Explanations of the Poem:
Reference to the Context:
These lines presenting the fact of Indians'
being slaves of the British before being Indians and also referring to the
exploitation of Indians in the hands of the white colonialists, have been
extracted from the poem entitled The Gift of India, written by
Sarojini Naidu. Here, Sarojini has lent voice to her patriotic fervour by
personifying Mother India. She speaks through the mouth of India to its
citizens. Mother India laments the loss of India's resources which the British
were exploiting for their own selfish interests and depriving the Indians of
their own wealth.
Explanation:
Through the mouth of mother India, Sarojini asks the British whether there is a need to make them deprived of its richness such as clothing, food and precious minerals such as gold to make them understand and realize their wrong doing of misusing India's property. (This is indirectly a warning to the Britishers as they were exploiting India's richness). India's richness which is very valuable, was extracted by the British from Indian earth as rude as taking one's heart by tearing chest. British ruling produced the sons of Mother India, the Indian soldiers to obey their orders referred to as 'drum beats of duty' which were like curved blades which cut down lifetime that ultimately led to their death.
Critical Comments:
1.
India has been personified as Mother India. Country India is endowed with the
attributes and feelings of a mother. Mother India speaks in first person and
laments the loss of her ‘martyred sons.’
2. Figure of speech metaphor has been used. The
Indian soldiers are compared to priceless treasures torn from Mother India’s
breast.
3. Colour imagery is found. The richness of
material resources of India—snatched by British is symbolized by gold, which is
not only metal but a colour symbolizing tradition.
2. Gathered …….France.
Reference to the Context:
These lines showing boundless grief of Mother India for her
heroic sons, who were killed in alien lands, have been extracted from the poem
entitled The Gift of India, written by Sarojini Naidu. Here, the
poetess, through the mouth of Mother India laments over the gruesome killings
of thousands of Indian soldiers in the East and West on battle fronts during
the World War I. She visualizes the horrible scenes of dead bodies of Indian
soldiers lying scattered on the fields.
Explanation: The poetess poignantly describes the pain and agony of the mother whose worthy sons are snatched away from her and sacrificed at the altar of war. Mother India claims that she has generously given her material wealth but her heart bleeds for her brave sons who have been taken away from her ruthlessly and deployed in foreign lands to serve the British interests. The poetess refers to the Indian soldiers who died in Persia, Egypt, Belgium and France during the First World War. These sons of India were in no way involved in the cause or the outcome of the war but being the employees of the British government in India, they were duty bound to obey the commands of their self - assumed masters. They were not even given proper burial. The soldiers who were as valuable as pearls made in foreign countries. They died by the shores of Persia (now Iran). The way in which the shells are found scattered on sands naturally, the soldiers were found similarly on the deserts of Egypt. They lay dead and their death was signified by pale brows and their bravery by broken hands. As the flowers are cut down without any obvious plan or cause they get scattered on the surface thereby cared by no one, similarly this happened with the soldiers who were left unattended on the fields of grass in Flanders (Belgium) and France. The soldiers were bleeding so much that even the fields were coloured by it.
Critical Comments:
1. The poetess has used figure of speech simile in the following: 1. 'Gathered like pearls in their graves.' 2. 'Scattered like shells on Egyptian sands.' 3. They are strewn like blossoms mown down by chance.'
2. Figure of speech alliteration has been used in second, third, fourth an- sixth line.
3. The image of the dead Indian soldiers 'gathered like pearls in their alien graves' is very pictorial representation of the ravages of wars. Victory.
3. Can ye measure ….. victory?
Reference to the Context:
These lines showing an intense pain and sorrow of Mother India on being separated from her children and a sense of pride in her son's achievements, have been extracted from the poem entitled The Gift of India, written by Sarojini Naidu. Mother India is grief-stricken and sorrowful as she thinks about the unfortunate ends of the Indian soldiers. She feels proud of her sons who have sacrificed their lives in the battlefield as she sees a hope for a better future.
Explanation: Mother India sheds tears of grief on seeing how brutally her offspring have been killed in war, with severed limbs and disheveled, blood- stained bodies. She asks if anybody could measure the grief in her heart at the loss she has suffered or make an estimate of the pride that runs along the despair of her heart, the pride at the sacrifices made by her valiant sons. She also has a hope which supports much, to have patience of acceptance of her prayers been done with a lot of weeping. She imagines that after a long time, in future, a successful revolt signified by banners is going to take place against the British rule for which she feels to be glorious but at the same time she feels sad too for the soldiers who were going to die for the cause signified by the banners being torn and coloured by blood.
Critical Comments:
1. Can ye …keep: The poetess has used rhetorical question in order to create dramatic effect.
2. And the far...…I see: Figure of speech Oxymoron.
3. Here is a colour imagery. The red banners of victory symbolize the victory gained at the cost of Indian blood.
4. When the terror………………………………………. sons!
Reference to the Context:
These lines presenting a note of optimism and hope
have been extracted from the poem entitled The Gift of India,
written by Sarojini Naidu. Here the poetess anticipates a time when man would be
free from the shackles of dominance and cruelty and live in a world where
hatred will be overpowered by love.
Explanation: Finally, the poetess hopes
for a day when the fear and disorder due to the British's hatred over the
Indians will come to an end. Life will be fashioned on the model of peace and
no mother would have to shed tears at the loss of her sons. The people, out of
love, will exhibit gratitude in memory of the soldiers who fought with
determination and without fear. The people will regard or treat their deeds
with great respect. At that particular time when all this will take place,
Mother India asks the people to also remember the amount of blood which the
soldiers, the sons of India sacrificed for the cause of independence.
Critical Comments:
1. The ‘sad glorious vision' is a
suggestion to the hope. The 'sad' part of her vision is the loss of several
lives in the war. Whereas the glorious part is yet to com which will ensure
peace, harmony in the world.
2. Remember………sons: Figure of speech personification.
3. And the far……….see: Figure of speech oxymoron.