CBSE Class 8 English (Honeydew) Important Questions Chapter 5 Poem - The School Boy

1. Who is the poet of the poem "The School Boy"?
Ans. The poet is William Blake.

2. When does the speaker love to rise?
Ans. The speaker loves to rise in a summer morning.

3. What drives the speaker's joy away in the poem?
Ans. Going to school on a summer morning drives the speaker's joy away.

4. How does the speaker feel when he goes to school?
Ans. The speaker feels unhappy, sighing in dismay and spending anxious hours.

5. What does the poet compare the schoolboy’s condition to in the poem?
Ans. The poet compares the schoolboy’s condition to a bird in a cage.

6. What is the speaker's mood when he rises in the summer morning?
Ans. The speaker feels joyful and refreshed, enjoying the company of birds singing and the distant sound of the huntsman’s horn.

7. Why does the speaker dislike going to school?
Ans. The speaker dislikes going to school because it takes away his joy, making him feel trapped under a "cruel eye," and he finds no delight in his books.

8. How does the poet describe the school environment?
Ans. The poet describes the school environment as a place of sighing and dismay, where children are worn down and unable to enjoy learning.

9. What is the metaphor used for the schoolboy’s feelings about school?
Ans. The poet uses the metaphor of a bird in a cage to describe how the schoolboy feels trapped and unable to enjoy life when he is forced to attend school.

10. What is the central theme of the poem "The School Boy"?
Ans. The central theme of the poem is the loss of joy and freedom that children experience when they are forced into a rigid and uninspiring educational system.

11. Why does the speaker compare himself to a bird in a cage?
Ans. The speaker compares himself to a bird in a cage because, like the bird that cannot sing joyfully in captivity, he feels that school restricts his freedom and natural happiness.

12. How does the schoolboy's experience change his feelings about learning?
Ans. The schoolboy feels anxious and disinterested in learning because the environment at school is harsh and joyless, making it difficult for him to enjoy his education.

13. What does the poet imply about the impact of strict schooling on children?
Ans. The poet implies that strict schooling suppresses children's natural curiosity and joy, causing them to feel trapped and unhappy, much like a caged bird.

14. How does the speaker’s love for nature contrast with his feelings about school?
Ans. The speaker loves the freedom and joy of nature, which makes him feel alive and happy. In contrast, school makes him feel confined and sad, taking away the pleasure he finds in life.

15. What message does the poet convey through the poem "The School Boy"?
Ans. The poet conveys a message about the importance of freedom, joy, and a nurturing environment for children. He suggests that rigid schooling stifles a child's natural growth and happiness.

16. Why do you think the speaker feels joy in nature but dismay at school?
Ans. The speaker feels joy in nature because it represents freedom, beauty, and spontaneity, which are in stark contrast to the structured, confining environment of school, where creativity and joy are limited.

17. How does the metaphor of the "bird in a cage" enhance the message of the poem?
Ans. The metaphor of the "bird in a cage" illustrates the speaker’s feeling of being trapped in school, unable to express his natural joy and energy. It highlights how rigid schooling can restrict a child's natural enthusiasm for life and learning.

18. Do you think the poet is criticising the education system? Why or why not?
Ans. Yes, the poet seems to be criticising the education system by portraying it as stifling and oppressive. He suggests that it suppresses children's natural curiosity and joy, turning learning into something dreary rather than exciting.

19. How would you describe the ideal learning environment, based on the ideas in the poem?
Ans. Based on the ideas in the poem, the ideal learning environment would be one that nurtures a child’s natural curiosity, allows freedom for creativity, and encourages learning in a joyful, supportive atmosphere rather than through strict discipline.

20. What does the speaker’s disinterest in his books suggest about the way learning is approached in school?
Ans. The speaker’s disinterest suggests that learning in school is approached in a way that feels forced and joyless. Instead of fostering a love for knowledge, the school environment drains the energy and enthusiasm from the child, making learning feel like a burden.

21. What does the speaker enjoy in the morning before going to school?
Ans. The speaker enjoys the sounds of birds singing, the skylark’s song, and the distant huntsman’s horn in the summer morning.

22. How does the speaker describe the teacher’s presence at school?
Ans. The speaker describes the teacher as having a "cruel eye," suggesting a strict and oppressive presence that makes school a place of dread.

23. What do you think the "dreary shower" symbolises in the poem?
Ans. The "dreary shower" symbolises the monotonous and dull atmosphere of school, which drains the energy and happiness from the children, much like a constant downpour.

24. What impact does the school environment have on the children in the poem?
Ans. The school environment makes the children feel anxious and unhappy. They are unable to enjoy learning and feel weighed down by the strict and uninspiring atmosphere.

25. What does the speaker long for, based on the poem?
Ans. The speaker longs for freedom and the joy of spending time in nature, where he feels alive and happy, rather than being confined to the rigid structure of school.

Benefits of Class 8 English (Honeycomb) Important Questions Chapter 5

• Important questions focus on key themes, meanings, and poetic techniques, ensuring that students grasp the most critical aspects of the poem.

• Practising important questions helps students learn to frame concise, accurate answers within the allotted time.

• Focused practice ensures students learn to write structured answers with relevant points, improving their writing skills.

• A curated list of important questions serves as an efficient revision tool, covering the poem's essential elements.

• Targeted preparation boosts confidence and accuracy, increasing the likelihood of scoring well in exams.

Conclusion:

"The School Boy" in Class 8 English (Honeydew) shows how a child enjoys the freedom of nature but feels sad and trapped in school. The poem highlights how strict school routines can take away a child's happiness and natural love for learning. William Blake uses images of birds and nature to remind us that children need freedom and a happy environment to grow and learn well.

Vedantu’s important questions FREE PDF for this poem helps students get ready for exams by focusing on the main ideas and messages. It makes studying easy and ensures students understand the poem clearly.

Additional Study Material for Class 8 English (Honeydew) Chapter 5 Poem

CBSE Class 8 English (Honeydew) Important Questions for All Chapters

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