Complete Summary and Solutions for A Lecture Upon the Shadow – NCERT Class XII KALEIDOSCOPE English Elective, Chapter 1 – Poetry Summary, Explanation, Questions, Answers
Detailed summary and explanation of Chapter 1 'A Lecture Upon the Shadow' from the NCERT Class XII KALEIDOSCOPE English Elective textbook, covering the poem's theme, literary devices, interpretation, and analysis—along with all NCERT questions, answers, and exercises.
Updated: 4 weeks ago
A Lecture Upon the Shadow
John Donne | Kaleidoscope Poetry - Ultimate Study Guide 2025
Introduction to Poetry - Kaleidoscope
A poem is a composition in verse, usually characterised by concentrated and heightened language in which words are chosen for their sound and suggestive power as well as for their meaning, and using techniques such as rhythm and metre. To read and hear good poetry is to appreciate the subtleties of cadence and rhythm, the variety of pace and pattern and all that goes to make up the music of poetry.
Every poem that we read adds to, in some degree, our total conception of poetry.
Of the eight poets in this selection, four are from the classical tradition: Donne, Milton, Blake and Coleridge. The other four are closer to contemporary times: Yeats, A.K. Ramanujan, Emily Dickinson and Kamala Das.
Key Elements of Poetry
- Language: Concentrated, heightened, sound-focused for evocative effect.
- Techniques: Rhythm, metre, suggestive power to create musicality.
- Appreciation: Cadence, pattern, and the 'music' that elevates emotion and intellect.
- Traditions: Classical (e.g., Donne's metaphysical wit) vs. Contemporary (e.g., Das's confessional intimacy).
Points to Ponder
- How does reading Donne alter your 'total conception of poetry' through its intellectual surprise?
- Compare classical and contemporary voices: What unites them in the 'music of poetry'?
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