Class 8 English - BIHAR
Poetry: Somebody's Mother
The chapter 'Somebody's Mother', written by Mary Dow Brine, is a touching poem prescribed for Class 8 Bihar Board students. It tells the story of an old, ragged woman waiting anxiously to cross a busy, icy street safely. While careless schoolboys rush past her without a second glance, one compassionate young boy stops, offers his hand, and helps her across. The poem beautifully highlights the core human values of empathy, kindness, and respect for elders. For board exams, this chapter is crucial as it tests students' comprehension skills, appreciation of poetic devices, and ability to extract moral lessons.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Theme of Empathy
The central idea focuses on how a small act of kindness towards a helpless stranger brings immense joy and leaves a lasting positive impact.
Moral Responsibility
It teaches students that young people have a duty to respect and assist the elderly, treating others the way they would want their own mothers to be treated.
Poetic Structure
The poem is written in rhyming couplets (AABB rhyme scheme) using simple narrative storytelling to engage young readers easily.
Character Contrast
It contrasts the indifferent schoolboys who ignore the old woman with the thoughtful boy who stops to help, emphasizing the choice to be kind.
Visual Imagery
The poet uses vivid descriptions of the winter chill, the crowded street, and the frail old woman to make the scene feel real and urgent.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar Board Class 8 English examinations, this chapter typically carries about 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include short-answer questions about the plot, reference to context from specific stanzas, and long-answer questions focusing on the central theme and moral lesson of the poem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main moral of the poem 'Somebody's Mother'?
The main moral is that we should always help people in need, especially the elderly, because one day someone will treat our own mothers with similar kindness.
Why was the old woman afraid to cross the street?
The old woman was frail, aged, and weak, and she was terrified of the fast-moving horse carriages and the bustling crowd on the icy street.
Who helped the old woman across the street and why?
A young schoolboy helped her because he noticed her fear and helplessness, and he decided to assist her just as he would want someone to help his own mother.
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