"A Psalm of Life" English Poem By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow | Explanation, Questions and Answers | Class 6 English #eduvictors

"A Psalm of Life" English Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 
Explanation, Questions and Answers
Class 6 English 

"A Psalm of Life" is a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

In the poem, the poet encourages readers to live life with purpose and optimism. Let’s break it down stanza by stanza:

Stanza 1:

"Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream!—

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

And things are not what they seem."

Explanation:

The poet says, "Don’t tell me that life is meaningless or just a sad, empty dream." He believes that if you think life is pointless, it’s like your soul is asleep or dead. Life is more than what it appears to be—it has a deeper meaning.

Stanza 2:

"Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul."

Explanation:

Life is real and important! It’s not just about dying and ending up in the grave. The phrase "dust to dust" (from the Bible) refers to the body, not the soul. The soul lives on, so life has a greater purpose.

Stanza 3:

"Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each to-morrow

Find us farther than to-day."

Explanation:

Life isn’t just about being happy or sad. Our goal isn’t just to feel emotions. Instead, we should take action and make progress every day so that tomorrow we’re better than we were today.

Stanza 4:

"Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

Funeral marches to the grave."

Explanation:

Life is short, and time passes quickly. Even though we feel strong and brave, our hearts are like drums beating slowly, reminding us that we’re moving closer to death. But this shouldn’t discourage us—it should motivate us to make the most of our time.

Stanza 5:

"In the world’s broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of Life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!"

Explanation:

Life is like a battlefield, and we’re all soldiers in it. Don’t just follow the crowd like helpless cattle. Instead, be brave and take charge—be a hero in the struggles of life.

Stanza 6:

"Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!

Let the dead Past bury its dead!

Act,—act in the living Present!

Heart within, and God o’erhead!"

Explanation:

Don’t rely on the future, even if it seems bright. Don’t dwell on the past either—let it go. Focus on the present and take action now. Have faith in yourself and trust in God.

Stanza 7:

"Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time;"

Explanation:

The lives of great people inspire us to live meaningful lives. We, too, can achieve greatness and leave a lasting impact—like footprints on the sand—that others can follow.

Stanza 8:

"Footprints, that perhaps another,

Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

Seeing, shall take heart again."

Explanation:

The "footprints" we leave behind can inspire someone else who is struggling in life. They might see what we’ve accomplished and feel encouraged to keep going.

Stanza 9:

"Let us, then, be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labour and to wait."

Explanation:

Let’s get to work and stay active, ready to face whatever comes our way. Keep achieving goals and chasing dreams, but also learn to be patient and persistent.

Summary:

The poem is a call to action. It tells us to live life with purpose, work hard, and leave a positive mark on the world. Don’t waste time worrying about the past or future—focus on the present and make the most of it!

MCQs

1. What does the poet mean by the line, ‘For the soul is dead’ that Slumbers’

a. A person who is sleeping will not have new ideas.

b. The mind of a person who doesn’t think or have ideas of their own might as well be dead.

c. Things are often not what they seem like in our dreams.

2. The line ‘the grave is not its goal’ means

a. The goal of life is not just to live and die.

b. Human beings should try to live as long as they can.

c. Human beings should try not to live a boring life.

3. What does the world’s ‘broad field of battle’ refer to?

a. the difficulties we face in life

b. the wars soldiers have to fight

c. the shipwrecks which sailors have to deal with

4. What lesson do you learn from the poem?

a. It is important to be the hero in every battle.

b. We should do whatever we want in life.

c. It is important to live a meaningful life in which people remember us for the good things we did.

Answers

1: b. The mind of a person who doesn’t think or have ideas of their own might as well be dead.

Explanation: The poet emphasizes that a person who does not actively engage in life, think, or pursue meaningful goals is spiritually or intellectually "dead."

2: a. The goal of life is not just to live and die.

Explanation: Longfellow suggests that life has a higher purpose beyond mere existence and death. It is about making a meaningful impact and leaving a legacy.

3: a. the difficulties we face in life

Explanation: The phrase symbolizes the struggles and challenges of life, where individuals must strive and fight to achieve their goals and live purposefully.

4: c. It is important to live a meaningful life in which people remember us for our good deeds.

Explanation: The poem's central theme is to inspire readers to live actively, strive for greatness, and leave a positive legacy behind.

Answer the questions in a few lines.

Q1. What do the lives of great men remind us?

A: The lives of great men remind us that we can make our lives meaningful and leave behind a legacy through our actions and achievements. They inspire us to strive for greatness and live purposefully. 

Q2. What does the phrase ‘take heart’ mean? How can our actions help others going through a difficult time?

A: The phrase ‘take heart’ means to be courageous and hopeful. Our actions can inspire and motivate others who are facing challenges, showing them that perseverance and determination can lead to success and a better future. 

Q3. What does the last stanza of the poem encourage us to do?

A: The last stanza encourages us to act with determination and purpose, to face life’s challenges bravely, and to leave a positive impact on the world. It urges us to live actively and not be passive observers of life.