CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words Poetry Chapter 6: Mother Tongue NCERT Solutions
CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words Poetry Chapter 6, 'Mother Tongue,' NCERT Solutions offer a deep dive into the poem's core themes. The solutions meticulously analyze the central symbol of the quill, illustrating its significance in representing the evolution of scripts and the enduring legacy of language. They further explore the poet's heartfelt connection to her mother tongue, Dogri, and her poignant sorrow regarding the decline of its original Sharade script. The explanations also emphasize the skillful employment of personification, a literary technique that imbues inanimate objects or abstract concepts with human characteristics, to effectively communicate the poem's underlying messages. These comprehensive analyses aim to equip students with a thorough understanding of the poem's intricacies, its literary devices, and to ensure robust preparation for their upcoming examinations.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English Woven Words Poetry |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 |
Chapter summary
Chapter 6, 'Mother Tongue,' of the CBSE Class 11 English (Woven Words) Poetry textbook focuses on the poet's deep connection to her native language and its script. The NCERT Solutions provided here analyze the symbolic meaning of the quill, the urgency expressed by the poet, and her emotional expression towards her mother tongue. It also examines the use of personification as a key literary technique within the poem, offering students a clear understanding of the text's deeper meanings and poetic devices.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the symbolic meaning of the quill in the poem 'Mother Tongue'.
- Analyze the reasons behind the poet's sense of urgency.
- Identify and explain the poet's emotional attachment to her mother tongue.
- Recognize and explain the use of personification in the poem.
- Appreciate the relationship between language, script, and cultural identity.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Symbolism of the quill
- Evolution of scripts
- Mother tongue attachment
- Linguistic depreciation
- Poetic tribute to Dogri language
- Use of personification
- Emotional expression in poetry
- Cultural identity and language
- Sharade script
- Devanagari script
- Literary analysis
- Understanding poetry
Important topics
- Symbolism of the quill
- Emotional attachment to mother tongue
- Use of personification
- Linguistic evolution and script change
- Poet's role as a servant of language
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Questions and Solutions
Question 1
In the poem 'Mother Tongue,' the 'quill' serves as a powerful symbol representing a new script. It signifies the transition and evolution of writing systems that languages undergo over time. The poem uses the example of the Dogri language, which originally used the Sharade script (evolved from Brahmi) and later adopted Devanagari. The poet, Padma Sachdev, laments the decline of the Sharade script. This concept of script evolution is further illustrated by the analogy of a reed plant, showing how one script can be replaced by another, carrying forward the legacy of language.
Question 2
The poet's request for the quill is marked by a distinct sense of urgency, as she asks the reed to provide it "quickly." This haste stems from her deep connection to her mother tongue, Dogri (referred to as 'Shahni'). She feels compelled to write down a thought or inspiration that has arisen, likely in Dogri, and needs the appropriate script immediately. The urgency reflects her role as a devoted servant of her language, eager to express herself and contribute to its literature without delay. The reed's response, offering its hand, further emphasizes the shared commitment to serving the mother tongue.
Question 3
Padma Sachdev, a celebrated Dogri poet, profoundly expresses her emotional attachment to her mother tongue through the poem 'Mother Tongue.' She grieves the depreciation and replacement of Dogri's native Sharade script by Devanagari, viewing it as a loss of cultural heritage. By using the analogy of the reed plant, she illustrates how scripts and languages evolve, often leading to the fading of older forms. The poet identifies herself as a 'servant' of the Dogri language, underscoring her dedication to its literature and preservation. Her compositions, though now written in Devanagari, are a testament to her enduring love and commitment to her mother tongue.
Question 4
Personification is skillfully employed in the poem 'Mother Tongue' to imbue inanimate objects with human characteristics. The poet addresses the reed plant and its stem as if they were sentient beings capable of understanding and responding to her needs. She requests a 'quill' from the reed, and the reed, in turn, is depicted as cutting off its own 'hand' to fulfill the request. This attribution of human actions and emotions to the reed allows the poet to convey her deep connection to nature and her urgent need for the script in a more evocative and relatable manner.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the literal meaning of 'quill' with its symbolic representation.
- Overlooking the cultural and linguistic context influencing the poet's emotions.
- Failing to identify specific instances of personification and their effect.
Revision tips
- Reread the poem 'Mother Tongue' after studying the solutions to reinforce understanding.
- Focus on the explanation of the quill's symbolism and its connection to script evolution.
- Pay close attention to how the poet expresses her emotional attachment to Dogri.
- Practice identifying personification in other poems after analyzing its use here.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What does the 'quill' primarily symbolize in the poem 'Mother Tongue'?
Explanation: The quill is presented as a symbol of a new script, representing the transition and evolution of writing systems for a language.
Q2. Why does the poet express a sense of urgency in her request?
Explanation: The urgency stems from the poet's desire to capture a thought in her mother tongue, Dogri, before it is lost, highlighting the importance of having the correct script.
Q3. The poet's emotional attachment to her mother tongue is evident through her:
Explanation: The poet expresses deep sorrow and attachment by mourning the loss and replacement of Dogri's original Sharade script with Devanagari.
Q4. Which figure of speech is used when the poet addresses the reed and its stem?
Explanation: Personification is used as the poet attributes human qualities and actions (like cutting off a hand) to the inanimate reed and its stem.
Q5. What does the poet call herself in relation to her mother tongue?
Explanation: The poet refers to herself as a 'servant' of her mother tongue, Dogri, indicating her dedication and commitment to its literature.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the poem 'Mother Tongue'?
The main theme is the poet's deep emotional attachment to her mother tongue, Dogri, and her concern over the loss of its original script, Sharade, due to linguistic evolution.
What does the 'quill' represent in the poem?
The 'quill' symbolizes a new script, representing the transition and evolution of writing systems that languages undergo over time.
How does the poet show her love for her mother tongue?
She expresses her love by lamenting the depreciation of the Sharade script, calling herself a servant of the Dogri language, and highlighting the importance of preserving its literary heritage.
What is personification and how is it used in 'Mother Tongue'?
Personification is giving human qualities to inanimate objects. In the poem, the reed and its stem are personified as they are asked for a quill and respond by offering a part of themselves.
Why is there a sense of urgency in the poet's request?
The urgency arises from the poet's desire to quickly jot down a thought in her mother tongue, emphasizing the immediate need for the appropriate script to express herself.
What is the significance of the Sharade script mentioned in the poem?
The Sharade script is the original script of the Dogri language, and its depreciation and replacement by Devanagari is a source of grief for the poet, highlighting the loss of cultural heritage.
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