Books
- Eleanor Farjeon
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Books - Eleanor Farjeon What worlds of
wonder are our books! As one opens them
and looks, New ideas and
people rise In our fancies and
our eyes.
The room we sit in
melts away, And we find
ourselves at play With some one who,
before the end, May become our
chosen friend.
Or we sail along
the page To some other land
or age. Here's our body in
the chair, But our mind is
over there.
Each book is a
magic box, Which with a touch
a child unlocks. In between their
outside covers Books hold all
things for their lovers. |
বই
আমাদের
বইগুলো বিস্ময়ের কেমন জগৎ!
যেহেতু
একজন খোলে আর তাকায়, নতুন
ধারণা আর মানুষ জেগে ওঠে
আমাদের
কল্পনা আর চোখে। যে ঘরে আমরা বসে থাকি, তা মিলিয়ে যায়, আর
আমরা নিজেদের খুঁজে পাই খেলায় এমন
কারো সাথে, যে শেষের আগে, হয়তো
আমাদের পছন্দের বন্ধু হয়ে উঠবে।
অথবা
আমরা ভেসে যাই পাতার পর পাতা ধরে অন্য
কোনো দেশ বা যুগে। এখানে
চেয়ারে আমাদের শরীর, কিন্তু
আমাদের মন তো ঐখানে।
প্রত্যেকটি
বই এক জাদুর বাক্স, যা
একটি শিশুর স্পর্শে খোলে।
তাদের
বাইরের পাতার ভেতরে বই
তাদের ভালোবাসনেওয়ালাদের জন্য সবকিছু ধরে রাখে।
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Summary of the poem "Books"
by Eleanor Farjeon:
The
poem celebrates the enchanting power of books to transport readers beyond their
physical surroundings. It portrays books as gateways to new ideas, people, and
adventures. As one reads, the room fades away and the imagination takes
over—allowing readers to make new friends, explore distant lands, and travel
through time. Farjeon likens each book to a "magic box" that unlocks
endless possibilities, especially for children and those who love reading. The
poem beautifully captures how books nourish the mind and spirit, offering joy,
discovery, and companionship.
এই
কবিতাটি বইয়ের মোহময় শক্তিকে উদযাপন করে, যা পাঠকদের শারীরিক পরিবেশের সীমা ছাড়িয়ে
নিয়ে যায়। কবিতায় বইকে নতুন চিন্তা, মানুষ ও অভিযানের দ্বাররূপে চিত্রিত করা হয়েছে।
পাঠের সময় ঘরের অস্তিত্ব মুছে যায় এবং কল্পনা জেগে ওঠে—যার মাধ্যমে পাঠক নতুন বন্ধু তৈরি করতে পারে, দূরদেশে ঘুরে বেড়াতে পারে,
এমনকি সময়ের ভেতর দিয়ে ভ্রমণও করতে পারে। ফারজিওন প্রতিটি বইকে একটি "জাদুর বাক্স"
হিসেবে তুলনা করেছেন, যা বিশেষ করে শিশুদের এবং যারা বই পড়তে ভালোবাসে তাদের জন্য অসীম
সম্ভাবনার দরজা খুলে দেয়। কবিতাটি সুন্দরভাবে তুলে ধরে যে বই কীভাবে মন ও আত্মাকে পুষ্টি
দেয়, আনন্দ, আবিষ্কার এবং সঙ্গের অনুভূতি এনে দেয়।
Analysis of Eleanor Farjeon's poem "Books":
Theme
The central theme of the
poem is the transformative power of reading. Farjeon explores how
books can transport readers to different worlds, introduce them to new ideas
and people, and offer emotional and intellectual companionship.
Structure and Form
- The poem is written in rhymed
couplets, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality.
- It consists of four
stanzas, each contributing to the idea of books as magical portals.
Imagery and Language
- Farjeon uses vivid imagery to
describe the experience of reading:
- “The room we sit in melts away” evokes the idea of
escaping reality.
- “We sail along the page / To
some other land or age” suggests
adventure and time travel.
- The metaphor “Each book
is a magic box” is especially powerful, portraying books as
treasures filled with endless possibilities.
Tone
- The tone is wonder-filled, gentle,
and celebratory.
- It reflects a childlike awe and
appreciation for the joy of reading.
Symbolism
- Books symbolize imagination,
freedom, and discovery.
- The magic box metaphor
symbolizes the hidden potential within each book, waiting to be unlocked
by curious minds.
Message
Farjeon’s message is clear: books are not just objects—they are gateways to knowledge, friendship, adventure, and emotional growth. They allow readers to transcend their physical limitations and explore the vast landscapes of the mind.
Line-by-line analysis of Eleanor Farjeon's poem "Books":
Stanza 1
1. "What worlds
of wonder are our books!"
This opening line sets a
tone of awe and admiration. It suggests that books contain entire worlds full
of marvels and imagination.
2. "As one opens
them and looks,"
Reading is portrayed as
an act of discovery. Simply opening a book begins the journey into its wonders.
3. "New ideas
and people rise"
Books introduce readers
to fresh thoughts and characters, expanding their understanding and empathy.
4. "In our
fancies and our eyes."
The experiences in books
come alive both in imagination ("fancies") and visually
("eyes"), emphasizing the vividness of reading.
Stanza 2
5. "The room we
sit in melts away,"
This line uses metaphor
to show how reading can make one forget their physical surroundings.
6. "And we find
ourselves at play"
Reading becomes a
playful, joyful experience, like entering a game or fantasy.
7. "With some
one who, before the end,"
Introduces the idea of
forming emotional connections with characters in books.
8. "May become
our chosen friend."
Suggests that fictional
characters can feel like real friends, highlighting the emotional depth of
reading.
Stanza 3
9. "Or we sail
along the page"
A metaphor for reading
as a journey, smooth and adventurous.
10. "To some
other land or age."
Books allow time travel
and exploration of different cultures, eras, and places.
11. "Here’s our
body in the chair,"
A contrast between
physical stillness and mental movement.
12. "But our
mind is over there."
Reinforces the idea that
reading transports the mind far beyond the present moment.
Stanza 4
13. "Each book
is a magic box,"
A powerful metaphor:
books are magical containers of wonder and knowledge.
14. "Which with
a touch a child unlocks."
Emphasizes the
accessibility of books and the joy they bring to children.
15. "In between
their outside covers"
Refers to the hidden
treasures within the physical form of a book.
16. "Books hold
all things for their lovers."
Concludes with a
universal truth: for those who love reading, books offer everything—adventure,
knowledge, emotion, and companionship.
QUESTIONS FROM ENGLISH FOR TODAY
(1) What does the
poet say about the good things that reading a book can do to you?
The poet says that books
open worlds of wonder, bring new ideas and people into our imagination, and
allow us to travel to different lands and times. They help us make emotional
connections and enrich our minds.
(2) What other
benefits do you think reading books can give you?
Reading books can
improve vocabulary, enhance concentration, develop empathy, stimulate
creativity, and provide relaxation. They also help in gaining knowledge and
understanding different perspectives.
QUESTIONS FOR MORE PRACTICE
(a) How do books
transport us to another world or age?
Books transport us by
engaging our imagination. As we read, the physical world fades and we mentally
travel to different places and times described in the story.
(b) What, according
to the poet, are books? And why are they so?
According to the poet,
books are "magic boxes." They are called so because they unlock
endless possibilities, adventures, and emotions with just a touch, especially
for children.
(c) How do we find
our chosen friend while reading a book?
While reading, we meet
characters who feel real and relatable. By the end of the book, some of these
characters may become emotionally close to us, like chosen friends.
(d) "Here's our
body in the chair / But our mind is over there." What do these two lines
mean?
These lines mean that
while we are physically sitting in one place, our mind is actively exploring
the world of the book. Reading allows mental escape and adventure.
(e) Why does the poet
call each book a magic box?
The poet calls each book
a magic box because it contains wonders, stories, and knowledge that can be
unlocked simply by opening it. It brings joy and discovery to readers.
(f) Do books hold
pleasant things for readers? If so, how?
Yes, books hold pleasant
things like stories, adventures, emotions, and friendships. They entertain,
educate, and comfort readers, making them feel joy and connection.
(g) What do books
bring to our fancies and eyes?
Books bring new ideas
and people into our imagination ("fancies") and visual perception
("eyes"), making the reading experience vivid and engaging.
(h) Describe the
functions of books as shown in the poem.
Books:
· Introduce new ideas and characters.
· Help us escape reality.
· Allow us to travel through time and
space.
· Create emotional bonds with fictional
friends.
· Stimulate imagination.
· Offer joy, knowledge, and
companionship.
More Questions
- Who is the poet of the poem
"Books"?
Answer: The poet of the poem
"Books" is Eleanor Farjeon.
- According to the poem, what rises
in our fancies and our eyes when we open books?
Answer: According to the poem, new ideas and
people rise in our fancies and our eyes when we open books.
- What happens to the room we are
sitting in when we read, according to the poem?
Answer: According to the poem, the room we
sit in melts away when we read.
- With whom might we find ourselves
at play when reading a book?
Answer: When reading a book, we might find
ourselves at play with someone who, before the end of the book, may become our
chosen friend.
- Where does our mind travel when
we read a book, even though our body remains in the chair?
Answer: When we read a book, our mind travels
to some other land or age, even though our body remains in the chair.
- What does the poet compare each
book to in the third stanza?
Answer: The poet compares each book to a
magic box in the third stanza.
- According to the poem, what
unlocks the "magic box" of a book?
Answer: According to the poem, a child's
touch unlocks the "magic box" of a book.
- What do books hold for their
lovers, according to the last two lines of the poem?
Answer: According to the last two lines of
the poem, books hold all things for their lovers.
- What is the main theme or central
idea of the poem "Books"?
Answer: The main theme of the poem
"Books" is the power of books to transport readers to different
worlds, introduce them to new ideas and people, and offer endless
possibilities.
- Identify a metaphor used in the
poem and explain what it suggests.
Answer: A metaphor used in the poem is
"Each book is a magic box." This suggests that books contain wonders,
secrets, and exciting possibilities, just like a magic box.
- What kind of imagery does the
phrase "Or we sail along the page" create in the reader's mind?
Answer: The phrase "Or we sail along the
page" creates imagery of a journey or voyage, suggesting that reading
takes us on an adventure through the story or information presented in the
book.
- How does the poem emphasize the
transformative power of reading?
Answer: The poem emphasizes the
transformative power of reading by showing how it can make the present reality
fade away ("The room we sit in melts away") and transport our minds
to different times and places.
- What does the poet mean by saying
that a character in a book "May become our chosen friend"?
Answer: By saying that a character in a book
"May become our chosen friend," the poet suggests that we can develop
a strong connection and empathy with fictional characters, feeling as if they
are real companions.
- In your own words, describe the
feeling or experience of reading a captivating book based on the poem.
Answer: Based on the poem, reading a
captivating book feels like entering a world of wonder where new ideas and
interesting people come alive. It's as if the room around us disappears, and
our minds embark on exciting journeys to different lands and times, potentially
forming deep connections with the characters we encounter.
- What is the significance of the
phrase "Books hold all things for their lovers" in the context
of the poem?
Answer: The phrase "Books hold all
things for their lovers" signifies the vast and limitless potential of
books. It suggests that books offer knowledge, adventure, companionship, and a
wealth of experiences to those who love to read.