Ode On Solitude Summary

 

Bihar Board Class 10 English Ode On Solitude Summary, Lesson Explanation with difficult word meanings from Panorama-II Book

 

Ode On Solitude – Are you looking for Summary and Lesson Explanation for Bihar Board Class 10 English Poem 2 Ode On Solitude from Panorama-II Book. Get notes, summary of the Lesson followed by line by line explanation of the lesson along with the meanings of difficult words.

 

 

Ode On Solitude Bihar Board Class 10 English 

Alexander Pope 

 
 

Ode On Solitude Introduction

“Ode on Solitude” by Alexander Pope talks about a simple life close to nature. The poem praises and encourages a man who is content with a small plot of inherited land, finding joy in its bounty of food and comfort that it provides. It describes the peacefulness of days passing calmly, filled with peaceful sleep and leisurely pursuits and talks like study and meditation. The man desires to live and die unnoticed, wishing for a humble existence away from worldly recognition and fame. Pope’s poem highlights the beauty of living in harmony with nature and finding happiness in life’s simple pleasures, away from the noise and bustle of the world.

 

 

 

Theme of the Poem Ode On Solitude

The theme of ‘Ode Of Solitude’ revolves around the importance of solitude, diligence, and happiness for leading a fulfilling life. The speaker suggests that these three elements are important for a person to live well. He praises the contentment of a man who finds happiness in caring for his small piece of inherited land. Working hard and finding satisfaction in simple things are believed by the speaker to be key ingredients for happiness. The desire to live and die unnoticed by the world, depicting a longing for a life free from pressures in front of society or the need to maintain an image are also emphasized by the speaker. 

 

 

 

Ode On Solitude Summary

The poem “Ode on Solitude” talks about the simple joys of living a peaceful, alone life. It starts by praising a man who is happy with just the small piece of land that he inherited. The speaker admires how content the man is with his land and says it is important to find happiness in little things.The poem shows how working hard and being able to take care of oneself are important. The man in the poem is happy because he can look after his land, which gives him everything he needs like food, clothes, and warmth. His animals give him milk, his fields grow bread, and his sheep provide wool for clothes. The trees on his land give him shade in summer and wood for fire in winter. Alexander Pope says real happiness comes from being satisfied with what you have and enjoying the simple things in life. The man in the poem is happy watching time pass peacefully, sleeping well at night, and having time for both work and play during the day.

At the end of the poem, the man wants to live and die without anyone really noticing him. He wants to be free from the stress of having to impress others or worry about what people think of him. Instead, he just wants to enjoy a quiet life, away from the noise and hustle bustle of the world.

 

 

 

Ode On Solitude Summary in Hindi

कविता “ओड ऑन सॉलिट्यूड” शांतिपूर्ण, अकेले जीवन जीने की सरल खुशियों के बारे में बात करती है। इसकी शुरुआत एक ऐसे व्यक्ति की प्रशंसा से होती है जो विरासत में मिली अपनी ज़मीन के एक छोटे से टुकड़े से खुश है। वक्ता इस बात की सराहना करता है कि आदमी अपनी भूमि से कितना संतुष्ट है और कहता है कि छोटी-छोटी चीजों में खुशी ढूंढना महत्वपूर्ण है। कविता दर्शाती है कि कड़ी मेहनत करना और खुद की देखभाल करने में सक्षम होना कितना महत्वपूर्ण है। कविता में आदमी खुश है क्योंकि वह अपनी ज़मीन की देखभाल कर सकता है, जो उसे भोजन, कपड़े और गर्मी जैसी हर चीज़ देती है। उसके जानवर उसे दूध देते हैं, उसके खेत रोटी उगाते हैं, और उसकी भेड़ें उसे कपड़े के लिए ऊन देती हैं। उसकी ज़मीन पर लगे पेड़ उसे गर्मियों में छाया और सर्दियों में आग के लिए लकड़ी देते हैं। अलेक्जेंडर पोप का कहना है कि असली खुशी आपके पास जो कुछ है उससे संतुष्ट रहने और जीवन में साधारण चीजों का आनंद लेने से आती है। कविता में आदमी शांति से समय बीतता देखकर खुश है, रात में अच्छी नींद लेता है, और दिन में काम और खेल दोनों के लिए समय निकालता है।

कविता के अंत में, आदमी जीना और मरना चाहता है, बिना किसी का ध्यान आए। वह दूसरों को प्रभावित करने या इस चिंता से मुक्त होना चाहता है कि लोग उसके बारे में क्या सोचते हैं। इसके बजाय, वह दुनिया के शोर और हलचल से दूर, एक शांत जीवन का आनंद लेना चाहता है।

 

 

 

Ode On Solitude Poem Explanation

 

Passage: 

Happy the man whose wish and care

A few paternal acres, bound, 

Content to breathe his native air

In his own ground.

 

Word Meanings:

paternal (adj): inherited from father

content (adj): satisfied

native air (n): air of one’s homeland

 

Explanation: The man is described as someone whose greatest desires are fulfilled by having a small piece of land that he owns and where he is content to live and work. The word “paternal” indicates that the land is inherited from his father. The phrase “Content to breathe his native air” means being satisfied with what one has rather than constantly wanting more. It also implies a sense of gratitude for what he has, rather than longing for something beyond his reach. The passage overall talks about finding happiness in simplicity and being content with one’s circumstances. 

Passage

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, 

Whose flocks supply him with attire

Whose trees in summer yield him shade,

In Winter fire.

 

Word Meanings:

herds (n): cattle

attire (n): dress, clothing

Flocks (n): a group of animals (such as birds or sheep) herded together

Yield (v): to give or supply

 

Explanation: The man’s self-sufficiency is described here. His cattle produce milk, which is a source of nourishment. His fields give him bread, showing that he can grow his own food and provide for himself from the fruits of his labor. His flocks provide him with clothing, indicating that he is able to meet his basic needs without relying on external sources.  In the summer, his trees provide ample shade, and in the winter, the wood from those same trees can be lit to keep him warm, showing the land’s ability to adapt to seasonal changes. He has no need for anything beyond his own land.

Passage

Blest who can unconcernedly find

Hours, days and years, slide soft away

In health of body, peace of mind

Quiet by day.

 

Word Meanings:

unconcernedly (adv): in an untroubled manner or not in worried or anxious manner

blest(v): bless

 

Explanation:  Pope admires someone who can be content and peacefully observe the passage of time. The phrase “Blest who can unconcernedly find” means that the person is fortunate and happy to witness the passing of time without worry or stress. The imagery of time “slide soft away” implies a gentle and serene experience, stating the ease with which the person observes life unfolding. The mention of “health of body” and “peace of mind” highlights the importance of physical well-being and mental peace in achieving happiness. The idea of experiencing quietness during the day emphasizes the value of a calm and undisturbed existence in the hustle bustle of life. 

Passage:

Sound sleep by night: study and ease

Together mixt, sweet recreation, 

And innocence, which most does please

With meditation

 

Word Meanings:

recreation (n): entertainment

meditation (n): practice of thinking deeply in silence, contemplation

Mixt (v): mix

 

Explanation: At night, the farmer can rest peacefully. In leisure hours, he remains free to study as he chooses and take pleasure in wholesome activities (“Sweet recreation”) which is depicted by the phrase “study and ease Together mixt”. “Innocence” and “meditation” suggest finding happiness in simple, pure thoughts and moments of reflection. To the speaker, farm life offers the best situation for living a life that remains harmonious and balanced. The passage and the speaker both show that being happy means having a good balance in life. It is about enjoying both learning and relaxing, finding joy in fun activities, and being content with simple, innocent thoughts. So, having a mix of things to do and finding peace in quiet moments helps us feel happy and satisfied.

Passage: 

Thus let me live unseen, unknown;

Thus unlamented let me die;

Steal from the world and not a stone

Tell where I lie.

 

Word Meanings:

unlamented (adj): unmourned, not very sad

Unseen (adj): not observed or perceived, invisible 

Unknown (adj): not known, understood or recognized

lie (v): to bury, remain passively in a horizontal position

Explanation: A desire for a quiet and unassuming existence, both in life and in death is what the speaker asks for. The phrase “Thus let me live unseen, unknown” emphasizes the speaker’s longing for anonymity and privacy, where he prefers to go unnoticed by the world. Similarly, the wish to die “unlamented” suggests a preference for a quiet departure without any fuss or mourning from others. Through the phrase “Steal from the world and not a stone” the speaker wishes to disappear without a trace, leaving behind no indication of where the speaker’s final resting place might be.

 

 

 

Ode On Solitude Figures of Speech

 

  1. Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /e/ in “Happy the man, whose wish and care” and the sound of /o/ in “Whose flocks supply him with attire.”

 

  1. Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line in quick successions, such as the sound of /s/ in “years slide soft away.”

 

  1. Anaphora: It refers to the repetition of a word or expression in the first part of some verses. Alexander Pope has repeated the word “whose” in the second stanza of the poem to emphasize the point such as;

“Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,

Whose flocks supply him with attire,

Whose trees in summer yield him shade,

In winter fire.”

 

  1. Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /s/ in “Whose trees in summer yield him shade” and the sound of /t/ in “Together mixed; sweet recreation.”

 

  1. Enjambment: It is defined as a thought in verse that does not come to an end at a line break; rather, it rolls over to the next line. For example;

“Happy the man, whose wish and care

A few paternal acres bound,”

 

  1. Epigraph: It is a device used in the form of a poem, quote, or sentence, usually placed at the beginning of the poem to suggest the overall theme of the poem. Alexander has used this device in the opening lines where it is stated as “Happy the man, whose wish and care/A few paternal acres bound.”

 

  1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. Alexander Pope used imagery in this poem such as “Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread”, “Whose trees in summer yield him shade” and “Sound sleep by night; study and ease.”

 

  1. Metaphor: It is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between objects that are different in nature. The writer has used man’s nature as an extended metaphor in the poem to show how he stays content and thankful for what he has in life. 

 

 

Related Link : BSEB Class 10 English Syllabus 2024-25

 

Also See : 

BSEB Class 10 English Summary, Explanation Notes, Difficult words

 

 

BSEB Class 10 English Question Answers