Page 1 :
Extended Activity, Standard VIII, , KITE VICTERS ONLINE CLASS SUPPORT MATERIAL, Class: 8, , Subject: English, , Unit: 4, Flowers & Showers, , Work Sheet: 27, Class 40, 41 & 42, , Topic: Song of a Flower, , Review and Assignments based on Victers Online Class, Previous Assignments and their possible answers based on Victers class, Dear students,, The Previous assignments were dealt in the last worksheet., Review and Assignments based on Victers Online Class 40, 41 & 42 ‘Song of a Flower’ by Kalil Gibran, Dear students,, Hope you all watched the classes based on the poem ‘Song of the Flower’ by Khalil Gibran. If not click on the, images below to watch the videos of the classes 40,41 & 42., UINIT 4, Flowers & Showers, , UINIT 4, Flowers & Showers, , Song of a Flower, By Kalil Gibran, , Song of a Flower, By Kalil Gibran, , Song of a Flower, By Kalil Gibran, , UNIT 4, FLOWERS AND SHOWERS, , Unit 4, Flowers & Showers is based on the theme ‘Nature’. The sub themes are, Communion with nature, healing power of nature, harmony in nature and, significance of little things in nature. This unit is meant to promote love of, nature and the need for harmonious co-existence among all living beings,, human values and social ethics. The unit highlights the message that it is the, responsibility of every living being to protect and preserve nature. Mutual love, and respect promotes, peaceful co-existence. Man has sublime lessons to learn from nature, especially, the grandeur of sacrifice that the other creatures do for man. But are really we, aware of this nobility? Nature gives us strength, hope, peace,contentment and, remedies for all our problems. So we must make efforts to know nature and do, what is good for it. The very essence of the unit ‘Flowers and Showers’ is that, nature plays a d ominant role in the life of man, as a curing force. The, expression ‘Flowers’ stands for vegetation and living beings, and the word, ‘showers’ stands for the powerful elements that influence life., , Song of a Flower, Song of the Flower speaks about the life cycle of a flower and its experiences. The, flower in the poem stands for all that we experience in life-joy, sorrow, bitterness,, victory, etc. It teaches us how to deal with life’s struggles - to learn from our past, and face the future with confidence and hope. Khalil Gibran metaphorically, suggests that everything in nature has a soul and self that makes their existence, meaningful. The flower in the poem is a representative of every aspect of nature., , Prepared by: Johnson T P, HST, CMS HS, Mundiappally, Thiruvalla

Page 3 :
Extended Activity, Standard VIII, , gave birth, reared, breeze, eventide, bidding, farewell, decorate, , -, , bear a child or young (ജന്മം നല്‍കുക, പ്രസവിക്കുക), bring up and care for (a child) until they are fully grown (പോറ്റിപ്പുലർത്തുക), a gentle wind (മന്ദമാരുതൻ), the end of the day; evening (സന്ധ്യ‍), utter (a greeting or farewell) to (വിടചൊല്ലുക), used to express good wishes on parting (യാത്രാമോഴി), make (something) look more attractive by adding extra items or images to it, (മോടിപിടിപ്പിക്കുക, അണിയിച്ചൊരുക്കുക), , scented, fragrance, embrace, slumber, eyes of Night, eye of the day, hearken, wreath, , -, , impart a pleasant scent to (സുഗന്ധം പരത്തുക‍), a pleasant, sweet smell (സുഗന്ധം), hold (someone) closely in one's arms, especially as a sign of affection (ആലിംഗനം ചെയ്യുക), sleep (നിദ്ര), Stars and moon (രാത്രിയുടെ കണ്ണുകൾ, നക്ഷത്രങ്ങളും, ചന്ദ്രനും), sun (പകലിന്റെ ദൃഷ്ടി, സൂര്യന്‍), listen (കാതോർക്കുക), an arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring and used for decoration, (പുഷ്പ ചക്രം), , Let’s Recap, , Prepared by: Johnson T P, HST, CMS HS, Mundiappally, Thiruvalla

Page 4 :
Extended Activity, Standard VIII, , ACTIVITY 1, Prepare a short Profile of Khalil Gibran using the hints given below, Name, , :, , Gibran Khalil Gibran., , Born, , :, , 6 January 1883, Bsharri, Lebanon., , Nationality, , :, , Lebanese and American., , Parents, , :, , Kamila Gibran (M), Khalil Gibran(F)., , Occupation, , :, , Writer, poet, visual artist, philosopher., , Major Works :, , The Prophet, The Madman, The Broken Wings., , Died, , 10 April 1931, Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center, New York,, , :, , United States., Gibran Khalil Gibran, Gibran Khalil Gibran, the Lebanese-American poet was born on 6 January 1883 in, Bsharri, Lebanon. He was the son of Khalil Gibran and Kamila Gibran. Besides a, poet, he is also famous as a writer, visual artist and philosopher. His major works, include ‘The Prophet’, ‘The Madman’ and ‘Broken Wings’. The great Lebanese poet, died on 10 April 1931 at Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centre in New York, Unites, States, , Prepared by: Johnson T P, HST, CMS HS, Mundiappally, Thiruvalla

Page 5 :
Extended Activity, Standard VIII, , ACTIVITY 2, Read the poem ‘Song of a Flower’ and answer the following questions., 1. Who is the speaker in the poem?, Ans: The speaker in the poem is a flower., , 2. What is called the ‘kind word uttered by nature’?, Ans: Flower., , 3. Why does the poet say that the flower is kind?, Ans: Flower represents all the goodness in nature. So it is called as the kind word., , 4. Where does the star fall from?, Ans: From the blue tent (from the sky., , 5. What does the expressions ‘blue tent’ and ‘green carpet’ refer to?, Ans: ‘Blue tent’ refers to the blue sky and ‘green carpet’ refers to the earth lush with vegetation., 6. Which seasons are mentioned in the first stanza?, Ans: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn., , 7. How are the seasons related to the life of the flower?, Ans: Winter conceived it, Spring gave birth to it, Summer reared it and in Autumn it passes away., In Winter the formation of the buds, In Spring the blooming of the flower, in Summer flower is in full bloom, and in Autumn the petals of the flower fall away., , 8. What does the flower do at dawn?, Ans: At dawn the flower unites with the breeze and announces the coming of the light., , 9. What does the flower do at dusk?, Ans: At dusk, it joins with the birds and bids farewell to the light., , 10. Which word in the stanza means dusk?, Ans: Eventide. It means dusk or evening., , 11. How does the flower make the world beautiful?, Ans: The flower decorates the plain with vibrant colours and fills the air with its enchanting fragrance., , 12. When does the eyes of night watch over the flower?, Ans: When the flower embraces slumber, the eyes of night watches over the flower., , 13. What does the flower drink?, Ans: Dew., , 14. What does the flower listen to?, Ans: The flower listens to the voices of the birds., , 15. How does the grass sway?, Ans: The grass sways rhythmically. The flower too dances rhythmically to the swaying of the grass., , 16. “I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow” How does the flower become a part of joy and sorrow?, Ans: Flower is used on both joyous and sorrowful occasions like wedding and death ceremonies. Thus it, becomes a part of joy and sorrow., , 17. The flower considers itself as ‘the last gift of the living to the dead’ Why?, Ans: The flower considers so because it is used as a wreath to be placed on a coffin., , 18. “But I look up high to see only the light, And never look down to see my shadow” What does shadow and light stand for?, Ans: ‘Light’ stands for the brighter side of life and ‘shadow’ stands for the past failures in life., , 19. What is the flower used as?, Ans: The flower is used as the ‘lover’s gift’, as ‘a wedding wreath’ and as ‘the last gift of the living to the, dead.’, , 20. What is the flowers vision?, Ans: See only the light and never look down to see the shadow., , 21. What does the flower symbolise? Explain., Ans: The flower symbolises kindness, beauty, fragrance, love-all the bright things in nature. It also symbolises, the experiences we have in our life-joy, sorrow, failure, victory, etc., , 22. Quote some instances in which the flower becomes part of joy and sorrow., Ans: Wedding (joy), funeral (sorrow), , 23. Read the last stanza of the poem once again. What are the two contrasting ideas presented in it? Do you, think the poet is optimistic? Why?, Prepared by: Johnson T P, HST, CMS HS, Mundiappally, Thiruvalla

Page 6 :
Extended Activity, Standard VIII, , Ans: The light is contrasted with the shadow. Yes, the poet is optimistic. The attitude of the flower represents, the poet’s optimism. The flower likes to see only the light and not the shadow., , 24. What do you think is the mood of the poem - happy, sad, humourous or philosophical? Why?, Ans: Happy and philosophical. The poem reflects upon the themes of life and death and imparts the wisdom, that man must always look for light., , ACTIVITY 3 (Refer Activity 1 on Page No. 133), Read the poem again and complete the following notes. One hint is given for you., I. What does the flower say about itself?, Ans:, , • a kind word uttered and repeated by the voice of nature, • ‘a star fallen from the sky’, • ‘daughter of the elements’, • ‘was conceived by winter’, , II. What are the everyday activities that the flower is engaged in?, Ans:, , • announce the coming of light, • ‘bid the light farewell., • ‘decorate the plains with beautiful colours’, , III. Who watches over the flower?, Ans:, , • ‘eyes of Night’, , IV. How does the flower enjoy nature?, Ans:, , • I drink dew, • ‘listen to the voice of the birds’, • ‘dances to the rhythmic swaying of the grass’, , V. What is the flower used as?, Ans:, , • as the lover’s gift, • wedding wreath, • wreath for the dead body, • memory of a moment of happiness, , VI. What is the flower’s vision?, Ans:, , • see only the light, • ‘never look down to see my shadow’, , ACTIVITY 4, Read the lines from the poem you studied earlier., “The harsh thunder of imperial power, Would fade into sleep, Like a sunset’s crimson splendour”, “The train charging along, like troops in a battle”, What is the Figure of Speech used here?, It is ‘Simile’, What is a ‘Simile’?, ഉപമ: രണ്ടു കാര്യങ്ങളെ തമ്മില്‍ നേരിട്ട് താരതമ്യം ചെയ്യുന്ന അലങ്കാരമാണ് ഉപമ., അതിനായി ‘as’ അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ ‘like’ എന്ന പദം ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നു., ‘ഒന്നിനോടൊന്ന് സാദൃശ്യം ചൊന്നാല്‍ ഉപമയാമത്., ഉദാ: മന്നവേന്ദ്രാ വിളങ്ങുന്നു, ചന്ദ്രനെപ്പോലെ നിന്‍ മുഖം, , Read the following lines. (Refer Activity 2 on Page No. 134), “I am a kind word uttered and repeated, By the voice of Nature;”, Prepared by: Johnson T P, HST, CMS HS, Mundiappally, Thiruvalla

Page 7 :
Extended Activity, Standard VIII, , Here the flower is considered as ‘a word uttered by Nature’. This is an example of a metaphor., A metaphor is a figure of speech that develops a hidden comparison between two objects that share, something in common. It is different from a simile where the comparison is drawn using like or as’, രൂപകം: അവർണ്ണ്യത്തോട് വർണ്ണ്യത്തിന്നഭേദം, ചൊൽക രൂപകം, താരതമ്യം ചെയ്യുന്ന വസ്തുക്കൾ തമ്മില്‍ യാതൊരു വ്യത്യാസവും ഇല്ലന്ന് കല്പിക്കുന്ന, അലങ്കാരമാണ് രൂപകാലങ്കാരം., e.g. Flower is a kind word uttered by the voice of nature., , Pick out more examples for ‘Metaphor’ from the poem., Ans:, , 1) I am a star., 2) I am the daughter of the elements., 3) the eyes of the night, 4) the eye of the day, , Write what the following metaphors imply. One is done for you., Ans:, , Metaphors, , What they mean, , 1. My father is a rock., , 1. My father is a very strong or strict person., , 2. Your eyes are like the sun., , 2. Very clear and reflects objects., , 3. The lawn is a green carpet., , 3. The grass-covered lawn looks like a carpet., , 4. He drowned in a sea of grief., , 4. He was extremely sad., , 5. She is fishing in troubled waters., , 5. She is taking advantage of adverse situations., , 6. He is the apple of my eye., , 6. He is very dear to me., , 7. My brother was boiling mad., , 7. My brother was very angry., , 8. Her voice is music to his ears., , 8. Her voice is melodious like music, , Attempt writing your own examples of metaphors., Ans:, , Prepared by: Johnson T P, HST, CMS HS, Mundiappally, Thiruvalla

Page 9 :
Extended Activity, Standard VIII, , Appreciation of the poem ‘Song of a Flower’, Song of the Flower is a very beautiful poem about nature and its relationship with living, beings. Khalil Gibran metaphorically suggests that everything in nature has a soul and self, that makes their existence meaningful. The flower in the poem is a representative of every, aspect of nature., The flower says that it is a kind word uttered and repeated by the voice of nature. It is a star, fallen from the sky. The poet uses the expression 'the blue tent’ to refer to the sky. The four, seasons have their roles in the life of the flower. Winter conceives it, spring gives birth to it,, summer rears it and in autumn it has its eternal sleep., The flower identifies its role as very significant. It announces the coming of light in the, morning and bids farewell to it in the evening. It decorates the plains with beautiful colours, and fills the air with fragrance. Days and nights shower love, care and affection on the, flower. It enjoys nature to the brim. It drinks dew for wine, sings with the birds and dances, rhythmically with the swaying of the grass. The beautiful images of nature make the poem, quite appealing. The flower becomes a part of both joy and sorrow, as it is used on the, occasions of wedding as well as funeral., The poem ends in a philosophical note. The flower is optimistic. It loves to look up high to, see only the light and never looks down to see the shadow. This is the wisdom that man must, learn. The poem is rich in similes and metaphors that make it quite enjoyable to the readers., , Do these assignments and send it to your class Whats app group., Thank you. Stay Home, Stay Safe & Study Well, , Prepared by: Johnson T P, HST, CMS HS, Mundiappally, Thiruvalla, , Prepared by: Johnson T P, HST, CMS HS, Mundiappally, Thiruvalla