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- ##fa fa-bookmark## Poem 5: In the Street of Fruit Stalls
- This chapter is from the 11th class English book 3 and it has been written by Jan Stallworthy. we have presented the important questions and main idea of this chapter for the intermediate (first year) fsc fa ics i.com first year students.
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- ##fa fa-info-circle## Summary
- In the poem "In The Street Of The Fruit Stalis", the poet describes various stalls in the street full of variety of fruits. The poet describes in detail the shape, size, colour, taste and flavour of each of the fruits. The poet, links this description with social issues of vital importance. He feels sorry for the poor children who can see and smell the fruits, but they cannot eat them. These poor fellows keep on wandering about the fruit stalls with a vain hope that they would sometime be able to buy the fruit. Sadly, their dreams never came true. However, these poor black children somehow pick up a fruit and break it open. Juice comes out and pours into their mouths and also sticks on their fingers and cheeks. The poet is grieved to look at this sad spectacle but the poor children are least disturbed. They have at least enjoyed the delicious fruit.
Q: Write a criticial note on the poem.
The poem 'in the Street of the Fruit Stalls' is written by Jan Stallworthy. He chooses themes from miserable settings. This is a symbolic poem. The diction is, therefore, a bit unfamiliar for common readers. The poet describes various stalls in the street full of variety of fruits. He describes in detail the shape, size, colour, taste and flavour of each of the fruits. He links this description with social issues of vital importance. The poet feels sorry for the poor children who can see and Smell the fruits, but they cannot eat them. These poor fellows keep on wandering about the fruit stalls with a vain hope that they would sometime be able to buy the fruit. Sadly, their dreams never came true. After a long wait, these poor black children Somehow pick up a fruit and break it open. Juice comes out and pours into their mouths and also sticks on their fingers and cheeks. The poet is grieved to look at this sad spectacle but the poor children are least disturbed. They have at last enjoyed the delicious fruit.
Q: What are the feelings of the poet standing in the dark street?
The poet feels sorry for the poor black children who cannot buy and enjoy the fruit. The innocent children somehow grab the fruit and break it open. They eat and drink it with a great delight. They forget the sadness and the pain resulting from social injustice. The children forget all this, but the poet does not. He keeps on thinking about the indifference and the cruelty of the unjust social order.
Q: Why has the poet used the cannon balls to describe the fruits?
The shape of the fruits mentioned in the poem is closer to that of a cannon ball. That is why the poet compares them with the cannon ball.
Q: Paraphrase the last stanza.
The poor black children take the fruit and break it open. The juice pours down in their mouth and on their cheeks and fingers as if it was coming from beautiful fountains. Their cheeks are as bright as lanterns. They soon forget that a little while ago they were standing in the dark street.
Q: Make a list of all fruit mentioned in the poem.
The poet mentions melon, guava, mandarin and pyramid. He describes fruits of different size, shape and flavours.
Q: Which colours are the fruits?
The fruits are of a variety of colours. The reflect hot, red and golden colours in the dim light of the lanterns.
Q: Why does the poet call the children as "dark children"?
The poet calls them 'dark children' for two reasons. Firstly because they are black and secondly because they are in the dark as they are ignorned by the Society.
Q: Why does the poet feel sorry for the children?
The poet feels Sorry for the children because the poor ones can see and smell the fruit, but they cannot buy and eat the fruit.
Q: What makes the children radiant as lanterns?
The children are overjoyed to pick up a fruit and break it open. With sheer joy there comes brightness on their cheeks.
Q: How do children feel after breaking open the fruit?
For the poet this was a sad spectacle. However, the children do not have any regrets. They are happy to enjoy the delicious fruit.
Q: What is the theme of the poem?
The Society is divided into haves and have-nots. The poor ones suffer both financially and emotionally.
Q: What is the major symbol in this poem?
Darkness is the dominating symbol in this poem. Darkness represents gloom and misfortune.
