Blood By Kamala Das The Powerful Truth of Heritage

Uncover the profound symbolism and poignant themes in the iconic poem, Blood by Kamala Das. Explore the intricate web of heritage, identity and family dynamics that weave together to form a powerful narrative. Dive into our comprehensive analysis, complete with line-by-line explanations, word meanings and practice questions, tailored for Class 12 Elective English students.

Summary of Blood by Kamala Das

The poem Blood by Kamala Das, included in the NCERT Kaleidoscope textbook for Class 12 Elective English, reflects on heritage, family, and the inevitable decay of time. The poet recalls her childhood, spent with her brother, playing on the sands near their ancestral house. Her great-grandmother, a devout and simple woman, mourned the crumbling state of their 300-year-old home, which stood as a symbol of their family’s legacy.

The poet’s great-grandmother reminisced about her past: her royal marriage, the jewels, the sandalwood perfume, and the stately elephant rides. She proudly declared that their blood was the “oldest blood in the world,” pure and refined, unlike the thick, muddy blood of the poor or the newly wealthy.

As time passed, the great-grandmother’s health deteriorated, and she eventually passed away. Her death marked the end of an era. The poet watched as the ancestral house seemed to grieve alongside its owner, its groaning pillars and creaking windows mirroring the loss.

Years later, the poet reflects on leaving the house behind. Now, termites and rats infest the home, symbolising its inevitable decay. Though she feels guilt for abandoning the house and its history, she acknowledges the impossibility of preserving it. She mourns her failure to fulfil her childhood promise of restoring it but pleads not to be blamed for her choices.

In Blood, Kamala Das poignantly captures the intersection of personal memories, familial bonds, and the passage of time. The poem serves as a reminder of how traditions and legacies fade, leaving behind echoes of loss and longing.

This poem is an essential part of Class 12 Elective English, offering a profound exploration of themes like family, decay, and the weight of history.

Important Themes in Blood by Kamala Das

Heritage and Legacy

The poem explores the deep connection between family heritage and the physical spaces that embody it. The ancestral house stands as a symbol of the poet’s lineage and history, carrying the memories and traditions of generations. Kamala Das portrays how this heritage is intertwined with the family’s identity, with the great-grandmother reminiscing about the richness of their bloodline and past. However, the crumbling house also signifies the fragility of legacy in the face of time, reminding readers that even the most enduring traditions are subject to decay.

Decay and Loss

Through vivid imagery, the poet captures the slow deterioration of the ancestral house, mirroring the inevitable decline that time brings to all things. The cracked walls, infesting rats, and termite-eaten wood highlight the physical decay of the house, while the death of the great-grandmother signifies the loss of a personal and cultural past. This theme underscores how loss is not sudden but gradual, seeping into every corner of life. The poet’s reflections reveal a poignant struggle between preserving the past and accepting its eventual disappearance.

Guilt and Responsibility

The poet grapples with feelings of guilt for failing to restore the house, which she had promised to rebuild in her childhood. She acknowledges her inability to preserve the family’s heritage, despite her great-grandmother’s love for the house and its significance. This theme examines the conflict between personal limitations and familial expectations. Kamala Das portrays how guilt and responsibility can weigh heavily, especially when one is torn between practical realities and emotional attachments to the past.

Tradition versus Modernity

The poem contrasts the old ways of life, represented by the great-grandmother, with the modern era. The great-grandmother’s devotion to God, her royal upbringing, and her simple pleasures stand in stark contrast to the poet’s present-day struggles and disconnection from the ancestral house. This theme delves into the inevitable tension between tradition and modernity, showing how the past often feels incompatible with the demands of the present. It highlights how progress can sometimes mean leaving behind cherished parts of history.

The Passage of Time

The overarching theme of Blood is the relentless passage of time, which transforms everything in its wake. The poem begins with childhood innocence and dreams of rebuilding the house but ends with the poet’s resignation to its decay. Kamala Das uses the house as a metaphor for the transience of life, showing how time erodes even the most steadfast structures and relationships. The poem captures the bittersweet reality of growing up and learning to accept the impermanence of both the physical and emotional worlds.

Line by Line Explanation of Blood by Kamala Das

Lines 1–5

When we were children
My brother and I
And always playing on the sands
Drawing birds and animals
Our great-grandmother said one day,

The poet begins by recalling her childhood. She and her brother often played on the sandy grounds near their home, drawing shapes of birds and animals. During one of these playful moments, their great-grandmother spoke to them, hinting at something serious and emotional.

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Lines 6–11

You see this house of ours
Now three hundred years old,
It’s falling to little bits
Before our very eyes
The walls are cracked and torn
And moistened by the rains,

The great-grandmother points out the deteriorating state of their ancestral house, which has stood for 300 years. She explains how the walls are damaged, showing cracks and being further weakened by heavy rains over time.

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Lines 12–16

The tiles have fallen here and there
The windows whine and groan
And every night
The rats come out of the holes
And scamper past our doors.

The poet’s great-grandmother describes the poor condition of the house. Tiles from the roof have fallen, windows creak and groan, and rats roam freely at night. These details create a picture of a house slowly crumbling with age.

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Lines 17–23

The snake-shrine is dark with weeds
And all the snake-gods in the shrine
Have lichen on their hoods.
O it hurts me, she cried,
Wiping a reddened eye
For I love this house, it hurts me much
To watch it die.

The snake-shrine, once sacred and well-maintained, is now overrun with weeds. The statues of snake-gods are covered with lichen, symbolising neglect. The great-grandmother is deeply saddened by the house’s decline. She expresses her pain and love for the house, mourning its slow death as if it were a living being.

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Lines 24–27

When I grow old, I said,
And very very rich
I shall rebuild the fallen walls
And make new this ancient house.

As a child, the poet naively promises to repair and restore the house once she grows older and becomes wealthy. This reflects her innocence and belief that she could save the house from decay.

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Lines 28–31

My great-grandmother
Touched my cheeks and smiled.
She was really simple.
Fed on God for years

The great-grandmother lovingly touches the poet’s cheeks and smiles, showing her affection. The poet describes her as a deeply spiritual person who had lived her life with unwavering faith in God.

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Lines 32–37

All her feasts were monotonous
For the only dish was always God
And the rest mere condiments.
She told us how she rode her elephant
When she was ten or eleven
Every Monday without fail

The great-grandmother’s life revolved around her devotion to God, which she considered her sustenance. She also shared memories of her childhood, such as riding an elephant to the Shiva temple every Monday, reflecting a life of privilege and routine.

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Lines 38–45

To the Siva shrine
And back to home again
And, told us of the jewel box
And the brocade from the north
And the perfumes and the oils
And the sandal for her breasts
And her marriage to a prince

She recalls her past, filled with luxury and beauty. She owned precious jewels, rich brocade fabrics, exotic perfumes, and oils. She even mentions sandalwood used on her skin. Her life also included a brief but loving marriage to a prince.

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Lines 46–50

Who loved her deeply for a lovely short year
And died of fever, in her arms
She told us
That we had the oldest blood
My brother and she and I

The great-grandmother shares her sorrow over her husband’s untimely death. She then tells the poet and her brother that their family has a noble lineage, with the “oldest blood” flowing through their veins.

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Lines 51–55

The oldest blood in the world
A blood thin and clear and fine
While in the veins of the always poor
And in the veins
Of the new-rich men

She takes pride in their family bloodline, describing it as pure, refined, and noble. She contrasts this with the blood of the poor and the newly wealthy, which she considers thick, muddy, and inferior.

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Lines 56–61

Flowed a blood thick as gruel
And muddy as a ditch.
Finally she lay dying
In her eighty sixth year
A woman wearied by compromise
Her legs quilted with arthritis

In her old age, the great-grandmother is exhausted and suffering. Arthritis has left her legs stiff and weak, and she is tired from a lifetime of compromises. Her death is nearing.

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Lines 62–69

And with only a hard cough
For comfort
I looked deep into her eyes
Her poor bleary eyes
And prayed that she would not grieve
So much about the house.
I had learnt by then
Most lessons of defeat,

As her great-grandmother lies on her deathbed, the poet looks into her tired, tear-filled eyes. She silently wishes her not to worry about the crumbling house. The poet, now older, has come to accept the harsh realities of life and the inevitability of loss.

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Lines 70–76

Had found out that to grow rich
Was a difficult feat.
The house was crouching
On its elbows then,
It looked that night in the pallid moon
So grotesque and alive.
When they burnt my great grandmother

The poet reflects on the impossibility of becoming wealthy enough to rebuild the house. She compares the decaying house to a living creature, crouched and grotesque under the moonlight. The great-grandmother passes away and is cremated.

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Lines 77–83

Over logs of the mango tree
I looked once at the house
And then again and again
For I thought I saw the windows close
Like the closing of the eyes
I thought I heard the pillars groan
And the dark rooms heave a sigh.

As the great-grandmother’s body is burned, the poet imagines the house mourning her death. The windows seem to close like eyelids, and the pillars groan, as though the house itself feels the loss.

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Lines 84–90

I set forth again
For other towns,
Left the house with the shrine
And the sands
And the flowering shrubs
And the wide rabid mouth of the Arabian Sea.

The poet leaves the ancestral house behind, moving to other places. She describes the house and its surroundings vividly, showing her lingering attachment despite her decision to leave.

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Lines 91–97

I know the rats are running now
Across the darkened halls
They do not fear the dead
I know the white ants have reached my home
And have raised on walls
Strange totems of burial.

Far away, the poet imagines the house continuing to decay. Rats infest the halls, and termites have built strange, tomb-like structures on the walls. These images reinforce the theme of inevitable decline.

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Lines 98–106

At night, in stillness,
From every town I live in
I hear the rattle of its death
The noise of rafters creaking
And the windows’ whine.
I have let you down
Old house, I seek forgiveness
O mother’s mother’s mother

The poet feels haunted by the house’s decay, even from distant towns. She hears imaginary sounds of its destruction and asks for forgiveness from her great-grandmother.

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Lines 107–116

I have plucked your soul
Like a pip from a fruit
And have flung it into your pyre
Call me callous
Call me selfish
But do not blame my blood
So thin, so clear, so fine
The oldest blood in the world

The poet acknowledges her actions, metaphorically comparing her great-grandmother’s soul to a seed thrown into the fire. She feels guilt but defends the purity of her family’s bloodline, insisting that her actions are not a betrayal of their legacy.

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Lines 117–121

That remembers as it flows
All the gems and all the gold
And all the perfumes and the oils
And the stately
Elephant ride…

The poet concludes by highlighting the enduring memories carried in her bloodline. Despite the house’s decay, the family’s rich history of wealth, luxury, and traditions lives on in her veins.

Words Meaning of Blood by Kamala Das

Here is a list of words and expressions from the poem Blood by Kamala Das that 8th-grade students might find difficult, along with their meanings in simple language:

Word/Expression	Meaning
Sands	A stretch of sandy ground, like a beach or a desert.
Shrine	A holy place or small temple dedicated to a deity or spirit.
Lichen	A plant-like organism that grows on surfaces like rocks, trees, or statues.
Crumbling	Breaking into small pieces or falling apart.
Gruel	A thin and watery porridge, often eaten by the poor.
Totems	Symbols or objects that represent a group, often used in rituals or as decorations.
Monotonous	Repetitive and boring, with no variety.
Condiments	Spices or sauces added to food to enhance flavour, like salt or ketchup.
Brocade	Rich, decorative fabric with patterns, often made with gold or silver threads.
Perfumes	Sweet-smelling liquids used to make oneself or the air smell pleasant.
Sandal	A fragrant wood used to make perfumes and oils.
Ancestral	Something belonging to ancestors or family members from previous generations.
Crouching	Bending down low, close to the ground, like an animal.
Grotesque	Ugly or strange in a way that is unsettling or shocking.
Bleary	Tired, watery, or unfocused (often used for eyes).
Arthritis	A disease causing pain and stiffness in the joints.
Pyre	A pile of wood used for burning a dead body during a funeral ceremony.
Callous	Emotionally insensitive or unkind.
Lineage	The family line or ancestry from which someone descends.
Statuesque	Tall, dignified, and beautiful, like a statue.
Scamper	To run quickly and lightly, often used for small animals like rats.
Heave a sigh	To breathe out deeply, often showing sadness or relief.
Pallid	Pale, faint, or lacking colour, often suggesting weakness.

Blood by Kamala Das Questions and Answers

Responding to the Poem

1. What makes the depiction of a crumbling village house so authentic in the poem? Is this a common feature of most village houses in the context of rapid urbanisation? Is the poet speaking from actual experience?

The poet’s vivid imagery, like “cracked and torn walls” and “lichen on the hoods” of snake-gods, makes the description realistic. This decay reflects a common reality in rural India due to urbanisation. Kamala Das likely draws from personal memories, making the portrayal more genuine.

2. What aspects of Indian society and history get highlighted in the poem?

The poem showcases ancient traditions, like snake worship, and the royal lifestyle of aristocratic families. It also touches on the decline of ancestral homes due to modernisation, reflecting a societal shift from heritage to practicality.

3. Does the poem bring out the contrast between tradition and modernity? Illustrate your answer with examples from the poem.

Yes, the poem contrasts tradition and modernity. The grandmother embodies tradition, with her snake-shrine worship and stories of royal grandeur. Modernity is evident in the poet’s inability to restore the house, showing how priorities have shifted in contemporary life.

4. While the poet respected her grandmother’s sentiments of royal grandeur, we can also see that she revolts against it. Identify the lines which bring this out.

The lines, “Call me callous / Call me selfish” reveal the poet’s rebellion. She admits to abandoning her grandmother’s dream of rebuilding the house, symbolising a break from inherited values for personal practicality.

5. Which lines reveal the poet’s criticism of class distinctions?

The lines, “While in the veins of the always poor / And in the veins of the new-rich men / Flowed a blood thick as gruel” critique societal divisions, highlighting the poet’s disdain for both poverty and materialistic wealth.

6. Is it ‘selfishness’ and ‘callousness’ that makes the poet break her childhood promise to her grandmother of renovating the house? Why does she do nothing about rebuilding the house?

The poet feels constrained by life’s realities, not selfishness. Despite her childhood promise, financial and emotional struggles prevent her from rebuilding. Her admission, “I had learnt by then most lessons of defeat,” reflects her inability rather than insensitivity.

7. What do you understand of the conflict in the poet’s conscience?

The poet feels torn between her love for heritage and the practical demands of life. Her guilt for not restoring the house is evident in her plea for forgiveness, showing her inner struggle to balance respect for tradition with personal limitations.

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Language Study

Comment on the changes in poetic expression in English from the time of Donne to that of Kamala Das with reference to

• prosodic features (rhyme, rhythm and metre)
John Donne’s poetry followed strict rhyme and metre, reflecting the metaphysical style. Kamala Das, however, uses free verse, focusing on emotions rather than structured rhythm, creating a conversational tone.

• vocabulary
Donne’s vocabulary is ornate and intellectual, full of metaphysical conceits. Kamala Das employs simpler, emotionally charged words, making her poetry more accessible and relatable to modern readers.

• language
Donne’s language is dense and reflective, often philosophical. Kamala Das uses a more direct and personal style, which captures the complexities of everyday life and emotions in a straightforward manner.

• themes
Donne explored spiritual and metaphysical ideas, often delving into the relationship between the physical and divine. Kamala Das’s themes focus on personal experiences, familial bonds, societal decay, and the clash between tradition and modernity.

Extra Practice Questions and Answers from Blood by Kamala Das

Responding to the Poem

1. How does the poet use symbolism in the poem to portray decay and nostalgia?

The poet uses symbols like the “snake shrine” to signify cultural heritage and spirituality, while the “lichen-covered walls” represent decay and neglect. These symbols evoke nostalgia for a fading past while reflecting the inevitability of change. (Short Answer Type, 50–60 words)

2. What role does the ancestral house play in shaping the poet’s memories and emotions?

The ancestral house serves as a repository of childhood memories and familial connections. It evokes a mix of pride, love, and guilt in the poet, representing her bond with tradition while also being a source of regret for her inability to preserve it. (Long Answer Type, 160–180 words)

3. Explain how the poet’s grandmother acts as a bridge between tradition and modernity.

The grandmother embodies traditional values, evident in her snake worship and storytelling. At the same time, her acceptance of the poet’s detachment and practicality hints at an understanding of modern struggles, making her a connecting link between the two worlds. (Short Answer Type, 50–60 words)

4. How does the poem reflect the emotional toll of urbanisation on individuals?

The poem highlights the emotional cost of urbanisation, as seen in the poet’s guilt and longing for her ancestral home. The inability to maintain heritage due to modern constraints underscores the personal sacrifices associated with urban growth. (Short Answer Type, 50–60 words)

5. Discuss the significance of blood as a recurring motif in the poem.

Blood symbolises both heritage and shared humanity. The poet contrasts her aristocratic lineage with the common blood of others, highlighting societal divisions and her disillusionment with inherited pride. It also signifies the unbroken familial bond despite changing times. (Short Answer Type, 50–60 words)

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Language Study

6. How does Kamala Das’s choice of free verse enhance the poem’s impact?

Free verse allows Kamala Das to express raw emotions without the constraints of rhyme or metre. The conversational tone helps convey the poet’s personal struggles and societal critique more effectively, making the poem relatable and poignant. (Short Answer Type, 50–60 words)

7. Compare the use of imagery in Blood with another poem you have studied.

In Blood, Kamala Das uses vivid imagery, like the “lichen on the hoods of snake-gods,” to evoke decay and nostalgia. Comparatively, in Robert Frost‘s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, imagery like “the woods are lovely, dark and deep” creates a tranquil, reflective mood. Both poets effectively use imagery to immerse readers. (Long Answer Type, 160–180 words)

8. Comment on the poet’s use of conversational tone and its effect on readers.

The conversational tone of the poem makes the poet’s emotions more accessible, allowing readers to connect with her internal conflicts. It creates an intimate narrative, as though the poet is directly sharing her thoughts and regrets with the audience. (Short Answer Type, 50–60 words)

9. What is the poet’s attitude toward her aristocratic heritage, as revealed in the poem?

The poet feels a mix of pride and disillusionment about her aristocratic heritage. While she respects her grandmother’s tales of grandeur, she is also critical of the class distinctions it perpetuates, as shown in her reflections on “thick as gruel” blood. (Short Answer Type, 50–60 words)

10. How does Kamala Das’s Blood contribute to the broader theme of familial legacy in literature?

The poem adds a unique perspective on familial legacy, portraying it as both a source of identity and a burden. Kamala Das’s introspective narrative highlights the complexities of balancing respect for traditions with personal autonomy, enriching literature’s exploration of generational ties. (Long Answer Type, 160–180 words)

Blood by Kamala Das Summary in Hindi

कविता Blood में कमला दास अपनी पारिवारिक विरासत, बचपन की यादों, और सामाजिक व सांस्कृतिक परिवर्तनों के बीच के संघर्ष को प्रस्तुत करती हैं। यह कविता एक पुरानी, जर्जर होती हुई पैतृक हवेली और उसमें बसे हुए अतीत के गूंज को केंद्र में रखती है।

कविता की शुरुआत कवयित्री की दादी और उनकी गहराई से जुड़ी परंपराओं से होती है। दादी का सांप देवताओं की पूजा करना और अपनी शाही वंशावली पर गर्व करना कवयित्री के बचपन का अभिन्न हिस्सा था। दादी का व्यक्तित्व पारंपरिक मूल्यों और धार्मिक विश्वासों का प्रतीक है, जो परिवार की धरोहर को जिंदा रखती है।

लेकिन, समय के साथ घर की हालत खराब हो जाती है। “काई से ढके हुए सांप-देवता” और “गिरते हुए दीवारें” आधुनिकता और समय के प्रभाव को दर्शाते हैं। कवयित्री अपनी जड़ों से जुड़ी गहरी भावनाओं और इन विरासतों के प्रति अपनी जिम्मेदारियों के बीच संघर्ष करती है।

दादी की मृत्यु के बाद कवयित्री के सामने घर को फिर से बनाने का प्रश्न उठता है, लेकिन जीवन की व्यावहारिकताओं और शहरीकरण के दबाव में यह संभव नहीं हो पाता। इस निर्णय से कवयित्री खुद को दोषी महसूस करती है, जो कविता के अंत तक झलकता है।

कविता का केंद्रीय भाव परंपरा और आधुनिकता के बीच का द्वंद्व है। यह सामाजिक असमानता, विरासत के क्षरण और व्यक्तिगत संघर्ष को बारीकी से उजागर करती है। कमला दास की यह कविता पाठकों को अपनी जड़ों और विरासत के महत्व पर सोचने के लिए प्रेरित करती है।

Summary of Blood by Kamala Das in Urdu

20 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) Based on the Poem Blood by Kamala Das:

Detail-Based Questions

1. According to the passage, what did the poet’s great-grandmother often say about the house?
   a) It is new and well-maintained
   b) It is falling apart
   c) It is beautiful and full of memories
   d) It has been renovated recently
   Answer: b) It is falling apart
2. What does the poet’s great-grandmother compare the house’s deterioration to?
   a) A dying person
   b) A broken toy
   c) A ruined garden
   d) A crumbling book
   Answer: a) A dying person
3. What did the poet promise her great-grandmother when she was young?
   a) To never leave the house
   b) To rebuild the house when she grew rich
   c) To preserve the snake shrine
   d) To visit the house every year
   Answer: b) To rebuild the house when she grew rich
4. How does the poet describe her great-grandmother’s life?
   a) Busy and full of happiness
   b) Full of religious devotion and simplicity
   c) Full of adventures and travel
   d) Complicated and full of regret
   Answer: b) Full of religious devotion and simplicity

Inference Questions

5. It can be inferred that the poet feels a sense of guilt about the house because:
   a) She did not keep her promise to her great-grandmother
   b) She loved the house more than her family
   c) She wants to forget her past
   d) She feels the house was too grand for her
   Answer: a) She did not keep her promise to her great-grandmother
6. What is implied by the mention of the rats and white ants in the house?
   a) The house is full of life
   b) The house is decaying and neglected
   c) The house is being protected
   d) The house is haunted
   Answer: b) The house is decaying and neglected
7. What can be inferred about the poet’s view on tradition?
   a) She completely rejects tradition
   b) She values her heritage but also feels conflicted
   c) She embraces tradition fully
   d) She ignores tradition and focuses on modernity
   Answer: b) She values her heritage but also feels conflicted

Main Idea or Purpose Questions

8. What is the main idea of the poem Blood by Kamala Das?
   a) The poet’s journey to her ancestral home
   b) The importance of maintaining family traditions
   c) The conflict between preserving heritage and moving forward in life
   d) The poet’s experiences with her family
   Answer: c) The conflict between preserving heritage and moving forward in life
9. What is the author’s purpose in writing this poem? (Blood By Kamala Das)
   a) To express nostalgia for the past
   b) To criticize modern life
   c) To reflect on the decay of her ancestral home and its emotional significance
   d) To narrate a personal memory
   Answer: c) To reflect on the decay of her ancestral home and its emotional significance

Vocabulary in Context Questions

10. What does the word “lichen” mean in the context of the poem? (Blood By Kamala Das)
    a) A type of flower
    b) A type of insect
    c) A type of fungus that grows on surfaces
    d) A kind of bird
    Answer: c) A type of fungus that grows on surfaces
11. What does the word “gruel” mean in the context of the poem?
    a) A rich, hearty food
    b) A type of flower
    c) A watery, thin porridge
    d) A piece of jewellery
    Answer: c) A watery, thin porridge

Author’s Tone or Attitude Questions

12. How does the author feel about her great-grandmother’s death in the poem?
    a) Relieved and happy
    b) Indifferent and unaffected
    c) Guilty and regretful
    d) Angry and resentful
    Answer: c) Guilty and regretful
13. What is the author’s attitude towards the old house? (Blood By Kamala Das)
    a) She feels indifferent towards it
    b) She feels a deep sense of nostalgia and sorrow
    c) She wants to tear it down
    d) She is proud of its history
    Answer: b) She feels a deep sense of nostalgia and sorrow

Sequence of Events Questions

14. What happened first in the poem? (Blood By Kamala Das)
    a) The poet’s great-grandmother passes away
    b) The poet makes a promise to rebuild the house
    c) The house falls into disrepair
    d) The poet’s great-grandmother talks about her past
    Answer: d) The poet’s great-grandmother talks about her past
15. What happened after the poet’s great-grandmother died?
    a) The poet rebuilds the house
    b) The poet goes to a new town
    c) The poet keeps her promise to renovate the house
    d) The house remains unchanged
    Answer: b) The poet goes to a new town

Cause and Effect Questions

16. What caused the poet to feel guilty in the poem? (Blood By Kamala Das)
    a) She neglected her heritage
    b) She could not keep her promise to her grandmother
    c) She left the house too soon
    d) She sold the house
    Answer: b) She could not keep her promise to her grandmother
17. What is the effect of the poet’s decision not to rebuild the house?
    a) She feels free from the past
    b) The house becomes a symbol of decay and loss
    c) She feels accomplished and content
    d) She repairs the house and renovates it
    Answer: b) The house becomes a symbol of decay and loss

Comparison Questions

18. How does the poet compare the blood of her ancestors to that of others?
    a) The poet’s blood is thick and rich
    b) The poet’s blood is thin, clear, and fine, unlike others’
    c) The poet’s blood is muddy and impure
    d) The poet’s blood is weaker than the others’
    Answer: b) The poet’s blood is thin, clear, and fine, unlike others’
19. What is the similarity between the decaying house and the poet’s great-grandmother?
    a) Both represent strength and vitality
    b) Both symbolize decay and loss
    c) Both are thriving and full of life
    d) Both are symbols of the past that must be forgotten
    Answer: b) Both symbolize decay and loss
20. What are the differences between the old house and the new houses?
    a) The old house is sturdy, and the new houses are decaying
    b) The old house is beautiful, while the new houses are modern
    c) The old house is decaying, and the new houses are vibrant and new
    d) There are no significant differences
    Answer: c) The old house is decaying, and the new houses are vibrant and new

Use of Imagery in the Poem Blood by Kamala Das

In Blood by Kamala Das, imagery is used effectively to evoke emotions and illustrate the themes of decay, guilt, and inheritance. The image of the crumbling house, with “cracked walls” and “rats” running through it, symbolizes the poet’s guilt for neglecting her promise to rebuild her ancestral home. This house, in disrepair, mirrors the poet’s emotional state and the unresolved burden of her past.

The repeated reference to “blood,” particularly the idea of having “the oldest blood in the world,” emphasizes the poet’s deep connection to her heritage and the weight of ancestral responsibility. Natural imagery, such as “lichen on their hoods” and the house “moistened by the rains,” further enhances the sense of decay and the passage of time, aligning with the theme of inevitable deterioration.

Additionally, sensory imagery, including words like “gruel” and “dust,” adds a layer of discomfort, reflecting the poet’s inner turmoil. Overall, the vivid imagery in Blood deepens the exploration of guilt, heritage, and the tension between tradition and modernity.