CBSE Class 8 English The Last Bargain Poem NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

CBSE Class 8 English Poem, Chapter 14, 'The Last Bargain' NCERT Solutions explore the speaker's quest for fulfilling work. The poem presents a series of rejected bargains, each offering something different: riches, power, and even love. The solutions analyze why the speaker turns down these seemingly attractive offers, highlighting his underlying desire for something more profound – true happiness and freedom. Through detailed explanations of key lines and stanzas, students can grasp the poem's central message about discerning true value beyond superficial gains like wealth or social standing. This guide aims to enhance understanding of the poem's themes and assist students in their exam preparation by focusing on the pursuit of meaningful engagement and personal contentment.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 14 The Last Bargain (Poem)

Chapter summary

Chapter 14, 'The Last Bargain' (Poem), NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English focuses on analyzing the poem's central theme: the search for fulfilling work and happiness. The solutions break down the speaker's encounters with different employers – the king, the old man, and the beautiful lady – and explain why each offer is ultimately rejected. It highlights the final, simple bargain with the child, which brings the speaker contentment. The exercises cover comprehension, interpretation of lines, and understanding the poem's message about true value.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the speaker in 'The Last Bargain'.
  • Analyze the reasons for the speaker rejecting different offers of employment.
  • Interpret the meaning of specific lines from the poem.
  • Understand the theme of finding true happiness and value.
  • Explain the significance of the final bargain with the child.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Speaker's search for work
  • Analysis of the king's offer
  • Analysis of the old man's offer
  • Analysis of the beautiful lady's offer
  • The final bargain with the child
  • Themes of happiness and fulfillment
  • Interpretation of poem lines
  • Understanding poetic devices

Important topics

  • The speaker's motivation
  • Rejection of material offers (wealth, power, love)
  • The meaning of the final bargain
  • The poem's central message on happiness

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Who is the speaker in the poem?
Solution: The speaker in the poem is an individual who is actively seeking employment. They are not just looking for any job, but for a 'bargain' that offers genuine satisfaction and happiness.

Question 2

"The king, sword in hand" suggests Mark the appropriate item in the context of stanza 1. (i) wealth (ii) power (iii) more power than wealth
Solution: In the context of stanza 1, "The king, sword in hand" primarily suggests (ii) power. The imagery of a king with a sword is a direct symbol of his authority and might.

Question 3

The old man offered the speaker a lot of money. Why did he turn down the offer?
Solution: The speaker turned down the old man's offer of a lot of money because he realized that money, while valuable, could not provide him with lasting happiness or a sense of fulfillment. He understood that once the money was spent or the work was completed, he would again be jobless and potentially bound by the terms of the bargain. He sought something more profound than mere monetary compensation.

Question 4

Find in the poem, lines that match the following. Read both one after another. (i) I have nothing to give you Except goodwill and cheer. (ii) Her happiness was no more Than sorrow in disguise. (iii) The king's might was not worth much.
Solution: Here are the lines from the poem that match the given statements:
  1. The line that matches "I have nothing to give you Except goodwill and cheer" is "I hire you with nothing." This implies a bargain based on simple goodwill rather than material exchange.
  2. The line that matches "Her happiness was no more Than sorrow in disguise" is "Her smile paled and melted into tears". This suggests that her apparent joy was fleeting and hid underlying sadness.
  3. The line that matches "The king's might was not worth much" is "But his power counted for naught". This indicates that the king's authority and strength were ultimately insignificant in the speaker's search for true value.

Question 5

How did the speaker feel after talking to the child on the beach?
Solution: After talking to the child on the beach, the speaker felt extremely happy and content. This final bargain, offered freely without any expectation of material gain, brought him the sense of joy and freedom he had been seeking.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the speaker's motivations for rejecting offers.
  • Misinterpreting the symbolic meaning of wealth, power, and beauty.
  • Overlooking the importance of the final bargain with the child.
  • Failing to connect the rejected bargains to the speaker's search for happiness.

Revision tips

  • Reread the poem carefully, paying attention to the descriptions of each employer.
  • Summarize the reasons for the speaker's rejection of each offer in your own words.
  • Focus on understanding the contrast between material offers and the speaker's desire for contentment.
  • Memorize the key lines provided in the solutions and their meanings.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Who is the speaker in 'The Last Bargain' poem?

Q2. Why did the speaker reject the king's offer of power?

Q3. What did the old man offer the speaker?

Q4. Why did the speaker refuse the old man's offer of money?

Q5. What does the line 'Her smile paled and melted into tears' suggest about the beautiful lady's offer?

Q6. What is the significance of the final bargain with the child?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the poem 'The Last Bargain'?

The main theme of 'The Last Bargain' is the search for true happiness and meaningful work, which cannot be bought with money, power, or even love, but is found in simple, unburdened moments.

Who is the speaker in 'The Last Bargain'?

The speaker is a person looking for employment who desires a bargain that offers genuine contentment and freedom, rather than just material compensation.

Why does the speaker reject the king's offer?

The speaker rejects the king's offer of power because he realizes that power alone cannot bring him happiness or a sense of fulfillment.

What does the offer from the old man represent?

The old man's offer represents the temptation of wealth. The speaker rejects it because he understands that money is temporary and doesn't guarantee lasting satisfaction or work.

What is the significance of the final bargain with the child?

The final bargain with the child is significant because it is the only one that brings the speaker true happiness and a sense of freedom, as it is offered freely without any binding conditions.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 8 students?

These solutions provide clear explanations for each question, helping students understand the poem's nuances, interpret its lines, and grasp the central themes for effective exam preparation.

Important links

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