Poetry
5. Fear (Khalil-Gibran)
2. Annotate ANY TWO of the following in about 100 words each. [2×4 =8marks]
a) It is said that before entering the sea
a river trembles with fear.
b) And in front of her, she sees an ocean
so vast, that to enter there seems
nothing more than to disappear forever.
c) The river cannot go back. Nobody can go back.
To go back is impossible in existence.
d) it’s not about disappearing into the ocean,
but of becoming the ocean.
4. Answer any two of the following questions in about 100 words each. [2×4 =8marks]
a) What is the central idea of the poem Fear?
b) What does ‘nobody can go back’ mean in the poem Fear? Explain from your point of view.
c) How can one overcome fear? Explain.
d) What does the line “The river needs to take the risk of entering the ocean” mean? Discuss.
Introduction: These lines are taken from the Poem ‘Fear’ written by Khali Gibran.
About the Poet: Khalil Gibran is a Lebanese – American writer. He became famous for his book “The Prophet”, which is a collection of Philosphical essays. He wrote both in Arabic and English.
Context: The poem ‘Fear’, expresses a philosophical understanding of overcoming fear. The speaker thinks of the image of a river flowing into the sea.
Explanation: The poem ‘Fear’ gives us a glimpse of how a river feels. When it travels through mountains and plains to merge with an ocean. He talks about her fear directly. The speaker discusses the fear that human beings encounter too.
The river may have traveled difficult paths before entering the ocean, yet it trembles with fear at the sight of the vastness of the ocean.
And in front of her, she sees an ocean so vast, that to enter there seems nothing more than to disappear forever. The fear takes hold of its thoughts. It seems that nothing can come out of it other than her losing itself. Still, that is the only option left for it. The river cannot go back. Nobody go back. To go back is impossible in existence. Thus, it has to strive forward as it is time to face its greatest fear. Its not about disappearing into the ocean, but of becoming the ocean. You call it risk but that is truth.
The speaker discusses the fear that human beings encounter too. Even for a man there is always the fear of the unknown and being lost in it. The speaker suggests that people need to accept the fact that there is no other option but to move forward and meet the world. One can conquer fear only by taking risks and striving ahead without looking back at the past. The speaker says the end of the journey is an act of merging with the supreme soul of where we all originate.
Conclusion: Thus, the poem touches on a variety of themes. The fear of anxiety of losing oneself, and the Journey of life, till death are among the poem’s major themes and to overcome fear.
OR
Introduction: These lines are taken from the Poem ‘Fear’ written by Khali Gibran.
About the Poet: Khalil Gibran is a Lebanese – American writer. He wrote both in Arabic and English.
Context: The poem ‘Fear’, expresses an understanding of overcoming fear. The speaker thinks of the image of a river flowing into the sea.
Explanation: The poet talks about how a river feels when it travels through mountains and plains to merge with an ocean. He talks about her fear directly. He compares human beings to river. Even for a man their is always fear of the unknown and being lost in it. Their is a desire to revisit the past and to go back that is impossible in existence. The poet suggests that people need to accept the fact, that their is no other options but to move forward and meet the world. As a result, people must take risk and believe in themselves.
Conclusion: The message of the poem is overcoming fear.
