ANIMALS
BY WALT WHITMAN
Answer the following
1.Why does the poet show a preference for living with the animals?
The poet says that it is better to live with animals as they show tokens of goodness. They are peaceful, self-contained and happy. Animals show innate goodness which is locked in human beings. Animals do not grumble about their lives or cry over their sins.
2.What is the central idea of the poem 'Animals'?
The central idea of the poem is the difference between human beings and animals. While they both were initially similar in their innate goodness , the man had lost it over the years while animals remain the same they show the tokens of goodness and compel the poet to contemplate on man's lost goodness.
3.How are animals different from humans about owning things or kneeling to one another?
Human beings are mad about possessing things. But animals do not care for possession. They stay happy with whatever they have. Animals do not kneel to others as humans do to get benefit. To them, all are equal.
4.Why do animals not weep for their sins?
Animals, being true to their nature , do not commit sins. So they do not weep over it.
5.What makes the poet sick?
The negative qualities like dissatisfaction, grumbling, mad possession of things etc. in humans and man discussing his sins to God , make the poet sick. Unlike animals , they are hypocritic to their own true nature.
