Soft Storm

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. When does the speaker grow soft? Enlist the occasions when he grows soft.

In the poem "Soft Storm" by Abhi Subedi, the speaker grows soft when he witnesses the suffering of others. The occasions when he grows soft include when he sees poor children begging on the streets, when he observes the injustices of society, and when he contemplates the transience of life.

b. What do you understand by ‘this seamless city’?

"This seamless city" in the poem refers to a city where everything appears to be connected and intertwined. The speaker describes it as a place where "roads meet roads, water meets water, and hearts meet hearts" suggesting a sense of unity and interconnectedness.

c. Describe the poor children potrayed in the poem.

The poor children portrayed in the poem are depicted as vulnerable and helpless. They are described as having "dried lips, sunken eyes, and skeletal frames." The speaker notes that they have been forsaken by society and are forced to beg for their survival.

d. What do you understand by ‘the unwedded gardens of history’?

"The unwedded gardens of history" refer to the past that has been forgotten or neglected by society. The speaker suggests that history is like an untended garden that has been left to grow wild and unruly.

e. Why was the forlorn child wailing?

The forlorn child in the poem was wailing because of hunger and neglect. The speaker notes that the child's "emaciated hands were stretched out to grab a piece of bread" but no one paid attention to his plight.

f. What do you understand by ‘soft storm’?

"Soft storm" is a metaphor used by the speaker to describe the emotions that he experiences. It suggests a tumultuous inner turmoil that is expressed in a gentle and understated manner.

g. Why does the speaker call our time ‘mad time’?

The speaker calls our time "mad time" because he sees the world as being consumed by greed, violence, and chaos. He notes that people are becoming increasingly isolated and disconnected from one another, leading to a sense of despair and hopelessness.

h. What does the speaker want to do in “hard times”?

In "hard times," the speaker wants to be able to remain soft and compassionate towards others. He wants to resist the temptation to become callous and indifferent to the suffering of others, even in the face of great adversity.

Reference to the context

a. The poet uses the word ‘soft’ with the words like ‘storm’ and ‘gale’, which generally refer to disorder and violence. What effect does the poet achieve through the use of such anomolous expressions?

The use of the word "soft" with the words "storm" and "gale" creates a paradox or a contradiction in the poem "Soft Storm" by Abhi Subedi. By using these anomalous expressions, the poet is able to create a sense of tension and conflict between the gentle and the violent.

The effect of this contradiction is to highlight the complexity of human emotions and experiences. The "soft storm" represents the inner turmoil and conflict that the speaker feels, even as he maintains a gentle and compassionate demeanor towards others. It suggests that even in the midst of chaos and violence, there can be moments of tenderness and compassion.

Moreover, the use of such anomalous expressions also adds to the overall poetic effect of the poem. It creates a sense of surprise and intrigue for the reader, drawing them in and engaging them in the poem's themes and emotions. Overall, the use of these expressions allows the poet to convey a complex range of emotions in a way that is both powerful and thought-provoking.

b. What is the speaker’s attitude towards the time he describes in the poem?

In the poem "Soft Storm" by Abhi Subedi, the speaker's attitude towards the time he describes is one of ambivalence. On the one hand, he sees the world as being consumed by greed, violence, and chaos. He notes that people are becoming increasingly isolated and disconnected from one another, leading to a sense of despair and hopelessness. He calls our time a "mad time" in which people are losing their humanity.

However, on the other hand, the speaker maintains a sense of compassion and empathy towards others, even in the face of these difficulties. He seeks to remain "soft" and gentle, resisting the temptation to become callous and indifferent to the suffering of others. He recognizes the struggles and hardships of those around him and seeks to connect with them on a deeper level.

Overall, the speaker's attitude towards the time he describes is one of complexity and nuance. He recognizes the challenges and difficulties of the world around him but seeks to maintain a sense of compassion and empathy towards others, even in the face of adversity.

c. What is the speaker like? Is he a rebel? Why? Why not?

The speaker in "Soft Storm" by Abhi Subedi is a sensitive and compassionate individual who is deeply affected by the suffering and struggles of those around him. He is not necessarily a rebel in the traditional sense of the term, but rather someone who seeks to challenge the status quo and bring about positive change in the world.

The speaker's rebellion is not one of violence or confrontation, but rather one of compassion and empathy. He rebels against the indifference and apathy that he sees in society, seeking to connect with others on a deeper level and to bring about a greater sense of understanding and solidarity.

Rather than seeking to overthrow the existing order, the speaker seeks to create a new order based on values of compassion, kindness, and empathy. He recognizes the injustices and inequalities that exist in the world but seeks to address them through peaceful and constructive means.

Overall, the speaker in "Soft Storm" can be seen as a rebel in the sense that he challenges the existing order and seeks to bring about positive change. However, his rebellion is one of compassion and empathy rather than violence and confrontation.

d. Explain the stanza below in your own words:

I became soft
when I saw
a blood-stained shirt
speaking in the earth’s ears
with bruised human lips
in the far corner
under the moon
of history and dreams
playing hide and seek
in open museums
of human times.

In this stanza from the poem "Soft Storm" by Abhi Subedi, the speaker describes a powerful moment of empathy and compassion that he experiences when he sees a blood-stained shirt that seems to be speaking to him. The shirt represents the violence and suffering that has been inflicted upon human beings throughout history.

The speaker becomes "soft" in this moment, suggesting that he is moved to tears or overcome with emotion at the sight of the shirt. He describes the shirt as having "bruised human lips," indicating that it represents the voice of those who have been oppressed and silenced.

The shirt is in a "far corner" under the moon of history and dreams, suggesting that it is a symbol of the past and the hopes and aspirations that have been lost or forgotten. The "open museums of human times" represent the collective memory of humanity, with all of its joys and sorrows.

Overall, this stanza is a powerful meditation on the human experience of suffering and the need for empathy and compassion. The speaker is moved by the pain and suffering that he sees in the world around him and seeks to connect with those who have been silenced and oppressed.

Reference beyond the text

a. Write an essay, highlighting your dissatisfaction towards social, cultural, economic and political issues prevailing in Nepal at present.

Nepal's Uphill Battle: Discrimination, Culture, Economy, Politics

One of the biggest social issues facing Nepal is discrimination and inequality, particularly against marginalized groups such as women, Dalits, and ethnic minorities. Despite legal protections, these groups continue to face discrimination and marginalization in many aspects of life, including education, employment, and access to justice.

In terms of cultural issues, Nepal is grappling with the preservation of its rich cultural heritage amidst increasing globalization and modernization. Many traditional cultural practices and art forms are at risk of being lost as younger generations become more assimilated into global culture.

Economically, Nepal faces a number of challenges, including a high poverty rate, limited job opportunities, and an underdeveloped infrastructure. While the country has made some progress in recent years, there is still a long way to go in terms of creating sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty.

Finally, Nepal's political landscape is complex and often turbulent, with frequent changes in government and ongoing tensions between different political groups. The country's transition to democracy has been challenging, with corruption and nepotism remaining major issues in many sectors of government.

Overall, while Nepal has made some progress in recent years, there are still many social, cultural, economic, and political challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure a brighter future for all Nepalis. It will require a concerted effort from all sectors of society to overcome these challenges and build a more equitable and sustainable future.

b. Suppose you are a rebel, who wants to change the society by eliminating malpractices and anomalies prevailing in the society. Draft a speech outlining your vision for change.

Dear fellow citizens,

I stand before you today as a rebel, as someone who is committed to changing the society we live in. I believe that we have the power to create a better world, a world free from the malpractices and anomalies that currently hold us back.

Our society is plagued by many problems, from corruption and inequality to discrimination and violence. These issues have been with us for far too long, and it is time for us to take action.

My vision for change is simple: we must work together to create a society that is based on justice, equality, and respect for all. We must eliminate corruption and nepotism from our institutions and ensure that every person is treated fairly and with dignity.

We must also work to eliminate discrimination and violence in all its forms, whether it is based on gender, race, religion, or any other factor. We must create a society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.

But we cannot achieve this vision alone. It will require the efforts of all of us, working together towards a common goal. We must be willing to challenge the status quo, to speak out against injustice, and to work tirelessly towards a better future.

I urge you to join me in this fight for a better society. Together, we can create a world that is truly just, equal, and free from the malpractices and anomalies that currently hold us back.

Thank you.