Bihar Board Class 11 English Poem 7 – Village Song

Bihar Board Class 11 English Poem 7 Village Song is a beautiful poem by Sarojini Naidu. The poem presents the experience of a young village girl who is returning home with a pitcher of water. She becomes fascinated by the boatman’s song and delays her journey until darkness begins to fall.

As night approaches, the girl’s joyful mood changes into fear and anxiety. She thinks about snakes, evil spirits, the deep and fast-flowing Jamuna, storms and lightning. She also worries about her mother and brother waiting for her at home. In this difficult situation, she remembers God and asks for guidance and protection.

Bihar Board Class 11 English Poem 7 – Overview

Village Song – About the Poet

Sarojini Naidu was a famous Indian poet and freedom fighter. She is popularly known as the Nightingale of India because of the musical quality and lyrical beauty of her poetry.

Her poems frequently contain images of Indian life, nature, village scenes, festivals, colours, sounds and everyday experiences. Her poetic language is often musical and rich in vivid imagery.

In Village Song, she presents a simple rural situation but gradually turns it into an emotionally powerful experience. The poem combines the beauty of a village evening with the fear and uncertainty faced by the young girl.

Village Song – Summary

The poem describes a young village girl who is returning home after carrying a pitcher of water. She has to travel along a lonely path. While returning, she hears the beautiful song of a boatman.

The girl’s love for music makes her stop and listen to the song. She becomes so absorbed in the melody that she stays longer than she should. Her delay becomes important because darkness begins to fall while she is still on her way home.

As evening changes into night, the girl’s feelings change completely. The pleasant experience of listening to the boatman’s song is replaced by fear. She hears the calls of birds and the cry of the wild owl. The darkness around her makes the lonely journey frightening.

She begins to imagine various dangers. She fears that a snake may bite her because the moonlight is not bright enough to show the path. She also worries about evil spirits and other dangers that may be present in the darkness.

The girl then starts thinking about her family. She imagines that her brother must be worried because she has not returned home. She also imagines her mother crying and praying for her safe return.

Another major source of fear is the Jamuna. The girl knows that the river is deep and its water may be flowing rapidly. She worries about how she will safely cross or pass near it if a storm suddenly arrives.

Her fears increase when she thinks about storms and lightning. She wonders who will help her if a storm breaks suddenly and where she can take shelter from lightning.

At this point, she remembers God and repeatedly invokes “Ram Re Ram”. Her prayer shows her faith and her desire for divine protection. She asks God to strengthen her steps and guide her through the dangerous situation.

Thus, the poem moves from music and pleasure to darkness and fear, and finally from fear to faith and prayer.

Central Idea of Village Song

The central idea of Village Song is the changing emotional condition of a young village girl as she travels home after sunset.

At first, the girl is attracted by the boatman’s song and forgets the passage of time. As darkness falls, however, she becomes conscious of the dangers around her. Her imagination creates fears of snakes, evil spirits, the river, storms and lightning.

The poem also highlights the importance of family love and religious faith. Even while the girl is frightened for her own safety, she thinks about the worry of her mother and brother. Finally, she turns to God for protection.

Theme of Village Song

Change in the Girl’s Mood

The most important feature of the poem is the gradual change in the girl’s mood.

Why Does the Girl Stay Longer?

The girl stays longer on her way home because she becomes deeply attracted to the boatman’s song. The melody fascinates her so much that she forgets about the time and the distance still left to travel.

This decision is important to the poem because her delay causes her to travel during darkness. The beautiful song that initially brings her happiness eventually becomes connected with her anxiety because she has to continue her journey after nightfall.

Why Does the Girl Become Afraid?

The girl becomes afraid because darkness has fallen and she is travelling alone through a deserted area. The absence of sufficient moonlight makes it difficult for her to see the path clearly.

She imagines that a snake may bite her or that an evil spirit may harm her. She also becomes worried about the deep river, storms and lightning. The sounds of birds and the owl further increase the frightening atmosphere.

Importance of the Jamuna

The Jamuna is an important part of the poem’s setting. The girl knows that its water is deep and fast-moving. Therefore, the river becomes another source of anxiety when she is returning home late.

The river also contributes to the natural imagery of the poem. Along with darkness, storm and lightning, it makes the girl’s journey appear dangerous and uncertain.

Meaning of “Ram Re Ram”

“Ram Re Ram” is an expression through which the girl remembers God in a moment of fear and distress.

When she feels surrounded by danger, she seeks divine support. The expression therefore represents faith, prayer, fear and the hope for protection.

It also shows a familiar human response to danger: when a person feels helpless, he or she often turns towards God for courage and support.

Sounds Heard by the Girl

Poetic Devices in Village Song

Rhyme Scheme of Village Song

The poem has a strong musical quality, which is appropriate for its title and subject. Sarojini Naidu uses rhyming pairs and groups of rhyming words throughout the poem.

Some important rhyme pairs include carry–tarry, long–song, night–white, falling–calling, weep–deep, quickly–thickly, betide–hide–guide and sky–die.

The rhyme and rhythm make the poem sound like a song and strengthen its lyrical character. The musical form also creates an interesting contrast with the increasingly fearful situation of the girl.

A. Work in Small Groups and Discuss

Question 1. If you are returning home alone after dark without a torch, what dangers might worry you?

Answer: I may worry about snakes, insects, criminals, uneven paths and other dangers that are difficult to see in darkness. Travelling alone without a light can make a person feel unsafe and anxious.

Question 2. How do family members react when someone comes home late?

Answer: Family members usually become worried when someone returns late. They may fear that the person has faced an accident, danger or some unexpected problem on the way.

Question 3. Have you ever been rebuked for coming home late?

Answer: Yes. Parents or elders may rebuke a person for coming home late because they are concerned about safety and do not want the person to travel unnecessarily at night.

B.1 – Answer the Following Questions Briefly

Question 1. What was the speaker carrying?

Answer: The speaker was carrying a pitcher filled with water.

Question 2. From where was she carrying it?

Answer: She was carrying the pitcher along a long and deserted route while returning home.

Question 3. What made her stay longer on the way?

Answer: She became fascinated by the song of the boatman and stopped longer than she should have.

Question 4. How much passion did the girl have for the song?

Answer: She was deeply attracted to the boatman’s song. Its melody fascinated her so much that she delayed her journey home.

Question 5. Whose cry did she hear as night fell?

Answer: She heard the frightening cry of the wild owl as darkness began to fall.

Question 6. What thoughts came to her mind while returning?

Answer: She thought that a snake might bite her in the darkness. She also feared evil spirits, worried about her mother’s tears and her brother’s anxiety, and became concerned about the deep Jamuna, storms and lightning.

Question 7. What sounds did she hear on the way?

Answer: She heard the boatman’s song, the call of the white crane and the cry of the wild owl.

Question 8. How dangerous is lightning?

Answer: Lightning can be extremely dangerous and may cause serious injury or death. The girl therefore fears it and seeks God’s protection from such danger.

B.2 – Answer the Following Questions

Question 1. Who were anxiously waiting for her at home?

Answer: Her mother and brother were anxiously waiting for her because she had not returned home on time.

Question 2. What did she imagine her mother was doing?

Answer: She imagined that her mother was worried, crying and praying to God for her safe return.

Question 3. What did her mother know about the Jamuna?

Answer: Her mother knew that the Jamuna was deep and its water could be flowing rapidly, making the girl’s journey more dangerous.

Question 4. What were her final fears?

Answer: Her final fears were that a storm might suddenly break and that lightning might strike. She wondered who would help her and where she could hide from the danger.

Question 5. Who is “Thou” in the poem?

Answer: “Thou” refers to God. The girl asks God to guide her and give her strength during her difficult journey.

Question 6. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?

Answer: The poem uses a musical pattern of end rhymes. Important rhyming pairs include carry–tarry, long–song, night–white, falling–calling, weep–deep, quickly–thickly and betide–hide–guide. The pattern changes across the stanzas rather than following one simple scheme throughout.

C. Long Answer Questions

Question 1. How has the poet picturised the fall of night?

Answer: The poet presents the fall of night through a series of sounds, sights and fears. Darkness gradually covers the surroundings, and the girl finds herself travelling through a lonely area.

The call of the white crane and the cry of the wild owl make the atmosphere more mysterious. The absence of bright moonlight makes the path difficult to see. The girl starts fearing that a snake may bite her or that some evil spirit may harm her.

The possibility of a storm and lightning adds another layer of danger. Thus, the poet creates a vivid picture of night by combining darkness, natural sounds, uncertainty and the girl’s imagination.

Question 2. What does the expression “Ram Re Ram” suggest?

Answer: The expression “Ram Re Ram” suggests the girl’s remembrance of God in a moment of fear and helplessness.

She has delayed her journey because of the boatman’s song, but now darkness has surrounded her. She fears snakes, evil spirits, the deep river, storm and lightning. Her thoughts turn towards her worried family and finally towards God.

By repeating the name of God, she seeks courage and protection. The expression therefore represents faith, prayer, fear and hope.

Question 3. What homely images has the poetess used in the poem?

Answer: The poem contains several familiar rural images such as the boatman’s song, falling darkness, the white crane, the wild owl, soft moonlight, a possible snake, the river, storm and lightning.

These images make the poem realistic and closely connected with ordinary village life. They also help the reader experience the girl’s changing emotions. At first the boatman’s song gives her pleasure, while the later images of darkness, animals and storms create fear.

Question 4. How do your thoughts proceed when you perceive danger?

Answer: When a person suddenly perceives danger, the mind becomes alert and begins to imagine possible consequences. Fear can make even ordinary objects appear threatening.

The sensible response is to remain calm, identify the danger and look for a safe solution. One may seek shelter, call for help or move towards a safer place. In the poem, the girl responds to danger partly through fear and partly through prayer.

Question 5. Describe a storm based on your experience.

Answer: A storm can change the atmosphere very quickly. Strong winds may shake trees, damage buildings and make travelling difficult. Heavy rain can reduce visibility and make roads slippery. Lightning and thunder can make the situation even more frightening.

During a severe storm, people should remain indoors or move to a safe shelter. Trees, open fields and isolated structures should be avoided. The experience can be frightening, especially when travelling alone.

Meaning of Important Expressions

• Pitcher: A container used for carrying water.
• Tarry: To stay longer than necessary or delay.
• Fall of night: The time when darkness begins to appear.
• Wild owl’s cry: The frightening sound of an owl heard at night.
• Tender moonbeams: Soft and gentle rays of moonlight.
• Betide: To happen, especially something unexpected.
• Succour: Help or assistance in a difficult situation.
• Thou: An old form of “you”, used here while addressing God.
• Jamuna: The river that forms an important part of the poem’s rural setting.

Important Word Meanings – Village Song

Composition – Letter Writing

Question: Write a letter to your father describing how you were caught in a storm.

Answer:

Dear Father,

I hope you are well. I am writing to tell you about a frightening experience I had recently.

Last Sunday, I was returning home from the market when the weather suddenly changed. Strong winds began to blow and dark clouds covered the sky. Soon heavy rain started falling. There was no safe shelter nearby, so I had to move carefully along the road.

The road became slippery and it was difficult to continue. Thunder and lightning made the situation even more frightening. After some time, the storm became weaker and I finally reached home safely.

It was a frightening experience, but I learned that we should never take natural dangers lightly.

Yours affectionately,
Rakesh

Composition – Notice Writing

Question: Write a notice warning people not to stay near the riverbank after evening.

Answer:

Dictionary Practice

Some important words from the poem can have more than one meaning depending on their context.

Important Questions from Village Song

• Who wrote Village Song?
• Who is the speaker in the poem?
• What was the girl carrying?
• Why did the girl delay her return home?
• What attracted the girl on her way home?
• What happened when darkness began to fall?
• What sounds did the girl hear?
• Why did the girl fear a snake?
• Why was the girl worried about her mother?
• Why was her brother waiting anxiously?
• What does the Jamuna represent in the poem?
• Why was the girl afraid of the storm?
• Why is lightning dangerous?
• Who does “Thou” refer to?
• What does “Ram Re Ram” suggest?
• Describe the fall of night in the poem.
• Describe the changing mood of the girl.
• Discuss the theme of family love in the poem.
• Explain the role of nature in Village Song.
• Discuss the significance of the boatman’s song.
• Explain the importance of prayer in the poem.
• Describe the rural atmosphere presented by Sarojini Naidu.
• Write the summary of Village Song.
• Explain the rhyme and musical quality of the poem.
• Write a letter describing an experience during a storm.

Exam-Oriented Points – Village Song

How to Prepare Bihar Board Class 11 English Poem 7

1. Read the poem carefully and understand the girl’s journey.
2. Remember why she stays longer on the way home.
3. Learn the different sounds she hears.
4. Understand how darkness changes her mood.
5. Prepare the fears related to the snake, river, storm and lightning.
6. Remember the role of her mother and brother.
7. Understand the significance of “Ram Re Ram”.
8. Revise the poem’s important images and poetic devices.
9. Learn the important word meanings.
10. Practise short-answer and long-answer questions.
11. Prepare the letter and notice-writing exercises related to the poem.

Class 11 English Poem 7 – FAQs

Important Links

Conclusion

Bihar Board Class 11 English Poem 7 Village Song by Sarojini Naidu presents the journey of a young village girl who is returning home with a pitcher of water. Her attraction to the boatman’s song causes her to delay, and darkness catches her on the way.

The poem beautifully describes the girl’s changing emotions. Her initial joy changes into fear when she encounters darkness, lonely surroundings, the river and the possibility of storm and lightning. Her thoughts also reveal her deep affection for her mother and brother.

In the end, the girl turns towards God and seeks protection. For examination preparation, students should focus on the summary, central idea, changing mood of the girl, significance of “Ram Re Ram”, role of the boatman’s song, fall of night, important images, rhyme scheme, word meanings and textual questions and answers.