A Photograph : ncert solution - class 11

Think it out.

1. What does the word 'cardboard' denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?

Ans:-The word 'cardboard' denotes the thin and hardboard made of paper pulp especially to keep the photograph intact. This word has been used to denote that the thin hardboard kept the photograph of that twelve years old who was mortal. But the cardboard seems immortal. Still shows the same photograph which creates somewhat terrible recollections.

2. What has the camera captured?

Ans:-The camera has captured a very beautiful photograph of the poet's mother when she was twelve years old. Two smiling faces of the girl cousins, Betty and Dolly holding the hands of the poet's Mother have also been caught by the camera. The hands of the poet's mother were being held in the hands of the two girls' cousins, Betty and Dolly.

3. What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you?

Ans:-The Sea has not changed over the years because it is immortal. It suggests that human beings are mortal. A man/woman who is young, will grow old and die at last. So we should not refuse to accept that death is the actual end of a person. A child who is born surely will die at the climax of his/her age.

4. The poet's mother laughed at the snapshot. What did this laugh indicate?

Ans:-The poet's mother laughed at the snapshot because it was taken at her young age. The scene of the photograph indicates that they (the poet's mother along with the girls’ cousins) were at the beach with their strange dresses. This laugh indicated their innocence of youthful days.

5. What is the meaning of the line "Both wry with the labored ease of loss."?

Ans:-"Both wry" indicates that both the poet and poet's mother are disappointed for the loss. Poet's mother has lost the passion and innocence of her younger days when the poet has lost her mother. So both bear the loss with ease.

6. What does "this circumstance" refer to?

Ans:-"This circumstance" refers to the necessary end in other words it is death. Death is a necessary end for the person. So the poet does not have to tell any more regarding the photograph which shows the younger girls at the beach. That has become a matter of the past that never comes back. Normally people don’t think about their necessary end which is death in their lifetime. Only a few, think of their mortality which is certain. It comes when time favors its arrival.

7. The three stanzas depict three different phases. What are they?

Ans:-The first stanza depicts the poet's mother as a young girl of twelve years with her smiling face paddling with two girls’ cousins. The second stanza mentions the middle age of the poet's mother when she used to laugh at her photograph. The third stanza describes the permanent silence (death) of the poet's mother which left an indelible impression over the recollection of the poet.