Desiderata Line By Line Explanation – Max Ehrmann, ISC Class 11, 12 English Poem
In this, you are going to go through Desiderata Line By Line Explanation – Max Ehrmann, ISC Class 11, 12 English Poem. Understanding a text meticulously in its totality is very important for a learner for scoring better in the ISC exam. Experts made ample to ensure a thorough critical and line-by-line analysis. Let us find Desiderata Line By Line Explanation – Max Ehrmann, ISC Class 11, 12 English Poem.
Stanza One
Go placidly
amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in
silence.
A realm of tranquillity is assured in these lines. The poet advises us to keep poise or ‘ Go placidly’ amid the humdrum of life. Then the poet hints at that it is not easy to achieve internal peace. Poet implies us to ‘ remember’, which means the knowledge or the experience is not unknown. Sometimes, we get so lost in our frenzy that we
forget to enjoy the simple pleasures of “peace”. So, we are advised to keep calm and welcome peace in our lives.
As
far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
The poem advises us to “ be on good terms with all” nonetheless of any complains. Voicing the truth quietly and distinctly is implied. We must fight for the truth “ without surrender” and be receptive to what others say. “ quietly” implies that the truth should not be imposed on others and that “ clearly” denotes that those who are genuine listeners will always value the truth.
and
listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Even the “dull” and the “ ignorant” may have their own story to tell. The poet advises us to give respect to others the same respect we expect for ourselves. It is not always that we are assured to gain insight from such conversations but still we should be calm and respect others.
In other words, we should rise above all prejudices in our interpersonal relations and be truthful and candid.
Stanza Two
Avoid
loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you
may become vain and bitter;
There are a no. of foul-mouthed and aggressive persons in the world. We should avoid those people as they are vicious to our soul. Throughout the poem Desiderata,the poet advises us to stay calm which is vital for achieving peace. Those “aggressive” lot always try to be dominant but we should such turmoil in order to achieve inner peace.
There are a no. of foul-mouthed and aggressive persons in the world. We should avoid those people as they are vicious to our soul. Throughout the poem Desiderata,the poet advises us to stay calm which is vital for achieving peace. Those “aggressive” lot always try to be dominant but we should such turmoil in order to achieve inner peace.
On the other hand, we are advised to be content within ourselves and avoid comparing with others. Comparisons are indeed odious. They make us feel disheartened and force us to become “ vain” and “ bitter”. The better thing is that we should relish our plans and achievements.
for
always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
There are always people who are greater or inferior than us. But thinking the latter will turn us arrogant while the former will demean us resentful. So, as the poem suggests, be calm and enjoy your own achievement and endeavours. Savouring our hard work makes the effort worth it.
Stanza Three
Keep
interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing
fortunes of time.
The poet nudges us to remain interested in our job or profession, however small it may be. Taking an active interest in our work ensures success. This is the “ real possession” in the times of changing fortune.
Exercise
caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue
there is;
In managing our business affairs, we need to exert caution as the world is full of tricksters. They will not leave a stone unturned to drag us down. But on the sam, we should not be overcautious as the world is not devoid of virtuous persons. We can find heroism in equal measures “ virtue there is”. many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
There are many who try to achieve high and noble ideals in life, and who are courageous. We should not overlook this moral fact and give deserving respect to them in this way we can achieve the highest pedestal of our career and subsequently motivate others.
Stanza Four
Be
yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
The poet advises us to refrain from imitating others and “ be yourself”.We should always be what we are. Peer pressure, societal norms, personal constraints should not devoid us from being ourselves. For peace in oneself, never “ feign affection” or pretend to be someone else.
Neither
be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and
disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
We shall never be pretentious or cynical about love. For love is eternal solace and fresh that is “ as perennial as the grass”. Its consistency puts the world in place amidst all the dryness and disillusionment in this world. Even if faced with “ aridity and disenchantment”, love will always emerge victorious and continue its eternal journey. The poet’s idea behind the use of this simile is the unconditional nature of love – which is unperishable.
Stanza Five
Take
kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
The poem advises us to grow old gracefully and leave all the pretentious stuff. He suggests us to cling to youthful memories of the past and strength your spirit in order to guide us from misfortune. “ Counsel of years” implies the experience gained from elders and the rolling years.
Nurture
strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark
imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
We should cultivate strength to deal cope with sudden misfortunes. Avoid getting disturbed from things that have happened as they can’t be altered. But we should not be overpowered with “ dark imaginings” as fears are the product of fatigue and loneliness. Therefore, he directs s to consciously defer from such thoughts We should be “gentle” with ourselves and not overdo things and try to accept our situation.
Stanza Six
You
are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
The poet here reminds us that we are as much part of the universe as trees and stars. We encompass the same right as any others in this universe. On scientific terms, we are made from the same elements as any other thing in this universe –nitrogen, carbon, oxygen. Each of us is meant to be here as destined by nature and fate.
And
whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it
should.
Whatever is occurring is taking place according to a plan, whether we know it or not. There is always a definite unknown reason for things to happen even though we may not be able to comprehend them. In other words, “ the universe is unfolding as it should”.
Stanza Seven
Therefore
be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
The poet informs us against contending with God. We should submit to God and let things unfold gradually. Always be “ at peace” with God as he is the supreme power judging our actions and the one with whom our conscience converted.
and
whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with
your soul.
Life is full of jumbled things- often unpredictable, random and interlinked Our thoughts and deed are the reactions of the efforts. No matter how hard we strive to achieve our dreams yet keeping “ peace” within ourselves is advisable.
Stanza Eight
With
all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
The poet here upholds the fact that there is a lot of hypocrisy, hard boring labour and disenchantment in our world. But the brighter part of this world should also be addressed. The world is truly a place of beauty and charm if only we allow ourselves to discover this.
Be
cheerful.
Strive to be happy
Despite this negativity, the world is a beautiful and enchanting place to live in. Desiderata tells us to be “ cheerful” and “ Strive to be happy”. Happiness is not a state but a feeling on the same note peace is the thing that one should” strive to be happy”.
Questions And Answers
What is the full meaning of Desiderata?
Desiderata is a plural noun, with the singular form desideratum, meaning “things wanted or needed.” For many, the word desiderata most often evokes a famous poem by Max Ehrmann, written in 1927 and often referred to simply as Desiderata, without attribution or quotation marks.
What does the poem Desiderata teach us?
The poem teaches us to appreciate all the good things around us. … In the poem, the poet says that we should calmly surrender to the fact that is aging. Many people are scared about their growing age and this causes them undue stress.
What is the mood of Desiderata?
The mood of the poem is optimistic and positive. The poem’s mood is defined by examining the poet’s word choice. While some words within the poem are negative, these words are only used to illustrate how one should focus upon the positive. With this focus on the positive, one is able to be optimistic in life
Is the title Desiderata justified?
‘Desiderata’ is a Latin term to mean ‘desired things’ something that is needed or wanted. Max Ehrmann’s poem with this title deals with the desired qualities in a man. Therefore, the title is justified.
What is the narrator’s advice to his readers in Desiderata?
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
How do Desiderata serve as a guide for us to live a meaningful life?
The poem advice the readers to be calm and silent to cope up with the everyday struggle of life. The poet asks to be on good terms with the people and to be in good relationship with each other.
What world is described in Stanza 1 in Desiderata?
The first stanza celebrates the placidity with which one can and should move amid the noise and chaos of life.