a photograph class 11 assignment

A Photograph Class 11 Extract Questions and Answers Solution

A Photograph Class 11 Extract Questions and Answers are available here in this post. The benefits of Poetry Extract for NCERT and CBSE students include enhancing comprehension skills and fostering critical thinking and creativity. Students can analyze poetic devices, improve vocabulary, and develop a deeper appreciation of literature. Additionally, such exercises aid in effective communication and language proficiency, which is important for academic success and overall cognitive development. So let’s start solving A Photograph Class 11 Extract Questions and Answers Solution

Table of Contents

A photograph class 11 extract questions and answers – extract 1.

Q.1 Read the stanza carefully from A Photograph Class 11 Extract Questions and Answers given below:-

The cardboard shows me how it was  When the two girl cousins went paddling,  Each one holding one of my mother’s hands,  And she the big girl — some twelve years or so.  All three stood still to smile through their hair  At the uncle with the camera. 

Questions:-

1. Who are the characters mentioned in the stanza?

2. What does the word “me” refer to in the first line of the stanza?

3. How is the relationship described between the big girl and the two cousins?

4. What is the significance of the uncle with the camera in the scene?

A Photograph Class 11 Extract Questions and Answers – Extract 2

Q.2 Read the stanza carefully from A Photograph Class 11 Extract Questions and Answers given below:-

A sweet face,  My mother’s, that was before I was born.  And the sea, which appears to have changed less,  Washed their terribly transient feet. 

Carefully read A Photograph Class 11 Extract Questions and Answers –

1. Whose sweet face is described in the stanza and when?

2. What is the implied connection between the poet and the sweet face mentioned?

3. How is the sea described in relation to time?

4. What is the significance of the sea washing their “terribly transient feet”?

5. Find the word from the text which means “temporary” 

A Photograph Class 11 Extract Questions and Answers – Extract 3

Q.3 Read the stanza carefully from A Photograph Class 11 Extract Questions and Answers given below:-

Some twenty-thirty- years later  She’d laugh at the snapshot. “See Betty  And Dolly,” she’d say, “and look how they  Dressed us for the beach.” The sea holiday  Was her past, mine is her laughter. Both wry  With the laboured ease of loss.

1. How does the poet’s mother react to the snapshot taken twenty to thirty years later?

2. What does the poet’s mother say when looking at the snapshot of Betty and Dolly?

3. How does the poet describe the sea holiday about their past?

4. What emotions are conveyed by the poet through the phrase “Both wry with the laboured ease of loss”?

5. Find the word that means “ in painful situation ”

A Photograph Class 11 Extract Questions and Answers – Extract 4

Q.4 Read the stanza carefully from A Photograph Class 11 Extract Questions and Answers given below:-

Now she’s been dead nearly as many years  As that girl lived. And of this circumstance  There is nothing to say at all.  Its silence silences.

1. What is the woman’s current state mentioned in the text?

2. How does the duration of the woman’s death compare to the length of the girl’s life?

3. Is there any commentary or information provided about the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death?

4. How is the concept of silence emphasized in the last two lines of the text?

Read- Poem A Photograph Summary Read- A Photograph Central Idea Class 11 Read- A Photograph Class 11 Question Answers Solution

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• NCERT Solutions for English Chapter 1 - A Photograph Class 11
• NCERT Solutions

Class 11 English Chapter-1 A Photograph Poem - NCERT Solutions Free PDF Download

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter-1 Poem ‘A Photograph’ is provided on Vedantu in the form of a PDF. In these NCERT Solutions, all the answers are explained as per the latest CBSE guidelines. The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Poem 1 can be downloaded from Vedantu for free. These solutions will help you revise the poem A Photograph Class 11 comprehensively. By following these NCERT Solutions, you will be able to understand the summary, theme, and analysis of the poem easily. Hence, you can refer to the NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1 Poem for your exam preparation.

English Hornbill Chapter 1 Poem A Photograph Class 11 is an excellent poem. To understand the lines and the context of this chapter, students refer to the notes prepared by the experts. Once done, they use the NCERT solutions designed by subject experts to get proper answers to the exercise questions. These solutions are compiled in a simpler tone to help students focus on the answers and learn them properly.

A Photograph Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1: Question and Answers

1. Infer the meaning of the following words from the context:

Padding 

Now look up the dictionary to see if your inference is right.

Ans: Paddling refers to the act of moving in shallow water with bare feet. For example: Jane went with her friends to the sea and enjoyed paddling in the water, when the waves washed over the beach.

Transient means something that is short term or temporary. For example: Sad days are a transient period of life. Good days do follow by.

2. What does the word “cardboard” denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?

Ans: ‘Cardboard’ in the poem refers to the small photograph that the poet comes across. It held the memory of her mother and her cousins' beach holiday when they were kids.

This word has been used because with time material things lose their significance. The photograph was one very fond memory of the poet’s mother who is now dead. For the mother, the photograph was a memory but for the poet it is her mother's laughter when she recollected her memories of the day. It emphasises the transient nature of humans and how gradually with time everything is left behind and their actual significance almost lost. 

3. What has the camera captured?

Ans: The camera captured a very fond memory. The photograph was taken on a beach holiday where the author's mother and her cousins Betty and Dolly had fun and they were dressed up weirdly for it. The poet’s mother was the big girl, twelve years or so in the picture and had a sweet smile through her hair, smiling at their uncle, who held the camera. She stood in the middle holding the arms of the cousins, paddling in the seawater.

The photograph brought an instant smile on the mother's face, when she was alive,  as she reminisced of those days.

4.  What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you?

Ans: The photograph was taken around twenty-thirty years ago when the author came across it. Even after so many years, the sea remained the same. It is still visited by many mortals everyday whose terribly transient feet are washed away by the waves, signifying the power nature and time holds. It shows us how helpless we are in front of time and nature, which is eternal. Even the once fond memories remain a mere piece of cardboard after a few years.

5. The poet's mother laughed at the snapshot. What did this laugh indicate?

Ans: After coming across the photograph, the author went to her mother to ask further about it. The mere piece of cardboard brought a wide smile across the mother’s face as she reminisced about the fond beach holiday she had with her cousins, Betty, and Dolly when she was a mere twelve-year-old child. The nostalgic memory made her laugh as she commented on the way they dressed back in those days.

6. What is the meaning of the line “Both wry with the laboured ease of loss”?

Ans: Both the author and her mother had fond memories which brought pain with them. The mother laughed when she looked at the photograph of the beach holiday with her cousins but felt a pang of pain remembering that her childhood was gone, and those days could not come back again.

For the author, the memory of her mother’s laughter when she was presented with the photograph came back again around twelve years after her mother died. She nursed the pain that the loss brought with it but was happy to remember the day she laughed so fondly.

7. What does “this circumstance” refer to?

Ans: ‘This circumstance’ refers to the helpless state that the author is presently in. She lost her mother twelve years ago and coming across the photograph again, her mother once showed her, bringing back fond memories along with pang of pain. She could not meet her again. Only the memory of her laughter remained in her heart. She was trying to nurse the pain away from the loss and the void that could not be filled. It also shows how helpless we, as mortals, are in front of time and nature, and we can do nothing other than submitting to its power.

8. The three stanzas depict three different phrases? What are they?

Ans: The first stanza of the poem talks about the childhood of the poet' mother when she went on a beach holiday with her cousins. It was a happy memory which the mother held close to her heart.

The second stanza talks about the mother being old and gradually entering old age. The poet is now a young girl and was narrated this happy memory by her mother on being presented with the photograph.

In the third stanza, the poet has progressed deeper into life and aged. Her mother is now dead and she fondly remembers her smile and memory when she once again comes across the picture.

 A Photograph Class 11- Chapter 1 – Intext Questions

What is the central idea of  poem 1 class 11 english.

The Class 11 English Poem A Photograph is written by Shirley Toulson as a tribute to her beloved mother. The poem delineates three distinct stages in the transit of life. In the first stage, A Photograph Poem depicts the poet’s 12-year old mother, enjoying the beach with her two cousins. The second stage signifies the memory of twenty or thirty years later, where her mother is laughing at how the poet and her cousins used to doll up for the beach holiday. In the third stage, the poet recollects the memories of her dear departed mother with a heavy heart. The photograph inoculates a nostalgic emotion in the poet.

The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1 A Photograph on Vedantu will guide you to write precise and proper answers for all types of questions from this poem in the exam.

CBSE Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter-1 Poem ‘A Photograph’ - Summary of the Poem

The photograph class 11 summary is given below..

This poem is written in remembrance of the poet’s mother. She is looking at an old cardboard photo frame of her mother. That has a picture of three girls in which the tallest girl, standing in the middle, is her mother, when she was twelve years old along with her cousins Betty and Dolly beside her. She is holding the hands of her younger cousins. Her uncle took her photograph when they went paddling on a beach holiday.

The poet does not forget to notice the sweet face of her mother. The sea touching her transient feet depicts the sea is still the same, whereas she aged in the following years. Her mother, after twenty-three years, used to show this picture to the poet and laugh about how their parents used to doll them up for the beach holiday. The beach holiday was one of the favourite memories of her mother, whereas the laugh of her mother was her favourite memory of the poet.

They both lost something close to them, which they will never be able to re-live. Those moments have turned into memory now. It has been twelve years since the demise of her beloved mother, and she misses her mother more when she sees the photograph where her mother is just a twelve-year-old girl having fun with her cousins. She cannot express the anguish that she feels for her mother’s absence.

The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1 A Photograph Poem are available for free download on Vedantu. You can access these NCERT Solutions online as well as offline.

Access NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1- A Photograph (Poem)

The theme of the poem- a photograph.

Shirley Toulson’s  A Photograph Class 11 explores many important themes. The most prominent ones among them are loss, nostalgia, mourning, and the transience of life and memories. The speaker of the poem recalls the memories of her deceased mother. A Photograph Poem revolves around the speaker’s reminiscence from her own life and that of her mother’s memories.

The poet experiences the emotions of both sorrow and joy when she recollects her mother’s words when the two look at the photograph together. It has been pretty long since the image was captured and framed, and her mother and she looked at it. However, it is evident from the poem that the memories of such moments are strongly engraved in the poet’s heart.

Every individual on this planet has experienced a loss of some kind. Shirley Toulson in the poem taps into that feeling of loss and emptiness through the lines of the poem when one reads it and looks back at it years later. Through Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter-1 Poem - The Photograph, the poet remembers the past in the present. The poem is universally applicable to all its readers. Toulson not only pays a tribute to her mother but also to all those who have lost a dear one, through this beautiful poem.

CBSE Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter-1 Poem ‘A Photograph’ - Salient Features of NCERT Notes

CBSE English Hornbill Chapter 1 Poem A Photograph Class 11 consists of some special features which prove to be advantageous for the students:

Vedantu has the best faculty who have prepared the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1 A Photograph Poem , which will help students to understand and analyze the poem thoroughly. 

All the textbook questions of the poem are solved and explained in the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill A Photograph PDF on Vedantu. So get sufficient notes and prepare yourself to perform the best in your exam.

The NCERT Solutions of Chapter 1 A Photograph is done in such a lucid way that the students will find it very easy to understand the text and hence can study the material with full advantage. 

NCERT Solutions are provided for free which will help the students to download it for free and use it anytime and from anywhere.

Solved Example

What does cardboard signify in the poem?

A piece of paper.

That life is transient.

A-frame of wooden.

A photo holder.

Ans- 2) That life is transient.

Questions and Answers:

1. What does the ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem ‘A Photograph’?

Ans . The word ‘cardboard’ in the poem denotes that the photograph was very old. In olden times these cardboard framed photographs were prevalent, thus this piece in the poem denotes the age-old photo of the poet’s mother.

2. What do these two words mean in the context of the poem: Padding and Transient? 

Ans. Following is the meaning of the two terms:

Padding - moving the boat at a faster speed. 

Transient - something which will stay for a shorter period of time.

James Maxwell took the first-ever colour photo in 1861.

Why Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1 Poem A Photograph NCERT Solutions are Important?

Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1 Poem A Photograph is a masterpiece written by the poet Shirley Toulson. She has a photograph of her mother and it is the topic of this poem. This heart-touching poem explains how she, her cousins and her mother were present in the photograph and her uncle took it. The poet cannot forget the sweet face of her mother even if she is not there with her.

To understand the context of this chapter, students will have to pay prime attention to all the lines of this poem. Once done, they can proceed to answer the exercise questions to check whether they have understood the poem properly or not. This is where the students will need the assistance of the NCERT solutions developed by the experts.

The questions in the exercises are all based on the context of this poem. Hence, the answers will explain what the questions want to ask and how to compile one. Add these solutions to your study sessions and develop your answering skills for this chapter.

Advantages of Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1 Poem A Photograph NCERT Solutions

The answers to all the exercise questions can be found in a single file. You can access this file online or can download it for more convenience.

Refer to these solutions to resolve doubts based on the exercise questions. Leave no questions and queries unattended when you have these solutions in your hands.

Follow the answering format compiled by the experts. Check how they have maintained the CBSE Class 11 English standards to keep the answers simple and easily comprehensible. Develop similar skills to score more in Class 11 English exams.

Practice these exercise questions with the solutions and revise the chapter faster before an exam.

Tips to Study English Hornbill Better in CBSE Class 11 

Students can follow the following suggestion and tips to score brilliantly in the Hornbill section of English CBSE Class 11:

Students are required to take note of the chapters which are included in this supplementary book. 

Students are then required to study each story and poem from this book. 

Understanding the prose and poetries is very important thus the students must totally understand the concept of the context. 

Previous Year’s Question Papers, NCERT Solutions, and Revision study must be practiced well by the students.

Thus hope the study material has benefitted the students in the best way. Students are required to download the free PDF which will help them to resort to the NCERT solutions of Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter-1 Poem ‘A Photograph’ whenever required.

Additionally, we also have discussed the benefits of referring to these study materials, and how will help the students in preparing for the exam.

Download Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1 Poem A Photograph NCERT Solutions PDF

Get the free PDF version of the solutions and make your study sessions for this chapter more productive. Learn from the solutions how to use the context of this poem in an accurate way to compile a precise answer. Develop your concepts related to this chapter by using these solutions. Practice answering such questions before the exam to stay ahead of the competition.

Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill

Chapter 1 - The Portrait of a Lady

Chapter 2 - We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together

Chapter 3 - Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues

Chapter 4 - Landscape of the Soul

Chapter 5 - The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement's Role

Chapter 6 - The Browning Version

Chapter 7 - The Adventure

Chapter 8 - Silk Road

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Poem

Chapter 1 Poem - A Photograph

Chapter 3 Poem - The Laburnum Top

Chapter 4 Poem - The Voice of the Rain

Chapter 6 Poem - Childhood

Chapter 8 Poem - Father to Son

FAQs on NCERT Solutions for English Chapter 1 - A Photograph Class 11

1. The three paragraphs depict distinct phases of life. Name those phases?

The poem offers a very meaningful message that every student must understand. The three paragraphs depict three distinct phases in three stages of life, which are as follows-

The first stage depicts a time when the poetess’s mother was a twelve-year-old girl. 

The second stage signifies the time after twenty-three years when her mother was in her middle age, during her childhood.

The third stage depicts the period after her mother passed away, and the poet was left with her sweet memories only.

2. What is the irony in the poem A Photograph?

The poem tries to convey a very strong message related to love, happiness, and affection when it comes to the bond of motherhood. The line in the poem- There is nothing to say at all, its silence silences, signifies the irony of the poem. The photograph is amusingly melancholic. The poetess is delighted to see her mother in the picture shows irony as she felt sad at the same time. Her mother passed away without seeing her daughter happy, and meanwhile, her daughter was unhappy because her mother was not with her to make her happy. An ironic ambiance is created within this write-up.

3. What is the theme of the poem Photograph?

The poem Photograph highlights the three stages in the journey of life. The main theme of this poem is the nostalgic emotion of the poet by looking at the photographs. In the first stage, the poet’s mother is a 12-year old who is seen enjoying the beach with her cousins. The second stage depicts the photograph of the poet and her cousins dressing up for the beach holiday. The third stage is the departure of the poet’s mother.

4. Who has written the Photograph?

The poem Photograph in Class 11 English has been written by Shirley Toulson. She has dedicated this poem as a tribute to her dear departed mother. The photographs inject the poet with nostalgic emotions. The poet is trying to convey that they both have lost something valuable and close to them. She is trembling as she will not be able to relive them again.

5. Can the poem Photograph be considered a melancholic or nostalgic poem?

The poem Photograph, composed by Shirley Toulson, should be considered as a nostalgic poem. The poet looks at the photographs and recollects and revisits the memories she had of her mother. She has composed this poem as a tribute to her mother. According to the main idea of the poem, photographs allow us to revisit the place, feelings, moments and people. The poet is also sad that she will not be able to relive those moments again. For more solutions, visit the page NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter-1 Poem.

6. How can the solutions for the poem Photograph be downloaded?

Vedantu offers solutions to all the exercises of the chapter in a detailed and simplified manner. The solutions for the poem The photograph can be downloaded from the page NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter-1 Poem on the official website of Vedantu.

One of the reasons to refer to the Vedantu solutions is that these are provided by experienced experts after cross verification and also by following the guidelines set by CBSE Board. And all these solutions can be accessed at free of cost on the official website of Vedantu or on the Vedantu app.

7. How is the material provided supposed to be useful?

Vedantu offers the complete study guide comprising the revision notes, important questions, detailed solutions, mock tests, and previous year’s question papers. These can be found on their official website. The solutions provided are cross verified by the experienced subject matter experts and in a simplified manner. One of the reasons to refer to this guide is that they follow the guidelines set by the CBSE Board.

8. What is The Photograph Class 11 Summary?

"A Photograph" is a poem by Shirley Toulson, featured in Class 11 English textbooks. It explores themes of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time through the lens of an old photograph. The speaker discovers a photograph of her mother as a young girl, alongside her two cousins, at a beach holiday. The poem describes the details captured in the photo: the girls' laughter, the sea breeze, and their youthful joy.

However, the poem takes a turn as the speaker reflects on the present. Her mother is no longer alive, and the carefree days depicted in the photograph are a distant memory. The poem highlights the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and the power of photographs to preserve fleeting moments.

9. What is a photograph class 11?

This poem goes beyond a simple description of a photograph. It delves into the emotions it evokes in the speaker. Here's a breakdown of some key aspects:

Theme of Memory: The photograph acts as a trigger for the speaker's memories of her mother's childhood.

Nostalgia: The poem captures the bittersweet feeling of longing for the past and a simpler time.

Passage of Time: The contrast between the joyful scene in the photograph and the speaker's present reality emphasizes the impermanence of life.

Symbolism: The photograph itself symbolizes the power of capturing a moment in time, while the sea represents the constant flow of time.

Overall, A Photograph Poem Class 11 is a poignant reflection on the human experience, using the image as a catalyst for exploring themes of memory, loss, and the fleeting nature of time.

10. What is the significance of studying the poem "A Photograph" in Class 11 English?

A Photograph Poem by Shirley Toulson is a poignant reflection on memory, loss, and the passage of time. Studying this poem in Class 11 English provides students with an opportunity to explore themes of nostalgia and emotional resonance through vivid imagery and evocative language.

11. How can NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Chapter-1 "A Photograph" aid in understanding the poem?

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Chapter-1 A Photograph Poem offer detailed explanations, summaries, and analyses of the poem, helping students interpret its layers of meaning and literary devices. These solutions also provide answers to textual questions, facilitating a deeper understanding of the poem's themes and techniques.

12. What are some key literary devices used in the Photograph Poem Class 11?

"A Photograph" employs various literary devices such as imagery, symbolism, and irony to evoke emotions and convey the poet's message. These devices enhance the poem's impact and invite readers to reflect on the fleeting nature of time and memory.

13. How does the poet use imagery to evoke nostalgia in Photograph Poem Class 11?

Shirley Toulson employs vivid imagery to evoke nostalgia and bring the past to life in "A Photograph." Through descriptions of the photograph's details, such as "frozen waterfall," "three of them," and "the stone steps," the poet creates a vivid tableau that resonates with readers' own memories and experiences.

14. How does the structure of "A Photograph" contribute to its overall impact?

The structure of "A Photograph," with its simple yet evocative language and concise verses, enhances the poem's emotional resonance. The repetition of the phrase "the cardboard shows me how it was" emphasizes the speaker's contemplation of the photograph's significance, inviting readers to reflect on their own memories.

15. What is the central message of "A Photograph"?

The central message of "A Photograph" is the ephemeral nature of life and the inevitability of change. Through the imagery of the photograph and its depiction of a moment frozen in time, the poem reminds readers of the fleeting nature of human existence and the importance of cherishing memories.

16. How does Photograph Poem Class 11 capture universal human experiences?

"A Photograph" captures universal human experiences of nostalgia, longing, and the passage of time. The poem's evocative imagery and poignant reflections on memory resonate with readers of all ages, inviting them to reflect on their own connections to the past.

17. How can students effectively analyse Photograph Poem Class 11 for exams?

Students can effectively analyse "A Photograph" for exams by paying close attention to its imagery, symbolism, and themes. They can also explore the poet's use of language and structure to convey emotions and ideas. Practicing with NCERT Solutions can help students develop a deeper understanding of the poem and prepare for exam questions.

18. What is the enduring appeal of "A Photograph"?

The enduring appeal of "A Photograph" lies in its ability to evoke powerful emotions and resonate with readers across generations. The poem's universal themes and evocative language make it a timeless piece of literature that continues to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.

Chapter wise NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Poem

Cbse study materials, jee study materials, neet study materials.

CBSE Class 11 English Hornbill - A Photograph Summary

Summary of a photograph.

A Photograph is a poem written by English poet Shirley Toulson. It portrays a daughter’s nostalgic recollection of her mother’s memories and laments over the absence of her mother in her present time. She looks at an old photograph of her mother, which had once been a cherished object that brought happiness to her. Her mother’s laugh and comments on this photograph are part of a joyous moment that no longer exists in her life. She compares and contrasts her mother’s life with the sea, which seems to be a static element throughout lives and does not change much even though people who see it do grow old and die eventually. Keep reading A Photograph Class 11 summary given in the next section to understand the gist of the poem with clarity and critical thinking. You can find summaries of other poems in the Hornbill textbook on BYJU’S CBSE Summary. Students can also refer to CBSE Notes for further explanations and study materials on Class 11 CBSE English syllabus.

CBSE Class 11 English A Photograph Summary

The poet describes a photograph framed on cardboard. It is an old photograph of her mother from when she was young and had gone paddling at sea. It shows her mother with two other girls who are her cousins. She is twelve years old in that picture. She is the eldest of the three, and each of the two younger siblings is holding her hand. They seem to stand still so the photographer can click a good photograph of the three.

The poet gives us a detailed description of how her mother’s face looked in the photograph. The wind had ruffled her hair along with her cousins’. She finds her mother’s face to be sweet. She refers to the simplicity and innocence on her mother’s face as she posed for the photograph. The poet emphasises that this photograph of her mother’s belonged to an era before she was born – when her mother was just a young girl.

The background of the photograph was the sea. It washed the feet of her mother and her cousins. She uses the word ‘transient’ to describe their feet, which are in the process of growth, washed away by the sea, which does not seem to have changed at all. It seemed to retain a look and charm of its own, implying that no matter how old or young one is, the sea does not seem different to anyone. The poet is trying to contrast the ageing of her mother with the unchanging nature of the sea.

Some twenty or thirty years later, when the poet becomes a part of her mother’s life, she is shown the same photograph. Her mother laughs with fond reminiscences of the past. She points out her cousins Betty and Dolly in the picture and comments on how they are all dressed for that particular outing. The poet mentions to the reader that the photograph has become her mother’s past, while the memory of her mother’s laugh is now the poet’s own past. Her mother passed away long back. The poet remembers her mother with a sad longing for the past.

In the last stanza, the poet reveals her mother’s death had taken place twelve years ago – just like the age of her young self in the photograph. This realisation is painful for the poet, and the only reaction that manifests at this moment is that of silence. The silence also refers to the absence of her mother’s laughter from her life. And in a way, it also points at the silence of the image in the photograph. This silence hurts her deeply, and she is at a loss for words to explain her emotional state.

Conclusion of A Photograph

A Photograph Class 11 summary teaches us the value of relationships in life. No matter how close we are to a person, one day, they have to leave us, as is the law of nature. We should cherish those relationships and the time spent together because time waits for none, and so doesn’t life. It goes on irrespective of the ups and downs in our lives. The feeling of loss is natural in such cases of mourning, and all we can do is embrace it.

A detailed understanding of the poem can help students critically analyse and appreciate the poem. Students can refer to our website for further information and content related to the Class 11 English subject for better understanding and preparation for CBSE board exams. They can also access topics like grammar and writing in English.

Frequently asked Questions on CBSE Class 11 English A Photograph

What is the main theme of the poem ‘a photograph’, what is the message of the poem ‘a photograph’, why does the poet use the word ‘transient’ to describe the feet of her mother and her cousins.

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A Photograph Summary Class 11 English

Summary of a photograph.

A Photograph Summary compares the internal state of nature and the momentary state of humans. In the poem, poetess describes a photograph of her mothers’ childhood. In the photograph of time when she went for a sea holiday with her two girl cousins. Also, poetess contrasts between nature, altering at the pace of a snail and the fast-changing human life. Poetess remembers how her mother laughs at the photograph and feel disappointed at the loss of her childhood joys. However, then, the sea holiday was her mother’s past and now her mother’s laugh is the poetess’s past. At different periods of time and with great difficulty, both resolve with their respective losses and the pain that involves in remembering past. Besides, for the poetess, his mother’s death of her mother brings great sadness and a dire sense of loss. Moreover, the painful ‘silence’ of the situation leaves her without words.

A Photograph Summary in English

The poem begins when the poetess goes through her mother’s photo that lay within the cardboard boxes. They were possibly uncared for some time. In addition, it is not in any frame, metal, etc. So, the poetess portrays it as being susceptible to forces of decay. In the photo poetess’s mother seem edged by her siblings, who are younger than her. Also, she highlights her mother strength as she supports her young cousins.

They all look into the camera when their brother/uncle photograph them. Moreover, they look happy and excited with their throwing locks and pleasant smiles. Further, the picture shows the sea waves smashing at them as the young girls learn to keep up with the waves. She (poetess) remains with the thought that sea. Even in motion, her mother (motionless in the photograph) is able to resist the change as she has surrendered herself to mortality.

In the second part/phase, in her older days, her mother looks back the day at the sea. Moreover, she remembers her two cousins and recalls the day memorialized in the photograph. Also, she makes fun of her and her cousins’ outfits. These lines have a tone of sadness as the mother tries to accept the continual motion of life as she grows older. Looking back at her 12-years-old self maybe was an attempt to return to her childhood, which is a painful reminder of time and age.

In the third part, the poetess remembering her mother as she died earlier.  Further, the photo scripts a memory for both. As it knots the mother and daughter together even after her mother has left her for forever. The poetess confesses that the photo bliss at imagining her mother’s laughter much like her mother delight in remembering the day at the sea.

Moreover, she notices that the time over since her mother’s final departure is the same as her age in the photograph i.e., 12 years. Maybe it’s a coincidence or an irony of life and death. Eventually, both poetess and her mother learn to accept the change and make peace with their memories. Even though they remind them of the briefness of laughter, happy moment, etc.

Although the death or end makes things go quiet and empty. However, the poetess, find her mother died to be loud and inspiring enough to pour her feelings out in the form of a tribute and poem. Thus, even though death finishes everything. But her mother’s death brings out a new response in her. Lastly, she accepts (silently) her resignation to the final silence of death.

Conclusion of a Photograph Summary

In a photograph summary, the poetess wants to say that death is unavoidable so embrace your life.

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• The Voice of the Rain Summary Class 11 English

14 responses to “The Voice of the Rain Summary Class 11 English”

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NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill – Chapter 2 – A Photograph

Exercise : Solutions of Questions on Page Number : 11

Q1 : Infer the meaning of the following words from the context.

Now look up the dictionary to see if your inference is right. Answer : Paddling: To move a boat by means of paddles. Transient: Something that stays at a place for a short time-period.

Think it out : Solutions of Questions on Page Number : 12

Q1 :What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has this word been used? Answer :   In the poem, the word ‘cardboard’ stands for the frame that supports and borders the photograph. The photograph shows the poet’s mother as a twelve year old girl with two of her cousins, Betty and Dolly. The word ‘cardboard’ has been used to depict that the photograph is many years old. The use of cardboard as a photo frame was common in old times.

Q2 :What has the camera captured? Answer : The camera has captured a happy moment from the childhood days of the poet’s mother. The photograph was taken when the poet’s mother (at the age of twelve or so) went to a beach holiday with two of her cousins, Betty and Dolly. The captured picture serves as a preserved memory both for the mother as well as the poet.

Q3 :What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you? Answer :  The lines, ‘And the sea, which appears to have changed less’ depicts that the sea have stayed the same over the years. It has not changed at all. These lines suggest a sharp contrast to the mortal human life. Human life is transitory and temporary whereas the sea symbolizes permanence, immortality and eternity. The poet makes use of the phrase ‘terribly transient feet’ to highlight the ephemeral nature of human life.

Q4 : The poet’s mother laughed at the snapshot. What did this laugh indicate? Answer :  The poet’s mother laughed while recalling a moment of her past captured in the photograph. She looks back at her childhood days with nostalgia and recollects her innocent joys. Looking at the picture years later brings in her mind the fond memories. She laughs at the way they were dressed up for the beach holiday. But in the midst of these pleasant memories, lies the pain of loss. The pain comes from the acknowledgement that the lovely days of her childhood will never come back to her.

Q5 : What is the meaning of the line “Both wry with the laboured ease of loss”. Answer :   The context of the above lines is the mother’s recollection of her childhood days and the poet’s recollection of her mother’s laughing face. The mother has fond memories of her past but there is a sense of loss in recalling those moments as they make her realise that the good old times of her childhood will never come back. For the poet, the ‘loss’ refers to the loss of her mother. She has fond memories of her dead mother but she misses her laughter and her presence that will never return to the poet. Thus, both remember their pasts with a laugh that conceals sadness as none can re-live those lost moments.

Q6 : What does “this circumstance” refer to? Answer :   This circumstance’ refers to the present situation of the poet wherein the poet is absorbed in the painful memory of her dead mother. Looking at the photograph and thinking of her mother’s laughter, the poet also realises that it has been the same number of years since her mother died as her mother’s age in the photograph.

Q7 : The three stanzas depict three different phases. What are they? Answer : The first stanza refers to the childhood days of the poet’s mother when she was twelve years old or so. The stanza depicts a photograph of her mother when she went for a beach holiday with her cousins and uncle.

The second stanza refers to the poet’s childhood days when her mother had become an adult. It depicts her mother recalling her childhood days while looking at the old photograph of hers (mentioned in the first stanza).

In the last stanza, the poet’s adult life is described in which her mother is not with her anymore. She has been dead for almost twelve years. The stanza depicts the poet’s looking at the same photograph and recollecting her mother’s laughter. The loss of her mother puts her in utter grief. She has no words to describe the terrible pain of her mother’s death.

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NCERT Solutions for A Photograph Class 11 Hornbill English

Paddling: To move a boat by means of paddles.

Transient: Something that stays at a place for a short time-period.

What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?

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A Photograph Class 11 English Notes

Please refer to A Photograph Class 11 English Notes and summary provided below. The following summary and solved questions have been designed as per the latest syllabus and books issued by CBSE, NCERT, and KVS. By going through and learning the below notes for Class 11 English you will be able to understand the entire chapter and easily solve questions in your exams. Also, refer to the Class 11 English Chapter Summary for all chapters in your textbooks.

Class 11 English A Photograph Summary and Questions

The following A Photograph Class 11 English Notes and questions answers will help you to easily learn the entire chapter. You will be able to solve all questions in upcoming Class 11 English exams and score better marks

Introduction

The poem captures three different moods and situations in three stanzas. The first one tells about a snapshot or an instant cardboard-photo of three girls. They are cousins. The eldest one, 12 years old, became the mother of the poetess after marriage. They are enjoying a sea holiday, putting on funny dresses. Their uncle clicks the camera and captures the smiling faces of all the three.

Some 20-30 years later, the mother looks at the photo and laughs. She tells the poetess how her cousins Betty and Dolly had all dressed for the holiday. The outing on the beach in a quaint dress was the mother’s past. But her laughter has become a thing of the past for the poetess. The mother passed away some twelve years ago. The void created by her death has made life dull and eventless.

The poetess looks at the photograph of her late mother, with her two cousins on a sea beach. The mother was the eldest of the three, 12 years old, and had a lovely face. They were escorted by the uncle, who clicked the camera. The girls stood in shallow water. The sea waves seemed to be washing their feet which changed fast with the passage of time. Only the sea has shown no change in its behaviour over the years.

The mother happened to see her photo after a time-gap of some 20-30 years. She was amused to see the pretty, beach dresses of all the three girls. She blushed and laughed. She told the poetess that they had been dressed for the pleasure trip by her cousins Betty and Dolly.

The sea holiday was the mother’s past, but after she had passed away, her laughter became a thing of the past for the poetess. Both had lost their newness with the passing of time. The photograph is twisted and faded; the memory of the mother’s laughter has also grown faint.

The mother of the poetess died some 12 years ago. The poetess has faced only blank silences after her mother’s death. She has nothing to say about that period since the mother left.

Short Questions

Question. What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you? Answer:  The sea has not changed over the years but a great change has come in those who one paddled in its bench. It suggests that while human life is terribly transient the sea has always remained the same.

Question. What does the word “cardboard” denote in poem? why has this word been used? Answer:  The word cardboard has been used for mother’s photograph. Now the photograph is just a cardboard because the mother is already died.

Question. What does ‘this circumstance’ refer to? Answer:  It refers to the present mental state of the poet. She feels terribly sad and lonely without her mother.

Question. What has the camera captured? Answer:  The camera has captured three little girls. One of them is the poet’s mother. The others two are the mother’s girl cousin each of them is holding one hand of the mother. The mother was then a girl of twelve. All the three girls are smiling through their flying hair. They are standing in shallow water in the sea beach.

Question. What is the meaning of the line “both wry with the labored ease of loss” Answer:  The poets here bring out similarities between the face of her mother and her own face. Both the faces had turned wry due to the intense feeling of their great loss. The mother had lost the joys of her childhood. The poet had lost the laughter of her mother who was now dead.

RTC BASED QUESTIONS

The cardboard shows me how it was When the two girl cousins went paddling Each one holding one of my mother’s hands, And she the big girl- some twelve years or so. All three stood still to smile through their hair At the uncle with the camera.

Question. What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Answer:  Why has this word been used? The photograph in the poem is called cardboard because it is too difficult to call it a photograph. Having lost its colors and having lost the clarity of its images in it, the photograph is now just a cardboard.

Question. What had the camera captured? Answer:  The camera has captured some happy moments from the childhood of the poet’s mother. It was a scene taken from a beach where she had gone with her cousins and her uncle for a sea holiday. The girls stood huddled together, the poet’s mother in the middle, held tightly by her cousins Betty and Dolly.

Question. What does the cardboard refer to? Answer:  The cardboard refers to the childhood photograph of the poet’s mother and her cousins who went out to the beach.

Question. Who does ‘all three’ refer to here? Answer:  All three’ refers to the poet’s mother and her two cousins.

Question. What scene from mother’s childhood has been captured in the photograph? Who had taken the photograph? Answer:  The scene that has been captured in the photograph is from the poet’s mother’s childhood when she went for paddling with her two cousins. The uncle had taken the photograph.

Question. Who was the big girl and how old was she? Answer:  The big girl was the poet’s mother. She was then twelve years old.

Question.How did the cousins go paddling with the poet’s mother? Answer:  The girl cousins, Betty and Dolly, went paddling with the poet’s mother holding her hands.

Question. Why did they smile through their hair? Answer:  They smiled through their hair because they were posing for a photograph.

Question. Explain the contrast given in the last two lines of the first stanza. Answer:  The contrast is between the sea and the human life. The sea had remained the same for all these years, but the humans have undergone changes. The poet’s mother grew up and now she had been dead for some time.

A sweet face, my mother’s, that was before I was born And the sea, which appears to have changed less Washed their terribly transient feet.

Question. How is the poet able to remember her mother’s childhood? Answer:  The poet is able to remember her mother’s childhood by looking at the photograph.

Question. Where was the poet’s mother when the photograph was clicked? Answer:  The poet’s mother was on the sea shore with her cousins, posing for a photograph.

Question. What has not changed over the years? Answer:  Does this suggest something to you? The sea has not changed over the years. It is still the same. The sea symbolizes immortality against the transient existence of other creatures in the nature

Question. When did this incident take place? Answer:  This incident took place when the poet’s mother was twelve years old.

Question. What has stood the passage of time and what has not? Answer:  The sea has stood the onslaught of time. It is still the same. However, the poet’s mother and her cousins underwent changes. Her mother grew up to be an adult and now she is no more.

Now she’s has been dead nearly as many years As that girl lived. And of this circumstance There is nothing to say at all, Its silence silences.

Question. What impact has the photograph on the poet? Answer:  The silence of the photograph silences the poet. She experiences the great loss of her mother.

Question. Why doesn’t the poet want to think about the photograph any more? Answer:  The poet doesn’t want to think about the photograph any more because it brings the pain of loss to her mind.

Question. Each photograph is a memory. Justify the statement in the light of the poem, The Photograph. Answer:  The Photograph is a memory for a number of reasons. Photographs leave behind them memories as old as the day they are captured. Once a person is photographed, for the person as well for the rest, the person lives along with the photograph. The photograph gets unprecedented/unexpected importance once the person in the photograph is no more. Since then the person or the scenery brings back painful memories rather than happy memories. However happy the person used to be, his memories make us cry. In the poem too, Shirley Toulson makes this idea very clear. In the first place, the poet uses the photograph to bring back her mother’s memories because she had lost her quite too early. The mother had been dead several years, leaving behind the poet only memories. She has no medium to remember her mother than this photograph. Although the heavy silence that the pain of losing her mother descends upon her and silences her, the poet never ceases to look at it. A photograph has a longer memory than our minds.

Question. Why has the poet nothing to say about this circumstance? Answer:  The poet has nothing to say about this circumstance as the memory of it brings pain to her.

Question. Write a note on the use of mathematics in the poem. Answer:  The poem presents the chronology of the poet’s life and incidents. Analyzing each line, we can conclude that the poet was a little child when her mother died. As the poet says that her mother had been dead as many years as that girl lived, it is evident that “that girl” is no one but the mother. On a deeper consideration, we can assume that the mother had died when she was hardly 22 to 25 years, more or less.

Question. What does ‘this circumstance’ refer to? Answer:  This circumstance refers to the grave, silent memories of loss that the photograph brings to the poet whenever she looks at the photograph.

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NCERT solutions of class 11 English - Hornbill − Chapter List:

• • Chapter 1: The Portrait Of A Lady
• • Chapter 2: We Are Not Afraid To Die
• • Chapter 3: Discovering Tut The Saga Continues
• • Chapter 4: Landscape Of The Soul
• • Chapter 5: The Ailing Planet The Green Movements Role
• • Chapter 6: The Browning Version
• • Chapter 7: The Adventure
• • Chapter 8: Silk Road

NCERT solutions of class 11 English - Poem − Chapter List:

• • Chapter 1: A Photograph
• • Chapter 2: Laburnum Top
• • Chapter 3: The Voice Of The Rain
• • Chapter 4: Childhood
• • Chapter 5: Father To Son

NCERT solutions of class 11 English - Snapshots − Chapter List:

• • Chapter 1: The Summer Of The Beautiful White Horse
• • Chapter 2: The Address
• • Chapter 3: Rangas Marriage
• • Chapter 4: Albert Einstein At School
• • Chapter 5: Mothers Day
• • Chapter 6: The Ghat Of The Only World
• • Chapter 7: Birth
• • Chapter 8: The Tale Of Melon City
• • NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Math
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• • NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry
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A Photograph By Shirley Toulson – Summary, Explanation, Analysis and Solved Questions | Class 11 English Hornbill | CBSE / JK BOSE

Table of Contents

A Photograph By Shirley Toulson

Introduction : When you look at an old photograph it brings back memories of past events, experiences, joys, sorrows, etc. People become older with the passage of time, they might become unrecognisable due to wrinkles, posture or greying hair. You may laugh at the photograph nostalgically, remembering the past events. You may remember the smile on the loved person’s face and may laugh with a tinge of sadness that the past cannot be re-lived. The memories may produce great sadness in you. You may have an acute sense of loss. But the reality is that time is a great healer. Although the sense of loss (on the death of one’s near and dear, ages ago) may never go away completely but with time one has to accept the eventuality, mortality and lack of permanence of human life. You have to come to terms with the loss of your dear departed ones, and you have to accept the inevitable. The past memories can leave you silent, dazed as the silence in the photograph. But nature will always be there and remain unaltered with the passage of time. Nature is immortal and eternal. The sea will be there where it is, the mountain will be there where it is. Nature symbolises permanence, immortality and eternity. Human life will be ephemeral in nature and temporary and nothing can erase this naked fact.

Summary of A Photograph

The poem, “A Photograph” is written in free verse by Shirley Toulson. Nostalgically recollecting fond memories, the poet looks at a very old snapshot of her mother, who is no more. The poet is consumed with sorrow, but there are no words left to express the loss.

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The poet starts the poem by looking at an old photograph of her mother when she was twelve years old. The poet’s mother is photographed with her two girl cousins, each holding one of her hands, in a cardboard frame. She was the eldest of the three siblings and had a “sweet” appearance. On an occasion when they went paddling, all three girls stand still, laughing with their hair falling on their faces, to be photographed by their uncle’s camera. Their ‘transient’ feet were washed by the sea, which appeared to have remained unchanged. The everlasting sea stands in stark contrast to this picture of transience.

Twenty or thirty years later, the poet’s mother laughed at the picture pointing how she, Betty and Dolly (the two cousins) were made to dress for a beach holiday. The sea holiday was a thing of the past for her mother at that time, although her mother’s laughter is the poet’s past. Both indicate their respective losses and the suffering involved in the recollection of the past.

The poet has little left to tell about the present ‘circumstance.’ She is absorbed in the memory of her dead mother. The excruciating ‘silence’ of the situation leaves the poet silent, without any words to describe his sorrow. Thus, the ‘silence’ silences her.

The title photograph is very much appropriate as it reminds the poet of her mother. A photograph is something that captures a certain snapshot of someone’s life. The person may change in course of time however the recollections connected with the photograph are endless. In this poem, the poet’s mother is no more but the photograph brings back her memories of her.

The mother’s sweet face or her cousins vigorously dressed up for the beach have all changed with time but the minutes captured in the photograph still offers satisfaction to the poet’s mother when she sees it thirty to forty years after later. The poet looks at the cardboard on which there is a photographic of three girls. The bigger and oldest one in the middle and two younger and shorter ones at each side of her. The girl in the middle is the mother of the poet, and the poet speculates that when the picture was taken, her mother must have been about twelve years old. The other two girls are two cousins from her mother.

All three of them stood still shoulder to shoulder to smile at the camera through their long wet hair, the picture of which was taken by the uncle holding it. The mother had a sweet and pleasant smile before her child(the poet) was born into this world. The sea in which they were paddling; which did not seem to have changed; washed their terribly transient wet feet.

Poetic Devices

An Allusion is a reference or an incidental mention of something; either directly or by implication.

An example of an allusion from ‘A Photograph’ is the cardboard (photograph) itself. The durability of the cardboard shows the lack of permanence of human life.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the initial letter (generally a consonant) of several words marking the stressed syllables in a line of poetry. ‘stood still to smile’ is an example of alliteration from the poem.

Transferred Epithet

A transferred epithet is a description that refers to a character or event but is used to describe a different situation or character . ‘Transient feet’ is a transferred epithet in the poem, ‘A Photograph.’ It refers to the human feet but it is used to describe the lack of permanence of human life. The sea is constant and eternal while the human feet which are being washed away by the sea are transient.

Model Explanations

Lines 1 – 4:

The cardboard shows me how it was When the two girl cousins went paddling Each one holding one of my mother’s hands, And she the big girl – some twelve years or so.

The poet describes looking through a photo album in these lines, the pages of which appear to be made of cardboard. She looks at a specific photo. It is a picture of three girls the tallest and oldest one in the middle and two younger and shorter ones at each side of her. The girl in the middle is the mother of the poet, and the poet speculates that when the picture was taken, her mother must have been about twelve years old. The other two girls are two cousins from her mother. Each of the cousins holds on to one of the hands for support from the older girl. The photo was drawn on a beach on the day when the three girls had visited there for paddling.

Lines 5 – 9:

All three stood still to smile through their hair At the uncle with the camera, A sweet face My mother’s, that was before I was born and the sea, which appears to have changed less Washed their terribly transient feet.

The poet further discusses in these lines the circumstances under which her mother and her mother’s cousins were photographed. The poet claims the uncle of her mother was the one who took the photo. He had asked the three girls, and so they had, to pose for him. They had left their moist hair open and a portion of their faces were darkened by their hair. One could see that they were smiling into the camera through the hair film covering their mouths. One face in the picture, however, draws the attention of the poet to a greater extent than the other two faces. She’s focusing on the face of her mother, and she says the face was a sweet one.

The poet also claims the photo was taken long before she was born. Naturally, since the time the photograph was taken, the face of her mother had changed since then. By comparison, the ocean on the beach where the photo was taken had altered to a lower degree. That very ocean washed the poet’s mother’s feet and her two younger cousins the day the photo was taken. The poet calls those feet “terribly transient” as all the girls in that photograph stopped being so young and since then have grown up. Their childhood did not last long.

Lines 10 – 13:

Some twenty-thirty- years later She’d laugh at the snapshot. “See Betty And Dolly,” she’d say, “and look how they Dressed us for the beach.” The sea holiday

The poet stops looking at the photo in these lines and recalls what her mother said about the photograph. Whether it was twenty years after the photograph was taken or thirty years after it, the poet is not sure, but she recalls her mother telling her to look at how the cousins, called Betty and Dolly, looked at that young age. The mother of the poet also told her to see how her parents dressed them up for a beach trip. Maybe there was the plan to take the photo all along.

Lines 14-15

was her past, mine is her laughter. Both wry With the laboured ease of loss.

The poet claims in these lines that her mother used to see the photograph as an inroad to the past she left behind. The poet herself, on the other side, saw her mother’s memory laughing as a relic of the past that she missed every day. The memories of the past made the two females contemplating them feel disappointed in both instances as they tried hard to come up with what they had lost.

Lines 16 – 19:

Now she has been dead nearly as many years As that girl lived. And of this circumstance There is nothing to say at all, Its silence silences.

In these lines, the poet says that for the past twelve years her mother has been dead, that is, the same number of years that her mother’s age was in the photograph she had been looking at. The poet can believe in the death of her mother, but she has no words to explain how she has been influenced by death. She was also left speechless by the fact that death silenced her mother.

USE OF OXYMORON IN THE POEM ‘A PHOTOGRAPH’

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that contradicts or appears to contradict itself. Examples often given are “gigantic shrimp” or “controlled chaos.” Some are literary effects intended to produce a paradox, while others are made for humour. The poem “A Photograph” contains the oxymoron “laboured ease,” which in the context of loss may mean avoiding the public display of grief.

QUESTION AND ANSWER

1. Comment on the tone of the poem. Ans. The tone of the poem is that of sorrow. The whole poem passes through the lament of the loss of something close and dear. Shirley Toulson looks at her mother’s old photograph and is reminded of her mother who is no longer. She recalls the time when her mother was twelve years old and looked nice and happy.

2. What is the significance of the ‘cardboard frame?’ Ans. The cardboard frame or picture shows the transience of human life. Although the sense of loss (on the death of one’s near and dear, ages ago) may never go away completely but with time one has to accept the eventuality, mortality and lack of permanence of human life. You have to come to terms with the loss of your dear departed ones, and you have to accept the inevitable. The past memories can leave you silent, dazed as the silence in the photograph. Hence, human life is ephemeral in nature and temporary and nothing can erase this naked fact.

3. What emotions does the poet’s mother have when she looks at the photograph? Ans. The mother feels nostalgic looking at her bygone years. She laughs out loud and tells her daughter how her cousins had heavily dressed up for the beach. She recollects those days when she was innocent, youthful and playful.

4. What is silence and how has it silenced the poet? Ans. There is nothing to say because the poet has lost her mother and her lovely smile forever. She is left without words. The poet’s mother’s death has silenced the poet.

5. ‘Each photograph is a memory.’ Justify the statement in light of the poem.

Ans. Photographs are memories for lifetime purposes that are captured and retained. “A Photograph” by Shirley Toulson captures one such time when her mother was young and she and her cousins had gone on a beach holiday. Mother and her cousins are gone these days, but even after thirty years later the photograph succeeds in bringing those memories back. The mother’s laughter as she watched the photograph became a past incident. But the photograph enables the poet, through the picture captured thirty years ago, to recall and revive the laughter. Photographs are therefore memories of bygone days.

6. What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has this word been used? Ans. The cardboard is a very hard and stuff paper. It is a part of a photo frame that keeps the picture intact. In her poem,’ The Photograph,’ the poet has ironically used it. This cardboard helps to keep the photograph of the 12-year-old girl safely intact who herself was of a temporary nature.

7. What has the camera captured?

Ans. The camera had captured a phonograph of the three young ladies. One of them was the pretty face of the poet’s mother who was a young lady of twelve around that time. The other two were the smiling faces of the two cousins- Betty and Dolly. They hold the hands of the mother of the poet.

8. What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you? Ans. Nature has not changed over the years. It symbolizes eternity, immortality and permanence. Human life is temporary and ephemeral in nature, and nothing can erase this bare reality. In the poem, we see only the sea has not changed. The pretty faces and the feet of the three young girls have greatly changed with time.

9. The poet’s mother laughed at the snapshot. What did this laugh indicate ? Ans. The poet’s mother laughed at the photo taken years earlier. She and her two little cousins stood holding each other’s hand in the photograph. She laughed at them all because she found it so hilarious that they had dressed up heavily for the beach. They might have looked funny to her. Their laughter showed the spirit of youth.

10. What is the meaning of the line “Both wry with the laboured ease of loss” Ans. Both the mother and the poet experienced a great feeling of loss. The mother lost the innocence of her childhood and the youthful spirit captured by the photograph a few years ago. The poet, on the other side, has lost her mother’s smile, which has become a thing of the past. She also lost her mother later.

11. What does “this circumstance” refer to? Ans. The’ circumstance’ here relates to the death of the poet’s mother. Her deceased mother’s photograph makes the poet nostalgic and brings sad emotions from the past. But the poet has nothing to say about the circumstance because death is inescapable.

12. The three stanzas depict three different phases. What are they? Ans. The first stanza demonstrates the mother of the poet as a woman of twelve with a beautiful smiling face. Then she paddles on a beach with her two cousins girls. All of them have a happy youthful laugh. This is before the birth of the poet. The second phase depicts the middle-aged mother laughing at her own long-recorded snapshot. The third phase portrays her mother’s death silence on the poet’s face.

Short Questions

The cardboard shows me how it was When the two girl cousins went paddling, Each one holding one of my mother’s hands, And she the big girl- some twelve years or so.

a. What does the ‘cardboard’ show the poet?

Ans: The’ cardboard’ displays the scene with three women on the sea beach to the poet. b. Why did the two girl cousins hold one of the poet’s mother’s hands? Ans: As the poet’s mother was the big girl,’ that is, the eldest of the three girls so the brothers of the two girls hold one of her hands. c. How old was the oldest girl among the three cousins? Ans: Among the three cousins, the oldest girl was some twelve years old. d. How did the girls go to the sea beach? Ans: The girls went to the sea beach ‘paddling’. It means walked barefooted in the shallow water.

Now she’s been dead nearly as many years As that girl lived. And of this circumstance There is nothing to say at all. Its silence silences.

a. How long has the poet’s mother been dead? Ans: The poet’s mother has been dead for about twelve years.

b. What is the meaning of the word ‘circumstance’ in the poem?

Ans: The word ‘circumstance’ in the poem means the death of the poet’s mother. c. Why is there nothing to say at all?

Ans: The poet has lost her mother and her beautiful smile forever. Therefore there is nothing to say at all. d. What silences the silence? Ans: The silence of the death silences the silence. Q. Write answers of the following questions in about 40 words each: (2 marks each)

a. Describe the three girls as they pose for the photograph?

Ans: The three girls came to the sea beach to be photographed by their uncle. The older cousins held the elder cousin’s hands. They smiled through their hair as they stood still for a photograph.

b. Why would the poet’s mother laugh at the snapshot?

Ans: The poet’s mother would laugh at the snapshot because she found it so hilarious that they had dressed up heavily for the beach. It revived her memories of bygone happy days on the sea beach and the amusing way in which they were dressed for the beach.

c. What are the losses of the poet’s mother and the poet?

Ans: The poet’s mother’s loss is of her old happy days on the sea beach while the loss of the poet is the beautiful smile of her mother as she is now dead.

d. The entire poem runs through the lament of loss of something near and dear. Which feeling is presented prominently here?

Ans: The nostalgic feeling is presented prominently in the poem.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Question 1.

What significant event is highlighted regarding the poet’s mother in the poem

The poem “A Photograph” by Shirley Toulson highlights a significant event regarding the poet’s mother. In the poem, the poet recalls memories of her mother by looking at a childhood photograph where her mother is depicted as being around twelve years old. The poet’s mother passed away twelve years prior to the poem’s composition, leading the poet to experience a profound sense of grief and loss as she reflects on her mother’s absence.

Question 2.

What memories does the poet associate with the photograph of her mother in the poem ?

In the poem, the poet vividly connects the photograph of her mother with cherished memories from her childhood. When the poet was around twelve years old, the picture captured a moment of her mother with her cousins, Betty and Dolly, at the beach during a holiday. The poet fondly remembers how her mother would laugh when reminiscing about the photo, recalling the time when their parents dressed them up for the beach outing. These recollections of the beach holiday and her mother’s infectious laughter hold a special place in the poet’s heart. However, as the poet reflects on the photograph, it also serves as a poignant reminder of the passing of time and the loss of those moments, as the poet’s mother has been gone for as many years as the poet’s age in the photo. This realization evokes a profound sense of sorrow and longing in the poet, knowing that those cherished moments with her mother can never be relived.

Question 3.

How does the poet describe the photograph of her mother in the poem ?

The poet portrays the photograph of her mother in the poem as a heartfelt homage. The image captures her mother at the age of around twelve, alongside her two cousins, Betty and Dolly, during a beach outing. The middle girl, who is the tallest and oldest of the three, is the poet’s mother. The photograph, which is framed in cardboard, showcases a tender moment frozen in time. The poet is captivated by her mother’s expression, noting the innocence and fleeting youthfulness evident on her face. The visual of the sea gently lapping at her mother’s feet serves as a poignant symbol of the passage of time, highlighting the inevitable changes that have occurred while the constant sea remains unaltered.

More Insights

What does the poet’s mother’s laugh at the snapshot indicate about her feelings and memories?

Sub-Questions

How does the mother’s laughter reflect her realization that those days will not return?

The mother’s laughter reflects her awareness that the days of innocence and joy captured in the snapshot are gone, emphasizing the bittersweet realization that time has passed and those moments cannot be recreated.

What emotions are conveyed through the mother’s laughter, including both nostalgia and pain?

The mother’s laughter indicates a sense of nostalgia for the past and the happy memories associated with it, but also conveys a feeling of pain knowing that those cherished moments cannot be relived.

How does the poet’s mother feel about the past memories and the innocence of those days?

The poet’s mother feels a mix of emotions when she laughs at the snapshot, reflecting on the innocence and joy of the past while also acknowledging that those days are now gone.

What memories are recalled by the poet’s mother when she laughs at the snapshot?

The poet’s mother recalls her favorite past memories of how their parents would dress them up for the beach holiday, evoking feelings of nostalgia and innocence.

Full Answer Combined

In these lines, the poet stops looking at the photo and recalls what her mother said about the photograph. Whether it was twenty years after the photograph was taken or thirty years after it, the poet is not sure, but she recalls her mother telling her to look at how the cousins, called Betty and Dolly, looked at that young age. The mother of the poet also told her to see how her parents dressed them up for a beach trip. Maybe there was the plan to take the photo all along. Reflecting on her mother’s words, the poet senses a hidden depth to her mother’s laughter at the snapshot. The laughter seems to hold within it a mix of fond reminiscence and wistful longing for the bygone days, hinting at a well of emotions beneath the surface that the poet is just beginning to grasp.<

What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?

Why was the word ‘cardboard’ chosen to describe the frame of the photograph in the poem?

The word ‘cardboard’ was chosen to depict the tangible support of the photograph, emphasizing its physicality and connection to past memories captured in the image.

What historical context or significance does the use of ‘cardboard’ as a photo frame have within the poem?

‘Cardboard’ is used in the poem to represent an older photograph when cardboard was commonly used as a frame, suggesting the passage of time and the nostalgia associated with old memories.

How does the word ‘cardboard’ relate to the physical support of the photograph in the poem?

The word ‘cardboard’ in the poem signifies the frame that supports the photograph, indicating its physical form and structure.

“In the poem, the word ‘cardboard’ denotes the scene captured in the photograph of the poet’s mother with her two girl cousins on the sea beach. This word has been used to symbolize the tangible representation of a past memory, frozen in time on a physical medium, evoking nostalgia and reminiscence in the poet. Additionally, the choice of ‘cardboard’ as the material for the photo frame highlights the historical context of the photograph, suggesting that it was taken during a time when cardboard frames were commonly used to preserve precious memories. This dual significance enriches the reader’s understanding of the poem by emphasizing both the symbolic and practical aspects of ‘cardboard’ within the narrative.”<

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• A Photograph class 11...
• A Photograph class 11 Notes English Core

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CBSE Class 11 English Core Revision Notes Hornbill CHAPTER – 2 A Photograph class 11 Notes English Core

The poet describes a photograph that captures interesting moments of her mother’s childhood when she went for a sea holiday with her two cousins. Poet draws a contrast between the sea in which the girls are standing and their transient feet to suggest shortness of human life and slow changing sea Poet also recollects how her mother would have laughed at the photograph and felt disappointed at the loss of her childhood joys. Poet’s mother has been dead for twelve years. In this situation she feels very sad and lonely. This loss has left her speechless. But she has learned to reconcile with this loss with great difficulty.

It throws light on the childhood of the poet’s mother. She led a very beautiful and adventurous childhood. At the age of twelve she used to pass her sea holiday with her girl’s cousins walking in shallow water at the beach. She wore very attractive and colourful dresses befitting the place and occasion.

The poem ends with a fact that everything changes with time. Some changes are taken as loss and make us unhappy. Photographs reflect the changes. Happiness and beauty are lost with the passage of time. They make the people sad and distorted. Change is the law of nature. Everything changes with time like physical beauty of a human being but natural beauty like beauty of a sea or mountains remains forever.

A Photograph  class 11 Notes

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• A Photograph Class 11 Summary: Capturing Memories and Emotions

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Summary of “a photograph” by shirley toulson, themes explored in “a photograph”, literary devices used in “a photograph”, emotions evoked by “a photograph”.

Photographs have the power to freeze a moment in time, capturing emotions, memories, and stories that can be cherished for a lifetime. In the poem “A Photograph” by Shirley Toulson, the author explores the significance of a photograph and the memories it holds. This article provides a comprehensive summary of the poem, analyzing its themes, literary devices, and the emotions it evokes.

“A Photograph” is a nostalgic and poignant poem that reflects on a photograph of the poet’s mother and her childhood friend. The photograph was taken when they were both twelve years old, and it captures a moment of innocence and joy. The poet describes the photograph in detail, highlighting the expressions on their faces, their attire, and the background.

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene by describing the photograph itself. The poet mentions that the photograph is “sepia-toned,” indicating its age and the passage of time. The photograph shows the poet’s mother and her friend, both young girls with “sweet smiles” on their faces. The poet also mentions the “black lake” in the background, which adds to the nostalgic atmosphere.

In the second stanza, the poet delves into the memories associated with the photograph. She recalls her mother’s laughter and the carefree nature of their friendship. The poet mentions that her mother’s friend died young, which adds a touch of sadness to the poem. Despite the passage of time and the loss of her friend, the poet’s mother’s smile in the photograph remains unchanged.

The third stanza explores the emotions evoked by the photograph. The poet describes how she often looks at the photograph and wonders about the lives of the two girls. She imagines the laughter and mischief they shared, and the dreams they had for their futures. The photograph serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing memories.

The final stanza of the poem reflects on the poet’s own emotions as she looks at the photograph. She feels a sense of loss and longing, as she realizes that the carefree days of her mother’s childhood are long gone. The photograph becomes a symbol of the passage of time and the inevitability of change.

“A Photograph” explores several themes that resonate with readers:

• Nostalgia: The poem evokes a sense of nostalgia for the past, capturing the longing for simpler times and the memories associated with them.
• Mortality: The mention of the friend’s early death reminds us of the transient nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have.
• Time: The poem reflects on the passage of time and how it changes people and their relationships. It highlights the bittersweet realization that nothing remains the same.
• Memories: The photograph serves as a trigger for memories and emotions, emphasizing the power of photographs to preserve moments and evoke feelings.

Shirley Toulson employs various literary devices to enhance the impact of the poem:

• Imagery: The poet uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the photograph and the emotions it evokes. The sepia tone, the sweet smiles, and the black lake all contribute to the nostalgic atmosphere.
• Personification: The poet personifies the photograph, attributing emotions and memories to it. This technique adds depth and emotional resonance to the poem.
• Symbols: The photograph itself becomes a symbol of time, change, and the fleeting nature of life. It represents the memories and emotions associated with the past.
• Alliteration: Toulson uses alliteration to create a musical quality in the poem. For example, in the line “The light shines on half-sovereigns,” the repetition of the “s” sound adds a lyrical element.

“A Photograph” elicits a range of emotions in readers:

• Nostalgia: The poem evokes a sense of longing for the past and the memories associated with it.
• Sadness: The mention of the friend’s early death adds a touch of sadness to the poem, reminding us of the fragility of life.
• Reflection: The poem encourages readers to reflect on their own memories and the passage of time.
• Appreciation: “A Photograph” reminds us to appreciate the moments we have and the people we love, as they may not always be with us.

1. What is the main theme of “A Photograph”?

The main theme of “A Photograph” is nostalgia and the power of photographs to evoke memories and emotions.

2. What literary devices are used in the poem?

The poem uses imagery, personification, symbols, and alliteration to enhance its impact.

3. What emotions does the poem evoke?

The poem evokes nostalgia, sadness, reflection, and appreciation.

4. What is the significance of the friend’s early death in the poem?

The friend’s early death serves as a reminder of the transient nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have.

5. How does the poet describe the photograph?

The poet describes the photograph as sepia-toned, with the two girls having sweet smiles on their faces. The background includes a black lake.

“A Photograph” by Shirley Toulson is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the power of photographs to capture memories and evoke emotions. Through vivid imagery and literary devices, the poem transports readers to a nostalgic world, reminding them of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments that matter. The poem serves as a timeless reminder of the significance of photographs in preserving memories and emotions for generations to come.

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Introduction of A Photograph Class 11

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The poem captures three different moods and situations in three stanzas. The first one tells about a snapshot or an instant cardboard-photo of three girls. They are cousins. The eldest one, 12 years old, became the mother of the poetess after marriage. They are enjoying a sea holiday, putting on funny dresses . Their uncle clicks the camera and captures the smiling faces of all the three.

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Some 20-30 years later, the mother looks at the photo and laughs. She tells the poetess how her cousins Betty and Dolly had all dressed for the holiday. The outing on the beach in a quaint dress was the mother’s past. But her laughter has become a thing of the past for the poetess. The mother passed away some twelve years ago. The void created by her death has made life dull and eventless.

[pt_view id=”69dbf394py”]

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