Beethoven Poem Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Attempt a critical appreciation of Shane Koyczan’s Beethoven.
Or
Question 2.
Shane Koyczan’s Beethoven is an inspirational poem. Discuss.
Answer:
Shane Koyczan’s Beethoven sings in praise of the great legendary composer, Beethoven, who is revered as the god of music. Brought up in the tyrannical ambience of his unkind father named, Johann van Beethoven, Ludwig van Beethoven successful emerges as a great classical maestro despite being deaf. The poem shows how miracle happens if there is resolution to achieve even the most impossible task.

To begin with, Beethoven opens with the picture of an unhappy childhood where a father is seen constantly bullying his son. The father wants his child to become a musical expert and thus, goes to the extent of abusing his child both physically and mentally without any mercy.

Long practice sessions were forced upon the child and the severe ache in fingers hardly melts the father’s heart. Whether Beethoven plays notes gently, slowly, or fiercely, the unkind father would discourage him saying, “NOT GOOD ENOUGH”.

Life continues be difficult for Beethoven even after he grows up. His incurable deafness stands as a challenge to his musical career which was overcome with strong determination. People love his symphonies. They shower applaud to his music which pierces into the nerves of the audience like a fleet of warship marching through the incessant firing of cannon shells, exploding violently.

But, what seems pathetic is while his symphonies enthral the audience, stimulate their nerves but; the composer himself cannot hear his music all because of being deaf. Musicians however teased him, aped his gesture by holding their bows a bit above the strings which would produce no sound. Yet, they were bound to acknowledge Beethoven’s expertise whose timeless music takes one to the heights of the towers of Babylon.

In other words, the incredible symphonies of Beethoven has immense power to turn the entire solar system into cymbals where from the comets would collide and the constellations would continue shaking violently until the stars begin to fall from the sky. In a way, Beethoven was a genius whose symphonies make the universe cry.

Beethoven still survives in his music. He never bowed up before anyone except music. Being deaf, he had to cut off the legs of his piano so that the vibrations of the musical notes produced on the floor could easily be felt. The man who never stooped before anyone bowed only before music, his god.

His symphonies are so life like that it seems as if one sees the figures of love and hate dancing in the rhythm of waltz. To know Beethoven, one need not to have to read his biography. Instead, listening to his symphony will assure his greatness.

Question 2.
Narrate the story of Beethoven as described in the poem Beethoven.
Answer:
Beethoven’s story is the story of a fighter who fiercely combats every impediment to emerge as an all time great music composer. From childhood, Beethoven had a tough time dealing with a despotic father who would bully his son both physically and mentally.

The father : however dreams of making his son a musical maestro. Hence, even a slight mistake was rewarded with severe punishment. Even when musical notes were played gently, slowly, or fiercely, the unkind father would discourage him saying, “NOT GOOD ENOUGH”.

Deafness stands a severe challenge to Beethoven, once he grows up. Musicians however teased him, aped his gestures and often mocked his perfection. But despite all their aversion, they were bound to acknowledge Beethoven’s expertise whose timeless music takes one to the heights of the towers of Babylon.

In other words, the incredible symphonies of Beethoven has immense power to turn the entire solar system into cymbals wherefrom the comets would collide and the constellations would continue shaking violently until the stars begin to fall from the sky. In a way, Beethoven was a genius whose symphonies make the universe cry.

Beethoven still survives in his music. He never bowed up before anyone except music. Being deaf, he had to cut off the legs of his piano so that the vibrations of the musical notes produced on the floor could easily be felt. The man who never stooped before anyone bowed only before music, his god.

His symphonies are so life like that it seems as if one sees the figures of love and hate dancing in the rhythm of waltz. To know Beethoven, one need not to have to read his biography. Instead, listening to his symphony will assure his greatness.

Beethoven Poem Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
What picture of Beethoven’s father does the poet create in the poem.
Answer:
Johann van Beethoven, the father of Ludwig van Beethoven is presented as an ambitious man with despotic nature. It was indeed tough for Ludwig to live under a tyrannical father who is devoid of mercy. The childhood of Ludwig was horrifying all because of his father who loves bullying his son because of his dream of making LudWig a musical maestro.

Often Ludwig was lashed by his father without significant cause. This however leaves the child in trauma and his striving for playing perfect notes on piano remains unacknowledged all because of his father’s heart breaking comments.

Whether Beethoven plays notes gently, slowly, or fiercely, the unkind father would discourage him saying, “NOT GOOD ENOUGH”. These words however remains perpetually in his mind and later in life when the orchestra x played his symphonies Beethoven would only hear his father’s “anthem”: “Not Good Enough”.

Question 2.
Describe the impact of Beethoven’s symphonies on the audience.
Or
Question 3.
How does audience react hearing the symphonies of Beethoven.
Answer:
Endowed with god gifted talent, Beethoven’s timeless symphonies leave a great impact upon the music lovers from around the globe. So enthralling are his symphonies, that they stimulate the nerves of the listeners and overwhelm them. It seems as if the symphonies pierce into the nerves of the audience like a fleet of warship marching through the incessant firing of cannon shells, exploding violently.

In other words, the symphonies of Beethoven electrify every molecule of a body and create a heavenly sensation from within. Musicians who once accompanied Beethoven and teased him for his deafness also acknowledge his greatness. They knew that Beethoven’s music has immense power to turn the entire solar system into cymbals where from the comets would collide and the constellations would continue shaking violently until the stars begin to fall from the sky.

In other words, the incredible music of Beethoven has the power to move the nature and make the universe cry. His symphonies are indeed so life like that it seems as if one sees the figures of love and hate dancing in the rhythm of waltz. In a way, hearing Beethoven’s music is pure addiction.

Beethoven Poem Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Question 1.
Beethoven was a …………
a. soccer
b. musician
c. painter
d. actor
Answer:
b. musician

Question 2.
Beethoven’s father used to ………… him
a. admire
b. care for
c. bully
d. support
Answer:
c. bully

Question 3.
What did Beethoven’s father say repeatedly to his son?
a. WELL ENOUGH
b. EXCELLENT
c. NO BAD
d. NOT GOOD ENOUGH
Answer:
d. NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Question 4.
What is the precious tool of a musician?
a. eardrum
b. musical sense
c. eyes
d. legs
Answer:
a. eardrum

Question 5.
How does Beethoven’s music enter into human nervous system?
a. stealthily
b. with a sudden jerk
c. like a fleet of warship marching through the incessant firing of cannon shells
d. very slowly
Answer:
c. like a fleet of warship marching through the incessant firing of cannon shells

Question 6.
Before whom does Beethoven bow down?
a. Kings
b. Queens
c. God
d. Music
Answer:
d. Music

Question 7.
How db musicians mock Beethoven?
a. by making faces
b. by imitating his tender voice
c. by holding their bows a quarter of an inch above the strings not making sound
d. by amputating the legs of piano
Answer:
c. by holding their bows a quarter of an inch above the strings not making sound

Question 8.
Which among the following statements is not true?
a. Beethoven’s music takes one to the heights of the towers of Babylon
b. Beethoven’s music leaves no impact upon the audience
c. Beethoven’s music can shake the constellations until the stars begin to fall from the sky.
d. Beethoven’s music can make the universe cry.
Answer:
b. Beethoven’s music leaves no impact upon the audience

Question 9.
Beethoven’s thoughts move at the speed of ………….
a. light
b. sound
c. air
d. rocket
Answer:
b. sound

Question 10.
To know Beethoven one needs to
a. listen to his music
b. read his bio graphy
c. search internet
d. know more about his father
Answer:
a. listen to his music

Beethoven Poem Summary

Beethoven Poem Introduction

Beethoven by Shane Koyczan sings in praise of the great musical maestro who despite being deaf is yet considered the god of music. Beethoven had a difficult upbringing due to his dictatorial father. But in the end, he became a well-known composer whose works continue to inspire people around the globe. The poem shows that nothing after ail is impossible if one has the will to achieve even the most impossible task.

Beethoven Poem Summary

Beethoven, the great musical Maestro had a troublesome childhood under his tyrannical father, Johann van Beethoven. He tortured his son both physically and emotionally out of the desire to turn him into a genius. Often he would mercilessly beat his kid for playing wrong note on piano. The father expected his son to play music like a skilled player.

But, being too small Beethoven’s music missed the passion in playing musical notes and was thus, forced into long practice session which oftentimes caused severe ache in his fingers. No mercy was ever shown to him. Instead, even when Beethoven played the notes gently, slowly, or fiercely, the young child was bullied and was left heartbroken with comments like “NOT GOOD ENOUGH”.

Life however continued to be difficult for Beethoven even after he grew up. His incurable deafness stood as a challenge to his musical career which was overcome with strong determination. People love his symphonies. They shower applaud to his music which pierce into the nerves of the audience like a fleet of warship marching through the incessant firing of cannon shells, exploding violently.

But, what seems pathetic is while his symphonies/enthral the audience, stimulate their nerves but; the composer himself cannot hear his music all because of being deaf. Musicians however teased him, aped his gesture by holding their bows a bit above the strings which would produce no sound. Yet, they were bound to acknowledge Beethoven’s expertise whose timeless music would take one to the heights of the towers of Babylon.

In other words, the incredible symphonies of Beethoven has immense power to turn the entire solar system into cymbals where from the comets would collide and the constellations would continue shaking violently until the stars begin to fall from the sky. In a way, Beethoven was a genius who would make the universe cry with his symphonies.

Beethoven still survives in his music. He never bowed up before anyone except music. Being deaf, he had to cut off the legs of his piano so that the vibrations of the musical notes produced on the floor could easily be felt.

The man who never stooped before anyone bowed only before music, his god. His symphonies are so life like that it seems as if one sees the figures of love and hate dancing in the rhythm of waltz. To know Beethoven, one need not to have to read his biography. Instead, listening to his symphony will assure his greatness.

Beethoven Poem Paraphrase

Listen …. Beethoven : Under tyrannical father, Beethoven the musical maestro had his torturous childhood. Often lashed without significant cause, his father abuses the child in every possible way. While some fathers drink out of frustration, some others shout or beat their children. But Beethoven’s father is ‘ phenomenally abusive, trying every form of abuse on his child. The ambition of making his child a genius goads every father to”torture their kids and Beethoven’s father however was no exception.

Little boy NOT GOOD ENOUGH: No mercy was ever shown to Beethoven. At home he had to earn mercy by playing perfect musical notes. He was expected to play music like a skilled player. But, being too small his music missed the passion of divine music which seems to be played by the angels with harps.

Whether he plays softly or slowly or strongly, his father would break his heart saying, not good enough. Long practice session at home would cause severe ache in his fingers. Sometimes they used to twirl like roots of tree trunks. But, Beethoven’s father would show no mercy and continued bullying his child saying, “NOT GOOD ENOUGH”.

A musician….addiction : A musician’s forte is his eardrum. A deaf musician finds it difficult to play the ’ symphony composed in his mind. Beethoven was a deaf musician. He could not hear the applaud of audience for his incredible performance. The passionate cry of women remained inaudible to him. Its really ironical that while ‘ his music enthralled the audience, stimulated their nerves but the composer himself cannot hear his music all because of being deaf.

So inspiring his music was that it seemed as if the symphonies pierced into the nerves of v the audience like a fleet of warship marching through i the incessant firing of cannon shells, exploding violently. In other words, the symphonies of Beethoven would ‘ electrify every molecule of a body and create a heavenly sensation within. In a way, hearing Beethoven’s music is pure addiction.

And kings, …. Not Good Enough : Beethoven would bow before none except music. Kings, Queens didn’t really matter to him. Being deaf, he had to cut off the legs of his piano so that the vibrations of the musical notes produced on the floor could easily be felt. The man who never stooped before anyone bowed only before music, his God.

But, whenever his symphonies were played by musicians, the discouraging words of his father would haunt him terribly. He would repeat the same words of his father even when music was played softly or slowly. Beethoven could hear nothing. Hence, he would repeat what his father once said to him NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

So they …. Must be a genius : Because of being deaf, Beethoven was always teased. Musicians would hold their bows a bit above the strings and ape the gesture of the maestro. No music was produced since the bows would not touch the strings of the instrument. But, despite their kidding, they were bound to acknowledge Beethoven as all time musical maestro whose timeless music would take one to the heights of the towers of Babylon.

In other words, the incredible symphonies of Beethoven has immense power to turn the entire solar system into cymbals wherefrom the comets would collide and the constellations would continue shaking violently until the stars begin to fall from the sky. In a 5 way, Beethoven was a genius who would make the universe cry with his symphonies.

His thoughts moving …. Listen : Beethoven’s thoughts moved at a speed of sound, transformed to music dipped in emotion. In fact, his music is so full of life that one has the feeling of touching his music while hearing his symphonies. In other words, the symphonies of Beethoven are so life like that it seems as if one sees the figures of love and hate dancing in the rhythm of waltz. To know Beethoven, one need not have to read his biography. Instead, listening to his symphony will assure his greatness.

Beethoven Poem Annotations with Comments

Listen…. Beethoven

Hitting : beating
His father: refers to Johann van Beethoven, court musician and harsh disciplinarian who gave Ludwig his first music lessons.
Father … hitting him: the father appears to be of abusive nature
Yell: holler, shout
did it all: Every form of abuse was tried on his child
geniuses: intelligent

Comment:

His father made a habit of hitting him : Johann van Beethoven, Beethoven’s father, had a tyrannical personality. Instead of showing compassion, Johann used to thrash his deaf youngster for every error made by Beethoven. Johann’s lust for his son’s fame provoked him to abuse his child.

Little boy….. NOT GOOD ENOUGH

little boy : refers to Beethoven
name meant nothing : name had to be earned in the house by playing perfect notes on piano
mercy : compassion
mercy had ……. earned : Beethoven had to earn mercy by playing perfect notes on piano
note : musical note
tumbling : falling
tickle the toe : please
harp : musical instrument
tickle the toes …. hard of hearing : Beethoven was expected to play music like a skilled player. But, being too small his music missed the passion of divine music which seems to be played by the angels with harps.
anthem : (here) the same tedious, irksome and discouraging words
ivory : piano reeds of white colour
Not good enough: this is the typical refrain of the father who always I discourages his son with these words
Cramped up : ached
Gnarled : twisted
Gnarled roots ………… trunk : the exhaustive practice not only caused pain in his fingers but they twirled like roots of tree trunks.

Comment:

Who heard….Good enough : Instead of inspiring his son, Johann van Beethoven, Beethoven’s father, would discourage his kid by criticizing his music. Every time he would break the heart of his son saying that the music played by Beethoven was “NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

A musician …………… addiction

Precious tool : refers to the eardrum
Pound out : to make or produce
Symphonies : intricate musical piece
A musician …… his mind: a musician who is deaf finds difficult to play the symphony
composed in his mind
He: refers to Beethoven
Coudn’t hear…….. clapping : because of being deaf,Beethoven could not.
Whispering Beethoven : hear the people applauding for his incredible performance whispering the name of Beethoven because of being carried away by his incredible performance

As they …. addiction

Invade : enter Invade their nervous
system : allow music to stimulate their nerves
Armada : a fleet of warships
Canon balls : canon shells
Molecule : smallest part
Heavenly sensation : divine sensation (feelings)
Ache : long
He was an addiction : refers to the music of Beethoven

And kings,…not good enough

Got down : bowed
For no one: Even Kings and Queens were not revered
Amputated : cut off like music
Feel the vibrations : legs of the piano are amputated so that the vibrations of the musical notes produced on the floor could easily be felt
Got down…. music : This shows Beethoven’s love for music which is his God after all. He only bends up before music and nobody else.
Orchestra: a group of instrumentalists playing classical music.
Anthem: refers to the discouraging words of Johann van Beethoven
Broken record: broken record plays the same tone continuously

So they ……….. Must be a genius

They : refers to the instrumentalists
Mock : teased
Mimicking : aping
Holding their …… sound: holding their bows a bit above the strings and ape the gesture of Beethoben. No music was produced
since the bows would not touch the strings of the instrument.
Intimacy : familiarity
Towers of Babylon : a tower built by Noah’s descendants (probably in Babylon) who intended it to reach up to heaven so that direct communication with God is possible.
Cymbals : a musical instrument which consists of two metal plates
Collide : crash into one another
Crescendo : gradual increase in sound Univershad begun
to cry : Beethoven was a genius who would make the universe cry with his symphonies.

His thoughts moving … Listen :

His thought ………. speed of sound : the thought of Beethoven moved at a speed of sound
Tangible : perceptible by touch
You could touch it : Music of Beethoven is so lively that it seems one can touch his note
Waltz : a musical rhythm
Precision : accuracy
Listen : listen to the symphony of Beethoven
To know … Listen : To know Beethoven one need not have to read his biography. Instead, listening to his symphony will assure his greatness.

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