CBSE Class 11 English: Mother Tongue NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

CBSE Class 11 English, Chapter 6, 'Mother Tongue' NCERT Solutions explore the poem's rich symbolism and emotional depth. The solutions analyze the significance of the quill, representing the Sharade script and its vital role in safeguarding the Dogri language. They delve into the poet's palpable urgency, stemming from the dwindling number of native Dogri speakers and the pervasive influence of other languages. A key focus is the poet's profound emotional connection to her mother tongue, personified as a queen ('Shahni'), with the poet herself as her devoted servant. The extensive use of personification, portraying the mother tongue as royalty and the script as a humble maid, is examined. This literary technique vividly brings the poem to life, encouraging readers to champion their own native languages. These solutions aim to enhance students' comprehension of the poem's intricacies, aiding their exam preparation.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	6. Mother Tongue

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English, Chapter 6, 'Mother Tongue', focuses on understanding the poem's central themes and literary devices. It explains the symbolism of the quill as the Sharade script, crucial for the Dogri language. The solutions address the poet's urgency due to the language's declining usage and the impact of other languages. It also elaborates on the emotional connection to the mother tongue, illustrated through personification, where the language is a queen and the script a servant. The analysis of personification as a key literary technique used to convey these emotions is also covered.

Learning outcomes

Understand the symbolic meaning of the quill in the poem.
Analyze the reasons behind the poet's sense of urgency.
Identify and explain the poet's emotional attachment to her mother tongue.
Recognize and interpret the use of personification in the poem.
Appreciate the importance of preserving mother tongues and their scripts.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Symbolism of the quill
Sharade script
Dogri language
Language preservation
Poet's urgency
Emotional attachment to mother tongue
Personification
Literary devices in poetry
Mother tongue identity
Cultural heritage

Important topics

Symbolism of the quill
Urgency of language preservation
Use of personification
Emotional connection to mother tongue
Role of scripts in language survival

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

The quill is the central element of the poem – what does it symbolise?

Solution: The quill in the poem serves as a powerful symbol for the Sharade script. A script is fundamental for the propagation and preservation of any language. In this specific context, the poet emphasizes the importance of the Sharade script for her mother tongue, Dogri, which was originally written in Sharade but later transitioned to the Devanagari script for reasons not fully explained. The poet personifies the reed, requesting it to provide a quill, and the reed readily agrees, identifying itself as a servant of the 'Shahni' (Dogri language), just like the poet, and expressing its readiness to serve.

Question 2

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

Solution: The sense of urgency in the poet's request stems from her deep concern over the rapidly diminishing number of native speakers of the Dogri language and the significant influence exerted by other languages. The poet expresses anxiety that if the Dogri-speaking population does not actively contribute to serving the 'Shahni' (Dogri language), it might become too late to save the language from fading away.

Question 3

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

Solution: The poet beautifully conveys her profound emotional attachment to her mother tongue through the imagery and personification used in the poem. She elevates her mother tongue, Dogri, to the status of a queen ('Shahni') and portrays herself as a devoted maid in her service. The emotional intensity reaches its peak when the reed, symbolizing the script, instantly agrees to sacrifice itself by offering its 'hand' to be fashioned into a quill, demonstrating an ultimate act of devotion for the queen's service.

Question 4

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

Solution: The poet masterfully employs personification to imbue her mother tongue, Dogri, and its script, Sharade, with life and emotion. Dogri is personified as a queen ('Shahni'), while the Sharade script is depicted as a loyal maid in the form of a quill. The dramatic act of the reed cutting off its own 'hand' to serve the queen further animates the poem. This powerful use of personification not only makes the poem engaging but also serves to stir the reader's conscience, urging them to actively participate in the vital cause of saving and serving their own mother tongue.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting the symbolism of the quill.
Overlooking the urgency stemming from language endangerment.
Failing to connect the personification to the emotional depth of the poem.
Not understanding the role of the Sharade script in relation to Dogri.

Revision tips

Focus on the symbolism of the quill and its connection to language preservation.
Note the specific reasons for the poet's urgency regarding the Dogri language.
Identify examples of personification and explain how they enhance the poem's emotional impact.
Consider the relationship between the mother tongue, its script, and cultural identity.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the quill primarily symbolise in the poem 'Mother Tongue'?

Q2. What is the main reason for the poet's sense of urgency in the poem?

Q3. How does the poet personify her mother tongue?

Q4. The reed's willingness to offer its 'hand' for a quill highlights:

Q5. Which script is mentioned as being originally used for Dogri?

Frequently asked questions

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

The main theme of the poem 'Mother Tongue' is the deep emotional attachment to one's mother tongue and the urgent need to preserve it and its original script, exemplified by the Dogri language and the Sharade script.

What does the quill represent in the poem?

The quill represents the Sharade script, which is crucial for the propagation and preservation of the Dogri language. It symbolizes the tool through which the language can be written and remembered.

Why is the poet feeling a sense of urgency?

The poet feels an urgency because the Dogri language is facing a decline in its native speakers and is being overshadowed by other languages, making its preservation a critical concern.

How does the poem illustrate emotional attachment?

The poem illustrates emotional attachment through personification, where the mother tongue is treated as a queen ('Shahni') and the poet as a devoted servant, willing to make sacrifices for its cause.

What literary device is prominently used in the poem?

Personification is prominently used in the poem. The mother tongue (Dogri) is personified as a queen ('Shahni'), and the Sharade script is personified as a maid in the form of a quill.

What is the significance of the reed offering its 'hand'?

The reed offering its 'hand' to become a quill signifies the extreme sacrifice and dedication that is needed to serve and protect one's mother tongue and its script.

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