KEY WORDS AND PHRASES
| 1. Stand on one’s own feet | 15. Eyeless reptiles |
| 2. Brave heart | 16. Tiny, petaled toes |
| 3. In cold blood | 17. Callused |
| 4. Take to one’s heel | 18. Volcanoes of death |
| 5. Child’s foot | 19. Coarsening |
| 6. Butterfly | 20. Walks without respite |
| 7. Apple | 21. Fields, mines, markets, and ministries |
| 8. Stones and bits of glass | 22. Scarcely taking time to bare itself |
| 9. Paths in the rough earth | 23. In love or sleep |
| 10. Cannot fly | 24. Descended underground |
| 11. Prisoner condemned to live in a shoe | 25. Everything was dark |
| 12. Dark | 26. Burying |
| 13. Blind man | 27. Fly |
| 14. Hard as horn | 28. Become an apple |
Metaphors
- The child’s foot wanting to be a butterfly or an apple – This metaphor expresses the innocent desires of the foot (or child) to be free, light, and full of potential.
- Stones, bits of glass, streets, and ladders teaching the foot – Life’s hardships symbolized by physical objects, teaching the foot (child) its limitations.
- The foot as a prisoner condemned to live in a shoe – The shoe represents the restrictions of adult life, confining the free and playful foot (child).
- Tiny petaled toes transforming into eyeless reptiles with triangular heads – The once delicate toes are metaphorically described as turning into something hard, deformed, and reptilian, symbolizing the loss of innocence and transformation through experience.
- Callused foot covered with faint volcanoes of death – The calluses are compared to volcanoes, symbolizing wear, decay, and the impact of life’s burdens.
- Blind thing walking without respite – The foot is metaphorically described as blind, unaware, trudging through life without stopping, symbolizing the relentless forward march of time.
- Burying the foot underground so it could fly or become an apple – Even in death, the foot wonders whether it will be set free (like flying) or transformed into something new (like an apple).
Imageries
- Butterfly or an apple – Vivid images of lightness and growth, representing the child’s initial aspirations.
- Stones, bits of glass, streets, ladders, and rough earth – These images evoke a harsh, unforgiving world that the foot must navigate, symbolizing life’s challenges.
- Living in a shoe – The image of the foot confined in a shoe suggests a dark, restricted space, symbolizing the constraints of adulthood.
- Darkness – The recurring imagery of darkness symbolizes ignorance, limitation, and the absence of freedom.
- Hard as horn – The nails of the foot turning hard like horn represents the physical and emotional hardening that comes with age.
- Eyeless reptiles with triangular heads – A striking image comparing toes to reptiles, conveying distortion and loss of beauty over time.
- Volcanoes of death – The callused foot resembling volcanoes give an image of roughness and decay, emphasizing the toll life takes on the body.
- Walking through fields, mines, markets, and ministries – A series of images representing the various paths of life, from nature to labour, commerce, and governance.
- Foot descending underground – The final image of the foot descending into darkness reflects death and the return to the earth.
- Answer the following questions in one or two sentences (2 Marks Questions)
- What does the child’s foot want to be at first?
Answer: The child’s foot wants to be a butterfly or an apple, symbolizing its desire for freedom and lightness.
- Why does the child’s foot learn that it cannot fly or be a fruit?
Answer: The foot learns this because it faces obstacles like stones, streets, and rough paths that teach it about its limitations.
- What happens to the child’s foot as it grows older?
Answer: As the foot grows older, it becomes hard, callused, and loses its softness, symbolizing the hardships of life.
- Why is the foot compared to a prisoner?
Answer: The foot is compared to a prisoner because it is trapped inside a shoe, much like how people become confined by life’s responsibilities.
- What does the poet mean by the foot being “blind”?
Answer: The foot being “blind” means it walks through life without knowing its final destination or purpose, symbolizing the uncertainties of life.
- What does the child’s foot desire to become?
Answer: The child’s foot desires to become a butterfly or an apple.
- What challenges does the foot face as it grows?
Answer: The foot faces challenges like stones, streets, and rough paths, which teach it about life’s difficulties.
- How does the foot change as it gets older?
Answer: As the foot gets older, it becomes hard and callused, losing its softness.
- Why is the foot described as being in a “shoe”?
Answer: The foot is described as being in a shoe to show how it becomes confined and limited by life’s struggles.
- Where does the foot go when it finally stops walking?
Answer: The foot descends underground, symbolizing death and the end of life.
- What lesson can we learn from the foot’s journey through life?
Answer: We learn that life is full of challenges, but we must keep moving forward, even when things are difficult.
- How does the poem show the change from childhood to adulthood?
Answer: The poem shows this change by describing how the soft, delicate child’s foot becomes hard and callused over time, symbolizing the effects of life’s struggles.
- Why is it important for the foot to “stand on its own”?
Answer: It’s important because standing on one’s own symbolizes independence and the ability to face life’s challenges with strength.
- How does the poet use the image of the foot to reflect human experiences?
Answer: The poet uses the foot to represent how people face obstacles, grow through hardships, and eventually come to terms with life’s realities.
- What does the foot being “blind” teach us about facing the future?
Answer: It teaches us that we may not always know what the future holds, but we must keep going with hope and determination.
- Answer the following questions in about 60 words (3 Marks)
- Wy does the child’s foot desire to be a butterfly or an apple in the poem?
Answer: In the poem, the child’s foot desires to be a butterfly or an apple because it symbolizes freedom, lightness, and the endless possibilities that come with childhood dreams. The foot is unaware of the limitations it will face as it grows older. The butterfly represents the ability to fly and explore, while the apple symbolizes growth and beauty. This reflects the child’s innocent hopes before encountering the realities of life.
- How does the poet describe the process of the foot’s transformation from childhood to adulthood?
Answer: The poet describes the foot’s transformation by showing how it starts soft and delicate, like petals, but gradually hardens and becomes callused. The foot faces challenges like walking on rough paths, stones, and glass, which represent life’s difficulties. As time passes, the foot loses its softness and becomes rough, much like how people grow tougher with age. This transformation symbolizes how life’s hardships shape us as we grow older.
- What does the poet mean when he says the foot is a “prisoner condemned to live in a shoe”?
Answer: When the poet says the foot is a “prisoner condemned to live in a shoe,” he means that the foot, like a person, becomes confined by the restrictions of life as it grows older. The shoe represents the limits imposed by society, responsibilities, and the physical toll life takes on the body. The foot, which once wished to fly and be free, is now trapped and restricted, just like how people’s dreams and freedoms are often limited by life’s circumstances.
- Why does the poet describe the foot as “blind,” and what does this suggest about the way people live?
Answer: The poet describes the foot as “blind” because it walks through life without seeing where it is going, symbolizing the uncertainty people face in life. The foot blindly follows a path, never fully aware of its final destination or purpose. This suggests that people often move through life without knowing what lies ahead, making choices and decisions without complete understanding, but continuing forward regardless. It reflects the human experience of living without fully understanding our future or destiny.
- Why does the foot stop dreaming of becoming a butterfly or an apple?
Answer: The foot stops dreaming of becoming a butterfly or an apple because it faces harsh realities like stones, streets, and rough paths. These challenges teach the foot that it cannot fly or become a fruit, symbolizing how life’s obstacles make us realize our limitations and let go of childhood dreams.
- How does the foot change physically as it grows older?
Answer: The foot changes physically by becoming hard, callused, and losing its soft, petaled-like toes. As it grows older, the once delicate and smooth foot becomes rough and hardened, symbolizing how people change and become tough due to the challenges they face throughout life.
- What does the poet mean by the foot walking “without respite”?
Answer: The poet means that the foot walks without stopping, symbolizing how people continue to work, move, and live without rest. It suggests that life is full of constant movement and effort, and people rarely take breaks or time for themselves, even though they are burdened by responsibilities.
- What is the significance of the foot descending “underground” at the end of the poem? Answer: The foot descending “underground” represents death, symbolizing the end of life. After walking and facing life’s challenges, the foot finally stops and returns to the earth, suggesting that death is the final destination for all living beings and the end of the struggles of life.
- How does the poet use the foot to represent life’s journey?
Answer: The poet uses the foot to symbolize life’s journey by showing how it starts soft and full of dreams, but faces challenges like stones and rough paths. Over time, the foot becomes hard and callused, representing how life’s difficulties shape and change us as we grow older.
- What does the poem teach us about facing challenges in life?
Answer: The poem teaches us that challenges in life, like the foot facing stones and rough paths, are unavoidable. It shows that even though life can be difficult and confining, like the foot in a shoe, we must keep moving forward and adapt to the hardships we encounter.
- Why is the foot described as “blind” in the poem, and what does it mean for people? Answer: The foot is described as “blind” to show that it continues moving without seeing its path, just like people face life’s challenges without knowing their future. It means that, despite uncertainty, we must keep walking forward and trust the process, even if we can’t predict where life will lead.
- What lesson can we learn from the foot’s transformation from soft to hard?
Answer: The foot’s transformation from soft to hard teaches us that life’s challenges make us stronger. Just as the foot becomes callused over time, people grow tougher and more resilient as they face difficulties. It shows that while life can be hard, these experiences shape us and help us adapt.
FROM QUESTION BANK
- What according to the speaker is the child’s foot not yet aware of in ‘To the Foot From its Child’?
Answer: According to the speaker, the child’s foot is not yet aware that it is a foot and would like to be something else, like a butterfly or an apple.
- Mention one of the things that the child’s foot likes to be in ‘To the Foot From its Child’. Answer: One of the things the child’s foot likes to be is a butterfly.
- According to the speaker in ‘To the Foot From its Child’, what would like to be a butterfly or an apple?
Answer: According to the speaker, the child’s foot would like to be a butterfly or an apple.
- Where is the child’s foot condemned to live according to the speaker in ‘To the Foot From its Child’?
Answer: The child’s foot is condemned to live in a shoe.
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What is out of touch with its fellow in the poem, ‘To the Foot From its Child’?
Answer: In the poem, the foot is out of touch with its fellow, meaning it is isolated and enclosed in its own world, not connected with other parts.
- Who feels out life like a blind man in the poem, ‘To the Foot From its Child’? Answer: The foot feels out life like a blind man in the poem.
- What do the soft nails of the child change themselves into in ‘To the Foot From its Child’?
Answer: The soft nails of the child change themselves into a hard, opaque substance, hard as horn.
- What are the toes of the child compared to in ‘To the Foot From its Child’?
Answer: The toes of the child are compared to eyeless reptiles with triangular heads, like worms.
- What form do the petaled toes take on in ‘To the Foot From its Child’?
Answer: The petaled toes take on the form of eyeless reptiles with triangular heads.
- What does the blind thing refer to in ‘To the Foot From its Child’?
Answer: The “blind thing” refers to the foot, which walks through life without seeing or knowing its final destination.
- Mention any one of the places through which the foot walks in ‘To the Foot From its Child’.
Answer: One of the places through which the foot walks is the fields.
- How long does the foot walk in ‘To the Foot From its Child’?
Answer: The foot walks without respite, never stopping, hour after hour, throughout its life.
- Where did the foot descend after it ceased to be in ‘To the Foot From its Child’? Answer: After it ceased to be, the foot descended underground.
- Answer the following questions in about 100 words each (4 Marks)
- How does the poem ‘To the Foot From its Child’ bring out the contrast between illusion and reality?
Answer: The poem contrasts illusion and reality by illustrating the child’s foot’s initial dreams of being a butterfly or an apple, which symbolize freedom and potential. However, as the foot encounters life’s challenges—such as walking on rough paths, stones, and glass—it faces the harsh reality of physical confinement and hard work. This shift from the foot’s innocent desires to the reality of adult life highlights the stark difference between youthful fantasies and the often difficult truths of growing up.
- What happens to the foot when it is condemned to live in a shoe as presented in ‘To the Foot From its Child’?
Answer: When the foot is condemned to live in a shoe, it becomes confined and restricted. This metaphorical shoe represents the limitations and burdens imposed by adult life, trapping the foot and preventing it from realizing its early dreams of flying or being a fruit. The confinement in the shoe symbolizes how responsibilities and societal expectations limit personal freedom and how the foot loses its initial flexibility and freedom as it grows older.
- Trace the stages of the foot’s transformation as portrayed in ‘To the Foot From its Child’.
Answer: The foot’s transformation begins with its initial state of softness and innocence, where it dreams of being a butterfly or an apple. As it encounters life’s obstacles, such as stones and rough paths, it becomes hard and callused. Over time, the foot’s once-soft skin turns into a tough, opaque substance. In its later stages, the foot becomes deformed and calloused, reflecting the cumulative impact of life’s hardships. Finally, it walks tirelessly until it descends underground, symbolizing death and the end of its journey.
- Explain the similarity between the foot’s early life and its end as depicted in ‘To the Foot From its Child’.
Answer: The similarity between the foot’s early life and its end is seen in the themes of limitation and confinement. Initially, the foot is confined by its innocence and dreams of unattainable things. At the end, it is confined by death and burial underground. Both stages reflect a state of restriction—the early confinement of unfulfilled dreams and the final confinement in death. This reflects how both youth and old age come with their own forms of limitations and inevitable constraints.
- How does the poem ‘To the Foot From its Child’ bring out the plight of a person dictated by society?
Answer: The poem illustrates the plight of a person dictated by society through the foot’s journey from freedom to confinement. The foot starts with dreams and potential but becomes restricted by the physical limitations of living in a shoe, symbolizing societal expectations and responsibilities. This confinement represents how societal norms and roles constrain personal freedom and ambitions. The poem shows how individuals are often trapped by societal demands, losing their initial dreams and freedom as they conform to prescribed roles and duties.
- Explain the instances that make the child’s foot aware of the obstacles and hardships in ‘To the Foot From its Child’.
Answer: The child’s foot becomes aware of obstacles and hardships through direct experiences with rough and painful conditions. It encounters stones, bits of glass, and uneven paths that challenge its earlier, softer state. These harsh experiences teach the foot about its limitations and the difficulties of life. The once-innocent dreams of flying or being a fruit are replaced by the reality of enduring physical pain and confinement, illustrating how life’s challenges lead to a deeper understanding of the world and its hardships.
- ‘To the Foot From its Child’ is a comment on the journey of life. Discuss.
Answer: “To the Foot From its Child” comments on the journey of life by portraying the foot’s transformation from childhood innocence to adulthood’s harsh reality. Initially, the foot is soft and full of dreams, wanting to be a butterfly or an apple, symbolizing freedom and potential. As it encounters life’s challenges, such as rough paths and stones, it becomes hardened and calloused. This change represents how life’s trials shape and confine individuals, reflecting the inevitable process of growing up and facing the reality of adult responsibilities.
- Society crushes dreams of individuals and condemns them to live in captivity. Explain with reference to ‘To the Foot From its Child’.
Answer: In “To the Foot From its Child,” society is depicted as crushing dreams and confining individuals through the metaphor of the foot being condemned to live in a shoe. Initially, the foot dreams of being a butterfly or an apple, representing freedom and potential. However, as it grows, it is restricted by societal expectations and responsibilities, symbolized by the shoe. This confinement reflects how societal norms limit personal freedom and dreams, forcing individuals to adapt to roles and conditions imposed by society, thus living in a metaphorical captivity.
- The poem ‘To the Foot From its Child’ represents the conflict between illusion and reality. Elaborate.
Answer: The poem “To the Foot From its Child” vividly represents the conflict between illusion and reality through the journey of the foot. In its early stages, the foot holds illusions of being a butterfly or an apple, symbolizing unbounded dreams and possibilities. However, as the foot encounters life’s challenges—like rough paths and stones—it confronts the harsh reality of physical limitations and societal constraints. This shift from idealistic dreams to the reality of confinement and hard work highlights the stark contrast between youthful fantasies and the often harsh truths of life.
- The norms of society control a man just as the foot is enclosed in a shoe. How is this depicted in ‘To the Foot From its Child’?
Answer: In “To the Foot From its Child,” the norms of society controlling a man are depicted through the metaphor of the foot being enclosed in a shoe. Initially, the foot is free and dreams of boundless possibilities. However, as it grows, it becomes confined within a shoe, symbolizing how societal norms and expectations restrict personal freedom. The shoe represents the constraints and roles imposed by society, which limit the individual’s potential and freedom, similar to how the foot’s dreams are suppressed and it is confined by the physical and metaphorical shoe.
- The foot is forced to play various roles and shoulder many responsibilities. Explain with reference to ‘To the Foot From its Child’.
Answer: In “To the Foot From its Child,” the foot is forced to play various roles and shoulder numerous responsibilities, symbolizing the demands of adult life. Initially, the foot is soft and carefree, but as it encounters life’s obstacles, it becomes hard and calloused, reflecting how it takes on the burdens of walking through rough paths and fulfilling responsibilities. The poem illustrates how, over time, the foot must endure constant movement and labour, representing the multiple roles and obligations that life imposes on individuals as they grow older.