Chapter: 08. Ode To A Butterfly
English Literature: Ode to a Butterfly - Answer Key
Section A: Comprehension (15 Marks)
Part I: Short Answer Questions (5 Marks)
How does the poet describe the pursuit of the butterfly by children? The poet describes it as a “glad pursuit beguiled” by every child, implying they are happily captivated and charmed while living their “unspoiled days.” What simple act gives the “daintiest reveller” satiety, according to the poem? “One drop of honey” gives the “daintiest reveller” (the butterfly) satiety. Why does the poet call the butterfly the “soberest sprite”? The poet calls the butterfly the “soberest sprite” because its “feast no orgy shows” and it finds complete satisfaction in a minimal amount of food (“one drop of honey gives satiety”), suggesting it is restrained and temperate in its enjoyment. What does the butterfly symbolize for the “soul of man” when facing “death’s arrest”? When facing “death’s arrest,” the butterfly symbolizes “His emblem of the new career that springs” and the “hope of immortality” for the soul of man. What comparison does the poet draw between the butterfly and other small animals like birds and field mice regarding their living arrangements? The poet contrasts the butterfly, which is “Nature’s freeman,” free to stray “Unfettered through the wood,” with birds that “have their nests” and field mice that “keeps the homestead whence it sprung.” Part II: Reference to the Context (6 Marks)
“Thou winged blossom, liberated thing,
What secret tie binds thee to other flowers,”
a. What characteristic of the butterfly is highlighted by calling it a “liberated thing”?
* Its complete freedom from being rooted or confined, able to move freely.
b. What “secret tie” is the poet wondering about?
* The poet is wondering about an unseen connection that might link the butterfly (which can fly) to the other flowers that are still rooted in the garden.
c. What is the poet’s implied wish for the other flowers?
* The poet’s implied wish is that the other flowers might also “soar,” “take flight,” and become “irrevocably free” like the butterfly. “Thy feast no orgy shows;
Thy calm eyes never close,”
a. What is contrasted with the butterfly’s “feast”?
* The butterfly’s simple and calm “feast” is contrasted with an “orgy,” implying a wild or excessive party.
b. What does “Thy calm eyes never close” suggest about the butterfly’s state?
* It suggests a state of constant alertness, peacefulness, innocence, or perhaps an ethereal quality that doesn’t require sleep.
c. What quality of the butterfly is emphasized by this description?
* The description emphasizes the butterfly’s serene, composed, and sober (in the sense of self-controlled) nature. Part III: Think and Answer (4 Marks)
The poem explores the idea of freedom. In what ways is the butterfly’s freedom described as being absolute or unique compared to other creatures? (2 Marks) The butterfly’s freedom is described as absolute because it is “unfettered,” meaning without chains or restrictions, and it is “free to stray” wherever it wishes. Unlike birds which have nests and responsibilities, or field mice tied to their homesteads, the butterfly has no fixed abode or duties. It is called “Nature’s freeman,” highlighting its unique, pure, and unrestricted liberty to wander freely through nature. The poet ends by asking the butterfly to “endow” him with faith. What kind of “faith” do you think the poet is seeking, and why is the butterfly a fitting symbol for it? (2 Marks) The poet is likely seeking faith in “immortality” and the hope of “new career that springs” even after challenges or “death’s arrest.” The butterfly is a fitting symbol because it undergoes a remarkable transformation from a seemingly lowly caterpillar to a beautiful, soaring creature. This metamorphosis symbolizes rebirth, renewal, and the idea that life, or spirit, can continue or transform beyond what appears to be an end, offering hope for continuation and aspiration. Section B: Vocabulary (5 Marks)
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word from the box below.
a. The magician’s tricks easily beguiled the audience.
b. His lifelong aspiration was to climb Mount Everest.
c. The king lived in a sumptuous palace with golden ornaments.
d. After passing all exams, she felt unfettered and free to pursue her dreams.
e. Even a small spark of kindness can brighten someone’s day. Match the following words with their Antonyms. Unfettered - a. Restriction Section C: Literary Devices & Appreciation (5 Marks)
Identify the figure of speech in the phrase “Thou daintiest reveller of the joyous earth!”. Personification and Metaphor (The butterfly is metaphorically called a ‘reveller’, a human quality). The line “The garden one wide banquet spreads for thee” is an example of which literary technique? Personification (The garden is given the human ability to ‘spread a banquet’). What specific sense does the imagery “The sweetness spiced on every blossomed spray” appeal to? Taste (and possibly smell). Why might the poet have chosen to use archaic words like ‘thou’ and ‘thy’ instead of modern equivalents? To give the poem a more formal, classical, or timeless feel, characteristic of odes and older poetry, lending a sense of reverence or solemnity to the address. Explain how the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly adds to its symbolism of hope for “new career that springs”. The transformation from a crawling caterpillar into a flying butterfly is a powerful metaphor for radical change, rebirth, and emerging into a new, more beautiful, and freer existence. This natural process perfectly symbolizes the idea of a “new career” or a fresh start that “springs” forth, even from an seemingly humble or confined beginning, offering hope for growth and positive change. Section D: Language & Grammar (3 Marks)
Identify if the conjunction used is Coordinating © or Subordinating (S).
a. We waited for hours, but the bus never arrived. (C)
b. Although it was raining, they decided to go for a walk. (S)
c. She can either sing or dance very well. (C) Fill in the blanks with a suitable coordinating or subordinating conjunction.
a. He was tired, yet he continued to work. (or but)
b. We won’t leave until you are ready. (or before)
c. You must study hard if you want to pass the test. (or because) Section E: Pronunciation (2 Marks)
In each set of words, circle the word where the ‘gh’ sound is NOT silent.
a. night, bright, cough
b. through, tough, though
c. high, laugh, sigh Write two words from the poem where the ‘gh’ is silent. Thought, bright, high, caught, daughter, neighbour, dough, bough, through (Any two are acceptable). 
Answer key