CBSE Class 8 English Chapter 15 The School Boy NCERT Solutions
This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 8 English Poem, Chapter 15, 'The School Boy'. It delves into the contrasting emotions of a child, exploring the joy of a summer morning and the dismay experienced at school. The solutions help students understand the poem's themes, identify key phrases reflecting happiness and sadness, and interpret the child's feelings about school life. By analyzing the poem's imagery and the boy's perspective, students can grasp the essence of the poem and prepare effectively for their exams. These solutions offer clear explanations to enhance comprehension and analytical skills.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | English |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 15 The School Boy (Poem) |
Chapter summary
NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 8 English Poem 'The School Boy' (Chapter 15) focuses on analyzing the poem's emotional arc. It guides students to identify phrases expressing the child's initial joy in nature and the subsequent unhappiness and dread associated with school. The solutions clarify the meaning of specific lines and help students understand the poem's critique of a joyless, work-dominated school environment.
Learning outcomes
- Identify phrases reflecting happiness and joy in the poem.
- Recognize words and phrases that convey a change in mood.
- Interpret the meaning of figurative language used in the poem.
- Understand the child's perspective on school life and learning.
- Analyze the contrast between nature's freedom and school's confinement.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Poem Analysis
- Childhood Joy
- School Life
- Emotions in Poetry
- Figurative Language
- Stanza Interpretation
- Contrast in Mood
- Critique of Education
Important topics
- Identifying emotional contrasts
- Interpreting key phrases
- Understanding the child's perspective
- Analyzing the poem's central theme
PDF preview
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Questions and Solutions
Question 1
The first stanza of the poem beautifully captures the child's delight in a summer morning. The phrases that clearly reflect his happiness and joy are:
- 'love to rise in a summer morn' - This shows his eagerness and pleasure in waking up on a bright summer day.
- 'birds sing on every tree' - The cheerful sounds of birds contribute to the joyful atmosphere.
- 'the skylark sings with me' - This line personifies the experience, suggesting the child feels a shared sense of song and happiness with the skylark.
- 'sweet company' - This refers to the pleasant companionship of nature and perhaps other children, enhancing his joy.
Question 2
The second stanza marks a significant shift in mood from the joy of the morning to the unhappiness associated with school. The words and phrases that reflect this changed, somber mood are:
- 'it drives all joy away' - This directly states that the school experience eliminates happiness.
- 'spend the day in sighing and dismay' - This phrase vividly describes the child's state of constant sadness, regret, and distress throughout the school day.
Question 3
- the classroom which is shabby/noisy.
- the lessons which are difficult/uninteresting.
- the dull/uninspiring life at school with lots of work and no play.
The phrase 'A cruel eye outworn' refers to the overall experience of school life that is depicted as harsh and joyless. Among the given options, the most fitting interpretation is:
(iii) the dull/uninspiring life at school with lots of work and no play.
This option best captures the essence of the child's suffering, where the school environment and its demands ('lots of work and no play') make life feel 'cruel' and exhausting ('outworn').
Question 4
Which of the following is a close paraphrase of the lines above?
- Nor can I sit in a roofless classroom when it is raining.
- Nor can I learn anything at school though teachers go on lecturing and explaining.
- Nor can I sit in the school garden for fear of getting wet in the rain.
The lines 'Nor sit in learning's bower Worn thro' with the dreary shower' describe the child's inability to engage with learning due to the oppressive school environment. The closest paraphrase among the options is:
(ii) Nor can I learn anything at school though teachers go on lecturing and explaining.
Here, 'learning's bower' symbolizes the place of education (school), and the 'dreary shower' represents the continuous, monotonous, and uninspiring lectures or lessons that prevent the child from actually learning or finding joy in the process. The child feels worn out and unable to benefit from the instruction.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the child's joy in nature with his feelings about school.
- Misinterpreting figurative language and metaphors.
- Failing to identify the shift in the poem's tone.
- Overlooking the critique of the educational system implied in the poem.
Revision tips
- Read the poem aloud to feel the rhythm and emotional shifts.
- Focus on identifying specific words and phrases that convey happiness and sadness.
- Discuss the meaning of challenging lines with classmates or teachers.
- Try to relate the school boy's feelings to your own experiences or observations.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which phrase from stanza 1 best captures the child's delight in nature?
Explanation: While all options reflect joy, 'the skylark sings with me' directly personifies the child's experience of singing along with nature, indicating a deep connection and shared happiness.
Q2. In stanza 2, what is the primary emotion conveyed by the phrases 'it drives all joy away'?
Explanation: The phrase 'drives all joy away' clearly indicates a loss of happiness, leading to feelings of sorrow and unhappiness, which is the primary emotion conveyed.
Q3. The line 'A cruel eye outworn' (stanza 2) most closely refers to:
Explanation: This line refers to the overall dull and uninspiring life at school, characterized by excessive work and lack of play, making the experience unpleasant and 'cruel'.
Q4. What does the phrase 'dreary shower' in stanza 4 likely symbolize?
Explanation: The 'dreary shower' is a metaphor for the unending, uninteresting lectures and lessons that prevent the child from learning and enjoying his time, symbolizing the monotony of school.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of 'The School Boy' poem in Chapter 15?
The main theme of 'The School Boy' is the stark contrast between the joy and freedom a child experiences in nature and the unhappiness, boredom, and dread associated with attending school.
Which phrases in the poem show the boy's happiness?
Phrases like 'love to rise in a summer morn', 'birds sing on every tree', 'the skylark sings with me', and 'sweet company' reflect the boy's happiness and joy in nature.
What does the boy dislike about school, according to the poem?
The boy dislikes the dull, uninspiring life at school, the excessive work with no play, the feeling that learning is a burden, and the general atmosphere that drives away joy.
How do the NCERT Solutions for this chapter help students?
These solutions help students understand the poem's meaning, interpret its lines, identify key emotions and themes, and analyze the poet's message about childhood and education.
What is the significance of the 'cruel eye outworn'?
The 'cruel eye outworn' refers to the oppressive and monotonous school environment that drains the child's spirit and joy, making the experience feel harsh and unbearable.
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