Street Cries by Sarojini Naidu - Line by line explanation.

Street Cries by Sarojini Naidu

-     Line by line explanation.  

Stanza-1

Line in the poem	Explanation
When the dawn’s first cymbal beats upon the sky	Cymbal is a musical instrument The early morning sounds in the sky are probably the twittering of the birds
Rousing the world to labour’s cry	The world refers here to the people inhabiting the earth so it means the people are awakened by the twittering of the birds to go out for their work
To tend the flock, to bind the mellowing grain,	The poet is now clarifying the various spheres of labour – she empahsises on the   then India’s economy – farming and agriculture oriented –comprising of farmers, shepherds etc . Note she did not speak about industrial labour nor gave an iota of indication of the whizzing of the factory siren! To tend the flock – refers to the shepherds To bind the mellowing grain – refers to the farmers
From ardent toil to forge a little gain,	The poet is showing the zeal of the workmen Working passionately to earn some profit
And fasting men go forth in hurrying feet	Do we not feel that these men are actually on fast? Since the last night’s supper their tummy did not have any fill. They were on fast and really hungry now upon waking that makes them go hurriedly to the man hawking food.
BUY BREAD, BUY BREAD, rings down the eager street.	Poet talks about Bread! Quite Amazing Do we find a change in the Indian food habit? From stale rice soaked in water, a staple breakfast for the toiling class, to Bread! Are the Western cuisines influencing the Indian palette?  Need to ponder – by the way the poem was published in 1905 in book of collected poems of the poet The Golden Threshold

Stanza-2

Line in the poem	Explanation
When the earth falters and the water swoons	The soil losing its strength – is is referring top drying up – oh yes – sure she says in the next phrase the water swoons – fainting? Meaning water loss from the ground.
With the implacable radiance of the noon	Unchangeable glare of the afternoon – undoubtedly this is referring to the energized midday sun – scorching and drying up the surrounding – effecting on all the animals
And in dim shelters koels hush their notes	Referring to the intensity of the heat  and its effect = koels taking shelters in shades and hush in low notes
And the faint, thirsting blood in languid throats	The feeble oppressed throats hankering for water
Craves liquid succour from cruel heat	Longs for liquid as a help from the cruel heat
Buy Fruit, Buy Fruit, steals down the panting street	The fruit monger goes shouting out its merchandise

Stanza-3

Line in the poem	Explanation
When twilight twinkling o’er the gay bazaars	Evening time, the lights from the sunset fall over the enthusiastic/lively marketplace
Unfurls a sudden canopy of stars	It happens quite sudden – the sky is covered with stars – poetically opens up a unexpected sky covered with stars studded on it
When lutes are strung and fragrant torches lit	An stringed musical instrument which is being played as a part of entertainment and odour sticks are lighted
On the white roof-terraces where lovers sit	White – signifying calmness and serenity – saying terraces of the buildings which is tranquil and calm – there the couples sit
Drinking together of life’s poignant sweet	Here drinking means enjoying as if a drink – enjoying together the life’s sweetness, fondness, affection and attachment
BUY FLOWERS, BUY FLOWER,S floats down the singing street	The florist comes on the street to sell flowers.

Some Aspects of the Poem

·       A poem written in English describing the Indian Scenario

-        Morning

-        Afternoon

-        Evening

·       A poem written at a time when life was far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife – people having simple approach to life – waking at dawn to rush for work, having afternoons with no gadgets to cool them down excepts natural resources and  having time to enjoy the evening with the family. And of course environment pollution has not overpowered human life.

·       The sky has been described in three ways

-           The morning sky – filled with twittering of bird.

-          The afternoon sky – unchangeable glare of the

                                 midday sun

-          The evening sky – studded with stars

·       The street has been described in three ways

-          The morning street – eager – Showing positive

                                  signs of winning the days

                                  battle –

-          The afternoon street – panting - Life undone by

                                    the scorching heat

-             The evening street – singing – sign of merry

                                  making and relaxation.     

·       Certain anomalies:

1.  Throughout the poem it is unclear which scenario the poet has tried to portray – urban or rural

(a)       The use of bread as morning food is quite unnatural

(b)       Mention of tending flock and binding grains – talk about rural life

(c)       Buy fruits – in Indian villages do we really need to buy for consuming fruits or do we simply pluck and eat?

(d)       Buy flowers – same as fruits – are flowers needed to be sold in villages?