Class 9 English - BIHAR
Poetry: A Legend of the Northland
A Legend of the Northland is a narrative poem by Phoebe Cary that tells the story of Saint Peter and a greedy little woman. Set in the cold Northland region where days are short and winter nights are long, the poem delivers a timeless moral lesson against selfishness and greed. For Bihar Board (BSEB) Class 9 students, this chapter is crucial for exams as it tests reading comprehension, poetic devices like rhyme scheme and alliteration, and the ability to interpret moral themes. Questions from this chapter frequently appear in both objective and short-answer formats.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Ballad
A poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas, often passed down orally, featuring a simple rhythm and dramatic plot.
Rhyme Scheme
The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem; in this poem, the stanzas typically follow an ABCB rhyme scheme.
Alliteration
The repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words, used for musical effect in the poem.
Moral Lesson
The underlying message of the poem that teaches us to be generous, kind, and selfless instead of being greedy and hoarding wealth.
Metamorphosis
The transformation of the greedy woman into a woodpecker by Saint Peter as punishment for her selfishness.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include multiple-choice questions (MCQs) testing stanza comprehension, short answer questions about the plot and character of the woman, and long answer questions focusing on the central theme and moral of the poem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central theme of 'A Legend of the Northland'?
The central theme is the condemnation of greed and selfishness and the promotion of kindness, charity, and generosity towards others.
Why did Saint Peter punish the little woman?
Saint Peter punished her because she was extremely greedy and refused to give him even a tiny, thin cake of bread when he was weak and starving from fasting.
Into what bird was the woman transformed and why?
She was transformed into a woodpecker because she had to bore hard dry wood to get her scanty food as punishment for her selfish behavior.
Learn Poetry: A Legend of the Northland with Your AI Tutor
10 different ways to study this chapter. Free for 3 chapters per day.
Lecture
Key Points
Interactive
Quiz
Flashcards