2.2 The Sower : Brainstorming

Ice breakers

Make a list of words related to agriculture.
Farm, crop, sowing, plough, cultivate, yield, seeds, grains, spade, scythe, sprout, pod, spray,

ii) Discuss the activities carried out by a farmer.

Ploughing    furrowing    sowing  cultivating 
iii) In our country engineering, teaching and medical field are much sought after. Other professions, occupations though they make a significant contribution to the society, do not get their due.

iv) ‘Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian Economy’ Fill in the boxes supporting this statement. Complete the web diagram.

Brain storming

(A1) There are a number of challenges a farmer in India faces. Discuss with your friend, how it is possible to improve the condition of farmers.

(A2) The poet has observed the sower closely. Express in your words the reverence the poet has for the sower.
Ans: The poet has great respect for the sower. The sower is described as hardworking and a man of patience. He is dominant.
(A3) The poet is prompted to call the sower an ‘august personality’ which means one who reached the highest position in his work place.
Explain this using the following points.
Hard work          Perseverance              Dedication
The sower is working hard. Though the working hours came to an end, he lingers in his work place. He sows the seeds and waits for the crop all the season. He works day and night to grow his crops.
(A4)I)  Pick out the examples of alliteration from the poem and write them down.

Ans: 1.  Sunlight, I see, dying fast - The consonantal sound 's' is repeated pleasingly.
         2. Darkness deepens. -The consonantal sound 'd' is repeated pleasingly.
II) 'Seems to touch the starry skies'. The poet has used word imagery. Describe
the idea and pick out other similar examples from the poem.
Ans:  The poet has created a mental picture of a farmer touching the sky filled with  stars .
Similar examples of word imagery are as follows: 1.Twilight hastens on to rule
     2. Marches he along the plain.
(A5) (i) Write an appreciation of the poem considering the following points:
 • About the poem/poet/title.
 • Theme
 • Poetic devices, language, style
 • Special features/ novelties/focussing elements
 • Values, message
 • Your opinion about the poem


(ii) Write a summary of the poem using the following points:
 • Title
 • Introductory paragraph (about the poem, type, nature, tone)

Activity sheet

A1. Complete the web chart about poet's observation.

A2. "Soon shall come a time to reap". Name and explain the figure of speech and find one another of similar type.

Ans: Inversion : The line is not in a correct prose order. Correct order - A time shall come soon to reap.

        Other examples of inversion :1. Marches he along the plain 2. Now to sow the task is set.
A3 Pick out the line that shows evening time.
Ans: The following lines indicate evening time
         1. Sunlight, I see, dying fast
         2. Twilight hastens on to rule
         3. Shadows run across the lands
A4. Compose a poem on farmer in 4 line in continuation to the following
         Waiting for the rain
         To grow the grain.
        Eager to take world's care.
        Does he get his fare?
        Sometimes rain makes him.
       Sometimes it takes him. 

Audio File of the Poem.