Q1: What sights does the poet observe while aboard a railway carriage?

Ans: While journeying by a railway carriage, the poet beholds a multitude of picturesque scenes. These encompass houses, hedges, ditches, bridges, meadows, a cart, a child, a wandering traveler, cattle, a mill, a railway station, a river, as well as hills and mountains. The experience of observing these sights from a swiftly or moving train fills the poet with a sense of pride.

Q2: What delights does the poet derive from the railway journey?

Ans: The railway journey fills the poet with great delight and pleasure. He finds the experience to be exhilarating and enjoyable. The rapid succession of views, including meadows, daisies, a mill, a river, hills, and plains passing by in reverse, each captured and then gone, brings him happiness. The fleeting beauty of these sights resonates with the poet’s sense of lasting joy.

Q3: What kind of experience is recounted in this poem?

Ans: This poem recounts an exceptionally exhilarating experience. The poet vividly describes the sights and emotions that one encounters while traveling by train. The narrative is so evocative that it conveys the sheer enjoyment of the journey. Ultimately, the poem encapsulates an extraordinary voyage that prompted the poet to express it through the form of poetry, and readers too can relish its every aspect.

Q4: What is meant by a “tramp,” and what was this individual doing as the railway carriage passed by?

Ans: A “tramp” is a term used to describe a person who is homeless and often wanders from place to place without regular employment. As the railway carriage passed by, the tramp was gazing at it, perhaps in hopes that someone might alight from the train.

Q5: Who authored the poem “From a Railway Carriage”? Can you share some insights about the poet?

Ans: “From a Railway Carriage” was penned by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894). He hailed from Scotland and was renowned as a novelist, poet, and essayist. Born in Edinburgh, his formal education was often disrupted by illness, leading to frequent breaks. Despite initially pursuing engineering and law, he eventually embraced a literary path in 1873. Stevenson is recognized for notable novels such as “Treasure Island” and “Kidnapped.” His work “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” explores the duality of human nature, revealing both good and evil tendencies. With a genuine affinity for children, he possessed a deep understanding of them. This poem showcases his poetic skill.

Q6: What activity was the child engaged in?

Ans: The child was scrambling and clambering while being on their own. They were occupied with the task of collecting brambles.

Q7: Can you describe the scene involving the cart?

Ans: The cart was in motion along the road, appearing to be running uncontrolled. Laden with a cargo and occupied by a man, the cart was moving unevenly due to the weight of its load.

Q8: What does the poem ‘From a Railway Carriage’ seek to convey?

Ans: The poem conveys the idea that a railway carriage brings joy by providing a continuously shifting panorama. It affords the opportunity to witness the beauty of nature in various forms, offering a chance for enjoyment. This aligns with the belief that the beauty of nature remains a source of everlasting happiness.