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Class 9 English NCERT Poems – Summary, Themes & Figurative Speech

This article provides detailed summaries, key themes, and literary devices for all Class 9 English NCERT poems from Beehive.

 Poetry is an essential part of literature that conveys deep emotions, life lessons, and observations about nature, society, and human behavior. The Class 9 English NCERT syllabus includes 10 poems in the Beehive textbook, each with its unique message and poetic devices.

This Blog provides a detailed summary, themes, and figurative speech for each poem in a simple, easy-to-understand way. Class 9th English Literature NCERT Poem Explanation

detailed, easy-to-understand summary of all Class 9 English NCERT poems

Class 9 English NCERT Poems – Detailed Summaries

1. The Road Not Taken – Robert Frost

Summary:

Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” revolves around the theme of choices and their consequences. The poet describes a moment in his life when he stood at a fork in the road in a forest, having to choose between two paths. One road looked more frequently traveled, while the other appeared less worn and grassy. After contemplating, the poet decided to take the less-traveled path, thinking it would lead to a different and possibly better outcome in life.

As he walks, he realizes that both roads were actually quite similar, and he might never return to explore the other one. He expresses that years later, he will reflect on this decision, saying that taking the less-traveled path made a significant difference in his life. However, there is a hint of uncertainty and regret, as he acknowledges that every choice in life closes the door to other possibilities.

This poem conveys the importance of making choices, the uncertainty of life, and the individual's role in shaping their own future.

Theme:

  • Life is full of choices, and decisions shape our destiny.
  • Individualism and the courage to take an unconventional path.
  • The regret and curiosity about what could have been.

Figurative Speech:

  • Metaphor: The diverging roads symbolize life choices.
  • Imagery: "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood" creates a vivid picture.
  • Symbolism: The less-traveled road represents unconventional or risky choices.

2. Wind – Subramania Bharati

Summary:

The poem “Wind” by Subramania Bharati is an inspiring piece that highlights the power of nature and how difficulties in life test our strength. The poet addresses the wind as a powerful force, describing how it destroys weak objects like crumbling houses, papers, and fragile fires. However, the same wind helps strong fires burn brighter, symbolizing that strong people grow stronger through challenges.

The poet suggests that instead of fearing hardships, we should prepare for them by making ourselves stronger—just like strong buildings can withstand strong winds. The poem encourages people to be mentally and physically strong so that life’s difficulties do not break them.

The wind symbolizes challenges, obstacles, and hardships that test human resilience. The poet suggests that adversity strengthens those who are prepared, teaching a valuable lesson about determination and perseverance.

Theme:

  • Challenges in life test our strength and resilience.
  • Difficulties should be embraced as opportunities for growth.
  • Nature (wind) as a teacher of life lessons.

Figurative Speech:

  • Personification: The wind is given human-like qualities (e.g., "Wind, come softly").
  • Symbolism: The wind represents struggles and hardships in life.
  • Alliteration: "Frail crumbling houses, crumbling doors" (repetition of ‘c’ sound).

3. Rain on the Roof – Coates Kinney

Summary:

In “Rain on the Roof”, poet Coates Kinney describes how the sound of raindrops triggers deep nostalgia and childhood memories. As the poet lies on his bed listening to the soft pattering of rain on the shingles of the roof, his mind drifts back to happy moments from his past, especially memories of his mother.

The poet finds rain soothing and comforting, as it connects him to his childhood. He recalls how his mother used to care for him lovingly, and these thoughts make him feel both happy and sad. The rain, in this way, becomes a symbol of memory, love, and longing for the past.

This poem beautifully captures how nature’s simple elements, like rain, can evoke strong emotions and memories.

Theme:

  • Nostalgia and childhood memories.
  • Emotional comfort found in nature’s sounds.
  • Mother’s love and its everlasting impact.

Figurative Speech:

  • Personification: "Melancholy darkness gently weeps in rainy tears" (darkness is given human emotions).
  • Imagery: "Rain on the shingles" creates a vivid auditory image.
  • Alliteration: "What a bliss to press the pillow" (repetition of ‘p’ sound).

4. The Lake Isle of Innisfree – W.B. Yeats

Summary:

In this poem, W.B. Yeats expresses his deep desire to escape to Innisfree, a peaceful and beautiful island, away from the chaos of city life. He imagines building a small cabin there, growing bean plants, and keeping honeybees. The poet yearns for a life of solitude, surrounded by the soothing sounds of water, birds, and nature.

Even though he is physically in the bustling city, his heart and soul remain at Innisfree. The poem beautifully captures the contrast between the peace of nature and the noisy urban world. It highlights the poet’s desire for a simple and self-sufficient life.

Theme:

  • Longing for peace and solitude.
  • Escape from urban life to nature.
  • Inner desire and connection to nature.

Figurative Speech:

  • Imagery: "Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee."
  • Metaphor: "The deep heart’s core" (symbolizing the poet’s deep emotions).
  • Repetition: "I will arise and go now" (emphasizing his longing).

5. A Legend of the Northland – Phoebe Cary

Summary:

This poem tells a moral story about a selfish woman who refuses to share food with a hungry saint. She keeps making smaller cakes, fearing that even the tiniest portion would be too much to give. The saint, angered by her greed, curses her to turn into a woodpecker, destined to search for food forever by pecking trees.

The poem, written in a ballad form, serves as a warning against greed and selfishness. The transformation of the woman into a bird symbolizes punishment for her lack of kindness.

Theme:

  • Greed and selfishness lead to consequences.
  • The importance of kindness and charity.
  • Moral punishment and justice.

Figurative Speech:

  • Alliteration: "And the children look up with big round eyes."
  • Metaphor: The woodpecker represents punishment.
  • Repetition: "They tell them a curious story" (to emphasize the tale’s importance).

6. No Men Are Foreign – James Kirkup

Summary:

This anti-war poem emphasizes that all humans are equal despite differences in nationality, culture, or religion. The poet reminds us that people across the world live, breathe, and suffer just like us. He argues that war is meaningless, as harming others ultimately harms humanity itself.

The poem condemns hatred, war, and divisions. It urges people to see each other as brothers, promoting universal brotherhood and peace.

Theme:

  • Universal brotherhood and equality.
  • War is destructive and meaningless.
  • The idea that all men share the same human experiences.

Figurative Speech:

  • Metaphor: "Beneath all uniforms, a single body breathes" (symbolizing unity).
  • Repetition: "Remember, no men are foreign, and no countries strange."
  • Alliteration: "In their hands like ours" (repetition of ‘h’ sound).

7. The Duck and the Kangaroo – Edward Lear

Summary:

This is a lighthearted, humorous poem where a duck asks a kangaroo for a ride on his back so it can explore the world. The kangaroo is concerned about the duck’s wet feet, but the duck assures him that it will wear socks and smoke a cigar to stay dry.

The poem highlights friendship, adventure, and dreams. It is written in a playful tone, using nonsense rhymes that make it enjoyable for readers.

Theme:

  • Friendship and cooperation.
  • Adventure and wanderlust.
  • Overcoming obstacles for dreams.

Figurative Speech:

  • Alliteration: "Good gracious! How you hop!"
  • Humor: The idea of a duck smoking a cigar is funny.
  • Repetition: "Said the Duck to the Kangaroo" (creates rhythm).

8. On Killing a Tree – Gieve Patel

Summary:

This poem describes the brutality of cutting down a tree. The poet explains that merely cutting a tree’s branches will not kill it, as it will grow back. To completely destroy a tree, one must pull it out by the roots, exposing it to the sun and air, where it will eventually dry up and die.

The poem is a powerful metaphor for human destruction of nature, and possibly the oppression of individuals or ideas that refuse to die easily.

Theme:

  • Deforestation and its consequences.
  • The resilience of nature.
  • Violence and destruction.

Figurative Speech:

  • Personification: "It takes much time to kill a tree."
  • Imagery: "The bleeding bark will heal."
  • Metaphor: The tree symbolizes resilience and survival.

9. The Snake Trying – W.W.E. Ross

Summary:

This poem describes a harmless snake trying to escape from a person who wants to kill it. The snake moves through the water and grass, trying to find safety. The poet emphasizes that not all snakes are dangerous, and humans should not kill them out of fear.

The poem highlights the unjustified fear and cruelty towards snakes. It promotes compassion towards all living beings.

Theme:

  • Misconceptions and unnecessary fear.
  • Compassion towards animals.
  • The beauty of nature.

Figurative Speech:

  • Imagery: "He glides through the water away."
  • Alliteration: "The snake is harmless even to children."
  • Personification: The snake is given human-like emotions (fear, desire for safety).

10. A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal – William Wordsworth

Summary:

This poem describes the death of a loved one and how the poet’s spirit is numb with grief. The poet expresses his sadness by stating that the person he loved is now lifeless and no longer experiences time, movement, or emotions.

The poem is a meditative reflection on death and eternity. It conveys the sorrow of losing someone and the acceptance of nature’s cycle.

Theme:

  • Death and its inevitability.
  • Eternal rest in nature.
  • Grief and acceptance.

Figurative Speech:

  • Personification: "A slumber did my spirit seal."
  • Imagery: "Rolled round in earth’s diurnal course."
  • Metaphor: "She seemed a thing that could not feel" (comparing the deceased to an object).

Conclusion

These Class 9 English NCERT poems teach important life lessons on choice, hardships, nostalgia, nature, kindness, equality, and mortality. Understanding their themes, summaries, and literary devices will help students excel in exams and appreciate poetry more deeply.