a) they avoid meeting his eyes.
b) they try to look at the darker side of the person.
c) they convey no emotions.
d) they try to see what is not there.
The poet has learnt
a) to shake hands.
b) the ways of the world.
c) to laugh.
d) to put on masks.
The poet wants to learn from his son because his son
a) is not corrupted by the ways of the world.
b) is more informed.
c) knows about good manners more than his father.
d) is more caring.
II Answer the following questions in a sentence or two each.
When did people shake hands with their hearts?
What is the poet crying over? What help does he want from his son?
"Most of all, I want to relearn
how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror
shows only my teeth like a snake's bare fangs !"
What does the poet mean by these lines?
What is the tone of the poem?
"Now they shake hands without hearts:
while their left hands search
my empty pockets."
Why do the left hands search empty pockets now? What does this indicate?
The poet uses certain words to express frustration and sorrow. Identify these words.