7. TIMES (From Ecclesiastes. 3. 1 – 121
CONTEXT: This is a beautiful and interesting poem. The poet conveys the idea that everything happens at an appropriate time. There is a time when winter sets and a time when winter goes and another season sets. He gives so many examples to prove that nothing happens out of place.
EXPLANATION LINES 1-10: In these lines, the poet says that everything is scheduled. Everything that happens in this universe follows a specific timetable. Nature has fixed an appropriate time for everything to happen. The post wants us to understand this basic principle of nature by giving examples. He says that the seasons come and go at their fixed time. For example, there is a time when winter sets in and a time when winter is gone and another season sets in. Similarly, there is a time to be born and to die. There is a time to sow seeds and a time to pluck when its fruit is ripe. There is a time to pull down a thing or to build something. There is a time to weep for some loss or natural pain and a time to dance with joy. That’s why, we should obey the law of nature and try to have a regular and scheduled life.
EXPLANATION LINES 11-22: In these lines, the poet tells us about the law of nature. He tells us that the law of nature runs according to a specific timetable. It urges us to make our lives smooth and placid according to a set pattern of the law of nature. It tells us that everything works according to a timetable. The poet gives us examples from real life. He tells that there is a time to throw and scatter stones and there is a time to gather these scattered stones. There is a time to embrace our near ones and dear ones, and there is a time to refrain from embracing. There is a time to get something as well as to lose that thing. There is a time to keep and throw a thing. There is a time to rend something and there is a time to sew something. There is a time when we prefer silence and there is a time when we are ready to break the silence.
Short Questions
Q.NO.1: What is the central idea of the poem, “Times?” OR What is the theme of the poem? OR What is the moral lesson of the poem? (FSD, BWP-09, GW-09, 10, MUL, DGK, AJK-10)
Answer: The poet says that everything in this universe follows a specific timetable. Nothing happens out of place. That’s why, we should obey the law of nature.