- Understand the significance of time in A.K. Ramanujan's poetry.
- Analyze the poet's attitude towards communal disharmony.
- Explore the implicit comparisons made between different clocks in the poem.
- Discuss the impact of nature as described in the poem.
- Reflect on the poet's representation of human violence and nature's fury.
Time and Time Again
Learning Objectives
TopRevision Notes & Summary
TopNotes on A.K. Ramanujan's Poem
Overview
- A.K. Ramanujan is a prominent Indian English-language poet known for his translations of ancient Tamil poetry.
- He was a professor of linguistics at the University of Chicago and recognized as a leading scholar of South Indian languages and culture.
- His work reflects a complex distillation of thought and feeling influenced by anthropology and folklore.
Themes
- Timekeeping: The poem explores the differences in timekeeping among various clocks, suggesting an implicit comparison between them.
- Communal Disharmony: The poet's attitude towards communal disharmony is reflected in the following ways:
- (i) Critical condemnation
- (ii) Helpless acceptance
- (iii) Wistful lament
Imagery and Language
-
The poem uses vivid imagery to describe clocks in a city, emphasizing their unique sounds and sequences:
Practice Test – MCQs, True/False
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Time and Time Again
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Multiple Choice Questions
A.
It represents the precision of Swiss engineering.
B.
It symbolizes the imperfections and unpredictability in cultural artifacts.
C.
It denotes the superiority of Swiss clockmakers.
D.
It highlights the global influence of Swiss culture.
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The 'maker's shaking hand in Switzerland' symbolizes the imperfections and unpredictability in cultural artifacts, contributing to the unique sequences of the clocktower gongs.
A.
They are always in harmony
B.
They are affected by external factors like wind and sirens
C.
They are synchronized by a central system
D.
They are only heard during festivals
Correct Answer: B
Solution:
The poem 'Time and Time Again' suggests that the clocktowers' chimes are affected by external factors like wind and sirens.
A.
By focusing exclusively on the technical aspects of language.
B.
True or False
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The excerpt mentions that A.K. Ramanujan's interests in anthropology and folklore influenced his work.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
The poem mentions the 'perennial feuds and seasonal alliance of Hindu, Christian, and Muslim.'
Correct Answer: False
Solution:
The excerpt states that A.K. Ramanujan is best known for his pioneering translations of ancient Tamil poetry into modern English.
Correct Answer: True
Solution:
A.K. Ramanujan was indeed recognized as the world's most profound scholar of South Indian languages and culture, as stated in the excerpt.
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