André: Answering questions from poems for class 6
André
– Gwendolyn Brooks
I had a dream last time. I dreamed
I had to pick a Mother out.
I had to choose a Father too.
At first, I wondered what to do,
There were so many there, it seemed,
Short and tall and thin and stout.
But just before I sprang awake,
I knew what parents I would take.
And this surprised and made me glad;
They were the ones I always had.
|
English
Word |
Bangla
Meaning |
|
Dream |
স্বপ্ন |
|
Last night |
গত রাত |
|
Pick |
বেছে নেওয়া |
|
Mother |
মা |
|
Choose |
নির্বাচন করা |
|
Father |
বাবা |
|
Wondered |
ভাবছিলাম |
|
What to do |
কী করা উচিত |
|
Many |
অনেক |
|
There |
সেখানে |
|
Seemed |
মনে হলো |
|
Short |
খাটো |
|
Tall |
লম্বা |
|
Thin |
পাতলা |
|
Stout |
মোটা |
|
Before |
আগে |
|
Sprang awake |
হঠাৎ জেগে উঠলাম |
|
Knew |
জানতাম |
|
Parents |
বাবা-মা |
|
Take |
নেওয়া |
|
Surprised |
বিস্মিত |
|
Made me glad |
আমাকে আনন্দিত করল |
|
Always |
সবসময় |
|
Had |
ছিল |
আঁদ্রে
— গ্ওয়েন্ডোলিন ব্রুকসগত রাতে আমি এক
স্বপ্ন দেখেছিলাম।
স্বপ্নে দেখলাম, আমাকে একজন মা বেছে
নিতে হবে।
একজন বাবাও নির্বাচন করতে হবে।
প্রথমে আমি ভাবছিলাম কী
করব,
অনেকেই ছিল সেখানে, মনে
হলো—
খাটো, লম্বা, পাতলা আর মোটা।
কিন্তু
ঠিক জেগে ওঠার আগ
মুহূর্তে,
আমি বুঝতে পারলাম কোন বাবা-মাকে
নেব।
এটা আমাকে অবাক করল এবং
আনন্দিত করল;
কারণ তারা তো সেইজনই,
যারা সবসময় আমারই ছিল!
André
— গ্ওয়েন্ডোলিন ব্রুকস
- I
had a dream last night. I dreamed
গত রাতে আমি একটি স্বপ্ন দেখেছিলাম। স্বপ্নে দেখলাম— - I
had to pick a mother out.
আমাকে একজন মা বেছে নিতে হবে। - I
had to choose a father too.
একজন বাবাও নির্বাচন করতে হবে। - At
first, I wondered what to do,
প্রথমে আমি ভাবছিলাম কী করব, - There
were so many there, it seemed,
মনে হলো, সেখানে অনেকেই ছিল, - Short
and tall and thin and stout.
খাটো, লম্বা, পাতলা আর মোটা। - But
just before I sprang awake,
কিন্তু ঠিক জেগে ওঠার আগ মুহূর্তে, - I
knew what parents I would take.
আমি বুঝতে পারলাম কোন বাবা-মাকে নেব। - And
this surprised and made me glad;
এটা আমাকে অবাক করল এবং আনন্দিত করল; - They
were the ones I always had!
কারণ তারা তো সেইজনই, যারা সবসময় আমারই ছিল!
The summary of the poem "André" by Gwendolyn Brooks:
The
poem describes a child's dream in which they must choose their parents from a
group of many different people. At first, the child is confused by the
variety—some are short, tall, thin, or stout. But just before waking up, the
child realizes that the parents they would choose are the ones they already
have. This realization brings joy and surprise, highlighting a deep sense of
love, acceptance, and appreciation for their own family.
It’s
a gentle and heartwarming reflection on the bond between children and their
parents.
Analysis of the poem "André" by Gwendolyn Brooks:
🔍 Theme
The central theme of the poem
is love and appreciation for one's parents. It explores the idea of choice
and realization—how, even when given the freedom to choose from many, the heart
often returns to what it already cherishes.
🧠 Tone and Mood
- Tone:
Reflective and affectionate.
- Mood:
Warm, comforting, and joyful. The ending brings a sense of emotional
satisfaction.
🧒 Perspective
The poem is written from
the point of view of a child, which adds innocence and sincerity. The
dream scenario allows the child to explore the idea of choice in a safe,
imaginative space.
🧩 Structure and Style
- The
poem is written in rhymed couplets, giving it a rhythmic and lyrical
quality.
- The
language is simple and accessible, suitable for children but
meaningful for all ages.
- The
use of contrast (short/tall, thin/stout) emphasizes the variety
of choices, making the final realization more powerful.
💡 Message
The poem conveys a powerful
message: true love and belonging aren't about perfection or
variety—they're about connection and familiarity. The child’s joy in realizing
they already have the perfect parents highlights the value of gratitude and
emotional bonds.
✨ Literary Devices
- Imagery:
Descriptions like “short and tall and thin and stout” create vivid mental
pictures.
- Rhyme:
The poem uses end rhymes (e.g., “out” / “stout”, “glad” / “had”) to create
flow and musicality.
- Irony:
The child is surprised to choose the very parents they already have—an
unexpected but heartwarming twist.
Main Questions with Answers
(a)
What is the main theme of the poem 'Andre'?
The main theme of the
poem Andre is the unconditional love and irreplaceable bond
between children and their biological parents.
(b)
What is the realization of the poet in the end of the poem 'Andre'?
The poet realizes
that no one can replace one's own parents, and their love is unique and
eternal.
(c)
What did Andre have to do in his dream?
Andre had to choose
his parents from a group of people with different appearances and
personalities.
(d)
Why did Andre feel glad?
Andre felt glad
because he realized that his own parents were the best choice, and he didn’t
need to look elsewhere.
(e)
Why was Andre surprised in his dream?
Andre was surprised
because he was given the freedom to choose his parents, which is not possible
in real life.
(f)
Why do you think Andre's dream is a symbol of his deep love for his parents?
Andre’s dream
symbolizes his deep love for his parents because even when given a choice, he
still chose them, showing his emotional attachment.
(g)
Every one of us is as like as Andre. Do you agree? Why?
Yes, I agree. Every
one of us is like Andre because we often realize the value of our parents only
when we reflect deeply or imagine life without them.
(h)
Do you think the atmosphere of dream makes the poem 'Andre' more passionate?
Why?
Yes, the dream
atmosphere adds passion to the poem by making Andre’s realization more
emotional and dramatic.
For More Practice with Answers
(i)
What does the poem 'Andre' emphasize?
The poem emphasizes
the importance and uniqueness of biological parents.
(j)
What does the poem 'Andre' explore?
It explores themes of
love, choice, realization, and the emotional bond between parents and children.
(k)
What are variations of parents mentioned in the poem 'Andre'?
The poem mentions
variations like “short and tall and thin and stout,” showing diversity among
people Andre could choose from.
(l)
What did Andre know before waking up?
Before waking up,
Andre knew that his own parents were the best and irreplaceable.
(m)
"Short and tall and thin and stout." — What does this line in the
poem 'Andre' imply?
The line implies the
diversity of people Andre could choose from, highlighting the uniqueness of his
own parents.
(n)
Whom did Andre decide to pick out as parents and why?
Andre decided to pick
his own parents because he realized their love and care were unmatched.
(o)
What surprised and made Andre glad?
Andre was surprised
by the choice he was given and glad that he could still choose his own parents.
(p)
What truth did Andre grasp in the dream?
Andre grasped the
truth that biological parents have no alternative.
(q)
How are parents best relatives on earth?
Parents are the best
relatives because they love unconditionally and support us throughout life.
(r)
From whom was Andre asked to choose his parents?
Andre was asked to
choose his parents from a group of strangers in his dream.
(s)
What lesson do you get from the poem?
The lesson from the
poem is to value and appreciate our parents, as their love is irreplaceable.
(t)
What type of dream did Andre have during his sleep?
Andre had a symbolic
and emotional dream that made him reflect on the importance of his parents.
(u)
Biological parents have no alternative — do you believe it? Why/Why not?
Yes, I believe
biological parents have no alternative because their love is natural and
unconditional.
(v)
The poem represents an eternal truth — how?
The poem represents
an eternal truth by showing that the bond between parents and children is
timeless and universal.
(w)
How will you prove that Andre loves her own parents most?
Andre’s choice in the
dream proves that he loves his own parents most, even when given other options.
(x)
How does the poem become a significant one?
The poem becomes
significant by touching on a universal theme that resonates with everyone — the
love for one’s parents.
(y)
Why did the poet have such a dream relating to her parents?
The poet had such a
dream to express the deep emotional connection and appreciation for her
parents.
Extra Questions
1) Who wrote the poem
"André"?
The poem
"André" was written by Gwendolyn Brooks.
2) What did the speaker dream about?
The speaker
dreamed about having to choose a mother and a father.
3) How did the speaker feel at the
beginning of the dream?
At the beginning
of the dream, the speaker felt confused and unsure about what to do.
4) What types of people did the
speaker see in the dream?
The speaker saw
many people who were short, tall, thin, and stout.
5) What realization did the speaker
have before waking up?
Before waking up,
the speaker realized that they would choose the parents they already had.
6) How did the speaker feel after
realizing which parents to choose?
The speaker felt
surprised and glad after realizing they would choose their own parents.
7) What is the main theme of the poem?
The main theme of
the poem is love and appreciation for one’s parents.
8) What does the dream in the poem
symbolize?
The dream
symbolizes a journey of self-discovery and emotional connection to family.
9) What is the tone of the poem?
The tone of the
poem is reflective and affectionate.
10) What is the mood created by the
ending of the poem?
The ending of the
poem creates a mood of joy and emotional warmth.
11) What literary device is used in the
line “short and tall and thin and stout”?
The literary
device used in that line is contrast.
12) What kind of rhyme scheme does the
poem follow?
The poem follows a
rhymed couplet scheme.
13) What message does the poem convey
about family?
The poem conveys
that true love and belonging come from the family we already have.
14) Why was the speaker surprised in
the dream?
The speaker was
surprised because they realized they would choose the parents they already had.
15) What does the poem suggest about
the value of parents?
The poem suggests
that parents are irreplaceable and deeply valued, even when given the choice to
pick others.