BANGLE SELLERS BY SAROJINI NAIDU

Class 8 English Literature

“The Bangle Sellers” — Sarojini Naidu

Enhanced Printable Worksheet • Each stanza on its own page • Varied Questions (Comprehension, Vocabulary, Figures of Speech, Imagery, Theme, etc.) • Separate Answer Key

Prepared by: M. R. K. Murty Naidu

School: DAV Centenary Public School, Ukkunagaram

© Prepared by M. R. K. Murty Naidu • @englishwithmrk • WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6GKgALtOjFD063XI40

Stanza 1

Bangle sellers are we who bear\nOur shining loads to the temple fair…\nWho will buy these delicate, bright\nRainbow-tinted circles of light?\nLustrous tokens of radiant lives,\nFor happy daughters and happy wives.

Summary: (Bangle sellers advertise their bright bangles at a temple fair, symbolizing joy and happiness for women.) Meaning: The sellers proudly carry their colorful bangles to a festive religious gathering, presenting them as symbols of joyful lives for young girls and married women. Difficult words: (bear = carry; temple fair = religious market; lustrous = shiny; radiant = full of happiness)

1. Who are the speakers in the stanza? (Comprehension)
2. Where are they taking their goods? (Comprehension)
3. What do the sellers call bangles metaphorically? (Figures of Speech)
4. For whom are the bangles intended? (Comprehension)
5. What does “temple fair” suggest about the setting? (Inference)
6. How do “delicate, bright” shape your image of bangles? (Imagery)
7. Explain “rainbow-tinted circles of light.” (Imagery)
8. What do “lustrous tokens” represent? (Symbolism)
9. Find a rhyme scheme. (Sound Devices)
10. Explain one image used by the poet. (Imagery)
11. What is the meaning of “lustrous”? Use it in a sentence. (Vocabulary)
12. Identify a simile or metaphor in the stanza. (Figures of Speech)
13. What is the central theme of this stanza? (Theme)
14. How does the tone make the bangles appealing? (Tone/Mood)
15. Why might the sellers ask “Who will buy?” (Personal Response)

Prepared by M. R. K. Murty Naidu • @englishwithmrk

Stanza 2

Some are meet for a maiden’s wrist,\nSilver and blue as the mountain mist,\nSome are flushed like the buds that dream\nOn the tranquil brow of a woodland stream;\nSome are aglow with the bloom that cleaves\nTo the limpid glory of newborn leaves.

Summary: (Bangles for maidens are soft and youthful, like mist, buds, and young leaves.) Meaning: The poet describes bangles suitable for young unmarried girls, comparing their colors to gentle, dreamy elements of nature that evoke innocence and freshness. Difficult words: (meet = suitable; flushed = lightly red; tranquil = calm; limpid = clear)

1. Which stage of life is represented? (Comprehension)
2. What colours are used for maidens? (Comprehension)
3. What is compared to mountain mist? (Figures of Speech)
4. Explain “buds that dream.” (Imagery)
5. What mood is created by “tranquil brow”? (Tone/Mood)
6. Identify a metaphor. (Figures of Speech)
7. Why are the colours soft? (Inference)
8. Contrast with marriage bangles later. (Comparison)
9. What does “limpid glory” suggest? (Symbolism)
10. State the theme of the stanza. (Theme)
11. What does “flushed” mean? Synonym? (Vocabulary)
12. Find an example of personification. (Figures of Speech)
13. How does nature imagery enhance the description? (Imagery)
14. What does this stanza reveal about youth? (Personal Response)
15. Identify the rhyme scheme here. (Sound Devices)

Prepared by M. R. K. Murty Naidu • @englishwithmrk

Stanza 3

Some are like fields of sunlit corn,\nSome, like the flame of her marriage fire,\nOr rich with the hue of her heart’s desire,\nTinkling, luminous, tender, and clear,\nLike her bridal laughter and bridal tear.

Summary: (For brides, bangles glow with passion and emotion, symbolizing joy, love, and sacred fire.) Meaning: Bangles for newlywed women are vibrant and emotional, likened to golden fields, wedding flames, and the bride's mixed feelings of joy and tears. Difficult words: (hue = colour; tinkling = light sound; luminous = glowing; bridal = of the bride)

1. Which life stage is depicted? (Comprehension)
2. Explain “fields of sunlit corn.” (Imagery)
3. Why “flame of her marriage fire”? (Symbolism)
4. Find one auditory image. (Imagery)
5. What feelings are shown by “bridal tear”? (Inference)
6. How is contrast shown between joy and sorrow? (Comparison)
7. Which words suggest warmth? (Vocabulary)
8. What does “heart’s desire” symbolize? (Symbolism)
9. Why use repetition of “bridal”? (Literary Device)
10. Summarize the central idea. (Theme)
11. Define “luminous” and use in a sentence. (Vocabulary)
12. Identify two similes. (Figures of Speech)
13. What mood does the stanza evoke? (Tone/Mood)
14. How does sound imagery add to the effect? (Sound Devices)
15. Why might a bride have tears of joy? (Personal Response)

Prepared by M. R. K. Murty Naidu • @englishwithmrk

Stanza 4

Some are purple and gold-flecked grey\nFor she who has journeyed through life midway,\nWhose hands have cherished, whose loves have blest,\nAnd cradled fair sons on her faithful breast,\nAnd serves her household in fruitful pride,\nAnd worships the gods at her husband’s side.

Summary: (For mature women, bangles reflect dignity, devotion, motherhood, and fulfilment.) Meaning: The final bangles honor middle-aged women who have nurtured families, shown devotion, and found purpose in home and faith. Difficult words: (flecked = speckled; cherished = cared for; blest = blessed; fruitful = productive)

1. What stage of life is shown? (Comprehension)
2. Interpret “journeyed through life midway.” (Inference)
3. What do colours “purple and gold-flecked grey” suggest? (Symbolism)
4. Which lines reveal motherhood? (Comprehension)
5. What emotions dominate this stanza? (Tone/Mood)
6. Find a phrase that reflects devotion. (Theme)
7. How does this stanza complete the life cycle? (Structure)
8. Explain “fruitful pride.” (Vocabulary)
9. Identify imagery of piety. (Imagery)
10. Write the tone of the stanza. (Tone/Mood)
11. What is a synonym for “cherished”? (Vocabulary)
12. Spot an alliteration or assonance. (Figures of Speech)
13. How does the poet honor the mature woman? (Personal Response)
14. What is the overall message about women's roles? (Theme)
15. Describe the rhyme scheme. (Sound Devices)

Prepared by M. R. K. Murty Naidu • @englishwithmrk

Answer Key

(For teacher reference. Print the full document to include this section.)

Stanza 1 Answers

1. Bangle sellers.
2. To the temple fair.
3. Rainbow-tinted circles of light / lustrous tokens.
4. Happy daughters and happy wives.
5. A festive, religious, joyful gathering.
6. They seem fragile and colorful.
7. Bangles that shimmer like rainbows in light.
8. Shiny symbols of joyful lives.
9. ABABCC (or similar couplet ending).
10. E.g., rainbow-tinted circles evoke vibrancy.
11. Shiny; The lustrous pearl gleamed in the sun.
12. Metaphor: circles of light.
13. Joy and celebration in women's lives.
14. Enthusiastic and inviting.
15. To attract buyers playfully.

Stanza 2 Answers

1. Maidenhood / youth.
2. Silver, blue, flushed (pinkish).
3. Bangles (silver and blue).
4. Buds that seem to sleep dreamily.
5. Calm and peaceful.
6. E.g., buds that dream (personification).
7. To match youthful innocence.
8. Softer vs. warmer, vibrant later.
9. Clear, shining beauty of new leaves.
10. Youthful innocence and nature's freshness.
11. Lightly red; Blushed.
12. Buds that dream.
13. Makes youth vivid and natural.
14. Full of dreams and serenity.
15. ABABCC.

Stanza 3 Answers

1. Marriage / bridal stage.
2. Golden-yellow like ripe corn in sunlight.
3. Symbolizes passion and sacred union.
4. Tinkling (sound of bangles).
5. Joy mixed with emotion/sadness.
6. Laughter (joy) vs. tear (sorrow).
7. Flame, aglow, rich hue.
8. Deep love and longing.
9. Emphasizes wedding emotions.
10. Marriage as joyful yet emotional.
11. Glowing; The luminous moon lit the night.
12. Like fields of sunlit corn; like the flame; like bridal laughter/tear.
13. Passionate and tender.
14. Makes it lively and emotional.
15. Overwhelming happiness.

Stanza 4 Answers

1. Maturity / middle age.
2. Lived half her life, experienced much.
3. Royalty (purple), wisdom/experience (grey with gold).
4. Cradled fair sons on her faithful breast.
5. Respect, fulfillment, devotion.
6. Worships the gods at her husband’s side.
7. From youth to old age.
8. Pride in productive family life.
9. Worships at husband’s side.
10. Reverent and proud.
11. Treasured.
12. E.g., faithful breast (alliteration).
13. Through roles as mother/wife.
14. Women's life stages bring fulfillment.
15. ABABCC.