Chapter: 08. Ode To A Butterfly
Comprehension Practice - Answer Key
A. Answer these questions.
According to the poet, what ‘secrets’ does the butterfly carry in its colors? The butterfly carries “Nature’s secrets” in its “tints unrolled / Through gorgeous cipher.” What does the poet mean by calling the butterfly a “winged blossom”? By calling it a “winged blossom,” the poet suggests that the butterfly is like a flower that has gained wings and become free to move, emphasizing its delicate beauty and liberation from being rooted. How does the poem suggest the butterfly might get its vibrant colors, besides heavenly hues? The poem suggests its colors might be “Caught when the sunset its last glance imbues / With sudden splendor,” implying the high tree-tops “Grasp that swift blazonry, / Then lend those tints to thee.” Why does the poet describe the garden as a “wide banquet” for the butterfly? The poet describes the garden as a “wide banquet” because it provides all the food the butterfly needs (nectar/honey from flowers), signifying abundant sustenance readily available to it. What quality of the butterfly’s eyes is mentioned, and what does it suggest about its nature? The poem mentions that the butterfly’s “calm eyes never close,” suggesting a constant state of alertness, peacefulness, and perhaps a lack of worry or the need for rest like other creatures. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
“He seeks his hope in thee
Of immortality.
Symbol of life, me with such faith endow!”
a. Who is ‘he’ in the first line?
* ‘He’ refers to the soul of man, or humanity in general.
b. What does ‘immortality’ mean in this context?
* In this context, ‘immortality’ means endless life or existence beyond death, often implying a spiritual continuation or a legacy that lives on.
c. What is the poet asking for in the last line?
* The poet is asking the butterfly (as a symbol of life and immortality) to grant or instill in him the same kind of faith or hope that it represents. “Or is thy luster drawn from heavenly hues,
A sumptuous drifting fragment of the sky,
Caught when the sunset its last glance imbues”
a. What is “thy luster” referring to?
* “Thy luster” refers to the butterfly’s radiant shine, its vibrant colors, and overall brilliant appearance.
b. What does “sumptuous drifting fragment of the sky” suggest about the butterfly’s beauty?
* It suggests that the butterfly’s beauty is extraordinarily rich, luxurious, and almost divine, as if it is a magnificent piece broken off from the heavens itself, floating freely.
c. What natural event is being described as contributing to the butterfly’s colors?
* The natural event described as contributing to the butterfly’s colors is a sunset, specifically its last, splendid glance. C. Think and answer.
The poet uses several contrasts (e.g., songless butterfly vs. songful birds, freeman butterfly vs. nesting birds). Discuss how these contrasts help to highlight the butterfly’s unique qualities and importance in the poem. The contrasts in the poem effectively highlight the butterfly’s unique qualities by setting it apart from other common creatures. Comparing the “songless wanderer” to “songful birds” emphasizes the butterfly’s quiet grace and perhaps a deeper, more visual form of beauty that doesn’t rely on sound. It makes its presence distinct and ethereal. Contrasting the butterfly as “Nature’s freeman” with birds that have “nests” and “errands,” and field mice that “keeps the homestead,” stresses the butterfly’s unparalleled freedom. While other animals are tied to responsibilities, territories, or daily routines, the butterfly is presented as completely “unfettered,” able to “stray” at will. This distinction elevates the butterfly to a symbol of ultimate liberation, making its importance as a representation of human aspiration for freedom much stronger. By highlighting what the butterfly isn’t (a singer, a home-dweller), the poet more powerfully defines what it is: a pure embodiment of natural beauty and unrestrained liberty, making it a profound symbol for human hope and immortality. If you were to choose another creature from nature to symbolize hope or freedom, what would it be and why? Describe your chosen creature and explain what specific aspects of it represent these ideas. (Answer will vary based on student’s choice and explanation. Example provided below.) If I were to choose another creature from nature to symbolize hope and freedom, I would choose a migratory bird, like a swallow or a crane. Freedom: These birds symbolize freedom because they travel vast distances across continents, crossing borders without restraint. They are not tied to one place and can adapt to different environments. This ability to traverse great distances and choose their path embodies a profound sense of natural freedom, demonstrating an unconfined existence. Hope: Migratory birds also represent hope, especially with their return each season. Their reappearance after a long journey signifies renewal, the promise of warmer weather, and the continuity of life’s cycles. For many cultures, the return of migratory birds signals the end of harsh times and the beginning of a fertile, hopeful period. Their resilience in undertaking such long, arduous journeys against all odds offers a powerful message of enduring hope and the possibility of reaching distant goals. 
Answer key