The Fountain . A poem . Questions Answers

 The Fountain (by James Russell Lowell )

[A] Central Idea of the Poem

The poem  describes the beauty , nature and activities of a fountain which can teach some valuable lessons to humans . Its motion influences the poet very much. It looks charming during day and night. It looks glad in all weathers. Its movements are 

natural and it cannot be tamed. It is untiring, ever-happy, ceaselessly aspiring, ever fresh and glorious. The poet also wishes to remain fresh, constant and upward like the fountain.

[B] COMPREHENSION

Read the following stanzas and answer the questions that follow :

[A] Into the sunshine,............ the winds blow!

Q1  How does the fountain appear in sunshine?

Ans : The fountain looks full of the light in the sunshine.

Q2 : Who is leaping and flashing?

Ans : The fountain is leaping and flashing. 

 Q3 : How does the fountain appear in moonlight?

Ans : In the moonlight the fountain looks whiter than snow. 

 Q4 : What is the colour of the fountain in moonlight?

Ans : The colour of the fountain is white in moonlight.

 Q5 : How is fountain’s movement different in moonlight and sunshine?

Ans : In the sunshine the fountain is leaping and flashing. It is full of energy while in the moonlight it looks whiter than snow. It is constant at night. 

 Q6 : What happens to the fountain when the winds blow?

Ans : When the winds blow, the fountain waves like a flower.

[B] Into the starlight......................... Never a weary.

Q1 : How can you say that the fountain is always happy?

Ans : The fountain is joyfully busy moving up all the whole day and night. It indicates that it is always happy. 

 Q2 : How can you say that the fountain is never tired?

Ans : The fountain is joyfully moving up all the whole day and night. It indicates that it is never tired. 

 Q3 : In which direction is the fountain moving?

Ans : The fountain is moving in an upward direction. 

 Q4 : Which qualities of the fountain are discussed here?

Ans : The qualities of the fountain discussed here are:

(i) always active, (ii) happy and cheerful,

(iii) going upward (iv) never tired 

 Q5 : What is meant by “still climbing heavenward”?

Ans : “still climbing heavenward” means that the fountain always climbs in the upward direction. 

 Q6 : Explain the movement of the fountain in starlight.

Ans : In starlight the fountain is happy rushing in spray.

[C] Glad of all....................... Ever the same.

Q1 : How does the fountain remain in motion?

Ans : The fountain remains blithesome and cheery in motion. 

 Q2 : In which direction does the fountain move?

(Ans : The fountain moves upward and downward. 

 Q3 : How can you say that the fountain remains glad in all weathers ?

Ans : The fountain is always busy in moving up and in moving down. It always appears to be at rest so we can say that the fountain remains glad in all weathers.

 Q4 : What does the poet mean by saying, “Motion thy rest”?

Ans : The fountain never takes rest. It always moves upward and downward. It always remains in motion. Motion itself is its rest.

 Q5 : “Changed every moment, ever the same.” Explain it.

Ans : “Changed every moment, ever the same”  means that although the fountain keeps on changing every moment but it looks ever the same. It is constant in every situation.

Q6 : What is meant by “nothing can tame”?

Ans : By “nothing can tame” is meant that the fountain is full of great energy and nothing can control it. 

 Q7 : How is the fountain “ever the same”?

Ans : The fountain remains “ever the same’’ in its nature and activities because water goes up and down with a measured quantity.

[D] Ceaseless aspiring,....................... Upward lie thee!

Q1 : Which qualities of the fountain are discussed here ?

Ans : The qualities of the fountain that discussed here are its brightness, freshness, unceasing movement and 

natural energy. 

 Q2 : What are the elements of the fountain?

Ans : Ceaseless aspiring, ceaseless content, darkness and sunshine are the elements of the fountain. 

 Q3 : What qualities of the fountain does the poet wish to adopt?

Ans : The poet wishes to adopt the qualities of freshness, changefulness and constancy. 

 Q4 : What does the poet advise us?

Ans : The poet advises us that we should keep ourselves always fresh and changing but steady. We should always look towards higher things. We should work hard from morning till night and should never feel tired. 

Q5 : What does the poet mean by using two contradictory words ‘changeful’ and ‘constant’ for the fountain?

Ans : Like the changeful fountain, we have ups and downs in our life, but we should move forward with firmness like the constant fountain.