1.English (Poetry) - Poem 1

God Made The Country

Class 10 English (Poetry) - Poem 1

Poet: William Cowper

🌿 About the Poem & Poet

William Cowper was a famous nature poet. In this poem, he compares the peaceful life of the village (countryside) with the noisy and artificial life of the city (town). He famously says, "God made the country, and man made the town."

📖 Summary (हिन्दी सारांश)

कवि विलियम काउपर कहते हैं कि ईश्वर ने गाँवों (प्रकृति) को बनाया है, जबकि मनुष्यों ने शहरों को बनाया है।

गाँव का जीवन:

• यहाँ स्वास्थ्य (Health) और गुण (Virtue) पाए जाते हैं।
• गाँव के लोग खेतों में मेहनत करते हैं और उन्हें कोई थकान महसूस नहीं होती।
• यहाँ पेड़ों की छाया, पक्षियों का संगीत और चांदनी का असली आनंद मिलता है।

शहर का जीवन:

• शहर के लोग सेडान (पालकी/गाड़ी) में बैठकर चलते हैं, जिससे उन्हें थकान तो नहीं होती लेकिन असली सुख भी नहीं मिलता।
• शहर की कृत्रिम रोशनी (Lamps) ने चंद्रमा और तारों की प्राकृतिक रोशनी को फीका कर दिया है।
• शहर के लोग आलसी और विलासी होते हैं, और वे प्रकृति से दूर हो गए हैं।

निष्कर्ष: गाँव का जीवन प्राकृतिक और सुखद है, जबकि शहर का जीवन बनावटी और तनावपूर्ण है।

📚 Word Meanings (शब्दार्थ)

Word	Meaning (Hindi)	Meaning (English)
Country	गाँव/देहात	Rural area/Village
Abound	भरपूर मात्रा में होना	Existing in large numbers
Virtue	सद्गुण/नेकी	Good moral quality
Groves	पेड़ों का झुरमुट/कुंज	Group of trees
Eclipse	ग्रहण लगाना/फीका करना	To make less important/bright
Harmonious	सुरीला/सामंजस्यपूर्ण	Tuneful/Pleasing to ear

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

B.1.1. True or False

• 1. God made the country and man made the town. -> (True)
• 2. Health and virtue can be found in towns. -> (False) (According to the poem, they are in the country)
• 3. Towns people do not enjoy the scenery. -> (True)
• 4. The life in villages is peaceful. -> (True)

B.1.2. Short Answer Questions

Q1. Who made the country and who made the town?

Ans: God made the country and man made the town.

Q2. Where can we find health and virtue?

Ans: We can find health and virtue in the country (villages) and fields.

Q3. What is the source of light in villages?

Ans: The moon and stars are the natural sources of light in villages.

Q4. Why are the songs of birds not heard in towns?

Ans: The songs of birds are not heard in towns because the birds are scared of the noise and unnatural environment of the city.

C.1. Long Answer Questions

Q1. "God made the country, and man made the town." Elucidate.

Ans: This line sums up the central idea of the poem. It means that the countryside (nature) is a creation of God, and therefore it is pure, peaceful, and full of divine blessings like health and virtue. On the other hand, the town (city) is a creation of man. It is artificial, full of noise, pollution, and vice. Man has destroyed nature to build concrete jungles, distancing himself from God's creation.

Q2. How does the poet compare the life of the village with that of the town?

Ans: The poet says that village life is simple and healthy. People work in fields but don't feel tired because they are close to nature. They enjoy the shade of groves and the music of birds. In contrast, town life is luxurious but unhealthy. People travel in sedans (cars) to avoid fatigue, but they lose their physical strength. The artificial lights of the town overshadow the beautiful moonlight.

Q3. Why does the poet believe that health and virtue are gifts for the countryside?

Ans: The poet believes this because the countryside offers a clean environment, fresh air, and hard physical work, which are essential for good health. Simple living and high thinking are easier in villages, leading to virtue. The distractions and temptations of city life often corrupt the mind and body.

-- Class 10 English (Bihar Board) Notes --