Fishing
Question and Answer
1. What idea of the speaker’s age do you guess from the opening lines?
Answer – The opening lines suggest that the speaker is likely an adult, possibly in his middle years, given that he is married, has a family, and is experienced in fishing.
2. How did the speaker prepare himself for fishing? (clue: gear and attitude)
Answer – The speaker prepared for fishing by equipping himself with the necessary fishing gear, including a fishing rod and line, a net, a creel, and waders. He also approached the task with confidence and a determination to succeed.
3. What did he declare to his family? What silent response did he sense from the members of the family?
Answer – The speaker declared to his family that he would catch fish, expressing confidence in his abilities. While some family members seemed to doubt his proclamation silently, others anticipated a delicious meal of fried fish.
4. Describe his initial experience while fishing. (lns. 9 -12)
Answer – Initially, the speaker set out with enthusiasm and hope. However, as hours passed, he realized that catching a fish was not as easy as he had anticipated. Despite his elaborate preparations, he failed to catch any fish.
5. What did he dread to face when he would be back at home? (ln s. 13 – 15)
Answer – The speaker dreaded returning home without a catch because he had boasted confidently to his family about his fishing prowess. He was concerned that failing to catch fish would subject him to ridicule and mockery from those who had doubted him.
6. How was his prayer answered?
Answer – Just when the speaker was about to give up hope, a fish finally took the bait. The float signaled that a fish had bitten, and he quickly pulled the string. His prayer for a catch was answered as he successfully hooked a one-foot fish.
7. Discuss the contrasting moods presented in stanzas 3 and 4, and 5.
Answer – The poem presents a contrast in the speaker’s emotions. In stanzas 3 and 4, the speaker is initially confident and hopeful, expecting to catch fish. However, as time passes, he becomes anxious and worried about returning empty-handed, fearing mockery from his family. In stanza 5, his mood shifts dramatically as he successfully catches a fish, leading to a sense of relief and joy.
8. Describe the ‘catch’.
Answer – The catch is described as a one-foot fish that shone brightly. It was hooked by the speaker when it bit the bait. The fish struggled out of water, gasping for air, as it was lifted from its natural habitat.
9. How has the speaker described his joy and the despair of the fish?
Answer – The speaker expresses his joy and the despair of the fish vividly. He feels ecstatic and relieved at finally catching a fish after hours of waiting. On the other hand, he observes the fish’s desperate struggle as it gasps for air out of water, conveying its anguish and fear.
10. What did he think the fish was pleading for?
Answer – The speaker felt that the fish was silently pleading to be set free. He sensed that the fish was yearning for its life and freedom, as it struggled in the hook.
11. What was the debate in the speaker’s mind?
Answer – The speaker grappled with a moral dilemma. On one hand, he considered the prospect of keeping the fish, which would provide him with a meal and validation of his fishing skills. On the other hand, he felt compassion for the fish and contemplated releasing it to spare its life.
12. Discuss the significance of: ‘For nothing, however, I did care.’ (ln. 34)
Answer – The line “For nothing, however, I did care” signifies the speaker’s prioritization of compassion over personal gain. It reflects his decision to release the fish, despite the potential loss of his efforts and the risk of being mocked by his family. His act of compassion was more important to him than any material reward.
13. What was the strange feeling that the speaker felt? Can you relate the feeling to the ‘crimson glow’ and ‘greater joy’? (lns. 36-38)
Answer – The strange feeling the speaker experienced was likely a sense of profound fulfillment and empathy. The “crimson glow” of the evening sunset represents a moment of natural beauty and tranquility. The “greater joy” that followed the strange feeling signifies the spiritual satisfaction and happiness derived from choosing compassion over personal gain.
14. Which action brought about a greater joy in the heart of the speaker? In comparison to the ultimate greater joy, what do you think would have been a lesser one?
Answer – The action of releasing the fish brought about a greater joy in the heart of the speaker. In comparison, catching the fish for a meal would have been a lesser joy, as it would only have provided temporary gratification and tangible gain. The act of compassion and empathy brought a deeper and more lasting sense of fulfillment.
15. Why does he find this feeling strange?
Answer – The speaker finds this feeling strange because it contrasts with his initial desire to catch fish for a meal and prove his fishing skills. His decision to release the fish, driven by compassion and empathy, is unusual and unexpected, given the circumstances and his initial intentions.
16. Do you think the speaker was sensitive? Why do you think so? (Clue: at least two reasons)
Answer – Yes, the speaker exhibited sensitivity in the poem. Firstly, he felt a strong connection to the suffering of the fish, which is a sign of empathy and compassion. Secondly, he prioritized the well-being of the fish over personal gain and the potential mockery of his family, demonstrating a sensitivity to the value of life and the ethical choice to spare it.
17. Notice that all the stanzas excluding Stanza 7 have four lines each. How is Stanza 7 different from other stanzas?
Answer – Stanza 7 is different from the other stanzas because it consists of six lines instead of four. It serves as a pivotal moment in the poem where the speaker’s internal conflict is resolved, and he makes the compassionate choice to release the fish. This extended stanza allows for a deeper exploration of his thoughts and feelings.
18. Describe the change of mind that the speaker had between the afternoon and the evening of the same day.
Answer – In the afternoon, the speaker was determined to catch fish and prove his fishing skills. He was anxious about returning empty-handed and facing ridicule. However, by the evening, his perspective shifted as he encountered the suffering of the fish. He experienced a change of heart, choosing compassion over personal gain and finding greater joy in the act of releasing the fish, despite the potential consequences.
Additional Question and Answer
1. How does the speaker’s attitude change from the beginning of the poem to the moment he catches the fish?
Answer – The speaker’s attitude evolves from confidence and determination to a sense of compassion and empathy as he catches the fish.
2. What fishing gear did the speaker equip himself with, and how did it contribute to his initial confidence?
Answer – The speaker used a fishing rod, line, net, creel, and waders. These tools contributed to his initial confidence by providing him with the necessary equipment for a successful fishing expedition.
3. Why did the speaker dread returning home without a catch, and what consequences did he fear?
Answer – The speaker feared returning home without a catch because he had boasted to his family about his fishing abilities. He anticipated ridicule and mockery from those who doubted him.
4. How does the speaker describe the physical appearance of the caught fish, and why is it significant?
Answer – The caught fish is described as a one-foot fish that shone brightly. This description is significant as it emphasizes the beauty and vitality of the fish, highlighting the contrast with the potential harm it may face.
5. What moral dilemma does the speaker face regarding the fish, and how does he resolve it?
Answer – The speaker grapples with the dilemma of whether to keep the fish for personal gain or release it to spare its life. He ultimately resolves it by choosing compassion and releasing the fish.
6. What does the line “For nothing, however, I did care” reveal about the speaker’s values and priorities?
Answer – The line reveals that the speaker prioritizes compassion and empathy over personal gain. He is willing to sacrifice potential rewards to spare the life of the fish.
7. How does the evening sunset contribute to the speaker’s strange feeling and greater joy?
Answer – The evening sunset, described as a “crimson glow,” symbolizes a moment of natural beauty and tranquility. This setting enhances the speaker’s strange feeling and contributes to the greater joy he experiences after releasing the fish.
8. In what ways does the extended stanza 7 serve as a turning point in the poem?
Answer – Stanza 7 serves as a turning point where the speaker’s internal conflict is resolved, and he makes the compassionate choice to release the fish. The extended length allows for a deeper exploration of his thoughts and emotions.
9. What could have been a lesser joy for the speaker compared to the greater joy he experiences, and why?
Answer – Catching the fish for a meal could have been a lesser joy, as it would provide only temporary gratification and tangible gain, whereas releasing the fish brought a deeper and more lasting sense of fulfillment.
10. How does the speaker’s sensitivity manifest in his decision-making process regarding the fish?
Answer – The speaker’s sensitivity is evident in his strong connection to the suffering of the fish and his prioritization of the fish’s well-being over personal gain. These choices showcase empathy and compassion.
11. Why is the feeling the speaker experiences after releasing the fish considered strange by him?
Answer – The feeling is considered strange because it contrasts with the speaker’s initial desire to prove his fishing skills and catch fish for a meal. The unexpected choice of compassion over personal gain makes the feeling unusual for the speaker.
12. What role does the crimson glow of the evening play in the poem’s overall mood and theme?
Answer – The crimson glow of the evening contributes to the poem’s mood by symbolizing a moment of natural beauty and tranquility. It also enhances the theme of the speaker’s internal conflict and resolution.
13. How does the poem explore the concept of pride, and how does the speaker’s experience challenge his pride?
Answer – The poem explores pride through the speaker’s initial confidence and boasting about his fishing skills. The speaker’s experience challenges his pride when he faces the possibility of returning home without a catch.
14. What emotions does the speaker go through during his fishing expedition, and how do they evolve?
Answer – The speaker goes through emotions of confidence, hope, anxiety, worry, relief, and joy. These emotions evolve as he experiences the challenges of fishing and ultimately chooses compassion over personal gain.
15. Why does the speaker consider the caught fish to be pleading for something, and what does it reveal about his perception?
Answer – The speaker considers the fish to be pleading for its life, revealing his heightened perception of the fish’s suffering and his ability to empathize with its struggle.
16. How does the poem use the setting of time, from afternoon to evening, to reflect the speaker’s changing mindset?
Answer – The poem uses the setting of time to reflect the speaker’s changing mindset. In the afternoon, he is focused on proving his fishing skills, while by evening, he experiences a shift toward compassion and empathy.
17. What role does the family play in the speaker’s internal conflict, and how do they influence his decisions?
Answer – The family plays a role in the speaker’s internal conflict by being the audience to his boastful proclamation. Their potential mockery influences his initial desire to catch fish for validation. However, he ultimately prioritizes compassion over their opinions.
18. How does the speaker’s decision to release the fish align with the overall theme of the poem?
Answer – The speaker’s decision to release the fish aligns with the overall theme of compassion and empathy triumphing over personal gain. It underscores the value of life and the ethical choice to spare it.
19. What literary devices are employed in the poem to convey the speaker’s emotions and the atmosphere of the fishing expedition?
Answer – The poem uses literary devices such as imagery, symbolism (crimson glow), and internal monologue to convey the speaker’s emotions and create the atmosphere of the fishing expedition.
20. In what ways does the poem explore the interconnectedness of nature and human actions, especially in the context of the speaker’s decision to release the fish?
Answer – The poem explores the interconnectedness of nature and human actions by portraying the impact of the speaker’s decision on the fish and the natural environment. It highlights the ethical considerations and consequences of human choices on the natural world.
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