Here we shared Where the Mind is Without Fear Questions Answers and Summary
“Where the Mind is Without Fear” by Rabindranath Tagore:
Where the Mind is Without Fear Summary
This deeply patriotic poem reflects the poet’s yearning for a free and enlightened India. He prays to God to awaken his countrymen from the bondage of slavery and ignorance into a state of ideal freedom. In this envisioned freedom, individuals can live without fear and hold their heads high with dignity and pride. Knowledge will be accessible to all, not limited to a few, fostering true unity among people. The poet also envisions clear, fearless thinking, enabling progress through thoughtful action. He concludes with a plea for his country to awaken to such a heaven of freedom.
Where the Mind is Without Fear Questions Answers
Q.1. Whom does ‘thee’ refer to in the poem?
Ans: ‘Thee’ refers to God in the poem.
Q.2. To whom does Tagore address the poem?
Ans: Tagore addresses the poem “Where the Mind is Without Fear” to God.
Q.3. What does ‘the dreary desert sand of dead habit’ mean?
Ans: ‘The dreary desert sand of dead habit’ symbolizes outdated traditions, superstitions, and prejudices that hinder progress and rational thinking.
Q.4. Who is ‘my Father’ in the poem?
Ans: ‘My Father’ in the poem refers to God.
Q.5. What do narrow domestic walls do to a nation?
Ans: Narrow domestic walls divide a nation into fragments, fostering disunity and discrimination.
Q.6. Where does the clear stream of reason lose its way?
Ans: The clear stream of reason loses its way in the dreary desert sand of dead habits, which refers to blind traditions and irrational practices.
Q.7. What does Tagore mean by freedom of knowledge?
Ans: Tagore means that knowledge should be freely accessible to all. People should be able to pursue learning without fear or restrictions and not remain confined to outdated ideas and beliefs.
Q.8. Name the different freedoms Tagore mentions in the poem.
Ans: Tagore mentions freedom from fear, ignorance, irrationality, and superstitions. He emphasizes the freedom of knowledge, mind, spirit, thought, and action as essential for a progressive and united nation.
Q.9 What kind of country does the poet want for his fellow citizens?
Ans:
The poet wants a country where the mind of every citizen is free from fear, where they can hold their heads high with pride. In this ideal country, knowledge is accessible to all, regardless of wealth or social status. The country should be united, with no divisions based on caste, creed, or religion, and its people should be free from outdated traditions and irrational beliefs. The poet envisions a nation where reason and truth prevail, fostering a spirit of progress and unity.
Q.10 Do you think the poet’s wish has been fulfilled? Give two reasons for your answer.
Ans:
No, the poet’s wish has not been fully fulfilled. Firstly, there are still divisions among people based on caste, class, religion, and other baseless factors, which prevent true unity in society. Secondly, the country continues to grapple with issues like superstition, corruption, illiteracy, and poverty, which hinder the progress and ideal freedom Tagore envisioned. Thus, despite some progress, his wish for an ideal nation where reason, freedom, and unity prevail remains unfulfilled.
Where the Mind is Without Fear Questions Answers
Q.11 How is the world broken into fragments?
Ans:
The world is broken into fragments by divisions based on religion, caste, class, race, and color. These social distinctions create barriers between people, leading to conflict, inequality, and a lack of unity, as highlighted by the poet.
Q.12 Explain what the ‘tireless striving’ should be for.
Ans:
‘Tireless striving’ should be to achieve one’s goals and continuously work towards attaining perfection. It refers to an unwavering effort towards progress and improvement, both individually and collectively.
Q.13 ‘Where words come out from the depth of truth’ – Explain in your own words.
Ans:
This line means that people should speak with complete honesty, sincerity, and integrity. The words should reflect the true feelings and thoughts of an individual, free from any deception or falsehood.
Q.14 Who is ‘Thee’ in the poem? What does the poet appeal to ‘Thee’ to do?
Ans:
‘Thee’ refers to God in the poem. The poet appeals to God to awaken the people of the country from their state of ignorance and fear, and guide them towards an ideal state of freedom where there is no fear, only good thoughts, words, and actions.
Q.15 What qualities does the poet wish to inculcate in his countrymen?
Ans:
The poet wishes to inculcate qualities such as truthfulness, dignity, wisdom, sincerity of heart, open-mindedness, clear thinking, hard work, and a broad outlook in his countrymen. He envisions a society where people are free from fear and prejudice, where reason and knowledge guide their actions, and where they strive towards excellence and unity. These qualities would contribute to an ideal nation, where every individual lives with integrity and contributes positively to society.
Q.16 Is the poem a prayer for India alone?
Ans:
The poem is primarily a prayer for India, but its message is universal and relevant to countries around the world. The poet’s desire for a society free from fear, prejudice, and ignorance applies to all nations seeking progress and unity.
Q.17 What should the words we speak reflect?
Ans:
The words we speak should reflect our sincerity, truthfulness, and integrity. They should come from the depth of our hearts and convey honesty, fostering trust and understanding in society.
Q.18 What should people keep on widening? How can it be done?
Ans:
People should keep widening their outlook. This can be done by eliminating prejudices, learning from different cultures, traveling to new places, and through education. These actions help in broadening one’s perspective and fostering an open-minded approach to life.
Q.19 From what darkness of night should our nation awaken?
Ans:
Our nation should awaken from the darkness of prejudices, social divisions, harmful old traditions, rituals, and customs. It should also free itself from the selective imparting of knowledge, insincerity, untruthfulness, fear, and a lack of self-respect. These elements have hindered progress, and the nation must overcome them to achieve a true sense of freedom and unity.
Q.20 What attributes of Rabindranath Tagore does the poem reflect?
Ans:
The poem reflects Rabindranath Tagore’s clear thinking, broad outlook, scientific attitude, and his emphasis on hard work. It also demonstrates his commitment to rational thinking and social progress. His desire for a society based on truth, knowledge, and unity is central to his vision for an ideal world.
Q.21 What effect does the repetition of the word ‘Where’ at the beginning of each line have?
Ans:
The repetition of the word ‘Where’ at the beginning of each line creates a rhythmic effect and emphasizes the poet’s vision of an ideal society. It draws attention to the different aspects of freedom, truth, and unity that the poet wishes to see in the world. This repetition also highlights the dream-like quality of the poem, reinforcing the idea of a perfect, utopian world where all these qualities are realized. By starting each line with ‘Where,’ the poet emphasizes the longing for such a society in every aspect of life.
Q.22 What does Tagore mean by ‘narrow domestic walls’?
Ans:
By ‘narrow domestic walls,’ Tagore refers to the divisions created by religious, social, and political differences. He prays that his countrymen should not be divided into smaller groups based on these differences, such as caste, religion, or political beliefs. Instead, they should be united as one nation, free from such barriers, and work together for the progress of the country.
Q.23 How can people achieve perfection?
Ans:
The poet believes that people can achieve perfection by continuously striving for excellence and working towards their goals with sincerity and dedication. Perfection is not an immediate achievement but a continuous process, and it is realized through hard work, truthfulness, and self-improvement. The poet prays that the people of his country should dedicate themselves to this tireless striving in order to achieve their highest potential.
Q.24 What importance does Tagore place on truth and reason?
Ans:
Tagore believes that truth, knowledge, and reason are essential for the proper development of a person’s character. Our reason should not be lost in the desert of outdated customs and superstitions. Only by embracing truth and reason can we grow intellectually and morally. Tagore emphasizes that these qualities are key to achieving greatness and creating a society based on rational thought and honesty.
Where the Mind is Without Fear Questions Answers
Q.25 Why does the poet repudiate the idea of ‘narrow domestic walls’?
Ans:
The poet repudiates the idea of ‘narrow domestic walls’ because he believes that divisions based on religion, caste, language, or region hinder the unity and progress of the nation. In the poet’s view, such barriers are the greatest threat to national unity. He prays for his countrymen to be united, transcending these divisive factors, so that the country can move forward as one. These “narrow domestic walls” symbolize the limitations imposed by outdated traditions and prejudices.
Q.26 What type of strength does the poet pray for?
Ans:
The poet prays for a strength that leads to perfection. This strength allows people to rise above fear, humiliation, and divisions, enabling them to live with dignity and pride. With such strength, individuals can walk with their heads held high, confident in their actions and thoughts. It is a strength that empowers people to pursue excellence and contribute positively to society. This strength is not just physical, but a moral and intellectual strength that helps one achieve greatness.
Where The Mind is Without Fear MCQ Questions Answers
Q.1. We can hold our head high when:
a. we are proud
b. we are hardworking
c. we are cowards
d. there is no fear within us
Answer: d. there is no fear within us
Q.2. When the poet says ‘knowledge is free,’ he means that knowledge:
a. cannot be bought
b. is available to all
c. is not imprisoned
d. is what one needs
Answer: b. is available to all
Q.3. This poem was written:
a. before independence
b. after independence
c. during independence
d. for independence
Answer: a. before independence
Q.4. The poem shows us that the poet his country:
a. feels sorry for
b. is ashamed of
c. dislikes
d. loves
Answer: d. loves
Q.5. The poet has addressed the poem to:
a. his father
b. Mahatma Gandhi
c. the politicians
d. God
Answer: d. God
Q.6. The correct meaning of the phrase ‘dead habit’ is:
a. ancient times
b. old habits
c. meaningless tradition
d. a habit that should die
Answer: c. meaningless tradition
Q.7. What does the poet pray for in the poem?
a. Material wealth for the nation
b. Freedom of thought and spirit
c. Military power
d. Political alliances
Answer: b. Freedom of thought and spirit
Where the Mind is Without Fear Questions Answers
Q.8. What does the poet mean by ‘heaven of freedom’?
a. A place of luxury and comfort
b. A society free from fear, ignorance, and oppression
c. A utopia with no work
d. A world of endless pleasure
Answer: b. A society free from fear, ignorance, and oppression
Q.9. What is meant by ‘narrow domestic walls’?
a. Small houses
b. Family feuds
c. Divisions caused by caste, creed, and religion
d. Narrow roads in villages
Answer: c. Divisions caused by caste, creed, and religion
Q.10. What is the poet’s attitude toward superstitions?
a. Acceptance of them
b. Criticism of them
c. Indifference to them
d. Appreciation for their cultural value
Answer: b. Criticism of them
Q.11. According to the poem, what leads to perfection?
a. Tireless striving
b. Luck
c. Financial resources
d. Faith in God
Answer: a. Tireless striving
Q.12. Which phrase symbolizes the misuse of rationality?
a. Heaven of freedom
b. Narrow domestic walls
c. Dreary desert sand of dead habit
d. Tireless striving
Answer: c. Dreary desert sand of dead habit
Q.13. Which human quality is NOT desired by the poet in the poem?
a. Fearlessness
b. Rationality
c. Dishonesty
d. Unity
Answer: c. Dishonesty
Q.14. What does the poet want the ‘stream of reason’ to do?
a. Flow freely without obstruction
b. Dry up completely
c. Get confined by traditions
d. Turn into a stagnant pool
Answer: a. Flow freely without obstruction
Q.15. How does the poet describe the ideal state of human speech?
a. Filled with fear
b. Coming from the depth of truth
c. Politically motivated
d. Influenced by traditions
Answer: b. Coming from the depth of truth
Q.16. What does the phrase ‘head is held high’ suggest in the poem?
a. Physical strength
b. Confidence and self-respect
c. Wealth and prosperity
d. Arrogance and pride
Answer: b. Confidence and self-respect
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