The echoes bound to a joyful sound; But shrink from voicing care. 1. What idea do we get from the opening lines?

Question

Read the lines from the poem ‘ Solitude’ and answer the questions that follow. 

Laugh, and the world laughs with you, Weep, and you weep alone; 

For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth But has trouble enough of its own Sing, and the hills will answer; 

Sigh, it is lost on the air

The echoes bound to a joyful sound; But shrink from voicing care.

1. What idea do we get from the opening lines? 

2. Even the earth is indifferent to human suffering. Identify lines that hint this idea? 

3. Life is a mixture of joy and sorrow. How differently do people react to reach each of them? 

4. Pick out a word that means ‘ desire.

Answer 1

1. In the present day world, people are only interested in sharing happiness and joy with others. Sorrows are to be faced alone. This shows selfishness. 

2. For the sad, old earth must borrow its mirth, 

3. There are many to share a person’s joy but none to comfort him/ her during his/ her unhappy moments. 

4. Mirth