{"id":866493,"date":"2025-08-11T15:20:42","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T09:50:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/discover\/?p=866493"},"modified":"2025-08-11T15:20:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T09:50:42","slug":"ncert-notes-class-11-english-woven-words-poem-1-the-peacock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/discover\/school-education\/ncert-notes-class-11-english-woven-words-poem-1-the-peacock\/","title":{"rendered":"NCERT Notes Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 1: The Peacock (Free PDF)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The poem The Peacock by Sujata Bhatt is the first poem in the Poetry section of the NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words textbook. This vivid poem captures the beauty of a peacock and the quiet observation required to witness its presence. The poet describes the bird\u2019s sudden appearance and elusive nature, inviting readers to see the moments of nature and unexpected beauty. This blog provides explanations, meanings, and analyses to help students understand the poem\u2019s message. You can also download the free PDF for quick revision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Explore Notes of Class 11 English Woven Words<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter 1<\/strong><\/a><\/td>Chapter 2<\/strong><\/a><\/td>Chapter 3<\/strong><\/a><\/td>Chapter 4<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Download PDF of NCERT Notes Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 1: The Peacock<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Important Word Meanings in The Peacock by Sujata Bhatt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the poem The Peacock by Sujata Bhatt, the poet uses specific words to evoke the vivid imagery and fleeting nature of the peacock\u2019s appearance. Understanding these words helps clarify the poem\u2019s sensory and emotional impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Word \/ Phrase<\/strong><\/td>Meaning<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Turquoise<\/td>A bright blue-green colour, referring to the peacock\u2019s vibrant feathers<\/td><\/tr>
Pipal tree<\/td>A sacred fig tree, commonly found in India, where the peacock appears<\/td><\/tr>
Slender neck<\/td>The graceful, thin neck of the peacock arched elegantly<\/td><\/tr>
Darts away<\/td>Moves quickly and suddenly, describing the peacock\u2019s elusive movement<\/td><\/tr>
Veranda<\/td>An open, roofed platform along the outside of a house, a setting for observation<\/td><\/tr>
Blue shadow<\/td>The peacock\u2019s presence, casting a subtle, blue-toned shadow, signals its arrival<\/td><\/tr>
Violet fringed with golden amber<\/td>The vivid colours of the peacock\u2019s tail feathers, with violet edges and golden hues<\/td><\/tr>
Tail that has to blink<\/td>The peacock\u2019s tail folding, likened to eyes closing, as it turns away<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Line-by-Line Explanation of the Poem The Peacock<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is the line-by-line explanation of the poem, The Peacock, in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stanza 1:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His loud sharp call<\/strong>
<\/strong>seems to come from nowhere.<\/strong>
<\/strong>Then, a flash of turquoise<\/strong>
<\/strong>in the pipal tree<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The poem opens with the sudden, startling call of the peacock, its source unclear, creating a sense of mystery. A burst of turquoise in the pipal tree reveals the peacock\u2019s vibrant presence, catching the observer off guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The slender neck arched away from you<\/strong>
<\/strong>as he descends,<\/strong>
<\/strong>and as he darts away, a glimpse<\/strong>
<\/strong>of the very end of his tail.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The peacock\u2019s graceful neck arches as it moves down from the tree, and its quick, fleeting departure leaves only a brief glimpse of its tail, emphasising its elusive and transient beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stanza 2:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was told<\/strong>
<\/strong>that you have to sit in the veranda<\/strong>
<\/strong>And read a book,<\/strong>
<\/strong>preferably one of your favourites<\/strong>
<\/strong>with great concentration.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The poet shares advice about how to see a peacock: one must sit quietly on the veranda, deeply immersed in a favourite book, suggesting that the peacock appears only when one is absorbed and unaware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stanza 3:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The moment you begin to live<\/strong>
<\/strong>inside the book<\/strong>
<\/strong>A blue shadow will fall over you.<\/strong>
<\/strong>The wind will change direction,<\/strong>
<\/strong>The steady hum of bees<\/strong>
<\/strong>In the bushes nearby<\/strong>
<\/strong>will stop.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the reader becomes engrossed in the book, a subtle \u201cblue shadow\u201d (the peacock\u2019s presence) appears. The wind shifts, and the bees\u2019 hum ceases, signalling a change in the environment as the peacock nears, heightening the sense of anticipation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stanza 4:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cat will awaken and stretch.<\/strong>
<\/strong>Something has broken your attention;<\/strong>
<\/strong>And if you look up in time<\/strong>
<\/strong>You might see the peacock turning away as he gathers<\/strong>
<\/strong>his tail<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cat stirs, and the reader\u2019s focus is disrupted. If they look up quickly, they might catch the peacock turning away, folding its tail, a fleeting moment of beauty before it vanishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stanza 5:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To shut those dark glowing eyes,<\/strong>
<\/strong>Violet fringed with golden amber.<\/strong>
<\/strong>It is the tail that has to blink<\/strong>
<\/strong>For eyes that are always open.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The peacock\u2019s tail, with its vibrant, eye-like patterns of violet and golden amber, folds as if \u201cblinking,\u201d a poetic description of its retreat. The \u201ceyes\u201d on the tail, always open, contrast with the act of closing, emphasising the peacock\u2019s mystique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analysis of the Poem The Peacock by Sujata Bhatt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The poem The Peacock by Sujata Bhatt captures the fleeting beauty of a peacock and the quiet attentiveness needed to witness it. It reflects on the interplay between focus, nature, and moments of unexpected wonder, set in a serene, natural environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theme \u2013 Fleeting Beauty and Attentive Observation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The central theme is the transient beauty of nature, embodied by the peacock\u2019s sudden appearance and quick departure. The poem suggests that such moments of beauty require deep focus and stillness, often occurring when one is immersed in another task, like reading, highlighting the serendipity of nature\u2019s wonders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symbolism and Meaning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here we have mentioned the symbolism used in this poem, along with the meaning behind that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n