Q2 of 24 Page 66

Answer the following briefly.

Why is the thrush referred to as an 'aged bird'?

The Thrush he sees rustling into the sky is old, like him. Pessimism was pervasive, but Hardy had still not broken up. He had a feeling that England could still rise again. When he looks around, in the midst of the howling cold wind and the snowfall drowning the earth, he sees a weak Thrush soaring into the sky.


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2

Answer the following briefly.

Identify the following:


• time of the day


• time of the year


• place where the poet finds himself

 2

Answer the following briefly.

Pick out the images in Stanza 1 that convey the following moods


• thoughtfulness


• despondency

 2

Why does the poet disbelieve the bird's "carolings"?

 2

Answer the following briefly.

Explain the images of contrast presented in stanza 4.