The Dance of the Eunuchs Questions and Answers
Very Short Answer Questions
Q: Who wrote The Dance of the Eunuchs?
A: Kamala Das.
Q: In which poetry collection was The Dance of the Eunuchs published?
A: Summer in Calcutta.
Q: What is the central theme of the poem?
A: Marginalization and suffering of eunuchs.
Q: What does the “fiery gulmohur” symbolize in the poem?
A: Passion and pain.
Q: How are the eunuchs described physically in the poem?
A: Thin and dry, like half-burnt logs.
Q: What do the eunuchs sing about?
A: Lovers dying and children left unborn.
Q: What sound device is used in “jingling, jingling, jingling”?
A: Repetition (Epizeuxis).
Q: What is the significance of the silence of the crows in the poem?
A: It symbolizes tension and unnatural stillness.
Q: How does the speaker feel about the eunuchs?
A: Sympathetic and reflective.
Q: What does the “meagre rain” symbolize?
A: Inadequate relief and unfulfilled hope.
Q: What poetic form does the poem follow?
A: Free verse.
Q: What tone is prevalent in the poem?
A: Melancholic and somber.
Q: What do the tattoos and jasmines in the eunuchs’ appearance signify?
A: Attempts at beauty and individuality.
Q: How does nature reflect the eunuchs’ suffering in the poem?
A: Through oppressive heat and disappointing rain.
Q: What does the comparison to “half-burnt logs” signify?
A: Incompleteness and decay.
Q: What do the children’s reactions represent?
A: Fascination mixed with discomfort.
Q: What is the significance of the eunuchs beating their breasts?
A: Expression of sorrow and anguish.
Q: What is the role of the eunuchs’ dance in the poem?
A: A metaphor for their struggle for visibility and expression.
Q: How does the poem address societal norms?
A: By highlighting the rejection and alienation of marginalized groups.
Q: What does the poem ultimately emphasize about the eunuchs’ lives?
A: Their pain, isolation, and humanity.
Short Answer Questions
Q: How does Kamala Das portray the eunuchs in the poem?
A: Kamala Das portrays the eunuchs as marginalized individuals who attempt to express themselves through dance and music. Despite their vibrant appearances—adorned with tattoos and jasmine flowers—they carry immense sorrow. Their songs and movements reveal inner pain, reflecting a life of societal rejection and unfulfilled desires.
Q: What is the significance of the “fiery gulmohur” in the poem?
A: The “fiery gulmohur” symbolizes passion, intensity, and suffering. Its vibrant red color mirrors the eunuchs’ dramatic and energetic dance, while the oppressive heat of the setting reflects the emotional and physical struggles they endure in their lives.
Q: What role does nature play in the poem?
A: Nature reflects the emotional state of the eunuchs. The silence of the crows and the oppressive heat represent a stifling atmosphere, while the “meagre rain” symbolizes false relief or hope that fails to fulfill. Nature serves as a parallel to their inner emptiness and societal neglect.
Q: How does the poem explore the theme of marginalization?
A: The eunuchs are depicted as outsiders, living on the fringes of society. Their dance, a vibrant yet sorrowful expression, becomes a metaphor for their struggle for visibility. The harshness of their voices, their melancholic songs, and their futile hope for acceptance underline their marginalized existence.
Q: What is the tone of the poem, and how does it enhance the theme?
A: The tone is melancholic and reflective, evoking empathy for the eunuchs’ pain. This tone highlights the duality of their existence: outward vibrancy versus inner despair. The somber mood draws attention to their suffering and societal exclusion.
Q: What does the “meagre rain” represent in the poem?
A: The “meagre rain” symbolizes incomplete relief and false hope. Just as the rain fails to cool the heat or bring renewal, the eunuchs’ lives lack fulfillment and true joy. It underscores the futility of their search for acceptance and belonging.
Q: How does Kamala Das use imagery to convey the eunuchs’ plight?
A: Das employs vivid sensory imagery, such as “jingling anklets,” “fiery gulmohur,” and “half-burnt logs,” to depict the eunuchs’ vibrancy and decay. These images contrast their outwardly dramatic appearance with their inner emptiness, emphasizing their pain and alienation.
Q: How are the eunuchs’ physical appearances symbolic in the poem?
A: Their tattoos and jasmine flowers symbolize their attempts to assert identity and beauty, while their “thin limbs” and “dry” bodies reflect physical and emotional decay. This duality symbolizes their struggle to appear vibrant despite their inner suffering.
Q: What do the children’s reactions to the eunuchs signify?
A: The children watch “wide-eyed” and “still,” representing a mix of curiosity and discomfort. Their reactions reflect society’s inability to fully understand or accept the eunuchs, symbolizing the alienation the eunuchs face from both adults and the younger generation.
Q: What is the central message of the poem?
A: The poem highlights the pain and marginalization of the eunuchs, urging readers to empathize with their struggles. It emphasizes themes of societal neglect, unfulfilled desires, and the universal human condition of masking sorrow behind outward expressions of joy.
