Chapter 5 

                                                         I had a Dove


A. About the Poem and Poet

  1. Who is the poet of the poem “I Had a Dove”?
    Answer:     The poem “I Had a Dove” was written by John Keats, a well-known English poet of the Romantic era, celebrated for his emotional and beautifully expressive poetry.

  2. What is the poem “I Had a Dove” about?
    Answer:     The poem “I Had a Dove” tells the story of a poet’s pet dove that passed away. It reflects the poet’s love and care for the bird, the food and affection he gave it, and his sorrow at its death, which may have been caused by the bird’s longing for the freedom of its natural forest home.

  3. What feelings does the poet express in this poem?
    Answer:     In the poem, the poet conveys deep emotions of sorrow, mourning, and affection. He feels heartache over the death of his beloved dove and is saddened by the bird’s unhappiness while living in captivity.

  4. Why did the poet keep the dove in a cage?
    Answer:     The poet placed the dove in a cage out of love, wanting to keep it near him. However, he did not understand that being confined would make the bird unhappy, as it longed for the freedom of its natural habitat.

  5. What does the poem suggest about freedom for living beings?
    Answer:    The poem highlights that freedom is vital for the well-being of all living creatures. Like the dove, which became sorrowful in captivity, every living being experiences unhappiness and distress when it is deprived of its natural freedom.


B. About the Dove

  1. How did the dove die according to the poet?
    Answer:     According to the poet, the dove died from grief. It was unhappy being confined in the cage and missed the freedom and life it had in the forest.

  2. What made the dove unhappy in the poet’s care?
    Answer:     The dove felt unhappy under the poet’s care because its feet were bound with a soft silken thread, preventing it from moving freely and living the carefree life it enjoyed in the forest.

  3. How did the poet try to make the dove happy?
    Answer:     The poet attempted to make the dove happy by feeding it white peas and kissing it frequently. These acts of love and attention were meant to comfort the bird and help it enjoy life in the cage.

  4. Why did the poet call the dove “sweet bird” and “pretty thing”?
    Answer:     The poet referred to the dove as a “sweet bird” and a “pretty thing” to express his fondness and admiration for its delicate beauty and gentle nature.

  5. Why did the poet feel sad when the dove died?
    Answer:     The poet was sorrowful at the dove’s death because he loved and cared for it deeply, yet could not save it from suffering. The bird’s grief and passing made him realize the harshness of life in captivity.

C. Poet’s Care for the Dove

  1. How can we say that the poet cared deeply for the dove?
    Answer:     The poet showed his deep care for the dove by giving it food, frequently kissing it, gently tying its feet with a soft thread, and wishing for its happiness. His constant expressions of affection reflect his love and concern for the bird.

  2. What did the poet give the dove to eat?
    Answer:     The poet fed the dove white peas, demonstrating his attentiveness and care in providing for its well-being.

  3. What is the significance of “silken thread of my own hand’s weaving”?
    Answer:     The phrase “silken thread of my own hand’s weaving” indicates that the poet carefully tied the dove’s feet using a soft thread. It reflects his loving and gentle intentions, even though he did not realize that such restraint could cause the bird sorrow.

  4. What does the poet mean by “sweet little feet”?
    Answer:     By calling the dove’s feet “sweet little feet,” the poet expresses his affection and tenderness, highlighting the bird’s delicate and cherished nature.

  5. Why did the poet ask, “Why should you die?”
    Answer:     The poet asked, “Why should you die?” because he was deeply saddened and confused by the dove’s death. He could not comprehend why a gentle and beloved creature had to die even though he had cared for it so lovingly.

D. Emotions and Grief

  1. What is grief according to the poem?
    Answer:     In the poem, grief is portrayed as profound sorrow resulting from loss or separation. The dove’s death reflects its own grief, and the poet shares in the sadness caused by this loss.

  2. How does the poem show the sorrow of captivity?
    Answer:     The poem illustrates the sorrow of captivity by describing how the dove’s feet were bound and it was confined to a cage, preventing it from flying freely. This restriction caused the bird to feel sadness, highlighting the emotional pain caused by being trapped.

  3. How does love for someone or something cause pain in the poem?
    Answer:     In the poem, the poet’s love for the dove brings him pain because, despite his affection and care, he is unable to save the bird from dying. This shows that deep love can make one feel vulnerable to loss and grief.

  4. Why did the poet say the dove lived alone in the forest-tree?
    Answer:     The poet mentioned that the dove lived alone in the forest-tree to show that its natural home was the forest, where it could enjoy freedom and happiness. The bird was not accustomed to life in a cage.

  5. What does the poet feel when he recalls the dove’s death?
    Answer:     When the poet thinks about the dove’s death, he experiences intense sorrow and a sense of helplessness. Recalling the bird’s beauty and the care he gave it makes the loss feel even more heartbreaking.

E. Vocabulary and Expressions

  1. What does the word “grieving” mean in the poem?
    Answer:     In the poem, “grieving” means feeling deep sadness or pain. The dove is grieving because it feels unhappy and sorrowful for losing its freedom.

  2. What does the word “weaving” mean in the poem?
    Answer:     In the poem, “weaving” means creating or making something by twisting or joining threads together. Here, it describes how the poet gently makes the soft silken thread to tie around the dove’s feet.

  3. What does the word “oft” mean in the poem?
    Answer:    In the poem, “oft” means frequently or several times. It shows that the poet kissed the dove again and again to express love and tenderness.

  4. Explain the phrase “sweet little feet.”
    Answer:     The phrase “sweet little feet” highlights the smallness and gentleness of the dove’s feet. It expresses the poet’s love and admiration, showing how endearing and graceful the bird appears.

  5. Explain the phrase “silken thread of my own hand’s weaving.”
    Answer:     The phrase “silken thread of my own hand’s weaving” suggests that the poet personally made and used a soft, delicate thread to tie the dove’s feet. It reflects the poet’s deep care and tenderness, showing his gentle effort to protect the dove, though it ultimately could not ease its sorrow.

F. Moral and Ideas

  1. What lesson does the poem teach about keeping birds or animals in captivity?
    Answer:     The poem conveys that birds and animals are happiest when they are free. No matter how lovingly they are cared for, being kept in captivity takes away their freedom and can lead to pain, unhappiness, or even death.

  2. What does the poem suggest about love and care?
    Answer:     The poem shows that genuine love and care should allow freedom. Even deep affection cannot bring joy if it restricts someone’s natural way of living. True love means understanding and respecting the other’s need for independence and happiness.

  3. Why is the dove called “sweet” and “pretty”?
    Answer:     The poet describes the dove as “sweet” and “pretty” to express his fondness and appreciation for its innocence and graceful appearance. These words highlight the bird’s charm and the poet’s tender feelings toward it.

  4. What emotions do you feel while reading the poem?
    Answer:     Reading the poem brings out a sense of compassion and melancholy. One can feel both the poet’s gentle concern and the dove’s quiet sorrow, creating a mood of tender sadness.

  5. How does the poet connect human feelings with animal feelings?
    Answer:     The poet links human and animal emotions by showing that animals, like humans, can feel pain and sadness. The dove’s sorrow reflects human feelings of loss, while the poet’s care demonstrates compassion and the ability to empathize with another being.

G. Comprehension and Thinking

  1. Why did the poet feed the dove white peas?
    Answer:     The poet gave the dove white peas to nourish it and express his affection. Offering food was his way of caring for the bird and ensuring its well-being while it was in captivity.

  2. Do you think the poet regretted keeping the dove in a cage? Why?
    Answer:     Yes, the poet appears to feel regret. He understands that, despite all his care and love, confining the dove caused it sorrow and ultimately led to its death, showing that keeping it in a cage was wrong.

  3. How is nature portrayed in the poem?
    Answer:     In the poem, nature is depicted as the dove’s true and joyful home, a place of freedom and beauty. The poet contrasts this lively, open environment with the sorrow and confinement of life in a cage.

  4. How does the poet’s affection fail to protect the dove?
    Answer:     Although the poet shows tender care through feeding, caressing, and attention, the dove still dies because it cannot endure captivity. This demonstrates that love and affection, while important, cannot replace the need for freedom.

  5. What is the significance of “Why not live sweetly, as in the green trees?”
    Answer:    The line “Why not live sweetly, as in the green trees?” expresses the poet’s longing for the dove to enjoy the same freedom and joy it had in the forest. It highlights that true happiness comes from living freely in one’s natural environment.

H. Critical Thinking

  1. Why do you think the poet repeatedly asks “Why”?
    Answer:     The poet repeatedly asks “Why” to convey his grief, bewilderment, and sense of helplessness over the dove’s death. It reflects his strong emotional attachment and his struggle to comprehend why his love and care could not save it.

  2. Compare the poet’s care with the dove’s natural life.
    Answer:    The poet’s care is gentle and loving but confined to the cage, restricting the dove’s freedom. In contrast, the dove’s life in the forest was open, natural, and full of joy. This comparison shows that true care must honor the natural way of life of living beings.

  3. What emotions can we learn from the poet about love for animals?
    Answer:     From the poet, we learn that love for animals involves kindness, sensitivity, and understanding. Genuine affection means caring for their well-being while respecting their natural instincts and need for freedom.

  4. What role does nature play in the happiness of living beings according to the poem?
    Answer:     According to the poem, nature is essential for the well-being and joy of living beings. It offers freedom, nourishment, and a suitable environment, while confinement away from it, as seen with the dove, leads to sorrow and distress.

  5. How does this poem reflect Romantic poetry characteristics?
    Answer:     The poem embodies Romantic traits through its intense emotions, admiration for nature, and compassion for living creatures. It emphasizes personal feelings and the pain that arises when beings are removed from their natural, harmonious environment.

Answer by Mrinmoee