JK Academy Maharashtra Board Class 6 English Solutions Chapter 4.5 If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking
Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 6 English Solutions Chapter 4.5 If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.
Maharashtra State Board Class 6 English Solutions Chapter 4.5 If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking
If I can stop one heart from breaking …
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
-Emily Dickinson
Meanings:
I can ease one life the aching : If I can reduce the sorrow in someone’s life
cool one pain : reduce the pain, give relief
unto : to
vain- useless, regret, shame, hopelessness
aching- hurt, pain
fainting- weak, helpless, pale
robin- a small red bird
Theme / Central Idea:
The poem gives a strong message to show compassion towards our fellow beings.
Summary:
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
The poet Emily Dickinson is declaring to the world that if she can help even one person who is very sad then her life has not been wasted.
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
The poet pronouncing once again that only if she can help even one person who is facing difficulties and problems and help a person lessen his pain, her life has been worth living.
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
Emily Dickinson continues by stating that not only human beings but she wants to help other birds and animals too. She says that if she can help a fainting robin and put it back in its nest then she has lived a fulfilling life.
Pointers:
1. What does the poet want to do?
Answer: The poet wants to help all fellow beings be it human or animals and birds.
2. Does the poet expect anything in return? What is the poet’s reward?
Answer: No, the poet doesn’t expect anything in return. The poet says that by showing compassion towards other beings her life has been worth living, which is her reward.
3. List the phrases that indicate sorrow.
Answer: (i) one heart from breaking,
(ii) live in vain,
(iii) one life the aching,
(iv) one fainting robin
4. Form groups of five and discuss: There are many things that seem small, minor or insignificant to some people but the same may be the cause of great pain, suffering for others.
Can you list such things? What can you do to provide help on those occasions?
(i) People waste a lot of food during weddings and functions and even when they dine at restaurants; whereas there are many people who go hungry and cannot afford even a simple meal.
We can request people serve only how much they need; the left over food can be donated or given to the poor.
(ii) People also waste a lot of water; while there are people who do not get water for even drinking.
The government should educate the people through mass media and social media not to waste water; at the same time the government should make provision to see that everyone gets sufficient amount of water supply.
(iii) There are many children who cannot afford to go to school; and there are children who are sent to the best of schools but do not want to study.
We can ask the rich to donate books and other stationery to the poor children also try and educate one child from a poor family.