Summary of the Rickshaw Ride
Introduction to the Poem
The poem "Rickshaw Ride" by John Hill is based on the poet's experience of riding a rickshaw in Hong Kong. The poem portrays the poor condition of the people in China who have to work hard for their survival. The poet starts by describing the old rickshaw puller, who is standing by the harbour spitting into the water. The poet compares the old man's physical appearance to the country of China, as both are old. In the second stanza, the poet describes the rickshaw puller's weak and thin appearance, comparing his wrinkled face to a sandbar at low tide. The poet highlights the old man's hard labour and lack of happiness despite earning a dollar. In the third stanza, the poet observes the old man's muscles and veins while he pulls the rickshaw up a hill. The poet expresses concern for the old man's health and well-being. In the last stanza, the poet reflects on the experience of the rickshaw ride, which he found to be terrible due to the old man's condition. Despite being asked about the ride by others, the poet only focused on the old man's suffering.
Stanza Wise Summary of the Poem Rickshaw Ride
John Hill is the author of the poem "Rickshaw Ride". The poet here has discussed his rickshaw ride in Hongkong and his experiences with it in this poem. He regrets witnessing an elderly rickshaw puller's pitiful state. He is sitting in his rickshaw and feels really sorry for the old man. The horrible living conditions of the hard-working Chinese people who struggle to survive are depicted in this poem.
Stanza - I
The author begins his poem by describing the rickshaw driver, an elderly Chinese man. He calls him ancient and contrasts his age with that of China. The ancient rickshaw driver is allegedly standing near the harbour and spitting into the sea. The poet has already detailed his appearance and activities in the opening stanza. Due to China's long history, he compares him to that nation.
Stanza - II
The rickshaw puller is described in detail in the second verse by the poet, who notes that while his face is entirely wrinkled, he is made of leather (skin), just like the rest of us. His outward appearance belies his extreme weakness. He seems so frail (skinny). The poet likens the sandbar during a low tide to his wrinkly face. Here, the poet encourages his audience to ride on his rickshaw at the lovely period of low tide in the sea while describing to them the pitiful state of the old rickshaw puller.
Stanza - III
The poet portrays the ancient rickshaw puller's reactions to his passengers in the third verse. His struggles are evident in the long hours he spent dragging his passengers in the peak Tram up the mountain. He doesn't appear content and won't give his passengers their money back. For them, it doesn't matter which dollar it is. In this particular old age, he must perform his hardest labor in order to earn this one dollar. He has to pull his riders up the steep hill and all the way to Victoria with his loud feet. He needs to repeatedly pull his passengers up the steep hill, past the cathedral, and to the summit tram.
Stanza - IV
The poet examines the elderly rickshaw driver intently in the fourth stanza and portrays his struggles for money. While the poet is being dragged up the steep hill, he starts to feel pretty afraid of what he sees. The poet is repeatedly pulled by the elderly rickshaw driver. To draw the rickshaw, he uses considerable body lean. The poet continues to pay attention to his neck, calf, and shoulder muscles. When yanking the rickshaw with power, his dark veins appear like snakes. The poet claims that rather than the other lovely things that pass by, the rickshaw puller's unique hard work is what draws riders' attention. The poet is horrified to see the old man's pitiful state. He never stops hoping for the best for the elderly man's survival. He makes a wish for the elderly rickshaw driver, telling him not to break (die) for him or his money. He hopes for continued good health.
Stanza - V
The poet tells how the people felt about their trip to Hong Kong in the final verse. Most people question him about his journey to Hong Kong and even the well-known rickshaw ride thereafter. Most people inquire about the poet's experiences riding in a rickshaw in Hong Kong, including his rickshaw driver, his run, and even his enjoyment of the journey. Nonetheless, the poet found the rickshaw journey to be such a horrible experience. He was scared the entire time he was riding in a rickshaw. He was mainly concerned with the rickshaw puller's pitiful state. The poet responds that despite his rickshaw driver going so quickly, the experience wasn't really enjoyable for him.
Exercise
A. Match the words with their meanings.
The numbered alphabet has been given to the meaning to denote the answer.
B. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words/phrases from the poem.
a. The old man is waiting for customers at the harbour
b. He is very weak with the folded face.
c. He knows that a dollar is nothing for the rider.
d. He takes the rider as far as to the …………
e. The rider’s eyes are caught by the old man’s twisted face
f. The rider didn’t have the fun of riding.
C. Answer the following questions.
a. How old is the rickshaw puller?
Ans:- He was old enough as China, as the poem describes his wrinkled/folded face.
b. What does ‘he is made of leather’ mean?
Ans:- The phrase 'he is made of leather means' that the rickshaw puller was so thin skinny and poor. On the other hand, the phrase can be interpreted as the mand had limited clothes in his body and had no choice except to pull the rickshaw.
c. What attracts the attention of the rider?
Ans:- The muscle near the neck, the Calf at the shoulder and the dark veins like snake attack the rider's attention,
d. Why does the rider want the rickshaw puller not to fall?
Ans:- The rider wants the rickshaw puller not to fall because he has paid a dollar for the ride.
e. Did the man enjoy the rickshaw ride? Give reasons.
Ans:- No the man did not enjoy the ride because in the last verse of the poem the man says that the ride was not fun.
More Useful Questions and Answers
1. Who composed this poem?
Answer:
John Hill composed this poem.
2. What does the rickshaw puller look like?
Answer:
The rickshaw puller looks quite old as China.
3. Why doesn't the poet want to take a ride on his rickshaw?
Answer:
The poet doesn't want to take a ride on his rickshaw because he feels fearful to see his pitiable condition.
4. Why doesn't the rickshaw puller thank the passengers?
Answer:
The rickshaw puller doesn't thank the passengers because his hard labour is far more than the dollar of the passengers.
5. Where is the rickshaw puller standing?
Answer:
The rickshaw puller is standing by the harbour.
6. What is he doing there?
Answer:
He is waiting there for his passengers.
7. What is he made of?
Answer:
He is made of leather.
8. How is his face?
Answer:
His face is folded like a sandbar at a low tide.
9. What is the rickshaw puller doing?
Answer:
The rickshaw puller is spitting into the water.
10. What does he know?
Answer:
He knows that a dollar doesn't matter to his passengers.
11. How long does he pull the rickshaw for a dollar?
Answer:
He pulls the rickshaw up to Victoria's long hill and passes the Cathedral to the peak Tram.
12. What attracts the poet's attention?
Answer:
The body parts of the rickshaw puller such as muscles at the neck, calf and shoulder attract the poet's attention.
13. What are his veins compared with?
Answer:
His veins are compared with snakes.
14. What does the poet wish for him?
Answer:
The poet wishes for him that he will not break for his sake or dollar.
15. How old is the rickshaw puller?
Answer:
The rickshaw puller is quite old as China.
16. What does ‘he is made of leather’ mean?
Answer:
'He is made of leather' means he is so thin with skin on his body.
17. Why doesn't the poet enjoy the beautiful scenes that pass by?
Answer:
The poet doesn't enjoy the beautiful scenes that pass by because he is fearful to watch the rickshaw puller's condition while pulling the rickshaw uphill.
18. Why does the rider want the rickshaw puller not to fall?
Answer:
The rider wants the rickshaw puller not to fall because he is worried to see his pitiable condition.
19. Did the man enjoy the rickshaw ride? Give reasons.
Answer:
No, the man didn't enjoy the rickshaw ride because he feels worried to see the rickshaw puller's condition.
20. Why is the rickshaw puller compared with China?
Answer:
The rickshaw puller is compared with China because he is quite old.
21. Why does the poet call the rickshaw puller 'a sandbar at low tide?'
Answer:
The poet calls the rickshaw puller 'a sandbar at low tide' because he finds his face completely wrinkled.
22. What currency is mentioned in the poem?
Answer:
The dollar is mentioned in the poem.
23. What is this poem about?
Answer:
This poem is about the hardships of working-class people of China, especially the rickshaw pullers.
Grammar II
Use the correct forms of the adjectives or adverbs given in the brackets.
a. The Marsyangdi is one of the biggest rivers in Nepal.
b. Thani Mai is a famous temple in the whole district.
c. A spider is not usually as deadly as a snake.
d. The children are really enjoying the movie. They are watching it more interesting than the adults.
e. Mr Shrestha is the most humorous teacher in the whole school.
f. Children are considered to be more innocent than adults.
g. A computer is more expensive than a pocket calculator.
h. My sister is almost as tall as my mother.
i. My maths exam was much better than the history exam.
j. Bungee jumping really scares me. I find it more dangerous than paragliding.
k. Sima is walking more carefully than Sarad.
Writing II
You might have travelled to different places. Write an account of one of your journeys. Include the following guidelines in your writing.
where you went how you travelled there
who you went with what you did
what you’ve learnt
Exploring the Mystical Himalayas
Introduction:
Recently, I embarked on an awe-inspiring journey to the majestic Himalayan mountain range, a place known for its unparalleled beauty and spiritual significance. Guided by a deep desire for adventure and self-discovery, I set out to explore the wonders that awaited me in this enchanting part of the world. In this account, I will recount my journey, including where I went, how I traveled, who accompanied me, the activities I engaged in, and the profound lessons I learned along the way.
Destination: The Himalayas
Travel Method: Trekking and Hiking
Companions: A group of fellow adventure enthusiasts
Duration: Two weeks
Chapter 1: The Ascent Begins
Our journey commenced in the foothills of the Himalayas, where we started our trek. Equipped with sturdy hiking gear and an eagerness to explore, our group of eight set out on foot, eager to immerse ourselves in the natural splendor that lay ahead. As we ascended, we traversed lush green valleys, crossed gushing rivers, and breathed in the crisp mountain air.
Chapter 2: Embracing the Unknown
As we ventured deeper into the Himalayas, the landscape gradually transformed into a snow-covered wonderland. With each step, we marveled at the breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks piercing the heavens. The terrain demanded resilience and determination, as we navigated treacherous paths and encountered unexpected challenges. Our journey became a metaphor for life itself, teaching us the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and unity.
Chapter 3: Encountering Serenity
Amongst the rugged grandeur of the Himalayas, we discovered moments of profound tranquility. We would often pause our trek to meditate, allowing the silence and stillness of the mountains to seep into our souls. These serene moments instilled in us a sense of mindfulness and a deeper connection with nature. We realized that true peace could be found within ourselves, even amidst the chaos of the world.
Chapter 4: A Meeting with Monastic Wisdom
In the remote mountainous regions, we encountered ancient monasteries perched atop hills, their vibrant prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Intrigued by the spiritual traditions of the Himalayas, we spent time in these sacred spaces, engaging in conversations with wise monks who graciously shared their wisdom. Their teachings centered around the importance of compassion, detachment from material desires, and finding joy in simplicity.
Chapter 5: Summiting the Peak
After weeks of physical and mental challenges, we finally reached our ultimate destination—a breathtaking summit that offered a panoramic view of the Himalayan range. Standing at the pinnacle of triumph, we felt a profound sense of accomplishment and unity. The hardships we had endured had forged bonds of friendship and taught us the value of supporting one another.
Conclusion: Lessons Learned
My journey through the Himalayas was not merely an exploration of a geographical wonder but a transformational experience that touched the depths of my being. It taught me the significance of resilience, adaptability, and perseverance in the face of adversity. The serenity and spirituality of the mountains inspired me to seek inner peace and mindfulness in my everyday life. Above all, the journey reminded me of the beauty of human connection and the joy of shared experiences. The Himalayas will forever hold a special place in my heart as a symbol of personal growth, adventure, and the limitless potential that lies within us all.