Please explain this poem

Farrukh Aziz · #1 Thursday, February 14, 2013

Can you,please, explain the poem given below to me; it is from the new anthology of English verse (B.A).As you know the B.A exam pu is almost at hand, please elucidate it; I have not made out even its single stanza. What is it all about? Its theme,etc?? Regards

Departure and Arrival
T.S.Eliot

Standing upos the shores of all we know
We linger for a oment doubtfully,
Then with a song upon our lips, sail we
Across the harbor bar--no chart to show
No light to warn of rocks which lie below,
But let us put forth courageously.

Although the path be tortuous and slow,
Although it bristles with a thousand fears,
To hopeful eye of youth it still appears
A lane by which the rose and hawthorn grow
We hope it may be, would that we might know
Wouuld we might look into the future years.

Great duties call--the twentieth century
More grandly dowered than those which came before,
Summons--who knows what time may hold in store,
Or what great deed the distant years may see,
What conquest over pain and misery,
What heroes greater than were ever of yore.

But if this century is to be more great
Than those before, her sons must make her so
And we are of her sons, and we must go
With eager hearts to help mould well her fate,
And see that she shall gain such proud estate
And shall on future centuries bestow.

A legacy of benefits--may we
In future years be found with those who try
To labour for the good until they die,
And ask no other question than to know
That they have helped the cause of victory,
That with their aid the flag is raised so high.

Sometime in distant years when we are grown
Gray-haired and old, whatever be our lot,
We shall desire to see again the spot
Which, whatever we have been or done
Or to what distant lands we may have gone,
Through all the years will never have been forgot

hassammalik · #2 Friday, March 01, 2013

T.S Eliot describes the purpose and hurdles of a life of man, he said that a man should br fully aware of the out-comes of his life. He compared a life of a man with the sea. The sea of life is full of dangers and threats, but, we start our life courageously even if we do not know about the immensity of troubles. He said a man should leave a better world before his departure to the next world. He said a man should set examples for the future world, his deeds and works should be termed as a legend/hero of twentieth century.
Correction is highly appreciated

amna javaid · #3 Sunday, March 10, 2013

t.s eliot has wrote this poem at the advent of 20th century discussing the fears of a nation when it is going to enter a new century. he says that entering a new century is just like standing on the shore of a sea about which there is no information, no charts or maps are there to guide them, and fear about unknown problems is also present but they have to dive in this sea not caring or being fearful about these problems as they don't know what time will enfold for them- good or bad. but one thing they can do is hard work which will enable them to surpass all the hurdles and acording to him this hard work is most value able thing as it would play an integral part if people have to do something ambitious and become hero of 20th century

sapphireg · #4 Sunday, March 10, 2013

[QUOTE=Farrukh Aziz;557125][B]Can you,please, explain the poem given below to me; it is from the new anthology of English verse (B.A).As you know the B.A exam pu is almost at hand,

Hey bro i am also preparing for BA So it means we are class fellows and can help each other.What subj you r opted and ready to give exam.Mine are Pol Sc, English literature and sociology in optional. I am so much worried about exam anyway, yet i am revising " The Rebel" by D.j Enright.When i will read that poem than i will share my thoughts on that poem Inshallha. Or ha what about Date sheet you got it?Best of luck.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
American Literature-I~ Explanation Of Poem The Bee Meeting By Sylvia	Shaa-Baaz	English Literature	2	Thursday, October 20, 2016 07:45 PM
Most Repeated Topics	Aamir Marri	Computer Science	1	Monday, October 04, 2010 04:07 AM