Summary:
“The Eolian Harp” is a poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1795. It is a conversational poem that explores themes of nature, imagination, divine inspiration, and human intellect. The poem is addressed to Coleridge’s fiancée, Sara Fricker, and reflects his philosophical thoughts while sitting in a garden at Clevedon.
The poem begins with Coleridge admiring the natural beauty around him and comparing the wind playing through the eolian harp to divine inspiration and creative thought. He contemplates the idea that all things in the universe are connected by a spiritual force, an early hint of Romantic Pantheism (the belief that God is in all things). However, he later questions his own bold ideas, acknowledging his fiancée’s more traditional religious beliefs. The poem ends with a tone of humility and gratitude, as Coleridge submits to traditional faith while still cherishing the beauty of imagination.
MCQs:
- Who is the author of The Eolian Harp?
A) William Wordsworth
B) John Keats
C) Samuel Taylor Coleridge
D) Percy Bysshe Shelley
Answer: C) Samuel Taylor Coleridge - In which year was The Eolian Harp written?
A) 1785
B) 1795
C) 1802
D) 1815
Answer: B) 1795 - Who is the poem addressed to?
A) William Wordsworth
B) Sara Fricker
C) Charles Lamb
D) Dorothy Wordsworth
Answer: B) Sara Fricker
The Eolian Harp - What is an eolian harp?
A) A type of drum
B) A stringed instrument played by the wind
C) A medieval flute
D) A mythological creature
Answer: B) A stringed instrument played by the wind - What philosophical idea does Coleridge explore in the poem?
A) Rationalism
B) Romantic Pantheism
C) Existentialism
D) Nihilism
Answer: B) Romantic Pantheism - What natural imagery is prominently used in the poem?
A) Mountains and rivers
B) Wind, flowers, and light
C) Snow and ice
D) Oceans and caves
Answer: B) Wind, flowers, and light - What does Coleridge compare to the eolian harp?
A) The movement of the stars
B) The workings of the human mind and divine inspiration
C) The sound of birds singing
D) The ticking of a clock
Answer: B) The workings of the human mind and divine inspiration - How does Coleridge’s tone change by the end of the poem?
A) From excitement to humility
B) From joy to anger
C) From sadness to despair
D) From doubt to certainty
Answer: A) From excitement to humility - What role does Sara Fricker play in the poem?
A) She encourages Coleridge’s philosophical thoughts
B) She represents traditional faith and religious beliefs
C) She plays the eolian harp
D) She symbolizes nature itself
Answer: B) She represents traditional faith and religious beliefs - What is the main theme of the poem?
A) The struggle between science and religion
B) The beauty of city life
C) The tension between imagination and faith
D) The importance of wealth
Answer: C) The tension between imagination and faith
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | The Eolian Harp |
| Author | Samuel Taylor Coleridge |
| Year Written | 1795 |
| Main Themes | Nature, imagination, divine inspiration, faith |
| Literary Devices | Imagery, metaphor, symbolism |
| Mentioned Character | Sara Fricker |
| Significance | Explores th |