Contemplation
by John Carpenter
For days and days, I’ve climbed a tree
A dappled yellow tree
And gazed abroad at many things
I’ve always wished to see.
Contemplation
I see the green and gentle fields
All bounded in with hedge
And shining rivers swimming through
The rushes on the edge,
And little sheep who play all day
I watch them as they run,
While far away the roofs of town
Are shining in the sun.
I think it’s very nice to sit
So high and look so far—
How very large the world can be!
How many things there are!
Summary
The poem "Contemplation" by John Carpenter captures the peaceful reflections of someone who climbs a yellow tree to enjoy the beauty of the world around them. From this elevated spot, they observe green fields, flowing rivers, playful sheep, and distant town rooftops glistening in the sunlight. The poem expresses a sense of wonder at the vastness and richness of the world, highlighting the joy of quiet observation and appreciation of nature.
Word meanings
| English Word | Bengali Meaning |
| days | দিনগুলো |
| climbed | উঠেছি |
| tree | গাছ |
| dappled | ছোপ ছোপ |
| yellow | হলুদ |
| gazed | তাকিয়েছি |
| abroad | দূরে |
| many | অনেক |
| things | জিনিস |
| always | সবসময় |
| wished | চেয়েছি |
| see | দেখা |
| green | সবুজ |
| gentle | কোমল |
| fields | মাঠ |
| bounded | ঘেরা |
| hedge | ঝোপঝাড় |
| shining | ঝলমলে |
| rivers | নদী |
| swimming | সাঁতার কাটছে / বয়ে যাচ্ছে |
| through | মধ্য দিয়ে |
| rushes | ঝোপঝাড় |
| edge | কিনারা |
| little | ছোট |
| sheep | ভেড়া |
| play | খেলা |
| all day | সারাদিন |
| watch | দেখা |
| run | দৌড়ানো |
| far away | অনেক দূরে |
| roofs | ছাদ |
| town | শহর |
| sun | সূর্য |
| think | ভাবা |
| very | খুব |
| nice | ভালো |
| sit | বসা |
Contemplation
ভাবনা
For days and days I’ve climbed a tree
দিনের পর দিন আমি একটি গাছে উঠেছি
A dappled yellow tree
একটি ছোপ ছোপ হলুদ গাছে
And gazed abroad at many things
আর অনেক কিছু দূর থেকে দেখেছি
I’ve always wished to see.
যেগুলো আমি সবসময় দেখতে চেয়েছি
I see the green and gentle fields
আমি দেখি সবুজ আর কোমল মাঠ
All bounded in with hedge
যেগুলো ঘেরা ঝোপঝাড় দিয়ে
And shining rivers swimming through
আর উজ্জ্বল নদীগুলো বয়ে যাচ্ছে
The rushes on the edge,
কিনারার ঝোপঝাড়ের মধ্য দিয়ে
And little sheep who play all day
আর ছোট ছোট ভেড়াগুলো সারাদিন খেলে
I watch them as they run,
আমি দেখি তারা দৌড়াচ্ছে
While far away the roofs of town
আর দূরে শহরের ছাদগুলো
Are shining in the sun.
সূর্যের আলোয় ঝলমল করছে
I think it’s very nice to sit
আমি ভাবি, বসে থাকা খুবই ভালো
So high and look so far----
এত উঁচুতে বসে এত দূর দেখা
How very large the world can be!
এই পৃথিবী কত বিশাল হতে পারে!
How many things there are!
এখানে কত কিছু আছে!
Line-by-Line Analysis of "Contemplation" by John Carpenter
Line 1: "For days and days I've climbed a tree"
The speaker tells us that he has been climbing a tree repeatedly for many days. This suggests that he enjoys spending time there and has made it a special place for thinking and observing.
Line 2: "A dappled yellow tree"
The tree is described as "dappled yellow," meaning its leaves are yellow and patterned with patches of light and shadow. This creates a vivid autumn-like image and emphasizes the beauty of nature.
Line 3: "And gazed abroad at many things"
From the tree, the speaker looks out over a wide area. The phrase "gazed abroad" suggests careful, thoughtful observation.
Line 4: "I've always wished to see."
The speaker is finally seeing places and scenes he has long wanted to see. The high position in the tree allows him to fulfill this wish.
Line 5: "I see the green and gentle fields"
The speaker describes peaceful countryside fields. The words "green" and "gentle" create a calm and pleasant image.
Line 6: "All bounded in with hedge"
The fields are surrounded by hedges that mark their boundaries. This detail helps us picture an organized rural landscape.
Line 7: "And shining rivers swimming through"
The rivers appear to flow through the countryside. The word "shining" suggests sunlight reflecting on the water.
Line 8: "The rushes on the edge,"
Rushes are tall grasses growing near water. This line adds more detail to the river scene and increases the realism of the picture.
Line 9: "And little sheep who play all day"
The speaker notices sheep moving about happily. The sheep make the landscape seem lively and cheerful.
Line 10: "I watch them as they run,"
The speaker carefully observes the sheep. This shows his enjoyment of simple natural activities.
Line 11: "While far away the roofs of town"
Beyond the countryside, the speaker can also see a town in the distance. His elevated viewpoint allows him to see both rural and urban areas.
Line 12: "Are shining in the sun."
The sunlight reflects on the roofs, making them sparkle. This image adds brightness and beauty to the scene.
Line 13: "I think it's very nice to sit"
The speaker expresses his personal pleasure. He enjoys sitting quietly and reflecting on what he sees.
Line 14: "So high and look so far—"
Being high up in the tree gives him a broad view of the landscape. This physical height also symbolizes a wider understanding of the world.
Line 15: "How very large the world can be!"
The speaker is filled with wonder at the vastness of the world. The exclamation mark emphasizes his amazement.
Line 16: "How many things there are!"
He realizes that the world contains countless beautiful and interesting things to discover. This line expresses curiosity, appreciation, and awe.
Overall Interpretation
The poem shows a childlike sense of wonder. By climbing a tree and observing the countryside, the speaker discovers the beauty and vastness of the world. The poem encourages readers to slow down, observe nature, and appreciate the many sights around them. The mood is peaceful, joyful, and reflective.
The meaning of tree
The tree symbolizes the speaker's desire for a wider perspective and deeper understanding of the world.
By climbing the tree, the speaker rises above his everyday surroundings and gains a better view of nature and the distant town. The tree acts as a place of contemplation, allowing him to observe, think, and appreciate the beauty around him.
Symbolic Meanings of the Tree
- A Gateway to Knowledge and Discovery
- From the tree, the speaker sees things he has "always wished to see."
- This suggests that the tree symbolizes curiosity and the desire to explore beyond one's immediate surroundings.
- Personal Growth and Imagination
- Climbing upward can symbolize growth and development.
- As the speaker climbs higher, he gains a broader understanding of the world and realizes "How very large the world can be!"
- Freedom and Perspective
- The tree lifts the speaker above the ground, giving him freedom to look far into the distance.
- This new perspective helps him appreciate both the beauty and vastness of life.
- A Place of Reflection
- The title Contemplation means deep thought.
- The tree serves as a quiet sanctuary where the speaker can reflect on what he sees and think about the world.
Conclusion
The tree is more than just a physical object. It symbolizes the speaker himself in his quest for knowledge, growth, wonder, and understanding. Just as the tree stands tall and reaches upward, the speaker seeks to expand his vision and appreciate the wider world around him.
Main Theme of "Contemplation"
The main theme of the poem is wonder and appreciation of the beauty and vastness of the world.
As the speaker sits high in a tree, he observes the green fields, shining rivers, playful sheep, and distant town. These sights fill him with admiration and make him realize how large and fascinating the world is.
Other Important Themes
- Love of Nature: The poem celebrates the beauty of the countryside and natural scenery.
- Curiosity and Discovery: The speaker enjoys exploring and seeing things he has always wanted to see.
- Reflection and Contemplation: Sitting quietly in the tree allows the speaker to think deeply about the world around him.
- Joy in Simple Things: The speaker finds happiness in observing ordinary scenes of nature and everyday life.
Theme Statement
John Carpenter's "Contemplation" shows that careful observation of nature can inspire wonder, happiness, and a greater appreciation of the world's beauty and vastness.
Contemplation by John Carpenter: Bullet Points
- The speaker has been climbing a dappled yellow tree for many days.
- He sits high in the tree and looks over the surrounding landscape.
- He enjoys seeing things he has always wanted to see.
- He observes green, peaceful fields bordered by hedges.
- He notices shining rivers flowing through the countryside.
- He sees rushes (tall grasses) growing along the riverbanks.
- He watches little sheep playing and running all day.
- In the distance, he can see the roofs of a town.
- The roofs sparkle brightly in the sunlight.
- The speaker enjoys sitting high above the ground and looking far away.
- From this viewpoint, he realizes how large the world is.
- He is amazed by the many beautiful and interesting things in the world.
Central Idea
- The poem expresses the speaker's love of nature, curiosity, and sense of wonder at the beauty and vastness of the world.
QUESTIONS FROM ENGLISH FOR TODAY
- Where do you think the tree was?
The tree was likely in the countryside, surrounded by fields, rivers, and near a town. - What were the four things the poet could see from the tree?
- Green and gentle fields
- Shining rivers
- Little sheep playing
- Roofs of the town shining in the sun
- Have you ever climbed a tree? If yes, what did you do it for? If not, why?
No, I have never climbed a tree because I fear to climb a tree.
QUESTIONS FOR MORE PRACTICE
(a) What color is the tree the poet climbed?
The tree the poet climbed is dappled yellow.
(b) How long did the poet climb the tree?
The poet climbed the tree for days and days.
(c) What does the poet like to do while sitting in the tree?
He likes to look far and observe the world
(d) What is the poet watching in the fields?
The poet watching little sheep playing and running in the fields.
(e) What do the rivers look like in the poem?
Shining and swimming through the rushes
(f) What are little sheep doing in the poem?
Playing all day and running
(g) How far away are roofs of town from tree?
Far away, shining in the sun
(h) How does poet feel about sitting high in tree?
He feels it is very nice and enjoys the view
(i) Why does poet think world is large?
Because from the tree he can see many things spread far and wide
(j) Do you think poet enjoys being up in tree? Why or why not?
Yes, because he finds it nice to sit high and look far
(k) How is tree?
Dappled yellow and tall enough to give a wide view
(l) What has poet wished to see?
The beautiful sights of nature and the town from above
(m) How are fields?
Green and gentle
(n) Through what do shining rivers run?
Through the rushes on the edge
(o) What does poet watch?
Sheep playing, rivers flowing, and town roofs shining
(p) Why do roofs shine?
Because of the sunlight
(q) What is very nice to poet?
Sitting high and looking far
(r) Why is poet astonished?
At how large the world is and how many things there are
(s) What does first stanza of poem Contemplation imply?
The poet enjoys climbing the tree and observing the world
(t) Why do you think speaker has climbed a tree?
To see and enjoy the beauty of nature and the world
(u) What main theme second stanza deals with?
The beauty of nature and peaceful countryside life
(v) Write about speaker's attitude reflected last stanza of poem.
The speaker is amazed and appreciative of the vastness and richness of the world
(w) What does expression 'green and gentle field' symbolize in poem?
Peace, calmness, and natural beauty
(x) What does indicate by saying 'shining rivers swimming through'?
The rivers are bright and lively, moving gracefully through nature
(y) How expression 'little sheep who play all day' relevant context of poem Contemplation'?
It shows the innocence and joy of rural life, which the poet admires
(z) What theme of poem 'Contemplation' by John Carpenter?
The main theme is appreciation of nature, childlike wonder, and the joy of observing the world from a peaceful, elevated place.
