The River Poem Line By Line Explanation & Summary For TNPSC

THE RIVER BY CAROLINE ANN BOWLES - 9TH ENGLISH POEM LINES EXPLANATION & SUMMARY PDF FOR GENERAL ENGLISH TNPSC GROUP 2 - 2A 2022 PRELIMINARY EXAM #Blog-90

Apr 09, 2022, By Careericons

In this article, we have complied with very important information on the "The River Poem Written by Caroline Ann Bowles" for the current TNPSC Group 2, 2A 2022 Preliminary Examination. Get complete study material for all General English syllabus wise with subject topics which help to clear this preliminary exam 2022.

1. Important Poem Lines in The River ,
2. Line By Line Simple Explanation & Summary of the poem - The River, &
3. Where to study information for all other poems.

TNPSC Group-II / IIA Services 2022 New Revised Syllabus (Objective Type Examination)

General English Syllabus-wise Study Materials

SSLC Standard For Preliminary Exam

Before going to the poem, check the prelims syllabus carefully and understand the importance of this poem. Where this poem comes under the "Part - B" of the General English of Revised New Syllabus of TNPSC G2 & 2A Services Examination 2022. Also, check the below links which will be useful for your upcoming examination.

Click Here → To Download TNPSC Group 2 & 2A 2022 - Official Notification PDF** Link

The importance of reading this poem "The River" written by "Caroline Ann Bowles" is clearly described in the revised new syllabus as shown below,

1. This poem comes under the "Part-B" of the General English New Revised Syllabus.
2. It's also noticed separately in the "List of Poems". Where it consists of 25 poems & this poem is listed as number 10.

General English Syllabus-Wise Study Materials which includes, Part - B (Poetry)

1. Figures of Speech for The River (Alliteration – Simile – Metaphor – Personification – Onomatopoeia – Anaphora – Rhyme Scheme – Rhyming Words – Repetition, etc.)
2. Poetry Appreciation for The River
3. Important Lines for The River

Source: Official TNPSC Group 2 2A - Syllabus & Notification 2022.

Let us discuss & read the poem The River written by Caroline Ann Bowles (Which is also a peom in Unit - 4 of 9th standard of Tamil Nadu Samacheer Books) in detail with all examples of model questions asked in the previous TNPSC examinations.

Line By Line Stanza-wise Simple Explanation for the poem,
"The River"

Introduction:

In 'The River,' Bowles engages with themes of time and eternity. She uses time as a device to track the river's life, breadth, and strength.

Finally, it reaches the metaphorical end of its days. Eternity appears in the final stanza as the river makes its way into the ocean, and to somewhere which no ships have sailed. This line is very easily read as an allusion to an afterlife, somewhere that people can't visit and return from. There, it joins with the ocean, as a Christian believer would hope to join with God.

Explanation for Stanza-1:

In the first stanza of 'The River,' the speaker begins with the first example of the refrain, the repeated words, "River, river." She exclaims over the river, celebrating the way it brightly sparkles as it dances over the "yellow pebbles." This is a great example of personification to start off the poem. It continues into the next lines with a simile that compares the river to a "child at play." These simple lines include imagery that is quite easy to envision. The poet's tone, one of elation and appreciation, comes through clearly as well.

Explanation for Stanza-2:

The second stanza is similar to the first in that the poet spends the lines describing the river's movements. This time, she uses a more determined language. It is less gentle than it was. Now it is "brawling" like an "impetuous youth." The river is metaphorically ageing as the stanzas progress.

Explanation for Stanza-3:

The third stanza brings the river to its "mortal prime." Now, it is "brimming" over and broad, "still as time." Yet, still, it is in motion going onward to the ocean. This timeline of age is related to the size of the river and its power moving towards the ocean. At first, it was a lively stream, then a more powerful river and now it's broadened to its full extent and is much calmer.

Explanation for Stanza-4:

In the final stanza, the river is described as dashing down "into the sea." The poet concludes with images of immortality. The river is somewhere that the "sail hath never rounded." It's in "eternity." This is likely a religious allusion to the afterlife, somewhere that no one can visit, sail to, and return from.

Conclusion:

The poet describes the river as a child. As it grows in size, strength, and determination, it becomes a youth. Then, in the third stanza, it hits its prime where it is stretched to its will width and much calmer. This leads it into its final stage when it flows into the ocean and eternity.

In this last stanza, the metaphorical life cycle of the river is completed and it ends up as a symbol for eternity, a religious allusion to God and Heaven.

The Little River Caroline Ann Bowles - Poem Summary

Oh! Little River – you sparkle brightly as you move along your way. As you move on, you go dancing over the yellow pebbles. You glance through the flowers and leaves of trees, dancing throughout like a child who is at play.

Oh! the river that ebbs and flows – you rush through rough and smooth pathways. You are louder, faster, clashing, and hurdling. You go past rough rocks and banks where roses grow. This movement of yours is very similar to a hasty youth.

Oh! River, which is overflowing – you are broad and deep and silent as time. Though you seem motionless, you are inclining towards the ocean just like a man in the best age of his lifespan.

Oh! River, you are so reckless and you rush down into the sea. That sea's depth has never been measured by a weighted line. None has gone by ship completely around the sea to-be compared to eternity.

Click Here → To Download TNPSC Group 2 & 2A 2022 - Official Notification PDF** Link

Refer: Read all TNPSC Group 2 & 2A subjects with study materials, Live MCQ test & quiz for all syllabus wise topics.