A NATION'S STRENGTH

• english
• Basisschool
• Groep 8

Expected Learning Outcomes:

• Share values which make a nation strong.
• Listen and internalize the core idea of the poem.
  
• Identify and relate to the idea and the theme of the poem 'A Nation's Strength'.
  
• Answer the inferential questions based on the poem.
  

a. Who ruled over India for a long time?
b. What were they gaining from this rule?

How did India attain its freedom? Who are the people who contributed to it?

As free citizens, do we have any duties towards the nation?

According to you, what makes a nation strong?

Let's listen and internalize the core idea of the poem.

 'A NATION'S STRENGTH'

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Let's enjoy the audio of the poem...

Before we read, let's familiarize ourselves with new words.

Let's read this poem silently now.

What is the rhyme scheme
of the poem? Share a few rhyming words from the poem.

HOME-TASK

Read the poem again. Identify and list at least three poetic devices used in the poem.

SUCCESS CRITERIA
Now, I CAN:
* share more about the poet 'Ralph Waldo Emerson'.
* identify and relate to the idea and the theme of the poem 'A Nation's Strength'.
* share my responses to the questions based on the same.

1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Not sure
4. I need some help.

Let's read this poem silently now.

What, in the opinion of the poet,
is the main source of strength
for a nation?

Expected Learning Outcomes:

• State message of the poem.
• Analyze the various elements of poetry such as diction, tone, form, genre, imagery, figures of speech, symbolism, etc. 
• Answer the inferential questions based on the poem.

'It is not gold.'
Which poetic device has been used in the above line?

1. Imagery
2. Simile
3. Personification
4. Alliteration

Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.
The poetic device ____________ has been used in the phrase 'sinking sand'.

1. Alliteration
2. Simile
3. Both A and B
4. All of these

What does the phrase 'the sword' symbolise?

The sword symbolizes war and the thirst for blood.

Is it the sword?
Here, 'the sword', implies the use of the poetic device(s) _____________________.

1. Imagery
2. Symbolism
3. Simile
4. Both A and B

Expected Learning Outcomes:

• State theme of the poem.
• Analyze the various elements of poetry such as diction, tone, form, genre, imagery, figures of speech, symbolism, etc. 
• Answer the inferential questions based on the poem.

State the theme of the poem

'Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly...'
What, according to the poet, is special about the
men who make a nation strong?

'Ask the red dust
Of empires passed away;
The blood has turned their stones to rust,
Their glory to decay.'
Share the poet's intended idea in your own words.

The poet's has compared a nation to 'an impressive building' that has 'pillars' and 'foundations'.
Which poetic device has the poet used here?

1. Simile
2. Metaphor
3. Alliteration
4. None of these

ENJAMBMENT

And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown

Has seemed to nations sweet;

But God has struck its luster down

In ashes at his feet.

Let's identify the instances of Enjambment in the entire poem.

What makes a nation's pillars high

And it's foundations strong?

What makes it mighty to defy

The foes that round it throng?

It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand

Go down in battle shock;

Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,

Not on abiding rock.

Is it the sword? Ask the red dust

Of empires passed away;

The blood has turned their stones to rust,

Their glory to decay.

And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown

Has seemed to nations sweet;

But God has struck its luster down

In ashes at his feet.

Not gold but only men can make

A people great and strong;

Men who for truth and honor's sake

Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,

Who dare while others fly...

They build a nation's pillars deep

And lift them to the sky.

It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand
Go down in battle shock;
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.
What does 'gold' signify in the above lines?

1. Here, 'gold' signifies the powerful kingdoms of the ancient past.
2. Here, 'gold' signifies the material progress of a nation.
3. Here, 'gold' signifies the army that a nation has.
4. None of these

'Its kingdoms grand
Go down in battle shock...'
The intended idea in the above lines can be BEST restated as _______________________.

1. All grand kingdoms experience battle shock.
2. Even a mighty and rich country may be destroyed.
3. Any battle can ruin the material progress of a nation.
4. Both B and C

It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand
Go down in battle shock;
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.
Which of the following statements can be considered TRUE as shared in the above lines?

1. Material progress is not permanent.
2. Wealth is also not permanent.
3. The riches and material progress do not provide strong foundation to a nation.
4. All of these

Is it the sword? Ask the dust
Of empires passed away;
The blood has turned their stones to rust,
Their glory to decay.
In the above lines, 'the sword' stands for ___________.

1. army
2. power
3. empires passed away
4. None of these

Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.
Which of the following is NOT synonymous to 'abiding'?

1. everlasting
2. continuing
3. enduring
4. ephemeral

Do you agree with the poet's ideas about
'A Nation's Strength'? Why, Why not?

The intended idea in the line 'Their glory to decay' can be best expressed as ________________.

1. History has witnessed many nations that fought only for the sake of conquering others and destroying; eventually, those warrior nations have disappeared for good, turning “their glory to decay.
2. Many nations that fought only for the sake of conquering and destroying others are incredibly glorious.
3. The warriors lose their blood and let them decay in wars that bring glory to their families later on.
4. None of these.

Let's rephrase...

History is replete (full of) with examples of the fierce battles fought between such rulers. The poet suggests to us to ask the dust of the empires which are no more now about the result of such fierce battles. The bloodshed made the strong pillars of those empires weak as rust forces iron to decay. The glory of the powerful empires never lasted for long.

Restate the idea conveyed by the poet in the given lines of the poem.
'But God has struck its luster down
In ashes at his feet.'

Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor's sake
Stand fast and suffer long.
List the traits of people who make a nation great and strong.

SUCCESS CRITERIA
Now, I CAN:
*State message of the poem.
*Identify and share the poetic devices used in the poem. 
*Answer the inferential questions based on the poem.

1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Not sure
4. I need some help.