NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English (Woven Words) Poetry 7 Hawk Roosting

Class : 11th

Subject : English

Chapter : 7(Poetry)

Chapter Name : Hawk Roosting

Q1 Comment on the physical features of the hawk highlighted in the poem and their
significance.

During his sleep to he is aware of his surroundings and his prey. God did his work by creating
him now he operates himself.

Q2 How does the poem emphasize the physical prowess of the hawk?

Answer. Hughes’ “Hawk Roosting” portrays the self-authoritative personality of the hawk who is
in a crisis still questions the god his own creator. The arrogance of the hawk is exposed in its
dogmatic assertion of its ferocity and superiority. It tells of “perfect kills and eats”, signifying its
thirst for violent power. It even denies God’s power and tries to establish itself as the only
container of power and control. It enjoys the absolute right to kill itself where it pleases, thereby
positioning itself as the victorious holder of authority. He mentions the sun, to evoke the idea
that even the sun follows it all throughout. It talks of its eyes as a constant presence that
“haven’t permitted no change” and which it plans to keep rigid.

Q3 ‘There is no sophistry in my body’—this statement expresses the brutal frankness of the
hawk. Does the poet suggest something through this statement?

During his sleep to he is aware of his surroundings and his prey. Hawk says he has the power
to decide the destiny of other beings.

Q4 ‘Now I hold Creation in my foot’—explain the centrality of this assertion in the poem. What
makes the hawk’s assertion of its invincibility so categorical?

Answer. Hawk is portrayed as self authoritative and posses the quality of being a dictator. The
hawk represents the fascist ideology. The hawk sits on the top of the tree and observes the
world from there. The small view of the world from above gives him a sense of power. It believes
that the sun and wind give him the supremity over living things.

Q5 Why is the poem entitled ‘Hawk Roosting’?

vantage point and it is looking down below from where it is roosting. The situation of the hawk is
similar to the condition of human beings who do not tend to illuminate ideas or boundaries
beyond the prescribed boundaries imposed by society. Violent imagery is employed to narrate
the plot. Hawk boost the imagery of supremacy and superiority.

Q6 Bring out the parallel suggested between the predatory instincts of the bird and human
behaviour.

topmost of the tree and it is looking down below from where it is roosting. Like humans animal
too gains authority over time. Hawk is roosting from above and in the same way, humans tend
to do. Humans believe themselves to be mediators of the world instead of everything in nature.
Like the hawk, humans assume them to be the masters.