Bihar Board Class 9 English Book Solutions Poem 2 On His Blindness
On His Blindness – Answers
A. Answer the following questions orally
Question 1. How is a visually challenged person socially recognised?
Answer:
A person is recognised in society by his deeds, not by his physical abilities. Physical fitness alone does not define a human being. What truly matters is character, actions, and contribution to society. Even a person with physical limitations can earn respect through good work and noble conduct.
Question 2. Discuss the modes and manners of a man who is unable to see the world.
Answer:
Blindness deeply affects a person’s life. The loss of eyesight often brings loneliness, helplessness, and frustration. Such a person has to depend on others for daily activities. However, some people, like Milton, accept blindness as a challenge and rise above it through courage and determination.
Question 3. Point out the feelings and emotions of a man who has lost his/her eyesight.
Answer:
A person who loses eyesight feels shock, sorrow, and helplessness. He feels lonely and depressed because his ambitions seem destroyed. Gradually, he struggles to adjust to life without vision and seeks inner strength to move forward.
B. Answer the following questions briefly
Question 1. What is meant by ‘my light is spent’?
Answer:
It means that Milton has completely lost his eyesight.
Question 2. Why is the world ‘dark and wide’ to the poet?
Answer:
Because Milton is totally blind, the world appears dark and meaningless to him despite its vastness and beauty.
Question 3. Who is the ‘Maker’ in this sonnet?
Answer:
God is the ‘Maker’ in this sonnet.
Question 4. Is God a hard taskmaster?
Answer:
No, God is not a hard taskmaster. He is kind and merciful and does not demand impossible tasks from human beings.
Question 5. Does God require man’s appreciation?
Answer:
No, God does not need human appreciation. He has countless servants and agents to carry out His will.
Question 6. Is Milton afraid of the Almighty?
Answer:
Yes, Milton fears that God may question him for not using his poetic talent after becoming blind.
Question 7. Explain the meaning of the line: “They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Answer:
This line means that even those who patiently accept God’s will and wait obediently serve Him faithfully.
C.1. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Discuss the poet’s feelings and emotions.
Answer:
Milton feels sorrow and frustration because he has lost his eyesight in the middle of his life. He believes he has been gifted with poetic talent by God, but blindness has made it impossible for him to use it. This makes him anxious and fearful that he may fail in serving God properly.
Question 2. Why is the poet sad? What happened to him?
Answer:
The poet is sad because he has become blind during his productive years. Due to this loss, he cannot write poetry and feels distressed about how to serve God.
Question 3. Why does the poet fear God in this poem?
Answer:
The poet fears that on the Day of Judgment, God may scold him for wasting the poetic talent given to him.
Question 4. Which is superior—insight or eyesight?
Answer:
Eyesight is very important because it helps us see the world, colours, nature, and beauty. Without eyesight, life becomes difficult. Therefore, eyesight is superior to insight.
Question 5. How does the poet get consolation?
Answer:
The poet realises that God does not demand labour from those who are physically incapable. This thought comforts him and gives him peace of mind.
Question 6. Who answered the poet’s question?
Answer:
The poet’s own inner voice and wisdom answered his question.
Question 7. Is God absolutely merciful? Is He the king of kings?
Answer:
Yes, God is merciful and just. He rules over the entire universe and has countless servants to carry out His commands. He is truly the king of kings.
Question 8. Will God forgive the poet?
Answer:
Yes, God will forgive the poet because he submits humbly to God’s will.
Question 9. Does God need only humble submission? Give arguments.
Answer:
God does not need material service from humans. What He desires is sincere faith, humility, and obedience. Even those who patiently wait and accept His will are considered true servants.
Question 10. What lesson do you learn from the poem?
Answer:
The poem teaches us to accept our sufferings without complaint, trust in God’s justice, and remain faithful even in times of hardship.
C.2. Group Discussion
Question 1. The value of eyes in life.
Answer:
Eyes are precious organs that allow us to see the world’s beauty. Without eyesight, life becomes difficult and limited. Vision enables learning, movement, creativity, and enjoyment of life.
Question 2. Loss of vision leads to suffering and problems in life.
Answer:
Loss of vision causes physical, emotional, and social difficulties. A blind person faces danger, dependence, and loneliness. Life becomes challenging and often painful.
Comprehension Based Answers
Passage 1
Name the poem and the poet.
Answer:
The poem is On His Blindness and the poet is John Milton.What does the poet consider?
Answer:
He considers his blindness and wasted poetic talent.What is lodged with the poet?
Answer:
His poetic talent is lodged within him.What is the poet’s talent?
Answer:
His talent is writing poetry.Why is the poet anxious?
Answer:
He fears God’s displeasure for not using his talent.
Passage 2
What is the force of ‘fondly’?
Answer:
It means foolishly or mistakenly.What is his ‘murmur’ and who prevents it?
Answer:
His murmur is his complaint against God, and Patience prevents it.What is God’s ‘mild yoke’?
Answer:
It refers to God’s gentle responsibilities placed on humans.Where does true service of God lie?
Answer:
In humble submission and acceptance of God’s will.What lesson does the sonnet teach us?
Answer:
We should trust God and accept life’s hardships with faith and patience.