Thursday, February 13, 2025

BEATITUDES FOR FRIENDS OF THE AGED

BEATITUDES FOR FRIENDS OF THE AGED

Esther Mary Walker

WORD MEANING

Beatitudes - divine blessedness

Faltering - moving awkwardly as the one might fall

Ease - comfort

Strain - struggle

C.2 FROM THE TEXT

 

What does the speaker mean by strain to hear?

By strain to hear, the speaker meant to say that with old age the ability to hear decreases due to this the elderly have to put in a lot of effort to hear clearly. So, the speaker is thanking those who were patient to wait for him to understand everything that was spoken.

 

Why is it that weary day?

The weary day refers to a tiring day when the elderly accidentally spilled tea.

 

What does the speaker mean by my journey home?

The speaker meant to say that he is praying for those who helped him in his final days. My journey home refers to the journey towards the afterlife.

 

C. 6 ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

a. Quote lines from the poem to show that the speaker’s senses have been affected.

Blessed who know my ears today

Must strain to hear the things they say.

Blessed are those who seem to know

My eyes are dim and my mind is slow.

Here, the poet talked about her affected senses, like she has to put a lot of effort to listen and understand something, faces difficulty to see things and she also mentions that her mind now works slowly.

 

b. What message is conveyed by the poem? Give examples from the poem to justify your answer.

The poem is about an elderly person who is blessing and praying for all those who helped her, supported, understood, respected and never left her alone because of her old age. The message conveyed through the poem is that we should love, care and respect all the people who are ageing just like the people in the poem did. For instance, the poet is blessing those who understood her when she walked slowly and shakily, who kept their calm and patience when the poet was unable to hear, see, understand things quickly etc.

 

c. How do you think this poem can help change the mindset of people who ignore the elderly and are indifferent towards them?

I think this poem can help change the mindset of people who ignore the elderly and are indifferent towards them as the poet beautifully presents the divine qualities of empathy. She refers to the caregivers as blessed and divine. This poem explains how caregivers ease, comfort and add joy to the life of elderly.  As human being, everyone grows old; and hence, this poem is relatable to everyone’s life to some extent.

 

d. What impact does this poem have on you as a reader?

This poem has a great impact on me as it made me remember my grandparents with whom I love spending time. This poem made me realised the feeling and gratefulness the grandparents have for the people who show them respect, give them care and time. By taking care of them we ourselves become blessed and divine. It is my happiness to help old and aged in my neighbourhood.

 

C. 7 ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

 

a. Do you agree with the title of the poem Beatitudes for Friends of the Aged? Support your answer with reason.

The poem is a blessing and prayer for all those who helped, supported, understood, respected and never left the elderly alone because of their old age. The poet is blessing for those who understood, when she walked slowly and shakily, who kept their calm and patience when the poet was unable to hear, see, understand things quickly etc. These are divine qualities and filled with such noble thought the title of the poem ‘Beatitudes for Friends of the Aged’ is suitable.

 

b. Imagine the speaker of the poem having a friendly chat with a young neighbour who is very caring and empathic. Write the dialogue between the speaker and the young neighbour.

DO BY SELF

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