A Nation's Strength - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Nation’s Strength

The poem Nation’s Strength is written by an American essayist, lecturer and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 25, 1980. His original profession and calling was as a Unitarian minister. He left the ministry to pursue a career in writing and public speaking. Emerson became one of America's best known and best loved 19th century figures. His works include over 1500 published essays, lectures and poems.  His writing style is seen as profound. Emerson's essays remain among the linchpins of American thinking, and Emerson's work has greatly influenced the thinkers, writers and poets that have followed him.

 In this poem, Emerson uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convince the reader that the strength of a nation is not in its wealth or military prowess but its people. Neither does it depend upon heaps of wealth or gold.  He says that real strength of a nation lies in the men of character. These men up hold the cause of honour and truth; they remain united and face hardships for long period of time. Such men are brave, truthful, stead fast, self respecting and hard working. They do not care about their personal loss. They sacrifice their individual interest in the larger interest of their nation. They work while others enjoy a sound sleep. They bear every trial with courage. They dare and remain steadfast while others run away. They lay the foundation of a nation very deep and thus take nation to the highest point of glory.

Blessings of God - Summary

Blessings of God

This poem, more popularly known by the title All Things Bright and Beautiful, is written by an Irish hymn-write and poetess Cecil Frances Alexander. She was born in Dublin in April 1818. Her poetry is religiously inspired. She wrote hymns and religious songs for children. Her book ‘Hymns for Little Children’ became very popular and her compositions were included in Church of Ireland’s hymn books. This poem along with others is known by hear to millions of Christians across the world.

This poem is a hymn of high degree. The poetess eulogizes about the God. She enumerates some of the blessings of god which we take as granted. She exhibits His splendor and magnificence by telling that all beautiful and bright things, wonderful and wise creatures reflect the Godliness. She says that little flowers in multitude of colors and birds with tiny wings have beautified this world. The third stanza of the poem gives natural scenery in words. Purple headed mountains, the running rivers, the scene of sunset and sunrise speak volumes of greatness of God Almighty. The cold winter, the pleasant summer sun and the ripe fruits are the subject matter of the fourth stanza. The tall trees, the meadows and the tiny plants across the river are matchless and scenic blessings of God.

"Nature is the beautiful handwriting of God"

The last stanza carries a thought provoking notion. The poetess says Our Benefactor has blessed us with eyes to see His wonderful creations. He has given us lips to speak high of God Almighty therefore we should be thankful to our Creator for His countless blessings upon us. We should praise the god in our prayers and sings His hymns.

My Mother

This charming and moving poem was composed by Ann Taylor (1782 to 1866). She was born In England. She belonged to an extensively literary family. She is best known and remembered as a poetess, hymn writer and children's author. She collaborated with her sister Jane Taylor, who wrote the famous poem Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Their work was usually for children and had moral lessons in it. Together they published ‘Original Poems for Infant Minds’ and ‘Hymns for Infant Minds’.

The poem expresses the natural devotion between a mother and her child. Ann Taylor pays rich tributes to her mother for her endless love. The poetess recalls her childhood in most striking and simple words. She recalls that her mother used to be at her side during infancy. She remembers that her mother used to dress her in nice and fancy clothes.  It was her mother who taught her how to play. Her mother always understood what she wanted to say even when she couldn’t speak. Ann remembers that her mother was always there when she had any trouble. Her mother picked her up from each of her falls and kissed her to make the pain go away.

Towards the end of the composition the poetess is mindful of her duty towards her mother. She pledges that she will not leave her mother alone when she has grown old and frail. The poetess vows that she will take care of her mother with the same love and care as her mother did when she was young and fragile. 

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

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.