Class 11 A Red, Red Rose Exercise

Robert Burns

Summary

“A Red, Red Rose” is a poem written by the national poet of Scotland, Robert Burns. It first appeared in a compilation of popular Scottish songs set to music in 1794. It is written in ballad stanzas. The poem pieces together conventional ideas and images of love.

The beloved is so exquisite that the speaker loves her with a deep and intense passion — so intense, in fact, that the love of the speaker endures until the oceans are dry up and rocks melt with the sun.

The speaker will always love the beloved, even after the oceans have evaporated and the world has decayed. That love will last till the end of their own lives and even when all human life is over.

In end, the speaker says farewell to the beloved — who is, the speaker tells her, the only one the speaker loves. During their temporary break, the speaker wishes her well. The speaker reaffirms his or her faithful love by pledging to return even though the journey is long and hard.

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. To which two things does the speaker compare his love in the first stanza?

➜ In the first part of the poem, the speaker compares his love to two things. First, he says his beloved is like a beautiful red rose that blooms in July. This rose is young, delicate, and lovely. Then, he compares his love to a sweet melody that is played perfectly. These comparisons show how elegant and wonderful the speaker's beloved is.

b. What does the speaker promise in the second and third stanzas?

➜ Moving on to the second and third parts of the poem, the speaker makes promises to his beloved. He promises to love his beloved forever, even until the seas on Earth have dried up and the sun's heat has melted the ice. He also promises to keep loving even when human life comes to an end.

c. What imagery does he use in his promise, and why do you think he uses such language?

➜ In these promises, the speaker uses vivid images like dry seas, melted rocks, and the end of human life. He likely uses such descriptive language to emphasize the depth and sincerity of his love. These powerful images help convey the idea that his love is so strong that it can withstand even the most extreme changes and challenges.

d. In the last stanza, what event is about to happen by mentioning the number of miles?

➜In the final part of the poem, there's a mention of the number of miles. This signifies that an important event is about to occur, which is the speaker's reconciliation with his beloved. The speaker assures his beloved that even though the journey back to her might be long and take a lot of time, he will return to her after a temporary separation.

e. Which image in the poem do you find the most memorable or surprising and why?

➜ Among the various images in the poem, the one that stands out to me is the idea of dry seas all around the world. This image is surprising because it makes us think about a world without water, which is a fundamental element of life. The way the speaker uses this image in his promises is intriguing, and it makes me contemplate how strong his commitment is to his beloved, even in such extreme scenarios.

Reference to the context

a. What can you infer about the speaker’s devotion to his beloved from the following lines?

And I will come again, my love,

Tho’ it were ten thousand mile!

➜ From the lines "And I will come again, my love, Tho’ it were ten thousand mile!", we can understand that the speaker's love for his beloved is incredibly strong. He is willing to go to great lengths and cover a vast distance, even ten thousand miles, just to be with his beloved again. This shows his deep devotion and commitment to their relationship, indicating that his love knows no bounds.

b. What is the theme of the poem?

➜ The main idea of the poem is about the everlasting nature of love. This means that the theme is all about how love can endure and stay alive even in the face of challenges, time, and distance. The poem illustrates that love doesn't fade away with time but remains strong and constant, transcending various obstacles.

c. Paraphrase the whole poem into simple prose form.

➜ The speaker is deeply in love with his beloved, and even though they are apart, he continues to think about her fondly. He compares his beloved to a beautiful rose and a sweet melody. He promises eternal love and vows to stay faithful until the end of time. Though they have to part temporarily, he promises to return to her no matter how long the journey.

d. Literary devices are tools that enable the writers to present their ideas, emotions, and feelings and also help the readers understand those more profound meanings. Analyse the poem in terms of the literary devices such as simile, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, and assonance.

➜ This poem uses several literary devices to convey its emotions and meanings. It employs simile when comparing the beloved to a red rose and a sweet melody. Symbolism is present in the rose and the melody, representing the enduring nature of love. Imagery is used to paint vivid pictures of these comparisons and promises. Alliteration appears in phrases like "my love is like a red, red rose" and "well, a while." Assonance is used with repeated vowel sounds in lines throughout the poem, creating a musical effect.

e. What is hyperbole? Explain its purpose citing examples of hyperbole used in the poem.
➜ Hyperbole is a way of exaggerating for emphasis. In this poem, hyperbole is used to magnify the speaker's emotions. For instance, when the speaker says he will love his beloved until the seas dry up and rocks melt with the sun's heat, he is exaggerating to emphasize the unending nature of his love. In the last lines, "Tho’ it were ten thousand mile!", the speaker exaggerates the distance to highlight the lengths he would go to for his beloved.

f. What is refrain? Why is it used in the poem? Explain citing an example from the poem.
➜ A refrain is a repeated line or phrase in a poem. It is used to stress a particular idea and create a rhythm. In this poem, the refrain "And I will love thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry. And fare thee weel" is repeated in the second, third, and fourth stanzas. This repetition emphasizes the enduring nature of the speaker's love and provides a rhythmic pattern to the poem, making it more engaging for the reader.

Reference beyond the text

a. What kind of love is expressed in “A Red, Red Rose”?
➜ The poem "A Red, Red Rose" expresses a deep and romantic kind of love. The poet shares his intense feelings for his beloved through comparisons and promises. He compares his beloved to a beautiful rose and a sweet melody, showing how special she is to him. The promises he makes demonstrate the depth of his emotions and commitment to their relationship.
b. Do you think that love has power? Why do the poets compose poems addressing their beloved?
➜ Yes, love definitely has a strong influence. Love can bring both positive and negative outcomes, as it holds the power to inspire and uplift but also to cause pain. Poets often write poems about their beloved because their personal experiences of love are a rich source of inspiration. Writing about their feelings allows poets to share their emotions with others, creating a connection and resonance with readers.
c. Poetry is the expression of feeling and emotions. Explain

➜ Poetry is a way of expressing emotions and thoughts through words. It provides a means to communicate feelings, experiences, and ideas. Poetry lets people tap into their innermost emotions and convey them in a creative and artistic manner. It's like painting with words, using language to create images and evoke emotions. Writing poetry is a way for individuals to release their feelings, explore their imagination, and connect with others on a deep level. The lines of poetry flow together, forming a melody of emotions that can touch the hearts of those who read them. Poets have a special ability to capture the complexity of human feelings in just a few lines, and their words resonate with readers, providing insight into the human experience.