Question

Ganga and Man
Ganga and Man



I am a Hindu, and each day I travel to the Ganges, or as I know it the Ganga, to bathe in its holy water. The Ganga flows through my veins as does the very blood of my body. The river is a gift from our goddess and is a symbol of my religion. I offer this poem as my song of praise for the Ganga and all that it gives to those of India each day.



Ganga and Man



I descend to earth

And rise from the frozen heights

Of Gangotri.

I quench the spiritual thirst

Of all of those who believe in me.

I welcome those who come to bathe in my water.



I stand in your loving waters

And pray that you bring me

Purification and lasting life.

I plunge my hands into your flow

And offer the drops back into your life-source.

May you too continue for eternity.



I journey through the mountains that touch the sky

And then meander through the fertile plains,

Answering the thirst of man, animal, and plant.

I bring today’s and tomorrow’s continued existence

For all who seek and ask for

A renewal from my waters.



I journey to your banks

With the ashes of those whom I love

And request that you soothe a broken heart.

I ask for the promise of redemption

And the forgiveness of past wrongs

For all men who believe in you.



I will continue my journey through India

Throughout eternity

For the millions who depend on me.

I ask you to honor me with your prayers and gifts

So that my people

Of this plain may flourish now and forever.


Constructed Response Question
How is the perspective of stanza four different from that of stanza five?

Use details from the passage to support your answer.

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Answer 1

In the fourth stanza, the perspective shifts to a more personal and emotional tone. The speaker expresses a deep connection to the Ganga through the act of bringing the ashes of loved ones to its banks. This reflects a sense of mourning and the desire for solace, as the speaker asks the river to "soothe a broken heart" and offers prayers for "redemption" and "forgiveness of past wrongs." The focus here is on individual grief and the hope for personal healing through the sacred waters, highlighting the intimate and spiritual relationship between the speaker and the river.

In contrast, the fifth stanza takes on a broader, more communal perspective. The speaker emphasizes the river's significance to "millions who depend on me," underscoring the Ganga's role as a life-giving force for all of society. This stanza expresses a collective plea for reverence and respect for the river, asking for prayers and gifts to ensure the flourishing of the people of the plains. Rather than a focus on personal loss and healing, this section highlights the ongoing relationship between the Ganga and the wider community, framing the river as a sustaining entity crucial for the survival and prosperity of many.

Overall, while the fourth stanza reveals a personal yearning for comfort and healing, the fifth stanza expands the focus to the communal impact and reverence for the Ganga, illustrating the dual relationships individuals have with the river: one that is deeply personal and another that is broadly societal.