Back to: Tamil Nadu Class 10 English Guide & Notes
Table of Contents
Introduction
The poem Life describes life taking on life in its truest form, an adventure. The poet wants to live a joyful and fearless life. He neither wants to hurry nor moves away from his goal. He does not want to mourn the things that he has lost. He does not hold back for fear of the future. He wants to live his life with a whole and happy heart which cheerfully travels with him from the youth to old age.
Stanza 1
Let me but live my life from year to year, With forward face and unreluctant soul; Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal; Not mourning for the things that disappear In the dim past, nor holding back in fear From what the future veils; but with a whole And happy heart, that pays its toll To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.
In the first stanza, the poet says that he wants to live his life without any hesitation, always looking forward and advancing towards his goal without any hurry and distraction from year to year. The poet wants to live his life happily as the years passes by with hopefulness and confidence for with a happy heart.
The poet does not like to hurry in any matters or situations nor does he want to turn away from his aims and goal. What he wanted to achieve, he will do it with confidence and hope. He does not like to feel sad and keeps on worrying about the things that have passed away and disappeared from his life, the dull past and hold back in fear about the uncertainty of his future.
He wanted to look forward with a happy and cheerful mind. As worrying too much will ruin his youth and age to live life to the fullest by retaining the child-like innocence and pleasures of life. He wants to travel his journey of life cheerfully.
Stanza 2
So let the way wind up the hill or down, O'er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy: Still seeking what I sought when but a boy, New friendship, high adventure, and a crown, My heart will keep the courage of the quest, And hope the road's last turn will be the best.
In the second stanza, the poet further expresses his determination to live a great life. He says he won’t be scared by the difficult situations so let the way wind up the hill or down; whether he gets a rough road or smooth, he will travel on it with joy. He will continue seeking new friendship, high adventure, and a crown in the same manner when he was just a boy.
He says his quest will never stop and continue living in hope that life would be the best after the last turn. Life is described not as an entity but as an experience. One should live with courage, dedication, and a clear sense of purpose that drives the mind and soul. The poet encourages us to have faith and determination in our hearts, as we take on this beautiful journey.
Conclusion
In this poem, the poet narrates to us how he would want to look forward with a happy and cheerful mind without worrying too much about the future. He thinks that he should live life to the fullest by retaining the child-like innocence and pleasures of life.
Finally, he hopes that his life will be meaningful and that better things will happen to him in the future which lies ahead of him. Whatever situation life throws at us, it is the journey that should be joyous, for it teaches us to grow and live. Our imagination should have the innocence and fearlessness of childhood.
We should seek out new friendships, new adventures, and new experiences which enrich us. He encourages us to have faith and determination in our hearts, as we take on this beautiful journey. We should have an eternal hope that our story ends joyfully.
