Class 10 English First Flight Poem 7 Question Answer

Class 10 English First Flight Poem 7 Question Answer | Animals

Welcome to HSLC Guru. In this article, we provide a complete set of questions and answers for Class 10 English First Flight Poem 7 – Animals by Walt Whitman. This poem is an important part of the ASSEB (Assam State Board of Secondary Education) Class 10 English syllabus. Here you will find the poem text, explanation, central idea, textbook solutions (Thinking about the Poem), additional short and long answer questions, MCQs, extract-based questions, and literary devices to help you prepare thoroughly for your HSLC examination.

About the Poet

Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was one of the most influential American poets. He is often called the “Father of Free Verse.” His masterwork, Leaves of Grass, was first published in 1855 and revised throughout his lifetime. The poem “Animals” is an extract from Section 32 of “Song of Myself”, one of the longest poems in Leaves of Grass. Whitman’s poetry celebrates nature, democracy, the human body, and the self. His writing style is known for its free verse form, use of catalogues, and an expansive, all-embracing vision of life.

Poem Text: Animals

I think I could turn and live with animals, they are
so placid and self-contain’d,
I stand and look at them long and long.

They do not sweat and whine about their condition,
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,
Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with
the mania of owning things,
Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that
lived thousands of years ago,
Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.

So they show their relations to me and I accept them,
They bring me tokens of myself, they evince
them plainly in their possession
I wonder where they get those tokens,
Did I pass that way huge times ago and negligently drop them?

Summary of Animals

In the poem “Animals,” Walt Whitman expresses his desire to leave the company of human beings and live with animals instead. He finds animals to be calm, peaceful, and self-contained. The poet observes animals for a long time and admires their qualities.

Whitman contrasts the behaviour of animals with that of humans. He notes that animals do not complain or whine about their condition in life. They do not lie awake at night weeping over their sins. They do not indulge in discussions about their duty to God. Not a single animal is dissatisfied or driven mad by the desire to own material possessions. No animal kneels before another or worships ancestors who lived thousands of years ago. None of them is unhappy or obsessed with appearing respectable.

In the final stanza, the poet says that animals show their relationship with him, and he accepts them willingly. They bring him “tokens” of himself — symbols of the basic human virtues like innocence, kindness, contentment, and honesty that humans once possessed but have lost over time due to the corrupting influence of civilization. The poet wonders where the animals got these tokens and asks whether he himself dropped them carelessly a long time ago as he moved away from his natural, simple state of being.

Line-by-Line Explanation

Stanza 1

“I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid and self-contain’d, I stand and look at them long and long.”

The poet expresses his wish to turn away from human society and live among animals. He finds animals to be calm (“placid”) and self-sufficient (“self-contain’d”). He stands and observes them for a long time, admiring their peaceful nature. The repetition of “long and long” emphasises the depth of his observation and yearning for the simple life that animals lead.

Stanza 2

“They do not sweat and whine about their condition, They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins, They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,”

The poet lists the qualities that make animals superior to humans. Animals do not complain (“sweat and whine”) about their circumstances. They do not feel guilty about past actions or stay awake at night crying over their sins. They do not engage in hypocritical discussions about religious duties, which the poet finds disgusting in humans.

“Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things, Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago, Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.”

The poet further states that no animal is ever dissatisfied with its life. None of them is driven mad (“demented”) by the obsessive desire (“mania”) to accumulate material possessions. No animal bows down or shows submission to another animal, nor do they worship their ancestors from thousands of years ago. None of them puts on a false appearance of respectability, and none of them is unhappy anywhere on the entire earth. These lines highlight the contrast between the natural contentment of animals and the greed, hypocrisy, and inequality prevalent among humans.

Stanza 3

“So they show their relations to me and I accept them, They bring me tokens of myself, they evince them plainly in their possession I wonder where they get those tokens, Did I pass that way huge times ago and negligently drop them?”

In the final stanza, the poet says that animals display their connection with him, and he gladly accepts this bond. The animals bring him “tokens” (signs or symbols) of his own true nature — virtues like innocence, kindness, contentment, and honesty. Animals clearly (“plainly”) demonstrate (“evince”) that they possess these qualities. The poet wonders where the animals obtained these tokens of goodness. He asks whether he himself once possessed these virtues but carelessly (“negligently”) dropped them a long time ago (“huge times ago”) as he moved through the journey of civilization. This suggests that humans originally had these noble qualities but lost them over time, while animals have preserved them.

Central Idea of Animals

The central idea of the poem “Animals” is that animals are superior to human beings in terms of their basic nature and moral qualities. Walt Whitman contrasts the peaceful, content, and honest nature of animals with the greedy, hypocritical, dissatisfied, and materialistic nature of humans. The poet suggests that humans once possessed the same noble qualities — innocence, contentment, equality, and honesty — that animals still display. However, as civilization progressed, humans lost these virtues and became corrupted by greed, guilt, religious hypocrisy, and social inequality. Through this poem, Whitman urges readers to reflect on what it truly means to live a good and fulfilled life, suggesting that the simple, natural existence of animals is far more admirable than the complicated, anxiety-ridden life of modern humans.

Literary Devices Used in Animals

The poem “Animals” by Walt Whitman employs several literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact:

1. Free Verse: The poem does not follow any fixed rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This is characteristic of Walt Whitman’s poetry and gives the poem a natural, conversational tone.
Example: The entire poem is written in free verse.

2. Anaphora: The repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines. This device creates emphasis and rhythm.
Example: “They do not sweat and whine… / They do not lie awake… / They do not make me sick…” and “Not one is dissatisfied… / Not one kneels to another… / Not one is respectable…”

3. Repetition: Words or phrases are repeated for emphasis.
Example: “long and long” in the first stanza emphasises the duration and intensity of the poet’s observation. “Not one” is repeated three times to stress that no single animal possesses the negative traits of humans.

4. Personification: Animals are given human qualities and are compared to humans in terms of moral virtues. The poet attributes human-like contentment, honesty, and equality to them.
Example: “They do not sweat and whine about their condition” — animals are described as though they are capable of human emotions and actions.

5. Metaphor: An implied comparison without using “like” or “as.”
Example: “Tokens of myself” — the word “tokens” is used metaphorically to represent the lost virtues of human beings such as innocence, kindness, and contentment.

6. Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of closely placed words.
Example: “stand and… self-contain’d,” “long and long,” “make me… me… mania”

7. Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words placed close together.
Example: “I think I could turn and live with animals” — the long “I” sound is repeated in “I,” “think,” “I,” and “live.”

8. Irony: The poem is ironic in its overall message. While it appears to praise animals, it is actually a critique of human beings and their failings.
Example: By listing what animals “do not” do, Whitman indirectly lists all the things that humans do — complain, feel guilt, obsess over possessions, and create social hierarchies.

9. Rhetorical Question: A question asked for effect, not expecting an answer.
Example: “Did I pass that way huge times ago and negligently drop them?” — This question makes the reader reflect on humanity’s lost virtues.

10. Contrast: The entire poem is built on the contrast between the nature of animals and humans. Animals are shown as calm, content, and honest, while humans are portrayed as greedy, anxious, and hypocritical.

Thinking about the Poem (NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers)

Q1. Notice the use of the word ‘turn’ in the first line, “I think I could turn and live with animals…” What is the poet turning from?

Answer: The poet is turning away from human beings and their way of life. He is disillusioned with the nature of humans who are full of greed, selfishness, hypocrisy, and dissatisfaction. He wants to leave the company of humans and instead live with animals, whom he finds to be calm, peaceful, self-sufficient, and content. The word “turn” signifies a complete change of direction — from the complicated, anxiety-ridden world of humans to the simple, peaceful world of animals.

Q2. Mention three things that humans do and animals don’t.

Answer: Three things that humans do but animals do not are:

Complain about their condition: Humans constantly sweat, whine, and complain about their circumstances in life, whereas animals accept their condition calmly and never complain.
Weep for their sins: Humans lie awake in the dark at night and weep over their wrongdoings and sins, but animals do not feel guilt or regret over any of their actions.
Discuss their duty to God: Humans engage in lengthy and often hypocritical discussions about their religious duties and obligations to God, which disgusts the poet. Animals never indulge in such behaviour.

Q3. Do humans kneel to other humans who lived thousands of years ago? Discuss this in groups.

Answer: Yes, humans do kneel to (worship or show extreme reverence towards) other humans who lived thousands of years ago. Throughout history, people have built temples, churches, mosques, and other places of worship dedicated to saints, prophets, and religious figures who lived centuries ago. People pray to them, follow their teachings, and organise elaborate rituals in their memory. While it is good to respect and learn from great figures of the past, the poet criticises the tendency of humans to blindly worship the dead rather than focusing on living a good, honest, and content life. Animals, on the other hand, never kneel before another animal or worship any ancestor. They treat all members of their kind as equals.

Q4. What are the ‘tokens’ that the poet says he may have dropped long ago, and which the animals have kept for him?

Answer: The “tokens” that the poet refers to are the basic, noble qualities of human nature that humans once possessed but have gradually lost over the course of civilization. These tokens include virtues such as innocence, kindness, contentment, simplicity, honesty, equality, and a peaceful nature. The poet suggests that long ago, when humans were closer to nature, they possessed these qualities. However, as civilization advanced, humans became corrupted by greed, materialism, jealousy, and hypocrisy, and they “negligently dropped” these virtues. Animals, however, have retained these qualities throughout the ages. When the poet observes animals, he recognises in them the very qualities that he and all of humanity have lost. The animals thus serve as reminders of humanity’s original, uncorrupted nature.

Additional Short Answer Questions (2-3 Marks)

Q1. Why does the poet want to live with animals?

Answer: The poet wants to live with animals because they are placid (calm), self-contained (self-sufficient), and content with their lives. Unlike humans, animals do not complain, do not feel guilt, do not obsess over material possessions, and do not create social hierarchies. The poet admires their peaceful, honest, and simple way of living and feels more at home with them than with humans.

Q2. What does ‘placid’ mean? Why does the poet use this word for animals?

Answer: “Placid” means calm, peaceful, and not easily disturbed. The poet uses this word for animals because they live peacefully without any worry, anxiety, or restlessness. They do not complain about their condition or feel troubled by guilt, greed, or the desire for material things. Their calm nature is in sharp contrast to the restless and anxious nature of human beings.

Q3. What does ‘self-contain’d’ mean in the context of the poem?

Answer: In the context of the poem, “self-contain’d” (self-contained) means self-sufficient and independent. Animals do not depend on others for their happiness. They are satisfied with what they have and do not look outward for validation, possessions, or approval. They carry everything they need within themselves, unlike humans who constantly seek external things for satisfaction.

Q4. Why do humans ‘sweat and whine’ about their condition?

Answer: Humans “sweat and whine” about their condition because they are never satisfied with what they have. They are always anxious about their social status, wealth, and circumstances. They compare themselves with others and feel unhappy about their lot in life. This constant dissatisfaction and complaining is a uniquely human trait that animals do not share.

Q5. What does the poet mean by ‘they do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins’?

Answer: The poet means that animals do not feel guilty about their actions. Humans often lie awake at night, troubled by regret and guilt over the wrongs they have committed. They weep for their sins and suffer from a guilty conscience. Animals, on the other hand, live in the present moment. They do not carry the burden of past actions or suffer from moral guilt.

Q6. Why does the poet feel sick when humans discuss their duty to God?

Answer: The poet feels sick because he finds human discussions about their duty to God to be hypocritical and insincere. Humans talk at length about religious duties and moral obligations but rarely practise what they preach. They commit sins and then discuss religion to justify themselves or appear pious. This double standard disgusts the poet. Animals, in contrast, never pretend to be something they are not.

Q7. Explain: ‘Not one is demented with the mania of owning things.’

Answer: This line means that no animal is driven mad (“demented”) by the obsessive desire (“mania”) to accumulate material possessions. Humans, however, are consumed by greed and the desire to own more and more things — land, money, houses, cars, and other material goods. This obsession with ownership often leads to dissatisfaction, conflict, and unhappiness. Animals are completely free from this madness of materialism and live contented lives.

Q8. What does the poet mean by ‘Not one kneels to another’?

Answer: The poet means that in the animal world, no animal shows submission or servility to another. There is no master-servant relationship, no social hierarchy based on wealth or status, and no blind worship of others. All animals are equal in their natural state. Among humans, however, people often bow down to the rich and powerful, creating an unequal and unjust society.

Q9. What is the meaning of ‘Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth’?

Answer: The poet means that no animal puts on a false show of respectability. In human society, people often pretend to be respectable by following social norms and putting up a facade. This pretence makes them unhappy because they cannot be their true selves. Animals, however, are always genuine and authentic. They do not care about being “respectable” in the human sense, and therefore, they are never unhappy.

Q10. What is the significance of the line ‘I stand and look at them long and long’?

Answer: This line signifies the poet’s deep admiration and longing for the qualities that animals possess. The repetition of “long and long” emphasises that the poet spends a great deal of time observing animals, studying their behaviour, and reflecting on the virtues they display. It also suggests that the more he observes animals, the more he becomes convinced that their way of life is superior to that of humans.

Q11. How are animals different from humans in terms of possessions?

Answer: Animals are completely indifferent to material possessions. They do not desire to own things beyond what they need for survival. Humans, on the other hand, are obsessed with accumulating wealth and possessions. They are “demented with the mania of owning things.” This greed makes humans dissatisfied and unhappy, while animals remain content and at peace.

Q12. What relationship do the animals show to the poet?

Answer: The animals show their natural connection and kinship with the poet. They display before him the basic virtues — innocence, honesty, contentment, and equality — that humans once possessed but have lost. The poet feels a deep bond with them because they represent the pure, uncorrupted state of nature that he longs to return to. He accepts this relationship willingly.

Q13. What does ‘evince’ mean? What do the animals ‘evince plainly in their possession’?

Answer: “Evince” means to show, demonstrate, or make evident. The animals clearly demonstrate that they possess the noble qualities — the “tokens” — that the poet recognises as originally belonging to him (and all of humanity). These tokens include innocence, kindness, contentment, simplicity, and honesty. Animals display these virtues openly and naturally, without any pretence.

Q14. What message does the poet convey through the poem ‘Animals’?

Answer: Through the poem “Animals,” Walt Whitman conveys the message that the progress of human civilization has come at the cost of basic moral values. Humans have become greedy, materialistic, hypocritical, and dissatisfied. In contrast, animals have retained the noble qualities of contentment, innocence, equality, and honesty. The poet urges readers to reflect on their own nature and reclaim the virtues they have lost. He suggests that a simple, honest life — like that of animals — is far more fulfilling than the complicated, anxious life led by modern human beings.

Q15. What does ‘negligently drop them’ mean? What has been negligently dropped?

Answer: “Negligently drop them” means to carelessly let go of something valuable without realising its importance. The poet suggests that humans once possessed noble virtues such as innocence, contentment, kindness, equality, and honesty — the same qualities that animals still display. However, as civilization progressed and humans became obsessed with material gains and social status, they carelessly abandoned (“negligently dropped”) these valuable qualities. Animals picked up and preserved these “tokens” of human goodness.

Q16. Why does the poet use the phrase ‘huge times ago’?

Answer: The phrase “huge times ago” refers to a very distant past — perhaps the earliest stage of human existence when humans lived in harmony with nature. The poet suggests that at that time, humans possessed the same natural virtues that animals still have today. Over the course of many centuries and the development of civilization, humans gradually lost these virtues. The word “huge” emphasises the vast stretch of time that has passed since humans were in their original, pure state.

Q17. What is the poem ‘Animals’ an extract from?

Answer: The poem “Animals” is an extract from Section 32 of Walt Whitman’s long poem “Song of Myself,” which is part of his famous poetry collection Leaves of Grass. “Song of Myself” is one of Whitman’s most celebrated works, in which he explores themes of self, nature, democracy, and the connection between all living things.

Long Answer Questions (5-8 Marks)

Q1. How does Walt Whitman contrast animals with humans in the poem ‘Animals’? Explain with examples from the poem.

Answer: Walt Whitman draws a detailed contrast between animals and humans throughout the poem “Animals.” He presents animals as morally superior beings and humans as flawed creatures who have lost their basic virtues.

Contentment vs. Dissatisfaction: Animals are “placid and self-contain’d” — they are calm, peaceful, and self-sufficient. Humans, on the other hand, constantly “sweat and whine about their condition.” They are always complaining about their circumstances and are never satisfied with what they have.

Innocence vs. Guilt: Animals do not “lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins.” They live in the present and are free from guilt and regret. Humans, however, are burdened by their past wrongdoings and spend sleepless nights weeping over their sins.

Honesty vs. Hypocrisy: Animals do not “make me sick discussing their duty to God.” They are genuine and authentic in their behaviour. Humans engage in hypocritical discussions about religious duties while rarely practising what they preach.

Simplicity vs. Materialism: “Not one is demented with the mania of owning things.” Animals are free from the obsession with material possessions. Humans, however, are driven mad by their greed for wealth and things.

Equality vs. Hierarchy: “Not one kneels to another.” In the animal kingdom, there is no social hierarchy based on wealth or status. All animals are equal. Humans create elaborate social hierarchies and worship ancestors from thousands of years ago.

Through these contrasts, Whitman highlights the moral decline of humanity and suggests that the natural, simple life of animals is far more admirable than the complicated, corrupted life of modern humans.

Q2. “They bring me tokens of myself.” What are the ‘tokens’ referred to here? How have humans lost them and how do animals still possess them?

Answer: The “tokens” in the poem refer to the fundamental human virtues and qualities that define our original, uncorrupted nature. These include innocence, kindness, contentment, simplicity, honesty, equality, peaceful nature, and self-sufficiency. The poet calls them “tokens of myself” because they represent the true essence of human nature — the qualities that make us genuinely human.

According to the poet, humans have lost these tokens through the process of civilization. As human society developed, people became increasingly obsessed with material possessions, social status, power, and wealth. The “mania of owning things” replaced contentment. Hypocrisy about religious duties replaced genuine honesty. Social hierarchies replaced equality. Guilt and anxiety replaced innocence and peace. Humans “negligently dropped” these tokens “huge times ago” — they carelessly abandoned their natural virtues as they pursued the false promises of civilization.

Animals, however, have preserved these tokens because they have not been corrupted by civilization. They remain in their natural state. They are still placid, self-contained, content, and equal. They do not complain, do not feel guilt, do not worship others, and do not obsess over possessions. The poet sees in animals a mirror of his own lost nature and recognises in them the virtues that he and all humans once possessed. The animals “evince them plainly in their possession” — they clearly display these qualities for all to see, serving as a reminder of what humanity has lost.

Q3. What is the significance of the title ‘Animals’? Why does the poet call the poem ‘Animals’?

Answer: The title “Animals” is significant on multiple levels. On the surface, the poem is about animals and their admirable qualities. However, on a deeper level, the poem is actually a critique of human nature. The title “Animals” draws attention to the creatures that the poet considers morally superior to humans.

By choosing the title “Animals,” Whitman forces the reader to reconsider their assumptions about the relative worth of animals and humans. In common usage, calling someone an “animal” is considered an insult, implying that the person lacks the refinement of civilized behaviour. However, Whitman turns this assumption on its head. In his view, animals possess the very qualities — contentment, innocence, equality, and honesty — that humans have lost. Being like an animal is not something to be ashamed of; rather, it is something to aspire to.

The title also reflects the poet’s desire to “turn and live with animals.” He is so impressed by their qualities that he would prefer their company to that of humans. The title thus encapsulates the central theme of the poem: that animals represent a purer, more authentic way of living that humans should learn from. It is an invitation to the reader to look at animals with new eyes and recognise the virtues they embody.

Q4. “Did I pass that way huge times ago and negligently drop them?” Explain the deeper meaning of this line.

Answer: This line is one of the most thought-provoking lines in the poem. On the surface, the poet is wondering whether he once passed along the same path as animals and carelessly dropped the “tokens” (virtues) that the animals have preserved. However, the deeper meaning is much more profound.

The poet is suggesting that in the distant past (“huge times ago”), humans and animals shared the same natural state of being. They both possessed the qualities of innocence, contentment, equality, and honesty. However, as humans evolved and developed civilization, they gradually moved away from this natural state. In their pursuit of material progress, social hierarchies, and religious systems, humans “negligently dropped” — carelessly abandoned — the very qualities that made them truly alive and happy.

The word “negligently” is crucial. It implies that humans did not consciously choose to abandon their virtues. They simply became so focused on the external trappings of civilization — wealth, power, status, and religion — that they failed to notice they were losing their inner goodness. It was a gradual, unconscious process of moral decline.

The use of the rhetorical question makes this line even more powerful. The poet is not just asking about himself; he is asking on behalf of all humanity. The question invites every reader to reflect: “Have I too negligently dropped the tokens of my original nature? Have I lost the qualities of innocence, contentment, and honesty that I once naturally possessed?” It is a call for self-reflection and moral awakening.

Q5. “I think I could turn and live with animals.” Why does the poet prefer the company of animals to that of humans? Discuss the values that the poet finds in animals.

Answer: The poet prefers the company of animals because he is deeply disillusioned with human nature and finds animals to be morally and emotionally superior. He observes that humans have become corrupt, hypocritical, greedy, and unhappy, while animals live lives of peace, contentment, and authenticity.

The values that the poet finds in animals are:

Peace and Calmness: Animals are “placid” — they live calmly without anxiety or restlessness. They do not sweat and whine about their condition in life.
Self-sufficiency: Animals are “self-contain’d.” They do not depend on external factors for their happiness. They are content with what nature provides them.
Freedom from Guilt: Animals do not lie awake at night weeping for their sins. They live in the present moment and do not carry the burden of past wrongdoings.
Honesty and Authenticity: Animals are genuine and do not engage in hypocritical behaviour. They do not discuss their duty to God while acting in ways that contradict their words.
Freedom from Materialism: No animal is “demented with the mania of owning things.” They are free from the greed and obsession with possessions that drives humans to misery.
Equality: “Not one kneels to another.” Animals do not create social hierarchies based on wealth, power, or status. They treat all members of their kind as equals.
Contentment: “Not one is dissatisfied… not one is unhappy over the whole earth.” Animals are happy with their lives and do not compare themselves with others.

These values make animals far more admirable than humans in the poet’s eyes. By listing these qualities, the poet is not merely praising animals — he is holding up a mirror to humanity and showing readers what they have lost. The poem is ultimately a call for humans to reclaim the simple, honest, and content way of living that they once shared with animals.

Q6. How does the poem ‘Animals’ reflect Walt Whitman’s philosophy of life?

Answer: The poem “Animals” is a powerful reflection of Walt Whitman’s broader philosophy of life, which celebrates nature, simplicity, equality, and the authentic self.

Celebration of Nature: Whitman was deeply connected to the natural world. In “Animals,” he praises the natural state of being that animals represent — calm, self-sufficient, honest, and content. He sees nature as a source of wisdom and moral guidance, far superior to the artificial constructs of human civilization.

Critique of Civilization: Whitman believed that while civilization brought material progress, it also corrupted human nature. The poem critiques greed (“mania of owning things”), religious hypocrisy (“discussing their duty to God”), social inequality (“kneels to another”), and chronic dissatisfaction. These are all products of human civilization that have made people unhappy.

Equality and Democracy: Whitman was a strong advocate of equality and democracy. In the poem, he admires animals because “not one kneels to another.” This reflects his belief that all beings — human and animal — are equal and that social hierarchies are artificial and harmful.

The Authentic Self: Whitman believed in living authentically, without pretence or false respectability. Animals embody this ideal because “not one is respectable or unhappy.” They are always true to their nature. The “tokens” that animals preserve represent the authentic human self that civilization has buried under layers of false values.

Free Verse as Philosophy: Even the form of the poem reflects Whitman’s philosophy. By writing in free verse — without rigid rhyme or metre — Whitman rejects the artificial constraints of traditional poetry, just as he rejects the artificial constraints of human civilization. The poem flows naturally, like the life of the animals it celebrates.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1. Who is the poet of the poem ‘Animals’?
(a) Robert Frost
(b) William Wordsworth
(c) John Keats
(d) Walt Whitman

Answer: (d) Walt Whitman

Q2. The poem ‘Animals’ is an extract from which work?
(a) The Waste Land
(b) Paradise Lost
(c) Song of Myself
(d) Ode to a Nightingale

Answer: (c) Song of Myself

Q3. What does the word ‘placid’ mean?
(a) Angry
(b) Sad
(c) Calm and peaceful
(d) Excited

Answer: (c) Calm and peaceful

Q4. What does ‘self-contain’d’ mean in the poem?
(a) Selfish
(b) Self-sufficient and independent
(c) Proud
(d) Isolated

Answer: (b) Self-sufficient and independent

Q5. According to the poet, who is superior?
(a) Humans
(b) Animals
(c) Both are equal
(d) Neither

Answer: (b) Animals

Q6. What does ‘demented with the mania of owning things’ mean?
(a) Happy about possessions
(b) Indifferent to possessions
(c) Driven mad by the obsession of owning things
(d) Careful about possessions

Answer: (c) Driven mad by the obsession of owning things

Q7. What does the word ‘whine’ mean?
(a) To laugh
(b) To sing
(c) To make a high-pitched complaining cry
(d) To whisper

Answer: (c) To make a high-pitched complaining cry

Q8. Why do humans lie awake in the dark, according to the poem?
(a) Because of fear
(b) Because of insomnia
(c) To plan for the future
(d) To weep for their sins

Answer: (d) To weep for their sins

Q9. What are the ‘tokens’ in the poem?
(a) Money and jewels
(b) Gifts from God
(c) Lost human virtues like innocence, contentment, and honesty
(d) Awards and medals

Answer: (c) Lost human virtues like innocence, contentment, and honesty

Q10. What does ‘negligently drop them’ mean?
(a) Carefully placed them
(b) Carelessly let go of them
(c) Deliberately destroyed them
(d) Safely stored them

Answer: (b) Carelessly let go of them

Q11. Which literary device is used in ‘They do not sweat and whine… They do not lie awake… They do not make me sick…’?
(a) Simile
(b) Metaphor
(c) Anaphora
(d) Oxymoron

Answer: (c) Anaphora

Q12. What does the word ‘evince’ mean?
(a) To hide
(b) To show or demonstrate clearly
(c) To destroy
(d) To forget

Answer: (b) To show or demonstrate clearly

Extract-Based Questions

Extract 1

“I think I could turn and live with animals, they are
so placid and self-contain’d,
I stand and look at them long and long.”

(a) What does the poet wish to do?

Answer: The poet wishes to turn away from human society and live with animals. He is disillusioned with the flawed nature of humans and is drawn to the peaceful, self-sufficient life of animals.

(b) Why does the poet find animals attractive?

Answer: The poet finds animals attractive because they are “placid” (calm and peaceful) and “self-contain’d” (self-sufficient and independent). They live without anxiety, greed, or dissatisfaction, unlike humans.

(c) What does ‘I stand and look at them long and long’ suggest?

Answer: It suggests that the poet spends a great deal of time observing animals with deep admiration and longing. The repetition of “long” emphasises the intensity and duration of his observation. He is deeply fascinated by their peaceful nature and wishes to understand and absorb their qualities.

(d) Identify the literary device in ‘long and long.’

Answer: The literary device used is repetition. The word “long” is repeated to emphasise the deep and prolonged observation of the poet. It also conveys the poet’s yearning and emotional attachment to the qualities of animals.

Extract 2

“They do not sweat and whine about their condition,
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,”

(a) Who are ‘they’ in the above lines?

Answer: “They” refers to animals. The poet is describing the qualities of animals that make them superior to humans.

(b) What do humans do that animals do not?

Answer: Humans sweat and whine (complain) about their condition in life. They lie awake in the dark at night and weep for their sins due to guilt. They also engage in hypocritical discussions about their duty to God. Animals do none of these things.

(c) Why does the poet say humans ‘make me sick’?

Answer: The poet says humans “make me sick” because he finds their behaviour hypocritical and disgusting. Humans talk about their religious duties and moral obligations but rarely live up to them. They commit sins and then pretend to be pious. This double standard nauseates the poet.

(d) What literary device is used in the beginning of these lines?

Answer: The literary device used is anaphora — the repetition of the phrase “They do not” at the beginning of three consecutive lines. This creates emphasis and rhythm, highlighting the positive qualities of animals by listing the negative human traits they lack.

Extract 3

“Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with
the mania of owning things,
Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that
lived thousands of years ago,
Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.”

(a) What does ‘demented with the mania of owning things’ refer to?

Answer: It refers to the human obsession with accumulating material possessions. Humans are driven mad (“demented”) by their desire (“mania”) to own more and more things — wealth, property, and luxury items. This greed is like a form of madness that animals are completely free from.

(b) Why does the poet say ‘Not one kneels to another’?

Answer: The poet says this to highlight the equality that exists among animals. No animal shows submission, servility, or worship towards another animal. They treat all members of their kind as equals. This is in sharp contrast to human society, where people bow down to the rich, powerful, and those who lived in the past.

(c) What is the meaning of ‘respectable’ in this context?

Answer: In this context, “respectable” refers to the false show of respectability that humans put on. Humans pretend to be respectable by following social norms, accumulating wealth, and maintaining a certain image. This pretence makes them unhappy because they cannot be their true selves. Animals are free from this false respectability and are therefore genuinely happy.

(d) Identify the literary device in ‘Not one… Not one… Not one…’

Answer: The literary device used is anaphora — the repetition of the phrase “Not one” at the beginning of consecutive lines. This repetition emphasises that these positive qualities are universal among animals — every single animal possesses these traits, without exception.

Extract 4

“So they show their relations to me and I accept them,
They bring me tokens of myself, they evince
them plainly in their possession
I wonder where they get those tokens,
Did I pass that way huge times ago and negligently drop them?”

(a) What ‘relations’ do animals show to the poet?

Answer: Animals show the poet their natural kinship and connection with him. They display the basic virtues of innocence, contentment, honesty, and equality — qualities that the poet recognises as part of his own original nature. This connection makes the poet feel a deep bond with the animals.

(b) What are the ‘tokens of myself’?

Answer: The “tokens of myself” are the fundamental human virtues — innocence, kindness, contentment, simplicity, honesty, and equality — that humans once possessed but have lost over time. The poet sees these qualities in animals and recognises them as originally belonging to himself and all of humanity.

(c) What does the poet ‘wonder’ about?

Answer: The poet wonders where the animals got those “tokens” — the noble virtues that they display so plainly. He asks himself whether he once possessed these qualities and carelessly abandoned them a long time ago as he moved through the journey of civilization.

(d) What does ‘negligently drop them’ suggest about humans?

Answer: It suggests that humans did not deliberately give up their noble qualities. Instead, they carelessly and unconsciously lost them as they became more focused on material progress, social hierarchies, and religious rituals. The loss was gradual and unintentional — humans simply did not realise the value of what they were losing until it was too late.

Difficult Words and Their Meanings

Word	Meaning
Turn	Change direction; here, to change one’s way of life
Placid	Calm, peaceful, and not easily disturbed
Self-contain’d	Self-sufficient; independent; not needing others
Sweat	To worry or be anxious
Whine	To make a high-pitched, complaining cry
Condition	Circumstances or situation in life
Weep	To cry
Sins	Immoral or wrong actions
Dissatisfied	Not content; unhappy with one’s situation
Demented	Driven mad; insane
Mania	Obsessive desire or craze
Kneels	Bends down on one’s knees as a sign of submission or worship
Respectable	Regarded by society as proper and correct; here used ironically
Tokens	Signs, symbols, or evidence of something
Evince	To show or demonstrate clearly
Plainly	Clearly; obviously
Possession	The state of having or owning something
Negligently	Carelessly; without proper attention

Important Points to Remember

The poem “Animals” is an extract from Section 32 of “Song of Myself” from Walt Whitman’s collection Leaves of Grass.
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) is called the “Father of Free Verse.”
The poem is written in free verse — there is no fixed rhyme scheme or metrical pattern.
The central theme is the contrast between animals and humans, with animals being portrayed as morally superior.
Animals are described as placid, self-contained, content, free from guilt, non-materialistic, and equal.
Humans are criticised for being greedy, hypocritical, dissatisfied, guilt-ridden, and hierarchical.
The “tokens” represent the lost virtues of humanity — innocence, kindness, contentment, honesty, and equality.
Key literary devices: anaphora, repetition, personification, metaphor, free verse, alliteration, assonance, irony, and rhetorical question.
The poem is not just a praise of animals — it is a critique of human civilization and a call for moral self-reflection.