FAQs
Q1.) John Donne is believed to be the founder of a school of poets. Can you name
the school?
Ans. John Donne is believed to be the founder of the Metaphysical School of Poets.
Q2.) What are the main features of this school?
Ans. The term “ Metaphysical” gives the misleading impression that this school of poets
dealt with the Universe as their subject. However, the term is a reflection of a chosen
style, rather than subject matter. The poetry of the Metaphysical poets
is characterized
by being much more logical in its approach to life, rather than sensuous or emotional. It
was also analytical and realistic in its portrayal of human relationships and made use of
the jagged rhythms of real human speech.
The most important feature of Metaphysical Poetry is its abundant use of the
metaphysical conceit.
Q3.) What do you understand by the term “metaphysical conceit”?
Ans. A metaphysical conceit is a very different kind of metaphor from the ones that are
usually made use of by poets. It is an extended metaphor in which the poet compares
two things that are very different, but have one common point of comparison. Because
of this one point of comparison,
the poet is able to link them together and create a
metaphor.
For example: The poet compares two lovers who must part to the two legs of a compass.
While one leg stays steady and fixed, the other leg travels. But at all times, the two legs
remain connected at a certain point. Just like a compass!
The comparison is not easily seen, but when explained using logic, it makes a lot of
sense.
Such images are thus more intellectual than emotional in their appeal.
Q4.) What is the theme of the poem, “Go and catch a falling star”?
Ans. The theme of the poem “Go and catch a falling star” is the poet’s search for the
perfect woman – one who is both beautiful and virtuous.
Q5.) Does it seem possible for the poet to find such a woman?
Ans. The poem suggests that it is impossible to find such a woman.
Q6.) Who does the poet speak to in the poem? How many tasks does he assign to
him?
Ans. The poet is talking to an unknown interlocutor or speaker. He assigns seven tasks
to him.
Q7.) Why does the poet command the person to catch a falling star?
Ans. The poet commands the person to catch a falling star because it is believed that if
one sees a falling star and makes a wish, that wish would come true. The poet desires to
hold on to the falling star, not merely to see it in passing, so that he can make sure that
his desire is fulfilled.
Q8.) What is the significance of the mandrake root?
Ans. The mandrake root strongly resembles a man and many superstitious beliefs were
linked to it. He tells the interlocutor to get a vegetable root pregnant with a child, if that
were possible at all. In other words, as this was impossible, so would it be impossible to
find the perfect woman that the poet was searching for.
Q9.) Why does the poet mention mermaids in the poem?
Ans. Mermaids were mythical creatures from medieval literature, half woman and half
fish. Legends held that they sat on rocks in the ocean and sang beautifully to lure men to
themselves, only to let them drown. While many stories were heard of men who had
seen mermaids, so far no evidence has been found to confirm that their existence was
real. In the same way, Donne seems to suggest that although many have told tales of
beautiful and virtuous woman, there is no evidence that such a woman really does exist.
Q10.) What is envy? Why does the poet
mention
it?
Ans. Envy is the emotion commonly experienced wherein one desires to possess a
quality or a thing that someone else has.
The poet claims that he had tried to get rid of envy from his heart, but he had not
succeeded. As he was unsuccessful in purifying himself of this ugly emotion, he felt that
he would be unsuccessful at finding that elusive woman, both gorgeous and faithful.
Q11.) What does the poet have to say about honesty and honest people?
Ans. The poet says that honesty is never rewarded and that only dishonest people
prosper in this world. Honest people always remain unrewarded.
Q12.) In Stanza 2, what unnatural abilities does the man who the poet sends out in
quest of the perfect woman, have?
Ans. The man who the poet sends out is gifted with
cannot see.
vision to see what normal eyes
Q13.) How long must he remain on this search?
Ans. He must search for the ideal woman for as long as it takes, even if he turns
completely grey while doing so. The words suggest that it might take a complete
lifetime.
Q14.) What instruction does the poet give the man who is going on the journey?
Ans. The poet tells the man that if he does find the kind of woman that the poet is
looking for, then he must inform him immediately.
Q15.) Why does the poet call the journey to see the woman, a “pilgrimage”?
Ans. The poet calls the journey a “sweet pilgrimage” because the woman found would
be so rare, having both beauty and virtue, that it would be a solemn and holy occasion
for him.
Q16.) According to the poem, what might occur before the poet could reach the
woman, even if she lived right next door to the poet?
Ans. The poet says that even if the woman lived next door, by the time the poet could
reach her, she would be unfaithful with two or three men.
Q17.) How would you describe the tone of the poem “Go and catch a falling star”?
Ans. The tone of the
or sarcastic.
poem “Go and catch a falling star” may be described as cynical
Q18.) What is the other different critical view concerning the poem “Go and catch
a falling star”?
Ans. Some critics feel that the poem is an expression of Donne’s desire to find a lifetime
companion and soul-mate. It reveals his conviction that it would be difficult to find the
ideal woman, but the search, in Time and Space, would be worthwhile.