Class X English - Chapter 15 - The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is the Hand That Rules The World

Central Idea
Reference

This poem is written by William Ross Wallace, (1819-1881). He was born in Dexington, Kentucky. His first poem appeared in 1837. He was lawyer by profession, but spent more time on literature. He composed patriotic songs during the civil wr which became popular. He possessed a splendid imagination as well as poetic diction.


Central Idea

The Central idea of this poem is that the first, noblest and most sacred mission of the mother is to bring up children. Mothers are the real builders of our nation, in the sense that the character of a children made or marred by the mother. It is said that:

"Educate women or mothers and the Nation will take charge of itself."


Theme

A French idealogist Charles force said:

"One could judge the degree of civilization of a country by the social and political possession of its mother."


Summary
This poem is written by famous American poet William Ross Wallace.

The poet is paying his homage to the mothers because of their holy and sacred task. The mothers bless the palace, cottage and poorman's equally and make them colourful. Mother's carry out a great sacred responsibility of bringing up the children. In this world, which is full of evils and vices, a mother is a mark of guidance and protection.

Mothers are the actual trainee of the children. Her affection enables the children to recognize divinity and obey command of Allah. A child's character depends directly upon the mothers.

Behind every success of accomplishment of the great people is the hand of their mother. Due to the caring guidance which is given in a dedicated and caring manner, a mother can mold the character of a child in good shape.

Mother's words are so sanctimonious that they are sure to accepted because they are strengthened by the worship of angles. So it is true that a mother's hand that brings up a child is the same that governs every sphere of life.




Question and Answers
Q.1 Why does the poet compare mother's hands to a rainbow?

Ans. The poet find resemblance between the mother's hands and a rainbow because "rainbow" is symbol of peace, pleasure and happiness. It indicates that the storm has passed and difficulties have gone. Similarly a mother is a symbol of pity and pleasure who creates a peaceful and coming atmosphere for the whole family.


Q.2 What is guided by angles and how?

Ans. The chestity and grace of mothers is guided by angles. No one can destroy the spirit of the true mothers because it is protected by the holy angles. They bring divine blessings to the mothers which help the mothers to struggle with the tediums of life.


Q.3 Explain how the poet gives the credit for all great achievements of people to their mothers?

Ans. The poet gives the credit for all great accomplishment of people to their mothers because all the great personalities are prominent in the world due to the careful bringing up to their mothers. It's only the result of mother's caring guidance and training that the world is passing with the periods of humanstary and great successes.


Q.4 Describe the role of a mother?

Ans. The role of a mother is to bring up and train the children. Mother is an actual guiding force for the children because due to her training a child can instigate a high moral character. Mother also infest in the children the spirit to know the difference between good and evil. A child is virtuous or his bad character depends upon the guidance of mother.


Q.5 Why does the poet compare infancy (childhood) with the tender fountain?

Ans. The poet compares infancy (childhood) with the tender fountain because childhood is just like a sophisticated and delicated fountain which can be led to any stage of life i.e. good or bad. It is only a mother who can guide a very young soil to his destination success it or failure.


Q.6 What does it mean by "Sunshine streamed or evil hurled."

Ans. Sunshine is a symbol of goodness and virtue. This phrase means that the structure of a man's character depends mainly upon the mother's. If the training of mother is goo it mean that she has infested a high moral character in her children. But if the guidance is not good and child's character will prevail by evilness.


Q.7 Why does the poet say that the prayers of mothers on earth mingles with that said in heaven?

Ans. The poet says so because the prayers of a mothers are so sacred and holy that they are accompanied by the holy prayers of angle. So that, these prayers are enforced and strengthened. The words of mother keep a sanctimonious status to God, which cannot be neglected because they are also strengthened by the worship of angles.


Q.8 Describe the poetic diction of William Ross Wallace?

Ans.William Rose Wallace composed patriotic songs during the civil war which became popular. He was a friend of Edgar Allen Roe whom he resembled both in temperament and habits. He possessed a splendid imagination as well as poetic diction.


Q.9 How can the mother keep the young heart open and for what?

Ans. Mother has a very divine task to complete which starts right from the beginning of the child's life and continues till the end. She keeps the young heart open in such a way that the child can understand and accept the divine commands of Allah.