The Power of Music
~ Sukumar Ray (1887-1923)
Rhyme Scheme- AABB
Summary-
Satire- use of humour to attack a person, an idea or behaviour that you think is bad or silly
, Stanza Analysis-
1st Stanza “When summer comes…..well-ment”
This is during the summer months. Introduction of Bhishma Lochan Sharma & humorous description of
his singing, who sings so loudly & powerfully- that people can hear him from Delhi to Burma as if it
resounds in its hills & in valleys.
He is singing as if ‘staked his life’ (bet his life on his singing) or ‘hell-bent’, this signifies the intensity of
his singing. He sings as if someone has forced him to do so because his song is not at all melodious. It is
as if he has lost a bet and now he has to sing in return for losing, or perhaps he is determined to sing
irrespective of whether his singing is pleasant or not. His singing is such that astonishes people, they
were dazed, however they knew that his intentions were pure.
2nd Stanza “They're trampled…broadside”
This illustrates all the chaos caused by his singing & how ppl are getting overwhelmed & becoming
‘languish’ (to become weak/ feeble & pale). A stampede is caused & people get trampled. One of the ppl
beg Bhisma to stop as the people couldn’t bear anymore. Even the bullock-carts overturn & the horses
also attempt to attack, frustrated from the noise. But Bhisma, being unbothered, continues to sing in his
loud, unpleasant voice.
3rd Stanza “The wretched brutes…..a mile hence”
This shows that the profound effect of Bhisma’s singing is not only restricted to humans, but many other
species of animals & nature.
Animals/horses refuse to work , stand along the road & whine, stare & raise their feet in the air on
hearing the singing. Even the fishes troubled by the singing, dive deeper into the water bodies seeking
silence, hoping that in the depths they will get away from the irritating noise. The trees also tremble and
collapse, on hearing the harsh sound of Bhisma’s song. The sound of the tree falling can be heard for a
distance of 1 mile.
~ Sukumar Ray (1887-1923)
Rhyme Scheme- AABB
Summary-
Satire- use of humour to attack a person, an idea or behaviour that you think is bad or silly
, Stanza Analysis-
1st Stanza “When summer comes…..well-ment”
This is during the summer months. Introduction of Bhishma Lochan Sharma & humorous description of
his singing, who sings so loudly & powerfully- that people can hear him from Delhi to Burma as if it
resounds in its hills & in valleys.
He is singing as if ‘staked his life’ (bet his life on his singing) or ‘hell-bent’, this signifies the intensity of
his singing. He sings as if someone has forced him to do so because his song is not at all melodious. It is
as if he has lost a bet and now he has to sing in return for losing, or perhaps he is determined to sing
irrespective of whether his singing is pleasant or not. His singing is such that astonishes people, they
were dazed, however they knew that his intentions were pure.
2nd Stanza “They're trampled…broadside”
This illustrates all the chaos caused by his singing & how ppl are getting overwhelmed & becoming
‘languish’ (to become weak/ feeble & pale). A stampede is caused & people get trampled. One of the ppl
beg Bhisma to stop as the people couldn’t bear anymore. Even the bullock-carts overturn & the horses
also attempt to attack, frustrated from the noise. But Bhisma, being unbothered, continues to sing in his
loud, unpleasant voice.
3rd Stanza “The wretched brutes…..a mile hence”
This shows that the profound effect of Bhisma’s singing is not only restricted to humans, but many other
species of animals & nature.
Animals/horses refuse to work , stand along the road & whine, stare & raise their feet in the air on
hearing the singing. Even the fishes troubled by the singing, dive deeper into the water bodies seeking
silence, hoping that in the depths they will get away from the irritating noise. The trees also tremble and
collapse, on hearing the harsh sound of Bhisma’s song. The sound of the tree falling can be heard for a
distance of 1 mile.
