Poem- Money by William H. Davies
Title of the poem:
The title ‘Money’ shows the influence and importance of money in this world. Money has the ability to change the behaviour of individual persons. Everyone tries to earn a lot of money but surprisingly it is seen that after becoming rich most of the persons loose peace of mind. The poor in comparison to this situation can sleep peacefully and enjoy life neglecting lack of money.
Poet: William H. Davies:
He was a Welsh poet and a writer. He spent a significant part of his life as a tramp (a person who has no home or job and who moves from place to place) or hobo (a traveling worker) in the United Kingdom and the United States.
He became a peddler (Someone who travels about selling his wares -as on the streets or at carnivals) and street singer in England. After several years of a wandering life, he published his first volume, ‘The Soul’s Destroyer and other Poems’.
Glossary
False Man- wrong person having no sense of true friendship
Knocking- hitting noisily to attract attention.
Trumpet- a brass musical instrument
False world- world based on false concept of pleasure
Hum- sing with closed lips
Frown- show anger
Morn till night- from morning to the night
Untrue- not faithful
Real- original
Figures of Speech
1) For many a false man as a friend
Answer- Alliteration
Explanation- The sound of letter ‘f’ is repeated.
2) Because a man is dead; I dared
Answer- Alliteration
Explanation- The sound of letter ‘d’ is repeated.
3) When I had money, money, O!
Answer- Repetition-
Explanation- The word ‘money’ is repeated.
4) Then felt I like a child that holds
A trumpet that he must not blow.
Answer- Simile
Explanation- The poet is directly compared with a child.
5) And how their wives do hum like bees.
Answer- Simile
Explanation- The wives are directly compared with the bees.
6) Much have I thought of life.
Answer- Inversion
Explanation- The words are not in a correct prose order. The correct prose order is- I have thought much of life.
7) And how their wives do hum like bees
Answer- Onomatopoeia
Explanation- The ‘hum’ express sound
8) So, when I hear these poor ones laugh,
And see the rich ones coldly frown-
Answer- Antithesis
Explanation- The opposite words ‘poor’ and ‘rich’ are used.
9) Poor men, think I, need not go up
So much as rich men should come down.
Answer- Antithesis
Explanation- The opposite words ‘up’ and ‘down’ as well as ‘poor’ and ‘rich’ are used.
10) When I had money, money, O!
Answer- Apostrophe
Explanation- Money is personified and directly addressed.
11) For many a false man as a friend.
Answer- Inversion
Explanation- The words are not in a correct prose order. The correct prose order is ‘A false man as a friend for many’.
12) My many friends proved all untrue.
Answer- Alliteration
Explanation- The sound of letter ‘m’ is repeated.
13) My friends are real, though very few.
Answer- Alliteration
Explanation- The sound of letter ‘f’ is repeated.
14) For many a false man as a friend
Answer- Simile
Explanation- The false man is directly compared to a friend.
15) And how their wives do hum like bees.
Answer- Simile
Explanation- The wives are directly compared to bees.
16) How poor men’s hearts are ever light.
Answer- Metaphor
Explanation- The ‘light’ and the ‘heart of poor man’ are indirectly compared.
17) Poor men, think I, need not go up
Answer- Inversion
Explanation- The words are not in a correct prose order. The correct prose order is – I think poor men need not go up.
18) Because a man is dead; I dared
Answer- Alliteration
Explanation- The sound of letter ‘d’ is repeated.
19) Poor men, think I, need not go up
Answer- Alliteration
Explanation- The sound of letter ‘n’ is repeated.
Activity: Poetic Appreciation-
Q. Write an appreciation of the poem ‘Money’
Answer-
About the poem-
The poem ‘Money’ is written by a Welsh poet William H. Davies. It is a reflective poem. The poem has five stanzas of four lines each. The poet shows the difference in the life of the rich and the poor. He also presented the reality of his friends.
Theme-
The theme of the poem is that Money can’t give you at all happiness. When the poet was rich, he had many false friends but when he becomes poor, he has fewer friends, but they all are real.
Language-
The language used in the poem is simple and easy to understand. Each stanza of the poem follows a different rhyme scheme. The poet has beautified the poem by using figures of speech such as Simile, onomatopoeia, Antithesis, Repetition and Inversion.
Special Feature-
The special feature of the poem is the use of Imagery. The imagery like ‘came knocking all day at my door’ or ‘a child that holds a trumpet’ etc. presents word picture of the events.
Message-
By this poem, the poet has given the message that wealth is not required to become happy. But happiness lies in having contentment at heart and to have genuine people in our life. Satisfaction can be achieved in the poverty too. This is shown in the behaviour of the poor women.
My Opinion about the poem-
The poem is very thought – provoking as it shows the power of money and real nature of friends. I like it very much.
See More–
- Song of the Open Road
- Indian Weavers
- The Inchcape Rock
- Have You Earned Your Tomorrow
- Father Returning Home
- She Walks in Beauty
- Small Towns and Rivers
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Figure of speech and an appreciation of this poem Money has been made in a very nice way
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