Matthew Arnold's The Scholar-Gipsy Poem Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the speaker asking the shepherd to do in the poem?

To untie the wattled cotes (correct)

To leave the flock unfed

To harm the reaper

To gather the reaped corn

What does the speaker plan to do in the high field's dark corner?

Reap the corn

Sit and wait (correct)

Take a nap

Play with the dogs

What sound can the speaker hear from uplands far away?

The sound of dogs barking

The sound of reapers working

The sound of sheep baahing

The bleating of the folded flocks (correct)

What does the speaker see in the high field?

The scarlet poppies and convolvulus Signup and view all the answers

What is lying on the grass near the speaker?

Glanvil's book Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker reading in Glanvil's book?

The story of the Oxford scholar poor Signup and view all the answers

What did the Oxford scholar poor do?

Went to learn the gipsy-lore Signup and view all the answers

Where is the narrator recalling the main character to have wandered?

Cumner range Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the main character and mortal men?

The main character had a single aim in life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrator suggesting is the cause of exhaustion in mortal men?

Changing from one thing to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrator implying about the main character's existence?

The main character was an immortal being. Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrator criticizing about modern life?

The hurry and divided aims of modern life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrator suggesting about the main character's future?

The main character will continue to roam freely. Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrator's tone towards the end of the poem?

Admiring and wistful. Signup and view all the answers

What is the scholar's past occupation?

Scholar Signup and view all the answers

What do the gypsies claim to have the power to do?

Rule the workings of men's brains Signup and view all the answers

What is the scholar often seen doing?

Picking flowers Signup and view all the answers

Where is the scholar often seen walking?

Through the countryside lanes Signup and view all the answers

What do the people who encounter the scholar notice about him?

His outlandish garb and abstracted air Signup and view all the answers

What is the scholar waiting for?

The spark from heaven to fall Signup and view all the answers

Where does the speaker encounter the scholar in winter?

On the wooden bridge Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker concerned about in the poem?

The infection of mental strife Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker afraid will happen to the shepherd?

They will lose their youthful energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker comparing themselves to?

A Tyrian trader Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker trying to protect the shepherd from?

The infection of their mental strife Signup and view all the answers

What is the cargo of the Grecian coaster?

Amber grapes and Chian wine Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker's opinion of the shepherd's life?

It is peaceful and carefree Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker's fear for the shepherd?

That they will be infected with mental strife Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the speaker's life?

It is full of strife and distraction Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker want to avoid?

Infecting the shepherd with mental strife Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Scholar-Gipsy

Poem by Matthew Arnold

The poem is about a scholar who leaves his academic life to join a group of gypsies and learn their secrets.

Description of the Scholar-Gipsy

The scholar is described as a wanderer who roams the countryside, often seen by shepherds, maidens, and boys in rural areas.
He wears an outlandish garb, with a dark, vague-eyed, and soft abstracted air.
He is often seen carrying a heap of flowers plucked from shy fields and distant Wychwood bowers.

The Scholar's Life

The scholar has one aim, one business, and one desire, which is to learn the secrets of the gypsies.
He has not lived a life of mortal men, with change and repeated shocks, and has not exhausted his energy.
He has not spent his fire on other things and is exempt from age, unlike others.

Comparison with Modern Life

The poet contrasts the scholar's life with modern life, where people are plagued by sick hurry, divided aims, and palsied hearts.
Modern life is described as a disease that infects people with stress, anxiety, and a lack of direction.
The poet suggests that the scholar's life is free from these troubles and is more peaceful and focused.

The Poet's Message

The poet warns the scholar to avoid contact with modern people, lest he be infected by their mental strife.
The poet advises the scholar to keep his solitude and his inviolable shade, and to continue his life of freedom and joy.
The poem ends with the image of a Tyrian trader fleeing from the modern world, seeking refuge in a more peaceful and idyllic life.

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Description

Test your understanding of Matthew Arnold's poem 'The Scholar-Gipsy' with this quiz. Explore themes, imagery, and analysis with this poetry-based quiz.