a child and grows as it flows on. It becomes an impetuous
youth and then like a mortal prime gets ready to meet the ocean.
