A Thing of Beauty

By John Keats

A Thing of Beauty Summary

The summary of the Poem "A Thing of Beauty" is given below.
'A Thing of Beauty- is a poem taken from the poem titled - "Endymion - a poetic
romance'• written by the famous poet John Keats. The poet says that a beautiful thing is a
source of endless joy. It has eternal beauty which never fades away. A beautiful thing is like
a shady shelter which gives us a sleep full of sweet dreams, good health and relaxation.
Our attachments to the Earthly things are like a flowery wreath. They are traps which bind
us to the materialistic things and keeps us away from eternal happiness. The Earth is full of
hatred, greed and negativity. According to the poet, the gloom and sadness caused by this
negativity fades away with the positive vibes of the beautiful things that surround us.
The poet lists out some of the beautiful things that surround us. As the saying goes -
"Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. He says that the numerous creations of God like
the Sun which gives us energy, the moon's beauty, the trees which give us shade are the
natural beauties around us. The various animals like the sheep that surround us make our
world lively. The pretty flowers like daffodils make the world green and lively. The flowing
streams of water cool and refresh us in the hot summer season. The forests which are full
of the pretty musk rose flowers are a beautiful sight to the eye. All these are the things of
beauty. Also, the stories of the brave soldiers who laid their lives to protect their people are
beautiful and inspiring. These beautiful things are like a fountain of immortality bestowed
upon us by God. They inspire us to live on and maintain our faith in goodness.

A Thing of Beauty Important Questions CBSE

Class 12 English
Extract Based Questions (4 Marks)

Question.1. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from heaven’s brink
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) What is the thing of beauty mentioned in these lines?
(c) What image does the poet use in these lines?
(d) What is the effect of this ‘immortal drink’ on us?

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or
(a) Who are the ‘mighty dead’? How do we know about them?
(b) What images does the poet use to convey that beauty is everlasting?
(Foreign 2009, Delhi 2014; Modified)
(c) What is the effect of the immortal drink?
(d) Write the words from the extract which mean
(i) stories
(ii) magnificence
Answer.(a) The poem is ‘A thing of beauty’ and the poet is John Keats.
(b) The thing of beauty mentioned in these lines is the group of stories celebrating the
glory of our powerful ancestors, which we have read or heard.
(c) The poet uses the image of an ‘endless fountain’ coming down to us from heaven.
According to him, nature and other beautiful things around us are like a gift from God,
which give us infinite delight and Joy.
(d) The immortahtirrnk gives us immense joy, a joy that is everlasting, one that will
never come to an end.
or
(a) Our ancestors, who were great in their own ways and the dead emperors have been
referred to as the mighty dead. We come to know about them by reading or hearing
valorous tales, which speak of their innumerable sacrifices. They are a source of
motivation for all who go through them.
(b) ‘Endless fountain’ of joy is the image that has been used to convey that beauty is
everlasting. Things of beauty are an eternal source of motivation, a precious gift from
heaven which give us infinite pleasure and defight.
(c) The immortal drink that nature’s endless fountain pours on us gives us immense joy
and pleasure.
(d) (i) tales (ii) grandeur

Question.2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) Why are we despondent?
(c) What removes “the pall from our dark spirits”?
(d) Explain, “the inhuman dearth of noble natures.” ’
or
(a) What are we doing every day?
(b) Which evil things do we possess and suffer from?
(c) What are the circumstances that contribute towards making humans unhappy
and disillusioned with life? (Delhi 2013; Modified, All India 2014; Modified)
(d) What removes the pall from our dark spirits?
Answer. (a) The poem is’A thing of beauty’and the poet is John Keats.

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(b) Human iife is full of trials and tribulations. We add to our troubles and make our lives
more difficult by following evil ways. We hurt others as well as ourselves. This makes us
despondent.
(c) The various objects of beauty around us remove the pall from our dark spirits.
Beautiful things have the power to make us happy.
(d) The poet here means that the world lacks in men of noble nature or qualities. There
are few people who are noble in character; most of the people are self-centred and
pursue evil ways.
or
(a) The memory of beautiful things remains in our minds and strengthens our bond with
the Earth. Every day, these bonds get strengthened by the flowery bands that we
prepare.
(b) Humans suffer from hopelessness and sadness. Our poor style of living make us
grim.
(C) Hopelessness, sadness and lack of noble ways are a part of human life. We harm
ourselves by following unhealthy and wicked paths. These circumstances contribute
towards making humans unhappy and disillusioned with life.
(d) Anything beautiful in our surroundings or even the memories of our beautiful
experiences removes the pall from our dark spirits.

Question.3. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
“Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits,”
(a) How does beauty help us when we are burdened with grief?
(b) Explain; “Some shape of beauty.”
(c) Identify the figure of speech in the above lines.
(d) Why are our spirits referred to as ‘dark’?
Answer. (a) Whenever we look at a beautiful object, we are filled with comfort and joy. When
we are burdened with grief, a thing of beauty comes as a ray of hope, and makes us forget our
sorrow and suffering at least for some time.
(b) Beauty is an abstract idea and has no specific shape. The poet here means beauty in some
form or some beautiful object which pleases us.
(c) The above lines present an example of metaphor. Our souls are steeped in sadness and
disappointment which are compared to a pall or shroud covering the dead.
(d) Our spirits are dejected due to extreme sadness and disappointment which may be the
result of our own evil actions. So, the poet refers to them as dark, because of the hopelessness
we feel.

Question.4. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the Earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching

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(a) What are the flowery bands that bind us to the Earth?
(b) What message do the above lines convey? (Delhi 2009)
(c) Why is there an “inhuman dearth of noble natures”?
(d) What do you understand by “unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways”?
Answer. (a) Here beautiful and pleasant things have been referred to as flowery bands. It is
only those things which have beauty of some or the other kind that bind us to this Earth, or in a
way, keep us going. The memory of our beautiful experiences helps us strengthen our bond
with the Earth.
(b) The message that these lines convey is that the world is full of sorrow, sadness and
depression. People have become selfish,-and there is a scarcity of noble people.
Despite this, life is possible because there are some beautiful things around, which help us to
look towards the positive side of life. It is the beauty of these things which brings a smile on our
face and gives us happiness in our lives.
(c) Today, there are few people who can rise above petty differences and be generous towards
others. These days people are mostly selfish and do not think about others.
(d) The unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways refer to the trials and tribulations in our life, and the
dishonest and unfair means people adopt to achieve their goals.

Question.5. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams and health and quiet breathing
(a) How does a thing of beauty remain a joy forever?
(b) Mention any two sources of joy which a thing, of beauty provides to us.
(All India 2008; Modified)
(c) Explain, “never pass into nothingness.”
(d) What is meant by‘bower’?
Answer. (a) A thing of beauty provides eternal and everlasting joy to us. Whenever we are in a
pensive mood we can relive the joyful experience and happiness it gave us.
(b) A thing of beauty gives us a quiet bower to rest peacefully, and a blissful sleep full of
pleasant dreams.
(c) The joy that a thing of beauty give us is eternal. It never loses its importance, but it only
increases with time.
(d) A ‘bower’ refers to a peaceful, quiet place under the shade of trees.

Short Answer Type Questions p Marks, 30-40 words)

Question.1. How do beautiful things help us to live a happy life? (Foreign 2014)
Answer. We derive comfort and happiness when we look at objects of beauty, and the
lasting impression they leave on our minds is a source of permanent joy. Beautiful
things bind us to the Earth and help us strengthen our relationship with nature. They
provide us relief from our everyday trials and tribulations and help us live a happy life.

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Question.2. What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink and
why does he
call its drink immortal? (All India 2013)
Answer. Keats considers nature’s beauty as an endless fountain of immortal drink. He
calls this drink immortal as the pleasure and delight given by it never passes into
nothingness. It only increases with time

Question.3. According to Keats, what spreads the pall of despondence over our
dark spirits? How
is it removed? (All India 2013)
or
What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it removed?
Answer. John Keats says that pain and suffering are a part of life. These bring us
sadness and despondence. But still, we can find hope. The hope and motivation come
from nature and remove the pall of despondence from our spirits. The beautiful sights
give us inspiration to continue the journey of life.

Question.4. How does a thing of beauty provide shelter and comfort? (Modified
India 2013)
Answer. A thing of beauty provides shelter and comfort in many ways. It is like a bower,
a place under the shade of a tree where we can rest. It gives us a sleep filled with sweet
dreams. The streams and forests provide a cooling covert for us in the hot weather.

Question.5. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever? (Delhi 2012)

Answer. A thing of beauty is a joy forever because it is a permanent source of joy and
inspiration and leaves a lasting impression on us. The pleasure and happiness given by
it never fades away but keeps on increasing.

Question.6. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and
sufferings? .
(Ml India 2012,2010; Delhi 2008)
Answer. Human beings suffer from hopelessness and sadness. Our style of living often
makes us hopeless and grim. We at times also, suffer due to the self-centred and
wicked nature of others. In spite of all our troubles and sufferings, we are able to derive
pleasure from our surroundings. The beautiful objects from nature help us shed our
gloom, give us a glimmer of hope, and make us love life amidst all troubles.

Question.7. Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the mighty dead? (Delhi 2011)

Answer. The mighty dead are those who have laid down their lives for a great or noble
cause. Their death is replete with intellectual and spiritual beauty. Birth, growth and
decay, all are inseparable. Each has its own. beauty. Their death is grand or beautiful
because it makes them immortal through the grand tombs and memorials erected in
their honour.

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Question.8. What is the message of the poem, ‘A thing of beauty’? (Modified India
2011)
Answer. The message of the poem ‘A thing of beauty’ is that beautiful things are a
source of constant joy and inspiration. They give us eternal pleasure and leave an
indelible image on our minds and, therefore, every beautiful thing and aspect is worth
being treasured.

Question.9. What is the ‘endless fountain’ and what is its effect? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. Here beauty has been referred to as an ‘endless fountain’, which is an eternal
source of motivation, an elixir of life and a precious gift from heaven. It gives us infinite
pleasure and delight, and motivates us to continue our journey of life.

Question.10.What images does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of
the Earth? (Delhi 2010)
Answer. The poet uses the image of an ‘endless fountain’, which showers bounties on
Earth. He calls this an ‘immortal drink’ from heaven. The sun, the moon, the trees, the
daffodils, the lush green forests and streams, all reflect the beautiful bounties which
God has given us.

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