Question

Over the green and yellow rice-fields sweep the
shadows of the autumn clouds followed by
the swift-chasing sun.

The bees forget to sip their honey; drunken with
light they foolishly hover and hum.

The ducks in the islands of the river clamour in
joy for mere nothing.

Let none go back home, brothers, this morning,
let none go to work.

Let us take the blue sky by storm and plunder
space as we run.

Laughter floats in the air like foam on the flood.

Brothers, let us squander our morning in futile
songs.

–“84,”
Rabindranath Tagore

What are the effects of the imagery used in this poem? Check all that apply.

The reader can visualize the fields.
The reader can imagine the humming sound of the bees.
The reader can feel a bee sting.
The reader can imagine the sounds of laughter.
The reader feels what playing an instrument is like.

Answer 1

Select these as effects of the imagery:

- The reader can visualize the fields. — “green and yellow rice-fields” and sweeping shadows create strong visual imagery.
- The reader can imagine the humming sound of the bees. — “hover and hum” evokes auditory imagery.
- The reader can imagine the sounds of laughter. — “Laughter floats in the air” creates an aural image.

Do not select:
- The reader can feel a bee sting. — no sting is described.
- The reader feels what playing an instrument is like. — no instrument or playing is mentioned.