General English Class 12

 

Prayers of the woods (Anonymous)	This poem is based on the idea that trees serve us in many ways. The wood from the trees is used in winter for warmth. Trees provide shade in summer and juicy fruits to travellers to satisfy thirst. Buildings, boats, and furniture use wood. Wood is used by man from birth to death. Trees also teach us the value of kindness and beauty. Trees appeal very humbly to men not to harm them.
On Friendship (Khalil Gibran)	This poem tells us about friendship by praising its virtues and advantages. A friend is a God's gift to us. A friend is God's way of answering our requirements. He supports us at all times. He shows us sympathy whenever we need it. A friend is free to agree or disagree with us on any point. We do not fear to say a 'Yes' or 'No' to their requests. We do not have to declare our love for our friend. He can read our thoughts even if we do not express them. We can open our heart to a friend and a friend can share our joys and sorrows. When our friend is away from us we remember him for his best quality. Friendship enables us to strengthen our spiritual bond.
The Echoing Green (William Blake)	This poem has been taken from Blake's Songs of Innocence. The poem can also be read as an extended metaphor for the progress of human life through its different stages. The Green, i.e. the open green space, comes alive with the cheerful shouts of the children and the songs of birds. There  is no negative emotion of fear, dispair, pain and grief ruffling the peace and tranquil, serenity of 'The Green'. After spending the fun-filled days on the Green, the children return home at the sunset. They are tired yet fulfilled. They go home in the protective laps of their mothers in the evening.
Once upon a time (Elizabeth Barret Browning)	This poem laments the lost innocence of youth. In this, he condemn the hypocrisy of the adults, hemmed in and constrained by rules and regulations. We adopt masks for different occasions: for lying, cheating and betraying- whereas childhood is portrayed as a time of honest laughter, and spontaneity.
Father returning Home (Dilip Chitre)	A picture of a sad old man. He is lonely even in crowd. He feels uneasy in his present. His isolation is seen in his inability to have a dialogue with anyone. This poem deals with the theme of modern man's alienation in a complex urban world.
The Road Not Taken (Robert Frost)	Here the poet tells us that once, while travelling alone, he reahed a point where the road diverged into two different directions. He was in a quandary as he could not decide which road to take. Ultimately, he decided to move ahead on the road which was less travelled. And this choice made all the difference.
On His Blindness (John Milton)	The sonnet explicitly captures the deep anguish where the poet regrets the loss of his sight. The poet expreses his regret at his inability to produce a work of art commensurate with the excellent talents he is endowed with. Like the servant in the Biblical parable who was taken to task by the master for keeping unused the money given to him, the poet fears the admonition by his master. Those willing servants who patiently wait on Him probably serve Him as much as those who run errand for Him. And those who submit to the will in all humility to the will of God in all humility serve Him best.
The School of Sympathy	How blessed you are! The tenderness, love, care and affection amidst of the school of deaf and dumb people is discussed here
A Chameleon	How fickle nature is of an assistant of police officer, who would be a pleasant personality in front of his higher authority. However, scream at the same dog when he sees the dog on street
Bholi	How education can potentially empower women? They would get to know their rights, reject a man
The Gold Frame	The people are quite obstinate about their preconceived notions, so they want a conformity from the external sources regarding the same (Dog licking picture)
The Barbers' Trade Union	The discussion of caste system and the differences which arise between two childhood friends once they get older.
The Bull Beneath the Earth	The importance of handling responsibility, controlling emotions and stoic even in a stressful situation. The narrator lost one of his friends in a battle
Hassan's Attendance Problem	Consistency, regularity, you can improve even if you fumbled at one point. 'From a window you can see the outside but the outside you cannot see all that is inside. Excellence doesn't come by accident but by practice. 2] Old habits die hard. 3] You hay have lost a battle but you an still win the war.
The March King	Not to procrastinate, keep work and leisure life separate
Thinking out of the Box	Smart work, creativity is the key to unlock the answers to ubiquitous and seemingly impossible to solve problems
Robots and People	The robots are a potential threat to people, unemployment and labour However: use in congruence, labour: creativity and intelligence; Robots: calculation, mundane and repeatitive tasks
On Giving Advice	Everyone has a certain degree of 'Ego' in him. However, fables and anecdotes are best ways to explain anything. This is because it would be helping them to infer the lesson themselves.
On Saying Please	The importance of kind words such as thank you and please discussed here. Importance of basic etiquettes.
The Story of My Life	How the determination and a desire of doing, making a change would help even a blind girl to become an advocate in later stages of her life.
Two Gentlemen of Verona	The importance of hardwork, consistency, and the desire of two boys to help an ailing girl intrigued the interest of the narrator.
In Celebration of Being Alive	The importance of optimism. Even after the heart surgery and an accident, losing limbs etc.
Ghadari Babas in Kala Pani Jail	The sensitive picture of people living in the Kala Pani jail. Included so as to instill a sense of patriotism among the readers.