A Psalm of Life (Q & A)

A Psalm of Life (H.W. Longfellow)

(CHSE Odisha Class 12) students.

@BKEnglishclasses

Q1. What does the poet mean by “Life is real! Life is earnest”?

👉The poet means life is not a dream or play. It is serious and real. We should live it with purpose, not waste it in laziness.

Q2. What should not be our goal, according to the poet?

👉Our goal should not be just enjoyment or sorrow. Life is not meant only for pleasure or pain, but for action and doing good deeds.

Q3. How does the poet view death?

👉The poet says death is not the final end. The soul is immortal. Life continues beyond death, so we must live meaningfully before it comes.

Q4. What is meant by “Dust thou art, to dust returnest”?

👉It means our body will return to dust after death. But the poet reminds us the soul does not die, so we must live with purpose.

Q5. What does the poet say about the present?

👉 The poet says we should act in the present time. Neither regret the past nor worry about the future. The present is most important.

Q6. Why does the poet say, “Art is long, and Time is fleeting”?

👉He means knowledge and achievements are vast, but human life is short. So, we must act quickly and wisely before time runs out.

Q7. What lesson do we learn from great men?

👉Great men inspire us through their lives. Their examples teach us to work hard, be brave, and leave behind footprints to guide others.

Q8. What does the poet advise about the future?

👉He advises us not to depend on the uncertain future. Instead, we must act bravely in the present and shape our own destiny.

Q9. What does the poet say about the soul?

👉 The poet says the soul never dies. It is immortal and lives beyond the body. So, we must enrich our soul with noble actions.

 Q10. What is the overall message of the poem?

👉The poem teaches us to live actively, work hard, and be brave. Life is valuable, and we should leave behind good deeds to inspire others.

Q11. Why does the poet ask us not to be like “dumb driven cattle”?

👉He tells us not to live blindly without purpose. Instead, we must be brave, think for ourselves, and lead a meaningful life.

Q12. What does the poet mean by “Be a hero in the strife”?

👉Life is like a battlefield. The poet urges us to fight struggles bravely, face difficulties with courage, and never run away like cowards.

Q13. What does the poet mean by “footprints on the sands of time”?

👉It means the good deeds of great men remain as inspiration. These footprints guide others to follow the right path in life.

Q14. What is the role of action in life according to the poem?

👉The poet says action is most important. We should act bravely, do good works, and use time wisely instead of wasting life in idleness.

Q15. How should we treat each day of our life?

👉Each day should be lived with purpose, courage, and hard work. We must not waste time but use every day to achieve something good.

Q16. What does the line mean by ‘Life is but an empty dream’ ? 

👉The line “Life is but an empty dream” means life becomes meaningless and worthless if we live idly without purpose, action, or noble deeds. True value comes through work and achievement.

Q17. How can we make our life sublime?

👉We can make our life sublime or noble by drawing inspiration from the glorious deeds left by great men ‘on the sand of time’.

Q18. How do the examples of great men help a person in distress?

👉The examples of great men serve as a source of inspiration to a person in distress. Besides, they give him great confidence to overcome hardships in life.