NCERT MCQ Solutions for Class 8 English Poorvi Unit 2 Chapter 2 Somebody’s Mother

The poem mentions “bent with the chill of the Winter’s day” and “The street was wet with a recent snow,” clearly indicating it was a cold, snowy winter day.

The opening line specifically describes “The woman was old and ragged and grey,” establishing her appearance and vulnerable state from the beginning.

The poem states “Down the street, with laughter and shout, Glad in the freedom of ‘school let out,'” showing the children were happy and celebratory.

“Came the boys like a flock of sheep,” using this simile to describe how the group of children moved together.

The poem mentions she was “afraid to stir / Lest the carriage wheels or the horses’ feet / Should crowd her down in the slippery street.”

The poem states that most children “passed her by” without heeding “the glance of her anxious eyes,” showing they ignored her need for help.

The poem specifically identifies the helpful child as “the gayest laddie of all the group,” meaning the most cheerful and lively boy.

The poem quotes the boy’s exact words: “He paused beside her and whispered low, ‘I’ll help you cross, if you wish to go.'”

“Her aged hand on his strong young arm / She placed, and so, without hurt or harm” showing how he supported her.

The poem explicitly states “His young heart happy and well content,” showing the boy felt satisfied and joyful after helping.

The boy explained to his friends: “She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know,” emphasizing her humanity and connection to family.

He said “And I hope some fellow will lend a hand / To help my mother, you understand,” showing his hope for reciprocal kindness.

The poem states “And ‘somebody’s mother’ bowed low her head / In her home that night, and the prayer she said” indicating she prayed.

Her prayer was “God be kind to the noble boy, / Who is somebody’s son, and pride and joy!” showing gratitude and blessing for the helpful child.

The attribution “MARY DOW BRINE” appears at the end of the poem, identifying her as the author of this touching piece about kindness.

The poem’s central message focuses on showing compassion to those in need, demonstrated through the boy’s kindness to the elderly woman who needed help.

By calling her “somebody’s mother,” the poem emphasizes that every person is loved by someone and deserves respect and care, regardless of appearance or circumstance.

The contrast shows how while most children ignored her, one child’s compassion made all the difference, illustrating how individual acts of kindness matter greatly.

This is a simile because it uses “like” to compare the children to a flock of sheep, creating a direct comparison between two different things.

The boy’s reflection that he hopes someone would help his mother demonstrates the golden rule – treating others as you would want your loved ones treated.

The poem describes the woman as old ragged grey and bent with the chill showing she is elderly and physically weak having difficulty moving in the winter weather.

The street was wet with recent snow and the woman is affected by winters chill indicating its winter season with slippery snowy conditions.

The poem says human beings passed her by without heeding her anxious eyes showing general indifference toward her struggle.

Among the schoolboys one pauses to help her cross the street while others hurry past showing his compassion.

The boys are compared to a flock of sheep suggesting they move together in a group following each other without individual thought.

She fears carriage wheels or horses feet might crowd her down showing her anxiety about moving in the busy slippery street.

The woman places her aged hand on his strong young arm and he guides her trembling feet showing physical support.

The poem describes his young heart as happy and well content showing his satisfaction from helping.

He hopes someone would help his mother if she were old suggesting the golden rule of treating others as youd want your family treated.

She prays to God to be kind to the noble boy showing her gratitude for his kindness.

The poem highlights compassion through the boys kind act and the womans gratitude contrasting with general public indifference.

Its a simile comparing schoolboys to sheep using like showing their group movement without individual thought.

Most people pass by without helping showing general societal indifference toward the elderly in need.

Through the boys example it teaches compassion and helping others especially the elderly and vulnerable.

The poem is written by Mary Dow Brine as credited at the end focusing on themes of kindness and human connection.