Nose Versus Eyes

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Nose Versus Eyes by William Cowper

Title: Nose Versus Eyes

The title shows us that there is a conflict in between two organs. They are nose and eyes. The title attracts the attention of the readers as it a strange and incredible concept to show the struggle in between nose and eyes.

Writer: William Cowper

William Cowper was one of the most popular 18th century English poets and composers of hymns. His poems deal with Nature and everyday life. He is aptly described by Samuel T. Coleridge as ‘the Best Modern Poet’ of his times. Though he studied jurisprudence, he later admitted that he was ‘not much inclined’ to the legal profession.

Poem: Nose versus Eyes

The poem ‘Nose versus Eyes’ is a satire on the judiciary system. It also mocks at the stone-blind justice in a humorous manner. It emphasizes upon the lack of empathy and common sense in judiciary system.

Ice- Breakers Activities:

3) Name the five sensory organs and provide phrases/idioms/ proverbs related to them.

Answer-

Five sensory organs-

1) Nose

2) Eye

3) Tongue

4) Skin

5) Ear

Proverbs / Idioms / Phrases related to the sensory organs-

a. To turn a deaf ear.

b. Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.

c. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

d. The apple of one’s eye.

e. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

f. A slip of the tongue.

g. Beauty is only skin deep/thick skinned

h. Get under one’s skin.

i. Have one’s nose in the air.

j. Rub one’s nose in it.

k. Become tongue tied.

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Format of Std. XI- Annual Exam Activity Sheet

Std. XI- Model Unit Tests

See Slide Presentation- Activity and Poetic appreciation

Poetic Appreciation

Q. Write a poetic appreciation of the poem – Nose verses Eyes.

Answer-

About Poem and Poet:

‘Nose verses Eyes’ is a satirical poem written by William Cowper. William Copper was one of the most popular 18th century English poets and his poems deal with Nature and everyday life. The title ‘Nose verses Eyes’ contains the sensory organs, and they symbolize human behaviour.

Theme:

The court room drama is a satire on the judiciary system. It also mocks at the stone-blind justice in a humorous manner emphasizing upon the lack of empathy and common sense. The sentences ‘then shifting his side, as a lawyer knows how’ and ‘what were his arguments few people know’ show the lack of seriousness in the process of judicial system.

Poetic Device:

The poem is in stanza of four lines each. The first line rhymes with the third while the second line rhymes with the fourth. The rhyme scheme of the stanza is: a b a b

My opinion about the poem:

‘Nose verses Eyes’ is a funny poem. It makes me laugh. It is a satire on the courtroom drama. I like it very much. I enjoyed it very much. I also feel pity for those who sometimes don’t get justice due to lack of common sense and understanding.

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Activity No. 1

Q. Read the extract and complete the activities given below. (10)

Between Nose and Eyes a strange contest arose,
The spectacles set them unhappily wrong;
The point in dispute was, as all the world knows,
To which the said spectacles ought to belong.

So Tongue was the lawyer, and argued the cause
With great deal of skill, and a wig full of learning;
While Chief Baron Ear sat to balance the laws,
So famed for his talent in nicely discerning.

‘In behalf of the Nose it will quickly appear,
And your lordship,’ he said, ‘will undoubtedly find,
That the Nose has had spectacles always in wear,
Which amounts to possession time out of mind.’

Then holding the spectacles up to the court,
‘Your lordship observes they are made with a straddle
As wide as the ridge of the Nose is; in short,
Designed to sit close to it, just like a saddle.

A1. Complete (2)

Complete the information

Reason of dispute	Dispute in between	Lawyer	Judge
————–	————–	————–	————–

Answer-

Reason of dispute	Dispute in between	Lawyer	Judge
Which does spectacle belong	Nose and Eyes	Tongue	Ear

A2. Give reason (2)

The ear was appointed as the judge. Give its reason.

Answer-

In the court to deliver a fair judgement based on the arguments, the judge must carefully listen to all the information and evidences presented before him or her. Careful listening is the best quality for a judge. Ear has the ability to listen carefully. So, the ear was appointed as the judge.

A3. Personal Response (2)

Name the any four sensory organs and provide phrases/idioms/proverbs related to them.

Answer-

1) Ear: To turn a deaf ear

2) Eyes: A bird’s eye view

3) Tongue: tongue tied

4) Nose: Under the nose

A4. Poetic Device (2)

Find and write one example of – Inversion and Metaphor.

Answer-

1) Example of Inversion: Between Nose and Eyes a strange contest arose.

2) Example of Metaphor: While Chief Baron Ear sat to balance the laws.