The Character of a Happy Life - Summary

The Character of a Happy Life

The poem The Character of a Happy Life, has been written by Sir Henry Wotton. He was born in Kent and the son of country gentleman. In this poem Wotton has described the characteristics of a person who can truly be called a happy man.

We find Wotton’s poem has a sharp sense of contrast between the uneasy life of the ambitious man and the contented life of man satisfied to live an obscure life of peaceful virtue. Sir Henry Wotton wrote from experience; for had seen for himself the rise and fall of ambitious men. The poem consisting of six stanzas of regular couplet rhymed.

“Nature is the peace not the Land.”                                                                    John Keats

The poet narrates thata  person who has freedom of will and thought leads a happy life. He does not act according to other people’s wishes. His only weapon is his simplicity and truth.

Such an upright man is not a slave of his desires. The dispassionate soul is always prepared for death  believing that death is the defining moment of life: the moment of religious judgment when virtue is rewarded and vice is punished. This man is not concerned about what people say about him publicly or privately.

This upright man is not jealous. Wotton continues by saying that anyone pledged to a happy life envies no one who has become successful—which is likely to have been either by “chance” or “vice.” The “deepest wounds” are “given by praise” because flattery feeds pride; whereas happiness relies on transcending the ego. He does not abide by the rules of the society which compel a person to do wicked deeds. He follows the rules of goodness which will lead him to the right path.

A happy man’s life is free from numerous worries when he is sad he retires in his comfort of clear conscience. He hasn’t got a high position. Therefore people don’t flatter him or ridicule him at his own fall. A happy man prays to God regularly. In this prayer he does not ask for things but he thanks God for being gracious and merciful on him. His favorite pass time is good book or friend. A man who is truly happy is free from slavery of his desires. He isn’t ambitious. He does not expect too much therefore his hopes aren’t shattered. He doesn’t fear a downfall. This man hasn’t got lands or wealth and yet he has everything. He has got the greatest wealth of contentment and happiness.

about Sir Henry Wotton

Abou bin Adhem - Summary

Abou bin Adhem

Abou Ben Adhem is a poem, by James Henry Leigh Hunt, with a religious concept. The poet has conveyed the ideas of happiness, peace and love through easy and flowing rhymed couplets.

“Love is in your heart which is given by God, so give it to others.”                           John Keats

Abou Ben Adhem was a religious person. One night when he was sleeping peacefully in his room, a sparkling light woke him up.

He found out that this bright light was due to the presence of an angel who was writing something in a golden book. Being a pious man, Abou was not afraid of the Angel and the silence in the room made him more courageous. He asked the angel what he was writing in the book. The reply Abou heard was that he was writing the names of all those people who love God. About asked the angel curiously if his name was in the list. The angel replied was negative. He then politely requested the angel to write his name as those people who love God’s fellow men. The angle wrote and disappeared. The other night, it came again with a still glistening light and displayed the names of people whom God had blessed. Abou Ben Adhem saw that his name was on the top of the list and it led all the rest.

This poem conducts the idea that we should love humanity and care for people.

“To get love from God, love the board.”


about James Henry Leigh Hunt
other poems by James Hunt

Evening - Summary

Evening

Thomas Miller is a famous poet and novelist of modern English literature. He has written over 40 volumes.  ‘Evening’ is one of his inspiring poems.

The poet sketches a depiction of the fall of the evening. The poet narrates that the day is over and the shining stars have now come into sight in the evening sky. There is dew on the grass. The night is air is now taken by bats. Animals and birds have all gone to sleep. The darkness envelops the whole atmosphere. But the poet is not afraid of the night to the darkness. He feels secure and out of harm’s way even through the night and during his sleep because he has a staunch faith in god. Miller believes that god is the creator of the universe and he controls the seas and the skies. He trusts that god will look after him and will be always with him whenever he prays to him for his help. The poet closes the poem with the connotation that god loves all the people alike irrespective of their rank, creed or color.

about Thomas Miller

Little Things - Summary

Little Things

In the poem ‘Little Things’ the poetess, Julia Abigail Fletcher Carney, highlights the importance of little things. The poetess states that small things in life often indicate great changes in our lives. The poetess supports this claim by demonstrating that all big things are made up of minuscule building blocks. The great seas are made up of tiny drops of water. In the same way, this lovely land is made up of diminutive grains of dirt and sand.

Afterwards she reflects that our small deeds determine the course of our life. She tries to impress upon us that even the small evils and vices that we commit can lead to depths of sin. Likewise our little good deeds can make us very happy and turn this place into an image of the Paradise.

about Julia A. Carney

Chap#2 Q&A - Class 9th - English

Chapter-2 (Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed)

2. at the time of embracing Islam, what did Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed say to Hazrat Mohammed (SAW)?

Ans. At the time of embracing Islam, Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed requested the Hoy Prophet (SAW) to pray for his forgiveness by Allah. He also promised to devote his future life to the service of Islam.

3. What title was given t Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed by Hazrat Mohammed (SAW)? And why?

Ans. Hazrat Mohammed (SAW) gave him the title of ‘Saifullah’ which means the sword of Allah. He was given this title because he was very brave.

Chap#4 Q&A - Class 9th - English

Chapter-4 (Little Things)

1.       Explain the main idea of the poem.

Ans. Small things in life indicate great changes. We see that all big things are made up of small, minute components. The great seas are made up of tiny drops of water, in the same way this lovely land is made up of tiny grains of sand and dirt.

Likewise, little errors become big sins. Little deeds of kindness can console the broken hearts and bring happiness in this world.

2.       How do little deeds of kindness make our life happy?

Ans. Little deeds of kindness and little words of love can bring happiness to dejected hearts. Such words and deeds can make us dear even to our enemies and make is world a very happy place to live in.

Chap#3 Q&A - Class 9th - English

Chapter-3 (Kindness to Living Things

1.       Write a few lines on “Kindness is a great Virtue”.

Ans. Kindness is a great virtue. Kindness benefits both, the giver and the receiver. Islam teaches us to be kind with everyone and even with the animals. Kind words and deeds are a sure way of winning god’s grace.

2.       Why should we be kind to animals and birds? Do hey serve us? If so, in what ways?

Ans. Animals and birds serve us in various ways. We get milk and meat from animals like cows, goats and hens. We use the animals like horse, camel, donkeys and oxen for transportation. Therefore we should be kind to animals.

3.       Write an instance that you may have read about kindness to animals from the life of Hazrat Mohammed (SAW)

Ans. Once Hazrat Mohammed (SAW) saw a man treating his camel harshly. The Holy Prophet came back home but could not sleep all night. The next day the Holy prophet (SAW) met that man, purchased the camel and set it free.

Chap#1 Q&A - Class 9th - English

Chapter -1 (Hazrat Mohammed – The Greatest Reformer)

Answer these questions.

1.       Who is reformer?

Ans.  A reformer is one who brings about reforms in a society.

2.       What was the result of Hazrat Mohammed’s (SAW) teachings on the people of Arabia?

Ans. It was the result of Hazrat Mohammed’s (SAW) teachings that the savage, idol worshippers of Arabia became civilized people.

3.       What was the condition imposed on the prisoners of Battle of Badar?

Ans. The prisoners of Battle of Badar were asked to teach the children of Muslims to read and write. On this condition they would get freedom

4.       What was the condition of women before the advent of Islam?

Ans. Before the advent of Islam, women were treated in a very inhumane manner. Most of the girls were burnt or buried alive in their childhood.

5.       What was the system introduced by Hazrat Mohammed (SAW) to check injustice?

Ans. Hazrat Mohammed (SAW) introduced the judicial procedure to check injustice and cruelty. Judges were appointed to settle individual or party matters.