Podcast
Questions and Answers
There are two types of instincts- base instincts, that seek worldly pleasures and enjoyment and noble instincts, that aspire for higher and noble ______.
There are two types of instincts- base instincts, that seek worldly pleasures and enjoyment and noble instincts, that aspire for higher and noble ______.
goals
According to the speaker, mental disturbances, anxieties and fears are the result of earthly needs and high ______.
According to the speaker, mental disturbances, anxieties and fears are the result of earthly needs and high ______.
aspirations
The speaker uses the image of the moon coming out of dark clouds to depict a ______ bridge of light.
The speaker uses the image of the moon coming out of dark clouds to depict a ______ bridge of light.
floating
Our thoughts, or ______, float on the unsteady floor of the bridge above a dark abyss.
Our thoughts, or ______, float on the unsteady floor of the bridge above a dark abyss.
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The poem concludes on a comforting and ______ note.
The poem concludes on a comforting and ______ note.
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All houses in which men have lived and died are ______.
All houses in which men have lived and died are ______.
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The poet describes ghosts as harmless ______ who are busy with errands.
The poet describes ghosts as harmless ______ who are busy with errands.
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These ghosts are described as 'impressions on the ______' that cannot be felt by touch.
These ghosts are described as 'impressions on the ______' that cannot be felt by touch.
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Their presence can be perceived when they join the guests at the ______.
Their presence can be perceived when they join the guests at the ______.
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The brightly lit hall appears crowded by these uninvited ______.
The brightly lit hall appears crowded by these uninvited ______.
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The speaker can see their form and hear their ______.
The speaker can see their form and hear their ______.
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We do not have any permanent title deeds for our houses and lands because earlier ______ claim ownership.
We do not have any permanent title deeds for our houses and lands because earlier ______ claim ownership.
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Human lives are kept in balance by maintaining opposite attractions and ______.
Human lives are kept in balance by maintaining opposite attractions and ______.
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Study Notes
Concept of Haunted Houses
- All houses inhabited by men are characterized as haunted by the spirits of former occupants.
- Ghosts are redefined as "harmless phantoms" engaged in errands, embodying a purposeful presence.
Nature of Ghosts
- Ghosts move silently and are perceived as "impressions on the air," indiscernible to touch.
- Their presence can be felt throughout the house—in doorways, on stairs, and passages.
Social Dynamics of Spirits
- Ghosts can appear at dining gatherings, increasing the number of guests beyond the hosts' invitations.
- They blend into the scene silently, akin to portraits hanging on walls, unnoticed by present company.
Interaction with the Living
- The speaker has a heightened perception of the ghosts compared to a stranger present.
- The distinction lies in the speaker's ability to perceive both the past and present, while the stranger sees only the current moment.
Ownership and Legacy
- Living beings lack permanent claim to their homes, as past owners, now spirits, seek to reclaim their places.
- Spirits metaphorically "dig their way" out of neglected graves to return to their former homes.
Relationship Between Worlds
- The spirit realm coexists with the human world, reminiscent of air enveloping the earth, representing an essential connection.
- This world permeates reality like mists, suggesting an intertwining of spiritual and earthly experiences.
Human Existence and Balance
- Human lives are transient, sustained through a balance of base desires for worldly pleasures and noble aspirations for higher goals.
- Achieving equilibrium involves managing contradictory impulses inherent in human nature.
Source of Anxiety
- Mental disturbances and anxiety arise from the conflict between earthly desires and lofty goals.
- External, unknown forces are implied to shape these human struggles from an otherworldly domain.
Imagery of Connection
- The moonlight symbolizes a bridge over the sea, allowing imagination to traverse into the unknown and mysterious.
- This bridge of light symbolizes a connection from the living to deceased loved ones, accessible only to spirits.
Role of Memories
- Memories act as a stabilizing force, preventing the living from succumbing to profound sorrow associated with loss.
- The poem concludes on a reassuring note, emphasizing the enduring bond between the living and the spirits of loved ones through cherished memories.
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Description
This quiz explores the unique portrayal of ghosts in poetry, specifically how the speaker redefines the conventional view of spirits. By describing them as harmless phantoms engaged in earthly tasks, the poet creates a different understanding of their presence in homes. Test your knowledge on the nuances of this haunting concept.
