Class 10 English :: Lesson – Animals
Summary:
In the poem “Animals,” the poet, Walt Whitman, compares human beings with animals and reflects on the simplicity and innocence that animals possess. Whitman admires the natural state of animals and contrasts it with the complexity and hypocrisy he finds in human life.
He begins by stating that he does not wish to be as human beings are, full of false pride and societal rules. Instead, he wishes to be like the animals—unburdened by thoughts of right and wrong, or by the artificial rules humans create. The poet looks at animals as symbols of truth, peace, and purity.
In the poem, animals are depicted as being in tune with nature, living in harmony without the need for complex systems of moral judgment. They live in a more instinctive and honest manner than humans, who often struggle with their own emotions and social norms.
The poem reveals the poet’s longing for the simplicity and natural existence that animals embody, free from the corruption of human civilization.
Vocabulary from the Poem:
- Untranslatable: Something that cannot be converted into another language, or in the context of the poem, something that cannot be expressed in human terms.
- Example: “The calmness of animals is untranslatable into human behavior.”
- Veneration: The act of showing great respect or reverence for something.
- Example: “He expressed veneration for the way animals live in their natural state.”
- Pride: A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements or qualities.
- Example: “Humans often carry pride that leads them to act in arrogant ways.”
- Moral: Concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior.
- Example: “Animals do not concern themselves with moral judgments like humans do.”
- Embody: To represent or express something in physical form.
- Example: “The animals embody the simplicity and purity that humans lack.”
- Instinct: The natural or inherent drive or tendency to act in certain ways.
- Example: “The animals follow their instincts, unlike humans who follow societal norms.”
- Composed: Calm and in control of one’s emotions.
- Example: “The animals are composed, free from the emotional turmoil that humans often experience.”
- Independence: The state of being free from outside control or influence.
- Example: “The animals live with greater independence compared to humans bound by society.”
Word Notes:
- “I think I could turn and live with the animals”:
Whitman expresses his desire to escape the complexities of human life and join the animals who live with simplicity and honesty.
- “They do not sweat and whine about their condition”:
Humans often complain about their situation, while animals are content with their natural existence.
- “They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God”:
The poet criticizes the religious hypocrisies of humans, suggesting that animals are free from such burdens.
- “Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things”:
Animals are free from greed and materialism, living without the desire to possess or accumulate.
- “They do not go behind others to be admired or praised”:
Whitman contrasts the animal’s natural way of life with human beings’ constant need for approval and validation.
Textual Questions and Answers:
- What does the poet admire about the animals? Answer:
The poet admires the simplicity, purity, and contentment of animals. Unlike humans, animals live with natural instincts, free from moral dilemmas, societal rules, or desires to possess things. They do not engage in pride, jealousy, or the need for validation, which makes their lives peaceful and harmonious.
- How does the poet describe the life of animals compared to that of humans? Answer:
The poet describes the life of animals as uncomplicated, content, and in harmony with nature. Animals do not worry about moral judgments or social status. In contrast, humans are burdened by pride, materialism, and moral complexities, which cause dissatisfaction and anxiety. The poet believes that animals live in a more truthful and natural state.
- What does Whitman mean by saying, “I think I could turn and live with the animals”? Answer:
Whitman expresses a desire to leave behind the complicated and often hypocritical life of humans and live with the animals. He yearns for a life of simplicity, peace, and natural instinct, free from the burdens of social constructs and moral judgments that humans face.
- Why does Whitman believe that animals do not need to worship or pray? Answer:
Whitman believes that animals do not need to worship or pray because they are in tune with their natural state and live harmoniously without the need for religion or societal rituals. They do not have the complex emotional or spiritual burdens that humans often experience, and they are not influenced by societal expectations about religion or morality.
- What does Whitman mean by saying, “Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things”? Answer:
Whitman emphasizes that animals are free from the desire to possess material things. They do not engage in the greed or obsession with ownership that is common in human society. Animals are content with what they have and live in the present moment, unlike humans who often feel dissatisfied or driven by the desire for more possessions.
- What is the significance of the animals’ freedom from moral judgments? Answer:
The freedom from moral judgments signifies that animals live in a pure and instinctive manner, guided by their natural needs rather than by societal norms or moral dilemmas. Unlike humans, animals do not overthink or impose arbitrary rules on themselves, leading to a more peaceful and untroubled existence. Whitman contrasts this with human life, which is often complicated by the need to follow rules of right and wrong.
1. Nouns
Nouns are words that name people, places, things, or animals. In the context of animals, nouns can be categorized as follows:
a) Common Nouns:
These refer to general names of animals, places, or things. For example:
- Dog, Cat, Elephant, Lion. These nouns do not refer to a specific animal but to any animal of that type.
b) Proper Nouns:
These are specific names of animals, places, or things and always begin with a capital letter. For example:
- Tommy (a dog’s name), Motu (a cat’s name), Sheru (a lion’s name). These proper nouns refer to a specific animal or pet.
c) Collective Nouns:
A collective noun refers to a group or collection of animals. For example:
- Herd (a group of elephants),
- Flock (a group of birds),
- Pack (a group of wolves),
- Pride (a group of lions). Collective nouns are important for describing groups of animals.
2. Verbs
Verbs are action words that describe what the subject (an animal, in this case) does.
a) Action Verbs:
Action verbs express physical or mental actions. For example:
- Runs (The lion runs fast).
- Eats (The elephant eats grass).
- Swims (The fish swims in the water). Action verbs are used to describe the activities of animals.
b) Stative Verbs:
These verbs describe a state or condition rather than an action. For example:
- Is (The lion is fierce).
- Are (The elephants are calm). Stative verbs are commonly used when we describe the characteristics or state of animals.
3. Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe nouns or pronouns. They give more information about the size, color, appearance, or qualities of the animal.
a) Describing Animals:
Adjectives describe the physical traits, size, or behavior of animals. For example:
- Big, Small, Fast, Slow, Gentle, Aggressive.
- Example: “The big elephant is very gentle.”
b) Comparatives and Superlatives:
These forms are used to compare two or more animals.
- Comparative: Used to compare two animals. Add “-er” to the adjective or use “more”/“less”.
- Example: “The cheetah is faster than the tiger.”
- Superlative: Used to describe an animal as having the most or least of a quality.
- Example: “The cheetah is the fastest animal on land.”
4. Adverbs
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They often explain how, when, where, or to what extent an action occurs.
a) Modifying Verbs:
Adverbs modify action verbs and provide more detail about how an animal performs an action.
- Example: “The dog barks loudly.”
- Example: “The lion quickly chased the deer.”
b) Adverbs of Frequency:
These adverbs describe how often something happens.
- Example: “Always, Often, Rarely, Never“.
- Example: “The birds often migrate in winter.”
5. Prepositions
Prepositions show relationships between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, indicating time, place, or direction.
a) Prepositions of Place:
These prepositions describe where something is happening.
- Example: “The lion is under the tree.”
- Example: “The monkeys are on the roof.”
b) Prepositions of Time:
These show when something happens.
- Example: “The deer runs in the morning.”
- Example: “The animals rest during the night.”
6. Tenses
Tenses are used to express the time of action or event in the sentence. There are different types of tenses that describe when the action of the animal is happening.
a) Simple Present:
The simple present tense is used to talk about habitual actions or facts.
- Example: “The dog barks loudly every morning.”
b) Present Continuous:
This tense describes actions that are happening right now.
- Example: “The elephant is eating grass.”
c) Simple Past:
The simple past tense talks about actions that happened in the past.
- Example: “The tiger hunted a deer yesterday.”
7. Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement refers to the rule that a verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject.
a) Singular Subject + Singular Verb:
- Example: “The dog runs fast.”
- Example: “The lion is strong.”
b) Plural Subject + Plural Verb:
- Example: “The dogs run fast.”
- Example: “The lions are strong.”
8. Pronouns
Pronouns are words that replace nouns. They are used to avoid repetition and make sentences smoother.
a) Personal Pronouns:
These refer to animals in place of their names.
- Example: “It (for animals like dog, cat, etc.) is sleeping.”
- Example: “They (for a group of animals) are playing.”
b) Possessive Pronouns:
These pronouns show ownership.
- Example: “The lion has its own territory.”
- Example: “The dogs are wagging their tails.”
9. Conjunctions
Conjunctions are words that link ideas, clauses, or sentences.
a) Coordinating Conjunctions:
These join two equal parts of a sentence. Common ones are and, but, or, nor, so, and for.
- Example: “The lion roars and the elephants trumpet.”
b) Subordinating Conjunctions:
These connect a main clause with a dependent clause, indicating cause, time, condition, or contrast.
- Example: “Although the lion is strong, it is not always the fastest.”
- Example: “The monkeys climb trees because they are agile.”
Conclusion
By understanding and applying these grammar concepts, you will be able to describe and discuss animals in a clearer, more detailed manner. Grammar is essential not just for forming correct sentences, but also for adding depth and variety to your writing and speaking. By practicing these rules, students can improve their ability to describe animals and express ideas more effectively.
