Available Answers

1. 1.

   Complete the sentences by choosing the suitable ending from the box.

   1. This poem narrates a moving incident
   2. The incident in question is about a recently-widowed
   3. All the mourners had expected the wife to faint at the sight of her dead husband,
   4. However, the hapless wife has no reaction;
   5. All the woman who were surrounding her rightly felt that
   6. They tried different ways to
   7. They praised him exceedingly, calling him a loveable person,
   8. One of the maidens crept up to the departed warrior and
   9. None of these tactics had any effect on the ill-fated widow
   10. Finally, an old lady of about ninety years got up
   11. The recently widowed woman could take it no more;
   12. She looked at her child and said

   a true friend and an honourable enemy. in four brief yet meaningful stanzas. and placed their child in her lap. she is in too much of a shock to show any emotion. that looking after him was the sole reason why she continued to live. if she did not weep, her grief would consume her. woman's reaction to her husband's untimely death in battle. help her release her pent up emotions. or to start weeping disconsolately. removed the cloth covering his face. to everyone's relief tears rolled dawn her cheeks. who remained still, silent and seemingly stoic.

    

2. 2.

   Why were the onlookers shocked at the response of the slain warrior's wife?
3. 3.

   What does the old nurse's action tell us about her? Why has the poet chosen the old nurse for this action?
4. 4.

   Explain how this poem is about deep and suppressed grief.
5. 5.

   The poem displays the poet's deep knowledge of the psychology of the human mind. Express your opinion.
6. 6.

   It is not only the soldiers but also their families who make great sacrifices foe the sake of their country. Express your views on this statement.