Q1. Who is the poet of "The Orphan Girl"?
The poem was written by Henry Louis Vivian Derozio.
Q2. What is the central theme of the poem?
The poem deals with the tragic plight of a young girl who is left friendless and destitute after her parents' death.
Q3. How is the orphan girl's hair described?
Her hair is described as "jet black" and "braided."
Q4. What adornment was on her brow?
There was a "pearl" upon her brow, possibly symbolizing her purity or a tear.
Q5. How does the poet describe her cheek?
Her cheek was "pale and wan," indicating sadness or ill health.
Q6. What does the "pearl" on her brow signify?
It likely signifies her innocence, value, and tragic beauty amidst her suffering.
Q7. What contrast does the poet draw regarding her beauty?
Though she is beautiful, her beauty is marred by sorrow ("pale and wan").
Q8. Who was beside the girl in the past?
Her father, who was once a brave soldier, used to be by her side.
Q9. What happened to her father?
He died fighting in a war ("on the battlefield he fell").
Q10. What happened to her mother?
Her mother died of a broken heart ("heart-broken") after the father's death.
Q11. What is the girl's current social status?
She is homeless, friendless, and without protection.
Q12. How does the world treat the orphan girl?
The world is cold and indifferent to her suffering ("The world is cold and dark").
Q13. What does "brighter days" refer to?
It refers to her happy childhood when her parents were alive.
Q14. What emotion does the poet feel for the girl?
The poet feels deep sympathy and pity for her condition.
Q15. Why is she called "friendless"?
Because with her parents gone, society has abandoned her.
Q16. What is the "cold world" metaphor?
It describes society's lack of empathy and warmth towards the unfortunate.
Q17. What awaits the girl in the future?
Only "misery" and "woe" (sadness) await her without protection.
Q18. How does Derozio criticize society in this poem?
He criticizes the hypocrisy of a society that claims to be moral but ignores the needy.
Q19. What does the "tear" in her eye represent?
It represents her silent grief and the heavy burden of her loss.
Q20. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme (AABB or ABAB depending on the stanza structure).
Q21. How young is the girl?
She is described as very young, essentially a child or young maiden.
Q22. What does "sire" mean in the poem?
"Sire" refers to her father.
Q23. What does the poet ask the reader to do?
He implicitly asks the reader to offer shelter or pity to such orphans.
Q24. What is the tone of the poem?
The tone is melancholic, tragic, and compassionate.
Q25. What imagery is used to describe her solitude?
She is compared to a flower left alone in a storm.
Q26. What does "shelterless" imply?
It implies she has no physical home and no emotional refuge.
Q27. How does the poem reflect Derozio's personality?
It reflects his deep humanitarianism and concern for social issues in India.
Q28. What makes the girl's situation ironic?
Her father died fighting for others (bravery), yet his daughter is left uncared for.
Q29. What is the "wreath" mentioned in relation to her father?
The wreath of glory or laurel that a soldier earns, which cannot feed his orphan daughter.
Q30. What does the poet fear for the girl?
He fears she will be exploited or crushed by the harsh world.
Q31. How is the girl's innocence portrayed?
Through her silent tears and her helpless beauty.
Q32. What is the setting of the poem?
It is not specific, but implies a bleak social landscape in colonial India.
Q33. Why is the father called "brave"?
Because he died in battle, sacrificing his life for duty.
Q34. Does the girl speak in the poem?
No, she remains a silent figure of suffering; the poet speaks for her.
Q35. What emotion does "wan" evoke?
It evokes a sense of sickness, exhaustion, and fading life.
Q36. What literary device is "cold world"?
It is a metaphor for an unfeeling society.
Q37. What is the "blight" mentioned in the poem?
The "blight" refers to the misfortune that has withered her life prematurely.
Q38. Why does Derozio write about orphans?
To raise awareness about the social neglect of vulnerable women and children.
Q39. What does the "braid" represent?
It represents her youth and the care she once received (presumably from her mother).
Q40. How does the poem end?
It ends with a plea or a gloomy prediction about her unprotected future.
Q41. What is the significance of "jet black hair"?
It highlights her youth and beauty, making her destitution even more poignant.
Q42. Who is the intended audience of this poem?
The educated, upper-class society that has the power to help but chooses not to.
Q43. What is the relationship between war and the orphan?
War creates glory for the nation but misery (orphans) for the families left behind.
Q44. What does the "silence" of the girl suggest?
It suggests her total helplessness and inability to fight against her fate.
Q45. Is this a Romantic poem?
Yes, it focuses on individual emotion, pathos, and social critique, typical of Derozio's Romantic style.
Q46. What does the poem ask us to give the girl?
It asks us to give her "a tear" (sympathy) or "a home."
Q47. What makes the girl "friendless"?
The death of her parents removed her only link to security and love.
Q48. How does the poem view the father's sacrifice?
It views it as noble but highlights the tragic cost paid by his family.
Q49. What is the central tragedy of the poem?
That innocence (the girl) is punished for circumstances beyond her control.
Q50. Why is this poem significant in Indian English Literature?
It is an early example of Indian poetry addressing specific social grievances with deep empathy.
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