10th Standard, English FL Poem 2
Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher
II. COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS :
A. Answer the following questions briefly:

1. In the first line, ‘he’ refers to Abraham Lincoln’s Son; and ‘I’ refers to Abraham Lincoln.
2. The first line, “He will have to learn” means that
   a. the son has the choice either to learn or not to learn the values listed.
   b. the son has no choice.
   Answer: b. the son has no choice.
3. ‘‘…….all men are not just
   all men are not true.’’ These lines convey
   a. a one-sided view of life.
   b. the harsh reality of life.
   c. Lincoln’s personal view.
   Answer: b. the harsh reality of life.
4. The statement “for every scoundrel there is a hero” means
   a. the number of scoundrels in this world is equal to the number of heroes.
   b. for every bad person in this world, there is a good person.
   c. in spite of all the wickedness in this world, there is enough goodness.
   Answer: c. in spite of all the wickedness in this world, there is enough goodness.
5. Why is it important for a child to learn that the world is also filled with heroes, dedicated leaders and friends?
   Answer: Learning about heroes, dedicated leaders, and friends is crucial for children because it fosters positive values, inspires them to strive for greatness, and helps them understand the importance of community and positive relationships.
6. The first seven lines emphasize
   a. the value of positivity
   b. the negative aspects of life
   c. both the positive and the negative sides of life
   Answer: c. both the positive and the negative sides of life
7. Pick out the line which says that hard earned money has greater value than easy money.
   Answer: The line which says that hard earned money has greater value than easy money is,
   ‘That a dollar earned is of far more value than five found…’
8. What does the phrase “learn to lose” mean?
   Answer: The phrase “learn to lose” means to develop the ability to accept defeat or failure gracefully and to learn from the experience rather than being demoralized by it. Learning to lose involves accepting that you won’t always win, and that’s okay. It’s about not dwelling on the negative emotions associated with defeat and moving forward.
10. In what sense is it more honourable to fail than to cheat?
    Answer: It’s considered more honourable to fail than to cheat because failure, while disappointing, allows for learning and growth, while cheating undermines one’s integrity and provides a false sense of achievement. In failure you are ready to learn from mistakes you can analyze what went wrong, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to overcome challenges in the future. Cheating bypasses the learning process and provides a temporary success without genuine knowledge or skill development.
11. a. Why doesn’t the father want his son to follow the crowd?
    Answer: The father want his son to follow the crowd because he do not wants his son would be follow blindly of the crowd. The Crowd might be do something wrong. The father does not want his son to blindly follow the crowd because he wants his son to develop his own independent thinking and critical judgment.
    b. How can this value be linked to having faith in oneself?
    Answer: The father’s desire for his son not to follow the crowd might also stem from a belief that the crowd’s values are not necessarily aligned with his own. He wants his son to develop a strong moral compass and make choices based on his own understanding of right and wrong.
12. What kind of a listener does the father want his son to be?
    Answer: The father want his son to be a listener like to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.
    The father encourages his son to listen to everyone, but not to blindly accept everything he hears. He wants his son to filter information through a “screen of truth” and maintain his own individuality.
13. a. Is it possible to laugh when one is sad?
    Answer: The poem doesn’t directly address the possibility of laughing when sad. But it is possible to laugh when one is sad. This can manifest in different ways, such as laughing during moments of sadness, or even experiencing a mix of emotions where laughter and tears occur simultaneously. Lincoln’s believes that learning to find joy even in difficult times is a valuable lesson.
    b. What value is the writer highlighting here?
    Answer: The poem includes the line, “Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad,” indicating Lincoln’s belief that learning to find joy even in difficult times is a valuable lesson.
14. What does Lincoln mean when he says, “too much sweetness”?
    Answer: Abraham Lincoln says “too much sweetness,” he means that his son should be wary of people who are excessively flattering or overly kind. He advises his son’s teacher to teach him to be discerning and to recognize when someone’s behaviour is not genuine.
15. What does the poet-father mean by “close his ears to a howling mob”?
    Answer: “close his ears to a howling mob” means to ignore the pressure and influence of the crowd, especially when it’s acting emotionally or irrationally. The poet wants his son to think for himself and not blindly follow the opinions or actions of others, even if those opinions are widely held or aggressively expressed.
16. What is the ultimate teaching Lincoln recommends, and to what end?
    Answer: The ultimate teaching Lincoln recommends that his son have sublime faith in himself. Then his son will have Sublime faith in mankind.
17. Lincoln does not want his son “to put a price tag on his soul”. What does he mean by this?
    Answer: The phrase “put a price tag on his soul” means that Lincoln does not want his son to compromise his morals or integrity for personal gain, popularity, or material wealth. He wants his son to value his inner self, his principles, and his conscience above all else.
18. Why is it essential for someone to have “sublime faith in mankind”?
    Answer: Sublime faith in mankind is essential because it fosters optimism, encourages cooperation, and allows for the possibility of positive change. It promotes a belief in the inherent goodness of people and their potential for growth, which can lead to a more harmonious and productive society. Believing in the goodness of humanity can help individuals maintain a positive outlook, even when faced with negativity and adversity.
19. In the line, “This is a big order”
    a. What does “this” refer to?
    Answer: In the line, “This is a big order,” the word “this” refers to the entire preceding list of values and character traits that the father wants his son to develop.
    b. What does “a big order” mean here?
    Answer: “A big order” means that the father is asking the teacher to undertake a demanding and challenging task, one that encompasses more than just academic learning.
20. When the father says, “This is a big order,” it implies
    a. that the father has no faith in the teachers or the school.
    b. that the father has no faith in his son’s ability to acquire these values.
    c. that the task of teaching such values is too difficult for any teacher or school.
    Answer: c. that the task of teaching such values is too difficult for any teacher or school.
21. There are a few other expressions which indicate that the task of inculcating such values is not easy for the teacher or the school. Pick out the expressions.
    Answer: A few other expressions which indicate that the task of inculcating such values is not easy for the teacher or the school are,
    a) It will take time, I know;
    b) Try to give my son
    c) Poet repeated ‘if you can’ many times
22. The poem has a long list of contrasting values.
    e.g: scoundrel X hero
    selfish politician X dedicated leader.
    Pick out the rest from the poem.
    Answer:
    Enemy X friend
    A dollar earned X five found
    to lose X enjoy winning
    honourable to fail X cheat
    gentle X tough
    how to laugh X when he is sad…
    sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders X never to put a price-tag on his soul
    Treat him gently X do not cuddle him
    courage to be impatient X patience to be brave.
    sublime faith in himself X Sublime faith in mankind
23. Identify the lines which highlight the following qualities or values:
    a. to be positive and optimistic
    answer: ‘And take only the good that comes through’ & ‘how to laugh when he is sad’
    b. to be able to accept failure and defeat
    answer: Teach him to learn to lose
    c. to be able to appreciate what is beyond human understanding
    answer: But also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun,
    d. to have faith and belief in oneself
    answer: Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong…
    e. not to tread the beaten track
    answer: Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd
    when everyone is getting on the bandwagon
    f. not being gullible
    Answer: Teach him to listen to all men… but teach him also to filter all he hears
    g. to be able to discriminate the right from the wrong.
    Answer: Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob and to stand and fight
    if he thinks he’s right.
    B. Close Study
    Read the following extracts carefully. Discuss in pairs and then write the answers to the questions given below them.
24. Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend.
    It will take time, I know;
    a) What does the first line mean?
    Answer: The first line means the importance of balance and hope in the face of adversity. It suggests that even when encountering negativity or opposition (enemies), there is always the potential for positive relationships and support.
    b) What human virtue is highlighted here?
    Answer: positive relationships and support.

c) What will take time?
Answer: The learning of these things will take time.

2. Only the test of fire makes fine steel.
   a) Whom is this line meant for?
   Answer: This line is meant for Son.
   b) Explain the literal meaning of the line.
   Answer: It means that true strength and character are developed through facing and overcoming challenges and adversity.
   C ) What human virtue is emphasized here?
   Answer: The human virtue emphasized here is resilience. The phrase suggests that true strength and character as steel is made strong through the process of being heated and shaped by fire.
3. 
   III. PARAGRAPH WRITING :
4. 
   Discuss in pairs/groups of four each, the answers to the following questions. Individually, note down the important points for each question and then develop the points into one paragraph answers:
5. “Teach him to listen to all men
   but teach him to filter all he hears on a screen of truth.”
   Bring out the different ideas conveyed in these lines.
   Answer: These lines from Abraham Lincoln’s letter to his son’s teacher conveys the importance of critical thinking and discernment. It emphasizes the need to be open-minded and receptive to different perspectives while simultaneously developing the ability to evaluate information for its truthfulness and validity. This involves listening to others without blindly accepting everything they say, and using one’s own judgment to determine what is accurate and reliable. The first part, “Teach him to listen to all men,” highlights the value of considering different viewpoints and experiences. The second part, “but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth,” emphasizes the importance of independent thought and judgment.
6. Do you agree with the poet when he says,
   “Only the test of fire makes fine steel.”
   Give reasons to support your point of view.
   Answer: Yes I agree with the poet. It suggests that challenges and adversity are essential for developing strength, resilience, and ultimately, achieving excellence. The process of shaping steel involves intense heat and pressure, transforming raw metal into a strong and durable material. Similarly, facing difficult situations can mold a person’s character, making them more resilient and capable.
8. 
   IV. ACTIVITIES :
   Work in groups of four or five each.
9. a) List all the values which the poet-father wants the teacher to teach his son.
   Answer:
   a) optimism
   b) faith in life;
   c) caution about sycophancy;
   d) assertiveness to demand his due at work;
   e) self-righteousness;
   f) courage to be impatient;
   g) patience to be brave;
   h) sublime faith in himself;
   i) Sublime faith in mankind.
   j) Awareness of all kinds of people, good and bad;
   k) importance of hard work;
   l) sportive spirit;
   m) a mind without any envy;
   n) joys of reading and also appreciating nature;
   o) honesty;
   p) self-confidence;
   q) gentleness with people;
   r) toughness with people;
   s) wisdom;
   t) positivity;

b) Pick out any three values which in your opinion your teachers should teach students. State your reasons.
Answer: Honesty, Courage and Sublime faith in himself are the three values in the poem.
Honesty: He asks the teacher to instill honesty and integrity, teaching his son that it is better to fail honestly than to cheat to succeed.
Courage: Lincoln wants his son to be brave, not just in the physical sense, but also to have the courage to be himself, to stand up for his beliefs, and to face challenges with a strong spirit.
Sublime faith in himself: Abraham Lincoln emphasizes the importance of instilling a “sublime faith in himself” in his son. He believes that this self-belief is fundamental for his son to navigate life, deal with challenges, and ultimately have faith in humanity.

C ) Make suggestions on how those three values in the poem could be taught. One from each group presents the answers to the whole class.
Answer: To teach the values of honesty, courage, and Sublime faith in himself from Abraham Lincoln’s letter to his son’s teacher, educators can use a combination of storytelling, role-playing, and real-life examples. For honesty, students can analyze scenarios and determine the ethical implications. Courage can be explored through historical accounts of individuals who stood up for what they believed in, and patience can be illustrated through activities requiring sustained effort and focus. Each group can then present their findings to the class, fostering discussion and deeper understanding.

2. The poet-father contrasts each harsh lesson that his son will have to learn with a truth about the world. Write down five such examples. The first one is done for you.
   The harsh lesson that the The truth about the world/ father wants his son to learn People
3. don’t follow the crowd 1. everyone is getting on the bandwagon.
   2.”For every scoundrel, 2. there is a hero,”
4. “For every selfish politician, 3. there is a dedicated leader,”
5. “For every enemy. 4. there is a friend,”
   5 “Teach him it is far more honorable 5. to fail than to cheat,”
   6 “Give him the strength. 6. not to follow the crowd
   V. ABOUT THE POET :
   Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was the sixteenth President of the United States of America. Born to parents who struggled to make a living in Kentucky, Lincoln made great efforts to acquire knowledge. An outspoken opponent of the system of slavery, Lincoln defeated the confederacy in the American Civil War and introduced the measures that abolished slavery.
   VI. SUGGESTED READING :
   a) “Our children” a poem by Kahlil Gibran.
   b) “Love for Learning” by Shivaram Karanth.
   c) Watch the movies i) To Sir with Love ii) Black.