Summary Of Beauty
The poem reiterates the adage that “beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.” The poet expresses the idea that we are surrounded by beauty from all sides. Nature has absorbed everything beautiful from every nook and cranny. In all of its activities, nature has created music and rhythm.
Every creature in nature exhibits beauty. The sun, the trees, the birds, the farmers, and the workers in the fields are all working hard in unison with nature. Farmers dance as they watch the harvest bloom and ripen.
When everything quiets down, one can clearly hear the sound of raindrops falling, blowing of wind, muttering of singers.
The poet emphasizes that beauty lies in doing good works, having positive thoughts.
One must keep on doing their good deeds. It should be reflected in your leisure time, and even while taking rest.
Word Meanings
Wind sighing: blowing of wind
Chanting: singing
In earnest: sincerely, honestly
Corn: food crops
In yourself: inside one’s own self
Harvest: crop
Good deeds: noble actions, Happy thoughts
Heard: listened to
Repeat themselves: are reflected or shown
Dreams: ambitions
Stanza Wise Explanation
Stanza 1
Beauty is seen
In the sunlight,
The trees, the birds,
Corn growing and people working
Or dancing for their harvest.
Reference: The given lines have been taken from the poem ‘Beauty. It has been written by E-Yeh-Shure, where the poet has given description about beauty and said that it can be witnessed everywhere.
Context: The poet said that beauty can be seen everywhere as our surrounding is full of beautiful things. One needs to observe the surrounding and he will see beautiful things.
Explanation: Beauty can be seen by all of us in the surrounding. It can be seen in the sunlight, the trees and the birds. It can be seen where people are working hard, cultivating their land and growing crops. Beauty can be seen when farmers dance for harvest.
Stanza 2
Beauty is heard
In the night,
Wind sighing, rain falling,
Or a singer chanting
Anything in earnest.
Reference: Same as above
Context: The poet said that beauty could be heard in our surrounding if we try to listen to it. We can hear beauty during the rainfall and when the wind blows.
Explanation: Beauty can be heard in the surrounding during the night when the wind blows. It can be heard during the rainfall or when a singer sings in full swing. Beauty is present everywhere, a person needs ears to hear it. The world is full of beautiful things.
Stanza 3
Good deeds, happy thoughts
That repeat themselves
In your dreams,
In your work,
And even in your rest.
Reference: Same as in stanza 1
Context: Beauty, according to the poet, resides within us. We don’t have to search it everywhere. Beauty can be found in good work and happy thoughts. Beauty can be found in those who have a positive attitude toward life.
Explanation: When we do good things and have good things, we will all feel beautiful. It gets reflection and things become beautiful. Goodness recurs in our thoughts, works, and also when we sleep.
Questions and Answers
1. The poet says, “Beauty is heard in…”
Can you hear beauty? Add a sound the poet thinks are beautiful.
The poet, Keats, said:
Heard melodies are sweet,
But those unheard are sweeter,
What do you think this means? Have you ever ‘heard’ a song in your head, long after the song was sung or played?
Ans. Yes, beauty can be heard anywhere. When we hear something enchanting, it
attracts us towards it. We went to hear it again and again. It can be melodious song by a bird, sound of leaves, air etc. Keats said in the above lines in that melodies which we can hear are sweet, but those which we can’t hear are even sweeter. They can only be imagined and beauty lies in the imagination.
Yes, sometimes a melodious song stays in one’s mind for long and it keeps playing in one’s head as it has touched that person’s soul.
2. Read the first and second stanzas of the poem again. Note the following phrases.
- Corn growing,
- people working or dancing,
- wind sighing,
- rain falling,
- a singer chanting
These could be written as
– Corn that is growing
– People who are working or dancing
Can you rewrite the other phrases like this? Why do you think the poet uses the shorter phrases?
Ans. Some other phrases like this are:
Wind which is sighing
Rain which is falling
A singer who is chanting
The poet uses shorter phrases in the poem to make it more attractive and appealing.
The poet created a particular order of rhyme scheme.
3. Find pictures of beautiful things you have seen or heard of.
Ans. Do it yourself as each one of us has a different concept of beauty.
4. Write a paragraph about beauty. Use your own ideas along with the ideas in the poem. (You may discuss your ideas with your partner.)
Ans. Beauty is immortal as it remains forever. John Keats says ‘ Beauty is joy for ever’. If it keeps on changing with time, it can’t be called beauty. Beauty keeps giving us joy and happiness.
Some people find beauty only in physical appearance. However, it remains constant while good looks are deceptive.
1. Where can we see beauty?
Ans. You can see beauty in the sunlight, trees and birds. It can also be seen in people who are working hard on fields and growing crops.
Q. Do you think beauty lies within us?
Ans. Yes, beauty lies within us when our actions reflected through their actions.
Q. How can we find beauty in ourselves?
Ans. We can find beauty in ourselves by doing thoughts in our mind.
Q. How can one hear beauty during in nature?
Ans. A person can hear beauty during the night. It can be heard during the rainfall, in the sound of the wind.
It can also be heard when a singer is singing. It can be heard anywhere where things are done eagerly and seriously.
Q. Is there any difference in the beauty of an object in different times?
Ans. Yes, there can be a difference. e.g. everyone feels happy when it is sunlight
during winter but it becomes unpleasant during summers.
Q. What is beauty according to the poet?
Ans. Beauty is a quality that can entice anyone. It is liked by everyone and can be seen in the sun, trees, and birds. It can be heard when the wind sighs or when it rains. It can also be heard on a quiet night.
When we engage in enjoyable activities, we bring out our inner beauty. Our thoughts become pure as a result of our good actions.
In the long run, good deeds and clean thoughts repeat themselves and bring happiness. It shows up at work and even when we’re taking a break. Good thoughts can also appear in our dreams.
