English Kaliedoscope Class 12 Chapter 1 Questions and Answers - Free PDF Download
FAQs on NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English Kaliedoscope Chapter 1 A Lecture Upon The Shadow - 2025-26
1. How does the poet use the metaphor of shadows to explain the stages of a relationship in 'A Lecture Upon the Shadow'?
The solution to this NCERT question requires explaining two key stages of love through the metaphor of shadows.
- Morning Shadows (Infancy of Love): Initially, the shadows are long and produced by the lovers themselves. This represents the early phase of a relationship where doubts and secrets are created by the couple, hiding their true feelings.
- Afternoon Shadows (Decay of Love): If the love is not true, new shadows appear after noon. These represent falsehoods and deceptions that grow and eventually destroy the relationship. The absence of shadows at noon symbolises perfect, transparent love.
2. How should a student structure the answer for an NCERT question about the poem's structural form?
To provide a complete answer, you should explain that the poem is a 26-line metaphysical lyric poem divided into two stanzas. The structure is significant because it mimics a philosophical 'lecture'. The first stanza presents the argument about love's growth, while the second concludes with a warning about its decay. Mentioning the AABB rhyme scheme and the didactic tone is crucial for scoring full marks as per the CBSE 2025-26 evaluation pattern.
3. According to the NCERT textbook, how do the shadows before noon differ from those in the afternoon?
The correct solution involves highlighting the origin and meaning of the shadows.
- Shadows before noon: These are created by the lovers and represent the initial, manageable disagreements and secrets that are a natural part of a budding romance.
- Shadows after noon: These grow independently and are created by deception. They represent the falsehoods that arise when love begins to fail, ultimately blinding the lovers and ending the relationship.
4. Why does the poet call the poem 'A Lecture Upon the Shadow' instead of 'A Lecture Upon Love'?
This title choice is a key element for analysis in NCERT solutions. The poet focuses on the 'Shadow' to emphasize that the true nature of love is best understood by examining its imperfections and potential for decay. The 'Lecture' format suggests a formal, instructional tone, where the poet is not just expressing emotion but is teaching a profound lesson about love's fragility using the shadow as a central, analytical metaphor.
5. What is the significance of 'noon' in the poem, and how does it represent the highest point of love?
In the poem, 'noon' is the critical moment when the sun is directly overhead, causing all shadows to disappear. This symbolises the pinnacle of true and honest love, where all doubts, secrets, and misunderstandings have been resolved. In your answer, it is important to explain that this perfect state is fragile. If the love is not constant, new 'shadows' or problems will appear as the 'sun' of their love passes its peak.
6. What common mistake should be avoided when solving questions about the theme of love in this poem?
A common error is interpreting the poem as a simple romantic ballad. The correct approach for NCERT solutions is to analyse it as a metaphysical and philosophical argument. Your answer should focus on the intellectual logic, the progression of love's stages, and the use of the central conceit (the extended metaphor of shadows). Avoid a purely emotional interpretation and concentrate on how John Donne dissects the concept of love itself.
7. What is the central message or 'lecture' that the poet delivers in the poem?
The central message is a profound warning: love requires constant honesty and effort to survive. The 'lecture' teaches that unless love reaches a state of absolute truth (symbolised by noon), it is destined to decay. If lovers begin to deceive each other, their relationship will produce new, destructive shadows. The key takeaway is summarised in the line: 'Love's growth is victory, but his first minute, after noon, is night.'
8. How can one best approach the 'thinking about the poem' questions in the NCERT solutions for this chapter?
To effectively answer the analytical questions in this chapter, students should follow a clear, step-by-step method:
- First, identify and explain the central metaphor of shadows representing the stages of love.
- Next, analyse the poem's argument by breaking it down into its three parts: morning (growth), noon (perfection), and afternoon (decay).
- Finally, connect poetic devices like the 'lecture' tone and imagery to the overall philosophical theme. This structured approach is vital for crafting comprehensive answers that align with the CBSE evaluation criteria.
