Class 10 English: Animals, question Answer, MCQ and Summary
ABOUT THE POET:
Walt Whitman was a pioneering American poet known as the "Father of Free Verse." Born in 1819, he broke traditional poetic rules to write in a natural, rhythmic style. His most famous work, Leaves of Grass, celebrates nature and the human spirit. In the poem "Animals," Whitman expresses his admiration for the placid and self-contained nature of animals. He critiques human society for its greed, restlessness, and obsession with material things. The poet believes animals have kept the basic "tokens" of goodness that humans have lost. His work reflects a deep desire to return to a simpler, more honest way of living. Ultimately, Whitman uses his poetry to encourage a reconnection with the natural world and its inherent peace.
ABOUT THE POEM:
In the poem "Animals," Walt Whitman expresses his deep desire to leave the human world and live among animals, whom he finds far more peaceful and self-contained. He admires them because they do not sweat or whine about their condition, nor do they lie awake in the dark weeping for their sins. Unlike humans, animals are not obsessed with owning material things and do not show false respect by kneeling to others of their kind. The poet observes that animals maintain the basic virtues of kindness, honesty, and innocence—qualities that humans seem to have carelessly dropped long ago. By comparing the two, Whitman highlights the artificiality of human society and celebrates the simple, dignified existence of the animal kingdom.
Thinking about the Text: Questions and Answers
Q1 Notice the use of the word turn in the first line "I think I could turn and live with animals" What is the poet turning from?
Answer The poet is turning away from the human world. He wants to leave the complicated, artificial, and stressful life of human beings behind to live a simpler and more peaceful life among animals.
Q2 Mention three things that humans do and animals don’t.
Answer According to the poem, three things humans do that animals don't are: 1 Humans sweat and whine about their condition (complain about their lives) 2 Humans lie awake at night and weep for their sins 3 Humans make the poet sick by discussing their duty to God
Q3 Do humans kneel to other humans who lived thousands of years ago? Discuss this in relation to the poem.
Answer Yes, humans kneel to their ancestors or religious figures who lived thousands of years ago to show respect or out of religious duty. In the poem, Whitman notes that animals do not do this. They treat everyone as equals and do not show false respect or hierarchy by kneeling to others of their kind.
Q4 What are the tokens that the poet says he may have dropped long ago and which the animals have kept for him? Discuss this briefly.
Answer The "tokens" represent the basic natural virtues like innocence, kindness, honesty, and self-containment. The poet believes that humans once possessed these qualities but lost them through their "negligence" and the pursuit of civilization and greed. Animals, however, have naturally preserved these traits, which is why the poet feels a deep connection with them.
Short Answer Questions (1 Mark Each)
Q.1 What is the poet’s wish in the poem?
Answer The poet wishes to turn away from human society and live among animals.
Q.2 Why does the poet feel more at home with animals?
Answer He feels at home with them because they are calm, self-contained, and satisfied.
Q.3 What does the phrase "make me sick" refer to in the poem?
Answer It refers to the poet's disgust when humans boringly discuss their "duty to God."
Q.4 Do animals complain about their condition?
Answer No, animals never sweat or whine about their condition like humans do.
Q.5 What "mania" are humans suffering from according to Whitman?
Answer Humans suffer from the "mania of owning things" (materialism).
Q.6 How do animals treat their ancestors?
Answer Animals do not kneel to their ancestors or show any signs of social hierarchy.
Q.7 What does the poet mean by the word "tokens"?
Answer "Tokens" refer to natural human virtues like innocence, simplicity, and contentment.
Q.8 Does any animal feel "unhappy" over the whole earth?
Answer No, the poet states that not one animal is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.
Q.9 How did humans lose their "tokens" of goodness?
Answer Humans lost them through negligence and by moving away from their natural state over time.
Q.10 What is the main theme of the poem "Animals"?
Answer The main theme is the superiority of animals' simple, virtuous life over the complex and greedy life of humans.
Short Answer Questions (2 Marks Each)
Q1 Why does the poet want to "turn and live with animals"?
Answer The poet is dissatisfied with the human world, which he finds artificial, greedy, and full of anxiety. He wants to "turn" because he finds animals to be calm, self-contained, and peaceful. Unlike humans, they do not complicate their lives with social status or materialism, which attracts the poet to their company.
Q2 What does Whitman mean when he says animals do not "sweat and whine about their condition"?
Answer This phrase means that animals accept their lives as they are without complaining. Humans often "sweat" (work anxiously) and "whine" (complain) about their problems, failures, or poverty. Animals, however, live in the present moment and remain satisfied with what they have, showing no sign of mental or emotional distress.
Q3 Explain the line: "Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things."
Answer The poet highlights that animals are free from the "mania" or madness of materialism. Humans are never satisfied and always crave more wealth and possessions. In contrast, animals do not care about owning property or luxury; their lack of greed keeps them mentally healthy and satisfied with their natural surroundings.
Q4 How does the poet contrast the "duty to God" between humans and animals?
Answer Humans often engage in long, hypocritical discussions about their religious duties and sins, which the poet says "makes him sick." Animals do not have any religion or "duty to God"; they live naturally and honestly. Their life itself is a form of purity, as they do not need to perform rituals to prove their goodness.
Q5 What is the significance of "tokens" in the poem?
Answer "Tokens" represent the innate human virtues such as innocence, kindness, and simplicity. The poet suggests that humans originally possessed these qualities but "dropped" them as they became "civilized" and greedy. He is amazed to see that animals still carry these "tokens," reminding him of the natural goodness that humans have unfortunately lost.
MCQ-ANSWER
1 Who is the poet of the poem Animals?
A Robert Frost
B Leslie Norris
C Walt Whitman
D Robin Klein Answer: C
2 What is the meaning of the word Placid in the poem?
A Angry
B Calm and peaceful
C Greedy
D Clumsy Answer: B
3 What do humans do that makes the poet feel sick?
A They ignore him
B They cry for help
C They discuss their duty to God
D They work too hard Answer: C
4 According to the poet which mania do humans suffer from?
A Mania of talking
B Mania of sleeping
C Mania of owning things
D Mania of traveling Answer: C
5 Why does the poet want to live with animals?
A Because they are wild
B Because they are fast
C Because they are calm and self-contained
D Because they are beautiful Answer: C
6 What does the poet mean by the line Not one is respectable?
A Animals have no manners
B Animals are rude
C Animals do not have a social hierarchy or false ego
D Animals are dangerous Answer: C
7 How do animals react to their sins?
A They pray all night
B They confess to others
C They do not lie awake and weep for them
D They ignore everyone Answer: C
8 What did humans do with the tokens of goodness?
A They kept them safe
B They dropped them negligently
C They sold them
D They gave them to animals Answer: B
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