17. THE DELIGHT SONG (N. Scott Momaday)
CONTEXT: In this poem, the poet discusses the beauty of nature. He says that all the objects of nature have fascination for him. He loves the nature in all forms i.e. moon, stars, wind, rain, snow and dawn. He also wants to bring the readers round and urges them to enter the very existence of these objects in order to lead a delightful life.
EXPLANATION: LINES 1 TO 8: In these lines, the poet says that he is a feather on the bright sky. He is like the blue horse which is running in the plain. He thinks that he is a fish that shines in the water. He is the light of the evening. He has harmony with the eagle playing with the wind. He also wishes to have fun with the farthest stars. He also likes the cluster of bright beads.
EXPLANATION: LINES 9 TO 14: In these lines, the poet tells that he enjoys the cold air of the early morning. He also thinks that he is the noise created by the rain. He likes the shine of the rain. He follows the long journey of the moon that is seen in the lake. He also loves the four colours of the flame. He feels that he has a great relation with these natural things and his Lord.
EXPLANATION LINES 15-20: In these lines, the poet says that man’s good relation with the earth and the atmosphere keeps him alive. He loves all the things present on the earth. He has warm relations with the lords of the world and this fact satisfies him. He has great relation with all the things which are, beautiful, lovely, fruitful and productive. He is so vivacious and full of life because he has harmony with all that is beautiful and attractive.
Short Questions
Q.NO.1: Who has written this poem?
Answer: This poem has been written by N.Scott Momaday. Love for nature is one of the important points of his poetry.
Q.NO.2: What is the theme of the poem? OR Discuss the poet as a lover of nature.
Answer: The poet as a lover of nature has good relations with beauty, living things and nature. He believes that the good relation of man with the earth and the atmosphere keeps him alive and active.
Q.NO.3: What do you understand when the poet says, “I am the shadow that follows a child?” (RWP-11)
Answer: It means that the poet is free of all the cares and worries when he is in the company of natural objects.
Q.NO.4: How can the crust of the snow glitter? (SAR-10)
Answer: When the rays of the sun have an access to the upper surface of the snow, it begins to glitter. The poet is enamoured of this sight.
Q.No.5: What is the dream of the poet? (BWP, FSD-11, DG-12)
Answer: The poet believes that he is the dream of all the things i.e. stars, winds, sky, trees, snow, cold and lakes, etc. That’s why, his dream is all the things and all the things are his dream.
Q.NO.6: What is the effect of man’s good relation with the earth and the lords?
Answer: The effect of man’s good relation with the earth and the lords keeps a man active and alive.
Q.NO.7: What are the things that keep a person alive? (LHR, SAR-11, MUL-11, 12, FSD-10)
Answer: If a man is in harmony with all the natural things and loves them, they will keep him active and alive.
Q.NO.8: Which of these elements i.e. pessimism and optimism go well with this poem?
Answer: In this poem, the element of optimism is very clear because the poet looks at the bright side of all the natural things present around him.