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Class 11 Alternative English Chapter 2 When Autumn Came (Poem)
–Faiz Ahmed Faiz
About the Poet:
Faiz Ahmed Faiz was a renowned Urdu poet, born on 13 February 1911 in Sialkot. He received his education at Government College, Lahore, where he developed a strong interest in literature and poetry. He began his career as a teacher and later served in the army during World War II.
After the partition, he settled in Pakistan and worked as a journalist and editor. He was deeply involved in progressive movements and raised his voice for social justice and human rights. Due to his political views, he was imprisoned for some years.
Faiz’s poetry beautifully combines themes of love with ideas of resistance and hope. His notable works include Naqsh-e-Faryadi and Zindan-Nama. He was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962. He passed away on 20 November 1984 in Lahore, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Urdu literature.
Word Notes
Autumn: The season marked by dryness, decay, and the falling of leaves; symbolises decline and sadness.
Withered: Dried up and lifeless; lacking freshness or vitality. Moan of protest: A faint cry of pain or suffering that goes unheard or ignored.
Ebony: Dark black colour; used to describe the bare, dark trunks of trees.
Naked: Bare or uncovered; here it refers to trees without leaves.
Exiled: Forced to leave or driven away from one’s home or place.
Herald: To announce or signal the coming of something.
Herald dreams: Symbolic expression for birds whose songs bring beauty, hope, and imagination.
Scatter: To spread or throw in different directions.
Trampled: Crushed underfoot without care or attention.
Gift of green: The return of greenery and life, symbolising renewal and spring.
God of May: A symbolic figure representing spring, rebirth, and new life.
Passion of resurrection: Strong force of renewal and revival after death or decay.
Dry spell: A period without rain; symbolises lifelessness and harsh conditions.
Rejuvenate: To make fresh, active, or alive again.
Desolation: A state of emptiness, loneliness, and destruction.
Summary:
The poem “When Autumn Came” by Faiz Ahmed Faiz presents autumn as a harsh and destructive force rather than a gentle seasonal change. The poet uses strong and painful imagery
to show how nature suffers during this time. Trees are left bare like “ebony bodies,” and their fallen yellow leaves are compared to lifeless forms that are crushed underfoot without any
protest. This creates a sense of helplessness and silent suffering.
The birds, which usually bring music and joy, are shown as being driven away and silenced. Their exile adds to the atmosphere of stillness and emptiness. Through such images, the poet not only describes the condition of nature but also suggests a deeper meaning. Autumn becomes a symbol of oppression, where beauty, voice, and life are suppressed by a powerful force.
However, the poem does not end in complete despair. The poet turns to the “God of May,” representing spring and renewal, and pleads for the return of life. His wish that “one bird may sing” reflects a small but meaningful hope. Thus, the poem moves from sorrow to a quiet sense of optimism, suggesting that after suffering, renewal is always possible.
Comprehension: Textual Question-Answers
Ⅰ. Answer these questions in one or two words.
1. With what does the poet compare the yellow leaves?
Ans: The poet compares the yellow leaves to lifeless, dried forms of nature lying silently on the ground without any sign of protest.
2. Who remains undisturbed by the ‘single moan of protest’?
Ans: The fallen leaves remain unaffected by any faint cry of protest.
3. Who are exiled from their song in autumn?
Ans: The birds are driven away from their songs in autumn.
4. With whom does the poet plead for mercy?
Ans: The poet appeals to the God of May for mercy.
5. What does the poet mean by the ‘gift of green’?
Ans: It refers to the return of spring that restores greenery and life to the trees.
Ⅱ. Answer these questions in a few words each.
1. What happens to the leaves in autumn?
Ans: In autumn, the leaves dry up, turn yellow, fall from the trees, and spread across the ground.
2. What do you understand by the expression ‘ebony bodies naked’?
Ans: It means that the trees stand bare without leaves, showing their dark trunks and branches.
3. What does the poet mean by ‘birds that herald dreams’?
Ans: It refers to birds whose sweet songs bring beauty, imagination, and inspiration.
4. How does autumn affect the birds’ lives?
Ans: Autumn forces birds away from their homes and silences their songs, leaving them weak and lifeless.
5. Why does the poet invoke the God of May?
Ans: The poet calls upon the God of May to restore life, bring back greenery, and revive nature.
Ⅲ. Answer these questions in detail.
1. How does the poet describe the helplessness of the trees in autumn?
Ans: The poet shows that trees suffer greatly during autumn as their leaves fall and scatter, spoiling their beauty. Although the fallen leaves seem to express silent pain, no one notices or responds, revealing the trees’ helpless state.
2. How does the poet create the impression that autumn is a time of silence?
Ans: The poet presents autumn as silent by showing that birds, once full of song, are now quiet and absent. Their disappearance removes all sound, creating a still and lifeless atmosphere.
3. How does the poem represent the trees as human entities?
Ans: The poem gives trees human qualities by describing them as having bodies and feelings. Their leaves are shown as hearts, and their suffering is expressed like human pain.
4. Do you think that, despite the dismal mood of the poem, it expresses the poet’s hope for a positive change?
Ans: Yes, the poem ends with hope. The mention of “green” suggests renewal and new life, showing that a brighter phase will follow the sadness of autumn.
5. Why does the poet associate God of May with the ‘passion of resurrection’? Why does he say ‘Let one bird sing’?
Ans: The poet links the God of May with renewal because May symbolizes spring and new life. His wish for one bird to sing shows a desire for even a small sign of hope to return.
Ⅳ. Answer these questions in your own words.
1. How does the poet depict autumn through a series of images of violence?
Ans: The poet uses harsh imagery to show the damage caused by autumn. Trees appear stripped and exposed, their leaves crushed underfoot, and birds driven away and silenced, suggesting destruction and suffering.
2. Describe the poet’s distinctive treatment of nature as reflected in the poem.
Ans: The poet treats nature as human, showing it capable of feeling pain and loss. Trees appear vulnerable, and birds seem like victims, creating sympathy and highlighting the cruelty of the season.
3. How does the poem express the poet’s faith that autumn can only temporarily disturb life in the world of nature?
Ans: Though autumn is shown as harsh and destructive, the poet’s appeal to the God of May suggests renewal. This indicates that the effects of autumn are temporary and life will return with spring. 0 0 0
Additional Questions and Answers
Ⅰ. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What happens to the leaves during autumn in the poem?
(a) They become greener
(b) They turn yellow and fall
(c) They grow rapidly
(d) They remain unchanged
Ans: (b)
2. How are the trees described in autumn?
(a) Full of flowers
(b) Covered with fruits
(c) Bare and exposed
(d) Bright and colourful
Ans: (c)
3. What do the yellow leaves symbolize in the poem?
(a) Happiness
(b) Wealth
(c) Lifelessness
(d) Growth
Ans: (c)
4. What happens to the birds in autumn?
(a) They sing more
(b) They build nests
(c) They are silenced and driven away
(d) They become stronger
Ans: (c)
5. What does the phrase ‘ebony bodies naked’ refer to?
(a) Birds without feathers
(b) Dark, leafless trees
(c) Black clouds
(d) Wet soil
Ans: (b)
6. Why does the poet mention the God of May?
(a) To complain about autumn
(b) To seek renewal and life
(c) To describe summer
(d) To praise winter
Ans: (b)
7. What does the ‘gift of green’ suggest?
(a) Wealth and money
(b) Fresh leaves and renewal
(c) Darkness
(d) Silence
Ans: (b)
8. What is the overall mood of the poem?
(a) Joyful
(b) Romantic
(c) Gloomy and sorrowful
(d) Humorous
Ans: (c)
9. What literary device is used when trees are described as having bodies and hearts?
(a) Simile
(b) Personification
(c) Metaphor
(d) Irony
Ans: (b)
10. What does the poet wish for at the end of the poem?
(a) Endless autumn
(b) Complete silence
(c) Return of life and song
(d) More falling leaves
Ans: (c)
11. What deeper idea is conveyed through the image of leaves being trampled without protest?
(a) Strength of nature
(b) Beauty of autumn
(c) Helpless suffering and neglect
(d) Growth of trees
Ans: (c)
12. Why are birds described as being ‘exiled from their song’?
(a) They forget how to sing
(b) They choose silence
(c) Autumn deprives them of their natural expression
(d) They move to cities
Ans: (c)
13. What does the poet suggest by saying ‘Let one bird sing’?
(a) Only one bird exists
(b) A small sign of hope is enough
(c) Birds are rare
(d) Silence is better
Ans: (b)
14. How does the poem primarily portray autumn?
(a) As a gentle transition
(b) As a joyful celebration
(c) As a harsh and destructive force
(d) As a peaceful season
Ans: (c)
15. What is the significance of invoking the God of May in contrast to autumn?
(a) To compare two seasons
(b) To highlight fear of winter
(c) To express hope for rebirth and renewal
(d) To describe mythology
Ans: (c) 0 0 0
