Class 9 English - MAHARASHTRA
Poetry: A Legend of the Northland
A Legend of the Northland by Phoebe Cary is a narrative poem based on a Northland legend about greed and punishment. The poem follows Saint Peter as he travels preaching and asks a little woman for a cake. Her repeated stinginess and refusal to share lead to a curse that transforms her into a woodpecker, doomed to bore for food. For Maharashtra board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing comprehension of poetic devices, character motivation, and the central moral theme of selflessness and charity versus greed.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Narrative Poem
A poem that tells a story with characters, setting, and a plot, much like a short story in verse.
Legend
A traditional story passed down through generations that often carries a moral lesson, though its historical truth cannot be proven.
Stinginess and Greed
The negative trait displayed by the little woman who could not bear to part with even a tiny piece of dough to feed a hungry traveler.
Divine Punishment
Saint Peter's curse that transforms the greedy woman into a woodpecker as a consequence of her selfish actions.
Alliteration and Rhyme Scheme
Poetic devices used extensively in the poem, featuring an ABCB rhyme scheme and repeating consonant sounds for musical effect.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Maharashtra (MSBSHSE) Class 9 English board curriculum, poetry comprehension typically carries around 5 to 8 marks. Common question types include extract-based MCQs, personal response questions on the moral of the poem, and appreciation questions focusing on rhyme scheme and figures of speech.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central message of A Legend of the Northland?
The poem teaches us the importance of kindness, generosity, and sharing, warning against the evils of greed and selfishness.
Why did Saint Peter curse the little woman?
Saint Peter cursed her because she was extremely greedy and refused to give him even a tiny morsel of cake when he was faint with hunger.
What bird was the woman turned into and why?
She was turned into a woodpecker because she had to bore hard dry wood to get her scanty food, just as she was forced to work for her living after the curse.
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