CBSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE

Detailed explanation-1: -The term ‘ball’ is used as a symbol for the boy’s past childhood days that are now gone. The loss of the ball is symbolic of the loss of the boy’s innocence. It is also symbolic of the boy gaining knowledge on how to experience loss and survive.

Detailed explanation-2: -The ball symbolises a life. Thus when someone loses his dear ones he remembers the time he had spent with them. No one else can take their place. Thus the poet advises the boy that in life he will face many losses but he should not lose heart but be hopeful that something better will come his way.

Detailed explanation-3: -The ball poem is about a boy who loses his ball and afterwards is seen grieving the loss of his ball. The ball poem has symbolism as its outstanding figure of speech. The writer uses the ball as a symbol, where losing the ball symbolise losing his childhood that the had cherished for long then he lost it unexpectedly.

Detailed explanation-4: -Answer: (a) The boy learns to grow up and understands his first responsibility. (b) ‘Balls’ signify the boys’ innocence and happy young days.

Detailed explanation-5: -The ball is symbolic of childhood memories. The poet focuses on the boy wanting the same ball back and not a new one because that was the ball with which the boy was emotionally connected. It had been with him for so long. This symbolizes that childhood memories are precious.