CBSE Class 11 Woven Words: Mother Tongue NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

CBSE Class 11 Woven Words poetry chapter 'Mother Tongue' NCERT Solutions explore the profound connection Padma Sachdev shares with her mother tongue, Dogri. The poem uses the 'quill' as a powerful symbol for changing scripts, with the poet expressing deep concern over the potential disappearance of older scripts like Sharada. She urgently calls for a new script to adequately express her thoughts in Dogri, reflecting her emotional attachment to the language. The solutions analyze the poem's use of personification, where the mother tongue is depicted as a 'Shahni' (mistress) and poets as her devoted servants, underscoring the responsibility to nurture and preserve one's native language. This detailed analysis aims to help students understand the poem's themes and prepare thoroughly for their examinations.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	Woven Words
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	14. Mother Tongue - (Poetry)

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Woven Words focus on the poem 'Mother Tongue'. It unpacks the symbolic meaning of the quill, the poet's urgent plea for a new script to preserve her thoughts in Dogri, and her profound emotional connection to her mother tongue. The solutions also analyze the effective use of personification in depicting the relationship between the poet, her language, and its script. This resource aids students in understanding the poem's themes and literary devices.

Learning outcomes

Understand the symbolism of the quill in the poem.
Analyze the poet's sense of urgency and its reasons.
Explain the emotional attachment to the mother tongue.
Identify and explain the use of personification in the poem.
Appreciate the relationship between language, script, and identity.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Symbolism of the quill
Evolution of scripts
Mother tongue preservation
Poet's emotional attachment
Personification in poetry
Dogri language and script
Padma Sachdev's poetry
Themes of language depreciation
Literary devices in poetry
Understanding poetry

Important topics

Symbolism of the quill
Emotional attachment to mother tongue
Use of personification
The urgency for script evolution
Poet's duty towards language

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Questions and Solutions

Q1

The quill is the central element in the poem—what does it symbolise?

Solution: The quill in the poem is not just a literal writing instrument but a powerful symbol representing the evolution of scripts. It signifies the need for a new or adapted script that can adequately express the nuances of a mother tongue. The poet uses the example of the Dogri language's script evolution, from the ancient Brahmi script to Sharada, and then to Devnagri, to illustrate how scripts change over time. The poet's lament for the loss of the Sharada script, using the analogy of a reed plant, emphasizes her concern for the preservation of her mother tongue's unique identity through its script.

Q2

You notice a sense of urgency in the poet's request—what is the reason for this?

Solution: The poet's sense of urgency stems from her deep desire to capture her creative thoughts and expressions in her mother tongue, Dogri, before they fade away. She feels a pressing need for a new script to do justice to these productive ideas. This urgency is also a reflection of her dedication as a servant to her language; she wants to fulfill her duty without delay. The personified stem of the reed plant understands this urgency and readily offers its 'hand' (representing the quill/script) to the poet, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between a writer and her language.

Q3

How has the poet brought out her emotional attachment to her mother tongue?

Solution: The poet, Padma Sachdev, expresses her profound emotional attachment to her mother tongue, Dogri, by grieving its depreciation over time. She compares this connection to the deep bond between a child and a mother. The poem reflects her sorrow as languages evolve, decay, and old scripts are replaced, leading to the potential loss of linguistic heritage. This emotional response underscores her deep-seated love and sense of responsibility towards her mother tongue and its cultural significance.

Q4

Personification is a figure of speech that attributes human qualities to inanimate things and abstract ideas. How has it been used in this poem?

Solution: Personification is effectively used throughout the poem to illustrate the poet's intimate relationship with her mother tongue. The poet addresses her mother tongue, Dogri, as 'Shahni' (mistress), portraying it as a revered entity that supports writers. She further describes herself and other poets as servants dedicated to serving this 'queen' language. The reed plant is also personified, willingly offering its 'hand' to become a quill. This use of personification humanizes the abstract concept of language and script, emphasizing the poet's devotion and the reciprocal relationship between the creator and the medium of expression.

Common mistakes

Confusing the quill with a literal writing instrument rather than its symbolic meaning.
Underestimating the emotional depth of the poet's connection to her mother tongue.
Failing to recognize the personification of the mother tongue and its implications.

Revision tips

Focus on the central symbol of the quill and its evolving meaning.
Identify instances of personification and explain how they enhance the poem's message.
Reflect on the poet's emotional state and her connection to her mother tongue.
Consider the historical context of script evolution as mentioned in the solutions.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the 'quill' primarily symbolize in the poem?

Q2. Why does the poet express a sense of urgency for a new script?

Q3. The poet addresses her mother tongue as 'Shahni', which means:

Q4. What is the main theme the poet, Padma Sachdev, grieves in the poem?

Q5. How does the poem illustrate the relationship between poets and their language?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main message of the poem 'Mother Tongue'?

The poem 'Mother Tongue' by Padma Sachdev conveys a deep emotional attachment to one's mother tongue and laments the depreciation of languages and scripts over time, urging for their preservation.

What does the 'quill' symbolize in the context of the poem?

The 'quill' symbolizes a new script or writing system that the poet urgently needs to record her thoughts in her mother tongue, representing the evolution and adaptation of language.

Why is the poet in a hurry to get a new script?

The poet is in a hurry because she has productive thoughts in her mother tongue (Dogri) that she wants to record immediately, fearing they might be lost if not written down promptly.

How does the poem use personification?

The poem personifies the mother tongue as a 'Shahni' (mistress) and poets as her servants, illustrating the deep devotion and duty felt towards one's native language.

What is the significance of the poet mentioning the Sharada script?

The mention of the Sharada script highlights the historical evolution of scripts and the poet's lament for older, possibly dying, scripts that were once integral to her mother tongue.

How do these NCERT solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear explanations of the poem's symbolism, themes, and literary devices, helping students understand the text deeply and prepare effectively for exams.

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