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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