Chapter: 02. Piano
A. Answer these questions.
What specific part of his mother’s body does the child press while sitting under the piano? The child presses the small, poised feet of his mother. What kind of feeling does the poet express towards the Sunday evenings? The poet expresses a feeling of deep longing and belonging towards the old Sunday evenings at home. What is the singer doing in the final stanza that is described as ‘vain’? The singer is bursting into clamour with the great black piano, playing passionately. Besides the piano, what other musical elements are mentioned in the poem? Singing (hymns), and the boom of tingling strings. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
“In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song Betrays me back…”
a. What does the phrase “in spite of myself” reveal about the poet’s current feelings towards being taken back to the past?
* It reveals that the poet is trying to resist or doesn’t consciously wish to be overwhelmed by these memories in the present moment, yet the song’s power is too strong to fight.
b. Why does the poet describe the “mastery of song” as “insidious”?
* The poet describes it as “insidious” because its influence is subtle, sneaky, and deeply powerful, taking hold of him gradually but completely, much like a dangerous force that works quietly to overcome someone. “The glamour Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast Down…”
a. What does the poet mean when he says his “manhood is cast Down”?
* It means his adult identity, strength, and composure are overwhelmed and swept away by the intense memories of childhood, making him feel vulnerable and emotional like a child again.
b. What does the phrase “The glamour of childish days is upon me” imply about the pervasive nature of his memories?
* It implies that the allure and charm of his childhood days have completely enveloped him, covering him entirely and making it impossible for him to escape their powerful influence. C. Think and answer.
How does the poet’s emotional state evolve throughout the poem, from the first stanza to the last? In the first stanza, the poet is drawn into a tender and peaceful memory. In the second, his emotion shifts to a deep longing and a sense of loss, as his heart “weeps to belong.” By the third stanza, his emotions become overwhelming, leading to a complete breakdown of his adult composure, as he is consumed by a “flood of remembrance” and “weeps like a child.” The evolution is from gentle recollection to profound emotional distress. Identify and describe two specific sensory images (sight, sound, touch) that the poet uses to make his childhood memory vivid for the reader. Sound: “boom of the tingling strings” allows the reader to hear the deep vibrations and resonance of the piano, immersing them in the child’s perspective under the instrument. Sight/Touch: “pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings” creates a clear visual of the intimate interaction and also implies the tactile sensation of the child’s touch on his mother’s feet. The poem explores the idea of the past influencing the present. Do you agree that memories can be so powerful they make you feel like a different person? Explain why or why not, giving an example if possible. Yes, I agree that memories can be so powerful they make you feel like a different person. Sometimes, hearing a particular song or smelling a certain scent can instantly transport you back to a specific moment or age, and for that brief period, you might feel the same emotions, anxieties, or joys you felt back then. For example, if I hear a song that was popular during my elementary school days, I might suddenly feel the carefree excitement of a child again, forgetting my adult responsibilities for a moment, just like the poet is “cast Down” from his manhood. 
Answer key