Summary:
“Piano” is a poem by D.H. Lawrence that explores themes of nostalgia, childhood memories, and the emotional power of music. The speaker hears a woman singing and is transported back to his childhood, where he remembers sitting under the piano while his mother played. The memory is vivid and deeply emotional, evoking a sense of longing for the past.
As the poem progresses, the speaker struggles between his present self and the overwhelming emotions from his childhood. Despite trying to resist, he is overcome by nostalgia, leading him to tears. The poem highlights the bittersweet nature of memories and how music has the power to unlock deep, hidden emotions. Lawrence uses imagery, contrast, and a melancholic tone to convey the depth of the speaker’s feelings.
MCQs:
- Who is the author of Piano?
A) William Blake
B) D.H. Lawrence
C) Robert Frost
D) John Keats
Answer: B) D.H. Lawrence - What triggers the speaker’s memories in the poem?
A) The sight of an old piano
B) A childhood photograph
C) The sound of a woman singing
D) A conversation about childhood
Answer: C) The sound of a woman singing - What does the speaker remember from his childhood?
A) His father telling stories
B) Sitting under the piano while his mother played
C) Playing with his siblings in the garden
D) Attending a music concert
Answer: B) Sitting under the piano while his mother played
Piano - What is the central theme of the poem?
A) The power of music and nostalgia
B) The fear of growing old
C) The struggle between love and loss
D) The beauty of nature
Answer: A) The power of music and nostalgia - How does the speaker feel about his memories?
A) Happy and joyful
B) Indifferent and detached
C) Overwhelmed with emotion and longing
D) Angry and frustrated
Answer: C) Overwhelmed with emotion and longing - What is the tone of the poem?
A) Joyful and celebratory
B) Melancholic and nostalgic
C) Hopeful and inspiring
D) Fearful and suspenseful
Answer: B) Melancholic and nostalgic - What literary device is prominently used in the poem?
A) Simile
B) Hyperbole
C) Imagery
D) Alliteration
Answer: C) Imagery - What does the piano symbolize in the poem?
A) The burden of adulthood
B) The speaker’s lost childhood and innocence
C) The power of dreams
D) The fear of the unknown
Answer: B) The speaker’s lost childhood and innocence - Why does the speaker resist his emotions at first?
A) He dislikes music
B) He doesn’t want to appear weak
C) He fears forgetting his childhood
D) He is angry at his past
Answer: B) He doesn’t want to appear weak - What happens to the speaker by the end of the poem?
A) He fully embraces his emotions and weeps
B) He forgets his childhood memories
C) He becomes angry at the woman singing
D) He leaves before the song ends
Answer: A) He fully embraces his emotions and weeps
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | Piano |
| Author | D.H. Lawrence |
| Year Published | 1918 |
| Main Themes | Nostalgia, childhood memories, the power of music |
| Literary Devices | Imagery, contrast, symbolism |
| Mood Change | Resistance → Nostalgia → Emotional Release |
| Symbolism | The piano represents childhood and lost innocence |