Dear Class 12 Samacheer Kalvi Students, here are the text book solutions to the Poem The Castle in Unit 1.
1. Based on your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.
a) Who is the narrator in the poem?
Answer: A soldier is the narrator of the poem.
b) How long had the soldiers been in the castle?
Answer: The soldiers had been in the castle all summer long.
c) Why were the soldiers in the castle fearless?
Answer: The soldiers in the castle were fearless because they believed that their castle was impregnable and they were well-prepared to defend it. It had high walls, a deep moat, and thick gates, which they believed made the castle invulnerable to attacks. Plus, they had enough food to sustain them in a siege.
d) Where were the enemies?
Answer: The enemies were half a mile away from the castle.
e) Why does the narrator say that the enemy was no threat at all?
Answer: The soldiers believed that the enemy was no threat at all because they felt completely secure and confident in their stronghold. The castle had thick walls, a deep moat, and secure gates, which the soldiers believed were impossible for the enemy to breach. They also had ample provisions to withstand a prolonged siege without fear of starvation. Their captain was brave and the soldiers were vigilant and on high alert, ready to defend their fortress at a moment’s notice. They were confident in their own abilities to repel any attack.
f) Did the soldiers fight with the enemies face to face?
Answer: No, the soldiers did not fight the enemies face to face. The castle was betrayed from within by a warder who let the enemies in for gold.
g) Who had let the enemies in?
Answer: A greedy warder had let the enemies in for gold.
h) How did the enemies enter the castle?
Answer: The enemies entered the castle through a private gate, which was opened for them by the greedy warder who betrayed the soldiers for gold.
i) Why were the secret galleries bare?
Answer: The secret galleries were bare because the soldiers had been betrayed and the enemies had already taken control of the castle, rendering the hidden passages useless for defense.
j) What was the ‘shameful act’?
Answer: The “shameful act” refers to the betrayal by the warder who accepted a bribe of gold to open the postern gate and let the enemies into the castle, leading to its downfall.
k) Why didn’t the narrator want to tell the tale to anybody?
Answer: The narrator didn’t want to tell the tale to anybody because it was a painful and humiliating experience. The betrayal and downfall of the castle were deeply shameful events, and the narrator likely felt a sense of guilt, sorrow, and disillusionment about the loss of their fortress and the betrayal by someone within their own ranks.
l) Why did the narrator feel helpless?
Answer: The narrator felt helpless because the soldiers were unable to prevent the betrayal that led to the downfall of their castle. Despite their confidence in the fortress’s defenses and their vigilance, they were ultimately unable to stop the enemy from breaching the castle walls. The sense of betrayal by someone from within their own ranks also contributed to their feelings of helplessness.
m) Who was the real enemy?
Answer: The real enemy was not an external force but rather the traitorous actions of the greedy warder who betrayed the soldiers for personal gain.
2. Read the poem again and complete the summary using the words given in box.
Stanzas 1–3
‘The Castle’ by Edwin Muir is a moving poem on the (1) capture of a well-guarded (2) castle. The soldiers of the castle were totally stress-free and relaxed. They were (3) confident of their castle’s physical strength. Through the turrets they were able to watch the mowers and no enemy was found up to the distance of (4) half-a-kilometer and so they seemed no threat to the castle. They had (5) plenty of weapons to protect them and a large quantity of (6) ration in stock to take care of the well-being of the soldiers inside the castle. The soldiers stood one above the other on the towering (7) watching to shoot the enemy at sight. They believed that the castle was absolutely safe because their captain was (8) brave and the soldiers were loyal.
Options:
half-a-kilometre | watching | castle | brave |
ration | capture | plenty | confident |
Stanzas 4–6
Even by a trick no one but the birds could enter. The enemy could not use a (9) bait for their entry inside the castle. But there was a wicket gate guarded by a (10) wicked guard. He (11) let in the enemies inside the famous citadel that had been known for its secret gallery and intricate path. The strong castle became(12) helpless and thin because of the greedy disloyal warder. The (13) citadel was captured by the enemies for (14) gold. The narrator (15) lamented over the (16) disloyalty of the useless warder and also decided not to disclose this (17) shameful story to anyone. He was (18) weak and wondered how he would keep this truth to himself. He regretted not finding any (19) weapon to fight with the (20) enemy called ‘gold’.
lamented | shameful | wicked guard | bait | let | gold |
weapon | citadel | weak | disloyalty | helpless | enemy |
3. Read the poem and answer the following in a short paragraph of 8-10 sentences each.
a) How safe was the castle? How was it conquered?
Answer: The castle initially seemed impregnable, boasting high walls, a deep moat, and ample provisions. The soldiers within its walls felt secure, confident in their fortress’s defenses and their own vigilance. However, the castle was ultimately conquered through betrayal from within. A greedy warder, tempted by the offer of gold, opened a private gate to let the enemy forces in. This act of treachery allowed the invaders to breach the fortress and overthrow the soldiers, leading to the castle’s downfall.
b) Bring out the contrasting picture of the castle as depicted in stanzas 3 and 5.
Answer: In stanza 3, the castle is depicted as a symbol of strength and security. It is described as having “high walls” and a “deep moat,” which create an image of impregnability. The soldiers within the fortress are vigilant and confident, believing themselves safe from any external threat. However, stanza 5 presents a contrasting picture of the castle after its fall. The once-mighty fortress is now described as “empty” and “bare,” with its secret galleries devoid of defenders. The betrayal by the warder has left the castle vulnerable and exposed, highlighting the contrast between its former strength and its current state of defeat and desolation.
c) Human greed led to the mighty fall of the citadel. Explain.
Answer: Human greed played a pivotal role in the mighty fall of the citadel depicted in Edwin Muir’s poem “The Castle.” The fortress’s downfall was not brought about by external forces but by the treachery of a greedy warder who succumbed to the temptation of gold. This act of betrayal allowed the enemy forces to breach the castle’s defenses and overthrow the soldiers within. The warder’s selfish desire for personal gain led to the destruction of the fortress and the loss of countless lives. The poem serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of greed and the devastating consequences it can have, not only for individuals but for entire communities and civilizations.
4. Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow in a line or two.
a) All through the summer at ease we lay,
And daily from the turret wall
We watched the mowers in the hay
i. Who does ‘we’ refer to?
Answer: We refers to the soldiers defending the castle.
ii. How did the soldiers spend the summer days?
Answer: The soldiers spent the summer days at ease, relaxing while still keeping an eye on the enemy who was stationed half a mile away.
iii. What could they watch from the turret wall?
Answer: The soldiers could observe the activity in the fields below from the turret wall. Specifically, they would watch the mowers as they cut down the hay and also keep an eye on the enemy who was half a mile away.
b) Our gates were strong, our walls were thick,
So smooth and high, no man could win.
i. How safe was the castle?
Answer: The castle seemed extremely safe, boasting strong gates and thick walls that were described as “so smooth and high” that no man could conquer them.
ii. What was the firm belief of the soldiers?
Answer: The firm belief of the soldiers was that their fortress was impregnable and that no enemy could breach its defenses.
c) A foothold there, no clever trick
Could take us dead or quick,
Only a bird could have got in.
i. What was challenging?
Answer: The challenging aspect described in this line is the difficulty of finding a way to penetrate the castle’s defenses.
ii. Which aspect of the castle’s strength is conveyed by the above line?
Answer: The above line conveys the aspect of the castle’s strength related to its formidable defenses. It suggests that the castle was so well-built and secure that even the most cunning or skilled intruder would struggle to gain entry.
d) Oh then our maze of tunneled stone
Grew thin and treacherous as air.
The castle was lost without a groan,
The famous citadel overthrown,
i. Bring out the contrast in the first two lines.
Answer: The contrast in the first two lines lies in the description of the castle’s tunnels. Initially, they are described as a “maze of tunneled stone,” implying complexity and solidity. However, the subsequent line states that they “Grew thin and treacherous as air,” suggesting that the tunnels became fragile and dangerous, contrasting sharply with their previous description.
ii. What happened to the castle?
Answer: The castle was ultimately lost, betrayed from within and overthrown by the enemy forces.
e) We could do nothing, being sold.
i. Why couldn’t they do anything?
Answer: Answer: They couldn’t do anything because they were betrayed and sold out by one of their own, a greedy warder who let the enemy forces in for personal gain.
ii. Why did they feel helpless?
Answer: They felt helpless because they were unable to prevent the betrayal and subsequent downfall of their fortress. Despite their best efforts to defend the castle, they were ultimately betrayed from within, leaving them powerless to stop the enemy forces from conquering their stronghold.
5. Explain the following with reference to the context in about 50-60 words each.
a) They seemed no threat to us at all.
Answer:
Reference: This line is taken from the Poem – “The Castle”, Poet – “Edwin Muir”.
Context: The narrator talks about their invincibility as opposed to their enemy.
Explanation: The soldiers initially perceive the enemy forces as insignificant and incapable of posing a threat to their fortress. Their confidence in the castle’s defenses leads them to underestimate the enemy’s capabilities, dismissing them as inconsequential.
b) How can this shameful tale be told?
Answer:
Reference: This line is taken from the Poem – “The Castle”, Poet – “Edwin Muir”.
Context: The narrator talks about the shame of being betrayed by their own forces.
Explanation: The narrator questions how they can bring themselves to recount the shameful tale of the castle’s downfall. The betrayal and subsequent loss of the fortress are deeply humiliating events that the soldiers may struggle to come to terms with.
c) I will maintain until my death
Answer:
Reference: This line is taken from the Poem – “The Castle”, Poet – “Edwin Muir”.
Context: The narrator talks about his belief that nothing could have been done to save the castle from greed.
Explanation: The narrator laments about losing the castle to the shameful act of greed by the watchman. He is of the firm belief that the castle was impenetrable and very well protected but nothing could be done by them to save it from being betrayed by a greed for gold.
d) Our only enemy was gold
Answer:
Reference: This line is taken from the Poem – “The Castle”, Poet – “Edwin Muir”.
Context: The narrator talks about the real enemy who lead to the downfall of the castle.
Explanation: The soldiers express their helplessness in the face of betrayal, as they were sold out by one of their own for gold. In the end, their only enemy was not man but the greed for money within their ranks that ultimately contributed to their downfall.
6. Read the poem and complete the table with suitable rhyming words.
Lay | Hay |
Thick | Quick |
Gate | Fate |
Air | Bare |
Stone | Groan |
Sold | Gold |
Wall | All |
Road | Load |
7. Underline the alliterated words in the following lines.
a) With our arms and provender, load on load.
b) A little wicked wicket gate.
c) The wizened warder let them through.
8. Identify the figure of speech used in the following lines.
a) A little wicked wicket gate.
Answer: Alliteration (repetition of the initial consonant sound ‘w’ in “wicked wicket”)
b) Oh then our maze of tunneled stone
Answer: Metaphor: (“maze of tunneled stone” metaphorically represents the intricate and complex structure of the castle’s defenses.)
c) Grew thin and treacherous as air.
Answer: Simile: ( treacherous as air comparison of the castle’s defenses to “air” using “as”)
d) How can this shameful tale be told?
Answer: Rhetorical Question: (The question is asked not to elicit an answer but to express the speaker’s distress.)
e) Our only enemy was gold,
Answer: Personification: Gold is given human attributes by being described as an “enemy”
9. Can you call ‘The Castle’ an allegorical poem? Discuss.
Yes, “The Castle” by Edwin Muir can be considered an allegorical poem. An allegory is a narrative that uses symbolic figures, events, or objects to convey a deeper meaning, often moral, political, or social. Here’s why “The Castle” fits this definition:
Allegorical Elements in “The Castle”
The Castle:
Literal Meaning: A physical fortress that is well-protected and seemingly impregnable.
Symbolic Meaning: Represents a state of security, stability, and trust.
The Soldiers:
Literal Meaning: The defenders of the castle who are confident in their strength and security.
Symbolic Meaning: Could represent the guardians of moral, social, or political integrity.
The Enemy:
Literal Meaning: External forces that pose a threat to the castle.
Symbolic Meaning: Represents external challenges or dangers that are often perceived but are not the real threat.
The Betrayal for Gold:
Literal Meaning: A soldier betrays the castle by accepting a bribe in the form of gold.
Symbolic Meaning: Gold symbolizes greed and corruption, indicating that the true downfall comes from within, through moral decay and betrayal by those trusted to protect.
“The Castle” uses its narrative to convey deeper moral and philosophical messages, making it an allegory. Through the story of a seemingly impregnable fortress brought down by internal betrayal, Edwin Muir explores themes of trust, integrity, and the corrupting power of greed. The poem’s symbols and their broader meanings align well with the characteristics of an allegory.
Listening
The Soldier
If I should die, think only this of me:
That there’s some corner of a foreign field
That is forever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam;
A body of England’s, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.
Rupert Brooke
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