Panchlight (Comprehension passage)

 

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

 

Gulri Kaki’s daughter, Munri, wanted to say something. The words were itching to roll off her tongue. But how could she? She knew that Godhan knew how to light a Panchlight, but she also knew that he had been ostracised by the panchayat. Munri’s mother had complained to the panchayat that Godhan would look at her daughter and sing romantic songs from the movie. The panchayat members had been itching to teach Godhan a lesson: he had come from another village and started living here without ever having given so much as a paisa to the panchayat. He couldn’t care less about the panchayat members. So now when the opportunity presented itself, they fined him ten rupees, and as he did not pay up, forced the villagers to ostracise him. The ban was still in place—Godhan was not allowed to talk to anyone from the toli or mingle socially with them. He could not even smoke from their hukkahs, so how could he be called now? How could Munri take his name? On the other hand, there was the question of the entire community losing face. Munri dropped the suggestion cleverly in her friend Kaneli’s ear. Kaneli smiled, ‘But Godhan is debarred!’ Munri said, ‘Why don’t you tell the chief to send for him.’

‘Godhan knows how to light a Panchlight!’ Kaneli announced.

‘Who? Godhan? Does he? But. . .’

The chief looked at the secretary and he secretary looked at the other panchayat members. They had all taken a unanimous decision to ostracise Godhan. The entire village was fed up with Godhan singing lewd songs and making sheep’s eyes at the girls. But the chief said, ‘Why quibble over banishment from the community when the community’s honour is at stake?’

 

Who is Munri?

Answer: Munri is Gulri Kaki’s daughter and is the reason for Godhan’s excommunication.

 

 Why was Godhan ostracised?

Answer: Godhan was fined ten rupees by the panchayat on Gulri Kaki’s complaint for casting glances at Munriand singing romantic film songs. Godhan did not pay the fine and it was used as an opportunity by the panchayatto teach a lesson to him by ostracising him.

 

 How did Kaneli help Munri?

Answer: Munri wanted to tell that Godhan knew how to light a petromax but could not do so because Godhan had been ostracised on her account. She whispered it to Kaneli who announced it to the gathering.

 

 What was the Panchayat Chief’s reaction to Kneli’s announcement?

Answer: Panchayat Chief showed reluctance to ask Godhan to light the petromax.

 From the passage, what do you gather about Munri’s attitude towards Godhan?

Answer: In spite of her mother’s complaint and subsequent ex-communication of Godhan she had a secret liking for him.

Comprehension 2

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

The elders of Mehto Toli bought a petromax at this year’s Ramnavami fair from the fines and penalties collected over the past fifteen months. There are eight Panchayats in the village, one for each community. All the panchayats have their own durries, jajim, mats and a petromax lamp, which the villagers call the panchlight. After buying the Panchlight, the panchayat members decided to buy offerings for puja with the ten rupees that were left over, for it would be most inappropriate a technical object with nuts and bolts without first having it suitably blessed. After all, even in the time of the British Bahadur, a sacrifice would be offered to appease the gods before work could begin on building a bridge. All the panchayat members returned home from the fair well before sunset—the orderly in front carrying the box with the Panchlight on his head, followed by the chief, the secretary and the other members. Phutangi Jha of the Brahmin Toli Stopped them at the outskirts of the village and asked, ‘How much did you buy this lantern for?’

1.      Who bought a Petromax?

Ans. The elders of Mahto Toli bought a petromax.

2.      At which fair the Petromax was bought?

Ans. The Petromax was bought at Ramnavami fair.

3.      How many Panchayats were there in the village?

Ans. There were eight Panchayats in the village.

4.      What did the members of the Panchayat decide?

 Ans. The members of the Panchayat decided to buy offerings for puja with the Ten rupees that were left over.

5.      Who was carrying the Panchlight?

 Ans. The orderly in the front was carrying the box with the panchlight on his head.

The Monkey's Paw (Character Analysis -I )

 

Mr. White

At the beginning of the story, Mr. White lives a cozy, domestic life with his wife, Mrs. White, and his son, Herbert, who amusedly accepts his father’s frustrated outbursts over his fate. Mr. White appears drawn to the power of the monkey's paw, even though his son teases him about believing in the paw’s magic and Morris warns him of the consequences. By the end of the story, a grief-stricken Mr. White has learned the consequences of trying to alter fate. Mr. White’s progression from a content, if somewhat restless, family man to a childless man apathetic to his wife, shows how one should accept fate and not try to alter it through reckless or treacherous means unless they want to lose what they hold dear. By the climax of the story, Mr. White himself seems to fully learn the consequences of tempting fate, as he fears that after wishing his son back alive, a mangled corpse will come to their home. Yet Mr. White’s relationship to reality is dubious throughout the story. He claims he sees the paw move on its own, but no other character verifies this. The tragedies that befall him could be a direct result of his wishing on the paw, but they could also just be coincidences that he subscribes supernatural meaning to because of his belief in fate-altering magic. Mr. White’s opaque, shifting relationship to reality shows the troubled state of mind one enters when one attempts to change destiny through supernatural means.

Mrs. White

Mrs. White is the wife of Mr. White and the mother of Herbert. She represents the happy domesticity present inside the house at the beginning of the story, as she knits by the cozy fire, soothes her husband’s temper, and enjoys spending time with her son. The appearance of the monkey's paw disrupts this domesticity, because although Mrs. White teases Mr. White for giving credence to the paw, she also anxiously awaits the arrival of any visitor that might bring the wished-for money. However, the stranger who does bring the money also brings the news that her son is dead, thus shattering her once happy home life. Herbert’s death leaves Mrs. White feeling apathetic and surrounded by her grief. She is emotionally separated from her husband, as after the death of their son they speak little to each other. Her grief makes her frantic and argumentative, and she then comes to believe that she can bring her son back to life using the monkey’s paw. At the end of the story, she experiences tragedy once again, as she opens the front door, expecting to see her son come back from the dead, and instead sees nothing. One could interpret her disappointment and misery at the end of the story either as a consequence of her attempts to alter fate by wishing on the paw or as a consequence of her belief that she could change fate, rather than accepting the loss of her son.

Panchlight (Passages for explanation with reference to the context)

 

1.      1  “No one had thought of it so far. No one had thought of it before buying the Panchlight and no one did after it was bought. The offerings for the puja were ready, the singers were waiting with their drums, cymbals, and bells, while the Panchlight stood in the middle of it all. The villagers had never bought anything like this before. There is a saying in the village: ‘Shall we buy a cow? Yes, but who will milk it? … And so it was with this contraption of nuts and bolts…. ‘Who will light it?’”

 
The reference and the context:
These lines have been taken from Phanishwar NathRenu’s story “Panchlight.” The panchayat of Mahto Toli has bought a petromax. Everything was now ready and people were eagerly waiting for the pride moment of the lighting of the panchlight. The musicians were ready and the atmosphere was charged with the chant: ‘Panchlight! Panchlight!’ At that very moment a ‘but’ raised its ugly head. The question was: ‘Who would light the Panchlight?’
 
Explanation:
 
Nobody in the Mahto Toli realized, neither before nor after buying the petromax, that they would face the problem of lighting it. They had made all preparations for puja and singing to the accompaniment of music. The troupe of singers along with their instruments was already there. The panchlight stood between them and their celebrations. The people of the Mahto Toli were ignorant in this matter as they had never bought a contraption of nuts and bolts earlier. The great question that they all faced was ‘Who will light it?’
 
 
    2 . Another spanner in the works! Everyone began to harbour serious doubts about the intelligence of the chief, the secretary, and the orderly—they had set out to do things without any idea of how they were to be done! Despair gripped the crowd once again. But Godhan was a clever young man. He would light the Panchlight without spirit. . . . ‘Will someone please get a little coconut oil? Munri ran to do his bidding. Godhan began to pump the Panchlight.
 
The reference and the context:
These lines have been taken from Phanishwar NathRenu’s story “Panchlight.” In these lines is narrated the last problem in the lighting of the petromax. At the same time, the simplicity and ignorance of the panchayat members in these matters are also revealed. They had no idea what other things were also required to light it just as they had conveniently forgotten to take some training in lighting petromax before buying one. The panchayat members had dealt with Godhan’s problem very intelligently and cleverly a few moments ago. But people now started having serious doubts about their wisdom and felt sad.
 
Explanation:
Another problem arises when Godhan is all set to light the petromax. It is found that the Chief and others forgot to bring the spirit. People have serious doubts about their wisdom. The whole of the Toli is in complete despair. But it is Godhan again whose cleverness saves their pride and honour of the Toli. He asks for some coconut oil. Munri runs to bring some, Godhan starts pumping the panchlight and the villagers’ spirits start rising again.

The Merchant of Venice (Short Summary)

 

The play opens in the street of Venice. Antonio is sad but knows no reason for his sadness. His friend Bassanio asks him a loan to enable him to go to Belmont and try to win the hand of Portia. Antonio has no ready money. He sends him to a moneylender to take money on loan of on his behalf.

Then the play shifts to a room in Portia’s house in Belmont. According to the will of Portia’s father the young man who chooses the right casket out of three gold, silver, and lead—will win the hand of Portia. There are so many suitors and Portia is making comments on the character of some princely suitors already there. Now the scene shifts to a public place in Venice. Bassanio asks Shylock for a loan of three thousand ducats for three months. Shylock agrees to grant the loan if Antonio signs a bond of the penalty condition. The penalty is one pound of flesh from Antonio’s body. Antonio agrees and signs the bond.

Now the play shifts to a room in Portia’s house in Belmont. There are three main suitors to win the hand of Portia, Prince of Morocco chooses the golden casket and gets in it a death’s head. Prince of Arragon chooses the silver casket and gets a fool’s portrait in it. When Bassanio arrives and chooses the leaden casket. He gets Portia’s portrait in it. Thus Bassanio marries Portia and Gratiano marries Nerissa. Launcelot leaves the service of Shylock and Bassanio appoints him his servant. On the other hand, Jessica, the only daughter of Shylock, elopes with Lorenzo and takes away a lot of money and jewels of Shylock with her. Shylock had gone to a farewell feast of Bassanio and had given all the keys of his house to Jessica. The news of Jessica’s elopement has maddened Shylock with grief. Shylock gets the news that Antonio’s ships have sunk in the sea. The repayment time of the bond is about to end. So he decides to file a suit against Antonio and to demand a pound of flesh from his body.

At the time when Bassanio is to be married to Portia, he gets a letter from Antonio that he is in trouble and Shylock is adamant to take one pound of flesh from his body. Bassanio and Gratiano at once leaves for Venice with a lot of money.

Portia seeks advice from a great advocate Dr. Bellario to defend the case of Antonio. Portia and Nerissa, dressed as a lawyer and a clerk reach the court to defend Antonio. No plea and no appeal of mercy could move Shylock. Then Portia allowed Shylock to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body but without shedding a drop of blood or less or more flesh. The jew recoils and asks only for his money. Then, he is charged with plotting against the life of a citizen. But Duke pardoned him with three conditions (1) turn into a Christian, (2) give up usury, (3) all his estate will go to Lorenzo and Jessica after his death. He accepts the conditions with a broken heart. Then all are happy and make merry Antonio’s three ships are reported to be safe. Thus the jew got the right punishment for their cruelty. The play ends in a very happy atmosphere.

The Monkey's Paw (Questions and Answers)

 

1. What is "The Monkey's Paw" about and who are the main characters?

    "The Monkey's Paw" is a classic, even amazing, story of supernatural suspense. The monkey's paw is a magical artifact. Anyone who owns it gets three wishes granted. They come true—but never precisely as you wish so that you get what you want at great cost to yourself. In this story, the Whites get the paw from Sergeant-Major Morris. When they wish for wealth, they get money from the company where their son works…because he was killed in an accident. Mrs. White wishes for their son to be brought back. They hear him coming back…from the dead, clearly lurching, zombie-like. The third wish sends him back to the peace of the grave.

2. What are the elements of horror, mystery and the supernatural in "The Monkey's Paw"?

    There are many different aspects of this excellent short story that you could focus on to bring out the mystery, horror, and elements of the supernatural. The key to focus on is the way that W. W. Jacobs, in this story, gives us a horrific retelling of the traditional "three wishes" tale that can be found all over the world. The difference between this tale and its many variations in the way that it incorporates terror and suspense in its narration. One key element that makes this story terrifying is the description of the monkey's paw and the way that it is given a life of its own. Note what happens directly after Mr. White makes his wish for money:

        A fine crash from the piano greeted the words, interrupted by a shuddering cry from the old man. His wife and son ran toward him.

        "It moved," he cried, with a glance of disgust at the object as it lay on the floor. "As I wished it twisted in my hand like a snake."

    Note the way in which the sound of the piano is used to foreshadow the disaster that is going to befall the White family. The crash is emotionally jarring, suggesting that something bad will happen. The crash is also surprising, indicating that the money will be provided but in a way that nobody can foresee. Note the way that the monkey's paw twisted "like a snake." Snakes are creatures that we associate with evil, and so horror is injected through this comparison.

    Through this example and many others, mystery, the supernatural, and horror are introduced into this excellent tale.

3. What was the message or theme in "The Monkey's Paw" and how the author gets the message across to the reader?

    "The Monkey's Paw" is rare in that Jacobs essentially states the theme in the text. Sergeant-Major Morris tells the Whites that "fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow." This is Jacobs' direct theme: that one cannot control his/her fate, no matter how hard one tries to manipulate it.

    One clear example is the White family's first wish. Mr. White wishes for 200 pounds: an attempt to change their fate. They think they're being reserved and rational by not asking for more, but the result of the wish shows that they have failed to change their destiny. They do indeed get their 200 pounds, but at a price, they would never be willing to pay.

    A second example is, of course, the climax of the story. The tension-filled moments before Mrs. White opens the door on nothingness are particularly powerful. Although the Whites have used their second wish to have their son back, Mr. White realizes just in time that they are attempting to control something that cannot be controlled. Thus, his last wish returns their lives to the path that destiny has chosen for them, not necessarily the one they would want themselves.

4. Who is the main character in "The Monkeys Paw?"

    The main character in this spine-chilling short story is without a doubt Mr. White senior, the father of the family who we are presented with on the "cold and wet" night when Sergeant-Major Morris enters their lives with the story of the monkey's paw that comes to dominate the rest of the narrative. Interestingly, the first paragraph shows Mr. White's risky nature and his love of experimentation, which perhaps reflects why he is so eager to try out the monkey's paw with a wish:

        Father and son was at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

    Mr. White, then, is established as a risk-taker in the very first paragraph in the story - something that foreshadows his trial of the monkey's paw and the tragic consequences. The rest of the story, on the whole, focuses on him and his gradual understanding of the power of the monkey's paw and how interfering with the fate that rules our lives only bring us sorrow - as the fakir created the monkey's paw to show us.

5. What is the rising action in the play, "The Monkey's Paw"?

        The introduction and the history of the talisman is the initial rising action in the W. W. Jacobs short play, "The Monkey's Paw." The Whites inherit the paw from their acquaintance, Sergeant-Major Morris, who reveals the mysterious past of the shriveled hand. When he throws it into the fireplace, Mr. White retrieves it. Morris warns them to wish wisely before leaving for the night.

        The rising action continues as Mr. White makes his first wish.

            "I wish for two hundred pounds," said the old man distinctly.

    Mr. White feels the paw move, and a depressing feeling of uneasiness falls upon the family for the remainder of the night. The next morning, Mr. and Mrs. White are paid a visit from the company where their son, Herbert, works. He has been killed in a grisly accident--"caught in the machinery"--and the Whites are offered a compensation of 200 pounds. Although it could be argued that this is the climax to the story, the action actually continues to rise a bit longer as the Whites exercise their second wish--for Herbert to be alive again. The rising action peaks when the Whites realize that their less-than-specific wish has an alternate possibility--that Herbert may be revived but in his deathly, crippled state.

6. How do you explain the three wishes in the short story The Monkey's Paw"?

W. W. Jacobs' short story, "The Monkey's Paw," revolves around the three wishes granted the owner of the shriveled paw. After gaining possession of the paw from an old friend who warned them about its evil, magical powers, the white family decided to test the paw's possibilities. The first wish is made by Mr. White "for two hundred pounds." The next day, the wish comes true when the family receives 200 pounds compensation--for the gruesome death of their son, Herbert. Mr. White makes a second wish, " 'to make my son alive again.' " The reader never knows for sure about the final wish, but when the Whites hear a sudden knock at the door, they believe it to be the mangled Herbert returning from the dead. The third wish is never uttered, but we can only assume that the final wish is for Herbert to return to the grave, for when Mr. White opens the door, no one is there.

Panchlight Questions and Answers

 

Question 1: Why did the village leaders want to do puja of the petromax lamp?

Answer: The village leaders wanted to do a puja of the petromax lamp because they thought that it would not be appropriate to use a technical object with nuts and bolts without first having it suitably blessed.

 

Question 2: Who was Agnu Mahto? What did he ask the villagers to not do?

Answer: Agnu Mahto was an orderly. He asked the villagers not to touch the panchlight.

 

Question 3: Why did the chief get a discount while buying the lamp? What effect did this have on the villagers?

Answer: The shopkeeper thought that the chief himself has come to his shop for buying panchlight so, he gave him a discount. The villagers looked at the chief with new respect.

 

Question 4: Read and answer the questions:
“Don’t take me for an ignorant rustic. I have seen lots of Panchlights.”

(a) Who said this and to whom?

Answer: The chief of Mahto Toli said this to the shopkeeper.

(b) What did the listener say or do in response?

Answer: The listener offered discount to the chief thinking that he himself came to his shop for buying the Panchlight.

 

Question 5: Did the opinion of the villagers about the chief begin to change later? Why?

Answer: Yes, the opinion of the villagers about the chief began to change later. This is because even though the chief purchased puja material with the ten rupees that were left over but he did not purchase spirit which was important to light the panchlight. He also didn’t think before making purchase about how and who would light the panchlight.

 

Question 6: Why were people from neighbourhood community not called for help?

Answer: People from the neighbourhood community were not called for help thinking that they would taunt the villagers at the slightest pretext.

 

Question 7: Why were the people from the Rajput Toli laughing at the villagers?

Answer: The people from the Rajput Toli were laughing at the villagers because the offerings for the puja were ready, the singers were waiting with their drums, cymbals and bells while the Panchlight stood in the middle of it all and no one from the villagers knew how to light the Panchlight.

 

Question 8: Why was Godhan banned from interacting with the villagers?

Answer: Godhan was banned from interacting with the villagers because Munri’s mother Gulri Kaki complained against him to the panchayat that he would look at her daughter and sing songs from the film. Moreover, he had come from another village and had not given a single paisa to the Panchayat.

 

Question 9: How did the Panchayat solve the issue of Godhan, who is ostracized in the community, lighting the Panchlight?

Answer: The chief said that they should forget about his banishment. Now, the honour of the community was in danger. The secretary and other members also agreed. The chief sent his orderly to Godhan with the request to come and light the panchlight. Godhan refused to come. The chief was in dilemma. But then, Gulri Kaki went and persuaded him to light the panchlight.

 

Question 10: How did the Panchlight prove to be a boon for Godhan?

Answer: No one in the Toli knew how to light the panchlight. Then, they came to know that Godhan knew it. Now the panchayat was in a dilemma. They had taken a unanimous decision to ostracise Godhan. The entire village was fed up with Godhan singing lewd songs and staring at girls. Munri’s mother had complained against him. He had come from another village. But he had not given a single paisa to the Panchayat. He was banned. He was not allowed to talk to anyone from the Toli. But the chief said that they should forget about his banishment. Now the honour of the community was in danger. The secretary and other members also agreed. The chief sent his orderly to Godhan with the request to come and light the panchlight. Godhan refused to come. The chief was in dilemma. He did not know what to do. Then, Gulri Kaki said that she would go and try to appease him. She went and persuaded Godhan to come. He came and lighted the panchlight. The Panchayat forgave him. In this way, the panchlight proved to be boon for Godhan.

The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs

 

Story

The story is set in England around the turn of the twentieth century. It opens with the elderly Mr. and Mrs. White and their son Herbert in their cozy family home one stormy evening. Father and son are playing chess while Mrs. White knits by the fire. From their conversation, it is apparent they are expecting a visitor. The visitor soon arrives; Mr. White introduces him as Major Morris The family welcomes him warmly, and as he relaxes with a drink, he tells them exciting stories of his time in India (under British rule at the time of the story). Mr. White remarks that he would like to see the strange and exotic sights of India, but Morris says he's better off at home.

     Mr. White remembers the strange tale of a monkey's paw that Morris recently told him. Morris somewhat reluctantly shows them the paw and declares that an old Indian fakir placed a spell on it. As a result, according to Morris, the paw has the power to grant three wishes, but it brings disaster upon the wisher in the process. Morris then tosses the paw onto the fire, but Mr. White hastily retrieves it. Morris warns him that he should stay away from the paw. However, the Whites are curious, and Mr. White ends up buying the paw from Morris.

    When Morris leaves, the Whites decides to put the paw to the test. Mr. White admits that he can't think of anything to wish for. Herbert suggests that he ask for two hundred pounds to help with the mortgage. Mr. White wishes for this with the paw, and he is shocked when he feels it move in his hand. Nothing else happens, and Herbert scoffs that he's not likely ever to see the money. After this, Mr. and Mrs. White retire to bed. Herbert remains in the room for a while, imagining pictures in the fire. Finally, he sees a strange monkey-like face in the flames, a sight that frightens him. Reaching for some water to pour on the fire, he accidentally touches the monkey's paw, which alarms him further. In this rather unsettled mood, he too heads for bed.

The next morning dawns, bright and cheerful, and Herbert is able to dismiss his misgivings of the previous night. He jokes with his parents about the monkey's paw and then leaves for work. Mrs. White continues to tease her husband about having made the wish, but she too appears to be on the lookout for something to happen and is disappointed when the morning mail only brings a bill. However, she is intrigued when a well-dressed stranger unexpectedly turns up at the front door. She makes him as welcome as she can, believing that he is bringing them the good news about the two hundred pounds. In fact, he has come to tell them that Herbert has been killed in an accident at work. Mr. and Mrs. White are utterly devastated at this news, but there is worse news still to come. The stranger says that they will receive two hundred pounds in compensation–exactly the sum that Mr. White wished for using the monkey's paw. At this revelation, Mrs. White screams aloud, and Mr. White collapses in a faint.

After Herbert's funeral, his grieving parents return to the family home, which now appears desolate. A few nights later, Mr. White awakens to find his wife lamenting for their son at the window. Then she startles him by suggesting that they should use the monkey’s paw to wish Herbert alive again. Mr. White is utterly horrified at the thought of summoning their son back from the grave, especially because he was mangled beyond recognition in the accident. However, Mrs. White is too excited to listen to reason and forces her husband to make the wish upon the monkey’s paw. She waits by the window for her son, but nobody comes. Very relieved, Mr. White returns to bed; after a while, his wife joins him.

Eventually, Mr. White gets up again to light a candle. While on the stairs, he suddenly hears a soft knock at the front door. Terrified, he rushes back to the bedroom. His wife is roused by the commotion, and he tries to pretend it was just a rat making the noise. However, the knocking grows louder. Mrs. White is ecstatic, believing that her son has indeed returned, and hurries downstairs to let him in before her husband can stop her. Mr. White is left with only one course of action: to make a final wish on the monkey’s paw. We are not told exactly what the wish is, but when he makes it, the knocking stops abruptly. When Mrs. White opens the door, there is nobody there.

 

Leave This Chanting (Summary)

              In the poem 'Leave This Chanting' Tagore wants the religious minded to go beyond the four walls of their shrines to where god really exists with the farm worker and the construction labourer. 

              In the first paragraph the poet says one should leave this chanting, singing, and telling of beads. He questions the religious people that who do you worship in this dark corner of a temple? Open your eyes and see God is not there before you.

         One can see God where the tiller is tilling the hard ground and the path maker is breaking stones. The poet says that one can see God in sun and shower where the tiller and the path maker is and come down to the dusty soil.

        The poet then questions what is deliverance? And where can we find it? God is the creator and master of everything. God has created this world joyfully and is attached with us, then why people are meditating and chanting? They think that when one is doing chanting he is very real to God and he can achieve everything.

            Tagore says that true worship of God means mingling with the humble humanity on terms of equality, and participation in their humble activities. According to Tagore, the rich and the proud can never find God, for they keep aloof from the poor and the downtrodden. He opines, pride can never approach to where those walk in the clothes of the humble among the poorest, the lowliest and lost.

Summary of the poem "The Little Black Boy"

             The speaker is an African child who has to come to terms with his own blackness. Blake builds the poem on clear imagery of light and dark.  Blake’s focus in this poem is on the mental state of the black child. 

            A black child tells the story of how he came to know his own identity and to know God. The boy, who was born in “the southern wild” of Africa, first explains that though his skin is black his soul is as white as that of an English child. He relates how his loving mother taught him about God who lives in the East, who gives light and life to all creation and comfort and joy to men. “We are put on earth,” his mother says, to learn to accept God’s love. He is told that his black skin “is but a cloud” that will be dissipated when his soul meets God in heaven. 

            The black boy passes on this lesson to an English child, explaining that his white skin is likewise a cloud. He vows that when they are both free of their bodies and delighting in the presence of God, he will shade his white friend until he, too, learns to bear the heat of God’s love. Then, the black boy says, he will be like the English boy, and the English boy will love him.

            The child’s mother symbolizes a natural and selfless love that becomes the poem’s ideal. She shows a tender concern for her child’s self-esteem, as well as a strong desire that he know the comfort of God. 

Summary of 'On His Blindness'

            John Milton writes  this sonnet about himself. He became blind at an early age, which he calls as half of his life. Due to blindness, the whole world is dark and gloomy. The gift of being a creative writer and poet, which has been accorded to him by the God is now useless for him. Though the gift or skill given to him by the God would remain with him till death, but he will not be able to use it.

           As God has taken away his eye sight, he has become more submissive and wants to serve God with his poetic power. He was greatly inclined to write poetry in praise of God and present to him a true account of his writings. He wants to do this so that God may not snub him after his death.

           He mildly wants to ask God that how can be required to do work equal to any normal person in spite of his total blindness. In the answer to this heart felt feeling of the poet, his conscience comes to his rescue to tell that he must keep patience as God does not want anything from man. 

        God’s Kingdom is very rich and splendid. Thousands of angels are every time ready to act on God’s command. They carry out God’s wishes on land and sea without rest. The mortals on Earth cannot serve God at this speed, so they must wait in silence for his mercy. Milton says that those who are not able to serve God should simple stand in service of God and wait for their chance to receive mercy of God. Thus sonnet tells us that faith and confidence in God should not be shaken in anyway.