Intermediate F.Sc F.A ICS I.Com English XI O Where are You Going? Reference Context Explanation

Intermediate F.Sc F.A ICS I.Com English XI O Where are You Going? Reference Context Explanation 1st Year English Notes Online Taleem Ilmi Hub Class 11th

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Poem no:4 O Where are You Going? (W.H. Auden)

Explanation with reference to the context.

“O where are you going?” said reader to rider,

  “That valley is fatal when furnaces burn,

 Yonder’s the midden whose odours willmadden,

                That gap is the grave where the tall return.

Reference:

                 These lines have been taken from “O Where are You Going?” by W.H. Auden.

Context:

                 The poem is an imaginary dialogue between two opposite forces. They exert their pressure against each other. Worldly barriers try to check the journey of human beings. As a result, they react and show their mettle against heavy odds. If we are courageous and ambitious, we can surpass the vague and uncertain paths of life.

Explanation:

                 In these lines the reader frightens the rider from the hardships of journey. He warns the rider of the perils of the valley through which he is going to travel. He informs him about the heaps of dung emitting nasty smell. He also threatens him that this valley may prove a graveyard for him. His basic purpose is to check the smooth journey of the rider. As a matter of fact, the negative forces always try to hamper the smooth course of life.

                “O do you imagine,” said fearer to farer,

“That dusk will delay on your path to pass,

                  Your diligent looking discoverthe lacking,

                  Your footsteps feel from granite to grass?”

Reference:

                 These lines have been taken from “O Where are You Going?” by W.H. Auden.

Context:

                 The poem is an imaginary dialogue between two opposite forces. They exert their pressure against each other. Worldly barriers try to check the journey of human beings. As a result, they react and show their mettle against heavy odds. If we are courageous and ambitious, we can surpass the vague and uncertain paths of life.

Explanation:

                In these lines, the poet presents ¢fearer and farer¢. The fearer is full of awe while the farer is bold and courageous. The fearer terrifies the farer that the sunset will not wait for the completion of his voyage. His all careful planning will not help him anywhere. He is not prepared mentally and emotionally to reach his destination in spite of his determination. He puts a question before him whether he would be able to find comfort out of hurdles and hardships. Thus, the fearer is discouraging the farer to go ahead on his journey of life.        

                 “O what was that bird,” said horror to hearer,

                 “Did you see that shape in the twisted trees?

                   Behind you swiftly the figure comes softly,

The spot on your skin is a shocking disease?”

Reference:

                 These lines have been taken from “O Where are You Going?” by W.H. Auden.

Context:

                 The poem is an imaginary dialogue between two opposite forces. They exert their pressure against each other. Worldly barriers try to check the journey of human beings. As a result, they react and show their mettle against heavy odds. If we are courageous and ambitious, we can surpass the vague and uncertain paths of life.

Explanation:

                  In these lines, the poet presents¢ horror and hearer¢ in the form of two opposite forces. The horror asks the hearer whether he has seen the bird and the ghostly figure hidden in the dense trees. That phantom has quickly and quietly come behind him. Moreover, the mark on the hearer’s body is a deadly blot which predicts some horrible fatal disease. Thus, the horror alarms the hearer of the dangers of his journey. According to the horror the hearer may face some hidden enemy among the trees and the spot on his skin may cause some serious disease.

                   “Out of this house” -said rider to reader,

                   “Yours never will” -said farer to fearer,

                    “They’re looking for you”- said hearer to horror,

                     As he left them there, as he left them there. 

Reference:

                 These lines have been taken from “O Where are You Going?” by W.H. Auden.

Context:

                 The poem is an imaginary dialogue between two opposite forces. They exert their pressure against each other. Worldly barriers try to check the journey of human beings. As a result, they react and show their mettle against heavy odds. If we are courageous and ambitious, we can surpass the vague and uncertain paths of life.

Explanation:

                 In these lines, there is a dedicated and determined reply to the evil forces. The rider answers the reader back. He is not impressed by his threats. He knows the malicious nature of the reader. He asks him to leave the place at once. The farer makes him realize that he is a coward and cannot enjoy the dangers of life because of his passive nature. He can never be successful in life. The hearer gives a deaf ear to the horror’s malignant intentions. He warns the horror of the same dangers and moves away. The constructive forces again find their way and continue their journey after these dialogues.