Class 8 English - ODISHA
Poetry: Somebody's Mother
The chapter 'Somebody's Mother' by Mary Dow Brine is a touching poem prescribed for Class 8 students under the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha. It narrates the story of an old, ragged woman struggling to cross a busy, icy street safely. While many young people ignore her, a schoolboy stops to help her, embodying kindness and empathy. This chapter is very important for board exams as it teaches moral values and tests students' comprehension of poetic devices, stanza-wise meaning, and character motives. Questions from this chapter frequently appear as short-answer questions and comprehension tests in the annual exams.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Theme of Empathy and Kindness
The poem highlights how a small act of kindness towards a helpless elderly person brings immense joy and leaves a lasting positive impact.
The Old Woman's Vulnerability
The ragged, aged, and shivering woman symbolizes all elderly people who find it difficult to navigate modern, fast-paced life without assistance.
The Schoolboy's Noble Deed
Representing the youth, the young boy pauses his playful rush to guide the old woman across the slippery street, showing responsibility and respect.
Poetic Structure and Rhyme Scheme
The poem is written in steady quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a clear rhyming couplet pattern that creates a musical and narrative flow.
The Old Woman's Prayer
At the end of the day, the old woman prays for the unknown boy, hoping that someone will similarly help her own son if he is ever in need.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Odisha (BSE) Class 8 English examination, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on word meanings, short answer questions about the boy's actions, and reference-to-context questions based on specific stanzas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the old woman hesitate to cross the street?
The old woman hesitated because she was old, weak, ragged, and afraid of the fast-moving horses and the slippery, icy road.
What did the schoolboy say to the old woman when he helped her?
The boy told her not to be afraid and offered to help her cross safely, saying, 'O'er the road, if you wish to go, I'll help you, mother, across the snow.'
What was the core message or moral of the poem 'Somebody's Mother'?
The poem teaches us to treat elderly people with care and respect because 'somebody's mother' is someone's precious parent who deserves love and protection.
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