Question

Appreciation of the Poem:
Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the points given below:
You Start Dying Slowly... If you do not travel,
If you do not read,
If you do not listen to the sounds of life,
If you do not appreciate yourself.
You start dying slowly....
When you kill your self-esteem,
When you do not let others help you.
You start dying slowly....
If you become a slave of your habits,
Walking everyday on the same paths.....
If you do not change your routine,
If you do not wear different colours
Or you do not speak to those you don't know.
You start dying slowly...
If you avoid to feel passion
And their turbulent emotions;
Those which make your eyes glisten
And your heart beat fast.
You start dying slowly....
If you do not change your life
when you are not satisfied with your job,
or with your love,
If you do not risk what is safe, for the uncertain,
If you do not go after a dream,
If you do not allow yourself,
At least once in your lifetime,
To run away from sensible advice......
-- Pablo Neruda

Hint:

When appreciating a poem, focus on the message conveyed by the poet. Identify the central theme and think about how the poet uses language, tone, and figures of speech to communicate that message.

Answer 1

• Title: You Start Dying Slowly
  The title highlights the central theme of the poem: the gradual death that occurs when one neglects the true essence of life. It suggests that without engaging with life meaningfully, one begins to lose their vitality in a metaphorical sense.
• Name of the Poet: Pablo Neruda
  Pablo Neruda was a famous Chilean poet known for his passionate and reflective poetry that often explored themes of love, nature, and human condition.
• Rhyme Scheme: The poem does not follow a strict rhyme scheme, making it more reflective and open. The lines are short and impactful, which enhances the emotional tone.
• Figure of Speech: Metaphor
  The main figure of speech used in the poem is metaphor. The phrase "You start dying slowly" is a metaphor for emotional and spiritual decay when someone fails to engage with life. The metaphor helps convey the urgency of the poem’s message.
• Theme/Central Idea:
  The theme of the poem is a warning against complacency in life. The central idea is that when one stops embracing life fully—through travel, reading, self-appreciation, and connecting with others—they begin to metaphorically die. The poem calls for the importance of living with passion and purpose to avoid this slow decline.