Class 10 English - MP
Poetry: How to Tell Wild Animals
The chapter 'How to Tell Wild Animals' is a humorous poem written by Carolyn Wells for Class 10 students under the Madhya Pradesh Board (MPBSE). The poem introduces various dangerous wild animals, such as the Asian Lion, Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Bear, Hyena, and Crocodile, using witty and clever identifications. Instead of scientific facts, the poet uses dark humor, visual descriptions, and behavioral traits to help readers recognize these beasts. For board exams, this chapter is important for testing students' understanding of poetic devices, rhyme schemes, and central themes, often featuring in reference-to-context questions and short-answer questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Humor and Irony
The poet uses gentle humor and terrifying situations interchangeably, making the identification of deadly wild animals amusing yet memorable.
Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme (ABABCC) across its stanzas, giving it a light, bouncy rhythm that contrasts with the danger of the subjects.
Poetic License
Carolyn Wells bends grammatical and spelling rules (like 'lep and lep again' or 'novice might nonplus') for the sake of rhyme and rhythm.
Identification Traits
The poem uses distinct visual cues—such as the lion's roar, the tiger's black stripes, the leopard's spots, and the crocodile's tears—to describe animals.
Contrast
A key literary device where the friendly behavior of animals (like a bear's hug or a hyena's smile) is contrasted with their lethal nature.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the MPBSE Class 10 English board examination, this chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Questions usually include Extract-Based / Reference-to-Context Questions (MCQs or short answers based on a stanza) and Short Answer Type Questions about the poet's message or the identification traits of specific animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central theme of the poem 'How to Tell Wild Animals'?
The central theme is humorously suggesting dangerous ways to identify wild animals, using witty descriptions and playful language.
How can you distinguish a leopard from other beasts according to the poem?
A leopard has pepper-like spots all over its body, and as soon as it leaps on you, you will know it is a leopard.
What are 'crocodile tears' mentioned in the poem?
The poet describes how crocodiles weep as they swallow their prey, representing deceptive sadness while being dangerous.
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