A Nation’s Strength,
Central Idea: A Nation’s Strength is a beautiful patriotic poem written by “R.W. Emerson.” In this tiny poem, the poet reveals the secret of a nation’s strength. The poet asks several questions to discover the secret of the nation’s strength and he himself answers these questions. He says that the strength of a nation lies not in the wealth, power and pride but in its patriotic and determined men.
Summary of A Nation’s Strength
The poem “A Nation’s Strength” is written by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The poet wonders about the things that make a nation strong. How can a nation’s pillars be made high and its foundations strong? How can a nation become strong enough to defend itself against powerful enemies? The poet wonders about these questions.
Then the poet says that it is not gold and silver that can make a nation great and strong, but it is the people who sacrifice for their country and make it great and strong. According to the poet, it is the brave men of a nation who work hard while others sleep and build the nation’s pillars deep and lift them to the sky. So it is not the riches but the honest and brave people that make a nation great.
Gold and material progress cannot make a nation strong. Material progress can not provide a strong base for a nation. The foundation made on the basis of wealth is like one made on sinking sand. How much grand a kingdom might be, war will destroy its material progress. The poet also states that many empires have disappeared as a result of the battles they fought. Their glory had decayed.
The poet goes on to say that the pride of a nation doesn’t lie in wearing glittering crowns. Soon, this pride reduces to ashes. The luster and shine of the country lies with the people who are willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the nation. They work hard while others sleep. They raise the prestige of the country and build its pillars deep to make its foundation strong. Such people are the reason for the success of the nation.
Glossary
defy: to resist boldly
foe: enemy
throng: to gather around in a crowd
shaft: the column of a building’s foundation
rust: to become or cause something to become covered with rust; (here) decay
decay: to cause something to become gradually damaged, worse or less
pride: feeling of importance
luster: brightness
a people: - a nation
dare: to have the courage to do something difficult
fly: to run away in fear
QUESTIONS/ANSWERS
Qno1: In the first stanza, the poet wonders about certain things. What are they?
Ans: The poet wonders about the things that make a nation’s pillars high, its foundation strong .He wonders what makes a nation powerful enough to fight its enemies.
Qno2: What are the foundations of a strong kingdom built on?
Ans: The foundations of a strong kingdom are built on its brave and hardworking citizens, who stand fast for truth and honour of their nation and face all the hurdles to make their nation great.
Qno3: What happens to a nation which depends on an army to keep it strong?
Ans: The nation that depends on an army to keep it strong is reduced to rust and decay. The bloodshed of its people takes away all the glory of such a nation.
Qno4: When a nation becomes proud, what does God do?
Ans: When a nation becomes proud, God crashes down all its prosperity and glory and reduces it to mere ashes.
A Nation’s Strength, class 8th, poem Tulip Series
Qno5: Do you think that wealth can make a nation great and strong? Why?
Ans: No, wealth does not have the power to make a nation great and strong because wealth is temporal thing, it cannot last forever. It only makes a nation boastful and arrogant, thereby causing its downfall.
Qno6: What can the brave do?
Ans: The brave and courageous can suffer great amount of hardships still remain steadfast and dare to risk their pleasure and their happiness for the sake of their country .The have an unwavering passion to work for the betterment of their nation.
Qno7: Explain the following lines:
They build a nation’s pillars deep
And lift them to the sky
Ans: The poet in these lines is referring to the brave and courageous men who by their unwavering determination and steady toil lay foundations of a strong nation. Such are the people who can make their nation achieve great heights and provide the strength to the nation at its core.