Unit 2- The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk (KKHSOU BA-PASS 1ST SEM 2023)
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The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk
SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 👇
1. Attempt a critical appreciation of the poem “The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk” by William Cowper
Ans:The poem is based on Alexander Selkirk, a sailor
from Fife, Scotland. He ran away from home at the age of
nineteen to be left alone on a deserted and uninhabited island
in Chile following a feud with a young captain. Even though he
asked his shipmates to join him, he was refused by all and had
to spend four years of his life at the island alone which had no
sign of human life in it. Many writers had been influenced by
Alexander Selkirk’s adventurous stay at the island which was
called Juan Fenandez. The influence of Evangelism on William
Cowper was reflected in his hymns. The wide range of his
works consisting of hymns, lyrics, letters, satires, translations
is evident ofhis talent and genius. His tone may be didactic but
his poems reflect his love for nature, Humanity and Society.
“The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk” is a simple yet elegant
poem written on the sailor’s mental condition during his stay at
the island. The language is also simple denoting the simplicity
of the sailor’s imagination to become a part of a society again.
His style is lively and is a reflection of his personal undertone.
In the poem “The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk'”, Cowper
celebrated human courage and faith. Thus, the poem is critically
appreciable.
2. What is the central theme of the poem “The
Solitude of Alexander Selkirk”? Elaborate.
Ans: The central theme of the poem is the power of
imagination. Stuck in an uninhabited island alone, Alexander
Selkirk spent four years of his life alone. Devoid of other human lives, he was compelled to live alone. His only activities were
hunting goats and reading the Bible. It was, however, the fights
of imagination of the sailor that had saved him from breaking
down completely. He found solace in imagining about his friends,
their love and companionship. Although he is aware of his reality
yet his imaginative bent of mind helped him to survive in such
a deserted island. The company he had in the island comprised
only animals. Cowper emphasized how ope’s imaginative power
can lead him/ her to the source of happiness. If not permanent
yet a temporary relief was found by the lonely sailor which
encouraged him to struggle to live until finally rescued.
3. Write short notes on:
(a) Poetic style of William Cowper
Ans: The influence of Evangelism on William Cowper was
reflected in his hymns. The wide range of his works consisting
of hymns, lyrics, letters, satires, translations is evident of his
talent and genius. His tone may be didactic but his poems
reflect his love for Nature, Humanity and Socicty. Humour is
evident in his letters. He draws from the everyday life
experiences and his poetry strongly has its base in the poet’s
psychology and inner consciousness. His works bear the
influence of John Milton and Abraham Cowley, a seventeenth
century poet. William Cowper is also noted for his use of blank
verse.
The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk” is a simple yet elegant
poem written on the sailor’s mental condition during his stay at
the island. The language is also simple denoting the simplicity
of the sailor’s imagination to become a part of a society again
Though written in a simple style, the poem has deeper
philosophical implications. Man’s need for a society, man’s relationship with nature and his strong determination are some
of the points that Cowper focuses on. Cowper’s strong
observation is implied through his works. His style is lively and
is a reflection of his personal undertone.
(b) “The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk”
Ans: The poem is based on Alexander Selkirk, a sailor
from Fife, Scotland. He ran away from home at the age of
nineteen to be left alone on a deserted and uninhabited island
in Chile following a feud with a young captain. Even though he
asked his shipmates to join him, he was refused by all and had
to spend four years of his life at the island alone which had no
sign of human life in it. Many writers had been influenced by
Alexander Selkirk’s adventurcus stay at the island which was
called Juan Fernandez. He was however accompanied by goats
and cats, the animals which earlier survived shipwrecks. He
spent his life there hunting and was completely engrossed in
reading the Bible until he was rescued four years later by an
English ship. It gives us a note that human beings are strong
enough to survive in all situations and what encouraged the
sailor is the hope that mercy still pervaded. This strong bent of
mind led to the survival of the sailor in the island even after
four years. In spite of the hopeless situation, Alexander Selkirk’s
determination and encourage to survive has been an inspiring
story for many writers.
4. Discuss the life and works of William Cowper.
Ans: Life & Works: William Cowper is best remembered for the poem
“The Diverting History of John Gilpin” as well as his hymns.
The Olney Hymns was the first publication which was a joint
work by Cowper John Newton. The major theme of this work Is the need for salvation ofhuman beings. Some of the hymns
are “There is a Fountain Filled With Blood”, “To Jesus, the
Crown of My Hope”, “0 Lord! in Sorrow I Resign”, “There is
a Safe and Secret Place”, to name a few. His famous poem”
The Diverting History of John Gilpin” is a comic piece published
in 1782. The volume Poems by William Cowper, of the Inner
Temple, Esq. was published in 1782. In 1785, William
Cowper’s” “The Task’-a poem of about five thousand lines
written in blank verse was published and received wide critical
acclaim. This was one ofthe remarkable treatments of the
themes such as man and nature. His later life was engrossed
in translation of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. Besides these,
Cowper’s letters are known for its humour and his lively
treatment of everyday life.
5. Explain the poet’s intention behind writing the poem The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk”.
Ans: The poem is based on Alexander Selkirk, a sailor
from Fife, Scotland. He ran away from home at the age of
nineteen to be left alone on a deserted and uninhabited island
in Chile following a feud with a young captain. Even though he
asked his shipmates to join him, he was refused by all and had
to spend four years of his life at the island alone which had no
sign of human life in it. Many writers had been influenced by
Alexander Selkirk’s adventurous stay at the island which was
called Juan Fernandez. He was however accompanied by goats
and cats, the animals which earlier survived shipwrecks. He
spent his life there hunting and was completely engrossed in
reading the Bible until he was rescued four years later by an
English ship. It gives us a note that human beings are strong
enough to survive in all situations and what encouraged the sailor is the hope that mercy still pervaded. This strong bent of
mind led to the survival of the sailor in the island even after
four years. In spite ofthe hopeless situation, Alexander Selkirk’s
determination and encourage to survive has been an inspiring
story for many writers.
6. Discuss “The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk” by William Cowper as a poem of human courage and determination.
Ans: William Cowper’s style is lively and elegant. In the
poem, “The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk”, Cowper celebrated
human courage and determination. The poem is based on
Alexander Selkirk, a sailor from Fife, Scotland. He ran away
from home at the age of nineteen to be left alone on a deserted
and uninhabited island in Chile following a feud with a young
captain. Even though he asked his shipmates to join him, he
was refused by all and had to spend four years of his life at the
island alone which had no sign of human life in it. Many writers
had been influenced by Alexander Selkirk’s adventurous stay
at the island which was called Juan Fernandez. The most
dominant theme of the poem is power of imagination. Cowper’s
strong observation is implied through his works. His style is
lively and is a reflection of his personal undertone. Stuck in the
lonely island for four years, Alexander Selkirk’s strong
determination to survive is the chief motive in the poem. Thus,
it can be said that human courage and determination is clearly
shown here.
7. How did Alexander Selkirk pass four years in the lonely island?
Ans: Alexander Selkirk was a sailor from Fife, Scotland.
He ran away from home at the age of nineteen to be left alone on a deserted and uninhabited island in Chile following a feud
with a young captain. Even though he asked his shipmates to
join him, he was refused by all and had to spend four years of
his life at the island alone which had no sign of human life. He
was however accompanied by goats and cats, the animals which
earlier survived shipwrecks. He spent his life there hunting
and was completely engrossed in reading the Bible until he
was rescued four years later by an English ship.
8. What were the thoughts that the sailor battled with during his stay on the lonely island?
Ans: The sailor regrets that he was nobody to share his
grief too. He is out in such a faraway place where the possibility
of human vegetation is less. Cut off from the society, he assured
himself that he had to reside there all alone by himself. He
longs to hear the “sweet music of speech'” for there was no
before seen the presence of human beings because he found
that never before seen the presence of human beings because
he found that even the beasts look at him “with indifference”.
He longs for “Society, Friendship and Love? which are solely
humanly affairs. He imagined how he could have escaped if
he had wings like the Dove. His sorrows might then be lessened
by the new hope he would find in religion and he would learn
from his “wisdom of age,/And be cheer’d by the sallies of
youth
General English Units for BA-KKHSOU
