The Prize Poem
by P. G. Wodehouse
There are some words in the English language that have no words that rhyme perfectly with them. They are called refractory rhymes. In the list given below, circle the refractory rhymes.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Quick answers
1. Every story has some essential elements that allow the reader to understand the events that happen in the story. In the table given below, match the story elements to the examples.
=
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Elements of a story |
Examples |
|---|---|
|
a. The characters are individuals in a story, a play or a film. |
i. The competition was compulsory; three entries had the same verse.
[c] |
|
b. The setting is the location of the action. |
ii. Smith, Reynolds, Morrison, Mr. Perceval. [a] |
|
c. The conflicts are the problems that exist within the plot of a
story. |
iii. The competition was not compulsory any longer; only those who
wanted to write poetry could take part. [e] |
|
d. The climax is highest moment of suspense and excitement; the
turning point of the story. |
iv. The three poets looked at one another in speechless astonishment.
[d] |
|
e. The resolution is the part of the plot that is the solution to the
problem or conflict. |
v. St. Austin’s College. [b] |
Reference to context
2. " 'If it gets the prize,' repeated Reynolds, with asperity, 'you'll have to tell the Old Man all about it.' "
a. Which prize is being referred to here?
= The prize of the Prize Poem competition of writing poetry is referred to here.
b. Who chose the subject for the competition? What was the subject this year?
= The Headmaster Rev. Arthur James Perceval chose the subject for the competition.
The subject this year was 'The College - of all things'.
c. How did the students react to the announcement of the competition?
= Reynolds was pretty much excited about the announcement though he was admitted to an infirmary. The other students - Smith, Montgomery, Morrison and Evans - were turned off as they were not good at writing poetry. Smith was expecting that Roger would certainly win the competition.
3. " 'This is a very extraordinary communication. Exceedingly so. Yes, very.'
'Who is it from?' "
a. Between whom did this conversation take place? Who is speaking these lines? Whom is the speaker addressing?
= This conversation took place between Mr Perceval and Mrs Perceval.
Mrs Perceval is speaking these lines.
The speaker is addressing to Mr Perceval.
b. Who was the 'extraordinary communication' from?
= The 'extraordinary communication' was from Mr Wells, a great College friend of Mr Perceval.
c. Why did the speaker say that the communication was extraordinary?
= Mr Perceval had submitted the poems of the Sixth Form Prize for examine to Mr Wells. But in his letter, Mr Wells had informed him that the most taking part of the whole programme was - three students began their verses with exactly the same four lines. This made the communication extraordinary.
4. " 'And did you, Smith, also find this poem on a piece of paper in the field?' There was a metallic ring of sarcasm in his voice."
a. Who was the author of the poem? How had it reached the field?
= Reynolds was the author of the poem.
Reynolds was writing in his chamber in the infirmary. He had three sheet of paper with the same four lines written on them. Meanwhile the infirmary attendant Mrs Lee entered opening the door to give him his tea. The way she opened the door, created a gust of wind and it blew away two sheets of paper resulting them lying on the grass outside.
b. Why was there a 'metallic ring of sarcasm' in the speaker's voice?
= In the Prize Poem competition, it was found that Morrison, Montgomery and Smith had written poetry with the same four lines at the starting. After enquiry, the Headmaster, Mr Perceval found that Both Morrison and Montgomery found the four lines in the field on a piece of paper. This made the Headmaster astonished and he was ready to ask Smith where did he find his paper. The Headmaster was quite expecting that Smith also found the paper in the field. He was perplexed and awestruck. This is why there was a 'metallic ring of sarcasm' in his voice.
c. What reply did the speaker receive from Smith?
= Smith replied that he did not get the lines in the field on a piece of paper. Rather Reynolds had written those lines for him.
Read, reflect and write
5. How did Smith expect the Headmaster to respond to their deception?
= Smith thought that the Headmaster would become very angry and would burst on him. He he waited for the storm to burst.
6. How did the Headmaster respond to the deception? Why did he respond in the way he did?
= The Headmaster did not burst. Rather he felt a quite sense of humour. In the next Board Meeting, he delivered an exceedingly eloquent speech. He gave his verdict to alter the rules for the Sixth Form Poetry Prize so that from then on, no one need to compete unless he felt the urge to write poetry in him.
He responded in the way he did because the examiner's letter made him realise that writing poetry is not for everyone. It is very cruel to tell a person to write poetry who is good at writing prose.
7. We are told that at the next Board Meeting Mr Perceval gave a very convincing speech. What do you think he said?
= I think Mr Perceval might have told that they were creating unnecessary pressure upon the students by making the Prize Poetry competition compulsory for everyone. Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. None can stop it or create it of their own. It is definitely a bliss to write poetry.
Those who can write poetry, are undoubtedly blessed. But it is very pathetic for those who can not good at composing poetry. It they are said to write poetry, their peace of mind vanishes at the very moment. The thing which is most necessary in composing poetry, vanishes at the beginning. It is a punishment to the prosaic persons to write verse.
He must have sited the example of Morrison, Montgomery and Smith both in a humorous and sadistic way. Finally, he must have given his verdict to alter the rules for the Sixth Form Poetry Prize so that from then on, no one need to compete unless he felt the urge to write poetry in him.
8. Trace the events of the plot that led the three pupils to the Headmaster's office.
= Reynolds, Smith, Morrison, Montgomery, Roger, Evans are the students of Sixth Form of St Austin's College. Reynolds is admitted in the infirmary due to an attack of German measles. Smith comes to see him and informs him about the Prize poem competition of their college and the subject of this year is 'The College - of all things'. Smith expresses his inability of writing poetry and Reynolds is elite at it.
Smith wishes to be admitted in the infirmary as it is compulsory to take part in the competition. Then Reynolds offers him to write for him. Smith says that if he wins the prize, he will disclose everything to the Headmaster.
Reynolds writes the four same lines in three sheets of paper. Eventually his attendant comes in with tea and the gust of wind blows the two sheets outside and lay in the ground. Montgomery finds one of them and completes the poem with an ending couplet of his own.
After two days, Evans comes to Morrison with one of the sheets with the same four lines. Morrison manages to take that from him and makes it ready to submit in the competition. This way all the poems are sent to Mr Wells by Mr Perceval for examination. Mr Wells informed Mr Perceval about the fact that three poems are started with the same four lines. Then Mr Perceval calls all of them to his chamber.
9. Extended writing: It is commonly quoted that laughter is the best medicine. What lessons can one learn from this story?
= It is commonly quoted that laughter is the best medicine. This very story is full of elements of laughter. P. G. Wodehouse is a very popular humourist. Like all his other notable works, this piece of art is also is an instance of his humour.
The story is about a poetry competition for students at St Austin's College. The prize for the competition was sponsored by a rich man and its topic was chosen by the Headmaster. A handful of students looked forward to this, but most considered it a burden.
Reynolds, Smith, Morrison, Montgomery, Roger, Evans are the students of Sixth Form of St Austin's College. Reynolds is admitted in the infirmary due to an attack of German measles. Smith comes to see him and informs him about the Prize poem competition of their college and the subject of this year is 'The College - of all things'. Smith expresses his inability of writing poetry and Reynolds is elite at it.
Smith wishes to be admitted in the infirmary as it is compulsory to take part in the competition. Then Reynolds offers him to write for him. Smith says that if he wins the prize, he will disclose everything to the Headmaster.
Reynolds writes the four same lines in three sheets of paper. Eventually his attendant comes in with tea and the gust of wind blows the two sheets outside and lay in the ground. Montgomery finds one of them and completes the poem with an ending couplet of his own.
After two days, Evans comes to Morrison with one of the sheets with the same four lines. Morrison manages to take that from him and makes it ready to submit in the competition. This way all the poems are sent to Mr Wells by Mr Perceval for examination. Mr Wells informed Mr Perceval about the fact that three poems are started with the same four lines. Then Mr Perceval calls all of them to his chamber.
He questions the students in turn and came to know that two of them got their sheets on the ground outside and the other, Smith, has got his from Reynolds. All this chain of events made the strict Headmaster lurked in humour.
Finally, he gave his verdict to alter the rules for the Sixth Form Poetry Prize so that from then on, no one need to compete unless he felt the urge to write poetry in him.
About the Author :
P. G. Wodehouse (1881 - 1975) was an English author, best known for creating characters such as Bertie Wooster, Jeeves and Psmith. A very popular humourist, he began by writing short stories and later wrote novels and plays as well. His popular novels include Psmith in the City (1910), The Inimitable Jeeves (1923) and Carry On Jeeves (1925).