NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Poem 3 Poems by Blake

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Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Poetry Chapter 3 Question Answer

Answer:
Both poems are related because they deal with the same virtues: Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love. In The Divine Image, these virtues are shown as pure, divine and natural qualities present in human beings. The human being is presented as God’s child, full of kindness and spiritual beauty.
In The Human Abstract, the same virtues become distorted because of human selfishness, fear, cruelty and deceit. Here, human beings are shown in a fallen state, where goodness is corrupted by social injustice and hypocrisy.
Yes, both aspects are found in an average human being. A person can have Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love, but these qualities can also become selfish or false when influenced by fear, pride and cruelty.

“For Mercy has a human heart,
Pity a human face,
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress”.
Answer:
These lines mean that divine virtues are not separate from human life. Mercy is connected with the human heart because true mercy comes from kindness and compassion. Pity has a human face because it is expressed through sympathy for others. Love is called the human form divine because love makes human beings close to God. Peace is called the human dress because it gives dignity, calmness and beauty to human life.
Through these lines, Blake suggests that God lives in human beings when they practise Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love.

Answer:
In The Human Abstract, Blake shows that these virtues become distorted when they arise from social inequality and selfishness. Pity exists because some people are made poor. Mercy is needed because all people are not equally happy. Peace is not true peace; it comes from mutual fear. Love also becomes selfish and leads to cruelty.
The human brain creates false systems of morality. Cruelty plants a tree, Humility grows under it, Mystery spreads its dark shade and Deceit becomes its fruit. This means that human beings often turn good virtues into tools of control, hypocrisy and oppression.

Answer:
Blake presents two opposite states of human experience through these poems. The Divine Image belongs to Songs of Innocence. It shows human beings as pure, loving and connected with God. In this poem, Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love are divine qualities and wherever these qualities exist, God is present.
On the other hand, The Human Abstract belongs to Songs of Experience. It shows the darker side of human life. Here, society is full of poverty, fear, selfish love, cruelty, mystery and deceit. Human beings are no longer whole and happy; they have fallen into injustice and tyranny.
Blake’s message is that mankind must be rescued from this fallen condition. Human beings need to return to genuine love, compassion and spiritual unity. The two poems together show both the divine potential and the corrupted condition of humanity.

Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Poetry Chapter 3 English to Hindi Translation.

William Blake was a poet, painter and engraver. He abhorred the rationalism and materialism of his times. What he saw and painted were human beings beset with evil, yet striving for the divine within them. Blake’s lyrics appeared in two sets of volumes: Songs of Innocence (from which The Divine Image has been chosen) and Songs of Experience (from which The Human Abstract has been taken) representing the two contrary states of the human soul. Most of the poems in the first volume have counterparts in the second.
Hindi Translation“विलियम ब्लेक एक कवि, चित्रकार और नक्काशीकार (एन्ग्रेवर) थे। वे अपने समय के तर्कवाद और भौतिकवाद से घृणा करते थे। उन्होंने जिन मनुष्यों को देखा और चित्रित किया, वे बुराइयों से घिरे हुए थे, फिर भी उनके भीतर मौजूद दिव्यता को पाने का प्रयास कर रहे थे। ब्लेक की गीतात्मक कविताएँ दो संग्रहों में प्रकाशित हुईं: ‘सॉन्ग्स ऑफ इनोसेंस’ (जिससे ‘द डिवाइन इमेज’ कविता चुनी गई है) और ‘सॉन्ग्स ऑफ एक्सपीरियंस’ (जिससे ‘द ह्यूमन एब्स्ट्रैक्ट’ कविता ली गई है), जो मानव आत्मा की दो विपरीत (एक-दूसरे के उलट) अवस्थाओं का प्रतिनिधित्व करती हैं। पहले खंड की अधिकांश कविताओं की पूरक या जवाब देती हुई कविताएँ दूसरे खंड में मौजूद हैं।”

The Divine Image

To Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
All pray in their distress;
And to these virtues of delight
Return their thankfulness.
Hindi Translationदया, करुणा, शांति और प्रेम को
सभी अपनी पीड़ा में पुकारते हैं,
और इन आनंददायक गुणों के प्रति
वे अपना आभार लौटाते हैं।

For Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
Is God our father dear,
And Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
Is Man, his child and care.
Hindi Translationक्योंकि दया, करुणा, शांति और प्रेम
हमारे प्रिय पिता परमेश्वर हैं,
और दया, करुणा, शांति और प्रेम
मनुष्य है — उसकी संतान और उसकी चिंता।

For Mercy has a human heart,
Pity a human face,
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress.
Hindi Translationक्योंकि दया के पास एक मानवीय हृदय है,
करुणा का एक मानवीय चेहरा है,
और प्रेम वह दिव्य मानवीय रूप है,
और शांति वह मनुष्य का पहनावा है।

Then every man, of every clime,
That prays in his distress,
Prays to the human form divine,
Love, Mercy, Pity, Peace.
Hindi Translationतब हर देश का हर मनुष्य,
जो अपनी पीड़ा में प्रार्थना करता है,
वह उस दिव्य मानवीय रूप से ही माँगता है
प्रेम, दया, करुणा और शांति।

And all must love the human form,
In heathen, turk, or jew;
Where Mercy, Love, and Pity dwell
There God is dwelling too
Hindi Translationऔर सभी को मानवीय रूप से प्रेम करना चाहिए,
चाहे वह काफिर हो, तुर्क हो या यहूदी।
जहाँ दया, प्रेम और करुणा का वास है,
वहीं ईश्वर भी निवास करता है।

The Human Abstract

Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody Poor;
And Mercy no more could be
If all were as happy as we.
Hindi Translationकरुणा का अस्तित्व ही न होता,
यदि हम किसी को गरीब न बनाते,
और दया की ज़रूरत ही न पड़ती,
यदि सब हमारी तरह सुखी होते।

And mutual fear brings peace,
Till the selfish loves increase:
Then Cruelty knits a snare,
And spreads his baits with care.
Hindi Translationऔर परस्पर भय शांति लाता है,
जब तक स्वार्थी प्रेम बढ़ता रहता है।
फिर क्रूरता एक जाल बुनती है,
और सोच-समझकर अपना चारा फैलाती है।

He sits down with holy fears,
And waters the ground with tears;
Then Humility takes its root
Underneath his foot.
Hindi Translationवह पवित्र भय के साथ बैठ जाता है,
और अपने आँसुओं से ज़मीन को सींचता है।
फिर विनम्रता अपनी जड़ें जमा लेती है,
उसके पैरों के नीचे।

Soon spreads the dismal shade
Of Mystery over his head;
And the Caterpillar and Fly
Feed on the Mystery.
Hindi Translationशीघ्र ही रहस्य की उदास छाया
उसके सिर के ऊपर फैल जाती है,
और इल्ली और मक्खी
उस रहस्य पर पलने लगते हैं।

And it bears the fruit of Deceit,
Ruddy and sweet to eat;
And the Raven his nest has made
In its thickest shade.
Hindi Translationऔर वह छल का फल उगाता है,
लाल और खाने में मीठा,
और कौए ने अपना घोंसला बना लिया है
उसकी सबसे घनी छाया में।

The Gods of the earth and sea
Sought thro’ Nature to find this Tree;
But their search was all in vain:
There grows one in the Human Brain.
Hindi Translationधरती और समुद्र के देवताओं ने
प्रकृति में इस वृक्ष को खोजा,
पर उनकी खोज व्यर्थ रही —
यह वृक्ष तो मनुष्य के मस्तिष्क में उगता है।

Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Poetry Chapter 3 Summary in English and Hindi.

The Divine Image
In The Divine Image, Blake celebrates the four divine virtues – Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love. He argues that whenever human beings face distress, they instinctively pray to these four virtues and return their gratitude to them. These virtues are not separate from God or humanity – they are both God and Man simultaneously. Mercy has a human heart, Pity has a human face, Love takes the human form and Peace is the human dress. Blake concludes that every person across all religions and cultures who prays in distress ultimately prays to these human qualities. Therefore, wherever Mercy, Love and Pity exist in a human being, God himself is present there. The poem reflects the innocent belief that divinity and humanity are inseparable.
Summary in Hindiद डिवाइन इमेज (दिव्य छवि)
इस कविता में ब्लेक चार दिव्य गुणों – दया, करुणा, शांति और प्रेम – की महिमा का गुणगान करते हैं। कवि कहते हैं कि जब भी मनुष्य संकट में पड़ता है, वह इन्हीं चार गुणों से प्रार्थना करता है और उन्हीं का आभार मानता है। ये गुण ईश्वर और मनुष्य दोनों में समान रूप से विद्यमान हैं। दया का हृदय मानवीय है, करुणा का चेहरा मानवीय है, प्रेम मानवीय रूप में दिव्य है और शांति मनुष्य का परिधान है। हर धर्म और संस्कृति का व्यक्ति अंततः इन्हीं मानवीय गुणों से प्रार्थना करता है। ब्लेक का संदेश है – जहाँ प्रेम, दया और करुणा है, वहाँ ईश्वर स्वयं निवास करता है।

The Human Abstract
In The Human Abstract, Blake takes a darker, more cynical view of the same virtues. He argues that Pity would not exist if we did not first create poverty and Mercy would be unnecessary if everyone were equally happy. These so-called virtues, therefore, depend on the existence of suffering – suffering that humans themselves create. Peace born out of mutual fear eventually gives way to selfishness and Cruelty. Cruelty then plants the seeds of false Humility, which grows into a dark tree of Mystery, Deceit, and moral corruption. The tree bears the fruit of Deceit – attractive on the outside but rotten within. Even the gods searched all of nature for this tree of evil but could not find it anywhere. Blake concludes with a chilling truth – this tree of corruption does not grow in the external world; it grows only in the human brain. Evil is a human creation.
Summary in Hindiद ह्यूमन एब्स्ट्रैक्ट (मानवीय अमूर्तता)
इस कविता में ब्लेक उन्हीं गुणों का अंधेरा पक्ष दिखाते हैं। वे कहते हैं कि करुणा तभी होती है जब हम किसी को गरीब बनाते हैं, और दया तभी होती है जब दूसरे दुखी होते हैं। अर्थात ये गुण वास्तव में मानव-निर्मित पीड़ा पर टिके हैं। आपसी भय से उत्पन्न शांति धीरे-धीरे स्वार्थ और क्रूरता को जन्म देती है। क्रूरता एक अंधेरे वृक्ष के रूप में विकसित होती है जिस पर रहस्य, कपट और धोखे के फल लगते हैं। ब्लेक कहते हैं कि ईश्वर और प्रकृति में भी यह वृक्ष नहीं मिलता – यह केवल मानव मस्तिष्क में उगता है। बुराई बाहर नहीं, इंसान के भीतर जन्म लेती है।

Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Poetry Chapter 3 Very Short Answer Type Questions with Explanation.

1. Who wrote The Divine Image and The Human Abstract?
   Answer:
   William Blake.
2. From which collection is The Divine Image taken?
   Answer:
   Songs of Innocence.
3. From which collection is The Human Abstract taken?
   Answer:
   Songs of Experience.
4. Which four virtues are praised in The Divine Image?
   Answer:
   Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love.
5. To whom do people pray in their distress?
   Answer:
   Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love.
6. Who is described as “our father dear”?
   Answer:
   God.
7. What does Mercy possess according to the poem?
   Answer:
   A human heart.
8. What is called “the human form divine”?
   Answer:
   Love.
9. What is referred to as the human dress?
   Answer:
   Peace.
10. Where does God dwell according to Blake?
    Answer:
    Where Mercy, Love and Pity dwell.
11. Why would Pity not exist?
    Answer:
    If nobody were poor.
12. What brings peace in The Human Abstract?
    Answer:
    Mutual fear.
13. What does Cruelty knit?
    Answer:
    A snare.
14. What fruit grows on the tree?
    Answer:
    Deceit.
15. Where does the mysterious tree grow?
    Answer:
    In the human brain.

Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Poetry Chapter 3 Short Answer Type Questions with Explanation.

1. How does Blake connect God and humanity in The Divine Image?
   Answer:
   Blake presents God and humanity as closely connected through the virtues of Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love. He says these qualities belong both to God and to human beings. When people practise these virtues, they reflect the divine nature. Thus, God lives within humanity through acts of compassion and love.
2. What message of universal brotherhood is conveyed in The Divine Image?
   Answer:
   Blake teaches that all human beings deserve love and respect regardless of religion or nationality. He mentions “heathen, turk or jew” to show that God’s presence exists in all people. Wherever Mercy, Love and Pity exist, God is present. The poem promotes equality, unity and universal human brotherhood.
3. Why does Blake say that Pity and Mercy depend on suffering?
   Answer:
   In The Human Abstract, Blake argues that Pity exists only because some people are poor and suffering. Similarly, Mercy is needed only when people are unhappy or unfortunate. He suggests that these virtues often arise because society contains inequality and misery. This reveals the darker reality of human experience.
4. Explain the symbolism of the tree in The Human Abstract.
   Answer:
   The tree symbolizes the growth of evil and corruption in the human mind. Its roots are selfishness and fear, while its branches spread Mystery and Deceit. The Raven, Caterpillar and Fly feeding on it symbolize destructive forces. Through this tree, Blake shows how human beings create their own moral corruption.
5. How does fear contribute to the growth of evil?
   Answer:
   Blake believes that fear creates false peace and encourages selfishness. As selfish desires grow, cruelty develops and traps people. Fear becomes the foundation on which deception and hypocrisy flourish. Thus, fear plays a major role in corrupting human nature.
6. Contrast the mood of the two poems.
   Answer:
   The Divine Image has an optimistic, peaceful and spiritual mood. It celebrates human goodness and God’s presence in humanity. In contrast, The Human Abstract has a dark and critical mood. It exposes the corruption, selfishness and hypocrisy found in society. Together, the poems represent innocence and experience.
7. Why is The Divine Image called a poem of innocence?
   Answer:
   The poem presents human beings as naturally good and capable of expressing divine virtues. It focuses on compassion, love, mercy, and peace without highlighting social evils. This idealistic view of humanity reflects the innocent stage of human experience described by Blake.
8. Why is The Human Abstract considered a poem of experience?
   Answer:
   The poem reflects the harsh realities of life. It shows how virtues can become corrupted by selfishness, fear, cruelty, and deceit. Instead of presenting an ideal world, Blake reveals the darker side of human society. This realistic perspective represents experience.
9. What criticism of society does Blake make in The Human Abstract?
   Answer:
   Blake criticizes a society that allows poverty, inequality, fear and exploitation to exist. He suggests that many so-called virtues arise only because social problems exist. He exposes the hypocrisy behind institutions that benefit from human suffering instead of eliminating it.
10. What is the central message conveyed by the two poems together?
    Answer:
    The two poems show the dual nature of humanity. Human beings possess divine qualities such as Mercy, Love, Peace and Pity, but these qualities can become corrupted by selfishness and fear. Blake encourages readers to preserve their goodness and resist the forces that distort human values.

Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Poetry Chapter 3 Long Answer Type Questions with Explanation.

Answer:
The Divine Image and The Human Abstract are companion poems that present two opposite views of human nature. The first belongs to Songs of Innocence and the second to Songs of Experience.
In The Divine Image, Blake celebrates Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love as divine qualities present in both God and humanity. The poem presents an ideal world where people respect one another and recognise the presence of God in every human being.
In contrast, The Human Abstract exposes the darker side of human experience. Blake argues that virtues such as Mercy and Pity often exist because society allows poverty and suffering. Fear gives rise to cruelty, mystery and deceit. The poem presents a world corrupted by selfishness and inequality.
Together, the poems show the contrast between innocence and experience. They reveal both the goodness and the flaws of human nature and encourage readers to seek genuine compassion and spiritual growth.

Answer:
Blake believes that human beings possess a divine nature. In The Divine Image, he identifies Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love as qualities shared by God and humanity. These virtues are not abstract concepts but living expressions of the divine spirit within human beings.
The poet personifies these virtues and associates them with parts of the human body. Mercy has a human heart, Pity a human face, Love the human form divine and Peace the human dress. Through these images, Blake suggests that divine qualities become visible through human actions.
Blake further emphasizes that all people, regardless of race or religion, deserve love and respect because God dwells wherever these virtues exist. Thus, the poem presents humanity as a reflection of God’s goodness and encourages people to cultivate compassion and kindness.

Answer:
The tree in The Human Abstract is a powerful symbol of moral corruption and evil. Blake describes how selfishness, fear, and cruelty gradually grow into a tree within the human mind.
The roots of the tree are nourished by fear and tears. Humility grows beneath it, but not as a genuine virtue. Instead, it becomes part of a system that supports oppression. Mystery spreads its dark shade over the tree, creating confusion and ignorance.
The tree eventually produces the fruit of Deceit, which appears attractive but is harmful. Creatures such as the Caterpillar, Fly and Raven symbolize destruction and corruption. Blake concludes that this tree grows not in nature but in the human brain, suggesting that evil originates from human thoughts and actions.
Through this symbol, Blake criticizes hypocrisy, selfishness and social injustice.

Answer:
Blake uses these two poems to explore the conflict between innocence and experience. Innocence represents purity, faith, hope and love, while experience represents knowledge gained through suffering, injustice and social corruption.
In The Divine Image, human beings are shown as reflections of God’s goodness. Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love unite humanity and bring people closer to God. The world appears harmonious and spiritually uplifting.
In The Human Abstract, the same virtues become distorted by selfishness and fear. Blake reveals how social inequalities create suffering and how people misuse moral values for personal gain.
The contrast between the two poems illustrates Blake’s belief that human beings possess both noble and corrupt tendencies. The challenge is to preserve innocence while confronting the realities of experience.

Answer:
In The Human Abstract, Blake presents a powerful criticism of society and its institutions. He argues that many virtues exist only because social problems are allowed to continue. Mercy exists because people suffer. Pity exists because others are poor. Peace depends on fear rather than genuine harmony.
Blake shows how selfishness grows into cruelty and how hypocrisy creates mystery and deceit. The symbolic tree represents a society built on inequality and exploitation. Its fruits may appear attractive, but they conceal corruption and moral decay.
The poet also suggests that evil is not found in nature but in the human mind. Therefore, society can improve only when people overcome selfishness and cultivate genuine love, compassion and justice.
Through this poem, Blake calls for moral awakening and social reform.