ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Ans: The phrase ‘forlorn group’ is an example of oxymoron i.e., a pair of contradictory terms. This phrase is ironical as it refers to these six people, who were sitting together in a group and were sad and lonely.

Detailed explanation-2: -The phrase ‘forlorn group’ consists of two ideas contradicting each other. Forlorn means lonely and group means a collection of something. In other words group symbolises togetherness. So we can say these phrase highlights a contradiction.

Detailed explanation-3: -Which “forlorn group"is referred to in the extract above why was the group forlorn ? The word forlon group is referred to the group of six people who were together by a coincidence . the group was forlon because they were not talking with each other.

Detailed explanation-4: -The word ‘forlorn’ stands for lonely and hopeless. By saying ‘forlorn group’, the poet wanted to show how lonely a group of six people are together just because of their discriminatory feelings inside their hearts.