CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 14: The Last Bargain - NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by · Updated on

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 14, 'The Last Bargain,' presents a thoughtful exploration of the speaker's journey to find fulfilling work. The NCERT Solutions delve into the poem's core message, examining why the speaker rejects offers of riches, power, and even pleasant company. It highlights his underlying desire for true happiness and autonomy, revealing that his ultimate goal isn't material gain but a sense of purpose. The solutions meticulously break down each stanza, illuminating the symbolism and the speaker's evolving perspective on what constitutes a worthwhile exchange. This detailed analysis aims to enhance students' comprehension of the poem's profound themes and equip them for academic success by providing clear insights and interpretations.

Home

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish Honeydew
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 14

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions focus on the poem 'The Last Bargain'. Students will explore the speaker's journey as he seeks work and encounters different individuals offering various forms of compensation – gold, power, and affection. The solutions analyze why each offer is ultimately rejected, emphasizing the speaker's desire for something more profound than material gain or superficial connection. Key aspects covered include identifying the speaker, interpreting symbolic offers, and understanding the poem's central message about true happiness and freedom.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the speaker in 'The Last Bargain' and their motivations.
  • Analyze the significance of the different offers made to the speaker.
  • Interpret the poem's themes of wealth, power, love, and happiness.
  • Understand the speaker's ultimate realization about true contentment.
  • Relate lines from the poem to specific meanings and situations.
  • Explain the speaker's feelings after interacting with the child.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • The Last Bargain poem analysis
  • Speaker's identity and motivation
  • Analysis of different bargains (money, power, love)
  • Theme of happiness and freedom
  • Symbolism in the poem
  • Interpretation of poem lines
  • Understanding the child's role
  • Poetic devices and language

Important topics

  • Speaker's search for meaningful work
  • Rejection of material and power-based offers
  • The ultimate bargain with the child
  • The poem's message on true happiness
  • Analysis of specific stanzas and lines

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …
Page of
Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Who is the speaker in the poem?
Solution:

The speaker in the poem is a person who is seeking employment. He describes himself as a daily wager, someone who works for a day's pay and is looking for a meaningful engagement that offers more than just monetary compensation.

Question 2

"The king, sword in hand" suggests

wealth (i) (ii)

power

more power than wealth

(iii)

Mark the appropriate item in the context of stanza 1.
Solution:

The phrase "The king, sword in hand" directly implies that the king possesses significant authority and command. Therefore, the most appropriate choice is (ii) power.

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 while money could be earned, it couldn't guarantee genuine happiness or lasting fulfillment. He understood that once the gold coins were spent or the work was completed, he would be back to seeking employment, potentially feeling trapped by the bargain. He desired something more profound than mere financial gain.

Question 4

Find in the poem, lines that match the following. Read both one after another.

I have nothing to give you Except good will and cheer. (i) Her happiness was no more Than sorrow in disguise.

(ii)

The king's might was not worth much.

(iii)

Solution:

Here are the lines from the poem that match the given statements:

(i) The line that matches "I have nothing to give you Except good will and cheer" is: 'I hire you with nothing.'

(ii) The line that matches "Her happiness was no more Than sorrow in disguise" is: 'Her smile paled and melted into tears'.

(iii) The line that matches "The king's might was not worth much" is: 'But his power counted for naught'.

Question 5

How did the speaker feel after talking to the child on the beach?
Solution:

After talking to the child who was playing with seashells on the beach, the speaker felt a profound sense of happiness and contentment. He realized that this interaction was a true bargain because the child offered companionship and joy without demanding anything in return, and the speaker felt he lost nothing by engaging with the child. This encounter brought him the peace and fulfillment he had been seeking.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting the speaker's reasons for rejecting offers.
  • Confusing superficial gains (money, power) with true happiness.
  • Failing to connect specific poem lines to their intended meaning.
  • Overlooking the child's interaction as a significant turning point.

Revision tips

  • Read the poem carefully to understand the narrative flow.
  • Focus on the speaker's feelings and evolving understanding in each stanza.
  • Analyze the symbolism behind each offer (king, old man, child).
  • Practice matching poem lines to their contextual meanings.
  • Summarize the poem's central message in your own words.

Practice MCQs

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

Q2. What did the old man offer the speaker in the first bargain?

Q3. Why did the speaker reject the old man's offer of money?

Q4. The king's offer in the poem suggests:

Q5. What realization did the speaker have after talking to 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 or power, but is found in simple, selfless companionship.

Who is the speaker in 'The Last Bargain'?

The speaker is a person looking for work, a daily wager, who goes through several encounters seeking a fair bargain for his labor.

Why does the speaker reject the offers of the king and the old man?

The speaker rejects the king's offer of power and the old man's offer of money because he realizes these bargains do not bring him true happiness or lasting satisfaction; he would still feel bound or jobless.

What does the child represent in the poem?

The child represents innocence, selfless joy, and the kind of happiness that is freely given and received, without any expectation of gain or obligation.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear explanations of the poem's content, themes, and specific lines, aiding students in understanding the text thoroughly and preparing for exams.

What is the significance of the 'last bargain'?

The 'last bargain' is with the child, representing the realization that true happiness and contentment come from simple, unburdened connections, not from wealth or power.

Important links

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.