CLASS WORK
What does Tennyson describe in the first four stanzas?
Stanza I
Why does he call the man "divinely gifted"? Because he has had great natural gifts.
When should we call a man of only ordinary ability "divinely gifted"? What have you read that illustrates this? (If the pupils cannot answer this question, the teacher should tell briefly the parable of the talents.)
What is meant by "Whose life in low estate began"? Why are the details about his early life mentioned? State briefly the thought contained in this stanza.
Stanza II
What was the effect of his humble birth on his progress in early life? In what ways did it act as a bar: (1) upon his own mind; (2) upon the good-will of others toward himself? Which of these two do the following lines from Œnone indicate that the poet would say must be overcome first?
Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control,
These three alone lead life to sovereign power.
State in your own words, the full meaning of "breaks his birth's invidious bar". Note.—"Invidious" means likely to incur, or bring on envy, ill-will, or hatred.
What idea is suggested in the second line as to the opportunities which come to such a man? Imagine him grasping these fleeting chances. What were his probable feelings toward those things which eluded his grasp? (Be careful in answering this. Remember that the man has gained the mastery of himself.)
What is meant by "blows of circumstance"? What were some of these difficulties?
What does the action-word "breasts" suggest: (1) about the character of these difficulties, (2) about the character of the man? Explain "grapples with his evil star". What is the allusion? Tell, in the poet's own words, what this "evil star" was. Imagine this man grappling with it. What term do boys often use for a similar action? Which is going to win this wrestling match? Give reasons, from what the man has already done, for thinking that he will win. What does this action show about his belief in luck?
What do the action-words in this stanza suggest about the man's character? What sounds in each of the words help to emphasize this grim determination?
State briefly the relation of the thought of this stanza to that of the first.
Stanza III
What effect did the man's early struggles have on his mental power and character? What does Tennyson call this increased energy and strength of character? He calls it "force". Now, explain "makes by force his merit known".
What position in the gift of the nation do the next three lines show that he gained at last? What words indicate the emblem of the Premier's power?
"Clutch the golden keys." What does this action suggest as to his character? What word is generally used to denote such determination to gain power and influence? What makes such ambition lawful? What use does Tennyson show this man made of his ambition? What is meant by "mould a mighty state's decrees"? As Premier, to whom would it be his duty to give advice?
The people know that the sovereign must act on the advice of his ministers, of whom the Premier is the most influential; but they believe that the judgment of the sovereign often modifies and improves this advice. To the nation, this influence of the sovereign is a silent force, but, like the silent forces in nature, they believe it to be powerful.
In what words does Tennyson express this mutual influence of the King and the Premier? What features of this influence are expressed respectively by the words "shape" and "whisper"? What action-words in this stanza suggest the relation (1) of effort, (2) of time, to the magnitude of the work?
State in a single sentence the thought of this stanza.
Stanza IV
What is the final test of the value of a law? Its effects on the people. In what words does Tennyson show the effect on the people of the laws made through this man's influence?
Explain how this man became "The pillar of a people's hope". What words show the far-reaching extent of his influence? Which shows the more force in the man, his influence with the King or his later influence in the whole nation? In what words does Tennyson show which he thinks the greater? To which do "high" and "higher" respectively refer? What does "Fortune's crowning slope" suggest about (1) the honour which the man has now gained, (2) the nature of the road he has travelled?
Stanza V
Picture the man as he looks back after having reached the height of his ambition. Describe his mood. At what times does he indulge in these dreamy memories? What does he seem to see in these quiet hours? What hill and stream does the poet mean? What feeling does each awaken? Why is the "sweetness" called "secret"? Why is the "dearness" called "distant"?
Stanza VI
What part of his life is meant by "his narrower fate"? With what is he comparing that early life, when he calls it "his narrower fate"? Using similar language, what might his present position of great influence be called?
Some think that the first line of this stanza refers to the limitations or restrictions of his early life, while others say the poet was thinking simply of the stream, as the limit or boundary of the things that influenced his childhood. Which view is to be preferred? Which meaning agrees with the use of the word "its" in the next line? Would this man now look back on those difficulties of his early life as limitations and hindrances, or as things which helped to make him what he is?
Now explain "The limit of his narrower fate". Compare the direction in which he looks in his day dreams now, with the direction in which he looked in those of his boyhood. What is meant by "vocal springs"?
In what way were the games of his youth prophetic of his future work as a man? What do people mean by saying, "The boy is father of the man"?
Stanza VII
Describe the present occupation of the friend of his boyhood. What information about his friend does the word "native" give us? What phrases show how he does his work?
Compare the farmer's query in the last line with that in the first line of the poem.