Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Literature Part 22

Stanza IX

What is the "fragrant story" of the Western mining camp? The tribute that the incident related in the poem pays to the magical power of d.i.c.kens as a story writer.

Why is it called a "fragrant story"? The author poetically conceives of it as being laden with the fragrance of the fir, the pine, and the cedar--a sort of "incense" to the memory of the "Master".

What is incense? The odours of spices and gums burned in religious rites.

What poetic idea does the author express in the last two lines? The hopvines of Kent are represented as uniting with the pine, fir, and cedar in sending forth their fragrance as incense.

What is the meaning, then, of the whole stanza?

Let the fragrance of the pine, the cedar, and the fir, mingled with the odours of the Kentish hopvines, be as incense to the memory of the "Master".

Stanza X

Does the poet mean that the grave of d.i.c.kens is literally adorned with oak, holly, and laurel wreaths? No; he is speaking figuratively.

What do these typify? The tributes of admiration, reverence, and love that are paid to the memory of d.i.c.kens in his own country.

Of what is each emblematic? The oak is emblematic of England, the life of whose people he so vividly depicted; the holly suggests his charming Christmas stories; the laurel signifies his mastery of the art of writing.

What does the poet mean by "This spray of Western pine"? This poem was written in the Western World, as a tribute to the memory of the great novelist.

What personal characteristic does the poet show in the third line? A sense of humility, which leads him to suggest that this poem is unworthy of a place among the tributes paid to the name and fame of the great artist.

Stripped of its figurative significance, what is the meaning of the whole stanza? To the many tokens of love and admiration that are offered to the memory of d.i.c.kens, may I be permitted to add this poem--a Western tribute to the worldwide influence of the famous author.

RECONSTRUCTION

Tell the story of the poem in your own words.

In a canon of the Sierras, a group of rough miners were gathered about a camp-fire. Around them stood the stately pines, above which the moon was slowly rising; below, at the bottom of the canon, a river sang, as it threaded its way among the boulders; and, far in the distance, the mountains reared their snow-covered summits to the evening sky. The flickering camp-fire played strange tricks upon those gathered round it, for it gave to the care-worn faces and bent forms of the miners the appearance of freshness and health.

One of the miners, a mere youth, opened his pack, drew therefrom a copy of d.i.c.kens' _Old Curiosity Shop_, and began to read aloud. At once, all other occupations were suspended, and everybody drew near to listen to the story. The whole camp yielded itself to the fascination of the tale, and in its absorbing interest they forgot themselves and their surroundings, their ills, their hards.h.i.+ps, and their cares. One might almost fancy that the very pines and cedars became silent, and that the fir trees drew closer to hear the story of "Little Nell".

d.i.c.kens, the "Master", has gone, but, among the many tributes that are paid to his power as a writer, let this little tale of the Western camp be added, to ill.u.s.trate the universal nature of his influence.

DOST THOU LOOK BACK ON WHAT HATH BEEN

(Fourth Reader, page 289)

PREPARATION

This lesson should be preceded by a suitable preparatory lesson on the life of some man, for example, Peel, Disraeli, or Lincoln, who, in spite of all obstacles, rose to eminence in the nation and lived "To mould a mighty state's decrees".

INTRODUCTION

Tennyson and Arthur Hallam, as young men at college, were great friends.

The bond of affection between them was probably as strong as it was possible for friends.h.i.+p between two men to be. When Hallam died in 1833, at twenty-two years of age, Tennyson said of him: "He was as near perfection as a mortal man could be". From time to time during the next seventeen years, Tennyson wrote short poems on themes which occurred to him in connection with his thoughts of Hallam. These he finally collected and published in one volume, called _In Memoriam_.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this lesson should be in harmony with the purpose of _In Memoriam_. It should, therefore, be a study of life within the comprehension of the pupils. The lesson should aid in securing the development of character and an appreciation of worthy ambition and enduring friends.h.i.+p.

a.s.sIGNMENT

The lesson should be a.s.signed in such a way as to encourage the pupils'

natural desire to learn something through their own efforts. A few questions should be given to be answered from their own study, for example:

1. What does the first line show regarding Tennyson's present thought of Hallam?

2. What stanzas describe the progress of the man who reminds him of Hallam?

3. What is described in the remaining stanzas?

4. What lines suggest something about this man's feelings toward the scenes and friends of his youth?

5. In what respect, according to the last stanza, does Tennyson show that one of these old-time friends is like himself?

CLa.s.s WORK

What does Tennyson describe in the first four stanzas?

Stanza I

Why does he call the man "divinely gifted"?

Because he has had great natural gifts.

When should we call a man of only ordinary ability "divinely gifted"? What have you read that ill.u.s.trates this? (If the pupils cannot answer this question, the teacher should tell briefly the parable of the talents.)

What is meant by "Whose life in low estate began"? Why are the details about his early life mentioned? State briefly the thought contained in this stanza.

Stanza II

What was the effect of his humble birth on his progress in early life? In what ways did it act as a bar: (1) upon his own mind; (2) upon the good-will of others toward himself? Which of these two do the following lines from _[OE]none_ indicate that the poet would say must be overcome first?

Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control, These three alone lead life to sovereign power.

State in your own words, the full meaning of "breaks his birth's invidious bar".

NOTE.--"Invidious" means likely to incur, or bring on envy, ill-will, or hatred.

What idea is suggested in the second line as to the opportunities which come to such a man?

Imagine him grasping these fleeting chances.