Page 1 - Question and Answer

Short Questions & Answers

Q1: What message does John Berryman want to convey through
this poem?

Ans: The message that the poet wants to convey is the
importance of loss and responsibility in life. We should not

forget the importance of possessions.

Q2: How does the boy feel at the loss of his ball?

Ans: The boy is very much troubled at the loss of his ball. His
ball falls in water. He is much upset as he has a long association

with the ball.

Q3: “Money is external.‟ What does the poet mean by this

expression?
Ans: He makes the boy understand about his responsibility as

the loss is immaterial. He can purchase another ball. He
explained that the world is full of possessions and money is an

external item.

text book questions & answers
Q1: Why does the poet say, “I would not intrude on him”? Why

doesn‟t he offer him money to buy another ball?
Ans: The poet wants the boy to experience the loss. He should

learn that it is the part of life. That‟s why the poet doesn‟t want
to interfere the boy and doesn‟t want to offer him money to buy

another ball.

Q2: “… staring down/All his young days into the harbour

where/His ball went …” Do you think the boy has had the ball

for a long time? Is it linked to the memories of days when he
played with it?

Ans: Yes, the boy has had the ball for a long time i.e. since his