12th English Unit 6 Poem Incident of The French Camp Paragraph Book Back Answers Samacheer Kalvi

Incident of The French Camp Book Back Answers Class 12 English Guide Chapter 6 Tamilnadu Solutions

12th Standard English 6th Lesson Incident of The French Camp Questions and Answers

Have you played chess or watched the game carefully?

Now identify the chess pieces and complete the table below. Discuss the role of each piece in the game.

King: The King can move one space in any direction. He can never move into check. He can never be adjacent to opponent king. It is the most important piece on the chess board. If he is checkmated, the game is over. The King can also castie and take the protection of Elephant.

Queen: The queen is often the most powerful piece in chess. She can move any number of spaces in any direction as long as she is not obstructed by any other power. If that obstacle is opponent, she can remove it.

Bishop: There are two bishops for each player situated next to the Queen and the king respectively. They can move along the diagonals of the chess board. It is bound to the colour square it is originally placed. If it is set in black square, throughout the game it can move diagonally in black square. If the opponent comes into contact in the black square, it can remove it.

The Knight: Between Bishop and the Rook, there are two knights. They can leap over other pieces in L shape. On encountering opponent, it can be eliminated in its ‘L’ path.

The Rook: There are two rooks for each player. They are located in each comer of the board next to the Knight. They move up and down the rank and file of the chess board and can move any number of spaces as long as their path is not obstmcted by their own army. If opponent’s pieces cross their way, they can remove them.

The Pawn: Each player has eight pawns. They provide the first line of defence to the King. Pawn has several unique attributes. It can move one or two paces forward. After the Initial move they can move only one step ahead. To capture enemy, Pawn moves only diagonally. Once the pawn reaches the end of enemy’s territory, even the queen lost in the battle can be reclaimed.

1. Fill in the blanks choosing the words from the box given and complete the summary of the poem.

determination result dramatic

pride admiration softened

wounded mound victory

The poet Robert Browning narrates an incident at the French Camp in the war of 1809 between France and Austria, in a (a) ______ version. He describes the brave action of a (b) ______ soldier, whose heroic devotion to duty and his (c) ______ in it is inspiring and worthy of(d) ______ During the attack of the French army on Ratisbon, Napoleon was anxious about the (e) ______ .Austrians were defending Ratisbon with great (f) ______ and courage. Napoleon was watching the war standing on a (g) ______ near the battlefield. All of a sudden a rider appeared from the closed smoke and dust. Riding at great speed, jumping and leaping, he approached the mound where Napoleon stood. As he came closer, the narrator noticed that the rider, a young boy, was severely wounded. But the rider showed no sign of pain and smiling in joy, jumped off the horse and gave the happy news of (h) ______ to the emperor. He exclaimed with pride that French had (i) ______ Ratisbon and he himself had hoisted the flag of France. When Napoleon heard the news, his plans (j) ______ up like fire. His eyes (k) ______ when he saw that the soldier was severely wounded. Like a caring mother eagle, the emperor asked if he was wounded. The (l) ______ soldier replied proudly that he was killed and died

Answer:

1. dramatic

2. wounded

3. pride

4. admiration

5. result

6. determination

7. mound

8. victory

9. conquered

10. soared

11. softened

12. valiant

2. Based on your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.

Question (a)

Who do you think is the narrator of the poem?

Answer:

A French soldier is the narrator of the poem.

Question (b)

Where was the narrator when the incident happened?

Answer:

The narrator was standing near Napoleon Bonaparte when the incident happened.

Question (c)

Who took the city of Ratisbon by storm?

Answer:

The French soldiers, led by Marshal Lannes, took the city of Ratisbon by storm.

Question (d)

Where was Napoleon standing on the day of the attack on the city of Ratisbon?

Answer:

Napoleon was standing on a little mound near the battlefield, that is, near Ratisbon city.

Question (e)

Describe the posture of Napoleon.

Answer:

Napoleon's neck was thrust out. He kept his legs wide apart and his arms locked behind him, as if to balance his body against his brow, which was heavy with oppressive thoughts about the battle.

Question (f)

Who came galloping on a horse to Napoleon?

Answer:

A boy-soldier came galloping on a horse to Napoleon.

Question (g)

What does the phrase 'full galloping' suggest?

Answer:

The phrase 'full galloping' suggests full speed.

Question (h)

Why was the rider in a hurry?

Answer:

The rider was carrying first-hand information about the victory at Ratisbon. So, he was in a hurry.

Question (i)

What did the rider do when he reached Napoleon?

Answer:

He flung himself off his horse in smiling joy when he reached Napoleon.

Question (j)

Why did the rider keep his lips compressed?

Answer:

The rider was mortally wounded. He kept his lips tightly compressed to prevent blood from flowing out.

Question (k)

Where did the rider plant the French flag after Ratisbon was captured?

Answer:

The rider had planted the French flag at the market place in Ratisbon.

Question (l)

What was Napoleon's reaction on hearing the news of victory?

Answer:

Napoleon's emotions started soaring up again on hearing the news of victory.

Question (m)

When did the narrator find that the boy was badly wounded?

Answer:

Soon after the boy disclosed the conquest of Ratisbon and his glorious role in hoisting the French flag, Napoleon found that the boy was wounded.

Question (n)

Why did Napoleon's eyes become soft as a mother eagle's eyes?

Answer:

Napoleon's eyes softened like a mother eagle's eyes, which has mixed feelings about the bravery of the eaglet and grief over the mortal injuries sustained by it during the fight with a tougher foe. He became sad because the boy-soldier was mortally wounded.

Question (o)

How did the young soldier face his end?

Answer:

The young soldier died with a smile frozen on his lips.

Mark the rhyme scheme of the poem. The rhyme scheme for the first stanza is as follows. “With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, a

Legs wide, arms locked behind, – b

As if to balance the prone brow – a

Oppressive with its mind. – b

Just as perhaps he mused, ‘My plans – c

That soar, to earth may fall, – d

Let once my army-leader Lannes – c

Waver at yonder wall ’, – d

Out ’twixt the battery-smokes there flew – a

A rider, bound on bound – b

Full-galloping: nor bridle drew – a

Until he reached the mound. – b

Then off there flung in smiling joy, – c

And held himself erect – d

By just his horse’s mane, a boy: – c

You hardly could suspect – d

(So tight he kept his lips compressed, – a

Scarce any blood came through) – b

You looked twice ere you saw his breast – a

Was all but shot in two. b

‘Well’, cried he, ‘Emperor, by God’s grace – c

We’ve got you Ratisbon! – d

The Marshal’s in the market-place c

And you ’ll be there anon, – d

To see your flag-bird flap his vans – a

Where I, to heart’s desire, – b

Perched him! ’ The Chief’s eye flashed; his plans – a

Soared up again like fire. – b

The Chief’s eye flashed; but presently – c

Softened itself, as sheathes – d

A film the mother-eagle’s eye – c

When her bruised eaglet breathes: – d

‘You ’re wounded! ’ ‘Nay ’, his soldier’s pride – a

Touched to the quick, he said: – b

‘I’m killed, Sire! ’And, his Chief beside – a

Smiling, the boy fell dead. – b

4. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow.

(a) “Legs wide, arms locked behind,

As if to balance the prone brow Oppressive with its mind.”

Question (i)

Whose action is described here?

Answer:

Napoleon Bonaparte’s action is described here.

Question (ii)

What is meant by prone brow?

“Prone brow” means brow accustomed or inclined down to contemplate on serious matters.

Question (iii)

What is his state of mind?

Answer:

His mind is oppressed with anxious thoughts regarding the outcome of the war at Ratisbon.

(b) “You ’re wounded! ’ ‘Nay ’, his soldier’s pride

Touched to the quick, he said: ”

Question (i)

Why did the boy contradict Napoleon’s words?

Answer:

The boy contradicted Napoleon’s words because the word “wounded” hurt his sense of pride and patriotism and his voluntary sacrifice of life for his country.

Question (ii)

Why was his pride touched?

Answer:

The boy was naturally proud to have perched the French flag and got shot by the enemy. He had hurried holding on to his life to disclose the news of conquest of Ratisbon to the French king. When he said, “you’re wounded”, he interpreted it as an insult to his bravery and patriotism. So, his pride was touched.

(c) “A film the mother-eagle’s eye

When her bruised eaglet breathes”

Question (i)

Who is compared to the mother eagle in the above lines?

Answer:

Napoleon Bonaparte is compared to mother eagle.

Question (ii)

Explain the comparison.

Answer:

A mother eagle will be proud when the eaglet takes on a stronger predator. When the eaglet is hurt, the mother eagle will be naturally sad as no mother will want the young one to perish in a combat. The king, like a mother, is sad about the impending death of a valiant boy-soldier.

(а) “Just as perhaps he mused, ‘My plans

That soar, to earth may fall,”

Question (i)

Who does ‘he’ refer to?

Answer:

‘He’ refers to Napoleon Bonaparte.

Question (ii)

What may hamper the soaring plans of Napoleon?

Answer:

The negative outcome of battle at Ratisbon may hamper his soaring plans.

Question (iii)

What is the figure of speech employed in these lines?

Answer:

‘plans that soar’ – Metaphor.

(b) “Full-galloping: nor bridle drew

Until he reached the mound. ”

Question (i)

Why was the rider in a hurry?

Answer:

The rider was carrying an urgent message to Napoleon Bonaparte.

Question (ii)

Where did the soldier stop? Why?

The soldier stopped at the mound. Napoleon Bonaparte was expecting news about the outcome of the battle at Ratisbon.

(c) “The Chief’s eye flashed; his plans

Soared up again like fire.”

Question (i)

Who is described as the chief?

Answer:

Napoleon Bonaparte is described as the chief.

Question (ii)

Identify the figure of speech employed.

Answer:

Simile

(d) Explain the following lines with reference to the context.

Question (i)

"Then off there flung in smiling joy,

And held himself erect"

Answer:

Reference:** These words are from the poem "Incident of the French Camp" written by Robert Browning.

Context and Explanation:** The narrator says these words while describing the arrival of a boy-soldier at the mound where Napoleon was anxiously waiting for news about the battle at Ratisbon. Amidst the smoke of cannon fire, a horse came speeding fast, carrying a boy-soldier. He jumped off the horse with a beaming face. It seemed that he had brought good news.

Question (ii)

"I'm killed, Sire!" And, his Chief beside,

Smiling, the boy fell dead."

Answer:

Reference:** These lines are from the poem "Incident of the French Camp" written by Robert Browning.

Context and Explanation:** The poet says these words while explaining the brave reaction of the boy-soldier. The boy-soldier who brought the news of the conquest of Ratisbon was almost split into two. When Emperor Napoleon expressed his grief over his wounded state, the boy-soldier said, "Nay, I'm killed, Sire."

Question (iii)

"To see your flag-bird flap his vans

Where I, to heart's desire,

Perched him!"

Answer:

Reference:** These lines are from the poem "Incident of the French Camp" written by Robert Browning.

Context and Explanation:** The narrator says these words through the boy-soldier while explaining his role in the final stages of the storming of Ratisbon. He said proudly that he himself had hoisted the French flag to his heart's content at the market place in Ratisbon.

Question (i)

"As if to balance the prone brow

Oppressive with its mind."

Answer:

Reference:** These words are from the poem "Incident of the French Camp" written by Robert Browning.

Context and Explanation:** The narrator says these words about the ambitious Emperor of France, who was anxiously waiting for news about the outcome of the battle at Ratisbon. His inclined brow appeared as if it was trying to balance a heart laden with worry.

Question (ii)

"Let once my army-leader Lannes

Waver at yonder wall"

Answer:

Reference:** These lines are from the poem "Incident of the French Camp" written by Robert Browning.

Context and Explanation:** The poet says these words while Napoleon anxiously awaited news about the outcome of the storming of Ratisbon. As his ambition rested on the outcome, he was restless. He wanted Marshal Lannes to send a signal from Ratisbon to ease his fears.

Question (iii)

"A film the mother-eagle's eye

When her bruised eaglet breathes:"

Answer:

Reference:** These lines are from the poem "Incident of the French Camp" written by Robert Browning.

Context and Explanation:** The narrator witnesses Napoleon's reaction to the fact that the boy-soldier who had brought news of success was mortally wounded. Like a mother eagle who is proud and sad about the eaglet that has fought a fierce predator and is dying, Napoleon was moved to tears.

Question (iv)

"'You're wounded!' 'Nay', his soldier's pride

Touched to the quick,"

Answer:

Reference:** These lines are from the poem "Incident of the French Camp" written by Robert Browning.

Context and Explanation:** The poet says these words while describing the interaction between the mortally wounded soldier and Napoleon Bonaparte. The boy-soldier's chest was split into two. He had tightly closed his lips to stem the blood about to flow. The Emperor said that he was wounded. As his pride was hurt, he disagreed with him.

Question (v)

"A film the mother-eagle's eye

When her bruised eaglet breathes:"

Answer:

Reference:** These lines are from the poem "Incident of the French Camp" written by Robert Browning.

Context and Explanation:** The narrator said these words about what befell the valiant boy-soldier who brought the news to ease the heart of Napoleon. He didn't accept Napoleon's sympathy. Being valiant, he was at the verge of embracing death.Listening Activity

Some words have been left out in the poem below. First, read the poem. Then, fill in the missing words on listening to the reading or the recording of it in full. You may listen again, if required.

The Drum

I hate that drum’s discordant sound, Parading round, and round, and round: To thoughtless youth it pleasure yields, And lures from cities and from fields, sell their liberty for charms Of tawdry lace, and glittering arms; And when Ambition’s voice commands, To march, and fight, and fall, in foreign lands. I hate that drum’s discordant sound, Parading round, and round, and round; To me it talks of ravag’d plains, And burning towns, and ruin’d swains, And all that Misery’s hand bestows, To fill the catalogue of human woes.

I hate that drum’s (1) ______ sound,

Parading round, and round, and round:

To thoughtless (2) ______ it pleasure yields,

And lures from cities and from fields, sell their (3) ______ for charms

Of tawdry lace, and glittering arms;

And when (4) ______ voice commands,

To march, and fight, and fall, in (5) ______

I hate that drum’s discordant sound, Parading round, and round, and round; To me it talks of

(6) ______ plains, And burning towns, and ruin’d swains, And all that Misery’s hand bestows, To

fill the (7) ______ of human woes.

Answer:

1. discordant

2. youth

3. liberty

4. ambition’s

5. foreign lands

6. ravag’d

7. catalogue

Robert Browning (7 May 1812-12 December 1889) was one of the famous Victorian poets known for his marvellous dramatic monologues like “Last Ride Together”. His poems are known for their irony, characterisation, dark humour, social commentary, historical settings and challenging vocabulary and syntax. He developed a unique form of conversational, unrhythmic verse. The collection ‘Dramatis Personae’ and the book-length epic poem “The Ring and the Book” made him a leading British poet. By 1881 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to literature, a literary society called Browning Society was established.

Introduction

The poem shows chivalry, gallantry, patriotism, and sacrifice of a young French soldier. It describes a real event during the war between France and Austria (1809) led by Napoleon.

Summary

Napoleon stood on a mound, anxiously watching Ratisbon. He feared his plans would fail if Marshal Lannes could not storm the city. Suddenly, a rider came at full gallop and stopped before him.

A boy-soldier, “a slip of a youth,” jumped down with a beaming face. Though wounded in the chest, he stood erect and proudly announced: “We’ve got you Ratisbon!” He added that he had himself planted the French flag on the fort.

Napoleon’s eyes first flashed with ambition, then softened like a mother eagle seeing her eaglet hurt. With tears, he said, “You are wounded.” The boy, full of pride, replied, “Nay, I’m killed, sire.” Smiling like a valiant hero, he fell down dead.

Conclusion

Wars may be won, but the true glory belongs to the ordinary soldiers who sacrifice their lives. Their patriotism and courage remain the real strength behind victory.

முன்னுரை:

இக்கவிதை ஓர் இளம் பிரெஞ்சுப் படைவீரனின் வீரதீர சாகசத்தையும், உயிர்த் தியாகத்தையும் சித்தரிப்பதாக அமைந்துள்ளது. ஆஸ்திரியா நாட்டுக்கும், பிரான்சுக்கும் இடையே 1809ஆம் ஆண்டு போர் நடைபெற்ற போது நிகழ்ந்த ஓர் உண்மை நிகழ்ச்சியை இக்கவிதை சொல்கிறது.

நெப்போலியன் ஒரு குன்றின் மீது நின்று கொண்டு ரேடிஸ்பனை நோக்கிப் பார்த்துக் கொண்டிருந்தார். அவர் மனம் பயம் கலந்த பல சிந்தனைகளால் அலைக்கழிக்கப்பட்டுக் கொண்டிருந்தது. ரேடிஸ்பன் நகரத்தைச் சூறையாடும் முயற்சியில் அவரது தளபதி லான்ஸ் வெற்றி பெறவில்லை என்றால், அவரது கனவுத் திட்டங்கள் அனைத்தும் தவிடுபொடியாகிவிடும். கழுத்தை நீட்டி ஆவலோடு நெப்போலியன் பார்த்துக்கொண்டிருந்தார். ஆழ்ந்த சிந்தனையில் அவர் மூழ்கியிருந்தார். அப்போது ஓர் இளம் சிப்பாய் குதிரை மீது அமர்ந்து, கடிவாளத்தைக் கூடப் பிடிக்காமல் காற்றாய்ப் பறந்து வந்தான். குதிரை தனது எஜமானனின் பயண நோக்கத்தை உணர்ந்ததாலோ என்னவோ, முழு வேகத்தில் ஓடியது. நெப்போலியன் இருக்குமிடம் வரும் வரை குதிரையின் வேகம் குறையவேயில்லை.

மீசை முளைக்காத சிறு பாலகன் குதிரையிலிருந்து கீழே குதித்தான். குதிரையின் பிடரி முடியளவு கூட அவன் உயரமாக வளர்ந்திருக்கவில்லை. அவன் முகம் பிரகாசித்தது. தனது உதடுகளை இறுக்கமாக மூடியிருந்தான். அவற்றைத் திறந்தால் இரத்தம் கொட்டியிருக்கும். நிமிர்ந்து கம்பீரமாக அவன் நின்றான். அவனது நெஞ்சை இரண்டு குண்டுகள் பிளந்திருந்தன. "மன்னா, தங்களுக்காக ரேடிஸ்பன் நகரைக் கைப்பற்றிவிட்டோம். மார்ஷல் லான்ஸ் உங்களுக்காகச் சந்தைத் திடலில் காத்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறார். நானே என் உள்ளம் குளிர நமது நாட்டுக் கொடியைக் கம்பத்தில் ஏற்றினேன்" என்றான். இப்போது மன்னன் நெப்போலியனின் கண்கள் பனித்தன. தாய்க் கழுகு, தனது குஞ்சு வலுவான எதிரியோடு போராடி எவ்வாறு பெருமைப்பட்டாலும் கண் கலங்குமோ, அதைப் போன்ற மனநிலையில் நெப்போலியன் சொன்னார், "நீ காயமடைந்துவிட்டாய்." இதைக் கேட்ட சிப்பாய்ப் பாலகன் அவமானத்தால் குறுகிப் போய்ச் சொன்னான், "இல்லை மன்னா! நான் கொல்லப்பட்டேன்." அடுத்த நொடி புன்னகை தவழும் முகத்தோடு அவன் நெப்போலியன் அருகிலேயே விழுந்து மடிந்தான்.

முடிவுரை:

போர்கள் நடக்கின்றன. வெற்றியும், தோல்வியும் சகஜம். ஆனால், போர்க்களத்தில் மரணமடையும் சாதாரண சிப்பாய்களின் புகழ் வெளிச்சத்துக்கு வருவதே இல்லை.

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