A Thing of Beauty John Keats 12

Poem: A Thing of Beauty  John Keats

1. A thing of beauty lights the soul
→ Beautiful things make us feel happy and peaceful inside.

2. Its silent grace can make us whole.
→ Quiet and gentle beauty can help us feel complete and better.

3. In morning dew or twilight's hush,
→ Beauty is in things like the fresh morning or the quiet evening.

4. It lives in every tender blush.
→ It can be seen in small things, like someone blushing kindly.

5. The bloom that opens soft and slow,
→ A flower blooming slowly is a beautiful sight.

6. The rivers where cool breezes blow—
→ Rivers and cool winds in nature are also very beautiful.

7. These simple gifts, though oft ignored,
→ We often don’t notice these small, lovely things.

8. Are treasures richer than a hoard.
→ But they are more valuable than lots of money or gold.

9. It may be just a fleeting ray
→ Beauty might be a quick moment, like a ray of sunlight.

10. That breaks the dark and guides our way.
→ It can give us hope and help us when we feel sad or lost.

11. Or laughter shared in quiet night,
→ Laughing with someone at night can be a beautiful memory.

12. A whispered truth, a spark of light.
→ Saying something true and kind can feel like light in darkness.

13. Though sorrow falls like winter rain,
→ Sometimes we feel sad, like heavy winter rain falling.

14. Beauty brings balm to ease the pain.
→ Beauty helps to heal us and makes us feel better.

15. It weaves through life, a golden thread—
→ Beauty is like a golden thread running through life.

16. A dream that lingers when it’s fled.
→ Even when the moment is gone, its memory stays.

17. So seek it not in wealth or pride,
→ Don’t try to find beauty in money or being proud.

18. But in the love that walks beside.
→ True beauty is in the love of people around us.

19. For in each kind and selfless deed,
→ Every kind and caring action is beautiful.

20. A thing of beauty plants its seed.
→ These actions grow more beauty, like planting seeds for the future.

Summary (in simple English – paragraph form):
The poem “A Thing of Beauty” by John Keats tells us that beautiful things bring us happiness that lasts forever. They never lose their charm and always give us peace and comfort, even when we are sad or tired. Beauty helps us forget our problems and makes life worth living. The poet finds beauty in nature—in the sun, moon, trees, flowers like daffodils, cool streams, and green forests. He also sees beauty in the brave deeds and stories of great people from the past. Even though life is full of sadness, pain, and dark days, beautiful things lift our spirits and give us hope. Keats says beauty is like a gift from heaven—an endless source of joy and inspiration that refreshes our soul. In short, beauty makes life better and gives us the strength to go on.

Word Meanings (Glossary)

• Bower: a leafy, shady shelter under trees 

• Morrow: tomorrow or the next day 

• Despondence: deep sadness or hopelessness

• Dearth: severe shortage (here of noble people) 

• Pall: a dark cloud or gloomy covering 

• Rills: small streams of water 

• Brake: a dense thicket in a forest 

 Poetic Devices

Here are key literary devices used in the poem, with examples:

• Metaphor:

  • “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”

  • “A flowery band to bind us to the earth” 

• Alliteration:

  • “loveliness increases”

  • “band to bind”, “cooling covert” 

• Personification:

  • “Some shape of beauty moves away the pall” (beauty acting like a living force) 

• Imagery:

  • Visual and sensory images: shady trees, daffodils, cool streams, musk‑rose blooms 

• Symbolism:

  • “Endless fountain of immortal drink” symbolizes eternal inspiration from nature 

• Enjambment:

  • Lines continue without pause, maintaining flow and rhythm 

• Repetition:

  • The repeated phrase “A thing of beauty…” emphasizes its timeless quality 

• Archaism:

  • Use of older words like “morrow”, “o’er‑darkened”

 Central Idea 

The poem tells us that beautiful things bring us lasting happiness. They give us peace, comfort, and hope, even during difficult times. Beauty is found in nature—like the sun, moon, flowers, trees, and streams—and also in good deeds and inspiring stories. Even though life is full of sadness and problems, beautiful things help us stay positive. The poet believes that beauty is a gift from heaven that refreshes our soul and makes life better. So, beauty has the power to heal and inspire us forever.

 NCERT‑Style Question & Answer Highlights

1. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.

Sun, moon, old and young trees, daffodils, clear rills (streams), mid‑forest brake with musk‑roses, the grandeur of mighty dead, lovely tales heard/read, an endless fountain from heaven’s brink. 

2. What causes suffering and pain, according to the poet?

Despondence, inhuman dearth (lack of noble qualities), gloomy days, unhealthy and over‑darkened ways—negativity that darkens life. 

3. Explain “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”

A beautiful object or experience brings lasting happiness. Its charm grows with time and never fades away. It offers shelter and peace (a “bower quiet”) and ensures sweet, restful sleep. 

4. What does “flowery band to bind us to the earth” signify?

Daily appreciation of beauty binds us to life on earth. The “flowery band” is a metaphor for beautiful experiences that link humans with nature. 

5. How does beauty help humans despite troubles?

It removes the “pall” of sorrow and hopelessness. Beauty restore hope, giving reason to live through life’s trials and negative influences.

6. What is meant by “endless fountain of immortal drink”?

This metaphor depicts nature and art as endless sources of spiritual nourishment—like an immortal drink from heaven that refreshes our soul. 

Quick Reference Table

Area	Focus
Central Theme	Enduring power of beauty to uplift, heal, and bind us
Key Devices	Metaphor, imagery, personification, alliteration
Important Terms	Bower, pall, morrow, dearth, rills
List of Beauties	Nature, noble legends, simple joys
Sources of Pain	Despondence, evil, gloom
Key Metaphors	“Joy forever”, “flowery band”, “immortal drink”