Treasure Chest Workbook Answers Poem 9 A Considerable Speck
A Considerable Speck Poem Comprehension Questions Answers
Question 1.
Read the following verse paragraph and answer the questions that follow:
A speck that would have been beneath my sight
On any but a paper sheet so white
Set off across what I had written there.
And I had idly poised my pen in air
To stop it with a period of ink
When something strange about it made me think,
This was no dust speck by my breathing blown,
But unmistakably a living mite
With inclinations, it could call its own.
i. What is the poet doing at present? Where did he find the speck?
ii. What does the poet do immediately after finding the speck?
iii. What does the poet ultimately discover? What is meant by the word “period” in the fifth line of the given excerpt?
iv. What does the poet mean by “with inclinations it could call its own”?
Answer:
i. The poet was deeply engrossed in writing while he suddenly noticed a speck on the sheet of white paper where he was writing. The speck simply awes him with it sudden movement across the white sheet of paper.
ii. Immediate after discovering that it was not a mere speck of dust but a living mite trying to move across the white sheet of paper, the poem lifts up his pen and starts observing the mite closely.
iii. Ultimately the poet discovers that it was not a mere speck of dust but a living mite trying to move across the white sheet of paper where the poet was writing. In the fifth line of the given excerpt, the word “period” means full stop.
iv. The poet means to say that it was not a mere speck of dust which he saw on the white sheet of paper while he was writing. Instead, he saw a living mite with its own sense and feelings. In other words, the poet discovers that the mite had a mind of its own which is praiseworthy indeed.
Question 2.
Read the following verse paragraph and answer the questions that follow:
It paused as with suspicion of my pen,
And then came racing wildly on again
To where my manuscript was pot yet dry;
Then paused again and either drank or smelt—
With loathing, for again it turned to fly.
i. What did the mite do seeing the pen? Why?
ii. What did it do next?
iii. How far did the mite fly onto the page?
iv. Why did the mite pause again?
v. What did the poet discover about the mite?
Answer:
i. Seeing the pen, the mite was a bit terrified. It paused, for a while perhaps wondering whether to move ahead or retreat.
ii. The mite finally decides to move ahead. Overcoming its initial fear, it Resumes running across the paper until reaching the area where the ink has not dried up.
iii. The mite however came running across the paper until reaching the area where the ink has not dried up.
iv. Reaching to where the ink on the paper has not yet dried up, the mite stops once more. It pauses for a while, perhaps either to smell or drink the ink.
v. Observing how the mite avoids being trapped to death, the poet comes to the conclusion that the mite is quite intelligent and has a mind of its own. This is really appreciable and stands in sharp contrast to the brainless humans who run around their lives helplessly, achieving nothing.
Question 3.
Read the following verse paragraph and answer the questions that follow:
Plainly with an intelligence I dealt.
It seemed too tiny to have room for feet,
Yet must have had a set of them complete
To express how much it didn’t want to die.
It ran with terror and with cunning crept.
It faltered: I could see it hesitate;
Then in the middle of the open sheet
Cower down in desperation to accept
Whatever I accorded it of fate.
i. Why does the poet feel that the mite is devoid of feet? What proves that the mite has feet?
ii. What did the mite do to escape death?
iii. What did the mite do ultimately?
iv. Who will decide the mite’s fate? How?
v. Why was the mite allowed to survive?
Answer:
i. Due to being small in size the feet of the mite remains unnoticeable to human eyes. The poet thus, wonders whether the microscopic creature is devoid of feet. But, once the mite continues running across the page one is confirmed that the mite has feet to crawl easily.
ii. The mite, like humans, actually doesn’t want to die. The speaker observes how the terrified mite runs away from the area where the ink has not dried up. While on its way in search of a safe zone, it hesitates for a while, and then in the middle of the paper, it bends down as if to accept its fate.
iii. Ultimately the mite gives up its struggle to escape death. The poet observes how the poor creature finally bends down on the middle of the paper to accept its fate.
iv. It is the poet who will ultimately determine the fate of the mite. He might kill the mite under the nib of his pen. But, he allows the mite to live despite trespassing on his page. This is all because of the intelligence of the mite which fascinates the poet in a major way.
v. The poet is fascinated by the mite’s presence of mind. The way it tries to avoid death, is highly commendable. Such an insignificant creature, which the poet calls “microscopic,” with a rational mind should be allowed to live instead of being killed. Hence, the poet spares the life of the mite despite its being a trespasser on his page.
Question 4.
Read the following verse paragraph and answer the questions that follow:
I have none of the tenderer-than-thou
Collectivistic regimenting love
With which the modern world is being swept.
But this poor microscopic item now!
Since it was nothing I knew evil of
I let it lie there till I hope it slept.
i. What is meant by a Collectivistic regiment? What is practiced in collectivistic culture?
ii. What contradictory idea does the poet nurture against collectivistic culture?
iii. What idealism governs the world?
iv. Why does the poet allow the mite to live?
v. What does the poet appreciate in others?
vi. What does he try to find on any sheet?
vii. What is the significance of the word “sheet” in the last line of the given excerpt?
viii. Comment on the significance of the title A considerable Speck.
Answer:
i.Collectivism is the practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual in it. In other words, the interest of society at large is valued over individual importance and thus, promotes equal distribution of everything among the society without evaluating whether an individual deserve more or less.
ii. The poet seems to be up against the ideals of collectivism which stresses upon the importance of community over individual. In such practice, the merit of an individual is often overlooked. Frost however has high regard over the calibre of an individual which he openly admits when he says that it is not any doctrinaire principle of love which goads him to choose not to kill the mite with the nib of his pen.
Rather the sharp intelligence of the mite overwhelms him and he thus, allows the poor creature to continue living more. This amply suggests Frost’s strong dislike of collectivistic culture and his support for individualism.
iii. The world under Marxist influence is governed by the ideals of collectivism. This is a practice where the interest of society at large is valued over individual importance and thus, promotes equal distribution of everything among the society without evaluating whether an individual deserve more or less.
iv. Frost openly announces that it is not any doctrinaire principle of love which goads him to choose not to kill the mite with the nib of his pen. Rather the sharp intelligence of the mite overwhelms him and he thus, allows the poor creature to continue living more.
v. Since Frost has his own rational mind he thus, values “mind” wherever he finds it. In other words, Frost loves people who are enlightened, creative and have an independent mindset.
vi. Frost being a creative person welcomes those who are creative indeed. He says that he feels “glad” to “find / On any sheet the least display of mind”. This however suggests that Frost always looks forward to meaningful stuffs from those who are intelligent and are independent thinkers.
vii. The word sheet actually means page. It however symbolises self-empowerment. Frost being a poet with an independent mindset, welcomes self-empowered people instead of those who mindlessly follow the crowd. Such people with their own originality will definitely create meaningful work of art which Frost desperately seeks for in any sheet of paper.
viii. It is surprising enough that Frost regards a speck considerable when it is usually insignificant. The word “considerable” means substantial or significant. The oxymoronic title leaves us to wonder that how an insignificant speck on paper can be of any importance.
But, ultimately we get to know that Frost explores the intelligence of a mite which struggles a lot to stay away from death. The mite’s intelligence however transcends the insignificant creature to a “considerable” being which the title alludes to.
A Considerable Speck Poem Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Question 1.
The poet finds a speck on …………..
a. table
b. book
c. paper
d. plate
Answer:
c. paper
Question 2.
The speck found by the poet is actually a …………..
a. dirt
b. mite
c. food particle
d. none of the above
Answer:
b. mite
Question 3.
What did the mite do seeing the poet’s pen?
a. it moved on
b. it slowed down moving ahead
c. it retreated back
d. it paused
Answer:
d. it paused
Question 4.
When did the mite pause again?
a. when it was tired
b. when it comes to the dead end of the paper
c. when it comes near the area of the paper where the ink has not dried up.
d. when the poet poke on it
Answer:
c. when it comes near the area of the paper where the ink has not dried up.
Question 5.
What did the mite do upon reaching the area where the ink has not dried up.
a. it smelt the ink
b. it drank the ink
c. it smelt or drank the ink
d. it slept there feeling exhausted
Answer:
c. it smelt or drank the ink
Question 6.
What does the poet discover in the mite?
a. cowardice
b. boldness
c. timid nature
d. intelligence
Answer:
d. intelligence
Question 7.
Why was the mite allowed to live?
a. because the poet felt pity for the poor creature
b. because its intelligence overwhelms the poet
c. because the poet feels that it should live
d. none of the above
Answer:
b. because its intelligence overwhelms the poet
Question 8.
What is prioritised in Collectivistic society?
a. Individual
b. group
c. proletariat
d. capitalist
Answer:
b. group
Question 9.
Why is the poet up against Collectivistic society?
a. because it values community over individual
b. because it values individual over community
c. because it supports the proletariats
d. because it supports the capitalists
Answer:
a. because it values community over individual
Question 10.
What does the poet try to find on sheet of paper?
a. Whiteness
b. speck of dust
c. mite
d. intelligence displayed in the work of art
Answer:
d. intelligence displayed in the work of art
Question 11.
The title Considerable Speck is an example of …………
a. simile
b. metaphor
c. antithesis
d. oxymoron
Answer:
d. oxymoron
A Considerable Speck Poem Annotations with Comments
Lines 1 to 5:
Speck: a small piece of dirt
Beneath: under
Sheet so white: refers to the white paper
Set off: move rapidly
Idly: lazily
Poised: (here) held back
Period: full stop in American English
Lines 6 to 9:
something strange: refers to the mite
made me think: the activity of the mite made the speaker think whether the spot on the paper is a living mite
This was… blown: The speaker finally realizes that it is not a mere dust but a living mite that races across his white sheet of paper.
Unmistakably: undoubtedly
Inclinations: feelings
Lines 10 to 14:
Paused: stopped
Suspicion..pen: the mite suddenly stopped moving seeing the pen on the paper.
Racing: running
Manuscript..dry: The mite resumed running across the paper. It came to inspect the wet ink on the paper.
Loathing: hating
Lines 15 to 23:
Plainly: clearly
Intelligence: refers to the intelligence of the mite which fascinated the speaker
Set of them: set of feet
Crept: crawl
faltered: hesitated
Cower down: retreat back in fear
Desperation: nervousness
Accorded: grant someone
Whatever….. of fate: The mite now helplessly waits for his fate to be granted by the speaker
Lines 24 to 29:
Tenderer: kind, merciful, or sympathetic
Collectivistic: where individual is a just a part of strong unified groups
Regimenting: strong imposition
Swept: flowed
poor microscopic item: refers to the mite
Since.., evil of: since the mite is not a potential threat to the speaker the speaker allows it to live
Comment:
I have none of the tenderer…. being swept: The world may be governed by the ideals of collectivism which stresses upon the importance of community over individual. But, Frost however gives importance to the merit of an individual which is often overlooked in the collectivistic culture.
This is evident when he proclaims that it is not any doctrinaire principle of love which goads him to choose not to kill the mite with the nib of his pen. Rather the sharp intelligence of the mite fascinates the speaker and he allows the poor creature to continue living more.
Lines 30 to 33:
mind myself: ability to think rationally
guise: semblance
display of mind: show of intelligence and presence of mind
A Considerable Speck Poem Paraphrase
Lines 1 to 9:
A speck which initially seemed to be a small dot of dirt awes the speaker with its sudden movement across the white sheet of paper. The speaker was engrossed in writing. He lifts up his pen, while he notices the speck’s sudden movement. He realizes that it was not a mere speck of dirt but a living mite with its own sense and feelings.
Lines 10 to 14:
The mite stops for a while seeing the pen on the paper. Overcoming its initial fear, it resumes running across the paper until reaching the area where the ink has not dried up. Again it pauses for a while, perhaps either to smell or drink the ink. Feeling nauseating, it flies away.
Lines 15 to 23:
The speaker feels confident enough with his own intelligence which aids him to deal with the mite. In fact, the poor creature is so small indeed that its feet are unnoticeable. But once the mite continues running, we are confirmed of its feet which aid the creature to escape the soggy ink. The mite like humans actually doesn’t want to die. The speaker observes how the terrified mite runs away with wobbling steps and finally waits helplessly for his fate to be granted by the speaker. In other words, the mite finally gives up its struggle, creeps down and waits for its face.
Lines 24 to 29:
It is not any doctrinaire principle of love which goads the speaker to choose not to kill the mite with the nib of his pen. The world may be influenced by such principle which preaches the gospel of indiscriminate love for all. But the speaker however is up against such mindless ideals. He allows the mite to live only because the microscopic creature is intelligent like humans but harmless unlike humans.
Lines 30 to 33:
The speaker has his own rational mind. He thus values “mind” wherever he finds it. The mite, however, is valued entirely for its intelligence, displayed on the sheet of paper. Similarly, intelligence displayed in writing on any sheet of paper is always welcomed. After all, an independent thinker with his own imagination deserves to be praised like the mite.
A Considerable Speck Poem Summary by Robert Frost
A speck which initially seemed to be a small dot of dirt surprises the speaker once it moves across the white sheet of paper. The speaker was engrossed in writing. He lifts up his pen, as he notices the speck’s sudden movement.
He realizes that it was not a mere speck of dirt but a living mite with its own sense and feelings. The mite stops for a while seeing the pen on the paper. Overcoming its initial fear, it resumes running across the paper until reaching the area where the ink has not dried up. Again it pauses for a while, perhaps either to smell or drink the ink. Feeling nauseating, it flies away.
The speaker feels confident enough with his own intelligence which aids him to deal with the mite. In fact, the poor creature is so small indeed that its feet are unnoticeable. But once the mite continues running, we are confirmed of its feet which aid the creature to escape the soggy ink.
The mite like humans actually doesn’t want to die. The speaker observes how the terrified mite runs away with wobbling steps and finally waits helplessly for his fate to be granted by the speaker. In other words, the mite finally gives up its struggle, creeps down and waits for its fate.
However, it is not any doctrinaire principle of love which goads the speaker to choose not to kill the mite with the nib of his pen. The world may be influenced by such principle which preaches the gospel of indiscriminate love for all.
But the speaker however is up against such ideals which prioritises society over individual. Frost however values more of an individual calibre which goads him to spare the mite’s life. For he has his own rational mind and he values “mind” wherever he finds it. The mite however is valued only for its intelligence which transcends the insignificant, “microscopic” creature to a “considerable” being.
A Considerable Speck Poem Introduction
From Frost’s A Witness Tree, A Considerable Speck is about an insignificant mite that becomes “considerable” only after the poet discovers its intelligence. The oxymoronic title leaves us to wonder: how can a speck be of any importance? But, ultimately, we get to know that it’s an intelligent mite, which looks like a speck of dust on the white paper.
The intelligence of the mite is a sharp contrast to the brainless humans who run around their lives helplessly, achieving nothing. In this sense, the poem “ends in wisdom,” which is a typical characteristic of Frost’s poetry.